Subject: A Patron of Chaos

From: appel@chaosium.com (Shannon Appel)

System: Elric!

This article presents the third of three patrons.  Like the others, he
is meant to be someone who could help guide a group of PCs, although
he'd make an equally good NPC opponent.  The other two Patrons, of the
Balance and Law, are in V3.2 and V4.5 of the Digest.

Saraten Quicksword, Agent of Xiombarg

Originally a warrior of Ilmiora, Saraten was once a simple mercenery,
travelling where the money was good and the work simple.  In his
journeys, Saraten chanced across worshippers of Chaos, present even in
the lawful lands of Ilmiora.

At first, Saraten recoiled, for everything that he had ever been
taught spoke of the evil of the Dukes of Entropy.  Eventually, though,
he was seduced by the great power which the worshippers of chaos
promised.  Saraten pledged his allegiance to Chaos, and since has
moved quickly through the ranks.

On occasion, Saraten still has his doubts, especially when he thinks
of his family, which still worships the White Lords.  These doubts are
infrequent though, and for the most part, he is quite strong in his
belief in the constant flux of chaos.

When Saraten first meets the adventurers, he will be seeking subtle
agents to help him in his quest to strengthen Chaos in the Young
Kingdoms.  He will offer great rewards, including money, spells and
demon weaponry and armor.  To those who serve him well, he will be a
friend.

Chaos 93, Balance 34, Law 41

STR 15          
CON 14          
SIZ 12          
INT 14          
POW 16
DEX 14          
APP 15                                          

HP  13

Damage Bonus: +1D4

Weapons:
Broadsword 143%, damage 1D8+1+1D4
Demon Dirk (off-hand) 121%, damage 1D4+2+1D4+1D8

Armor: 1D8(no helm)+1D8 Half Plate demon armor

Spells: Brazier of Power(4), Demon's Ear(1), Heal(2), Hell's
Armor(1-4), Hell's Razor(1-4), Liken Shape(4), Muddle (1), Rat Vision
(1), Speed of Vezhan (1-3), Summon Demon(1), Tread of Cran Liret(1-4),
Visae of Arioch(1-3)

Skills: Art(Conversation) 65%, Art(Courtly Manners) 73%, Common 70%,
Conceal Object 53%, Evaluate 71%, Hide 88%, Insight 73%, Million
Spheres 02%, Move Quietly 77%, Natural World 40%, Oratory 101%, Ride
82%, Scribe 10%, Unknown Kingdoms 02%, Young Kingdoms 31%

Appearance:

Saraten is an aristocratic looking young man.  He often dresses in the
finest of silks.  Still, his weapons are never far from him, usually
in finely decorated scabbards at his belt.  Saraten's light skin is
unblemished, and his blond hair always neatly groomed.

Demeanor:

Saraten is almost always friendly and good-natured.  If any of his
employees were ever to find themselves in trouble, Saraten would do
what he could to help them out.  The only time that Saraten's careful
composure is ever broken is when he is betrayed.  If one of his
employees were to turn against him, Saraten would do whatever he could
to revenge himself upon them.

Story Ideas for Saraten's Agents:

* (campaign idea) An campaign could be built about the corruption of
Ilmiora.  Currently, it is a bastion of the White Lords, although that
control is not total, as Saraten's own conversion shows.  Still, there
is much work to be done.  This corruption might involve the removal of
important officials of law from Ilmiora, the infiltration of Ilmiora's
Council of Senators and the creation of secret temples of Chaos within
Ilmiora.

* Saraten still has one tie to the world of law, his family of old.
Saraten's superiors in the church of Chaos want to remove this tie
once and for all.  Thus, they commision the players to assasinate the
family, and so utterly tie Saraten to the world of Chaos.

* The theocrats of Pan Tang have tried to take control of the chaos
hierarchy hidden within Ilmiora.  The players are sent to seek out the
Pan Tangians who are moving against the Ilmiorans, and remove them.
Unfortunately, this task is made more difficult by the fact that the
Pan Tangians are willing to expose the chaotic Ilmiorans if they can
not wrest control from them.  Subtle machinations will be required.
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