Sorry. Busy screwed-up day today. I hope to have my post tomorrow.
Sorry. Busy screwed-up day today. I hope to have my post tomorrow.
Suddenly, Erus goes rigid. "Excuse me for a moment?" He mutters. "Telepathic message."
We're calling you back. The dragon is invading.
You have said that many times. I have seen reason to believe that Decca and her allies are a threat.
And you are right. But they are more powerful than we anticipated.
So are these people. We need men on this!
I am sorry, but we can't spare anybody. Give them the sword, if you must. The replica, please. But you have to come.
Erus sighs. "I have to go. I am ordered back." He pulls out a sword from his pack. "I am orders to loan you this. It is a lesser artifact of significant power. It is highly effective against demons, devils, and daemons, or any evil outsider." He hands it to Devlyn. "Use it well, shadowdancer." He signals to his troop, and they all start teleporting out. "Oh, by the way..." He calls back. "You had better return it when you are finished with it. Otherwise, it's theft, and we would really have to open hostilities. That would be bad." He vanishes.
Devlyn deftly grabs the blade and tosses it back to Erus before he vanishes.
"With such a generous return policy as that (and the well-known vagaries of the adventuring lifestyle), I think I'll have to pass on the loaner," Devlyn says with a grin. "I appreciate the thought though - good luck with whatever just came up."
Devlyn deftly grabs the blade and tosses it back to Erus before he vanishes.
"With such a generous return policy as that (and the well-known vagaries of the adventuring lifestyle), I think I'll have to pass on the loaner," Devlyn says with a grin. "I appreciate the thought though - good luck with whatever just came up."
"Probably not a good idea to have kept it anyway."
What's up with the geek speak and NaNoWriMo? What does it mean?
"Oh, by the way..." He calls back. "You had better return it when you are finished with it. Otherwise, it's theft, and we would really have to open hostilities. That would be bad." He vanishes.
Devlyn deftly grabs the blade and tosses it back to Erus before he vanishes. "With such a generous return policy as that (and the well-known vagaries of the adventuring lifestyle), I think I'll have to pass on the loaner," Devlyn says with a grin. "I appreciate the thought though - good luck with whatever just came up."
Solmyr mutters something, "Personal note, design and master spell that repels all annoying gnomes, lesser cultists, and minor interruptions."
Probably not a good idea to have kept it anyway."
Solmyr merely shrugs his shoulders at the gnomes abrupt departure. He taps the first disk with his finger and up raise and image of a waifish half-elven woman draped head to toe in black tattered robes. Slender but curled horns extend from the top of her head and curve around behind her ears. Her palms are fanged with hungry mouths. She may have looked half-elven at one time, but those features are slowly disappearing from view. Standing next to Decca is another demon Queen, a profane beauty with a single row of stunted horns running down the center of head and back. She is devoid of body hair save her lower torso, which is that of a loiness and from her belly protrude several barbed tentacles.
"This is their hostess, Endella, Demon Qureen of Sarrows. She rules but a single domicile in Centurius, the 100th Layer. Little is known about her save she arbritrates several alliances and disputes in the Abyss. She focuses most of her effort on that plane and rarely engages incursions into the physical world. They say Centurius is like a maze, but a maze of fractured time. Unwelcomed or unwanted explorers age horrificly in 100 years intervals."
"This Lord is allied with Decca and bares a strong personal grudge against Graz'zt. He is Kardum, Prince of Balors." The image of a monstrous Balor, and obvious giant of his kind save he wears a crown of flaming fangs pointed up and down. "Informants believe Decca secured his loyalty and uses his considerable might as a buffer between her realm and that of Graz'zt. The Prince of Seduction is said to have howled in fury for decades simply because she beat him to the punch while he was occupied elsewhere. Others say Kardum and Decca are breeding to insight violent jealousy in the dark prince."
Solmyr points next to a large humanoid with four arms each bearing a polished bracer of glass. The image possesses two faces on one massive head fused along the cranium's back quarter. A demon lord looks almost human save it's extra limbs, its deep crimson flesh, and thick varicose veins adorning its body. "Vallashan is the Prince of Discord, Unholy Schisms, and Rivalries. This Prince of Blackened Mirrors is a composite entity in one form seeking to create dark opposites in everything. Vallashan brings out the worst, and often murderous violence in everyone and anyone. To complicate matters, he rarely takes a direct approach to any task. He works from within and then proceeds outward, dividing and conquering. He does everything in pairs."
