"The cause is enough," Sir Balin said. "Our faith is big on letting people serve in the way that's best for them. The point is the service. We want our people at their strongest, not weakening themselves by trying to be things they're not. If you're not much for prayers and faith, that's fine. We'd rather have effective action than hollow devotion."
"We also don't buy into that tripe about only being able to serve one master. It would be dumb to pretend hierarchies and partnerships don't exist. One of our allies worships some avatar of winter. Clyde follows a voice in a well. You've got your patron. None of that stops any of you from picking up this knife and swearing to devote yourself to the Asmodean cause. It's up to you how you choose to juggle your allegiances."
"That good enough for you?"
He nods as he holds out his hand "I simply wanted to make sure we know where each of us stand regarding what is to follow. With this I promise my services to the cause. May the Pallid Princess guide my hand to do what is required"
After all objections have been addressed, she speaks in a fluid, tonal language. "ߒߠߋ ߦߋ߫ ߊߛߑߡߏߘߌߦߎߛ ߝߊ߬ߘߌ ߣߌ߫ ߣߌߡߦߊ ߝߊ߲߬ߞߊ ߟߋ߬ ߘߌ߫." She will take the proffered knife and ...
Farholde - Vanderhall Manor
The woman continues to giggle even as Mal approaches her with the Ruby Dagger. Once he proffers it, her giggle ceases, but instead of a look of horror coming across her face it is a look of interest...? Mal makes the first cut as Soren and Morana hold her down, she moans with pleasure and gasps as the chalice is filled with her blood. With each successive candidate that cuts, her moans become more ecstasy filled.
She smiles at Soren and Morana, "No one else wants to go?" When neither move to cut her she pouts a bit as Sir Balin draws the pentagram.
The woman transforms before your eyes as the pentagram is complete, it is Tiadora! Her wounds heal as she takes her usual shape, "Excellent. I am not entirely sure that the Cardinal could have done a better job Sir Balin.
But the Ritual is not complete, this is insufficient to ensure your loyalty to our Master, the Cardinal or to each other.
We are not Demons who's whims turn and twist with the wind. If you are to be the new Ninth, you must commit to the same legally binding terms as those of the previous Ninth".
There is a soft knock at the door.
Seeing so many people already melt away to reveal others, Malleck hardly made any indication of being surprised. He nodded more in recognition at Tiadora.
At her request, he tilts his head slightly, though at the knock he turns to face it, knowing this was suppose to be private. His hand resting on a smaller pouch at his side
When the woman started moaning he gave Soren a questioning look. "Where'd you find her? They're not supposed to like it."
When their willing victim revealed her true form, Sir Balin's eyes widened, then he let out a big laugh. "Well damn! That's high praise. Welcome to the party, Tia."
At the knock he tensed for a moment and gestured with his head urging Morana to answer. "If that's not the baron, get rid of them."
Farholde - Vanderhall Manor
At the door is indeed the Baron himself, he peers past Morana to Tiadora, "My Lady, I have in my hand the document you requested".
Tiadora nods, "Excellent my Lord. You may hand it to Morana and return to the pleasantries".
He hands a bejeweled scroll case to Morana nods with a grin and heads back down to the hall to the stairs. Morana hands the case over to Tiadora.
"The Ritual performed by Sir Jack allows us to know that you are all indeed committed to the cause, if not to Asmodeus himself. However, treachery is a not uncommon foil to the plans of those that serve the darkness in whatever form or variety it manifests to each of us individually. And in most cases, treachery is the most expedient way for one to meet their goals, again, in whatever form or variety we envision.
Here, there is a greater enemy to be defeated, an enemy that is united and cohesive and thus we too must act cohesively.
Thus, the Cardinal has had each of his Knots, individual autonomous cells execute a contract, the Pact of Thorns".
Appearing in her hands out of thin air is another scroll case.
"In my hand is the prior Pact executed by the original Ninth, with a single addendum. Only three of those original members remain, all are gathered here. That contract shall be voided once the new contract is executed.
It is customary to execute that contract in blood.
