Raising Hell [Storyline Post]|Naurorod
Feb 2, 2012 4:04:08 GMT -5
Post by Darastrix on Feb 2, 2012 4:04:08 GMT -5
((OOC: The priests accompanying Die--with the exception of Dare and Sparky--are all up for adoption.
Edit: The priests' profiles are here))
It had been slow-going to reach the desert. First, Diederik had needed to select the priests to come with him. Dare was permitted, as he already knew of the matter and he'd been the one to assist in the sacrifice that had successfully brought the imp to them. After that--for the sake of versatility--he'd selected a variety of elements as well as choosing from each of the temple wings. Let the lesser priests quibble over trying to determine which of them appeared to have been the most "favoured" while he was gone. It would give them something to do.
He'd also carefully chosen from the senior Evil priests who to fill his roles while he was gone. They might manage to kill each other in the meanwhile, and he fully expected an assassination attempt by the priest left standing when he returned, but that was all right. He planned to kill them, too. That is, if the priest didn't get killed trying to snoop in his sanctum. He had a few little surprises there, not the least of which involved contact poisons that would build up in a person's system over time.
Then there was, of course, arranging the trip itself, gathering supplies and whatnot. Ostensibly, he was making a pilgrimage to Athrug, which, as a priest of Taed, he had every right to do. The slaves he had accompanying them served a few purposes, as the official story went. They were all Waters, which was of course useful in the desert. He’d also hinted that he might donate a few to the temple there. As servants, of course, since Naruta’s people tended to get up in arms over the idea of slaves. The possibility of being left in Athrug appealed enough to the slaves, particularly the Narutan-born, that they didn’t put up much fuss on the journey. Of course, the bulk of them would be given to the desert volcano or possibly to whatever might come out of the volcano, but they didn’t need to know that. A few people back in Morilanta, however, had been fed the idea that he was going to make a sacrifice to his lords at the volcano since it was unlikely that one would be able to make a human sacrifice to Taed even in his own home. Much muttering and shaking of heads at the backwards Narutans had followed. Likewise, his fellow priests didn’t need to know that those of them with fitting signs would be thrown in if the slaves didn’t suffice, and not even they were safe if he needed a more…quality gift for a demon.
As far as curious locals went, his story was that he was donating a measure of wealth to Taed, and taking more to the Peak of Flames as a true sacrifice. Items of value had been brought as well. Some would indeed be given to Athrug, and the rest was for bribes and gifts as they were needed. All in all, he felt he had his bases fairly well covered.
As they made their way to the volcano, Die thought of his companions and amused himself with thoughts of what their fates on this excursion might be. Dare wasn’t a Water, so he would be spared from sacrifice. Not to mention, he was both entertaining and useful. You please me, Die thought, smiling behind his mask. If I must, I will betray you last
Pentarius…hm. Die had chosen his Evil brother because the secretary bird affinity was at least somewhat suited to hot climates, and he was an Ice to boot. Plus, he wasn’t ambitious. He was a dependable tool once bought and paid for—something that had cost him in his past military career, but that made him quite valuable now. He would be among the last to die if it was needed. His Beast sign probably wouldn’t hurt anything, and the Ice would likely help. Otherwise, he would make a good servant for the right lord.
Maybe they’d make him a secretary, just for the sake of amusement. Well, it was something he’d do.
Young Weiss, however, would be one of the first priests to be sacrificed. The Ronduin native had both Ice and Water signs, and lacked the amount of connection and influence that other priests had. Another thing to thank Rajani for, Die supposed; she’d been the one to execute the boy’s mentor, along with the rest of the Efilian priests. Weiss was a pure sadist, and his enjoyment of the slaves’ fate would likely drive away any worry that he might share it.
Dawn was another who’d be relatively “safe.” Die’s spies within the temple had ferreted out the secret-keeper’s secret: she was a Clear. That in mind, he couldn’t really blame her for forgoing having her tongue cut out, even if it did mean she was viewed as a lesser priestess among the Thuothans. A mute Clear wasn’t much of a Clear. Sacrifice-wise, she was worthless. Gift-wise, though, she would be stellar. The first to be offered, in fact.
