Lords of Hell: New Fiends Rising

[Emperor Demonking]

Puppyavenger

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Out of curiosity. Did you give them any power.

[puppyavenger]

Stelif

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That will cost you a power
Assuming yes

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no

[Emperor Demonking]

Puppyavenger, DM

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A power next soul time. Tha's good to know."

[Moral Wiz]

Erthency

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Hmm... Interesting.

I know much of Sthrief's foes, and their little group. I almost certianly know that name already. Though his desperation is... interesting. Tell me more.

And "Tactical advice" is too broard a term. Something more specific will be needed if you wish exchange for that one.

as for politics... I don't think you should start so much as bargaining with Sthrief at this point. He's got too many people on his back, more than you may think and too few in his corner. Other dukes responded well to Zagabaath 's little message.

Even wealth can not buy everything. No, Sthrief is done. As, I think, are any who come close to him. The anger of his foes is great, and they have friends with greed. They could insist that befriending Sthrief is enough to brand you a lunatic, a threat to us all. Then raid domains, and split the profits.

In short, we don't deal with Sthrief. If we deal with anyone, it's the oponents, and we're very sorry for having done so in the past. I, thankfully am on there good side, I just merely wish the same degree of protection for you, my ally/ After all, you will be paying me for such.

[Emperor Demonking]

Puppyavenger

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Rememer our mutual defense pact.

[puppyavenger]

zach

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unfortunately, the deal is binding, and made a while ago, before he became so unpopuler.
2 power for the information (or forgving 2 p of my debt

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well, either desperation or lust for power, he more e doubled the size of his order and accepted a price hike.
He probably plans to promote them all and burn them out as defenders.
take it as you will

for tactical advice, very well, one of the conspirators has told me that the other will be defenseless because all his servants are attacking. Consider the lack of camaraderie point free, they'd easily stab each other in the back.

and no, I'm not having any more dealings withg him.

[Maldiem]

@Anenlel

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Very well. The one called Stief has angered two of his fellow Dukes, Zargabaath and Lev. I know for sure he has stolen from Zargabaath, and and I suspect he has stolen from Lev, as well. Stief is a very potent thief, but I think that his combat skills are somewhat lackluster, and his numbers are not what they could be. He does, however, possess a large stockpile of souls, from the larceny that got him into this mess. Lev and Zargabaath will almost certainly attack Stief, along with whomever they get to go along with it, and it is here that I believe the major opportunity lies. Stief will need allies to stave off this attack, when it comes. He may not be desperate enough at this juncture, but in the near future the offer of aid, from whatever source (and at a high cost), may be eagerly accepted. Needless to say, this could be followed with any manner of shenanigans that a devious Archdevil could come up with. The other major opportunity, of course, is to join the attackers for a share of the loot.

As for the other side, Zargabaath has already announced his status as a torture specialist, and Lev is in the market for imps for some project that I can only surmise is a means to return his stolen imps.

@Zach

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Saw it, no time to respond right now. Back in a few hours.

[Emperor Demonking]

Puppyavenger, DM

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I have a dealn to make you. Next soul time, I shall give you all my souls. Then when I choose you shall give them back. That is a lot of power for only one imp action.

[Maldiem]

Zach

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I have indeed gained new information. I know more details of the Stief situation, I have knowledge of the power that may be conferred by the fire essence, a possible tactic by Stief to preserve his domain, and a Lord who is willing to pay handsomely for imps. What could you offer in return?

[Moral Wiz]

Lurker

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I know much of the Sthrief situation. I am not sure what details you have to offer. I have no wish to pay for what I already know. You'd have to be more specific.

Information on the fire essence would be useful to the foes of Sthrief. If they weren't already knowledgeable about that essence. I can't think of any other reason for buying it. And even if they didn't know, you'd already have sold it on. There is no profit in that for me.

As for what I have to offer... well, I know which duke believes you have wide plans of conquest. I know which wishes to command higher minions, and is prepared to make offers on the subject.

I am working on applications. I could trade in those....

I also know which piece of information you sold was incorrect. You'd might want to know that, as people tend to hold a grudge against a fallible information dealer. When they find out...

[Eldan]

Third phase

Screaming souls stream down from the sky, meeting their horrible fates in the domains of ther archdevils. And with them, they bring whispers from mortals, asking the dark forces for help...

...Which binds the world, and guides its course...