I shall give you each a chance to review the contract. If you choose not to execute the contract, I shall erase your memory and return you to where I found you several weeks ago. If you choose to execute the contract, you shall be joining a collective of like minded individuals who all seek to achieve autonomy from the oppressive yoke of the hateful Mitrans.
The Cardinal, and Asmodeus himself, only wish for those who are willing to join".
Behold on this day the 15th of Neth 4710 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 unending.
Signed,
"I agree to all but the first one" he frowns as he finishes reading the contract
"How would I manage all this then?"
"I agree to all but the first one" he frowns as he finishes reading the contract
"How would I manage all this then?"
Tiadora responds, "Notice the nomenclature, you shall further the worship and glory of Asmodeus, but you need not venerate him yourself. There is room for many Gods and other figures worthy of veneration under the auspice of Asmodeus.
These terms are not negotiable. Of course, a return to your former residence is a less than ideal state, but the choice is of course, yours to make. I hear the Mitrans are fond of placing their morals above practicality. I was not aware that those who worship Urgathoa were also so inclined". She smiles sweetly and scans the room for other... comments.
Sir Balin eyed the Baron as he entered. "When this is done, you and I need to clear up a little misunderstanding," he said in an even tone after the contract had passed hands.
Sir Balin eyed the Baron as he entered. "When this is done, you and I need to clear up a little misunderstanding," he said in an even tone after the contract had passed hands.
The Baron pauses, "Do we? Then of course come find me and we can discuss whatever is troubling you Sir Balin". He departs.
He nods "Very well, then this seems agreeable" as he marks the contract as desired
Positive reactions to her form was not something Tih had anticipated, and she felt a weird pull of dissonance in her gut.
She cringed at the masochistic creature as it accepted the blade of the ruby knife.
And now a contract. A momentous night with little time for consideration. But she had finished her considering when she had changed for them.
Tih bit the back of her thumb, dipped a claw in the welled blood, and signed.
A Ruby Blade, one of the holy symbols of Asmodeus. Being found with one is heresy against Mitra of the highest order, punishable by life in prison, or execution.
Mephistopheles seems pleased.
Such a beautiful work of art shall be done in my name. I absolutely love it. May I?
The tall red-skinned Tiefling's blue eyes shine in merriment as he takes the ritual blade and reverently makes his mark....
Absently licking his black lips as the blood in poured into cups, the Tiefling starts a bit, as the sacrifice melds into Tiadora!
Bravo! You had me. Tricking the Trickster ain't easy. My regards and respect, my Lady.
Mephistopheles turns his blue eyes to the door at the intruding knock. As the door is opened, the Bishop Reginald Dublin of Matharyn is standing in his place.
At the closure of the impertinent door, the tall red-skinned Tiefling is standing once again in his place.
Listening politely to the reading of the Will ...errr... Contract, the Wizard laughs.
A bit expected, of course. I do enjoy a good Contract.
Mephistopheles simply takes the Contract, cuts his finger before signing it.
Elliaria bows her head in respect at Tiadora's revelation.
There is no hesitation to the contract, as she is already sworn to three of the clauses, and the remaining is implied. "As you command, Mistress Tiadora." She rolls up her sleeve, which reveals a spring loaded device holding a wand. She unbuckles that and sets it aside to cut deeply into her forearm. It takes significant force to get through, but she fills the quill with her blood. By the time she is finished signing in neat infernal characters, the wound is healed. She straps her wand assembly back on and puts her sleeve back in place. Doing so cleans off the blood splatter from her violent thrust.
Clyde takes the blade and deftly makes the cut when his turn comes. The response of the woman is a bit odd though and he wonders if she would be so excited if it was more than just shallow cuts. Would she still be so aroused if he started to flay her skin? Would her eyes sparkle when she beheld the muscle that lay underneath?
When her form shifted to Tiadora Clyde was less surprised, the otherworldly beings had physiques that were supposedly made from the planes themselves and the slicing of a blade could indeed be their fetish.
