The Wood Between the Worlds
Would you like to react to this message? Create an account in a few clicks or log in to continue.
Who is online?
In total there are 8 users online :: 0 Registered, 0 Hidden and 8 Guests

None

[ View the whole list ]


Most users ever online was 77 on Wed Apr 07, 2021 12:40 am
Latest topics
» The "Bored at work" thread
From the Journal of Robert Dallion EmptyWed Jul 19, 2023 9:31 pm by Magyc

» Fangwood Map
From the Journal of Robert Dallion EmptySat Jul 15, 2023 8:04 pm by Magyc

» Introduction to Kestrillon
From the Journal of Robert Dallion EmptyMon Jul 03, 2023 5:56 am by Eddick the Steady (XIV)

» Picturesque
From the Journal of Robert Dallion EmptyMon Mar 13, 2023 1:11 pm by Magyc

» Pathfinder
From the Journal of Robert Dallion EmptySun Nov 27, 2022 10:31 pm by TRU

» High Jumping
From the Journal of Robert Dallion EmptyTue Oct 18, 2022 10:31 am by Magyc

» The Adolescence of Silas Trester
From the Journal of Robert Dallion EmptyThu Jul 07, 2022 7:22 pm by The Sub-Creator

» Prophecy from the Vistani
From the Journal of Robert Dallion EmptySun Jun 19, 2022 12:47 am by TRU

» Lettters of Correspondence
From the Journal of Robert Dallion EmptyThu Apr 07, 2022 4:59 am by Colin Marcus


From the Journal of Robert Dallion

Go down

From the Journal of Robert Dallion Empty From the Journal of Robert Dallion

Post  Colin Marcus Fri Mar 12, 2010 5:38 pm

From the Journal of
Robert Dallion



Boston-Jan 1890

Xx/xxx/1890
Ah the new world, I have been here about a week working the dock section. I believe I may be the first magician they have seen over here. Perhaps not, but entertainment seems in short supply over here. Ahh well I digress.

Tonight there was a woman in the crowd. While that is not to say that there are not always women in the crowd, this one is different. Her name was Rebecca Donnely. She seems to have a sharp if somewhat closed mind, not to mention being very attractive. It is a very rare woman these days that can combine the two. It has been decades since anyone has asked so many questions about my art. She has a spirit in her that intrigues me. I believe I will keep a close eye on her.

Xx/xx/1890
I am glad I did. Ms. Donnely was attacked this night. Apparently I wasn’t the only one to notice her in a crowd. For such a sharp mind she certainly carries herself like a naive tourist. I’m sad to say I was a little sloppy but before even I knew what was happening, the damsel was rescued and the villain was unconscious. Luckily with all that was happening she didn’t see anything she shouldn’t have. I would have hated to kill her. She thanked me and went along her way. I sensed that she was upset not at being attacked but at needing help. Her pride and more importantly her independence had been bruised. I followed her back to her little inn. However, the night passed without further incident.

Xx/xx/1890
She’s back again. Every night she shows up and lately she’s been bringing a friend. He is obviously attracted to her, but I am not sensing much from her. And at the end of the show as with all the rest begins The Questions She is very persistent and what was once amusing is slowly becoming Annoying. Tonight I had a little fun at her expense. I made certain that she was chosen for the hypnosis section of my act. One look in my eyes and I had her acting like a dog. I will admit to being nervous trying this. She has a sharp mind and was protesting loudly that she couldn’t be hypnotized. If she was a resister then I probably wouldn’t see her again. She wasn’t. I can’ t think of the last time I enjoyed myself so much.

Xx/xx/1890
Hmm there appears to be a problem in Boston. Someone is killing women on the street, so far Prostitutes but I think I will keep an eye on Rebecca just in case.


Xx/xx/1890
Jebediah McEntire. A private in the army, he is himself a long way from home. He seems to be a good man if rather simple. I trust him to watch Rebecca during the day. She can control him rather easily.

Detective Richard. I have no real opinion of this man, he is quiet and simple. He does not seem to be a threat without the other forty members of the brute squad

Xx/xx/1890
Well I’ve made a decision about Rebecca. There will be no future. The woman is fascinated with the Occult and curious to discover its secrets but there is a fire in her that can’t be controlled. Her spirit reminds me of Rachael. If I brought her across it would only end in pain and death. She has suitors coming out of the woodwork. They may have her. May she live a long, but mortal life.



I remember very little about this opening adventure. I remember the role-playing more than the quest which isn’t necessarily a bad thing. I remember a poltergeist. I remember prostitutes dying in my arms as I flew her to the hospital, after killing bums with glowing red eyes. I remember it was a possessing spirit but don’t remember why. I remember everyone following me to the train station that night, with Jeb very drunk
Peter got arrested before I ever met him, and John joined in with the Irish brute squad.
Colin Marcus
Colin Marcus
Admin

Posts : 1850
Join date : 2009-09-19
Age : 46
Location : Impresk

Back to top Go down

From the Journal of Robert Dallion Empty Re: From the Journal of Robert Dallion

Post  Colin Marcus Fri Mar 12, 2010 11:34 pm

Chicago - ?April? 1890

Xx/xx/1890
This trip was horrible. I much prefer to have my own box. Due to the fact that the mortals are fascinated with the sunlight, I spent the better portion of the trip in the baggage section. Luckily there was a train that arrived after dark. My “group” as it is becoming insists on following me. When we reach the hotel (which while not Paris, I had no idea America had such buildings) I convinced the Concierge that the odd entourage was part of my show gaining them free rooms. I hope this doesn’t become a habit.



Xx/xx/1890
Apparently being part of a “group” means meeting every day for dinner. Ahh well if it means that they leave me alone for the day I can meet them at sunset. Although 7:30 is cutting it close. Once summer sets I may have to adjust the situation. As for dinner I’m able to palm enough food to make it look like I’m participating in the meal.

Xx/xx/1890
Chicago is really a rather pleasant place. On one my strolls through town, I found a local pub that serves vampires. I wasn’t sure if any of us were in this country or not. Apparently there are many.


Xx/xx/1890
There seems to be a problem in Chicago also. There have been deaths surrounding one of their universities. Deaths a Mortal couldn’t have accomplished. In ways a vampire Wouldn’t have. I’ll have to ask around at the pub and see what people know.

Xx/xx/1890
The other vampires were thinking the same thing. The only downside is they suspected me. Apparently I’m the only new one in town when this started. Well if they suspect me, and I suspect them then we must both be innocent, As such, my only concern is finished. I’ll complete my engagement and move on.

Xx/xx/1890
I suspect the mortals are suicidal. They have to get involved in anything that could lead to their death. They insist on “investigating” during the day when I can’t help them and every morning I suspect it will be the last time I encounter them.

Xx/xx/1890
We have a new Friend. They brought a man named Dr. Sebastian LaFette to dinner tonight. A Doctor of Archeology at the University. Apparently he has clues as to what’s been going on with the deaths. Looking at him I can tell he isn’t the suspect, but if what he says is true than he may become a victim. Apparently his employer has gone missing while his friends are the one’s dying. The good doctor has tried to speak with him but believes he may have gone mad. This man may be a suspect

Xx/xx/1890
Tonight at dinner Rebecca brought a “friend” with her. A Professor Abraham Van Helsing. I’m certain I’ve heard the name before in passing, but can’t place it. He stared at me all night. He either knows or suspects. Neither are good options. Something in his eyes makes me believe that he is a resister and trying to hypnotize him is a waste of time. The meal was a fiasco, Looking back I haven’t been that ashamed of my behavior in the whole 152 years I’ve been alive. Well, Not counting that time in Venice. Also if Van Helsing suspected before, my outburst must have confirmed his suspicions.

Van Helsing told us a story about a Swiss doctor who had discovered immortality. A sore subject for me to begin with. He continued to tell how he created a man with unmatched strength, speed, and immunity to all human ailments including Aging. He told of this creature’s search for a mate and its creator’s refusal to make one. In other words This Frankenstein had created what I am without the need to kill. I could have had my immortality without blood. All the deaths through the years suddenly seemed pointless. This was more than I could stand I called him a fool, insisted it was a fairy tale and stormed out of the room. Looking back I believe that it was a test to see my reaction and now I will have to be on my guard.


Xx/xx/1890
After earlier attempts to get inside with the Professor who employed Dr. LaFette, I am also convinced he has gone mad. It is decided that I will sneak in as they provide a distraction. It is fun to listen to people guess how I do things. Listening to them guess which trick I’ll use to get into the house, when it’s just easier to fly to the attic and rip the boards of the windows.

What I saw I can’t describe. Machines that I had no idea what purpose they served littered the room. Fresh corpses were littered throughout. If I remember correctly I watched the doctor work until the “distraction” and then subdued him. When the others joined me, we tied the doctor and examined his work. The bodies were fresh, but not killed the way the ones around town were. The dismemberment was done surgically (like Boston) but all done after death. There was a woman, well most of a woman on the operating table. She appeared to have been assembled and was almost done. Suddenly Van Helsing’s fairy tale seemed chillingly possible. Finding the Journal was the final piece. The story was true.

Apparently the creature had decided after all these years that he still wanted a mate. He found a doctor who had the mental capabilities to understand the notes and forced him to create her. He has been killing people close to the doctor and threatening the others. The poor man finally snapped and started working for the creature.

The others decided that this must be stopped. It was decided that the woman, the lab, and the notes must be destroyed. The doctor was to be committed in the mental institute. Rebecca would have Van Helsing set that up. We split up and I destroyed the woman. Burned the Laboratory, and kept the notes. These notes would be my salvation. I will learn what they say and use them to end the bloodlust.



Xx/xx/1890
We are certain the Monster will try to free or Kill the doctor tonight. We tried to watch the hospital but we had no chance. It was faster than I had thought possible. I was thrown into a padded cell and the door was locked. I had been locked in worse of my own volition. I was a little surprised this night. I was actually Scared for my companions. This instinct slowed my escape time down considerably. By the time I was out the battle was over and Jeb was down. His head was smashed through the padding and into the brick of a wall. Fortunately we were already in a hospital. I left him to the doctors and rushed outside in time to see Him with the doctor over one shoulder lighted only by the lightning storm.

Again the memory fails me. Somewhere between the hospital and the barn I encountered the monster. He asked where the journal was I told him it was destroyed, and then he killed the doctor in front me/us

I believe this was the first of my private discussions with the bad guy of the week but the others may have been there. Unless this happens in the barn, but that doesn’t sound right. I also remember Carriage chases.



xx/xx/1890
We tracked the creature to a barn just outside the city. Sebastian or Richard was injured, a fire broke out, the building burned. I must be changing, I know for a fact this time last year I Never would have jumped through flames to rescue a human. Just because I don’t want to kill, doesn’t mean I’ll sacrifice my eternity for them to live an extra, what, twenty years. In fact I’ll be surprised if any of these people survive the year. But there I was surrounded by one of the few things that can destroy me, for a mortal. As I escaped, the building collapsed burying the monster. Everyone believes it to be dead. From What I’ve seen and read, I doubt it.
Colin Marcus
Colin Marcus
Admin

Posts : 1850
Join date : 2009-09-19
Age : 46
Location : Impresk

Back to top Go down

From the Journal of Robert Dallion Empty From the Journal of Robert Dallion

Post  Colin Marcus Sat Mar 13, 2010 5:44 pm

San Francisco-1890
Xx/xx/1890
Well it’s been a little while since we faced anything unusual. It’s almost becoming boring. Rebecca has stopped trying to disprove my act. I’m constantly looking over my shoulder for signs of pursuit. We made a very powerful enemy in Chicago and I suspect that he has a long memory. Rebecca has another suitor. Dr. LaFette has joined us. He is a funny little man who thinks he has gone mad. Rebecca and Jeb try to convince him that he hasn’t and it is very entertaining. Almost as amusing are watching Jeb and Sebastian vying for Rebecca’s attention.

San Francisco has potential. I’ve thought of a new way to use my abilities to astound the masses and I will try it on my companions soon. I have never seen this ocean before, I’m looking forward to it.


Xx/xx/1890
This engagement insists on an afternoon show. I do not like it and Stefan would never have compromised, but there are enough hallways to make it possible. Besides it may be good for the others to see me during the day. After all this time they must be getting suspicious.

Xx/xx/1890
Sebastian has a job. It is an interesting concept I would like for the others to try. Rebecca is writing her papers and now Sebastian is helping a lady acquaintance of his with an insurance investigation. Sounds dreadfully boring although I hear tell that it interrupted his date! Would that I could have seen that!

Xx/xx/1890
Apparently a boat was found with all hands dead. Since it came that way, I hope that means we have not found trouble again. Sebastian has met someone new too. His name is Deke Collins, an officer in the army. There seems to be a source of animosity between them. On a separate note I found another local vampire pub here too. I think I could learn to like it here.

A lot of details are gone now. Somehow I found a body with the “mark” That made me scared. We found the crates of Dirt which told me it was . . .


Xx/xx/1890
Nosferatu!!!! I have seen the dirt and the marks. That is the main difference between Vampires and Nosferatu. We are both immortal. We both need the blood. They are more powerful though in that they can change shape, including a mist that I can’t help thinking would be useful. They are nearly impossible to kill, have a higher resistance to religious icons. And the number one difference is sunlight. They are weaker when walking in the day. We implode. I have had some success by caking on Stage makeup and wrapping myself up in many layers of Clothes. Even then I don’t implode but it hurts like hell and I lose almost all ability to move. The one place we have them beat is that they need to rest in the soil from their homeland. We don’t. I have never met one but I know the signs. The biggest problem is that the signs are everywhere. Nosferatu are a more loose knit organization. Vampires have the rules about keeping the existence secret. This Nosferatu is being too sloppy. Something has to be done.

Xx/xx/1890
More signs. Now I’m really getting worried. Either he is very young and inexperienced or very old and doesn’t care anymore. If he was young, I believe I would have found him by now.

Xx/xx/1890
No one at the pub has heard of anyone new in town, besides me. The bartender agrees that it sounds like Nosferatu and he must be punished. Suggests I do it.

Thanks

Xx/xx/1890
Somehow we tracked to some kind of Gentleman/country club place

Xx/xx/1890
When we reached the building, I used my stage name to get in. Jeb and Sebastian each held out their arms for Rebecca. Who then surprisingly took my arm. The looks on their faces were amusing so I went with it. There must have been something on the butler’s mind because I had to remind him twice about my hat on the way out.

Xx/xx/
Wererats! Disgusting creatures. I’ve never seen one before, haven’t even heard of one. Wolves I’ve heard of, but Rats no. they seemed rather frightened of flame. On a side note Rebecca and the others still don’t believe in magic. They must believe I can perform my “tricks” anywhere and without any preparation. I’m not sure whether to be complimented or insulted.

More stuff happened

Xx/xx/1890
Well tonight was the worst night I had ever experienced! We were on board the boat when we discovered the coffins in the sunken section of the hold. Knowing what we would find I volunteered to take care of it. As I opened each coffin, I killed the person inside. It has been a while since I have killed that freely. It was not a pleasant feeling. Still they were a threat and had to go.

When I returned the others noticed a rowboat with the gentlemen from the club coming our way. At this time the others gave me the biggest shock by unloading every firearm they had on them into the poor bastards. Maybe they thought they were Nosferatu but the end results were a lot of dead rich guys. Sad to say this was not the highlight of this evening.

When we returned to shore, we were met by the mysterious Prince Teaps. Who introduced himself as Vlad Tepes.

(This was the point that night when I wrote pat a note asking if I recognized this name. And everyone at the table heard him look at me and say “YOU SURE AS HELL BETTER!!!” Then everyone wanted to know what I wrote and I answered, “Should we run?” It was funny.)


Dracula! A name I haven’t heard in years. The Gypsies in Romania mentioned his name in Awe. When Stefan told me about Nosferatu, Dracula was their king. In addition, we just destroyed seven of his children. As luck would have it, the dock we climbed up was full of garlic, gunpowder, homemade stakes, and a bunch of stuff that made me very nervous. Deke or Sebastian threw a clove of garlic at Me; I barely got out of the way. Dracula was going to kill us all. Well at least me, the others would probably become like him, although he did try to break Jeb. I should have flown away but I could not leave the others. Dracula was too wise to be tricked by my magic and I was fast running out of weapons. The others were throwing torches and garlic which I really think hurt me more than him. Somehow, one of the torches caught him on fire and he charged the group hiding behind the gunpowder barrels. They hit the water there was a flash of light and the dock was gone. Well mostly gone. Jeb was still breathing so I raced to the burning dock and saw the others in the water. I got them out and Dracula was gone! Deke had passed out from shock. I hope his mind can handle this, Sebastian is just coming around we were on a train that night, dragging Deke along with us.
Colin Marcus
Colin Marcus
Admin

Posts : 1850
Join date : 2009-09-19
Age : 46
Location : Impresk

Back to top Go down

From the Journal of Robert Dallion Empty America

Post  Colin Marcus Tue Mar 16, 2010 12:26 am

San Diego 1890

Xx/xx/1890
What an interesting trip. We leave in the middle of the night and not only don’t I get my own car but they over sold and we had to have a guest. A funny little man who talks constantly and only in circles.

