As events unfolds before him Vank manages to dodges the bathwater that flies in his general direction as the ogre slams the tub. He also stands aside a the slaves flee past him. Grumblejack looks after them and sees a face he recognises, this changes his expression and attitude to the better. "Good seeing you," he bellows. Another slave discretely glides in to your field of view, he carries a tray with two large roast of meat. He walks into the troom placing his offering on the only still standing furniture, the bed before retreating to the wall opposite Grumblejack. He looks questioning at you and then the food.
A discrete knock on the door disturbs Thomas as he is finished with his mask. Awaiting the door to be opened and slave stands outside with a tray with fruit, stew and bread.
While he is donning armour a slave returns with a few slices of meat, some boiled potatoes and gravy. A goblet of wine is placed next to the meal, but alas no herbs in this one. She stands a few paces away waiting for your whim.
Perplexed and perhaps fearful the girl nods at your first question no word crosses her lips. Following your orders, she makes a curtsy before leaving you to your work.
Robert wanders around a little once clean and dressed.
If the meat is of good quality, and the wine better he dismisses the girl, else he scowls at her as he eats his meal. Even if not of higher quality its likely the best food he has had in a long time. He sips and savors the wine. Looking up at the slave he says Do not worry woman. I only bed willing lovers.
Thomas stood aside to let the slave in and set the tray on the table. Sitting down in the chair, the rogue grabbed an apple, took a bite while leaning back and asked, "So, our hostess, what is she exactly? She doesn't appear to be a wizard, which is good for her. But she does appear to have some sort of magical ability. So what is she?" The young man took another bite from the apple waiting for a response. When none came, he asked, "She doesn't have you speak much does she?" With a sigh, Thomas tossed another apple at the slave and stated, "You may leave now." He finished the apple and moved on to the stew and bread.
After the slave has closed the door, Nadine sighs. "This is what passes for help around here, evidently. I never understand people who want stupid servants, Robbie. Now, let's see what we can do for you."
She sits on the floor and dumps out the pouch of mutilated body pieces. Taking a piece of skin, she begins sewing. A half an ear here, a tongue there, fingers, piece of heart, and more skin. Hair, fingernails, bone, and teeth. Drops of sticky blood fall on to her dress, but the mother pays little mind. She hums a soft lullaby for her son as she works. At several points, she stabs herself in the hand with the needle, drawing her own blood to mix with that of her victims.
"And you friend" Vank says reverting to Giant. "I think they want alive so the food is unlikely to poisoned but I can check if you want. The more likely risk is them wanting to turn us into more slaves, but I suspect that isn't done through food." he says moving to the tray.
I believe your character is entitled to her spell poppet as part of her starting package? I am waiving any cost, since you have collected what you need, do some ritual in game and we'll call it even. In regards to time I would like for you to use the 8 hours in game, perhaps included in the ritual. There will be plenty of time (3 days) before you are needed after a meet and greet shortly. Okay with you?
The ogre nods slowly thinking about Vank's words. "Thanks friend," he says waiting for Vank to taste his food.
Vanks eyes roll back and he starts chanting with another's voice for a moment his hands held over the food. . Then seeing that Grumblejack expects him to try the food first he does so. "Cow, a good strong animal the cow, but dumb. Would be better to mix it with Human to balance out the dumb."
Stanislav will send for oil and honing stones to care for his weapons if they are to be had. He will tend to them himself while waiting for the summons that he is sure will come.
Having finished with his food Thomas is once again disturbed by a knock on the door. Tiadora opens the door and steps in, his change of cloths causes a small smile to course across her lips. "The master is ready, if you would wait in the hall while I gather the others," she requests before leaving.
Sure enough Stanislav's work is disturbed by the summon as Tiadora enters after knocking breaking the repetitive sound of sharpening the blade. "The master requests your presence, there will be time to finish your work afterwards. I would like you to wait in the hall" she informs him.
Robert has been left alone for sometime until Tiadora disturbs him. Stepping in right after having knocked she smiles and says: [b]"I trust our slaves has served your needs? The master will see you now, your companions are waiting in the hall."
