Sereniti Waerloga-A Dance with Devils

[tooley1chris]

The beautifully evil demon was nothing of the sort.

The very feminine, winged creature standing on the hill just outside the den of dogmen was surrounded by a small group of random adventurers.
But even through those gathered Sereniti knew this creature was so much more.

Sereniti approached the Erinyes, daring much closer than the crowd. Her chalky white skin and contrasting blood red feathered wings only added to the devils beauty in her eyes.
The stearn demenor, long steel blade, and glowing red eyes warned against the peril of foolishness.

"So then," the outsider inquired in thickly accented common. "Which among you will visit my palace of pleasures?"

A grumbling arose in the crowd.
It was obvious Sereniti had missed some of the talk.

"Wence come you devil, and who be your master?" Sereniti risked the question.

Turning her fiery gaze apon her the devil answered in a soothing tone. "I am mastered by the lord of the 7th pit."

Sereniti fell to her knees.
Maladomini was this devils home and Arch Duke Baalzebul it's master.

She dare show no pride lest the fiend bring her to ruin.

"Forgive my doubt and insolence, mistess." Sereniti said in the infernal tongue. "I am yours to command."

"What's that she said?" Asked a voice from the crowd.

Sereniti turned her head enough to see a male Hin with painted face dare to sit lazily on the grass nearby.

"Show respect, fool!" Sereniti hissed but the Hin was unmoved.

"Why do you wish to take people before their time?" Asked yet another voice in the infernal tongue. This time it was the mage who brought her here.

"I take no one who is unwilling. " replied the she devil with all politeness. "My palace has many joys I wish to share."

"I will see your palace." said a female voice.

The crowd was becoming fearful and began dispersing as a woman archer stepped forward. Again she said "I will go."

Sereniti, still bowing now rose and the devil, seeing the others leaving seemed content with the volunteers. Plumes of smoke rose around them and the sounds of swarming insects became deafening.

"How appropriate " thought Sereniti. "An avatar of the Lord of the Flies."

She had never seen Baator and feared that was their destination, but stood resolute as the smoke blocked out all else.

[tooley1chris]

Clearing her head from the dizzying transition, Serenitis eyes brought into focus a richly decorated room.

Fine rugs on the smooth tile floor. Rich tapestries lining the walls. Book shelves full of well used tomes and parchments.

A rather large bar with many labled bottles. A beautiful fireplace with many cusions.

Indeed a wealthy room fit for nobility and not the ruinous baator she'd expected of Maladomini, the layer of Duke Baalzebul.

Perhaps they were still in her world. She could not know.

"Please." Said the Erinyes. "Eat. Drink. Make yourself comfortable as if my home is yours."

Sereniti was learned in the lore of Baator. Such hospitality was common among the hierarchy but not so with mortals. Not without a price.

"Tell me." The she-devil cooed. "Tell me about yourselves. Are any of you important in your country?"

" I am Melvia." Said the female archer who made up the trio of the damned. She bowed slightly to the devil and made her way to the bar. I am a bowyer and hunter. "

"I'm important. " interrupted the tattooed hin. "I'm Drasinic."

"Excellent. You are all most welcome. Please refresh yourselves while I leave you a moment. Yes?" Responded the ashy colored fiend. She left the room.

Drasinic lay down by the fire and Melvia opened another bottle at the bar. Sereniti pulled a tome off the bookshelf and began flipping pages.

"You may address me as Sereniti." She nodded to the others without looking up from the book. "Do any of you know why you were chosen to be here?"

"No idea." They both responded.
She wished to warn them of their, and quite probably her own, immanent doom but was sure they were watched and dare not anger their gracious hostess. "Beware promises of wealth, power. Beware gifts." She thought to say, but she owed them no allegiance.

Sereniti was damned already and worried not for her soul, but she was in no hurry to stand before her lord with so little accomplished. If anything she would help this she-devil to claim the souls of these niave fools.

She skimmed the book she'd found. A small bit of lore concerning the crafting of an unusual craft called a Spell Jammer. Supposedly propelled by the power of a single wizard. Interesting.

"What of you?" Asked the hin with a mouthful of bread. "Whats yer story?"

" I am a hunter of demons. " Sereniti gave her most evil smile trying hard not to laugh aloud. "I know not why I was picked. But there are several..."

Just then the door opened and the devil hostess apologized genuinely for keeping them.

"Why you bringin us here, we was wonderin?" Asked Drasonic.

The devil erinyes lips formed a beautiful smile.
"First," she started "I would have you ask a gift of me for your wait."
"And here it is", Sereniti thought.

"A gift?" Asked Melvia.

"Oh yes. Anything you desire. Ask and it shall be provided."

The room went hush and Sereniti pretended to resume reading her tome, while scanning the eyes of the other guests.

So this was the ploy. A harverster devil reaping souls with promises of fancy baubles.

She would die here, Sereniti decided. Her soul was forfeit already. Claimed by Glasya.

Serenitis soul was bound yet unclaimed. This harvester devil would smell the taint of Glasya on her spirit and, in rage, destroy the shell that contained it.

Sereniti would see Baator today after all.

The other two made their requests and were presented with a silky pair of gloves for Drasonic and a heavily runed bow for Melvia. Then the Erinyes turned to Sereniti.

"What does your heart desire, dear?"

"Only the wisdom to serve my mistress adequately. " Sereniti whispered.

"Oh come now. You've wisdom enough." Said the temptress.

