Pretty sure it's unnecessary, but if your current binding on Irateels is insufficient to trust the succubus with delivering the artifact could you boost it before sending her?

>not exactly how I'd like to spend our remaining 1 xp, or that lesser lust soul I expect would be needed for the process, but it's good to know our options

Assuming reinforcing a binding is even possible, disregard it if doing so will take more than 15 minutes. Even if opening the gateway hasn't alerted the local priesthood, or the necromancers (hey, they maintain the crypts...), there's a decent chance someone or something (how many unbound lust demons are running around in this world these days? Oh, and aren't we in a mage city where, for the sake of the argument, there may be dozens of people capable of identifying/detecting magical artifacts) has already noticed or soon will.

Finally, annoying though I know it is try to keep the kids alive until you can return them. Our access to an education in necromancy may depend on it, and since the original plan was to stay in the city for a while we probably don't want to be linked to any deaths or incompetence in performing agreed upon tasks. If you don't have an imp with them to alert you of any trouble, send one.

It seems unlikely I'll be able to transport this ring outside without drawing attention to myself. By pretty much everything that CAN notice me, if they haven't already. Favor is better than capture. Unless...

I could reveal who I am. More than likely, I'll be allowed to keep the ring for the purposes of study, if I word it right and make the appropriate tithes to the church to shut them up. I'd also easily be allowed to take a suppression item from the arcane university here, making transport much easier. Besides, Asmodeus is notorious for giving favor out like sweets. And only if those who he's noticed start getting more lustful themselves. Reveling in the pleasures of the flesh, and all that. And while revealing myself will eliminate my secrecy, once I reached the Northlands, that cover would probably disappear rather quickly anyway, since the Northlands are far better about keeping track of who's who.

Upon questioning Irateels about her ability to return home on her own, she admits that she'll have to be dismissed to do that, although most likely afterwards she'll be easily allowed to return to my side, if I so desire it. Asmodeus likes to reward those who aid him, after all.

With these new thoughts for your perusal, Voices, what do you all think I should finally do?

>>>Speak

So you'd need to revel in the pleasures of the flesh to get the promised favour from Asmodeus? Would you be willing to do that? Couldn't one of your imps sneak the ring out of the city under their invisibility? If no to both queries then go ahead and reveal yourself, also check up on the children, they may have managed to create a beserk skeleton or something.

>>469706
I bet even if he used an imp to take the ring the lust effects from the ring would just be a dead giveaway. It's also the demonic emissions from the ring that makes it pretty obvious. You can't really hide this demon artifact without the proper materials which we can only get by revealing who Shax is.

If we do reveal who Shax is then be prepare for noble political bull. We could also never cause the amount of chaos we did in the last town ever again if we tell who we are especially while we have the ring. Just giving you something to think about.

Hmm. Revealing yourself to the priesthood would kind of make more infernal soul collecting or necromantic research difficult, wouldn't it?

I'm not sure how useful the boon from Asmodeus might be since you're not so interested in doing lust acts yourself. Then again, how useful is the ring in our possession? Can Irateels tap into it's power to boost her own seduction powers to absurd levels? That would be an excellent way to shut down a large number of opponents all at once- or possibly even useful to overpower your sibling's resistance when you face them. After all- it sure worked on you.

Actually, I like that plan. A super charged succubus has all kinds of potentially useful applications.

If Irateels complains- remind her that as long as she has it on her person, it'll be returned to hell and her Prince eventually. And in the meantime, we can reap the benefits...

We have received no statements that the priesthood forbids necromancy, why should our revealing ourselves prevent the practice thereof? There's a publically acknowledged necromantic college in the same town as a priest college, you're not making sense. :/

>>469722
I'm guess I'm just assuming the faith has a negative opinion of necromancy? And there is a distinction between disproving of something and considering it an anathema to be destroyed (ie, practicing necro might cause us public relations issues. Being a warlock would get us killed).

I suppose that was never explicitly stated. If the faith doesn't disapprove, that would be convenient (although that seems unlikely. It's not like religions are very often accepting of scientific and/or magical study of life and death).

>>469719
This assumes Irateels can block the infernal emanations of the ring. Since she is a lesser demon I doubt that is the case. Easy way to tell, now that she has the ring can Shax still detect it (feel ambient, but manageable lust)?

