View source for Borca

{{dombox
|map=Jester-Borca.png
|culture_lvl=Chivalric
|ecology=Full
|terrain=Temperate forest, hill, mountain
|year_formed=[[684 BC]]
|population=34,200
|races=Humans 95%, Halflings 4%, Other 1%
|languages=[[Balok]], [[Mordentish]], [[Falkovnian]], [[Luktar]], Halfling
|religions=[[Church of Ezra]], [[Church of Hala]]
|government=Aristocracy
|ruler=[[Ivana Boritsi]], [[Ivan Dilisnya]]
|darklord=Ivana Boritsi, Ivan Dilisnya; Formerly: [[Camille Dilisnya]]
|nationality=[[Borcan‎]]
}}{{Canon}}

'''Borca''' is a nation ruled by noble poisoners, filled with poverty-crushed peasants, and ruthless social climbers.<ref name="gaz4_23">{{gaz4|23}}</ref> '''Borca''' is also, essentially, the birthplace of the [[Church of Ezra]].<ref name="gaz4_16">{{gaz4|16}}</ref> The ruler, [[Ivana Boritsi]], is said to be eternally young and beautiful<ref name="gaz4_150">{{gaz4|150}}</ref>, but her touch is death.<ref name="gaz4_151">{{gaz4|151}}</ref> Likewise, '''Borca''' is often regarded as a land of pastoral beauty that is rotten and foul beneath the surface.

== Background ==
{{canon}}
So far as history can tell, '''Borca''''s first ruler after it's discovery was [[Camille Dilisnya]]<ref name="gaz4_15">{{gaz4|15}}</ref>, and it passed to her daughter when [[Ivana Boritsi]] assassinated Camille.<ref name="gav4_150">{{Gaz4|150}}</ref>  During the [[Grand Conjunction]] in 740 BC, Borca absorbed neighboring Dorvinia<ref name="gaz4_19">{{gaz4|19}}</ref>, ruled by Ivana Boritsi's cousin [[Ivan Dilisnya]]. Born on the same night and sometimes called "the Dark Twins,"<ref name="gaz4_18">{{gaz4|18}}</ref> the cousins had long corresponded and considered themselves close friends. After their countries merged and they were forced to become co-rulers, however, they grew to loathe one another.<ref name="gaz4_150"></ref>

