![[Redbrand Hideout.jpg]] The hidden staircase spiralled down into the darkness beneath the ruined mansion, each step creaking underfoot. The air grew damp and stale as the party descended, the faint smell of mildew and stone filling their lungs. At the bottom, the passage opened into a wide chamber — rough stone walls, a broken fountain at its centre, and the echo of dripping water filling the silence. [[Karrut Styk|Karrut]]’s eyes lit up immediately. “Oh! Water! I’m _thirsty!_” [[Ellette|Ellette]] spun around. “Wait! Fool, don’t—” Too late. The Tiefling had already trotted over, crouched beside the fountain, and taken a long, loud sip. Moments later, his pupils dilated, his grin widened, and his posture straightened dramatically. “I…” [[Karrut Styk|Karrut]] declared, spreading his arms, “am a _Vampire Lord!_” [[Ellette|Ellette]] groaned. “You absolute _idiot._ The water’s clearly poisoned.” [[Morgar Goldgard|Morgar]] raised a brow. “Is he actually a vampire now?” [[Ellette|Ellette]] shot him a look. “Don’t _humour_ his delusions.” Behind them, [[Karrut Styk|Karrut]] was sneaking up on [[Rock, the Silent Fighter|Rock]], hissing playfully as he tried to bite his arm. [[Rock, the Silent Fighter|Rock]] swatted him away like an annoying insect. [[Karrut Styk|Karrut]] hissed louder and dramatically mimed pulling an invisible cape over his shoulders. [[Morgar Goldgard|Morgar]] muttered, “This may be the worst day of my life.” [[Ellette|Ellette]] pinched the bridge of her nose. “We need to search the area and make sure it’s safe.” “I’ll check behind this door!” [[Karrut Styk|Karrut]] announced proudly. [[Ellette|Ellette]] sighed. “Please let it kill him.” ![[Chp12.1.jpg]] [[Karrut Styk|Karrut]] pushed open the nearest door, revealing a small room with two beds — and two men sleeping in them. His grin widened. Without hesitation, he lunged at the nearest one and _bit_ into his neck. The man screamed once before falling still, blood spilling onto the sheets. The second cultist bolted upright — only to find [[Karrut Styk|Karrut]] standing over him, arms raised dramatically. “I am _Lord [[Karrut Styk|Karrut]], the Vampire Lord!_” he bellowed. “You are now my _thrall!_ You will obey my every command! Your friend’s life was the price of your servitude!” The terrified man blinked twice. “Yes, milord. My brother’s sacrifice shall not be in vain.” [[Ellette|Ellette]] appeared in the doorway, frozen in disbelief. “He can’t actually be serious.” [[Morgar Goldgard|Morgar]] folded his arms. “It would appear so.” [[Karrut Styk|Karrut]] nodded approvingly. “Good, good. What’s your name, my child?” “Tim,” the man stammered. [[Karrut Styk|Karrut]] smiled. “Tim! We are destined for greatness. But first, we must destroy the _pretenders to the throne!_ Can you lead us?” Tim straightened his back proudly. “Yes, milord!” [[Ellette|Ellette]] rubbed her temples. “Fine. Lead the way, _Tim._” Tim hurried ahead, mumbling to himself and knocking on sections of the wall as if listening for hidden secrets. After a moment, he stopped and grinned. “Milord [[Karrut Styk|Karrut]]! Here! The wall must be moved!” [[Karrut Styk|Karrut]] nodded. “Excellent work, my faithful minion!” [[Ellette|Ellette]] gestured impatiently. “Well? Anyone going to get _past_ it?” [[Rock, the Silent Fighter|Rock]] stepped forward, raised his mace, and slammed it into the stone. With a loud crack, the wall gave way, revealing a narrow tunnel beyond. [[Karrut Styk|Karrut]] immediately darted inside, followed by his devoted thrall, Tim, who hissed dramatically at the rest of the party as he passed. [[Morgar Goldgard|Morgar]] whispered, “This is absurd.” “Welcome to my life,” [[Ellette|Ellette]] muttered, crawling after them. The tunnel stretched ahead, cold and damp. [[Karrut Styk|Karrut]] led the way, humming his _Vampire Lord Theme Song_ under his breath. As he walked, his foot pressed down on something that clicked. He froze. “Should we check for—” A deep _whump_ echoed through the passage as a **green gelatinous cube** dropped from the ceiling, sealing the corridor from wall to wall. It shimmered with sickly light, pulsing as it began to creep forward. [[Karrut Styk|Karrut]]’s eyes went wide. “Oh. That’s… new.” Tim, ever loyal, drew his dagger. “Master [[Karrut Styk|Karrut]]! I will save you!” Before anyone could stop him, he lunged — and dove _directly into the ooze._ His scream was short-lived. [[Ellette|Ellette]] stared in horror. “Oh gods.” [[Morgar Goldgard|Morgar]] adjusted his spectacles. “Well. That’s unfortunate.” [[Rock, the Silent Fighter|Rock]] raised his weapon, and [[Ellette|Ellette]] shouted, “We need to figure something out _now!_ Before that thing eats all of us!” The cube gurgled and surged forward, dissolving what was left of poor Tim as the party prepared for the fight of their lives. [[Chapter 13. Trapped by Ooze]]