Post: #1

The ancient keep spoke of immense power, though squat and ugly nonetheless it stood solid on the mountainside. Those who gazed at it felt a thrill of fear run down their spines at its unassailable walls, barred gates and other potent defenses. Yet if they knew what the castle held they would have felt more than a mere thrill.
The central tower spiralled high up into the air, offering an unrivalled view for leagues around, though there was not much to see. Seemingly endless forests, filled with beastmen, goblins and other unwholesome creatures, yet it was a good a defense as the massive stones walls against those who would hunt down the keeps master.
He stood now atop the mighty structure, surveying his lands and he was not pleased.
But then he had not been pleased for many years now and for good reason, for he was the Red Duke, the fabled monster of legend, the fallen Bretonnian lord, and a coldness burned within him like no other. Cast out and hunted by those once lower than him, he was forced to hide away like some wild animal, he who had defeated every enemy know to Bretonnia, he who had created his kingdom to be the rival of any in all of this fey land, and now it was in the hands of usurpers, pretenders, whilst some posturing weakling sat on the throne, controlled like a puppet by the bitch enchantress.
His gauntleted hand gripped the stone battlement hard, rage blazing in eyes as he remembered how far he had fallen. The stone beneath his fingers split and crumbled under the pressure yet he could not stop, every night he came up here, remembering, waiting, planning. Trying to think of a way he could finally be released from this isolation and to take back what was rightfully his, and each night was a failure.
In the keep beneath his thousands of dead warriors lay, ready to answer his beck and call, scores of deadly vampire knights ready to obey their dark lords wishes, wights stood ready with their glowing runic blades, yet it was not enough. He had learnt twice now not to underestimate the cattle, the next time he rode against them would be the final time, the victorious time.
A screech brought the duke out of his brooding, out of the thickening clouds a winged shape had appeared. As it drew closer he could see it was holding something in his claw and recognised the form of his get, Merovich. The creature slowed as it reached the tower, gently depositing its master on its top.
Slowly Merovich rose to his feet, bloody, beaten and obviously in great pain. That was not important to the Duke, however his news was,
"Well?" his voice was calm, collected and showed nothing of his internal struggle,"has it been done, has sh- the traitor been taken care of?"

Post: #2

Merovich placed a blood stained gauntlet over his empty eye socket,
"No my sire...she escaped me, though I did strike her a blow to the shoulder," Merovich said, hate blazing in his eye.
"She's allied with the council," Merovich looked pleadingly at his sire, "father I need more warriors if I am to crush those weaklings, they hide behind their pathetic sorcery instead of taking to the field".

Post: #3

At his gets words the Red Duke stood motionless, just the slight tensing of his cheeks betraying his anger. When he spoke it was still the calm and collected tone,
"She.....escaped?" Those two words were enough to for Merovich to set back, fear replacing the rage in his eyes,
"My lord, I-I....there was nothing I could do!" he stammered, "her allies, the so-called Vampire Council are many. They have potent warriors and stro-" his last words were cut off by blow to the face, a backhand from the Red Duke sent his get sprawling to the floor,
"Excuses, nothing but excuses," he snapped, as his cool demeanor finally dissolved, "you had scores of my own troops, warriors trained by my hand. Yet you fail. Fail to bring back the head of the one who betrayed me." Turning his back on his get he walked back over to the parapet, glaring at the surrounding forest once more,
"If you were any other Merovich......" the threat was blatantly clear, and the young vampire shivered as he rose from the floor,
"Father, I will not fail you again, give me -"
"I will give you nothing!" roared the Red Duke, spinning back round he advanced on the rapidly retreating Merovich, "and you will not fail again either, because you will not be in command. I have hidden away for too long, if the Council wishes to deny me my right, then they shall pay by my hand." Calming himself down he paused for a moment before addressing his get once more,
"Tell me, what are the forces of the council?"

Post: #4

Merovich visibly relaxed now that his sire had calmed
"Mostly Zombies and skeletons,there were a few Mortals and Ogers, and a small force of Calvary thou their numbers will most likely be increased by the forces I left behind". Merovich cracked his neck "my sire if I may how come you simply use you connection to Katrina to find her?" Merovich questioned.

