Summary

King Alistair Draven, Mad King of the Damned, King in Crimson

Alistair Draven, known as the King of the Damned or the King in Crimson, was once the ruler of Ederia before his descent into madness. A man of paranoia, he grew obsessed with potential usurpers, employing the Necromancers of Vag'ro to create undead servants to guard and serve within his keep. His reign became infamous as he ordered the execution of countless nobles, accusing them of plotting against the crown. Among those targeted was the Falkrest Adventuring Family, who had recently been legitimized into nobility. Alistair had most of the family killed due to their connections with rival nobles. As his paranoia deepened, Alistair ultimately turned against his own people. Believing that even the common folk would betray him, he ordered his necromancers to raise the undead to purge the living and pave the way for a new nation under his rule, one where Moranthis, the god of death, would make him unstoppable.

Role in History:

Alistair Draven's reign is remembered as a dark chapter in Ederia's history. Throughout his reign he increasingly relied on necromancers to do his bidding. Alistair’s paranoia led to a devastating campaign of fear, where nobles were executed and adventurers hunted down. His eventual plot to exterminate the living with undead forces marked his full descent into madness, cementing his legacy as the King in Crimson.

Death and Legacy:

Alistair Draven was ultimately slain by Elendara the Usurper, the last surviving member of the Falkrest Family, whom he had nearly destroyed. Elendara, along with her two sons, Edemere and Talon who were only children at the time, rallied the people of Ederia to stand against the King in Crimson’s reign of terror. By the time of their confrontation, Alistair had already undergone his ascension to lichdom, but Elendara managed to defeat and banish him, ensuring he would never return to Ederia. His wife and four children fled before the final battle, disappearing without a trace, leaving behind the remnants of a shattered dynasty. Alistair's reign and eventual fall left a permanent scar on Ederia, serving as a cautionary tale of the dangers of unchecked paranoia and power. His reign almost brought ruin to the kingdom, and the aftershocks of his actions are still felt nearly 80 years later.