Barov van Zaorvich was the Count of the Village of Barovia, and the father of Strahd and Sergei von Zarovich. Born to the noble von Zarovich family, Barov had pressure on his shoulders as his house's influence over its Zarovich Valley was waning. However, he was not a particularly astute tactician or capable warrior, and during his rule, other noble families quietly started asserting themselves across his lands. In a strategic move, he wed Ravenovia van Roeyen despite her young age in an effort to unite powerful houses. The von Zarovich family rushed them to sire an heir as soon as possible to strengthen their position, and Ravenovia birthed Strahd at sixteen years of age.
Barov's attention during his son's childhood was generally elsewhere, as he schemed to grab power in the region. Amidst his efforts, he found an Elven council in the Svalich Woods were a particular thorn in his side. He courted a high-ranking soldier among them named Rahadin who refused to bow to their royalty, and convinced him to aid his cause. Rahadin turned on his people and helped Barov von Zarovich put their royal line to the sword. The Count rewarded Rahadin as an honorary member of the von Zarovich family.
Despite Barov's absence, Strahd was an uncommonly brilliant child and an excellent student and fighter. All attempts at producing future heirs failed, which worried both him and Ravenovia; Strahd was reckless, and wished to be a warrior, but they could not afford to lose their heir. As Strahd grew, he developed an interest in the tactical side of war, as he believed that the family would never be secure until they united the entirety of the Zarovich Valley. Barov and Ravenovia mostly stayed in sturdy keeps and safe company while Strahd went off winning battles, and the two bore a surprise son, Sergei, when Ravenovia was 41 years old.
Now with the joy and security of a second child, they poured all of their kindness into Sergei while Strahd secured the Zarovich Valley. They raised Sergei with stronger morals than his brother, and while Sergei lacked Strahd's brilliance, he had ten times his compassion. The three prepared to move to Barovia permanently when Strahd announced the construction of Castle Ravenloft; Sergei went off on a pilgrimage to the Abbey of Brilliant Worship, while Ravenovia and Barov stayed in their eastern home for safety.
Before the construction of the castle could be completed, however, the small garrison protecting the royal couple were overrun by the Order of the Silver Dragon in the Rout of Barovia. The paladin Vladimir Horngaard struck them down before they could flee, and routed their forces. Barov's body was recovered and moved to a tomb below Castle Ravenloft after its completion, but Strahd sought utter vengeance against the Order. He ended up wiping out their forces in Argynvostholt, and took the head of the ancient Dragon Argynvost back to his castle as a trophy.