Helping out people in need is exactly what Raoul is all about, although accompanying a team of cave divers into the smokey mountains of Dragon’s Cradle isn’t exactly his usual forte. He’d been hired to work as security keeping the team of archaeologists and miners safe as they traveled down the mountains in search of minerals and exciting finds. The dhampir wasn’t much of the protecting type, usually not being able to protect himself narrowly avoiding death by the brim of his hat on a weekly basis. However a job is a job and he took it in stride, plus it wasn’t all that bad a good friend of his Perrath had also been hired alongside him so at least he had good company and a dependable ally.

He sat on one of the team’s crates waiting for the group to get their gear ready and settled before they took the steps into a cave. Figuring it’d be a few minutes before they needed to get going he decided to catch up with his friend walking over to him, “Hey Perrath it’s nice to see you again my friend. I’m excited to work with you again and look forward to getting paid at the end. Are you ready to take the plunge into the depths of the earth, I know I'm ready”, he motions to his veiled sunhat.

---

Quest details:

SPOILER: Click to show

Quest Name: Spelunked
Participants: Two or more
Location: Dragon's Cradle
Post Requirements: 6 posts per person, 200 words per post
Reward: +1 Renown, Choice of 2 Common crafting materials
Description: A group of cave divers, treasure hunters, miners, or diggers have found themselves in a Dragon’s Cradle cave, halted by some kind of obstacle. Choosing to make camp before pushing forward, they have found themselves the target of a pack of Flederwulf, who have been stalking the group and looking for the chance to pounce. Whether you stumble upon them or were hired to join them, the task is the same - protect them from their hunters and get them out safely. A pack of ten Flederwulf are descending upon the group and must be defeated before they carry someone off.

While in the area for business, Perrath heard that Raoul was taking on a protection job for some treasure hunters of some description. He did, albeit briefly, consider continuing about his business, but with some of the wildlife activity in the area lately, at least according to locals' complaints, the dragon decided it better to tag along. Between the two of them, Raoul is the personable one who might be able to swing additional pay if things get dicey.

Dicey is only a matter of time with this group, though, considering a pack of Felderwulves has been stalking them the entire journey to the cave. The animals haven't made a move yet, but Perrath has been keeping a watchful eye. Now that camp is made and the spelunkers are distracted, he suspects the animals might be a little more bold.

When Raoul comes over, Perrath looks at him. "If we're lucky, the two of us will not enter the death trap that is the cave," he says, his tone significantly less jovial. The dragon despises feeling on edge, and while he doubts the Felderwulves will pose too much of a threat to him, he would rather not be caught off guard. "The creatures are nearby. Keep your ears and eyes alert. I have no means of healing, and this far from society might pose especially dangerous if someone gets injured."

“You make a pretty good point there”, Raoul says thinking their situation over, they had to deal with the treasure hunters and their foolhardy antics but the even bigger problem was the Felderwulves. They had been following the group for a few hours at this point, not doing anything yet just stalking them. The dhampir could feel someone watching them; it was a perturbing feeling but one that he wasn’t unfamiliar with.

“We’ll be fine though I’m sure, the wild dogs stand no chance to your might and my mind. I know I’ve faced worse and I’m sure someone of your skill has seen so much more. Let’s just relax, there’s not much we can do about them sneaking around but just stay alert like you said. We just have to be ready for anything that can happen. I have no means of healing either if I’m going to be honest and you raise another good point. If one of these researchers gets hurt I doubt they’ll be able to survive on the way to the nearest town. That shouldn’t be a problem, we just have to keep them safe as best we can. I know I have gotten stronger since the last time we met and I’m sure you have too”, he’d smile confidently nudging the fellow jokingly.

“The nearest city is Thorock, but I hear Sky Peak has a decently large garden as a central feature. It likely means they have plenty of herbs for healing. If that ends up being necessary, anyway,” Perrath says before looking to Raoul again. “This is true. I have fewer troubles taking on multiple enemies at once, and I don’t worry much about the Flederwulf, but caves are their natural domain. I wouldn’t be surprised if they’re stalking us because we’re nearing their den.”

