Doug M's Way of the Wicked (Inactive)

Game Master Douglas Muir 406

The wanted posters have reasonably good sketches of you and rather lurid descriptions of your crimes. There's a 1,000 gp reward for each of you, and 1,500 for Sir Edmin. Apparently the High Court, under pressure from popular demand, is going to apply directly to King Markarian for a Royal Edict allowing all of you to be drawn and quartered after torture.

VIII. See A Man About A Dog

Sir Edmin unlocks his door and steps into his room... and stops: the chair in front of the fire is occupied. The knight snarls and reaches for his axe.

The figure in the chair stands and raises its hands in a gesture of peace. Then it bows. "Sir Edmin! Our new Champion!"

He could almost be a tall, muscular man... if it were not for the faintly glowing red skin, the eyes, and the horns. The eyes are a solid sun-yellow, without pupil or iris. The horns are complex and branching, like antlers. It's strangely difficult to see them; they seem to fade and become translucent, then transparent, as they branch away from him. He is dressed in an elegant but conservative suit, and carries a battered-looking black leather case with a handle.

"Please allow me to introduce myself... my name is Dessiter. I am a Phistophilus... what you mortals call a Lord of Contracts."

"It's a real pleasure to meet you, Sir Edmin. Our Father selects only a few Champions. You're a very special man." Dessiter gestures at the other chair by the fire. "May I have a few minutes of your time?"

Bref makes his way to find Cy.

Witchy Witch! What this do?

-

Sorry have to go to work Bref, DM will give details I'm sure, then how about you and I check on Grumblejack after my morning meeting with our benefactor.

It's a Potion of Cure Light Wounds.

Edmin composes himself and walks into the room closing the door behind him and moves to the chair. "I am only a man doing his duty Sir, and am thankful that The Dark Lord found me worthy of such an honor."

He holds out his hand, motioning the devil to sit, then then takes his seat. The knight leans his axe against the armrest and places his hand on as if to keep it from falling over. "How may I be of assistance Sir?"

Dessiter smiles broadly. "It's really quite simple, Sir Edmin. We want to help you in your new career." He leans forward and his expression becomes thoughtful. "We strive to provide a wide range of high quality products and services that are tailored to your individual needs. In your case, as a new Champion, your needs are... more complex than might seem at first glance."

"You see, many of my clients think they know what they want. An enemy cursed, a love object enchanted, wealth, fame, a few more years of life... a warrior like yourself might ask for a magical weapon, understandably enough. And there's nothing wrong with any of those things, of course!" Dessiter chuckles. "But with someone like you, Sir Edmin... why, we want to give you several things in one package."

Dessiter begins to tick points off on his clawed fingers. "Imprimis, client is first and foremost a Champion of our Dark Lord. Therefore, the gift should be one that helps him in combat -- for he will be often in combat -- or otherwise helps him in his chosen career. Secundus, the client has been betrayed, more than once, and still feels that pain. A gift that is utterly loyal, then, is preferable. Tertius, the gift should grow in power and terror along with the client."

"And so..." Dessiter snaps his fingers. There's a flash and a faint smell of sulfur. A creature appears in the room with you. It's a dog... or, really, more of a half-grown puppy. The dog snarls. Dessiter snaps his fingers again. "Heel!" The dog sits instantly, but still growls. "There!" says Dessiter. "Master!" The dog immediately stops growling. It looks at Sir Edmin for a moment, then walks over and puts its head down at his feet.

This is the dog that we discussed by PM -- your Master of Hounds companion. It has one difference: it does not gain the ability to wear leather armor. Instead, it has the Fiendish template. In this case, that means Resist cold and fire 5, SR 6, and a modest Smite ability that does +2 damage. Once the dog hits 5 HD, it will gain DR 5/Good.

Very Nice!

Edmin looks from the dog to the devil and back again before getting out of his chair and crouching in front of the dog. He takes the animals head in his hands and looks it over, inspecting it's teeth, eyes, and muscle tone.

The knight sits back up and looks Dessiter in the eyes."The Dark Lord has my soul and now my thanks. It is a magnificent animal. I will insure he is used as a tool in the service of The Master."

