The History of Karveki Calypso Ramirez,
former Grand Sorcerer of Brisbane & current Vampire
(Translated from chronicles found among the ruins of Brisbane)
Ages ago, a great dominion called the empire of Brisbane existed in the region now known as Avendale. Several peaceful nomadic tribes that had wandered Avalon in search of a land to settle developed Brisbane. The first ruler of the empire of Brisbane was Frosh Brisbane. The empire was comprised chiefly of Humans and Hoblings and although they numbered only several thousand, there were hundreds of nomadic clans travelling the plains of Avalon, more would settle. The laws of the empire were built upon principles of equality, reason, and peaceful coexistence. All citizens were treated equally under the law, and justice reigned supreme.
Unfortunately, the dominion was besieged by savage hordes of Barbarians known as the Ice Nation almost one century later. The Ice Nation originated in the Frostpeak Mountains, but laid claim to the plains in which the empire was established. The barbarians were fierce and vastly outnumbered the citizens of Brisbane. The scholarly people of the empire, numbering in the tens of thousands, could do little to defend themselves against these forces except to hide out in secluded shelters while their crops were stolen and their homes destroyed. Few died, but some woman and children were taken as spoils of war.
Thankfully, a great wizard named Erol completed grand research into the creation of enchanted creatures called golems. Erol created several such constructs of varying types, and marched these creatures before the emperor to demonstrate their prowess in combat. Emperor Balengale was so impressed with Erol’s enchanted soldiers of iron, stone, and wood that he appointed Erol as the Grand Sorcerer of Brisbane. Erol was instructed to create an army of these golems immediately, and set them to the defense of the empire.
Grand Sorcerer Erol shared his Formal lore with every wizard of the empire, and together they created legions of these constructs. The golem army they produced was named the Regiment of Aegis, and marched out to fight the Barbarian hordes of the Ice Nation. Many mages accompanied the army to instruct these mindless forces in combat and cast binding magics to restrain their adversaries. The battles that followed were called The Great Barbarian War, and raged for many years. The empire of Brisbane was finally victorious after suffering heavy casualties, and the Ice Nation withdrew into the foothills of the Frostpeak Mountains.
The following centuries proved prosperous and peaceful for the empire. Infrequent encounters with Barbarians, Minotaurs, and the Regiment of Aegis easily overcame Orcs, Ogres, and Goblins that always seemed to frequent the area. The people of Brisbane were able to expand their lore of magic and science while unhampered by these annoying threats. Wonderful innovations and inventions such as: the backhoe, geometry, irrigation, magical enchantments, and truth charms have been attributed to these people.
The Empire of Brisbane excelled to noteworthy heights in the lore of architecture and the arts as well. A colossal stone wall with lofty turrets and steel gates surrounded the capital city of Devonshire. The Regiment of Aegis was employed to operate winches and pulleys to move the great slabs of stone during the lengthy construction. The construction of this great wall lasted almost twelve years. Emperor Clayton proclaimed that no force would ever breach the gates of Devonshire when the bastion was completed.
The great city of Courtland was a masterpiece of marble columns, vaulted arches, wondrous fountains, and beautifully resplendent flower gardens. Courtland became a repository of their fine arts, and a college for minstrels was constructed within the city. Immense halls displaying grand sculptures and exquisite paintings were filled with the melodies of the bards as they practiced. The College of Minstrels invented the lyre and piccolo to convey the marvelous sounds of their lyrics. The bards also contrived many comedies which actors performed in a majestic coliseum before cheering crowds.
A gathering of Elves from the kingdom of Quentari arrived several centuries after The Great Barbarian War. The Elves, led by General Valerian, had voluntarily departed their native land in search of a forest to settle. An emissary of the empire warmly greeted General Valerian, and peaceful negotiations shortly ensued. Emperor Ungaro, a kindhearted ruler, generously granted the Elves title to Sterlingspring Forest, now known as the Silvermyst Wood. The Elven settlement was named Heartwood and peaceful trade between these two communities greatly contributed to the prosperity of Brisbane.
Unfortunately, the magic’s used to create the Regiment of Aegis eventually expired some five or six centuries later, and the once mighty construct army crumbled. Many citizens were anxious at the dissolution of their only defenses, yet even more remained unconcerned since no force had attacked the empire in the last century. Empress Latulorian, a benevolent and prudent ruler, was among those concerned at the Regiments expiration. She promptly ordered her people to gather the resources required to produce another army of golems. Empress Latulorian also instructed Grand Sorcerer Karveki Ramirez to research the creation of even more stalwart constructs to augment these new forces.
