So what message are you sending back to the Guild? Are you even sending a message back or resting for the night?

Elsara ponders for a moment before beginning to cast her next spell "Not spellcraft, seemingly supernatural in capabilities. Possibly witchery with control of rats as spies. Responses are important, 25 words available. Will speak again tomorrow." She finishes off and awaits a reply.

It takes a bit to for the reply to come, seemingly Catherine was racking her brain for information. Then after 5 minutes, a response came. "If no magic is changing appearance, likely Vampire. If magical disguise present, likely fiend. Do not let out of sight. May act if given chance."

Elsara sits up from her comfy armchair. "So Miss Darkwing says that the nature could be vampiric in nature. I guess it would make sense to be in a secluded area with lots of cover from the sun. I didn't see any illusory effects, so the thought of it being a fiend might be less likely, but the isolated area would make for a better location than getting caught in a city. The Guild recommends keeping them in sight. We should probably plan for either outcome; what sort of things do we have for either?"

"Vamperic." Said Devarus, hoping up immediately in his seat. Then after hearing the rest, Devarus had begun pacing in the hut, one hand cupping his chin while the other kept the arm propped up by the elbow. "Seems we already failed the part about keeping them in sight." He commented with a rueful smile, only to dismiss it in a shake of his head after. "Normally I'd make a jest about leaving my fiend and vamperic gear at home. But to be frank, I can't say I know all too much about either beyond the stories, or what this whole venture has taught me of such things." He admits without breaking his stride. "And which to be honest, uh... hasn't been much. I do have this silver blade on me. So, there's that. Not sure if a Vamp might care of such things."

Devarus then comes to a stop, looks to Runt once with worry, then back to Elsara and Valwyrnn. "I must be honest in that I'm a little out of my depths here. Perhaps if we can at least destroy the canopy during the day, we might create like a viel of protection outside the manor. Vampires don't like sunlight... right?" 

"I know nothing of such creatures" says Valwaryn "But what we know is that they can subjugate the will of others, had an army of rats that obeys his command, it's easy to assume that other small critters could be equally influenced, and he has those armors with him as bodyguards. Our chances to sneak into the house and steal Viktor from his influence are slim... "

So what are you going to be doing now?

(Honestly lost track after a while. lol)

"That is.... painfully true. And given the way he appeared that last time so abruptly... hm... But destroying or moving the tree canopy is completely out?" Devarus asks sounding yet hopeful. "B-but if so, well... uhm... hmm... This is really quite vexing. But, it would seem a direct confrontation seems unavoidable then." Grimacing, he turned his attention towards rooting around in his pack for any form of salvation in its contents.

In ultimately finding nothing, Devarus sighs and shakes his head. "I suppose then we have little choice then the fire idea. If nothing else, it should distract at least a few of his forces, least he find himself without a home by the end of the confrontation. Might also limit his movements as well within the home, though... regardless, he'll probably have the home field advantage even outside of it." Devarus clicks his tongue. "Still, it's worth a shot, and maybe we'll discover something inside from whatever angle we do attack from. Maybe... maybe even that staff he allowed you, Mr. Valwaryn, to study might be a boon. In any case, we shall rest for the day, and see how, uhm... Ms. Ruu is feeling tomorrow. Sound good? Great. Rest well, everyone. We should still take shifts as a precaution, but other than that, let's get what rest we can. We have a big day ahead of us tomorrow."   

"I'll take the first two " says Valwaryn " Honestly the fire idea is effective but dangerous. The forest could suffer from this. But as I think of it the most I think that we should destroy him. The undead are out of the Cicle and should be destroyed to restore the balance..." 

"Hopefully with rest, more solutions come to mind. But for now, it's something to keep in mind, as we may not have much choice where it comes to deal with this creature. Or... a second chance at it, if too much restraint is shown." Devarus admits. "Anyways, I'll take last watch when it comes time." At that, the half-drow takes a peek outside to gauge the time before deciding whether it would be worth while to bed down early, or spend some time running maintenance over his gear to pass the time and clear his head.  

