Strahd von Zarovich

"I am the Ancient, I am the Land. My beginnings are lost in the darkness of the past. I am not dead. Nor am I alive. I am undead, forever."

- Tome of Strahd

Count Strahd von Zarovich was a vampire and the dark lord of the valley of Barovia, one of the Domains of Dread located in a remote corner of the Shadowfell.

Relationships
During his many centuries of imprisonment in Barovia, Strahd became acquainted with several visitors from Toril, including the vampire Jander Sunstar, with whom Strahd formed a long-lasting relationship, and Volothamp Geddarm, who briefly visited Barovia at the behest of Elminster Aumar.

History
In his youth, Strahd was a prince and a conqueror. After settling down in the recently conquered valley of Barovia, beginning to feel the weight of middle age, Strahd forged a pact with the Dark Powers of the Shadowfell in order to achieve immortality. The pact came with a price: Strahd was turned into a vampire, and the entire valley was swept into the Shadowfell and turned into a prison from which he could never escape.

In the late 15 century DR, Strahd confronted Minsc, Boo, Delina, Krydle, Shandie, and Nerys in an attempt to recover a locket that once belonged to Tatyana, the love of Strahd's life. The locket had the power to free the companions from Barovia, narrowly escaping the vampire's wrath.

Appearances

 * Adventure modules:
 * Curse of Strahd


 * Comics:
 * Shadows of the Vampire


 * Novels:
 * Vampire of the Mists