"Hm," is all Dante remarks at first. "So you broke us out of prison in order to manipulate us into being your servants for the rest of our lives? And what are we supposed to get in return?"
"No, I broke you out of prison in order to offer you the chance to change Talingarde for the better - to break the government free of Mitra's corrupting influence, and restore Asmodeus to his proper place of power. As to what you get in return, the contract states that I provide you with rewards commensurate with your success. I will give you tasks to accomplish - when you succeed at them, I shall give you wealth, power, and other magic. Once we are done, there will be a new King, and those who helped him will be quite well-rewarded. I assure you, you will not find my service onerous. The tasks you are given will be challenging, yes, but I chose you specifically because I knew you had the ability to succeed at accomplishing them. Besides, is being in my service not preferable to death?"
Dante purses his lips. The man had a point. What else was he going to do, go and try to assassinate the Bishop alone? Find evidence of Talingardian corruption alone? Re-create justice alone?
No, probably not. And if the worst should come to pass, then he could strike out on his own after that point.
"Well, f~*@ it. For the record, I don't like this. It's vague and it's exploitative. Of course, I don't know what else to expect from The Dark Prince. But I will sign."
Jezabel sauntered over to the contract and began to read. Shortly after starting she began to smile in amusement. When she finishes reading, she looks to the Cardinal.
"The spirit and most of the terms of the Pact are agreeable to me, but I'll need extra paper, please. I have a few revisions and amendments to request before signing. All of which I will need in writing, of course. Signed in duplicate alongside the Pact of Thorns, between you and I."
She then begins to explain...
"First paragraph, line two, word nine. You refer to us as your 'acolytes.' As already stated I have issue with this nomenclature and am instead offering myself to you as a tool. I request the word acolyte be changed to the word 'tool' or 'weapon,' whichever option you find more agreeable. I have no issue with the later used term 'Bound' "
"Third paragraph, the First Loyalty, line one, words eight and nine: 'and god.' As also already stated, although I will agree to serve Asmodeus' church and further his worship and glory, Asmodeus himself is well aware I have not yet taken him on as my own god. Agreeing to this terminology is inaccurate. I therefore request the words 'and god' be stricken from the contract, and the word 'the' instead be inserted after the em dash and before the term 'mighty,' with the word 'god' to be inserted after 'mighty' and before 'Asmodeus.' I fully expect that through the course of my duties fulfilling the First Loyalty, Asmodeus will continue his seduction of me to his clergy, and perhaps in the future this revision can be undone. But until such a time as it is accurate, I cannot sign it. Otherwise, I am in full favour of the First Loyalty, presuming the error corrected."
Jezabel cocks her head and looks up for a moment, clearly listening to something. She smiles. "Of course, 'presuming my amendment is accepted and implemented.' "
"The Second Loyalty. Although I have no issue calling you my--" She suddenly stops again, listens to something, and then continues, "Pardon me. Although I have no issue with calling the aforementioned my 'Master,' and obeying his orders, a revision is needed. Second Loyalty, line two. By this current contracts terms if 'the Master' were to order 'The Bound' to slice off their own arm, jump off of a tower, or engage in carnal relations with 'The Master' or any other such command, the 'Bound' must follow through without hesitation or question. This is not acceptable. I request the addition of the statement 'and do not purposefully cause the Bound harm.' be added after the statement, 'do not clash with their First Loyalty.' I also request that the following terms be added to the Pact, as the final part of the Second Loyalty: 'The Bound has every right to express their opinion, displeasure, and thoughts with The Master and other Bound, regarding the Master's orders without repercussion from the Master, the Bound or the Master's other servants, even if such a statement would be considered disrespectful or a sign of insubordination. The Master has no obligation to contemplate such complaints, and such complaints have no bearing on the Bound's obligation to fulfill such orders.' If this amendment is accepted, I have no further issue with The Second Loyalty."
"In fact, if all four of my revisions are accepted, implemented and approved, I find the terms of the Pact of Thorns agreeable. Do you accept my revisions?"
Jezabel cocks her head and smiles, revealing sharp teeth.
Behold on this day, Erastus 26, 4718, in the eighth age of this world a perpetual Compact is made between Cardinal Adrastus Thorn (hereafter the Master) and those who would be bound to him as his tools (hereafter the Bound). Both the Master and the Bound shall hold fast and true to this Compact through all trial and tribulation. By blood and soul the Bound commit to the Compact and swear that it shall never be undone.
The Bound shall know and understand the Four Loyalties.
The First Loyalty is to their patron – the mighty god Asmodeus, first among the fallen, prince of the nine hells, our father below. They shall do all that can be done to further his worship and his glory.
The Second Loyalty is to their master – He who is called the Cardinal Adrastus Thorn, High Priest of Asmodeus in Talingarde. They shall do the Master no harm and obey his every commandment as long as those commandments do not clash with their First Loyalty and do not purposefully cause the Bound harm. The Bound has every right to express their opinion, displeasure, and thoughts with The Master and other Bound, regarding the Master's orders without repercussion from the Master, the Bound or the Master's other servants, even if such a statement would be considered disrespectful or a sign of insubordination. The Master has no obligation to contemplate such complaints, and such complaints have no bearing on the Bound's obligation to fulfill such orders.
The Third Loyalty is to their companions – the other Bound who serve alongside them. The Bound shall deal with each other fairly and honorably as long as doing so does not clash with their first or second loyalties. All treasure, wealth and reward garnered in their exploits will be equally shared with all of the Bound who aided in its acquisition.
The Fourth Loyalty is to themselves – for Asmodeus is the Lord of Ambition and all who serve him should strive to become great and powerful in his service as long as doing so does not clash with their first, second or third loyalties. By their weakness, ye shall know the
unworthy.
The Bound swear that they cleave to and uphold the Four Loyalties even in the face of death and damnation. The Master swears that as long as the Four Loyalties are upheld, he shall reward the Bound as they deserve
for their deeds.
Thus it is written, and thus it shall be.
We being of sound mind and free will do so swear and let they who violates this Compact know all the wrath of Hell unending.
Signed,
Adrastus Thorn
Geborah smirks. "I suppose if I was worried that I might fail the Cardinal, I might try to convince him to amend the contract so that he couldn't punish my failure. But I'm confident my service will earn better than a fool's death in this mansion."
