The Osmanlı-Strigoilerii

***The Osmanlı-Strigoilerii*** are a strigoic faction within the novel *Dark Blaze*. They are led by Grandmaster Emre Yilmaz. By the time of the 1918-1920 storylines for Nicholas Aero and Hadrian Voivode, the Osmanlı-Strigoilerii have been destroyed. Although it is unknown who defeated them, it is certain it was due to the Great War and the fall of the Ottoman Empire.

## **Background:**

From birth, those of the Ottoman origins that were born from Vlad Drăculești and one of his brood-strigoi, Belquis, fought over the influence of the Ottoman strigoii. Emre Yilmaz emerged as the strongest of the Ottoman strigoii, and was tasked with infiltrating the Ottoman Empire and Islamic lands.

By the time that it seemed Vlad would win this war of influence, he was defeated by a joint human force. Emre fell under Belquis' influence, however, desired to retain Vlad's visions and honour him. Emre decided to fight for both Vlad and Belquis, which led to them losing the war over Belquis, who agreed to keep giving Emre favour in return for an agreed peace and borders between the Ottomans and the Adze, being the Sahara Desert.

During and after this three-way war, Emre Yilmaz and Mircea Voivode began to become allies, altough Europe fought viciously against the Ottoman Empire in the Balkans, Mircea and Emre used this as an opportunity to exploit the humans and use this as a vice to destroy the Kataphraktoi.

In the centuries leading up to the Great War, Emre focused on securing his own lands and borders, as well as working alongside Mircea and the Thule in attempting to defeat the Kataphraktoi once and for all.

## **Society & Structure:**

### **Society:**

The Osmanlı-Strigoilerii are a hollowed representation of the Ottoman society. They dress like the Ottomans, yet do not display any Islamic imagery, as they are devoted followers of the Ministry of Drăculești. Due to their fanatical praise of their strigoic religion, the Ottomans have become closer and closer to their allies, the Thule. The high caste of the Osmanlı-Strigoilerii have become more Germanic in their approaches, as has the human Ottoman aristocracy.

### **Structure:**

There are three clear levels to the Osmanlı-Strigoilerii faction. The high society, the low society and the serfs, made up of the druggans and ghouls.

## **Territory:**

Below is a list of countries which the Osmanlı-Strigoilerii hold territory:

* Turkey - their stronghold being located in Istanbul.
* Greece.
* Bulgaria.
* Albania.
* Yugoslavia.
* Armenia.
* Georgia.
* Russia.
* Perisa.
* Iraq.
* Jordan.
* Palestine.
* Egypt.
* Saudi Arabia.
* Aden.
* Oman.
* Afghanistan.
* Hindustan.
* Libya.
* Algeria.
* Spanish North Africa.
* French Morocco.
* French Equatorial Africa.
* French West Africa.

## **Members:**

### **Major:**

 Bertan Demir
 Ibrahim Al'Faisar
 Belquis Drăculești

### **Minor:**

As of yet, there are no known minor strigoii within the Osmanlı-Strigoilerii.

## **Affiliates:**

As of yet, there are no known affiliates to the Osmanlı-Strigoilerii.

## **Equipment:**

Below is a list of weaponry that has been seen used by the Osmanlı-Strigoilerii:

* Various silver bladed weaponry.
* Beholla M1915 - pistol.
* Mauser Gewehr 98 - bolt-action rifle.
* Luger P08 - pistol.
* Mauser C96 - pistol.

## **Sub-Factions:**

As of yet, there are no known sub-factions within the Osmanlı-Strigoilerii.

## **Appearances:**

The Osmanlı-Strigoilerii appear in Hadrian Voivode's 1915-1916 Marele Consiliu chapters, they are stout allies to the Thule, having already joined the Great War on the side of the Central Powers.

## **Trivia:**

* The Osmanlı-Strigoilerii simply translate from Turkish to English as "*the Ottoman-Strigoii*".
* The Osmanlı-Strigoilerii fell hand-in-hand with the Ottoman Empire.
* The Osmanlı-Strigoilerii banned Islamic imagery as they find it an offence to Vlad Drăculești.
* Their brood-strigoi, Bilquis, is based on the Queen of Sheba from the Hebrew Bible. She was seen as a Goddess of Love in African lore, and a djinn in Arabian lore. It is unknown what origin Darryl M. Finch-Ellis has chosen, as of yet.