To My Dear Friend Discussion Thread

Rohesia-Tanith Saelinlock. Demonia Char. Approach my throne. Kneel. Now, offer me a drop of your blood. By this ancient magic, I do swear you an oath. In recognition of the debt you are owed, one time I shall allow each of you to compel my servitude and obedience. Now, rise. Tanith, step back.

Demonia Char. Prostrate yourself. Now, offer yourself to me. Swear yourself to my service and my pleasure. Swear to serve no others before me. Swear to offer your life unto me of your own will. Do you so swear? Excellent. Rise, now, as my Bonded. Everyone, bear witness to the rebirth of Huntress Demonia Char.

…Step aside. Astrid Belmont. Approach. Prostrate yourself. You were sworn to the service of my predecessor. Now, I claim you as my own. Offer yourself to me. Swear yourself to my service and my pleasure. Swear to serve no others before me. Swear to offer your life unto me of your own will. Do you so swear? Excellent. Rise, now, as my Bonded. Everyone, bear witness to the rebirth of Priestess Astrid Belmont.

Now, then. Greil. Mosernet. Tanith. Voyage. Fenia. Your rewards. A trifle for aiding me. I’d prefer to reward you more generously, but bluntly my situation is not so greatly improved with freedom. All of you present, witness the heroes who came to my aid in our darkest hour. Celebrate them.

A word of warning, Greil. That magical item is… complicated. Tieflings that use it find it extraordinarily painful to attune to, though that ends shortly and all agree it was worth the pain. I’ve no idea whether it will do the same to a half-dragon. You have been warned, the choice is yours to make.
Lucca, are you alright? Not too sore, I trust? I’m glad. You’re welcome to return to our chambers, if you wish. Some of the things we discuss will be unpleasant.
Might I see that letter?

Lucca. Do you recognize this handwriting? Hm. Do not lie to me, Lucca. Simply say you’ve no wish to tell me. I won’t be angry, just disappointed.

First of all, that statue is a closely guarded secret. For the Blood Knight to have recovered it from my hidden vault during the battle… No. I’m quite convinced that was his target, not myself.

You, good sir dragon, look as if you think you understand the destructive potential of that statue. I guarantee that even you underestimate it.
For those of you unfamiliar with the Tarrasque, it is a simple creature. Massive, not on the level of a Koru Beast, but far more malicious. It emerges from the ground, seeks out the nearest, largest settlement, and destroys it. Once it is wounded or… bored, I suppose, it returns underground to rest for an unpredictable amount of time. If any of you doubt the beast’s strength, remember it was responsible for the end of the 12th Age… and indirectly responsible for the end of the 2nd. Now, then… Before we continue, I need to share a dark secret with you.

There is a forbidden form of magic, known as Binding. The empire has taken steps to remove its existence from this world. But we demons remember. I remember. Practitioners of this magic, Binders… The vast majority of them are under my control. Unfortunately, most are stuck in the underworld right now. I do have a few, and they shall serve. Outside of us, there is a coven of witches in the Spider Wood, practicing under the very unofficial protection of the Council. They do deserve some small praise for their skills. The Blood Knight… I theorize he may have some understanding of the process, at least. He has adapted the principles into metallic collars, forcing their wearers to serve him. You would recognize the design. It’s quite similar to what Tanith and Fenia have around their neck. Yes, Aimie herself is a Binder, of course. In fact, she herself is the one that bound that Tarrasque.

Yes, that statue does not merely have the power of a Tarrasque. It is a Tarrasque.

Most people think the Tarrasque is a unique being. No, it is merely a Tarrasque. You may be able to picture the destruction two of those beasts would deliver on the world. However, that is not merely a second Tarrasque. That… is its mate. Two Tarrasques would be a disaster. Imagine an entire family. And I believe the two will search each other out as soon as the 2nd awakens.

