>>5882883Envoys are sent bearing gifts for this man, inviting him to the capital. After many days, he arrives with a host of his followers who sing his praises and tell tales throughout the streets of his feats. Only the highest levels of our society know the truth of the trap, and so for the time being, the people and Anguia must remain conflicted and confused by the words of these believers and the man's promises of a new golden age and gods to worship.
The man himself strides up to the capital square, where he meets the Rex. His boastful words about how small and weak the Rex is are taken with gritted teeth behind tight lips as the Rex stares into his eyes, knowing that the Star Serpent is staring back at him. He gazes into the abyss and does not flinch, instead playing the part of the cowed and meek ruler welcoming the demigod into our midst. He offers his wife as entertainment, as agreed upon in secret, and a great feast is to be held.
The demigod sits at the head of a grand table as food from all across the land is served, and all the while the Rex's beloved wife plays the part of a fawning and infatuated prize for the demigod.
It is difficult to discern how much of this man's personality is true and what is false; are all his words, deeds and personality traits the product of the Star Serpent? Or is it a case of influencing an already-established personality, of nudging someone set in their ways down certain paths? Regardless, the man seems to believe that they believe why he is here, happily accepting the hospitality of his hosts all throughout the feast.
When night begins to fall, however, it is clear that the demigod is preparing to leave for, as he puts it, a nightly walk. The Rex, his wife, and all others do what they can to keep him in place, distracting him with food and drink. They succeed for a few hours, but the more they do so, the more the mask seems to slip. He grows irritated, impatient, and wrathful. He throws aside the woman clinging to his arm and pushes aside a group of men attempting to block his path, storming out of the palace through the forum outside.
This is precisely where the trap is sprung. Abjurer mages form a circle around him, their hands glowing as he steps into the center of a prepared circle. This circle binds him into place with magical chains. He lets out a mighty roar of anger as he struggles against them, his feet cracking the stone underneath him. Overhead, the elder swoops in with the two younger dragons, and warrior-priests gather to keep crowds at bay. The hounds of the wolf-scouts bark as the demigod's eyes begin to glow a bright white. People gasp in horror as a spectral serpent begins to emerge from the man, as though slithering out of his mouth.