I do hope she tries to ensnare me if it comes to that. The look on her face would be priceless.
Priestess Cecilia, he actually hoped might come out all right. She had some minor influence among the lesser houses by birth and marriage and was a good ally to have. And she was good to have in the face of, say, a demon. Faked or no, the Worgan at least kept up the appearance of being fearless and unflappable, and he needed someone able to stand there and keep their head. Her having natural heat resistance by virtue of Fire signs was another bonus. Didn’t have to worry about her dropping dead out here.
Nor did he have to worry much about Sten’s health. The Taedean was built like a brick wall and had the benefit of a Fire sign of his own. That, plus his Earth sign, would be of use around the peak. If things went pear-shaped, he would be the one best-suited to take stock of things and come up with some sort of strategy if needed. He and Dawn would work together well. She was quick to react, and he could play the long game.
Oh, who am I kidding? They’ve probably been working well together already. I wonder if it would be too crass to send them thank you gifts for providing me with blackmail material…. Sten’s infidelity wasn’t exactly unknown, but the man had never flinched at threats to inform his wife before. Of course, the word of the High Priest would carry considerably more weight.
Caudius was…interesting. Well, most Etafian doomsayers were, in an odd sort of way. The man rode along, convinced that if it was Etaf’s will, this would work. If not, it wouldn’t. Die wondered if the Wind-Water would be so complacent if they decided to toss him in. He’d found that many people tended to decide that if Etaf wanted them to live, it would be by their fighting their way out instead of just going along calmly waiting for some other event or person to intercede.
Then there was Sparton, a Storm-Ice to whom Die had given the nickname “Sparky.” He tolerated it surprisingly well, for a man of his short temper. And stature. Die couldn’t even hear him grind his teeth together anymore when he said it. Cousins of Wind Storms might be, Die thought it too close to Fire to do more than break even if he tossed Sparky in, so the Evil Soahcian wouldn’t be taking a scorching swim, either. Being a demon’s jester, though…. That idea had merit.
Well, whatever happened to them all, it promised to be an interesting evening. “Not long now,” he remarked to no one in particular. “Then we’ll all get to see one hell of a show.”
Edit: The priests' profiles are here))
It had been slow-going to reach the desert. First, Diederik had needed to select the priests to come with him. Dare was permitted, as he already knew of the matter and he'd been the one to assist in the sacrifice that had successfully brought the imp to them. After that--for the sake of versatility--he'd selected a variety of elements as well as choosing from each of the temple wings. Let the lesser priests quibble over trying to determine which of them appeared to have been the most "favoured" while he was gone. It would give them something to do.
He'd also carefully chosen from the senior Evil priests who to fill his roles while he was gone. They might manage to kill each other in the meanwhile, and he fully expected an assassination attempt by the priest left standing when he returned, but that was all right. He planned to kill them, too. That is, if the priest didn't get killed trying to snoop in his sanctum. He had a few little surprises there, not the least of which involved contact poisons that would build up in a person's system over time.
Then there was, of course, arranging the trip itself, gathering supplies and whatnot. Ostensibly, he was making a pilgrimage to Athrug, which, as a priest of Taed, he had every right to do. The slaves he had accompanying them served a few purposes, as the official story went. They were all Waters, which was of course useful in the desert. He’d also hinted that he might donate a few to the temple there. As servants, of course, since Naruta’s people tended to get up in arms over the idea of slaves. The possibility of being left in Athrug appealed enough to the slaves, particularly the Narutan-born, that they didn’t put up much fuss on the journey. Of course, the bulk of them would be given to the desert volcano or possibly to whatever might come out of the volcano, but they didn’t need to know that. A few people back in Morilanta, however, had been fed the idea that he was going to make a sacrifice to his lords at the volcano since it was unlikely that one would be able to make a human sacrifice to Taed even in his own home. Much muttering and shaking of heads at the backwards Narutans had followed. Likewise, his fellow priests didn’t need to know that those of them with fitting signs would be thrown in if the slaves didn’t suffice, and not even they were safe if he needed a more…quality gift for a demon.
