Sarcazmo47: Soo...

Sarcazmo47: If I were a plotpoint, where would I be?

Dark Japheth: To re-explain the premise

Dark Japheth: There are six plot events, mandatory. Red dots on the map.

Dark Japheth: Gotta visit them before the country is *officially* delivered to Skocion's certainly worthwhile hands.

Dark Japheth: First things first.

Dark Japheth: Skocion, you are in your office, chilling, having a cigarette, pissing your pants. It happens about twenty minutes after the little girl came to visit you.

Dark Japheth: It is... Johnathan Feralit, a youthful Disciple.

Dark Japheth: He's sweating, and waiting outside your door, afraid to knock.

Sarcazmo47: Good for him!

Sarcazmo47: Disciple of what?

Dark Japheth: Disciple. You know, that third of the church YOU belong to?

Dark Japheth: :P

Sarcazmo47: When I become aware of him, I want for a moment to see if he's going to knock or walk away.

Sarcazmo47: *wait

Dark Japheth: He keeps standing there. Sweating. And he's flinching at every step heard in the building.

Sarcazmo47: Skocion lets him stew until he makes a decision.

Dark Japheth: After literally about 20 minutes, he knocks. Twice. And lightly.

Sarcazmo47: "Enter."

Sarcazmo47: Skocion lights one up as the fellow enters.

Dark Japheth: He comes in, and is immediately on his knees. "Skocion! Duke Atrox!"

Dark Japheth: "I have pressing... pressing news."

Sarcazmo47: "Yes, that's me. Close the door."

Dark Japheth: He shuts the door. "We... we all have a problem."

Dark Japheth: "A little problem."

Sarcazmo47: He patiently takes a drag. "Elaborate."

Dark Japheth: "..the left hand is dead."

Dark Japheth: He flinches, expecting you to strike him.

AndrewRogue: ("Yes. My left hand is dead. How'd you know?")

Sarcazmo47: Skocion grins around his cigarra. "Yes? How and when?"

Sarcazmo47: Is the left hand the cleric or the paladin?

Dark Japheth: "...about... fifteen minutes ago."

Dark Japheth: (paladin)

Sarcazmo47: "Fifteen?"

Dark Japheth: "Fifteen. Maybe 10."

Sarcazmo47: "So why were you waiting ouside my door for half an hour, then?"

Dark Japheth: "...It was fifteen when I left. I'm sorry sir!"

Dark Japheth: "I didn't accout for the travelling time or the.. waiting period."

Sarcazmo47: He waves his hand. "Fine. Tell me everything, from the begining."

Dark Japheth: "...he was found, in the Manus Nigrum, the Black Hand that serves as his Citadel."

Dark Japheth: "He was dead. A lethal blow to the head. The clerics suspect a brick. He... he was completely soulless. The contingent reanimation spell on him... failed."

Sarcazmo47: Skocion blinks. "A brick?"

Dark Japheth: "His guards saw nothing. In fact, they only discovered his body after the cry. And the perpetrator had just teleported away- but thats supposed to be impossible in the Manus Nigrim."

Dark Japheth: "A brick, or stone. Or fist. Something."

Dark Japheth: "And there's more." But he's quiet and it takes him about fifteen seconds to continue.

Dark Japheth: "...They found something there. Something someone said belonged once to ... a mage who used to do freelance work for the church."

Dark Japheth: (looking for picture now...)

Sarcazmo47: HAHAHA

Sarcazmo47: "And the name?"

Dark Japheth: Yeah.

Dark Japheth: "...Azuth. I think."

Sarcazmo47: "Azoth?"

Dark Japheth: "Yes. Thats it."

Dark Japheth: "...and you've been using that name."

Dark Japheth: "..the divinations.. say you killed him." He flinches. Poor guy. Want a sense motive?

Sarcazmo47: Sure!

*OnlineHost*: Sarcazmo47 rolled 1 20-sided die: 14

Sarcazmo47: 24.

Dark Japheth: He's been sent here to basically find out if you killed the Left Hand.

Sarcazmo47: He takes another drag.

Sarcazmo47: What does this mean to the church?

Sarcazmo47: If I did do it, would they kill me in retaliation? Or is it Lolth-like and I get the office?

Dark Japheth: Lolth like. I've said as such before.

Sarcazmo47: Yeah.

Dark Japheth: The strong rule because they do not die.

Sarcazmo47: "I seem to be fresh out of bricks."

Dark Japheth: "I said only that the wound looked like a brick wound."

Sarcazmo47: He grins and leans forward. "Go back and tell them this. He who wishes to call himself the Fist Of Shaitan should first seek me out. In the meantime, the men of Shaitan in Tamerand would do well to heed my words."

Dark Japheth: "...thats the problem, Duke, sir."

Sarcazmo47: "What?"

Dark Japheth: "None... none wishes to claim it. Azoth's mask is there. And... and everyone... who has tried to touch it... has... burned their hands."

Sarcazmo47: Skocion sighs.

Dark Japheth: "Before they could touch it! It starts melting your flesh!"

Sarcazmo47: "Very well. I will go there."

Sarcazmo47: "Go back and tell them that when I return, I will speak. And all of them should hear it."

Dark Japheth: "...it is done, Master." He bows, and runs out. He hits the door in his haste to leave, and stands up again, running out.

Sarcazmo47: Do I know where the Manus Nigrum is?

Dark Japheth: Yes.

Sarcazmo47: Where?

Dark Japheth: Its in Asgard. Underground. Its a cave of lava. But you've been there before. When the Left Hand decided to personally punish you for the arts.

Sarcazmo47: Right.

Sarcazmo47: Allright.

Sarcazmo47: Time for a ROAD TRIP.

Dark Japheth: Not powernapping?

AndrewRogue: Yay Road trip!

Dark Japheth: :P

Sarcazmo47: He tells Eniac that he has to attend to some buisness in Asgard but that he can't wait to see her again.

Dark Japheth: She responds favorably.

Sarcazmo47: Annnnd.........3 2 1 GO

Sarcazmo47: SUPERHORSE

Dark Japheth: Fast forward!

Sarcazmo47: The others are advised via telepathy.

Sarcazmo47: Since we HAVE THAT NOW

Dark Japheth: Do you take Krist, or Barrit? Or Rhiannon?

AndrewRogue: Yay telepathy!

