The Vampires of Ansien, Elinie

[DM B]

OOC: OK, time to conclude.

Adaliz:

"You fools! You are like chaff on the wind to me; you have wasted what little strength you have on my followers, and now as shall relish in your destruction...but perhaps, if you should prove resourceful, I might pick one or more of you to serve me, you have, after all, destroyed four of my servants. It would not do to present the Patriarch's head to my Master without my coterie at full strength!"

And with that the battle is joined - but not like Adaliz has planned it. The power of the sun goddess flows through you all, gathering in strength, even in this dark place, before being unleashed. Divine blessings and divine blood joins with the arcane mutterings of the College's premier evocation specialist, conjuring forth a fiery radiance to scour away the shadows...

The thing that was Medhloire is the first to go, her undead flesh still weak after her transformation; shrieking she catches fire and burns brightly for a moment before bursting apart.

But vampires, though they are vulnerable to light and fire, are also notoriously resistant to the channeling of priests. Adaliz other aide, though clearly in pain from burns and light-blindness charges forward across the sarcophagi, barreling into Bjorn as he too charges.

Adaliz seems completely unharmed, shielded by a dark halo of power. Then she unleashed her arcane powers, hurling a ball of crackling energy at the grouped priests, hurling them to the ground and stunning them.

[X-Points East]

IC:

Elamien has very little time to think as she sees this ball of energy streak past her, toward the priests at her back.  She begins to brace herself, just as she feels a great force strike her from behind, as the fell magic bursts amongst her companions.  Stumbling forward, she manages to keep herself from falling completely on her face; and, on one knee, she quickly surveys the scene, bringing her gaze, at last, upon Ariadne.  "I have no tricks, old friend.  But I will not relent."  So does she speak, as she rises to her feet, to close, if she must, with her foe. . . .

[DM B]

As the priests struggle to regain their composure - the wizard doesn't he remains down - Bjorn and the vampire battle it out. Had the vampire had more time, it might have worn the Rjurik out, but seeing as it is trying to get to the priests, the warrior is able to hold his own. Unfortunately his sword does not seem to injure this particular bitch very much - she shrugs of his sword-blows like a duck does rain.

Adaliz continue to lash out with mystic force, sending the LPA priestess, who places herself in harms way to protect the Patriarch, into unconsciousness and possible death, before Elamien can engage her...

...as the guild-mistress bears down on the vampiress, she is met by mocking laughter; but then something happens - the particulars are obscured by shadows and moving bodies - and Adaliz laughter is cut short, to be replaced by an outraged scream, such as only a trueborn noble can utter...

...then Elamien plunges her sword thought the chest of your nemesis, piercing her heart as you have been instructed, but failing to realize that this particular vampire is still a scion - apparently vampires do retain their divine blood, even in undeath - releasing her birthright to race down her blade as purple flames to join with her own spark of divinity.

Stunned silence...those of you still unengaged and conscious think you glimpse a dark shape quietly disappearing, from behind where once-Adaliz stood...your 'ally' again?

Bjørn is finally brought down, with the vampiress latched to his neck, drinking his life-blood whilst she tears at his mail with her clawed hands. Then this vampire too finds final death as one angry Patriarch and two Priests shove their holy blades into her body.

Silence. Utter silence. Save your own ragged breaths, and the soft moans of the injured...only Elamien seems (comparatively) unhurt...

[X-Elinie/RiD (Niels)]

Moving to the fallen Maester Kaleiman, Rashid calls for aid; "Help here, he is gravely wounded." And then tries to assist by mundane means...

When there is no more to do, either way, he looks to Elamien. "What was this about? - You called my sister Adaliz for Ariadne and seemed familiar with her under that name.

And are you alright? - That energy looked somewhat ominious..."

OOC: And my former post got slain by the wicked GM.  - Its ok, it was just combat fluff.

[DM B]

OOC: Sorry 

[X-Points East]

Moving to the fallen Maester Kaleiman, Rashid calls for aid; "Help here, he is gravely wounded." And then tries to assist by mundane means...

When there is no more to do, either way, he looks to Elamien. "What was this about? - You called my sister Adaliz for Ariadne and seemed familiar with her under that name.

And are you alright? - That energy looked somewhat ominious..."

IC:

"I believe that I am all right", replies Elamien, looking at the battered man, who addressed her.  "At one time, your sister was a close friend of mine, and I would refer to her by that other name:  there is really not much more, that I can add. . . ."  She seems to be considering some thing, if her slightly squinting and slightly shifting eyes are any indication, whilst she returns the gaze of Rashid.  Then she asks, "Do you think that we should open the seventh sarcophagus?" . . .

[X-Haelyn's Aegis/RK (Andy)]

The High Marshal, hastens to the side of the wizard, and after checking that Bjorn is safe, releases the last of his healing magic into the old man.  Moving over to Bjorn Robhan staunched the warriors wounds with bandages, "you fought well Bjorn, the Mhor will hear of your valour."

His face grave the High Marshal walked over to where Medlorhie had been consumed by the light of the Gods, "ash, from which some say all came, to which in time all return" he whispered, a grim end for a valiant soul, "may redemption have been granted through the grace of those above".

"Naire is it not?  We met a few summers back I recall.  I leave your mistresses ashes in your care, purified by holy fire they are no threat, and the high Hierophant's long service merits respect."

Robhan then looks carefully at the sarcophagi, "these should be cleansed" he mutters, staring keenly at the closed sarcophagi and fingering his blade...

[X-Elinie/RiD (Niels)]

"Wait!" Rashid turns to Robhan. "If this sarcophagi contains... Hmm... It probably will not though..."

Waving a hand to dismiss his thought, he continues; "We are here, so we must. - Be careful though."

