Chapter 1
The journey back to Cottonmouth was pleasant and relaxing, the river boat meals were quite delicious and a welcome treat after the eventful week the group had.
Upon arriving back at the market street in the late afternoon they find their shop in good condition, and it seems that Abby the Apple Merchant true to her word has been putting out milk and a kipper for Carlos while they were away, she also seems to have kept up the exterior of the shop as the windows looks to have been recently cleaned.
As the group arrives at the front door they notice a parcel propped up against the door frame, it is wrapped in a green cloth, and the group notices the unmistakable silver seal of a wolfs head, the splitting image of the silver wolfs head which adorned Dr Abraham Frog’s walking stick.
Fidget
“I wonder what this might be? A gift, maybe?”
Fidget says with excitement... His face quickly turns serious, once his eyes see the silver seal.
“With all the excitement going on, I almost forgot about Dr. Abraham Frog.”
Fidget then carefully picks up the green package, and slowly unravels it.
Sylo
I watch with anticipation
Jessica
“I love presents, I wonder what it could be.”
Fidget carefully unwraps the parcel inside he finds a wooden stake, a large vial of water encased in silver mesh, and a newspaper clipping from one of the Cottonmouth newspapers, dated two days ago.
Jessica
“Not really my idea of a nice present.”
Sylo
“For a Lycanthrope?”
What does the clipping say?
Fidget
Fidget lifts the wooden stake first, then the silver-wrapped vial, before finally unfolding the newspaper clipping.
“Stake, blessed water.”
He raises an eyebrow.
“Either someone thinks we’re vampire hunters… or they’re expecting us to become one.”
Fidget then. takes out the newspaper clipping, and examines it quickly before handing it to @Sylo.
Sylo
“Lycans... Vampires... They all fall the same.”
Jessica
“I’m not sure that’s entirely accurate but......”
The clipping from the newspaper outlines a general health warning as a spate of consumption related deaths have been reported in the poorer wards of the docks district.
It reminds Cottonmouth citizens to be vigilant for signs including loss of appetite, lethargy, pale complexion, weight loss, night fevers, and possible signs of blood splatter from coughing.
It also advises that the disease is contagious and that medical treatment should be sought immediately.
Dr Abraham Frog has written a little note on the back “Proceed with utmost caution, hoping you are well, Dr Abraham Frog.”
He has also written a library reference number under his note.
Jessica
“That doesn’t sound good at all.”
Sylo
“No. No it sounds bad...”
Propped against your door was a parcel wrapped in green cloth and sealed with the unmistakable silver wolf’s head of Dr. Abraham Frog. Given the doctor’s long absence and his deep connection to the mysteries of the city, the arrival of this “kit” suggests that while you were tending to Widefield’s wells, a much darker infection was taking root in the heart of the city.
The contents of the parcel are a grim departure from standard academic correspondence. By providing a sharpened wooden stake and a vial of water protected by silver mesh, Dr. Frog has shifted your role from investigators to hunters.
These are specialized tools for dealing with the undead—specifically a vampire.
The accompanying newspaper clipping confirms the target: a “Consumption” outbreak in the Docks Ward. The symptoms described—lethargy, pallor, and “blood splatter”—are a thin veil for the clumsy, desperate feeding of a starving fledgling vampire who lacks the finesse or support of a noble Sanguine family.
Your next course of action is two-fold. Dr. Frog’s brief note, urging “utmost caution,” contains a cryptic lead: a library reference number (B-742.9 / S-W). This points toward the Great Repository’s Restricted Archives, suggesting there is something that the Doctor couldn’t risk putting in writing but has left for you in a secure location within the Cottonmouth Library.
You must now decide whether to head to the Docks Ward to intercept the “contagion” at its source or visit the Library to uncover the intelligence Dr. Frog has hidden within the stacks. Either way, the “Pale Consumption” is spreading, and the time for holiday is officially over.
Jessica
*Jessica looked at the wooden stake and the mesh-covered vial.*
“A health warning,”
*Her voice betrayed her disbelief*
“They’re calling it a contagion to keep people from looking too closely at the puncture wounds. It keeps the city calm, but it leaves the victims in the Docks Ward defenseless.”
Sylo
“I feel it pertinent to intercept this... ‘consumption’ before it spreads further.... however, I would be remiss if we passed up an opportunity to see what the good doctor has left for us.... I feel this is a situation where we must trust the academic authority....”
Jessica
“Sounds like a plan, let’s head to the Library then before it gets too late.”
The group head through the bustling Market streets to the central business hub of Cottonmouth where the Cities Government, banking, and business buildings are located. The streets are much wider here with open courtyards, and green spaces scattered between the impressive stone buildings.
As they walk up the flights of stone steps leading into the City Library the group is amazed at the contrast between this ward and the cramped bustling Market street they call home.
The group enter the library and as their eyes adjust to the low light, they take in the slightly musty dry air, smelling of old parchment and dust, which causes @Jessica to sneeze disrupting the almost church like silence which fills the cavernous halls of the City Library.
The group feels underdressed for the occasion in their leathers and functional adventuring gear as a very different class of patron glances in their direction with a slight annoyance at the rather loud and sudden noise caused by Jessica’s sneeze.
At a large desk piled with old books a librarian is sorting documents, books, and scrolls on to a trolley to be returned to their correct location, while around the open space well dressed individuals quietly study the dusty volumes in front of them, the only sounds, are those of the turning of paper pages, or movement of manuscripts like the soft low rustling of autumn leaves.
Jessica
“I guess this is the place....... although I feel a little out of place here...”
