Lierna the Blood-Cursed

There is a legend in the Multiverse of the Baron Sengir, and the Serra Paladin Ishan. Ishan sought the baron's power for his own, aiming to become a vampire and use their unnatural strength to defeat Sengir. Sengir was too clever for Ishan, and turned Ishan into a shade helplessly bound to Sengir's service.

Not all vampires are as clever as Baron Sengir.

Lierna began her life as a woman of great beauty and piety, on a plane that much like the Ulgrotha of old was menaced by a vampire lord of great power and growing influence. The Vampire Lord, who claimed the name of Charn the Inevitable built his power in the shadows while adopting cover identities to walk among mortals and build in the day an infrastructure that would serve him at night, in this way eluding those who hunted him by seeming to be many people. The sworn knights of the land struggled to root out Charn's network, but gradually, they found themselves losing ground. But then, Charn the Inevitable became infatuated with Dame Lierna. Perhaps because she was both a great beauty and, by her station, inaccessible even to the vampire lord, this obsession festered and grew.

Charn kidnapped Lierna, but because of the sacred wards upon her soul knew he could not turn her if she was unwilling to make herself vulnerable to the same. Eventually, she escaped, and began to piece together the horrible truths from her captivity. As Charn, in all his guises, seemed to stalk her footsteps, she came to the realization of what was going on, and an idea of what she could do about it. Thus, slowly so as not to rouse the vampire's suspicion, she allowed herself to 'be seduced' by the dark power, allowing Charn to believe he had made a slave of her and, ultimately, make her a vampire and his bride. Then, in the hour of Charn's triumph, when he let his guard down, Lierna struck, and rid her world of Charn's evil.

It was only the next night, as she felt a deep, new sort of hunger, that she realized that in her determination to kill Charn the Inevitable, she had let his evil live on inside her. For a time, she tried to resist fully, and hide her new nature from the world as Charn had hidden in his many guises, but her new instincts were too great, and less than a month after the fall of Charn, before his network had even been fully dismantled, Lierna consumed the blood of her parents and siblings in a night of frenzied bloodlust.

After coming to her senses and realizing what she had done, Lierna fled, and began to devise ways to manage her bloodlust so that the tragedy would never be repeated. She struck her heraldry from her armor and tarnished it black, and began to ride through the night as Lierna the Blood-Cursed, stalking criminals and wrongdoers on which to slake her thirst. While still devoted to the cause she supported in the first life, Lierna is now as much a monster as those she kills, and a deep part of her hopes that some other knight will strike her down before she loses her last threads of humanity in the endless, bloody struggle.

Physical Description: Lierna was once regarded as incredibly beautiful, and now has the unearthly grace of a vampire – which, of course, may make her seem uncanny or offputting, at least on a subconcious level. Her hair is reb-blonde. Her skin is extremely pale. Her eyes are black, having changed from the green she had as a mortal.

Personality: Lierna spends most of her time sorrowful, but becomes increasingly vicious on the hunt. When entering combat, she has usually driven herself into a berserker blood frenzy, with little thought for anything other than killing and consuming her foe. Outside battle and the prelude thereto, she is dominated by despair and self-doubt, as she becomes increasingly unsure her path of killing other evildoers is curbing her own slide into darkness.

Powers and abilities: Lierna is a highly skilled martial combatant, specialized in heavy armor and mounted combat. Her vampiric nature gives her enhanced speed and strength that increases further as she fights and further still if she drinks blood. This makes her far more dangerous than most any mortal swordswoman.

The Pactwarden

Background: On the plane of Kesh, there exists a silent, gray, stone temple. Deep within dark, winding canyons it sits, all tall spires and monolithic architecture. Unlit braziers suggest the temple was once inhabited. Murals paint a picture of the sort of blasphemic rituals that took place beneath its roof. The shadows are deep, and something seems to move within them.

Whatever is in the shadows, however, stays there, fearful of what the construct in the center of the temple might do.

