The Trials and Tribulations of Usul Soul's Life

[Logar]

Roleplay from Usul Soul

A militia guard of Arrmol approached, staggering, out of breath--with fear in his eyes.
Barely able to speak through breathlessness, the guard spoke "Chancellor, thank the Gods I have found you! Approaching...beasts of nowt I have seen before"
Usul ordered his captain to rally his men, then spoke to the militia guard "Come my friend, show me these unusual beasts, I am in need of a fresh harvest"

Lined up atop a hill, looking down, Usul tried to contain a fear he had not experienced for a long time. Charging towards them up the hillside were figures only ever spoke of in myths and legends. The men looked around at each other expressing the same confused stared as the next man. One man spoke "Snow Trolls?" Another then shouted "Snow Trolls!"

Trying to keep composure, Usul screamed out to his men "Lord Zraath is testing us! We must conquer these beasts to prove our worthiness within his temple!"
A few more confused looks continued at this absurd announcement. "Kill the beasts and bring me their flesh!" Usul cried out, "Charge!!"

With a loud roar of cheer, the armies of Cathay leapt and bore down on the fearless white fluffy giants.

[Logar]

Usul had Sir Ladislav in his dungeons for the second time. 1st RP is from a while ago when Usul first had Ladislav in prison, 2nd RP is the most recent encounter.

Roleplay from Usul Soul

While you rot in your cell, Usul Soul, High Chancellor of Cathay, Duke of Lionwood, Margrave of Azros, visits you and says:

Ladislav!

It is your lucky day.
I am too busy to deal with you, and you have awful bad breath. I am feeling generous today, so I shall set you loose--But keep it quiet, I don't want people to think I am going soft.

You did not deliberately cross our borders to perform your acts, and your acts were upon a deserter of Cathay-- probably unbeknown to you at the time ha!
You have no possesions I wish for myself, so you are frankly a waste of my time.

Know one thing-- I shall not be so curtious if you should come back here from being disruptive in our lands.

My prison keeper Erasmus will release you and leave you outside in the gutter, after sunrise.

Roleplay from Usul Soul

While you rot in your cell, Usul Soul, High Chancellor of Cathay, Duke of Lionwood, Margrave of Azros, visits you and says:

*Prison keeper Erasmus slaps Ladislav across the face with his leather glove, and abruptly wakes him from the comfort of sleep*

Ladislav!
What are you doing in my dungeon again? What suspicious acts were you attempting to perform in Anacan?
Did I not make myself clear during our last encounter?
Speak now!

[Logar]

Roleplay from Usul Soul

Hath a snake bit your tongue Ladislav my friend? Now drink up.

*Erasmus clentched Ladislav's chin with his bear sized grip, forced open his mouth and poured the thick black ooze from a silver chalice, causing the prisoner to choke and shudder whilst gasping for breath.
Whilst he poured, Usul chanted a ritual prayer to the Lord Zraath, keeper of the Temple of the Dark Sun
"...For you my children will be gifted with the harvest of my blood and body.
My beastly cattle will plague the lands. Those who tame and consume, shall find their place in my temple; Those who deny, shall succumb to the devastation of their sins...."

Ladislav was left on the floor of his cell, coughing whilst regaining his breath*

I will return tomorrow. Here, the kitchen maid sent down a meal for you.

*Usul slid a plate of cheese across the floor*

[Logar]

Roleplay from Usul Soul

    Prisoner Ladislav has sent you a letter:

    I was captured by guards for doing nothing and that is a shame!

While you rot in your cell, Usul Soul, High Chancellor of Cathay, Duke of Lionwood, Margrave of Azros, visits you and says:

*"M'lord, what effect did you experience from consuming the blood of beast?" Erasmus questioned his Chancellor.
*"Ah my friend, for a shot time I was given the gift of foresight" Usul explained "albeit a somewhat blurry experience I must add"
*"So thats how you knew the ice demons would be back after the first elimination?"
*"Yes my friend" Usul replied "Do you see a pattern? The demons must also possess foresight, for they knew of the arrival of myself and Lady Angela"
*"Ahhh I understand" Erasmus said in realisation "What of our prisoner here Chancellor? The lower dungeons?"
*"Not so hasty my loyal companion, my experiments have not reached to that degree yet....but soon"

Ladislav, let me look at you.
How do you feel? What hath your dreams foretold?