The dog will be absolutely loyal to you. Somehow, you know this, deep down in your bones.

The dog's default starting attitude to every other living thing is Hostile.

Can't wait to introduce my dog to Bref!

Dessiter raises a finger. "No payment is required. There is, however, a single condition. I wish to remain, if not anonymous, at least obscure. Please do not mention my name or my involvement unless you are directly asked by a superior in your command. I have my reasons for this -- one of which being, I will tell you now, that I might like to do business with you and your colleagues at some time in the future."

"If you are willing to agree to this condition, simply say, 'I agree'."

shit. That is going to be an issue

s$!+. That is going to be an issue

Well, people do find dogs. And it's not *obviously* fiendish. Yet.

its the dog part. Not the fiendish. Goblin here :)

Oh, after a wacky beginning you'll find friendship in what's sure to be the feel-good comedy of the year.

The younger priest spots Zimu looking out the window. He gives her a shy smile and a wave as the inquistorial visitors get back into their carriage and drive away.

Oh, now I get the roll.

The cheese and milk maid flashes a bright innocent smile.

The wanted posters have reasonably good sketches of you and rather lurid descriptions of your crimes. There's a 1,000 gp reward for each of you, and 1,500 for Sir Edmin. Apparently the High Court, under pressure from popular demand, is going to apply directly to King Markarian for a Royal Edict allowing all of you to be drawn and quartered after torture.

So what your saying is if I wanted 6,500 gp all I have to do ...

and your little dog too!

Not for nothing but Cуровую just used the most famous witch one liner out there.

DM I simply love that Rolling stones song. I've had the chance to meet and dance with The Mick a few times! He is old enough to be older than my grandfather but talk about charisma! He used to frequent Lotus in New York before it closed, and now goes to Double 7 a lot. I can't open youtube which is a pity, really amazing song. I wish I was playing Sir Edmin right now.

Is the Cardinal home? He is. "My dear! How may I help you?"

-

Cуровую enters the Cardinals rooms, followed by a servant with her and Edmin's special package and a second servant bearing Count Grey tea and fresh cheeses and biscuits.

'My Lord Cardinal, my thanks for sparing a few moments to see me today. You are the voice paramount of the dark prince but let it not be said that you are also an exceptional host.

Your guests never know want. Truly, if a war against the Kingdom were not imminent, one could almost get used to this kind of life. You have the dark prince's favor and have shared it with us.'

Cуровую will wait to be offered a seat, dismiss the servants and ask them to close the door, in the meantime she will pour some tea and ask if the Cardinal prefers it as is, or with sugar or honey.

When the Cardinal offers her a seat, she will thank him again, ask him if he has any question regarding her fellow members of the IX and get to business.

'My Lord Cardinal while your gift for hosting is irreproachable, there are others who sadly do not have your skill.'

Cуровую will then open the package she had the servant bring in, and had cast Prestidigitation on after taking from Edmin.

'My Lord Cardinal, I present our former host at Brandescar, the Lord Warden Mathias Richter.'

The witch reveals a quite well travelled head.

As they walk back to the library...Are we allowed to destroy the servants? I am not sure they are needed and we will be violating one of the rules?
Were we given any directives concerning the staff? They seem to be at our disposal.

Dren nods at Zimu as he walks into the library with Jax. He is not sure what to make of the female yet.
She is obviously a manipulator, using her status as a female to try and subvert most of the males around her that are outside of this group. He does find their reactions quite interesting though.

As the servant walks in a serious looks comes over his face and it's almost as if his appearance changes....the mild young introvert suddenly exudes an unearthly power as he speaks to the servant, You will do as you are told by the two of us. Not complying with our directions will result in you being turned over to the dwarf named Zargo for experimentation before we slowy feed your soul to a fiend!

intimidate 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (17) + 9 = 26

In the library

Intrigued, Cуровую watches the tiefling and walking shroud with keen interest.

Edmin thinks for a moment before speaking to the devil. "Who exactly is giving me this gift, the Dark Lord or you. Not that I would not accept it, but I do like to know exactly what I am getting into. Also, how am I going to explain the gift? I am sure my hound will be noticed and questions will be asked."

