Vampire Dossier: Mairibeta Bathirae
Appearence and Early History
Appearance: Human female, short with red hair, green eyes and a calm attitude. Wears simple clothing and a small satchel with the faded symbol of Illmatur upon it.
History
Born outside of Baldur's Gate in 162AR to Lizmay and Reinhard, her father died in a hunting accident whilst hunting wild bore. The trauma of seeing the gore inflicted, and the amount of blood gave Mairibeta a phobia of blood.
Around her eighteenth year Mairibeta's mother fell ill, and to support her mother and herself Mairibeta took the profession of a healer. However on her first practical exam, about a year after the passing of her mother, during the forth month of 182 AR, she was confronted with a bloody wound and her hemophobia overcame her. She fled into some near by woods and unfortunatly encountered the vampire Alvaldo.
He transformed her into a Vampire, though whether he was aware of her haemophobia is unknown. Upon turning into a vampire she discovered she had hemomantic powers and was put on a boat, by her sire, to go to Arelith. He did not, thereafter seem to express any control or power over her. The reasons for this is unknown. She seemed to become, almost instantly, a fully fledged greater vampire though one with a large drawback and still struggling to find her abilities.
Upon entering Arelith Mairibeta joined the local adventurers guild, taking on various writs with her aim to earn coin, overcome her haemophobia, and master her hemomantic powers.
Her diary (attached to this dossier) gives a quite detailed version of events there after. Up until Day 16 of Month 8 when on an expedition to the Crystal Caverns Ashari Vahl cast healing magic upon her, which had no effect. Ashari quickly realized this was indicative of her vampire nature, and informed the rest of the isle.
Shortly after this she was capture by house Rivorndir, but the presiding Inquisitor, Caracatus Barbatus and priest Kara'gos Rivorndir, decided to show mercy (see attached document) and put her into my care. At which point we enter the next chapter and my personal experiences with her.
Day 22, Month 9 (Eleint), 182 AR
Atticus Stratlace
Personal Experiences (later History)
Mairibeta had reached out to me via note a few days prior to her discovery, stating she wished to discourse. Upon discovering her nature I naturally presumed that was some sort of trap.
She was put into my "care" (for lack of a better term) by Inquisitor Caracacus Barbatus and Flame priest Kara'gos Rivorndir. I was highly dubious at first but fascinated by having the opportunity to study such a creature though I was unsure of how to imprison her or control her. No settlement would have her in their prisons, and she couldn?t walk free.
In the end we settled on confining her to a home she already owned in Mayfields, with several charms and the like to bind within.
During this entire process, she was nothing but docile and even helpful. There were, much to my shame, a few points where she could have given myself and the Inquisitor the slip, but she did not. This was my first real evidence that her demeanour was real, and not a manipulative mask.
She submitted herself to various tests (see attached notes) which I hope will be used to assist with the combat and discovery of Vampires in the future. She provided a large amount of her blood, which shall also be used in study and experiment, and perhaps even to help heal addicted Thralls. When briefly discussing her work as a healer, I brought up the then current plague in Guldorand. She heard the symptoms and suggested perhaps that it was a fungal based contagion, a supposition that turned out to be true. When I think about the fine healer this world loss, when a Vampire took her life, my heart weeps bitterly.
She remained in that room, under almost constant guard by myself, for about a ten-day. Visits by her friend Aeden were at first turned away, she was afraid of what might become of him, should she loose control (another good, valid response), however later were allowed provided others were there to chaperone.
Because of her background, and the growing evidence of her genuinely innocent state, and also because of the will of Caracatus Barbatus I investigated ways of curing Vampirism, or else slowing it's corruption upon the soul.
The former came up a blank, as was entirely unsurprising. The latter did have an interesting lead or two, but it was highly theoretical, difficult and would likely have only slowed the encroachment, not ceased it. Though I persuaded it as long as I could, it soon became obvious that it would be too risky to undertake, and might not be implemented in time.
