An Introduction to Castlevania

The Castlevania game series (called Akumajou Dracula -- Demon Castle Dracula in Japanese) details the struggle between the Belmonts, a vampire-hunting clan, and the infamous Dracula. There are over 20 Castlevania titles including various remakes of past games. The series is produced by Konami with artwork mostly done by the talented Ayami Kojima.

Lament of Innocence, while not the first game in the Castlevania timeline, tells the story of how the struggle between the Belmont Clan and Dracula first began. It takes place in 1094 AD amidst the time of the Holy Crusades. The game follows a young knight, Leon Belmont. When his fiancee Sara is abducted and taken to the forest Eternal Night, a place where the sun has never seen, Leon soon follows. It is there that Leon is put to the test and, with the help of the alchemist Rinaldo Gandalfi, attempts to slay the lord of the castle and forest: the vampire Walter Bernhard. Rinaldo warns Leon that he is up against a challenge that few men have tried and no man has lived through. To help the noble knight further, the alchemist gives Leon the whip that would soon become legendary -- the Vampire Killer.

It is up to Leon to retrieve his beloved before her life is changed forever.

For a more proper introduction, consult the official prologue to the game here:

In an era long past, as monarchies weakened, local feudal lords grew in power. The first knights simply protected their lords' domains. However with the reforms of the late 11th century, knights became protectors of the peace. They valued courage and honor, fighting heretics and heathens in God's name.

In this age, one company of knights was said to be invincible due to two men: Leon Belmont, a courageous man who feared nothing and whose combat abilities were second to none, and Mathias Cronqvist, a genius tactician, whose learning made him an exception in a largely illiterate society. They trusted each other completely, and they were bound by an old friendship.

However, sorrow awaited Mathias upon his return from a victorious campaign. It was news of the sudden death of his beloved wife, Elisabetha. Mathias' grief was profound and he became bedridden.

A year has passed since then.

Thanks to Leon's efforts, their company remains proudly undefeated. However a mysterious army of monsters suddenly appears in Leon's domain. The Crusades are raging in the East, and since the Church is focusing on fighting heathens rather than monsters, it has forbidden unauthorized battles. Leon wants permission to sortie, but the church has no intention of granting it.

One night, Mathias struggles from his sickbed and tells Leon that the appearance of the monsters is tied to a vampire, who has a castle in the Forest called Eternal Night, and that Leon's betrothed, Sara, has been kidnapped and brought to that castle. Leon realizes that he must renounce his title to rescue his beloved.

The forest is swollen with darkness, as if it would rob away everything, and only moonlight provides a ray of hope.

A great legend is about to begin.