"You are the lowliest man I have ever seen, and I say that with great disdain, having swam amongst the beggars and down trodden of Cheliax." he says, tightening his grip along his scythe. "Women have died. Women, Baroi. What was yours doesn't matter anymore. This no longer concerns you, and frankly, your ill-timed fate would effect nothing..."
With that, he loses control for just a moment, lunging forward and stamping his foot on the barons hand, holding his movements, and raising his blade against the man's soft, welcoming neck. "NOTHING. IT WOULD EFFECT NOTHING! Do you hear me you blasted fool!"
Before pain could travel up the Baron's arm, he was seized with greater fear as the Chelaxian had a sudden display of zeal. Cool steal, sharpened and far wicked than anything Stephan had dealt with gave the fearful animal the impression he was before the reaper. A small nick, barely thick enough formed on his throat, snapping the Baroi back into reality.
"P-p-p-please...n-no-no.." he said as his fate neared.
Twisting his heel, he began questioning, much to Fearn's surprise. "Where is it! WHERE! What is the root of this you blasted fool! Answer me before I make your NECK SMILE AND NEVER STOP TALKING IT'S CRIMSON FOOLISHNESS YOU BASTARD!" Shadrick roared, seizing somewhat with unholy zeal.
[ooc]He's pretty scared and sure. Spilling guts time
Turning a paler shade of white, sweat profused down his brow, and his eyes grew dark as Shadrick stood menacing before him. His voice stammered, producing unaudible whimpers until his mouth found the right syllables. "The...s-s-had-dow p-p-plane."
As if a huge weight was dropped on the Baron, he slunk down, fearful of what will happen next.
At the mention of the shadow plane, the priestess turned and faced the Baron. Sanira's ashen cheeks would have flushed with rage, had her pallor flesh been capable of truly showing it. She approached, only just barely restraining herself from gripping the Baron's tiny neck.
"Continue, Baroi; you try our waning patience. What of the Midnight Lord's domain? Which of your crimes has his realm suffered? How will you bear the agony of your sins?"
Even she was surprised at the calmness of her voice. It was the same calm, soothing voice of the Umbral Court's representatives.
"Continue, Baroi; you try our waning patience. What of the Midnight Lord's domain? Which of your crimes has his realm suffered? How will you bear the agony of your sins?"
At behest's Sanira's sudden interjection, the interrogation intesified as the Baron was caught off guard with the fetchling's interjection. Feeling compelled to divulge the truth, less he suffer a long and grueling death at Shadrick's dispense, Stephan complied.
"It..it..was..." words failing to form.
Tears continued to streak down his face, and much of his clothes looked as if his sagged from the sweat and terror that man had lived in."The..midnight..mirror.."
Laurenteiu's face grew dark as he looked away, decades of dutiful service for the Baroi Household and its treasured memories seemed to fall as the Baron mentioned the object.
Fearn edged up closer to Shadrick. The man seemed so upset, nearly unbalanced. He might do anything in his anger. Even so Fearn didn't reach out to stop him, not yet. The dwarf had no idea what the Midnight Mirror was, but it was clearly important. They were finally making progress with Baroi.
Sanira turned her back on the Baron, staring off at the shadows cast across the manor. Each dancing shade seemed to be praising her actions, but she suppressed any sense of accomplishment she felt. If her Master was truly blessing her action, she saw no reason to cease.
"I'm sorry, Baroi. I thought I asked for answers, not whispers."
She shook her head, as though in regret.
"Perhaps your family will show a little more reverence."
Turning back around, she crouched and put her face within an inch of the Baron's.
"I'm sure it would be an honor for them to bear the weight of your sins. I wonder which bits the Midnight Lord will lay his mark upon first? Perhaps the eyes..."
Sanira taking her cue emerges forth again, and strikes terror within the Baron.
"I'm sorry, Baroi. I thought I asked for answers, not whispers."
She shook her head, as though in regret.
"Perhaps your family will show a little more reverence."
Turning back around, she crouched and put her face within an inch of the Baron's.
"I'm sure it would be an honor for them to bear the weight of your sins. I wonder which bits the Midnight Lord will lay his mark upon first? Perhaps the eyes..."
Stephan cried out. With closed eyes, it means that he would live in eternal shadow. knowing full well that the Priestess who was somehow a magistrate of Zon-Kuthon's will could at any point deliver retribution on behalf of their patron would derive the greatest pleasure, Stephan complied because he was a doomed man.
he said with desperation.
Sulking, the Baron's skin was taking on a palor like that of Sanira, all life force slowly draining from his skin.
Impatience begins to win out and Fearn can't help but jump in.