"Ye devils! I have studied all arts and crafts known to man and elf alike, but still... there are still so many questions that can not be answered by ancient wisdom, science or magic. So I have set my eyes on the magic of summoning... I know that even you may not know all answers, but help me in my studies, and in exchange I will give you magical secrets...

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Special Task:
To fulfill: Intelligence check against DC 18.
Corruption: DC 7
Reward: One first level essence, devils choice.

[Moral Wiz]

Erthency

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I know sthrief is desperate. I fear I don't need the specifics.

At the sound he pauses, then laughed

Well, it would seem the new soultime is here. I will assume you will now be sending me payment for all current matters?

[The_Snark]

Anenlel

As she oversees her imps in their toils, Anenlel suddenly tilts her head, as if listening to something. Fascinating.

She reaches out towards the feeling, attempting to insinuate herself into the mortal's calling, and directs One through Three to continue her studies while she bends her energy to the mortal world.

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Attempting to answer summons (Which Binds the World). Three imps directed to researching Lightly Armored; any spillover goes to researching forges.

[Deathslayer7]

With a scream, new souls pour into Liriel's domain. Already she thought. Sighing, she goes into the torture tent once again, but this time, she takes no pleasure from it.

puppyavenger:

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it was you who i agreed for the two servants for 7 power right? If so, I am sending the servants now.

-2 servants for me +2 for you. Though they dont have actions this round.

moralwiz:

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-2 power for me, +2 for you. See I do keep my word.

After torturing them, Liriel sighs. So much to do, so little time.

She points to 3 imps and tells them to go build wards with the new power.

And then she stands out in front of her battlefield. Dark green energy surronds Liriel, and she controls much of it inside her till the she is at the point of bursting. Then she lets it out of her. A green fire spreads out from Liriel in a circle. Where the edge of her domain once was, she saw it move hundreds of feet farther out. Not bad for one days work she thought. Turning, she strolls back inside.

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+3 wards, - 6 PP
+1 domain size, - 4 pp

stats:

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12 servant actions
1 arch devil actions
26 power for now.

[Eldan]

But thy eternal summer...

"So. I know you can here me. Devils, and all that stuff. Well, you can grant wishes, right? Here's one: I'm beautiful. So, make sure it stays that way, okay? I'll give you all that magical stuff my second husband left in my cellar. Don't need it anyway."

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Difficult task
To fulfill: Wish check against DC 20.
Corrupt: 9
Reward: 10 Power
Evil Spread: 3. She's an Rich Bitch, but not particularily evil.

[Celebrochan]

An imp stopped in its song and pulled a spark of power from its pocket gazing at the warmth it had pulled from one of the newly arrived souls. Lord Shardon would never know it kept it… if it kept it secret… so intently was it gazing upon the shard that it didn’t notice the pool of twisting darkness below it… did not notice the darkness reach forth its arms… by the time it learned of its error it was too late… It was wrapped fast in tentacles of blackest darkness… Shardon’s voice like broken glass thanked the imp for the power it had gathered for it… and reminded the poor imp that Shardon was the darkness that was this domain… he saw all… knew all that happened in it’s borders… ‘

It was a lie… but it was enough to scare loyalty back into the imp… for a time…. And one would tell two and two would tell ten…

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Spends one archfiend action to eat 30 souls to gain 90 power
Spends one archSpends one archfiend action to increase it's combat score by 9 (18 points), Trickery by 7 (14 points), wishes by 7 (14 points), intimidation score by 8 (16 power), Intelligence by 5 (10 power), Corruption by 5 (10 power), Torture by 7 (14 power) fiend action to increase the size of his domain to 5 (8 points

Sends 2 imps to fight on Lord Zargabaath’s behalf
Has 7 imps scribing wards (14 power)
Has one imp research the pit trap shadow application and pays 2 power to speed things along

0 Arch fiend actions left
0 imp action left
0 power left
0 souls in the bank

*Edit* Used the rest of my actions

[Moral Wiz]

Liriel

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As I see. Much appreciated.

Kataek

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Good lord, I am attempting a summoning. I would appreciate a gift of power, to ensure it's completion

GM

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Attempting But thy eternal summer... rolled 14

Current power 10

2/1 Archdevil actions remaining (depending on outcome of summoning contention

10 Imp actions remaining.

Too late for me. I'll post IC tommorrow.

[The_Snark]

Anenlel

As her first avatar departs, the archdevil returns to her workshop with a multitude of clicking noises, satisfied. The ability to be in more than one place at once was a new ability for her, one she would have snatched eagerly at any point in her past. A pity her avatars were only good for visiting the mortal plane.

