Quick as a flash, you hear the sound of running feet coming from the sewers. The grate explodes open as six vampire spawn rush into the small room, trying to surround the group.
Sledge brings the Ruckus.
He then ruckuses the nearest spawn.
Jones studies and attacks the closest spawn.
Darius enchants Grimoire with divine malice as he hears the weaklings come closer.
" Sarenrae's Warmth upon you. I shall teach you to be more cordial. "
And then he becomes a flurry of blades and his whip whirls around in a frenzy, cutting down as many of the Vampire Spawn as possible.
A flurry of punches from Sledge puts down 4, and the last two are taken down by Jones and Darius with ruthless efficiency.
Jones drinks his mutagen, Barkskin, and Shield, and hands Sledge an Enlarge infusion.
"Let's keep moving. There may be stronger reinforcements on the way."
"Ustalav never ceases to disappoint."
Z flourishes her arms which ignite in fire and quickly spreads all over her body, turning her into a manifestation of flames.
Not even the slightest of smirks came to Darius' face.
" Well that goes without saying Jones. I believe the more pressing matter here is the immediate hostility they showed. I would think vampires at least try to speak, then again they were spawn. We might be on the right track after all. "
Darius cast Heroism, See invisibility and lastly imbibed his Mutagen. This however took a more drastic change. His form was different, larger and much more Feral than his previous Wolfin form. This likely do to the change in his body. It was as if a Vollensag and Dorzhanev had mated. His bite seemed particularly vicious.
" No matter, they will either learn to accept our presence or be wiped out. I was being so kind too. "
A low chuckle formed from his bestial throat. Darius moved forward through the area the Spawn spill forth from, becoming the Vanguard.
"Perhaps they only speak with those who might pose a threat, and anyone who dies to these spawn isn't worth their time. I suppose we'll find out."
" I doubt it. We could have easily been Locals who stumbled down here. And to our knowledge there has not been an outbreak of disappearances of the Living kind. As they likely would not enjoy drawing light upon vampire-kind. Pharasma is prevalent in Ustalav. "
Darius theorized scrapping the blades of Grimoire through his Guantleted hand.
The spawn corpses dissipate into mist, and you follow them as closely as you can, opening grates on the way. They lead you through what looks to be a common room, and then into a large chamber.
In the center stands a tree, surrounded by six coffins that look to have been shaped directly from the floor. The mist flows into them.
With a twisting and grinding noise, the tree "unravels" and morphs into a woman (a half-elf, specifically) clad in vines...and bearing pointy teeth and glowing eyes.
"So the vampire slayers have finally come to kill Merrick Sais, have they? I think you'll find I'm not as easy prey as the ones you killed in the city. You could still take this chance to flee, if you value your life."
Sledge drinks the infusion and smears himself with garlic sauce as they follow.
Rather than negotiating with the clearly evil tree woman, Sledge charges her. As he does so, he says, "We didn't kill any in the city. We're new here."
Darius seems to allow Sledge to possibly get himself in trouble, clearly emanating confidence in himself.
" Why I might have the capability to dash your kind from this plane, you are not my specialty. We are as confused as you about the vampire deaths. You should have been more accommodating at the beginning. "
"One can never be too careful with a serial killer on the loose. Particularly when you are most vulnerable during the current hours of the day. Besides, if you were the intrepid vampire slayer, a handful of spawn would hardly prove a match, hm?"
Darius let Grimoire dangle from his hand and narrowed his eyes.
" Spawn are so beneath me at this point it mattered not what type of slayer I could be. It seems you might be the Druid from the information we gathered. In which case Sledge you might want to stop yourself. As this would be the same Druid that long ago made sure the park above did not overstep its boundaries. "
The first thing Sledge notices is that the ground is inexplicably spiky, and jabs thorns into his feet. Thankfully, he manages to avoid any large amounts of damage, and keeps moving.
The second is another explosion of light and sound, like what Darius triggered earlier, but he powers through.
The third, as his eyes clear, is a wall of vines and thorns reaching up to block his path, creating a maze throughout the room. He is moving too fast to stop.
