Fantasy Dracula's Curse: A pathfinder adventure (closed)

[Jodyguru]

The Dark Lord, Count Dracula, seated on his lonely throne in a shroud of his evil magic, peers through his magic ball into the world of man. His castle, decorated but still like the dead, stands above the decrepit villages he long since devastated. In his crystal ball, he sees a band of adventurers marching towards his fortress. A devilish grin comes across his toothed lips.

"Fresh blood comes my way. Oh, what a beautiful night it is. Perhaps they'll be my entertainment for a little while." He let out a sinister chuckle.

.....................

Marching quickly down the road, Gorsht the fighter carried a hulking burden on his back. Even though he was heavily encumbered, he walked swiftly beside his master, the elven cleric Drevin. The priest wore his white and gold-lined robe and lit the way with his glowing longsword. The holy light turned away the zombified dregs that could be found along the road. He also kept a continuous aura around his body that would repel the shroud of evil that was growing thicker as they got closer to the castle.

"Do not walk far from me. My aura will not protect you if you do. Dracula's curse drives men mad, causing them to tear at their own flesh or murder those near them." The elf looked to the bard, Patrick the Swift, who was wandering back and forth across the road, and came closer towards Drevin after hearing the elf's warning.

"Curses like that and hypnotism have no effect on me, never have. My willpower is second to none, but if it makes you feel better, I'll stick close." he tittered and turned towards the half-elf woman whom he'd met the night before at the tavern where the party met.

"Ey Tuka? I thought halfies had immunity to magic effects like that?" The arrogant man gave her a snide grin and stuck his hands in his pockets.

 

[Simon_Hawk]

Tuka rolled her eyes in disgust at Patrick's epithet.
“Halfies? Piss off, Patrick.” She hissed.

“No magic cast has ever put me to sleep and I'm not taking any chances with an enchantment the likes of this. Maybe you should be more serious.” Tuka spat back at the bard.

Normally such comments about her half-elf heritage didn't bother her but the pressure of the approaching mission was beginning to make her tense. Tuka hated the undead and everything associated with them, she was a fighter by nature and believed that once something died it should remain that way.

Tuka proceeded to keep pace with Drevin, maintaining tight quarters. This allowed her to be able to skewer anything that might attack him while simultaneously staying within his protective aura. She maintained a vigilant watch over the group and a steady hand on the hilt of her trusted rapier.

“Have any of you thought of an actual plan? Or do you really think barging into Drac's castle is going to get us anywhere other than dead.” She whispered as if that was going to shroud their approach.

“I'd at least like to know what types of nasty-things await us in there.” She said.

 

[Jodyguru]

Patrick sucked his teeth and kicked a rock in the road. Drevin’s eye caught Tuka following close to him, so he whispered something to her in Elven.

“False bravado will get him nowhere. Being too careful will do the same for you.”

Then, he spoke in common.

“Count Dracula is many things. Brutal, unfeeling, devious, and arrogant. He will leave his castle open for us to enter.”

“Foolish bastard” Gorsht growled. “It will be his undoing!”

 

[Simon_Hawk]

Hearing Drevin speak in the elven tongue brought a gentle smile to her lips. It was nice having someone around that she could connect with regarding her elven heritage.

Tuka nodded to Drevin in concession. “I suppose you're right, though caution has served me well throughout the years.” She said, also in the language of the elves.

It was difficult for her not to have a rough strategy in mind and that had shown in her being overly cautious. Currently, the party was marching straight into Dracula’s castle while Drevin's sword shone like a glowing sun in the darkness that all but screamed: “Here we are!”

“How in the nine hells was completing this task even possible?” She thought, letting the logical part of her mind take over. But she pushed the notion away and focused on the basic idea.

