Dracula's Fall

Fallen-tree,
 
Today, our latest mission came to an end. I think the title accurately sums it up. I haven't been writing for good reason; time has been short, and the events we have witnessed have been... disturbing.
 
There's little point me summarising it, but for myself in the future in whatever form - what was meant to be a simple mission turned into the investigation of dangerous cults and twisted entities with significant power, all leading back to one person in various ways. Leading back to Dracula. The eccentric Count who first hired us had no idea of the true dangers, and we were forced to call in backup in the form of a specialised antimagic squad. Most of them died. The other two worked with us to take down Dracula. Faraahi also obtained another 'Collie' - a cultist mercenary named Ianavor, who reluctantly joined us when we showed him mercy.
 
As part of this process, Logan made a deal with Mephistopheles, a fallen angel of Hell. I think he is technically my nephew, given my race. We nicknamed him 'Meffy'. Aahi and Sef, meanwhile, received a holy weapon from the Archangel Michael to aid them.
 
Written in Druidic

 
We allied also with another vampire - the vampire hunter named Van Helsing, forcibly turned against her will. After Dracula's death, she gave her life to ensure he would not return. She'll find the peace she wanted, I hope.
 
I was a lion when the fighting ended, and I'm glad for that. The imperials showed up with their Judges, took Ianovor away, and made overtures of killing the rest of us for 'heresy' and 'corruption'. As if the followers of a disruptive false god know of heresy. They seem to believe any act of evil is worth killing over, regardless of higher purpose, but don't they understand that fanatical devotion and nonsensical killings are just as evil? In any case, evil is needed.
 
...But I already know that.
 
Anyway. We're back at the Loaded Deck. One of the higher-ups is a former Judge, apparently, and pulled the strings of diplomacy to rescue us from an ungracious death. We were given a promotion to the 4 of Hearts, and now all of our missions will be screened thoroughly to prevent whoever seems hell-bent on killing us from actually doing so. Apparently it's not normal to first deal with extremely powerful artifacts and then deal with one of the most storied villains of children's fantasy books.
 
I'd like the next mission to be a little calmer. Until then: I have a mission! Our quarters do not have nearly enough natural elements, so I'm beginning to plant more. Faraahi has started a collection of morbid artefacts in her side of our room, so I've assisted Meteor in creating a nest big enough for him to properly sleep in, and have moved in a trellis to separate the room a little.
 
The nightmares have been far worse lately, so if she's willing to deal with any twisted words I speak in my sleep, then I can handle decapitated vampires and a shard of power. If she begins causing toxic fumes, I'm going to shift into an elephant and break her bed, though.
 
I'm also planning on using that shifting power to speak with Meteor somewhat. I need to train him further, and if I can shfit into a large bird, we can communicate easily. Alternatively, I can shift into a tiger and mess with Sefris. His reactions are hilarious. I'm glad he can't read samsaran.
 
I think I've mused enough on this latest disaster. I don't want to put too much detail in this; there's a lot that shouldn't be written in text.
 
Signing off,
Lunaria Isatis Annua