| Arranor Taranos, Lord of Drakenstein At the start of the evening I pretended to be nice, chatted with people, asked to hear stories, and tried to drop some ideas that might lead the players' thoughts into suitable direction. I didn't feel like I should fish for character hooks too overtly, and the players were doing a good job entertaining each other. (Also, there wasn't much room for really private discussion, though I thought I caught Altok of Middlewoods eyeing the old doctor with a piercing gaze.) I stuck with a story that I was on my way to visit an acquaintance in Taboera to do some business, I even haggled with the merchant for the fun of it and promised to recommend his wares to my friend. Lord of Drakenstein planned to make his advance at Darrel while the lot of the peasants were going to look for the treasure, without too many people around. Alas, the young one and his sister were gone, too, in hopes to raise some money for the "cure!" I really thought I had seen them go back in the inn... After that it was slow. Also, everybody just seemed to get along too damn happily for the vampire's tastes. The appearance of the ghost; a pitiable creature, not worth of any attention, managed to create quite a fuss. I had to be patient. When the expedition got back, I managed to have a long, undisturbed talk with Darrel, and come to an understanding. I knew. He knew. There was no cure. But I could make everything better. And he was oh so hungry. (I really enjoyed this bit - he played really well and dramatically, and we courted the subject - the word "vampire" wasn't mentioned once, and maybe not even blood - only "thirst; but not for water.") He had constantly had his eyes on his sister, and another pretty lass at the inn, and could hardly contain himself. Now he realised that he would have to leave his sister. Everything was all too perfect. I told him not to tell his sister anything yet, to keep her hopes up for a moment still. He came up with a plan to buy the supposed cure and pretend to his sister that he was cured, then part ways with her. I knew it would not work, but it also would never come to that. I gave him a vial of blood. It would make him feel easier for a short time, but also thirst for something more real. He wouldn't be madly driven by his hunger, but he knew he would have to kill tonight. Then all I needed to do was to wait for the right moment, and my henchmen to deal with the vampire hunters who had decided to stay around. The "treasure" the humans found was some texts only, ramblings about vampires, but nothing substantial enough to endanger my situation. The tension raised as the bodies of the hunters turned up (the orphan kids were adorably terrified), but it was all too convenient to let the foolish merchant with his garlic allergy to take all the heat. Everything was set up. I met my minions outside and let them round everyone in the main hall. |
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