Magic!
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Myth: A New Age CYOA
- Thread starter Fangshi
- Start date
Fangshi
Arcane
- Joined
- Jan 9, 2014
- Messages
- 1,997
asxetos said:
His employer does not get out much. You will have to go to him unfortunately.
The Arrows want to act as soon as possible. They are unwilling to wait more than two days in case 'something happens'. Ceannard won't be more specific than that but you think he is worried you will try and betray him or flee the country. He has already lost one contract because of Derryth and he has no intention of losing another. As a result Bari will not be able to go with you, he is needed to extract a confession from Ullr. Ori can't go either as he is needed to sift through any records he recovers. Most of the other Pathfinders are also needed elsewhere but if you want to request an escort from the king that is an option to try.
Jester said:
He does not know where his employer lives but when he has to meet him it is in a large cave system about a day and a half from Myrgard. That is where he will take you and Nine or just Nine.
Ceannard is not sure. He has only ever met his employer alone.
While in the caves he has heard whispering and he thinks the caves might be inhabited but he does not know if that fact is connected to his employer in any way. He has met with the man about a dozen times in the last six months and every time his employer has appeared alone.
He is curious as to why you want to know. You tell him that you have your reasons. He shrugs and begins.
His employer first contacted Ceannard six months ago through a letter with an enclose promissory note worth about 40 WPs as a sign of good faith.
The original contract paid very well. He was hired to investigate any rumours about necromancers operating in the city. The contract ran for three weeks and in that time he discovered four necromancers. Out of curiosity he kept his men on the case following the completion of the contract. Within two days of making his report to his client all four necromancers had disappeared.
He has done a variety of jobs for this employer since then, mostly information gathering.
100 WPs up front with another 200 WPs paid to him or the highest ranking Arrow still living following successful completion of the job. If you do not require his services during the meeting he will keep the deposit but will wave the remaining 200 WPs.
About five or six days ago, he was out of town until the day after you stole Meletē and triggered the fire. It is a new contract and a bit odd he must admit but the payout is massive so he took it anyway.
Nevill said:
It won't immediately lead to people screaming 'necromancer' and attacking that is correct. As such your group from Muirthemne is at least vaguely aware that you have her through the only ones that spend/spent any real time with her are you, Thaïs, and Serpent when he was not with Christine. Derryth is very hesitant to leave Nine alone with anyone she thinks the head can easily manipulate, as a result you take her pretty much everywhere.
Bari knows (he is not completely certain but he knows), though it is true that you have not formally introduced them. He is not a fool and he knows you are getting magical training from somewhere. He does not particularly like the idea but he has only spoken about it once. He told you to be careful and he swore that if she gets you killed he will avenge you. He certainly does not trust her at all but he trusts you and is not about to go and spread rumours or anything.
The reason Derryth hides Nine most of the time is not because she is afraid of being labeled a necromancer, it is because Nine would be very useful to some very powerful people and she can not really defend herself what with being just a head (and having her spellcasting abilities sealed). Derryth does not really want word getting around that she has Nine because she does not want to constantly have to worry about people like the Arrows and their employer.
Current Tally:
Baltika9 D
Kz3r0 B: take Thaïs, Biliku, Uttu and hire the Arrows to defend you (100 WPs up front, 200 WPs on completion)
Grimgravy D
asxetos B: Kz3r0's plan
Jester B: Kz3r0's plan
Smashing Axe B: Kz3r0's plan
Azira F
Cassidy F
Nevill B: Kz3r0's plan
Zero Credibility D>B: Kz3r0's plan
Pre Flop:
A)
B) 5 votes
C)
D) 3 votes
E)
F) 2 votes
Post Flop:
A)
B) 6 votes
C)
D) 2 votes
E)
F) 2 votes
Last edited:
Jester
Arbiter
- Joined
- Mar 24, 2013
- Messages
- 1,493
Hmm question is if necromancers were recruit or killed.
Five, six days ago? If i am correct it was when we were defending that village.
I assume Bari is interested in that missing necromancers part. Wonder if he will report this to his boss.
What kind of information did they gathered? Anything odd?
Voting B, (kz3r0's plan).
- Joined
- Dec 29, 2011
- Messages
- 2,835
Yeah, okay I'll go with B too. The more information provided the more I think that this employer is opposed to the necromancers, but it's better to be safe than sorry, and we conveniently withdrew 100 WP as disposable cash. So... Yeah, let's go with it.
It should also make our current job a hell of a lot easier.
It should also make our current job a hell of a lot easier.
Fangshi
Arcane
- Joined
- Jan 9, 2014
- Messages
- 1,997
Jester said:
His employer is very interested in the magical community in Myrgard. He has been employed to collect information on most of the leading mages, their loyalties and the like. He was paid to steal the shipping manifests for the last month and a half from the Royal Magical Academy in Myrgard. He has also been paid to deploy scouts on most of the major highways into and out of the region for the last three weeks, his instructions were to report anything and everything that seemed out of the ordinary.
They have noted a number of robed figures moving about the country in the last month. Also a handful of hooded human riders. When the two groups encounter each other violence always results.
On a hunch Ceannard asked his men to keep track of the number of crows they encountered. Over the last three weeks the average number of crows has quadrupled. He has not shared this information with his employer.
I don't trust him. I trust Bari.
F
F
Cassidy
Arcane
F
Never trust turncoats. Never spare turncoats. There is an obvious touch of the Dark in this and there won't be another shot at cutting off the head of such snake.
