NOW LIVE! Today's the day you meet your new best friend. You don’t have to leave Wolfy behind... In 'Pets & Sidekicks' your companions level up with you!

Reply to thread

Message: <blockquote data-quote="Cerebral Paladin" data-source="post: 3883343" data-attributes="member: 3448">“Forever?  But…”  That clearly surprised and dismayed Alveera.  I think she considered appealing to my compassion, or pointing out that I could only threaten a short period of torment, but I looked at the implements as if to pick one out, and she chose a different tack.  “Surely you would not need my service forever.  You are a mortal--a powerful mortal, destined for great things,” she flattered, “but mortal nonetheless.  Surely you will have no need of my services after you die.  A term of service-- for your life, or perhaps a century if you prefer a fixed term--would provide you with all the service you could benefit from.”“Perhaps, but you assume that I will die and be unable to benefit from further services.  What if I become a being like yourself?  It is possible.  And then I would want your service in Hell.  But if I die, I will no longer be able to command you, and you will be able to act as if you were not bound to my will.”  I neglected to mention that I would command her to serve other loyal Paranswarmians after my death.“So it would be much the same as being bound for the length of your life…  unless you become like me.”  [There was much laughter in Malancet’s court in the Abyss at that.  They had made the succubus appear as much like an erinyes as possible to lure Konrad into her trap, but the thought that she would lead him to become a fellow demon was delicious indeed.  A few even bet on the matter, much as they had previously bet on the terms that the succubus would pretend to accept.  The abyssal bookmakers thought it much more likely that Konrad would join them as a lost soul for torment than as an equal.]  “That might be acceptable.  But if you were to bind me into that ring, you would destroy the value of the egg you traded me.  How am I to gain its worth if I cannot raise the dragon hatchling and train it to serve me?  I cannot bring an egg with me into that ring.  Do you seek to void our previous contract?”“Never.  We can bind you to the ring, instead of into it.  It will be a symbol of your servitude, and a means to call you, rather than a prison.  Besides, I wish you to raise the dragon, just as I wish you to gain power over other devils and similar servants.  By serving you, they will make you more powerful.  And since you will serve me, that will make them my indirect servants, just as binding you to my service makes you indirectly serve Lord Paranswarm’s will.”“So I could continue to dwell on my lands on my home plane, except when you call me to your service?”“Indeed.  You could continue in all ways as before, except that I would have the power to call you to direct service and you would always be bound to act consistently with your service and to serve my interests.”“What of my other commitments?  I will lose much power if I must break off all ties…”“You may continue to serve your hierarchy except as that is inconsistent with serving me.  I believe that is a standard arrangement for devils who have been bound.”The erinyes thought about the offer for a while further.  She looked at me, appraisingly I think, looked back at the implements, and finally gave a short nod.  “I agree to your terms.”</blockquote>

Verification