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 Posted: Thu Jul 05, 2018 5:38 pm
The Underworld
In the Underworld one my navigate the darkness to which only certain species are accustomed. The temperature sits, naturally, at a high level making most rather uncomfortable. However, if one looks they might find extraordinary things. Gardens of night blooming flowers, which though beautiful to the eye, contain some of most powerful healing properties among the realms, but also some of the most deadly. Only the most skilled can tell which are which.
There are three main sections in the Underworld: the city itself where most make their home and go about their business, the upper city where the Castle (and of course where the ruler of hell resides), and then the Dark Temple grounds.
The Dark Temple is one of the oldest and largest buildings in the Underworld, and is a large darkened marble structure with over a hundred rooms. It houses few people, but one person it does house is the Dark Oracle, who resides there from birth. Those who live there are maids and caretakers of the temple as well as minor priestesses and those who have been sacrificed by humans, or in deals to demons, to serve the temple and it's needs. Essentially...low ranking slaves. They are no better than blood sacrifices, should they be needed for it.
But in the center of this large temple is the mirror room, where a large pool of silver water sits. It is forbidden for anyone accept the oracle herself to touch the water, because of the thickness of the dark magic that runs within it. The room itself contains several different items such as weapons that decorate the walls, and two thrones that sit at the head of the room for when the King and Queen visit. And of course, the temple has various bedrooms, a kitchen, a sort of ballroom. The temple itself is a large structure and seen as one of the most important places in the demonic realm. It is highly protected and extremely vital to their war plans. NPCsKing Lukas: A full-blooded demon, he was the brother of the last demon king, but he murdered his brother in a duel to win the kingship. He has several wives, but has a current favorite that he allows to make some minor decisions in political matters, otherwise he has full say in most things in the demonic realm. He is not a good man, and tends to favor executing people and torturing them, rather than mercy. He does not like the mortal realm, and doesn't favor his kind venturing there without reason.
Lord Nikoli: Talia's father and a full-blooded demon. He is a noble who lives in the castle and often is seen working closely with other nobles or with the King himself. He cares little for his child other than for the power and rank she gives him as his offspring.
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Posted: Thu Jul 05, 2018 5:41 pm
❝ Follow me through the night, ❞ ❝ we are sisters of the light. ❞ ❝ We are daughters of sin, wild and free. ❞  ↙☾ Talia ☾↘
Talia leaned against the mirror pool, staring into it. Her loose white hair curled wildly in thick loose curls against her back, as she leaned there against the cold marble. The room felt so dull and lifeless. This was her every day...every second...every year of existence. It went on and on like this, at least...until someone barged in and demanded she tell them something. Normally even that was quite dull. They rarely asked for anything out of the ordinary. Sighing a bit, she turned so that she leaned her back against the marble. Her black dress was tied at her waist, loose a bit around her chest, but cascaded down from her was it, a bit like a roman or greek style. Honestly, who do people think they got their ideas from? Her feet, like usual, were bare. It wasn't like she needed to dress fully. If she was expecting the King to arrive, or the Queen, she would put on her circlet and perhaps an armband, but that was about it. People got nervous if she put on shoes, as if it meant she was going to run off. They get so touchy about things like that. It brought a bit of a smile to her lips.
In fact, she was the type to do such things. It was why her father had agreed to her request of a slave, but only if he were allowed to choose the slave. Though why that condition was necessary, she didn't know. I can't leave the temple without approval, and I can't journey to the mortal realm so he has to do the purchase anyway. Though she did have a bit of fun wondering who her father had chosen. The delivery was supposed to take place that day, and it was the most exciting thing to happen since the execution a decade ago with those angels. Okay...keeping in mind that she's half demon and executions can be less gruesome and more entertaining sometimes. After all, her visions are filled with death. She's a bit desensitized to such things.
Never forget what I did, what I said,
When I gave you all my heart and soul.
Morning will come and I know we’ll be one,
Cause I still believe that you’ll remember me.
She mourns beneath the moonlit sky,
Remembering when they said goodbye.