Are you sure you want to rest and potentially leave the lord alone for 8+ hours? Remember that getting back to his place takes 12 hours on foot (A lot lot faster if you take the lizards though)

Perhaps if the magic wares off while runt is asleep she will be less likely to storm off in a rampage of fury so...I'm OK with the party resting.

"Either way, since we sincerely left on good terms, I think that nothing too bad will be happening to Lord Victor. It seems that Lord Vladimir is enjoying the company from what I saw." Elsara replies. "We need to check the prolonged period away from our drow lord will bring any fruition to the current state." She gestures to the rope ladder leading up to the bedroom. "Maybe get a bit of rest and then we can ride back with the lizards after that."

OOC: I know this campaign world is more of "don't expect racial stereotypes from other worlds to be true", given the goblins, drow, etc. we've met so far. However, I'm assuming that vampires are generally the terrible creatures of the night that are expected.

((Right. Resting it is then.))

Monsoon 14
Time: 4:00 AM
Location: Row 9; Column 7

((OOC: I added the location of Vlad's mansion on the map since you now know where it is))

Everyone wakes up bright and early the next dawn after a good night's rest. The sun seems to have just risen and the sky is still dark due to a combination of heavy clouds and it still being very early. Runt is no longer under Vlad's charm so that's a positive. It is still a bit cold and damp out. The Lizards are asleep still but it would be easy enough to wake them. The wet grass smell still hangs in the air. What do you do?

Runt wakes up and is immediately pissed off. She expresses to the party in an impolite manner how much she wants to personally sever Vlads head from his shoulders and drive no small amount of steaks through his heart..or how ever it is you kill vampires.

Devarus sat back and happily let Runt vent. "Well, I for one am glad to see you are in better spirits, Ms. Ruu. But while I would happily wish to join you in your endeavor, as he most certainly deserves it, we must think of the noble yet still enraptured by him first. And as much as this pains me to say, if there's a way to resolve this without further endangering them, I would prefer it. We can always return at a much later date far more prepared to deal with him. So please-" At that point the Half-Drow tries to reach out and grasp Runt's shoulder.

"-hold on to that fire, but temper it for now." He request of Runt before turning to the others. "Have you given what we discussed yesterday further thought? By now he has to be aware that we know of what he has done, and may return shortly. And given that Ms. Elsara may have established being in contact with others beyond his reach, a direct confrontation of the facts may force his hands. If not, or if he's done anything to Viktor, then.... we will do what we must. But, our we all in agreement?"

Valwaryn remaisn silent and simple pass to Runt a mug with a tea on it for her to calm down once she had vented off her rage against the manipulative Vlad. 

He nods to Devarus and, with a piece of meat on his hands, goes towards the lizards to wake them up and get them ready for the ride back to the mansion. 

Assuming at this point the other two agreed in their own way, Devarus set about finishing packing up his things, finishing off a rather simply but hardy breakfast, and then helped however he could with get the lizards back set up on the carriage in preparation for a speedy return to the mansion. 'We're coming you, Vlad. And for your sake, I pray you have not been foolish' He thought frowning and glaring at the bottom of the carriage before the group were off. 

Monsoon 14
Time: 6:00 AM
Location: Vlad's Mansion

It takes the party 30 minutes to finish getting dressed, finishing breakfast and getting the lizard carriage to move. It takes another hour and a half to drive between the trees to finally reach Vlad's house. The trees are still spiny but there is not fog anymore. This allows the land to be bathed in soft morning light. The cool, clean air and comfortable heat of the the sun is juxtaposed with the eerie mansion and the spiny and spindly trees surrounding it. Stepping closer, you notice a thick chain and a heavy padlock holding the mansion doors shut. The windows have been boarded up. These additions seem recent. 

"Do you think they had abandoned the place? Or they are just trying to keep us out of it? " ask Val while looking up to the windows of the superior floor to check if they had been barred too.