Frozen Veins
The borders of the Greatwood, Llyranost, late afternoon.
The village of Ortheiad has a problem that can be boiled down to two puncture wounds on the neck on one body and three missing people, none of which have yet turned up. The only thing that the three missing people and the one found with puncture wounds have in common is that they're village residents--it's actually rather odd that there _aren't_ more connections between the four individuals, considering the size of the border village, or so the half-sil woman assisting the group of adventurers that have shown up at her door says.
"A butcher, a baker--and before you ask, no, there _isn't_ a candlestick maker, the third's a farmer, and the poor sod with holes in his neck is my brother," Laia Paltara says as she finishes serving the group in her small cottage table. She's an older woman who lives alone... Now that her brother, a hunter, has gone missing. The half-sil woman also has a deft hand at cooking. There's a small feast for the people here. "My brother was investigating until... Well, he vanished. That's why I put the call out."
She takes a seat once everyone's got a plate full of food (or has declined a plate), and then she looks around. "He thought there was a vampire and that the Norlamin house out in the woods had something to do with it. I didn't believe him until they found him drained of blood."
Aragos has turned down the offer of food. He stands rather than sits. Holding up a wall. (This is a very important task obviously). The dark-haired man hasn't said much. Barely introduced himself to those who didn't know him already. Other than that, he's been about as talkative as a cactus (less so than some), and twice as prickly (as some). For the time being, he continues to merely observe. He isn't the least bit intimidating - given the black armor covered in spikes and the harshness of his purple eyes - at least not unless you have the normal sensibilities of your average person.
Harshad is a firm believer in 'never turn down free food'. You never know where the next meal might be coming from, after all, and a full belly steadies the hands and relaxes the nerves. Or at least that's what the rangy half-oruch thinks. He's seated at Laia Paltara's table along with the others, and scowls. "Well... if we do this during the daytime it won't be too dangerous."
He looks at the others, his plate comprehensively cleaned, as he pulls out a long-stemmed pipe. "I don't know a whole lot about undead," he admits. "Are these the ones you have to draw lines of salt in front of?" His brows furrow, as he begins to fill his pipe. "Hey, eh, what's yer name. Purple eyes. You know anything about undead?" Harshad gestures at Aragos.
Reithak was not one to turn down an offer of hospitality unless given good reason to do so, so the large egalrin found a seat for the time being. While the inquisitor had taken off their hat out of politeness, it was much too big to fit properly in their lap, so it was in place held halfway over one of their legs, while their other arm rested on the table. "Thanks dear, kind of you to offer this." The egalrin thanks, giving a small dip of their beak. "I can't imagine this has been an easy time for anyone here given the circumstances. Anything more you can tell us about this, ma'am? When they went missing?" The egalrin asks, tapping one claw against the table. "What made them think there was a vampire or something here to begin with?"
Quinn cheerfully shovels food into his mouth, rapidly shifting focus from his plate to the hostess as she explains the situation. Frowning at the last comment, he forces through a mouthful, "Vrry srry for yr lossh, mr'rm." He coughs on his food and takes a big drink of water to wash down some of the food and then asks more clearly, "How long ago was that?"
He turns also to look over to Aragos at the question, seemingly genuinely curious about the answer. Meanwhile, the large camel that Quinn left outside aggressively licks a nearby window and glares inside at the diners, clearly still upset about being left out.
Palomas struggled up on a chair not suited to his height without complaint, and clapped his hands together in thanks for the generosity of their host; someone in grief who still treats others with kindness. His sword and buckler he leaves at the door as a sign of respect, but the colorful staff on his back still heralds his arrival with a tinkle of silver bells. He helps himself gladly to the feast.
To do any less would be an affront to the laws of men. He is about to speak but the Oruch directs attention to the one who clearly desires it the least, turning in his seat to lift an inquisitive eyebrow with spoon mash taters glistening in the light.
"My brother went missing three days ago," Laia responds to Quinn's question. She gives a sigh as she pokes at her food with a fork that is not as shiny as everyone else's cutlery. She gave her best to her guests. "Two of the other hunters in the village found him yesterday. The baker went missing four weeks ago. The butcher went two weeks ago. Farmer's been gone a week. I hate to say it, but seems to me like whoever this is... They got bolder with each kill. That's assuming the other three are dead."
