View source for Vampire Dossier: Laverne vi Maeruhal

Authored by: Atticus Stratlace

=== Overview – SPECIAL NOTATION: ===
I was invited, and attended, an interview with this creature and attained some information in the process, much of which is contained within this section. However- like all vampires, one must presume that every second sentence this creature speaks is a lie or deception of some sort. As such, whilst I shall include the information she gave upon herself, I shall make note of it so that it may be treated with the caution it deserves, especially where it is not backed up by other sources.

Laverne has, as of the writing of this dossier, only recently been ‘outed’ as a Vampire. She managed to pass for some months unknown on the surface, even gaining some political positions (see history.) She is certainly one of the more deceptive bloodsuckers, and cautious too. A powerful wizard, her specializations are at least that of abjuration. But I find it difficult to think that is the only school she is an expert in. Her style reminds me very much of Francesca and Belle’rose, and whilst as of the writing of this, she claims she simply wishes to be ‘left in peace.’ I worry what her true motives may be.

At the very least, I suspect her power and curiosity in the arcane may cause some difficulty in years to come.

She currently is spending her time studying Dragons, and Vampires. Wishing to stave off the ‘madness’ that comes to all vampires eventually. (I should note, I believe it comes almost immediately and has already deeply infected her, but she does not see it yet and I will admit, she perhaps has not fallen to the deepest pits of it yet.) She claims to find distasteful those “who seek power, to take thralls, create spawn, who exist without a care or thought or consequence.”

On the taking of thralls she said:

“I will give you an honest answer. To take a thrall is to erase everything about a person and shape it into what is, essentially, a homunculus. I find the thought distasteful at best. If however there were someone who was so vapid and Milquetoast that enthralling them would change little, or that might even improve them, and there was considerable benefits to me – I might consider it. I am a creature of few scruples after all, but as yet – the need has not arisen. As it turns out, being polite will keep you in many a good book without going to those lengths.”

It should be noted this attitude is enforced by that she seems to currently keep no thralls, or slaves. AT least knowingly.

As to her study on dragons, this likely comes from her link to the creature ‘Darling Diana.’ This familiar appears as a small black cat, of rather arrogant and sassy demeanour. She claims this Diana is in fact, a gem dragon of the Amethyst sort. She says that she founds her as an adolescent, having been attacked to very near death by adventurers. (I believe this occurred when she was still alive, before her turn to vampirism). She bound the dragon’s essence to her (Diana claims to have been willing) and saved it from death. She claims she now apparently researches ways to provide a new vessel for Diana, so she may be a dragon once more. When Laverne mentioned this, I enquired if she wished to turn the creature into a dracolith but she dismissed this, wishing to find something else. Once more I am unsure of the veracity of this, I suspect she is lying about at least considering it as an option, but believe she is researching the topic.

Historically she has spoken of her hatred of drow, which makes sense, given her past, but is countered by the report of her allowing them into her home (see attached document) once more showing her two-faced nature.

She spends most of her time in the second level of hell, Dis, in the Conclave Capernicus, in her house in the Ruzalitum. Locked in there, and heavily warded, she does admit a few guests. The most notable link is the derugar Khorin.

She claims that she has wandered the surface regularly since her ‘outing’ none the less, and has lost very few ‘friends’ over this. Once more, I rather doubt the truth here, given all current reports suggest she scarce leaves her demesne in Baator.

She has been seen in the company of other Vampires, such as Nestrephaline. Frankly I think it highly likely she is involved with Francesca and Bell’rose too (who as of the writing of this edition, Bell’rose is reported to be working in the Cloven Hoof as a bar tender.) Her true threat level is difficult to discern. She claims to be somewhat passive – and reports do back that up to an extent. But the raw power of her arcane knowledge, and the honeyed nature of her words and nature deeply concern me. I leave it up to the reader to decide what course of action to take.

I will say though – that during the interview she did keep her words and honour regarding the neutrality of Dis. Take that as you will.

=== Appearance: ===
A human female slender frame and no great height, she is not an intimidating or outstanding figure. She has straight brown hair and eyes that lean upon the violet spectrum, her skin is pale.

She has a small, upturned nose, good complexion and soft jawline, making her conventionally attractive.

Her voice is soft, and she speaks in low tones most of the time. Her garb is that of fine leathers, flexible and well dyed – likely sewn herself (she is a tailor I believe). She has been seen to carry both staff and shield when about, and is also often warded.

She has a spell tome at her hip, covered with the hide of an amethyst dragon (Dianah’s maybe?) She has a ring upon a chain over her neck, that signifies her as Halruaan nobility.

She does not appear of particularly sturdy or strong stock, though she is quick on her feet.

=== History: ===
The first part of this is gained mostly from my interview with Laverne. As such I once more implore the reader to take this with a pinch of salt.

Likely born to a Halruaan noble family, her first notable adventure seems to be the saving of the existence of an Amethyst dragon (see above).