For during her imprisonment I did see signs of her slowly growing malevolence within her. The curse starting to take slow manifest. It showed most firmly when she was confronted with Aeden, but if one studies the sketches supplied, one can see it's slow steady appearance and growth. The sketches were a way of her dealing with her sub-conscience and both showed, and soothed, the foulness to a degree. She too was aware of this, and it was her deepest desire that she should not succumb to the evil that had taken her life already.
As I grew to know this woman, whilst I did entirely accept that her destruction was almost certainly a necessity, I did not think she deserved a painful, bloody and violent death. So she was moved to another safer location for study. She was given enough time to compose her final thoughts, write a few letters and prepare for the end. During this time she discovered that Aedan had found a lover (much to her relief), composed some words for her gravestone, and decided on the means of her destruction.
On the 3rd day of the 9th month she was taken to Celestia by myself, Thomas Castermont, Khara'gos Rivorndir, and Aliana Castermont. There she was destroyed by the moonlit sea, her soul going to rest with her parents. Or so I pray.
Day 22, Month 9 (Eleint), 182 AR
Atticus Stratlace
Experimental Notes
*Mairibeta mentioned that she does not require sleep.
*Did not require food nor could she taste it.
*Fear spells worked as expected, and had no effect
*Life Transference, curiously, was effective on her, healing her as it hurt myself. This is rather surprising.
*Reported Holy symbols and areas uncomfortable to be around, though not immediately repellent
*Was unsure if she could enter a home without invitation. Apparently this wasn?t something she did anyway as it was impolite.
*Cast no reflection
*Reported garlic was repellent to be near, but she could devour it herself without any ill effects.
*Holy water needs to be applied vigorously and with prejudice, not just a light splash, to do any effect
*Holy Wafers had a negative effect, if devoured they burned her tongue and caused her pain. Possibly a useful way there of detecting vampires.
*Hold Undead has the possibility of working
*Likewise Death to Undeath was effective, and was indeed the incantation used in Celestia to set her to rest.
Day 23, Month 9 (Eleint), 182 AR
Atticus Stratlace
Some Final Personal Notes
I did not expect my first final destruction of a Vampire would be like this. I had hoped that I might feel pride, joy in the act. Instead I feel only a deep, terrible sorrow. I am glad it was done it was a necessity, and I have no regrets about it. Were I able to step back in time walk the whole path again, there is little to nothing that I would have done differently. But it was a bitter road, none the less.
I truly, honestly believe that there was little to no deception on Mairibeta's part. In as such as I can ever be sure, I think she was just as she presented herself, an innocent young healer, afraid of blood, who was none the less cursed with Vampirism and Hemomancy in a sort of dark, cosmic joke. A good woman who, at the end, recognised that she must face her own destruction, lest she destroy all that the world hold dear. Besheba must have touched her life deeply, to have been filled with misfortune.
I do believe, in so much as I ever can, that she is now thoroughly destroyed. I hope that her soul rests with her family at peace, and I do not think another edition of this book will ever be needed. If any good has come of this, it is that the chapter is finally closed.
Vampires make victims of everyone. Even themselves.
Day 23, Month 9 (Eleint), 182 AR
Atticus Stratlace
D 22 M 8 Y 182 Journal Entry
... I'm known to be a Vampire now. In spite of that , I've been extended conditional mercy..... complying to the Inquisitor who found me, or a Vampire hunter. Both are.. decent people... Caratacus and Atticus I'm glad are willing to at the least try to help me as long as I do not try to feed on the innocent or infirm.
Vin au Jus is going to become all the more important to me now. But... I think this will only be the short term. For the long term... well, my most recent sketch told me one of two paths.
*Her writing stops suddenly*
Day 22, Month 8 (Elasias (Highsun)), 182 AR
Anonymous
D13 M 8 Y 182 Journal Entry
.... I ... feel the fog coming in again..... *A slight splotch of blood could be noticed on the page* .. Ah.. better. Vin au Jus is so nice....
