Ramón Salazar (ラモン・サラザール,Ramon Sarazāru?) was a Spanish nobleman from Valdelobos. A descendent of the 15th century noble warrior, Gregorio Salazar I, Ramón inherited the position of castellano alongside his peerage, a duty more important to the family than the peerage itself. As the 21st century came about, Salazar left his Catholic faith behind and converted to Los Iluminados, a cult led by Osmund Saddler, who had access to bioweapons research and was interested in Las Plagas. Although his diminutive stature resembled that of a ten-year-old, and his grey hair and wrinkled face gave him the appearance of an elderly man, he was only 20 years old.[2][excerpt 1]
Little is known of Salazar's early life. If his claimed age is accurate, he inherited the castle at a young age and had no other family.[3] Though his ancestor, the first castellan, was the topic of much loved folklore in the region, Salazar himself was unpopular among the villagers.[4]
Taking advantage of his young and isolated state, Salazar was approached by Osmund Saddler, who provided him with insight into Los Iluminados, a modern cult sharing the name of an ancient one stamped out by Salazar's ancestor. Salazar fully accepted Saddler's claim to being a Prophet.[3] The mythology of Los Iluminados considered Salazar's family to be tainted by sin ever since the first castellan sealed the Plagas in the ruins his castle was built around.[5] Salazar was determined to atone for this sin, and hired a workforce from the nearby village to excavate the ancient ruins formerly sealed off.[5] The parasites were expected to be long dead, and the discovery of their mummified remains suggested as much. However, the workforce inhaled the carcasses' dormant, fine spores, which over a period of several years regenerated into fully-formed Plaga bodies.[6]
Saddler's research team began experimenting on these organisms,[6] and created a large number of Plaga eggs for the purpose of spreading out to the entire region and, eventually, the world.[4] From this research, Salazar was granted one of several genetically modified dominant species Plagas, which would grant him full control over his body as well as the ability to control rank-and-file hosts. Salazar formed a large armed force of Cultists, and used two Verdugo bioweapons as his personal bodyguards. It became Salazar's duty to protect the Queen Plaga, a large creature which asexually reproduced new Plagas constantly.
2004 abduction of President Graham's daughter[]
"Did you say "old man," Mr. Kennedy? It might come as a surprise, but I'm only 20 years old!" — Ramón Salazar[7]
In 2004, Salazar became part of an international plot by Saddler to infiltrate the US federal government. President Graham's daughter, Ashley, was to be abducted by Jack Krauser, implanted with a Plaga parasite and, upon her return to the United States, implant the President and other high-ranking American officials with Plaga eggs. The kidnapping plot succeeded, and US agent Leon S. Kennedy was sent in to rescue her. Although Leon managed to find Ashley, they were soon forced to seek shelter in Salazar's castle.
The Castellan laid many traps, monsters, and Ganado forces throughout the castle to impede Leon's progress. In addition, thanks to Krauser's knowledge of Leon's radio frequency, Salazar was able to hijack the communication line and taunt him as he and Ashley made their way through the castle. Although Salazar repeatedly failed to kill the American agent, he succeeded in recapturing Ashley with the help of his Novistadors.[8] However, Kennedy soon caught up with them and survived yet another trap the Castellan had laid for him. A visibly frustrated Salazar sent one of his Verdugo guards to take care of the American agent, while he and his remaining Verdugo hastily inducted Ashley into Los Iluminados before sending her off to Saddler's island base.[9]
Leon, having survived the Verdugo, pursued Salazar into a tower sheltering the Queen Plaga. The agent made his way to the top and confronted Salazar, who made one final effort to halt his mission by merging into the Plaga's body alongside his last Verdugo bodyguard.[10] All three soon perished at Leon's hands, allowing the agent to escape to the island.