A Self-Righteous Villain: Sereniel, Hero Aerandal, and Slayer Cariousus

[Raargant]

Just a hint of controversy. When does a good become so good that they shift into evil? One of the lines that struck me most from the essay involved a villain being *too* something.

This was one of my favorite exchanges - oh, so charmingly taken advantage of by Cariousus - between Sereniel and her ex-fiancee, Crusader-Hero Aerandal Llandaran. Goods were divided in what to make of Sereniel Arnmark, turned Voice of the Slayer. Was she just a mortal, doing what was necessary to survive or had she forsaken all claim to mercy by serving him?

And... based on the answer to that question... was Aeran justified in his hatred of her, or could he be a little *too* single-minded to be good?

The Central Square of Val Miran

You stand amid the central square of Val Miran. All around you colossal

buildings rise up. The smell of commerce is in the air and the citizens of

Val Miran bustle with activity. Horse carts haul trade items for sale in

the Eastern and Western districts, and travelers and adventurers alike walk

the streets in search of new challenges.

(WANTED) Cariousus the Slayer of the Flesh is here.

(White Aura) Dolesar the Templar General is here, sitting astride the Goliath.

Surrounded in electrical static, Mircea is encased by power.

(OUTCAST) Treis the Defiled is here.

Aerandal tells you '-What- are you doing?'

Aerandal rides in.

Cariousus drains the blood from the corpse of A Guard of the Black Onyx.

You tell Aerandal 'What I need, Aeran...'

(Continue walking back to the tombs.)

Aerandal tells you 'I used to be what you need. Then Madrion'

Aerandal tells you 'NOW HIM!?'

Sereniel presses a hand to the side of her head.

You tell Aerandal 'To keep Madrion, I need him.'

Cariousus looks at you.

Cariousus says in a cold, soft, voice, ' Something wrong?

You say 'Just Aeran...'

Aerandal tells you 'Such a sacrifice.'

Cariousus says 'Ignore him.'

Cariousus says 'Ignore him. Understood?'

You nod.

You follow Cariousus.

You say 'Aye, indeed.'

Aerandal tells you 'I'd have never suspected this of you, Seren. Not even after all of this.'

A Small Nook

This small nook behind the loose block looks like a safe place to rest.

At least the vampires seem unwilling to enter the room, which is completely

dust free and looks to not have been travelled much. You take a moment to

enjoy the respite from combat and breathe easily, if but for a moment.

Cariousus closes the loose block west of you.

Aerandal tells you 'How far have you fallen?'

You tell Aerandal '... Do you hate me Aeran?'

You tell Aerandal 'Would you see me dead for this?'

Aerandal tells you 'Is that what you want?'

You tell Aerandal '... Or would you, instead, see this creature dead for what he has done?'

As Cariousus sits down, behind him, from the shadows, forms an alabaster throne of bone.

You tell Aerandal 'Do not censure me, Aeran.'

You tell Aerandal 'Of those who love me, you are the only to do so.'

Aerandal tells you 'You're not the woman I fell in love with.'

Cariousus says in a cold, soft, voice, ' We will have a second guest.

You tell Aerandal 'Nay, I'm not.'

Cariousus says in a cold, soft, voice, ' Aerandal.

Sereniel turns her head to regard Cariousus curiously. 'Here?'

Cariousus nods at you in agreement.

Aerandal tells you 'The woman I fell in love with had a spine, and an unbreakable will, and adhered to the truth within herself, no matter what.'

Aerandal tells you 'You indeed are not Sereniel Quis, Lady of Rheydin.'

You tell Aerandal 'This one would rather see Cariousus destroyed than defend her own pride and self-dignity.'

You tell Aerandal 'See this as falling if you will, but I cannot. Not anymore.'

Aerandal tells you 'How are you going to destroy him?'

Aerandal tells you 'By serving him?'

Cariousus opens the loose block west of you.

Cariousus scans all around.

You tell Aerandal 'I don't know. '

Cariousus yells 'Come in.'

Aerandal rides in.

You tell Aerandal 'But here I can fight. Elsewhere, I could not.'

Cariousus casually extends a withered finger westwards, at the wall. The stone slab closes, of its own accord.

Cariousus closes the loose block west of you.

Sereniel glances at Aerandal from her seat, quite literally, curled on Cariousus's lap.

Lowering his glaive to an undefensive position, Aerandal suddenly shoulders his weapon.

Aerandal sheathes his weapon.

Cariousus sits here on an alabaster skeletal throne, you on its lap.

