I have returned to the Library to pen this update. We battled the Vampire and her minions, and remind me to never doubt the efficacy of divine magic. The Crimson Company cleric Lirin, who has been accompanying us on this expedition, ensured the success of the venture by both using healing magic on Caine and Ilyich, and by striking the Vampire's second-in-command with a tremendous blow that blew it to dust in an instant.
First things first, though. After battling more of the Vampire's lackeys in the corridor, we finally came to the throne room, and formulated a plan. Part of the plan was that I would summon an elemental to aid us in battle. Unfortunately, Ilyich tripped an alarm and acted before I was ready.
I had prepared a spell that would allow me to see invisible creatures, and I am very glad I did. Not only did the lead Vampire turn invisible as soon as we broke into the room, but there was an ethereal face invisibly overlooking the throne room. I think it vanished at about the time I abandoned the summoning and hit the Vampire's minions with a fireball instead.
In the end, the lead Vampire escaped through a portal similar to the one we found in this Library, which we are still preparing to test. However, given the overlooking invisible face, I no longer believe that this Vampire is the main enemy. It appears to me as though there is a greater enemy, of which the Vampire is merely the minion. I hope it is not the Lich that Joan was chasing.