You know what, I think we should send The ring back to the FatherMother, not because keeping it will inevitable lead to Shax revealing himself and potentially drawing his siblings and house rivals like moths to flame, but because keeping the ring may well redefine his growth to focus around utilizing the artifact and avoiding it's sway. Add in the assumption that we will lose anonymous access to non infernal avenues of growth if we keep a obviously infernal magical item on our person (once we are able without succumbing to it) or close enough to keep an eye on... I'm not convinced those restrictions are worth it.

>>469728
>This assumes Irateels can block the infernal emanations of the ring.
Actually, no, I'm assuming she'll still be able to use the ring after Shax reveals himself and the faith sets us up with something to block the emanations. Which, admittedly, might not be the case. (The ring might be unusable in a lead box, or the wards might not be something a demon can touch).

>>469702
I am still very much inclined to keep the artifact, even with these considerations in play. If possible, getting it out of town unnoticed would be ideal so that we can avoid revealing ourselves and use that artifact to its fullest potential; if that's not practical then revealing ourselves and talking our way out with it might be necessary, but so long as we end up with this thing in hand and deployable for power, that's acceptable.

Waitwaitwaitwaitwait, we've been thinking about how to do this all wrong. No need to reveal ourselves to keep the ring, just have the lust imp hold on to it and have it stay in the catacombs, the later tonight Shax goes outside the town and summons the imp to him, ring moved from the catacombs without anyone the wiser. Also if bookworm girls asks tell her that the lust she felt is just from what has built up at Asmodeus' shrines over the years or something, she doesn't seem a infernal expert so she might buy that or another plausible pseudotruth.

>>469887
Well can demons take things with them if we teleport them to our side? I don't think it's ever been confirmed that whatever item a demon carries is taken with them when you teleport them. Of course if we can do it then I'm up for it.

The only problem if we can pull off this plan is that we won't have the suppression item so we would have to avoid cities, or leave it with a demon outside of the city with the chance of losing it if someone still senses the artifact anyways.

Just get a lead box, should work well enough.

>>469936
Wouldn't Shax say something if he could just get a lead box to block the ring? How do you know that would work?

Lead boxes are usually good for blocking these sort of things. I'm assuming here. If box fails he can just use his ward-fu on a box I guess.

Ok, I don't support Shax revealing himself, but if that's what's going to happen there are a few things to consider. Mainly there is a lust devoted cultist who probably won't be happy about a non devotee of Asmodeus hanging onto the ring (might, though unlikely, send a death bolt your way) and is aware that you have a travelling with you succubus (and may speculate you are her summoner since she seems competent). Depending on the extent to which your family's infernal activity is publicly known she may be a liability when the church (I assume there's an inquisition? Didn't see one mentioned but may have missed it) inevitably interviews her. In fact, you investigating rumors of cult activity might make a good cover story since it has some truth.

Also, if you are revealing yourself then access to necromancy education (in the unlikely event that you are not immediately leaving town) is no longer dependent on keeping the kids out of trouble.

I vote for using the ring to gain favor now, because I really want to avoid political games and because it would be difficult to hide the ring's effects. (unless shax can manage to reproduce the wards that were on the door) I also feel that we should do something for the girl so she doesn't get pissed and snitch. (ie, letting her see/hold the ring, mentioning her name to the prince, [sharing a bit of credit] or giving her one of the weak souls of lust[one which can only summon a lust imp])

>>470185
>>470192
Why would she tell Luna's followers? She would lose the ring forever and get killed if she tell how she knows. You can't accuse a noble without decent evidence.

>The priests divide themselves between the two, with Luna's followers being the more militant, believing that they must guard against the users of dark magic because we supposedly are more active at night, while the followers of Sol work to spread the Faith and provide more humanitarian aid to the world.

Some info about the faith that you may have missed.

Anyways it's probably more likely that she tries to steal the ring. If she does then you have an excuse to kill her. She also thinks you have a "understanding" with her god/demon prince so another point for her to not try anything. You can also use the research about the ring to get her on your side if you want. She also doesn't know it's the ring. She just thinks something of importance may be in there.

>it would be difficult to hide the ring's effects
That's what the suppression item is for I'm guessing.