"Name for me a gift I may give you."
Sereniti didn't think it would get this far and had not used her time pondering trinkets before hand. Her mind raced.
What could she name that was impossible for the devil to aquire for her.

"The Finger of the Lame Kobold." She found herself saying.
Yes. An ancient artifact, presumably destroyed many years ago.
She congradulated herself for being so clever.
Such a unique item from her readings must be impossible to aquire. And it was.

"I'm sorry dear.! Said the harvester. "I did mean to say a gift that exists still. Please, ahhh...I know your mind girl. I have something just right for you."

At that the devil produced a dagger, also heavily runed. It was a thing of beauty and her heart could not deny wanting it.

"Take it." Cooed the fiend. "I'll not have my guests leave here empty handed."

There was a tone in her last words that rang danger in Serenitis mind.
She wasn't playing the hurt refused hostess. "I'll not let you leave if you don't accept." was the devils meaning.
Sereniti caressed the blade with her finger tips. Tracing the etched letters. The Erinyes turned Serenitis hand palm up and placed the blade in her care. Her mind raced. What was this? The harvester had to know Sereniti was already soul bound. Why the gift? Why was she not choking on her own blood or the smoke of her own burning flesh?

Finally and too late, Melvia asked the gift bearer "Why are you being so generous?"

"I would ask a favor of you three. Oh don't look so worried. Tis a simple thing really."

Sereniti held her breath still eyeing the blade laying in her open hand she had yet to grasp.

"I wish you to report the presence and activity of any demon you encounter. Spy it out and tell me all you see and hear. Write it down, in detail. I will visit you each in turn to find how you've lived up to your bargain. See? Nothing sinister. Just watch for denizens of the abyss and observe all you can."

Intriguing. Thought Sereniti. Yet another encounter involving demons...

[tooley1chris]

Over a month had passed since the erinyes returned them to their world.
Nothing had changed really. Sereniti looked for proof of demons as requested.

Today she looked for troll hides with a companion.

The acrid smell of acid and smoldering mountain troll flesh hung heavy in the air.

Sereniti wiped the perspiration from her forhead with a handkerchief and placed it back into the folds of her armor.
She longed to run an ivory comb through her hair but knew the fallen foes had reinforcements in great numbers.

Her time was short.

The black knight, Raiden, was with her. A dark champion who wielded a great long blade sheathed in unholy black.

He was of few words but had no trouble helping her to burn the hides as she cut them as straight as she could.

Without the acid the skin would slowly start to mend itself or even form a whole new troll to threaten them.

The tanner would pay well for these more resistant hides and she needed the coin.

She smiled up at Raidens helmed eye slots as a scream of more trolls could be heard over the rushing stream.

Here they come.

She quickly finished the hide and bathed the remains in vitriolic fury.

Then as she stood, pulling her devil gifted dagger from sheath, the buzzing of many insects assualted her ears. The familiar smell of brimstone washed over her as a black cloud began to form obscuring her sight from the troll that now rushed head long across the river toward them.

She looked to Raiden who was staring at her with sword in hand.

"Not now." She whispered into the cloud but she knew the call could not be stopped by her will alone.

The woozy light-headed feeling of being wrenched from one place to the next was on her as the cloud dissipated and the buzzing faded.

Her eyes adjusted to the light revealing two familiar figures.

The Hin Drasinic and the half -elf archer Melvia. She cleared her head further and saw the she-devil Erinyes smiling at her before the cursed tomb in the Fields of the Dead.

"So it begins." Thought Sereniti.

"Tell me," asked the devil, "what of your mission? What have you found for me?"

The half-elf Melvia spoke first. "This tomb...it contains a portal."

"Aye," chimed in Drasinic. "It be the power behind the undead within. Maybe demonic power."

"Excellent. " said the erinyes. "This area has been debated as a source of their power. A portal may very well be the key."

"I know nothing of this portal, mistress. " answered Sereniti but I have heard of a girl who claims to be a worshipper of demons spotted near here. I am working, thru another, on gaining her trust in hopes of her leading me to her cult.

"And what is her name?" Asked the devil.
"She has not trusted me with much, mistress. But I will know all in good time."

"Do not reveal your alliances to her, Sereniti." Said the Erinyes. "Or she will be made to kill you."

Sereniti smiled at this and in a low voice replied. "She will not find ending your servant so simple."

"Ah, vanity." Smiled the devil.

A sudden rustling in the grass up the path and an indescribably horrid odor filled their nostrils.

Sereniti noticed even the she-devil gripped her sword more tightly and tensed for what was to come.
Drasinic let out a mighty cry as he charged a large bulbous mass of grey flesh that lumbered down the path towards them.

Skillfully arrows flew from Melvias bow into the blubbery mass that now engaged the furious hin.

The Erinyes was up the hill in a flash cursing insults to the demon in her native infernal tongue.

Sereniti alone seemed dazed by the sudden appearance of a fiend from the abyss. Gathering her senses she unsheathed daggers and flew to the frey. Her skillful strikes met their mark in the demons fat flesh but seemed to do little more than mar the flesh that should be burning with eldritch fury.

The fiend threw her, almost playfully across the path as the others drove into it with sword, arrow, and fist.

A new tactic was required.

"Hasfala Hyn" Sereniti invoked and acidic power ripped from her hands in a vitriolic blast of eldritch power.

It found its mark and seered the demons hide.

Another shaft in the beasts throat from Melvia and the spawn was no more.

No sooner had it fallen then two more appeared to take its place.

"Into the tomb!" Shouted the devil woman, and they all ran for the door.
Drasinic slammed the heavy door tight just as the first demon slammed against it from outside.

