Mannfred Von Carstein (2008 Edition)

While Vlad von Carstein was the most physically powerful of the Vampire Counts, Mannfred was certainly the most cunning. Some say that Mannfred betrayed Vlad, and that he allowed his master's ring to be stolen. When Vlad was slain, Mannfred did not involve himself in the infighting that would see Konrad rise to prominence. Instead, Mannfred traveled, seeking to deepen his knowledge of Necromantic lore. He visited the ancient tombs of Nehekhara and wrested the secrets of the Liche Priests from them.

Mannfred von Carstein studied the ancient spells within the Book of the Dead and his power over Dark Magic grew. Eventually, Manfred's journeys took him all the way to Nagashizzar and there he studied under the great masters who serve Nagash. None can say what foul bargains Mannfred made with these unholy sorcerers in return for their knowledge. Having learnt many of the darkest secrets of man and magic, Mannfred finally returned to Sylvania and took over the Undead legions in the wake of Konrad's death.

Mannfred was almost as masterful as Vlad at concealing his true nature. As he sought for allies beyond Sylvania's borders, frequently Mannfred would travel abroad in the guise of an Imperial lord with striking features and raven hair. He was always courteous and lordly to those he met on his travels, as befits a noble from such a powerful family. When Mannfred revealed himself at the height of his power, his appearance was far more horrifying. Infused with Necromantic energy, his face became contorted and almost corpse-like, and his skin writhed with magical energy.

In the end Mannfred was defeated and his army annihilated at the Battle of Hel Fenn. History records that Mannfred fell whilst trying to retreat from the battle, and so Hel Fen is celebrated for the demise of the last of the Vampire Counts of Sylvania.

Yet not everyone believes that Mannfred was destroyed at Hel Fenn. Persistent rumor has it that Mannfred von Carstein still exists to this day, threatening to return once more at the head of the Undead Sylvanian armies. Indeed, the minor poet Felix Jaeger claims to have encountered him while in the company of the Dwarf Gotrek Gurnisson as recently as 2503. Jaeger, however, is a known criminal and populist agitator and his accounts of his travels are highly fanciful. One doubts whether a mighty Vampire such as Mannfred von Carstein could really be put to flight by an outcast Dwarf wielding a pair of silver candlesticks, as Jaeger claims occurred.

Some tavern storytellers even claim that Mannfred rode from Drakenhof Castle to lead an Undead army against the forces of Chaos during the great invasion of Archaon. If Mannfred truly survived then perhaps it is now, as the Empire wars against the armies of Chaos, that he will again battle for the Imperial throne.