Never trust turncoats. Never spare turncoats. There is an obvious touch of the Dark in this and there won't be another shot at cutting off the head of such snake.
Zero Credibility
Arcane
- Joined
- Feb 11, 2007
- Messages
- 2,951
D > B (with hiring them to defend us if things go wrong; money well spend if it's needed and if not 100wp is an acceptable loss).
Baltika9
Arcane
- Joined
- Jun 27, 2012
- Messages
- 9,611
Again? Goddammit.
Should've just killed the Black Arrows. 
Fangshi
Arcane
- Joined
- Jan 9, 2014
- Messages
- 1,997
Chapter 13: Hope and Hatred
It is a starless night in the desert.
Your expedition of twenty cuts across the dunes with the swift, sure movements of dangerous men accustomed to the dark. Ceannard refuses to rest, refuses to stop. He is as a man possessed. Part of you fears that he is in fact under the influence of some ancient and inscrutable power... some old darkness... but then you knew the risks when you agreed to come.
You think back to that night.
As soon as you agreed to this meeting Ceannard had shown you, your out. A series of secret passages ran through the building, escape routes in case of invasion, Ceannard knew them well and led your out of the compound without a single incident.
You swore to meet him two days later and all of your time since then has been in preparation for this.
Bari did not like it but he could not stop you. He leant you his best knife for 'good luck' and made you swear you would survive long enough to return it.
As for the king he was quite pleased with your performance. So pleased that he has promised you wealth, property, position... though there is a catch, to be expected really... there is always a catch.
You decided it was best not to inform the king of your trip. You reasoned it would simply raise too many questions about the company you keep, about this person you are going to meet, about everything really. You also doubted that the king would even let you make the journey. He had told you that you were to be the face of his campaign against the Eberhardts, a hero of the kingdom he said... someone that could both undermine anti-foreign sentiment and rally the people to his cause...hmmm... a hero?
Honestly you feel more like a scapegoat... if something goes wrong it will be you and not the Pathfinders left dangling in the wind. Makes sense though. After all the Pathfinders do not exist and the king will need someone to reward and to put forth as his agent, his champion, in this whole affair.
Part of you wants to slip away into the desert, flee the Arrows, their employer, the king, but you don't... perhaps you can't. This employer is too big of a mystery, and you have never been able to resist a mystery.
Caennard stops in front of you. The Arrow gives you a moment to catch up. You and Thaïs reach him first. The girls right on your heels, they are quite a bit faster than you both but they have steadfastly refused to leave your shadows since you began this trip. They have taken it upon themselves to be your 'guardians' and Uttu has assured you both that 'no harm shall befall you' while she yet lives. You worry about just that outcome.
"And there it is my dears," Caennard cocks his head back and extends his right arm, directing you attention to the slightest crack in the distant wall of burnt, orange stone before you, "Another hour and we will be there."
"A whole hour!" Uttu whimpers a little, "I would rather be fighting monsters than wandering through the sand for another minute!"
Caennard bends over to look her in the eye, "Well child, you may be in luck as those caves are filled with unknown terrors and lurking fears. Great, hairy beasts as much man as animal, with fangs as long as your forearms and claws as sharp as iron."
The girl's imagination does the rest. She trembles slightly, but puts on a brave face in spite of it, "I... I am not afraid of a few beasts..."
Sensing her sister's trepidation Biliku comes to her aid, "Right! We have fought whole armies of monsters! And not only on one occasion! We always win and we will win here too!"
Caennard grins at the older girl, "Ah, but what I described are only the smallest of the horrors that lurk in those dark halls. The master of the place needs no form, no body, to move about. He is a cold breeze on the air, a shriek in the night, the only warning you will get is the sensation of his eternal hands wrapped around your- ouch!"
You give him a good solid crack across his lower back with you weighted staff, "Stop trying to scare the girls or you will have something to be afraid of."
Rubbing his sore back he bows low, "Of course my lady. Shall we be off?"
"Yes, let's. I want to meet this individual that is so very interested in me," Nine chirps up from under Thaïs' arm. Your mentor insists on seeing everything. A request you readily agreed to, you want her out and paying close attention for any magical anomalies or other signs of a potential trap. The natural result of this is that you and Thaïs have had to take turns carrying her, you will trust no one else with the task.
Caennard nods, "Very well, Mistress Nine," he turns from her back to you. His usual grin has been replaced by the neutral expression of a professional mercenary, "However before we go any further I think it would be wise to clarify our position. We, my men and I, are currently operating under contract for the man you are about to meet. As soon as I deliver you to him and receive payment from him we will act as a deterrent to any attacks from my current employer or third parties for the duration of the meeting. My men and I will then escort your group back to Myrgard where we will receive the remainder of our payment for services rendered. Should our service not be required, we will waive the rest of our fee and settle for the deposit you gave us in Myrgard. Are we in agreement?"
"Yes Caennard, that will do nicely," you start down the dune and towards the rock wall, "Hopefully you and your men will not have to do anything but stand there."
He matches your stride and his grin reappears, "Well Miss Derryth, this is one occasion where I am liable to agree with those sentiments," he projects a relaxed and jovial air but underneath it you can sense fear.
This man is terrified. Though you doubt he will admit it, even to himself.
-----------------------------------------
Darkness.
Aside from the scant light cast from your spells and torches you are confronted by absolute darkness. Caennard leads, with you close behind. If he betrays you, if this is a trap, then he will not be walking away from it either.