AndrewRogue: *Riannon

Sarcazmo47: That entirely depends on if they get online.

Sarcazmo47: So at the moment, no.

Sarcazmo47: Actually, no, because they're doing their things.

Sarcazmo47: Riannon is taking charge of the druids.

AndrewRogue: Speaking of, we aren't gonna need me for a little while, right?

Sarcazmo47: Krist is taking charge of the roads.

Sarcazmo47: Andrew!

Dark Japheth: Actually.

Sarcazmo47: You're going to get introed!

Dark Japheth: Your character is plot point 2.

Dark Japheth: :P

Sarcazmo47: And did you ever get your char sheet done?

AndrewRogue: Need armor.

AndrewRogue: But yeah.

AndrewRogue: And... is point 2 now?

AndrewRogue: Or is it in time for me to get dinner?

Dark Japheth: Go off and start fooding.

Sarcazmo47: FOOD'D

AndrewRogue: Yay food! Be back soon!

Sarcazmo47: So

Sarcazmo47: When he reaches the Black Hand.

Dark Japheth: There is a crowd of nearly two hundred clerics and paladins.

Sarcazmo47: Hot damn.

Dark Japheth: Mostly low level. A few faces you recognize- Gilliard, for one.

Sarcazmo47: He moves past them all, toward where the dead man and the mask are.

Dark Japheth: There is a corpse, red hot, and with a mask upon his face. The fat is bubbling and has been for a while.

Dark Japheth: http://elfwood.lysator.liu.se/art/m/a/matthewg/ aarathornsmasks.jpg.html

Dark Japheth: The one on the far right.

Sarcazmo47: Skocion steps up, past all of them, and kneels beside the body.

Sarcazmo47: Does the corpse still have his armor and trident?

Dark Japheth: Yes.

Sarcazmo47: Go.

Sarcazmo47: Skocion kneels beside him, and watches the fat slowly bubble for a moment.

Sarcazmo47: Then he nods and reaches out for the mask.

Dark Japheth: The mask does not burn you.

Sarcazmo47: And he plucks it up off the dead man's face.

Dark Japheth: Everyone literally gasps.

Dark Japheth: "Azoth! He did it!"

Dark Japheth: Murmurs.

Sarcazmo47: He holds the mask in his right hand, then, still kneeling, takes the trident beside him in his left hand, then stands up, still facing away from most of the crowd.

Sarcazmo47: Then he turns to face them all, after a moment to school his features into hard lines.

Sarcazmo47: And he opens his mouth to speak.

Sarcazmo47: "The Fist is dead."

Sarcazmo47: "And now, there is no Fist."

Sarcazmo47: "Nor will there ever be."

Dark Japheth: A few murmurings.

Dark Japheth: None speak against you.

Sarcazmo47: "Today is the end."

Sarcazmo47: "Today, there is no more church - there are no houses or Fallen, no Unrepentant. There are only renegades."

Sarcazmo47: "You have all followed the Fists. You have followed them away from a true cause."

Sarcazmo47: "You have followed them into purposelessness."

Sarcazmo47: "Shaitan has forsaken you. You actions are meaningless to him, and meaningless to me."

Dark Japheth: None says a THING.

Sarcazmo47: "There is no Fist. He that wishes to walk forward and claim his place, do so. Live a life of paranoia. A wasted life."

Sarcazmo47: His voice beings to rise in volume.

Sarcazmo47: Slowly.

Sarcazmo47: "There is no Fist. The Hand of the Black Lord needs no Man to take its name. There is no Fist. There is no purpose in it. There is no purpose in your lives. You have been decieved, or decieved yourselves.""

Sarcazmo47: "There is no Fist. Some of you know already of what I speak."

Sarcazmo47: "You all have felt it."

Sarcazmo47: "The face of your God turned away from you."

Sarcazmo47: "You are as ants without a queen, flailing wildly in a large, dark world."

Dark Japheth: Not. A single. One. Responds.

Sarcazmo47: "There is no Fist."

Sarcazmo47: "So, stay here. Make another man your King, and eat from his hand until he dies. Know that lives are lies - that every day Asgard stands is a day it refutes every word from your mouth."

Sarcazmo47: "BROTHERS, THERE IS NO FIST."

Sarcazmo47: "THERE IS NO FAITH HERE."

Sarcazmo47: "THERE IS NO PURPOSE."

Sarcazmo47: "THERE IS ONLY EMPTY POWER."

Sarcazmo47: He raises the trident.

Sarcazmo47: "THERE IS NO FIST!"

Sarcazmo47: He tosses it aside.

Sarcazmo47: "Some of you need no purpose. Some of you live you lives, and it is enough. I do not care. The Black Lord does not care. His hands are washed of you and yours."

Sarcazmo47: "But all of you today know. There is no Life in this."

Dark Japheth: "Then what is the point? The purpose?"

Dark Japheth: A youthful unrepentant speaks up, stepping forward.

Sarcazmo47: "Today? There is none. Tomorrow? It is to stand before the Black Lord and speak to him, and know that what you do you do for Him. By Him.

Sarcazmo47: That you serve the Purpose you were born for. That you became my Brother to fulfill."

Sarcazmo47: He smiles almost kindly.

Sarcazmo47: "Brother.....there is no Fist."

Dark Japheth: "What is the Black Lord's will?"

Sarcazmo47: He nods. "Follow me, and I will show you what I have seen with these eyes."

Sarcazmo47: "Or stay here."

Sarcazmo47: He gestures behind him to the trident.

Sarcazmo47: "And fight for that."

Dark Japheth: He nods.

Sarcazmo47: Then, without another word, he starts to walk through the crowd.

Dark Japheth: They part for you.

Sarcazmo47: He still holds the mask.

Dark Japheth: A full half of them follow you. The other half remain behind, to bicker over the trident. A few ogres, about 50 humans, and the 25 or so elves.

Sarcazmo47: And Gillard?

Dark Japheth: Follows.

Sarcazmo47: Eeeeeeeeeeeexcellent.

Sarcazmo47: Okay.

Sarcazmo47: What will follow will basically be a terrible version of Jesus preaching on the hill.

Sarcazmo47: He takes everyone that follows and stands on a hilltop, speaking.

Sarcazmo47: Accepting questions.

Sarcazmo47: Talking about his vision.

Sarcazmo47: About being perfect instruments of the Black Lord.

