"Cult? Is that what we're facing? A death cult?"
illidan catches the words of huntarr
"we are going to talk ?!? Well that's no fun. Must have got my orders crossed. What if we run into the pilgrims of HAYTE the rutherless Apocalyptic murder cult I am taking them out for dampening my warp connection?!?"
A hollow look entered the White Scholars eyes as he hears news of the Inquisitors death. "I... I see. Well, I suppose you'll want to know what happened then? We were investigating the Beast House, it's leader Vulpa. We'd heard rumours he'd been trading in megafauna without a licence, then we found out about experiments on xeno-breeds..."
"Well, we went in prepared for one thing, but found that the Beast House was involved in something far more foul. I believe that we may be dealing with a group known as the 'Pilgrims of Hayte', though until now I was not certain but based on what you described..."
“From what I can tell, you had a brush with the Pilgrims of Hayte back there. The Psyk-scouring you related, at the beginning when you first awoke? That seems to point to the Pilgrims looking for something in your minds.” The man scratched his chin.
“I’ve been doing research into this issue, here’s what I’ve managed to gather…” He paused to look down at his data-slate.
“Firstly, the Pilgrims of Hayte turn up throughout this sector, here and there. The references are often scattered. From what I can tell, they’re an apocalyptic murder cult. The central tenants of the cult are that humanity's true place in the universe is that of a squalling, blind creature utterly at the mercy of a deadly cosmos and a hungering warp. To them, civilization, reason, faith, love, family, morality, hope, pleasure, and honor are all lies and stillborn dreams. The answer is total destruction, the violent self-immolation of mankind's carefully wrought web of lies and deceit.” The scholar paused, “They see the universe around us as a lie, I believe. The truth can only be found in death and obliteration of the self. Heretics, and dangerous heretics at that.”
The scholar looked back down at his data slate. “I believe they are following a cultist known as “The Heron”. There have been scattered records in Xicarph’s limited law enforcement records to people having been attacked by, or confronted by a man in a heron mask. This is probably the same individual you’ve had brushes with previously. I don’t know what he’s after, but after digging through local folk lore, I found reference to… Where did I put it…”
He placed the data slate on the table, and turned to a battered and worn old book. “Here it is… “The Legend of the Widower”, it’s an esoteric text, but it seems to be the most solid lead I’ve been able to find.”
“According to the legends and folklore of this despicable city, the Widower is a local bogey-man, a monster from legend. The story goes roughly like this… long ago during the birth of the Calixis Sector, the Rogue Trader line of Haarlock brought with them across the stars a servant to protect their secrets. Ancient and terrible, it knew every price the Haarlocks paid for power; it was named the Widower and brought death to any who would try to learn its master’s secrets. It was a slave, and had no form of its own. There’s reference to “Living in Masques”, and the “Nameless Flesh”, but they’re scattered. Occasionally horrific murders are attributed to the Widower, but most are easily explainable by Carrion feasting on corpses… But here and there the corpses left behind are too… mangled to be the work of mere creatures of flesh and blood.” The scholar paused, checking his texts to make sure he had made no errors. Seemingly satisfied, he continued.
“It seems evident to me that the beast is just a fairy tale, but the insanity of the Pilgrims of Hayte may see them treat it as a real entity. Whatever they have planned, it revolves around the legend of the Widower, and is tied to “Haarlock’s Clock”. Fanciful fairy tales, as I said.”
The scholar paused and looked up, “Before I go any further, I need to know… Are you following this?”
The scholar coughed and continued, "Well, the best lead I've found thus far speaks to a woman known as the 'Spider Bride'. She's a sinister figure, who's said to live in the Asken Follies and in the Twilight Pavillion. Apparantly she's centuries old and is said to know pretty much everything that goes on in Xicarph." He paused to bite the nails on his left hand. "I think this would be the best place to start. See what she knows about this mess... What the Pilgrims are after. I'll stay here and continue to--"
"Pilgrims of Hayte? What did the White Scholar know about them?"
Illidan connects the data slate to his Micro Bead so the info can be heard through a secure channel and read off the slate. and hands the bead to Huntarr and hits the play button
A hollow look entered the White Scholars eyes as he hears news of the Inquisitors death. "I... I see. Well, I suppose you'll want to know what happened then? We were investigating the Beast House, it's leader Vulpa. We'd heard rumours he'd been trading in megafauna without a licence, then we found out about experiments on xeno-breeds..."
