The Masquerade Makes Nick a Vampire

The masquerade should have been aristocratic danger dressed up as entertainment. It became a tragedy with better music. Maddie discarded an Abyss invitation, and the party attended in her place with Timberlake's help. Inside Queef Manor and Queef Tower, the night folded into performance, political theater, and supernatural violence. Bon von Bovi performed. Magical darkness spread. Hags attacked. Lucian Vale was exposed as a pawn. Baron von Queef restored order while using the disaster to position the new VQU. The cost was personal. Nick Kremp was mortally wounded, and I.J. turned him into a vampire to keep him from staying dead. Rice Hands did not get the same rescue. The Fate Hag consumed him despite Havyk's attempts to save him, cutting a hole through the early team and turning the masquerade into one of the campaign's first major losses. The aftermath widened the world. Duskborn vampire guards entered the political picture. Nora Rabe von Queef, Vayne, the Blue-Haired Girl, and Gertie's hag network all deepened. Gertie's plan to steal Nora's staff remained active, Nora's status became dangerous, and Vayne's resurrection work gained weight. The party left the masquerade changed. Nick survived, but not as he had been. Rice Hands did not. The new VQU waited in the wreckage.