Imperium Nocturna

The tales of the Undead have taken hold of every culture on Earth since time immemorial. Stories of the dead returning from the graves to feed on the living. For centuries these stories have given humanity reason to fear the night and that which would claim their very souls. As time passed these stories were relegated to the realm of superstition and ignorance of less enlightened peoples. Vampirism was over time attributed to diseases such as tuberculosis and proferea. That any human could rise from the dead to feed on the living became considered absurd by modern man.

Little did modern man now how close to the truth his less enlightened brethren were.

Over the centuries vampires have laid in the shadows, draining the blood of humans in order to preserve their own unnatural lives. Sometimes a vampire has taken their victims and turned them into brethren. Most times the vampires have had to simply drain the intended victim dry. Before the advent of science and more able law enforcement, this was the best way to maintain their secrecy and existence.

Science in medicine and genetics lead the vampires to become more isolated. While the advent of blood transfusions made getting fresh blood, their essential source or sustenance, easier to acquire it also lead to more paranoia. The risk of humanity getting it’s hands on the blood of an immortal outweighed the benefits. Vampires had always been a solitary people. Fear of discovery and the success of Hunters trained and lead by the Van Hellsing’s lead to many to enter a state of torpor. An eternal sleep which would allow the vampire to remain hidden longer then their pursuers would survive.

Even as many were killed in the genocide of their species, those who slept ensured that their kind would continue on. Once vampires fell into myth and lore to be forgotten by human memory. When it would be safe for them to walk the earth again. These ancients allowed the world to pass by them, the many wars and advances going on around their subterranean resting places.

The first ancient to awaken in the new millennium was the Lord Vlad Dracula, a man who had become a myth unto himself. He looked at the world he had risen to and though the technology and building had changed, to his eyes it all seemed the same. World Leaders bickering over petty concerns. Their people suffering while they stand idlly by offering worthless oratory. It had been the same when he was still human and defending Romania from Turkish aggression. The people and organizations that were supposed to support his attempts to protect his people preferred to sacrifice them for their own comfort.

Humanity as a whole had learned nothing. It was the same for many vampires who left their peaceful slumbers to venture into the brave new world. Too much left unchanged for them to accept their old ways no longer held sway. Their curse was to live and forever see that. To the vampires, change was needed if the mistakes of their times were to be avoided in the present. However, none could make any moves towards this. They were unable to adapt their often cruel ways to the present time.

Only Dracula made any real headway adapting to the current century. He found himself unable to reestablish his ancient power base in Romania, however through manipulation of data networks was able to craft a new identity for himself. This was the way of the vampires now, adapting and reinventing who they had used to be. For a time this was the best solution, for humanity out numbered Vampires. Should they reveal themselves and appear too dangerous it would be easy for humanity to slaughter them.

Then the wrath spread across the world. This tragedy gave the vampires an unexpected opportunity. A chance to reshape the world into something that could break the historical cycle war and peace. Their final chance to carve out a vampiric imperium that would endure as they did. Thus the Concilium Nox Noctis lead by the first High Councilor Vlad Dracula Tepes. However it soon became apparent to the Son of the Dragon that even Vampires were easily corrupted by dreams of power if not more so then humans.

Where humans were greedy and lustful vampires exceeded ten fold. With the increased natural abilities came increased ambition. This has lead the High Counselor to considering others for positions of power. Humans, Lycanthropes, and various other members or different sects have been given sway in this world.

Though Dracula is never expected to give up the reigns of power willingly, many would believe that he would choose a successor rather then allow the chance that one with less honor then he would be granted the throne of the Imperium Nocturna.