Her transformation into a Vampire came when Drow attacked her home. A Drow Vampire desired her father as an ‘enteral apprentice.’ However her father was killed in the attack. Laverne, having been out on an evenings walk, arrived at the battle too late to save him, and engaged the Vampire in combat herself but was overcome.

Unable to take the father, the creature took the daughter instead. For around three hundred years Laverne was spawn to the beast. First acting as it’s apprentice, then as the caretaker of it’s lair when it went to follow it’s overblown ambitions elsewhere. Laverne was left to guard the creatures lair for around a century or so, but eventually sensed it’s destruction and was freed from her nature as a Vampire Spawn – becoming a Greater Vampire herself. She then left the lair to pursue her interests on the surface.

I believe she came to Arelith around 180AR. I recall seeing notes from her seeking to make some sort of arcane organization from the arcane Tower.

Much of the next part comes from Thomas Castermont, and as such can be trusted a lot more.

Laverne soon moved to working in Cordor, under chancellor Minto Cloudpaw, in the year 180AR. She was hired by Abdiel Calisur of the Cordor Ministry of Knowledge, as a director of magic.

When Abdiel resigned, Laverne stayed on under lord Nyros Rivondir in the Ministry of Education, and was promoted to director.

She lived in the Rhzalitum and had a shop in Dis during even this time, something that a few found suspicious.

Indeed it was discovered she sought a largest abode there, the penthouse and even had talks with one ‘Khorin’ (A derugar merchant) that she would allow him to maintain his residence there, should she win the bid (she did not in the end, but it shows significant links between her and the derugar, which have been substantiated elsewhere.)

After Minto’s assassination, she went to the then Chancellor of Cordor, Thomas Castermont claiming she wished to be a scribe for the city. She desired to have the position of keeping notes at meetings (a very powerful position, when one thinks of it, to keep record of important decisions and be privy to them. I believe this very much shows her political aspirations) and also to write a book on Minto’s assassination (which I believe she did)

Her plans also included writing a book on ‘The Lord’s War’ and hosting a lecture upon dragons.

Around this time one ‘Ren Moonbriar’ came to Thomas with concerning news that one of his sources believed Laverne to be a Vampire. There was no hard evidence for this, so no action was taken, and they wished to investigate and confront her, so she could not simply slip into the shadows and flee, or else have her reputation ruined if it were not true. But reports came that she was also seen in Andunor semi regularly, which placed further suspicion on her.

When Ren provided Thomas with another report, casting further suspicions on her, and Thomas had her watched by more informants.

At around this point Lord Nyros suggested to take her aside into his office and confront her.

So, with bodyguards around him, Thomas invited her to his office, ostensibly to discuss changes to the ministry of Education, but actually to confront her over the accusations.

He swiftly warded the office, to prevent teleportation. Indeed shortly after he did so, she drank a mysterious potion which Thomas suspects may have been an attunement potion, though due to the warding nothing occurred.

She also tried to claim she wasn’t a vampire by drinking potions that looked like healing – and they did heal her – but perhaps they were something else? Experiments may need to follow (NOTE – If this is true, the drinking of a potion and receiving ‘healing’ may not be a ‘proof’ against vampirism.)

When she resisted Thomas’s request about allowing him to cast a healing spell on her himself, Lord Dax came behind her and cast the spell himself. This harmed her greatly, and thus she was exposed as a vampire.

She pleaded to Thomas that, despite her Vampiric nature, she was innocent and had not committed any crimes, feeding only on animals and not people. That she hated drow, for they had turned her into a Vampire, and would not side with them. (Note how this contradicts one of the reports, speaking with a male Drow, and her abyssal lessons with the drow Kaerxyra)

When it became clear that he would not let her stay, she had a mind to move elsewhere on the surface, but Thomas informed her that he would tell the whole isle of her Vampirism – something that apparently displeased her greatly and she begged him not to do such, and let her live in peace.

He denied this, but let her leave in peace, with her undead life intact, even allowing her to collect her things from her citizenry vault in Cordor.

He did tell her however that he would slay her if she were seen on the surface again and also fulfilled his promise to inform the entirety of the surface (see attached bulletin written by Thomas Castermont, this was posted on all settlement notice boards.)

Since her exile from the surface, she’s only been seen in Dis, and seems to spend most of her time sequestrated in her home, in the Ruzalitum.

=== UPDATES ===
1) See attached note regarding the assassination of Thomas Castermont – Laverne being directly involved.

2) Update by Thomas Castermont: Laverne was for a while associated with Sharps. She befriended a drow by the name of Solenzara – and had a Tiefling friend too, of elven blood. She took Solenzara an apprentice, but Solenzara was seen with the tiefling and confronted by the Sharps. The Sharps were paranoid and exiled Solenzara.

