Roleplaying Thread III (title to be changed)

[DarkWraith]

Ok People here it is, the new RP thread.

Rules:

1. This is a serious thread people so no larking about!

2. This RP is set in Nosgoth at the begining of Kain's rise to power and the construction of his empire.

3. No killing off real characters (It's just not fair)

4. Original characters please. No Vorador's or Kain’s popping up any where

5. No stupidly powerful characters. Trust me it will get boring for not only you but everyone else. Plus it's irritating.

6. Correct grammar and posts must be at least a paragraph in length.

7. No Reaver . (Its complicates the story)

Other than that anything goes. (More or less)

Before you start posting it would be nice if you could include a little bio about your character so other RP players know your capabilities and character.

[DarkWraith]

Alorian, was born a werewolf 500 years ago in city of Canthori. The city is the last refuge of the once much larger Lupe race. Originally the ally’s of the Ancient vampires, the Lycan peoples were driven to their now home by the Hylden. When the ancients refused to help their ally’s, the Werewolves declared eternal enmity between themselves and the Vampire race. Wishing to save their already small numbers, the proud warrior race was forced to flee to the mountains. There they founded the City of Canthori and have remained in relative obscurity where only the oldest vampire know, but dare go.

It was soon after the forced migration of the Lycan people that ‘The Pack’ was formed. The pack are a group of highly trained werewolf warriors intended as the perfect weapon against their once vampire ally’s and the Hylden enemy. After severe training, all the members of ‘The Pack’ Alorian is a captain in ‘The Pack’ and is considered by many to be the strongest and best of them all even by his comrades at arms.

When human, Alorian stands at six ft one inch high. He has piercing ice blue eyes and short blonde hair. He has a fairly muscular build but still maintains a trim appearance. Alorian wears his featureless black armour like uniform which bears only the image of a wolf’s head of the upper right arm as a mark of his rank. His ‘were’ form is around seven feet six inches tall. He has razor sharp claws and teeth which are capable of tearing through any flesh and make considerable impact upon stone.

As a ‘Werewolf’, Alorian is immensely stronger, faster and agile than any mortal man in his human form and is considered abnormally so among others of his kind. All his senses are heightened. In his werewolf form, Alorian is a match for any vampire in both speed and strength as his power grows when in his lupine form. His healing factor is also accelerated. Alorian is able to control his change of shape at most times of the month, but when the moon is full he is unable to control his change and is forced to transform.

As son of one of the elders who govern the Lycan people, Alorian’s noble blood has never allowed him a life of obscurity. There are few among Alorian’s race who have not heard of him and there are even fewer who do not view him with a great deal of respect.


Alorian strode down one of the corridors in the palace. He had been summoned unexpectedly from his training by the Elders and he knew better than to keep them waiting. His heels rapped lightly as he made his way down the marble floored corridors echoing off the mosaic covered vaulted ceiling above him. It had taken him almost a day to make it from The ‘Pack’s’ training ground deep within the mountains, he still hadn’t slept since two days before and was beginning to feel fatigued.

The corridor opened out into a large atrium where a fountain gently bubbled away whilst Lycan children sat and listened to story tellers.

“Ho Alorian” called a voice from behind him. Alorian span on his heel to see who had called him. An aged but red face peered from over the top of a stone plinth.
“Ho Maron, how are you? How’s the Garden?” The face as well as the rest of Maron slid out from behind the plinth. Maron had been Alorian’s mentor in the ‘Pack’ but the older Werewolf had long since retired from his post of commander and now lived his life happily with his wife, Shonra growing vegetables
“The Garden is brimming!” the old man beamed. “And as for my self and Shonra, we’re extremely happy. But I should be asking you the same question. How are you dear boy? You’ve been in the field for nearly a year.”
“Ask me that question in an hour or so.” Alorian smiled but his eyes showed a minute amount of hesitation.”
“Ah yes, I heard you’d been called to see the Elders”
“Any idea what it’s about?”
Maron shook his head “None at all my friend. But don’t let that bunch of old goats push you around. If you ask me they’re all turning a bit senile”
Alorian was a bit hurt by this remark. After all, his father was one of those ‘senile old goats’
“And how are things in the field?” asked Maron quickly moving on.
Alorian’s expression changed to a much darker one. “Things aren’t looking good. There has been an increased amount of Vampire activity in the southern valley. They keep pushing further and further North. We are going to have to do something about it soon. I’ve been telling Commander Kayde for months but I doesn’t seem to make a difference.”
In the distance a deep bell boomed out the hour.

“By the Elders. I’m late” Alorian slapped his head and began to walk away. “I’m sorry Maron I’ve got to go I’ll come round later and catch up with you”.
“Don’t worry Lad just don’t keep the elders waiting to long”. Maron began to laugh and then moved off himself.

The great doors to the Elders audience chamber were immense. Standing clear as tall as four men, they were carved with the entire history of the Lycan people to date. The carving of them, had taken centuries and the Artist who had done the work was still considered one of the best the Lycan people had. Alorian paused as the ceremonial guards moved to open the immense entrance. One particular carving caught Alorian’s eye. It told the story of Vemir the most famous of all Lycan’s. Vemir had fought in the last battle of the war with the Hylden. . The Hylden numbers had far outnumbered those of the Lycan nearly five to one. The battle seemed hopeless. But then Vemir had stepped forward to lead the Lycan army. Vemir had fought the Hylden emperor and won, only to be struck down by the same foe moments after his victory. They had both died together. The tale was a tragedy and great joy for without the death of their emperor, nothing might have stopped the Hylden onslaught long enough for the Lycan people to have escaped.

Alorian looked up into the detailed eyes of the carving of his great grand father and then down at his side and Vemir's sword and dagger. Neither was endowed with magic but they were fine craftsmanship made of an lycan steel, and had been around for several millennia.

The doors to the Elder’s chamber swung open, as the guards operated the pulleys at either side of the door. Alorian strode into the hall and to the four waiting Elder’s. Sixteen massive marble columns supported the immense crystal chamber. Every wall was made of a colour changing crystal except the floor which had a huge mural on it. It was impossible to see what the mural was this close. In fact, one would have to look through the roof and down to capture its full meaning and glory. In front of, the Elders waited. Varu head of the Benedent family, Narek head of the Conthalis family, Drent head of the Yemnth family and Alorian’s own father Alkern head of the Velorian family. All four of the Elder’s gazed down at him as he entered. Alorian paced out to centre of the chamber and saluted smartly to the four figures on the raised dais in front of him.

“My lords, you summoned me”
“Indeed we did Captain indeed we did” Narek sneered as he spoke the words. Alorian didn’t know why but he had a distinct disliking for this man.
“Captain” spoke Alkern “There is a new power rising in the south the likes of which Nosgoth has not seen for a very long time”.
“Your talking about the vampire’s my lord” Alorian couldn’t believe it. For nearly a year now he had been expressing concern about the increasing vampire threat and only now they were paying attention.
“We must ascertain whether this new power will be a threat to us” said Drent
“Thus we have decided to send one man to gain some reconnaissance on this ‘Kain’” said Varu.
“Kain. I haven’t reported any Kain to the commander” thought Alorian to himself.
“We do have other sources of information than ‘The Pack” my son” spoke Alkern smiling.
“That point is irrelevant” snapped Narek “You are the agent we have decided to send south. You will leave immediately”.
Alorian snapped to attention and walked away. Before he left the crystal domed chamber, Alorian turned to see his father standing alone, the other Elders having left.
“Be careful my son” and with that Alkern turned and walked away. Alorian walked out of the chamber making a mental checklist of what he would need for his journey. He would have to be gone, before nightfall to be able to gain any ground.

[HolyMoses]

"Feratuville" the sign read, or more commonly to the village inhabitants, "Village of Vampires." The town was hidden rather well, near a small river that flowed from the Great Southern Lake, and emptied out into The Great Southern Sea. It was built by a group of human slaves, who were freed by the town's hero, a vampire worshiper named Lent. Shortly after he freed them, Lent left and was turned into a vampire. After that, he began wandering Nosgoth's land for many years, collecting vampire artifacts, magic spells, and learning how to use his vampire abilities. Because he was a Loki Vampire worshiper he had inherited knowledge of lost vampire cities containing secrets that had been long since been forgotten by his kind. Through his travels he's many dark gifts: His original ability to fly has been inhanced, he can teleport short distances,although it takes a considerable amount of energy to do so, he can also send an energy pulse knocking vampires a great distance and blowing holes in human's chests. After many years of wandering, he returned to the new village and helped the townsfolk in many ways.

