Discord
Changelog
10-20-2011, 06:59 PM
The old man shuffled forward deeper into the tomb. He stiffened for a moment and without turning spoke into the darkness.
“You promised that Velsharoon would save those I selected,” he simply stated “Yet several were killed, and others he allowed his Seneschal to return to the very heart of Thay. Why?”
“It was their choice,” a cold, malevolent voice rasped from behind him. “They have served our purpose and disrupted Tam’s plans, which if allowed to fruition could have set back our agenda by decades, maybe even centuries. We have patience, but do not wish to see all we have built in the last ten years ripped apart by some self-proclaimed emperor.”
“Yes, I know your reasons. I am not disputing the fact that Tam needed to be stopped. But why the sacrifice of those who bravely fought on our behalf? They were to be spirited out of Thay. Now, what hope do they have to escape Tam’s wrath?”
“I do not presume to know their minds. They will not implicate us, regardless. And if knowing they remain in Thay will preoccupy Tam with thoughts of vengeance, then all the better for our plans if his ambitions are shattered and intentions focus on activities other than uniting and ruling Thay.”
The disembodied voice continued, “We may even yet save them from the death Tam sends after them -maybe a couple times more- if it will continue to occupy his thoughts even further. Rest assured that should they remain in southern Thay Aznar Thrul and his allies will see that many of Tam’s plots against them are foiled, even if they cannot publicly acknowledge doing so.”
The old man grimaced and shook his head, “I think it is time my service to the Vengeful end. If you will not better protect those I select for the greater good than I refuse to continue. Dangling those who actually care about others as bait for the Zulkirs is not something I condone or will assist with.”
The malice in the voice deepened and the very air around the old man seemed to close in. “Do not let your emotions get in the way of your judgment. Your selections performed admirably, and may continue to do well in Thay if they are smart. As well, the Veiled Alliance that established itself with your guidance continues to thrive - with our assistance. Should you even consider betraying us or leaving the Vengeful, I will personally oversee the destruction of them and every other soul ‘for the greater good’ that you brought to Thay. Not to mention the end of any ‘good’ they now bring to Thay.”
The old man closed his eyes and heaved a heavy sigh. “I must know one thing more, regardless.” After a momentary pause with no response he posed his thoughts and query to the darkness. “I realize Velsharoon and Tam were bitter rivals before Velsharoon’s ascension. But as Velsharoon technically won, he must be concerned with more important activities - such as increasing his worshippers and divine power.
“So why would Velsharoon, the god of Undeath, oppose a lich uniting Thay and beginning a conquest of eastern Faerûn who would have an undead army behind him? Surely he would see that as a way to spread undeath and his worship, aye?”
For several heartbeats the oppressing silence remained unbroken. Finally, the voice spoke and then faded away.
“You see much, old man. Perhaps too much. The answer though, is thus; Velsharoon knows that the Vengeful are led by one more powerful than Tam and even better acquainted with undeath and its spread. When the day comes to pass where Thay comes to the rule of the one who leads the Vengeful, Velsharoon will be the deity worshipped above all others in Thay and the lands that it conquers.”
Left alone, the old man pondered, not for the first or last time, the evil to which he had allied and served himself. True, they assisted him in provided some hope and resistance against the evil Red Wizards and their minions, but would the ultimate cost of the good they did be worth it?
Only time would tell he decided, and shuffled out of the tomb. He already had others he wished to bring to Thay to help take advantage of the sacrifice made by Sarin, Reesa, Maegor, and others. It was time to get back to work.
“You promised that Velsharoon would save those I selected,” he simply stated “Yet several were killed, and others he allowed his Seneschal to return to the very heart of Thay. Why?”
“It was their choice,” a cold, malevolent voice rasped from behind him. “They have served our purpose and disrupted Tam’s plans, which if allowed to fruition could have set back our agenda by decades, maybe even centuries. We have patience, but do not wish to see all we have built in the last ten years ripped apart by some self-proclaimed emperor.”
“Yes, I know your reasons. I am not disputing the fact that Tam needed to be stopped. But why the sacrifice of those who bravely fought on our behalf? They were to be spirited out of Thay. Now, what hope do they have to escape Tam’s wrath?”
“I do not presume to know their minds. They will not implicate us, regardless. And if knowing they remain in Thay will preoccupy Tam with thoughts of vengeance, then all the better for our plans if his ambitions are shattered and intentions focus on activities other than uniting and ruling Thay.”
The disembodied voice continued, “We may even yet save them from the death Tam sends after them -maybe a couple times more- if it will continue to occupy his thoughts even further. Rest assured that should they remain in southern Thay Aznar Thrul and his allies will see that many of Tam’s plots against them are foiled, even if they cannot publicly acknowledge doing so.”
The old man grimaced and shook his head, “I think it is time my service to the Vengeful end. If you will not better protect those I select for the greater good than I refuse to continue. Dangling those who actually care about others as bait for the Zulkirs is not something I condone or will assist with.”
The malice in the voice deepened and the very air around the old man seemed to close in. “Do not let your emotions get in the way of your judgment. Your selections performed admirably, and may continue to do well in Thay if they are smart. As well, the Veiled Alliance that established itself with your guidance continues to thrive - with our assistance. Should you even consider betraying us or leaving the Vengeful, I will personally oversee the destruction of them and every other soul ‘for the greater good’ that you brought to Thay. Not to mention the end of any ‘good’ they now bring to Thay.”
The old man closed his eyes and heaved a heavy sigh. “I must know one thing more, regardless.” After a momentary pause with no response he posed his thoughts and query to the darkness. “I realize Velsharoon and Tam were bitter rivals before Velsharoon’s ascension. But as Velsharoon technically won, he must be concerned with more important activities - such as increasing his worshippers and divine power.
“So why would Velsharoon, the god of Undeath, oppose a lich uniting Thay and beginning a conquest of eastern Faerûn who would have an undead army behind him? Surely he would see that as a way to spread undeath and his worship, aye?”
For several heartbeats the oppressing silence remained unbroken. Finally, the voice spoke and then faded away.
“You see much, old man. Perhaps too much. The answer though, is thus; Velsharoon knows that the Vengeful are led by one more powerful than Tam and even better acquainted with undeath and its spread. When the day comes to pass where Thay comes to the rule of the one who leads the Vengeful, Velsharoon will be the deity worshipped above all others in Thay and the lands that it conquers.”
Left alone, the old man pondered, not for the first or last time, the evil to which he had allied and served himself. True, they assisted him in provided some hope and resistance against the evil Red Wizards and their minions, but would the ultimate cost of the good they did be worth it?
Only time would tell he decided, and shuffled out of the tomb. He already had others he wished to bring to Thay to help take advantage of the sacrifice made by Sarin, Reesa, Maegor, and others. It was time to get back to work.