I continue my trek through this wood. Mostly pine and others, truthfully there are maybe 5 or 6 tree's I can identify on sight, pine, oak, dogwood, hickory, stink wood, palm and that is pretty much it. Well fruit tree's if they have fruit or like pear or peach cause those were common back home. I check my compass and note I am heading in a South East direction (roughly as the compass only has a N marking on it and the north end of the needle is painted red). Clear bases, not much in the way of scrub or bushes in this area. And when the wind is Just right I can kind of smell salt. So either a salt marsh or an ocean maybe.

Seen a few deer, a rabbit, and one large snake. Chasing the rabbit actually. Hear birds and other animal sounds as well as wind in the tree's. But no people. No smoke, etc. So I am pretty far out. I try to keep to a mostly easterly direction as according to my maps that was lies an ocean. Too far south and you hit this marsh, maps all list it as Haunted, but older ones show ruins in it to. Which is probably Why it's haunted if you ask me.

At one point far overhead I see and hear something large flying by. Through the tree's I just make out a winged reptile looking thing. Wyvern or dragon, I can't tell which and really don't want to know.

It was going west and did not seem interested in the trees or ground. I watch it as long as I can then continue on my way. Close to noon (suns almost straight above) I finally find a good sized clearing. Looks the right size to pitch my tent and so I start to clear out rocks, limbs and such just to be sure and well not to set my tent on them. I am standing on the edge of the field thinking about which way to face the tent, when the air in the middle of the clearing twist in on itself and turns rainbow colors. Then 3 ladies come out of the warp and lightly touch down. All are armed and look like adventurers.

Their backs are to me even as they look around. White hair to black hair (mage maybe ?) "Are you sure this is the place Agnes ?"

Agnes, sighing, "No it is not the Place, it is as Close to the Place as I can get without putting a tree through your face. Remember Dominic"

The last girl snickers, "You know Dominic does not listen when she has treasure on her mind."

Dominic, "Shut up Cyril, like you are any better."

They look around and at a map the mage is holding, "So which way is south ?" Dominic of the white hair ask.

I glance at my compass, "To your right, mostly."

I watch them freeze, then spin, ready for a fight. I just stand there, compass in one hand, tent pack in the other.

Cyril, hands starting to glow, "Who are you and what are you doing here ?" she demands.

"I was here first, I was in the middle of setting up camp. Just finished clearing out all the twigs and rocks for a place to put up my tent when you all appeared." I point, "That way is south, have a nice trip."

Agnes points her staff at me, "Answer or die."

I sigh, "Really, your that kind of stupid." I 'Move' and am in her face, light kick to the side and Cyril is on her ass, grab Agnes's staff and use it to pop Dominic on the arm, forcing her to drop her sword and swear. I point my finger at the bottom of Ange's chin, "One word from me and your face gets burned. Care to keep up with the threats ?"

Cyril's spell failed when she hit the ground, Dominic rolls and grabs her sword, but I got her friend in a dangerous hold, making attacking me dangerous.

I nod at her, "Remember, you all started this. I was minding my own business."

Dominic, holding her sword with 2 hands, "What are you doing here ?"

I look at her and shake my head, "I told you, I was setting up camp. Not that it is any of your business. You’re the ones who invaded my space, not the other way around."

Cyril sighs, "He has you there Dom, he was here first. The grass is all tromped down and I can see the pile of limbs and such he made. So he has been here a while. Would have been bad if he had his tent set up when we teleported in. Really messed with the spell."

Agnes is trying to pull her staff away but I got too good a grip on it.

I grunt, "Tell you what, you go on your way and leave me in peace and I will do the same with you."

Dominic, "How do we know you are not here to steal out treasure."

I roll my eyes, "Ok, then how about I kill you all, Then I can have some peace and quite to set up my camp."

Agnes, "Dom stop antagonizing the incredibly fast and strong man. I would be the first to die and I really don't want to die."

Dom puts her sword away and steps back, "Fine. But if this is treachery I will kill you."

I step back and slowly release Agnes's staff. She hugs it but makes no move against me. I back up to my pack and then lean over to pick it up when Dom cries, "HAYYA!" and bolts of pink light leap from her and slam in to my shield. I counted 3 of them. She looks very surprised.

I look at her, as do her friends, they look shocked. I am just annoyed. "Ok, your funeral then." I pull my staff out from my bag and move toward Dom, she draws her sword, "I warn you I am a skilled warrior mage." I nod, "So am I, what's you point."

