Blackerly falls to Azrin's charm spell as Rosemary zaps him. All arrows fail to find targets. Kord jumps down and charges Blackerly also.
He misses and Blackerly takes a swing back at him.
Blackerly's sword cuts Kord deep and he falls to the ground.
Carnadine pauses his arrow distribution, because of too many melee combatants around Blackerly.
Kelvar, losing his clear shot, puts his bow away and climbs back up to the second level, joining Azrin next to the trap door.
"If he is now your puppet, we shall use him to escape this place. Your magic was well-timed."
"I can't let you do that. You made a mistake. But the law's the law. I can't let you go free from here."
Kelvar moved to the roof to tell Yzera the course of events inside, and to be ready to scale down the rope.
Carnadine replies to Blackerly with another longbow arrow, which goes wide.
Shifting, Rose attempts to stab Blackerly in the back.
She brutally slashes at his back, attempting to cut down to the bone of his spine.
In his rage, Kaath does not let up. He continues to attack Blackerly, ignoring Azrin.
Upon his arrival on the roof, Kelvar walked over to Yzera and said, "Azrin has charmed Blackerly and was attempting to convince him to let us out. We will see if it works."
Looking down into the courtyard, he said, "Oh, those guards are still there. Shall I help you with them?" Drawing an arrow, Kelvar fired towards one of the guards in the fountain.
Blackerly's mind fights the influence of Azrin but he is far too weak and lowers his sword. "I couldn't do that to my friend." As he does so Kaath siezes his opportunity, striking while his guard is dropped. He knocks the sword away and the next few punches are so powerful they dent his armour. Blackerly seems surprised but then a blow to the face knocks him out and he falls silently to the floor dying, suffering internal wounds.
potion of cure light wounds, chainmail, masterwork longsword, sergeant’s uniform, 30 gp, key ring
The large double doors are unlocked easily with Blackerly's key and unbarred with a little effort. The way out of the prison is free of obstruction.
The two remaining guards lie bleeding with arrow wounds, staining the water of the fountain. The dogs nowhere to be seen, though there burning howls can still be heard.
Ten of you started this and now only eight remain along with an ogre. Twenty or so guards and one wizard are dead because of their lax upkeep of Branderscar and Blackerly's greediness. A girl can be heard crying somewhere in the darkness, mourning the loss of her father, another casualty of your escape.
As you hastily proceed down the path to the bridge and the mainland you are stopped by a small guard house on the mainland. It seems to be unmanned and by climbing or swimming the shallow safer water near the shore you make it across. Looking back you can see some smoke rising from the gatehouse. Now that you have a map to cross the moors it leads the way. Trouble is caused when several of the party decide they do not want to meet this mysterious benefactor and instead go their own way.
Through the remaining hours and as the sun rises the stench of the moor assaults you, the soggy ground proves troublesome and several times puddles that seemed small swallow up those who step in them. It is difficult to remain clean. Finally as the sun is beginning to set again a manor can be seen on a hill in the distance with a single light above a small door. Is that a figure watching your approach from the door?
Throughout the journey across the moor, Kelvar used the survival skills he'd learned from his father to keep them on the right track. Though they had found a potion of healing on Blackerly, Kelvar chose not to make use of it, planning to rely on his gifts from Asmodeus once they rested and prayed to him. As they approached the manor, he squinted, trying to make out if there was, in fact, someone waiting for them - whether their mysterious benefactor, or else a Mitran waiting to take them in.
Carnadine breathes deep when the gatehouse door opens. Free at last. He does not give the escapees who don't want to meet their mysterious benefactor another look. They obviously are not well acquainted with fate or faith yet. While the moor proves challenging, Carnadine is certain that he could endure it for much more when the manor is sighted. Is that our benefactor in the door?
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Still feeling battered and bruised, but nonetheless concerned that the Mitrans and their dogs will appear behind the escapees and their trail, Yzera continues to follow the others. When she sees the house and the figure standing within, she squints trying to determine who, or what, it may be.
Perception: <-- having no clue what the person looks like, or even if it is nothing more than a shade
Looks like someone was waiting for us. I imagine the smoke from the prison - She turns around and looks back to where a plume of dark smoke continues to rise into the noontime sun - alerted everyone, friend or foe, within a league of the problems at Branderscar.
Heh heh heh. As it has been destined. Lord Asmodeus has given us the means and we've carved our paths.
