For the next three days you are fed, rested, bathed and clothed in finery befitting nobility gifted to you by the Cardinal. You live a life of luxury and ease in the manor house making the trials of the prison seem a distant memory. Tiadora offers each of you a slave companion during your stay here to serve you and see to all your needs. Tiadora then takes the wealth you looted from Branderscar and any purchase requests you have and returns with your purchases at the end of the three days. There is an alchemy lab in one of the rooms in your wing allowing the Doctor to regain his extracts and others to refresh their spell components.
During the respite and your wanderings of the manor's living quarters you learn you are not alone here. There are four other individuals who were here before you and have already signed the contract. They call themselves The White Ravens, hailing from the mainland outside Talinguarde when the Cardinal recruited them. Their leader, Elise Zadaria, a beautiful human witch with a rare albino raven familiar, Dostan Alfson, a barbaric looking half-elf who likes to drink, Tallus "Trak" Rackburn, a middle-aged human bounty hunter and tracker, twin brother to Titus "Trik" Rackburn, an Asmodean cultist, the friendliest and most talkative of the bunch. The four didn't escape from a prison like most of you but were smuggled in on a merchant vessel that arrived in Varyston just a few days ago.
Talia will spend time getting to know her allies and the White Ravens. After being imprisoned, she seems quite eager to prove that she is worthy of a second chance.
She will spend time meditating and sparring. She wears no armor, seemingly knowing where a blow will land before it's swung. Likewise she needs no weapon, using bare hands when sparring with allies. When alone, she will perform intricate dancelike moves with the blade of red force that she creates from her will.
At at night, others will notice she needs no tools to rearrange the logs in the hearth. She simply reaches in and moves them with her bare hands.
But he supposed the Cardinal did help break them out of that hellhole. And he'd have to start somewhere afresh since those fools had burned all his research. Burned it! How could such neanderthals have managed to get themselves placed as head of state? They really just had to go. So it seemed his and the Cardinal's goals were at least somewhat aligned, even if he didn't buy in to the whole fire and brimstone of it.
Silently he reached out to accept a copy of the contract to read over. It was probably written on human skin. Devil-worshipers were so melodramatic that way. Literacy had made such strides that leather was hardly a worthwhile substitute for paper. He grimaced slightly as the material seemed to warp the text but pushed on anyway. Only a fool signed a contract without reading it first. Especially when magic was undoubtedly involved to make sure it'd be followed.
The language was distasteful rubbish -- all this 'Master' and 'Bound' nonsense -- but the content didn't seem too objectionable. 'Put Asmodeus first among gods', easy enough. The gods were pretty much all the same to him anyway, save that some had more annoying followers than others. The second loyalty was a bit more annoying. Or at least, it could be depending on the man in question. Though he seemed a bit more the hands-off rather than micromanaging type, going from their escape, so there was hope there. Third was fine and actually seemed rather useful. No man is an island after all. The fourth was actually quite interesting as well and spoke very promising things about the bargain as a whole.
"Yes, I think this will do nicely." The comment was more to himself than anyone else. With a slight smile, he cut his forearm just below the F scar -- he needed to keep his hands unhurt and agile after all. There was a brief pause as he contemplated what name was appropriate to use. Back when he had walked among the people, he had be called a healer of men. It was a position of power born of years of learning and no little skill, and truth be told, he found it rather an appealing moniker. He made a quick motion with his hand, a slight flourish before he finished. Signed, The Doctor
A soft sigh of pleasure escaped his lips as his loaned slave John Harker slid the silk shirt over his shoulders. . When they had first arrived, he hadn't been sure which he enjoyed more: the hot bath or finally getting out of those peasants' clothes. He had been quite pleased to discover that the Cardinal knew how a proper gentleman attired himself. "Something simple today, I think Harker."
The slave nodded as he helped the man dress in dark slacks and a matching vest. With a wave, the Doctor indicated that he wanted the silver pocket watch and the red and orange pocket square, which the slave artfully arranged to look like a living flame. The matching bowtie, however, the Doctor tied himself. It was a skill no gentleman should be without, and he quite frankly didn't trust the slave to do a decent job of it.
Now properly attired, he began the relatively short walk to the alchemist's lab, his polished leather oxfords making no sound on the lush carpet of the hallway. Truth be told, he had only managed to go a single day before boredom had forced him here to tinker. Once there, he held up his hands expectantly, like a surgeon before operating. John hurriedly came forward to remove the red cufflinks he had only just put in a few minutes ago and roll up his temporary master's sleeves. Now ready, the Doctor continued his work attempting to combine the effects of multiple potions into a single one. He felt he was getting close to solving the first part of the puzzle: whether the liquids needed to be combined initially and stabilized or only mixed at the last moment before being imbibed.
