The ancestral burial grounds had long been a source of both pride and frustration for the Castein family. Once a vast network of tombs that provided an endless stream of soldiers, the burial grounds were the backbone of the Castein family's power, ensuring their dominance as the premier noble house of Silverania. For generations, these tombs had been a wellspring of strength, bolstering their armies and solidifying their position.
But as the saying goes, "When the water is full, it overflows; when the moon is full, it wanes." As the tombs were gradually emptied of their resources, the Castein family's fortunes began to decline. The once-thriving burial grounds became barren wastelands, unsuitable for cultivation or any meaningful productivity. Without adequate food supplies, the population dwindled, and with fewer people came fewer recruits for their undead armies. The family's decline was inevitable.
In recent generations, the Castein lords had made it their priority to reclaim and repurpose the desolate burial grounds. Over centuries, they had filled in the graves, tilled the earth, and turned the land into arable fields. Though their efforts had somewhat alleviated their struggles, the Castein family still lagged behind the other three leading vampire houses.
Yet, Silverania was a place where unity among vampires prevailed. In human societies, a declining noble house would have been met with scorn, betrayal, and exploitation. But here, the other families treated the Castein with the same respect and goodwill as always. Even the extended branches of the Castein clan remained loyal to the main line in Drachenhof Castle. There were no power-hungry relatives scheming to seize control, no whispers of "I'm doing this for the family's prosperity" to justify usurping the title of Count Castein from the young Valder.
Valder, the orphaned heir, was watched over with gentle encouragement by his family and fellow vampires alike. They silently wished for his growth and success, hoping he would rise to the challenges before him. Valder, moved by their unwavering support, felt a deep sense of responsibility. He was determined to honor their faith in him and become a worthy vampire lord. Even if he couldn't lead his family to conquer the world, he was resolved to protect their legacy and their homeland.
"Still, those ambitions are a long way off," Valder murmured to himself as he floated through the air, heading deeper into the burial grounds. "For now, I must focus on strengthening myself and learning. Power is what I need to safeguard my family and my people."
With a retinue of sixteen undead guards, Valder ventured further into the desolate southern plains. The ancient tomb guardians led the way, using the blunt ends of their halberds to clear the overgrown grass. Skeletal wolves sniffed out the path, while a necromancer cast a compass spell to ensure they stayed on course. The group moved steadily, passing by long-excavated graves as they pressed toward their destination.
After nearly an hour of travel, Valder raised a hand, signaling his undead entourage to halt. With a gesture, he redirected them, and they soon arrived at the entrance of a hidden cave. Using his command over the winds of magic, Valder ordered the undead to clear away the debris covering the entrance, revealing a dark, brick-lined passageway.
Inside, the tunnel was pitch black, save for the faint glow of the undead's phosphorescent eyes and Valder's crimson gaze. The once-elaborate traps and enchanted lanterns that had lined the tunnel centuries ago had long since been stripped away. The group advanced cautiously, navigating the winding passage until they reached a grand chamber. There, standing in perfect formation, were two hundred and thirty-two skeletal soldiers—Valder's humble army.
These were the fruits of Valder's labor over the past two years. He had scoured the burial grounds, unearthing the bones of the forgotten and using the most rudimentary magic to animate them. Though their equipment was meager—sharpened wooden spears and crude shields made of bound reeds—they were a testament to Valder's dedication and ingenuity.
Yet, what these skeletons lacked in weaponry, they made up for in discipline. They stood in immaculate formation, their movements precise and unwavering. No living army, not even the most disciplined of the dark elves or the staunchly faithful soldiers of the Empire of Sigmar, could match the flawless obedience of the undead. It was this unyielding loyalty that made the undead forces of Silverania a formidable power, even in their diminished state.
"Still," Valder reminded himself, "this is only the beginning."
At just six years old, Valder was far from the age of adulthood, even by vampire standards. He had time to grow, to learn, and to build something greater. Tonight, after years of searching, he had finally found something that could change his fortunes. High on a cliff, hidden beneath layers of dust and debris, was a tomb untouched by the ravages of time. The powerful magical wards surrounding it spoke of a noble occupant, one whose grave would undoubtedly be filled with treasures and servants.
But there was a problem. The tomb was protected by a formidable magical barrier, designed to deter grave robbers like Valder. In Silverania, vampires had long perfected the art of dismantling such defenses—gathering a cadre of mages to gently dissolve the wards over weeks or even months. But Valder lacked the resources and connections to do so. At his age, he couldn't even claim the discovery for himself without inviting interference or ridicule.
If he were older—even just twelve—he could have brought this discovery to the family council, securing the right to the tomb and enlisting their aid. But as it stood, all he could expect was a pat on the head, a handful of sweets, and a stern reprimand for venturing into such dangerous territory. His mother would weep, guilt-ridden over her perceived failings, and his older sister would scold him for not bringing her along, boasting of her prowess and insisting she could have handled it.
So, Valder kept his discovery to himself. He would find a way to breach the tomb's defenses on his own, even if it took years. For now, the secrets of the cliffside tomb would remain his and his alone.
The path ahead was uncertain, but Valder was determined to seize the opportunity before him.