The village, had come to respect vampires as Gods, and looked to Lent as their connection to them. He revived a vampire worshiping order, known as the Loki, and taught it's inhabitants all of their ways. They created a safe haven for wandering vampires seeking persecution, so long as the vampires didn't kill it's inhabitants. Thus far in its history, no human has died by the hands of a vampire in this village, and why should they? There were blood chalices in every house hold set as offerings for wandering vampires, and just outside the town was a hidden crypt for wandering vampires, as well as more accommodating chambers in the village for overnight guests.
As well as providing services to vampires, the towns people did it's fair share to the humans of Nosgoth as well. The newly founded Loki order undermined the Sarafan at every chance they could, stealing sarafan supplies, providing food and defending helpless villages against the sarafan, as well as freeing slaves. They had set up an orphanage for children who's families were killed, and raised the children together in the community as their own. Lessa was one such child. She was taken in by the new Loki tribe, and trained personally by it's founder, Lent, who had named and adopted her as his daughter.

Lessa ran when she herd the news. She couldn't believe how quickly it all had happen after years of oppression, it was finally happening. The unraveling had already started, a new age was about to begin. "Father must be told immediately." she thought as she entered the church. She ran along side the pews and accessed the secret door leading to the catacombs below. A heavenly glow irradiated through out the underground temple. Along the walls were stories made out into pictures, the ancient vampires and the pillars, prophesized heroes, and stories of the Serioli.

Lessa impatiently burst through they door, alarming Lent. "Lessa, where are your manners?" he asked.
"Forgive me, Father, but I have wonderful news. The Sarafan Lord is dead. Kain has risen."
"Is Kain's chamber ready?" Lent asked.
"Of course sire."
"Good." Lent stood up and began to pack a few things, his double staffed axe, a hooded cloak, and a special blood canteen he had his servants made him. "Make sure everything is well kept, we might just be seeking asylum here."
"I want to come with you" Lessa said impatiently.
"Not yet, your time will come, child."
Lent could tell that his child was unsatisfied, but after a stern look she then nodded in agreement.
"Kain has already left Meridian", she says, "Where will you begin to look for him?"
"I'll first go to Meridian and speak with the vampires there. Perhaps they can give me a clue."
"Be careful Father."
"I will my child." Lent gave his daughter a hug, careful not to squeeze too tightly. He put on his clothes, and left the city.
"To Meridian, and to serve my god." Lent thought to himself has he walked out of the church. The towns people had already gathered. They too had heard the news and knew Lent would soon leave them. He hadn't left the town in 40 years, and many people here knew him their entire lives. "Good bye Sire, be careful!" They called to him. "Be sure to tell our lord all of our hard work.", "Come back and see us, don't forget about us."
Lent waved and bid them all fairwell. He then began to run to the villiage, and once out of it's inhabitants view, he then used his original dark gift, and went to the heavans towards Meridian.

[LOK kain is the greatest]

Galen was an assassin. Had been for many years before he was turned. As a mortal he had been sent by the serafan Lord to kill Vampires. He had been even sent to kill Kain himself, his now lord.He had entered Meridian and the sanctuary of vampires to kill kain, but met Vorador insted. He had been easily beaten but instead of oblivian Vorador had embraced him. at first he still had wanted to kill Vampires. That had been when Kain had returned and told him the truth about his lord. a Demon well. kain had then saved his life later and so Galen had swore his blades to kain.

Galen was just over seven feet. he has long black hair tied nto a ponytail at the back. he wears a habit no too dissimiler to a monk but it is jet black insted of brown. he very rarely shows his face so the hood is up all the time to hide it. if the hood was down you would see a pale gaunt face of a killer. his eyes were of a sharp silver with a black centre. underneath the robe he is taught and supple. he needs to be in his profesion. but he is by no means weak, his hands had not yet turned to the form of his lord, but his nails where now long and sharp. at his side is two weapons. his two assassin blades from his mortal life. the blades were long and was wavy like fire and the hilt was in the shape of a dragon. At his left side is his sword given to him by Kain. This blade was quite plain and had no special ablities he knew of. in- fact it looked like the one the serafan Knights carried, but no matter it was sharp and did it's job.

Because of his stelth past his dark gift seemed to manifest itself to reflect that. His dark gift let him merge with the very shadows, not as good as his lords mist form he could not pass through doors. but he had other mortal means at his disposel. In the shadows no one could see him, he would often jump from the shadow behind his target and slice their throat before they could even scream.




Galen hid in a tree's branch's. his target would soon pass. Kain had sent him to kill one of the Serafan Genrals that were anoying him. He had taken two other Vampire's with him to this ambush but they where begining to anoy him. they made more noise than a bull. the two young Vampires groped like blind beggers, fumbling for there Wepons. Galen sighed. what had Vorador been thinking Surgesting taking these newly fleged with him. oh well. An owl screeched, cutting through the silence. No one relaxed until the bird flew past. The Vampires moved in the cold night , impatient. one snapped a twig with his heavy boot. Galen Hissed in anger bareing his fangs, and the vampires shrank back, motionless.
The wind rushed through the forest carrying on it the scent of his prey. Excited, he lifted a thin lip in a snarl,

"Get ready," He whispered, his whole body vibrating. the tip of his dagger moved in small circles. it had taken many plots and much pain to bring himself to this moment. he would not lose control now.

Ahead came a clink as something hard struck a loose stone, faint smudges emerged from the darkness and advanced down the trail.
Five white horses with riders cantered into view, there heads held high and proud, there Armour shining in the moonlight like a rippling lake. on the first two horses was the serafan knights, there build was strong with armour. at there sides where the swords of there order. in there right hands was a halbeird and atop them was the flag showing the serafan symbol fluttering in the breeze.
The rear two where more heaverly armoured and carried those anoying projectile wepons of theres. the two young vampires would get them first.
In the centre of all this was the one he wanted. The genral. his Build was slim but strong, like a rapier. he wore golden armor and a silver cape that rippled in the moonlight like liquid silver. He sat tall. his face calm, he could not even consider that anyone would dare to attack him this deep in the serafan terratory, he was wrong.
Galen was already savouring his victory when the wind changed sending his scent and the two vampires toward his prey. The horses snorted with alarm and tossed there their heads. the riders stiffend, eye's flashing from side to side.
It was then that the foolish vampires decided to charge. they surged forward yelling. "dammit" Galen thought as he followed,heading for the genral."I hope they remember to get the two rear guard first."
Galen checked, one rememerd and cut down the Knight before he could aim at the young one, but the other had gone to attack the Genral thinking to get the credit. His lapse would cause the death of the first vampire as the other guard left fired at him and his head exploded.
With a snarl Galen drew his sword and headed for him. he killed him before the guard could think.Galen turned to see the the wreckless vampire trying to fight the genral, behind them the two Halbierd wheilding knights lowered the blades and spured there horses on to impale the vampire. Galen withdrew his two daggers and threw them at the oncoming knights hitting them each in there eye. they fell with a cry to the floor dead.
The genral by this time had cut up the young one enough to make him fall to the floor, but it seemed the genral had forgotten about Galen, so focused was he on killing the Vampire in front of him that Galen walked up behind him and choped his head off.

"Whew that was close" Said the young Vampire getting up from the floor.
Galen steped forward and backhanded him across the clearing. teeth bared.
"You foolish whelp." said Galen in a dangerous voice."You could have cost us all. as it is you cost the life of your friend by trying to get the glory." Galen said standing over him. he turned as the sound of mean in armour approching reached him. Galen turned to leave.
"Wait sir please. we have to go and only you know the way out safely" pleaded the Vampire.

"Find your own way back to Vorador. no way is safe now......well for you at lest" Galen smiled an evil smile that made the vampires hope fade. " if you make it back it will show you are worthy of the dark gift....if not.....it will be no loss"
With that Galen merged with the shadows and walked into the forest for home. behind him he could hear the young vampire run away from the serafan army and heard the serafan dogs bring him down screaming............

