Midnight RPG - Chapter 14.72
Kevin
- [This scene takes place after Zal'Kazzir frees the imp-like Outsider from his bonding prison above Vrolk's bedchamber... Assume the imp speaks to you all with these words in public, if you have something private to speak with it about - do so in another Bluebook (please ASK me BEFORE beginning a new private article.]
The little imp... like a tentative diplomat. The look in its eyes speaks decades. It keeps eye contact with you, slowly moving to each "lord" in the room as it cautiously moves, as to not insite agitation, and it seems to be processing this new information all the way... Listening prior to being set free the Outsider coughs, clearing its throat in ever so untreatening a way... Recalling the tonalities of the Erenlander tongue, it speaks...
"Information is life in the land beneath the Shadow, my lords... My friends...", as if slipping into conversation...
It’s little belly swells and shrinks with each breath. Then it bows before you.
"How EVER may I be of service, ma-lord?", it asks in a soft, mature and courtly voice.
The imp has a courtesan manner about it as it collects those things taken from it when imprisoned, it continues...
"Forgive me, I have you at minor disadvantage ma-lords. While I can see that you have wonderfully disguised yourselves to no doubt fool the fools about Master Vrolk's Black Nail, I have the advantage of knowing your race and creeds, as would my mother know her own childlings... Forgive. You may not be familiar with such as strange fellow as I...
My kind was sent to Aryth in ages past, unkownable to even the eldest of fey, our roles... to play privy to kings, queens, couquerors and courtly aspirations. Quite pointedly to negotiate with the wizards and kings of the day.
Sadly as the Shadow fell, the mountain that was hurled from the heavens RIPPED the very fabric of the cosmos in such a was that a large number of my kin, kith and kind were stranded during that Sundering.
It is my soul wish, NAY - responsibility, ma-lords, to aid those that seek refuge from the Shadow and mallevolent minions of Aryth to make deals with whatever channelers, wizards, and collaborators will have us. We Outsiders remain natural ambassadors, bridging the divide between earthly mortals and unearthly evils.
"It is with newfound thanks that I must offer now, to you my new MASTER", it says looking at Zal'Kazzir.
"You have certainly let loose my perverbial chains, freeing me from my decades of torment at the hands of an elf, barron of elven sensibilities... Not to speak of his lacking in the manner in what makes mortal man into kingly might. Though it is with great sorrow that you have learned my true name...", as his finger flutters a touch at the ashes resulted from Zal'Kazzir's burning of the skin marked with the word "NAZIF".
'Tis true you, good sir, have freed me. Yet in knowing the ture name of my kind you now hold me sway, beneath your benevolet brow. It is with this, MASTER, that my heart weeps... For rescued me from doom, you are my samaritan, my conservator, my deliverer, my knight, my liberator, my rescuer, my salvager, my hero, you are my salvation... You ma-lord, I would have followed unto the Shadow-Scar., the little courtisan looks away in humbled thought (at the same time glancing to see if your heart-strings are pulled as intended!)
For unlike many of my breathern, I would have followed a true pathwalker, a heroes-journeyman unto the Gates of HELL!
And now... bound as I am, I shall march, to your drum. Though, forgive my insolence MASTER, but I feel it is my duty to unveil my heart as much my mind - my mind grows heavy that it must be without choice in the matter. More a slave than a devout. I only wish there were way that you might see my loyalty to the cause without the necessity of the incorporeal shackles that tie my bond to you forever ma-lord..., Nazif looks up with whimpering eyes.
(ADAM, for your eyes ONLY, see below for a Sense Motive check on this)
Pushing the mist from his bulbous eyes the little ambassador nods to each of you.
Looking you in the eye - not to make ANY one of you feeling less than the other...
"As I said ma-lords, my TRUE name is Nazif how EVER may I be of service."