She makes a fist with her left hand, digging her nails into the palm. Cupping her hand around the welling blood to form a makeshift inkpot, she accepts the quill from Cardinal Thorn and signs her name beneath his in an elegant, spiky hand, then pauses to admire it.
"The first page in a new history of Talingarde!" She offers the quill to Tatienne.
The Cardinal snorts. "To address your revisions, I find that the word 'acolyte' sums up all of you very nicely - not everyone likes to be called a tool. Is the word really such a sticking point for you? As to the change to the First Loyalty, you are hardly the first who does not worship Asmodeus to sign the Pact of Thorns. An infernal compact such as this must acknowledge Asmodeus - others who have signed did not take issue with this provision. To your points on the Second Loyalty, why would I waste such useful tools, as you have called yourself? Such revisions are unnecessary - I have no desire to order you to harm yourself, or engage in carnal relations with you. The contract also does not say you cannot complain or express displeasure with my orders - you just have to follow them. Now, I believe that addresses the salient points?"
This is literally the one plot point that I cannot budge on. The entire AP is built with the assumption that you sign the Pact of Thorns as-is.
It's one of the reasons I posted that worshiping Asmodeus was strongly encouraged in Recruitment.
Almost forgot - when you attempted to learn what you could of Tiadora, you felt your sixth sense hit what almost felt like a wall - you have never felt its type before.
Unfortunately, you cannot recall anything of the Church of Asmodeus in Talingarde - although the way you were arrested for possessing His holy book, you suspect that it's illegal to worship the Prince of Nessus.
Tatienne takes the quill from Geborah and eschewing the athame, holds her hand, palm up, for the girl to bleed. Once done, she signs the pact in one fluid motion, her penmenship exquisite.
Dante, having expressed intent to sign, gets the quill handed to him next.
"I disagree. Acolyte does not sum me up at all. I am no such thing. I am not suggesting everyone accept my revisions. I want them. As to the second statement, it reads specifically, 'to their patron and god.' This is false. He is not my god. He is my patron. He should, of course, be acknowledged in the contract. And is. Many times. Surely as a worshipper of Asmodeus you do not believe in signing a contract containing an obviously false statement? Whether or not the others who were impious were dumb enough to sign based on lies is not my concern. What I sign, is. In regards to the Second Loyalty... You ask why you would waste useful tools? I have no idea. Perhaps you're mad. Perhaps you have a temper. Perhaps you are not what you say you are. Signing without stipulations to prevent such absurd orders would be incredibly stupid."
With a smile at the others, she adds, "No offence."
Looking back at the cleric, she continues. "I am aware the contract does not say I cannot speak my mind. But it also doesn't prevent you from harming me should I do so. If you give me an order, and I say it's stupid. What if you are angered? What if your next order is to order me to kill myself? I desire your word--preferably in writing--that sharing our concerns and opinions on your orders with you, and the others, is acceptable, whether you like our opinions or not. In my experience men of power take great offence at those they view as beneath them making them feel small. Perhaps you're not such a fool. But I don't know you. Why would I trust your word on the matter? If the added stipulations are so 'unnecessary,' as you so claim, then there is no issue with adding them to the contract on a revision form. It takes no labour on your behalf. I'll write it myself. All you need do is sign."
Suddenly Jezabel's eyes flicker, glowing green as it does when she draws on the leylines. She steps forward, snatches the quill from Dante before he can sign and stabs herself in the palm. Using her own blood she signs her name on the Pact with and absurdly elegant script. Then she drops the quill and the glowing stops.
Jezabel scowls and narrows her eyes. "Free will, my ass." Looking up, and listening to some voice no one else can hear, she sings, "I haaaaaate yooooou."
Then she wanders over to a wall and leans against it in an entirely disrespectful manner.
While leaning there she licks at her palm, and moans.
"Mmmmm...."
As Jeza decided to play magistrate Wraith saw hope that the contract wouldn't be as bad as it seems, but that final turn of events caused him to deflate and hang his head.
Giving Jezabel a disappointing look, he begrudgingly walks over and signs. His blood seeming to have a purple hue to it as it dries.
Dante freezes, watching the exchange between Jezabel and the strange Asmodean. When it comes about that she only signs seemingly because she's taken over by some voice in her head, his heart falls. She was the only other one who was sensible.
He supposed that if the man ordered him to kill himself, he would just try to kill him. What would he be if he succeeded? Criminal and Mitran hero? That was confusing.
Avoiding the palm of his hand, he cuts across the top of his left arm, then exchanges the knife for the pen, dips it in the flowing blood, and signs his name. Dante's signature is neat and tiny. Then he presses his palm into the small wound and waits for something to happen next. "So now that we're all your slaves and you can do whatever you want to us, what would you have us do?"
Balam takes up the quill, pokes it into his bloodied arm, and then signs his name on both contacts. "I so swear and sign. I live and die for the First. Mind, Body, and Soul, I serve Him in this life and the next."
Signing finished, he rolls up one contract and places it in his robes. He picks up the other and hands it to Geborah. "What I would have you do now is rest. You've had a rather trying ordeal recently, and I think you could all probably use a good night's sleep. Recover your strength. We will discuss other tasks at a later time. Oh, by the way, we have arranged more comfortable accommodations for the ogre, as well as a meal that will be more to his liking. There was only one room properly big enough, however, and it is not in the same wing as your rooms. I give you my word no harm shall befall him, as bound by the contract. I would suggest allowing him to sleep and eat there - that is not an order, however, and you do not have to follow it. Now, off to bed. We will speak further later."
With that dismissal, Tiadora escorts you from the study. Grumblejack is waiting outside for you, unharmed. "Grumblejack glad to see you. Why you all cut?"
Once the situation is explained, Grumblejack frowns and says, "This Asmodeus seem like strange god. Grumblejack find out more about him later." He is then led towards his room by another of the slaves.
You are once again escorted back to your rooms, where another glass of the restorative wine is. The beds look quite inviting, and you are soon slumbering peacefully within.
The next morning, you are awakened by a knocking on the door of your bedroom, revealing one of the slaves with breakfast, providing you time to eat. As you finish, there is yet another knocking on your door. Answering it, you find yourself face to face with a slightly short, somewhat rotund man with thinning gray hair and thin-framed glasses, holding a sheaf of papers. "My name is Jarvis Enbarran. I am Cardinal Thorn's accountant and personal secretary. You have been authorized to requisition a sum of equipment worth a total of 200 gold coins. Please fill out this form with your requests, and they shall be fulfilled. If you have acquired anything you wish to have sold for coin, that can be arranged as well. When you have finished your list, call for one of the slaves, and they shall deliver it to me." He hands you ink, quill, and parchment, then offers a short bow before leaving to knock on another of the group's door.
