Dozens have gathered in a House of the Sun in Nymidia, the unease in the air is thick – running cold along the skin and dense enough to be cut with a knife. Uncertain whispers are traded until a man coming close to middle age steps out of a side room and moves to the front of the crowd. His eyes pass along the faces of those present, taking them in before he speaks, his words belying an exhaustion sleep cannot remedy. “I do not care for this… this time we have come to know.” He begins to pace. “I do not care for a future where those who would feed on us remain unchallenged on our very border – seeing us as less than, as mere cattle. I do not care for nights where we must fear intrusion by these monsters masquerading as civilized people into our very home while we sleep. I do not care for vague threats spread by Jesters of what is to pass should we not placate their wants.” He stops. “I am tired. We are tired, weighed down by fear, anger, frustration and so much more – but I stand, and so can you.” Nods and murmurs of agreement begin to move through the crowd. “I will not let you suffer this alone, and with everything I have I will stand firm against it. I will stand for the home I have known for so long and a future where we continue unafraid, but I cannot stand alone.” Something begins to move through those listening, something that has carried them far and gives them life again – resolve. “”As we are the bastion, As we are the light”, will you stand aside and let the vampire ravage the home you have known? That your father, and his father before him knew?” “No!” one voice calls out, then another, a chorus begins. “Will you let the fear they have pressed upon you continue to suffocate you? Will you bow your head as cattle when you can join hands with those you have known for so long to stand against them? I ask you, will you cower? Will you run?” “No! No! No!” “Then stand together, be the bulwark, take my hand and the hand of the one standing beside you and let them know – we are not afraid.”