Chapter 1: Horror's Origins.
Part 1 - The Curse that Struck the East:
In the past, the ancient vampire clan Ikabonf, who always had mystical inclinations (performing complex vampirical rituals), united itself with the Nostrads, an abnormally aggressive and violent clan.
Forming the largest and most dangerous "pure" vampire clan in Eastern Europe and Asia. The explanation for the first vampire's emergence is mostly based on Tattaglia Ikabonf's research on the Beyond, associating vampires with spirits/specters/ghosts (it's important to say that in his research, he differentiates between spirits, ghosts, and specters…) that reach the world according to the Star's desire.
Zelles, the first Nostrad, lived for centuries.
He was the family's chief and decided to marry Zaffira Ikabonf, daughter of the head of the Ikabonf clan, Orbn Ikabonf, after the death of his wife Selena Nostrad at the hands of Silvio Getty (the first Getty) in a bloody conflict.
At that time, the traditional Wolf wizarding family was tasked with "dealing" with the Nostrad-Ikabonfs.
Icar Wolf, the oldest son and the heir of the family should drive them away from the lands they now occupied, banishing them from Eastern Europe. But the beloved son of Isemban Wolf fell deeply in love with Isabel Nostrad.
Isabel Nostrad failed to have any children with her husband Hugimy Ikabonf (or was Hugimy the who failed to impregnate her?).
Desperate to have a child and afraid of repression within her family for failing to generate a worthy heir, Isabel accepted Icar Wolf as a temporary lover, but allegedly ended up falling in love with him.
Icar Wolf managed to impregnate Isabel, but then seemed to become paranoid soon after that, killing his father (who was against their relationship), and stabbing the pregnant Isabel in the stomach multiple times with a traditional weapon (specially made to kill vampires).
Icar Wold killed her and her baby, throwing the body into the Celt's forest lake. The man claimed after, that in Isabel's womb, there was something terrible, something horrendous, and that he couldn't bear the thought that he had been the one to generate such an aberration.
This had been the first account of "love" (was it love?) between a "pure" vampire and a wizard, a human.
Back in the 17th century, many wizards in Eastern Europe and Asia believed that the Nostrad-Ikabonf family was cursed.
It was believed that if you pronounced the name "Nostrad" or "Ikabonf" a wave of bad luck and bad energy would come to their villages and their cities.
The infamous family was not wanted or accepted by anyone, but themselves, at the time, being both hated and feared.
The Nostrad-Ikabonf family was composed of "pure", "noble", "non-miscegenated" vampires (at least at the beginning).
Many identified them as "evil vampirical spirits", "bloodlust ghosts" or other term involving elements from the villagers' tribal beliefs.
This was because, often, the residents of the surrounding areas claimed to perceive "hauntings" and general "malaise," which they directly associated with the infamous family. They entered the village's houses sneakily, never being noticed, and walked at night without making any noise, unnoticed. Hidden in plain sight, ready to attack when one least expected.
In addition to biting people and taking people's blood (and obviously the villagers' peace), they carried with them an odious and evil ominous aura that was almost mystical.
They and their cursed aura simply didn't seem to belong to this world.
And their way of "reproduction" was very unique.
Capable of sexual and asexual "reproduction".
They could reproduce sexually like human-beings do, but could also generate new vampires through the "ritual of fertility", a ritual showing their adoration to the Star (not much is known about this ritual, but we can say that it didn't always work, because Isabel Nostrad had tried countless times…, some of her family members' theorized that she may be "cursed by the Star" or that she was "dirty" and "not worthy")
They were, if they wished to, able to turn humans into vampires, but they never did so (never, not even one case of a human being turned into a vampire by the Nostrad-Ikabonfs in the beggning, before the first new generation) because they didn't consider humans as "worthy beings", generally seeing them as mere food, for consumption and disposal.
It was only after some decades that they began to consider the "reproductive human potential", in order to generate individuals who were half vampires, half wizards.
With vampiric characteristics and the ability to perform magic.
It's important to say that the Nostrad-Ikabonfs strongly believed that magic was passed automatically to the offspring and we're utterly frustrated when they realized that this was not always the case.
