[BadValentine]

Guild Name: Vampires

Come forth O child of night
So you may live without all fright
What else are men, but fools who fight
That we can watch, far out of sight

Yet it is true that we must hide
To watch the wars and pick no side
To move in shadow, with silent stride
So we reply, with just a smile

For what they see is just for show
Before death delivers its final blow
For what we feel, too much to know
Because their mind, it is too slow

Now come forth and take our hand
So we make more than just a stand
Then they will drink, elixirs of superior brand
Until their lives, are ours to command

(Poem courtesy of Shiranga - officer of Vampires)

Web site:
http://vampires.gamerdna.com

Guild Status:
Recruiting: YES
Server: AQUILONIA RP-PvP
Guild City: We have a City of Vampires

Guild Master:
Graal (or on the guildsite and AoC forums: Bad-V)

Guild Officers:
Graal
BadValentine
Antiquity


Guild Information:
As far as the Hyborian world knows, ours is just a guild of blood brothers/sisters using the ancient Hyborian word ‘vampire‘ meaning ‘kin of blood‘ as a guild symbol. That way, we maintain our masquerade. However, there are those who…suspect.
The guild of Vampires has claimed Sanctum of the Burning Souls area - ruins etc (including the gas caves) - as its feeding ground.
So, when we're not in the Rum n' Rumble (old ship-turned-tavern) in Tortage, or The Purple Carp tavern in Khemi, or roaming (as many of us often like to do), you may find Vampires lurking around Sanctum. Enter at your own risk.
Not all vampires share the same ideals. Some are cultured, some are primal and may attack indiscriminately, while some are unpredictable like the shifting sands of a desert in the wind.

[BadValentine]

Only guildsite members are able to post on the guildsite (http://vampires.gamerdna.com), and to become a guildsite member you need to be a member of Vampires guild in-game.
Non-members can only read the General forum on the guildsite.
Members can read the general forum and Members Only forum, and can post on the latter.

As a non-member, if you'd like to post a private message to one of the officers, that would be fine. Otherwise, feel free to post your message in this AoC Guild of Vampires thread.

[BadValentine]

["I am Akivasha! I am the woman who never died, who never grew old! Who fools say was lifted from the earth by the gods, in the full bloom of her youth and beauty, to queen it for ever in some celestial clime! Nay, it is in the shadows that mortals find immortality! Ten thousand years ago I died to live for ever! Give me your lips, strong man!" Rising lithely she came to him, rose on tiptoe and flung her arms about his massive neck. Scowling down into her upturned, beautiful countenance he was aware of a fearful fascination and an icy fear. "Love me!" she whispered, her head thrown back, eyes closed and lips parted. "Give me of your blood to renew my youth and perpetuate my everlasting life! I will make you, too, immortal! I will teach you the wisdom of all the ages, all the secrets that have lasted out the eons in the blackness beneath these dark temples. I will make you king of that shadowy horde which revel among the tombs of the ancients when night veils the desert and bats flit across the moon. I am weary of priests and magicians, and captive girls dragged screaming through the portals of death. I desire a man. Love me, barbarian!"
She pressed her dark head down against his mighty breast, and he felt a sharp pang at the base of his throat.]
The Hour of the Dragon
By Robert E. Howard

Akivasha is the most notorious vampire in Howard's Hyboria. However, she wasn't the only one that existed:

[… and the howling of the wind was mingled with the shrieking of the spirits of the
wastes. Vampires were abroad that night, witches rode naked on the wind, and werewolves howled across the wilderness.]
Black Colossus
By Robert E. Howard

Howard's suggestion that there were numerous vampires in Hyboria opens up a whole world of possibilities for developing the guild of Vampires.
Some guild members might be directly linked to Akivasha - “I will make you, too, immortal!” - and may wish to roleplay their character from the shadows, based on that idea (also similar to the ‘Akasha' concept in the Anne Rice vampire chronicles).
Whether or not such members choose to receive the dark gift of being able to survive in daylight from Bad-V or BlackKnight is a choice every guild member can make.
Vampires are evolving – such a thing is inevitable in this world of demons and magic – and as a result they can adapt much easier to the world of mortals, remaining hidden by the fact of their very presence in daylight, and quenching their thirst for blood in much subtler ways if they choose.

[BadValentine]

Extracts from Guild Forums: Vampires » General » Visitors' Questions
(See Vampires guildsite for more questions and answers)


Visitors' questions

1) Is the guild of Vampires an erotic roleplaying guild?

