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<blockquote data-quote="Cafu" data-source="post: 6911898" data-attributes="member: 6692807"><p>Thankfully, John had just unlocked the doors and Victor tried to open them for their progress to be impeded by some sort of barrier. I looked through the crack but could not see anything. </p><p> </p><p>I spoke quietly to the others, as I was preparing another spell: </p><p> </p><p>“They’ve put another magicall wall behind the doors; crafty creatures. Luckily, I have another spell which should take us through.”</p><p> </p><p>A green ray shot out of my hands and through the gaps in the doors, allowing them swing open all the way. Bearing in mind that another group of guards was behind us, slammed these doors shut and locked them again. </p><p> </p><p>Just as we turned around we were met but the sight of a huge pit in the far end of a large chamber and three Inquisitors scurrying around in panic and a very un-Inquisitor like manner. Longhelim moved forward, followed by Felix. Victor stayed by the door in case the guards tried to smash this one, but strangely, there seemed to be no effort to do this. </p><p> </p><p>I was looking around curiously. All the walls and floor seemed to be covered in sigils and runes but there was something peculiar about them. I was trying to ascertain some sort of idea as to what they meant and what they were supposed to do but it was very difficult. </p><p> </p><p>I heard Drudge shoot off a volley and saw one of the Inquisitors collapse in the corner. I was a little startled at that but I didn’t want to be distracted. </p><p> </p><p>Longhelim called out: </p><p> </p><p>“This is a portal to an infernal plane!”</p><p> </p><p>He was looking at the hole at the far end of the room. I looked at it and could see a fiery glow but not much else. Then I saw Drudge shoot another of the Inquisitors and the last one ran out and jumped into the portal or pit. </p><p> </p><p>I was still looking around and began to voice my thoughts to the others……</p><p> </p><p>“This doesn’t make sense….three inquisitors aren’t enough for a ritual of this magnitude and importance……the sigils don’t make sense……the runes are the work of a first year student in Gabal’s Tower………where are the guards…..where is the focus ring…..Felix, do you have that spell that allows you to see things as they really are? I have a dreadful suspicion……..”</p><p> </p><p>As I finished my speech, Felix was already casting the spell and as soon as he finished things began to happen. First of all, the cleric began shouting:</p><p> </p><p>“All this is illusion! There’s a big devil in here and another six Inquisitors, proper ones. There’s also another circle…….”</p><p> </p><p>As he was shouting this, various spells began to rain on us. They were mainly those that destroyed spells on us. I could see that everyone was affected. Longhelim was flying up into the air and Drudge was shooting at something…….</p><p> </p><p>I began to concentrate; obviously there must have been some powerful illusion magic involved. Moments later, with great effort, I managed to lift the veil of enchantment that had been obscured the room. Seeing what I saw, I almost wished I hadn’t. Floating in mid-air, facing us, was a creature that I had thought only a myth. Most libraries have a forbidden section; that is a series of tomes that are deemed to have secrets that are not suitable for unprepared scholars. Among these, there are the faintest hints and allusions to a devil; a devil so powerful that it sits at the right hand of the Dukes of Hell themselves. It is a general of the armies of hell; a direct agent of a Lord of the Infernos. Over the centuries, scholars have known them by many names but one is the most evocative above all: Pit Fiend! From the description of the creature in front of me, it looked as if this was the creature that was aiding Leska with the ritual. </p><p> </p><p>It was looking at all of us, showing its teeth, flicking its tail and idly swinging its whip. Every so often, a little fire burst from some part of its body and its eyes were also glowing as if from an inner flame. It was vaguely humanoid with forelimbs and legs but it also had bat wings and its features could have acted like an iconic representation of an infernal enforcer used by one of the good religions; every priests nightmare; which it was. </p><p> </p><p>Almost as an afterthought, I saw six more priests, arranged around the very present summoning circle, surrounded by a shield of fire. The circle was also another feature which had been hidden by the concealing spell and now that I saw it, it was indeed a portal to the infernal realms. As I peered more closely at it, I saw that it somehow, there was an evil, sickly energy flowing out of it. Almost instantly, I grasped that it was necromantic magic of very high complexity; somehow, souls were