Overview
The Village of Barovia is a gloomy, heavily fortified settlement ravaged by death and despair. The structures bear scorch marks, gashes, and several buildings show partially collapsed roofs or walls, with cold, creeping fog drifting through broken windows. Wooden barricades stand haphazardly along the streets, composed of logs, planks, and broken furniture. A trench has been dug around the village and planted with sharp stakes, with archers patrolling the rooftops at all hours.
The village is gripped by fear and exhaustion following a devastating siege by undead forces. More than a dozen makeshift tents and campfires have been established around the town square, housing the elderly, sick, and children as a fortification of last resort. An eerie silence descends at night, and the faint scent of decay and rot permeates the air.
What the Party Knows
From Arc B - Welcome to Barovia and Arc C - Into the Valley, the party learned:
The Siege
Timeline and Events:
- Approximately 90 days before the party’s arrival, Doru (the priest’s son) led a rebellion against Castle Ravenloft with the help of the legendary vampire hunter Dr. Rudolph van Richten (disguised as “Alanik Ray”)
- The rebellion failed and awakened Strahd from 100 years of dormancy
- Rahadin, Strahd’s chamberlain, came to the village with a proclamation: they had 90 days to make peace with the gods before facing Strahd’s vengeance
- Six nights before the party arrived, the siege began—undead forces attacked nightly in waves
- Strahd personally invaded the burgomaster’s mansion, killing Kolyan and biting Ireena
- After the party helped defend the village, Strahd formally withdrew the horde
Casualties:
- Dozens of Barovians confirmed dead
- Several dozen villagers fled to Vallaki before the siege began
- Bildrath lost his sister Marta, her husband Dragomir, and many friends
- Their son Parriwimple is now an orphan
- The Lansten family (two parents, three children) went missing during the zombie attack
- Many others lost loved ones and homes
The Situation
- The village is cut off from the world: the Mists block passage to the east, and undead infest the woods on all other sides
- Hundreds of undead lurk in the surrounding forests—perhaps as many as a thousand
- Strahd’s spies are everywhere: wolves, bats, and animated vegetation watch the village
- Doru returned as a vampire spawn, now trapped in the church undercroft by his father
- The village is divided—some blame Ismark for the casualties, calling him “Ismark the Lesser” in mockery of his legendary ancestor
Atmosphere
Haggard villagers with haunted eyes display visible signs of trauma—clothes stained with mud or blood, their hands never far from weapons. The mood is one of despair and resignation, with survivors exhausted from defending against nightly attacks. The persistent fog creeps through the streets, and decay permeates the air.
Notable Places
The Town Square
- Contains an old stone statue of Ismark the Great (Ismark Antonovich), the legendary burgomaster who lived in the 600s BC and fought scores of vampires
- Inscription: “ISMARK ANTONOVICH THE GREAT. Burgomaster of Barovia. Bane of Vampires. 618—662 B.C.”
- Hosts multiple makeshift tents and campfires sheltering refugees
- Was breached during the siege—the barricade shattered, surrounded by a mound of corpses
The Blood of the Vine Tavern
- Located at the center of town; the main gathering place for villagers
- Owner: Arik (sole proprietor after the Vistani fled before the siege)
- Serves food, shelter, and wine (though the wine is of poor quality)
- Primary source of information and news
Bildrath’s Mercantile
- The village general store selling supplies
- Owner: Bildrath Cantemir (bitter and grieving, but kind to those who support Ismark)
- Employs his nephew Parriwimple, the orphaned son of his sister Marta
- Prices doubled due to economic upheaval
The Burgomaster’s Mansion
- Home to Kolyan Indirovich (the late burgomaster), Ismark Kolyanovich, and Ireena Kolyana
- Stone and wood structure with boarded windows
- Contains guest bedrooms, kitchen, dining room, and living room
- Kolyan’s coffin was placed in the living room after his death
- Two swarms of bats (Strahd’s spies) often gather on the eaves
The Barovian Church
- Exterior damaged during the siege from Doru’s vampire spawn rampage
- Walls with scorch marks and gashes; roof partially collapsed
- Contains a chapel and an undercroft beneath it (accessed by a trapped trapdoor)
- Adjacent cemetery with four shovels in a shed
- Father Donavich’s residence
Lugdana’s Knoll
- A small, quiet hill to the north of Barovia
