Tiadora contacted you when you broke the clay seal. She has been commanded by her master to escort our band of villains to their next mission. She leads you to a ramshackle river barge “Halstyn’s Folly” tied to Lake Tarik’s bank. The captain and three man crew of this shallow-bottomed barge are all thoroughly under Tiadora’s control. They are certainly no threat. Tiadora will tolerate no delay. “The master commands you board. You will learn more later.”
Accommodations are crude. There is only one cabin and Tiadora has already evicted the so-called captain and made that her own personal domain. The she is not particularly adept at sharing. That means that the rest of you must sleep with the crew on the deck of the barge. There is a roof but no walls and at night on the lake and rivers, it can be bitterly cold.
“The Folly” in a journey through the great scar that almost cuts the isle of Talingarde in twain. The barge is sluggish making less than twenty four miles a day.
Tiadora herself is not idle. Though “The Folly” is adequately provisioned and never docks, every night the barge anchors within sight of a village or keep.
During the night, fire, screams fills the air. Every morning, at the barge resumes its journey, Tiadora watches from afar as another settlement wails and mourns.
Dot
Rose was all business when the others were around, but in a small moment where she was able to catch Tiadora alone in her cabin, she gave her best friend a long hug.
"It's good to finally see you again. How's my father?"
|
Mysty watches the burning tower as they left aldencross. The screams of the survivors could still be heard. She lit the tower herself, its wooden fittings catching alight quite nicely.
She soon finds herself a warm (relatively speaking) spot to rest. Tiadora unnerves her a little bit, but she puts on a blank face when she makes an appearance. Mysty spends her time practicing blade work, keeping warm and thinking.
She was thinking about revenge, and power, and what she would do with it. But even if things go well, there was the cardinal. After all if they won, he would be calling the shots. And mysty wasn't fond of that idea. Something would have to be done about that. But there was the contract...
Also there was the ninth knots relationships to the cardinal. Nahia was cluey, to be certain. That one would think about the endgame. Seren has...issues. A nasty temper, and with unnatural tastes in undead. A certain style with it though. But she would likely follow Nahia if something happened. Grumblejack was a meat shield, and expendable. But looks fond of seren, so thats his loyalties. Hound, he was more capable, mysty thought, and would follow Rose barring other issues. Which came to rose.
Rose was a problem. Seems loyal, very loyal to the cardinal. Which seems returned. Friendly with Tiadora. On the surface anyway. Mysty had placed herself in the rose camp, so to speak. But the cardinal would have to go, eventually. But he was protected by the contract...
Mysty's mind circled this information, looking at it, testing it, looking for loopholes. After several days she decided this was pointless. More information was needed. She would wait and watch and be the loyal knot member. Patience, admittedly not her strong point, would be the best course here. Maybe the cardinal would die of old age, or have a fatal fall.
Time to play the part.
Hound felt satisfaction as he left the ruined and burning fortress and town. A measure of revenge had been achieved and he was reunited with an old comrade with the promise of further activities in the future.
Tiadora's look was troubling, he didn't know who or what she was beyond a possible magic-user but Rose seemed to have some kind of rapport so he would leave interactions to her.
Of the others, Seren was the only one who might cause him concern, the walking dead were of alien nature to him, half-remembered tales of his people spoke of shamans placating their ancestors so they would not rise and take their tithe of souls or have to face the indignity of being put down into the darkness.
Nahia and Mysty were still mostly mysteries, since he only met them for effectively a day before they were plunged into battle and spoke little since then. Perhaps more would be revealed.
Rose of course was Rose. They had traveled and fought before and Hound found her to be a capable leader before they were separated. She combined battle strength and social graces and HOund new that under her he hand purpose.
Hound sat on the deck and watched the waters go by, sleeping in the night air was invigorating and he was well versed in ways to stave off the worst of the cold.
The cold, indifferent attitude from Tiadora drops as Rose hugs her.