== History ==
{{canon}}
* 684 BC &mdash; [[Camille Dilisnya]] delivers the people whom would become known as [[Borcan]]s from isolation in [[the Mists]], thus ending the 333 year epoch of the[Vacancy of Power. As the then-apparent sole heir of the Dilisyna rule, she is given uncontested ownership of all Borcan lands.<ref name="gaz4_16"></ref>
* 685 BC &mdash; After [[Yakov Dilisnya]] convinces [[Camille Dilisnya|Camille]] to fund the construction of [[the Great Cathedral of Levkarest]], a location is selected and building begins. The [[Church of Ezra]] spreads across '''Borca'''.<ref name="gaz4_17">{{gaz4|17}}</ref>
* 694 BC &mdash; By this year, '''Borca''' has transformed into a major hub of trade. This is due, in part, to the arrival of the [[Dilisnya Family]] over the past decade and the utilization off their social and economic ties.<ref name="gaz4_16"></ref>
* 698 BC &mdash; The [[Dinner of Death]]. Yakov is among those poisoned by [[Camille Boritsi]]. Blame upon her for the murder of their leader spreads far and wide among Ezra's faithful. '''Borca's''' streets erupt in open violence. Under advice, Camille quells the riots by building a monument to Yakov on church grounds and demonstrating great acts of (apparent) mourning.<ref name="gaz4_17">{{gaz4|17}}</ref>
* 701 BC &mdash; Praesidia [[Donella Borovsky]] passes an edict declaring witchcraft as a force of corruption created by hags. This solidifies the Borcan position on the [[Church of Hala]], one of loathing and distrust.<ref name="gaz4_27">{{gaz4|27}}</ref>
* 705 BC &mdash; Borcan monk of [[Ezra]] turned heretic [[Renthon Vorishtok]] writes [[The Revelations of the Prince of Twilight]].<ref>{{NC|book=Arcane Lore: Tomes of Forbidden Lore, Dragon Magazine #252|page=87-89}}</ref>
* 706 BC &mdash; [[Falkovnia]] invades, expecting the conquest of '''Borca''' to mark an easy victory. However, [[Camille Dilisnya]] and her ilk make short work of the [[invader]]s by poisoning their food prior to the launch of the invasion. Thus the event became known as the [[Widow's Massacre]].<ref name="gaz4_17"></ref>
* 709 BC &mdash; The degenerate and murderous sororicide [[Ivan Dilisnya]] is exiled to [[the Mists]], where he finds a part of ancient Borjia, which he calls Dorvinia.<ref name="gaz4_18">{{gaz4|18}}</ref> Despite this date of formation, Dorvinians believe their realm emerged the same time as Borca.<ref name="gaz4_19">{{gaz4|19}}</ref>
* 711 BC &mdash; [[Ivana Boritsi]], daughter of Camille Dilisnya, researches to find a way to endow humans with poisonous touches. [[Nostalia Romaine]] volunteers as her first test subject, becoming the first [[ermordenung]].<ref name="gaz4_21">{{gaz4|21}}</ref>
* 711 BC &mdash; [[Camille Dilisnya]] is poisoned to death by her own daughter, [[Ivana Boritsi]], thus marking the exchange of power from mother to daughter.<ref name="gaz4_18">{{gaz4|18}}</ref>
*[[727 BC]] (Dorvinia) ''The Gold Claw Massacre'': In response to the rampant corruption in Ivan's court, [[Vlad Drakov]] initiates a raid on [[Levkarest]] massacring hundreds. His soldiers loot and retreat back over the border, though they face heavy casualties.<ref name="gaz4_19">{{gaz4|19}}</ref>
* 729 BC &mdash; The [[Treaty of Four Towers]]. Both [[Ivana Boritsi]] and [[Ivan Dilisnya]] eagerly sign it.<ref name="gaz4_19"></ref>
* 732 BC &mdash; Praesidia [[Kristyn Stoyista]] reverses the 701 BC edict issued by Praesidia Borovsky. However, ill feelings towards the Halans still linger dormant in the hearts of many Borcans.<ref name="gaz4_27">{{gaz4|27}}</ref>
*733 BC &mdash; The [[Society of Huntsmen]] is formally founded in at [[Dengar's Retreat]], a tavern in [[Levkarest]].<ref name="nb_shadows_79">{{NC|book=Book of Shadows|page=79}}</ref>
*739 BC &mdash; [[Anton Boritsi]] perishes under suspicious circumstances. He is survived by his wife and two children ([[Hellena Boritsi]] and [[Bevel Boritsi]]). They take over his operations, including the branch of the [[Boritsi Trading Company]] still working out of [[Levkarest]].  Meanwhile, Conte [[Sulo Boritsi]] moves his family (save for his eldest children) from [[Borca]] to [[Bergovitsa]]<ref name="LotB_12">{{C|book=Legacy of the Blood|page=12}} - Count is the title used in this book, but Conte is the correct title.</ref>
* 740 BC &mdash; Following the [[Great Upheaval]], [[Dorvinia]] and [[Borca]] fuse together, thanks to the close presence of Ivan Dilisnya and Ivana Boritsi.<ref name="gaz4_19">{{gaz4|19}}</ref>
* 745 BC &mdash; The [[Great Cathedral]] is finished.<ref name="gaz4_17"></ref>
* 747 BC &mdash; [[The Jongleur]] comes into the service of Ivana Boritsi.<ref name="gaz4_28">{{gaz4|28}}</ref>
* 749 BC &mdash; [[Blackblade]] is drawn into [[Ravenloft]], specifically [[Borca]].<ref name="nb_sorrows">{{NC|book=Book of Sorrows|page=72}} - we need to check the relevance of this</ref>
* 753 BC &mdash; The [[Glutton of G'Henna]] appears in the hills east of [[Morfenzi]] and moves into '''Borca''', attacking the hamlet of [[Vasey]] and killing many<ref name="VRGttWK_96">{{C|book=Van Richten's Guide to the Walking Dead|page=96}}</ref>.
* 757 BC &mdash;  In response to the [[Weathermay-Foxgrove Twins]] asking her to relinquish the [[Deathstone]], Ivana Boristi poisons [[Gennifer Weathermay-Foxgrove]], then forbids the twins from ever entering Borca again.<ref name="LotB_8-10">{{C|book=Legacy of the Blood|page=8-10}}</ref>

