proclamation (aka devil worship is alive and well) video. un: sinnabon.

[inferus]

( the video opens on a young man, wearing a fine black suit with gold detail - wrath's colors. he stands in front of a table full of pastries - magic-ed to travel long distances without ruining. it's important to note this video does not come from wrath's device ( un: a civil serpent) but his acolyte. )

Hear ye, hear ye! My name is Ferndando. I have come before you today to spread pastries and most importantly to spread the good word of Master Wrath and his school. Over a year ago, Master Wrath taught me and three of my fellow acolytes the ways of necromancy, the intricacies and strength of magic, and the power and importance of choice. ( shadows appear behind fernando as he speaks, creating a wall that slowly rises as he speaks. Wrath's gaze flashes a brighter gold as he controls those shadows. his expression is unreadable, but inwardly, he is pleased - finally some respect in this world. Fernando shivers as the temperature cools. ) His school in Taravast now numbers sixty acolytes in total, and we plan to expand to the North and here too. I want to spread the good word of Master Wrath to all of Unkharil!

The most important tenant of the School of Wrath is to both greatly and deeply fear and respect Death as we should deeply fear and respect Master Wrath. Necromancy is so much more like the Undead armies raised around this world as slaves to kill people, and let it be known! Our good Master will find and strike down those who are disrespectful of Death.

( the ground shakes beneath Fernando's feet as Wrath merely tilts his head to the side with something predatory in his demonic gaze, and Fernando squeaks before he clears his throat. ) See? Spreading the good word but also a warning. With strength and guidance from those of us who have learned and believe in the ways of Master Wrath, you too can learn to harness your anger, to wield it, to use it to destroy and decapitate your enemies. ( he raises up the zombie-looking pastries with a wave of his hand, the hint of shadow following his palms, before swiping - the shadow cuts through the neck of the pastry and the head falls off - red jam flies off into fernando's face.

Wrath sighs from behind - pastries do not quite sell the point. ) This was just a demonstration. But come, join us. Let Master Wrath change your life as he has changed mine, as I know he'll change the world.

Comments

un: man's greatest treasure; video

[reparo]

...what.

video

[inferus]

...an old acolyte from Taravast. ( Wrath picks up one of the pastries to slide a portion of it into his mouth - it's Emilia's recipe since Fernando learned from her. )

Apparently, my school has grown quite a deal since we left.

video

[reparo]

[Chew with your mouth closed, please.]

You haven't felt that? [Maybe she thinks belief in princes of Hell works a lot like belief in fairies.]

video

[inferus]

( Excuse - if nothing else, demon princes are entirely and incredibly polite. )

...no. My connection with this world is unlike my connection with my own. Even there, this is not how it works. ( People fear malvagi, and most believe in the Seven Princes as they believe in the Goddess of Fury, as they believe in the devil. They whisper their horror stories about the demon princes to warn their children away from doing anything ~sinful~ lest they catch the attention of one of them. )

un: Lockwood - video

[recklessenough]

[ He opens his mouth, fulling intending to say something, but just as quickly a sentence forms in his mind, Lockwood is once again struck speechless. In the end he just ends covering his eyes with his palm and shaking his head. ]

video.

[inferus]

( Fernando chimes in at the reaction, "Ah, I see. I understand. You're speechless at the prowess demonstrated before you! A common and understandable reaction. I nearly fainted the first I saw". Wrath raises an eyebrow at him and Fernando returns to the pastries and people who have come in person!! So exciting. )

Fernando is... enthusiastic.

video.

[recklessenough]

[ Lockwood has a knack for managing to keep a straight face in what is otherwise an absolutely absurd situation. It holds him in good stead with a lot of his clients back home, and comes to his aid when Fernando is talking.

The man might be a bit ... extra, but he doesn't deserve to be laughed at. Even with the recent memory of the decapitated pastry.

