[First off apologies for the terrible writing. I am five years out of practice. This is a short story post to inform both new and returning members to Atas' learn what has happened and what has been going on. It explains the absence of citizens and the state of the city.

There should hopefully be at least two other posts from other perspectives and other stages in the time frame.

This is the start of the war that brought on the evacuation of the city.]

The hefty doors of Lord Glacious's chamber shut, echoing down the hall. Loferien stood, staring at the ground. Chest pulsing with with anticipation, fury and hatred. After one final deep breath, he lifted his head, a fanged grin spread across his maw. He started down the darkened hall with haste, the thud of his boots a message to those waiting.
“You, go and get Fel!” he barked, followed by a snap of his finger, “You, send the word. Suit up. We leave at sunset.”
The two servants sped off in opposite directions whilst Loferien stormed onwards. Determination drove him, what mercy he had as a mortal driven out. It was time for revenge. The new vampire smashed through his chamber doors, wood splintered, spraying the room with debris. Charging in as if there were nothing else in the room he steamed towards his suit of armour. Fellisandra appeared in the doorway shortly after. She said nothing, knowing the order had been given. Whether she wanted it or not, it was Glacious's order and Loferien wanted nothing more. A pair of paws appeared at his waist and he moved his own to hold them, tilting his head up to the ceiling.
“Father will not be amused if you arrive late. You're in charge. You need to get ready.” her matter of fact tone masking any feelings.


Loferien paced throughout the courtyard. Glowing orange eyes staring out from under helm. The vanguard wasn't big, but it didn't have to be. Each one of them could match a handful of those waiting. He wasn't really sure what to say. He barely new the troops, no experience of leadership but the anger within seemed to take over.
“We have all been pushed from our homes. Turned on. Treated like savages!” With each breath his voice grew deeper, “We have committed no crime! We will not let this prejudice stand! The Queen has turned her back on us, we are citizens too!” by the end he was growling. Loferien drew his sword and raised it to the air to a chorus of cheers, growls and snarls. “Mount up. Tonight we ride and we take hell with us!”
Mounting his horse he lead the vanguard to the gates. Lord Glacious watched from his chamber windows while Lady Fellisandra waited at the exit. Loferien's eyes fixed on her as he approached. Jumping down from his horse he approached her. There was no time for long goodbyes. Vengeance awaited. With a nod he remounted and the gates opened.

Loferien and the other vampires took their positions at the boundary walls. It was the dead of the night yet they were able to see the city as clear as day. It was deserted, homes shut up and fires snubbed out. The only people on the streets would be the unlucky security officers taking the graveyard shift. As Loferien spotted them, their routes predictable, he'd glance over his shoulder and nod. One vampire disappeared over the wall, vanishing into mist. A couple seconds later two security officers dropped silently to the floor. With a motion of his hand the vampires split into groups of two and three and similarly leapt over the wall vanishing into mist. Everyone had their orders. Whilst the others went about torching the city Loferien had his own task. Lord Glacious had discovered the names of the main conspirators against their family. Going solo Lof made his way to the 'so called' safe house of those under ACSF protection.
As predicted, the door was locked and most likely not just by a lock. He shook his head and rolled his eyes. Would they never learn. Within seconds the vampire had faded into the mist and simply walked straight through the walls of the building. It would seem it was some old barracks, how ideal, everyone sleeping in one room. Padding silently towards the sleeping quarters, Loferien's eyes glowed red with bloodthirst. The troops had been purposely starved for the occasion. Loferien swept silently to the first victim, leaning over their sleeping body, they would not be lucky enough to have a gracious death. With a flick to the face from the gauntleted hand the other woke to a pair of glowing eyes and glistening fangs.
“Boo!” The tone was joyous, “How kind of you all to gather in one place.” With that the victim was thrown across the room into the opposite bunks waking everyone.
The heads of the victims and a message to the city written in their blood was all that reamined for the city.
'An Eye For An Eye. For Every One Of Us Taken, We Shall Take Five Of Yours – House Or'Kov'
Loferien left the scene to the centre of the city. Terrified screams, wailing children and men running for water filled his sights. His vampires rejoined from the mists beside him as they strolled right through the chaos proudly. Anyone that happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time was suitably disposed of. None worthy of the gift of life they could be offered. As the approached Papier Mache Willies, Loferien took the torch from the soldier closest to him.
“Sweet Dreams Atas'.” With that he threw the burning stick into the tavern and watched as it caught almost instantly. With the amount of flammable liquids present the place would go up like a bonfire.

* * *

That was the beginning. The message was not received, more vampires died. Despite the propaganda, no crime had been committed, or no crime had been witnessed rather to warrant the attacks against house Or'Kov and just as warned, for every death the vampires faced, Loferien personally took five innocent lives. Men, women, children.
It didn't take long before Lord Glacious announced they were officially at war and the city was to be theirs. For the next year the city slowly emptied after each attack. The city attempted to double their guards, triple them. Fortify their defences, raise their offences. For every measure they made to defend the city, Loferien personally led the vampires in to wreak more chaos and misery.
After a couple years, Loferien had stopped leading the attacks. In fact he wasn't seen at all. None from the city had come across his body, yet none saw him in any other battles. The war effort continued none the less. Loferien however had been charged with other business. With his new title, Captain of House Or'Kov, he'd taken a handful of vampires and disappeared.

* * *
After years of conflict the attacks had slowly come to a halt. There were no messages, no demands. Whether that was a good sign or not was anyone's guess. Had the Or'Kov army been dissipated, were they merely waiting for the city to restock their supply of blood donors or had they moved on to bigger prey?

It was time it seemed for the city to begin rebuilding. Re-populate and carry on.

[Thank you for anyone taking the time to read and re-cap the situation. Apologies agan for the poor structure]