She regards the sole egalrin of the party with a little nod. "Aside from that... There was a rumor going around from traveling merchants that there's a vampire afoot in the Greatwoods. Going around sirin' new spawn. I didn't believe it, but... Well, my brother's gone with two puncture wounds, drained of his blood." She sighs again.
GAME: Harshad rolls perception: (7)+7: 14 GAME: Quinn rolls perception: (4)+9: 13 GAME: Aragos rolls Perception: (8)+2: 10 GAME: Reithak rolls perception: (13)+14: 27 GAME: Palomas rolls perception: (15)+4: 19
Aragos gives Harshad a short look. "Call me Aragos." He frowns and shrugs. "I know a few things, but I'm no cleric. If it's got fangs and drinks blood my bet is on vampire."
Those purple eyes glance out the window. "That camel isn't the sort to bite small children is it? I mean it might be a good lesson for her, but the locals might not take kindly to it." Aragos puts a hand on his hip and shrugs. "Fighting off a village gets messy, quick."
GAME: Reithak rolls knowledge/religion +2: (2)+6+2: 10
"Yeah but... what about mosquitos? Don't they have fangs? Granted, it's a bit early in the year for the little bastards..." Harshad shrugs. "In any case, I guess investigating during daylight hours is the best idea. Anything we should bring in particular?"
Harshad glances at the window as well, peering at the girl offering the apple. "Eh, don't camels like apples? Or is that horses?"
"They love apples, actually." Palomas adds.
"About a week apart every time, that's odd, seems to be a structure to it. Don't know much about vampires off the top of my head, other than what you all've already said." The egalrin considers, tapping one finger a few more times before she instead goes to finishing off her plate. "It could be, and I hope it's not the case. But hope or not, what matters is getting to the bottom of this, which we will." They finish firmly. "Have the people being targeted been alone, by chance?" She begins inquiring, but something caught their eye.
"Palomas, right? That camel of yours good with people?" She asks, already halfway out of her seat. "She's not paying it too much attention right now, and I don't want her losing a finger or something."
Quinn jumps a little at Aragos' and others questions about the camel, shooting a glare over at the window, he gestures with a foody fork, "Ed? Sorry, the camel's name is Ed, I mean." Quinn looks around at the table very quickly and then offers a quick shrug, "If I'm being totally honest, I would fully expect him to bite a child. He bites me almost every day." He nods to the others, "Yeah, he loves an apple too."
Wiping his hands with a napkin, Quinn turns back to the host, "Sorry for being grim but may I ask what have you done with your brother's body?"
Pausing for just a second after the question as he slowly pieces some things together, Quinn scoots his chair back a little and shoots another look out the window at the camel, "Are there kids out there?" To his credit, the camel continues licking the window and glaring in at the dinner party with one eye turned close to the window.
"Yeah, they've been alone every single time when they've disappeared," Laia responds to Reithak's question. "Seems like they go out in the evening and then... Gone. That's what happened to my brother. He went out for an overnight hunt and then... they found him the next morning."
She looks at Quinn and nods gently. "No, it's a good question. Our sildanyar half of the family has a curuchuil garden some miles into the woods--it's a memorial practice. We cremate the ashes and then make the trek to bury them with new seeds and sprouts. The idea being that they live on in the beauty that grows from them. I've got the ashes, but haven't made the trip out. Doesn't feel safe to right now--"
Then comes the mention of the little girl. Laia's eyes narrow. "Is that Amadee?" she asks, before shooting up from her chair and marching over to the front door. She opens it. "Amadee, I told your folks before--I'm not a fighter, and you can't be going out in those woods even if you've got an adult with you. It's too dangerous."
Amadee--apparently the little girl in question--frowns. "I know, but they can help me!" she pleads, pointing to the group of adventurers. "The Sky-singer gave me a vision. I saw... rats. Huge rats. And a man with blood on his face!"
Harshad lights his pipe, the scent of smoke wafting up. "See, now, that's weird." His eyes flick to Aragos. "I mean, if you're going to go around making vampires, why leave the bodies to be found? It's like breaking into a house and leaving the door standing wide open. People get excited about that sort of thing."
Puffing on his pipe a bit, the half-oruch grunts at Laia's explanation. "Makes sense, doing that. If nothing else, makes sure they won't get back up." A pause. "Sorry, just... being pragmatic."