The woman who had shown the new arrivals to their rooms was short, redheaded and stunning. She was barely more than five feet, but managed to pack far more than her fair share of feminine curves onto her tiny frame.
"My name is Rose. My room is there at the front of the hall. I am supposed to make sure you are all well taken care of. So, knock or send a slave if you need anything."
"Assuming you can pass the tests, I'm looking forward to working with you."
Marvin... does not believe in small talk. He responds to questions, when asked, but following the escape, he is mostly silent, praying or practicing weapon stances and spells in his down time.
Elise Zadaria is a beautiful human woman who goes nowhere without her rare albino raven familiar. Nominally the leader of this group of adventurers from the mainland who were recruited to help with the destruction of Talingarde. Calling themselves “The White Ravens” (after Zadaria’s familiar – a rare albino raven), they hail from the land of the north men. They were recruited by Thorn after successfully raiding a paladin’s tomb. Zadaria is not a worshipper of Asmodeus instead serving a mysterious entity she calls “The Endless Winter”. She is only too pleased to do her part in bringing down the followers of the sun god. "I assume we will be receiving our orders from Thorn as soon as he returns. Perhaps we are meant to work together. I doubt it though, such a large group would attract too much attention."
Dostan Alfson is fanatically dedicated to Elise for reasons he will not talk about. This brooding hulk is rarely far from his great sword. He doesn't have much to say and prefers to let others do the talking. However, sharing a little mead with him he drunkenly reveals he owes Zadaria his life when he would have perished along with his tribe. After that he vowed to follow her until he could repay the service. "I don't care about her winter, I've survived so many in my tribes' homelands. Perhaps I shall return there some day." He lifts his cup into the air. "To my fallen tribe." He toasts and keeps drinking.
“Trak” is the slightly older(by a minute) and taller of the two identical twins who serve in “The White Ravens”. His favorite prey is humans and he is a hunter of men both by profession and inclination. He served as a bounty hunter for a while before falling into the service of Zadaria. Enthralled by Elise, there is no doubt that his interest in her is far from professional. Only his loyalty to his brother, Trik, rivals his dedication to the witch. "Don't get too close to my brother if you value your life. Let's just say he's missing a few planks in his hull." He laughs.
“Trik” is the younger twin and so friendly and approachable that he seems completely out of place in this wicked band. "Don't listen to him. He's just jealous that Asmodeus smiles upon me and my righteous efforts in his eyes. My brother likes to kill but he does not offer sacrifice and dedicate his work to his god. He prefers to focus on more mortal 'pleasures'." he says with a careful nod towards Zadaria. The brothers certainly have a healthy rivalry, though not always a friendly one.
Kelvar will accept the use of a slave, although he is unaccustomed to having one and after dressing each morning is unsure what to do with it. He will spend his time getting to know his companions, as well as socializing with the White Ravens. His goal is to try and determine the skills of the White Ravens - after all, they are likely to be competition, if nothing else.
On the fourth day in the Manor, Cardinal Thorn finally returns and you are summoned before him by a message delivered to Rose by a servant. "The master demands your presence and that of the newest recruits, in his office."
He sits behind his desk with a smile as the 5 of you enter. Tiadora stands behind him, as comely as ever in a plunging red dress. Upon his desk is a tray holding 5 iron bands and 5 silver amulets(asmodean holy symbols). He offers them to you. "Gifts. For the newest and final Knot of my plan. You are the Nessian Knot, named so for the final layer of Hell." He gives you a moment to take and inspect your new gift.
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.
"The iron circlets will 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 Tiadora acquired for you – well, you need them now."
"You have done well to escape from Branderscar and to accept my offer. However, you are still not ready for my service. Tiadora 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 noon. You have until noon tomorrow to bring me my prize. Do not fail me." Cardinal Thorn takes a seat at his desk.
Tiadora moves from behind Thorn to stand in front of you. "This way," is all she says.
Rose's eyes lit up as the Cardinal talked. She said nothing, but she was practically vibrating with excitement and happiness.
Talia has no weapon or armor, but she does not leave to go get them. She seems quietly confident and very determined.
