WotW: Call Forth Darkness IC

[Maugan Ra]

"You his friend, then?" the innkeeper replies. "Yeah, there was an elf here. Still got his room booked, though he owes 25 gold in unpaid rent. Probably dead in the Caer Byr somewhere. Pay the outstanding balance and the room is yours."

[Maugan Ra]

(Sorry, post is being stubborn and not appearing)

"You his friend, then?" the innkeeper replies. "Yeah, there was an elf here. Still got his room booked, though he owes 25 gold in unpaid rent. Probably dead in the Caer Byr somewhere. Pay the outstanding balance and the room is yours."

[Morbis Meh]

Schtein approaches the group of shady indivduals and smiles broadly "Good day sirs, I am looking for the strongest among you for a job of the more seedy nature. In my hand I have 50 gold" He lifts his tiny purse "Whoever accepts will get this now and when the job is done they will receive triple of what is in here for a total of 200 gold. Now as I said before I am only looking for one, strong candidate so if you would be so kind and come forward so we can discuss business in private."

Spoiler

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Bluffing is so fun! (1d20+11)[21]

[Maugan Ra]

The group look at each other, then start grinning. They move forwards, spreading out to surround you in a loose pattern, hands drifting to the clubs dangling from their belts.

"I've got a better idea." One of them says, smiling in a way that exposes his yellowed teeth. "How about you hand over all your money, and in exchange, we don't break your legs."

[Comissar]

This was a waste of time...

Feeling a little disgruntled, Quint closed the books he had in front of him and returned them to random shelves. Leaving the library, he began to aimlessly wander the streets in the hopes of bumping into another of the wizards he'd found himself allied with. As he walked he shed the disguise he'd briefly held, appearing once again as the figure he truly was, tattoo's and all.

"Must be getting close to our meeting now..." He muttered to himself.

As he walked he took the various pages he'd removed and scrunched them into balls, tossing them into the gutter one at a time.

[Thattaman]

Kydrak, happy with what he has learned of the Baron tries to seek out the orphanage he heard about. It seems to be in quite a shady part of town for a friendly orphanage. Whilst crossing through to the orphanage he sees Schtein being surrounded by a load of the orphans. He stands not far away from them and tries to defend his so called ally. Ok, the first of you thugs who lays a hand on my good friend Schtein, volunteers to be used as a persuasion for your master. And you probably won't like my idea of persuasion. Kydrak grins at the idea of torturing these weak cretures. He then draws his sword ready.

[Maugan Ra]

The group of thugs seem to weigh up Kydrak for a long moment, their eyes drifting between his sword and his eyes as they try to determine how serious he is. Evidently, they reach the correct conclusion, as after a few moments they back off.

"You're going to go see the Baron? We won't stop you then. But your friend might want to be careful where he waves money around in future. Might get hurt."

[Razorstorm]

"You his friend, then?" the innkeeper replies. "Yeah, there was an elf here. Still got his room booked, though he owes 25 gold in unpaid rent. Probably dead in the Caer Byr somewhere. Pay the outstanding balance and the room is yours."

"Oh dear. He was supposed to wait for us, but we were delayed horribly, and he must have gotten impatient. How long ago did he leave? Did he leave any belonging here?"


Bluff roll (I assume this is pretty believable...)

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(1d20+5)[23]

[Thattaman]

I still need one of you to torture or the baron won't do what we say. I suppose w could use one of Quints images but I was going to enjoy cutting you up. Anyway, I won't hurt you guys yet but that means you guys have to respect me and possibly work for me in less than pleasant situations. I'm Lord Kydrak by the way. He then turns himself into the most intimidating shape he can think of using his iron circlet.

[Maugan Ra]

"Oh dear. He was supposed to wait for us, but we were delayed horribly, and he must have gotten impatient. How long ago did he leave? Did he leave any belonging here?"


Bluff roll (I assume this is pretty believable...)

Spoiler

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[roll0]

"You just going to clear the room out, then? Sure, go on up. Here's the key." The innkeeper passes you a small key on a wooden ring.

(Assuming you check the room...)

Aiden Kael's room seems mostly empty. There's an old bed that has clearly not been slept in for some time, and a wooden desk in the corner. Stretched out over the desk is a map of the local area, including the nearest regions of the Caer Byr. The map is covered in annotations, detailing the ranger's successive scouting trips into the forests. And one of those annotations is centered around a particular hill.

The Horn of Abaddon

Kydrak and Schtein

The thugs, already made wary by the brandished sword and the evident sadism Kydrak was displaying when he mentioned torture, snap completely at the evident illusion magic.

"Screw this! Run for it lads!" one of them hollers, and the band sprints away from you, scattering into different side streets. Looking around, everyone else on the street has also vanished. The two wizards are left apparently alone.

[Thattaman]

Well that's one way of ending a fight. Although I didn't get us anyone to work with, I still saved your dignity and purse.