being used to power the ritual which was hiding Leska. It was a variation of the magic used to power Coaltongue’s flying chariot, but to a far more powerful extent. I wasn’t sure how the power was being used to power the ritual, but then again, I wasn’t sure how the souls were being used to provide flight for a chariot either. </p><p> </p><p>The priests began to cast more spells at us, or more at Victor and Felix to be exact. As before, this was magic designed to dissolve our own supporting spells and very effective. Thankfully, Drudge was also able to let loose one of his barrages and one of the priests sprouted arrows like a porcupine, falling down immediately. This, of course, immediately ensured that the attention of the priests focused on the archer. </p><p> </p><p>The devil cast a spell on Felix which caused the priest to spasm and twitch uncontrollably. The paladin immediately set out to try to stop this; that told me that at least the paladin was aware of the true course of events; unfortunately, Victor, our other warrior was not, as he ran to the far side of the room, obviously looking for an enemy to attack. I tried to cast a spell at the devil but it just dissipated against the skin of the creature. It didn’t even notice me, concentrating on the paladin. Nothing loth, Longhelim flew towards it and the two engaged in combat; or it wasn’t really combat; the devil just ripped the paladin apart. I don’t think I have ever seen anyone handle Longhelim with such ease and contempt. There was a brief flurry which was so fast I couldn’t even follow it and suddenly Longhelim was on the ground, burning. It was difficult to tell if the devil was hurt but he certainly didn’t act like it. </p><p> </p><p>I tried to cast more of my spells at it, but again, it either dodged them or they just bounced off its skin. Victor was still running around looking for an enemy although at this point John was literally turning him and pointing his head in the direction of the pit fiend. </p><p> </p><p>The only person who had any sort of success was Drudge, who had systematically been working his way through the Inquisitors, shooting each one until there were none left. The ritual looked to have been disrupted and for the first time, the pit fiend was frustrated, as it let out a roar and began to fly towards the archer. Just before he died, one of the Inquisitors put a flame wall across a corner; as I had a resistance against that element, I slipped through, using the wall as a useful defensive tool. </p><p> </p><p>Victor eyes seemed to have finally penetrated the magic that was overlaying the room and he moved towards the devil but even so, things looked dire indeed as I had almost no spells left and I could see that Felix had almost none either. John probably had a few but his magic was different and unfortunately, he could do very little. </p><p> </p><p>Suddenly, the huge devil appeared next to me. I blanched but before I could do anything, he hit me and its tail swung around and wrapped itself around my body. I struggled desperately to free myself but in vain. Moments later, the barrier of flame stopped and the magic became exhausted. Suddenly I could see the others; John shouted at me: </p><p> </p><p>“The ritual has been disrupted! Magic works!”</p><p> </p><p>This was happening just as the devil moved me next to the pit. I tried to cast my last major spell, which would transport me away but the tail just squeezed me and disrupted the magic. Thankfully, Victor, bloodied and bruised, moved up to me and touched my leg; that was enough as he activated his magical cloak which moved us next to Felix. Then the cleric transported us away from the Palace. </p><p> </p><p>Unfortunately, Longhelim looked very badly burned; as did Felix and Victor, who must have suffered while they were magically moved. Without the protection of the Torch, the Burning Sky was still a powerful deterrent to magical travel. In fact, Victor and Felix were both burning fiercely while Longhelim’s soul had left his body. </p><p> </p><p>We were all burnt from our recent magic but thankfully, I was protected against fire. John and Drudge were also hurt but they were also functioning which allowed them the being healing Felix. Once the priest was up, he was also able to join in the healing and soon all of us were unhurt, except we all looked as if we had just walked through the Fire Forest of Innenotdar. </p><p> </p><p>Drudge began to count his arrows: </p><p> </p><p>“What now?”</p><p> </p><p>John was looking at Felix while the priest took out a large group of diamonds from one Longhelim’s pouches. The priest was preparing to cast a spell. The rogue spoke thoughtfully: </p><p> </p><p>“We disrupted the ritual for a brief period; that devil will round up another group of Inquisitors. If we don’t deal with it, Leska’s location will remain hidden and she’ll complete her ritual. We have to re-learn our spells the hard way and go back.”