The being known as the Pactwarden is a tall construct made primarily of gray stone and dull iron. Because of how far from the civilized lands of Kesh the Pactwarden finds itself, not many people choose to consult it. Knowledge of it is available to those who seek it, but those who seek it should do so at their own risk. While some religious figures claim that the Pactwarden is a divine guardian, sent to protect people in their time of need, even they agree that it is best not to trouble the enormous golem. To bring your troubles to the Pactwarden is to stand and be judged before its gaze - if you are found wanting, it might simply crush you.

The Pactwarden, it is said, enforces agreements. A century ago, when Kesh was ruled over by a tyrannic demon and his peers, the Pactwarden would hunt down those who defied their bargains with the demons and claim their bodies so that the infernal host could claim their souls. It was not the demons, however, that created the pact warden. It was not even the demons who found it. No, in a time long past the Pactwarden was simply unearthed, fully formed, from the crust of the plane. How long it had been buried, or if it had ever seen the surface at all, was unclear. Records of the Pactwarden from this time were lost during the demon's rule, and so the mystery remains.

Regardless of it's origins, the Pactwarden has weathered the ages well. When the demon tyrant was overthrown and a semblance of peace returned to Kesh, the Pactwarden was abandoned in a faraway temple by the very demons who had once utilized it. Some say the Pactwarden was turned against its former masters, and the cold iron of its fists felled countless demons before whatever imperative moved it was satisfied. In truth, the consciousness that inhabits the golem may be the oldest thing left aware on the plane of Kesh - though none of yet thought to ask it about the passing of the ages.

When the inhabitants of Kesh to come across the Pactwarden - almost exclusively after seeking it out - it reacts to them with sharp focus and pointed questions: What was sealed that is broken? What was promised that is taken? What was told that is false? The Pactwarden seems concerned with the transgressions of liars almost singularly, although anyone who went back on their word can become a target for the construct. It was because of this that the demons of Kesh were particularly truthful and forthcoming in their dealings with the mortals - they wanted to be certain that when the mortals inevitably tried to break free of their contracts, that the Pactwarden would hunt them down.

When the Pactwarden learns of a broken promise, a rescinded oath, or even a lie, it moves into action. Often, the person who brought the transgression to the Pactwarden's attention will have to recite the promise - no matter how small, implied, or petty - so that the Pactwarden may discover how best to punish the transgressor. If the person lies to the Pactwarden - or even skirts the truth - the Pactwarden is liable to kill them where they stand. However, if the individual is honest, and the Pactwarden deems intervention necessary, the true terror of this construct is revealed.

The Pactwarden vanishes with hardly a sound, and where it goes during this time, no one knows. Inevitably, however, it reappears in the vicinity of its target, and approaches slowly, inexorably, and without outward regard for its surroundings. Those who try to run find themselves chased down by its steady advance - the Pactwarden need not rest, after all. Those who try to hide, are found. Sometimes, the Pactwarden will demand recompense from the transgressor. If the oath taken was binding enough, or if the betrayal was terrible enough, the Pactwarden will simply kill the transgressor, and vanish once more. Often, the person who went to the Pactwarden will return from their long journey to learn that the person whom they sought vengeance upon is already dead.

The most terrifying thing, however, is evidence that the Pactwarden sometimes does all of this without ever being notified of a transgression. Many have died to a night visit from the mysterious golem, and a handful of terrified account swear that the Pactwarden came to them and demanded they honor their oaths, or die. After an encounter like that, for what reason would they risk the Pactwarden's wrath by lying?

It is because of the Pactwarden that the people of Kesh utilize binding oaths in most of their important business. Oaths of fealty, peace treaties, and trade agreements are all honored to the letter lest the offended party bring the matter before the Pactwarden, and it decides to intervene. Threat of the Pactwarden keeps most unscrupulous individuals in line, and the saying "drawing the golem's gaze" is often used casually to insinuate someone is being untruthful.

Whatever the true purpose and origin of the Pactwarden, fighting it has proven impossible, and persuasions simply fall on deaf, stone ears. The plane of Kesh - still recovering from their demonic occupancy - has decided almost as one that it is better to keep your promises than risk the Pactwarden's attention.

