Aevelyn nods in recognition of the solemn nature of the oath presented before her.
This must indeed be a serious matter for the Archbaron to invoke this. I truly hope I do not regret this...at least my father will be proud...
There is only a slight hesitation in her voice as she responds, "Of course Archbaron. I willingly and gladly reaffirm my loyalty to our Queen!"
Hehe, Val is going to be so angry. Smiling at the Archbaron and with no hesitation, "Not a problem."
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For the right amount of gold, Idnswear my mother was an auroch!
"Oh yeah, I'm in. Tell me what to say and I'll take your oath!"
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Once you agree, the archbaron pulls back the thick curtains of a nearby alcove, revealing a golden stand gripping a chunk of black crystal that smolders like a gigantic, hellish ember, filling the room with a crimson glow the color of blood. "The stone is an ember drawn from the forges of Phlegethon—one of the layers of Hell—that burns with hellfire. You must touch the crystal while swearing the Hellfire Compact."
"One of you at a time, lay your hands upon the stone and recite the following: “I swear my absolute allegiance to Archbaron Darellus Fex, Her Infernal Majestrix Queen Abrogail II of the Thrice-Damned House of Thrune, and the Empire of Cheliax.”" There's an unfurled scroll conveniently next to the stone, with the words on it, in case you should forget.
Breeze looked at the others, quite unsure as to whether or not she wants to place her furry paw onto an obviously hot crystal. "Any way we can say the words without setting ourselves on fire, Archbaron?"
150 gold a week, 150 gold a week... Breeze kept repeating to herself.
She looked closely at the fiery crystal, then closed her eyes and stuck her hand over it. She quickly opened her eyes and read the words off the scroll, doing her best to not screw up the words.
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Touching the Phlegethon stone deals 1d6 points of hellfire damage, half of which is fire damage and half of which is damage from unholy energy. Evil-aligned creatures and creatures with the evil subtype take no damage from the unholy energy. The hellfire leaves a scar shaped like the symbol of Cheliax upon the PC’s flesh.
Once Breeze has finished with swearing the Compact, Aevelyn steps forward and grips the hot crystal and recites the words off the scroll, “I swear my absolute allegiance to Archbaron Darellus Fex, Her Infernal Majestrix Queen Abrogail II of the Thrice-Damned House of Thrune, and the Empire of Cheliax.”
The pain is far greater than she anticipated but she is able to complete the recital without passing out.
This scar is quite...becoming I think!
Reaching out and grabbing the firey stone then begining to speak, "I swear my absolute allegiance to Archbaron Darellus Fex, Her Infernal Majestrix Queen Abrogail II of the Thrice-Damned House of Thrune, and the Empire of Cheliax.”
Sucking in a deep steadying breath while pulling her hand back and grasping it with the other [i]Yes Val is going to be so angry.[/ooc]
"Augh, that smarts! Burned right though my fur! Dammit!". She quickly pulled her paw back from the fire. She waited to see if all of her group would follow through with the indoctrination.
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Cimri is the fifth to follow suit, taking the Hellfire Compact just as the four of you have. “I swear my absolute allegiance to Archbaron Darellus Fex, Her Infernal Majestrix Queen Abrogail II of the Thrice-Damned House of Thrune, and the Empire of Cheliax.”
"Agh!" she grimaces, and holds her damaged hand in the other for a few moments after the injury.
Once all of you have sworn the Hellfire Compact, a familiar voice—Razelago’s—drifts from behind a curtain on the opposite side of the room.
“I told you they’d be up to the vow,” Razelago says. “And eager to get to work, I suspect. Which is good, considering what I’ve just uncovered.”
Archbaron Fex impatiently crosses to the alcove, pulling back the curtain. “There’s no need for your dramatics any longer, Razelago,” he says.
Inside the alcove sit a stool and writing desk heaped with pages. Clinging to the desk, almost unbalancing it, is a bloated fly’s abdomen of monstrous proportions from which sprouts the chubby upper body of a human infant. A neck hidden by fatty folds swivels and a pair of black, compound eyes squint against the light. Insectile mouthparts flex enthusiastically between pudgy lips and Razelago’s voice issues forth: “As you say, My Lord.”
These lesser devils stand just over 2 feet tall and rarely weigh more than 25 pounds.