Later on, Solenzara was abducted and questioned by Cordor. They discovered that she, Laverne, and a few of their friends were moving against the Sharps due to the above situation. Laverne got thrown out as well, apparently, for defending her apprenti, and was named an enemy.

Solenzara also told of a painting in Laverne’s possession. She seems connected with it in some way, and made it sound very important – like Laverne couldn’t be without it.

Also note – Laverne had a mirror that appeared to be a gateway to another dimension (are the mirror and painting the same? Some form of lie?) it was stolen and given to Thomas, but it was taken back, likely by Vittora, before it could be examined.

As of recent writing Laverne has stolen the body of the prior Coronal of Myon – Elinde – from the Ly Astrada, see attached reports. Current theory is she wishes to try and return Elinde to life, or something akin to it.

=== Other Notes: ===
<nowiki>*</nowiki>Enjoys spell duelling, and is likely rather good at it. Claimed not only by her own words, but by the fact she held a spell dulling lecture/event in the Arcane Tower, before her outing

<nowiki>*</nowiki>Expert in Abjuration. Likely other schools too. I highly suspect divination, evocation or maybe enchantment (though this last one she denies.)

<nowiki>*</nowiki>Rumours say she’s an interest in art, and may even be working with the black market to attain it, selling, appraising, or gathering it.

<nowiki>*</nowiki>She has a shop in Dis also, mostly selling tailored goods.

<nowiki>*</nowiki>She is attuned to Earth, an interesting note since one might expect ‘Death’ instead.

<nowiki>*</nowiki>She also claims to no longer own the brains in jars and that they were given to her by one known as Keturah – who has since left the isle.

<nowiki>*</nowiki>Is known to speak Undercommon, Abyssal, and Infernal, and almost certainly Draconic. That she is a wizard likely means she knows other tongues too.

<nowiki>*</nowiki>The tiefling in the dossier report is noted to have horns and an unusual skin colour.

Scry Transcription Note: On the tenth day of the fifth month 182, I attempted to scry on Laverne. I saw her in Dis, with a figure I recognised as Amelia. The following is a direct transcription of their words.

Amalia: “As you wish. Watch your back, at any rate.”

Laverne vi Maeruhal: “Always. There is a price on my head, but I do not think they realize that it will grow back. Send for me if you have need; I will come.”

Amalia: “I find it unlikely they will succeed in taking it. Appreciated, as would I.”

Origionaly worked under chancellor Minto Cloudpaw in Cordor – year 180 AR. Hired by Abdiel Calisur of the arcane tower as director of magic.

Her work with Abdiel was under the minitsary of knowledge, when Abdiel resigned Laverne stayed on under lord Nyros Rivondir in the Ministary of education, and was promoted to director.

Lavern has always lived in Dis, something which Thomas Castermont found susspicious.

She also owns a shop there. She planned to also try and get a larger house in Dis, telling ‘Khorin’ (?) that she’d let him continue to remain there.

When she first spoke to Thomas she told him that she was a scribe and that she wanted to help Cordor and him in that capacity. She wanted to scribe town hall and historical records and wrote a book on the assassination of Minto

She also was working on about the Lord’s War and had planned to host a lecture on Dragons.

Ren Moonbrire came to thomas with concerning news that one of his sources believed Laverne to be a vampire. No hard evidence was there so no action taken, they wanted to investigate it without having her flee or having her reputation ruined if it was not so.

They spoke of also having seen Laverne in Andunor frequently. That’s how she got on Thomas’s watch list, but many struggled to find proper evidence. Eventually Ren provided Thomas with another report and he had a informat watch her.

Lord Nyros suggested to take her aside into his office and confront her. Thomas, with backup, called her into a meeting to talk about the upcoming changes to the ministarY OF EDUCATION. He warded the office, knowing that she was a mage and could possibly teleport. She did drink a mysterious potion during the interview- which thomas thought was an attunement potion.

To tried to prove she wasn’t a vampire by drinking potions of what looked like healing, they healed her, but perhaps were something else? Lord Dax then walked up behind her after she resisted Thomas’s request to let him cast a healing spell on her himself. He cast this spell and it harmed her greatly, and thus she was exposed as a Vampire.

(Note warn people to make sure potion vampire drinks is healing – likely spell is better)

Laverne indicated she hated Drow, for drow were what turned her into what she is now. She pleaded to Thomas that she was innocent and had not commited any crimes, that she never hurt a person and only fed on animals.

When it became clear Thomas wouldn’t let her stay, she had a mint set to move elsewhere on the surface. I informed her I would let the whole isle know what she was. She begged him not to do so and let her live in peace. She was otherwise cooperative and Thomas allowed her to collect her things from the bank vault and leave with her undeath intact.

Thomas told her that he will slay her if she is seen on the surface agin. He assues that these days she spends most of her time in Dis, or the Shadow plane (or maybe Andunor)
[[Category:180-189 AR]]
[[Category:Reports & Records]]
[[Category:Undead]]