Vampires

To the east of  Upper ArcWorlde lie the Vauhaemian states. These lands, cut off  from the rest of civilisation by the Mildaark, are the dominion of  Vampires – beings who have given up their humanity and feast on blood in return for immortality. These creatures dwell in the dark corners of  the world and use their profane powers to enthrall the local populace into serving them.

The more adventurous Vampires, discontent with rotting in their castles for hundreds of  years, descend upon the mortal world to further their power and influence. The settlements on the fringes of the Mildaark are perfect hunting grounds, and they and their entourage prey upon any who dare to walk through the forests at night.

## Forces of the Vampires

### Vampires

Vampires are potently evil beings who prey upon others to feed their immortality. Most drink blood, but some feed upon the very essence of the soul. Multiple lifetimes and the plunder of countless victims means most Vampires amass huge wealth and many dwell in looming castles and mansions deep within the Vauhaemian wilds.

When prey becomes scarce or boredom creeps into the place where their soul once was, many Vampires gather their servants and head into the wilds of ArcWorlde to find fresh game. These marauding villains gather with groups of their kin to hunt down those they can catch as well as collecting any loot they find to add to their hoards.

Vampires have been around for centuries and some come from ancient bloodlines. Some vampires are so charming and persuasive they can enthrall those around them with ease. Others can turn themselves into a bat. Some vampires are particularly tenacious and refuse to die, while others devote much of thier time to the mystical arts. Vampires may also spend their time devoting themselves to martial pursuits. All vampires are subserviant to a Vampire Supreme, a lord amongst their kin.

### Manservant

Vampires crave wealth and often amass huge estates over countless mortal lifetimes. It is very common for them to hire unfortunate mortal servants to oversee the every-day running of their domains. These fellows, often rejects from the local peasant populace, are overwhelmingly loyal to their fell masters and will stop at nothing to make sure their unlives are as pleasant as possible.

When travelling abroad Vampires will bring their Manservants along with them to carry all the necessities a creature of darkness requires. It is also their job to procure unwilling victims to satiate their master’s hunger, and to serve them up with a smile.

### Thrall

Vampires delight in enslaving their victims, using their dark powers to bind them to their will. Thralls often have no memory of the time spent as servants and do their tasks mindlessly and without question.

The only way to break a Vampire’s hold is for them to relinquish it willingly or to vanquish them. Only then may a Thrall return to their senses, though possibly with less blood than they had before.

### Werewolf

The curse of the Werewolf is infamous throughout Vauhaemia. Anyone you meet may be afflicted, and the peasants of Vauhaemia quake with fear when they hear a howl in the night.

Vampires love to bind these creatures to their will, often under the guise of friendship. Once a person with the curse is discovered and driven out by their communities, the hall of a Vampire lord is often the only place left for them to go. When the moon is full, and sometimes when it isn’t, these unfortunate souls are driven forth to fight in their master’s entourage.

### Crypt Bats

No self-respecting Vampire’s lair would be complete without a chittering host of gigantic bats to swirl around whenever they cackle into the night. These flying vermin follow the Vampires on their excursions, not just for dramatic effect but to also spook and harass their prey with a flurry of wings and sharp teeth.