The entry of the Baron and the reveal of the contract had him stroking his chin. A binding contract, he was wary as he scanned the paper and then shrugged, the dreams and urges he followed led him here and perhaps he would learn more.
I agree to sign. Clyde replied and ran the edge of his dagger along his finger and filled the quill. The blood was a deep red, almost black as it oozed out of the tip and formed into his name. When he lowered his hand, drops of blood dripped onto the floor where they were lapped up hungrily by the feline.
Farholde - Vanderhall Manor
Soren and Morana also sign the document. Tiadora turns to Sir Balin, "It seems you shall be the last to sign... Sir Balin". She appears amused to no end to use that name.
Before Sir Balin can execute, Soren speaks, "What of Lord Havelyn?"
Tiadora shrugs, "The Cardinal is still waiting for him to prove something. Until then, he accompanies, but does not join you".
Morana then speaks, "Forgive me Mistress but one more question, but with Nate deceased, does that not mean that the contract that Aurex signed is void?"
She grins, "I shall let Sir Jack answer that questions". She then looks at Sir Balin expectantly.
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Sir Balin cut his finger on the end of the ruby blade and scrawled out GrUMBLJAK on the paper in barely legible smear, like he was finger painting.
When the topic of Aurex came up he shrugged. "Not much to tell. He's been wanting a fight since the day he met my better half. They both agreed whoever lost would serve the winner. Aurex lost. He's watching the Horn with Havelyn right now."
" Oh, hey," he said, suddenly thinking of something important and turning back to the newcomers. "Do any of you... uh... Hell, I don't even know how to ask this. Do any of you have extra people in your heads? Other personalities that are going to take over? Anything like that?"
The red-skinned Tiefling's smile only continues to make its appearance known.
No.
Clyde shakes his head.
Elliaria looks concerned, "I don't have anybody else in here. Is there something we should be concerned about?"
"I do not. And if you are implying you do, that is something we need to know of. I will not be listening to plans of 2 seperate personalities in the same vessel. As that will cause lines of operations to be blurred."
Sir Balin shook his head. "Naw. Just, once bitten, twice shy. One of the crew you're replacing was a nutter. Disguises are one thing, never knowing who you're gonna be from one day to the next is another." He gestured to Soren and Morana. "We've had enough of that obnoxious b#+@$&+& for a lifetime."
"Anyway, I think we're about wrapped up here. Tiadora? Got anything else?"
Farholde - Vanderhall Manor
The Ladies nod in response to Sir Balin's sentiments.
Tiadora smiles, "I shall bring the contract to the Cardinal for his signature for it to be binding upon you all.
I leave you with a message from Cardinal Thorn as it is he that you serve as the mouthpiece of Asmodeus in this realm".
Tiadora casts a spell and a figure wearing a black robe with a platinum holy symbol of Asmodeus around his neck comes into focus. He removes his hood and appears to be a Human male in his late 30's or early 40's, handsome but starting to show his age. He sits behind the desk in a high leather backed chair smiling at you.
"My name is Cardinal Adrastus Thorn. I am the last high priest of Asmodeus left on the island of Talingarde.
I have assembled you all together to join in what remains of the Ninth Knot, now that you have executed the contract, you are hearing my voice and seeing my face for the first time. The Blessings of Asmodeus upon you. We all share a common goal, to burn Talingarde to the ground and from the ashes and build a new nation that knows its rightful master. To throw off the yoke of Mitran fanatics who wish to destroy any religion that does not bow to their insipid sun god as well as any thoughts that do not conform to their own beliefs.
I have sent you far away, to a place so far the description is in its name. Farholde is a backwater of no real significance. Its Lord has already left the place hoping for glory in the war. But it does border the Caer Bryr, the largest unmapped forest on the entire island.
Hidden within the Caer Bryr is the Horn of Abaddon, an ancient temple once occupied by a particularly loathesome death cult called ‘The Sons of the Pale Horseman’. Almost eighty years ago the first Darian king, Markadian I called the Victorious overthrew the Horn and destroyed the Sons. No great loss, honestly.