Merrick calmly floats up to the top of the wall of thorns and rests comfortably on it, and continues her conversation with Darius.
Darius let Grimoire dangle from his hand and narrowed his eyes.
" Spawn are so beneath me at this point it mattered not what type of slayer I could be. It seems you might be the Druid from the information we gathered. In which case Sledge you might want to stop yourself. As this would be the same Druid that long ago made sure the park above did not overstep its boundaries. "
"An astute observation, and correct."
"So, if you are not vampire slayers, what brings you here?"
Darius sees the event unfold and while painful, he isn't surprised. Neither worried, considering their ability to utilize Zin's capabilities if needed.
" I try to keep myself informed. "
The Wolfin creature cracked his neck.
" Well it depends. Are you with the Whispering Way? If not any information you have about them would be duly appreciated. If So we would be forced to eliminate you. Otherwise, the end of the panic from your kind showing up turned to dust in the daylight. Which has been happening the past few days with no explanation. Considering you all have been stealthy as of late, I expected this to either be an inflamed grudge...or.. "
Darius paused for effect.
" A war between Vampire factions as it were... "
"Fortunately, no. I have no interest in politics or the silly power grabs that group makes. I prefer to simply be left alone in my Park."
"That said, I am a guardian of sorts for entry into the underground. You say you want to find who is killing our kind? So do we, and we have few solid leads on whether this is mortal or immortal doing. Perhaps we can work together then. And, as a bonus, I believe Lord Sierge knows much abut the Whispering Way...and is none too fond of them either."
"If you wish to proceed, I will not hinder you further. I believe this accounts for sufficient payback for the hairy one knocking on my face earlier." she says, gesturing towards the thorns.
"Fair warning, spawn are naturally hostile and short-sighted creatures, and a few are guarding the passage. They will likely try to intimidate or attack you. Alas, they are not mine or I would call them off. If you're willing to wait, however, I can send one of mine as an escort?"
Sledge grunts and dusts himself off, once the wall is dismissed.
"Sure, fine by me."
"Some healing would be great, Zin."
" As one powered by Sarenrae that is.. most appreciated. Do you have any other spawn we should know about or do you mean the few here who were dispatched? "
He looks to Sledge, " Next time it might be wiser not to rush at the enemy without knowing the situation first. Any manner of those traps she laid could have been fatal.. the last especially so. "
"I have no others, no. We will need an hour for them to recuperate."
Z glares at the six coffins, "The spawn die."
"Paranoia is no excuse for recklessness and why are you keeping extra mouths to feed? Clearly the interest of the people above you matter little."
"Anyone who wanted to get inside here to kill you could easily do so, and a few trifling spawn isn't going to change that, and you should know it too. They only pose a threat to hapless commoners."
"Surely someone with a bearing such as yours understands the value of keeping obedient servants around to do her bidding?"
"No. I wouldn't keep servants that prove themselves useless and tax my resources, especially when said resource is blood of my victims."
"Find yourself an Orc with a whip, they work much better."
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Darius twitches at that ever so slightly, knowing full well what she might have been suggesting.
" Don't give her any ideas Zin. Though I am fairly immune to temptation or coercion. The point being that I somewhat agree there is little use for them and they are a danger to the overworld. I would rather you no longer keep them. Is there no other way for you to send a message ahead of time? "
"No. My Companion has long since departed this realm, and I haven't replaced him. My spawn are my only servants, besides the raw forces of nature."
"I'm loathe to part with them as well. They're a symbol of my status among the clan. Were they to be destroyed, my standing would suffer greatly. Being one of the youngest, it is already on shaky ground."
"Unfortunately, unlike my friends, forgiveness is not amongst my better qualities... Nor is patience."
"Collecting victims as trophies to reflect your status is not something I'm going to abide. Especially when said trophies only add to create even more victims."
"If you can think of a way that I deem acceptable I may opt to help you increase your status."
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Merrick scoffs.
"'Victims'? They all wanted immortality, and they've got it, and the promise of more power once they're free. I've even freed my eldest, though after this little mishap we need to have a bit of a talk..."
