[
History |
Culture |
Barovian Player Characters |
Flora and Fauna ]
Barovia enjoyed eight decades of peace and prosperity after the routing of the
Neureni hordes, until court intrigues among the noble houses of Dilisnya, Katsky,
and Petrovna sparked a bitter struggle called the War of the Silver Knives in
314 BC. This inter-family war of assassination and revenge lasted for two years
before Count Barov von Zarovich intervened and ended it, placating the families
with parcels of new land. Unfortunately, this conflict drastically weakened
Barovia, and they were unprepared for the invasion of the Tergs some four years
later in 320 BC. Unlike the Neureni, the Tergs were not destroyers and
raiders, but conquerors and settlers. In less than five years, the Tergs
displaced many of Barovia’s noble families, including the von Zaroviches
themselves. Their shame would not last long, however. Strahd von Zarovich,
eldest son of Barov, vowed to drive the Tergs from Barovia and rebuild his
parents’ nation at all costs. After twenty-seven grueling years, Strahd did just
that, though his parents did not live to see the day. In their honor, he
constructed Castle Ravenloft (named after his mother Ravenovia), and called to
his family to settle in the castle. In 351 BC, tragedy struck. On the day of the wedding of
Strahd’s youngest brother Sergei, assassins struck and murdered all the guests,
as well as Strahd and his brother. The assassins, known as the Ba’al Verzi, were
under the employ of a noble from the Dilisnya family, Leo Dilisnya. Leo wished
to usurp the throne of Barovia from the von Zarovich line, though his actions,
according to legend, cast a curse upon Barovia that still lasts to this day.
Fortunately for the von Zarovich family, Sturm von Zarovich, Strahd and Sergei’s
brother, was unable to attend the wedding, and thus the von Zarovich family has
lived on to this day. The von Zaroviches have continued to rule Barovia, each one
taking the name of Strahd in honor of the the man who freed their nation from
the Tergs’ iron grip. Curiously, each one resembles him as well. In the
centuries since the wedding massacre, Barovia has seemed dismal and stagnant,
perhaps a result of the curse placed upon the land by Leo Dilisnya’s actions.
Strahd’s heirs have become increasingly despotic, seizing control from the
nobles until they had all but disappeared from Barovia. In 470 BC the Vistani appeared in Barovia, and Strahd IV
formed an allegiance with them that lasts to this very day. Strahd IV declared
the life of the Vistani to be sacrosanct, and they were to be considered under
his complete protection. It is assumed that in exchange for this the gypsies
provide some sort of service to the von Zaroviches, but neither the Vistani nor
the von Zarovich family will discuss the matter. In the years directly following the tragedy of Sergei’s
wedding, Barovia seemed to be surrounded by a thick, almost impenetrable white
fog. In 542 BC, the wizard Azalin emerged from the mists, and formed an uneasy
alliance with the von Zaroviches, though this alliance ended by 579. In 550 BC,
the mists to the southwest of Barovia parted and revealed the land of Forlorn.
