DM Aku |
Your time in prison was a short one, after being branded you were sent to pay for your crimes in the slave pits of the salt mines. Only you were able to flee, their mistake, to put together the two most clever and treacherous minds Talingard had ever seem!
Heinrich Cornelius Agrippa von Nettesheim and Fet the false-hearted, two names still unknow in this dammed island, but not for long.
It did not take too long to hear whispers of Brandescar destruction. The Forsaken killed everyone, the warden, the sergeant, even the servants were had the same fate, and more than that, they burned the place down. Brandescar was no more.
During your stay in the salt mines, you had the feeling someone was pulling strings, and that was confirmed when the opportunity to escape appeared! Even then, it took all your cunning and wits to leave the place alive, it was not a grand escape as the Forsaken, but a grand feat nonetheless.
Days you spent in the company of each other, you knew that your best hope of survival was to stay together, until you found a small town and there everything changed.
As soon you entered the place a peasant woman, approached you. She was using farm clothes and she looked like a farmer, except for the eyes that were bright green.
”Dearest” she says with irony ”I was beginning to think you would die before reaching this god-forsaken village.” she then smiling continues ”I’m sure that smart as you are, you know someone helped you to escape that place. That someone is ready to meet you, but before you need to be made presentable. There’s hot water, clean clothes and food for you if you care to join me.” and then she stride away, down the road.
The woman leads you down the road until you leave the village, you walk for some minutes and you see an abandoned inn, by the look of it. She stops at the door and claps her hands ”Slaves, take our guest to their room and help then clean themselves!” and then she adds ”Now!” this last word almost like a threat.
The place inside is surprisingly clean and well preserved, comparing to outside. You are taken to a room and as promised, hot water, delicious food and clean clothes wait for you.
Intentions?
Heinrich Cornelius Agrippa |
Indeed Madame, it was an interesting journey. Now, find me a book of spells so that I may prepare myself.
Agrippa turns to Fet and says Well. its not like we have much to lose yes? Then he walks into the inn.
NPC - Tiadora |
”Now Dearest, don’t rush things over.” she turn to both of you and says ”You can call me Tiadora. Clean yourself, eat and be presentable for the master.” then she smiles ”Just do not take too long Dearest, the master is not a very patient man.” she walks over the Inn and She no longer looks like a farm woman. 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. ”The master will be waiting you in the mess hall.” and she leave you alone with the slave that will accompany you to your room.
It not appears she used a spell to change her appearance and clothes. It's more like she is a shapeshifter.
Heinrich Cornelius Agrippa |
Spellcraft: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (17) + 12 = 29
Agreed. What is the menu for the evening?
Fet the false-hearted |
Fet was weary from the escape and the hard slog to this forsaken little village inn. Though he was instantly suspicious of Tiadora, he had to agree with the nobleman - they didn't have much to lose.
"There intention is clearly not to betray us." He said with a hoarse voice, his throat dry and in need of water. "At least not at this time. Too much effort to aid us and they too are guilty of treason against the crown for aiding in our escape." He added almost as if to reassure himself.
Heinrich was just as brillaint as Fet was, if not more gifted intellectually, though from what Fet had seen thus far he didn't possesses much street cunning or a guileful way with words.
"We had best follow along in this play, lest we be replaced with different actors." Fet said to his fellow escapee and then turned to the slave.
"Show me to my room. I need a bath, cool water to drink, and fresh clothes to wear." It was a new experience for him to be demanding something of another person. It was quite nice, especially after being ordered around in the salt mines and the prison before that.
Fet the false-hearted |
Being a skilled alchemist and knowing a thing or two about poisons himself, Fet will examine all water and food he is presented with. He'll do the same with his noble companion if they are in the same area during serving.
Spellcraft: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (5) + 10 = 15
Detect Poison (Alchemy): 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (20) + 15 = 35
Sense Motive: 1d20 ⇒ 14
DM Aku |
After taking your time, cleaning and eating or even in bedplay (with the slave), you put your new clothes, fit for nobility, and cut in your exact size. You then think you are ready to meet the ‘master’. You go to the mess hall and there, Tiadora is waiting for you, after both get to the mess hall, she leads you into a private study; 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.
NPC - Cardinal Adrastus Thorn |
“Escaping the salt mines is no small feat! 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?”
Heinrich Cornelius Agrippa |
Heinrich Cornelius Agrippa, heir to the von Nettesheim family smiles and says But of course Cardinal. with that Heinrich shows the tattooed pentacle of Asmodeus on his upper forearm. We serve the same master.
