Once everyone has accepted, Cardinal Thorn smiles. "Excellent. Let us make it official. Signing in blood is traditional."
He brings out a quill, a silver ritual knife and two copies of a contract written on some unidentifiable leather and written in dark red ink – the Pact of Thorns. He has each of you sign in blood and finally he does so as well. He lets you keep one copy of the contract. The other, he takes.
"Well done. Your first command: prepare yourselves. Stay within the manor. You are still hunted by the Talirean soldiery. In three days we begin your training. Equipment will be provided."
[sblock=the Pact of Thorns]Behold on this day __________ 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,
__________________________________________________[/sblock]
You are fed, fully rested, bathed and clothed in garments more befitting nobility than prisoners on the lam. Tiadora offers you each one of the slaves as a ‘companion’.
Any of the standard gear from the prison is confiscated since it could be traced back to the prison (Chain shirt, chainmail, heavy steel shield, longsword, leather club, longbow, arrows, key, etc. Mostly the items you got from the guards and warden. The exception to this would be some of the weapons found in the armory.).
During the three days each of you receives 200 gp worth of gear. A slave approaches each of you and meekly asks what equipment you require. He then returns later with your listed items (see OOC thread).
Each of you also receives a silver medallion and an iron circlet. The silver medallion is a silver unholy symbol of Asmodeus. The iron circlet is magical:
[sblock=Iron Circlet]Aura faint illusion; CL 1st
Slot head; Price 1,800 gp; Weight –
DESCRIPTION
This circlet of wrought iron alters itself to comfortably fit any wearer. It allows the wearer to alter their appearance as with a disguise self spell. As part of the disguise, the circlet can be changed to appear as any sort of hat, headgear, or hairstyle the wearer desires.
CONSTRUCTION
Requirements Craft Wondrous Item, disguise self; Cost 900 gp[/sblock]
During the respite, you will learn that you are not alone in the manor house. Besides the slaves and Tiadora—there are a few others about. In another wing, there are four more individuals. They are Elise Zadaria a human witch, Tallus "Trak" Rackburn a human ranger, Dostan Alfson a half-elf barbarian and Titus "Trik" Rackburn a human cleric. They have also received holy symbols and iron circlets.
Cass shifts his weight once, to his right foot. In a poor imitation of Nelleon's pageantry, Cass inclines his head in respect at the Cardinal."Asmodeus answered in my need, and so I want to repay His gift. But I'd feel better about my service if a longsword found its way into my grip. My Lord." Cass--a commoner--fumbles for words, not sure of the honorific for a Cardinal.[/section]