Still shaking her paw from the unholy fire, Breeze had no idea what the strange baby insect creature was. She shrugged her shoulders, to really caring, so long as the promise of gold was true. "What have you uncovered? A chance to make some gold sounds pretty good to me," the feline purrs.
Aevelyn eyes the newly revealed form of Razelago with a well practiced smile. "A pleasure to meet you again Razelago. I trust whatever information you uncovered is related to the events we noted earlier in the town square?"
Smiling, "It is a pleasure, Razelago. And like everyone one else I am very interested in whatever it is you have learned."
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Razelago looks to you, “This Angel Knight doesn’t appear to be just some fiction concocted by an overzealous priestess. A talentless local minstrel named Riley Kels claims to have met her, and has even composed a series of ballads in her honor. While the amateur’s singing is crime enough, he performed these songs at The Last Stand Tavern last night—which incidentally broke the new curfew and sanctions against gathering.”
Glancing to Fex, Razelago continues, “If it pleases Your Lordship, our friends here should arrest The Last Stand’s owner, Bolgart Caggan, for defying the new law. I suggest pillorying him in front of the jail as an example to others. Additionally, see what you can find out about the Angel Knight from Kels.”
Aevelyn nods readily in agreement with the plan proposed by Razelago. "It would be our pleasure to demonstrate your authority to those who refuse to see the truth." She twirls a lock of hair thoughtfully. "Still, caution is advisable here as the Angel Knight is the true threat to us. We shall interrogate this Kels person immediately!" Aevelyn finishes, her eyes gleaming at the prospect.
"This isn't the same guy who threw chili at me, was he? If so, it'd be an honor to show him some manners. If not, a jobs a job and I'll see it's done properlike."
Still smiling Shioh nods, "That would be our pleasure" I am not some common ruffian but I suppose I have to start somewhere.
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After you have presented your reactions to the assignment, the archbaron explains that, should you need to reach him, they should do so via Razelago, who will continue to reside at the Ash House. Fex also asks you to wear the sashes Razelago provided them with as badges of their new, official authority. With business concluded, Fex wishes you luck, and rings for a slave to see you out.
Breeze actually puts the sash on this time, feeling a more powerful connection to the team, and just generally stronger. In the library, she had found a small treatise on a god of thieves, Norgorber, that she started reviewing voraciously. She was quite keen on his focus on trickery and guile, rather than just brute force. After spending time reflecting on the teachings, she began to develop a couple of new tricks she was itching to show off.
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You are shown off the archbaron's estate without incident, and you are now free to return either inside the town walls of Longacre, or the Ash House just outside the town walls. (Or any other place, if you prefer.)
Showing up at the Last Stand can be done anyday -- today, tomorrow, or further away, but of course, the sooner you make a statement against unlawful gatherings, the less it has time to get out of hand. If you do go to the Last Stand today, you will need to decide whether to do it before dark or after dark.
Aevelyn fits the sash on her body, admiring how she looked in it. While the material was nothing to write home about she did enjoy the aura of authority it exuded.
"I think we should head to the Last Stand immediately." She remarks to her fellows. "Preferably before dark. I do not wish to waste time here."
Nodding and the frowning, "I would rather change first. Last time there was flying food and I do not doubt it will happen again."
Breeze growls, thinking of the flying pot of chili. "Yes. I expect things to get a bit messy once again. Let's change first. And then I'm fine with heading right out."
Breeze happily marches the others toward the Last Stand, ready to hand out some of her brand of justice. "I can't wait to make an example out of this Bolgart!"
While the group walked, Breeze inquired about the scene they just left. "So that little Razlago was a demon the whole time? Crazy. What did the rest of you think about that Archbaron? Do we trust him? I'm still not sure."
Aevelyn smiles broadly, "I am also looking forward to showing that upstart who actually runs this city! As for the Archbaron," She glances around the street, almost as if expecting trouble, "it is wise to fear him and not to trust him fully. However, as long as we follow the instructions laid out before us, thus proving ourselves of use, then we will have no reason to distrust him."
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After changing at the Ash House, you make your way through the streets of Longacre toward the Last Stand tavern. Since it is not dark yet and curfew is thus not yet in effect, there are some people in the streets, but not many. What few there are, cast wary glances in your direction since Nysene is much more heavily armored than your typical civilian.