Dark Japheth: "What defines being a perfect instrument of the Black Lord?"

Sarcazmo47: Of making a Rightous World by his teachings.

Sarcazmo47: "The perfection of self in his image. The perfection of the world in his image."

Sarcazmo47: He teaches that superiors are not superiors by rank - they are superior by ability and experience. He teaches that trechery is self destructive- moreover, that it is stupid.

Sarcazmo47: He teaches that abusing your underlings is criminal.

Sarcazmo47: He teaches that mercy and sympathy and empathy are not weaknesses - they allow you to know your enemies That only by loving your enemy can you truly defeat them.

Sarcazmo47: What, he teaches, is weakness, is hesitation.

Sarcazmo47: Dedication is the chief virture.

Sarcazmo47: Sacrifice.

Sarcazmo47: Embracing what you must do in the face of Love.

Sarcazmo47: The Dead God was the master of Hate. You must Love - and in Loving, destroy, master, control.

Sarcazmo47: Madmen can kill their sons withou flinching. But the father that loves his son, that clutches his son to his bosom and cries and he kills him - that man is the strongest.

Sarcazmo47: His will is the strongest.

Sarcazmo47: His dedication is the strongest.

Sarcazmo47: His sacrifice is the greatest.

Sarcazmo47: And his reward is perfection.

Sarcazmo47: He will be at this for DAYS.

Sarcazmo47: Clergy probably come and go.

Dark Japheth: Indeed.

Sarcazmo47: Hopefully more come than gol.

Dark Japheth: What name do you use?

Sarcazmo47: As word spreads.

Sarcazmo47: What name?

Sarcazmo47: He calls himself the Son.

Dark Japheth: Oh, most everyone comes. Once listening to your words, what do they say?

Sarcazmo47: He tells them they are all sons of Shaitan.

Dark Japheth: They spread your words.

Dark Japheth: A few write them down.

Dark Japheth: For the sake of amusement, a diplomacy check.

Sarcazmo47: DICE OF AEONS, GIVE ME YOUR POWER

*OnlineHost*: Sarcazmo47 rolled 1 20-sided die: 14

Sarcazmo47: 30 something.

Dark Japheth: Goody.

Dark Japheth: Keep going.

Dark Japheth: Do you put on the mask when you preach?

Sarcazmo47: Yes.

Sarcazmo47: Yes I do.

Sarcazmo47: 31 was the total.

Sarcazmo47: I rock the diplomatic house.

Dark Japheth: Thats a 33 total.

Sarcazmo47: Is it?

Dark Japheth: The mask gives you effective +2 charisma to charisma related skill checks.

Sarcazmo47: I'll keep that in mind.

Sarcazmo47: Yes. How many days can he do this until he finally has to stop and rest?

Dark Japheth: I figure three.

Sarcazmo47: Then so he does.

Sarcazmo47: And at the end of the third day, he more or less stumbles down the hill and falls asleep in the grass.

Dark Japheth: Important points to go over- are you still preventing women from being clerics and paladins of Shaitan?

Sarcazmo47: No.

Dark Japheth: Or do you annihilate that cruel practice.

Dark Japheth: Wonderful.

Sarcazmo47: He does indeed.

Sarcazmo47: Does the Right Hand Of Shaitan ever make an appearance?

Dark Japheth: Point 2- do you make a distinction between what constitutes a merit?

Dark Japheth: No.

Sarcazmo47: What precisely do you mean?

Dark Japheth: Most of the assassins he sends to you listen to your words. That diplomacy check was to determine how they reacted to your words.

Dark Japheth: IN other words

AndrewRogue: Okay, sorry, back.

Dark Japheth: People are based on merit and ability,.

Dark Japheth: thats ranks.

Dark Japheth: rank.

Sarcazmo47: Yes.

Sarcazmo47: Ah!

Sarcazmo47: You mean, how rigid is the organization?

Sarcazmo47: He creates more of a cell network.

Dark Japheth: So I get the impression.

Dark Japheth: You are creating a schism in the church.

Sarcazmo47: Precisely.

Sarcazmo47: A big one.

Sarcazmo47: Like, Roman vs. Byzantine

Dark Japheth: Now, you did say "superiors are superiors based on merit and skill rather than rank and virtue of being superior." So. Naturally, everyone wants to know how to improve merit. What is good.

Sarcazmo47: Ahhhhhhhh.

Sarcazmo47: He will compose a list of virtues.

Sarcazmo47: To include Sacrifice, Love, Dedication, Ruthlessness, Fortitude, Discipline, and Justice.

Sarcazmo47: Yes, he includes Justice as a virture of Shaitan.

Sarcazmo47: If I were speaking OOC, I would say that Int and Cha are the attributes Skocion would value most highly.

Dark Japheth: In which order?

Sarcazmo47: Int, then Cha.

Dark Japheth: This will alienate a few clerics. A lot of paladins will hate that you don't value Str, Dex, and Con above all.

Sarcazmo47: Yes.

Sarcazmo47: That's why he speaks for days.

Sarcazmo47: Fielding their questions.

Sarcazmo47: Explaining why your arm is not the favored tool of Shaitan, but your mind.

Dark Japheth: Is Alex online?

Sarcazmo47: No, why?

Dark Japheth: Damn, he is but unavailable.

Dark Japheth: Nothing.

Dark Japheth: :P

Dark Japheth: ANyway.

Dark Japheth: Do go on.

Sarcazmo47: The clerics...

Sarcazmo47: The clerics now.

Sarcazmo47: They he deals with a bit more gently.

Sarcazmo47: Like a man guiding the lost back to the light, so to speak.

Sarcazmo47: He also weeds those that are devoted to Shaitan from those who get spells from Shaitan.

Dark Japheth: If you have it, start listening to Seventh Sign, by Yngwie Malmsteen,.

Sarcazmo47: And and makes the difference very clear.

Sarcazmo47: He also emphaisizes Brotherhood much more.

Sarcazmo47: They are all brothers, and should treat each other as such.

Sarcazmo47: Is the injunction against lying straight from Shaitan or is that a church thing?

Dark Japheth: You aren't sure.

Dark Japheth: The chick thing was total church.

Sarcazmo47: Hmmm.

Dark Japheth: Maybe, too, the lyring.

Dark Japheth: lying.

Sarcazmo47: Chick thing?