A totem… is the result of applying binding magic to a creature. A convenient method to carry it to be summoned later. And, when the creature is released, it is placed under a control spell. The duration of the spell varies. Under the stress of combat, it tends to wear off quite quickly. Outside of that, it may last a few hours. A creature like a Tarrasque… normally would not remain bound for more than a few seconds. Being summoned by an icon, perhaps a few minutes. The Blood Knight… has some understand of binding. He may, perhaps, control it for a week at the most. I’m not sure if that is truly preferable to letting it run wild.

I see three paths for you. The most obvious, to seek out the Blood Knight or whoever now has my totem and take it back. To that end, my aid would be most helpful, would it not? If you wish to oppose the Blood Knight, who better than we demons? I am more than willing to assist you, if you help me to rebuild my strength so that I may do so.
The second option would be to discover what the Blood Knight thinks he needs that thing for and take care of it first. If he has no reason to use it, I expect he won’t. Though, I could be wrong.

The third option is to prepare to re-bind the creature once it’s released. As I said, Aimie was the one who first bound the thing, but that was before. Back when she was the Lord High Magus’ apprentice. Back when she was sane. I could… attempt the binding, but I would surely fail if it weren’t on death’s door. Other than myself and the Blood Knight… Ah. I expect the Platinum could do it, given the proper tools. I would be willing to prepare some for you… for a price, of course. Though even the Platinum… I would place his odds around 30%, and even in victory he would almost certainly die in the process.

Get me an icon. An ally. I don’t care which. I’ll even sweeten the deal and release the princess into your care. Unless she wishes to remain here, of course. I did promise to release her once she’s no longer a necessary hostage, no?


The Jack has already been helping us, but I would not consider them an ally. Surprised? I hired them to help cover your involvement. A favor from myself to you. They had a message for you, as well. As part of their agreement with this Alistar fellow, they personally escorted Ruby and Yora back to Shadowport, under their protection. They also… what was it they said? Ensured the Blood Knight would not know of your involvement. And that they found Tanith’s doodle quite amusing, whatever that means.

The Grand Oracle… Such a zealous champion of justice and righteousness. I’m sure you have heard of her efforts to end corruption in the church. If she could be shown that this corruption reached to the highest levels of the empire, I suspect she would be more than willing to rally the common folk to our cause.

Towa: A zealous champion of justice and righteousness… What a lovely compliment, Velka. Thank you. Hello, everyone. It’s nice to properly meet you! I hope you’re all still wearing those charms I left for you.

How did you get in here…?

I’m the Grand Oracle, Velka. I just asked nicely!

Rose: And when that didn’t work, I bound your guards with a spell.

The gods guide my steps. My role isn’t to question. My role is to obey.

I hate to say this, but I couldn’t rally the people to our cause. The church would keep the information from spreading, then silence me. The corruption of the church is… worse than you know. How do I explain it? Well. Y’know my whole image of going around, trying to reform the church? Yeah. That’s just part of their plan. Trying to make themselves look better, like they’re trying to change, while not having to make any real changes whatsoever. I’ve been going along with it because I still get to help people, and I am making a difference… slowly. Unfortunately, we’re out of time. I need to do something big. I need to make a statement. That it would be better to work with the Dark Mistress herself than those snakes.

You come to me for help… when I seek out your help. Haha… hahahahaha…!

Heh, it is funny, isn’t it? The Grand Oracle and Dark Mistress working together? I know there’s only three of us, but I am a powerful Fateweaver. I can certainly offer you guidance. And we were able to just waltz into your throne room. So, what do you say?

Let us weak fools cling together, I suppose.

The Lord High Magus has little love for the high king. Her only true love is her research. If I could convince her I’d be a more worthy patron, she would jump ship immediately. Unfortunately, I’m in no position to do so. She won’t leave Horizon, that roiling boil of arcane energy. And the city is far too valuable to the empire. Were she to go into rebellion, it would be put down before she could utter a single spell.

The Longbeard Thane. The dwarves did not send aid to the battle, and their love for the king is tenuous at best. Perhaps they are sympathetic to our cause? I doubt they’d be willing to enter into open rebellion against the king, but they may at least offer us supplies.