She feints a couple times, I easily block them, she mutters and tosses another pink bolt at me, my shield absorbs it.

She runs in a full charge suddenly, I just calmly spin my staff, knock aside her sword, turn and clock her on the back of the head. The blow sends her flying and she crashes in to the ground, bleeding badly from the wound. She is not getting up.

Agnes goes on the defense as Cyril starts praying and her hands glow with a soft rose light. I watch her cast her spell. Probably saved her friends life, but she still is not getting up.

"You were warned, now take your stupid friend and leave before I forget my manners and finish this." I wait. I don't advance and I don't try anything. I am letting them decide, follow their friends actions or leave.

Agnes looks at her downed friend then screams and waves her staff, starting to cast a spell I sigh, step in and jab her with my staff in her abdomen, she lets out a sharp gasp and drops to the ground, passing out from the injury.

I look at the last one, "Well ?"

She is crying, "I am just a priest of Taylor. I heal and protect." she gulps. I shrug, "Don't know this 'Taylor' you speak of. Not from around here." I pull out one of my medallions, "I follow Tyche." She nods, knowing the name. "Lady Luck. Yours is good ours is bad." I shrug, "Had you left me in peace I would have done the same with you. I don't know what you all were looking for and I really don't care. I was minding my own business."

"Your call, save them or don't. But get them out of my camp site."

She drags them to the southern section. As she tends to them I pull out my tent, set the controls then jog over to the side. She turns to watch me then her eyes go wide as my tent unfolds itself and sets itself up. When it's done I pick up my bags and walk inside. Closing the door behind me.

A few minutes later I hear a tentative knock on my door. Sighing I open it and look down, "What ?" I all but snarl.

Twisting her fingers, "Would you have any bandages ?"

I think, "Got any money ?"

"Money ?" she ask, surprised.

I nod, "I am a Merchant, I travel around selling stuff. Used to have a cart but it got 'confiscated' back in Burma, Asparka ." - that is a town in the last country I passed through, known for its high crime rate. Mostly coming from the guards there according to rumor. As I did not like the way I was treated I have no problem bad mouthing them.

She looks troubled, "Why would they do that ? Were you smuggling ?"

"I have goods from Silverton in Corrinel." I state. Which is true as far as it goes, "Some of the new items they have been developing. The cart had some nice upgrades in its suspension, so it road much smoother than the old types. The locals wanted it, so they took it. I barely managed to get most of my goods off of it and in to my Marvel Bag"

She looks blank, "Marvel Bag ?"

I look mildly surprised, "Haven't heard about them yet ? They are too new I suppose. Like a bag of holding only larger, the 2 side bags are the size of medium bags of holding with Accessibility magics on them. The main bag is of the largest size, 250 cubic feet, same kind of magics so you don't have to go digging through them for stuff. Real useful for a trader like me."

She nods, "So like a Handy Haversack then ?"

I nod, "But bigger and yes. Though other features to make them more secure to." I get mine and pull up the flap, showing her the brass zippers. THOSE get her attention, I show her the small locks and how the zippers work. Another new item from Corrinel. I tell her that they are now being used on bags, clothing and similar. "The Mages Guild has teamed up with the Merchants guild and they are mass producing these and selling them at 150 gold each." She looks surprised, "Expensive but cheaper than a Haversack. Hm I can see problems arising from other state guilds."

I nod, "Of course. Mostly as they did not think of it first so they got too bad mouth it." She grimaces and nods. "Well I need bandages. You hit Dom hard and even with magic she is in bad shape."

"She should not have tried to mage missile me then. Otherwise I would have stuck with knocking her out. I don't take being attacked for no reason lightly." she makes another face, "She thought you would rob us once we got what we came for."

I shrug, "I have been traveling all night and most of today. I got off the main roads trying to avoid bandits. Got a little lost, decided I just needed to rest a while. Ergo making camp. Don't know what you are after, don't care either. But if you attack me then I will use every dirty underhanded trick I know to kill you. Presently you all should be happy I just did not web you to the tree's so the undead could get you easier. And yes there are undead out there. I saw a Lich and a dozen zombies not 2 nights ago and a vampire last night. One reason I have not Slept recently. I am not sure but they may have come up from the marshes, or such. They did look like they were looking for something though."