"So what did you do with this mirror? And how did that cause the current disasters?"
Realizing that another voice broke out from the companions, one that spoke of reason, tempered with patience ( atleast, compared to Shadrick's outburst ). "Its...complicated..." Stephan said while shrinking down.
Sanira grew tired of the games. She took her foot and planted it firmly on the Baron's shoulder, shoving him to the ground.
"I don't remember asking for complications, Baroi!"
She was practically fuming, but continued with the same cold tone as before.
"Speak. The truth, and all of it, or I will have your tongue out. Perhaps it will be more helpful than you."
Cornered, and unable to worm his way out of Fearn, Shadrick, and Sanira's interrogation, the Baron divulged the truths that led to Karpad's destruction. Taking a long breath, Baroi's voice came out cracked and dry, as if it pained him to share precious knowledge.
"My rule, my power, and current head of my family's proud mansion would not have been earned without my...benefactor.." he said cryptically. "It started out one day several decades ago when I stumbled upon an heirloom. As a child, my family warned me of the Midnight Mirror, and how terrible evil loomed within it. Though...in where my family saw monsters and terrible shapes, I saw something else. A reflection of my desires...a mansion that bore MY family, and with it, a barony to rule."
Licking his lips, Stephan's eyes seemed to glaze, relishing the terrible past. "I would venture to that chamber, and fantasize about my future, one where my brother's weren't standing in my way for the throne. And then...it spoke to me." Casting his face downward, a greater fear manifested within the Baron. "He offered me everything I wanted...and a gaurunteed manner in which I can rise to power, should I bring my brother's to the mirror. Ioziff was easy, as his pride led him astray. Henric, followed shortly after. I admit...I had no idea the gravity in which He would do to make my will realized, but my brothers, were less formidable in running our lineage that it was only natural that I'd take over. I even struck a deal with Father Miklos, to atleast give my selfish brothers a proper edifice, though theirs was simply a decoration within the Baroi Mausoleum."
It seemed strange, and quite sickly, that the Baron in all his wickedness rose, and a dark countenance took over his face.
"But not everything lasts. Once my brothers were...disposed of, He wanted more. His desires grow..unpalpable, even wishing to take my first born daughter after her presence became known about a decade ago. Elysia as she was named, had gone before He could lay hands on her. Her birth was...betrayed any noble lineage as a true Baroi, and I had her sent away..." Clamoring for moisture, Stephan grabbed a chalice nearby whose contents matched the brown leather armchair that resided in the corner like naughty child. "But...patience...is a deadly attribute. Another time, when I had seemingly asked the Midnight Lord for penance blessed me with a proper child, one that I'm proud to welcome into this world! Though...even He learned of my family's new addition and demaned that I bring my newborn to Him! I couldn't damn my child to a fate like my selfish siblings! I did what I felt was right for both my family, and my town! And in that, I had covered the Midnight Mirror, and reneged on my deal with the Mirror's sole occupant. And thats...when strange things began to happen."
Feeling the effects of Nidalese Brandy, the Baron seemed less effected by Sanira's presence, which may have been a good thing considering how irate she seemed. Though, any amount of numbness was a good thing for Stephan.
"It came at first like a weird infection, which took on a contagion. Thinking that He used his servants, the fetchlings, I had assumed theirs was a vengeance waiting to happen! This Tallowthroat had spread like a maddening litany against me! Everything I had worked so hard for, and bargained with would have been lost had it not been for Ilquis! That Fey, a seemingly creature who's ambitions spoke of hatred towards the dark seemed like the answer I needed! But alas, I have not heard from him! And now...I'm before my judge, jury, and executioner. Is there anything else you wish to threaten me with? I am damned, and there is nothing you can do to me considering a paladin, who's righteous mind stands before me. Enough bloodshed has happened, what will your's add to, hmm??" Stephan said with liquor filled confidence. Slumping into his arm chair, he looked upon the party like nobility unamused at a bard's performance.
Fearn finds his won anger swelling to match that of Sanira and Shadrick. He shakes his head vigorously.
"You stand twice damned by your own tongue of killing your brothers and liege-lords. 'Suffer no murderer on the throne,' says Wilstone's Apocryphal Book of Torag."
"You have consorted and bargained with evil fey and fiends. Ilquis has betrayed you and creates shadows and undead. 'Bargainers with Hell reap only damnation.'"
"Who shall judge a king, but the gods? Before you is a triune of god-chosen. Speak in penitence and truth and you may win Torag's voice to temper justice."
