Open Chronicles The Town of Gorinsbin

[Eren'thiel Xyrdithas]

The Spine

Gorinsbin

For some time now, the people of Gorinsbin have lived in a state of fear. With the rumours of wendigos roaming the woods near the town just south of them, paired with the struggles they themselves were forced to face, the collective anxiety only heightened. But it was not the threat of a wendigo, or some other misshapen foe that beleaguered this place.

There be talk of vampires...

Just atop the tall hill overlooking the small snowy town stands Gorinsbin Castle, an ancient and some say haunted keep. Though for centuries it has been abandoned, recently there have been claims of lights seen from the castle late at night. Others talk of strange figures walking the streets in the dark, only to disappear at a glance.

What is for certain is that livestock has been steadily going missing, and a recent adventurer who had travelled to the castle in search of answers... was never heard from again. It is believed that he died in some accident, the product of an old derelict structure. But a few folk believe that he did in fact return.

Erën came to a halt just outside the town. There were people about, taking advantage of the mid day sun. He'd heard of a strange happening taking place here - and though he was loathe to fight another monster like the one just prior, he could not stand idly by. He sniffed, the crisp air carrying little more than the scent of pine and smoke. He looked into the woods either side of the trail, and then continued forward.

He entered into town, and there he came across a gathering of men with their pitchforks in hand. He approached, and heard them discussing storming the hilltop castle.

He looked up, observing the clearly unoccupied fortress. But when he heard the mention of vampires, he understood their - though likely misguided - desire. Vampires were known to dwell in castles, fond of their dank and dreary interiors, and quite adequate protection from the Sun.

He considered joining them.

[Image]

 

[Malak Baske]

"I'll not stand in fear any longer. My children will sleep at night without scarves to cover their necks!"

Malak looked at the crowd and spotted the inciter. A farmer, he carried a rusted pitchfork in his hand. Around him were another twenty or thirty men, similarly armed with pitchfork, hoe, and scythe. Malak groaned. Amateurs.

"Is it a vampire you aim to slay?" Malak said, and began to enter the crowd.

"Aye traveler. Vampires haunt the Gorinsbin Castle, take our children in the night. Will you join us in removing this scourge?" Another farmer yelled back at him. His voice was graveled, lost clarity from years on the pipe. His head was full of gray, save for a few strands of hair that shone stark white.

"No." Malak answered back, the crowd nearly hissing at his response. "Vampire's are powerful beasts. They have access to old magics, can shift into horrible shapes, and fly through the air like a bird. I have no desire to watch the lot of you be shredded to pieces before even seeing the beast." His words hit the crowd like stone. Some of them, the younger ones, seemed to keep their tone, but the rest took on a chalky palor.

"I could fight this beast for your town, but not with the aid of unsteady pitchforks at my back, and not without promise of coin." He proposed to the crowd. Vampires were dangerous jobs, admittedly one Malak hadn't taken before. He hoped they'd empty their purses.

Xyrdithas

 

[Elijah Khalo Celasaer]

"Would a sword be preferable back-up then?" A voice rang out from the edge of the crowd in response to the words of Malak Baske.
A huge man in heavy armor riding a similarly huge horse rode into town, approaching the gathered townsfolk. His baring and equipment marked him to most immediately as a paladin. He removed his helmet and held it under his arm as he dismounted the charger and approached the mercenary.
He practically towered over everybody there, but his presence was far from intimidating. He exuded a more calming presence that the villagers caught onto.

He gave a friendly smile to the shorter man, "A pleasure to meet you, sir. I am Elijah Celasaer, a paladin of the templar order. I heard mention of vampires and felt it my duty to investigate."
He offered his gauntleted hand to clasp with the man if he was so inclined to accept his offer of friendship.

"Sir!"
Another voice rang out and three more paladins rode up, they were of normal size but their armor was the same with the same sigil on their cloaks.
A woman paladin road at the front of the trio and it was she who spoke.
"I knew it was a bad idea to let you travel alone to gather information... again... With all due respect, sir, we must stay on our mission."
Elijah turned to his subordinate with a chuckle and apologetic smile as he rubbed the back of his neck.
"We've just had a change in plans. These villagers claim they've been plagued by vampires, so it's our duty to seek them out and purge them."
The woman sighed. "Very well. I'll accompany you. Trask and Dale will remain here and keep the villagers safe." She dismounted and went to stand by Elijah.
Elijah smiled and turned back to the mercenary, again offering his hand, "Well, what do you say?"

 

[Heike Eisen]

"More. Please," said the man. The masochist.

Heike wiped the blood from around her mouth. Her heart was beating in the wake of having fed from the man, pumping blood throughout her body and with it an ephemeral warmth; the grace of life--the illusion of it--in the vile act. She pulled a coagulant from her potion belt, dabbed some of the liquid onto the flat of her clawed thumb, and touched it gently to the bite marks on the masochist's neck.

And she said to him, "No. Any more will kill you."

The masochist gave a shuddering groan of frustration mixed with...questionable pleasure.

She had followed the man on his journey across the countryside in secret, prompted to do so by the encroaching thirst scratching at her throat. In normal circumstances she abhorred doing it, stalking innocent people when she lacked any of the guilty from which to feed, waiting until nightfall to sneak into their camp and--there was no other word for it--preying upon them. But here, with this man, who was a very light sleeper it turned out, she felt a new kind of unease. It wasn't like with, say, Ye'svonne Airileth. People who in their kindness and charity offered their blood to her, as exceedingly rare as those cases were. This man, the masochist, begged her to bite into him. To take her fill and more; he had other strange requests which Heike did not want to indulge nor hear spoken again.

Heike talked with the masochist for a time in the lateness of night; to be in someone's cordial company was a rarified occurrence since becoming afflicted, even if such company came with a slightly disturbing slant.

And she learned where the masochist was heading.

