Over the course of the two weeks Albrέkt shelters in a rudimentary coffin filled with dirt and ash from the ruins of Balentyne Keep.
At night the wretched vampyr emerges, conversing with his fellow members of the Nessian Knot; in particular seeking council with Xanos on his notion of using his undead steed Golgotha as a vessel for his coffin.
At deepest night Albrέkt also slinks off into the night to sate his gnawing hunger upon the local inhabitants...
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"A trifling matter, really." Xanos said a bit more slowly and less focussed than usual. "I have the tools necessary. I would need only some additional materials and a space to work."
He spent a quarter hour sketching out a framework that would interlock with the horse's ribcage and connect to the spine beneath the shoulder blades and at the hips where weight could be best supported. The whole thing looked like a slightly tapering cylinder, accessible through the horse's wind pipe.
"Lining the coffin in lead sheeting will prevent scrying and morality divinations." Xanos suggested."With additional corpses I can make alterations to your steed that I think you will enjoy."
Albrέkt nods reverently at the necromancer's words;
"Ja. Golgotha vill be ein schzteed vorthy of minn schtatus..."
The vampyr studies Xanos, then leans in with a croaking whisper;
"Old vun... Vhat ails you? Your blut... der tang of it schmels different..."
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Xanos raised right his arm, his sleeve falling back to reveal one of the the wide black and silver manacles he'd been wearing since Branderscar. "Infection." he said flatly. "Before the Mitran inquisitors attached these they drove some kind of nail through my forearms. The nails... drained me. I had hoped to come up with a way to remove them before the limits of mortality began to catch up to me, but regaining my power has been slower than I would like."
"I know that the bracers are made of a metal called Adamantine. Essentially unbreakable. There is no way to remove the manacles to get to the nail, short of sawing off my own hand. So, once we are safely to our destination that is my intention. Until then, I will endure."
Vank spends the first day watching the barge crew and occasionally finding a space to swing a sword around, but with Alberkt asleep there isn't anyone worth sparing against and he quickly gets bored.
On the second day he approaches Tiadora "If you could tell me more of what our mission is, so that I could do more than study the roles of these humans in case Alberkt eats too many of them."
-Posted with Wayfinder
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Tiadora gives Vank a bored look, "I am tasked with escorting you to Farholde and to introduce you to old friends of the master. Once that is done I have other errands to and you will be on your own. That is all you need to know for now."
Twelve long and tedious days pass onboard and each night Tiadora disappearance results in wails and smoke in the distance.
On that twelfth night, instead of teleporting away upon leaving her cabin, Tiadora joins you. “The master is here and commands you attend him,” Tiadora says grimly. “He’s in the cabin.”
Entering the cabin, you find the Cardinal clad in his usual black and burgundy robes. On his gloved hand he openly displays his silver unholy symbol of the Lord of Hell. He ports a wicked and knowing grin as he greets you.
“You have served me faithfully, my ninth knot, and I have rewarded you both in treasure and vengeance. Thanks to your efforts, the Fire-Axe has been unleashed. Even now he writes his name in blood across the Borderlands."
"“Three battles have been fought and three victories won. The villages of Ambryl and Tarrington Fields lie sacked. The fortress of Lorringsgate is in ruins. Each of you did your part in seeing these triumphs come to fruition. Do not think I have forgotten that."
“But our work is not yet done. Talingarde has not yet acquiesced to our unholy master nor tasted the full measure of our vengeance. So I have another mission for you. Tomorrow this barge will dock in Farholde, the northern most town in all the realm. Farholde is a backwater of no real significance. Its lord has already left the place hoping for glory in the war. But it does border the Caer Bryr the largest unmapped forest on the entire island."
“Hidden within the Caer Bryr is the Horn of Abaddon, an ancient temple once occupied by a particularly loathesome death cult called ‘The Sons of the Pale Horseman’. Almost eighty years ago the first Darian king, Markadian, overthrew the Horn and destroyed the Sons. No great loss, honestly, but what the Victor found within the temple is why we are here. He defeated a daemon prince called Vetra-Kali Eats-the-Eyes. So terrified of this monstrosity was the king, that he had the priests of Mitra craft a great silver seal to forever forbid the daemon from returning to our plane of existence. The seal remains to this day."
