Kaythor nods, "A wise decision. After all, we are all on the same side here" He then focuses his mind, attempting to draw Henar and Katrin into the collective one at a time. The process only takes a few moments, and yet again, appears to have done nothing for those involved. However, Kaythor knows this will prove very useful in the future.
3/5 full on my collective
He saw the unholy symbol around the handsome bald man's neck and the robes and dipped his head in what seemed to be reverant respect. Though he knew little about the true motivations of Adrastus Thorn, for even the most pious of worshippers of the Prince of Hell serve their own ambitions as well, as the man kept speaking it seemed that Adrastus and Artorius's goals corresponded - to a point. If this man truly held such favor with Asmodeus, Artorius had no choice but to follow the schemes of the Cardinal.
"Cardinal Thorn, I am already a Deacon in service to the Prince of Darkness and as such, I will readily follow your dictates and guidence." He paused and unspoken was the word 'however'. He moved over to the contract and took his time reading it over. A contact was a serious thing, especially a devil written contract signed in blood. Unlike those he might soon be binding himself to, he was not so quick to sign, whereas many present shared the faith of Asmodeus, their lack of knowledge regarding the inner workings of the priesthood perhaps made them less wary to the dangers involved.
The contract had him worried he would forever be bound to the Cardinal until he read the last few lines. he shall reward the Bound as they deserve for their deeds. That was a protection as much as was the first loyalty. Further more he knew that to not sign now would to bring the wrath of the Cardinal and those who had already bound themselves upon him.
"With this cut and with this ink, I, Artorius of house Pavo, pledge myself once more to the will of the Prince of Hell." Artorius spoke and cut a long line along the pad of his left middle finger. Grimacing, he applied quill to the blood as it gathered and signed his name Artorius Pavo upon the contract.
After signing the contract he fell to the side, slumping against the wall as a painful spasm seized hold of him and twisted the muscles his right leg in agonizing contortions. He grit his teeth and waited for it to pass, holding himself up as best he could. It seemed his new companions were too quick to sign away their souls or give up their lives. He worried at this reckless devotion. He worried that they might get him killed. While he was content to serve and obey the Cardinal for now, he did not intend to do so at the price of his own existence. Asmodeus of course always needed slaves and the fool zealots, but he also needed masters. Men of ambition who would scrape and claw at every shred of power and strength they could.
"Kaythor, if you wish to link my mind to this collective you speak of, so be it. For now I shall allow you the opportunity to prove it's use." Artorius spoke calmly and stood straight once more, behaving as if nothing had happened.
He then turned to Katrin and looked up to the formidable woman. "I can of course also serve to illuminate any who wish further knowledge of the tenents set down by Asmodeus and his chosen."
"I to also serve the Prince already. I have given myself over to him, and in return for my dedication, he has given me much in terms of both power and clarity of thought. If he has seen fit to give us you as our patron, I will sign as well."
He takes up the knife and the quill and does so.
Turning to Kaythor he says, "I know not what your abilities allow, but know that I am not like these others. Though of flesh and blood, it is the dark nature of my father that animates my flesh, and not just the beating of my heart. Energies that might heal a living creature instead hinder me, and the power that provides animus to the dead is what gives me succor and healing. Will your abilities allow you to heal me, or should I rely on only the will of the Prince to keep me whole?"
The Cardinal smiles as he sees all six names on the contract. "Well done. Now, here is your first mission: prepare yourselves. I am sure that you all need to rest and recuperate some more, and for the next three days you may go anywhere in the manor, as long as you do not enter the west wing. The patrols are now hunting for you, so it would be quite unwise for you to leave. Once these three days are over, we shall begin your training."
He himself takes the contract and places it in an elaborate leather-bound case, then places on a shelf with others.
Henar smirks. "Certain doom in the west wing? His lips curl up in a wider smile. "I am greatly looking forward to this expedition, as I hope everyone else is."
Kaythor nods to Henar, "I most certainly am. Will be good to be working with equals for a change of pace"
He looks back to Taemon'dow, "Actually I don't think there is much I could actually do for you" he says with a frown. "Unfortunately my powers are still developing, so if things change, I will surely tell you. For now, I don't see reason to add you to the collective though"
"Do you have some proper armor, and a bigger sword Master? The toys I have now were taken off the dead prison guards, but I would prefer a set of heavy armor and a two handed blade if I could get my hands on them."
