Expedition 36: Interview with a Vampire

### Summary

We investigate the zombie problem in the Inkwells, and learn that Marda, a Vampire from Liefsend is controlling them in order to get iron. Marzipan forges fledgling connections with Liefsend and his fledgling nation of Kiore.

### Detailed Writeup

**Success Condition: Drive the threat away, or learn who is controlling them and why.**

We set out into the inkwell mountains at 5, passing once more through Arha’s Pass.

We worried, not worrying as much about stealth as perhaps we should, Clarity found a carved tunnel on the north side of the mountain, and we entered curiously. It turns out to be an additional entrance to the fungal caverns, with signs of zombies having entered recently, although the tunnel seems old. I gave Marzipan a knowing smile.

Nexrin and Clarity expressed surprise that we were familiar with the Fungal Caverns, it seems no one had yet informed them of its existence, or about the chained Yugoloth bleeding into it. Nexrin, in particular, seemed a bit shocked and annoyed by this revelation, and that knowledge of a Yugoloth (he keeps calling it a demon) was not shared, while Marzipan and I try to explain that is precisely why we hadn’t told anyone. Annie flew around to check if there were any zombies inside, but found none, and so we returned outside to focus on the mission at hand.

As we approached the structure, Marzipan noted awnings of black cloth that provided shade around the tent, under which dozens of zombies huddled, while thick curtains blocked our view into the structure. Two undead ogres and two orcs stood guard and moved resources around.

A signal flare is shot from behind a rock 300 feet in front of us, one figure enters the Gazebo the zombies begin to spread out.

We charged towards the scout in hopes of interrogating them. Arha and I turn the corner to draw the figure's attention. It is an Orc ghast. I deflect his arrows and Clarity and I blast it with cantrips before Silvert lunges in to stab the creature.

Arha asked the ghast to stand down, and against the odds is successful.

We learn that he is being controlled by ‘the Mage Marda’, who wants many things. They have no god they are loyal to, and are not allowed to enter The broken lands (nestle valley). It says the ore is being collected for an ongoing war against “the armored” (warforged) and the fast.

When asked where Marda is, it replies with “You can guess.” and grins. It wishes to serve so that fewer others will need to be animated. We set it to rest, while Silvert finally seems to recognize that Arha is a half-orc.

We approach within 100 feet of the nearest group of zombies, and the two remaining orcs exit the tent, they resemble southern warborn orcs of Gilgamesh's army.

With Fireball and moonbeam we begin to sear the zombies, A hasted undead ogre, (resurrected from the badlands), rushes out of the Gazebo, as Marzipan casts dispel magic to remove its haste, and apparently also its control, as the second one begins ineffectively fighting Marda in the tent.

Marda pokes out of the tent and casts fireball on several of the group, being out of range of counterspell we are unable to stop it. While the melee characters handle the ogre, Marzipan casts gust of wind to control the zombies and I fireball many of them, stepping forward to attract them into a group, but with a fireball and a lucky arrow shot I am knocked down before the ever-reliable Marzipan brings me back to consciousness.

Arha gets a critical hit while smiting the undead ogre, and tears uit apart.

Marzipan rushes forward, and destroys the remaining undead, with Arha healing Nexrin we carefully approach the tent and destroy the remaining orc.

Marzipan uses the horn to cast a sleet storm, which just fits inside the gazebo.

After Tolyr offers for her to surrender in Elvish and Common, and we hit her with a few more spells, Marda calls out asking for us to parlay, and we cautiously agree and remove the sleet storm.

She asks only 3 enter, and Arha, Marzipan and Tolyr go forth. The heavy material of the tent is magically enchanted, Marda, a pale-faced human (likely a vampire or vampire spawn) sits on a nice chair.

We ask her why she is here, she is gathering materials for a war against “the sparksouled”, the Warforged. She actually has encountered Scorch (676) before, and we reveal he attacked our town, which might have alerted her to a weakness in the town’s defenses.

She hails from a city to the north of Froststone, Liefsend. The orc zombies are from a tribe to the northeast, though were not killed for this purpose, they are bystanders to the war.

She refers to the Bluewood as Mae’ra’s wood, which she describes as “not bountiful with life or death, and outside of the war, too dangerous for either side.”, the glassification occurred while there was a single Sun in the sky (365 years ago).

Marda’s superior officer tried to get into the broken lands, but was compelled to come back. Marzipan informs her that he is the baron of this land, and she seems receptive of paying him for use of it, or for establishing trade. They agree to meet again in the evening 30 days from now.

The people to the north lack iron, and harvest ink and everglow from the Fungal Caverns, while they have a surplus of food.

Looking to Marzipan for his decision, as this land is in his name, and undead are part of what he fights against, he decides to spare the vampire’s life, presumably in hopes of not triggering a war between us and this newfound nation.

We return back with two heavy longbows to show for it. Luckily we also discover a tombstone and grave, similar to the one we found in the Shriek Cliffs. We begin to undertake in some “Archeology”

The stone says “Here lies Andre, Hero of Drakehall. 171-250” we find a stone coffin, with a human warrior whose face is peaceful but sad. After detecting a strong abjurational effect, I caution there may be a glyph of warding on the lid, and we spend entirely too long working out a method to open it from a distance. The massive burst of electricity proves our caution is well-founded, however.

Inside we find a broken magical sword, and boots of haste, which use someone’s hit-die to cast Expeditious retreat or haste. We rebury the figure and return home.