Taliesin's Way of the Wicked

Game Master Merddyn

Macros:

Perception:
[dice=Brice]d20[/dice]
[dice=Charmain]d20-1[/dice]
[dice=Florian]d20+2[/dice]
[dice=Heverly]d20+4[/dice]
[dice=Silarsha]d20+3[/dice]
[dice=Talia]d20+7[/dice]

Initiative:
[dice=Brice]d20+4[/dice]
[dice=Charmain]d20+5[/dice]
[dice=Florian]d20+5[/dice]
[dice=Heverly]d20-1[/dice]
[dice=Silarsha]d20+2[/dice]
[dice=Talia]d20+3[/dice]

Talingarde:

Talingarde is the most virtuous, peaceful, noble nation in the world today. This land is ruled by King Markadian V called the Brave of House Darius. He has only one heir – the beautiful princess Bellinda. This benevolent monarchy is heavily intertwined with the Church of Mitra, the Shining Lord.

For this game I have placed Talingarde in Golarion off the coast of Varisia. You may have been born elsewhere, but most of your life should be spent in Talingarde. The regular Pantheon of Golarion are available are just less important in Talnigarde. Though some of the other evil deities might be discriminated against and they might try to find a reason to arrest such a person, none are expressly forbidden.

Mitra:

Mitra, the so-called Shining Lord, is the god of the sun, bravery, honor, justice, charity and other such pusillanimous rubbish. The Church of Mitra is the preeminent religion of Talingarde these days. The Knights of the Alerion, the elite warriors of Talingarde, are a Mitran order. The monks of St. Macarius, who travel the land healing the sick and the helping the needy, are also a Mitran order. The House of Darius, the royal family of Talingarde, are devout followers of Mitra.

It wasn’t always this way. Before the Darians took over, Talingarde worshipped an entire pantheon of deities. Preeminent among those deities was Asmodeus, Prince of Hell, Lord of Ambition and Order. Now it is forbidden to worship Asmodeus. To do so is to be condemned. The Mitrans destroyed all the Asmodean temples and burned his books and priests. There are no followers of Asmodeus anymore in Talingarde – at least none you know of. Devout Mitrans will not say the name Asmodeus. He is simply “The Fallen” or “The Enemy”.

NPCs:

The Warden of Branderscar: A wizard who mostly stays in his tower with his books and his owl.

Sergeant Blackerly: The watch sergeant at Branderscar. He seemed to be a very cruel and uncaring man. He laughed as he personally branded each one of you. He was holding card games in the guardhouse at night, and his carelessness let you all escape Branderscar. Blackerly is now deceased.

Richard Havelyn: A self-righteous knight, who is disgusted by you. He would have lead a full company of knights and nobility to witness your execution, had you not escaped. Heverly seems to know the man.

Grumblejack: An ogre that has joined you all for the escape. He helped out, and now is roaming the countryside with his trusty dog.

Tiadora: A hauntingly beautiful woman, who helped you escape Branderscar on behalf of Cardinal Adrastus Thorn. She serves Cardinal Thorn, though to what extent is unclear.

Cardinal Adrastus Thorn: The High Priest of Asmodeus, and mysterious benefactor who helped you escape from prison. You have joined him in a quest of revenge on Talingarde, and signed a Pact with him as your second loyalty.

The White Ravens:A group recruited from the Savage North to help Cardinal Thorn. Comprised of:
-Elise: One, a beautiful woman, all dressed in white, seemingly prepared for winter, though it's not too cold now, with long black hair and an albino raven. Works with ice magic.
-Doston: Another, a large man, never seen without his greatsword. Would be equally likely to talk or start an epic bar fight if taken for a drink. Otherwise, very monosyllabic.
-Trak: One member of a set of twins, wiry, yet sturdy men. This one is almost always dour. Is a bounty hunter, and pretty good with a bow, though seemingly not with people.
-Trik: The other twin. This one is never seen without a smile and a joke. Has been friendly with Wocket, and helped her learn to shoot a little better.

Timeon: Squire to Sir Balin. He was found hiding in a secret room in the Nine Lessons. He was killed by Mithril Cobras, and Heverly impersonated him in order to get close to Sir Balin.

Sir Balin: One of the leaders of the Knights of Alerion and master of Timeon. Sir Balin was tricked and killed by the Knot of Thorns during their trial of the Nine Lessons.

Kargeld Odenkirk: The captain of the Frothsmar. He's been hired to take you and a weapon's shipment to Sakkarot Fire-Axe. Afterwards, you have been ordered to tie up loose ends.

Sakkarot Fire-Axe: A bugbear in charge of the bugbear army in the North. You have been assigned to escort a weapon's shipment for him, then to break Balentyne open for his army to conquer.

Captain Edward Sambryl: The captain of the Blade of St. Martius, a ship which has stopped the Frothsmar to inspect it.

The Nine Lessons:

1. Deception is a tool. Self-deception is death. Deceive always thy enemy but never thyself.
2. Following the herd is for fools. Fear not their icy derision. Instead, fear only thy Infernal Lord.
3. Know your enemy. Shatter all that blinds you and then burn thy adversary to ashes.
4. Cruelty is a tool not a pastime. Be ruthless to thy enemy but reward those who serve thee well.
5. The chosen are revealed by their might. The weak deserve no sympathy.
6. Suffer not the fool. Stupidity is our faith’s cardinal sin.
7. Secrecy is our greatest ally. Exposure brings death.
8. Be wary of those you think fallen, for they may rise once more to threaten you.
9. Serve thy master well and be rewarded.