“Hey!” one of the adventurous divers calls over to the two protecting them. “We’re getting ready to head in. Ready to join us?”

Perrath couldn’t be less ready. This cave is small. Dragons roost in large caves at the top of mountains, not small caves that require them to squeeze their majestic forms between rocks with the risk of getting stuck. What’s so fun about this to these people anyway? Admittedly, if one gets dragged away by a Flederwulf, he won’t go out of his way to nab them. At least, not himself and not without some convincing.

“Let’s get this over with,” he mumbles, uncrossing his arms and starting towards the cave.

A low growling reverberates in the bushes near them.

“I see yes I’m aware that there are areas nearby that we need to fall back on if things get too serious here. After all, we are in a pretty dangerous situation with all these people here. Someone is bound to get hurt if they’re too careless. Although it is a little exciting isn’t it? I mean traversing the deep mountains for treasure and ancient relics worth potentially hundreds even thousands of solars. Though the risk is great the reward is oh-so worth it. With you around Perrath I’m sure we’ll all be fine, I mean with that sword and strength of yours a couple of fiendish dogs seem like light work. Even if they follow us to the depths of the mountains and try to ambush us they’ll meet their end against your blade and my whips”, the dhampir would say trying to inspire confidence that everything was going to be well.

After hearing the diver call them over Raoul would get up from sitting on the floor and stand up headed towards everyone else.

“Come on Perrath let’s get going, try to cheer up at least you get to gut and ravage some monsters”, he’d chuckle, turning his head and looking straight ahead, not picking up on the growling in the bushes nearby.

Quickly though, a felderwulf jumps out of the bushes and tackles Raoul to the ground, taking the man by complete surprise. The creature sinks his fangs into his shoulder biting down and piercing through his clothing and biting into his pale flesh.

Raoul’s deep interest in treasure and the hunting of treasure makes it very apparent to Perrath that the investigator is getting some genuine joy out of this tiresome mission. Admittedly, the dragon is only doing this because Raoul asked, and he has enough respect and likeness for the man that he does not want to see him erased from Charon by an unfortunate circumstance. “You know, Raoul,” he starts, a small, teasing smile quirking the edge of his mouth up. “I could see you getting into trouble for attempting to raid the hoard of a mighty dragon. Best to be cautious about your grand declarations.”

Still, the confidence from Raoul in their abilities to handle any danger certainly serves well to improve his mood. A bit of flattery never hurt a dragon, and a haughty nod of his head shows as much, distracting him enough to not notice the growling Flederwulf before it takes a bite out of his partner.

Perrath whips around, drawing his sword and shouting, “Raoul!” Not confident he can slice through the beast without also hitting Raoul, Perrath holds his hand forward, and magic pulses to strike the Flederwulf in the head, whipping around and sending a wave of lethargy through the creature.^[1] With no energy, it releases its hold on Raoul and collapses to the ground, whimpering and struggling to get back to its feet. Perrath rushes forward and cleaves his blade through the weakened beast, green flames licking at the blood on his blade.

“Are you alright?” he asks, his eyes darting around to look for more motion in the brush. The cackling of hyenas echoes around them.

---

1. Desperation [1/2 per topic]

The Dhampir squirms and tries to wriggle out of the felderwulves' grasp feeling its fang deeply sunk into his shoulder. He tries kicking it off but its teeth have deeply sunk into him and he doesn’t have enough strength feeling the loss of blood already getting to him. Raoul glances over to Perrath right before he sees the dragon blast the monster on him causing it to back off and face Perrath. It tries to hold its ground giving a faint whimper but it can barely stand up.

Raoul struggles to sit up still in shock while holding his hand over his shoulder examining how badly he got bitten. His strong partner quickly finishes the felderwulf off slicing through it with no issue.

