It is the night of the "party".

An earthquake. A tremor, really. Nothing really to note. The only noteworthy inclusion of this event was in the Bright Republic, who recorded that the tremors had been felt, at equal levels, throughout every seismic system known, including the few they maintained off their island. This impossibility was debated for some time in geology studies for months.

But the implications would reverberate throughout all of creation for years to come.


A flood of sensation overwhelms each of you.

[OOC - This is a hard RP scene, and you now have all your Godbound powers. You only have a vague sense of what you can do, and don't know that everyone else has them. Oh yes, Marius, you are now totally healed.

You are encouraged to post in the "soft roleplay" scene. It's technically taking place last night.
This message was last edited by the GM at 14:26, Wed 10 Oct 2018.

Hahahahaha... This was it. She had beaten death, and in the process had become something much greater. This second opportunity at the realm of the living came along with even more perks than Plaga had anticipated. Sure, there were a few major setbacks, but nothing that with time she couldn't achieve. And right now, time was something she had to spare...


The unnamed warrior raised slowly, her gaze lost into the void as her will wasn't quite her own yet. Temporary made into a flesh puppet, the warrior would ignore those present, with a simple task in mind. Unless any witnesses was quick to act, the warrior would move to the masked skeleton chained to the throne, and with a quick clean blow of her weapon would break the chains that were binding it.

Something had shifted, both within and without. What, exactly that meant, remained to be seen. She felt empowered, though, in a way she had not been. She had dreamed of breaking the bonds that held her, of breaking the bonds that held them all, and in the moment between sleep and waking she thrashed, fighting the bonds that held her, knowing in her bones that nothing could hold her, not anymore.

Saoirse do chách

It's a thought, more than anything, but with it her chains fall away and at last, she can step out of the cage.
This message was last edited by the player at 03:57, Wed 10 Oct 2018.

That odd collection of fae words results in an odd clattering, here and there. A few chains clatter to the ground in the corner of the room. There's a corpse rising. From the back of the room, you hear a clattering as well. What is going on?
This message was last edited by the GM at 06:24, Wed 10 Oct 2018.

Claire rose to her feet as the chain fell from her leg. "Thank you," she said softly to the faerie as she turned to the scale standing in the center, then at Gaja. She classified the latter as a probable ally as her artificial brain began making connections between facts. After a moment, she spoke to Gaja and Radiance. "We must escape, but first...does either of you know how to destroy that thing?" she asked, pointing at the scale. "And if not, is there a way we can carry it with us? We shouldn't leave it for our generous host to sell more lives with."

If she weren't a machine, it would be odd how deadpan her delivery was.
This message was last edited by the GM at 07:00, Wed 10 Oct 2018.

A regal dip of her head in response to Claire's thanks. " You are welcome. If I have my way, none will stay imprisoned. Not here, not anywhere."  Thanks are a powerful thing in her culture, but she wouldn't hold such a thing over someone's head, no more than she would allow any here to remain chained.

A thoughtful sound as she looked at the scale. "I agree. This cannot be allowed to continue and if we do not do something, he will simply find more people to enslave. I do not believe I can destroy it, though." A glance to the others, because perhaps someone else could do so?

  Gaja looks up slowly and doesn't immediately respond.  Her eyes follow the conversation back and forth, narrowing into an increasingly suspicious glare with every sentence.  "You're talking," she says, as though it should not be so.  Her voice is fuller somehow than before, the sound of it more completely itself.  A better description is hard to construct.
 "Did you feel those tremors?"

"Yeah, those were strong enough to wake the dead, weren't they"

Is the masked skeleton talking? Why is it getting up from the throne? The voice coming from the undead has a feminine undertone, but comes out rough and tremorous. Seemingly ignoring everyone else for now, Plaga walks up to the warrior Marius had defeated for the entertainment of the barbaric guests of the "party".

"What is your name, warrior?"
This message was last edited by the player at 12:17, Wed 10 Oct 2018.

Increase dreamed the same dream he always did. He peered into the Pyre, that illustrious construct reserved to the those truly initiated in True Reason. There saw the profane rituals and eldritch engines at work. The angelic beings unmaking mind, body, and spirit to suffuse it with divine anathema and sulfurous, tar black hellfire. They laughed as their heavenly beasts stoked the arcane mechanisms whose sheer design was both maddening and endless.

They he awoke, the earth shaking around him. This was it, the maw of Hell had come to claim him at last. The bittersweet release of death.

But nothing occurred, at least none in such a profound fashion. Instead with the tremors came clarity. Of thought and of understanding. He rose from his bed and moved to don his robes. Hustling quickly through the palace he dismissed attendants and told guards to ensure that the palace was secure lest we earn Lasier's wrath for neglecting his precious treasures in the upheaval.

It was a facade of course but they obeyed through combination of fear and authority. Increase arrived in the chamber that the new servants were being kept for the night, just in time to overhear conversation of destroying the scale and the raising of the dead.

"I wouldn't recommend that." he said as he entered the room.

"The scale is an artifact, it cannot be easily destroyed. Beyond that Lasier has placed traps upon it."

He made no show of concern when faced with the now loosed faerie or recently reanimated.

"I suggest we make our leave expeditiously. I've recently inherited a bit of wisdom that might prove our salvation. You all are the only ones on this island that can be saved."

As you say this, you see points of structure and joining on the artifact.

Increase and Marius are aware you COULD destroy it, though it would leave you weakened, and take about 10 minutes to figure out how.
This message was last edited by the GM at 14:54, Wed 10 Oct 2018.

  Well, that gets Gaja up and active when even the risen dead and broken shackles could not.  She's on her feet in less than an instant, and across the room in the next.

  "We go, then.  This palace is a tomb, and—"  She pauses for a second and gives the talking skeleton a funny look.  She shakes her head and mumbles something unclear about foreign witches before turning to address the rest of the prisoners.  "Well, whatever the word, we're leaving it.  Set a trap for the guards, and I'll lure them in; the pit fighter needs a sword."  She snatches one of the larger knives from the table and grips it tucked against her forearm, and only then finally asks—

  "What wisdom will save us that could not before?"

Radiance's eyes narrow a little at Influence. "Why is it you believe none but ourselves can be saved? I will not simply leave the others to their fates. Lasier and his guests are welcome to ghastly ends, but the servants and slaves deserve better."

A nod to Gaja. "We will leave." A curious glance to the dead woman. "Is it customary for the dead to rise here? I thought otherwise."

Increase looked to Gaja first.

"I haven't the ability to explain it. I simply know more than I used to, much more."

He then turned to the faerie.

"As for why it is simple. Lasier is a Parasite God, I believe we are all familiar with them. This island is his domain and his influence is great. Outside of the power of the scale itself he has attempted to exert mental domination over me and likely most, if not all, of the guards and servants. He has also found a means to procure the impossible."

He gestures around himself, highlighting the vast abundance of extremely rare items. Even kings could not afford what was present in this room alone.

"Which leads me to believe he is some manner of conjurer or alchemist. Beyond that the tribute slaves have already been sacrificed and the remaining slaves are heavily addicted to narcotics which Lasier uses to keep his worshippers reverent. They will likely resist you and moving so many will prove an impossibility without a considerable ship or ships."

He took a pause letting his words marinate in their minds.

