HalfOrc HalfBiscuit
Adventurer
I'm delighted to see another update to this story.
Very cool description of the summoning.
Very cool description of the summoning.
The Happenings of Lucifus Cray: Update{23}07/06/06 - The Threading of the Weave
- Thread starter Herremann the Wise
- Start date
Mortepierre
First Post
Now, that is what I call a.. failed summoning 
Lots of info to process there. About the magical 'theories' of your world, I mean. It certainly paints it into new shades worth delving into.
I like the fact that you seem to have the same opinion as Lovecraft or Howard about the summoning of fiendish entities. In too many settings, that particular act has been reduced to a 'mere' casting, no different from invoking a fireball or changing flesh to stone. IMHO, it belies the terrible danger inherent to such attempts and downplays the consequences, not only for the spellcaster but also the rest of the world, should the conjurer botch up the summoning. Not so in yours apparently.
Can't wait for the next part!![:]](http://www.enworld.org/forum/images/smilies/devious.png "Devious :]")
Lots of info to process there. About the magical 'theories' of your world, I mean. It certainly paints it into new shades worth delving into.
I like the fact that you seem to have the same opinion as Lovecraft or Howard about the summoning of fiendish entities. In too many settings, that particular act has been reduced to a 'mere' casting, no different from invoking a fireball or changing flesh to stone. IMHO, it belies the terrible danger inherent to such attempts and downplays the consequences, not only for the spellcaster but also the rest of the world, should the conjurer botch up the summoning. Not so in yours apparently.
Can't wait for the next part!
Inconsequenti-AL
Breaks Games
I said I'd give it a read... and I did.
That's a really good story! Enjoyed it immensely. A different and interesting take on an Alienist.
I can see what you were saying earlier, Lucifus and Tunthi must be a rather diffiuclt challenge for the rest of the group!
Couple of curiosity questions:
How much here was played through and how much is background to Lucifus?
Have you introduced the others to your Harem?
How do you keep Tunthi away from them?
Anyway, thank you for writing it!
Looking forward to seeing where it heads next.
That's a really good story! Enjoyed it immensely. A different and interesting take on an Alienist.
I can see what you were saying earlier, Lucifus and Tunthi must be a rather diffiuclt challenge for the rest of the group!
Couple of curiosity questions:
How much here was played through and how much is background to Lucifus?
Have you introduced the others to your Harem?
How do you keep Tunthi away from them?
Anyway, thank you for writing it!
Looking forward to seeing where it heads next.
Herremann the Wise
First Post
The Negotiation Begins
Hello again everyone,
I apologise in advance for the length of this update - just a tipple over 4,000 words. However, there was so much to describe. I thought of splitting it in two but in the end did a three quarter split with the next update - which will be shorter but exponentially more extreme and dramatic for it. I have included commentary after the main entry.
In the Clan Circle of the Strauchn where at present the Greater Devil Sarrash has just been called to the prime via Arcadys’ Grand Gating…
Ugari watched, frozen in terror as the hideous claw of Sarrash coursed a destructive arc downwards, through Lucifus’s floating body in front of her and back around in a ferocious butchering sweep. She could barely see as the lashing rain attacked everything, the hurricane-like conditions intensifying. Her gaze was drawn upwards as she could only just observe what was left of her pavilion hundreds of feet now in the night sky; its blazing silhouette just visible as the ferocious winds blew it out to sea like some ragged scrap of burning cloth. Her attention was drawn once more to the scene in front of her as the beast seemed to lurch forward. There was something unusual and unexpected in what she saw but her senses were raw, her perception flawed. As the gigantic creature’s deafening bellow thundered once more along the landscape like a wave of destruction, it made a second arcing strike aimed directly at her. She had already closed her eyes as blackness engulfed her senses.
It was an undetermined period of time later with the punishing rain and cyclonic wind all around her that Ugari noticed that she was still alive, the quiet after-echo following a booming voice providing her with a suddenly awakened consciousness. She was whole; how could she not have been torn apart by the creature’s deadly attack? Her long hair was strung across her face in sodden strips as her thin arms lifted her weight from the wet and muddied ground. Her considerable faculties took several moments to take in the visage of the beast and scene before her. Amazingly, Lucifus too seemed unaffected by the creature’s onslaught as he floated determinedly, screaming up at it over the tumultuous din of the storm. This was what she had seen before but had not registered. The creature’s claws had passed directly through him as if they carried no substance. She tried to carefully edge away from the scene but was confronted by the creature reacting unexpectedly to her movements; it’s massive features arching over the wizard and looking directly at her. The immense eyeless gaze hovered menacingly in front of her and ate directly into her senses; everything turned to black once more.
At this time…
The squall still bit into every fibre of Lucifus’s body although the overall savageness had been muted somewhat in the last few moments as if the storm was catching its breath. Miraculously, Lucifus found that his body had not been touched, the creature’s massive claws passing through him ineffectively. Looking around, the clan’s population had been scattered with only a few of the more powerful warriors looking on from a cautious distance. The clan’s leader Tunthi however was beyond Lucifus’s immediate perceptions. Almost beneath his own position laid the still form of Ugari. Lucifus then stared up at Sarrash as he floated directly in front of the devil. As if by mechanical routine and habit, he began stipulating certain infernal guidelines and instructions, “I have called you to the prime so as you can perform for me a service. Upon its completion will I allow you passage back from whence you came. You must accept this charge.”
Sarrash’s infernal response to Lucifus’s initial demands boomed over the clamour of wind and rain. “DIE WRETCHED AND FOOLISH MORTAL… NO SERVICE WILL I COMMIT FOR THEE… LET LOOSE THESE BONDS SO I MAY SMITE THEE TO HELL.”
Sarrash followed this up with a further sonic assault upon the vicinity of the peninsula: the crackling storm providing savage accompaniment to Sarrash’s deafening roar of absolute fury.
Lucifus having been well and truly aroused from his previous torpidity attended several varying thoughts; recent events had not exactly proceeded to his initial concepts and planning. Fortunately for him, one of the magics within the Arcadys scroll held the diabolical creature quite securely while a further amazing sequence of arcanatures had rendered its offensive actions completely ineffective upon the prime. Lucifus had felt Sarrash literally explode past his wards and by rights this should have been the precise moment of his own grizzly demise. The mystical magicks of the Grand Gating however superseded even Lucifus’s wildest expectations. Sarrash - as far as he could judge – seemed to be held prisoner beyond its capacity to escape. Perhaps for the first moment he truly realised what he had accomplished. Lucifus had somehow managed to entrap a Greater Devil upon the prime.
