| “ | Your True Name is the formula that shapes your very being. In other words... it is your life itself— | ” |
Amelia having her True Name restored
True Name (
In all cases, invasive interference with a Vampire's True Name results in that Name's corruption and as a result the corruption of the Vampire's self, from their normal demeanor and personality into a crazed, bloodthirsty, rampaging beast. When a True Name is corrupted and a Vampire's essence tampered with, this creates a Malnomen, and those who have had their True Names stolen are called "curse-bearers" (
In recent times, more and more Vampires are having their True Names stolen and corrupted into Malnomen, which may lead to the destruction of the entire race. Vanitas, a human being who is in possession of the Book of Vanitas which allows him to interfere with True Names, aims to prevent this and save all Vampirekind by curing every curse-bearer he can find. Noé Archiviste encounters him by chance and witnesses him curing a curse-bearer before his very eyes, prompting him to join the man in his quest.
This article contains plot and/or ending details for The Case Study of Vanitas.
Read at your own risk.
History[]
Following the events of the Babel Incident, caused by the human alchemist Paracelsus, numerous Formulae were altered, creating a race of beings with a penchant for blood and red eyes that could alter the World Formula - strengthening their bodies and producing magic as a result - called Vampires.[1]
In one night of Blue Moon, Vanitas, a Vampire, was born. After being shunned and later exiled by their peers, Vanitas swore that they would exact their revenge on the Vampires born under the Crimson Moon. They created a grimoire capable of interfering with the True Names of Vampires, as well as rewriting the World Formulae. Vanitas proclaimed that when The Book of Vanitas was opened, a curse surpassing even death would befall their betrayers.[2]
Corruption[]
So far, only two things have been shown to interfere with a vampire's True Name:
Charlatan[]
By means yet unknown, Charlatan — mainly Naenia — is capable of invading the subconscious of vampires in order to inflict them with Malnomen and distort their true names. It is not presently known what are their motivations for doing so.
The Book of Vanitas[]
The Book of Vanitas is a set of cursed grimoires created by Vanitas of the Blue Moon with the ability to interfere with the World Formula. It is capable of entering a Vampire's subconscious in order to interfere with their True Name, although in the hands of Vanitas it is only used as a cure, to liberate the True Names from the Malnomen generated by Charlatan.
Known True Names[]
- Amelia Ruth: Florifel, She Who Guides Spring (
春導く者 , Haru wo Michibiku Mono — Furōriferu) - Thomas Berneux: Bucolicus, He Who Composes Idylls (
牧歌紡ぐ者 , Bokka Tsumugu Mono — Būkorikasu) - Chloé d'Apchier: Canorus, She Who Plays Snow Crystals (
雪花奏でる者 , Sekka Kanaderu Mono — Kanōrasu) - Jean-Jacques Chastel: Aprix, He Who Nestles Close to the Last Snows (
雪の果て寄り添う者 , Yuki no Hate Yorisou Mono — Apurikusu)
Trivia[]
- Occasionally the English localization by Yen Press will mistakenly render True Names incorrectly, due to a misunderstanding of the Japanese pronunciation and an unfamiliarity with Latin. These include "Florifel" and "Aprix"—these are meant to be read as "Florifer" and "Apricus" respectively.
- All True Names are derived from Latin.
- Florifer translates to "flowery."
- Bucolicus translates to "pastoral," "bucolic," or "of or pertaining to shepherds."
- Canorus translates to "of or pertaining to melody," "melodious," "harmonious," or "euphonious."
- Apricus translates to "sunny," "having lots of sunshine," or "warmed by the sun."
- So far there have been three Vampires who have contracted Malnomen but whose True Names remain unknown. Mina and Louis de Sade, who could not be cured by Vanitas at the time and place, and Catherine, whose speaking of her True Name was muffled by Noé's screams of distress at Vanitas mercy-killing her.