Johan notes the similarity in behavior between the addled slaves and the sergeant back at the prison, and resolves not to spend any time alone with the beautiful and off-putting Tiadora. Once shown around his room, he dismisses the slaves promptly, his natural mistrust of others getting the better of him.
He washes and changes into the clean clothes provided. He pokes his head out the door and demands food, which he scarfs down hungrily. He cleans the gore of his gear. His sits in the least comfortable chair trying not to doze off.
Some time later he awakes with a start to a soft knock on his door. The slave that brought the food is back. "The mistress say if you already finished your preparation, you should go see the Master. I can lead you to where you should wait your companions."
He rubs his eyes and shakes himself back to the here and now. Mmm, yeah, lead on...
A guttural grunt of approval came from Malgrim's throat as he looked Tiadora up and down with a glint in his eye. Much as he obviously appreciated her form, he seemed even more impressed by the slaves.
I hope she broke their spirit sufficiently...
Once alone, he addressed his servant-
Fetch me a whip, so that I may address your future failings in a swift fashion. You may assure your mistress than no permanent harm will be done to you in such instances.
Barking at his slaves to dress his wounds, he was bemused as he was given a decanter of healing liquid. He decided to carry it with him for now in case this place was not as friendly as it seemed. When Malgrim came to eat, he did so with a surprising amount of civility. Certainly he would not be spotted with a knife and fork in hand, but he did not simply lay waste to the wood with the savagery typical of his kind.
Cleaned and refreshed, Malgrim had the servants pick him out something red and clean from the wardrobe, preferably with a hood. Malgrim kept his newly acquired chain shirt on underneath the clothing; getting more and more used to the armour and recalling memories of drilling in armour as he was growing up; before the Ironskin took special note of his talents.
He was ready to see the master of this place; and find what price he or she had put on his freedom.
"So, Ace," Damien chuckles, as he steps into the room offered to him, the weasel lounging on his shoulders. "What have you been up to?"
Ace chitters back energeticall.
"Two guards to chase you down? Really. Boy, they don't take this stuff lightly. Good job on not getting caught."
Again, chitter chitter.
"Hah. Couldn't have pulled it off without these other fellas, but I like to think I did a pretty good job too."
After washing up, getting dressed in something better-fitting and better looking, Damien sits down for a decent meal, something he had very much missed during his stay in branderscar.
Later that evening, having had a decent meal, seconds, dessert, and seconds of the dessert, Damien calls for one of the servants to lead him to the mysterious "master"' wondering why he'd chosen to break them out.
At last Tiadora leads you to a beautifully appointed office richly decorated with dark wood and sumptuous brocade tapestry. Sitting in a leather high-backed chair is a devilishly handsome fellow who smiles as you enter. “I believe you to be the first to ever escape from Branderscar Prison. Not only that, to burn it to the ground! 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?”
At last Tiadora leads you to a beautifully appointed office richly decorated with dark wood and sumptuous brocade tapestry. Sitting in a leather high-backed chair is a devilishly handsome fellow who smiles as you enter. “I believe you to be the first to ever escape from Branderscar Prison. Not only that, to burn it to the ground! 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."
I have thus far presumed none of my companions to be so naive Malgrim said softly, wary.
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.” [/b] 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?”
Malgrim spoke carefully, still wary. What forces have you at your disposal? How large of an operation would we be joining, should we pledge our allegiance? Are we to assume from your words that we shall be lieutenants, as I have surmised, or henchmen?
He raised his hands to placate any anger his questioning might have provoked.
I have little recourse at any rate. Re-joining my people without assistance from you and yours would only lead to re-capture; and I would not shame myself before my elders by fleeing in such a manner. Your price for my freedom was accepted the moment I flung aside my manacles. I merely seek to be better informed; and for my companions, whose... prospects, are better than mine own- to know exactly what it is they are joining to become a true Forsaken
How large? I'll burn Talingard to the ground, and if you join me, you'll be the harbringer of war. Not lieutenants or henchmen, but Lords in your own right. Says Thorn
Eldred gives what he hopes is a courtly bow to the man as he introduces himself as the last High Priest of Asmodeus. After Malgrim responds to the offer, Eldred adds what he hopes is a polite and well reasoned response.
For my part, I am willing to sign on with you for your goals, indeed, as my friend said, we were in your service from the moment we removed our shackles.
Issues of religious affliation? I'll bow the knee but I am not of a deeply religious sort when comes to your Dark Prince. Spare me but lip service and the sort of loyalty you'd expect of your agents of destruction and we will be both well pleased with the blood and fire that come... , he pauses, then adds a silky My Lord.
The Gray Master would have no objection to such I think if one of the Sons of the Mask were to be on the inside of this truly unique opportunity, he thinks to himself as he considers his religious allegiance to Norgorber.