In order for this mission to be successful, she and the others needed to escort Drevin safely into Dracula's presence at any cost. Once Drevin worked his banishing magic on Drac, the world would finally be free from his evil grasp. The thought of the dark veil being lifted from the realm helped Tuka maintain some small level of faith that this mission could be successful. Maybe her dream of retiring from life on the road and put down roots in some quaint village was possible, assuming Drac could be defeated.

Switching back to the common tongue, Tuka began to question Drevin on a few specifics regarding Dracula. She knew that more knowledge could come in handy at the most opportune times, at least talking it out would serve to keep her from worrying unnecessarily.

“By what method was Dracula defeated in the past? And how was it that he was able to be summoned fourth yet again?” She asked, like a curious child.

Tuka maintained her close guard over the elven cleric fully invested in what the knowledgeable man had to offer.

 

[Jodyguru]

Drevin looked out ahead. They had a ways to go through the thick fog before reaching the castle.
“I read about it during my second pilgrimage. Dracula was slain in his castle by a group of inquisitors in the traditional sense, a wooden stake through the heart. His soul was sent to the bottom of the infernal realm, where he resided until a group of summoners brought him back from the dead. He’s not the same undead as he was before. He has no heart to pierce. He’s more akin to a lich lord than a regular vampire. If he still feasts on blood for power or pleasure is beyond my knowledge.”

Patrick quickened his pace to walk closer to Tuka. “Hard to plan against that, eh? Maybe you can use that toothpick to turn the lich into a sieve.” He let out a chuckle.

Suddenly, a loud banging sound made Patrick jump, but it was just a metal pan that fell off of Gorsht’s burdenous load. A few more items fell off as well, and he went into a crouching position, letting out a groan.

 

[Simon_Hawk]

Tuka rolled her eyes for the second time that evening, this was becoming all to commonplace.

“Patrick, this ‘toothpick’ is probably going to end up saving your ass...or possibly stabbing it.” She fired back.

“Maybe it'd be faster to send you in alone, your sense of humor could singlehandedly slay the mighty Dracula.” She said with inflections of sarcasm.

Tuka's sword was no typical rapier and she wasn't about to let it be called a toothpick. The blade was of heavy make good for piercing and slashing, unlike the thin practice style swords used in fencing.

The steel was black and glistened like polished gun-metal, worked into the darkened blade was a pattern of lighter lines that swirled like angry storm clouds. It's cross guard and quillion were formed of heavy ornate round stock that curved and twisted as it swept around the ivory handle to form a perfect handguard. The sheath and accompanying sword-belt were of the highest quality leather dyed in chestnut brown and inlaid with exquisite silver filigree.

Tuka’s “black blade” as it was called was specifically crafted for her many years ago by Geoffrey, her long time friend. Geoffrey crafted the sword from a chunk of a rare ore called “skysteel.” He was a Master Craftsman and had instructed Tuka to gather the necessary components so he could focus on what would be his finest creation. Tuka carried the thing on every adventure since the day she received it, never once needing to sharpen it.

As Tuka were about to continue her conversation with Drevin, her attention shifted to the mighty Gorsht when she heard the loud bang. The big goof was dropping things all over the ground and making all sorts of racket. She strode up to the big man inspecting the scene with her keen perception.

“You okay there big guy? What's wrong?” She asked and hoping everything was okay.

 

[Jodyguru]

Patrick giggled. "At least you admit my superior bardic magic. I'll leave Dracula in stitches." He kicked the rock in the road again.

Gorsht picked up the things that fell and shook his head. "No, I'm fine. I've got it." He said. Looking carefully, Tuka saw despair in the man's face. Carrying this heavy load was reminding him of days long passed. Gorsht was thinking about his youth as a big brother, the oldest of ten siblings in a tiny village on the hills. Back then, he was a powerful workhorse who could plow a field before noon. When his little brothers and sisters wanted to play, they'd all pile on his back, and he'd run through the field making cow noises while they hooted and laughed until they could hardly breathe. Those were the good times that now filled Gorsht with such despair, now that such happy sunny days never happened again. He dared not remember the night that brought an abrupt end to his happiness, the one that ended his life as a simple farm boy.

