Tales from the Crypt

[Author's note: Only in the world of RPGs! Names of other players' characters have been changed to protect their creative rights.]

The dank odor of mold hung in the air of the crypts as it stung the nose and alerted the senses to the surrounding decay. Death oozed from the very stones of the walls. Zereshka and Daegar headed deeper into the massive tomb seeking treasures and adventure. Mindless undead roamed the catacombs guarding their baubles and gold. It was in this unholy place that Khammu-rabi found her. “Zereshka!” He called to her. Immediately she sensed that something was wrong. “You must come with me at once,” he told her. The dutiful daughter, she obeyed, leaving Daegar alone in the crypt.

Once he had led her to a quieter section of the tombs he turned to face her, the anger apparent on his face. Her initial instinct was to search her mind for something she had done wrong. Finding nothing she relaxed and eased down from her horse to face him. The words came forth from him sounding like the growl of a large animal. “There is a vampire hunter in town, what do you know of this?” he asked.

Zereshka blinked and remembered that she had indeed seen a strange newcomer spouting off something about nosferatu and vampires. She informed her father of what she had seen, but admitted that she had not really paid him much mind. He snapped at her; told her she had better pay attention. She could sense in him anger, but also fear. Like any good father he feared for the safety of his family. She asked of him what she could do about the stranger. Be careful, stay safe and do nothing to incriminate the family. She understood the consequences of irresponsible action, which may bring harm to the family. Feeling certain that she knew what she must do, Khammu-rabi left her to her hunting.

A plan began to formulate in the young vampire’s mind, though she could not put it into action just yet. She grabbed up her blade and her shield then returned back to her hunting. She found Daegar near the opening of the great crypt; instinctively he knew she was troubled. She assured him that everything was well and headed off in the direction of a bone knight. They made their way through the maze of hallways not speaking. They were disappointed in their exploring, as someone had obviously been through that way, most of the loot already taken. Upon entering the hall, which led to the lower level of the tomb, they happened upon the other who had already cleared most of the way. Zee, Daegar and Sethas nodded their greetings amidst flying arrows as more mindless undead made their way up to the first level.

It was when Sethas had disappeared below that a vampire knight appeared to Zee and Daegar. She sensed that he was kindred immediately, though his presence unnerved her. He stood directly in front of the female vampire and issued his warning. “Kthulu told ye to leave this place be, ye were warned and now ye must be punished.”

Undeterred the defiant young vampire made a rude noise and attacked Kthulu’s messenger. More minions appeared as if out of thin air. Side by side the two lovers kept them at bay until Kazu happened to show up and give them the edge. Then when the majority were slain he returned to his business elsewhere. Kthulu’s minions had been held back for the time being.

It would have appeared that the battle had been won when Zereshka grabbed at her head and fell from her horse. The foul undead lord had spoken to her mind causing her immense pain. Then, as she stood, she saw before her the monster that she had scoffed and called weak. He rose up to his full height before her. His distorted mouth twisted into what appeared to be a grin. Perhaps foolishly, she stood her ground and asked of him what he wanted. “Death.”

His foul breath clung to their nostrils. She offered to give him that which he sought, though she knew it was not what he had meant. She readied her sword. He urged her on, defied her to kill him. Daegar stood by her side not knowing what to think of her bravery. Surely, he thought her insane for standing and fighting when clearly she should have been running. Kthulu chanted magically charged words setting the room ablaze and bringing down their horses and though they fought hard, his magic did eventual bring them to their knees. Obviously thinking they were dead he left to tend to his mayhem.

They awoke sometime later, disoriented and injured, but quickly tended to each other’s wounds. The air of the place was fouled with blood, smoke and decay. The minions were returning to finish their master’s work. They did not stay to fight any longer, but rather fled to heal and perhaps return to fight another day.

Mother & Child

~Mother and Child~

This is an acrylic painting on 7" x 9" canvas board completed sometime in 2007.

"Found in a long forgotten ossuary, the bones of the mother and her child cling to each other in death as the ties that bind refuse to be broken even in the ever after."

Chapter 1?

[A little background on this snippet: I am working on a novel and this is part of it, was originally the beginning of it and was fleshed out a LOT. However, I have reworked the story completely and though this will be a part of the story it will be told via reflection of another character on the past. However, please enjoy this small part of the story, it is not a complete short story and so you will not get the full picture. As I continue to work on this I will likely post more... it's been a LONG day.]

In her scrying pool the mist drew heavy and the images were blurry, two came unto her door, a male and a female, yet she could not see their faces. Quietly she whispered to her beloved husband to take the children and go out the back door quickly so that the visitors may not know she had children, lest they be in danger. “Go, now, take the children to the Cities of the Plains. I will meet you there when it is safe to do so. These people who seek my magics are malevolent and they will harm the little ones, but fear not, they will not harm me. Hurry; for the cities are far away and the King seeks me out even now. I will be leading him to the Valley of Siddim myself in a few days time. You must make haste so as to get a head start. I will meet you there when this thing is done. I swear it is so, my beloved.”