Dust from the crypts walls and ceiling plumed around them as yet another barrage shook the crumbling door frame.

"It will not hold." Shouted Melvia above the din.

"Let them come." Answered the hin changing his fighting stance to match the new terrain. "

"Stop it at the door." Hissed the Erinyes. "So we fight them one at a time."

Another thunderous slam and the door toppled inward and down the stone stair toward them.

An arrow was loosed from the half-elves bow, and even through the clouds of dust found it's target as angry howls followed its firing.
Drasinic gracefully leaped over the sliding door up the stair as the first blood red eyes gleamed through the gloom.

Sereniti charged a dagger with jade colored eldritch power and threw it at those eyes.

The demon howled in fury as the blade gouged the red socket and released it's acidic potency before flying back to her hand.

The demons lifeless shell tumbled down the stair and the second demon found itself tumbling with it as the hin placed a powerful kick in its lower leg causing it to buckle and fall directly on the erinyes waiting sword.

Two arrows in the back of its skull at point blank guaranteed its demise.

"This is a good spot to hold them." Said the she-devil.

"Still," retorted Sereniti, the
walking dead within would provide a good buffer where doors fail. If the undead have no love for demons in any case."

"Aye." Said Melvia fitting a new string to her bow. "And we can show you the portal we spoke of."

"Come. " said the hin leading the way.

The journey through the old crypt was short and after just a brief time they entered a large room that held their destination.

A rounded, smooth doorway to nowhere gleamed a bright purple haze of strange magic.

Sereniti approached it looking for glyphs or runes that might solve the mystery of its use. There were none.

"Yes," smiled the devil. "You have done well. We had long thought such a portal might exist. Now verified. My faith in your abilities is justified."

The four stood staring at the gateway for a time before the she-devil spoke again.

"It is time we made ourselves known to you so that you may join us in this fight. But you must swear allegiance before we proceed.

That uneasy feeling crept up on Sereniti again.
Her allegiance was set, bound in her own blood. No matter her will, her soul was sealed by Glaya, Princess of Hell.

"Mistress, " She began almost trembling but daring to look the erinyes in the eye.

"We are aware of your...situation, Sereniti Waerloga." Interrupted the devil. "Arrangements have been made for your special circumstances. To serve us is to serve the master of all."

"Thy will, mistress. "

"I will submit." Said the she-elf Melvia.

"Aye." Answered the hin Drasinic. "I will follow. What is this "we" you speak of?"

"First gather you three together so that I may rid you the taint the demons left by their very presense."

The three gathered and hellfire bathed them. It was more than a cleansing, Sereniti felt, but also an initiation or a binding. They were now tied together and to the will of the mysterious "we" the devil spoke of.

"We accept you, Melvia. We accept you, Drasinic. We accept you, Sereniti. Know that you are bound now to the dark queen of the first hell."

"Gods!" Thought Sereniti aloud.
"The Dragonspawn Pits of Azharul?"

"The dark queen Tiamat is your gracious benefactor now." The devil cooed in a charismatic voice. "And she has much to share with those who aid her cause."

[tooley1chris]

"Thank you for meeting me, Petrus." Sereniti smiles.

She is dressed in her dark grey dress and carrying some rolled up scrolls under her arm.

"I know you dislike meeting in the Shelf of Many Books, but I feel more at ease surrounded by lore. No one comes here, I assure you. I spend enough time here to know.
I have need of aid and the others of our...well our friends are absent of late."

She walks to a candle lit table and starts unrolling scrolls sorting thru them. She finds one and pulls it to the top. She points to a symbol on the parchment.

"What do you know of this marking?"



Dressed in his usual worn clothes, he walks to the center of the hall. He sets his small leather bag on the table and sits on a nerby chair, exhaling some air. It seems he hasn't slept well, somehow.

"What is this?" asks Petrus, when he's given the parchment, then arches a brow.

"No, I'm not familiar with this symbol. What are these? Dragons? Wait, is it an hydra?"

"Alright." Sereniti sighed. "Crash course, Petrus. I've spent years studying this subject but will try to simplify it for time's sake and to hopefully keep you interested enough to remain awake."

She begins shuffling through her own bag of books and scrolls.

"Some things you'll not find in a standard house of lore." She says smiling. "Ah, here it is."

She unrolls a badly worn parchment with a rough drawing.


She points to the top of the drawing.

"This is a crude drawing and is more a representation of Baator than a map, but as I'm sure you know, when Asmodeus was thrown from grace his fall created a deep rift. Over time this rift became layers. It's all symbolic, mind you."

She continued " Asmodeus used these seperate realms of the whole to segregate the different powers who were likewise cast out. But the first layer, or top most of the rift was given the name Avernus.
There are many great powers who hold lordship in Avernus.
A number of godly realms exist on Avernus, including Draukari, realm of kobold deity Kurtulmak, goblin deity Bargrivyek's deceptively titled realm of The Peacable Lands, and Abthalom.
More to our subject is Dragonspawn Pits of Azharul. Tiamat, the five-headed deity of evil dragons, stands watch over the way to the next layer, Dis, with her draconic and abishai servitors. This five headed dragon is her symbol. Tiamat the Dark Queen."

Petrus nodded "Interesting."

There's brief spark in his eyes as he recalls a distant memory from his past... or maybe from some dream.

"Tiamat, the Dark Queen, the mother of dragons. The Dragonspawn Pits of Azharul..."