[Colder-Than-Ice]

Name: Tyriael
Race: Ancient vampire (though a "young" one; one of the last ones who originally were born as vampires)
Dark Gift: Lord of Storms: Heavy stormclouds cover the sun where Tyriael walks, rain gives him refreshment, wind swifts his flight, lighnings sunder his enemies.
Appereance: Long black hair that reaches Tyriael's shoulders, burning red eyes, pale white skin, black wings. He is tall and wears a fine black alba.
Weapons of choice: Two longswords decorated with brightly glowing blue runes, that appear only when Tyriael calls them.

*

A dark figure stood in a cliff, looking at the enormous amount of water that fell into the vortex that would be known as the Abyss. Heavy clouds hid the moon from sight, making lightnings the only lightsource in the area. The sound of thunder was hidden by the endless roar of the Abyss. Cruel wind blew from west, winting the figure's hair and cloak. His mind was like the whirling vortex down below, memories all a blur. So much had changed. He could remember the war with the Hylden. But how had it ended? What had happened? Where were the others? Then he felt another quake that shook the land. Nosgoth itself was changing. Something significant had happened not so long ago. Something that had damaged the very fabric of reality itself. Something, that had crumbled the doors of his resting place and awakened him. There were answers to be found, forgotten secrets to be unlocked. And he knew where to start solving the great puzzle that was his past. Slowly, the figure turned and walked away.

[LOK kain is the greatest]

Galen traveled for many miles. eventually he could see the Vampire camp come into view. it was as if the stars and rainbows had crashed to the earth,There were tents everywhere on the flat plain, a mutitude of colors and shapes.In the centre was red and gold tents with the black symbol of Kain. that was where the comand structer meeted to descuss what to do next. Kain would often be there for hours with his new Vampiric sons and Vorador, debating the next move.
To the north was tents of blue with the symbol of his first Lutenant Raziel, and going roung as if it was a face of a clock was the other tents of the other sons, Turel.Zephon,Dumah,Rahab and so on.All over dotted between the tents where the lights of the camp fires burning like fallen stars. Infrount of Galen was the Tents of Vorador.
"oh great" he muttered to himself.
Galen would have to go through his camp to get to Kain.He could hide himself from most vampires but Kain,his sons and Vorador could always scence when he was near.No dought Vorador will want to know what happened to his two favorite fledgelings.With a sight Galen moved off through the Camp.He decided not to hide his presance.new fledglingd new to steer clear of him lest they wanted a quick death.He had not traveled far when sure enough Vorador came into view flanked by his two guards.

"So you have returned. i trust you have been sucessful?"He asked crossing his arms and raising one eyebrow.
"I Have, the genral is dead.as Kain ordered."
"where are my two fledglings Egil and Kjarl?"
"Egil died because of your Kjarl ambition to get all of the glory." Responded Galen making to walk past Vorador but was stop by a restraing hand.
"and Kjarl?" Vorador tightened his grip as Kjel had been his true favoured.
"I Left him to the Serefan"
"YOU DID WHAT!" Belowed Vorador riping Galen round to Face him
"Kjarl was a foolish one. i Gave him a chance. i did not kill him, i gave him....a test of sorts, if he returned he would be worthy if not..." Replied Galen in a evil tone and fanged smile spreding across his face.
" He may return though i dought it. now if you will excuse me i must report to my Lord" with that Galen walked past Vorador and towards the main tent.


Galen walked up to Kains tent, two Vampire gurds in heavy armour stood ouside, Galen Nodded to them and whas about to enter when Raziel emerged. Galen Bowed low.
"Greetings My Lord Raziel"
"Grettings Galen. I hope you bring good news. our Lord Kain is in a foul Mood" replied Raziel grasping Galens pro-offered arm and smiling.
"does it Not go well"
" No. well not by his timetable atlest.they ar putting up more resistance than expected. beliving there God will save them from us."Raziel laughed." i must go now and mobilize my Army I go to attack a small outpost that has been bothering us. but if you have Killed the Genral as I expect. it will not take long. Fairwell." with that Raziel Headed to his Camp.

Galen Walked into Kains Tent and kneeled before him.
"Ah,Galen. is it done?" Asked Kain in a deep voice
"Yes my lord, he is slain." Replied Galen meeting the eyes of his lord.
Kain was a Very powerful Vampire. he was about 7ft high and had long white hair down to his bum. half way up his hair was a gold band that tied hia hair in a loose ponytail. About his shoulders was his Banner showing his symbol. But his eyes where the one thing you noticed. there where like that to and owls but much more dominating. there was great power there.
"Good. I Have another job for you my Faithful Assassin".........

[Abaddon]

Name: Abaddon
Race: Vampire
Description: Abaddon is a savage looking 'man' who appears to be in his early to mid thirties but is actually closer to half a millennium. He could be considered an 'Elder' vampire, but has yet to develop the three clawed fingers and two toed feet. His skin is a pale and grayish white, while his hair is pure black and reaches down to the middle of his back. He has a mustache and a beard that goes down to his sternum. His eyes are yellow and animalistic, while his mouth is full of large bestial fangs which can be retracted for 'public relations'. His nails have developed into three inch long claws, and he is quite muscular. He usually wears intimidating and demonic armor from his days as a vampiric foot soldier, but wears the clothes of a noble when he goes into cities by stealth.
History: He was once a moderate ranking legionnaire in Kain's vampire army, but acted in his own interests after the majority was slaughtered by the Sarafan.
Weapons: A single bladed battle ax made of iron with a wooden hilt, along with currency he has stolen from his dead prey.
Personality: A very rageful demeanor, as well as destructive, but far from a stupid flunky. He is cold and calculating, as well as a master strategist, but has an ego beyond his means. He wishes to conquer Nosgoth, so he is in a way, Kain's rival, but isn't stupid enough to try and kill Kain, yet...
Dark Gifts: A combination of Kain's Rage, Faustus's Jump and Sebastians Berserk in the sense of superhuman strength, acrobatics, and speed, as well as unearthly stamina and an iron will. He also has limited telekinesis. (As you can tell, he is very ... ambitious when it comes to powers, in other words, many vampires have fallen to his fangs.)

Abaddon entered the city with a smile. Not many peasants were on the street anymore. The Sarafan had been losing power for a while now, and while they were still a force to be reckoned with, fear of the warrior-preists in individual cities began to fall with vampires. For there were rumors of vampiric armies assembling to destroy and conquer what the Sarafan hold, and many people began to stay in doors more, in this city especially, as a small battalion of newly recruited soldiers was found mutilated, led by Colonel Albrecht, right outside the city gates, killed soon after their departure to patrol the perimeter. The words, These are not the first mutilations that we have committed, and it will not be the last were found painted in blood along a wall.
Abaddon chuckled softly at the handiwork of the vampiric slaughter, as he stalked the city for his prey. He might as well had the word 'Blood Sucking Fiend' written across his forehead, for the site of a relaxed noble walking the streets at night was not a common or sensible thing to do. Sure enough, a patrol of Sarafan guards saw him, and drew weapons, not even speaking as they went to strike down their immortal foe.
Abaddon stopped laughing and stood still, and stone-faced at the warriors, the patrol obviously nervous about the stare the vampire gave them.
He then leaped at them, almost flying into the group. His foot came down on one's chest, knocking him to the ground, and crushing his ribcage with the momentum of the blow. He drew his ax, and brought it down through another's armored helmet, bisecting the man's skull down to the lower jaw. In the explosion of blood, Abaddon punched a third member in the face, breaking his nose with ease, and decapitated the fourth soldier with his ax. As the fifth and final member began to bring his sword down through the seemingly unsuspecting vampire, he was frozen, despite all his attempts to move, he couldn't. Abaddon turned around, smiled, and slit the man's throat with his clawed hand.
As the Sarafan with the broken nose tried to run away, he was grabbed, and thrown by Abaddon across the street, breaking a limb or two on the sidewalk. Abaddon crouched next to him, and said,
"Human scum, I am going to let you live, so you can tell whoever runs this miserable city that I will kill the Sarafan to the last in this place, and expect his to be very...creative." With that, Abaddon walked off to find a place to spend the day, and prepare a strategy to back up his claims. He had big plans for this city...


