Maskaleyne Vampire/12th-level Mage

AC -4 (ring of protection +4 MV 12, fl 18 (MC:C HD 8+3; hp 55; THACO 13; #AT 1; Dmg 5-10+ special; Str 18/76, Dex 15, Con 14, Int 17, Wis15, Cha 15; SA/SD many, see Monstrous Compendium entry for Vampire; AL CE. Spells (wizard): 4 each of 1st- through 5th-levels 1 6th-level.

Maskaleyne is nearly 325 years old, an exile from the Great Kingdom. He hungers to see Iuz's empire spread right across the lands and engulf shattered Aerdi. His own dreams of dominion are as unholy as those of his master, whom he has served since the cambion first came to power.

Maskaleyne is 6' 1", brown-haired with hazel eyes, and the typical pale complexion of the vampire. His elven boots allow him to tread softly and his ring of invisibility makes him a very dangerous foe indeed, able to surprise his opponents and get the jump on them. Maskaleyne is well-versed in fiendish politics and etiquette as befits an ex-servant of the House of Naelex, and he is also knowledgeable of the histories of Veluna and Furyondy and their magicians, wizards, sages and great priests. Such knowledge is valuable to Iuz, and Maskaleyne has been given Grabford to rule as a reward for his service.

Maskaleyne alternates between cold, icy self-control and bestial, bloodlusting rages. He dislikes humans and humanoids, preferring to surround himself with charmed and trained monsters, summoned creatures, undead, and fiends. Being so old and effectively immortal save for violent death, Maskaleyne can take the long view. He is building up his resources in Grabford, preparing for the Furyondy war which he expects in some four to five years. His main emphasis is working on his fiendish allies. Maskaleyne has friends even Iuz doesn't know about.

Maskaleyne considers Xenvelen of Crockport an able man, doing well, but probably about to undo himself through over-ambition. For this reason, he is beginning to distance himself slightly from Xenvelen, co-operating increasingly with Marynnek of Molag to co-ordinate patrols along the northern banks of the Veng. Maskaleyne has no desire to be promoted to the Greater Boneheart, preferring the freedom of action his current situation allows. This makes Marynnek friendlier to him than he otherwise might be. He has two enslaved female vampiric courtesans, both mages of 7th level, and his own chambers are thoroughly magically trapped and the vampire has a dozen carefully hidden coffins in various locations in case his current one gets destroyed.

Maskaleyne wears an amulet of fire resistance, owns wands of paralyzation (19 charges) and frost (23 charges), and has a helm of comprehending languages and reading magic. He keeps his efreeti bottle for emergencies and uses a broom of animated attack to sweep dust of sneezing and choking into enemies' faces if he is forced to retreat in combat. Finally, he has used a wish ring to give himself a saving throw against turning or commanding attempts made upon him.