El'la bows her head, but she puts up her psychic defenses again (not edging out Kaythor who hopefully retains his link to her even without her psionic awareness). The forceful emanation away from her recedes, and the small sparks of elemental energy around her fade away.
"I look forward to what my meditations and devotions over this time will teach me." El'la says.
Artorius turned his head toward Taemon'dow, his brows furrowing as he studied the man. He saw the scribble of the anti-paladin's signiture, but didn't actually know his name.
"If what you say is true, I may be able to assist you in the future. The blessings of the Dark Prince are many and I have no small degree of knowledge concerning the divide between the living and the dead." It was the means to proper bridge them and retain the strength of will of the living that still eluded him, but he did not speak such things now.
Cardinal Thorn looks to Tiadora. "I am sure that Tiadora will be able to get you more suitable armor and weapons. She handles the purchasing for the household, with her unique talents."
Tiadora nods. "Katrin, Taemon'dow, if you would give the slaves a list of things you would like me to purchase, I will be able to buy them for you."
"I have other things to give to all of you, but they are not ready yet. I am sure Tiadora or her slaves may be able to deliver them to you in the next day or so." adds the Cardinal.
Katrin has a slave fetch quill and paper and then makes a short list.
Full Plate Mail
Greatsword
strongest composite bow you can find, (up to +5)
Henar's face shows real curiosity, as he asks,"What sort of 'other things' are we talking about, Father?" He stretches briefly. "I'm sure that all will be revealed in time, on your plan."
Kaythor grins at Henar, "I was wondering the same thing. Certainly piqued my interest." He raises an eyebrow and smiles. "Either way, all I really require is the ability to serve our Dark master. Though anything that will help bring us to those ends is greatly appreciated." He looks to the others in the group, "Well I don't know about the rest of you, but I believe it is time for me to retire for the evening. I do hope to get to know you all better over these next few days before we set out though. Please come to me with any requests or help that you require. After all, we are brothers and sisters now, and what's mine is yours." He bows his head to the group before heading towards his room.
El'la looks up, a frown on her lips. "Is it time to retire? Yes, I suppose it is. At least for some meditations and studying if sleep avoids me."
She also heads back to the small room afforded her. She asks for extra quilts to keep her body hot.
"I too would relish some privacy. Good night everyone. I'll see you in the morning."
"Indeed. We will see each other at another time." And that is when the samsaran heads back up the stairs, to his room.
Glancing over at the list that Katrin scrolled out, Artorius looked back at Katrin. Clearly the woman had once come from a life of excessive privledge if she so casually requested something as costly as personal full plated armor. Still if the Cardinal was willing to provide for her and Taemon'dow, Artorius saw no reason that he should not also be better outfitted.
Taking a scrap of parchament and wrote a quick list which he handed off to one of the slaves.
Breastplate armor
Hourglass
scrivener's kit
Skeleton Key
Spring loaded wrist sheath
He realized most of his new companions had departed by now and retired to their quarters. Finding himself not very tired, he returned to his quarters and instructed the animated remains of Wencelas to follow him as a bodyguard and began to explore the manor house, looking for any rooms of interest, particularly libraries or chapels.
After spending time in meditation, then studying her spellbook (preparing spells), and finally getting some sleep, El'la awakens and begins to explore the large mansion. She avoids the west wing, as instructed.
In the morning Katrin seeks out food. "Slave, you will inform whoever is in charge of you that I will only have female slaves. Where may I break my fast?"
Henar will spend time, communing with his scorpion (preparing spells) and preparing for a day of darkness.
The slave nods politely to Katrin. "I will be sure to inform the others and Madam Tiadora. Some of the other guests are eating in the dining room. But if you would prefer, I could bring you up some food to eat."
The house does seem to be very large, with a small chapel, a library containing various books, mainly historical and religious tomes, a training room, and various other rooms. Besides the slaves, there are few other people in there. Even Tiadora is rarely seen. However, there seems to be at least two other women and three men also in the house. By the look of them, they're northerners, not native citizens of Talingarde. One of them is a beautiful dark-haired woman dressed in furs, despite the season, who's always either bossing the others around or feeding her albino raven raw meat. There's also a set of twins, a large half-elf man, and an odd-looking girl who rarely even speaks to others, though she does seem to be part of their group. The others keep their distance unless approached, for now at least.
