When it becomes obvious that the flames aren't burning her further, Anna calms down some. She waves her arms and watches the flames dance along her body with fascination. "Weird. How long is it going to last? 'Cause it's going to be hard sneaking around with me glowing like this."
Andjela approaches to inspect Anna's hurt, placing one hand upon her friend's shoulder and the other at her waist.
With a whispered prayer, life energy channels into the Paladin and through her, into the Rogue.
Aubra starts inspecting Anna. "This is weird. Would you come to my study so we can see what this is?"
Quinley put his sword away and smirks. "Paint yourself green and ditch the clothes and you could make a convincing disguise as one of the them. Of course, it wouldn't be very useful in battle."
Anna freezes as she's running her hand along the dancing flames on her arm when Quinley makes his jest. She arches an eyebrow at him with a warning look.
She turns to Aubra. "Okay, I guess. Wraiths, then werewolves, and now this."
Anna has been hurt defending your theater Quinley. I expect a more serious demeanor from you. Tolvan says flatly and then continues So, were these creatures captured as part of a trap's creation and we released them, or were they summoned here by this devise? And if summoned, from where? And who, or what might have been notified. Tolvan wonders aloud.
Sonny nods to Tolvan and says "Gladly." He then pulls out a wand and taps Anna with it.
Quinley raises his hand in defence. "No disrespect intended. I was just trying to lighten the mood. But if you ask me, that woman is just fierce. I pity the person that would wrong her."
Aubra leaves the vault and start making her way upstairs. Once there with Anna, she guides her to a small chamber. "If you allow me, I will cast a spell that will help me divine this." She summons the magic needed and start taking a closer look at Anna. After some time, that almost feel like an eternity, she speaks again. "I see, well I have good news and bad news." She pauses for a second, then continue. "The bad news is that I can't do anything about this. I do not have the magic require to get rid of it. The good news is that it should fade in a few minutes anyway."
Anna gives Aubra a quick glower over the order in which she delivered the news. "So I have a few more minutes where I'm a witchlight. Any books or scrolls you need to read in my light while it lasts?"
Her humor seems to be slowly returning as the strange affliction appears to not be permanent.
She gives Sonny an appreciative nod for the healing, then she throws up her hands. "Walking around town like this is going to draw attention, so I vote we wait for this to wear off." She gives Aubra a pointed glance, telling her that Anna will hold her personally responsible if the green fire effect doesn't eventually dissipate.
"Then, do we go to the Archives like the map showed, or do we meet with the vamps?"
Agree I want to study this thing a little more anyway. Tolvan regards the statue one last time wondering if it has more secrets to share. He will cast Detect Magic on it again and study it.
Quinley raises his hand in defence. "No disrespect intended. I was just trying to lighten the mood. But if you ask me, that woman is just fierce. I pity the person that would wrong her."
"You have no idea."
Danica stays silent as she feels relieved that the fire is not hurting her. "Quite ironic that the one that can hide in the shadows can no longer do so with this effect. Be grateful that it is not a curse."
Danica waits it out while the fiery effects wares off. In the meantime Danica will wander about look for any secret doors or compartments.
Anna sits back as she tries to decide how to react to everyone talking about her. Gilliam climbs up on her shoulder and she checks him for burns. "At least you're fine," she coos at him.
Danica inspects the walls of the vault. She finds some curious item, not all of which are magical, but she finds no secret doors, nor any hidden compartments.
Tolvan studies the statue again. He finds the same auras of illusion and conjuration magic that he detected earlier. Giving it more time and a closer look, he realises that the undead creatures were summoned as part of a security system. It seems that one would need to speak a certain phrase within a few seconds of activating the statue to prevent the witchfire from appearing. The summoning of the creature is hidden by the juxtaposition of a projected image over the position that the summoned would spawn. It is a clever trick that would make anyone not knowing the pass phrase think they are safe until the attack.
Seems we are done here. What is next?
