Zachodgrad began as a settlement beneath the Abbey of Brilliant Worship, founded by Saint Alizandra Markovia in the western Balinok Mountains. What started as a field hospital and sanctuary grew into a permanent community as forest-folk settled near the abbey for protection, healing, and worship of the Morninglord. As threats increased from mountain raiders and the expanding campaigns of Strahd von Zarovich, Alizandra ordered defensive walls raised around the dwellings below the abbey. First timber, then stone, these works transformed the settlement into a fortified commune known as Zachodgrad, or "Westfort." Its people lived communally, raised their own livestock, harvested timber from within the walls, and relied on the sacred pool for fresh water.
After the Wedding That Never Was and the sealing of Barovia, the valley grew more hostile. Werewolf packs devoted to Mother Night ranged north of the abbey, led by the Wolf-Father. Zachodgrad endured repeated attacks until Alizandra confronted Jaghr at the Pool of Zachodgrad. She slew the Wolf-Father in single combat, an event said to have held the sun in the sky for days despite the surrounding mists. The pool was consecrated by divine power, and Alizandra was thereafter named Saint Markovia. She cured those werewolves who submitted, including the Wolf-Father's second, Ladislau Krezkov, and a statue was raised showing the saint healing him at the water’s edge. This victory brought a brief and fragile peace to Zachodgrad.
The Cleric soon led her followers east in the Sunless March Of Saint Markovia, seeking to destroy Strahd at Castle Ravenloft in an effort that ultimately failed. Her forces were overwhelmed on the bridge as the dead rose against them, and she was captured and executed by Rahadin. Her body was entombed beneath the castle, beyond Strahd’s control, but her death left Zachodgrad without its protector. In the aftermath, Strahd turned his attention west. Rather than storm the fort, he laid siege in the manner he had practiced in life, surrounding Zachodgrad with Undead and starving it of relief.
The fall of Zachodgrad was decided from within. Ladislau Krezkov had never abandoned his hatred of the Morninglord or of Saint Markovia, and secretly sent Strahd knowledge of the fort’s weaknesses. As the siege tightened, the remaining militia and townsfolk withdrew up the switchback to the abbey, now called the "Abbey of Saint Markovia", and attempted a final defense with the clergy. Cut off from supplies, the abbey’s walls eventually failed. Zachodgrad was taken, renamed Krezk, and Ladislau was installed as burgomaster. The statue at the pool was removed, the Abbey fell into neglect, and over generations, the reverence for Saint Markovia faded.