Baron Vargas Volokovich
[IDEA — NONCANONICAL] Source: 2026-09-15/19 ideation (Vallaki’s Factions (current working model)).
Source characterization: RAW, homebrew expanded
Role: Burgomaster of Vallaki; head of the Volokovich family
Key characterization principles:
- Goal: keep Strahd out first and foremost, and keep the peace — which to him means making sure everyone seems happy. Strahd’s recent reawakening (~a month ago) is the inciting incident for the festivals. Catchphrase: “All will be well” (Vallaki’s noble houses).
- Wants the power inside Lake Zarovich to fight Strahd’s coming onslaught, against everything Saint Andral would want. He believed the orphan Izek’s story of a monster in the lake when no one else did, rescued him, and took him in.
- Paranoid; sees assassins in every shadow. Blames Strahd for poisoning Vallaki’s water — ironically, correctly.
- Refuses Barovian refugees entry because they bring disease and unhappiness, which attract maladies and Strahd. Has bitten refugees lynched as Strahd’s servants. Imposes the gate entry ritual (running holy water, silver-blade cut, garlic) on everyone, Vallakian and Barovian alike.
Current narrative status: Not yet encountered in play. Session 10 (canonical, by reputation): Morgantha described him as very wary of travelers, especially Barovians, whom he thinks are vampire spawn; “always been quite a scaredy cat… talks big but not very good on the follow-through,” hence his loud attack dog. Vallaki’s gates have been closed to outsiders for “several moons”; they won’t offer refuge to those without coin, and he plans a festival of happiness in a few days that might open the gates. The Vistani of Vallaki have an arrangement with him: they don’t meddle with him, and as long as they keep safe and do “the proper rites” they’re let in — though in practice it depends which guards are on duty (bribable).
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