To a town named Gorinsbin. Where he hoped to offer himself up to the whims of the rumored vampires dwelling in the haunted keep.

The rage which ignited behind Heike's eyes stilled the masochist's incessant talk and, in his fear, he would say no more. Heike thanked him with words of granite, and left him to his camp and his slumber, disappearing into the darkness.

* * * * *​

A hooded figure entered the town of Gorinsbin. Head bowed reverentially, a mask over her mouth, her arms and hands hidden under a shawl draped from her shoulders. The midday sun was to her back and the ragged tails of her coat fluttered in her wake.

She did not talk to or look at anyone.

She did not approach the gathering of mostly ill-equipped men, they who were discussing a matter in angry, desperate, or frightened voices. She did not come close enough to the gathering to make out any specifics.

She simply turned at the appropriate juncture in the town and started down the road which would ultimately lead toward the hilltop Castle.

 

[Eren'thiel Xyrdithas]

"I could fight this beast for your town, but not with the aid of unsteady pitchforks at my back, and not without promise of coin."

It was always this way, it seemed. But, on one hand, coin could drive many a men to do very terrible things. If it could serve a better purpose than that, then so be it. Erën however, had no desire to take from these lot. They seemed like they needed every bit they had. But, if they were willing to pay this man then that was their choice, and he did not find it totally abhorrent. If he intended to go to the castle, he would much rather go with someone who knew what they were doing - he at least looked the part.

"Would a sword be preferable back-up then?"

The elf eyed the tall man with interest for a time, measuring him. He figured him a half breed of some kind. He looked like a man but had a stature the likes he'd never seen born of their blood. A benevolent sort at that, given how the paladin was equipped. The Templar Order of men had always been an... interesting topic of discussion in Sharyrdaes. A quarrelsome bunch, in their eyes. Nevertheless, they were known to be stalwart warriors - yet another he preferred to rusted pitchforks. This one though...

Something caught his eye, and he turned. An omen of chilling wind blew through the square, and he gazed carefully along the path - mostly obscured from where he stood. He could see nothing. No one.

He approached the gathering, speaking with a naturally commanding tone - garnering the attention of most the townsfolk, "I too will take to the castle," he shot a dominating glare toward the sellsword, "regardless of whoever else."

He paused by the paladin, offering him the same stern look, "Tychan be with you," then he continued forward, "you'll likely need him here."

He often disliked humans.

They often disliked him.

Heike Eisen Malak Baske Elijah Khalo Celasaer

 

[Malak Baske]

At the mention of coin the crowd began to speak among themselves, a small murmer filling the air as various conversations were held. Malak for their response when a sword was promised. Malak turned to spot what appeared to be a giant, perhaps only a half-giant, riding an equally large beast of a horse. He wondered not only how long it took to find such a beast, but what it cost to feed it.

"A pleasure." Malak shook Elijah Khalo Celasaer's hand. His shake was firm, but could have easily been overpowered by the giant's stature. "I'll take your sword arm, for I suspect it's not one I"ll need watch." He said, as other paladins came to his aid. It seemed the errant knight traveled with quite the retinue. A commander perhaps? He wondered if the position was earned through his battles or merely his blood. Either way, he was glad for the help. Paladins often sported tricks at combating such fiends as vampires.

"The town of Gorinsbin can provide three hundred pieces for the expulsion of the threat at Gorinsbin castle." The townsfolk finally came to an agreement. Truth be told, it was far less than market rate for a job like this. Looking at the size of the crowd it seemed each farmer was putting in around a dozen coins towards the mark. If Malak had better standing he'd scoff at such an offer, but he hadn't found a good job in the better part of a week. Plus there was the Templar, who probably would have done it for free.

"Gather your coin, and I'll look for you in a day's time." Malak said and pointed at townsman who'd spoke on the crowd's behalf. They grumbled and began to disperse, seemingly content to wait another night before raiding the castle.

Then Xyrdithas said he would also storm the castle, before giving Malak a glare. He was unsure what he had done to earn the swordsman's ire. Perhaps he didn't need to eat, drink, maintain his equipment, or restock supplies, but Malak certainly did. He had not threatened the town the town or released the vampire to take their coin, only offered to remove a problem.

How interesting that he suspected the Paladin would be the less preachy his two new companions.

"If there's nothing else you two need prepare?" He'd ask the question to both the half-giant and the wandering elf, aiming to leave immediately.

Notably, Malak wouldn't give any credence to Heike Eisen, seeing just another traveler on her way.

 

[Elijah Khalo Celasaer]

They clasped hands and Elijah gave a wide smile. Of course he didn't ask for money or any kind of payment, but he didn't judge the man for choosing to do so. Not all considered it their solemn duty to purge the creatures of evil. "I've no qualms about leaving immediately. Let's put an end to this towns suffering."
He had a bright attitude, and even the indifference of the elf didn't deter him from giving Eren another of his friendly smiles, "Tychan be with you as well, brother. "

Elijah turned to the villagers. "Fear not, people of Gorinsbin. Whatever lurks in the darkness, we will drag it kicking and screaming into the light to face righteous judgement."
With that he turned and marched up the path towards the haunted keep with he second following him closely.
It wasn't that he ignored Heike or disregarded her, he just wasn't observant enough in the moment to notice her at all. But as he drew nearer to the keep the hairs on the back of his neck stood on end. There was certainly a tainted presence nearby, paladins were attuned to sense such things as evil and corruption and its many manifestations.

Subconsciously he took the lead on the path up to the keep, his hand resting on the holy sword at his hip. The paladin that followed him was armed with her own holy sword and a tall shield which she unslung from her back and strapped to her arm. Their blue cloaks trailed behind them as they walked away.

The two remaining paladins dismounted and began going about the village, seeing if there were any who needed healing and what added preparations they could make should vampires or other undead trouble this village again, and part of that duty included re-consecrating the local church with its holy rites.