When Laia goes to confront the little girl, Amadee, Harshad gets up as well. At her description of visions, he looks at the others, taking the pipe out of his mouth and looking puzzled, though he doesn't say anything.
The little girls words draw Aragos away from his post holding up the wall. Thankfully the wall stays in place as he looks down at the child. "Did your vision suggest that you were required to come with us? Or merely that the information was what we required." It seems that he is taking her seriously at least.
GAME: Quinn rolls knowledge/nature: (6)+8: 14
Reithak was almost back to the front door, but she was a bit too late, so the large bird is just left poking her head almost sideways out the door. "Amadee, nice to meet'cha. She's right, you know, it's dangerous out there. So what can we do to help you if you'll stay somewhere safe here? We're already planning on helping, so helping a few more folks won't hurt, I'd say."
"Have to admire wee folks who put on their brave trousers," Palomas says as he slips from his chair with a huff. Patpatpat goes bare feet as he rumbles over, almost as small as the young child is, giving an enthusiastic wave that has the bells on the end of his walking stick tinkling.
"But think hard on the nature of this vision. No harm in not putting yourself in harm's way."
Quinn winces a little bit at the girls description of rats, muttering something under his breath that sounds a lot like 'eww, gross.' He nods at all of the grown-ups in agreement with their very responsible sentiments but then also pipes up when there is a moment of quiet, "Sorry but when you say you saw HUGE rats.. like.. this big?" And he holds his hands out about the size of a grapefruit or so, "And could you see if they were inside or outside?" Quinn pushes away his plate and seems like he's personally finished with his meal at this point.
Amadee frowns a little, but Laia leans down and pats the girl on the shoulder. "They've all got great points," she says. "I know you have dreams of prophecy sometimes, but... That _doesn't_ mean you're ready to go out adventuring. You have to wait until you're older."
The sildanyar girl nods finally, but it's clear Amadee wants to go out anyway by the reluctance in her eyes. She looks at Quinn first. "They're like... Bigger than a cat?" she says, making a vague gesture of size. "They were inside a library, in a creepy house with lots of blood and..."
Laia reassures Amadee with a little rub of the shoulder before looking at the adventurers. "Yeah. Sounds like it's the Norlamin house," she says. "That place used to be home to a scholar, but she left about twenty years ago to go on a knowledge-gathering trip without assigning anyone as a caretaker. Kind of seems like she vanished overnight."
She stands back upright and folds her arms. "I can give you all a map to the house," she says. "I'd suggest getting there as quickly as you can."
Amadee looks at Aragos and murmurs, "You were in my vision, sir. I saw... you getting really hurt?" She looks guilty. "I don't have to come, but... I wanted to at least tell you?"
Aragos kneels before the girl, looking at her seriously. "My injury, should it come or not - comes through no fault of yours. Be safe at home, and I to my duty." Here he rises to his feet and nods to Laia. "A map would serve us well."
Harshad's brows come together, but he clearly can't work up the irritation to bark. This sort of thing is dangerous as it is without doomsaying or visions or suchlike. Instead, he just sticks his pipe back in his mouth, and goes to get his long coat -- worn even in spring, but from its heft more than just a coat -- from the coat hooks.
Then he pauses, and turns to regard the girl. "Maybe," he says in his low voice. "But maybe your warning is what keeps him from gettin' hurt, too. Sometimes a word of caution isn't a bad idea." He glances at the others. "Let's get moving. I want to get there before the sun goes down."
"Whoa, got the shivers!" Palomas says. "With some real heroes today. Let's go, uh, 'unearth' these 'undead'."
"Thank you for letting us know. Visions are tough, not everything is super clear about them. Lot of folks spend a lot of time learning from them." Reithak nods, managing to pull herself around the door frame where she could lean against the wall of the house. "We'll do our best to make sure he doesn't get hurt, if you do your best to not get hurt too, promise?" She assures, glancing back at the woman who welcomed them here. "Do you have any family or friends in town you can stay with for a bit? Might be for the best if you can."
Quinn folds up his napkin and tucks it into the side of his place, standing with a deep breath that he lets out in a huff. He looks over to Aragos, seeming impressed and gives him a nod, "That is a very brave and thoughtful thing to say. I guess it is time to get moving!" Pausing to turn to the host, he adds, "Thank you very much for your hospitality and I hope we are able to help restore peace to your family and the memory of your brother." He nods in agreement with Harshad's sentiment and also starts for the door, giving a friendly smile and small wave for Amadee.