"There is also the matter of moving so many people past his guards, and his unseen guards who for all intents could be listening right now, without having the entire island turn their focus to us."
This message was last edited by the player at 19:27, Wed 10 Oct 2018.

As Plaga waited for the recently raised warrior to give her an answer, she adressed Resplendent.

"I don't know anything about this place, but I would say I am an oddity, even here. And your intentions are noble fae, but unrealistic. If you truly care for the slaves, then you must let them suffer now in order to escape yourself. You won't help anyone by getting yourself killed or imprisoned again. If what the scrawny Scholar said it's true, then our best chance is to make our move now."

Indeed, the situation seemed more dire than expected. Plaga's original plan was to use the empire she had built as a stepping stone for her ascension, but it turned out that her plans had changed radically, now finding herself back at square one. It didn't matter. While her former life and lifetime's work had been completely destroyed, luck, or perhaps fate, was on her side. She was given both the time and potential to become something much greater than anything she had been before, and she was gonna seize this unique chance.

"Warrior! I asked you a question. I order you to answer it."

"Sorry, mistress. I just realized I'm dead. Also that I'm not in the afterlife.

My name is Kanua, sworn warrior of Davos.. now to you, I suppose. I will do your will."

She noticed Marius, though she had to move her head a little.

"If that includes killing him, that would be nice."

She addressed the others. "I don't suppose any of you have a mirror? I think I've something in my left eye."

If Plaga had any muscles on her face, she would likely grin at the unintentional joke.

"Well, let me ask you Kanua: I know you WILL serve me, but do you wish to do so? I can offer you a second chance in this realm of the living, but I won't force you to it. And I think it would be best you didn't see your aspect right now. Your fellow warrior did quite a number on you. If you decide to serve, I can promise to fix that once we get out of this place."
This message was last edited by the player at 20:15, Wed 10 Oct 2018.

She thinks about it.

"Davos promised eternal life.. but he had withdrawn his favour, or that fight would have not gone that way.

My strength has ebbed since being dragged away from my homeland. He has abandoned me.

I feel bound to serve you anyway, but I will do so willingly. I only hope for blood, glory and a place in your afterlife.

Very well. I will follow you and slay your enemies.... what was your name? I mean, you are my God now. This is something I should know."

Plaga then produces an awful noise, that would chill the bones of even the bravest mortals, if there were any nearby. When Plaga finishes laughing, she adresses her new minion.

"A God, eh? Well, Goddess, I prefer. I really need to do something about my appearance when we get out... Very well, I shall provide what you seek, Kanua. You have the honor to be the first of my servants on my second life."

Increase stifles a chuckle at the mention of "gods" and "goddesses". Even outside of the Atheocracy he knew that such things were merely lies and fancy titles. God was either dead or never existed. There were only beings of higher order and beings of lower order.

Mankind had reached the heights of our lower order and briefly threaded in the upper realms. Now they were reduced to what? Necromancers and greed-obsessed parasite? Oh how far they had fallen as a species.

Okay, so the skeleton, she could accept.  If that mask was worth as much as Laiser gave to claim it, it must have had terrible magic bound inside, and Outsiders were well-known for getting involved with magic that should never have existed.  But she'd seen the other warrior die, and she'd seen enough injuries like that to be sure it was fatal.  But it was clear now her soul had been trapped; she did say she was bound into the skeleton's service.

Or the mask's.

As the corpses converse, the usually-brash Howler subtly maneuvers herself to block their path to Marius, with movements almost imperceptibly slight.  Even her coin belt makes no sound at all, though neither do her moving lips.

Marius had experienced an intense sensation. His wound was gone and just a memory as a scar now while his physique seemed almost more perfected as a strange flow of power washed over him. His time in the arena had sculpted him into a killer but something had refined that to levels few humans could only ever dream of from how he felt.

Other thoughts and feeling flowed through him as well. His sense as a general seemed almost amplified by this odd feeling. More so his grasp of resources, the logistics of war and wealth had grown greater than he had ever considered it before. The Scale now sickened him more as he considered it.

"We should depart this place for now. Something strange has happened... I have seen the Dead walk, but never banter like this," Marius notes as he regards the two corpses before looking to the fae woman.

"And I feel perhaps I owe another here a debt I can only repay by pursuing their release and ours."

Increase shook his head in the negative, not directed at anyone in particular.

"I'm sure you and your undead have much to discuss but if we are to leave we must do so quickly. Marius can you wield your sword? We may have to fight our way out. If anyone possesses martial skill this is the time to take charge and prove your mettle."

Without truly giving anyone time to debate he moved to the door which would take him outside. Even if none followed he had enough seniority to move about without question so long as he appeared to be on official business.

"If we are to stick together we need to talk about that manufactured sense of authority you have, slave master... But that doesn't make you any less right. Kanua, grab a weapon and let's get out of here"

Both the undead doctor and her minion follow suit, not worried about the situation by the amused tone of her voice.

Kanua grabbed one of the chains off the ground and wrapped it around her arm, abd took the most serviceable knife in each hand.They weren't perfect, as they were more objects d'art than a utility tool.

Increase scholar finds he he is suddenly carrying a very nasty looking shortsword, and the wood floor is missing a plank. What?!
This message was last edited by the GM at 02:11, Thu 11 Oct 2018.

  Well, Gaja just gives that boy the most skeptical look ever, followed up by nervous glances at the others.  But whatever troubles her, it doesn't keep her from taking a position close behind the two dead women.  She still has that knife, clutched tighter than ever now, and she's still moving with genuinely unnatural silence.

  "I'll have to run to the animal pens once we're outside," she stage-whispers.  "Tell me which ship we're taking and don't wait for me.  Szkarik can catch up."

Claire mostly listened to the discussion before speaking. The unusual intelligence that the skeleton showed didn't really surprise her; she was in a movie now, these things happen. But as the talk turned toward retreat, she grimaced a bit, then moved to take up a position near the back of the group, status readouts flashing before her eyes. However, as the thought of the Parasite God's ability to influence minds came to the front of Claire's, she shook her head and instinctively...well, she felt she was doing something. The others felt her presence like armor around their hearts, fortifying their courage against whatever was to come.

Heart of the Lion up. Outside emotional influence shut down. This Effort will remain committed until further notice.

"I'll take the rear guard. The guards couldn't possibly damage me with locally-crafted weapons - I'm designed to take a rail slug to the chest and keep going if it comes to that." Magical and theotechnical gear might have armor-piercing properties, she'd deal with that problem when it came up.

"I should be fine, those weapons were blunted for brutality," Marius noted as forms his hands into fists, feeling an odd confidence in his ability to fight even unarmed. He moved with a certain increased grace and balance as well.

"If any one else needs something, I can help with that."

He starts to focus on the area, tapping into his own sense of the land as general and recalling his sight of it before. Moving to follow after Increase to take up the front guard. "I'll handle anything ahead of us."

Know the Terrain is being activated (War).
This message was last edited by the player at 03:38, Thu 11 Oct 2018.

Claire lightly glowed a soothing blue for a moment. It was barely noticeable.
This message was last edited by the GM at 05:29, Thu 11 Oct 2018.

Marius seemed to unfocus his gaze for a moment before blinking and looking back towards the group.