Nadine's grisly sowing is disturbed by a knock on the door. Tiadora walks over to the working mother. "A most exquisite patchwork" she says admiring your doll as it begins to take form. She continues: "I am afraid it will have to wait, our master has requested your presence, the others are waiting in the hall.
The feast at Grumblejack's is disturbed as he suddenly turns silent, fear flashes on his face and Tiadora's clear voice interrupts your eating. [b]"I am afraid I have to disturb this little gathering as you are requested by our master," Tiadora says.
Once you are all gathered in the hall, Tiadora to an office in the same wing as you live a floor below your rooms. A slave stands next to a door and opens it as you approach.
"Quite, quite. I feel much better for it. My thanks to you, M'Lady."
Dropping into a flourished bow, just this side of ostentatious, Robert grins and heads down to meet up with his fellow escapees.
Donning his dried cloak and pulling up the hood, Thomas proceeded downstairs with hardly a sound. He waited for the others, his expressing even harder to read with his improvised mask covering the left side of his face. Under his cloak, the young rogue kept his hands upon his short swords, ready to draw them at a moments notice.
Nadine gives a short sigh and composes herself before turning to face the annoying harlot. She mentally notes the amount of skin the woman is showing this time. "Very well. We shall see what Asmodeus has in store for us. Come, Robbie. Mommy will finish this for you later."
She tucks the materials into her dress and rises. The sticky blood clings to her red dress, matching the color perfectly. She looks at Tiadora and simply indicate for her to leads. With a roll of her eyes, Nadine follows the woman to the office, meeting the others there.
Vank ignores Grumblejack cowardice and laughs saying in giant "Humans, they think they bark at us and we'll jump to their command. Oh we'll they have the weight of numbers right and might have something worth hearing to say."
Finishing the meat in his hand first he then leads the way down, nodding to their companions when he sees them.
[ooc]Of course, of course.[/b] Stanislav says rising. We have been rescued, or given the tools to rescue ourselves. It would be rude to not come and say thank you.With that Stanislav arms himself and goes with Tiadora, even offering her his arm.
Tiadora leads you to a beautifully appointed of-fice richly decorated with dark wood and sumptuous bro-cade 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 out-side,” 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 pur-pose. “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?”
Ah, a cause worth fighting for. Stanislav's eyes catch a fire at the idea. I already follow Asmodeus, and if you are his last high priest then it is right that I should swear to you. With that simple statement Stanislav takes a knee and offers Cardinal Thorn the hilt of his longsword. You have my sword. If it is Asmodeus' will I would be your general.
"Vengeance on the Mitrans? Power and responsibilities? Yes, please. Where do I sign, Your Holiness?"
Vank holds his head in his hands for half a minute as if wracked by a splitting headache before turning to the side and growling in goblin "Genugend!
Turning back to their host and now looking quite in control he speaks in human "I'm very sorry about that, my betters all need to get their views in. I suspect this will come as no surprise as you must have done some research before having us captured. There nothing I would like more than revenge, power and war but I serve another cause, one my ancestors will not let me out of even for such a noble life. I must rebirth the Stormfist tribe. I don't see a situation where you and my tribe come into conflict with your plans so I would suggest an alliance. I will serve you and your master in this, but if your plans ever conflict with my tribe then I am sorry we will have to part ways." Vank speaks regretfully as if he would really prefer to just abandon his tribe in his quest for revenge.
Nadine begins laughing softly, but it builds into a full-throated giggle. She claps her hands in delight. "Oh, you didn't forget about me! You promised to help Robbie and you will!" She seems to be speaking to someone other than those in the room.
Suddenly, she realizes where she is. "Cardinal, it is a pleasure." She gives the man a deep curtsy. Recovering, she sweeps a hand out to her side at empty air. "May I present my son, Robert. His spirit is somewhat hampered at the moment, but I hope to remedy that soon with your help. Robbie, manners please. This is Cardinal Thorn. Our Lord Asmodeus has sent him to help us!" She beams with pride.