In 585, the mists to the south parted to reveal the blasted landscape of
Bluetspur. In 593, the western border revealed the nation of Gundarak, believed
by many Barovians to be inhabited by the descendants of the Neureni. In 684, the
mists to the northwest parted to reveal the nation of Borca, ruled by the
descendants of Leo Dilisnya. To the north of Barovia, the nation of Markovia was
revealed in 698 BC. To the east, Hazlan was revealed by the mists in 714. And in
715, the nation of Dorvinia appeared to the northwest, between Borca and
Markovia, also ruled by Leo’s descendants. Rumors spread of other nations beyond
the borders of Barovia’s neighbors, including one ruled by Azalin, far to the
north. This geographical arrangement was forever changed in 740
BC, during a powerful supernatural event called the Great Upheaval. The horrid
land of Bluetspur disappeared from Barovia’s southern border, and Hazlan somehow
moved from the east to take its place. The landmass that was once occupied by
Hazlan was now part of the nation of Nova Vaasa, once Hazlan’s northern
neighbor. The nations of Borca and Dorvinia merged into one nation, though it
kept the name of Borca. The nation of Markovia disappeared from Barovia’s
northern border, along with Markovia’s northern neighbor G’Henna. In their place
was left a deep chasm called the Shadow Rift. No one knows exactly what lies at
the bottom of the chasm’s festering black shadows, though many rumors persist of
a land haunted by dark fey, where time flows differently. Finally, to the west,
the nation of Gundarak lay in anarchy when its ruler, Duke Gundar, was
assassinated. Strahd XI seized this opportunity by conquering much of Gundarak
and annexing it into Barovia. After a brutal nine-month siege, half of Gundarak
was annexed and brought under the rigid control of Barovia. The rest of Gundarak
was seized by the nation of Invidia to the west. The Gundarakites are an oppressed people. Openly resented
by the Barovians, their spite has brewed over the last decade and a half into a
full-blown rebellion. The rebellion’s leader, Ardonk Szerieza, believes in a
vision of Gundarak that never truly was, often ignoring or revising history to
fit his patriotic ideals. Ardonk moves back and forth between Barovia and
Invidia, leading the rebellion in both nations.
Barovian culture is dominated by the ethnic Barovians, who have lived in the
area for seven and a half centuries. Their language, Balok, is one of the most
widespread tongues throughout the southern Core. The second largest ethnic group
in Barovia are the Gundarakites, who became second-class citizens (at best) of
Barovia when Strahd XI annexed neighboring Gundarak during the Great Upheaval in
740 BC. The Gundarakites are an oppressed people, and mainly stay in the
vestiges of their former homeland in the west of Barovia. There are also smaller
groups of Forfarians, the descendants of refugees from Forlorn when it was
revealed to Barovia in 550 BC, and the Thaani, who fled across Barovia’s
southern border from the horrid realm of Bluetspur in 585 BC. These two minor
ethnic groups have maintained their ethnic identity by refusing to intermarry
with ethnic Barovians. Finally, the Vistani have a large presence in Barovia,
largely due to the pact they have with the von Zarovich family. The Vistani are
a nomadic people, but there are always some tribes to be found within Barovia’s
borders, as it is the safest place for them throughout the Core. Barovian society is largely medieval, and the majority of
its populace are poor peasants and serfs, working the farmland of the von
Zarovich family under the watchful eye of the local boyars. Those few who are
free are mostly small farmers, herdsmen, and fishermen. The villages and cities
are a different matter, with many craftsmen and merchants to be found. Barovians tend to marry at a fairly young age, 16 for males
and 13 for females, though they do not observe the practice of arranged
marriages. Their customs do not allow for divorce or remarriage for widows or
widowers. Since many Barovians work on farms, their families tend to be large,
and women are expected to bear as many children as they can. As a consequence,
many mothers die in childbirth and the infant mortality rate is high during the
first two years of life. Barovians receive no formal schooling, and few, if any
are literate. Wealthy children are taught by private tutors or are sent abroad
to study. The majority of travel is done on foot, as the mountainous
terrain is ill-suited to horse-riding. As a result, the folk of Barovia are
quite sedentary, with many never even leaving the village they were born in.
Most of the rivers are too hazardous for boat travel, though Lake Zarovich’s
deep waters have been a haven for fishermen for centuries. The Barovian people, despite their varying ethnic
backgrounds, all share at least one thing in common: a dislike of strangers,
almost to the point of xenophobia. Their harsh glares and lack of hospitality
are due to the years of living under the stern rule of Count Strahd. Barovians
care little for the ways of others and prefer to mind their own business—and
usually their own business consists of day-to-day survival. All Barovians have an almost crippling fear of the
supernatural. Their daily rituals involve locking every door and window at
sunset. They regard magic with equal superstition. Arcane magic, in particular,
is believed to be the gift of demons, and the foolhardy spellcaster in Barovia
will likely find himself facing an angry mob.
