The Vampire Vorador

Venturing into the forest, Raziel reaches the dwelling of the vampire Vorador…

Raziel (vo): Nestled deep in the black forest, Vorador had once held court over a private kingdom, as decadent as it was depraved.

Now, all was still. I hoped I had not arrived too late…

In an inner courtyard, a structure catches Raziel’s attention…

Raziel (vo): This pool seemed related to the portals which had transported me into the Vampire ruins – but its surface was disturbed by the spouting of these gargoyles.

Above, Raziel takes in new murals…

Raziel (vo): These gargoyles were effigies of the Vampires’ enemies. In the corresponding murals they were impaled by heroic Vampire warriors. Perhaps this was a clue…

Raziel (vo): This mural was similar to one I had seen before in the fountain room.

Raziel (vo): This statue appeared to be the same hero I had seen depicted in the fountain room. This had to be significant.

Raziel obtains the first spear…

Raziel (vo): This was indeed the Vampire warrior depicted in the fountain room - for here was the hero’s weapon. This could be the key to solving the riddle of the fountain…

Returning to the fountain room, Raziel impales two of the three gargoyles with the spears he obtained. They stop spouting water…

Raziel (vo): This door clearly required some artifact before it would open.

Raziel (vo): These murals were attuned somehow to those in the fountain room – for this wall too had shattered.

Raziel (vo): Perhaps this arcane emblem would unlock the sealed door in the crypt.

Raziel (vo): Ah, here was the second piece of the emblem. Now undoubtedly the crypt door could be opened.

Raziel (vo): Hm. The artifact I had was not sufficient. There was clearly still a missing piece of this puzzle.

Completing the puzzle, Raziel gains access to the chamber where the last spear is found…

Raziel (vo): With this third and final weapon, the mystery of the fountain would be solved.

Impaling the last gargoyle, Raziel activates the portal that leads him to the Water Forge, where he encounters new murals…

Raziel (vo): Here the images were unadulterated, and their meaning ominously clear… The Vampire hero, the bearer of the Reaver blade, was confronted by an adversary worthy of his powers. The enemy race, long banished, had an adversary of their own – with flaming eyes and a fiery sword.

The resemblance I bore to the adversary mocked all my hopes. Had Kain been the Vampire hero of prophecy all along? Did he suspect what I was? For if I was this foretold adversary, then Moebius was right, and had always been right – I was destined to fight Kain and destroy him…or be destroyed.

What part did free will play in any of this?…

Before the empty elemental vessel, the spectres of the guardians of Death and States await Raziel…

Death Guardian: Your deliverance is at hand – in Death is your release.

States Guardian: This state is merely atonement…

After defeating them, Raziel forges the Reaver with Water…

Raziel (vo): Once more the Reaver absorbed the spirits of the former Vampire Guardians, and thus was imbued with the elemental power of Water. Perhaps now I could enter that mysterious crypt at the end of the garden.

In another part of Vorador’s mansion, Raziel discovers a room sealed by Elemental powers…

Raziel (vo): This mysterious chamber was clearly significant. Perhaps I would find the elusive Vorador within.

Raziel activates the orbs that give him access to the chamber’s interior…

Raziel (vo): The braziers were all lit, but still the door remained sealed. Perhaps I had ignited too many…

Raziel finally manages to reach the chamber where Vorador awaits…

Vorador: So…our wretched little savior returns… Come to join the last pathetic battle of the vampire race? But on which side, I wonder…

Raziel: I’ve not come to fight you, Vorador.

Vorador: You don’t know why you’re here.

Raziel: I know this much: that you are the author of my fate - and as such, only you can rewrite it.

Vorador: You give me too much credit.

Raziel: You forged the Reaver - I have seen the evidence.

Vorador: I was its maker, yes.

Raziel: Then you know its purpose.

Vorador: No - only the scraps of prophecy my master shared with me.

Raziel: And do these scraps explain why you would forge a weapon to imprison your savior?

Vorador: Ah, well then… it seems we have our answer. You’ve chosen your path.

Raziel: I have chosen nothing. I’ve been deceived at every turn. You seem to know what I am. Tell me.

Vorador: I thought I did, once. But now all the prophecies have failed. The Pillars are corrupted… I am the last of my kind…and when Moebius’s hunters find me, it will have all been for nothing.

Raziel: You’ve forgotten about Kain.

Vorador: Ah yes, Kain… I fear he shoulders a greater burden than he realizes.

I cannot help you - even if I was inclined to. I crafted the Reaver blade, but only at the behest of my sire, Janos Audron. What sorcery he and the others laid upon the sword afterward, I cannot say.

Raziel: Janos tried to give me the Reaver before he died. He said that it was forged for me… But what did he mean? As my weapon, or my prison?

Vorador: Perhaps you should ask him yourself.

Raziel: Janos is here?

Vorador: In a manner of speaking.

Vorador leads Raziel to a crypt where the body of Janos Audron lies at rest…

Vorador: The greatest of us all - the father of our race. The Sarafan tore the heart from his living body five centuries ago.

Raziel: But there’s no sign of decay - how is this possible after all these years?

Vorador: Somewhere, the Heart still beats. And while it does, the body will remain preserved. If his Heart could be restored, Janos might yet be raised.

Raziel: And you haven’t tried to recover it, in all these years?

Vorador: Many times…but our enemies hid the Heart too well. It was taken as a trophy to Avernus Cathedral centuries ago, where they christened it ’the Heart of Darkness.’ Believing that it embodies the essence of our dark gift, they hid the Heart away, lest it fall into the wrong hands. Our hands.

Redeem yourself - you may be our last hope. Perhaps you alone can find the Heart, if it is meant to be found. If Janos can be resurrected, he will have all the answers you require.

This key will open your way to Avernus. But be advised, there are dark sorceries at work in the cathedral. You must be on your guard.

Vorador vanishes and Raziel makes his way to the hall that gives access to Avernus…

Vorador: Avernus is in flames… and with it, our hopes may evaporate.

Raziel: How can I find the Heart in the midst of such chaos?

Vorador: You must act quickly. But beware - an ancient evil dwells within, long Unspoken among our kind. Undoubtedly this is the source of the corruption that infects the Circle.

If you are to succeed, you must resist its influence.