Barbarian scouts reported the destruction of the formidable Regiment of Aegis, and the Ice Nation started raising an army of their own to reclaim the region of Brisbane. The Barbarians, lead by a merciless chieftain named Randar, finally launched a huge offensive less then a decade after the constructs had fallen into ruin. The resulting battles were called The Second Barbarian War, a war that was largely responsible for the fall of Brisbane. The initial Barbarian assault was so fierce that the Ice Nation almost completely overran the region. To make matters worse, the warring Dwarves of Banictor sent 5 legions of their fiercest warriors to wage war against their brethren. Thankfully, Empress Latulorian had ordered the Grand Sorcerer to research the creation of new golems or else the entire empire would have fallen to the savages within a few days.
Grand Sorcerer Karveki had created a legion of bone constructs that successfully defended the capital city of Devonshire. The Barbarians mistakenly assumed that these were a form of undead, and wasted many spells attempting to destroy the constructs with earth magic. The Bone Golems were unaffected by Barbarian weapons and spells, and the immense strength of these constructs allowed them to inflict considerable casualties. The Barbarians’ hatred of celestial magic proved to be a significant weakness, since only weapons enchanted with Damage Aura could harm the Bone Golems.
Unfortunately, Devonshire was all that remained of the once great Empire of Brisbane. Devonshire had endured the terrible Barbarian assault, but the remainder of the region quickly fell into total anarchy. The Barbarian savages burned every city and village of the empire until the sky was choked with black ash and smoke from the conflagration. The spectacular city of Courtland was reduced to rubble, and the savages destroyed four centuries of fine artistry. Large Barbarian war parties roamed the plains slaughtering everyone in their path and refugees flocked to the capital city for safety.
The Elves of Heartwood, known as the Silverspring forest, now as the Silvermyst, also managed to survive the Barbarian onslaught. Many rumored that General Valerian had bartered with the Seelie Court to awaken the slumbering Treants of the forest and rally them to the Elves defense. In return for the services of the Seelie Court, he granted the Fae permission to open a permanent rift to the Realm of Faerie in the heart of the wood. General Valerian led his people into the furthest depths of Sterlingspring Forest while the mighty Treants crushed every Barbarian that dared to trespass. However, The Elves of Heartwood disappeared and their whereabouts remained unknown.
The years that followed were a dark and desperate time for the few survivors of the City of Devonshire. Food was scarce, morale was poor, and continued attacks by the Barbarians was slowly diminishing the population. The resources to rebuild the Regiment of Aegis had been destroyed in the onslaught, and all hope of reclaiming the land seemed lost. Only the legion of Bone Golems created by Grand Sorcerer Karveki prevented the total annihilation of the Empire of Brisbane.
Grand Sorcerer Karveki was overcome with despair at the ruin of the empire and vowed to destroy the Barbarian hordes. In his rage, Karveki summoned a mighty Pantherghast to hunt down the Barbarians and render his terrible vengeance. The Pantherghast was filled with a lust for the blood of Barbarian ilk and departed the capital city to quench this terrible thirst. The horrid beast roamed the plains for several months slaying hundreds of Barbarians until it was finally destroyed. Unfortunately, the Ice Nation still numbered in the tens of thousands, and the Barbarians continued to ravage the land.
Karveki set his mind to sending an even more deadly Pantherghast against the savages. He quickly began research into summoning a beast that could eradicate the entire Barbarian race from the face of Tyrra. Karveki was contemplating nothing less then genocide, and tampered with magics far beyond those intended for mortals to wield. His Formal experiments went awry, and an appalling backlash occurred which transformed Karveki into a Vampire of immense power. He was dismayed by his dilemma, and initiated a lengthy study to discover a cure for the curse.
Karveki could find no remedy for the horrendous Malison that inflicted him after years of research, and was overwhelmed with grief that he should watch his beloved family grow old before his eyes. Therefore, Karveki conveyed The Curse of the Vampire to his wife Arianna, son Denthur and daughter Heather so they would share his benefit of immortality. Yet he never suspected that they would not share his invulnerability to sunlight, a miscalculation which haunted him for centuries to come and still haunts him to this day.
His beautiful daughter Heather was reduced to ashes at dawn of the next day by the first rays of the morning sun. Karveki mourned the loss of his only daughter, and blamed the Barbarians for his awful plight. He was driven mad with vehemence, and swore to avenge Heather’s demise. Karveki located the Barbarian villages in the foothills of the Frostpeak Mountains and placed The Curse of the Vampire on their chieftain Randar. He reasoned that the curse would compel Randar to turn against his own people to sedate his thirst for blood, a punishment befitting his crimes.
