- City alignments based on AD&D.

Introduce me! :rolleyes:

Azalin
Lord of Darkon
Level 18 Lich, Lawful Evil

Backstory: Azalin was once a powerful wizard-king, known by another name [Firan Zal'Honan, later Azal'Lan], which he now keeps secret (possibly because, as Rudolph van Richten believes, knowing a lich's true name grants power over them). Even while possessing a kingdom, Azalin was consumed by a thirst for even greater power and deeper knowledge of magic. Regardless of whether it was right or wrong, he decided to become a lich, and so he did.
As an undead mage, he ruled and oppressed his subjects for decades. Eventually, they hired a band of experienced mercenaries to destroy him. Desperate and nearly defeated, Azalin hid in a fog-shrouded mountain valley. The mercenaries searched it thoroughly, but he was not found. The mists transported him to Barovia, a domain under the rule of Strahd von Zarovich [a vampire].
Despite his staggering powers, Azalin was captured by Ravenloft and was further humiliated when he was subjugated by the lord of Barovia. Although his physical strength was greater than Strahd's, the lich still feared this vampire. Azalin was misled by Strahd's connection to the land: he believed that without Strahd, Barovia, and everything within its borders, including himself, would vanish. Under heavy pressure, Azalin became Strahd's servant and hated every second of his service. He vowed that if he ever won his freedom, he would never again become a vassal to any being, whether living or dead.
Over time, the lich discovered that Ravenloft could grant its own land to any sufficiently powerful individual, so instead of remaining in Barovia, he entered Strahd's choking mists. (Being already dead, he did not fear the effects of the poison). His fierce personality gave rise to the creation of Darkon, the largest domain in Ravenloft.
Current state: Above all else, Azalin craves power. Ravenloft gave him staggering strength, but at the same time, it cruelly limited him. He can never rise above the experience level he currently possesses, nor can he master new magic. Even if he obtains a scroll with new spells and instructions for their use, he will be unable to comprehend them. Information about magic—even that which does not relate to spells—slips through his mind like water through a sieve. For example, if he is offered information on the functioning of the Demiplane of Dread, he will not remember it, though he will later be tormented by the thought that he once possessed this information. This is his curse—to exist among mortals whose potential, compared to his, is limitless. If another wizard activates a spell unknown to Azalin in his presence, he flies into a rage. Unable to evolve, Azalin looks to the past and passionately desires to return to his former life.
Very few know that Azalin is a lich. Most, and especially his subjects, consider him a despotic tyrant, evil incarnate, but—a human. Only a few of his advisors know that he is undead, but they are all monsters themselves—vampires, drow, and the like. Some lords of Ravenloft know who he truly is. And Strahd von Zarovich is certainly among them.
To prove his superiority and soothe his battered ego, Azalin encourages his subjects to humiliate one another. He hosts parties for the nobility where intemperance is the norm and atrocities are the entertainment. He toys with the loyalty of men and women, watching how low they will sink to earn his favor. Torture, for him, is an art form.
Azalin's long-term goals are unknown. He is an evil but outstanding personality. Although he cannot learn new spells, his other knowledge is truly superior. He remembers who visited Darkon in the past and who is visiting his land now. He also tracks events in other domains. A group of adventurers will never be able to outmaneuver him. His intrigues are multi-layered, built on pitting opponents against each other. Almost as soon as it seems he has made a mistake, his enemies learn through painful experience that they are doing exactly what he expects of them.

I left some things out (clarifications for the DM).

Reference: he's locked up for killing a bunch of people (including his own son), and in general, wasn't much different from Ivan the Terrible.