*Jessica whispers to her companions.*
Sylo
“We are all welcome in places of knowledge....”
Is there an attendant or perhaps a directory?
Jessica
“I think the librarian sorting those books could probably help us.”
Sylo
I approach
“Excuse me. I was hoping for some assistance....”
The Librarian looks up from their task, their eyes squinting through their oversized glasses.
“Yes of course, how can I help you?”
They ask as they push the glasses further up on the bridge of their nose.
Sylo
“We are seeking something. We were directed here by the notorious Dr Frog. Did he happen to leave anything behind the counter to be collected by his associates, perhaps? Or perhaps you could direct us to his most recent lean?”
The Librarian
“hmmm I’m not sure, do you have a reference number with you?”
Sylo
“B-742.9 / S-W”
The Librarian
“One moment please while I check for you.”
The Librarian quickly scries ‘locate object’, using the information you gave them.
“Ah yes we have this.”
A silver thread appears in their hand, and they pass it to @Sylo .
“Here you are, follow this thread, it will direct you to your item.”
Sylo
“You have my gratitude.”
I gesture the thread to my companions and start following
Fidget
Fidget eyes the silver thread carefully.
“A glowing string leading us into restricted archives.”
He glances around at the well dressed patrons.
“Try not to touch anything. We already look like we’re here to steal it.”
Jessica
“Speak for yourself Fidget, I’ll have you know bards are usually quite respectable....... usually.”
“Although I do feel a little underdressed for this particular occasion...”
Fidget
Fidget looks the group up and down.
“Perfect. If anyone asks… we’re the help.”
A small pause.
“Try not to look too competent.”
The group follows the silver strand until they come to a dusty old section, past an old brass gate. The strand ends at a scroll which looks to have been tucked away recently, as the dust is disturbed slightly where the scroll scrapped against the other documents on the shelf.
Removing the scroll it is bound in a green clasp of cloth and sealed with the Silver Wolf. As the scroll is removed from the shelf, the silver thread the group had been following evaporates.
As the group unravels the scroll, they find that it is a section of a much larger volume, and seems to have been penned multiple times by numerous different authors, including a paragraph by Dr Abraham Frog.
The documents main focus seems to be Vampires, and briefly refreshes on known weaknesses, although it admits that even these are more often than not, unreliable.
The document then becomes more specific outlining a particular bloodline of Vampire known as the Dempont Family.
****************
excerpt from scroll
***************
SILVER WOLF ORGANIZATION: RESTRICTED ARCHIVE
FILE ID: B-742.9 / S-W
CLASSIFICATION: SANGUINE ARISTOCRACY / HIGH THREAT
SUBJECT: THE DEMPONT LINEAGE & COT RIVER MONOPOLY
I. OVERVIEW OF THE SANGUINE CONDITION
Standard operational procedures for neutralizing Sanguine threats typically rely on the Five Pillars of Weakness. While these apply to the “Fledgling” and “Common Leech” classes, agents are cautioned that ancient lineages often evolve past these limitations.
* The Stake: Piercing the heart with hawthorn or oak remains the only 100% effective physical shutdown.
* The Elements: Sunlight (Solar Cauterization) and Running Water (Kinetic Dissolution) are standard deterrents.
* The Alchemical: Pure silver-nitrate and Holy Water provide reliable chemical burns.
II. THE DEMPONT FAMILY: HISTORY & COT INFLUENCE
The Demponts are a pre-Empire martial lineage. Originally ruthless warlords, they successfully transitioned into the COT era as high-ranking aristocrats. Within the Central Human Occupied Territory, they are not mere citizens; they are economic pillars.
* Strategic Monopoly: While the COT Navy (White Phoenix on Red) patrols the 3,000km western coast, the internal river networks—the lifelines of the inland plains—are the Demponts’ sovereign domain.
* The Toll-Sovereigns: By owning the primary river barges and controlling tolls on critical bridges, they essentially tax the unity of the COT.
* Political Immunity: They present themselves as indispensable “patriots” securing supply lines against the Empire of God (North) and the SDE (South). Consequently, legal action against them is often dismissed by the Crown as “economic sabotage.”
III. PECULIAR TRAITS & ANOMALIES (THE “RIVER-BLOOD” VARIANT)
The Demponts have developed unique resistances that defy standard Sanguine logic, specifically adapted to their environment in the COT:
* The Sovereignty Clause: Most vampires require an invitation to enter a residence. The Demponts ignore this. Because their family legally owns the deeds to the land beneath the tenements of the Tinderbox, they consider every home in the region “theirs” by right of soil.
* Running Water Immunity: While others dissolve in the kinetic energy of a river, the Demponts have built an empire upon it. They are immune to fresh running water. Note: Effectiveness of salt water (ocean) or stagnant water remains untested.
IV. SPECIFIC VULNERABILITIES (THE “TRADITIONALIST” WEAKNESSES)
Curiously, the Demponts possess ancient weaknesses tied to a blood-feud with nomadic travelers and Silver Wolf precursors:
* The Silver Toll: They are pathologically vulnerable to Pure Silver Coins. Direct contact with minted silver causes rapid necrotic blistering.
* Botanical Deterrents: They react violently to the scents of Coriander, Mugwort, and Garlic, which act as a sensory wall.
* The Traveler’s Spite: Artifacts, charms, or songs of nomadic/gypsy origin can disrupt their focus and bypass their natural aristocratic charms.
************
end excerpt
************
Jessica
“Dempont......... that name sounds familiar, but I can’t place where I’ve heard or seen it..... but if this scroll is correct they seem to be quite a wealthy family, I wonder what that has to do with the Dock Wards?”
