Saturday, November 28, 2009

Achaea - Saturday, November 28, 2009, 4:17 AM
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Summoning room.
Jars filled with viscous grey fluid sit at the rear of a long table pressed against the wall. Scaly, decaying body parts slowly undulate in the filth, leaving all who glance upon them to guess what is within. An unholy pentagram encompasses the middle of the floor, surrounded with Qith runes painted in blood and sketched with gold. Before the pentagram, a lectern holds a leather-bound book sprouting an array of crimson bookmarks. The lectern is broad and thick with bars stretching up towards the ceiling. Two long, razor-sharp knives sit on a small shelf within easy reach of anybody standing behind the barrier. Placed on a point of power, this red onyx altar dominates this room and radiates strength. A runic totem is planted solidly in the ground. A sigil in the shape of a small, rectangular monolith is on the ground. There are 2 Baalzadeens here. A fell black hawk levels his gaze at anything daring to move. A stone gargoyle flies overhead on leathery, grey wings. An obsidian fist-shaped chalice rests here, emanating an aura of malevolence. Nulaye Vastel, Vindicator of Hate is here. She wields an ironbark shield in her right hand. Apostle Taraza Lichlord is here. She wields a wicked-looking daegger in her left hand and a Shield of Absorption bearing the Divine Order arms of Apollyon in her right. Disciplinarian Vasool Xanatov, Maldaathi Eviscerator is here. He wields an ornate steel rapier in each hand. Blade Aspirant Das Rousseau, Sentry of Mhaldor is here, shrouded. He wields a Soulpiercer in each hand. Blade Aspirant Jaybles Xanatov, Sentry of Mhaldor is here. She wields an ornate steel rapier in each hand. Archfiend Kelandra Lichlord is here, vines undulating about her form. She wields a Druidic quarterstaff in both hands. Leighann Tiarell-Distara is here. She wields a serpentine quarterstaff of petrified yew in both hands. Devoto Kethuru is here. Grunt Drazznak is here, sprawled on the floor. Daemonic Cleric Serethi is here. He wields a Shield of Absorption in his left hand and an orcish flail in his right. Droch Barbo is here, shrouded. Apostle Lerad Aristata is here. He wields a Shield of Absorption bearing the House arms of the Blood Congregation in his right hand. Ryumila Elegait, Daemonic Metrist is here. She wields an ornate steel rapier in her left hand and a bard's harp in her right. Nulaye Vastel, Vindicator of Hate is here. You see a single exit leading northwest. This large chalice crafted out of polished obsidian emanates pure evil. A low, throbbing hum vibrates from the chalice, palpable from several feet away. The obsidian chalice is carved to represent a clawed fist, its inner sides plated with gold. Its heavy base is made out of sturdy platinum, and various tendrils of the same precious metal coils around it. The Seven Truths of the Malevolent Ones are engraved around the rim by a meticulous hand, and accentuated by the gleam of flawless rubies which protrude here and there. It weighs about 10 pounds. Fresh blood sloshes about in it. The red onyx from which the altar is created is slightly transparent and suffused with strange swirls of unknown images. It has been placed on a point of power to aid ritualists to channel energy and focus their will. It weighs 0 ounce(s). Archfiend Kelandra Lichlord says, "We will begin." Archfiend Kelandra Lichlord says, "When you are called forward to offer your blood, you will TOUCH the CHALICE. When you are called to partake, you will DRINK of the CHALICE." Kelandra raises her hands, speaking into the crowd. Archfiend Kelandra Lichlord says, "Here do we gather to affirm our faith." Archfiend Kelandra Lichlord says, "We gather to cleanse our souls and re-forge those links which together do us bind." Archfiend Kelandra Lichlord says, "Sanguis Malus est Apollyon." Kelandra moves languidly towards the altar, her cold stare roaming over the faces of all those present. The ominous silence finally breaks as Kelandra stretches up her arms, while closing her eyes as her voice bounces off the walls within the chamber: "Sanguis malus est Apollyon!" The ground begins to shake, as swirling red fog spills from the altar itself, crawling across the perfectly polished floors and saturating the chamber with the presence of the Lords of Evil. The ground ceases to shake as a black chalice, resembling a clawed fist, rises from the solid centre of the altar, hovering in mid-air before it slowly settles down upon the cold stone surface. The chalice begins to glow bright red as a blast of spine-tingling energy knocks all in the room to the floor. The glowing diminishes as the chalice hums with malevolent energy. Nulaye stands up and stretches her arms out wide. Tendrils of black blood begins to seep from the altar's surface, crawling slowly along and up the base of the obsidian chalice, and finally flowing over the rim to swirl within it, making a disturbingly wet sound. Lerad stands up and stretches his arms out wide. Jaybles stands up and stretches her arms out wide. Ryumila stands up and stretches her arms out wide. You stand up and stretch your arms out wide. <ALERT>: Standing Vasool stands up and stretches his arms out