"I will eat downstairs." Katrin says, then makes her way down to the dining room.
Henar is sitting, staring at the strange group, especially the one with the albino raven. He lifts the cowl to retrieve a bit of food from his place and crunch it between his teeth, before moving some to corner of his bag where a small pincher grabs it and drags it back into the dark, leathery depths. The samsaran nods to the tall woman.
"How's it feel to have an actual bed and not a cell? His eyes sparkle slightly. "I was a big fan of the bath, myself. Gods...nothing like a good bath after dealing with Mitrans."
"Indeed it has been some time since I had proper treatment. I am anxious to learn more of what our new life will be."
Finding everyone gathered in the dining room, El'la "Cinders" invites herself in as well, the red gown flashing like fire due to the intense beadwork.
"Here you are. How can you all think of food at a time like this?" She slowly empathizes with her comrades. "Well, I suppose it is a good time to eat. Especially as we haven't really had anything decent in a while."
"I can think of food, so that I have the energy to think of other things." He nods slowly, emphasizing that point by taking another bite of food.
Artorius was also present in the dining room though he seemed to pay little attention to the other guests or even those he was now bound to through the blood contract. His 'servant' stood behind him in fine clothing and a full concealing robe with hood, but it was clear that their was little flesh on those bones.
He had taken a book detailing the history and landscape of Northern Talingarde and was combing through it even as he absently fed himself from some meat filled stew with the other. Though his mind thirsted for knowledge, he was flesh and blood, muscle and stomach and he needed sustenance.
Hensar nods to the necromancer. "A study in the darker arts as well?"
Kaythor eventually found his way to the dinner table with the others. "Greetings all. Quite the place huh?" He said with a smile, apparently in a good mood being around like minded individuals in a new and exciting place. Not to mention the promise of excitement to come. He had spent much of his time in his room meditating, gaining his strength for the time to come, but now he was ready to get things done.
"So then, I was hoping we might find out what kind of group we have gathered, as in, what we are capable of. For instance, I can say that the Dark Lord has blessed me with the gift of taking the life force of others for use strengthening our numbers. That is the reason for the collective, by joining it we can all benefit from this boon from the Prince below."
He smirks and speaks simply. "In simple terms, you would call me a witch or a warlock. I am good at deception magic and overall, a few more esoteric items."
"I can fight."
In the dining room, the dark-haired woman, one of the twins and the reading woman are eating, sitting a distance from the others, talking amongst themselves. However, the dark-haired woman perks up a tad at the mention of witches, and with a motion to the other two, stands up and comes over to talk. "Sorry if I'm interupting, I just noticed you talking and wished to introduce myself. You're the other group the Cardinal is mentoring, aren't you? I am Elise Zadaria, leader of the White Ravens. We've been working together for the last year or so, but Cardinal Thorn found us recently, and we accepted his offer of training. But your group has not known each other for very long?"
"We only just met. Well except for the dhampir, we arrived together. I am Katrin. I wouldn't even call us a group yet."
"We are bound together by the contract, but that is all thus far. I am sure with time we will learn to work together more efficiently." El'la 'Cinders' says to Elise.
"I am a conjurer of flame, and a mental master of the elements, thanks to my blood, my training, and my natural inclinations. I have already burned two churches of Mitra, with their priests inside. It was for that reason I was to be sent to Branderscar."
"Definitely fair to this group, but when it comes to removing the Mitran filth of this land, I'd work with anyone." His eyes sparkle at the thought of destruction.
Elise nods. "Not a group yet? I see. Well, I'm sure the Cardinal will bind you together. I'm quite excited for his training, he says he'll begin with us in four days."
"The religious customs of your land are quite odd, really. Where I come from, the people are far freer to worship what they wish. I myself am not a worshiper of Asmodeus, though I quite respect the god, and would quite consider it were I not a devotee of endless winter. But as it is, I'm afraid I'm quite bound to its worship."