Something is wrong with Deke. He has gotten into waving his guns around and is no longer acting like the proper military man. He insists that we call him Jonah. This probably will not end well.

Unfortunately, since every time I close the blinds, one of the others opens them up again, I have to make a hasty retreat. Looks like another trip in the baggage car. I certainly do spend enough time by myself for belonging to a group!

Xx/xx/
Sebastian was invited to a lecture. Something about Egyptian artifacts, I do not know. Nevertheless, he says he has a new job for me, so I will hear him out. I do not plan to stay this close to San Francisco. I do not believe Prince Vlad is gone. Stefan used to claim he was completely beyond Death. Fire and stakes were an inconvenience. I do not believe him, but if there is a chance. I want out of this region.

Xx/xx/
Egypt here I come. Not that I care where I go as long as it is out of this country. Maybe in a hundred years, I’ll give it another chance. Apparently, Deke convinced Jeb to rob a bank. Since this will only slow my escape, I “convince” Deke to return the money and buy a ticket for the ship. Unfortunately the boat leaves Bright and Early tomorrow. Well if I get there early enough and stick to the shadows, I may get out of here alive. The trip could take as much as a month so I will have plenty of time to work out some new tricks and study Frankenstein’s notes.


Last edited by Elric on Fri Apr 02, 2010 11:43 am; edited 1 time in total
Colin Marcus
Colin Marcus
Admin

Posts : 1850
Join date : 2009-09-19
Age : 46
Location : Impresk

Back to top Go down

From the Journal of Robert Dallion Empty Pacific Ocean

Post  Colin Marcus Tue Mar 16, 2010 12:33 am

The Ship - 1890

Xx/xx/1890
He is Alive. Apparently, when we were getting on the ship. Rebecca saw the Prince at dockside. Vlad moved fast enough that only she saw him, and she said that he Wanted her to see him. The others were not kind to her but I have no reason to doubt her. Dracula lives and is angry.

On a separate note, I was offered a job by the captain of the ship. He stopped me on my way on board. My reputation was almost the death of me. I accepted and moved to the shadows.

Xx/xx/1890
Well this is an interesting development “Deke” has a warrant for “Jonah’s” arrest. This could be amusing but I have enough to worry about right now. A quick “suggestion” should stop Deke from arresting himself in front of everyone. I will see about getting him committed as soon as we get to shore.

Xx/xx/1890
Hmm I have never done a show on a ship before. Ideas are the same but you cannot keep doing the same show each time. You have the same audience. I will have to try some new stuff, perhaps the “gun trick” that disturbed Sebastian so much.



Xx/xx/ 1890
He is on the ship! This will probably be my last entry, as I do not expect to survive the night. If anyone reads this, learn from my mistakes. Do not get in Dracula’s way.

Xx/xx/1890
Ok. I survived. At dinner I slipped a note into his pocket to meet me on deck late tonight. I explained my actions and apologized. He in return explained that he would destroy us all. Me physically them spiritually. Then he mentioned that he had eternity to play with us.

I do not know whether to be relieved or horrified.

Xx/xx/1890
It starts. Someone was murdered tonight with their throats ripped out. If I remember correctly, these people were rather rude and the world is a better place.

Xx/xx/
A young woman at the show seems attracted to me. While she is beautiful, I do not intend to spend any time near her. Being around people in such a confined place is hard enough as it is without a beautiful woman throwing her neck at me. I will contend myself with my bottles in the hold and the rats. There seems to be many Rats on this ship.

Xx/xx/1890
Everyone that is rude to me has died. Apparently, my punishment comes first. Prince Vlad is either punishing me or trying to get me out of the way. I do not know why he would go out of his way to lie to me. He is powerful enough to kill me so why bother lying?

Xx/xx/1890
Tonight I am to give a Special Private show for my admirer. Being near her is intoxicating and the urge to take her is nearly unbearable. Just before I do something, I would regret. I charm her into remembering whatever she wants and then leaving. It takes longer than usual to rein the vampire in but I manage and return to my room just as someone screams murder.

Xx/xx/1890
The first mate seems convinced that I am the killer. I believe its jealousy. He was trying to catch my unwanted shadow's eye. Perhaps I should be flattered. He keeps wanting to know my location and search my room. The indignity. Luckily, I was able to reach my room before him. Vlad planted one of my scarfs with blood. I slipped it into a crewman’s pocket. The First Mate did not believe me and chose to arrest me. I decided to surprise everyone by going with him.

Before leaving, I told my friends to get all the items they could that would help against the Prince. Lock themselves in a room together and wait. They can arm themselves better if I am not there.

Also during this adventure, another vampire detective (Jacob seems familiar) introduced himself to me. This was Pat’s way of helping us because we botched it REALLY BAD! He thought I was the killer too, but I convinced him it was the prince.

Xx/xx/
I have informed the First Mate that if another murder takes place, I would go free. He agreed, I believe he thought I was asking. That night I had a not entirely unexpected guest, The Prince himself. Still, he did find a way to surprise me. He told me he was not the one doing this, it was not his style.

Another Vampire? This did explain a lot. He was still trying to frame me so that just opened a lot more questions. Who else Hated me so?

Prince Vlad killed the guard and told me I had three hours before someone would find the body, then left. That is the difference between us. Nobody finds my kills. I took the guard and threw the body over. Next, I went to find the killer.

Somehow we tracked the killer to a poor section and an affair was involved with the victims. I don’t know, I wasn’t there.

We kicked in the door and there was a young boy there, who felt “familiar” though I had never seen him before. Suddenly he shimmered and changed into a woman I knew all too well. Rachael Damuth. How she survived, I do not know. Nor how she found me, but this cleared everything up. She looked at me and asked if that was anyway to talk to a wife. I yelled for the others to leave, and for once, they obeyed.

Apparently, Rachael was slightly upset with burning the house around her. Apparently, the fact she attacked me with a stake has slipped her mind. If it was not for my newfound enemy, the Prince, I would like to think I would have figured it out sooner. Regardless, I should have recognized her work. She is as vicious and sloppy as ever. I never could control her and it was a mistake to bring across anyone with such a vicious streak. I should have seen it before. Her plan was to ruin my life. She claimed that now I would have to leave my name and this life. I told I do that every 10 years as it is, then I informed her she never was very smart, and that I should have made sure she was dead. This infuriated her and she attacked.

My head was a little swimming and I don’t remember the details of the battle. It was a little rushed since it was 11:10 in mt. Pleasant and I had to be at 7-11 in bay city at 11:00, needless to say I was late, I didn’t care and I kept playing. We killed her and we skipped ahead real fast with no details so I’ll try and make up something interesting
The plan was to take Rachael’s body to the furnace and incinerate it. I had very little time before the jail cell was going to be checked so after I made sure she was staked. I left the rest to Jacob who seemed more than eager to have this finished.

Xx/xx/1890
After the apologies and my subsequent release, I found my way down to the furnace room. I was able to see bits of Rachael’s clothing. I never saw Jacob or the Prince again. However, I did not exactly look either. The rest of the trip consisted of my studying Frankenstein’s notes, and listening to Deke ask everyone on board where he could find Jonah. Our trouble was over. Nothing in Egypt could compare with this.


Last edited by Elric on Fri Apr 02, 2010 11:43 am; edited 1 time in total
Colin Marcus
Colin Marcus
Admin

Posts : 1850
Join date : 2009-09-19
Age : 46
Location : Impresk

Back to top Go down

From the Journal of Robert Dallion Empty Egypt

Post  Colin Marcus Sun Mar 21, 2010 8:16 pm

Egypt-1891

Xx/xx/1891
Well Jonah has disappeared. We have not seen him in the last two weeks of the trip, so he may be gone for good. As such, there is no reason to have Deke committed. The poor boy could not handle the stress and there is little shame in that. Truthfully, I am surprised that the others handled it so well. Besides, if I had him committed, he would just start screaming out what he has seen. Its more trouble than it is worth.

Xx/xx/1891
Well Sebastian’s colleagues seem to have found some disks. They are highly magical. I have never seen anything like them. Stefan had taught me to detect magic but I have never found anything before. I will have them.

Xx/xx/1891
What an unusual dream. We wandered around a labyrinth under the city. We were separated, and I ended up with Jonah. This should have been my first clue it was a dream. Nevertheless, it certainly felt real. Like most dreams, the details are fading quickly, but I still remember flashes. There were minatours down there. Deke lost an arm, (yes Deke was there too), Sebastian nearly lost an arm and I had a decidedly Stake-like horn driven through me. We ended up in a moon like room with a cat. We killed the cat. Something happened. I do not remember. I woke with a start. Frighteningly enough everyone had the same dream.

Xx/xx/1891
Lovely we will be staying in tents. It has been a long time since I stayed in a tent for any period. After we shook of the effects of the dream, we made our way to the dig sight. There we meet perhaps the most annoying man I have met in decades. Dr. Jerkface; a man entirely obsessed with how important he thinks he is.

Xx/xx/1891
Preposterous!!! These “Doctors” drag me halfway around the world to look at their “find” without any terms of payment. They insist on “supervising” my studies! I do not work well with arrogant mortals staring over my shoulder. They seem to forget that they came to Me.

Xx/xx/1891
Apparently, we are going on a trip. Something about another dig, that has relevance to this one. They want to go. I cannot risk letting the “doctors” getting their hands on anything else I wish to look at. As it stands before we leave, I will steal the disks from Dr. Jerkface. I am thinking a few Illusionary versions that will disappear after we have left.

Xx/xx/1891
Camels across the desert. I have more make up on than I usually wear in a month. The glare comes around my glasses. I spend the day wrapped in a homemade cocoon/camel tent. I have seen pictures of royalty riding in these and find it ironic that what they do to show off power, I use to keep from being destroyed.

From here, I can only hit the highlights as we could not remember what happened WHILE we were playing let alone months later. We ended up at three different ruins. Found the Jars at Hamunaptra along with the black pool. We found out about Kunaton how he wandered into the desert and came back as the “son of the sun” We found a big disk and scepter. The Big disk was returned to Dr. Jerkface.


Xx/xx/1891
Well looks like there is justice in the world. The good Dr. Jerkface is quite dead and all the good relics are gone. Apparently mummified if what Richard says is true. When we returned, poor Sebastian was arrested for taking the disks. I will have to see what I can do about that.

Xx/xx/1891
Well it seems that I have a visitor. When I arrived at my tent, I noticed odd footprints walking into my tent. Small feet; a very small man or perhaps a woman. As it turns out neither. I called out to my visitor and when I did not get a response, I cut the support ropes. After the tent dropped, he tore through the top of it. Now these were heavy tents, and I was impressed. He attacked me and I lit an illusionary fire around his cloak. This infuriated him and threw the cloak off.

I have never seen anything like him before. He was small, only about 5’ or so. He was also a rotting corpse. It took me by surprise and when he charged me, I could only fly about ten feet from the ground and question him. He seemed to ignore me, but I admit it was difficult to tell facial expressions without the flesh. When he finally answered, it was in a tongue I could not understand. Not for the first time since arriving, I wished Maral was here, nor would it be the last. He turned and ran away. As he did, a dig worker crossed his path and in one fluid motion, he brushed the poor soul to the side and drained all moisture from his body, leaving only a dried husk. Suddenly Sebastian seemed safer where he was.

While I went to get another tent, the others came wanting to know what happened. I convinced Deke to put up a new tent, while I told them the story. “Jonah” offered to help Deke, and then we got to hear him argue with himself about how to do it. We determined that the creature was looking for the disks and scepter that he did not find in Dr. Jerkface’s tent.

Xx/xx/1891
Tonight we were going to meet at Prof Petrie’s hotel. I took the liberty to hide the disks and scepter where they would blend in well. The museum. We also met an interesting fellow named Jacob MacLeod. He seems to be fond of weapons and carries a lot of them with him at any time.

We allowed the two of them to study the items that we had found (After I went and retrieved them.)

Xx/xx/1891
We returned to Prof Petrie’s place and heard an interesting tale about Kunaton. Then He appeared. We watched as the creature took Prof Petrie’s moisture and regenerated himself. Then I grabbed a disk, then Rebecca, and jumped out the window. As I understand it. Richard tried to hit him with the fire scepter, yet it had no effect. Still it was a good idea, and what I had considered Plan B. Unfortunately Kunaton now has the scepter. Glad it wasn’t my fault. Guns were fired, MacLeod appeared shooting and we were scattered, only to meet up at Sebastian’s cell. Jeb was injured badly by the Scepter. They put him in the hospital again.

Dr. LaFette did not want to be “broken out” of jail. Something about implying guilt if I’m not mistaken. So we informed Sebastian what had transpired that night and he insisted to be released, which I promptly did. Then It found us. There was more shooting, and the distinctive sound of... Dynamite I believe. We tried to leave town to return to Hamunaptra. Perhaps the individuals, who did not want us to disturb the city, would know what was happening. Alternatively, perhaps we could use the black liquid as a weapon or trap. However, it means more day travel.

Xx/xx/1891
We did not make it far. It appeared out of nowhere, with control of the sands. It buried us all. I was able to dig out Rebecca and Sebastian and then we got the rest, and limped back to town. Now that we have seen him during the day, I will not go in the sun again. I have told them we now travel only during the night.

Xx/xx/1891
We decided to go to one of the other ruins. Kunaton has all the items and whatever he has planned will happen soon. We decide to return to “his” home. We leave that night.

Xx/xx/1891
There appear to be more than one mummified creature here. The others seem to be priests of some sort. We tried to sneak into the temple area without him knowing, but “Jonah” it appears is not one for sneaking. Using guns and Dynamite he gave away our position. Then we were attacked. Kunaton attacked using sandstorms again. We were able to keep the Sun disk away for a while, until Richard threw it into the desert as a distraction. The ploy ….failed, horribly. A giant Sand hand caught it, bringing it back to him. During the chase, we were all encased in Sand. I got free in time to see him reaching for a helpless Sebastian.

In a spur of desperation, I screamed “Kunaton!”. When he turned to look at me, I let the Vampire out. Eyes glowing, Fangs out, I pointed at myself and said “Anubis” These were the only two words I knew in ancient Egyptian. I believe I was telling him I was the god of the dead. Whatever it was, it had the desired effect. He got a horrified expression on his face and disappeared in the sand. Then he rose behind me and grabbed me by the throat.

I really do not recall how I got away from that. I think he let me go when he realized I did not dissolve. Next thing I remember was everyone trying to catch up to Deke/Jonah’s suicide run.



Jonah had done some serious damage to the mummy priests and we were trying to blow up the ritual building. I was following Sebastian when I decided to fly to “Jonah” grab a stick of dynamite, and get to the top of the building. I blew it up good. And he rebuilt it with a wave of his hand.

Then he erected a huge dome cutting him off with the group. Unfortunately I was inside with him. I watched him perform his ceremony for a while. Eventually I could not wait any longer. He was on his knees and leaning back. I moved next to him, grabbed him by the throat and pressed him down, stealing any leverage and as a bonus breaking both knees. I will admit the plan was a little lacking. I had him pinned, his ritual was stopped and he was not killing me. Sadly, I was still holding an engine of death, with no clue what to do with it.

I don’t’ remember if it was here, or when he grabbed me by the throat, but I do remember a strength check involved. The conversation went something like this

Pat: How do you plan to... something, something?

Me: I’m gonna match strength, I’m damn strong.

Pat: ,,, So is he!

Me: Yeah, but he’s not expecting it from me!

Pat: (silence) Very true!

After what seemed like an eternity. I noticed movement to my right. Suddenly from Kunaton’s chest was a wooden stake carved in the image of Anubis. Sebastian had found a way into the dome. It makes me nervous knowing that he saw me in a deathlock with the creature. He has too keen a mind not to notice that everyone who has touched it has died except me. I will have to watch him. On a similar note it disturbs me that he thinks a wooden stake is the answer to all life’s problems.

Xx/xx/1891
Jeb is out, and we are on the next train out. Italy it seems.

Xx/xx/1891
Well, it seems that Jeb has to return to America until he’s discharged. He’s taking Deke with him and we haven’t seen Jonah since Egypt. Rebecca still wishes to be my apprentice and where she goes Sebastian is sure to follow. Richard seems content to follow until something better happens. I don‘t suspect he’ll be with us long.


Last edited by Elric on Fri Apr 02, 2010 11:40 am; edited 1 time in total
Colin Marcus
Colin Marcus
Admin

Posts : 1850
Join date : 2009-09-19
Age : 46
Location : Impresk

Back to top Go down

From the Journal of Robert Dallion Empty Intermission

Post  Colin Marcus Mon Mar 29, 2010 12:29 am

Xx/xx/1896
I have led my friends through the better part of Eastern Europe and Asia. Russia was fun but it’ll be nice to see a civilized culture again. Every major city I pass through, I have been “acquiring” the necessary books and knowledge to understand Frankenstein’s journal. I seem to be making real progress, but a lot still eludes me. We seem to be heading to France to meet with the others. Jeb has been out of the Army for a while now, and Deke has been out hunting bounties after his Dishonorable discharge. It seems he didn’t have the clearance Jebediah had to go running around the country.


