Yzbeth's Gardner

Yzbeth's Gardener is one of the servants from the succubus matron's domain. He was tasked with growing plants and tending to the few pockets of vegetation inside the Core of Hell, and he also indulged in studying and cultivating special fungi from his own personal farm at the south-west end of Yzbeth's palace. As his lethargic brain only holds a fragment of his former self, most of his past can be unveiled through various texts written by Yzbeth.

*"Oh, my dearest gardener! I am in awe at your ingenuity! The blood that fuels your veins, nurturing the flowers like a vile mother! How poetic! Who would have thought? Out of all the rabble here, you would, of course! You're such a smart man, a defier of his own cursed destiny, a breaker of bonds! You have certainly overstepped your Cult's bonds... have you not?*

*But don't let any worry cloud your mind, no. My compassion knows no bounds, especially with all these beautiful flowers adorning my sanctuary! Their scent will certainly make me forget about all the books that have been disappearing from the library. You are such a trickster, you could almost steal my heart! Use the knowledge to grow more lovely scented flowers... and I won't be pressed to remove it from your skull and feed it to the worms. - Your beloved Matron, Yzbeth*

*P.S. Oh, and stop using disgusting animals to feed my plants. I have sent you someone with a much fairer blood instead."*

At some point, the Gardener picked up the habit of sneaking inside Yzbeth's library and stealing forbidden books. The study of the texts allowed him to further his passion and experiment with new flowers, the fragrance of which eventually attracted the attention of the Matron. Knowing well that mingling with mortals never ends well, Yzbeth begins to struggle with her growing feelings as proven by one of her codified journal entries.

*"Forgive me, dear journal, but I can't allow you to understand these words - for they are far too shameful, even for me. I've been visiting the library more often than I used to, looming from the shadows and admiring a most peculiar book thief! Like the seed that braves the dry stone on which it has landed upon, my gardner has been spreading the roots of his mind beyond his limitations. He is ready to sacrifice everything to perfect his art. My heart is pounding!"*

Unable to control herself, Yzbeth draws her Gardener closer, inviting him to her bed chambers and confiding many of her secrets to him as well. She also uses his presence to spite the Golden Primarch, willing to further humiliate him after taking his avatar hostage.

*"[...] The primarch's empty threats are music to my ears. I propped him in the balcony, where everyone can savor his shame. He even tried to convince my gardener to free him when visiting my chambers. Too bad my gardener loves me a lot more than he ever did... I told him so many secrets, just to spite the primarch. He is so smart and perceptive and... weak.*

*His human body did not last, but I shall keep his mind. Somewhere in his garden, where his art will keep growing on..."*

After consuming him, Yzbeth uses a magic device to preserve his brain, hoping to make his artistic spirit immortal against all laws of nature. She places the device in his garden, where the brain proceeds to grow psishrooms with its psionic emissions.

*"My beautiful mushrooms are growing so well! Will mistress Yzbeth like them?"*

The brain provides an opportunity for Zan to gain access to Yzbeth's secrets without having to undergo the task of interrogating any of her loyal servants, which she'd otherwise be unlikely to even capture alive. Using a magic scroll, she enchants a Pendant of True Sight with the brain's properties which allows her to see through the Matron's illusory walls and reveal the true dark nature of her Cathedral.

*"I brought you flowers, my queen... oh no. What-? Please! Not again! Noooo!... \*Fades\*"*

The discovery appears to extinguish the Gardener's essence, although it is possible that Yzbeth's magic powers may be involved, as the Matron is likely unwilling to have more of her secrets exposed.

1. ↑ Note sent by Yzbeth to the Gardner found around his quarters.
2. ↑ Excerpt from Yzbeth's codified journal found inside her library. The text is written in reverse.