Drevin let out a sigh and peered long into the fog. "It may be wise to make camp and assault the castle during the day. What say you lot?"

 

[Simon_Hawk]

Tuka laughed heartily. “Now THAT'S hilarious!” She called back to Patrick.

Just because everything was dark, foggy, ominous and everyone was probably going to die didn't mean that something couldn't really be funny. Even though Patrick seemed kind of dickish, he was marching into Dracula's castle with the group and that spoke volumes.

“Bravery...or stupidity...which is it.” Tuka thought and smiled to herself.

She wanted to help the mighty Gorsht but sensed something was bothering the man, deciding not to push the issue Tuka went about discussing setting up camp with Drevin.

“Aye, setting camp is a good idea. No telling when we'll rest next once we enter the castle. Might be to our advantage to stay off this path as far as possible though.” She explained.

Having traveled for many years she was adept at picking out safe campsites. Tuka found a spot in a grove of trees that offered some measure of protection from prying eyes and that could be defended at various points.

 

[Jodyguru]

The party followed Tuka into the woods, trusting in her sense of direction and survival instincts. Patrick had a big smile on his face that he actually managed to make Tuka laugh. This place was gloomy and death loomed all around. He was doing his job right if he could keep morale strong. Patrick could recall a time when his attempts at keeping people hopeful didn't work. He remembered being stuck behind a big rock with a bunch of adventurers, with goblins firing arrows like a hailstorm at them. They spent so much time bickering that nobody would listen to a bard, and eventually what was left of the party routed. It was a most shameful display, and one he would not sing about.

Once they found the place to set up camp, Gorsht shrugged off the great burden. Drevin pulled out groups of wooden stakes and shoved them into the ground. Once that was done he poured a thick oil on them. After a minute, the stakes began to emanate an aura of good. The perimeter would keep them safe in the darken wood, just outside Dracula's castle. Gorsht got a fire going, and Patrick sat on a stump and started tuning his lute.

"Do you have any favorite songs, Tuka?" Patrick asked.

"We should be safe until dawn. The aura will hold. Play away, Patrick." Drevin said and sat down at the fire beside Gorsht and Tuka. Gorsht dug into a bag and handed out tough jerky to everyone and passed a jug of wine to Drevin, and then Drevin passed it to Tuka.

 

[Simon_Hawk]

Assisting the group to set-up camp, Tuka scurried about like a mother hen over her brood. She helped Drevin drive in a few stakes, gave Gorsht a hand organizing his burden of supplies and yes, even showed Patrick a good spot to sleep for the night. She even went on a short patrol to scout for danger. Seeing no immediate threat she was able to finally find a spot and lay down her simple leather pack and bedroll.

She didn't travel with much because she reduced her items to the absolute bare minimum needed for survival, anything with even a resemblance of a creature comfort had long been discarded to save on weight. She had long since succumbed to being utilitarian, in her line of work anything but could get you real dead real fast. Looking about the group so reminded her of the security that travelling with others offered, but everything happened so fast getting to this point she barely even knew these people. Was it that easy to be so trusting? Even so, she hoped the night would pass without incident.

Finally, Tuka joined the others around the campfire. There was a nice spot of grass somehow holding its own in stubborn defiance against Dracula's evil. She sat Indian style on the tuft and gave thanks to the God's for offering her a comfortable respite after the days long trek. Sitting down felt so damn good it was as if she could stay there for a hundred years. It seemed like it was slowly becoming more and more difficult to keep living like this. She knew deep in her bones in the coming years that indeed it would be impractical to continue on in this manner. How was it that everyone else managed to press on? People were just that resilient, they had to be or let the gloom over take them.

“Patrick, this is probably going to sound pretty bad from your perspective…but, I don't know
If I have a favorite tune.” Tuka replied to the Bard having pushed the negative thoughts away.

