Cain

### Aliases

The Dark Father, Father of Vampires, First Murderer, Father of Murder, Kinslayer, The First Born, First Son of Adam, The Marked One

### Relatives

Adam (father)Eve (mother)

Abel, Seth (brothers)

Vampires (descendants)

## Physical description

### Eye color

Blue

> *"I just want it all to end."*
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> *-Cain*
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Cain, known as the Father of Murder or the Dark Father, was the first Second Generation human, a member of the First Family, and the first mortal ever to be born. He also committed the First Murder, the first ever act of one conscious creature slaying another, by murdering his brother Abel in an attempt to prevent him from being corrupted by the Fallen angels. In this act, Cain unleashed murder into the world, resulting in the War in Heaven intensifying as angels began slaying one another. Cain subsequently took his own life in an attempt to escape the horrors he had wrought, as the world around him was broken by the struggles of the angels, only to be revived into a state of undeath by God himself, and cursed with immortality for his sins. Seth, Cain's youngest brother, transformed himself into the first werecreature, whilst the soul of Abel was transformed into the first demon, and Cain himself would one day pass on his own curse to create vampires. By committing the First Murder, Cain single handedly paved the way for many of the most notable monsters and destroyed the perfect realm of Eden, and as such, is one of the most pivotal characters in all of Creation.

## Biography

### Early Life

#### Birth

Cain was born sometime after the First Generation of humans were stripped of their immortality by Raphael, at the command of Michael. Cain's birth was observed with wonder by all three sides of the War in Heaven, who had already begun skirmishing over control of the other twelve members of the First Generation, though had refrained from interfering in Eve's pregnancy. However, all angels were shocked when God Himself descended to Earth upon the birth of Cain, and declared that the newborn child and his parents would be under His personal protection, and woe betide any angel, loyalist, conciliators, or Fallen, who could do him harm. Even Lucifer and his rebels, disobedient as they were, were not willing to challenge the power of God directly.

#### Speaker to the Divine

Cain spent his early childhood roaming the wilds with his parents, until eventually they found a place to settle, upon a lakeshore. When Cain was six, his brother Abel was born, and two years later, another brother, Seth, followed. Though all angels had agreed to refrain from harming the First Family, communication with them had not been denied. As such, the three angelic factions, the loyalists, the Fallen, and the conciliators, all struck up a pact, a way for their disagreement to be decided. Each of them would instill their own ideals and beliefs into one of the three children, and then, once their beliefs had been cemented in their charge, attempt to convince the other two of the justness of their own cause. In this way, it was decided, that the conflict could be brought to an end. Adam and Eve were informed of this, and gave their blessing, fearing no threat to their children from the beings who had given them life. Cain was chosen as the vessel for the teachings of the loyalist angels, Abel for the Fallen, and Seth for the conciliators. As such, Cain was visited often by loyalist angels in his dreams and myriad physical forms throughout his childhood. An obedient and dutiful boy, Cain was easily convinced of the righteousness of the loyalist angels for following the command of their father. Seeing this, God Himself, regretful of the strife that had risen between His angels and eager for a sympathetic ear, revealed Himself to Cain, making him the first being He had spoken to directly since the mankind had their eyes opened by Lucifer and the Fallen.

### Awakening

> *"In him I see the light of mankind's bright future. Through him, they will be redeemed. Cain will be their salvation."*
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> *-Gabriel, regarding Cain*
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The loyalist angels that spoke to Cain cultivated his potential as well as sharing their viewpoints with him. Just as his parents, Adam and Eve, had been Awakened by Lucifer and the fallen, Cain too was nudged towards Awakening by the angels that spoke to him. Whilst it was assumed that Michael or Gabriel would be the one to finally open his eyes, every angel was shocked when God Himself revealed to Cain his true potential. This act brought hope to many that God would forgive mankind for their disobedience, and restore to them their immortality. Unfortunately, however, Cain's defining act would be not one of redemption, but of condemnation.