Traveling the moor, Kaath maintains a rather cheerful demeanor, filled with excitement that his destiny is coming together rather well. Looking back at the smoke plume that was branderscar, he thinks to himself we did that! Not even the deserters break his stride. He pummels them to death with a massive smile on his face, chanting with every strike "You. Never. Turn. Down. A. Blessing!"
Life seemed to be good for Kaath, and getting better. His excitement turned to child-like glee when the manor was spotted. "Th-this must be IT! Ha-HAH! We've fought hard and survived a harrowing night and it seems we've reached our destination. Thank the dark lord!"
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Azrin found the moors quite trying, and soon tucked his robe into his belt to avoid getting it even more muddy. Having always overcome his frailty with a quick tongue, he found the marshy grounds more difficult to reason with than the prison guards. He dismissed worm after the incident with Kaath and the others, fearing to agitate the brutal man. He kept his complaints to himself, almost always maintaining a wicked smile as had become his custom while he was an entertainer. Though it was partly to please the crowds, the smile was genuine enough still, fueled by a deep satisfaction at the thought of revenge against his oppressors, the racist and self-righteous alike. So onward he marched with his new company, eager to see what fate might await them.
As they passed the gatehouse, Rosemary laughed a chiming laughter like bells.
She dances for joy. "Gentlemen, and lady friend. We are free of this cursed place!" she twirls in her rags as if dressed for a gala ball. Then looking at the F branded between her thumb and index finger. "Ultimately it could have been much worse."
She walks through the bog with distaste, staying near to Carnadine should he need his greatsword, which she still wore on her back.
As night fell and darkness approached she grew even more comfortable, the shadows comforted her and as the manor grew in the distance, she said. "Finally an abode worthy of us."
At the door of the manor house, you are met by a green-eyed woman wearing a diaphanous white gown that makes her look almost angelic. When she speaks, any illusions about her angelic character are quickly dispelled. "Dearest? Where is my dearest?," she says. “We were beginning to wonder if you’d ever make it. You must be his friends. I see he didn't make it here. No matter. The master commands all of you to appear before him but before that, you must be made presentable. Slaves!” She claps her hands. A dozen young attractive men and women all wearing very traditional servant’s livery appear quickly, their heads bowed. “These people are our guests,” she commands imperiously. “See them to their rooms. I want them cleaned, dressed and refreshed. Quickly.” There is something in that last word that sounds like a threat. Certainly the slaves take it that way, hustling to perform their duties.
These slaves are most certainly enchanted in some way.
Each of you are led to a room by one of the slaves, Grumblejack is taken a different direction to the rest of you. The accommodations are comfortable and the slaves are silent and efficient. There are fresh clothes perfectly sized to each of you in your rooms and there is the opportunity to wash up. You also receive a platter full of hot, delicious food and fresh water. Your rooms are more or less next to each other in one wing of the manor.
Carnadine notices the Charm on the slaves but pays it no mind. He tremendously enjoys the luxury. He allows several attractive women to clean, dress and refresh him. He lets them determine the amount of time that they take to mind their hostess's timetable.
His mostly black outfit form fits his tall and slender build with well-defined musculature. His milky white complexion and unearthly human beauty is even more pronounced than before. His jet black hair is swept back to form a widow’s peak, but it’s his piercing blue eyes that first grab your attention.
Grinning, Rose allows herself to be led to her room by a tale blonde man, fair and attractive, as she passes she grabs the hand of a bronze skinned beauty with smokey dark hair and eyes and pulls her along.
In her room she munches on the plate of food while the servants draw her a bath. Allowing them to clean her, she walks to the bed after the bath and to her great delight finds a red dress.
She reemerges, her pale skin clear, back length black hair in loose curls that dance about her shoulders. The red dress hugs her wide hips and the plunging neckline shows off her buxom figure without being to impractical.
There is even jewelry, a silver piece with blue gem. It hangs around her neck.
Finally, some decent attire.
Ignoring the charms on the slaves, Kelvar allows himself to be led into the manor house and a room. He is pleased to see a good, hot meal, and even happier to bathe and wash the mud of the moor and the blood of battle from him. He examines his scars as he does so, realizing just how close to death he had come. But I am not yet dead. Asmodeus has seen me free of my imprisonment, and I shall continue His good work.
Finding clean clothes that were surprisingly well-fitting, Kelvar donned his new garb, grinning at the symbol of Asmodeus that has been embroidered on the breast of the black and red coat. He looked at himself in the mirror, and he saw a man who had been trapped in a place with no hope of escape, who had experienced the depths of hopelessness, and climbed back out. He had been through the first crucible, and he had emerged stronger and more sure of his faith in Asmodeus than ever before. He took the dagger removed from the veil, and the axe he had taken from the armory, and prepared to meet their benefactor.