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Posted: Thu Jul 05, 2018 8:16 pm
Gozarrik Stormborn The guards in charge of the delivery were thankful that their job was almost over. Their latest "cargo" had proven to be quite a handful. The half-orc had beaten at least ten of their men into submission before they finally managed to get him into the transport. Hopefully, this creature wouldn't decide to eat his new owner, or something. As they pulled up to Talia's home, they hauled Gozarrik out in chains, leading him up to the front door. The orcish warrior wasn't too keen on the idea of being property, and he would have fought his way out, if he could, but part of him was curious to see who paid for him. He watched in anticipation as the guards knocked on the door.
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Posted: Thu Jul 05, 2018 8:29 pm
❝ Follow me through the night, ❞ ❝ we are sisters of the light. ❞ ❝ We are daughters of sin, wild and free. ❞ ↙☾ Talia ☾↘
It was a girl with hair as white as snow who came to answer the door. Demon temple guards stood outside the temple, of course, but their job was only to keep her inside, nothing more. She smiled at the escorts , her piercing red eyes scanning them over for a moment, before she shrugged. "Oh, my." She clapped for a second. "Well, this will be fun. Yes, please, leave him be. Sho, sho. " She was in a hurry to get her slave inside, and to watch the fun. These guards wouldn't make it out of the demonic realm unscathed. Apparently, someone didn't tell them that the hell hounds don't always let you back out , like they let you in.
She looked at the orc with a smile, tilting her head a bit. "Wait a second and I promise we will get you out of all those restraints. But you will want to enjoy the show." She gave a wink, and the now very nervous guards took a few steps back, whispering about the crazy 'witch'. "Tsk tsk gentleman. I'm not a witch. Now, off with you. Fate doesn't wait." And she had been waiting for this for weeks!
She came forward and took hold of the half-orcs arm, pulling him forward towards the open door. She would unchain him when they got inside. She wasn't stupid. You don't unchain war-like creatures before you got inside. He certainly was tall, wasn't he? Oh how exciting! "Hmm...now, what is your name? I hate using my powers for stuff like that. It can go a bit array. Best to just be straightforward with it as much as possible. So...I'm Talia. It's nice to meet you." Gosh....okay, best to forward people. She....is isolated. She hasn't had a lot of experience with non-demons...so she might come off strong or crazy. But honestly, she just needs to practice socializing a bit more.
((I updated the main/first post in this thread to add in a couple NPCs that might be used.))
Never forget what I did, what I said,
When I gave you all my heart and soul.
Morning will come and I know we’ll be one,
Cause I still believe that you’ll remember me.
She mourns beneath the moonlit sky,
Remembering when they said goodbye.
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Posted: Fri Jul 06, 2018 7:30 pm
Gozarrik Stormborn Gozarrik eyed the girl with a perplexed look. Was she seriously releasing him from his bonds? He could easily try and fight his way out again. Then again, the mention of powers made him guess she wasn't entirely human. She could very well be a witch, or something much worse, despite being rather small compared to him. A worthy challenge...if she didn't splatter him against the wall. Her introduction was blunt, straight to the point. The Orc could respect such a trait, at least. His kind were known for their directness, as well as their ability to remove heads. "Gozarrik." He stated simply. He doubted that his status as prince of the Stormborn Empire would carry much weight here. Still, he was a proud warrior, and would fight, if pushed to do so.
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Posted: Sat Jul 07, 2018 7:47 am
❝ Follow me through the night, ❞ ❝ we are sisters of the light. ❞ ❝ We are daughters of sin, wild and free. ❞ ↙☾ Talia ☾↘
She waited until she ushered him inside and shut the heavy doors, freeing them of his annoying guards, before she introduced herself properly. "I'm Talia. Welcome to the Demonic realm." She looked him over again, and reached out and pressed her fingertips against the chains. As she did so, the chains began to blacken, as if they were decaying and they rotted, crumbling to the ground on the floor. She smiled and walked over to the mirror pool, as she waved her hand over it, to show a sort of external view of the realm. She wanted to watch the guard's on their adventure as they tried to escape. It would be great fun.