Last edited by Elric on Fri Apr 02, 2010 11:39 am; edited 1 time in total
Colin Marcus
Colin Marcus
Admin

Posts : 1850
Join date : 2009-09-19
Age : 46
Location : Impresk

Back to top Go down

From the Journal of Robert Dallion Empty France

Post  Colin Marcus Mon Mar 29, 2010 12:31 am

Paris-1896

Xx/xx/
Ahh Paris, It’s funny how this city seems to change with the times better than any other place I’ve been and yet remain exactly the same. Everywhere I look, I see the newest styles and modern art. Everyone seems determined to escape the past, yet when I look I see the same spirit as I did a century ago.

One thing that has changed is the taste in architecture. It appears that while I was gone someone built the ugliest monstrosity near the river! It appears to be a half-finished tower. Why this thing was constructed in Paris of all cities, I haven’t found out yet. On a similar note I am not the only one that thinks this way. It appears when it was being constructed fights broke out along the river. Hopefully it won’t last long, but some foolish people have stated someday you won’t be able to picture Paris without it.

Xx/xx/1896
It’s been about a week now and I have shown my friends the sights. Sebastian it turns out is not exactly from France, but from Africa. I am not sure how someone can never have been to the place his ancestors came from. He seems to be enjoying the experience. Frankly Sebastian seemed more interested in the Louvre than the opera, but to each his own

Ancestors. Home. These thoughts have been on my mind from the moment I stepped back on French soil. I can still see the plantation when I close my eyes despite the years since I saw it last. Ironic that it is one of the few pictures I can still see with mortal eyes. My memories of home are surrounded in sunlight with the dull shades that mortals see. I have never been there since becoming immortal,

That is of course one of the biggest dangers, the first thing you wish to do is to share the experience with family and friends. Of course Family and Friends have just buried their dead and to have them show up with fangs is an…unpleasant experience. Stefan told me that it was fortunate that I was so far from home when it happened. After what happened to Rachel I believe him. That may have been the first moment that she began to hate me.

Like I said, I was far from the home I abandoned when it happened and by the time we returned I had long lost the urge to visit. That was then.

Frenchmen have always been concerned with bloodline. Whatever happens the family must survive. As second son I felt it was Jacques duty to continue the family tradition, after all he had the plantation. Stephan would laugh at these thoughts, I left humanity and all these concerns went with them long ago. Why the thought returns, I'm not sure. Perhaps dealing with my new very mortal family has had a detrimental effect on me.

Jeb and Deke are due on the 9:00 train

Xx/xx/1896.
Well leave it to Jeb and Deke to surprise us. Jeb seems to have retired from the army and spent the last few years living in the wild. He is no longer the clean-cut military boy but a full bearded mountain man. Deke on the other hand has not aged so well. He appears to have spent a good amount of time drinking, smoking, and standing in the sun. I have owned leather that looked better than his face does. But he seems to be content, and no sign of Jonah.

Oddly within moments of arriving Jeb seems ready to depart again. I get the impression that Jeb has missed the thrill of danger that was all too common while we were all together. I hate to inform him that little has happened in the past five years to compare, in fact it’s been rather peaceful. Seems he wants to leave Paris. Well…Why not. Orleans is only 100 miles south. I don’t want to intrude but I have to see them! Wander around the plantation. A few hours that’s all I’ll stay.

Naturally they all wish to go with me. I will look odd claiming to be a long lost relative with an entourage with me, but I’m too excited to care. I’m going to hitch the carriage!

Xx/xx/1896
Well here we are in Orleans. It is very late. Too late to barge in on my family with a carriage full of guests. I tell my friends to get a good days sleep and We’ll leave at sunset. Jeb and Deke quickly raised a fuss about that. After the recent years I had gotten used to everyone being on “my” time. I quickly explained that life on a plantation is hard work, and that any honorably decent guest would arrive after the work was finished and everyone was cleaned and refreshed. They seemed to accept that and I left them to their own devices.

I walked the streets like I used to when Father brought me into town. Unlike Paris, this town has changed more than it hasn’t. For starters It’s much larger than I remember. Many of the buildings are new, and the people seem to be more….. opulent. In my wanderings, I felt a quick presence of someone…unnatural. Lost in thought by the time I realized what it was. It was gone.

As I round a corner in an old section of town, I used to know well when I heard shots being fired. That is when I found Deke and Jeb randomly firing at the air. After a few seconds I heard that they weren’t in fact shooting at random, but taking bets on what part of the stained glass window of the old church they could hit! Naturally I hurried over quickly removed them of the firearms and led them back to the inn.

Once we arrived, I was quick to have Rebecca go to their room and remove their weapons and key. After that was completed, I escorted the two of them up there and left them to sleep it off. I also locked the door so that only I or Rebecca could open it. Now maybe I can sleep through the day.

Xx/xx/1896
Well, the best laid plans and all that. Sometime during the day I heard pounding on my door. Raising me from sleep is not easy but somehow Sebastian seems to have the knack. I was only able to catch part of it, but something about Rebecca missed a gun and they were going to blow the door, unless I let them out. Ahh well they may shoot me anyway. Let Rebecca deal with it. I’m sure they won’t shoot her. Relatively sure that is. It should be an interesting night tonight. Nice having everyone together again.

Xx/xx/1896
Well naturally they didn’t believe they could be so drunk to shoot a church and by the time everyone’s sobered up, it’s to late to go. Naturally they don’t want to wait any longer. So I figure if we left now, we won’t get there till the middle of their dinner, and that is rude. Well I don’t remember giving into peer pressure before but I certainly did tonight. Fascinating how after all I’ve seen and done, this makes me nervous.

Xx/xx/
Why did I come!!!!

It’s horrible! The plantation seems to have shrunk, and the Dallions, they shrank too! The Lord of the Estate Pierre Dallion is a shrunken, misshaped dwarf of a creature, This is all Jacques fault. If he was in front of me right now, I would tear his head off! What did he do…… I turn my back for a century and my family becomes freaks and my home is sold off in pieces.


Last edited by Elric on Fri Apr 02, 2010 11:38 am; edited 1 time in total
Colin Marcus
Colin Marcus
Admin

Posts : 1850
Join date : 2009-09-19
Age : 46
Location : Impresk

Back to top Go down

From the Journal of Robert Dallion Empty France

Post  Colin Marcus Thu Apr 01, 2010 5:04 pm

Xx/xx/1896
All right! I’ve calmed down a little though the disappointment remains. I never should have come back. On the other hand what they lack in humanity, they still retain in Civility. Upon identifying myself Pierre instantly insisted that I stay and honestly I was still too in shock to refuse. All my friends were invited to stay as well in the guest quarters. To put up six visitors at the drop of a hat impressed me quite a bit. Pierre introduced me to his family including the youngest. What at first I thought was livestock in the house was the youngest son, who upon closer inspection did have some human features. They call him “Mole” because apparently he likes to dig.

The night was full of many surprises. Shortly after I arrived. I had felt a presence but either forgot or ignored it in the excitement. It seems almost Ironic really that they should be here. I brought my new family to meet my old, and who should arrive but my “Father & Sister” Stefan and Maral. I could not believe that I was really seeing them. It had been nearly three decades since I saw her, and half a century for him.

I conceded to a short performance, as much for Stefan than the Dallions. He had an interesting look upon his face, one that I couldn’t quite read.

Xx/xx/1896
I’m getting worried about Stefan. He seems to be up to something. Tonight he will be staying with the others. I have done a marvelous job it seems of keeping my secret and he seems to be playing games. It appears as if he wishes me to make some kind of choice that I won’t make. These people are good and I have lived among them for five years. That doesn’t even include the threat of Dracula. I’m the only protection they have. I won’t leave yet. Tonight he offered them blood as wine. I made a fast move and tossing Deke whiskey saying that their palette would appreciate that more. I have things I wish to speak of with him and when the others sleep I’ll have my chance.

As for Maral, I don’t know what to do with her. The way she looks at Deke makes me nervous, and Jealous. What did Stefan do, tell her she could choose one for herself? It wouldn’t be like her to take them from me. Unless she truly is interested in him…… But he’s Deke! Definitely not her type. Nothing like I was. Of course that was a long time ago I must remind myself. I don’t like the way that Deke noticed her looking either. He spent the better part of the night trying to sneak in her room! It will be very difficult to save him if I’m not sure I want to!

But enough about that. Stefan and I are going to walk around the grounds now away from Deke’s prying ears. I have much to tell him

Xx/xx/ 1896
Well this is interesting. Stefan has made claims that he can make me immortal … again! Without the blood and without the urge to kill. He asked me if I remembered where he learned his magic. Merlin. I didn’t believe him then and I don’t believe it now. And I tell him so. He then goes on to describe Merlin and his magic. Apparently the stories and legends are highly exaggerated, but one thing is true he was ancient and his magic was powerful. He had lived many lifetimes without the needs and weaknesses I suffer. Stefan will share this gift with me provided I help him. Apparently in order for Stefan to gain access to Merlin’s spells he requires certain stones. Stefan had discovered Merlin’s Finder stone which leads him to a general area. This stone is located in the forest near my old home. I am required to find this stone with the help of my friends. Then as an added incentive he will destroy them if we don’t succeed. That is what it looks like Maral was doing with Deke. Proving she could have him in her power in a heartbeat. Like I of all people would doubt that. Now I have to find a stone, in a forest. My only clue will be that it is magical. He then informs me that he will be headed north the next night, and he will see me when my task is finished.

We continued with small talk about Dr. Frankenstein and Prince Vlad, if one can consider those topics for small talk. After confirming my suspicions that Dracula would destroy us all, and borrowing Frankenstein’s Journal (but not my personal notes and writings on the subject I have made over the years) Truthfully the original documents aren’t necessary to continue my studies, and Stefan’s Plan seems much less risky than trusting someone to remove my brain and insert it somewhere else. brrr… The Thought gives me chills.

As I head back to the house, I spot Rebecca and Sebastian on a stroll in the rain. And to think I was afraid they would think it odd that I left the comfort of the guest hall in this weather. We exchange a few pleasantries in passing and I spend the rest of the night trying to think of a reason for the others to follow me into the forest. It can’t be Merlin. They would dismiss it as readily as I once did.

Xx/xx/1896
I receive a knock on my door very early. A servant informs that I am expected at breakfast. If nothing has changed in the past century than the dining hall is an inside room without windows. I believe I remember a route that will bypass any natural light source. As a good guest I can think of no way to refuse. I better coat some of the make-up on “just in case”

When I arrive, my friends are already there. The Dallions arrive shortly after I do. Sadly my companions are not the most learned on French custom, but the Dallions seem to take it in stride. It appears that Pierre has opened the house to the others and they are enjoying as best they can. Rebecca and Sebastian are taking a ride this afternoon which seemed to peak Deke’s attention. I imagine he will do the same. Richard showed some interest in the art around the manor, which leads me to think that his time in Paris was well spent. Jeb, well I pity Jeb. He seems totally out of place here, and very unhappy. I imagine a lot has to do with the language barrier. Perhaps what I have in mind will cheer him up.

I secured use of the library for the day. First I want to examine the family tree and see if I can discover when the Dallions became a Carnival show. Next I’ll search for something pertaining to the woods. I want to know everything I can about that area. Next … the fun starts.


Xx/xx/1896
Well Apparently it all goes back to Jacques. He married a dwarf causing much scandal with the distant relations. Also it would appear Dwarfism is VERY contagious and has been dominant ever since. The woods have very little written about it, so I will have to change that.

Of course about that time Rebecca and Sebastian arrive. Apparently they went for a ride this afternoon. Deke tried to follow and was drug into the next county. I would have enjoyed seeing that. Provided he didn’t die or anything.

Sebastian left to get his picnic basket and came back with Richard. Seems that he’s been admiring the art around the manor. Apparently no one has seen Jeb since breakfast. That makes me nervous. If he doesn’t understand the language, he probably will get bored. If he’s bored then he may start drinking again. A drunk soldier, make that ex-soldier is a bad thing. But I’ve been here all day and if something happened then I’m sure I’d have heard.

Jeb is at dinner right on time. Seems he’s found an English-speaking servant. That’s good, keeps them all out of trouble. Word has gotten out that I’m working on the next adventure. I don’t want to tell them anything until I have written down my thoughts, but I drop enough teasers to keep them interested.

After dinner the family segregates again, Ladies to the left, Men to the right. Poor Rebecca. Or perhaps poor Ladies! I can’t help but think that I should have disarmed her before watching her get dragged off. Pierre came over and had an interesting chat with me. He gave me the best news of the day. Mole is adopted!! Not that it really matters, the reason he was adopted was because he looked so much like one of them! By the end of the night I inform Pierre that I will not be down for breakfast and will see him late afternoon. Then I’m off to work on my “adventure”.

Xx/xx/1896
If I’m going to get the others to follow me, I’ll need a story they can believe. Certainly nothing to do with Merlin. I have written a story about a Witch named Camelienne who haunted this area years ago. I say that she used a stone that possessed great power. Naturally they’ll want to go looking for it during the day so add in a clause that it can only be seen in light not brighter than the stars. That should help keep things on my terms. I throw in a ghastly death and the potential of missing children and I’m sure they’ll be hooked.

Xx/xx/1896
It would seem my oratory skills have declined in recent years. I believe they will go with me but they aren’t at all eager. I truly thought my story about Camelienne was exceptional and am quite disheartened by their lack of interest. But they will go and I suppose that is all that matters. Still it was a good story.

We spend the rest of the night looking at maps of the forest. On every map there is a monastery around two hours into the woods I would estimate. At least until 1539. After that it disappears from all records. With no other clues on where to start I suggest we start there. It would figure to be a house of God. We will leave as soon as I rise tomorrow

Xx/xx/1896
As I walk outside and see the whole group together again, ready for adventure, I get a chill down my bones. I didn’t realize how much I missed this. They are the best humanity has to offer. Jeb with his good old boy mentality, Deke embodies the mortals “seeing is believing” attitude. Our good detective Richard has the most analytical mind I’ve seen in years. Rebecca still insists on breaking the rules that society wishes to saddle her with. Sebastian, Ahh his is my favorite trait. He embodies the open mind and the ability to learn!

Within a few hours we find our target. An old decrepit monastery. I can already feel my strength fading being this close, but if we have any hope of returning before dawn then we must make haste. I try to separate from the others but to no avail. Richard followed me around the building till we found a broken window we could climb into. Whatever had happened to the once holy place had happened a long time ago and with much violence. We found scraps of cloth and marks on the walls and doors (at least the ones that hadn’t rotted competely away) that could only be described as Claw marks. I didn’t give mush thought about the claw marks. Truthfully I didn’t give much thought about anything! The church still held power and I was feeling it. I couldn’t remember ever feeling so weak. My normally sharp eyes were blurring so badly, I feared I would miss the stone. Fortunately either nobody noticed in the dark or assumed I was merely under the weather.(or thought I was Crews) That was a night that I was nearly passed out at the table and groggy the whole time... Only difference was I WAS IN CHARACTER!

Near the back most part of the monastery we found a truly dark room. Rebecca believed it had been used in Exorcisms. It appeared that some truly horrible thing had happened in this room, and I was almost ready to forget the whole thing and leave this cursed place. I could tell the others were feeling similar to me. Near the exorcism chambers we found a book with a deep red cover in a glass case. It would appear that the glass was held together by will alone for at the slightest touch the case fell apart. Of course another explanation is that in my weakened state that I broke it. We’ll never know.

The last thing we saw was a courtyard with a dirty fountain, a statue of the Virgin and Christ child with two trees. I imagine at one time it would have been a peaceful place to rest, but that was a long time ago. The trees had more of the claw marks and the whole area had an evil air to it. Fresh air aside there was no comfort for me there either. I had to leave soon or the others were going to end up carrying me out. The stone was gone if it had ever been there and I had no idea where to look next. Weakly I suggested we try again tomorrow and the others looking almost as tired as I, quickly agreed. Once outside the walls I felt my strength return, and when we returned to the house I spent the rest of the night reading the ancient tome.