"Cardinal, my son and I are forever in the debt of Asmodeus, and we will endeavor to assist you in whatever tasks our Prince of Hell has for us. The Mitrans will burn for what they have done to us! I will cut out their hearts and we will feast on their spirits!"
Thomas hung back close to and off to one side of the door. While he wasn't a religious man, but his parents were followers of Asmodeus and they were executed because of it. On top of that, Mitrans were known to allow wizards to do almost whatever they pleased. It was high time for a change. "I'll join, on two conditions. One, allow me to collect a bounty on any Wizard we encounter, and two, when this is all over and the land is ours, have their kind outlawed. Deal?"
"I appreciate your candour and applaud your spirit," he replies. "Vank," he says, "Asmodeus will find room for your tribe in his kingdom to come and they will valuable allies." Turning to Thomas his furrows as he thinks before talking. "I am afraid I can not accept such terms. I can offer a bounty on all arcane enemies you encounter. In the order there will however be room for wizards of the right faith. These are my terms."
Given his current circumstances, he didn't have a whole lot of room for negotiation. "It will have to do for now. But I will only accept it on wizards, the others can take the rest."
Smiling broadly the cardinal spreads his arms and proclaims: "Excellent. Lets 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.
Behold on this day the 12th Lamashan of the 80th year 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,
Adrastus Thorn
"Seems in fair standing and of good contractual clauses. I look forward to what we can achieve together."
Robert signs the document with a flourish.
Stanislav reads the words carefully before scowling. When he speaks it is slow and deliberate. It is true you have saved my life. But I am no slave to swear to follow another man's commandments. As long as you lead well and maintain the favor of the true master you have my allegiance. But this goes too far. I do not yet know you and do not know if you are worthy of such title and obedience.
Thomas had accepted contracts for his kills before, but nothing like this. While it seemed legitimate, he had a slight nagging sensation about it. However, his parents were servants of Asmodeus and this is a Cardinal of his church. "Very well."
Vank nods in satisfaction at the cardinal's work but when looks at the contract he snarls. "While I trust that you will keep your word to me it needs to be reflected in any contract I sign. With your permission I could easily alter the contract's excellent command structure to include the Stormfist tribe. Additional I can not promise to serve you and the dark prince forever, maybe until the destruction of this kingdom would be enough. It is possible that these changes and a few others that he could suggest would satisfy Stanislav as well, after all he is correct, you know as well having selected us but we have only just met you."
Nadine reads over the contract and her eyes widen. "Such a document." She turns to Tiadora and smiles sweetly. "Tell me, dear, did you sign one of these?"
She sighs. "It's been so hard since I lost my Samuel. Robbie and I have no where to go." She looks at the Cardinal. "If I sign this and join you, we shall have our revenge. But I need more. I need a home for us. I will sign this as long as it is promised that Robbie and I will always be welcomed whereever the Lord of Hell reigns. I beg this of you."
As she makes this plea, you see a glimpse of Nadine as you've never seen her before. Tired, vulnerable, and most of all afraid. This is a young lady who is carrying the life of her entire family. Some may pity her or see this as weak, but you are reminded that the most dangerous beast is a mother fighting for her children.
Thomas couldn't help but move towards Nadine. Nothing got to him more than a vulnerable woman and he couldn't help but feel protective. Despite being a killer for hire, the man treated women with the utmost respect. Unless they were wizards.
After a quick demonstration of power and authority by Cardinal Thorn Stanislav counters Very well, I will agree to all you ask if you agree to give me orders as is fitting a military officer and not commandments like a slave. I will be your vassal and you my liege. And I will swear to all you ask, but you must also swear to act in my best interest as it fits within your plans for the new kingdom, give no orders that would shame me, and provide a home for me and mine in the new kingdom.
The cardinal's face changes to a more friendly setting after the smal tryst has been resolved. A smile plays on his lips as he says: "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."
Feeling he is done, his attention is returned to his desk and with the doors opening your audience is over. Tiadora leads you down to the hall where she says: "Now is the time for relaxation and recovery, I believe a small gift might be in order any wishes?"
