Reactions of the World: Vampires Counts and Coasts & Bretonnia

(General POV)

Location Warhammer Old World-Sylvania/Castle Drakenhof, the Banquet Hall of Drakenhof

Sylvania, formally the County of Sylvania, is a formerly independent realm that had its territories absorbed by the Grand County of Stirland, an Electoral Province of the Empire of Man.

But perhaps the most defining feature of this backwater region of the eastern Old World is that it is considered the rightful domain of the Vampire Counts of the von Carstein bloodline with the current ruler being Vlad von Carstein, whose claim is disputed by the counts of Stirland.

As far as most Imperial folks are concerned, the County of Sylvania may as well be in a different country all-together almost as it stuck in time and eternal night as it was technologically, lacks behind the rest of the Empire, and gunpowder is treated as a frightening marvel.

For those that know or dare come to those dark desolate lands, the lands of Sylvania is a place of undeath, plagued with endless hordes of undead commanded by a necromancer, which in turn is under the command of a Vampire Lord or Count.

Vlad and Isabelle Von Carstein the Count Lord and Lady of all Sylvania, and Vlad being the Patriarch of the Von Carstein bloodline, they gathered their "descendents" to a lacish and bloody banquet, as maidens were gutted and presented on the grand dinning table at the center of the hall.

The history of these two vampires and deeply in love wedded couple started long ago, as Prince Vladimir von Carstein arrived in Sylvania claiming to be the heir of Vashanesh and aided Vanhel to master necromancy.

In the year 1797, the last of the mad Von Drak Counts of Sylvania, Otto, was lying on his deathbed, cursing the gods for leaving him without an heir, his beautiful but cruel daughter, Isabella, would only need to marry a suitable suitor and his line would be secured, but Otto trusted none of the other Sylvanian nobles and few people from the rest of the Empire wished to inherit such a cursed and ill-regarded kingdom. So it was with his dying breaths, he promised he would rather let a daemon inherit than his scheming brother Leopold.

Although Vlad was highly eccentric, he only wandered abroad at night and didn't eat in the company of his servants, this was nothing new and Vlad seemed to care about the Sylvanian people, in fact, local wolves stopped preying on those who were loyal to Vlad, feeding only on those who sought to fight Vlad, however more mysterious things started to happen as time wore on with increase number of undead and more...

This is when he and Isabella von Carstein started to interact more and this woman was to eventually become his beloved, and dearest wife, she has always been a darkly beautiful and quick witted, the marriage with Vlad soon developed into love and devotion on both sides with Vald long resisted her pleas into join him in undeath.

Finally as she was struck down with a wasting illness he granted her desire, she was his most trusted confidente and the only one whose advice he trusted, now they reign unchallenged across the lands of undead.

Vlad and Isabelle were sitting on their respected thrones on the upper level of this room, this gothic banquet hall of red, and black, with chandeliers swing and alit with candles, and many vampires and

Vlad sat there menacing in the dim dark room with his famous blade the Blood Drinker, a sword that as it draws blood revitalises its master strapped to his side, and on his right gauntlet cover ring-finger was the infamous "Carstein Ring" which allows him or any wearer to return from death, however it may occured. 

They called this feast and ball for more than merriment and entertainment, bit to inform them of the current events from the north, there were many strong vampires gathered from Mannfred, Konrad, Luxina, and even Lady Ariette von Carstein, the First of the New Generation quite a beauty and a handmaiden to Isabelle.

Manfred Von Carstein a masterful tactician and general, with a insatiable hunger for power, his origins are unknown but it begins with the coming of his Sire, Vlad von Carstein, after Vlad's destruction at Altdorf, Mannfred disappeared for some time, he travelled to the lands of the Dead, visiting ancient tombs in Nehekhara and Lahmia, taking secrets for ancient liche Priests, finaly he made his way to Nagashizzar gaining much magical lore and power.

When he obtained the power he sought he return to Altdorf believing his blood-brother, Konrad, dead and his rise to power secured only for his arrival he was meet with a resurrected Vlad and Konrad alive swearing once again fealty to their patriarch, all his plans ruins he was forced to serve once again.

There he was in his iconic Armor of Templehof, the protective gothic like plate fuses with him, the only thing not with him at the moment were his infamous weapons Gheistvor; Sword of Unholy Power, as it possesses a unique taste for blood, and so upon drinking it enhances its masters magic, and the"Ebony Staff" a powerful tool in commanding the Undead, it is also known as the Black staff of Undeath, resembling more sickle than a staff.