As far as curious locals went, his story was that he was donating a measure of wealth to Taed, and taking more to the Peak of Flames as a true sacrifice. Items of value had been brought as well. Some would indeed be given to Athrug, and the rest was for bribes and gifts as they were needed. All in all, he felt he had his bases fairly well covered.
As they made their way to the volcano, Die thought of his companions and amused himself with thoughts of what their fates on this excursion might be. Dare wasn’t a Water, so he would be spared from sacrifice. Not to mention, he was both entertaining and useful. You please me, Die thought, smiling behind his mask. If I must, I will betray you last
Pentarius…hm. Die had chosen his Evil brother because the secretary bird affinity was at least somewhat suited to hot climates, and he was an Ice to boot. Plus, he wasn’t ambitious. He was a dependable tool once bought and paid for—something that had cost him in his past military career, but that made him quite valuable now. He would be among the last to die if it was needed. His Beast sign probably wouldn’t hurt anything, and the Ice would likely help. Otherwise, he would make a good servant for the right lord.
Maybe they’d make him a secretary, just for the sake of amusement. Well, it was something he’d do.
Young Weiss, however, would be one of the first priests to be sacrificed. The Ronduin native had both Ice and Water signs, and lacked the amount of connection and influence that other priests had. Another thing to thank Rajani for, Die supposed; she’d been the one to execute the boy’s mentor, along with the rest of the Efilian priests. Weiss was a pure sadist, and his enjoyment of the slaves’ fate would likely drive away any worry that he might share it.
Dawn was another who’d be relatively “safe.” Die’s spies within the temple had ferreted out the secret-keeper’s secret: she was a Clear. That in mind, he couldn’t really blame her for forgoing having her tongue cut out, even if it did mean she was viewed as a lesser priestess among the Thuothans. A mute Clear wasn’t much of a Clear. Sacrifice-wise, she was worthless. Gift-wise, though, she would be stellar. The first to be offered, in fact.
I do hope she tries to ensnare me if it comes to that. The look on her face would be priceless.
Priestess Cecilia, he actually hoped might come out all right. She had some minor influence among the lesser houses by birth and marriage and was a good ally to have. And she was good to have in the face of, say, a demon. Faked or no, the Worgan at least kept up the appearance of being fearless and unflappable, and he needed someone able to stand there and keep their head. Her having natural heat resistance by virtue of Fire signs was another bonus. Didn’t have to worry about her dropping dead out here.
Nor did he have to worry much about Sten’s health. The Taedean was built like a brick wall and had the benefit of a Fire sign of his own. That, plus his Earth sign, would be of use around the peak. If things went pear-shaped, he would be the one best-suited to take stock of things and come up with some sort of strategy if needed. He and Dawn would work together well. She was quick to react, and he could play the long game.
Oh, who am I kidding? They’ve probably been working well together already. I wonder if it would be too crass to send them thank you gifts for providing me with blackmail material…. Sten’s infidelity wasn’t exactly unknown, but the man had never flinched at threats to inform his wife before. Of course, the word of the High Priest would carry considerably more weight.
Caudius was…interesting. Well, most Etafian doomsayers were, in an odd sort of way. The man rode along, convinced that if it was Etaf’s will, this would work. If not, it wouldn’t. Die wondered if the Wind-Water would be so complacent if they decided to toss him in. He’d found that many people tended to decide that if Etaf wanted them to live, it would be by their fighting their way out instead of just going along calmly waiting for some other event or person to intercede.
Then there was Sparton, a Storm-Ice to whom Die had given the nickname “Sparky.” He tolerated it surprisingly well, for a man of his short temper. And stature. Die couldn’t even hear him grind his teeth together anymore when he said it. Cousins of Wind Storms might be, Die thought it too close to Fire to do more than break even if he tossed Sparky in, so the Evil Soahcian wouldn’t be taking a scorching swim, either. Being a demon’s jester, though…. That idea had merit.
Well, whatever happened to them all, it promised to be an interesting evening. “Not long now,” he remarked to no one in particular. “Then we’ll all get to see one hell of a show.”