"There, there Rosie." she says sweetly "I think you should keep that question for him. He'll be here in some days." she answer.
Rose smiled wide and hugged tighter, then let go and bounced up and down on her toes excitedly. "Really?" then she suddenly became serious as nervousness and doubt crept in, suddenly shifting her mercurial moods.
"He's going to be happy with all this, right? We did really well. I think so, anyway. It didn't go perfectly, and the wizard escaped, but the fortress fell before the horde even got there! Oh! And I made an angel fall! Just like he did with Mother!"
"I hope he's proud of me." she said in a small, worried voice.
"Don't you worry about it." says Tiadora ”You’ve done admirably. Now off you pop, we don’t want any hard feeling between the Knot for any special treatment. You may be the cardinal daughter, but that lost its meaning when you joined the Ninth Knot. They are your brothers now.” she says sweetly kissing your forehead.
As the ogre boards the barge, he complains loudly ”Grumblejack remembers the other one, the one that brought us here. What happened to it?”
The same dull routine fills each your days at the barge. Tiadora can be seen sometimes, but mostly, she keeps herself locked inside her cabin.
Hound passes the time with activities to keep his body and mind focused. He takes over a section for practicing with his blades, swinging until he is coated with seat and then washes off with a quick dip in the river. For one who lived in the cold north, a swift dunk is no hardship.
Hound also showed his skill with making more of what meager food they had. He often cast a line off the edge of the boat and caught several fish for pot cooking and was disappointed that grilling them would not be an option.
Nahia gathers her things to prepare for the trip, and when she sees the open barge her normal smile drops to a frown as she is filled with memories of the ship ride she had to endure before.
Again with the open ship? Again with no cover, no comfort… and no privacy…
Her face blushes as she brings a hand up to rub her brow.
I don’t have enough liquor for this…
As she loads her things her smile returns when she sees Grumblejack. Approaching him, she giggles and says ”Well hello again Big’un! Have fun smashing skulls with Seren? At least I have you to keep me company on this voyage!”
- - - - -
Her things loaded, Nahia sets about double checking everything when she sees Hound, seemingly bored at waiting on everyone else to be ready. Nahia stands lost in thought for a bit as she stares at the hulk of a man.
That one is stronger than any of my previous companions… We had some rough spots, and I think he could use a little more discipline… But still, he did his part and we wouldn’t have walked away as cleanly without him… I really should take this opportunity to… endear myself to him.
Nahia saunters towards him, smiling, and says ”Hound, I know that I… may have rubbed you the wrong way a few times during our mission. Let me mend what ill will that may have been created by saying that I appreciate all you have done for our cause. I know not where you lie in all of this, but so far I am quite glad to see you amongst our ranks.”
- - - - -
Nahia giggles and grins when she sees Seren walk up with her new mount. She rushes over to exclaim ”Ah, I see that you’ve finally done it! A lovely beast he is.”
After staring at the creature for a moment, Nahia adds ”You know, I never thought to ask before, but do you know how to ride a horse? I’ve never needed to know myself, preferring to travel on foot or by carriage, but the activity did seem like it could be fun.”
- - - - -
As the barge sets off, Nahia tries to make conversation with one of the men on the barge, only to find them rather… preoccupied. Recognizing what has been done to them, Nahia again approaches Tiadora. Curtseying, she says ”Well met again, our Lady in White. It is good to see you. Once again I must say, you must teach me how you manage to work your charms on these people. I find my own powers increasing in this regard, but I can still do little but watch in awe of your artistry.”
- - - - -
The first day Nahia spends recovering from the stress of their previous mission. Little is done beyond finishing the last of the novels she has brought with her. And when night comes, she first spends her time wrapping herself in blankets to ward off the cold, and scribing a scroll when she has trouble sleeping.
But with her day of rest done, she begins to think towards the future. Their goal is not yet accomplished, and surely their trials will only grow harder. Seeking out Tiadora, Nahia asks her ”Would it be possible for us to requisition some supplies? I’d like to get the most use out of these days of respite, but I need materials for my arts.”
