Ciarda von Stranovich

Ciarda von Stranovich is the main antagonist of the Shadows and Flames arc. She rules over the Circle of Nosferatu, twisting Alucard to become her lover.

Appearance
Ciarda is a tall and slender woman with pale white skin, amber eyes and red hair. She usually wears simple but elegant black dresses. In battle, she uses a thick dress made of Flail Snail parts, which has a gorgeous magical sheen to it. She tends to carry a large black glaive, which she uses for magic.

Personality
A serious lady, she is formal and respectful in verbal bouts. While formal, she is the most terrifying of the vampires to serve under, as she is known to have fits of rage and sorrow in which she will slaughter anything she sees. For this reason, she is kept as happy as possible.

Background
Born and raised in the Shadowfell, Ciarda knew she was destined for greatness. She knew that she was the grandchild of the great Strahdo von Stranovich, a powerful vampire lord who rivaled the Draculas. Her mother, Ordella von Stranovich, changed her last name to her husbands, Gringledoof, but later killed him due to his adulterer ways. So she told Ciarda they'd take the name of Stranovich once again. In the great schools of Ravenloft, she became best friends with Edward von Dracula, a sweet young man. Her mother noticed what was occurring and recommended that the two get married, to finally close the tensions between the Dracula and Stranovich family. Edward was completly in love, and Ciarda has happy knowing that the two would become godlike tyrants ruling the material planes one day. However after Lillith, a cousin of Edward, left the Shadowfell, Edward became distant. After Edward tries to convince Ciarda to leave the Shadowfell with him, she tells him to leave and think about the stupidity of that idea. A little sad, but mostly enraged, she waits patiently for Edward to realize he made an error. In the meantime, her mother gave her the dominion to the Shadowfell, telling her that if Edward did not return in 300 years, she was allowed to take over Castle Bran. Ciarda ruled well from Ravenloft and kept her minions in check, but she always felt a part of her was missing. Was it love? Was it pain? Perhaps she just felt sick after drinking what turned out to be Orc blood.