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Sense Motive:
Yzera allows herself to be led to her room. Once there, she dismisses the servants, not knowing who they are, or why their benefactor would have the gall to actually keep slaves within the confines of Talingarde.
Once alone, she takes off her ripped and torn clothes and bathes herself in a poor attempt to get the grit and grip of several weeks in confinement, in addition to the smoke and soot from the burning prison and the muck from the trek across the moors. As she bathes, she notices the partially healed wounds, hoping that someone in this manor will be able to heal her more fully, or else she will have to wait until the morrow for He Who Walks In Blood to grant her his healing blessing once more.
After finishing bathing, and attempting to run the exquisite brush through the birds nest that is her hair, Yzera wraps her wounds in clean cloth bandages and puts on the black loose fitting outfit that is lying waiting for her. She considers reequipping the suit of armor she wore from the prison, but decides that to meet with the Lord of the manor, she will not need it. However, she does strap back on her pair of blades.
When the summons comes to attend to the Lord, she exits the chamber and heads downstairs prepared for the audience.
The bastard-spawn smirks, eyeing the flesh as he enters the manor. As he is lead by two slaves to his dormitory, he exhibits a side of himself unseen to the others. He walks the halls with authority, pointing at slaves left and right, paying no mind to their gender, only their bodies. A soft caress here, blown kiss there and he arrives to the room with a small harem all his own. The doors lock behind them as they enter.
Kaath enjoys the revelry, for he very much deserved it.
Fed, bathed and rejuvenated, Kaath is surprised to find clothing from his homeland.
The skirt-like lungi came in a rich golden fabric with red and black accents, the thick belt-like cord in a black and arm cuffs emblazoned with Asmodeus's symbol. A new set of prayer beads sat on top of the ensemble. Kaath kneeled before the beautiful clothing and prayed once more.
He has surely shown me the way
After several hours of rest and relaxation, enjoying a veritable banquet of food (especially after a stay in branderscar where you were fed nothing) and complimentary wine you feel warmed and washed free of the last several days. No soldiers have showed up at the manor, it seems you are truly free once again and can lower your guard for once.
After drinking the wine those with extensive wounds from the fighting notice skin healed, bruises gone and pains eased. A restorative elixir has been mixed with the wine. Any spells or detection cast on the food or drink reveals no malice. A curing aura comes from the wine.
At last Tiadora leads you to a beautifully appointed office richly decorated with dark wood and sumptuous brocade tapestry. Sitting in a leather high-backed chair is a devilishly handsome fellow who smiles as you enter. “I believe you to be the first to ever escape from Branderscar Prison. Well done! Of course, you had help from the outside. It's a shame not all of you could make it here. I'm afraid the others didn't make it out of the moor.” he says with a wicked smile. “But enough with the pleasantries. You must be curious why I’ve helped you. Rest assured this is no random act of altruism. I have brought you here for a reason. My name is Cardinal Adrastus Thorn. I am the last high priest of Asmodeus left on the island of Talingarde. Once the Prince of Nessus was rightly revered alongside the other great powers. Now, the king of Talingarde has become a puppet to Mitran fanatics who wish to destroy any religion that does not bow to their insipid sun god. For their blasphemy, I will see the same people who imprisoned and condemned you suffer. I understand what you went through for I have faced it myself.” With that, he pulls down the sleeve of his robe and reveals his own runic ‘F’ brand, the same that you all received from Blackerly at branderscar marking you forsaken. “I am going to burn Talingarde to the ground and from the ashes I will build a new nation that knows its rightful master. I cannot do this alone. I seek servants worthy of our Infernal Father’s majesty. Have I found them in you?”
He rises and his eyes flash with hellfire and divine purpose. “Join me! Serve me well in this holy endeavor and I will raise you up in the eyes of gods and men. I will make you princes of the new Talingarde. Today, swear fealty to me and to Asmodeus. Put aside forgiveness and I shall give you vengeance. Put aside mercy and be made powerful. Put aside peace and become my harbingers of war. What say you? Will you swear your allegiance or will you burn with the rest of the blind fools?”
As Cardinal Thorn speaks, Kelvar hears much that he likes. Vengeance against Talingarde and the chance to rebuild their corrupt, weak society into an orderly, strong one? It is everything he could wish to accomplish. However, they lived in a land full of Mitrans, and he knew this could easily be a trap. He also knew that if he did not bend knee, he likely would not survive the hour. What to do?