Oh yes I almost forgot. My guards have been trained well indeed....perhaps too hastily though. You missed the opportunity to commit an offence this time, but I do know it was you who attempted the life of both Cathayan and Kindaran nobles a mere couple of weeks ago. I should remind you that a crime of such upon a person faces a maximum penalty of death. I cannot help myself but be gracious to you once again. I shall not be taking your head on this occasion.

[Logar]

Usul and Erasmus continue with their experiments...

Roleplay from Usul Soul

Erasmus escorted usul to the lower dungeons. The stone slab had been moved aside; revealing the opening; and now Usul found himself decending the tight staircase once again, into the cold darkness.
Echoing cries could be heard bouncing off the walls; faintly at first, but grew louder as Usul continued to decend the stairwell. The cries became a conconction of growls, groans and hissing.
As Usul was led into the torchlit cave of the lower dungeons, he realised that his faithful Erasmus once again had not left him disappointed.

At usul's request, Erasmus had gone out into the night and retrieved for him, an undead foe--disabled of course. The Undead male had finally awoken to find himself imprisoned in a steel cage, whilst his captors stood and watched.

"Erasmus my friend" Usul pronounced, "Shall we begin?"

[Logar]

An unexpected package arrives mysteriously on Usul's desk

Roleplay from Angela Windblack

As Usul returned from his (un)usual survey of the lower dungeons, a strange package and a small note awaited him in his secret office. A rather intriguing sight because Usul in general have never seen a package like this, bound tightly with some special fabric and giving off a faint but quite known smell. Also his close servants were forbidden to leave any gifts or other stuff in this room but it seemed that someone did it anyway.

"Erasmus forgot to tell me I guess...", Usul thought to himself, "Lets see what it contains!". With that he took out the pinned note a opened it.

    //===BLANK===\

"Hmmm... This is quite suspicious but I know how to decipher it.", he turned over the note and warmed it over a light flame. Within seconds some text in a well known handwriting became visible.

    Greetings, I know of your ventures in the deepest part of the dungeon as well as some clues on what you are trying to achieve. Lets just say I can help you in this so here is a present for you. Used quicklime to preserve her head and white death powder to keep the texture intact. Regardless, please finish any tasks fast or she would crumble to dust. And don't tell anyone of this or we shall both be burned in the stakes for necromancy.

    With regards,

    A.

With a grin on his face, Usul began caressing the package as if it was a very close loved one whispering, "Thank you for the gift A! A for Agony, A for. . . . ."

[Logar]

Roleplay from Usul Soul

"...A for Agony?....Anger?....Audacious more likely!" Usul continued to ponder, "hmm...Angela? Audric? Armin?....No no it's not important at present."
He delicately peeled back the stained cloth linen to reveal the prize within. Unprepared for the shock, Usul lurched back into his chair which slid back along the stone floor almost tipping over. He had seen decapitated heads before, but rarely one so preserved with staring eyes which almost looked to still contain life.
Swiftly he re-covered the head with its wrap, scooped it up in his arms and hurried back down to the lower dungeon where Erasmus had remained with their caged creature.

"What progress Erasmus?" Usul asked as he emerged from the dark stairwell into the light of the dungeon.
The undead creature was sat cowered in the corner of the cage. Some small open wounds seeped blood, but the creature was quiet and obviously feared bringing attention to himself.
"It goes well indeed" Erasmus answered, "He is beginning to co-operate with us". Then upon noticing the wrapped object Usul carried in his arms, Erasmus asked curiously "May I ask what you carry upon you M'Lord?"
"Erasmus! I consider you my friend as well as my humble servant" Usul spoke, "Do I have your utmost loyaly? Can I trust you?"
"M'Lord!" Erasmus expressed whilst thrusting himself down to one knee, "I am your loyal vassal. You have my sword, my council....I will die for you my Chancellor!"

Usul handed him the note and explained the strange gift. "You know nothing of this Erasmus my friend?"
"It is not of my doing M'Lord" Erasmus explained, "I cannot know how any person has any knowledge of what we do down here, let alone knowing of the creature we have at present"
"Could it be true that there are others who know of the Book of Zraath?" Usul pondered out loud, "Could it be that others have discovered the gift of foresight and have seen the work we do here?"

