Creatures of the Night - Alucard and the Undead

 Carmilla, Vampire

 Bram Stoker

Dublin

My Dear Herbert,

                              I cannot express to you my gratitude for your response to my research. I have until now become too used to the smirks and barely concealed contempt of so called educated men who regard my work as insane and ridiculous. I suppose the works of Polidori and Le Fanu have served only to confuse and provide a ready excuse for the logical mind to conceal from consciousness the evidence that lies before them. Though to be frank my friend, at times I have indeed wondered whether my own sanity is in fact complete such have been the consequence of my discoveries.

You know that my work began when exploring the archives of the Hungarian Tedski family on behalf of the University. Amongst the manuscripts were medieval accounts of outbreaks of mysterious and unexplained deaths and illness amongst the peoples of the North Eastern Balkans. Delving deeper into the archive I discovered similar stories throughout the region back into the times of prehistory. In fact I have found references in the works of the great Pliny which remarkably reflect the experiences described in the modern record.

I have become I know obsessed with this research, but the deeper I delve the more obvious it becomes to me that deeply hidden behind the history of Eastern Europe, the Ottoman Empire and even the great Empires of the East lies the subtle influence of an older and more insidious power.

I have expressed to you my observations in regard to Count Alucard, that discrete yet influential figure in the courts of the Hapsburgs and the Duchies of the Danube. A tall, virile and handsome man of perhaps 50 years of age. Yet my research shows that this very man commanded a regiment of Le Grande Armee in the disastrous Russian Campaign, and from which he returned not starved and worn but fit and healthy while others dropped in their thousands for lack of sustenance.

My agent claimed this to be Alucard.

The file that I have sent to you via secure courier contains even more shocking evidence that this man, if man he be, was also active in the court of the Great Frederick and was rumoured to have been the lover of the Russian Empress Catherine. I know my friend that these comments seem to be the rambling of a man fallen into the pit of madness, and at times I declare I feel this to be true, but I beg of you not to judge me until you have seen the evidence contained in the file. I include photographic plates obtained by my agent in Belgrade. The night following the despatch of these pictures, the poor man was set upon, dismembered, and his blood drained from his corpse. I find this conclusive evidence

Let me reveal to you my considered discoveries, placed together in the form of an incomplete narrative. That back in the far recesses of time what man was still developing along the lines of natural selection as suggested by Mr Darwin there existed a humanlike creature that reasoned, walked on two legs, and hunted as did our ancestors. This creature though had found that the most easily available source of found was not the animals of the plain, but other human like creatures who could be hunted at night as they slept.

Nosferatu, creature of the night

The darkness became their realm, through which they moved swiftly and silently, their senses acute in the darkness. They hunted like lions, groups easing through the darkness to fall on their prey. In many ways they were successful and they hunted to extinction groups of our ancestors. But our forefathers learned quickly and began to fight back. Living in groups building protective areas and guarded fires during the hours of darkness to combat the predators.

 Nosferatu ? a gathering espied in the Balkans

Many of the creatures of the night failed to respond to these new circumstances and as their food sources became more limited they faded away, a footnote in history. Some though, the cleverest, the most cunning, the mentally strongest survived. Soon they learned that, like the Massai in Eastern Africa, that they did not need to consume their prey to grow strong, instead they might milk them of their blood, weakening them of course, but retaining a ready source of food. These creatures like the fakirs of India were also blessed with powers both mystical and magical, a fleetness of foot, great strength, a power of the mind able to subdue others, how easy was it then that they should become a class of shaman, religious leaders able to influence the rulers of men, the power behind many thrones.

Aztec blood sacrifice

And so these creatures merged within human society, but always apart from the masses. I ask you Herbert to consider the history of the Ancients, the priest clans of Central America, the Druids, the Shaman of the Steppes, the priests of Baal. All created fervour of faith that required the shedding of human blood, the creation of lakes of rich food not for some pagan god, but for the maintenance of the priests and their acolytes.

