ac 18, hp 10, Initiative 2+, fort 2+, reflex 2+ and will 2+
Just because I see no auras doesn't mean their arent't devil cultists, in the time of the empire many warriors had paid respect to Moloch the general of Hell...time to rack my brain and memories.
knowledge religion concerning the activities, tenets and symbols of the archdevil cults1d20 + 7 ⇒ (13) + 7 = 20
knowledge arcana concerning the magic of the devil cults1d20 + 7 ⇒ (9) + 7 = 16
knowledge the planes concerning who has risen to the status of archdevils in the hells and who has kept their status as archdevils.1d20 + 7 ⇒ (6) + 7 = 13
ac 18, hp 10, Initiative 2+, fort 2+, reflex 2+ and will 2+
I will not be going this is a matter that requires your esteemed " intellect", I have business that must be concluded and from what I see this castle may have folk inside of it who can detect my true nature. Good luck "wizard". With that Joroth retreated and made his wya into the "black sheep" Inn he let his eyes see the true nature of the inhabitants and he searched for Infernal auras. It was time to see if the old allainces between the devil cults and House Korthin could renewed...
ac 18, hp 10, Initiative 2+, fort 2+, reflex 2+ and will 2+
gm and perse:
If you are wise ruler ye only need to employ one kind of assassination, the assassination of the character. More often then not an enemy can be goaded into committing political suicide by the judicous use of words. As for ruling a kingdom you must not make the mistakes of the Heir's bloodline, the kings and queens that bloodline produced were incompetant fools to a fault. One example of this stupidity was their consistent hedonism, each month the rulers of Pathad would host grand banquets that ended up costing after the expensenses were totaled five thousand gold each. As one can imagine this gold had to come from somewhere, and by the time Turandy declared war on Pathad the monarchy had debts of about o what was my fathers estimate? On...no two million platinum pieces to the dwarven bank.
And don't even get me started upon the so called Pathadi "military", which was basically a mishmash of knights, peasants and criminals gathered whenever there was a threat to the realm. As you can imagine the nobility like the monarchy was corrupt and stupid, the few good generals and officers among them quickly assassinated and the idiots left in charge destroyed the army for Turandy. Needless to say as you yourself form an army it must not be a repeat of the Pathadi one. The true key to leading men is this, to know when to let things slide and to know when to crack the whip. As it is you will need support from within Pathad and the support of my family if you want your people to have a future that is successful. Before you go on about using devils as insane look at your alternatives or I should say lack of them.
The dwarves that retreated from Pathad into the mountains when Turandy invaded are pinned down by a massive orc horde, while the dwarves in their great citadel in the land of the Turgen are pinned down by the Turgen horde who's barbarism and racism make an alliance between them and you impossible. The Elven kingdom is but a shadow of its glory and has lost many archmages that could otherwise turn the tide of this war. This leaves only one avenue available to you and that is the planes and the only faction that has the nessecary power to broker deals with the planes is House Korthin. You simply have no other options, the Heir is simply too arrogant like the rest of his bloodline to comprehend this, you by contrast may despise the reality but you know that it is all too true.
ac 18, hp 10, Initiative 2+, fort 2+, reflex 2+ and will 2+
gm and Perse:
As for forgeries that require spesific hand writing you can find forgers in any town of at least three thousand souls or more. They operate typically behind the status of being scribes, papermakers and poets. Speak to them in places where bards sing loud songs constantly and thus make eevesdropping difficult. Also since our earstwhile compatriots believe that this will take some time it is time to teach you a lesson or two on the art of rulership if you are willing to listen. As for why I choose to do this know it is because you if you are to compete with Heir as a potential ruler you must not be seen until it is to late. Think of it as stalking prey, you don't want to be heard or seen before you unleash the killing arrow.
ac 18, hp 10, Initiative 2+, fort 2+, reflex 2+ and will 2+
Joroth got to the cave and motioned for Himonim to sit by him.
The true key to the forging arts is not the prose or the lettering, at least not in this case. In this case it is far more the content of the letter that will cause the sherrif to set upon Tuy like a rapid dog. Remember when forging a letter like this play to your foe's greed, short sightness and stupidity.
the letter, Perse and GM:
Tuy our contact will meet you at the crossing, he is the usual contact that you have been meeting for the last month. He will have your payment and you will continue to receive the payments as long as you continue to undermine the sherrif's efforts. Also do remember that House Syndonis is watching you, earn our favor and in the new regime you will be a noble. Betray us and you will rot in a cell for the rest of your pitiful life.
