Dragon's Egg - Act II

[Steerpike]

"The tyme is myn to seeke what pleasures I wolde," says the creature. "If you bargayne it freely then aske namore."



((EDIT: The ritual requires a spellcasting check, though with the demon here and actively aiding the ritual, the threshold will be low enough that any caster will likely be able to do it)).

 

[Ankari]

"keep clear of the town Srilkind, fulfill the other three requirements, and you have a deal. What must be done?"

 

[Steerpike]

The creature considers this in silence for the moment, then slides its claws out of Calexa's back. The serpent-witch hits the ground with a groan.

"You have myn oath," the creature says. "After you binde me, then wil your frendes be awaked."

The demon then scratches a crude symbol into the stone of the ground. He draws one of his long talons along his wrist, spilling blood into the hollowed out lines of the symbol. He explains that Ankari should do likewise, and that one who is familiar with spellcasting will then repeat the words of the ritual, word for word, as they are spoken by the demon. He explains, too, that when you have fulfilled the triggering event of the binding, the magic will summon him to you. If a year and a day pass before that happens, then the demon will return to his own plane by that same magic.

 

[Ireth]

Líadan

I peer out from behind Cadell as the monster begins a grisly ritual, realizing that it may well be up to me to perform the essential recitation. I step forward, watching, and wait for them to indicate that I am needed.

 

[Ankari]

I square my shoulders and glance at Cadell's woman. "You are the only one of the spellcasters that can do this. It may not please you, but the results will. Our allies will be returned to us, and we can work as quickly as possible to bring an end to Aslaug."

I tie the symbol around my neck and tuck it underneath my armor. Striding towards the demon, I pull a dagger from my belt and place it against the palm of my hand. The though of Baldhart angry with me brings a smile to my face. No wings for you, my friend. Not today.

 

[Ireth]

Líadan

I take a slow breath and nod. My god may not like this either, but if it brings down Aslaug and ends the Taint, it may well be worth it in the end. I only hope we do not lose more companions on the road... though perhaps that is a vain hope. Where there is danger, death or other loss will certainly follow.

 

[Steerpike]

As Ankari's blood flows into the symbol, the demon motions to Liadan, it's previous leer at the elf woman having not lessened at all. "You must speke the wordes." He motions her to step up to the symbol.

 

[Ankari]

((I want to roll a perception check to see if I can determine if this demon is trying to trick us.))

 

[Ireth]

Líadan

I nod, and listen carefully to what the creature says, repeating back the incantation syllable by syllable. I do not look at the blood on the stony ground, nor at the beast whose lust for me is still plain.

((*whistles* Well, that was better than I'd hoped!))

 

[Steerpike]

((It is hard to tell, because the creature is quite alien to you in terms of how it thinks and acts. You don't see anything false in what it is doing, though. Of course, you have no real idea what the symbol does, but if it does what the creature says, then he appears to be carrying things through as promised)).

 

[Ankari]

((OK, we're committed. Describe away, Oh Grey Cloaked Cat))

 

[Steerpike]

((Wow, nice casting)).

The creature smiles a toothy smile as Liadan begins to draw on magic. "You have grete power," he rumbles, and is noticeably aroused by the knowledge.

He speaks words slowly in the ancient elven dialect, his fetid breath mingling with the rotting flesh and sulfur odor as he leans close to Liadan. As Liadan casts, she senses the corruption that always lurks as a possibility with any magic other than that for healing, but her power is such that she is untainted by it. As the demon continues his words, power flows from her hands to the symbol, causing the mixture of blood to flash with light.

For a split second Liadan and Ankari are disoriented, and find themselves both peering out at the scene through the demon's eyes, feeling his glee and the physical lust of his form. But it is over as fast as it began, and they're back in their own bodies, Liadan feeling drained of energy from the casting.

The demon grunts, nods. "'Tis doon."

The creature lumbers away from Liadan and Ankari, stepping over Calexa. He moves to each member of the party who is down, uttering a few words and restoring them to consciousness.

Those who wake find their skin crawling at the magic that courses through them. It is not the invigorating, warm energy of elven life magic, but rather something cold that shocks the body awake. Still, it sustains them.

The creature kneels over Branwen, too, then turns to the group: "Be she frende or foe?"

 

[Ireth]

Líadan

I shudder and sigh in the aftermath of the spell, the last of my mana drained. For a while I do not look at anyone, simply trying to re-orient myself with my surroundings.

