Post by High Seraphim Alastor on May 16, 2009 14:39:09 GMT -5
Vampires are many, though they hide well, a necessity in an unenlightened world. They have a queen: Lenore Greyfell, ancient as the hills and crueler than any of the old gods. She and her people have provided for the continuation of civilization when all other empires fall: they are the Keepers, the Undying. They are also unfeeling and coldly logical, and care only for the origins of their next meal—blood. They are not the kindly, brooding creatures of stories; these are undead, not unhealthy. They feed on the blood of humans, always to the death. They are vicious and cruel, and they have no concept of “mercy” or “second chances.” It would be unfortunate for any to cross their path, for they are vengeful. Many an empire of old has fallen before the might of the vampire queen and her hordes. Many have also tried to vanquish these cold creatures of the night, and most have failed. They are not, as the stories would have you believe, destroyed by emblems of God, nor by blessed articles. The act of piercing a vampire’s heart with a stake of wood is only effective in slowing his advance, for, if he has fed recently, his cold hand will grasp it and crush it. So much for that plan. They are not as vulnerable to sunlight as the tales tell; though it is harmful to them, it is not instantaneously fatal, and many old vampires have grown strong enough to walk under the sun at midday, just as any being possessed of a soul can. They are, however, incredibly vulnerable to fire, as well as beheading—though, after all, aren’t most creatures? A vampire can also starve to death; if deprived of blood long enough, the vampire often descends into madness. The requisite time varies, generally with age, but if a vampire is confined and isolated, and left long enough, it will die. They cannot become smoke, but can shape-change, usually into ravens, wolves, or, in rare cases, serpents. The myth of bat shape-changing is just that, a myth. Their queen, however, is rumored to possess greater abilities than any of her kin—she is their mother, or more appropriately, their sire. All are descended of her, and all return to her. In Lenore, their powers of suggestion are magnified into true control of the mind, and the shape-change is limitless in possibility…in rumor, anyway. She rarely appears to the common vampire, usually remaining in her dark citadel. She retains several advisors, well-versed in arcane arts. These are known as the Cabal, and are much-feared among vampires and mortals alike, but make no mistake—the Lady Greyfell holds the throne. Would you enter into her service? Would you—mortal, feeling, and fragile—enter into the ranks of the soulless and the damned? Think carefully—there is no turning backb]