Barovia

Barovia was the name given to a valley surrounded by a mysterious fog which prevented entry and egress. Named for Barov von Zarovich, an ancestor of the line of Strahd XIII von Zarovich, Barovia was previously inhabited by the forest folk before its conquest and settlement by Strahd I von Zarovich and his army of Barovians c. 350 of the Barovian Calendar. The valley of Barovia is also inhabited by the Vistani, a nomadic people who are said to possess the secret of traversing the fog.

Climate

Barovia is eternally covered in a layer of clouds, with the open sky rarely visible through them except on the most clement days. Its general temperature and climate classification is hemiboreal, although it approaches the subarctic due to its reduced temperature from lack of sunlight. Winters are cold, though snow is generally seen only in Sečen; the other winter months are typified by sleet and freezing rain. Springs and autumns are chilly, with temperatures averaging in the low 40°F, and summers are mild, averaging in the mid-50°F. Precipitation is common throughout the year but heaviest during the late spring and summer, with thunderstorms common during the month of Treven. Due to the high humidity and mysterious curse, fog is common throughout the year.

Flora

Barovia is dominated by temperate coniferous forest, characterized by beech and silver fir. Larch, pine, birch, poplar, spruce, and maple are also common. Lower regions of the valley are also home to oak, hornbeam, and linden. Other important plants in the Barovian valley include sunflower, peony, crocus, wolfsbane, hellebore, and wild rose.

Crops

Barovia's low temperatures and scant sunlight make it unsuitable for many crops, but Barovian farmers eke out an existence raising crops appropriate to the local climate. Throughout the agricultural year, farmers harvest root vegetables including beets and carrots; cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, and spinach; and broad beans, lentils, and other pulses. Summer brings local fruits including apricots, currants, mulberries, melons, sour cherries, and strawberries, as well as summer squash. In autumn, Barovians harvest grains, predominiately rye and wheat; seeds and nuts including sunflower seeds and hazelnuts; and fall fruits including pears, apples, quinces, and grapes. In winter, few crops are harvested but onions and garlic, and chestnuts and acorns are gathered from the surrounding forest.

Most of the crops in Barovia are darker, smaller, and more shriveled than average and crop yields are small, due to prevailing low-light conditions.