Answer: No. The guild of Vampires is a vampire roleplaying guild, not an erotic roleplaying guild, simply because many members may feel uncomfortable in such an environment especially if it is taken to extremes.
In addition, there is no absolute guarantee that all players of Age of Conan are over the age of 18, despite the age rating of the game. Therefore, for the protection of all players whatever their age, explicit erotic roleplay is not allowed in the guild of Vampires.
It is the responsibility of all guild officers and members to ensure Vampires Guild Chat is ‘user friendly'. Obviously, how guild members conduct themselves in private ‘group chat' and ‘tell messages' is their own decision and responsibility and has nothing to do with Vampires guild, but all are advised to conduct themselves in a reasonable manner.
Members of the guild of Vampires are naturally focused on playing various types of vampire, and although certain character or clan traits might cause a particular character to be played in a sensual manner, explicit erotic roleplay is not allowed in the guild. Besides, if the writer describes their character's actions carefully in a roleplaying scenario, much can be alluded to without going into specific detail and it can still be exciting.



7) What Vampire clans are there in the guild of Vampires?

Answer: All vampires can trace their bloodline back to the ‘Nine Ancients' of antiquity. Prior to them and uniting them, so legend holds, was one original vampire known as the Graal.
The Nine Ancients created nine vampire clans in Hyboria, based on their own unique and very different natures, although there are also several vampire septs (lesser or hybrid clans) linked to the original nine clans.
The Nine Vampire Clans of Hyboria are:
1.) Akashan.
2.) Xotracul.
3.) Lucravian.
4.) Vintridian.
5.) Magdvak.
6.) Vantiquador.
7.) Hythenian.
8.) Rahksarlian.
9.) Bashk.

Clan details/descriptions will be posted soon, so watch this space…

[BadValentine]

Hyborian Vampires

All vampires can trace their bloodline back to the ‘Nine Ancients' of antiquity. Prior to them and uniting them, so legend holds, was one original vampire known as the Graal.

The Nine Ancients created nine vampire clans in Hyboria, based on their own unique and very different natures, although there are also several vampire septs (lesser or hybrid clans) linked to the original nine clans.


The Nine Vampire Clans of Hyboria

1.) Akashan.
(Pure vampires)
Probably the purest vampire bloodline in Hyboria. Theirs is an existence in the shadows and night is their domain. All Akashans were once human and none have been ‘tainted' by magic or demonic possession.
Descendents include Akivasha, whom Conan encountered on one of his adventures.

2.) Xotracul.
(Vampiric wielders of dark magic)
When any being becomes a vampire as a result of magical ritual involving the blood of a vampire, it is likely such an individual will become a Xotracul.
The blood is the life, and it is the very 'essence' of life (found within all blood) that Xotraculs manipulate when conducting their sorcery.
However, their vampiric nature is interwoven with their dark magic, binding them to a death-life of servitude, in which loyalty to the clan is paramount. Every Xotracul is answerable to his or her superior in the clan hierarchy.

3.) Lucravian.
(Vampires seeking redemption)
Of the Nine Ancients, there was one in whom the flame of conscience was never completely extinguished or distorted. Some say the descendents of this ancient vampire retain their souls, yet as a result suffer eternal torment as they perform their vampiric misdeeds.
Lucravians, driven by the still, small voice of their conscience, therefore seek the redemption of their souls either through penance or actions that sometimes favour or protect ‘innocent' mortals. It is not uncommon for Lucravians to prey mainly on criminals.
However, Lucravians are akin to the moon in nature, having several phases – sometimes they are like the heavenly body in her fullness, reflecting the light of the sun. At such times, they radiate beauty, their conscience comes to the fore and evil is in abeyance. But there is also the dark-of-moon phase and, then, let all men beware for the voice of the Lucravian's conscience is naught but a whisper and may go unheeded.

4.) Vintridian.
(Solitary vampires)
Vampires who shun the idea of clan membership are known as Vintridian – wanderers. Their bloodline has no fixed attributes other than the need for solitude, although many are thinkers and philosophers, artists and writers. However, despite preferring to avoid their own kind, other than perhaps one or two trusted allies on occasion, they can often be found in the presence of mortals, intrigued perhaps by what can be accomplished in such a short lifespan, which to any vampire is but a fleeting moment in time.