The book was detailed account of known demons and methods of Exorcism. It seems Rebecca was correct in her deduction or the monasteries purpose. Near the back of the book was an appendix on an item called “the stone of Souls”. The stone was supposedly used to store or capture a soul. This is fantastic! I am holding in my hands, actual Proof the stone exists! I assume that the stone resided in the building at one point and now I have to find out what happened to the monsetary!
Colin Marcus
Colin Marcus
Admin

Posts : 1850
Join date : 2009-09-19
Age : 46
Location : Impresk

Back to top Go down

From the Journal of Robert Dallion Empty France

Post  Colin Marcus Tue Apr 13, 2010 5:41 pm

Sept/07/1896
As soon as sunset allowed I hurried to the library. I was pleasantly surprised to find my young student inside studying. We were both apparently so excited to tell our respective stories that we were overlapping each other. I eventually slowed enough to find out what had excited her so much. Much had happened in my absence. There were two known disasters that struck the house. A servant was killed by a wolf and apparently the Dallion residence had received a new guest during the day. Jonah had returned.

Apparently this Jonah was very different from when last we saw him. He is now of all things a mink rancher, who happened to make the connection between the plantation name and mine. While she was telling me this, he actually arrived. The change was astonishing. He had manners and Civility. Part of me finds it odd how in their time away, Jonah and Deke have essentially reversed. Jonah has become the prim and proper Gentleman while Deke is the one who is sleeping in the wilds and practicing his quick draw. Of course Even Jeb has drastically changed his lifestyle. I foget sometimes what these few years actually mean to mortals.

During the conversation the others arrived and we (for a change) only had to tell our story once. What had the house in turmoil was a wolf attack.

Wolf attacks were nothing unusual, I remember quite a few from my childhood. Rebecca and Sebastian had found the victim and had Richard investigate. The good detective had found something different this time.

First they were attacking people. Wolves usually stay close to the woods and kill cattle. The fact that they came so close though was disturbing but not supernatural.

Second the attack was very… unwolf-like. The victim was a full-grown man who had only his throat ripped out. Something seemed odd about this and regrettably my own knowledge of forest creatures is somewhat limited. Fortunately I had both Jeb and Jonah to confirm my suspicions. For a wolf to “reach” the throat the man would have been Lower to the ground, or more likely knocked to the ground with various bites and scratches before the death blow.

Third the victim had a blood trail over 200 yards away, didn’t run and wasn’t dragged. Leverage alone would say that if a man was gripped by the throat and moved his feet would be drug. According to Richard that was not the case.

Fourth the attacker left the prints of a normal wolf but only two of them. It was some kind of Bi-Pedal Wolf creature.

These facts strike an old memory. Legends that I hadn’t heard in nearly 130 years. When I traveled with the gypsies in my mortal days, I was told story’s over the fire. The loup garoux in France, lob omens in Portugal, lupo manaro in Italy and in Germany it’s known as the werewolf. I didn’t believe the stories then and I hadn’t thought of them since becoming…. Open minded. As I was opening my mouth to tell what I knew, little as it was, Rebecca surprised me again.

She had also heard the legends, and while I slept had looked through the library and actually found vague mention of one sighted in the woods. Not wanting to outshine her and admittedly curious see how her studies progress, I claimed ignorance on the subject and turn the spotlight to her. She stated that the stories were vague about Man-sized wolves who have weakness of Precious metal. This Surprised me since I don’t really remember the gypsies mentioning how to stop one. Her knowledge was sound and at the time I couldn’t think of anything to add.

I remember mentioning that we were probably to blame for it coming this close to the house. Rebecca found evidence that the creatures have been around for centuries but never came this close before. Yet the night after we return from a monastery that had been destroyed by something with claws, Something with claws comes out of the woods? I believe we invaded its territory and it “caught” our scent and is chasing us. It occurred to me that perhaps we could find something in the Book of Souls on the Werewolf. Those monk types would have certainly classified it as a demon. That was when we heard the first scream, but not the last of the night.

I rushed outside to find a crowd of people around a fallen servant. I pushed my way to his side and he seemed unharmed but completely out of his wits. It took a few moments but as I caught his eyes his will was mine. I ordered him to calm himself and explain what frightened him so. Still Agitated more than I desired he said he saw a shadowy shape out by the guesthouse. The others ran off to investigate while I continued the questioning. He had no description to validate his fears but I had no doubt it was one of the creatures. Near the guesthouse. I started to get an uncomfortable knot in my stomach.

When the others returned, we all started to go into the house when we heard another scream. From Inside! We raced through the front door. I head toward the servants area with Jonah on my heels, Jeb and Richard took the second floor while Rebecca and Sebastian took the “living area” of the first floor.

We didn’t get far before we heard the well known sound of Jeb and his rifle. I turned and left Jonah as I raced upstairs. Rounding the corner, I saw what Jeb had seen. The Creature was huge with dark eyes. It’s Elongated jaw was drooling and was covered in hair. Its upper body was huge with arms ending in vicious claws. Its legs were another sight. Large and muscular which tapered down to paws only slightly larger than a normal wolf. It looked at us and Leapt. Werewolf.

I ordered everyone around the corner and down the stairs. While I threw a wall of stage fire between us and the creature. As I had hoped, it feared the flame. Then I heard the sound of that large nostril sniffing. I knew than that the flame wouldn’t fool it for long. Naturally the others ignored my order so I shouted it again while preparing my next spell. Blast it all I was not prepared for a confrontation tonight. I was prepared for a night of magic searching! I once went three decades without memorizing my ability to see magic. Tonight of all nights I could do it three times! Add to that the fact that I had just used my only, all purpose stage magic spell and I was fast running out of options.

As it leapt through the fire, I used one of my two sparkling lights spells. Great for stunning a crowd or blinding an opponent. This time it did the latter. It groped around wildly as I ushered the others away and headed for my room. If we were going to fight, I wanted it to be on my terms! As I passed the stairs another one burst through the doors and charged right at me. I swung and missed but so did it. I raced into my room and slammed the door and began to examine my options.

I placed a mirror across the room and started digging through the trunk. As I was digging through swords, pistols, spikes and others, I was suddenly struck with the irony that I was trying to save lives, with tools reserved for the Illusion of Death. I grabbed a little flash powder, a sword and a pair of handcuffs. Then the Door burst open!

As planned the wolf leapt at the mirror and shattered it everywhere. While it was stunned, I hooked the handcuffs on its narrow lower paws. Leaping back out of its reach I then hit it with my last sparkling dust blinding it. I reached for the sword hoping to cuts its head off when another of the creatures came in. This was the first creature that I had glittered and appeared to be tracking me by scent.

I turned on my new opponent sword held awkward but firmly. Two opponents, both blind and one hindered. Quickly I tried to slay the creature at my feet with a quick slash, but it was quicker. As my sword cut harmlessly to it’s left my right arm screamed in agony. The monster’s claw ripped into me and my sword slid across the floor. I have never felt anything like this before. Words do not describe it in any language I know. I could say the wound felt like it was on fire, or that somehow death itself had infected me, but it only scratches the surface of what it truly was.

The new creature leapt at me and missed wide. Then another stepped into the room, one with all its faculties. I knew then that I could not fight all three and flew through the window. The creature that could still see leapt out the window with claws and teeth ready. I narrowly avoided it. I could still hear gunfire both inside and out of the house. I knew then that I couldn’t protect them when I couldn’t even protect myself. I knew not how many of the beasts there were but with my arm bleeding, I turned to head back toward the city. Then I heard a scream of agony that could only have belonged to Rebecca.

These monsters have invaded my land, drawn my blood, and would take from me both my original family and my new! I will leave this place if I must but not before they paid the price of Blood!

The unchained werewolf had reached the window at that point and leapt out at me. This time I was ready and avoided it easily. I flew into the room, scooped up my sword and swung. The blade cleaved meat and bone and came to a jarring stop. The creature knew it was about to die and wanted one last swipe at me. I stood my ground and used every once of undying strength to force the sword through the rest of the way. With a sickening sound the werewolf’s glistening head fell to the floor and the body went limp.

I looked out the window for my other two opponents and found that they had fled. I heard a window smashing from down the hall and rushed out to see how my friends were doing.

The sight that greeted me was disturbing. They were all alive. A little worse for wear, but alive. I told them that I had killed one back there and Rebecca told me that the “precious Metal” in question was in fact silver. She had wounded one and its escape was the window that I had heard.

Sebastian and Jeb had escaped with mere bumps and scrapes. But it was the others that concerned me. Rebecca was cradling her wrist, Jonah had nearly lost his shoulder, and Richard complanied of wounds inflicted by the creatures teeth. Rebecca made a comment about contamination. A cold chill ran down my spine as I remembered an old Gypsy Poem:

Even a man who is pure of heart,
And says his prayers at night,
May become a wolf,
When the wolfbane blooms,
And the autumn moon is bright.


It was usually spoken the same time as this warning;

Whosoever is bitten by a Werewolf and lives, becomes a werewolf himself!
Colin Marcus
Colin Marcus
Admin

Posts : 1850
Join date : 2009-09-19
Age : 46
Location : Impresk

Back to top Go down

From the Journal of Robert Dallion Empty France

Post  Colin Marcus Fri Apr 23, 2010 11:10 pm

Sept 7 1896 cont.
Not knowing what to say to them, I rushed outside to find Pierre. The normally peaceful plantation of my youth was replaced with a bloody battlefield. The Grounds were littered with the dead and wounded. If what I fear is true than the dead will be the more fortunate. Pierre was ordering men to retrieve weapons and head into the woods. I knew that it was a fool’s errand but could think of nothing to say that would dissuade them.

When he saw me, he quickly apologized for the disturbance and insisted he had no idea what the monsters were. Sadly this lends credibility to my earlier fears that I was responsible for bringing this to the house. I will do what I can to rid them of this evil that I brought and leave. I will never return to this place. The Dallions will prosper far better without Robert.

I do what I can for the injured which is little more than dull their pain and return to the house. The others it seems have taken the opportunity to ransack the mansion for all its silver belongings. I see the good silverware, along with jewelry sitting in a pile while “Jonah” seems to be forging some bullets for everyone. I excuse myself to prepare new spells. Rebecca seems to do the same. I will not be caught so unaware again.

After my studying, I rejoined the others. On a whim I grab the service revolver I use in my act. I’m not much of a shot, fact is I don’t even fire it in the show. Couldn’t hurt to have another loaded gun?

Jonah is making bullets out of the family jewels and seems quite pleased to add my gun to the list. While they are loading up, I try to find ammunition of a different kind. I study the Book of Souls.


Sept 7 1896 cont.
Curse my temper!! The book made no mention of loup garoux , Werewolves, or even shapechangers. In my frustration I threw the book across the room, leaving the delicate paper little more than ash. Anything referring to Merlin’s stone, had been copied to my own books, but I can’t help feeling that important knowledge has been lost forever.

Jonah did a peculiar thing with his gun. He chose to only load every other shot with silver. I don’t understand the thinking behind this. At best he now only has a fifty percent chance to hit one of these creatures and then only three shots before reloading.

As we wandered through the woods, we were attacked. The attack was fast even for me. I’m not sure what happened. I was thrown from my horse. No surprise there. Animals sense the predator in me and often avoid me. However I thought I was doing well for what it’s worth. Apparently the werewolves frighten them more than I do. As I landed on the ground, I heard another of my companions fall from his steed. I also heard a mixture of growls and the thunder of gunfire. When the smoke cleared another of the vile beasts had joined the ranks of the dead.

Leaving the horses, we continued on foot. In time we found a clearing. The area was ringed in trees and there were claw marks everywhere. In the center there was a pillar with an opening in the top. Before we could examine the area, all hell broke loose!

Werewolves charged us from every side. Two or three attacked me directly. If I didn’t know better, I would think that they knew what I was and that was what drew them. Hearing gunfire behind me, reminded me that I was armed myself. I drew my gun aimed and fired. I do not know where the bullet went, but I know it didn’t go anywhere near the target. My hairy opponent however had no problems. Fangs bit into my shoulder with a loud tearing sound.

Before I could even scream another wolf latched on my upper leg. I thrust the gun into the face of this new enemy and pulled the trigger. At that range there were two options. I would either kill this beast, or it would release me to dodge. Apparently the previously unknown third option was to miss completely.

I threw the useless gun to the ground and tried to match strength with the beast on my leg. With much effort I was able to pry the jaws from my leg. With a quick twist I was also able to pull free from the others.

Writing this fills me with shame. When free from the werewolves I did an unforgivable thing. I fled. I ran as fast as a “human” could until I reached the tree line. Then I flew for all I was worth to the top of a tree. Stefan would have applauded my sense of self preservation, but even as I was doing it I realized I may have condemned my comrades. I had never in my life been as injured as I was in that tree. My wounds were not healing and felt... Strange. Dark. Evil.

I could still hear gunshots in the distance, and then they arrived. The wolves had tracked me to the tree and were starting to climb. I used my illusionary fire and stage glitter to scare and blind them. I must have passed out or something. Even as I write this I can barely remember any of the details.

I was told that the wolves were killed with the family silver and after I examined the Altar post and found the stone I had been searching for. All of us limped back to the house. I need Stefan. I do recall calling for him, but he never answered. When I arrived in my room, I found the reason. A note in Stefan’s handwriting labeled “Astherty, Scotland.”
Colin Marcus
Colin Marcus
Admin

Posts : 1850
Join date : 2009-09-19
Age : 46
Location : Impresk

Back to top Go down

From the Journal of Robert Dallion Empty Scotland

Post  Colin Marcus Sat May 15, 2010 4:55 am

We do not stay long at the Dallion estate. My calls to Stefan continued to go unanswered. A vampire as injured as myself is in terrible trouble. If I can’t regenerate myself, then I will need help. I require the blood of a Vampire. I have no doubt that I will heal if I have the blood. It has been a few days and I have seen little improvement. The mortals are healing faster then myself. I must get to Scotland and pray this note means Stefan is waiting for me there.

My traveling companions are becoming more and more difficult to manipulate. Not that they question anything, they just seem to have grown very stubborn. I’ll have to have a good reason for leading them to Scotland. I quickly wrote out a note and left it at the desk of our hotel. The note said that “Mr. Dallion, I have a job for you. Please come to Asherthy. Nathanial Ross, Red Rose Inn.” Not the most elaborate ploy, I admit, but they bought it. Next thing I know everyone is rushing
for the train to leave this wretched country.

We traveled most of the day and soon we were in Dover. Strange news awaited us. No one could give us directions to Asherthy. It was on no maps, and no one had ever heard of it. I did a little digging and found a historian of types who had it on a very ancient map. I went the local university and looked up the head of the Historical department. I was especially looking for someone with a background in Arthurian legends for reasons I kept to myself. I found Kenneth Sheridan. He was a fount of knowledge but mostly useless. The only thing I was able to get from him was the name of Dr. Lillian McKenzie.

Dr. McKenzie held more than a passing interest in Asherthy. She had discovered the ruins and had made many expeditions to the site. She also had information on the history. It seems that the village vanished around the year 920. It was a slow vanishing, Plague was suspected but only the very young or very old died. In time the current lord of the land stopped collecting taxes. A very unusual practice. All very unimportant to me at the time and she had no way of linking Asherthy with Arthur, Merlin, or Camelot, so I admit I phased out a bit.

I do that.

After securing the location of the ruins. My friends and I went to visit the locals. The good Doctor had told me that the locals can be very friendly and have put her up at the house. Ironically the name of the family was Ross. That fact creeped even me out.

When we arrived we were given shelter as we had expected. The Ross’s consisted of Grayden and his wife, Stella. Their three children Henthrop, Bastion, and Michael, and Graydens Uncle, Sedwig, Ross. There was something about Sedwig that I did not like. He stared at me. There was something about him that made me think he was more than he seemed. I am an excellent judge of character.

The first thing I did was examine the site of Asherthy. There was absolutely nothing there. Barren place of land that may once have sported a village. Stefan had sent me here for a reason, but there was nothing here.

That night I performed a few magic tricks for the children, as it turns out they are rather sheltered and easily astounded. The kind of audience I like. Again Sedwig watched me in a most unpleasant way. I can sense that he knows more than he is letting on. The others spread word that I would perform a more in depth show the next night for any of the neighbors who wish to be sociable.



Sept/xx/1896
The neighbors seem the pleasant sort. My audience consisted of Mr. Wellen and Karen Kay, who lived 4 miles to the west of us. Mr. John and Vera Callaghan, who lived 3 miles past that. Lastly the closest family at a mere one mile to the East, Mitchel and Sara Leslie. Amongst the families present only the Ross’s had any children, Although the Leslies were soon to break that record. The show went as smoothly as expected, though with Sedwig making me feel self conscious I left some of my more.... Astounding tricks out. I thought about hypnotizing him, but something about him makes me think he may be a resister. It’s best not to try it. Yet.

The second time we went to asherthy was a bit more eventful. Rebecca, Dr. LaFette, and myself were examining the area when Jeb interrupted us. Apparently there was a sheep in the area. Not sure why he bothered us about that, and when he asked what he should do with it, I half heartedly told him to shoot it. Then I went back to my discussion with my colleagues. Suddenly there was a gunshot!

“Did he Shoot the sheep?” I immediately asked. The answer it seemed was Yes. Not really caring about the sheep I still confronted Jeb about how he criticized me for talking to people after dark, yet it was ok for him to be poaching sheep. He didn’t really have a good reason for it other than, I told him too. Hell, he never does anything else I tell him too!

