Baelin Alshadow's Story

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#2013-02-18 20:07:48, as written by TheNoremac42

"Careful with that!" bellowed a voice from beyond the entrance. "We need this entry intact. Now, let's get rid of the rest of this rubble..."

A murmur of voices echoed from behind the rubble that blocked the doorway. The rumble of grinding stones and settling rocks mixed with a frenzy of agitated voices.

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#2013-02-18 20:23:05, as written by TheNoremac42

Moments passed as the unknown visitors hauled the crumbling stones out of the passage. They were clad in pitch black cloaks and robes with dark hoods drawn over their faces. Together in groups of four and six the heaved free the massive stone slabs and leaned them against the wall. Despite their uniform garb, their frames varied in girth and size. Some were tall and lean while others were stout and lacking in height.

A figure stood part from the rest. He wore the same dark robes, but a long purple sash was draped over his torso. Baelin Alshadow waved his arms like a traffic officer, directing the other cultists in their work.

"Yes, put that over there. A little to the left. Bartholomew, sweep up that hallway! Gregory, get the remains of these pour souls to the dungeon. We'll deal with them later." he said, pointing to the long forsaken skeletons that littered the ground.

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#2013-02-18 20:59:20, as written by TheNoremac42

Soon the entry was relatively cleared and swept clean. The robed and hooded men passed around a few canteens and towels and chatted amongst themselves as Baelin approached the sanctuary pulpit. He scowled at the lopsided cross that hung at an odd angle.

"Get that abomination off of there!" he shouted to the other robed figures who scurried to follow their orders. "Their false gods have no place in our sanctuary. In the deepest pit, even the brightest light is consumed by darkness. Remember..."

"All things originate in Darkness, and to Darkness all things return!" the shouted in unison as they ripped the cross from its bindings and tossed it onto the floor. It shattered in three pieces.

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#2013-02-18 21:44:05, as written by TheNoremac42

When the cross and other pagan symbols were dealt with, Baelin stood behind the pulpit and scanned the room. The future of the Abkömri was fruitful. Their community would multiply and their influence spread across the globe - and the galaxy - until all came to know the glory of the One God.

"Brothers and sisters." he called out to the others. "This is a glorious day. For today, we have established our home. Until the True God calls us to another place, this shall be our sanctuary from the corruption of the outside world. Here we shall dwell in darkness, so that we may become one with it. The masses shall flock to our message of truth. We will be persecuted, but we shall stand strong! Their malice will only give us strength! Remember the Sufferer's Wrath, and allow the All Consuming Darkness to devour you whole. Only then... only then... shall we overcome the trials to come!"

They cheered in unison at the conclusion of his speech.

"Come, my brothers." he lifted his hand to silence them. "Let us clear a path to the altar room, where we shall commit a sacrifice in thanks for our good fortune."

Baelin descended from the pulpit and led them towards a hallway. There was still much work to be done, and little time to do it.

The setting changes from the-monastery to Altar Room

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#2013-02-18 22:22:19, as written by TheNoremac42

Two hours later the remaining rubble had finally been cleared, allowing access to the altar. Baelin scanned the room, eying the various sigels and runes that dotted the objects scattered about. He could feel the dark energy that flowed through the area. Vile deeds had been committed here.

"Clean that altar..." he said to the acolytes. "Prep the sacrifice."

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#2013-02-18 22:32:40, as written by TheNoremac42

The other robed figures hurriedly scampered towards the altar with wet rags and sponges. Dried blood washed away in a stream of watery pink liquid mixed with dust and grime. Two others went back of the stairs.

A moment later they returned dragging a man bound by his wrists and ankles. Shrouding his face was a black bag that was tightened around his neck. Panicked muffled grunts rumbled from beneath the hood as the acolytes tossed pinned him on top of the altar.

Chains, laced with razor-sharp barbs, were shackled to his hands and feet and attached to the four pedestals surrounding the altar. An acolyte tore the bag off of his head, revealing eyes wide with terror and pain as he groaned from the blades slicing into his flesh.

Baelin lifted a gloved finger to his lips, and the man silenced.

"Peace, friend." he whispered. "You shall receive peace. When the last drop of your life blood leaves you, you shall know the comforting embrace of Darkness."

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#2013-02-18 22:46:07, as written by TheNoremac42

The cloaked man raised his hands over the terrified man who lay spread eagle across the altar. A pool of darkness bubbled to life on the opposite side. With tendrils of wrath and vengeance, the darkness squirmed and writhed. A shape rose from the earth, engulfed in black flames, from the darkest depths of the Abyss.

"I establish this altar in your name, oh mighty Unweaver. May the blood of the unbelievers sate your thirst and grant you power."

