Although few alive today have had direct interaction with the lord of Barovia, elders among the communities can recall a time when representatives of Castle Ravenloft were regularly sent to the towns and villages of Barovia. In decades long-since passed, Count Strahd von Zarovich's black carriage could frequently be seen travelling down the winding switchback roads from "the Pillarstone". For nearly sixty years, there has only been silence and darkness from Castle Ravenloft, without word or emissary. For a time, taxes were dutifully collected and stored in anticipation of the arrival of a castle envoy. When none came, stores slowly became depleted, the wealth squandered, and towns fell into disrepair. It has only been in the last few weeks that lights have once again been seen in the castle.
About Strahd and vampires, the Barovians believe the following:
- Strahd von Zarovich is a vampire, and he dwells in Castle Ravenloft. No one is welcome at the castle, and those who journey there are either killed or turned into undead.
- The devil Strahd is a curse placed on the land because of a forgotten sin of the Barovians' ancestors.
- A vampire must rest in its coffin during the day and must return there at the end of every night.
- At night, a vampire can summon wolves and vermin to do its bidding in addition to being able to transform into a bat, a wolf, or a cloud of mist.
- In its humanoid form, a vampire can seduce mortals with its powerful, hypnotic gaze.
- A vampire can't enter a residence without an invitation from one of the occupants.
- Running water burns a vampire like acid, and sunlight causes a vampire to burst into flame.
- A vampire can be identified because it has no reflection in a mirror and casts no shadow, as it has no soul.
- Vampires can be repelled by garlic and symbols of holy faith. Having either of these in the home will help to keep you safe from attack.
- To kill a vampire, you need to drive a wooden stake through the heart, stuff the mouth with garlic and holy wafers, cut off the head, and burn the body.
- The Vistani serve the devil Strahd, so they alone are allowed to leave Barovia.
