A soft laugh slips from Fex’s lips as Eris offers her own oath. ”Actually, the queen has something slightly different in mind. This is an ember drawn from the forges of Phlegethon. That is true hellfire with which it burns. There is pain, but it will pass."
From the back of the room, Cimri shifted, unconsciously rubbing her hands at the unpleasant memory.
Fex continued, ”One at a time, place your hands on the stone and recite the following: 'I swear my absolute allegiance to Archbaron Darellus Fex, Her Infernal Majestrix Queen Abrogail II of the Thrice-Damned House of Thrune, and the Empire of Cheliax.’”
You take damage, half of which is fire, the other half is unholy. If you are evil, you take no damage from the unholy energy. Further, when you pull your hands away, you see they have a scar like the symbol of Cheliax burned into them.
If you are evil and have fire resistance, you'll take no damage but still have the pain and scar.
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Eris is the first to step forward. Her hand singes as she touches the stone, but all she does is laugh.
"'I swear my absolute allegiance to Archbaron Darellus Fex, Her Infernal Majestrix Queen Abrogail II of the Thrice-Damned House of Thrune, and the Empire of Cheliax!’” she exclaims.
She steps back from the stone and laughs at the symbol burned into her hand.
Raziya considers asking for Brogol's deal, but demurs. Offering a title without power is a grand way to cancel out debt, for the debtor. I would rather wait until I've been given such power and station that a title is necessary to justify it.
This may prove problematic, but better to work within constraints than to be cast out...
"I swear my absolute allegiance to Archbaron Darellus Fex, Her Infernal Majestrix Queen Abrogail II of the Thrice-Damned House of Thrune, and the Empire of Cheliax." But above all, to myself.
Karik stands, unsure. All his past employment has been on a job-by-job basis. His previous employers maintained his support by keeping a flow of well paying work that suited their goals.
He looks towards Rayiza, who on top of their past seems the most politically switched on of the locals.
When she takes the oath he follows her lead.
"I swear my absolute allegiance to Archbaron Darellus Fex, Her Infernal Majestrix Queen Abrogail II of the Thrice-Damned House of Thrune, and the Empire of Cheliax." For as long as it suits.
Vaelor is quivering with delight.
All this willing pain! Mmmmmmm... yes!
Ingrid walked forward and without hesitation said, with the utmost seriosuness ” I swear my absolute allegiance to Archbaron Darellus Fex, Her Infernal Majestrix Queen Abrogail II of the Thrice-Damned House of Thrune, and the Empire of Cheliax!” In the name and for the glory of Lord Asmodeus She winced at the pain, but that was all.
The Doctor doesn't volunteer to go first, instead taking the time while the others are swearing to think about Fex's claims about the Hellfire Compact and to see if he's heard of the Queen insisting on such things before. He also ponders the value and impact of swearing upon an ember supposedly from Phlegethon. It seemed a needlessly gaudy way of getting people to swear an oath, and Doctor Zieber didn't put it past Fex to lie in order to obtain a more sure obedience.
If all seems on the up and up, he steps forward. He places a pair of fingers on the stone and recites "I swear my absolute allegiance to Archbaron Darellus Fex, Her Infernal Majestrix Queen Abrogail II of the Thrice-Damned House of Thrune, and the Empire of Cheliax." Then retracts his hand at the heat.
He examines the scar. It was as good an allegiance as any.
Brogol steps forward without much thought at all. This was simply the price, and he was fine paying it.
After you all swore your respective oaths, a familiar voice emanated from behind another set of curtains, "I told you they’d be up to the vow. And eager to get to work, I suspect. Which is good, considering what I’ve just uncovered."
Fex crossed the room and drew back the curtain, “There’s no need for your dramatics any longer, Razelago,” he said.
Inside the alcove sat a stool and writing desk heaped with pages. Clinging to the desk, almost unbalancing it, was a bloated fly’s abdomen of monstrous proportions from which sprouted the chubby upper body of a human infant. A neck hidden by fatty folds swiveled and a pair of black, compound eyes squinted against the light. Insectile mouth-parts flexed enthusiastically between pudgy lips and Razelago’s voice issued forth: “As you say, My Lord.”
