In Warhammer Fantasy as my ERP Character

“The joints feel rusty.” Said soft deep voice.

“That vessel is just armor, there are no joints. You are just old, or not used to having a body in a long time.” In front of me, Morr is already inhabiting his new vessel which is just a set of armor. The armor is a plain jet black gothic plate armor with no ornate decorations or embellishments. I must say, Morr is pretty averse to ornaments and embellishment. At first I wanted to make him something similar to Guts Berserk armor. But he demanded it to be redesigned. I give the armor a few skull ornaments on the gauntlets, shoulder guard, and the poleyn (knee part of the plate) of the armor like the gothic armor in Warhammer 40k and still he wants it to be redesigned. I won’t even bother making the exaggerated codpiece plate as I am not sure he will appreciate the humor and will want it to be changed no doubt. It took until morning that the armor was properly finished. The result is the plainest gothic armor there is, the only thing making it unique is that the color is jet black. The helmet is just a plain flat nosed bascinet, I don’t know what it is called specifically while the exposed part of the armor is covered with similarly jet black chain mail so that it is not instantly clear that there is no body inside.

“Could be.” Is his only answer. Then with his command, a cloak made of death magic appears and covers his armor. A hood covering his helmet. I must say, Morr has a pretty edgy sense of fashion.

“Are you sure you do not want additional enchantments? That armor can only host your soul and nothing else.”

“That alone is enough.”

“Well yes, but still it is a stretch. It is no more powerful than normal unenchanted plate armor.” While it is armor that can be used as God’s vessel is still amazing on its own, the souls he gives me is only enough for just that.

“Before you ask, no. There are no more souls for you to use.”

“That can’t be right? Surely there are more souls that are sworn to serve you after their death.”

“More of a verbal word of volunteer really. Souls with unfulfilled oaths burn brightly and will disturb the rest of the souls. They are not welcome in the realm of the dead.”

“But didn’t you say that they have sworn to you?” I am now curious. To this he turns his head towards me.

“It is an expression.” Then he continues to move around, trying to get used to having a body again.

“Why do the souls with unfulfilled oaths burn brightly exactly?” This is something new to me. The lord of Warhammer Fantasy’s afterlife is not something I particularly delved into before I arrived here.

“There is power in oaths. In dedicating your entire existence and soul for a cause. It can bring forth a great power from one’s self or blessings from fate. But there’s also a price for it. Your soul cannot rest until the duty is done.” So, something like Paladins in DnD. But there is no failing or breaking the oath, even after their death. Kind of like the Dead Men of Dunharrow from Lord of the Rings too.

“But are there people that make that oath to you?”

“Only fools make an oath that cannot be fulfilled even after their death.”

“That’s not an answer to my question.” To this, he ignores me. There must be some of them. “Well, if there’s any of those souls, then perhaps now that you are here, you can make them fulfill their oaths.” again he gives no reaction. I reckon he is not particularly fond of those souls. Who risk their very soul for an oath that cannot be fulfilled.

My tent flap opens soon after as Kal enters. He saw Morr in his new vessel, sizing up the new guest, and Morr looks up to the bigger beastmen. Kal flinched and turned away.

“What is it?” I ask after their brief exchange

“The elf with a pointed hat wants to speak with you.” Kal said with a gruff. Not liking that Morr have made him flinch in front of me

“Did I tell you that he is Teclis and is your granduncle? Or did I forget to tell you that.”

“The latter.”

“I see. Didn’t get the chance to properly mention that. Also, call Marissith over too. Ask her to bring some additional clothes.” Kal looks at the still sleeping Valariel on the fur bed and nods before leaving.

“How about you? What will you do now?” I ask Morr.

“I will leave in the evening. There’s a family reunion I am late to attend.” That's true. First Rhya and Taal, then Ulric and Manann, and now Morr. All that is left is Sigmar, Verena, Shallya, and Myrmidia. I know where Sigmar and Shallya are. But not Verena and Myrmidia. Oh, wait. I forgot about Ranald. All I know is that based on the myth, he ran during the first Chaos Incursion and the human gods fought. So all in all, I can say that the human gods that still have power and are active have returned.

“Very well then.” With my thought concluded,  I stand and meet with Teclis.

—

“So, what decision have you made?” I sat on the oversized chair within the guest hall of the Cathayan district which will be used to host the merchants from there. The earliest caravan should arrive in two or three days if the schedule is correct. At least the place has been staffed properly. The cathayan prostitutes that have been bought because of Solas’ antics are mostly working here.

“You have made very convincing points and we have weighed the options presented to us.” Teclis starts diplomatically. “Unfortunately, the Asur’s current circumstances have made it difficult to make any sort of treaty properly formalized. At most what we can give is only a tantamount of a verbal promise. Understand that there is no precedent in making this sort of decision. It will take a miracle to convince even just my brother, let alone the rest of the Phoenix King’s Court.” He concluded. But no matter, if the High Elves are at least not my enemies, then it is enough.

“As the Supreme Patriarch of the College of Magic, I have authority in having… unorthodox assets.” Balthazar Gelt now starts. “We have come to an agreement that it will be beneficial to the Empire if there are less beastman threats. It will take some time and less public dealings, but formal discussion can be made next month at the latest. With word from me, Lord Martak, and Lord Teclis, the Imperial Court won’t be able to ignore and deem the notion of making a treaty with you and your beastmen under the rug or as nonsense. However, it will be clear that the zealots and the witch hunters won’t be favoring us and unfortunately, they held quite the sizable influence within the court and the populace. You will need to do more… convincing.”