It was at this point that a surge of arcane hubris and adrenalin coursed through Lucifus’s veins as he marvelled at the product of the Arcadys scroll. He floated up to the altitude of the creature’s gaze and yelled with great force and precise infernal at the monstrous devil, “I have you bound Sarrash… bound by a binding so tight… even you in a thousand and one turnings could never escape its icy grip!”
This produced further insane wailing from the beast as it attempted to swing out once more, pushing all of its efforts into breaking and extracting itself from the trap so it could literally atomise the mortal tormenting it. Looking down, Lucifus saw that while the candles and other arcane appurtenances had been scattered during the process of Sarrash’s arrival, the pentagrams outline glowed strongly underneath its feet. Sarrash was wholly trapped. {1}
“YOU WILL PAY DEARLY FOR YOUR ACTIONS MORTAL! I WILL HUNT DOWN YOUR SOUL AND IT WILL BE MINE FOR ETERNITY.”
While unsure of how long the bindings would last – well beyond his own lifetime he hoped – Lucifus was comforted by the familiar ground the current discourse of negotiation was upon, albeit with a creature perhaps beyond his ability to bargain with. Unsure of an immediate course of tactics for negotiation, he sought to use standard practice as a means of securing Sarrash’s service. Perhaps not so surprisingly, he failed.
Over the top of the wind and beating rain Lucifus continued, pressing his point as an intriguing idea coalesced into the beginnings of a plan. “You are weak upon the prime Sarrash. In fact I ponder sending you back and trying once more for a devil capable of greater scope. Or perhaps I will leave you here to ponder your influence upon the prime. How does it feel to be completely impotent, naked as a mewling lemure?”
Sarrash’s response was a deafening howl of rage and the firing of a score of infernal flames in Lucifus’s direction. As before, the blasts of flame were of insignificance, whatever power they carried being completely emasculated upon the prime material plane by Arcadys’ supreme magicks.
“A pretty display Sarrash but neither here nor there really. I think I might leave you to ponder your fate before I give further stipulations upon my convenience”. {2}.
While providing a mixture of elation and disappointment, Lucifus felt the episode was not a total loss. He descended ignoring the attempted slashes, foul gaze and mien of Sarrash. His nonchalant demeanour to its presence had the obvious effect of upsetting the diabolical creature further. Lucifus then noticed that Ugari was stirring.
Ugari looked up at Lucifus, the form of the greater devil outlining the wizard’s silhouette. He spoke to her, his voice just audible over the tempest. “I suggest we repair to my private facilities. I shall have a collation prepared and warmth made available so as we may best discuss current events”.
Ugari, still in a state of absolute terror could do little more than nod her head. Lucifus picked up her slight form and floated away, the storm having drenched and soaked her to the point of drowning.
Inside Lucifus’s private facility, somewhat apart from the usual tribal hubbub…
A number of differing thoughts competed for Lucifus’s attention as he floated at a casual altitude of a several feet. The fire furnished by a small elemental was providing suitable heat whilst several small platters of nibbles and tidbits were presented by a series of unseen servants at Lucifus’s command. The secure stonework provided by Lucifus’s conjuration (a slight variation upon The Grandee’s Cottage {3}), was a suitable if somewhat limited area designed for comfort and pleasure if not providing for the more expansive utility of high entertaining. Ugari had extracted herself from her soaked attire and was presently wrapped in a cloak of good cloth warming in front of the fire’s heat and glow. Her manner was one of dissatisfaction.
“Well!?” Ugari questioned.
“There are obviously several things to consider when adjudging the merits of our program.”
“Your program you mean,” interrupted Ugari. “I cannot remember advising neither the destruction of the clan nor the appearance of some beast beyond your talent to control!”
The harsh words hurt Lucifus but only for a moment. With quick and professional thought, he applied the correct “spin” to his current position. “But Ugari, do you not understand that this is all part of the negotiating process? It will soon tire itself…”
“Part of the process was inciting a creature that big!?” she screamed, pointing in the general direction of the entrapped creature.
“Well in all honesty”, answered Lucifus, “I had not pondered the possibility of a creature of such magnitude in my estimations but… all the better do you not think in it accomplishing the task at hand?”
Ugari not fully understanding the intricacies of the nature of binding beyond that expediently explained by Lucifus responded, “The creature will rip you apart as soon as it has the chance. Any agreement it speaks would be…”
“Ah but Ugari in this you are wrong. If it agrees, it is bound hand and foot to the technical letter of my stipulations. It cannot so much as fart without my prior consent…”
“And exactly how do you plan to reach such a binding agreement with it? I did not sense this creature eager to listen to your banter.”
“Ah hah” jumped Lucifus. “And here you have the precise reason for my actions and the method by which we shall force this creature to our collective will. If you have in fact noticed, by angering it to the point of complete obfuscation, it has become more focused upon the useless exercise of trying to obliterate my existence than engaging itself with its own extrication from the spells binding.”
Ugari processed this rather novel approach for a moment then asked, “And you expect this creature to be more kindly disposed because of this?”
“Well on this you your point might be cogent. The overall negotiation may actually take some degree of time.” Lucifus ruminated upon this concept before continuing. “In fact by my calculations, the dilation of time is currently waxing as we speak at the coterminous between our own plane and that of the seventh gate.”
“So?!”
“In other words” enthused Lucifus warming to a particular thought, “time does not remain dormant in this creature’s demiplane… in fact, quite the reverse.”
“Time will be reversed?”
“No, no, no. For every parcel of time experienced upon the prime, many parcels of time will have been exhausted upon the seventh demiplane of Hell.”
A smile developed upon Lucifus’s face as he continued with his didactic efforts. “You must understand that infernal politics is not a dormant entity. The to and fro of numerous factions will go on much to our friends detriment. In fact, I imagine that its diabolical influence will be significantly hampered through an extended absence. Further, if word gets out that it has actually been entrapped upon the prime, I dare say the creature will return to its domain to find it overrun by some enemy or another gorging upon the remains of its entourage and minions. Can’t you see… that by being entrapped here, its influence upon its home plane rapidly diminishes in our favour?” {3}
Ugari, not fully comprehending the exact merits of Lucifus’s design did not look wholly convinced. “As long as you feel it cannot break the bindings of your trap, I will allow you to test your concepts. For myself, I had better see to the clan’s welfare. I will attempt to make them understand that this creature is here to destroy our enemies and not us”. Ugari’s demeanour however was not one of confidence. With nary an additional word, she stood up, wrapped the cloak around her body and left Lucifus to ponder his thoughts.