"A few things you need to know Miss Derryth," Caennard lectures you over his shoulder, "My employer is quite powerful. I have a certain knack for magic items you see," you give him a questioning look and he shakes his head, "I know what you are going to ask. I am not a mage but I have 'help'. That is as specific as I am willing to get with a stranger. I can usually influence people a little, get a better price out of them. Usually it works, sometimes it does not, as with the two of you for example. This man though, he... well he is a complete blank. I can not even make the attempt... he is terrifying... but then you will see..."
For what seems like hours, and what could actually be hours, you meander through the maze of narrow tunnels. Caennard was not lying about the voices, your group moves in complete silence and yet inhuman whispers and mumbling echoes around you. Once or twice you are convinced that you see movement, just beyond the edge of your vision, however these apparitions never coalesce into physical threats and your trip is mercifully without incident.
Caennard leads you out into a large, round chamber. Most of it is in darkness in keeping with the tunnels you took to get here but in the center of the room stands a figure nine feet tall and clad in black plate mail. In one hand he holds blade, a little over a meter long, that gives off a slight green flame
When it speaks it is as thunder, "Caennard! Have you brought me the head!"
Caennard bows low, "Yes my lord. We have brought the head to you."
"Good! Good! Leave it upon my altar and collect your reward!" the towering figure shouts at the Arrow.
Two of the Arrows retrieve a very large satchel, it is filled with unrefined gold.
Caennard whispers to you, "Place the head on the altar."
Your response is perhaps to be expected, "Like hell I will."
"You! Girl! Do as your commander says and place the head upon the altar!" the armoured figure raises his blade as green flames burst forth around him.
The Arrows are all suitably impressed.
You might be too if you had not pulled this exact same trick on Biliku and Uttu.
Now this spectacle before you is far more complex and definitely a sign of a superior talent but you recognize the theory behind some of these spells. Given time you could probably even replicate them.
First off, the figure does not actually exist, you are certain of it. These are all illusions and you are feeling awfully smug that you figured it out right away.
You smile at the figure, out of the corner of your eye you catch Thaïs grinning as well.
You turn back to the rest of your group, "The flames are not real, the armour is not real and the reason you can not influence him is because he does not exist."
The girls, now aware of the similarities between the trick you pulled and the show in front of you have relaxed somewhat, Uttu even stifles a little, nervious laugh.
You take a step towards the figure with your three companions close behind, "I have a name, it is Derryth. She has a name, it is Nine... well at least for the time being. Now, what is yours?"
"You will suffer for your insolence!" the air cools slightly within the chamber.
You are not quite sure how he did that.
Still you refuse to be intimidated, "See now that is not how this is done. I have told you my name, now you tell me yours,"
"I am death! I am ruin! I am the very last thing you will see if you do not-" You have had enough of this. You want to talk to this employer face to face and if they won't come out then you will force them out.
You begin picking at the edges of the illusions, looking for contradictions. The way the armour sits, the craftsmanship on the blade, little signs that the creator of these illusions is not actually aware of how they should function. Slowly you work you way to the center of the spells. You raise metamagical objections to the underlying assumptions that hold them together. You doubt, and that doubt, that scepticism, becomes the foundation of your attack. The room rattles, or appears to, dust and debris fall around you. A rock large enough to crush you falls not fifty centimetres from you. Again you are certain these are all illusions.
Caennard screams, "Stop this Derryth! He will kill us all!"
Caennard and his men fall back into the tunnel to escape the 'falling debris'.
You, however, have no intention of stopping. Thaïs works with you, an extra set of hands employed in unravelling the spells. The girls stay close, putting on a very brave show though you are certain they are terrified. They are not mages after all, they can not feel the illusions, they are trusting you completely with their lives.
You make a note to take them shopping after this, the kids deserve a reward.
The apparition lets out an unearthly scream and strides towards you, sword raised.
It reaches you, it raises its blade to strike you down... and it disappears.
The illusions fail and the room returns to its original condition.
You turn to the tunnels and shout out to the Arrows, "Alright, you bunch of cowards! It is over!"
Caennard tries his best to act calm as he leads his men out of the tunnels, "Ah... sorry. It will not happen again."
You shake your head in disappointment, "If it does, I expect a full refund."
As you scan the chamber you realize that it is not quite the same as it was. There is a new passage leading out of the rear of the chamber. Naturally you order the Arrows in. Perhaps he is eager to demonstrate the worth of his organization as Caennard sets about securing the tunnel in a surprisingly professional manner. His grin is gone, replaced by a look of determination as he organizes his men to the best of his ability.
When you finally do push through the tunnel you are met with the last thing you would expect within the heart of a desert.
A small meadow. Tall green grass sways slightly as a light breeze manages to find its way into the clearing. A single tree and a small cottage are the only objects of note. A small stream forms a shallow pool in the center of the meadow. The streambed glimmers slightly off your light... you think it might contain gold which would explain how Caennard was receiving payment.
It is all really quite beautiful and you stand there for a moment in spite of yourself simply taking it in.
"The cottage?" Thaïs asks, though from her tone it is clear she knows the answer.
"The cottage," you reply, less as a confirmation to her than as an order to your mercenaries.
The Arrows surround the building. You stand in front of it with Caennard to your left and Thaïs to your right, "Alright, come out of there whoever you are or we will burn the cottage down with you in it!"
