Vulgaris was raised by his father while his elder sister Shiya was raised by their mother. Larva tried to be a good example and raise his son to be decent, but once the curse passed from Larva to Vulgaris things sort of fell apart. His father spiraled back into misery and couldn't stand to see his son because he felt that it was all his fault. Vul coped with his new appearance by destroying those around him, including turning his daughter Cellar into a slave.

When he reunited with Shiya, he believed her to be his kindred spirit and soul mate because they were equally hideous. He was nearly driven mad with these feelings and fled Beqanna for many years.

Shortly after returning, he fell in love with Leliana near the River and sired two daughters with her. He also joined Loess and accepted the rank of Paladin, serving as the protector for his home. For his participation in the raid on Sylva, he was promoted to Champion and heir. He considers Wolfbane a good friend and remains fiercely loyal to his lord.

Shortly after becoming champion, however, Shiya sought him out to comfort her after a traumatic quest. She convinced him that no one could ever love a monster like him. Vulgaris realized that she would hunt Leliana as he had tried to hunt Dovev, so he exiled his lover from Loess for a short time before begging her to come home again. After learning Shiya threatened Adna and Leliana's life, he swore he would hunt her down and kill her if she ever returned to Loess.

As Leliana tried to keep healing those affected by the plague, Vulgaris realized she was exhausting herself. He climbed the mountain and asked for a way to help her heal people so she wouldn't shoulder the burden alone. Carnage, however, thought Vulgaris asked for too much and he decided to wipe his memories of everyone instead. Once he returned home, he forced himself on both Leliana and Shiya before stumbling upon Starsin, who convinced him that she was close friend. She led him back to Loess, where he was abruptly named king, and told him his people needed healers. He commanded all members of Loess to capture healers and kept them in a dungeon constructed by Aziz.

Realizing his madness, however, Vulgaris stepped down and left Castile in his place. He wandered his home and kept to himself until Leliana successfully repaired his memories and his scarring across his face. After the birth of their twins, however, she developed magic and left to find herself after this rebirth. Now Vulgaris has sided against her and vowed to protect Loess in exchange for forgiveness for his crimes.