The Ascendancy of the Vampire

23. We Do Not Toy With The Dark

The party didn’t realize the curse in the forest was this severe. From the distance, the trees were covered by a layer of shadow. But up close, they could feel the shadows draining them.

Astor dubbed this place the Shadow-Cursed Lands. Even though it was daytime, the sky was dark, and little light pierced the shadows. The group struggled to move properly until they came up with ways to generate light.

Kalsarin manifested long red dragon horns that glowed brightly with golden light.

Astor held up his infernal dagger, materializing red flames and using his weapon as a torch.

Night walked holding her silver staff, the azure crystal at top glowing brightly blue.

Karlach allowed her rage to flare, and her body burned dimly red.

Wyll could see in total darkness thanks to his Devil’s Sight ability, but as he walked, unseen shadows grabbed his ankles. It seemed that he needed a source of light to keep them back.

Shadowheart was also able to see in the gloom, and found that the shadows did not harm her. She guessed this meant the darkness had something to do with Lady Shar, and that her goddess’ blessing gave her some protection against the curse. She recited several prayers to her lady.

The party followed their map, hoping that they were on the right path, because it was hard to see much of anything. They walked past corpses of people who fell to the curse and weird cursed versions of animals. They fought a swarm of ravens that bled into the shadows. A horde of black wolves with fur like sludge. A fallen ox that reanimated on their approach, oozing purple vapors.

“I hate this place,” Night whined. “This is worse than the Underdark.”

“I actually feel quite at home,” Shadowheart said.

Night rolled her eyes. “Then maybe you can go with Kal to Moonrise while I sit this one out…”

“Maybe I should fly alone, because this is taking forever!” Kal groaned, running ahead.

“Do you all do anything except complain?” Astor mumbled, annoyed.

Wyll walked beside Night in the light of her staff. “I can hold your staff for us, if you’re tired.”

“What a gentleman.” She handed over her staff and gave him an approving smile. “I’m glad you joined us, Wyll.”

Wyll walked closer, ensuring Night was within the light. They started talking about Avernus, the terms of his infernal contract with his patron Mizora, and how he had to do what Mizora commanded. Night contributed her own stories of when she visited the various layers of the Hells. She then started asking him about his warlock magic, and how exactly Mizora shared her powers.

Astor watched from behind, his hands in his pockets, glaring.

Shadowheart and Karlach walked in the read, gossiping in hushed whispers, laughing quietly.

Once they were sufficiently tired, they found a clearing in the forest to camp. Night put up her wards and every one helped add lights. Standing torches were pitched scattered within the camp grounds, while makeshift oil lanterns hung off tree branches around the perimeter. A hearty campfire burned in the center. The campsite was brightly lit.

Kal went hunting but he wasn’t able to find anything to eat. The group shared their rations with him, and he thanked them, but it wasn’t enough food. He fidgeted restlessly.

Astor was having similar problems. And with Kal hungry, he didn’t get any dragon blood.

“Can anyone donate me some blood?” Astor asked the group. Wyll raised his hand. “Except you, Wyll,” Astor added sharply.

Wyll just shrugged, and he went back to eating his dried meats.

“What does Astor have against Wyll?” Kalsarin asked Karlach quietly, who whispered back something about rivals.

Shadowheart approached Astor. “I can give you some of my blood, but you can’t take as much as you would from Kal.”

“Why, thank you Shadowheart,” Astor replied with a gracious smile. “Let’s go to your tent and I can get acquainted with your delicious self.”

Later in the evening, Astor sat on the couch in Night’s tent. He had books open, and was murmuring an incantation in practice when Night joined him.

“How was Shadowheart’s blood?” Night asked nonchalantly.

“More mellow than Kal’s, and I’m still hungry, but it’ll make do.”

“Worst case, once we get to Moonrise, you can eat Mint’s goblins,” she suggested.

“Let’s hope it doesn’t come to that.” Astor wrinkled his nose. He patted Convenience Cantrips: A Catalogue, the textbook that was open on the table. “Since we’re in these accursed woods, I’m trying to get better at light cantrips. It would be easier to manage than using the fire in my dagger.”

“Let’s practice!”

Night gathered various items around her tent. An empty inkwell. A teacup. A handful of wooden dice. A small model spelljammer ship in a glass bottle. She placed these on the low table, and then dimmed the crystal lanterns hanging from the walls.

For the rest of the night, Astor practiced light magic in the dark, repeated casting on different types of objects. He also conjured floating orbs of light and moved them around the room.

Confident he had a good grasp on making light, he closed his books to get ready for bed. When he turned around in the dark, he was surprised to see Night still beside him on the couch. Turned to her side, she was already fast asleep, resting on a pillow and wrapped in his blanket.

