Baba Yaga's Harmonizer had turned an Upyr into a Vurdalak in front of many witnesses, but nobody could be certain whether that was the Upyrs' hidden potential or just the consequence of the Red Mother's schemes.
The Treant-Upyr going apparently mad had only muddled the waters further.
Once the story of Althika and Orpal's other lovers became public, however, it had confirmed the wildest dream of everyone still on the fence about becoming one of the Dead King's thralls.
Lotho had unwittingly confirmed the rumors Orpal had spread to bring more people to his side and recruit people with useful bloodline abilities he wanted to acquire through Feast Soul.
Many Awakened driven by their hunger for the power of the Vurdalak ignored Lotho's and Lith's warning, considering it a convenient lie.
