Annie manages to get the book she was after, no help from the others was forthcoming, but she managed nonetheless.
Annie climbs up on a chair to start checking out the book but she is distracted somewhat by the game. she catches glimpses of the game while she reads.
she occasionally makes faces at some of the moves like she is figuring out the game and learning it rather quickly.
she keeps quiet though so as to not disturb the players.
Angelica laughs shyly. "Oh I think I just got very lucky. I haven't played chess in a very long while.
Well dear Damien. It seems you are in my debt. Whatever will I have you do." She smiles and taps her chin, looking at Damien intently.
Angelica leans forward and smiles sweetly. With her open top giving Damien a nice view of her shapely bosom.
"You could try and go for double or nothing of course. But if you lose... two commands you have to obey. Are you sure you are willing to take that risk?"
-Posted with Wayfinder
Making no attempt to hide looking towards her chest for a lingering moment, Damien grins slowly as he lifts his eyes north while adding "I think I'll have to pass Angelica; once burned, twice shy." Glancing over at Annabelle with a knowing shrug, Damien couldn't help but think the little firebug might appreciate an idiom involving fire.
"Good game; in any event, I hope whatever you have me do in the future, it's something that makes use of my considerable... talents." Leaving it up to her imagination to what those talents might be, Damien gets up and inquires with a genuine smile "Care for another drink?
Angelica laughs in a lovely fashion. "Haha my dear Damien, it seems there is some wisdom there at all. Yes I will have another drink, thank you."
Angelica accepts a refill with a genuine smile of her own.
"So tell me, what are your talents?"
Heading to the bar, Damién inspects a few of the vintage wines before settling on particularly esteemed bottle of Pinot Noir. Removing the cork, Damién grabs three wine glasses in one hand and heads back towards the chess board. From behind her, Damién expertly pours Angelica a glass of the red before pouring himself a glass and sitting back down. Holding out the empty glass towards Annabelle with a wink, Damién adds "Care to join us firebug?"
Turning his attention back towards his chess opponent with a knowing smile, Damién examined her quietly for a short moment. Comely for certain, albeit in a dark and sullen manner... physically stronger than she appears, possessing a high degree of confidence and a magnetic personality; a worthy ally for certain.
Taking a sip of the wine, Damién ponders the question a moment before responding rhetorically "What are my talents? Well, before my stay at Brandescar, I was a rather talented barrister and diplomat, though my clients tended to be those the Markadian's deemed, oh, let's just say undesirable." Swirling the wine in his glass a little, Damién examined the legs of the liquid, indicating it's sugar level before continuing "I'm also a gifted healer if you can imagine; unlike many Priests of our Dark Prince, he has seen fit to allow me the gift of healing, a most useful skill in a pinch." Growing more serious, Damién reminisces "Of course, my real talent was organizing seditious plots against the Markadian zealots; my family was allied with the Barca, and we have longed for a return to a more civilized form of rule. Sadly, one too many plots landed me in some hot water with the authorities." Glancing back at Angelica with his characteristic grin, Damién finally adds "I'd be remiss though if I didn't mention talents of another certain nature, though I think for sake of modesty, I shall not utter those talents here."
Yanev occasionally glances at the game of chess but the small woman's persistence to get the book distracts him from his own reading. He smiles when she finally succeeds "You know that you only needed to ask. However managing yourself does you credit."
With the end of the game he joins the other at the bar even without the invitation. Inviting the girls for a drink, he should be carefully of his weaknesses. "Mind if I join you too, knowing each other's talent's may be useful."
He finds some mixed nuts and offers them around as he listens.
Johann wanders into the sitting room after some time, quietly as to not gather attention while the other occupants converse.
He'd been off finishing the familiar ritual and exploring the mansion and books. Behind him trails his bleached gnome slave. She holds a glass of wine for him and answers his questions when prompted.
Johann stops at the large window to look at the landscape outside, appreciating the aesthetics of the marsh now that he isn't inside it. Though even unpleasant, it was still an experience in itself.
