VAMPIRES ARE BORN BY TRAUMA - The story of Baron Afanas takes us back to 10th-century White Russia in the tribe of Radimichs. On 1020 AD a baby boy was the last of several children. They named their youngest son Krasimir. True to his name, Krasimir grew into a beautiful boy with blue eyes and blonde hair.
The first few years of his life were blissfully uneventful. However, all of this would change when, at the age of 10, his small village was raided by Swedish Vikings known as the Varangians. He and his family were captured and separated. Due to his young age, Krasimir was castrated. His youth and status as a eunuch would make him a desirable slave, and he was taken to Constantinople where he was sold to a patrician's family.
Stripped of everything he had once known Krasimir was often referred to by the cruel nickname Barren. The family whom he served went on to educate him and after several years he became an integrated member of Constantinople society. As he grew older, his cunning became recognized by his master and he was often used as a diplomatic intermediary between politically influential peoples.
Although he was a slave, Krasimir was also able to accumulate his own power. His unique position as a eunuch allowed him to whisper into the ears of Constantinople's most powerful men. In many regards, Krasimir idealized those in power and longed to be one of them, but he knew his status as a eunuch would only allow him so much leeway.
This would all change one night when he was attacked, bitten, and turned by β²oΓ«jβπm, also known as The Grand Sire.
IF YOU FINALLY SUBMIT TO YOUR NATURE YOU WILL BE FILLED \s== Weakened by the shock of the attack, Krasimir managed to stumble back to his master's home where he fell ill for three days and three nights. Upon recovering he discovered that his senses were sharpened, mirrors no longer showed his reflection, and most alarming of all he thirsted for blood. That night, unable to contain himself, Krasimir attacked the family whom he had served for nearly 40 years. Consumed by his bloodlust, he drained them all.
Feeling more powerful than he ever had in his mortal lifetime, Krasimir fled into the night. Following the pull of the sire bond until he located The Sire. Recognizing Krasimir's potential as a vampire The Sire agreed to allow him to travel by his side. From this night forward, Krasimir chose to throw off his mortal chains by taking on the name Baron Afanas.
Over the next century, Baron traveled with The Sire across Europe. His sire's vampiric supremacy ideology was quick to rub off on Baron, who quickly became a radical believer that above all else humans should be either food or slaves.
In an effort to further this ideology, Baron joined the vampiric council. For the next century, Baron and other members of the council worked to further vampiric interests. While common consensus remained that it was best to live in the shadows a growing number of vampires began to approve of Baron's supremacist ideology. With Baron's influence spreading through the council, as well as the vampire population residing in Europe, more and more vampires began turning humans. This recklessness soon raised alarm within the human population. By the 12th century, vampire hunters began to pop up in an effort to stave off the growing population of bloodsuckers. They hunted vampires ruthlessly, killing many of their newborns and driving most back into the shadows.
Despite the newfound danger presented to vampires Baron continued to insist on his supremacist beliefs. However, the council was far less sympathetic to his ideas. Growing increasingly frustrated by his perceived ostracization Baron eventually stepped down from his position and returned to Eastern Europe.
Over the next century, Baron traveled across numerous European borders. His infamy amongst vampires prompted others to seek him out. It wasn't long before Baron began traveling with a court of vampires who shared his beliefs and wished to grow their power over the mortal realm. Unsurprisingly, this cult following often caused a ruckus wherever they went. However, Baron never accumulated enough ire with the Volturi to warrant any action. His presence was known but his stays were fleeting, and survivors were few and far between.
Known by many but close with none, Baron's eternal life continued as it was until the late 13th century when a newborn vampire by the name of Carlisle was sent to live with him. It seemed this progeny was defective. Despite having been turned by The Sire himself, Carlisle refused to give in to his thirst.
MOBIUS STRIP This is not a story of love at first sight. It's not even a story of liking at first sight. Baron and Carlisle were twin flames, destined to be diametrically opposed. Where Baron was cruel, provocative, and bloodthirsty, Carlisle was kind, repressed, and refused to feed on humans.