But what the Victor found within the temple is why we are here. He defeated a daemon prince called Vetra-Kali Eats-the-Eyes. So terrified of this monstrosity was the king, that he had the priests of Mitra craft a great silver seal to forever forbid the daemon from returning to our plane of existence. The seal remains to this day.
I have learned the truth about this daemon prince. I have learned what the Victor feared. Vetra-Kali is an archdeacon in service to the lord of pestilence. This immortal monster could create a plague so virulent that it will bring Talingarde to its knees.
When the Victor attacked, the Daemon Prince was close to unleashing his masterpiece upon the world -- a pestilence known as the Tears of Achlys. I am uncertain of the specifics of this plague but if anything could terror in the heart of the Victor, then I want it. The Tears of Achlys will be our poisoned dagger into the heart of Talingarde.
The Horn was located first by the Fourth Knot and then further explored by the Ninth Knot who even now have a toehold on the place. The Fourth Knot vanished and the Ninth's numbers were depleted by the dangers lurking within
I am undeterred by these setbacks. Thus, your recruitment.
Your task is to Find the seal and shatter it. Call Vetra-Kali back to our world. Bind him to your will and force service from the monster. And then bring his gift, the Tears of Achlys to me.
Also located in Farholde is the Seventh knot – the Knot Hibernal led by Elise Zadaria. The Seventh knot will remain in Farholde and see that anyone who tries to find the Horn and interfere with your work meets an unhappy end. Thus, you will have time to do what must be done.
Note that the half-elvish noble – the Baron Arkov Vandermir - is an ally but he is not a member of any Knot. Be careful what you divulge to him, despite his assistance and his devotion to Asmodeus, his schemes and interests are his own".
The image fades.
Tiadora sighs, "That is all else I have, if any of you have any questions, feel free to direct them to your fellow Knot members".
She vanishes with a soft POP.
Sir Balin gave Tiadora a very small nod, his expression somewhere between frustration and zeal, then he took a breath and rolled his eyes melodramatically. "Well there goes my big reveal," he said with a grin that belied his annoyed tone. "First Tia steals my thunder, then the boss does too."
"Anyway, now you know where we're headed. Caer Bryr is the nastiest patch of woods you'll ever see, and the Horn doesn't have a single civilized convenience. Pack for roughing it. We head out tomorrow, noon. That gives you the morning to pick up any supplies you need and sort out any affairs you need to. We won't be back here too often."
Malleck stays quiet for a while as he listens to the message explaining their task
"Not only get the cooperation of the fiend but also his concoction. We also need to take the tower where all this is suppose to be. Quite the immediate task. Normally I would ask how do we keep it a secret while we do this, but that sounds like it's being taken care of. What else do we know of this tower?" he directs the question to Balin
Sir Balin snorted. "Tower is being generous. It's a big, weird, pointy rock. I don't know if it's natural, but it definitely wasn't built. The Horseman cult dug a fortress out of it like amateur dwarves."
"The caverns underneath are full of demon-worshiping frog-men. They're alright now that their king's dead. The rest of the place is deserted. First floor's clear. There's still a few places in the second floor to check out. Mostly it's an empty ruin, but it has... a feel to it. Like it's asleep."
"First priority is to fully explore the place."
Mephistopheles simply listens intently to the Cardinal's briefing before frowning a bit at .... a plague so virulent that it will bring Talingarde to its knees.....
Disease doesn't disquinsh devil or do-gooder.
Shrugging the Wizard chuckles at the possible ramifications of such a scene.
Tears of Achlys, indeed.
Mephistopheles turns his blue eyes to Sir Balin.
How many days travel from here? How many days did the initial team stay there prior to returning? And, noon tomorrow you say. Plenty of time to get acquainted with this town.
EDIT!
Mephistopheles regales the youthful Tih with a devilish smile.
By the time we get to that Portal, I will be well versed in demonology, pestilence, and how to properly cleaned linens.
The Wizard will eventually require a quick trip to the store to purchase a Wand of Endure Elements. Unfortunately, the proprietor only had a used one. The devil may care bought it ...