</p><p> </p><p>I grimaced: </p><p> </p><p>“John’s right. I hate learning spells this way but there’s nothing else for it. Even then, that devil is so powerful that I’m not sure if we’ll succeed. You know what he is, don’t you?”</p><p> </p><p>John nodded but the others looked interested so I gave them a brief description of what I knew about them. Drudge nodded thoughtfully and made a couple of suggestion of how magic could help him to overcome the creature’s defences. Then we all discussed our tactics for dealing with such a powerful supernatural being. </p><p> </p><p>After that, we began to learn spells – the hard way; in other words, we began to do the work that normally takes a night’s rest and condensed into an hour. </p><p> </p><p>As usual, this left Felix, John and I extremely tired; I had a headache and felt nauseous. Yet, I had managed to get the spells into my head and after consultation with John and Felix, began to cast various defensive and useful magic on everyone, ready to go back into the fray once more. </p><p> </p><p>Last moment checks were made, equipment was adjusted, questions were asked and contingencies were planned; then, I cast one last spell which made us all invisible and finally, I cast the transportation magic; this time, it was safe as Longhelim was in control of the Torch of the Burning Sky. </p><p> </p><p>As expected, we landed next to the strange magical teleportation beacon. Immediately, both Victor and Longhelim struck it with venom. I was recovering from the magic and also I glanced around us. There was uproar in the grounds. Obviously, our previous excursion into the palace had caused some consternation. Powerful archer devils, or erinyes as they were also known, stalked the grounds. Squads of Ragesian infantry were poised in readyness and the fire giants about whom we had been warned, had boulders in their hands. </p><p> </p><p>There was a shout from the devils. We were spotted immediately but by this point, Victor had already carved out a large chunk of stone from the beacon and Longhelim then caused it to almost break. Nevertheless, a storm of arrows flew in our direction and even the giants managed to toss their boulders in our general direction. We had remained invisible of course so we were not too concerned about the boulders but the archer devils were a different matter since they were able to see us. Thankfully, we did seem to have caught them unawares as their first volley was quite ragged. That gave Victor just enough time to give the beacon one last blow, breaking it in half. As soon as that was accomplished, Felix cast a spell which took us into the ritual room inside the palace.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Cafu, post: 6911898, member: 6692807"] Thankfully, John had just unlocked the doors and Victor tried to open them for their progress to be impeded by some sort of barrier. I looked through the crack but could not see anything. I spoke quietly to the others, as I was preparing another spell: “They’ve put another magicall wall behind the doors; crafty creatures. Luckily, I have another spell which should take us through.” A green ray shot out of my hands and through the gaps in the doors, allowing them swing open all the way. Bearing in mind that another group of guards was behind us, slammed these doors shut and locked them again. Just as we turned around we were met but the sight of a huge pit in the far end of a large chamber and three Inquisitors scurrying around in panic and a very un-Inquisitor like manner. Longhelim moved forward, followed by Felix. Victor stayed by the door in case the guards tried to smash this one, but strangely, there seemed to be no effort to do this. I was looking around curiously. All the walls and floor seemed to be covered in sigils and runes but there was something peculiar about them. I was trying to ascertain some sort of idea as to what they meant and what they were supposed to do but it was very difficult. I heard Drudge shoot off a volley and saw one of the Inquisitors collapse in the corner. I was a little startled at that but I didn’t want to be distracted. Longhelim called out: “This is a portal to an infernal plane!” He was looking at the hole at the far end of the room. I looked at it and could see a fiery glow but not much else. Then I saw Drudge shoot another of the Inquisitors and the last one ran out and jumped into the portal or pit. I was still looking around and began to voice my thoughts to the others…… “This doesn’t make sense….three inquisitors aren’t enough for a ritual of this magnitude and importance……the sigils don’t make sense……the runes are the work of a first year student in Gabal’s Tower………where are the guards…..where is the focus ring…..Felix, do you have that spell that allows you to see things as they really are? I