Of Vile Darkness

[Rhia]

Eradiel, Drow Wizard 5/Mindbender 5

*Taking her leave of the Red Hall, Eradiel silently calls for Claire to rejoin her. On her way out, she telepathically instructs Cedric, "I want more exact information on how this girl got hurt in a 'scuffle' Ask the two employees what exactly happened. And if they can remember, what her wounds are. Thank you, dear Cedric."

*She gives her name to the doorman, who calls her waiting carriage. She instructs the coachman simply, "Home, please." She pauses a moment as Claire flies down, landing on her shoulder, then she climbs into the carriage. Without words, she asks the owl, "Did you have a nice time? See anything interesting? I certainly did. A woman who appears to be a simpleton made purely for pleasure but who has a hard mind blocking intrusion. Pretty girl. She had wings, just as you do, my fine friend." Eradiel spends the rest of the ride mulling over the meeting.*

*As the carriage draws near to her home, she begins to seek out Devon's mind. When she's within range, she begins to telepathically talk with him while she thanks the driver and enters the house.*

"Devon, darling, have someone draw me a bath. Hot. Unless, of course, you wish to do it yourself." she gives a naughty chuckle before continuing, "And have Alirra prepare something for a late supper."

"Of course, m'lady," Devon drawls as he sees to his mistress's bath himself.
"I will need you to accompany me tomorrow. We have work to do. Should be fun." Eradiel, inside her home, dismisses her disguise, removes her wrap, and climbs the stairs.

"And what will we be up to, m'lady?" the tiefling brings an assortment of oils near the basin of hot water. He arrange soaps and towels and flower petals before going to see Alirra.

"The Honor's Shield, of all places. I think I shall be a chaste, though married.. the worse kind.. noble woman and you will be my servant out to seek my long lost puppy dog sister. We need information about a young woman who escaped a rape two nights ago when one of those infamous knights appeared to save her. Orshallan, himself, is tending the girl, who apparently was hurt in the incident, in his home. Our job it to find out why he's attending her and who she is."

*Rounding the corner into her suite, she sighs with pleasure seeing the tub in the corner with all the proper accouterments. Stripping off her clothes, Devon comes back into the room and quickly assists her, a job he's quite fond of.*

[ooc: No work on the case this night. I'll continue with the morning later, in case you have anything you want to interject here. Oh, and did Cedric answer me as to how to contact him when I have information for him?]

 

[linnorm]

Ralam Human Rogue 5 / Assassin 7

*Ralam scowls at Torr as he turns to leave. He will spend the day visiting guild-retained clerics to have the curse examined. Afterward, he will relax at home with Renna, leaving her incapacitated after his temper breaks during "playtime".*

 

[Rybaer]

Lord Torr Stormrider - human weretiger/rogue/fighter

*When the assassin leaves, Torr returns his scowl with a smirking grin. When Ralam is gone, Torr downs the rest of his drink and stands to leave.*

"Might it not be an easier and more effective solution to just dispose of the liability?" Torr asks Yill in an off-handed manner, his eyes lingering after Ralam's departure. "Or is he too valuable a tool to discard so casually?"

 

[Isida Kep'Tukari]

*Eradiel, you can contact Cedric through your spymaster, she knows how to get in contact with everyone, or knows someone who does. In the morning, after a delightful evening in the tub (followed by a longer session in the bed, and a quick one in the garden), you call for one of your more conservative carriages, as Devon gets into his more formal butler's uniform. You cloak yourself in the illusion of a slightly-past-prime woman of noble breeding, conservatively dressed still in mourning black, her blond hair properly bound up and a veil across her face.*

*It takes you quite a while to get to the Honor's Shield, but you can see that it is fairly busy, with the poor waiting in line to have a priest tend to them. You carriage is an oddity in this neighborhood, and people give way to your fine horses. Devon will carefully help you out and walk you into the "office" part of the charity house. After a moment of waiting, a pinch-faced older woman arrives to tend to you.*