wide. Serethi stands up and stretches his arms out wide. Kethuru stands up and stretches his arms out wide. Drazznak yawns suddenly and mightily. Taraza stands up and stretches her arms out wide. Das stands up and stretches his arms out wide. Archfiend Kelandra Lichlord says, "Vasool, step forth and make offering of thy blood." Kelandra takes a drink from a red-hued, wooden vial. Vasool steps forth. Leighann stands up and stretches her arms out wide. Comprehension flashes across Nulaye's face. Archfiend Kelandra Lichlord says, "Rakon, step forth and make offering of thy blood." Nulaye moves towards the altar with a determined grimace upon her face. She gently drags her wrist across the sharpened rim of the chalice, the flesh splitting on contact to form a gaping wound, blood gushing forth to splash within the chalice. After allowing her blood to drain for a moment, Nulaye steps back from the altar. You have emoted: Rakon strides forward towards the black altar, and touches the chalice. Kelandra nods her head emphatically. You have recovered balance on all limbs. You move towards the altar, feeling the surging power emanating from the chalice nearly repelling you backwards. Extending out one wrist, you drag it gently across the razor-sharp rim of the chalice. You feel a searing pain as a gaping wound spreads open upon your wrist, blood bubbling to the surface of your skin. Turning your wrist over, you allow your blood to pour freely within the humming chalice. With sudden fear, you watch while the blood swirls and takes shape of what it seem to be miniature daemons which howl and reach out to you, only to vanish into the red and black vitae. Archfiend Kelandra Lichlord says, "Das, step forth and make offering of thy blood." Das steps forward towards the chalice. Das moves towards the altar with a determined grimace upon his face. He gently drags his wrist across the sharpened rim of the chalice, the flesh splitting on contact to form a gaping wound, blood gushing forth to splash within the chalice. After allowing his blood to drain for a moment, Das steps back from the altar. Archfiend Kelandra Lichlord says, "Kethuru, step forth and make offering of thy blood." Kethuru moves forward towards the chalice. Taraza takes a drink from a redwood vial. Kethuru moves towards the altar with a determined grimace upon his face. He gently drags his wrist across the sharpened rim of the chalice, the flesh splitting on contact to form a gaping wound, blood gushing forth to splash within the chalice. After allowing his blood to drain for a moment, Kethuru steps back from the altar. Archfiend Kelandra Lichlord says, "Taraza, step forth and make offering of thy blood." Taraza moves towards the altar with a determined grimace upon her face. She gently drags her wrist across the sharpened rim of the chalice, the flesh splitting on contact to form a gaping wound, blood gushing forth to splash within the chalice. After allowing her blood to drain for a moment, Taraza steps back from the altar. Archfiend Kelandra Lichlord says, "Leighann, step forth and make offering of thy blood." Leighann moves towards the altar with a determined grimace upon her face. She gently drags her wrist across the sharpened rim of the chalice, the flesh splitting on contact to form a gaping wound, blood gushing forth to splash within the chalice. After allowing her blood to drain for a moment, Leighann steps back from the altar. Archfiend Kelandra Lichlord says, "Jaybles, step forth and make offering of thy blood." Jaybles moves towards the altar with a determined grimace upon her face. She gently drags her wrist across the sharpened rim of the chalice, the flesh splitting on contact to form a gaping wound, blood gushing forth to splash within the chalice. After allowing her blood to drain for a moment, Jaybles steps back from the altar. Archfiend Kelandra Lichlord says, "Drazznak, step forth and make offering of thy blood." A small demon cackles hysterically and gleefully hops away to chase a rat. Drazznak moves towards the altar with a determined grimace upon his face. He gently drags his wrist across the sharpened rim of the chalice, the flesh splitting on contact to form a gaping wound, blood gushing forth to splash within the chalice. After allowing his blood to drain for a moment, Drazznak steps back from the altar. Drazznak steps forward and bends his head to drink from the blood chalice. Archfiend Kelandra Lichlord says, "Serethi, step forth and make offering of thy blood." Drazznak steps back from the altar. Serethi moves towards the altar with a determined grimace upon his face. He gently drags his wrist across the sharpened rim of the chalice, the flesh splitting on contact to form a gaping wound, blood gushing forth to splash within the chalice. After allowing his blood to drain for a moment, Serethi steps back from the altar. Archfiend Kelandra Lichlord says, "Barbo, step forth and make offering of thy blood." Barbo moves towards the altar with a determined grimace upon his face. He gently drags his wrist across the sharpened rim of the chalice, the flesh splitting on contact to form a gaping wound, blood gushing forth to splash within the chalice. Archfiend Kelandra Lichlord says, "Lerad, step forth and make offering of thy