It's.. I finally got to meet both Maya and Lora.... it was.... it was scary. I felt it from them... their connection to faith.
Maybe it was the altars in the room. I .... Ilmater be praised I was able to save Aedan but oh gods it hurt.....
Please Ilmater.... give me the strength to persevere.
Day 13, Month 8 (Elasias (Highsun)), 182 AR
Anonymous
D7 M8 Y 182 Journal Entry
... I met Ithlilwen again.... her trying to heal me hurts.... I dare not say it but ... it hurts so much.
Another sketch came to me... *There are a number of dots here indicative that the tip of whatever writing implement had been tapped a few times* .. Also... after getting back from having to pull from the hunt for the Harpies... .. I ... my mind seemed to fog some. It doesn't do it often these days but....... after I ran away from the Hospice..
I don't taste it at least.... so that didn't happen.
Day 7, Month 8 (Elasias (Highsun)), 182 AR
Anonymous
D 4 M 8 Y 182 - Journal Entry
*This journal entry is particularly shakily written*
... Pain.... for the first time since my being changed..... Pain.... gods...
Ithil.. she meant well, but she didn't seem to understand why she wasn't healing me.... gods I hope she doesn't discover.........
Her and the others are all good people..... And I ha..have to stay away..
Day 4, Month 8 (Elasias (Highsun)), 182 AR
Anonymous
D1 M 8 Y 182 Journal Entry
. . . I hope Aedan didn't realize what happened to me when we were fighting those damnable Blackbloods. We did take down many of them but .... I .... one minute I was in combat with them, the next, I woke elsewhere.
.. I'm not sure how I got there. Aedan might've been made a Blackblood, which might have made his offer of help to become a retainer to Misthollow a lot harder. But, I do hope he will be willing to help all the same.
If he doesn't realize what I am.
... Baah.
Day 1, Month 8 (Elasias (Highsun)), 182 AR
Anonymous
D26 M 7 Y 182 Journal
Another pair of well done writs.... though the costs were higher. I don't want to have to call on Piggles, Fuzzles, Woofy and Legs but.... Mister Knifey doesn't exactly have the ability to stand up to much.
Still, I am learning and I am improving. And.. I was able to take down a small number of Werewolves. TAKE THAT damn Blackbloods!
Sometime.. perhaps dedicating a night to it.. I should try to find this Guldorand.
... It's a bit early still but, I don't want to go back out and risk getting caught by that damn .. sun.
While I'm earning coin with these writs.. I REALLY should look into other opporitunities. THat Lord Axan offering to buy Alchemical goods COULD be promising if I was willing to focus on it. But, I'd want my own lab and not to use the Dawnstar Lodge's facilities.
Penned in again a bit.. penned in like a Sheep.... Baaa.
Day 26, Month 7 (Flamerule (Summertide)), 182 AR
Anonymous
D 23 M 7 Y 182 Journal Entry
... Those damn Blackbloods.... even with a summon and magical support I was driven off. Very well, for now I'll refrain and hunt elsewhere uttil I am strong enough to face them.
Something personal to help me with my anxiety.... I wonder what would work for me. Maybe grasping the symbol of Ilmater on my Satchel if I need to focus on something?
.. The hin were nice at least. I'll need to make sure to stop in there again and say hello.. take up a writ to help their area out with all the mean monsters that want to hurt them.
.. I also need to work on finding ways to make my forays into hunting more profitable. While I'm still the odd time getting decent coin.. it's slowly draining out. Draining... draining .. just .. *The writing abruptly stops as ifthe if the writimg implement was jabbed firmly and suddenly into the page*
Day 23, Month 7 (Flamerule (Summertide)), 182 AR
Anonymous
D 20 M 7 Y 182 - Journal Entry
. . . Can Abandoned mines be sad?