I have no objection about your faith. But you'll obey and honor Asmodeus if you agree to join me. And in time, you'll see the beneficts of worshiping the Prince of Nessus. Says the cardinal.
Done, Eldred says with a smile and a bow.
"Those are some pretty ambitious plans right there... I like it. I ain't too big on faith myself, but a big risky project like this? I can't turn that down. No way. Count me in!"
Johan listens to the self styled Cardinal with arms folded across his chest, keeping his expression carefully impassive as the man alternately praises them and denigrates them; makes them an offer and then threatens them.
As Malgrim questions the man, he watches the Cardinal's responses carefully. Again he is struck by the wisdom of the hoblgoblin. He respects his caution and restraint, echoing it at first, but...
His scalp prickles as the Cardinal goes on about the dark prince Asmodeus. Johan runs his finger over the edge of the blasphemous holy symbol he had pulled from the veil and many things click into place all at once. He knows with a rare clarity that his true path has been laid out before him. He has but to step upon it.
Today, swear fealty to me and to Asmodeus.
Johan had followed stronger men all his life. He craves order; needs someone to tell him what is right.
Put aside forgiveness and I shall give you vengeance.
He remembers the feel of his hands around the throat of the sergeant who had branded him.
Put aside mercy and be made powerful.
He remembers the look on the faces of the two servants that he and Eldred had butchered without a second thought.
Put aside peace and become my harbingers of war.
He remembers the smell of Branderscar burning.
What say you? Will you swear your allegiance or will you burn with the rest of the blind fools?”
A man adrift no longer, Johan nods his assent - a fervent light in his eyes, and hellfire kindling in his blackening heart.
Cardinal Thorn smiles.
“Excellent. Let us make it official. Signing in blood is traditional.”
He brings out a quill, a silver ritual knife and two copies of a contract written on some unidentifiable leather and written in dark red ink – the Pact of Thorns. With the knife he cut his finger, and use the blood as ink to write his name in both of the copies.
He then passes the other copy to you.
The contract reads the following:
Behold on this day Oathday, Calistril 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 nending.
Signed,
He lets you keep one copy of the contract. The other, he takes.
“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.”
You are fed, fully rested, bathed and clothed in garments more befitting nobility than prisoners on the lam. For three days you live a life of luxury and ease in the manor house. Tiadora offers them each of you one of the slaves as a ‘companion’.
Well done villains. You have three days to rest and enjoy. Tell me what you will do in this time.
Eldred reads the contract slowly. He's never put much stock in the written contract, the majority of his compacts being verbal and enforced by either a ferocious upper echelon or by respect for mutual strength and measured against future gain... But when a priest of the feared Prince of Darkness hands you a contract? It's best to be cautious.
My lord... I respect a well written contract, he says with the glib lie that hopefully will pass as diplomacy, That said its been said that I would discuss with you some, errr, additional 'stipulations', I think they are called... In private if you prefer.
"Every one in our holy cause has signed the same contract. Those are your brothers now." he says geturing to the others forsaken "What do you wish do discuss they cannot hear?" Thorn says, his eyes hardening.
Damien peers over the contract, reading it attentively. standing on his shoulder, Ace reading along over his shoulder.
"Whoa. That's a big gamble to take, even for me..." After a moment of tense silence, he draws a coin out of his pocket, absentmindedly flicking it and catching it. Then, he closes his eyes.
"See Cardinal, I'm a gambler at heart, but part of that is knowing when to fold 'em. Now, with this contract, you're stacking the deck something fierce. " Going by this, if you wanted me to do something that's really really bad for me, I'd have to do it. "They shall do the Master no harm and obey his every commandment as long as those commandments do not clash with their First Loyalty, see what I mean? I appreciate the escape and all, and I'd be more than glad to work with you and your dark prince, but don't you think we could deal this one out a little more fairly? I'd love to be your lieutenant, but this looks like more of a slave thing."
"The Master swears that as long as the Four Loyalties are upheld, he shall reward the Bound as they deserve for their deeds." he quote "It's a two way contract. As long you are loyal, you'll have my protection and the reward you deserve." he answer. "The Prince of Nessus is also known as God of Contracts."
I was hoping to be diplomatic about it my Lord and not look like I was dragging you down by quibbling, but as he's the God of Contracts as well, I ain't too happy with clause two. YOU'VE said you don't care about my religious beliefs but this contract says otherwise. You can 'order' me to give up my religious beliefs and 'bam' I am in breach of contract with the Lord of Hell... not a good situation now, is it?.
And now that Friend Damien mentions it, it does sound a bit errr... high handed.
