drawtober 2023
Dakota, world renowned monster hunter, has been assigned a bounty for the Serpent Mother also known as Viviane Alvarez. The bounty states that they want evidence of the kill in order to cash out. While Dakota still intends to collect his bounty, he actually doesn’t want to harm Viviane. Dakota needs some crucial information that only Viviane would be able to help Dakota locate. Dakota’s plan is to sneak onto the property and try and have a conversation with Viviane. She hates monster hunters so there probably will be an altercation. Dakota is hoping he can avoid that.
The Alvarez Estate
Viviane is said to reside within her family’s estate, which none outside of the Alvarez family has gotten access to the property. The Alvarez Estate is fairly large, almost in ruin and very hard to access. There is a way onto the property via the cemetery but Dakota has to cross the river.
Viviane is known for her use of dark magic and breeding of twisted horned serpents. It’s reported that she has created illusions all over the estate to ward off intruders. She also breeds serpents that roam free around the estate. Dakota won’t be phased by the illusions because they can’t interact with the physical world but he still should try and avoid the serpents. Not only are they hard to kill they will directly alert Viviane and Dakota won’t get an opportunity to explain himself.
The Cemetery
Dakota crossed the river with little trouble but had to climb the fence to get into the cemetery. He only see ghost illusions, nothing he can’t handle. These kinds of ghosts can’t interact with the physical world so he just walks past them, ignoring their taunting. The graveyard is terraced and hasn’t been tended to in ages. The cemetery is overgrown with weeds and tall grass so Dakota is cautious with his steps so he doesn’t disturb the graves. Dakota ascends the central stairs towards the main house and discovers a large broken window with dark magic seeping out. Dakota looks around and doesn’t see any other obvious way into the house, so he climbs through the window to find Viviane, the Serpent Mother.
The Library
After climbing into the large broken hole in the window Dakota stumbled into a library. Dakota put on his goggles to help him see in the dark when he discovered what else was in the library, moth nests. These weren’t normal moths either, they glowed. They didn’t seem like they would harm Dakota but he wasn’t gonna take any chances and tries to sneak past them.
The Kitchen
Dakota found an old service tunnel in the back of the library and quietly dove into the tunnel to avoid the moths. He walks down the tunnel and turns the corner to see the kitchen. It’s filled with ghosts who looked like they were preparing a big meal. Right as Dakota steps into the kitchen, Dakota hears a horned serpent slithers towards him. Dakota quietly hides and waits for it to pass. Once it’s gone, Dakota is going continue through the other service tunnels to find Viviane.
The Conservatory
Dakota was able find his way through the tunnels and found himself in the basement of the conservatory. To Dakota’s surprise, the conservatory was well maintained. Dakota used his scanner to determine that Viviane was in the room above tending to her serpent eggs. He isn’t quite sure what’s she’s doing but he is going to go try and have a civil conversation with her.
The Doll Room
Dakota was unsuccessful in trying to not startle Viviane. She quickly turned around and used her dark magic to enhance her strength to punch Dakota through an upstairs window. Dakota landed in a room full of dolls and gasped for air. He got to his feet but was careful not to trip over any of the dolls. Viviane sent out a horned serpent after Dakota which flew through the window and chased after Dakota. Dakota was barely able to escape the serpent and dove through the door on the other side of the room into the hallway.
The Courtyard
After being chased around most of the mansion, Dakota and Viviane ended up in the courtyard. The ghosts were also dancing, weaving in and out of their brawl. Dakota had to keep using defensive moves to Viviane’s attacks, he didn’t want to fight her to begin with. She slowly noticed Dakota’s restraint and asked him why he wasn’t fighting like his life was on the line. Dakota explained that he just wanted some information from her about a bounty he was assigned a while back. The trail went dry but she might have the information he needs. He will take back something to get the Hunter’s Lounge off Viviane’s back for awhile in exchange for this information. She agree’s and invites Dakota to follow her to the garden so they can chat.
The Garden
Dakota and Viviane sat down in the garden as the sunlight started to illuminate the sky. They sat and talked for a while. Unfortunately for Dakota, Viviane wasn’t able to provide enough information for Dakota to piece together what happened. Dakota is a man of his word so he will still honor his end of the deal. He needs a feather from her headpiece to take back to the Hunter’s Lounge to prove the bounty on Viviane is complete. Viviane gives him a feather and Dakota heads out, leaving the Alvarez Estate for the time being.