The Barbarian chieftain turned on his people just as Karveki had intended, and he was quickly outcast by many of the Barbarian clans. The Ice Nation was comprised of almost fifty different clans that had unified to combat the empire of Brisbane. However, the confederation dissolved without Randar’s leadership, and the Barbarians scattered into several warring factions. The largest of these factions continued to battle with the remnants of Brisbane, while most of the remaining clans departed the area for more hospitable lands. This divorce of the clans marked the end of The Second Barbarian War.
Randar became the chieftain of a powerful Barbarian tribe called the Scorpion clan. The Scorpion clan was notorious for their appreciation of necromancy, and welcomed a powerful undead as their leader. Randar followed Karveki’s orders, and lead his people against the other Barbarian clans under the pretense of regaining the rightful command of the Ice Nation. The civil dispute that followed created sufficient dissension to eliminate the Barbarian threat in the region over the course of a decade.
Karveki regained his wits shortly after inflicting Randar with the Curse of the Vampire. He immediately began research into an enchantment that might protect his remaining family from the deadly rays of the sun. Karveki completed this research after several months of exhaustive analysis having invented the Cloak of Darkness Formal. He cast this Formal on Arianna and Denthur to insure their eternal safety from the burning sun.
The last survivors of Brisbane became nourishment for Karveki’s family. Arianna and Denthur required blood on a regular basis to survive and together they completed what the Barbarians had failed to accomplish. Many citizens attempted to flee Devonshire and seek shelter from the curse that had befallen Brisbane. However, Karveki cast a Greater Proscribe Formal to imprison the Human citizens within the city thus preventing these hapless people from escaping least his family starve to death.
Empress Latulorian was distraught over the state of her nation. She swore to destroy the monsters that were killing her people and end the terrible curse. Karveki decided that it would be advantageous to recruit the empress to his cause, and so he turned her into a Vampire as well. The empress manipulated the Grand Inquisitor and guards so the identity of the Vampires remained a secret. The Grand Inquisitor finally learned of the Vampires several years later, and the few remaining citizens of Brisbane were aghast with terror.
Fortunately, Karveki’s Greater Proscribe held no power over the Hobling citizens of Brisbane. Chancellor Meyrick Pascale organized the Hobling population of Devonshire and led them in a desperate trek through the Barbarian forces to the safety of the Western Plains. Many brave Hoblings were slain in the journey, but the band eventually reached the lands now known as the Plains of Hadran. Meyrick vowed that he would return some day and destroy the Vampires that had claimed the life of his beloved empress.
The Hoblings built a settlement called Bagenland in the Western Plains. The settlers nominated Meyrick as the chieftain of the hamlet, and he quickly established a stronghold in the region. The Hoblings had a noteworthy conflict with a nest of Attercob, and several of their people were slain by the arachnid threat. Thankfully they were victorious after a small war with the intelligent spiders, and Bagenland prospered thereafter far from the threat of the Barbarians and Vampires which had annihilated Brisbane.
Among the Hobling settlers was a great wizard named Liam. Liam employed the Contact Earth Formal on several occasions to answer Meyrick’s questions about the Vampires that had claimed the empress. Together they uncovered the terrible story of Karveki, and the curse that had transformed their liege lord into a Vampire. Liam immediately began research into a cure for the terrible Malison of Karveki at Meyrick’s order, as he had also sworn to return and liberate Devonshire.
The following decades were a very dark time in the region of Brisbane, as Karveki and his family devoured the poor souls trapped in Devonshire. Karveki and his family eventually killed off the few remaining citizens, and this marked the collapse of the once great empire of Brisbane. Fortunately, the hunger of these monsters dwindled as time past, eventually matching that of Karveki. The Vampires went to sleep in their Spirit Cradles, and Karveki surveyed the lands using his Spectral Eye.
Randar’s war to reunite the Ice Nation continued for several more years. The plains of Brisbane became their battleground, and the grasslands were soon drenched with blood. Randar inflicted another Barbarian by the name of Hagalorn with the Malison of Karveki during the conflict. Hagalorn was an elder of the Wolf clan, and well respected among the Barbarians. However, the Barbarians soon discovered that Hagalorn was undead, and he was also outcast.