He brushed hair from her face, and she mumbled something incoherent, making him laugh softly.

In the silence, he sat there for a beat. *I should move her to her bed, *he thought. But then, surprising even himself, he lowered himself down beside her. Her back was warm against his side, her breathing deep and even. His own body wasn’t good at generating heat, so the times when Night was close, he relished in the warmth she emitted.

He thought about what they needed to do next, about Velith, about the Profane Rite. He was only going to lie down for a bit, but as her warmth enveloped him, his thoughts blurred, and soon he was fast asleep.

A loud alarm blared from somewhere, waking Astor suddenly from his slumber. Instinctively, he attempted to rise, but something was on him. He heard Night speak close by. Too close.

Confused, he opened his eyes.

“Huh?—What’s going on?” Her face was inches from his. She was still half asleep, her hair a mess. “Astor? Why’re you here?”

Astor glanced around. She was partially lying on him, her arms wrapped around him. “Night, get off me,” he mumbled.

“What?” She looked down. “Oh!” She propped herself up, but her arm was numb and she elbowed Astor in the face. “Sorry—“ She tried to roll off him, but then she was teetering off the couch.

Astor’s hand shot out and grabbed her shoulder. “Calm down. You’ll fall.”

“Thank—What is that sound? OH!” Night swung her legs off the couch and finally found stability on the floor. “It’s my wards!! Astor, quickly!”

The demiplane’s sky was brightening, filling the living room with a soft glow behind drawn curtains. But the alarm can from outside the demiplane.

Night threw on a sweater and ducked through the tent flap. The sky in the forest was dark, the various lights they had put up were still lit. All other members of the party were already awake and moving about outside their tent.

Kal stood at the edge of the clearing in his humanoid disguise, four red glowing horns poking through his hair, lighting up his surroundings. He held a creature by its scruff.

The party made their way to Kal, with Night gesturing in the air, disabling the alarm. A silence fell on the campsite.

“Kal, what’s going on?” Astor asked.

“This goblin snuck into our campsite and tripped the wards,” Kal explained. “I’m considering whether I want it for breakfast.”

“O-oh great dragon, the name’s Vez. Please let me go. I ain’t much ta eat.” The goblin was trembling while dangling in Kal’s grasp. “I-I’m only ‘ere to aid ya to Moonise, on my ladyship’s orders.”

“You’re one of Mint’s goblins? Now why didn’t you say so?” Kal’s tone completely changed. He gently lowered Vez to the ground, dusting off her shoulders. He glanced around excitedly while trying to fix his messy red hair. “Is she close by?”

“She’s gone ahead, but we’ve an escort for ya!” Vez looked around at the party who were all still half asleep and dressed in sleepwear. “Whenever ya’re ready ta go.”

Half an hour later, the group were dressed and packed, and they all stood at the edge of the campsite munching on rations. Except for Night, who, instead, drank a vial of a yellow liquid.

She saw Astor staring at her.

“Is that the Elixir of Peerless Focus you mentioned before?” he asked.

She nodded. “Did you want one? They taste pretty good and the calories replace breakfast.”

He accepted one and downed it. It tasted sour and he grimaced, squeezing his eyes shut. “That tastes disgusting.”

“Oh right, you’ve got weird vampire tastebuds,” Night said, laughing at his reaction.

The party followed Vez through the forest, who held a torch lighting the way. Kal walked in front with the goblin, loudly discussing all of Mint’s best attributes.

Night yawned, covering her mouth. Wyll walked beside her holding her glowing staff.

“Did you get enough sleep?” Wyll asked. “You look tired. Maybe we should make camp earlier tonight.”

Night rubbed her eyes. “I was up late helping Astor practice his cantrips.” She glanced behind her, watching Astor walk while holding his dagger, its blade glowing brightly white. She smiled smugly.

Astor rolled his eyes. “I didn’t need your help, Night. You could’ve went to bed. I can practice by myself.”

Night scowled, then she turned to Wyll. “So, the Blade of Frontiers huh? How did you earn that title?” she asked. Wyll was only too happy to discuss his legacy.

Astor sighed, and then he noticed Karlach and Shadowheart walk up either side of him.

“Do you and Night usually hang out afterwards before bed?” Karlach asked. “Can we join?”

“What do you do together, anyway?” Shadowheart added. “I’ve always been curious.”

“Nosy, aren’t you?” he replied coolly. “I’ll leave it to your imaginations.”

By a patch of dirt ground, a half-orc waited under a lone standing torch amidst a few goblins and hyenas. He looked up as Kal and Vez approached.

“True Soul, it is an honor.” He bowed his head respectfully. “My name is Kanif.”

“I’m Kal, Mint’s friend!” Kal announced loudly. “Now, I was told you’ll bring us to Moonrise?”