Reproduction between vampires and wizards seemed to generate unexpected results, to say the least.
That first "new generation" of Nostrad-Ikabonfs was originated by miscegenation, and it was observed that human and vampire genes gave origin to individuals that could be either "too vampirical" or who possessed unnatural levels of magic, proven to be too powerful, and prone to destructive magical outburst.
Their genetics and genes were unbalanced.
The "vampire-wizards" had unusual characteristics resulting from a mixture of human and vampire genetics.
The most common results, from the biological point of view, were:
Too many vampirical genetic characteristics - happened in 70% of studied cases from the first "new generation". Vampire gene seems to be the dominant one: fangs and claws bigger than normal, almost insatiable bloodlust, excessive and abnormal physical strength, and velocity, little talent for magic, inability to perform magic (those are only some of the characteristics, there may be others that weren't studied). Ex: Edgar Nostrad (but with good ability for magic; excessive vampirical characteristics, excessive bloodlust.) Too many "magical" characteristics ("human genetic") – happened in 20% of studied cases from the first "new generation". Human genes usually not dominant: small fangs and claws reduced need and desire for blood, able to walk in the sun, increased talent for magic, prone to destructive magical outbursts (if the individual were able to control it, his magic became extremely powerful!). Ex: Leonheart Ikabonf, but wasn't able to control it and died prematurely (for a "noble" vampire! Lived for two centuries) "Correct" balance between human and vampirical genes – happened in only 10% of cases from the first "new generation" and could be a result of some kind of genetic mutation. Ex: Tattaglia Ikabonf, he possessed a special talent for elemental ice magic, specializing in esoteric dark magic, a very specific type, with blood rituals, and what he called "vampirical" magic, a kind of magic that could only be performed by the infamous Nostrad-Ikabonf family, excellent dexterity and physical strength, little need or desire for blood, able to walk in the sun, fangs' size was normal for a vampire, normal vampirical longevity (some centuries to live).Often, people were kidnapped and taken by force of their villages, being confined for "reproductive purposes" mostly through the mysterious "fertility ritual" (it is important to note that the Nostrads-Ikabonfs always considered humans as inferior and refused to "physically touch" them without needing them for feeding purpose).
The controversial Hugis Nostrad had, supposedly, talked about the need to create some kind of "human farm" ...
In the end, the mixture of "noble" vampire blood and magical blood didn't turn out too well, as the magical and vampiric characteristics were unbalanced.
The "second new generation" tried to "erase" the magical human blood from the "noble" Nostrad-Ikabonf lineage and started to marry only among themselves (they had momentarily tried to reproduce with some other magical creatures trying to "strength the non-human blood", supposedly some of them even gained… horns through reproduction with some unknown magical animal).
They were trying to "purify" the lineage. The second new generation was so disgusted with the human component on their "noble blood lineage" they started to hunt members of the first new generations.
The "first new generation" (the miscegenated one) felt rather insulted at being considered somewhat "impure".
As the first generation was much more powerful, in absolute and relative terms than the second one (sometimes, with incest cases and inbreeding, as they used the "fertility ritual" less and started to reproduce sexually with close family members), the first generation was victorious.
And this contributed to the acceptance of "magical blood" and, in a certain way, to the general acceptance of "wizards as reproductive entities" and not only as "food" (what seems little, but it's already some kind of advance.)
At that time (and with the clear superiority of the first new generation) there was also a war between different vampirical clans in eastern Europe and Asian regions.
The other pure-blooded vampire clans didn't sympathize with the Nostrad-Ikabonfs, because they were always competing for human blood, for "food".
The Nostrad-Ikabonfs were an extremely bloody and violent vampire clan.
They entered into violent conflicts with Salyr and Getty clan (mostly at the Wynn and Celt Forest), and after their final battle against them, they took control of the site.
They were considered way too violent even by other vampire clans and were responsible for the purebred vampires' near-extinction in Eastern Europe and Eastern Asia!
They were also accused of committing genocide against the magical population (important to say that there may be some contradictions when using the strong term "genocide", some historians don't accept the term to describe what happened)
In the end, only the Nostrads and a few small isolated vampirical groups remained. These small groups stopped forming cohesive clans but had no other choice but to remain together, trying to protect themselves from the terrible Nostrad-Ikabonfs.
