Fiction:The Firmament/Varelos von Aschenbrener

"No more shall I be commanded by ze veak and pathezic. No more shall I bend ze knee! Now I vill rule over ze land, for I am ze rightful ruler of mankind! I. AM. VON ASCHENBRENER!"

- Varelos, declaring the end of Natchland

Varelos von Aschenbrener is an ancient human from Natchland, the land now known as Duskwood, who rules as the immortal duke of the vampire counties who rule that region today. The first vampire, he embraced undeath in exchange for power when he made a pact with Analuhati, the demon lord of forbidden knowledge, and rules the land with a firm fist. A follower of darkness, he believes the world exists to be led by him and his bloodline, though unlike most of his descendants, he holds no particular hatred for the living or other races, understanding that a ruler is nothing without followers.

The Blood Pact
Varelos Aschenbrener begun his life in 1666 AL as a nobleman among the Natchlander elite. His desire for power led him to seek means to usurp it from the elves, a dark road which led him to commune with demons and eventually earned him an audience with the terrible Analuhati, the demon lord of forbidden knowledge. Making a deal with the demon, Varelos and his bride Anian made what is called the Blood Pact with Analuhati, gaining immense power in exchange of being transformed into the first bloodline of vampires.

Now naming themselves the von Aschenbrener bloodline, Varelos and Anian passed the vampire curse to the rest of their families and soon enough vampirism was spreading across the land, causing humans and elves alike to become creatures of the night under the service of the self-proclaimed Count von Aschenbrener. Survivors were either subjugated or fled the region, and Varelos proceeded to unleash his final demonstration of power by casting a ritual which plunged the region into a state of perpetual night; so was Duskwood born. With his power consolidated, Varelos ordered the construction of Castle Oldenberg, a residence fit for a lord like him, and split up the land into provinces for his trusted vampires to rule over, leading to the creation of the vampire count orders.

Features
Varelos an intimidating figure to behold; the aged duke of Castle Oldenberg is a pale, gray-skinned human man with pointed ears, fangs which protrude from his lips and eyes shaped like those of a feline. He wears a suit of fancy black and red clothing which holds in it a belt with the symbol of the von Aschenbreners in it - a silhouette of Analuhati's roaring face - and has a scar across his upper right lip which causes his expression to resemble a snarl by default, though the effect diminishes when he actually emotes. His weapon of choice is Natchland's Demise, a greatsword he wields in one hand which is blessed by the unholy magics of Analuhati, and holds in it the power to consume souls and transfer their agony to those struck by it.

An ambitious and power-hungry man, Varelos sees himself as the true lord of the land. As an ancient human noble who rules over former Lechnerian lands, he sees himself as a rightful heir to the throne of the Confederation of Lechner. However, despite his dark intent, he is not like many of his servants who see the living with contempt; he is willing to leave them alive provided they obey him.

Varelos' mount is a zombie grimdusk dragon named Blightfiend, often used when the count needs to discipline his followers or during war time.

Relationships

 * Allies
 * Anian von Aschenbrener - Varelos' love for Anian is eternal and undying, and has remained as strong now as the day they've met.


 * Ambivalent
 * N/A


 * Enemies
 * N/A