- - - - -
When Nahia sees hound starting to gnaw on his freshly caught fish, she giggles at him and asks ”Would you like for me to cook those for you? I’ve eaten them raw before, and they can be quite good that way, but we have some vegetables still in the stocks, and it wouldn’t be hard to whip up a quick stew.”
- - - - -
During the fight against the Archons in the Mitran church, Rose had put a hand on one of the little angels and done something to it that seemed to have put it completely under her thrall. She carried the little glowing ball around in her hand and whispered to it and pet it. It was a creature of light, it's colors changing though hues based on whim and mood but naturally lit with a warm, happy gold. Over the days as Rose spoke to it and coddled it it's color and light slowly dimmed until one morning it was merely a ball of dead blackness.
Rose seemed thrilled. "No, no. None of that. We've come too far for that. We aren't finished. We've only just begun really. Here, let he help." She kissed it, and hellfire flared from her hands. She tossed it into the air, where it hung. It's surface seemed to crack, like coal embers revealed beneath soot, the dark ruddy glow welling up until it roiled all along it's surface.
"See." she said. "Everything is just fine. Its better this way."
The little glowing ball spoke the tongue of angels. It's voice sounded like bells and strings and carried the weight and emotion of eons of service and belief. It sounded small, and selfless, and perfect.
It was weeping.
Rose smiled. "You sound so pretty."
Hound's eyes slide over to Nahia when she first speaks and he gives a curt nod. High stress and little knowledge of each other's abilities can lead to that. I have no hostility towards you, as for my role, right now I follow Rose, we escaped from the salt mines before getting separated. As she serves The Father so do I and my sword and hammer are at the group's disposal
When Nahia approaches him while he is cleaning the fish, he nod. That would be helpful, I would prefer grilling them but the ship is ill-suited for that and a stew is excellent for keeping us healthy. He points at some tarps. I can get these set up as lean-tos in sections of the ship for protection from the elements and privacy.
Nahia smiles at Hound and replies "Well, I'm glad to hear that, and hopefully we will become more acquainted as our work progresses!"
- - - - -
Nahia blushes and says "That... would be much appreciated. In return, I'll gladly see what I can go about these fish."
Taking the cleaned fish from him, Nahia goes over to her things and uncovers a small iron cauldron. Waving her hand over it, she gives a small chant "I call forth you minor spirits of flame..."
Shortly after, Nahia tosses a piece of fish into the cauldron and a faint sizzle can be heard. Nahia watches the food for a bit before adding some water and herbs.
After a bit, she brings over a bowl of hot stew to Hound, saying "I couldn't get it hot enough for a good sear, but this should at least keep you warm... and hopefully it tastes good too..."
Nahia looks over at Rose, seeing the little ball of darkness. She lets out a few soft hisses as she asks Andros ”What… is that? It doesn’t look like any spell I’ve ever seen...”
First she seems so close to Tiadora… then this… what is that girl?
Andros doesn’t reply at first, but as the soft tinkling of the creatures ‘speech’ waft over, he says ”Hmm, I would have expected once such as yourself to witness corruption when she saw it.”
Nahia was quiet, and while she knew that Andros meant nothing by his statement, it still didn’t sit well with her. Andros felt this too, but he was not one to offer empty comforts.
Overcome with curiosity, Nahia approached Rose and asked ”So, where did that come from?”
Hounds tastes some of the fish stew prepared by Nahia and nods. Hot and filling. Knowing how to cook in the wilderness is a useful skill, kept me fed if not comfortable when I escaped from the mines. Hound looks over at the cabin where Tidora lairs at their expense. I have a feeling that we will have to get used to these conditions in the future, especially if we end up having to avoid Mitrian forces. A working knowledge of wilderness survival is something we all should know.