Attention turned back to Wrath, Lockwood's smile is more sincere; if a little strained. After all. He did just lead the charge in trying to roast three necromancers. This could cause some awkwardness. ]

You seem to have provided him, and others, with a great inspiration.

un: absterge

[downswing]

( Changing the world................ one pastry at a time. )

Your tart is deceased.

[inferus]

( Wrath is in a strangely (for him) good mood. It is highly possible there is amusement behind his flat response: )

It is important tarts are deceased before they are consumed.

[downswing]

Wrath. Spare his dignity.

audio, un: dam it to well

[vestments]

—That sounds like a cult.

( bluntly, not even remotely a question. )

audio.

[inferus]

A cult could certainly prove useful.

( he already got a tithe from Fernando. )

[vestments]

I've never known them work out well.

Good for making enemies.

un: bottles up inside | video;

[deescalate]

[WOO BUDDY, this is tripping all kinds of red flags for Cal.]

Anger is a dangerous emotion, one that can easily get out of hand.

[inferus]

( Wrath's blank expression is likely comical, but well, he is the embodiment.... of the sin... and he does not know that anyone has ever attempted to explain anger to him before. )

I am aware. Thus why it is labeled in some worlds as one of the Seven Sins. What is your solution to such a... dangerous emotion?

[deescalate]

You counteract your own anger with something that isn't as destructive. To your enemies, but mostly to yourself. Sometimes conflict is unavoidable, but you can fight with...with the need to protect instead of the desire to kill.

un: ut malum pluvia | audio

[somebadnews]

[ Sometimes he forgets how comfortable Wrath got in Taravast. Makes him wonder what would have happened if they hadn't practically destroyed it. Of all the cults they've run across, at least they've got a decent leader.

What's with the pastries, though? That evolved in a weird way. ]

Inspiring words. [ He keeps his eye on Ferndando's hand after the shadow disappears; Wrath never taught him that trick. ] Almost could have left off the bribe, but if you know what works.

audio

[inferus]

I believe Fernando brought the pastries because he enjoys them more than because he truly thought they would be convicning. Emilia taught him the recipe, and he wants to make her proud.

( As he should tbh. His wife deserves worship more than he does, and she is an actual goddess. )

[somebadnews]

[ So it's more for the two of them. Kind of Wrath to give his disciple the attention he's craving; not that he's thinking about his father never giving his kids that kind of satisfaction.

More importantly: ]

How'd he do?

un: strange, video

[rehandle]

[ They're all really doing the most this week, huh? ]

Will Fernando and co be joining us for long?

[ On the one hand, plentiful baked goods from devoted followers of a fresh-formed school of necromancy might not hurt. On the other, if he has to hear the words 'hear ye' and/or 'let Master Wrath change your life' more than twice a month he might be tempted to re-enact the great pastry decapitation of five minutes ago. ]

[inferus]

No. Fernando plans to stay after we leave to start a branch here.

( Thankfully. Wrath can only stand the enthusiasm for so long and would inevitably have to do more than sigh to keep him in line, but then Emilia would likely be unhappy with him. He does... attempt (sometimes) to be kinder (ish) to the gentle mortals. )

I intend to reach out to him at a later time for any information that may be of us along with the others. ( They may or may not have useful information, but there is no way he is not utilizing a potential font of information. )

[rehandle]

Mm. The perks of a personal following.

[ 'Following' used politely here. Other people have already called it a cult, he doesn't need to labour the point, and it will theoretically be useful. Although... ]

Hope he manages to stay alive.

[ He seems a little ill-equipped for the perils of this world, but what can you do? ]

un: witchful thinking ☾ audio

[nochnaya]

Is this normal here?

[ This is a general question, because she's ignoring Fernando. ]

audio.

[inferus]

You may have to be more specific.

( There is a Lot going on in Fernando's speech. )

[nochnaya]

[ There's a pause, as if she's really thinking about it. ]

Any of it.