The Vampire ability to summon and control Wolves was an affront to the Wolf clan, and Hagalorn relished their loathing of his power. Randar and Hagalorn were a formidable pair, and devastated all Barbarian opposition. Nine of the Barbarian clans finally conceded to Randar, and accepted his rule over their people. However, many more clans refused to follow an undead monstrosity and departed the region. Randar lead his people into the foothills of the Frostpeak Mountains once the resistance was put down, and there they settled a series of caves called The Grotto.
Randar appointed Hagalorn as his second, and returned to Devonshire where he joined the other Vampires in the Sleep of the Damned. Hagalorn was ordered to prevent anyone from disturbing the capital of Brisbane, and defend the various clans that had sworn loyalty to Randar. Hagalorn sedated his awful thirst for Barbarian blood on a faction of the Ice Nation that had traveled to the southern reaches of the Frostpeak Mountains. The faction was comprised of six brave clans that refused to serve the Vampires or depart their ancestral homelands.
A large pilgrimage of Drae lead by Princess Tamarantha Cantanya arrived in the territory of Brisbane almost two centuries later. The Drae had departed the kingdom of Draelonde to establish an independent community in the depths of the Frostpeak Mountains. The Drae people labored vigorously to carve out great chambers and apartments in the Mountains, thereby adding new territory to the realm known as Underearth. Princess Tamarantha named the settlement Cimmerian Hollow and the community prospered for many years.
The Drae people began to explore the plains shortly after construction of the settlement was completed. They located the ruins of Devonshire after a few months, and Princess Tamarantha lead an investigation of the relics found within the debris. The excavation of the city eventually disturbed the sleeping Vampires and the Drae were soon beset upon by these vile undead. Denthur inflicted Princess Tamarantha with the Curse of the Vampire, and her entire exploration party became sustenance to feed her thirst. Karveki ordered his remaining Bone Golems to detain the Drae within the city, and they suffered the same fate as the bygone citizens of Brisbane.
The remaining Vampires could not return to the Sleep of the Damned until they had once again tasted the blood of their kind. Randar returned to The Grotto where he found the Barbarian blood he required. He learned that the Barbarians had been enraged by the arrival of a tribe of Orcs called the Steelwielder clan that defiled the land with celestial magic. Hagalorn had been harassing the Orcs for some time, but was unable to inflict any real damage. Randar lead his people in a war against these Orcs, and inflicted the clan chieftain with The Curse of the Vampire.
The chieftain of the Steelwielder clan was an Orc Lord named Fenric. Fenric had an unfathomable thirst for the blood of his kind just as all newly created Vampires. He was sent against his people and caused numerous casualties. The Steelwielder clan eventually retreated into the Battle Downs, now known as the Maul Hills, and the Barbarians reclaimed the plains. Randar, confidant that the Barbarians were secure, established a Spirit Cradle in the Grotto and returned to the serenity of the Sleep of the Damned.
Fenric continued to harass the Orcs for several years until his hunger subsided. He was outcast by his clan, and hunted for almost a decade by the Orcs of the Battle Downs. The Orcs killed Fenric many times but finally determined that his spirit was indestructible. Fenric wandered the territory of Brisbane for many years, and then departed for lands in the southeast.
Fenric inflicted a Highlander named Shenandoah with the Curse of the Vampire before returning to the region almost fifty years later. Fenric found his way into the catacombs of Devonshire and entered into the Sleep of the Damned with the other Vampires.
Shenandoah was a great healer, and lead a campaign against the Northmen Barbarians. She had become a brash and sinister women, consumed with hate for the world of Tyrra that had robbed her of the joys of life and motherhood. Shenandoah eventually traveled south and inflicted several others with The Curse of the Vampire before disappearing into the annals of history. It is possible that she continues to walk Tyrra to this day, but her whereabouts are unknown.
Karveki and his family also needed blood to sedate their hunger after being awakened by the Drae, yet no Humans lived in the region. Therefore, they were forced to travel far to the south and seek sustenance elsewhere. Empress Latulorian joined them on their trek southward, and the Vampires eventually located the kingdom of Niman. There they found many Humans to feed their wretched hunger. Karveki and Arianna remained in Niman for several years, but Denthur and Empress Latulorian returned to the ruins of Devonshire and the peace that sleep offered.
Necromancy was legal in the kingdom of Niman at the time, which made it notably easier to travel in the lands. The Vampires posed as visiting nobility, and were well treated by the Nimani people. Karveki purchased an estate in the kingdom with money obtained from his hapless victims. Arianna inflicted one of the Nimani nobles named Sir Artemis Meritage with the Curse of the Vampire, and instructed him to rule the land that they had purchased. Karveki and Arianna created Spirit Cradles that were hidden on the estate and these enchanted sarcophagi still exist today. They returned to the ruins of Devonshire after the estate was secured, and returned to sleep.