“I haven't been any where in quite a few years that really allowed for it to be honest. So please, choose something with the lot of us in mind...a tribute to new friends and bold adventures.” She exclaimed, seeming to force a genuine smile.

While Patrick figured out what to play, Tuka sat silently chewing on a piece of delicious jerky. The texture was perfect and the flavor had just the right mixture of curing salt and hickory smoke, she savored the tasty morsel to its demise in the depths of her empty stomach. How good it felt to be eating and sharing drink with others. Tuka started to relax slightly then accepted the wine graciously from Drevin, she only sipped a small amount to get the flavor for she wasn't about to get plastered in such a precarious area. It was mighty fine wine indeed, a dark red wine of some elven design no less.

Passing the jug to Gorsht, Tuka noticed a silver cross that hung from a fine chain around his neck. The thing was crafted with detail and of some quality, she didn't think the man to be the religious type, in that denomination anyways and became curious.

“Hey Gorsht. That's quite the fine cross you have there. What can you tell me about it?” She asked sincerely.

 

[Jodyguru]

Gorsht looked down as he took the jug of wine. A nostalgic smile came across his face.

“Pat, play The Neverwinter’s Recant” Gorsht said and took a big swig.

Without missing a second, Patrick started plucking strings with intense, melodic precision. He sang a hearty tune of adventure and struggle, of achievement and valor.

“My eldest sister gave it to me the day she departed. With the dread looming over us, she thought it wise to leave the country with her new husband who lives far away. Part of me wished to follow her, but my quest for vengeance lies in Dracula’s destruction. I can not abandon that quest, no matter how much it pains me. The music is good, and so is the company, so I shall dwell on sorry things no longer. Have another drink with me, Tuka!”

He lifted his spirits with another swig before giving the jug back to her. The song got more involved, and even dreary Drevin started tapping his foot to the rhythm.

 

[Simon_Hawk]

Gorsht always managed to lighten the mood when dreary thoughts darkened the conversation with their relentless shadows. It was a most endearing trait that even the stubborn Tuka was beginning to appreciate. She secretly knew she was becoming sour and succumbing to the gradual pull of despair that had swallowed so many individuals across the realm. The road to hell is a gradual one with no signposts guiding the way, you wake up and wonder how you got there sometimes too late to walk back.

Tuka's eyes flicked back and forth from the wine jug to Gorsht's face, then over to Patrick who was happily serenading the group, then to Drevin and back to Gorsht and again to the jug. The entire group were allowing themselves a moment of reprieve would it be so bad to allow herself the same privilege?

She threw her hands up in concession.
“Fine! Fine...you win. I swear, you are impossible.” She said, though smiling and grabbed the jug.

“The last time I drank wine I puked on the Queen of a pirate gang...accidentally of course, but that's a story for another time.” She grabbed the jug and took a pull passing it then to Drevin.

Then an idea burst into her mind. Tuka slapped her hands on her thighs, huffed out a breath, and stood. “Just how damn long had it been..” She wondered.

Tuka reached out grabbing Gorsht by the wrist and hauling the warrior to his feet, a wry expression upon her face. She dipped in a low theatrical bow her opposite arm sweeping wide. She changed her voice imitating that of a cultured person of high standing. “Sir...may I hauve this daunce.” She teased. Waiting for no reply she hauled Gorsht around the campfire leading him with her sword arm. She had quite the vice like grip and was surprisingly strong and taut for a lass of her size. In contrast Tuka was incredibly lite and graceful on her feet a trait most common of those with elven blood. To everyone's amazement Tuka appeared to be dancing with Gorsht, but it wasn't exactly a dance because she didn't remember how to do it.

Instead she found her rhythm matching Patrick's lute playing while performing a series of sword stances and dazzling footwork. Tuka twisted and turned, lunged and arced, sweeping her free arm wide in exaggerated motions. She stepped side to side then front to back imitating various parrys and dodges while using Gorsht as her anchor. Her performance was comical and she knew it, but at the same time the display was beautiful showcasing the skill and grace acquired from a lifetime of training.