ac 18, hp 10, Initiative 2+, fort 2+, reflex 2+ and will 2+
gm and Perse:
The reason I wish to keep Elrith out of this for the moment is not that I think he would try to stop it...at least deliberately. The problem is I simply don't know if Elrith can maintain the big picture in his mind. While he may not intend to do so his actions may ultimately doom a long term campaign. I do not bear him any malice however I can't just assume that he can keep the big picture when he persues a course of action. Once I know whether or not that he can keep the big picture in his head then we can choose to bring him into this.
ac 18, hp 10, Initiative 2+, fort 2+, reflex 2+ and will 2+
gm and Perse:
For me it is simply receiving the oath of a willing subject who knows the price that they must pay if they break the oath. For someone like yourself enacting a contract would require rituals and rites, you could learn them either from a cult of the nine or from a wizard or scholar who is knowledgable with concern to the nine hells. And one thing before we rejoin the others it may be wise to leave Elrith out of our plans, at least until we know him better. As to be blunt we need to know whether or not his devotion to his race or his religion takes prescedance...
ac 18, hp 10, Initiative 2+, fort 2+, reflex 2+ and will 2+
gm and perse:
This is not a infernal contract but a forged letter from House Syndonis. And more to the point writing up a infernal contract isn't how House Korthin does things. The pact we made with an archdevil so long ago gives us the ability to simply use the system of hellish oaths, by contrast most seeking to employ the oaths of the nine would have to write up a contract and then do several rituals for at least a weeks time. The nine do not easily yield the power of infernal oaths to those who do not have permission to uset them, however if you want to watch me make a forgery you certainly can.
ac 18, hp 10, Initiative 2+, fort 2+, reflex 2+ and will 2+
gm and Perse:
I must get to writing up that Syndonis letter, once thats done we must make a trek into the village to search for signs of the cults. Isaac can spew all he likes about how "illusion and trickery" will win the war, however we both know that when the illusions and tricks are cast aside the power with the most substance to it will prevail.
ac 18, hp 10, Initiative 2+, fort 2+, reflex 2+ and will 2+
I don't mean asmodius as in the deity asmodius, I mean asmodius as in the archdevil asmodius(not a god despite his best efforts). Plus we need to figure out the devils in charge of the layers, do you want to invent them yourself or borrow the pathfinder or d&d 3.5 ones?
ac 18, hp 10, Initiative 2+, fort 2+, reflex 2+ and will 2+
Note gm we need to figure out who runs the nine hells, not just asmodius but the archdevils for the other layers to.
gm and Perse:
What I need you to do is help me accomplish something of great importance to House Korthin. You see when House Korthin ruled as a powerful house of nobles millenia ago we were far more powerful then we are now. The reason being that House Korthin commanded through diplomacy and sheer cunning the alligiance of many cults of the nine hells. When we realized that the end was near for us we ordered them to go into hiding and await our return to power and glory, that was nearly a thousand years ago. Despite the paladin kings best efforts these cults have survived, while they are greatly diminished they can still be useful.
As for why I want your help I see potential in you, you were not born with the heart of a true ruler but that doesn't mean that you can't become one. As you recognize the reality that some things despite how horrible they seem must be done if victory is to be achieved. This is what sets you apart from Isaac and Elrith, you don't react with an ingrained and completely idiotic response when presented with an "evil" way of defeating your foes. You have so far considered caefully and rationally the merits of those options, you may not like them but when push comes to shove you will use them.
ac 18, hp 10, Initiative 2+, fort 2+, reflex 2+ and will 2+
want me to join forces gm in creating a timeline, not a massive page after page thing but what generally happened for say the last ten thousand years.
gm:
A republic is the best hope for the survival and freedom of House Korthin, however the circumstances required to bring a republic about may simply not materialize. The republican ideal despite it's ancient, succcessful and glorious past is scorned by many, even those who would gain from it. The kings and queens of Pathad and beyond have done everything they can to ensure that republics "are evil and despicable, ruled by impure blooded peasants and weaklings". If the rise of a true republic cannot come to pass then a resurgent elven empire is the next best thing, your people throughout your history have kept your word and oaths. House Korthin would help engineer the rise of the elven kingdom anew, so long as you clearly understand that House Korthin expects and will if nessecary "extract" it's reward we will help your people. As for communication I can help you with that, assuming we can find a cult of the nine. Imps make wonderful message carriers, efficent and discreet if the proper words of command are used.
ac 18, hp 10, Initiative 2+, fort 2+, reflex 2+ and will 2+
gm and perse:
One thousand and five hundred years ago the land we call Pathad was called Aquitain. It stood under elven rule for well over three millenia, then the ruler of the kingdom died without an heir and the once great kingdom crumbled under the weight of feuding elven nobles. Then the paladin king of Pathad came and waged relentless war to gain the current boundries of "glorious and holy" Pathad. With his war many of your people were killed or enslaved, now your people lurk in a massive forest one hundred miles wide as your once glorious and worthy heritage crumbles around you.
