by Jeff Wilson, copyright 1999
Greetings.
I am the Dark Lady, Eldest of Nobles, First Among Vampires. Once I was Chancellor to the Ch'vrr, but in my mortal life I was Verlanna sin'Deyath fur Sicho. That is, Velanna of clan Sicho, first among chiefs, a simple woman of the Gennen.
I was of the eighth generation born to the Gennen since Ferris tricked them into fleeing their kindred for a hostile world. In my youth it was my pleasure to match my skills against the world which seemed to wish to destroy my people. I trained the shape-shifting skills of my Gennen heritage to a peak, but my greatest delight and skill was in the channeling of physical power which is now called chi. I was still a youth when I had mastered all that was known, and many were the powers I developed in my prime.
In my mortal life I sought to prevent the dangers which surrounded the people on every side. I fought monsters, and famine, and flood. I sought out the homes of spirits and tokens of power. I trained others in the ways of chi, of seeking, and of leadership. In time I became leader of a small band, then a tribe, and finally, chief of all the chiefs of all the Gennen tribes. Always I sought to protect my people and keep them safe.
Now, at that time, I had no idea of the extent of Ferris's betrayal. So I served him as best I could, and when he came to me, long after the bloom of youth had passed me by, I accepted his offer to serve him in his own realm, for that realm had grown since the first days. Then he returned to me my youth and the height of my power (though at no cost to him). Thirteen were selected and titled chancellors, needed to answer to the needs of the thirteen races. Fourth to be chosen, I was set to watch over the Ch'vrr, and so I split my time between aiding them and learning of my new powers. Always Ferris looked over my shoulders, explaining what he wanted of my office. Thus were my suspicions roused, for what we were permitted to do for our people was far less than what we were able to do, and though our skills and powers increased, we were not permitted to do more. Still, I bided my time, trusting that Ferris would make things clear in time.
Those early years of immortality were among the most joyous of my life. With the other chancellors I found a meeting of minds that I had never known. The lack of my former limits was exhilerating, and I found a clarity of mind and spirit which led me to excel, oftimes over even the other chancellors. Indeed the other chancellors often came to me for advice, and though I chafed against my bounds that Ferris had set, still I believed him honorable. It was the death of two of my fellow chancellors which led me to look beyond his pleasant face to the lies at his core. First to die was the Chancellor to Fibrien, Lolendu. Ferris encouraged her gifts, and her power increased faster than any, but the time came when her gifts threatened him, and Ferris slew her. Next to fall was the Chancellor to the Seenee, Oruun.
Now Oruun and I were close, for he was of the Ch'vrr, for which race I held responsibility. As we visited we came to share the like mind that it was our duty to do more for the people under our protection. It is the nature of Ch'vrr to race ahead, and so I had the opportunity to escape the fate which befell him, for Ferris did not want his people protected. His wish was to see them suffer, and his wrath when he saw what Oruun was doing was beyond measure. Though Oruun fought hard, Ferris snuffed his life like a candle flame, and threw his soul to the outer dark. With this warning, I halted further attempts to improve the lot of the mortals beneath me, but within me grew the knowledge that I would serve the god of suffering no more.
So I returned to the work he had set me, and, while doing in the manner he had set, attempted to find a way to defeat him and free the peoples of the sphere. No matter where I looked however, I found no recourse, no opening which would permit me to defeat him. Still, as I searched I found even more signs of his misdeeds, and discovered a way to preserve myself until I had learned enough to defeat him, for I knew he would discover my true thoughts eventually.
The key to my survival demanded that I develop a power which Ferris could not control, and, unsuspecting, Ferris had provided the means. For once the common torments of those early days no longer provided him with pleasure, Ferris intended to release monsters to afflict the people. Though those monsters were yet sealed away, a chancellor could gain access to them, and so I did.
Calculating my time precisely, I took myself to the side of the first among vampires, and when I left that place, that one was no more, and I bore all its power.
Though Ferris had no knowledge I had deserted my post, he knew instantly when the first of his monsters was no more. I had picked my time most carefully though, and before he had a chance to respond I used my new-found power to conceal myself from him.
Careful I was in those early days. I met with the seconds among vampires, and the heads of vampire clans. Those who would not follow me I replaced with mortals of like mind to myself. I traveled the sphere, learning what I could, and wherever possible I sought to disrupt Ferris's hold, and teach the truth.
It was long ago that I repudiated Ferris, and I tell this in the hope that you will see the truth. For though I am still too weak to face him directly, the day will come when the two of us shall meet again, and from that meeting only I shall depart.
The previous is the best version available of the Dark Lady's story. As Ferris has refused any revelations regarding the matter, the story is, as much as possible, in the Dark Lady's own words as they have been given to her followers.
The Dark Lady has lied and decieved many in the past, and there is no reason to believe that this tale is true, or even true to her own memory. Nevertheless, this is the only source we have for this tale, and must, of neccesity, contain certain elements of the truth. It is published with the knowledge that she has found a means of ascension to godhead, and the hope that Ferris shall not be overcome.
Scribed this day, 5th Age 6.018 by Lofar Othul Jhon, Lorist and Seeker
"This assurace I leave you. Verlanna is no threat to me."
ferris