Origins & Curse

Natively of the Prime Material, Strahd was born into nobility—an experienced general throughout his youth. In his middle age, consumed by regret and longing, he struck a deadly bargain at the Amber Temple, seeking eternal life and favor with Tatyana, his brother Sergei’s betrothed. He murdered Sergei on his wedding day, only to drive Tatyana into death, and was struck down by his guards. But Death’s power twisted him into vampirism, forging him inadvertently into Barovia’s—and possibly the multiverse’s—first vampire . His domain became a prison—shrouded in mist, eternally under his shadow.