Konrad Von Carstein in his infamous red armor was feasting on bloody meat, as he sat on the dinning table.

Konrad once succeeded Vlad von Carstein as the second Vampire Count of Sylvania, for a while, he is infamous as the most ferocious and bloodthirsty of the von Carstein dynasty.

Although he considered the living within his domain as nothing more than something to hunt for sport, he was also extremely territorial, marking his borders with the heads of his enemies, no other vampire was allowed to enroach on his chosen domain.

His mental stability was never sound, and much less when he became a vampire, his exploits range from burning down entire towns because their smells displeased him, and trying and convicting his own mother for the crime of having given birth to him without his prior permission, he also made a habit of killing many necromancers, as they often made the mistake of mocking Konrad's pitiful magical powers.

When he attacked Altdorf long ago, Lady Isabelle had managed to resurrect his true lord, and Sire Vlad he immediately relinquished his position as a Count, and swore service to him once again, till this day he has been loyal...and warry of his blood-brother Mannfred.

Luxina van Winkle the Countess of Crimson Flying Stinger, she was dancing and singing to the music in the banquet, she was originally from Kislev hence her accent as she sang, many believe she's utterly crazy and she'd agreed.

Luxina is a vampire countess of Sylvania, she is a unbelievable beauty that is quite bloodthirsty in a literal sense and the only vampire that took a taste for seeing creatures as various types of wine she can taste and rate, Luxina was quite possibly the only vampire that has feasted on more than humans or elves, from orcs to dwarves, and even Chaos followers she's tasted and eating them all, which as cause some things to happen to her.

Such as when a rare Chaos invasion into Sylvania a tzeentchian army attacked, she lead a army of undead against the invaders laughing, singing, and enjoying the war and massacre she'd caused and at the end she feed on the Chaos Lord, whose name she forgot and as a result the ruinous power of Tzeentch flowed through her...but her own madness protected her from full-corruption from the Lord of All Change, her hair turned from white to dark blue, straight hair.

Plus Luxina van Winkle, gain unique ability that fit her prefered weapon a huge, long barrel musket-bayonette now she can magical control the bullets she fires like a angry hornet-stinger that doesn't stop tearing into her victims until she wants to, hence her moniker of "Countess of the Crimson Stinger" which is also the name of her beloved bayonet the Crimson Stinger, after that massacre Countess Isabelle Von Carstein rise her in status and power, she is one or the most "trusted" and "fear" vampires in Sylvania, for their a disturbing rumor that she has also feed on defeated and slaughter rivals.

As she enjoyed herself she noticed many of her fellow vampires were staring at her with worry and fear, that's when the music stopped as both Vlad and Isabelle demanded their attention.

All even the crazed Luxina stopped their celebrating to focus on what the Vampire Lords of Sylvania, had to say to them.

They told them that Winds of Magic were erratic, completely in disarray all originating from the north, as several bats started to swarm and enter the Drakenhof Banquet Hall, Isabella gently lifted her right hand and extended her finger allowing a bat to land on it, as she petted it.

Vlad informed them that their spies, the bats on the far north were acting hectic and almost more deadly for a New God of Chaos, Laharl Valboga known as the Bat God of Norsca, has descended onto the world and his Champion was making his way south Kislev and most likely to Sylvania, as well.

Vlad instruct his followers to gather and rise as many undead, as they can possibly muster from the graves of Sylvania, for this was both a threat to their domain but also an opportunity if...and that's a big "if" this Chaos army doesn't come to the Land of the Undead, than they can attack what hasn't fallen to the living.

This brought a collected cheers, as the festivities resumed and the Vampire Counts were preparing for battle or to finally wage war and conquest across the Known World!!

Once the vampires left from Castle Drakenhof, and started to return to their personal domains, to do as the Lords of Sylvania commanded them to do...with exception for Mannfred, he saw the whole situation as a opportunity to gain the power and his desired position as Vampire Count Lord over Sylvania.

Helman Ghorst is a Necromancer and servant of Mannfred von Carstein, rising to power through tragedy and madness.

Helman Ghorst was once a man, yet that life was ripped from him by the uncaring vicissitudes of fate, the loss of his dear father and brothers to plague sent Ghorst into an obsessive madness, unable to accept death or move on, he began studying and dabble in the black arts in the hope of returning his lost family to life.