Fet the false-hearted |
Fet looked from Heinrich to Cardinal Adrastus with narrowed eyes and the hint of a frown tugging down the corner of his lips. Both men seemed to have come from noble lineage and were used to the intricate schemes and grand talk of conspiracy. Fet was not. Sure he was brilliant and he had no particular aversion to schemes and plots, save that it did get him branded forsaken and sent to the salt mines. Yet he was at his core a simple creature. The wishes of Gods, high treason against the Crown and Church, and even things like vengeance were beyond his aspirations. It was things like profit and reward that motivated him.
Licking his lips, he raised a finger and waggled it in the air as he began to pace the richly decorated office. "This sounds grand and all, and I am most appreciative of the service that you have done unto me and my companion here, but I know little of great Asmodeus and even less of you, Cardinal. I give you no offense, just the truth."
He turned to the Cardinal more fully and rubbed at his bearded cheeks with one hand, even while showing his white teeth. "You see, I'm the simple type of forsaken criminal. I have got to be satisfied. I've learned a man speaks with such poetics, he's looking to deceive. I'll speak plainly as such, there is no need to mask a belch with thunder. What's in it for me? Profit, prestige and reward have always proved to have a most miraculous motivational effect on me."
Heinrich Cornelius Agrippa |
Heinrich smiles his wants have always been about power and Hell seems a likely place to grant such thing things.
Fet the false-hearted |
"Now, there be no need for threats Cardinal. If it eases your mind then consider me properly motivated with the offer you've so thoroughly presented." Fet said as he took off his hat and held it almost apologetically in front of him.
"Where do we begin?"
NPC - Cardinal Adrastus Thorn |
“Excellent. Let us make it official. Signing in blood is traditional.”
He brings out a quill, 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, it is written the following:
Behold on this day Oathday 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 the Four Loyalties.
The First Loyalty is to their patron and god – mighty Asmodeus, 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.
The Second Loyalty 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.
The Third 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.
The Fourth Loyalty 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.
The Bound swear that they cleave to and uphold the Four Loyalties even in the face of death and damnation.
The Master swears that as long as the Four Loyalties are 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 Hell unending.
Signed,
One of the copies you sign is already signed by other four times, the names as following: Malgrim IronSkin, Johan Hale, Eldred Crofter, Damien King
Heinrich Cornelius Agrippa |
Heinrich signs with a flourish Done. Now, I have a book to ask you about...
Fet the false-hearted |
Fet took some time looking over the document. Such weighty matters were not quickly rushed into and the requirement of blood indicated that their was great weight, likely of supernatural strength, tied to the contract. Yet there was no going back to the life he had once had, only forward and to greater things. Mitra had never given him much, in fact Mitra and the god's servants had s$%* upon Fet all his life. Maybe Asmodeus would give him the rewards he'd always known he deserved.
Piercing the tip of his finger with the ritual knife, he let enough blood free to properly sign his name to the document.
NPC - Cardinal Adrastus Thorn |
“Well done. You need to be tested now!” on cue, Tiadora enter the room again, she is dragging someone with her, a middle age man, a warrior body, he is still using a very well made fullplate and a holy symbol in his neck. The man is known to you. Sir Balin Knight of The Alerion Order. He was directly responsible for Aggripa prison and he is member of the same order that arrested Fet.
”You may know him, or you may not. This man is a famous hunter of our faith. Tell me what would you do with him had you the chance?”
Fet the false-hearted |
Are we continuing any more in this thread or should we focus entirely on the main thread at this point? Is there anything that happened from the signing of the contract to meeting the rest of the party that we need to be aware of?
EDIT: Never mind! It seems you have answered that with the above post.
Fet the false-hearted |
Fet saw the symbol the man wore and an instant budding of hate formed a knot in his stomach. He wondered if the man were just an illusion or someone dressed up as the order or did the Cardinal's influence extend so far as to capture one of the order and have them at his mercies?
"He is an enemy of your schemes and an enemy of our faith, as such he should be offered no mercy. Best thing to do would be to extract all the pertinants from him, loosening his tongue by whatever means necessary. Then, either convert him to our cause or end his suffering." Fet scratched at his beard and looked over the man, then to Tiadora. Fet had no first hand experience of doing such a thing, but he knew how to brew some toxins and acids that could be extremely unpleasant if applied to a living creature.
"Now I'm not the type of person who enjoys hurting others or forcing one or another to do something they don't right want to do, yet I have learned well that in life you have to do a lot of things you don't f-ing want to do. Many times, that's what this life is... one vile f-ing task after another. This man is responsible for his choices and his choices led him here. Sometimes we just got to roll up our sleeves and get our hands dirty in the muck."