[Morbis Meh]

Schteins normal pleasent demeanor shifts and his pale face stares directly at the half blood before him "If you ever interfere with my affairs again i will slit your throat while you sleep and use your corpse myself. If I needed any help I would have asked for it myself, no bugger off before I take out my foul mood on you. I have some thugs to find before we head off and if you so as much look at me the wrong way I swear on the Dark Lord himself that you will regret it." He turns away not waiting for the fool to speak and goes off in search of one of the cowardly bandits.

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Let me know what I need to roll but I would prefer taking 20 on it so I can get at least one of them...

[Maugan Ra]

It takes a while, but eventually Schtein manages to track down one of the thugs who fled. Unfortunately, said thug is in the company of half a dozen soldiers, each resplendent in the red and black livery of House Vandermeir. They are wearing steel breastplates and have crossbows slung over their backs, but seeing you they reach instead for the long swords sheathed at their waists.

"So. You must be one of the visitors the Baron was expecting. I hope for your sake you are, or they'll find your corpse floating in the river. The Baron doesn't appreciate anyone being mean to the poor darling children. " Their leader says as he advances on you. His subordinates are spreading out behind him, avoiding anything like a tight formation, and you get the sudden impression that they've fought magic users before.

[Morbis Meh]

Schtein gives a small smile "Indeed I am a guest of the Baron, as for threatening this child I did no such thing, in fact I was offering employment and some sadistic beast came along spewing threats of torture in the middle of our negotiations. Isn't that correct lad?"

[Maugan Ra]

"Ah, well, since you're the victim of an unfortunate misunderstanding, we'll just escort you to the manor, I think. The Baron has been expecting you."

Some time later
(This assumes that everyone has regrouped and turned up at the manor for the meeting. Slight bit of DM-fiat, but there you go. If anyone has anything they particularly wanted to get done beforehand, tell me in the OOC thread)

One by one, you all regroup and make your way to the Baron's manor, ready in your own ways for the meeting. The Vandermir manor turns out to be perhaps the nicest property in the richest section of town, a three story stone affair sealed behind wrought iron fences and inhabited by scores of scurrying servants. They escort you into the dining room with polite smiles and offers of quality wine, though it does not escape notice that there are at least two guard watching each of you at any one time.

Baron Ankov Vandermir turns out to be a dark haired half-elf in fine clothes of burgundy and white silk. His green eyes are hard and unyielding as he studies you all from his position at the head of the dining table. There are six guards in the room, stationed around the perimeter with their hands on the hilts of their swords, and the servants have all been dismissed.

"You come to me as beggars." The Baron begins once everyone has arrived. "You will promise me much, I have no doubt, but all I am likely to gain from this is a spot on the inquisitor's pyre. Tell me, why should I help the likes of you?"

[Morbis Meh]

Schtein swirls the wine in the glass and brings it to his nose so he can inhale the fine odour eminating from the glass. Smiling at its pleasent scent he takes a small sip of the wine, though he didn't need it for sustenance nor could he taste all the much, he though it was a polite gesture and at the very least it would wet his lips. Putting the glass down he looks up at the Baron "Beggars? Why I prefer on living a more humble existence, I am a firm believer that decadence makes on weak. As for helping well that is entirely up to you good sir for I will not try persuade you one way or another; however, you should know this little tiny fact, though the flames of an inquisitor's fire may burn for a short while the flames of hellfire from a vengful deity will be much worse. This is not a threat of any kind, I am just letting you know the Dark Lord does not look kindly upon those who would throw away his service at the mere sight of danger. Personally I think in would be a bad deal in general to renounce Asmodeus once you already signed the pact but that is merely my opinion. All that I can offer you is a piece of advice: You would do well think on your immortal soul and not of your mortal flesh, if you wish to come back and serve our Lord then I am sure he will forgive you if you serve him well. Or you can just pray to one of those goody goody gods for forgiveness and hope that they try to claim your soul before Asmodeus. My this wine in delectible, where did you acquire it if I may be so bold to ask?"

[Maugan Ra]

The Baron regards you over steepled fingers. "Your concern for my eventual fate is truly touching. Tell me... what gave you the impression that I ever abandoned the faith? I am discrete in my religious observances, but I am pious as ever."

"And the wine is from Ghastenhall, a little vineyard I own out there. I shall pass the compliments along to the staff."

[Razorstorm]

"Excellent, then you should be glad to know that we are here on our mutual Lord's work. We are not here to challenge your domain in this town, nor to reveal your secrets. We are heading out into the Caer Byr to carry out a sensitive mission. We may need mundane assistance as we see it through, supplies, a warm bed, your library, things like that. Your support will let the rest of our Lord's disciples know that you are still the man you were, without jeopardizing your rule here. When it's done, we go away. Simple as that." During this Victor strolls casually around the room, looking each guard in the eye, keeping his hands out wide for them to see, ending facing front again to the Baron.

[Maugan Ra]

"And why should I assist you in such a manner? Why should I commit resources and support to this mysterious task of yours, when there is no benefit to me involved? The risk of being known as an associate of yours far outweighs any benefit I could gain, I think, seeing as I am reasonably sure the authorities all have death sentences waiting for you all. It would be much safer for me to simply run you out of town, or even make sure you quietly vanish."