Several hours later with the sun’s rising two hours distant…
Lucifus had a small period of time to ponder a variety of contingencies but none appealed with any high degree of satisfaction. While he considered the Devil sufficiently trapped, he could not say with certainty that any pressure applied to the case would garner a result of immediate consequence. Negotiation would be a slow process. Deep in thought, he delicately stroked Winter; she had disappeared within his cloak while all the fuss of Sarrash’s entrance to the prime had been happening. At present she was preening distractedly, the whole series of events distressing her.
Lucifus felt weary as it had been at least a day or two since he had benefited from a short slumber. Just as his eyes started drifting upwards from languor to gentle sleep, a disturbance could be heard from outside. A massive roar of rage followed. Within a flashing of light, Lucifus was hovering at best speed out of the stone enclosure towards where Sarrash was supposed to be ensnared.
Immediately before…
Upon the sward directly adjacent to Sarrash’s present position, a rather sizeable group of locals had assembled in the now easing rain, watching a certain spectacle involving several younger clansmen. While initially confused by the sudden appearance of the colossal Sarrash, word had gradually spread around that the creature had been enslaved in service to the clan. As such, many of the Strauchn warriors had wandered back to the vicinity out of curiosity. At present a number were provoking each other to new and innovative acts of bravery. At first it started with a clansman bravely venturing to within fifty feet of Sarrash before escalating to further acts of defiance and aggravation. Encouraged by a lack of interest on Sarrash’s part, others joined in raising the stakes to yelling out ancient war cries within the Devil’s immediate proximity.
Currently a young clansman by the name of Gorastus was swaggering back to the group having ventured within twenty feet of the creature and shouting a blood-curdling scream up to it. Sarrash’s mood was indeterminate. Not wanting to be outdone and with several of the clan’s more significant members present (including their leader Tunthi), another up and coming warrior charged to within ten feet waving his axe with abandon bellowing in fury and challenge. This elicited a murmur from the crowd as Sarrash shifted, the rotten knobs once anchoring angelic wings realigning behind it as its massive head glanced downwards. To his credit, the young warrior held his ground and blustered back a further challenge – highlighting the creature’s obvious lack of a priapic device. The crowd cheered at his bravery. Merrily buoyant with his clans support, the young warrior Furgal advanced into the boundaries of the glowing pentagram at Sarrash’s feet. Quicker than anyone could see, the eviscerated corpse of the warrior flew in several distinct directions. A roar from Sarrash had the crowd scattering to safety.
At this point, Lucifus had reached the scene, floating up to the current position of Tunthi and several others behind a sizeable boulder.
“Tunthi. What have you been doing with my creature?” he spoke urgently in the guttural Dermen.
Tunthi, obviously disturbed by immediate events looked up waving in the general direction of Sarrash. “Bad creature eat Furgal. Ugari say bad creature help us?” Tunthi’s state of confusion was almost humorous.
Lucifus floated above the boulder and indeed saw the scattered bloodied remnants that must have been one of the clansmen. This caused several internal expostulations within Lucifus’s brain wondering how exactly the creature could have had physical effect upon the prime. Unless…
Tunthi interrupted his distracted thoughts once more, “Tuk-tuk tell bad creature… eat Pianatha… not Tunthi”.
Lucifus floated back down to address Tunthi’s concerns.
“I suggest you keep the clan away from the… bad creature. Don’t play games with it because it’s much much bigger than you and doesn’t play fair.”
Tunthi looked confused as he normally did when the Tuk-tuk spoke the Derman tongue – big words from little man mean big confusion.
Lucifus hoped that Tunthi had understood the rudiments of the warning well enough that he wouldn’t have to be worried about the tribe providing a steady source of sustenance for the Devil. If things were going to go as he hoped, Sarrash would need to be starved of its various needs. Lucifus thought he’d try a new direction in negotiation with the trapped creature. “Tunthi… wait here for a moment. I shall venture over and gauge its mood”.
Tunthi looked perplexed once more as Lucifus drifted towards the monstrous creature, the eyes of the clan upon him.
As Lucifus coasted in Sarrash’s direction, he saw Ugari, who had also been drawn to the area by the disturbance. While the majority of her belongings had been lost amongst the ashen sea bound remnants of her pavilion, she had still managed to find an outfit that projected her position with favour and authority. The leather strapping binding a shortened hide kirtle completed the warrior-woman array whilst her bare chest replete with tribal markings of significance revealed recent contact with the various spirits at her command. She looked at him with stern features, her pointed breasts and upturned chin aloof to the conjurer’s appearance. Lucifus waved to her barely receiving a terse nod in return. There would need to be some level of appeasement before too long thought Lucifus as he drifted closer to Sarrash.
The weather was now no more than a misty rain buffeted to and fro by gusts of wind, impulsive to some unreadable atmospheric command. A red radiance glowed weakly from Sarrash. The absurdly large devil was as a statue bound to the pentagram by its hoofed and clawed feet, the remains of the warrior’s corpse scattered beyond its reach and interest. Lucifus looked more carefully now at Sarrash’s image - at precisely what level of the infernal power structure did he fill? Beelzebub {5} was considered the Lord of the Seventh Pit and had several greater devils under his immediate command. His knowledge could not discern whether this creature was part of the cast or separate: a rogue power behind the seventh gate. He would gamble the latter until proven otherwise. As Lucifus studied carefully the Greater Devil, he concluded its most terrifying aspect was most assuredly its horrid putrescent skull; the remains of a celestial corrupted and blackened to a node of complete evil. Its gaze seemed to take in everything and nothing, perceiving perfectly its surroundings but having no concern of them. Even Lucifus’s renewed presence did not stir its features; he thought he’d see if he could change that.
“I gather the local cuisine is not to your taste?” Lucifus said whilst looking around; a denuded series of vertebrae catching his eye on the wet and bloodied ground. “Still, no need for such poor decorum and table manners, I’m sure a small expulsion of gas would have sufficed?”
The creature remained aloof, not deigning to gift Lucifus with any form of response, its gaze focused on some undefined point in the stratosphere.
“Out of interest, are you currently unwell? I notice several grievous wounds around your right shoulder blade where you must have once had such majestic plumage. In all truth with your injuries and all, I hope I haven’t caught you at an inappropriate time.”