OOC: My plans for this character are for him to try and make his own little 'empire'. It could be a rival of Kain's, assimilated into it, or merely independent from it forever more. I am under the impression that the 'altered timeline' meant this was open ended. Or is this to follow with Kain's ascension?

[DarkWraith]

Loping down the valley in the night air, Alorian’s senses were alive with the aspects of the night. The mountain air was crisp and cold making Alorian feel very energetic. He sped across the plateau at the edge of the mountain range which marked the end of the Lycan territories. From here Alorian would be alone. The lush grassland of the plateau was full of food for one such as Alorian and thus he had decided to save his rations and hunt. The Pack on his back was standard issue to all members of ‘The Pack’ and it fit snugly over both Alorian’s forms. It did not hinder his movements at all. A disturbance in the distance sharply brought Alorian’s mind into focus. A herd of wild horses were moving towards him slowly. “Good he thought, they haven’t noticed me” Alorian’s pulse quickened as he hear the heart of the beautiful black stallion pumping its blood. He could smell its fear of being attacked by anything let alone a werewolf such as him and also its drive to defend the heard.

Alorian sunk down to be hidden by the long grass. Slowly, ever so slowly he edged round the side of the stallion and moved forward. It was completely oblivious to his presence. Its wide black eyes shone like gimlets in the light of the moon. A hot taste developed in Alorian’s mouth. Not wishing to allow the Horse time to move on, he leapt forward. The Stallion tried to run away but it was no match for the speed of a Lycan. His claws sunk into the horse’s flanks sending the horse crashing to the ground. He then quickly moved round the front of the horse took its neck in his mouth and crushed it. Its hot blood rushed into his mouth filling him with ecstasy. He sliced open the belly of the animal and gorged himself on its meat.

When he finished his meal, Alorian changed back his form and took his clothes out of his Field pack. He lit a fire under a tree and laid his map down on the ground. There were 40 leagues to the ruins of Nurapraptor’s keep. Although the Lycan people had been forced into seclusion, they were well aware of the events outside their mountain home. And the fall of the Pillar guardians at the hand of a vampire was well know although his identity was not. It would take half a day to reach that point over this terrain.

Alorian packed up his map and lay back gazing into the fire and turning to his thoughts. He kept himself alert out of training and habit not wishing to let his guard down with the increase in vampire activity. “Who was this Kain? And why was he so important a player in the reason for the vampire increase?”.

[HolyMoses]

Lent flew in the night towards the city of meridian. Below him, a blanket of stars were nestled in the hills bellow, and in the center of it all was Kain's symbol.
"What's this?" Lent asked himself. "His armies are already gathered?" Lent grew frustrated. Someone would have to answer to this.

Lent descended to the grounds, just outside of Kain's tent. Approaching the entrance two heavily armored guards halted his progress.
"You there", one said, "You are not known to us and can not enter."
Lent looked the two over with a cold glaze. He was in no mood to debate. Lent held out his hand, and a magical burst shot the two guards in a opposite directions. Lent entered as the guards were sounding the alarm. Vorador halted his progress.
"Vorador" Lent said with a disgusted look on his face. He removed his hood to reveal himself.
"Lent, my child."
"Don't 'my child' me Vorador." Lent said hastily, "We no longer share the same blood, you did not turn me. Why did you not whisper to me that Kain's armies have begun to gather?"
"I...." Vorador said, but Lent interrupted him.
"Careful with your words, Vorador." Said Lent as Kain came in with his vampire children.

Vorador and Lent have clashed in heated arguments and sometimes battles due to their difference of opinions. It was during their first fight where Lent saw Vorador's weakness. He had not the strength one his age should have. In a surprising victory, Lent beat him. All who witnessed were shocked, all except Vorador. In life, Lent looked up to Vorador with great respect. In Unlife, Lent saw Vorador in a very different manner. He criticized Vorador for not playing a larger role while the Sarafan Lord was alive, hiding in the shadows and spouting off meaningless advice, instead of taking up a sword. "Your lack of involvement has made you weak." He would say to the elder. Lent also criticized Vorador for his lack of faith in Kain, that he would one day restore Nosgoth.

"Even now, at the dawn of a new age you refuse to act." Lent said coldly.
"Vorador," Kain said. "You know this vampire?"
"I do." Vorador replied. "His name is Lent, and in life he was a Loki vampire worshiper. The Loki are trained for generations as killers, hunters, and trackers. They have inherited knowledge of the vampire history. He and his family protected and nourished your body after the Sarafan Lord defeated you. After he entrusted you to me, he then died and was turned to a vampire."
"Who turned you, Lent?" Kain asked, "Who is your master?"
"The one who turned me is dead, I know not his name. My master, well.. my master is you, Kain." Lent said as he knelt before him. "I have waited 100 years to serve you."
"And serve me you will." Kain said. "Serve me well. And what of this Loki tribe, are there more of your kind."
"Lent was the last." Vorador replied.
"The last of the bloodline, yes. But I have passed on what I know. I've created a village of Loki vampire worshipers, between Meridian and Freeport."
"Show me." Kain says as they gather at the map.
Lent points to the exact location of the hidden village.
"In it are crypts for your army, your own private crypt. Also blood chalices in every house hold, and 100 Loki worshipers who worship you as a God."
Kain smiled at this. "You have done well. In creating this village you've provided the perfect resting spot for my forces after we sack Meridian. We can seek shelter there before making our way to Freeport. Dumah."
"Yes, sire."
"See to it that Sergeant Lent receives a small company."
"Yes, sire" Dumah says as he bows before him.
"Thank you, my Lord." Lent said. Kain's words were heartening to him. And if Lent needed any more heartening, all he had to do was view the look of dismay on Vorador's face.

[Colder-Than-Ice]

Tyriael flew high above the land, watching the thriving metropolises that he remembered as being grassland inhabited by human tribes. So much had changed. But he saw no vampires. Nor hylden. Only humans. Yet, above it all, hidden from mortals, was a sense of conflict that had lasted for ages. Obviously the Pillars had not sealed away the hylden, as they were meant to do. Or had the Pillars sealed vampires into another world too? Tyriael did not know. He craved for answers more than anything. Suddenly, movement caught his eye. There, down below, a battle was beginning. Troops were assembling. Tyriael flew lower to see how it would go. Humans seemed to be fighting humans, the others in rune-covered armours that shone in the night, the others wearing only stylished clothes and beared strange standards. Tyriael almost dropped from air when he saw what was written in the banners. The knights in shining armour beared hylden runes, their armours no doubt protecting them from vampiric magic. Opposing them was a force bearing a single rune. A rune used by vampires. "Have we gone so low that we use humans to fight for us?". Tyriael watched as the armies formed. The humans serving the Hylden had numerical superiority, but this didn't seem to trouble the mortals serving the vampires. A horn blew through the air and the battle begun, winds carrying screams of the dying and the sweet smell of blood. The humans in vampires' service were much faster and powerful, ripping their opponents with ease. Tyriael had never seen so agile humans. Only when he saw one of them drinking blood from a corpse that truth dawned to him. "Human-looking vampires? Without wings... have we truly devolved so?" he wondered. Suddenly he saw another battalion of humans, approaching the vampires from east. "They are trying to flank us...these humans are clever. If I will not interfere my kin will be defeated". Tyriael hesitated. Was it wise to reveal his presence to this world's inhabitants so soon? But without him, many vampires would die. And life was sacred, it had to be preserved, even its horrible mockery. But by giving life to his fellow beings he would take it away from many others. Slowly, he started descending towards the battle. As he came nearer, he could hear the vampires yell eachother. Something he had not heard for very long time. "Lord Raziel, we have detected another battalion of these cursed Sarafans, moving in from east. It is twice our number in size, and will reach us soon. What are your orders?" "Retreat to a nearby pass, we can hold them there. I will whisper Kain for reinforcements."
Tyriael smiled. He had needed this...a chance to shake off the feeling of clumsiness that always followed his torpor. These humans did not know what they would be facing.

[LOK kain is the greatest]

Galen watched as the strange new Vampire stepped out of Kain’s tent. Who ever he was he had got Vorador Anoyed.Galen smiled, already he liked this one. The Vampire was strong but looked just about the same ages as he.
The Vampire turned and Galen was just about to congratulate him on annoying Vorador when he saw Voradors symbol on his shoulder and a scar on his chest. Another had told him of this one. If he was right this ones name was Lent.

