BAROVIAN AGRICULTURE (I)
Both due to the lack of sunlight in the Lands of Barovia, as well as the lack of true farmland, most Barovians experience food insecurity to varying degrees. Vallaki and Krezek both have small farmlands protected within the walls of their city to ensure that some of the crops that are grown for their residents survive long enough to be harvested. However, the village of Barovia does not have this luxury, and many of the people in the city often end their days hungry. The village of Berez was once the largest source of food production in Barovia. However, when the Luna River flooded, it destroyed the riverside village and those who once called it home.
BAROVIAN AGRICULTURE (II)
The largest portion of farmlands outside of the major villages in the Land of Barovia is vineyard known under the name "The Wizard of the Wines." Tended to by the Martikov family, the vineyards are the only place in Barovia able to grow grapes, and therefore produce wine. Some of the younger Martikovs have been experimenting growing other edible plants not often found in Barovia.
BAROVIAN AGRICULTURE (III)
Many of the plants grown in Barovia have adapted to the general lack of direct sunlight, but that doesn't mean that they are as strong or as hearty as their outside counterparts. Some of plants that have adapted best are those which did not need much sunlight in the first place. Strangely enough, there seems to be a slight overlap in flora found in the Underdeep and in the forests of Barovia, particularly in the areas near Dusk Elf encampments.
BAROVIAN AGRICULTURE (IV)
When naturally growing crops for food is not enough, it is a common occurrence to turn to spellcasters for assistance. While light created by spellcasters is no match for real sunlight, it can still bolster the growth of many plants in Barovia. Higher level spells such as Plant Growth or Daylight are also useful in the cultivation of crops, but it can often be difficult and expensive to find spellcatsers with the necessary experience. Rumor has it that there are magical artifacts hidden in Barovia that are able to aid in the growth of plants.
BAROVIAN ECONOMY (I)
While a majority of the currency passed from hand to hand in Barovia is native to the region, there is a portion of it that was not minted here. Between the Outsiders and the Vistani, around 30% of the coinage someone might come across in Barovia is from the land outside of the Mists. At first glance, it may be difficult to tell the two coinages apart, as both types share copper, silver, and gold coins of similar sizes, but there are a few distinctive differences between the two.
BAROVIAN ECONOMY (II)
It is worth noting that many of the coins originally from Barovia have been in usage since they were minted. As is such, the prolonged use of the coins means that a majority now only show the silhouettes of whatever icons originally rested upon their faces. However, In certain circles coins in better conditions can be worth more, or even used as bargaining chips.
LANGUAGES IN BAROVIA (I)
Most people living in Barovia speak some variation of Barovian, a dialect of Common that branched off when the Mists claimed the land of Barovia. Vistana and Undercommon are also readily spoken by many people, especially within their respective communities. Though, if one knows where to look, it might be easy to find someone that speaks the language you are looking for.
BAROVIAN HIERARCHY (I)
It is no mystery as to who runs Barovia--Count Strahd Von Zarovich makes that clear to all of his subjects. On the local level, each of the villages is run by a Bergomeister. The position is commonly passed down from parent to child, but will be redistributed if the bloodline comes to an end. Or if Count Von Zarovich deems it necessary.
OUTSIDERS (I)
A colloquial term from those from beyond the Mists, Outsiders are the ones who are destined to bring sunlight back to the Valley of Barovia. A few of them tend to appear through the Gates of Barovia at a time, allegedly welcomed through the Mists and into the valley by Count von Zarovich himself.
OUTSIDERS (II)
The general perception of Outsiders changes with the years in Barovia, often correlating with the deeds of those who came before. In the years directly after a major disaster in which Outsiders were involved, Barovians often grow cold and uncaring towards those sharing a similar title. But it is rare for Barovians to see Outsiders in a positive light, especially because of the changes they tend to bring to the realm.