## Overview Raphael is a powerful vampire lord operating from the shadows of the northern continent within the region known as **[[Hexa Landing]]**, but his influence has now reached into **South Angoria**. A cunning manipulator, Raphael is an agent of **[[Anam]]**, the [[Anam|Lich God]], and has been tasked with destabilizing regions and feeding souls into [[Anam]]’s growing necrotic network. Though he has not yet appeared directly in South Angoria, Raphael has deployed agents like **[[Rarvas]]** to control key locations—such as [[Talonalton]] and the graveyard crypts beneath it. His ultimate goal: prevent the escape of marked villagers, complete the soul-binding rituals for [[Anam]], and spread fear to weaken divine resistance. - **Name:** Raphael - **Race:** Vampire Lord (Ancient) - **Allegiance:** Servant of [[Anam]], the [[Anam|Lich God]] - **Age:** Over 900 years - **Region of Power:** [[Hexa Landing]] (Northern Continent) - **Current Threat Level:** Indirect; manipulative influence in South Angoria --- ## Origins & Lore Raphael’s origins trace back to the **Age of [[Perserphina]]**, more than a few thousand years ago. Once a prince of a noble human bloodline in [[Hexa Landing]], he made a pact with an unknown elder vampire during that time, likely in the second or third century A.P. Over the following centuries, he transformed his ancestral line into a vampiric court—known as the **[[Crimson Sigil]]**. Though he reigns as lord over a region in [[Hexa Landing]]'s Kingdom, he never bent the knee to Queen [[Callidora]] and has no loyalty to her. When [[Anam]]’s whispers began spreading through death magic and soul-runes, Raphael was among the first to submit. He recognized the lich’s plan not just for conquest, but for spiritual dominion. --- ## Known Operations - Raphael’s agents have infiltrated crypts, ruined temples, and broken shrines in **multiple continents**. - In South Angoria, Raphael’s presence was confirmed through: - **[[Rarvas]]**, his operative embedded in [[Talonalton]] - The **[[Bonehowler]]**, a necrotic beast likely summoned through Raphael’s designs - A series of **sigil rings** found on invisible spies, marked with his house’s emblem: a bat-winged serpent coiled around a bleeding spire --- ## Personality and Philosophy Raphael believes **fear is the truest form of control**. While many vampires rule through blood or seduction, Raphael rules through precision and **ritual decay**. He does not feed wastefully—every soul consumed is selected, bound, or sacrificed for a greater cause. - **Disposition:** Calm, intellectual, cruelly strategic - **Beliefs:** Souls are currency, and kingdoms are temporary. Only eternal undeath matters. - **Mannerisms:** Speaks softly, favors letters, messengers, and illusion. Rarely appears directly unless provoked. --- ## Abilities (Rumored) - Can command armies of vampire spawn, ghouls, and necrotic constructs - Wields a cursed relic blade known as **[[Mourndancer]]**, which seals the soul of anyone it slays - Possesses an aura of stillness: divine magic is harder to cast in his presence - Has influence over dreamscapes and memories—his name has been whispered in recent visions by clerics and diviners --- ## Relationship with [[Anam]] Raphael sees [[Anam]] not as a master, but as a **path to ascension**. He believes that by proving himself useful—delivering entire regions into undeath—he will be rewarded with demigod status under [[Anam]]’s eternal dominion. [[Anam]], for now, tolerates this ambition. --- ## Campaign Role - Raphael may never appear physically until late campaign levels - His agents will grow bolder the more the party resists the undead surge - If the party defeats enough of his proxies (like [[Rarvas]]), Raphael may reach out directly—offering deals, warnings, or threats --- ## Future Development - May eventually take the field himself if the [[Green Palace]] or [[Stoneharbor]] rises against him - Could have a personal history with [[Queen Cyrill]], King Leon, or another ancient figure - Might attempt to **tempt a PC or NPC with undeath**, especially those grieving or desperate --- ## Quotes - _"Your soul is not yours. It is merely on loan."_ - _"Fear is the prayer of the living. I am its god."_ - _"One town falls. A hundred others hear it. That is power."_