“Greetings Lent. One given life by Lessa….” Galen smiled and waited to see what his response would be. The Women had told Galen of him. Well what he could discern from the mad wretch. She had seen something that had sent her mad to a point but she would also help any vampire who asked her. But Galen Had never really thought she would be telling the truth. Now he would see…………

Smiling Galen leaned against a pole and waited……

[HolyMoses]

Lent looked perplex at the vampire. He recognized him somewhere, but couldn't place where.
"You know me, vampire?" Lent asked.
"I've heard stories of you. You were made by Lessa, were you not?"
"Not exactly, but something like that."
"Forgive my manners, I am Galen the assassin."
"Have you always been an assassin?" Lent asked.
"Yes, even in life. I would do work for anyone who hired me, occasionally the sarafan."
Lent smiled. "I know you. We met in the Meridian trade routes."
"Yes", Galen replied recalling the meeting, "I was hired by the local sarafan to hunt down a vampire who had been hunting those trails for a week, he was cutting off supplies. I cut your arm."
"I broke your leg." Lent replied. The two looked at each other and smiled. "No hard feelings, I hope."
"None what so ever" Galen replied and the two shook hands.
"So how long have you been in service to Kain?"
"Two months, he is a great leader."
"I knew he would be." Lent said with a smile. "It's Vorador you have to watch out for."
"Yes, I know. He thinks I owe him my allegiance for a gift I didn't ask for. You're related to him, you don't trust him either?" Galen asks.
"I've seen Vorador make too many careless mistakes that don't serve anyone at all. Poor choices of who to turn, and he's also tried to slow me down with careless fledglings."
"I just returned from a mission losing two fledglings like that."
Lent shakes his head. "It's no wonder the humans think they have a chance. We keep giving them scraps."
The two pondered this as they walked around the camps, talking all the night.

[LOK kain is the greatest]

Galen and Lent walked until they were among Raziel’s Tents that where being hastily abandoned as his Army got ready to move. As they walked nearer they could see the proud form of Raziel overseeing the embarkation. He turned and smiled upon seeing Galen.

“Greetings my friend” he said stepping forward and clasping arms with Galen.” I hear you are going with me to this fray.”
“Yes. I’m to get you into the castle. And Kill the watchmen so you can come up un-noticed. It should be an easy task. There are mostly Farmers and women in there.” Galen replied smiling.

It was then That Raziel looked at Lent and raised an eyebrow.
“And who is this one?”
“ You remember when I told you on man managed to break my leg. That’s him. His name is Lent. Lent this is Raziel, first born of Kain’s sons and his second in command.” Replied Galen introducing them to each other. Lent Bowed low to Raziel giving the respect deserved.

“Well it is good to meet someone that can beat Old Galen hear. Only Kain is able to sense when he is near in his shadow form.” Said Raziel smiling. Just then a human runner came up, and bowed before them all.
“Sire’s you presence is requested by lord Kain, to discuss a battle plan. He wants you to bring someone back” with that the Page turned and left.

“Well we’d better go and see what our lord has planed.” Said Raziel smiling and evil smile and clapping his hand on Galen’s shoulder. It was then that Lent Noticed that Galen bore the mark of Kain not Vorador. But hadn’t he said that Vorador had turned him??……how strange.

[HolyMoses]

Raziel entered the tent first, Galen and Lent soon followed.
"So who's who around here?" Lent asked.
"Well, "Galen replies. "Raziel is Kain's first born. He defiantly takes after his father. A great leader, respected. He has yet to lose a battle. Standing next to him is the next in line, Turel. Turel is arrogant and often tries to compete with Raziel. The big one is Dumah, Kain's third born. Dumah is very hot headed, so it might not be wise to get on his bad side. Next we have Rahab, he's very cunning and cleaver. Often uses the element of surprise against his foes."
"Who's the lengthy one who's giving me the cold stare?" Lent asked while motioning to across the room.
"Oh, that's Zephon. I'd steer clear of him if I were you. Most vampires who are sent with his group have a tendency not to come back. He's a deceitful excuse of a vampire, and would probably lead a squad into the sea.
The last of Kain's children is Melchia. He leads the clean up crew, killing off what remnants manage to scurvy away."
"He stinks like the grave." Lent says.

"Quiet All." Dumah roars as the tent falls silent.
Kain looks around and then moves to the model . "Before we can move on to conquer Meridian, we first must take an outpost in the city of Damindar. Raziel has volunteered to handle this castle, although it won't be easy. After the castle is fallen, whisper to us. Turel will sweep into the city through the north west, while Dumah and Rahab will cover the south west, leaving the eastern passage where Raziel will meet us. "

Raziel speaks up, "Galen will sneak up the castle wall and take out the watchmen. Once done, he will whisper to us and lower the drawbridge. Then we'll be able to swarm the castle, doing it quietly so we don't alert the city. If we do this correctly, their forces should be down with little effort."

"Galen" says Kain, "Can you handle this?"
"Of course my Lord" replies Galen.
"This task is too risky to send a lone vampire", interrupts Vorador. "Take one of my children with you."
"This is no time to baby-sit children, Vorador." hisses Galen. "The last two you brought with me almost cost me my life."
"Someone must go with you, you can't do this alone." the elder vampire insisted.
"Then I'll go" says Lent, speaking up.
Vorador looked displeased.
"Very well, Lent. Let us see what you're capable of" says Kain, "Galen, show Lent the ropes bring down the watch guards and prepare the castle for Raziel's troops."

The pair bow before Kain and depart.
"I love it when you piss Vorador off." Galen says. They both chuckle and make their way to the castle.

[LOK kain is the greatest]

Galen took Lent to his personal tent so he could equip him. Galen chose his preferred items first, his twin blades, sword and some magic charges.

“Help yourself Lent” motioned Galen

Lent inspected his tent. It was the only black tent in the whole camp. Inside it was rather bare. In the rear was a crude bed for him to rest. To the left of the entrance was a large wrack of weapons. In the centre were a table and two chares facing each other. On the Table was a metal version of Kain symbol.
Lent went over to the weapons and began to choose while he asked questions of Galen.

“Galen?”..
“Humm?” Galen turned to look at Lent
“How come you Have Kain’s symbol and Not Voradors?”Asked Lent
Galen sighed
“ I told you I was an Assassin sent to kill Kain”Lent Nodded “well lets just say I ran into Vorador before Kain. He beat me of-course me being mortal and my element of surprise gone. Anyway he turned me but I still felt I should kill the vampire and would not serve him. So he bound me a tortured me for fun. In the end Kain returned and asked me if this is what I wanted. He told me the true nature of the serafan, but I still did not believe. So he let me go”
Lent looked shocked at that statement,
“It’s true, but I didn’t get very far. A serafan patrol found me and was about to kill me. It was then I saw there true nature….power hungry…..Kain saved me in sort and I pledged myself to him.”

Lent was about to reply when the Vampire he had seen before known as Zephon walked in.

“Ahhh Galen, Telling your life story are we.” He droled.”And here I thought we where supposed to get ready for a battle.”
Galen Beard his fangs in a snarl.
“ I don’t kneed lectures from you Zephon. Jealous that you are being left behind again?” Galen was rewarded with a snarl.
“HOW DARE YOU, YOU LITTLE WHELP” he roared stepping forward and grasping Galen round the throat and raking his Arm where the symbol was.
Galen expertly twisted out of his grasp and was behind him blade at his neck. Lips near his ear
“Be careful who you Call a whelp Zephon” Snarled Galen he pushed Zephon away and he turned
“You and your little friend should watch your back” he started at them
“And you should watch yours as far as Kain is concerned if you try to kill US” With that Zephon stormed out into the night…….

Galen turned back to Lent and Said…
“See what I mean…”

[Colder-Than-Ice]

((this post is a little hop ahead in time, hope you don't mind KITG and Holy Moses. Next time you write, describe the events in the castle, if you would.))