"I am Lady Felsadora, ma'am, how may I assit you?" she inquires. While her bearing is correct, with the half-curtesy and bow of the head, her words lack the proper humility and her tone carries a bit of a bite. Apparently she doesn't like being taken away from her work for any reason.

~~~

*Torr, Yill smiles broadly, revealing that all of his teeth have been filed down to razor sharpness. It's like watching a shark smile, and with Yill's pale complexion and blue eyes, it's a rather unsettling sight.*

"Oh the Butterfly likes Ralam. If he wouldn't be cursed he'd be the sanest of us lot, and that be true amongst truth. But even crazy-go-buggo he's got his uses, same as you when you're in a mood, I might suspsect," Yill says, in high good humor, and then waves his hand at you. "You be off, I be suspecting you have a lady or three to tend to. Torture can wait until morning... at least work-related torture."

*With that less-than-reassuring explanation, Yill turns and walks straight through a wall. Not through a door, through the wall itself, as if he were a ghost.*

~~~

*Ralam, you decide to skip the temple of Beshaba, but head over to the temple of Talona to see what they can do. The pox-scarred priestess who sees you examines the curse and shakes her head.*

"It looks like someone is already trying to deal with it, but it would take quite a while, and it prevents me from using my own mistresses divine blessings on it. I know a course of poison that is effective against even the most powerful of curses, but it kills more than it cures. I've seen one man out of a hundred desparate souls come out alive from it. I can recomment little else though from my temple."

*The priest from Boccob's temple says the same, though without talking about poison. Whatever Sister Vel put on you, it is preventing others from trying to dispel her work or the curse it's working on. The ones at Loviatar's temple don't have a magical solution either, but they claim that submitting to the Lash of Loviatar, one of their rituals, is quite good at focusing the mind past all distractions.*

*But at the temple of Wee Jas, the priestess says something different.*

"I can life your curse, and the so-called 'cure' that's working on it, but it will cost you, as it is a powerful curse," she says. "My Lady requires obediance to work her will. So you will swear your soul over to my goddess, or languish in your own little hell."

*After that, there's really no other priest you can talk to, unless you want to go to those that would be dangerous for one in your profession; Pelor, Heironeous, Tymora, or even the underground church of Hoar.*

*Frustrated, you return home, a hundred different possiblities running through you mind. And running right next to them is the black-haired poisonous beauty of your dreams. Her laughter echoes down the streets in your mind, and she dominates your mind's eye as you contemplate the curse. There's nothing more you could wish for than to teach that laughing little minx a lesson. And as you turn the corner into your bedroom, you have your chance. She is standing there, next to you bed, smiling her poisonous, malicious little smile at you.*

