[Game Thread] Oren's Tale - Part 2

[mountainbound]

Heart pounding, Oren drags himself off the ground after he lands. In the evil dim, he can't quite be sure of anything, but the air is noxious, and his body feels different, like he's been somehow miniaturized: a tiny toylike figure on a huge, artificial landscape. In the fast flickering torchlight, nothing looks real. The twisted trees, the stones, even the waxy faces of the tortured souls ahead all have an unnatural quality to them.

"I need to follow them," he whispers, fearing if the line of sinners winds out of sight, he may be lost forever. He knew nothing of the physics of this world beyond the flaming portal, but he knew it would not be friendly. Then it hits him... Daybreak. Now that he's chased her to a realm beyond the earth, he can't abandon her. But where is she? "Daybreak?" he calls softly, both inwardly and with a low voice. "Daybreak?" he calls again, frantically searching through the sand and artifical-looking vegetation for some sign of his companion.

Every few seconds he glances up, keeping a firm eye on the line of torches. "I need to follow them," he says again, getting desperate to find the dryad-turned-tiefling before it's too late.

OOC Using Awakened mind to communicate telepathically with her, if she's around. Perception to find Daybreak   Dice Roll: 1d20+4 (10)+4 Total = 14 If he can't find her quickly, he'll resign himself to following the train of people, keeping a safe distance.

[Admin Bhelogan]

Oren called out for Daybreak, but she did not respond. He wasn't close enough to use his powers to speak telepathically to her. With nothing left to go on, Oren moved along to flank the line of sinners, guarded by Demons, making their way down the path. It didn't take too long before their destination came into sight. The red glow of firelight a massive round structure, built like a fortress. The walls were made of pillars, which at their tops pointed outwards and ended in large spikes. The only entrance was a massive gate, whose doors were currently open. Through the gates, nothing was visible as the intensity of the bright lights shone out through the darkness, blinding out anything but its radiance.

Slowly, the chain of sinners was being driven through the gate. From his vantage point now, Oren could see the end of the line. He had a small window, perhaps ten minutes or so, before the last in the mass of souls would be driven inside the fortress walls. As he was pondering what to do, Oren was startled by the sound of a squeal at his feet. He looked down and saw that his foot at stepped on the tail of a rat. The creature was trying to run away but was pinned under Oren's boot. It looked up and hissed menacingly at Oren.

[mountainbound]

At a loss, Oren follows the sinners. "She was dragged in by the chains, taken somewhere no doubt, she wouldn't have landed where I landed..." he mutters, consoling himself as he rationalizes Daybreak's fate.

Ahead in the darkness there shines a light that, even at this distance, stabbed his eyes. It was not a welcoming beacon, but rather a place of torture and burning pain. "And that's exactly where I need to go," he says, apparently starting to develop a habit of talking to himself. But before he can get any closer, he's answered by the squeal of a rat. "How...?" Oren had lived for many months alone in the forest barracks, and saw his share of rats. But even the fattest, stupidest of them would never allow itself to be stepped on.

Was it that here in this evil plane, there was so much corruption that one couldn't avoid stepping on a squirming floor of rats, or that this rat was different from the rats of his world? On an impulse, he grabs the tip of its tail and lifts it from under his boot. "How in the world did you get under my heel?" he wonders, looking at the beast.

OOC Apologies for the long pause. Holiday craziness with the kids and family. All good though and starting to catch up. Hope you have something fun planned for new years. Perception - more info on rat or structure Dice Roll: 1d20+4 (19)+4 Total = 23

[Admin Bhelogan]

Oren picked up the rat by the tail, and looked at it. The rat squirmed and hissed for a moment, before realizing that it was in vain. Then, before Oren's eyes, the rat changes shape. The tail he was holding no longer felt soft and furry, but hard, segmented, and ended in a stinger. It lead to a tiny humanoid shaped body with wings, though it had claws at the end of its fingers and its head was adorned with rows of sharp spikes. While still having its tail held, the small imp flapped its wings to hover in front of Oren's face. "You're not dead. You aren't supposed to be here! And now I've been caught by a mortal. How pathetic! What kind of a worthless spy am I? Come on now, have a heart and let me go, will you?"

