The Transgression of the Firstborn

One thousand years after the birth of Kain's lieutenants and subsequent establishment of his reign, the vampiric court grew bored. The clans were permitted their various squabbles and schemes to provide distraction and momentary amusement but the Council - Kain's lieutenants and prized inner circle - had little left to engage them. Until, one day, the firstborn provided.

The Council was gathered at the hub of the empire, standing at attention around Kain's throne. They had been called together by Raziel who spoke of a grand new gift. There were times when the vampires entered a state of stasis, emerging with some new power or dark gift. Kain always evolved first, followed years down the line by Raziel, Turel, Dumah, Rahab, Zephon and then Melchiah.

But on this day, things were different. Approaching the throne, Raziel knelt in subservience to his lord before unleashing his latest evolution: A great pair of wings. Kain, appearing intrigued, calmly strode around to examine these new appendages. And then, in a cry of wrath, he tore them apart, shredding sensitive membrane and skin from bone.

Raziel collapsed in agony as Kain sneered above him. To surpass Kain's own evolution, to gain such a remarkable advantage ahead of his lord and master, was deemed a most terrible crime. And for this crime, Raziel was damned.