She gulps and nods, "well that is not good." I nod. I sell her a roll of bandages from my stock for 1sp. (with the tape to use them properly) and she leaves.

I am planning on letting my vampire out tonight and letting her have them. I don't trust those girls at all.

Nightfall, I hear a noise and wake up, then remember, right, vampire in my bag.

I open the bag and pull her out. She looks around at the tent and then at me, "Um, what happened ? We were in your cart, you were talking, I was drinking, then I am in a strange dark place full of all kinds of Stuff. Then you grab my arm and I am here."

"Yeah, one of the gods I served showed up and knocked you out. On the plus side they Really don't like Free Will being circumnavigated so they removed all the spells the Liches had on you. On a purely impulsive move on my part, I shoved you inside my bag of holding and took you with me when I escaped. Not totally sure where we are at the moment but if you are hungry there are some adventurer types outside your welcome to."

She gives me a long look, "ok why are you ok with feeding them to me ?"

I huff, "They appeared from a portal in front of me just as I finished clearing debris so I could set up this tent. When they noticed me they started to make demands, then they attacked me cause I was too close to some site they were going treasure hunting in and afraid I was going to attack Them after they got it. I knocked 2 out and the last one is putting them back together. That was just after noon today. I told them stories about Liches and vampires in the area to."

She licks her lips, considers me, then the door, then me, then the medallion I hold up and sighs. Then she turns to mist and goes out the smoke hole in the roof.

I don't see her again for a little while. Actually I fell asleep again while she was out.

When she comes back she reaches out and touches me and the next thing she knows I am on top of her with a claw at her neck, "Oh it's you." I say and get off of her. She rubs her neck, "Right use a stick next time I want to wake you." I shrug.

"Um, how much do you know about vampires ?" I grin, "Quite a lot actually. Plus my god told me the name of your subspecies and normal powers. You have been augmented, that is why you can turn to mist. Your main type can't do that."

She nods, "Yes I know about that and actually I awoke with a bunch of powers that I am not supposed to have. Don't know why though."

I sit up, "Ok what is bothering you ?"

She looks worried, which is why I asked, "How are new vampires made ?"

I shrug, "A person is drained to the point where their heart stops and the vampire then feeds them some of their own blood. Mind you, the vampire has to have bitten the person and injected them with their venom or it won't work."

She nods and fidgets and I sigh, "What happened ?"

"Well I found these women. Three of them." I nod, "Well they were maybe a hundred yards from here with a tarp tent around them and a camp fire. They were asleep, or unconscious, so I decided to snack on them." I nod again, waiting. "Well while feeding on the brunet, the black haired one, " I nod as she pauses. "Someone hit me with a sword and I bled all over the girl. I kind of lost it after that." I nod, "I managed to take the sword away from the scrawny girl, who tried to use a charm to make me go away, I ate her, but I was still bleeding, don't know why," I note, "Enchanted sword most likely. Wounds take longer to heal." She makes an 'oh' face then nods, "Well um, I think I turned them. Not sure if it's all of them or only 1 or two as I don't know how close to dead the first one was when I got hit." she is giving me a hopeful look as I rub my fingers over my eyes. "Fine, let me get my shoes."

"Um how about pants ?" she is looking at my skivvies and my 'morning wood' that is bulging in them, "Naw, I am more intimidating this way." she nods, "True, Wall of muscle with a huge cock is very intimidating." I grin, "My last 2 girl friends had a mantra that they were gonna die from me fucking them. They didn't but it was fun how they would say that, then screw me." She shrugs.

I follow her to the bodies. One is up and walking around in a daze. I walk over and check her for a pulse. She spent the time looking at my bulge. I find one, "Ok this one is alive." I check her face, "Did you swallow any of her blood ?" The girl, Cyril, nods, "Ok, well your now her servant creature but you are not a vampire."

I check the other two, then sigh, "Well if they wake up in the next 3 days, congrats you’re a momma vamp. Otherwise they are dead. Mind you the change can take anywhere from 3 hours to a week." I stand, "Burying them is not really necessary, it's only done in these situations to protect the child from sunlight."

Cyril stares at me, "I thought you were a merchant ?"

I nod, "Yep. Also a scholar and warrior and mage. One of the area's I know allot about is vampires. There are dozens of different kinds with different strengths and weaknesses."

She looks at her new mistress, "So why have you not just eaten him ?"