GAME: Harshad rolls survival: (18)+3: 21 GAME: Palomas rolls survival: (1)+2: 3 (EPIC FAIL) GAME: Quinn rolls survival: (19)+11: 30 GAME: Aragos rolls Survival: (5)+2: 7 GAME: Reithak rolls survival: (7)+2: 9
Laia gives the map to Aragos, as he's the first to ask for it, and then Laia and Amadee give their farewells to the adventurers. The party travels along the path that is listed on the map...
It takes about three hours to get to the house with the group's ability to navigate the woods and to follow the map (which is not wholly perfect, but is serviceable nonetheless). Considering it'd been late afternoon when the group came to Laia's residence, it's now sunset, which is a little scary... But it's enough light to infiltrate the house.
The door's actually open on its hinges. Fancy that. It's also a somewhat small house, with the library rather obvious as its centerpiece, and it's evident from stepping inside that there's the horrible smell of blood and decay emanating from further within the house...
Which leads to the library door. It's open by just a crack. It's very dark in the room, but one can make out two torches in the distance. And, of course, the potent smell of death.
GAME: Aragos rolls Perception: (13)+2: 15 GAME: Harshad rolls perception: (17)+7: 24 GAME: Aragos rolls Stealth: (10)+-5: 5 GAME: Palomas rolls stealth: (16)+6: 22 GAME: Harshad rolls stealth: (12)+10: 22
Aragos isn't the most stealthy of men, but he moves as silently and carefully forward as he can. It's about as effective as one might expect given the metal armor covering his body. He clanks forward then, listening between his steps. He motions toward the corner of the room. To the north-east and then to his ear in a strange gesture that some might recognize as handspeech even in the dim lighting offered. It means that he hears something over there. He draws his blade quietly.
Harshad freezes suddenly, having sidled up to the wall and is listening. While he doesn't understand handspeech, his eyes meet Aragos's and it's clear they -both- hear something, because the half-oruch smoothly draws a rapier and main-gauche from his belt, holding them in a practiced stance. Inclining his head to Aragos, before he grins faintly.
Quinn comes in last from the group after having what seemed like a heated but hushed conversation with Ed the camel, who waits outside the building. He holds a curved sword in his right hand and the sword looks fine but he obviously is no expert in its use. Looking between Aragos and Harshad at the gestures, Quinn appears befuddled but slowly points to his own ear and then points to the northeast. He stays put.
Palomas, a small man with no boots, finds the task of stepping lightly to be much easier. Though one companion might be too heavy afoot, in their intimidating battle regalia, he slips into a more subtle supportive role with an easygoing nod. Strangely, the bells on his staff-sling do not sound their cheerful sound now as he draws a colorful stone from a pouch and loads it into the sling. He does, whispering, a little side-talk with Quinn. "Ed seems nice."
The sound of Aragos's armor apparently draws forth some interested customers... Because there's the pitter-patter of feet on the floor…
GAME: Quinn casts Light. Caster Level: 2 DC: 14
Quinn tenses up at the sound of the pitter patter, his eyes darting around nervously in the dark before he quickly pulls his scimitar close to his face. He mutters some incantation quietly under his breath and then in a quick and sudden spark of light, his scimitar begins to glow much like a torch which he holds out again, lifting it up in the air as he nervously looks between the rows of shelves and down the hall.
GAME: Riptide rolls 1d20+1: (19)+1: 20
Reithak tilts their head to one side, squinting not from the lack of light, but the semi unexpected presence of it. The large egalrin holds one hand up, reaching for the necklace they were wearing. "Now's not the time to be seen, keep me out of sight and out of mind." Reithak mutters in a strange, breezy language as quietly as they can manage, the inquisitor popping out of existence, save for the slight sounds that might give away their position.
Just as the egalrin vanished, it seemed that the group was no longer hidden, at least not completely. "Ah, crap, something's coming isn't it." The egalrin curses to theirself. "You all got this! I believe in you, Ceinara believes in you, you all got the strength to get through this!" They chant again, this time filling their allies with a modicum of divine strength. <Auran>
GAME: Riptide rolls 1d4: (4): 4
Rats, the size of small dogs, ruby-red eyes glittering, emerge from the shadows between bookcases. One goes for Aragos, snarling as it lunges at him and finds purchase at a weak point in his armor.
