History of the Valley

Player-known chronology of the Barovian valley compiled through Session 22. Covers history before the party's arrival in the land (mist transport, Octyavr 31 → Neyavr 1). Events the party witnessed after arrival are excluded; immediate pre-arrival backdrop (village revolt, siege) is included only as reported history.

Deep-dives: The Barovian Valley · The Ladies Three and the First Folk · The Dusk Elves of Barovia · The Three Lights of Civilization · Lugdana and the Holy Symbol of Ravenkind · The Morning Lord and Mother Night (Ezra) · Strahd von Zarovich — Party Knowledge · Vampires · Order of the Silver Dragon and Argynvostholt · The Vistani of Barovia · The Martikov Family · Keepers of the Feather — Party Knowledge · Vallaki Politics

Calendar anchor

• Current Barovian year 735 per Ireena Kolyana (Adventure Timeline).
• Archaic dates on old documents (e.g. 13 Neyavr 348 on a Barovia Village invitation) do not match the calendar the party knows (Session 1 @ 01:09:04).

Master chronology

I. Before the Zarovich line

First Folk and the Ladies Three

• Original valley inhabitants ~1,000 years ago; culture "no longer with us" (Session 9 @ 01:46:29).
• Worshipped Ladies Three — The Seeker, The Weaver, The Huntress (Session 21 @ 00:52:14).
• Monuments (raven over three-pointed star) scattered valley-wide; not dusk-elf work (Session 9 @ 01:46:29; Session 21 @ 00:52:14).
• Descendants persist as reclusive forest folk (Svalich Woods) and mountain folk (Balinok Mountains) (Session 21 @ 00:52:14).
• Ezra (Mother Night) is separate from the Ladies Three (Session 21 @ 00:53:51).
• Unconfirmed: rumors of Ladies Three interacting with Strahd (Session 21 @ 00:53:51).

→ The Ladies Three and the First Folk

Dusk-elves of Othrondil

• Arrived after First Folk, before Strahd (Session 9 @ 01:47:08).
• Othrondil, Forest of Twilight — council of princes led by Erevan Lowenhart, bladesong master, lion sigil (Session 9 @ 01:48:15).
• Kasimir Velikov was mage/scribe in Erevan's court; ~100 years old when freedom was lost (Session 9 @ 01:48:15).

→ The Dusk Elves of Barovia

II. King Barov II and the conquest (~500 years ago)

Per Kasimir Velikov — memories "sharp and clear… like shards of broken glass" (Session 9 @ 01:48:15):

1. King Barov II demanded dusk-elf fealty and tribute to borders of old Zarovia (Session 9 @ 01:48:15).
2. Erevan Lowenhart refused — war ignited (Session 9 @ 01:48:15).
3. Barov's forces joined by traitor Rahadin (Kasimir's cousin) (Session 9 @ 01:48:15).
4. Rahadin shattered Erevan's blade and executed his family, ending the royal line (Session 9 @ 01:48:15).
5. Resistors hunted; Barov ruled with iron fist (Session 9 @ 01:48:15).

Party believes: Session 4 village messenger may have been Rahadin — unconfirmed (Session 9 @ 01:53:22).

III. Strahd's rise and naming of Barovia

1. Barov died; Strahd von Zarovich took power (Session 9 @ 01:48:15).
2. Dusk-elves rebelled; Strahd quashed revolt in days and genocided the people — fewer than a hundred survived (Session 9 @ 01:48:15).
3. Rahadin personally carried out genocide; clipped survivors' ears (Session 9 @ 01:52:01).
4. Survivors taken in by Vistani caravans; led to valley sanctuary (Session 9 @ 01:48:15).
5. Within a year Strahd conquered last valley enemies and named the land Barovia (Session 9 @ 01:48:15).
6. Worship of Ladies Three fell out of practice; much lore lost (Session 21 @ 00:52:14).

Young Strahd (Tome of Strahd vision)

Party attunement dream — historical, not witnessed live (Session 22 @ 02:05:00):

• Boy ~12: "I am Strahd von Zarovich, prince of this kingdom and castle, heir to King Barov II" (Session 22 @ 02:05:00).
• King Barov II celebrating; Sergei von Zarovich's birth imminent (Session 22 @ 02:05:00).
• Rahadin directly in charge of his instruction until new tutors arrived (Session 22 @ 02:05:00).

Strahd's preamble (vision): events of his reign "desperately misunderstood" — he sets down "an exact record" (Session 22 @ 01:50:00).

