The novel links him with the historical figure [[Vlad the Impaler]], a [[Wallachia|Wallachian]] [[prince]] noted for his unusual [[cruelty]], and suggests that he became a vampire through study of the 'black arts', or [[occult]]ism. | The novel links him with the historical figure [[Vlad the Impaler]], a [[Wallachia|Wallachian]] [[prince]] noted for his unusual [[cruelty]], and suggests that he became a vampire through study of the 'black arts', or [[occult]]ism. |