Word from the creator: First and foremost i'd like to thank everyone for being so patient. This was suppose to go up a day or two after Christmas and life happened and it seems it will go up today instead. This RP will be based in the Timeline which pretty much just means after the Siege of Sentinel and the strife in High Rock. The Empire's borders have pretty much retreated around Cyrodiil, Morrowind, and Argonia. But that's irrelevant to this RP as you'll be RPing the Imperial City's vampiric underworld. Now please I want you right now from the start to divorce what you just heard from any images of Twilight or any such non sense. Le Byzance will live up to the name of secrecy, political manipulation, and conspiracy all within the back drop of the sophisticated under world of vampiric nobility composed of four main families that have grown more and more powerful using the Imperial City as their playground living their luxurious immortal lives.

Terminology:

The Harvest Waltz: Once in a while the four families agree to have a gathering on neutral ground inviting mortals of all classes to participate in a masquerade. Some are chosen to become willing dolls, others are even gifted the gift.

Doll: A willing or forced mortal servant of a Vampire. Some are either threatened into obedience, hypnotized or some simply enjoy the prospects of serving a vampire. Depending on the status of the vampire served, the doll can expect various roles, tasks and gifts, some wanted other unwanted.

Convert: A mortal that has been bitten and infected to become a vampire.

Apostate: Some mortals can not handle becoming a vampire remaining mentally stable and instead go insane. They generally live in the sewers or the wilderness outside of the city and are considered very dangerous by both mortals and vampires alike. They tend to attack, sometimes in groups, with complete disregard for their own safety.

Adherence: These are converts who adapt to their vampiric form and contribute to Imperial City society eventually becoming Vampiric Knights and Nobles.

Patriarch/Matriarch: The head of the family, these are extremely ancient and powerful vampires who spend most of their time reaping the fruits of their labor and jealously protecting what they see as theirs.

Devouring: The act of one vampire draining another vampire completely of blood and killing them. This provides the killer with much of the powers and strength of the vampire devoured.

Blood Fast: When Cyro-vampires do not feed in order to make themselves temporarily more powerful.

Ascendant: ???

Transcendent: ???

Blood Seeds: ???

Brief Historical Overview

Under all the Imperial ritual and prestige, the various Kings and Counts that came to pay homage in the Imperial City, behind the closed doors and fluttering veils, in the mirrors, walking across the ceilings, whispering in dreams, clutching, possessing, tempting, exist the Vampires of Cyrodiil. Although their power rises and sinks like the ocean tides, their flow is constant. Their desires to rule their own unending destinies completely has always played a role in Tamriel's history be it a soft gust or a raging storm. The four families, each with their own history, personality and goals, have not always gotten along and although a nominal peace exists, at least on the surface, they each still attempt to gain a higher hand upon the other. Some forty years ago with the turbulence reaching an apex they decided upon importing someone to act as judge and ruler from outside of their respective influences. Thocomerius Basarab, a Lord of House Dres of great influence, was chosen by the four families of the Imperial City to over look everything. For decades prosperity grew but at what price the four families thought. Thocomerius to them seemed to grow much more powerful than they had intended. Some twenty years ago high ranking members of the four families conspired and went through with their plot of murder eliminating both Lord Basarab and his wife, a Cantemeric Dunmeress of House Dres. Since that day relations have remained fairly cordial but underneath all the tact and formalities lies the implorable truth, the nature of each vampire family, they want more of what the other has.


The Sunna-Lor's origin lies within the old Ayleids that used to live in the Imperial City. Although most of the members are not actually Elven, they pride themselves still in their past regardless of race. Being the oldest family they also have a monopoly over 'the worlds oldest profession.' Along with that most of the gambling money of the arena passes through their hands. Although not the richest family, their method of business ensures that they always have enough of it and through out history they have proved to be the most stable out of the four. Their nature is generally to observe from a distance, but when threatened they retaliate with the utmost passion. Considering their business, many of the city guards fall under the control of the Sunna-Lor's bribes as to not impede with their work. Every once in a while however some guard will end up dead because the bribe he received wasn't enough and found the good graces of the Sunna-Lor something to take advantage of and threaten. The recent creation of the Aldmeri Dominion has prompted much discussion amongst the family. Although the newly created political entity hearkens back to older times, such romantic notions should not do away with the pragmatic facts the work and influence the Sunna-Lor has labored for with the current political class of the Imperial City.

