Session 8: Have fun Storming the Castle! Report

General Summary

Spending the next day fermenting discord within the city and having their runes moved to the new armaments provided by the Herald of Azanar, perpetrations were made to storm the castle. Using the teleportation device into the Dungeon once more they were able to gain entry to the castle and make their way up into the northern tower of the courtyard. Ulric would peer out a window watching the guard patrol as it made its way by, giving the signal Pozake would push out first, moving as quickly and quietly as possible the party would cross the northern courtyard towards the back entrance. Rounding the corner near the north gate, Pozake would come face to face with another guard on patrol this morning. Startled, the Paladin would attempt to cow the card into submission, to no avail. Adelaide would slink into a shadow to avoid notice incase this went poorly. Rushing into the northern gate house the guard would attempt to sound the alarm, pursued by Pozake, Ulric, and Katarina. Here a brief skirmish would ensue with the surprised guards. Silencing the guards before the alarm could be raised, they pressed on into the main keep.  

Working their way thru the servants corridors they would encounter a strange defensive magic. In the dining room the hearth had been spelled to pull living beings towards it like metal to a magnet, to drain the life energy of those it trapped. Drogomir would dig thru his various esoteric objects as he worked to dispel the magic. Freed from its pull they would advance to the second level finding their friend the young Lord Rickenfol. He had been locked with in a massive bird cage where various corvids and scavengers were attacking him. He was frantically trying to fight the creatures away as they pecked and clawed at him, "HELP!" he would should seeing them. Ulric made short work of the lock and freed the young lord. Explaining most of the nobles had been taken for some dark ritual, he expected none to survive. He would offer a secret staircase up thru the atrium directly to the Lady Viselas chambers and then he would make his way out of the castle quietly and careful.  

The atrium was not devoid of the Vampires influence, the great glass windows had been darkened, and the plants had been cursed, coming alive into great arboreal undead. Surprised but not afraid, the sisterstone resonance confounded the trees and they were dispatched, making safe the once beautiful indoor garden. With a little work Darius would find the secret passage and they would carefully make their way to the third floor. The door would slide open to the darkened bedroom of the new Duchess Visela. She would turn blinking a bit confused from her bed. "How did you all get in here!" she would shriek as they rushed into the room. Rolling to her feet and stepping from the bed, a ball of fire would coalesce in her hand and fling forth exploding around them. Darius would chant prayers to his god healing the burns as they pressed on. The Vampiress was nimble dodging the first few blows, another spell would shoot forth as a cone of dazzling color engulfed them. Ulric and Pozake shook off the magics but Katarina stood dazed and confused. Pozake and Ulric would flank the Vampire mage but she was quick and hard to hit, for each blow landed she would deliver more crushing magic, as Darius did his best to keep them in the fight. Adelaide would move to keep Pozake up injecting him with her alchemical concoction of adrenalines and pain relievers. Darius would use his magic to clear Katarinas mind so that her blade would stop trying to sting thru Drogomirs armor, who had joined the melee his various charms having no effect. As she went to cast another devestating spell, the party hanging on by only a thread and unsure of their fate should her spell finish, Pozake would strike with his Sanctified blade, piercing the Vampires chest. She would shriek and colapse at his feet. As her wounds began to close Drogomir would leap upon her, stake in hand driving it thru her heart.