"Tell us the nature of your benefactor in the mirror. How does he manifest Tallowthroat? Why has he not struck at your family despite your betrayal? "
The baron's confidence betrayed him when Fearn's interjection of truth entered.
"You have consorted and bargained with evil fey and fiends. Ilquis has betrayed you and creates shadows and undead. 'Bargainers with Hell reap only damnation.'"
"Stay your tongue. By what do you mean that Ilquis has betrayed me? Even now, he must be working towards curing the blight of this land!"
"Who shall judge a king, but the gods? Before you is a triune of god-chosen. Speak in penitence and truth and you may win Torag's voice to temper justice."
Clutching his chalice with a shaky hand, he looked upon the paladin with disgust, knowing that he had a point. "Try as you might, fair knight of the forge, but your patron's hand has no place within the realm of the shadow blessed..."
The baron's confidence betrayed him when Fearn's interjection of truth entered.
"You have consorted and bargained with evil fey and fiends. Ilquis has betrayed you and creates shadows and undead. 'Bargainers with Hell reap only damnation.'""Stay your tongue. By what do you mean that Ilquis has betrayed me? Even now, he must be working towards curing the blight of this land!"
"The fey has no power over tallowthroat. He duped you and used the place you gave him as a base to murder villagers, raise them as shadows, and make sacrifice to call more of his kind into this world. He was not be pleased that we drove him from his lair."
"Who shall judge a king, but the gods? Before you is a triune of god-chosen. Speak in penitence and truth and you may win Torag's voice to temper justice."Clutching his chalice with a shaky hand, he looked upon the paladin with disgust, knowing that he had a point. "Try as you might, fair knight of the forge, but your patron's hand has no place within the realm of the shadow blessed..."
Fearn's mind churns with a number of retorts. He realizes that the baron is getting off topic again and that Shadrick and Sanira had greater power to sharpen the baron's focus.
"If you are right, baron, you face a harsher fate at my companions hands."
"Indeed he does, good Fearn."
She stared at the Baron, staring through him. To his very soul.
"While I respect your loyalty to your patron, this one is the property of an entirely different Master. And he will suffer an eternity at his hand."
Walking across the study, Sanira sat herself down in the Baron's armchair. She crossed her legs, scraping at the fine upholstery with her gauntleted hands. She considered partaking of the man's brandy, but decided his liquor was tainted by his sins.
"Now. Speak of your benefactor. I assure you, the kayal are no one's servants but the Midnight Lord's. Dare he to intrude upon the Master's domain?"
"The fey has no power over tallowthroat. He duped you and used the place you gave him as a base to murder villagers, raise them as shadows, and make sacrifice to call more of his kind into this world. He was not be pleased that we drove him from his lair."
"That...I cannot even believe that..." he said while having a hard time fathoming the paladin's words.
"Now. Speak of your benefactor. I assure you, the kayal are no one's servants but the Midnight Lord's. Dare he to intrude upon the Master's domain?"
Gulping the last of his brandy, the Baron regarded Sanira with a sidelong glance.
"There's...no end to this..." Casting aside the chalice, the leader's face turned a scarlet. . Sharing his session of whining, Sanira didn't seem a bit interested.
"Fine, you want to know who he is?!" saying with a puff. he said while pausing, as if the outsider was hiding within the room. "Nicasor..."
Leaning herself back into the chair, Sanira shuffled around to make herself as comfortable as possible. She considered the Baroi's words, wondering if he was foolish enough to try and deceive the Midnight Lord.
She closed her eyes, trying to recall if the name had ever come up before. Surely there had to be some connection between this Nicasor and the Barois. Or to this Mirror. If it truly connected to the Shadow Plane, why did she know nothing of it?
The name Nicasor is an old one, where centuries ago, sometime before the age of darkness, a particular Shae had lead a revolution containing shadow folk such as shaes and fetchlings against the Stephan's ancestors, but failed in his attempt. Some say that he was banished, others think he was destroyed.
: Nicasor belongs to a race known as the Shae which originate from the plane of shadow. Unlike fetchlings who are humans tainted by the plane's essence, Shaes are shadows given form. Though, the last reported Shae was seen sometime before the Age of Darkness.
: While no mention of Nicasor has been reported within the Holy temple of Zon Kuthon, some rumors within the clergy point towards heretics within the Kuthite faith that had aligned themselves with residents of the Shadow Plane.
While Sanira made herself comfortable within the Baron's study, Laurentieu grimaced, and disposed of himself, knowing that his Master's safety was guaranteed.
"My Grace, I am to check on Lady Anya. Excuse me."
Motioning the retainer away, the Baron stood alone within the cadre of companions. "I don't suppose you are to help me now? All the aid I have listed has been as substantial like smoke..."
