Fallon laid the large parchment paper out in front of him, which contained a map of the nearby ruins and his notes scribbled in ink, while the others looked on nervously. There were four of them in total, all of them doppelgangers, from various villages and settlements...all of whom had lost something or someone dear to them. They were about to set their plans into motion, each of them deeply vested, yet anxious and worried nonetheless.
Fallon had been preparing this for months. This deadly "game" that he envisioned, required him to take more drastic measures than he originally anticipated. At first, he hoped to just capture one of the locals and play the part until he and his friends parted ways, but once he got to Sage Marsh, the place just astounded him! This small town nestled in a dark and gloomy swamp, was one of the most magnificent towns he had ever seen! Granted, from the outside, it looked dilapidated; a wet and slimy moss covering most of the outside walls of the domed structure. Even the path leading up to the front gates, was muddy, making a suctioning sound with each wet step.
On the inside though, the town was too good to be true! The inner walls were lined with marble, with four massive columns staggered throughout the center of the town. They reached over 30 feet high and ended in claws, which held several large fishing nets above it and over the town. There was a majestic fountain, with crystal clear water spouting out of a lions mouth, who seemingly was roaring to the heavens. There were stairs that led up to multiple tiers of the town, with marble pathways that attached to each of the stores that hugged the circular structure. Fallon could only imagine that it looked like a wagon wheel to a bird flying overhead. A massive stage was carved into the center of the second tier where a gnome bard entertained the townsfolk. There were even peddlers selling flowers out of hand baskets and others selling spiced meats, or weapons and armor. It was extraordinary, especially for being in the middle of a murky and bug infested quagmire!
So, Fallon had revisited his plan and decided to subjugate the local bakery, owned by one called Revan, because he wanted to LIVE here, instead of just making his base of operations. He went as far as to kill the baker and steal his very identity, assuming his local role.
Fallon was the leader of this ramshackle group...the one who brought them all together; they had similar goals, for instance, destroying those whom thought it wise to defile the doppelganger race. They each had their own story, a reason for why they were standing there, planning the humans demise.
For Fallon, it all started in his home village, Myridium. One day, a young and overly fervent Paladin of Bahamut, who thought he was being heroic, destroyed the monster who had brought plague upon their little town. A plague that made the undead look charismatic by comparison.
Most would wonder why was it so wrong for the Paladin to do so, but what this boy didn't know, was that the monster was the key to reversing the plague. This disease could only be healed through an alchemical concoction, utilizing the beast's saliva. Their local Sage had figured out that the saliva contained the anti-venom, so that the monster could digest those affected by the plague, without harming itself. However, with the beast dead, it would salivate no more....
So this Paladin, by acting without thinking or taking the time to assess the situation properly, had sentenced them all to a horrible death, which included Fallon's wife, Ariana, who on her dying breath, whispered to him, (as her strength was dwindling), that she was with child. A child that was also lost to the malady...
Fallon could feel the anger boiling up in him just thinking about it, the rage, forcing him to lose control of his illusionary facade of Revan, if only for just a second. It's a good thing they were in a safe place.
Cassus was Fallon's oldest friend, whom once lived on the outskirts of a long lost temple, in a small farming town, not far from the "Road of Broken Promises". The small village was attacked by the empire, ruthlessly and unexpectedly, raping and killing most of the women from the village. The others were sold as slaves to the Wizards Enclave for research, including his sisters, Penelope and Serafin. They both endured sickening torture, the mages stripping their flesh from their bodies, testing and experimenting it, in hopes of learning their inherent ability to shape-shift. Penelope was able to escape by seducing one of the mages into complacency, whom she quickly attacked afterwards and ran. Serafin...was not so lucky. Cassus's intent was clear. He wanted those responsible dead and he was happy to draw out the pain for as long as possible...after all, what's fair is fair.
Penelope to this day, even though she stands as one of the four here and is safe, still trembles with fear and hatred, a scary combination. She's not all "there" anymore, some days having frequent outbursts and other days when she is not seen at all or looking at nothing in particular with a terrifying blank stare. It's particularly creepy when the way she holds her custom mace, specifically forged to flay the skin with each swipe; she always carries it with her, and tends to smile to herself when in hand.
She worries the others at times, but can you blame her? Who knows what else was done to her at that awful place, but the blank look in her eyes tells us that she definitely lost something dear to her...her MIND.
Then there was Leofan, one deeply interconnected with the group of adventurers they are plotting against. You see, his father was a traitor to his people, sleeping with a doppelganger whore (they excel at being whatever you desire), and he was the product of that infidelity. He was half-elf and half doppelganger. His brother Ari and sister, Zelelis had no idea, mainly because they paid no attention to him. Leofan always assumed it was because he was different, but were soon going to find out just how different he was!
Leofan had kept his distance all through his life, instead deciding to focus his time and effort on learning the ways of magick, for one main purpose...to purge himself of his elven heritage, a taint on his very being. Through years of research and many discreet favors, he was able to figure out what was required; the ruby of souls. This ruby was the focus, the key to the ritual he must perform to finally make him whole. He had to travel to one of the most unruly and disgusting cities, a place where there are murderers, whore's, and even a good number of murdering whores. South Harbor is a vile place that he (and anyone else for that matter) will never forget, as once he had the ruby in hand, not more than an hour afterwards, it was stolen from him. PICK POCKETED NONETHELESS! Leofan had never been more furious. All that time, preparation and research, and the damn thing was stolen from him!
It took some time, and after bribing some information out of people, he was able to find out who the thief was. Interestingly enough, he ran into Fallon and after a lengthy discussion, Leofan was on board to put this plan into action.
So, Fallon cleared his throat, then looked at each of the others straight in the eye and said, "It's time to put this plan into action. Is everyone ready?"
The others nodded their heads and gathered around, getting as close as possible to the large parchment paper, which held the plan that was going to enact their revenge...once, and for all!
To be continued in Deceptions Finest, Part 3
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