How about something that we are able to retain any existing oaths and obligations, religious and otherwise and freedom to worship whom we will? I've no problems with obedience to you.
"Have I not freed you? Do you really think I would render them useless, my harbringers in a such way? Belive in what you will. All I demand from you is to honor the Fallen One. Your oaths and obligations, as long they are not against the Mighty One cause, they are yours and yours alone." the cardinal says.
"Then, let's be diplomatic about this and outline in in the contract, shall we? Surely you'd know just as much as anyone else not to trust anything you don't have on paper."
His voice drops to a barely audible whisper "Are you suggesting, by any means, that I'll break my word? A sacred contract of Asmodeus?" the air feels heavy and suddently he don't seen all handsome anymore.
"Nah," Damien deflects. By any logic, one should be scared of an angered priest of Asmodeus. The gambler's complete disregard for such a thing could only serve to cement one thing: This was not courage. This was a complete disregard for one's own safety.
"I've got no trouble believing your words. My problem is that the guy on the other side of the table is saying we'll be free to do our business so long as we help his cause. The paper says that we have to do exactly what the guy says. You say 'be my lieutenant.' This," Damien waves the contract in the air, "says 'be my slave.'"
"I see. We have one here that do not know what obligation and commitment means. Have I been hasty in my choice? I don't think." he says to himself and then looking at you again, with a gentle expression he says "Damien" you do not remember saying your name to him "I grown tired of your insults. You saying that my word means nothing. You are free to go, if you wish." but somehow you see a murderous glint in his eyes.
Feeling that discretion may be the better option Eldred cuts his hand with slight enthusiasm and signs the contract.
Your word on it then, he says looking squarely at the priest.
With that he places the contract on the desk and steps back, waiting.
The next three days Eldred alternates between short brutal regimes of calisthenics, bed play and book learning... Requesting tomes on religion and the residents of hell.
Better that Asmodeus become the devil I know..., he reasons, though his studies are cursory, his taste for comparative theology limited.
He also requests works on negotiation and noble etiquette, putting more thought to his progress there.
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Damien smiles.
"Now, now, no need to get mad. You did say "Your oaths and obligations, as long they are not against the Mighty One cause, they are yours and yours alone.", and, unless I've been misinformed, those words are as binding as this paper, aren't they?"
Assuming they are, Damien also signs the contract.
"I just wanted to make sure I wasn't stepping in some crazy trap."
Malgrim tensed up, his itch to strike first rising as conflict seemed more and more likely. As tensions seemed to slowly defuse, he simply broke his flesh with some difficulty, signing the contract with his blood.
Master, your evasiveness to my questions about the size and disposition of the forces available to you did not go unnoticed- just so we are perfectly clear.
"I've heard you Malgrim. You had not yet joined me, and already wanted to know my plans. Just one more now." the cardinal look to Johan. "Will you join me?"
Blind faith makes fools of Asmodeans as easily as Mitrans; pledging myself to a war without knowing how big the force my allies could bring to bear did not sit well with me... Malgrim muttered, obviously rationalising in a pragmatic fashion rather than arguing with the Cardinal. Seeing the light flare in Johan's eyes, he could sense the Bound were almost formed.
I think the "Forsaken" could actually make for a good honorific. Good thing I brought one of those brands with me... When we create new allies, I will be able to mark them... Someday these burns on our arms will be an honorific, something young fools aspire to with the same zeal they would have once wished to join a knightly order.
Johan signs the contract without hesitation when it is passed to him. He hears Thorn and his companions as if through a haze - the whispers were back, and they were clearer than ever before, filling his being with purpose...
After all of you have signed.
He lets you keep one copy of the contract. The other, he takes.
“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.”
You are fed, fully rested, bathed and clothed in garments more befitting nobility than prisoners on the lam. For three days you live a life of luxury and ease in the manor house. Tiadora offers them each of you one of the slaves as a ‘companion’.
At some point during the three days, Johan remembers to check in on Grumblejack. Has he been extended the same courtesies as the rest of them? Johan grimaces at the thought of the ogre delightedly devouring his assigned slave due to a "cultural misunderstanding."
The ogre seens healthier. His wounds are gone, but he still do not look at top of his str. He has now a proper armor and a great club.
Ah, Fireye un' this other un' is funny. he says pointing to the slave. Do everything Grumblejack says. Un, you are a dog now! growl the ogre and the slave starts to bark as a dog.
The ogre laugh. You see he is enjoying himself, and don't appears that he will 'eat' his slave.
At the start of the third day Eldred will prepare his kit and weapons for some action, guessing that his new Lord will not allow them to sit wasted or unused.
On the first day each of receives a silver medallion and an iron circlet. The silver medallion is a holy symbol of Asmodeus (worth 25 gp if you could find a buyer). The iron circlet is magical.