However Aquitain is not beyond the point of ressurection, this war presents a chance to stop and perhaps even reverse your people's decline. Tell me what do you elves gain by putting the arrogant heir of a genocidal maniac on the throne? Why not put an elf on the throne and rebuild both your people's past, present and future?
ac 18, hp 10, Initiative 2+, fort 2+, reflex 2+ and will 2+
gm and perse:
I believe we both know the following truth, whether it is a wizard's lightning bolt, a devil's gout of hellfire or a sword thrust to the belly you have killed someone. We both know this reality, the others excepting for the dwarf don't know this reality. Isaac in particular is a problem, he believes fundamentally that a war can be won without violence. This is to be blunt the dream of a romantic poet smoking a particularly powerful pipe of weed. We also know one other truth, your race is dying out slowly but surely.
ac 18, hp 10, Initiative 2+, fort 2+, reflex 2+ and will 2+
gm and Perse:
Examine the area with your ears and eyes, I will probe for any magical evesdroppers.Joroth began to examine the area as his eyes glowed with hellfire casting detect magic
ac 18, hp 10, Initiative 2+, fort 2+, reflex 2+ and will 2+
You have my word, for the duration of our talk i will abstain from magical or physical violence, unless you attack me. However I do reserve the right to cut off the ears of any evesdroppers.
ac 18, hp 10, Initiative 2+, fort 2+, reflex 2+ and will 2+
I am not an enchanter, my spells were designed to bring outsiders under control and weaken others. Spells that allow me to alter the minds of others are not my purview just yet.
ac 18, hp 10, Initiative 2+, fort 2+, reflex 2+ and will 2+
I will need papers and ink for the documents, Gnome I also need to get into the village itself time to see if any of my family's old allies wish tojoin the cause.
ac 18, hp 10, Initiative 2+, fort 2+, reflex 2+ and will 2+
Joroth sighed My fellows its time to take a bet, how long till Isaac's idealism and naive mind get him killed? I'll add five gold to the pot and place my bet as one month from now.
ac 18, hp 10, Initiative 2+, fort 2+, reflex 2+ and will 2+
I will draw u some documents however they will have the name of House Syndonis not Korthin. Reports from our accuser devils suggested that House Syndonis aided Turady in its invasion in exchange for eventually becomng the viceroys of conquered pathad. Turady betrayed them when the deed was done, however House Syndonis still exists in a much reduced and underground state. It would not be that much of a stretch to convince Turandy that they want revenge.
ac 18, hp 10, Initiative 2+, fort 2+, reflex 2+ and will 2+
I would force him to abide by a set of terms which would render him unable to employ his current methods, slavery and taxes. I would not mention anything about us or the resistance. House korthin has no need of servants like him, the very methods he employs show his incompetance. As to getting him to sign my contract it's quite simple, he either does it or I begin to show him the true definition of pain. As the king's guards tortured us often, we returned the favor after the king was killed and Pathad overthrown. As for devil cults the paladin king that bound us also began a hunt to destroy them by founding his inquisitors. As such the devil cults hide their presence well, but I should be able to find them if they are in the village.
ac 18, hp 10, Initiative 2+, fort 2+, reflex 2+ and will 2+
I have a better idea, assuming your up to the job of capturing either the Sherrif or Tuy. A man will do much to save himself from death, particularly if it was slow and painful. If Tuy or the Sherrif was put down in a chair and slowly tortured to death they might accept a hellwrought contract. And the contracts we Korthin's use cannot be escaped by anyone, the devils are always eager to collect souls. I also would like to look around the village, if their are any devil cults in the place I can sway them to our cause. Remember Isaac, beggers cant be choosers.
ac 18, hp 10, Initiative 2+, fort 2+, reflex 2+ and will 2+
Best to leave I know exactly how to sway dwarven support...I just hope none of you have any qualms about beating orcs to death. As the dwarves while they retreated into their mountain holds during the initial stages of the Turandy invasion encountered an old enemy. The orcs of the mountains have been for a long while fragmented warring among themselves for dominance. However this has changed recently a warlord has arisen in the orcs ranks who has united the orcs into an army of many thousands. However history provides an answer to this problem, as warlords like the one the dwarves are dealing with have arisen previously. When the said warlords were killed however the orcs would descend into chaos once again, kill the warlord and the dwarves will pledge their support. Remember that they provide us with two of the pillars, the pillar of steel and the pillar of gold.
