Deceived

What can one say of a being so ancient and powerful that the worst wiles of the Tremere — or centuries-old Cainite sorcerers — provide only dark amusement? The demon known as Nikanuuranu was not pleased at first to realize that some paltry sorcerer had managed to crack the somatic code of its True Name — and yet, the opportunity to better its own situation, even in a pact with a cabal of cursed undead, could not be cast aside. It was, after all, a considerable improvement from where it had been before, and from the Castle's spires, Nikanuuranu could see the sky and the stars for the first time in uncounted centuries. Was any price too high for such glory, even paid in mortal blood? Nikanuuranu has had time to answer that question. A spirit of the sky, of the stars and their patterns, of light and illusion, it is now imprisoned on earth, its essence bound into the very stones of the castle as long as the Pact shall last. At first, it was more than willing to offer anything to the Twelve to keep the Pact running. Over the years, it has made secret individual covenants with almost all the Twelve in order to encourage their continued compliance. Now, however, Nikanuuranu is simply bored. The Pact goes on and on, year after year; the Twelve actually seem to enjoy their misery. Unfortunately, Nikanuuranu cannot break the Pact itself. As long as the conditions it set in the original agreement continue to be met, it is required to obey them. The Twelve have the free will to break those conditions, if they dare. The demon Nikanuuranu does not. The demon’s spiritual essence permeates the Castle; it sees and hears everything that goes on within. It is noncorporeal, and can appear with something resembling a physical form in the material world only during the Pact renewal ritual. It can, with some difficulty, affect the physical world, but primarily prefers to constrain its interactions more to the realm of the spirit world, or of dreams. In those non-material realms, it can take any form it desires — but rarely desires its own. Getting into the Pact: Nikanuuranu could not resist Cret's summons. Even if it could have, its own insatiable curiosity would have drawn it in regardless. It could, and did, haggle over the terms of the Pact, however, seeking to weaken whatever real control Cret had by incorporating conditions to the Pact that allow it considerable freedom of action. Now it regrets some of its choices, but there is nothing it can do about them. Since Then: Nikanuuranu has kept the castle hidden using illusions and subtle spells that keep the more idle-minded visitors from ever stumbling on the site. It has also made additional deals with various members of the Twelve, presenting itself as the holder of many gifts and pleasures. It regrets that, too; some of its gifts were somewhat extravagant in terms of its own power, and now Nikanuuranu realizes that it baited the honey trap all too well. Now to give up the Pact also means giving up the demon's personal gifts, and there are some among the Twelve who are not likely to want that. Relations with Others: Nikanuuranu can insinuate itself into the dreams of anyone, mortal or undead, within the castle, appearing as anyone at all. In this way it presented its offers, and both taunts and encourages those who have bound themselves in pacts with it. However, it communicates in this fashion at its own whim. When a mortal or Inconnu want to ask for something, they must go through its agent, Anastazi Ruthven. Nikanuuranu quickly saw the weaknesses in Anastazi's moral fiber, and finds him far easier to manipulate than Cret. It amuses the demon to give such a power to the youngest and weakest of the proud Inconnu, so that they must go to the one they despise LAIR OF THE HIDDEN 94 in order to bargain for what they want. And if nothing else, Anastazi is an accomplished haggler. Nikanuuranu reserves a particular hatred for Cret, who called it forth and still holds its True Name over it like a hammer — the demon truly hates and fears someone who has the power to bind it.