Slowly the wicker door of the cottage opens. A young and rather feral looking woman slowly walks out. Hands extended in front of her, in a tired, thin voice she speaks, "All right! I surrender, just don't kill me!"
"She's a witch," Caennard whispers.
"Carefully, Caennard. Some would say I am a witch too," you remind the Arrow.
You take a single step towards the woman, "Care to explain what is going on? Why do you want Nine so badly?"
"I... I should not say in front of all these people... " the woman is torn, between her desire to tell you everything and live, and her reluctance to betray her secret.
"Why not?" you ask the obvious question.
"Well, it is not really my secret to share... it is my master's," well that is a start at least.
"All right then. Can I talk to your master," you take another step towards her.
"Maybe?" she seems to be asking a question, but not of you. She tilts her head slightly, "Yes? Yes! Yes, if you will come inside the cottage then he will let you talk to him."
You look to Thaïs, she shrugs.
You look to Caennard, "We will keep watch out here. If anything attacks we will warn you. If you do not come back... we will avenge you."
Comforting...
You look to Nine, "Well dear, I am awfully curious."
"Well, I have to admit I am too," you turn back to the woman, "Alright, lead on. If you try anything though you will die right along with us."
The five of you follow the witch into the cottage. It is about what you would expect. A single cot; an assortment of handmade tools for hunting and panning the stream; five large bird cages, one of which houses an eagle; and a large pot. The witch catches you staring at it, "Dinner, snake stew... not much to eat out here except snake and rat really... would kill for a steak..."
She pulls away a large woven mat to reveal a hatch in the floor. Sheepishly she explains, "We have to go down," she does not seem exactly thrilled by the idea.
You follow her into the hole and down a low but thankfully short tunnel.
This tunnel, hopefully the last of the evening, opens into a small and simple room.
On a stone slab in the center rests a body on a bed of straw. At first you think it is dead. It is wizen, dried out, corpse-like in almost every way but you notice the slightest movement of its chest. It is alive, if only through sheer force of will.
She sits next to the 'corpse', she reaches for the corpse's hand, hesitates for a moment. She catches you watching, "It... it is easier for him if I am in actual physical contact."
"Umm... easier for what," Uttu squeaks.
The witch sighs, "This."
She grabs the hand and instantly her head snaps backwards.
Her eyes roll back into her head.
She begins to speak but the voice is not wholly her own. Overlaid upon her own voice is a deeper one, stronger too, filled with hatred but not directed at you. You also think you sense an undercurrent of hope, like that of a man that believes he has finally found the answer to the question that he seeks, "You must be Derryth. You were not supposed to meet me like this. I had hoped that I would have made more progress by now... so little time..."
"You wanted to see me corpse man?" it is Nine that speaks up.
"Corpse man?," the witch lets out an unusual chuckle, "Yes I suppose I have been dead long enough that I am truly a corpse as far as the world is concerned. I have lived out the centuries alone in the dark. Forgotten by all. Yet I remember myself which is more than I can say for you... Nine is it? To have forgotten your very name, your voice in this world... I can think of few things so very fitting for an old enemy."
"You are my enemy?" she asks, straining to remember the corpse before her.
"I was never your friend. Though you had, no have, since none of us seem to stay truly dead, far more immediate enemies than me," the dead man seems to be taking a great deal of pleasure out of tormenting Nine. You suppose that misery really does love company.
Nine is on the verge of one of her temper tantrums, "Well if you won't tell me anything helpful at least tell me what you want from me!"
"Help," the witch laughs, low and bitterly, "You help me, and I help you. Then we go our separate ways and return to our eternal war."
Now it is Nine's turn to laugh, "Why in the hell would I help you?"
The witch grins, "Do you want your name back? Your memories?"
Nine's eyes burn with her desire for knowledge, "Yes!"
"Then you will help," the witch grins wider, "I can even remove that ward on your forehead. But first I need my body back. I need to know the spells you use to maintain your youth, I need them now!" the witch's nose starts to bleed. Seems her master does not have a very delicate touch.
For a moment Nine is incredibly excited, then she begins to weep, "I... I don't remember those spells exactly. I think I once knew them... and I remember parts of the simpler ones but... but there are so many and they are so complex and it was such a long time ago... I... I can not help you."
The witch is bleeding from her ears now as well, "You can my dear. The knowledge is still in that beautiful head of yours, we just have to send someone in and extract it. And... since we will be in there anyway..."
"You can recover my memories?" Nine is as excited as you have ever seen her.
"Exactly," the witch nods as blood slowly drips from her head onto the straw underneath her, "My 'apprentice' can describe in detail what will be required for her to make the trip but I must rest now. Maintaining this link is incredibly tiring and her mind suffers a little from the strain."
You take the opportunity to get in a few questions, "Wait! Please, what is your name? What is the significance of the eagles and the crows?"
The witch stares at you as tears of blood begin to seep from her eyes, "Very well, as a favour to a potential ally, or perhaps simply an enemy of my enemies I will answer. You know that the Watcher seeks a way back into the world. There are those who would help him and those who would hinder him. The crows serve his ally, the eagles serve me as I am sure you have already guessed. As for who I am... I am an old enemy of the Watcher's."
Thaïs hazards a guess, "Are you Myrdred? Are you the Deceiver?"
"Close girl, though I suppose you could say that I am a deceiver. He and I have many things in common. We even belonged to the same organization though I should think I can yet claim seniority over him," the witch stretches out every syllable, the archmage riding her mind enjoying the build-up to his great reveal.
