Native to Krezk, then called Zachodgord, Tatyana was born into a community of farmers and woodsmen high in the mountains of Barovia. Though not of noble birth, she was famed across the valley for her uncommon intelligence and beauty. She possessed striking red hair, a rarity in the region, and was gifted with wonderful charisma.
Though she attracted many suitors, she rejected all until she met Sergei von Zarovich. He was the younger brother of Strahd von Zarovich, the tyrannical general who conquered the valley and subjugated Krezk. Sergei was not like his brother, however; a paladin of light, devoted to the Abbey of Saint Markovia, Sergei was strong but gentle, and bid his time while courting her. She fell in love with him, and the two were engaged to be wed.
Tatyana moved to the newly-constructed Castle Ravenloft with Sergei, under the eyes of Strahd. Strahd clearly longed to be with her, which she attempted to temper by referring to him as "brother"; indeed, Strahd was eighteen years her senior. Nonetheless, Strahd's desire for Tatyana could not be contained. The Count of Barovia had been consorting with dark magics beyond the realm, and his mental state was deteriorating.
On the night that Tatyana and Sergei were to be wed, Strahd's madness was untethered, resulting in the Wedding That Never Was. He invoked the Dark Power Vampyr and became a Vampire himself, killing Sergei and a litany of guards and guests. He chased Tatyana to a balcony, demanding her love, but Tatyana threw herself from the castle, thousands of feet into the mists below.
She was killed by the fall, though her body was never found. The fates around Strahd twisted and kept the souls in Barovia trapped, doomed to eternal repetition. Tatyana's incarnations, such as Marina Ulrich and Ireena Kolyana, tormented Strahd to no end; no matter what tactic he used, she would never fall in love with him.