Arriving at the Last Stand, there is no commotion on the outside and it's easy to enter the establishment. If you enter, you will find the tavern populated by thirteen individuals.
Battered shields and dull polearms decorate the walls of The Last Stand’s taproom, overlooking the tavern’s bar and tables. A small stage rises to the left of the bar, in full view of the room.
A bard sits on the stage, strumming a cherry wood lute and crooning an awkward ballad he’s titled “The Angel of Longacre.”
Bolgart Caggan stands at the end of the bar, wearing a heavily stained apron, though he doesn’t have the pot and spoon he wielded earlier.
The tavern’s patrons mutter and shoot you nasty glares, but don't actually do anything.
Longacre citizens shall not congregate in groups numbering greater than six in private, or in numbers greater than twelve in public. Exceptions will be made only for families with more than six members or for individuals undertaking the natural course of their business. Gatherings for the purposes of celebration, education, or religion are not exempt from this order.
Other parts of the decrees than those cited above may be relevant as well.
Aevelyn lays a hand on the impetuous catfolk. "Easy Breeze. While the law states implicitely there is to be no more than twelve people gathered in public, it only takes one person fleeing the establishment for them to satisfy the law's requirement. I would suggest we worry about Bolgart first." As her gaze travels over to the bard a smile creeps onto her face. "Besides I see someone I am very interested in having a conversation in addition!"
[[oc]Outside during the walk[/ooc]
Nodding along with Aevelyn, "You would be a fool to trust him that quick. We have to earn trust and so does he. Though do to the power he welds we have little say in the matter."
Looking around, Ten, eleven, twelve, and thirteen. Why would they be that dumb? "Who?"
"Do not forget the staff that works for Caggan. That would prevent him from violating the law here."
"Okay, gang, time to break it up. I'm not sure why you are violating the new decrees, but you are. Bolgart and the hard...you two stay. The rest of you get home now and we'll forget this happened."
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The first responses don't come from Bolgart or the bard, but from the other patrons who are told to leave.
"Wot? But I just *got* here!"
"I still got 'alf me drink left! I ain't gonna leave it undrunk!"
"I just *got* a new drink, you gonna pay for it then guv?"
"I 'ad an 'ard day, you want me to just up and go 'ome then, eh? Work all day in the fields then straight to a naggy wife and whining brats? I *deserve* me rest and relaxation!"
"I say, it's still light out. You lot ain't got no call makin' us go anywhere!"
"Who you think ye are anyway, bullyin' us all like this pretty as ye please!"
"What you got against them anyway, Bolgart done more for Longacre than alla youse put together! Bleedin' outsiders tryin' ta butt into our business!"
Because of Nysene's convincing delivery, however, the complaining just stays complaining for now. Two of the patrons finish their drinks, put their mugs down a bit loudly, shove out their chairs, stand up and head for the door. Then a few more. Little by little, the patrons finish their drinks or abandon them and start to trickle out of the tavern. Caggan, the bard, and the two waitresses, however, aren't going anywhere for now.
As you begin to usher the patrons out though, Caggan takes offense at the disruption of his business. "Look now, you sods, you got no right! I'm running a legitimate place here, we ain't breaking no rules, so you oughta just get out of here and let these people eat and drink IN PEACE!" His voice gets louder with every word until he's practically yelling towards the end. "Get outta here and leave my business alone!" He comes *right* up to Nysene, invading her personal space but coming *just* short of actually touching her. "You get out of my place if you know what's good for you" he growls in a voice dripping with icicles as he stares at her eyes threateningly.
Aevelyn fixes a steady look upon Bolgart as the impudent man approaches her bodyguard. "SIT DOWN, Mister Caggan. You are under arrest for violating the Baron's decrees and shall be punished for said crime. Do not compound your crimes further." Her gaze grows steely as she continues as her tome grows threatening. "We have shown you the uttermost respect...but our goodwill extends only so far."
Breeze growls. She wants to slice Bolgart from throat to belly but that wasn't included in her orders. She waits to see if the others could talk him down. She also keeps close look on the bard, ensuring the group didn't lose track of him. "And Kels, don't get any funny ideas about running. You stay here too. We have questions for you."