Towering trees, whose tops are lost in the heavy gray mist, block out all but a death-gray light. The tree trunks are unnaturally close to one another, and the woods have the silence of a forgotten grave, yet exude the feeling of an unvoiced scream.

The Svalich Woods is a name for all the wilds surrounding the various villages and outposts in the valley of Barovia. They are dark and full of terrors, home to wolves, undead, and other monstrous creatures of the night. Most of the creatures in the Svalich Woods are in some way controlled by Strahd von Zarovich, and act as his eyes, ears and fangs against any who are foolish enough to wander there alone.