Upon removing the cloth and revealing the head to Erasmus, with a curious look on his face, Erasmus asked "Does M'Lord know the identity of this particular head in question?".......

[Logar]

Myself and Angela agreed on a poll being set up to allow the other players the choice of which direction this RP was to play out.
The choices were either the head of a Desire Demon, or the head of Maid Felicia. The realm voted overwhelmingly for the head to be of a Desire Demon.
And so the story continues.....

Roleplay from Usul Soul

....."It's not a question of who is it, but more a question of what is it?" Usul explained, "Look more closely".
Erasmus studied the female looking head more intensely, almost mesmerized by her smooth skin which showed absolutely no signs of decomposition.
"What do you think?" Usul asked.
Erasmus didn't reply, was still and motionless, locked and entranced by the gaze of those glistening eyes staring back at him.
"Erasmus?", still he stared in silence ".....ERASMUS!" Usul yelled, before throwing the drape over the head and wrenching it away, breaking the mysterious connection that had occured. Erasmus stumbled back slighty, then regained his composure "Ugh.. M'lord? What happened?"
"I am not sure my friend. I must find out what this cursed thing is" Usul stated, "You may find me in the lectern chamber. I must refer to The Book. I remember gazing upon references to unique mythical creatures such as this one. Haste is of importance right now!". With that statement, Usul swiftly left the dungeon and disappeared up the dark stairwell before Erasmus had any chance to speak another word.

Roleplay from Usul Sou

Usul hurried into the chamber, placed the head at the foot of the lectern and rushed around lighting the wall mounted torches and the candle on his desk in the corner. He picked up the heavy burden from the lectern and placed it on his desk with a thud. Immediately he sat down and begun sifting through the pages desperately seeking the information regarding mythical creatures.

"Snow trolls....Golems....Phoenix....Wyvern...." he muttered to himself as he continued his search, "...Ahh demons!...Frost demons...Fire demons....hmm Desire demon?"

[Logar]

Roleplay from Usul Soul

Erasmus quietly entered the chamber. Usul took a moment to peer up from the ancient texts to notice the look of disappointment expressed by Erasmus's long face.
"What ails you my friend?" Usul asked with concern.
"I have been unable to make further progress with our creature in the cage"
"Ok, we can deal with that issue later" Usul replied, "Come, sit with me"
Erasmus pulled out a chair and sat beside his Chancellor. "This is interesting, take a look", Usul slid the book across and pressed his finger upon a paragraph, indicating the source of interest. Erasmus began to read. "A Desire Demon?" he queried, "That fits the description". He continued reading.

    Desire Demon:
    Witnesses unfortunate enough to encounter this rare human-like creature experience a lack of self control. A desire demon possesses the magic of mind manipulation often at the cost of the person in contact with it. Little is know of this creature and is advised that any person should avoid an encounter by any means possible....

"How is it that our mysterious friend 'A' managed to encounter such a beast, let alone slay one!?" Erasmus spoke out with surprise.
"Indeed, our friend 'A' is as much a mystery as a Desire Demon itself"
Erasmus pondered for a moment, then with an expression of excitement "Usul, do you still have stored some of that curious Bloodmoon Juice!?"
"I have but a few small drops left, yes" He replied, "What of it?"
"Come M'Lord! Bring it, and the head, down to the lower dungeon....I have an idea!"

[Logar]

Roleplay from Usul Soul

All was quiet as Usul and Erasmus entered the lower dungeon. The undead creature was curled up at the back of the cage, sleeping. The glass vial of bloodmoon juice made a gentle sounding *clink* as Usul placed it down upon a raised stone slab, which echoed throughout the dungeon, startling the creature. The creature jumped up and immediately thrust its body against the iron bars at the front of the cage. With arm outstreched through the bars, hand and fingers flung open, the creature spoke a hissing sound, followed by a gently calming growl.
"Its asking for food" erasmus explained. He continued "I have not been able to train it any further than this. All we have thus far, is essentially a dog"
The creature began to whimper, having not recieved the attention it requested.