I'm personally fine for either keeping it or giving it up for favor.

>>470203
Thanks.

I think we're working off a couple different assumptions regarding the Lunans. I expect (and could very well be wrong) that they have multiple orders with different focuses and specialties. If a powerful demonic artifact suddenly appears someone is going to kick that information up the chain of command and eventually someone (perhaps several someones) from the relevant division will be dispatched to assess the situation and determine the appropriate response. A part of that process would be interviewing witnesses.

>Why would she tell the Luna's followers?
Why would she have a choice? Is there not magic in this world?

I'm not necessarily advocating offing the cultist right now, just pointing out that the primary value in returning her and the other two students safely to their handlers is void if Shax is planning to reveal himself and that this might be a decent time to wrap up those loose ends if they may prove inconvenient down the road.

>You can't accuse a noble without decent evidence.
Agreed. I just think we/Shax may wish to consider the evidence he will be leaving.

>>470215
Well the church may not be a problem
>if I word it right and make the appropriate tithes to the church to shut them up

It's basically a bribe without calling it a bribe. One of the many perks of being a noble. Basically we can get away with the demon artifact as long as we say we are going to study it.

The only real problem is if the cultist gets caught and confess but if she made it this far without being caught then we don't need to kill her now.

I assume that we're Prideful? Leave while you can, make the two students get together, and make our cultist wear the ring in order to get a Lustful witch-soul that walks around and does our bidding.

It seems the easiest route will be revealing myself. Not ideal, but better than having to deal with somehow getting the ring out another way. Besides, I can always return it to Asmodeous at some other point in time, if we ever feel the need. Regardless, it's about time to leave.

I head back outside, Irateels in tow, and find the children already getting a little more touchy then they probably should be. I snap them out of it by slapping them all across the face, intent on at least getting them out without anything weird happening to them. The trek back takes longer than the trek forward, mostly because I have to keep stopping them from ripping their own clothes off, now that they're in such close proximity to the ring without any protection or training whatsoever. When we do make it back to the surface, almost immediately the questions start up, and the kids are herded off elsewhere. Members of all four of the other magical schools are there, all focusing angrily on me. The amount of questions being asked makes it difficult to pick out any particular one, so instead of waiting for things to die down, I get the inevitable over with.

"I hereby declare myself. I am Shax, of the Markov Family."

The crowd goes quiet, and I nod my head in satisfaction. Bastards can stay off of me. Or at least show proper respect, now. Either way, the first to snap out of their confusion is a priestess type, the high bishop of the church-school, I would guess, who comes forward and bows her head politely before digging into me with questions.

"You found something down their, didn't you?"

"Yes. A ring. A ring of lust, by the feel of it and how the kids reacted. I admit I didn't go down there to find it, but when I did... it was too dangerous to leave down there for someone unprepared to find."

"The Church of Sol will take it from you."

"Wrong. It stays with me. The Markov family has been keeping such artifacts under our watch for centuries, there is no reason I shouldn't take it back with me to the north."

"I don't find this acceptable at al-"

"Of course, the Markov family would be quite happy to make a donation to the church-school here, and perhaps provide some needed assistance if ever necessary."

The priestess goes silent a moment, then she seems to back down, taking up a more defensive feel to her and looking a bit more respectful. Other college leaders merely look on with envy.

"I see... yes, I can see how that might be worthwhile. I have heard that the Markov family is quite knowledgable about a variety of subjects. Perhaps you do have some way to defend yourself from its power... Still, I must insist a seasoned member of Sol accompany you. To ensure its safe passage into the Markov family's possession."

Damn. And they have every right. Studying or using the ring will be far more difficult with a priest around. Regardless, it's better than having it taken. And I don't plan on leaving for awhile yet anyway.

"Agreeable. I have business to finish here, however, and I'll be sure to inform you upon my departure."

"Unnecessary. We shall have our selected priestess with you in mere minutes. Out in the courtyard. Now if you'll excuse me."