5.) Magdvak.
(Mystically insane vampires)
Magdvaks are the obverse aspect of mysticism in the Hyborian world. They have a gift that sets them apart from all other bloodlines, having the ability to penetrate unknown things and can at times even see parts of the future. Yet all of their gifts come at a terrible price… sanity. In time, every member of this bloodline goes insane and their inspired babbling then leaves even the best of interpreters at a loss to understand the meaning of their words. Nevertheless, Magdvaks are sought after by other vampire clans for their foresight and unique skills, yet their mental derangement also makes them unpredictable and potentially dangerous, causing them to be shunned by many, or locked away for centuries not only for their own safety but for the protection of other vampires.

6.) Vantiquador.
(Noble, ruling class of vampires)
Of all the clans, Vantiquador takes the survival and support of all vampires the most seriously. Their motivation is the will-to-power, yet this is usually done for the most noble of reasons – the continuation of the vampire bloodline ‘en masse'. They actively work to govern and guide all the clans, although their methods can sometimes be shocking, merciless and severe.
They are the manipulators of mind and excel in vampiric methods of hypnosis. To varying degrees, they are able to mentally compel others from a distance and use such techniques to bring their prey out from the safety of home or tavern into their fatal embrace.
Governing the clans is never easy and Vantiquadors find their greatest challenge to be the mage-born Xotraculs. Predicting the outcome of a battle of wills between the mind-manipulating Vantiquadors and the Xotracul blood-manipulators would be difficult should these two clans ever find themselves at odds.
Vantiquadors also take full advantage of the Rahksarlian clan's predisposition to protect, and thus provide intelligent governance which enables the Rahksarlians to focus all their energy on developing their martial skills to the highest level.
Generally, the other eight clans accept clan Vantiquador as the governing power and have even come to expect it, especially in times of war.

7.) Hythenian.
(Vampire pleasure seekers)
"There is no good or evil, only pleasure," say the Hythenians. Their twisted minds seem devoid of conscience and the gratification of the senses is their primary interest. Theirs is a continuous quest that sees clan members searching for different forms of pleasure, perhaps to celebrate their heightened senses and their vampire nature - or perhaps simply to make eternity bearable?

8.) Rahksarlian.
(Vampire guards and warriors)
Rahksarlians live for battle and only by the deaths of their enemies in ferocious combat can their blood thirst be truly satiated. To prey on the unarmed or non-aggressive is never enough for Rahksarlians and leaves a bad taste in their mouths. Like cornered animals, members of this clan are quick to aggression and rejoice in their skills of immortal combat. It's hard to stop a Rahksarlian from fighting once the first blow is struck, so those who cross them should expect a fight to the death. Rahksarlians are not only loyal to their comrades in arms, they often assign themselves as protectors of other vampires no matter the clan and take pride in their roles as guards as well as warriors.

9.) Bashk.
(Vampire demon hybrids - created without magic)
Throughout Hyborian history, scribes have recorded numerous legends of the nine vampire bloodlines – legends only, because those historians who let curiosity get the better of them and set out on expeditions to discover the facts, never returned.
Despite the steady decline in number of mortal researchers on the subject, it is generally agreed that of the nine clans recorded, there is only one about which very little can be known.
In the study of vampirism, never has there been a more difficult task than fathoming the true nature of a demon-turned-vampire.
Bashks are unpredictable, because their essential demonic nature is transformed when they become vampires. Never again will they be as they once were, and no two are ever alike - apart from sharing the same appetite...
There is an ancient saying, “When the lords of hell tire of battling for your soul, their one remaining desire is to see you utterly devoured – and in that hour, the Bashk will come for you.”

0.) Servitor.
(Mortal members of the guild of Vampires)
Servitors are the attendants or servants of the immortal undead. They have been taken into the fold and therefore receive a considerable amount of protection from most vampires.
Servitors must provide their own blood for the vampires at any cost and the most trusted loyally protect their undead brethren when they sleep in their tombs.
Of these trusted few, if they do not end up as dead meat or as ghouls (due to prolonged over-usage as blood providers) some may eventually be rewarded for their service and initiated into the bloodline by being made into true vampires.

[BadValentine]

Visitors' questions

8) Who do I contact if I want to discuss the future direction of Vampires guild, whether for multi-guild role-playing scenarios, pvp combat ideas or concerns, or something else, such as joining Vampires?


Answer: Vampires guild has one official spokesperson: Bad-V.

All officers of Vampires guild are involved with the development of the guild. Their contributions are very much appreciated. However, all final decisions are made by me. Therefore, officers of Vampires should not be expected to make any official statement about the guild of Vampires, either in-game, on this forum or on any other. This is my sole responsibility.