Smoke is all you deserve. Why should anyone help you?
Fearn waits to see if his companions can draw out any more information about this Naicasor.
"Help you? I don't see why we should. You've told us nothing that would help us. You've done nothing of worth. I've a mind to leave you to be consumed by both self-loathing and this Nicasor."
Fearn doesn't bother to hide a bit of the disgust that this man raises in him.
"I told you. Only by truth and penitence would you win a word of mercy from me. Now tell us about this Nicasor and your deal with it."
"I told you. Only by truth and penitence would you win a word of mercy from me. Now tell us about this Nicasor and your deal with it."
"Trust me...you wouldn't want to bargain with...him." The Baron said while moving towards the library stack. He pulled a book at random, and flipped through its pages, trying to give hands something to do. "Nicasor...is a convincing entity. I mean, it took my forefathers to handle him, and even now, there's a crack within the mirror, slowly leaking his prison like plane into my lands. Its a surprise that we're not all consumed by the shadows."
After a session of self-depreciation, Stephan looked towards Sanira, but quickly glanced away. He couldn't help but feel shame and bitterness towards her.
"If Nicasor were to be released from his prison, unspeakable horrors would befall not only my barony, but possibly all of Nidal. He's...a patient, cunning, and very dangerous shae." Born from fear and desperation, a chuckle escaped Stephan as he snapped the book he held shut. "Luckily, the only way for him to ever gain freedom is if someone is willing to trade bodies via the mirror. But if given a century's worth of anger, can your anger truly be abated?"
Discarding the book like his responsibility, the Baroi looked towards the companions.
"There is no doubt that I'm to blame for my town's plight. That much is certain. And yes, I'm a damned man. Zon Kuthon has a punishment set aside from me, but there's a way for some light to shine through...yes! Clearly, you all care for the town in some ways. Paladin, you can't help but to correct the wrongs in your path; Chelaxian, you're probably interested in the flesh, or perhaps securing another beachhead for your Infernal Magistrix; and fetchling, you can't help to let some shadowy villian sit idle and let his forces destroy your home! HEED MY CALL! FACE THE DARKNESS!! CAUSE THE MIDNIGHT PRINCE KNOWS, I CAN ONLY LEAVE THIS WITH YOUR HELP!!!!"
The sudden display seemed ripe out of a taldan theatre house. Perhaps, there had been some good within the Baron, or perhaps not.
Hearing the sweet words. Those sweet words leave the good baron's mouth. This... uncouth bargaining. Within every sane man there is a line, and should it snap, there is something that happens with said man. Shadrick's line is most assuredly on it's last legs...
Gripping his fist with the taloned gauntlet he'd had, a small trickle of blood left his palm, much like Sanira would do with her own devices. The bleeding only barely soothed his relentless levels of rage...
"You foolish. Foolish. Man..." he said as the bloodied palm gripped his scythe. "I will only do one more thing for you. One. This is the end of my pity, and I assure you that your death will, without a doubt, not be quick..." He said as the trickle fell a bit from his finger tips.
"I am. First and foremost, a beloved of Lilith. Fallen Angel and patron deity of Hedonism. I hail from the House of Mavis, sixth house of Lust in southern Cheliax. On my word as a house member, I swear to you, I will rid this world of that Shae."
Though he had just agreed. The intimidating glare that he was giving the man was... horrendous, to say the least. Echoing in his mind, he continued his last sentence; "And after it. You."
The Baron's confidence shriveled away at the sight of the Chelaxian's passionate speech.
"I am. First and foremost, a beloved of Lilith. Fallen Angel and patron deity of Hedonism. I hail from the House of Mavis, sixth house of Lust in southern Cheliax. On my word as a house member, I swear to you, I will rid this world of that Shae."
He gulped hard, and seemed to remember the shakiness from moments ago, recognizing that perhaps...his life could've been in better order had he not relied on the shae in the first place.
"Well...met...Shadrick..." the Baron said, as he did his best not to look upon the fighter. "Since...we're on the same team..so to speak, rather than send you to your deaths, I don't know what it is that you adventurer types need to do to prepare for such an endeavor."
Know (religion)
Know (nobility)
Know (aid another)
Fearn wracks his brain trying to remember what a shae is.
Some useful gods-blessed information would be a good start! How did this trice damned Nicasor do in your brothers? Why are you so frightened of him if he can't leave the mirror?!
Leaning on the arm of the chair, Sanira rested her head upon one hand.