"We have a full squad around the manor. The docks has another full detachment along with light siege weaponry. If we want to escape, we need to go there but likely also will have to take down the siege weapons so they don't sink us," Marius said with a calm tone as he calculated their escape route.

"There some sort of monster north of us. Along with a great deal of sleeping staff and guards. Any objections to making an attack on the docks?" Marius asked his new compatriots. He felt the rush of battle again, the joy of a plan forming though he was stunned to realize he could sense all of that. Something was VERY different in him now.
This message was last edited by the player at 04:46, Thu 11 Oct 2018.

Radiance had little to offer to the plan. But then, she had freed them. "The doors and locks are taken care of." it would simplify things, at least somewhat.

  "What, you too?"  Gaja gestured from Marius to Increase.  "Is everyone here going to claim to be some kind of seer?  No, it's too much to believe.  Are you feverish?  I bet that wound is infected.  Here, let me—"  She paused in the middle of stepping forward with her knife out toward Marius' ribs, thought about it for a second, then flipped it around in her hand to offer it to him, blade her way.

  "You should get that bandage off and clean it before it gets any worse.  I'll go bring some fresh water from the—"  She stopped and looked down.  Water was, in fact, seeping up between the floor tiles and running over her feet.  She stared in mild confusion until the flow stopped abruptly.  That got a startled step back, and finally Gaja seemed to notice the lack of extraneous noise.

  "Something... happened to us."  The spring rose and receded again, quickly.  She shook her hips and stomped her feet in impossible silence.  Then the others' voices tumbled out of her mouth one after another as her eyes continued to widen.  "This isn't the fastest path out of the palace.  We're closer to that side of the building."  She jerked a thumb toward the door to the kitchen.  "Was the monster inside, Marius, or outdoors and then to the north?  I'm going ahead.  If I cut the guards' throats in their sleep, there won't be reinforcements coming to the docks.  Dead woman, will you come with me?  I think your retainer will be surer to kill on the first stroke than I would."

Claire spoke up. "I don't think we should split up," she said. "At least not out of my weapons' range. But I agree with Marius. We hit the docks hard, take out everything there, steal a ship and flee. Speed is more important than stealth."

A pair of metallic wing-like protrusions began growing from her back with a "whirr," and she spoke again. "Apparently I was designed with air combat capabilities," she said as the engines built in her wings began to lift her.

Plaga pondered for a moment, and then gave a nod to Gaja

"Yes, we may follow you. And the docks seem like our only choice, unless any of you have an alternative way out of this place. Going through different paths that converge into the docks doesn't seem like a bad idea to me. If we are all together it will be easier to detect us, and less likely anyone can escape. Those that can brute force your way out should join Marius and the scholar. I'll benefit more of joining the group to the north, at least until we find this monster you speak of. The name is Plaga, by the way."

"The monster is in some sort of pit, but I don't know if it can leave or be unleashed. Same as I do not know where Lasier is. I would prefer though we stay together if we're going to make a push for the Docks. Combined force is preferred to separation when all of us are experiencing... new power," Marius admitted as he looks to the others.

"I have always been a fighter, but now I feel like I could take on whole groups on my own. It is strange and I do not speak with ego... My body feels.. improved."

He was continuing to formulate back ups and wondering what else might be needed. He felt oddly enough like he could provide any items he's encountered so far.

  Gaja actually laughs off the warning, and starts backing toward the rear exit.  She moves slowly for now, giving the others plenty of opportunity to follow, but the spring in her step is building fast.  She spreads her arms into a welcoming gesture, and her smile mostly looks genuine.  Making Gaja incapable of fear might not be the wisest move.

  "Then by all means, come combine our forces.  But I will not be attacked from behind, and I will not abandon the only reason I am on this island at all."  She waves her free hand toward Claire, and the thrum of those engines becomes the rustle of wind through grass.  "We'll have speed and stealth.  But there's no telling when the watch changes and the sleepers must awaken.  This opportunity exists now."

  By the time she gets to the door to the kitchen, she's nearly skipping.  "Come, this is the time to move," she calls, before turning and slipping through the door.

The kitchen is surprisingly bare, particularly considering the succulent feast prepared.

There's a fair amount of completed meals and delicacies, but little cooking equipment, though what there is is quite nice.

There's another door to a pantry and one leading outside.

Claire looked in Radiance's direction, then lined up behind Marius. "Alright. I'll help secure the docks for your arrival," she said. If worse came to worst, she could fly back in once the ship was moving and the siege engines destroyed.

Marius just nods his thanks some with a sigh. It rankled him badly to be splitting up when the prime objective was in reach. His years as a general and strategist making him irritable with the choice but just rolling with it.

"My thanks, we can't let them fortify it and I don't know how bad of a threat Lasier is to us if he is this Parasite God that Scholar mentioned," He said as he moves now to head out. He wasn't trying to be callous but his expression showed the annoyance of their split power now. He only hoped his group could secure the docks with those that came.

Plaga nods to Marius before her and Kanua start following Gaja. On her way to the kitchen, she grabs a curtain or tapestry to use as a makeshift cape. While it may not bother the others, her nudity was starting to annoy the walking skeleton.

Gaja is crouched by the door to the outside when Plaga and Yanua catch up. The makeshift cape gets a perplexed smirk, but a bit of eye contact confirms that they're ready to go. She really is quite expressive. Raising a finger to her lips, she pulls the lash and pushes the door open just enough to squeeze out.

---

Explicitly then, breaching the perimeter quietly.

Increase leaves through the main door and heads towards the docks. I can't say I take any special efforts to be clandestine; that will probably work against me.

Claire steps out with utter, unnatural silence. Two guards are directly Infront of her, staring into the distance at the upcoming dawn, blissfully unaware of the danger behind them.

On the other side of the building, two more guards see Increase.

One of them speaks: "Hi, Scholar. There an issue? The Lord said you'd be watching the slaves. Need to use the outhouse?"

Another chimed up "Yeah, if I were guarding them all night, I'd need to 'use the outhouse' too." A gesture made it clear what he meant.

The first guard gave something between a sigh and a chuckle.

Increase gave his usual polite inclination.

"The tremors awoke me from my sleep and now I am concerned. I've decided to take some visual measurements of tidal swells, ensure that there isn't an impending tsunami or other disaster scenario we should make Lasier aware of."

"Yeah, I know what kind of swells-"

"Enough! Ok. Len, go get some of the reserve who are close to sober and head back.

You can take all your measurements then, if you think it's that important, Scholar. Len'll be back quick."

Len waved and began jogging.

Increase nodded once more and advanced towards the shoreline. If more guards were being roused then their ability to escape would be hampered. He'd need to move quickly but he had to make a good show of taking measurements; it might actually prove useful to him.

  Gaja waves to catch Kanua's attention and nods toward the guard on the left, then  slips around to the right and coils around the other one, hand running through his hair.  She coos and pulls his face down toward hers, her fingers clench, and he slowly crumples, apparently fainted.  There's a smile on his face.

---

Pretty sure he doesn't have 4HD to spare.
This message was last edited by the player at 21:33, Thu 11 Oct 2018.

Two knives sprout into the other guards throat. It's less a wound than a partial decapitation.

The undead smiles and slides the body to the floor, covered in blood, with surprisingly little noise.