“I have learned the truth about this daemon prince. I have learned what the Victor feared. Vetra-Kali is an arch-deacon in service to the lord of pestilence. This immortal monster could create a plague so virulent that it will bring Talingarde to its knees. When the Victor attacked, the Daemon Prince was close to unleashing his masterpiece upon the world -- a pestilence known as the Tears of Achlys. I am uncertain of the specifics of this plague but if anything could terror in the heart of the Victor, then I want it. The Tears of Achlys will be our poisoned dagger into the heart of Talingarde."
“I already have agents in the great cities of this kingdom. With this pestilence, they could deliver blight and death to the very center of the realm. Caught between the twin storms of the Fire-Axe and Vetra-Kali’s gift, we shall bring ruin to Talingarde. This gift you shall bring to me."
“It will not be easy. I have already lost one band of followers on this errand. I sent the fourth knot to find the Horn of Abaddon. They succeeded at that at least, revealing to me that it was concealed within a great spire of stone less than a day’s ride from Farholde. But then they vanished. I have heard no more from the elven ranger Aiden Kael since. He knew the Caer Bryr well so no normal hazard would defeat him. Perhaps the Horn of Abaddon is guarded. I cannot say. But it matters not! The Tears of Achlys must be mine!"
"I am undeterred by this setback. Where one knot failed, two will succeed. I will also send my seventh knot – the Knot Hibernal led by Elise Zadaria. I task you with finding the Horn and calling forth Vetra-Kali. Elise and her knot will aid you. Elise proved herself a capable assassin in our last venture. The seventh knot will remain in Farholde and see that anyone who tries to find the Horn and interfere with your work meets an unhappy end. Thus, you will have time to do what must be done."
“There is another who may be able to aid you. Once a thriving cult of Asmodeus existed in Farholde. It was led by a half-elvish noble – the Baron Arkov Vandermir. He is treacherous and decadent, but wealthy and well-connected. Tiadora will introduce you before she departs. I know not what aid the Baron can provide, but his family is old and long has dwelt in Farholde. Never trust him but know this – he’s afraid of me and with good reason. If he does try anything remind him that you are in Farholde on my behalf. That should keep him in line."
"“Find the Horn. Find the seal and shatter it. Call Vetra-Kali back to our world. Bind him to your will and force service from the monster. And then bring his gift to me. Can you do this, my knot? Have I found servants with might and will enough to see this task done?”
Vank nods, "Xanos, is there anything you need to release and bind this Daemon Prince? Cardinal, it sems to be likely that there will other nasty diseases in this temple. We will probably come in contact with them before getting to the Seal. While our 'natures' may protect us I would prefer a little more. Can our lord help us?"
Albrέkt flashes a broken tooth grin as the Cardinal unfolds the next stage of his grand plan.
"Feh. Ve schud revel in der pestilenz..."
"Reagents and time spent in preparation." Xanos replied. "With that I can create countermeasures against disease, research the history of the location and this particular Daemon-Prince, as well as prepare for encounters with Daemons. They are often willing to negotiate, but mortals have little that they want. Of the four sects of the Lower Planes, they are the most difficult to leverage."
The wretched vampyr listens intently to Xanos' strategem and lore on daemons.
When he suggests countermeasures against any pestilence, Albrέkt again grimaces;
"Ve Antipaladins of Der Blassen Prinzessin are kreatures of der nacht, plague-bearers und bringers of death... Let dischease be minn cloak!"
Mulling over what is to come and the potential for both the aims of the Knot and furtherance of his own fell agendas, the undead warrior expands further;
"I wilkom der meeting vith zhis "Vetra-Kali-Eats-Der-Augen". It vill kneel before us, und beschtow its phantastisch boon of tears..."
"Break into a temple, find and bargain/bind a Daemon prince, and then unleash a plague to destroy Talingrade from within? Sounds fun" Haruk agrees.
"Asmodeus does not provide help, he rewards those that help themselves. You are resourceful, I'm sure you will find a way. "
The Cardinal reaches into his robe an pulls out a small clay disk engraved with the Asmodean holy symbol. Passing it to you he says,
"If you recover the Tears or need to report anything to me, break this seal. I will send Tiadora to wherever you break it within an hour or two. Now go with the blessings of the Prince of Hell and see this mission done!"
If there are no other questions, he dismisses you and after a few private words with Tiadora, he departs.
The next day, the barge docks at Farholde. Tiadora informs you that she has already contacted Baron Vandermir and arranged for you to have dinner with him tomorrow night. “Best to find something presentable to wear,” she sneers.
Albrέkt ignores Tiadora's chiding, merely smiling at the Kardinal's chief lackey.