You are generous. Stanislav notes. If I might name my reward I would choose a masterwork Glaive or Cold Iron construction, or a strength bow of masterwork quality. are such weapons available?
Nadine smiles at the woman with perhaps a touch less attitude than previously. "You are so kind, my dear. I do have some minor mundane requests, however, my greater request is for some magical scrolls. My Robbie is hungry and magical power feeds him now."
"I shall have a list for you tonight."
"Scrolls, perhaps some true adventuring gear. Oh, and alchemist fire! I really would like some of that stuff."
"I'll need a few things as well. About three belt pouches, a spring-loaded wrist sheath, some high quality studded leather armor, a proper mask to cover this." He pointed to his improvised mask. "And a reversible cloak with green on one side, and black on the other."
"My wishes might not help us laying low. In the mean time some of the cardinal's intel on the Talingarde military and better equipment would be nice."
Those are no small gifts you ask for but I shall do my best," Tiadora replies smiling. "Enjoy yourself, the next three days will be a seldom found luxury. Head your cardinal's words. Don't leave the manor," she continues. "Please do respect your others guest" and with that remark she prepares to leave.
"Looks like we are stuck here getting board." Vank says then glancing at Stanislav "Captain, I'd like to keep up my practice, you have been trained by our enemies so it would be great to have a few bouts against you."
The human nods. Wooden blades? Or did you have something more bloody in mind?
Late that evening, Nadine emerges from her room. He hands have a bit more sticky blood on them and her dress is rumpled, but otherwise she looks the same as they saw her last. She hands a note over to one of the slaves. "See to it that, the b$*&! Tiadora get this. She can't go shopping without getting what I need." She smiles and rushes him off.
She finds Stanislav and Vank as they are preparing to spar. "Now, what are you two up to? Beating each other with sticks? I suppose a girl is obliged to watch?"
Thomas was never one for direct combat if he could help it, primarily because of how he got his scar. So he decided to just hang back in the shadows and observe the two beat each other to a pulp. Noticing Nadine walk in the room, the Rogue positioned himself in such a way that he could come to her aid if something happened. Poor woman's been through enough. Nothing is happening to her on my watch. Images of the last woman he failed flashed before his eyes, followed by his burning hatred of Wizards. They should all burn. He sat in quiet contemplation while the man and hobgoblin sparred.
Tiadora smiles at Vank's comment. She whispers something to one of the slaves and leaves you. The man leads you down the hallway to the right. Halfway down you can hear the sound of wood smashing against wood, and a little further down the slave leads you in to room almost a gymnasium. Most of the room is an open area where a large half-elf and a slightly smaller man fights with weapons from the racks along the walls. To your left stand a table with benches and a few chairs, two spectators watch the fighting and now you, a man resembling the one fighting and a beautiful almost white haired woman.
"Wooden weapons are unlikely to be weighted correctly, but given we don't have an blunted swords it will do." Vank says hefting the wooden practice sword. "A girl isn't obliged to watch but is welcome to, however you will be fighting the agents of Talingarde as much as the rest of us so I'd suggest you practice as well. Feel free to target me with your magics while I fight, it'll give us both practice."
"Shall I shoot crossbow bolts at you as well?" Nadine laughs. "Very well, if you wish to try yourself against my magicks, then I can accommodate that."
She pauses as she sees others in the practice area. "And who are you?" She eyes the white-haired woman. "Gentlemen, it seems we're not along. Are you more slaves? Something tells me you're far more competent than that."
"I would doubt their slavery, Lady Laveau. They are accorded much the same appointments as us, run of the facility, fine clothes, and use of this training ground as they see fit. If I were to guess, they serve the same Master as us."
Robert flashes them his best, most winningest smile, while evaluating each for potential threats and treachery.
"Isn't that right?"
Vank follows the other's glances and his eye move quickly off the spectators to the combatants. After spending a long moment accessing their ability he goes to the rack and fetches a two-handed sword for himself and sword and shield for Stanislav. "These are the weapons you were trained with, correct?"