Tih looked at Clyde expectantly when the subject of other personalities popped up, then raised her brows slightly when he shook his head. Well at least it's not that type of madness, she thought.
Each detail from Thorn left her more intrigued. A deadly forest, a deadlier temple, and a demon prince. It was all far beyond what she had even read about.
After Tiadora was gone, Tih looked to the others and said, "A dagger is a precision tool, a disease is not. How are we to protect ourselves or our allies from these Tears?"
"Not to mention the demon prince." She looked to Mephistopheles, "Do you know anything about containing demons?"
While talking, Tih changed back to the dark-haired girl before speaking again, "Oh. And when I'm shopping, if anyone asks, I was going to say I'm part of an expedition looking for mining claims."
After Tiadora was gone, Tih looked to the others and said, "A dagger is a precision tool, a disease is not. How are we to protect ourselves or our allies from these Tears?"
Sir Balin shrugged. "I'm not worried about it. I figured we would add some kind of protection or cure into our negotiations with Vetra-Kali. All of you might want to work out a way to protect yourselves though. Daemons aren't devils. Agreements tend to be temporary, and contracts don't mean a damn thing if they can't be backed up with strength. We're not going to be able to strong-arm a daemon prince, so we'd best have a backup plan in place before we deal with him."
"As for the trip, it's less than a league as the crow flies, but through the tangle it takes about half a day. The mountains make days short around here, and the canopy is thick, so it'll be mostly dark by the time we get there."
Finding out any vulnerabilities of daemons will be a bit tricker for us since I doubt we will be wielding weapons infused with the power of the heavens and blessed water would be like handling a giant glass globe filled with the stuff, powerful but oh so risky.
I will purchase what I need, will we be able to bring a wagon along? We'll need a goodly supply of food and other goods to sustain us until we find other ways of transporting such things.
She looks to Tih, "Good idea about the mining rights. For those that need such things, I can draw up paperwork for a partnership to help explain our expedition."
To Clyde she responds, "I do have a haversack of hefty capacity to help carry some. And I will not need food for myself."
She looks at the others. "We should get to know each other and discuss our talents and abilities. If we are to be successful, we will need to work together and not have any 'obnoxious b%~*!#!&s', as Sir Jack so eloquently phrased it." she nods to him.
"I am not living. I'm a constructed simulacrum of the original Elliaria. Having her memories and identity makes it easy for me to pretend to be a good little Mitran. I even project an aura of goodness that will fool the lesser clergy and many basic wards." People will see that she does indeed look to be a little on the naive side.
"As a construct I am not subject to issues of the flesh. Disease is not a worry for me. If there is danger of exposure, I can retrieve and hold it. Likewise, I am much more resilient than I appear. Normal weapons take some force to penetrate my skin, and I have a little protection against most of the common energy types. I heal on my own, which is fortunate, as most common healing magic doesn't work on me. Should I go down unexpectedly, I do have a possible remedy." She pulls from her bag a rock carved with crude symbols. "If you whack me with this stone before my animating force dissipates, it will repair me. Yes, I know goblin magic is crude, but they do have some useful tricks."
"Offensively, I am most effective with a good flanking partner. I rely on studying my enemy and cooperation to be most effective. You'll find I have good reflexes and I am hard to surprise. I can even riposte against an enemy's attack."
"Asmodeus has granted me some magic. Sensing moral paths and the sins that will tempt them, basic healing, and silence. I cannot yet handle disease on my own, though I can use scrolls of it. I have a wand of devil-blood healing, and we could probably use more wands to keep everybody healthy. Finally, I am quiet of step, trained in the law and I am a classically trained soprano." With that, she nods to let the next person speak.
will we be able to bring a wagon along? We'll need a goodly supply of food and other goods to sustain us until we find other ways of transporting such things.
"We'd be lucky if we could get horses through that jungle," Balin said with another laugh. "There's no road, and we're doing our damnedest not to cut one. Last thing we need is to give the local trappers a path to follow right to our front door."
