No one is entirely sure how the Surreptus came about. Common speculation and
rumor holds that overwhelming greed and the pursuant nature of Justice drove a
band of thieves belowground, where they lived for decades, biding their time
until they were forgotten. As the years passed, fraternization caused their
numbers to swell, their children developing to withstand the treacherous
underground domains. Little order existed in the society, and power was held
by those who controlled what few material goods the group possessed, which led
to incredibly violent skirmishes in attempts to gain them. Over time, after
the original generation had passed on, their history was forgotten. Immolative
magics used during the "Age of Vampires" eventually wore through the overland,
revealing some of the tunnels to the surface. As the magics continued to tear
through vampire after vampire, a few Nosferatu stumbled onto the tunnels, and
entered them, before sealing them off, thinking perhaps they were some
forgotten entrance to their own familiar warrens. These last of the Vampires
finally found the then-childish race of underdwellers, jokingly calling them
"Surreptus", noting their near-worship of the wealthy items and thieving
practices. The Surreptus accepted the Nosferatu into their society as
wise-men, learning of all the practices of the surface world, gasping in awe as
they heard of the treasures to be found. After the rumbling of the warring
above ceased as the remaining vampires on the surfaces eliminated each other,
below the surface, the Nosferatu taught the Surreptus to fight together towards
a common goal, the value of fighting in packs, and usage of lightning fury on
the unexpected, striking the unwary and unprepared before they become aware
of what's going on. With their training complete, the Surreptus venture
upwards towards the surface world that is now so foreign to them.