@Xaltwind I'll be keeping a close eye on this one. Btdubz, what are your thoughts on vampire characters? I ask, because I have a character in mind for this, but if I need to change anything, please let me know.
"I will rid myself of this curse by whatever means."
"Allow me to introduce myself."
Name: Count Corvin Lestraad de Leonhart of Alestira
Age: Unknown. Appears to be in his late twenties/early thirties
- The cursed children of the night, vampires are either born from a distinct bloodline, created via a ritual, or turned into one by another's bite, in the case of Corvin. They are commonly recognized by their key features: pale skin, snow-white hair, crimson eyes, and sharp fangs. They sustain themselves by drinking the blood of other living creatures but prefer human blood above all else. Vampires are masters of seduction and trickery, using their irresistible charm to lure their prey towards them. With just a simple glance, a vampire can take control of their victim's mind and subject them to their will, albeit temporarily.
As creatures born of darkness, vampires are resistant to nearly all forms of magic, however, they are incredibly weak to light or holy magics, such as those used by clerics and priests. Holy relics, silver weapons, and blessed water can also harm them. Vampires can see clearly in the dark, and at night, they gain a boost to their power. Alas, during the day, vampires grow weaker, and the longer they are exposed to sunlight, the more damage they take. A vampire must also feed regularly on blood, otherwise, they will wither away slowly and die eventually.
A vampire can be killed instantly either by a stake through the heart or decapitation.
Vampires also possess the inherent ability to shapeshift, commonly into a bat though some vampires can also take the form of a wolf or a cloud of mist, allowing them to seep through cracks in walls and under doorways.
Vampires cannot enter a person's home or residence without invitation. If they do so, they will receive the Curse of Forbiddance, suffering debilitating effects such as nausea, fatigue, and overwhelming anxiety.
Class: Necroblade- The Necroblade class is a hybrid class between a Spellsword and a Necromancer. Similar to Spellswords, Necroblades utilize both martial and magical abilities in combat, however, Necroblades tap into the dark powers of necromancy to summon undead from the dreaded Abyss, curse their enemies with debilitating effects, and feed off their life energy to heal themselves.
Necroblades favor light armor and rely on quick footwork and dexterity in combat, nimbly dodging their enemies' attacks rather than tanking damage. They are not fond of heavy armor or weapons either, as like the Spellswords, they prefer to wield light, quick blades such as rapiers, sabers, estocs, and other dueling implements.
Skills & Abilities:
Master Swordsman- Since he was a child, Corvin had a fond interest in the sport of fencing. Trained by his late uncle, he became a proficient swordsman by the age of thirteen. As he grew older and won many duels, his prowess with a blade furthered until he was a master of the art. Corvin can perform swift parries and ripostes and deliver quick jabs and cuts.
Arcane Scholar- Corvin never had much interest in learning magic, unlike the children of noblemen who attended the prestigious Scholia Arcana, but when he was cursed with vampirism, this aspect of his life changed dramatically. Corvin had spent nearly decades searching for a cure, and in doing so, he learned a great deal about magic and sorcery, so much that he became a scholar of magic in his own right. Corvin can recognize certain magics and dictate their strengths and weaknesses, and he knows numerous magical artifacts that exist hidden in the world.
Silver-tongued Devil- Whether it is his vampiric aura or just his natural charisma, Corvin can charm just about anyone, especially women.
Creature of Darkness- Vampirism is a scourge on humanity, but it does have its perks. As a vampire, Corvin has enhanced strength and speed beyond that of a normal human. His reflexes are greatly improved and his senses are sharper than ever, allowing him to smell or hear better than most humans. Corvin also gains the ability to see in the dark as though it were clear as day.
Summon Skeletal Warrior- Once per day, a necroblade can summon a skeletal warrior to aid them in combat. This skeletal warrior stays with them until either they are killed in battle or dismissed by the necroblade. As a necroblade becomes more experienced, they can summon a much stronger variant, the skeletal knight. When a necroblade has reached their full potential, however, they can call upon the most powerful of undead, the skeletal deathlord, who commands an army of skeletal warriors.
Curse of Debilitation- Necroblades channel their necromantic energies to cast curses upon their foes, weakening their defenses against both physical and magical attacks. Unless the curse is dispelled or outright negated by armor or abilities that protect from curses, the afflicted will suffer major penalties to their defense and other resistances.
Hellfire- One of a necroblade's offensive magics, necroblades can conjure a ball of necromantic fire that ignores any armor or magical defenses, doing direct damage to the enemy. As the necroblade's skill progresses, the attack becomes stronger. Necroblades start with the basic Hellfire spell, which progresses later to Hell Nova, then to Hell Inferno. Lastly is the strongest variant, Hell Cataclysm, which summons a massive explosion of fire that does area-of-effect damage upon impact.
