It was a harsh cold day, his destination on the horizon, as he walked across the grassy plain toward the border of fog that disconnected Barovia from the rest of the world. The sun glared down from the cloudless sky as Charles crossed over through the fog barrier; his next stop, The town, known as Barovia and the castle that looked down upon it, Castle Ravenloft. It had taken him four months after he had turned to get here. He had heard that the man who was the lord of this land was the most powerful vampire of all time and many other vampires grouped around him, out of either fear or advantage. This was his chance for answers and he would get them. Soon enough he found himself out of the fog and in the murky sunless village. It had a stench of death worse than him. People looked at him with quick passing glares. He felt uncomfortable but this was the place with that same presence he knew from before. Charles stood out quite alot although he had pale white skin, red eyes and was fairly well built. we wore a slightly battered yellow undershirt below a leather jacket which was also battered and torn.
This place was strange, not in the offputting sense, but in a mystical one, Charles had not felt anything like this before, for it smelt of death. After looking around the village he could see that most trade was internalised and no one trade favoured over another. It seemed the people of this land had no choice but to serve a purpose within this enclosed ecosystem. The stories were true, no one leaves this fog-bound land, not even the Lord. Truth being, Charles himself was afraid to try. He wandered the village, the sky filled with dark storm clouds that blocked out the sun, as he soon found himself at the tavern. Locals were scarce those who he did see, kept their distance, the tavern was barren, no patrons, no music, not even a keep behind the bar. This was strange, now in the regular sense of the word. With this, he went and found himself a place to lay for the night.
When he awakened he hungered but did his best to quell it with his mental fortitude alone, however, when one is starving there is little they can do, he had not fed in days before coming to this land. He left and headed to the woodland on the outskirts of the town thankfully there was game to be had soon enough. He kept quiet searching for tracks and signs of some kind of game being near until he happened upon an elk in a clearing. He took his bow once he had found his prey, he aimed his shot and pulled back an arrow and let fire. The arrow hit the centre of the neck of an elk, as it fell Charles felt the wind shift, he ignored it as he took his catch and headed back to town. He walked by the wall of fog that blocked him off from the rest of the world. He'd tried already, to escape, he started choking before making his way back eventually, even though he did not need to breathe, it felt as if he would die if he tried to push through the fog, an overwhelming sense of dread in an attempt to leave this accursed place. As he made it back to the town a figure had approached him, he was different though different in comparison to what very little Charles already knew that Vampires resided here but did not expect this.
"Can I help you there, traveller? You seem to be carrying quite the catch," the person said, they looked male but with softer features, either way, Charles was not currently in the mood for a confrontation or conversation.
"I'm in search of information," Charles mentioned with a blank stare,
"Information you say? If you're from beyond the fog and have come seeking information then well," He paused for a moment to look Charles up and down,
"You are either completely off track or are seeking specific information. If so, I suggest you understand that in your state it is doubtful you are going to be able to find the information you seek," Charles looked at him, he was tall, eyes red and well dressed when compared to most of the locals. Was he? It did not matter at the time, if Charles could get answers he would do it any way possible. Besides if this meant he could get what he wanted he didn't care.
"If you find the man known as Jamison Rose, kill him and feast upon him. He wronged the court and it would help you secure you an audience," the reply was spoken, but the unspoken stuck behind this man's words. This caused Charles to be more suspicious of the 'man' but he was not one to turn down a chance to be tested or test himself. He wasn't sure about killing this Jamison Rose. The man had a twisted look about him and none of the locals seemed to look their way.
"Fine.., I'll do this. As long as you keep your word. Is there a butcher that I can take this to?" Charles mentioned looking at the elk he was carrying. The man looked to Charles and then slowly between him and the elk.
"Yes, there's a butcher just down by the tavern. He'll take it off your hands for a few silver pieces I'm sure."
"Appreciated. sirâŚ" Charles walked off and he could feel the pressure of the man's presence subside as he continued and walked towards the butchers. With a quick exchange, Charles sold the elk to the butcher then, before he left he looked to the butcher and asked a simple question.