Marius stepped out now, moving to follow Scholar after having found some better clothing to slip on from the various treasures. An outfit had called out to him while the attendant had been delaying the guards. Now he strode forth feeling like a Patrian emperor, determined to get to freedom and eliminate their obstacles.

The remaining guard took one look at Marius and started screaming an alarm. Maybe it was the man's physique and martial stature or his garb, or maybe the guard had seen seen Marius kill the other gladiator last night.

Either way, he knew he should be chained inside.

"Whoa! What the hell?! Guards!" He yelled, and various others stationed about the manor called out as well, and a general alarm went up through the camp.
This message was last edited by the GM at 00:27, Fri 12 Oct 2018.

Plaga mutters in a murmur of dissapointment, more to herself than the others.

"Ah, was the mangling really necessary? Tsk"

She waves her hand at the corpses, as if she was ordering a pair of obedient dogs to get up. And the corpses weren't canines, but were surely obedient. Since this were not prisoners, but men under Lasier, Plaga gives the couple a different treatment, not bothering to keep the souls on the raised bodies. She is not as proficient in sign language as Gaja, but her two skeletal fingers and her nod send a clear message. "Two more soldiers for us".

  The Howler gives a sharp nod, then squints up at the breaking dawn.  Coming out on the east side of the palace with morning due was unfortunate, but it wasn't as thou—  But then the alarm goes up.  So much for taking out the reinforcements, but the others would have to learn their own way.

  Gaja holds up her left hand, fingers splayed, and lowers them one at time, waiting for the surprise to give way to planning and the patrols' attention to be drawn away from them.  When she's making a fist again, she draws up against the wall of the building and hurries in a crouch to the north.  She dropped the knife at some point, but it's not as though she seemed to need it after all.

  If Marius can do what he promised, she doesn't say, though it's perfectly clear from the arch of her eyebrow and the angle of her shoulders when she glances back.  They'll be stacked like bricks around him.

---

Feel free to communicate without speaking any time; her grasp of body language is as supernatural as what she's doing to keep them silent.

This would not do. Fighting their way out, one by one, would cost lives and time. If escape was the goal, she would make fighting moot. Radiance gathered herself, spine straightening further and she looks like the faerie queen she claimed she was from the start. She seems to shine  with a terrible and devouring glamour.

Love Me and Despair

Not a word was said. Not a word was needed to be said. Magnificent unholy radiance filled the isle, and none of the wonders that had been seen previously could compare. Good, evil, ally, malign, it did not matter, for none could oppose the will of such a creature.

Even her allies felt that terrible, magnificent presence, though they were not cowed by it.

The guards who were charging stopped, and tears came to their eyes as they realized their false allegiance to the false Lord. They stood well away from her and her allies, which saved them from a swift death at the hands of Marius.

None could meet their eyes, bowing their heads and looking away, lest they be blinded. The bravest of them, their nominal commander, spoke quietly and reverently. "What is your bidding, oh radiant queen?"

[OOC - The manor guard are close enough in range that they switch instantly. The others are not close enough to be effected, yet.]

"We need an escort to the ships. You will protect myself and my companions as we go." Though she did not raise her voice, the command rang clear throughout it, inhumanly beautiful and utterly compelling.

To her companions, more quietly. "Shall we proceed? I cannot promise that all will obey me, but I can guarantee that most will. Save your efforts for those who have the will to resist."

Marius looks on impressed. It would indeed seem all of them had come into power. He looks at the guards but then starts to stride on, building pace because he could see those siege engines still trying to align on them.

"Very well, pardon me while I deal with the artillery," He said as he starts to move. The fine clothing he had found was apparently made for durability which only spoke of its craftsmanship. He did look back to the fae.

"Keep Scholar safe, I don't know if he was gifted like us as much for... aggression."

Manor guards lept off the roof, forming from a loose collection of skirmishers into an honor guard.

  By this point, Gaja had reached the corner of the building and would have to give up her cover to go any further.  She gave Plaga and her necromantic entourage the signal to wait, then stepped out into the open, surrounded by doumbek beats.  A flute appeared in her hands, and she played her own cheery melody as she began to dance and twirl toward the servants still pulling themselves together near that pit Marius had described.
This message was last edited by the player at 06:16, Fri 12 Oct 2018.

Some servants, bleary eyed from last nights debaucheries, swore off the sauce when they saw her, assuming her to be some kind of hallucination. Others, more martial minded and serious, were more concerned about the gladiator and the huge guard fight that looked like it was about to break out.. and whatever that giant shiny thing was.

In any event, though a few stopped to stare at her in disbelief, she was allowed to continue towards the pit with little interruption.

Eventually, Gaja found herself at the edge of the pit. Her poor mount waited at the bottom, looking in fairly bad shape: this wasn't really the proper climate for scorpions, and they didn't know much about taking care of it. Aboard ship, the poor thing had likely spent most of it's time drugged to the gills.

The pit was reinforced with a wooden rampart, and reinforced with steel bars. The top of the pit was covered in thick chains, though Gaja was not convinced the scorpion could climb it's way out in it's current condition.

For the dock guard, Claire decided on a more direct approach. Lifting off into midair, she zoomed towards them. Internal systems locked on to the hardened veterans manning the arbalests. Hearing Marius' statement that he'd disable the arbalests, she shook her head. "That'll take too long," she said, and suddenly the air around the group began to chill. Then suddenly, the temperature at the docks dipped to near zero for a moment, destroying heat and life in the area. The metal of the ballistae froze and cracked, rendering the siege weapons useless, while several men's flesh and armor suddenly froze together in icy death, and a short vortex of wind from below and the sides pushed and jostled the rest of the guards as the cold air sank and warmer air rushed in to replace it.

"That...was not within my operating parameters?" wondered Claire as she saw the sudden eruption of cold.

Miracle: Boreal Spike; 1 daily effort
23:30, Today: Claire Durand rolled 3 using 1d10.  Boreal Spike, Straight.
3 straight to the mob. The siege engines are automatically mission killed. Nothing else in the area is damaged.

The ice spread throughout the dock, which crackled as it was suddenly froze. The dock guard were also caught by the edge of the frost, which tore the bottom of their boots and caused their breath to become visible.

Even Laiser himself was slightly effected, though he hid his discomfort well.

The tides now froze, the water under the docks totally freezing solid, all the way to the sea bed horrific crunching noises could be heard from the ship hulls as they were crushed with incredible pressure.

The guards took it with amazing stoicism. Well, not the arbelist crews, but they were dead or severely frostbitten. One screamed as his arms and hands were frozen to the arbelist. He'd almost certainly lose them.

(200 ft in every direction is a LOT of ground, and it specifically freezes liquids)

Plaga patiently waited, keeping herself and his minions perfectly silent in the spot Gaja left them. She wondered what was this monster Gaja was so interested in. This whole "let us get out stealthily out the back" was clearly an excuse to come pay it a visit.

Marius stopped in his tracks at the eruption of cold. Frowning as it seemed to billow forth all around now. Glad he had as he watched what happened to the various gear of the opposing guards. He arches a brow a little as he looks up towards the machine woman, as he started to hear crunching of ice against wood near the ship.

"I think... you might have overdone it just a little?" He offers though he considered that display like the fae's probably was born of of this new power. All of them were still learning their abilities.