== Flora & Fauna ==
* [[Adder's Tongue]] 
* [[Silphium]] 
* [[Passionflesh Fruit]] 
* [[Caldura Rose]] 
* [[Royal Morel]] 
* [[Belladonna]] 
* [[Dewplum]] 
* [[Foxglove]] 
* [[Hemlock]] 
* [[Henbane]] 
* [[Banewort]] 
* [[Staggersap]] 
* [[Strychnine]]
* [[Wolvesbane]]

==Geography==
[[File:Borca.png|thumb|Borca map by the [[MCS]].  ''Note: Since this fan-made map predates 3rd Edition Ravenloft, there are some inconsistencies with the more recent maps.'']]

== Titles ==
{{canon}}
Borca is ruled by [[Ivana Boritsi]] and [[Ivan Dilisnya]]. It would be untoward, however, not to mention that the [[Church of Ezra]] has ruled the spiritual life of Borca since the church was founded by [[Yakov Dilisnya]]. Indeed, it would be attempts at bribery by [[Camille Dilisnya]] towards the church that created the schism that formed the First and Second sects of the Church.

{{toud-canon}}
The land, like neighbouring Barovia, essentially has a three tier system:
* the Lord and Lady of Borca, Ivana Boritsi, and Ivan Dilisnya.
* the Conte or Contessa of each city's overall holdings (which usually includes wide tracts of connecting wilderness)
* the Stapans that act on the wills of the Conte or Contessa.

There are a variety of lesser titles within municipalities but they hold little power in the Nation's court, when they hold any at all.

{{canon}}
Less officially, there is also the [[League of Nine]], the rulers' dark hand.  It is described in greater detail below.

=== Holdings ===
{{canon}}
* Nation of [[Borca]], held by Lady [[Ivana Boritsi]] and Lord [[Ivan Dilisnya]].
** County of [[Lechberg]], held by the Conte/Contessa of Lechberg,
** County of [[Levkarest]], held by the Conte/Contessa of Levkarest,
** County of [[Ilvin]], held by the Conte/Contessa of Ilvin,
** County of [[Sturben]], held by the Conte/Contessa of Sturben,
** County of [[Vor Ziyden]], held by the Conte/Contessa of Vor Ziyden,
** County of [[Chiara]], held by the Conte/Contessa of Chiara,
** County of [[Vasey]], held by the Conte/Contessa of Chiara,

=== The League of Nine ===
{{canon}}
Somewhere in Sturben is the [[Cerulean Chamber]], meeting place of the infamous [[League of Nine]], a self-appointed court of justice composed of apothecaries from Borca’s ruling houses. When the law fails and duels are not an option, those who think themselves wronged can petition the League for retribution. No petitioner ever meets the League members in person. The Nine work through various proxies, and although they know each other by name, they ritually don cloaks and masks during their tribunals. So secretive is the League that many who have used its services are still unsure that it actually exists. If the League accepts a petition, the Nine convene to debate its merits. They mete out only one punishment: the subtle slumber. Within a month of the League reaching a decision, the “guilty” party will almost inevitably die of “natural causes.” On that day, the petitioner receives a bill for the League’s services, usually equaling half the legal fine for the victim’s murder.

These genteel assassins operate by several rules that are not well known to the public, however. First, the League' primary goal is to strengthen their own positions. They mete out “justice” as best suits themselves, so they will not execute members of their own families, nor will they strike directly against the sefs. Second, once a petition is made, the ruling lies entirely in the League’s hands. Should the Nine decide that the petitioner is the true wrongdoer, it is they whose end is near. The unwitting accused soon receives the bill, and they would be wise to pay it.

=== Blood Banking ===
{{netbook-canon}}
Many Borcan banking houses insist that a borrower fill a small vial with her own blood, which the banker keeps until the loan is repaid. Most folk believe this is merely a symbolic gesture or intimidation tactic. It often is, but a few bankers can call upon dark forces to enforce their contracts — or know someone who can. Should a borrower attempt to renege on her debts, the bankers can use sympathetic magic — a technique originally stolen from the Vistani — to inflict grievous punishments from afar. The greater the debt, the more powerful a spell the lender is likely to use to ensure compliance. Debt collectors typically utilize troublesome spells like bestow curse or geas rather than deadly spells like flesh to stone or phantasmal killer; dead men cannot pay their due. 

{{ref}}