Well... shit. Now we're stuck with whoever while we're here, to. Still better than I expected though. I was thinking we'd get stuck with some Luna worshipping fanatics. Least we get the more calm of the two. Regardless, as soon as the priestess leaves, I'm assaulted with questions by the other groups, and I choose to ignore them all, waving them away in favor of saying I'll visit each group later at some point. In the meantime, I make my way through the small crowd of people and head outside, where I discover another group, this one led by the noble of the region, a Belis of House Cardak. A minor family in the great scheme of things, they are almost always found attached to another house's backside. Thankfully, the Markov's have managed to steer clear of them for the most part. This one is already attached to someone, although who I can't recall, but regardless, he steps up to me the moment I come out.

"Ah! My Lord Markov! Please, do accept our apologies, we didn't even know you were in the city."

"I wanted it that way. Unfortuanatel, events have transpired to deny me my travel plans. Regardless, it's a pleasure to see you."

"Of course, of course. Please, do allow me to offer you accommodations at the castle for the duration of your stay, if there is anything at all we can do for you...?"

"At the moment, no, although I will consider staying at the castle. For now, I have business to attend to."

"As you wish, Lord Markov. I will hope to see you soon."

The man leaves, his entourage following him, and is quickly replaced with two priestesses. Both bow to me, then the closer of the two speaks.

"My Lord Markov. I am Priestess Moria, and Disciple Lara, at your service. We were instructed to accompany you on your journey to the north."

"So I've heard. It is a pleasure to meet you. You are of the Sun, I take it?"

"Yes, My Lord. My Disciple is thinking of going to the Moon, but she still must complete her basic training with me before she can decide. She is currently silenced, a punishment for some words she should not have said, so forgive her if she does not speak."

"I understand. Your to accompany me everywhere, then?"

"To safeguard the ring, yes."

By the Seven... Well, we'll just have to make the best of it. Maybe we can lose them somewhere along the way. For now, to other business. I'll need to find a way to keep this rings emanations down, otherwise things will get very interesting walking down the street. I can handle that though, given enough time alone and a spare box of some sort. We'll also need to visit each of these colleges, to perform the normal meet and greet, and decide whether we should be staying at the castle.

>I'll need to find a way to keep this rings emanations down
Shouldn't you consult your annoying priestess escort for this? I thought that was the whole reason we decided it was worth bringing them along.

>Silenced
Are you familiar with this practice? Does this mean she is unable to speak, or merely forbidden? There's a difference there, and one we may be able to abuse in the future.

>The ring
I assume Irateels is still holding it? How do we explain her ability to resist it to the priestesses? How's she taken her idea being shot down, anyways? We may need to talk to her later. We also need to figure out if how we can apply or weaponize the ring. What benefit does it give us if we're not cashing it in for favor?

In the short term, these priestesses will impede your ability to collect souls. In the short term, they may be of some use if you are attacked by your competitors / siblings. Longer term, I think your goal should be to get an envy demon and have Moria killed and replaced. A puppet priest could be useful, as could a demon with access to holy magic.

Well the first thing we have to do is block the ring's emanations with whatever method we have to do because I have no idea what goes into a endeavor like that.

>>473494
>her ability to resist it
Well hopefully they won't ask but if they do then just say she has a powerful will. They may not know how strong the lust effects are when you hold it so it's best not to let them touch it.

>Silence
An annoying spell, if its used properly. It doesn't really affect the use of magic, except for divine users, who need to call on their gods for the magical power needed, but it can make it very difficult during wars or when you need to inform someone of something. However, the priests do have vows of silence as well. I don't know which is being enforced on the girl right now.

>Demon/Holy Magic
Repeat that to yourself. The demon wouldn't be able to. They could fake the same spells, but they wouldn't be divine in any form. They would be considered demonic. The visuals would be the same though, so I suppose the end result would be the appearance of holy magic.

>The Priests for help
Hm. I'd rather simply ward a box they rely on them. They have a tendency to lock something up and never let anyone see it ever again. In the meantime, Irateels is fine holding the ring for now, and the two priestesses don't seem to notice she is, or they just haven't said anything about it. I head off, leading the way with my small entourage, through the crowds of people towards the outskirts, getting the ring away from the many people around it. It's only as I make it to the gate that I realize no one is falling down with lust for anyone else. I pause, frowning, then glance at Irateels. She seems fine, although she's holding the ring rather reverently in her hand, and she seems to have taken a slight... glow... almost. Like she somehow more energetic. I excuse myself from the priestesses for a moment, drag Irateels away, then get down to finding out what's going on.

