While his companions were away righting wrongs (likely driven by Alaric's self-deluding sense-eluding idea of justice), Aginot set his mind and body towards a project of consequence--converting the heathens. The Order of the Coin had gained much traction in the events following Lady Silva's unmasking, and several of the townsfolk had made private inquiries regarding the faith.
Aginot took this as an excellent sign, and as his comrades set about fighting beasts in dark tunnels, Aginot laid himself to the task of winning acolytes. His first success was Jerome, a beggar. While Jerome's motivations were suspect, at first, he had quickly become the most outspoken of the Order's acolytes. He was granted The Coin on his first day with Aginot, and Jerome Branded his first two converts the next day, increasing the Order's strength in Morningsong threefold.
Aginot spent much time with Jorah the first night, and while he was unsuccessful in converting the priest, Jorah did accept a token of the Order at Aginot's insistence, which he wore discreetly around his neck. Aginot had begged access to whatever books and geneologies Jorah had access to, as Aginot was certain and sought proof that Lord Hanwey himself was a disciple of the Order. It was this, more than anything else, that opened Jorah's heart to The Coin. That it was, in fact, a lie was of little consequence. The Order of the Coin seeks not truth, but rather balance. And this first step in Jorah's conversion tipped the balance slightly in favor of the Order.
It was by pointing out Jorah's necklace that he won the conversion of Abigail on the second day. If Jorah's views regarding the Order were somewhat exaggerated by Aginot, that as well was of little consequence. The result was surely worth it. Abigail was Branded that morning and accepted The Coin in Aginot's room that night. Thus it was with great satisfaction that Aginot fell asleep, confident of what the next day would bring.
When Aginot awoke alone in the Mists, however, the strength of his despair hit him and he could barely stand. Abigail, who had fallen asleep beside him, was gone, as was the bed, and the inn was an empty shell of what it had once been. Everyone that Aginot had met was gone. With no idea what happened, and not knowing if Leilana, Alaric and Nora had also disappeared, he eventually gathered the strength to stand, and stumbled through the Mists calling for his comrades...
Aginot took this as an excellent sign, and as his comrades set about fighting beasts in dark tunnels, Aginot laid himself to the task of winning acolytes. His first success was Jerome, a beggar. While Jerome's motivations were suspect, at first, he had quickly become the most outspoken of the Order's acolytes. He was granted The Coin on his first day with Aginot, and Jerome Branded his first two converts the next day, increasing the Order's strength in Morningsong threefold.
Aginot spent much time with Jorah the first night, and while he was unsuccessful in converting the priest, Jorah did accept a token of the Order at Aginot's insistence, which he wore discreetly around his neck. Aginot had begged access to whatever books and geneologies Jorah had access to, as Aginot was certain and sought proof that Lord Hanwey himself was a disciple of the Order. It was this, more than anything else, that opened Jorah's heart to The Coin. That it was, in fact, a lie was of little consequence. The Order of the Coin seeks not truth, but rather balance. And this first step in Jorah's conversion tipped the balance slightly in favor of the Order.
It was by pointing out Jorah's necklace that he won the conversion of Abigail on the second day. If Jorah's views regarding the Order were somewhat exaggerated by Aginot, that as well was of little consequence. The result was surely worth it. Abigail was Branded that morning and accepted The Coin in Aginot's room that night. Thus it was with great satisfaction that Aginot fell asleep, confident of what the next day would bring.
When Aginot awoke alone in the Mists, however, the strength of his despair hit him and he could barely stand. Abigail, who had fallen asleep beside him, was gone, as was the bed, and the inn was an empty shell of what it had once been. Everyone that Aginot had met was gone. With no idea what happened, and not knowing if Leilana, Alaric and Nora had also disappeared, he eventually gathered the strength to stand, and stumbled through the Mists calling for his comrades...
For the sake of accuracy, the bed - at least, what was now no more than a dilapidated bed frame adorned with a pile of straw and tattered sheets - wasn't gone, nor was it completely empty. Where Abigail had slept the night before was a flesh-bare and ancient-looking skeleton, wrapped loosely in the remains of what may have once been a young woman's nightdress.
ReplyDeletePleasant dreams.
Most excellent, Matt.
ReplyDeleteI don't think Aginot would be totally surprised by this, either. He's starting to understand the Nightmare Realm a bit, at least parts of it.