"I need not describe this one. Shaktari is the Quuen of Mariliths and War. All armires of the Abyss pay her lip service to earn her profane blessings. If not, she turns to horrific violence and artistic acts of mutilation. She calls it the military code of justice, but in the Abyss there is no such thing."
The group then sees the next disk. Hovering above it is a mass of tentacles cover with eyes and a single bing maw in the center of the mass. "This is Skekolah, Prince of Desolation and Cold Winters. If there is anything that bears resemblence to evil in logic and vice versa, Skekolah rightly deserves any claim to it. Not prone to fits of bloodshed, rage, and hate, Skekolah patiently abides his time to bring the downfall of his enemies. He currently has turned his attentions towards the demon-giant Kostchtchie and his incursion into his frozen realm. Skekolah plans to destroy him then hand his title to his War Marshall, Khalmathadoran.
"The finally image displays Khalmathadoran, the War Marshall of Icerao, the 319th aqnd 320th layers." A large blue-skinned Balor stands in the image but it's draped with swirling mists of winter cold, ice, and snow. "Unlike most demons, he has turned his concerns away from the affairs of the mortal world and turn towards the enemies of the Abyss. The devil lord sof the NIne Hells and various elemtnal princes. He has given his alliegenace to Skekolah in return for greater titles and prestige. He has also earned the attentions of Kardum whom has taken an interest in on his minions higher ambitions. The Prince of Desolation keeps an eye on his favorite and most successful of generals."
"And there you have it. Six reasons behind Zhalail and Tristan's current woes."
What's up with the geek speak and NaNoWriMo? What does it mean?
I'm not sure I follow you, Solmyr. What do these demons have to do with Zhalail? Or with Tristan?
Lk's hand goes to his silver wolf head necklace as he begins to shake, though whether he shakes from fear, excitment, or both is anyone's guess.
Oroth grips his holy symbol and a light seems to fill his eyes.
Aidan smiles. He has no reason to fear demons of fire any more.
I'm not sure I follow you, Solmyr. What do these demons have to do with Zhalail? Or with Tristan?
"And what can we do about it? Are we going to fight them?"
I'm not sure I follow you, Solmyr. What do these demons have to do with Zhalail? Or with Tristan?"And what can we do about it? Are we going to fight them?"
"I think the preferred method here is to fight smarter, not harder. These aren't just run of the mill demons, which definitely explains a few things about our little run-in with 'Tool'."
I'm not sure I follow you, Solmyr. What do these demons have to do with Zhalail? Or with Tristan?
"The Demachs have been fighting planar creature for nearly 800 hundred years. Tristan and myself are the last male heirs of our line. I'm sure at least on one demon lords I mention would love to have my head on a bloody pike."
"Zhalail, Zhalail is one of their better field operatives thus has a greater say in worldly operations. I believe the gemstones are keyed to specific planar gates. My best guess is that they want a clear line of access between our world and the Abyss. Why? I do not know, but pooling their resources seem to be their best course of action."
"Tristan, on the other hand, was conceived and bred to access the spells of his ancestors. His innate arcane talents were tailored for combat, defense, and the destruction of planar creatures. There is something special about him more than even I know. As I was not privy to his conception and ritual, the only way I can find any clues to his creation are in his home and the boy is terrified of that place. Perhaps a journal lays waiting inside the old manor house. Tristan here is literally the key.
"Conceived and bred?" Devlyn repeats, doing his level best to keep his voice calm and even.
And what can we do about it? Are we going to fight them?"
"All in due time, young wolfling."
I think the preferred method here is to fight smarter, not harder. These aren't just run of the mill demons, which definitely explains a few things about our little run-in with 'Tool'."
He nods in agreement with Devlyn's remark.
"A wise course of action, they'll wait when we are at our weakest and when Tristan can not rely on us. And if you mean 'Tool' or rather Thuhl, you've sooner scratched the surface of her little mercenary company.
"Conceived and bred?" Devlyn repeats, doing his level best to keep his voice calm and even.
"Excuse me, I think I need a little fresh air." [i]Oroth leaves the room, an unreadable expresion on his face.