"Irateels, why are you practically glowing?"

"Hm? Oh! I think, Master, that is because I sucking in all the lust emanating from this thing. It'll work for maybe another few days before I lose control of myself. Unless I get to work off some of the lust somehow~"

"I see... do you feel stronger with this lust inside you?"

"Um... a little, but its very unfocused. I wouldn't call it a very good boost in strength. I might be able to focus it or channel it somehow, but that might take time for me to figure out how to do, particularly with the annoyances over there."

"I see... you're not angry I didn't return it to Asmodeous?"

"Eh, it'll get to him eventually, whether from you or someone else. We demons, we live a long time. Waiting is part of what we do, a few more decades won't mean anything in the great scheme."

"Hm. I suppose you're right. Off we go then."

I head back to collect the priestesses, then make my way towards the small castle that overlooks this city. It is unremarkable, for the most part, just like every other castle or keep in the region, even the guards are unremarkable. The Captain of said guard greets me at the gate, but he remains little more than a face, and I proceed to ignore him and his rambling in favor of heading inside. There, the lord greets me, and he is similarly ignored except for the necessary niceties before being escorted to the rooms provided to us. Irateels is unceremoniously left with me, likely assuming that she's a lover or companion of some sort, but it matters little. I begin by placing a few wards in the room, hidden behind objects and the like. That should keep the ring from influencing everyone in the entire castle. Then it's time to start work. Irateels places the ring on the provided desk, and I begin by examining as best I can for identifying markings and the like. Some demonic script is adorned across the surface, but it's too small for me to make out. Irateels proves little help either, unfamiliar with anything in particular about the ring, other than it's origins. I frown, then decide that unless the local magic guilds have infernal tomes(unlikely) than I really will have to head home to study this thing properly.

I'm interrupted by that point by a knock on the door, which proves to be the annoying priestesses, or rather, just the head one, she walks in, and almost immediately backs out, eyes going wide for a second before she disappears back into the hallway. I sigh, then head outside to find the priestess breathing heavily, hand over her eyes, trying to calm herself.

"I probably should have warned you, but regardless, you really should have checked before walking in like that."

"Shouldn't that ring be affecting... everyone?"

"I've picked up some ways to block that sort of thing. Irateels happens to be one of them. She's quite good at that. Regardless, what can I do for you?"

"I was... I was going to offer to help in some way, but... I don't think I can be in that room. At least, not without protection of some sort. If I try asking Sol..."

"That might be for the best, you not being in the room, I mean. Working with demonic artifacts can be quite... difficult, especially with members of the holy arts nearby."

"Yes well... regardless, I'll see what I can do."

"As it pleases you."

The priestess leaves back to her rooms, and I reenter my room to find Irateels lounging on the bed, and a few imps lounging about on other pieces of furniture. I drop myself into the chair next to the desk and stare at the ring, mind tumbling over different theories of how to use it. For now though, plans must be set. I'll have to greet the other mage colleges before I leave, and likely get roped into some political play at some point. The local lord will have to be dealt with, either ignored politely or dealt with more forcefully. The priestesses won't be an issue as long as I keep to myself, and while I don't relish the idea, the wrath demon we have will have to continue to stay hidden. I'll have few opportunities to go soul hunting here. And I'll have to decide how long to stay in the city before moving on.

Your advice, demons of the mind?

>>>Speak

>The demon wouldn't be able to. they wouldn't be divine in any form.

Hmm. That contradicts your own explanation of greater envy demons, earlier.

>if they were mimicking a priest, be able to wield some divine power

Regardless of the actual divinity of the power, would mimicked or faked holy abilities be effective against demons? We're looking for a potential edge up on your siblings, here. If not, we could always just position or manipulate the living priestess into unwittingly helping your ends, instead of replacing her.

>it's too small for me to make out.
...I don't suppose the imps are small enough that they can make out the symbols? Even if they're illiterate, you can set one of them to painstakingly copying the symbols down on paper, large enough for you to read.

Or, alternatively, you could see about acquiring a magnifying lens, or a jeweler's eyepiece. Equipment like that must be available to craftsmen needing to do fine detail.

