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Post by DM Private P on Feb 9, 2024 13:12:12 GMT -5
Deep in a strange dark cavern a female drow and a giant muscular male orc argue over who has the most powerful deity. As they argue a dark skinned human emerges. "Perhaps I can help you settle this," he says with a silken voice, "My master would like to see the answer to this debate and so wishes to create a contest. Whoever creates the most chaos or spreads it best will not only be pronounced the winner, but he offers this."
The man pulls a "hide" from his pack and presents it to the two before continuing. "I think you'll both be intrigued by this prize as this creature created problems for both of your deities. Think of the favor you would get by acquiring such an offering."
The honeyed words combined with the sight of the hide cause the orc and drow to slink off into the dark to plot while the man laughs wildly.
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Post by DM Private P on Feb 13, 2024 18:15:08 GMT -5
Giselda finished sewing the patches forming the cloak. The man's instructions were very detailed, but confusing in the order he wanted them sewn. Still he was the customer and with the 300 lions he paid her in advance she could look forward to buying her grandkids some toys they'd love. As the last stitch was finished she unfurled the cloak and spread it out to see the whole thing displaying her skill. However, the sight of her work caught her breath in her throat. The scream that began was drowned in blood as she coughed and it spilled down out of her mouth. She stumbled forward glancing back seeing the dark skinned customer holding a curved knife with blood dripping off the blade. Her face scrunched as she asked, "You'd stab... *bloody cough* a woman... *bloody cough* in the back?"
"My dear seamstress," the man spoke matter of factly, "it is the safest way isn't it?"
As her strength left her Giselda found herself sprawled out on her dirt floor wondering if people like her ever got avenged. The man hunched down next to her smiling at the finished cloak and laughed a wild laugh that made Giselda feel even colder than the loss of blood. As she died the last words she heard when the darkness overtook her was, "My master commends your skill."
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Post by DM Private P on Aug 3, 2024 10:23:45 GMT -5
The man standing in front of the altar picked the cloak up from it and fastened it around his neck. A slight smile grew across his face as he felt stolen power accessible to his whims. He exclaimed, "Ah what a fine day to don such a garment. The long ears and others celebrate while we make merry in our own ways!" As he spun around the assembly bowed before him and chanted, "As the Black Sun rises all shall be bathed in darkness!" The cloaked man exuded power as he rubbed the fine soft skin the mantle was made from against his cheek. "Go and do what I have commanded," he uttered, "You know the penalties of failure, but as they celebrate they'll never see what you do for their pride and arrogance blinds them all." The crowd scurried away as mad laughter filled the temple.
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Post by DM Private P on Aug 18, 2024 19:22:08 GMT -5
The cultists assembled slowly over time so as not to draw suspicion. As they finally gathered they saw their master standing behind the altar. "My friends," he began, "I greet you and hope that you had a pleasant Shieldmeet."
Many chortled at that statement and the leader continued speaking, "I have gathered you here so that you might witness the power of the Dark Sun. Bring forth the captives."
A man in filthy rags and crusty armor was wheeled towards the altar in chains. Some of the cultists hurled insults at him while others mocked his weakness. He stood defiantly before the altar as if knowing his fate was sealed no matter his reaction. The cloaked leader questioned the wretch, "Do you deny the glory of The One and the All?"
"Do your worst," the captive adventurer spat, "I'll never bend my knee to the Mad God!"
"Very well then," the cloaked leader raised his hands and uttered foul words. The elf depicted on the back of his cloak glowed in a dark purple sheen and the captive slowly began to turn to stone. The chained man felt terror grip his heart and pain wrack his soul as his feet slowly petrified and the malaise crept up his body. He screamed as the mob chanted loudly, "We give our lives to The One and the All! May the Dark Sun illuminate all in its inexorable truth!"
"Feel the truth of The One and the All as it spreads throughout your body! He has gifted me such power that I may protect the faithful and weaken our foes. I would tell you to bow down, but that seems quite cruel to one whose legs are made of stone now. Perhaps if you beg for forgiveness The One and the All will have pity upon you," the cult leader offered.
The man did his best, but the pain was so great he couldn't help himself and the words feel from his lips, "P... please... have mercy!"
The leader smiled and laughed, "Of course fine fellow!"
However, he allowed the man to turn to stone slowly and painfully to the chanting of the faithful. He lashed out with a hammer shattering the man's arms, legs, and finally his neck. As he picked up the man's stone head he saw the tears dripping from the eyes as they were the only thing not petrified. The master held the head up high and let the tears drip down into his mouth. "Refreshing are the tears of the heretic turned faithful," he said with a smile to the mob, "Let this be a lesson to you all should your faith ever waver. Now that you've witnessed the power granted by the One and the All you know what your next tasks are to fulfill. Go forth and bring glory to his name!"
The people slowly dispersed as they had assembled and the master of the cult stroked the stone cheeks of the head whispering to a petrified ear, "Do you truly believe anyone can seriously stop us? Adventuring folk of Cormyr might be strong, but they're every bit as stupid."
Mad laughter echoed within the temple as the head wept from nonstop pain and soulcrushing knowledge that he'd betrayed his faith for a terrible fate.
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Post by DM Private P on Aug 25, 2024 20:42:48 GMT -5
The leader finished his sensual dance upon the dark purple glowing cloak that lay upon the altar to The One and the All with the beautiful follower. She’d caught his eye awhile ago, but time hadn’t been his friend with the tasks he needed to complete. However, as goals were being met ahead of schedule he could enjoy himself with some fun. As he slipped the dark Sembian silk robe on his eyes caught sight of a shadowy flicker towards him. He caught her hand before she could stab him in the back of his neck and he smiled. “Almost my dear,” the leader chuckled before continuing, “your skills are quite well honed. Perhaps if I were a lesser man I would’ve been more vulnerable. The One and the All is pleased by you.”
He gently caressed her face with his free hand as the other snapped her arm. As the bones in her forearm cracked she let loose a whimper and looked down ashamed in her failure and the pain flooding her being. The cult leader licked her tears and spoke comfortingly, “Fear not for I can taste your faith and desire. The One and the All rewards the ambitious and has a special plan for you, but first.”
Both of his hands realigned her broken bones and a dark prayer healed the break quickly. “Now go and spread chaos in your wake my love,” his face twisted into a mocking sneer as he said the word love, “I know you’ll do fine out there in furthering the faith of Dark Sun.”
As she left the room the master picked up the glowing cloak and noticed the dark purple hue was a bit brighter than before. Rubbing his face upon the mosaic of skin patches a smile grew wide upon his face and he whispered, “I wonder if they know.”
The cloak felt marvelous upon his skin and the thought of how right that orc had been with his suggestion made him laugh maniacally.
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