Matthias sat alone in the dimly lit tavern, concealed beneath the shadows of a corner table. Gingerly, he sipped of a viscous, ruby liquid in a crystal chalice clutched between his steely fingers, keen, red eyes quietly observing the few patrons remaining. Long, damp strands of crimson hair clung to his sullen face, neatly framing his stern, angular features, sharp cheekbones and a pointed chin ending in a meticulously trimmed goatee. Over his broad shoulders was draped a long black cloak, barely covering a modest, charcoal Victorian suit with a frilled, white button shirt and an elegant red cravat tied around his neck.
For a moment or so, the man sat in demure silence, watching...waiting...
The soothing warmth emanating from the hearth kissed his pale flesh, a welcome contrast to the cold, bitter rain outside, fat drops pattering the window and snaking down the sheen surface of the glass. Dappled shadows danced across the walls and along the floor, like abstract shapes swaying mesmerically amidst the dull, vermillion haze.
Matthias sighed taking another small sip of his beverage of choice. Just then, the door creaked open and a figure ambled into the light. Matthias peered over his chalice, fixing his eyes onto the young woman as she stepped through the doorway, letting in a shrill gust of cold air momentarily robbing the tavern of its comforting warmth. He watched as she made her way over to the bar, a few cautious glances here and there before she asked the bartender for a cup of tea.
The first of many aspects that caught his observation were her fingernails. They were long and sharp, similar to his and those of his ilk, but unlike the dark color of his nails, hers were more of a crystalline, oddly fascinating.
There were also her eyes, glowing and radiant with soft golden hues, like the sun that once kissed his fair skin...now an abhorrence to him.
Matthias remained transfixed upon her as the night waned on. After a while, however, he slowly stood from his chair and sauntered over to the bar, the light shuffle of his polished, black riding boots trailing across the barroom floor.
"A bottle of your finest wine, my good sir." He whispered to the barkeep, his voice baritone. He then sat down beside the young woman, calmly adjusting his cloak.
I'm sorry to say this but I'm going to have to withdraw, good sir. As of now, my mental state is not the best. I need some time off to recuperate. I really looked forward to this, but right now I can only handle so much. Again, I'm sorry to have disappointed you.
Guys, I am so sorry to say this, but since the RP has been moving slowly and at some points was at a complete standstill, I have lost interest and will not be continuing it. Plus I'm not in the best mental health right now. I know I promised you all that this would be a good RP, but I just can't continue with it.
I'm sorry for everyone that I let down, and if you're upset or angry with me, I fully understand. I honestly hate pulling the rug out from under you like this, but I wanted to make it clear that this RP is unfortunately dead.
Perhaps in the near future when I am ready, I will revive it or come up with a new concept. Until then, this is Vlad Tepes signing out.
@Mas Bagus So about that vampire... Here he is! Let me know if there's anything I need to change. I tried my best to fine-tune his backstory a little so it would give him a purpose for joining the others in this adventure.
"I will rid myself of this curse by whatever means."
- 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.
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, epees, 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.
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.
Power of Sire 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.
Curse of Forbiddance- Vampires cannot enter a home or residence without first being cordially invited in. Therefore, if Corvin enters any house or building without invitation, he will suffer painful migraines, nausea, fatigue, and overwhelming anxiety. Over time, his magical energy will start to drain.
Sun-Sickness- Vampires grow weaker in sunlight. The longer they are exposed to it, the more damaging it becomes over time. Between the hours of 6:00 AM and 6:00 PM, Corvin must avoid over-exposure to sunlight or he will become fatigued, suffering serious penalties such as decreased health and magical energy. Corvin also cannot recover health and magical energy while in sunlight. Continuous exposure can cause him to burn painfully.
Blood-Starved- As a vampire, Corvin must feed on blood regularly to sustain himself. If he goes without feeding for several days, he will become blood-starved, meaning he will suffer debilitating defects such as weakness, headaches, nausea, and lethargy. Eventually, blood starvation progresses into blood mania, causing Corvin to turn feral and attack anyone around him. Feral vampires have more strength and speed than their blood-fed counterparts, but they are far weaker in sunlight and far more susceptible to physical and magical damage.
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, in a continent far away from Varenheim. 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 dame here tonight, but none have struck my fancy such as you. Pray tell, what is your name?"
The woman giggled, her voice smooth and sultry, "Why don't I tell you...after we dance, Count Lestraad."
"Hmm, so you know me already.", Corvin laughed with a charming smile, gingerly taking her dainty hand in his and leading her onto the dancefloor. They swayed and twirled across the wooden floor so gracefully, 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 quite lascivious intentions, that he would be in the arms of such a ravishing beauty. 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 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.
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 with her body as she kissed him harder. She eventually pulled her lips away, breaking the long, fiery kiss and gasping for breath
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 and cloak 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 civilization that once existed in Varenheim, the lost, ancient city of Nuria. It was said to be teeming with all sorts of monsters and deadly traps, but beyond its perils, adventurers would discover numerous treasures and magical artifacts 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 at him. Corvin read quietly, "Though it has not yet been confirmed, legends speak of an artifact known as the Ewer of Cleansing, once sequestered in a temple deep within the city of Nuria. 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 in as a personal journal.
Thankfully that was the last he saw of Gransylva's infamous Vampire King. Corvin spent the remainder of his days healing in a nearby cavern before continuing his journey, leaving the black lands behind him and booking passage to the continent of Varenheim via a merchant ship.
When he arrived at Kenningar Port several weeks later, he noticed a peculiar young lad passing out fliers. "Flier for you, sir?" The boy said practically shoving the paper in Corvin's face. Corvin, not all that enthused with the boy's apparent rudeness, snatched the flier out of his hand and shooed the lad away. Afterward, he adjusted his hat to regain the sight the damned glaring sun had robbed from him and read.
"...Seeking all able-bodied adventurers from Glenfalas up to the north to Lydeniew in Westernant. I, Vesemir Barandir, one of the continent's most renowned archeologists and historians, require brave people, who are trustworthy, and fair and yearn for an exciting yet perilous adventure, to aid me in a journey to the Ancient City of Nuria.
The reward shall be aplenty, and you will be treated as equal because your goal is my goal too.
-Vesemir"
And so, 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?
@Mas Bagus Sweet! I've had a character lined up for a long time, but I could never find the right RP to put him in. I'll need to do some more sprucing up on his CS, but when I finish, I'll let you decide whether or not you approve of him beforehand.
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