He looked back towards the freezing mayhem and elected to take a more careful pace to avoid his own body and clothing being damaged by it, unsure just what would happen.

  When she reached the edge of the pit, what Gaja saw there was apparently enough to disrupt her playing. The flute produced a note shrill enough to pain the ears just before falling from her hands. She dropped to a crouch, her grip on the nearest chains so tight it made her arms tremble. The rattling broke the spell of her music, and drew some more thoughtful attention her way, but she didn't immediately notice.

  "No. No, my heart, what have they done to you? WHAT HAVE THEY DONE?"

  There was a dance for this. It wasn't an easy one, or a short one, but she'd seen it in action. Her tribe had come to raid the farmlands surrounding Chiori only to find the village itself already under attack by the Contrabass tribe. She'd watched three of their shamans from afar as they stomped and shimmied their way around a boulder, and when they'd finished, the spirits responded, shaking the earth and collapsing the stone walls that protected the hamlet. There were three problems with this, though: she was alone, she had no time, and she hadn't seen enough to actually reproduce the invocation.

  But she was a girl, then, and now she was more than a woman, a shaman in her own right. She'd already worked magic she'd never thought possible. She rolled backward out of the grasp of the first servant to reach her and up to her feet. The earth had accepted her sorrow almost a year ago; it would accept her anger, now. She began to dance.

Miracle: Shaking the Walls, and only sparing allies, here.
4HD total to the mob
This message was last edited by the player at 14:58, Fri 12 Oct 2018.

"Alright, guess we are dropping the stealth approach."

Ordering her minions to stay back for now as to avoid the chaos that her newfound ally was creating, Plaga came out of her hiding spot to finish off any guards still standing after Gaja's display. From under her makeshift cape, bolts of eldritch energy launched at the enemies.

If they weren't all killed, here are my rolls:

11:23, Today: Plaga, The Doctor of Death rolled 13 using 1d20+3.  Eldritch Blasts.
11:23, Today: Plaga, The Doctor of Death rolled 10 using 1d10+2.  Damage.
11:23, Today: Plaga, The Doctor of Death rolled 2 using 1d8.  Fray Die.

4 from blasts (if hit), 1 from Fray


This message was last edited by the player at 14:25, Fri 12 Oct 2018.

Increase was glad that his subterfuge had worked. All Marius need do was sneak around while they were distracted with talking to him and rendezvous at the docks. Increase would think of something to do about the dock guards, perhaps using his new abilities.

Yes this would be fairly straightforward. They could take a cutter and be gone with none the wiser. A smirk was appearing on his face he congratulated himself on a job well done.

It quickly melted away and soured as shouting, movement, freezing winds, and then a flare of color that was well outside of the mundane filled the area.

"Merciful rationality."

No plan survived an encounter with the enemy. None of his plans could survive an encounter with his allies.

Relenting silently he moved to the now frozen docks and the several feet of water that froze along with them. Luckily the ice was not terribly thick but it would prevent them from moving through it all too easily. There was also the matter of the ships. They were damaged by the sudden frost true but they could be salvaged with repairs.

So he set about working. Pulling on his newfound abilities of transmutation he conjured several tons of wood. Using the wood and tools which materialized from the surroundings he worked. As he did he found he could move and work at the speed of several men, perhaps hundreds. It wouldn't be a perfect vessel but it would service their needs.

Commit to Transmuter for the scene to create wood. Ten Thousand Tools to do the work.
This message was last edited by the player at 15:07, Fri 12 Oct 2018.

The wood and chain structure collapsed, as did a few houses of the servants, almost certainly killing all inside.

At the bottom of the pit, the Scorpion sat, covered in chains but apparently unharmed. It saw its master and slowly began moving it's claws and tail in a pleased manner, similarly to a way a dog might wag its tail.

The servants gathering who have left their homes are mostly just shaky, at least until they are struck by bolts of death from the masked skeleton, collapsing into blackened wizened husks.

It is too much for them, and the islands civilian population flees to the corners of the Island.

Marius continues to advance now, looking for targets and wondering if Lasier was here. He hadn't spotted him yet, move focused on the massed troops and considering what to do. He hated fighting men enslaved by whatever power, but he was leaving today. He would at least see to spare them death if he could.

His hands slowly forming into fists as his physique tenses and starts to urge him forward more once he was sure he wasn't going to get frozen in the sudden cold blast.
This message was last edited by the player at 16:39, Fri 12 Oct 2018.

Laiser was used to attempts on his life, but this one had been backed by overwhelming supernatural powers.

"What the seven hells is going on? Men?" The manor guards were silent. "Arbelist I order you to-" He looked back and saw. "...remain dead." The remaining one stumbled backwards, his arms breaking in half as he fell to the ground. "Wow that's.. wow."

His men readied javelins, but he bid them stop. He took a moment to fix his icy hair. He'd be sweating if he wasn't shivering.

"Ok. As much fun as it would be to Diamond Blast my disloyal troops to oblivion, I'm pretty sure you've mind controlled them."

"Hail the Respondent Queen! We serve her of our own free will." One spoke up.

Laiser nodded nervously. "Ah, I see. Of course." "I have no idea who sent you, or why the you are blowing up my island, but could you please tell me if there's any alternative to you KILLING MY EMPLOYEES AND WRECKING MY ISLAND?"

He composed himself. "Sorry. Just watched a bunch of my men freeze to death and more betray me. I'm a little tetchy. Perhaps we could work out what it is you want?

At the very least, if you insist on killing me, I would at least like to know who sent you, and why the elaborate charade of helplessness.

I have many fine gifts you may enjoy. Youth? Money? Boats? More money? Children's teeth? Even more money?"

(OOC: Las is holding action, and is in the mob of dock soldiers).
This message was last edited by the GM at 20:21, Fri 12 Oct 2018.

  While the group by the docks held the stand-off with Laiser, Gaja slid down the collapsed wall of the pit and ran over to her mount.  Steed.  Companion?  She chittered softly at it and rubbed the plate between its eyes.  There was little time for comfort, though, and she was soon running her hands over the giant beast, checking for injuries and pulling away the fallen chains.

  "Oh, no no no no, what were they feeding you?  Look at this, steal the finest racer in the whole wasteland and nearly put you down in just a few weeks.  I'm sorry, boy.  I tried.  They wouldn't let me near that cage they had you in."

  The scorpion made a raspy sort of noise by rubbing its bristled mouthparts past each other and patiently held up each appendage in turn as she examined it.

  "Don't worry about that now though.  Everything's different now.  I'm different.  They won't take you away again, I promise."  At last, satisfied that there was nothing wrong with it that dry air and a cow with a belly full of medicinal herbs wouldn't fix, she beckoned for it to follow and started cautiously back up her makeshift ramp.  The voices above had receded into silence by then, but there were a lot still unaccounted for.
This message was last edited by the player at 21:15, Fri 12 Oct 2018.

On closer inspection, you see a big issue is just keeping it drugged and bound for so damned long.

With some help, you guide it out of the pit. The poor thing stretches it's legs and mandibles. It's quite weak, but at least it can walk.

The civilians have mostly fled. You hear agonized cries from the downed buildings.

When Gaja came out of the pit, Plaga and a full squad of undead was waiting for her.