 

[Heike Eisen]

Heike had stopped near the top of the hill, a few paces of the path leading up from Gorinsbin proper. She took a moment to survey the Castle, careful not to turn her head too much, lest she catch a ray from the sun at just the right angle to strike the flesh of her face.

The Castle, dreary and abandoned for sure: no guards or sentries or any sign of it being used and lived in. But she could well be chasing shadows once again. If it were so, it wouldn't mark the first occasion on which Heike pursued rumors of vampires only to find that they were, indeed, only rumors--either that or she arrived too late. Her own experience taught her that these fiends were elusive by necessity.

It was true of the horde of vampires which attacked and destroyed her home, Reikhurst. They had amassed and come seemingly from nowhere, and after their malevolent slaughter was done they had--so far as Heike knew--vanished and left only destruction and the echoes of a massacre in their wake. Off to some other unfortunate place in Arethil, off to terrorize and prey upon others.

Heike stared up at the Castle with an ever-growing rage. She wanted to finally, finally, after five years since Reikhurst and her becoming afflicted, have the chance to slay one of these beasts. It did not matter if the vampire in question was not of the strain which sacked her home, only that it was a vampire. She knew that her rage was unbecoming of a knight, yes, and that she would have been admonished severely by her fellow knights for pursuing a quest fueled by nothing more than hatred and vengeance. But all of her emotion, several years worth of anger and grief and loathing and remorse, was tearing away at her, yearning--absolutely yearning--for a chance to be worked out through her claws and into the deserving, rotten flesh of a monster who was kin to those responsible.

Catharsis. Simple catharsis. It was all she desired. All she sought by coming here. Heike the knight of the Golden Blade scowled at it, but Heike the woman--the citizen and warrior of Reikhurst, the proud daughter of Albrecht and Sieglinde Eisen--needed it. By the love of hearth and home, she needed it.

And so when a pair of armored warriors (Other knights? And look at that one. So tall) passed by her on the path to the Castle, doubt held no sway over her. So others were coming. Perhaps that was what that gathering in the town was about, the villagers finally having enough of what ailed them here in this Castle.

Heike knew well that she would need to be careful. It might not matter to those who were coming that she, too, was here to slay vampires. She could easily be counted among the vampires who allegedly infested this Castle. Condemned, with no hope of special pleading to state her case.

So Heike decided to wait. To stand off to the side of the path with her head bowed like some sort of priestess in prayer and watch. Get a count on all those who were venturing up to the Castle, and get a visual on who they were. If she deemed it best to stay well away from them, such knowledge would be crucial in keeping track of and avoiding them inside the Castle.

Because she was going in there. Danger to herself or not, she was going in.

Xyrdithas Malak Baske Elijah Khalo Celasaer

 

[Eren'thiel Xyrdithas]

"If there's nothing else you two need prepare?"

He turned back to the man, measuring him one last time. He supposed perhaps his judgement of him was too harsh - after all, he could be taking the coin from them by stealing or worse rather than attempting to rid them of evil. His gaze was still stern, but softened some. He nodded, and the started up the path as the Paladin called out to the people an end to their strife.

Perhaps... a little early for that...

Humans. He still had a hard time with humans, ever since the Elven Wars and the loss of... one quite dear to him, he found it difficult to forgive them as a people for the malice they poured out - the treacherous ways they would employ. Coming in the night to slay while still quiet and dark.

Still, there had been those who he had come to care for and trust - Elan, Lazule, even the Luminary Trajan, and the Dreadlord Talus had garnered his respect. But they had been rare cases, and even some of them were far from friends. But there was honour there at least.

He looked up the path, making his way over a thin blanket of snow. Crows cawed overhead, and the air grew still. He watched carefully the dark figure ahead as she stopped, and as he came alongside her his head turned to look ahead. He paused there. He felt something. A coolness, akin to the winter breeze that had moments before fled - but lingering still, just there where they stood. He glanced to her, a curiosity creeping in. She shielded herself peculiarly, and kept herself in shadow.

He opened his mouth to speak, and then a slam came from within the castle which drew his attention and spurred at least hundreds of crows to frantically take flight in all directions. They coalesced together and whirled overhead for a time, so many as to dim the day's light for a moment until they dispersed.

Then quiet.

Erën's surprised eyes examined the building, its stillness. He grunted, turning briefly to the woman and then the others who followed behind.

"We should stay close. Such a mass of they, the dreadful fowl, is a bad omen."

He approached the main gate, and then pushed it open - effortlessly. He entered into a small courtyard, with verandas all around and balconies atop them all, and yet another large door ahead leading within. Much of the courtyard was cast in the shadow of the castles stone walls that loomed all around.

Malak Baske Heike Eisen Elijah Khalo Celasaer

 

[Malak Baske]

Malak inwardly groaned as the paladin mentioned righteous judgement. His internal thought on the paladin being less preachy lasted for perhaps a minute and a half. He should have known better. Malak had a much more grey view of reality. The Vampire was a predator, and the people of Gorinsbin happened to be it's prey. All manner of darkness, light, holiness and unholiness? Labels beyond as far as Malak was concerned. Still, he supposed it was good to have a direction to take one's life on.

The sellsword followed behind the paladin, not challenging the half-giants preference to take point. He suspected Sir Half-Giant could take a strong hit or two, whereas Malak was but a mere mortal, relying on wit and alacrity to avoid getting hit. In truth it mattered little, as the group arrived at Gorinsbin castle without incident, save for the murder of crows forming a temporary block for the sun.

"Agreed." Malak replied to the glaring elf Xyrdithas, putting a hand onto the hilt of his sword. The elf then pushed the main gate, which seemed to give no pause to the swordsman. Inhuman strength, or weightless door? Malak's eyes wandered as the group entered the courtyard. It was filled with long dead trees, waterless fountains, and broken statues. Perhaps long ago Gorinsbin had been a sight, but today showcased only it's age and neglect.