"Well, we went in prepared for one thing, but found that the Beast House was involved in something far more foul. I believe that we may be dealing with a group known as the 'Pilgrims of Hayte', though until now I was not certain but based on what you described..."
“From what I can tell, you had a brush with the Pilgrims of Hayte back there. The Psyk-scouring you related, at the beginning when you first awoke? That seems to point to the Pilgrims looking for something in your minds.” The man scratched his chin.
“I’ve been doing research into this issue, here’s what I’ve managed to gather…” He paused to look down at his data-slate.
“Firstly, the Pilgrims of Hayte turn up throughout this sector, here and there. The references are often scattered. From what I can tell, they’re an apocalyptic murder cult. The central tenants of the cult are that humanity's true place in the universe is that of a squalling, blind creature utterly at the mercy of a deadly cosmos and a hungering warp. To them, civilization, reason, faith, love, family, morality, hope, pleasure, and honor are all lies and stillborn dreams. The answer is total destruction, the violent self-immolation of mankind's carefully wrought web of lies and deceit.” The scholar paused, “They see the universe around us as a lie, I believe. The truth can only be found in death and obliteration of the self. Heretics, and dangerous heretics at that.”
The scholar looked back down at his data slate. “I believe they are following a cultist known as “The Heron”. There have been scattered records in Xicarph’s limited law enforcement records to people having been attacked by, or confronted by a man in a heron mask. This is probably the same individual you’ve had brushes with previously. I don’t know what he’s after, but after digging through local folk lore, I found reference to… Where did I put it…”
He placed the data slate on the table, and turned to a battered and worn old book. “Here it is… “The Legend of the Widower”, it’s an esoteric text, but it seems to be the most solid lead I’ve been able to find.”
“According to the legends and folklore of this despicable city, the Widower is a local bogey-man, a monster from legend. The story goes roughly like this… long ago during the birth of the Calixis Sector, the Rogue Trader line of Haarlock brought with them across the stars a servant to protect their secrets. Ancient and terrible, it knew every price the Haarlocks paid for power; it was named the Widower and brought death to any who would try to learn its master’s secrets. It was a slave, and had no form of its own. There’s reference to “Living in Masques”, and the “Nameless Flesh”, but they’re scattered. Occasionally horrific murders are attributed to the Widower, but most are easily explainable by Carrion feasting on corpses… But here and there the corpses left behind are too… mangled to be the work of mere creatures of flesh and blood.” The scholar paused, checking his texts to make sure he had made no errors. Seemingly satisfied, he continued.
“It seems evident to me that the beast is just a fairy tale, but the insanity of the Pilgrims of Hayte may see them treat it as a real entity. Whatever they have planned, it revolves around the legend of the Widower, and is tied to “Haarlock’s Clock”. Fanciful fairy tales, as I said.”
The scholar paused and looked up, “Before I go any further, I need to know… Are you following this?”
...End of Transmission..
"Those guys are bad news."
Aquires his Mirco Beads back
"Have you found any new leads on the heron mask? I see you have some new gear any hook up on some Manstopper Bullets im running low?"
Illidan address the group.
"we are going to need some cash, can't make any moves with this low cash flow. Pawning weapons and junk isn't getting us anywhere anyone have ideas on generating some thrones ?!?"
Refutation to Arena = 15Km
Refutation to Pleasure Gardens = 16Km
Arena to Pleasure Gardens = 9Km
illidand will place the 8 extra rounds in the clip for his autogun and prep it for use.
"who is the Target we must eliminate? Why has this Target been selected and does it have any relevance towards our mission?"
illidan syncs his micro bead with huntarrs
"Your contracts are your business. I am only interested in fulfilling the duties set before me from the inquisitor but If we have to crack some eggs along the way then so be it but if I am going to help wipe someone out I'd like to know more details. Who what where why when, how.
illidan laughs aloud
"Heck even in the military they lied to us with their propaganda. "These guys are xenos, heritics, deamons." Something. Or some form of compensation."
illidan walks over to Auraxis and closes his eyes focusing his power to his palms. Once again he rubs them together until they burst forth with firey green aura
Invocation test vs 57
illidan opens his eyes and covers Auraxis wounds
Light heal vs 7
Innovation successful so that is 20 vs 7
Health restored
Auraxis wounds seem to close with the intrusion of warp energy surging through his person.
"With respect, Master Illidan, as I have said, you're not helping to wipe anyone out. This is on me, and me alone."
illidan stands there in a slient stupor.