Transformation: Bat Swarm- Self explanatory. Corvin can disappear and reappear in a swarm of bats to dodge attacks from enemies. As a swarm of bats, he can also reach high places and harry his enemies, allowing others in his party to inflict critical damage.
Dark Ritual- Invoking the Dark Ritual, Corvin can sacrifice one of his undead minions to gain a boost to his strength and speed. The amount of power he gains is dependent upon the strength of the undead sacrificed for the ritual.
Shield of Night- Corvin can cover himself with his cloak, acting as a shield against both physical and magical attacks. This is less an attribute of himself and more towards the cloak itself (details in the equipment menu)
Power of the Night- During the nighttime hours, Corvin gains a boost to his strength and mobility as well as a boost to his spellcasting ability. Spellcasting consumes less magical energy between 6:00 PM and 6:00 AM
Sanguine Ecstasy- Feeding gives vampires an overwhelming sense of pleasure and renewed youth and vigor. Temporarily, after feeding off a live subject, Corvin can receive a boost to his agility, making his physical attacks swifter and stronger. He can also recover health and magical energy faster while under this effect.
Equipment:
Vampiric Mail- Armor worn by vampires, supposedly made from mithril. It is light and flexible to move in yet durable enough to sustain damage. Perfect for a creature of the night.
Wide-Brimmed Hat Nothing special about this hat, other than it keeps the sun out of Corvin's eyes to help him see better during the day. It also doesn't hurt to look stylish while fighting monsters, does it?
Aquilion- The family heirloom blade of House de Leonhart, passed down through generations. It is a light, nimble silver sword, perfect for cutting and thrusting.
Sanguine Elixir- A red potion with an alchemical makeup similar to human blood. Though not as effective as the real thing, it temporarily staves off a vampire's hunger as well as gives them a boost to their strength and speed.
Twilight Cloak- A pitch black cloak with a crimson lining. Though it appears to be made of normal cloth, the cape is made from a magical material known only to vampires. The cape can harden to form a formidable shield around the wearer as well as turn into a set of bat wings to aid in flight.
Leatherbound Journal- Just a journal Corvin keeps on him at all times, either to record his adventures or just to jot down his current thoughts.
Personality: Charismatic, vain, arrogant, hedonistic, a bit of a flirt, closeted about his past, tormented by his existence as a vampire
Backstory: Corvin Lestraad de Leonhart was once a human nobleman, hailing from the southeastern country of Alestira. However, one night, while he was attending a ball at another nobleman's lavish estate, he met with a mysterious and undoubtedly striking young woman. She had long, snow-white hair that trailed down to her backside, a slender yet curvaceous figure, and a dazzling smile that seduced the young count immediately.
"Ah...my dear, you are certainly a goddess." Corvin swooned tenderly kissing her hand. "I have laid eyes on many a charming maiden here tonight, but none have struck my fancy such as you. Pray tell, what is your name, darling?"
The woman giggled, her voice ever so smooth and sultry, "Why don't I tell you...after we dance, Count Lestraad."
"Hmm, so you know me already I see.", Corvin laughed issuing a charming grin, gingerly taking her dainty hand in his and leading her onto the dancefloor. Gracefully, they swayed and twirled across the wooden floor, not once breaking eye contact.
Corvin found himself ensnared by her alluring beauty, her glowing porcelain skin, her full, luscious crimson lips. As they danced, she pressed her body closer to his, wrapping her arms tight around his muscular neck. She leaned in closer, whispering in his ear, "Why don't we go somewhere more...private...my dear count? The night is so young, and there is much more...pleasure to be had."
Corvin's face lit up red as a rose, a rather lurid smile curling his pale lips. How lucky was he, he thought with a quite lascivious intention, that he would be in the arms of such a ravishing beauty as her. Oh, indeed he would claim her this night.
While the party continued, the woman led him out into the gardens of the estate, pulling him hastily and excitedly by his arms into the thick foliage of a perfectly trimmed hedge maze. Corvin found himself lost in a sea of emerald soon, his head swimming with thoughts of pure ecstasy. It wasn't long before the woman was on him, attacking his lips with such ferocious passion it caught him off guard. Normally, he was the one who insinuated these steamy, late-night trysts, but now he found himself on the receiving end of such.
The woman grabbed him and pushed him up against a marble column in the center of the maze, pressing her hips and her breasts deeper into him, practically restraining him as she kissed him harder. She eventually pulled her lips away, breaking the long, fiery kiss.
Corvin watched as she dipped her head back, her eyes closed in rapture...but as they opened again...the young man noticed...a startling change.
The woman's eyes, once a soft rosy color, were glowing red...blood red.