And what can we do about it? Are we going to fight them?""All in due time, young wolfling."
I think the preferred method here is to fight smarter, not harder. These aren't just run of the mill demons, which definitely explains a few things about our little run-in with 'Tool'."He nods in agreement with Devlyn's remark.
"A wise course of action, they'll wait when we are at our weakest and when Tristan can not rely on us. And if you mean 'Tool' or rather Thuhl, you've sooner scratched the surface of her little mercenary company.
"So do these little gems need to be destroyed in order to prevent their use? Can they even be destroyed?"
"Conceived and bred?" Devlyn repeats, doing his level best to keep his voice calm and even.
"Yes. His conception as well as any future children were in the works before Decca then later Vallashan struck. Tristan was to be the first of his family. A sorcerer with the ability to tap into his ancestral spell pool. He, and they would have a cornucopia of spells at their disposal. You have heard of a spell pool, have you not?"
Solmyr sighs deeply. "The Demachs, except for myself do not marry and have children out of fidelity and love. Our marriages are arranged and contracted, often before we are ten or eleven years of age."
"Conceived and bred?" Devlyn repeats, doing his level best to keep his voice calm and even."Yes. His conception as well as any future children were in the works before Decca then later Vallashan struck. Tristan was to be the first of his family. A sorcerer with the ability to tap into his ancestral spell pool. He, and they would have a cornucopia of spells at their disposal. You have heard of a spell pool, have you not?"
Solmyr sighs deeply. "The Demachs, except for myself do not marry and have children out of fidelity and love. Our marriages are arranged and contracted, often before we are ten or eleven years of age."
"That's stupid."
"That's stupid.""Conceived and bred?" Devlyn repeats, doing his level best to keep his voice calm and even."Yes. His conception as well as any future children were in the works before Decca then later Vallashan struck. Tristan was to be the first of his family. A sorcerer with the ability to tap into his ancestral spell pool. He, and they would have a cornucopia of spells at their disposal. You have heard of a spell pool, have you not?"
Solmyr sighs deeply. "The Demachs, except for myself do not marry and have children out of fidelity and love. Our marriages are arranged and contracted, often before we are ten or eleven years of age."
He smiles at the wind sprite. "That's what I told them too."
"You read my mind, Arielle."
He smiles at the wind sprite. "That's what I told them too.""That's stupid.""Conceived and bred?" Devlyn repeats, doing his level best to keep his voice calm and even."Yes. His conception as well as any future children were in the works before Decca then later Vallashan struck. Tristan was to be the first of his family. A sorcerer with the ability to tap into his ancestral spell pool. He, and they would have a cornucopia of spells at their disposal. You have heard of a spell pool, have you not?"
Solmyr sighs deeply. "The Demachs, except for myself do not marry and have children out of fidelity and love. Our marriages are arranged and contracted, often before we are ten or eleven years of age."
Tristan look dumbfounded and a bit astonished at his uncle. His youthful ear not quite grasping the complexity of the situation. His telepathy broadcasting for all those to hear.
::My mother and father, they loved me, did they?::
"So do these little gems need to be destroyed in order to prevent their use? Can they even be destroyed?"And what can we do about it? Are we going to fight them?""All in due time, young wolfling."
I think the preferred method here is to fight smarter, not harder. These aren't just run of the mill demons, which definitely explains a few things about our little run-in with 'Tool'."He nods in agreement with Devlyn's remark.
"A wise course of action, they'll wait when we are at our weakest and when Tristan can not rely on us. And if you mean 'Tool' or rather Thuhl, you've sooner scratched the surface of her little mercenary company.
"I believe the gemstone can be consumed by Tristan and I believe Zhalail has the gateway gem. Without the other two, it is magical but useless. The second gem is in Tristan's possession."
Tristan show Solmyr where the gemstone was absorbed into his hand and arm.
"The third remains out of the reach of either as long as Tristan remains away from his old home. or until Zhalail forces him to enter his home."
::My mother and father, they loved me, did they?::
Tristan look dumbfounded and a bit astonished at his uncle. His youthful ear not quite grasping the complexity of the situation. His telepathy broadcasting for all those to hear.
::My mother and father, they loved me, did they?::
:Based on what I felt from them during my brief contact with their spirits, I believe that they did love you, Tristan. Very much.:
"So do these little gems need to be destroyed in order to prevent their use? Can they even be destroyed?"He nods in agreement with Devlyn's remark.
