From the introduction: It is said that in the 11th century, a wise and noble man forsook God after his beloved wife was taken from him by the plague. Delving into the darkest arts, he made a pact with Death, sacrificing his very humanity for immortality. But this was not enough for him - and so, by making a further sacrifice of all of those who loved and trusted him, his soul became one with the primordial chaos. With this, he ceased to be a mere vampire, and became something more.