Kelvar bent knee, and said, "In the name of the Lord of Darkness, I shall help you to burn Talingarde to the ground. I shall help you restore worship of Him to its proper place, and throw down the worship of the god of fools, Mitra. I swear you my allegiance."
And keep the oath I shall, for you are more powerful than I. But, should you falter in your devotion to him, I will tear you down. For that is the way of the Nine Hells, and second chances are rarely given.
"Thank you, Cardinal Thorn, for your actions to free me and preserve my body a little longer on this plane." Carnadine starts. Then, he sinks down on both knees and continues.
"In the presence of these witnesses, I freely and gladly renew my oath of fealty and worship to Asmodeus, the First and Prince of Hell. I, Sir Carnadine as a faith-sworn and fully revealed Lord of Darkness, pledge my soul and eternal service to Asmodeus, the Supreme Lord of Darkness. And to the last high priest of Asmodeus in Talingarde, I pledge my body and service to restore our Lord to preeminence throughout the lands."
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Yzera stands a bit nervously listening as the others pledge their allegiance to the Prince of Hell. However, her patron, although a resident of Hell, is not a devil and she is unsure of how the her patronage of Achaekek might be accepted in the home of one calling himself the High Priest of Asmodeus.
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Azrin smiles, though as may have become clear at this point, a smile can mean many things on this drow's face. His lip twitches upward to show his teeth as the man describes burning Talingarde. The intensity in his eyes seems to fade somewhat as the host goes on about religion and rebuilding society. He settles into somewhat of a relaxed pose as the others begin kneeling and making pledges. He eyes the fineries and decorations around him with a lustful eye, then considers his own robe, stolen from the deceased warden, and compares it to his present company. At some point he realizes he is now expected to speak, so he begins.
"My good Cardinal Thorn, I cannot express the depth of my gratitude for freeing this lot from Banderscar. They freed me during their escape, and had it not been for that, I would surely be but an ashen memory by this time." the dark elf pauses to flash a warm smile. "I will be glad to assist you in burning this foul city and its overzealous and self-righteous citizens. But I came to this land to cure it of gold and silver, and have little interest in gods, devils, or building a new society for whatever cause." Azrin then holds up a finger to halt forthcoming objections. "I am no fool, however, and I will gladly exercise my talents towards your ends in the name of wealth, power, and revenge, all of which I sense you are capable of granting. If this pleases you sufficiently, you and whatever being you serve have my promise of loyalty."
Rose, looking gorgeous in her red dress, knelt on one knee, the part of the dress exposing her milky white leg up to the mid thigh.
She spoke with a silky crooning voice. Looking at Thorn We share the same surname, how bizarre. "I Rosemary pledge my sword and service to the Dark Lord in his will to remove the sun god and his zealots. My considerable prowess shall be focused on this until its completion. This I swear, on my soul."
Of course if lady Zura has anything to say about me, Asmodeus won't receive my soul for a VERY long time. she thought smiling inwardly.
She rose and moved aside.
Kaath looks on with cautious eyes as the others kneel. Destiny, he tells himself. This is destiny.
"Cardinal Adrastus Thorn, I thank you, but I kneel for Asmodeus and Asmodeus alone. With that said, I have spent my life dreaming of the day I trample over the bones of talingarde's nobility. There is nothing that I would want more than to see them burn for their sins against the First."
He extends a closed fist forcefully outwards and then quickly jabs it over his heart.
"I swear my loyalty, that together, we will bring the end of Mitra and his worshippers and we will see that Asmodeus claims what is rightfully his. Hail Asmodeus."
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Realizing that she is the only one left, Azera steps forward.
Your Honor. I also thank you for assisting in rescuing us from Branderscar. You and the Dark Lord have honored me. However, as I assume you are aware, I have been blessed by another. Another who also calls Hell his home. Thus, while I may swear allegiance to you and the First, any service that I provide must be tempered by my patron, He Who Walks in Blood.
Yzera smiles as she says his name.
However, I am sure that considering the goals of Achaekek and those of the Prince of Hell, there will be little overlap which might give rise to conflict between the two. After all, my Lord makes the first plane of Hell his home, a plane over which Asmodeus has primary dominion.
Having said her position, Yzera steps back to await whatever the Cardinal might have in store for her and the rest of the Forsaken.
Excellent, excellent. Many have suffered besides the followers of the First and he welcomes all allies to his side. Let us make it official then," Cardinal Thorn smiles, "signing in blood is traditional."
