Castle Ravenloft

Originally the home and fortress of the von Zarovich family whilst they ruled Barovia valley, **Castle Ravenloft** was named after Queen Ravenovia - wife of King Barov and mother of Count Strahd.

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 Ismark Kolyanovich 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.

Castle Ravenloft was the site of Count Strahd von Zarovich's defeat and destruction during the Battle of Ravenloft.

## 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 Y350 and were soundly defeated.

In Y385 St Andral challenged Strahd at Ravenloft and was defeated.

In Y735 a party of adventurers were able to successfully assault Ravenloft and killed Strahd.

## 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, an extensive library, treasury, and 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. However a teleportation circle was later discovered and was the method of entry for the successful assault party to kick off the Battle of Ravenloft.

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 Ilona. 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 was a giant red floating gem within the castle which Khazan referred to as the "Heart of Sorrow", which acted as a sort of damage sponge, taking damage for Strahd when he was connected to it. Khazan suggested that to defeat Strahd it would need it be destroyed itself, and so this was done by a unit of attackers during the Battle of Ravenloft.

## Catacomb occupants

Khazan advised that Strahd likes 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.

### Count Strahd von Zarovich

Large crypt hidden behind conjuration traps. This was where he rested, and where his brides also slept.

### Artank Swilovich

*"Friend and member of the Barovian Wine Distillers Guild"*

Containing hundreds of Purple Grapemash #3 wine bottles.

### Artimus (Builder of the Keep)

*"Thou standest amidst the monument to his life"*

His crypt contains a skeleton draped in rags.

### Artista deSlop

*"Court Ceiling Painter"*

Crypt contained very little but paint brushes.

### Baron Eisglaze Druf

A luck blade containing a Wish spell was found in his tomb.

### Bascal Ofenheiss

"Chef Deluxe"

Contained a magical bell which triggered to shoot flames within the crypt.

### Beucephalus, the Wonder Horse

*"May the flowers grow ever brighter where he trods"*

Dry hot air sat in the crypt.

### Duchess Dorfniya Dilisnya

A handsome quilt lay in her crypt, which magically protects itself.

### Elsa Fallona (Beloved Actor)

*"She had many followers"*

Skeleton draped in rags, alcoves in the wall with paintings inside.

### Endorovich (Endorovich the Terrible)

*"What the blood of a hundred wars did not do, the spurn of a woman accomplished.”*

His bones gave off magic, which when disturbed summoned spiritual gargoyles until the bones were replaced.

### General Kroval “Mad Dog” Grislek (Master of the Hunt)

*"A leader of hounds and men"*

A towering figure stood behind three ferocious canines, preceeded by the smell of brimstone. Called out to Sir Bruce and Cruce to join their side to make the Dark Power Seriach happy.

### Gralmore Nimblenobs

*"Wizard Ordinaire"*

One the wizard's body was a staff with brass knob on one end and marble knob on the other.

When placed in a recess under the slab, the slab began to levitate and reveal a compartment beneath containing a leather case which held three spell scrolls.

### Intree Sik-Valoo

*"He spurned wealth for the knowledge he could take to heaven"*

Contained a skull which could commune with the living.

### Ivan Ivliskovich

*"Champion of Winter Dog Racing: The race may go to the swift, but vengeance is for the loser’s relatives"*

Nothing of interest found in this crypt.

### King Dostron the Hellborn

Contained a gilded sarcophagus in the image of a screaming man wearing a crown of thorns, with a stuffed owlbear in the corner giving off traces of conjuration magic.

### King Katsky (Katsky the Bright)

*"Ruler, inventor, and self-proclaimed time traveler"*

Contained a sceptre and a "dragon-wing glider" that appeared to be intended to help the user fly.

### King Troisky

*"The Three-Faced King"*

The crypt contrained only a steel helm containing displeased, happy, and angry visors on. When the helm was moved poison gas filled the crypt.

### Lady Isolde Yunk (Isolde the Incredible)

*"Purveyor of antiques and imports"*

Crypt contained many old and seemingly useless items.

### Patrina Velikovna

*"Bride"*

Her crypt contained the banshee of Patrina as well as a spellbook and a lot of money.

### 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.

A small skeleton in a jester costume sat upon the slab, along with the deck of illusions.

### Prefect Ciril Romulich (Beloved of King Barov and Queen Ravenovia)

*"High Priest of the Most Holy Order"*

An old family friend of the von Zarovichs, who gave the Icon of Ravenloft to Strahd to consecrate the castle and its chapel.

Contained a golden holy symbol of the Morninglord.

### Prince Ariel du Plumette (Ariel the Heavy)

Apparition of a large rotund man was contained, with large artificial wings on its back.

### 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.

Crypt smelled of roses, and contained her magical thighbone. As Narid picked it up her ghostly form whispered: *"The vampire was destroyed, I guess my weapon wasn't needed."* Her form and the thighbone disintegrated into dust, and Narid scooped the dust into a vial to be delivered at the Abbey of St Markovia.

### Sasha Ivliskova

*"Wife"*

Apparent Tatyana reincarnation. Her vampiric body remained undead within her crypt. *"My love, have you come to set me free."* She was killed by the party using the Sword of Sunlight.

### Sergei von Zarovich

Sergei's body is kept secured behind a portcullis at the north edge of the catacombs. He was buried with the legendary Sword of Sunlight. His name is chiseled into a white marble slab, on which his coffin rests.

### Sir Jarnwald the Trickster

*"The joke was on him"*

An awful stench and illusion magic filled the crypt.

### Sir Klutz Tripalotsky

*"He fell on his own sword"*

The skeleton was skewered on a longsword, and it summoned a spirit when disturbed.

### Sir Leonid Krushkin (Sir Lee the Crusher)

*"Bigger than life, he loved his jewelry"*

Huge skeleton lay in the crypt, containing three jewelled necklaces.

### Sir Sedrik Spinwitovich (Admiral Spinwitovich)

*"Confused though he was, he built the greatest naval force ever assembled in a landlocked country"*

Funeral barge cramped in the crypt with much fake gold.

### Stahbal Indi-Bhak

*"A truer friend no ruler ever had. Here lies his family in honor."*

A large shaft stood in his crypt, descending far below. Dank vault below, containing 15 tombs all facing north, emanating conjuration magic.

### Stefan Gregorovich

*"First Counselor to King Barov von Zarovich"*

His talking skull was contained within the crypt. He told of King Barov's meanness.

### 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 family 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.

Skeleton wearing preistly vestments, with a sun mural domed roof. The crypt seemed to be under the protection of a protection from evil spell.

When touched her holy symbol spoke in a soft female voice: "*There is a grave to the west, with roses that never die, in a place built by healers, in a village called Krezk. When all turns to darkness, touch this holy symbol to the grave to summon the light and find a treasure long lost."*

### Tatsaul Eris

*"Last of the Line"*

Contained three sconces which magically lit when the crypt was entered.

### We knew him only by his wealth

The floor of the crypt was a poison spike trap. The skeleton was wrapped in leather armour.

## Teleportation Altar

**Violet leads to mountain spire** - Mount Gakis

**Orange to the castle peak** - Ravenloft spire

**Red if treasure's what you seek** - Ravenloft study

**Green to where the faithful hide** - *Church of St Andral/Barovia Church*

**Indigo to abbot's pride** - Abbey of St Markovia

**Blue to barrow's stony womb** - Yester Hill

**Yellow to the maidens' tomb** - *Berez/Barovia Church cemetary*