Edmin thinks for a moment before speaking to the devil. "Who exactly is giving me this gift, the Dark Lord or you. Not that I would not accept it, but I do like to know exactly what I am getting into. Also, how am I going to explain the gift? I am sure my hound will be noticed and questions will be asked."

"I have been... sent. Many eyes watch this enterprise in Talingarde."

"Be assured that there are no strings attached! The dog's nature is to bond to a master. Bond only once, and permanently. Whatever its provenance, it is now yours and yours alone."

"As to questions, there are only two in this house who have the authority to ask you questions. And neither of them will consider it unusual for a Champion to have a companion. Many do. It usually happens later in their career, but on the other hand the companion is usually more fearsome." Dessiter smiles at the pup. "Of course, he's a long way from his full growth... But, yes, Sir Edmin, we have thought this through. There should be no troublesome questions."

Were we given any directives concerning the staff? They seem to be at our disposal.

No one has said anything about this one way or the other.

You will do as you are told by the two of us. Not complying with our directions will result in you being turned over to the dwarf named Zargo for experimentation before we slowy feed your soul to a fiend!

intimidate 1d20+9

The servant cringes in terror and will do as instructed.

Your guests never know want. Truly, if a war against the Kingdom were not imminent, one could almost get used to this kind of life. You have the dark prince's favor and have shared it with us.'

The Cardinal smiles. "My dear... you should get used to it. You are an exceptional person! Does not our Father tell us that the strong do what they will, while the weak suffer what they must? As you are strong and clever, ruthless and loyal, so should you prosper."

"And of course this is only the beginning... there will be times of hardship ahead, to be sure. Challenges, difficulties. But when this kingdom is remade, you will have the life you deserve, and live like the queen you are."

'My Lord Cardinal, I present our former host at Brandescar, the Lord Warden Mathias Richter.'

The witch reveals a quite well travelled head.

The Cardinal smiles indulgently, as a man might whose cat has just dropped the slaughtered corpse of some small animal at his bedside. "Well done, my child. Well done." He looks at the head for a moment, rubbing his chin. "I knew him slightly, years ago... he indulged himself in study, ignored his assigned task, and suffered the consequences. Take the lesson, my dear: folly and negligence bring down their own punishment."

The Cardinal picks up the head by the hair for a moment, turning it to and fro. "Hm. I'm almost tempted to pass it along to Doctor Zargo -- he's been asking me to find him another spellcaster -- but I gather he needs brains that are still alive, or anyway freshly harvested."

He brightens. "Ah, I just had a thought... I daresay your last conversation with the good Warden was cut short. Would you like to continue? This will take a few minutes, but we have a nice pot of tea."

The Cardinal can cast Speak With Dead. If you have any questions you want to ask the late Warden, you may do so. It takes a few minutes for that spell to get up to speed, so you can sip tea and chat casually until then.

Edmin nods his head at the devil. "Then I agree, and thank you, and Those That Watch, for such a fine gift. Of course I will be open to doing business with you in the future, as long as we can reach a mutual agreement."

The knight pauses for a moment as he scratches the hounds head. "I would be interested in finding information on my new order. This is all new to me and I would like to follow any codes that may be in place. Anything you can refer me to would be greatly apreciated."

Dren returns to his normal more or less meek self before walking around behind the servant...he then looks expectantly at Jax, interested to see what the tiefling will do.
As a back up thought Dren also prepares to cast command, if needed, to stop the servant from possibly fleeing...

The tiefling pauses, one hand on his chin with its elbow resting in the crook of his other arm. Hmm..what to do what to do...Ah what the hell. He bursts into a cheery smile and takes the servant by the hand.

Hello, my friend! Don't worry about the scary one, we won't let him hurt you. You see, we only need your help for but a moment. We have a bet, a wager, one might say regarding this book over here. The large one with the pretty binding. Its a beautiful book, don't you think?

He'll pause momentarily, leading the servant to the book. The wager, you see, is what others think of this one painting in the book. I'm convinced its a delerious balor but my companion here is convinced its actually a polymorphed unicorn-dragon hybrid. Would you settle the bet for us..just turn to page twenty.
Bluff-> 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (14) + 5 = 19

As soon as the servant bends over the book, Jax promptly reaches over with a dagger and cuts the man's throat. Thank you for your help, my friend.

