Gulthias (Gool-thy-ass)

Gulthias was raised as a prince in a smaller kingdom now fallen to history and the fog of memory. Spoiled, petulant and carnal, even in his youth, he was an absolute terror to his doting family, his caretakers and his people.

As he became a young adult, his lusts soon fostered a fear. As he gazed into a mirror one day admiring his form, he noticed a wrinkle appearing on his fair skin. This first blemish was the tipping point into his descent of panic into realizing his ivory tower would indeed crumble one day. His narcissism led him to try numerous methods, from herbs and poultices, to the blood of children without a moment of hesitation. And while some temporarily halted outward signs, the impending inevitableness still loomed in his mind.

He began leading expeditions seeking ways to continue his vain youth. Consuming the wealth of his kingdom and family, his last expedition led him to the Sunless Citadel, a place rumored to be a vault of forgotten knowledge and power. Searching the citadel for weeks, he eventually found a dais with a desiccated heart mummified on an altar. One of his researchers, whose hand was cut from excavating, coincidentally allowed a droplet of blood to strike the heart while measuring the altar top.

A pulse of necrotic energy burst forth and instantly linked with the darkness in Gulthias' soul. Luring him forward, the evil little shit heard seduction in the formless voice that stroked every weakness it could find. As both he and the researcher peered closer at the heart, Gulthias suddenly slit the man's throat and coated the heart with his blood causing it to begin beating as it absorbed the life force. The lull of the dark voices, the power it exuded, the whispers of eternal youth caused the prince to grab the heart and consume it.

The converted prince slaughtered his conscripts and began a long campaign of blood letting. One group whom was hit hardest was the forest elves from the nearby forests. Gulthias found their ancient blood the sweetest and drank greedily whenever possible eventually forcing the elves to form a cabal known as the Walkers of the Ashen Path who dedicated themselves to the destruction of Gulthias and his vampire spawn. These wood elves went so far as to use forbidden blood magic to poison their own blood, ensuring not only their own deaths but more importantly laying a trap for Gulthias.

The group finally ambushed the hunting vampire in their woods and the battle lasted hours and crossed miles of land as each sought the final blow to the other. Finally, Gulthias was able to grapple one of the quintent and with a smile, ripped out their throat with his fangs and drank greedily. Moments later he realized the tainted blood and the error of his ways. The remaining members steadfastly fell on the vampire who had tried to flee the area. Staggering and collapsing against a tree, the wood elves drove an ashen stake through the beasts chest, pinning him against the oak.

The elves carried the immobilized vampire back to the Sunless Citadel and to his resting place. Sanctifying his earthen bed and allowing Gulthias to watch as they destroyed his preparations. As the time ran out for the vampire to return to his grave, Gulthias finally dissolved into the black ichor of death.