The thrush on his shoulder cocks its head, growing accustomed to the familiar bond to its new master and the emotions that come along with it.
"Well if you want to join us you have to share first Yanev." Angelica says with a sweet voice and smile.
Yanev smiles at Angelica "For the lady who talked us out prison anything."
He pauses collecting himself. "My talents lay in what I know. I have training as doctor and have extrapolated from the medicines I was taught to make 'medicines' to have other effects. I have also have a working knowledge of living creatures."
Tiadora pokes her head into the room and looks about, she takes a long drag on a long stemmed pipe and blows a cloud of narcotic smoke into the air.
"Hmmm, playing chess and enjoying the landscape? I would have thought at this point they would have at least sacrificed a servant or started an orgy or something." She comments to herself.
"Maybe we are just respectful house guests." Rumbles Grumblejack as he comes up behind her and rudely brushes past her to enter the room.
"Though if you'd like I can turn the furniture into makeshift drums and create a racket all night before setting the drapes on fire and passing out in a pool of my own excrement." He continues sarcastically.
Tiadora touches the corner of her mouth with her index finger and rolls her eyes toward the ceiling, mimicking a exaggerated thinking pose.
"Well, that would be much more typically Ogre behavior." She comments. "and would liven things up a bit."
"I am not a typical Ogre." He matter-of-factly responds before waving at his comrades.
"What's going on shorties? How are we liking our new digs?" He asks.
Tiadora raises a speculative eye at him as she puffs away on her pipe.
The doctor grins at Grumblejack's responses and then answers "Human sacrifice is so wasteful, if you leave them alive you can harvest their blood for weeks, and if you selective about organs for a few days. Besides someone has gone to trouble of training the servants I'm sure there are street kids in the town that don't contribute to society."
"Everything is to my liking, but I'm sure you knew that. You have gone to great lengths to research me and I assume the others so you can cater to our needs. It is almost as if you would have had to started researching us before we were arrested. In fact it is a little odd that we all ended up locked up together at the same time, as if it were planned. But since you have gone to all this effort to recruit me I am happy to hear what you propose." Yanev says without any malice.
Sibylla shakes her head sadly at the slave, "That will not do. I am the direct vessel through which you communicate with the Dark Lord, and though we all may keep our secrets you must keep none from he - and by proxy I. Think on your sins girls, I shall return." She leaves the girl in a pentagram of candles and sees to her belongings, before resolving to meet her companions once more, changing into a simple and conservative white gown.
Though late in catching the cart, Sibylla eventually runs down a sweet red, heavy on the cherry and deceptively alcoholic. She arrives when Damien and Angelica's game is well under way, and watches in polite silence until it has run its course. Her attention however is captured by Tiadora. "If our host wishes it, blood sport or sacrifice may be the order, though it does make such a mess."
She cocks her head at Yanev, then nods in understanding. "It is no sin to keep tabs on feels of a like mind, and whether you see him, the Dark Lord see's all. She offers. "I have often found he too provides, and perhaps we are to be the providance of our benefactor?". She giggles girlishly at the crude turn of phrase, "Though I may be far off my mark. It seems to me that if someone wishes to recruit us, easier means were available than setting us up for Branderscar, planning our escape, then furnishing our desires. A simple letter perhaps?"
Tiadora says nothing, only puffing away on her narcotics, looking amused at the conversation.
"Well there is not much to do around the house for now. Or do you have some naughty suggestions to pass the time Tiadora?" Angelica says with a lewd smile.
Tiadora smiles, "Well, while I personally don't like any of you, the Master has ordered me to be accommodating...I suppose I can share my supplies of Dream Weed, Opiate Seeds, and Mad Cap Mushrooms." She puffs on her pipe. "I can bring some attractive slaves in skimpy outfits up here for you to f%## and summon my Master's favorite Hell Metal band, The Ninth Circle. Also, the kitchens are open and with magic we can summon just about any meal you'd like."