[Morbis Meh]

Schtein grins maliciously "Tell me Baron, what is your main income for your lands? What if I were able to tell you that becoming invested in the medicine trade or better yet granting you and your lands complete immunity to what will happen. For even if you do not help us what is to come will most assuredly affect you and your people... As for why you should help, if you truly are a pious individual shouldn't helping us who are trying to bring about the ruling of our dark lord be enough? Though I suppose one could simply feign loyalty and devotion to a cause to avoid backlash... for a short while anyways."

[Maugan Ra]

"You advise medicine, mention wide reaching consequences, and are going into the Caer Byr. Interesting." Vandermir says slowly, a calculating look in his eye. "And while some might consider a holy cause sufficient justification to contribute to a mission, I am not one of them. As it stands, I am comfortably well off, the locals view me with great favor, and if the good lord of Farholde perishes in the war I can expect to be elevated to the governing nobility of this region. What could you possibly offer me that would justify putting all that at risk?"

[Thattaman]

Kydrak listens to Schtein's way of persuading the baron and isn't very impressed if you want him on your team you can just threaten him until he gives in. But he knows that Schtein would attempt to kill him if he messes up, and the others might side with Schtein which would meen killing his allies and disobeying Asmodeus's will. So he tries to keep it friendly. But first he casts eagle's spleandour on Schtein so that the most persuasive one of them is particularly appealing.

So barron, you say you are a pious Asmodean, so surely you know the full extent of his wrath, a wrath that could be chanelld through high preist Adrastus Thorn, I trust you know him?

[Maugan Ra]

"I am aware of...him, yes." The baron replies, and you get the oddest impression he has about to refer to Thorn as 'it'. "It is mostly due to his reputation that I agreed toa meeting in the first place."

There is no disguising the faint nervousness in the Baron's eyes now.

[Comissar]

Quint claps his hands together, an expression of happiness on his face. "Ah! You do know him, excellent!"

He picks up a piece of food from his plate, examining it critically. "I suppose you should know that we're here at his request then. I am sure your co-operation will be looked upon favourably, and I for one will put in a good word for you."

Tentatively, he puts the food in his mouth, chewing thoughtfully. Slightly muffled by the food he was eating, he continued, "I know at least one Lord who would be pleased you were helping us as well. I'm sure his gratitude would aid your standing greatly."

He swallows his mouthful and gives the plate in front of him another look, "This could use some more seasoning by the way, perhaps a bit of Thyme."

[Maugan Ra]

"Oh, I highly doubt that monster requested anything. Still, I can well believe that he is at least partially responsible for Talingarde's recent troubles." Vandermir goes silent for a long moment, contemplating the issue. When he looks back up at you, his eyes are filled with a cold and furious hatred.

"I want to know something. This... task of yours, whatever it is. Will it hurt the country? Will it bring misery to those pious, self-aggrandising traitors that call themselves our royalty?"

[Thattaman]

Kydrak speaks with obvious malice now. "They are going to feel the power of the infernal prince. All of them will be killed and only the true Asmodeans will survive. I trust that you want to be in that number.

[Morbis Meh]

Schtein notices the change in mood and rests his head and one of his pale hands whilst swirling his galsss, his eyes suddenly roll when Kydrak opens his mouth "...Ignore him, he tends to be far too overdramatic and usually doesn't tell much of anything. If it's misery you want, well let me paint a more descriptive picture for you: imagine your body being in complete and utter agony, sores appearing and popping all along your body. During this time you can feel the same sors inside of you rotting you away from the inside making it hard to eat, sleep or breath. Now imagine in the midst of this agony you see everyone you loved, your friends your family and your subject going through the exact same pain when you know deep down in the farthest reaches of your soul that you lack the power to anything. That is what my companions will be delivering to this country, whether or not you want to be apart of it is entirely up to you. I will not make idle threats our lie blatantly because honestly that is rude and overly redundant."

[Maugan Ra]

The Baron carefully listens to Schteins descriptions, then looks down at his food. With a sigh he sets the cutlery down and pushes the plate away. "Charming. Still, I can't deny the idea holds a certain appeal. And you certainly have an ambitious enough goal in mind, that much is clear. Very well, I will support you."

"There is a passage leading between this manor and a Safehouse near the edge of town, which I will allow you to use. If you have need of resources and contacts within town I can likely provide them, within reason. Likewise, my influence should be enough to prevent you from being investigated or harassed too much by the local watch, but there are limits.

In exchange, I shall be content with your word that no harm shall come to my household through your actions, and perhaps a favorable situation if you do somehow succeed in your master's grand plan."

[Morbis Meh]

Schtein hoists his glass in the air "Then may I so bold to call a toast to this favorable agreement? To the Dark Lord and may all that stand in his path be eradicated in the most sinister manner possible!' Schtein sips gingerly from his wine glass then clears his throat "I do have one request and it isn't out of your reach, I request a bodyguard, one of your stronger guardsmen would do just fine. If you could have him meet me in my quarters I would be very appreciative."

[Maugan Ra]

"I am afraid I need my guardsmen here. However, I shall have a suitable individual hired for you tonight. It is a sensible enough precaution for heading into the Caer Byr." Vandermir says, having finished his own toast.