As you seem to have been left to your own devices, you can take the time to explore the manor. During this time, you see Tiadora, but do not see the Cardinal. You also learn you are not alone in the manor - there is another group here, although they are from Avistan, not escapees from Branderscar like yourself. They call themselves the White Ravens, and they are led by Elise Zadaria, a Winter Witch from the nation of Irrisen. The other members of the group are Dostan Alfson, a fearsome half-elven warrior who seems completely devoted to Elise; Tallus 'Trak' Rackburn, a human bounty hunter who also seems quite enamored of Elise, although in a much less professional way; his brother, Titius 'Trik' Rackburn, a cultist of Asmodeus who seems very friendly and congenial; and Selina Polara who hails from Egorian, the capital of Cheliax. She is accompanied by her bound devil eidolon, Igostrix.
Dante stalks the hallways of the manor restlessly during the three days. He eats meals alone unless he is joined, he avoids Tiadora, and he explores. He opens every door not locked to him, and he explores the manor grounds, if allowed. He notes every point of exit, he notes every dead end and where all of his fellow criminals are housed compared to where he is. "This is insane..." he mutters to himself, "What is happening to me..."
Jezabel, who feels like retiring to her room about as much as she felt like signing a poorly worded contract, sighs. She goes to her room, shuts her door, and goes to sleep.
Upon waking she sings LOUDLY, belting out creepy ballads, and jaunty little tunes with morbid topics and graphic details with equal enthusiasm.
When the servant knocks, Jezabel opens the door. She sniffs deeply, and her stomach grumbles.
"Delicious..." she groans. "You. Not the food." With a wave of her hand she shoos the servant away. "Fair warning: I'll eat you one of these days. You really should request better work conditions."
She eats her breakfast with a sour look, and goes back to singing. She's just about to leave her room when the man knocks on her door. She replies to him entirely in song--much to his discomfort--and strokes his cheek with her nails in farewell before taking the form and accepting the message.
After hastily filling out the form--in messy writing more akin to chicken-scratch than legible script--she calls for a servant and sends it off. Then she tosses on her favourite clothes she pulled out of the wardrobe yesterday and sets off into the manor. She sings as she explores, softer than before, and in a rather ominous fashion.
---
Jezabel spends the next few days exploring the manor .
When she discovers the kitchen, Jezabel inserts herself into the food preparation. Cooking madly while she sings. Although enthusiastic, she's not the greatest cook. She has strange food preferences--even when not eating humanoids alive.
If he doesn't seek her out first, Jezabel pays Wraith a visit each day.
She also sets out to find Grumblejack's accommodations.
When she comes across the White Ravens she cocks her head at them and smiles. She sings softly under her breath, a little non-sense song based off the word 'devour.'
She sniffs them in greeting, her eyes rolling up into her head in ecstasy, then smiles widely at each of them in turn. Looking at Elise, she says, "You have quite the following. Are you much attached to them?" She eyes the strongest looking male in the party "They look delicious."
When Trik turns out to be friendly and congenial, Jezabel smiles. "Well, well. Hello, my dear. I should warn you: I devour men alive." She smiles wider, revealing sharp teeth. "Are you all Bound, by any chance?"
Jezabel pouts. "A shame." she then proceeds to walk away, not entirely trusting herself not to attempt to take a nibble or two...
Far from avoiding Jezabel, Dante seeks her out for conversation if they run into each other while exploring the Manor. Despite being observably insane, she was the only one that he related to in all of this mess. "What do you think of... all this?" he asks her, gesturing vaguely around at everything. The hallway, the slaves, the ogre, the other adventurers. "It seems just... I don't know how to put it. I just don't buy it."
Dante also spends time each day observing them with his Third Eye.
"Of all this?" Jezabel asks, holding out her arms grandly.
She giggles. After a moment she sings cheerily, "Bars and chains forged of words..." She continues the rest in a slow, eerie, sing-song voice. "I think we've traded one prison for anotheeeeeeer."
Suddenly she says fiercely. "And I don't like being caged."
She watches Dante with an amused smile. "What is there to buy?" she asks. "We may not be in Branderscar any longer, but the cage remains. And in the end, we'll always be in Hell."
Dante sighs heavily. "You're right, I know it," he says, crossing his arms and leaning up against a wall. "I don't like being Bound. But we don't have much choice. These brands exile us from Talirean society as surely as if we were dead. We have to take any resources, any allies, any rest that we can, I think."
He mutters quietly, "But I do wonder if there'll be a day when I get to be the 'Master'."
Jezabel laughs. "Oh, I'm sure there'll be plenty to enjoy along the way."
In response to his muttering, Jezabel smiles widely. Then she launches into a non-sense song about 'ambition.'
After a moment she offers Dante her arm and sings, "Care to join me?"
With or without his company she continues on through the manor, exploring, singing, and generally sticking her nose where it doesn't belong.
After spending days chained in a small room with the others, Geborah is relieved to have privacy again. She finds a quiet library in a corner of the manse and spends much of the first day by herself reading.
One of the books is a collection of anatomical drawings. Fascinated, Geborah traces the lines of muscles and blood vessels beneath her own skin, comparing the color plates to her memories of bodies she’s seen dismembered. The book teaches how to staunch bleeding and set bones, how to treat a punctured lung and how to use maggots to clean a wound. She begins to recollect snatches of herb lore, medicines and poisons both—things she never read in any book. How does she know these things? Is there someone teaching her?
Mother? The suggestion of another presence fades from her mind, leaving her with old questions. Could it be her spirit, guiding her? Or echoes of her in her blood? Perhaps it is their minds brushing together, a bond that crosses any distance, or the influence of subtle spellcraft. Geborah reaches for contact, striving to share her accomplishments so far—to make Mother proud.
She cannot be sure it works. Still it pleases her.