She took his face in her hands and pressed her lips to his in a slow, mournful kiss as though it may be their last. His eyes pleaded with her as he had for so long now not to do this thing he understood she must do. He is a mighty hunter before the Lord, he will seek me out and wherever I try to hide it matters not for he follows the stars.

Erragal spoke softly and dispirited in his sorrow, “My beloved Ereshkigal, the gods were merciful in sending you to me, it is not my will to lose you now when your children need you. I understand not what you have shown to me of the gods’ plan for you in this thing you must do, but I trust you and in your magics. You are a powerful sorceress. May the gods protect you and bring you safely to your family in the Cities of the Plains when this is done, for we need you even more than the gods do.”

Quietly, she gathered his things into one satchel, her children’s things into another. She wiped the tears from her eyes as she quickly hid that which would not fit into their bags. In yet another pack she crammed as much dried meats, breads, water and dried fruits as would fit. The nursemaid also prepared her own things, for she would be taken along on the journey to care after the infant. As the night wore on and the dusty streets quieted, she sent them off on their journey. The quiet of the house was deafening. Nammarai, her handmaiden only remained and helped her in removing any evidence of the children’s and Erragal’s existence before the visitors arrived. She wondered if Nimrod and Semiramis already knew, for they were both known as great sorcerers and astrologers themselves. Why, she wondered, would they need to consult me?

Homecoming

Darkness ate the sky. The young vampire climbed out of her tomb. She cracked the bones in her neck and stretched, welcoming the night. Surfacing near the outer wall of Nineveh, she whistled for her steed. Black mane flowing behind him the animal heeded his mistress’ call. He carried her to the dock where they boarded a boat sailing for Babylon.

“The night is still and it will take us some time before we reach the shores of Babylon, M’Lady.” The tiller man’s coarse voice broke into her thoughts.

“Time I do not have this night,” the vampire howled at the smallish man.

Some enchanted words ushered forth and a phenomenal wind rose to propel the craft swiftly to its destination. Without so much as an acknowledgment for the tiller man, the vampire mounted her horse and rode straight off the boat and across the docks into the night. Desert creatures scurried out of their path. Silence clung to her like a shroud of protection. The camp was just ahead. Instinctively, the mount slowed his pace to preserve his mistress’ stealth. Swiftly her gazelle-like movements brought her to the ground directly behind the unsuspecting lookout. A tap on the shoulder and a well placed thought muted the mortal. Unable to scream, he stood there frozen in fear as he faced his judgment. Quickly she scanned his thoughts, witnessed his crimes and licked her parched lips. Fangs pierced the skin. Blood gave the appearance of life to that which had none. A brief moment of ecstasy, adrenaline and pain. The corpse slid unceremoniously to the ground. A whistle brought the stallion to the vampire. The two set forth for the city of Babylon.

Outside of the city’s monumental walls stood various homes. A quiet farming community, the perfect hideout. A small brick and mortar house close to the road. Delicate flowers dressed the perimeter. Obsidian knew his way to the stable and his companion there. The mistress had returned, hired help snapped to attention. Dutifully they reported their news then left her to her business. Her business. She focused her mind to seek out the one she chose to keep close. * Perhaps ye should head home now. * Patiently she awaited his arrival.

Hinges creaked. His mortal blood delighted the vampire’s senses. Not a word was exchanged as she beckoned him to her. Locked in passionate embrace the lovers fulfilled each other’s needs. Another unvoiced instruction erased the memory of her fangs. All that remained was the passion the two had shared.

Ephany's Embrace

Silently, he pulled back her long red locks and removed the black choker from her neck, allowing it to fall into her lap. He softly brushed her smooth skin with his fangs, barely touching her to send a shiver down her spine. She rested her head back on his strong shoulder feeling very safe there in his arms. He would not bite her without consent, this she understood. Gazing up into his dark green eyes she whispered, "I am ready, my love, to be made one with you."

With his mind he spoke silently to her... I know. He scooped her up in his arms and carried her up the stairs. With a wave of his hand he threw the covers from the bed. At her request he set her gently to the floor where she undressed, willingly, preparing for the ritual. With eyes wide and full of passion he gazed upon her. She was unsure why he hesitated, perhaps fear of hurting her or perhaps he just wanted to savor every minute of the bonding ritual.

Gracefully, he lifted her again and laid her upon the bed. She watched impatiently as he undressed and lay down beside her. Softly, teasingly, he placed kisses up and down her skin. Her senses were heightened with anticipation. Every second seemed an eternity. She longed with every breath in her body to be made one with this man to whom she had given her heart.

He kissed her neck, wrapped his hand in her hair, just before fangs pierced skin. Passion washed out all else... then her world went black.

He cut his chest just above his heart for her to drink from, allowing the first few drops to fall into her open mouth. The taste of his blood brought her mind reeling back to him. Greedily, eagerly she drank his blood. Her strength returned quickly as she took his life force into her already dying body. She dug her nails into his back, forcing him closer to her. She would have drained it all had he not pulled away then. Licking her lips, she lay back and looked into his eyes, smiling. She felt satisfied... completed.