. . . Are trolls good company for a mine? Bears? I suppose that plush bears aren't so bad, but the real variety that wants to try to eat you, or your eight legged friends tend not to be so good.
My powers grow. I think with the ability to project acid in a wide arc and the joy of tunnels, the Troll Toll proved easier.
.. It's.. getting easier to see blood every so often. Does that mean Ilmater is answering my prayers?
Maybe if I took some time to face areas I'd been able to face prior, will give me a better chance to get coin to pay coin for rent. Alaina is a nice landlady but i imagine she'll need me to pay properly, and it wouldn't be right to ask otherwise.
Even if the name of the Lodge is.... ironic to me.
Day 20, Month 7 (Flamerule (Summertide)), 182 AR
Anonymous
D 14 M 7 Y 182 - Journal Entry
I travelled again with Waramon... you would think a Knight of Ilmater's Presence.. well, Paladin.. not sure any civic authority's knighted him.. would reassure me but deep down, it's scary.
Though we managed the task we'd both committed to.. it... well, it took me to my limits for sure. I'm .. going to need to get stronger. I think if I rewill how I use negative energy slightly, I can damage things instead of just people.....
.. That Phylactry... *shivers* When I destroyed it... so much flew out, so much energy.......
.. Just.. just like someone who's fallen to the Red Harvest... all their life.... *Some faint red wet tearstains marr the page*
Day 14, Month 7 (Flamerule (Summertide)), 182 AR
Anonymous
D25 M 8 Y 182 - Journal Entry
This will likely be my last Journal entry. Either, I will be able to arrange meeting with Caractus or Atticus to make the trip to Celestia , or I will be destroyed by whomever serves the Great Guide.
I am only sorry that people who mean well and who chose mercy will suffer because they chose to be merciful.
Ilmater preserve what if any of my soul remains.
Day 25, Month 8 (Elasias (Highsun)), 182 AR
Anonymous
D 27 M 6 Y 182 - Journal
I'm ... well.. I have a few paths to follow now.
The first: Seek out Aedan's friend, Maya Kaimana to learn more about these growing abilities.
The second: Spend time at the Arcane Tower... learn from someone there.
Third: Continue practicing on my own. Miss Tera's idea of coming at my fear Head on seems... oddly appealng. If I can find a way to overcome my fear... to grow strong enough to getp ast it, maybe I'll be able to try to learn to be a healer.
Until then though.. I .. I must make do with what I do have. A place.. albeit without furniture right now which I'll need to sort... not sure how. Maybe I can learn a bit about carpentry.
Blessed Ilmater... guide your child.
Day 27, Month 6 (Kythorn), 182 AR
Anonymous
D 21 M 6 Y 182 - Journal
I've finally managed to spend some time safely here in this city called Cordor. So far... I've met some nice people, especially a Doctor named Zalata.... embarassing but ... at least she confirmed something I already knew.
With my Hematphobia... I .. shouldn't be a healer. But.. with the powers I'm starting to see, I'll need to get over my fear. I .... well, working in the local adventurer's guild has given me a lot of coin, more than I'd everh ave gotten back home.
... But... sometimes .. having to spend time and not really being able to rest..... it makes me feel lke a penned in sheep. A penned in, blood drinking, bloody magic'd .. sheep.
