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Message: <blockquote data-quote="the Jester" data-source="post: 2271024" data-attributes="member: 1210">Odds are high for a second update today.  This one is a tease.****Tensions are high.  The two parties have joined forces, and now they will act as one.Never, in all the history of the Nine Hells, has such a powerful group of mortals walked together here with one purpose.  Never, in all the history of the Nine Hells, has Asmodeus been under such threat.  In the depths of Nessus, Asmodeus obliterates a messenger in a terrible rage.  The forces of Lucifer are on the move.One and a half million pit fiends surround the palace.  All forces are placed on alert.  The entire area is placed under a dimension lock to prevent unexpected surprises.  The floor golems are awakened, the prismatic traps engaged.  Asmodeus, in his fury, destroys another ten pit fiends, then snarls and whirls and stalks to his throne room.Lucifer!  It should be impossible- yet there it is, an army rolling forward at the unbreachable walls of his fortress.  Treachery!  Many of the ancient devils that recall Lucifer’s reign from before have thrown in with him.  He has moved very quickly, adroitly maneuvering events, perhaps even outmaneuvering Asmodeus. Well, in force of arms, Lucifer’s army is doomed.  They are neither numerous enough nor potent enough to overcome Asmodeus’ pit fiend defense.Asmodeus frowns.  What is he playing at?  There must be some trickery afoot- some kind of feint or misdirection.  But what?In his throne room, he keeps the presence of his daughter Glasya, who can always soothe his white-hot rage with her moist kisses; Martinet, obsequious little Martinet, the courtier to end all courtiers; his favorite great wyrm; and eighteen stout pit fiends, armed and armored with +5 greatswords and +5 full plate.***Glaisig leads our heroes through secret ways that are unknown even to Asmodeus.  There was a time when all the Hells were Lucifer’s, and secret warrens burrow through many places that have yet to be discovered in the modern age.  They cross from one layer to another, some even opening onto other planes.  Our heroes, all seventeen of them,* follow the Hidden Minister along a long dark stair that leads to a narrow, hidden passage.  That in turn leads to a secret door to a chamber that leads down another long flight of stairs.  After an interminable climb, our heroes find themselves at the back side of yet another secret door.  “Now we enter his palace proper,” the devil warns in a low voice.  “His guards and agents, save for whatever personal guard he has, should be out of the way.”“Your ‘distraction’?” inquires Inoke.  Glaisig nods in reply.  “From here you are on your own.  Go straight until you have descended two flights of steps, then turn right down the blood marble hall.  At the end of that take the hall to the left; that will lead you to the doors to the throne room, where you will find ‘the big A’.  When you are done, I will come to aid you in escaping.”After Glaisig leaves, the party advances into the Palace of Hell.  Everywhere, gold and the finest gems are inlaid in everything.  The architecture is both magnificent and cruel- the art depicts the suffering of the damned, of course, and lechery and sin of many sorts.  Orbius and Lester have foresight going, which prevents them from triggering a number of deadly traps.  One is particularly fiendish, and by coincidence resembles Orbius’ tactical use of reverse gravity against the Erathians, but it also includes poisoned spikes and green slime, as well as a primatic wall.Finally, our massive group of epic heroes reaches the large set of double doors Glaisig had indicated as being the entrance.  I can't believe we're doing something this suicidal, Horbin thinks incredulously.Deep breath. And let’s go.Next Time: A really frickin’ epic fight.*Including cohorts, of course.</blockquote>

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