Post: #5

At Katrina's name the Duke span ran and with a blur of speed grasped Merovich by his throat. Slowly he lifted his get of the ground, the iron grip choking him.
"You was warned last time," he hissed through clenched teeth, "Do. Not. Mention. That. Name. In. My. Presence." Each word was said with enough force to make Merovich flinch, helpless in his fathers grasp,
"Are we clear Merovich?" the Duke demanded. Managing to nod his head slightly Merovich was realised and fell to the ground, just managing to stop himself from falling over,
"I am sorry father," he said hoarsely, "I will not make the mistake again." Somewhat appeased the Duke turned back, apparently contemplating the forces of the council,
"What of the Lords of the Council, I must know their strengths, their weaknesses if I am to go to war against them."

Post: #6

Merovich frowned thinking,
"Well she is there, as well as Mistress Lesa and her husband, Simon von Carstein and his brother Mircea are there also." Merovich paused, trying to make sure that he had left nothing out.
"Also a Strigoi dog and a couple of Necrach". Merovich thought about this next part carefully,
"But my Sire, tomorrow night I will begin to learn more of this Council, thanks to a certain little gift I left behind," he said, grinning broadly at the last part.

Post: #7

As he heard the names the Duke looked thoughtful, before replying to his get,
"I have heard of those names, the whore Lesa is reputed to be a powerful magic user, as is her husband. Simon and Mircea von Carstein are also powerful lords." He appeared to be troubled as he paced the tower top,
I had not imagined this council had attracted such a following, they will no doubt have a vast army, especially if what I have heard of Simon's lands are to believed. Ka- 'she' has chosen well with her allies." A feral smile spread across his face as he contemplated the task before him,
"However, it is a challenge worthy of myself, a foe worthy to be overcome. I will make the council grovel on their knees and I will have 'her' head." Turning back to Merovich the Duke was about to give an order when something his get said caught his attention,
"What little gift do you speak of?"

Post: #8

Merovich looked at his sire a look of concern on his face,
"I sired a girl before I left," he said, not looking his sire in the eyes.
"The little bitch cut my eye out!" he shouted pointing at his empty socket, before his sire could question him further. Merovich thought back to that moment and the intense pain it had caused him.

Post: #9

At Merovich's words the Red Duke stood still, as if frozen. Muscles twitched in his face as he strove to control his anger,
"I specifically forbade from creating a get did I not?" he snarled though clenched teeth, "not only do you fail in your task, you go against my wishes!" A snarl of anger was followed by a blow that knocked the younger vampire to his knees. Before he could retaliate he felt himself being lifted into the air, struggling in fear he bellowed in horror as he was dangled over the battlements.
"Father, no! please!" he begged as the ground far below seemed to swim across his vision, " I did not mean to disobey, pleaasseeeeeeeearghhhhhhhhh!"
As his get fell the hundreds of feet to the hard ground below, the Red Duke turned his back, already thinking of his plans against the council. His own forces would not be enough, he knew that for certain. Perhaps now was the time to call in old favours, old debts. There was one particularly who owed him, whether he though so or not.
Walked down the steps of the tower he was met by the commander of the guard, a burly and well trained vampire,
"My Leige, the body of Merovich......." the warrior faltered, well aware of his masters temper, "We have just discovered it at the foot of the castle, I do not know how he got-" Cutting off the commanders words with a wave of his hand the Duke walked past,
"I put him there. Perhaps the whelp will learn not to disobey me. He will be fine, he is already dead after all. Arrange someone to bring him to me, I have a task for him."