Finally, after making a complete circuit around the crackling campfire it was time to put the show to a close. Tuka lead Gorsht back in front of the log where he was originally sitting, backing him to it slowly, her head tilted low she gazed with intensity into Gorsht’s eyes, her dark orbs glittering all but entrancing the big man. She paused the exact amount of time precisely before it became awkward and said.

“Now, I have you!” Like a flash of light she pressed her palms against his chest and gave a mighty shove. Gorsht's heels were up against the log and he went toppling back like a big oak and landed firmly on his backside. Continuing on with the theatrics Tuka extended her arm, an imaginary sword pointed at Gorsht's neck.

“Ah-HA! you have been defeated fiend, hand over your valuables and I may let you live!” She said in a flamboyant tone. Seeing Gorsht laying there eyes wide and mouth a gape was to much, she then burst out into laughter offering her hand to help him to his proper seat.

 

[Jodyguru]

Gorsht was a little surprised, but he wasn’t one to turn down a dance, especially with how aggressively she took the lead. It was hard for him to keep up with her fast flourishes, and it made him look a bit ham fisted. When she finished the dance he went falling backwards and over the log that Pat sat on. Drevin started chuckling with a hand over his mouth. Patrick burst out in laughter and couldn’t play anymore.

Drevin stopped laughing and quickly stood up, as if he just spotted an immediate threat. The camp fire erupted into an enormous pillar of flames. From inside the swirling vortex, a face made of fire appeared. It was the face of Dracula.

“Foolish warriors, how dare you step into my domain” Dracula cursed at the party.

“Devil, we are coming to end your reign of darkness.” Drevin shot back.

Dracula laughed. “Come into my dwelling place and meet your demise, as many fools have before.”

 

[Simon_Hawk]

Tuka was facing Gorsht when the flash of camp firelight illuminated the grove of dense trees like an explosion of bright sunlight. The heat from the pillar of flames was intense upon her back, it didn’t do any damage thanks to her fire-resistant red-dragon leather armor, though she started sweating instantly. Tuka did not appreciate the interruption in the slightest. She bent at the knees loading her leg muscles like springs and leaped exactly backward, placing herself the proper distance from the spire of flames needed to strike. As she landed she began to rotate her body like a partial coil, the black blade drawn from its sheath in one fluid motion. Then like a flash she spun about one hundred and eighty degrees and slashed through the image with the enchanted blade like a blast of wind across where the eyes would be.

“Idle threats from a coward that hides behind a flaming puppet.” She hissed.

Tuka faced off against the flaming image making sure not make direct eye contact with the thing. Her head tilted, eyes narrowed and wary, Tuka took up a defensive stance and prepared for whatever was to come next.

 

[Jodyguru]

The flaming pillar was momentarily interrupted by Tuka's flourish, but it wasn't enough to extinguish the flames. The image of dracula chuckled at the girl's attempts, though it was unclear if the flaming image could hear them.

"Come to my castle and meet your demise. This is your final warning. Begone!" Dracula's roaring voice began twisting and flying upwards towards the sky. The fire left the bundle of rocks and wood, and burned up in the damp night air. This left the party with a darkened bonfire that had been sapped of its energy.

"Alright, time for bed gents?" Patrick asked with his voice quavering. Drevin and Gorsht sat in silence, as if the grim words of Dracula gave them pause.

 

[Simon_Hawk]

“Hells Bells! How am I supposed to sleep after all that?” Tuka cursed, kicking dirt at the smoldering remains of the campfire. The fiery image of Dracula invading the group's little haven had rattled her more than she was willing to admit.


“Ok, what was that all about, I don’t understand the theatrics. Why not come down here and just slay us and be done with it?” Tuka shrugged, questioningly.


“He obviously knows we’re here, what gives? Unless this is just some sick game to him” She said.

