laneys.info Beware of Yankees, drunks, and loose women.

Through dark halls extravagantly decorated with expensive furniture, trappings and paintings, they quietly explored the seemingly empty building. Students had been massacred as they tried to escape or put up a fight, launching dark bolts and fire all to no avail. Small burns were suffered but, they had been victorious as well as merciless in their search for the vampiric lich who called this school her own. Tess shuddered at the thought of a vampire suffering the ritual to become even more powerful.

“That’s a gross manipulation of power,” Selyria commented once they discovered the truth. It also meant that their prey could have escaped to anywhere within a hundred miles of this town. At least they would cross out this location as a possibility.
Soon, Lita’s skills found a secret door which allowed them to focus their attentions again. Allaster’s sword began quietly vibrating, warning them to an ethereal danger beyond the door as both knights prepared; the rest behind them. Pushing the door open, Lita stepped back as Alandria aimed into the dark stairway which led downward. Quietly, they led the large squad downward as Selyria produced the magical torch and handed it to Lita. The one downside of traveling with those who couldn’t see in the dark.
As they moved, Allaster’s sword thrummed and leaped into his hand, then yanked the soldier off of the stone stairs as two wraiths emerged through the wall. Firing shockbolts and leaping down to his assistance, the group attacked as Tess dropped down into the small room and flanked the misty danger along with Sceva. She struck as Allaster’s blade thrust, parried and swung, hitting the wraith who soon dropped, it’s ethereal body going through the primary defiler of their master’s home.

“They came through there,” Lericanin pointed to the wall behind Tess as she moved out of the thief’s way, allowing her to search for the entrance. If there indeed was one. After moments of intense study, Lita found what they were looking for as Sceva also found something of interest.

“Look, small holes in the mortar. I bet this was how she moved through here.”

Adgertesse’ stepped up and recognized the same style holes that perforated the floor in the chapel in Stolberg which allowed it’s vampire residents to pass to and from their crypt. Soon the door was opened and they continued on down a long, dark hallway which led up a short stair to another door which had to be scrutinized before being opened.

“This one’s got a magical trap on it,” Selyria informed. “Everyone back up.”

They followed suit as Sceva approached, spear at the ready. He had been setting off magical traps with the weapon which was endowed with a spell breaking ability. Hopefully this one didn’t harm the bearer as well. Tess watched as Selyria motioned which soon encapsulated the knight of Elminoir within a magical bubble. He struck the door which instantly caused a green gas to engulf him, then settle to the stone floor. Tess didn’t recognize the smell immediately until Selyria stepped forward.

“Sceva, don’t move.” Motioning, fire leapt from her fingertips and consumed the gas which burned it off and soon dissipated. “I think we got it, everyone enter the next room. Hurry.”

As they all stepped into the crypt, they noticed three sarcophagi standing near each wall, sparsely decorated with grey stone flutings and borders. Musty, the air stank of decay and staleness as Lita moved towards the far door.

“You think she’s in one of these,” Allaster inquired as Lericanin raised his hammer and noted no blue glow.

“I doubt it. But, there’s only one way to find out.”

After they muscled the first lid from the stone coffin, they noticed the skeletal remains of a woman. Doubt reigned as they passed the other two, leaving them unmolested. Adgertesse’ moved to Lita as she pushed as the metal report of a chain on the outside announced itself. Someone meant to keep them from following.

“I’ll take care of this,” Tess stated as she concentrated. Her body soon morphed into a watery form which lowered into a puddle on the floor and seeped underneath the door to re-emerge outside where she reformed. Quickly, she scanned the surroundings and found no one waiting to ambush them. Satisfied, she proceeded to study the simple lock. Taking out her tools, she tapped and twisted until unlocking the heavy barrier, then pulled the chain from the handle and opened the door.

“I love that girl,” Lita smiled as they stepped out into the evening’s light prompting Tess to smile as she returned her picks to the narrow, leather sack and shoved them back into her jacket’s pocket.

Once the cursory search through the large necropolis was accomplished, they decided to head back through the town who’s nearest buildings smoldered. Tall columns of black smoke rose into the evening sky, casting an already oppressive pall on the evil city.

“We still have to find their organs and make sure they don’t reconstitute themselves,” Sceva mentioned. “Fighting them once was enough.”

“Just have to figure out where they might hide them,” Lericanin added as they walked through narrow streets littered with the dead as well as refuse of combat.

“You mentioned something about a central building near the theatre,” Selyria reminded. “Perhaps we could check there. If they thought they were safe out here, miles from anywhere, perhaps they would also be dumb enough to keep their sacred items here also.”

“That’s an idea,” Lericanin agreed.