"Wow! Thats why you were hiding in the dark! You do look weird but I've seen worse."
Surprised but not repulsed Vaelor forgets her manners in the shock of the reveal.
Hmm. Missed that.
Raziya winces at Vaelor's outburst. "A pleasure to meet you face to face, Razelago. I trust that means we will be continuing in our association?"
The Doctor's lips curl into a light grimace. Despite living in Cheliax for quite a while, the nation's love affair with devils was still a puzzle. At least with undead they could be easily controlled with magic and behaved in predictable ways. Binding devils was a trickier business that seemed to end in disaster far too often for anyone sensible to consider.
And this particular one was ugly as sin.
"A servant of yours, Archbaron? I hope this thing isn't going to be placed as the new sheriff."
Razelago climbs about the top of the desk, his mandibles twitching as his lips part in a gruesome smile. He buzzes angrily as Vaelor's unreserved quip, but is mollified by Eris's flattery, in which he shamelessly basks. "I will endeavor to aid you for as long as his Lordship desires."
And, with that, Fex coughs slightly, "And, no, Razelago will not be the new sheriff. He is too valuable as an advisor. Frankly, I just assume leave the official position vacant for now, but if one of you want to make a case for it, I'm willing to listen. In the meantime, Razelago, you had something of importance to share with us?"
The devil's head bobs in eagerness to share its latest bit of covertly gathered information, "Indeed, Your Lordship. This Angel Knight doesn’t appear to be just some fiction concocted by an overzealous priestess. A talentless local minstrel named Riley Kels claims to have met her, and has even composed a series of ballads in her honor. While the amateur’s singing is crime enough, he performed these songs at The Last Stand Tavern last night—which incidentally broke the new curfew and sanctions against gathering.
“If it pleases Your Lordship, our friends here could arrest The Last Stand’s owner, Bolgart Caggan, for defying the new law. I would suggest pillorying him in front of the jail as an example to others. Additionally, see what you can find out about the Angel Knight from Kels. But..." It pauses for affect, "If they have other ideas in mind, as your agents, perhaps their thoughts should be entertained?"
Perfect, Brogol thinks, his faint grin growing just the slightest bit more pronounced. Close the chili-tosser down, Cembers will have no competition.
"I assume Kels is spending his time at The Last Stand which intends to continue breaking curfew? How long should we pillory this fool for?"
"If the position's temporarily empty that might even be of more use...
Make it clear that exceptions and the like to whatsoever measures are deemed necessary can only come when the town is at peace enough for an appropriate sheriff to be appointed."
"Regardless, The Last Stand sounds like an excellent first target. Punishment for Caggan now that he's stuck his neck out once more, an acquisition of an interesting new source, and of course a list of Caggan's patrons could prove useful for the future..."
"Ah, Kels. Yes, yes, I remember him. A crybaby. He came to my hospital once vith a scraped knee... or was zat someone else? No matter. Ve vill find him and make him talk." He pushes the ridge of his glasses up. "You think zis Angel Knight is ze ringleader behind trouble in Longacre? If so, I vill do everything in my power to find them."
He nods to the statement about starting at The Last Stand.
”If I may. My mentor, Sir Agathocles of the most holy church of Asmodeus, once taught me a lesson. He said that cruelty is necessary for the control of the populace, but it should be used well. I was taught that one should determine the targets of one’s cruelty, and to make an example out of them in one fel swoop. And that after one is done, one should be merciful to the rest. This teaches fear, while assuring their safety. Such a method destroys rebellion, for there are none left with the ability to capitalize on the anger caused by cruelty.”
She held up a clawed finger.