“Ah, I’m not too sure, my shoulder’s been torn up pretty badly”, he says taking off his coat jacket, “I can barely move it without serious pain shooting up, I should’ve been more careful huh? Healing doesn’t work on me and I don’t have any drinkable blood around me so healing this thing back up might not be till we get out of here”

“Ugh, Dammit”, he exclaims, “I’m gonna slow us all down badly now”, frustrated at how he was taken so off guard. He struggles to get back up in pain, returning immediately and sitting him back down but Raoul ever the stubborn man tries again barely standing up, “We’re gonna finish this job alright Perrath. I’m not gonna let my own mistake cost me a big payout even if a herd of those bastards pop up this time I’ll be ready for them”.

In the few adventures that Perrath has been on with Raoul, he is confident that the topic of drinking blood has never once come up. Confusion is evident on Perrath’s face in the form of his furrowed brow ridges. “Drinkable blood?” he repeats while making an effort to help the man to his feet. The dragon considers if he has ever interacted with anyone like Raoul and knows that he hasn’t. “Are you a vampire?” he blurts unceremoniously.

There’s little time for talk as the cackling of more Flederwulves surround them. Snarls and yips seem angry at the very least. Perrath curses under his breath. “Find a safe spot in the cave!” he shouts in to the adventurous divers. “The pack is upon us, and I will feed you to them if you get in my gods damned way!” If Perrath’s threat doesn’t frighten them, the barking of the Flederwulves does because the cavers scramble farther into the cave with a cacophony of shouting.

Looking down at Raoul struggling to stay on his feet after what Perrath considers a minor nibble, the dragon huffs and hoists Raoul over his shoulder and backs into the cave just in time for another pair of bat-hyenas to leap out of the brush. With one hand, Perrath can’t exactly swing his massive sword, so instead, he manifests magic to summon a pair of draconic shadow creatures with wings and claws that immediately attack the two Flederwulves.^[1] One of them wreathes their claws in glowing purple magic, rending through the side of one of the creatures.^[2]

While the shadowy summons cause a distraction, Perrath hurries into the cave and drops Raoul rather unceremoniously in a crook. “Get yourself some armor, man,” he says with a huff, digging into his pouches and dropping what appear to be candies in the vampire’s lap.^[3] “And use these. We’re outnumbered.”

---

1. Quillomancer - Summons From the Void [post 1/4]
2. Quillomancer - Looming Darkness - Casts Death Swipe
3. Dragon Chocolate, Storm Chocolate, Blizzard Chocolate

“Oh crap I forgot to mention before but yes, I’m half-vampire on my father’s side, I’m a dhampir. Usually, I don't go telling people just because of the stigma around it, you know? I’d much rather not get driven out of towns getting garlic thrown at me. People usually pick up on it though on account of being so pale and my fangs. Sorry, I would’ve brought it up sooner”, Raoul would struggle to explain as Perrath helped him up.

Felderwulves start to surround them with their howls signaling to everyone that the first one was just the beginning of their ambush. “Dammit, these bastards don’t even have the courtesy of saying hello”, he’d chuckle weakly. The man chuckles as Perrath hoists him over his shoulder and places him down at the far reach of the cave. He then sees him summon two shadows to cover them, once again Perrath shows how strong and capable he is.

“I’ll try to get some eventually I promise”, he says in response to getting armor. “I’ll try to not bring attention to myself, I can maybe provide some ranged support. Gods I feel so horrible leaving all of my mess to you”.

He then takes the strange candies that Perrath gave him looking them over with hurried curiosity, they could feel arcane energy within them feeling great cold and heat from them“, Thank you for the candies. Well then let’s show these bastards how it’s dangerous to corner a beast with sharp fangs”.

He waits until Perrath leaves to blow out the white and blue-looking candie. He pops it into his mouth and bites down extreme cold entering his mouth causing him to start coughing. The frost enters his throat and suddenly arcane energy flows through him as he can feel the glacial magic within his throat. 

