"Malleck, a word if you don't mind."
When if Malleck pauses,
"The place could use some red paint, wouldn't you say?",
*evil smirk*
To clarify, we're not talking about the big gatehouse (rooms 3 and such). I'm talking about room 1, at the far north of the bridge.
The horns that echo in reply, the alarms: are they coming from the prison or from outside? Solomon is trying to figure out from which direction the cavalry might be coming!
To answer another question: the portcullis is open
The horns are coming from out in the town a bit far off.
The maps that you gathered (from two locations I think) both show a clear path for you to reach the old Moor Road.
"Maybe we best hurry. There might be reinforcements coming, and I won't be much help in battles before resting a bit"
"We can't actually run, we need to end this, then move as fast as we can"
Taeral makes a break to get on the other side of the portcullis before it comes down.
-------------------------------------------------
On Going Effects: Message (Grumplejack), 10 min;
Seeing the others breaking for it as well, hearing the horns coming from the town ahead and foreseeing an overwhelming tide of authorities, Solomon lowers his head and charges out beneath the portcullis. He has short legs, and a significant load, but he's never been too prideful to take flight. Live to fight another day, ya know?
Gertrart grumbles as the party takes off. "They were worried about the ogre not us," but he doesn't spend the time to argue. Once on the other side of the portcullis, he pauses and waits to get everyone through. "This bag of shields might stop the portcullis from fully closing," he thinks, readying to drop the bag under the dropping gate.
After escaping the prison and crossing the moors with guard patrols at your heels, finding the house on the Old Moor Road pales beside your other accomplishments. As promised, a lonely lantern burns in the upper story. The place otherwise shows little sign of habitation. Old but well-appointed, the house is large, imposing and alone on its hill. Painted a dark green and surrounded by barbed wrought iron fencing, nothing about this place seems inviting or a sanctuary. Still, it is your destination. Where will you go if not here? You have an appointment to keep. Best not to keep your nameless benefactor waiting…
At the door of the manor house, you are met by a beautiful blonde woman, who Mordacai recognizes as Thiadora. The only difference from when he saw her last is her dress. She no longer looks like she is destined for a funeral. Instead she wears a diaphanous white gown that makes her look almost angelic.
When she speaks, any illusions about her angelic character are quickly dispelled. “Dearest, you took long enough,” she says pitilessly. “We were beginning to wonder if you’d ever make it. Oh, and you brought friends. The master commands all of you to appear before him but before that, you must be made presentable. Slaves!” She claps her hands. A dozen young attractive men and women all wearing very traditional servant’s livery appear quickly, their heads bowed. “These people are our guests,” she commands imperiously. “See them to their rooms. I want them cleaned, dressed and refreshed. Quickly.” There is something in that last word that sounds like a threat. Certainly the slaves take it that way, hustling to perform their duties.
The slaves hastily show each of you, including Grumplejack, to a room, inside those rooms you find warm water, soap, and some bathing towels and such. As you complete bathing, a slave enters with a tray of hot food and fresh water for you. I won't say it's of each of your favorite meals, but it is certainly better than anything you have had in recent memory. You also find clothing that fits you perfectly, and is of a style you personally prefer.
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As the group is alone after being "assigned help", Xeram shares it with the others.
"All those slaves, she's got them all under her finger by some sort of an enchantment. Refined, having that number at the same time."
I'll have to look into that later.
"Well met again, dearest Thiadora. I apologize for taking our time, but there was such fun to be had with the guards. I would present you my companions, but somehow I have the feeling you know of them already."
Then Mordecai turns towards his companions. "Dearest partners-in-crime, this is the woman I met in the prison, and who helped to arrange our escape. As she says, she server a master who is very eager to meet us. And likewise, I am very eager to meet our benefactor"
In his room, the tiefling enjoys and marvels the warm bath, a luxury he has never experienced before. Only the smell of food and his empty stomach manage to get him out of the tub. Promising, so far. But nothing is free, I wonder what will be requested from us
Once cleaned and sated, Mordecai dresses himself in the gifted clothes; a perfectly fitted robe in black and red - the sacred colours of the Archfiend.
