Ever since the Shadow Rift appeared, the only road merchants have been able to follow to cross the Core from, say, Dementlieu to Nova Vaasa is the one going through Barovia.
According to various accessories, this has resulted in an increase of traffic. All well and good for the count's purse, I suppose.
First problem, the Old Svalich Road goes straight through the infamous village of Barovia. Hence, merchants have to go through the Choking Fog. Does that mean regular caravans now cross it thanks to the Vistani's potion? No way around it?
If that's the case, then I understand why merchants have nicknamed it the "captive tax"
Second problem, Sheriff von Zarovich. According to Champions of Darkness, this nefarious individual recently declared illegal the trade of the Vistani elixir.
If that's correct, then all commerce between Nova Vaasa and the other domains of the Core has stopped. Somehow, I find that hard to swallow
Yes, I am aware that many do not recognize the Sheriff (nor the Order of the Ebon Gargoyle) as canon but that doesn't solve the problem.
As you say, there is no reason it should still be there now that Barovia is a fully detailed domain. And the main reason is what you pinpoint: that road would never be a major trade route with it and it's inconvenience (poison ring rumors, forced to deal with the strange and untrusted vistani - you have to be quite brave for a simple merchant to go through it, no?).
In my campaign, I removed it.
As for Sheriff, he will never be in my campaign, so I can't answer.
Joël
I picture it as a thick trail, not an official road, that curves around though some mountain passes that have been known to snow-over and adds several days to the journey. Those in a hurry, with previous cargo, or during the coldest parts of winter will pay the toll.
Originally posted by The_Jester
People aren't dumb. There is bound to be a large detour around the villiage, a long side road.
That's the problem actually. There aren't any detour available. The description of the place is quite clear on this. If you want to go through the Castle Ravenloft/Village of Barovia area, you have to take the Old Svalich Road .. unless you've got a good pair of wings of course :D
Of course, it doesn't prevent DMs from creating one...
Personally, I'll go with Gotten's suggestion. Strahd doesn't really need the fog around that tiny village or his castle. At least not 24/7. And if he really needs it, well .. he isn't the local darklord for nothing ;)
The tax is only 5gp, and while that is alot to most peasants it is nothing to heroes and merchants who may make a fortune on their goods.
Furthermore the Sheriff's law only seems to apply to Barovians as they are killed as traitors. It does not say that travelers are slain for possesion and there is no way the Sheriff is killing Vistani. Keeps it out of the hands of the locals and stops em from leaving.
Generally I've always run it that the road goes right past the castle and the mist enshrouded village without going through the mist. Not 100% accurate according to the maps we have, but made sense to me. I'm generally not too shy to tweak things.
-Eric Gorman
That is, make it so the Count still can create it at will, of course (around any building, settlement, or site in Barovia, as well as around the whole of the domain).
But just say that it is not mysteriously always present around the village of Barovia.