She then points behind her to the other two. "Anyway, this is Titus, the actual cleric of Asmodeus in my group. If you see a man who looks quite like him, that would be his brother Tallus, the hunter. Twins. Madana is the mentalist, though she's not quite fond of people. I wouldn't bother her if I were you."
Madana, true to her description, only glares when her name is responded. Titus, on the other hand, comes over smiling. "Oh, hello. You lot can call me Trik, if you'd like. A bit of a nickname for my brother and I. I'm Trik, and he's Trak. It's nice to meet you all."
El'la 'Cinders' rises from her chair in a graceful liquid motion as Trik (Titus) approaches.
"Dark One", she bows her head in a light symbol of submission, though it should be obvious to most that this is merely towards the priest's status and not towards him individually.
"I am called El'la." The whispering, crackling name spills off her lips easily, though she knows it is difficult for others. "Or Cinders if you would prefer. We too would see Asmodeus' faith brought back up in the realms of men."
Kaythor nods to the members of the other group. "It's nice to meet you all as well. I am Kaythor, a simple servant of Asmodeus who He chose to gift with another life." He smiled warmly at the others, trying to remain friendly as is his usual state. After all, friends and enemies alike can be disarmed with a smile. Looking back towards his own companions he can't help but find them a bit more mismatched, but he remained proud of them.
"Nice to meet you too. I consider it a good way of bonding; the whole 'surviving the idiocy of the current government' is a good way to build a strong team, with an equally strong goal."
Titus smiles widely. "Yes, I hope the Cardinal's plans go through swiftly. The sooner the worship of Asmodeus reaches full strength, the sooner this nation can go strong again. Though, a few of you were prisoners, weren't you? I wonder how the Cardinal will manage to protect you. I'm sure that he'll find a way. How many others are there, besides you? Our group has six, does yours as well?"
"I was prisoner, and our group is six, yes."
Elise now speaks again. "Ah, we-"
She is somewhat interrupted by the arrival of a young slave woman, carrying various identical, paper boxes. While the slave doesn't precisely say anything, Elise turns quiet, wondering what's going on.
"A gift from Master Thorn, honored guests." She begins to hand out the boxes to those assembled here, not caring precisely who gets the boxes, just trying to give out one to each person. Elise impatiently grabs a box and opens it. Inside is a silver holy symbol of Asmodeus on a necklace chain, and an iron circlet. Elise picks up the circlet, ignoring the medallion for now. "Interesting." Her eyes glow white for a moment, and she nods. "Obviously magical, I just wonder what it does."
All the boxes contain the exact same objects.
Henar takes the items, putting his pair on a table, as the samsaran quietly mumbles a series of mystical words, waving his hands over both the symbol and the circlet; a light glow from his fingertips flows to the items in question.
El'la opens the box lovingly, admiring the jewelry within. Although it was not gold, it still seemed like the perfect gift.
She placed the necklace and circlet on.
Katrin raises one eyebrow dubiously at the objects, but makes no moves to don either.
The circlets seem to have the same abilities as a Hat of Disguise, only with a different look to them. The necklaces are non-magical. Clearly the Cardinal has realized that your group will be wanted criminals until some time in the far future.
Despite not investigating herself, Elise puts the circlet on her head. As with all the circlets, it adjusts until it fits tightly but comfortably on the head. "Interesting that the Cardinal can afford such things for those who have just recently entered his employment."
"Very interesting. Asmodeus provides, I guess." The samsaran shrugs and grins, slipping the circlet and necklace on
Kaythor still doesn't know what they do, but he figures if everyone else is putting them on, he shouldn't be the one to show distrust. He takes the symbol and slips it into his pocket, favoring his more elaborate version already around his neck. He then takes the circlet and slips it over his head.
"Well at least they fit. I hope he isn't wasting his resources on us. After all, it might be good to make sure we are appropriately equipped for combat too, not just fashionable" He grins just a bit, looking to the others to make sure they weren't bursting into flames or anything.
"Well, I'm sure we'll be well equipped too."He smirks, changing his appearance to look elven and then returning to his usual form.
El'la smiles at Kaythor.
"Well, Asmodeus right now is the Lord of Secrets, so it seems fitting that he should enable his agents the power to hide themselves from the 'eyes of Mitra'."