have a dreadful suspicion……..” As I finished my speech, Felix was already casting the spell and as soon as he finished things began to happen. First of all, the cleric began shouting: “All this is illusion! There’s a big devil in here and another six Inquisitors, proper ones. There’s also another circle…….” As he was shouting this, various spells began to rain on us. They were mainly those that destroyed spells on us. I could see that everyone was affected. Longhelim was flying up into the air and Drudge was shooting at something……. I began to concentrate; obviously there must have been some powerful illusion magic involved. Moments later, with great effort, I managed to lift the veil of enchantment that had been obscured the room. Seeing what I saw, I almost wished I hadn’t. Floating in mid-air, facing us, was a creature that I had thought only a myth. Most libraries have a forbidden section; that is a series of tomes that are deemed to have secrets that are not suitable for unprepared scholars. Among these, there are the faintest hints and allusions to a devil; a devil so powerful that it sits at the right hand of the Dukes of Hell themselves. It is a general of the armies of hell; a direct agent of a Lord of the Infernos. Over the centuries, scholars have known them by many names but one is the most evocative above all: Pit Fiend! From the description of the creature in front of me, it looked as if this was the creature that was aiding Leska with the ritual. It was looking at all of us, showing its teeth, flicking its tail and idly swinging its whip. Every so often, a little fire burst from some part of its body and its eyes were also glowing as if from an inner flame. It was vaguely humanoid with forelimbs and legs but it also had bat wings and its features could have acted like an iconic representation of an infernal enforcer used by one of the good religions; every priests nightmare; which it was. Almost as an afterthought, I saw six more priests, arranged around the very present summoning circle, surrounded by a shield of fire. The circle was also another feature which had been hidden by the concealing spell and now that I saw it, it was indeed a portal to the infernal realms. As I peered more closely at it, I saw that it somehow, there was an evil, sickly energy flowing out of it. Almost instantly, I grasped that it was necromantic magic of very high complexity; somehow, souls were being used to power the ritual which was hiding Leska. It was a variation of the magic used to power Coaltongue’s flying chariot, but to a far more powerful extent. I wasn’t sure how the power was being used to power the ritual, but then again, I wasn’t sure how the souls were being used to provide flight for a chariot either. The priests began to cast more spells at us, or more at Victor and Felix to be exact. As before, this was magic designed to dissolve our own supporting spells and very effective. Thankfully, Drudge was also able to let loose one of his barrages and one of the priests sprouted arrows like a porcupine, falling down immediately. This, of course, immediately ensured that the attention of the priests focused on the archer. The devil cast a spell on Felix which caused the priest to spasm and twitch uncontrollably. The paladin immediately set out to try to stop this; that told me that at least the paladin was aware of the true course of events; unfortunately, Victor, our other warrior was not, as he ran to the far side of the room, obviously looking for an enemy to attack. I tried to cast a spell at the devil but it just dissipated against the skin of the creature. It didn’t even notice me, concentrating on the paladin. Nothing loth, Longhelim flew towards it and the two engaged in combat; or it wasn’t really combat; the devil just ripped the paladin apart. I don’t think I have ever seen anyone handle Longhelim with such ease and contempt. There was a brief flurry which was so fast I couldn’t even follow it and suddenly Longhelim was on the ground, burning. It was difficult to tell if the devil was hurt but he certainly didn’t act like it. I tried to cast more of my spells at it, but again, it either dodged them or they just bounced off its skin. Victor was still running around looking for an enemy although at this point John was literally turning him and pointing his head in the direction of the pit fiend. The only person who had any sort of success was Drudge, who had systematically been working his way through the Inquisitors, shooting each one until there were none left. The ritual looked to have been disrupted and for the first time, the pit fiend was frustrated, as it let out a roar and began to fly towards the archer. Just before he died, one of the Inquisitors put a flame wall across a corner; as I had a resistance against that element, I slipped through, using the wall as a useful defensive tool. Victor eyes