RP:A Promise of Corruption

From HollowWiki

Summary: Jarith approaches Larewen for aid in ridding him of the Corruption and she accepts, provided she gets to keep the thing.

Hanging Corpse Tavern

This once-timber tavern has been rebuilt in sturdily vitrified blackstone and imbued with powerful protective magics that prevent occult fire and several other potentially harmful spells being cast within its walls. No effort has been spared to make what might otherwise be a bleak interior comfortable. The bar is made of polished stone with an oaken inlay, the space behind filled with a bustle of attractive barmaids, sundry barrels and a dazzling array of coloured bottles that glint in the light cast by a large wrought-iron candelabrum suspended from the ceiling overhead. Here, the one-eyed Steadman stands, ready to take orders for food or drink. Beyond the bar, stout tables are firmly bolted to the floor, though the high-backed chairs are freestanding. The hearth is a true feature, seeming to be cast from black lava into the shape of a colossal, laughing goblin's head, its maw gaping wide and deep, usually containing a merrily crackling fire. A delicious scent of roasting meats drifts in from the kitchens and a winding staircase leads to rooms upstairs. To the south are set cellar doors, usually kept locked unless a special event is taking place. The walls are hung with thick, richly woven tapestries depicting persons and events in the history of Vailkrin and the Vampiric race. There's also a notice-board near the entrance, where one may leave messages. Unobtrusive but ever-present are the security staff, staunch fighters ever ready to toss troublemakers out.




Larewen was seated at the bar, a glass of wine before her and a smoldering cigarette held betwixt scarred fingers. A lot had happened since Jarith had last seen her: namely, the torture. The elf’s once flawless flesh had been webbed with corruption, and then blackened with scarred runes that were carved into her flesh. Her eyes, mismatched with the left silver and the right brown, were fixed on her glass. She inhaled smoke from the cigarette. A scar in the shape of a 'Y' was visible on her chest, as if she'd been cut open.


Jarith had changed a bit all his own since their last encounters, the corruption was contained if only partially now, and growing every day. He was less patient than before, the knowledge than his strength was failing against the sentient disease was enough to have him seeking not the original choice of dark mages, but the one with whom he knew could do the job without animus. Larewen, she had changed, and those vivid blue eyes searched her over as he moved to take a seat at the lady’s table. “Larewen, I’ve not seen Rumiko in some time, I thought she was with you?” It was a brief curiosity, one that lead to a slow addition. “ If you have the time, I need to ask something of you.”


Larewen arched a brow upward, head turning so that mismatched eyes could regard the other. Her brown one studied his magics while her silver one took in his appearance - last time, she’d been completely blind. Her lips pressed into a thin line, though whether it was at his uninvited joining her or his words is hard to tell. “I have not seen her since you last saw me with her,” the elf stated simply. “What do you want? Have you come to destroy Vailkrin again?”


Jarith gave a patient, and strangely guilty half-smile. “ In my defense I was not myself, the corruption, as well the thought that Kasyr had killed her, led me to take regrettable actions.. She got the stone, she likely got what she wanted and left. I am sorry for what I did to harm you, and yours.” The gaze shifted back towards the gathering around them before focusing on a leather-bound journal he had used to translate the ancient frostmawian papers into. “ I need your help, with a procedure that is older than either of us. It has only been recorded once, and it requires a necromancer of skill. You are the only one I trust to not betray me. I would need a corpse, and your skills. It would be wise to ward yourself though, I know how the corruption feels in regards of you and your magic.” His power was seemingly non-existent, siphoned into the ring he wears, nullifying it.


Larewen smirked at Jarith, taking another drag of her smoke, exhaling, and then sipping her wine. “Do you even know my name?” the elf asked, a dark brow arching. She wasn’t sure he did, after all. Her head tilted slightly. “I have betrayed those that once were closer to me and,” she gestured to his hand, to the ring, “I am far more likely to release what is within that ring, were I sure harm would not befall this city afterwards.”


