faderift | [Closed] Player Plot: Desire Demon Possession

WHO: Kain Highwind, Inessa, Anders, Rydia, Bruce Not-Banner and James Norrington
WHAT: Backstabbing, temptation, demon-slaying and bad endings. Kain has come back to the area and brought a “friend”! OOC information is here
WHEN: Forward-dated to September/Kingsway 8th
WHERE: Mountains outside of Skyhold
NOTES: Contains violence, betrayal, eventual character death. Also, there’s no need to keep a specific tagging order, just keep things moving and jump in whenever! :)

It had been a good month so far. Kain had explored a great deal, seen some incredible lands and creatures, and overall gotten closer to clearing his head. He’d started even somewhat enjoying himself as he camped by night and traveled by day, unburdened by other responsibilities. But, eventually, he had to return. He had sworn his loyalty to the Inquisition, after all. He still had his redemption to work toward. So he’d started heading back in the direction of Skyhold.

Unfortunately, he’d been in the wrong place at the wrong time when a rift erupted. He’d started dealing with it… only to get overpowered by a desire demon. The creature remembered him from his trip to the Fade and was ready with temptations that overwhelmed him. Kain couldn’t stop it, not when the demon reminded him of what he truly wanted, deep down… to be stronger than Cecil, to be better overall, well admired and respected… and to have Rosa, all to himself. It was the Rosa illusion that really broke him. His love for her had been his downfall once before, and now it is again, in the worst possible way.

Claiming Kain was all too easy for the demon after that. All it had to do was dive in and take over the reigns. Kain’s mind was weak from his past experiences, all too open to being controlled by another. From there… the demon started testing out the limits of its new form, forcing Kain to do its will, exploiting his abilities alongside its own.

Threaded | Flat

The reports start coming in as rumors. Death from the sky, they say, and others claim it’s a dragon taking the shape of a man. Whatever the case, this thing is becoming more dangerous to anyone heading toward Skyhold. There are injuries reported. Soon enough, a couple bodies are found of random travelers, with stab wounds indicating a lance was used.

It all sounds a lot like demonic activity… sort of. That’s where the Inquisition comes in. They have to investigate and stop it before any further damage can be done, so a team is assembled and sent out.

There are signs, fortunately, and a trail can be picked up with close observation... Footprints and blood mark a path leading off the main trail, into a forest of towering pine trees. Is the demon just sloppy… or does it want to be followed?

1. Temptations
As the group continues along, they’ll occasionally hear a deep whisper aimed at them, reminding them of what they want more than anything… be it people, objects, or even more abstract things like power… What do you most desire? If you turn back and leave the demon alone, you can have it...

2. Dracolisk
Kain’s dracolisk makes an appearance eventually along the trail, unharmed, but very clearly spooked as it rears up and kicks wildly.

3. Bird
Kain’s parrot shows up further along, swearing up a storm as it flies overhead.

[ooc: This is for the initial setting out and tracking Kain. Feel free to hit up one of the prompts or do your own! Jump around, mingle, work as a group, split up, etc. The demon knows it’s being pursued and will be trying to move them off to a more isolated spot.]

It’s bitterly cold and isolated where the demon has led them. The desire demon has been toying with the group so far, keeping hidden in the trees, occasionally taking advantage of Kain’s jumping power to move around easily. Now, it’s led the group to an open, snowy area, where it intends to finish them off.

“Is a fight truly what you want? Or is there something better I can give you?” the demon says in Kain’s voice, his mocking tone daring the fighters to approach. Even at a glance, something is very off about the dragoon’s overall stance… it’s evident that the desire demon in full control here. Lesser demons surround the area as well, one rage and a pair of terror demons, which are already moving out to start targeting the group. The desire demon moves Kain's lips into an eerie, uncharacteristic smile, pleased with the distraction they'll provide.

Edited 2016-09-01 03:23 (UTC)

The demons are cleared out, the desire demon defeated at last. The battle has been far from pleasant for everyone involved… including Kain, who’s barely clinging to life. His mind is free, but his body is beaten.

A little healing magic ought to help… right???

Tracking and Temptations

Fiiiiiiiiight!!!

Aftermath (Warning for eventual character death)