Vamp looks at me, "I like my head attached to my body. Have you seen him fight ? I saw him take out an army of undead, I am one little vampire, with no desire to Die. So unless he offers some of him, Not going to try."

Cyril nods, "Yeah took out Dom and Agnes in one blow each. Both are mages and Dom is a warrior to. One of the best I know. Though a bit hot headed. What am I going to do now ? They were my team. We can't show up at the guild as Undead. The Guild master really does not like that at all."

I raise a finger, "You are not undead, you are a servant type. She would have had to drain more of your blood for you to become undead."

Cyril looks at me, "Isn't there any way you can fix them ?" I pop a claw, "I can remove their heads. That would prevent them from coming back. But it's vamp girls call as they are now her responsibility."

Vamp Girl, "I have a name you know."

I shrug, "You never told it to me and I don't read minds. I am just a magically created super soldier."

She stops then her head drops, "Oh yeah, I never did tell you. Well to be honest I was trying to lure you out to your doom. Man has more holy symbols than anyone should." she tells Cyril, then back to me, "I am Trisha Lee."

I nod, "Well Met Trisha Lee, I am Rob, Warrior of Fate and Foe of Destiny." I pause, repeat that and smile, "That has a nice ring to it doesn't it."

Cyril, "Fate and Destiny are the same thing."

I look at her sadly, "Fate is the potential your born with. Destiny is an insane goddess trying to strip the world of free will and turn everyone in to mindless drones."

Trisha, "wait, Destiny, tall, off blond hair, full figure." I nod she fumes, "I know her. She is the bitch that got us pulled in to this world. Crazy as a box of frogs on heroin. Some mad scheme to turn herself in to a goddess and rule a world."

Suddenly there are 2 more people there, tall, perfect figure red haired goddess and a suit of white armor with gold trim.

They are on either side of Trisha, she looks properly freaked out, "You Know of this Being ?"

They ask in perfect unison. She nods, "She was an intern with me. Completely batshit nuts. Always putting magical symbols all over everything and trying to hex people. Thing is she did not know one thing about Real magic. Her name is Destiny Philips Soule. Married name as Mr. Soule was the one in charge of the project." the entities nod.

Cyril is on her knee's shaking. I walk around them and stand behind Trisha. Sune looks at me, "I was a bit peeved with you for freeing this one. But it looks like you lucked out again Rob. Anything we can learn about this person is a help. She arrived and somehow Stole the powers of our Destiny and is now, well like you said, trying to destroy free will. She is not very original in her methods, but she is persistent and has been working on it for about 50 years our time."

I slowly nod, digesting that bit of information.

War comes over and pulls me off to one side, "Just to let you know, Hammer is looking for you. She understands we sent you on a mission and all that. So is not mad at you for running off. Little miffed you did not leave a note, but she understands about wrong hands and such to." I nod, "So she is not going to kill me ?"

"Well I did not say that. Depends on how jealous she is when she finds you with a bevy of beautiful women around you. Course once she figures out most are undead she may just hurt you some instead."

I nod, "You like vampires don't you ?"

He nods, "Love them really. Nearly perfect killing machines." I nod, "So why no day walkers ?"

I have his attention, I can feel it. Not just the Avatars but the full Spirits, "Pardon ?"

I shrug, "Day walkers, ones that don't burn up in sunlight. And yes It is possible. There are several different kinds out there in the Multiverse now." I can feel him thinking then the slow very dangerous smile, "I like you. So devious, so knowledgeable. So tell me."

"Base level, resist sunlight, half normal damage, next level still hurts but not fatal, unless they get to much, dries them out you see. Next level up from that Full Immunity to sunlight. Mind you fire is still bad all around. In the WoD games it was a Merit, 7 points for the full version. But well I developed some variant clans that had it built in to them. Some could also eat normal food to. Limited digestion and more life-like appearance, as a cover you see. Hide in plain sight and such. " he nods slowly, "Some merit to that. Hm. " he looks at the two sleeping beauties, "I may experiment with that."

"Oh Order said something about mixed lines where Trisha is concerned. At the time I thought it was something the Liches had done to her, but after talking to her I am wondering if she was not a Gangrel revenant prior to her turning and that is why she has their powers as well as the Torries."

He looks at her then at them then at me, "Rob, ever want to be a Harem Master ?"

I look at him, "Why do I hear General in that word and several other connotations. Also I get the impression your avatar here is smiling like a shark at a lawyer convention."

This narrative has been purloined without the author's approval. Report any appearances on Amazon.