Matthew

Cold, unwelcome energy jolts me awake, bringing me back to a world of pain and the crackling of magic crawling over my skin. I open my eyes, and jerk again at the sight of the thing bending over me. Instinctively I reach for my spear -- where is it? What is that thing? What is it doing?!

Whatever it is, it moves away from me, and bends over those nearest who are still unconscious. Is it... waking them up? Why? What does it want?

Cadell

I watch the demon bending over Branwen, and call out in answer to his question. "Friend. She is an orphan, and we have chosen to be her guardians."

 

[Steerpike]

The demon reaches down and touches Branwen as well. The child groans and rolls onto her back. Seeing the demon, she yelps and scrambles backward against the rocks. The demon pays no attention to her, but instead moves to the path leading down the side of the island and plants himself in the center of it. "See to the serpent," he says.

Baldhart-Nissa sits up with a groan, looking disoriented. She doesn't notice the demon, as it is now at the edge of the island-top clearing. Instead, her gaze falls on Darin's body. "Oh, no," she says.

 

[Ankari]

"Friend."

I shake the my head clear of the bewilderment caused by the ritual. A moment within the skin of this creature left a spoiled taste in my mouth, one of rot and death. I move over to Calexa and set my axe to her neck.

"You owe me so much, witch-kin. Should I chose to end your life now, it would be a blessing. But I won't. Instead, I will ask you questions, and you will answer them. Failure to do so will result in you being returned to that demon. He lusts for you, as he has made plain. If you answer my questions satisfactorily, you will be granted my mercy."

((I will ask a litany of questions to save time.))

I pause a moment, lift her head to give her a clear sight of the demon to prove my words. "You will tell me where I can find Aslaug. You will tell me what has happened to her, and the best way of defeating her. You will tell me who else seeks Catli. What does Aslaug have planned for Catli?

((I have have a few follow up questions afterwards.))

 

[Steerpike]

Calexa adjusts herself carefully, so as not to cut herself on Ankari's axe. Her eyes do not leave the demon. "If I tell you what you wish, you will keep that creature away from me?"

 

[Ankari]

It is a tragic thing, to act out of fear. "Yes."

 

[SeverinR]

I turn after checking on the lizard.
Then watch silently as the bargaining continues.
Grasping my holy symbol and silently pray.
One does not bargain with devils and demons.

As they talk, I watch Baldhart, Muave, and Branwen all lying so still.
What they do is too powerful for me to assist or obstruct.

They awaken, probably dead, but now alive. Branwen!
I move quickly but silently around the edge, staying far away from the devil and the origin of magic.
I rush to Branwen's side and lift her up. I dare not run to check the others, in that area. But I watch them, my eyes darting from one to the other to the dead snake women, to where the devil rests and then start over.

 

[Nihal]

Cold, again.

I groan when it sweeps through my body, a violent wave stronger than before. I roll over, opening my eyes, blinking and trying to make sense of what is going on—until I catch a glimpse of the demon.

No!

Horrified, I drag myself backwards. A demon. A demon! Biting my lips, I push away the worst memories, forcing myself to focus on the present. I look at the others, the ones still standing watching everything calmly, more than one would expect.

"What have you done?!" I croak.

 

[Steerpike]

Calexa nods, then turns to look at Ankari. Where she looked arrogant before, she now looks fearful.

"I will tell you what I know. As our Lady, the one you call Aslaug, came into her power, she was content to let Catli remain in Srilkind. Catli would show no sign of magical talent until near puberty, and it was safer for the child there than with her mother. Our Lady was consolidating her power in the north. She always intended to come for Catli, but her hand has been forced.

"A power is rising in the south. One thought long-dead. You will not believe, but it is Aeron himself who rises again. His servants sought to ally themselves with our Lady here in the north, but she knew to do so would be to become a thrall to Aeron. If not now, then later. She refused. Aeron's servants learned of Catli, and our Lady feared they would take her in order to force our Lady's loyalty. She was planning just such a thing when by what appeared to be sheer luck, Catli appeared in the temple above. We were told to capture her and deliver her to her mother. When Catli returned to Srilkind, we were told instead to occupy you here for as long as possible, while our Lady effected her daugher's rescue.

"Our Lady makes her home now in the Verstenn Hold. You cannot defeat her. She will rule the north, and hold it against the forces that will sweep like a tide over the southern lands."

((The mention of Aeron is likely to be met with incredulity; it's a far-fetched tale. Everyone knows he's dead, though the elves may suspect differently, being more familiar with the power he wielded)).