Prologue
Transylvania is a land situated in the Carpathian mountains, filled with lush forests and sparkling rivers. During the day, it is quite peaceful. The smell of oaks and beeches, the sound of the trickling streams, the clear blue skies and the sight of the sheep grazing in the fields are sure to please any passerby.
The night falls and the looming moon comes up in the sun's place. The rivers turn black, the vast forest becomes so dark that you can't see the trees before you. Even if you have the eyes of a cat, fog often rolls in.
Then you would have the unpleasant feeling that you are being watched. Something waiting for the right moment to jump out of the fog and put your time in this world to an end.
You might merely shrug your shoulders and say it's your imagination. But in Transylvania that is never the case.
The land is the home of the supernatural: witches, werewolves, ghosts, creatures that walk disguised in the daylight and lurk in the shadows at night. If you are out alone in the forest after dark and you feel the hairs on your neck stand up.
It is probably one of those creatures that are near.
Frightful? You think. But in reality most of these creatures are harmless.
Witches are citizens practicing potions or some kind of spells, to help others. Although there will be the occasional witch with dark intentions, so it is best not to provoke one should this be the case. Werewolves are merely people, who become wolves in the light of a full moon and are hardly aware of their transformation. In their wolf star, they carry all instincts of a predator. If you should ever encounter one, simply lie face down on the ground and remain motionless and they will pass over you. Ghosts are poor lost souls and usually non-violent. As they are transparent. They have no physical contact with our living world. If you see one, the best way to avoid conflict is to ignore it.
The monsters you should be looking out for are the deadliest you will ever encounter: vampires
These undead creatures could kill you in seconds, in whatever way they wish. Some will be quick and sink their teeth immediately in your neck. Others might have a bit of fun and throw you around a bit. Either way, there is no chance of survival should you ever come across a vampire. They survive on blood and to them. You are just another meal. Unless you are equipped with a wooden stake or string of garlic, you will either die on the spot or become one of them as a result of their bite.
But there are rare occasions when a vampire will spare a meal. Why? The answer varies. But one theory is that, even though their hearts have stopped beating, parts of their living selves still remain.