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Researching Metal (forges).

GM

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OOC: Six imps will be sent to attack in conjunction with Zargabaath's forces.

[El_Frenchie]

@Zach

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How much is needed, friend?

@Steif

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The imp is ready to be spent as soon as I receive the power.

Kataek

As Kataek hears the souls flow in, he smiles in satisfaction.

[puppyavenger]

Anenlel

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payment as payment is due, 2 souls for 7 power, they'll be yours as soon as you pay

Liriel

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correct, the powers yours.

Zach

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an imp with the soul is being sent to you, the other 5 imps arrive when i get them

Lev

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2 souls for the piece of information given, 5 power, and a favor, correct? delivery on payment

GM

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one imp herds 5 souls out of the domain.

2 will be delivered to Aneneral as soon as she pay 7 power. 2 will be delivered to Levititus at the payment of 5 power, the imp will then herd the remaining one to Zach and stay with him.

the 7 power will hen be transferred to Liriel as soon as two imps arrive so net changes

+2 souls -7 power for Aneneral
-2 imps +7 power for liriel
+1 sol +1 imp for zach
-5 souls + 2 imps
+5 power for me

The being watched as one of it's tendrils herded few souls away towards their new homes, and wondered how their lives would change.

Turning it mind back to the domain, five of the other tendrils sprang into action, 1 altered a portion of the caverns so the twisted and turned in on each other more than ever, each cavern always just a little to small to fit comfortably through, dragging at the edges, inspiring claustraphobia, and hiding many horrors by aiding its imps illusions. with two pars containing the other four worked on wards and defenses.

Turning to some of the souls, including the merchant it had corrupted, it considered the need for more servants, and so tentacles shot up and grabbed the four it saw, spliting to entangle and engulf them. Pretty soon they were completely engulfed, and a moment after that they looked like the other imps

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1 imp constructs torture chamber
2 raising wards to 4
2 raising defenses to 2
1 herding souls
+3 imps
+1 greedy imp
-10 power
18 power left
4 imp actions left
2 archdevil actions left

[Moral Wiz]

Kataek

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If the summoning is uncontested.... If you add the power I already have prepared...

6 power would make it certain. Any less would be appreciated, but still carry a slight chance of failure

And by the way, my imps make good progress with applications of fire. I should have some for you shortly, lord.

Erthency

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Very well

The conflict is between Sthrief, and the one duke that has not yet committed to those prepared to kill him Liriel. Apparently, they had a political falling out at one point, and Sthrief can now expect help from none.

Unfortunately, I am currently unsure of the reliability of the information on this. It could be that it's truth was concealed from me, but a second source told me it had no foundation,

In return for four power further, I could name for you the dealer I got this suspect information from. It's so irritating, when, as a broker of information, people finds your facts false and accuse you, personally, of trying to misleed them. And this dealer is so active... very active.

[The_Snark]

Erthency

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It is done.

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7 power transferred.

[RationalGoblin]

Erthency

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It is done.

[Moral Wiz]

Zach

Well, things got... interesting. And fast

Zach looks out over his domain, from a balcony on the highest level of the library. The town below was growing. Very literally. The wall hadn't moved, but the area within had grown bigger. More buildings appeared, slowly, one at a time

One of the odd things about hell that. Space didn't work the same way as in the mortal world. Zach could see several souls simply wandering, whaling at the confusion of this place. Their screams themselves enriched him, there was no need yet for imps to add to the torment.

He turned around to see Askar coughing. The old imp was indispencable. He had all but become Zach's second in command, and indeed, clearly would get the position. He knew so much. Warding, defense, architecture... he was a fount of knowledge on such things.

Mi'lord? The group researching the crystal hall are done. They have even made progress in there next task, the promotion ritual

Very good. And the fire essence?

Complete. Some of our best imps are researching it's applications now. Kel'Bath is treating them like dogs, making them all dig thru the library, looking for anything. I expect we should have great results before too long.

The corruption applications?

All received, as you said lord.

And the... special project?

Askar smiles, a notable thing on so small a creature. With so many teeth....

Complete, Mi'lord. If you'll but come with me...

...

It lay in an upper room. Even so it took them a while to traipse thru the library. It too, like the town, was growing. New stacks of books, and even whole new halls, appeared, seemingly at random. It was getting hard to catalogue them all, yet the imps did try there best.