[mountainbound]

When the rat begins to change shape, Oren almost releases the tail in surprise. But instead he tightens his grip on the spike-tipped appendage. As usual, the soldier-turned-warlock has to put on a steely face and pretend he knows what he's doing in a world utterly alien and over his head. The current situation was a perfect point in case. Glaring at the little imp he says, "No I'm not dead. I was dragged into this place by some living chains but I got free in transit from my home plane. I'm looking for my companion who wasn't so lucky as me. Tell you what, you help me find her and I won't rip you in two pieces. Deal?"

He looks menacingly at the imp. "Who are you working for, and who are you spying on?" Ahead, the figures were still being herded into the huge structure. "Don't try lying to me, I can sense falsehood like a demon senses fear." He hopes he sounds convincing.

OOC Intimidation Dice Roll: 1d20+4 (18)+4 Total = 22

[Admin Bhelogan]

Oren gave his questions, and clearly, the small imp was intimidated by his direct line of questioning. Still, the small devil laughed a bit. "Find your friend? Probably easier done that said. If she was dragged down here, she will be where everyone else is going. Off to the tormentors. Your other two questions, I'll answer in reverse. We aren't in the nine hells. This is the Abyss brother! And you know what it means when devils are there? It's an invasion. Well, the remnants of one at least. My lady Fierna's forces have just this stronghold left. There is a demon army on the horizon, getting ready to attack. It is my solemn duty to report their numbers, which I can say are so numerous, they are incalculable. So, sure, we have new souls, but the tormentors won't' have them ready in time. Yup, looks like another damned day here in hell." Finished with his response, laced with casual expressions, the small imp crossed his arms. "So, tell me something brother. What are you gonna do about it?"

[mountainbound]

"The tormentors? If that's where she is, then we must go there. Tell me where to find her, carefully! I mean to rescue my friend and leave, got it? Then you can be on your way as well. We have no quarrel with anyone here." It was probably a useless, naive thing to say, but Oren found himself at a loss.

All the talk of devils and demons was over the young warlock's head. Weren't they all the same? But instead of revealing even more of his stupidity, he tries to keep focused. The demons are taking over the devils. "Your Lady Fierna, this is her fortress? Do you know a way out of here?"

[Admin Bhelogan]

The little imp crossed his arms, and gave a look of bewilderment. "Unless you can fly over those ramparts... and even if you could you have an army of demons watching them, you have only ONE way to get in there. Through that gate with those other poor lost souls. If you are thinking it would be crazy to just waltz in there, your right! Those Devils would tear you to shreds just for sport at the first sight of ya. Oh brother, and even if you can get in, that would be the easy part. Try getting out? I mean, where are you even going to go?"

Sudently, the little imp's demeanor changed, and Oren could read the mischief on his face. Despite Oren being the one holding him tight by the tail, the little Devil acted as though he was the one that had Oren in checkmate. "Wait just a minute there... maybe we can help each other out here. You see, I am late getting back. Like, REALLY late. I don't want to get demoted again, and I tell ya, my report isn't going to make the mistress happy at all. So, how about we act like you are my prisoner. I've caught your worthless soul while out, and am here to drag you to the tormentors. So, when there, we find your friend and then get out of here. I'll just have ONE last favor to ask of you when this is all done. What do you say, partners?"

[mountainbound]

"Help each other," Oren mulls over the imp's words. There weren't a lot of options that he could see. He had to get into the huge fortress, and wasn't even sure if his patron's influence extended into the Abyss. All the information he had about the place was given to him by an imp.

"Fine, we'll go with your plan. But I won't be making any promises about favors. If you help me rescue my friend and get out of here, then I'll do what I can to help you too. I'll not agree to more than that. I'm Oren, what do you call yourself?"

With that, Oren tugs the imp along toward the fortress, not daring to let go just yet. "Tell me about this mistress of yours, and anything else worth knowing." Secretly, the warlock fears the imp's mistress is none other than his own ex-mistress, and that no matter what, things are going to be a lot more complicated than the creature describes.