Kanif nodded. “The Nightwarden told us to expect you. Do you have the lyre?”

Kal extracted the Spider’s Lyre from his demicache, holding it gently. “This? Why do you need it?”

“We use it to summon the guide. The darkness here is murderous without one.” He attempted to grab the lyre out of Kal’s hands, and Kal smacked his arm away.

“Excuse me?” Kal snarled, showing his sharp, jagged teeth. “Do not touch Mint’s lyre without my permission!”

“Oh, a thousand apologies, True Soul!” Kanif took a step back, flustered at his mistake. “We are only eager to reach Moonrise as soon as we can.”

Astor pushed his way into the conversation. “What is the hold up here? Are we going or not?”

“Play the damn lyre, Kal,” Vez piped up. “Unless you’re planning ta sing.”

“But I don’t know how to play,” Kal admitted solemnly. “It would be an insult to Mint’s lyre to sound discordant. And what if I snap the strings?” He looked towards Astor. “You play.”

“I don’t know how to play the lyre either,” Astor explained.

“You don’t? But you played it fine at the party,” Kal said in confusion.

“…That was a lute, Kal. They’re different instruments.” Incredulous, Astor’s palm smacked his own face. “Just—Give it to me.”

Astor plucked a few notes, testing the sound, learning the positioning for a handful of notes. And then he played a simple tune, the sound echoing into the darkness.

“Impressive,” Night murmured from behind him. Then she froze when sounds of leaves rustling and twigs snapping came from nearby. Everyone turned to the treeline.

“Yes…” came a hiss through the darkness. “I hear them, your majesty. Calling us. Their god and their guide, together.”

A huge, monstrous creature scuttled into the torchlight. Above the waist, it looked like a male drow, but below, it had the abdomen of a giant, hairy spider. Its eight long, sharp legs pierced the soft ground as it moved.

“Gods—it’s a drider.” Shadowheart wore a horrified look. “I always thought the stories were exaggerated.”

“One of Lolth’s abominations,” Wyll murmured cautiously.

“That’s a lot of legs,” came Night’s quiet whine. She tugged Astor’s sleeve. “Please tell me I’m having a nightmare.”

He saw her eyes were wide, half in fear and half in awe. He reached over and pinched her sharply on her cheek.

“Ow! Hey!” Night rubbed her face.

“There. You’re not dreaming, Night.”

“Greetings, in the Absolute’s name.” Kanif stepped forward, speaking politely to the drider. “You have been charged with guiding us—“

The drider wasn’t listening. It scuttled towards the party, its giant form towering over everyone. It leered down at Astor, who was still holding the lyre.

“New flesh for you, my queen,” it chittered to itself. “But, who are they?”

“…Best introduce yourself. Perhaps he’ll listen to a True Soul,” Kanif murmured to Astor.

“I’m Astor.” He shifted the lyre in his grip. “We’re faithful of the Absolute and need a guide to Moonrise Towers. And you are…?”

Suddenly, he felt his mind connect to the drider’s. He heard a whispered voice. Was it the voice of the Absolute? Or just echoes of the drider’s fractured mind, broken by Lolth through agonizing punishment? He knew that was how drow mutated into this spider monstrosity.

“You can call me Kar’niss.” Then the drider mumbled to himself. “You have more worshippers every day, majesty.” He then lowered his face to look at Astor closely. “Yes. Yes, he’ll do nicely.” He scuttled back to regard the party.

“What a delightful abomination you are,” Kal said with a grin, walking casually towards Kar’niss, seemingly unfazed.

“Try not to piss him off, mate,” Vez mumbled, pulling Kal back by his trousers.

Anger flared in Kar’niss’ features. “To insult me is to insult Her Majesty. It is to mock the Absolute!” His front legs lifted off the ground aggressively.

“It’s a compliment!” Karlach chimed in quickly, holding her hands in the air. “He means you’re a beautiful beast, right, Kal?”

Kal looked confused but he went with it. “Uh, sure.”

“Easy now, we’re all on the same side, right?” Vez tried to calm everyone down.

“Forgive us, Kar’niss,” Wyll said politely, though his eyes darted between the drider’s many legs. “We are loyal to the Absolute, always.”

“Good. It is only Her mercy that keeps us safe in the darkness.”

“And Her magic lamp,” Vez added, pointing at a lantern that dangled off a staff, held by Kar’niss in one leg.

“Oooh!” Night clapped her hand together, her curiosity overriding her fear. “Kar’niss, may I examine your lantern? Surely the Absolute won’t mind?”

“No!” The drider replied sharply. “Our queen gave the Moonlatern to us.” Then he flashed a menacing smile. “If they wish to walk through the darkness alone, they are welcome to.”

