Dusk Elves

The dusk elves are the only elves known to be native to Barovia.

After King Barov conquered the valley they were persecuted and forced to go into hiding, and they now live outside the reaches of civilisation with the Vistani. Since all of the female population was murdered by Rahadin the dusk elves are destined to die out.

Their settlement is south of Vallaki with the dusk elves' homes built into a hill, barrel-top Vistani wagons surrounding the central gathering tent, with decorative lanterns around the perimeter.

History of Barovia
Long before Strahd von Zarovich was born, Rahadin was exiled for refusing to bow down to Prince Pilliro, a dusk elf whom Rahadin considered weak and corrupt.

When the dusk elves declined to pay fealty to King Barov, Rahadin helped Barov conquer them. The Elf kingdom's royal line was obliterated, the dusk elves were hunted like rabbits. So pleased was King Barov with Rahadin that the king made the dusk elf an honourary member of his family. Since that dark day, the few dusk elves that did survive were either subjugated or forced to live amongst the Vistani.

When a dusk elf named Patrina Velikovna came knocking on Strahd's door, Rahadin could see that she intrigued Strahd, but Rahadin was suspicious of her motives. Patrina tried to seduce Strahd with the prospect of immortality - something Strahd desired above all. She told him of a vault of forbidden lore called the Amber Temple, where the secret of gaining immortality was hidden.

While Strahd was off searching for the Amber Temple, Rahadin was appointed Chamberlain and handled all of his master's affairs, but began searching for a woman who could tear Strahd away from Patrina Velikovna, and the prospect of immortality. With Strahd eyeing Tatyana, Rahadin had the pleasure of informing Patrina that her presence at the castle was no longer desired. After Strahd became a vampire and Tatyana died, Rahadin continued to do his master's bidding.

Patrina and her people were living among the Vistani when they heard of Tatyana's death and Strahd's curse. The ageless Patrina returned to Ravenloft in the hope of winning Strahd's love. This time, it was clear that Patrina craved Strahd's power and that Strahd would never love her. To prevent Strahd from claiming his sister as his wife, Kasimir Velikov orchestrated the stoning of Patrina, with the help of the other dusk elves.

Strahd secured Patrina's corpse and entombed it in the catacombs of Castle Ravenloft, sending Rahadin to punish the dusk elves for this crime. Rahadin slew the entire female population of the dusk elves there and then, so that the males could no longer breed. He also sliced off the ears of Patrina's brother, Kasimir.

Kasimir, with the help of his great Vistani allies, inflicted a curse upon Rahadin, such that all of the screams of the female dusk elves that he slaughtered would forever haunt and isolate him.

Recent history
The dusk elves recently attempted to help find the missing Vistani girl Arabelle, but two of their members were trapped at Argynvostholt - Saveed and Camus. The party of Hallgrimm Mikkenson, Narid Ashplantt, and Eklyre Temere were able to rescue them.

Prince Pilliro
Considered to be weak and corrupt by Rahadin.

Rahadin
See Rahadin

Kasimir Velikov
Brother of Patrina Velikovna.

See Kasimir Velikov

Patrina Velikovna
Sister of Kasimir Velikov.

Patrina approached Strahd with the promise of immortality by using the power of the Amber Temple. It appears likely she had a romantic relationship with Strahd, until his attentions turned to Tatyana, his brother's wife.

Long after Tatyana's death, and after Strahd's curse, Patrina left the camp to seek Strahd's affections, and the power that would come with it, once more. It was not to be as Strahd was not interested and her brother Kasimir, repulsed by the idea of his sister becoming married to the one that had persecuted their people, had Patrina stoned to death by the dusk elves.

When Strahd learned of this he sent Rahadin to retrieve her body, which is now laid to rest in the catacombs beneath Castle Ravenloft.

Camus
Keeping watch at the settlement, has lived there for over 50 years. He had gone to search for Saveed and got trapped at Argynvostholt, but was found and released.

Gameel
Keeping watch at the settlement.

Saveed
Had gone in search of the missing Arabelle and got himself trapped at Argynvostholt, was found and released.

Aragal
Respected member at the settlement.

Celegal
Owner of Celegal's Range Shop in Vallaki, Celegal is one of the youngest of the dusk elves, being a mere 350, and is the only one to have been encountered so far inside one of the valley's main population settlements. He lives in Vallaki.