The following information is intended to assist players in
making a native Barovian player character. Races Humans are dominant, with large minority of half-Vistani.
Calibans occur with increasing frequency. There are small populations of
halflings in the western cities. Dwarves are rumored to live in the Balinoks and
elves are believed to live in the Tepurich forest. Classes Clerics, fighters, rangers, rogues, and sorcerers are the
most common. Druids and wizards are rare and feared. Bards are uncommon but
welcomed. Paladins are looked upon as madmen by everyone except the faithful of
the Morninglord. An occasional barbarian has wandered down out of the mountains,
but monks are all but unknown among the native populace. Recommended Skills Bluff, Craft Armor, Craft Trap, Craft Weapon, Hide, Lore,
Perform Recommended Feats Blind-Fight, Dodge, Endurance, Extra Turning, Great
Fortitude, Spell Focus (Abjuration, Conjuration, Divination, Necromancy),
Toughness, Weapon Focus (battleaxe, longsword, mace, scimitar, shortbow,
throwing axe, warhammer) Names Barovian Male Names: Alexandru, Bela, Cosmin,
Dimitry, Horatiu, Ionache, Lucian, Mircea, Nicolae, Ovidiu, Petru, Radu, Sorin,
Vasile, Zaharia Barovian Female Names: Anica, Bianca, Costela,
Draguta, Florica, Izabela, Lizuca, Marilena, Nadezdha, Nicoleta, Rodika, Simona,
Uta, Viorela, Ylenia Barovian Surnames: Amanar, Antonescu, Arcos,
Balcescu, Ban, Belododia, Boboc, Bochinsky, Bogoescu, Capraru, Cardei, Cernea,
Chisca, Ciobotaru, Ciorbea, Comanici, Cosmescu, Dalakis, Dimitru, Dobre,
Dobrogeanu, Dragomir, Eliade, Eminescu, Florea, Iliescu, Lacusta, Leonte, Luca,
Macek, Marinescu, Miklos, Milosovici, Murgu, Noica, Ovidiu, Pavlenco, Petri,
Popa, Popovici, Radu, Saguna, Sima, Slabu, Stanescu, Ticmeanu, Tomescu, Tugurlan,
Trandafir, Ungureanu, Ureche, Urzica, Vărzaru, Vladu, Zeklos. Also, any male
first name with "ovich" added at the end (signifying "son of"). Gundarakite Male Names: Baltasar, Csepan, Demetrius,
Elfric, Fredek, Gusztav, Istvan, Lazlo, Miklos, Paszkal, Rognvald, Stefano, Ubul,
Varady, Zeteny Gundarakite Female Names: Antonia, Boriska, Dominika,
Ethelhild, Hortenzia, Ingrid, Jusztina, Mariska, Orzebet, Piroska, Serafin,
Szabina, Tzigane, Vilhelmina, Zsofika Gundarakite Surnames: Ajkler, Aladár, Andras, Artali,
Balassa, Baltar, Cizinski, Corvinus, Csapek, Csurgo, Czako, Daroczy, Divos,
Doczi, Dohnanyi, Dvorzsak, Egerszegi, Eötvös, Farkas, Födes, Foldenyi, Gabor,
Gaspar, Goencz, Götz, Groditje, Gyorffy, Hlady, Horansky, Hrutka, Jaszi, Joska,
Lajtha, Lerch, Liptak, Lugosi, Mandula, Mindszenty, Nagy, Nejedly, Nemeth,
Noszaly, Palagyi, Petrahn, Pokolytsch, Pongratz, Rdzavolgygi, Rubik, Sandor,
Sebok, Sjsiengel, Solti, Szabo, Szeman, Szokefagy, Temesvari, Tokody, Varga,
Verboczy, Wajda, Zsivozky, Zsoldos Thaani Male Names: Arjan, Bekim, Dritan, Ermal,
Fatos, Gjon, Hysni, Jusuf, Klodi, Lulzim, Mirdon, Nuhi, Qamil, Sokol, Ysni Thaani Female Names: Anjeza, Axhire, Blerta, Drita,
Enkela, Fitore, Jorgji, Lejla, Mirsada, Nazibe, Rozafa, Shasine, Shpresa, Vona,
Zhaklina Thaani
Surnames: Ahmetaj, Ajeti, Arbnori, Bajraktari, Bajramovic, Bazhunaishvili,
Boshnjaku, Bytygi, Cacaj, Chocholi, Ciftja, Dejti, Demisovski, Fazliu, Gjika,
Gjokaj, Hajdaraga, Halil, Harxhi, Hasangjekaj, Idrizi, Isufaj, Janazaj, Kiuprili,
Korkizoglou, Krasniqi, Lamaj, Logoreci, Luzaj, Maxharraj, Mishaxhi, Mripa, Naçi,