”But the worst that one can do is to perform small cruelties. The worst cruelties are those that are few on the onset, and which increase as time goes on, rather than stopping. For this creates the wrong kind of fear. It makes all afraid that they will be next, and it allows insurgents to use that fear against us. For they will promise an end of fear if they are followed, and thus the fear we make will become a weapon used to harm us. It is for this reason that I advise against too much violence at the onset. Rather, we should focus on turning the town against the Reclamation. The people should see us as being the agents of Law and Order. We should be seen as the best path towards a peaceful and proper life.”
Looking around to make sure that she wasn’t about to be struck down, she said ”I volunteer to be an acting sheriff. I know the laws of the land well enough. And having authority that is both recognized and respected would go well in securing the heart and soul of this town. My vision, such as it is, is for the people of this town to see the Reclamation as a political movement hiding behind religion. One that threatens them with war and suffering for the benefit of outsiders. I believe that this is something we can accomplish, and that it will offer much more lasting security than a town terrified and praying for someone to liberate them.”
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Eris doesn't seem to be following along with everything now that there's so much talking.
Blah, blah, blah. Let's just go burn it down--I can't think of anything I like more than arson. Well, aside from you, Dad! And maybe flapjacks still sound good.
However, when Ingrid volunteers to be acting sheriff, she says "Hey now--I already had dibs on that. Plus, I'm wearing the vest!"
"I agree with yer larger view," Brogol says, fidgeting with the hem of his cloak. "But I think in this case the point is to make the point with Caggin. He's flaunted our authority twice now - we let him continue, we'll not have any teeth." Raising an eyebrow as he glances at Ingrid's fangs, Brogol continues. "Metorically speaking."
"What's yer plan if we don't pillory him? How does Longacre know that the Baron's word is to be listened to?"
Reaching out, Brogol gives Eris' arm a gentle squeeze. "And it is a lovely vest!"
”Arrest him. The jail sits empty. He stays there for as long as the law requires.” She shrugged. ”The town will understand, as they’re used to such law. Nay ammunition for the Reclamation to claim us to be monsters. It also gives us time to work him over for information on any rebels. And worst comes to worst, we can quietly remove him under the guise of moving him to a prison away from the town, or to drum up some serious charges. The point is, we keep our options open, all while not making the enemy’s recruiting easier.”
She replied, pointedly ignoring the argument for dibs. She wasn’t aware of any law or precedence which supported the practice in Cheliax.
”A man in a pillory can’t be questioned. But a certain Dhampir can feed on him when he is in prison, and then the wounds can be healed. If he complains we say that it is baseless lies by a criminal. By day he is treated nice and fair. Family can come visit him, people can see that we are a nation of law and orders. By night our friend here feeds and he gets to know that if he tells us what he knows then it stops.” She grinned a fang filled smile. ”Best of all possible worlds I say.”
Raziya's lips curved into a sorrowful moue at Ingrid's disagreement.
"The pillory may be more public, but it's far from a true torment. It serves as a shaming punishment, not one of anguish. Any torments he suffers will be at the townspeople's hands, not ours, and he will look a pathetic figure, rather than an unseen hero who emerges with dark tales of captivity.
"In any case, the minstrel is the one with the answers. Confirmation can still be sought from Caggan. After all, he can be questioned well enough, merely not put to the question."
Fex coughs slightly, drawing attention to himself and he wags a finger slightly at Eris "Lady Rosala, while I appreciate a good lark now and again --" His flat affect suggested otherwise. "-- I prefer the administration of my lands not turn into the joke itself. We'll table the question of sheriff until later. For now, it sounds like your minds are turning a few options and, frankly, they all sound fine to me. Get Caggan, find out what you can of this bard, and decide on what makes the best next move based on what you find."
An unpleasantly hungry smile forms on Karik's at Ingrid's suggestions.
"Oh yes... Vaelor and I are quite ready to aquire any information we need. It would be interesting if after either of the fools 'see the error of their ways' and help rectify their mistakes the Reclemation were to be unreasonable and excessive in their response."
Razelago twitches and his wings flick and snap. When Eris happens to be glancing his way, he winks and runs a forked tongue over his lips, then waves a bloated little infant's hand as a farewell.
