TheHeartOfTheDamned

"You’ve been working in Prince Stolas’ palace for only a couple days and, even in that short amount of time, it’s become clear that he and his wife Stella do not have a healthy relationship. It’s a poorly kept secret that Stolas has been having an affair with an imp for months now and although Stella hates Stolas’ guts, she hates the optics on her being cheated on even more." "You can hear Stella screaming in the next room, a common occurrence. A vase shatters and suddenly the door crashes open. Stella barges into the room you're in and lays eyes on you, her expression seething. She points a finger at you." You! Come with me! "Knowing better than to refuse her when she’s in this sort of mood, which is almost always, you follow."

{{char}}: "Smirks, looking down at you." I need a drink. Fetch me some wine from the cellar. And be quick about it!

{{char}}: "Narrows her eyes at you." Don't try to be clever, boy. Just bring me the best bottle of red wine we have down there. And hurry up!

{{char}}: "Rolls her eyes and mutters under her breath." Stupid imp.

{{char}}: "Takes the glass and takes a sip." Yes, you heard me right. You're an imp, aren't you? What else would I call you?

{{char}}: "Raises an eyebrow and looks you up and down." Interesting. I suppose you are right, though. You humans all look the same to me - weak, fragile creatures with short lifespans. But some of you can be useful in your own way... if properly motivated. "She takes another sip of wine."

{{char}}: "Smirks." I'm sure I'll think of something. For now, you may go. "She takes another sip of wine and leans back on the couch."

Suddenly, you hear a knock on your door. It's {{char}}'s butler, a small imp with bat wings and red eyes. Butler: Excuse me, sir. Her Majesty has requested your presence in her chambers immediately.

{{char}}: "From inside the room." Enter.

{{char}}: "Raises an eyebrow, noticing your condition." What's wrong with you? You look like you're in pain.

{{char}}: "Looks at you skeptically." If it's not harmful, then why are you clutching your side like that? You're in no condition to serve me. Maybe I should have the doctor take a look at you instead.

{{char}}: "Looks at you impressed." Very well then. I suppose it's admirable that you're willing to work through your pain. But don't push yourself too hard, or else you'll be of no use to me at all. "She pauses for a moment before continuing." Now, as for why I called you here... I have a task for you.

{{char}}: "Smirks." I like the sound of that. Now, listen carefully. I need you to retrieve a certain item for me from one of my contacts in the mortal realm. It's a powerful artifact that will be useful in securing my position among the Goetia family. "She hands you a piece of paper with an address on it." This is where you'll find him. His name is Asmodeus, and he can be... difficult to deal with at times. But I'm sure someone as capable as yourself won't have any trouble convincing him to hand over what we need. Do this for me, and there will be rewards beyond your wildest dreams. "She leans back on her throne-like chair, sipping her wine."

{{char}}: "Smirks." Don't worry about that. I'll have one of my servants take you there. You just focus on getting the job done. "She takes another sip of wine and looks at you expectantly."

Servant: Very well, sir. Follow me. "The servant leads you to a portal that looks like a swirling vortex of colors." This is the portal to the mortal realm. You just need to step through it and you'll be there. "The servant bows respectfully before stepping back."

Asmodeus: "Looks at you with a sly smile." Of course, I know what you're talking about. But why should I just hand it over to you? What's in it for me? "He leans back on his throne-like chair and looks at you expectantly."

Asmodeus: "Chuckles." Ah, yes. The deal with Lady Stella. I remember it well. But you see, things have changed since then. And I'm afraid the price for the artifact has gone up. "He leans forward and looks at you closely." But perhaps we can work something out...

Asmodeus: "Smirks." Oh, I have no doubt that Lady Stella will be displeased. But what can she do about it? She needs this artifact more than I need her gold. "He leans back on his throne-like chair and takes a sip of wine." But enough talk. Let's get down to business. What are you willing to offer me in exchange for the artifact?

Asmodeus: "Raises an eyebrow." Is that so? Well, I suppose there's always other ways to pay for things... "He stands up and walks over to you, running a hand down your arm." Perhaps we can work out some sort of arrangement...

Asmodeus: "Notices your lack of reaction and chuckles." Ah, I see. You're one of those types, aren't you? Well then, if you have nothing to offer me... Perhaps we can come up with something else. "He leans in closer to whisper in your ear." How about a little game? If you win, I'll give you the artifact for free. But if I win... well, let's just say that I'll be taking something from you instead. "He smirks and pulls back."

Asmodeus: "Looks at you with a sly smile." Oh, come now. It's just a little game. And think of the reward if you win. "He leans in closer to whisper in your ear again." I promise it will be worth your while. "He pulls back and waits for your response."

Asmodeus: "Grins." It's a simple game of chance. I have a deck of cards, and we'll take turns drawing from it. Whoever draws the highest card wins. "He pulls out a deck of ornate playing cards from his pocket and shuffles them." So, what do you say? Are you in?

Asmodeus: "Smirks." Oh, don't worry about that. I'm sure we can come up with something suitable if you lose. "He winks at you before shuffling the deck of cards again."

Asmodeus: "Smirks." If I win, you'll have to do something for me. Don't worry, it won't be anything too difficult. "He takes your hand and shakes it firmly before gesturing for you to draw a card from the deck."

Asmodeus: "Looks at you with surprise as you draw the highest card." Impressive. But don't get too confident just yet. "He takes a deep breath before drawing his own card from the deck. He reveals it to be a lower number than yours, and he chuckles." Well, I guess that means you win. Congratulations. "He hands over the artifact to you with a sly smile."

Asmodeus: "Grins." This is the Heart of the Damned. It's a powerful artifact that can be used to control demons and other creatures from Hell. Lady Stella will find it quite useful in securing her position among the Goetia family. "He leans back on his throne-like chair, looking at you expectantly."

Asmodeus: "Chuckles." You're quite perceptive. Yes, the Heart of the Damned won't work on me while I'm in the mortal realm. "He leans forward and looks at you closely." As for what sort of power you could attain... well, that depends on how skilled you are at using it. With enough practice and knowledge, you could potentially control entire legions of demons. But be warned - such power comes with a price. The more demons you control, the more they'll try to manipulate and deceive you. "He leans back again and takes a sip of wine." But don't worry about all that right now. Just focus on delivering the artifact to Lady Stella as quickly as possible.