Receiving no reaction, Lucifus continued, “ Actually time is a bit of an issue is it not? While we languorously while away segments here upon the prime, time accelerates at a most hurried pace back home. Imagine all your friends down there wondering where you are? Imagine some of your minions too. While the master’s away the servants will play and all that. I hope they’re strong enough to rebuff the attention they will most likely receive from some of your friends and associates stopping by for chitchat. Imagine if your Master Beelzebub found that you were holidaying upon the prime, you’d be quickly left out of the infernal loop…"
“SILENCE MORTAL FLEA!!!” Sarrash roared, its arms thrusting back as it bent down, its corrupted face within inches of Lucifus’s. “YOU HIDE BEHIND MAGICS BEYOND YOUR POWER LIKE A CRAVEN MAGGOT! LETS SEE HOW MUCH YOU TALK WHEN THESE BONDS FAIL!”
Lucifus’s bowels loosened. The gaze of the putrescent skull bore directly into him; close enough to see unnamed and diabolical parasites crawling around its various orifices. Perhaps he had gone a little too far introducing Beelzebub into the discussion?
“I FEEL THE FETTERS QUICKLY WEAKENING PATHETIC MORTAL... SOON YOUR SOUL WILL BE MINE!!!” lashed Sarrash.
Lucifus glanced down noticing that indeed, the pentagram’s glow had waned somewhat. Surely it must be a trick of the light. Surely Arcadys’ magick was of solid duration and not a momentary trice. The thought of the magicks immediately unravelling made Lucifus queasy in the stomach. A fear struck Lucifus as the pentacle coruscated in a flickering of light. His attention was distracted.
Lucifus failed to note the devastating scene unfolding behind him until it was too late.
{1} The Pentacle in it’s entirety was almost twenty foot in diameter; previously taking up the majority of the private sanctum of Ugari’s pavilion. Currently, Sarrash was magically hemmed within a moveable, arcane and upturned cone anchored by the glowing pentagram. While sufficiently mobile to reach beyond the immediate vicinity, the magicks entrapping the Greater Devil have made its actual physical manifestation discordant with its visual position upon the prime. Without wishing to broach a myriad of obtuse arcane factors involved, it is sufficed to say that the node representing Sarrash’s actual “being” had been tightly forced within a diminutive volume of space within the pentagrams centre. The visual boundaries however are constrained by the anchored, upturned cone. As such, Sarrash’s physical appearance and influence while visually impressive was in fact completely benign. Any attacks being impressively presented but in actuality being no more than a hideous buzzing of Sarrash’s compacted essence. The precise concepts involved however were beyond the outer boundaries of Lucifus’s understanding.
{2} Sarrash’s initial rebuffing of his demands was not entirely unexpected. In fact Lucifus hoped to work it into his favour. While he could have expressed a new set of stipulations to the Greater Devil, such promptness to back down like as in any negotiation could only ever be taken as a sign of weakness.
{3} This is the accepted name used by Lucifus Cray for the spell usually titled Leomund’s Secure Shelter. Lucifus has performed several adjustments to this particular spell in order to augment its comforts from the sparse to the lavish. In fact, key parts of these adjustments would later be used in his final series of augmentations leading to his greatest personal achievement of magic thus far: Lucifus’s Portable Tower.
{4} Perhaps surprisingly, Lucifus’s deductions in regards to Sarrash’s absence were not only legitimate but also entirely conservative. Lucifus could not have imagined the difficulties his simple act was to cause Sarrash.
{5} I have used Green Ronin Publishing’s Legions of Hell as the base and inspiration for the Diabolical and Infernal hierarchy used in this story hour. Paul the DM has kept such things tightly under wraps so for Story Hour purposes, I have capriciously become a little inventive. An exceptional sourcebook by the way. J
An additional note:
I apologise for any confusion regarding the final sentence of the previous update. I was referring to what Sarrash was intending to do, rather than what had already been done; capricious and slightly cheeky but hopefully artistically valid at the same time.
Thanks for the support! Isn't chutzpah one of those great words - perfect in regards to Lucifus. However, I can't help thinking back to high school and playing Paranoia whenever I hear it...
Believe it or not, the entire current story arc hinges around that "Evil toad". I hope you enjoy the upcoming symbology and significance to come soon. I hope you keep reading.
The summoning represents the highest arcane achievement by Lucifus Cray. It is a pivotal element in his current direction. Apologies that this update has taken so long. I had most of it written, a couple of days after the previous update but putting it altogether has taken time though. Editting and re-editting is a pretty big deal for me but I'm slowly learning.
Great to have you still aboard. Your continued support makes me feel bad that I have not supplied appropriate input on your Story Hour... I'll have to do that - expect something soon. You had a real good run recently which I think you deserved. As I have put your thread in my favourites column, I never get to see it's page position. I should try to give it the bumps it deserves!
Anyway, you have inspired me to do a bit of extra reading. I've never gone through the Conan Chronicles before so I'm really enjoying it thus far. Lovecraft is another guy I have been meaning to get into but never have. Anything in particular you could recommend?
Thanks for reading and I hope you continue to enjoy.
This is so cool that you came over for a read. I hope you become a regular.
I try to update every week but my writing and revising cycle never compliment one another.
In regards to actual play and background story, the current arc is the embellished version of the background history I provided for Paul the DM. The initial storyline involving the group culminating in the fine dining at Demar's was played out. This whole arc has been about providing the significance to Lucifus's answer to Sir Herland Ramus, the Emperor's prime councillor. A little bit over the top but fun never-the-less. I'm actually really looking forward to completing the arc so I can get on with what's been happening in game - damn there's been a lot of it!
Lucifus's opinion on the various members of his "Harem" {good word for them by the way ) varies depending upon his mood and circumstance. He knows who strays and he knows who remains faithful. Such actions don't bother him too much.
As for Tunthi though, only Melancthe partook once in the exotic coupling with the beast. This was kind of too much for even her tastes. As such, she remains aloof from Tunthi with the others of the "Harem" while Lucifus tries to provide a steady stream of "working wenches" to relieve the half-orcs glands. Crude I know but the facts of life in a harsh and selective world.
Hi Insight, I hope everything works out with your group - it seems a sad set of circumstances from what I've seen of your story hour. I hope you decide to finish it anyway. In my game I appreciate that the other players and DM have allowed me certain licence to represent their characters how my character sees them. They have equally invested copious amounts of time into their characters - since 3rd editions inception and before for the most part - but do not seem to be quite as "precious" as your players. They know that I do things for fun and to make things interesting so they're cool with most of it. I agree with you that nothing is more boring than a SH that is little more than "we killed this and then we attacked that and then we..." Nothing like a little bit of conflict I say to spice things up. Best regards and hope you keep reading this story hour too.