His next words carry with them the weight of his conviction, they march forth as unassailable truth and strike with the force of a bolt from the heavens, "My name is Mazzarin and by the fruit of my labours was the Dark laid low."
----------------------------------------------------
The witch, who introduces herself as Lyssa, sits with the five of you back in her cottage. She has spent most of the night describing the nature of the rituals required to enter Nine's mind. This will require a great deal of planning and power but they seem well prepared.
"So if you will allow us, Mistress Nine, I will enter your mind with my master and retrieve the information he seeks. While there we shall also endeavour to undo the blocks upon your memories and return to you your identity," Lyssa stares at her stew, unwilling to make eye contact with any of your group.
"Hmm, it is an interesting idea utilizing a number of unorthodox techniques, But how do you know it will even work? I would not want to waste my time on such foolishness on most occasions..." you have known Nine long enough to sense her uncertainty. She does not want to trust Lyssa and this creature that claims to be Mazzarin but she desperately wants her memories back.
An idea occurs to you though you are not sure it is a good one, "Well, Thaïs and I are mages as well. Could we not enter Nine's mind in your place?"
Nine smiles at you, "Oh dear, it is sweet of you to offer but this would be very dangerous."
Thaïs offers up a suggestion, "Well perhaps we could all go then?"
Lyssa frowns, "Five minds in a single head? Two of them archmages... it could get awfully crowded... things could get... mixed... blended... that might be quite horrible... or it might work... not quite sure..."
Well this is a definite opportunity but an opportunity for what?
To make a power ally?
To help out a friend?
To unleash an enemy?
Or enemies?
Maybe it is simply a brilliant way to get yourself killed or your mind so horribly fried and entangled that you will simply be unable to function anymore.
You think you could talk Nine out of this if you wanted to. There have to be better ways to do this... ones that don't risk so much... the rewards may just be worth it though.
The question is, is it worth it?
A) No - This is insane. You try to convince Nine not to go through with this.
B) Yes - This could be helpful. You try to convince Nine to go through with it. Lyssa and Mazzarin will enter Nine's mind and you will wait on the outcome.
C) Yes - This could be helpful. You try to convince Nine to go through with it. Only you and Thaïs will enter her mind instead. You do not trust these mages and perhaps you do not trust Nine either. You will try to locate all the relevant information yourself.
D) Yes - This could be helpful. You try to convince Nine to go through with it. All four of you will enter Nine's mind. This will give you the best chance of finding everything and will let you keep an eye on things but Lyssa has expressed concerns. You do not like the sound of your mind 'blending' or 'mixing'.
E) Yes - You will enter her mind with Mazzarin and Thaïs. This will give you only one potential 'traitor' to worry about (albeit a very powerful one) and will make things slightly less crowded though many of the risks present in all four of you going will remain.
F) Yes - Only Derryth will enter Nine's mind using Thais as an anchor while the Black Arrows will keep an eye on your new allies.
G) freeform
It is a starless night in the desert.
Your expedition of twenty cuts across the dunes with the swift, sure movements of dangerous men accustomed to the dark. Ceannard refuses to rest, refuses to stop. He is as a man possessed. Part of you fears that he is in fact under the influence of some ancient and inscrutable power... some old darkness... but then you knew the risks when you agreed to come.
You think back to that night.
As soon as you agreed to this meeting Ceannard had shown you, your out. A series of secret passages ran through the building, escape routes in case of invasion, Ceannard knew them well and led your out of the compound without a single incident.
You swore to meet him two days later and all of your time since then has been in preparation for this.
Bari did not like it but he could not stop you. He leant you his best knife for 'good luck' and made you swear you would survive long enough to return it.
As for the king he was quite pleased with your performance. So pleased that he has promised you wealth, property, position... though there is a catch, to be expected really... there is always a catch.
You decided it was best not to inform the king of your trip. You reasoned it would simply raise too many questions about the company you keep, about this person you are going to meet, about everything really. You also doubted that the king would even let you make the journey. He had told you that you were to be the face of his campaign against the Eberhardts, a hero of the kingdom he said... someone that could both undermine anti-foreign sentiment and rally the people to his cause...hmmm... a hero?
Honestly you feel more like a scapegoat... if something goes wrong it will be you and not the Pathfinders left dangling in the wind. Makes sense though. After all the Pathfinders do not exist and the king will need someone to reward and to put forth as his agent, his champion, in this whole affair.
Part of you wants to slip away into the desert, flee the Arrows, their employer, the king, but you don't... perhaps you can't. This employer is too big of a mystery, and you have never been able to resist a mystery.
Caennard stops in front of you. The Arrow gives you a moment to catch up. You and Thaïs reach him first. The girls right on your heels, they are quite a bit faster than you both but they have steadfastly refused to leave your shadows since you began this trip. They have taken it upon themselves to be your 'guardians' and Uttu has assured you both that 'no harm shall befall you' while she yet lives. You worry about just that outcome.
"And there it is my dears," Caennard cocks his head back and extends his right arm, directing you attention to the slightest crack in the distant wall of burnt, orange stone before you, "Another hour and we will be there."
"A whole hour!" Uttu whimpers a little, "I would rather be fighting monsters than wandering through the sand for another minute!"
Caennard bends over to look her in the eye, "Well child, you may be in luck as those caves are filled with unknown terrors and lurking fears. Great, hairy beasts as much man as animal, with fangs as long as your forearms and claws as sharp as iron."