The intensity of the pain caught her by surprise. A scream escaped her lips as her stomach cramped into knots. He watched over her and explained that her physical body was dying, changing. Taking a deep breath, she told him that she understood. She lay back on the bed and forced her mind to relax. She would not fight the pain she felt, but embrace it. Her body screamed, yet her lips did not move other than to smile an unholy grin. With every muscle that cramped and every spasm of pain that racked her body, she reminded herself it was the dues to be paid for the choice she had made. Therefore, she would choose to enjoy and savor the pain. She took her dark gift to a dark place within her and embraced every bit of it, even took some perverse pleasure from it.

When he felt the pain within her fade he wrapped her up into his arms and whispered, “I love you, my Ephany.” With her mind she silently replied… I know.

Not Your Typical Vampire (Eresh's Diary)

Entry 1:

There is nothing but darkness in the great Abyss of the Underworld. The souls of thousands wail against their eternal pain. Music to mine ears, as I am their over-seer. I attend to the souls of the dead, meting out their torture for all time.

Belus has seen my work and pleased with it, he has summoned me to join in his army here on Earth. Some call this place Paradise...to me it is Hell. The stench of the living makes my stomach turn. My mission is to aid Belus in building his army, to train the troops in the chaotic ways of the blood god.

I find myself joined in the Infernal Army of the blood god. Daily I recruit and train the troops. When I can stand the living no longer, I hunt for mortals. I send them to Irkalla, where I will deal with them upon my return. It brings me great pleasure to see so many young ones coming to our side...lusting for blood.

Together with the Unholy Order, Belus's personal troops, we shall annihilate Enki’s army, slaying the innocents and filling their rivers with blood.

Entry 2:

Belus sleeps again, more and more it would seem. I am intrigued by this vampiress I have befriended. She is much like myself, never getting enough blood. She slays the mortals nightly by my side. Seara too grows weary of Belus, the great blood king, and his frequent slumbers. She talks of building an army of vampires like herself.

Lord Toranmun has also grown weary of waiting on Belus to reappear and has taken control of the Infernal Army and has restored things to its original order. I know that he will take care of the men and their training very well without me. I have joined my only friend, Seara in building her own army, the Vampyre Alliance.

Seara herself bit me and gave me her blood. A new force surges through my veins. As a goddess, I am not sure how this will affect me, for I was in a mortal body when the change occurred. Only time will tell, and with this new preternatural body, I am sure I will have plenty of time to find out.

Entry 3:

The gods have turned their backs on us. We, the vampires are truly the damned. There are those among us, kindred, who do not serve the darkness. There are certain ones in our league who choose to walk the path of light as they did before their change. They do this by refusing the blood of innocents and feeding solely on evildoers. I cannot understand their reasoning in this. They are taking lives, evil or innocent, a life is a life. In some way it must ease their humanity to justify such violence as justice. They cling so to the part of them that was human once. It disturbs me greatly.

I have fully embraced the experience of becoming a vampire. I no longer desire my old life, the mortal body I once possessed, nor the Abyss, where once I ruled. I send many mortals to their maker, who that is I do not know. I seem to have forgotten my life as it was before. All I know now is this cursed land of the living and the sun, at night, 'tis my feeding ground, and when I am full on the blood of the living, I hunt in the underground crypts and slay the undead, the skeletons, zombies, liches and such.

Entry 4:

I find myself a very rich woman by mortal standards. I have many homes, each filled with furniture, art and many other trinkets that denote my worth. My floors are inlaid with jewels and covered with furs. I find satisfaction in the beauty of my homes, but no true happiness there. I have many fine steeds in my possession. They serve me well; many have died, giving their life for mine, which is ironic since I am already dead.

I have many comrades amongst the vampires. We call ourselves a family. Something I have never had before. If ever a member of our family needs anything I am all too happy to be able to provide and they do the same for me. I have recently made friends with some of those whom I had considered mine enemies whilst serving under Belus. One of these friends was bitten by a fellow vampire and close to death. Although I vowed to not make more of our kind myself, I felt I had to, for this was a dear friend. He now calls me mother, and in fact it feels that way to me also. I love him deeply, my son. Ah, to be happy. Yet, I am not.

Entry 5:

The Ancients Ones have come to us. They have appeared to many of us in their mist form speaking words of wisdom to us. Slowly with our help the Ancient Ones are gaining strength, able now to possess bodies of the living for short periods of time. They have vowed to lead us on to victory.

Seara has succumbed, as some vampires do, to madness. On a false mission of redemption, she turned her back on us. She has left me in charge of the army. I bear the responsibility of caring for her children as well as mine. It is a large task. I grow weary.

Our only worthy opponent has crumbled. There are no others in the land so worthy of our ire as was the Army of Enki.

We have had an influx of newcomers to our lands, many of whom are vampires who came here seeking the Alliance. We have welcomed our kindred with open arms. Now I find the focus of my tasks must again be to train the young ones.

One day, Enki’s army will rise again and we shall be prepared for the inevitable war with them. Now we must prepare and continue to prosper.