Nahia smiles at Hound and says "I'm glad you like it. And yes, as much as I hate to admit it, it is something we should probably get used to... But a girl can hope that we get a nice, cushy post at some point, right?"
Waving her hand, Nahia adds "Well, either way, I've spent quite a bit of time in the woods, though I'll be honest, I've always focused more on rare extracts and the spiritual side of things instead of how to gather food."
Rose seemed a little surprised at the question. "Oh, it was one of the Archons in the church. I think we told you about all that, right? Hound and Mysty killed the rest, but I kept this one."
"Isn't it pretty?" she said with a big smile. "What should I call it?"
Nahia looks over the weeping ball, saying "Huh, I didn't know that any mortal had the power to corrupt and angel, even one such as that one. He reminds me of some of the spirits of despair that I've seen..."
Looking for a moment, Nahia quickly adds "Actually, that would actually make a good name. How about yaash?" speaking the Celestial word for despair.
Rose wrinkled her nose a little. "I'm not going to call it something in that language."
"As for the corruption thing, it's not really me doing it. I was just the conduit. You dont give the hammer the credit when a smith makes a sword. I just held it. Lord Asmodeus did the real work."
On the twelfth night, Cardinal Adrastus Thorn finally shows himself. Tiadora steps out of her cabin and says “The master is here and commands you attend him,” she says grimly. “He’s in the cabin.”
When/If Hound tries to enter the cabin with the knot, Tiadora steps into his path. "Are you in a hurry, dearest?" she asks, but then she drops her sarcastic manner and continues "The master did not called for you. You are not part of his Knot. After he has addressed his faithful servants, you may speak to him and pledge your cause." she don't appears to be threating you, but something in her voice makes you wary of confronting her.
The Cardinal, a devilishly handsome man clad in black and burgundy robes. He wears black gloves and openly displays his silver unholy symbol of the Lord of Hell. He sports a wicked and knowing grin.
He greets his knot and is quickly to business: “You have served me faithfully, my ninth knot, and I have rewarded you both in treasure and vengeance. Thanks to your efforts, the Fire-Axe has been unleashed. Even now he writes his name in blood across the Borderlands."
“Three battles have been fought and three victories won. The villages of Ambryl and Tarrington Fields lie sacked. The fortress of Lorringsgate is in ruins. Each of you did your part in seeing these triumphs come to fruition. Do not think I have forgotten that."
“But our work is not yet done. Talingarde has not yet acquiesced to our unholy master nor tasted the full measure of our vengeance. So I have another mission for you. Tomorrow this barge will dock in Farholde, the northernmost town in the entire realm. Farholde is a backwater of no real significance. Its lord has already left the place hoping for glory in the war. But it does border the Caer Bryr, the largest unmapped forest on the entire island."
“Hidden within the Caer Bryr is the Horn of Abaddon, an ancient temple once occupied by a particularly loathsome death cult called ‘The Sons of the Pale Horseman’. Almost eighty years ago the first Darian king, Markadian I called the Victorious overthrew the Horn and destroyed the Sons. No great loss, honestly."
“But what the Victor found within the temple is why we are here. He defeated a daemon prince called Vetra-Kali Eats-the-Eyes. So terrified of this monstrosity was the king, that he had the priests of Mitra craft a great silver seal to forever forbid the daemon from returning to our plane of existence. The seal remains to this day."
“I have learned the truth about this daemon prince. I have learned what the Victor feared. Vetra-Kali is an archdeacon in service to the lord of pestilence. This immortal monster could create a plague so virulent that it will bring Talingarde to its knees."
“When the Victor attacked, the Daemon Prince was close to unleashing his masterpiece upon the world -- a pestilence known as the Tears of Achlys . I am uncertain of the specifics of this plague but if anything could terror in the heart of the Victor, then I want it. The Tears of Achlys will be our poisoned dagger into the heart of Talingarde."
