Strahd von Zarovich

His name was a whisper in a signed letter in Death House, a threat in Rahadin's mouth, and a castle on the crag above the village. The party finally met him at Madam Eva's camp, when a grey wolf walked out of the trees and became a tall, pale man in a black cloak. Baba Lysaga fell to her knees and called him her master and her son.

He made a bargain: keep Ireena safe, and he'll spare the village, and the witch won't touch them. He told Helliax his wife is alive. He told Fiadh he knew her mother. Four hundred years, he said, and everything is monotonous; his long sleeps were the best part, until Doru woke him. Then he tucked a strand of Ireena's hair behind her ear, whispered something into Madam Eva's tent, and was a wolf again.

Hours later, vampire spawn were waiting on the road.