Barovia
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This section contains canon Ravenloft information from officially published sources; see the References below. |
Barovia is the first domain with which the Demiplane of Dread and the Core began, and the basis of much of the core as a result. Almost all trade which doesnt go by sea goes through the Svalich Road or upon its parallel river, and as such the nobles of the realm, if not the commoners, are quite wealthy. Vallaki, Krezk, and Immol, in particular, flourish as centres of trade in the Core, and they are rather well off for it.
Background
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This section contains server-canon Ravenloft information from the Time of Unparalleled Darkness server; see the References below. |
Just prior to the coming of the Time of Unparalleled Darkness, Barovia had seen something of a renaissance, albeit not out of the best intentions of its rulership: on one side, Lyssa von Zarovich, mostly to compete with her uncle, spent vast portions of her personal wealth on renovating and renewing Zeidenburg, which saw it become the artery of trade it once had been prior to the annexation of Gundarak. In turn, not wanting to be undone or outshone by Lyssa, Strahd saw renovations to Vallaki and Krezk, as well as rebuilding Berez. Farming and fishing prospered, as did the attendant industries, for the attention given.[1]
While this better prepared the country for what is to come, it did little to stem the troubles that began to arose as the Mists of Death started to consume the core, and trade between the towns and cities is now something done under heavy guard. This has seen prices began to rise again where they had been in something of a depression, among the many other effects.[1]
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This section contains canon Ravenloft information from officially published sources; see the References below. |
Barovia is a rugged place with rugged people. They are distrustful but not hateful of outsiders, in general, and most commoners just try to keep their heads down. Burgomasters vary from active and supportive of their communities to neglectful and even corrupt, but such is the diversity of the human experience. Count Strahd von Zarovich levies a heavy tax (33%), and missing the taxes is ... ill-advised, but beyond receiving his due, he generally leaves matters of governance to his Boyars and Burgomasters.
Titles
Barovia is, technically, a Kingdom, but the last King was never proper restored in name after Strahd's father was slain by invading Tergs. The top title thus has become Count, which is the title Strahd had when he repelled the invaders. This makes it a little strange compared to other similar countries in the Core, but it does work within its own self.
Holdings
- County of Barovia
- Boyardom of the Tser Pools
- Boyarmdom of Krezk and the surrounding pastures
- Boyardom of the Svalich
- Boyardom of the Ghakis
- Boyardom of the Southern Gundarak
- Boyardom of the Northern Gundarak
- Boyardom of the Sawtooth Peaks
- Boyardom of the Southern Forests