At dusk, Geborah slips out of the house with two sturdy servants bearing shovels behind her. She’s seen no curious neighbors out the high window of the library, but prefers the cover of night anyhow. She sets the servants to digging a hole in the middle of the somewhat neglected garden, while she retrieves the mangled corpse of Fireskorn from the bushes where she had Grumblejack place it. She bundles it up in fine burgundy sheets from the manor’s linen closet before laying it in the grave, then goes looking for the others.
”I am giving Fireskorn a funeral in the garden at midnight tonight. Come if you see fit,” she tells them.
At midnight, the two servants (still stripped to the waist from their exertions) hold torches to light the garden paths. Geborah waits at the head of the grave, sipping from a glass of red wine.
”We are here to honor the memory of Fireskorn, who did us all a great service. If not for his clever little paws that unlocked all our shackles, we might be in Brandenscar still, awaiting our executions—they would have been today, in fact.”
”Though he is not here to savor the new life we have begun, Fireskorn died knowing we overpowered the Mitran scum who dared imprison us; I believe he found that satisfying. We never learned why he was condemned, only that he thought it was for talking to a friend. Perhaps he would like to be reunited with his friend someday, in the next world. So as we consign his broken body to the final darkness beneath the ground, let us contemplate the dark place our Lord and Master Asmodeus has prepared for our souls’ journey in His infernal realm, and beseech Him humbly that Fireskorn be granted in death the reward for service that he did not receive in life.”
She snaps her fingers at the servants, who begin to fill the small, shallow grave. It does not take long. There is no stone to mark it, but Geborah directs them to plant a young, thorny rose bush there.
When they are done, there is little to suggest a body is buried there. As they return to the house, Geborah laughs, breaking the mood. ”I wonder how many bodies are buried beneath this house? Only Tiadora knows for sure, I’ll wager.” She fingers the tiny severed paw she’s secretly preserved in her pocket, guided by some impulse she couldn’t possibly explain.
Hesitantly, Dante links his arm with Jezabel's and explores the manor house with her. For what appeared to be an insane homeless cannibal, she was strangely pleasant.
He supposed that he might change his mind if he were to see her eat somebody. Sure, there was Blackerly, but it was only an eye.
When the time for the funeral comes, Dante shows up for it. He doesn't really have anything better to do, despite having no connection or care for the small ratfolk he had temporarily shared company with. He listens to Geborah's speech with mild interest. She must have read a coaching book at some point. Maybe her father was a business owner or a politician. He got that impression.
She reminded him of his brother.
Jezabel shows up to the funeral and stands near Wraith, Dante and Grumbljack. She mutters to herself softly during the funeral, a mixture of humming and singing that no one can quite make out.
As the funeral ends, Jezabel sings a song for FireSkorn. It's a melancholic tune--complete and utter nonsense--but it's haunting and somehow feels appropriate. After singing for a short while she begins to dance wildly around the grave. She's not a skilled dancer, by any means, she just lets her own mad music guide her.
When she down she falls onto the ground on her back laughing like a mad woman. She draws a few symbols in the fresh earth the covers the grave.
Here lies FireSkorn. The greatest rat to ever live.
After laying in on the ground for a few more moments, she remarks, "This calls for a celebration!" Then she leaps up off the ground and heads to the kitchen. She scrounges around for booze, and cooks wildly with whatever ingredients are at hand, drinking and stirring and chopping and drinking.
Eventually Jezabel leaves the kitchen, flour speckling her cheeks, and a few stray drops of blood under her nails. She wheels around a trolley of food. There's plates on the second shelf, with wine glasses and a few bottles of booze (some wine, some not). She wanders around the manor looking for the people who knew FireSkorn. When she finds each of them she serves them some food, and pours them their choice of liquor into a wine glass.
If anyone asks what's in the food she assures them "No humanoids were harmed in the making of this food. A shame. There's an unfortunate lack of people in the pantry."
Geborah avails herself of a lumpy…pie?...from Jezabel’s trolley. It smells savory enough, and she’s fairly certain that all the bits of Fireskorn are accounted for.
”In my world, the late night snack would replace breakfast entirely. Staying up late is a hundred times better than getting up early—it’s a simple fact.” She nods in appreciation of the crusty…whatever.
Looking around the room, Geborah realizes that for the first time none of Tiadora’s servants are hovering nearby. She can’t be sure—these old manses always have crannies where a clever spy can eavesdrop unobserved—but it seems that the former prisoners might have the witching hour to themselves.
”So have you met any of these ‘White Ravens’ yet? If we’re to work together in a coven as they do, we should come up with a decent name for ourselves, before someone saddles us with a nickname.”
”Of course, that assumes Cardinal Thorn wants us to keep working together. Perhaps he’ll offer us a choice. If he did, what would you choose?”
Elise - Lawful Evil Witch, Religion: The Endless Winter, Bisexual
Tallus "Trak" - Lawful Evil Ranger
Titus "Trik" - Cleric
Dostan - Neutral Evil Barbrian, No religion
Elise smiles at you as you ask about her following. "I've taken care to recruit them, and am as attached to them as need be. I'd also be quite offended should something happen to them. However, it appears that we both get our powers from pacts made with otherworldly entities. If you'd care to, I'd be happy to discuss our respective patrons with you."
Trik smiles back at you and says, "We have, indeed, signed the Pact of Thorns, and serve Cardinal Thorn, as you do."
"What do I think of them?" Dante strokes the stubble adorning his chin. He'd have to shave tomorrow morning if he wanted his game face on. "They're exactly what they seem to be. Another group of patsies signed on to servitude. They probably thought they were big-shot a~@*&~*s back home and decided to come out here and share themselves."
He sighs. "A name? Gods, what are we, in a children's picture book?"
Jezabel smiles appreciatively at Elise's followers. "A shame for me, but lovely for you." Looking back at Elise she remarks, "I'd be delighted, but I'm not sure I could resist taking a nibble out of your entourage. Let me grab a snack and we could speak in the dining room. I've a bit better self control when full."
If Elise takes her up on her offer, Jezabel wanders to the kitchen to make a snack. Finding a nearby servant, Jezabel order them to give her their arm. Then she slices a big line along their arm with her nails, and shoves their arm over a pot, bleeding the servant near death. When there's enough blood in her pot, Jezabel lets go of the servant's arm, and casts a spell on them.
Satisfied she's hasn't killed the 'Master's' pets, Jezabel plops the pot of blood on the stove and get seasoning. Adding garlic, sliced chilies, vinegar, and some choice bits of pork, Jezabel heats the mixture into a black-looking stew. She pours herself a giant bowl, grabs a spoon and heads to the dining room.
