RP:Tainted Justice
Part of the A Test of Faith Arc
Kelay Tavern
Tiphareth stalks into the tavern, quickly spotting Redovian as he moves to address the ex paladin. "Are you prepared to undergo the ritual we discussed?"
Redovian eyes the lich as he arrives, per the schedueled time, and inclines his head as he rises and replies. " I am, Lord D'Artes."
Tiphareth nods in affirmation, "Indeed, I shall meet you at the temple."
Redovian heads towards the forsaken city with due haste.
The Grand Temple of Vakmatharas
A shrine to the dark lord, surrounded by offerings, is here.
Tiphareth dropped 1 bloodlust dagger.
Tiphareth dropped 1 brass censer.
Tiphareth dropped 1 offering bowl.
Tiphareth dropped 1 unholy goblet.
Tiphareth dropped 2 black ritual-candle.
Tiphareth dropped 2 Copper candlestick.
Tiphareth dropped 1 Unholy water.
Redovian appears from the west.
Tiphareth makes his way toward the altar, lighting the two black candles and decanting a portion of unholy water into the goblet, the charcoal briquette within the censer is carefully lit before the patron places two spoons full of incense into the implement. Turning to see Redovian, he offers a nod in the man's direction "Greetings... I assume you are prepared?"
Redovian walks into the sacred halls of the death god, Vakmatharas, fully prepared to enter his worship. The scent of incense, the dim light of the candles, and the almost rythmic chants of the monks here create quite the scene to behold. Garbed in a ceremonious garb of engraved armor, the once champion of Cyris replies to the eldermage. " I am."
Tiphareth said to Redovian, "It is typical in rituals such as these, for the purposes of initiation, that the aspirant undergoes a symbolic death and rebirth as a child of Vakmatharas, this generally involves stripping and blind folding the initiant and shrouding them in a symbolic wrap of death, after which they are given the blessings of Vakmatharas and are reborn within his temple... however given your unique circumstances, you have already underwent this entire ceremony in a quite literal sense, and as such, any attempt at replicating it here would pale in comparison to the actual events, it seems as if you were chosen for this path. There are other portion of the ritual, though, which we will perform this evening."
Redovian eyes the lichdrow as he says his bit about the ritual death, and heeds every word as the eldermage informs him of parts of the ritual that still needs to be done. There is, naturally, a moment of hesitation. But more so for this former paladin, as he understands the will of the gods, and that choices hold dire consiquences with such powerful supreme beings. But, fear is something this man has never been fond of, and he was tired of feeling bound by rules, and worried of what people think of him. He wanted to do this, and that fact alone is what allows the man to take the leap. He looks Tiphareth directly in the eyes, which is not an easy feat by no means, given the wholly evil that radiates off the trist'oth patron, and says. " I will do whatever is needed, to swear my alliegence to the Dark One." The serious tone in which Redovian says this is, well, damn well near scary.
Tiphareth leans up against the wall as he addresses Redovian, "I am glad you say that, for you will now face a choice unlike anything you've likely encountered." Tiphareth directs the aspiring death knights attention to the procession of six individuals being led by priests into temple, each of them blindfolded and bound at the wrists behind their back. "Here you will find a number of proposed candidates for life or death... upon meditation at Vakmatharas' altar, you shall decide for yourself which receives death... and which may live. You may take all of their lives, or only one, the decision is yours. You may also decide the manner in which they meet their demise... but at least one must be offered to the God of Death." A hand is waived toward the alter where there lay a series of various implements, daggers, rope, clubs, swords of all kinds, even poisons and lamp oil. Tiphareth paces in front of each potential sacrifice, motioning in their direction as he describes each one and how they arrived at this temple. "The young dwarven man you see here was found stealing from a merchant within Cenril, the middle-aged hobbit is a scam artist who has pilfered thousands of gold from hard working citizens across the land, the female Drow child murdered her own father in cold blood, the well dressed high elf was discovered molesting his daughter, the teenage elven boy is studying to be a future paladin of Cyris, and the dirty human fellow was merely pulled off the street, I don't know if he is guilty of anything at all besides being a smelly vagrant. Now... contemplate your decisions, allow guidance from Vakmatharas and settle upon the fate of these creatures before giving Vakmatharas his offering of death." The Eldermage then steps back, allowing free space for the aspirant to make his way to the alter.
