Castlevania: Hymn of the Crusader

While Castlevania is a series focused on vampire slaying, there is a lot we don't see beyond the decisive battle. How is it that one man can influence the political and religious climate around him? How is that same man influenced? What drives him to continue the path he has set not only for himself, but the family that will follow in his footsteps?

This is the basic idea for Hymn of the Crusader - the aftermath of Leon's battle, the effects of his decisions. Though a warrior of God, he must face the repercussions of abandoning his title...and answer for the betrayal and disappearance of Mathias.

Okay, there might be some supernatural stuff to go along with it. Either way, Leon isn't going to have a wonderful time. :P

I'm not sure how far I'll go with this, but I figure it's best to jot the ideas down. Expect a lot of changes to happen here.

Extended Info Links

Gotta put stuff in separate links, it's getting too crowded on this page!

• Timeline - Trying to fit things in chronologically. Very rough.
• Characters - Official and original. Always pending.

Random Notes for Historical Adaptation

This is where dates get changed a bit...

• Though the date for Lament of Innocence is listed at 1094, for this story I'm having to fudge that year - instead, the events happened in 1098. The reason is for closer historical accuracy, which should allow events to flow better. (Case in point - though the Crusades are well underway in Lament, historically the First Crusade wasn't issued until late 1095.)
• The only serious historical change relates to the German Crusade. Details about Count Emicho's actions are being changed a bit in hopes of incorporating the events into Hymn (in other words, they occur later than they do historically). Here are some further details on the German Crusade.
• It isn't exactly stated where Lament of Innocence takes place. In Hymn, Leon hails from Germany, then referred to as the Holy Roman Empire. All knightly families were considered to have the baronial rank (hence the Belmont family's status). As such, Leon was a high-ranking knight in the service of Godfrey of Bouillon, one of the leaders of the crusade.

Post-Lament Politics and Superstition

Stuff that puts Leon in hot water despite his triumph over Walter.

• In addition to renouncing his title, the aid Leon accepted in the forest of Eternal Night would undoubtedly incur the wrath of the Church. Even the Holy Roman Empire would be reluctant to accept him despite his family's history of loyalty. Some of the particular problems he'd likely be faced with:
  • Abandoning his title during the midst of the Crusades. Though originally meant to avoid committing heresy, the Church would still believe that he had abandoned his duty to God. (This is obviously more a political issue; Leon's unit was one of the most prized and the Crusade leaders weren't too happy about it.)
  • Sara's death would not sit well with her family. Even though she and Leon genuinely loved each other, their coming marriage would still be a political tie between the Belmonts and the Trantouls. As the Belmonts have lost their title as nobles, the Trantouls would gain nothing. It would matter little that Leon did what he could to save Sara.
  • Leon accepting the aid of alchemy in his fight against Walter. Most members of the Church consider alchemy to be heresy. The creation of the Vampire Killer, in addition to the enchanted gauntlet on his left arm (the left hand was often associated with the Devil), would quickly gain the Church's ire. A few things save him from execution - one, his popularity amongst his land's populace (former company included), his outstanding performance as a crusader, and the fact he destroyed a particularly powerful vampire. However, these reasons are not enough to save him from excommunication.
• Though he had been well-loved by his subjects, Leon would find his family name reviled after his excommunication (a stigma his descendants would have to endure for centuries to come). Though not officially exiled, he finds there is no use in trying to return. He instead departs, taking up the mantle of a vampire hunter in Sara's memory. Of course, he still finds himself getting caught up in Europe's frantic Crusade politics...
• The German Crusade (pushed back to 1094) would have started shortly before Leon's return from Eternal Night. Considering the widespread nature of the Crusade in his native land, Leon would bear witness to a fair share of atrocities. (Anyone else smell diabolic influence? Need to think up something here...)