They were perhaps halfway through the courtyard when Malak's ears registered a rough screech. His neck turned, and he spotted the threat. The statue of a dog had begun to move, initially with the grog of newly awakened child, then with the speed of a beast on the prowl. Malak drew his blade, but silently wished he had taken a hammer. The beast pounced, Malak avoiding the stone jaw with a quick sidestep, then slicing his blade at the statue's leg, aiming to slice the beast at it's lowest thickness.

Heike Eisen Elijah Khalo Celasaer

 

[Elijah Khalo Celasaer]

They entered the courtyard. It was as derelict and abandoned on the inside as it looked on the outside. The fountain in the middle of the courtyard was dried up and covered in weeds, the walls were covered in vines and lichen and much of the stone was crumbling.
Even the statue of the hound that came to life was covered in creeping vines. Their attention was drawn to the attack, but Elijah heard a similar screech to his right as a second hound came to life.

He drew his sword as the hound charged, but allowed his second to step in, she bashed the stone creature with her shield. The steel enforced tool broke the head off of the beast and threw it back, but it got back up and continued trying to attack.
Then Elijah stepped in and delivered a punishing kick, as if he were simply kicking some aggressive village hound. The force of the blow broke the body in half, and the magic left the stone.

He watched the mercenary as he dealt with his opponent, not judging him but admiring his work.
"This ruin is deceptively large. What do you say we split up? travel in pairs. We each take a wing and meet up at the main hall to report our findings?"

 

[Heike Eisen]

One, two.

Three.

Four.

Four. Just four. Alright, that was manageable. And Heike briefly collected her thoughts on each of them--specifically, which of them would be the least likely to cut her head off. The tall knight and his female companion were automatically out; though she in her initial appraisals based on appearances alone respected them the most, she feared no such respect would be afforded to her in kind. The elf she had difficulty with. Could be anything as far as she knew: the hood and cloak suggested adventurer--certainly a traveler--but the worn armor, the like of which she had never seen before, opened the possibilities further. Certain card games had so-called "wild cards" as part of their rules: the elf, here, was this.

That left the man in the leather armor. A touch grizzled, this man, from what she saw of his face. He hadn't bothered to get a room at the local inn to store his traveling gear, evidenced by the bedroll carried on his shoulders. A man of certain means. Mercenary? He was certainly the least gaudy of the four, possessed of that rough character common among sellswords.

If there was anybody who could see the benefit of allowing Heike to help--in mercenary parlance, "do most of the work"--then it would be him. Maybe. Her thoughts were little more than speculation based on outward appearance, not inward convictions. For all Heike knew, the man in the leather might well be the most zealous of the four. But speculation was the only thing she had, and it wasn't entirely misinformed. It would simply have to do.

Heike waited for a time as the group passed by. Went on their way up the hill and to the gate and opened it and stepped into the confines of the Castle's walls and the courtyard therein.

Only then did Heike follow. Moving quietly, even though such a covert trailing was not necessary. Already there were the sounds of combat within the courtyard. Heike pressed herself up against the outside wall of the Castle, inched toward the open gates, and stole a peek in.

The mercenary and the two knights were fighting with canine statues come to life. Statues of stone--not good for her claws.

Heike ducked her head back around the outside wall and out of sight. Listened. They seemed to fare alright against this initial threat. And then one of them said:

What do you say we split up? travel in pairs.

That was...well, fantastic. It wasn't by much, but individuals (or pairs, as it so happened) were easier to persuade than groups in Heike's case. Still, any edge in convincing these people that she was not their enemy was welcome. Trust was a very complicated issue these days.

Wherever (and with whomever) the man in the leather armor decided to go, Heike resolved that she would follow.

Eren'thiel Xyrdithas Elijah Khalo Celasaer Malak Baske

 

[Eren'thiel Xyrdithas]

They managed to make short work of the stone hounds, Malak dispatching the first and the Paladin reducing the second to rubble. Erën had done little more than withdraw his sword just so from his sheath, only to let it fall to rest after a moment's reprieve, certain that was the end of the animated statues.

What do you say we split up? travel in pairs.

Maybe, he thought.

Just then, the gate they'd entered in from sealed shut with a great sound. Then, the front doors of the main castle as well as all of those leading out into the courtyard burst open. The main. Then another here. Then another there. Then all the rest at once. Then the cawing of crows returned and once more they came and whirled overhead to blot out the light. With their dark came a black mist from all around, seeping from within the castle. It came out to rest around their knees, and the crows above became thick like the night.

From deep within, heard all around came a throaty, lascivious chuckle.
​

A cold crept over the air. And then, just before the main entry a figure emerged from out of this mist. Its image was that of black, robed in a smokey cloak, and two red eyes glowed from beneath. Then at another entryway, another rose. Then another. Soon they were surrounded by almost a dozen, but they did not move. They only hung there, staring.

"Mmmm..." her voice was as honey to their ears, "...welcome..."
​

Then, the first figure descended again into the dark.

Around each of them, faint wisps of the smoke rose and circled them. It slid along any exposed skin, and whispered to each of them their name as something... smelled them, tasting the air around them.

"...why, are you here?"
​

Malak Baske Elijah Khalo Celasaer Heike Eisen

 

[Malak Baske]

"Malak . . . why are you here?" The voice crawled within the wanderer's skull. It was barely a whisper, coming from the mists around them. The voice was sweet, smooth, enticing. Malak could have sworn he had heard it before.

"Tell me Malak, how will you save Gorinsbin when you couldn't even save your wife?" The voice of the mist continued to speak as it probed into his mind, pulling at his deepest thoughts. Malak took his sword and swung out at the mist surrounding him, abandoning logic in a moment of pure emotional reaction.