GAME: Aragos rolls 1d20+8+1: (17)+8+1: 26 GAME: Aragos rolls 2d6+7: (6)+7: 13 GAME: Aragos rolls 2d6: (11): 11
Aragos snorts at the sight of the rat. "Where is your Master little one?" It's a somewhat rhetorical question as the rat dies almost immediately as he plants his heavy blue-black blade into the creature's skull. He grins viciously and calls out. "Come out, come out, where-ever you are!"
So much for any kind of stealth.
GAME: Palomas rolls weapon2: (15)+7: 22 GAME: Palomas rolls damage2: aliased to 1d6+0: (2)+0: 2 GAME: Riptide rolls 1d20+1: (12)+1: 13
Palomas slips forward, his small frame serving as a shield toward a more vulnerable Quinn. As he does so, the sling staff is raised over head and spinning, the bell's no longer gently singing but instead a great cacophony that mimics the collapse of an industrial frying pan down a flight of stairs.
The rock is propelled at the first visible rat, a skipping shot off its furry flank.
Damaged but undaunted by Palomas's shot at it, the other dire rat goes barreling down the long space between bookshelves down to bite the other great source of noise: Aragos. Unlike its kin, however, the rat does not succeed, its teeth glancing off Aragos's armor with its lunge.
GAME: Harshad rolls weapon1+1-2+2: (15)+7+1+-2+2: 23 GAME: Harshad rolls weapon2+1-2+2: (9)+7+1+-2+2: 17 GAME: Harshad rolls damage1+2d6: aliased to 1d6+2+2d6: (5)+2+(5): 12 GAME: Harshad rolls damage2+2d6: aliased to 1d4+2+2d6: (1)+2+(7): 10 GAME: Riptide rolls 1d10+5: (5)+5: 10
Suddenly, Harshad seems to pop around the corner like a green, grumpy jack-in-the-box. "Aragos, you ever considered the benefits of stealth?" he asks dryly. The rat is suddenly surrounded on three sides, and it doesn't end well for it as the rapier pins the beastly vermin to the floor before Harshad's heavy dagger strikes just behind the skull. Smoothly, the rogue uncoils again. "Next?"
As though a sick answer to Harshad's question, a laugh comes from further into the library, past where Harshad and Aragos are standing. It's the kind of laugh one associates with... someone who is not very well.
"Oh, the master will not like that." It's a croon of a man's voice. "Won't like it at all. So sad. Such good pets..."
There comes an invocation and then the tell-tale _feeling_ of magic from up ahead. Some sort of spell's been cast.
Quinn feels braver by the second as this very capable party quickly deals with the rats hurrying up to them. Pausing at a moment of calm as it seems no more seem to be rushing ahead, Quinn squeezes past Harshad, holding the scimitar out more like a torch than a sword. Stepping over one rat corpse, past Aragos and tip toeing over another rat corpse, he turns and creeps a bit further deeper in the library, looking about cautiously.
GAME: Reithak rolls stealth+20: (18)+11+20: 49
The middle of the hall Quinn passes churns up a small cloud of dust before the egalrin is slinking off down the shelves. peeking into the center of the library of the building, a voice suddenly shouts. "THERES A REALLY BLOODY BLOKE IN THE CENTER OF THIS LIBRARY! FOLLOW ME!" The disembodied voice squawks, before Reithak continues sneaking past the person, hoping to cut off any means of escape, or catch them off guard.
GAME: Aragos rolls Intimidate: (5)+10: 15
The middle of the hall Quinn passes churns up a small cloud of dust before the egalrin is slinking off down the shelves. peeking into the center of the library of the building, a voice suddenly shouts. "THERES A REALLY BLOODY BLOKE IN THE CENTER OF THIS LIBRARY! FOLLOW ME!" The disembodied voice squawks, before Reithak continues sneaking past the person, hoping to cut off any means of escape, or catch them off guard.
GAME: Aragos rolls Intimidate: (13)+10: 23
Palomas huffs and puffs as his shorter legs pump, doing his best to keep up with the others. As he does, sliding to a stop in the doorway, he palms a second colorful stone into his sling.