“Although I guess our suspicions have been confirmed, and Dr Abraham Frog has tasked us with Vampire Hunting in the Tinderbox!”
Sylo
“Indeed. And then we hunt, I suppose?” I grin a feral grin.
The group return the pages to where they found them then leaving the City Library, head towards a local jeweler, but this is the uptown district and central hub of business in the City of Cottonmouth, and looking in the windows of the jewelers there they realize the prices are marked up considerably, taking advantage of the wealthy patrons who frequent the area.
Skipping past the overpriced jewelers they next visit one of the many banks in the business hub looking to acquire some freshly minted silver coins.
Jessica
*As the group waits in a rather long line to talk to a teller, Jessica turns to her companions with a puzzled look on her face.*
“This feels really strange..... do you think it’s an odd thing to ask the teller for freshly minted silver coins?”
Fidget
“We don’t ask for ‘freshly minted,’” Fidget murmurs.
“We just exchange coin. Small amounts.”
He glances at the tellers.
“One at a time. Spread it out.... Less chance anyone remembers our faces.”
Sylo
“I suspect the freshness of the mint is less relevant than the quantity.”
Jessica
“That makes sense.... as much as hunting vampires can make sense I guess.”
After some time it’s the group’s turn, and as Fidget suggested, they each take it in turns to exchange a good piece for a silver piece.
After the trip to the bank, the group follows Jessica out of the central business hub and it’s parks and plazas, as Jessica leads the way to a metal worker and jeweler back in the market district, when the group arrives the sun is starting to set and the shadows are starting to stretch across the busy streets of the markets as merchants and store owners start lighting their lanterns.
Jessica
“Oh it’s so nice to be back in a more friendly and less sterile environment, I really don’t know how people can live and work in the city’s center..... sure it’s clean... and there are parks and plazas, but it’s so expensive.... and just strange....... any way this shop is much more reasonable, and we should be able to get some silver rings, or even silver plating on our weapons if you think that’s a good idea?”
Fidget
“Rings are useful,” Fidget says.
“But if this goes the way I think it will—I’d rather be holding the sharp end.”
Jessica
“Well this shop is very reasonable, and with the money we made from our last job, we can easily afford to silver plate our weapons, and buy a couple of silver rings as well.”
“What do you think?”
Sylo
“This sounds more than reasonable” I say, looking at the growing shadows
“Does it feel rather... eerie here, now, to anyone else?”
Jessica
“The streets do seem to be a lot quieter than usual...... I guess a lot of people are worried and avoiding crowds due to the recent deaths.”
Sylo
“Shopping in the evening. Wise in times like these...”
Jessica
“I’m not sure if you’re being sarcastic or not, but either way it looks like we are out of daylight, so let’s get this silver and be on our way.”
Sylo
“I am not sure either, at times. For our sakes, I am not too concerned.... but the civilians....”
Jessica
“All the more reason to get this silver and head towards the Tinderbox....... although once we get there I’m not sure what we should do....”
Fidget
Fidget glances down the street, a little more alert than before.
“Yea, it does feel off.”
He shrugs lightly.
“Let’s just grab the silver and keep moving.”
A small pause.
“I’ll keep an eye out.”
The smiths take the group’s gold, although Jessica was unable to persuade them to give the group a discount, they did enjoy her performance of ‘The Mélusine’s forgiveness’ however, and said they would send work AID WORK’s way if ever something came up.
The team at ‘Bellows and Sons’ work quickly and efficiently with well practiced team work.
As the night draws on the group’s order is completed, with a slivered dagger for Sylo, a silvered rapier for Jessica, and 20 silver tipped bolts for Fidget, the group also receives 3 silver rings engraved with the words ‘AID WORK’.
As the group leaves Bellows and Sons the streets are a lot darker, many of the merchant stalls have packed up for the evening and most of the shops lining the cobbled street have closed, dim light peaks out from curtained and shuttered windows as the last of the days traders and shoppers move about finishing what ever business they had left before retiring for the evening.
As the group heads down the long winding cobblestone road towards the Dock Wards the city lights grow more sparse, the air chilled, and the smell of briny ocean water and fog start to creep in.
Jessica
“Probably not an ideal time of day to be wandering around the Docks, but at least we were able to gather some provisions before hand...... Any thoughts on where we should start?”
Fidget
Fidget adjusts one of the new silver-tipped bolts, glancing down the darkening street toward the docks.
“Maybe, we should start where the sick would go... Like a clinic, or maybe a temple.”
Jessica
“That’s a great idea Fidget...... you seem quite cut out for detective work.”
Fidget
Fidget gives a small shrug.
“Didn’t think I’d hear that either.”
A faint smirk.
“Turns out— being on the other side of the law teaches you where to look.”
The group turns away from the Docks and wharf front, moving down the dark backstreets and alleyways towards the seventh precinct and the Tinderbox. The closer they get to their destination the narrower, and darker the streets become.
Occasionally the group passes the open door or lit window of a house, shop, or bar, but for the most part the clostrophobic back alleyways of the Dock Wards are dark, wet, and silent, except for the occasional unintelligible shout, or curse.
The Tinderbox is quickly approaching as the group make their way until from above a flickering shadow dart across the narrow alleyway from over the rooftops above, then in a flash a siluet stands before the group at an intersection ahead, it is cloaked in darkness all except for its eyes which glisson like golden orbs in the darkness.
Fidget
Fidget stops just short of the intersection, one hand already bringing his crossbow up—not fully aimed, but ready... He shifts a step to the side, keeping near the wall and out of the center of the alley.