"If I recall correctly, Nicasor was the leader of a rebellion against your forefathers, yes? Perhaps it runs in your blood to provoke the ire of creatures of shadow. Certainly your treatment of the kayal says as much."
She sighed, watching the Baroi squirm beneath the gaze of three very angry - and heavily armed - adventurers.
"I care not for your fate. Were it my decision, I'd let the shae have his way with you, then let our Master attend to your soul's eternal suffering. We need only a cure for the plague you have brought upon us with your foolishness. Your suffering, your fear - you have earned them."
You know that some who lie within Zon Kuthon's domain turn their worship to the shadows, some more relying on Shaes.[/ooc]
: You know nothing relevant to Shae's and Nobility[/ooc]
: Unfortunately, you've nothing to help contribute.
The baron couldn't say anything to counter Sanira's arguement, but chose to stand and shake violently, trying to hold back his anger and resentment. Casting a hard glance at the paladin, his attention shifted as he caught Fearn's gaze.
Mustering up the courage, Stephan spoke up. "So...are you going to handle this problem...or berate me for my shortcomings.."
"No, I am not going to handle this problem for you. Nor will I waste any more breath berating you. I am going to offer you .... " Fearn pauses to draw breath. "... salvation. Prove that you have the right to rule. Prove that you have not lost all courage. Throw off the mantle of fear that you've draped across your shoulders. Gird yourself and grasp your weapons. Face the shadow to set right the wrongs you've done. Fight to save your wife, your son, and your people. All your people. Fight to make your son proud, so that he knows his father was a real man and a leader."
Diplomacy +2 more if Baroi is considered hostile or unfriendly
Diplomacy retry if needed from Fearn's trait
9 = 4 +3 Ch +3 class (+2 v hostile or unfriendly, 1 retry)
"No, I am not going to handle this problem for you. Nor will I waste any more breath berating you. I am going to offer you .... " Fearn pauses to draw breath. "... salvation. Prove that you have the right to rule. Prove that you have not lost all courage. Throw off the mantle of fear that you've draped across your shoulders. Gird yourself and grasp your weapons. Face the shadow to set right the wrongs you've done. Fight to save your wife, your son, and your people. All your people. Fight to make your son proud, so that he knows his father was a real man and a leader."
Casting aside the shroud of doubt, Stephan looked upon the Paladin, recognizing that true aid comes from one's innerself, not half hearted prayers and offerings. Maybe there would be light towards the end of this..
In anycase, Stephan nods in agreement and saunters towards the room's egress.
"Fair Paladin, though your words have the zeal and constitution as a tre knight of Torag's domain, I alone hold the key that which bring you in and out of the Midnight Mirror. Having been the consignier with Nicasor, there is no way in and out of the mirror without my hand. Though, I will help prepare you for the journey." he said while motioning for the heroes to follow.
Somewhat uneasy, Stephan peaked sideways before emerging from his study. Tremors within the man could be seen, as even in his own residency, he was not comfortable. Rounding the bend and heading down a pair of stairs which lead to a heavily sealed door. Producing a key from within his outfit, Stephan undid its security, and opened the threshold wide. Two candelabras, who's flames burned with magical graces created a permanent source of light within the room. It was a small chamber, something akin to 30ft, a lone object stood to the far end of the room, covered by a thick sheet of mausolin.
Pulling back the covers and unleashing a storm of thick dust, the Heroes where wet with the Midnight mirror. It was a man sized object, with delicate embroidery that serpentined around an oval mirrored surface. Suspended in mid air by chains blessed by the church of Zon Kuthon, Stephan gave a small gesture towards the hallowed object.
"And this...is the mirror..."
Following Baroi, Fearn's mind turns. At least the baron is moving, but he's not shown any change of heart. It may get nasty when we get to the mirror.
The dwarf's thoughts shift to Shadrick Mavis. "I am. First and foremost, a beloved of Lilith. Fallen Angel and patron deity of Hedonism. I hail from the House of Mavis, sixth house of Lust in southern Cheliax. On my word as a house member, I swear to you, I will rid this world of that Shae."
I was so blind. All the man's little peculiarities. His chivalric focus on women. The way he savors pain. I should have seen this. I am a blunt pick for being so completely taken in by such a deluded soul. How can I stop now? I've called him battle-brother and I need him for the challenge ahead. But how can I trust even his oath? Sanira's god at least demands respect for law. Torag, I am isolated amongst evil. Help me find my way home.
Faced with the mirror, Fearn pauses at the far side of the room. "Before we approach closer, I must look with the eyes of wisdom." He openly calls upon Torag to reveal the nature of things.