→ Strahd von Zarovich — Party Knowledge

IV. Valley settlements and Berez

Major settlements

Within the greater valley of Barovia, the party knows three principal settlements — Barovia Village, Vallaki, and Krezk — plus the destroyed site Berez on the Luna River south of Vallaki (Session 14 @ 01:58:45). Travel links and roles: The Three Lights of Civilization.

Destruction of Berez (300+ years ago)

• Fishing village on Luna River banks, not far south of Vallaki; once bustling (Session 14 @ 01:58:45).
• 300+ years ago: religious burgomaster defied Strahd von Zarovich; details lost to time (Session 14 @ 01:58:45).
• Strahd commanded the river to rise; village swallowed whole; no buildings left; few lives spared (Session 14 @ 01:58:45).
• Survivors drifted north to Vallaki and struggled to rebuild (Session 14 @ 01:58:45).
• Site now marsh and broken stone — cautionary tale against defiance (Session 14 @ 01:58:45).

Fiona's framing (Session 14)

At Wachterhaus dinner, Lady Fiona Wachter told the party a history lesson while arguing against direct opposition to Strahd (Session 14 @ 01:58:45). In her telling:

• She named Barovia, Vallaki, and Krezic as "the lands three lights of civilization" (Session 14 @ 01:58:45).
• She then said there was once a fourth — fishing village Perez (Berez) — before describing its destruction (Session 14 @ 01:58:45).
• Fiona cited Berez when warning that defiance earns destruction; survival requires pragmatism (Session 14 @ 01:58:45).
• As a child she heard legend of a sun-bright sword that would dawn a new age; as an adult she treats it as fairy tale — party links this to Holy Symbol of Ravenkind (Session 14 @ 01:58:45).

V. Vallaki's founding and Wachter loyalty

At Vallaki's founding (Strahd recounting history at the 9th coup) (Session 20 @ 00:20:29):

• Strahd appointed Boris Vallakovich the First burgomaster when Vallaki was founded (Session 20 @ 00:20:29).
• Rewarded Vallakovich family with care of the settlement (Session 20 @ 00:20:29).
• Wachter family present from the beginning — ambitious, envious of rivals (Session 20 @ 00:20:29).

Many centuries ago (Session 14 @ 01:54:43):

• Lady Lavinia Wachter served Strahd faithfully as vassal.
• Assassin Leopold Dilisniya murdered Lavinia's husband; attempted to kill her.
• Strahd hunted and punished Leopold; House Wachter loyal ever since.

→ Vallaki Politics

VI. Wine trade and the Martikov line

Barovian wine is a valley institution tied to one family and one winery.

Wizard of Wines — sole source

• Wizard of the Wines is the only winery in Barovia; all valley wine comes from there (Session 5 @ 00:28:25).
• Stanimir at Tser Pool: all wine in the valley comes from the Wizard of Wines (Session 6 @ 00:55:21).
• Winery lies west of Vallaki — follow Old Svalich Road west, left at the fork (Session 18 @ 03:12:12).
• Wines from the winery are among the few pleasures Barovians have in the land (Session 5 @ 00:28:39).

Martikov family roles

Supply chain:

• Davian supplies inns across Barovia (Session 18 @ 03:07:35).
• Blue Water Inn receives the first shipment every season because of family ties (Session 18 @ 03:07:35; Session 6 @ 00:55:21).
• Stanimir: Blue Water Inn is always first stocked when winery ships (Session 6 @ 00:55:21).
• Kolyan Indirovich kept a personal stash of winery vintage at the burgomaster manor — Champagne du le Stomp (Session 5 @ 00:27:38).

Named products (party has seen labels):

Keepers of the Feather and the winery branch

The Martikov line also operates the Keepers of the Feather raven intelligence network (Session 12 @ 03:27:12):

• Urwin — Vallaki branch head at the inn (Session 18 @ 03:10:12).
• Davian — branch head beyond Vallaki at the winery (Session 18 @ 03:10:12).
• Weekly correspondence between father and son when business is normal (Session 18 @ 03:10:12).
• Network maintains secrecy; Davian avoids picking fights — discovery could explain trouble (Session 18 @ 03:10:12).

Unconfirmed: genealogical link between historical Livius Martikov and present-day Urwin/Davian (Session 22 @ 00:48:00).

→ The Martikov Family · Keepers of the Feather — Party Knowledge

VII. Faith, saints, and holy sites

Morning Lord and Mother Night

• Morning Lord — god of light watching over Barovia; blesses land; guides worshippers toward peace (Session 21 @ 01:20:27).
• Ezra (Mother Night) — counterpart; goddess of mists (Session 21 @ 01:21:57).
• Morning Lord rarely manifests; appoints champions (Session 21 @ 01:24:11).

