Vallaki

Vallaki is the most populous settlement in Barovia and lies between Krezk in the west and Barovia village in the east.

As is the case in much of Barovia, Vallaki is not the thriving community it once was. The town’s main appeal these days comes from a perceived sense of security. The community is protected by a regularly maintained and manned wooden palisade as well as its own dedicated guard force. The measures are generally sufficient to keep the terrors of the wilderness at bay.

Ishmark Indirovich commented to the party that Vallaki had never suffered an attack due to its defences and due to it being out of sight of Castle Ravenloft. Days later Vallaki was ravaged by the Feast, a fearsome attack leaving many dead, orchestrated by Count Strahd von Zarovich.

The current Baron of Vallaki is Vargis Vallakovich and his head of security is Izek Strazni, Commander of the Watch. Strahd stated he intends to place Lady Wachter in charge shortly.

History
It is written in the History of Barovia that regular access to trade via Barovia’s primary roadway, fertile land to the east, and fishing in the nearby lake, led to years of growth for the community. Eventually, Vallaki developed into the largest population center in the Barovian Valley.

In Y735 the town was subject to a brutal attack orchestrated by Strahd von Zarovich which became known as the Feast. After months of preparation Strahd was able to come into possession of the bones of St Andral and destroyed them, preventing the Church of St Andral from ever being hallowed grounds again. Many townsfolk and guards were killed by vampire spawn during the slaughter and Strahd himself killed a squadron of guards with a single fireball. Only one vampire spawn was killed.

Four days after the Feast, at the end of the Festival of the Blazing Sun, Baron Vallakovich attempted to burn the Wachter family alive in front of a packed audience. This macabre spectacle was interrupted by Hallgrimm Mikkenson, Sigismund, Narid Ashplantt, and Vassili van Holtz; all but Vassili later fleeing town with the Wachters.

Geography
The sleepy mountain burg of Vallaki straddles the Old Svalich Road, between Krezk to the west and Barovia village to the east, in a densely forested valley near the south shore of Lake Zarovich.

Culture
The majority of people of Vallaki are at least nominally members of the Church of the Morninglord.

In an effort to shield its residents, Vallaki has become increasingly insular and remains a community very much shaped by fear.

The current Baron instituted several laws ostensibly directed at increasing morale. One of these is the crime of "malicious unhappiness" or "spreading malicious unhappiness", for which one can expect to be made to wear a donkey mask and be walked through the streets, then placed in the pillories and have fruit thrown at them for hours on end.

It is also illegal to speak Strahd's name, with townsfolk instead opting to call him "the Devil".

The town square is home to numerous shops and stalls, including Thrimball's Armaments, Dusk Light Supply Shop, Third Eye Potions and Sundries, Arya Terraly's Apothecary, Celegal's Range Shop, and when it pops up from time to time Jenny's Magic Shack.

Along with the owners and employees of the shops in the town centre, townspeople are also largely fishermen and farmers, in addition to members of the town guard.

Festivals
The town is known for its colourful festivals, at which attendance is compulsory by order of the Baron - to the point that "festival searches" are carried out to ensure no-one remains at home. Everyone must be in the ton square whenever the platform is occupied, and guards must not be distracted. People can usually be seen wearing their brightest colours and drinking merrily from the beginning of the occasion before noon.


 * Wolf Head Jamboree
 * Festival of the Blazing Sun
 * Festival of Our Martyred Lady

Blue Water Inn
Vallaki is home of the Blue Water Inn, the tavern run for centuries by the Martikov family, and presently Unwin Martikov and his wife Danika Martikov. The Martikovs recently expressed their concern over wine supply issues, potentially as a result of a problem at the Wizards of the Wine. Another shipment of wine did arrive in time for the Festival of the Blazing Sun, however it turned out it had been poisoned by the druids at Yester Hill. The Blue Water Inn was closed by the Baron as a result.

Baron’s Mansion
The home of the Baron and his family along with the administrative centre of the town. The mansion is secured by the continuous presence of the town guard, as well as leaded glass windows.

The mansion is adorned with numerous portraits downstairs. In the basement is a dungeon, and upstairs are other holding cells. It also contains a library, filled with the books of Baron Vallakovich's ancestor, Harkus Vallakovich.

Church of St Andral
The Church of St Andral is the place of worship in the city, and its priest is Father Lucien. Until the Feast occured, the Church of St Andral was hallowed grounds meaning it was a safe haven from evil beings.

Miss Burlesco's Orphanage
Operated by Claudia Burlesco, the orphanage provides shelter for the children of Vallaki.

Mourning Gate
One of the two main entrances to the town, Mourning Gate is to the east facing Barovia village, along with the Sunset Gate to the west facing Krezk.

Town Square and Gallows
The main focal point of the town, where numerous shops and stalls line the streets. This is where the main stage of the festival is set, and where townsfolk that break the laws are placed in the pillories or gallows for their crimes.

Wachterhaus
The home of the Wachter family, a noble family in Vallaki.