### The First Murder

#### Buildup

When Cain, Abel and Seth had all grown to manhood, it was revealed to them all that they had each been chosen as champions for the cause of each angelic faction, for each brother had only been aware that he had been a speaker to angels. With the other two revealed, it came time for the First Debate of Man, where the brothers would attempt to sway each other to the causes of their respective factions. Seth was adamant that the fallen and loyalists could make peace with one another. Abel agreed, but argued that the fallen had been righteous in defying the will of God and awakening the First Generation against His wishes, firm in the belief that mankind had been unjustly shackled. He believed that only if the loyalists were to acknowledge that the fallen were just in rebelling, and were to undo the Curse of Mortality ordered by Michael and carried out by Raphael, that reconciliation would be possible. Cain, conversely, believed that the fallen had betrayed God and their loyal brethren by defying the Creator, and condemned humanity to suffer with their pride and selfishness. He was of the mind that through contrition, the fallen could beg forgiveness for their wrongdoing and be returned to the fold, and that it was the responsibility of the cursed mortals to earn back their immortality through obedience and acts of contrition.

The debate raged on for an entire week, and at the same time, for countless centuries, as reality still existed in multifaceted layers. Yet still, the result was the same. No accord could be reached.

#### The Deed Itself

After it became clear that none could sway the others, they began to discuss the current course of the conflict between the angels. At that point, to call it a war would have been a misnomer. An intense argument between the three sides would have been a more accurate descriptor. Abel, however, was of the mind that such debate, as seen with the three of them, would prove useless. As such, he resolved that he and the fallen would enter Heaven by force and cast God down. Seth thought this to be an act of hubris, and fruitless beside, as solving the matter in such a way would prove nothing but that the perpetrators were powerful, not right. Abel responded by saying that the cause that people were willing to fight the hardest for was the most just. Cain agreed, and attacked his brother.

The battle was ferocious, as both brothers unleashed all their magical might against one another. Seth attempted to intervene, but was brushed aside and into a tear in space, taking him from the fight. The earth was cracked open, molten rock pouring from beneath it, whilst the sky tore itself apart, raining wind and lightning down at the command of the two combatants. The air froze, then burned, and froze again. When the battle ended, Cain was exhausted, but stood victorious. It could have ended then. The loyalist angels could have proclaimed the triumph of their champion over the others, and an accord reached between angels. But Cain was not done. Rage had taken hold of him. Stretching out a hand, he called a broken tree branch to his grip. Then, standing over his brother, he drove it into Abel's heart.

#### Aftermath

The First Murder was an act that reverberated throughout all Creation. For the first time, a living being had been killed by another, not out of mere hunger or some dominance bout between beasts, but in a deliberate act of rage and hate. For the first time, one thinking, conscious being had killed another. The sheer foulness of the deed was so forceful that the world could not stand for it, and cracks appeared within the very fabric of Creation. The weight of what he had done struck Cain then, and he attempted to heal his brother's body, to call his soul back. But it was to no avail. Black clouds had formed over head, and the sky screamed, tearing itself open, as two angels fought, truly fought, for the possession of Abel's soul. As the world contorted in their fury, Seth returned from the Ether. His form was a shifting, protean mass, hideously twisted, for as Abel and Cain had wielded their magicks against one another, the spirits of the dying beasts had been drawn into Seth, as he had struggled to open a gateway back to the world he had been banished from. When Seth saw Abel's lifeless body amid the devastated landscape, and the battle raging in the skies above, he let forth a howl from a hundred mouths, and fell upon Cain with tooth and claw, seeking to avenge their murdered brother. Cain welcomed death and oblivion, agonized as he was over what he had done. And so, Cain was torn limb from limb by his youngest brother, and the earth drank deep of his blood. He met death... But not his end.

### Raised and Cursed

God decided that death was too easy a punishment for Cain, for he had irrevocably tainted Creation with his abominable act. Aghast at what one of His most beloved children had done, God restored him to life and healed his injuries. Then, he thrust upon him a Mark, invisible to sight but apparent on his soul. God cursed Cain so that he could never die, and to deter anyone from attempting to slay him, decreed that any harm upon Cain would be inflicted sevenfold upon whoever struck him. Then, God retreated, and channeled His power to His seven Seraphim, so that they too could inflict their judgement upon Cain.

#### Curse of Azrael

> *"First came The Last, on wings of shadow. Dread Azrael, Herald of the Final Breath. Enfolded was Cain his dark embrace, in cloak of shadow. And Dread Azrael, looked on Cain with eyes of shadow, and said unto him 'Cain, by the Maker's word, you shall know my embrace this time only. By His will, I curse you, you bringer of death, to hunger for life forevermore.'"*
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First to curse him was Azrael, Lord of the Seventh, who had fought and failed to take hold of Abel's soul. Taking Cain in his embrace, Azrael cursed Cain to hunger for life, for blood, as he had taken the life of his brother and spilled his blood. This became the origin of vampiric bloodlust.

