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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Cerebral Paladin" data-source="post: 4309090" data-attributes="member: 3448">Session 9:7 VaenWe spent the night in the Dragonhold.  The able-bodied Eums sapped the walls while we slept, and we demolished the hold in the morning.As we prepared to travel, the Eums made preparations to move all of the wounded who could survive, placing them on sleds for easier transportation.  I helped some of the badly wounded survive the travel by casting False Life on them.  The shaman euthanized the Eums that would not be able to survive, including the dozen or so with taint. In an impressive display of discipline and devotion to Order, none of the Eums, even the tainted ones, resisted being killed.  We burned the bodies of the Eums with taint, using tapestries and furniture from the Dragonhold as fuel.Over the next four days, we made the journey back to the manor we had seized from Bastion.  The Eum army was still large enough, even with the casualties, that nothing approached our group closely enough to spot on the trip.  We arrived on 11 Vaen.Our people continued to occupy the area around the manor, but none of them had entered the manor itself.  However, the day before we returned, a strange tent had appeared among the Pachak without warning.The pavilion stood out obviously as we approached.  Rather than being one of the Pachak’s tents, or one of the rough, thrown-together style of tents often seen in the Shadow, this was a large, elaborate purple tent, of a thick material, with glowing stars on the outside.  The pavilion had an awning, which sheltered two rubbery-looking, mostly naked men with long-swords slung over their back.  The two “men,” although I surmised that they were actually demons, looked like harem guards.A large steel table also stood under the awning, set with crystal, a decanter of wine, and enough chairs for all of us plus one.  We approached the table and sat.The decanter floated upwards and poured a rich-looking wine into each glass.  A woman, remarkably beautiful except for the black, leathery wings sprouting from her back, stepped forth from veils behind the awning. She minced over to the table, her thin silk clothing swaying in a way at once revealing and concealing.  “A toast to your success.”I recognized that she was, without question, a high-ranking succubus.  The harem guards suggested that she was not a noble in her own right but was instead the wife of an Abyssal power.  I also inferred from the stars on her pavilion and some of her accoutrements that she was a sorceress, but I could not identify her specifically.  I mimed drinking but was careful to not actually touch any wine from a demon.“Your victory is an inspiration to us all,” she added as she sat in the head chair.“So what brings you to our camp?” asked Spring.“To celebrate your victory, and the additional victories you will have.  It will set back the predilections of some of the local lords.  Trying to conquer this plane is folly-- we have six-hundred-sixty-six of our own, and this plane will continue to supply us with souls without our dominion”“We are surprised to see you here, nonetheless,” I said.  “You rarely take such a direct interest.”“Indeed.  The 469th layer is very far from here.  We are rarely called on to supply troops, and even more rarely to provide supplies.  Still, in light of your successes, it seemed worthwhile.”  The succubus’s voice became more business-like, although it retained the dangerously seductive undertone.  “Be forewarned:  Sargeantanis has seen your actions.  He is coming.  He believes that by capitalizing upon your actions here, he can displace utterly the forces that presently hold this territory.  Not the capital or the inner part, of course, but the area where we are sitting.  He even believes he can win the loyalty of Sarconis the Chaos Champion.  I do not know if he can, but he believes so.  He has gathered his army and marches.  It would be to your advantage to establish that pesky little psionic barrier before he has established control of the territory.”Alveera whispered to me, as if in my ear, “She is Urkobona, the wife of Urkobach the Tyrant.”  [Konrad did not realize there was anything amiss, but Alveera struggled with her divided loyalty before aiding him—his binding proved stronger than her loyalty to the Abyss.]“That is useful intelligence, Urkobona,” I said.She smiled in response.  “Ah, so you did recognize me.  I am glad—it would have been so tedious to have needed to report that you did not.”“Who would dare to not recognize the consort of Urkobach the Tyrant?”“Indeed, he does get so angry at such slights.  Since you know who I am, perhaps you would like to visit my library at some point?  You would be most welcome.”“I cannot.  It is forbidden to consort with such as you.”She waived her hand airily.  “Such a tiresome ordnance.  You might find things better—certainly more exciting—if you looked beyond it.  I could grant so much in exchange for your souls, or even a portion of your souls.”“No.   I have a prior commitment.  And the Church does not suffer to live those who would sell you even the tiniest portion of their souls,” I added in case any of my companions might waver.She rubbed a fingernail across Sideh’s cheek.  “And you, my quiet priest?”“Yes?”“Well, you know there is knowledge to be gained of the divine, of hope as well as of fear, and there is the deepest knowledge to be gained, the knowledge of yourself.”Sideh stiffened and refused with a firmness that approached my own.[For the next month, Sideh’s dreams would be tormented by visions of her, and he would suffer a -1 to all Will saves due to exhaustion.  He would get another save in 30 days.  Despite himself, he was totally distracted and besotted.  Konrad did not notice at all.]Urkobona rose from the table.  Her people packed up the tent carefully but rapidly.  She also flirted with Sideh outrageously at every opportunity.“I hope the information I’ve given you will help you all.  We must return now to my husband’s court, but I will be… no, I won’t be praying for you, will I?”  Her smile was damnably insidious.  “But I hope you succeed.”  They strode off and she brushed past Sideh as she went.  Within twenty feet, she had shimmered out of the plane entirely.</blockquote>

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