"You're over your head Malak. You do not know what you are dealing with. Do you fight against an ancient vampire of terrible magic, or do you fight a coven of true undeath?" The voice taunted, before Malak felt a claw rip though his back. The swordsman let out a scream, but fought through the pain and pivoted before slicing through the air. His blow hit nothing, his prey evaporating into the mist around him. He couldn't see Eren'thiel Xyrdithas, Elijah Khalo Celasaer or his companion. Nor could he hear them. The creature, or creatures, had put some sort of spell over them, or at least Malak.

Malak kept his right arm on his blade's hilt, but freed his left and pulled a brew out of his pack. Malak had no talent for traditional magic such as fireballs or spears of ice, but could imbue alcohol with properties to aid him. He popped the cork off his chosen brew and chugged. The effects of his potion, ears of the bat, took effect immediately. He began to hear once again the sounds of his companions, but also their footsteps. Their breath. But most importantly the footsteps of his foe.

Malak returned his offhand to his blade's pommel and pivoted his foot to his left, leaning his body forward for a thrust. His blade his resistance, and fog around him cleared. He saw the creature for but a moment, then it faded away. A vampiric escape, invisibility, or perhaps an illusion? Malak did not know, but kept his eyes and ears open, ready for another attack.

Heike Eisen

 

[Elijah Khalo Celasaer]

As soon as the question was out of his mouth a strange phenomenon began to take place. At first the doors flying open made Elijah think of a poltergeist, but then there was that voice...

... It spoke to him, it's smooth words slipping into his mind...
"Why have you come, Elijah, Paladin of the Templar Order?"
Immediately Elijah understood what was happening. This wasn't his first rodeo, but this was a powerful vampire and this was its lair.
Immediately he lowered his head and began praying. He couldn't trust his eyes, so he closed them. He couldn't trust his heart, so he filled it with prayer.
"Did you think you could stay a paladin forever? You show the world your devotion, but in your heart and mind you question... You doubt... You rebel..."
Elijah calmly opened his eyes. That voice was so sickeningly sweat.
"That's the burden I choose to bear."

With that light radiated from his body, breaking the hold of the vampire on his mind. He looked to his comrade, she was strong willed and devoted to Tychan. Surely she was fine... He turned to her and found she was no longer by his side.
His eyes widened and he looked around. The mercenary was just recovering from his ordeal, he couldn't tell what the elf was going through.
"Elijah!"
He turned to the call of his name and saw her running with sword drawn towards one of the open doors. The vampire found the right illusion for her... Her true love.
Elijah used a simple enchantment to augment his voice, hopefully it was enough to bring her back to reality before it was too late, but he started running after her anyways.
"Kate! Not that way!"

That was enough to bring her back to reality... But as she blinked at the dark doorway in front of her and turned towards his voice Elijah watched as a hand reached out and grabbed her around the throat.
"No! Damnit No!"
He ran harder but she was pulled into the darkness and the door slammed shut before he could reach it.

Rage filled his heart and he didn't stop running, so much for making a plan. He slammed into the reinforced door like a battering ram and broke it to splinters as he crashed into the dark room of the east wing. His sword glowed hot in his hands as he looked about furiously... But there was no sign of his second.

 

[Heike Eisen]

Heike, usually not one to be startled easily, nevertheless flinched and brought up her claws defensively when the gates abruptly slammed shut of their own accord. A great murder of crows--perhaps too perfectly timed to be wholly natural--flocked in the sky and cawed and covered the ground beneath them in a writhing shadow.

And the sound of malevolent laughter came from within the Castle walls.

Heike grimaced and snarled in frustration as she looked at the closed Castle gates. Something was going on within, something wicked--it was no rumor or superstition that the Castle was haunted. By what (and perhaps even in what sense) remained to be seen, but those warriors who had gone inside were facing it head on.

And Heike resolved that she would not sit back--especially if this was the work of vampires.

She took off her shawl and folded it and wrapped it back around her neck like a scarf; her claws no longer hidden and freed from obstruction. She lowered her hood. Took a few steps back and glanced up at the heights of the Castle walls above. It wouldn't be the first time she had done this.

With an expenditure of blood so great that she could tangibly feel the squeezing and leaking sensation in her legs, Heike jumped up with inhuman ability and only just missed the height required to vault over the wall completely. She caught on to the top edge of the wall, digging claws into the stone for purchase with a little burst of exerted strength. Then she scurried up on top of the wall and hunched there, looking down into the courtyard.

Some kind of black mist or fog blanketed the courtyard, and smoke had encircled the four warriors. Two--the apparent knights--had just started running when Heike looked down from the Castle's wall. So the elf and the mercenary were left; a coin toss to determine which swirl of smoke hid the mercenary from her sight. Or it was, until the fog cleared around the mercenary in question.

It occurred to Heike then just how difficult it was going to be to approach even the mercenary now that there was a clear and present threat assailing the group. What was she to do? Jump down and saunter over to him and clap him on the shoulder and say with a certain nonchalance: I know you're here to fight vampires, but I'm one of the good ones. Pay no mind to all the sinister magic and my sudden appearance. Just trust me.

It killed her. Absolutely killed her. But she could do nothing but wait. Wait until an opportunity presented itself for her to prove as swiftly and decisively as possible that she was on the mercenary's side, lest he and his fellows assume (and quite understandably) that she was in league with the rumored vampires of the Castle.

Hm. Even if she did convince the mercenary, what if he wasn't silver-tongued enough to convince his fellows of her trustworthiness?

No. Don't think about it. Worry about the things you can control, Heike.

So Heike waited, hunched on top of the Castle wall and peering down into the mist-choked courtyard.

Eren'thiel Xyrdithas Malak Baske Elijah Khalo Celasaer

 

[Eren'thiel Xyrdithas]

Erën whirled around at the mention of his name. He reached his hands out and swiped through the swirling smoke.