blood." After allowing his blood to drain for a moment, Barbo steps back from the altar. Lerad moves towards the altar with a determined grimace upon his face. He gently drags his wrist across the sharpened rim of the chalice, the flesh splitting on contact to form a gaping wound, blood gushing forth to splash within the chalice. After allowing his blood to drain for a moment, Lerad steps back from the altar. Archfiend Kelandra Lichlord says, "Ryumila, step forth and make offering of thy blood." Ryumila walks towards the chalice, extending her wrist. Ryumila moves towards the altar with a determined grimace upon her face. She gently drags her wrist across the sharpened rim of the chalice, the flesh splitting on contact to form a gaping wound, blood gushing forth to splash within the chalice. After allowing her blood to drain for a moment, Ryumila steps back from the altar. Kelandra moves towards the altar with a determined grimace upon her face. She gently drags her wrist across the sharpened rim of the chalice, the flesh splitting on contact to form a gaping wound, blood gushing forth to splash within the chalice. Kelandra takes a drink from a red-hued, wooden vial. After allowing her blood to drain for a moment, Kelandra steps back from the altar. Archfiend Kelandra Lichlord says, "Thus does the one become many." Archfiend Kelandra Lichlord says, "Sayeth the Apocrypha: 'And HE took half of the blood, and put it in basins, and half of the blood HE spriankled on the altar'" Kelandra lifts the chalice and gingerly dips a hand into the swirling liquid. Murmuring a prayer, she sprinkles with her fingers numerous droplets onto the raised altar. Upon contact, the liquid begins to bubble and hiss, boiling into a red steam which wafts through the chamber. Archfiend Kelandra Lichlord says, "Sayeth the Apocrypha: 'And HE took the book of the covenant and read in the audience of the people: and they said, "All that the LORD hath said will we do and be obedient"." Kelandra lifts over her head a tome ancient and malevolent, bound in leather and branded with an angry black fist. Plunging her hand once more into the chalice, she speaks. Archfiend Kelandra Lichlord says, "Sayeth the Apocrypha: 'And HE took the blood and sprinkled it on the people and said, "Behold the blood of the covenant, which the LORD hath made with you concerning all these words"." Kelandra flicks her wrist and scatters the foul liquid clinging to her hand amongst those gathered, raining drops of crimson upon the upturned faces of the faithful. Archfiend Kelandra Lichlord says, "Citizens, Take of thy blood, and with it the blood of thy peers." Kelandra urges her companions onwards. Lerad takes a long draught of fresh blood. Lerad steps forward and bends his head to drink from the blood chalice. You take a long draught of fresh blood, hoping to quench your thirst. There is someone already at the chalice! Drazznak takes a long draught of fresh blood. Lerad steps back from the altar. Serethi steps forward and bends his head to drink from the blood chalice. Leighann takes a long draught of fresh blood. Serethi steps back from the altar. You take a long draught of fresh blood, hoping to quench your thirst. You place your lips to the chalice, and your lips momentarily shrivel as they make contact with the rim. You wince at the burning pain, though you do not remove the cup from your lips. Tilting back your head, you drink thirstily from the humming chalice. As the fiery elixir surges into your body, the intense power of the Malevolent Ones jolts your body backwards, your eyes rolling into your skull. You begin to scream as you hear the bones of your skull crack and move to form daemonic horns, slowly curling over your head. You howl with ecstasy as your tongue snakes out over your lips, feeling your soul become as black as Abbadon. A morbid grin settles across your lips, and you look out at the world through a film of red, your eyes become a deep crimson, the evil of Hell pulsing through your veins. The visible effects of the change slowly fades, but the malevolence in your soul remains, dwelling like a black cobra curled inside your heart. Das steps forward and bends his head to drink from the blood chalice. Das steps back from the altar. Leighann takes a long draught of fresh blood. Leighann steps forward and bends her head to drink from the blood chalice. Leighann steps back from the altar. Kethuru steps forward and bends his head to drink from the blood chalice. Kethuru steps back from the altar. Jaybles takes a long draught of fresh blood. Jaybles steps forward and bends her head to drink from the blood chalice. Jaybles steps back from the altar. Vasool takes a drink from a black-walnut vial. Barbo steps forward and bends his head to drink from the blood chalice. Barbo steps back from the altar. Ryumila steps forward and bends her head to drink from the blood chalice. Ryumila steps back from the altar. Kelandra steps forward and bends her head to drink from the blood chalice. Kelandra steps back from the altar. Archfiend Kelandra Lichlord says, "Thus do the many become one." Vasool takes a drink from a black-walnut vial. Archfiend Kelandra Lichlord says, "So ends the Mass." Archfiend Kelandra Lichlord says, "You are all dismissed. Thank you."