A Brutal Villain: Sereniel and Slayer Cariousus

[Raargant]

The essay Malch posted made me nostalgic and had me spending the better part of a plane ride thinking of the different types of villains I've interacted with.

Cariousus was brutal. Cruel. And, at the time, it was particularly notable because it extended beyond simple PK ability into RP confrontations. Also, he stands out to me as a villain because he... changed. And not in the "I was evil and now am redeemed, praise the King" way, but that his degree of evilness matured during the several months of his rise to and accumulation of power. I often wondered if the Cariousus of this log would have acted this way, later in his life.

Days after Cariousus started a meticulous torture of Sereniel Quis, made particularly ironic by the inevitable attempts of healers to fix her...

Shaw tells you 'Self-mastery is a priceless commodity, found only by those who search for it'

You tell Shaw 'I'm getting closer, I know it.'

You tell Shaw 'His pain is physical this time, not mental.'

You tell Shaw 'Do you know any means of fighting this creature?'

Shaw tells you 'Sunlight'

Shaw tells you 'Staffs'

Shaw tells you 'Blinding it'

Shaw tells you 'Powers of the Holy'

Someone suddenly clamps its fingers around your throat, preventing her from calling out for help, or, for that matter, escaping.

Shaw tells you 'All powerful tools'

Sereniel's scream dies in her throat, her hazel eyes wide.

Cariousus fades into existence.

You look at Cariousus.

Cariousus says 'Shh....'

Shaw tells you 'I must meditate for a few days'

You tell Shaw 'He's... here.'

Shaw tells you 'Where is...here?'

Sereniel squirms, her eyes unfocusing from the lack of air.

Gently, almost like a caress, Cariousus lets go of your throat, instead picking up your right hand.

Sereniel leans forward with a loud gasp, air filling her lungs.

Although Cariousus' grip is gentle, it is extremely firm, not allowing any escape.

You look at Cariousus.

You say 'Why are you doing this?'

With a gentle tug, Cariousus pulls your hands upwards, until it is facing his face.

reply Miruvhor... there's a mansion here.

You have no one to reply too.

whois shaw

No one of that name is playing.

'Such beautiful fingers,' Cariousus says. He takes his left hand as well, gently pulling slightly on your pinky.

Sereniel's breathing escalates, as does her heartbeat.

Cariousus bends your pinky finger back slightly. Just enough to cause discomfort. No real pain, yet...or damage.

Sereniel's breath catches in her throat as she whispers, 'Please...'

Daemian tells you 'Might you know, dear Lady, where I can procure a bamboo flute?'

You tell Daemian 'He's here...'

Cariousus pretends to ignore you, continuing to bend the finger back slightly more. It is now at a sixty degree angle.

Sereniel winces, her body moving slightly to allow more flexibility in her hand.

Daemian tells you '....where are you.'

You tell Daemian 'Wait... I need to think...'

You say 'This gains you nothing...'

Cariousus bends the pinky back slightly until it reaches a ninety degree angle as opposed to the hand. Enough for real pain. Then...he stops.

Sereniel's gaze flickers erratically between her hand and Cariousus.

Cariousus says 'We don't need to do things merely for material gain.'

Sereniel says hesitantly, 'Of course not.'

Cariousus jerks the finger once more, pulling it even tighter. Just a little more force, and it will snap entirely.

Cariousus says 'How important is your pinky to your song-playing?'

Sereniel's words fall off, into a pained gasp.

Sereniel says through clenched teeth, 'Ve... very.'

Cariousus inquires in a polite, detached tone. 'Is it more important than your index finger? We will see soon enough.'

Cariousus says 'Say that again? Very important?'

Sereniel nods quickly.

You tell Daemian 'And naturally no healers...'

Cariousus says 'Too bad.'

Cariousus snaps your pinky finger backwards, the bones cracking as they separate.

A very real scream falls from Sereniel's lips as she pulls, desperately trying to free her hand.

Cariousus easily keeps its hold on your hand.

Cariousus releases your pinky finger, moving on to the next one, which it begins to bend backwards, slowly, in the same manner as the first.

Daemian tells you 'He's done it again...'

Sereniel shakes her head slowly, still fighting ineffectually against Cariousus.

Cariousus says 'What about this one? Is it also important?'

As Cariousus continues to speak, he also continues to casually bend back the finger, until it, too, is at a ninety degree angle.

You say 'Cariousus... stop this!'

Cariousus says 'Why should we? You have nothing to offer us, as you will not bargain.'

Sereniel looks down, helpless for a reply.

You tell Sereniel 'I...'

As if disappointed by your silence, Cariousus jerks the finger backwards, snapping it in two places.

Sereniel jerks, nearly fainting altogether as pain clouds her vision.

You tell Sereniel 'I... I have to bargain with him...'

Daemian tells you 'Do you wish my presence, dear Lady?'

Sereniel says in an almost drunken tone, 'You've... made no demands.'

You tell Daemian 'I... I have to... to bargain with him.'

You tell Daemian 'He's taking my hands...'