Sarcazmo47: Ah.

Sarcazmo47: Yeah.

Sarcazmo47: He will teach that lying to your Brothers is a mortal sin.

Sarcazmo47: And the Virtues he's laid out do not encourage deception as a way of life.

Sarcazmo47: But it is possible to need to lie in some situations. Lying without cause, though, earns beatings.

Dark Japheth: Mmkay.

Sarcazmo47: Basically, he cuts the distinction from being between lie vs. hiding the truth and makes it honesty vs. deception instead.

Sarcazmo47: Deception is sometimes necessary, but it is not what they stand for.

Dark Japheth: The ultimate question- can a cleric or paladin of shaitan, under you, play as Roland?"

Sarcazmo47: Yes.

Sarcazmo47: Yes he can.

Sarcazmo47: Or the princess, now that women are allowed.

Sarcazmo47: One other thing he isnstitutes.

Sarcazmo47: People are initiated in pairs.

Dark Japheth: Oh?

Sarcazmo47: Yes.

Sarcazmo47: They learn Brotherhood from the very beginning.

Sarcazmo47: In time, some die, of course, so not everyone is paired all the time.

Sarcazmo47: But all start with their closest brother.

Dark Japheth: Or sister.

Sarcazmo47: Yes.

Sarcazmo47: Preferably, they are paired cleric to paladin.

Dark Japheth: After you tell this to all of them.

Dark Japheth: Gilliard has a question.

Sarcazmo47: And it is?

Dark Japheth: "Duke Atrox. Those who are in the church. Should we find willing members to join? That those who are already in must have a Brother or Sister of Shaitan?"

Sarcazmo47: He's asking if they should all pair up?

Dark Japheth: Indeed.

Sarcazmo47: Yes.

Dark Japheth: Alrighty.

Sarcazmo47: When a Brother loses a brother, he should eventually pair with another in the same situation, though not necessarily right away.

Sarcazmo47: He stresses the value of teamwork.

Sarcazmo47: And trusting your brother.

Dark Japheth: The next question of course is what of spite? If intelligently calculated and well done, how does your church view revenge?

Sarcazmo47: Revenge?

Sarcazmo47: He sees Revenge and Spite as two different things.

Dark Japheth: A tall elf, in a cloak, is the one who asks this question.

Sarcazmo47: Spite brings you no closer to perfection, but Revenge is a part of Justice.

Sarcazmo47: Moreover, all men have passion, and denying it is tantamount to emotional suicide.

Sarcazmo47: But in matters of both Hate or Love, you should never act on your own - you should share everything with your Brothers.

Sarcazmo47: They will help you see what must be done, and do it.

Sarcazmo47: However, acting out of pure spite is not worthy of Shaitan.

Sarcazmo47: Abusing someone just because you can is criminal.

Dark Japheth: The man nods, and backs into the crowd.

Sarcazmo47: Does he leave?

Dark Japheth: No. He keeps listening.

Dark Japheth: Spot check.

*OnlineHost*: Sarcazmo47 rolled 1 20-sided die: 20

AndrewRogue: (What a waste <.<)

Dark Japheth: (yeah)

Sarcazmo47: Indeed.

Sarcazmo47: Any other questions?

Dark Japheth: You should probably write all this stuff down.

Dark Japheth: There are no other questions.

Dark Japheth: Summarize. Then it can get teh put on the site

Dark Japheth: As the rules for Skocion's Schism Splinter of Shaitan.

Dark Japheth: The SSSS, one might say. >.>

Sarcazmo47: Summarize?

Sarcazmo47: Argh.

Sarcazmo47: Help me out here.

Dark Japheth: You don't have to do it now.

Sarcazmo47: What do they start calling themselves?

Sarcazmo47: As a group?

Dark Japheth: If you have no input

Dark Japheth: the Brotherhood of Shaitan.

Dark Japheth: You will note that after about the second day

Dark Japheth: They begin to actually say his name.

Sarcazmo47: Who, Shaitan's name?

Dark Japheth: Rather than referring to him as the Dark Lord, He Who Sees All, The First and Forsaken Lion, the Lightbringer, or whatever title.

Dark Japheth: Yep.

Sarcazmo47: Goooood.

Sarcazmo47: How long does Queklain stay in the crowd?

Sarcazmo47: ....whups.

AndrewRogue: (XD)

Sarcazmo47: WELL

Sarcazmo47: *shoots self*

AndrewRogue: Why? I didn't read anything?

AndrewRogue: *.

AndrewRogue: I'm eating.

Sarcazmo47: THAT'S RIGHT YOU DIDN'T

Sarcazmo47: *shoots Andrew*

Dark Japheth: He is in the crowd until it disperses to tents.

Dark Japheth: And sleeps.

Dark Japheth: He will then seek you out alone.

Sarcazmo47: Oh good.

Dark Japheth: "We had an agreement, Baron. Or should I say duke, now."

Sarcazmo47: "Say whatever you like."

Dark Japheth: "You have reneged on our agreement. What then is the punishment?"

Sarcazmo47: "To be fair, the timespan of our agreement has not yet expired."

Sarcazmo47: "But you're right, I have no intention of entering Alexander's Vault in the coming months."

Dark Japheth: "I apologize for my hastiness. Sometimes, it is hard to distinguish."

Dark Japheth: "May I ask why?"

Sarcazmo47: He takes off the mask. "Because I am not ready."

Sarcazmo47: "And because I am needed here."

Dark Japheth: "Now that, amusingly, was not part of the agreement. And this has only sprung up in the last week or so."

Dark Japheth: "Before this all occurred, before power came into your hands randomly, like an infant who learns to cast spells years before he should, what would your excuse have been?"

Dark Japheth: His red eye fixates on your mask.

Sarcazmo47: He smiles.

Sarcazmo47: "I need no excuse. And I must admit I would be surprised if you were truly angry."

Dark Japheth: "Oh, I didn't expect you to do it. Which is why I was surprised beyond belief that you even agreed to it in the first place."

Sarcazmo47: "Marquis, you will live much longer than I will. If you truly want a golem, rest assured that eventually I will get it for you. I will have to go down there one day. Or take your serum and leave.

Sarcazmo47: "As for our agreement...it was for Landus's sake, not yours or mine, that I made it."

Sarcazmo47: "For my Brother."