“We should Spread out,” he murmurs.
The siluet steps forward, and as it does the group notices a flick of a fury tail, pointed ears twitching, and as it moves into a slither of light and strokes its whiskers with a paw, the group realize that it is Carlos Montoya, their feline friend.
Carlos Montoya
“Good evening friends, what brings you to the shadows of the Dock Wards tonight?”
Jessica
“Carlos!”
*Jessica runs up and gives Carlos a hug.*
“You shouldn’t sneak up on people like that, Fidget could have shot you, and I was about ready to throw holy water on you.”
Carlos Montoya
“Holy Water?! That’s a rather odd go to choice for a weapon........ unless I smell and need a bath.....”
*Sniffs himself.*
“I have been out in the wilds of the city for a while now.”
Fidget
“Yeah… Jessica’s right.”
A faint smirk.
“Another step and I would’ve taken you for our vampire..... I’m assuming since you’ve been gone, you probably haven’t heard about the vampire situation?@Carlos Montoya ”
Carlos Montoya
“Sorry force of habit, I’m not used to meeting friends in the dark backstreets of the ghettos so my etiquette is a little rusty...... Vampire you say, I know there has been a lot of sickness in the Tinderbox recently, to be honest even the rats have been staying clear, I was thinking of moving to new hunting grounds, but if what you say is true it seems a new predator has moved in forcing the vermin out........ what can I do to help?”
Fidget
“Your night eyes and that agility of yours—we could use that.”
Fidget gives a faint smirk.
“You’ve pulled us out of trouble before..... Best we stay close.”
Sylo
“Carlos. I am grateful to see you in one piece. It has been some time... Any luck pursuing Carmen?”
Carlos Montoya
“Yes actually, up until recently the Red Scarves have been moving contraband through the Tinderbox, using the Sewer Systems to bypass checkpoints in and out of the city, but then things got really bad around here with this consumption, folks getting sick, disappearing, then the rats all vanished, all I found was an empty nest....... I tell you the Tinderbox without rats is like an ocean without water, it feels empty.”
“Anyways, what kinda trouble have you three gotten yourselves into this time, that’s got you skulking around the back alleys of the Tinderbox late at night?... nasty business....”
Sylo
“That is... bizzare. But, given the nature of Carmen’s interests, I am unsuprised... ahh, we are pursuing vampires.”
Carlos Montoya
*Carlos almost falls over his tail.*
“Purrrsuing what Meow!...... Don’t just say Vampires like it’s nothing.......... so this consumption epidemic..... it’s not just people getting sick then?”
Sylo
“It may be. But it may be something far more sinister.... Or perhaps both.”
Fidget
“Yes, Dr. Frog left us a parcel giving us clues, to help us find the vampire. He was so nervous about the information, that he didn’t even write it down. We had to perform a sort of scavenger hunt, just to get this far. ”
Sylo
“Are you up for a spot of vamoire hunting?”
Carlos Montoya
“The four of us back together again, hunting things that go bump in the night, count me in....... so where are you heading to?”
Jessica
“We were actually on our way to a clinic, Fidget thought we should look where people might go during an epidemic, some place we might find more clues of the whereabouts of this vampire.”
Carlos Montoya
“There is a clinic very close to here, The Order of Mercy Clinic. From what I’ve seen traveling across the rooftops, they’ve been pretty busy lately.”
Fidget
Fidget glances toward the street ahead, voice low.
“We should be careful.... A busy clinic at a time like this, could be dangerous."
"@Carlos Montoya When we get close, take the rooftops, and have a look around, then come back and tell us what you see, if you don't mind?"
Carlos Montoya
*Carlos looks at Fidget with a smile*
"Anytime in the Tinderbox is dangerous."
*He smooths his fur back, and cleans his whiskers*
"I will keep watch outside from above, funnily enough, a walking talking cat is still something a lot of people find hard to accept, despite the many other races which live among us."
Sylo
"Just respect social distancing, and we should be fine."
Fidget
Fidget gives a faint smirk at Sylo’s comment.
“We should keep our distance. Watch who goes in, and who doesn’t come out.”
Carlos Montoya
*Carlos Montoya gives Fidget the thumbs up before scurrying up the side of the building and across the rooftops, he disappears momentarily, leaving the group wondering where he went, but quickly returns peeking over the awnings of the rickety wooden building.*
"The clinic is just up ahead... I'll meet you there."
Jessica
"I guess we are going that way then."
Fidget
"Yes, I reckon we keep quiet and move slowly... Maybe try to stay in the shadows—until Carlos returns."
The group make their way through the silent, and dark alleyways of the Tinderbox, eventually arriving at an intersection, there on the corner in the vacant street they see the clinic of the Order of Mercy, the door is open and a single candle burns on a small makeshift table in the entryway.
The group sees Carlos perched on a stack of crates near the dilapidated building in the shadows. Looking around they see that most if not all the other buildings in the area are dark, stacked on top of one another, a mix of repurposed crates, old wood, and shipping containers. There are old posters nailed to the walls, as well as health warnings and posters for the clinic.
The group may have expected lines of people waiting to get into the clinic, but there isn't a soul in sight, and the streets are deathly silent, except for the occasional cough in the distance, it seems that compared to other areas within the Tinderbox, this area seems to be the most affected, which is perhaps why the clinic was put together here.
Jessica
"Well looks like we are here, should we go inside and check for possible clues to where this vampire might be hiding?"
Sylo
I reach into my pocket and pull out a clove or raw garlic to chew
Fidget
"It seems too quiet."