The towering wretch gestures toward his armoured form;
"Der Baron vill find me most preszentable in minn panzer... Sicherlich?"
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Xanos loathed the idea of wasting valuable time on the diplomatic niceties required to recruit the aid of another Asmodean pawn. Still, the information that might be gained from would be useful. He could wear a costume and pretend to be impressed for a few hours.
Before they made landfall, Xanos used a small mirror to adjust his illusory disguise, appearing as a travel worn scholar when they stepped off the boat.
[ooc]Would you more charismatic sorts mind doing some Gather Information stuff to give us more info on the new town?
When possible Albrέkt assumes the guise of a well-dressed half breed servant. He accompanies any of the group who require his attendance - otherwise he wanders Farholde seeking to discern what he can of the place and its folk...
:
The next evening, you rendezvous with Tiadora. She is bedecked brilliantly in all white,
looking like a travelling noble on the way to her wedding. She escorts you through the bustling dock city of Farholde. She takes them to the nicest part of town, a gently sloping hill called Calliver’s Green. This is a gated community and she approaches the guard confidently. “Baron Vandermir is expecting us,” is all she says.
“Of course, my lady. This way,” the somewhat nervous guard answers, after consulting a list.
There are only six manors in this neighborhood and Tiadora leads you to what is arguably the most impressive and opulent of them. The front door is secured by two guards wearing armor and livery.
Albrέkt arrives as a wizened old traveler... slow and ponderous in his steps leaning heavily on his plain staff.
Should any guards wish to take his staff from him, he quizzically looks at them before mutely struggling to stay stable without it.
:
Vank will pose as a mercenary guard of lady Tiadora and the others. When asked for his greatsword he'll glare at the guard. "That blade is worth more to me than your life, it has bathed in the blood of my enemies. Should go missing I'll hav baptise my new blade in your blood." Vank hands over all his weapons. Truly he less attached to them than he puts on but the baron sounds a little self important so establishing his position early is worth the effort.
Xanos was unarmed save for a simple dagger, which he left with the guards without a word.
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The guards collect the weapon and let you pass the gate. Tiadora leads you up to the manor house itself. You are greeted at the door by a formal butler who leads you to a small sitting room where you are attended by a small squadron of servants who offer you brandy
and hors d’oeuvres. The brandy is sublime and the hors d’oeuvres are a selection of tasty little beef skewers and crunchy spicy crayfish puffs.
A fashionably lengthy period of time passes before you are joined by the Baron himself, who welcomes you warmly to his home. He proffers his arm to Tiadora and leads you to the dining hall where diner will be served.
Baron Arkov Vandermir is a handsome half elf dressed in burgundy and white. He looks quite young, even boyish, but he is more than a century
old. His eyes betray a calculating, wicked soul beneath his pleasant exterior.
You are seated around a lavish table and servants come in bringing a fabulous spread that they lay out before you. During the service, the Baron makes small talk regarding the current war and your travels, but once dinner is served and the servants are dismissed,
the Baron becomes frank.
“You come to me as beggars, the last remnants of a forbidden faith. You will promise me much, of that I have no doubt. But all that I am likely to earn from helping you is the inquisitor’s pyre. Tell me, why should I help the likes of you?”
Haruk does not bother disguising himself, but he does wear a deep cowl, to avoid people seeing is rather unique features.
When the baron arrives, he pushes back his hood, revealing very obvious infernal features. Horns that are a couple inches high protrude from his hair, his skin has a very noticeable red tinge, and his eyes are black pits. "You mean aside from who sent us here? You used to lead a church dedicated to the Dark Father, key phrase 'used to'. Why do you not any longer? Perhaps the upstart faith forced you to forsake the King of Hell? We seek to remedy that, and punish them for their sins"
Xanos ate little at dinner. With every bite a hint of exasperation and disappointment showed though his stoic countenance.
"You mistake begging for a simple offer, born of the respect our patron has for your house."
"Ballentyne is fallen. A bugbear army pours through the ruins of Aldencross. Inquisitors have more pressing concerns than the last remnants of a forbidden faith."
Before and during the meal Albrέkt impassively declines any food or drink.
During the meal he sits silently listening... and watching the conversation play out. He pays particular attention to first the Cardinal's beautiful lackey;
Vun day pretty, I vil fest on your blut. I vunder Fräulein... vill Der Kardinal miss you?
and then, when their host brings things to a head, turns his focus on the Baron himself...
Vell Herr Baron. Let us schee how you engagieren zhos quvestions...