"Perhaps a compromise is in order? I will give you my eldest, the ringleader, to punish as you see fit. Fair?"
Merrick sees the look on Zin's face and sighs.
"Very well, the spawn die. In exchange, make it known that I found and hired you, then let you in to see Luvick. If you succeed in finding the killer, I may end up better off than I am now. If not...well, I have way of protecting myself."
"Hold up, you're a druid, right? So why do you put up with getting saddled with guard duty?"
"Also, keep the spawn until this business is over. They might give you a little bit of extra protection if something goes down."
"Because I made my park, and being transformed into a creature of the night isn't going to stop me from enjoying it."
"And Luvick is...resourceful. He freed me, but his existence predates most of Ustalavan history. I've no doubt he has contingencies if I were to go against him. I believe I could handle most anyone else, but Luvick is ancient enough to be near a force of nature."
"Well isn't your whole thingy supposed to be harnessing forces of nature?"
" I find it funny I was going to suggest the same motion if the spawn could not be spared in some way. If they are all so willing as you said, it might be better to give them a mental reminder in aggression. "
Seeing now that she truly is a Druid and that this Luvick was likely formidable indeed a question came to his mind.
" I am aware this is your Park. A wonderful addition and place of serene bliss. I assume the Greenhouse above is also your property? What I am curious about is how the forces of Nature deem you fit to continue your service to Nature when your existence is anathema to it? Your claims of no ill will must be somewhat true. "
Darius looked to Sledge, " I believe she means in power, as the saying a 'force of nature' "
"It is. There are spiteful things I could do, but most of them would involve ruining my park. I'm left nearly well enough alone, it's not worth pushing the matter...yet."
"I was the one dictating terms here Sledge, but fine, she can keep them until we leave."
"I have some questions while we wait for your sycophants to awaken."
"The vampires that have perished so far, they are your own? Of your clan that is?"
"Are there other factions of vampires?"
"If not it occurs to me and perhaps yourself that these killings may be status related. Someone attempting to wrest control of the clan, or perhaps weaken it?"
"You said you have little involvement with The Way? What of your others? Could The Way stand to gain anything by weakening your ranks? Perhaps a hostile takeover? We've seen such tactics from them before."
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" I am aware this is your Park. A wonderful addition and place of serene bliss. I assume the Greenhouse above is also your property? What I am curious about is how the forces of Nature deem you fit to continue your service to Nature when your existence is anathema to it? Your claims of no ill will must be somewhat true. "
"I thought so too, at first, but it merely requires a broader perspective. Everything is a part of nature. Are Fire elementals unnatural, simply because they don't hail from the material?"
"I am still flesh and bone, animated by energies from another Plane. In truth, I am even closer to nature than I was in life. A true predator, hunting only to feed, and wasting nothing of my prey. The blood consumed, the flesh reanimated or used for fertilizer. The only difference between me and a wolf is how many legs the prey has."
"I was the one dictating terms here Sledge, but fine, she can keep them until we leave."
"I have some questions while we wait for your sycophants to awaken."
"The vampires that have perished so far, they are your own? Of your clan that is?"
"Are there other factions of vampires?"
"If not it occurs to me and perhaps yourself that these killings may be status related. Someone attempting to wrest control of the clan, or perhaps weaken it?"
"You said you have little involvement with The Way? What of your others? Could The Way stand to gain anything by weakening your ranks? Perhaps a hostile takeover? We've seen such tactics from them before."
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1.) "Yes, and prominent members as well, with many spawn."
2.) "In Caliphas? No. But elsewhere, yes. Perhaps they've come to challenge Luvick's sovereignty?"
3.) "This is...unlikely. The punishment for this kind of betrayal is severe, and there is no vampire that can stand against Luvick in these parts."
4.) "Some might, but if so they would keep it very, very secret. Luvick holds the Way in contempt, for reasons I don't know. I'm not sure what they'd gain by weakening us."
"Is it possible Luvick is doing the killings?"