Fidget eyes the doorway.
“Let me check it first.”
The group moves towards the clinic, looking inside Fidget sees a long room, there are beds lining the walls which have dirty white sheets hung from the ceiling around them, by the lamp light the silhouette of the bed can be seen, some of the beds seem to be occupied but there is no movement, and only the silhouette of the occupants can be seen.
Further down the room sheets are draped across the walkway obscuring the opposite end, on closer inspection many of the dirty white sheets have speckled blood stains. In the low light of the flickering lanterns the room is dark and depressing, At the far end a cough breaks the otherwise deathly silence within the clinic.
Jessica
"Dear heavens! I was expecting this place to be a little grim, but this is positively ghastly!"
Carlos Montoya
"People come in..... bodies come out."
Fidget
"That’s not a clinic… That’s a feeding ground.”
The group hears a low wet cough beyond the hanging sheets down the back of the room in the darkness.
Fidget
Fidget raises a hand, stopping the group.
"Back of the room... That cough... Stay close, and don’t touch anything.”
Fidget moves along the wall toward the sound.
As the group reaches the sheets covering the walkway they hear the cough once more, followed by a wet gurgling sound.
Sylo
Do we see any physicians?
only the bodies in the bed, which have the sheets pulled over their heads and aren't moving.
the wet caught and gurgle is coming from the back of the clinic behind sheets blocking your view.
Sylo
I act quickly and dash towards the sound.
The group rushes forward throwing aside the sheets in their path, reaching the far end, and the location of the noise Sylo flings open the blood speckled sheet concealing the back area.
What greets them is a blood drenched cot, the wet gurgling sound emanating from the open neck wound of the bed ridden patient, while standing over them a tall, thin, pale gentleman.
Their face and hair are covered in blood, blood stains the collar and cuffs of their disheveled white shirt, and blood splaters their trousers and shoes.
The man before you hisses and screeches at Syloas his form appears to flicker momentarily from solid to that of dark shadow.
As the creature before the group screeches, movement to the left, right, and behind the group alerts them to the fact that they are not alone. Looking around the group sees that the still bodies which were covered by sheets have sat up in their cots.
Fidget
Fidget’s eyes snap to the movement around them. He shifts quickly, putting space between himself and the nearest cot, while he readies his crossbow at the same time.
"We’re surrounded—don’t get pulled into the beds!.. Hit the pale one!"
Carlos Montoya
*Carlos wastes no time, bounding across the room to the left, and with a flurry of silver and fur, attacks the Thrall as it begins to stand up from its cot, dealing massive damage with his silvered rapier and dagger.*
Fidget swiftly moves diagonally north, putting him in between Jessica and the Vampire who is engaged with Carlos... He attacks the Vampire with his crossbow and also hits him with a sneak attack
@Fidgets silver bolt strikes the Thrall in the chest, the creature immediately turns to ash as the bolt drops to the floor.
The Fledgling Vampires form flickers like shadow as it dashes towards @Sylo, lashing out with its claws.
The claws dig into @Sylos shoulders as the Fledgling latches on and bites into his neck causing massive injury and spraying blood across the filthy sheets hanging in the walkway.
Sylo
I let out a cry of pain
My eyes glow blue as I cast Darkness centred on myself. My Devils Sight allowing me to see through unobstructed.
As a bonus action, I conjure an soggy tentacle
Darkness fills the space around Sylo as he summons an eldritch tentacle from the deep, slapping the Fledgling Vampire in the back.
The Thralls lurch forward towards Jessica, one lashes out with its claws trying to grab her, but misses and is unable to follow through with its bite.
Jessica
"Not good! Get away you filthy creature!"
*Jessica disengages, moving away from the Thralls, and with a quick strum of her lute and an encouraging word, sends healing magic to Sylo.*
"Stay with us Stylo!"
Fidget moves forward slightly so he has a clear shot at the Vampire next to Sylo. With his crossbow and silver tipped bolt he fires. He also hits the vampire with a sneak attack... After the attack Fidget disengages and attempts to hide under the bed.
Fidget tries to locate the Fledgling Vampire but Sylo's magical darkness makes it near impossible to see anything.
Taking a chance Fidget fires a crossbow bolt into the darkness, but misses, the silvered bolt passing through and sticking into the far wall.
Carlos Montoya
*Carlos Montoya bounces off the cot flying towards the Thrall to the right. With lightning fast speed silver gleams and swishes through the darkness striking the Thrall causing massive toxic damage to the undead servant.
The swift feline then backflips away putting himself between the Thralls and the others.*
The Fledgling Vampire flickers, and seems to be drawing on something it has yet learned to control completely, trapped in the dark and unable to see, the Vampire becomes a ball of shadow flying backwards and crashing through the thin wooden planks of the clinic wall and into the dark streets of the Tinderbox alleyways.
With the Fledgling Vampire nowhere to be seen, Sylo moves in striking at the closest Thrall with silvered blade and soggy tentacle causing massive damage to the undead servant.
The Thralls strike back lashing out with their claws, one tries to grab Carlos, but the agile feline easily dodges the clumsy attack.
The second Thrall attacks Sylo, but is unable to grab the slippery warlock to deliver a bite.
Jessica
Jessica strums her lute sending glowing notes of radiant energy towards the Thrall attacking Sylo.
"Hands off dead head!"
but the notes fly wide missing the Thrall as it flails its arms around at Sylo.
Fidget takes aim at the vampire that's next to @Carlos Montoya . He shoots another silver tipped bolt, and also hits it with a sneak attack. Once again he disengages and attempts to hide under the bed next to the one @Jessica is on.
