Overview
Located close to the shores of Lake Zarovich, the town of Vallaki (pronounced vah-lah-key) seems like a safe haven against the evils of the Svalich Woods, if not Strahd himself. The town lies beyond the sight of Castle Ravenloft and doesn’t, at first blush, seem as depressed (or oppressed) as the Village of Barovia farther east.
Description
The Old Svalich Road meanders into a valley watched over by dark, brooding mountains to the north and south. The woods recede, revealing a sullen mountain burg surrounded by a wooden palisade. Thick fog presses up against this wall, as though looking for a way inside, hoping to catch the town aslumber.
The dirt road ends at a set of sturdy iron gates with a pair of shadowy figures standing behind them. Planted in the ground and flanking the road outside the gates are a half-dozen pikes with wolves’ heads impaled on them.
A 15-foot-high wall encloses the town, its vertical logs held together with thick ropes and mortar. The top of each log has been sharpened to a point. Wooden scaffolding hugs the inside of the palisade twelve feet off the ground, enabling guards to peer over the wall there.
Map
What the party knows
- The burgomaster, Baron Vargas Vallakovich, has decreed that the Festival of the Blazing Sun will be held in the town square (Town Square) on Neyavr 7. The previous festival, which he called the Wolf’s Head Jamboree, was less than a week ago.
- Vallaki has endured at least one festival every week for the past several years. Some Vallakians believe that the festivals keep the devil Strahd at bay. Others think they provide no protection or benefit whatsoever. Most consider them dismal affairs.
- Those who speak ill of the festivals are declared by the burgomaster to be in league with the devil Strahd and arrested. Some are thrown in the stocks in the Town Square, while others (like Willemina’s son Udo Lukovich)
- The burgomaster’s henchman, Izek Strazni, has a history of violence as well as a fiendish deformity: a monstrous arm with which he can conjure fire. Fear of lzek keeps the baron’s enemies at bay.
- There’s a Vistani Camp in the woods southwest of town. Vistani aren’t welcome in Vallaki.
Notable places
- St. Andral’s Church — Refuge from the forces of darkness…?
- Blue Water Inn — A good place to stay! Wolf steaks!
- Blinsky Toys — Is no fun, is no Blinsky!
- Vistani Camp — home of Arabelle, the one for whom you promised Madam Eva you’d buy a nameday gift (see Quest: Arabelle’s Gift)
Notable figures
- Father Lucian Petrovich - head priest at St. Andral’s Church
- The Baron
- Gadof Blinsky - toymaker