When he first saw the pairs of bands, the Doctor initially thought this was yet another tasteless 'master/slave' type reminder similar to the wording of the contract. He was pleasantly surprised to find out otherwise. Though I wouldn't be surprised if the silver band -- or perhaps even the iron one just to to surprise us -- had some kind of scrying or compulsion magic on it.
"My, what thoughtful gifts! I was thinking just the other day how I needed one of these." While his gratitude was sincere, he couldn't hide that he appreciated one of the two amulets more than the other. Nevertheless, he dutifully put both on, snapping his fingers at John to start placing his armor on his as he did so. Once on, the magic of the iron circlet causes the armor to immediately disappear. His nose twitches as he decides what to do with the circlet itself, eventually settling on the form of a red cylinder hat as his vest transforms itself into a jacket.
"I assume you'll want Harker to stand outside while we complete this test?"
The diminutive redhead arrived for the Cardinal's she was dramatically transformed. Gone was the noblewoman's finery. In it's place was a black knight girded for war.
She wore lacquered black baroque plate armor over dark red leathers. Her tabard displayed the Asmodean pentacle bracketed by flaming wings. Under her arm was a helmet with a sleek, blank faceplate that had polished until it looked like an obsidian mirror. It had no eye slits other openings of any kind. How anyone wearing it could see out of it was impossible to tell.
A warhammer hung at her belt, it's face forming the Asmodean pentacle. The five points of the hammer's face each curved forward like jutting thorns. A wicked looking axe head curved opposite the hammer. Besides her rather unique looking hammer, she was dotted with a great many other weapons. A longsword on the opposite hip from the hammer, Javilins and Pila in a quiver over her shoulder, even a trio of plate-sized throwing blades int he shape of Asmodeus' holy symbol.
Strapped to her arm was a kite shield who's five points had been exaggerated into the Asmodean pentacle as well. It too bore her burning wing heraldry.
It was clear she was a bit obsessed with symbology and the trappings of her church.
She picked up her silver holy symbol and circlet from the desk reverently and started to follow Tiadora to the basement.
"Correct, Doctor." she replied. "This is where we prove ourselves. We are all born to bondage. Only the strongest and most worthy break free to own their own destinies. Your slave has not earned the right."
"Use whatever resources you wish dearest," Tiadora says.
Rose gave Tiadora a raised eyebrow, then shrugged. "Or not."
"Jewelry?" Marvin's face shows just enough amusement to twitch the corners of his mustache, before clasping on the necklace and headpin. "Not really what I'm in this for; but, alright." With one knuckle, he thumped his walking stick. "So. Traps, monsters, probably some sort of morality puzzle. Guess it'll be a shame to have to wreck whatever you spent so long assembling in your basement, but sure, let's go."
Kelvar comes to the meeting clad in his new breastplate. Not as ornate as Rose's, the armor is a well-crafted but unrelieved plain steel over tanned leathers, lacking heraldry of any variety. The helm is open-faced, and the steel-backed gauntlets spiked. His battleaxe at his side is a wicked half-moon, balanced by a vicious looking spike on the back. At his other side hangs a heavy mace, the favored weapon of priests of Asmodeus. His shield, also spiked, is strapped to his back, although it looks to be configured in such a way as to be easily drawn forth. Across his back is a bow with a quiver of arrows, and a dagger can be seen strapped to his thigh.
Kelvar takes the circlet and holy symbol as they are offered to him. Though he already possessed a holy symbol of Asmodeus, there was no harm in carrying a second one. The circlet did make for an amusing bit of redundancy, since he was capable of casting a spell to disguise himself, but the circlet would likely last longer. He donned the circlet, leaving it in its current form. There was no need for disguise - not presently, at least.
Kelvar nods at the demand they prove themselves. If they were not strong enough, they would not survive to fight again, nor to serve the Cardinal - and for him, Archaerox would likely be most displeased.
Tiadora shows the group where to go, and he looks at the man who insists on calling himself Doctor as his only name. "If you are bringing the slave, then do so - provided he does not get in our way or slow us down too much. If he does, I shall kill him myself."
The Doctor seems pleasantly surprised that his new "friend" would be accompanying them. If John felt any differently about accompanying the group into some unknown, likely very dangerous test, he had the good sense not to show it as he mutely handed his temporary master the things he would more likely need quick access to like his crossbow and basic alchemical reagents.
"If you are bringing the slave, then do so - provided he does not get in our way or slow us down too much. If he does, I shall kill him myself."
"If you do, I shall expect you to carry my things in his stead. Furthermore, it is you, not I, who will be explaining to our dear hosts why their property was so wantonly destroyed."