"What is your idea Erasmus?" Usul asked, "You have always had this annoying habit of keeping me in the dark!"
"Every pet needs feeding M'Lord. So perhaps maybe we should feed it"

Roleplay from Usul Soul

Seperated from it's undead collective, the creature became simply an empty walking carcass--without goal or purpose.
'A clean page' Usul had described.

Now late in the evening on the second day; since feeding the caged creature a concoction of blood and flesh of the beast, with a few drops of Bloodmoon Juice for light seasoning; the creature awoke from its trance-like state. After two full sleepless days and nights, the High Chancellor Usul and his faithful dungeon keeper Erasmus finally watched in anticipation for the results of their work......

[Logar]

Roleplay from Usul Soul

The creature sat upright againt the back of the cage, looked curiously around whilst Usul and Erasmus looked on. The creatures eyes glistened with seemingly new life. Upon noticing his onlookers, he scowled then spoke "Yhooou, why I here? hssss!"
Usul and Erasmus stared at one another, both expressing wry grins.
The undead creature then leapt up, grabbed and rattled the bars ferrociously "Me out, me out! Cuuurse!"

Roleplay from Usul Soul

Usul had left Erasmus to continue working on undead creature. To Usul's surprise, the Bloodmoon Juice; a ritualistic elixir used by the followers of a cult on the Isle of Dwilight; had taken hold of the creature and yanked its mind to some distant place. Upon returning, the creature clearly had possessed a newly born awareness of its own existance.

Now three days later, Erasmus summoned his Chancellor to return to the lower dungeon. He had announced his readiness to begin a new phase--This time involving the mysterious head of the Demon, sent by the mysterious stranger simply known as 'A'.

[Logar]

Roleplay from Usul Soul

With the newfound awareness instilled into the undead creature, Erasmus had worked for days teaching it new skills, inflicting punishment and rewards for failures and successes. the creature was given a name--Usaath
Usaath responded contently to his new given name, but still acted unpredictably on occasion. Very pleased at the results Erasmus had achieved, Usul encouraged him to continue with his next phase. Erasmus picked up, and uncovered the head of the demon, approached the cage and urged Usaath the look. "What this?" Usaath asked as he moved closer to get a better look.
Erasmus thrust the head forward and watched as Usaath caught sight of the gazing eyes and bacame motionless and entranced.

With Usaath's mind now ripped open, Erasmus and Usul began issuing commands and statements.

[Logar]

Roleplay from Usul Soul

"....And this passage I find very interesting, Take a look...." Usul pointed out. He was entertaining a guest when a knock at the door echoed through the lectern chamber. He arose from his chair and proceded to the door. Upon opening the chamber door, he was faced with faithful Erasmus, and beside him Usaath. Usaath although somewhat an ugly character appeared more human-like that Usul had previously noticed.
"Master, how may me serve?" Usaath spoke out
Usul grinned "Go Usaath, to the lower dungeon and prepare it for action. I may be expecting a guest"

Roleplay from Usul Soul

Usaath, quickly departed to do his masters bidding.
"Erasmus, you have exceded your services to me again" Usul admitted, "I am indeed indebted to you. He looks almost human, how so?"
"M'lord, the letter from 'A'" Erasmus explained, "It described in detail the methods of preservation. I simply adapted those methods to improve the flesh of your new servant"
"Very well. Come my friend, I wish you to meet someone" Usul announced, "I have been speaking to some of the construction crew. I have been approached by this man who seems to have a great interest in our teachings."
"Those lazy donkeys'! They could do with some discipline"
"I shall see to it" Usul replied, "For now though, I have another task in mind...."

[Logar]

Usul had one last use for the demonic head given to him by the mysterious 'A'
After having groomed his 'guest' for several weeks, his guest was ready for a sermon to bring him into the 'Temple of the Black Sun'. Unfortunately for him, Usul had another idea.