Cariousus says 'Why should I? After all, you won't bargain, right?'

Daemian tells you '...what is your bargain?'

You tell Daemian 'Oh gods... what am I supposed to do?'

Cariousus moves on to your middle finger, casually bending it backwards as well.

You say 'I don't know!'

Daemian tells you 'Be calm, my Lady... be at peace, and speak with me.'

Cariousus says 'That isn't the answer we were looking for.'

You say 'It... would depend on the terms.'

You tell Daemian 'I don't know what to do.'

With increasing speed, Cariousus snaps and breaks the bones in your middle finger as well, moving on to the next.

Cariousus says 'Take your time. You have more fingers left.'

Daemian tells you 'What is this bargain?'

Sereniel swallows a sudden wave of nausea.

Cariousus says casually as he begins to crush and bend this one as well.

You tell Daemian 'He... needs me to promise to... bargain with him.'

You tell Daemian 'Break me...'

You tell Daemian 'He won't name... name the... the...'

Daemian tells you 'My Lady..... this will be difficult for you to hear, but it must be said.'

*SNAP!* this one gives off a particularly loud sound as Cariousus breaks it into little pieces.

Daemian tells you 'Sacrifice your hands, for giving yourself up for their use is the worst of bargains.'

Sereniel slumps forward, the scream sounding distant to her own ears.

Almost gently, Cariousus holds you, supporting you and preventing you from falling down.

You tell Daemian 'Too... wise...'

Daemian tells you 'My Lady.. do you hear my words?'

With his still-free right hand, however, Cariousus moves slowly to your thumb.

Sereniel leans into Cariousus, her thin body shaking from the shock of the pain.

Cariousus holds you tightly and closely to him. But he holds your thumb even more tightly.

'You know,' Cariousus says casually, 'I'm sure that fingers can be healed.'

Sereniel murmurs broken phrases into Cariousus, hot tears flooding her features.

Daemian tells you 'Sereniel... I must know if you hear me.'

Cariousus takes you by the chin, forcing you to stare directly into its blood red eyes.

You tell Daemian 'Daemian...'

Cariousus says 'But what if we eat them, flesh, bone, and all? Do you think they can be regenerated?'

Sereniel's pupils are overly large, nearly engulfing all of her hazel irises.

As Cariousus says this, he slowly brings your broken digits up to his mouth.

Daemian tells you 'You must listen, my Lady.... you must not break.'

Cariousus says 'I have never heard of anything such as that possible, not even for ogres. Would you like to try?'

Sereniel shakes her head in Cariousus's hand, trying to pull back and away but unable to do so.

Daemian tells you 'Many depend upon the strength you possess, and the adversity you've overcome. But beyond that, there is you, and this comes first.'

Daemian tells you 'Your hands are flesh and bone, as are all of ours. They will grow old, and decay, like all of us.'

Cariousus lets out almost a sad sigh. 'You still aren't giving me the answer I want.'

Daemian tells you 'But there is nothing in your hands that marks or makes you. They are simply tools for your use.'

Cariousus brings your shattered pinky to its mouth, putting it between its lips, slowly closing its teeth on it.

Sereniel's too-large eyes fall to her hand, still positioned at Cariousus's mouth.

Daemian tells you 'But if you give in to the vampire, they will become his tools. So it becomes thus; broken and healing, but yours, or healed and functional, but his own, forwhatever purpose he desires.'

Cariousus doesn't say a thing, merely holds its sharp, edged teeth directly above your pinky. He stares directly into your eyes.

Daemian tells you 'And somehow, my Lady, I do not think his purposes will be to further your wish for music.'

Cariousus says 'What is your answer.'

Daemian tells you 'Do you hear me.. Sereniel.'

Sereniel's eyes unfocus entirely, almost seeming to look through Cariousus. Fear, pain, anguish all rest within them, but as does defiance and resignation.

You tell Daemian 'Always...'

Daemian tells you 'Will you trust my words.'

Cariousus removes your pinky from its mouth...instead, placing one finger on your throat.

Cariousus says 'Ah...and your voice.'

Cariousus says 'We could take that too.'

You tell Daemian 'Truth... I know.'

Cariousus says 'You will love rasping like a fire giant, won't you.'

Sereniel's gaze falls with numb realization.

Cariousus says 'Ah...yes. You understand now.'

Cariousus says 'You will never sing a song lightly again, nor ever hold an instrument.'

Cariousus says 'Not unless you agree to our proposal. And we promise you that if we accept, we will never interfere with your ability to sing and play.'

You tell Daemian 'I want to... believe...'

Daemian tells you 'There is nothing to stop your belief but yourself, my Lady.'

Sereniel shakes with silent tears.

Sereniel says almost inaudibly, 'Monster...'

Cariousus says 'We will even swear by our Master's name. An oath, which, unlike you, we would not break.'

Cariousus digs its finger slightly deeper into your throat.

Daemian tells you 'Let go... let go of your physical pain. Let go of your coporeal dependance. Let go of this ting's hold upon you.'

