Ravenloft Remix: Borca

Borca

Precis: Fantasy Italy through a Gothic lens.

Conspectus: A realm of green, rugged valleys where vegetation runs wild and wildflowers blanket the hillside; natives are quick to notify visitors that they should avoid any water or fruit with a purplish tinge—this coloring is a sign of poison; Borca has four major settlements: Lechberg, Levkarest, Sturben, and Vor Ziyden; the Boritsis, the wealthy family that rules much of Borca, have an opulent estate at Levkarest; the area around Levkarest boasts several natural hot springs and the city is home to the Great Cathedral of the Church of Ezra; the second most important family in the domain is the Dilisnyas, whose estate is near Lechberg; Ivana Boritsi, also known as the Black Widow because her suitors all die under mysterious circumstances, is the head of the politically powerful Boritsi family and de facto ruler of most of Borca; her cousin Ivan Dilisyna is the head of Borca's “police force,” and is Ivana's rival for control of the realm; most Borcans are extremely poor, but many refuse to leave the realm because it is widely believed that natives will die if they attempt to cross Borca's borders; corruption is rampant and bribery is a way of life in the domain; a place known as the House of Lament recently appeared in the southwestern region of Borca—it is known to be haunted by an unquiet spirit named Mara; Borca is also haunted by a “poisonous woman” named Nostalia Romaine.