I have added the following introduction to the 1st post:
[sblock=Introduction]The pain is almost unbearable, yet there is nothing you can do. Since you fell from unseen heights to land on the hard, broken ground, you've been constantly hungry, cold and hurt.
Looking around, you see five others like you - giant, bloated maggots with vaguely human faces. They also appear to be in great pain. The pain is understandable, since an iron hook has been embedded in your flesh. This hook is attached to a chain, which is being held by a cloaked figure riding a horse with flaming hooves.
As you are dragged across the frigid gray ashes, despair settles deep in your soul. Images that you recognize as memories flash in your mind. Scenes of pain, loss and failure repeat over and over within your head. Unable to change your situation, you slowly succumb to utter hopelessness.
The journey seems to take an eternity, but finally you notice structures in the distance. You also notice other creatures of various sizes and shapes, all of them sinister, approaching the same place. The sickening buildings appear to be built out of strange and unholy materials and made up of unreal designs and angles.
Entering the dark and twisted city, you are assaulted by sights, sounds and smells that can only be described as evil. You may not remember who you were or what you had done, but you know that you do not belong here. Those creatures not scared enough to move out of your captor's path are trampled. Their remains left for you to be dragged through, yet even they don't appease your never-ending hunger.
As you are brought to the center of the city, you notice that various beings are beginning to settle a large clearing that is overlooked by a raised platform. It is this platform that you are led to. Your progress stops just short of the platform, as the cloaked figure dismounts its infernal steed and approaches you.
Red, glowing eyes are the first thing you see beneath the dark hood. As the figure gets closer, you notice the burnt, scarred and disfigured face of an old crone. The terrifying hag leers at you and your companions, a wicked smile slowly cracking her mangled visage.
"Our travels are almost complete, my beauties, but before we part ways I would like to enlighten you", the creature hisses. "I would hate for you to not know who was responsible for the predicament that you find yourselves in, so allow me to show you."
With that, she waves her hand in front of your head and the heads of those you are with. Suddenly, memories return to you in a flood. Times of great need, when you reached out for help to get you through dark times. Each of these memories is slightly different than what you believe they should be, for instead of the being that you thought helped you, this being was providing the help.
"You see, you have only yourselves to blame for the eternity of suffering that you are going to endure. Of course, your souls were just a consolation, as the souls of your loved ones, who will one day be joining you, are the true prize," she finishes, as she produces contracts for the souls of those you care about most.
Her final statement settles in and the truth of your mistakes hit you hard. Tricked or not, you realize that you have committed a grievous error by making hasty vows to unknown forces and now you are paying for it.
The hag then turns and begins climbing onto the platform, dragging you and the others along with unbelievable strength. The realization of what you have done makes your head spin as the auction for your souls is commenced. Blackness engulfs your vision and you find yourself lost in a sea of loathing and fear.
***
"Welcome to my humble abode, mortals," booms a powerful voice, forcing you from your nightmarish slumber. "I am Azon'Toth, Demon Prince of Gora Gorgauth."
You slowly realize that you are no longer in the bodies of large maggots, no longer hungry and no longer pained by iron hooks or horrid memories, although the scars on your psyche are still very fresh. You find that you are in your mortal bodies, which have been restored, and are standing in a large throne room. Seated in the throne is a large man who is wearing opulent white robes trimmed in gold. His bald head adorned with intricate tattoos, Azon'Toth glares down at you through golden eyes.
"I did not bring you here as a reprieve from your suffering, for you are doomed and that will not change. Instead, I brought you hear to make a deal. I've heard that you are good at making deals."
Snickering to himself, he produces the contracts of your loved ones from within his robes. He then rises from his throne and approaches you.
"I am in need of your services and I offer these contracts as payment. You will need to enter the Valley of the Mage, find the prison of Iggwilv and return her to me. She is not to be freed, however, as she is more than powerful enough to either escape or destroy you. Will you agree to this deal?"
Slowly, you and the other five reluctantly agree to the Demon Prince's terms. Azon'Toth then snaps his fingers and the doors to the throne room open. A large, black, metallic humanoid wearing gleaming bronze plate armor strides in.
"This is a kolyarut, a being of law who exists to punish those who break their deals. If you break your deal to me, not only will I take great pleasure in punishing those who you care the most for, but the kolyarut will also hunt you down. He is not the only one of his kind, so do not think that you would only have one opponent."
Azon'Toth returns to his throne and places the contracts back within his robes.
"Likewise, if you succeed in your task, I will be required to hand you the contracts or be hunted in turn."
Snapping his fingers again, the doors open and in walk a group of shaven-headed humans carrying three large chests. The slaves set the chests down, open them and exit the throne room.
"Inside the chests you will find all the equipment that you should need for your mission. Some of it may even be familiar. As soon as you are prepared, you may leave and be taken to the land below," Azon'Toth continues as he motions toward the windows. "We are above the entrance to the Valley, but we dare go no farther, lest we alert those within."
You and the others step to the window and look out over a forested valley nestled between two mountain ranges and extends as far as the eye can see. It would seem that you are in a structure that is floating far above the earth.
"Good luck, mortals...you'll need it."[/sblock]
Please let me know if you have any questions or concerns.
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