Expect to be burnt at the stake
QuoteExpect to be burnt at the stake
Mostly correct except this; Barovians do not burn people at the stake. That's more Tepest. In Barovia, they're more likely to form a lynch mob and hang/stone/drown you or something. There's no ceremonial aspect about it and the guards wouldn't really be involved since magic is not illegal.
By the way, here's a good topic covering Barovian/Gundarakite roleplay:
http://www.nwnravenloft.com/forum/index.php?topic=6563.0
Actually, I've always wondered something. Most of us seem to have a general consensus on how Barovians treat magic-types, whether it's right or not fairly debateable. But here's one thing I've always wondered: How does this culture treat WARRIORS?
I mean, it is obvious that they seem to respect the Guards of the lands, the ethnic Barovians at least. But from locals, I've always gotten a wide range of reactions when my stabby characters tell the locals that they're here to work the stabby stick. A lot of discussion and writing is always on how the natives treat magic-types, for obvious reasons, and not to draw away from that, but through my fair bit of reading and discussing, I've never found a real statement that describes how the culture feels about the :soldier/warrior/mercenary/ whatever they call themselves nowadays" lifestyle.
TLDR: How would Vlad, as a cultural stereotype, feel about a person who makes their living as a fighter, in the "military" and not?
Actually, I've always wondered something. Most of us seem to have a general consensus on how Barovians treat magic-types, whether it's right or not fairly debateable. But here's one thing I've always wondered: How does this culture treat WARRIORS?
I mean, it is obvious that they seem to respect the Guards of the lands, the ethnic Barovians at least. But from locals, I've always gotten a wide range of reactions when my stabby characters tell the locals that they're here to work the stabby stick. A lot of discussion and writing is always on how the natives treat magic-types, for obvious reasons, and not to draw away from that, but through my fair bit of reading and discussing, I've never found a real statement that describes how the culture feels about the :soldier/warrior/mercenary/ whatever they call themselves nowadays" lifestyle.
TLDR: How would Vlad, as a cultural stereotype, feel about a person who makes their living as a fighter, in the "military" and not?
Actually, I've always wondered something. Most of us seem to have a general consensus on how Barovians treat magic-types, whether it's right or not fairly debateable. But here's one thing I've always wondered: How does this culture treat WARRIORS?
I mean, it is obvious that they seem to respect the Guards of the lands, the ethnic Barovians at least. But from locals, I've always gotten a wide range of reactions when my stabby characters tell the locals that they're here to work the stabby stick. A lot of discussion and writing is always on how the natives treat magic-types, for obvious reasons, and not to draw away from that, but through my fair bit of reading and discussing, I've never found a real statement that describes how the culture feels about the :soldier/warrior/mercenary/ whatever they call themselves nowadays" lifestyle.
TLDR: How would Vlad, as a cultural stereotype, feel about a person who makes their living as a fighter, in the "military" and not?
Warriors are actually given tremendous respect in Barovia. After all, it was Strahd I, a warrior of tremendous ability, who defeated the Tergs. Hence why Strahd's first four levels are fighter levels.
Barovians are fond of martial ability. Their entire history is one of war, overcoming impossible odds. See the Terg, Neureni. Martial characters are respected, though mercenaries are distrusted due to their association with crime.
Hi Geiger,It's from Ravenloft Gazetteer I. It's from the 3rd edition Ravenloft line, written by the people who ran Kargatane official fan site.
From what resource did that clipping come? I have both the original boxed sets for Ravenloft: Realm of Terror and Forbidden Lore, but what I read there rings no bells at all.
Thanks!
Since Barovia takes a lot of inspiration and influence from Romania - I can confirm as an Eastern-European that noble figures and society spheres of knight or noble background were always held in high regard - and more often than not, the knights themselves were usually exploiting on that fact.Before you get too carried away with that line of thinking, I think this quote from 3rd edition Ravenloft writer John Mangrum is relevant:
A good example would be Polish nobility - Szlachta Sarmacka (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sarmatism) and also the Winged Hussars (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polish_hussars). The latter being also known as 'the last knights of Europe.
Barovia is an Eastern-European example of the authorities being favoured by the poorer population - but all of it comes from historical examples and backgrounds of that part of the continent.
Feel a need for a quick reminder that the "historical period" Ravenloft is based on is "Universal/Hammer Studios Backlot." It's an artificial world, within the context of a fictional fantasy universe, anchored in a genre noted for its apathy toward anything more than the trappings of history, written at the turn of the 21st century for a PG-13 audience of that era.
Since Barovia takes a lot of inspiration and influence from Romania - I can confirm as an Eastern-European that noble figures and society spheres of knight or noble background were always held in high regard - and more often than not, the knights themselves were usually exploiting on that fact.Before you get too carried away with that line of thinking, I think this quote from 3rd edition Ravenloft writer John Mangrum is relevant:
A good example would be Polish nobility - Szlachta Sarmacka (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sarmatism) and also the Winged Hussars (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polish_hussars). The latter being also known as 'the last knights of Europe.