"Well, you caused some ruckus up here. I don't mind the extra materials for minions, but you should try and keep that in check while we navigate. I'm willing to bet that my current body can't float. So, this is your monster then. Is it hurt?"

  Gaja doesn't respond immediately, too busy taking in all the walking dead she'd probably helped create, and takes a reflexive half-step back toward Szkarik.  And then the sounds of pain and misery register, and she refocuses on Plaga.

  "Is there any hope for those still living?  I mean, no, Szkarik is fine for now.  And he'll be stronger soon with proper care.  But—"  Her voice trailed off as she looked around.  The wide eyes suggest she hadn't expected these results.  "We should at least end their suffering...  Can you do it quickly?  I don't hear a battle; the others might be captured and need us."

"I certainly could. But it is not my job. Besides, I'm not the monster you likely think I am. I won't claim to be a saint, but I wouldn't let all this men die without reason. And yet, your actions brought destruction and death, and you shouldn't go completely unpunished. I assure you that many of the injured here will live, but not all. And those that die you should remember. Let their deaths weight on you, and prevent this lose of control to happen again."

Plaga walks closer to Gaja. A normal person would be unable to see any sort of emotion in the masked skeleton, but Gaja is no normal person. Plaga doesn't need to speak to convey her message. "Those that could be helped have been helped. Let's get out of this foul place".
This message was last edited by the player at 21:35, Fri 12 Oct 2018.

Laisier spoke and Radiance's focus honed in on him. "None have sent us. We act on our own wills, no one else's. There was no ruse. We were at your mercy, now you are at ours. There is nothing you can offer us that we need." Though she spoke for her companions, she suspected none of them wanted anything from him.

"We will leave. You and your men will not stop us. If you continue to fight, lives will continue to be lost." To her newly freed companions she turns to ask, "What say you, my friends? If they stand down, do we leave peaceably, or do we strike him down for his crimes?"

  The notion of punishment sparks a defiant light in the Howler's eyes, and she meets Plaga with a hard stare but doesn't quite argue.  Rather—

  "You're not what Laiser is, after all.  Hm.  All right."  She nods once, then starts jogging toward the other side of the building and the docks in that direction.  It's not ten paces before she slows to a pace her scorpion can match, though.  She's caught her flute back up, as well, and starts up a well-known dirge that lingers behind her as she walks.

---

Just going to continue on until this business at the docks is in sight.

Claire looked at Laiser. "Radiance has the long and the short of it," she said.

At Radiance's question, she paused. She hadn't had to make a judgment before. She paused, remembering the events earlier that night, even though they had a kind of dreamlike feel to them. "He murders slaves for profit," she said to Radiance. "I vote for his death, but I will stand with the group's decision."

How very Republican: take a vote.

"I agree. The world will be a better place without him in it. Torturing people til they are desperate enough to agree to death is not something this world needs." Claire, at least, was on the same page as she was.

Laiser was always good at counting, and he didn't like that math that was coming up. Time to change tactics.

"I vote you don't kill me. Not that you'll listen. But hey, just as a reminder. This place was a literal rock before I got here.

You decide to off me, you better take all the guys with you, or kill em yourself, because otherwise, they'll starve to death." He offered. "Trust me, I should know. I've been here a long time."

It was worth a shot if these guys were moralists.
This message was last edited by the GM at 04:06, Sat 13 Oct 2018.

"What was done was monstrous... and he would do it again. But fighting will lead to the death of these people he has bound to his will. Do we want that?" Marius said as he regards Lasier before looking to the others.

Of all of them, he wanted to fight. Yet the words of the Dulimbai merchant had gave him pause, wondering if some of these wretched souls were parents, torn from their families by this thing that bargained away youth.

"I say if we are allowed to leave... and take as many who will come with us as we may... He can have his den of horrors. For now." He would not forget this place. He would return and destroy its master. Mercy though dictated today he would soon withdraw. They were all too... new in their powers to properly face the creature that Lasier was. This thing Scholar had called a Parasite God. If the others engaged though... he admitted he would join.

  Gaja comes into view just about then, and it's all she needs to follow the conversation, even to draw the voices back to the necromancer walking with her and let them both join in.  She glances back at the ruined, well, not quite a village, but...

  "Fetch the scale, Laiser," she says, barely restrained hatred lacing her voice.  "And I'll let cooler heads restrain me.  It will never pass into any hands but ours, and it will never see use again.  None of them care enough about your petty tyrannies to murder you over them, only the horror you laid bare last night.  I care enough about staying in their good graces not to break my word.  Load it on the boat, then go and tend to your people.  They'll love you even more for saving them from me."

  She's close enough to the docks now they can all see how what little soil clings to the rocky shore parches and crumbles at her approach.  Another few paces, and even the sea begins to recede from her, where it is not already frozen.  The waves evaporate away as fast as they can roll in.

  "That is how I 'vote'."
This message was last edited by the player at 05:28, Sat 13 Oct 2018.

Claire looked at Gaja and Marius, then over at Increase. "Judging by our companion, if we kill this man now, we can provide ships enough for everyone who wants to leave, and passage to another port. The slave-lord's argument is invalid, and my position is unchanged."

She looked at Resplendent Radiance. "Are you capable of unchaining the surviving guards' wills as you did mine?"

"I do not really care about his fate. But before you decide on it, I have a question for our host. Tell me, how did I end up here? You bought my corpse somewhere? Found it?"

He looks genuinely pained by the loss of the scale, and even against the loss of his own life, he has to consider it for a moment, but Claire cold steel eyes and Marius's barely restrained fury make the decision inevitable. Laiser was not a fanatically brave parasite god (yet).

He looked over at Claire. "Hells, you sure are scary. Just kind of strange watching you go to Auto Cossack after listening to you in pop diva mode.

I'm curious to know how you plan on sheparding a couple hundred junkies through pirate and monster infested waters, if that's the route you wanna go.

Look, you win. I'll turn off the traps and you can do whatever you want with it. Destroy it, dump it in the ocean, use it yourselves."

He lit a very expensive cigar, either his last or to celebrate a new deal, and took a swig of fine cognac for the cold, and handed it out to his troops. Now that people had time to look at them, it was obvious that there were two types - the dead eyed guards that had been seen at the party, who didn't seem affected by the strange goings on and ignored Laiser's offer of booze and smokes, and the rather more nervous troops who seemed far more human. The dead eyed ones simply kept their weapons ready, should negotiations fail.

"For the low low price of not killing me, I'll throw in magical binding oath not to come after you. I probably wouldn't of even used torture, but the doctor LOVES his hobbies. You want to take that guy, be my guest."

Laiser had promised he'd make the Doc young again in a few years, and that boat had just left port forever. He didn't THINK there was anything the doctor could do against him, but he wasn't sure.

Then he responded to Plaga

"Nah.. you got brought in tribute. Xerxes brought in cash and clockwork crap and art. Your countryman brought in both you and the Fae. The bitter old teamerchant brought in cash.. and a lot of luxuries I enjoy, nothing spectacular. The pirates brought in Claire and a giant hell-damn scorpion, and the mask.. and apparently you, were brought in by Lady Malusvir. I think she's a minor noble from Visso. Specifically around the border, by the Trave river. Lots of old trinkets and the like."

He shook his head.

"I should have been suspicious. Three artifacts in one go?"