Redovian is caught off guard by this sudden decision that is thrust upon him, but was not niave to believe such a pact, offering or sacrifice was to be made. This is the dark god of death, and to assume that lives were not to be taken was a childish notion best suited for the weak hearted fool the fallen paladin was training for the Church in Cenril. The implements of pain and death are viewed, as the man walks about each of the prisoners here as if he is studying each one. A couple of thieves, a child molester, and a murderer. These types are pathetic in the eyes of Frostmaw's Justice. But he was bound to suffer many like them to live while in the service of the Church, while mortal law went about trying to rule a lawless land. And here, now, he alone has been given the right to decide what fate these miserable souls deserve. It was intoxicating, but.. there was a man who had no crimes held against him, and a teen who was trying to be a paladin, for his former god no less. Moments of silence pass, before Redovian takes up a cruel looking dagger, with a serrated edge, and makes his way to the dwarven thief. He looks at the man, and says. " You break the law of the land, steal from others to profit or gain, and let suffer others while you bathe in the sin of Greed." The man's voice is dark, as perhaps only Tiphareth may feel Vakmatharas' presence influencing the man's thoughts, prodding him on. He continues on, looking down upon the dwarf, who stares back defiant as ever saying. " an' you and yers can kiss my hairy arse!" Before he spits upon the floor. This fails to gain a responce, but, with a nod to the drow who watch over, Redovian says. " You shall be first." As he talks to the dwarf, the drow move to bring the thief forth. " You shall finally be punished this day, thief, for your crimes." The dwarf struggles, but the drow outnumber him and before long he kneels before Redovian. " For your crimes, and in the name of Justice, you shall have you thumbs and index fingers removed, and be branded for all to see as a thief." Try as he might, the dwarf is unable to stop the drow as they untie his hands, and place them before Redovian, whom without hestitation, goes about cutting off each thumb, the serrated blade severing the appendage with ease, before each index finger is taken off. The horrid screams of the dwarf fill the chamber, sending chills down each prisoner's spine. But this is not the end, oh no! Redovian knows this type. They will always continue, always return to a life of crime and deviant behaviour. With a swift grasp of long matted hair, Redovian jerks back the dwarf's head, and proceeds to carve in the word "Thief" in common, upon the man's left cheek. The painful process takes several moments, but once it is done, the dwarf lays in a pool of his own blood, missing fingers and branded for life as a thief. Justice was just begining this night, and if one was to look close at Redovian, they may notice the spark of dark power brewing within him...
Tiphareth motions for the priests to gather up the carved appendages, picking each one up carefully and depositing them within the offering bowl upon the altar. A group of four priests then grab the punished dwarf and drag him out of the large and ominous entryway, leaving a thick sanguine trail in his wake. The Lichdrow grins deviously as Redovian begins his transformation, finally able to exact his own brand of justice, unhampered by an inane moral code. A nod of approval is offered in Redovian's direction before the Eldermage speaks, "Very good, please continue."
Redovian watches as the dwarf is taken out, but is done with him. Justice was dealt out, and the man was absolved as far as he was concerned. But, the gnome who swindled many out of their life's earnings is next. The echo of his boots is all the small creature hears as the fallen paladin makes his way to stand before him. Moments pass, before he reaches down and takes off the hood that covers his head. The gnome is near crying, and cannot stop shaking, but it seems such notions that inspire pity are not present this day in the heart of the former champion of the light. Justice has no room for pity, it has to be absolute and show no favor. Rising up to his full height of six foot two, the man towers over the gnome, as he says. " You have been found guilty of treachory, lies and larceny." The gnome shakes his head furiously, but Redovian is already moving to pick up his next implement. A pair of tongs, and snips. With tools in hand, the fallen paladin moves back to the gnome and says. " For your crimes, you shall lose your tongue and never be able to use its devlish charm to lie to anyone ever again." The muffled cries of the small creature are ignored, as with a nod, Redovian orders a drow to hold back the gnomes head, as he takes hold of the basterd's tongue with the tongs, and with not one, two or three cuts, but four painful slashes, the gnome's tongue is removed, and tossed upon the floor a foot or so back without care. Tossing the tools down, Redovian waves off the gnome, whom the drow take away in the same manner as the dwarf. Tears fall from the small gnomes face, but Redovian's heart is becoming more and more cold with each act of "Justice" he doles out.