*With a roar of animal rage you charge her and knock her on the bed, ripping away her garments as you try to strike that terrible smile off her face. You force yourself on her, trying to grind her into submission with your fists and your body, driven to higher heights of fury and she just keeps smiling and urging you on. You finally roll off her, exhausted, and then look back at her, only to see Renna, her face battered to pulp, blood liberally staining the sheets around her.*

~~~

*Still elated from his play, Gwyn goes to his lair outside the city, the former den of a black bear. Regretfully, he leaves his weapons and armor there; they would attract too much attention, and he should be able to subdue a pair of priests unarmed if it came to that. He then returns to the city, wearing the form of a non-descript man, brown-haired and of average build, dressed in clothes appropriate to a footman or driver. He waits in the general neighborhood of the fountain until half past noon, then loiters within eyesight of it until the carriage arrives. He will simply lock the doors, rather than incapacitating the priests through violence; less notice that way. That done, he drives the carriage to his lair, retrieves Mercykiller, and subdues the priests.*

*At shortly after half-past noon, the carriage trundles into the square, the driver looking positively green. Just as it passes the fountain, the man, suddenly clutches his stomach, stops the horses, and dives off the carriage into an alley, where you can hear the sounds of him being retchedly ill. Smiling at the simplicity of it all, you go and lock both doors of the carriage with two swift motions, leap into the driver's seat and cluck to the horses. It takes you a couple of hours to get to the edge of the city, and after the two priests start complaining and then finally panicking about being locked in, you pull into a secluded side street, pull open the door, and bludgeon both men into silence.*

*Resuming your ride, you arrive back at your den just before nightfall, and take both unconcious bodies into your home, bind them, and wait for them to wake up so the fun can begin.*

 

[Paxus Asclepius]

Gwyn ap Fomor, Half-Fiend Mortal Hunter.

*In addition to the bindings on hands and feet, arranged to ensure that no possible position is comfortable, Gwyn blindfolds and gags the priests, and removes all other clothing, jewelry, or other possessions from them. The more disoriented they are, the more easily they will break.*

 

[Rhia]

Eradiel, Drow Wizard 5/Mindbender 5

*Eradiel steps from the coach with the aid of Devon, and quickly makes her way into the Honor's Shield. She worries at the kerchief in her gloved hands. As Devon guides her through the door, she says aloud but in a meek, broken voice, "Niles, please accompany me in. I.. may need you."

"Devon bows his head as he escorts her inside, "Of course, Madame."

*In the office, Eradiel takes a position standing near a desk or a table. She continuously wrings the kerchief, looking here and there as her worried demeanor can't stay still. While waiting for someone to approach, she says silently to Devon, "When I break down to tears, hurry forward and seat me in the chair. Presume to answer any questions for me as I attempt to glean answers from the person's mind. I hope the girl's name will be in their thoughts as I describe her."

"Yes, m'lady. And may I add that in this visage, one would hardly imagine you capable of the wicked acts you treated me to last night." Devon can't help but to fill the empty waiting with a bit of lasciviousness as he stands near Eradiel, ready to assist her.*

"My dear naughty, naughty boy. Behave now. You'll ruin my fine acting here. And you never know who may be listening."

*As the door opens, and a stern looking woman enters and introduces herself, Eradiel flings her head towards her, appraising her for but a moment before she begins her tale in a rushed, trembling voice.*

"Oh, good lady, please forgive me. I am Lady Janel Wisthouse and I am seeking my sister. Have you seen her here at the Honor's Shield in the last few days? She's pretty, young with black hair and blue eyes? I need to find her. She fled our home after our father... but she can't possibly survive... she said nothing... just left. I received a message from her two days ago saying she had found a certain peace here, at the Honor's Shield. But I would have no idea in what capacity. She said nothing else. No clue. I fear she may be sick... or, or worse. Oh please good lady, I beseech your kind help. Please tell me you have seen her. I have ridden here from [Scaladin] to find her, and I don't know what I'll do if I lose another... "

*Overcome with emotion, Eradiel breaks down, bending over her embroidered hankie, she breaks into heart-wrenching sobs. Devon, on cue, rushes forward, leading Eradiel to sit in the near-by chair. After briefly comforting her, he looks up at Lady Felsadora with sadness in his eyes.*

"Forgive my lady, she is distraught." He leaves it at that for now.

[ooc: I put [Scaladin] in brackets as she's coming up with a name of a city a day's ride away, but I'm not sure if there's a name that would be better. Casting supernatural ability Mindread at DC 18. Bluff +18, Diplomacy +15. She'll concentrate as long as Devon seems to be able to hold the conversation. She's looking for the name of the girl as well as any other information she can come up with.]

 

[Isida Kep'Tukari]

*Loviana, at first light the next day, you are awakened by Arnold, given time to dress and break your fast, and then wisked away to the carriage where Orshallan is sitting, looking particularly fine in his robes of office. The embroidery and jewels must be brutally hot and heavy, but he seems to be bearing up as if it were no worse than a simple shift. He bows to you carefully, as not to upset the golden and bejeweled headdress that he's wearing, and brings your hand up to his lips for a kiss.*

"It's very good to see you Larissa. I trust you spent the night well?" he says with a smile.

*Throughout the day he stops at various smaller shrines to Heironeous, as well as Honor's Shield. In between these, as promised, he shows you the magnificent sights of the city. He takes you first by the other temples of the Godwalk, pointing out the wild groves of Obad-Hai and Ehlonna, the stained glass and pink marble creation of the temple of Sune, and the nearly pure gold, eastern-facing front of the temple of Pelor. He takes you by the theater district, and points out his favorite art galleries, promising to take you to them once his duties allow.*

*He points out some of the fine parks, and even several inns that he says he enjoys.*

"Actually, I've been known to conceal myself in illusion to enjoy a quiet meal at a few of them," he confesses with a chuckle. But as you pass one particular inn, with the strange name of the Jumping Spider, he commands the carriage to stop. You can see that there's a small sign hanging out front from hooks that says, "Live Cinnamon Rolls!" There's also a rather large crowd inside the inn.

*Orshallan gives one of the footmen a few coins and some whispered instructions and the man scurries inside. A moment later he is back carrying a plate covered with a cloth. And whatever is on the plate is moving. The footman gives it to Orshallan, and the High Righteouness of the Invincible wisks off the cloth to reveal... four tasty-looking cinnamon rolls that are strolling around the plate on tiny, cinnamon-and-sugar feet.*

"Go ahead! They're very delicious, and that spell they use to make them walk just makes them really funny to eat," he says smiling.