There's a long pause, during which he still stares at the parchment. Then he raises his eyes, glancing at the chultan woman.

"Tell me, then: what about it?" He asks.

"I'm not all together sure what is building in our realm but Tiamats messenger, an erinyes, has instructed me, and two others, to watch for demonic activity and, what I really can't wrap my head around, Drow activity.
I've been doing research on both Tiamat and drow patheons and I can't find a connection. Some Drow worship a dark mother known as Queen of the Demonweb Pits. A lovely title to be sure. But I can find precious little lore on this queen.
The lore hoarders of Candle Keep refuse my requests to search their treasure troves of knowledge. Or more to the point, have ignored me.
I hardly know any dark elves, although I've been mistaken as one often enough."

She laughs. "Gods but I've been long winded."

She shakes her head and reaches to her pack again.

"And a poor hostess." She says pulling a bottle from her pouch.

As she opens it the sour smell of aged whiskey fills their nostrils.

"I've often heard of dark holes that lead to the realm where drow hold sway. I wonder if I were to visit that place...would they also mistake me for one of there own? Do they have temples as we do? Places of learning?"

She pours the whiskey into a glass and hands it to him. He finishes it in one gulp, she pours another glass full and, shaking her head again, leaves him the bottle.

"Thank you." He replies placing the bottle in his lap.

"Next time I'll bring something as well. Anyway... drow, then. Mhhh. I don't know much of them either. They are a seclusive race. And a cruel one too, or at least that's what I've heard. I wouldn't go there if I were you: I don't think you could pass as a drow. I've heard that they like to torture and murder surfacers. Besides, you don't know their language."

She palms her head. "Languages! Gods but I'm foolish."

She settles into a chair and sighs.

"Well going miles under ground didn't appeal to me in any case. Probably very dirty. "

She sits in thought.

He fills his glass once again and drinks the liquor. He remains silent for a few seconds, his eyes closed as he appears thoughtful.

"You know, I've heard some talks of drow visiting the Sword Coast, lately. I've heard some... rumours... I would start my research in the north, at Roaringshore, if you get my meaning. As for Candlekeep... I could also try to get access to the actual library. More radical measures could be taken. Really, anything is possible if you have enough motivation."

He pours whiskey in his glass for the third time, and once again he empties it.

"So, this is what that erinyes' thing is all about. You mentioned... two others. Who are they?"

"Look. I'm not an impulsive woman. I like to see all the chess pieces before I move."

She pulls a bone comb from a fold in her robes and idly runs it through her hair.

"My instructions are to be on the look out for drow and demonic activity. NOT to research them. But I hate to play this devil's game, blind. I also don't want you to put yourself at risk by helping me get into Candle Keep for what could be a wasted effort."

She thinks a moment.

"My companions in this are a Hin pugilist named Drasinic and a half-elf archer named Melvia. Both are good fighters. I saw them stand against several demons without fear, but honestly I don't believe either know much of the politics of hell nor the abyss.
I have studied these near all my adult life and still I don't know enough."

She reaches for his full cup as he goes to drink it and swallows the dark liquid, trying hard not to choke.

In a hoars voice she croaks "There's nothing for it. If you're to help me you must meet...her."

After three cups of whiskey in a few minutes he's far from being lucid. He passes his right hand on his forehead and exhales some air. His attention switches to some books on the bookshelf in front of him... and then turns his head to the woman, staring at her with watery eyes.

"Wait... meet her... who?"

Sereniti clears the whiskey burn from her throat and says "I'm Hesitatant to say her name aloud lest she think me calling her to me. But the erinyes who has tasked myself and the other two names herself..."

She grabs a quill and dipping it in an ink vial writes "Gargasluvius" onto the parchment.

"Wait..." she laughs. "Even drunk you couldn't think I meant...the one the erinyes answers to, did you? No. I've seen many strange things of late, but am not ready to be humbled before a deity. I'll not be introducing you to the dragon queenp herself, I think."

"Ah. The she-devil! Right, right! No, I didn't think of... well, you know. Of course. Nay, I was... thinking of... someone else, aye. Nevermind! Anyway... you have met her already. Do you think that is a good idea? Should I bring... you know, a gift? Something she seeks, perhaps?"

"I will not lie, Petrus. I know asking this of you puts you in grave danger. Like me, your soul is ripe for harvesting. I feared... she, the erinyes that is, would claim mine for our lord before I was yet ready. I do not ask this of you lightly. I know people of...our... disposition are hard won as allies and I do not wish to lose what we have built, together. And there's more."

"yes?" Asked Petrus rubbing his face trying to clear his head of the drink.

"As I said, I like to think things through... I think the only gift you need bring is the information you have concerning this girl. The demon worshipper. But my bigger fear is that the erinyes find you more useful than she finds me and no longer requires my services, so to speak. My wit must be sharp for that occurance. I hope to convince her that two sets of eyes may see what one may miss. I risk much in this as well. I'm under the impression that my knowledge of Demonology and devil lore puts me in favor as a contact in this realm. We will see."

Petrus leaned back in his chair. "My... my soul, aye. Listen, I will have to think about this, alright? And I will have to plan how to get that girl and her... master. Maybe you can help about that? Anyway, I can tell you this: I've not become who I am by not taking risks. When it's worth, at least. Count me in."

Sereniti picks up his cup to take another drink and thinks better of it, putting it back down.

"The girl, Belez, would be a wonderful gift. Tis true. And whatever information we can get concerning her cult or master, more so. The queen of evil dragons' messenger has been very patient and generous. I pray it holds true.
Yes. Think on what we've discussed. Maybe with a clearer mind than current?"

