Thiadora's page

Thiadora reviews the journal, makes a clucking noise with her tongue, and finally looks at you. "Very well, this is very damning. We must report this to the Cardinal. One of you will accompany me."

Once you have selected the one amongst your number that will accompany Thiadora, she teleports the two of you away.

You arrive back at the mansion, outside the Cardinal's study. He is waiting for you. He asks what has brought you, and you explain. Thiadora hands the Cardinal the journal after you have described what you saw, and what you have learned from your prisoners.

The Cardinal reviews the journal. You can see a tick in his forehead as he grows angry. Finally, he looks up "I have no time for this infighting! We are so close to victory! Nothing can stand in our way!" He summons a servant and hands them a script of paper after hastily scrawling something. He offers you a drink while you wait, for what you do not know.

Shortly, two creatures pop into the room. They appear as mostly human looking, attractive females, virtually nude, but with long flowing black hair that is usually positioned to cover their most delicate parts. What is most startling about them are the enormous black feathered wings that strike up out of their backs and brush the ceiling of the Cardinal's study. Each of them are also covered in numerous bruises, cuts, and wounds, some healed, and some still new. They each briefly bow their heads towards the Cardinal, before the one on his left speaks in Infernal, "you have summoned us Cardinal, how may we advance the cause of the Lord of Contracts?"

The Cardinal addresses them, and you, "The Knot Hibernal is declared broken. In accordance with the Pact of Thorns, I release these traitors. They are no longer bound to my service or enjoy my protection. I send to you, my Nessian Knot, these furies. Make the traitors suffer for their treachery and then return to the work at hand. Bring me the daemon's gift!"

With that, Thiadora steps forward and accepts the journal back from the Cardinal and turns to face the two dark-angels as she lays her hand on your shoulder. You are immediately teleported back to the Horn. Very shortly thereafter the two erinyes appear. Thiadora addresses them, "for one week shalt thou serve the Nessian Knot and aid it to reek havoc against the Hibernian traitors." She turns to the Nessian leader, "one week, get it done!" And she disappears.

The Erinyes are named Tisaera and Melinoe. Feel free to make knowledge (planes) checks DC 23, and ask questions about their abilities as appropriate. OR, feel free to interact with them (preferably in a non-sexual manner), and query them as to how they can assist.

Craft Rod needs CL9, so almost!

Within the hour after you break the seal, Thiadora appears. "It is far too early for the ritual to have been completed, what matter has caused you to summon me here?"

Awesome visuals above!

Thiadora appears from out of nowhere. Her blond hair blowing around, despite there being no wind in the chamber. In her hands she carries two items, one is an iron circlet and the other is a large greataxe +1.

"Our master is pleased that you have recruited a new force to the cause. If this one is to be a member of your Knot, it is up to you to perform an initiation ceremony. Our master sends these objects as tokens of his approval of your choice. You may give them to him after he has undergone your initiation." She hands these items to Mordecai. "Back to work now, the Master needs the Tears." She steps out of the chamber, and you can find no further trace of her.

Before you guys bed down for the night, Thiadora does appear and provide a final bit of information.

Reminding you about the clay tablet you have, she says "break it when you need to speak with the Master. Be sure not to waste his time. He can be most unforgiving about that. The Seventh Knot is already close at hand. They arrive tomorrow on a river barge named The Lucky Lady. You should probably meet them and come up with a plan for seeing our master’s will done. It matters not to me of course. Not my problem. Goodbye, dearest, and good luck.”

Cardinal Thorn departs very quickly therafter.

The next day, the barge docks at Farholde.

Thiadora tells you, "I have already contacted Baron Vandermir and arranged for you to have dinner with him tomorrow night. Best to find something presentable to wear."

You are now free to explore Farnholde. Buy supplies, sell stuff, etc.

Also, there was some crafting you could do during the previous 12 days remember.

Thiadora leads you all to a ramshackle river barge Halstyn's Folly tied to Lake Tarik's bank.

"The master commands you board. You will learn more later," she instructs.

The ship is manned by her Captain and a three man crew. As soon as you are all aboard, Thiadora directs the Captain to shove off, and you are on your way. In the distance you can see the town burning, and hear the lamentation of the people, but that was the goal, right? To bring Talingarde to its knees? Some times in order to build, you must destroy first.

The barge is sluggish and does not make great time. The single deckhouse has been claimed by Thiadora, and she is not good at sharing. You are left to sleep out under the awning on deck. It gets cold at night, but at least the awning keeps the rain off when it comes.

Each night you have noticed a pattern. The captain pauses the barge for a few hours, during which time you cannot find Thiadora.

Should you choose to query her at all, the answers to various questions are in the spoilers:

On the twelfth night of your voyage, Thiadora emerges from her cabin.

“The master is here and commands you attend him,” Tiadora says grimly. “He’s in the cabin.”

... Thiadora appears bearing a small wooden box, which she hands to Malleck.

Malleck opens the box and finds ten 1lb ingots of platinum (5000gp total), along with a note.

Our lord smiles upon your success. Here is a token of my esteem. Use it to rest, recover and strengthen yourselves. Other commands will come when the Knot is needed. Your work has just begun. – A.”

Several of Sakkarot's warriors help you to carry your gear and loot.

From a promontory, you can see the great bugbear horde camped south of the Watch Wall. Balentyne yet burns behind you. Tiadora remarks, “I have seen no evidence of any army gathering to meet the horde. It seems Zadaria has also succeeded at her mission and has assassinated the commanders. Truly, a great achievement."

"Making matters worse for poor Talingarde, small bands of creatures unaligned with Sakkarot approach the breach, eager to take advantage of the chaos. How could these beasts know already about this break in the Watch Wall? Someone must have told them. Probably best to leave. This
region is about to become very dangerous."