Inevitably, Ghorst he drew the attention of the Witch Hunter, Alberich von Kordon, and so abandoned Templehof and fled to Vargravia, taking the corpses of his brothers and father with him, determined to find a way to return them to life through Necromancy.

It was through this search he eventually stumbled to the forsaken and corrupted lands of Sylvania, that he attracted the attention of Mannfred von Carstein, rather than killing Ghorst, the Count revealed further dark secrets to him, transforming Helman into something beyond the grief-maddened man from Templehof.

Now, he is carried through the night on a bone-ridged cart, pulled not by horses, but by the brothers he so desperately wished to save each a once-handsome farrier restored to a mockery of life, forced to stumble along at the head of their kin's unloving host.

Driven into madness and grateful for it he became a devote servent of Mannfred so when he called him to his castle of Sternieste, the Vampire Lord had need of him for he has a new plan to rise to greater power and overthrow his patriarch, Ghorst was more than willing to serve and obey.

In another part of Sylvania, the necromancer name Heinrich Kemmler the Lichemaster, also the most powerful and feared necromancers of all time.

He stands a little over 6 feet in height, underneath his robes, his body is covered with scars, cuts and abrasions from his years of madness whilst his hair is long, filthy and white, Heinrich is shrouded in a large dark cloak that can carry its wearer across the veil between worlds.

For many years Heinrich wandered the Grey Mountains and the Border Princes as little better than a half-sane beggar it was in the Vaults where by some quirk of fate, he uncovered the tomb of Krell, a long dead Chaos Champion whose burial mound was so magnificent it towered high above him, here Kemmler struck a terrible pact with the gods.

They restored him to his former power and in return, Heinrich swore to slay and destroy in their name, the name of the Lichemaster once again struck terror into the hearts of ordinary folk, his first target was the small village of Frugelhofen in the Black Mountains, as well as a nearby mine and farm.

Because of his bargain with the Chaos Gods to allow him to resurrect their champion, Krell, that he must prepare for a new Dark Champion, for he is coming to Sylvania to fight against Vlad von Carstein, and he is to either face or serve Ixion Daemonhart for when the Dark Legion is coming to invade.

Location the Vampire Coasts of Lustria

Infamous coastline in the continent of Lustria, which is located on the north-eastern shore of the continent facing the Great Ocean, between the ruined Lizardmen temple-cities of Huatl to the north and Axlotl to the south and from Cape Ruin at the continent's easternmost point to the mouth of the River Qurveza to the southwest.

It was the Vampire Pirate King, Luthor Harkon who made this coastline infamous and feared, as many pirate crews of undead horror have been pirating and haunting these ports for centuries making nights on this location of Lustria much more dangerous than ever.

The land is described as a region of foggy, several rivers, filled with pestilent jungle and foetid swamps.

Indeed for over 1,000 miles, the visitor sees an almost unbroken length of mangrove swamp, the tangled roots daring an explorer to pick out a way within, between Cape Ruin and the mouth of the River Querveza, the mouths of five smaller rivers pierce the jungle to empty into the sea, so evenly spaced from one another that some have speculated they were dug in some unknowable project of the Old Ones.

On the infamous the Black Coffin, the main ship of Arch Grand Commodore, Luthor Harkon the infamous and mad vampire that has terrorized the coasts of Lustria for centuries.

His infamy is quite a legend, for in the region of the New World known as the Vampire Coast owes its name to Luthor Harkon, a Vampire of unknown origins who established a realm on the northeastern stretch of the Lustrian shoreline after becoming stranded there many years ago.

As leader of a pirate fleet crewed by the dead and the damned, he holds sway over a sea region proven to be incredibly treacherous to unwary vessels, swelling his horde of undead mariners with shipwrecked unfortunates, while on a fateful quest to gain untold treasure from the lizardmen temples, he attempted to use Dark Magic to enter ancient chambers sealed with powerful glyphs, which retaliated and started to drain his lifeforce, Luthor managed to break free but the damage had been done his connection to the Winds of Magic was severed and his mind shattered, leaving his personality fractured into a dozen different facets battling for dominance.

In the years since, the only common goal that Luthor's various personalities have been able to work towards is that of finding a cure for his condition, seizing the Lizardmen's artefacts in the hope that their power can heal his damaged psyche.

