Barovia (country)

The country of Barovia — more aptly, a barony — may or may not be a demiplane or something similar. If nothing else, it appears to be difficult to enter from any other realm, and nearly impossible to leave — even, allegedly, in death.

Barovia does not appear to be fully in sync with the Material Plane as it exists in Faerûn. When Osrin spoke with Cal, it seemed as though much more time had passed for Cal than had passed for our heroes. The exact nature of time in Barovia in relation to time elsewhere is unknown.

Barovia also appears to have some effect on magic, making it appear and possibly function in different ways than it does elsewhere. Mage Hand produces a strange, skeletal hand, regardless of the caster's intent. The Light cantrip produces a notably cooler toned light than it does elsewhere.

Barovia does not seem to experience sunlight, plagued by perpetually overcast skies during the day, though the clouds often clear up to reveal the moon at night. As a result, the crops that can be grown in Barovia are limited.

Barovia currently has three surviving urban centres: the village of Barovia, the town of Vallaki, and the village of Krezk. It previously had at least one other urban centre, which was destroyed by Strahd some years ago, though the reasons for this destruction are not well-known.