Jarith could at least accept that fact, and it had been years since he remembered a full title, his own included. “ The magic in the ring is what belongs to me, but I suspect you mean the corruption sealed away inside me.” Deftly, the former warlord slid off one of his gloves, showing the dark inky-stains that slowly wound and tangled up his fingertips and hand towards his arm. “I am losing control as time goes, and to be blunt, the corruption would devour you and continue to devour everything in its path if given the chance, it owes allegiance to none and does not make deals. That is what you would be helping with, two other mages would be using their abilities, pushing it through me into the corpse, which you would need to have animated for the length of time to have it latch hold of the body. When the purge is complete, we have to have a guardian prepared in case Corruption is able to keep it animated, to make it real… It must be destroyed at the very least.”


Larewen listened quietly, sipping at her drink while he spoke. "And what would I gain from aiding you in this?" she asked simply.


Jarith smirked, and the look was oddly devious, " I would be correct in guessing that you still enjoy learning the forgotten spells and such? In my position as a guard and defense for the city of Frostmaw I have found a few things, items kept in one time by the dark mages cults that roam in so few numbers here. This book is more arcane and intrinsic to the mages of ice and the like, however. " His hand dove within the depths of a pocket, depositing a book, not translated, but crimson in color, leather bound the title is all but worn away, inside though, forgotten, untranslated script hint at the use, dark magic long lost from the time of the first immortals and their followers. Still, the male presses it to the table, only showing the brevity of a page before closing it and holding it hostage. " I can offer you this book, possibly more should i find them."


Larewen furrowed her brow as the book was brought into sight. Her nose wrinkled slightly, as if she was considering the offer. Lost magics were certainly something the necromancer was interested in, and would make a nice addition to her library. “That is all your freedom from the corruption within you is worth? Books?” she asked before clicking her tongue against the roof of her mouth.


Jarith gave a smirk, " You may do what you like with the corruption, destroy it, attempt to tame it, either or. You ask what my life is worth, but do recall that if you do not help, the creature will be in control again and the very war that darkened your door before will likely return and this time, there will be no way for me to return. If you want gold, I've some, but i have a notion that's not what you ask for."


Larewen tapped her cigarette out into an ashtray as he spoke. “Yet you seem certain it cannot be tamed,” she mused quietly. It was more of a thought to herself as her mind roamed over the many spells, the many tomes whose pages she had turned. “I have no use for your gold, you are correct about that. I do have use for an out of control horror, though - outside of Vailkrin.”


Jarith gave a mildly amused smirk, offering her a nod. " So be it, but I should note, that it must be kept from Frostmaw. I don't imagine that would be an issue for you." She wanted the demon, which would work for him, so long as she dealt with it to her own discretion. Hildegarde would no doubt be displeased to know he planned to give the cretin over to Larewen's control. That however, was the nature of things, Jarith was loyal to his family only, kings, queens, they held little regard for the fallen knight and warlord.


Larewen almost sneered at Jarith’s words. She drained the rest of her wine. “Frostmaw…” she echoed with a resentful tone. Her eyes narrowed slightly. “And I imagine you’ll tell their Queen that I will be taking possession of this… thing?” Her tone was nearly accusing and laced heavily with bitterness. After all, she had raised Trajek, and that was something Hildegarde knew. If Larewen could wrest control of Jarith’s corruption and Hildegarde were to find out… Well, Larewen’s lack of interest in Trajek wouldn’t be as believable.


Jarith shook his head, " To the contrary, I will likely not be concious after the events. I also have no interest in telling Hildegarde of the doings from the procedure, my goal is merely to take full control again and inform her should it work. The creature, or abomination, is to be dealt with as you see fit and i've no interest in telling the dragon queen anything on the matter, it benefits me none."


Larewen dipped her head to Jarith and rose from her seat. "I will assist you, then," the elf said and without a single word more, she departed.