"Well in that case she is all yours"
"would you happen to have a photo or something of this scion of the house of meula? I may be able to detect his presence through the warp?"
"As long as we get what we need I don't care what you do with this Spider Bride. No doubt she is a criminal like everyone else on this Emperor Forsaken planet".
The transport drops you off at the bottom of a giant hill and the driver informs you that's as far as they can go you will need to walk the rest of the way up through the southern tip of the High Steps of teh Pleasure Gardens to reach your destination.
When you enter the gardens you notice the air here is much cooler than outside where it was rather hot and the whole area has a strange mirage-life quality to it, like a luxurious dream.
As you walk through the Twilight Garden it's like a maze with groves acting as walls. You hear strange sounds of pleasure and pain but see nothing as the walls block your view from the on goings of this strange place. You see a gravel walk way and make your way down it as it seems the most logical path to your destination.
The gravel walk way enter a world of shadily garden where shadows constantly move over groups of trees, small pools with water flowers, ancient looking stone statues, pavilions and net of gravel walks sometimes lined by marble benches draped with fine cloth and cushions. A strange singing bird is calling out somewhere out of sight, faint harp music fills the air and you notice a rustling in the thorny shrubbery off the gravel walk.
It's nearly impossible to tell which way is the right way from here when a beautiful pale lady makes her way to the center where you stand. She is extremely beautiful only wearing a loose fitting robe which shows all her features. She says "Welcome to the Twilight Garden of the Spider Bride I am Madina what is your pleasure sirs?"
"We seek an audience with the Spider Bride.
She smiles slightly at the man who spoke.
"Your names first please and then I will lead you to see her."
"I'm called Huntarr."
Huntarr will leave the others to identify themselves as they see fit.
Auraxis gives a slight bow, "I am Auraxis Aurilious my Lady".
Illidan activates the pict recorder and zooms in on the pale lady and all her splendor to ummm analyze later more thoroughly
"these guys call me Illidan" Illidan grins from ear to ear
"However sweet thing you can call me DADDY"
Illidan eye humps the $#!+ out of her
Psyniscience test vs 40 checking for warp disturbances, psykers, demons.
"They call me Brother Constantine. Well met!"
The pale lady bows her head slightly.
"Please follow me then"
She leads you through a series of passage ways through the grove. The maze seems extremely confusing and without her aid probably would have taken you hours to navigate when you finally reach the center where a 1 story building rests.
She leads you inside and the hallway is very dark lit by candles and you enter the center room where she waits.
The room is designed like a spiders web. Wires all interlacing and weaving down into a central point where she sits connected. Around the room you see a few other pale women watching you as you enter and also see about half a dozen servitors in the shape of spiders that come up to waist height. The clicking of their 8 legs moving through the tangled wired web with ease.
The Spider Bride smiles showing needle like teeth as you enter and the door closes behind you. Her voice is semi mechanical yet with a touch of sweetness to it that you would think could only be produced by a succubus of some sorts.
"Welcome Auraxis, Constantine, Huntarr and Illidan. I have been awaiting your arrival."
"Does that mean you know why we are here? Are you some sort of sorcerer?"
You see her body shimmer in the candle light as she moves a bit when Auraxis' Arbite mode kicks in with the questioning.
"Sorcerer? No my dear Auraxis I am no sorcerer just a piece of this world that knows things normal people would not.
"For instance I know why you are all here and I know that this one called Huntarr believes he will be ending my existence for a lowly mortal called Papa Grist.
"But instead of ending my life you will do what I ask of you and in return you will receive what you seek."
Her pale ladies and servitors seem to shift as she talks to you.
"Do what you ask? Do you think me a bag man? I serve the Emperor not you. I am here to punish the misdeeds of one who is your enemy, is that not service enough?"
"You claim to know our intentions, the info we seek, but you did even know our names. Seems like your power is limited, flawed, ungod-like like us "mortal."
"It knows exactly who we are. Constantine did not identify himself. It wanted to know if we would tell it the truth. It now has my attention."
The Spider Bride smiles and looks back and forth between the men in front of her.
"Mortal you say? Perhaps, perhaps not, I was a servant of house Haarlock for centuries until our master left and I remain while they are all but gone."
"I'll give you a taste of what you desire."
You hear a noise from a dark corner of the room as one of the pale ladies comes forward with a bound man in a pig mask. She pulls the mans mask off and you see a scruffy looking scared man.