Well, they killed it, they bury it. As we went back to our investigation, I heard Deke cry out in pain. I turned and saw the sheep, Alive and well with it’s mouth clamped around Deke’s wrist! I didn’t even know sheep bit? Then I felt it. This was no ordinary sheep. As it turned I couldn’t believe my senses, much less my eyes. It’s eyes glowed red, and it had fangs!

What kind of Vampire brings a Sheep Over?!?! I had never even heard of such a thing. I could see a dog, or maybe a Cat? No. Not a Cat, but maybe a dog. But a Sheep? And to then let it go feed on it’s own? Not that I really had time to think about it at the moment. The group got scattered and the Americans were shooting at it. Which if I remember correctly is what started this mess. Then the sheep took to the air. So did I. The sheep was as fast as I was and just as strong, but I had my powers much longer than it had. Before I knew it, the sheep was on the ground with half my sword cane sheath sticking out of it’s heart. Just to be certain I pulled the makeshift stake out. The beast remained dead. This confirmed my suspicions. The sheep was not Nosferatu, but was indeed a vampire.

After leaving with the group in a most decidedly mortal way. A thought occurred to me. Stefan had ignored my call back in Orleans and I was still wounded from the damn loup garoux.

I was sure Vampiric blood would heal me. Well Why not the sheep? Distasteful as it was I left the group and circled back to the sheep and fed on it’s corpse. This may have been the lowest thing I have ever done, but it worked. As the blood of a vampire flowed through my veins a second time, I felt the stubborn wounds left by those beasts close, I knew by next evening I’d be back to full strength.

Later upon questioning, Grayden Ross admitted that they had lost sheep, and when the others examined the grounds during the day they found more than one burnt pile of ash. The others had their suspicions, but I had no doubts at all. These sheep don’t survive the day. Whoever is making them just lets them run wild till dawn finishes them. In my mind this seems sloppy, but considering that nobody has caught on after centuries, what do I know?

My first priority was to find this vampire. We were not enemies and I thought he may have information that I could use. If he was behind the Ashterthy vanishing centuries ago, then he may be able to help me in my quest. As I wandered about the countryside, I came upon a most unusual sight. A large group of robed people performing some kind of ceremony. One who seemed to be a leader walked out with a screaming baby. Their outfits hid their identities from me but logic dictates that they must be the neighbors, and unless I’m mistaken the ringleader is none other than Sedwig Ross. Suddenly I felt the presence of the other. Sedwig walked out into the darkness with the child, while the others opened their robes (without revealing their faces) and began the most perverse display I’ve ever witnessed. Which considering the company I’ve been known to keep, says quite a bit. Sedwig returned empty handed and joined in.

Fearing the fate of the child I started to move, when I was suddenly knocked to the ground. One of his damned sheep had actually attacked me! I threw it off of me when I felt a searing pain in my wrist followed by my leg. I was being attacked by a vampiric Flock! There were at least three of the monsters and at those odds my confidence was starting to waver. As another bit into my other arm, I lost my grip on the stake. We wrestled on the ground but before I knew what happened, I was pinned and immobilized.

As I realized I was outclassed, By Sheep, I panicked. Refusing to have faced Dracula himself, only to be destroyed BY SHEEP, I broke free and flew. They naturally followed me and would have caught me too if I didn’t pass the neighorbors barn. I flew inside and quickly barred the door. The sheep pounded on the walls for hours but eventually either gave up or were killed by dawn, I was too weak from blood loss to care.
Colin Marcus
Colin Marcus
Admin

Posts : 1850
Join date : 2009-09-19
Age : 46
Location : Impresk

Back to top Go down

From the Journal of Robert Dallion Empty Scotland

Post  Colin Marcus Mon May 17, 2010 12:20 pm

Sept/xx/1896

The next morning I was woken by movement in the barn. I recognized the voices of the Americans. It seems that they knew someone was in here and they were waving their guns around dangerously. I was weak and tired as it was I don’t need to get shot. So I stayed hidden. Next thing I knew they were climbing up my loft so I guess I’d better reveal myself. As Deke stepped around the bale of hay I snatched the gun out of his hand.

Turns out they followed a blood trail to the barn.

You know in all the confusion, I don’t think they even bothered to ask where the blood came from. They never found a body. Sure my clothes looked like hell, but I was standing there talking to them, and whatever trail I left they tracked for quite a while... Oh well, best not dwell on these things.

Regardless, I had plans for the night. I knew in my heart where the child had come from and now I needed to know why.

That night I headed to the Leslies house. They were the only ones preparing for a new child. Someone must have stolen the child from them, unless they were in on it. That seems unlikely.

As I arrived at the unfortunate parents home, I let myself in. Something was gnawing at the back of my mind. The first thing I noticed when I looked at Mrs. Leslie was she was no longer expecting. The child was not in the house and yet she slept quite soundly. I looked around the small house for signs of a household expecting a new child. I found none. There was no crib, No blankets. They had no toys, or even little booties knitted. These people never expected to keep the baby!

The horror and disgust I felt at that moment was more than any I ever felt before. How could a mother or Father do that! Did they know what was going to happen? Do they know what they fed the child to? I needed to know what they knew. And I needed to know how many were in on it.

As I left, I went into the field and retrieved two sheep. One I slaughtered then and there. I wrote in large letters with blood on the inside of their door “The Sacrifice was unacceptable” then I led the other sheep into their room. I went round to the outside window and watched them. For having just sacrificed their child, they slept too soundly. When the noise of the sheep didn’t wake them, My very powerful fist on their wall did.

The panic was more than enough to prove their guilt. Sara screamed to high heaven and climbed over her husband who turned pale as a sheet and just sat very still. After a while they realized their error and went to remove this very normal sheep from their home when they saw the sign.

Sara panicked. She started screaming things like “We did what we were asked” and “What did we do wrong” and all sorts of incriminating things.

I don’t think they’ll be sleeping so soundly the rest of the night.

The sheep thing however gave me an idea. Why not see who else knows about them. The rest of the night was spent placing sheep in various bedrooms around the countryside. Everyone of the neighbors panicked in their own way. Some screamed, some froze, some cried. All eventually realized their mistake and sent the sheep on it’s way.

I did get one surprise of the evening though. Sedwig. When I placed the sheep in his room, his response was less than I expected. Something along the lines of “What are you doing in here. Out with you.” Not quite the incriminating evidence I was expecting, but then again, if I’m right then Sedwig is the leader of this cult. Perhaps he knows a vampire sheep when he sees one.

As he went outside with the beast, he scanned the roof line. Why would he scan the roof line? He seemed to believe someone had “placed” the sheep in his room, but why would he expect that person to be on the roof? This man is involved with this somehow. I’m not sure how yet, but he knows something! People don’t scan the roof line looking for pranksters in the middle of nowhere.

And Yes I was on the roof.



Sept/xx/1896
The time has come for some answers and I will start with the Leslies. As they slept peacefully in their beds I snuck into their room, again. I woke them with a start and instantly put the “good” Mr. Leslie to sleep. The woman will be easier to deal with.

She awoke quite angry, demanding of me what I was doing here. I simply asked her where her child was. She hesitated a half second and told me they had lost it, and it was none of my business, or some such nonsense. Lies! Something about this situation infuriated me. I quickly informed her that I had seen them in the field the other night. She grew quite pale at this. I wanted the identity of their master! She refused to answer my question. I Grabbed her unconscious husband by the throat and held him to the wall. She started crying and claimed that he would kill her if she told anything. I answered so would I. I looked her in the eyes and told her that she had nothing more to fear from him, as I my eyes glowed and my teeth grew, then she did of me!

She panicked, but still didn’t give me any answers. Even when I threatened to kill her husband in front of her. What kind of vampire is it that inspires such fear? It actually took me ripping out the bastards throat, before she revealed what was going on.

It seems they are part of a cult. Something to do with a wolf. This struck me odd since we just dealt with wolves in France. Still that was no wolf I sensed out there. It was a Vampire, and not the type that could change shape. She told me that the cult performed the orgies at certain times. The children produced were an accident and given to the beast. She claimed she didn’t know who the leader I saw was, but that none of the Ross’s were involved. Then I grabbed her by the throat and threw her through the wall. With both of them dead, I moved westward to the Kay’s farm.

Here I did much the same routine. I questioned them upon pain of death, and when I got the answers I wanted, I killed them most painfully. They didn’t provide me with much more then the Leslies did.

When I arrived at the Callaghan farm, reason started to filter through the blood rage. I was fast running out of Cult members and this was my last stop before the Ross family. This time I approached John with Intentions of joining their little group. He seemed skeptical, but still with the knowledge I already gathered, agreed to talk with me. He claimed they do not let just “anyone” join. It takes a certain personality to sink to the depravity they excel at. Paraphrased of course. The Rosses weren’t even considered, and Sedwig had nothing to do with this.

The leader was someone from town who came at the appropriate time and wore a mask. None knew who he was. This whole area is devoted to the cult, and when other people take up residence “like the Ross family” then they try to drive them away.

He didn’t entirely believe I was evil (again paraphrased) enough to join the group, but he would... something. I don’t remember because I ripped his throat out with my fangs at that moment. Then I chased down his wife and did the same.

It has been many, many years since I partook of a killing frenzy like this one. This time I felt no guilt. These people who feed their children to an unholy beast while they partake of their hedonistic rituals. No. I feel no guilt over this. Some people in my group will never understand this. This is a simple fact. I have killed before. I have killed many times before. I have absolutely no idea how many people have died by my hand. Men, Women, Young, and Old. All innocents who did nothing to deserve their fate at my hands. It is an... Unpleasant thought. One that has tortured my soul for decades. These “people” were among the very few who deserved the fate they found.

I will lose no sleep over them.

I returned to the Leslies barn, without fear I would be discovered this time.

There are some holes here. Somehow Everyone else found info on the ancient custom of sending children into the woods to be raised with wolves. (Leading us to Werewolves) I had already proven there was a Vampire in the area. At some point Sedwig took us aside and told us this was a combination of the two. And that someone like ME should have put the clues together before now. Sorry. With Pat’s disdain for Underwold, it never occured to me he would take this route. I also had the Ross’s arrange the Leslies barn with Crosses and Oil. I called it the “Death Barn”
Colin Marcus
Colin Marcus
Admin

Posts : 1850
Join date : 2009-09-19
Age : 46
Location : Impresk

Back to top Go down

From the Journal of Robert Dallion Empty Scotland

Post  Colin Marcus Tue May 18, 2010 12:04 am

Sept/xx/1896
Well the Death Barn is complete. Now the only question is how to get the beast inside. Bait. I herded a small Flock of sheep into the barn and waited. Nothing happened.

Sept/xx/1896

Well, why would he go into a Death Barn for sheep when there are so many around? This night I take the Leslie’s Axe and slaughtered the rest of their flock. Then I sat back and waited. Again Nothing.


Sept/xx/1896

Fine, apparently he is feeding on other sheep, and isn’t interested in mine. I wonder what he’ll do when they are the last remaining sheep! I take my Axe and fly around to all the neighbors’ flocks and slaughter all of them. I leave word for the Ross’s that they had best pen theirs up at night.

Still nothing.

Sept/xx/1896
If only I had a cow, A nice juicy cow. Well this idea is a bust. So now I’m down to flying around and hoping for the best. Well of all things, that turned out to be a good idea. I saw the others running through the woods. Dr. LaFette seemed to be in bad shape and the rest were injured themselves. Then I felt the beast, and it felt me too. The moment I saw it I took off straight to the Death Barn. He was faster than me, and stronger than me, and I needed every edge I could get. It was gaining steadily on me as I charged right for the open door. At the last possible second I cut to the side and he didn’t. I slammed the door as fast as I could and almost got it closed.

Yes Almost.

As the door was about to latch, the creature caught hold and forced it back open. I didn’t have much time before this became a fair fight, so I had to think quickly. I grabbed the wood I was planning on staking it with and formed a crucifix with it. While my hands started to smoke and the pain was incredible, it did force my opponent back into the barn. Quickly I slammed the door and locked it magically. It was already a Vampire and Werewolf. If it was a more powerful wizard then me, I give up. He wins.

I could feel the wood from the door shudder, as he pounded to get out. The crosses inside the barn should have made him weaker. In fact I was holding back so he would get weak. As his fist splintered the door, I gave up on that plan and just lit the barn.

Soaked in oil as it was, the barn went up fast. I could hear the beast screaming inside. Very disturbing. After a while the door burst open and the flaming monster ran out. Most of the flesh was gone by now, but it wasn’t giving up without a fight. He chased me back to the Leslie’s house, where I took my trusty axe “sheep-slayer” and lopped his head off. After staking it of course.

Not trusting my luck with destroying enemies lately, I took the flaming head and threw it back into the barn. The body, I added more fuel to and sat back as I watched the house burn down too. This thing has been staked, beheaded, Burned in two Separate piles of ash. Its body was scattered to the four winds and it’s head ashes were buried.

I had better Never see this thing again!

This battle took most of the night, but I still had something left to accomplish. Thanks to Dr. LaFette, I had a blood trail that I could have followed with my eyes closed. Along the way I found Sedwig’s body lying against a tree. He fought the monster with the others apparently but died before they made it back. I didn’t like this man but I am disappointed that he died before I could figure out who he was, and why I disliked him so much. I followed the trail back to the creature’s Lair. I had never seen so many bones in my life. Mostly Skulls. Skulls of every shape and size. Inside was a carving on the wall that matched the symbol on the stone I found in Orleans. I took a rubbing of it and stored it in my hat. Quickly I began looking for Magical emanations. I found them at the back of the cave. At least three stones with strange runes on them. One of these stones had a swivel point on it and I have no idea what it’s for. Oh well, into the hat.

I had best get back to the Ross’s and see if LaFette is still alive or not.

Sept/xx/1896 Cont.

When I arrived at the house, I see the house surrounded by men with guns. After “questioning” one of them I discover that they are involved with the cult of the wolf, and that they were here to kill everyone in the house. I believe that I already made clear my opinion of these cultists. Many were already dead from trying to take the house. Needless to say, none of them made it back to town.

When I entered the house, one them tried to shoot me, If memory serves it was Deke. What I found there was disheartening. Sebastian did not look well. I think the monster may have killed him. Actually it looks like someone shot his body? Deke perhaps? There were other bodies in the house as well. Apparently the Ross men didn’t survive the townsmen.

Rebecca informs me that the sheriff came looking for me earlier this week. Apparently one of the neighbors went to town and was telling wild stories about me. I was annoyed that this. I can’t believe I let one escape. Then they told me who it was.

Sarah Leslie! How did she get away? I know I killed her. I mean, Sure, I had a lot on my mind, and was a little drunk on blood. You have no idea how furious I was with myself, for letting this happen. I really wanted that child killing witch dead! Her above all the rest. Now, she was in town in hiding and out of my reach.


Seriously... I have NO idea how she got away, I thought for SURE she was the first one I killed... Pat disagreed... I was VERY disappointed.


I should track her down. She’s seen me for what I am. Of course she already knew about us, she worshiped on of us, kind of. I walk a very delicate line right now, and can’t afford to lose control in town like I did out here.

The sheriff was a member of the cult as well. Apparently the wolf had control of just about everyone in this region. Well, now they need a new hobby. Anyways the sheriff came in looking for me, just before the house was stormed. He looked at Sebastian and shot him. The stories differ between the group, but everyone agrees that Rebecca was furious, whether through affection or annoyance at having drug his body for nothing tends to differ. Someone shot the sheriff, but I don’t know who. I got the deputy.

Then I found to my amazement, Sebastian was not dead! He was close, but he wasn’t quite. He must have a tremendous desire to live. Depending on what story I believe, I’m not sure what he believes he has to live for so much. We bandaged him as well as we could and then plotted our next course. We needed to get Sebastian to the hospital... again.
Colin Marcus
Colin Marcus
Admin

Posts : 1850
Join date : 2009-09-19
Age : 46
Location : Impresk

Back to top Go down

From the Journal of Robert Dallion Empty Scotland

Post  Colin Marcus Fri Jun 04, 2010 9:15 pm

Sept/xx/1896
Naturally, they would have the carriage arrive in the morning. Rebecca and I took the carriage to town to arrange transport for the others. She has altered her appearance and I have my make-up caked on again. The windows to the carriage remain shut. After a short time, the carriage stops. Suddenly I can sense Stefan.

The driver comes to our door and tells us about a couple who have had trouble. They apparently need a lift. Stefan can handle himself. I tell the driver to move on and leave them. It is the middle of the day and I do not want that door open. I do not want Stefan to be around my companions. He likes to drop “hints” that I don’t feel like covering up today.

As expected I have no say in the matter. We can’t leave till he gets on the carriage. Very well. As the door opens a man and a woman I have never seen before enter the carriage. They introduce themselves as Newlyweds Stetson and Miriam Tellington. A simple spell. Ironic that I was the only one in the carriage that was not using it. They make small talk the rest of the trip to town, and somehow insist that we go with them to Erkhardt Castle.