Fex pretends to not notice, "If there's nothing else, then... good hunting, and know if you find yourself in need of assistance, don't be too proud to ask." The invitation isn't delivered with an abundance of warmth, but seems sincere nonetheless. He sits down at his desk and returns to the book he was reading when you entered.
Cimri seems relieved to be out the office and, on the way back to town, asks, "You want me to come with you to Caggan's, or swing by the jail and wait for you there?"
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Eris winks at Razelago and blows him kisses. "You are so precious!" she exclaims. "I think you are the most beautiful creature I have ever seen! I think I have feelings for you."
As they leave, she pats the skull and quietly speaks.
"Don't worry, Father. I think I am beginning to understand more about all of this, and why you wanted me to come here. I will do what needs to be done, of that you can be sure!"
As Cimri asks about going to Caggan's, she says "Why, the more the merrier, of course! You're always so fun to have around--why wouldn't we want you to come?!"
Raziya gives Cimri a frank look, as if asking "why are you leaving it up to us?" But then with a sidelong glance at Eris she simply nods and says, "Come along then, Cimri, and do keep your blade sharp."
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The Doctor frowns through the entire exchange between the group regarding what to do with Caggan. The malformed dwarf lecturing about fear and population control in melodramatic fashion had some good points but spoke with such rabid zeal that it was sickening. The girl with the skull was mad without a doubt. The boy was a fidgeter, a clear sign of mental illness as well. The dhampir would have been fine, but his manifested companion took the shape of a chain draped floozy - evidence of a perverse sexual fixation.
The sole individual capable of concise reason seemed to be the Osiriani woman, but he had a sneaking suspicion that she too would be somehow a lunatic.
Before the group leaves, he gives a questioning glance to the Archbaron, as though to ask if this really *is* the group he's supposed to be working with. However, he doesn't give voice to his concerns. Instead, he simply nods in acceptance of the task.
'If this is what is necessary to seize the power I need to complete my work, I should approach it with full and unbridled commitment.'
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Once outside, he raises his voice to address the others "Vell then. It seems ve have a task to accomplish, but if ve are to work togezer, it vould behoove us to know more about each other." He folds his arms behind him. "Having heard each of your theories of how best to deal with Caggan, it is clear you have much to learn about each other as vell. Especially now that you have a... lets say... grander goal, hmm?"
Sidling up to Cimri as the walk, Brogol slows his pace so that soon they are behind the others. "Why ask that, Cim? Something on your mind?"
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Brogol quirks an eyebrow at the Doctor's question. It was rare to have so little interaction with another townsfolk as the two had had previously. Zieber was obviously a private man, and Brogol could appreciate that. He'd give about as much as he could expect to receive.
"I'm just a guy wants to better his station, and a patriotic Chelaxian of course. Da was a rancher. I've been a Longacher'n most of my life, and you've been around a while too, yet we've never really talked before, Doctor. How did you get those lofty credentials?"
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Eris occasionally laughs to herself as they walk, sometimes listening and other times not.
When Franz asks to learn about each other, she says "First, I really like the way you talk! It sounds so exotic. You should keep talking like that, and maybe I'll try to pick up on your accent so I can sound amazing, too! Ha!"
She strokes the cranium she carries. "I'm Eris, and I'm from Egorian, not Longacre. Though my father, Archcount Innistrad Rosala, was from here originally. I've learned a lot about him as we've been here. Heeehee! Some very interesting things, too! My mother was a cleric of Asmodeus, just like I am. She died, though. Dad was all Cheliax, all the time. That means I am, too. He died, too. But he didn't fully stay dead--I brought him back. Sort of. I'm still working on that."
The Doctor nods "A rancher. An honest profession, and one good for calming ze mind. It is a shame you are not following in his footsteps." He pauses "Though none can fault one who wishes to elevate himself." He smiles his taut, professional smile at Brogol.