Best Regards to All
Herremann the Wise
Hello again everyone,
I apologise in advance for the length of this update - just a tipple over 4,000 words. However, there was so much to describe. I thought of splitting it in two but in the end did a three quarter split with the next update - which will be shorter but exponentially more extreme and dramatic for it. I have included commentary after the main entry.
***
In the Clan Circle of the Strauchn where at present the Greater Devil Sarrash has just been called to the prime via Arcadys’ Grand Gating…
Ugari watched, frozen in terror as the hideous claw of Sarrash coursed a destructive arc downwards, through Lucifus’s floating body in front of her and back around in a ferocious butchering sweep. She could barely see as the lashing rain attacked everything, the hurricane-like conditions intensifying. Her gaze was drawn upwards as she could only just observe what was left of her pavilion hundreds of feet now in the night sky; its blazing silhouette just visible as the ferocious winds blew it out to sea like some ragged scrap of burning cloth. Her attention was drawn once more to the scene in front of her as the beast seemed to lurch forward. There was something unusual and unexpected in what she saw but her senses were raw, her perception flawed. As the gigantic creature’s deafening bellow thundered once more along the landscape like a wave of destruction, it made a second arcing strike aimed directly at her. She had already closed her eyes as blackness engulfed her senses.
It was an undetermined period of time later with the punishing rain and cyclonic wind all around her that Ugari noticed that she was still alive, the quiet after-echo following a booming voice providing her with a suddenly awakened consciousness. She was whole; how could she not have been torn apart by the creature’s deadly attack? Her long hair was strung across her face in sodden strips as her thin arms lifted her weight from the wet and muddied ground. Her considerable faculties took several moments to take in the visage of the beast and scene before her. Amazingly, Lucifus too seemed unaffected by the creature’s onslaught as he floated determinedly, screaming up at it over the tumultuous din of the storm. This was what she had seen before but had not registered. The creature’s claws had passed directly through him as if they carried no substance. She tried to carefully edge away from the scene but was confronted by the creature reacting unexpectedly to her movements; it’s massive features arching over the wizard and looking directly at her. The immense eyeless gaze hovered menacingly in front of her and ate directly into her senses; everything turned to black once more.
***
At this time…
The squall still bit into every fibre of Lucifus’s body although the overall savageness had been muted somewhat in the last few moments as if the storm was catching its breath. Miraculously, Lucifus found that his body had not been touched, the creature’s massive claws passing through him ineffectively. Looking around, the clan’s population had been scattered with only a few of the more powerful warriors looking on from a cautious distance. The clan’s leader Tunthi however was beyond Lucifus’s immediate perceptions. Almost beneath his own position laid the still form of Ugari. Lucifus then stared up at Sarrash as he floated directly in front of the devil. As if by mechanical routine and habit, he began stipulating certain infernal guidelines and instructions, “I have called you to the prime so as you can perform for me a service. Upon its completion will I allow you passage back from whence you came. You must accept this charge.”
Sarrash’s infernal response to Lucifus’s initial demands boomed over the clamour of wind and rain. “DIE WRETCHED AND FOOLISH MORTAL… NO SERVICE WILL I COMMIT FOR THEE… LET LOOSE THESE BONDS SO I MAY SMITE THEE TO HELL.”
Sarrash followed this up with a further sonic assault upon the vicinity of the peninsula: the crackling storm providing savage accompaniment to Sarrash’s deafening roar of absolute fury.
Lucifus having been well and truly aroused from his previous torpidity attended several varying thoughts; recent events had not exactly proceeded to his initial concepts and planning. Fortunately for him, one of the magics within the Arcadys scroll held the diabolical creature quite securely while a further amazing sequence of arcanatures had rendered its offensive actions completely ineffective upon the prime. Lucifus had felt Sarrash literally explode past his wards and by rights this should have been the precise moment of his own grizzly demise. The mystical magicks of the Grand Gating however superseded even Lucifus’s wildest expectations. Sarrash - as far as he could judge – seemed to be held prisoner beyond its capacity to escape. Perhaps for the first moment he truly realised what he had accomplished. Lucifus had somehow managed to entrap a Greater Devil upon the prime.
It was at this point that a surge of arcane hubris and adrenalin coursed through Lucifus’s veins as he marvelled at the product of the Arcadys scroll. He floated up to the altitude of the creature’s gaze and yelled with great force and precise infernal at the monstrous devil, “I have you bound Sarrash… bound by a binding so tight… even you in a thousand and one turnings could never escape its icy grip!”
This produced further insane wailing from the beast as it attempted to swing out once more, pushing all of its efforts into breaking and extracting itself from the trap so it could literally atomise the mortal tormenting it. Looking down, Lucifus saw that while the candles and other arcane appurtenances had been scattered during the process of Sarrash’s arrival, the pentagrams outline glowed strongly underneath its feet. Sarrash was wholly trapped. {1}
“YOU WILL PAY DEARLY FOR YOUR ACTIONS MORTAL! I WILL HUNT DOWN YOUR SOUL AND IT WILL BE MINE FOR ETERNITY.”
While unsure of how long the bindings would last – well beyond his own lifetime he hoped – Lucifus was comforted by the familiar ground the current discourse of negotiation was upon, albeit with a creature perhaps beyond his ability to bargain with. Unsure of an immediate course of tactics for negotiation, he sought to use standard practice as a means of securing Sarrash’s service. Perhaps not so surprisingly, he failed.
Over the top of the wind and beating rain Lucifus continued, pressing his point as an intriguing idea coalesced into the beginnings of a plan. “You are weak upon the prime Sarrash. In fact I ponder sending you back and trying once more for a devil capable of greater scope. Or perhaps I will leave you here to ponder your influence upon the prime. How does it feel to be completely impotent, naked as a mewling lemure?”
Sarrash’s response was a deafening howl of rage and the firing of a score of infernal flames in Lucifus’s direction. As before, the blasts of flame were of insignificance, whatever power they carried being completely emasculated upon the prime material plane by Arcadys’ supreme magicks.
“A pretty display Sarrash but neither here nor there really. I think I might leave you to ponder your fate before I give further stipulations upon my convenience”. {2}.