Astor looked around suspiciously. “Are you referring to the shadows that grabs at us?”

“Oh ho, the drow really told you nothin’, eh?” Vez walked smugly forward. “Here, this’ll tickle yah.”

She picked up a bone, attracting the attention of a nearby hyena. Then she threw the bone into the shadows. The hyena excitedly chased after it, leaving the torchlight. Then, shadowy tendrils materialized, grabbing the animal and dragging it into the darkness. It yelped and thrashed, until several loud CRUNCH sounded, and then silence.

“What in Shar’s name?” Shadowheart mumbled, her grip on her spear tightening.

“WHAT ARE YOU DOING?” Kar’niss shouted at Vez.

“Don’t worry, we didn’t need that ‘un anyway,” Vez said with a shrug.

“No no NO! We do not toy with the dark. WE DO NOT FEED THE SHADOWS!” Kar’niss rolled towards Vez, his long, hairy legs arched. He slammed down, attacking Vez in a frenzy.

Kal admired the graceful way Kar’niss moved his serrated legs, while Astor watched in disgust and Night watched in horror.

Wyll ran towards the brawl, holding out his arms. “Wait! Stand down, drider! Please!”

“Fools. Idiots!” Kar’niss hissed, relenting and backing off Vez. “We do not toy with the dark. None of us! Do they understand?”

Wyll held a hand and pulled Vez to her feet.

“We understand. Now, we need to go.” Kanif said, his voice strained.

Vez limped closer to the group. “Bloody right we do…”

“Yes. Yes, we shall go.” Kar’niss stomped his feet once, and then gripping the lantern harder, he announced, “your light leads the way, my Queen!”

The lantern that Kar’niss held emitted a magical light around them. The party traveled with the caravan—a group of half-orcs, goblins and hyenas— following the drider, staying within the circle of light as best as they could.

“Why can’t we use our own light?” Night asked Kanif.

“You can still use regular light here, but only because the Curse is still weak,” he explained patiently. “But near Moonrise, where the Curse is strongest, no light except those blessed by Her will suffice.”

After several hours of walking, the group was tired.

“Are we there yet?” Night asked, sounding exhausted.

“Wait… Something’s wrong, Majesty.” Kar’niss stopped suddenly, eyeing the dilapidated remains of a house on the side of the road. Raising his lantern, he squinted to peer into the darkness. “Who’s there? Show yourself!”

“Harpers, attack! Kill the cultists!” A dozen people in cloaks charged out, weapons drawn. Spells and arrows flew towards the caravan before they could react, piercing some of the monsters.

“They’re Harpers!” Karlach exclaimed in excitement, and then in worry. “Wait, don’t hurt them!”

An arrow flew directly towards Karlach’s head, and Wyll shoved her aside. “Pay attention, Karlach!” he yelled.

The party moved into battle positions. Kar’niss, Astor, Kal, Night and Shadowheart made short work of the enemies near them. Karlach and Wyll defended, trying to subdue the enemies without killing them.

As the chaos died down, the Harpers lay either in pieces, or unconscious. The party caught their breath.

“Why the hells are Harpers attacking us?” Karlach finally asked.

Wyll gave her a flat look. Then he gestured to Kar’niss and the monsters of the caravan. “Obviously they’re some sort of reconnaissance for whatever group is fighting the Shadow Curse…”

“Then…shouldn’t we be helping them?” Karlach asked, confused.

“Shhhhhh,” Shadowheart hissed, her eyes darting to Kar’niss.

Thankfully, Kar’niss wasn’t paying them any attention. He and the rest of the monsters were watching as Kal, Astor and Night pick at the Harper’s bodies.

Night looted the Harpers, checking for useful supplies. Astor grabbed an unconscious body and immediately started drinking his fill. Kal’s sharp teeth were already crunching bone, his hands stripping the bloody and torn clothing off the body. The man he was eating was still alive, moaning weakly in pain.

Vez whistled in approval. “Nothin’ wasted, am I right?”

“This party…”Karlach murmured, shaking her head in disapproval. “I don’t know how to feel about this.”

Shadowheart walked over to a Harper body, noticing something odd. The corpse was dimly glowing, and she could feel it radiating weak divine energy. These soldiers were protected from Lady Shar’s shadows by her wretched sister, Selûne! Shadowheart made a face of disgust.

Kal wiped blood off his mouth and turned to Kar’niss. “So who were they? Your enemies?”

“Harpers. Spies. Little scurrying rats. But no matter. They are already dead.” He scuttled ahead, raising his lantern, yelling into the void. “Nothing can stand in the way of Your glory, your Majesty!” He turned to Kal with a smug grin. “The sooner we reach Moonrise, the sooner you will see Her power!”