General Celachron looked at the clouds that had suddenly fallen over the battlefield. How could weather change so soon? This had to be some kind of a trick. An adjutant ran to him "Sir, the vampires are retreating! Damindar is safe! Your plan worked!"
Celachron smiled. Those fools had thought they could easily destroy the city with its general dead. In their arrogance, they had killed the wrong man, and had begun their assault immediately, illprepared and sure Damindar would be weakly protected. "Well they were out for a little surprise. CUT THEIR ESCAPE ROUTE! LET NO VAMPIRE SURVIVE!" "Yes sir!"
That devil Kain had been foolish to sent his most important lieutenant. Now their archnemesis would lose its most valued son.
Suddenly, a lightning stroke into the middle of his battleline, sending men flying around. "What is this?"
"It is a power that will cleanse this land, hylden-worshipper" said a deep toned voice. General Celachron turned too see a dark figure that had appeared from nowhere next to him. Another lightning lightened the battlefield, revealing the figure in all its dark majesty. "Who are you?" Celachron asked, drawing his sword. "A better question would be who YOU are. Since when has human cattle meddled with affairs they cannot possibly hope to control?" came the reply. "Men, kill this arrogant fool". As the knights turned to face this new threat, their armour started to shine with overwhelmingly bright light. This was clearly a very, very powerful vampire. Another report came to him "Sir, the vampire Raziel's forces have begun their assault anew, and our forces are in confusion. What is going on? These lightnings have ripped open our lines from nine points. Without quick orders, the battle will turn against us. SIR?" But Celachron never had the chance to answer before Tyriael was upon him, his two runic swords slashing at the sarafan. However, the general managed to block the incoming blows. The two combatants started to circle eachother, just as heavy rain started pouring from the dark skies. But this rain was not water, but liquid, dark fire that seemed to affect only the sarafans, quickly spreading amongst them, setting them on fire and gathering into large pools of fire.

[LOK kain is the greatest]

Galen and Lent walked a mile of so in front of Raziel’s Army. Raziel would wait until Galen whispered him before advancing his army.
The Night was overcast so no moon shone. That was a good thing Darkness would help them. In the distance tiny lights became visible where the castle windows where. The smell of animal and human waste wafted on the slight breeze. As they drew nearer snow began to fall in a small flurry.

Galen and Lent where now entering the outskirts of the small town, now in ruin. A few months ago Turel had tried a head on attack….and failed. Sure they ransacked the town but he ignored the castle thinking it of no importance and now it had held up to them for many months, thanks to the General Galen had killed.
They made it to the outer wall by running and stopping as the guards patrolled. When there Galen pointed to a Window the a Guard was standing in front of, his back against the sill asleep. Galen then Jumped up with Dagger in hand and slit the guard’s throat and drinking deep without a sound.

They found themselves in a small sleeping chamber, probably for the guard they had just killed.
“Lent this is the guard house, we must leave here quietly. Go left down the hall and we will come to some stairs. We will go up and once at the top we will be next to the drawbridge mechanism. You will have to climb a small way round the wall to gain entry, kill the guard and wait until I tell you to lower the bridge.” Said Galen quietly by the door looking at Lent
“And you?”
“ I will climb over the top to the other side to get the second mechanism. When we have done this it will leave way for Raziel to advance. Ok?”
“Okay lets go” nodded Lent with a smile.

Galen got against the wall, to the side the door opened. Lent stood behind him ready. Galen carefully opened the door just a crack and peered out. Two guards where near the far wall. There was no way they could go out without being noticed.
“Wait here” Galen said then used his dark gift. Lent Gasped as Galen became one with the shadows and disappeared, he moved forward to look out and saw both guards fall dead without a cry and Galen reappear to fed on one. Lent moved next to him and fed on the other.

They moved down the hall until they came to the stairs and travelled up. On top of the battlements Lent Risked a Glance over into the courtyard and Gasped, Galen Came over quickly to see what had made him Gasp to find the courtyard full of soldiers.

“What in the??” Gasped Galen
“How are they all here?. You said there would be only a few soldiers and mostly peasants, this is a small army” Gasped Lent as they both crouched down behind the wall looking at each other.
“I don’t know, but that’s not what worries me”
“ This doesn’t worry? Then I dread to think what does,” replied Lent
“Didn’t you notice?. Their formation is directly the counter to Raziel’s attack plan. How could they know what he planed? I hate to say it but I think we have a traitor in Kains army………Replied Galen his eyes full of hate.

Lent just looked at him, it was true, but who would dare betray our lord Kain……

[WraithStar]

"We'll soon know," came a voice from right behind Galen and Lent, startling both of them. They found themselves facing a woman dressed in black armor with a very dark green coat. At her side was her Wraithen blade. Galen laughed, surprised that Kain would send her to check on him. Lent looked puzzled, then recognition dawned. He said, "Jessie? What are you doing here? What has happened? I haven't heard anything about you since we parted ways." Lent was curious about what the wraith had been up to after their battle against the Nerayan. She appeared to be in human form again, although Lent wasn't entirely sure. It was possible that she was still in vampire form and this was merely a very powerful guise.

Jessie thought for a moment, then replied, "Well, since our friends defeated the Nerayan, I was mostly spending my time with Abel and exploring Nosgoth, waiting for Kain to reawaken. Unfortunately, when he did reawaken, I was, ummm..., busy and couldn't help him just yet,... but he found me and I've been helping him." Lent interrupted, "What could you have possibly been busy with that couldn't wait for Kain?" Jessie was rather embarrassed and almost mumbled, "Look, I was in the Eternal Prison for a brief while and I couldn't get out until Kain destroyed the place. Now, can we please focus on more pressing issues?" Jessie gestured toward the army laid out before them. "Obviously, there is a traitor. Kain has suspected this for some time, so he set up this whole battle to find out who it is. The Sarafan are reassured of their source's authenticity, so later Kain can use the traitor to feed the Sarafan whatever information he wants to, if he doesn't kill the slime first. In the meantime, I found someone who has recently awakened and is, shall we say, sympathetic to Kain's cause. I informed him of this battle and he should be here shortly to aid us if Raziel's forces can't beat the overwhelming odds against them."

[Gad]

Name: Avi / Legion
Race: Human..ish
Description: Avi is just under six feet. His calm face portrays a sense of youth, but is betrayed by his gray hair and blood red eyes. He looks no older than about thirty, but has actually lived more than a century.

I hope you find the following manuscripts to serve your ends as well as possible, for I put great care into preparing my report. Although I did endure some moderate injury in my study, I request no further compensation than that which was stated in our original agreement, for the satisfaction of being able to contribute so great a body of knowledge to science more than compensates me for physical injury. I regret to inform you that yes, the rumors are true, and the subject has escaped, hence the injury incurred on my part. I trust you, however, with your ample and unique resources, should have no trouble locating and retrieving the subject, and thus our previous contract should remain intact. At the moment, it is more important that I share with you the knowledge you requested me to obtain. Before one can truly understand the nature of the man in question, a brief discussion of demons, their dimension, and their methods of breaking into ours, must take place.

Traditionally, most demons, as they wield great power, have been forcably summoned into Nosgoth by some sort of powerful sorcerer. Dimension guardians were known for this ability, though it is not known if the skill is, or rather, was, exclusive to these pillar guardians. With the fall of the pillars, many things previously known as law had to be reconsidered. Nonetheless, this method of entry, at least for the moment, is not relevant to our subject.

The Hylden, banished to the realm of demons ages ago, had long sought to exact their revenge upon the vampiric children now covering Nosgoth, but had been impeded in their quest by the mighty pillars erected by the ancients. While the Hylden are usually much smarter than an average demon, they are not oft sought after by conjurerers, for a single Hylden wields much less destructive power, and is much more difficult to command, than a demon. On top of this, the most skilled summoners were of the afforementioned pillar guardian profession, and thus, serving the institution created to bind these Hylden, were never exactly eager to breach their prison. Thus, the Hylden were forced to find another method of entry into Nosgoth.

Whether they were the first to employ corpse possession is unknown, but in all recorded history, they seem to be the most adept. The intricacies of the process are not yet known, but in essence, its seems a Hylden, from his demon dimension, mentally locates a suitable corpse in our world of Nosgoth and projects his consciousness and indeed his very soul into the previously lifeless host. The body becomes reanimated with the will of the Hylden. In many cases, the body retains the composition, the appearance, and sometimes even the mannerisms of the being it played in life. Oftentimes, however, the sheer will of the Hylden warps the flesh, either partially or completely, into its own form, leaving in our world what appears to be a living, breathing, true Hylden. More powerful Hylden had been known to possess hosts that had yet to shuffle off this mortal coil, though the bodies were undead, never fully alive, and if the host was not a willing participant, the affair could become quite complicated.

