Vallaki
Safe from the devil
"There is no light in the eyes of the men that feed off this land. They are as dead as the dead."The Old Svalich Road meanders into a valley watched over by dark, brooding mountains to the north and south. The woods recede, revealing a sullen mountain burg surrounded by a wooden palisade. Thick fog presses up against this wall, as though looking for a way inside, hoping to catch the town aslumber. The dirt road ends at a set of sturdy iron gates with a pair of shadowy figures standing behind them. Planted in the ground and flanking the road outside the gates are a half-dozen pikes with wolves’ heads impaled on them. Located close the the shore of Lake Zarovich, the town of Vallaki seems like a safe haven against the evils of the Svalich Woods, if not Strahd himself. It has been ruled by Burgomaster Vargas Vallakovich and his family for generations.- Strahd von Zarovich
Demographics
Mostly human, with a few non-humans sprinkled throughout.
Government
All towns in Barovia are run by a Burgomaster. The man in charge here, Vargas Vallakovich, has taken to being referred to as 'The Baron'. He maintains a stern rule with his wife, Lydia.
Defences
Fifteen foot high wooden walls, made with vertical logs held together with thick ropes and mortar. The top of each log has been sharpened to a point. Wooden scaffolding hugs the inside of the palisade twelve feet off the ground, enabling guards to peer over the wall there. Three tall gates made of iron bars lead into town:
- The north gate, sometime called the Zarovich Gate or "the gate to the lake", because it leads to Lake Zarovich.
- The west gate is referred to as the Sunset Gate, even though no living person in Vallaki has seen an un-dimmed sunset.
- The east gate is also known as the Morning Gate, or the "Mourning Gate".
Industry & Trade
The most important import to Vallaki is wine from the Wizard of Wines. Lately the shipments have stopped, and tavern owner Urwin wants to know why. The inhabitants are generally insular, farming their own livestock and produce and keeping to themselves.
History
The town has lived for several generations under the Vallakovich line, in the country of Barovia.
Architecture
Sturdy stone buildings, with a few wooden ones. The town was built from the ground up, and the sparse furniture that can be found is all made of wood.
Geography
The town is nestled safely south of a large lake, and surrounded on all sides by woods. The town itself is fairly flat, stamped down during the construction of the town.
Natural Resources
Wood from the Svalich Woods.
Maps
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Vallaki
A detailed map of the town of Vallaki.
Founding Date
3 AD
Type
Large town
Population
1,547
Inhabitant Demonym
Vallakians
Included Locations
Owner/Ruler
Comments