The Woodman's Tale of the Moravian Nobleman

Relates a local legend about a vampire hunt in the Karnstein churchyard, which provides historical context for the present threat.

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The Woodman's Introduction

A Local Informant The Woodman's Background When the party arrives at the Karnstein chapel, a woodman is working nearby. General Spielsdorf calls him over to ask about the location of the Countess Mircalla's tomb. The woodman cannot point it out directly but offers to fetch an old ranger who knows the traditions. A Link to the Past The woodman himself is a descendant of generations of foresters. He is knowledgeable about the local legends, including the story of the Moravian nobleman who rid the village of a vampire. His tale will provide the key to understanding the vampire's history.

The Legend of the Vampire

A Historical Exorcism The Moravian's Feat The woodman recounts that the village was once plagued by revenants. A Moravian nobleman, skilled in such matters, watched from the chapel tower until he saw a vampire leave its grave. He stole the vampire's winding sheet and climbed to the top of the tower. When the vampire returned and demanded its clothes, the nobleman beckoned it up, then struck off its head with a sword. The Method of Destruction The tale describes the classic vampire-killing method: decapitation, followed by impalement and burning. The nobleman also removed the tomb of Countess Mircalla, hiding it so that it could not be easily found. This story foreshadows the later execution of Carmilla and establishes the vampire's long history.

The Ranger's Knowledge

Seeking the Old Man The Woodman's Offer The woodman volunteers to fetch the old ranger who knows the exact location of the tombs. He rides off on one of the horses, promising to return in half an hour. This sets the stage for the discovery of the tomb, as the ranger's knowledge will be crucial. A Bridge to the Past The woodman's tale is not just a story; it is a living memory of the village's history. The ranger, who may be the woodman's father, preserves the oral tradition. The legend of the Moravian nobleman directly connects to Baron Vordenburg's ancestor, revealing that the nobleman was, in fact, the Baron's ancestor.

The Legend Confirmed

The Truth Behind the Tale The Baron's Ancestor Baron Vordenburg later reveals that the Moravian nobleman was actually his own ancestor, a Styrian nobleman named Vordenburg. He had been the lover of the beautiful Mircalla before her death and, after she became a vampire, he hid her tomb to protect her remains from desecration. The woodman's tale, though distorted, contains the core truth. A Tragic Love Story The legend is not just a heroic vampire hunt; it is a story of enduring love and guilt. The ancestor's act of hiding the tomb was motivated by love, not vengeance. This revelation adds a layer of tragedy to the vampire's story, showing that even the monster was once loved.

during the visit to the Karnstein ruins

during the woodman's brief account

later, after the woodman departs

after Baron Vordenburg's revelation