The Necropolis

Advice from the ancient god…

Elder god: Beyond the ruins of your former stronghold, and above the gardens of the dead, your brother Melchiah waits…

Raziel watches as two vampires murder a human…

Humano: ¡No, please!

Raziel (vo): I didn’t recognize these flayed wracks of flesh. Their scent was vampiric, but they gnawed upon their victim’s carcass like dogs.

After crossing the door of the Melchiah clan…

Raziel (vo): This charnel house bore the unmistakable marks of Melchiah’s clan. To what depths had our dynasty plummeted, if these ghouls were the descendants of my high-born brother? Were they so debased as to recruit fledglings from the desiccated corpses here interred?

Raziel (vo): My brother, Melchiah, was made last, and therefore received the poorest portion of Kain’s gift. Although immortal, his soul could not sustain the flesh, which retained much of its previous human frailty. This weakness, it seemed, was passed on to his offspring. Their fragile skins barely contained the underlying decay.

Once inside the fortress of Melchiah, Raziel shifts to the Spectral Plane…

Elder god: Beware, Raziel. These wraiths are vampire spirits, fettered too long in the spectral realm. When their vampire natures adapt to this plane, they become eaters of souls. Do not allow these spirits to reinhabit their corpses…

Raziel reaches Melchiah…

Raziel: Show yourself, creature!

Melchiah: Do you not recognize me, brother? Am I so changed?

Raziel: Melchiah?

Melchiah: Yesss, brother.

You should have stayed where the master sent you, Raziel. You will find Nosgoth less pleasant than you remember.

Raziel: What has become of my clan? Answer me, little brother, or I will beat an answer from your horrid lips.

Melchiah: Everyone is afraid, sibling. You awake to a world of fear. These times of change are so… unsettling.

Do you think I feel no revulsion for this form? Do you believe for a moment that our Lord would risk his empire upon an upstart inheritance?

Raziel: Enough riddles - what are you saying?!

Melchiah: You are the last… to die…

If Raziel is defeated and returns…

Melchiah: Welcome, brother…

After defeating Melchiah…

Raziel: Tell me, Melchiah - where can I find Kain?

Melchiah: The master is beyond your reach, Raziel. He makes himself known when He sees fit - not when commanded.

Melchiah is crushed and his soul is freed…

Melchiah: I am released…

Raziel consumes Melchiah’s soul…

Elder god: You have done well, Raziel.

Raziel: Am I reduced to this? A ghoul? A fratricide?

Elder god: Elevated, Raziel, not reduced. Consuming Melchiah’s soul has endowed you with a new gift.

Insubstantial barriers such as these are no impediment to you in the spectral realm. Will yourself to pass through, and you shall.

Raziel shifts to the Spectral Plane and uses the recent gift of Melchiah’s soul to pass through the gate…

Elder god: Return to the Sanctuary of the Clans, Raziel. Melchiah’s soul has endowed you with the means to gain entry.

Beware, however - this hollow derelict is abandoned, but not uninhabited…