i have allied with the shadow thieves and am now in Act 3; also paid 15K to them to help. Now when I go to the graveyard, no vamps. Also, dunno how to open the 'fear causing door' at the top of the screen in the lower catacombs (above the cocoon). Any help would be great...

You need to talk to the Shadow Thief Leader. He will send a mage and a golem to open the door for you. Get your negative plane protection spells up ypu will need them.