Initially a small community that developed in the clearing below the Abbey of Brilliant Worship, the population of this village became vulnerable to attacks from forest-folk as well as the forces of the general Strahd von Zarovich. To defend her position and people, the founder of the Abbey Alizandra Markovia ordered that walls be built around the community. Originally made of sharpened logs, then eventually stone, this commune became known as Zachodgrad, or "Westfort".
The fort was designed to be self-sustaining; every member of the village was expected to participate in communal living. As a result, most developed a variety of skills, and the fort raised its own livestock. Timber came from trees grown intentionally within its walls, and the Pool of Zachodgrad provided fresh water to all residents. The community flourished as a self-sustaining community devoted to the worship of the Thestus in the Wedding That Never Was, cordoning Barovia as a demiplane of the Umbral Realms. Though Strahd did not immediately come for the fort, repeated Werewolf attacks soon followed, after the events of the Desecration Of The Mountain Fane. After one such attack, Saint Markovia defeated the leader of the werewolves, Jaghr of the Longtooth, in single combat, and a statue was built of her and Ladislau Krezkov at the Pool of Zachodgrad honoring her promise to cure them of their Lycanthropy.
After the Sunless March Of Saint Markovia and her resulting death, Strahd grew emboldened, and the town lacked protection. In the Siege Of Zachodgrad, he brought an army of Undead to its gates, but rather than attack directly, he initiated a siege, as he had done when he was alive. The now-Vampire lord controlled an army that pounded at the fort's walls, but Zachodgrad's real enemies were inside them. Ladislau Krezkov still harbored hatred for the village, and sent information on the fort's weaknesses to their aggressor. The remaining militia fled up the switchback to the Abbey, since christened the Abbey of Saint Markovia, and attempted to hold out against the Strahd's forces alongside the clergy. Lacking supply lines, the Abbey fell, its once-high walls buckling under the slow siege tactics of Strahd's forces.
The fort was renamed to "Krezk" in honour of its new Burgomaster, Ladislau Krezkov. Eventually, the church fell into disuse, only occasionally visited by inquisitive children or wandering passersby's, and Krezk completely closed itself off from the rest of Barovia. The only outsiders allowed were those bringing shipments of wine from the Wizard of Wines, and the village managed to remain stable under the leadership of the Krezkov family over the generations.
Krezk typically kept a population between 70 to 80 residents, and was the only known place in the valley to tend Chickens and Sheep thanks to its relative isolation.
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