“I already have agents in the great cities of this kingdom. With this pestilence, they could deliver blight and death to the very center of the realm. Caught between the twin storms of the Fire-Axe and Vetra-Kali’s gift, we shall bring ruin to Talingarde. This gift you shall bring to me."
“It will not be easy. I have already lost one band of followers on this errand. I sent the fourth knot to find the Horn of Abaddon. They succeeded at that at least – revealing to me that it was concealed within a great spire of stone less than a day’s ride from Farholde."
“But then they vanished. I have heard no more from the elven ranger Aiden Kael since. He knew the Caer Bryr well so no normal hazard would defeat him. Perhaps the Horn of Abaddon is guarded. I cannot say. But it matters not! The Tears of Achlys must be mine!"
“I am undeterred by this setback. Where one knot failed, two will succeed. I will also send my seventh knot – the Knot Hibernal led by Elise Zadaria. I task you with finding the Horn and calling forth Vetra-Kali. Elise and her knot will aid you. Elise proved herself a capable assassin in our last venture. The seventh knot will remain in Farholde and see that anyone who tries to find the Horn and interfere with your work meets an unhappy end. Thus, you will have time to do what must be done."
“There is another who may be able to aid you. Once a thriving cult of Asmodeus existed in Farholde. It was led by a half-elvish noble – the Baron Arkov Vandermir. He is treacherous and decadent, but wealthy and well-connected. Tiadora will introduce you before she departs."
“I know not what aid the Baron can provide, but his family is old and long has dwelt in Farholde. Never trust him but know this – he’s afraid of me and with good reason. If he does try anything remind him that you are in Farholde on my behalf. That should keep him in line."
“Find the Horn. Find the seal and shatter it. Call Vetra-Kali back to our world. Bind him to your will and force service from the monster. And then bring his gift to me. Can you do this, my knot? Have I found servants with might and will enough to see this task done?”
"I can only assume they abandoned their mission or failed at it miserably. Either crime is sufficient to warrant their destruction! You are the instruments of my vengeance and are to deliver their reward, as befitting to the weak, and kill each and everyone of them." the cardinal says casually at Mysty question.
Seren spends most of the time on the barge preparing for the ritual on her horse. I will get it right this time. She meticulously checks and re-checks her spells, materials, placement before finally feeling prepared. She walks slowly upto her magnificient beast, and channels an intense wave of necromatic energy into the beast, its skins and muscle falling on the bone as it releases a horrible cry into the air, it's body rotting away even as it's last moment of life depart.
She watches happily as the bones tumble into the circle of power she had prepared for this ritual. She begins her prayer to Asmodeus, feeling his unholy power pooling within her. In a final moment of release she extends her hands over the pile of bones. Rise... Please.
The silence is defeaning to her while the magic begins to work, the bones re-arranging back into the figure of a horse. She claps excitedly as she shes the horse stand, red eyes staring back at her, portraying the depths of hell from within their fiery orbs.
---------------------------------------------
Seren laughs as Nahia asks about her riding skills. Nope. Never ridden one before in my life! but look at it, oh this shall be fun to learn."
"And what if the Daemon prince has other plans for his concoction? What if he is not willing to let us use the Tears for our purpose?" Seren asks, wild ideas flirting through her mind.
"I have no idea. But I have confidence you can discern what must be done. Let nothing stand in your way!"
Hounds sniffs at the woman briefly and turns on his heel to wait on deck for the others.
"Are there any maps of the area?" Rose asked.
"Caer Bryr is the largest unmapped forest on the entire island. So no, I can't provide you with any map. As for Farhold, you might find one once you are in the city."
Tiadora then approaches you and says. "The master will see you now, dearest."
The Cardinal, a devilishly handsome man clad in black and burgundy robes. He wears black gloves and openly displays his silver unholy symbol of the Lord of Hell.
He looks at you as you enter and greets you.
"Welcome Hound. It's a rather good surprise, to see you found Rose after all the trouble you had. My Knot told how you helped them into accomplishing their objectives." he nods in your direction "What do you seek now?"