Tiphareth signals for the servants to gather up the gnomes tongue in much the same manner as they had before, carefully placing the bloodied organ within the offering vessel. The Eldermage speaks allowed, "Two have been dealt justice, sparing the rod will only spoil the child, there is no place for weakness in this world... only the strong shall survive." Tiphareth looks over the remaining four creatures, curious as to whom may meet a terminal end, and which, if any, may find mercy at Redovian's hand.
Redovian walks up now to the female drow, the murderer, drunk now with this newfound freedom and power he has been bestowed as Tiphareth talks. " You killed your father. But..." The man trails off, this was about punishment, and he wanted this woman to suffer for her slights against Justice. " Your punishment shall be imprisonment in the Iron Maiden, forced to stare at the corpse of your father while you suffer, kept alive for the longevity of elven years, the corpse of your father shall be reanimated, so you can see him walking free for eternity, your handywork useless as he is brought back to life while you are trapped away in the Iron Maiden, with only your father for company." The female drow thrashes about, having been ready for death, but the sheer thought of such an act causes genuine fear to course through her. Redovian waves to the drow, noting he is done with the woman.
Tiphareth leans in to whisper hushed words toward the head priest, giving him guidance on where he may find the child's father and where to place the girl. Shaking his head at Redovian's ever skewing sense of justice, he merely looks on at the three remaining individuals, calculating which one he feels shall meet an end at Redovian's hand. "Take her away, he states to the priests." As they ferry the soon to be imprisoned Drow away from the temple. "Only three remain... "
Redovian watches as the drow female is hauled off, kicking and screaming. But now, the fallen paladin's eyes fall upon the high elf, the child molester. Having been influenced by such dark power, the once holy man seems to be transforming into quite a darker version of himself. An aura is begining to build about the man, where once it brought peace and hope, this aura is filled with rage, malice and hate coupled in eternal semblance with such raw utter darkness that it could send a chill down even the most cold hearted basterd's spine. No preamble is brought forth to bare, as Redovian walks up to the table of implements he has to use. Fingers run across each blade, tool and just vile object as he says aloud. " And now.. we fall to the one whom took the innocence of a child... and not any child, but his own daughter." There is indeed a sick look upon the former paladin's face. " Here is a man, whose very race claims to be above most all other races, and yet.." The man slams his fist down into the table, as his voice grows ever darker and is tinted by subtle rage. " You rape and molest your own -daughter-?" Without warning does the man grasp the container of lamp fluid, and walks with a purpose over to the man, before he dumps the majority of the flamable liquid about the man, trailing some about a foot or so away as he says. " You have done something unforgiveable, and deserve something far worse than I can deal out..." As these words droll off, the paladin brings forth the blade known as Ror'Rih, the dark katana drawn with a smooth motion as Redovian says. " I can ensure you suffer for what you did, and die a miserable death." And when the last syllable is spoken, down goes the blade, striking the floor hard enough to cause a spark at the end of that trail of lamp fluid, thus setting ablaze the flamable liquid, which trails back to the high born elf in only a moment. The elven male is set on fire, his screams of pain making the dwarf's from earlier look like a mere whisper, as the foul stench of burning flesh fills the halls with its presence. This goes on for several minutes, and Redovian watches with a wicked smile on his lips, arms folded across his chest as says. " May the flames of hell offer you no reprieve for the crime you have commited."
Tiphareth takes in the aromatic smell of melting flesh as it mixes with the incense upon the air. Finally, one meets a slow and painful end to be offered at the Dark God's altar. The priests watch on as the flames of judgment consume the high elven man before dragging his corpse upon the alter as a consummate offering.