"Erën..."

"...come..."​

"...join us..."​

"You will know endless pleasures..."

"...yes, Champion...of a great Order..."
"Erën!"​

"...yes Erën...be with us..."​

"Come..."

​

"Enough!"
​

He drew out his sword and channelled his magic in anger, but as he did the mists abruptly coalesced in the center of the courtyard. Each of their illusions were broken - but Elijah's second remained missing.

The crows overhead continued to spin. Erën studied the now swirling mass of black smoke at the center of the courtyard. Just then, as though it were of solid form, the smoke bent down and leapt high into the sky. In the air, it joined with the crows, and then it once more decended, funneling down to surround - a figure, on top of the wall. He watched, as it swirled around the one perched up above, unsure of how to react as of yet.

The black cloud descended around Heike, and swirled around her to create a spinning wall of black. Beyond, as though on some barely visible plain, the smokey figures too shape. Their formless arms reached out to her, touching but not - as though if for only a moment there was substance, only to dissipate into smoke.

"Sister..."

"...sister..."​

"...Heike, our love..."

"...you're home... join us..."​

"...we welcome you, dear..."

"Heike..."​

"...Heike..."​

"...poor sister..."​

"...lonely sister..."​

"...Come..."

"...Come..."​

"...JOIN WITH US!..."

Heike Eisen Malak Baske Elijah Khalo Celasaer​

 

[Malak Baske]

"It seems we've split into pairs." Malak commented to Eren'thiel Xyrdithas, noting the paladin's rush into the building. His companion was out of sight, presumably escaping to the building where Elijah Khalo Celasaer has just burst into.

"I can't say I prefer fighting in it's fortress, but I'd much rather fight anything that flies indoors." Malak mentioned to the elf swordsman. He really didn't like going into the castle without a plan, but he hated being a sitting duck out in the open more. He made a note to try and find a way to make a flying potion. If he used mimicry it would be simple, just grow big enough wings, but Malak's brews never had such physical effects. A djinn perhaps? Such a brew might be more trouble than it's worth.

"I think she'll join us soon enough." Malak said as he noticed the elf looking at Heike Eisen. He wagered none would come without here without purpose.

"She's interesting though. She might just be too far away, but I don't think she has a heartbeat." Malak informed his companion, as he his ears still told him everything. The first time he had drunk the potion it was overwhelming. By now it was manageable, but he was still cautious. He was lucky not to have dealt with a large enough 'boom' yet.

Malak would make his way to another entrance to the manor, keeping his sword drawn and eyeing any entrances or corners. He noted that as he walked the candles around him begun to light with a dim purple glow.

Silently he wondered how much of fighting a vampire was simply psychological. This one was certainly going for the dramatic, putting the troupe on the edge before any real confrontation. Was he trying to scare them off? Even his odds by putting them on edge? Or worse, did he simply enjoy playing with his food?

 

[Elijah Khalo Celasaer]

He was in it now. Ancient vampires in their lair were practically like gods in their own domain. Now that he was inside the castle the vampire could literally appear anywhere and attack, without actually being present.
Elijah looked about the room he found himself in. It was a small sitting room, this keep seemed to host a wealthy crowd before it fell into ruin.

He had to find the vampire's coffin. The sun was still up so its body must still be resting, but that didn't mean its mind wasn't active and aware. It was probably watching them all at once even now. If he could locate the body and kill it he could undo all of these illusions, but no doubt he will be plagued with illusions the entire way.

But this was his best shot to save his comrade. He spoke some silent words of prayer before he advanced into the room. There was a staircase ahead, a hallway going east and west, and some doorways under the stairs that look like they might be a servants access.
He turned to the west, since that's the direction the main hall rested, but he walked slowly, his eyes and ears peeled for anything, but especially for that little imperceptible hum that let him know when magic was being used, which in turn will let him know when he is under the effect of an illusion, letting him discern reality from fiction.

 

[Heike Eisen]

The malevolent magic wasn't limited to just the courtyard. The smoke seemed to become a figure of some sort and it leaped and came to surround Heike as it had with the mercenary and the elf below.

Alarming, this sudden swirling descent of the malevolent smoke around her, to the point of a rigid stiffness hitching up her shoulders. But Heike stood, snarled behind her mask, and flexed her claws. Her gaze bounced from formless arm to formless arm, just looking for something tangible to strike.

She was as yet unsure if this was the work of vampires, or the exact nature of the magic itself. Truth be told, Heike had limited experience with both: vampires and magic. But she did at least know that not all strains were like her own. Many others allowed for arcane proficiency, perhaps even afforded an increased ability for certain magical qualities. With so many different strains and so many different tales about them (some undoubtedly tall tales), practical truths could be hard to come by.

But it did not matter who or what specifically was the cause of this magic. The rank stench of the wicked, the guilty, was evident. No one doing the work of the just and the honorable operated like this. Heike, as soon as she had something to sink her claws into, would bleed the truth of the matter out of what she found. Then, perhaps if the elf and particularly the mercenary were watching, she could join with them and do her part to put an end to the haunting of Gorinsbin's Castle.

Then the voices started.

Sister...

Heike, our love...

...You're home...join us...

...we welcome you, dear...

...lonely sister...

Despite Heike's intent to purge this Castle of the guilty, her resolve to see the task through to whatever terrible end may lie in store, the words spoken from the swirling smoke slipped into her mind like a sharpened dagger between her ribs. Sinking into her heart and stabbing directly into the host of desperate yearnings and burning desires that formed the cancerous core of exploitable weaknesses in her spirit.

To be accepted. To be loved. To be cared about and seen as a person. To suffer no longer the crushing loneliness brought on by her repugnant affliction.

Heike's eyes widened ever so slightly, and her defensive stance with her claws dropped just so.

And in this small moment her guard slipped.