I can't believe I'm sayng this but, let's meet with our future... friends. They probably know more than we do about what's going on.
And, as far as I can remember, we've always done better with more knowledge, not less. Rushing in blindly doesn't typically end well.
Anna glances at her wrist, then pulls her sleeve down so it's practically covering her hand. "Vampires. Yeah, all right. As long as these witchfires die down soon, let's do that. But not before. I don't want to draw too much of their attention."
That is my vote as well, though I prefer we rest enough to regain spells before we proceed. It was well that I was fully prepared for that last fight. I could not pull off such defenses again without rest.
Agreed!! I for one would like to know that you and Sonny are fully prepared. Danica thumb points to Sonny and says, "We are going to need our secret weapon against the undead."
Anna stands up, letting Gilliam climb up to her shoulders. "Works for me. Can't say I'm enthused to meet vampires at any time, but doing so when we're tired just seems dumb."
You are able to rest before the meeting with the vampires. The evening of the meeting, Quinley inform you that the meeting is set for a clearing outside of town. They hope this way that both party would feel safer and be able to talk in a neutral setting. The clearing is just a few hours out of town by the water. It is quite open and it would be very hard set-up an ambush.
As you get there, you notice that there is still a bit of time before the vampires arrive. It gives a few minutes if you want to prepare something.
Anna lays out her arsenal. "Okay, what do we know about vampires? I know we're going there to talk, but best to be prepared, right? What should I bring?"
She holds up her go-to dagger . "This is my baby. Whaddya think? Or there's this beauty." She brings up her magical cold iron rapier. "Tolvan, you seemed to think this could do damage to a lot of things.
"Found this one in the dungeons of Harrowstone," she remarks about her magical mithral dagger. "I also have... a silver dagger, and a pair of regular steel daggers, a couple crossbows, a mace, and this sap. Proooobably not the sap."
===================================
Anna paces around the clearing, checking it out for anything hidden.
Assuming nothing's found, she returns to stand with the group, arms folded in a boss pose.
Well before resting Tolvan consults with Sunny about what they each know of vampires. Danica and Andj are included. Here is what I think I know. Tolvan explains.
Sonny discusses what he knows about vampires with Tolvan and the others.
Danica continues with filling any of the gaps.
Andjela had her own personal experience with the blood-suckers. But she chooses to listen.
How to find vampires and kill them.
Their defense are, channel resistance, resistance to weapon that aren't magical and made of silver, resistance tp cold and electricity. They are also immune to the following; -Mind-affecting effects, - bleed, death effects, disease, paralysis, poison, sleep effects, and stunning - Not subject to nonlethal damage, ability drain, or energy drain. Immune to damage to its physical ability scores (Constitution, Dexterity, and Strength), as well as to exhaustion and fatigue effects.
They have darkvision up to 60ft, and fast healing.
They can change shape into a dire bat or wolf, or a gaseous form. They are shadowless and are under the effect of a spider climb permanently.
Their skin also provide them with a natural protection (Natural armor bonus)
They do have some weaknesses:
Vampires cannot tolerate the strong odor of garlic and will not enter an area laced with it. Similarly, they recoil from mirrors or strongly presented holy symbols. These things don’t harm the vampire—they merely keep it at bay. A recoiling vampire must stay at least 5 feet away from the mirror or holy symbol and cannot touch or make melee attacks against that creature. Holding a vampire at bay takes a standard action. But after a sort time they can overcome its revulsion of the object and function normally if they have a will strong enough.
Vampires cannot enter a private home or dwelling unless invited in by someone with the authority to do so.
To kill a vampire, one must expose it to sunlight, or immerse it under running water. Driving a wooden stake through a helpless vampire’s heart instantly slays it. However, it returns to life if the stake is removed, unless the head is also severed and anointed with holy water.
They have some powerful unnatural attacks.
A vampire can suck blood from a grappled opponent; if the vampire establishes or maintains a pin, it drains blood, severely weakening the victim. The vampire heals from this and the time they spend draining the victim, the more they heal.