The Julii were at first composed mostly of retired Legion generals and other military men of high rank in service of the Legion. Having lived a life of war and struggle, they saw it fit that they would have an eternity of leisure and influence. Traditional and almost obsessive with the notion of family, the Julii follow a strict conduct of personal laws such as staying hidden, never looking at another's wife, be honest when asked something in the family, and never betray any information of the family to the authorities even under punishment of death. Out of the four the Julii are the strongest making their money from merchant trading such as olive oil, arms, extortion, loaning as well as some gambling. They have recently purchased the crippled East Empire Company and hope to expand on it entering into trade agreements with various docks across Tamriel.

Starting from around the same era as the Julii, the Lienon family have managed to maintain fairly good relations with it's more militaristic counter part. It isn't so much out of like of one another but rather the difference of focus. The Lienon family's roots begin with the arrival of the Mages Guild in the Imperial City. The Mages Guild historically has proven to be more tolerant of certain 'unique' beings and the Bretons Lienon family have taken full advantage to cultivate their resources from behind the walls of the University. Although the smallest of the families, being that they are often tutors for the high end of society they tend to be very influential. The trade of enchanted and alchemical goods have also made sure the Lienon are far from ever hungry.

(Credit is due to Solidor for the Salaheem)

The Salaheem's origins make it one of the oldest yet still the youngest of the four families. During the rebellion against the Aylied led by Alessia and Whitestrake a large amount of slave escaped and broke off from the fighting. This small group moved north into Skyriim, where they where slaughtered and fed upon by a demonic temptress, a vampire.

The sole survivor of this ordeal fled and existed in darkness as an animal and a beast, feeding on live stock and travellers who ventured to far into the wilderness. Centuries later resurfaces as a noble, using the riches stolen from his prey to root himself into the slaving industry of Morrowind.

Over the course of the next one hundred years (up until present day) he actively fights against slavery -- buying and immediately releasing entire shipments of slaves in one go. Because of the selflessness he has shown, because of his experience being a slave himself a long time ago, many of the slaves he releases become fiercely loyal to him. They begin to build a family, he grants his children and brothers and sisters with the dark gift and curse that is vampirism.

The family grows and prospers, eventually moving to the Imperial city after the complete abolishment of slavery -- making up for the majority of Khajiit and Argonian Population of the city.

It is here that they began to influence the other families, some more drastically than others.

They provide more services than they control, most services include security, overseeing illegal dealings between two or more of the other families and providing security to bribery meetings with the authorities and politicians of the city, taking a minute percentage of the profit from both sides in exchange for peace of mind and their continued neutral standing.

They are poor and young but by no means small, their natural attraction for ex-criminals and slaves keeps their numbers filled.

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Rules:

1. Use full complete sentences.

2. No OOCs, we have a thread for the IB Timeline for that.

3. I understand we're RPing super natural creatures and there will be action, but the scope of this RP is not to fight directly against the other families, but to use maneuvering.

4. There's a good possibility your character might die. Deal with it.

5. Use common sense.

6. Don't take big roles if you aren't going to be active.

7. Not super keen on the idea of werewolves...just because they don't seem like they'd fit. And we're not doing the stereo typical thing.

Character Sheet:

Name:

Gender:

Race:

Age:

Family:

Status: (Noble? Doll? etc)

Brief bio: (History, appearance, personality etc)

Unique Vampire Powers: (If any. Don't feel like you have to do anything for this. Just for fun.)

PM the character sheets. I believe we already have the Patriarchs/Matriarchs of each house. If you guys could title your PM as "Faction Leader (Family Name)" when you send it to me. Everyone else just send me it titled your character name and family name (If any.) You don't have to join a family btw. If you're curious on what you can do PM me or post in the discussion thread.


Last Words: This is your RP. I'm simply giving a very basic setting. I've found out RPs work best like this. You have your goals, your settings, and you choose how you wish to go about it. I'm not going to hold your hand or beg you to post. This is for fun, not a job. But don't ruin it for others. Life comes first but if you're going to be gone for more than 5 or so days with a vital role, scale back your role for a while until you can stay more active. Now I look forward to what everyone is going to write up. I imagine the culture of the Imperial City to be a sophisticated Mediterranean-esque sort. Vampiric nobility dressed in this manner: http://fc06.deviantart.net/fs14/f/2007/059/7/3/Venetian_masks__Three_Ladies_by_fabula_docet.jpg with an intricate hierarchy constructed on status, gold, favors and fear. If you need help I have a million ideas. Just PM me.

CS for the leader of family B. Even though I have added the everythign I needed I cant help but feel it looks a bit bare. I may see other leaders sheets IB and perhaps elaborate on mine further with your permission.