Neither should officers be brought to book if someone has an axe to grind regarding ‘the guild as a whole', and naturally in most instances the guild of Vampires cannot be held responsible for the actions of any individual member.

The majority of guild members are keen roleplayers, whatever their experience. Many also relish the pvp aspect of gameplay, and will readily enter combat according to their nature, based on the specific Vampire clan they are aligned to. The guild is not purely roleplay focused or pvp focused, it participates in both.

All Vampire officers can be approached by players wishing to be considered for membership of the guild and may be accepted or refused at the sole discretion of that officer.

[BadValentine]

0.) Servitor.
(Mortal members of the guild of Vampires)
Servitors are the attendants or servants of the immortal undead. They have been taken into the fold and therefore receive a considerable amount of protection from most vampires - in much the same way as a farmer might protect his prize turkey, until Xmas dinner.
Servitors must provide their own blood for the vampires at any cost and the most trusted servants loyally protect their undead masters while they sleep in their tombs.
Of these trusted few, if they do not end up as dead meat or as ghouls (due to prolonged over-usage as blood providers) some may eventually be rewarded for their service and initiated into the bloodline by being made into true vampires.

(clan list has been updated)

[BadValentine]

Visitors' Questions - (guildsite extract):

5) I can't always manage to log into the game at the same time every day, and I can't even guarantee I will be able to play every single day. It all depends on my real life commitments. Does this matter and will this spoil my roleplaying experience?

Answer: No, it doesn't matter. You can check this guildsite (http://vampires.gamerdna.com) to find out the latest in-guild roleplaying storyline (Members' forum), if you are interested in taking part. You can also contact another Vampire in-game to find out what's going on. Or you can simply log on and play the game without getting involved with any current roleplaying plots. Some guild members prefer to go off and do their own thing – in-game quests, pvp, grinding mobs for xp etc, that sort of thing – and that's fine. Members log into the game at different times, so it's a lucky dip really when it comes to roleplaying, socializing or general gameplay. However, members can arrange to meet in-game at specific times, depending on obvious real life circumstances.

[BadValentine]

To clear up any misunderstanding regarding whether the guild of Vampires is a good, neutral or evil roleplaying guild, the correct answer is.....

...all three.

After studying the list of nine vampire clans, you will see there's potential for a real mixture of types in the guild of Vampires – some may mercilessly attack anyone and others may choose their prey carefully and even demonstrate respect and compassion.

Bad-Valentine's main aim is to maintain unity in the guild. Perhaps she dreams of a future where vampires have achieved redemption, or perhaps she secretly relishes the unique vampiric traits of her kin. Only time (and the Badvalentine Chronicles) will tell.

Naturally, the guild as a whole benefits or suffers as a result of its individual members' diverse actions, which is to be expected when you consider the clans.

That said, there is only one sin in Vampires guild, and that's to slay or attempt to slay your vampire-guild kin (unless they request it).

Bad-V

[BadValentine]

In addition to the original guild of Vampires, a guild of Lycans (werewolves) has now been created.

The two guilds hunt each other, fight each other (sometimes fairly and with honour sometimes unfairly with packs hunting and attacking an individual, depending on the roleplaying scenario) and sometimes the two guilds form a temporary alliance and group to fight a common enemy.

Vampires and Lycans members also meet in various locations, such as the Serpent's Head Inn to engage in none-combat roleplaying scenarios.

If you want to expand on Robert E Howard's idea that the world of Conan contains vampires and werewolves, join Vampires and Lycans, dedicate an alt to each guild and let the battle commence.

Members of both guilds are encouraged to roleplay their characters, although there is no pressure to do this all of the time as members also enjoy ooc (out of character) chat in a relaxed atmosphere.

Vampires and Lycans welcomes new or experienced players to its bloodline. Should you wish to join, contact us via the guild site (http://vampires.gamerdna.com) or look for guild members of Vampires and/or Lycans in-game on Aquilonia RP PvP server. Alternatively, you can post a membership request to Bad-V's private mailbox on Age of Conan forums.


Bad-V

The beauty of the double guild idea is (for example) if four Vampires logged in and fancied aggressive roleplay without forum-flaming consequences, two could log their Lycan alts in and there could be instant conflict of any type (swords, arrows, magic in pvp territory, or custard pie fights in the Serpent's Head) - and all done between friends so nobody in either guild gets upset.

Join Vampires and Lycans to fight alongside and also against your friends!

Bad-V