It is speculated that these small groups gave rise to the Ghouls we have today: a long process of miscegenation (maybe with ogres), marriages, and transfer of new genes to the offspring. Important to clarify that the modern Ghouls ("basement vampires") are nothing like the Nostrad-Ikabonfs, not nearly as strong, or dangerous.
[…] It's important to talk about a case of "love" between a first-generation vampire and a Romanian human witch. Zacar Kima-Humsen was kidnapped by the vampire Hymma Nostrad-Ikabonf, from the first new generation, he ended up apparently "falling in love. It was the first case of a "noble" vampire transforming a human witch into a one of them (the transformed ones belong to the so-called "low class" and need the blood of the vampire who transformed them to survive.
Zacar Kima-Humsen was a witch who studied mysticism and believed in the strength of the union between humans and vampires, perhaps because as the tribe's sage and leader, she had to think about a way to remove the rival magical clan from her native tribe.
Transformed into a powerful vampire and with the help of Hymma Nostrad-Ikabonf she fought to drive out the magical Zatuzy clan that had invaded her tribe. Soon after, she left her tribe, handing over the lead to another female sage of the matriarchal tribe and lived together with Hymma for centuries in the Belarus, going from forest to forest.
Part 2 – Notable Nostrad-Ikabonfs
Tattaglia Ikabonf, and Edgar Nostrad, respectively, the most notable Ikabonf, and the most notable Nostrad from the first new generation:
Since his birth, Tattaglia Ikabonf believed he had strong mystical talents, a belief that led him to the research of legends, folklore, and esoteric themes. He was half a wizard, half a vampire and for this reason, he lived for many years and could dedicate himself to his research, with Edgar Nostrad's help.
The young Tattaglia, aged 16 (human age), and the young Edgar tried to enroll more than eight times in the small school of magic that was created at the time in rural Romania, the National Magical Academy for Agricultural and Trade, that used to teach spells intended for the proper cultivation of land and enhancement of trade.
Some historians say that entering this small Academy was Tattaglia's and Edgar's biggest dream. Tattaglia Ikabonf and Edgar Nostrad were almost the only "pure" vampires who showed real interest in the so-called "magical world".
However, the Nostrad-Ikabonf family's infamy was growing at that time and there seemed to be no real chance that Tattaglia and Edgar would be welcomed there when part of his family was decimating the region's magical people. It had been the many vampirical attacks that led to the closure of the Magical Academy.
Totally devastated, they had a serious argument with Uris Nostrad-Ikabonf (the new clan's chief) and they left the sites.
Uris Ikabonf repudiated their passion for the magical world (as well as did a large part of the family, who still saw the population of human wizards more as food that should be consumed).
Accompanied by Edgar Nostrad, they moved to a rural part of Mongolia, trying to hide from their family's anger. Edgar Nostrad, despite the strong vampiric characteristics, has always shown a deep interest in the wizarding world.
Some claim that being in love with a Romanian witch named Edna Nolenburg from the Magical Academy, piqued his interest even more (her death is a mystery to this day, she died just before he moved to Mongolia, but bite marks were found on her neck…)
There they founded the clandestine Star Circle Academy, influenced by their joint research on the "occult" and the "mystic". Everything was located inside the Nolrgate Forest, in Russia, hidden from the general public.
At that time, Edgar Nostrad tried to feed on animals, so as not to cause suspicion. The villagers' disappearances that occurred were attributed by the government to accidents, but some believed the government was trying to keep the population calm, and refusing to inform them of the presence of the Nostrad-Ikabonfs.
Some experienced hunters and wizards were called to "remove the vampirical plague", but they were all defeated in a matter of seconds! No one was able to get Edgar and Tattaglia out of the woods.
The two formed a research group inside the Academy called The Circle. Maybe…, some magical citizens were part of the group…
It's known that Tattaglia Ikabonf tried to recruit some wizards (he could walk in the sunlight without problems), and did not seem to be afraid to go to the villager (in reality, it was the villager who seemed terrified of his presence).