"That ve haven't yet met in earnest Brogol is to your credit. Only zose suffering from maladies of the body and mind have spent any significant time with me." He clears his throat. "As for myself, I have honed my craft in Katheer and Mechitar, as vell as through running my own clinic for some number of years. My title is trifling thing from the Venicaan College. My own research and study since then has far eclipsed it." He says the name of the college with open distaste.
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When Eris speaks up, he listens with a respectful bedside manner. "Very good Eris. My condolences for ze loss of your family. It can be very difficult for some to recover from such an event." He raises his nose as he peers at her. Just under the rims of his glasses you can spot the edges of dark, sunken eyes. "I am obligated by my oaths to inform you zat you are quite clearly insane, in my professional opinion. You seem reasonably vell adjusted to zis state of being, and as such I vill not insist, but should you vish to be treated for this malady, you need only entrust yourself to my care."
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Eris laughs heartily as Franz diagnoses her.
"Heehee! You're a riot! With all your knowledge, you don't understand the biggest prank of all! The real joke is your stubborn, bone deep conviction that somehow, somewhere, all of this makes sense! That's what cracks me up each time! Hahaaaaa! Just wait--all of you will be a lot closer to understanding this before we part ways! Ha! I promise!"
She casts a spell on the skull she's been carrying. The skull floats to shoulder height and remains by Eris, following her. Not only that, but it sheds an eerie, green light from the eye sockets, nose cavity, and mouth as if it were a bizarre, macabre lantern.
"But my family isn't gone. Heh. Just in different form. You think I am mad, but I can close the door on any dreadful things that happened. I can lock them away…forever. Can you?"
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Raziya coolly arches her eyebrow* at Doctor Zieber's suggestion, replying with honeyed tones to coat the barbs. [b]"What is it precisely that you think you should know? How devoted we are to our task? You have just seen us swear a binding oath to that effect. What history we have as agents provocateur? If we are capable of convincing you, then it matters not if any part of it is true."
The Doctor, familiar with other insane patients, is unperturbed by Eris' ravings. Once she's done, he smiles in his strange fashion and says "Very vell my dear, ze offer remains open for when you are ready to submit."
"What is it precisely that you think you should know?"
"You are velcome to share as much or as little about yourself as you vish. Zis is an... ice breaker, as they say in Qadira." He takes mental note of Raziya's hostile response to the innocent inquiry.
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”Well, Doktor. Name’s Ingrid. Don’t have a Clan name, as folk’s always called me Foedottir. Idiots didn’t understand a blessing when they saw one.” She held up a clawed hand as a way of explanation. ”Luckily the Church of Asmodeus saw one of their own. Joined them because I had nowhere else to go. Stayed there because I believe in the mission. A world of law and order, where nobody is oppressed for looking different, only for being weak or foolish. Where one’s word is unbreakable, and where how far one rises, or falls, is only based on your own ability. The ignorant call Asmodeus evil. But he isn’t like the fickle Lords of the Abyss, or the sadistic Pretenders of Hell. No. He is the Perfect Lord. He is without hesitation in his cruelty, but it is always well placed. He is unfailing in his generosity, but it is always earned. He is what this world needs. And...I am preaching. My apologies, doktor, I did not mean to lecture.” She finished, now somewhat embarrassed.
Sidling up to Cimri as the walk, Brogol slows his pace so that soon they are behind the others. "Why ask that, Cim? Something on your mind?"
Cimri's flashed a smile at Brogol and answered casually, "No. I just wondered, is all. Two's company, eight's a riot, or something."
As the doctor tries to get to know everyone better, Cimri gave him the same degree of respect she gave every overbearing townsperson with an air of judgment about them. Which was to say, not much at all. "I'm just an orphaned runt with a knife, doc." She didn't bother to hide the slight roll of her eyes.
Brogol runs his arm along his nose, as if rubbing snot along his sleeve. His voice is low, muffled, hopefully only audible to Cimri.
"Oi. I read you like a five-pencer, Cim. Lifetime of knowing yer and all that. Been spooked since the ceremony. Why?"