She smiled at that.

"We will speak again in a few days time. And you can tell me how I can aid in your plans as well."

He nods twice and slowly gets up.

"In the meanwhile," he adds "I will already start my search. I will bring you news, soon."

Then he staggers to the exit.

[tooley1chris]

My lady will no doubt think it all but a dream. I, Aslat, know better. As a fey of the dream court I invisibly followed my lady, Sereniti, and so record these horrid events.

As my lady slept, her head rested in the tomes within the Shelf of Many Books, her own mistress calls her from slumber.



"Sereniti... " the soft, almost musical voice called before the Erinyes even materialized.
"Sereniti, my play thing. Awwww....she tires of her labors. Poor baby has so many tugging on her shackles at once."

My lady awoke and seeing the servant messenger, quickly bent knee in subservience.
"Yours to command, mistress." The fiery red head yielded.

"Yes. Such a good little mortal. Eager to please. So eager." Cooed the she devil.
Sereniti remained silent.

"Tell me, beloved. Whom do you serve, The Princess of Hell or Baator itself? Hmmm? Who tugs tightest the chains of your heart?"

My lady didn't look up but I did. I looked at that ivory skinned she-devil as she ran her hands over the curves of her body. Delighting in Serenitis’ fear. Crimson wings stretching out in ecstasy as she played her game.

"I serve all of Baator through my mistress Glasya. Just as you do." Sereniti replied after pause. "My goal is to see the lords of Baator risen to high status worthy of them."

The devil hissed at this. "You serve yourself, mortal! Your goal is to see yourself, this pathetic shell of a body, saved from the demon fey Xolti! You seek to elevate your own status to what YOU deem worthy! Treacherous cur! Do you deny?"

Sereniti fell forward on her chest, the sobs were obvious.
"I would not deny my hearts desires to one who knows them so well." She choked, barely able to breathe for fear.
"I serve Glasysa just as you do." The devil mocked.

"I may serve so, when commanded, but my lord is the great ruler of the Nessus. Master of the Ninth. Not his spoiled brat child."

The erinyes composed herself and smiled. Her hands resumed exploring her own body.
"Do not die of fright, darling child. You have usefulness still. In the service of Glasya, and...others."

At this Sereniti did look up. Her eyes red with tears that coated her cheeks in glossy sheen.
"Asmodeus is the lord of my mistress. " she choked again clearing her voice.

At this the erinyes struck her across those wet cheeks.
"Do not think to speak his name aloud, filth!"

Then she settled her rage again and stared at the tear coated hand that caused harm to my lady. She breathed deeply through her nostrils and seemed to delight in the aroma. "I see." She cooed again. "You know the power in names.That a power such as HE would hear HIS name spoken when a servant of his is near. You test me. You test the truth in my words."

The she devil laughed aloud. A seductive tone in the music of her voice.
"Do you have your proof, mortal? Perhaps you truly are of use and not the weak lemore I take you for. We will see."

The devil circled behind my lady slowly as she spoke.
"We will see where loyalties lie. See the usefulness of Glasyas servant. Yes I speak her name as well, child. She will hear but she will not come."

The erinyes continued to circle, now kneeling at where Sereniti lay. Lifting my ladies chin with clawed hand. Blood oozed down Serenitis’ chin from the blow.
"We will see the stuff Sereniti Oathbreaker is made of."

"I will do what I must." Sereniti replied looking the she devil in the eyes.
The erinyes smiled and rose.

"To be in the service Baator is to serve whatever power the lord of the Nessus commands. You are so commanded, Sereniti Waerloga. What say you?"

Sereniti rose to her knees and looked to where I sat, writing all I saw, in my shroud of darkness.

"The imp may come along." Laughed the devil. To record your servitude. I should like to read about what I will undoubtedly be dismissed from viewing."

"We go somewhere?" Asked Sereniti wiping blood from her mouth.

The erinyes bent and offered her hand. Sereniti rose with he support and the devil looked right at me, Aslat, in my invisibility. I heard the sounds of many thousands of flies, smelled the fumes of a thousand furnaces, and sight left even my eyes as we were enveloped in black smoke.

The buzzing of insects gave way to the sounds of roaring flame, then the anguished cries from a millennia of damned souls.
The black smoke faded and was replaced by a brilliant red aura. As my eyes adjusted I saw we stood on a high ledge.
Before us, far below, was a rocky waste land which seemed mostly covered in blood and gore.
Great fireballs flew through the sky, falling to smite any not immune to their heat.
As I looked directly over the edge I saw, a thousand feet below, a deep and wide pit. This horrid crater was full of wispy beings, I could only think were souls, writhing in agony from what I did not know.

I looked away from the macabre spectacle and beheld great mountains above. Toothy mountains looming on every side, offering fatal obstacles to those unwise enough to scale them, and sharp edges of crystalline rock to tear at flesh and clothing should one dare such a climb.
Directly above was a jagged, crown shaped mountain redoubt.
Five watchtowers, each carved to resemble the head and neck of a watchful dragon, curving up and out from the main structure. A great winged, red abishai stood near, apparently guarding the great tunnel delved into the side of the mountain here. He was ever vigilantly searching the walls around the tunnel and paid us little heed.

"Avernus." My lady, Sereniti, whispered.



Our erinyes escort bid us enter the tunnel and we followed.
The rough stone gradually gave way to smooth walls in the tunnel, large enough to accommodate a colossal dragon.

