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Chapter Eight - Raziel - Vorador's Mansion
Vorador's Mansion
Raziel runs along the final part of the route to Vorador's Mansion. He tries the courtyard doors, and forces them open when they don't give immediately. He gazes at the huge, opulent building before him.
Raziel V.O.:
Nestled deep in the black forest, Vorador had once held court over a private kingdom, as decadent as it was depraved. Now, all was still. I hoped I had not arrived too late...
Raziel enters the Mansion. He soon finds the fountain room. Water is pouring into a shallow pool from three gargoyles, resembling Hylden.
Raziel V.O.:
This pool seemed related to the portals which had transported me into the Vampire ruins - but its surface was disturbed by the spouting of these gargoyles.
Raziel approaches the gargoyles on the upper level.
Raziel V.O.:
These gargoyles were effigies of the Vampires' enemies. In the corresponding murals they were impaled by heroic Vampire warriors. Perhaps this was a clue...
Raziel has the choice of two doors, opened with either the Air Reaver or the Fire Reaver. The Air route leads to the 'Dining' room, the Fire route leads to the Library. It doesn't matter which route Raziel takes first. He finds another mural a short way into his first route.
Raziel V.O.:
This mural was similar to one I had seen before, in the fountain room.
When Raziel is taking the Air route he finds a specially locked door in the crypt. It has a mural of a female Vampire on it - her face is depicted as a skull.
Raziel V.O.:
This door clearly required some artifact before it would open.
When Raziel is taking the Fire route he exits into the garden through a greenhouse. At the end of the garden, he finds a sealed mausoleum-like chamber.
Raziel V.O.:
This mysterious chamber was clearly significant. Perhaps I would finally find the elusive Vorador within.
If Raziel charges the Fire Reaver and ignites all the braziers.
Raziel V.O.:
The braziers were all lit, but still the door remained sealed. Perhaps I had ignited too many...
Raziel finds the first Vampire hero statue (in the Dining room or the Library, depending in his route).
Raziel V.O.:
This statue appeared to be the same hero I had seen depicted in the fountain room. This had to be significant...
Raziel claims the first spear (Blood Drinker or Heart Seeker, depending on his route).
Raziel V.O.:
This was indeed the vampire warrior depicted in the fountain room, for here was the hero's weapon. This could be the key to solving the riddle of the fountain...
As Raziel shoves each spear through a Hylden gargoyle, its corresponding fountain room mural cracks. When he returns through the Air and Fire doors later, he finds that all the murals with the same image are similarly ruined. The first time he notices this, he comments on it -
Raziel V.O.:
These murals were attuned somehow to those in the fountain room - for this wall too had shattered.
Raziel finds the first half of Vorador's crest.
Raziel V.O.:
Perhaps this arcane emblem would unlock the sealed door in the crypt.
If Raziel uses the half crest on the door -
Raziel V.O.:
Hm. The artifact I had was not sufficient. There was clearly still a missing piece to this puzzle.
Raziel finds the second half of Vorador's crest.
Raziel V.O.:
Ah, here was the second piece of the emblem. Now undoubtedly the crypt door could be opened.
Raziel opens the crypt door. In the area beyond, Raziel finds the third spear, Soul Stealer.
Raziel V.O.:
With this third and final weapon, the mystery of the fountain would finally be solved.
Raziel uses the Soul Stealer to impale the last Hylden gargoyle. The pool portal is activated, and he goes through it into the Water Forge.
Dark Chronicle - Mural: Raziel Recognizes The Adversary Hero
Upon entering the Water Forge, Raziel finds a mural.
Raziel V.O.:
Here the images were unadulterated, and their meaning ominously clear... The Vampire hero, the bearer of the Reaver blade, was confronted by an adversary worthy of his powers. The enemy race, long banished, had a champion of their own - with flaming eyes, and a fiery sword. The resemblance I bore to the adversary mocked all my hopes. Had Kain been the Vampire hero of prophecy all along? Did he suspect what I was? For if I was this foretold adversary, then Moebius was right, and had always been right - I was destined to fight Kain, and destroy him... or be destroyed. What part did free will play in any of this?...
Water Forge
Raziel finds the specters of the original Death and States Guardians. It is unclear which is speaking when, so it could actually be the States Guardian who speaks first.