seemed to have finally penetrated the magic that was overlaying the room and he moved towards the devil but even so, things looked dire indeed as I had almost no spells left and I could see that Felix had almost none either. John probably had a few but his magic was different and unfortunately, he could do very little. Suddenly, the huge devil appeared next to me. I blanched but before I could do anything, he hit me and its tail swung around and wrapped itself around my body. I struggled desperately to free myself but in vain. Moments later, the barrier of flame stopped and the magic became exhausted. Suddenly I could see the others; John shouted at me: “The ritual has been disrupted! Magic works!” This was happening just as the devil moved me next to the pit. I tried to cast my last major spell, which would transport me away but the tail just squeezed me and disrupted the magic. Thankfully, Victor, bloodied and bruised, moved up to me and touched my leg; that was enough as he activated his magical cloak which moved us next to Felix. Then the cleric transported us away from the Palace. Unfortunately, Longhelim looked very badly burned; as did Felix and Victor, who must have suffered while they were magically moved. Without the protection of the Torch, the Burning Sky was still a powerful deterrent to magical travel. In fact, Victor and Felix were both burning fiercely while Longhelim’s soul had left his body. We were all burnt from our recent magic but thankfully, I was protected against fire. John and Drudge were also hurt but they were also functioning which allowed them the being healing Felix. Once the priest was up, he was also able to join in the healing and soon all of us were unhurt, except we all looked as if we had just walked through the Fire Forest of Innenotdar. Drudge began to count his arrows: “What now?” John was looking at Felix while the priest took out a large group of diamonds from one Longhelim’s pouches. The priest was preparing to cast a spell. The rogue spoke thoughtfully: “We disrupted the ritual for a brief period; that devil will round up another group of Inquisitors. If we don’t deal with it, Leska’s location will remain hidden and she’ll complete her ritual. We have to re-learn our spells the hard way and go back.” I grimaced: “John’s right. I hate learning spells this way but there’s nothing else for it. Even then, that devil is so powerful that I’m not sure if we’ll succeed. You know what he is, don’t you?” John nodded but the others looked interested so I gave them a brief description of what I knew about them. Drudge nodded thoughtfully and made a couple of suggestion of how magic could help him to overcome the creature’s defences. Then we all discussed our tactics for dealing with such a powerful supernatural being. After that, we began to learn spells – the hard way; in other words, we began to do the work that normally takes a night’s rest and condensed into an hour. As usual, this left Felix, John and I extremely tired; I had a headache and felt nauseous. Yet, I had managed to get the spells into my head and after consultation with John and Felix, began to cast various defensive and useful magic on everyone, ready to go back into the fray once more. Last moment checks were made, equipment was adjusted, questions were asked and contingencies were planned; then, I cast one last spell which made us all invisible and finally, I cast the transportation magic; this time, it was safe as Longhelim was in control of the Torch of the Burning Sky. As expected, we landed next to the strange magical teleportation beacon. Immediately, both Victor and Longhelim struck it with venom. I was recovering from the magic and also I glanced around us. There was uproar in the grounds. Obviously, our previous excursion into the palace had caused some consternation. Powerful archer devils, or erinyes as they were also known, stalked the grounds. Squads of Ragesian infantry were poised in readyness and the fire giants about whom we had been warned, had boulders in their hands. There was a shout from the devils. We were spotted immediately but by this point, Victor had already carved out a large chunk of stone from the beacon and Longhelim then caused it to almost break. Nevertheless, a storm of arrows flew in our direction and even the giants managed to toss their boulders in our general direction. We had remained invisible of course so we were not too concerned about the boulders but the archer devils were a different matter since they were able to see us. Thankfully, we did seem to have caught them unawares as their first volley was quite ragged. That gave Victor just enough time to give the beacon one last blow, breaking it in half. As soon as that was accomplished, Felix cast a spell which took us into the ritual room inside the palace. [/QUOTE]
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