Page 27 - Curse of Strahd_Neat

If Strahd is defeated, the fog that surrounds Barovia BAROVIAN CALENDAR
fades away, allowing the inhabitants of the valley to Barovia has its own calendar, and Barovians are accus­
leave if they wish. Only those who have souls, however, tomed to measuring the passage of time in "moons"
can truly leave this place. Soulless Barovians cease to instead of months. As a measurement of time, each moon
exist as soon as they exit the valley. begins on the first night of a full moon and lasts a full
lunar cycle. A year consists of twelve moons, or twelve
BAROVIANS AND N ONHUMANS lunar cycles.
Strahd was born in 306. In 346, he inherited his father's
Barovians are human. Although they know that crown, lands, and army. Strahd conquered the valley in
dwarves, elves, halflings and other civilized races exist, 347, finished construction of Castle Ravenloft in 350, and
few living Barovians have seen such "creatures," let died and became a vampire in 351. The current year is 735.
alone interacted with them.
Aside from the secretive dusk elves of Vallaki (see Wine is the lifeblood of Barovia-for some, it is the
chapter 5), the only nonhumans most Barovians are only reason to keep living. Barovian taverns get their
familiar with are the adventurers that Strahd has lured wine from the Wizard of Wines winery near Krezk.
to his dark realm. Barovians thus react to nonhuman A mad wizard of great power haunts the foothills of
characters the same way most humans in the real Mount Baratok. He is an outsider and no friend of the
world would react to elf, dwarf, or half-ore adventurers vampire's.
suddenly walking the streets. Most such outsiders are
scorned, feared, or shunned. BELIEFS AND SUPERSTITIONS
Barovians have deep-rooted religious beliefs and
BAROVIAN LORE superstitions that they pass down from one generation
Typical Barovians know certain facts, or have certain to the next:
beliefs, about their existence and their surroundings. Two divine forces watch over the Barovian people: the
This common lore is summarized here. Characters can Morninglord and Mother Night.
learn this information after earning a Barovian's trust. • Before the curse of Strahd befell the land, the Mornin­
glord watched over the Barovian people from sunrise
THE DEVIL STRAHD until sundown. Now, the sun has not shone unob­
About Strahd and vampires, the Barovians believe the scured for centuries, and the Morninglord no longer
following: answers their prayers.
Strahd von Zarovich is a vampire, and he dwells in , The presence of Mother Night is felt most strongly
Castle Ravenloft. No one is welcome at the castle. between dusk and dawn, although nighttime prayers
The devil Strahd is a curse placed on the land because to her go unanswered. It is widely believed that she
of a forgotten sin of the Barovians' ancestors. (This is has forsaken the Barovian people and sent the devil
untrue, but Barovians believe it nonetheless.) Strahd to punish them for their ancestors' offenses.
A vampire must rest in its coffin during the day. At • Spirits drift along the Old Svalich Road toward Castle
night, it can summon wolves and vermin to do its bid­ Ravenloft in the dead of night. These phantoms are all
ding. A vampire can transform into a bat, a wolf, or a that remain of Strahd's enemies, and this damnable
cloud of mist. In its humanoid form, it can dominate fate awaits anyone who opposes him.
you with its powerful gaze. The Vistani serve the devil Strahd. They alone are al­
A vampire can't enter a residence without an invitation lowed to leave Barovia.
from one of the occupants. • Never harm a raven, lest ill fortune befall you!
Running water burns a vampire like acid, and sunlight
causes a vampire to burst into flame. VISTANI
The Vistani (singular: Vistana) are wanderers who live
THE LAND OF BAROVIA outside civilization, traveling about in horse-drawn, bar­
Barovians know the following facts about rel-topped wagons called vardos, which they build them­
their homeland: selves. Compared to Barovians:they are flamboyant.
, Anyone who attempts to leave the land of Barovia Vistani dress in bright clothes, laugh often, arid drink
begins to choke on the fog. Those who don't turn heartily. As much as they feel at home-in._Strahd's dreary
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back perish. · land, they know they can leave it.whenever they" please
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Many strangers )lave be�n d(awn to �arovia over the and aren't damned fo spend eteinity there.
years, but they all die or dis�pp'�ar;before long. Vistani are silversmiths, copper�miths, haberdashers,
Wolves, dire wolves, ahd wete\Volves prowl th� Sva- cooks, weavers, musicians, ente_i:tainers,.storytelfers,
lich Woods, and hungry bats fi'tl the'skies at night. toolmakers, and horse traders. They also earn money
, The village of Barovia sits at th·e east end of the valley. by telling fortunes and selling inforniation. They spend
Its burgomaster is named Kolyan Indirovich. whatever they earn to support a lavish lifestyle, display
The town of Vallaki lies in the heart of the valley. Its their wealth openly a� a sign of prosperity, and share
burgomaster is named Baron Vargas Vallakovich. their good fortune with family and friends.
The fortified village of Krezk lies at the west end of Each family or clan of Vistani is its own little geron­
the valley and is built around an old abbey. The village. tocracy, with the oldest member ruling the roost. This
burgomaster is named Dmitri Krezkov. elder. cl!-rrfes the bulk of the responsibility for enforcing
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CHAPTER 2 I THE LANDS OF BAROVlA