The astute would have noticed that his mannerisms from before were significantly changed. He seemed far more honest and closer to his nature now than he was earlier.

Increase, for lack of a better word, was conflicted. He hadn't grown to hate Lasier or the people of the isle. If anything most of his time here was neutral or perhaps moderately pleasant. Compared to the Atherocracy this place was fairly moderate; save the mass sacrifices for youth.

The Atheocracy preferred data generating mass sacrifices.

All the same when it came time to vote he abstained, deciding he neither possessed the nerve or resolve to speak one way or the other. If Lasier lived then the population of the island would continue to live as well. He would likely devise a new method of earning his life sustaining wealth. If he died then no more tributes would die but the populace surely would.

He would let the rest of the group decide.

"Lady Malusvir, eh? I can appreciate someone that knows when he is defeated. I thank you for the information, Laiser."

Plaga then adresses the others.

"I would abstain to vote on any decisions you want to make about his fate. I don't care about him enough to ask for him to be spared, but I won't act against someone that accepted defeat so graciously. After all, I'm sure none of us is free of sin. I reccomend, however, that you don't force your will upon the people. Let them decide if they want to come with us or stay, regardless of Laiser's fate. I have yet to know the extents of my abilities, but I may be able to free those tied under his influence. That is, of course, if Mr Laiser doesn't comply to do so himself."

Radiance nods to Claire. "I can free any who can hear my voice of any mental influences, as I did for you. My preference is to free them and take them to the main land with us, if the good Scholar is capable of providing the transportation."

The rest - the man who was willing to do monstrous things, she had little pity or empathy for. "I care  more about the freedom of the men and women here than I do for this man's life. But should we leave him, will he not simply find new evils to perpetrate?"

  "It does not look good for you, mister god.  The other heads are not cooler after all.  And it sounds as though you have nothing they cannot take by force."  Gaja gives an obnoxiously helpless shrug as she closes on the base of the dock.  She'd relaxed her grip on the nearby water when the current it created began to interfere with Increase's work, but the sounds of crumbling rock and howling winds still followed her.

  She steps forward, gliding on some residual ice up to the back of the group of godlings, and then forward through.  She stops just outside of easy arm's reach of Laiser, hands clasped at her back and smirking.  "Technically, this will be keeping my part of our bargain.  You did agree to a bargain, I'm sure I heard it."  And then she projects.

  "What do you say in Brightland?  I abstain?"
This message was last edited by the player at 00:18, Sun 14 Oct 2018.

The vote looked like it was coming down to 2-1 against, and a lot of not-give-a-shits, though Resplendent hadn't actually formally voted. Still, they didn't call him the Lord of Bargains for nothing.

He gave a grin to Gaja.

"Careful. With me, you usually get what you bargain for. Two of you seemed to say they weren't going to join in if you started up with me. You sure I won't take down at least one of you before I fall?"

His grin got a lot less toothsome.

"Not that I want it to go down that way!

Besides, far be it from me to question your motives, but don't all of you have at least one person you'd really like to kill a LOT more than me? After all, I wasn't the one who brought you here.

I got money. You don't want money. Fine.
But money buys ANSWERS, and my agents have been doing that for a long, long time.
And that's going to be a lot harder to pull of my corpse."


"You want to help track down the people that lead you here. Well, I can help you with that.
Hell, I WANT to help you. I'm not exactly thrilled with those five, considering how this deal has turned out for us. Well, other than the Tea Merchant. But I don't care about him."

He tried not to roll his eyes.

"So, lets sweeten the deal, AGAIN. I'll get my agents to give you dossiers on whatever you like. And that's the sort of thing that is going to be a lot harder to 'get off my corpse', as you put it so delicately.

I'll also throw in showing you how to get off the island without getting attacked by sea monsters or pirates."
This message was last edited by the GM at 19:50, Sun 14 Oct 2018.

"I think a bargain made with one such as you holds little worth. You have not promised to not repeat the atrocities you committed here." A glance to the others, because fighting was not her strongest purview. "If we attack, are we united? Or will those who abstained choose not to fight." Their odds lower considerably if it is only three against him. "For all that he can offer us, remember what he has done and what he will do to others if he was willing to do this. This is a man without morals, without compunctions. Even if we remove his ability to repeat this particular evil, it does not mean he will not commit a myriad of others."

Laiser looked surprised for a moment, and responded very quickly.

"I hearby promise not to repeat the atrocities committed here. I was kind of hoping to make that contingent on you not killing me."

After all, they were taking the scales. He couldn't do that trick again even if he wanted to.

"And I can make whatever oaths you want magically binding. That's a thing I can do, though I usually don't mention that. I can make them REALLY binding with the scale if you want. You've seen that that thing has some power.

If you take the Doctor, I'll be happy to swear off torture, outlaw it on the island totally. Like I said earlier, that really is more his thing. I play with people's deepest desires and needs, not their pain."
This message was last edited by the GM at 20:03, Sun 14 Oct 2018.

Gaja looks away from Laiser, back at Claire and Radiance.  She's making that Impressed face.

  "You know, he makes a good offer.  Everything that makes you want him dead, and the use of his treasures to buy you secrets.  If you're going to kill him, you should probably just do it and not draw out this humiliation."  From the grin, she does not appear to mind drawing out the humiliation.

Radiance does not look pleased. If the others will not help, the odds get worse. Her fiery gaze returned to Laiser.

"Very well. You will not  injure, impede, or deceive us. You will instead help us achieve our goals with your knowledge and resources. You will cease torture, keeping slaves, enslaving people, and treating beings with deliberate cruelty. No more atrocities. You will bind yourself however it is you bind yourself with the scale, and then we will dismantle or destroy it.

"Does anyone have any additional stipulations?"

"You will obey any command that any of us gives you," Claire added.
This message was last edited by the player at 01:34, Tue 16 Oct 2018.

  Gaja starts backing away slowly, but the side edge of the dock stops her.

He looked very angry, ready to strike  for about 3 seconds, and then stopped for a moment to think rationally... and use a small supernatural gift. He paused for a moment, and tried not to smile.

"Ok. That wording means any of you can order me to betray you.

But hey, whatever, Czarina. You are the one with the crazy ice gun. I'll agree that I am your collective property, bound to do your commands until I die."

He took out his flask. "Lets do this. To my last minutes as a free man"

The other guards looked openly shocked and massively confused. They had been certain that they were about to fight to the death.

"No, seriously, the mortal ones of you can head back now. This deal is done, they won. Go clean up the mess and look for survivors. I'll be back to talk to you in a few minutes."

The human guards stumbled away, very confused. Laiser began walking with the dead-eyed guards towards the room with the scale.
This message was last edited by the GM at 03:56, Tue 16 Oct 2018.

A few minutes later, you found yourself back in the party room.

He ordered his servants to clean up the main hall before they entered: it was getting a little corpsey. Breakfast and drinks were offered for any who wanted it, though the servants were utterly terrified of Plaga - eventually one of the braver ones daned did offer one to Plaga and Kanua.

Laiser kept near his guards in case there was any last minute chicanery - he had this funny idea that Claire wanted him dead. The Resplendent Queen ordered the men tie themselves up before the glamour upon them wore off.

Eventually, the servants once again departed, other than the stone faced guards.
Laiser hoped on one side of the scale.