>>474936
Getting some magnifying lens would probably be the best especially if the imps are illiterate. We might want to ward a box first to have a place to put the ring and for the lens we could request some while preparing the box.

Politely ignore the lord. Get some sort of magnifying glass or microscope, possibly from one of the colleges. You still have study privileges from the necromancer's to redeem, so go there and try to pick up whatever you can.

>>474936
Probably not.

Hmm. Would there be any value to trying to slowly corrupt this priestess? Does that get any benefits, or just the standard soul thing?

>>475244
Well, we could try corrupting the priestess is a slightly roundabout way. Instead of weakening the seals holding the lust in the artifact in, to corrupt her, we could let Irateels work out the lust she collected on the priestess, both corrupting her and letting Ira work out the stuff before she loses control.

And if anyone discovers the priestess got lusted, we weaken the wards, say she's been getting too close and got corrupted accidentally and no will be none the wiser to our plots.

>>475334
I'd rather we tried mundane and/or conventional methods of manipulation, at least at first. Also, we don't know that the priestess would be susceptible to a succubus' charms.

>>475334
My question was not if/how we could do it, but rather whether there was a benefit to it worth the degree of effort and risk involved. Because there is always risk.

>>475376
Well, there are obviously potential benefits to a suborned, manipulated, controlled, or somehow influenced priestess of some kind. Especially since, yanno, she's the person watching us right now. And potentially we can use her as a tool to impede or oppose the infernal activities of our competitors.

Soul-wise, I dunno if there's extra benefit to turning an initially pure and holy soul into something corrupt to harvest.

But yeah, the further we take it, the greater the risk. Any move we make against her gives us greater risk of exposure- and if exposed, we have to kill her, which comes with other risks.

...although, we do have a partial cover for that already. We're transporting an infernal object. The forces of evil are going to try and take it, make attempts on our do gooder life. Such a shame the priestess died fighting off the creatures of the unknown warlock hunting us... (Obviously this story sells better after one of our siblings makes a failed attempt on our lives. Or we sacrifice a demon to fake one on ourself).

That's longer term planning, though. Short term, we just have to worry about concealing ourself, and dealing with whatever political machinations try and take advantage of Shax in town, or any magical forces that make a move for the ring.

>>475376
Agreed

>>475244
>>475334
>>475337

You know, if we get serious about corrupting the priestess we should probably use a sin she isn't expecting (after experiencing the ring's influence she's going to be on guard against lust). Not sure if it's worth a lesser wrath soul, or the risk of detection during summoning, but tempting her into alcoholism via subtle gluttony imp venom application could be easily interpreted as a mundane reaction to stress and significantly lower her resistance to other sins... 

As for the warded box (or whatever container is chosen), make sure you have some way of tracking the thing. If someone wants to steal the ring the box will make doing so both easier (harder to track) and safer (no massive corrupting lust field to deal with).

Also, if you still have that mask from the last town now (before any of the castle staff/priestesses stumble onto it) would be a good time to disposed of it (preferably by reducing it to ash without any collateral damage).

>>475623
Ah, but feeling abnormal amounts of lust around an ancient demonic lust artifact is probably not unexpected. We can probably trick her into all sorts of things to help "protect her".

>>475784
...possibly? Although the last thing we want is for her to think we're being influenced by the artifact, or unable to properly contain it. Then suddenly she wouldn't be very happy about us keeping it instead of the church.

Would a Priest or priestess lose their powers if they become too corrupt? I just asking because divine power are derived from a outside source a.k.a. the Twins Gods Sol and Luna which they get by following the faith. This could change how useful it is to corrupt the priestess.

>DIVINE magic is magic granted by following the FAITH. The Faith is a religion spread far and wide in the world, and is the most closely followed of all religions. It's often said to be the opposite of INFERNAL magic, but in reality, the two are more similar than opposites, as both forms of magic are derived from an outside source. Priest, Clerics and Paladins are the wielders of this form of magic.

>>475790
_We_ are resisting the artifact just fine. She is the one following us around while we are carrying a highly dangerous artifact to where it can be properly sealed away.

Her expierience with it is basicly "in the same room with it,- oh dear god the lust"

>>475834
No, I just meant if we try to tempt her with lust, the logical assumption she might make is we're being affected.