The bolt flies wide sticking into the wall.
Carlos Montoya
*Carlos strikes out with his rapier and dagger, silver flashing in the dark as he takes down the Thrall which crumbles to ash in a pile on the floor.*
Sylo strikes out with silver and tentacle causing massive damage to the undead Thrall.
Jessica strums her lute sending golden notes of radiant energy slamming into the creature as it turns to ash on the floor of the clinic.
The room is suddenly silent as the combat ends, then the group hears a squeak and clatter, as wood from the wall the fledgling vampire smashed through clatters to the ground, the creature is still out there, now running through the alleyways of the Tinderbox.
Fidget very quickly crawls out from under the bed and tries to retrieve any possible salvageable bolts... He does this as quickly as possible.
"We better move quickly before we lose the vampire."
Looking about where the fledgling vampire exited, the group discover blood splatter, and footfalls in the wet muddy alleyway of the Tinderbox, leading towards one of the many canals through the city, connecting the port with the inland rivers.
Carlos Montoya
"Seems like there is a clear trail for us to follow, though it's moving pretty fast, so we should hurry if we want to catch up to it!"
Jessica
"Well we can't let it get away, who knows how many more people it will attack!"
Fidget
"It’s running scared. Let’s not give it time to stop.”
The group chase after the Fledgling Vampire the trail weaving in and out of dark alleyways through the Tinderbox heading towards the canal, when the group thinks that perhaps the Fledgling Vampire had made its escape they enter a long narrow alleyway, at one end stands the Fledgling Vampire, behind it the canal.
As the group moves in to confront the Fledgling Vampire, from above and to the sides Vampire Thralls appear from the shadows, so silently the group never heard them coming.
Carlos Montoya
"Not good, looks like we're surrounded!"
Fidget’s eyes flick to the nearby stand. He backs up and slips behind it... He sets his sights on the vampire left to @Carlos Montoya, with his crossbow. He shoots one of the silver bolts at it and then quickly ducks behind the stand.
Fidgets bolt strikes the Thrall on the rope bridge above, as he slips into the shadows unseen, in the dark Tinderbox Alleyway.
With a wet thwack, Stylo summons forth a tentacle through an Eldritch Portal, it lashes out at one of the Thralls which have appeared on the walkway above, as he sends a glowing ball of Eldritch Energy crashing into it.
Carlos Montoya
Carlos bounds over crates and ledges reaching the rope bridge above and moving in to attack the Thralls above.
With a swish and thrust of his silvered rapier and dagger, and a meow of defiance, Carlos strikes the Thrall causing massive damage to the undead servant.
Jessica
Jessica turns seeing two more Thralls up on the bridge behind them, she strums her lute and players a colourful and jaunty tune which sends the two Thralls into hysterical laughter as they fall prone on the bridge above.
The Thrall strikes back at Carlos with its claws gripping the feline tightly before biting him, causing Carlos to meow in pain.
The Thrall attacked by Stylos tentacle jumps down and moves in to attack the warlock.
but misses
from two side alleyways up ahead, two more Thralls appear and move towards the group.
The Fledgling Vampire stands and watches waiting for the opportune time to strike.
Sylo
I cast Hex on the same target as before (strength) and I strike with an Eldritch Blaaast
The Thrall receives the full force of Sylos attack head on as it is scattered through the alleyway in a cloud of ash.
Fidget who is on his knees hidden, moves very slightly right. He quickly lifts up his head, just enough so he can take aim at thrall C. He fires a silver tipped bolt and also hits it with a sneak attack.. After the attack he very quickly ducks and attempts to hide somewhere in the shadows.
Fidgets bolt strikes the Thrall hard, causing massive trauma to the undead.
In a blur of fur and silver, Carlos Montoya strikes out with his Silver Rapier and Dagger, overwhelming the Thrall as its ashes are scattered throughout the dark alleyway.
Jessica strums her lute sending glowing notes flying towards the Thrall in front of her, the radiant energy burning the flesh of the already seriously injured Thrall as it collapses in a pile of ash.
The Thrall in the alleyway dashes towards Sylo trying to grip the warlock by the shoulders, but is unable to latch on.
One of the Thralls is able to overcome Jessicas magic and stops laughing, the other Thrall however continues its laughter, which sounds more like grunting and gurgling.
The Fledgling Vampire makes its move, as it flies through the alleyway at lightning speed towards the group.
Sylo
I shall move my tentacle to the fledgling and strike it, and follow up with a Truestrike against the thrall
The Fledgling Vampire dodges the clumsy tentacles attack, but the Thrall is hit hard by Sylos silvered dagger.
Fidget lifts his head up, and takes aim at Thrall A. He shoots another silver tipped bolt and also hits it with a sneak attack. After his attack he jumps back into the shadows and attempts to hide.
@Fidgets bolt hits its target the Thrall turning to ash in front of Sylo, and scattering across the wet uneven cobblestone of the Tinderbox alleyway.
@Carlos Montoya jumps from the bridge to the rooftops, but as he tries to scale the wall to the next bridge he misses a foothold and slides down to street level, luckily cats always land on their feet.
Jessica
"Are you ok Carlos! Be careful!"
Jessica's healing words of concern bring relief to Carlos's injuries.
Jessica then strums her lute, glowing notes fly at the Fledgling Vampire, but the undead is so fast it easily steps out of the way as if the notes were moving in slow motion.
The first Thrall on the bridge now that it has stopped laughing, jumps down to attack Carlos, but the feline is too fast for the undead servant.