She pauses, considering what more, non traditional pleasures, are at her disposal.
"My Master loves bloodsports and has a stable of Gladiators, a few of which are here. I can bring them up to fight to the death for your viewing pleasure. We also have a few prisoners we need to dispose of, it is great fun torturing them or we can let them loose and hunt them through the marsh."
She shrugs after listing off the general depravity available. "I dunno, typical weekend stuff."
"You don't like any of us? Why Tiadora you hurt my feelings." Angelica says with a hurt look in her eyes.
"I thought the moment we had at Brandescar was special."
"Of course we shared something special!" Tiadora exclaims, not believing the lie but playing along. "I just have a sensitive nose and the stink of these other losers was wafting through the air around you, once their incompetence leads to their deaths and you stand alone in the glory of Asmodeus' gaze we will be the best of friends!"
Grumblejack bristles at Tiadora's facetious manner and rude treatment of his new friends so he decides to turn the tables.
"Just how accommodating does your Master want you to be?" Grumblejack inquires, looking up and down Tiadora's statuesque form and leering. "I hate your personality and everything about you but that body..." He continues.
Tiadora snorts and rolls her eyes. "I only take lovers who have power enough to truly impress me, you lot are pathetically weak, maybe someday you'll have strength enough to interest me but as you are now..." She wrinkles her nose as if she just smelled something disgusting.
Grumblejack raises an eyebrow. "You don't think me strong?" He asks, he takes a step forward and plants one huge paw on her delicate shoulder, squeezing it hard.
Tiadora laughs in the face of this vaguely threatening gesture. Grasping the Ogre's wrist with her tiny, well manicured hand she effortlessly removes his hand from her shoulder and begins to squeeze, digging her nails into his wrist and drawing blood.
They struggle for a moment, strength against strength, Tiadora's arm firm and steady while Grumblejack's trembles and shakes. After a long, intense moment Tiadora casts Grumblejack to the ground.
He skids back and overturns a table as he falls, producing a loud crash. He is on his feet in an instant but doesn't attack, simply glaring balefully at Tiadora.
Tiadora smiles sweetly. "Like I said, weak, weak in everyway." She licks droplets of Grumblejack's blood from her nails then spits in disgust. "And you taste like shit too."
Grumblejack visibly reigns in his anger, showing a level of self control that is another sign that he isn't a typical Ogre.
"I deserved that." He surprisingly admits. "Bring me a slave and some of those mushrooms." He demands, asserting himself to soothe his bruised ego. "And the gladiators as well, I need to watch someone bleed."
Tiadora grins. "At once, good sir." She says, a twinkle in her eye.
"What about the rest of you?" Tiadora asks. "Anything you'd like to start the evening right? I'll be back later too if you'd like additional entertainments then."
"No drugs for me, you have to careful about in your body least it becomes like to drugs you put in, useful only for pleasure. I could certainly use the prisoners, but not now that would be work rather than relaxing. Some food will do, tell your chef to surprise me. And if gladiators will die for our friend our watch, might I ask for the dead one's body after?"
"Food and dead gladiators for Yanev, check." Tiadora responses.
Annie dismisses any offers of wine from Damién, I don't like that stuff. tastes yucky. she replies, closing the book she was reading. Also I prefer bears over bugs, but if it makes you happy to call me Firebug, then do so. weather I answer will be depending on my mood.
looking to the others concerning talents. [b]I burn things. plain and simple. You all met my bear. she says holding up the teddy bear she is carrying. its fur now a little singed and missing an eye.
What got me in jail, well its not really important is it.
Annie backs away from the exchange between the host and Grumblejack. not wanting to get hurt nor make a scene.
Annie goes back to her book, studying it like a student preparing for a test.
the book's size is nearly as big as she is. her whole upper half hidden behind the propped up book.
Johann has an amused smile on his face from the display of strength and the power plays going on in the room. He notably stays out of it for the moment, but whether it's due to weakness or wisdom is a mystery.