She looked over at Gozarrik with a smile. "The doors are sealed from the outside, sadly. The temple guards and others can open them, but even I cannot open them. Its to keep me inside. Sorry. But...if you want to watch your guards die, I have set it up so we can watch. You are welcome to join me." She gestured to the mirror pool. She could see using her powers, but others could not, so the mirror pool allowed others to see what she could see inside her head. And she thought herself that the slave might like to see this. He likely did not like his former guards, so this might be a slight treat for him.
"I'm an oracle. So I see the future in my head, and stuff like that. But I can show people things here, in this. It's called the mirror pool. But don't touch the water, it's dark magic. It can harm you. But I can show you anything you want to see, so simply ask. It is really just you and I, unless people visit." Which was often, because war was often for her kind, but...she was trying to hint to him that running away was a bad thing to attempt, and not something worth his time....right now. She wanted badly to run as well, but right now it was not the right time. And besides, it would only get him in trouble with the nobles, if he tried to run so early.
Never forget what I did, what I said,
When I gave you all my heart and soul.
Morning will come and I know we’ll be one,
Cause I still believe that you’ll remember me.
She mourns beneath the moonlit sky,
Remembering when they said goodbye.
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Posted: Sat Jul 07, 2018 7:47 pm
Gozarrik Stormborn Gozarrik watched as the chains rotted and crumbled. Magic..or, whatever kind of gift demons had. That was the best guess he could muster, if he was truly in the land of demons. He didn't trust such power, as he couldn't explain it. He'd put his faith in an axe and shield over such wizardry in a second. This also applied to her claims of seeing the future, but he didn't have anything better to do than see this for himself. That, and he liked the idea of seeing the deaths of the humans that treated him like garbage for quite some time. He followed the girl, gazing upon the mirror pool. "It doesn't look like much." He thought out loud. Could this thing actually show him the future? At her mention of visitors, he got the idea that the place would be too crowded for him to escape. He was stubborn, but not an idiot. "I'm guessing your little psychic pool won't tell me when and how to escape, then?" He asked. That would be way too easy, of course.
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Posted: Sat Jul 07, 2018 9:36 pm
❝ Follow me through the night, ❞ ❝ we are sisters of the light. ❞ ❝ We are daughters of sin, wild and free. ❞ ↙☾ Talia ☾↘
She waved over the pool. "You have to look into it, to see." She said, as she focused in on the guards, so the image would be crystal clear. They would see the guards as if they were there and present as it all unfolded.
The guards would approach the hell hounds. At first everything seemed fine, and then suddenly the howls growled. The guards seemed nervous. They growled and warned, but the humans didn't listen. Then, suddenly they ate one of the humans.
"Oh, that's going to cause heartburn." She smiled, happily.
Another guard got pinned , another got his arms ripped off. Oh it was just lovely. Lots of gore. Demon's hayday. "The pool shows what I wish it to show, but sadly it shows only futures that are true and possible. Escape is not currently possible, based on current circumstances, but circumstances change all the time. It is hard to understand, which is why people have a hard time when they try to suddenly acquire my type of ability." Best no tot pick up her gift, best to be born with it.
She looked at the male , and smiled a bit. "If I could have seen a way to escape, I would have done it long ago." She admitted. She shrugged and looked back at the pool. The hell hounds were eating the remains of the guards. "But there is plenty that can change over time. I know that from experience. So best to keep hopes up till then. Besides, as long as we dont do anything stupid like try to escape until then, when we know its not the right time, and get them to increase security, everything will be fine." At least she is straightforward.
Never forget what I did, what I said,
When I gave you all my heart and soul.
Morning will come and I know we’ll be one,
Cause I still believe that you’ll remember me.
She mourns beneath the moonlit sky,
Remembering when they said goodbye.
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Posted: Sun Jul 08, 2018 12:58 pm
Gozarrik Stormborn Stepping closer to the pool, Gozarrik stared as the hounds ripped the guards apart with hunger and enthusiasm. The Orc was used to gore, so it didn't shock him as much as it would someone else. Instead, he was glad to see them suffer. They thought they could own those beasts, and they were proven wrong. If only Gozarrik could have done that himself. At Talia's explanation of the pool and their lack of chances to escape, he sighed. Well, like she said, circumstances changed all the time. But something bothered him. "Aren't you the one who owns me? Why do you want to escape?" He asked, rather skeptical of his new "master."
