To anyone unfamiliar with the Castlevania franchise, the story may seem non-existent. There is a character with the last name Belmont and he is always trying to kill Dracula. Seems pretty basic right? However, fans of the series know there is much more to be found. There is a story there and it is one of two families’ in a constant fight that has lasted centuries. Even when you feel you know what’s happening, a new game in the franchise comes out and turns the whole franchise on its head. The player learns the origin of the feud and how the two families are more intertwined than the characters themselves even realize.

To write a chronology of the series is no easy task. Each game contains it’s own set of surprises. Some games were never released in North America, while some were re-released years later. Also, the games are released in no specific order with prequels coming out years before sequels. After doing some research, I have decide to write my chronology of the story of the Belmont’s vs. Dracula. This is mainly due to the fact that the next story in the franchise will have no place in the canon of the Castlevania franchise and may be starting the series over from scratch. I added the games when possible to the sections referenced and try to only focus on events specific to the two families, since Dracula has his own set of minions which do little for the story and are really just target practice for the player. So here now is the story of the Belmont’s family quest to destroy Dracula.

The character of Dracula seems to be the same Dracula from the Bram Stroker novel, so we can assume that the two characters share the same history. At some point in time Dracula falls in love with a mortal woman named Lisa, who is the doctor of her village. Together they have a son, Adrian Tepes, also known as Alucard, who is born a dhampire (a half man/half vampire). The village learns of their relationship and decides to burn Lisa at the stake on the suspicion of being a witch. As she dies she begs her son not to succumb to his vampire side and begs him not to kill humans. As Dracula learns of this, his hatred of mankind begins and he makes a pact of darkness with the Grim Reaper. This foreshadows the appearance of the Grim Reaper in the games to come.

(Castlevania Legends) In 1433, Sonia Belmont is born in a remote part of Romania. Early in her life she seems to exhibit strange powers and becomes exceptionally strong and fast. Her grandfather, noticing her talents, begins to train her how to fight and makes her understand that these gifts are for a higher purpose.

In 1450, on Sonia’s 17th birthday, the poltergeist king gives Sonia the gift of the vampire killer. A whip that has unique powers capable of destroying Dracula and other super natural beings. This weapon will be used throughout the franchise and is the main weapon of the Belmont Family. The poltergeist king tells her that it is her destiny to destroy Dracula and all evil in the land. It is at this time that Sonia meets Alucard, son of Dracula. In Lisa he sees something of his mother and the two fall in love. They both storm Dracula’s castle to destroy Dracula. In the process, Sonia sees Alucard for what he is and defeats him, explaining that she must destroy all evil in the world. Soon afterwards, she finds Dracula and destroys him for what would be the first time in the series. The castle begins to crumble but not before Dracula vows to return for his revenge. When Sonia returns to her village, she is exiled for her relationship to Alucard. Having felt that she accomplished her mission, she returns the vampire killer to the poltergeist king. Alucard, having survived the attack from Sonia, enters a long slumber …but not before leaving her with a gift.

This is just part one of the Castlevania Chronology. Check back next week on Horror-Video-Games.com for part two to see how the relationship with Alucard and Sonia will leave a mark on both families for centuries to come.

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