“Perrath head’s up, I'm feeling a little chilly”, He lets the magic flow through taking in a great breath and blowing out a large breath of frost. It starts snowing in the cave itself sharp howling cold overcoming the air, causing him to shake a little. That should be able to make Perrath’s sword slashes a lot more effective as the felderwulves' fur began to get covered with ice.

---

1. Sheer Cold-Blizzard Chocolate (1/1)

Honestly, Perrath isn’t even surprised that Raoul is a Dhampir. Sometimes people are just unusual, and he didn’t think to ask. “You can tell me more about it when you live through this nonsense,” the dragon grumbles. Still, he can’t help but be encouraged by Raoul’s constant optimism no matter the situation. It makes it hard to stay mad, which is a good thing considering their first meeting left Perrath less than thrilled on first impression. Can leeches grow on you? Nevermind that, there are beasts here.

When Perrath turns back to the mouth of the cave, he counts nine more Flederwulves, including the two his shadows are fighting. Those summons won’t last against all of those beasts, especially with their pack hunting tactics. The magic claws at least help keep distance between them. Just as the hyena-beasts prepare for an attack, a blistering cold wind rushes out of the mouth of the cave. Perrath grimaces, struggling to hold on to his blade despite the warning as his fingers start to freeze. This wouldn’t be challenging if he were a dragon of frost or fire, but he is neither.

Luckily, his summons aren’t affected and keep attacking the shivering Flederwulves, so Perrath steels himself and charges forward. With all his might, he cleaves his blade through the nearest beast, and because of the magic freezing their hides, it cuts even deeper. More green flames sprout from the blood on Perrath’s blade, as if the weapon is hungry for more. Still, the creature doesn’t drop yet.

Not wanting to be cut to bits, half of the Flederwulves shakily dodge Perrath and his shadows, leaping into the air and gliding over them and into the cave, hoping to escape the cold by hiding in their den. “Dammit,” the dragon curses, looking back to see that only to allow a Flederwulf to get a bite off on his arm.^[1] “Release me!” With the end of his blade, he bashes the beast in the face while struggling to tear it off.

---

Vainful Gauntlets -1/2 HP

Seeing the field overrun by the felderwulf pack Raoul can’t help but feel more guilty, he shouldn’t be down here hiding away like a coward. This was his mission, his task that he roped his friend into who was now taking most of them on. He couldn’t just let Perrath handle this himself, he had to help even if he was injured. Looking at the messy environment he made by eating one of Perrath’s candies, he figured he’d save the other two when the moment was right. For now, he had to rely on his gear and equipment on hand.

Shivering from the extreme cold he’d searched his jacket pockets trying to find anything useful. Notebooks, pens, and trinkets were all he could see at first until he reached into his pocket touching a chilling metal with spiked points and some explosive decorations. Raoul would faintly grin realizing this could be really destructive and very helpful to take down these beasts. He grabbed them out of his pockets and held a snowflake shuriken and explosive ornament in his hands.

The dhampir would yell, “Hey fur for brains, come over here. I'm fresh meat over here guys, easy pickings just come over here”.

Although most of the Felderwulves had their full attention on Perrath, two of the monstrous mutts heard Raoul’s taunts and headed toward him. This would be exactly what he wanted, he couldn’t stand side by side with Perrath but he could at least lighten his load.

“Yup, here boys eyes on the prize”, he’d say while holding both projectiles in his hands and aiming at them just waiting for them to get closer.

It wasn’t until they were a few feet away from him that he’d thrown them an explosive ornament for the one on the right and a snowflake shuriken for the one on the left. He’d snap his fingers activating the enchantment on the shuriken (1) causing it to summon three illusions of itself as it flew through the air. Both hit their target spot on the ornament hitting the wolf square in the face and going off with a loud and explosive, BOOM (2). The other felderwulf tries to duck and dodge the shurikens but guesses wrong as it gets hit right in the side of the head with the chilling shuriken.