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Posted: Sun Jul 08, 2018 2:51 pm
❝ Follow me through the night, ❞ ❝ we are sisters of the light. ❞ ❝ We are daughters of sin, wild and free. ❞ ↙☾ Talia ☾↘
She placed her finger against her nose and tapped it lightly, thinking how best to describe it to him. "Well, my father purchased you. But it was my request. I have the paperwork. So I am your owner. But, politics here are tricky." She wasn't sure how to best translate things for him. "Im free in terms of rank. Im actually ranked rather highly....the issue is that, Im seen as property of the demonic realm. They see me as a weapon, a tool. Im not allowed to leave this temple. I am free, but do you let someone take your weapon from you?" She asked, thinking perhaps that might be the best way to explain it. "I was brought here as an infant, and I've never left the walls of this temple. I would give much to be able to leave this realm, and they would give anything to keep me here. After all, only I can predict the birth of my replacement. If I leave, then they would have to fight their battles without an advantage. " She smiled.
Demons liked to play dirty. So she knew they didn't want to give up their war advantage. What species would? She moved away from the pool towards the small windows that gave her a view of the demonic realm. She could see anything she wanted. Her powers gave her that ability, but she still wanted to see it herself. She wanted to see the mortal realm, where things were vivid and different. Where seasons changed and such. She wanted it so much.
"But we all have our little issues, don't we?" She took her's in stride. "Besides, you will have freedom some day, don't fret." She smiled knowingly at him, turning from the window. "And till then, learn. Watch. And...the things you learn you will take back with you when you leave. This is a realm full of powerful people. Magic. Things that might be useful to you in wars and battles in the future. They do war councils here. As my slave, you will get to listen in. Think of it as getting to be a fly on the wall of your enemy's tent."
Never forget what I did, what I said,
When I gave you all my heart and soul.
Morning will come and I know we’ll be one,
Cause I still believe that you’ll remember me.
She mourns beneath the moonlit sky,
Remembering when they said goodbye.
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Posted: Mon Jul 09, 2018 9:29 pm
Gozarrik Stormborn Gozarrik found it a bit ironic that his "owner" was technically a slave, herself. She was forced to live here and serve whatever ends these demons had in mind. She was a pawn in their schemes for conquest...just as he might someday be a pawn in her escape. If it meant his freedom, he wouldn't complain. As she mentioned the benefits of serving her, he pondered for a moment. Magic wasn't something he was a fan of, but understanding it and learning how to combat it would make for some great battlefield insight. "I suppose I have quite a bit to gain, here. I'll go along with your plans and your visions...for now. If this goes south, or you cross me, however, I'll be seeing your future in the blade of an axe." He declared. Probably not the smartest move, but the Orc was wary of magic, soothsayers, and the like. Not to mention, the possibility that their escape plan may backfire. Branching futures, and all that.
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Posted: Sat Jul 14, 2018 9:58 am
❝ Follow me through the night, ❞ ❝ we are sisters of the light. ❞ ❝ We are daughters of sin, wild and free. ❞ ↙☾ Talia ☾↘
She smiled. "I prefer my spear, or daggers. The axe it too big for me personally...but with your measurements it does well I am sure." She smiled. His threats and words, just rolled off of her. But given who she was normally surrounded by, when she had visitors, this was probably the least of what she heard from people. She was used to hearing threats and rants, all sorts of crazy things. She wasnt bothered by it. To let it bother her would be...silly.
She thought for a moment. "Would you like a tour of the temple? I can show you , your room." She suggested. Even if it was a sort of prison at times, it was beautiful and ancient. Full of magic, knowledge, and relics from different cultures. Oh, and it held a vast library. "We store lots of things from past battles here. Weapons, items we won or taken after victories from battle. " She shrugged.
Never forget what I did, what I said,
When I gave you all my heart and soul.
Morning will come and I know we’ll be one,
Cause I still believe that you’ll remember me.