The girl's imagination does the rest. She trembles slightly, but puts on a brave face in spite of it, "I... I am not afraid of a few beasts..."
Sensing her sister's trepidation Biliku comes to her aid, "Right! We have fought whole armies of monsters! And not only on one occasion! We always win and we will win here too!"
Caennard grins at the older girl, "Ah, but what I described are only the smallest of the horrors that lurk in those dark halls. The master of the place needs no form, no body, to move about. He is a cold breeze on the air, a shriek in the night, the only warning you will get is the sensation of his eternal hands wrapped around your- ouch!"
You give him a good solid crack across his lower back with you weighted staff, "Stop trying to scare the girls or you will have something to be afraid of."
Rubbing his sore back he bows low, "Of course my lady. Shall we be off?"
"Yes, let's. I want to meet this individual that is so very interested in me," Nine chirps up from under Thaïs' arm. Your mentor insists on seeing everything. A request you readily agreed to, you want her out and paying close attention for any magical anomalies or other signs of a potential trap. The natural result of this is that you and Thaïs have had to take turns carrying her, you will trust no one else with the task.
Caennard nods, "Very well, Mistress Nine," he turns from her back to you. His usual grin has been replaced by the neutral expression of a professional mercenary, "However before we go any further I think it would be wise to clarify our position. We, my men and I, are currently operating under contract for the man you are about to meet. As soon as I deliver you to him and receive payment from him we will act as a deterrent to any attacks from my current employer or third parties for the duration of the meeting. My men and I will then escort your group back to Myrgard where we will receive the remainder of our payment for services rendered. Should our service not be required, we will waive the rest of our fee and settle for the deposit you gave us in Myrgard. Are we in agreement?"
"Yes Caennard, that will do nicely," you start down the dune and towards the rock wall, "Hopefully you and your men will not have to do anything but stand there."
He matches your stride and his grin reappears, "Well Miss Derryth, this is one occasion where I am liable to agree with those sentiments," he projects a relaxed and jovial air but underneath it you can sense fear.
This man is terrified. Though you doubt he will admit it, even to himself.
-----------------------------------------
Darkness.
Aside from the scant light cast from your spells and torches you are confronted by absolute darkness. Caennard leads, with you close behind. If he betrays you, if this is a trap, then he will not be walking away from it either.
"A few things you need to know Miss Derryth," Caennard lectures you over his shoulder, "My employer is quite powerful. I have a certain knack for magic items you see," you give him a questioning look and he shakes his head, "I know what you are going to ask. I am not a mage but I have 'help'. That is as specific as I am willing to get with a stranger. I can usually influence people a little, get a better price out of them. Usually it works, sometimes it does not, as with the two of you for example. This man though, he... well he is a complete blank. I can not even make the attempt... he is terrifying... but then you will see..."
For what seems like hours, and what could actually be hours, you meander through the maze of narrow tunnels. Caennard was not lying about the voices, your group moves in complete silence and yet inhuman whispers and mumbling echoes around you. Once or twice you are convinced that you see movement, just beyond the edge of your vision, however these apparitions never coalesce into physical threats and your trip is mercifully without incident.
Caennard leads you out into a large, round chamber. Most of it is in darkness in keeping with the tunnels you took to get here but in the center of the room stands a figure nine feet tall and clad in black plate mail. In one hand he holds blade, a little over a meter long, that gives off a slight green flame
When it speaks it is as thunder, "Caennard! Have you brought me the head!"
Caennard bows low, "Yes my lord. We have brought the head to you."
"Good! Good! Leave it upon my altar and collect your reward!" the towering figure shouts at the Arrow.
Two of the Arrows retrieve a very large satchel, it is filled with unrefined gold.
Caennard whispers to you, "Place the head on the altar."
Your response is perhaps to be expected, "Like hell I will."
"You! Girl! Do as your commander says and place the head upon the altar!" the armoured figure raises his blade as green flames burst forth around him.
The Arrows are all suitably impressed.
You might be too if you had not pulled this exact same trick on Biliku and Uttu.
Now this spectacle before you is far more complex and definitely a sign of a superior talent but you recognize the theory behind some of these spells. Given time you could probably even replicate them.
First off, the figure does not actually exist, you are certain of it. These are all illusions and you are feeling awfully smug that you figured it out right away.
You smile at the figure, out of the corner of your eye you catch Thaïs grinning as well.
You turn back to the rest of your group, "The flames are not real, the armour is not real and the reason you can not influence him is because he does not exist."
The girls, now aware of the similarities between the trick you pulled and the show in front of you have relaxed somewhat, Uttu even stifles a little, nervious laugh.
You take a step towards the figure with your three companions close behind, "I have a name, it is Derryth. She has a name, it is Nine... well at least for the time being. Now, what is yours?"
"You will suffer for your insolence!" the air cools slightly within the chamber.
You are not quite sure how he did that.
Still you refuse to be intimidated, "See now that is not how this is done. I have told you my name, now you tell me yours,"
"I am death! I am ruin! I am the very last thing you will see if you do not-" You have had enough of this. You want to talk to this employer face to face and if they won't come out then you will force them out.