Zach strode past a pair, grining over a picutre of the new creature they were looking into.

It simply rested, in the center of a blank room. That was unusual. Every room in the tower, by defualt, held texts, but the imps had cleared it specially for this.

The staff was beautiful. Tipped with a glittering obsidian shard that, rumor had it, was the remnant of an ArchDuke. The body made of ebony heartwood from Mephistopheles's' own forests, so it was said, each tree being planed over a paladin's soul. A

Askar spoke, with a due sence of reverence

The Staff of the Tower. We remade it, lord, as best we can, and imbued it with what power we could.

Zach discarded his old stick with a thought, and picked up the new one, this item of power.

Zach beamed with pure joy at the feeling holding such a thing gave him, after so long....

With but a thought, a stream of ebon black flames shot thru the room and out into the night, seemingly burning into the dark red sky. Zach smiled

Much better.

His adviser spoke up, his voice that of an old man telling a younger how something works.

It tends to harden the mind too. Let's you expriment more, think clearly. You'll be anyone's equal at the essences before too long.

Zach played a little with manipulating the staff's black fire before

It'll take me some time to learn to draw fully on this. But it should circumvent the curse quite nicely.

At that moment, Jakar and his fellow two failed imps entered, as Askar had told them. They paused when they saw Zach, but he smiled

Welcome, my good imps. I have another task for you

All of them tensed. The last one was hard enough

You are to become my personal bodyguards.

Do not be surprised. The way things are going, I probably will have need of you before too long. Now then, make ready to move. I regard it as probable that, assuming events turn out as I expect, you will soon know your first taste of battle before the next soultime

The newly appointed bodyguards scurried out. Askar blinked.

Lord... do you trust them?

Not yet. But in time... I think I might. To a degree. I will honor them, if they do this job well.

Well, Mi'lord, before the rest is implicated there are several other matters to which.

Hush, old friend

It was with that he heard the summoning words.

Hello. A mortal. And an arrogant one at that.

Askar, Let me attempt to send an avatar to deal with this mortal. Once that get's thru, we'll talk about other things.

The old imp sighed. The duke phrased it as a request, but you knew who you served really.

Very well lord.

GM only

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8 power left

Roll on Second, difficult summon, 1d6+9=14, rolled 5

Current research, into fire applications, 25 points. Hit fire eyes, and fire creature.

[Emperor Demonking]

El Frenchie

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(Gives 10 power) Can you send it straight to Erthency

Erthency

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(gives 17 power) Keep them in your domain for now.

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15 power remaining

[Feirgon]

Dystor

Dawn
The wailing of new souls echoed throught Hell. Those destined to Dystor's domain seemed to have an escort, Pryd. Returning, successfully, from the mortal relm, he lead the group of lost souls to their new master. Though, there was soemthing different about one of them...

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Common or IC knowledge
Domain Size: 4
Defences: 2
Souls: 33

GM only or OOC knowledge

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Wards: 2
Power: 34
Special Souls: 1
Imps: 14
Cultists: 1

Combat: 7
Trickery: 1
Wishes: 1
Corruption: 5
Intelligence: 1
Intimidation: 5
Torture: 1
Resistance: 4

(if you see anything here that you think should be public knowledge, either tell me or discuss in the OOC thread)

Day
Once again the relm shifted, grew. The borders expanded, new buildings emerged, existing buildings grew taller, more klaxxons appeared, and parapets formed on the walls. The imps, finished with their tasks, headed back to the center of the domain, back to their master.

Dystor looked up from his seat upon the now recognizable "Throne Tower" to see his new souls as well as Pryd returning from his task. Much to Dystor's surprise, following behind Pryd was a corrupted soul.

Excellent.

Pryd, lead the group of new souls right to Dystor's throne. And with a single swipe, Dystor held six souls; including the freshly corrupted soul.

Welcome.

The words, directed most likely at the corrupted soul, were cold and insincere. Charging his power, Dystor infused the new souls with power and released them from his ever growing throne tower.

Looking at the walls then at two imps who had returned from their mundane tasks.

To the walls.

Dusk
GM only or OOC knowledge

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Archfiend actions:
Created 5 imps and one special imp - 12 pp

Imp actions:
2 on guard duty Guarding rolls
- Raising effective ward level to 12

Remaining:
2 Archfiend Actions
12 Imp Actions
22 Power Points

[Celebrochan]

After scaring it's imp and setting them all to the task of stretching the shadows of the domain... filling it up with more and more nothing so that those within cannot find their way out... and those seeking a way in will find nothing but viod... It then retreats into a quiet rarely frequented local in Shardon's domain and quietly pulls each and every one of it's souls to it. There it procedes to eat them one at a time... drawing out the energies contained within and growing bloated on their energy. Shardon then cloaks itself in shadows deep and awaits the metamorphisis its instincts tell it is coming.