"I thought so too, at first, but it merely requires a broader perspective. Everything is a part of nature. Are Fire elementals unnatural, simply because they don't hail from the material?"
"I am still flesh and bone, animated by energies from another Plane. In truth, I am even closer to nature than I was in life. A true predator, hunting only to feed, and wasting nothing of my prey. The blood consumed, the flesh reanimated or used for fertilizer. The only difference between me and a wolf is how many legs the prey has."
"That's an interesting perspective." Jones mumbles, clearly more focused on brewing another mutagen.
"If there are no rival clans, your deceased were powerful and prominent and none can challenge Luvick, then it seems perhaps he himself is our culprit."
"His contempt for the way could be a simple ruse until such time as they call upon him. Though, I grant you I have no idea why this would be so."
"I have to imagine however that no rival clan could make its way into Caliphas without being noticed by you all or the city above, surely an influx of even more night hunters would cause the city to begin to grow suspicious."
"Furthermore if Luvick is amongst the most powerful of your kind, it seems unlikely that similarly powerful vampires would choose to dwell in obscurity."
"Does your kind take in outsiders? Perhaps one such vampire could rival Luvick's power in secret until such a time arose to overthrow him?"
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Darius was almost overpowered by the relative difference Zin seemed to be handling this situation. Her speech pattern and lack of unnecessary aggression conflicting with his preconceived image of the usual walking Spitfire.
" Similarly, could one of your own hidden their power from the rest and slowly grew over time? If they are being killed off the only way I can assume it was happening was either from trusted individuals or powerful hunters such as us, but I've seen none so far. Even more so you have said you recently released one of your spawn, how powerful were they? "
He gives Zin a simple nod for seemingly no reason.
"It doesn't make any sense...why would Luvick kill off his subjects? The man lives for power, which is meaningless if there's nobody to have power OVER."
"your second theory is more likely. Someone bided their time and grew powerful enough to off the others. If they were strong enough to challenge Luvick, I imagine they would have done so openly."
At Darius question: "You tell me, he was one of the six you fought. He is free, but not a full vampire, yet."
"Tell me more of Luvick, perhaps he isn't nearly as powerful as you imagine."
"Being amongst the oldest he has the benefit of crafting history to make himself seem far more than he really is without anyone to say otherwise."
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Darius raised a furred brow and chuckled.
" I see what you mean. Very well then I suppose we will have to wait. Then we will speak to this Luvick. "
He looked at the 'coffins'
" It must have been sobering to gain freedom and quickly be dispatched so easily. While we wait you can inform us of anything that might assist our endeavor? "
"Some have challenged him over the years. None have survived. His talent with a sword borders on the supernatural, and that doesn't begin to address the other dark powers he wields. His reputation is well deserved. Perhaps some is embellishment, but I'm inclined to believe the rumors that he has 'slain more beasts and humanoids than nearly anyone else in Ustalav’s history' are based on a large nugget of fact."
Darius raised a furred brow and chuckled.
" I see what you mean. Very well then I suppose we will have to wait. Then we will speak to this Luvick. "
He looked at the 'coffins'
" It must have been sobering to gain freedom and quickly be dispatched so easily. While we wait you can inform us of anything that might assist our endeavor? "
"Luvick expects the proper respects be paid, so politeness will go a long way with him. I can also tell you that Lady Evgenya fancies attractive people of any gender, and if you're willing to tolerate her advances and treat her with respect, she'll likely be a fast and valuable ally."
She says this all while looking at Zin.
Darius narrows his eyes.
" What entails toleration? I am all for respect, but there are certain boundaries I will not abide by. Your information on Luvick makes me think the more likely case may be my earlier statement of hidden fiend among ranks. "
"I like you. I feel like if I ever become an everliving member of the damned we could be friends."
"Anyways, if Luvick is a swordsman I find myself quite unconcerned with him as a threat. Though it may be all the more reason for anyone attempting to weaken his position to avoid outright confrontation with him."
"Tell me, how many of you have been lost in total to these killings? And besides your spawns how many among you remain?"
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