Vladislavus Darkmire

Vladislavus Darkmire was the last King of Murcia, and is the father of Strahd Darkmire, grandfather of Bruce and Allen Darkmire, first lord of Darkmire Castle, and leader of the Black Fang Syndicate.

Biography
Vladislavus Darkmire was born 995 years ago in what is now North Murcia. His parentage is unknown. When Darkmire was twenty-eight years old, he was bitten by a vampire and converted to vampirism himself. Using his newfound powers, he quickly rose to prominence in the north as a warlord, before being forced south by the angry locals.

Upon arriving in Central Murcia, Darkmire quickly set himself up as a fierce leader again, cutting himself out a large duchy and establishing his headquarters at Castle Darkmire. His reach expanded until he had gained control of most of Central Murcia.

The current King of Murcia, Ronald IV, had three daughters the oldest of which, Veronica Ronaldson, was heir apparent to the throne. Darkmire wed Veronica, marrying into the family line. When Ronald IV passed, his daughter became Veronica I, Queen of Murcia, and Darkmire was crowned Vladislavus I, King of Murcia 130 years ago.

With control of Murcia, Vladislavus ruled with an iron fist. He enforced a strict system of serfdom across the kingdom, granting all power to lords and none to the commoners. It was often said that the one good thing Vladislavus did was that he didn't discriminate in his oppression and treated humans and the fair folk equally badly.

123 years ago, the Farmers' Revolt kicked off the Murcian Civil War. Vladislavus I fought ruthlessly against the rebels, and between 100,000 and 120,000 Murcians lost their lives. In the end, the rebels retook Murcia and Vladislavus was sent into exile beyond the Stone Mountains. His current whereabouts are unknown.