He brings out a quill, a silver ritual knife and two copies of a contract written on some unidentifiable leather and written in dark red ink – the Pact of Thorns. He lets you keep one copy of the contract. The other, he takes.
Behold on this day 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 acolytes (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 and god – mighty 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.
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, ____________________
“Well done. Your first command: prepare yourselves. Stay within the manor. You are still hunted by the Talirean soldiery. In three days we begin your training.” He leaves without any further word and Tiadora remains. "The Master has other business these three days. Any requests you can bring to me and I can sell and acquire goods for you." As well as your looted goods from Branderscar she gives you each an extra 300 gold pieces.
With the First as the god of contracts, Carnadine is not surprised. Although reluctant to put anyone between himself and the Supreme Lord of Darkness, he recognizes that he would not be free of Branderscar without the cardinal's patronage. He steps forward and is the first to sign the contract using the blood of his hand. He folds and puts his copy inside his tunic. Then, he settles on a couch to enjoy the show of those less faithful.
Kelvar is right behind Carnadine in line. He carefully looks over the contract, for the servants of The Lord of Darkness enjoy placing secret loopholes in contracts. He is not thrilled at being called "the Bound," but recognizes that this will be his fate for the near future. At least his first loyalty was to Asmodeus. That was as it should be. With a prick of the hand on the dagger, he signs the contract, and then steps off to the side with his copy, tucked within his coat.
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Yzera steps forward, but does not immediately sign the Contract. Rather, she carefully reads it and then looks up, addressing the Cardinal.
I have no qualms with the majority of the Contract, and do not believe that He Who Walks in Blood would object to my signing such a contract as the Dark Prince and my Lord follow similar ideologies and I do not believe that complying with the Contract would be likely to conflict with the will of my Lord.
However, the Contract begins with "The First Loyalty is to their patron and god – mighty Asmodeus," As you know, Asmodeus is not my patron, and I do not believe that I could sign this as it would mean one of two things, either I would be forsaking He Who Walks in Blood, or I would be violating the preface to the First Loyalty.
If we could change the First Loyalty to read "The First Loyalty is to the mighty Asmodeus", I do not believe that it would affect the Contract or its intent, but would also avoid the above referenced potential for conflict.
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"Who do you expect to enforce this contract?" Azrin muses aloud as he concludes his reading. "Surely the mighty Asmodeus is much too busy to tend to such affairs himself."
Kelvar raised an eyebrow at Azrin's question. The drow seemed to be plotting something, or else showing himself woefully ignorant of the devils at the Lord of Darkness's command.
Rosemary stepped forward and perused the contract. She stifled a chuckle at the wording of the contract. Not the first time I've been "the Bound".
She pricked her finger and signed in a thin scrawl. "Victory for the First through blood for my Lady." she murmurs. She helps herself to a glass of wine from a serving tray.
Striding over, she sits on the couch next to Carnadine and takes a sip. "Mhhmm, delicious." she purrs. "We seem to be making progress."
Kaath shoves past Azrin. Now is not the time to nitpick, drow.
He slashes at his palm and smears the wound across the agreement leaving a bloody swash in place of a proper signature.
He joins Carnadine and Rosemary, seating himself next to Rosemary, allowing his legs to edge awkwardly close to her. He calls a slave over for a glass of wine and then places his arm across the back of the couch. As he sips on his wine, he mutters "Yeah, progress."
Pulling the drow aside, Kelvar says, in a low voice, "The Lord of Darkness has legions of devils at his command. Some of those devils do nothing but enforce contracts signed in His name. If you break the contract, it is they who will enforce it. We may also do so, as the contract states we are to be loyal to each other, and violating it would be a betrayal of your fellow escaped convicts. I suggest you sign the contract and uphold it until Asmodeus, or one of us who is devoted to him, tells you otherwise."
Letting him go, Kelvar moved over to join the others next to the couch, grabbing a glass of wine as he does. He turns, giving Azrin a meaningful look as he does, and waits for Azrin and Yzera to sign the contract.
Rose chuckled like a chime at Yzera's comment. She worshipped a demon lord after all.
"Oh Yzera, so fierce, so intelligent. Azrin is a mistreated Drow, show some sympathy." She adopted a mock pouty face at that last part, tapping the index fingernail on either hand on both Kaath and Carnadine's knee.
She sighed a sigh of boredom. "Please dearies, the cardinal is waiting and I'm growing terribly bored of this room, let's all sign our super secret pact and be about more relaxing business."