He laughs, "Love the way you phrase things. Ok it's like this. The normal problem with vampire leaders is they are vampires. This clouds their minds. What I am thinking here is making you, giving you an upgrade of sorts."

"Talk to Tyche and Sune first." I state, "Especially Sune as she is standing behind you and frowning."

Slowly he turns, "Oh hello Sune." She taps her foot, "We talked about this. You trying to go behind our backs and 'upgrade' him even more." he spreads his hands, "But think about it, him as a vampire Master. Only over the ones of this line mind you. Special breed of Toreadors, with the added gifts of the Gangrel, well mist form, night vision, and claws. But able to walk in the sun, maybe eat normal fair ?" I can practically see him trying to work her in to the idea. Appealing to her artistic side as well as some of her darker aspects.

Suddenly I and Trisha are in a dark place, surrounded by beings made of different colored lights, standing on a black platform with differing colored rings heading toward the center. We are standing between the gold ring and the silver ring. I don't know the symbolism here, but I get the feeling it's important.

Feels like a tribunal or something. Whatever is going on concerns us. Trisha scoots over to me and takes a couple of my fingers. I think she is looking for comfort. I don't mind cause I am scared to. I know the lights are a manifestation of the powers that I now serve but beyond that I have no clue.

I try to guess at what each color represents. Though Chaos is easy as it keeps shifting colors, all over the place all the time. While Order is just Black with a white border. Law, I think its Law is shades of grey. Balance is a stable Rainbow orb. Love I think is Rose colored, but that could also be Blood Red for War. Or the Black Orb is war, could be death to, or Fate. No way of knowing.

I am surprised when a Golden orb speaks to me, "Rob, Trisha, This meeting has been called due to your knowledge's and our problems with Destiny Soule." the voice is Wars.

In differing voices, "We would like you to work together on this. Mind you this does not mean you have to travel together, that is up to you. We are changing Trisha's nature a little. As suggested by Rob. Upgrades include being able to move about in daylight and sunlight as if you were human. Ability to consume normal food with limited digestion as the food needs to go somewhere. Sex, yes you may now. (that was Sune's voice) as the foods you eat will allow your body to create the necessary humors. Still need blood. All your line will have these gifts as well as mist form, night vision, and retractable claws. Otherwise your limited in your first 100 years to your clan powers of Auspex, Presence, and Celerity."

Then I feel something, "Rob. You can Not become undead, your too powerful now as it stands. However we are making you a Revenant, no increase in any powers but a longer life span and immunity to the mind control and blood bonds of vampires. Their blood will otherwise work on you like it does any other Revenant, and yes your children, from this point onward will share these gifts." I nod, well that is cool. Trisha grins at me then ask, "Can I still drink his blood ?"

I can Feel the grins, "Yes you may drink his blood, just don't try and turn him it won't work and it will upset us." she gulps and nods.

"Now Rob knows allot about vampires, but it's all book learning, lots of speculation and theory. Still he knows more about what you are than anyone else in our world. So be nice to him. "

She smiles and nods, "How do we fight Destiny ?"

"Promote free will, encourage growth, change, learning. Rob is playing inventor and trader when not killing people trying to enslave him. We can't have that. Rob Needs to be a free agent, as do you. So we may fudge things in your favor from time to time. Oh and lastly, because You are now our agent, Our holy symbols have no power over you. Lesser gods may still cause you problems."

I raise my hand, "Who or what is Taylor ?"

I hear a sort of light laugh, "Demigod really. He was an adventurer who made it to godhood through hard work and a little luck. He is mostly under Tyche's banner in the skills of Adventure." I nod, "ah ok."

Tyche, "I will speak to him about Cyril, but can't guarantee anything." I nod as does Trisha.

Then we are back in the forest. We look around and realize to those here no time has passed and the gods never appeared.

Trisha looks up at me, "Well that was productive and surprising. Given your knowledge and all I think sticking with you for a while is a good idea. Lots I don't know and all." I nod, "And you can fill me in on what you recall about Ms. Crazy Pants." she grins, "That to." she nods. I move over to the 'bodies' and sigh, "Guess we should move them over to the tent for now. Though I am sorely tempted to tie them up."

Trisha thinks then nods, "Actually that is not a bad idea. I would suggest a cocoon type thing. Oh and naked, trust me on that."