He addresses Tiadora. "Hell Metal? That sounds intriguing. I would like to listen to their sound. No drugs yet as I'll want the experience sober, but I will trust suggestions for food to pair with the music. I am not interested in slaves at the moment, but express interest in the prisoners. I have some ideas to pass the time, but I might find something more engaging to do."
Angelica looks with amusement as the Ogre is brought to his knees Silly mortal, of course she is more than she looks, probably a devil of some kind...
"Have the prisoners been questioned already? I wouldn't mind putting them to the test to gain some more information out of them. They don't know me so perhaps the hope of escape could loosen their tongue a little." Angelica says with a wicked smile.
"We've interrogated them, but I'll bring some of the prisoners for you're entertainment." Tiadora says, as she ticks off what the villains want on one hand as she mentally makes a list. "Alright, be back soon." She says with a sweet smile.
The doctor waits for Tiadora to leave "Interesting, a devil, but more interesting is her desire to push devilish forms of entertainment upon us. I wonder if some of those weakness of body and mind explain why Mitra has no rivals in Talingarde."
Tiadora returns with a host of servants. Servants pushing food carts deliver tray after tray of rich exotic dishes as well as some that are simply rich, like four cheese baked noodles and bacon and some type of large crustacean cooked with a spicy stuffing spilling out in all directions.
A pair of gladiators arrive as well, big men with muscular bodies gnarled by scar tissue. They each wear a leather jerkin and wield a small shield and a short sword. They stand off to one side to await their call to battle.
Tiadora drags the prisoners in chains along as well, two men and a woman, obviously Mitrans judging by the angry holier-than-thou looks they give you.
"There we are." She says as she hands a bag of mushrooms to Grumblejack and pushes a slave towards him.
"'Bout time." He grumbles.
"Oh, and the music..." Tiadora says, as she smiles and whispers a spell.
As her spell takes effect a group of unique devils are summoned and begin playing. They are attractive and almost human like in appearance, their instruments strange and exotic.
"This looks like it might be fun." Grumblejack mumbles as he eats the entire bag of mushrooms and eyeballs the band.
Seeming almost unaware of their audience the band plays.
Johann takes a moment to thank Tiadora before turning his attention to the music. He receives a drink and takes some food easy enough to eat without detracting his focus from the band. His eyes are bright and eager as he devours the new experience.
Yanev nod thanks to Tiadora and goes to get a plate of food. Settling at a table that gives him a good view Gladiators he samples a small amount of each food and waits a while before digging in.
Angelica takes a plate of food and with it walks past the two Mithrans, tempting them with food and gifts. However should they continue to look with that gaze she will slap them properly.
The Mitrans glare at Angelica unceasingly, provoking a slap or three, while the gladiators begin to put on a show and the band plays on.
Grumblejack's pupils have become the size of saucers. "Where am I?" He asks in confusion. "This doesn't look like the Horn of Abbadon anymore, and what's with the monkeys?" He turns and looks at his companions. "And why do you all look like you have rainbow lights shooting out of your heads...how rude."
"Do not worry, it just the drugs, hopefully the mushrooms. In time it will pass." The doctor says reassuringly but keeps Grumblejack in his vision while looking at the gladiators.
I hope they don't cause him to get violent, he'll create quite a mess before he is killed. In fact I hope it was the mushroom, if was the food we could all get violent. smiling to himself [i]Maybe we are just the entertain for a party of those even more powerful. That would explain Tiadora pushing this entertainment upon us. whether or not there is anyone else I bet she is watching and enjoying the show.[/i[
"Ha!" Grumblejack laughs in response to Doctor Yanev's words, then, a moment later, he seems confused about why he laughed.
The Gladiators make a show of their fight at first, moving their bodies in wide, graceful movements and cutting each other shallowly in passing but after a bit the fight gets serious and the sound of blades and shields crashing rings louder than the band's music as the warriors genuinely try to kill each other.