"A wise course of action, they'll wait when we are at our weakest and when Tristan can not rely on us. And if you mean 'Tool' or rather Thuhl, you've sooner scratched the surface of her little mercenary company.
"I believe the gemstone can be consumed by Tristan and I believe Zhalail has the gateway gem. Without the other two, it is magical but useless. The second gem is in Tristan's possession."
Tristan show Solmyr where the gemstone was absorbed into his hand and arm.
"The third remains out of the reach of either as long as Tristan remains away from his old home. or until Zhalail forces him to enter his home."
"So does Tristan have to absorb these gems in order to neutralize their effectiveness? And if Zhalail has to have all three to do what she needs to do, why exactly do we need to take Tristan to his old home, other than to secure this third gem and keep it out of her hands?"
::My mother and father, they loved me, did they?::
:Based on what I felt from them during my brief contact with their spirits, I believe that they did love you, Tristan. Very much.:
Tristan look dumbfounded and a bit astonished at his uncle. His youthful ear not quite grasping the complexity of the situation. His telepathy broadcasting for all those to hear.
::My mother and father, they loved me, did they?::
:Based on what I felt from them during my brief contact with their spirits, I believe that they did love you, Tristan. Very much.:
Tristan look dumbfounded and a bit astonished at his uncle. His youthful ear not quite grasping the complexity of the situation. His telepathy broadcasting for all those to hear.
::My mother and father, they loved me, did they?::
Tristan replies, ::Thank you Allura.::
"Tristan, your parents cared a great deal about you gave their lives to see you to safety until the very end. Remember that and they will be with you forever."
"So does Tristan have to absorb these gems in order to neutralize their effectiveness? And if Zhalail has to have all three to do what she needs to do, why exactly do we need to take Tristan to his old home, other than to secure this third gem and keep it out of her hands?"
Tristan looks at Devlyn.
::That's were my spirits are telling me to go.::
"So does Tristan have to absorb these gems in order to neutralize their effectiveness? And if Zhalail has to have all three to do what she needs to do, why exactly do we need to take Tristan to his old home, other than to secure this third gem and keep it out of her hands?"Tristan looks at Devlyn.
::That's were my spirits are telling me to go.::
"I know, Tristan. I just want to know if there are any other reasons that we should know about before we go there and run into Zhalail's welcoming party," looking between him and Solmyr as he says this.
"I know, Tristan. I just want to know if there are any other reasons that we should know about before we go there and run into Zhalail's welcoming party," looking between him and Solmyr as he says this.
None, that I know of. But there's no guessing Zhalail.
"I know, Tristan. I just want to know if there are any other reasons that we should know about before we go there and run into Zhalail's welcoming party," looking between him and Solmyr as he says this.None, that I know of. But there's no guessing Zhalail.
"Never hurts to ask," he says with a shrug.
"Alright - I hope you're not insinuating that we have to fight six demon lords to get through this mess. Only that they are the consequence of not preventing Zhalail from opening a permanent gate to the Abyss."
"We need to know any weaknesses, vulnerabilities and (exploitable)personality flaws for Zhalail and her chief mercenaries if we're going to handle this with a swiftness. Do you have any details at all on that?"
"Alright - I hope you're not insinuating that we have to fight six demon lords to get through this mess. Only that they are the consequence of not preventing Zhalail from opening a permanent gate to the Abyss."
"Trust me, it well beyond my abilities to destroy, no even defeat an alliance of demon lords. Tristan is the key to putting a serious crinkle in their plans."
Tristan looks at Solmyr rather irritated.
"Tristan, I will let no harm befall you until you're ready to stand on your own. That you have my promise."
"We need to know any weaknesses, vulnerabilities and (exploitable)personality flaws for Zhalail and her chief mercenaries if we're going to handle this with a swiftness. Do you have any details at all on that?"
"Given that demons and their minions are often at each other's throats, finding a flaw shouldn't be difficult. My automatons and I have spent some time spying on them. Here's what I know."
"I believe you've already meet both Nailz, Thuhl and Zhalail's minotaur servants. Thuhl has a modified shield guardian as his servant. Zhalail is also served by a cleric of Beshaba, an unpleasant bastard by the name of Alamach Amilanite. His younger sister, a warrioress in her she own right goes by the name Mera. She devoted to her older brother and would kill anyone he so commands."