When he is done, Fearn seizes Baroi's wrist. He looks to Shadrick and Sanira. "Baroi claims that he alone can open the mirror. But I do not trust him to release us if we enter. We have heard his confession of fratricide. We pose too much of a risk for him to let us out. If he will not come for the sake of his soul, he must come for the sake of our safety."
Nodding, Sanira watches the Baroi squirm as Fearn holds him with the grip of a dwarven zealot.
"I am still not entirely disinclined to merely toss him to the shae. With everything he has done to this village, neither Zon-Kuthon nor the Umbral Court would have any qualms with such an action."
Sanira paced around the room, watching the strange and mystical mirror in the center. It practically oozed magic, even without further study. She circled it, pondering its intricacies. How exactly did one become trapped within it? And was Baroi being honest about holding the key to escape? It also begged the question...
"If the enemy within is truly so dangerous, why have you not merely destroyed his prison?"
Fearn detects evil auras within the following -
Shadrick Mavis (Strong)
Sanira (Strong)
The Midnight Mirror(Strong)
However, the Baron remains clean...
"Baroi claims that he alone can open the mirror. But I do not trust him to release us if we enter. We have heard his confession of fratricide. We pose too much of a risk for him to let us out. If he will not come for the sake of his soul, he must come for the sake of our safety."
Fearn's tight grip clenched the Baron's flesh, serving as an anchoring Stephan to respond to the party's inquiries barring his elusive nature.
"You've a point, paladin. Being that I'm closer to my goal of ridding this impossible benefactor once and for all, it would be against my best interests to merely abandon you within the mirror. All I ask is for trust.." he said while trying to redeem himself. A hard stare from Sanira, and the click of her heels was enough to continue the Baron's nervous state.
"If the enemy within is truly so dangerous, why have you not merely destroyed his prison?"
"This mirror functions differently than other mirrors. Having been broken centuries ago, Nicasor could have tricked any of my family to release him. But then thats when the beauty of the mirror came into effect. Nicasor needed someone on our side to switch bodies with, a trade of souls if you will. Hence why Ioziff and Henrich met their ends...
Fearing a strike from Shadrick, or possible torture, Stephan shouted with desperation before someone could put him under.
"To simply destroy the mirror from the outside is nothing short of madness and a waste of one's time! The magic that was crafted into this device is too strong! The prison would still exist, and may even continue to lead the shadow plane, truly creating a darker valley!"
Wresting control, he motioned towards the mirror and retrieved an object from behind the mirror. Scallene, and constructed of the palest amethyst, Stephan held up the shard of glass.
"The only way to destroy the mirror, and rid this land of evil is to go within and destroy the Plane's physical manifestation...with this shard."
"Trust is a difficult thing to ask for, Baroi. Does not the Midnight Lord ask for loyalty? Have not you failed him?"
Sanira paced around the room, stopping in front of the Mirror and staring into its surface. It was a truly marvelous piece of craftsmanship, likely made by some of the greatest shadowcallers of Nidal. How it had ended up in the hands of a fool like Baroi... that was another story.
Turning back to Baroi, she locked eyes with the man and tried to read him. Was he truly repenting his crimes? Or was he seeking to eliminate them?
"Suppose we do agree to willingly imprison ourselves into an extraplanar realm solely at your mercy. You offered precautions. What do you have more than this... shard? It looks... ineffectual."
"Trust is a difficult thing to ask for, Baroi. Does not the Midnight Lord ask for loyalty? Have not you failed him?"
Despite the Baron's best interests in trying to get the party to side with him, Sanira was ever the watchful one to remind Stephan where he stands with Kuthite religion.
"Sanira...you've a point, and I know...trust me...I know, of all people, I'm not last person anyone would need, but please, just give me a chance!"
Stephan couldn't help but to feel the scorn of the adventurers, as well, everything was his fault.
"Suppose we do agree to willingly imprison ourselves into an extraplanar realm solely at your mercy. You offered precautions. What do you have more than this... shard? It looks... ineffectual."
Holding up the shard of glass, he ran his fingers along its delicate crystaline edges, nicking himself in the process, adding crimson to an otherwise immaculate amethyst object.
"In this realm, I hold nothing more than a crude weapon. But..to truly destroy the mirror, one would need to enter its surface, and destroy its so called heart."
Fearn glares down the hall with frustration. His hammer swings in a slow pendulous arc by his right calf.
"Why exactly did Ioziff and Henrich meet their ends again? And how?"
"And you've still offered no compelling reason for us to trust you once Nicanor is defeated and you've gotten what you want."
Sanira laughed, nodding her agreement.