"Baron, I will do you the honour of speaking bluntly. It not us that is or should be begging. Our master has very little mercy. You have used all of that small amount when you called us beggars. Next time you insult us, our lord or deny us any aid that we require I will decide that it is easier kill you." Vank says hold out his hand and a ornate spear appears in it.
Under his breath he mutters in goblin an apology to the honour of his ancestor as he uses the spear to fetch a fig stuffed duck breast from a platter near the baron.
"However the point of your question seems to be 'What is in it for me?' Since you have admitted us, you know the answer. Power and opportunity."
The Baron is the most powerful and wealthy individual in the city.
The Baron hardly looks impressed. "Please, my house has served Asmodeus, since time out of mind. I've served since before your grandsires were born."
He takes a sip of wine, "Inquisitors have little interest in northern savages, but that is neither here nor there. You plan on just waving your hands and 'poof' the Mitran faith crumbles? The church of Asmodeus rises from the ashes? I must say that your comportment does not inspire confidence. Regardless, I wish you well in your endeavour, but I see little advantage in risking my position for a fool's errand. "
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Xanos could not help but chuckle when the Baron bragged about his age. It was the first time any in his company had ever heard the necromancer laugh.
"Continue to live this charade then." Xanos said. "I remember a time when House Barca and it's bannermen would not be so willing to forgive the foes who defeated them and overthrew their king. Your father knew where his loyalties lay and what he fought for, right to the bitter end."
"I know that the way of Asmodeus is one of deception. His gospel preaches undermining the position of enemies until the write time to bind them or destroy them. I should think that is what you are doing here. It seems you are syphoning away the wealth on the area to buy and manipulate the local government and prepare for the right time to seize control. Admirable. Perhaps I mistake your intent though. Maybe one of the Tenants of Nessus relates to faithfully serving the house that slew your father and overthrew your king. Admittedly, I am rusty on the Asmodean Gospels."
"We are up to our fifth King Markadian now. That is five generations you have had to take action. Just tell us how many more you plan on waiting. Perhaps we can come back then?"
Albrέkt smiles wryly at Xanos' dark laugh and edged words.
Bravo Old Vun.
The vampyr's glittering eyes flit to Tiadora as the interplay continues, keen to discern how the Cardinal's mouthpiece was making of the parlance;
:
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The Baron pounds his fist on the table, "I do what I must to survive."
He quickly composes himself, "By the laws of rulership, House Markadian controls Talingarde. Me and my brethren work to undermine that control, through subtler means than unleashing a mongrel army upon our own lands. We find such chaos, distasteful. But I don't have to defend myself to you, and I will not be insulted and taunted in my own home."
He rises to his feet and gives a polite nod towards Tiadora. "Please pass along my greeting to Cardinal Thorn, or whatever name he is calling himself these days. Let him know that I wish him the best of luck in his endeavors, because if these represent the quality of the servants he has in his employ, he will need all the luck he can get."
Tiadora smiles, "Sometimes we have to work with the tools we have, not the ones we wish for."
"Very true." The Baron turns back to you all, "The servants will see you out."
And with that, the Baron leaves. Tiadora moves to gather you up and leave as well. "Quite the silver tongues you haves. Real charmers."
"Yea, well, apparently our dear leader's name is not as feared, nor respected as he thought. I believe he said to remind the baron of our being here on his behalf, and that should keep him in line. Yet, that clearly did not work, did it?" Haruk retorts a bit acidly.
"There are five ways of getting what you want. The first is to ask. Then to coerce. Next comes bargaining. Then threatening. Then simply taking."
"Vank, it is a poor idea not to try them in order. Your threats cost us. These are not the hordelands. Humans do not respond well to intimidation tactics."
Xanos stood up, ready to leave.
As the conversation turns sour Albrέkt rises from the table, bidding the Baron farewell with a quiet nod.
He then turns dropping any pretence and returning to his true armoured form; the withered old staff becoming the favoured scythe of devout Urgathoan.
At Xanos' words he smiles, grey lip curling back from fanged maw in a bestial smile;
"Oh I vud nicht zay zhat Old Vun. Let me visit Der Baron... Am I not der Face of Angst? I vill chill hist blut..."
The wretched creature stands firm as Tiadora adds her own cutting remark;
"Fraulien. If you zee us as unfit for Herr Kardinal's groß plan. By all meansch replace us vis undother Knotten..."
His tone is tinged with arrogance as he eyes the woman.
