Vlad von Carstein was the first and greatest of the Vampire Counts of Sylvania. A master swordsman and skilled general with no small aptitude in the magical arts, it was he who tainted the aristocracy of Sylvania with the curse of vampirism, and in doing so, created an Undead Kingdom at the heart of the Empire. Count Vlad was a towering figure, with a mane of long hair and piercing eyes. Those who met him and survived described him as possessed of a "feral charm", but with an evil temper that could turn into a berserk fury if he was thwarted in his endeavours. It is said that at such times, only his wife, Isabella, could calm him without blood being spilled. No records tell of Vlad's origins before his coming to Sylvania. Even the Vampires of that realm know nothing of his life before that fateful night in Drakenhof, and Vlad certainly never recounted or wrote down his personal history. That he knew much about the workings of the Empire, and its internal division at the time of his arrival, attests to knowledge of the dealings of mortal men for many years.
This unit frightens all enemy units, reducing their leadership when nearby. It is also immune to fear. Fear penalties do not stack.
Encourage
This unit provides a leadership bonus to nearby allies. Units within range of both the Lord's aura and an encouraging unit will receive the larger of the two bonuses.
Hide (forest)
This unit can hide in forests until enemy units get too close.
Undead
The unit is Undead (does not rout, immune to terror, becomes unstable when is low). It will suffer from attrition when moving through territory not owned by the Undead.
Abilities[]
Ability
Description
Master of Beguilement
This Vampire Lord feints and shades, confounding their enemy into missteps and errors.
Aura of Dark Grandeur
Vlad motivates his devoted followers with his majestic presence; the Lord of Undeath is without peer.
The Hunger
As the Vampires rip apart their victims they feast on the blood that spills forth – gaining in strength and lost stamina.
Crumbling
The dead do not rest easily in the Old World. Those summoned by Vampires and Necromancers no longer have mortal concerns - they serve only their master's will.
Disintegrating
The Dark Magic binding has failed. Both flesh and necromantic energy slough off the subjects leaving naught but dust.
Spells[]
Spell
Description
The Curse of Undeath
As the powers of Dark Magic are wielded for the purpose of Necromancy, its unwholesome energies invigorate the Undead.
Curse of Years
The Wizard spits out an ancient curse, causing their enemies to age at an incredible rate - their hair turning white and skin shrivelling up.
Gaze of Nagash
Bolts of Dark Magic leap from the caster’s eyes, withering flesh and blackening the bone beneath.
Invocation of Nehek
The caster intones the dread syllables once uttered by Nagash, restoring friendly targets.
Raise Dead
Necromancers can awaken mortal remains to reinforce their Undead legions.
Vanhel's Danse Macabre
Friendly targets are filled with magical energy, making them even more aggressive!
Wind of Death
The Wizard calls forth spectral winds that howl through the enemy ranks, tearing their souls from their bodies.