As we walked, these walls became more adorned with decorative pillars and tapestries that reached to the ceiling above, nearly out of sights range.

For miles we seemed to walk at a slight incline. The rooms and halls, while seemingly made for giants, were as lusciously decorated as any royalty could only wish for.
But at last we came to a grand room lined with felts and silks.
The walls seemed plated in precious metal and studded with every type and size gem imaginable.

There, on what could only serve as bed for the tallest of titans, rested a massive blue dragon.
It turned its massive head to us and bellowed in a brutish tongue I did not know.

A tall, rather lovely, brunette woman came from around the beast. She smiled and looked to the massive beast, chiming in a voice of high confidence , she addressed the blue wyrm.
" Excuse us till I summon you again."

The massive blue raised to its full height and growled something that sounded of impatience.
Sereniti was on her knees. "I am summoned? "

The regal woman ignored her and addressed the erinyes.



"This... this is what is brought to me?" Indicating my lady. "I have priests worth twice her value in her realm." She laughs, scoffing.

The erinyes nods and speaks.”These are the words of my lord and yours, terrible Queen of Wyrms: ‘As I am sure you will judge value on flesh over substance within, in your ever greedy hunger for power, I urge you to test this metal in the fires of loyalty, against thy earthly priests. You will no doubt find her above the coin pinching, power mongering, lecherous fools you call followers.’

The woman sneered at this and inhaled to spit vile words at the erinyes, but the she devil held forth a clawed hand in warning.

"Also know, your Excellency, I am instructed to inform he who we serve of your response."


The womans face turned from anger to irritation. "Then test her we shall. The servants in the Citadel of Tiamat are abishai. And as many souls of hell, start at the lowest station to be forged into better servants. Let this pup be harvested so, and tested in the fires of lord Asmodeus' own creation."

The erinyes laughed at this. "A fitting test, my queen. But the Maggot pit is for souls of the damned. Not the living. "

Sereniti was starting to panic. I could see her breathing labored even as she knelt.

"This fragile gift of your lord shall be born anew in torment. Her strength and agility are of little use to me where I require guile, charm. A commanding presence to lead many to my banner. In numbers is the strength of Tiamat enhanced. Not this poor eldritch witch who kills with knife. I require one who charms the souls from mortals. One who inspires loyalty. She will find such force of will under the tutelage of the Avernus."

Tiamat, Queen of Evil dragons pulled Sereniti to her feet and smiled at the trembling witch.

"Yes, let the tears come if they must. Soon you will cry for mercy, beg for oblivion, scream for destruction. And it will make you a force to be reckoned with."

Tiamat, in mortal form stepped away from them and paced toward the great satin bed where the blue dragon earlier lounged.

She turned and I saw the erinyes step away from my lady. Tiamat turned towards Sereniti and extended her arms.

"You are going to receive now my greatest blessing child. Are you ready?"

My lady was frozen in horror. Soon so was I as the regal looking woman began a grisly transformation. The oversized chamber filled with her mottled grey form as if great amounts of clay were quickly molded to form an enormous dragon.



A thick-bodied dragon with five heads and a wyvern’s tail. Each head a different color: white, black, green, blue, and red. Her massive body striped in those colors as well.
The erinyes stepped farther away still and Sereniti collapsed to the rich rugs below her. The heads moved in unison, each spouting it's own brand of death. Poison, frost, lightning, acid, and then terrible flame.

How I survived the torrent I'll never know, save it was her will that I bare witness.
The body of my lady was melted slag and ash. Yet where she once lay now was a milky white blob of flesh in humanoid form. The closest I can compare is with an albino zombie with melted features. A shadow of her former self. This...thing that was my lady slowly faded as I watched but the erinyes came to where I coward in fright and took my hand.

"Come." She said. "Come behold the true power of hell. "

With that she whisked me into her arms and flew me quicker than I thought possible. Back through the grand rooms and tunnel, out the mouth of the mountain, over the pit of damned souls, and across the wastes we shot like an arrow. A sprawling river appeared below. Many rafts patrolled this blackish water, manned by what the she devil called barbazu or soul collectors. These devils would pole their rafts to rocks in the river, named the Shelves of Dispond.



"Here," said the erinyes as we glided above the waters, "is where souls of evil mortals begin their journey. Well, souls not lost to chaos. They are collected and sorted to a proper punishment within Baator. The punishments drain divine energies used to fuel the fires of hell. This energy is the currency of devils."

"I am fey, devil. As you well know, I will never wash up on yonder rocks. Why do you show me? Why explain?"

"Your lady. Your Sereniti. Do you love her?" Asked the erinyes.

"She is the enemy of my enemy. An ally. A...I would not see her murdered in this way. I wouldn't see what I fear you mean to show me." Says I.

I do mean to show you things you will find...distasteful. " She whispered. "You will come to value your own existence more to never see such...rewards. But more over, Sereniti will need allies if she's to endure the queens lordship. Tiamat believes herseld to need no alliances in her rule. But devils, and even gods, have rules. The lord of Baator sees fit to help Tiamat push her agenda. For what reasons, I do not know. But your Sereniti will be changed from this trial. Be made new in a form pleasing to the Queen of Wyrms. I show you so you understand why she is changed. Behold, we are come."

I looked and saw apon a blood and filth covered ledge, amist the viscous waters, the soul of Sereniti, my lady. Four other were there as well and I saw the raft with a foul barbazu, a bearded fiend with great horns, leap to the ledge and throw the bodies into the boat. They would scramble and try to flee into the depths, away from the devil, but it was quick and fierce with its pole. Catching and striking them down.

