Padraic

Description

Tall and striking in appearance, Padraic carries himself
with an air of utmost confidence.  Precise and composed
in his movements, he seems to bear himself with constant
reservation and consideration.  Fastidiously kept locks
of silken, jet, black hair are parted evenly about his
crown, casting a darkening shadow upon his luminous brow.
His dark, brooding eyes glimmer lustrously from their lofty
perch, like black pearls set upon a moonlit bank.  Smooth
to the touch, his pale skin seems to glow radiantly with
an inner light.  

A dark cloak, tailored to accentuate the breadth of his
shoulders, hangs loosely about Padraic's figure.  The
heavy folds seem to swallow his lank form, leaving little
in view.  A fine silver chain, bearing a pendant of jade,
hangs loosely about his neck.

Background

Padraic was brought up as a servant to the Casidian family, a secret that
he guards jealously.  His years of servitude were not in vain, though.  In
the course of his work, he was given training in the family business, and
proved himself to be a most adept student.  His extraordinary skill caught
the eye of Lacham, the family patriarch, resulting in further training,
regarding the ways of Earendian politics and intrigue.

Rising rapidly through the ranks, Padraic became adopted into the Casidia
family to preserve appearances among the noble houses.  With his new found
status as a member of the "family," Padraic gained access to the various
informants spread throughout Earendam, as well as to the underground
network, stretching from the Earendian catacombs to the far reaches of
Krilin.  Tapping into this deepest of resources, Padraic soon became
intimately familiar with the secrets of the rest of Earendam's noble houses.

Due to his proximity with the heads of the family, Padraic learned to
appreciate the finer points of culture, becoming an aesthete of sorts.  More
importantly, Padraic quickly picked up the art of double talk, with the
understanding that a friendly guardsman is infinitely more useful than a
corpse.  Of late, Padraic has temporarily left Earendam, instead taking up
residence in Var Bandor.  Along with the completion of the last bits of his
training, his mission is to spread the reach of the Casidian family, while at
same time increasing his own power.

*The Journal of Padraic'riklan Arenhys Casidia*

Evenday, Tyrilis -
In meeting the void scholar Euithyin, I listened incredulously to the
scholar's tale about the "Otherworld."  Allegedly, he is not a human, but
rather a demon encased in human flesh.  I am still somewhat dubious of this
allegation, but there can be no harm in playing along with this madman's
game.  He is certainly powerful enough to be useful.

Nimensday, 6th day of Rystaiamir -
I have received and replied to a missive, sent by Arochel Alidru, who
purports himself to be a servant of Serachel.  We are to meet within the
coming future, and will hopefully forge some sort of alliance.  Yet, I must
be wary, for this may be a test of my perceptiveness.  Arochel will be
greeted with open arms, but I shall keep my dagger at the ready.  

Evenday, 15th day of Rystaiamir -
Engaged myself in a meeting with Arochel Alidru at the Rowan.  Family
matters were tied up to a great degree, and our allegiance has been sealed
as best as possible, without any sort of public ties to complicate matters
in Earendam.  Arochel has also put to me the question of my own personal
dedication to the Fallen Lord, and to what degree I am willing to submerge
myself with him.  A basic question of service and reward, it seems.  In the
mean time, I will work on aggregating my personal power, that I will have
more to offer when the time comes.

-- The journal goes mysteriously quiet --

The Day of Tears -
Ah, the irony.  Today, I had the great fortune of meeting a certain Asha,
Poetess of the Rose.  As we moved deeper into conversation, I heard His
voice whispering softly into my ear, urging me to take full advantage of
this one.  As He told me, she is the Rose Lord's love, and will prove to be
a most useful, if perhaps unwitting, weapon against him.  Kyana's tears were
most luminous tonight.  I wonder why.

Endenday, 10th day of Lyceonis -
A meeting.  The terms of the contract have been set.  I shall deliver the
Poetess to Him, and He shall grant me Arochel's gift.  He began by praising
my work, while simultaneously cautioning me against my wish, wondering if I
understood the magnitude of that which I asked for.  That the Fallen one
should be so considerate seems slightly suspicious to me, but I will heed
his advice accordingly and look more deeply into the matter.  We then
proceeded to set the price, later discussing the details of how she shall be
delivered to Him.  When she is ready, I am to instruct her to say "Padraic,
lead me unto life," at which point I shall assume that He will make his
entrance.  From then on, she and Arochel's gift will be mine.

Lyrensday, 13th day of Kyanamir -
An eventful day.  In a moment of rapture, Asha said the words, sealing
the bargain for eternity.  The sky shook, and the earth rumbled.  With my
work completed, I removed my mask, finally allowing her to see me in my true
form.  No sooner had I shaken off my veil, then the Rose descended from the
sky, his pampered brow blazing with petulant wrath.  After a small exchange
of words, I was sent away in an explosion of lightning and white flame.  I
suspect that were it not for my Lord's mark, I would be little more than a
burnt cinder.  But no matter.  The girl, immortality, and everything else
that I could possibly want, will soon be mine.  

Iolenday, 23rd day of Tyrilis -
Lucan Calus, Secretary to the Patrician has responded to my inquiry about
the abandoned Temple of Enaerai.  After a small amount of work is done upon
it, the rights to the Temple will be transferred to my name.  

Evenday, 26th day of Nelennamir -
The last segment of the endgame has been played out.  The seeds that I
have nurtured for so long have finally born sweetest fruit.  The curse/power
that was given to Arochel is now contained within my pendant, sealed within
by a kiss from the Fallen.  The girl is now in my charge, and seems to have
transferred whatever affections she had for the Rose unto me.  A
complication waiting to happen, but we shall see how it plays out.  Perhaps
I shall taste her, and see for myself whether she was so deserving of the
Rose's obsession.