The second Thrall on the bridge stops its gutteral laughter and prepares to jump from the bridge.
The Fledgling Vampire disappears, then reappears in front of @Sylo , gripping him tightly with its claws, before attempting to bite the warlock.
The Fledgling Vampire sinks its teeth into Sylos as it grapples him to the ground.
Jessica
*seeing Sylo grappled and unconscious Jessica calls out*
"Sylo stay with us!"
her healing words bringing the warlock back from the dark oblivion, yet the Fledgling Vampire still has him gripped tight.
Jessica then attacks the Thrall which had jumped down dealing a powerful hit with her Rapier and Dagger combo, at the same time Carlos attacks the same Thrall with his Rapier and Dagger overwhelming the Thrall as it is reduced to ash.
I bring over my tentacle to strike the fledgling as I too strike it with my dagger!
The Fledgling Vampire screeches, its mouth full of blood inches away from Sylo's face, as it tightens its grip on Sylo, the silvered weapon burning its flesh.
Fidget stays calm, while hidden in the shadows of the alleyway. He lifts up his crossbow carefully and quietly — he inhales, and shoots the silver tipped bolt at the Fledging Vampire. He also hits it with a sneak attack. After the attack, Fidget stealthly scurries back into the Shadows, in hopes of staying hidden.
@Fidgets aim is deadly accurate as the silvered bolt strikes the Fledgling Vampire hard in the side, yet the undead refuses to let go of Sylo.
The Fledgling Vampire bites down on Sylo once more as blood sprays the cobblestone alleyway and fills the cracks between the stones.
Once more Sylo is rendered unconscious, and once more Jessica calls out to him with healing magic in her voice to bring the warlock back from the brink.
Jessica
"Sylo! Get out of there!!"
Jessica then turns her attention to the Thrall as it jumps down from the bridge above, and with the help of Carlos Montoya and the silvered weapons deal the undead servant a series of devastating hits sending its ashes scattering across the alleyway.
Fidget stays calm and quiet. He takes aim once again from the shadows, giving him the advantage. He shoots the silver tip bolt and also hits the Fledging Vampire with a sneak attack. After his attack he once again dives back into the shadows of the alley.
Once more Fidgets aim is true striking the Fledgling Vampire, the silvered bolt burning its body.
@Sylo strikes the Fledgling Vampire hard as it grips hold of him, it screeches in his face as it leans in to bite him once more.
As the Fledgling Vampire goes to attack once more, the air in the alleyway grows deathly cold, and the shadows long and dark.
Suddenly black bellowing shadows drop from the high rooftops above plunging the alleyway into total darkness, even Carlos's cat night vision is unable to pierce the darkness.
Once the darkness clears the group are left alone in the alleyway, the Fledgling Vampire gone. Looking towards the canal the group sees three very tall aristocrats standing at the far end of the alleyway, their long dark cloaks hanging down to the ground over trailered suits, their wide brimmed hats casting dark shadows over their pale thin faces.
At their feet the Fledgling Vampire huddles obviously terrified, as the middle gentleman grasps the Fledglings hair in his fist, "Thank you kindly for locating our brother, it seems he has caused quite a mess, but rest assured he will be delt with and thoroughly educated on the proper way to behave.", the Fledgling Vampire cringes and whimpers. as he is held tightly at the feet of the other three.
//Jessica
"This doesn't look good."
//Carlos Montoya
"For us or that vampire we've been chasing?"
//Game Master
The group slumps in the wet, muddy, cobblestone alleyway, Sylo is barely conscious after his fight with the Fledgling Vampire, and Jessica and Carlos are also exhausted from the fight, they sit as they watch the tall well dressed gentleman drag the Fledgling Vampire across the streets and toss him on to a brightly painted and expensive looking paddle barge on the canal.
As the barge lurches and begins its journey up the river a lone figure standing at the stern tips his hat to the group, "Thank you again.....AID WORK, I hope we won't be seeing you again too soon, give our regards to Dr Abraham Frog, and be sure to check the newspaper tomorrow.", and with that the barge was gone, leaving the group tired and alone in the dark, muddy alleyway of the Tinderbox.
//Sylo
"Does anyone else require a drink....?"
//Jessica
"Just one.... You look like you could use a doctor not a barman!"
//Carlos Montoya
"I definitely need a saucer of milk."
//Game Master
The group collect themselves and head back to the All In a Days WORK headquarters, before leaving Jessica uses her magical gifts to heal their wounds although a good meal, a drink, and some rest is what the group desperately needs.
Carlos and Sylo needed help most of the way, both having received some serious injuries, but thanks to Jessica's healing they were past the worst of it.
On returning, the group enjoyed some cold cut meats, cheeses, dried fruits, and bread they had received, as well as some ale.
Carlos Montoya ate a kipper, and drank a saucer of milk, before kicking off his boots and curling up on a rug for a well deserved cat nap.
The group had successfully tracked down and put an end to the Fledgling Vampire induced Consumption Epidemic, although the ending left a chill, and more unanswered questions, that perhaps Dr Abraham Frog would help answer, although unlikely.
It seems they are now known associates of the Silver Wolf, and the lingering concern about the other Vampires parting words, left the group uneasy. What exactly would they see in the morning paper.
//Game Master
The next morning the group are awoken by a knock on the door, as Jessica starts to open the door it bursts open and Abby the Apple Merchant rushes in waving the morning paper in the air, she seems out of breath as if she had run all the way from the orchards to deliver it.
Between deep breaths, "Oh my gosh! Have you seen the news this morning...... you are on the front page!!".