→ The Morning Lord and Mother Night (Ezra)

Saint Andral

• Legends: Saint Andral gave his life defending Vallakians from the devil (Session 15 @ 00:32:14).
• By dying breath he hallowed St. Andral's Church — undead and creatures of night cannot enter (Session 15 @ 00:32:14).

Abbey of St. Markovia (Krezk)

• Long history as holy place in Barovia (Session 17 @ 00:12:01).
• Once where priests congregated in prayer to Morning Lord; may yet offer protection (Session 4 @ 02:15:10).

Lugdana's crusade (~100 years ago)

• Lugdana — Morning Lord paladin; cleared vampire nests across Barovia (Session 21 @ 01:29:46).
• Strahd dormant — not among destroyed (Session 21 @ 01:29:46).
• Holy Symbol of Ravenkind lost at Yester Hill fighting Chernovog (Session 6 @ 01:20:31; Session 22 @ 00:48:00).
• Livius Martikov (archer) and Ismark the Great (swordsman) spread her legend; both died of old age (Session 22 @ 00:48:00).
• Ismark the Great — ancestor of Ismark Kolyanovich; eroded statue in Barovia Village square (Session 22 @ 00:48:00; Session 4 @ 00:11:14).
• Lucian: Strahd later turned particular severity on Barovia Village given that history (Session 22 @ 01:02:26).

→ Lugdana and the Holy Symbol of Ravenkind

VIII. Order of the Silver Dragon

• Knightly order sworn against the dread lord; headquarters Argynvostholt west of party's route (Session 7 @ 02:31:53).
• Many outposts across land; patrols discontinued many years ago (Session 7 @ 02:37:26).
• Commander Vladimir Horngaard forbade taking arms against Strahd (Session 7 @ 02:33:28).
• Sir Godfrey Gwilym — seek at headquarters; dead per Tommy (Session 7 @ 02:31:53).

→ Order of the Silver Dragon and Argynvostholt

IX. Vistani origin tale

Stanimir's Game of Stories tale (Session 6 @ 01:07:04):

• Vistani from ancient land whose name is long forgotten; wander lost roads (Session 6 @ 01:07:04).
• Wounded soldier/prince nursed by Vistani; promised they would always be safe in his domain (Session 6 @ 01:07:04).
• A curse turned the noble prince into a tyrant (Session 6 @ 01:07:04).
• Only Vistani can leave his domain; seek heroes to end curse (Session 6 @ 01:07:04).
• Stanimir claims wholly true; party guesses mixed (Session 6 @ 01:11:25).

→ The Vistani of Barovia

X. Local resistance and cult traces (pre-party)

Barovia Village — Doru's revolt

• Doru led revolt against devil with priest's son Oru; returned vampire spawn (Session 4 @ 01:18:43).
• Father Donavich gave holy symbol to Doru; no longer hears Morning Lord's voice afterward (Session 4 @ 01:18:43).

Cultural superstition

• Long-standing belief: red-haired women in Barovia bring misfortune / devil's attention (Session 4 @ 00:56:30; Session 21 @ 00:56:28).

Khazan's tower

• Khazan dead centuries; anti-magic tower on Lake Baratok long abandoned before recent occupation (Session 13 @ 03:15:18).

XI. Failed opposition before the party

→ Dr. Rudolph van Richten and Monster Hunters

XII. Strahd's slumber and recent awakening

Long dormancy

• Until recently Strahd slumbered in Castle Ravenloft (Session 14 @ 01:54:43).
• No one in living memory recalls him visiting Vallaki before the coup (Session 14 @ 01:54:43).
• During dormancy, Lugdana purged vampire nests without confronting Strahd (Session 21 @ 01:29:46).

~3 months before Neyavr 9

• Victor Vallakovich: news that "the devil had risen from his slumber" (Session 19 @ 01:18:50).

Immediate backdrop to party arrival

• Misguided fools from Barovia Village tried to destroy Strahd and free the lands — failed (Session 14 @ 01:54:43).
• Strahd brought wrath on the village — week-long undead siege ongoing when party reached gates Neyavr 1 (Session 14 @ 01:54:43; Session 4 @ 00:02:38).
• Kolyan Indirovich slain; Strahd's messenger ended attacks when village submitted (Session 4 @ 00:40:45).

Excluded: siege defense and all Neyavr 1+ events the party participated in.

Open questions (pre-arrival gaps)

Sources by session