Name: Marlinere Lienon
Gender: Male
Race: Breton mix (Altmeri father)
Age: As old as the Mage's Guild, but looks 35.
Family: Lienon

Status: Patriarch

Appearance: Marlinere is a lean but solid built man, sporting enough muscle to look exercised but nowhere near enough to appear intimidating. His skin is tinged with a jaundiced golden color, barely noticeable but a trait of his Altmeri father, and his body is angular and more elvish than average, and taller at nearly six feet. Hazel eyes and brown hair worn in a ponytail down to his mid-back complete the scholarly, youthful appearance.

Clothing: Marlinere's apparel tastes are varied in coloration and elaboration, many of them dark and deep colors with weavings of gold and silver in arcane designs. However, the basis of his outfits consists of a clasped cloak that flows down to his calves, a long sleeved tunic, suede shoes, and billowing pants. He is always wearing some amount of jewelry, be it rings, amulets, bracelets, or anklets. The singular constant to his outfit is a silver mask etched with dragon and griffin depictions, and the mask covers only the left side of his face, ending over his cheek. It is magically attached to his face. He always carries with him a staff five feet long, capped by a bronze dragon wrapped around an opal half the size of a fist.

Brief bio: Marlinere is driven by one sole ideal; knowledge. For him knowledge equals the ultimate power. As such, while his greatest magical competence is within Alterative, Mystical, Illusionary, and Restorative magicks, he is not even close to unlearned in the other arts. He often makes business trips to other provinces, simply to learn about the magic in that region. He actually abhors violence and the Destruction school of the Mage's Guild, and is useless with a weapon. However, his magical skill is enough that he was one of the last to be initiated into the Psijic Order before the Isle of Artareum disappeared.

Marlinere Lienon is the first and only Patriarch to the Lienon family, which takes its name from him. Adept in magic since childhood, he used his father's lineage to be allowed to learn magic. He was one of the first Councilmen of Galerion's Mages Guild, spreading its reach into Cyrodiil. Marlinere does not know what vampire bit him, but when he discovered his infection he took action and used his current influence to dictate his fate. After a few accidental infections, the Lienon family was born. With the aide of the Mages Guild, he honed his vampiric powers and grew more careful, laying down laws and structure for his new children.

The first few vampires became Apostates, which Marlinere eliminated strategically. After much research and experiment, Marlinere developed a spell that would allow a vampire to feed without infecting or leaving a mark upon the victim. Cast upon all of his children, it allowed free feeding and the ability to absolutely choose who received the gift; Lienon infections are not accidents, as only Marlinere can lift the spell without damaging the vampire. Instead, new members-to-be of the family are heavily scrutinized before being infected, which has led to the family becoming one of the smallest, yet most intelligent and well hidden of the Cyrodiilic families.

All Lienon vampires are chosen for their aptitude with magic, though some may be skilled in other crafts as well. They are taught and study with the older Nobles of the family, and expected to be passive-aggressive in their approach to life. The pursuit of knowledge is their greatest goal, not rising through ranks or gaining of money. However, they have their boundaries and laws.

If another Lienon steals anything, assaults in any manner of magical or physical attack (including draining), or tries to tamper with the work of, a fellow Lienon, Marlinere and the Vampiric Knights of the family will personally destroy the offender, and the remains given to the Mages Guild for experiment. And a researcher does not fancy the notion of becoming the researched. It is only in the breaking of these laws that Marlinere shows his temper. Harsh punishments are also given for ill will of any kind towards a fellow Lienon's student.

The Mages Guild granted the Lienon family the role of magical tutor some decades after its inception. Along with the utilization of trade contacts in the Julii family, the Lienon family runs magical trade operations for the whole Imperial City and the Mages Guilds throughout the Empire. Specialty magical items from every province that can be difficult to find are available to the Lienon family. Combined with their tutoring of higher nobility in the art of magic (many students becoming Lienon in the future), the family has come to reverse the roles of the past, and the Mages Guild is now more reliant on them than they are on it.

Unique Vampire Powers: Marlinere can sense magicka on a level no other mage can. He can feel the enchantments on items, see the effects of spellcraft and how it was made. This gives him inherent knowledge without the need to research like most people.

OOC: Breaking my own rule here but you can't do anything to stop me. Anyway this is a semi bump. I wrote the RP up cause a lot of people wanted to join it and if those a lot of people still want to join...wherever they may be, hurry up and do so. If this drops to the 3rd page i'm closing it up. I'll get a few sheets in this week hopefully. A brief over view of what characters I will have.

Aureliana: A vampiric noble of the Julii.
Andrethi: You've seen him around.
Radu: A vampiric char i'm developing for the RP
Alchemist lady:... another Work in progress but will have to do with the mages guild.

My approved sheet: