Killcrow
3E, 653. Early spring.
The air war dry and the rivers were barren. It was the hottest drought the farmers of Rayden had ever endured. First crop should have been harvested by now but there was simply no hope. The small farming community gathered together and prayed to the great Dhara yet no crops appeared, the hungry farmers and their families were doomed to starvation if someone did not act fast. Seth Mandrake; the soft-spoken leader of the farmers decided that in order to get their food, they would need to call upon much darker deities than Dhara. It was this decision that would curse the farmers for the rest of their lives. Seth created a crude ritual ceremony, white chalk was drawn on the floor of his farmhouse, many demonic symbols were drawn around the outside of the chalk circle. The disillusioned farmer began reading out of an old book he found in an abandoned cart years before. As he murmored through what was referred to as the "Favor Summoning" in the text, the white chalk gained an ominous glow. The glow got brighter as Seth neared the end of his ritual. A skinny goat tied to a rope leash was then dragged over by the mad farmer, the goat squealed and kicked as Seth drew his blade and placed it against the goat's neck. Before he could finish the ritual, voices and knocking came from outside. The other farmers discovered what Mandrake's plan was and came to stop him by any means necessary. Seth continued the ritual, trying to finish his incantatum while his neighbours took a woodcutter's axe to his front door. Just as he finished his final words a burly farmer kicked through the door and rushed Seth. It was the captain of the Flatland Militia; a ragtag team of farmers who try to hold the law in the Great Plateau, he looked absolutely furious. Seth looked up at the captain and with a look of desperation said "It is what must be done". The starving Seth slit the goat's neck and closed his own eyes out of fear of what was coming. Blood spilled everywhere but nothing else happened, Seth was both bewildered and enraged. The captain approached the old man, being very cautious.
"It's over Seth, please come with me. You are no longer fit to lead us. Once you make a deal with a devil, you become one yourself."
Many neighbours were looking disapprovingly at Seth, horrified at what he was trying to contact. Seth sat on his knees beside the bloody corpse of his livestock. He looked up at the onlookers "This is impossible!" Seth now screamed directly towards the captain. "How could the demon lord not answer my call, this blasphemy that you call "law" is what will end this town, not the wretched drought." Mandrake had now lost control of his emotion; breaking under the stress of starvation and dishonor. The skinny old man leapt up and stabbed the Flatland Militia captain in the neck, killing him instantly. He turned towards the onlookers but something stopped him from charging. The white chalk symbols started to light up under his feet. Seth slowly turned around and saw that the captain's lifeless body had fallen on top of the goat. The chalk circles light reached the ceiling and transformed into a solid object. Seth stepped closer and placed his hand on the newly formed white wall, it was emanating a dark energy that the mad farmer could feel pulsating through his entire body. A deep voice echoed through the house.
"That is a much more suitable sacrifice for your dark lord." The voice could be heard by every neighbour surrounding the house.
"What is thy favor you petty little man?" the demon's voice pounded into every listener's ear and the entire town slowly moved towards Seth's house to listen.
Seth proclaimed loudly so all could hear, though his voice cracked out of fear. "Please, great demon. Our town of Rayden has suffered enough hardships for this crop, nothing will grow. All I, er, we ask is for our food to grow. Otherwise we will all perish." The townfolk seemed to agree with the man that they were just about to mob. The demon responded.
"I accept your request Seth Mandrake. Your crop will not only grow but it will be the most plentiful crop this mortal world has ever seen. I grant you this bountiful harvest for the rest of your days, and thereafter as well, for your families." the voice paused. The townsfolk cheered and danced about the gift they were given. The solid white circle dissapeared and both the captain and the goat had vanished. The voice left one final remark for the town.
"You must remember that a favor given requires a favor returned. Next harvest is when I will ask my favor from the people of this town." The room fell silent. Seth spoke up.
"Do not worry friends, I am sure that his favor will only be some of the food that he has given to us, besides, if the harvest is as grand as he promises then we will all have plenty to give to our saviour!" The townsfolk erupted into cheers of happiness.
Spring came and went, summer as well and the grand harvest did happen, the farmers were well fed and had enough to sell to trade caravans, bringing much wealth to their small town. Winter was easily endured with all the rations people had leftover and everyone was elated. Spring finally arrived and Mandrake gave his yearly harvest speech to his people. When he had finished he looked upon his followers. Their faces did not have smiles on them, but the look of fear. The farmers hesitantly turned around to see a large scarecrow behind him. The creature stood 3 heads taller than a man, a sack material covered it's face, it had a scythe for one hand and a metal claw for the other, it's eyes lit up blood-red. Seth stumbled off his perch of hay and fell onto his back. The creature took his place standing above the crowd.
"I am Killcrow; the great warrior of the demon you foolishly summoned with the Favor Ritual. Now I stand here to collect what you owe him. To keep your bountiful crop, you must sacrifice one being every harvest moon, if you fail to do so, your precious food will never grow again. Sadly, I was sent here as your servant, all you have to do is round up someone for me to kill, and I will do the fun part; sacrifice the tribute to my lord." The creature stopped. Seth scuttered to his feet.
"We are not murderers." Seth said, knowing how hypocritical he sounded. Killcrow looked directly at Seth.
"It didn't stop you the first time." The creature disappeared into the cool wind.
After a lengthy debate, the town decided that they were not willing to give up the life of luxury they had obtained. Although many were not willing to do what needed to be done. Seth and a few others formed the Cult of the Harvest Star; a group solely meant for killing to please their master and protect their crop. For 600 years the cult has continually found travellers, marauders, and even kidnapped plain dwarves from the next town to give to Killcrow. Six generations have lived and died while the curse has remained. Magus Mandrake; Seth's decendant has taken a liking to the killing of innocents, a man of Magus' mind would surely be cast out if his methods of killing were not needed to keep his town afloat. Killcrow now answers to Magus, whenever there is a problem the murderous farmer cannot deal with, he summons Killcrow without a second thought. Magus is the first member of the cult who does not fear the terrifying Killcrow. The scarecrow demon has actually taken a liking to Magus Mandrake, he finally found someone who loves killing just as much as himself.
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