Across centuries after his defeat at Strahd von Zarovich's hands, The Abbot of the Abbey of Saint Markovia experimented with ways to remove the Vampire lord from Barovia. His twisted thoughts eventually formed in the creation of a Flesh Golem who resembled Tatyana Federovna; the Deva believed that uniting Strahd with a facsimile of his long-lost obsession would end his grip over the domain. He eventually created Vasilka, unknowingly named from Strahd's alter ego "Vasili von Holtz", and guided her speech, her manners, and her every movement until he deemed her fit to walk among nobility.
The gift of Lydia Petrovna's wedding dress, brought to him by the adventurer Ghalwin of the Grove, was the final piece he believed she needed. He carefully altered the gown to fit her frame, with every tear mended and every yellowed thread replaced. Once her training was complete, the two dictated letters of invitation, each bearing the same proclamation: By decree of divine providence, you are cordially invited to witness the union of Lady Vasilka and Count Vasili von Holtz in the grand halls of Castle Ravenloft. May this sacred bond be blessed under the watchful gaze of the Morninglord, and may dawn kiss this valley once again.
He restored the old warped pine carriage that had sat in the abbey courtyard for decades, and harnessed no Horses to it, but instead dozens of Mongrelfolk and the supplies to feed them for a long journey. They carried the letters to the homes of the uneasy residents of Krezk, and emptied the Abbey, then traveled the Old Svalich Road for weeks. They stopped in Vallaki to press invitations into the hands of the townsfolk, and The Abbot healed the mind of Stella Wachter at Ghalwin's request.
At last they reached the gates of Castle Ravenloft, where the mists curled thick around the stones. Strahd awaited them in the company of his chamberlain Rahadin and servant Cyrus Belview, who was uneasy after betraying his fellow Belview family. He welcomed the mongrelfolk inside with a manner so warm it seemed unnatural and agreed to the wedding without hesitation. The Court of the Count was prepared for the event, as the castle's audience hall was set to be the designated place. Candelabras were polished, great tapestries were rehung, and a table of wine and sweetmeats was set for the guests. The Abbot stood proud at Vasilka’s side, her expression carefully trained into serene composure as they awaited the ceremony.
The service began with the Abbot’s blessing, his voice carrying through the vaulted chamber as he blessed their union with the words of the Morninglord. Vasilka stood perfectly still in her gown, hands clasped, while Strahd listened with a faint smile. But as the Abbot prepared to finish his words, Strahd’s gaze drifted to the mongrelfolk at the edge of the hall. As he grasped the golem's hand, his smile widened, and his vampire spawn in attendance moved as one. The joyous facade collapsed in screams as the spawn fell upon the retinue, their teeth and claws flashing. The mongrelfolk broke and ran, but the Count’s children were quicker, cutting off their escape and dragging them down in a frenzy of violence.
Strahd turned to The Abbot, his face twisting with fury, as he proclaimed that he had been betrayed after showing kindness by only poisoning The Abbot's mind. He revealed that he had found Tatyana's reincarnation, Ireena Kolyana, and attacked the Angel in relentless rage. In the chaos, Vasilka ran injured, rampaging about the castle as her husband attacked her creator. Their battle tore from the great hall to the roof of Ravenloft, steel and magic flaring amidst forks of lightning. Though the Abbot fought with the strength of his Celestial heritage, Strahd matched each blow and pressed him back with even more aplomb than when they had fought centuries before. With a final, crushing strike, the Count ended the Abbot’s life, his patience with the celestial’s repeated meddling finally exhausted.
When the castle fell silent, Strahd set about making an example of his fallen foes. He summoned thick steel spikes and ordered the bodies of the mongrelfolk impaled along the road from the Black Carriage Crossroads, each grim display visible to any who traveled there. At the road’s center, the Abbot’s body was splayed face-down on the cobblestones leading to Ravenloft. Strahd tore the angel’s wings from his back and nailed them beneath his corpse. Into the cobblestones at his feet, the Count scratched the words Here Lies Anzethiel, ensuring that all who passed would know the fate, and the true name, of he who dared defy him.