| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
Yes, but only if you hold me, otherwise they need to be telepathic too!
She actually speaks and is audibly hearable. Her voice is female, you would think of someone in her early 20s, and the cadence is bubbly and friendly.
My condolences... I felt... really sad when my wielder died, one of the first things I conciously felt. But he in a better place now. And so are many of those he rescued from hags, or broke out of soulstones!
I cant do that yet, but its possible that I can... be really effective against things useing soulstones or people who use spells empowered by soulstones!
The weapon speaks, jiggling a bit.
Uhhhhm... what is a hug? I think you could use one, but I also think I am the wrong entity to offer one
The weapon pauses
The cloaked figure who saved you? Did she give a name?
It seems to be a time of great change... Desna told me that there is a Succubus who is Desnan? And like... I killed demons before, they are kind of pathetic creatures, driven by fear, but always pretending to not be afraid, because if they show fear, then other demons think they are weak and attack them. But that Babau-Bard? First Demon I ever encountered who wasnt afraid. There was... when I talked with him telepathically, a hole, ripped out by something, where normally his fear should be. Still evil, but oddly fearless.
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
Thesius gives a playful smile as he thinks about the surprise upon his companions face when Serendipity greets them next time.
"That's great to know. I'm sure the others will be both surprised and delighted to meet you soon."
His face becomes somewhat crestfallen at the reminder.
"I appreciate that. He was a good man who gave his life for the betterment of the world. I can only hope to follow in his footsteps, but perhaps in my own way."
He nods as he listens to Serendipity's first encounter with feelings and being cognitive. A warm smile gracing his face as they finish there thoughts.
"Very true. Hopefully where they are now keeps them free of the hardships they faced. And may they look down upon us in favor."
A laugh escapes his lips at the thought of hugging a starknife.
"I have to agree that you lack the proper capabilities for a hug, but nonetheless your thoughts and feelings help lighten the burdne."
Shaking his head, he answer simply.
"I was not graced with a name at that time. I can only hope my rescuer is still well and that one day I may get to thank them properly."
After taking the time to digest the words Serendipity provides, he responds.
"It's hard to believe that demons can be so diverse, though fear can be a powerful motivator. It seems some are capable of breaking from the mold and recent encounters seem to confirm that. Though time will likely tell us more. Removing that fear...could be powerful in many ways..."
Arthur wakes from the night looking miserable. As soon as he gains his bearings, he looks for Idaya. When he does find her, he says "I think... I think I've been visited by a nightmare demon. Did you experience something like this?"
Idaya had found a bucket which didn't smell and dunked her head it in, letting the muffled silence envelop her a second before pulling back up into the sounds of the camp... and Arthur's question.
Her eyes grow concerned. Her own horrors combined with a bone weariness flash there as well before she responds "We've both been through a lot, so the answer is yes, but I assumed it was normal." the paladin paused, chewed on her lip for a moment as the water ran in streams down her face. "I've had them before. First time I killed, first village I saw after an attack... How do we tell the difference between normal trauma and demonic?" grabbing the cloth next to her, she rubs at her white hair to dry off as she listens intently.
In the case of the nightmare attack that just happened, the visage of the demon appearing, a demon you had not previously known, is a pretty clear indication that it was an artificial nightmare.
You also suspect that the demon who attacked you knew more about... whatever this -20 minute war thing was, and more about those Babaus and their history then perhaps you do, which is why you noticed that its odd.
In general, the dreams are very lucid, and show things that you should not actually know, they are more likely to be external.
Not everything that *meets you* during a dream is neccessarily hostile, but a literal dreamslayer demon most assuredly is.
| 2 people marked this as a favorite. |
Greetings, I am called Lemner, chosen of Lord Nurgal, leader of Lemners Legion. A sonorous Bass voice says in your mind
Know that I am no s#++ty little dreamslayer, if I kill you it will be in reality, face to face, blades drawn, ideally at high noon. But unless my boy Vrakashek suddenly decided to become lawfull, good, and a native outsider rather then a full one, you probably killed him.
The presence declaresYou note that it seems to look at your shadow as it says *s%#%ty little dreamslayer* he also seems to know that you are lawful, good, and a native outsider.
So, how did he die?
