Inheritance

Inheritance is a novel written by Steven Savile within the fictional Warhammer Fantasy setting. It is the first book of the Von Carstein Trilogy and it follows the life of Vlad von Carstein as he wages war against the Empire. It is published by The Black Library, an imprint of BL Publishing and was first released in March 2006.[1]

[edit] Plot summary

It is not known when the von Carsteins came into existence, although their power reached its zenith when Vlad von Carstein took over rulership of the Imperial province of Sylvania.

Sylvania had, since the beginning of Imperial record, been an inhospitable and dangerous place, with the majority of the land covered in dark and ominous forests. Its soil was poor and the land barely produced enough food to feed the people who lived there. At the time of Vlad's arrival, the province of Sylvania was ruled over by the evil and corrupt Otto von Drak, the head of the von Drak family and the father of Vlad's future wife.

In the year 1797 the Count died without a male heir, at which point Vlad stepped forth and married Isabella, the Count's daughter, thus seizing the province. Most of the other noble families objected to the thought of having an outsider rule them, but these dissidents were quickly silenced, and under Vlad's iron grip, the province of Sylvania started to prosper.

The other Counts looked on with indifference at the changes, since the von Carstein seemed a far better ruler than the old von Drak family, who were suspected of the crime of using black magic and daemon worship, and for two hundred years, Vlad ruled over Sylvania, using different names so that no one would become suspicious of him.

Sometime around this period, Isabella fell ill from wasting sickness, and Vlad became struck with grief at the thought of losing his wife. Isabella suggested that Vlad give her the Blood Kiss, so that they could be together for eternity. Vlad, however, was disgusted at the suggestion, since he didn't want to turn...