His delight was quickly replaced by shock and terror. "By the gods! You're a...a VAMP-!"
Alas, he was too late to utter the dreaded name of the creature the woman had become...or rather was already. Two sharp fangs poked into his neck as she fell on him with a voracious hunger and sucked him nearly dry. When it was over, and the fiendish whore had her fill, she left him writhing in intense agony before succumbing to the pain and passing out.
The next day, the groundskeeper found Corvin lying unconscious. He was brought back to his family estate, deep in the Carthenwald Forest, where he lay bedridden for nearly eight weeks.
When he awoke, the change had already taken place, much to his dreadful dismay. His canines had grown long and sharp nearly passing his lips, his eyes...once a crystalline blue like his mother's, had turned into a sinister red, his skin was pale, almost like that of a dead man, and his raven black hair was now a stark white. He couldn't eat or drink anything either. Nothing would satisfy his appetite...nothing except...
"Oh gods help me....this is terrible!", Corvin lamented, staring into his bedroom mirror...only to find nothing but the wall behind him reflecting. Damn that she-devil, he thought gritting his teeth. She had lured him into her web, and now...he was this hideous creature. She had robbed him of more than just his humanity. Corvin had lost all dignity for himself. He was a fool for letting the bitch seduce him. If she were here now, he would drive a stake straight through her wicked heart and then cleave her pretty little head off with Aquilion.
He sighed, bowing his head in utter shame. If the story got out that he was a vampire, he would be ridiculed by his family and every other noble house, and completely ostracized. Worse, the Church and every vampire hunter would be gunning for his head. He had to find a cure for this wretched disease somehow, somewhere.
And so he set off on his long, arduous adventure, taking nothing from his home but a hat and cloak to conceal his identity, or so he hoped, and his family's prized longsword. Corvin decided the best way to discover a cure for vampirism was to track down the source itself. He raided dark, haunting crypts and tombs and explored crumbling castles and ancient citadels. Along the way, he fought against the most terrifying and powerful vampires he'd ever faced, killing them all with the aid of his silver blade. Afterward, he plundered every resource he could from their frightening abodes, books, scrolls, magical artifacts, and potions.
He had learned a great deal about magic from these findings, especially necromancy, and earned quite a boon from the rare armor he unearthed. Still, his efforts had proved fruitless. Corvin was beginning to think there was no cure. He was cursed to be a vampire forever...
Or so he thought...
During one of his explorations to the cursed lands of Gransylva (hint-hint), Corvin discovered an old book in the study of a vampire's castle high in the Dragonteeth Mountains. The book, written by a scholar from the Scholia Arcana in Iftenreld many years ago, told of a mysterious tower. It was said to be teeming with all sorts of monsters and deadly traps, but adventurers would find beyond its challenges treasures beyond their wildest dreams.
"Pfft! I bet." Corvin scoffed as he read. "A man like me doesn't need treasures." As he continued reading, however, his eyes came upon an interesting passage, the words practically jumping up from the page. Corvin read quietly, "Though it has not yet been confirmed, legends speak of an artifact known as the Ewer of Cleansing, sequestered within the tower's highest level, untouched by man. It is said whoever drinks from the mystical ewer's endless water will be cured of all ailments, all diseases, curses, and afflictions."
Corvin's heart fluttered ecstatically in his chest. This was it! This was the cure he had been searching for nearly all his undead life! He snapped the book shut, tucking it under his arm, and began to leave the study. Unfortunately, as he turned around...his eyes locked with the burning red glare of the castle's malevolent lord: Matthias Von Drakovich.
"And just what in the six hells are you doing in my home?!" Matthias growled baring his sharp fangs. The two clashed in an epic battle, yet Corvin failed to slay the vampire. During the fight, Matthias unleashed a barrage of dark energy that threw Corvin out a window and sent him plummeting to the ground below. He landed painfully yet survived the fall, dragging his broken body away along with the book he had stolen. There were quite a few empty pages towards the back, which Corvin devoted to writing on as a personal journal.
Thankfully that was the last he saw of Gransylva's infamous Vampire King. He spent the remainder of his days healing in a nearby cavern before continuing his journey, leaving the black lands behind him.
Much to his chagrin, Corvin has decided to travel with other enterprising adventurers. He cares nothing about obtaining glory and riches, as he only desires the Ewer. Alas, he has no choice but to fall in with their ranks. He will have to be careful not to reveal himself as one of the creatures of the night. Who knows how these others will react knowing a vampire lurks among them?
Despite the disheveled roads and the eerie atmosphere surrounding you, the trip through the forest was going rather smoothly.
You take a deep breath, momentarily letting your guard down. You still feel a sense of dread in the air, yet you see no signs of danger. For once, your mind is at ease. You decided whether or not you wished to partake in Chance's little card game. What could it hurt, you thought, or possibly you declined because of your religious obligations or simply because you had a mistrust of the dashing rogue and everyone around you.