"Who rules these lands?" Charles asked, the butcher at first gave a wide stare at him then looked around before replying in a careful tone
"Count Strahd von Zarovich.. he rules Barovia from castle Ravenloft upon the hill which overlooks this turn,"
"I see, thank you. I am an outsider to these lands. This information is invaluable, however, I have one more question. Where can I find Jamison Rose?" Charles stared intently into the eyes of the butcher who was now more wary of him, "He's some kind of blood-hunter, been killing all sorts around the place,"
"Is he still in town?"
Charles asked, The butcher shook his head
"I do not know,"
Charles paused for a moment before leaving. "Was this man another outsider? A vampire hunter?" Charles wasn't sure what a blood hunter was. Either way, it meant one of two things, he was a spellcaster of some sort or something similar to what he knew, just involving blood magic. It made little sense.
Charles looked at his gold pouch and then his equipment, he wasn't kitted out for this fight. Thus he went to the blacksmith who simply looked him up and down, Charles was scrawny but tall. A scraggly studded jacket and trousers with a short sword and daggers.
"What are you meant to be? An adventurer?" The Blacksmith jokes at Charles who softly sighs removing the short jacket, "I'd like something like this but longer, and I would like to commission new swords if possible,"
"This ain't-" before the blacksmith could finish Charles had dropped his hefty coin pouch on the counter beside him. "I can pay in full," Charles retorts, staring at the blacksmith with his deep red eyes. The blacksmith blinked before speaking up, "What kind of swords are you thinking of?"
"Dual swords. Short, lightweight, easy to carry. Preferably I'd like specific blades that are normally a pair known as dao. Very few other blades compare when you use two-weapon fighting. Someone I knew wielded blades like them, elegant and could cleave through flesh with little hassle," the blacksmith eyes him for a moment. Charles' deep red eyes met his and the two held it for a moment. The blacksmith took out a smoking pipe and lit it, then took a long puff.
"You've got a strange taste in blades. Come back in four days, I'll get your blades done."
He says as he blows out the smoke he inhaled.
There was a short period from where before Charles was turned to what he was now where he met a strange traveller who did not give a name but Charles tried to rob him it did not turn out well, a young blind elf who wielded two strange longswords that were known as Dao.
Four days passed and Charles had picked up more information about the village known as Barovia, the general consensus was the townsfolk hated vampires but lived in fear of them due to Strahd. However, there was more than just vampires hiding in the shadows, ghosts, werebeasts and all manner of fell creatures in-between. Also, his target had now been targeting him. Jamison Rose seemed to be a mystic mercenary of sorts, accounts differ from person to person, some say he was here to hunt the werebeasts others say he was here to kill Strahd, It did not matter, if killing him helped Charles then he would do it without hesitation.
Upon returning to the Blacksmith he was tossed a newly patchworked jacket with a pouch for coins and a holster for a scabbard or just to hold the blades. "Was able to get this done on short notice," then he was presented the blades and he smiled as he held them. He took them in hand and twirled them gently; they spun in his hand as if he had wielded them for years. The blacksmith then shrewd him out, "You got your blades now go. I've other things I have to do."
Charles left the village and headed into the forest to where he knew he would be followed. It worked. Charles didn't need to look over his shoulder with these new senses; he could smell the blood from where he stood. Just three meters behind him was the blood-hunter Jamison Rose.
"Stop right there, vampire scorn!" Screamed a voice from behind, rough but recognisable as a woman's, then again, he never saw the face of the target but only the name.
"Who might you be? And why jump to conclusions like that? I'm no vampire." Charles said slowly raising his hands, "Rosa Adams, and what are you if not a vampire?" Charles dashed towards her and knocked the weapon from her hand in an attempt to distract her while he stepped behind her and grappled her from behind.
"I'm a rogue, my name is Charles. You're no blood hunter, you give off too much holy magic. I repeat, just who in the hell are you? And who is Jamison Rose?" Charles tightened his grip as he looked upon the woman. She wore half-plate armour and her ears were near like an elf.
"I'm a paladin, my order slay vampires and I must slay one if I wish to be truly accepted," She said, her hair was clean and smelled like flowers, Charles pushed her down and drew his blades on her allowing her to face him. She picked her blade up off the ground and faced him.