While preparing for another raid upon one of the lizardmen temple city, in search from one of the artifacts to restore themselves, but the lizardmen were being hectic protecting all their temple cities, and territories with greater levels of ferocity that they'd never faced before, while sailing his usual sea-path he attacked a Chaos vessel from the far south, they discover that the reason that a New God has arisen for those fanatical landlovers, not that they care as long as they can restore themselves as one.

In the Galleon's Graveyard on the ship Count Noctilus called Bloody Reaver.

He was once known as Nyklaus von Carstein of Sylvania, was drawn to the maelstrom at the heart of the ocean to feast upon its dark magic, he performed a mighty ritual to transport himself, his castle and all his undead minions there to the Galleon's Graveyard, a mystical place where wrecks and hulks of the seas are drawn.

Now reborn as Count Noctilus, he raised the shattered remains of sunken warships to form the hull of the Bloody Reaver and ride the waves of the mortal seas once more.

Count Noctilus has already learned of the chaos wrought by the new God of the Norscan that has born, it didn't interest him

On the galleon Swordfysh, Aranessa Saltspite the Queen of Tides also the Pirate Queen, the hated rival of Count Noctilus and bane of Norscan that sail in the area, was just killing another Norscan.

Amongst the most feared of all the pirate captains of Sartosa is the Queen of Tides, Aranessa Anja Saltspite, rumored to has it that she is the daughter of the Sea-God Manann himself.

In truth she was a Norscan, the daughter of chieftain of the coastal settlement known as Skjold, who desired a strong male heir, the chief was incensed to have sired not only a daughter, but also a mutant, as Aranessa was born covered in spines, with webbed fingers, scaly limbs and legs that merged into a fan of flesh below her knees instead of feet.

The people of Skjold killed their mutant children, so Aranessa's father was only too happy to throw his newborn daughter into the merciless sea before the sun had even set on the day of her birth.

Only she'd survived and that she rose fully grown out of the waves in a froth of gore, with seawater flowing through her veins instead of blood, and growing to despise the northmen as she sunked and slaughtered any Norscan ship she'd came across as she grew up to become a Pirate Queen.

To others, she is simply a mutant who cut off her own fishtail after being cast out of her Norscan tribe as a child, whatever her origins may be, her skill at a ship's helm or with a weapon in hand is such that none can dispute her lethality in a sea battle, having absorbed all there is to know about the art of sailing over her lifetime, she now leads the crew of her mighty square-rigged galleon known as the Swordfysh, hunting down the wolf-ships of the Norscan fleets with a cold vengeance that makes even her own crew invoke the sign of Manann for protection.

This latest battle has revealed to her of the descend of another accursed Chaos God, name Laharl Valboga has caused the northern tribesmen become hectic and sail to return to Norsca or raid her territory, not that it matters to her the more of these pigs she'd kills, the better the world in her opinion, as she returned to her galleon and set sail again.

Cylostra Direfin is the vengeful spirit who commands the Lamprey, a cursed ship that oft appears in the raging tempests of the open sea.

The Lamprey was sailing across the sea, in search for anything to free them of their dark curse, in Cylostra case is to finally achieve her final act before a storm swallowed the Lamprey down below the waves, and that's to perform for the Phoenix King, the very reason she lead a mutiny that cost them their live and afterlife, she has heard of

In all honesty the Vampire Pirates and those that sail across the Vampire Coasts, were least affected by the news believing that the forces of Chaos would be uninterested on the coasts.

Ohh how wrong they are for the Dark Legion, and it's dark lord, Ixion Daemonhart want the world, the whole world.

Location Bretonnia/Châlons-The Sacred Lake of the Lady

Bretonnia, formally the Kingdom of Bretonnia, also known more prosaically as the "Land of Chivalry," is a highly martial Human feudal kingdom of the Old World that lies between the lands of the Grey Mountains and the Great Ocean.

Bretonnia is second only in size to that of the Empire among the realms of Men in the Old World, and is both the Empire's chief rival and closest ally, having a culture and society that revolves around the ideals of nobility, a strict social hierarchy based on aristocratic birthright, and the upholding of a strictly enforced code of chivalry.

Bretonnia is widely considered to be the fairest and most beautiful land in all the Old World. It is a green land of fertile farms, rolling hills, starkly beautiful mountains, and airy forests.