After the conqueror Kain defeated the Sarafan Lord, returning him and his race to their designated hell, the Hylden menace was, and continues to be, considered terminated. The Hylden have exausted their strategic and psychodimensional energies in their latest assualt and shall not be ready to even attempt re-entry into Nosgoth for, hopefully, several millenia.

The natives of that damned realm, commonly known as demons, had never previously attempted any exit of their realm through intristic means. Some of the more intelligent, and truly, more powerful among them observed the Hylden's rise and fall, and believed themselves to have learned from their predecessors mistakes. There had, in decades past, been a steady increase in cases of demons entering Nosgoth through corpse possession, but the growth seems recently to have plateaued to a modestly low level, for, as I stated earlier, the Hylden have always enjoyed the most success with this method, and the situation is always made more difficult if the host body is not entirely deceased.
Professer Langkoff,
Demonology and Inter-Dimensional Travel
Grand University of Willendorf



Avi braced himself for the next blow, still choking on blood. The Sarafan interrogator had long since lost any sadistic pleasure in torturing the prisoner and merely wished to receive his information.

"Tell me now! How did you wipe out a 6-man Glyph Knight squad?"

Even he, their best interrogator, could not coerce the prisoner into talking. The higher ranking Sarafan were extremely vexed by the whole situation. A single man, who appeared to be no more than a humble farmer, brutally murdered an entire squad of Sarafan, and yet was captured without protest hours later by another squad. It was not so much the loss of this group, for they could be replaced, but the brutal manner in which they were murdered. Only by carefully examining their equipment, of which there was clearly six bloodstained sets, did the investigators confirm that this man, with no weapons, had single-handedly dealt with the entire squad, for the remains of the men seemed far less than six. Although a great amount of the flesh and organs were rather scattered, the majority was missing altogether. The marks on what little remained of the bodies suggested that they had been...eaten.

"Sir!! Damindar is under attack! You are needed at the battle!"
"B'hah! I'm not done with you, peasant."

At last he was alone. Avi slumped down, his weight being carried by the shackles around his wrists, and sobbed lightly. He had told the truth, he did *not* remember killing the Sarafan. They entered his cottage, threatened him, and in the next instant he awoke laying in their entrails. What he failed to mention was that he did know how the murder had taken place; it had happened before, and such instances had driven him to live as a hermit in his cottage.



Avi had always been a peaceful child, and the disposition never left him. He refrained from using force of any kind, but realized that at times it might be neccessary. Still, he managed to avoid joining the Sarafan army by founding a militia in his home town. By defending his home from vampires and other such predators, he claimed, he played his role in the crusade, though it seemed the Sarafan actually were his largest problem. No matter the trouble, he was content to live out a quiet, peaceful existance in his home.

His ideal life had been going well for him, up until the summer of his twenty-fifth year. He and his other "militiamen" were out "training" in the forest. Upon reaching a pond, he and his friends decided to take a break from their excruciatingly arduous training.

Avi had been quietly enjoying his lunch when one of his fellow militiamen decided it would be quite funny to push their leader into the pond. The prank would have gone well, had not a strategically placed rock jutted out from the slope leading towards the water. Avi's head collided with the rock on the way down, and, still wearing some of his armor, he sank unconsciously towards the lake-bottom.

Avi's friends spared no time in diving in to rescue their leader, but he remained underwater many minutes before they could find and retrieve him. Stretching him out on the bank, they attempted to resuscitate him, but it seemed his lungs had been full of water too long.

Only he that had pushed Avi in remained, while the rest went back to the town for help, in the form of the caretaker. When all the others had left, Avi's waterlogged body convulsed violently, as one in a seisure. It was also claimed that his eyes opened with a fierce red glow, but the town's doctor dismissed this as nonsense, claiming Avi's new red eyes to be the result of blood staining his irises. Encouraged by these new signs of life, the boy managed to absolve himself of guilt by successfully reviving Avi, long after he should have been dead. The others arrived just in time to see him cough up nearly half the pond, slightly tinted with red.

Avi attempted to continue his peaceful existance, but he was thereafter plagued with terrible dreams. He could never remember them in any detail, but suffice it to say his days of sleeping through the night had passed.

The town has since been erased from the map. Many years earlier, when the Sarafan Lord still ruled, he had sent some of his knights from town to town in order to conscript able-bodied men into his army. One such group, notorious for their aggressive methods, had been sent to Avi's town, for it had been decided that his militia did not absolve him, nor his fellow villagers, from life in the Lord's army. The group never returned, however, and the town was found in ruin weeks later. Judging by the brutal scene before them, authorities attributed the atrocity to attack by some rapid vampire coven. No survivors were found, and no bodies could be identified.



Avi cringed as he thought of his past. The torment therin dwarfed any physical torture he had received. Avi left the burning hole that had been his home in order to escape his curse, drifting from city to city. He had once tried to end his own life, but only awakened in a similiar scene of violence, and afterwards shut himself off from other life for their own protection. His bastion had been breached again by the Sarafan, his curse awakened, and he could do no more than to slump over, the chains attached to his shackled arms carrying his weight, and sob.

[DarkWraith]

Ren stood in his makeshift smithy hammering out another sword. The army of Lord Kain called for more every hour and all of the weapon smiths with the army were struggling to keep up with the demand. Ren reached up and wiped the sweat from his brow. He looked over to Tyriael. The boy had stopped pumping the bellows that fed the forges fire and was staring into space. "Dammed boy" he thought, still he was his responsibility. “Tyriael” he called out. The boy didn’t move “Tyriael” he bellowed hurling a nearby bucket of water at the child. Tyriael leapt from the bellows suddenly nearly falling over in the process. “What a waste of space” Ren thought to himself. Ren had been obliged to look after Tyriael since his sister had died years before. The lad was only 16 but had the mentality of an eight year old. He had been kicked in the head by a horse when younger and consequently had never been quite right in the head. “Always of in his own little world” Ren sighed. He picked up his hammer and returned to the half forged blade in his hand. “Pump those bellows lad; else Lord Kain shall have no swords to fight his war”. Tyriael sighed and went back to pumping the bellows and returning to his imagination.

[HolyMoses]

(Sorry, CTI, but KITG and I did mind that you jumped ahead with out talking to us about it. Also that you undermined KITG by saying she killed the wrong person. Just a little insulting to her. Also, we feel your character is too powerful, contrary to DW's rule #5. It's no fun when you have a character that can single handedly destroy an army. Sorry to be an RPG nazi, but KITG and I sent you PM's regarding this. Since you had all weekend to change your posts, and didn't, I'm just going to write around yours)

Galen whispered to Raziel, informing them of the trap set inside.
"So what's taken you so long to join up, Lent?" Jessie asked.
"Like you, I was preoccupied."
"With what?" She asked, "I thought you would have been waiting by his crypt for the moment he revived."
"SHhhh" Lent said, "Someone might here you."
Lent wanted all this chatter to end. He also hated to talk about himself.
Jessie and he were two of the three survivors of the small group to face the Neryan. Although they've endured through much together through that small struggle, Lent always thought Jessie served her own private motives. She wasn't a vampire, and Lent could never understand why she was loyal to Kain. Her appearanceas a human, at this cleverly devised trap, silently cautioned him as well.