- Named after the legendary paladin Lugdana (who according to legend first met Ismark the Great there)
- One of Ireena’s favorite spots
- Site where Ireena and her mother buried a small wooden chest before her mother’s death
Other Locations
- Eastern Barricade — Where the party entered the village; site of major defense during the siege
- Western Barricade — Fell during the siege, resulting in many casualties
- Mad Mary’s Townhouse — Dwelling of Mary, whose daughter Gertruda fled the village
Notable Figures
Leadership
Kolyan Indirovich (The Burgomaster) — DECEASED
- The official leader of the village before his death
- Kind, compassionate, and just; taught his children to choose courage over fear
- Killed by Strahd during the siege with an elegant slash across the chest
- Father of Ismark, adoptive father of Ireena
- Grandson of Ismark the Great
Ismark Kolyanovich (The Younger / “Ismark the Lesser”)
- Eldest child of Kolyan, brother to Ireena
- Young, courageous, and compassionate leader; self-doubting beneath the surface
- Gave an inspiring speech before the statue of Ismark the Great, convincing villagers to stay and defend their homes
- Now blamed by many as “Ismark the Lesser” for the casualties
- Bears the weight of every death incurred in the siege
- Skilled swordsman; serves as the village’s defender
Ireena Kolyana (The Burgomaster’s Adoptive Daughter)
- Sister to Ismark (adoptive)
- Intelligent, stubborn, and compassionate; anxious about others’ welfare
- Wounded by Strahd’s bite during the siege (survived the attack)
- Dreams of freedom and adventure
- Helps maintain the household and shows hospitality
Religious Leadership
Father Donavich (Priest of the Barovian Church)
- Formerly a kind man always ready to share wisdom or warm crabapple pie
- Now broken, grieving, and exhausted; hasn’t slept or bathed in almost a week
- Unable to cast spells; cannot feel the Morninglord’s presence (believes his connection is corrupted)
- Gave his holy symbol to his son Doru for protection before the rebellion
- Father of Doru, the vampire spawn now trapped in the church undercroft
Doru (Vampire Spawn, Former Priest’s Son)
- Once a bright, cheery young man with zeal and a sunny disposition
- Led a rebellion with over two dozen young Barovians and Dr. Rudolph van Richten
- Turned into a vampire spawn by Strahd after the failed rebellion
- Now trapped in the church undercroft by his own father
- Struggles desperately against his vampiric nature
- Betrothed to Gertruda
Merchants & Locals
Bildrath Cantemir (Merchant)
- Proprietor of Bildrath’s Mercantile
- Gruff, bitter, grieving; lost his sister Marta, her husband Dragomir, and many friends in the siege
- Blames Ismark for his failure to protect them
- Skeptical of hope; believes the village is doomed
- Deeply loves his nephew Parriwimple
Parriwimple (Orphan, Bildrath’s Nephew)
- Tall, brawny young man with shaggy brown hair and crooked teeth
- Orphaned during the siege (parents Marta and Dragomir killed)
- Kind-hearted and eager to help; fidgets nervously
- Works in his uncle’s store and fights to defend the barricade
- Misses his parents and his friend Doru
Arik (Tavern Proprietor)
- Sole owner of the Blood of the Vine Tavern after the Vistani fled
- Neutral presence providing food and shelter
Mary (Mother of Gertruda / “Mad Mary”)
- Grief-stricken and fearful
- Forbidden her daughter from traveling due to the dangers
- Devastated when Gertruda left for Vallaki alone
- Lives in a one-room dwelling in disarray
Gertruda (Missing Daughter of Mary)
- Twenty-one years old; betrothed to Doru
- Became fixated on Vallaki after Doru disappeared
- Believed that speaking with Vallaki’s Burgomaster could bring aid to end the siege
- Left the village alone during the siege despite her mother’s warnings
- Her whereabouts are currently unknown
Historical Figures
Ismark Antonovich the Great (6th-7th century BC)
- Legendary burgomaster and warrior of Barovia
- Fought scores of vampires and other undead
- Died defending trappers from a dire wolf attack at age 44
- Monument erected in town square in his honor
- Great-grandfather of Ismark Kolyanovich
Lugdana (Legendary Paladin)
- Bearer of the Holy Symbol of Ravenkind
- Battled Chernovog (the Green God) at Yester Hill
- Died fighting the demon
- According to legend, first met Ismark the Great at Lugdana’s Knoll
Dr. Rudolph van Richten (Legendary Vampire Hunter)
- Arrived in Barovia disguised as “Alanik Ray,” a foreign scholar
- Convinced Doru to lead a rebellion against Castle Ravenloft
- Led the mob into the keep alongside the rebels
- His whereabouts unknown after the failed rebellion
- Author of “Van Richten’s Guide to Vampires”