First Merioss Crusade

The First Merioss Crusade was a holy war against a very old vampire problem. It covered a triangular area from the great jungle swamp Gurutharni to Kilth to the banks of the Ezdynn River - the Blood Triangle. This vampire threat had been building since the time of Varelay (684 LE - 2764 LE); when dozens of vampires escaped Drachlaz. The First Merioss Crusade was one of three required to put down well-organized vampire infiltration and feeding.

The escapees of Drachlaz roam the countryside, taking down the lone scout, or preying on some outlying settlement. All blood-suckers, feral, they grow stronger and more cunning with each kill.

- Zydarah, vrock historian of Varelay

The primary objective of this war was to rid the region of vampire's working together by the will of a Drachlaz Lord. These master vampires had a retinue of vampire spawns and mortal minions fanatically devoted to them through magical domination. They faced the 15,000 strong army of the Kingdom of Smizerak and the holy military advisors and champions of the Radiant Cross.

After a brutal nine year war across jungles, swamps, and mountains, all but one of the region's master vampires were staked at Drachlaz; the only to survive was Kezgihr.