"Souls have form?" I asked the devil.

"These are but shells containing the souls, Aslas." She said almost humorously. "The magic is within the shells, waiting to be released. But the soul is not so easily coaxed from the shell. It must be…given a proper motivation to flee it's safe harborage."

"Motivation? " asks I.

"We shall see how much your lady requires. "

We followed the raft to a blood soaked shore where the bearded devils forced the rubbery soul shells into massive lines. Here, ink-drenched devils called amnizu seemed to be making reports on each soul shell.

"You see," explaind the erinyes to me, "When a shipment of soul shells arrives at a torture station, these devils read each one’s mark and record the name of the devil responsible for harvesting the soul in a massive ledger. Torture stations are typically supervised by erinyes, who also file regular reports to their lords listing the top soul harvesters. These reports are essential to the promotion prospects of devils at work in Serenitis world. She herself is responsible for a few souls brought here, by the way. Once their paperwork has been compiled, copied, and filed, the soul shells undergo a wonderful program of torture. While slowly peeling away every last iota of the souls individuality, the process releases magical energy, the essence of the soul, which flows to the local lord. This continues until every scintilla of extractable magic has been wrung from them."

"Aslat thinking you likes dis too much." I said.

"We are evil, little one. I've time to explain the intricacies of baator to you, as your precious Sereniti will be tortured long, but I've not the patients."

The erinyes sighed when she saw my frustration.
"Suffice it to say that whether good or evil, the powers that be require something from mortals. Some require sacrafice of blood , such as.foul demon lords. Some sacrafice of material things they deem precious, as Tiamat. Many only require the prayers of the faithful. The powers of Baator hold back the hoards of the Abyss. We fight chaos itself. The lords of hell require power to wage such a war. Evil souls are the fount from which we drink."

We settled to the ground as Serenitis soul shell was driven into the houses of torture. We followed her into the large chamber that echoed the screams of those who came before.
Inside were four devils that seemed composed of razor sharp chains that the erinyes called Kyton.



The four beat her to the floor. Pummeling with fist and foot. Then two of them expertly swung barbed chains around beams in the structures ceiling that quickly snaked down, roping around her legs, and pulling her upright hanging upside down. The other Kyton then began striping her bacl, her buttocks, her legs with his wicked chains. The other two secured their chains and began whipping her with barbed steel as well. Her body swung in slow circles as they ripped flesh from my lady in synchronized horror.
Then when the last tatters of skin hung from her bloodied, still screaming corpse, I saw the magic of which the she devil spoke.

As I watched, the flesh regenerated. The blood stopped flowing. The hurts inflicted healed.
The soul shell was whole again and again the Kyton set about their grizzly work.
They made tiny cuts down the length of her chest and belly. The same along her back and her arms, her legs. Striping her body in long sliced that oozed blood as my lady twisted and screamed. Then hooks in the ends of their chains were inserted thru the top most strips of barely loose flesh. In unison the devils pulled their chains ripping the ribbons of skin from her body.
Again and again until she was a figure of red gore.
The magic. The healing commenced. And two resumed beating her with fist and foot while she was restored. The other stoked the fires of a cauldron nearby and pulled large glowing rods from the flame. These had many sharp barbs in them much like fishing hooks. He began driving these through Serenitis chest, her arms, legs, and even the cheeks of her face.
The flesh sizzled as the rods were pushed all the way through her, the skin trying to heal around them. The chains were tied to these rods and the devils pulled at them lightly, yanking her body this way and that as she hung. The barbed hooks digging into her. Then at the same time they heaved on the chains pulling the barbed rods forcefully back through her new skin ripping chunks of gore in every direction.

The ground was now deep with her blood which seemed to never run dry.
I looked away and beheld my escort devil touching herself in vulgar ways, aroused by the spectacle.

This is but the beginning of the methods used by the fiends to "motivate" her shell to release its soul. For days this continued, tirelessly as we watched. Each punishment more horrendous than the last as Sereniti continued screaming.

If ever I envied mortals for having souls and spirituality, it is driven from me.

The quivering husk of her soul shell was tossed carelessly into smoldering cauldron of brimstone to blister as two other devils quickly replaced the pitted iron bowl with a fresh one and led yet another soul shell in to repeat the process on some other damned mortal.

We followed the devils who carried the charring remains of my lady a short distance to the great pit I saw earlier from the ledge of Tiamats citadel. Great sparking fireballs shot across the sky as the devils dropped my poor Sereniti into the gorge and left us.

As I looked down after her, I could see numerous other shells being devoured by white and grey worms. The floor of the pit was deep with these maggots and they quickly covered her shell, obscuring her from my sight.
“Here is the end.” said the she devil. “This is where the shells of the damned are changed.”
As I watched I could see figures rising up from beneath the tangles mass of maggots. Not the soul shells that were deposited but mottled, grey humanoid blobs with pale eyes.



“These are Lemmurs.” She continued. “The lowliest form of devil in the hells. They are stripped of all individuality. They have no memories of who they once were. Quite mindless, actually.”
“What is the point then?” I asked.
“Ah, the power of Baator is mysterious, Fey.” She laughed. “These are reborn with one thought in mind. Advancement. They do not yet know how, but somewhere in those empty heads is a desire to rise to higher station. So shall your lady be born. Behold, she rises!”
I watched where she fell and indeed a milky corpse rose from therein. Not the woman that was my lady, but a scaly, screaming creation of unknown origin. It shook off the maggots of the pit it stretched dragon like wings and rose its head in a high pitched chirping howl as it took flight.