#### Curse of Raziel

> *"Then shadow gave way to gentle light, and Wise Raziel, in his cloak of stars, settled down from the Heavens on high. Star-Eyed Raziel looked unto Grief-Eyed Cain, who cried unto him 'Mercy, Raziel! Mercy!' And Wise Raziel replied 'Mercy? I have none for you, as you had none for Abel, who was your brother. And so I curse you. As your life shall be endless, Cain, endless shall be your anguish, for it shall endure as long as you do. Never shall you forget what you have done, and never shall you forget the deeds to come."*
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Raziel, Seraph of the Fifth Host, descended on Cain next. He cursed Cain with an infallible memory, so that as eternity passed, he would forever remember his every mistake and misdeed. With this curse, Cain's vampiric descendants would have their eidetic memories, and be forever doomed to remember each and every victim.

#### Curse of Uriel

> *"And as the Star of Wisdom rose to the Heavens, so from the Earth rose its lord and master. Uriel, Stern Uriel, eyes hard as stone, voice deep as the Earth. 'Cain,' rumbled he, 'You have watered the Earth with a brother's blood, spilled by the gifts it gave you.' And Cain fell back, and was afraid, for Stern Uriel's eyes were hard as stone, and his heart was harder still. 'My curse shall be this, Cain.' Said Uriel. 'The Earth shall judge you as I do. Ever shall the Earth grow your bane, to be used against you as you used it.'"*
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Azazel's replacement, Uriel was next to set his judgement upon Cain. As Cain had slain Abel by driving wood into his heart, so the wood of the earth would be Cain's bane. Ever would it grow weapons that could harm him, and from there, the vulnerability all vampires have to wood sprung.

#### Curse of Haniel

> *"And as Stone-Hearted Judge sank beneath the Earth, Cain heard a mighty cry. Fierce Haniel had come, great wings spread, claws keen and judgement keener. 'Cain!' She cried, for Fierce Haniel was empty of tenderness, she whose beasts had loved Abel and died at the hands of Cain. 'You taker of life! You breaker of hearts!' She roared, and Cain's head bowed, for her words of truth cut deep. 'Hear my curse, son of Adam, son of Eve! You who took life shall never give it! Thy dark seed shall never bear fruit!' "*
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Haniel, the substitute for Zephaniah, fell upon Cain as Uriel sank into the earth. She had been, of all the loyalist angels, the one who loved Abel best, for she had watched him through the eyes of his flock, admiring the purity of his heart and strength of his spirit. As Cain had taken his life, she decreed that Cain would never be able to create life himself, rendering him and all his descendants incapable of bearing children.

#### Curse of Raphael

> *"Then as the Queen of Beasts took wing, the Heavens began to brighten, as the fingers of dawn touched the horizon. Before them, on mourning winds came Raphael, Gentle Raphael. Tears fell from the eyes of Cain, for he saw that Raphael had judged him, and felt no anger, felt no pain, only pity. 'Tragic Cain,' said Gentle Raphael, who wiped the tears from Cain's cheeks, 'I know your heart as I know your deed. But like you I love our Maker, and by His will you must be cursed. So I curse you, Cain. The Breath of Life I take from you, and banish you from my sight. Ever shall you fear my Dawn of Life, for henceforth I know you not as my own."*
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By the curse of Raphael, Herald of the Endless Breath, Cain was inflicted with true undeath. As such, the sun, the light that brings life to the world, spurned him, for he was no longer apart of the chain of life it sustained. This is where the vampiric bane of sunlight originates.

#### Curse of Gabriel

> *"And so fled Cain from the light of Dawn. Refuge he took in a mighty storm, whose clouds concealed him from Raphael's gaze. Weary he was, so weary he was, but Cain was not to have rest, for from the storm on high, with wings of thunder, came The Lord of Tears. Gabriel, Sorrowful Gabriel, clad in a cloak of tears, he who loved man best of all the Almighty's angels. Gabriel knelt to embrace Cain, amidst the storm, conjured by he to shield Cain from the Dawn. 'Cain, forgive me!' Begged Gabriel, whose pain was deep and vast as the sea. And from his arms Cain replied 'All my forgiveness is yours, Gabriel, for I have none for myself.' And Gabriel wept bitter tears. 'Cain,' lamented Gabriel, Sorrowful Gabriel, 'For love of the Maker, I must curse you.' And in Gabriel's arms, Cain trembled, in sorrow and in fear. 'I curse you Cain,' Said Gabriel, 'As you steal life after life, you will know your victims. You will know their pain, you will know their fear, and all the suffering of their final moments.'"*
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Gabriel's curse resulted in Cain being condemned to know the agony of his victims as he consumed their blood and stole their lives from them. This curse resulted in all vampires being able to feel the emotions and memories of those whose blood they consumed.

