Baldur's Gate : The Sword Coast Chronicles : NWN2 Persistent World

(posted on behalf of anonymous)

”The man walked amongst the limestone caverns, each step upon the flooded cavern-floor made a wet sop, as his plated boots impact into the water. He made no attempt to quite his steeps either, somehow, he felt secure… confident. His dark powers allowed short glimpses into the future, tho’ limited, he knew what he would find here, and yet, he looked forward to it.

He turned a corner, finding the dead-end cavern occupied by several figures, each wore black attires, and at their midst, stood a female figure. Her form was one of grace, beauty, and yet emanating incredible danger. A tail curled back and forth from behind her, as glowing eyes, overshadowed by a pair of curved horns turned to gaze upon him. It was the first time the mad had come across Nazeera, and yet… as they glanced upon each other, their minds … no, their very nature, desired them to vanquish each other. She hissed his name, and he smirked a remark… tho’ before they could further indulge on this, time was upon them. A mist of darkness, created by the Alu-fiend, took them to the plane lain within the shadow of the prime… and they stood within the parallel world, of the glorious Baldurs gate. All colors were gone, tones of grey had taken dominance, and the sky above was as black as the depths of the Shadowsea.

Before them… nine disciples total… stood the Oracle, and at her sides, the vamperic Netherese arcanist, and the Alu-fiend abomination. He said little in the ongoing exchange of formalities and planning, a lot of his attention were upon the Tana’ri-spawn… just as her own, were upon him. It was a battle of willpower… their blood urged them, compelled them to ignore all protocol, to forget formalities, and simply tear each other’s throats out, drink from the others pain, and grant a painful, and devastating death to the other…. Yet, they both kept in check… For some reason, the man enjoyed this. To see his adversary struggle against herself so... it was… priceless. The bretheren and sisters of Shar, did not betray, nor fight, or kill each other. Other cults may do so, but personal vendettas did nothing for the greater goals of their divine benefactor… no matter their personal nature, inheritance, past or thoughts… her creed was absolute. He had for a long time practiced his mental stability, and had yet to meet any foe that could brake his control… so to see this female-fiend struggle… how it filled him with glee.

------

As their plans had been laid, they preformed the task which was given to them… The man, being part of the more experienced (He presumed at least), took charge, yet relied greatly on the insight and observations of his dark family. To him, they were recourses, and to not use their individual qualities, would make little sense. Thus, he tried to keep a level head, and let the ones with eagerness to prove themselves, do so, at their own disregard. Only from experience did one learn of folly, and tho’ non of his siblings ended their existence upon this plane… some clearly needed to learn patience and consideration.


Nevertheless, they all preformed their task, as was instructed… For their service, rewards were given… yet he and others refused it… he knew his desire, he knew his wish… As did Shar. He would refuse these material rewards, in the aspiration to gather enough of her favor, to grant him this one thing. Nevertheless, his siblings did well in their choices of payment. Knowledge, power… both were things he respected… and before all was said and done, he exchanged a last stare with his primordial enemy, and she, him… how he longed to see her brake the law… a most interesting game of chess this was.


When all was over, they parted ways… more tasks were ahead of them, and they needed to master what they had gained, before it would be of any use. The man laid past one chess game, for another… moving the pieces till they gave the desired structure for himself… he folded his hands, and smirked.

[/quote]

Sitting in thought again.

The lavish chamber was adorned with high shelves of tomes, a pair of newly acquired wands abandoned in the corner amongst vials, potions and other trinkets. Oh, they meant so much less than they used to. The desk had been cleared bare and he sat guardedly behind it.

This was not how he used to be, much had changed, so much more than he’d thought. This, he looked at his surroundings; this recollecting, analysing, questioning, when had this become part of his way. Filling the void had always been a primal urge, a course of instinct, his blades carved the path and he had forced them all screaming along it. And he did it alone. Unthinking. That was his way.