~~~

*Lady Felsadora looks a bit less annoyed with "Lady Janel," now that she seems to be in genuine distress.*

"Larissa, that's your sister then. I can't think of anyone else that matches that description. She came to work here not long ago, and yes, she was the victim of some kind of attempted rape. Someone intervened and killed her attacker, but she was left wounded. She was healed by no less than the High Righteousness himself and taken to the temple of Heironeous to recooperate," she says briskly.

*But what is unsaid is even more interesting. Felsadora considered her a little too pretty and pliable for her own good, and wasn't surprised that Brother Terrel (her erstwhile attacker, a rake by all acccounts) latched on to her. She was very surprised by the amount of damage Terrel was able to inflict to the girl (you get a picture of long slashing wounds, like those made from sharp claws, nearly down to the bone). Felsadora didn't think that Terrel had the strength or the stomach to make those wounds, even if the girl refused him, which she thinks Larissa wouldn't have very forcefully. It's thought that Terrel was killed by members of the church of Hoar dispensing vigilante justice. But was is curious is that Larissa just wasn't wounded, she was drained of her lifeforce and soul, Orshallan said so. And Orshallan had seemed to take a shine to her when he had been there earlier. He had even gone to the point of invoking a miracle to bring Larissa back to full health. That's unheard of, even for one of Orshallan's compassion.*

~~~

*Gwyn, you tie the two fools up tightly, blind, silence, and strip them, and wait for a short while. After not too long, the two begin to come around, moaning around their gags at first, then beginning to shout and thrash as they begin to realize what's going on.*

 

[Paxus Asclepius]

Gwyn ap Fomor, Half-Fiend Mortal Hunter

*Gwyn snarls viciously at them, a sound more like a predatory animal than one that comes from a human throat.*

"A woman was attacked near the charity house Honor's Shield. You will tell me what you know of her, of her attacker, and of the attack. Whichever one of you tells me more useful information will be allowed to live."

OOC: Intimidate against humans is +23.

 

[Brother Shatterstone]

Loviana: Half-Nymph/Female (Rogue/Corruptor/Bondblade)

*Loviana looks down at the dancing treat with the wide blue eyes of total surprise while she giggles in honest delight.*

Still in honest disbelief at the animated cinnamon roll and her own real delighted Loviana smiles happily as she reaches down and lightly plucks one of the treats up while her mind works overtime, An honestly giggle? What’s wrong with me? It must be an adverse effect to all the spells… That or Orshallan is having as much of an effect on me as I am on him.

Hiding her worrisome thoughts in her smile of pure delight Loviana brings the treat closer to her full lips but she hesitates giving Orshallan a challenge smile, “Surely not even my High Righteousness can eat one of these without getting some on his robe. Would you be up to a challenge my dear? If you make a mess you have to take me out for one of these illusionary quite diner, deal?”

*Not expecting a reply Loviana gives the holy man one last pleasing hopeful smile before biting into the cinnamon rolls. Loviana rolls her eyes and mummers in honest delight before commenting as much to Orshallan. Once finished with the messy treat she licks her fingers in an innocent but thought-provoking way while she carefully watches Orshallan and more importantly his robes.*

 

[linnorm]

Ralam Human Rogue 5 / Assassin 7

*Exhaustion takes its toll and Ralam passes into sleep. More dreams of her fill his mind, preventing restful sleep. Upon waking Ralam finds Renna up and going about her chores, bruises and cuts in stark relief to her pale skin. She flinches slightly as he puts a hand on her shoulder and kisses her lightly on the forehead. He then bathes, dresses, and retires to the study to think.*

This is worse than I thought. It may be time to approach the High Apostle about this. The godlickers obviously aren't doing any good with this. Do I want to show any more weakness than I already have though? Lady Arvnos is already aware of my condition, no doubt in full detail now. Perhaps an arcane solution would be feasible.

*Ralam quickly composes a letter detailing his condition and requesting magical aid and sends copies off to the more well known wizards of Andeluvay.*

OOC: The High Apostle is what I'm calling the leader of the cult of Asmodeus.