After sending Morsum to play/scold Toothpick, the Judge heads back downstairs to see what the others are up to. If he cannot find anyone, he will likely have the servants bring him some tea and then find a good book on the Mitran belief and the directives of their Inquisitors. I assume that there would be some books of this sort here, after all, "Know thy enemy." (Figure this is to help with Knowledge(local/nobility/religion)).

I do not expect to walk into the library while Jax and Dren are feeding the servants to hungry books.

"I would be interested in finding information on my new order. This is all new to me and I would like to follow any codes that may be in place. Anything you can refer me to would be greatly apreciated."

Dessiter purses his lips. "You Champions are so rare, Sir Edmin, that each one is something of a special case. Unique; sui generis."

"That said, certain general principles do apply. I would say, oh Champion, that you should meditate upon the Fourth Loyalty. For now, it is your time to follow. But one follows in order that, some day, one may rule." Dessiter stands. "A pleasure meeting you, Sir Edmin. I look forward to the next time." There is a discreet flash of light and a wisp of smoke. Dessiter is gone.

The dog snarls at the place where he was.

The servant has time to give you one shocked, accusing glance before dying.

Just as in your vision, the blood pours onto the page. You have the strong impression that the book is lapping it up. And just as in your vision, you are now able to pick up the book and read it.

The servant's body, mostly drained of blood, lies on the floor.

Of course, now you'll have to face the consequences...

hahahahahahahahaha

Finally after many days Bref is feeling better.

Tiadora! He calls out several times as he wanders through the halls. It is at last time for him to face her.

Dren watches the man die without emotion...he has seen it many times. What he does watch is Jax's reaction to it followed by the witch's reaction to it...he then watches the book to see its reaction or what it does afterwards...

The next day, I will check the forms after you have completed them to make sure you have no errors. No point in you getting into more trouble than you already are.

He obviously sees no fault of his in the endeavor...or has no idea why these forms are needed...

Tiadora! He calls out several times as he wanders through the halls. It is at last time for him to face her.

Halfway down a dark corridor, there is a stirring in the air.

"What do you want, goblin? Do not waste my time."

Jax is curling up with a good book.

Here we go. Make a Will save, please. While you're at it, might as well roll for your paperwork too. Dren's assistance will give you +1 on your Int roll.

Pretty Witch! Goblin want learn! Goblin make mistake get in trouble. Pretty Witch have much power. Toothpicker not want make Pretty Witch mad, want make right! Goblin like scar from Pretty Witch, but not want another!

Pretty Witch say Goblin make mistakes again, Goblin no want to!

"I am not here to teach you, goblin." Tiadora takes a deep breath, stretches, flexes her fingers. A human male might find this very distracting. Bref, being of a different species, merely notes that Tiadora seems extremely fit. "I am here to hurt you when you fail to teach yourself."

Goblin allowed go through locked doors above ground? Told no go underground. See goblin learn ask before do!

Bref smiles agreeably.

"Do you think the locks are there for no reason, goblin?" Tiadora steps closer. "I am told that there are those who hate or despise you because you are a goblin. Understand that these distinctions are meaningless to me. I don't hate you because you are a goblin. I hate you for yourself." Tiadora's eyes almost seem to glow in the dark corridor. "And I look forward to the day when you are delivered into my hands."

Goblin understand. Goblin still like Pretty Witch. Goblin try change Pretty Witch mind.

Tiadora sneers, turns, and walks away without another word.

Never say never. But, definitely an uphill climb.

Pretty Witch full of hate. Good to know. Eyes glow. Maybe Pretty Witch not Longshanks? Bref ponders to himself.

oh almost seem to glow. misread on my part

Human Resources Management, Lawful Evil style: I wait for you to cross a line so that I can torture you. (But on the plus side, she's not racist!)

Bref leaves his DELIGHTFUL meeting with Tiadora and skips down to the Cardinal's office. There he waits for him to be present.

Red Thorn! Goblin want talk?

The Cardinal is sometimes absent but never for more than a day at a time. So if you're willing to wait a bit, you can always catch him.

"Yes, my son. Please come in. How may I help you?"