Mankind is not so foolish that they will remain in thrall to such evil forever. Over the millennium the cults of blood were overthrown, the Romans slaughtering the druids in German and Britain, the Spanish in the name of Catholicism cleansing the pyramids of the Aztec empire, the armies of Islam sweeping through the Middle East, North Africa, Spain, India, everywhere destroying the remnants of the blood cults.

 Kali Ma - Indian Vampire

But, no broom sweeps a carpet clean entire. Always there will remain some trace, a vestige of what was once in place, and this is I believe where the legend of the Undead, the Vampyre begins. For centuries these creatures lay hidden, in the wildest and most unwelcome borders of our society. They need human blood to survive, but fear the power and knowledge that now rests with man and allows the hunter to have become the prey.

I have learned that the Nosferatu of German legend may be those who cling to the belief that the best hope for the Vampyres is to remain hidden, avoiding as much as possible the attention of the authorities. Living on the borders of civilization, or hidden in the confusion of our major cities, preying on the weak, the poverty stricken and the ignorant. Although they retain some of the mystical powers traditional to their kind they seek to survive rather than to rule. The cult of Kali, the Thugee of the Indian plains overflows with the blood of murdered innocents, but remains hidden and secret.

Thugee at their murderous work

There are however others, who have sought to maintain their influence over humankind, and indeed to grow in power and knowledge. They have studied and sought to improve their powers, and have sponsored and supported the work of scientists over the centuries. It is seemingly insane I know, but look I pray you at the extracts I have sent you from the diaries and writings of such great men as Bacon, Newton, Da Vinci, Harvey, Franklin, Descartes, can it be a coincidence that all report the help, and support of a nobleman of the East? The court portraits from Florence and Vienna show Count Alucard, seemingly the same man, but two hundred years apart. Can this be possible?

The Vatican holds records regarding secret scientific research sequestered by agents of the Inquisition. I have been told that these detail work undertaken by the greatest scientific minds of the last five centuries on behalf of a mysterious benefactor. They reveal how serums and potions have been created that extend the lifetime of the recipient. Also how a transfer of blood from one to another may carry certain powers from donor to recipient. How this may be done I have no conception, but my informant swears that is it so. It seems that humans may be imbued with the powers of the legendary Vampyre. My informant has revealed that The Vatican has agents hunting the Vampyre threat but will not share their knowledge as they believe the influence of those they term Undead is high in the courts of Europe. I believe professor Van Helsing may provide you with further information in this regard.

Van Helsing

Herbert, I suspect that with your own contacts in high places, you will be fully aware of the truth that lies behind the reports of the undead having created a realm of terror in the Southern States of the Americas, fed on the bloods of the negroes held in bondage. If only half these tales are true it seems that this army of darkness allied with the Confederate States intending to forge an independent nation. If the undead failed in this attempt, surely we must guard most alertly should this example be repeated in a more subtle exercise.

 You asked if I have found any mention in my research of an organisation called The Pantheon. You will know that this is an ancient term for a home for all Gods, and I have come across it at times in my research without drawing any links or conclusions regarding the use of the term. However in a text from the lost library of Baghdad there is reference to the cults of blood in India, Europe and the hidden lands of the sunset living as one in the great Temple of Blood. Could this be the Pantheon that you seek? Apart from this I have not at this time discovered any clearer links, but I shall continue my research.

The beguiling Vampire

You will be aware Herbert of my own dabbling in the World of the Occult, and I must warn you that there are dark powers which may be tapped into by those wielding the arcane secrets that I have sought and studied for so long. Even within our own government there are those who practice the black arts, and are willing to imperil their mortal souls in search of temporal power. I implore you to be sparing in those that you share your trust.

