Lichal

Lichal is most famously known to an undead tyrant that ruled the the arctic Koldkom with a wave of undead. But many tales recalling his history fail to mention the sadness found in the tales.
He is where the term lich and lichdom is derived from. However he wasn't the first to conduct such rituals, however his cruel and lifeless deeds making it into the history books.
He was born a loving Mirran man who married a n elf. He made a secret request to their court wizard to prolong his life so he may spend it with his husband. The wizard was homophobic and against the elven king's choices to date Lich, so took this opportunity to enchant the Lichal's crown to create the first Lich. This became the Crown of Lichal which he only used the souls of smaller creatures to prolong his life by a bit in secret, but the loss of sanity was inevitable and his face grew glowing red warts. Lichal butcheted the wizard by pulling his intestines out through his throat for the vile curse placed upon himself. The crowns enchantment took over and terrified his partner so he fled after trying to persuade Lichal to take off the crown. This led to his death and Lichal resurrect him. This resurrected partner was a mindless pawn, but was treated with the highest respect by him. Soon after he started digging up every grave yard to build a mindless work force to build the kingdom for him and his undead husband.
The crown eventually was taken by an unknown cloaked individual and Lichal suspended animation ended. Some theorize he still remains in his castle as barely anyone wishes to risk adventuring it.