Iron Circlet
Aura faint illusion; CL 1st
Slot head; Price 1,800 gp; Weight –
DESCRIPTION
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 thewearer desires.
CONSTRUCTION
Requirements Craft Wondrous Item, disguise self; Cost 900 gp
This is of course identical to a traditional hat of disguise save for aesthetics.
On the third day Tiadora seeks out Malgrim.
"Dearest, you asked about the master forces. I cannot tell you everything. Some secrets are best to be kept even from our allies.
Cardinal Thorn’s cult of Asmodeus, The Knot of Thorns, consists of nine cells of conspirators - or ‘knots‘ - one for each circle of Hell." She says.
"1st Knot -- Avernian Knot. This is the knot of Sakkarot Fire-Axe and his retinue of bugbear barbarians. And they are the ones that will burn Talingard."
"3rd Knot -- Erebian Knot
This knot is a band of assassins intended to kill the royal family when the war begins in order to increase chaos."
"7th Knot -- Cocytian Knot
Will conduct assassinations of key military leaders ensuring that the Talirean response to the bugbear invasion is sluggish and ineffective."
"The others, you'll know when the master deem necessary."
After a while, the slave returns.
Johan, you know that Eldred is the one requesting the same books as you.
Damien spends the three days lounging and playing cards and other such games of chance with the slaves or anyone else who'd be up for a few hands, looking to reconned with some old tricks he'd lost track of during his imprisonment.
To his great pleasure, his greatest trick returns naturally to him, and his opponent finds that, despite Damien never touching the deck, he receives junk hand after junk hand against all odds.
At the end of the three days, well dressed and having regained his eternal smug grin, he is more than ready to take on those lawful fools.
Elded? hmmph - Johan had not taken the mercurial murderer for the studious type. To be fair though, neither was he. It seemed every day forced him to re-evaluate his assumptions about his new companions, and himself.
As the third day of rest ended, Johan, readied himself for his second meeting with the cardinal...
Malgrim seemed ill at ease at first but gradually settled into the manor. His time was spent almost entirely on furious martial training. He wielded a sheer multitude of weaponry in daily drills, including a longbow he had acquired. Ultimately, he settled for a rather cruel weapon; a serrated metal whip that Tiadora had to get specially ordered for him. While he did not approach the other group staying at the place, he kept a wary eye out for them. He often asked Eldred and Johan to spar with him, although finding both of them quite engaged in books rather than physical training. While he did partake in some of the fine food brought to him, he showed no interest in pleasures of the flesh and led a somewhat gruelling and spartan existence. Malgrim was accustomed to this kind of lifestyle and was determined not to let the manor soften him.
The Hobgoblin showed no interest at all in Grumblejack, quite clearly viewing him as an expendable brute force; something akin to an attack dog. This disdain was in no small part due to the Ogre's efforts in rescuing him from the damnable giant frog, and the Hobgoblin's discomfort in owing him a debt. He had acquired a barbed vest which he wore over his armour, intent on disincentivising any future would-be predators from swallowing him whole.
When a chance presented itself, he spoke to the Cardinal, or to Tiadora if he was not available; having first asked Johan to tell him a little about diabolism.
While my allegiance was sworn to Asmodeus, I would be your Harbinger; your bringer of war. I would ask that my pledge be made to Moloch foremost- for much like Hell's general, I would be a living weapon for our cause. The others may hone themselves to dominate and subvert or pursue whatever fields they wish; I would study tactics and strategy; to pursue the art of the warrior-general. I wanted to make my intentions and desires known to you.
Malgrim approved heartily of the circlet he was given, making sure to thank his new masters profusely for it. His striking appearance had been hindering his efforts to improve his skill at disguise and the circlet would no doubt be invaluable in the days to comr.
Malgrim weighed up the woman's words carefully, before replying in his customary, quiet manner. His unashamed eyes took in her form slowly, drinking her in as he always did.
Your candour is appreciated. I would know if the Cardinal asked you to share this information with me, or if this is a path you chose yourself.
"You asked for this information, don't you Dearest? The master is not one to ignore such thing." she says with a smile.
"As long you do not let your choices get in the way of the Cardinal plans. There's no problem with your beliefs. But dearest, you'll see that worship the Fallen One is the best choice."
You know his name. Before you got caught, your clan leader had received a message from Fire-Axe. You know he managed to unite almost all of the ogre tribes in the north.
After the three days, you are once again summoned by Cardinal Thorn:
“Have you enjoyed your gifts? The iron circlets 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 – 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 dusk. You have until dusk tomorrow to bring me my prize. Do not fail me.”
Cardinal Thorn takes a seat at his desk.