Cariousus says 'We offer you life, song, music, and instruments.'

Sereniel shuts her eyes.

You say 'Not... truth.'

Cariousus says 'Truth is for yourself to find.'

Although you can shut out Cariousus' appearance, you cannot shut out Cariousus' voice.

Daemian tells you 'Sanctuary rests not in your body, but within your spirit. It is this he wishes to crush, and it is this ou must defend.'

Cariousus says 'Really...is an apology that much to ask?'

tell Daemian 'Just... an apology?'

Sereniel's forehead creases deeply.

Daemian tells you '...what?'

You say 'An...?'

Cariousus says 'Would you lose your ability to sing, dance, write, play...merely out of your unwillingess to apologize to one you have offended?'

You tell Daemian 'Just... wants an apology.'

Cariousus says 'All we want is for you to scribe, with your fingers which will be healed and uneaten, an apology to us, for all the world to hear.'

Cariousus looks at you.

Cariousus says 'Really...is false pride so important to you?'

Sereniel opens her eyes, a confused, near delirious light in her eyes.

Daemian tells you 'Cariousus only seeks.... an apology? Forgive me if I'm skeptical.'

You say 'But... I'm not... sorry.'

You tell Daemian 'I'm not sorry...'

Cariousus looks at you.

You tell Daemian 'I just... don't remember why... I'm not.'

Cariousus says 'Aren't you sorry that you will never write, sing, or play an instrument again?'

Daemian tells you 'What is going on.'

Sereniel nods slowly, doing her best not to deepen Cariousus's nail.

You tell Daemian 'He wants a note...'

Cariousus says 'Then write your apology, for the things you will be sorry for.'

You tell Daemian 'Of what I'll be sorry for...'

You tell Daemian 'My hands, my voice...'

Daemian tells you 'And... what is that?'

You tell Daemian 'What he'll take.'

You say 'But... if I write it...'

Sereniel frowns in an almost child-like expression.

You say 'I... won't have to be sorry.'

Cariousus narrows its eyes in disgust and rage. 'So be it. If your spirit is not shattered by us, your body shall be.'

Cariousus says 'We will see how you heal THIS!'

With quick, alligator-like snaps, Cariousus bites off fingers on both of your hands.

Sereniel's skin loses its color, her body going rigid in shock from the sudden pain.

Cariousus grinds the flesh and bone together in its mouth, chewing it rapidly until they have become a fine mush, and swallows it.

Cariousus utters the words, 'qpaag braoculo'.

Cariousus creates the Burning Glaive!

Daemian tells you 'Whatever he takes, my Lady, will be restored...'

You tell Daemian 'Ng...'

With a huge swipe of the Burning Glaive, Cariousus chops off your legs at the knee-level, splintering through flesh and bone alike, the flame cauterizing the wounds.

Sereniel's heartbeat flutters to an unbelieveable rate.

Opening its mouth impossibly wide, Cariousus chews and swallows the legs whole as well, taking only marginally more time than the fingers, somehow.

Daemian tells you '.....'

Cariousus looks at you.

Daemian tells you 'I will find you, now.'

Cariousus takes the Burning Glaive, and slowly shears off all of your hair as well.

Cariousus looks at you.

Cariousus looks at you.

Cariousus says 'And now...'

Cariousus forms, from pure shadow, a tainted blade of some sort.

Cariousus says 'Let us mark you, once more, as having born our touch.'

Cariousus slowly carves three Writhing Skulls, the symbols of the Scourge, onto your face. One on each cheek, and one on the forehead.

Cariousus steps back from you, as if to admire its own handiwork, before fading off into the shadows.

Cariousus utters the words, 'uizuguburuhl'.

Someone fades out of existence.

Sereniel slumps wordlessly to the ground.

Even in your sleep, Cariousus' last words can be heard. 'Enjoy...the darkness.'

Cariousus wakes you.

Cariousus says 'One last thing.'

Cariousus jabs forcefully at you, crushing your voicebox in a specific zone.

Cariousus says 'You will still be able to talk, fleshling. But we think you won't want to hear yourself.'

The Dracolich flies east.

Eyes rolling into her head, Sereniel's body collapses, the shock sending tremors throughout her frame.

You go to sleep.

Born at: 5pm, Fourthday the 54th of Death (Winter) 372 PC.

Aged : 104 (Right-handed)

Description:

Before you is a pathetic creature, handicapped and deformed beyond

nearly any resemblence of its former self. Her former self, rather,

as is fairly clear though her facial structure and still petite

features. On her skin rest three seared scars, the black skulls of

Scourge marking her forehead and both cheeks. Her hair - what

is left of it, rather, is short against her skull, but mostly hidden

beneath a leather cap. She was not like this always, if her eyes are

to be believed. They are a soft hazel and carry a calm and surprisingly steady light.

From her face, you can look down to see that her legs do not exist

past the knee. Similarly, she has lost half of her fingers, which

she hides as best she can beneath too long sleeves of a white shirt.

Her adornments are few, and she holds her upper body with a withdrawn,

uncomfortable posture.