I quickly convince Rebecca that we had nowhere else to go and it might be “nice” to see a castle. When we arrive we quickly go about the business of getting transportation for the others, and a train ride for Mrs. Ross and the children to London.

When we leave for Erkhardt, we take two carriages. One had the “Tellingtons” and myself and one with the others. It was a straight journey with the exception of a short stop in Ft. Augustas to leave Sebastian in the hospital. The doctors didn’t want us to have very high hopes, but I left a card with him and the name of the castle we were staying at, in case he woke up. Once alone, Stefan asked me why I refused him passage. I reminded him of the whole “sunlight burns me to ash” thing. He then mocked me for not having found a way around that yet.

I updated him on what happened in Asherthy and told him about the Vampiric-Lycanthrope. He didn’t seem surprised at all. Then he told me of a story how he was here in the past and had fought the werewolves before. He had killed one of them and changed it.

I don’t recall why, It was either an accident, or out of curiosity.

Once changed however, it couldn’t be controlled and he was glad that I disposed of my “brother”. I showed him the items that I had collected and he was pleased. I hadn’t missed anything yet. The rest of what I needed was at the castle. Then he gave me a warning. I had only to the end of the month to complete this quest. Also if anyone left the castle they would be killed. He would see to it. I needed the others, though he wouldn’t say why.

As in France, Maral didn’t say anything. I believe she knows more about what’s going on then she can say in front of Stefan. Still When she is ready, she will contact me.

Oct 1, 1896
Once we reached the castle he turned on the British accent and went about their business. We saw them once more when we took a tour of the castle grounds. Lots of history here and the castle has been torn down and rebuilt many times. There is really little of interest to me, except what I can tie to Merlin. So far that is the symbol of Merlin in the basement of one of the buildings, and a few stone mounds that are the same stone as Stonehenge. When the others saw the symbol, they flipped out. They were all sure they had seen it somewhere.

I could have told them where. But a combination of my having Hidden information from them, and having fun watching them rack their brains prevented me. It was the same symbol that was carved on the wall in the cave in Asherthy, and also the same symbol on the stone from France. They actually seemed to be on the right path a couple of times, but then they went all the way back to Egypt. Ah well, it will come in time. Or not.

The experts seem to attribute these items to someone named Emcath. Still what is a name, I’ve had plenty. I assume it’s just another name for Merlin. I keep an eye out for anything magical. There is a statue in the chapel that will give me problems. I am going to have to get Rebecca to examine it.

There are two magical items in the floor of the Great hall and there is something inside the “original” floor of the hall. The floor has the shape of a unicorn and there is a tiny hole at the tip of its horn. Digging through my hat, I find the long stone with the swivel point that I acquired in Asherthy. It doesn’t fit though it looks like it should. After moving the swivel a few times it finally fits and a piece pops out. It is similar to the Element stone I found in the cave and is obviously one of the missing pieces in the floor of the basement. After a little work I retrieved the pieces in the floor too. I am still missing the piece for fire, and I imagine that will be well protected from my kind in the church.

Oct 3,1896

Sebastian wakes me up. How does he do that? For that matter How did he get here? He is in incredible pain but he’s conscious and glad to be out of the hospital. Not bad for “should be dead” a few days ago. Still I was half asleep and I imagine it will have something to do with damage to the floors. I was wrong. Apparently the bodies of Miriam and Stetson were found gutted at the gate with a message that “none may leave”

I don’t know what to think of this. It is the same warning that Stefan had warned me about. I just can’t believe it’s actually them. They were hanging in the sun, but apparently Stefan had beaten that little problem. I will investigate, but I do not believe that is them. Stefan cannot be killed.

I arrive at the makeshift morgue they have set up. I do a quick check with magic with magic and find none. Their stomachs have been gutted and their faces have been ripped off. There is no magic changing their bodies performed here, so this is easy enough to test. Slowly I close my eyes and touch the woman’s body.

I have not touched her in almost 60 years, but my mind will never forget. Her hands were too large, her hips too wide, her.... Whoever this was, it was not Maral. Relieved in my knowledge, I returned to my room.

Oct 3,1896
I am awakened again by a pounding on my door. If it is LaFette again, I may have to kill him. A large stone sword burst through my door, and into me! This, I was not expecting. As the door swung open, I saw a woman, who appeared to be carved from stone. She appeared familiar but I couldn’t remember where. Probably a statue from the tour and she seemed intent on killing me. I made a few pointless attacks, but it was quickly obvious, I had nothing that could stop her. As much as I hated this thought, I grabbed a blanket from the bed and my hat, then jumped through the window.

The pain was excruciating. I had not prepared myself for the daytime, and the odds of me reaching safety were slim. Somehow I made it to another building and I hid in the dark.

Oct 3,1896
I was found there by my companions. I had healed the burns and most of the shoulder wound and it was finally dark. They told me about finding a “place” where a statue “should” have been. They also knew about the floor and the missing magical item. I informed them that I retrieved the piece last night. They then blamed me for the Tellingtons. I tried to talk myself out of the blame, but didn’t sound very convincing.

From here it was pretty easy to go on. They had found the other two marker stones, one in the dove cot, and one in the chapel. They also decided that taking the stones, would result in the awakening of more statues.

They were right.

When we removed the chapel stone, the pictish Jesus tore himself off the cross and shambled after us. It seems some runes had been scraped away and damaged, regardless it moved much slower than the woman. With the stone we also retrieved two spell scrolls.

When we removed the stone in the Dove cot, the entire mound outside started to move. Whatever happens when we return these stones to the floor of the tower, it better have immediate results.
When I returned with the air element, Rebecca had already translated the scrolls. They both involved water. I don’t know what that means, but I don’t particularly like it. We are much too close to the loch for scrolls dealing with water.

I could hear Jeb, Deke and Richard shooting for all they were worth at the top of the stairs, while I quickly inserted all the stones in their places. The others wanted to guess where they went. I still had the rubbing of Merlin’s symbol. I knew what went where. As the last piece fell into place the symbol of Merlin lit up with blue light, and that was it. Really, I expected more. The shooting was still going on. I could find no place for the key. Nothing to turn. I pushed and pulled everything I could think of and nothing happened. So after about fifteen minutes, I just stepped on it. Next thing I knew I was in a cave.

It was incredibly dark in the cave, and I could hear water lapping at the shore in the distance. Suddenly Rebecca was with me and then Sebastian. Nobody else came through so we continued. As we approached the waves, we could see the stone cut away. It appeared to form steps leading into the deep. The two of us begin casting our spells. Now the three of us will be able survive underwater for a time. As I start down the stairs, I see LaFette sticking torches in the water. They went out. Looks like we’ll be doing this blind.

The early parts of the journey weren’t difficult. I can see in the dark very well and could lead us easily. In time however the path got steeper and the world got even darker. In time I resorted to casting Detect Magic and using one of my many magical items as a torch only I could see.

We had a limited amount of time we could explore before we had to turn back. Just as I thought we had failed, and had wasted our precious scrolls, we came upon a black stone box. It was taller than a waist high and upon inspection, had a small pin hole that I was getting quite used to seeing. Rebecca took the key and inserted it. The key then vanished.

This infuriated me. I had used that key numerous times and had never lost it. What did she do? The stone box split open and a magical glow came from it. I reached in a pulled out a smaller box. Something about this seemed too... easy. Every time I’ve used that key and took something from Merlin, a guardian tried to stop us. Regardless, it was time to return.

As quickly as the dark allowed, we made our way to the stairs. At perhaps the steepest, most inopportune part of the path, my fears were realized. We could see little by the glow, but whatever was down here with us was huge. I only caught glimpses, but I saw a huge serpentine neck and sharp teeth. Our spell was running out, we were perched precariously and we had no way to fight it. After all these years, it was time to reveal myself to Rebecca and Sebastian.

I dropped down away and sunk for a moment. Once I was level with them, I grabbed hold tight and flew to the surface. I felt the beast snap at me, but it missed. As we broke the surface, we ran to the teleportation plaque, The others immediately jumped through the portal, but I waited a moment. The monster head broke free of the water and tried to reach me in the tunnel. I saw a fearsome head with an incredibly long neck attached to large body. The rest was still under the waves. Once I had seen what I wanted, I took the portal back to the tower.

When I returned, we found the battle mostly over. Sebastian had been injured again by my sword woman statue, but she was also destroyed. As Rebecca did what she could to stitch Sebastian back up, I opened the box.

Inside were two more magical stones, four scrolls of spells. Fireball, Lightning bolt, gust of wind, and stoneskin. A map, a blank sheet of paper (obviously a hidden spell), and a strange rune with a lot of circles on it.

Something about this seems strange to me. Stefan told me about Fionnes wheel, and Stonehenge. I don’t recall seeing him after this battle or before we left, but I must have.
Colin Marcus
Colin Marcus
Admin

Posts : 1850
Join date : 2009-09-19
Age : 46
Location : Impresk

Back to top Go down

From the Journal of Robert Dallion Empty Scotland

Post  Colin Marcus Fri Jun 18, 2010 5:12 am

Oct 4,1896
After my talk with Stefan, it’s obvious I need to get to Stonehenge. I don’t know how I’m going to get the others to go without someone else pointing the way. They insist on talking with Dr. Wolf, the local historian for clues. At first he didn’t seem to be of much help, but I was able to mold the conversation where I wanted it, with only a few well-placed questions. Somehow I got him to acknowledge the wheel as Druidic magic.

My personal favorite moment was getting him to send us to Stonehenge. I looked at the map and asked him if the holes around the outside meant anything to him. He said no. I pointed out there were 56 of them in a circle, did that mean anything to him. That rung a bell. There were 56 Arbry holes surrounding Stonehenge! And that’s how I got us pointed at England!

Unfortunately everyone still thought Stefan’s warning was in place. They had sent one man out to inform the authorities. I guarantee that man is dead. The next carriage was to arrive that night. I inform the group we will be taking it. The rest of the people can stay here forever if they want. I know the threat is lifted.

Oh yes, one last surprise, the keeper of this castle wishes me to pay for the damages. Well that’s not going to happen. I try to convince him that the castle is better damaged. Looks more historically accurate. Guests can pretend they're under siege. It didn’t work. Then I offered to buy it. He didn’t seem eager to sell. Finally I was just ready to go, so I gave him a card with a name on it, and told him to contact my lawyer. I wonder if he even exists?

When the carriage arrives, we leave for England.


This was also the wonderful night that people called me out on a slur of the tongue... "Something... something... and then we all climb up into the cabbage!"

"Cabbage?!?"

sigh.. "Yes, we all have to be back by midnight! Now get in!"


Last edited by Elric on Fri Jun 18, 2010 5:45 am; edited 2 times in total
Colin Marcus
Colin Marcus
Admin

Posts : 1850
Join date : 2009-09-19
Age : 46
Location : Impresk

Back to top Go down

From the Journal of Robert Dallion Empty England

Post  Colin Marcus Fri Jun 18, 2010 5:13 am

Oct 10,1896
We arrive at Stonehenge late in the night. If anyone asks what was wrong with me that will be my excuse. I must have been tired, or distracted. Regardless, Merlin’s lock beat me. I found the location of two of the Elements on the outside rocks, but I couldn’t find anything on the mounds. I left the two stones I found in my “brother’s” lair on the appropriate mounds. This left me the Stone of Souls, and the two unmarked stones from Loch Ness.

One I placed the two stones, my brain shut down. I wandered the entire place for a spot to insert the remaining three, but found nothing. Then to rub salt In the wound, Jeb was the one to solve the puzzle. He noticed that they resembled the two stones that formed the small rectangle. As soon as he said that I reexamined the map we had. Sure enough, the two missing stones were Marked with an X! I should have just gone back to town then.

As soon as the stone was in place the entire place lit up. The mound stones grew to match the others, and beams of light shot all around completing the diagram. Our Cab took off without looking back. I have a feeling we need to finish this quickly. Suddenly Stefan was behind me. He complimented us on a job well done, He returned the mysterious blank scroll. He told me it contained powerful magic and involved spirit travel. Then he told me to find information on Excalibur.

I had left the soul stone in the center of Stonehenge, but nothing happened. As I went to retrieve it, Dr. LaFette noticed it. He was not pleased. Apparently he felt that I was, how did he phrase it, withholding valuable information from the group. I simply asked him what he would have done differently if they had known that I had found a stone back in France. After he admitted, Nothing would have changed then I countered that it wasn’t valuable information. Secondly I pointed out, he did know I found a magic stone in France with the Werewolves. If he forgot, that isn’t my fault. I’m afraid he didn’t see it that way.

A certain amount of Trust may have been breached, but I can’t worry about that now. I’m so Close to my goal. It has been days since I last fed, but I’m determined not to. Stefan can take the thirst away IF I can get through the locks. I don’t want to kill anymore. I can still hear the screams of the people in Asherthy. They don’t understand. If I have to violate some trust to be free of the hunger, than that is the price.

As it turns out Sebastian knew immediately where the Stone of Souls went. They went right to the Altar stone with it. It seems he recognized that the altar stone was made of the same material. As he slid the stone into place, the circle was encased with a solid wall of darkness. The Altar stone grew back to full size like the mound stones did. I could see forms flowing in and out of the wall. Finally forms started to disengage from the wall and attack us. These spirits would fly into their victims and as they left they seemed to steal the life force of the one they passed through.

The stone was the Stone of Souls and it released the spirit grabbers. I knew the spell books were located on another Plane or in a Spirit world of some kind. I was content to allow the spirits to take us away. After a few moments of that plan, I noticed something. The spirits weren’t after me. They didn’t even notice me! So if my calculations were correct, wherever the spirits were taking my companions, I couldn’t GO. That and the others were growing noticeably weaker, less there. They were dying.

Then Much to my dismay, Richard noticed that unlike the mound stones, The Stone of Souls did not Grow. A pillar grew behind it. So naturally the stone was still sitting there. I scooped it up and went back to the center of the lock and tried activating it and the scroll. Nothing happened. Much like whatever I seem to try today I was completely ineffectual.

I think that just so she wasn’t left out Rebecca solved the next piece of the Puzzle. Our Stone needed to be placed on top of the new Altar stone. I raced over there and slid the stone in place. The Spirits instantly were sucked into the Stone of Souls. As soon as this happened Bright light shot out and formed a large circle. A circle it seems that I was not welcome in. I flew through the air and landed painfully outside the circle. When I reached out to touch the barrier Pain shot through my arm. Well at least we solved the mystery of why Stefan was insistent that we needed Mortals to help with this search.

Much to my surprise Rebecca cried out and fled the circle. Not in such an uncompromising way as I did, but she claimed to be feeling extreme heat and discomfort that only left when she did. Now, I know why I was forced out. I am an abomination to the natural order of life. What I don’t know is why she was forced out. She is neither Vampire, nor Nosferatu. Of that I am Sure. I have recently learned that the Werewolf is not as transmittable as legend claims. Yet the holy circle harms her and Holy water causes her to explode? And yet she doesn’t display the aversion to churches that I do. I don’t know. I guess that’s a mystery for another day. Unfortunately that leaves both the magic users on the outside.

The beams of light had scorched a dark X in the center of the lock. My genius plan was to start digging. After all X marks the spot right? The Americans started digging while I paced the outside. Dr. LaFette however had another plan. Focused as I was on the digging, I didn’t catch all the particulars but I guess it involved fiones Wheel being carved on the top of Stonehenge. All I know is it unlocked the power of the blank Scroll and the next thing I knew we were all, Someplace else.

FYI... I HATED the Stonehenge night... Just sayin'
Colin Marcus
Colin Marcus
Admin

Posts : 1850
Join date : 2009-09-19
Age : 46
Location : Impresk

Back to top Go down

From the Journal of Robert Dallion Empty Merlin's 'Tower'

Post  Colin Marcus Mon Jul 05, 2010 12:11 am

Merlin’s Tower
Oct 10,1896
What we were seeing was a replica of Stonehenge. Made of living trees. Each type of stone used was represented by a different species of tree. And surrounding the circle were bookshelves. And on those shelves? Books. More Books than I had ever seen before.

In these books seemed to be the knowledge of centuries. Every subject known and/or forgotten by man. It didn’t take me long to find the magic section. I had never imagined such power. My mind grows dizzy now just thinking about it. There is enough might here that the proper wizard could rule the world.

However, there was nothing about returning life to the undead. Gahh I hate that word. If there was a spell such as Stefan mentioned, it was not here. With the knowledge I had discovered, I believe if it did exist, it would have been here.

On a separate note, I do not know how long we studied. Rebecca and Dr. LaFette were engrossed as I was, While our American comrades were as bored as usual. I sense we were here for quite a while but none in our group slept, or ate. In fact the hunger that had been welling inside me simply wasn’t there. Was this the cure Stefan promised? Much as I enjoy the history of the world, I have no intention of staying here forever. But the Sun! This glade was set in a bright summer day. It’s been over 130 years since I had seen the sun without fear of destruction! It didn’t occur to me how much I missed it.

