Atlantic Roleplay Community Boards

[Thrax]

---

The intonations of the liturgy of sacrifice had barely died away when Lord Thrax turned to those in attendance, seated in ebony stone chairs watching intently. Five were present: Alicia, the current priestess, Ivan Blackhands, Marcus Tyrannus, Skurj, and Eye of Oggaroth. Facing them, he began to speak:

"The plan goes well. Yew, Felucca, while not officially ceded to us has nevertheless fallen under our domination and influence. We have persuaded enough of the wealthier and more independent merchants to pay the protection fee and may therefore dispense with trying to force it upon them all. This is but the beginning of the growing power of darkness that will engulf the realms and extinguish the light of the virtues forever.

It is needful now that I go to make special preparations for an event that will add to the way of destruction and strife like never before. Sadly, I must go alone. You may not follow, nor will you be able to contact me. Therefore, I leave the oversight of our operations into your capable hands.

Alicia, you will continue to conduct the daily sacrifices. Ivan will secure the proper sacrificial victims from among the unsuspecting townsfolk of Yew, especially among any nobles who will be traveling through. You must not fail to perform the rituals daily. You must also continue to give the Duke small doses of the antitoxin. Place it in his food. Do not concern yourself overmuch with guarding him. Whether he remains our prisoner or not, he has been seriously afflicted and will be dependent upon us for his very life.

The rest of you will continue to search for the renegade drow. Lady Molly has not agreed to aid us in detaining them. We are, therefore, on our own. However, if you can, enlist the aid of the Order of the Ebon Skull. The reward is theirs if they can find and apprehend those two. Continue to train. Enlist any who are willing to add their strength to ours. We must increase in number and skill, for war is coming... indeed, it is at our very doorstep. We must be ready for it when I return. The Order may wish our help, and we shall give it to them.

Should the drow fall into our hands, imprison them and wait for my return before torturing them. I will have my way with them before anyone else. They will learn what true suffering is... by such means that would make even their kind envious.

I will leave within two days. If you find the drow before then, good... all the better. I will nevertheless deal with them only when I return.

My wishes, as the Hand of Oggaroth, are made known to you. Fulfill them, and please him."

The five stood and wordlessly saluted. Thrax returned the salute and sent them on their way, confident that they would not fail him.