The Devil Count

The Count Strahd Von Zarovich has been cursed. Something has twisted his soul and turned him into a tyrant of the lands of Barovia. He thirsts for blood and something more and slowly strangles his people until he gets it.
 

Domain Of Dread

Strahd's Grip on the lands has brought down a magical barrier that isolates it from the rest of the world. Any can enter it, none can leave.
 

Before Barovia

Decorated Warlord

His Father's most trusted soldier, young Strahd was savage, yet calculating and an effective leader. He earned the loyalty of his men and systematically took the lands from the barbarians of the valley. After his father's death was he able to completely cleanse the lands of all major tribes. Whispers on the winds have it that a few tribes still remain in the Slavich Woods

Hero Of The Vistani

During his warlord days Strahd earned the loyalty of the Vistani with a selfless act. During one of Strahd's military campaigns, years before he became a vampire, a group of Vistani rescued him after he was wounded in battle. These Vistani not only nursed Strahd back to health but also delivered him safely home. As a reward for their generosity, Strahd declared that all Vistani had the right to come and go from his land as they please, and this privilege extends to the present day. Thus, Vistani can travel freely through the fog that surrounds Barovia, without fear of harm or entrapment.

One night, a wounded soldier staggered into our camp and collapsed. We nursed his terrible injury and quenched his thirst with wine. He survived. When we asked him who he was, he wouldn’t say. All he wanted was to return home, but we were deep in the land of his enemies. We took him as one of our own and followed him back toward his homeland. His enemies hunted him. They said he was a prince, yet we didn’t give him up, even when their assassins fell upon us like wolves.
This man of royal blood fought to protect us, as we protected him. We bore him safely to his home, and he thanked us. He said, ‘I owe you my life. Stay as long as you wish, leave when you choose, and know that you will always be safe here.’


--
Stanimir

 


Strahd is the sole survivor of his family. He succeeded his father to take the savage valley that then became Barovia, he survived his mother before she could see her namesake and bore witness to the death of his brother who was soon followed by Tatyana, Strahd's sister to be.