Day 21, Month 6 (Kythorn), 182 AR
Anonymous
A Sketch
*This sketch depicts a scene on a farm. One one side, a barn with its door open and a single sheep inside with fangs, sitting on it's rump and seemingly crying. The sheep happens to be depicted in a somewhat cartoonish light*
Outside, other sheep seem to exist. One sheep with a tail that has a pointed barb, kin to a Tiefling's tail , a second with moth wings, a third with pointed ears consistant with an elf, and a fourth with a Greatsword on it's back
* .. Overhead, seems to be a vicious looking wolf that oddly is blended into the sun, seemingly on the prowl for something while high in the sky.*
*The sheep in the barn's tears seem to be the only colour , draw in red. The rest of the sketch is black and white*
Day 7, Month 8 (Elasias (Highsun)), 182 AR
Anonymous
*Another Sketch*
*This is a sketch of a sheep in a field. The darkened sky suggests the time of day in the scene is night, and the sheep's featurs over-emphasized as if intending to be cute.*
*Excep for the Fangs. For some reason, the Sheep sketch has heavily pronounced canines that are indicative of a predator*
Day 26, Month 7 (Flamerule (Summertide)), 182 AR
Anonymous
A Third Sketch
*Another sketch, this one seeming to be indoors. The walls depicted seem to be sandstone if one was to try to place a texture to them. Centre-stage to the sketch is a cartoonish sheep with fangs and yet a joyous expression.*
*Beside them is a second sheep, rather fetching looking and over-emphasizedly hansomish figures with a Greatsword on it's back, and the eyes of this sheep are depicting of a dazed figure , as if waking up disoriented*
*Between the pair seems to be a fairly plain sacrificial altar, with no discernable details of note*
*Over them seems to be a rather odd looking canine. At first glance, one might presume it a sheep dog, however the dog had a mane which seemed to consist of a pointed black star*
*The most worrying detail is the sheep dog's head seems overly gaunt, as if almost skull like*
Day 16, Month 8 (Elasias (Highsun)), 182 AR
Anonymous
A fourth Sketch
*This sketch seems to depict a fang'd sheep in an odd place, what looks like a barn however with the addition of metal bars over doors and similar*
*Outside the strange barn, another sheep wearing a butcher's apron and with a flaming cleaver seems to be running it over a sharpening stone*
*The fang'd sheep in the barn seems to be looking off to the sky of the drawing which depicts night, drawn in black*
Day 19, Month 8 (Elasias (Highsun)), 182 AR
Anonymous
Fifth Sketch
*This sketch is a sketch of a fang'd sheep, centre to the bottom. Surrounding the fang'd sheep are a sheep wearig a butcher's apron with a flaming cleaver, but not held menacingly, a sheep with a priest's hood which appears to be pureflame, and a sheep wearing spectacles*
* Above the Fang'd sheep are two seperate and distinct paths. To the left, is a doorway leading itno a mountainside and above which seems to be a sheep dog with an odd mane of a pointed black star, their head gaunt and almost skull lke
*To the right is a scene of a fr off mountain in the distance, with small depicted figures that might well be more sheep. Above it is a sad looking and haggard sheep dog with head bowed, fur matted and two of it's paws.. bound in red cords*
*To the observer, it looks as if the fang'd sheep has a hard choice*
Day 22, Month 8 (Elasias (Highsun)), 182 AR
Anonymous
A Sixth Sketch
*Central to this would be a very small barn, inside which was a fang'd sheep sitting on it's rump and crying very sadly*
*Outside and off quite some distance, was a sheep with a greatsword and a bewildered, half-angry look in it's eyes*
Day 22, Month 8 (Elasias (Highsun)), 182 AR
Anonymous
*Seventh Sketch*
*Another depiction of a small barn, with a crying fang'd sheep with their front legs over their head, tears of blood crying*
*Outside , a fetching looking sheep with a Greatsword on it's back outside the barn yelling in. The yelling does not seem to be in anger*
*Far overhead, two figures seem to linger over the Fang'd sheep. The first a sheep dog with a pointed black star for a mane and a skull head that seems to be holding a portal lens, and the second, a sad looking sheep dog with red cord bound front hooves*
*The second sheep dog seems to be gesturing in the direction of a far off mountain*