From the swirling pool of darkness emerged a tall ebony obelisk. Etched into its surface were intricate yet sinister runes of death, decay, and hunger that appeared to have been carved with claws. An aura of terrible malice and despair resonated from the object.

Following the obelisk came a skittering serpent that slithered up the stony surface. Four toned reptilian arms gripped the edges of the pillar with razor-sharp demonic claws. Two leathery wings spread out from its body. Crimson runes glowed across the membranes of the wings as a long tail curled around the base of the obilisk. At its tip was a wicked stinger that dripped a thick black liquid.

A vicious snarl was imprinted on its maw as it solidified and turned to stone.

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#2013-02-18 23:06:46, as written by TheNoremac42

"May this Altar of Blood give homage to your name, oh One God, and fill you with the life and souls of many sacrifices to come!" Baelin uttered as he reached into his cloak.

His hand emerged with a long jagged stone kris that glistened in the candlelight. In the glow of the runes it resonated with a sinister hue. Below him, the man whimpered as tears blurred his eyes.

"Accept this sacrifice from your most humble servant... Velheit ssavoit dovalru ma'aus dima!"

Baelin thrust the knife deep into the man's chest cavity. Blood spewed from the wound as he jabbed his hand into the torso. The man screamed from behind the gag before falling abruptly silent. Bones cracked and arteries gushed.

His hand broke free, gripping a lump of dark red flesh that dripped with the crimson liquid.

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#2013-02-18 23:21:48, as written by TheNoremac42

Blood drained from the corpse that lay limp on the altar. The runes across it glowed a demonic red as the life force flowed across them. Baelin gripped the severed heart tightly in his gloved hand, and the sacrificial kris in the other. His body shook, causing blood to drip more liberally across his robe. He let out a sigh of ecstasy, reeling in the fresh carnage.

Slowly, Baelin set the heart inside the maw of the stone serpent. A dull red glow resonated from its gullet. The organ shriveled, blackened, and turned to dust as it's energy was absorbed.

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#2013-02-18 23:45:21, as written by TheNoremac42

The cultists were turned away from the door, so had not yet registered Doc's presence. Baelin turned around to his disciples and lifted his blood-covered hands, palms upward.

"With this sacrifice we invite the presence of the One God, the True God, into this place. He have torn down the pagan symbols that corrupted this sanctuary. Now we may bask in the Darkness in peace, away from the ways of the world."

"But sir." replied one of the acolytes. "We just killed this man! Wont the authorities come looking for him?"

"Fear not, brother." replied Baelin." For their persecution will only increase our power. We dwell in darkness, the origin of all things. None shall defeat us!"

"What are the words of the One God, honorable Living Shadow?"

"We must find other unbelievers to sacrifice to His Holiness, and swell our numbers. Pagans may come and seek to drive us out, but we must protect this altar with our lives!"

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#2013-02-19 00:05:19, as written by TheNoremac42

"Prophet!" cried out one of the acolytes, who quivered in fear. "This place is haunted by the dead! It is not safe here!" He attempted to flee.

"Cease!" Baelin thundered, lifting his hand. There was a powerful dark aura that surrounded him. Immediately, the acolyte stopped in his tracks. The robed figure vanished in a cloud of smoke, before materializing in front of Doc.

He glared at him from beneath the impregnable darkness created by his hood. Two ghostly gray eyes drilled into the man's soul.

"We mean you no harm..." he said in a soothing calm voice to the man. "We are merely weary monks seeking refuge to worship our deity as we please."

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#2013-02-19 00:25:48, as written by TheNoremac42

Baelin tilted his head. "This monastery is free for public use. For ages it has fallen into decay, but we are finally bringing true purpose to this now holy sanctuary. Who are you to lay judgement upon our actions?" he glanced at the awakened spirits the loitered the room. "For you are also a Son of Darkness, scorned by society for the path you have chosen." his voice was soothing, powerful, and provoking. "I can see the pain in your eyes, child. So much suffering and grief. I can show you so... so... much. We can swaddle you in the powers that gave you form."

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#2013-02-19 00:44:28, as written by TheNoremac42

Baelin rested a gloved - bloody - hand on Doc's shoulder. It was a comforting, friendly gesturing. "You are very brave, child, for choosing this path. The other nonbelievers fear the darkness, but we... WE... We embrace it - and it embraces us. We seek the origins of our existence, so that we may understand our future, our destinies, and reach our full potentials. All things originate in Darkness, and to Darkness all things return." he continued as he attempted to turn Doc away from the scene and walk him up the staircase.

"Do you understand?"