Appearance: The Pactwarden stands nearly twenty feet tall and is half as wide. The golem is humanoid in shape, with two legs and two arms, but it is unclear after which humanoid it is modeled after. It has broad, iron plated shoulders and disproportionately long arms that nearly reach the ground. The knuckles of its three-fingered hands are also plated with iron. Its legs are proportionate with the rest of the body, however, it has no feet. Instead, the legs terminate in wide, flat surfaces. It moves fluidly and without hesitation despite this. It's chest is a shaped but uncarved mass of stone and iron plate. There are no markings on the Pactwarden of any kind, and it appears to have been carved from a single piece of stone.

It is unclear how the iron plates are affixed to its body.

Perhaps the most unsettling thing about the Pactwardn is its head. It has a very long neck that has proven strangely prehensile. It is the only part of its stone body that behaves like this, and some people believe that its neck is not made of stone at all. Its head is a single, round orb at the end of its neck, that appears to made entirely out of iron. An orifice at the front shines with a piercing, blue light. It is assumed that this is the eye.

When it speaks, its voice seems to originate from somewhere within its chest. The Pactwarden's voice is deep, and always echoes regardless of where it stands.

Abilities: The Pactwarden always knows what the truth is when it is being spoken to. It sees through illusions, trickery, and deception of all kind. Any attempt to mislead or misdirect the Pactwarden usually ends in death.

The Pactwarden evidently has the ability to teleport - or something similar to it - although it never reappears where it can be seen. Some believe it simply turns invisible and flies. Most people choose not to believe that because the thought terrifies them.

The Pactwarden can see its target over an distance and through any obstacle. While the magic of this ability is simple to understand - it is simply scrying - how it is capable of scrying so powerfully, and over such a long period of time, with no concentration and with so little information to go on in the first place, baffles scholars. Whoever, or whatever, created the Pactwarden must have been incredibly powerful.

Lastly, the Pactwarden's capabilities in combat mostly involve it smashing its target with its enormous fists. Should the target prove particularly elusive - such as a mage, or a flying creature - the Pactwarden's eye is capable of firing a powerful burst of energy that magically paralyzes anything it hits. At which point, it smashes its target with its enormous fists. Few people have seen the Pactwarden use its eye in battle - and when it does, it never misses.

Such an ancient and deadly being has lived upon Kesh for countless centuries - and surely it will live for countless more. It seems content to fulfill the purpose that it has always fulfilled. Though its existence begs the question: If it was made, will its creator return for it? And if it was not, why has it awoken on Kesh?

The Pactwarden -
Legendary Artifact Creature - Golem

Indestructible, Vigilance, Reach, Menace, Defender

At the beginning of each opponent's upkeep, that player may reveal their hand. If they do, draw a card. If they do not, put a Pactbreaker token on that player.

The Pactwarden may attack Pactbreakers as though it did not have defender.

Exile your hand: Remove all Pactbreaker tokens on you. Any player may play this ability.

8/8

Spymaster Xiaotong

On a distant plane known as Norshan, the cities of an empire born of magic and steel stand as mountains shrouded in the acrid smoke of their industry. Few birds make their homes amid the smog and acid rain, but their presence is supplemented by small thopter constructs, scarcely beyond a pigeon's size. Most think the omnipresent automatons are the result of some old public work, and attempt to beautify the cities of the empire even as they tarnished beyond recognition. A few note the sophistication of the machines, but guess no deeper purpose. Few suspect, and even fewer know, what those little winged constructs actually portend.

Xiaotong, the Imperial Spymaster, is the mastermind behind the omnipresent thopters, and because of their success he is arguably the most powerful individual in the Empire, easily pulling the strings by which top generals and council members (who do not even know Xiaotong's role) dance. Simply put, he knows what his thopters know, and his thopters see everything. Numerous, well-distributed throughout every major population center, and ubiquitous enough to be ignored almost every facet of life ends up conducted with a thopter perched on a nearby wire or windowsill or flying somewhere overhead.