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The Doctor, familiar with other insane patients, is unperturbed by Eris' ravings. Once she's done, he smiles in his strange fashion and says "Very vell my dear, ze offer remains open for when you are ready to submit."
Eris turns back to the doctor after a few minutes.
"Okay, I changed my mind. I am ready to submit to your treatment. I'm hoping that you can treat me while we do other things--kind of an on-the-go thing. I don't really hold still very well, or sit on the couch or anything. Hahaa! Oh, and my dad wants to sign up, too. I hope you can treat both of us at the same time. Just let me know how we get started."
Though distracted by the conversation with the doctor, Eris happens to notice Cimri's reaction.
"Hehe--you look a little scared and spooked. Did that swearing of the oath get to you? I guess you didn't do crossed fingers or something."
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Not being familiar with Cimri himself, the Doctor merely adjusts his glasses pointedly as the others read her like an open book. At Eris' acceptance, he waits for a moment for her to lose momentum and then says "There is no sense attempting to treat you unless you are fully committed. And I see you are not. Perhaps one day you will be." Or perhaps you will degrade far enough that an intervention will be in order. The insane are always such... interesting... subjects.
"Oh, that does remind me, Doctor. Try to keep a healthy distance from Eris in a fight. Her lunacy is a potent weapon, but indiscriminate."
The Doctor nods "Is that so? Her madness leaks? Fascinating. I vill endeavor to remain far from her." He pinches the bridge of his nose. "The warning is appreciated."
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At Eris' acceptance, he waits for a moment for her to lose momentum and then says "There is no sense attempting to treat you unless you are fully committed. And I see you are not. Perhaps one day you will be." Or perhaps you will degrade far enough that an intervention will be in order. The insane are always such... interesting... subjects.
Eris's eyes go wide at Franz's rejection. "No, please! I'm serious! I need your help! Simply put, I have problems. What do I need to do to show you I'm serious!?"
"Oi. I read you like a five-pencer, Cim. Lifetime of knowing yer and all that. Been spooked since the ceremony. Why?"
The rogue glances at Brogol, a pained expression before she sighs. "It's hard to explain, you see..."
"Hehe--you look a little scared and spooked. Did that swearing of the oath get to you? I guess you didn't do crossed fingers or something."
Cimri falls silent and her mouth snaps shut as an angry glower flickers across her features. "I guess I didn't. Fingers crossed, huh?" Cimri files that one away for later, but rebuffs any more efforts to engage her on the topic. "Come on, let's get to Caggan's and take care of this. And, yeah, doc, stay away. She's batty as a loon and will have you slicing your own arm open if you get too close when she goes off. But, it did a number on the deputies, so she's not useless. Just... dangerous."
=== When you move ahead ===
When you arrive at the Last Stand, you enter to see Caggan at the end of the bar, cleaning some crockery (no chili or ladle to be seen) and listening to a bard performing on the stage at the far end of the tavern. A trio of staff assist Caggan and there are about ten customers enjoying an early lunch. None of them seem to have noticed your arrival just yet.
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"Very vell, if you truly believe you are serious about getting healthy, I vill endeavor to help you. Ve vill begin zis evening." He nods. "I vill observe you today to determine ze best initial treatment plan."
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Doctor Zieber's nostrils flare as he looks at all the grimy surfaces around the bar. He looks over at the bard to see if he recognizes them. Otherwise, he's more than willing to see how the others handle the rule-breaking tavern owner.
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Eris nods vigorously as Franz agrees to help her.
"Thank you, Doctor! Thank you for working me in. Should I call you Doctor Zieber, or Franz?"
She smiles broadly. "Oh, since you're observing me, should I try to do what I would normally do, or do what I would normally do when I'm being observed?"
When they arrive at the Last Stand, Eris smiles much too broadly, erect and in the corner. She doesn't say anything, and seems to have decided to do what she would normally do when she's being observed for psychiatric treatment.
"It might be better for us to wait until it's more crowded. We can always produce a crowd later if they don't break the new edicts."