Dark Japheth: "I don't want a golem. That wasn't the point or purpose behind me asking."

Dark Japheth: "And I'm aware. You do know that he is engaged to Caradoc? Your.." he stops before he says much more.

Sarcazmo47: He smiles.

Sarcazmo47: "How long have you known me?"

Dark Japheth: "Your henchman and your relative. Your bloodlines will be intertwined forever. For ever. Until the day you die. And beyond."

Dark Japheth: "You, or Azoth?" He quips back.

Sarcazmo47: He laughs.

Sarcazmo47: "We are rapidly becoming one person."

Sarcazmo47: "But you know what I mean."

Dark Japheth: "...How ironic."

Dark Japheth: "All the years of my life, I have known you."

Dark Japheth: "Many in ages past have known you by your other names. The gods have taken notice, Skocion. You are reverting to your old ways."

Sarcazmo47: "Am I? Forsooth, and I didn't even know it!"

Sarcazmo47: "Maybe you should tell me about them, so I don't make the same mistake again."

Sarcazmo47: He taps his skull. "Or maybe you should just open the locked doors in my mind with your magic. No? A pity."

Dark Japheth: "If my suspicions are correct, Julius, the last time you came, and joined the church of Shaitan, crusading for it, and what not, you reformed it."

Dark Japheth: "And turned it into something unique, and special. SOmething powerful, something that actually competed with the Dead One."

Dark Japheth: "And was talented enough to not fall under his charismatic shadow."

Dark Japheth: His eye focuses on your head. "I cannot undo what has been done to you. Only you can."

Dark Japheth: He grins, his teeth a little too pointed, his hands upon a serpentine staff.

Sarcazmo47: Skocion sighs. "Why are you here, Illphukir?"

Dark Japheth: "Our fate is intertwined, Skocion. I will fall by your hand, or you by mine. I do not wish to hasten the encounter- even now, the outcome of that is dubious at best."

Dark Japheth: "And works in neither of our interests."

Dark Japheth: "I merely wished to know what you were doing. And whether or not you would like or ask for my assistance." As an afterthought. "brother."

Sarcazmo47: Skocion looks at him with a frank look of disbelief.

Dark Japheth: "I'll take that as a no, then?"

Sarcazmo47: "You would help me?"

Dark Japheth: "Not in the way you'd like. I won't swing my scythe and crack open that safe that is your mind."

Dark Japheth: "I will keep you hidden, such that your intent cannot be divined. And I have someone to take the place of your left hand."

Sarcazmo47: Skocion looks at him.

Dark Japheth: "Of Landus."

Sarcazmo47: You can hear the question, why?

Sarcazmo47: Why?

Sarcazmo47: But he knows he won't get an answer, so the question stays unasked.

Dark Japheth: "As I said. Our fates are intertwined. By keeping you alive, I extend my potential."

Dark Japheth: "If nothing else, you will serve as a distraction, that the gods smite you before me."

Sarcazmo47: Skocion takes a deep breath. "Very well. Brother. Bring me your man."

Dark Japheth: "I will not. I will merely inform him as to your location, and see if he will willingly aid you. Your goal might not be noble enough for him. I would suggest.. well. Actually. He might like your brotherhood."

Dark Japheth: "How the hell would I know?"

Sarcazmo47: "One day I will remember you."

—MEANWHILE, QUEKLAIN GOES TO DO HIS THING—

Dark Japheth: One night, as you sleep. You wake up, maybe.. fifteen minutes after laying down. You are sweating. And scared. You aren't quite sure why...

Chromeus18: all swordskill hurts my face

Dark Japheth: When... out of nowhere, a scythe blade pops out of the air, and cuts a literal hole. From which Testament pops out.

Dark Japheth: I mean... the Marquis. Your good old friend, the Marquis.

AndrewRogue: *he grunts as he sits up, half reaching towards his coat* "Oh. Its you."

AndrewRogue: *he tries to hide the nervous edge on his voice*

Dark Japheth: "I haven't yet bothered you this way." His red eye gazes at you, the other one looks straight ahead at the wall, wistfully.

Dark Japheth: In his hands are a simple book.

AndrewRogue: "No. This is a new way. Any particular reason for this intrusion into a poor man's room?"

Dark Japheth: "Poor? Well. This is true." He looks about the room and its meager surroundings. "Haven't you ever wished for something better?"

AndrewRogue: "Aye."

Dark Japheth: "I myself could not live in such.." he doesn't say the word FILTH, but it practically pours off his tongue in implied bleh tone.

Dark Japheth: "I have just the man for you to meet."

AndrewRogue: "Oh really now Marquis?"

Dark Japheth: His eye scans up and down, fixating on your two gauntlets, and then his normal eye begins to scan you up and down. "How would you like to meet the savior of a world, Zerekiel?"

Dark Japheth: (By the way, your name reminds me a lot of Zirekile. You know, those falls where Gafgarion betrays you?)

Dark Japheth: (Goddamn. :P)

AndrewRogue: "Well now. That is indeed a man this humble preacher would like to meet. The savior has finally come, eh?"

Dark Japheth: "What do you know about the church of Shaitan?"

Dark Japheth: He grins.

Dark Japheth: Knowing you are innately going to be uncomfortable.

AndrewRogue: *he frowns* "Now there Marquis. I'm not too fond of that little following and you know it."

Sarcazmo47: Who was it that caused the Great Schism in the Catholic church?

Dark Japheth: Luther

Dark Japheth: Martin Luther, I believe. :P

Dark Japheth: "Guess what. This man happens to agree."

Dark Japheth: "He is a member... or was, rather."

Dark Japheth: "He's caused a schism. Promoting brotherhood. Justice. All that happy crap you seem to love."

Dark Japheth: "Mercy. Love. Understanding."

Dark Japheth: He hands you a small book. There is no title, for a title would be meaningless.

Sarcazmo47: Hey, Mercy wasn't on the list.

Sarcazmo47: :-P

Dark Japheth: Inside, the only words that indicate an author are "Martin, Son of Shaitan."

Dark Japheth: "He's not as bad as you'd be inclined to think. Taking out a lot of the innate evil of the church. He seems to genuinely want to make the world a better place."

AndrewRogue: "Innnteresting. Innnteresting. And who is this man that would do THAT with the Church of Shait-y?"

AndrewRogue: *he flips through the book briefly*

Sarcazmo47: You remember my lecture.