Each thopter is tapped into Xiaotong's mind directly: after he made the first set, he was rendered essentially insensate for nearly a year, but as time has worn on his mind has adapted to the strain, and any who met him would scarcely notice he was receiving tens of thousands of other sets of auditory and visual input. With the information he has, Xiaotong could prosecute all crimes and bring about an era of total and totalitarian security, but the Spymaster prefers to manage the state of the state as a whole rather than jeopardizing the secrecy and thus efficacy of his network. Instead, he takes a surgical approach, using his vast information to quell dissent (whether through bread and circuses or assassination of agitators varies) and scout for promising talents to offer places in state service, mostly artificers and magicians. This life, directing a grand vision for his empire and attempting to secure a glorious future, sufficed for Xiaotong until the day he died.

Yet the expiration of Xiaotong's body was not the end of the spymaster: as the countless thopters spread into his mind, some imprint of his mind survived his body's death, stretched across the individually simple but incredibly numerous thopters and the few other construct he had experimentally added into his mental network. Using these, he covered up his own demise, creating a construct body that was little more than a ventriloquist's dummy for fooling those few he had no choice but to interact with 'in the flesh'. Xiaotong had become his network of thopter spies.

Yet, whether he discovered a form of immortality or simply left a faint afterimage of himself behind in the world, Xiaotong has discovered that his future, and the future of the empire that he loved in life, are increasingly in danger. War on every front, wars Xiaotong once stoked the flames of demand for, push the Empire back to its great fastnesses, their excellence in artifice their only saving grace against the enemies they've made. Meanwhile, however slowly, his intellect was fading from the Thopters as old examples become damaged or otherwise fall out of service and their new replacements have a weaker imprint of Xiaotong. Without some way to stabilize his unprecedented and poorly understood condition, he would have to find an heir, someone else to become the locus for the network.

Physical Description: Xiaotong no longer has a single physical body. His presence-construct, based on his original shape, has the appearance of a very old man in silk robes, with very long white hair, beard, and moustache. His 'skin', where showing on his face could not be avoided, is pale, wrinkled, and speckled with liver spots. He always keeps his eyes closed because he could not come up with a good facimilie to place in the wax mask of a face. Xiaotong's thopters come in many designs. Most, if not all, are small enough to hold comfortably in one hand. Some are designed to look like clockwork birds, others dispense with the illusion to be more focused on their utility. They've been made in scores of 'series' by now, each with their own quirks.

Powers and Abilities: Xiaotong does not actually exist anymore, which would, in theory, make him very hard to kill: as long as a critical mass of thopters still exist, so does his mind, existing distributed across them, and he has been giving manipulators to the newest additions to the network in order to forestall being rendered helpless by some unforeseen occurrence striking his workshop. Xiaotong was a master artificer in life, and his imprint across the Thopter network retains that technical ability. Further, he knows everything his thopters see, and spy thopters are integrated and present across all tiers of imperial society.

Personality & Goals: Xiaotong has become increasingly of singular focus since his death, perhaps a side effect of being an echo of the real man. Currently, he oscillates between three major goals, doggedly pursuing each in turn. The first is to secure the future of his nation. For this he continues to perform his duties as spymaster, and additionally seeks either new weapons to decisively win the wars that mire the empire, or else some means by which peace can be achieved at least with those factions able to be dealt with normally, an effort hampered by the fact that his thopter network has not taken root outside imperial territory. The second goal is to secure the future of his network. Unable to grasp a solution to the engineering problem of securing his mind-image against degradation, Xiaotong seeks an apprentice, a brilliant artificer of unquestionable loyalty whose mind can be interfaced with the thopter network, turning him or her into the all-knowing focal point that Xiaotong was in life. Third, Xiaotong has become obsessed with the 'vanishing men' – Planeswalkers, capable of appearing in and disappearing from his awareness at will. Seeing much but with the background to understand little, Xiaotong takes them as divine visitations after the style of the goddess who, in legend, appeared thrice to the tribes that would become the Empire, teaching them first of Steel, then of Artifice, and finally of Powerstones. Seeking a pattern and higher purpose in the movement and actions of Planeswalkers has proved futile and always would, but being ignorant of the truth means Xiaotong has not stopped trying to divine answers from them.