After you have had several hours of leisure: bathing, food, dawdling with the slaves if so you choose, Thiadora comes to each of your rooms to round you up, "the master beckons, I shall take you to him." She leads off, expecting you to follow.
At last Thiadora leads you to a beautifully appointed office richly decorated with dark wood and sumptuous brocade tapestry. Sitting in a leather high-backed chair is a devilishly handsome fellow who smiles as you enter. “I believe you to be the first to ever escape from Branderscar Prison. Well done! Of course, you had help from the outside,” he says with a wicked smile.
“But enough with the pleasantries. You must be curious why I’ve helped you. Rest assured this is no random act of altruism. I have brought you here for a reason. My name is Cardinal Adrastus Thorn. I am the last high priest of Asmodeus left on the island of Talingarde. Once the Prince of Nessus was rightly revered alongside the other great powers. Now, the king of Talingarde has become a puppet to Mitran fanatics who wish to destroy any religion that does not bow to their insipid sun god."
“For their blasphemy, I will see the same people who imprisoned and condemned you suffer. I understand what you went through for I have faced it myself.” With that, he pulls down the sleeve of his robe and reveals his own runic ‘F’ brand. “I am going to burn Talingarde to the ground and from the ashes I will build a new nation that knows its rightful master. I cannot do this alone. I seek servants worthy of our Infernal Father’s majesty. Have I found them in you?”
He rises and his eyes flash with hellfire and divine purpose. “Join me! Serve me well in this holy endeavor and I will raise you up in the eyes of gods and men. I will make you princes of the new Talingarde. Today, swear fealty to me and to Asmodeus. Put aside forgiveness and I shall give you vengeance. Put aside mercy and be made powerful. Put aside peace and become my harbingers of war. What say you? Will you swear your allegiance or will you burn with the rest of the blind fools?”
"I have no problem. He gave me my powers to start with"
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Xeram's watchful eyes observed the two individuals.
Charismatic people, in power. Servitude is not my thing, but if via working with them i can gain power yet again, i will play along for now.
"You'll pardon me for not knowing of Asmodeus."...he pauses briefly to see their reactions before resuming, "I am from distant lands you see, if working for your prince yields reward of power and crushing these blind fools, then i'm in."
"To the Archfiend I have already sworn fealty, and here I do the same to you, Cardinal. I shall serve you, and I shall burn down this pitiful town and it's pathetic people. And so I shall glory of Asmodeus return to Talingarde"
Mordecai seems very eager, fanatical almost, as he praises the plan and the name of Asmodeus.
"Prince Gertart of Taldine.
Gertart the Bloodied Prince.
Desecrating Prince.
Bloody Prince Gertrart."
Despite the bad sounds of some those, Gertrart likes what he hears and agrees to to sign.
"I am willing to join you in your crusade to end to unjust fanatical rule of Mitran and her puppet rulers."
Vosil nods, carefully considering his words. "I never had much use for mercy and forgiveness anyway. I serve Asmodeus, I will follow his high priest."
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The Cardinal's eyes light up as the last of you agree to bind yourself to the task at hand, “Excellent. Let us make it official. Signing in blood is traditional.”
He brings out several quills, a silver ritual knife and two copies of a contract written on some unidentifiable leather and written in dark red ink – the Pact of Thorns.
in the eighth age of this world a perpetual Compact is made between Cardinal Adrastus Thorn (hereafter the Master) and those who would be bound to him as his acolytes (hereafter the Bound). Both the Master and the Bound shall hold fast and true to this Compact through all trial and tribulation. By blood and soul the Bound commit to the Compact and swear that it shall never be undone.