Post: #10

The Duke looked out of the large window in his study. Far below in the courtyard in could see his troops slowly assembling. Wights were being summoned out of crypts, skeletons from the mass grave pits, and walking around them were his children. Clad in blood red armour they commanded the lesser dead, marshalling them into units as the Red Dukes forces prepared for war.
It was not enough though, far from it if Merovich's word's were true. But the Duke had lived long, and many others of his kind had allegiances to him. Now was time to call in their debts.
A knock at the door roused him from his thoughts,
"Enter!" he barked, turning round to see the newcomer. Merovich slowly entered the room , favouring his right leg. The fall had obviously hurt him a great deal, yet with the necromancers magic, and a large draught of blood he was already healing fast.
Gesturing for him to sit the Duke seated himself behind a large wooden desk.
"I hope you have learned you lesson this time Merovich," he began looking at his son, "should I be disobeyed again, next time I will remove you heart. Understood?" A mute nod was all the response he got, but the Duke was satisfied.
"Good. Now I intend to take the battle to the council myself. However we need allies. You are to arrange that - I trust you know where to find your brother?"

Post: #11

Merovich scowled,
"Serguei?" He asked, surprised by his Sire's decision, "that runt, surly you cannot rely on him!" His face twisted as his fangs sprouted,
"Let me do this Father, do not forget Father it was I who freed you from your prison, I am the most loyal of your gets.....give me some time, and I will find a way to crush them. Even as we speak I can feel my new get stirring, she will be our wolf in the flock".

Post: #12

The Red Duke rose sharply to his feet, the old table splintering under his fists as he slammed then down in anger,
"Do not think to question me whelp!" he snarled as Merovich pushed his chair back in fear, "You have failed me and disobeyed my direct orders. I and I alone will lead my forces into battle against the traitor and her allies. You and your brother will do as I say or face the consequences."
As his anger abated he sat back down before continuing,
"You will find not only Serguei, but Dragos as well, " he said, causing Merovich's head to snap up in shock. Since his brother Dragos has disowned their father after his defeat against he king of Bretonnia, Merovich had thought of him in the same light of his hated sister. Before he could day anything the Duke interjected,
"Dragos cannot forget his allegiances that easily, and he hates the traitor as much as we do. Go to him, tell him of our need and remind him of his debt. He will come."

OOC: Ghouly - looking the character bios for Dragos bio - he's a new character.

Post: #13

Merovich picked at the inside of his empty socket,
"Who Father, has the privilege of delivering you the traitors head?" he asked, his voice taking a slight growl as he imagined tearing Katrina's head off.
"I doubt ether Serguei or Dragos have the skill needed for such a task. Kat..the traitor has enluded us for years," Merovich continued, ignoring the Dukes dark glare at his near slip. Merovich leaned back in his chair,
" Did I tell you my sire, I cut open her arm before I was attacked by a Strigoi Gravefang or some such nonsense."

Post: #14

Hearing the traitor had been hurt brought a slight smile to the lips, before he arched his eyebrow in surprise at the mention of the Strigoi.
"So they have managed to convince one of those.....animals to fight for them. Interesting." As he made to continue he paused as if something crossed his mind,"Gravefang? Are you sure that was the name?" Merovich looked puzzled at his sires interest before shrugging,
"I didn't bother to get pathetic excuse for a vampires name. Does it matter?" The duke didn't respond as he went to chest on one side of the room, opening the massive lid he rifled through the collected papers.
"As for who has the privilege of deliver the bitches head, who gets to her first, " continued as if the subject of the Strigoi have never been raised, "if you are as good as you think you are, then that should not be a problem for you."
Straightening back up the Duke walked back to his desk, scanning a piece of paper before slamming it on his desk. The look in his eyes told Merovich he was in trouble once more, though this time he has no idea what he had done.
"This Strigoi, was its name Graveclaw?"

Post: #15

Merovich started to rise as he sensed his sire's anger,
"Yes thats the name Graveclaw," he said quickly "But I fail to understand how that matters..We are Blood Dragon. The other Bloodlines are nothing but cowards and traitors, be they the snivelling Carsteins, the Lamaian sluts, runty Nerarch or animals such as the Strigoi".

Post: #16

The Duke paused, controlling his anger before he responded,
"That Strigoi is known to us. Many years back your brother just escaped with his head from him. That creature is tenacious, it has a one track mind and will hunt you down across the world." Walking round the table he thrust the report at his get. Heavily damaged and bloodstained, words could barely be made out. Yet a few did stand out - 'decapitated' 'howling beast' 'limb from limb' and finally 'by the name Graveclaw.' Merovich gupled nervously as the Duke asked his next question, his sires massive form scant inches away from him,
"Tell me, you did nothing to earn the personal enmity of this creature, did you?"

