(located within Sonja Lazaro's personal diary)

It has taken the attack on my daughter to open my eyes. She is strong and has much energy inside, power that I can only imagine. I spent the night counting her injuries. Counting and recounting. How she survived is a question answered only if one has the knowledge of the power flowing through her veins. She is part me, after all. I do not see such promise in my other children. Pity. Anna, with her beauty, could bring a strong man to his knees, but she lacks the desire and control over herself to do so. Rathos is strong, and if he were to recognize and harness the power that has been passed on to him, he would become a terrifying warrior. Jocham is still too young to be able to glimpse much of his potential. No, the future lies with Eva, who has the will and fortitude to survive. Despite my healing, she suffers. Two hundred thirty two new scars she will carry. I will leave her with them, to remind her of the force that lies within her. She was attacked as a message to us... The Guard are aware. They intend to scare us into stopping.

Evan and I have discussed the necessity to protect our children. He would like for us to make them amulets imbued with strong protection spells. I will add more than that to ensure certain things. Gods help me if Evan finds out.

(located within Sonja Lazaro's personal diary)

I have imbued the four amulets with the protection spells, but I have added my own touches. In one, I have placed a spell that will ensure only a powerful and rich man will fall in love with the wearer. I have yet to decide if I should place the same spell on the other. Both girls should be protected, after all, but one needs it more than the other. I have also placed spells on all of them that if something should happen to any of us, our power is divided among the survivors. I am fearful that our extra experiments will be discovered by the Guard. If this happens, Evan and I will surely be put to death. These new spells mean that we will live on, being able to use our children to continue our work.

Eva. My favorite Eva. I see in her the ability to work side by side with us, able to submerge herself completely in the dark work we do. Power is about control. I know she understands this. Into her amulet I have placed a few spells, insurance that she will continue our work. She will be gifted with manipulation, calculation. Her life will be hard, downright difficult, constant upheaval to keep her focused on the necessity for control, for the continuation of our work, and the desire to bend others to her will. She will seek out those who will be able to help her. When the time is right, her powers will begin to manifest. If nurtured properly, she will become a force to be reckoned with. She will carry on our work, our purpose. And, when I die, I will be able to work through her.

It is a shame my other children lack so much. I have imbued all of the amulets with the power to draw in their souls upon death. Should the entire family die, he who holds all the amulets will have an unimaginable power.

An Overview of the Nuplethian Slave Bands
(Created by Evan and Sonja Lazaro)

Certain crimes committed in Nupleth are punished by sentencing the offender to a lifetime of slavery. The Nuplethian Slave Bands consist of five (5) silver bands, eight (8) millimeters in width. These bands are worn around the neck, wrists, and ankles of the condemned. Control of the slave is given to the person the condemned has most gravely wronged (ie, the widow of the victim if the condemned is convicted of murder).

Control Over the Slave

Control is exerted over the slave by a number of methods.

First, and most obviously, the slave must obey verbal commands. Should the slave choose to delay compliance, the band around the neck will restrict slowly, cutting off the slave’s air supply, until obedience has been accomplished. Should the slave have been asked a question, the same will happen until a truthful response has been given. The contraction of the neck band will cease once the order has been carried out or the slave has lost consciousness.

In addition to verbal commands, a slave must also obey the thought commands of the one to whom they are bound. The bands allow one way communication from the possessor to the slave. One must only think of a command and the slave will hear it. As with verbal commands, the neck band will tighten until compliance.

Owners will also have the opportunity to physically control their slave with either thought or word, merely by requesting them to move. The bands will force the body to obey. The slave can vocalize their objections unless instructed otherwise, but the body will move to carry out the instructions given.

Optionally, the possessor can elect to have further control over their slave with the addition of a ring meant to be worn on their own hand. Whilst the owner wears the ring, any pain or damage suffered by them will be mirrored onto the slave. For instance, if an owner were to cut themselves while shaving, the slave would spontaneously bleed. This feature will only occur if the ring is worn.

Transferring Ownership

Ownership of a slave can be transferred to another. The owner must simply order the slave and the slave bands to respond to a clearly defined new individual.

Releasing a Slave

A slave can never be released from their obligations. The bands are irremovable. Any attempts at removal (either by magic or by strength) will result in indescribable pain for the slave. This has been known to cause psychosis and death. If an owner wishes to release their slave, they must contact the Guard for ownership to be transferred to another.