Thus prepared, she enjoys her soup. While eating, she watches Dostan eerily.
"So, Elise, where are you from?" She asks in song.
"These patrons, you mentioned. Have you any knowledge of yours?"
"And your conduit? Your connection to them? What is it?"
"I've never met another person like me. But I heard that others existed. The voices told me. My choir. But not here. Not in Talingarde. So tell me, what brought you here? Surely you didn't travel all this way just to give yourself in servitude to Thorn?"
"And the Pact of Thorns? What was your reason for signing?"
---
"Oh, yes, I've spoken with them plenty. They were quite desirous of my company, actually. Straaaaaaaange." she sings. "Why? Haven't you? I suppose they may not have wanted to speak with a child."
Jezabel laughs melodically at Dante's final remark, clearly finding it supremely amusing.
Hearing Jeza sing tell Wraith she's up but he's got to admit that she can belt it out, he knocks. As soon as she lets him in he finally puts his own resolve together.
"So I need to know what happened back there? The void knows I was willing to die for my belief and I figured with the way you were talking back there you were of a like mind preferring more freedom then that contract allows on the surface.
But I hope you realize too that there is a loophole thats overlooked in that contract. It says we have to stay loyal to Thorn, those that sign and Asmodeus... Nothing says that we have to listen or obey Tiadora... She is an unknown and not part of the pact... So we should tread lightly were she tells us as we've seen before that she is a mouthpiece of Thorn but not the man himself."
Wraith paces as he waits for Jezas answer and comments on his minor revelation.
As morning comes around Wraith has already been up well before the man comes knock, a habit he had picked up since his original effort of keeping on the low. Sleep light and keep it as short as possible.
As the man tells him he has an account to draw from for equipment, he tells the man that he will need a bit to make the list but shall have it for him later in the evening, but several items he knows off hand he will need are four onyx gems each worth 25 gp, a set of broken manacles, able to be worn but not chained together, and a couple corpses. A lizardman warrior, a human knight or guardian and a couple archers. Wraith puts high value on the knight or lizardman and if they are required to come out of his account then he can ignore the bodies but not the other items.
Once Jarvis is dismissed he see's if Jeza is up for breakfast and join her, avoiding any questionable meat that might make an appearance. After which he head towards the kitchen, asking for a large pot and water. Making sure the pot can hold at least one of the heads. He then puts them on to boil off the flesh, first though he pops out the eyes to give to Jezabel remembering that the eyes are the doorways to the soul and figured she might enjoy that.
Other then that, Wraith decided its time to go back to his old habit of careful planning and keeping secrets. So he joins Jezabel in her exploring, figuring the heads need to boil for a day or so to get everything off them.
Wraith has a good laugh at Jeza's disappointment at the newcomers being bound... As they are just about to be beyond the White Ravens hearing Wraith comments "You know, just cause the contract states you can try and sneak a bit of them doesn't mean they can't offer you a piece."
At the funeral Wraith keeps quiet, until he hears Geborah comments on the dead possibly buried under the house..."We'll I for one would like to know, they could come in handy."
As for the rest of the time he decides that to check on the heads and once they cool, start carving the runes into them that will lead to his ultimate revenge of reviving as much of their soul into them as a constant reminder to not mess with a necromancer.
Jarvis responds to what you rattle off with, "All orders must be finalized in writing, please. It is vital that we have a full accounting of all expenditures. I can tell you that your lizardman will be difficult to find - there are none in Talingarde, which means they must be acquired from Avistan or Garund. Bodies in general are difficult, but we shall see what can be done."
After bleeding the slave and healing him, he runs from the room crying for Tiadora. You hear him find her and tell her what you did, followed by a loud smack, and she responds, "Who told you to talk with me, slave? Begone from my sight - else I'll let her eat you next time!"
Tiadora appears to be unconcerned with the fate of the slaves.
Elise maintains her smile, but also keeps a wary eye on you. Cautious, calculating...she is most definitely dangerous.
"I am from the land of Irrisen, where the Winter Witches have near complete rule. I am actually distantly related to Queen Elvanna, who herself is the daughter of the most powerful of all witches, Baba Yaga."
"No one truly meets their patron - they only communicate with them through messengers. Typically, such messengers are familiars - such as Vishar here," she answers, as she idly scratches the albino raven on her shoulder.
"I traveled here because my patron, the Endless Winter, bade me come here. I gathered the White Ravens together, and we sailed from the Lands of the Linnorm Kings to the far north of Talingarde. While journeying in the north, we were found by Cardinal Thorn, whose goals seem to have aligned with those of my patron's. I signed to further the Endless Winter's cause - Dostan and Trak signed because I did, and Trik signed both because of his faith and his brother. The price we pay for our power is our fealty to our patrons and their desires - we grow in power by following their wishes. Was this not explained to you through your familiar?"
He sighs. "A name? Gods, what are we, in a children's picture book?"
Geborah smiles. "You know who appears in children's books? Monsters and heroes, gods and kings. Do you want to inspire the next generation of children, or terrify them? The greater our ambitions, the greater our possibilities."
"Do you have more questions for me? You seem to have a lot of doubt. Here you are, delivered from execution, living a life of luxury, awaiting a chance to seize power...it's fun, come on, admit it. All complaining does is give Tiadora another reason to keep watch over you."
"Or maybe you should start with an explanation of who you are. How does such a cautious type end up sentenced to die at Brandenscar? There's no point to being coy. The whole point of contracts like the one we signed is for people to get what they want in exchange for their loyalty--that's not going to work if you don't tell people what you want."
After a few days in the manse, Geborah approaches Tiadora, doing her best to keep her thoughts and emotions in check. She's a telepath.
"You know, His Eminence didn't say whether you signed the Pact of Thorns, Tiadora. Are you among the Bound, or do you have a separate agreement with the Cardinal?"
She smiles widely, a sparkle in her eyes. "Have you ever felt the pulse of the world? Deep in your soul?"
After a moment she continues. "I've always felt it. Always been drawn to it. If you had heard it, you'd understand. It's irresistible." She closes her eyes and seems to be listening to something. "So I followed the pulsing, surging energy of the earth to a nexus—a place where the pulsing ley-lines met. It seemed normal. It was a city like any other on the surface, but I knew at its heart it was so much more." She smiles widely, clearly happy at the memory.