"Rosa Adams, not Jamison Rose? If you are who you say you are then I have no quarrel with you. In short, leave me be and I'll leave you be, can we come to a deal?" Charles said this unflinchingly while holding back the urge to bare his fangs and sink them in her neck. He knew the hunger would be back soon. Upon looking at her more closely. Her eyes were red like blood, not unlike his. A scar on her neck was made recently. Slowly the pieces were falling into place.
"No, not Jamison Rose, my name is Rosa Adam, I'm a paladin from the order of-" Charles cut her off as he moved at inhuman speed towards her then sheathing his swords to then place a hand on her face and with his thumb, lifting her top lip, revealing her fangs.
"What are you?!" Rosa screamed at him as he saw the truth.
"I would like the entire truth, as it seems, we're more alike than we hoped for." She growled at him and raised her blade to strike him, he dodged with ease as he sidestepped the attempted swing
"The. Truth," he repeated. Staring into her eyes intensely but resisting the urge to kill.
Rosa explained her situation, she was attacked by a vampire, survived and was drawn here to prove herself. If she succeeded her 'order' would help cleanse her of this curse.
"You're a fool," Charles stated deadpan, looking toward Rosa.
"Come again?!" She asked, raising a brow to his statement; offended he would make such a comment.
"You're being used, your 'Order' simply wishes you to thin the herd then they'll step in. Not that they could take on Strahd himself but taking out some of his court would work. Now I have a job to do and you're not a part of it, so take my advice. Either die as you are on your own terms or let those paladins kill you themselves," Charles said, he barely accepted what he was, if he knew, all he knew was something between death.
"Well, that's shit advice if I've ever heard it." She said, getting up and picking her weapon back up and looking at Charles.
"Let's help each other," Charles looked back at her "What do you propose?" he asked,
"You find and kill this Jamison Rose and get into Strahd's court. Find out what we are, and then we can deal with the rest and set me free." as she said this little did they know, they now both had a target on their back.
"So be it, you have yourself a partner in this suicide mission," Charles outstretched his hand for her to shake, she looked at him then shook his hand, an alliance had been founded.
Three more days passed and Charles had located the man known as Jamison Rose. The information stood true to an extent, he seemed to be hunting a pack of werebeasts in the area. He had a strange presence, almost as if he was not entirely human. It did not matter however, this was just another job to get done. Rosa held a hand over her blade in preparation, Charles sighed and was slow in his approach, taking out a single dagger keeping his distance, using the trees as partial cover. Each time he looked around the corner to try and spot the man; he moved in an inhuman way. This went on for an hour, Charles chasing the spectre of a man and before long he attempted to attack him. He threw his dagger as far as he could but it hit nothing. The figure didn't dodge, however, Charles didn't miss either. With a frustrated grumble, he approached the figure grabbing for it, to his surprise he did grab something, not a human blood hunter but a Half-elf mage.
"Who the hell are you?" Charles said, tightening his grip, the Half-elf reached for a crystal on his side to which Charles restrained the Half-elve's arm, pinning them against a nearby tree. Bearing his fangs this time he screamed "Who the hell are you?!?!"
"Jamison!" yelped the half-elf, "My name is Jamison Adam!" Charles fell silent as he glanced back into the woods where he had left Rosa, with his current free hand he placed it around the mage's neck
"One good reason I don't drain your blood right here," He was no older than twenty, then again it was hard to tell. Charles simply stared him in the eyes, his grip grew tighter as he waited for a response. "Charles!" Screamed a voice from behind,
"I can help you, both of you," muttered the mage, Rosa now behind him grabbed the arm holding the defeated mage in place.
"Like I'll believe that, one more chance before you die," Charles then looked at Rosa, visibly furious with him.
"If you have something to say, say it. I don't like being played the fool," Rosa saw the death in his eyes, one wrong move and they'd both be dead, the mage and herself, she spoke quietly at first,
"Fine, I'll tell you,"
"Tell me then and I won't give in to the urge to drain his blood. I'd rather not have to if I can help it, however, I haven't fed in a while. So forgive me if I'm a bit quick, then again, I doubt you've fed in a while either, so I bet he's as much of a morsel to you as he is me, isn't that right?" Charles taunted her without remorse, staring her down waiting for the words to leave her lips, so they did.
