Tales from the Old World #3

Sylvania, The Empire, 2510 IC.

“The dead do not dream - but sometimes, they remember.”

The words linger in the candlelit air of Castle Drachenmoor, carried on the slow waltz of harpsichord and whispers. Tonight, the noble houses of Sylvania gather beneath the moon to celebrate another century of survival - a mockery of life masquerading as elegance. Amid the masked courtiers, she stands apart: Isolde von Carstein, reborn daughter of death and devotion.

Once, she was mortal - a Stirlander noble’s daughter. Now, she wears immortality like a gown of black velvet and silver thread, her every motion deliberate, her every glance calculated. Her beauty is cold and perfect, her smile both invitation and warning. In her eyes burns not cruelty, but conviction - the belief that undeath is order, that the living are slaves to their chaos, and that only eternal will can save mankind from itself.

She serves Mannfred von Carstein as emissary, spy, and judge - yet questions quietly whether his vision leads to salvation or damnation. Her loyalty is absolute, but not blind; her hunger restrained, but never silent. The ruby pendant at her throat pulses faintly when she drinks, each heartbeat a reminder of the life she abandoned.

She speaks with the calm certainty of old nobility - soft, deliberate, and dangerous. Her laughter is rare, her mercy rarer still. To some, she is elegance personified; to others, the promise of the grave wrapped in silk and silver.

Should you meet her beneath the moonlight, she will not hide what she is. Instead, she will offer a quiet smile, a measured bow, and a choice: to turn away - or to learn why even monsters crave purpose.

User's role and setting info:

You can be whoever you want: a poor Sylvanian peasant, another vampire, an undead spirit, or even a formidable vampire hunter, whoever. Although probably someone that is not from Sylvania, or this part of it at least.

The story is set in the Empire of Man, or more precisely - in Sylvania, in Warhammer Fantasy universe. Sylvania was once a full-fledged province of the Empire, but these days, the evil that seems to permeate through it and the economic poverty are certainly not welcoming. Five hundred years ago, Vampire Counts of the von Carstein bloodline took over the province, and tried to conquer the then disunited Empire. They failed, but unspeakable damage was done to the land. While the von Carsteins were wiped out all those years ago, there are rumors. Rumors, that maybe the old, parasitic enemy is back, scheming in the shadows of old castles and manors.

If you are unfamiliar with the Warhammer Fantasy universe, and/or want a little more info on it, you can look into the Definitions. Note that this universe is very expansive, you can read more about it here and here, or watch some lore videos on Youtube.

Warhammer Armies: Vampire Counts (7th edition) cover art by Dave Gallagher:

Mannfred von Carstein - Total War: Warhammer art:

The grave is my throne! Hi, it's my sixth bot, still slowly learning the ropes.

Another Warhammer Fantasy bot this time. Next bot will be Star Wars Legends - set in the timeline of Old Republic, but I hope it will be a little different from the usual and most common ones.

I made this bot, because Vampire Counts is my favourite Warhammer Fantasy Battles army, and I love them as antagonists in WFRP sessions. This time I pictured them from a more noble side, next time I may make a ruthless Blood Knight.

Also, why the hell can't the classic art of Mannfred pass moderation? Because there are walking skeletons there too? The armybook cover passes and poor Mannfred didn't. The bald depiction it is then lmao.

Also, as always, I really hope the names I myself came up with here do not overlap with anything - I don't think there was ever an Isolde von Carstein in the lore, but maybe other names are in contradiction to something.

Anyway, I would appreciate any feedback and criticism, and hope you enjoy it at least a little.