His eyes go back to Elamien. "Are you sure you are alright? - You seem a little shaken. How did you know Ariadne?"

With one hand the Patriarch smoothes his hair, takes a deep breath and seems to finally relax a little. The combat high leaving him, to feel all the cuts and scrapes of the night.

Almost as an afterthought, he leans so he can see past Elamian and focus his Detect Evil on the sarcophagus, trying to get a clue if its empty or holding an undead monster.

[X-Mhoried/Droene Kavarra (Iasonas)]

The High Marshal, hastens to the side of the wizard, and after checking that Bjorn is safe, releases the last of his healing magic into the old man.  Moving over to Bjorn Robhan staunched the warriors wounds with bandages, "you fought well Bjorn, the Mhor will hear of your valour."

Bjorn is barely able to respond. The battle has taken its toll on him. Sweat mixed with blood still runs on his face and through his numerous cuts, but the bleeding has actually stopped. His face is ashen, his eyes barely able to keep focus on the surroundings. He breaths heavily, not able to stand on his feet yet.

After a few moments, he appears to have gained much of his strength. He leans on his claymore, and tries to stand on his feet. He barely is able to whisper:

"Thank you High Marshal. The Mhor already knows my valor. I did not do this for anyone but me. Somehow I feel I needed it". A faint smile forms on his face.

[Edit: "to have" instead of "that he has". Sounds better  ]

[DM B]

The last sarcophagus contains the vampire Robhan chased away; resting to regain its strength. Its rather helpless at the moment.

[DM B]

Kaleiman (who looks like he'll never consider going on an adventure again!):

"We must question the last spawn before destroying it. I cannot say I believe it will tell anything truthful, but we must try.

Then we must gather ourselves and find the path back to the Daylight; we are spent and need to recover."

[X-Elinie/RiD (Niels)]

Rashid, not getting any answer from Elamien, steps up beside the High Marshal at the coffin. "You! - What is your name?"

If the vampire is reluctant to answer, he will use the Sun Sword to prod it. If required, cutting off pieces starting from the feet and arms and getting closer to the body.

"What was the plan in Ansien?"

"Where is your Master?"

"Is Manethander moving? - Has he left the tomb?"

"Is there anything that can desroy him?"

"Tell me everything you scum! - The pain will only end in Oblivion at My Mercy!"

<chop> <chop> <hack> <sizzle>

[DM B]

The vampire, already greatly weakened, cannot stand the touch of the sword and with an inhuman shriek HE catches fire and is consumed by flames.

Now what? How do you get back? Or do you have some other plan perhaps?

[X-Haelyn's Aegis/RK (Andy)]

Robhan frowns, "our enemy is done - but so nearly are we.  I suggest that since we appeared back in the great hall, we return there - perhaps with the destruction of these demons some way home will be apparent."

"What say you Master Kaleiman? Do you know of any route back to the land of the living?"

Moving to support Bjorn as he sways, the High Marshal prays for guidance and waits for his companions to respond.

[DM B]

You've learned a lot about vampires now; some of it from research, some of it from hard-earned experience. Of course, this is not something you can be absolutely sure about, it's not like you have a Monster Manual or something to refer to 

First of all, Cerilian vampires are not all the same; it would seem they have some common characteristics, but some have powers that others do not. And the same goes for weaknesses.

General
- vampires retain the abilities they had in life; Adaliz was a sorceress, and could utilize those powers in undeath.
- scions that become vampires seem to retain their bloodlines; once again Adaliz is your reference.
- vampires are outwardly identical to humans; it is VERY difficult to spot them, although detect shadowtaint (detect evil) WILL work.

Other powers
- vampires are much stronger, tougher and faster than they ever were in life
- vampire can jump pretty far, and walk on roofs and walls as easily as on the ground
- vampires can change shape; or so you've heard, into wolves and such, but you've yet to see this happen.
- vampires can assume the form of mist and fly in this form; Robhan's opponent did this when he was on the verge of defeat
- at least some vampires can suck the life ut of the living with only a touch.
- all vampires can/must drink blood to sustain them

Resistances
- vampires seem almost immune to physical damage, and if hurt at all they recover with incredible speed.
- magic weapons and/or silver seem to have some effect, but exactly how much you're unsure - Bjorn has a magic sword, and he's been hacking away at the vampires, doing some damage, but not very much.

Weaknesses
- vampires CAN be turned or destroyed through divine channeling, but are very resistant to it (even the efforts of a group of powerful clerics, lead by a Sun priestess, only destroyed Medhlorie - the weakest vampire)
- vampires are hurt by fire; torches, burning oil, flaming swords, magic spells; they all harm them
- vampires are hurt by sunlight; but how much seems to vary from vampire to vampire, but haven't a lot of data to support this theory. In any even only true sunlight burns them enough to cause damage, but bright light can blind or nauseate them.
- staking a vampire (through the heart) doesn't seem to kill it (although Adaliz DID die), only immobilize it. And as Bjorn can testify to; wood probably works, but cold Rjurik steel is just as good 
- decapitating a vampire (not easy unless its been staked) kills it; as does hacking it to pieces or otherwise inflicting truly massive physical trauma - but then again this would kill almost everything 

'Reproduction'
- vampires can create other vampires; you have seen it happen. Medhloire got turned into a vampire (or so you think).

- vampires can create lesser spawn; these creatures have many of the same characteristics that vampires heavy, but are weaker and cannot create new undead.

'Servants'
- vampires can dominate the weak-willed; creating servants enslaved to their will
- vampires an summon aid from the 'creatures of darkness'; so far this has been fiendish worgs, giant bats, or dire rats.

I'll add more as I have time.