Well. This was certainly unexpected. At least this Lemner doesn't seem to know exactly who she is or where she's located. Merixia takes a deep breath, giving herself time to formulate a reply. "The babau who wore this token died when he and his squad fought myself and my comrades. He fought valiantly, for a demon, but was ultimately outmatched. I regret to say that I did not have the honor of the killing blow, but I landed a couple good hits."
She pauses. "I overheard him speaking to his squad before they detected our presence. They were hired by the faithful of Baphomet. To tell the truth, I was a bit surprised that your servants weren't better prepared for our abilities. I wonder just how much information the Baphometans shared with them? Or didn't, as the case may be." If she can use this opportunity to sow a little discord in the enemy ranks, all the better. Besides, every word she said was true. Vrakashek and company should have known what they were up against. The fact that they didn't means that either someone on the other side dropped the ball, or the Baphometans decided to use the Nurgalites as cannon fodder and didn't bother sharing much intelligence.
I sense no deception from thee crusader The presence says as it becomes more formal.
Alas, I can hardly expect thee to give me the name of the one who slayed him. But hand the coin to the one who did the deed, and our combats shall be... I will not pledge honor as you would understand it crusader, but there is overlap between our respective martial values.
The presence pauses, adopting a more informal tone as Merixia tries to sow some dissent
Baphometan information? The presence laughs
Look Crusader, were I to say that I trust that viscous snek pony as far as I can throw her, that would paint me as rather naive.
You get the odd vibe, so to speak that this Lemner is... somewhat fun to be around and fairly charismatic.
Suddenly there is an almost palpable burst of anger and fury from it
Intrusion? How? Concurrent nightmare spell? the presence whispers to someone else
You feel a presence behind you, exposed by a sudden burst of bright light coming from the wall of flames between you and the presence.
The light does not blind you, and as you turn there is a strange creature
where your shadow was. You can sense that its 8 eyes are, at least temporarily, blinded.
it instantly flees.
I hate these creeps. Hmm, my assistant says that little twerp works for Shifkesh, f*#$ing idiots are only good to be turned into grass, because lawns made from them will at least cut themselfs.
Thats an interesting way of referring to A[b]pona[b]vicius, the Marilith ruling Drezen. And implies that this Lemner thinks he can throw a Marilith an appreciable distance.
You are reasonably certain that he can, did, or believes that he can as a matter of fact throw a Marilith.
Which, given that they weigh about 2000 pounds or so, is fairly impressive.
"Ugh, Sifkesh. Give me an enemy who fights straight up any day of the week." Merixia spots a strange creature scuttling away from the light. "I will offer the token to the one who killed Vrakashek, and tell him what comes with it. If he declines, though, you're stuck with me. I'm not going to force it on anyone."
Reasonable enough. The presence chuckles at something else
I wish thee good fortune in the wars to come, should we meet thee shall need it
The presence behind the wall of fire announces as the dream fades.
There are a few more things your recognize.
There are, behind the wall of flame and light seperating you, 2 different persons, the presence and presumably the presence *assistant*.
As your eyes focus on where the assistant is located, you see different titles.
Valkyrie's Bane
Einherjer's End
Last word against the First blade
You also sensed that the assistant seemed... amused at "viscous snek pony".
Another thing is... you could lower the wall of light and flame and see how they look like but... They would also see you if you do that. And... you get an idea that he cannot lower the wall of light and flame. Likely due to how these strange Nurgalite dog tags work? Perhaps the one who is called decides if there is visual information?
You get a feeling that this would be very risky, showing a powerful demonic warlord your face is dangerous. As a cleric of Ragathiel, you are akin to a Paladin of Iomedae when it comes to accepting challenges (from equals). But you dont have to accept an unequal one, and you have a very strong intuition that this Lemner is powerful enough that you could refuse a challenge from him without any demerit to your Ragathielan credentials.
Second, it should not be impossible for your to figure out how he looks like/what he is by collecting information normally. You have reasonably cooperative prisoners etc.
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
Demons are creatures of chaos, so they should be capable of change...
Pharasma obviously doesnt believe in that, if she sends you to the outer planes, you are supposed to stay there but...
Like, the boneyards has courtrooms? And there are like... souls who got sent to the abyss because the Nocticulan lawyer demon had a great day and the Calistrian lawyer Empusa had a less good one?