You begin picking at the edges of the illusions, looking for contradictions. The way the armour sits, the craftsmanship on the blade, little signs that the creator of these illusions is not actually aware of how they should function. Slowly you work you way to the center of the spells. You raise metamagical objections to the underlying assumptions that hold them together. You doubt, and that doubt, that scepticism, becomes the foundation of your attack. The room rattles, or appears to, dust and debris fall around you. A rock large enough to crush you falls not fifty centimetres from you. Again you are certain these are all illusions.
Caennard screams, "Stop this Derryth! He will kill us all!"
Caennard and his men fall back into the tunnel to escape the 'falling debris'.
You, however, have no intention of stopping. Thaïs works with you, an extra set of hands employed in unravelling the spells. The girls stay close, putting on a very brave show though you are certain they are terrified. They are not mages after all, they can not feel the illusions, they are trusting you completely with their lives.
You make a note to take them shopping after this, the kids deserve a reward.
The apparition lets out an unearthly scream and strides towards you, sword raised.
It reaches you, it raises its blade to strike you down... and it disappears.
The illusions fail and the room returns to its original condition.
You turn to the tunnels and shout out to the Arrows, "Alright, you bunch of cowards! It is over!"
Caennard tries his best to act calm as he leads his men out of the tunnels, "Ah... sorry. It will not happen again."
You shake your head in disappointment, "If it does, I expect a full refund."
As you scan the chamber you realize that it is not quite the same as it was. There is a new passage leading out of the rear of the chamber. Naturally you order the Arrows in. Perhaps he is eager to demonstrate the worth of his organization as Caennard sets about securing the tunnel in a surprisingly professional manner. His grin is gone, replaced by a look of determination as he organizes his men to the best of his ability.
When you finally do push through the tunnel you are met with the last thing you would expect within the heart of a desert.
A small meadow. Tall green grass sways slightly as a light breeze manages to find its way into the clearing. A single tree and a small cottage are the only objects of note. A small stream forms a shallow pool in the center of the meadow. The streambed glimmers slightly off your light... you think it might contain gold which would explain how Caennard was receiving payment.
It is all really quite beautiful and you stand there for a moment in spite of yourself simply taking it in.
"The cottage?" Thaïs asks, though from her tone it is clear she knows the answer.
"The cottage," you reply, less as a confirmation to her than as an order to your mercenaries.
The Arrows surround the building. You stand in front of it with Caennard to your left and Thaïs to your right, "Alright, come out of there whoever you are or we will burn the cottage down with you in it!"
Slowly the wicker door of the cottage opens. A young and rather feral looking woman slowly walks out. Hands extended in front of her, in a tired, thin voice she speaks, "All right! I surrender, just don't kill me!"
"She's a witch," Caennard whispers.
"Carefully, Caennard. Some would say I am a witch too," you remind the Arrow.
You take a single step towards the woman, "Care to explain what is going on? Why do you want Nine so badly?"
"I... I should not say in front of all these people... " the woman is torn, between her desire to tell you everything and live, and her reluctance to betray her secret.
"Why not?" you ask the obvious question.
"Well, it is not really my secret to share... it is my master's," well that is a start at least.
"All right then. Can I talk to your master," you take another step towards her.
"Maybe?" she seems to be asking a question, but not of you. She tilts her head slightly, "Yes? Yes! Yes, if you will come inside the cottage then he will let you talk to him."
You look to Thaïs, she shrugs.
You look to Caennard, "We will keep watch out here. If anything attacks we will warn you. If you do not come back... we will avenge you."
Comforting...
You look to Nine, "Well dear, I am awfully curious."
"Well, I have to admit I am too," you turn back to the woman, "Alright, lead on. If you try anything though you will die right along with us."
The five of you follow the witch into the cottage. It is about what you would expect. A single cot; an assortment of handmade tools for hunting and panning the stream; five large bird cages, one of which houses an eagle; and a large pot. The witch catches you staring at it, "Dinner, snake stew... not much to eat out here except snake and rat really... would kill for a steak..."
She pulls away a large woven mat to reveal a hatch in the floor. Sheepishly she explains, "We have to go down," she does not seem exactly thrilled by the idea.
You follow her into the hole and down a low but thankfully short tunnel.
This tunnel, hopefully the last of the evening, opens into a small and simple room.
On a stone slab in the center rests a body on a bed of straw. At first you think it is dead. It is wizen, dried out, corpse-like in almost every way but you notice the slightest movement of its chest. It is alive, if only through sheer force of will.
She sits next to the 'corpse', she reaches for the corpse's hand, hesitates for a moment. She catches you watching, "It... it is easier for him if I am in actual physical contact."
"Umm... easier for what," Uttu squeaks.
The witch sighs, "This."
She grabs the hand and instantly her head snaps backwards.
Her eyes roll back into her head.
She begins to speak but the voice is not wholly her own. Overlaid upon her own voice is a deeper one, stronger too, filled with hatred but not directed at you. You also think you sense an undercurrent of hope, like that of a man that believes he has finally found the answer to the question that he seeks, "You must be Derryth. You were not supposed to meet me like this. I had hoped that I would have made more progress by now... so little time..."
"You wanted to see me corpse man?" it is Nine that speaks up.
"Corpse man?," the witch lets out an unusual chuckle, "Yes I suppose I have been dead long enough that I am truly a corpse as far as the world is concerned. I have lived out the centuries alone in the dark. Forgotten by all. Yet I remember myself which is more than I can say for you... Nine is it? To have forgotten your very name, your voice in this world... I can think of few things so very fitting for an old enemy."
"You are my enemy?" she asks, straining to remember the corpse before her.