She mourns beneath the moonlit sky,
Remembering when they said goodbye.
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Posted: Sat Jul 14, 2018 11:14 am
Gozarrik Stormborn Gozarrik had to respect Talia's level-headed response to his threat. A little bit, anyway. She seemed like someone who knew what she wanted, and didn't let others bother her all that much. An admirable trait. At the mention of a tour and a stash of weapons, the Orc gave a nod. These things might be helpful down the line. Maybe even provide a means of escape? "Lead the way." He stated simply, agreeing to let her show him around.
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Posted: Thu Jul 19, 2018 5:13 pm
❝ Follow me through the night, ❞ ❝ we are sisters of the light. ❞ ❝ We are daughters of sin, wild and free. ❞ ↙☾ Talia ☾↘
She smiled and led him out of the main room and towards a back door at the far end of the room. From there they entered a long hallway. It was empty of any decoration, but at the end of that hallway was a door. From there, they reached a huge room, with doors everywhere, and people coming and going. It was the central hub of activity. But everyone was obviously a servant or slave. They wore chains or collars around their necks, or had tattoos of some kind spanning from their necks to their shoulders. "Lower level priestesses bear tattoos. Many humans offer their children to demons in deals, many are not actually eaten or killed but end up here as tribute. They are made minor servants, or if they have some skill...end up a priestess in time." Demons could appreciate natural skill. Beauty especially, but it all varied. The tempe was sort of its own domain in the demonic realm.
"Im the oracle, not the high priestess. The high priestess lives at the other end. She's old, and mean. Id avoid her. She is a big problem for us. She is old fashioned, and our enemy. She would do anything to keep those that belong here, locked in. Since you are considered property of the temple, once you were purchased as my slave, that includes you. " She took it in stride, and expected him to do the same to survive here. So they could plan their escape in time.
She led him to a door on the right. "This leads to the west wing, it is where my private rooms are. I have a few servants that are my own, that can't really be harmed by my small bursts of dark magic. They come and go, but others are not allowed to. You will be allowed to come and go from this wing as you choose, because you serve me, but also because your own room is in this wing." She gestured for him to follow. The wing was large, and had several rooms, a large bath, all sorts of things. The North wing belonged to the high priestess and housed all the other priestesses in their own large communal style room. It was awful! At least as an oracle, she had privacy.
"This is your room." She opened a door and showed it to him. At least it was an actual room, bed and all. "I would have done more to it, or something, but I had no idea what species or even gender..you would be. But even with your measurements everything should be fine. And there should be places for your weapons and such." After all, she wasn't afraid of him. No need to take everything away or be silly about it. She bought him to entertain her time. To make her life more interesting, and to maybe help her escape this prison. That meant she needed him as free as she could keep him...besides, she was lonely. And she didn't want just another mindless servant. Or someone who tattled on her all the time. What use was that?!
((Sorry for the wait. Im getting married in a month, so I've been really busy.))
Never forget what I did, what I said,
When I gave you all my heart and soul.
Morning will come and I know we’ll be one,
Cause I still believe that you’ll remember me.
She mourns beneath the moonlit sky,
Remembering when they said goodbye.
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Posted: Sun Jul 22, 2018 8:42 pm
Gozarrik Stormborn Gozarrik followed the girl closely, making note of his surroundings. The culture of the demon realm seemed similar to a few human cities he'd seen. Priestesses had a high position of power here, and the head priestess seemed like the biggest threat. He would keep his distance, but, at the same time, he wanted to know his enemies. That was the first step in any successful battle. The high priestess seemed to be top dog here, while the others lived in a crowded room. It wasn't the most glamorous arrangement, but as a warrior who served the Stormborn Empire, he'd slept through worse. As they arrived at his room, the Orc examined the place thoroughly. It seemed to be alright for his size, and it was rather cozy looking. Better than what he'd expect for a slave, at least. "Not bad. A good place to hang my axe...if I still had it, anyway." He said. The guards made sure to disarm him, as anyone with common sense would do. Letting a violent Orc run free with a weapon wasn't the best idea.
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