While providing a mixture of elation and disappointment, Lucifus felt the episode was not a total loss. He descended ignoring the attempted slashes, foul gaze and mien of Sarrash. His nonchalant demeanour to its presence had the obvious effect of upsetting the diabolical creature further. Lucifus then noticed that Ugari was stirring.
Ugari looked up at Lucifus, the form of the greater devil outlining the wizard’s silhouette. He spoke to her, his voice just audible over the tempest. “I suggest we repair to my private facilities. I shall have a collation prepared and warmth made available so as we may best discuss current events”.
Ugari, still in a state of absolute terror could do little more than nod her head. Lucifus picked up her slight form and floated away, the storm having drenched and soaked her to the point of drowning.
***
Inside Lucifus’s private facility, somewhat apart from the usual tribal hubbub…
A number of differing thoughts competed for Lucifus’s attention as he floated at a casual altitude of a several feet. The fire furnished by a small elemental was providing suitable heat whilst several small platters of nibbles and tidbits were presented by a series of unseen servants at Lucifus’s command. The secure stonework provided by Lucifus’s conjuration (a slight variation upon The Grandee’s Cottage {3}), was a suitable if somewhat limited area designed for comfort and pleasure if not providing for the more expansive utility of high entertaining. Ugari had extracted herself from her soaked attire and was presently wrapped in a cloak of good cloth warming in front of the fire’s heat and glow. Her manner was one of dissatisfaction.
“Well!?” Ugari questioned.
“There are obviously several things to consider when adjudging the merits of our program.”
“Your program you mean,” interrupted Ugari. “I cannot remember advising neither the destruction of the clan nor the appearance of some beast beyond your talent to control!”
The harsh words hurt Lucifus but only for a moment. With quick and professional thought, he applied the correct “spin” to his current position. “But Ugari, do you not understand that this is all part of the negotiating process? It will soon tire itself…”
“Part of the process was inciting a creature that big!?” she screamed, pointing in the general direction of the entrapped creature.
“Well in all honesty”, answered Lucifus, “I had not pondered the possibility of a creature of such magnitude in my estimations but… all the better do you not think in it accomplishing the task at hand?”
Ugari not fully understanding the intricacies of the nature of binding beyond that expediently explained by Lucifus responded, “The creature will rip you apart as soon as it has the chance. Any agreement it speaks would be…”
“Ah but Ugari in this you are wrong. If it agrees, it is bound hand and foot to the technical letter of my stipulations. It cannot so much as fart without my prior consent…”
“And exactly how do you plan to reach such a binding agreement with it? I did not sense this creature eager to listen to your banter.”
“Ah hah” jumped Lucifus. “And here you have the precise reason for my actions and the method by which we shall force this creature to our collective will. If you have in fact noticed, by angering it to the point of complete obfuscation, it has become more focused upon the useless exercise of trying to obliterate my existence than engaging itself with its own extrication from the spells binding.”
Ugari processed this rather novel approach for a moment then asked, “And you expect this creature to be more kindly disposed because of this?”
“Well on this you your point might be cogent. The overall negotiation may actually take some degree of time.” Lucifus ruminated upon this concept before continuing. “In fact by my calculations, the dilation of time is currently waxing as we speak at the coterminous between our own plane and that of the seventh gate.”
“So?!”
“In other words” enthused Lucifus warming to a particular thought, “time does not remain dormant in this creature’s demiplane… in fact, quite the reverse.”
“Time will be reversed?”
“No, no, no. For every parcel of time experienced upon the prime, many parcels of time will have been exhausted upon the seventh demiplane of Hell.”
A smile developed upon Lucifus’s face as he continued with his didactic efforts. “You must understand that infernal politics is not a dormant entity. The to and fro of numerous factions will go on much to our friends detriment. In fact, I imagine that its diabolical influence will be significantly hampered through an extended absence. Further, if word gets out that it has actually been entrapped upon the prime, I dare say the creature will return to its domain to find it overrun by some enemy or another gorging upon the remains of its entourage and minions. Can’t you see… that by being entrapped here, its influence upon its home plane rapidly diminishes in our favour?” {3}
Ugari, not fully comprehending the exact merits of Lucifus’s design did not look wholly convinced. “As long as you feel it cannot break the bindings of your trap, I will allow you to test your concepts. For myself, I had better see to the clan’s welfare. I will attempt to make them understand that this creature is here to destroy our enemies and not us”. Ugari’s demeanour however was not one of confidence. With nary an additional word, she stood up, wrapped the cloak around her body and left Lucifus to ponder his thoughts.
***
Several hours later with the sun’s rising two hours distant…
Lucifus had a small period of time to ponder a variety of contingencies but none appealed with any high degree of satisfaction. While he considered the Devil sufficiently trapped, he could not say with certainty that any pressure applied to the case would garner a result of immediate consequence. Negotiation would be a slow process. Deep in thought, he delicately stroked Winter; she had disappeared within his cloak while all the fuss of Sarrash’s entrance to the prime had been happening. At present she was preening distractedly, the whole series of events distressing her.
Lucifus felt weary as it had been at least a day or two since he had benefited from a short slumber. Just as his eyes started drifting upwards from languor to gentle sleep, a disturbance could be heard from outside. A massive roar of rage followed. Within a flashing of light, Lucifus was hovering at best speed out of the stone enclosure towards where Sarrash was supposed to be ensnared.
***
Immediately before…
Upon the sward directly adjacent to Sarrash’s present position, a rather sizeable group of locals had assembled in the now easing rain, watching a certain spectacle involving several younger clansmen. While initially confused by the sudden appearance of the colossal Sarrash, word had gradually spread around that the creature had been enslaved in service to the clan. As such, many of the Strauchn warriors had wandered back to the vicinity out of curiosity. At present a number were provoking each other to new and innovative acts of bravery. At first it started with a clansman bravely venturing to within fifty feet of Sarrash before escalating to further acts of defiance and aggravation. Encouraged by a lack of interest on Sarrash’s part, others joined in raising the stakes to yelling out ancient war cries within the Devil’s immediate proximity.
Currently a young clansman by the name of Gorastus was swaggering back to the group having ventured within twenty feet of the creature and shouting a blood-curdling scream up to it. Sarrash’s mood was indeterminate. Not wanting to be outdone and with several of the clan’s more significant members present (including their leader Tunthi), another up and coming warrior charged to within ten feet waving his axe with abandon bellowing in fury and challenge. This elicited a murmur from the crowd as Sarrash shifted, the rotten knobs once anchoring angelic wings realigning behind it as its massive head glanced downwards. To his credit, the young warrior held his ground and blustered back a further challenge – highlighting the creature’s obvious lack of a priapic device. The crowd cheered at his bravery. Merrily buoyant with his clans support, the young warrior Furgal advanced into the boundaries of the glowing pentagram at Sarrash’s feet. Quicker than anyone could see, the eviscerated corpse of the warrior flew in several distinct directions. A roar from Sarrash had the crowd scattering to safety.
