Please tell us about yourself.
Brogio: I am Brogio, the first, the original vampire. I was cursed by the gods, Apollo, Artemis and Hades, in particular. All because I fell in love with Selene. You see, I was an Italian adventurer thousands of years ago. I traveled to the Oracle of Delphi to get my fortune read and fell in love with a handmaiden in Apollo’s Temple. It was love at first sight for both of us. I had no idea that Apollo had coveted this virgin for himself. When he discovered we planned to return to Italy and be married, he cursed me by taking daylight away from me. I could only go out at night.
I left Selene notes written with the blood of a swan I killed. Selene was afraid to anger Apollo further and kept working at his Temple. This went on for 44 days – love letters written in blood left for Selene at night. Then I begged Artemis, Apollo’s sister goddess, and Hades for help. But I angered them, and Artemis cursed me by causing silver to burn my skin and make me suffer. And Hades took my soul.
I begged Artemis’ forgiveness and pledged allegiance to her, and she took pity by turning me into a great hunter, almost as great as she, with the speed and strength of a god and fangs with which to drain the blood of beasts so I could use their blood to write letters to Selene. In exchange for this immortality, I had to agree that Selene and I would escape Apollo’s temple and worship only her forever. We managed to escape on a ship. Selene transported me in a coffin that she could only open after sunset.
Artemis let us be together as man and wife, but a virgin goddess expects her followers to be chaste. Years passed, and I stayed young, but Selene aged as a mortal. When she fell ill and was dying, I knew I couldn’t join her in the afterlife because my soul was in hell. I made offerings to Artemis, begging her to make Selene immortal so we could be together forever.
She allowed me to touch Selene just once, to drink her blood. This killed her mortal body, but our blood mixed together would create eternal life for any who drank it. Artemis said we would stay together forever. But she lied. Artemis took Selene from me to become a goddess of the moon and left me alone. I have spent thousands of years creating others like myself to end my loneliness, but nothing has helped.
Describe yourself what is your worst and best quality?
My worst quality: I have a temper, and I am very controlling. My best quality: my capacity to love Selene and my progeny.
What is the one thing you wish other people knew about you?
I wish others could understand that I held back from creating other vampires for a very long time until my best friend, Kane, begged me to make him immortal. I was only driven by my loneliness and need to be with others like myself.
What is your biggest secret something no one knows about?
Only Kane, Selene, Snow Blood and the gods know my real story. And now, you do.
What are you most afraid of?
Losing those I love.
What do you want more than anything?
Selene as my consummated wife.
What is your relationship status?
I have always been and will always be married to Selene.
How would you describe your sense of fashion?
I only wear black. Black pants, shoes, socks and turtleneck sweaters. Everything I own is black. My hair is blonde, so I wear it mostly long.
How much of a rebel are you?
I have been defying the gods for thousands of years, so I’m willing to bet I am more rebellious than most.
What do you considered to be your greatest achievement?
Surviving for so long under impossible circumstances.
What is your idea of happiness?
Selene, Snow Blood and Kane by my side.
What is your current state of mind?
I will be a tortured monster until I can finally have Selene back with me.
What is your most treasured possession?
I have many possessions. I am wealthy beyond belief. Having thousands of years to build a wine empire all over the world has left me quite comfortable. I no longer possess what I treasure most – Selene. I am comforted by my kindred companion and dog, Snow Blood.
What is your most marked characteristic?
I am the original. I am the most powerful of all vampires. Only I can defy the gods.
What is it that you most dislike?
The gods.
Which living person do you, most despise?
Most living people are food to me, despite that I try never to harm them unless I must. I do not despise them. I love them.
What is your greatest regret?
Losing Selene and having to turn Snow to save him as my companion.
What is the quality you most like in a man?
Healthy blood. (Laughing.) I admire strength; no matter in what form it comes.
What is the quality you most like in a woman?
Bravery. Selene is the bravest woman I’ve ever met.
Who is your favorite hero in fiction?
Well, I’ve been fictionalized in books, movies and television. They mostly have gotten it wrong, never giving the true back story. But it amuses me, particularly Dracula. So, I am my favorite hero, or, at least Dracula comes in as an interesting second.
Which living person do you most admire?
My Selene. Have you figured out that Selene is everything to me?
If you could change one thing about yourself what would it be?
Laughing … why, I’d become mortal, with a soul.
What is your motto?
Carpe diem. Cease the day (or the night in my case) because tomorrow may never come.
Eclipse Reviews thanks Brogio for this interview.
Interested in learning more about Snow Blood? Click here.