>>475835
Or, since we're studying the artifact, that we're either recklessly leaving the ring unshielded or are using her as a test subject.

That said we should probably try to confirm that the silent priestess is in fact a lowly disciple...probably paranoia, but sending someone inept enough to be put under a vow of silence on a dangerous, low profile mission with a fairly powerful noble (and lets admit it, a fairly strange and dangerous one at that) seems odd.

Corrupting a Priestess is likely going to difficult, especially because of their ability to use Divine magic, but... it is a sound plan, as long as we proceed carefully. We'll have to find her sin though, however small, and work on making that larger. Everyone has one, and finding it might prove a bit more difficult. Still, having someone who is thought to be divinely touched would be useful. As for the disciple... it's not uncommon for such things to happen. In a way, it's a test for the youngling. The child will be tested to see if they can follow instructions, even when there's something as corrupt filled and sinful as the ring around. I'll be sure to keep an eye out for anything suspicious, however.

Over then next week of activity, I work mostly on studying up on the ring, as well as doing the necessary meet and greets. The imps I have are sent out to go hunting, looking for any souls worth possibly working on. The larger city provides quite a few more souls, but they are all of a relatively low caliber, nothing I desire. Still, the imps keep on searching for something. The Priestesses, after that one incident with the ring, have seen fit to avoid entering my room, instead pestering me whenever they(she) can about leaving and heading towards home. I put them off, mostly because I have no desire to leave quite yet.

On what time I do have to myself and not studying the ring, I have found myself dealing with the necromantic college, studying what I can about the magic. For the most part, it involves formulas and such, at least for the alchemical parts, but when it actually comes to the magic part... you need to have some sort of connection to the realm of death, apparently. This is usually achieved by having a near death experience. I can learn all the formulas I want, make all the potions I want, and get no closer to the magic until I have that experience.

Regardless, the week spent isn't fruitless. I manage to requisition a small pack for herbs and such, and learn quite a bit about making a few simple potions, antidotes and salves for the most part. At the same time, I've been approached by the college heads of the Church and the Druids with requests to teach a class on something. I admit, demons are my only real specialty, but it's not uncommon for people to study demons themselves, as long as they aren't summoning them. I really only have the time to spare for one of the colleges though, if at all, and while I could refuse, that might seem a little odd if I refuse the Church, especially because the family is supposed to be a Faith abiding one. We'd be safer, detection wise, if we chose the Druids however.

>>>Speak

Go to the druids. We can probably improvise something about the great circle of life and the balance of nature or whatever.

Well... what subjects are you qualified to give a lecture on? Besides demons, although that sort of makes sense, given that your cover is containing and studying a demonic artifact. Go in as Egon Spengler, basically.

If you need 'safe' material, I could fill you in on a fair amount of mathematics, and non-magical physics (although, I'm not sure how much of the physics applies to your world. Newtonian mechanics and basic chemistry seems the same, but anything beyond that and I'm getting presumptuous. Math is math, though). Certainly enough to fill a blackboard for several hours, and put a suspicious crowd to sleep, if need be.

>>475987
>having a near death experience

Does the Necro college simply select its students from people that have such experiences naturally or do they facilitate them somehow?

There are several low-risk methods of inducing an NDE. Don't suppose you could get access to a G-force simulator? (something that spins you round and round and round really fast)

Perhaps some sort of drug or potion? Have you ever heard of a puffer fish? They have a venom that will induce a death-like state with the right dosage. (not to be tried without expert instruction)

If the Necro college has such a thing available then it's worth looking into.

Also, if it wasn't clear, I kind of favor going to the church.

What are the risks of detection involved though? Will sufficiently powerful divine infused people sense your infernal attunement? or are just worried about trying to sell the demon researcher, know your enemy angle without giving the warlock game away?

The Church demanded and imposed a priestess and her novice on you for the monitoring of this ring, and this priestess so far has been absolutely no help in dealing with it and irritatingly insistent on you leaving town quickly besides.