Sir Artemis Meritage was granted permission to rule the estate in Niman as he desired, but was ordered to insure that the Spirit Cradles of Karveki and Arianna were always well guarded. He purchased many Human slaves, and sedated his hunger with the blood of these poor souls. The estate prospered, and his living kin maintained the secret of his undead existence. Sir Artemis staged his own death after several decades to avoid suspicion, and his son Vincent inherited the estate. Title to the estate continued to pass from father to the first born son of each generation, but Artemis always ruled from behind the scenes.
Princess Tamarantha eventually returned to Cimmerian Hollow once the excavation party was devoured. She proclaimed herself the Daimyo, or Dark Queen, of the settlement. The Drae people were horrified by the curse that had transformed Princess Tamarantha. However, the Drae code of honor and their loyalty to the house of Cantanya forced them to accept her as the rightful ruler of the community. Denthur gave her permission to rule the settlement in any way she wished, but the Drae people were not to disturb the ruins of Devonshire ever again. The Cimmerian Hollow continued to flourish under Queen Tamarantha reign, but the settlement was forever changed.
Sir Artemis was heartbroken by the birth of his great grandson Paris several decades later, as he was born a sickly child and almost died at birth. Paris was a handsome youth and grew to be quite intelligent. Yet the ailment which had troubled him from birth struck hard during his teenage years. Sir Artemis could not face the death of this lovely child, and eventually inflicted Paris with The Curse of the Vampire. Paris was finally filled with strength of limb to match his mind, and traveled south to explore the continent of Avalon never to return. It is possible that he still exists to this day, but his whereabouts are unknown.
The insightful wizards of Bagenland had been working diligently to discover a cure to the terrible curse of the Vampire. Unfortunately, no cure could be unearthed but the Hoblings contrived a new Formal called “The Formal of Woe” to combat the Vampires. The Formal enchants a wooded stake into a weapon that will destroy a Vampire if it is thrust through the heart of such an undead monster. Meyrick Pascale had died centuries earlier tormented by regret that he had not returned to save the citizens of Devonshire.
However, Meyrick’s eldest son had swore that the oath would be redeemed one day, and so this pledge had been passed down through the generations to Meyrick’s descendant Kitaro. Kitaro lead a war party towards Devonshire armed with this new lore intent on destroying Karveki and Empress Latulorian. The vast plains were nearly barren, and Orcs and Barbarians had overrun the region. No sign of the once great empire of Brisbane existed. Only scant evidence of ruins scattered throughout the plains gave any hint that an ancient civilization once flourished in the land.
Hagalorn and the Barbarians of the Wolf clan encountered the Hobling war party, and a vicious battle ensued. The Barbarians were defeated, but the Hoblings had no prior knowledge of Hagalorn or his Vampire existence. Therefore, they failed to use their new lore to destroy the Vampire, and Hagalorn simply traveled to his Spirit Cradle in the Grotto and regenerated. Hagalorn, thinking himself totally invulnerable, returned the following night to attack the Hoblings again. The Barbarian Vampire was destroyed by Kitaro wielding a Stake of Woe while Karveki watched with his Spectral Eye.
The war party continued to the ruins of Devonshire, and found the Vampires prepared for their attack. The Hoblings fought fiercely, where they destroyed several Bone Golems and a host of undead which guarded the ravaged city. Unfortunately, the Hoblings also suffered heavy losses, and were forced to retreat. Many brave Hobling warriors resurrected in the plains on a Resurrection Stone of granite, and the battle was renewed the following night.
Empress Latulorian was permanently killed in the next attack, but the beleaguered Hoblings suffered nearly total defeat. Kitaro suffered a death in battle along with nearly two thirds of the war party. The Hoblings were forced to make a hasty retreat, and much of their supplies were left behind so they could carry the wounded to safety. Furthermore, Karveki had managed to steal the Hobling’s Resurrection Stone which forced the fallen warriors to resurrect in Bagenland. The few remaining Hoblings returned to their home, and all hope of ending the curse was abandoned.
The Vampires were all quite hungry after the Hobling foray was overcome, and so they decided to sojourn in Niman. Sir Artemis Meritage showed the Vampires unusually fine hospitality, and his slaves proved to be an adequate banquette. Sir Artemis also shared his accumulated wealth of Formal components with Karveki to show his gratitude for being granted the “Dark Curse.” Karveki and Arianna returned to Devonshire after a brief furlough to quench their hunger and inspect the estate which Karveki had purchased.