"Auraxis this particular mask should look familiar to you when you were abducted."
The man yells "YOU DEVIL B@@~@! JACKAL WILL KILL YOU AND ALL THESE WHORES!"
His voice is silenced as a knife moves across his throat and his blood pours to the ground as he falls silently dead.
"You see? I want to help you but you must first help me"
One of the spider servitor moves over to her and she pets it's deformed head.
Auraxis frowns, "You want to barter information for favors? Destroying one enemy is not enough, you certainly are greedu like a mortal. So be it then. If having us slaughtering this Jackal is not enough then name your price. But know that we have many questions which we need to be answered before we can complete any tasks".
"Ask your questions then Auraxis of House Aurilious from Scintilia"
She continues to pet the servitor.
illidan chimes in
"They want information I want some tools and equipment I will name what I want once the interrogation is done"
Huntarr listens quietly while Auraxis questions it.
The Spider Bride turns her attention to Illidan quickly and smiles at him, her needle like teeth shiny in the candle light.
"You will get what you need from me not what you want."
She then turns her attention back toward Auraxis.
Auraxis asks his questions in a very direct way with no beating around the bush as if he were running an interrogation and not potentially surrounded by hostile servitors and a creature of unknown quantity.
"What are you?
Who is Gabriel Chase and what does he have to do with the Pilgrims of Hayte?
Vulpa we believe is the Heron Masked man, is that accurate?
He is the leader of the Beast House I believe but where are their headquarters located?
Who or what is the Widower and does it have a connection with the Heron Masked man?
What is their ultimate goal?
Is there someone we can trust to acquire weapons to deal with these foes if they are indeed experimenting with Xeno Breeds?
What is the Steel Clock?"
The Spider Bride licks her lips in Auraxis direction.
"You should come see me after this is all done Mr. Aurilious. There are many pleasures I would enjoy showing you if you survive the Dark Revels."
"As to your questions... I am but a servant of House Haarlock. Gabriel Chase is not a person but an estate owned by House Haarlock. You see the Haarlock family was a very powerful family on this planet. Gabriel Chase is where the powerful go to play during the Dark Revels"
"Vulpa is not who you think he is. He is not the Heron. The Heron, I can see him, yet only dimly, for the Ruinous Gods walk in his wake. Hollow and nameless, he carries the death of this world in his mind, and may succeed where others have failed before."
"The beast house are but pawns, the Heron is the true enemy here."
"I fear the Widower will serve no more. Spite has consumed him, and the key may be in his hand now to end his own suffering and this world's with it"
"The blood may tame him if it has the will, but to slay such a beast as he is no small thing; no trifle of the laser's heat or the assassin's needle to perform, but his heart plucked from it's keeping place and shattered, will shatter also his living death."
"In dread of the Traveller's return we serve."
"Now as to what you will do!"
One of the pale ladies comes forth with a hat box that could easily fit the head of a human inside it.
"You will bring this to Mr. Huntarr's friend Papa Grist. Once the package is delivered one of my ladies will provide you what you require to find this dark passenger before it is to late. You do not have much time though the hours of the Dark Revels are upon us soon. Go now or be doomed with this planet."
The pale lady hands the box to Huntarr and speaks softly to him.
"Do not open this box only Papa Grist can, if you do..." she trails off and smiles as she walks away.
Huntarr chuckles at that.
"Papa Grist is not my friend, or I would refuse your request. The truth is that I would have killed him after I killed you. Such rudeness as his would not go unpunished for long. Your way, I suspect, will be much more elegant. I will do this."
"You answer most of my questions with riddles you must be a sorcerer. Whose blood will tame the Widower and who is this Traveller?"
"We already have the answer to your first query. The scion of House Melua. His blood is of the Haarlock bloodline."
The Spider Bride smiles at Huntarr when he mentions Melua's name.
"You players in this game of fates must move quickly. The Dark Revels will fall upon us all soon and the fate of this world and perhaps the whole sector lies in your hands."
Huntarr takes the box under his arm.
"We'll take care of this. Then we can get more information. But time is wasting."
Huntarr turns to leave but stops and looks over his shoulder at the Spider Bride.
"One thing before I leave. Do you know where La'rax Melua is being held captive?"
She says "You will find out soon enough."
"I will take that as a 'yes.' Please prepare to tell us when we return. As you say, time is of the essence."
Huntarr heads for the exit.