Kavan

Kavan was a hill-folk Human Barbarian from the Zarovich Valley, hunting the lands south of Yester Hill to Mount Ghakis. He was famed for his strength, ferocity, and utter lack of compassion, rumors that were accentuated by Kavan's strange relationship to blood magic. Although he was very much alive, Kavan had some traits in common with Vampires: he slept during the day and hunted at night, he drank the blood of his prey, and he lived underground.

In battle, the barbarian wielded a spear stained with blood, and through daily prayer to Mother Night became magical. His was the first Blood Spear, a weapon that drained life from those it kills and transfered that life to its wielder, imbuing that individual with the stamina to keep fighting. With his accentuated toughness, Kavan became the Blood Chief of the hill-folk, who congregated with increasing fervor as the armies of Strahd von Zarovich began to conquer the lands.

He united his people and began fighting Strahd back, making enough of a name for himself that he made allies with the accomplished Werewolf Ranger Jaghr of the Longtooth. Though not a native of the valley, the two became incredibly close, and Kavan managed to convince the werewolf to help train his army. The two fought in the Battle of Yester Hill against the final of bulwark of Strahd's forces. The forest-folk ended up losing this fight, and Kavan was separated from his tribe, eventually lost to the mists around the hill. There, he was killed by Strahd's right-hand soldier Rahadin, and his spear became affected by the magic surrounding Yester Hill. 

Visions of Kavan and his spear echoed through the mists throughout the ages, and even crossed into other planes. "Long have I waited for one who is worthy. My spear hungers for blood. Retrieve it, and rule these mountains in my stead, just like the mighty warriors from the early days of the Whispering Wall."