Death Guardian:
Your deliverance is at hand - In Death is your release.
States Guardian:
This state is merely atonement...
Raziel defeats the Guardians and imbues the Reaver with elemental Water.
Raziel V.O.:
Once more the Reaver absorbed the spirits of the former Vampire Guardians, and thus was imbued with the elemental power of Water. Perhaps now I could enter that mysterious crypt at the end of the garden.
Dark Chronicle - The Vampire Vorador
Raziel uses the Water Reaver to extinguish the indicated braziers, and opens the mausoleum at the end of the garden. He enters warily and encounters the sword-wielding Vorador. The vampire is sitting in a stone throne of sorts, apparently just waiting for Moebius's hunters to storm the estate.
Vorador:
So... our wretched little savior returns... Come to join the last pathetic battle of the vampire race? But on which side, I wonder...
Raziel approaches.
Raziel:
I've not come to fight you, Vorador.
Vorador bars Raziel's way with the point of his sword.
Vorador:
You don't know why you're here.
Raziel:
I know this much: that you are the author of my fate - and as such, only you can rewrite it.
Vorador laughs and lifts sword away.
Vorador:
You give me too much credit.
Raziel:
You forged the Reaver - I have seen the evidence.
Vorador:
I was its maker, yes.
Raziel:
Then you know its purpose.
Vorador:
No - only the scraps of prophecy my master shared with me.
Raziel:
And do these scraps explain why you would forge a weapon to imprison your savior?
Vorador rises, sword again held ready.
Vorador:
Ah, well then... it seems we have our answer. You've chosen your path.
Raziel:
I have chosen nothing. I've been deceived at every turn. You seem to know what I am. Tell me.
Vorador sheathes his sword.
Vorador:
I thought I did, once. But now all the prophecies have failed. The Pillars are corrupted... I am the last of my kind... and when Moebius's hunters find me, it will all have been for nothing.
Raziel:
You've forgotten about Kain.
Vorador:
Ah yes, Kain... I fear he shoulders a greater burden than he realizes. I cannot help you - even if I was inclined to. I crafted the Reaver blade, but only at the behest of my sire, Janos Audron. What sorcery he and the others laid upon the sword afterward, I cannot say.
Raziel:
Janos tried to give me the Reaver before he died. He said that it was forged for me... but what did he mean? As my weapon, or my prison?
Vorador turns toward the door behind him.
Vorador:
Perhaps you should ask him yourself.
Raziel:
Janos is here?
Vorador:
In a manner of speaking.
Vorador leads the way through the door. In the room beyond, Janos's body is laid out reverently on a bier, surrounded by candles. His flesh and clothing is bloodstained, and the tell-tale chest wound remains. However, the corpse is otherwise intact.
Vorador:
The greatest of us all - the father of our race. The Sarafan tore the heart from his living body five centuries ago.
Raziel:
But there's no sign of decay - how is this possible after all these years?
Vorador:
Somewhere, the Heart still beats. And while it does, the body will remain preserved. If his Heart could be restored, Janos might yet be raised.
Raziel turns accusingly to Vorador.
Raziel:
And you haven't tried to recover it, in all these years?
Vorador:
Many times... But our enemies hid the Heart too well. It was taken as a trophy to Avernus Cathedral centuries ago, where they christened it 'the Heart of Darkness.' Believing that it embodies the essence of our dark gift, they hid the Heart away, lest it fall into the wrong hands. Our hands.
Redeem yourself - you may be our last hope. Perhaps you alone can find the Heart, if it is meant to be found.
Vorador starts to walk away then turns back.
Vorador:
If Janos can be resurrected, he will have all the answers you require.
Vorador gives Raziel the Library Seal.
Vorador:
This key will open your way to Avernus. But be advised, there are dark sorceries at work in the cathedral. You must be on your guard.
Vorador vanishes.
Dark Chronicle - Vorador's Last Council
Raziel reaches the Library. Vorador is already there.
Vorador:
Avernus is in flames... and with it, our hopes may evaporate.
Raziel:
How can I find the Heart in the midst of such chaos?
Vorador:
You must act quickly, but beware - an ancient evil dwells within, long Unspoken among our kind. Undoubtedly this is the source of the corruption that infects the Circle. If you are to succeed, you must resist its influence.
Vorador vanishes again.
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