by Andrew Gronosky
[Author's note: A hand of glory is the severed hand of a convicted criminal, and is a powerful talisman of black magic.]
This is a rather horrific and dangerous story. I originally ran this story as a one-shot adventure, but the villain has enough potential to be a recurring nemesis if the Storyguide so desires.
A long time ago, a promising young commander was defeated in battle. The commander was not vanquished, but badly maimed: specifically, he lost one eye and his sword-arm below the elbow. He was able to escape with his life, but since he could no longer fight nor work, he was reduced to begging. For many years he lived in misery, lamenting his lost glory and yearning for vengeance. Each day he prayed that he would one day be able to lead an army again and take revenge upon those who had crippled him.
So it happened that after many years, when the formerly young commander was growing old and sickly, his prayer was answered in an unexpected way. A powerful demon approached him (possibly in disguise) and offered him a chance to once again wield a sword and command an army. All it asked was a small price in return...
The crippled beggar agreed, expecting a magical transformation that would restore his missing hand. Instead, the demon instructed him to go to a hangman's tree, cut the hand from the corpse and graft it onto the stump of his arm. Likewise, he was to pluck out an eye of the corpse and place it in his own empty socket.
The demon infused the corpse's hand and eye with mighty diabolical powers. The Storyguide can add additional powers as desired, but should at least include the following:
The commander-turned-diabolist has a substantial Infernal Might and is followed by a demonic "aide-de-camp" who "advises" him on strategy-probably this is a mere imp, much weaker than the demon who granted the powers.
Obviously, the demon's goal is to win souls. It will do this in two ways: directly by recruiting soldiers for its "army" (see below), and indirectly by destroying the forces of law and order (such as the covenant or its allies) so anarchy and carnage might follow. Certainly it does not expect to conquer the world, but there is a chance for a big payoff if its plan grows unchecked for long enough.
The demon tells the commander to raise his army by seeking out the worst cut-throats, rogues, and outlaws he can find. The commander then elicits in conversation what vile deeds they have committed and ascertains whether they repent the sin. If the subject has committed great sins, especially sins of violence, and is unrepentant, he is ripe for "recruitment." The commander murders the subject and, as the soul escapes from the body, seizes the ghost in his magical corpse hand.
The commander offers a deal to the rogue's ghost. It can be released to the afterlife and almost-certain damnation, or it can swear obedience and be returned to its body. The "recruit" might repent at the last moment for fear of the tortures of Hell, but it's too late now: he's already dead. The demon gets a soul. On the other hand, returning to the body probably sounds quite appealing, and the recruit will likely accept.
What the commander neglects to mention is that although the ghost can be put back in the body, the body can't be brought back to life. The recruit becomes a zombie. A very special zombie, in fact: one with its mind and personality intact. A zombie with all the skills and cunning of its formerly life, yet the great strength and toughness of the undead; plus an irrevocably corrupted soul.
This is the army the demon promised. Depending on how long the commander has to gather recruits, it could become a very terrible force indeed. When the army is strong enough, the commander will lead his fearless and tireless undead soldiers against his hated enemy.
The Storyguide has a lot of leeway as to how this story unfolds. Here are some ideas: