In regards to the Rod, real quick so you can read later:
This particular rod was given to a warlock from a Messorem. Some runes on the rod to indicate the Messorem was called Ward. It is apparent he crafted it specifically to harness the powers of shadow and enhance to natural talent of those he chose to impart power on.

Matthileo could use this item without issue, but if he were to attempt to consume it, Ward would know. Whether the Messorem would care or act on that knowledge, there is no way to be certain.

matthileo - Today at 3:40 PM
Alright. Using my downtime today to continue to research consuming it, perhaps find a way to do so without the Messorem detecting it, so let me know if you need one last arcana roll. Either way though I think I'm going to attempt to consume it today after this encounter so you and the other DMs know

starbridge - Today at 3:41 PM
Alrighty

matthileo - Today at 3:41 PM
lol i know. i am dumb

starbridge - Today at 3:42 PM
Nah
Just let me know when you do it 😃

matthileo - Today at 3:42 PM
Will do
Do you want an arcana roll for the last bit of research, or have I learned all I can?

starbridge - Today at 3:43 PM
You can roll once more

matthileo - Today at 3:56 PM
there's no chance I know what a Messorem is, right?

starbridge - Today at 3:57 PM
Yeah, you know what they are.
Messorem are also known as Grim Reapers, or Gods of Death.

matthileo - Today at 3:58 PM
jesus
alright
this will be ... something

starbridge - Today at 5:29 PM
"Well, hello there young shade."

matthileo - Today at 5:30 PM
((this in my head?))

starbridge - Today at 5:31 PM
((Correct))

matthileo - Today at 5:31 PM
((also, is the rod destroyed/consumed or is it still in tact when this happens?))

starbridge - Today at 5:32 PM
((Mid-process. You can theoretically stop.))

matthileo - Today at 5:32 PM
"I presume you're the creator of this object?"

starbridge - Today at 5:34 PM
"I am. And what is it you intended to do with my gift, now that it has fallen into your hands?"(edited)

matthileo - Today at 5:35 PM
"That's simple. I'm going to destroy it, rip the magic out of it, and unbind it from you. What else?"
"I'm not a lap dog, and I won't be put on a leash."

starbridge - Today at 5:35 PM
"Mmmm, you see I don't like that. Not in the least."

matthileo - Today at 5:36 PM
"I got that impression. Tell me this then, what would you have me do with the thing?"

starbridge - Today at 5:37 PM
"Oh You can use the power however you like. I wouldn't dream of collaring you."

matthileo - Today at 5:38 PM
"That's an amusing statement. Given that the second i start fiddling with it, here you are. I get the feeling that you're offering the illusion of freedom. Given how much you dislike the idea of me taking the power of this thing and making it my own."

starbridge - Today at 5:38 PM
"Tell me, do you know who I am?"

matthileo - Today at 5:39 PM
((jesus fuck))
"I know what you are. You're arrogant. You've got some pretty big names for yourself. 'Messorem', 'reaper', 'god of death'. I got that right?"

starbridge - Today at 5:40 PM
"Those are what I am. I want to know if you know my name."

matthileo - Today at 5:40 PM
"You're called Ward."
"At least, that's what I hear."

starbridge - Today at 5:42 PM
An aura of divination manifests itself in front of Matthileo.
"Ah, There you are!"

matthileo - Today at 5:42 PM
"Clever"

starbridge - Today at 5:43 PM
"Look at you! Quiet the fighter. With a lovely touch of dark to you."

matthileo - Today at 5:44 PM
"I know. I'm really quite the charmer, by humanoid standards anyway."

starbridge - Today at 5:44 PM
"Tell me your name then. Your common name will suffice."

matthileo - Today at 5:45 PM
"A common name is all I've got. Call me Matt, if you like. It's a nickname, so it won't get you very far."

starbridge - Today at 5:45 PM
"Matt will do just fine. Tell me, where do you draw your power? Who is your benefactor?"

matthileo - Today at 5:46 PM
Laughter.
"I have no benefactor. I have no patron. I have no god."
"I'm not bound."
"As for where my power comes from, something like you should be able to see that yourself."

starbridge - Today at 5:46 PM
"You are unclaimed!"
Laughter in response.
"How delightful!"

matthileo - Today at 5:47 PM
"Right. Well. I don't like where this is going."

starbridge - Today at 5:47 PM
"No no no, I very much like where it's going. We're giong to have a nice chat."
((Wisdom save))

matthileo - Today at 5:47 PM
((Charm?))
((any kind of charm effect I mean, not just charm person))

starbridge - Today at 5:49 PM
((No, it is not a charm.))

matthileo - Today at 5:49 PM
((save is in wilderness))(edited)

starbridge - Today at 5:50 PM
A powerful force, well beyond comprehension, grips Matthileos mind. It is not painful, but any action dismissing it could prove quiet fatal.

matthileo - Today at 5:51 PM
((can i still act or no))(edited)

starbridge - Today at 5:52 PM
((You can still act, it's just latched onto you. And it's very powerful))
"A wild power and talent as yours. It would be a waste to leave it unattended. Only a matter of time before you drew attention."
"You want the power of my rod? Very well. You wish to embed it within yourself? So be it. But you will do something in return for me."

matthileo - Today at 5:54 PM
"What's that, exactly?"

