Empire V

A vampire named Brama decides to end his life after a duel. Before dying, he transfers his 'tongue' to Roman, a special essence that lets vampires read minds by tasting blood. This exchange marks Roman's transformation into a vampire.

Roman Aleksandrovich Shtorkin receives the tongue and becomes Rama, adopting vampire tradition and a new identity. The transformation begins with the acceptance that he is no longer human in essential ways. He changes his name to Rama as part of his integration into vampire society.

Rama enrolls in courses on glamour and discourse to learn how to control others and integrate into vampire society. The education is a rite of passage for young vampires, contrasting human empathy with vampiric power. He begins to rethink his previous life.

Rama discovers that vampires name themselves after gods and consider the word blood indecent to say aloud. He also learns that vampire society is largely separate from human society and guided by Chaldean agents who steer culture. He realizes humanity remains an object of influence for vampires.

Rama forms a complicated relationship with Hera, another vampire. Love is possible only within their own kind, reflecting the fortress-like rules of vampire society. The dynamic challenges his view of life and emotion.

Rama learns that the 'tongue' is a symbiote part that passes from host to host and grants mind-reading through blood tasting. This revelation contradicts common vampire myths and explains their power over people. He begins to see how vampiric control extends into humanity.

Vampires wield influence over society via glamour and discourse, and the tasting of the 'red liquid' lets them influence individuals. Rama understands the main goal of vampires is to dominate humanity, using their senses and social manipulation. He becomes more aware of the scale of their control.

Beyond study, Rama grapples with big questions about existence, origins, and truth. He takes notes and compiles them into a book, seeking meaning in his new vampiric life. Others dismiss such inquiries as youthful bliss, but he persists.

Osiris, an atypical vampire-Tolstoyan, offers guidance to Rama as he searches for answers. The conversations hint at deeper philosophical themes in vampire society. Osiris helps him navigate the tension between humanity and vampiric nature.

In the novel's turn, Rama learns that he was left undertrained on purpose to keep him slightly more human. This revelation reframes his earlier struggles as a deliberate choice by elder vampires. Rama begins to view his path with a new perspective.

Rama's life oscillates between human empathy and vampiric duty as he continues his studies and experiments with power. He remains aware of the coexistence of human and vampire values, which shapes his decisions.

The narrative closes with Rama accepting the paradox that vampires seek to control humanity while still clinging to shards of human feeling. His path is shaped by ongoing questions and the tension between power and humanity.