OOC Stealth Dice Roll: 1d20+5 (13)+5 Total = 18

[Admin Bhelogan]

The Imp considered Oren's reluctance to promise about favors for a minute before responding. "You know, when the time comes, it will be so minuscule, I'm sure you will have no problem with it. It's so minor, I probably don't even need to ask. And of course, that is assuming the unlikely scenario that you and your friend get out of this alive anyway. Alright, we have a deal. Lux, is the name. Glad to make your acquaintance Oren!" Lux stuck out his hand to shake Oren's, formalizing their introduction and agreement to work together. "The line of souls is nearing the end. We better get a move on!"

Lux took his place on Oren's shoulder, almost like a parrot would. As they approached the line, he spoke about his Mistress. "Oh yea, if you are going to serve a demon lord, I got to tell you, Fierna is the one you want. She's great! Easy on the eyes, and all about but what really makes her stand out, is how smooth of a negotiator she can be. She can talk you into feeling good about yourself, no matter what you are doing. Yup, we got lots of devils of all kinds just trying to sign up to serve her, just because it is so much better than the other demon lords. Really fantastic. The best, I'm telling you. The other demons lords? Not so much. Yea, they really make the nine hells what it is. No ray of sunshine. But Fierna, man. That is where it's at. I'm telling you. If all goes south, and you get stuck down here for eternity, at least your in the best company of hell you can find." Most of his ramblings included compliments to the Demon Lord, but didn't really explain why she was so deserving of them.

The pair were able to jump in line just behind the last of the sounds being pushed towards the fiery gates. As they neared, a pitchfork poked into Oren's chest. "Hold it there!" Behind the weapon was a horrific man-sized demon who looked more like a lizard with rows and rows of sharp spikes protruding from its body in all directions. "Where have you been Lux, and why are you with this clearly living mortal? Why didn't you kill him?"

"Oh come on Zeeke. You know my mission is secret. Can't talk to you about it. And this mortal, well, he is my prisoner." Lux responded, just as casually as his conversation with Oren had been.

Zeeke snorted, clearly not impressed. He jabbed Oren a little harder with his weapon. "Are you really this pathetic slug's prisoner?"

OODM Let's get a skill check for deception/performance, or whatever is relevant to Oren's response here.

[mountainbound]

At closer sight of the immense structure, and the line of tortured souls, Oren feels he needs to steel his resolve. This was, once again, a place of certain death. Being out of his element was an understatement, but the young warlock was learning, slowly, to think on his feet. Being uncomfortable, confused, and at a severe disadvantage seemed to be his lot in life. But it's all for Daybreak.

Even as Lux chattered on and the line moved forward, Oren fixed her image in his mind. It blurred between the shape of a lovely dryad, and that of an alluring tiefling -- but her form mattered not. She was in his heart, and it was for her that he kept shuffling forward, closer and closer to the hideous gate.

Hoping against hope that he might make it inside unchecked, the spiky lizard demon suddenly burst Oren's hope bubble with a pitchfork to the chest. Eyes downcast, Oren listens intently to their brief exchange.

"Why didn't you kill him?"

"Oh come on Zeeke. You know my mission is secret. Can't talk to you about it. And this mortal, well, he is my prisoner." Lux responded, just as casually as his conversation with Oren had been.

Zeeke snorted, clearly not impressed. The demon jabbed Oren a little harder with his weapon. "Are you really this pathetic slug's prisoner?"

Knowing he had to support Lux's story, Oren slowly raised his head to look at the spiked demon guard. "Whaaa... talky cactus tree? Why you pokin' me?" he slurs. Forcing a bit of drool from his mouth, Oren turns a glazed gaze to the imp on his shoulder. "Nice kitty kitty," he mumbles. Then his gaze returns to the ground, head lolling as though heavily drugged or enchanted.

OOC Performance Dice Roll: 1d20+4 (16)+4 Total = 20

[Admin Bhelogan]

Zeeke burst out laughing in a horrific demonic way. It should have been terrifying, but in Oren's case, he knew it meant that for the moment he was safe. "Brain dead, just not physically dead. Makes sense that this waste of flesh would be the best you could capture Lux!" The spiked demon stepped aside, caught up in a fit of laughter that was not going to end any time soon.