At this point, Lucifus had reached the scene, floating up to the current position of Tunthi and several others behind a sizeable boulder.
“Tunthi. What have you been doing with my creature?” he spoke urgently in the guttural Dermen.
Tunthi, obviously disturbed by immediate events looked up waving in the general direction of Sarrash. “Bad creature eat Furgal. Ugari say bad creature help us?” Tunthi’s state of confusion was almost humorous.
Lucifus floated above the boulder and indeed saw the scattered bloodied remnants that must have been one of the clansmen. This caused several internal expostulations within Lucifus’s brain wondering how exactly the creature could have had physical effect upon the prime. Unless…
Tunthi interrupted his distracted thoughts once more, “Tuk-tuk tell bad creature… eat Pianatha… not Tunthi”.
Lucifus floated back down to address Tunthi’s concerns.
“I suggest you keep the clan away from the… bad creature. Don’t play games with it because it’s much much bigger than you and doesn’t play fair.”
Tunthi looked confused as he normally did when the Tuk-tuk spoke the Derman tongue – big words from little man mean big confusion.
Lucifus hoped that Tunthi had understood the rudiments of the warning well enough that he wouldn’t have to be worried about the tribe providing a steady source of sustenance for the Devil. If things were going to go as he hoped, Sarrash would need to be starved of its various needs. Lucifus thought he’d try a new direction in negotiation with the trapped creature. “Tunthi… wait here for a moment. I shall venture over and gauge its mood”.
Tunthi looked perplexed once more as Lucifus drifted towards the monstrous creature, the eyes of the clan upon him.
As Lucifus coasted in Sarrash’s direction, he saw Ugari, who had also been drawn to the area by the disturbance. While the majority of her belongings had been lost amongst the ashen sea bound remnants of her pavilion, she had still managed to find an outfit that projected her position with favour and authority. The leather strapping binding a shortened hide kirtle completed the warrior-woman array whilst her bare chest replete with tribal markings of significance revealed recent contact with the various spirits at her command. She looked at him with stern features, her pointed breasts and upturned chin aloof to the conjurer’s appearance. Lucifus waved to her barely receiving a terse nod in return. There would need to be some level of appeasement before too long thought Lucifus as he drifted closer to Sarrash.
The weather was now no more than a misty rain buffeted to and fro by gusts of wind, impulsive to some unreadable atmospheric command. A red radiance glowed weakly from Sarrash. The absurdly large devil was as a statue bound to the pentagram by its hoofed and clawed feet, the remains of the warrior’s corpse scattered beyond its reach and interest. Lucifus looked more carefully now at Sarrash’s image - at precisely what level of the infernal power structure did he fill? Beelzebub {5} was considered the Lord of the Seventh Pit and had several greater devils under his immediate command. His knowledge could not discern whether this creature was part of the cast or separate: a rogue power behind the seventh gate. He would gamble the latter until proven otherwise. As Lucifus studied carefully the Greater Devil, he concluded its most terrifying aspect was most assuredly its horrid putrescent skull; the remains of a celestial corrupted and blackened to a node of complete evil. Its gaze seemed to take in everything and nothing, perceiving perfectly its surroundings but having no concern of them. Even Lucifus’s renewed presence did not stir its features; he thought he’d see if he could change that.
“I gather the local cuisine is not to your taste?” Lucifus said whilst looking around; a denuded series of vertebrae catching his eye on the wet and bloodied ground. “Still, no need for such poor decorum and table manners, I’m sure a small expulsion of gas would have sufficed?”
The creature remained aloof, not deigning to gift Lucifus with any form of response, its gaze focused on some undefined point in the stratosphere.
“Out of interest, are you currently unwell? I notice several grievous wounds around your right shoulder blade where you must have once had such majestic plumage. In all truth with your injuries and all, I hope I haven’t caught you at an inappropriate time.”
Receiving no reaction, Lucifus continued, “ Actually time is a bit of an issue is it not? While we languorously while away segments here upon the prime, time accelerates at a most hurried pace back home. Imagine all your friends down there wondering where you are? Imagine some of your minions too. While the master’s away the servants will play and all that. I hope they’re strong enough to rebuff the attention they will most likely receive from some of your friends and associates stopping by for chitchat. Imagine if your Master Beelzebub found that you were holidaying upon the prime, you’d be quickly left out of the infernal loop…"
“SILENCE MORTAL FLEA!!!” Sarrash roared, its arms thrusting back as it bent down, its corrupted face within inches of Lucifus’s. “YOU HIDE BEHIND MAGICS BEYOND YOUR POWER LIKE A CRAVEN MAGGOT! LETS SEE HOW MUCH YOU TALK WHEN THESE BONDS FAIL!”
Lucifus’s bowels loosened. The gaze of the putrescent skull bore directly into him; close enough to see unnamed and diabolical parasites crawling around its various orifices. Perhaps he had gone a little too far introducing Beelzebub into the discussion?
“I FEEL THE FETTERS QUICKLY WEAKENING PATHETIC MORTAL... SOON YOUR SOUL WILL BE MINE!!!” lashed Sarrash.
Lucifus glanced down noticing that indeed, the pentagram’s glow had waned somewhat. Surely it must be a trick of the light. Surely Arcadys’ magick was of solid duration and not a momentary trice. The thought of the magicks immediately unravelling made Lucifus queasy in the stomach. A fear struck Lucifus as the pentacle coruscated in a flickering of light. His attention was distracted.
Lucifus failed to note the devastating scene unfolding behind him until it was too late.
***
{1} The Pentacle in it’s entirety was almost twenty foot in diameter; previously taking up the majority of the private sanctum of Ugari’s pavilion. Currently, Sarrash was magically hemmed within a moveable, arcane and upturned cone anchored by the glowing pentagram. While sufficiently mobile to reach beyond the immediate vicinity, the magicks entrapping the Greater Devil have made its actual physical manifestation discordant with its visual position upon the prime. Without wishing to broach a myriad of obtuse arcane factors involved, it is sufficed to say that the node representing Sarrash’s actual “being” had been tightly forced within a diminutive volume of space within the pentagrams centre. The visual boundaries however are constrained by the anchored, upturned cone. As such, Sarrash’s physical appearance and influence while visually impressive was in fact completely benign. Any attacks being impressively presented but in actuality being no more than a hideous buzzing of Sarrash’s compacted essence. The precise concepts involved however were beyond the outer boundaries of Lucifus’s understanding.