"He's my brother, a part of the same order I am, however, not a cleric but a mage in service to the order, when I turned he was tasked to help me. Family ties and all that," Charles loosened his grip letting the mage down and started to walk off. Rosa held him as Charles turned around and took a couple of steps back. "Two months, I'll give you two, two months for wasting my time looking for a Jamison Rose. If within those two months you find a cure great, but if I make my way into the court of Strahd in two months I kill you both. It seems it was a mistake to place my trust in the likes of you," He turned to Rosa, throwing the dagger to her feet,
"It's silvered, if anything happens, I still don't know if it works on us, probably does, take it," before another word was said Charles had already walked away from the two.
Time passed, half the time proposed to be exact, Charles had found and killed those who would have had him dead and had given their bodies to the man who first approached him. however, now he would have a new task, deliver the paladin to him. She was going to attempt to kill all the members of Strahd's court. Charles let out a slight laugh at the notion "You're kidding? You think she's going to try something against that lot?" Charles said he was in partial disbelief yet somehow knew that Rosa would try this. "I assure you she will very much try, however, she is useless to us anyway so, I ask of you. Will you deal with her? If so, you will secure your audience with the Count himself," As the man said this Charles gave him a slight glare and nodded. He accepted this task.
"Very well, I will be your only form of contact and will make sure all is duly noted and you will have your answers, my dear friend,"
"Fine, I know where to find her anyway. No one else but me is to deal with this. You cross me on this we're through," with demands in place and negotiations made a deal is made and Charles had a new task, once again involving her.
Charles found Rosa and Jamison at a campsite not too far out from the village. "So this is where you've been. A small tent, that really meant for you alone?" Charles said in a slight jab while he approached them. Rosa stood up ready to fight then noticing him started to lower her blade then spoke up a reply
"Leave Charles, I thought our goals didn't align with yours,"
"Well, they do now. See, I still have no answers for what we are Rosa. We're not Vampires since we can walk freely in the sunlight, we can't turn into bats or mist, nor can we charm those who we wish. But we're no longer what we were, we have the thirst for blood. I had the idea we could've been fledglings but that's debunked too,"
"Get to the point please,"
"I want to help you if you help me and we're honest with each other this time. Also, I apologize for almost killing your brother,"
Rosa looked at him then looked at her palm, where a spell was forming but decided against it as she felt his words honest and true, despite being far from the full truth. Well, the full truth at the very least.
In this time Charles grew to understand a bit more of who these two were, Rosa became a paladin simply because the church had taken her in. The paladins were a symbol of protection she aspired to be just that, a symbol of protection who can fend against the creatures of the night and of the Shadowfel. Lycans and Vampires were only two of many of the things that dwelled within the dark. There's many of both in Barovia. The great lord vampire living in his castle and the Lycans who would prowl nearby. Charles would make note of their movements often enough, letting both the man know, as well as Rosa.
There was one night upon the full moon when the vampires would go off to feed where they could. Charles sat upon a hill as he looked upon the moon. A calming presence washed over him, then someone came and sat down with him. Before Charles reached for a dagger he would recognise the footsteps. Though they were lighter than normal.
"Usually when I walk off it means I want to be alone or do you not value the privacy of your fellow⌠companion." He did not face her but she responded, it was of course Rosa who had seen him sneak off, more times than this once, naturally.
"I know what it means, I just thought for once I could give you some company," she said softly as she looked up at the moon with him,
"It's quite beautiful tonight, clear skies are truly a blessing here, a place so clouded in darkness. It made me sick when I arrived, I could feel the presence of so much evil. I knew this was where I must be. Then you came."
"Then I came? What exactly did I change? Did it give you the solace you weren't the only one with one foot in the grave? I'm sorry. Where are you from anyway? Don't see half-elves often," he asked in an attempt to change the subject, but it seemed Rosa was all in her own little world as she would admire the moon, the light allowing her hair to shimmer ever so slightly.