Galen broke of his whisper to Raziel.
"Well?" Jessie asked.
"Not good, he wants us to fall back."
"We can't do that, we need to route out the traitor." Jessie proclaimed.
"Quiet, you two!" Lent whispered to the both of them "Do you want to alert the entire army we're here."
The pair fell silent.
"Now", Lent continued. "We can use their own defenses against them. You see that." Lent said, motioning to the two huge brewing cauldrons above the drawbridge.
Galen grinned, "Flammable tar."
"Right. If we tip it over while the drawbridge is closed...."
"Then the humans will be trapped and can be burned alive." Jessie said.
"A bit messy," Lent said, "But effective. Galen, inform Raziel of our plan. See what he thinks. Jessie, position yourself on the other side of the castle and get ready to ignite the vat."
"Right" Jessie said as she moved out.
"I spoke to Raziel. He's all for it and decided to send half of his troops to help Turel. The remaining half will stay behind and help clean up should the humans escape."
"Great", Lent said, "I'll make my way and kill off both drawbridge operators to ensure that it remains closed and they all stay trapped inside. Galen, think you can tip the vats?"
"No Problem." Galen said as he stepped into a shadow and sunk beneath it.
Lent flew quickly to the first mechanism of the drawbridge and killed the guard quickly, telekinetically drawing his blood out. By this time Jessie was in place, and Galen was dispatching the three guards himself. Lent looked to the opposite tower and the guard of the second mechanism looked at him. Lent teleported quickly behind him and drained him before he had a chance to warn others.
In an instant it was all over. Galen dumped the flammable tar over the unsuspecting Sarafan, and using a bit of magic, Jessie ignited the army. Screaming in agony, and running about in a frenzy. Some even climbed up to the wall and jumped to the ground below to ease their pain. But all were aflame, and they all would parish.
Lent walked down the spiral stair and heard a human talking to himself. Quietly, Lent snuck up behind the man.
"I don't know sire, Raziel's armies didn't even enter the castle. Damindar has fallen."
The man, dressed in noble's clothes, was apparently whispering to an unknown source; no doubt the traitor himself.
"I'll give you two options" Lent said interrupting the human. "Tell me who the traitor is now, and I'll show you mercy by killing you quickly. Or, deny me and I'll take you back to Kain's camp, where we will turn you and torture you until you tell us, begging for death."
The human jumped up in surprise, and took no time in making his choice. The human took out a dagger and stabbed his heart.
"Kain will fail" The human said, but his words were drowned out before he died as Lent drew his blood in. "What a waste of life" Lent thought, "At least it wouldn't be a waste of blood."

[WraithStar]

Jessie watched the human's suicide and silently cursed. She had been eager to discover who the traitor was, but the damn fool before her had the strength to kill himself without revealing his master's identity. Jessie knew it was only a matter of time until the traitor made a fatal mistake but Jessie didn't like living on the edge like that. In that time, how many of Kain's army would be picked off in traps and ambushes? Even if it was only a few, that would be too many. The sight of a few of the Sarafan still running madly about with flames dancing around their bodies cheered Jessie up a bit. At least this time, the disaster had been averted. With their general slain, these Sarafan had proven to be no challenge whatsoever.

It was almost too easy, which made Jessie a little bit nervous. She walked over to Lent and said to him, "I've got an uneasy feeling about this. It almost seems like that couldn't be it. Like this is part of a larger and more intricate trap. I could just be imagining it, but I was wondering if you were thinking this too."

[Colder-Than-Ice]

((OK, I GOT THE MESSAGE, I GOT THE MESSAGE! I'M TERRIBLY SORRY, I DIDN'T INTEND THINGS TO GO THIS FAR. MY NET WAS DOWN DURING THE WEEKEND SO I COULDN'T EDIT MY POSTS, BUT I TOO HAVE NOTICED MY CHARACTER IS TOO POWERFUL. BUT THAT CHANGES HERE AND NOW. SORRY FOR EVERYTHING, I HOPE WE CAN ALL FORGET THIS AND CONTINUE WRITING.))

Tyriael found quickly that the human was more than a match for his skills. He smiled, and with little effort called a lightning from the skies, burning the miserable thing. But suddenly a strange feeling hit him. Then it turned into an excruciating pain, and Tyriael fell to his knees, screaming in agony. His vision turned red. Suddenly, the whole reality twisted and bended around him, time turning back, undoing all his deeds. "w-w-what...is...this?" Tyriael managed to call in agony. It all felt somehow...familiar. The rage that filled him, the feeling that he could not control his fate. Suddenly the feeling was gone, and he was again flying above the field. Only this time there were no armies. "This...cannot be!"
Tyriael landed, feeling still week from the pain that had lifted only moments ago. A dim memory came into his mind. This was somehow related to him...a curse... Tyriael concentrated for a while, and with little effort called clouds to cover the stars. He then concentrated again, calling fiery rain to burn the ground. The rain started falling, and the grass burned with black flame. But then, again, the pain returned, this time worse. Tyriael squirmed in horrible agony as reality again corrected the acts he had committed. Again, he was flying in the air above the ground. The memory seemed clearer, he could almost catch it, but still it evaded his mind. "The answers...where are the answers?" Tyriael yelled into the now empty night.

[HolyMoses]

"I don't know, to be honest. The spy I caught seemed a bit surprised, although he didn't seem afraid until he knew I was there. We're just going to have to be extremely careful, and watch each other's back." Lent replied to her.
They both watched, mesmerized, as the fire started to consume the castle. The lights bounced strange shadows on the walls.
"Must you always sneak up like that?" Lent asked with out averting his eyes from the fires.
Galen emerged from the shadows behind him, a bit annoyed that Lent sensed him.
"We should go. Raziel's forces are half way to Meridian by now. Melchia is on his way with his army to clean up."
They both nodded, and jumped off the inner wall to the ground bellow. Jessie and Galen ran hard to catch up with Raziel, Lent kept the pace while gliding along with little effort.
Ahead of them a great battle was beginning. The vampires were making their first attack on Meridian.

By the time the trio got to the battle site, Zephon's forces were already scaling the walls by means of ladders. The sarfan forces hurried to push the ladders down, as Zephon's forces hurried to rebuild them and ascend. It was an ongoing battle of tug and war.
"At that rate, we'll tire the Sarafan out before we climb up there." Raziel said.
"What else can we do?" Turel asked.
A huge fireball was shot out beyond the city's wall and exploded a few yards away. Five vampires were shot up in the air due to the explosion.
"Whatever we need to do, we need to do it quickly. No doubt the Sarafan has already sent word of our attack and if we don't make it into the city in a day, reinforcements from Freeport will come and flank us from behind. " Raziel said.

The city of Meridian was like any other great city. A surrounding wall enclosed the entire common area, inside the city an inner wall protected the noble area and the keep.

"If we could just make it inside the city, we can defend the outer layer easily while attacking the keep at the same time. Dumah's forces will then follow behind the reienforcment's of Freeport and suprise them." Raziel responded.
"Sir", Galen said, "Lent and I got into Damindar to lower the drawbridge, we could do the same here."
"No," Raziel said, "The walls of Meridian are very tall. It would be too dangerous to climb."
"Lent could fly up." Galen said, Lent looked at Galen in surprise.
"You can fly?" Turel asked.
Lent took a deep breath. "Yes, I can. But perhaps we should see how effective Zephon's forces are."
The group turned to Zephon's forces, the humans began to dump hot water on the vampires as they climbed up. They shrieked in pain as they fell to the ground.
"Do you need further encouragement?" Turel asked sternly. "Are you worried what would happen if you failed?"
"It's not that. It's just Zephon's pride I'm worried about. If I clear the way for the forces, his would take that as an attack on him."
"Do not think about Zephon" Raziel said, "Think about Kain."

That was all Lent needed to hear. He ascended quickly, attaching his two axes at the hilt. He then landed on the balcony of the wall. The sarafan quickly rushed at him. Lent responded with an energy bolt to the guards from the left. It hit the first guard blowing a hole through his chest and forcing his body back so hard he knocked over 7 other guards. Lent rushed at the other guards, choosing to knock most of them over the sides rather than to fight them head on. It wasn't long until he reached the drawbridge release, and hit the switch. The drawbridge fell as more guards swarmed apon him. He then teleported back to the battle field and charged with Raziel's and Turel's forces.
"The outer wall has been opened. Charge the city!" They cried. Zephon's forces looked around in confusion, not realizing what had happened. In a furry, Zephone rallied his troops and entered in with the rest of the army.
The sarafan struggled to raise the bridge again, but Turel's forces climbed up the their defenses and insured that the gate would remain open for the Kain's army, which now was claiming it's first foothold of the capital.

[DarkWraith]

Alorian had travelled for nearly a week when he reached the outskirts of the village. There was still no sign of vampiric activity, but he could smell them. A vampiric scent hung thick within the air. He would have to be on his guard. The village seemed extremely well hidden for such a small place, hidden deep within a valley right out of sight. The very nature of the place being so hidden made Alorian feel uneasy but he was not one to allow his emotions interfere with his mission. Tightening the straps of his pack, Alorian pressed on into the village.