"I could feel the energy surging through the earth, tugging at my soul. I could hear phantom voices in strange languages and feel urgings not my own. They were whispers from other planes of existence… Elysium, Heaven, Hell, and more. I experienced all kinds of feelings at first—good and bad. They came through the ley-lines, right up from another world and into me. I was a conduit for their power and their magic. But as I heeded some voices, and let them teach me, I lost touch with others. I can't hear the celestial's songs anymore--which I miss. They were so beautiful. And the angels no longer weep at my deeds. Or, I can't hear them anymore. Only the demons enjoy my appetites, and the devils drive me onward.
With a sudden frown she growls. "They urged me to follow the child--Geborah--with her infernal prayers, and they drove me here. But, I despise a cage. I did NOT desire the contract. The demons rallied at the signing, but Asmodeus' voice is strong. Still, I've learned more than a thing or two from the devils in my ears. I can barter and bargain with the best of them. Unfortunately, Asmodeus... took control. I can't... It's never..." She seems momentarily at a loss for words.
"It's never happened before. He wasn't a voice anymore. He was there. Wearing me like a suit. He made me sign."
She shrugs. "He's gone now. Sort of. His voice is distant. A... single voice among the chorus of thousands. The demons are screaming at me. They're not pleased, of course." She laughs madly. "But then, they never are."
"As for Tiadora... Just because she did not sign the contract with us does not mean she is not Bound. Ascertaining if she has signed a copy of the Pact is imperative before acting out against her." She pauses a moment, and rolls her eyes. She mutters something in infernal, clearly not speaking to you, but one of the voices in her head.
"Yes, I know what ascertain means, smart a**."
She shakes her head. "Smarmy bast***d."
"But, you're right. Her orders are not our orders, unless Thorn orders it so. A cheering thought, at least."
She growls suddenly. "Speaking of smarmy! THORN!" she spits. She continues in a mocking voice, clearly imitating Thorn in an unflattering light. "I wouldn't order you to do anything bad! Trust me! And sign you freedom away! Cause I don't trust you!" She scoffs. "A**. I want to devour his tongue! And NOT in a good way!"
Tossing herself on her bad, she dangles her head off the edge, hair falling to the floor. Looking at Wraith upside down, she sings, "So, what's yooooooour excuuuuuuse?"
With a wide smile, she asks, "Why sign if you didn't desire to?"
----
Jezabel happily joins Wraith in the kitchen. She accepts with eyes with delight. She pops one right into her mouth and moans loudly.
"Delightful!" she sings.
She scrounges around the kitchen for a toothpick and drives it carefully through the other eyeballs. Then she carries them over to the cold storage to freeze. "Have you ever eaten a frozen eyeball?" she asks Wraith. "They're delicious! Nothing like them. I think I'm going to call them, EYE-SICLES!" She laughs madly at her joke.
Then she proceeds to help Wraith in the kitchen with his head. "Oh, let me shave their hair of first, dear." Jezabel insists. "Then I can use your discards as a delicious soup broth! Do you mind if I add come seasonings? That won't affect your skulls, will it?"
With a finger pointing at the servants, she tells them, "Do NOT take a thing out of that pot!"
----
True to her word, when the skulls come out of the pot, and Wraith begins to make his marks on them, Jezabel strains the broth and gets chopping, adding vegetables, spices and what meat she can get her hands on into the pot. Once it's ready, she offers a bowl to Wraith, and the rest of the ex-prisoners, asking each of them, "Would any of you like to eat some of our old guards? It's FABULOUS!"
She also offers to share her eye-sicles with Wraith.
----
At Wraith's suggestion of taking a bite out of the White Ravens, Jezabel claps her hands. "Oh, yes! Any volunteers?
She is not surprised to find none of the White Ravens volunteer to let her take a bite out of them.
With a pout, she leaves,
"Men!" she mutters. "Why don't they ever let you bite?"
----
Jezabel laughs madly as the servant runs off and gets a smack for her trouble. Learning her boundaries was never so entertaining!
----
"Messengers?" Jezabel asks Elise. "Oh, I have no familiar. I've never needed one." She smiles widely, then takes a sip of her soup. "Still, your bird looks nice. Reeeeegaaaaaaal," she sings.
Jezabel provides infuriatingly little information of her own to Elise.
----
With an indulgent smile at Geborah, Jezabel giggles. "Oh, let the poor child have her fun, Dante. Childish as it is, they poor girl's got nothing but a lifetime of servitude ahead of her. We must take joy where we can find it!"
Suddenly she snarls, muttering in a foreign language under her breath,
Suddenly her frown turns into a smile and she sings in the strange language.
"Oh! As for the White Ravens, Elise is a witch from Irrisen who serves something called the Endless Winter. She says she's some distant relative of some tart called Queen Elvanna, whose apparently related to Baba Yaga. Her familiar is a white raven named Vishar, and it is through that bird that she gets her powers and can contact this Endless Winter. She formed her entourage one the way here. Dostan and Trak are wrapped around her finger, but Trik's here at the behest of his god and for his brother. Apparently they met Thorn on the way here, and signed his Pact to further the cause of this Endless Winter." Jezabel bursts out laughing. "Damned fools!"
"Still, Elise is no fool. She's cautious and calculating. And zealous, of course. Certain of herself and her cause, even if she doesn't know what it is. You know those religious types." She eyes Geborah, clearly considering the child one such fool. "She's dangerous. Not necessarily as much as ourselves, but still. Don't trust her."
"Hmmm...I probably am the youngest person to ever sign the Compact of Thorns. What dreary village were you baking pies in when you were fourteen, Jezabel? I'm sure the whole village got a slice or two."
Jezabel grins wickedly.
"This must be very mysterious to you, that people can be proud to devote their lives to something larger than themselves. Your whole life, you've been at the bottom of the pyramid, feeling everyone above you crushing you into the mud. Well, once you've gotten used to the feeling of having far more people below you, lifting you up, perhaps you'll grow to like it more."
"But never mind. So you folks talked with the White Ravens, but they managed not to give away what it is they actually do for Cardinal Thorn? That suggests we are expected to keep our activities secret from each other. Interesting. I expect we will know soon what sort of competition the Cardinal encourages between his Bound covens."
Jezabel bursts out laughing. "Ahhh, to have the imagination of a child! What delusions of grandeur you have!"
