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Message: <blockquote data-quote="gfunk" data-source="post: 876351" data-attributes="member: 1813">Session 36Nurn’s treacheryAmal looked at the huge form of Kurgoth Hellspawn with skepticism, “How had this idiot seized power in Tilverton?  And how in the Dreadlord’s name did he wrench authority form Irae T’ssaren?”  Of course the Dreadmaster, a master of diplomacy (or manipulation if you’d rather), knew it would serve his cause to hear the giant out.Kurgoth droned on, “And, as I’ve told you already, I alone am ruler of this city.  It was my army that stormed the gates of Irae’s stronghold and my forces which now occupy her tower . . .”His patience wearing thin, Amal’s thoughts strayed as he fantasized killing Kurgoth and seeing the fire giant’s remains consumed in unholy fire.  Though subservient to the likes of Fzoul Chembryl, Amal was a powerful servant of Bane in his own right and had long since mastered the powers of Necromancy.“Lord Kurgoth, once again, I do not dispute your rulership of this city.  However, I must speak with Irae T’ssaren.”His speech interrupted, the easily irritable Kurgoth uncharacteristically laughed, “Irae T’ssaren?  IRAE T’SSAREN!  Let me tell you human, her head now is one of my many trophies.”  Carefully using his massive thumb and index finger, Kurgoth raised a small orb that he wore around his neck.  Looking closely, Amal could see it was the head of an albino drow.Inwardly, Amal became fearful – he had no intention returning to Fzoul empty handed.  Trying hard not to be sarcastic, he responded, “I hail your accomplishment, Lord Kurgoth.  However, I wonder if anyone has taken her place?”“NO!  All the drow have been slaughtered like the insects that they are!”“Surely there must be some remnant of her cult remaining?”Thinking for a moment, Kurgoth saw no reason to give away such information freely, “Though they answer to me, there is a cult that still inhabits this city.”Pleased that he had finally made some progress with this idiot, Amal requested more information.“Such information is valuable human.  What can you give me in return?”Sighing, the Dreadmaster thought of giving Kurgoth one of his less useful magical trinkets but thought better of it.  He would rather give the giant something of considerable value and be on his way – already he was feeling his IQ dropping precipitously as he continued this exchange.  Removing his belt, Amal handed it to Kurgoth, “My Lord, this belt is enchanted to give its wearer augmented strength.  Though it is valuable to me, I present it to you as a token of my obedience.”“Stupid human!!  That belt is too small for me!”“Look you mor . . . I mean the belt is magical Lord Kurgoth.  It will grow to your size.”Gingerly wrapping the enlarged belt around his body, Kurgoth swung his flaming greatsword around to evaluate his newfound strength, “Hmmm . . . I don’t really see a difference.  Hey, Orog, come here!”Obediently, a large ogre approached the Fire Giant.  Winding up with considerable force, Kurgoth sent his greatsword flying into his minion with full force.  Not anticipating a hit from his leader, the ogre went flying across the coliseum, landing in a bloody pile of gore.“Excellent!  You have pleased me human.  I did not slay Irae’s forces alone for I had the assistance of a powerful fiend.  He serves the Lord of the Eighth and requested only the spire for his cult.”Kurgoth pointed towards the massive stalactite at the roof of the city.----------------------------------------------Flenser approached her mistress with some trepidation.  After the assault on the Undying Temple by Joachim, Noir and Hor’ahun she was apprehensive of ‘visitors.’“Mistress, there is a priest of Bane at the steps of the Undying Temple.  He claims to be a personal envoy of Fzoul Chembryl and wishes to parlay with you.”Nodding, Entropy gestured towards Noir.  Though the ex-paladin still had the beauty and charisma of her living form, a large gash came down the center of her face.  Such injuries were not healed when one became a revenant.  “Noir dear, escort our esteemed guest in.”----------------------------------------------Dreadmaster Amal did not believe for a minute the story that Kurgoth Hellspawn had fed to him.  Either the giant was trying to deceive him or the “Pit Fiend” had simply played Kurgoth for a fool.  Amal strongly suspected the latter.As he approached the Undying Temple, Amal was shocked at the number of undead beings that he saw.  Though the clergy of Bane frequently animated the corpses of their enemies, he was taken aback by the sheer numbers of powerful undead he observed including vampires, liches, and ghosts.  Perhaps his proposed alliance would be fruitful after all.He had introduced himself to the undead guards and requested to parlay with the mistress of the Temple.  After some brief questioning by what was apparently some type of drow/demon hybrid, Amal was told to wait.  A few minutes later a female warrior strode to meet him.  Carrying a greatsword strapped to her back, Amal immediately noticed her cold beauty and as she neared, the powerful aura she radiated.