Denthur decided to remain in Niman for some time, and learn of the changing world. He spent most of his time in taverns and brothels seducing the most attractive and affluent women of Niman. These women followed him back to his bedchamber where he quickly devoured their delicate blood. Denthur made a game of trying to attract the women without using his supernatural gifts, and he consumed much more blood then he required to survive which Sir Artemis found quite vulgar.
Sir Artemis and Denthur talked at great length of all that had transpired since their last encounter. Sir Artemis spoke of his great grandson Paris who now roams the world as a Vampire. Denthur told his host everything that had transpired in the region of Brisbane, and of the Drae Queen of the Cimmerian Hollow which he had transformed with the curse. Sir Artemis was horrified to learn of the Hobling attack, and the Formal lore which could destroy a Vampire.
Dethur’s antics eventually drew the attention of the local baron who ordered an investigation into the rash of murders. The Magistrate almost discovered the Vampires’ existence. Sir Artemis insisted that Denthur depart at once before the magistrate learned the secret of his family estate. Denthur departed a week later for Devonshire and the Sleep of the Damned.
Fenric also needed blood after the conflict with Kitaro was over. He traveled to the Battle Downs and found the Orc Lords he required to sustain his existence. Fenric continued to travel the plains for several years in search of an ideal location to build a secluded crypt for himself. He gathered Formal components during his excursion and created a small legion of Bone Golems to guard the crypt using a Formal scroll borrowed from Karveki’s library. Fenric fabricated another Spirit Cradle in his secret crypt and returned to the Sleep of the Damned.
An Evendarrian sage named Cobel lead an expedition into the region of Brisbane several centuries later. The group came upon the ruins of Devonshire, and became trapped within the Greater Proscribe that Karveki had created ages ago. Cobel spent weeks studying archaic tomes and artifacts found within the city hoping to discover a way in which they might escape. He managed to translate the cryptic runes of Brisbane, and pieced together much of the history of this ancient civilization. Unfortunately, Cobel’s yearning for knowledge lead him into the more secluded chambers of Devonshire, and he unintentionally Awoke Arianna from her preternatural hibernation.
Arianna explained the fall of the empire and The Curse of the Vampire from her warped perspective. Cobel was fascinated by the history of Brisbane but quickly became horrified as she spoke of the curse which befell her husband and the dark years which followed. Cobel attempted to flee the catacombs beneath Devonshire, but Arianna restrained the sage with her supernatural strength. She said that the only way he would ever understand her plight would be if he were to become a Vampire, and so she inflicted Cobel with the curse against his will. She instructed the Bone Golems to defend the crypts of the Vampires, and returned to the Sleep of the Damned after fulfilling her evil appetite.
The remainder of the expedition became sustenance for Cobel, and sedated his terrible thirst for Human blood. He spent many months in the ruins learning the history and culture of the lost empire. He departed the region afterwards, and returned to Evendarr City where he wrote an essay relating the entire ordeal. He entitled the essay “The Malison of Karveki,” and included ample information of the lost Empire of Brisbane. Cobel’s aversion to sunlight, accompanied with the bizarre story that he told lead many to believe that he had lost all reason. His composition was discounted as the ranting of a madman by most scholars, and he eventually departed the capital city in shame.
Cobel wandered the kingdom for some time, and his travels eventually lead him to the Royal Academy of Arcane Arts and Sciences on Lake Hollym. Much of his earlier work was well respected by the Academy, and so he was welcomed into their assembly. Cobel kept his true nature a secret, and began to research a Formal which might alter his physiology so that he could travel among the living without drawing attention to himself. Cobel completed his research after many months of exhaustive study having fabricated the Reverse Metabolism Formal. He cast the Formal on himself, and departed the Academy under suspicion soon afterwards.
Cobel traveled east beyond the Tower Hills, and there he encountered a wealthy Human Merchant Prince named Simon Roback. Cobel joined Simon’s caravan, and the two talked at great length about the various cultures of Tyrra. The sage inflicted Simon with The Malison of Karveki after a heated argument, and then vanished in a whiff of smoke. Cobel turned north when this evil deed was completed, and returned to the ruins of Devonshire where he resumed his study of the lost empire.
Cobel located a great library of ancient tomes, maps, incantations, and Formal scrolls which Karveki had secured in a secret chamber. The works had been gathered over many centuries, and included all of the accumulated lore of the Arcane Seminary. He found the Cloak of Darkness Formal most interesting, and cast the enchantment on himself so he would be safe from the sun. Cobel created a Spirit Cradle in the catacombs of Devonshire, and entered into the Sleep of the Damned.