Dark Japheth: "You know him already. A noble. A duke, I think. He's fairly wealthy. And in need of ... someone to assist him."

Dark Japheth: "I believe your talents are adequate to replace the friend he lost."

Dark Japheth: The book is the lecture, but written in Olde Englishe so that stupid paladins don't understand and kill him right away.

Dark Japheth: Remember, attention, the level 16 paladin. You don't want to draw attention.

Sarcazmo47: Draw Attention.

Sarcazmo47: AL LG

AndrewRogue: "Hmmm... interesting. Interesting." *continues flipping through* "And he's not being smitten by Shaitan yet?"

Dark Japheth: "No.'

Dark Japheth: "Not in the slightest. Believe me, I've been waiting for it. But if it were to happen, it should, by all rights, have happened sooner."

Dark Japheth: "The gods are dead." He looks idly at the sky, but his red eye remains fixated on you. The book, actually, at the moment.

AndrewRogue: *he chuckles* "We hath been abandoned by the gods. Lords forgive us our trangressions that hath so severed us from heavenly bonds."

Dark Japheth: "They'd hear you. If they gave a shit. Mind if I smoke?" He doesn't even mean that, really, since he's lighting up as he speaks.

AndrewRogue: "G'on right ahead. So this fella is quite the man it seems."

Dark Japheth: "If indeed man he is."

AndrewRogue: *he flips idly* "He actually got people to go along with his."

Dark Japheth: "Ah. I know. It looks cheesy, so flimsy that even a moron could poke holes in its philosophy."

Dark Japheth: "But you need to hear him speak."

Dark Japheth: "If you do not, you can't understand."

AndrewRogue: "Well, I do consider myself something of a judge of speeches." *he chuckles as he glances more* "This is simply amazing. A brotherhood. To the Lord of Tyranny."

Dark Japheth: "Let me put it this way."

Dark Japheth: "The greatest Paladin the Dark Master had died. Mysteriously."

Dark Japheth: "And none has yet officially claimed his title."

Dark Japheth: "Nor his trident."

AndrewRogue: "Hoo'boy. Now that's an accomplishment. I figure half'a them would have killed themselves over it already."

Dark Japheth: "They were going to."

AndrewRogue: "I'm almost disappointed."

Dark Japheth: "So was I."

AndrewRogue: "So where can I find this amazing speaker anyhow? From the looks of it, this may be just the man I need."

Dark Japheth: "At the moment, on a hill in Asgard."

Dark Japheth: "In fact, I'd recommend you go there. Quickly. So he isn't killed by the paladins even now investigating the concentration of evil where he is."

AndrewRogue: *he grunst* "Dumb bastards would do that."

AndrewRogue: *he gets off the bed and quickly begins sliding his dull, black armor on* "I don't suppose the grand Marquis is offering me a hand getting there, eh?"

Dark Japheth: "Kill an angel that might disseminate information that undermines what they teach? Of course not!" His voice drips with sarcasm.

Dark Japheth: "I can't give you a ride. I'm mysterious plot NPC who just says things and never helps out!"

Dark Japheth: strike that

Dark Japheth: "Sure. Step through. I came from there, you know."

Dark Japheth: He points at the little gash.

AndrewRogue: *he finishes up with his dressing and slides the coat on, checking his guantlets, before finally sliding on his pendant* "Good to know you wanna be helpful today. Any particular reason?"

Dark Japheth: "If I told you, I'd have to kill you." He bows, and waits for you to go through.

AndrewRogue: "Well then it'd be off to paradise for me... and some more miserable years for you. Have fun Marquis." *he steps through*

Dark Japheth: Before he himself steps through.

Dark Japheth: He murmurs a few words and prestigitates the place CLEAN.

Dark Japheth: And SHINY.

Dark Japheth: And then walks through.

Sarcazmo47: Yay for OCD!

Dark Japheth: And cut to Skocion! Who is probably sleeping fairly soundly in his tent.

Sarcazmo47: He sure fucking is.

Sarcazmo47: Presumeably some of the brothers have taken it upon themselves to stand as guards for him.

Dark Japheth: Of course.

Dark Japheth: To Zirekiel- "Well. It seems he's sleeping now. I shouldn't think he'd be bothered, but I also know your strict time schedule."

Dark Japheth: His red eye looks to the guard a minute before his body does. "I request to meet with the teacher."

Dark Japheth: "...Ah. He's... umm... sleeping now, sir. Can you wait?"

Dark Japheth: Queklain turns to you. "Can you?" Its not a question, really, but he expects you to answer.

AndrewRogue: "Well now boy, would you be happy waiting for paradise?"

Dark Japheth: "Umm..."

Dark Japheth: And cut to Skocion!

Sarcazmo47: I like this guy already.

Sarcazmo47: Skocion?

Dark Japheth: Who is now being gently pushed by a random guy in Demon Plate.

Sarcazmo47: Skocion wakes up!

Dark Japheth: GENTLY tousled.

Sarcazmo47: GENTLY

Dark Japheth: "Ah! Good morning Sir.

Sarcazmo47: "Mmm. Morning? Already? Damn."

Sarcazmo47: He gets himself up.

Dark Japheth: "..Umm.. no. Its not."

Dark Japheth: "The.. the dude with the red eye. He's here. And he has... someone. Someone with him. They... suggested that they speak with you."

Sarcazmo47: "Ah. Yes. I'll be right out to meet them. Thank you, Brother."

Dark Japheth: "Its my pleasure, brother."

Sarcazmo47: He claps the man on the shoulder, probably cutting himself a bit, and spashes some water on his face before heading out.

Sarcazmo47: And he steps outside.

Sarcazmo47: Wrapping a strip of cloth around his hand and slightly smiling.

AndrewRogue: *Zerikiel is probably politely talking to that young guard, his hands in his pockets*

Sarcazmo47: "Hello, gentles. What can I do for you?"

Dark Japheth: Queklain is naturally waiting, standing tall, his long black hair, straightened and perfect, blowing in the wind. Which is irritating him.

Dark Japheth: "This. This man would serve to replace both the frog and the bird. Which one left you, again?"

Sarcazmo47: He smiles. "Landus was unavoidably detained."

Dark Japheth: "Landus. Right. The bird."