#### Curse of Michael

> *"And as Gabriel laid out his curse, so fled his shielding storm. Deep into the Earth fled Cain, away from the eyes of Raphael. There with leaf and wood and root, Cain summoned forth the light. Darkness gave way to blazing flame, and as The Last had been the first, The First became the last. Michael, Stalwart Michael, surged forth with wings afire. And Cain let out a cry of joy, for Michael loved him best. But as Cain reached for warm embrace, for comfort before his curse, he found only burning touch, and molten tears on shining cheeks. 'Cain!' Cried Michael, a roar of rage and grief. And Cain did tremble before him, uncomforted by the warmth of the flame that had given him sight and given him food. And the words of Michael, Stalwart Michael, drove deep into his heart. 'You have misused the gift of the Flame.' Declared the Herald of the Burning Wrath. 'So I curse you. You shall never wield the Flame again. Fire shall be your foe. To man, it will give succor. To man, it will give safety. To you, it will give fear. To you, it will give pain. Ever will fire hunger for your flesh, and when it catches you, it will bite deep. Now and evermore, Cain, fire will be your enemy.' And Cain saw the fire before him, and in his heart he was filled with terror. And in his terror he fled. Down, down, down. Into the earth. Into the dark, where no light would touch him."*
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Michael the new Voice of God, was the last to lay a curse upon Cain. Cain had abused the Flame of Divinity, and used it to murder his brother Abel. As such, Cain was stripped of his power to wield the Flame, and fire was made his enemy, which would drive him to fear and seek to destroy him. And so came the vampiric bane of fire, and stripped vampires of their ability to ever wield the Flame of Divinity as mages.

## Physical Appearance

Cain's true appearance is that of a tall European man, with deathly pale flesh, dark brown hair, and dark blue eyes. Typically, he wears his hair somewhat long, and is often known to sport a beard. His years tending the fields granted him with a powerful physique, and his status as a man of the Second Generation has gifted him with well defined, magnificent features.

## Personality

Cain is a man weary of the world. Jaded and cynical, his greatest wish is an end to his suffering. He is tired of the world, of the suffering that he has witnessed and caused. Generally speaking, his demeanor is that of a curmudgeon, and he is gruff and sharp tongued with whoever he interacts with. Despite his world weariness, or perhaps because of it, Cain has a great penchant for trickery and manipulation. Oftentimes, he uses his vast powers to influence worldly events for the sole purpose of occupying his tired mind. However, jaded as he may be, Cain does still care about the world and certain individuals, and will intervene to protect what he cares about, if not necessarily directly.

## Powers

Cain has mastered every vampiric power to its highest degree. Through the powerful blood bond he shares with all his descendants, he is able to sense the development of every new vampiric power, and any mastery attained over it is instantly given to him. This connection further allows him to sense the exact location of any vampire at any time, as well as to allow him access to their present emotions, mental state, and all their memories. Cain's control over his blood is absolute. He may strengthen or dilute it in his descendants at a whim, stripping them of all power or raising them to a blood god as he pleases. Cain is also capable of using the power of his blood connection to send any manner of vision he desires to his children, to compel their obedience and influence their deeds.

Additionally, God's personal curse prevents Cain from being killed by any means. Though not completely invulnerable, any harm inflicted on him is reflected back on whoever unleashed it, only seven times more powerful.

## Skills

Master Combatant: Cain has spent millennia honing his fighting skills by battling against beings from a myriad of realms. He is regarded as one of the most deadly and precise fighters in the cosmos, having mastered each and every combat style in existence out of pure boredom.

Expert Strategist: Having been alive through nearly every major conflict in history, Cain has a highly advanced knowledge of tactics, and is one of the most skilled battlefield commanders alive.

Charisma: Cain is incredibly charming, and his knowledge of the human psyche allows him to beguile, trick, and persuade even the most shrewd and stern of individuals.

Master Manipulator: Cain possesses thousands of years of accrued knowledge and wisdom, which he often puts to use in orchestrating schemes which bring ruin to nations.

Occult Knowledge: During his long existence, Cain has had the opportunity to study a variety of magical spells and effects.