Simon Roback was a native to the kingdom of Niman, but often traveled south to conduct business in Evendarr. Simon Roback, also a vampire, was a native to the kingdom of Niman, but often traveled south and east to conduct business in Evendarr, Myrr, Elysia and at a small merchant place called Sardon’s Pass located between Myrr and Niman. He purchased many slaves in Niman to feed his thirst for blood, and departed on another trading obligation once his hunger was controllable. Simon’s travels lead him into many lands to conduct business, and he interacted with many different people of Avalon. He is suspected to have inflicted several others with the Malison of Karveki, including an elven warrior named Klorian before withdrawing into a secluded region of Niman to retire. It is possible that Simon still exists to this day, but his whereabouts are unknown.
Klorian was a drinking friend of Simon Roback who often traveled with him. Simon inflicted him the Malison of Karveki one night after a heavy night of drinking. Klorian immediately began to feed on his Elven friends and became a drifter. Klorian met Alicia Hollymsong from Ashbury in 597 and controlled her to head toward Devonshire where she was to help destroy the enemy invaders calling themselves Avendale. Along the way Alicia Hollymsong’s heritage line was destroyed along with her father and she was turned back to the living. The state of Alicia Hollymsong’s body was not strong and slavers from Tarsan Empire captured her, making her care for the children, elderly and injured. Alicia Hollymsong managed to escape with some others and fled, being found by Sir Konrad Alphenwen some time later in lands near the kingdom of Avendale. Klorian knows Dalwyn and told him of the one named Alicia Hollymsong.
Many Minotaur herds entered the plains of Brisbane during Cobel’s absence from the region. The various herds avoided the Orc clans of the Battle Downs, but laid claim to the plains. The Barbarians started to war with the Taurus Minotaur herd almost a decade later for encroaching on the hunting grounds of The Grotto, and corrupting their lands with Celestial Magic. The strength and numbers of the Minotaurs gave them a substantial advantage in battle, so the Barbarians suffered heavy casualties.
The Scorpion clan awakened Randar from his slumber to aid them in their skirmish with the Taurus Minotaur herd. Randar had learned a lesson from Karveki and inflicted the chieftain of the herd with the Malison of Karveki. The chieftain, a Celestial Templar named Jehennum, was ordered to feed on his herd and drive them out of the Barbarian hunting grounds. Jehennum turned on his people, and the Minotaurs withdrew into the center plains within a few months.
Randar remained awake for some time, and aided Jehennum in battle against the Taurus Minotaurs. He taught Jehennum the history of the Vampire curse, and of their master Karveki who surveyed the land with a Spectral Eye. He also told Jehennum not to disturb the ruins of Devonshire. Randar traveled to The Grotto when the Minotaurs fled, and inspired his clan to breed Giant Scorpions.
Jehennum continued to harass the Taurus herd for several years to quench his thirst for Minotaur blood. He was hunted down on many occasions, yet he returned after each death to slay more of his kin. The herd elders used a Contact Earth Formal to learn of his Vampire existence, and were horrified to discover that Jehennum’s spirit was now indestructible. Jehennum became known among the various herds as the “Corrupted Steer,” and the Taurus Minotaurs moved south in fear of the Vampire.
Jehennum eventually discovered a group of undead known as the Colanta. He learned that the Colanta is a council of seven various undead monstrosities which defend the region from any Human invasion. Jehennum contacted the council in hopes of gaining allies which might understand his undead existence. He told the Colanta of the King Vampire Karveki who resides in the ruins of Devonshire and the Spectral Eye which he uses to survey the land.
The Colanta were not very sympathetic with Jehennum. Several members of the council even argued that all of the Vampires should be destroyed. However, all agreed that the Vampires should simply be avoided after a lengthy debate. The council asked Jehennum to serve as an emissary between the Colanta and Karveki if ever there came a time when communication was desired. Jehennum departed the meeting in a puff of smoke after negotiating a means to contact the council again in the future.
The catacombs of Devonshire started to collapse during the same time period. Karveki was awoken from his slumber by the wreckage and found that the great walls of Devonshire had toppled. The once great capital city of Brisbane was but a pale shadow of its former splendor. The ruins were overgrown with weeds, and only a pile of broken stone remained to testify that any civilization ever existed in the region.