Nooja, Oseku, Paloka, Pllana, Prenkpalaj, Prifti, Qosja, Rugova, Sapunxiu, Sejko,
Shkelyim, Smajlaj, Sylaj, Thaqi, Tolr, Tzeka, Vllasi, Xhaxhka, Ymeri, Zhuzumi,
Zogjani
In the lower hills of Barovia, hardwoods
such as beech and oak dominate, their roots deeply planted in the Barovian soil.
In the higher elevations, trees such as spruce, fir and pines whisper in the
wind – telling ancient tales of Barovia. The meadows in the dales of Barovia are
covered with a soft layer of green grass and wild flowers. The people of Barovia
are particularly fond of daffodils and lilacs that break through the soil every
year. Even though the Vistani are quiet about
their herbal traditions, a few selected people have had the honor of being told
of the special plants the gypsies value most, such as “Bitterblood” – a large,
pale green fruit that is related to the famous Barovian plums. It has a slightly
tannic sweetness that prevents it from being cultivated commonly. It is said
that the Vistani value this plant for divination. Another important plant is
“Vistan’s tears”, a fine alpine plant, it has a flower that closely bears a
resemblance to the famous bluebell, except for its dull white color. The common
people believe this flower to be the basis for the legendary curing elixir made
by the Vistani.
Fauna Wolves are particularly common in
Barovia. They are extraordinarily fearless. Even though attacks on humans by
wolves are as rare as in other lands, travelers can feel the wolves’ omnipresent
stares as they venture into the Barovian wilderness. Innumerable assortments of
bat swarms often blot out the moon on otherwise clear nights. From time to time,
plagues of wild rats surge out into the countryside of Barovia. In such times
the pests are seen storming through the countryside in terrible, squealing
packs. Barovians have learned that only fire can stop these masses of rodents.
Barovia is renowned for its myths of
vampires, called the "vrolok" in Balok and the "voishlacka" in Luktar. Vampires
are so integrated in the Barovian folklore that they are indivisible from the
Barovian identity. Several other undead creatures are spoken of with fear as
well, especially flesh eating ghouls, hobbling revenants and mindless zombies
that are said to serve powerful vampires. Lycanthropes are also common in the
tales told by peasants. Though in many cases the characteristics of Lycanthropes
and Vampires are utterly confused in the tales. Other creatures, their origins more
obscure, are said to exist. Among those the "veela", nymphs who lure men to
drown themselves, the bloodsucking crone known as "nocnitsa", the "poludnitsa" –
the orchard nymph that decapitates trespassers, and the "mahr" – the peculiar
moth fiend. More mundane
animals exist in the realm as well, such as foxes, elk, otters and badgers.
History
Barovia’s early history is murky and incomplete, yet it is without a doubt the
oldest nation of the core. The fact that the world calendar is based off of the
Barovian Calendar (BC) is proof of this. One of the earliest known conflicts
involved an invasion by a barbaric people known as the Neureni in 230 BC. Their
hordes conquered and razed much of Barovia, until the legendary General-Princess
Nicoleta von Zarovich halted the Neureni’s advances and sent them back out of
the passes in the Balinok mountains that they had used to enter the valley.
Flora