ac 18, hp 10, Initiative 2+, fort 2+, reflex 2+ and will 2+
Note I also said elementals were available Isaac, besides the point one village does not matter in the greater scope of things. We need the four pillars that a nation stands upon, money, magic, steel and allies. helping this village won't get us one step closer to those pillars. And by allies I mean those who can actully put up a fight, we should sway the suport of the dwarf clans. They are one of the few factions left that could field an army, assuming we can draw them out of their remaining fortresses in the mountains.
ac 18, hp 10, Initiative 2+, fort 2+, reflex 2+ and will 2+
If what you say Isaac is true then doing anything to help this town is pointless. Furthermore I would never except a contract with you, if you ever possessed the ability to use strategy and tactics that ability is long gone. We need to rally support for our cause which is actully useful, which means we need to start sealing pacts and alliances with either the nine or what is left of the elemental princes.Farmers with pitchforks will be slaughtered if they engage Turandy, devils that are immune to mortal steel and elementals that hurl fire and lightning will butcher them.
ac 18, hp 10, Initiative 2+, fort 2+, reflex 2+ and will 2+
Wizard by your own moral code the guardsmen and their leaders have committed slavery and tyranny. They are guilty and must be punished it matters not what method is used to kill them so long as justice is done. So tell me Isaac are you so weak willed that you cannot carry the sword of justice and do what must be done?
ac 18, hp 10, Initiative 2+, fort 2+, reflex 2+ and will 2+
The reason I bring up crushed glass up is because it is more lethal then any poison, it has no antidote and once they have eaten it they will dead men. Furthermore they are the perfect targets, what soldier who has eaten hardtack for years will pass up the chance for that juicy apple pie? With the method I propose we take no risk, by the nine we don't even have to enter the village itself. If you doubt my method is effective I can prove it by the simple capture of one guardsmen, we feed him crushed glass in meal and then you watch him die a few hours later. Think do you want to do this the dumb way of a paladin idiot bound to code that renders him an idiot who believes in honorable combat, or do you want to do it without casting a spell?
ac 18, hp 10, Initiative 2+, fort 2+, reflex 2+ and will 2+
Once again you demonstrate your complete lack of tactical knowledge or intellect. Tell me wizard, do you know what crushed glass does to a man's stomach?
ac 18, hp 10, Initiative 2+, fort 2+, reflex 2+ and will 2+
I need a tactical overview of our forces and the enemies resources. I also need to know about the sherrif and his assistant, any family members or loved ones?
ac 18, hp 10, Initiative 2+, fort 2+, reflex 2+ and will 2+
All life is conflict, indeed the very world you stand on was born of conflict. For the world was a creation of the elemental princes, when they refused to allow the gods to do with it what they wished the war of creation ensued. Our world was founded in conflict, good and evil clash and so do order and chaos. Conflict is natural whether it is the conflict of the body or the conflict of politics.
ac 18, hp 10, Initiative 2+, fort 2+, reflex 2+ and will 2+
A republic is the best option for House Korthin and for your own people, do you truly want to not have the ability to determine your people's future? Because if you place a king in charge eventually he will succumb to absolute power. Those who have studied the history of Pathad would do well to note that no checks exist against the kings power. Remember the ancient adage "absolute power corrupts absolutely". A republic is in essence a system of checks and balances, no one indivdual can hold all the power in his hands, remember what Pathad has done to your once proud people.
ac 18, hp 10, Initiative 2+, fort 2+, reflex 2+ and will 2+
Ah you forget something heir, those "bodies" are simply a carefully maintained illusion to downplay the ability of a king to do whatever he wants. Think even if you are a decent king, which considering your own bloodline is unlikely will your own heirs be good? If that is the case then the Elves will be the first to feel the bite, you can still here the weeping songs of Elven bards that tell of the glory of a once powerful and proud people. Those times were before Pathad and it's Paladin king came into being, so I ask a question of you. Why should we even bother with an heir? What possible good can come of a kingdom and bloodline that has wrought so much misery over the years?
ac 18, hp 10, Initiative 2+, fort 2+, reflex 2+ and will 2+
You wish, a true republic would be out of all the variant forms of government be the the best government for the Elves and Dwarves. As under a kingdom they have no representation, under a true democracy which is for all intents and purposes mob rule they don't have enough representation thanks to population size. Under a True republic modeled on the systems of the ancient era however the playing field is level, each faction, race, province etc receives the same number of senators as the others do. Now tell me heir which system of government do you think the Dwarves and Elves will like the most? A king that can put his fist down and ruin their lives? Or would they prefer a system that gave them equal power despite their small populations?
ac 18, hp 10, Initiative 2+, fort 2+, reflex 2+ and will 2+
No the Bloodline of the paladin king must not rise to power again unless it is bound by oaths sworn to House Korthin, the only other two alternative goverments that can arise are either a Korthin empire or something akin to the great republic's of the ancient era.