 

[Jodyguru]

Drevin nodded and reached a hand out towards Tuka. "Exactly, He's just toying with us. Come here, Tuka. Meditation will focus your mind."

Gorsht let out a heavy sigh and went to his tent. Patrick set his lute down and laid in the grass.

"You know, those cultists were pretty dumb to bring Dracula back," Patrick continued talking. "Like, did they understand what kind of monster he was in life? He killed thousands, and probably drank more. He probably feasted on them after coming into the world again. Of course, Dracula didn't know much about magic at the time. A ritualistic summoning has its limits, and without the cultists, he's like a dog trapped in a house. Maybe he hasn't come to kill us because he can't do it without us walking into his lair."

 

[Simon_Hawk]

“You’re right Drevin, getting worked up will solve little.” Tuka sat cross-legged which was her typical state for meditation and listened to Patrick’s speculation. She couldn’t get the image of setting Dracula’s entire castle on fire and letting him burn inside of it out of her head.

“If he’s trapped, we could just set the whole place on fire and roast him out,” Tuka said wryly. After Patrick finished his telling.

“I mean, a couple maguses with fireball spells could do the trick. Would save us quite a bit of trouble.” She supposed.

“Or, maybe we could starve him out, a war of attrition.”

Tuka closed her eyes and focused on steady breathing exercises while trying to think of a real plan.

 

[Jodyguru]

There was a bit of snickering from Patrick, who was pleased with the idea of burning Dracula inside his own castle. Though, the strong presence of magic would snuff out the flames, it was still humorous to the bard. Gorsht laid in his bedroll silent for awhile before he started gently snoring. Elves and their halfbred neighbors hardly needed sleep like a human. After a few hours of meditation, they’d be fully revitalized.

When they started meditating together, Tuka saw a miasma of images appearing in quick succession. Some of which were her own thoughts and memories, but some came from places she hadn’t seen before. She saw a snowy forest stained red, and a pile of corpses being lit with a torch. In the distance, a living man was being dragged to the fire pit, roaring and snarling like a wild animal before screeching as the flames licked his body.

Then, she saw through the eyes of someone running through the snowy woods who was being chased by a pair of dark figures, hopping with each step like specters in the night. From the height and sound of his panicked voice, it was someone very young. They kept running until they reached the edge of a jagged cliff, stopping just before sliding over.

“Ma…Pa… I’m sorry I wasn’t strong enough…”

The images faded into a gentle dream of a grassy meadow blowing gently in the wind. This remained until Tuka would come out of her meditative trance. An hour after that, the party woke and quickly broke down camp. Their destination was within reach, and now they would have to face the forces of Dracula’s Castle.



The bleak towers stretched into the murky dawn light. The party passed a dozen desiccated bodies while approaching the castle gates, which were iron bars opened to all who may enter the dreaded castle grounds. When they saw the entrance to the castle, Gorsht let out a grunt and pointed. Standing between them and the entrance was a black horse, with bit and bridle but no rider on its saddle.

“Find cover, quickly! I know that horse!” Gorsht ordered, moving behind an overturned carriage in the courtyard. Patrick quickly moved beside him. Drevin took a couple steps back, pushing Tuka back with his arm before a body quickly descended onto them.

A brilliant steel rapier struck the earth, and a black cloak fell around the swordsman. He rose his head, showing pale white skin, pointed ears, blood red eyes, and a protruding fang in his mouth.

“It’s him, the Dunpele” Drevin gasped.

“They call me Lautrec, first born of the Dark Lord, and you’re trespassing here.” The man spoke with his lifelessly dull voice. He raised his rapier between Drevin and Tuka, though he did not strike right away. He seemed more intrigued by their presence, and what they had to say for themselves.