Talia ignores the squabbling over the slave. If they were truly challenged, then the slave was not likely to survive. If the Doctor could not function without assistance, he was not worthy.
Instead, she will examine the cellar door, expecting that even the entrance will be a test.
Tiadora waves Talia out of the way. "The lessons don't start until you go down the stairs my dear." She pushes open the heavy double doors and beckons you all down. "Below you will find the nine lessons. You have 24 hours." She reminds you.
A set of stone stairs leads down, through an archway and into an unfurnished chamber beyond. Inscribed upon the archway in the common tongue is: Deception is a tool. Self-deception is death. Deceive always thy enemy but never thyself. The room beyond is lit by a small oil lantern hanging from the center of the chamber. There is nothing in the room save for a door to the east.
"Talia, do you know how to spot traps? Any of the rest of you have good eyes for traps?" Rose asked looking around.
The Doctor takes out a small stone that radiates light and then flips it up in the air, where it begins to slowly orbit his head. "Traps no more or less than any other thing, I suppose. I have been known to tinker with a few every now and then."
He looks up at the archway. "So, general advice or some clue as to what to expect in this room?" I suspect the latter, but either way, I suppose we should at least check out that door. Though I'd be surprised if it weren't a misdirect. He then steps in to the room to contemplate the door, not quite stepping up right next to it. John wisely remains towards the entrance of the room, not touching anything.
Hmm, Question 1: Are you really a door? Question 2: What foul mechanism awaits were you to be opened?
"Oh boy," Marvin mutters. "Nine rooms. Nine circles of hell. If there's a pattern there, it should be obvious pretty soon." And he thumps the door with his walking stick, ready to strike at anything that might pop out.
She looks confident. "I have been trained in observation."
As several of the others examine the door, Kelvar chooses to examine the rest of the room, looking for anything hidden.
"I can take things apart well enough, but I'll need the rest of you to point me in the right direction. My eyes... don't work that way." Rose said while the others scanned the room.
The Doctor and Marvin move towards the door with Talia right behind them while the others spread out and examine the rest of the room. Talia notices several cracks in the floor near her feet extending under the Doctor and Marvin and towards the door. Before she is able to utter a word of warning Marvin is banging on the door.
The floor swings down from under Marvin and the Doctor's feet.
Perhaps you jump or roll out of the way just in time. Maybe you turn just in time to grab Talia by the arm as she helps pull you out of the way. Whatever you do you avoid falling into the trap.
You fall into the spiked pit. Take 1d6 falling damage and land on 1d4 spikes which do 1d4 damage each.
Kelvar notices nothing out of place in the stonework.
Carved upon the wall inside the pit near the bottom is the phrase
Expecting something terrible to happen, the Doctor is unsurprised when the floor below him starts to give away and hastily leaps backwards. Note to self, 10 foot pits, not 5 foot ones. Luckily for him, Talia had chosen to stand behind Marvin, so there was no awkward fumbling to avoid hitting her.
"Clue to the room it is then. Next question, is that actually the way out?"
Looking at his two heavily armored companions, he waves the other end of the rope at them. "I don't suppose either of you would care to form the anchor? You both look heavier than me." There's a beat of silence before he realizes his possible misstep. "Because of the armor, you see. Dreadfully heavy, so I hear."
Once the pit business is resolved, he then begins to look around the other walls, attempting to see if there are any hidden doors. Easiest route first. Better to check the walls than to jump across that pit only to discover the door is fake.
Blast, I guess if there is a way out, across the pit it is. He once more steps to the edge of the pit to see roughly how far down it is and how much room is on the other side to stand if one were to attempt to jump across.
Rose rubs her temples, pained as she watches her new allies trigger the incredibly obvious trap.
"Boys, you just lost your door privilages. Stand by the stairs and don't move. Talia, be a dear and look for a hidden door. When you find it let me know."
The Doctor resists the urge to point out that he hadn't done anything. After all, the poor girl had already said her eyes weren't that great. Most likely she just hadn't been able to see that it had been Marvin's actions that triggered the trap and that he had just been unfortunate enough to stand too close. An area of effect blame spell, as it were.
No, it simply wouldn't do to rub her face in her own deficiencies. It was just too...gauche. Especially since she had already admitted as much and that was really the important thing. So instead, he simply ignored her as he continued to look at the walls. He idly wondered if it was a physical thing or more psychosomatic.
"Rope?" Marvin shouts from the bottom of the pit.