starbridge - Today at 5:55 PM
"I will claim you as my own. My protection from other Messorem is necessary. And you will be my tool. Your hand will be my blade."
"You will reap for me."

matthileo - Today at 5:58 PM
"I don't serve. It's that simple. You can keep your little toy if that's the price. I don't need it."
{"Ward. Sheild. Aegis. Guardian. Protector. Barrier."}(Shadovar) ((Shade language, it's a dialect of celestial and the words are largely the same))

starbridge - Today at 6:03 PM
"You misunderstand. I cannot leave such potential for another to claim."(edited)

matthileo - Today at 6:04 PM
"Damn...well it was worth a shot."
"You'll have to kill me then. I'd rather die than serve."

starbridge - Today at 6:04 PM
"Nonsense. It's not like I will dictate your every thought and action. You will simply be my champion."

matthileo - Today at 6:07 PM
"I'm my own champion. That's all I am, that's all I'll ever be."(edited)
((Matthileo is a lot more like Goran than he lets on. He's super stubborn))

starbridge - Today at 6:09 PM
"Your death would be a waste. I could turn you into nothing but a shell, but really, that would be a shame. Your spark, that's what I like."

matthileo - Today at 6:10 PM
"It's not something you can seperate out."

starbridge - Today at 6:10 PM
"If you agree to be mine, the only thing that will be changed is a little task I will ask of you."

matthileo - Today at 6:10 PM
"That spark, this right here is what it means. What it is."
"I won't agree to be yours. And really, that's not what you want, if that spark is indeed what you 'like'."
"But I'll hear this 'task' of yours."(edited)

starbridge - Today at 6:12 PM
"When you slay someone, you preform a little ritual that send their souls to me."

matthileo - Today at 6:12 PM
"That sounds like a lot of work."
"And I don't know anything about casting rituals."

starbridge - Today at 6:13 PM
"I will teach you the ritual, it only takes a minute to perform. The spirits of the deceased rarely like to be kept waiting."

matthileo - Today at 6:15 PM
"You just get souls of those I kill. You don't get mine, nor any claim to me."
"That still sounds like quite a nice deal for you. What do I get? This rod? You offered me that for free, remember? As long as I didn't break it down for its magic."(edited)

starbridge - Today at 6:19 PM
"I don't get any souls. I'm a reaper. You're just increasing my workflow as it were. The rod, you may... integrate into yourself. As for what you get."
"You've announced yourself Matt. And not just to Messorem."
"You are the wild mustang that will be coveted. So really, what I'm offering you is the freedom to continue your life as it is. Others will not be so generous."

matthileo - Today at 6:24 PM
(( is this something that would just be easier for you if I say yes. I'm sorry if I'm mucking things up lol. Matthileo is very set in his ways and some things are more imprtant to him than his life ))

starbridge - Today at 6:25 PM
((I mean up to you. Ward is being very patient, but that's in his nature. You can try whatever you like))
((We'll just see if he loses his patience or not ;P ))

matthileo - Today at 6:29 PM
"I'm not going to lie, that sounds like a tempting offer. It really does. Protection and power in exchange for a few measly souls that I've already killed? Sounds too good to be true."
"'The wild mustang that will be coveted' though? That's quite something. I like the sound of that. Far more than the idea of a little power and an invisible cage that you swear is meant to protect me."
"I'm going to make myself absolutely clear, the answer is no. Leave it at that, or don't. That's up to you. As for me, I've indulged you long enough. Go find another puppet. You'll have better luck with a sparkless shell."

starbridge - Today at 6:30 PM
"Oh Matt, that was foolish."

matthileo - Today at 6:30 PM
"I wouldn't be me is I wasn't foolish."

starbridge - Today at 6:32 PM
"I should punish you for insulting my generosity."
"Really? Stop this Matt."
((Wis save with dis))

matthileo - Today at 6:33 PM
((is a reaper undead))

starbridge - Today at 6:33 PM
((Abberation more so))
((Well, let me double check))
((Huh. Just a monstrosity.))

matthileo - Today at 6:34 PM
((wat lol. abberation makes way more sense))
^save wis dis
oh right....

starbridge - Today at 6:35 PM
((Yeah, I'm changing this and saying abberation.))

matthileo - Today at 6:35 PM
((well either way, doesn't matter unless it was undead))

starbridge - Today at 6:38 PM
"So stubborn. Is this really what you desire?"

matthileo - Today at 6:40 PM
"Are you really that blind? So high and mighty and above it all that you can't know what it's like not to be a god. I don't want to die, but I'll take that over being bound. To you or to anything else."
His voice is shaking with fear even as the words come out, but then he calms himself.
"'The wild mustang that will be coveted', huh? Have them put that on my grave."

starbridge - Today at 6:45 PM
"Oh Matt. Matt, matt, matt. I can't bring myself to be so wasteful. Your stubborn nature will make your friends suffer though. I will release you. You may keep the rod as gift. Strip it's power down for your own if you wish. And when the others come calling and you face their wrath, maybe then you will remember the kindness I showed you."
"When you tire of them, speak my name. I will find you."

matthileo - Today at 6:48 PM
"Watch, my friend. Watch them come to me as you did. And watch each of them fail. And tell me you won't find that entertaining. But who knows, one day I might speak your name again so we can have a nice chat about old times."
"In the mean time, I thank you for your generosity."