Castle Ravenloft

The home and fortress of Count Strahd von Zarovich, the ruler of Barovia valley. The castle "Ravenloft" was named after his mother Queen Ravenovia.

At night the green glow of the spirits of Strahd's defeated enemies can be seen drifting between Ravenloft and Barovia village chuchyard.

Barovia Burgomaster Ishmark Indirovich commented that his village was often attacked by dark forces because it sat within sight of Castle Ravenloft, and that Vallaki was safe from such attacks due to its distance from the fortress, however days after this remark Vallaki was subjected to a tragic assault by Strahd's forces which became known as the Feast.

Both Barovia village and Castle Ravenloft lay within the same ancient city walls.

History
A castle like no other, Ravenloft is an impenetrable fortress in the Barovian valley, re-built by Archmage Khazan in Y350.

Strahd stated that the castle had originally been built in Y300 by his father, but destroyed by the Turgs.

Years after Strahd arrived his brother, Sergei von Zarovich, joined him at the castle, being ordained as a priest.

After the paladin Lugdana's passing the high priests of Ravenloft kept and wore the Holy Symbol of Ravenkind, until at some undetermined point it found its way to the Abbey of St Markovia.

Assaults
Few have dared to assault the castle during Strahd's centuries long hold on Barovia, but the brave knights of Argynvostholt did march on the castle soon after its completion in 350 and were soundly defeated.

In 385 St Andral challenged Strahd at Ravenloft and was defeated.

Layout
The castle stands on a large pillar of stone overlooking a vast ravine, and in the distance, the village of Barovia. Beneath the castle is a vast network of catacombs, home to important figures of Barovia's past. The huge castle itself comprises of three stories, containing many hallways, a chapel, a vast library, treasury, an audience hall to name a few.

Khazan advised that there is only one entrance, meaning to get in one would have to use that or fly over the castle walls and in through the hole in the roof of the spires.

He noted there are a couple of ways down in to the catacombs, but that there were several guards down there, including iron golems.

Strahd advised that no one is worshipped in the chapel anymore since the last castle priest, Lady Alona. He confirmed that the Morninglord was previously worshipped there in the time of Sergei.

Madam Eva stated that it contains a plethora of powerful magical items.

There is a giant red floating gem within the castle which Khazan referred to as the "Heart of Sorrow", which acts as a sort of damage sponge, taking damage for Strahd when he is connected to it. Khazan suggested that to defeat Strahd it would need ot be destroyed itself, which may be possible if enough damage was inflicted upon it directly.

Catacomb occupants
Khazan advised that Strahd like's to be poetic, and that any traps within crypts would be in some way symbolic of those they protect. He would accordingly expect them all to have been buried with their prized possessions.

Sergei von Zarovich
Sergei's body is kept secured behind a portcullis at the north edge of the catacombs.

Saint Markovia
"Dead for all time"

Khazan suggested that anything which may have a sliver of St Markovia's power or influence would be a valuable asset in fighting against Strahd.

He did not think it likely that, even if St Markovia was raised as an undead creature by Strahd after he defeated her, that there was any chance that after all this time she may still be animated laying in wait within her crypt.

Khazan
Khazan suggested that it was possible his staff was in this crypt.

Artimus (Builder of the Keep)
"Thou standest amidst the monument to his life"

Prefect Ciril Romulich (Beloved of King Barov and Queen Ravenovia)
"High Priest of the Most Holy Order"

Sasha Ivliskova
"Wife"

Pidlwick
"Fool of Dorfniya"

Pidlwick's spirit suggested to Hallgrimm that his powerful deck of illusions was buried with him. Khazan advised that this deck was able to produce powerful illusions of a large number of creatures.

Endorovich (Endorovich the Terrible)
"What the blood of a hundred wars did not do, the spurn of a woman accomplished.”

King Troisky
"The Three-Faced King"

King Katsky (Katsky the Bright)
"Ruler, inventor, and self-proclaimed time traveler"

Stahbal Indi-Bhak
"A truer friend no ruler ever had. Here lies his family in honor."

Artank Swilovich
"Friend and member of the Barovian Wine Distillers Guild"

Sir Leonid Krushkin (Sir Lee the Crusher)
"Bigger than life, he loved his jewelry"

Tasha Petrovna
"Healer of Kings, Light unto the West, Servant, Companion"

Khazan advised that Tasha was a renowned healer, and that the corruption of the Petrovna's by Strahd came after Tasha's time. Tasha was at the castle at the same time as Khazan and renounced her family name to commit herself fully to the Church of the Morninglord as Lady Ilona. She died in Y362 and it appears Strahd buried her under her birth name as an insult to her.

Sir Sedrik Spinwitovich (Admiral Spinwitovich)
"Confused though he was, he built the greatest naval force ever assembled in a landlocked country"

Baron Eisglaze Druf
A baron with nothing in his tomb.