"Nice work!" Lux whispered in Oren's ear, quietly enough that others around would not be able to hear. "I'm impressed. Keep that up, and we might just have a shot at this! Alright, the gates are approaching. Nothing special here, just try to advert your eyes from the light. It can be blinding. Then, just keep following everyone else. They are headed where we want to go first."

The advice Lux gave ended up being good. As Oren neared the gates, and then passed through them, the brightness of the fires, while not quite as bright as that of the sun, could have damaged his eyes. Once through though, the streets and passageways inside the fortress resembled the looks of a coal mine. Everything was dark, except for flames burning here and there, and dirty with soot. "Fithly mess they have here. Fierna, I can promise you, isn't pleased. No order or discipline. Tisk tisk. Anyway, just keep the following souls. We are almost there."

The procession took a few corners and turns around the fortress before entering a large doorway. Inside was a massive chamber filled with fires, pots, torture tools of all kinds of strange and awful sorts. Nearly every 'station' as they could be described was full of souls being tormented. Tormented by what looked like almost an armor of demons. The souls needed to be broken, driven mad. Only once they were completely broken down, could they be built back up again into Lemures, and have their will bent to serve their masters. It was a process that took time. The frantic work being done here made it clear to Oren, that time was something this army did not have.

"Ok, tormenters. Here we are. Any idea on how to find your friend? What are we looking for?" Lux asked.

[mountainbound]

The fires were unlike any Oren had ever seen or imagined. And he had spent a long time alone, contemplating fire. In fact, it was all those long winter nights, alone staring into a fire for warmth in the old forest barracks that he started hearing the voice of his patron. Or maybe it was the demon queen all along. Whatever the case, he was on the right side now.

But in the wrong place.

As he shuffles forward the warlock does his best to pretend at mindlessness. Eyes low, he steals glances when he can, not daring to look directly at the demon guards. Instead he peeks at the souls being tortured in every manner beyond belief. When Lux asks who they were looking for, Oren frowns. "Not just one friend. Two. Two women, one is still practically a girl. Blond hair, blue eyes. An innocent. The other is the one I spoke of before. A tiefling with brilliant green eyes." He shuts up as they pass a group of demons. Speaking low when they're past, he continues, "Both of them were dragged to this place by enchanted chains reaching out from the void. I have reason to believe they're still alive, like me, since I followed them through the same void."

He frowns in despair considering the thousands, even millions of souls tortured in the dark catacombs, "But I know nothing of this place, so who can say." A thought occurs to him then. "Your mistress, does she like to trade for items from the material plane?"

OOC Perception Dice Roll: 1d20+4 (7)+4 Total = 11

[Admin Bhelogan]

"She trades for only two things. Souls and power," Lux answered. "Two pretty ladies. Got it. I'll flap around a bit, and see if I can find them." Oren was surprised to find that the tormentors and souls being tormented were happy to completely ignore his presence here. The tormenters had a specific task, to break a soul, and nothing else mattered to them. The souls themselves were wracked with pain and suffering and only took note of Oren to beg for help.

Looking high, and low, Lux and Oren both came to the same conclusion very quickly. Daybreak and Isabelle were not here. "No sign, en?" Lux asked redundantly when he returned to Oren's shoulder. "Well, I can only think of two other places where they might take the living. Could be in the Kitchens. Some devils have a sweet spot for some of the pies made on the material plane. If not there, they probably are with Lady Fierna, while she tries to break them herself or find some other use for them. So, what do you think brother? Are you friends likely to end up as cooks?"

[mountainbound]

Oren frowns, walking steadily through the masses of souls crammed into the cave. He tries to focus on Lux's squeaky voice, rather than the ear-rattling screams of the tortured.

"I doubt they're cooks. Each time the chains lashed out, it was as though taking a payment - a sacrifice. And it was all related to dealings I had in the past with a powerful being, a female, from a dark plane such as this. She also thirsted for power. She sent her servant, a demon adorned with living chains, to kill me. If this demon queen is one and the same, she may recognize me and that might not end well. Is there a way I can avoid her notice?"

He swallows hard, wishing to avoid what his gut was telling him. "In any case, I suspect your Lady Fierna has likely brought my friends directly to her."