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The Monarchs

Monarchs are the leaders for each of the vampire dynasties; when they speak, the dynasty falls in line. Monarchs represent the dynasty in all dealings with Cabal, which is ruled through a council formed by the five monarchs. The current monarchs are: Isabella Ravingham; monarch of the Bathory dynasty Niklaus Lonescu, monarch of the de Morieve dynasty Charadine, monarch of the Lilith dynasty Pandora Rosewood, monarch of the Orlock dynasty Styx, monarch of the Tepes dynasty The monarchs are responsible for controlling their dynasty, leading the initiation rituals for accepting new members and crowning the heir of the dynasty. The title of monarch is bestowed upon the heir of the dynasty when the existing monarch steps down. Heirs are chosen by the monarch, but the title is not permanent, as monarchs can choose a different appointee if the heir is found wanting. It is worth noting that although they are powerful vampires, the monarchs are not the founders of the dyna...
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The Auction

“It has been said that Vlad Tepes once donated a vial of his own blood to Wilhelmina Harker. This vial was to be kept secret; only to be used in a time of great need. However, as is the way of our kind, Mina passed the vial onto her true love Jonathan, who in turn passed it onto their child, and so on and so forth, until, through the generations, it came to me. What I offer, to the highest bidder, is the blood of Vlad Tepes himself…” In October 2025, a gathering of the Cabal was called at Elvaston Castle by James Faustus III, for the auction of a vial of blood belonging to Vlad Tepes, founder of the Tepes dynasty. All five monarchs were present, along with their dynasties and the Cabal’s seneschal, Hermia. During the events of the auction, heirs of each of the dynasties were appointed by the monarchs. However, the Tepes monarch Styx was found unconscious. Fingers were pointed and accusations were made, but the attacker was never found and Styx was later revived by Faustus. The au...
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Tepes Dynasty

  “Empathy is the flaw in your logic.” (Styx, monarch of the Bathory dynasty) Founder: Voivode Vlad Tepes Monarch: Styx Archetypes : Philosophers, generals and scientists From the hallowed halls of academia, to the clinical laboratories of  research institutes and think tanks, vampires of the Tepes dynasty hunt using their clinical analysis and methodical planning. By the time their prey know they are being hunted, it is too late. Cold, logical and brilliant, the Tepes dynasty believes in control of oneself, of others, and of the world. They are scholars, scientists and strategists, valuing reason over impulse – monsters with minds like icy razor blades. The Tepes dynasty is aligned with the de Morieve and Orlock dynasties, but are opposed to the Bathory and Lilith dynasties.
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Orlock Dynasty

  “We don't hunt alone. We're a pack; silent, patient, watching from the dark. You don't see us, until it's too late.” (Pandora Rosewood, monarch of the Orlock dynasty) Founder: Count Orlock Monarch: Pandora Rosewood Archetypes : Hunters, predators and killers. From the deepest forests to darkest alleyways, vampires of the Orlock dynasty are brutal killers that delight in the joy of the hunt. The Orlock dynasty is raw, instinctive and fearsome. Vampires of this dynasty embrace their predatory nature, honing their bodies and senses for the hunt. They are ruthless, direct and unashamed of what they are; true hunters among predators. The Orlock dynasty is aligned with the Lilith and Tepes dynasties, but are opposed to the Bathory and de Morieve dynasties.  
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Bathory Dynasty

“A promise whispered at the right moment binds tighter than any chain.” (Isabella Ravingham, monarch of the Bathory dynasty) Founder: Countess Elizabeth Bathory Monarch: Isabella Ravingham Archetypes: courtesans, companions and femme fatales From gilded ballrooms to exclusive nightclubs, vampires of the Bathory dynasty hunt using their charm and beauty to entrance their prey and bring them to their knees. The Bathory are decadent, elegant and ruthlessly charismatic. They thrive on charm and persuasion, and are often at the centre of lavish gatherings or whispered deals. Masters of emotional manipulation, a Bathory will disarm opponents with their grace, before a well-placed strike with a smile seals their victim’s fate. The Bathory dynasty is aligned with the de Morieve and Lilith dynasties, but are opposed to the Orlock and Tepes dynasties.  
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The vampire Dynasties