"He stops AND rubs the temple on the side of his head. Okay, what specific questions do you need to know about them; weapons, armor, abilities, training, My knowledge of them is not very deep."
"I believe you've already meet both Nailz, Thuhl and Zhalail's minotaur servants. Thuhl has a modified shield guardian as his servant. Zhalail is also served by a cleric of Beshaba, an unpleasant bastard by the name of Alamach Amilanite. His younger sister, a warrioress in her she own right goes by the name Mera. She devoted to her older brother and would kill anyone he so commands."
"He stops AND rubs the temple on the side of his head. Okay, what specific questions do you need to know about them; weapons, armor, abilities, training, My knowledge of them is not very deep."
"The weapons, armor, abilities, and training sound like good places to start, Solmyr. Why don't you give us what you know on those marks, and we can ask more from there."
"I'll take care of Nailz if he shows his ugly face again."
"I'll take care of Nailz if he shows his ugly face again."
:::I'm with you. I have a score to settle with him.:::
"The weapons, armor, abilities, and training sound like good places to start, Solmyr. Why don't you give us what you know on those marks, and we can ask more from there."
"From what I've collected, Nailz is an unusual tiefling. Not demonic or devilish in lineage, but genie. His mother was Dao, an elemental jinn of earth and stone. His father, if reports are true, was a mix-blooded Duergar and hobgoblin. He is monk/sorcerer with strong ties to earthen magics. He's Zhalail's chief troublemaker and leg-breaker. He's a mercenary at heart, but values his skin than anyone else. Nailz values his own magics and battle prowess above treasures, baubles and trophies. He's disciplined and a skill oriented combatant."
"Thuhl is Zhalail's messenger, saboteur, and anchor to the lower realms. He works as an assassin when the target is beneath his abilities. Thuhl's mother is a marilith and a war chief to Dagon. He seeks her release from a confines of an aquatic realm near us and Zhalail has information, detailed information as to how to release her. I know Thuhl is in this for this fact alone and has no loyalty to her. If she can not deliver on her end of the bargain, he'll leave her without a second thought. Thuhl is a sorcerer with some martial skills, but they are limited to daggers, staves, and bladed chains. He can manifest a howling blade at will and is very fond of strangling his enemies. Thuhl also has a pet, a spell guardian called Thrasher, heavily modified and is capable of holding multiple enchantment. The Spell Guardian can also absorb matter to increase its bulk, strength, and durability. It can also duplicate the physical properties of what it absorbs. Thrasher, unless Thuhl so states is always at his side. Thrasher also shows some independent thought."
"Let see, who's next.."
Thuhl also has a pet, a spell guardian called Thrasher, heavily modified and is capable of holding multiple enchantment. The Spell Guardian can also absorb matter to increase its bulk, strength, and durability. It can also duplicate the physical properties of what it absorbs."
Lk looks at Tristan and Arielle.
"Could Thrasher be the big rock thing we fought that day in the Bazaar?"
Thuhl also has a pet, a spell guardian called Thrasher, heavily modified and is capable of holding multiple enchantment. The Spell Guardian can also absorb matter to increase its bulk, strength, and durability. It can also duplicate the physical properties of what it absorbs."Lk looks at Tristan and Arielle.
"Could Thrasher be the big rock thing we fought that day in the Bazaar?"
:::No, I think that was Nailz's doing. But maybe he had help.:::
Alamach Amilanite is Zhalail's diplomat and power broker, if she needs something or someone, he's will do it. He is a warrior, blackmailer, and extortionist. His devotion to Bashaba is only second to his only living relative. He's always draped in full armor and carries the assorted blunt trauma that is familiar to clerics. Alamach will stay towards the back of the group and bloster their defenses with profane blessings from the Maiden of Misfortune
His younger sister, Mera, is one of the group's main fighter. Fully armored and armed, Mera is not afraid of the embrace of death. She's died once before and her older brother scarificed a great deal to bring her back form the depths of the Abyss. She also carries an enchanted spear crafted from blackest metal and given its enchantments, I beleive it is a Legacy Weapon.
There is of course Zhalail's bodyguards. The two minotaurs, whose abilities I have yet to fathom or even exploit.