The hulking thug Bert didn't make it much easier, scowling at you with ill contempt as the old carriage bumped along, the driver humming a rather upbeat folk song, perhaps to keep everyone's spirits lifted, including his. After all, he too was in the throes of this hostile land.
Alas, just as the game was getting good, the carriage suddenly stopped.
"Whoa! Easy there!" The driver calls to his two beasts of burden, the mules undoubtedly spooked by what lay before them. Curious, you peeked your head out the window to see what the commotion was all about. That was when your eyes beheld the village of Barille.
Twas as if no one had lived in this village for ages, the shambled shacks and cottages withering away, the musky odor of rotten wood hanging upon the breeze. Boards creaked and moaned, loose shutters banging in cold, howling winds that were akin...to the laments of the dead. In the distance, the cracked and rusted bell of an abandoned chapel tolled mournfully along with the woeful cackles of a few passing ravens.
The old man, from him you sensed his crippling fear ever growing...unmistakable terror towards whatever awaited four unlucky adventurers who dared to tread upon a land forever corrupted by the wicked and restless. Slowly, he turned towards you, his voice trembling with hesitation, "This is as far as I go, I'm afraid. Ye'll just 'ave to travel on foot from here. The next village isn't too far away, but be warned...old Barille is haunted. The spirits do not take kindly to trespassers."
"Bah!" Grumbled Bert with a hearty laugh and a slap on his knee. "Yer full of it, old man! There's no such thing as ghosts!" Crudely, the brute shoved his way past you and the others, unfortunately dragging poor Chance along, "C'mon ye wiley bastard! Let's get a move on! The sooner we get this over, the better!"
Gradually, albeit with a hint of apprehension, you departed from the carriage as well, taking your first steps on the unhallowed grounds of the Dead Kingdom. The realization had set in quick as a creeping chill inches up your spine, making the hairs on the back of your neck stand erect. The old carriage driver issued a nod of farewell, and with a crack of his riding whip, ushered his mules to hastily turn the carriage around, thundering away down the winding forest trail until his carriage vanished into the fog.
You were alone now, the four of you, left in a derelict hollow that was said to be haunted.
This was the beginning of your journey...and quite possibly...
...it could be your end.
As you followed behind Bert trundling carelessly along, you noticed a stain on the ground. The same stain was also spattered across the fronts of the dilapidated huts and market stalls...blood, dried patches of it everywhere. Something incredibly awful had befallen this place.
@Kazemitsu I'm sorry. Gransylva's highway department was murdered by a bloodthirsty vampire hundreds of years ago. The roads ain't been maintained ever since.
"I expect she's here for exactly the same reasons as you."
Alucard turned his head slightly, fixing his attention on the woman to the left of him, though he kept his hand hovering over his weapon.
He was well aware of her presence beforehand, having noticed a faint hint of blood in the air, but this wasn't like the blood he smelled earlier upon entering the village. It had a sharpness to it, a cold, metallic sensation Alucard couldn't place. It didn't even smell remotely human. His eyes met with the piercing green of the stranger's, immediately recognizing her stern demeanor, not once a betrayal of fear upon her....rather charming face if Alucard could be so bold as to admit. She had quite the commanding presence, yet the dhampir couldn't help but detect...that she was suffering inside from a sort of affliction. Was it a curse? No, the feeling wasn't arcane or magical in any sense. A disease, perhaps? If so, what kind of disease?
These questions mulled Alucard as he issued his own hardened glance at the mysterious woman, silently listening to her as she spoke, acknowledging her words with a curt nod of his head. He noticed briefly the sword at her side. Another combatant, he thought.
Populated she said the village was, but by whom? From what Alucard could tell, there was nobody left in this village but corpses. He hadn't seen a place so thoroughly razed than when his father waged bloody war against the humans of Wallachia. The poor souls who were lost in those wretched days...especially in Targoviste where the war began.
After she had finished her sentence, Alucard reluctantly released his hand from his blade and rested it at his side, issuing a bothersome sigh and shutting his eyes briefly. "Hmm...so it would appear." He muttered giving a short look around his dire surroundings. At this point, the shock of seeing so many dead had subsided. It almost felt mundane to the dhampir. Besides, death was nothing new. "If what you say is true, then we are all strangers in a strange land. I do not know what sort of magic, if any, it was that brought us here, but I intend to find its source."
A wry smile he put forth as he placed his hand over his chest and gave both females a gentlemanly bow. "Forgive my earlier brashness. I was merely keeping my guard. One cannot be too careful in a situation such as this. It is not my intention to harm others, lest I feel they are a threat."
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