This provides an opportunity: If you want to induce a little bit of amusing infighting you can push this priestess into conflict with her church between their desire for you to provide a lecture and her desire to leave sooner. I would recommend asking her if you should leave a day later and give a lecture at their college or leave a day earlier if you want to make her less angry at you. If you want to make her more angry at you tell the college representatives that you will give a lecture at the druid college because that is being polite. and that you would welcome their attendance at this lecture. Then also inform them that in deference to the wishes of the priestess whom you are currently responsible for you will set off on your journey a day earlier instead of giving a demonology lecture at the seminary/religious college.
Either way communicate this with plenty of time for the church to go about infighting with the priestess over it.

The Necromancer's College has no means of getting me to a near death experience, unless I want to get stabbed in the chest and hopefully saved before I pass over the edge into death. Simulations, such as toxins and the like, that merely fake death don't count towards the magic.

As for the priest-training ground... detection isn't a problem, as long as those priests capable of it don't start hurling around detection spells. It's possible that one of the Twins could turn their attention to the temple as well, but the chances of that are slim to none. Even less likely they'll be searching for the minuscule amount of demonic energy I let off. And reporting to the church that my personal chaperone wants to leave early would have the opposite effect. It's actually in the best interest of the church to have the thing in the Markov vaults as quickly as possible.

As for any possible lessons, demons summoning is illegal. Studying them ins't, although it is frowned upon. I could easily give a lesson on demons though, without giving myself away as a warlock. As long as they don't find out I've summoned them myself, then we're fine.

>>>Speak

We voices note a tendency for people who hear us to experience very interesting circumstances. Accordingly, there is no point in forcing a near-death experience now when it is well within the realm of likelihood that you will naturally experience one later.
Further you revealed your identity to solve the social problem of the acquisition and removal of the ring, I think we should perform this task quicker if possible because currently our identity has been revealed and anonymity is a very strong protection from infighting ambushes that I would wish to regain as soon as possible in these circumstances. The longer we hang around this priestess chick and her trainee the more chances there are we slip up as well, so let's limit that risk the direct way. Notify family that we're coming home and why in the best way possible for avoiding infighting.
How to resolve the social problems in town and why we should bother is a question I have trouble answering beyond saying that having magic other than demonic would be good to have for many reasons, most particularly so that you have better excuses for knowing what you know and acting the way you do without making people suspicious of the truth.

You dabble with demons, hunt potentially dangerous individuals in order to harvest souls, and you have several warlock siblings out to kill you. I don't think it will be necessarily to manufacture a near death experience- there's a good chance you're going to experience one naturally.

I'm liking this church lecture less and less. Demons are a risky thing to talk about, and trying to pass your knowledge off in a useful way (know they enemy- how to counteract demons) is counterproductive.

Can't you give a philosophical/theological lecture? You'd think a lifetime as a warlock paying lip service to the church would have prepared you for that. Or if not that, let me fill your head with differential equations. We can bore them with advanced mathematics.

>>477388
Excellent points and good ideas for lecture ideas.

1. Since the NDE must be authentic its too risky to manufacture; wait for it to happen naturally. The obvious solution is to outsource it to a pride demon as those can cast both arcane and necromantic spells. Get one who is good at healing necromancy and hopefully it will save you next time you nearly die (which is good idea beyond the need for NDE).

2. Try getting some tomes on arcane magic from arcane college, you already know some arcane spells so if anyone asks you are a wizard/sorcerer. Ideally you want to get good enough at arcane to make your infernal blast be disguiseable as arcane fire (via sheathing it in arcane fire perhaps?).
2b. Probably too risky, but we could summon a pride imp and try to snatch a pride soul at the arcane college... but a the moment I am against it (until priestesses are taken care of).

3. Have Irateels seduce a jeweler to make a fake ring and then dispose of him discreetly (do not be involved with it personally even if it means missing out on a lust soul).

Make a showy genuine warded lockbox for the ring as well as a discreet warded carrying case for Irateels.
Keep the fake in the lockbox which is to be locked at all time and with you. Keep the real ring in the discreet carrying case with Irateels with her taking the ring out when she has privacy to recharge until she learns to use the power better and can wear it at all times.

Justify delays in saying you need to finish warding the carrying case. Justify not giving a lecture by saying you need to deliver the ring to lockbox ASAP. If you must give a short lecture aim at one about arcane warding schemes in the sylvan college or what was suggested in >>477388 don't lecture about demons