Barovia
Barovia is the name shared by a number of distinct but related locations within the fictional universe of the Dungeons & Dragons roleplaying game. In each of its iterations, the area is loosely based on real-world Transylvania and its associations with the Dracula legend.
Barovia first appeared as the setting of I6: Ravenloft. Later, TSR developed this original adventure into the Ravenloft campaign setting, and writers reconceived of Barovia as one of many domains within the Ravenloft demiplane.
Geography
Barovia is a mountain valley within the fictional Balinok mountains. The terrain is densely wooded and the climate is one of frigid winters.
The valley hosts a small village (also named Barovia), over which looms Castle Ravenloft, ancestral seat of vampire ruler Strahd von Zarovich.
Fictional history
As originally conceived of in I6: Ravenloft, the history of Barovia mirrors the story of Dracula.
Barovia was conquered at an indeterminate time in the past by Strahd von Zarovich, a vampire wizard.
Sometime around the year 351 of Barovia's calendar, Strahd sought to win the love of a woman named Tatyana. She rebuffed his advances and preferred his brother Sergei. Jealous, Strahd murdered Sergei and sought to claim Tatyana, but she threw herself from the castle walls to her death.
Published products are unclear whether Strahd was a vampire before this event, or whether the tragic events somehow caused him to become a vampire.
In roleplaying products
I6: Ravenloft: The setting's original appearance, for 1st edition AD&D.
House of Strahd: Largely the same setting as I6, but updated for 2d Edition AD&D.
Expedition to Castle Ravenloft: An update and expansion to the adventure, for the 3.5 edition of D&D. Includes instructions for incorporating Barovia into the Eberron and Forgotten Realms campaign settings.
Barovia is also a domain of the Ravenloft demiplane in the Ravenloft Campaign Setting. The setting was originally published by TSR, then later under license by Sword & Sorcery.
In tabletop games
Barovia is the setting for the Castle Ravenloft Board Game.
In electronic games
Barovia was the setting of three PC games: Ravenloft: Strahd's Possession by SSI, 1994; Ravenloft: Stone Prophet by DreamForge Intertainment for Strategic Simulations, Inc., 1995; and Iron & Blood: Warriors of Ravenloft.
References
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