Over the next few nights, the vampire hunters killed several members of Baron's court. Enraged by this Baron took the rest of his vampire brethren and attacked the village. Unable to contend with the might of over a dozen ancient vampires, the people were slaughtered and their homes burned. By the end, there was but one sole survivor. The only son of the Van Helsing clan, Abraham** Van Helsing.
Such a blatant attack on humans could not be overlooked by the Volturi. They summoned Baron and what remained of his court to Italy. The Volturi were furious and the only thing that saved Baron, ironically, was that it was believed he left no survivors. It was made abundantly clear that should anything like this happen again, Baron would be executed.
Baron's court dissolved, with Carlisle choosing to remain in Italy with the Volturi. Once again, Baron was on his own.
LOVE, IT FLARES FOR A MOMENT AND THEN YOU SMASH IT By 1519 Baron had found his way to the tiny Greek island of Antipaxos. While there he turned Nadja and once her transformation was complete she joined him in his travels. Over the next two centuries, Baron and Nadja traveled across Europe, and once again his ranks grew. The growing paranoia of supernatural creatures meant it was safer for vampires to travel in groups. Thus Baron's coven grew larger than it ever had before.
In 1720 Nadja turned and eventually married Laszlo. However, Baron's chaotic lifestyle and unpredictable behaviour proved to be too intense for the newlywed couple. They decided to sail the high seas while on their honeymoon. They would not return until 1730.
Around the time they left Carlisle would reappear once more, crawling back to Baron's coven with his tail between his legs. Despite their turbulent relationship, Baron was overjoyed to see his old friend. However, Carlisle's time with the Volturi had done nothing to cease his avoidance of human blood.
Finding himself unable to tolerate this stupidity any longer, Baron refused to allow Carlisle to rejoin him unless he properly fed. After much goading Carlisle caved, gorging himself, and killing his victim in the process. Wracked with guilt, Carlisle refused to feed again. In a desperate attempt to force his hand once more, Baron kidnapped a young man named Billy Hargrove. Still, Carlisle refused. In disgust Baron ripped out the boy's throat, leaving him as good as dead in a pool of his own blood.
To his surprise, the boy returned with Carlisle to the coven as good as new. Rather than see the boy die Carlisle had turned him.
The addition of Billy did nothing to ease the tension between the two. He merely became a pawn in their constant ideological debate. Where Carlisle cautioned moderation and mercy, Baron encouraged Billy's most primal instincts. He taught him how to hunt, kill, and hypnotize. The animosity between them became untenable and finally, after a particularly vicious argument Carlisle convinced Billy to leave the coven. In the late 1800's they fled to America where Baron would not find them.
TIME LAYS WASTE TO ALL - Baron was overwrought by Carlisle's abandonment and quickly devolved. His nature always unpredictable became nearly unmanageable for those around him. Many of his followers left the commune out of fear or dissatisfaction.
Finally, in 1891, Baron came to the solemn decision to enter into a long slumber.
He sent his loyal and highly competent comrades, Laszlo and Nadja to conquer Staten Island and convince Carlisle to return.
STATEN ISLAND Baron arrived in Staten Island to find that his dumbass vampire children have done fuck all. He's more disappointed than surprised. After a night out in which he got drunk, high, and tried his first slice of pizza Baron was accidentally incinerated by Guillermo de la Cruz. He then spent the charred to a sexy crips and buried in their garden. Miraculously Laszlo eventually got off his ass and dug Baron back up (okay...Guillermo did the digging). Baron would go on to live in a B&B located in New Jersey with his new hellhound and The Sire.
Nandor would go on to use one of his final wishes to return Baron to his original form. Baron happily went on to officiate Nandor's wedding and hook up with Nadja, Laszlo, and Carlisle in the coat closet afterward.
