"Indeed so. Rest, Redd. We will cross paths soon. And I will have more information at my disposal to give you."
And with that, the toad shifted again. Karn's body stretched, his legs sinking into the expanse of stone and ore that made up his body. His uppermost layer took ebony tones enmeshed with a dirt-coloured copper core. The form took a serpentine note to it, the Familiar descending upon the chair and quickly making his way to the ground. It was then that Karn swerved about in the traditional movement of the snake, using his coiled body to drag himself across the floor and through a crack in the double doors of the Foundation. His task had been accomplished to his level of satisfaction, and even then Karn had managed to secure his victory without quite revealing every bit of information he needed to tell. It was rather beautiful, in truth. He had kept the most important of Venser's secrets away from Redd, not intent on taking the slave's knowledge farther than he had to.
For knowledge was a dangerous commodity. It could level mountains or allow travel into different worlds. In this case the example was far less grand, yet more dangerous. For while Karn desired for Venser to suffer in this life, to know his superior, he did not want the wizard to actually die. That would be his own demise. Which was, of course, where his condition came into being. Karn wished to be with Redd when Venser was to be attacked, for Venser would be alerted to the presence of the Familiar once they were in range. Then Karn could project a thought to Venser and in essence, protect him from his own plot. It was a game. If Redd could land a blow on Venser, or even injure him then Karn won. If Redd was even more heavily injured or even killed, then Karn won.
The Familiar would never lose, for the game was merely a diversion to amuse himself, the stakes cast upon the participants for his viewing pleasure. The Kirt snake wove his way along the wooden 'ground'. The Familiar made its way into the shadows, lest Redd choose to follow him, before making his way, doubling back several times, to Tarsin's Boarding House. Karn made his way into the room that Venser and now he lived in for the moment, noting the presence of a sleeping Venser upon the floor, laughter present in the Familiar's mind as he drifted forward. The Familiar took to his natural form once again, the toad prodding Venser Rush on the head before he spoke into the pitiful boy's mind,
How amusing, Rush. You tore out this Kelvic's eye. You crushed her ribs and crashed against her head yet you did not break her. You insisted upon your way but returned almost empty handed, with just an eye as your reward. How tragic, that you tried so hard for what you did not receive. The Kelvic's name is Redd, and a rather intriguing thing. I can see why you injured her, yet were you a competent in any given way, you could have taken her name for yourself.
Inferior. Weak. Simple-minded. Sleep, Rush, for tomorrow you will not rest. However, I will rest this night, as well.
Karn was very much gloating in his and Venser's mind, flaunting his skill and ability to garner information, berating Venser again for his foolishness before Karn too set out to rest. Each piece of the puzzle that Karn himself created were laid to rest this evening. Venser, Redd and Karn counted upon the three-fingered toad's feet with relative care as he reflected upon what else he needed to plan for.
Our next encounter will be on...
But all went black as Karn set out to meditate. Venser had already fallen to sleep, bells before. It was time to call it.
Count: 631
And with that, the toad shifted again. Karn's body stretched, his legs sinking into the expanse of stone and ore that made up his body. His uppermost layer took ebony tones enmeshed with a dirt-coloured copper core. The form took a serpentine note to it, the Familiar descending upon the chair and quickly making his way to the ground. It was then that Karn swerved about in the traditional movement of the snake, using his coiled body to drag himself across the floor and through a crack in the double doors of the Foundation. His task had been accomplished to his level of satisfaction, and even then Karn had managed to secure his victory without quite revealing every bit of information he needed to tell. It was rather beautiful, in truth. He had kept the most important of Venser's secrets away from Redd, not intent on taking the slave's knowledge farther than he had to.
For knowledge was a dangerous commodity. It could level mountains or allow travel into different worlds. In this case the example was far less grand, yet more dangerous. For while Karn desired for Venser to suffer in this life, to know his superior, he did not want the wizard to actually die. That would be his own demise. Which was, of course, where his condition came into being. Karn wished to be with Redd when Venser was to be attacked, for Venser would be alerted to the presence of the Familiar once they were in range. Then Karn could project a thought to Venser and in essence, protect him from his own plot. It was a game. If Redd could land a blow on Venser, or even injure him then Karn won. If Redd was even more heavily injured or even killed, then Karn won.
The Familiar would never lose, for the game was merely a diversion to amuse himself, the stakes cast upon the participants for his viewing pleasure. The Kirt snake wove his way along the wooden 'ground'. The Familiar made its way into the shadows, lest Redd choose to follow him, before making his way, doubling back several times, to Tarsin's Boarding House. Karn made his way into the room that Venser and now he lived in for the moment, noting the presence of a sleeping Venser upon the floor, laughter present in the Familiar's mind as he drifted forward. The Familiar took to his natural form once again, the toad prodding Venser Rush on the head before he spoke into the pitiful boy's mind,
How amusing, Rush. You tore out this Kelvic's eye. You crushed her ribs and crashed against her head yet you did not break her. You insisted upon your way but returned almost empty handed, with just an eye as your reward. How tragic, that you tried so hard for what you did not receive. The Kelvic's name is Redd, and a rather intriguing thing. I can see why you injured her, yet were you a competent in any given way, you could have taken her name for yourself.
Inferior. Weak. Simple-minded. Sleep, Rush, for tomorrow you will not rest. However, I will rest this night, as well.
Karn was very much gloating in his and Venser's mind, flaunting his skill and ability to garner information, berating Venser again for his foolishness before Karn too set out to rest. Each piece of the puzzle that Karn himself created were laid to rest this evening. Venser, Redd and Karn counted upon the three-fingered toad's feet with relative care as he reflected upon what else he needed to plan for.
Our next encounter will be on...
But all went black as Karn set out to meditate. Venser had already fallen to sleep, bells before. It was time to call it.
Count: 631
though it's really nice to see you playing her as she is - we don't often see people admittng their PCs are weak.