Once per day, a vampire can call forth rat swarms, bat swarms, or wolves.
A vampire can create spawn out of those it slays, provided that the slain creature is of the same creature type as the vampire. The victim rises from death as a vampire in a few days. This vampire is under the command of the vampire that created it, and remains enslaved until its master’s destruction.
A vampire can crush a humanoid opponent’s will. Anyone the vampire targets must succeed on a battle of will or fall instantly under the vampire’s influence. The ability has a close range.
A creature hit by a vampire’s slam see their life force drained from them. This is one of the preferred way of defeating their foes. Anyone slain that way will rise as a vampire spawn not long after.
After the info-dump, Anna looks pale and rubs her neck. [B]"Okay. Now that I'm thoroughly terrified, let's go see the vampires. She puts away most of her mundane gear, but keeps her magical mithral dagger close at hand.
Might be worth picking up a bag of garlic, if that herb is even available in this town. Tolvan muses.
Sonny says "I plan to have a protection from evil circle running and some protection from evil spells memorized. It will stop them from exerting control but not from establishing it if you are outside the circle. Fire spells sound like a good idea as well. If you have anything that prevents mental control that would be a good idea as well."
"We should get some vials or flasks of holy water. I have one in my bag. Either we get it from the local temples or maybe Sonny can do the job."
Danica looks over her weapons. The log bow and arrows are not needed. It would be a waste of her efforts to use it against these creatures. She will leave it behind.
She then goes over to Tolvan and requests the usual casting of Mage Armor and the Extend.
"I will not parlay with such creatures as these creatures are a abomination to the Bright Lady, but for the greater good and for the completion of our mission I will stand by to protect my friends. I will let you, Tolan and Anna speak, as I have this.....bias. At the first sign of trouble I will bring down the Lady's wrath."
Anna chews her lip. "Yeah, I'll talk with them. I still have some holy water I got in Hergstag. It might still be good. But I'll probably just stick with my dagger, if it comes to that." She mentally reminds herself that it's not supposed to come to that.
=================
Anna wonders aloud, "So, you think they'll show up in bat form, blow in like mists, or just walk like normal people?"
Tolvan listens to Danica and frowns but states Very well. I understand your position. I take it as a good sign that such things as garlic and I assume holy water are available at all in this town. It seems to be be a sign that while this place may be a haven for vampires they have not run amuck and abused the citizenry here. I carry three of the blessed waters with me Danica. Here take them for now and use them if there is need. I will procure a handful of garlic cloves and have then in a bag that can be crushed quickly but should not bother our hosts unless that is done. Hmm. Perhaps I should procure a few of these bags.
Andjela looks from one companion to another, uncertain how she feels about the whole thing.
Gathering information was important, and if they keep their end of the agreement... it wouldn't be right to attack them.
Thing are getting more... complicated.
You prepare your protection and wait from the vampires to show up. After maybe five minutes, another group enter the clearing from the other side. They walk toward you until they are slightly more then thirty feet away from you. The central figure is a elderly man dressed in expensive clothes, typical for a high ranking noble of Caliphas. The other two, while still well dressed, are less impressive and look about in their thirties. Of course, being vampire, they are possibly way older than they look.
The younger one on the right is a man, and seem to be carrying something rather large on his back. The one on the right is a woman. While pretty, he can see from her stance that she is trained in combat. As they come to a stop, the younger male vampire move in front of the elderly one. He drops the item that he was carrying on the ground. He start taking it apart and then recombining it into a large chair. Once done, he steps back and the older one sit in the chair.
After all this, he finally acknowledge you. "Well, here we are. Once again, our two opposite faction must come together to stop a more destructive force. Let's hope this meeting shall remain civil."
Tolvan will have prepared 3 garlic bags and done what he could to seal them up until they are needed.
