Luvash told the party the following story at the Vistani Glades River Encampment.
"The story I share with you all is of perhaps the most infamous Dusk Elf to exist. Just like some Dusk Elves here, this man is even older than Strahd himself. This Elfs name is Rahadin, and the simple utterance of that name will anger most Dusk Elves you happen across.
Almost 1000 years ago... before Barovia was Barovia. Rahadin lived in this valley in one of the many communities of Dusk Elves. Though eventually, he was exiled... for the crime of refusing to bow down to a dusk elf prince whom he considered weak and corrupt.Years later when a man came to this land called King Barov, the Dusk Elves declined to pay fealty to him so the king waged a war on the Dusk Elves. Rahadin approached King Barov with information and understanding of the very enemy the king was facing, and so he betrayed his very own people. The people who had tossed him out years earlier.
With Rahadin's aid, King Barov was able to obliterate the Dusk Elf Kingdom's royal line. So pleased was King Barov with Rahadin that the king made the dusk elf an honorary member of his family. Under King Barov and Queen Ravenovia, Rahadin served his new crown and even helped serve their new son a prince, a boy by the name of Strahd.
When King Barov eventually died many years later, Strahd waged a long and bloody war against his father's enemies, including the Dusk Elves. With Rahadin as his new General, the armies of Strahd hunted the Dusk Elves like rabbits and their numbers dwindled. The Dusk Elves were on the verge of being annihilated before finally surrendering. Strahd and Rahadin left the few survivors to the mercy of the Vistani...our ancestors, who bore them to the valley of Barovia, where they have lived ever since. If that does not give you reason enough to hate Rahadin, then that is only the start of the story.
When a striking Dusk Elf named Patrina came knocking on Strah'd door, Rahadin could see that...for some reason...she intrigued his master, but Rahadin was suspicious of her motives.The dusk elf Patrina tried to seduce Strahd with the prospect of immortality, something Strahd desired above all. She told Strahd of a vault, or temple of forbidden lore, where the secret of the immortal was hidden among many other powerful abilities.
While Strahd was off exploring the temple, Rahadin handled all his master's affairs and began searching for a consort who could tear Strahd away from the untrustworthy Patrina. Although he failed in this task, the goal was ultimately fulfilled when Strahd's eyes fell upon another woman, whom he loved greatly.
Over 400 years later, long after Strahd's love had died, and he had long turned into the monstrous creature he is now, Patrina returned once again to his castle. She was still the same beauty of 400 years prior as elfs dont age as fast you see. She hoped to again comfort Strahd, and win his love. Once the Dusk Elves learned of this, they stoned the Dusk Elf Patrina to death to prevent Strahd from claiming her as his wife. So upset was Strahd that they had taken Patrina from him, that he sent Rahadin to punish his own people, the Dusk Elves. Rahadin slew the female dusk elves one by one, their screams and begging did not faze him. Without women, the Dusk Elf men could no longer breed pure Dusk Elves.
A broken group forced to watch the slow dying of their ancient race, the Dusk Elves are now aware of the vampire's absolute hold over the land of Barovia. They have since kept a low profile as to not draw Strahd's wrath again. Rahadin still lives in that castle, serving his master, and living with the knowledge that his hand helped lead to the extinction of his people."