I am the Ancient. I am the Land. My beginnings are lost in the darkness of the past. I was the warrior, I was good and just. I thundered across the land like the wrath of a just God, but the war years and the killing years wore down my soul as the wind wears stone into sand.

All goodness slipped from my life. I found my youth and strength gone, and all I had left was death. My army settled in the valley of Barovia and took power over the people in the name of a just God, but with none of a gods grace or justice.

I called for my family, long unseated from their ancient thrones, and brought them here to settle on the castle Ravenloft. They came with a younger brother of mine, Sergei. He was handsome and youthful. I hated him for both

From the families of the valley, one spirit shone above all others. A rare beauty, who was called "perfection", "joy", and "treasure". Her name was Tatyana, and I longed for her to be mine. 

I loved her with all my heart. I loved her for all her youth. I loved her for her joy. But she spurned me! "Old One" was my name to her- "elder" and "brother" also. Her heart went to Sergei. They were betrothed. The date was set

With words she called me "brother" but when I looked into her eyes they reflected another name: "death". She loves her youth and enjoyed it. But I had squandered mine.

The death she saw in me turned her from me. And so I came to hate death- my death. My hate is very strong. I would not be called "death" to soon. I made a pact with death, a pact of blood. On the day of the wedding, I killed Sergei, my brother. My lact was sealed with his blood. 

I found Tatyana weeping in the garden east of the chapel. She fled from me. She would not let me explain, and a great anger swelled within me. She had to understand the pact I made for her. I pursued her. Finally, in despair, she flung herself from the walls of Ravenloft, and I watched everything I ever wanted fall from my grasp forever. 

It was a thousand feet through the mists. No trace of her was ever found. Not even I know her final date. Arrows from the castle guards pierced me to my soul, but I did not die. Nor did I live. I became undead, forever 

I have studied much since then. "Vampyr" is my new name. I still lust for my life and youth, and I curse the living that took them from me. Even the sun is against me. It is the sun and it's light I fear the most, but little else can harm me now. Even a stake through the heart does not kill me, though it holds me from movement. But the sword, that cursed sword that Sergei brought! I must dispose of that aweful tool! I fear and hate it as much as the sun.

I have often hunted for Tatyana. I have even felt her within my grasp, but she escapes. She taunts me! She wants me! What will it take to bend her love to me?

I will now reside far below Ravenloft. I live among the dead and sleep beneath the very stones of this hollow castle of despair. I shall seal shut the walls of the stairs that none may disturb me.