"You challenged my views without a second thought, knowing that you could. An act of sheer impulse yes, but with the intention to help. I can't imagine the hardship you must have faced. To be honest with you, when you came back I was worried you had come back with that same ill-intent, to finish the job. My brother started the blood hunter rumour after hearing about those who take such a mantle. Blood magic, a hideous form of magic to say the least. I'm glad you didn't kill Jamison, he's only done his utmost to cure me of this and allowed me to feed on him when needed."
"I'd say I envy his commitment; however, I can't relate. I think I should tell you a bit more about me. I was an underground fighter forced to fight men twice my size in a ring with people screaming and shouting and tossing coin around like it was nothing. The nobility of Waterdeep found it entertaining, to say the least, all run by the thieves guild of course. I was beaten, bloodied each and every night, forced to lose so many fights. All so the rich could get richer. So one day, I decided I had enough and killed my opponent. One firm punch to the chest in the right area ruptured his lungs and pierced his heart. He coughed up blood then everyone ran away shitless. I took my pay and a cloak and ran, ran as far as I could." The air fell silent as Rosa listened to his story or part of it.
"So you killed a man to escape your chains?"
"It was that or endure even more torment from the nobles of Waterdeep. After that I became a rouge, stealing and lying to survive. We all have the right to live despite how we go about it. I can feel your disdain from here. I bet it's from all that paladin training right? Taught to hate those who go against your own laws and virtues. Well here's something you may not have known. People like me rarely have a choice," He said then lowered his head with a heavy sigh.
"I see, you need not fret Charles, I do not believe I am one to judge you since you have only helped me until now, and you did not kill my brother," she said, soft politeness in her voice, in contrast to his, which was unapologetic and filled with caution.
They continued to talk throughout the night, exchanging stories and woes.
"You can trust me, Charles, we'll find answers for this curse one way or the other. I don't want to stay like this, I feel neither do you."
"Together then, we'll do this together," as these words were spoken their fates were intertwined and set. Nothing would break this. Or so they would hope. Looks were exchanged and the rest of that night were whispers in the wind.
After that they worked together, Charles would help them fight the creatures of the night as well as the forces of Strahd. Killing many vampire spawn until it came down to one of the lieutenants. A full vampire entirely devoted to Strahd. Seeing a full vampire among Strahd's limitless thrall was a surprise to the two. Since this would pose a risk to Strahd, allowing another full vampire. In this case, however, Strahd had contingencies in place as the two would soon find out but it would not matter for this fight would be the last the two would have. They at this point had challenged him inside the house of the old burgomaster of the town. The entire manor was in shambles, a perfect final battleground for these two.
"I suggest you give up, your master is as good as dead by our hands! Just like you will be soon enough!" Rosa proudly proclaimed, Charles however, was not as confident. Fully aware that this was the same vampire that requested him to kill 'Jamison Rose' it had been months but this presence was unmistakable. It would be now or never, but Charles now having known who Rosa is and being with her did not wish to betray her like this. He charged the vampire full force swinging first with his right, his blade caught mid-way by the vampire, then a swing with the left where it was parried with the vampire's rapier.
"Allow me to show what a true Vampyr is capable of, filthy half-bloods," after he spoke the words he slashed Charles across the chest with his blade before stepping back and flicked the blood off the blade. As this happened Charles staggered back as Rosa charged in this time with her longsword bringing it down to meet the enemy's blade. This went on a back and forth with the two barely weakening him until the two managed to pincer him.
The shambles of furniture lay strewn across the room, dust being kicked up with every blow with each moment passing. Charles saw a broken chair leg of sorts on the floor, he knew his next move. So did his enemy, however.
"You know what you must do! Once this is over the Count will wish to see you. I suggest not giving up such an opportunity and finish this already!" Screamed the vampire, as he looked at the two of them.
"Quiet fiend! Your undeath shall end soon!!" As Rosa said this however a soft voice from behind her whispered in her ear.
"I'm sorry, I did love you. I hope you can forgive me, maybe not now. Or in the next life, I did this for us⌠we were never going to leave this house alive," cold steel pierced her back and heart she died quickly. As her body slumped to the floor Charles looked up and stared the vampire dead in the eyes.
"She's dead, the other one isn't a problem. Take me to him," the vampire replied with a bow and nod. It was time for Charles to get his answers.