In life, Ismark Antonovich, also known as Ismark the Great, was a mighty warrior and the burgomaster of the Village of Barovia. In his prime, he fought scores of vampires and other undead left behind when Strahd vanished from public view. He eventually died defending a group of trappers from a dire wolf attack at the age of 44, and the statue outside was erected in his honor. Ismark Antonovich was Ismark Kolyanovich's great grandfather. Ismark's father gave him that name in the hopes that he would one day become a great warrior.