He retrieved a rucksack from the corner where Morana had stashed it. "Here. It's one of those magic bags that's bigger on the inside. Plan for a month's worth of meals. There's a room in the Horn where nothing spoils, so don't worry too much about perishables."
"Soren has been handling our money and bookkeeping. We don't really need it out there. If you're buying for the mission, it comes out of the war chest. It's not bottomless, but we're doing fine right now. That goes for all of you. if you're shopping for the mission, tell Soren. She'll put it on the expense list and pay you back."
"Oh, and before I forget, here," he added, pulling five large metal loops out of the rucksack and passing them out.
As the new Knot began discussing their capabilities, Sir Balin pulled a large leather roll out of the magic sack and unrolled it in the center of the pentagram they'd painted in Tiadora's blood.
It was full of weapons and equipment. "Take what you want. We'll sell the rest. Most of it's magic. Morana knows the details. If you can't tell, ask her."
As for myself, one skill I believe others will appreciate is my skills with cooking. I have studied a fair amount of the craft and I believe that it will make a welcome addition to iron rations. Once can consume only so much beef jerky after all, ho ho.
As for other skills, I know how to handle axes and hammers along with basic weaponry. I lack knowledge of foraging but can handle myself with physical exertion such as climbing and swimming.
Farholde - Vanderhall Manor
As the meeting ends, the Ninth Knot disperses until the next day leaving only Sir Jack in the meeting room.
"It was. We appreciate the use of the room. The party was a good cover," the big knight said.
"Lets get right into it though. Earlier, you were told we needed a sacrifice, and you told us to take care of it ourselves. So we did. If it wasn't for Tiadora wanting to put on a show, you'd have lost someone more important to you than some orphan or servant." Jack gestured to the bloody bed and floor.
"Tonight, it felt like you were working at odds with us, and we were left to fend for ourselves. We're fine with that, but you might not be. The reason we're talking now is because I don't want you to be surprised later."
"See, the Ninth Knot has the luxury of being able to care more about results than methods, so we're not afraid to get messy. If things don't go the way we want we can just leave, or we can wipe this backwater off the map. We broke Ballentyne. Aldencross doesn't even exist anymore. All that happened before Fire-Axe's horde made it across the bridge. It was us. That's what we do."
"There's exactly two things protecting Hammerhall from the same fate. One, our mission doesn't require it. It's an option, not a necessity. Two, professional respect. You're an ally. This is your home. That matters to us."
"So when we're dealing with a sudden unknown and don't have the luxury of time, and we ask you for something, getting it thrown back in our faces feels a bit like that respect doesn't run both ways."
"When the Ninth Knot tells you we need something, we're doing you a favor. It's not a demand. It's an opportunity. We want our allies happy, so while we're in your back yard we want you to be able to choose how things get done. We thought you'd appreciate that kind of courtesy."
"If that's not the case, we can stop. We just don't want you to get upset when collateral damage happens. Usually things are a lot worse than needing to replace some sheets and a rug."
"Does that clear things up? We on the same page?"
Farholde - Vanderhall Manor
I assure you that the girl Tiadora imitated is quite dead as I already accidentally murdered her myself earlier in the evening, I got carried away with my... fervor shall we say and I called Tiadora in to assist me as I knew she would be here tonight eventually anyway.
Despite your reasonable argument I feel as if I am being threatened in my own home, am I mistaken?
Quite the tactical error, if you believe that violence should be perpetrated to make your point, you should have had all of your allies present. What if I don't appreciate your subtle threat and decide to do something about it? Are you so certain that you can defeat me in combat, Grumble?"
Sir Balin sighed and looked pained. "I'm not Grumble. That's my little gift from our patron god. I'm the man that's left when all the monstrous parts are temporarily locked away. You don't want him here. I don't want him here. He's a much worse conversationalist."
"If we knew we needed a sacrifice, we'd have let you know ahead of time. It was improved to find out if the Mitran bishop who showed up without an invitation was on the level or not. We were scrambling a bit, so we asked for your assistance."
"As for whether or not I can take you in a fight, well, a dragon asked Grumble that right before I came here. They decided to find out. The dragon was humbled."