The Triumvirate, you may be surprised to know, I am willing to work with. If we could prove The Blood Knight allowed Representative Run’ya to die during the battle… Hmph. Perhaps they wouldn’t be willing to help, but at the least they would be paralyzed with indecision.

The Platinum Dragon is a difficult case. Neutral in everything. Convincing that stubborn old goat to do anything when the very balance of the world isn’t at stake… Ha. You’d have better luck herding Koru Behemoths. But on the other hand, I believe if my kind were truly on the verge of being wiped out he would be open to offering us asylum.


The Untamed would be willing to help, I believe, if we could convince… it? That the Blood Knight’s plan will throw nature out of balance. It certainly will, but convincing the Untamed will still be difficult.

The Deathless One… Ha. I’m not that desperate.


The Savage Lord may be my best bet. Especially if the rumors the Blood Knight plans to challenge him are true. I suppose we’ll find out soon enough. I’ve dispatched diplomats already. You’re welcome to chase after them, if you wish.


The Council of Scales is a mystery. They did not send troops to the battle. Moreover, Red did not come running to the fight, surprisingly enough. I can’t believe she would miss out without orders from the Black himself. He may be worth speaking with. And Red… is in search of Alistar’s killer, is she not? Point her in the right direction and she may solve the problem herself. The Green, I’ve no idea. But the White and Blue are loyal lap dogs of the high king.

If you can’t find me an icon, then you may make one instead.

As I said, we demons remember the old times. Long ago, before the foundation of the empire, there was another. Like ours, it was shaped by powerful beings known as icons. And many of those icons were similar to the ones we have today. During the ruin of that empire, all of its iconships were lost. Ah. Yes, I suppose you know that when an icon dies, someone will inherit their power and positon. Usually very shortly. I have some theories about why the Grand Oracle was gone for so long… Ah, I’m getting distracted. Their iconships were lost. But in our new empire, similar iconships have emerged. They had a Priestess, we have a Grand Oracle. An Archmage became the Lord High Magus. It’s not always so perfect. There was a time that the Council had but three members. And the metallic dragons were led by a Gilded Beast rather than that old silver goat. The point is… it as if reality itself is warping to fill certain roles. And there are certain iconships from that era which have yet to emerge in our own.

The Purple Dragon.
The Pirate King.
The Prince of Beasts.
The Fairy Queen.
And the Princess of Dreams.

I believe, if we can gather some artifacts related to these lost icons and present them to worthy successors, we may trigger a reawakening. Do I need to tell you the value of having an icon indebted to you? It may be enough to tip the scales in your favor, yes?

That collar of yours… now that it’s grown, I can tell you I recognize many of those runes. It appears the Deathless One adapted this spell from two ancient demonic rituals – the binding ritual used to create totems combined with the same oath I swore to you earlier. As well as a few of her own unique touches. I think she modified it to leave that collar as a way to keep you intimidated. Perhaps, if you asked the favor, I could attempt to dispel it. However… Once that spell fully manifests, it will much stronger. I suspect beyond my abilities to remove. I’m afraid you’ve little time to decide. I warn you it will be… unpleasant, at best.

Heh. Astrid – no, Priscilla. Fetch Alice. Fly her back immediately. I will need her expertise. Astrid, prepare a magic circle along with your strongest restraints. Just in case. You’ve also the most intimate knowledge of her, so you’ll be assisting. Towa. I will need your assistance, as well. To deal with her ‘unique twists.’

Towa: I’ll do whatever I can to help.

Rose: No, I’ll handle this. This sort of thing is my area of expertise.

Towa: She’s right.

As you will. Tanith, prepare yourself. Alice, assist me.

Alice: Understood.

I see. It appears my magic is no match for the Deathless One’s. However… do not lose hope just yet. We Abyssals are experts at finding and exploiting loopholes. I believe… if I were to place you under the original binding ritual before hers is complete, it will prevent her modified version from fully manifesting. Alice, do you agree?

Alice: Probable.

You would be under my thrall, yes, but am I not a preferable alternative to Aimie Lunavela?

Tanith: Yes, plz.

Coo’, you’re my Keeper now. GET DUNKED.