Sealed In Blood - Chapter 1, Party A

Chapter 1 - The Pit Fiend and the Pendulum

Evil seeped through every crevice of Luz'Noc's malignant form. He was different from the common pit fiends, not only in mind but in body. Covered with midnight-blue scales, his skin seemed frail as it clung tightly to the mighty bones he possessed. He possessed the molten-red eyes of a true creature of the lower planes, and an aura of majesty that befit a pit fiend. Yet somehow, he was...for a back of a better word, ancient...he was...Primeval.

Less than a day ago (or at least what would be considered a day in the Astral), his retainers had returned, successful and yet unsuccessful, as he had planned. Time was synchronized perfectly for his next move, it had to be, if he was to make his wishes happen. Upon the alternate prime of Paranthas, he knew what was happening, but his information was limited. There, dwelt powerful fiends, many with access to the ninth valence of spells, and several with more powerful dweomers than those. However, they too were well coordinated-each and every one of them were protected by a Mindblank spell, their own plan had required it.

However, there was small, but great flaw in that plan-and Luz'Noc knew it. Only the most powerful wizards could afford to memorize more than one Mindblank spell per day, and he only needed a wizard who was capable of gating him in. Still, the spell lasted a whole day, and the wizard who cast it could renew it the next with little harm. Only one problem, the small flaw in the fact that it still takes six seconds to cast, and during that six seconds Luz'Noc would strike. He contemplated this within his meditation chamber.

Now, a powerful demand had just been made, within moments it was answered. A portal opened up, and a bright flash consumed Luz'Noc.

The Astral...a plane of pure thought and wonder. Adrift within its infinite space, the fortress of Luz'Noc floated. From the outside it appeared as if it was a diamond, although instead of being clear and reflective it was dark, it's outside seemingly absorbing all the light around it. Inside of it lay many floors, and upon one particular floor, in one specific chamber contained the souls of many warriors, all of whom had just participated in the most recent task-and all but one retaining no memory of it.

The pit fiend had just vanished from the area, so he had no clue when the storm approached. Outside, an uncommon occurance within the astral made its way towards the fortress-a maelstorm of pure, brilliant, multi-hued energy swept towards the structure.

It merely passed through, but that was enough to disrupt several of the enchantments upon the area. Within its wake, the binding spells which captured the heroes that Luz'Noc had manipulated and used had shattered, their occupants hitting the hard ground, dazed-but alive and well.

However, there's something wrong...something very wrong, who they think they are, is not what they really are-with the sole exception of Jack, everyone has a different personality from when they last met, and don't recall who the rest are.

Within the fortress, everyone recovers, and are now standing. They look bewildered as they notice each other, all looking different, all dressed differently-and frankly, they have no clue where they are. The room they're in is pretty non-descript, rectangular with several pedestals and tiny shattered, shining pieces of green on the floor. There's a single door out, which seems to have already been opened, and it leads into a hallway, which has two doors farther down both on its left and right sides.


The Evils of Luz'Noc
As I mentioned in the above post, everyone thinks of themselves as something that they're not, at least for the time being. Consider this a roleplaying exercise and a time for fun:

Sei Ryu-CE-Rude and Not very observant. Thinks he's Sey'th, a black dragon pretending to be a human named Ryu.
Domaskis-CN-Doesn't like to be touched and Obsequious. Thinks he's Domaskis, an aristocrat with divinely granted powers (think of the kings who thought they were gods).
Aedon-LG-Uses flowery speech and long words, Optimist. Thinks he's Aedon, a cleric of a war god (pick whatevers appropriate).
Saint Tracy-NG-Suspicious and Distrustful of Magic. Thinks she's Tracy, a peasant hero (medieval-ish world, orcs and goblins stuff, guns produced by gnomes).
Hyanda-LN-Overly critical, No sense of humor. Thinks he's Timati, an elven shaman.
Jack-Is Jack

You have access to practically all your powers, you just think it comes from a different source.

OOC-What I basically did was decide upon an appropriate profession, then rolled upon the One Hundred Traits -actually 99, they left out 26- table in the DMG, and rolled til I found 2 personality traits for everyone, then rolled 2 d3's to figure out alignments-the paladin still is Lawful Good! You may now post-Have fun,

I look about me in disgust.

Filth, I can't believe I'm surrounded by it! But where am I? Perhaps one of these will know. I shouldn't show my true self until I feel their deaths will benefit me.

Looking to everyone around me accusingly
"Where am I!?! Which one of you brought me here?!"

Timati looks around sizing everyone up before turning to Ryu

"Yes, since the loudmouth has shouted it out, I too would like to know who brought us here. I have other things to be doing. "

Jack listens to the other prisoners, and raises an eyebrow under his mask. His body still feels numb and someway cold, from the loving treatment the Gloom Hag reserved him. A cold shiver runs up and down is spine as he creaks his knuckles, savouring the warm and living feel of his hands.

I have to admit, Luz'Noc knows how to get what he wants. He tricked us with that task, but I'm back to my normal self, so let's call this round even. The wise one pulled a very good trick, I knew he wasn't being completely sincere to me.

"It was either that kind of dark angel or our Master's magic. What should you be doing, wise one?"

Jack retrieves a cigarette and lights it with a single graceful movement, letting out a perfect circle of smoke, glad to be able to breath again.

"It was either that kind of dark angel or our Master's magic. What should you be doing, wise one?"

Click to expand...

Eyeing Jack suspiciously.
"I answer to no one. What are you talking about when you say 'our master'?"

Jack meets Sey-Ryu's eyes with an icy stare.
"I wasn't asking you, lost one. And you know all too well who I am referring to. Where do you think you are?"

Uhmm, neither of the two ever talked this way. There is something amiss here. And where is the shapeshifting stranger?

Jack for a moment looks straight into Sey-Ryu's eyes, concentrating on the way he breathes, trying to ascertain if he is under some strange influence.

OOC: Sense Motive check to sense Enchantments: 62

" Why would the Spirit's bring me here and who is this dark angel ? "

"Could we all just stop yelling and find a way out of here that would cause me the least amount of work possible please... royalty such as me needs not be in a place like this long!"