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#2013-02-19 01:00:04, as written by TheNoremac42

"And you have that gift." he replied. "Darkness surges within your soul. It is a most beautiful sight. We can teach you many things. Do you not wish for community, for someone to share your knowledge with, for someone to learn with? All we desire is sanctuary to practice our faith and arts in peace. Perhaps there is an... agreement we can come to? I give you my word - my disciples will not bother you. You wont even be aware of our presence!"

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#2013-02-19 01:22:37, as written by TheNoremac42

Baelin looked at him in the eyes. "It is beautiful... Darkness is the true natural state of all things. Pain and suffering are only the first steps to acquiring true power. We acknowledge your powers over the dead, and honor you because of it. My knowledge over necromancy is limited. Perhaps you can teach some of my acolytes what you know?"

"We were not aware anyone was occupying this place." he continued. "If you inquire us to leave your home, we will. However, I am unsure if we will be able to remove the new altar. This place has been chosen by the One God to be one of his sanctuaries in this world of pagans. Left alone, without our careful monitoring, the divine powers resonating from the obelisk may prove destructive."

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#2013-02-19 01:39:39, as written by TheNoremac42

"Ah..." he patted his shoulder, thinking. "But a necromancer nonetheless... You reach into a hidden power lost to most. You, brother, hold the keys to life and death! We can help you achieve your full potential. You see, that is my goal. These men and women have come to me because I promise them fulfillment of themselves, and I have given it to them. We delve into the source of all things, where life and death unite, where the circle is completed."

Baelin glanced back at the altar. "It hungers, child. It has been established by the Dark One, and will remain as long as his divine soveriegnty wills it. Think of it like an engine. As long as we fuel it, it will run. However, if the fuel stops, it will become hungry. The powers lurking within may overload and cause catastrophic consequences."

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#2013-02-19 02:02:40, as written by TheNoremac42

Baelin paused for a moment and looked to the side, as if listening to un unheard voice. "Yes... Doc." he finally replied. "The Altar feeds off of life force, primarily blood - willing sacrifices. The man lying on the altar back there was a brave man, willing to give his life and soul for his faith. It is a process, Doc. I must guide them steadily into the Abyss, otherwise they lose their footing and fall into madness. Their descent must be gradual. It has been too long since we were part of the Void, since our beings rose from the Abyss. We must be weaned from the physical and the poison of light." the Prophet said. "So... Here is my offer. If you allow us to stay and conduct our rituals, we will not bother you. We will even maintain the building and drive away an unwanted guests. You are being offered community, Doc. You are being given a chance to by with peers and fellow men and women that desire to learn the forsaken arts."

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#2013-02-19 04:10:09, as written by TheNoremac42

"I knew your name, Doc," Baelin retorted, "because He told me who you were. And He knows you." he nodded. "I will accept your proposal, and I thank you for your hospitality."

The setting changes from altar-room to Gambit's Bar

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#2013-02-24 07:42:20, as written by TheNoremac42

A swirling mass of shadow materialized from the darkest corner of the room. The figure was clad in a tattered cloak blacker than the darkest night, and a hood shrouded his face in the same darkness, revealing only two ghostly gray eyes that scanned the scene before him.

Baelin could sense the strife that coursed through the room. Pain. Suffering. Hate. Rage. They were like honey to his pure black soul. Above all his eyes fell upon Tetri. He could sense the agony that scarred and polluted her soul - a pain that could be harnessed.

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#2013-02-24 08:02:05, as written by TheNoremac42

Such fire! Such rage! Baelin smiled beneath the shadow of his hood. He walked slowly towards the counter - towards the woman. His feet glided across the floor as his gray eyes narrowed on Tetri. The cloaked man did not want to alarm her or show that he was a threat. In fact, there was a certain aura of friendliness around him. It was a darkness that protected and swallowed like a blanket.

He slid into a seat one stool away from her and placed his gloved black hands gently on the counter. "Hello, Tetri." the man said softly. His voice was calming yet invoking, like spiced honey. There was an air of authority around him - a charisma and confidence.

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#2013-02-24 08:18:18, as written by TheNoremac42

Baelin frowned slightly as she walked away. No matter. He would get his message across. Suddenly, the cloaked man seemed to dissolve into the counter, floor, and stool. A two-dimensional shadow of himself was painted across the wooden planks. The shadow darted across the room and plastered itself against the wall adjacent to Tetri.

The form of the cloaked man materialized yet again from the shadows. He looked down at the woman, appearing slightly hurt in his ghostly eyes that she walked away so quickly.

"I know your name, Tetri, because he told it to me." he paused a moment, letting his words sink in. "I can feel your pain, child. Your suffering. Your sorrow. The darkness swells around you. You feel lost, do you not? Lost in the darkness - lost in your hate."

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