//Jessica
"What? No? We just woke up....we almost died yesterday!"
//Game Master
Abby slams the paper on the table, "Look, you're the talk of the city!".
Sure enough looking at the front page they can see that the headline story is about them and the Tinderbox.
//Game Master
**THE COTTONMOUTH CHRONICLE**
**Morning Edition | Price: Copper Pieces**
**HEROES OF THE TINDERBOX: ‘ALL IN A DAYS WORK’ UNCOVERS OUTBREAK SOURCE**
*Dempont Family Steps In to Fund State-of-the-Art Sanitation Clinics Across the th Precinct*
**By Barnaby Ink, Senior Investigative Correspondent**
**COTTONMOUTH —** In a stunning turn of events late last night, the shadowy specter of the "Pale Consumption" plaguing our beloved th Precinct was definitively broken. City officials have confirmed that a local adventuring syndicate known as **All In a Days WORK** successfully located the precise epicenter of the epidemic, bringing a swift and calculated end to the tragic outbreak that has gripped the Tinderbox for weeks.
While details of the investigation remain closely guarded due to ongoing public health protocols, sources close to the watch confirm that the brave members of the agency tracked the source of the contagion to a derelict structure on the edge of the canal district.
Working in perfect synchronization with the city’s leading infrastructure authorities, the group isolated the vector of the illness before it could spill into neighboring wards.
"We owe them a debt that cannot be measured in mere coin," stated a representative for the City Watch early this morning.
"Their functional expertise and tireless tracking have saved countless lives from the grip of the fever."
**A Noble Intervention**
In the wake of the breakthrough, **House Dempont**, the city’s premier mercantile dynasty, immediately stepped forward to ensure the future prosperity and health of Cottonmouth’s most vulnerable citizens.
Moving with the profound efficiency for which the family is known, Lord Jacques Dempont has personally authorized an unprecedented endowment to fully fund, construct, and regulate a network of clean, state-of-the-art medical test clinics throughout the Tinderbox and the greater Docks Ward.
*"The prosperity of Cottonmouth relies entirely on the health of i
//Game Master
ts veins—its workers, its sailors, and its tradesmen,"* a spokesperson for House Dempont announced from the family’s riverfront estate.
*"We were deeply concerned to learn that an isolated, unregulated pocket of the Consumption had taken root in the th Precinct.
Thanks to the outstanding vigilance of All In a Days WORK, our family was able to step in, mitigate the crisis, and put a permanent, regulated plan into effect to ensure future outbreaks are entirely contained."*
The new initiatives will see the complete removal of makeshift, uncertified medical tents, replacing them with institutional security directly overseen by House Dempont’s private physicians.
**The City Offers Its Thanks**
As the morning fog clears over the canals, the mood in the Market District is one of profound relief.
The Gazette, on behalf of the city administration and the grateful citizens of the th Precinct, extends its deepest, heartfelt gratitude to **All In a Days WORK** for an outstanding performance under pressure.
Where others saw only despair in the dark alleys of the Tinderbox, these brave souls saw a job that needed doing—and, as their name implies, treated an extraordinary miracle as just another day's work.
*The public is reminded to report any lingering symptoms of pallor or lethargy directly to the new, black-pennanted Dempont Health Stations opening along the boardwalks tomorrow morning.*
//Game Master
As Abby drops the parchment onto the table, the fresh ink smells heavily of cheap charcoal and iron.
The front-page illustration shows a stylized, incredibly flattering sketch of the group minus Carlos Montoya, standing heroically in front of a clean, brightly lit building—a stark, almost mocking contrast to the mud, blood, and broken cots you actually left behind in that alleyway.
The Demponts haven't just beaten you; they've hired you without your consent, using your real names to legitimize their brand-new, city-sanctioned hunting grounds.
//Fidget
They sure did have a lot of nice things to say about us. But I wonder what is going on with these so-called "State of the art clinics"?
//Carlos Montoya
"Nice?! They practically rubbed our noses in it!"
//Jessica
"I feel like we may have been outplayed this time."
//Game Master
Abby the Apple Merchant looks confused, " I don't understand..... isn't what the newspaper says true? Aren't you happy you solved the case, and received accolades from a well-to-do family like the Demponts?".
//Jessica
"Actually Abby......"
*Jessica thinks carefully about what she says next, revealing the Demponts true form could put Abby in danger, and cause more trouble for the group.*
"It feels like, we didn't tie off all the loose ends, and like the paper said it's one outbreak........ We didn't destroy the disease, just...... were lucky in preventing this one getting any worse....... I for one hope that Dr Abraham Frog has been paying close attention, and gives us some insight or information..... I also hope we didn't let him down."
//Game Master
Abby gives Jessica a big hug, "I'm sure what ever you did, he is more than pleased, you all work so hard", she gives the others a big hug as well then pulls out a massive apple pie, "And this is to celebrate with, oh and some Apple schnapps as well".
The group sit around enjoying good food, drink, and company, as the morning hustle and bustle of the market street drones on outside their little shop.
//Carlos Montoya
"I want to point out that the paper said 'a debt that can't be measured in mere coin' ........ Does that mean we aren't getting paid? I'm pretty sure just about anything and everything can be measured in coin!"
//Jessica
"What do you want with coin anyway Carlos."
//Carlos Montoya
"Nothing really...... I'm a cat, but you know, we did almost die..... a couple of times.... especially Sylo, I think it's more of a, nice to be rewarded for hard work, not so much a necessity."
//Jessica
"Well let's worry about that another time, but for now, we relax and celebrate what successes we've had and the good company we are in."
