Last night, a gathering of
the most vicious and insidiously evil of all Spurians did take place within the
central chamber of the temple, as they awaited the arrival of the former Inquisitor,
Balor Mrykrydia, who had promised a sermon to Taath's loyal followers. The tension
and angst for bloody violence and hatred was palpable as thick black storm clouds
gathered over the roof of the temple outside. The primal scent of blood ran from
the altar and filled the air as Arachnians, San Elves, Leuians, Go-blin-als,
Penthanians, Hithuals and Oog-ras whispered dark prayers, or bowed their heads
before the altar in supplication. As the malicious energies rose, lightning crashed
down all around the temple. A terrified pack mule whinnied as it tore out of the
temple before the proceedings, lucky to have escaped with its life.
After a short wait, Balor Mrykrydia
strode into the central chamber, his very long, dredded, bluish-black hair falling around
his blood-stained white linen sacrificial robe. His cold orangish-red eyes glowed as he
ordered Vennister the Arachnian to "Place the paintings where they belong". The missing
paintings! There they were, though how they were retrieved still remains a mystery.
Vennister, a muscular spider with pitch black eyes, quickly did as he was ordered. Balor
announced "The Lord has seen to the recovery of these minor objects".
As Taathians settled before the former
Inquisitor, he said, "The Lord has seen fit to gather the Faithful here at the foot of the
Altar of Sacrifice within the walls of this Holy House". He then gave his sermon, which told
of the legend of the great Sanene witch, Aiena, and her journey to greatness as a servant of
the Lord Taath. His sermon was as follows
Many are present in search of
knowledge and answers. Questions of leadership, titles, and material objects fill
your eyes. Instead, I offer an insight on the service by two mortal Souls. A once
great Sanene witch served the Lord with absolute devotion to the Path. This sorceress
led great armies to spread the Will amongst those who opposed Purity. Success and
failure were both known to this one, but she moved forward with Faith and Loyalty,
rewarded with ever increasing power. The Lord is all knowing, able to reach within
the Soul and ask the very Heart that which it seeks. And with this, the Sanene was
dealt the remaining life of her chosen path. This witch found herself upon magic she
believed would bring her power equal to that of the Lord Himself. With great deception,
was she coerced to battle the Lord's servant of magic, one of six servants that others
call gods. With the aid of the Almighty, many were brought suffering and an unendurable
anguish as this foul usurper drained magic from the lands, So pleasing was this, it
remained as such for several days. Many are to say the ghost of a warrior broke the back
of this God creating magic. Truly it was the work of the Lord as whispers upon the ear
that moved the arms. For the Lord moves in ways that even the Pure may not grasp as He
bore down upon the one who wished greater Glory than was given. And the Lord did revel
in this demise, The Ignorance surrounding her, the Fear this ghost warrior sent racing
into her heart, the Pain of one withering away to dust. For she lost Faith and was
cleansed the final time. I bring you now, to my own dedication and personal service.
I am the Ignorant, as I embrace the Lord and the Lord alone. Nothing not of the Path
are seen with these eyes. I am always with Fear, as I create and possess it both. I
instill it upon others lest they forget it's natural place. I myself, Fear of failure
to spread the Word as the Lord sees fit. It is such, that has brought me so close to
the Path. I Hate all that is not True, all that is not Pure. I serve none in this room,
nor do any here merit even slight consideration. You are not the Lord, you do not
question my Faith. Such is reserved only to the Lord.
A large flame then arose from the
altar, curling around Balor, and set him aflame. Balor's body withered and turned into
dust. Many gaped in shock and bewilderment. Finally only his voice could be heard saying,
"I have served here as the Lord has desired. May each of you show your own Faith and
Purity and accept this blessing of Pain the Lord allows you". As his voice faded into
the dark chambers of the Taathian temple, an army of greater demons appeared. As they
advanced on the followers of Taath, and began their bloody massacre, lightning crashed
all around the temple. The Faithful screamed as claws tore into their flesh, splitting
them open, but their screams were more of ecstasy than the searing pain that struck
their bodies. For it was the much desired blessings of Lord Taath showered upon them.
Unfortunately, some Taathians did
not accept the Lords blessings. Bags Bluebeard the Hithual ran in fear, as did Lolth
the Arachnian, Flower the San Elf, and Dekahr the Frontacian. Others stood and fought
the greater demons, but were no match for their strength and numbers. Sir Vorn exclaimed
to one greater demon "Honor in battle!" as it webbed him and then four of the demons
slew him. Foom the San Elf exclaimed, "Taath be praised!" as a demon bore down on her
with its claws. Again and again, greater demons appeared, one after the other, clawing
the Faithful down into bloodied masses on the cold floor of the central chamber.
Headflinger said wryly, "See you bastidges on the other side."
The Faithful:
Balor Mrykrydia the Psycian
Quezok Menace the Arachnian
Kyundo Kilmaron the San Elf
Gwoss Moss the Monitanian
Lexie Kilmaron the San Elf
Gravakiv Kraczacn the Arachnian
Lerana Syrsan the San Elf
Vennister Lucendrine the Arachnian
Jurax Vermiculor the Penthanian
Lordin Mikalah the San Elf
Balcus Husnock the Penthanian
Laston Ildliche the Leuian
Marika Danier the Leuian
Irisa Darkmar the Monitanian
Sormin Materio the San Elf
Sarithiya Darklure the San Elf
Marquis Talismar the Frontacian
Quen Onta the Go-blin-al
Dumb Trimulak the Oog-ra
Leyara Rin the Leuian
Foom Thurunder the San Elf
Mildain Organgrinder the Hithual
Vekkattraka Artakkatrrk the Arachnian
Bushwig Bill the Go-blin-al
Raangel Poisonsilk the Arachnian
Anansa Weaver the Arachnian
Headflinger Gritloo the Hithual
Kyntavis Onyx the San Elf
Sir Vorn Ulmarthan the Noble Leuian