"Nor do you offer a single lick of aid. If you truly believe I will willingly imprison myself at your leisure with nothing more than a shard of glass in hand, you are an even greater fool than I could have dreamt."
Well, that's a great question. I posit that he didn't intend for his brother's to die, but it was more or less an side effect from his duplicity.
As is the tallowthroat and Ilquis' involvement. Sure, the Baron was responsible for bringing in the Lurker in Light, but he wasn't directly involved with Ilquis' plan.
I make a horrible lawyer, but thats how I see it.
said the baron as he shrank beneath Fearn and Sanira's looming figures. "I didn't mean for ANY OF THIS to happen! Sure, I'm going to pay for all these problems, and yes, I'm at the center of it! But I'm trying to amend for my ways here! I could have had the lot of you executed for causing so much trouble, es-especially you, fetchling!" he said with gritted teeth.
"My brothers merely came to the miror and Nicasor I believe switched places with them! Okay! What I'm merely suggesting is the opposite - you go into the mirror!"
And in his moment of confidence, he ripped the glass shard from Sanira's grip, and pointed it towards the mirror.
"I can't expect for you to understand this, fetchling, but the only way to destroy this mirror is to break its core - with this!"
Baroi leaned against the cold polished surface of the mirror, and stared deeply at it while whining.
"This is the way how it has to be..."
Fearn stares at Baroi. How could the man be so clueless?
"If you want Sanira's help you'd best show her a little more respect. She has courage and honor and is willing to risk herself to protect her people in service to her god."
"And if you want my help, you're going to have to show a little of those traits yourself. Get a weapon, Baroi. I won't go into the mirror in your stead, but I will follow you in."
Baroi's face reddens matching the crimson that once flowed from Sanira's wound.
"What part of me not entering the mirror is that you don't understand! The moment I go inside, Nicasor's gonna destroy me!" the baron cried out, moving away from the mirror.
"The only chance that we - I have to stop the mess is to send you within the portal, destroy the core, and escape! Once Nicasor becomes aware of my presence!"
He started to move towards the door, and casting a side long glance, he muttered something under his breath.
"Question me, how dare they..."
Three quick steps and Fearn latches on to Brevoi's shoulder with his iron gauntlet. He whirls the baron back around.
"If Nicasor is so powerful, what chance do we have? You would send us to our deaths and the mirror will eventually fail. Nicasor will be unleashed in this world to the ruin of you and your family. Your son will be his."
"If we are strong enough to defeat Nicasor, you will be safe with us. If not you are doomed anyway. Who will give you aid if we fail?"
"Be-beca-because, I.." said the Baron as he collapsed on the paladin's armor, a face filled with tears and sobs tremoring though his body. "I didn't expect any of this to occur. It wasn't fair that brother's gained the spotlight and attention of father where I was cast aside, like an unwanted!"
His eyes swollen with grief, he looked at Fearn, trying to implore resolve from the stalwart warrior.
"You put me in there, and Nicasor will feed off my fear. He'll shred me, and hang me up to dry, like some launderer's labor. No! I cannot do this!"
Sanira had few words left for the Baron. He was even beyond pitiable, just a pathetic excuse for a man. She stood, head slowly shaking her discontent, as the Baroi wept upon the paladin amongst them.
"Is this all you can muster for your home, Baroi? Excuses and tears? Then I see no reason not to let this Nicasor have his vengeance upon the Baroi. It is deserved, and surely my Master would agree."
It seemed for a moment, the Baron tried his best to hold back tears, but alas, he had found the paladin as a competent handkerchief. Though, Sanira's interjection only further added to the man's sorrow.
When the Baron had no tears left, he managed to slowly pull himself away and stare at the fetchling with puffy red eyes.
You stand there, haughty and sardonic, toss your insults at me like a reveler faced with a game of darts, yet, I see no action by you. Surely, you care about this land and what becomes of your people. Have you no compunction to stop what threatens your home?" Taking a step away, the Baron motioned for the mirror.
Within its misty swirling surface, the Baron saw his reflection, a pale image of a man who had given everything for personal ambition.
Maintaining a hold on the baron, Fearn turns to Shadrick. "Shadrick Mavis, would you wager your life on the word of Lady Baroi? If you would, bring her and her son here. I will accept her pledge that we will be brought out of the mirror."
Sanira could stand it no longer.
She laughed. Laughed at the Baron, the situation, the madness of it all. Had Nidal fallen prey to some demon's tampering?
Her voice bellowed through the chamber, a suppressed anger at last exploding outward. "The kayal? The very people you treat as dogs?"
Crossing the distance between herself and the Baron, she grabbed the man's arm and threw him to the ground. She stood, towering over the coward.