I nod. Cyril helps us move and strip them. I don't think much of them personally. Not my types, chest to small, hips to wide. Trisha has a nice body and I know I think about Sex A lot. I think several of them Want me to have children, probably lots of them all over the place.

I use my webs to cocoon the baby vampires. Cyril about freaks completely out while Trisha is Geeking out. "Oh I just Love your powers! Spiderman's web spinning, Wolverines claws and healing factor. SO COOL!"

I nod, "Leaping and Spiderclimbing to, as well as increased senses. I can track by smell the same as Wolverine, no danger sense however. Got a different Psychic power called Combat Sense. Ever see Green Hornet ?" She nods, "Kato's combat gift is actually Combat Sense."

She melts, "So COOL! Your like a superhero or something." I grin, "Well powered down to this worlds levels, but yes."

Cyril is shaking, "You’re a monster." she states. I look at her, "Made by the Gods to fight a Mad God, so yes. From what we know the Original Destiny was somehow over thrown and this imposter from another world took her place some 50 years ago. She is trying to take over this world by forcing Fate out of it. That is why things are starting to stagnate, no new ideas or inventions or anything. Me I am a walking loop hole in her plans. I encourage people, I make things not found here. I get people Thinking and Doing things they would not have otherwise. That is how we are fighting her. The powers of the Idea and Free Thought.

To that end they have changed Trisha and your friends to some degree. Still vampires but new abilities. Like walking in daylight, eating, being able to pass easier. "

Trisha adds, "Sex. Could Not have sex before. Well I could but it was nasty." I nod, "Blood everywhere." she nods, Cyril looks at her friends, "Not really something that either of them cared about before."

"They are Toreador now. High Passions, art and beauty are the things that motivate the Torries. It is their strength and weakness as well as their obsession. It's in them, in the blood. They become more social and blend better with mortals than any other kind of vampire."

I turn to Cyril, "You are now a Thrall, but not bound yet. The plus side of being a thrall is longer life span, increased healing rate and strength. The down side is you now Need vampire blood or you will die quite horribly. Accelerated aging type dying. Though right now it would not be so bad only loose a few years off your life span. Age has a lot to do with it. The older and longer you consume their blood the faster the aging if you stop be it on purpose or not. Minimally you will need 1 dose a month. If you choose to become bound to one person though you will need to consume blood from them 3 times in that month. Then you are theirs.

I am a Revenant, which is the semi-mortal child of a Thrall. If one, or both parents are Thralls then the child will be a Revenant. It's like a thrall, but don't need the blood. We are more in line with the vampires, being born with longer life spans, stronger, faster and healthier than a normal mortal. To use an example on the aging, a pure human type revenant, ie both parents were human, their lifespans are between 300 to 500 years unless they become a servant and get the blood. The blood of a vampire will slow their aging down Allot. I think, but don't hold me to this, the oldest human thrall on record, lived to be around 900 plus years. Name of Methuselah."

I recite this all calmly and without much passion. They both listen and absorb it.

Cyril ask, "So if I don't drink any more after this month, what will happen ?"

I think, "You will age effectively 1 decade I think. Not 100% sure on that though could be more or less. Depends on the potency of the blood."

I turn to Trisha whose eyes are glowing and she is slowly moving toward me, "As you have Gangrel in your system your kind can also feed on animals. Will not be as tasty as humanoids but you can survive on it. Bite me and I will wire your mouth shut." She backs off and sucks her lips in, "Sorry, you smell nummy" I nod, "Potent blood. Another aspect of Revenants and why Kindred, aka Vampires, like having us around."

I turn to Cyril, "So what were you all after before I got in the way."

She sighs, "Magic cup. The Guild Masters set up a contest, recover this cup, they get the cup, we get whatever treasure we find at no charge. Usually the guild gets between 10 and 25% of any treasure you find as a fee for being in the guild. Guilds offer services, food, places to sleep. Magical services are cheaper, training and such for members."

I nod, "Interesting." I consider, "So where were you going to look ?"

Sighing, thinking with her friends 'dead' they have no chance to explore the ruin Agnes found in the library.

So she gets her stuff, "Follow me." I get dressed and grab my gear, leaving the tent and the babies. About half mile away is a broken tower with an over grown door in the floor. I point she nods I rip the door open by accident, the hinges just came apart.

I set it to one side and pull out a lantern, lowering it on a bit of webbing. The floor and walls are crawling with bugs and spiders. I take one look and then turn and walk away, "Well that is a dead end." Both women look at me as I walk away.