The food and drink are wonderful and the music lively, it's not a bad night to be alive.
The party runs late into the night ( )But it won't last.
Soon Tiadora's master arrives and the serious business begins.
Angelica toys around the with prisoners a bit more and once they are to be disposed she laces her wine with some of the blood of the female for extra flavor.
She takes another hot bath and makes use of her slave to relieve some tension in her body.
The next morning she looks fresh and lively, and her slave has a couple of additional bite marks in his neck.
After some time relaxing and recovering from your prison ordeal Tiadora visits you each in your rooms and collects you to meet her newly arrived master.
Tiadora leads you to a beautifully appointed office richly decorated with dark wood and sumptuous brocade tapestries. 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?”
Grinning lightly, the Cardinal's words appear to have found a sympathetic audience in Damien. As the Cardinal pontificates at the ails of modern day Talingarde society, Damien seems to nod in agreement at most, if not everything the Cardinal says.
Noting his robes, Damien realizes that he and Thorn have an affinity in their worship of Asmodeus. Sparing not a moment, Damien defers to his superior in the hierarchy of their infernal church and immediately replies "Of course Cardinal, you have my loyalty and my skills at your disposal; I was endeavoring to do the very things you speak of before my capture, and I am eager to resume my work." Standing to his feet with a devilish smile, Damien's eyes seem to burn with the same purpose as the Cardinal's. Bowing from the waist respectfully, Damien adds "What would you have of me Cardinal?"
"Well I never had any peace, mercy or forgiveness anyway. Let's burn those pathetic spineless Mitrans"
The doctor nods thoughtfully. "I will happily serve the high priest of the Prince of Darkness. Forgive me for my impertinence but I do require proof that you are he. I do not wish to be punished by the prince for being tricked into worship of a lower demon or devil."
"I have been many things but never have I been blind." Johann smiles and nods his agreement. "I will join you. I confess that I may not have your holy fervor, but I as an artist have the passion of creation. And I see well enough to know you have a vision, and to be part in this will lead me to see scenes I've only imagined before and do sins I've never had yet to commit."
"We will get into that in a bit." The Cardinal replies to Damien. To Yanev he replies: "And what sort of proof would satisfy you Doctor?"
"Welcome Ms. Isley and Mr. Grey. Your service is most welcome." The Cardinal says, smiling. "Mr. Harman will appreciate your help as his work continues as well, I'm sure."
"There are great rewards for serving Asmodeus as I am sure you are well aware, and in serving me as his prime representative in this nation." The Cardinal continues. "A compact must be signed to make such service and rewards binding in the eyes of the Lord of the Hells, Tiadora?"
The woman approaches the group with a leather scroll writ in dark ink, she unfurls it and reads aloud.
"Behold on this day Fall 8th, 1896 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."
After reading the Compact Tiadora hands each of you a bladed quill.
"You must sign in your own blood." She informs you with a smile.
The doctor smiles and as he reads. "I would have ask you to swear an oath of your allegiance in the Prince's name but assuming you will sign this then I don't think that will be required."
"I am happy with this." he says and reaches into his coat and pulls out a small vile after unstoppering it he dips his quill in and signs his name.
"Look to the bottom of the scroll and see my name already graces it good Doctor." The Cardinal replies and you see that it is true.
Johann reads the infernal contract over, somewhat familiar with them. Satisfied, he draws his blood with the quill and writing his name on the contract.
Annie was reading her book apparently (by outward appearance at least) not paying attention, but it is apparent that she was hearing every word, and well aware of the situation.
she hops off the chair and approaches the table with the contract.
she slides over a chair and stands on it to get a better view of the scroll.
she then looks to the Cardinal, I know you. we met before, before I went to prison. you thought I was asleep. you sent the demon for Tibbers to fight to test me. then you let get arrested. You called me Dark child, or something like that.
she grabs a quill and makes her mark as required, her blood burning into the parchment with an ever faint sizzle of flame.