It was the Marquise who introduced me to her pathetic little network of gossipmongers. It was clear to me she knew how to do her job but she was not looking for the right information. Once I had learned how to extract the right information from the right people. Then I intimidated the most useful of them in my service, feeding the Marquise the wrong information, and had them train other information brokers. It seemed my education at the Spiral Academy was paying of. Yet I had not prepared for the woman�s rage when she found out I had been cheating on her. Not in any intimate way, but using her to gain my own sources of information. Had I used her just for cheap intimacies she would not have minded, but this she took very seriously.
After the Marquise literally flung herself at me I had enough of her. She attacked me in her own boudoir. I was shoved backward by the unexpected force of her body. Next thing I knew I was on top of her, for the first and last time, and grabbed one of her pillows. I pushed the pillow on her face and suffocated her. Tedious these so-called love affairs, luckily I ended this one prematurely.
I hoped to be rid of her, but she rose as a ghost. She has not bothered me since. She knows very well I could kill her again and this time for good. I hope she also realizes that if she plots against me my spies will found out soon enough for me to put an end to her. Though another problem has arisen and she seems to have won the favor of one of the newer Deathknights, the one with the demeaning title Death Jester.
About my troops:
With the permission of my Deathlord I have assembled a bodyguard of thirteen ghosts who are fiercely loyal to me. The Guard of the Moonless Night as they are called sees to my protection. Though I am fully capable of protecting myself there are certain things ghosts can do that I cannot. Each of these ghosts is oath bound to protect me. I personally sanctified these oaths with the power granted to my caste by the Malfeans.
About my artifacts:
One should wary in dealing with the ghosts of the soulforges. They forge their items with forfeit souls. Three such items are in my possession:
Havoc & Malice: two soulsteel hearthstone bracers that adorn my arms. Not only do they provide settings for my two hearthstones they also increase my relish for slaughter as they decrease my opponents resilience.
Flesh Gloves: these gloves where crafted from the hands of the peasants that I slew during my exaltation. It seems this imbued them with a dark energy. Now when I wear these gloves they empower the strikes of my hands and claws.
All of these where gifts from my Deathlord. While I will not serve him as a slave I will keep my word and once I embark on a mission for the Savant I do not return ere I have completed it. Therefor the Savant saw it fit to reward me.
About my manses:
As I said my lord can rely on me when I give my word. The Savant has rewarded me with artifacts, teachings and the access to two crypts that serve as manses below the cathedral. Here I can find respite and if I so choose resume my business when my weariness abated.
Two hearthstones are connected with these underworld manses:
The Gem of Ever Lit Eyes: a gem of the ghost element of flame. It allows me to see in all except magical darkness.
The Stone of the Eternal Jade Form: a stone of the ghost element of jade. While it does not allow me to heal more quickly it allows me to heal without any scars. Even lost limbs may be regained with the aid of this stone.
About my Resources:
When one is asked to look into the financial matters of a kingdom one cannot help but see the opportunities whereby one can gain some profit. After researching the flow of trade throughout Gothmere I knew where to buy what and sell it where. After doing this a few times merchants become curious about your skill. And next they know they will be paying you so they may increase their trade. How this is done? Both the Authority Eroding Technique and the oath sanctifying power of the Moonshadow caste can work miracles.