“Still, this will not be enough. Balentyne may be broken but Talingarde is yet strong. Soon word will reach the south. The Heartland and the great cities of the Cambrian Bay will marshal their armies. They will meet Sakkarot on the field and it will be far too close to a fair fight. We must do something about that."

“Come, my lords, your ship awaits. Try not to burn this one.”

Lords. She called you lords. And lords you are. Lords of death and destruction. Lords of evil. Do you remember Branderscar? Do you remember being held down and branded like animals? How far you have come and how long yet the journey before you. Tiadora is right. This is only your first steps along the way of the wicked.

"No, they are a different Knot."

Thiadora smiles at Solomon’s questions, ”no, I never undertook these tests. In fact, the tests for each of his followers are different, but this will be a test of you as a group, or as a Knot as the Cardinal would say.”

For Mordecai, yes, let’s assume he’s the same Asmodeus, and for simplicity, but with a bit of willing suspension, we’ll assume Talingarde is an island off the beaten path on Golarion. You’ll notice I used a Golarian date, so rather than just create a whole new world mythology, we’ll just use Golarion, even though we won’t interface with it during this AP.

"Mordecai, would you be a dear and educate your friend about the ways of the Faith please?"

Cardinal Thorn takes a seat at his desk. Thiadora arrives right on cue. “This way,” is all she says.

Tiadora leads you to a set of stairs. “Below you will find the Nine Lessons.” She leaves without any further explanation.

During your trip to the stairs, you have the opportunity to ask questions of Thiadora.

Thiadora leads you out of Cardinal Thorn's presence and to a comfortable library to discuss matters.

"The Master directs that I go forth and provide each of you with 200 gold worth of equipment. Please provide me your shopping lists. Additionally, he wants each of you to have one of these."

She hands you each an iron circlet.

The iron circlets basically are like a hat of disguise and will thus permit your less usual members to get around freely, and since you are all wanted criminals, it will help you as well.

"Solomon, just up the hall here, you will find a fully stocked Alchemical lab, so gather what you need."

She also ensures that you guys get your class provided stuff, spellbooks and such.

"If any of you require the 'companionship' of one of the slaves, just let your wishes be known."

Any questions?

After you have had several hours of leisure: bathing, food, dawdling with the slaves if so you choose, Thiadora comes to each of your rooms to round you up, "the master beckons, I shall take you to him." She leads off, expecting you to follow.

At the door of the manor house, you are met by a beautiful blonde woman, who Mordacai recognizes as Thiadora. The only difference from when he saw her last is her dress. She no longer looks like she is destined for a funeral. Instead she wears a diaphanous white gown that makes her look almost angelic.

When she speaks, any illusions about her angelic character are quickly dispelled. “Dearest, you took long enough,” she says pitilessly. “We were beginning to wonder if you’d ever make it. Oh, and you brought friends. The master commands all of you to appear before him but before that, you must be made presentable. Slaves!” She claps her hands. A dozen young attractive men and women all wearing very traditional servant’s livery appear quickly, their heads bowed. “These people are our guests,” she commands imperiously. “See them to their rooms. I want them cleaned, dressed and refreshed. Quickly.” There is something in that last word that sounds like a threat. Certainly the slaves take it that way, hustling to perform their duties.

Her message delivered, she rises and the guards return. Immediately, her demeanor once more changes and she is again a perfect picture of grief. “No, I can’t bear to leave you!” She gives the PC a kiss on the cheek. The kiss is ice-cold and feels somehow alien and inhuman.

Tomas shakes his head. “I’m afraid it’s time, miss.”

She looks deep in Tomas’ eyes and says, “Thank you for letting me say good-bye. There’s no need to search my dearest. You are such a good friend for letting me see my dearest one more time.”

“Such a good friend,” Tomas repeats his voice almost mechanical. Then the watch sergeant seems to snap out of it and bows politely. “A pleasure, madam,” She leaves unveiled. Her eyes meet Mordecai’s one last time and she briefly gives him a wicked smile.

“Three days,” telepathically echoes in Mordecai’s mind. “Don’t disappoint me, dearest.” The visitation concluded, Mordecai is taken back to his cell by a cadre of guards and shackled once more.

Thiadora looks amused, "our mutual friend has faith in your ingenuity."

Looking at the veil it is obviously more than it first seemed.

As for sense motive, she's clearly holding back much that she knows.

There waiting for him is a hauntingly beautiful woman in an elegant black dress and soft silken veil. She looks as if she is headed to a funeral. Her hair is so platinum as to be white, and her eyes are a vibrant unearthly green. She clearly has been weeping.

“Oh, dearest,” proclaims the unfamiliar woman. “I’m so relieved you’re alive!” She quickly turns to Tomas. “Could we please have a moment alone, good sir? For pity’s sake?”
Tomas goes blank for a bit and then quickly agrees. “Of course, my lady. For you,’ tis no problem.”

As soon as the guards leave, her demeanor immediately changes. She drops all pretense of grief or concern. She is immediately all business.

“Have you forgotten me, dearest?” the unexpected visitor says with a smirk, dropping her pretense of grief. “Call me Thiadora. We possess a mutual friend who would like to meet you and your fellow cell-mates. Unfortunately, our friend is unwilling to visit you in your present rather shabby accommodations so it seems you must escape. Don’t be so dour. Just because it’s never been done before is no reason you can’t be the first.”

“If you manage that, cross the moors on the outskirts of town. On the old Moor Road you’ll see a manor house with a single lantern burning in the second story. There our mutual friend waits. That is all I know. He did want me to give you this.”

She takes off her silken veil and wipes away a few fake tears with it.

“Something to remember me by, dearest.”