 

[Simon_Hawk]

A myriad of emotions washed over Tuka as she stood frozen in time at Lautrec's grand entrance. Fear from being taken by surprise, doubt at her own abilities if needed to fend off the Dunpele, and anger at herself for not asking enough questions during the trip here. Knowing ahead of time about this threat would have been grand indeed, Tuka thought as she took measure of the half-vampire. Lautrec was fast and powerful that much was obvious and he wielded a fine rapier almost a kin to the one Tuka wore on her hip. His weapon was a big clue to her that this particular Dunpele was indeed extremely quick and precise in his fighting style for rapiers are typically not used by brute strength fighters.


Momentarily, Tuka considered drawing her trusted black blade but decided against it as the shock from Lautrec’s entrance subsided, a tactic she knew he had used to purposely scare and put the group at unease. Tuka’s rational side kicked in and reminded her of her training with Venghan the Lightning and a dark-elf named Sabal Dryallis. Both fighters were elves and very old compared to her paltry few decades, the amount of sheer experience gained over such vast amounts of time always placed her teachers at the advantage. How much of an advantage would this Dunpele have if he truly was the first born of Dracula, the thought was staggering and Tuka thought better of going blade-for-blade with him.


Without warning, Tuka stepped past Drevin then bent at the waist with the most courteous bow she could offer the Dunpele.


“It is mine pleasure to make thine acquaintance, Lautrec First Born of Dracula. I am Tuka’lunaryu Silverthistle, adventurer and former member of The Golden Dawn. Through fire-and-flame the dark lord in his own words bid mine companions and I entrance into his castle proper.” Tuka stated as she introduced herself. It wasn’t a complete lie she knew, Dracula’s invitation was more of taunt but still an invitation in her mind.


She was praying that Lautrec still followed the old Laws of Hospitality that many in the supernatural world used when negotiating with various factions. Opening dialogue appeared to be Lautrec’s immediate intention though the situation could turn deadly with one misspoken word she knew. Tuka stood cool and collected waiting for Lautrec to reply as she did not want to convey fear to the preternatural half-blood, giving off the aura of prey to a predator could set off instincts for him to attack, something she hoped to avoid this close to entering the castle.

 

[Jodyguru]

There was a change in Lautrec's eyes, like a sort of cringe at this display. He was not impressed with Tuka's formal introduction, but at the same time felt like being aggressive here wouldn't help his case. He sheathed his blade and looked up at the sky.

"Coming in the day won't make a difference" Lautrec said. "Dracula has many allies inside his castle, one of which is a lycanthrope I've been pursuing for a while. We both have duties to fulfill, so I suggest you stay out of my way." Lautrec's gaze fell onto Tuka, which turned into a glare of discontent. It was a look that said if they met again, he wouldn't let his blade miss her. Drevin had little to say, nor Patrick. Gorsht drew a sword and snarled at the pale horseman.

"You bastard. You have no right to suggest anything of us! I remember the battle of Harinstead, where a score of men were slain and feasted upon by vampire spawn. I saw your pale face on that black horse, and saw you ride off as if we were nothing. I swore that you would taste my steel!" Gorsht charged directly at Lautrec. The horseman leapt into the air and back flipped over the charging warrior. Gorsht stopped just before crashing into Drevin, and the Dunpele landed nimbly in front of his steed. He clicked his blade shut and let out a sigh.

"...you mortals are all the same. Do yourselves a favor and leave this place. My father has killed more experienced and intelligent warriors." Lautrec turned and strode into Dracula's Castle, fading into darkness.

Gorsht started panting and groaned with pain. Patrick looked stunned. "I... didn't see him draw his blade!" On Gorsht's back was a long bloody scratch left by the tip of Lautrec's sword.

"We should stay wary of that man." Drevin said. "I couldn't sense evil within him, nor good. He could be working both sides of this conflict for his own selfish gains."

"Perhaps our noble lady, Miss Tuka'lunaryu will strike a concordance with the dastardly fellow." Patrick mocked with an exaggerated posh accent.

Gorsht growled. "I'll throttle him first chance I get. Let's get going, everyone."