"You don't need to stand on it. But all of you need to put your hand on the scale.  and keep touching it during the binding.

As you saw before, it'll state both terms of the contract in every language. I've got it set up here. Everything that you all asked for. We'll give it a run through first though

"Party of the first, Laiser Tectre, Lord of the Isle of Bargains, agrees to the following.

He will agree to all commands of all parties of the second, for the rest of his natural life, excepting where these consitions would violate another part of this agreement."

He will not injure, impede, or deceive the parties of the second or their agents. He will instead help the parties of the second achieve their goals with his knowledge and resources.

He not permit torture and slavery, or magical effects creating similar relationships, upon the island, nor other cruel practices. Any such existing contracts made are null and void.

He will voluntarily give up possession of this artifact, The Iron Scale, and agree to remove the traps holding it in place.

He will not impede any of his followers from departing the isle, should they so wish.

In the event that the parties of the second return, he will receive them as honoured guests and allow them to inspect the island.</u>

<u>The Parties of the second agree to the following terms.

They agree to Laiser Tectre in peace and alive and unharmed upon the isle. They but will not assault him or his men... at least not until the next time we come back from the mainland.

They reserve the right to return and inspect the island. If they feel the party of the first is not keeping up the agreement, they may, collectively or individually, declare the contract null and void and resume hostilities.

Should they, individually or collectively, decide to attack Laiser, give him suicidal commands or attempt to remove him from the island, this contract is null and void.

They acknowledge that Laiser Tectre resides on this island and will continue to act as Lord, acknowledging that on this island, torture and slavery are forbidden, and magical effects creating similar relationships upon the island remain null void."

He paused.

He took a deep breath.

"Whew! That's quite a mouthful. Never had to put a contract that long in before. I think I remembered everything you asked for. Any objections?"


* * *

OOC - If anyone just wants to pull out a gun and shoot Laiser or has any conditions or concerns, just let me know. I'm moving ahead in the spirit of moving things ahead.

I promise as the GM, Laiser is not planning an ambush or trap or anything that will stop you from leaving the island, unharmed, and still in control of the situation.
This message was last edited by the GM at 13:42, Tue 16 Oct 2018.

Increase moved to the scale first, placing his hand upon it and looked to Lasier dispassionately as the binding took place. He listened to the terms of the agreement, unsure as to why they didn't just outright kill the parasite given the conditions they had set. All the same it made no difference to him in the end.

"I agree to the terms."

Increase then removed his hand and began moving out of the building. He took a pause at the door however, speaking over his shoulder.

"Lasier."

"I have never come to hate you but our time has come to an end. Do not seek me and I shall not seek you. Even should such a time come that you earn the ire of my allies I shall not come to slay you."

He then turned to his allies.

"I will take the Doctor with us. I believe his talents will be useful."

Plaga walked up to the scale next, and placed her skeletal hand on it.

"I agree to the terms"

This was highly suspicious. It made no sense that someone that once held so much power was now becoming a slave willingly. There had to be a catch, or something they were missing. But in any case, the contract was rather straightforward.
Plaga and Kanua followed Increase out of the room. To the rest of the undead under her command, who were mindless husks unlike Kanua, she ordered to bury themselves deep underground, where they wouldn't be able to hurt anyone once Plaga released her control.

"Scholar. May I have a word with you? From what i gathered, you were working for Lasier, is that true? I wish to know more about how he got his hands on me. He gave me a name, Lady Malusvir, but I know nothing about such a person. Perhaps you happen to be able to enlighten me on the matter?"
This message was last edited by the player at 14:44, Tue 16 Oct 2018.

"I agree to the terms of the contract." Spoken with her hand on the scale, as required. Laiser had chosen servitude over death. Death would have been her preference, but if they were going to leave him alive, he was not going to cause them any more problems.

"When we are done here, I would like to know the names of those who sent us here."

  Gaja politely turns away the offered meal and can be caught peering suspiciously at the food more than once.  It's nothing compared to how distinctly uneasy she appears at the notion of touching that scale, but after some of her—what? allies?—suffer no ill effects, she follows along in kind.

  "It is... An oath, yes?  I agree to the terms."

---

  She leaves the building on her own, afterward, and spends her time hiking around the island, raising strong springs in a few spots where the streams shouldn't become a problem in heavy rain.  She hadn't seen any fresh water sources yet, and there was no telling what Laiser would still be able to provide, shackled like that.  She'd left the scorpion to sun itself on a large rock to the east side of the manor, and she had sounded very certain that string she tied around one of its legs would keep it from going anywhere.
This message was last edited by the player at 19:13, Tue 16 Oct 2018.

"Agreed," said Claire, hand on the scale. "For your first task for me, I want to know who was responsible for the death of Sarah Durand."

Marius steps forth and puts his hand on the scale. He had listened and scrutinized the deal and seemed mostly pleased with it.

"I agree to the terms of this arrangement as well."

He looks around at the others some, trying to process much more so now just who he was dealing with.

Once agreed to, Laiser repeated the deal, this time for real.

The deal was broadcast in every language and the pronouncement was made.

"So, I have a lot of orders to give out and servants to free. The Scale is right here. I'll untrap and arrange to have it moved when you are ready to leave.

I also have a loy of pay I need to calculate. If you need anything, of course I'm at your service.

I'm afraid I don't know the name by heart. I'm guessing bright Republic? I don't have great sources there, but I don't know a couple people.

I'll add her to the dossier list to prepare."

"Bright Republic. She was the daughter of an important executive of Bright Records," said Claire coolly.

In reply to Plaga, The Doctor of Death (msg # 99):

Scholar slowed his pace when Plaga approached. He gave her an appraising glance as she spoke and then thought to himself. There was a moment of sudden revelation as relevant information poured into his mind. A series of images and dates and facts, all shown through a thousand different vantages and spoken in tongues which he had not learned but knew all the same.

"If her name was Lady Malusvir then she is of Vissio. Its a honorific title of sorts given to recognize those who have given great service to the nation although being derived from fallen houses as they are its a slightly morbid tradition."

"That aside the titles are region specific meaning she is likely from the corrupt southern provinces. With their strong ties to piracy and government corruption it is likely that she came into possession of you and used underworld contacts to have you sold."
This message was last edited by the player at 01:30, Wed 17 Oct 2018.

"I see... then she isn't likely the responsible for my death, but it's a good lead nonetheless. Thank you Scholar. If you ever needs my services, don't doubt asking."

Plaga hurled a small bag to the slave master, and were he to inspect it's contents, he would find a silver powder that he may recognize as a powerful hallucinogen, normally used for recreation purposes.

"A little token of appreciation. If not for yourself, I'm sure some of your acquaintances would appreciate it. It's my own creation, I can guarantee you have never experienced anything like it."

Laiser noted the name with a stroke of his golden pen. "I will record the name. It will take quite some time to get word from the Republic, but my men in Vissio may be able to get info from the Republics traders and expatriots."

Once she was done with Increase, Plaga took Kanua to an isolated place apart from the others.

"Kanua, I'm about to release you of your forced control. I'm gonna ask you once more, will you serve me even if you aren't compelled to do so?"

If the answer is affirmative, Plaga will release Kanua from her bondn (Reclaiming the effort).