The Bound shall know and understand
is to their patron and god – mighty , first among the fallen, prince of the nine hells, our father below. They shall do all that can be done to further his worship and his glory.
is to their master – He who is called the Cardinal Adrastus Thorn, High Priest of Asmodeus in Talingarde. They shall do the Master no harm and obey his every commandment as long as those commandments do not clash with their First Loyalty.
is to their companions – the other Bound who serve alongside them. The Bound shall deal with each other fairly and honorably as long as doing so does not clash with their first or second loyalties. All treasure, wealth and reward garnered in their exploits will be equally shared with all of the Bound who aided in its acquisition.
is to themselves – for Asmodeus is the Lord of Ambition and all who serve him should strive to become great and powerful in his service as long as doing so does not clash with their first, second or third loyalties. By their weakness, ye shall know the unworthy.
swear that they cleave to and uphold the Four Loyalties even in the face of death and damnation.
swears that as long as the Four Loyaltiesare upheld, he shall reward the Bound as they deserve for their deeds.
Thus it is written, and thus it shall be.
We being of sound mind and free will do so swear and let they who violates this Compact know all the wrath of .
He directs each of you to come forth, use the ritual knife to cut yourself, and then sign the pact in your own blood with a fresh quill.
Once you have all done so, he also signs.
Once it is signed, he causes the contract to duplicate itself. He keeps the original and provides the copy to Malleck. "You are now known as the Knot of Thorns. As first to sign and join this Knot, Malleck, I present you with the Knot's copy of the contract."
“Well done. Your first command: prepare yourselves. Stay within the manor. You are still hunted by the Talirean soldiery. In three days we begin your training. Thiadora will help you to equip and refresh yourselves.”
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Thiadora leads you out of Cardinal Thorn's presence and to a comfortable library to discuss matters.
"The Master directs that I go forth and provide each of you with 200 gold worth of equipment. Please provide me your shopping lists. Additionally, he wants each of you to have one of these."
She hands you each an iron circlet.
Iron Circlet
Aura faint illusion; CL 1st
Slot head; Price 1,800 gp; Weight –
DESCRIPTION
This circlet of wrought iron alters itself to comfortably fit any wearer. It allows the wearer to alter their appearance as with a disguise self spell. As part of the disguise, the circlet can be changed to appear as any sort of hat, headgear, or hairstyle the wearer desires.
CONSTRUCTION
Requirements Craft Wondrous Item, disguise self; Cost 900 gp
"Solomon, just up the hall here, you will find a fully stocked Alchemical lab, so gather what you need."
She also ensures that you guys get your class provided stuff, spellbooks and such.
"If any of you require the 'companionship' of one of the slaves, just let your wishes be known."
Solomon has been hanging toward the back of the group, more accustomed to the fringes anyway and rather uncomfortable with making his presence known. He can't help but grin wide at the prospect of serving Asmodeus, especially since Asmodeus calls him to empower himself! It was this being that he met long ago, who earned him the branding of Skrivven as well. Now would not be the time to turn back.
"Yes-yes!" he exclaims. "This is good!"
-------------
After all of the others have signed, Solomon too takes the silver blade and draws it across his open palm--red blood staining the white fur. Then with a flourish of the quill he signs his name in most extravagant and flowing script upon the dark leather pact.
The terms sound good enough to me. This pantheon might be broader than back home.
Xeram takes dagger from the cardinal and cuts his palm. Dipping the tip of his quill into the bloodied palm he puts his signature at the document's bottom.
He accepts the circlet, its magics a bit foreign to him, but he figures it out.
A nice piece of equipment.
Xeram noticed a slight crack in the wall, much to his surprise & pleasing, he saw a small snake slither through. The spitting image of a snake familiar he had back home. It didn't back away nor attacked him when he closed in, it simply coiled around his hand, staring at him.
"It actually is you. How remarkable and fortunate."
Mordecai tries the circlet on his head, and experiments on it's magic, trying to mimic the looks of his companions.
"Co-companionship?" Mordecai asks, suddenly rather unsure about himself. He has a vague understanding on what Thiadora means, but his cloistered upbringing has left him quite oblivious on what is actually is involved. That does not make him any less eager, however. "I-I-I might be interested, yes. Time alone with one your female slaves, right?"
