Jenjamin Ranklin - The Time He Turned Everyone in Daggerford into a Vampire

A bargain requires two parts. A gift and an obligation.

The hooded figure hurried out of the smoldering ruins of the town square leaving a bloodied white-haired tiefling in his wake.

Not looking back, the hooded figure slashed the air with a clawed finger and disappeared.

Chapter 1. The Promise

The Day Before

CLANG. BANG. SPLASH.

Mugs of ale and mead crashed together in sloppy unison spilling foaming liquid on the tables and floors all around.

At the center of the jubilation, Jenjamin Ranklin, master of disguise laughed with a cadre of burly townsfolk around him. Dressed in black studded leathers and a white wig, he very curiously was done up as a Witcher; a professional monster hunter.

"FOR THE DUCHESS!!" he yelled.

"FOR DAGGERFORD!!" The townsfolk replied

The large red tiefling had been on the road for a ten-day in search of Daggerford for his next hustle. The duchy had been rumored to be in disarray after the death of their beloved Duchess, but that wasn't the reason he was disguised as a Witcher.

No, Jenjamin was ready to make some coin monster hunting, something he had never done before.

"Hemm. Hemm." A curt voice broke through the ruckus as a human of mediocre stock stood behind Jenjamin. Tall, lanky, and balding Minkus Ledger the duchy alderman leaned close to the tiefling's ear, "We had an agreement, sir."

Whispers on the Sword Coast have floated in the wind of some sort of blood-sucking beasts terrorizing the duchy. After talking with the worried duchy council, Jenjamin quickly convinced them of his capabilities and prowess for a hefty price, half paid upfront of course

"Oh Minkus, don't you fret your worrisome self. I have this all under control, and as I've told the council..." dismissed Jenjamin confidently, "I've done this thousands of times." He had not.

Taking a final swig from his goblet, Jenjamin stood up and clasped the shoulders of the townsfolk next to him, and stood on his chair. All 6'8" of his Witcher self towered over everyone in the tavern. His wig slightly askew, Jenjamin cleared his throat and looked at all the beaming faces in his view.

"My good fellows, tonight I will rid this Duchy of the evil that has plagued you and yours! Prepare yourselves for the darkest night of evils and magicks. But make no mistake, this Witcher is here to kill these monsters and usher in the brightest dawn!"

Cheers and roars filled the tavern.

"Oh yes, it's all coming together..." thought Jenajmin jumping from his chair, nodding to the townsfolk, and walking out the tavern.

"Hemm. Hemm."

Jenjamin looked back, and in his tow was Minkus.

"Explain to me one more time, in the entirety, your plan to rid the town of the vampire scourge," begged Minkus, as he kept pace with the fake Witcher.

"Classic Minkus." chuckled Jenjamin as he turned on his heel and widely gesticulated to his annoying tagalong.

"Obviously there are trade secrets as a Witcher that I can not, and will not share as they are too VILE and DANGEROUS for someone not as trained in the arcane as I." reassured Jenjamin.

Minkus, unimpressed, stared harder.

"Oh alright, you've got me. It's simple," said Jenjamin as he leaned into Minkus lowering his voice and looking around.