Cyril, "Your scared of bugs ?"

I look at her, "Spiders, wig me out something fierce." I shrug.

Both give me a wide eyed look and Cyril says, "But your part spider."

I shake my head, "Spider like powers, not an actual 8 legged bug eyed monster."

Trisha looks in, "Spiders I can deal with, bugs, not so much. The number of times I have woke covered in bugs." she shivers, "No, ick, no."

Cyril looks skyward. "You two are terrible adventurers."

I look around, "Merchant " point to self. Point to Trisha, "Monster. Nothing in our description says Adventurer."

Trisha considers arguing the monster label then just nods, it's essentially correct.

Cyril looks at me then her, "Surely you have a way around them ?"

I nod, "I got a cantrip but I see no point in using it. They have as much right to live as you do. Wiping them all out serves no purpose. Just need to figure out the rough lay of this dungeon and make a new entrance."

Cyril pulls out a 'map / floor plan', "This is the only plans we have, from another group of adventurers who came through here about a hundred years ago." she shows it to us. It's obviously a copy but a good one. I look it over, then head in the direction, further in to the woods, that seems to indicate the area we need to go in to get to the treasure vaults sooner.

We measure the route then standing in the rough location Cyril glares at me, "Got shovels ?"

I nod, "Yes but not what I was thinking. Got to remember I carry allot of magical items. Part stock part cause I like magic items."

I pull up the bracelet inventory, looking for 'pits'. I find what I am looking for, point the bracelet, then something drops on me from above and I yelp, flinging the large spider off me causes the bracelet to misfire. A pair of large Tibetan Mastiffs in leather armor appear in the spot. They look around, look up and growl. I look up and softly swear.

Above us, the tree's here are covered in spider webs and millions of spiders from tiny little dots to ones the size of my fist. (not counting the Legs) And they are slowly coming down toward us.

Cyril, "Um about that spell ?"

I point up, draw a square and in a good imitation of a dalek, (in english) "EXTERMINATE!" and repeat over and over changing directions and casting it till my voice is hoarse. The dogs jump on any that get past my cantrip and Trisha just stomps them. Cyril has a mace out and is batting them away.

Finally they stop coming and I am to hoarse to use the spell any more.

Sighing I look around then try the bracelet again, but I am shaking Badly as I do it. A ladder appears. I look at it then at the setting then sigh. Swear in english while Trisha giggles.

I get a bar of soap this time, Irish Spring, still in its box. I pick it up and sigh. "Having the shakes really does not help with this item, makes it go random." I say with a hoarse voice.

I focus, I push it as steadily as I can. I get an iron door. It lands heavily to the side.

I hold it out to Trisha and instruct her how to use it. Hoping she has better luck.

She gets a pair of nice thigh high, stiletto 'bondage' style boots. She looks at them, I look at the bracelet. That is not even on the screen. "Chaos is playing with us." I sigh. She sits down and tries the boots on "I don't mind, I needed new shoes." she happily states.

I try One more time for the pit. FINALLY it forms and the center drops out of the ground, 10ft down, dirt. I look in then shrug and hit the button again. A brass and glass spider lands in the pit. I look at the bracelet, "Really ?" I smack it and a new pit opens inside the first one, twisted by about 45 degrees so there is a ledge at the corners. The 'spider' falls through and we hear the clunk as it hits stone much farther down than 10ft.

Taking the lantern we lower it down and see the area is Much larger than we are expecting. Also seems to be almost over the top of a Mayan style pyramid.

I hand the web rope to Cyril, "Hold this, I will be right back." I jump down. The bottom of the pit is some 30ft over the top of the pyramid. I land with ease and then look around. From a pocket I pull out a small cloth wrapped bundle. Opening it exposes the glow crystal I got so many months ago. I attach a bit of web to the bright crystal and lower it over the edge of the temple top. Within is a Large skeleton, holding a golden chalice in one hand and a crystal cup in the other. I call back up, "Golden Cup or Crystal Cup ?"

Cyril calls back down, "Anything else down there ?"

"Giant Skeleton holding both."

She shakes her head, "Probably animate when you take either one then." I nod then go in and rip it's skull off and chuck it across the way, Then I rip off the arms, breaking them before taking both cups. The skeleton shutters, stands, and moves forward, I just calmly leap back on top of the temple roof and watch the now headless and armless monster step forward and fall down the long flight of giant steps, hear it longer as it passed out of my light range.