"If you also want to have a little bout to find out, I'm game. Seems like a waste of time though. Like I said, we like having you as an ally. Seems like no matter which of us wins, it would sour the relationship."
"Tonight can be a misunderstanding instead of a fracture. That's what I'd prefer. How about you?"
Mephistopheles simply smiles at Lady Elliaria as she expressed her functionality. The Wizard looks at Sir Balin, Malleck and Clyde.
My personage seems quite secure. My early gratitude. If it wasn't apparent, I am a Wizard. Darkness and Shadow Illusion is my specialty, although my repertoire is extensive. If anyone does not see in Darkness, please let me know because I have a Trick that prefers you can. I can help when that time presents itself.
The red-skinned Tiefling's blue eyes look to Tih.
I wouldn't mind comparing Tricks. There may be a few of ours that could play off the other.
Chuckling at the pro offered Circlets of Disguise, the Illusionist waves it away.
You've seen mine.
He tips his hat.
Mephistopheles does spend the evening copying spells....
Farholde - Vanderhall Manor
Remember that it was you who attempted to intimidate me in my own Domain. I was merely giving you the opportunity to correct your boorish behavior and you have done so. Certainly I can understand your penchant for taking that approach after all, it has worked well for you thus far.
But a man should be shown respect in his own home. There are watery graveyards off of the coast of Farholde filled with the bodies of those who failed to meet that very basic threshold in this Manse.
That point made, it is indeed a waste of time and of resources. We serve the same Master and I do not mean Cardinal Adrastus Thorn. Tonight should absolutely be defined as a misunderstanding as that's all it was.
Tell me, now that you have had your meeting, what is next?"
"Break in the new crew, and get back to work. We'll probably be gone a while. Soren and Morana will be in town. If you need to get a hold of us for some reason, talk to them."
Tih was amazed at the thing that was Elliaria, even as so many new words flew past her.
Along with the others, Tih explained the basics of her abilities, and her focus on magical enchantments. Responding to Mephistopheles, she explained that she could not see in the dark.
She would spend the evening starting on her shopping list and then retire to the tavern in Drownington for people watching and rest.
Clyde slipped from the room and out of the manor silently, his thoughts were his own as he headed back to the inn where he met Tih.
Of course he would tell the owner he would not be staying and it would be rather troublesome with the owner going on about losing a good cook so soon. But Clyde had been there for just a short time and the better food could be passed off as a fluke.
He would have to go shopping. Plenty of food for the stay and he absolutely had to get something better than iron rations. Beans, rice, spices. He would need to inquire who amongst had skill for hunting even some bird would be a nice change of pace..
Malleck takes his circlet as meanders off to bed. Though he does ask if someone is capable of bringing his belongings to him. He didn't want his property laying about without his supervision.
Farholde - Dark Avengers Assemble
The New Ninth gets their affairs in order and meet at noon in an empty farmhouse in Westell that Baron Vandermir has supplied to get you all assembled and out with no prying eyes from Farholde watching.
Soren but not Morana is there to see you all off. Soren looks to Sir Jack, "Tell my Beloved that I look forward to reuniting with him once the Horn is fully under our control.
Between you and I Sir Jack, I suspect that the Seventh Knot is no friend of ours. They have shared no information with me and if my few little spies are to be believed, their leader meets with the Baron. As they too have signed a pact with the Cardinal, I don't believe they would betray our good work but I do fear that they may well be jealous of our abilities to wrangle the Horn and thus see us as a threat to their prominence in the Cardinal's eyes".
Jack let out an exasperated huff. "Figures. Sounds like we're going to need to do their job too. Think you and Morana can build up your own information sources? Even if the Seventh does eventually pull through, it'll be good to be able to double check anything they tell us. Drownington's seems like our kind of place. Maybe set up shop there, and get the whole operation out from under the Baron's eyes."
"I will concur. If we plan to do things our way, perhaps not do it under a potential spy's nose. Or one we do not fully trust. Working together as a unit will only be to our advantage" he agrees with Balin