Rose rolled her eyes and pulled a rope free from a large pouch and the small of her back. She lowered it down to Marvin and hauled him up.
Shaking his head, Kelvar will go help Rose anchor the rope while Marvin climbs out. "You know, Doctor, I am likely heavier than you without armor. In light of this trap, I suspect a hidden door somewhere, although I have not yet found it. Perhaps, Doctor, you or your pack mule could look for it?"
This far, Kelvar is unimpressed by the Doctor, and finds him overly full of himself. This Marvin fellow at least didn't talk as much.
"Hmm. Or we could've just shot an arrow at the door, to the same effect. Maybe next time."
Talia does not chide her allies. This is a test. They will learn. She just begins searching the room, starting north of the door and going widdershins around the room.
Marvin follows, staff out in front of him again, and this time tapping the ground a few feet ahead of where he walks to listen for the sound of hollow spaces or further traps.
After Marvin is out of the hole, Kelvar will check along the South wall as well.
In the north wall you discover a hidden door leading to a small alcove beyond. A small pedestal holds a jewel that glows with pale blue light. It is cold to the touch. Above it on the wall is another inscription.
This ‘jewel’ is a cleverly crafted bit of sealed quartz. Inside the quartz is alchemist’s ice. If thrown the jewel breaks and explodes exactly as alchemist’s fire but instead inflicts cold damage.
The southern wall seems elusive but having no other option you keep searching and a couple minutes later you find the release for another hidden door. It open to a 20 ft. hallway with a door at the other end. An inscription above the door reads...
"A useful tool? Oh! I've seen that stuff before! Not as a necklace though. That threw me off. It's alchemical ice. It's like the fire stuff, but it freezes instead. Give it to the Doctor. If it was put down here I'm sure we'll need it soon."
"Talia, you can see in the dark, right? You're up front with me. I'll take point, just keep an eye out over my shoulder. Let me know if I'm about to walk into something painful."
"Huh, alchemical ice you say? Seems like an odd thing to put down here, but I agree that if they chose this rather than its more common cousin, there's probably a reason. It even matches the imagery for the next room. Speaking of, since this warning is all about moving as a group, might I suggest that we don't all rush in to this next room? Though perhaps the 'don't group up' warning is for what's actually inside."
The Doctor takes the gem and idly rolls it between his fingers. As his companions get ready to enter, he prepares to observe without entering just yet lest entering too soon after them count as 'following the heard'.
"Good idea. How about the rest of you give the two of us a little distance before following." Rose agreed.
"Then I suggest that lady Rose and I go side by side. It might be a bit tight, but we'll have our skills ready."
She will focus for a second and be enveloped by a slight blue glow that fades into her skin.
"Agreed. I shall allow the two of you to enter and leave a gap before following. Perhaps, Doctor and Marvin, you should also leave a gap as we enter, to ensure we do not bunch up."
Kelvar will study the part of the room he can see.
Inside this stone chamber, there are three more doors, each facing a cardinal direction. The entire chamber feels unnaturally cold and you start to shiver. The ground is dirty and dusty and those perceiving see that at least a dozen individuals have walked towards the southern and the eastern doors. No one seems to have approached the western door. This room is also lit with a small oil lantern that hangs from the ceiling. There is a small amount of frost on the lantern’s glass panes. The western door is covered in a strange pulsating violet mold.
Talia seems unaffected by the cold. "I suspect that the western door is the exit. I know little about molds. Does anybody know more about it?" She looks specifically at the Doctor, but is open to anybody's input.
The Doctor shivers in the cold. He could make something to warm himself up, but if it was only like this in this one room, that would seem like a waste of resources. If it becomes too much of an issue, I'll grab my winter blanket from Harker. If it continues past this room, I'll make a nice warm extract.
"Well, based solely on the door inscription, I would guess one of three things:
1) It's harmless -- perhaps not a good assumption to make given where we are
2) It's vulnerable to cold, hence the alchemist's ice -- though why it wouldn't shrivel in this wretched place, I'm not sure
or 3) It means to give us a taste of 'icy derision'
But I'll see if I can't identify it to give us a better idea."
With that, he steps further in to the room. This time making sure to give himself 10 feet of buffer between himself and the mold.
Kelvar shivers as the Doctor approaches the mold to study it, his breath forming mist in the air. The chill in this room is quite dangerous. If we are in it too long, some of us may begin to freeze.
He watches as the Doctor advances towards the mold, curious to see if the man's knowledge is sufficient to determine the type of mold.