Fortunately Dr. LaFette was the first to discover where we were. There was a tree in the center with carvings in every language known throughout history. They all said one thing. Merlin.

I acted surprised.

I still hadn’t thought of a way to explain this and them finding out on their own made my life easier. It also allowed an easy segue for Excalibur. As soon as I mentioned it the good doctor started poring over books for clues. And he seemed to find them. Also, something mentioned about a goblet of life or some such thing. The Holy Grail. If the stories are true and This is what Stefan wants, I don’t see how such a holy object will help me. It will probably burn me to ash.

We did find some intersting things there. First apparently Merlin had an ongoing feud with Vampires or Nosferatu, the old legends are Vague. He created children to help him fight them. Werewolves. Apparently Werewolves hate my kind and attack on sight. As soon as Sebastian read that I glanced around nervously. It seems like just yesterday they were all commenting on how the beasts singled me out. But fortunately that conversation slipped their mind. Yet after all this time these little things still surprise me.

Soon however my night/day went sour. I made a comment about wielding the sword of kings, and my good friend Jebediah told me what he thought of the idea, and by extension me. I don’t remember the exact words but it was stated I was not a good person. I was an Evil man. An Evil man that did good things, but Evil none the less. Richard backed him up on this.

Evil! After all I have done, and more importantly all I haven’t done. Many a night went by when I could think of little else but draining them all. They entered into my room without punishment, I even followed them into the Daylight. Daylight! What other Vampire would have done that! I protect them from knowledge that would harm them. I have constantly jeopardized my eternal life to prolong their mortal ones. Kunaton, Dracula, Frankenstein’s Creature. I even prevented Rebecca from writing her vampire novels, to protect her from Those Who Keep Our Secret. Since I have known them, I have made more enemies than I ever imagined. To keep them alive. And yet still, Evil.

I fought the semantics with the three Americans when LaFette and Rebecca returned. Upset as I was I just asked them, “Do you think I’m Evil?” And they were strangely quiet. They then tried to rationalize my “morality” but the silence spoke volumes.

On a side note Rebecca and LaFette performed a kind of marriage ceremony in the glade. Jeb sensed something important was happening, yet when he asked, despite his opinion of my nature, I pitied him and didn’t tell him what had happened.
Stefan had warned me often enough about getting too close to mortals.

Oct 2x,1896
Two Weeks! Our minds have been in the library for two weeks. Our bodies on the other hand have sat where we left them. I seemed to have awakened before the others and Stefan immediatly started questioning me. It seems the only reason my mind didn’t return to a pile of ash, was he kept my location in constant darkness. Despite the fact that he orchastrated this whole mission, I’m sure he’ll see this as another favor I owe him.

He was most pleased when he heard that we unlocked the secrets of Merlin. However he seemed less interested in the magics, then he did in the sword. I pointed to LaFettes body and informed Stefan that he had nearly deciphered where to go to find it. Stefan took this time to point out that we lost two weeks off our time frame. Whenever I ask him why this has to be completed by All Hollow’s Eve, he just smiles. My guess is he didn’t expect me to make the connection and never concocted a cover story for that detail.

I was starving. I had sworn off Blood since the castle. I felt I was close enough to freedom that I wouldn’t have to do it again. I may have been wrong. Stefan must have seen something in me, because he took the time to remind me that the people I travel with are cattle. If I wanted one, then I should take one. He walked over to Deke and ran a fingernail across his neck, exposing a trail of blood. Between the length of time since I’d fed and our recent debate of my “Lack of Ethics” I nearly ripped his throat out then and there. I was able to rein the vampire in. The only reason I had left not to must have been my stubborness. I won’t become what they believe me to be.

Suddenly the others started to wake. Deke was a little surprised at his wound and Sebastian was quite shocked at his watch. They started to wonder what happened to our coachman, and with a chill I figured I knew. Then they started debating wether to wait around there or walk back to town. My vote was easy, If we waited too much longer, One of them would die.

My night was scheduled. First and Foremost, I needed blood, and I was becoming less and less concerned where it came from. Second of all I need LaFette to decipher the legends and find Excalibur, and I had to push him to do it very soon. But first the blood. As we approached the train station. I remembered one of my new spells. I had the ability to change one kind of liquid to another. My first try was a success. I changed a whole bottle of wine, into life-giving blood.

It didn’t taste... right. Normally blood is exhilerating. You can feel whatever your victim is feeling. Passion, Euphoria, Pain, Fear. All that you are is in your blood. You can gain flashes of their life and sometimes gain memories or skills. It is a short-lived rush though and usually fades within an hour, and with death is lost forever. Even Animals give a feeling that is somewhat, I don’t know, Primal. This magically created blood had nothing. It had lived no life, and it felt nothing. But it quenched the thirst, and at that time it was the best I’d ever tasted.

With my head clear of murder, it was time to focus on my other problem. They realize that I know more about what’s going on, so this will have to be subtle. If only I was skilled in Misdirection....

I flipped through my new spell book and found what I was looking for. Dream. I sent our good Dr. LaFette a dream.

In this dream the good Doctor was visited by a typical aged wizard who he was to assume was Merlin. “Merlin” informed him that “He who entered the “Grove of Merlin” was to find the sword, and time is of the Essence” or some such nonsense. Regardless it should motivate the group to find Excalibur without the Information coming directly from me.


Colin Marcus
Colin Marcus
Admin

Posts : 1850
Join date : 2009-09-19
Age : 46
Location : Impresk

Back to top Go down

From the Journal of Robert Dallion Empty Re: From the Journal of Robert Dallion

Post  Colin Marcus Tue Jul 06, 2010 6:40 pm

Oct, 24 1896
Well the dream worked better than I could have hoped. Not only does Sebastian consider himself of the utmost importance since the all-powerful Merlyn gave him a quest, but apparently I’m jealous that I wasn’t contacted. So be it, I can play that up.

As we rode toward the town that LaFette had decided was Camelot, the dinner conversation got ugly. Perhaps I am a little sensitive to the remarks of my “friends” but I have my reasons. I don’t remember how the conversation got started this time, but again Jeb insisted on insulting me. Some of the highlights were when Deke turned on Jeb and was quickly reminded by Jeb that “He could have helped LaFette kill him in cold blood”. To which I snidely remarked that would have made him as Evil as Me. Jeb disagreed. My response was something to the effect of “My waking people up to discuss things is more evil than your cold-blooded murder?!? What the Hell Jeb! What the Hell?” Then we sat around comparing Sins. At least the ones they were aware of. For Jeb I just asked him to go down the Commandments. Lie, Steal, Murder, and the one that really shut him was Coveting his Neighbors Wife. Looking back, that really was a low blow. At the time I was trying to make a point. He got up and left the table. Shortly after, the people of the train started raising a commotion.

As we went to the window to see what was happening, we could see the town that was our destination. Off in the distance was a huge fire. We could hear people claiming it was the “old Fort” located ironically where we suspected the sword was. As it stands this lent considerable weight to the dream.

As we disembarked the train some of us went to find lodging while I went to find transportation to the blaze. I Planned on hypnotizing a driver and taking his carriage, but it seemed that a large portion of the townspeople were heading to the blaze and he gladly arranged transport.

The blaze was amazing. It covered a ring around the whole ruins. As we manuvered our way around back, I noticed something in the flames. A Man, stuck on the end of a pike in the fire. As I looked around more closely, I noticed he wasn’t alone. There were many people stuck in the ground and looking every bit the part of a forest of.... and my blood ran cold.

You know what I mean....

I’ve heard of this kind of behavior. There was once a man who made this kind of torture famous, Vlad Tepes, Ruler of Transylvania, Son of the Devil, Dracula, Lord of the Nosferatu, The Prince! He was after Excalibur and this is what Stefan had sent me for.

Well I wanted no part of this fight. I had already fought this battle twice and survived. I knew we would meet again, but I had planned on a nice century or two to prepare! Still the others wanted to enter the ring so I used my newly acquired power, in the form a blast of Freezing cold to fight enough of the flame to enter the ring. And there waiting for us was, nothing.

Dracula must be long gone from this place yet the flames still burn bright. I tried to search for magical emanation but came up empty. Still it was a large place and I may have to go back. Our resident Archaeologist noticed that the ground was a patchwork, looking much like a chess board. I suggested digging for graves, if that is where we suspected the sword to be. I had spells that would turns these mounds to moats. As I left to memorize my spells in the shadows, Stefan met me.

He chided me for my fear of Dracula, he knew perfectly well who was responsible for the ring. And then he insulted my intelligence, saying my companions are making me a fool. After dinner this evening I’m not entirely sure he’s wrong. Regardless, this place was a holy land. Druids carried the patches from every part of Ireland and it would be “Bad” if I allowed it to be dug up.

So now I had to convince everyone not to dig when it was my idea to dig. As I returned to the group, they were taking a vote on whether to head to town and rest or not. I quickly joined the leave vote. As soon as we returned, I sent another spell dream to Sebastian. This time Merlin informed him about the Druid grass, and forbade him to desecrate the land.

Oct 25,1896
Sebastian had some Fascinating news. Merlin came to his chosen one again that night. Apparently the Chess board landscaping was the work of druids and we were forbidden to dig. Who would have thought? I asked all the right questions to probe his memory for the little bits he forgot to offer, until we got them all. Then I acted jealous that Merlin would talk to a lowly archaeologist, when he had a perfectly good mage two doors down. Then they all laughed at me. Ahh well.

Apparently Sebastian and Rebecca went to visit the town museum and found it unnaturally closed. With all the chaos last night I wasn’t overly concerned until Rebecca mentioned that there was a strong magic source in the building.

Then, just when I thought nothing these people could do would surprise me again, they ask me to pick a few locks and break in! Now I don’t remember any strange magic being cast on me or anything, but wasn’t it Just Last Night, we had this discussion? Seriously! Just Last Night! Not even a full a 24-hr period. Closer to 22. I just sat there in shock for an unnaturally long time.

Well as soon as we entered the museum the source of magic was pretty clear. There were four large horns in a back case. It seems they are War horns of some sort. Three of them radiate with Enchantment magic and one with Alteration. Apparently They were found a few kilometers away on the shores of the lake Many, Many years ago.

Richard found some kind of a rune marking on an Arch stone. I don’t know what it means, but for some reason I feel the need to destroy it. Everyone seems to think that we are meant to open a gate of some sort. I disagree. Some gates are shut for a reason I argued. They argue that this is a “Holy” site. I remind them that there are Evil gods too. I make mention of the date and Rebecca finally recognizes it. Halloween, the time when the spirit world overlaps with the physical world. This is Not a gate I want Open! Yet These were Horns I wanted Blown.

We took the horns out of town and toward the lake that they were originally found. I put the horns together and tried to blow them. Nothing happened. The magic must have been very old and worn out. Deke claimed he could make the noise come out, so I let him try. Apparently the magic has a delayed reaction, because as soon as he tried to use it, my attempt produced a long, loud, note. Granted Deke got all the credit, but I guess that’s the way it happens sometime.

As the horn note disappeared in the distance, new sounds took its place. The sound of Wolf Howls. I immediately started packing up the horns and running for town. Naturally with a horn of Alteration, I realized what probably happened. I probably just populated the area with brand-new Werewolves. As I’m getting ready to leave, I heard two of the stupidest things ever. The first, “What if they are normal wolves?” In the land of Merlin, on a quest for Excalibur, having learned that Werewolves are Merlin’s Children, and having just sounded a magical war horn. Yes, What if they are “Normal wolves”. Idiots.

The Second thing stopped me however. Our poor archeologist with the delusions of grandeur uttered the words “Don’t worry! They won’t attack us. Merlin sent us here!”

Okay, I admit, when I started sending him these dreams I never predicted this outcome. By now I was quite a bit away from them with Rebecca running too. The others I guess decided to put their faith in Merlin’s Champion. Stupid people are going to die, and then they’ll blame me!

Stopping I gave Rebecca the horns and told her to blow the Enchantment Horn. Maybe we could control them. Then I wiggled my fingers for appearances and flew back to the idiots.

On a side note, I have noticed that since gaining Merlin’s secrets, I can pretty much do anything I want around these people. I just have to wiggle my fingers first and they never ask questions.

As I flew back, I saw the wolves, not Ordinary wolves either, backing away and returning to the darkness. LaFette was incredibly full of himself and Richard had twisted his ankle. I told the others to meet me at Rebecca and they took off running. With a quick spell Richard and I were in front of Rebecca. In fact Rebecca even had time to bandage the leg up a bit before the others caught up. I believe that helped remind them of my power. I may be wrong.

According to Sebastian, the children recognized them as Servants of Merlin. He couldn’t wait to sleep tonight and get more advice from the wizard. Unfortunately I had no more to give.

As I walked back to my room, I felt a familiar connection. Stefan was nearby. Sure enough he was waiting for me in my room. We spoke of many things that night. I told him of the horns and how the wolves didn’t kill the others. He agreed that Merlin was responsible for them not getting eaten. He also found humor in my manipulation of the good doctor by dreams. The horns are used to summon the werewolves. What I did tonight was summon all of them from this Island into this one area. And they wouldn’t be enough.

This is the story that Stefan imparted to me. The ring of flames as we saw was incomplete. Every Stake was full, the ones that had no bodies were Vampires who turned to ash in the fire. They were Druids whose main purpose was to fight an evil that would come through the gate on All Hallow’s Eve. They would summon the spirits of Legendary warriors to fight back the evil and push it back into its own world. They did this every year. This year however, Dracula got here first. The chief of the druids was Caulic, He had been doing this since the time of Merlin. According to Stefan, Caulic was one of the four oldest of “our” kind, along with himself. When Dracula killed Caulic, he also destroyed all the vampires he had made through the centuries. Along with any knowledge on how to summon the spirits.

Stefan informed me of our new mission. We were to retrieve the weapons. We were to summon the werewolves, and we were to fight in the druids place. Stefan handed me a tiny replica of the magic horns on a chain that Caulic had worn. Inscribed in the language of the ancients was written “Trust the children”

Unfortunately the time it took to impart all of this, cost me my window to send Sebastian a dream.
Colin Marcus
Colin Marcus
Admin

Posts : 1850
Join date : 2009-09-19
Age : 46
Location : Impresk

Back to top Go down

From the Journal of Robert Dallion Empty Re: From the Journal of Robert Dallion

Post  Colin Marcus Thu Jul 15, 2010 5:54 am

Oct 26, 1896
This afternoon while they were all gone, I slipped the horn pendant on the good doctors bed. Then I rested till dinner.

At dinner the others had some interesting news. They still couldn’t find the curator of the Museum, but they did track down this Mr. Caulic’s house. They didn’t notice the shock on my face at hearing that name. Of course it makes perfect sense for a Druid, and a vampire to be in charge of the museum! A Marvelous way to limit knowledge. I often hear people say that History is written by the Winners. That is a lie. History is determined by those who pass it on. Caulic has been shaping the history of this area for thousands of years.

Regardless they were able to track down Caulic’s home. It was apparently lived in, and the fires were still roaring. When they tracked down the servants in an upstairs room however, they found only corpses.

Richard examined the bodies. None of them were Caulic’s (I knew where his was) and on one of the bodies they found the throat torn out. Amidst the wounds they were shocked (I wasn’t) to find Human sized Teeth marks.

It was at this point they still didn’t seem to put any pieces together, They should have at least been able to identify that they were dealing with a vampire. I came right out and asked them. When they admitted that it “could” have been a vampire, then I asked if they wanted to know who it was.

“Dracula”

I could actually hear their hearts skip a beat. An interesting sound to say the least. They demanded that I tell them how I knew for sure. I explained that I knew a great deal on the subject, and I suspected (knew) ever since I saw the forest of death. A practice so unique that whether the Nosferatu desired it or not, Vlad the Impaler has gone down in history. Now that they found evidence of a Nosferatu (I still like to make the distinction) All my doubts were gone.

This is when Rebecca decided to share some information. She has been having horrible dreams, and felt the presence of someone she only knows as “my prince”. This has been going on for five years or at least since the ship to Egypt. It seems to cause some problems with her newlywed status.

I have no idea what this is. I don’t believe he has infected her. She would have succumbed by now. She still wears her crucifix, yet her blood reacts with Holy water? It’s more than simple hypnosis, and the distance he can act through her is great. I am certain he hasn’t stayed very close to us this whole time.

Sebastian wished to try the horns again by the lake, but Rebecca felt that she might... Disrupt the truce, Apparently she remembered that the children were created to fight the vampires. Nobody remembered that five of the beasts abandoned them to chase me up a tree.

I offered to watch her while he went to his certain doom, and the two of us began a search for Jeb. He has been gone much to long with Vlad roaming the area. After a few hours searching, we returned to the inn. I had to find out more about Rebecca’s condition.