Karveki had surveyed the region with his Spectral Eye for many years and learned that a large tribe of Trolls had recently moved into the plains. The Trolls had been at war with the Orcs of the Battle Downs for many years, and suffered heavily in the conflict. They might have been driven from the region entirely had they not made and alliance with a powerful clan of Ogres. The Trolls managed to channel deep into the land and construct a huge underground citadel after the war. The entire construction was completed in only a few scant years, and now the Trolls lived in fear of the Orcs and Minotaurs.
Karveki reasoned that the strength and mining skills of the Trolls would make them the ideal slaves to reconstruct the ruined catacombs of Devonshire. Karveki traveled to the Troll city and spoke at length with their king. He told the king to organize his people into mining groups and prepare for arduous labor. The Troll king agreed with the Vampire after Karveki dispatched the king’s personal guard, and spoke some rather terrifying threats. The Trolls became Karveki’s slaves in this way, but their enslavement did have some agreeable benefits.
Karveki found Randar in the caverns of The Grotto, and ordered him to deal with the Orcs and Minotaurs that were disturbing the Trolls. Randar in turn located his Vampire minions Fenric and Jehennum. He ordered them to get a message across to their kin that the Trolls were now servants of “The Master,” and were not to be harmed least they incur his wraith. Furthermore, The Master is all knowing as he watches the lands with his Spectral Eye, so no aggression against the Trolls would go unnoticed. Randar returned to his Spirit Cradle afterwards.
Fenric turned on the Orcs and Jehennum dealt with the Minotaurs. The two Vampires delivered the threat as ordered, and slaughtered many of their kinsmen to ensure that the message was taken seriously. Thereafter, all conflict with the Trolls ceased. Fenric returned to the seclusion of his crypt when the task was completed.
Jehennum traveled to the ruins of Devonshire to meet the king of all Vampires after he finished his charge. He found Karveki directing the Trolls in their labor to rebuild the catacombs. Jehennum told Karveki of the Colanta, and his appointment as emissary. Karveki was pleased with Jehennum, and invited him to construct a Spirit Cradle in Devonshire.
Karveki instructed the Trolls in their construction for almost two decades. He salvaged much of Brisbane’s ancient lore of architecture, and employed this knowledge to insure that the new catacombs would last for ages. The new complex included apartments, galleries, and secret passages. The Trolls built many mechanical traps to safeguard the catacombs including falling stones, spiked pitfalls, and crushing walls.
Karveki’s family could not sleep during the Troll construction, so they traveled south to visit Sir Artemis in the kingdom of Niman. The Vampires remained in Niman for over a decade. Arianna gathered newly created spell incantations and Formal components for her husband, while Denthur practiced his charms in brothels throughout the kingdom. Karveki visited his family every year to quench his thirst, but always returned to instruct the Trolls. The Vampires returned to Devonshire when the catacombs were completed.
The Trolls were directed to excavate the ruins of Courtland and salvage whatever artworks they could once the catacombs of Devonshire were completed. Unfortunately, no paintings had endured the Second Barbarian War and centuries of harsh elements. However, several exquisite sculptures had endured. The statues were transported to the new galleries in Devonshire for Karveki and his family to appreciate.
Karveki ordered the Trolls to construct numerous hidden crypts in the region after the excavation of Courtland had unearthed all of the artifacts which survived the centuries. These crypts would become locates for additional Spirit Cradles, so the Vampires could regenerate in multiple locations. Karveki also ordered the Trolls to conceal the remaining ruins of Brisbane, and erase all evidence that the empire ever existed. The Trolls served as Karveki’s slaves for almost one hundred years. Karveki finally released them from servitude when these tasks had been completed.
Another Evendarrian expedition lead by Lady Katherine Galenson entered the region of Brisbane almost sixty years later. The Galenson expedition included a stalwart contingent of soldiers, and settled in the southern plains near the Battle Downs. The Ice Nation immediately started warring with the invaders from Evendarr, but suffered heavy losses. The Scorpion clan awakened Randar, and they inflicted serious destruction under his command.
Katherine Galenson and her entire expedition disappeared some 7 years later.
Lady Niomi Avendale, in 597ER, came form Evendarr in search of her ancestor, only find a Vampire named Karveki and his lineage.
In 602ER Niomi Avendale suffered her final death at the hands of Karveki the Vampire, and the new Regent, Tavernia Septorian, vows vengeance upon the vampire.
In July 603ER, Avendale City has been taken over by several bands of thieves, and Karveki has raised more undead to wage war against Avendale.
Will you help to defeat the adversaries, and befriend those others, or will
you try to acquire everyone else's goods while they aren't looking?