Like, while courtrooms are better then just violence, courts can be wrong.
And then there is the whole... drink from the Styx, forget what you were, which incidently means there cannot be a revision of the verdict
But I think it is strangely accurate for demons to be run by fear, after all, what other then fear stops people from being good?
On the other hand, beware fearless demons, they are much more dangerous!
Serendipity talks quite a bit, which draws an intrigued look from Anevia
---------------------------------------------------------------
Stauntons journal paints a picture of an incredibly petty man. With a particular degree of disdain towards a) women and b) anyone who is succesfull with women.
He was quite glad to outsource the hunt for the escaped Demoness to Shifkeshian bounty hunters, and in part bid the Nurgalite Babau to guard the prison, notable after the Desnan Demoness escaped, to make it look as if they were responsible for her escaping.
There is however...
A few pages of it are abject rage against the Babau champion Vrakashek (Babaulier), mixed with complaints about not being able to sleep because the Bardbau Afonje was partying too hard, in a place in the dungeon, on the ceiling of it, which was, quite not so coincidentally, directly under the floor of Stauntons bedroom.
As well as some fury because the Succubus-duelist Kirandra rejected his advances, while the Succubus Janeanemine demanded he address her as Iomedae.
Then there is plotting on having these demons kill each other, by him setting up an inspiring "mock duel", but one he tried to rig into causing a rivalry.
To his shock, they had a real duel, did not kill each other, but became significantly more friendly then Staunton was comfortable with.
This diary could be used to create some mischief between various demon factions. While the Nurgalites would view Stauntons behaviour, in this diary, as "standard Baphometan bullshit", the diary certainly makes him, and by extension his Baphometan masters, look pretty weak.
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Verene dream
Verene dreams of this corruption forge. Of possiblities, of hard work, of changes, and of her own nature. Divinely empowered Atheist? A contradiction.
On reasonable terms, perhaps, with a mythic Succubus while being a crusader? Another one. But what if contradictions are what could close the worldwound?
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Idaya dream
As Idaya lays down in her newly claimed cot, well, she spent a few nights sleeping on silk, but being around actual friends, crusaders, fellow worshippers of good aligned deities, and not around demons who for some selfish reason decide to utilize her is... relaxing.
Arthur replies to Idaya "Well, normally it'd be hard to distinguish, but in this case, this was clearly from a demon. I saw and heard things that I definitely don't know, and that can't come from a natural dream or nightmare."
Idaya ran her hand through her hair, dislodging the last of the water and frowned in thought "I don't remember anything like that in mine. We should talk to the commander, see if anyone else got visited, and find out if there is anything that can be done to ward against future... wait, what kind of things did it tell you that you didn't know?" Idaya didn't know if it was relevant, but wasn't sure it wasn't.
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
Thesius listens intently, allowing Serendipity to speak their piece before responding.
"I think many thinks drive evil acts. Some redeemable, while others perhaps not so. Fear based evil while heinous, I think it more reasonable then something like greed based evil. We'll have to keep in mind that perhaps are viewpoints or irredeemable evil may not be as simple as we thought."
Thesius nods towards the weapon when Anevia gives a curious glance.
-----------------------
Thesius finds the read a bit hard. This man certainly seemed driven by greed among other things. It would have been interesting to see if he could have been redeemed, though he had not been given any real chance to try.
-----------------------
|
Arthur replies to Idaya "Well, there were things about the Babaus history, and their fighting in a weird yellow city. Then one of them looked at me and was annoyed that its attack wasn't working. I recognized the demon's attempt to attack while sleeping myself. I recognized arcane elements from the nightmare spell. So, considering that Pajainaj demons can collaborate occasionally with hags, and that we've had a hag's scry on us get botched, I think that's what happened."
The following morning, Verene holds back on preparing most of her spells until after the command meeting. She cleans her face and teeth and combs her hair, puts on the same monkish clothes she laundered (along with quite a few others') with a quick prestidigitation last night, and as usual, skips the morning prayers led by Azira and Wulfric in favor of some dream journaling. When the distant drone of his oration ends, she grabs her haversack and new scroll and heads to breakfast with the camp, then to the command tent.
"I hope everyone slept well. How goes getting acquainted with your new weapon, Thesius, and your new armor, Merixia?"