I tried to hypnotize her but he has wiped any memory of their encounter completely. If this was a case of simple charming, then I was completely outclassed. When dealing with those already hypnotized a skilled charmer can still find back doors and attack the problem from different angles and get some results. I worked on her for most of the night and got nothing. Finally I put her to sleep and told her to wake fully refreshed in the morning. Sebastian never returned, so I sat with her till dawn and then retreated to my own room.

In case Sebastian was still alive, I sent him another Dream.

Oct 27, 1896

Everyone rose late today. Sebastian didn’t get in till after dawn, but at least he found Jeb. They had searched the area by the lake and found what twisted Richard’s ankle. It was a stone disk that showed the carvings of another of Fionne’s Wheel on it. Yet everyone acted like they had never seen anything like it?

At dinner he had some more news. Merlin sent him another dream. This time it showed three time periods. In the first it showed a group of Druids, wearing the rune and horn pendant that we acquired, summoning spirits with fantastic weapons (of very vague design, I don’t know what they look like) fighting demons of some sort and forcing them through the gate. The Second one showed a ring of fire with the two pendants on the stakes. The third showed us using the same vague weapons fighting alongside werewolves against the demons.

After he finished his story, my first question to him was “So these are gates we want to keep closed, correct?” He concurred with reluctance (Ok, it may not have been fair, but I’ve been losing most of my arguments lately) Then he correctly deduced that the druids fought the demons, and this time the Druids were dead. Then he incorrectly assumed that we had to summon the spirits.

Stefan had laughed at the idea when I had suggested it. There was no way we would be able to do that. To Sebastian I simply asked “Are there any summoned spirits in the final dream?” The Answer was No. We are the ones using the warriors’ weapons. And we will be doing the fighting.

During the day I had a few more ideas on how to break Rebecca’s curse. First I tried a Geas. This is the most powerful form of Hypnosis I was able to discover in the books. I commanded her to sleep when the prince’s power came over her or she felt him spying through her. She immediately collapsed. Now I figured when he couldn’t use her his influence would leave. Well he was content to use her unconscious form for at least a few hours. Next I decided to try something to prevent him scrying us. I used her to send him a picture of myself shooting her in the head and then cutting off all scrying.

Ideally this would have led him to believe her dead, and then he would stop trying to use her. That didn’t work either. The final thing I could do was to create an area around us that cancelled all Magic. At this she awoke. Whether this was because I broke his spell or my Geas, I don’t know. But regardless we could now leave and take her with us. I believe that the only way to destroy his hold on her is to destroy him. She asked me some rather pointed questions about her condition, and for a change I was competley honest with her. Was she Dead? No. What is wrong with her? I don’t know, I have never heard of someone having this kind of hold for this long. If nothing changes will she rise as a vampire when she dies? Probably.

I magically scryed the horn of enchantment and what was revealed was that it was one-third the key to the tomb of heroes.

Stefan didn’t know where the weapons were hidden but he suggested the fort that we had already searched. So having the keys, we all went back. After more searching I suddenly got an idea. I asked LaFette to pull out the wheel. I didn’t seem to match anything here, but Rebecca and Sebastian did recognize it as a different site they had explored. We immediatly changed directions and headed over there.

Sure enough there were the rings built right around the site. It didn’t take long to find the markings that we needed to use to blow the horns. Of course nothing happened. We tried every combination that we could think of and then I noticed something on the wheel. The images on the wheel looked just like people blowing horns. Except their horns were S shaped and not crescent shaped. We had them assembled wrong. One quick adjustment and the magic started happening.

In the center of the circles the ground started trembling. Within moments the ground gave way to create a large pit. While the rest of us stood around, LaFette broke out some climbing gear and started to descend. About ½ way to the bottom I saw his pick slip and he started to fall. Without thinking I flew down and caught him by the ankle and lowered him to the ground. I quickly prepared an excuse to use, but nobody asked so I decided to save it for later.

Rebecca and the others were going to follow as soon as she prepared a feather fall, but there was no need for Sebastian and myself to wait. With a torch lit, we slowly made our way to down the tunnel till we came to an open area. In it was a large pitcher of some kind and there were roots and vines throughout the whole area. As soon as we entered, the roots sealed the passage and the room began filling with water.

We tried a few things to get out. Filling the pitcher. Drinking from the pitcher. Each. By the time the water reached the four-foot mark, I just used the pitcher to splash water on the vines and I watched them dissolve. I quickly cleared both sides and during that time the others had caught up.

The entire group walked into the next room only to have the doors erupt in flames. High above us there was a canister that struck me as lamp like. I lit a torch, flew up and lit the lamp, and the doors extinguished themselves.

The next room had a giant table, surrounded by six Giant chairs, and in the corners there were six giant skeletons. It didn’t take very long for them to start rising and trying to kill us with six giant axes. I got everyone to get behind me against a wall and I released a ball of fire that utterly destroyed four of them and seriously damaged the other two. The others unloaded their weapons and quickly dispatched them. Unfortunately that wasn’t the key to the door. The table and chairs were destroyed and the skeletons were jumbled ash so seating them at the table was out. After trying a bunch of different things I scanned the area for magic. The axes glowed brightly. When swung against the passage doors they carved the stone like butter. With a little work we were finally free of the last trap.

What stood before us was a chamber surrounded by skeletons, they were wearing armor and holding weapons. Tapestries were hung all around. A crystal clear pool was in the center. With my eyes still detecting magic, I could tell that all the armor and tapestries were highly magical. At the foot of the pool was a larger skeleton whose spear shown brighter than the rest. His skull was removed from the body and set in a place of honor above him. I was certain that these were the legendary heroes that the druids summoned and these were the weapons we needed to find. Only problem was Excalibur wasn’t here. The “King” had the powerful spear but where the others were keeping swords, his sheath was empty. If that was Kukalain then something that powerful must have been the Spear of Victory. I immediately laid claim to it.

We found three hooks on the wall in similar places to where we needed to use the horns as keys. So we placed them on the walls and the wall... Absorbed them. Convinced that the all the stories of the Lady of the Lake held some tentative truth, yet fearing any magical holy properties, I convinced LaFette to enter the pool.

The pool remained as clean as ever, despite the filthy mess Sebastian was. He wandered around toward the middle and started to sink, as if he were going down stairs. We could see the bottom clearly yet in moments we could not see Sebastian at all. I had Rebecca test the water to see if she burned herself and when it didn’t I came to the conclusion that A) Sebastian was sent somewhere to receive the sword and would return, or B) He would get the sword and would be unable to return this way. Remember the horns that were taken into the wall were found outside the lake. The pool probably returned us to the surface. Still we may as well wait to see if he returned on his own, and I had depleted some of my most useful spells. So we sat and waited.
Colin Marcus
Colin Marcus
Admin

Posts : 1850
Join date : 2009-09-19
Age : 46
Location : Impresk

Back to top Go down

From the Journal of Robert Dallion Empty Re: From the Journal of Robert Dallion

Post  Colin Marcus Wed Sep 15, 2010 11:38 pm

Oct 27, 1896 cont.
After a Long while, we finally decided he wasn’t coming back. We gathered enough spears, swords, shields and armor to outfit us all. Just as we were getting ready to leave Jeb commented on the tapestries. They were much too big to take with us so I studied them again with my detect magic spell.

Oddly enough what was Magical Illusion and what wasn’t was the key to it all. If you only looked at the part that glowed it formed a separate picture. The first showed four druids hanging up the horns. Ok, we did that. The second showed a man disappearing into the pool. We did that too. The third showed a man throwing a skull into a lake with the moon shining. This was new. But it confirmed my suspicion that the pool teleported you outside. The Fourth showed the man receiving the sword. What I learned from this is Sebastian needed a skull to throw into the lake and we happened to have a good sized one sitting right here. Grabbing Kukallain’s skull and the weapons we entered the pool and walked up on the shore of a pond with Sebastian waiting. There were many skulls here and none of them worked for him. But we had the one he needed.

Sebastian threw the skull in the pond and something happened. A light started to shine from the lake and finally a sword poked out of the water followed by an arm and then it waited. Ever since I started sending messages to Sebastian’s dreams I had released any claim on Excalibur. Still I had the Spear of Victory and that wasn’t a bad consolation prize, and it meant I didn’t have to swim out to claim it.

As Sebastian took hold of it, the hand released it and disappeared into the water. The light from the sword went out and we began to realize what a problem Sebastian was going to have swimming while carrying a sword. For his age, he did well. As he returned to shore the pond started doing something... else.

The water started whirlpooling. Eventually there was a path of earth that led to the center. In the center was a Cauldron. This must be the Chalice of life. This is what the whole adventure, the lying, the manipulating, was all about. I started running for it. Sebastian started following me but a strong hand on his shoulder stopped him cold. “That is not for you” I heard Stefan tell him over the wind.

When I reached the cauldron, Stefan called out to me, “Bring me that, Robert” Damn him, He’s going to ruin everything. Why didn’t he meet me later? Even if he doesn’t kill them, he’s going to reveal all my secrets to them. I can’t refuse him. He’s told me what will happen to them if I don’t obey. At least I can do what I can to make this look heavier than it really is. Which he openly derides me for. Probably shouldn’t have done anything to make him “tease” me in front of them. If I’m very careful and very lucky, I may still be able to control this. They may not figure it out. As soon as I hand it to Stefan, he sticks his hand inside and when he withdraws it covered in blood. His eyes start to glow, his teeth grow long, and he starts licking his hand. Crap!

Just as my companions start looking toward me with questions, another familiar voice came over the wind. “Give the Cauldron to me” said the Prince. Stefan and Dracula both wanted it and with little discussion attacked each other. I felt powerful magic go off and instantly the two of them were quite a distance away and severely battle damaged. Stefan had lost his arm near the elbow. Infuriated I grabbed the Spear of Victory and charged Dracula. I could hear the others trying to follow, but they would never catch me tonight. With Stefan at my side, and the spear in my hands this was the best chance of ever killing Dracula and freeing Rebecca. The spear felt awkward in my hands and I got one or two shots in before Sebastian arrived at my side. Unfortunately Stefan at this point had little fight left to him.

Dracula had him by the throat and he was bleeding from his severed arm, his neck and many other places. I had to separate them. I thrust my spear straight at him and he blocked it with Stefan. As the spear went into my own father, I saw the smile on Dracula’s face. I pushed straight through. Stefan was injured more, but I learned long ago that a vampire can survive nearly any wound. I just had to get him away. As I pushed through the smiled disappeared. The spear dug deep into his body. He grabbed it and refused to allow me to retrieve it, so I lifted them both up and slammed them down. By now the others had caught up and were also trying to hurt him with little success.

Dracula rose from the ground and instantly produced two burning stakes. Seeing him head to Stefan’s helpless form, I started to charge but was too late. Dracula plunged one of the stakes deep into my father’s chest.

As Stefan started to die, he screamed out a word. I couldn’t understand what it meant at the time, but suddenly I was bombarded with memories and thoughts that weren’t my own. I saw Merlin and his three other apprentices. I saw Dracula killing us and Merlin casting at the same time. Suddenly I knew that was the connection between Vampires and Nosferatu. Dracula wanted to hurt Merlin by bringing his students over but something the sorcerer did changed us. We were still Undead, but he had no control over us. We were different. I saw Dracula murder Merlin. Centuries passed before my eyes. Years later, I saw him kill one of the other apprentices, suddenly 1/4 of all vampires in the world simply ceased to live. Every one of his children was tied to his death. Suddenly I knew what the word was. It was an inheritance. The blood line. When casting this spell, it transfers the memories and “ownership” of the bloodline. I knew if I died... Stefan knew if he died, all his children would follow. This spell preserves the line. I can sense all of my children.. Stefan’s Children. The spell was there for me to use also if I needed it.

Suddenly I was back in the fight. I don’t how much time passed, but it didn’t look like any. Dracula continued to try to break my grip on the spear, but I refused to yield. In one move he had both Sebastian and myself by the throat. He claimed that the only way to survive was to join him. With a flick of my wrist, I retrieved my wand. No longer a simple prop, I unleashed five bolts of pure magic into his gloating face.

Deciding to flee, he grabbed the cauldron and changed his shape into his Giant Bat form. As he took off, I didn’t hesitate and flew after him. There was no way I was going to let him get away with this. He killed my oldest friend and had Rebecca as his thrall. He had to die, and I had just the stake to do it.

I chased him a few kilometers before he chose to land. I dove straight at him and drove the spear into the ground. He again claimed it was not time for me to die. That would happen when “He” arrived. I don’t know who “he” is but my fight tonight was with Vlad. I remember being told when I was younger to watch my temper. If I lose control, I lose an edge in battle. Since that time I have rarely lost or surrendered control in any situation. This attitude had served me well in my profession. If a magician loses control, someone can get very hurt. This seems to be a source of frustration amongst my companions. Still it is who I am. But it is not who I was tonight. Tonight I was Rage personified and my skill with a weapon proved it. I never touched him. Looking at me with curiosity he asked me “Do you really think you can win?”

With a touch of overconfidence I replied “With this spear I can’t Lose”. Then he said something that I’ll remember for Centuries.

“That’s not the Spear of Victory!”

Looking at it with new eyes and new memories, I knew what it was. It was the spear that Kukalain got from the Scottish woman’s school. The spear that inflicts major wounds. A good weapon, but by no means did it guarantee victory. To prove a point he got a claw in for a major wounding of his own!

I don’t remember much about the battle. I know I never backed down. Every time he knocked me down, I would have enough passion to get back on my feet. I was here to free one friend and avenge another. Either I would kill him or I’d die trying. The last thing I recall is looking up at Dracula as he grabbed my spear from my numb hands and drove it through my body and hung me from the ground. The last thing I thought was how I failed my brothers. And my sister Maral. I tried to use the word, but couldn’t move my mouth. Then Blackness.

I felt the ground tremble. I remember voices, though I couldn’t make out any words. Next thing I recall is being in a room with bright lights. I had a sheet over my head. I pulled the sheet off my head and sat up. I felt more pain than I ever recalled feeling course through my body. I was in a Hospital. My shirt and coat were opened and my wound “patched”. Based on the location of the sheet, I assume I didn’t make it. It isn’t the first time I’ve woke up in such a place, though it has been a long while.

I must have been dazed or weak because it was at that point I noticed I wasn’t alone in the room. I looked up and saw Rebecca staring at me. She had a look on her face I hadn’t seen before. A knowing look. Like she came to a conclusion. She took off her crucifix and walked toward me. The Cross makes me weak, but with my wounds and hunger I couldn’t get any weaker. She pressed it against the sleeve of my arm. I quickly “stumbled” off the edge of the table. My fevered mind was working overtime. How could I talk my way out of this? They obviously knew too much and were starting to put the pieces together. I searched my mind for a magical reason I could use.

“Didn’t Anyone touch me?” I asked her. She admitted that she doesn’t remember and asked why. I quickly pulled a spell combination of Contingency and Health Drain. I knew she couldn’t cast the contingency yet herself and the True name of Health Drain is Vampiric Touch. I don’t know where they got that name from but it doesn’t matter. I didn’t think it prudent to use that term at this exact moment. It was a long shot but she might buy it.

Then just to add a little more believability, I derided her on the lack of physical contact, and feigned anger at the “allowing me declared dead” bit. I added that if they ever found me weak again like that, someone had to make physical contact with me. Don’t do it if you’re injured yourself, but find the strongest person around. She decided we needed to get out of there quickly and she cast invisibility upon me. As I stumbled weakly down the hallway, the doctor stopped Rebecca and told her to wait for the authorities. As appetizing as the people were beginning to look in here, Like Hell was I going to wait around. And I said as much.

I returned to the inn as quickly as I could manage. I tried to sense Maral, See if she was near. I could sense her easily, much easier than I ever could before. She was in America. I would have to track her down later, right now I needed blood. I drank more bottles than I normally do in a week. I could feel it working too. It had no taste, but my body accepted it and put it to work healing the damage. I passed out on the bed.

How much time passed, I don’t know, but Sebastian and the others walked into my room. I must have been very out of it to not secure the door. Very clumsy! I won’t make that mistake again. They insisted on hearing what happened. I told them the same story about health drain, and said it must have been a nurse or doctor who woke me up. I then had to justify my using such a horrible spell. I had to justify that the people would be fine and that it is mostly used on horses and such. Rebecca then chimed in that the spell wouldn’t kill anyone. I’m not sure where she got that idea, I know I never made that claim. Actually at my power level I’m pretty sure it would. Of course I didn’t say any of this, I was in enough trouble as it was.

Eventually everyone left me be in peace, and I once again passed out. I believe I covered myself quite well that night.
Colin Marcus
Colin Marcus
Admin

Posts : 1850
Join date : 2009-09-19
Age : 46
Location : Impresk

Back to top Go down

From the Journal of Robert Dallion Empty Re: From the Journal of Robert Dallion

Post  Sponsored content


Sponsored content


Back to top Go down

Back to top


 
Permissions in this forum:
You cannot reply to topics in this forum