---

1. Snowflake Shuriken (1/5)
2. Explosive Ornaments (1/3)

With enough forceful hits, Perrath manages to break enough of the Flederwulf’s teeth that it can no longer hold on and falls off of him. With a mighty cleave of his sword, he downs a third just as his two shadow creatures tag team and take down a fourth. Good, they’re thinning out – the ones further in the cave notwithstanding.

And then he hears Raoul taunting the beasts to come after him: a tasty morsel. What is that buffoon doing?! Two of the creatures break away from the pack to pursue Raoul while three more duck into the cave headed straight for the explorers. One remains back with Perrath and his shadows and manages to sink its teeth into the wing of one of the summons. The entity disappears in a burst of wispy, black magic. Its partner turns and claws at the long Flederwulf.

Perrath decides to leave them and head toward Raoul only to be nearly blown off his feet by an explosion that shakes the cave. Dirt, debris, and loose stones start to tumble down from the ceiling, and a rumbling echoes from deep within that reverberates throughout their chests. Screams of the exploration party mix with the yipping of the last three creatures as the people beg for help, and drips and splooshes warn that rocks are falling into the pool of water that lies deeper within.

“Raoul, are you well?!” Perrath shouts, covering his head. The divers can die for all he cares.

Breathing hard and covering his face blocking the wave of dust that his explosion caused, Raoul moves his hands and looks out onto the field. It seems his attempt at helping just made things worse, the two felderwulves he hit lay dead on the floor but everything else was in chaos. Pieces of the cave’s roof are starting to fall although not hitting anyone, the stability of everything severely worsening thanks to his rash act. The explorer’s screams alerted him to the felderwulves attacking them; he tried to stand up but pain shot up his shoulder causing him to slink back into the cave’s wall.

“Dammit”, he yells trying once again before he hears Perrath’s call checking on his status.

“Please don’t worry about me Perrath I’m going to be fine just watch out for the roof and try to help out the divers if you can”, desperation and exhaustion deep in his voice as he yells looking over at the dragon with a tired expression.

Raoul couldn’t bear to see anyone die on his hands today, he was supposed to protect them and safely guide them through the caves. Instead, all he managed to do was get badly hurt, turn into dead weight, and have Perrath do everything. It was in moments like this that he was reminded of how weak he was, how much stronger the world was in comparison to him. The dhampir couldn’t help but sigh in utter disappointment as he glanced down at his hands, shaking his head in anger. It looked like the only thing he could do was rely on the powers and aspects of himself he hated. The inheritance of a man who he despised more than anyone else in the world and yet again it would be his saving trump card.

Closing his eyes Raoul just let go of everything letting his exhaustion and tiredness take over his body (1). He slumped against the cave for a moment before rising to his feet in an almost eerie manner. His form changed and distorted as he stood bigger and taller throwing off his tattered shirt to the ground. His white hair grew longer and his sclera changed turning his eyes into pure red. With a large mad distorted grin showing all his sharp fangs, He rushed towards the felderwulves at an almost breakneck speed. The dhampir grabbed one of the felderwulves by the neck and slammed into its sibling with a loud thud. He lunged at the third one sinking his teeth into its hide hungrily giving into his vampiric urge for blood. The cave explorers in complete horror and disgust would scream in terror trying to get away from Raoul as his monstrous bloodline took control.

---

1. Last Resort (Vampire-Curse Ability)

Sometimes Perrath finds himself wondering why he likes Raoul. Perhaps the man’s nature has simply grown on him. Perhaps he finds him to be like a fawn that cannot protect itself. In most cases, Perrath would have abandoned someone like Raoul and, in this situation, would have left them to the wulves. Not this time, but the dhampir sure doesn’t make things easy for the dragon.

“Raoul, I am sorry to say that I worry about you more than I care to acknowledge,” Perrath says through clenched teeth. “I’d rather free you from this deathtrap than the idiots who ran in farther.” This is reminiscent of the time an avalanche nearly took out himself and Einheria and rather than continuing forward, they decided to prioritize their safety. If only Raoul would allow that to happen now.

