------------- Crimson Ludus – Agony

In the lands of the Caesar, the Viridian Empire, the Gladiatorial games still reign in men’s hearts as the greatest entertainment of the age. Not just fights to the death between great warriors, but public executions, demonstrations of great skill in magic and artistry, and even plays and concerts happen in the Grand Arena of Virdus. Into these bloody sands, another Venture Company planted its humble roots.

First amongst them, though not their leader as such, was a Sister of the Crimson Cult, also called the Carnellian Sisterhood. It fell to these twisted women to train those unwillingly and unlucky souls thrust into the limelight of the gladiatorial games. They would break them, torture them, dominate and enslave them, until they willingly passed into the sands of the arena to die for their mistress. With such power over the hearts and minds of both men and women, they became feared and much in demand. Even the fighting masters of Atheae and the fearless warriors of the Trollshires of Maeceyea bade them respect and called for their services. In Viridia, they were more than just trainers of slaves, but a secret force that did the unpleasant bidding of Caesar. They were marked by their armor, their beauty and their use of unconventional weapons,… and they were all trained as Erotics, in the magic and powers of seduction and manipulation.

Agonestia of Kyrpatheos had come to Viridia as a child. None knew of her unique lineage. By the age of twelve, she had been taken by a brothel and put to work. Her true nature was almost immediately discovered. And then the Sisterhood came to claim her. For one such as she would have even grater power as an Erotic, and more strength as a Dominatrix.

Years later, Agonestia was foremost amongst the Whips of the Sisterhood, the young torturers just entering their service to Caesar. But something went terribly wrong. She had managed to accomplish what none other had done before her, she dominated an entire band of Sauragorn into entering the arena willingly. There were hushed whispers around her name. Agony, they said, could break anything, anyone, even one of the great dragons of the fens. It was decided to put her skills to the test against a lesser rogue from the Black Clan. But her deceit was threatened.

She had not dominated or trained the Sauragorn at all. She had bargained with them to go to their deaths so that she might guarantee the safety of their prince, whom she secreted out of the city and back into the swamps. But instead of meeting an untimely end at the claws of the Black Dragon, a guardian appeared out of the swamps, and with his tribe, defeated the Dragon. His name was Shargallis, and he was sent by the Sauragorn Prince to protect she who had saved him. Another young Sauragorn returned with her to Virdus and the Carnelian Sisters. None would ever learn the truth. Slathrahl, as far as any of them could tell, was her personal, obedient slave, for none other would ever charm him to tell the truth.

In time, her ways would change. She would fight against the cruelty of the Carnelian Sisterhood as she learned of her birthplace on the Isle of Hermaphros. But that is another story.

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