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This is an update to my last post and includes my last actions.

Spends one archfiend action to eat 30 souls to gain 90 power
Spends one fiend action to increase the size of his domain to 5 (8 points)
Spends one archSpends one archfiend action to increase it's
-Combat score by 9 (18 points)
-Trickery by 7 (14 points)
-Wishes by 7 (14 points)
-Intimidation score by 8 (16 power)
-Intelligence by 5 (10 power)
-Corruption by 5 (10 power)
-Torture by 7 (14 power)


Sends 2 imps to fight on Lord Zargabaath’s behalf
Has 7 imps scribing wards (14 power)
Has one imp research the pit trap shadow application and pays 2 power to speed things along

0 Arch fiend actions left
0 imp action left
0 power left
0 souls in the bank

[Moody the Wise]

((This music plays while the following is going on))

Zargabaath emerges from his throne room, walking briskly, his gaze fixed straight ahead. As he walks, the Imps he passes take note, and know that he means them to follow. By the time he reaches the courtyard, he has amassed a small army.


Recently, another Lord had the audacity to steal from our domain. This is unacceptable. We cannot stand idly by and reward this coward for his actions. Tonight we attack. Show no mercy. There was a time and a place for mercy, and he refused it. Now he shall receive naught but our fury.


GM, anyone involved in the attack

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AERIS DIES!

No really, if this wasn't addressed to you, turn back now.

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11 Imps stand at the ready to attack, once all forces are prepared.

[Deathslayer7]

Liriel could feel it in the air. Something was going to happen today. She didn't know what, but she knew something was happening. From her conversation with Zach, she thought she knew, but she wasnt 100% positive. After all, she had turned down many allies.

So many arch-devils, it was hard to know who to trust.

Following an imp into the research tent, she immediately set to work. A green glow surronded her, and for the next few hours, imps came and went from within the tent, scurrying to her instructions. Hours later, she finally emerged, exhausted to her core. It was worth it though. Behind her, an imp carried a sword. She had imbued within that sword tremendous power, but it drained hers for the time being. By next soul time, she would be at full strength again, and have the power of the sword at her disposal. Until then though, she was weak against any enemies she had. Resting, she decided to keep imps in reserve in case the inevitable happened.


Going into her tent, with the sword resting at her side, she rested. Whatever happened today, she wasn't going to involve herself.

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arch devil action to increase stats by 13 - 26 PP

new stats:
Combat - 1 +3 = 4
Resistance: 4 +2 = 6
Trickery - 6 = 6
Wishes - 1 +3 = 4
Corruption - 5 = 5
Intelligence - 3 +4 = 7
Intimidation - 1 + 1 = 2
Torture - 7 =7

stats:

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14 souls
12 servants left
PP:0

[Moral Wiz]

Zach

As you say, good lord. A fine speach.

Zach, and his personal guard approached, five imps, the three failures, and two others, those who he judged the quicker and smarter. They were most likely to survive, but if they didn't... well, one less plot later

Zach was in a red robe and cloak, with black trimming, runes that were once signifiers of his position in the Ebon Tower. His face was hooded, but all recognised his staff as a symbol of power. That was all the introduction he needed for Zag's little imp horde.

And now, if you'll excuse me...

With that, he opens a link to every lord

Lords of Hell. I am not one to seak power, at least not as you know it. I made a vow when I came here, one to stay out of politics

I will not mince words. We all know the advantages to that state, and thus you know the costs I pay in breaking it here.

But it is needed. Otherwise this whole domain, and all of us within will crumble

We have a fool duke, an idiot duke, a duke with no political sense. A duke who has power, but makes enemies too freely. If he continues on his course, the situation will become a domain wide war. We wll all suffer if that happens. Thus it is best if the irritation is removed quickly, and with minimal fuss.

Any who move to defend the pathetic, stupid imp will feel my wrath. Personally.

He smiles then, and breaks the link. Next, he speaks aloud.

We stand ready.

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Anyproblem with this moody, and I'll change it. Just felt right. Zach didn't pose a threat, but he's still useful, so I'm assuming the guards would let him in.