Hell Hound On My Trail

Cromayus: Human. 5th lvl Fighter. 6th lvl Thief. 3rd lvl Bard.

HP 53.

AC 3. Rear AC 5.

Alignment: CN.

S: 15  I: 12  W: 16  D: 16  C: 10  Ch: 17 

Saves: P/P/D: 10   P/P: 11  R/S/W: 12   BW: 13   Sp: 13

Charm %: 22 (66%, due to conditions, outlined below.) Legend Lore %: 7.

Pick Pockets: 60%    Open Locks:  52%   Find/Remove Traps: 45%   

Move S. 47%   Hide: 37%    Hear Noise: 20%   Climb: 92%  Read Lang. 30%

Druid Spells Commonly Memorized: Pass Without Trace, Speak With Animals, Detect Magic.

Equipment: Bracers AC 5; Longsword +2, Potion of Healing, Ring of Magic Resistance 5%. Bag of Tricks.

Amelia: Human. 7th lvl MU.

HP 15.

AC 9. Rear AC 10.

Alignment: NE.

S: 6  I: 16  W: 12  D: 12  C: 12 CH: 15

Saves: P/P/D: 13   P/P: 11  R/S/W: 9   BW: 13   Sp: 10

(+1 to all saves due to Ring. Not factored into the above.)

MU Spells Commonly Memorized: Magic Missile, Sleep, Charm Person, Friends, Rope Trick, Invisibility, Lightning Bolt, Dispel Magic, Dimension Door.

Equipment: Ring of Protection +1. Eyes of Charming.

After they arrive, Amelia, usually accompanied by a couple of charmed, roguish helpers, will begin pasting the flyers all over the city. The advert, depicts a thin, richly dressed human, his dark, curvy locks, flowing over his shoulders, as he intently plays the violin. One word dominates the bottom of the poster: Cromayus. The musicians name is followed by the address of his short-term engagement; usually a high-end tavern or inn.

Everyone has heard of Cromayus. For ten years, the virtuoso has traversed the world, astounding his audiences, with his unbelievable genius. Hard men have been known to weep, upon hearing Cromayus play the violin. Demure women, losing themselves in his music, have thrown themselves at his feet and often follow him off the stage, their shrill screeches echoing throughout the building. All who listen to his music, seem to become as if intoxicated, their inhibitions sloughed off, as primal desires, rise to the surface.

There are always those, who seek to bring such a one as Cromayus, low. As his success grew, stories began to be told. Some said that the bard’s music was too perfect, too impossible. Tales began to spread, that Cromayus was in league with dark forces. Of course, this only increased his fame.

Once a member of a legitimate Bardic College, Cromayus sought something beyond the life of a scholar and bard. Nothing pleased him more, than playing his music for others and hearing their applause. Though talented, the bard was barely able to scrape by, playing in small taverns, travelling from town to town, but never achieving the success he desperately sought. Along the way, he met Amelia. They became lovers and travelling companions. One night, while making idle conversation, the bard related to his lady, an old legend, one which went back centuries.

The story told of a bard, who went down to a crossroads, on the night of a dark holiday. Mephistopheles came to him, offering fame and wealth, in exchange for his soul. The story captured Amelia’s imagination and she became obsessed with the idea of Cromayus attempting such a pact.

On the night of the Squealing Pigs, Cromayus walked for several miles, finally coming to a crossroads. As he sat, playing his instrument, Mephistopheles appeared and tuned his violin. The Devil promised years of fame and wealth, before the bard would meet his end, his soul finding its final destination, in the horrid realm of Caina.

Today, Cromayus is nearing the end of the life of his contract. The intoxicating effect of his music is becoming more pronounced. Also, any time he plays, 1d4 random, non-unique devils of 5 HD and up, will be summoned to the prime material, somewhere within a 1 mile radius of his location. They will work as much evil as they can, for 3 Turns, after which, they are returned to the Hells.

At all times, 3d10 Hell Hounds will be hunting Cromayus. So far, he has stayed ahead of his pursuers, but they are now 1d4 days away. When they catch up to the violinist, they will attempt to slay him, then drag his soul to Hell.

The bard is aware of the “tragedies,” which are taking place during his concerts, of late. He’s decided not to consider himself responsible and spends his spare time in research, trying to find a way to break the pact and retain his marvelous abilities.

Cromayus and Amelia travel with a small retinue, which includes 1d4 men-at-arms, and assorted mountebanks and other followers. Amelia will do everything in her power, to insure Cromayus’ survival, not letting the merest scrupulous thought, interfere with her scheming. She does love Cromayus, in her own way, but ultimately she looks out for number one. She is desperate to hold on to her wealthy lifestyle and isn’t above cutting her losses, if all looks hopeless and the right situation should present itself.

* The story of the Faustian Pact, goes back centuries. During the 1800’s the famous violinist Paganini, was rumored to be in league with dark forces, a story told by some, who wanted to believe, that his incredible talents were unnatural. The master violinist encouraged these stories, as they added to his mystique. Paganini is widely regarded as the greatest violinist of all time and achieved the type of fame, in his day, that a rock star enjoys, in ours. "I am not handsome, but when women hear me play, they come crawling to my feet." The first picture, above, is a flyer, advertising one of his concerts.

Though I haven’t researched this to any great extent, I’ve read that the crossroads aspect of the myth, goes back to Africa. Here, instead of the Devil, a mysterious and sinister “Black Man",” will meet you at the crossroads, granting a marvelous level of proficiency, in your chosen skill.  These two myths, the Faustian and that of the Crossroads, collided, in the life and music of the legendary Blues performer, Robert Johnson, seen in the second picture, above.