Trader of Favors, a Pactbinder.
Physical traits
Hell-Stuff Infused Body- I have the demon's strength, my body is as difficult to cut as stone and i can commit feats of might beyond even the most muscled mortal.
Demon-Eyed- There is little that can hide from the sight of a true demon, and with such sight i can pierce any illusion, see past any darkness.
Small Horns- I have small sharp horns growing upwards from my temples. Not the most intimidating or combat-worthy.
Demon's Claws- These claws, formed out of concentrated hell-stuff, can rend metal and tear flesh apart. They are useful both in and outside combat and are mostly retractable so as not to interfere with the use of my hands when i need them for more delicate tasks.
Various Minor Injuries-These things take a toll on me for now, but they will fade in time, especially if i can find some source of power to feed on...
Skills
Mercantilism (+5) Without skill in bargaining a pact-binder would be next to useless at his trade. My dealings with people of all kinds gives me a strong understanding of basic economics of all sorts, and great skill in barter and the negotiation of terms.
Power Brokering (+5) I am quite skilled in the subtle magic of transferring and consuming power, and in reaping the maximum Spritual benefit from my dealings with mortals
Clerical Skill (+5) I know how to keep careful records and write contracts without loopholes. I'm also handy at digging through written information quickly and effectively.
Diplomacy (+2) While i have a much easier time in establishing "Mutually Beneficial" agreements my past as a trader and pact-binder have sometimes necessitated that i soothe sensibilities and turn potential enemies into potential customers.
Perquisites
Linguist I've learned many languages across the span of many worlds. While i havn't retained all of those languages i did make sure to protect the knack i have picked up for learning them quickly.
Debt Metabolist Not all demons possess the power to manipulate debt by their own power and use it to their own ends, i do.
Thought Attunement My Demonic Horns give me the power to read the emotions of mortals with ease, and even provide me with enough of their mental context that i can mostly understand what a mortal says even when i do not know their language.
Inventory
Masterfully made Human Noble-man's clothing. (worn silk and linen material)
Centaur Leather Belt (worn)
Centaur Leather Boots (worn)
Ice Wolf Fur Cloak (worn Four empty inner pockets)
Masterfully made multipurpose Backpack ((worn), mostly empty.)
-Stone of Hellstuff
-Iron-Bound Spellbook (Titled: Beyond Apprenticeship: Arcana for the Intermediate Practitioner)
Metaphysical Hoard
Night Riddled Fear(0.2)
Night Riddled Wrath (0.3)
Night Riddled Hate (0.5)
You decide to spend the day waiting,discussing and planning with Thalei in her lair. Firstly you ask her the questions that she so offered to answer."
Exactly what does Kerrick hope for you to become before he takes you? And are you capable of lying to him? The least risky method would be to help you grow strong, let him take you (and us), and convince him that I am bound to serve and not to harm him. Then it is a simple matter of waiting for him to let his guard down"
Your suggested plan clearly fills the elf with unease, and she speaks in a small slow voice in response."
For me? He wishes to let me grow to the fullness of my strength and become skilled in surviving. I think he also hopes i will become more... pliant, after a certain amount of torment and loneliness. I expect he grows impatient however, my hatred for him has not abated over the years, and it took time for me to become willing to feed my... nature, and with it my strength. His next visit to me may be his last before forcing me to join his brood in full." Her mouth begins to form a hard line, and her words become grim and hardened. "
Or at least it might have been, if our alliance had not come to pass. I do not believe such a deception would currently be wise, while i might be able to lie to him a powerful compulsion still lies upon me, and if he commanded truth from me it might prove difficult not to give it."
"
When are you next scheduled to transform, and how much of your mind do you keep while in beast form?"
"
Nineteen days or so from now by my guess, and for three nights in a row. I've gotten much better at controlling myself over the years, though it's difficult. I can put... purpose and intention, to my actions, but every impulse i have is greatly intensified."
"
And what do you know of the surrounding lands? Are there people aside from the goblins within a few days march that we could raid?"
"
Within a few day's...?" She gives a few moments of serious thought before continuing. "
There are a few local tribes of animal-men nearby. Badger-Men clans to the south-west in particular have become particularly common, and even civilised by many accounts, due to trade with elven and human neighbors. One clan has even taken up residence within a forest retreat, as elven citizens. Some of their stronger leaders have made fortified burrows, while others have turned their tribes into trading caravans. Even further to the south and west are human settlements, though i know little to nothing about them, and they are not within easy walking distance." As she talks she begins rifling through some of her things, and from a bag produces various bones and other bits of fresh goblin viscera. "
There are nomadic Loon Folk to the west as well, not as organized or formidable, though also with less of value. When i still lived in the forests near the lake they were an occasional meal of mine, much more palatable than my current diet... " she grins viciously as she starts her fire and begins dropping her meal into the water of her cooking pot. "
... but then again, i hate goblins ever so much more, and nothing sweetens a meal quite like hate." from another bag she begins adding retrieving tiny pinches of dried herbs. "
There are Foul Blendec's in the forests to the east but... i stay away from those. Except for that there's not much i know of, you'll find wandering ogres or trolls around, but most things of note are at least a week of travel away. The sea to the south, mountains, dwarves and a labyrinth to the east, a mage's tower to the southeast, and of course ever greater goblin settlements to the north."
Though she's mentioned them in passing it's pointedly clear she's avoiding telling you much about the local elven populations, something all the more obvious considering that there is a sharp spike in fear whenever she comes close to talking about them, or the forests to the west.
...
After a day of waiting your servant at last arrives, rather unceremoniously crawling into the tunnel at about mid-day. The name of the imp is Narguthep, though it professes that you may call it anything you wish. You have little memory of the creature, and it is a piteous, mewling thing, with mottled skin of red and black, short horns, a slight whiplike tail and a pair of wings suitable for carrying it about. It might be waist-height if it stood up straight, but it's back is hunched. It explains that while it has no raw power with which to work with for the moment, that it is gifted with the ability to fool and trick mortal minds with illusion and suggestion. Narguthep is not likely to perform well in combat engagements however, having piteous claws and teeth with which to fight, and only a slight, delicate build to work with. When you explain the task you would like it to perform the imp delightedly exclaims that with it's keen demonic eyesight finding kobold spys should be a simple matter.
The Imp is bound to obey you nearly completely. The only stipulation within your contract entails that you cannot ask Narguthep to commit intentional suicide, it's still a raw deal however, as you can still order it to perform actions likely to result in the creature's demise if the action accomplishes something you consider worthwhile.
You however, have been considering leaving this hole, perhaps to go make contact with the local goblin people. Unless in your contemplation, and with added information you have decided you would like to go elsewhere. If so, are there any other actions you would like to take before leaving?
Author
Topic: Trader of Favors (A Rebooted Suggestion Game) (Read 15927 times)