“My mistress sends her greetings, sir, if you’ll follow me . . .”After moving through the various levels of the Undying Temple, Amal reached the throne room.  On the throne he saw a human woman, with beauty surpassing even his escort’s.  Standing beside her was a human male with close-cropped blonde her as well as a pair of drow females.  One of them bore a large claw-like weapon attached to her right forearm while the other was missing one of her eyes, a glowing red orb in its place.“Dreadmaster Amal, to what do I owe the honor of your visit?”Bowing low, Amal could sense the depth of intelligence and power in his host.  She was not one to be trifled with.  “May I please know the name of my gracious host?”“I am Entropy, the Chosen of Kiaransalee.  To my right is Nurn, a temporary associate of our cause.  To my left are the high priestesses of the Temple, Eclavdra and Dorina.  Dorina is the daughter of the late Irae T’ssaren.”Understanding, Amal nodded, “I take it then, you summoned the Pit Fiend who spoke to Kurgoth Hellspawn?”“No, I am the Pit Fiend.  I take that form when it suits my purposes.”“Lady Entropy, as you know I have been sent here by Fzoul Chembryl himself.  He recognizes your power and proposes an alliance.”Entropy smiled, “There are many organizations who wish to ally with our cause Dreadmaster.  An ambassador from the City of Shade has also contacted me.”Amal could see that this was going to be a hard sell, “Lady Entropy, I understand that you are raising a massive revenant force to destroy the Dale armies approaching from the north.  When you succeed in this endeavor, your forces will undoubtedly continue north, perhaps even as far as the Moonsea.  This will not, of course, sit well with the Lord of Hillsfar.  He will send his forces south to contain you.  In the process, this move will weaken the position of the Red Plumes in Yulash.  I propose a temporary military alliance to crush Hillsfar once and for all!”Unlike the Dreadmaster who was an exceptionally adept politician, schemer and diplomat, Entropy had only recently come into a position of power.  Though she could have demanded more, she jumped at the chance to ally herself with Zhentil Keep, “You propose a very interesting alliance Dreadmaster Amal.  However, while my forces are extended to the north, Sembia may take the opportunity to strike."“But surely that dolt Kurgoth could take care of them for you?”“Perhaps, but what if Algarond, a staunch ally of Hillsfar, decides to reinforce the city while the Red Plumes are away?  Can the Zhentarim handle the likes of the Simbul?”“A good point indeed Mistress, I can see that you have a keen strategic sense.  However, were the Simbul to commit such a brazen act of aggression, she would be stabbed in the back by Thay.  Though the Zulkirs are always jockeying for power, even they could not resist such a temptation.”As the political ramifications of the alliance were explored further, the conversation was abruptly cut short by a loud snort.  All eyes turned on Nurn, “Entropy, don’t you think it's a little premature to be discussing politics?  If Aameul gets his hands on you then this whole conversation is meaningless.”Seeing the confused expression on the Dreadmaster’s face, Entropy elaborated, “It seems that I am a direct descendant of the druid Dydd who slew the Great Wyrm Nalavara single-handedly.  Her victory was incomplete, Nalavara lives still.  We have learned that only one with my heritage can ‘tame the wyrm.’  Unfortunately, a powerful demon lord called Aameul wants Nalavara’s hide and can only do it with my cooperation.  Aameul sent a powerful assassin to collect me called the Cathezar.  However with some luck and skill Nurn and I managed to kill her.  Which reminds me . . . are you a polyglot Amal?”“A polyglot?  No, I wouldn’t say that, but I am well-versed in several languages.”“See if you can make sense of this then.  It is the Cathezar’s journal.  I read Abyssal but I can’t really make out what it says.  Perhaps you can help.”Leafing through the text, Amal browsed its contents, “Interesting, it is written in a mixture of Infernal and Abyssal.  Here is the most recent entry . . . Aameul learned of the mysterious Bastion of Unborn Souls, a name older than time immemorial, even though no one knows what it is or where it might be found.  Aameul has learned the truth: The Bastion of Unborn Souls is a source of virgin souls, souls yet unsullied by physical incarnation, possibly one of the many disparate “soul fonts” in the multiverse.  Aameul learned that if he could obtain a “soul-charged” demonic heart that is then grafted into the great wyrm’s chest, he could slay Hethradiah with impunity, graft the stolen demon heart (and soul) into his life essence, and so direct the soul’s growth and maturation as a mind in accordance with is own desires.  Demogorgon seeks to remake himself at the expense of himself.  ”Entropy looked with alarm upon Nurn, who was shaking his head.  “Yes, indeed I serve one of the aspects of Demogorgon.  Perhaps it is best if I tell you everything…”</blockquote>

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