Tolvan waits patently for the chair to be assembled and for the elder to speak. Before responding Tolvan calmly closes 10' of the distance. We desired this meeting. You have my word that we will remain civil as long as we are treated civilly. We know that someone or something hunts your kind within the city and that this threatens a balance of power that I believe benefited the local citizenry as well as your selves. It is possible that we can help.
Anna takes a position next to Tolvan and looks mildly impatient while the chair is put together. She gives him a playful slap. "I can't believe we forgot our furniture!"
"All right. Civil. Right. That's us. Except, we don't know you, so what do you mean, 'once again?'"
She pitches her head back and her eyes go wide. "Oh! Wait, don't tell me: you're trying to imply you're really old and something like this happened a long time ago where the vampires and the -- what do you call us? Blood sacks? Tasty treats?-- got together and fought off something bad for both of us.
"Yeah, I'm impressed. Okay, so... like my fellow blood sack said, we know you're being hunted. Do you have some idea of what it is that's turning you to ash?"
Danica stands on the other side of Tolvan. She offers a slight smirk on Anna's response but then the disciplined warrior takes over, only offering her stoic patience. She also visually scans the vampires looking for anything suspicious.
Sonny stands his ground as the vampires stop understanding they are keeping out of his channel distance. He makes a quick grab for Tolvan as he moves forward but can't stop him. He otherwise stays silent and keeps a look out all around.
The old vampire smiles at Anna's word. "Quite good, young lady. Just one thing, we don't call the livings... What word did you use. Blood sacks. Tasty treats. We don't use those words. We have a more symbiotic relationship with the one that provides us with the blood."
"Now, let's recap. You are after the whispering ways and we are being hunted and killed by a powerful foe. Would it surprise you that the two are link? You see, some of the young ones think that we are too passive. That we lost part of ourselves when we stop being predators. So those young ones, especially one in particular, decided to join the whispering ways. Power and glory can corrupt the young ones easily, but they forgot one thing. A world of undead leave very little blood for those that thirst. This is why we fought against the way during the shining crusade. Of course, this is not part of the official version of history. How could all those shinny knights fighting side by side with vampires."
"So now, the way are trying to kill us of before the real fight begin. Helped but some of ours and two witches that provide them with some sort of elixir that increase his abilities. So far, we have been unable to stop him. Even with all of the town guards looking for him, we keep loosing members after members."
"This is where you come in. With you in play, I'm sure you will be able to approach the problem from a new angle that we haven't thought of."
Anna glances at Tolvan, but doesn't bother looking over her shoulder at the holy types. She could feel their ire radiating off of them like shimmering heat. She was being caustic on purpose; trying to see how much irreverence they could take before getting all haughty and condescending. That this guy wasn't baited raised himself in her esteem -- though not to an unhealthy degree.
She folds her arms and takes up a casual pose. "I think I believe you. Yeah. Who'd object to turning all of us into mindless zombies? The guys drinking the living's blood."
Anna's face scrunches up as she thinks about how much her companions must be seething, so she tries to move this along quickly. "All right. What's the deal with these two witches? Vampires, like you? Or just witches? And is it only one vampire young one-- wait. You said, 'him'?" Her eyes narrow. "Is there another vampire around that's causing problems? Female, and a spellcaster?"
"...Stopped being predators."? Can you tell us more about that statement. It is the truth for all your kink in the city? How is it enforced? I ask because I hope it is more than a fabrication or temporary measure to help gain our aid.
Andjela slowly removes her over-sized crossbow from where it hung behind her shoulder and places it on the ground.
Although still armed, she hoped the gesture would be enough as she slowly approached the within a few steps of throne.
Her eyes moved from ne vampire to the other, ackowledging them.
Please answer Tolvan's question...
You bring an elder. We will take this as a sign of the gravity of the situation, if not a modicum of respect. Her words are honest but her face severe, as if inspecting the trio.
