Falcon/BoDak

Bo Dak

Courtier to the Mask of Winters

The Mask of Winters' anima preceded him into the small chamber where Bo Dak made the last preparations for his journey. The nemissary felt the untapped power crawl over him as his master entered, a low thrumming that resonated in the dry bones and withered organs of his vessel. He had no breath to catch, and an unbeating heart could not skip and stutter, but he recognised the old feelings well enough. Even here, in a black iron citadel on the back of the animated corpse of a monster from beyond the dawn of time, the Mask of Winters still had an impossible gravity. Even surrounded by magic and artefacts of city-crushing power as he was, the mere presence of Bo Dak's master made all of them pale into insignificance. Bo Dak turned to bear witness to the Mask of Winters' unhurried entrance, and he knew beyond doubt that he was in the presence of greatness.

"So, my servant. You are leaving." The Mask of Winters had a low voice, but it rang crystal clear from behind his scowling face. Each word fell into place with the finality of a funeral chime.

Bo Dak nodded and forced his vessel to draw a breath. Rarely used lungs cracked and pumped, and he shaped the exhalation into words. "I have served for ten years," he whispered. "Now I go to take my vengeance." The faintest worry ran through the nemissary that his master might simply forsake their bargain, but he quelled it quickly. The Mask of Winters was an honourable being, in his own fashion.

"As we agreed," the Deathlord said, nodding. "It will be a pity to lose such a skilled courtier, even if only temporarily."

Bo Dak read the unspoken words in his master's speech. "She cannot harm me," he said with quiet confidence, "only whatever vessel I choose to wear. I have sent hungry ghosts to test her and found her wanting. I have gathered the Skull of Mu'Ray, the Mirror of Immaterial Reflections, and an opal's egg. As I prepare, she sleeps. As I approach, she shall remain blind. I shall have her once again."

The Mask of Winters nodded again. "You have prepared well. I shall bid you farewell with knowledge of your certain success."

"Thank you, my lord."

"I will also say this," said the Deathlord as he turned to leave. "At the very edges of my perception, I feel the strings of the stargazers. They cannot touch me, cannot hold me... but they can hold you." Mask of Winters rotated his shoulder and neck to look back at his servant. The frowning face glowered emotionlessly. "The threads of destiny are exceedingly subtle. Perhaps she has planned this for you from the beginning."

"Perhaps," Bo Dak admitted. "We children of Creation are forever bound by fate, but I shall take my satisfaction where I can. Even if my conflict with her is indeed preordained, I see no reason to make it easy for her."

The Mask of Winters nodded and withdrew.

"Not forever bound," he murmured to himself as he glided into the darkened corridors of Juggernaut. "Not forever."

---

---

Concept: Nemissary of DOOM
Nature: Judge

Attributes
Strength 2
Dexterity 2
Stamina 2
Charisma 2
Manipulation 4
Appearance 1
Perception 4
Intelligence 5
Wits 3

Virtues and Passions
Compassion 2

• Protect Kestrel 2

Conviction 3

• Control Kestrel 3

Temperance 3

• Survive 1
• Serve the Mask of Winters 2

Valour 2

• Defend the Mask of Winters 1
• Pursue Kestrel 1

Fetter
Kestrel 5 (The representation is Bo Dak's old wedding ring, which he wears at all times.)

Abilities
Awareness 3
Larceny 2
Stealth 2
Presence 2
Bureaucracy 4
Linguistics 3
Socialise 2
Investigation 4
Lore 4
Occult 5
(Favoured ability.)

Backgrounds
Artefact 5+
Backing 4
Mentor 2

Arcanoi
Stringless Puppeteer Art

• Spirit-Catching Eye Technique
• Soul-Whispering Empathy Discipline
• Skin-Riding Prana
• Six Demon Bag
• Mortal-Shadowing Technique
• Nemissary's Ride

Tangled Web Arts

• World-Bridging Meditation
• Death-Avoiding Monitor

Terror-Spreading Art

• Corpse-Fed Radiance

Combat Stats

Base Initiative: 5
Attacks:
  Punch: Spd 5, Atk 2, Dmg 2B, Def 2
  Dagger: Spd 8, Atk 2, Dmg 3L, Def 0
Dodge Pool: 2
Soak: 2B/1L/0A
Willpower: 8
Health Levels: -0/-1/-1/-2/-2/-4/Incap
Essence: 3
Essence Pool: 74 motes
Committed Essence: ?

Stuff
The Skull of Mu'Ray, the Mirror of Immaterial Reflections, an opal's egg, a silver dagger, black robes, a ceremonial silver mask.

Link to Kestrel