"How dare you claim concern for them. You have no right to judge anyone, Baroi. I care more for my people - for your people - and for Nidal - than you could ever dream of. You are merely fortunate that your life more agonizing than the release of death."
She reached to her side and pulled one of the long, curved blades from its resting place, putting it near to the Baron's neck.
"Though I'm sure the Midnight Lord would approve of a little bloodletting in the right spots. Now - I suggest you grow a spine and provide proper aid for a mess of your own creation. And perhaps you'll even do it before your wife sees you as the quavering pile of failure you are."
"How dare you involve my wife in this matter! Everything was for her, and now you try to use her as leverage against me!" he said while under the grip of the paladin. "It's one thing to redicule me for my shortcomings, but its another to involve my family!"
Stephan was surprised that even the Paladin would go through that length to insure justice.
"Fair paladin, you are miles from your home, and yet you wish to establish your sense of justice. Is my word - that of nobility and order - of which you, as a champion who respects law and order, must obey?" His eyebrows cocked, and his face twisted into a smug expression despite being swollen and pale from his bouts of fear and crying.
"Then if so, I wish for you to remove this...dog! She has did nothing but contribute to my ire, spouting excerpts from faith as if to gain standing. Zon Kuthon has no place for common ilk!" Stephan said while casting a dark look against Sanira.
Watching this situation go on for as long as it had, Shadrick scoffed, until Fearn made his suggestion. "I would trust her word against his, that's most certain." he said, pulling out his whip and letting it fall to the ground.
Looking at the Baron as he insulted sanira directly, he made it a point to claim the following. "We will involve your wife, you troubled old fool, and should you insult Sanira one more time, I will make sure to leave a bit more than just a mark..." he said before pausing, and then quickly cracking the metallic whip in the air.
He wasn't kidding.
"Involve my wife you say? How you would relish that?! No doubt a Chelaxian would wish to find an edge against me, and perhaps send me under your diabolical masters!" the Baron said while still within Fearn's grasp. He seemed to weasel and fidget around despite nearing the very edge of the group's patience.
Turning sideways, Stephan's duplicity increased as he was literally in between Sanira and Shadrick.
"Say Paladin, you must be enjoying how this situation is turning. You demand justice, and I - my nation needs aid, but here we are squabbling because your companion's pathetic ego's demand importance. How impetuous that your allies wish to do me harm, even in your presence! Even I know that one of such stalwart order cannot allow this to happen." Fabrics slowly began to tear from the Baron's doublet, allowing him closer to the ground. "And even so, to threaten a man by using his family. Really, even you have fallen fair dwarf!"
With a sigh, Sanira lifted her blade to the Baron's chest.
"Enough games. We have been patient. I see you are nothing but a coward and heretic, and must instead be properly motivated."
With a lunge, she thrust the dagger at the man's abdomen.
Fearn twists his fist, tightening the baron's shirt.
"Good is not the same as stupid. Respect for the law does not mean blind obedience. "
"You've said nothing to exculpate yourself in the death of your brothers and daughter. You avoid the chains of your obligations and claim that I should take your place."
"I am not going to allow harm to come to your family, Baroi. But I will not trust you, nor will I help conceal your unfitness for any office be in baron, husband or man."
"I will trust your wife to allow us out of the mirror. If you still want her respect, I propose that you labor to earn her respect. "
Fearn releases the baron, but stands bewteen him and the door.
Standing with her blade halfway into the man before her, Sanira practically whispered to Fearn while her eyes stared into the cowardly Baroi.
"Waste not your words, good dwarf. This hollow man is beyond redemption for both your patron and mine."
A cold shiver spread thoughout the Baron as he clenched his abdomen. Blood. Bringing up crimson stained hands, he stared long and hard at Sanira.
. A true kuthite would have welcomed the sudden bloodshed as a suitable service to their lord, but the Baron's reaction betrayed his faith.
Wiping his bloodied hands upon the Paladin, The Baron cried out to Fearn, hoping to insight divine wrath from Torag's faithful.
"Now you pick and choose which side of the law you wish to abide by, Dwarf. But look! isn't there some precendant when a citizen openly strikes her lord - because, if you are stupid, such action warrants punishment! She openly committed treason and here you stand debating with me politics that you seem to be confused about." Pointing a bloodly finger at Sanira, the Baron continued.
"I've had enough with you! Spiteful, disrespecting my order, treasonous, preaching me matters of the faith when you clearly shouldn't be a follower of Zon-Kuthon, and even going so far as to
Breaking out of Fearn's hold, the Baron goes to escape the room.