Redovian nows comes upon the nameless man who has no crime held against him, and the youth who is training to be a paladin of Cyris. For several moments, the fallen paladin thinks to himself, Ror'Rih's hilt grasped as he seems lost in his own mind. But, darker power seem to have taken hold, and the once holy crusader draws forth the blade of rage as he says to the homeless man, who weeps uncontrollably. " You are innocent, and have no crimes brought up against you." The man stammers as he looks up, even though he is hooded, with some hope at those words. Redovian's attention shifts to the youth now, as he says. " And you wish to follow Cyris, a path I once travelled." A dark looks falls over the man, as he says to the would be paladin, as he takes off the kid's hood so they may look at one another before he says. " But I shall offer you a truth the church shall not. You are a puppet, and Cyris does not care for you. I hold no such notions about Vakmatharas, and he gives me power to do as I wish, when I wish, to exact justice as I see it, because in him you are truly free." As those last words fall from his lips, the fallen paladin slashes out with Ror'Rih, and in one fell swipe of the malign blade, severes the innocent man's head clean off his shoulders, spattering blood as it falls to the ground beside his body before the body falls over to cover the youth in the crimson vitae, the teen's eyes are wide in terror as he watches Redovian, an idle he had growing up, kills a man in cold blood. The fallen paladin looks to the eldermage and says. " I offer that man's life up as a personal sacrifice to the Dark Lord." He sheathes his blade in the ritualistic manner he was trained, as he stands facing Tiphareth.
Tiphareth begins a slow and rhythmic chant, his voice echoing with reverberations of death as the otherworldly tones accompany his natural voice. Fingers dance in arcane gesticulations as the deceased man begins levitating upward and floating toward the altar. Taking a position some five feet above the unholy shrine before it suddenly starts compressing as if squeezed within an unnatural vice. A flood of red fluid pours down upon the altar, covering it with the deceased man's precious blood as Tiphareth's summonations suddenly stop. Unceremoniously the corpse falls down upon the altar as Tiphareth faces Redovian. "I believe you are now ready for the oath, please make your way to the altar..."
Redovian makes his way to the alter as he is summoned.
Tiphareth removes a large scroll from within his satchel, unrolling the fleshen parchment as he sets it down before the knight, "Now kneel at the altar of Death and pledge your oath to the Dark God." Tiphareth takes a few steps backward before proceeding with an unholy chant to honor Vakmatharas. Each of the priests joins along with him as their combined mantras resound through the capacious ceiling, filling the venue with the eerie and ominous drone of dark praise.
Redovian kneels before Tiphareth, and begins to chant. " I hereby swear my mind, body, and soul to the devout and glorious worship of Vakmatharas, God of Darkness who brings about the end of all things. I shall not fear death, nor shall I fear my power to deliver it. My hands shall be an extension of his own, acting as a conduit through which the forces of death may be brought into this world. My fealty shall ever be offered to the God Vakmatharas, to act as a vessel of his will, and deliver this most natural of forces unto those who stand against me. I shall remain unhindered by the shackles of false morality and accept the powers granted unto me, to be freely wielded as I assert my will and that of Vakmatharas. It is with these vows that I now and forever pledge my undying faith and loyalty to the true God Vakmatharas."
Tiphareth takes a large goblet which had been filled to the brim by the deceased offering's still warm blood and begins pouring the imbued fluid over Redovian's form, the chorus of voices tones down to a sudden silence as darkness fills the air, billowing in like a cloud of pure malevolence. Swirling about the newly pledged death knight, the necrotic plume concentrates about his visage and converges upon his flesh. Settling over the death knight, the evil begins permeating into his very being as it unites with is very soul, which now exudes the tangible aura of Vakmatharas' influence.
Redovian feels the evil creep into his very being as Tiphareth completes his part of the ceremony, the man's head bowing as he can feel the powers of darkness flowing about him.
Tiphareth said to Redovian, "Rise now Redovian, as a Death Knight of the Dark God Vakmatharas."
Redovian rises all evil like. " Yes my master." Da-da-da-da-dumdedum dadedum!