"I was never your friend. Though you had, no have, since none of us seem to stay truly dead, far more immediate enemies than me," the dead man seems to be taking a great deal of pleasure out of tormenting Nine. You suppose that misery really does love company.
Nine is on the verge of one of her temper tantrums, "Well if you won't tell me anything helpful at least tell me what you want from me!"
"Help," the witch laughs, low and bitterly, "You help me, and I help you. Then we go our separate ways and return to our eternal war."
Now it is Nine's turn to laugh, "Why in the hell would I help you?"
The witch grins, "Do you want your name back? Your memories?"
Nine's eyes burn with her desire for knowledge, "Yes!"
"Then you will help," the witch grins wider, "I can even remove that ward on your forehead. But first I need my body back. I need to know the spells you use to maintain your youth, I need them now!" the witch's nose starts to bleed. Seems her master does not have a very delicate touch.
For a moment Nine is incredibly excited, then she begins to weep, "I... I don't remember those spells exactly. I think I once knew them... and I remember parts of the simpler ones but... but there are so many and they are so complex and it was such a long time ago... I... I can not help you."
The witch is bleeding from her ears now as well, "You can my dear. The knowledge is still in that beautiful head of yours, we just have to send someone in and extract it. And... since we will be in there anyway..."
"You can recover my memories?" Nine is as excited as you have ever seen her.
"Exactly," the witch nods as blood slowly drips from her head onto the straw underneath her, "My 'apprentice' can describe in detail what will be required for her to make the trip but I must rest now. Maintaining this link is incredibly tiring and her mind suffers a little from the strain."
You take the opportunity to get in a few questions, "Wait! Please, what is your name? What is the significance of the eagles and the crows?"
The witch stares at you as tears of blood begin to seep from her eyes, "Very well, as a favour to a potential ally, or perhaps simply an enemy of my enemies I will answer. You know that the Watcher seeks a way back into the world. There are those who would help him and those who would hinder him. The crows serve his ally, the eagles serve me as I am sure you have already guessed. As for who I am... I am an old enemy of the Watcher's."
Thaïs hazards a guess, "Are you Myrdred? Are you the Deceiver?"
"Close girl, though I suppose you could say that I am a deceiver. He and I have many things in common. We even belonged to the same organization though I should think I can yet claim seniority over him," the witch stretches out every syllable, the archmage riding her mind enjoying the build-up to his great reveal.
His next words carry with them the weight of his conviction, they march forth as unassailable truth and strike with the force of a bolt from the heavens, "My name is Mazzarin and by the fruit of my labours was the Dark laid low."
----------------------------------------------------
The witch, who introduces herself as Lyssa, sits with the five of you back in her cottage. She has spent most of the night describing the nature of the rituals required to enter Nine's mind. This will require a great deal of planning and power but they seem well prepared.
"So if you will allow us, Mistress Nine, I will enter your mind with my master and retrieve the information he seeks. While there we shall also endeavour to undo the blocks upon your memories and return to you your identity," Lyssa stares at her stew, unwilling to make eye contact with any of your group.
"Hmm, it is an interesting idea utilizing a number of unorthodox techniques, But how do you know it will even work? I would not want to waste my time on such foolishness on most occasions..." you have known Nine long enough to sense her uncertainty. She does not want to trust Lyssa and this creature that claims to be Mazzarin but she desperately wants her memories back.
An idea occurs to you though you are not sure it is a good one, "Well, Thaïs and I are mages as well. Could we not enter Nine's mind in your place?"
Nine smiles at you, "Oh dear, it is sweet of you to offer but this would be very dangerous."
Thaïs offers up a suggestion, "Well perhaps we could all go then?"
Lyssa frowns, "Five minds in a single head? Two of them archmages... it could get awfully crowded... things could get... mixed... blended... that might be quite horrible... or it might work... not quite sure..."
Well this is a definite opportunity but an opportunity for what?
To make a power ally?
To help out a friend?
To unleash an enemy?
Or enemies?
Maybe it is simply a brilliant way to get yourself killed or your mind so horribly fried and entangled that you will simply be unable to function anymore.
You think you could talk Nine out of this if you wanted to. There have to be better ways to do this... ones that don't risk so much... the rewards may just be worth it though.
The question is, is it worth it?
A) No - This is insane. You try to convince Nine not to go through with this.
B) Yes - This could be helpful. You try to convince Nine to go through with it. Lyssa and Mazzarin will enter Nine's mind and you will wait on the outcome.
C) Yes - This could be helpful. You try to convince Nine to go through with it. Only you and Thaïs will enter her mind instead. You do not trust these mages and perhaps you do not trust Nine either. You will try to locate all the relevant information yourself.
D) Yes - This could be helpful. You try to convince Nine to go through with it. All four of you will enter Nine's mind. This will give you the best chance of finding everything and will let you keep an eye on things but Lyssa has expressed concerns. You do not like the sound of your mind 'blending' or 'mixing'.
E) Yes - You will enter her mind with Mazzarin and Thaïs. This will give you only one potential 'traitor' to worry about (albeit a very powerful one) and will make things slightly less crowded though many of the risks present in all four of you going will remain.
F) Yes - Only Derryth will enter Nine's mind using Thais as an anchor while the Black Arrows will keep an eye on your new allies.
G) freeform
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Derryth's not dead yet, despite our attempts to kill her. I'm really curious now as to see if she'll survive this.
D>C
D>C
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