I fold my arm and think. This is still within expectation. The Empire will love having less things to deal with. While most of the common populace of the Empire adopt a not seen no problem mentality, the ones that are actively dealing with threats are so much more paranoid. If only, I have someone that could help me convince the temples. End of the month right? So one more week. Still very quick I suppose.

“I might be able to help with that.” Come an old voice. Morr enters the room, clanking in armor and the cloak covering him.

“And who might you be?” This time, the shaman, Gregor Martak, speaks. His hairs stand on edge at Morr’s arrival. Gelt shows no obvious sign of agitation other than holding his staff a bit tighter while Teclis sits at the edge of his seat. The witch hunter and the other elf don't react as much without magical sense strong enough to notice.

“Gentlemen. May I present to you Morr, The God of the Dead.” I introduced him to the ones present. Before anyone could stand, Morr made a downward pushing motion with his hands. The gesture must mean something as the humans settled down awkwardly on their seats while the elves read the room and followed suit.

“This might come as a surprise, but I just finished making him his new vessel this morning.” I explained his presence. “Also, what do you mean you can help?”

“I was listening in on the conversation and I can tell my followers about this.” He states. Not making an offer. As thanks on making his vessel perhaps?

“You will do this for me? The others are much more reserved when dealing with me.” I ask what motivates him to help me.

“Hmh.” Is all his response. But I guess this is good. As he will meet the others soon, he might be able to convince the others to help me. Or he won’t mention this at all when he does meet them. Based on my understanding of the rest from my limited time meeting them, at least Manann is the one that will really do the same. Or maybe he will not as he is also known to be fickle.

“The others?” This time, the witch hunter, Faris was his name if I am not wrong, asks.

“I last met Rhya and Tall in Middenheim, both should be working together with another witch hunter by the name of Kostner. Ulric have also returned, he helped tip the balance in my favor when Chaos attacked Laurelorn few weeks ago. Then Manann sent an albatross to contact me last week to deal with a black ark.”

“And you did not tell us about this?” He asks incredulously.

“It was not exactly relevant in our discussion. Besides, you would not believe me if I randomly said that I have met your Gods.”

“What about Sigmar?” Gelt cuts in before Faris and Martak could ask anything else. And indeed Sigmar is important as the main God of the Empire, if he has decided to support me, there will be only the ignorant and the fools to say otherwise.

“I haven’t met him. But if what I know is correct, he is already here. Just that he is in some unique circumstance.”

“He was reborn as a mortal, like Myrmidia in the past.” Morr just said the spoilers.

“Where is he?” Continues Gelt

“You have met him.” And there it is, speaking directly once and being indirect after.

“Regardless, some of the temples might support your notion. Though I won’t lean on the Sigmarites and the Ulricans to support your notion.” I take the discussion back on track. Clearly saying that the two faiths with most followers won’t exactly help me and them.

“Then, should our notion fail, you can try speaking directly to individual Elector Counts. Based on which temples that support you, some Elector Counts might be more willing to formalize a treaty with you.” Gelt concludes.

“I can do that?”

“Yes, each Elector Counts have the authority to maintain their own separate treaties within certain boundaries.” The way Gelt said it as it is a common knowledge made me feel stupid. I am too hung up on trying to get the entire Empire that there are much easier and viable options. Based on his words, I have a rough idea on who might be interested in a treaty with me.

“I will take your word into consideration.” I concluded the meeting. But again, it is still preferable that Karl Franz is the first to formalize the treaty with me. It will make dealing with the rest of the Elector Counts so much easier.

“Now that our discussion is concluded, I want to make one last request.” Teclis finally speaks again.

“You want to meet her, I know.” I have sensed Valariel’s arrival when Morr enters. She is patiently waiting outside. “The meeting is over, you can come.” I called her and I smiled when she entered. Wearing a plain white dress the elves usually wear.

“Uncle.” She said and smiled awkwardly. This should be her first meeting him without a barrier and myself in between.

“Before you do that,” Morr suddenly stands in between Valariel and Teclis. “There is something you must know.” Then he turns towards me. Alright, I get it. I stand and leave the room.

“Her too.” Morr said to the other me. I raised my eyebrow. But I guided Valariel outside.

“What was that about?” she asked me.

“I don’t know. Might be important. I try to pry in to listen only for Teclis to make a barrier in the room preventing me from listening in.

—

“Listen, and listen well, Teclis, blood of Aenarion. The daemon and your niece are not exactly two separate souls. The distance I have tried to make between both of them can only delay the inevitable.”

“What do you mean? The daemon will devour my niece’s soul?”

“No. The daemon is as much as an elf like your niece is as much as a daemon like the daemon is one.”

“How can this be?” In all the time he has learned the arcane, there is nothing about this thing ever happening. “And the inevitable?”

“Both will return into one. As it seems like they should be in the first place. Any attempt to fully separate the two, will horribly maim their souls.” What is left unsaid is clear to both of them. That the two Valariels do not know about this yet. But then there are more questions to be answered. Is that Valariel originally an elf, a daemon, or something else entirely. And that it is also clear that one answer is more preferable to the others.