AndrewRogue: "Oh, now this a surprise." *he offers out his left hand*

Sarcazmo47: Skocion takes it and shakes it. "Do I know you, sir?"

Dark Japheth: "Duke Skocion Atrox, meet your new left hand. Zerikiel, meet your newest employer- he who will bring paradise."

Dark Japheth: He's got an irrepressable smile.

AndrewRogue: "Well it wouldn't surprise me that you don't remember a simple preacher Duke Gillard-Gix-Martin-Skocion-Azoth." *his grip is firm*

AndrewRogue: "Did I miss any of your titles?"

Sarcazmo47: He blinks. "I'm not sure. I think you're mistaken, though - Gillard is another man."

Sarcazmo47: "I try not to forget faces. Or voices. But I must admit I don't remember you, and I apologize for it. When was it we met?"

AndrewRogue: "Five years back Gix, in the Marquis' mansion." *he studies Skoc carefully*

Sarcazmo47: He nods. "Please, come inside. What were the circumstances? I'll try to remember."

Dark Japheth: Queklain smiles. "For this, I think I'm... hardly necessary." He grins. "Remember to thank me once Zerikiel has paid his due." He nods, and begins walking backwards.

AndrewRogue: *hand back to the pocket* "Well, you n' the Marquis were quite interested in why I decided to leave the order of Tiyrael." *as an addition* "Go with grace Marquis."

Sarcazmo47: Skocion waves at him as an afterthought, already focusing on this new fellow.

Dark Japheth: "And also with you." And he cuts his way out of here.

AndrewRogue: "If I'm not misremembering, you were looking for Excalibur."

Sarcazmo47: He nods, and has a look of concentration on his face.

Sarcazmo47: "Why was it you left? If it's not a sensative subject."

AndrewRogue: "Not at all Gix. You mind if I sit?"

Sarcazmo47: "Please."

Sarcazmo47: "Have some water if you like."

AndrewRogue: "No thanks. Anyway, I left because the Order was no different than the rest of the world: corrupt and tainted."

Sarcazmo47: I see.

Sarcazmo47: "I see."

Sarcazmo47: "And what fills your days now?"

AndrewRogue: "Ah. I believe I have filled that description. I'm nothing more than a man of the people. A preacher sometimes, helper to the poor others. Just doing my part in returning man to paradise."

Sarcazmo47: "Returning?"

Sarcazmo47: He sounds a little surprised.

Sarcazmo47: "Have we ever reached paradise?"

AndrewRogue: "Why yes we have Gix. We were born of the divinity, and were, at least for a short time, perfect." *he smiles, never removing his hands from his pockets* "We had paradise, 'till we so foolishly tossed it aside."

Sarcazmo47: "Why is that, do you think?"

Sarcazmo47: He fetches himself a small metal cup and dips it into the water, taking a drink.

Sarcazmo47: It still has a slightly red tint to it from the blood on his hands when he washed them.

AndrewRogue: "I've never quite figured that out myself." *he shrugs emphatically* "Man has all the chances he desires to reatain the paradise he hath lost, yet he persists in this squalid manner of life. I don't have the slightest

AndrewRogue: clue. Maybe its the pride of man, our hubris if you will. We didn't make the paradise, so we couldn't take it."

Sarcazmo47: "So do you think man will keep on like this until he can make his own paradise?"

AndrewRogue: "He shall make a heaven of Hell and build his mighty hall of Pandemonium."

AndrewRogue: "He shall make a Heaven of Hell, and a Hell of Heaven."

AndrewRogue: "Man really is a foolish creature. I think you spoke of this before though Gix. Returning the world to the Paradise it once was."

Sarcazmo47: "Yes, I suspect I did."

Sarcazmo47: He nods.

AndrewRogue: *he frowns* "Did? Now I really hope you aren't turning your ideas so soon after I glanced at those teachings of yours."

Sarcazmo47: "Well. I'd say we're a rather long way from Paradise."

Sarcazmo47: "I think my goals currently lie with Better."

Sarcazmo47: "Paradise can wait."

AndrewRogue: "Ah. Well of course. Things must progress in a certain order. Even our world was not built a single instant. To get to Paradise, man must first overcome his sinful ways."

AndrewRogue: "To see a metal shine, you must clear away the tarnish."

Sarcazmo47: Skocion grins. "So do we just wait for man to realize the error of his actions? Or must he be made to?"

Dark Japheth: (one could be waiting for three thousand years.)

Dark Japheth: (Ask scratch.)

AndrewRogue: "So few men understand the ways Paradise. And, as you can see, he refuses to do anything but persist in his corrupt and distasteful manner. That is why I do my work, to bring about the realization to those fools

AndrewRogue: who would refuse Paradise."

Sarcazmo47: Skocion nods.

Sarcazmo47: "There's a book of my teachings, now?"

AndrewRogue: *his hand slides up to another pocket and extracts a book* "A book by Martin, Son of Shaitan. Seems to be you still Gix."

Sarcazmo47: Skocion LAUGHS.

Sarcazmo47: "The name is Skocion these days, but I'm glad to see that my words are spreading."

AndrewRogue: "You travel under so many names G... Skocion."

Sarcazmo47: "And do other things besides."

Sarcazmo47: "How's the good fight been, then?"

Sarcazmo47: "Have you been making progress?"

AndrewRogue: "Its hard to tell sometimes. You think you're getting through to people, but so little ever seems to change, eh?"

Sarcazmo47: At that, Skocion nods deeply.

Sarcazmo47: An SM will tell you that he agrees a lot.

Sarcazmo47: "That's why I'm doing this."

Sarcazmo47: "I'm going to force change on them."

AndrewRogue: "I noticed. Gotta admit, its impressive Shaitan hasn't smoten you, or turned you to salt or something. Maybe the blindness is a recent development?"

Sarcazmo47: Skocion grins a toothy grin.

Sarcazmo47: "Shaitan is very aware of what I'm doing."

Sarcazmo47: "We've spoken about it at some length."

AndrewRogue: "WELL NOW." *he nods* "Now doesn't that just beat all?"

Sarcazmo47: He shrugs. "Does it?"

AndrewRogue: "Judging by this schism in this church, and what I know of Shaitan, the fact that you're still standing does."

Sarcazmo47: Bandon laughs.

AndrewRogue: (Three characters and that's the first slip.)

Sarcazmo47: "Shaitan couldn't care less about the church."