There are currently five vampire dynasties that form the Cabal in As Night Falls: The enchanting Bathory. The authoritarian de Morieve. The primal Orlock. The rebellious Lilith. The intellectual Tepes. The dynasties are ideological, based on the different hunting practices of vampires. For example, a vampire of the Bathory dynasty hunts using their beauty and charisma, whilst a member of the Orlock dynasty is a savage predator. Leading each of the dynasties is a monarch, a title that is passed down from monarch to their appointed heir. Becoming the heir is a vicious struggle, as competition is fierce and an heir cannot be certain who is their ally and who may be plotting their downfall. Also, it is not unknown for a monarch to replace a nominated heir with another, should they be found wanting. Although the change - the process of a human becoming a vampire - is the same for all vampires, each dynasty approaches it in a different way. The Orlocks seek those that are ...
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The Cabal of vampires

The Cabal is an ancient conspiracy of silence that governs the undead lives of vampires to ensure the veil of secrecy is preserved. Vampires are typically loners by nature. People, however, are generally not. Humanity’s ability form communities, communicating with others around the world and sharing their knowledge, is a threat to all vampires. In order to remain hidden from humanity’s gaze, a loose network was created. Although most vampires live by their own standards, it was mutually agreed that certain rules should be enforced to ensure vampires never reveal the secrets of their existence. These rules became known as the four cardinals of the Cabal: Never reveal vampires exist.   Never refuse the will of the Cabal. N ever enter another vampire’s territory. Never kill another vampire. The Cabal is regional, with each country having its own communion. In the UK, the Cabal is led by the five monarchs of the vampire dynasties. Supporting the Cabal is the seneschal, an in...
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Lilith Dynasty

"Rules are for mortals and chains are for fools. We burn in defiance and drink deeper in freedom." (Charadine, monarch of the Lilith dynasty) Founder: Lilith Monarch: Charadine Archetypes : Punks, rebels and outcasts. From underground biker gangs to the anarchist movements, vampires of the Lilith dynasty hunt alone and never share their prey with others. Individualistic, rebellious and passionate, Lilith vampires live by their own code. They reject conformity and challenge the status quo, often clashing with the rigid structure of other dynasties. Expect chaos, anarchy and brilliance. The Lilith dynasty is aligned with the Bathory and Orlock dynasties, but are opposed to the de Morieve and Tepes dynasties.
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de Morieve Dynasty

  "Mercy breeds disobedience, but fear never forgets its place.” (Niklaus Lonescu, monarch of the de Morieve dynasty) Founder: Viscount de Morieve Monarch: Niklaus Lonescu Archetypes : Aristocracy, CEOs and leaders From their royal palaces and corporate towers, vampires of the de Morieve dynasty hunt using their natural authority and commanding presence. They do not need strength or beauty to subdue their prey. As the de Morieve have the divine right of kings and queens, all shall kneel before them and know their place. The de Morieve dynasty is authoritarian, noble and commanding. Vampires following this dynasty see themselves as the rightful leaders of the living and undead. Tradition, loyalty, and hierarchy are their lifeblood. Where they walk, others fall into line. The de Morieve dynasty is aligned with the Bathory and Tepes dynasties, but are opposed to the Lilith and Orlock dynasties.
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Anatomy of a Vampire

The vampires in As Night Falls are undead monsters that were once human and need to drink the blood of the living in order to sustain themselves. Human or animal, blood is blood, but it has to be from a living creature. Only blood pumped by a still-beating heart can truly satisfy a vampire’s need to feed, although stored blood may have its uses. Vampires never feed from the dead. Vampires are immortal creatures that are no longer constrained by the ravages of time. They can live for centuries and never age a day. However, should a vampire be starved of blood, the decades can quickly catch up with them, causing a vampire to wither away to a dry husk, from which they may never recover. Although vampires are able to withstand grievous wounds, they are not invulnerable. Fire and sunlight can still hurt them, whilst a stake through the heart will paralyse them (to be fair, it will paralyse most people). Decapitations are always lethal to vampires. Garlic and running water do not harm ...
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