Aragos flashes a grin at Harshad. "No, for I do not fear what comes." With that he steps forward into the dark, toward the voice and sings. He is a paladin of Vardama after all. And so he sings for Her; the Death singer. "Total Slaughter! Total Slaughter! I won't leave, a single vamp alive! Ladi-dadi-da, gonna die. Ladi-dadi-da, an ocean of your blood. Lets begin - the killing time!" He sings merrily, and smiles warmly at the man who comes into view.
"Lady Luck, don't fail me now," Harshad mumbles as he follows after the others, feet pounding on the old floors as he races after the others. Blades in hand, he skids to a stop just in front of the ruined books and shelves, catching sight of the bloody-faced man. His blades come up in a defensive stance, as he watches the fellow. "Cremation or burial, asshole. Take your pick."
GAME: Riptide rolls 1d20+3: (5)+3: 8
Now that Aragos and Reithak can get a good look at him... This individual is a sildanyar man, pale as can be, his red eyes addled in some manner. Blood cakes his features. A corpse is by his feet on the floor, the life drained from it already.
"Get back, you foul _Vardaman_," he hisses at Aragos, launching himself a few feet away with a graceful step as he unleashes a spell of fire at Aragos. But the ray goes wide.
Quinn continues to creep forward in a little more of a hurry, squeezing past Harshad and then stumbling over the pile of books. Looking around, he spots the vampire and in an exceptionally brave (for him) maneuver, takes a large step up to mount the chaise and waves his brightly light scimitar in a vaguely threatening manner in the air.
GAME: Reithak rolls 1d20+3+4+1+1: (7)+3+4+1+1: 16 GAME: Reithak rolls 1d6+4: (2)+4: 6 GAME: Aragos rolls 1d20+8+1+4: (10)+8+1+4: 23
"Alright, that's enough out of you. Should be disappointed in yourself, not what some other person thinks." The disembodied voice squawks again, much closer to their foe. Reithak is only revealed along with the slender blade sticking out of one of the elf's shoulders, which is quickly pulled free.
GAME: Aragos rolls 2d6+7+4: (7)+7+4: 18 GAME: Palomas rolls weapon2: (18)+7: 25 GAME: Palomas rolls damage2+4: aliased to 1d6+0+4: (1)+0+4: 5
Aragos smoothly closes the distance between himself and the vile creature that he knows in his heart is evil. "That was pathetic. I have seen street-magicians produce more flames from their arses." He laughs in a bitter manner. "I was warned of a challenge, but I find only a coward."
His purple eyes blaze as he calls the power of his goddess into his blade and smites the pale man with fury enough to produce a terrible wound. "When you see Vardama, tell Her to send me better."
"I am also here!" Palomas announces in the wake of Aragos's more dramatic display as a pretty violet stone bounces off the vampire's brow.
GAME: Harshad rolls weapon1+2+1: (1)+7+2+1: 11 (EPIC FAIL) GAME: Harshad rolls weapon1+2+1: (1)+7+2+1: 11 (EPIC FAIL) GAME: Harshad rolls weapon1+2+1: (4)+7+2+1: 14 GAME: Harshad rolls damage1+2d6: aliased to 1d6+2+2d6: (1)+2+(5): 8
And then Harshad is coming through. He manages to slide through the books, grabbing the chaise lounge and vaulting it with surprising agility. Landing on his feet next to the pallid elf, the half-orc grins. "Say goodnight, freak." His rapier comes back with a quick motion, and he drives it through the bloody-faced monster's right eye, the blade punching through the back of the elf's skull. There's a whistling sound as it's pulled free, and the creature drops in a heap. "And good fuckin' riddance."
When the dust settles from the vampire--or so it would seem--hitting the floor, an investigation of the house proves some things.
The first is that there are two bodies. One in the library, and one in the bedroom.
The third, however... Cannot be found. Not even prodding the ground for corpses reveals anything.
It's a chilling revelation. But at least the grievous injury Amadee foresaw for one of the party members did not come to pass. That probably has to do with the excellent teamwork displayed. At any rate, Laia thanks the group for their time.
"I'll have to bury my brother's ashes some other time," she says. "I don't like much the idea that there could be something more dangerous afoot. Maybe for some other safer season."
If such a time ever comes.
-End