After it is gone, I go and search the rest of the area, using a detect magic spell. Find a small cache of gems and 2 more cups. Take those to. Then I notice something. A hidden door. Takes my Spider grip to pull it open. Inside is a dozen more of these cups. I consider, then take them all to. Just in case. I make a point of putting them All in an empty side pouch. Marking with a bit of webbing the original two.

I snag the spider broach to, just because and then using my webbing, catapult my way out of there. "Well I got Lots of cups, hope one of them is the one you are looking for." I tell her. She nods.

I put the iron door over the pit, it forms itself in place and then locks. I put the ladder over the top. "There, don't need anyone falling in." I state before walking away. The Dogs follow us.

Cyril points at them, "Where did they come from ?"

"Bracelet of Wonder. Artifact level magic item. Creates stuff, though it has a 50% chance of going random, as you saw. Been a while since I used it and I think it was cranky."

Back in the tent, Trisha gets ahold of my bracelet, "Not in the tent please. Some of the items are quite large."

She nods and goes out on the deck. The dogs are out there, walking around and sniffing everything.

She does 5 random rolls, giggling as she does so. She gets: 1 Window (2 feet by 4 feet, up to 2 feet deep), A halberd, A pit (10ft from the front of the tent), potion of Cure Serious Wounds and a portable battering ram, like the police use. (2 person). She carries it all inside and I grab the window before she can set it down, "Self-attaching, like that door back there. Any flat surface will gain a window and I don't want to break my magic tent." I carefully wrap it in a sheet, it works and does not activate.

"Got another pit, it's about 10ft from the front of the tent." I nod, "Good to know, would not be good to head out to pee and fall in." Cyril grins and nods, "You know, you probably broke that dungeon. I suspect it was designed to be a massive challenge to any who went there and you went around all the tricks, traps and monsters and then took out the big monster before it had a chance to even activate." I shrug, "I prefer easy and practical to long drawn out and dangerous."

Trisha is looking at the dogs, "What are we going to do with them ?"

I shrug, "You can always eat them, but I would not recommend it. Tibetan Mastiffs are the largest of all dog species, very loyal and going by the armor, those are trained war dogs, so skilled. Feed them some of your blood, turn them in to thralled guardians. 3 times and they will be yours forever."

She considers that and nods, "Will think on it." I shrug.

I turn to Cyril, "The bracelet is a secret. Well what it actually does. The gods made sure I got it cause so far only I can use it properly. Well Trisha to, something to do with our origins." Cyril nods, "Ok."

Trisha adds, "Keep it secret and I won't feed you to your friends." I am liking this girl, nice and ruthless without being evil.

Cyril looks at the two cocoons and frowns, "they wouldn't eat me would they ?"

I shrug, "Depends on how much the hunger controls them. See vampires self-preservation instinct is a lot higher than mortals for the most part. They want to live and if push comes to shove, they will kill anyone or anything if it means they will live another day. It's not a logical thing, it only knows it Needs to live and it will push the mind to get what it wants. In the books I have read it's called the Beast as it is nothing but instinct. Not good, not evil, pure survival. Mortals tend to say vampires are evil because of that. And in time the mind of the vampire may come to believe it and give in to that more and more. If they do though they become a danger, not only to themselves but to those around them and if they sink to far, the others have to put that one down for the safety of the rest."

Trisha sits at my feet, hands on her chin looking up at me as I sit on my cot, "You know so much. I bet you know all kinds of tricks to keep that madness at bay to."

I nod and shrug, "Kind of. Mind you everything I know is book learning. Very little practical experience in anything but controlling my own instincts. I have only let myself go once. Killed some 20 or so men in a matter of minutes, all of them trained soldiers. Bastards wanted to enslave me and keep me locked away so I could not do my job."

Trisha is grinning at me. She gets that I have pretty much been programmed in to following this directive and anything that gets in the way of it is in for a world of pain. Of course it was also that Need that lead me in to freeing her and helping her become more than she was before.

I sigh, wanting nothing more than to go to sleep, but knowing till I answer her I will not get to rest, "Fine. There are things called Paths, several different ones. They are basically like, um, " I yawn, wide and long and almost fall over. "damn. Harmony, balancing the natures between beast and man, Honor, warrior type thing, Inner voice, similar to harmony but …" I don't know what happened.