"Oh, my words aren't to gain your trust or help. We realised long ago that going around to find victims and feed on them wasn't the best way to get by. The main reason is that it attracts the attention of people like you. The powerful adventurers looking to bring the light and all that stuff. Then there is also the problem of witnesses and and other logistical problems. It also that valuable time that can be used for other things."
"No, the best way to keep ourselves feed and in the shadow, was to stop hunting and let the people come to us. You would be surprise how many people are willing to give some blood to get money and favors. It didn't take too long for us to become a powerful political forces in this city. Any one that planned to endangered this was dealt with quickly. We were planning to do the same thing again, but this time he had help."
"And this lead us to your question." He looks at Anna at this point. "We don't know the witches, they are from outside the city. None of our intel tell us if the are or aren't vampires, but maybe that they could have been changed by the youngling. His name is Radvir Giovanni. He is a influential voice among the younger one and he managed to gather quite the following. He is the one killing us. Somehow the witches provided him with some magical enhancement that make him more powerful that he should be at his young age. Also, thanks to the ressources of the whispering ways, he has access to magic that prevent us from locating him."
Anna places her hands on her hips. "Okay. I'm getting the picture. Though I'm struggling to see what you're really offering us. We'll be doing you a great service -- eliminating the Way, dealing with a troublesome upstart, keeping your blood-for-favors gig going... And you can't even find Giovanni."
Anna watches the old vampire respond, possibly getting a sense of his thoughts that borders on the supernatural.
After 1 minute of conversation, you can read a creature’s surface thoughts (as detect thoughts) by attempting a Sense Motive check at a –20 penalty opposed by the creature’s Bluff check.
Tolvan listens and nods. He has questions but will wait for the elder to respond to Anna before asking.
[ sounds the witches should be our first target. If they can be removed this would weaken Radvir Giovanni, Do you agree? And can you help us locate the?
What aid can you offer?
"Oh! I need to offer you something? I though you were the good guys that defeat evil for no other reason than to bring the light." He smiles for a moment, his fangs becoming even more visible.
"Don't worry, while we don't have his location. We do have some locations of of his followers. We just don't have the manpower to hunt them down. All of our warriors are busy trying to defend those that are still alive. This I am willing to share." He nods at the female vampire. She pulls out a scroll case for her belt and throw it at your feet. "You will find a map with different location marked. Most are the location of possible associate of this traitor. We also marked the location of a known hiding place of the way. It is abandoned, but it might still have clues to help you.
"As for rewards, I guess I could part with a few magical babbles from my collection..." His face become even harder as he finishes the sentence. "... but only after you have resolve this problem." you get the distinct feeling that this part isn't negotiable.
As you try to get a reading on the man, his voice resonate in your mind. "Now, now, young one. You shouldn't be peering in other peoples thought."
"The witches are probably the reason we can't locate him. I'm afraid the only approach we can think of is the knocking down doors method. Not the most elegant way of doing thing, but it still provide some answers."
I understood the goal was to keep this meeting civil. Tolvan states with a slightly disappointed expression on his face as he first eyes and then stoops and picks up the scroll case. A few more questions and we will be on our way. How do you even know about the witches? And What is you name, and how do we contact you again?
Anna barks out a sharp laugh. "I'm as mercenary as they come. And usually it's half up front," she says, heedless of the old vamp's expression. "I'm surprised at the mistrust. Because out of our two groups, who's more likely to keep our word? The ones sworn to uphold law and goodness, or the blood-sucking undead?"
She bares her own teeth. "You still don't seem to be acknowledging the fact that we're not on your timetable. We can afford to take our time, 'cause we're not the ones who are winding up ashes at dawn. You need us, but more importantly, you need us to move fast. What good is knocking down doors when you can't enter anyway?"
Anna tilts her head over towards Tolvan. "Answer his questions, then consider sweetening the pot."
Sonny moves to whisper in Tolvan's ear, "If these guys have some offical standing in town you may want to see if they can keep the guard off our back or get us some sort of official status. Maybe as "troubleshooters"?"