"Hello again dearest." she says "I can't teach you to become what you aren't. This is what I am. This is what I do."
Nahia smiles at the look on Rose’s face before making the sign of the pentagram and replying ”Well, then praise be to our Dark Prince and has vassal.”
Nahia plays a bit with her hair, as if thinking, and adds ”Ok, another idea for a name. I’ve once heard a tale of another fallen angel, Kokabiel, known as the angel of the stars. Seems fitting enough to me.”
- - - - -
Nahia giggles at Seren and says ”So, can you get bruises? Because if you can, I think I need to prepare a lot of analgesics.”
- - - - -
Nahia grins at Tiadora and says ”Well, that is a bit of a half-truth, isn’t it? You already taught us to become a team, when we weren’t. And I’d say that a lot of our training is to transform us into things we aren’t. And this entire mission is to transform this land into something it isn’t. We transform things, including each other, into things they weren’t all the time. And while I could understand why you might not want to, or be able to currently guide me down that path, I find it a little difficult to believe that it is impossible.”
Nahia giggles lightly before adding ”Especially since we seem to do the impossible all the time, what with escaping Brandescar, and taking down Ballentyne.”
- - - - -
When Nahia hears the Cardinal speak of Elise there is the faintest shimmer in her eyes.
So we might be working together, at least for a bit? Well, at least I’ll get to see her. It’ll be nice spending some nights with someone else warming the bed… no offense Seren...
Not wanting to ask obvious questions, Nahia thinks on the mission for a bit and lets others go first. But after a few questions have been asked, Nahia can wait no longer, and speaks up. ”Why has this area never been mapped, especially with it that close to a town?”
Nahia had one more pressing question, and she hated to ask it, but better to ask than to risk failure. ”And should something get out of hand, what is our backup plan?”
"As far the rumors goes, every expedition to map the place, never returned. The locals fear the place and it’s histories." then he ponders a bit before continuing ”I trust you are capable of doing this. Haven’t you been chosen by the dark prince?” he hands over to Nahia, another clay seal, similar to the one you used after Balentyne fell. ”If you recover the Tears or need to report anything to me, break this seal. I will send Tiadora to wherever you break it within an hour or two.”
What can you tell us of this daemon? Such as abilities and weaknesses that it might share with others of it's kind? Having proper weaponry on hand would be a wise move.
Nahia seems suddenly reminded, and asks the Cardinal ”Will Erik and Zerik be joining us again?”
"I don't think you'll need their help to accomplish this, but if it is indispensable, I can send them to help you."
Nahia nods at the Cardinal and replies "Are they still a part of the ninth? Do we often split up the knots?"
The Cardinal keeps an impassive face as he tells you ”Able hands are needed. Go outside and fetch one of the crew.”
”What happened to Fausto and Sourat? And what of the other you brought with you?”
Then to Nahia's question he answer "They are still part of the Ninth, just with other tasks."
When the you return, Cardinal Thorn smiles. “Excellent. Let us make it official. 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
It reads:
Behold on this day Oathday, Calistril 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 nending.
Signed,
There are some names in it already:
Nahia, Seren, Eldred, Zerik, Rose, Mysty, Fausto, Sourat
He awards you the title of the member Nessian Knot in an infernal ritual involving blood and fire. During the ritual he summons forth a barbed devil and offers to it the crew of your choosing. The devil gleeful rips the sailor apart and feasts on the blood. Adrastus then draws forth some of the devil’s blood with a silver athame. The Cardinal traces the unholy symbol of Asmodeus your forehead in the mingled blood of devil and sacrifice.
Then he says "The knot already has your next instructions, consult with them."
This place sounds wonderful! A perfect location to start umm collecting things *or undead*" Seren finally states after the conversation seems to begin dragging on, the last part said in a whisper.
"How long do we have to prepare for this?" She asks