 

[Simon_Hawk]

“Very funny, you’re alive, aren’t you? You can thank me later.” Tuka fired back at the Bard.

“I wasn’t about to cross blades with a dunpele that I know nothing about, and from the sounds of it you all have some explaining to do. I would appreciate it if you would all share what you know. Otherwise I’m not leaving this spot.” Tuka stood stubbornly waiting for some sort of explanation from the troupe, hands on hips looking like an angry mom.

 

[Jodyguru]

Drevin frowned and turned towards Tuka. “I would’ve hoped you raise your blade in my defense or your own. Not knowing anything about your enemy doesn’t mean you be defenseless!” He scolded her because they very well could’ve been struck by Lautrec’s sword. The cleric moved towards his partner and started healing Gorsht with a Cure Light Wounds spell.

While this happened, Patrick approached Tuka. “I’ve heard stories about that pale rider. They say he slays both man and beast, always for a reward. I heard his sword was fast as lightning, but witnessing it was something else. I’ve also heard that Dunpele are somewhat immune to sunlight, but it weakens them if in direct light. If what Drevin says is true, his cleric magic won’t be effective. The best way to beat him may be to overwhelm him. After all, we got him outnumbered.”

Gorsht let out a relaxing sigh and straightened himself. “You’ve got to think like a warrior. Lautrec doesn’t care about fancy words. He only understands life and death, and I’m happy to give him the latter.”

 

[Simon_Hawk]

“Drevin, I’m sorry you didn’t approve but he was obviously showboating and believe me, I wasn’t as defenseless as you might have thought. We all WOULD have made it through unscathed too...” It was too late to take back what just transpired and Tuka was sticking to her decision. At least the dunpele let slip a good amount of information she figured.

“I stand by my actions, now we know he’s after a Lycanthrope. I find it at least a little interesting that the First-Born of Dracula is pursuing one of the dark lord’s own allies and even hinted at the probability of many more within. I say we let him clear the way while we save our strength for the real prize.” Tuka said, then spoke to Patrick.

“Lautrec is going to do nothing but divide our attention and he doesn’t seem to care that we are hunting the lord of darkness. Do you really feel the need to go after him right now? I feel like that can wait until AFTER this mission is over.” She asked

“Look, I wholeheartedly swear to you all I WILL cross blades with him if need be, but I refuse to oblige out of a need to prove something,” Tuka said stubbornly.

 

[Jodyguru]

Drevin nodded with understanding and forgiveness and drew his sword so that he may light it with holy magic. Patrick shrugged at the half-elf. "I'm just telling you what I know. If he's as good as the stories suggest, it might be worth it to try things your way. Hell, he might end up killing his father for us and saving me some lute strings." He whipped out his instrument and started playing a fancy little number. For some reason, the music was starting to embolden Tuka. She was being overwhelmed with a sense of courage that would carry her and the others into the mouth of Dracula's Castle.

Castle Foyer
The foyer was a large space full of smashed furniture and dried up husks of dead soldiers. The wallpaper was peeling and crumbling, and the paintings hanging were all tilted, faded, or ruined. It appeared like many battles took place here, and was left in devastation. There were two sets of stairs that led to a loft where a door was found on each of the three walls. On the first floor was a large double door made of sturdy wood.

Gorsht checked the first floor door and gave a shove with his shoulder. "Its barricaded." he said.

Patrick checked the bodies. "These are Cadian soldiers. A detachment was sent here a week ago. I guess they never made it home.

Drevin inspected the bodies closely. "They weren't just killed, either. Dracula turned them into spawn, and they were killed again by someone else."

Gorsht snarled. "Was it the dunpele?"

Drevin shook his head. "No. They used axes and fire."

"Interesting." Patrick mused.

"Alright, Tuka. You take charge from here. Where should we go first?" Drevin asked.
+Second Floor-East door
+Second Floor-West door
+Second Floor-North door