The Vampire Ctenmiir

Entering the room on the far side of the pool of boiling mud, a single coffin was centered on the far wall. The coffin opened immediately and a human vampire emerged from within.

"I am Ctenmiir. I have sworn to protect the home of my master Keraptis, and the artifacts within." Immediately after saying that, there is a brief flicker of recognition, and his eyes grow wide. "You have been marked for death by the Great Acererak. Prepare to meet your doom."

With that, two vampires rose from the dirt in the corner of the room and 2 skulls resting on shelves behind Ctenmiir began emitting a black light as they floated into the air.

Combat quickly ensued and was a truly epic battle. Walls of fire and illusion lit the room. Ekeraath and Alexander were dominated and controlled by Ctenmiir, resulting in Ekeraath stepping into a wall of fire and Alexander providing combat advantage enough for Ctenmiir to perform a Blood Drain on Kuppies and Rudy, healing himself and knocking both heroes unconscious. On top of that, Leenia had been knocked unconscious earlier in combat, and Rudy's first aid saved her.

The epic slugfest took 3 hours to complete, and only through some exceptional healing, use of consecrated ground, and turn undead, was Leenia able to help turn the tide of combat in favor of the party.

The combat was long and difficult, probably the most difficult fight the party had ever faced, but the reward was worth it, a piece of the Rod of Death and Rebirth. However, the piece had been formed into the shaft of a mighty hammer, the artifact Whelm.