{2} Sarrash’s initial rebuffing of his demands was not entirely unexpected. In fact Lucifus hoped to work it into his favour. While he could have expressed a new set of stipulations to the Greater Devil, such promptness to back down like as in any negotiation could only ever be taken as a sign of weakness.
{3} This is the accepted name used by Lucifus Cray for the spell usually titled Leomund’s Secure Shelter. Lucifus has performed several adjustments to this particular spell in order to augment its comforts from the sparse to the lavish. In fact, key parts of these adjustments would later be used in his final series of augmentations leading to his greatest personal achievement of magic thus far: Lucifus’s Portable Tower.
{4} Perhaps surprisingly, Lucifus’s deductions in regards to Sarrash’s absence were not only legitimate but also entirely conservative. Lucifus could not have imagined the difficulties his simple act was to cause Sarrash.
{5} I have used Green Ronin Publishing’s Legions of Hell as the base and inspiration for the Diabolical and Infernal hierarchy used in this story hour. Paul the DM has kept such things tightly under wraps so for Story Hour purposes, I have capriciously become a little inventive. An exceptional sourcebook by the way. J
An additional note:
I apologise for any confusion regarding the final sentence of the previous update. I was referring to what Sarrash was intending to do, rather than what had already been done; capricious and slightly cheeky but hopefully artistically valid at the same time.
***
pogre said:
Thanks for the support! Isn't chutzpah one of those great words - perfect in regards to Lucifus. However, I can't help thinking back to high school and playing Paranoia whenever I hear it...
Ampolitor said:
Believe it or not, the entire current story arc hinges around that "Evil toad". I hope you enjoy the upcoming symbology and significance to come soon. I hope you keep reading.
HalfOrc HalfBiscuit said:
The summoning represents the highest arcane achievement by Lucifus Cray. It is a pivotal element in his current direction. Apologies that this update has taken so long. I had most of it written, a couple of days after the previous update but putting it altogether has taken time though. Editting and re-editting is a pretty big deal for me but I'm slowly learning.
Mortepierre said:
Great to have you still aboard. Your continued support makes me feel bad that I have not supplied appropriate input on your Story Hour... I'll have to do that - expect something soon. You had a real good run recently which I think you deserved. As I have put your thread in my favourites column, I never get to see it's page position. I should try to give it the bumps it deserves!
Anyway, you have inspired me to do a bit of extra reading. I've never gone through the Conan Chronicles before so I'm really enjoying it thus far. Lovecraft is another guy I have been meaning to get into but never have. Anything in particular you could recommend?
Thanks for reading and I hope you continue to enjoy.
Inconsequenti-AL said:
This is so cool that you came over for a read. I hope you become a regular.
I try to update every week but my writing and revising cycle never compliment one another.
In regards to actual play and background story, the current arc is the embellished version of the background history I provided for Paul the DM. The initial storyline involving the group culminating in the fine dining at Demar's was played out. This whole arc has been about providing the significance to Lucifus's answer to Sir Herland Ramus, the Emperor's prime councillor. A little bit over the top but fun never-the-less. I'm actually really looking forward to completing the arc so I can get on with what's been happening in game - damn there's been a lot of it!
Lucifus's opinion on the various members of his "Harem" {good word for them by the way
) varies depending upon his mood and circumstance. He knows who strays and he knows who remains faithful. Such actions don't bother him too much.As for Tunthi though, only Melancthe partook once in the exotic coupling with the beast. This was kind of too much for even her tastes. As such, she remains aloof from Tunthi with the others of the "Harem" while Lucifus tries to provide a steady stream of "working wenches" to relieve the half-orcs glands. Crude I know but the facts of life in a harsh and selective world.
Insight said:
Hi Insight, I hope everything works out with your group - it seems a sad set of circumstances from what I've seen of your story hour. I hope you decide to finish it anyway. In my game I appreciate that the other players and DM have allowed me certain licence to represent their characters how my character sees them. They have equally invested copious amounts of time into their characters - since 3rd editions inception and before for the most part - but do not seem to be quite as "precious" as your players. They know that I do things for fun and to make things interesting so they're cool with most of it. I agree with you that nothing is more boring than a SH that is little more than "we killed this and then we attacked that and then we..." Nothing like a little bit of conflict I say to spice things up. Best regards and hope you keep reading this story hour too.
Best Regards to All
Herremann the Wise
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Inconsequenti-AL
Breaks Games
Great stuff...
Thanks for the answers there!
I've got the feeling that however Lucifus escapes from this one, he's going to have a very unhappy Sarrash keeping an eye on him in future.
Definitely enjoying Lucifus's outlook on life. It's refreshing and very different from the norm!
Thanks for the answers there!
I've got the feeling that however Lucifus escapes from this one, he's going to have a very unhappy Sarrash keeping an eye on him in future.
Definitely enjoying Lucifus's outlook on life. It's refreshing and very different from the norm!
Mortepierre
First Post
Herremann the Wise said:Great to have you still aboard. Your continued support makes me feel bad that I have not supplied appropriate input on your Story Hour... I'll have to do that - expect something soon. You had a real good run recently which I think you deserved. As I have put your thread in my favourites column, I never get to see it's page position. I should try to give it the bumps it deserves!
Anyway, you have inspired me to do a bit of extra reading. I've never gone through the Conan Chronicles before so I'm really enjoying it thus far. Lovecraft is another guy I have been meaning to get into but never have. Anything in particular you could recommend?
Thanks for reading and I hope you continue to enjoy.
Eh, no problem there. Haven't updated in a while so there wasn't much to comment upon. Look for an update soon though
For Conan and the particular issue of summoning fiends, I would recommend stories such as The Snout in the Dark. Though Howard never spent much time describing the ritual summonings themselves, its stories dealt a lot with the unfortunate consequences of having a fiend 'loose' among mortals (mostly because the summoner had far less control over it than he had anticipated!). I agree with you about Legions of Hell, btw (though I prefer the more recent Book of Fiends which updated and added to it).
No need to thank me for reading. Continue to produce such high-quality work and it will be a pleasure I'll continue to enjoy