Barovia is an Eastern-European example of the authorities being favoured by the poorer population - but all of it comes from historical examples and backgrounds of that part of the continent.Quote from: MangrumFeel a need for a quick reminder that the "historical period" Ravenloft is based on is "Universal/Hammer Studios Backlot." It's an artificial world, within the context of a fictional fantasy universe, anchored in a genre noted for its apathy toward anything more than the trappings of history, written at the turn of the 21st century for a PG-13 audience of that era.
It's very, VERY loosely based on Romania to a minor degree, and it shouldn't be any more than that.Since Barovia takes a lot of inspiration and influence from Romania - I can confirm as an Eastern-European that noble figures and society spheres of knight or noble background were always held in high regard - and more often than not, the knights themselves were usually exploiting on that fact.Before you get too carried away with that line of thinking, I think this quote from 3rd edition Ravenloft writer John Mangrum is relevant:
A good example would be Polish nobility - Szlachta Sarmacka (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sarmatism) and also the Winged Hussars (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polish_hussars). The latter being also known as 'the last knights of Europe.
Barovia is an Eastern-European example of the authorities being favoured by the poorer population - but all of it comes from historical examples and backgrounds of that part of the continent.Quote from: MangrumFeel a need for a quick reminder that the "historical period" Ravenloft is based on is "Universal/Hammer Studios Backlot." It's an artificial world, within the context of a fictional fantasy universe, anchored in a genre noted for its apathy toward anything more than the trappings of history, written at the turn of the 21st century for a PG-13 audience of that era.
Still, mister Blue. It is Romania to a degree. To base a movie off a Universal/Hammer movie! No offense is a bit flawled no? It is not from my understanding! Not the most deep material to base something on. So I still think Vee is going somewhere with this. It would be soooo awesome with more Eastern European DMs to influence their knowledge of history into Barovia to make it more living and vibrant! :D
It's very, VERY loosely based on Romania to a minor degree, and it shouldn't be any more than that.Since Barovia takes a lot of inspiration and influence from Romania - I can confirm as an Eastern-European that noble figures and society spheres of knight or noble background were always held in high regard - and more often than not, the knights themselves were usually exploiting on that fact.Before you get too carried away with that line of thinking, I think this quote from 3rd edition Ravenloft writer John Mangrum is relevant:
A good example would be Polish nobility - Szlachta Sarmacka (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sarmatism) and also the Winged Hussars (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polish_hussars). The latter being also known as 'the last knights of Europe.
Barovia is an Eastern-European example of the authorities being favoured by the poorer population - but all of it comes from historical examples and backgrounds of that part of the continent.Quote from: MangrumFeel a need for a quick reminder that the "historical period" Ravenloft is based on is "Universal/Hammer Studios Backlot." It's an artificial world, within the context of a fictional fantasy universe, anchored in a genre noted for its apathy toward anything more than the trappings of history, written at the turn of the 21st century for a PG-13 audience of that era.
Still, mister Blue. It is Romania to a degree. To base a movie off a Universal/Hammer movie! No offense is a bit flawled no? It is not from my understanding! Not the most deep material to base something on. So I still think Vee is going somewhere with this. It would be soooo awesome with more Eastern European DMs to influence their knowledge of history into Barovia to make it more living and vibrant! :D
Sure, it's supposed to feel feudal! But there have been many in the past who have insisted that we make Barovians behave a certain way because that is what Romanians would do, and to me that's really missing the point. Not only missing the point of what we're trying to do here, but what the Ravenloft setting trying to do. Ravenloft exists to blend D&D with classic horror tropes like the ones found in Gothic literature (Bram Stoker's Dracula, Mary Shelley's Frankenstein, Matthew Lewis's The Monk and so on), black and white Universal Studios monster movies from the 1930s-1950s, and Hammer Film Productions horror movies from 1955-1974. It is not intended as a perfect simulation of any culture or historical period. Anything taken from real-world history or a real-world culture will be to a small degree and done rather broadly.
So Barovia is certainly inspired by Romania, it isn't supposed to be Romania.
The burn at the stake attitude towards magic fits aFixed that for you.Nova VaasanTepestani much better.
I thought that was all due to the end results of the Inquistion's machinations on deciding which magicians were corrupted rather than an outright local abhorrence to magic like the Nova Vaasans have. The arcane's even banned in Nova Vaasa isn't it? Pretty sure magic was regarded as a very dangerous force of nature in Tepest, best left alone or something along those lines. The Inquisition distinguishes between wizard and sorcerer when afaik, Nova Vaasan Lawgivers persecute both.No, Tepest's Inquisition will burn wizards, sorcerers, druids, and usually nonhumans like elves and dwarves at the stake. The Tepestani view all arcane magic as the corruptive influence of the fey
Hi Geiger,It's from Ravenloft Gazetteer I. It's from the 3rd edition Ravenloft line, written by the people who ran Kargatane official fan site.
From what resource did that clipping come? I have both the original boxed sets for Ravenloft: Realm of Terror and Forbidden Lore, but what I read there rings no bells at all.
Thanks!