Bretonnian chefs are famous for their culinary skills, and the wine produced in the vineyards of the country is renowned throughout the world, it is seen as a land of honour and virtue, where noble knights keep the domain safe as peasants till the fields, where chivalrous heroes slay monsters and rescue fair damsels, this is the image Bretonnians want to project, and it is not entirely false.

The religion that dominates this great feudal kingdom is the worship of a local elemental deity known to the Bretonnian people only as the Lady of the Lake.

In the sacred lake, as Morgiana le Fay, known more commonly as the Fay Enchantress, is the personal representative of the Lady of the Lake, the regional goddess of Bretonnia, and as such is the most influential figure in that kingdom.

Has arouse from the tranquil water of the beautiful flower surrounded thd Sacred Lake of Châlons, the maiden of golden hair adorn with a flower-crown in a beautiful white gown, she'd summoned all the greatest knights in the realm.

The Green Knight was there first, in his spectral green form, armor, and steed standing of the side answering the dire call of the Lady.

In truth he is or was Gilles le Breton, also known as Gilles the Uniter and was the founder of Bretonnia and one of the first Grail Knights, and sacred protector of Bretonnia, appearing always at the greatest times of need.

Louen Leoncoeur the Lionhearted was there with his knights and army, he is the greatest leader of the Bretonnians since Gilles the Uniter, a mighty Warrior-King, his subjects know well that he is the pinnacle of Knightly perfection and honor, highly skilled on the field of battle and a master of tactics and strategy, Louen has never known defeat.

Beside him was the hero, Calard of Garamont, and his knights also answering the call of the Lady, as for who he is, he is a mighty Grail Knight who rules as both Lord of Garamont and Castellan of Bastonne, which bares the blue and red colors, and a helmet is top with his banner and a golden lion on a winged pedestal, Calard became renowned after saving Bretonnia from an army of undead, slaying the Vampire Duke of Mousillon, Merovech the Butcher, over half a century since that fateful day, Calard's many heroic deeds are now recounted across the length and breadth of Bretonnia, blessed by the Lady to live long and in his prime as hero knight of the realm.

Lastly was Alberic of Bordeleaux holding his helmet on the side and his men beside him, he the current Duke of Bordeleaux, he is renowned for his personal courage and astounding self-discipline.

Alberic's tunic is proudly displayed the crest of Bordeleaux, the tri-forked Trident of Manann, God of the Waves and Storms, he is also notorious for expecting all of his household knights to reach the same standard and for dismissing those who do not as a result, he has the smallest household of any of the dukes, but the knights there are some of the greatest in the realm.

The wielder of the "Wrath of Manann", is a mighty weapon, those struck by the Sea God's trident are swept away by a crushing tide of furious wrath, he was holding the trident on the side of his right horse.

Repanse de Lyonesse, the only female Grail Knight, she was originally a humble and devoutly religious shepherdess, Repanse would go on to become one of the most renowned heroes in Bretonnian history.

Taking up the arms and armor of a fallen knight, and with the divine blessing of the Lady, Repanse rallied the armies of Lyonesse into defeating a massive Chaos invasion.

The wielder of the "Sword of Lyonesse" it is a mighty relic warblade the sword of a devout and honorable knight of olden times, led to the sword by the Lady herself, Repanse found it in a mystical Grail Chapel, she had been guided well for the sword had great power over enemy magic, it protects her from the greatest of spells and magical artefacts although it had no power over other magical weapons, many believe that this holy blade descended to her by the Lady herself.

The Fay Enchantress/Morgiana le Fay, thanked all of them for coming in such a moment of great peril.

She told them that vile undead were steering amassing in such number like first invasion of Vlad von Carstein, but that wasn't all she told them, with her great power she was able to see and regrettably feel the ascension of new, vile evil from the North.

A new Chaos God, has descended to their world, it name Laharl Valboga the Chaos God of Carnage & Darkness, his manifestation onto the world it what steered the abominable undead to start amassing forces, and it was up to the brave, and honorable heroes of Bretonnia to destroy these evil, hence she not only called them, she'll join the upcoming battle.

They swore on their names and honor, that they'll eradicate all traces of the vile undead and of the corrupt Chaos off not just their lands but also from this world!!!

Once again the Fay Enchantress thanked them, and named King Louen Leoncoeur the one to lead this grand army in to not only the jaws of death and darkness, but glorious victory, with this proclamation all the knights gathered chanted the name of the Warrior-King, for it was time for the brave men of Bretonnia to save all in the name of the Lady.