Daughter of the Hollow

Emerging into the market of Stagreach on the continent of Myrnwen, the Vanguard realized they were nowhere near their intended destination, with both Thalia and Craum missing from the group. Directed to a pub by an old woman who refused Valerie's silver coin, they met Father Maxim—a cleric wearing a signet ring of the death goddesses who sought strong adventurers to eradicate a local vampire hive. After Valerie mentioned speaking directly with both death goddesses, Maxim felt certain their meeting was divine intervention. He explained that since the Tears of Toumas, the fallen Kingdom of Rivermoore had struggled against foreign threats while a cave-dwelling vampire and its ghoul horde preyed upon local villagers. The party agreed to assist: Emelyne sought to dissect a vampire, Renatus was bound to destroy undead, and the others were enticed by promises of treasure.

Setting out toward Doeblight Hollows, the party camped half a day's journey from the cave. As they settled in, the sounds of howling wolves and screaming children pierced the air. Rushing forward with blue flames igniting his blades, Maxim joined Ro’Zaad and Valerie as they struck down two wolves, which instantly reverted into feral child vampires. One feral girl latched onto Maxim before attempting to spider-climb away, but Maxim cut her down with full fury. Valerie cast Dissonant Whispers to terrify the second vampire child into fleeing, then brought her down with Vicious Mockery. When Emelyne attempted a live dissection with a dagger, the simple piercing strike caused the child's body to drain and decay instantly. Approaching the incapacitated vampire, Maxim drove a stake into her heart—causing her to scream and shrivel as he confirmed she was one of two girls abducted from the village a month prior. Realizing piercing weapons guaranteed final death for these spawn, Maxim warned that their shapechanging master would be far more powerful before attempting to heal Renatus's drained blood.

During the night's watches, a figure stepped into the firelight and introduced himself as Aurelius, the vampire master. Warning Valerie to turn away, Aurelius claimed he only fed on animals, had turned the missing girls solely to save them from a deadly plague, and cautioned that a far greater vampire threat lurked nearby. Valerie noted the drain on his vitality, advising him to enjoy his remaining six weeks of existence before he departed. Playfully experimenting with her Changeling abilities, Valerie mimicked vampiric features, Ro'Zaad's face, and Naoki's horns—briefly causing a returning Maxim to draw his weapon in alarm. Valerie confronted Maxim regarding Aurelius's claims, threatening him with a grim death if Emelyne came to harm. Softening, Maxim revealed that the vampire had also turned his own daughter, leaving him driven by personal vengeance as the Vanguard prepared to breach the vampire coven in the caverns.