Taeral reads over the contract carefully twice, then looks up to Cardnial Thorn and asks,"As long as I don't have to learn to be an evangelist of Asmodeus, I don't have a problem with this Compact. Is that a proper understanding, Your Eminence?"
Taeral will cut his finger with the silver knife, if Cardinal Thorn aggrees, and sign his name with Undercommon glyphs.
I don't understand why some cut thier palms, that takes so long to heal properly.
Thiadora looks at Mordecai, "yes, female, or male if you choose."
During your three days at the manor, you never see the Cardinal, but you do spy several others beyond Thiadora and the slaves. By asking about you find their names are: Elise Zadaria, a beautiful female human witch, Dostan Alfson male half-elf barbarian, Tallus “Trak” Rackburn male human ranger, Titus “Trik” Rackburn, male human cleric. Trik and Trak are identical twins.
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At the end of your third day of rest, a slave gathers you up and brings you to the Cardinal's office. As you enter your master's presence, you can feel his evil and power filling the room. He looks at you.
“Have you enjoyed your gifts? The iron circlets allow you to move amongst your enemies as one of them. The silver amulets will remind you of your true loyalties. And the other items – well, you need them now.
He scans the group.
“You have done well to escape from Branderscar and to accept my offer. However, you are still not ready for my service. Thiadora will lead you to the basement of this domicile. There you will find nine chambers each more dangerous than the last. Somewhere hidden within these chambers is a pendant of silver and sapphire. Recover the pendant and bring it to me. Let nothing and no one stand in your way.”
He stands up and looks out of the manor house window across the grey moor. “It’s almost dusk. You have until dusk tomorrow to bring me my prize. Do not fail me.”
Cardinal Thorn takes a seat at his desk. Thiadora arrives right on cue. “This way,” is all she says.
Tiadora leads you to a set of stairs. “Below you will find the Nine Lessons.” She leaves without any further explanation.
During your trip to the stairs, you have the opportunity to ask questions of Thiadora.
He simply follows. Eager to start with these so called tests
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Xeram follows after Malleck.
Totally ignoring any weird looks he might get, he does ask about The Dark Prince.
"Pardon me for asking, but i am intrigued. I am not very familiar with the pantheon of Talingarde and Lord Asmodeus seems to have fine goals of disipline. Could you tell me more of him?"
"Mordecai, would you be a dear and educate your friend about the ways of the Faith please?"
Solomon scurries along with the group, his vials clinking in his bandolier and breath hissing from behind his gas-mask. He tries to ask something of Thiadora, but it's kind of muffled behind the hood as he's not used to speaking with it yet.
He lifts the mask from his face and breathes deep of unfiltered air. "Have you taken these tests before?" He asks of the enchantress, trying to gauge what might be ahead. "And are these challenges that we all meet together, or are we to be separated and 'judged' individually?"
Solomon also informs the others: "I've already brewed up a potion of Cure Light Wounds if one of you need-needs it. And I've left some of my mixes incomplete, enough to brew-brew two other concoctions, but it will take me about a minute to whip something up... so favor anticipation over reaction, yes? And so you know what is at your disposal, I could instead brew something that increases your size, reduces your size, shields you, or even guarantees your next strike in case one of you has some devastating but somewhat-unpracticed technique."
Mordecai looks refreshed, having spent the nights and days with the girl-slaves; venting his frustration, learning about pleasures of the flesh, enjoying being in control. After three days of pleasure, he accepts the Cardinal's task with a dreamy smile.
"Educate about Asmodeus?" he asks once taking part in Thiadora's and Xerox's conversation. "Why, of course. I'd be glad to tell you about the Archdevil. What do you want to know? Ask, and I shall tell"
Thiadora smiles at Solomon’s questions, ”no, I never undertook these tests. In fact, the tests for each of his followers are different, but this will be a test of you as a group, or as a Knot as the Cardinal would say.”