Midnight: North & South Portal
- [EVERYONE BUT Zal'Kazzir FIREWALL THIS: With Zal'Kazzir's insight into "hirelings" such as this, having heard of them in the past, possibly even dealing with a few in the past - the Imp's motives, while a large portion sincere, are truely his own... It is obviously to Zal'Kazzir that this little one is in good use of all his attributes. Playing to your simpathy, playing on his deminative size - hoping that you will release him from servatude. He is (and will likely always) try to escape his newest "bonds". Being "in-service" to anyone isn't the best option, as you know. While Nazif, may eventually become your confidant - who's to say you can/should ever REALLY trust him for not trying to "get free". This is just a reminder based on Zal's abilities. It MAY or MAY NOT be true in the long run. Nazif MAY truly become your best friend in the future, willing to give his life for you. That all depends on the relationship YOU cultivate! heheh...]
Like a tentative jester. The look in its eyes says something else. It keeps eye contact with you as it draws near, and seems to be scheming all the way. It’s little belly swells and shrinks with each breath. Then it bows before you. “How ever may I be of service, lord?” it asks in a soft, mature voice.
Courtesan imps are small demons sent to Aryth in ages past to negotiate with the wizards and kings of the day. Alarge number were stranded during the Sundering and now make deals of their own with whatever channelers, wizards, and collaborators will have them. They are natural ambassadors, bridging the divide between earthly mortals and unearthly evils.
While all courtesan imps are out to make themselves powerful, every one is a coward first, and a traitor second. Courtesan imps survive through stealth and trickery, lying and stealing as it suits them.
Collaborators slowly develop reputations as negotiators, go-betweens, and social connectors in the corrupt courts of Erenland and beyond. The collaborator first attracts the attention of evil powers outside the perview of Izrador and gains a courtesan imp as a hireling, if he wants one. Unlike regular hirelings, however, a courtesan imp improves over time: it gains one Hit Die for every three levels the collaborator gains in any class.
COMBAT
Courtesan imps consider combat to be the same as dying. The promise of protection in combat is often enough to keep a courtesan imp loyal. When caught in a fight, a courtesan imp attempts to talk or feint its way out.
- Entreat (Ex):Acourtesan imp is an expert intermediary. This ability gives the imp the benefit of a permanent tongues spell and predisposes NPCs to treat the imp with open-minded indifference rather than hostility. Courtesan imps use this ability to approach new collaborators and open peaceful dialogues with would-be enemies.
- Rumormonger (Ex): A courtesan imp has a flawless memory for details, rumors, gossip, and secrets. Plus, its tiny body and ability to vanish lets it eavesdrop with confidence. Acourtesan imp uses its Hide or Move Silently skill to make Gather Information checks, without ever engaging in questioning or social interaction of any kind. With 1d6+1 hours to eavesdrop and a successful check (DC 22), the courtesan imp can learn enough information to gain a +4 bonus on Diplomacy or Bluff checks against a single person for one day.
- Spell-Dealing (Su): In the old days, courtesan imps traded in spells as part of their duties on Aryth. A courtesan imp can “carry” a spell from a book or scroll to a channeler who wants to learn it. The channeler must spend the time, money and XP necessary to learn the spell from a book as usual, but does not have to physically see or handle the book or scroll himself. This ability destroys the scroll the spell was taken from.
A courtesan imp can carry only one spell at a time, which must be of a level equal to or less than the imp’s Charisma modifier. The courtesan imp does not have to be able to use or understand the spell itself. The spell comes seemingly written on the imp’s body. Typically, a courtesan imp charges 25 gp/spell level for this service. - Vanish (Su): As a full-round action, a courtesan imp can vanish from sight. So long as the courtesan imp doesn’t attack or move more than its speed per round, it’s effectively invisible. Courtesan imps often use this ability and the spider climb spell to escape dangerous situations.
- Spells Known (5 points of spell energy/day; DC 15 +spell level): 0—mage hand, prestidigitation, virtue; 1st—jump, pass without trace; 2nd—cat’s grace, spider climb, tree shape; 3rd—meld into stone.