Eren'thiel Xyrdithas Malak Baske Elijah Khalo Celasaer

 

[Eren'thiel Xyrdithas]

Erën watched on as the smoke swirled overhead and then descended onto the figure perched atop the wall. Given that interaction he didn't believe whoever they were to be a party to the seemingly malevolent display. His eyes shot down and into the courtyard, searching for the paladin and his second. They were no where to be found, so he looked to the doorway which they had burst in through.

He darted over to the door, "whatever she is," regarding Heike, "she may be in trouble right now."

He'd felt something too, something about her that troubled him. He was not exactly sure what, perhaps just a product of their environment. He didn't much care for vampires, and it seemed the prospect of dealing with them had him a little more apprehensive than he had imagined. Still, he maintained his composure and would face them head on - or by whatever means he needed to achieve his victory here. They were a menace, after all.

He looked in through the door, looking for Elijah. He was gone, long driven deeper on into the keep. His second too, likely - he hoped, for her sake anyway. He looked back out into the courtyard, and across the way he saw a staircase which led to the top of the wall.

"There," he hollered with a point, "we cannot leave her to these wretches!"

Then his eyes searched again, somewhere for him to ascend from the other side... that will do.

He darted toward the gate, and as he drew close to the wall he gave a mighty heave a leapt several meters up its side. There, he grasped onto the archway stones which protruded out past the rest, and he used the mortar joins to haul himself up. As he came to its pinnacle he threw himself up to grasp a rod which stuck out from the stone - for a flag, or something of the sort. He used his body to swing back and forth, before launching himself onto the top of another such pole, and then one final leap to the top of the wall.

"... sister..."

"...yes..."

"...welcome... home..."​

"...join with us..."

​

"Heike..."​

"Heike..."
​

There in front of her in the swirling dark another figure began to take shape. This one displayed colourless features made only of smoke, but the image was that of a beautiful young woman. She approached, coming forth from the greater smoke and drew close to Heike. She raised her hand, and almost as though it were really truly there it moved to stroke her cheek.

"Sister... lonely, Heike... Come, join with my sisters and I. You will be as our family."

"You will be loved!"
​

A gentle smile crept across the lips of the pleasant image before Heike, before the figure began to dissipate as the greater smoke did too, retreating back within the castle. The crows overhead - persisted.

"Come, sister. Come...I will guide you... come..."

​

The further in the delved, the more nefarious the scene became. The remains of many men dotted the corridors, nothing left but armor and bone. The walls however, were painted with strange drawings and markings. Some looked like words, others were symbols. The paladin might recognize them as symbols of the damned - the dark ones, devils and demons and all foul things. Symbols painted in blood, blood which still ran warm.

Things began to slam in his wake, objects seemingly hurtling through the air only to turn to see them still - untouched, unmoved. Then the whispers began, quietly and distantly and then almost as though close enough to bite. Whispering little lies, that his friend would be lost forever.

That she would feed them for the long weeks to come.​

The closer Elijah drew to the main hall, the more resistance he faced. Before the doors were yet in sight, a boney hand reached out and grabbed him. An invisible wind, knocked him one way. And then the skeletons all began to rise - empty eye sockets glowing red and blue, an unholy fire igniting in their chests. Noiselessly they roared at him and encroached to surround him, and prevent his entry to the main hall - with an apparent desperation.

Nyrial watched through the image she'd conjured in the water. While drips from above disturbed it everywhere else, where she peered there was no disruption. Alongside her were eleven other figures, hiding in the shadows looking in. A giggle from one, and a chuckle from another. And there, behind them all and defended fearlessly by them each - she slept. And soon, she would wake.

Then the fun would truly begin.

Malak Baske Elijah Khalo Celasaer Heike Eisen ​

 

[Malak Baske]

The elf was right, the figure could have been in trouble. Absent the sight of Elijah Khalo Celasaer or his second, Heike had the most pressing need for help. Or at least the most pressing need for help that Malak could aid. Moving quickly up the stairs Malak watched as Eren'thiel Xyrdithas jumped onto the wall and began to climb. One part showing off, one part aiming to flank whatever threat had made it's way to the castle walls.

Ascending the stairs Malak kept his eyes and ears open, but only heard the struggles of the elf as he made his way to the pole, then his swinging unto the castle wall. Not only did the mystery presence not have a heartbeat, it didn't breath. Didn't step to or fro, kept it's footing. Their foe made no such noise either. From the lack of noise Malak could conclude that the voices he'd heard were in his head rather than spoken aloud, but also that the presence wasn't offering any resistance.

Vampires were rumored to have abilities that ensorcelled a prey, making them more receptive to feeding, or even bind a person as a sort of thrall. Perhaps the master of Gorinsbin Castle had cast such a spell on the new entrant, or perhaps it had simply succumb to the efforts Malak had escaped through his potion. Either way, the girl was in trouble.

Malak charged towards the mist, but did not swing his sword. Rather than chancing an errant blow hitting an innocent, Malak instead opted for a tackle, aiming to plunge whatever attacked Heike Eisen into a grapple. Hopefully he would succeed in dispelling the beast. Otherwise it was likely claws would end up trying to best his armor . . .

 

[Elijah Khalo Celasaer]

"So what else is new?" He casually responded to the whispers. What else did he expect vampires to do with their prey? But at least he knew that she might still be alive when he found her.
The voice was feminine and still so sickeningly sweet.
But he was disturbed that he couldn't tell when magic was being used even though he was sensitive to it. It was an incredibly subtle and powerful illusion for it to escape his notice.
But something else was disturbing him. This vampire was incredibly powerful, which meant it was incredibly old. And if it's lived here for all this time then that village wasn't normal, such evil so close often corrupts anything nearby.
But that meant... He hoped his comrades were able to consecrate the church without trouble, otherwise he feared what he would find if he returned.

