He still wasn’t sure how to call his… curse? Sickness? Affliction? So far he managed to keep the inner beast at bay, not letting it overcome him. He rarely fed and only on haima taken from captured enemies.
His own network of loyal servants , agents, and spies worked like well-oiled machinery, well established in courts and main cities throughout Europe.
He was hiding in the shadows, puppet master pulling the strings of all the schemes put in motion so many years ago.
Of course he studied others of his ‘kind’, and managed to collect large dossiers for many of them. They were odd folks, spread throughout many different countries.
Some were already the stuff of legends, stories about them whispered during long winter evenings, whenever people were amusing themselves with scary stories.
An old prince, once bane of the Turks, now just an old man brooding in his castle hidden in the middle of nowhere.
A mad duchess, so addicted to haima that she supposedly even bathed in it.
A French girl from Britt any, still looking like on the day the Ancient one decided to transform her.
But he was cautious, didn’t approach any of them – not yet.
At the moment his presence was needed in Vienna, where so many of the plots and machinations would find their conclusions. He couldn’t rely on his servants alone, he had to be here, like a spider in the middle of the web, to ensure that all goes according to the plans.
There was a war waged in the shadows now, with so much of the precious haima being spilled on the narrow streets every night. Good time for someone like him, good time indeed…
***
The Cardinal’s Men are an unusual faction, even for the world of Anno Domini 1666. Their leader is the undead Cardinal Richelieu. Typically forced to operate from the shadows, he cannot afford to surround himself with a large entourage. Instead, he is accompanied by a few loyal servants and ghouls.
LEADER - RICHELIEU
LEADER - RICHELIEU
Cardinal Richelieu, a true statesman, one of the best politicians ever and a great patriot, being seriously illfeared for the future of France.
He was looking for an opportunity to prolong his life and serve France much longer, no matter the cost. He met the famous alchemist Bluebeard who promised him longer life, but Richelieu was tricked. Yes, he received longer life, but for the price of becoming a vampire…
The former cardinal is slowly losig his soul, but still can partially control his bloodlust turning it against the enemies of France.
Obviously, he decides who is the enemy of the France…
ROCHEFORT
ROCHEFORT
A mysterious man from Meung. Secretive, quiet, in his forties, has a missing left eye and scar across his left cheek.
Available for hire as a duelist assassin. Very few people know that his real name is Henri-Louis d’Aloigny, Count de Rochefort. He is 47 years old.
In his youth he was a king’s courtier. Richelieu noticed him quite early and he became the cardinal’s agent. He took part in many missions abroad. He was discovered in Spain. A fight ensued as a result of which he lost his eye and was captured.
After several years on the galleys he managed to escape, but torture and imprisonment made a deep stigma on him. After making his way home he became a mercenary and a ruthless killer.
Several years ago he met his old patron once more.
MILADY DE WINTER
MILADY DE WINTER
Milady’s history is shrouded in mystery. She was born around 1640, and ended up in a convent.
She ran away from it at the age of 16. Soon afterwards she met Athos and presented herself as Anne de Breuil. Athos falls in love with her, stunned by her beauty and intellect. He marries her but when he discovers the mark of a criminal burned on her body he is furious. Anne (if this is her true name) manages to escape the wrath of her deceived husband.
They met again in England, in 1660. By that time Anne is already Milady de Winter – a widow Baron Sheffield, younger brother of Lord de Winter. Athos finds proofs that she poisoned her husband and presents them to the Lord. However Milady escapes once more by seducing the prison guard.
They met for the third time in Vienna…
CARDINAL'S GUARDSMEN
CARDINAL'S GUARDSMEN
The best of the former Cardinal’s Guard were honored with the privilege of becoming Richelieu’s eternal servants.
Ghouls are resilient and immune to aging. As a result, the Guard includes exceptionally dangerous warriors. Moreover, they perform much better at night than humans and are completely fearless. However, they must avoid garlic, holy water, and crosses…
The Guards are far more diverse in their armament compared to other units in the game.