She laughs some more, apparently thinking Geborah's a hilarious fool.
Wiping tears from her eyes, Jezabel asks Dante and Wraith. "Yes, do tell, dears. How has it felt being crushed into the mud your whole lives?"
She bursts out laughing again. With a happy sigh she looks at Geborah. "I'm sorry child, I can't even pretend to take you seriously when you're spouting such stupidity."
"Oh, but you're so good at pretending! Like when you pretended to be possessed by a spirit when you signed the Pact. A magnificent bit of play-acting."
"If you had been possessed, you wouldn't be Bound. 'We being of sound mind and free will do so swear' and all that. Clearly the Cardinal would never be blindsided by such a simple dodge. And I don't think anything could get past Tiadora."
"Therefore, you signed of your free will. You did, not some farcical fiend yanking you around like a puppet." She waves her hand loftily, dismissing the matter. "But you don't have to admit it to us. Hells, you don't even have to admit it to yourself, if deceiving your inner menagerie helps you keep the peace in there. I only mention it so none of the others get the notion that you are not Bound, and therefore not protected by the Pact, and try to take advantage. I'd hate to see such a mistake weaken us."
Jezabel laughs again.
"Hahaha! It's like being insulted by a kitten who thinks she's a lion." She laughs again. Looking at Wraith and Dante, she asks, "How can you keep a straight face?"
Dante always keeps a straight face. Usually, he is frowning. He listens to the insults and fighting between the two women, reminded of holidays at home in the Alighieri household. "I'm here," he says carefully, "because I dared to suggest that a Church's doctrine not play into a justice system, and that holiness shouldn't protect you from the consequences of wrongdoing."
"Here being yet another den of religious fools, stuck on some mission for what may be the rest of my life helping one god fight another. Because if I do not, I will die. A gilded cage is still a cage, and that Thorn manipulated us into doing his bidding. I don't like it and I don't have to, but I have no choice at the moment but to play along."
"Geborah," he says, "You should know just as well as I do that Thorn worshiping the same lord as you does not make him your friend, or even your ally. To him, w're nothing but more slaves. He will bleed you dry for everything you have to push himself higher - that's why we're here in the first place."
Sheepishly he continues "... And to be honest, my door to return might only be a theory with some basic foundations right now....But it did sound impressive when I said it."
---------------------------------
Wraith accepts Jeza's help with the heads, and while he barely touches the soup. He has no problem sampling the eye-cicle.
---------------------------------
Wraith will one morning use read magic to decipher the spells in the Warden's spellbook.
---------------------------------
First chance he gets, Wraith gives Jeeves his list of needed items.
- Cold iron dagger
- dagger
- backpack
- bedroll
- belt pouch
- blotter (0.2 lb)
- flint and steel
- ink
- 2x inkpen
- knife for cutting quills into pens (0.5 lb)
- mess kit
- pen nibs
- pigment for making ink (0.2 lb)
- ruler, small (0.1 lb)
- vial
- waterskin
- wrist sheath, spring loaded
- 4x onyx gems (worth 100 gp)
- scroll crafting materials (worth 45 gp)
- Lizardman body
- Human Knight body
- 2x Archer body
- Mudball spell
- Shield Spell
Spent all but 1.4 gold. Can make changes if bodies are gonna cost me.
-----------------------------------
"I keep a straight face cause I only know that both of you are fools thinking that all choices are based on free will. Since birth everyone has been influence by something. I would say Geborah that you think you were signing by "sound mind and free will" but since Tiadora met you, you've been led by the promises of your faith. I would call that not of free will but that's just me.
So Jeza says she was manipulated by the spirits, leylines, gods and or devils. I choose to believe her cause its all fate, destiny or happenstance. We all have chance encounters in our lives, I personally feel its a matter of luck. I came across items of magic that led me here, but I'm neither dead or undead yet. So I'll choose to say that I was lucky so far, I could call out to my ancestors and say it was their guidence... I could worship a god of undeath... Or even your demon lord Geborah, but I choose to believe in my own power.
I have a path to follow of my own making, I don't believe I signed that contract of sound mind or free will since I was offered two choices... Follow my path to an early end or take the next step and continue my path... that is not a choice of free will... But I bet your lord will accept it as such.
So I say you both stop acting like spoiled children, you both can be right and wrong in this case... I myself choose the third option this time... to walk away from this pointless debate."
Like he says Wraith walks away. Giving a final wave over his shoulder as he does. On his way back to his room he sees a stunted lizard crawling outside his door.
Reaching out with his magic, So your the one I felt trying to connect with me... Did you come across me in the moor?
As if hearing a response, he reaches down and picks up the thing that looks like a stunted croc. Come beast, I'll get you some food and figure out a name for you.
"Geborah," he says, "You should know just as well as I do that Thorn worshiping the same lord as you does not make him your friend, or even your ally. To him, w're nothing but more slaves. He will bleed you dry for everything you have to push himself higher - that's why we're here in the first place."
"Dante, you must have guessed that your impression of Asmodeus has been warped by what the Mitrans have been telling you about Him all these years. It's the Mitrans who demand self-sacrifice and self-abnegation. "Give up your ambitions and serve the Lord of Light, the greater good!" That's why his church breeds lawbreakers and hypocrites. Humans aren't suited to self-sacrifice. They want profit for themselves, for their families. Is that wrong?"
"Asmodeus doesn't squelch ambition--he channels it. Bound by the Pact, you and I have no reason to fight each other like rats in a sack for what we want. Instead, it is in our mutual best interest to cooperate, to help each other achieve our desires. Since we are Bound to him, it is in Thorn's best interest that we grow wealthy and powerful; we will be of more use. You think we are in his cage? We are in his garden. No one cuts down a fruit-bearing tree for firewood. Not when there are weeds to burn. And Talingarde is full of weeds to pluck."
Dante nods along with Geborah. "I agree with most of what you have to say, girl," he says. "We are on the same team. That I will gladly accept. I just don't want you to be naive about this. This Thorn may believe that our wealth and prosperity grows with his, but he will siphon our every effort in order to enrich himself. He would never chance that we become more wealthy or powerful or lucky than him."
"I promise you, if it comes to that, he will snuff us out faster than ants."