YMTC Efforts (Just for fun)

Spymaster Xiaotong

Legendary Artifact Creature – Construct
When Spymaster Xiaotong enters the battlefield and at the beginning of your upkeep, put X 0/1 colorless thopter artifact creature tokens with flying named Spy Thopter onto the battlefield. X is 1 plus the number of thopters you control.
Tap ten untapped thopters you control: Draw a card
Sacrifice a thopter: Regenerate Xiaotong
0/1

"Once, long ago, there was a man. This man stole from the gods, and was punished for it.

"Born to the poor, this man dreamed of greatness. He joined the local mafia, and quickly became known as a ruthless debt collector. He was a menace across the countryside, anyone who owed the Orocatia family anything grew to fear their muscle. But it wasn't enough for the man.

"He got in to the black market, buying, selling, and threatening his way into a small fortune. Before long he was running his own portion of the underground, using the name of the Orocatia all the while. The mafia family let him, as long as he paid his dues.

"As time went on, he became bolder, going so far as to traffic beasts and people. Still, he wanted more, and he set his sights on the ultimate prize: the gifted golden dragons that are favored by the gods.

"He convinced or threatened his allies, and set out to capture great Urrugodoria. Taken by surprise, the noble dragon was captured and brought back to the city to be sold. The man claimed Urrugodoria's tribute as his treasure, his right as the leader of the hunt.

"Urrugodoria died in the city, it's great spirit broken. As its soul returned to the gods, they judged the man who had led the hunt to kill the favored dragon, and cursed him for his greed.

"The man became ever more greedy, and grew paranoid that everyone would steal from him. He hunted down and murdered all of his allies, for fear of betrayal. He took all his wealth and hid it with Urrugodoria's tribute, creating his own hoard. As his hoard grew, he grew stronger, and took on the aspect of dragons. Stronger, tougher, fiercer, and more beastly he became, until he was no longer a man.

"He fled the city, taking all of his gold and possessions, hiding away in the former lair of the great dragon he had slain. In time he became a fearsome red dragon, his mind filled with nothing but greed, protecting his hoard by burning anyone who entered his lair and stealing anything left in his reach."

The maiden licked her lips as she finished her tale, head bowed in respect and eyes downcast in fear.

There was a few moments of silence, and then a massive voice, hot as a furnace and cold as midwinter, spoke from above. "And what was this man's name, my dear?"

Her heart beat strong and fast in her chest, and she concentrated to keep her breath steady. It was difficult to breathe in the hot air, and she could feel the sweat dripping down her forehead. She swallowed, steadying her breath before answering. "The tale as I was told never had the man's given name, my lord."

A thoughtful "Hmm" rumbled out in response, sounding much like a growl. "You mentioned the Orocatia. Do you know what became of them?"

"It is merely a legend, my lord, a tale passed down from parent to child to warn of the dangers of greed."

Another grating rumble came from that, rising and falling in rapid succession. "Oh, no," the voice said. "The Orocatia were very real. I remember them, though it was long before your grandmother was conceived. It is hard to tell how long ago from inside my palace. How long would it have been? A thousand years? Does that sound right, little miss Raya?"

The maiden's brow furrowed at the remarks. She eyed the smooth stone beneath her, but did not raise her head. "I will defer to your judgement my lord."

"Little Raya?" the voice asked.

"Yes, my lord?" she responded.

"Look at me."

She did as she was told. What lay before her was a great crimson dragon, its maw large enough to swallow her whole, wrapped protectively around a pile of trinkets and gold larger than it was. She began to tremble.

"You should know that legends arise from ancient truths."

Date of Order: 25 Zuun
Date of Receipt: 15 Cizarn
Reference #: 0101HU122
Recap: Risk – 4 Claim(s) reported

SEARCH REQUEST
Risk Address – 3314 Oak Street, Second District, 64302

REPORTED CLAIM HISTORY FOR RISK
The GreenTree PROPERTY DAMAGE RISK ASSESSMENT REPORT is specifically designed for use only in the real estate disclosure process. This report only lists losses reported by The Church of Deals that are associated with the risk address shown in the Search Request section of this report. This report is a reflection of the Azorius Department of Databases’ compiled information at the time of the date of order.

