The Midnight Hunts
Each month, when the moon reaches its zenith in the sky above Kelbonnar’s north, people across the north west of the continent of Euristan shutter themselves in their homes, retreat into whatever hidey-holes they can find and hope to see out the night. For, when the full moon rises, the Vampires of Ymeris ride out from Bleakstone Castle in the Desolation of Hissh, looking to capture poor unfortunates who will end up gracing the tables of the fell creatures.
History
The tradition of the Midnight Hunt is a youthful one by the standards of Vampires, as it has only been going for around 400 years. The tradition began when Bleakstone Castle was gifted by Phobosa Linniarital to the Vampire of her bloodline, Arpaktiko Phobosital and Arpaktiko, who had always been a keen huntsman celebrated his arrival at his new estate by holding a moonlit hunt. This hunt, was such a roaring success, that they became a monthly tradition, and now all of Ymeris' Vampires strive to attend at least one, if not several each year, to enjoy the sport and the opportunity for networking that the occasions provide.
In more recent years, the Midnight Hunts have afforded the Phobite Brood, the faction of Vampires to which Arpaktiko Phobosital belongs to maintain good relations with the many various subsections and alliances within Ymeris. A large part of why the other Vampires, including their leader Linniara Istarital are willing to overlook the more expansionist tendencies of the Phobite Brood is down to these monthly soirées.
Execution
There are no invitations issued to each monthly Midnight Hunt, instead it is a common understanding that all Vampires, regardless of whether they dwell within Ymeris or not are automatically invited, with the only requirement being that each Vampire inform the lord of Bleakstone Castle, Arpaktiko Phobosital if they wish to attend. Vampires who are participating in a hunt will normally arrive at Arpaktiko’s estate a couple of days before the full moon, where they will network and feast with one another.
On the night of the full moon itself, the hunt will assemble, and the Vampires will ride out from the castle on fine warhorses, preceded by a pack of hunting hounds belonging to the estate, with its members seeking out humanoids to capture or kill. The majority of the time, Midnight Hunts will sally forth into the Dragons' Tears Mountains to hunt down members of the Exiled Tribes who dwell within the forested passes. As the Vampires of the Midnight Court do not depend on these hunts for their supplies of blood, the unfortunate souls who are caught by the Midnight Hunts are either killed on sight for sport or captured and taken back to Bleakstone Castle. Those captured will either be auctioned off to the highest bidder to become a serf in their household, or, if they are not deemed to be of any potential use, are killed and become part of the post-hunt feast.
Occasionally, Midnight Hunts will stay within in the borders of Ymeris to hunt, especially if there have been reports of serfs escaping from other Vampiric estates. On such occasions, the participants of the Midnight Hunts will spare no quarter and will brutally kill and dismember any escaped serfs that they catch, a reminder to the others to remember their place.
The vast majority of Midnight Hunts exhibit a striking resemblance to the gentile hunting parties of other wealthy humanoids across Kelbonnar, with the party generally making specific breaks for drinks and picnics organised throughout the night along the hunting route.
Participants
Since their inception, it has become the social norm for all Vampires to attend at least one Midnight Hunt per year. Those who do not attend at all often find themselves shunned by their kin, unless they have an especially good reason to have missed a whole year of these social occasions. Though there is no requirement for Vampires resident outside of Ymeris to join the hunts, nor is there any social stigma for them not attending, other Vampires from beyond Ymeris’ will frequently travel to join the hunts, as they provide an excellent opportunity to maintain connections, alliances and friendships within the largest population of Vampires in Kelbonnar.
Generally Midnight Hunts only have Vampires participating in them, but occasionally, an invitation will be extended to other humanoids of particular note or importance to Ymeris.
Observance
The Midnight Hunts are observed each month on the night of the full moon. Usually Vampires attending a hunt will arrive several days in advance of the full moon and will leave a couple of days afterwards.
Primary Related Location
Important Locations
Related Organizations
Comments