The accidentally-kept secret of Raoul’s true nature might have been surprising before, but seeing the once scrawny man become a monster of a person takes away Perrath’s ability to speak on it. Alright, it seems he can defend himself, but for how long? Perrath isn’t sure. Instead, he watches somewhat stunned and idly as Raoul tears into the Flederwulves. Honestly, Perrath’s misconceptions about the dhampir weren’t unfounded, but they have settled into a silent respect.

The dragon contemplates getting in Raoul’s way or not. At the very least, he’ll ensure the man makes it out of the cave. More debris from the ceiling plinks and tinks off of Perrath’s armor as he watches. Admittedly, the horror on the adventurers’ faces makes this experience quite enjoyable, all things considered. However… There is something to consider. They might tell of Raoul’s monstrous nature.

With this now to consider, Perrath has a choice to make: save the adventurers who might blame Raoul for the cave collapse and tell of his nature or let them die. Perrath grimaces. Raoul would feel guilty if he knew any of their deaths were at his hands or because of the explosion. Fine. FINE.

Perrath’s eyes dart around the cave, having once heard of a special plant that might help in this situation. (Or not. He’s not an alchemist.) All he recalls is that it grows in the mountains of Dragon’s Cradle. Or in caves? Look, he’s grasping at strings here. Perhaps they can save the cavers and keep Raoul’s secret. All it takes is a little bit of a memory adjustment.

The screams hit his ears again. Dammit! Perrath spreads his wings and dives into the deeper cave where the adventurers are trying to flee in terror. “STEEL YOURSELVES,” he demands, blocking them from going further. Shadows twist around Perrath’s form, making him into a truly intimidating beast.^[1] “If you run deeper, I will not save you. Raoul will not save you. The beasts are dealt with, so either fall prey to what’s left of them or get to the exit! Your treasure hunt is over, and I doubt your friends wish to hunt for your dead bodies.”

Magically compelled to shit themselves (probably), the adventuring cavers look between Raoul tearing into the Flederwulves and Perrath with his magical presence of horror. Forced away from the dragon, they book it towards the exit while the dhampir is distracted.

Perrath turns his overbearing presence on Raoul. “Revert or run, dhampir!”

---

1. Reincarnation of Fear - he is mechanically very scary because of magic

Raoul would devour the felderwulf in his arms crouching down and hungrily eating its hide. His mouth and hands are covered with the crimson blood he needs to survive as he greedily finishes his meal. The deep bite wound on his shoulder begins to heal (1) almost instantaneously taking a moment before it looks as good as new.

The monster lunged at the other felderwulf, sinking his fangs into its hide and begging to devour it, glancing over to the strange dragon fellow next to him. Normally Raoul would be so utterly embarassed and ashamed for his vampiric heritage to be revealed like this but right now the monster didn't care. As he currently stood there was not a single thought in his head besides, "DEVOUR", in the moment of urgency he had resigned himself to give into his urges of greed and hunger. Usually, the man had taken great care in sustaining himself on mostly regular food and the usual monthly meal of a single wild animal.

In this moment though it didn’t matter, none of his hard work and self-discipline mattered at all. All that he could think of was devouring his delicious meal and his pure red eyes simply looked at Perrath with confusion and disinterest. He pays no mind to the cave’s chaos and instead is locked in on his dinner.

Finally finishing his feast of felderwulves the monster turns to face the voice calling out for him. He looks up, noticing a large stalactite dropping in front of him almost hitting him. Deciding he’s full now the monster makes his escape, he darts forward, his movements eerie and wild. Raoul stands outside the cave with no real thought or emotion behind his eyes, just an eerie emptiness of pure red as he stares at the cave divers and Perrath. The cave divers are understandably terrified as Raoul's mouth and hands still covered in blood. 

---

1. Massive Healing-Wicked Desires (Curse: Vampire)