This new creation of Baator was now familiar to me. It was the same as the servants I saw within Tiamats Citadel. Only instead of crimson red as those were, this Sereniti was alabaster white with flaming hair. It seemed to nod to where we stood, the erinyes and I, before appearing to hear a call not meant for my ears. The thing screeched and jumped into the air, flapping its leathery wings. Howling into the Avernus, it dove into the tunnel far above. Tiamats Citadel entrance. Answering the call of its new master.
I need to point out now that this is all I remember of our time in that awful place. Whether the later memories were stricken from me or it really ended there, I do not know.
I woke as if from a fitful dream, in my ladies secret room beneath the Shelf of Many Books, just as I have so many times. My lady Sereniti was there at her desk. Her head resting in a book, just as she had many times. She woke with the same startled emotions as I but quickly collected her wits. She looked to where I lay in my shroud of fey invisibility and I could see in her eyes a new strength. A confidence that was not there before. A fire burned there now.
I noticed this journal in my lap just then. The pages opened to where I had written of the white abishai she had become flying to it’s new master. I looked to her and she knew. I knew.
A sinister smile parted her lips. She was Sereniti again. She was born anew.

[tooley1chris]

Much had happened since...well, my baptism. My rebirth.

It has been a year since my dance with devils.

Ive had no contact with The Dark Queen or her servants. No messenger of Avernus. Nothing.

I've not seen Berek in weeks as well. I hope he lives.

I have set my daggers to the side. They are no longer needed. I'm sure my skill with them has greatly diminished as I concentrate on inner power over this crude flesh.

I am changed.

My reflection reveals a younger Sereniti than what once was. Whether my transformation has bolstered my comliness or my newly forged inner strength has driven me of the old ever present fears of Xolti, I do not know. Perhaps both.

I carry myself in confidence I had never achieved prior to my time in Baator. It seems the gift of the Dragon Queen has taken what she deemed unusable and replaced it with, for lack of a better word, charisma.

I am not as graceful. My fingers do not write these words as elegantly as they once did.
I have not tested, but were I to attempt the acrobatic fighting I prided myself on, I know I would fail.

So much of my past seems foolishness now. Even fear of the demon fey Xolti who hunts me has become more of a wary anticipation of danger. What horrors can he visit apon me worse than the trials of hell?

(( The following is recorded by myself, Aslat. Servent of Sereniti. ))
My lady claims to me, to hear the voice of Gargasluvius. The devil who first contacted her about the Dragon Queen. The same she-fiend that brought Sereniti before Tiamat and watched as my lady endured the hospitality of Baator.

She tells me the voice in her head prepares her to meet a group who require her aid. To trust them. To go with them.

They come and she goes. I bathe myself in fey invisibility and follow.

For many days they walk. My lady and her hooded companions.
They speak little. Even when camp is set each night.

They eventually meet another and are teleported away leaving me behind.

What follows here is what little Sereniti shared with me of their journey.

"We were transpoted to a cave entrance. There were many peculiar guards here. Not armored but carrying mighty clubs. "
Sereniti told me.

"Within were many more. And various devils also moved about discussing various topics with one another. But my companions asked entrance to see one called Raugarathis. I was not prepared for this meeting."

"What greeted up was a massive red wyrm. The largest I had ever seen, or hoped to see."

"I do not recall all the details of our conversation but the one called "P" addressed the king of dragons with great courtesy. More respect than she had shown me or any of our companions. She mentioned helping Tiamat in her time of need and a desire to do so again. I was brought before Raugarathis' might then and told of a great artifact known as the Skull-Key. With this, "P" might command legions of undead to the benefit of Tiamat, who was now lost. This confused me as I wasn't sure how such a deity could become misplaced."

"This key was reportedly in the possession of Tiamat herself or in her great citadel within Avernus. Ah, I thought. This is my purpose for being brought forth."

I, Aslat, was able to follow my mistress on her next meeting with these companions as I tagged her as my target for teleportation, with her permission, of course.

The one called "P" took my lady to a meeting chamber cut from deep caves. There was a man with blazing hair before a throne. I've been asked to strike his name from these records and comply.

The details of this meeting also revolved around the artifact known as the Skull-Key. And though those present were less than forthcoming with information, my lady called forth an ally from Baator.

Gargasluvius answered that call, though not in the more pleasing form of the erinyes, but a fierce fighter of the blood wars.



My lady asked the fiend if Tiamat had made herself known.

"The great Queen has not whispered in our ears for a long period." The devil replied.

Sereniti asked if a lord has joined the Blood Wars with a host of undead previously unavailable.

The devil saw an upper hand and thought to bargain this information.

Sereniti calmly reminded her that to aid Sereniti in this was to aid the Queen as well.

Never had I seen my lady so confident in the presence of a high power. What followed was stranger still.

When Gargasluvius remained quiet in thought, a powerful self assuredness rose up in Sereniti and she exuded a formidable authority.

She stood and approached the devil, seemingly to chastise its lack of cooperation as a mother might a child.

With authority I had never seen her wield she said "You will tell..."

But Gargasluvius seemed humbled and spat the name of the devil lord who held the Skull-Key. And what's more, that he resided in the very house of Tiamat.

Sereniti, my lady was changed indeed. And though I abhor whence comes that strength of personality, a sense of pride an awe took me, and takes me still.

The devil was dismissed and the three remaining were left with much to consider. Plans to be made.