Day 22, Month 8 (Elasias (Highsun)), 182 AR
Anonymous
*Seventh Sketch*
*Another depiction of a small barn, with a crying fang'd sheep with their front legs over their head, tears of blood crying*
*Outside , a fetching looking sheep with a Greatsword on it's back outside the barn yelling in. The yelling does not seem to be in anger*
*Far overhead, two figures seem to linger over the Fang'd sheep. The first a sheep dog with a pointed black star for a mane and a skull head that seems to be holding a portal lens, and the second, a sad looking sheep dog with red cord bound front hooves*
*The second sheep dog seems to be gesturing in the direction of a far off mountain*
Day 22, Month 8 (Elasias (Highsun)), 182 AR
Anonymous
Sketch Nine
* This seems to be a sketch depicting travel. The Fang'd sheep seems to be walking in the vague direction of a far off mountain. While more faintly drawn, a black sheep seems to be trying to pull the sheep away back from the mountains' direction. A white sheep, also faintly drawn and without fangs seems to be urging the fang'd sheep toward the mountain. Walking beside the sheep, are a sheep in priestly robes that appears to be made of flame and another sheep in armour akin to an Inquisitor, with a butcher's apron and a flaming cleaver held at the ready*
*Walking with them is a sheep in spectacles, and a sheep with a greatsword that appears particularly fetching*
Day 28, Month 8 (Elasias (Highsun)), 182 AR
Anonymous
Tenth Sketch
*A scene with the Fang'd sheep inside a very large sheep pen, inside with them are a sheep with a Greatsword and a veil wearing sheep close together.*
* Oddly, the Fang'd sheep seemed to be dancing a jig? Or at least it seemd like a jig or similar*
Day 28, Month 8 (Elasias (Highsun)), 182 AR
Anonymous
Sketch the Eleventh
*A sketch of a large stone barn of some sort, with a fang'd sheep centre stage, sitting on its rump and seemning to cry crimson tears.*
*There was no other sheep or sheep dogs present, a fair amount of empty space shown, A faint couple of armoured sheep might be perceptable in the background though drawn in faintly*
Day 3, Month 9 (Eleint), 182 AR
Anonymous
*Twelth Sketch*
*Another sketch of the Fang'd sheep sitting on it's rump, alone and no specific mood showing through its features*
*To one side, a Black sheep with fangs seems to be trying to grab and drag the fang'd sheep in one direction, while a more faintly drawn white sheep seems to be dragging the fang'd sheep in another direction*
Day 3, Month 9 (Eleint), 182 AR
Anonymous
*Twelth Sketch*
*This sketch has our Fang'd sheep sitting at a desk, trying to write something. Outside of the seeming setting of a stone classroom, through a faint window there seemed to be a Black sheep with what looked like a opison vial*
*In the classroom, seemed to be a white sheep that looked to have the look of a school marm watching on patiently. The white sheep seemed to be slightly faded*
Day 3, Month 9 (Eleint), 182 AR
Anonymous
*Thirteenth' Sketch*
*Another sketch of a fang'd sheep, inside a stone building that one might mistake with a school. Sitting at a desk, the fang'd sheep continued to write at a desk. Inside the building, a white sheep without fangs but the robes of a teacher while..faintly drawn was present. *
* Outside, through a small window, a black sheep with fangs could be seen, jumping up and down as if trying to get the attention of the fang'd sheep inside*
*A closer look at the fang'd sheep suggests a beleaguered look, as if stressed*
Day 6, Month 9 (Eleint), 182 AR
Anonymous
*Alvaldo Evenicci*
*This is a sketch of a male human, of fairly tall and lithe build with red eyes and a seemingly pale complexion with long black hair. He wore a ruined noble's shirt that seemed to fit the style of Amn and leather pantaloons*
*The hint of fangs showing through his lips makes plain this man is a vampire. No holy symbol seemed to be openly apparent on the man, though above him, a familiar faint drawing from other sketches done by the Artist could be noted*
*In specific, a sheep dog with a black pointed star for a mane. The head of said sheep dog was gaunt, almost skull like and seemed to otherwise be faintly over the figure, watching the oddly non-sheep Vampire*
Day 25, Month 8 (Elasias (Highsun)), 182 AR
Anonymous