[Official Styrian Proclamation, circa 1408]

Rejoice, subjects of Styria!

Queen Carmilla and the Council of Sisters have, in their great wisdom, elected to add to their ranks a fourth member: Lady Lenore of Brittany. Born a human duchess, Lenore came to Styria as a young vampire, still adjusting to her turning but a few decades before. Since then, she has worked tirelessly for our kingdom's benefit as an emissary to rival vampire and feral human powers alike. Her youth belies an intelligent mind far beyond her years. Lady Lenore's accomplishments include securing the release of Counts Therlis and Ralich from the Howl-flesh Wolfman Clan, undermining Austria's or anyone else's attempts to consolidate the so-called "Holy Roman Empire" into a singular force against us, facilitating trade relations with more amiable feral human nations beyond our army's reach, and most recently, helping perpetuate the present schism plaguing that accursed institution, the Catholic Church.

In these times of growing change and restlessness among the feral human powers surrounding us, the Council recognizes the value of diplomacy as war by other means. Henceforth, Lady Lenore of Brittany is hereby crowned Queen Lenore of Styria, fourth member of the august Council of Sisters. Strength and power shall be ours into eternity.

The coronation ceremony shall take place in two months' time. All Styrian vampires of good standing within Styria Keep's vicinity are invited to subsequent blood banquet. Those without seats or who must give their seat for a higher vampire must leave. Dhampirs and free humans are not permitted. Counts and of mayors of charter towns are expected to hold their own similar gatherings, partially subsidized by the treasury if absolutely necessary.

As to Styria's free and domestic human population, this joyous, singular occasion necessitates an additional pint of blood on top of existing taxes the coming month. Furthermore, the Council shall requisition four hundred healthy human children for the coming celebrations. Human mothers who voluntarily provide appropriate children shall receive one silver each. Diseased or malnourished children will respectively be turned away or used to top off the general reserves with no compensation. Forcible gathering will be necessitated for any shortfall in this quota.

Styria over all.

[Personal Correspondence from Styria Keep to Graaz]

March 3rd, 1408

My good friend Galrath,

I hope the courier found you without issue. I sent it directly just in case their official system is looking through our mail again.

Were you able to attend the celebrations at Graaz? They were probably great, but really you should've been at Styria Keep! It was amazing. They had colossal tables set out in the moonlight that had to fit at least five hundred of us. I was lucky to get a seat. They soon had to start turning vampires away. There was enough blood to fill the entire Mediterranean! We even got a dollop of virgin blood! And then they brought out those toddlers the crier mentioned. Only the bigshots got them, but they looked amazing. Live, perfectly bound and gagged to not cause trouble, necks pulled back for easy access. What I would've given to have one!

I was also able to see all four queens, even if it was at a distance. Striga, Morana, Queen Carmilla herself, and of course, the new sister, Lenore. From afar, you'd think she was a human! I haven't heard too much gossip about her. My best guess is that they brought her on after Carmilla's less-than-successful attempt at directly making nice with Bavaria's and Austria's dukes. It always sucks to see vampires humbled by feral humans, even in an unfair two-front war. At least we didn't lose any land.

I do have one concern I must confide in you, something that worries me a little. Lenore's a diplomat who spends time with humans, and a friend who has seen her worries that they may rub off on her. I didn't think much of it until I noticed that Lenore never bit into her toddler. One rumor was that she later gave it to Carmilla, saying she was too full. (As if you could ever be too full for such a luxury!) An even more disturbing rumor the next day was that she said she was saving it for later, and then untied it just before dawn. Having a human lover as a leader will be the death of us, if this is true.

What am I saying? Forget this nonsensical sedition. The event was great. Let me know how things went in Graaz.

Your friend,

Terthina

P.S. Burn this letter. You know me, I'm just a little paranoid.