Roleplay from Usul Soul

During one of his expedition strolls around his City of Azros, Usul had approached and got talking with a construction worker supervisor leaning against a stone block, casually watching his men toiling in the hot midday sun. For two hours, Usul conversed with the superviser, cleverly practicing his persuasive skills on the young man of giant stature.
Now after several weeks of many discussions with Usul, the construction worker found himself once again sat with Usul in the lectern chamber, deeply interested in the teachings of the Book of Zraath. As requested, Erasmus had arrived with the head of the demon concealed beneath the red silken cloth.
"Are you ready my friend?" Usul asked the construction worker. He answered Yes with an enthusiastic nod, unaware of what this particular sermon truly involved.
Uncooked fresh meat was served on a silver platter and silver challices filled with the Blood of Beast followeed. And so the ritualistic sermon began....

After an hour using their various shamanistic techniques, their victim lay in a docile state of trance. This was the moment the demon head was unsheathed before him. To Usul's surprise, he noticed the head in a state of decay. Erasmus, noticing his Chancellors observation stated "We have not long M'lord. We better make this quick!"
Erasmus held the head as they began minipulating the mind of their unsuspecting victim, whilst the head crumbled between his fingers.
When Erasmus's hands were empty and a pile of fine dust lay at his feet, he asked "Do you think we had enough time, Usul?"
"We can only hope my friend, let's hope" Usul replied,  "Ok Erasmus, do it!"
Zraathen--the new name given and instilled in to the mind of their victim--fell down unconsious from a swift blow to the head with a club. Tied up and a hood placed over his head, Erasmus dragged him out of the chamber, summoned assistance from the guards and transported him to the docks.

Zraathen was now on his way to the newly arisen War Islands of the South.

[Logar]

Zraathen awoke on the War Island in the realm of Taselak (If I decide to continue the RP's of Zraathen, I will create seperate thread for him)

Roleplay from Zraathen Soul

Zraathen awoke opon the stony floor of his bed chamber.
He lunged out uncontrollably into empty space before eventually gaining composure and pulled himself up from the floor.
His mind blank--He knew nothing of where he was, or how he had become to be; in this unfamiliar room adorned with gold and silver decor worthy of none but of a noble person. Most strangely of all, he could recall no memory of who he was. He beat his hairy chest with one hefty thud to determine if it was a dream. He did not wake from his nightmare.

He held his throbbing head whilst he looked into a full length mirror, eloquently decorated with a polished silver border. Staring back at him was a heavily muscular figure as least six and a half feet tall--and naked. He was a large hairy beast of a man, but no hair could mask the large unusul tattoo inscribed upon his chest.
Banging his head with the palms of his hand, Zraathen roared out in sheer frustration "ARRRGHHH....!" before thrusting a boulder fist into the mirror, spraying shards of glass in all directions.

Roleplay from Zraathen Soul

The eyes!
All Zraathen could see in his minds eye were those eyes!

Try as he might, he could not conjure up any memory from before the moment he awoke on that cold stony floor. He felt a yearning, some purpose, but could not determine what it was that drove this feeling.
The hooting of an owl from outside the open window, indicated to him that it must still be the middle dark hours of night. Zraathen decided to sleep on it.
Perhaps this is a dream and I will wake from it soon

Roleplay from Zraathen Soul

The night was filled with dreams--Visions of symbols, blood and monster flesh. Zraathen tossed and turned all night, not quite sleeping, yet not awake. At one point during the night he awoke from an intense dream and had got out of bed, only to then wake yet again and get out of bed for a second time--Dreams within dreams?

Memories came back to him. Memories of a sermon, of two figures draped in red and black robes, chanting and offering silver chalices of blood--Then the eyes!
The deep feeling of purpose returned. It's a test! he recalled

Knock knock! a tap at the door.
Zraathen approched the door, still naked, and opened it. A maid stood there, gasped with embarrassment, then spoke "M'lord! welcome to Taselak. We have been looking forward to your arrival M'lord" she announced, "You were pretty drunk last night when your friends dropped you off"
"I have no friends!" Zraathen blurted out angrily
"A package for you M'lord" the maid struggling with the heavy burden, offered it to Zraathen, wrapped in a red silk cloth.
Zraathen accepted the package then closed the door.

Upon sliding back the silk cloth to reveal the object within, he became overwhelmed with that inner sense of purpose and realised a deep connection with the book which lay before him. The symbol on the cover matched that which was inscribed upon his chest. The book, he realised was a copy of the partially translated Book of Zraath.
He began to realise his purpose.