Claim Date: 14 Prazh GreenTree File #: 1012005039329
Company: Wythrixes’ Window Repair Policy Type: Homeowners
Address: 891 Tin Street, Fifth District, 34019 Added Info: Rauck-Chauv related
Payments by Claim Type: 231 Zinos Status: Closed (Approved)

According to Claimant (Doreen Glenfellow), during the day in question, her day of meditation and herbal sculpting was shattered as irreparably as her window was when a small goblin was tossed from the street in front of her house through her stained glass portal by a band of roving Gruul in the midst of a Rauk-Chauve celebration. The goblin was unavailable for comment as it was seen fleeing the structure by several witnesses and then promptly being crushed underfoot of a startled Indrik. It was the determination of the reporting agent at the time that contracting a necromancer for questioning what was left of the goblin would be cost prohibitive. Ms. Glenfellow also attempted to invoke the distress clause in her contract to trigger emotional damages compensation. This action was denied on grounds that it conflicted with the no compete clause in her policy that prevented payment in cases of self-diagnosis and medication (Ms. Glenfellow was the only licensed herbalist able to give diagnoses available at the time).

Claim Date: 03 Mokosh GreenTree File #: 4058296712034
Company: Nivix Reparations Department Policy Type: Homeowners
Address: Nivix C5, Fourth District, 52012 Added Info: Project Red Rain
Payments by Claim Type: 10,605 Zinos Status: Closed (Approved)

Claimant (Doreen Glenfellow) has issued a claim for reparations following a curious magenta precipitation that has left her recent crop of herbs and medicines destroyed. After exhaustive research, it is concluded that the weather anomaly was directly linked to an Izzet Guild project that had gone awry. Further details are said to be Classified, and it is of this Adjuster’s opinion that we accept restitution payment and sub-contract a Simic bio-specialist to monitor the garden area periodically. We have already lost two previous Adjusters trying to get more information from the Izzet. It is deemed by this Adjuster to be more profitable and healthier, to take the losses and close the case.


Claim Date: 11 Griev GreenTree File #: 8291058364963
Company: Krenko, and Associates Policy Type: Homeowners
Address: None Listed Added Info: Break-in
Payments by Claim Type: 3 souls (Goblinoid) Status: Closed (Approved)

Claimant (Doreen Glenfellow) has issued a claim for retribution after a trio of goblins under the command of known mob boss Krenko entered her home, threatened her life, and caused significant damage to her property before leaving with a promise to return to collect protection money at a later date. It was the Adjuster’s firm decision to activate Ms. Glenfellow’s retribution clause after she threatened to break contract with GreenTree for failing to adhere to various protection clauses. In Ms. Glenfellow’s own words “What am I paying you people for if I’m just going to be extorted by any old gang that wanders through this place!” and then threatened to contact the local Boros Garrison for help. The Adjuster contacted a well trusted Orzhov operative who has closed the matter with Krenko’s associates. It was determined that one of the acquired souls (Ekke) was to be bound in servitude to Ms. Glenfellow for a period of 200 years while the other two would be repurposed to compensate for damages.

Claim Date: 30 Orzabin GreenTree File #: 6305962467156
Company: None Policy Type: Homeowners
Address: None Added Info: Termination
Payments by Claim Type: None Status: Closed (Approved/Denied)

GreenTree was notified by former Claimant’s (Doreen Glenfellow) goblin specter servant that his mistress was recently terminated by what appears to be a stray meteor that fell from the sky in front of her home. As the now deceased did not die within her home, no payments will made to her next of kin or official legal dependents. The property will be seized by the Church of Deals and sold at auction for a profit. Attempting to invoke the spectral servant’s freedom and disublimation sub-clause, Ekke has requested that he be freed from the remainder of his servitude as his mistress is now dead. This claim has been denied for various reasons detailed in Section 23 of Clause 7, paragraph two of the attached document. Servitude of the specter known as Ekke is determined to lie with the property, not the current occupant.

Prepared by: GreenTree, a subsidiary of The Church of Deals