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Vlad Tolenkov is a character that for the most part, written as a very potential pinnacle character/Villain/antagonist. With the brief description of his character, it's not hard to believe that this would be an amazing character to flesh out and to be made more known. Unfortunately there is no visual description of his character. Funny enough, the Nightworld and his run down castle has more written about it's looks.

Age: There is no info to support what his age is. Though, with some detective work, I could only estimate that he could be over 1,000 years old. And I will tell you how I got that answer after giving some more information.

Race: Human Vampire. This right here is the first clue as to what his age is.

Class: Lvl 15 Wizard (As stated in the books) He deals with Necromancy as well.

World: The Nightworld.

• The Nightworld was an ordinary world much like Oerth until its sun entered a wildspace sargasso, a massive anti-magic region that suppressed the sun's connection to the Elemental Plane of Fire. Instantly, in an event remembered as the Blackout and the Time of Madness, the sun went dark. Seas froze and darkness descended over the land.

Now, there are 'Humans' in this world that are still living. But they have been altered.

Here is the description of them from Wikipedia:

• Humans have been altered to become pseudo-undead creatures known as Stalkers. They closely resemble vampires, but hate them. Other humans have become pseudo-undead similar to ghouls. They are known as Gatherers because they prefer carrion to live prey. Still other humans have become non-undead beings superficially similar to mummies, wights, and other corporeal undead. The "mummies" are members of a particular religious sect who wrap themselves in bandages to mourn their world's losses.

Now, it is said that about 1,000 years has past since the 'Black Out'. When Humans looked normal. It's not hard to believe that Vlad Tolenkov would be a very attractive man since Lolth decided to make him a lover. She does have a type. And to pick someone who isn't Drow would mean she would view them as very attractive. This could mean that he was turned into a Vampire before the 'Black Out' and retained his good looks while the rest of the inhabitants of the world either died off or became horribly changed as hundreds of years go by.

Facts:

• There is no mention that he has any Spawn or other Vampires that live with him.

• He prefers Ghouls and Ghasts to roam his Castle.

• He feeds the Ghouls the bodies of his drained victims. (some state that this is how he's able to amass all these Ghouls. Think family of Raccoons living in your backyard because you feed them hot dogs and grapes. )

• He's very intelligent. He's a tactician, a strategist and well verse. It even impresses Lolth.

• The portal that connects to the DemonWeb Pitts is right by his Castle.

• He is part of a very powerful Vampire group called the Council Of Eclipses.

• The Deity he worships is Kanchelsis.

Kanchelsis: He's the Deity of Blood, Debauchery, Magic, and Vampirism. His symbol is a bat with glowing red eyes. He represents the both sides of Vampirism. The Hunger and Seduction. And with it, he has two forms:

• The Beast resembles a wild-eyed, tousle-headed human male with powerful muscles and taloned claws. He is excessively hairy. He is a wild creature, the personification of the wild beast that rages inside all vampires. He runs with wolves and tears out throats, drinking as much blood as he can swallow.

  The Rake resembles a slim, elegant human or half-elf with long, slender hands, finely-chiseled features, and a friendly smile. He is always dressed immaculately. This is the more elegant side of vampirism, savoring blood as mortal sophisticates might savor wine. He is a charismatic seducer, a lover of high fashion, debauchery, and art.

• Kanchelsis's primary servants are the blood fiends (vampiric demons) Memnul, Dagrobard, and Vonce. Kanchelsis is also the mastermind behind and ultimate leader of the Union of Eclipses, a world-spanning brotherhood of undead spellcasters (introduced in Dungeon #123). Prominent leaders of the Union of Eclipses include the vampire sorcerer Baucojin, known as the "Crimson Eclipse;" the lich-lord Huersefful, the "Shrouded Eclipse;" the elven vampire queen Ivirere, called "the Verdant Eclipse;" and the wizard-lord Vlad Tolenkov. Dozens of elder vampires meet in Kanchelsis's mansion every year to discuss their plans for the Union. Even the vampire lords of the Demiplane of Dread are said to give Kanchelsis a grudging amount of fear and respect.

• Kanchelsis lives in the Lair of the Beast & Mansion of the Rake on the 487th layer of the Abyss. His domain there is described as a vast mansion that changes continuously based on Kanchelsis's whims. The halls are filled with mirrors and framed portraits, and the manse includes aviaries and chilling gardens. His home is awash in blood, and some rooms are said to be sculpted from living blood sculptures; some of this blood is spiced with narcotics and alkaloids. The vampyres, nosferatu, and similar followers who populate the mansion are in a constant state of extreme hunger, as Kanchelsis sadistically offers them only the most meager of blood rations.

I think it's fair to say that Tolenkov is a cruel man who loves a good game of 'Cat and Mouse'. He himself isn't looking for world domination but world disruption. As stated, he wants to leave the Nightworld in disarray so that Lolth can conquer it.

I do have some HC for him. But implore everyone to be comfortable with thinking up with their own.

• He experiments with the Dead for research and entertainment.

• He was enamoured with Lolth when he first met her. Adoring her ruthlessness, cunning and cruelty.

• Perhaps he was lonely or maybe no one could stoke his desire like Lolth can.

• I would like to think that they perfectly matched each other's 'crazy'.

• In a way, I think Tolenkov is a exception for Lolth. She does NOT let anyone get close to her or tell her how to do things. Especially if they are a Man. Yet she makes him her diplomat, lover, and strategic consultant.

• Do they love each other? Eh… I don't think so (In Lust probably) but they enjoy each other's company very much. And respect each other. There is not a lot of people out there that they can say the same of.

• Do they have it in them to back stab each other? I believe so but it does not benefit either of them. So it's a stupid thing to do in their eyes.

• Through Lolth, Tolenkov might've developed a fixation for Drow. New knowledge can do that to him.

I think he would be a great addition to Forgotten Realms. If we brought over Vecna from Greyhawk, we can do it with Tolenkov. And it would be very easy to do.

Here is my idea how Vlad Tolenkov becomes part of the Forgotten Realms.

• Through his help, Lolth finally conquers the Nightworld and this delights her very much. Tolenkov has proven that he is a very powerful ally.

• With no need for him to take over the Nightworld, she offers him a big proposition. A extent of her appreciation. To take him through the DemonWeb Pitt portal to her realm and become a part of her plan to cause Chaos to the surface world.

• She is banished from the surface, but that doesn't mean she can send someone up in her stead. Making Tolenkov a physical extent of her power.

• Tolenkov accepts. The possibilities of what he could achieve and make happen are too good to give up.

• It starts off slow of course. He has to get use to the new world. And the Day and Night cycles. Never a fan of the lushness and green of the surface. Preferring to the dark and mushroom filled Underdark.

• When he starts amassing his power on the surface, the land he takes to build is over an entrance to the Underdark. His true place where he rests and stays is in the Underdark.

• Anyone who tries to attack his new base/Home would have to face his new Spawn, Ghouls and Drow that were given to him from Lolth.

• HC: He loves the blood in this new world for him. Humans look and taste much healthier too.

I can see him as a rising threat, slowly amassing power, followers and influence. Lolth trusts him enough to let him go and do his own thing. To let him get stronger so when she needs him, he will be ready to help.