AndrewRogue: (I'm impressed.)

Sarcazmo47: DAMN

Sarcazmo47: FUCK

Sarcazmo47: GRRR

Sarcazmo47: FUCKITY FUCK FUCK

Sarcazmo47: Anyway.

Sarcazmo47: "Have you ever been to Tamerand, my friend?" SKOCION asks.

AndrewRogue: "On occassion."

Sarcazmo47: "What did you think of it?"

AndrewRogue: "A pretty shameful town. Almost as bad as Asgard."

Sarcazmo47: He nods.

Sarcazmo47: "I want to start with it."

Sarcazmo47: "I want to start making it Better. Maybe even work for Paradise."

AndrewRogue: "That's a pretty admirable goal. So I heard something about you losing a partner or a henchmen or a bird or something?"

Sarcazmo47: Skocion nods at that.

Sarcazmo47: "And unfortunate accident."

Sarcazmo47: *An'

Sarcazmo47: *An

AndrewRogue: "Would you like me to say the last respects for him?"

Sarcazmo47: "That's not necessary. I think he's still alive."

AndrewRogue: "Ah. Now that's a curious thing. Well if he's dead, may he go into his afterlife under the grace of the gods. If he's alive, well then best to him, eh?"

Sarcazmo47: Skocion grins.

Sarcazmo47: "Indeed."

Sarcazmo47: "So. Queklain brought you here because he thought I could use your help. Or that you could use mine."

Sarcazmo47: "What do you think of him?"

AndrewRogue: "Truly he just another part of the scum that tarnishes this world. But he is powerful, and a man to be respected."

AndrewRogue: *he's

Sarcazmo47: Skocion laughs.

Sarcazmo47: "I don't much like him myself. But I suspect he's right. Would you be willing to help me make Tamerand Better, sir?"

AndrewRogue: "Why I do believe that's why I was brought here. And I would indeed be interested in making it better. But I must inquire as to what services you require to make it Better."

Sarcazmo47: He grins.

Sarcazmo47: "You'll notice most of this band is armed."

Sarcazmo47: "I don't mean to fight to take the country."

Sarcazmo47: "But I mean to fight to keep it."

Sarcazmo47: "But most of all."

Sarcazmo47: "I mean to make it a place people want to live in."

AndrewRogue: *he nods* "I see. One must fight for what he desires in this world."

AndrewRogue: "Weeeeell, I suppose this humble preacher can help a little in that regard. Don't know how well I stand compared to these nicely armed fellas you got though."

Sarcazmo47: He laughs.

Sarcazmo47: "It's not the weapons that matter, preacher."

Sarcazmo47: "It's the strength of a man's character."

Sarcazmo47: "As you well know."

Dark Japheth: (This is so great.)

Sarcazmo47: (What is?)

Dark Japheth: (This RP makes me happy to DM)

Sarcazmo47: (Why?)

Dark Japheth: (Its good RP.)

AndrewRogue: *he keeps on grinning* "I do suppose you've got a point Gix. And I hate to brag, humility and all, but I do think I've got some strength in my character."

AndrewRogue: "At least more than those 'Paladins' who will try to stop you."

Sarcazmo47: Skocion nods. "Which reminds me, it would probably be best if we left this place. Would you be willing to travel with me, father?"

AndrewRogue: "I gotta say, I'm still a little sleep worn. Some walking should liven up the bones."

Sarcazmo47: (This may have been the smoothest PC integration I've ever seen.)

AndrewRogue: (It occasionally happens <.<)

Sarcazmo47: Skocion nods, and heads outside to rouse and speak with the Brothers.

Dark Japheth: (ESPECIALLY WITH GOOD RP)

AndrewRogue: *he stands up and he follows Skocion, those damnable hands in his pockets and that medallion bouncing on his chest*

Sarcazmo47: HAH!

Sarcazmo47: He rouses the Brothers and tells them to spread out into Amaryllis in groups of six and ten, and to spread the good word to all the rogue Brothers.

Sarcazmo47: And to return to Tamerand when they've done so.

Sarcazmo47: Try not to fight, and try harder not to get killed.

Dark Japheth: Very well.

Sarcazmo47: And!

Sarcazmo47: AWAY THEY GO!

Sarcazmo47: BUM BUM BUM BUM

AndrewRogue: *he walks with... well... he walks. What can we say. The guy is a little old. You expecting him to skip?*

Sarcazmo47: Nope!

Sarcazmo47: I'm expecting him to RIDE.

AndrewRogue: Curses.

Dark Japheth: OWNED

AndrewRogue: And what are they riding on?

Sarcazmo47: Horses!

AndrewRogue: *Poor Father Zerikiel appears to have never done that much, clambering up all awkwardly. But he manages.*

AndrewRogue: "So where is it that we're going Skocion?"

Sarcazmo47: "Tamerand. The capitol, actually."

Sarcazmo47: "That's where the Brothers will be converging, and that's where I'll be needing your help."

Sarcazmo47: "To teach and to guide. And to fight if it comes to that."

AndrewRogue: "I think I can still handle that, the teaching and guiding. And weeeeeell, I have had to deal with a little rough and tumble after a sermon some folks didn't appreciate."

Sarcazmo47: He nods. "Do you know many others in your line of work, father?"

AndrewRogue: "Sadly none who would be inclined to listen to a man like yourself, leading a group such as this."

Sarcazmo47: He shrugs.

Sarcazmo47: "Too bad. I take it your old clergy didn't appreciate your new perspective?"

AndrewRogue: "Its a sad fact that the men supposed to uphold good and justice in the world are so corrupt eh?"

Sarcazmo47: "Sad, but not unexpected."

AndrewRogue: *he nods in agreement* "They fail to understand sacrifice and necessity. Paradise is not this mired living that they offer the people of Asgard. I offer a path to Paradise and Salvation, and it seems you do too. An

AndrewRogue: enlightened man like yourself shall so rarely be appreciated in his own time."

Sarcazmo47: "I look forward to discussing this with you at length, father. Your teachings could be intergral to the New Brotherhood."

AndrewRogue: "Well I thank you for the compliment Skocion. But this humble preacher seems to hold little on the fine teachings you have."

Sarcazmo47: He laughs. "You shouldn't lie, Father. You're not very good at it."

AndrewRogue: "The curse of a holy man I suppose." *he shares in the laughter*