When war ravaged the land and the mists later rolled in, a great famine struck the land of Barovia. In a deperate attempt to keep themselves fed, a group of nobles led by the Dursts began to lure in unsuspecting travelers and began to feast on them.

After the famine went away, they had developed a blood lust, and continued their atrocities, this time under the guise of a cult devoted to Strahd von Zarovich. Strahd cared not for them, neither did the Dark Powers of the land, and thus their efforts were in vain.