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Elementals!     Golem

Inside the building, the party is confronted by a dark shape that slowly seems to resolve itself into a number of black goblinoid shapes, almost fluidly linked together.

Eager by now for a battle to let off steam and tense as they approach tehir goal, the party attacks, Balin, Jiriki and Karnak particularly keen!

It is Rhadogan, however, who strikes the first blow, even as other magic is prepared around him. Water appears from nowhere above the dark creatures' heads and crashes down onto them: the effect is both violent and astonishing. There is a noise like the earth howling - low and guttural and then the very substance of the dark creatures splits into globules and all at once in a brief, dark maelstrom, the matter that was humanoid-shaped and ready for battle is spread across the interior walls of the building like so much molasses, and apparently less dangerous. Exposure to the elements can be a dreadful thing...

Where the unelementals stood there can be seen doors, built into the floor. A careful check by Morin and Jarek then Rhadogan and Darius, cautiously wary of any reanimation of the erstwhile foe pull open the doors. The doors are laid carefully, rather than flung open with a boom, and it is evident immediately that no creature is behind them: stairs descend some thirty feet, two people wide, to ornate double doors; torches line the walls at 5ft intervals, cool flame impossibly burning from them. The ornate doors are visible from the top of the stairs - they are carved of white stone with sigils and markings of curious origin all around the edges and small brass handles. The right-hand door is ajar and a little light penetrates the room beyond. From what little can be seen, there would seem to be a short area of floor followed by water.

After checking the stairs and door, Jarek peers around the doorway for a second and then, after a pause, steps inside. There's a few seconds' silence and then you almost make out a voice that isn't Jarek's. It's swiftly followed by his: "Morin, get everybody down here and watch out for a pressure plate inside the door."

The party doesn't need a second invitation and in a few moments are gathered in a large room, spreading themselves out to fit in as the floor is only about three feet wide before there is a tract of flowing water. In the centre of this is a small stone island upon which is a large brass coffin, lid slightly askew, the body of what might be a mage at its base and a second figure sat atop it. There is a pressure pad on the floor is just to the right of the entrance.

The figure on the coffin has tousled dark hair and long nails. His pale skin is stretched too tight over his bones and his whole body, wrapped in tattered leathers and a long ebony cloak, carries a look of deep fatigue. But the eyes hold some nobility and it's clear that whatever is before you was not always of quite this appearance. His legs swing slightly as he looks across at you all and a resonant but quiet voice speaks up: "Nine this time? After centuries of solitude, two lots of visitors. Hardly a coincidence, I would surmise." There is little mirth in the voice but little malice either; more resignation than anything else. Regardless, you notice the teeth as it speaks and it's the final confirmation: this is a vampire.......

The vampire - a born vampire, he says - argues for his freedom by virtue of the pennance he has already paid being imprisoned here. He's an unusual character, for a vampire, and freely warns the party that the scabbard is already gone, taken by Ghurzak. But there was more to it than this and he can still help - in return for his freedom. A bridge must be extended by depressing the plate and he must be asked to leave the room.

No magic can be used within the tomb so the party move outside and a huge argument erupts over what is best to do. It essentially splits along the idea of honour versus the fact that this is a vampire and cannot be allowed to leave.

Eventually the compromise involves wards being placed by Rhadogan to harm the vampire and everybody taking their place to attack him. The party will set him free but then he must battle his way out; a curious decision that may came back to haunt them as the vampire appears only interested in freedom and

Morin takes the news to the vampire and then returns up the stairs to take a position opposite Jarek but closer to the intended melee point as he is armed with silver dagger and shortsword. Tension spreads across the room like a barbed net and balls of feet take balance, each person coiled and ready to strike and aware of the danger facing them.

The vampire appears at the base of the stairs and begins to ascend; everybody waits for the triggering of Rhadogan's spells and Balin looks almost fit to burst with anticipation.

It speaks as it ascends: "I will take this quiet moment before you attack to thank you for my freedom; your items await, true to my part of the bargain. Should I survive, know that some of you make a patient enemy today, so fight well."

He glances at the doors and pauses slightly before he steps out from the stairway. The second he does, a beam of blinding light erupts from the right-hand doorway; it grazes the vampire, affecting cloak more than body and the beast flinches and then pauses momentarily as if clearing its head. The waiting party don't need any second invitations and attack commences, Rhadogan holding back for a moment and presumably, by his actions, casting a spell.

Darius hesitates for a fraction of a second as he realises that the vampire is unarmed but he will not endanger his friends in battle and this beast needs no weapons to be dangerous; he strikes fast twice but without affect. The vampire is swift and inordninately dextrous, clearly. Balin also misses but as he does so, the vampire howls, as one of Jarek's arrows appears under its shoulder tearing through the flesh and leather. The vampire grasps the head and tears the arrow out - his anger and some surprise are evident and it would seem that the Oil of Wightbane is having an effect.

He lashes out at Balin whose face is slashed by long nails then delivers an elegant kick to Darius - the dwarf's face grows pale instantly and he stumbles backwards slightly. Darius is similarly afflicted. "You have some magics but not enough!" the vampire yells, having gained a little space, but as his form shimmers, he is evidently blind to the presence of Jiriki who slashes at the beast with his two-handed sword.

This is not just a weapon coated in Beryn's oil but also the holy symbol of Kord and Jiriki strikes with all his faith and might just as the vampire becomes a bat and Morin stabs at emtpy air from behind. The creature is swift and goes upwards and out through the archway as fast as it can and is gone past Dalrylshana and Kin's flailing attempts to stop it.

Freedom was obviously more important to the vampire than winning this combat. Silence returns to the room. At Jiriki's feet lies the severed hand of the vampire, a brass and ruby ring on one of the gnarled fingers.