Cariousus says in a cold, soft, voice, ' Be seated, hero.

Cariousus crooks one finger towards Aerandal, and a second, smaller throne of bone appears.

Sitting down, his gaze focused upon Cariousus, Aerandal remains silent for the moment.

Cariousus snaps its fingers. Instantly, a tray with two glasses full of some light red liquid, floating of its own accord, comes. 'Wine?'

'I don't drink,' Aerandal states flatly.

Sereniel folds her hands on her lap, her eyes flickering away from Aerandal.

The tray floats towards Cariousus and you, instead, as it takes the two goblets. One for itself, one for you.

Cariousus says in a cold, soft, voice, ' That is what we thought.

Cariousus gently clinks its own glass against your, swallowing the liquid emotionlessly before setting the glass down on the tray, dismissing it back into the shadows.

Raising an eyebrow, his expression remaining focused, Aerandal questions, 'Then why did you ask?'

Cariousus says in a cold, soft, voice, ' This is my throne room, hero, and you are a...guest.

Cariousus says in a cold, soft, voice, ' Courtesie.

Cariousus tells the group 'Look at him.'

Cariousus tells the group 'Do not look away.'

Cariousus tells the group 'Never look away from an enemy.'

Sereniel takes a sip of the wine as she raises her gaze to regard Aerandal evenly.

Cariousus says in a cold, sibilant voice, ' Speak, then, guest. For that is what you have come for.

His face shifting into sheer sarcasm, Aerandal barks a harsh laugh. 'This new lover of yours has more manners than your former, you.'

Sereniel tightens her hand around her goblet but only takes another sip of her wine.

Cariousus tells the group 'Listen to it.'

Cariousus tells the group 'It appreciates not your sacrifice.'

Cariousus tells the group 'Nor does it understand. It does not care to.'

You tell your group '... Do you consider what I've done a sacrifice?'

Cariousus tells the group 'I do.'

Aerandal focuses once more upon Cariousus. 'What have you done to her?'

Cariousus tells the group 'I understand you very well, little one; far better than the so-called children of the light.'

Sereniel pauses, her gaze flickering to Cariousus for a moment, expression almost unreadable. Almost.

Cariousus tells the group 'But enough for that, later.'

Nodding slightly, Sereniel again regards Aerandal but does not speak. Instead, she sips, again, from her wine.

Cariousus turns to regard you with a mild expression its in cold red eyes. 'Go on, little one. Speak. You can speak for yourself.'

With that, Sereniel lowers her goblet.

Sereniel asks softly, 'Aeran, why have you come here?'

Aerandal replies in a sharp, but calm tone, 'To see what has become of the woman you once were.'

Sereniel says gently, 'Aeran... why?'

Cariousus says nothing, simply beckoning for another shaped-skull goblet of wine, apparently having decided, for now, simply to listen.

Aerandal says 'Why do you ask? Are you operating under the assumption I believe you actually care?'

Sereniel says, with surprising clarity, 'Nay, I ask because you, a man of the Light, has come to a place of darkness.'

You say 'To see a woman you regard less than this vampire, if that is possible.'

Cariousus permits itself a cold chuckle at that, taking another sip of the wine...or is it blood?

'If, indeed..' Aerandal whispers to himself.

Sereniel keeps her gaze on Aerandal, hazel eyes sharp and focused.

Cariousus tells the group 'I know I need not tell you to pay attention, little one.'

You tell your group 'To his behavior?'

Cariousus tells the group 'This is a Crusader Hero, supposedly exemplary of all that is good and worthy.'

You tell Aerandal 'There is so much I can't tell you, here, before him.'

Aerandal tells you 'And sadly there will never be a you, without him.'

Sereniel says softly, '... Will you stand in silence, Aeran?'

You tell Aerandal 'That may be true.'

'The silence spoke far more than any words I could have said, you.' Aerandal says, emotion void in his voice.

Aerandal drinks water from a magical spring.

Even the water that gurgles from this place of Cariousus's seems to be slightly tainted and black...

For a moment, Sereniel looks down. Then, looking back up at Aerandal, Sereniel says, chillingly, 'Aye... but oddly your silence never said 'I love you'.'

You say 'Were you practicing for this moment?'

Aerandal says 'Practicing... Sereniel, I will always love Sereniel Quis. The woman I fell in love with.'

'You are not her.' Aerandal finishes, a hint of finality in his voice.

You tell Aerandal 'The real question is, will you fight to win her back?'