 Demonic revels

Herbert, my friend, I have a feeling of great foreboding in regard to the future. The legends and myths that I study increasingly seem to find a reality in our World, and indeed I sometimes wonder which is real and which legend. I beg you take care my friend in your endeavours, and I hope you find my studies of help in your quest.

Your friend

B Stoker

Count Alucard and the Dacians – The feudal and undead following of the Count believed to be heavily involved in the Dacian uprising. Alucard is a Vampire, but the engagement with science and the unwitting scientific help of scholars of the occult such as Da Vinci, Newton and Franklin now allows him and his acolytes to move in daylight, and to live by eating small amounts of human food along with human blood products obtained from his loyal followers, or captives.

Others are more traditional in the Vampirical practices and mistrust the motives of Alucard and his involvement with Humans for political objectives. These include the crude Nosferatu the pure blood as they call themselves the direct descendants of the original vampires whose history is lost in the mists of time. The Nosferatu hate all humans, and are reluctant allies of Alucard, and have been known to feast on Alucard’s human retainers. These are creatures of the night, shunning daylight which inflicts a severe blistering of their skin, as does Holy Water and ointments. They also hate garlic, and fire. All the undead are vulnerable to silver missiles and weapons, and may also be weakened by the presence of religious objects and prayer.

Type	Pluck	SV	FV	Speed	Cost	Talents	Basic Equipment
Hetmann Ludd	+3	+1	+2	+1		Duellist, iron will, trick rider	Pistol , sword, dagger
Guard Pietr	+3	-	+1	-		marksman	Sword, dagger, pistol
Guard Tomas	+3	-	+1	-		berserk	Halberd, sword, dagger
Guard Leonid	+3	-	+1	-		Tough stealthy	Pistol, sword dagger
Banditti Cossacks	4	-	-	-		Cavalryman,	Musket, sword, dagger, lance
Titus*	+2	0	+2	+1		Impervious, tough, I mystical power	Sword, Claws, bite
Elvira*	+2	0	+2	+2		Beguile, 2 x mystical power	Dagger, claws, bite
Lucy Westenrah*	+3	0	+2	+1		Beguile, martial artist	Sword
Carmilla* Karnstein	+3	0	+1	+1		Medic,  1 x mystical power	Dagger
Lev Barthory*	+4	0	+2	+1		Tough, 1 x mystical power	Sword, dagger
Dacian fanatics	+2	0	+2	+1		Fanatic, Tough	Falx
Count Alucard*	+1	+2	+4	+2		Mystical powers 20 points, impervious, Immortal, terrifying, fearless, charm	Sword, claws, bite,
Master of Bats*	+2	+2	+3	+8 flying		mesmerism, tough, terrifying	Claws, bite, sword
Vlad*	+3	+3	+3	+1		2 x Mystical power, tough	Claws, bite
Kronos*	+3	+3	+3	+1		2 x Mystical power, tough	Claws, bite
Bled*	+3	+3	+3	+2		2 x Mystical power, tough	Claws, bite
Gargoyle	5	0	0	+6 flying -3 on ground		Tough, fly	Claws, bite
Bride of Darkness *	+4	+1	+2	+1		Beguile, mesmerism, levitate	Claws, bite
Nosferatu *	+4 out of sunlight. 0 in	-	+2 out of sunlight	-3 in sunlight		Beguile, + 1 other mystical power	Claws bite

Undead marked *

Within my Ruritanian based games I am not really concerned with points values but I will at some date add those to my lists, probably after a few more games when I have the characters balanced as I want them. As I am playing an ongoing campaign type game I have allowed Alucard the opportunity to change his mystical powers each game. Other characters for now are allocated powers which are unique to them and cannot be changed. I may also produce some cards to be drawn prior to a game to randomly allocate powers, or lack of them to characters. Beguile is a mystical power often witnessed in vampire films, usually with Christopher Lee showing red eyes, in which an individual stands like a rabbit in the headlights as a vampire closes in on them ready to sink their fangs into their throat.