Richter's Tome of Arcane Armaments
0-level - all cantrips in the Core Rulebook
1st-level - alarm, charm person, expeditious retreat, feather fall, mage armor, magic missile, mount, shield, sleep
2nd-level - admonishing ray, bull's strength, flaming sphere, hideous laughter, invisibility, mirror image
As for bodies...
After a couple of days, the items you requested are delivered to you. In addition to what you ordered, you are also each given two additional items. The first is a silver medallion - a holy symbol of Asmodeus. The second is an iron circlet. Wraith, they could only get you a single human body thus far - you will have to equip it with weapons yourself.
"I serve the Master - just as you do," Tiadora responds to your question.
After three days, Tiadora once again summons you to Cardinal Thorn's study. Once inside, you again see the Cardinal seated behind the desk. He smiles as he sees you. "Have you enjoyed your gifts? The iron circlets allow you to move amongst your enemies as one of them. The silver amulets will remind you of your true loyalties. And the other items – well, you need them now.
“You have done well to escape from Branderscar and to accept my offer. However, you are still not ready for my service. Tiadora will lead you to the basement of this domicile. There you will find nine chambers each more dangerous than the last. Somewhere hidden within these chambers is a pendant of silver and sapphire. Recover the pendant and bring it to me. Let nothing and no one stand in your way.”
He stands up and looks out of the manor house window across the grey moor. “It’s almost dusk. You have until dusk tomorrow to bring me my prize. Do not fail me.”
Cardinal Thorn takes a seat at his desk. Tiadora arrives right on cue. “This way,” is all she says.
Jezabel smiles during Wraith's speech. It's hard to tell if she agrees, or thinks it's funny. Whatever the case, she wiggles her fingers at him in farewell as he leaves.
Jezabel turns to listen to the Dante and Geborah, but then Geborah takes Dante's perfectly good advice and turns into another foolish religious remark.
Jezabel rolls her eyes. "Sorry, dear. I can't listen to you anymore." She says, interrupting the child in the middle of her speech. "I'll see you if we have to work together again."
Then Jezabel turns and sings to herself as she wanders off down the hall.
When Jezabel is delivered her gear as well as the holy symbol and the iron circlet, she examines them closely.
---
When she arrives to the meeting she is well-equipped, but is wearing neither the iron circlet nor the unholy symbol of Asmodeus.
While Thorn and the others speak, Jezabel wanders the perimeter of the office, humming softly to herself. It's hard to tell if she's paying attention. Near the end of the meeting she goes from humming to singing softly.
She leaves the room with the others, imagining popping out Thorn and Tiadora's eyes for eye-sicles as she walks.
Dante similarly is not wearing the accouterments of servitude. He listens carefully to Thorn but does not speak. When they leave for the strange test they have slated for them, he speaks: "Three gold says that we have to kill those White Raven folks during this test."
It's not a joke, nor something meant to lighten the mood. Just a genuine prediction.
"I was going to bet we'll have to fight Grumblejack." Jezabel replies.
She does not seem to think this is a joke.
The holy symbol does nothing - it is merely a silver holy symbol of Asmodeus. The iron circlet functions as a hat of disguise, save that it also allows Tieflings and Aasimar to disguise themselves as human.
"Thorn may believe that our wealth and prosperity grows with his, but he will siphon our every effort in order to enrich himself. He would never chance that we become more wealthy or powerful or lucky than him."
"His Eminence is mortal, and older than you are. When his time comes, who will he pass temporal power to? To whomever Asmodeus bids." Geborah smiles. "It's useful for enemies to think me a naive girl. My allies should know better than to make that mistake."
As Tiadora leads them away from the Cardinal's office, Geborah's mind races ahead to what they might face. "Nine chambers below the manse--nine Hells below the planes. There's theology to this test." she observes.
"Listen," she addresses the others, "We face a trial designed by His Eminence, to see if we meet his standards."
"Whatever you think of him or me, you must recognize that I understand the Cardinal's values the best. No doubt there will be challenges for all of us, but if any choices are offered us, I urge you to let me decide."
"No doubt part of the Cardinal's test is to see if we can act as a disciplined unit. Let us restrain our chaotic impulses and win through."
"Tiadora, what are you permitted to tell us about what lies ahead? If you can offer us advice that benefits us, no doubt we will one day be placed to do you a like favor."
"You logic is that we should work together by letting you make all the decisions?"
Jezabel then bursts out laughing.
"Ah! Now that was worthwhile." Geborah has taken out her bloodstained cards, is drawing a few from the deck. "I've heard folks saying 'these fools' and 'those fools' and 'you fools' like it's a curse, but in truth, every court needs a fool." She displays her handful of kings, queens, and a joker. "Someone to ridicule every idea, good or bad, to discourage lazy thought."
"Even Asmodeus keeps a fool--Alichino, Hell's Jester, the only creature mad enough to tell the God-Fiend to his face the hard truths He does not want to hear."
"Jezabel has played the role of fool well today, pointing out a paradox: The Cardinal wants obedient servants. But the Cardinal needs servants with initiative who can make good decisions on their own. How would one design a test to measure both virtues?"
"One test probably can't. Perhaps that's why we face nine different rooms."
--------------------------------------------
Upon reciving the holy symbol and circlet Wraith cast detect magic on both, and quickly scan the equipment picked up for him as well.
Once the body is delivered, Wraith begins the ritual to turn it into his newest servant. After an hour the skeleton rips from the corpse leaving a mess that the servants will regret.
Handing his newest creature his familiar dagger, he vows to improve its equipment as he get the chance.
--------------------------------------------
At the meeting Wraith come in wearing a modified robe, with a high collar, decorative chains binding the top to the waist. He gives off a look of a captive mage. Broken manacles adorn his wrists.
On Wraiths shoulder is what could quickly be mistaken as a baby croc. With a quick glance at it, it settles down, just seeming to enjoy the new experience of riding up high.
"Tests, such is life." Wraith quickly follows. At the comment at Geborah leading, Wraith shakes his head. "Frankly Geborah, I would prefer either Balam or Tatienne to lead. They seem to have a bit more....life experience... In reality though, acting as a group with people that has some trust issues... I would suggest majority vote on issues, when time permits of course. When there's not, then those with the appropriate skills step forward."
Fools, Kings, and Queens... I bet she's assign a role to all of us... Let's see what she reveals us all to be. He mentally communicates to his familiar.
"Anyway should we grab Grumblejack or my minion?"