Sereniel shakes her head slightly. 'I'm not, Aeran. I haven't been for a good fifty years, now.'

Aerandal tells you 'Does she even exist anymore?'

You tell Aerandal 'If you love her, does that matter?'

Aerandal tells you 'Is my love enough to bring her back, Sereniel Arnmark..'

You tell Aerandal '... Are you willing to try?'

Aerandal tells you 'Yes.'

Aerandal says 'Fifty years..'

Sereniel waits, expectantly for Aerandal to continue.

Aerandal shakes his head. 'Neither of you have answered me.'

For the first time in quite some time, Cariousus speaks, its soft, sibilant voice echoing in the shadows.

Cariousus says in a cold, soft, voice, ' What did you ask me, fleshling.

Sereniel blinks very slowly. Thin creases form on her forehead as she asks, 'Answered what?'

'What have you done to her?' Aerandal's emotionless stare shifts from you to Cariousus.

Sereniel sighs audibly, at that, the beginnings of a headache encroaching on her eyes.

Cariousus lets out another cold chuckle at that. 'Many things, across the years, crusader.'

You say 'Aeran, you read my letter, aye?'

Aerandal tells you 'There are not very many things I wouldn't give to have her back.'

Cariousus says in a cold, sibilant voice, ' Broken then taken her legs, then returned them.

Cariousus says in a cold, sibilant voice, ' Rats gnawed at her, then healed her wounds, then gnawed again.

Aerandal says 'My name is Aerandal.'

Cariousus's voice slices through the air. ' I know your name, fleshling.

You tell Aerandal 'There is only one thing that could ever restore her, and that is the end to Cariousus.'

Cariousus's voice slices through the air. ' One day, I might even use it.

'Then use it.' Aerandal states flatly.

Aerandal tells you 'I can only do so much to him in my current state.'

Cold, malevolant, mirthless laughter erupts from Cariousus, echoing all around the area.

You tell Aerandal 'Find a way.'

Sereniel watches Aerandal with a pointed, sharp glance.

When the laughter ends, Cariousus says, somehow making it sound even more contemptuous than fleshling, 'Very well then...Aerandal.'

Cariousus says in a cold, soft, voice, ' Since it bothers you so much.

'I am ambivalent in feeling towards weither or not you use my name. It only shows ignorance on your part to not do so,' Aerandal says quietly.

Sereniel takes a sip of her wine. A deep sip.

Cariousus says in a cold, soft, voice, ' Do not pose in front of me or her, Aerandal. Neither of us are affected as a nineteen year old girl might.

Cariousus' lidless red eyes flare slightly in amusement.

Cariousus says in a cold, sibilant voice, ' In any event, have I answered your question.

Aerandal tells you 'Even if I free her from Cariousus, she is still pledged to Madrion.'

You tell Aerandal 'Is it worth enough for you to try?'

'.. No. But she has.' Aerandal shakes his head as he finishes the sentence.

Cariousus smiles its thin, bloodless smile. 'Very good. As long as the guest is left satisfied.'

Sereniel asks, in turn, 'Is that all then, Aeran?'

Aerandal tells you 'The real question is, will I be the only one trying?'

You tell Aerandal 'It seems that defeating the most evil creature of these lands is not incentive enough for a Crusader of these days.'

Aerandal tells you 'Or will she be trying?'

Aerandal tells you 'Don't test me, Sereniel Arnmark.'

You tell Aerandal '... Don't question me, Aerandal Llandaran.'

Aerandal tells you 'You have done nothing but give me cause to do so.'

You tell Aerandal 'You've lost nothing save face.'

Sereniel frowns slightly, asking again, 'Is... that all then, Aeran?'

Sereniel casts Aerandal a quizzical glance.

Remaining silent for a long moment, Aerandal closes his eyes. '.... aye.'

Cariousus says in a soft, sibilant voice, ' Good.

Cariousus once more points at the wall, as the stone slab detaches from the doorway.

Cariousus opens the loose block west of you.

Cariousus remains in its seated position, you on its lap, on that skeletal throne.

Cariousus says in a soft, sibilant voice, ' Another guest comes, Aerandal. Your seat is needed.

Suddenly, the throne Cariousus summoned beneath Aerandal completely disappears.

Rising to his feet as the throne dissolves, Aerandal turns his back on the two.

Aerandal says 'Until we meet again.'

Aerandal rides west.

Sereniel watches Aerandal, not without a flicker of sadness, before sipping again at her wine.