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"It is not her decision, Albrekt." Xanos said with an unreadable look towards Tiadora. "Her contract binds her far more tightly than ours does."
"The Baron has denied us aid. Under the circumstances I cannot blame him. He is not our enemy. As long as he lives he may still be useful in the future. Do not burn bridges you may need to someday cross."
The hulking vampyr flashes a rictus grin at the necromancer;
"Of kourse... You speak visely Old Vun... Der wisdom of der grave!"
Albrέkt leans on his scythe, awaiting the servants and the inevitable retort or threat from Tiadora;
"Herr Baron vill have need of us... Und Der Kardinal vishes it so."
He nods dutifully toward the Cardinal's beautiful envoy in mock subservience.
Tiadora leads you off of the Baron's grounds and turns to address you, "My work here is done. Remember the clay table you were given. Break it when you need to speak with the Master. Be sure not to waste his time. He can be most unforgiving about that. The Seventh Knot is already close at hand. They arrive tomorrow on a river barge named ‘The Lucky Lady’. You should probably meet them and come up with a plan for seeing our master’s will done. It matters not to me of course. Not my problem. Goodbye, dearests, and have fun.” With that Tiadora teleports away, leaving you alone in the dark.
"I require a room at an Inn. Now." Xanos said. Even through his illusory disguise, it was clear he was in poor health and reaching the end of his endurance.
Albrέkt bows theatrically as Tiadora takes her leave;
"Fraulein. A pleasure ast alvays..."
With the Cardinal's right hand gone, the vampyr turns to the others;
"I vill need to nest... Und to feed... Do you vish me to turn der Baron's halls red vith blud?"
The wretched blood-drinker smiles;
"Nicht Der Baron... I vill merely entlasten him of a guard or two... Remind him zhat ve are nicht to be Verkümmert vith..."
Vank shrugs "You may well be right. Our ways when it comes to humans has been briefer. Your argument was excellent if that didn't work I suspect it mattered little what any of said, he was too self important too listen. I am sorely tempted to jump to your step five but that is probably my upbringing, if he is working in the same cause better leave him for now."
The Baron will not care if a few of his servants go missing. It will only annoy him and make future negotiations harder. Keep your hunger focused on the Mitrans." Xanos told Albrekt as they left.
The next morning you meet another slow moving barge as it docks and off step the members of the 7th Knot. After making contact, you find someplace private to compare notes. The leader of the Knot, Elise, informs you that they've received their orders and know what they're supposed to do. “It is my intention in the next few months to have spies set up in every inn, tavern and anywhere else adventurers and explorers might congregate. When you do find the Horn of Abaddon, contact me. For those groups I can’t personally dispatch, I’ll send a messenger with any information I can gather.”
"You do your job and we'll try to keep trouble off you back."
"Where is the Seventh Knot staying?" Xanos asked Elise.
Vank nods "I am sure you are capable of your mission. As Xanos says knowing where you are staying would help but failing that we should set up a method communicating incase something goes wrong. Lets meet tomorrow night to make further plans once we both have the lay of the land?"
"I believe I can assist in the information gathering. Getting people to do what I want happens to be a specialty of mine." The infernalist offers.
The White Ravens decide to set up their base of operations in The Drunken Angeler and inform you that if they move, they'll leave instructions there.
Once the party finds an inn, and we are alone, but together(excepting our vampyre) Haruk offers "I can summon an imp from Hell for an hour who can then cast Commune to ask six questions of Asmodeus, or one of his servitors."
"Our rooms should also be at the Drunken Angler. That will allow the Ravens to watch over our base of operations while we seek the Horn."
"The previous knot that failed either failed because of what they found or because of a group charged with protecting it. There is a good chance that asking about the Horn of Aboddon will attract attention of this group if they exist. If we throw a lot of money around while doing so we would almost certainly do so. Which opens up a possible course of action if one person throws around large amounts of cash and the other members of both knots watch out for people who take particular attention we might be able to get the drop on them, ambush this group, if they exist, before they ambush us."
"That plan does have a lot of risks. Alternatively we can try to be subtle with our enquiries, such as asking Haruk's demons, and relay on the other knot finding this group before us."
"In addition to Haruk's communing some of my ancestors were skilled future tellers, I will be consulting them if anyone has anything they want to ask."
"I plan on going to a library or place of learning and researching the history of the area. There are often clues in plain site if one knows the right questions to ask."
"I may also be able to aid our search by the application of appropriate spells. I will look into their purchase."