With Ikabonf's recruiting attempts... the government had no choice but to say that there was, in fact, a "vampire infestation" (two vampires… but they usually referred to any vampirical appearance as "an infestation") in the forest.
Most of the village members left on the same day and the village was soon abandoned.
It is not known if the group is active in modern times.
It is speculated whether Tattaglia Ikabonf was responsible for bringing the "infernal winter", that caused the massive freezing of the forest's rivers. A winter that lasted for fifty years (the "vampire's winter"), as the "noble" vampire had a special talent for elemental ice magic.
After the start of the "winter in the woods" no one else went in there. It is speculated that horrible rituals were performed then because the forest rotted after a few years. Till today, nothing planted there, grows. Experts say the soil is ruined, cursed, scoffed with black magic.
Some said that the two returned to Wynn and Celt to defeat members of the Nostrad-Ikabonf family and take control of the sites, because the winter phenomenon occurred in those regions as well and nowadays Wynn and Celt are rotten, ruined, indicating that the same rituals may have been performed there too.
Tattaglia devoted much of his time researching the Beyond/Spectral World/Ghost World, he believed that it was possible to communicate with beings from the so-called Beyond and that it would also be possible for beings from Beyond to communicate with him.
He believed the Beyond was the key to understand vampires' origins, and that he could invoke the Star of Tomorrow. A mystical symbology that, according to his research, governs the Beyond, being capable of granting wishes, with immeasurable power.
The Star should be invoked from the Beyond through what he called "the Ritual of the Star and the Circle" in which a mystical Circle becomes a Star.
He referred briefly to what he called ghost relics and seemed to be searching from them with Edgar Nostrad's help, saying that, even if he couldn't finish looking for the ghost relics to bring the Star of Tomorrow into this world, he would be able to complete it from the Beyond.
The Star is the portal, but the Star is also the Circle (name of the group he and Edgar Nostrad, his partner, would create). The Star would be able to open to the path to the Beyond.
There has been much confusion to what is the Star and what is the Circle… and if the Star is actually the Circle.
Some believe that, in theory, the Star is the Circle, but in practice… there's no way the Star can be the Circle. No one seems to fully understand the Circle and Star paradox…
He believed that only noble vampires of his own kind (such as the Nostrads) would be able to connect with the Beyond, but concluded that they might need some mystical objects in order to conjure the Star of Tomorrow to the real world (the relics).
He also revealed that they would need some complex rituals involving some "sacrifices" and some "material body parts". In the future he would also affirm that they would need a "receptacle", a being who belonged to the "real world" and who would be able to serve as a portal (the Star's receptacle), connected with the Beyond.
The Star's receptacle would have to be powerful enough to conjure the Star of Tomorrow, to open the portal, to open the Circle.
Vampirical beings such as the Nostrad and the Ikabonfs discovered they could, using rituals, communicate well with the Beyond, but they weren't too "attached" to the "real world" and couldn't, therefore, serve as the Star's receptacle.
They were well connected to the Beyond, but not to the "real world" as they concluded they were "spectral entities with a desire and need for blood" and would't be able to properly fixate themselves to this reality and make the connection between two "worlds".
They need a… wizard, a human at least, who would make this connection to reality. But discovered that humans can't communicate with the Beyond, even using rituals, so they would never be able to be the Star's receptacle!
Presumably, Edgar Nostrad researched some rituals involving the study of the soul. He wanted to make it possible for a vampirical soul (able to communicate with the Beyond) to have instrumental ways (using a human body and the relics) of conjuring the Star of Tomorrow from the Beyond.
The problem was:
The humans didn't usually survive the ritual. The human, with a healthy soul, expelled the vampirical entity.Ikabonf studied a lot about spectral possessions and believed that vampires should take back their primordial nature as specters, who had came from the Spectral World and that they should thus leave the "real world" to which they were not so well connected, returning to perform the "Star's haunting" from the Beyond, taking possession of a human body able to perform magic and seek the relics in order to conjure the Star of Tomorrow.
He laid the groundwork for the nefarious and internationally forbidden Ritual of Spectral Vampiric Possession.
This ritual has never been done successfully.