Vhakizla – Chapter 12

It was Umber who lit the flame that engulfed Unicorn's body. All gathered in Izla Square , the twenty-three mercenaries of the Menagerie observed their strange customs, eating pieces of his flesh, drinking to excess and daring any who watched to challenge them. Unspoken beneath all their celebration of Unicorn's life was the wordless fear that the missing Griffon was among the dead.
That morning, they were met with both good and bad news. The remaining five hostages were returned to them, blindfolded and wandering the catacombs beneath the Temple of Vhakizla. However, both Umber and Mouse were infected with the same addiction that plagued Remorhaz – a slaver addiction. Together, the three of them hit the town, fought a few remaining Sanguine but were unable to unearth enough drugs to tide them over until Hierarch Oskamos could provide a cure.
With nothing else for it, the exhausted, addicted and crestfallen mercenaries finally depart Izla.
At Zarkani Hill, they reunited with the rest of the company, preparing to make a move on Caliphar II's hideout. The moment they dreaded – telling the Commander about what happened to her son – went as expected. About to slide into another drunken stupor, it was Umber's words of encouragement that lifted her from her wallowing and set her onto a mother's revenge. Beyond that hill, the hidden lair of the vampire who'd killed her son waited – and she would have her vengeance come the morrow.
The vineyard was abandoned.
A thorough search of the place revealed that perhaps once the vampire's operation was staged here but that was long ago. Dispirited and furious, the mercenaries stomped about the place, searching for any clue that might point them towards their quarry. When they found none, all eyes landed on Stirge, whose information misled them – again. Before the Commander could either kill her or tumble into another depression, they were visited by a most unwelcome messenger.
"She wishes to speak with you," quoth the Speaker in Shreds, pointing a spectral finger directly at Mouse.

Campaign: The Menagerie
Game Date: Gnoson 23 – 24, 67 2A
Starting Point: Izla
Player Characters:

• Mouse 
• Remorhaz 
• Umber