The corridors grew more and more grotesque the deeper he went, he recognized many of the symbols on the walls. Cult symbols of dark gods, profane demons, and cruel spirits. This place needed to be purified once the vampire was slain.
Once the dead started rising he nearly laughed out loud. Sending the dead to face a paladin? Even if they were mere illusions he would hardly be in danger.
The dead crumble by the light of purification, which he summoned with a short prayer as the skeletons closed around him.
If they crumbled it was fine, if they didn't he knew they were illusions and would move on.
This was a good sign, either he was getting close and the vampire was desperately trying to stop his relentless progress, or the vampire wanted him to think he was getting closer to its lair. Either way he agreed to meet the others in the main hall to explore the central keep together, he hoped they were making progress.

 

[Traecon Maxwell]

He had received the quest for vampire slaying from a tavern a few ways from the city, as the bartender there had lost loved ones to the evils lurking within this decrepit castle, and was looking for one who had the capability to face the supernatural, and kill them. He, of course had volunteered immediately, even receiving the payment in advance - a hefty coin pouch, enough to secure his wellbeing for months. The trek had taken a few hours, but finding the village itself did not take long, as its outline traced the dusk sky. As he entered the area proper, he saw the castle and the crowd who were at its gates noticed his presence.

"Are you here for the vampires as well?" asked one, a pitchfork in his trembling hands

He nodded, glancing between them and the gates. It appeared he was not the only one who had similar intentions upon arriving. He would take his time then. The crowd parted as he strode in, blade drawn as he approached the giant wooden gates. With a heavy swing, he carved open an orc-shaped opening to step through and into the castle proper. In the castle courtyard, he searched for what traces he could find of his... predecessors (maybe). He found footprints, some already faded, but not enough he could not discern their directions.

He did not mind the tendrils of mist yet crawling across the stone ground, coiling around his legs. A sickeningly sweet voice whispered into his ear,

"Join us..."

And his response was simple. Robust, yes, but efficient, and it drowned out both voice and magic. Raising his left gauntlet up above his head, gleaming with molten power, he unleashed the restrained energy within like an explosion, one that rattled the castle walls with its sound and force. The mist dissipated instantly, the voice retreated with what he presumed to be an irritated hiss. Inwardly, he smirked - when in doubt, brute force was the answer.

Back to the footprints, he chose the ones that seemed most faint, and was about to follow when a commotion above attracted his attention. His weapon ground against the stone with a metallic growl, the blade sinking into the earth as he swung it to his side in a battle stance, jerking at the open roof of the area for any sign of attack. Either the vampire he hunted was desperate for food, or those whom had went on ahead were in conflict. He could not get a good view as - wait, there, atop one of the castle walls! It had been getting a bit dark, so he had missed it when he entered.

He could see yet more mist surrounding an entity, perching, and two others approaching it with caution, yet with hurrying pace. An enthralling? He stood his ground, waiting for whatever was to happen - he would have to react, as opposing to acting up first. The skull at the base of his blade flickered with orange flames as he tensed.

 

[Heike Eisen]

Heike's strain of vampirism did indeed protect her from many forms of magic. But it did not protect her from simple, enticing words.

Enticing.

She knew they were enticing. Knew they were purposely meant to be so. And here, just beneath the now tumultuous waters of her consciousness, hope clashed with intuition.

... sister...

...welcome... home...

...join with us...

And hope was winning. She did not question at all how this voice had come to know her name.

The swirling figure manifested before her, a beautiful and youthful woman made of the smoke. She came forth, the figure. And with no hesitation nor revulsion nor trepidation nor condemnation she lifted a hand made of the smoke to Heike's cheek. Heike closed her eyes tragically and melted, her hopeful mind doing all it could to make the touch real, to transfigure the smoke into the warm skin of another. It only left her yearning.

She was not judged. Not merely tolerated. Accepted. Invited.

And here the rationalizations began.

How did the villagers know for certain that vampires plagued this castle? What if they were wrong? Assuming and mistaken? What of these other adventurers, the elf and the mercenary and the two knights? They were here to kill vampires, weren't they? Was it not foolish to think they would ever accept her--wasn't that hope of a more egregiously dangerous sort?

And what of this magic? What of it, truly? Did not Kalia Oro Khastan also use magic that mundane men and women would consider frightening, perhaps even outright horrific? The magic Kalia used was akin to this in its capacity to terrify, and yet his spirit was good and righteous. What of these sisters and their family? Couldn't they be the same?

Prejudice. An assumed wickedness by townsfolk at their wit's end for any number of other reason. Herr Dieter Roth himself--one of Heike's knight-superiors during her squiring--once said there was "No greater evil than that committed with the express permission of one's own conscience." Would it not be prudent to at least investigate all these claims of supposed wickedness?

Yes.

Yes, of course. Heike could scout ahead. See about proving these claims of alleged wickedness. Maybe. Maybe that would be enough to earn her the trust of the adventurers who have come, if such wickedness was indeed present. Or maybe it would not be enough.

Come, sister. Come...I will guide you... come...

A flash of mild panic at the smokey figure's departure, at the cloud of which it had been a part shooting back within the Castle proper. Heike consciously told herself that she would be doing nothing more than the aforementioned scouting, the said confirmation of evil intent. Unconsciously, she yearned to hear that voice--those voices--that did not revile her as the monster she was.

Heike did not see Erën nor Malak--the latter coming in for a tackle not aimed at her--at the corners of her eyes. She paid no mind to the new adventurer, Traecon, down in the courtyard, and no mind to the lack of the mist--the fiery cause of said lack she had missed.

Heike lunged with an inhuman power off of the wall, shooting like an crossbow bolt down toward the Castle, hitting the ground running and chasing after the retreating smoke.

Fully committed to following the smoke wherever it led her.

Eren'thiel Xyrdithas Malak Baske Elijah Khalo Celasaer Traecon Maxwell