Grey One

The **Grey One** is a patron and epitome based in Dolten. They are categorized as a Fiend. Very little is known about this Patron.

## Description

One of the epitomes of Dolten, whom has held on to a majority of his power. He seeks to be a liaison between those that would summon the power of the outsider and seeks to safeguard it from those that would destroy it. Mortals granted his power find themselves at odds with the Inquisition and Hkari.

## Values

Those that follow this patron may be affected by the following values:

* Judge by character not by horns.
* Keep a word given, try not to give it.
* Always risk another and learn from their mistakes any thing else is foolish.
* I am myself and the opinions of others matter little to me.

## Prominent followers

* Tomoe from *Otikata's Curse* (formerly)

## History

### Otikata’s Curse

when Moe Kowbull uses his Cyclops Eye on Tomoe, he sees the influence of the Grey One. Moe sees a peaceful village. A younger Tomoe is laughing, talking, and eating with his family. One day, while on a walk with his parents, Tomoe suddenly trips. He lets out a scream of pain, and he incinerates his parents. Their ashes fall slowly, like black snow. People scream and point to the Elder of the village, asking him what to do, so the Elder sends him away. On the road, Tomoe’s power causes trees to shake and birds to turn inside out, but he can only avert his eyes. He turns to a river, seeking release. However, this power will not allow such a thing to happen. A smile appears on Tomoe’s face, and he leaves the river's cold embrace. His horns are no longer those of a Ho’ask, but those of a demon. There Moe can see the form of the Grey One. The Epitome looks at Moe and calls him over. They both remark how strange it is to see someone from the West here in Glies. The Grey One explains that Kalkateshian people have become unsuitable as a vessel for him, so he found his way here despite the Hikari of Kalkatesh. The Grey One claims that the Curse is tainting his vessel, so he asks Moe to allow him to take control of Tomoe’s body; alone they cannot resist Otikata, but perhaps more is possible if they are more connected. However, Moe doesn’t want to do this without the consent of Tomoe. The Grey One tempts him with knowledge of the curse of the Minotaurs, which makes them all impotent. The Epitome then ends their interaction.

Moe sees that Tomoe’s magic is wild, just like that of Derok Dranf, one of his past companions. Breaking Eye contact, he contacts Derok for advice and explains Tomoe’s situation. Derok decides to teleport to him and introduces himself to the group. Shaking hands with Tomoe, the sources of their magic resonate; for a moment, it’s just the two of them and their magic, and Derok learns about Otikata. However, Tomoe still doesn’t know what he’s supposed to do, so they suggest he talks to the Grey One. Derok touches Tomoe and uses his magic to try and let him converse with the Epitome. Everyone seems to fall away as Tomoe falls into his own essence. He finds himself in an infinite grey room. Before him sits a grey demon with large wicked horns twisting in on themselves. A pair of great wings that seem vestigial coil behind him, and he’s seated atop a pile of corpses that look just like Tomoe.

Tomoe tries to reach an understanding with the Epitome, but he just scoffs and asks why he should let Tomoe lead the negotiations. Tomoe doesn’t come up with a reasonable explanation but says he just wants to keep his newfound friends safe. Suddenly, a point of light shines from Tomoe’s body, and the Grey One seems to recoil. He then hears Tomoe out, but he still tells him should be grateful to him. Eventually, they come to the agreement that Tomoe will fully embrace the Grey One, so the Epitome conjures a grey contract and offers it to Tomoe. Once the Grey One joins itself within Tomoe, he can feel all his positive emotions wither out — all except hope. The Grey One waits right at its border, waiting like a wolf stalking prey. Tomoe comes back and explains to everyone there what he has done.

## References

1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 "Patrons" on World Anvil.
2. ↑ Otikata's Curse: Episode 07