Post: #17

Merovich scowled "Then it is a good thing, I am a better fighter then any in the family save yourself" he said "And yes I have angered the Beast,but I fail to see why that matters, both Dragos,and Serguei are fools I could crush ether of them in a fight".
Merovich stood "So father where will I be able to find Dragos I have a good idea where Serguei is but Dragos I have no idea where he hides".

Post: #18

As much as he wanted to smash his fist into Merovich's insolent face, the Duke restrained himself. There was much to be done and he needed his get on his feet. After this though, after this he would teach his get some manners.
"You never learn." he said, turning his back on Merovich as he walked back round his desk, "You do not seem to realise that actions can have long term repercussions. Graveclaw will not rest until either he or yourself is dead, a nuisance we do not need if we are to face this council. However." Turning back to Merovich he looked him the eye, making it plainly clear he was being serious now,
"I will deal with the creature. You will find Dragos here." He threw a folded piece of paper at Merovich, who unfolded it to reveal a map, "and do not be over confident. I have taught you better than that. Dragos castle is surrounded by many deadly traps, and I suggest you show your brother some respect, for he is at least your equal."

Post: #19

Merovich briefly went over the map "Sylvania" sneered "If he is my equal why does he hide among the weakling Von Carstine's" he growled. Pushing back his chair he rose "Now if you will excuse me my sire I shall be off to retrieve my wayward brother's" slamming his clenched fist against his chest Merovich bowed before turning to leave "rest well sire the Day of reckoning will happen soon.

Post: #20

The trees seemed bowed for his passing, gnarled and crippled as they were. They drank in the darkness of the night, wreathed in charred, black bark, their roots sifting through foetid muck. The rain came slick and filthy in this place. Millions of tiny beads ground sodden cadence like spastic drummer boys, each trying to find their own rhythm. The moon did not deign to smile here, her pallid, mercurial grace did not slide across the velvet sky. Instead, as if replacing an elven courtesan with a river troll, the sky moiled with fat, undulating clouds that belched this damnable, corrupting rain.

Sylvania.

The word rang through his head like the pitiful tolling of a cracked and rusted bell. Land of the weak. Land of the schemer. Land of the dishonorable sons of the bastard Von Carstein. Better to find your worth in battle than in some ridiculous mockery of living nobility. Dead pretending at life; the sentiment was pathetic. Dragos sullied his blood when he chose to come here.

Equal.

Like fire in his brain, the syllables coalesced and raged through his psyche. Impossible; an equal would not flee. An equal would not resign himself to hermitage. An equal would have stayed true to the snapping banners of the Red Duke.

Approaching an aged iron gate whose countenance tittered with glistening moss and ivy, Merovich slid from his saddle. This was it. The mausoleum that was the entrance to the Labyrinth Sanguinary seemed ordinary enough. Where were the deadly traps? Where were the monsters and daemons? Merovich chuckled as he threw open the iron shod gate and walked confidently across the threshold.

Gone. Darkness engulfed him but for an instant; and in the span of a blinking eye, Merovich stood in another room of the mausoleum, lauded by the flicker of torchlight. The door, his steed, the outside world were gone. In front of him, three wooden doors stood defiantly shut. Merovich stepped forward to consider them; and the scenery changed again.

The stones trembled, the stones shuddered, and the stones of the floor of this mausoleum gave way. As if ripping open a coffin to glimpse the corpse within, the first horror was revealed as pulsing corded muscle clung to stone and a labored, rasping breathing echoed below. Stretched taut across glistening, sweating viscera, impaled on its own bones, the thing shuddered again and from its bulk, hundreds of mouths lined with razor teeth and lolling tongues, dripping with ropes of saliva reared and gnashed their horrible jowls, seeking this new prey. Talons hewn of bone impacted with the walls of its housing. Removing itself from its grisly perch, it climbed to greet Merovich with pain, insanity, and hatred.