They reminded him of the Justiciars of Ched Nasad, though weaker; no organisation, no hierarchy, no real power. They spoke of each other as 'brothers' and 'sisters', and he had looked upon them with hidden distrust and disdain. They were allies he presumed, though allies in name or in nature he was unsure. Only one other ilythiiri, one he knew not, but that could be rectified easily, better to have him at his side than at his back. He'd met those from the sunlight before, some of great power and potential, but these... he saw only potential for risk and failure. He stared into the faerie fire for sometime. Perhaps he judged too soon, his recent road had taught him patience, patience and planning. He would wait and watch.

He must remember that the world had changed also. An Oracle. A conduit to the Lady's thought. The path he once walked was perhaps truly gone forever. He had visited the plane of shadow, the stakes had changed and there were pieces present that had only been figments in the past. Yes he would wait. They had done what had been asked so far. A Scepter of some kind, he didn't pay much attention to the detail. The Oracle spoke of more tasks in the future, it barely registered, his mind flitting between consciousness and an unmistakable pull of desire to the surrounding shadows.

Closing his eyes.

"Do I seek the favour of the Lady or simply seek the void?"

He headed through the compound to the portal room. Leaving word with one of the guards his destination of the Netherese Ruins and an ancient temple found within. Clarity was oft found when one is face to face with divinity.

Reborn in the Darkness



Nythara wandered the quiet dimly lit halls of the sanctum Library completely focused on her studies."I Trust your studies are going well?" A cold voice whispered seemingly emanating from everywhere all at once. Nythara heaved a Sigh as she argued aloud with the voice "yes yes now what do you want" she said with an irritated tone, She did not like to be interrupted in the midst of her work. "The Oracle wishes to see you" the voice whispered back "now". Nythara did not hesitate, while she loathed leaving her studies mid way, though there was absolutely no way she would or ever could refuse the call of the faithful. Heading out of the sanctum she found herself back in the crypt.

"You can come out of hiding now" Nythara said as she looked around the dusky old tomb, While she could not see anybody in there with her she knew that someone would be waiting to take her to the realm of the lady. "you never know who is watching" said a seductive voice from the shadows as the Alu-Fiend stepped out of seemingly nothingness "place a hand on me anywhere you want and we will be on our way" the fiend said, her voice dripping with seduction, as was her nature. Nythara placed a hand on the fiend's shoulder who gave her a disappointed look before holding up a small gem. Shadows engulfed the two as they were both pulled through the darkness to the Realm of the Lady.

Nythara stood silently at first taking in her surroundings, At first glance one would think they were standing in the Palace District of Baldur's Gate were it not for the fact that colour was devoid of the entire world. This was the Shadow Plane, a place Nythara was become all too familiar with. Three figures stood before her, to her left stood a strange robed woman bearing a staff of pure Shadow. She seemed overly pale even in this plane of colourlessness. To her right stood the Alu-Fiend who had brought her here. In the centre stood an elegantly robed woman, The Oracle, behind her a fountain spewed with what appeared to be pure darkness.

"Why have you brought me here?" Nythara asked, her tone suggesting that she was both curious and yet already knew what was before her. “She doesn’t seem like anything special” the pale woman said as she looked Nythara over “You should be careful who you insult” Nythara responded, Her Pride taking the better of her. “INSOLENT WOMAN, I AM THE GREATEST SHADOW MAGE IN EXISTANCE” the woman shouted back, Her mind clearly not all there “LET THIS BE A LESSON TO YOU!” the woman said as she cast a spell enveloping Nythara in complete darkness, In this void nothing could be seen or heard or even felt other than excruciating pain, as though thousands of tiny razorblades were under her skin tearing her up from the inside out. Nythara collapsed to her knees as she tried to fight off the spell.

“Enough Seryna” The oracle said, the pale woman known as Seryna dismissed the spell and stood quietly. Her eyes still fixated on Nythara who had dared talk back to her.
Nythara stood to her feet Feeling slightly numb as the pain subsided, “This is not the time to be squabbling with one another” The oracle said with a stern tone, She pointed a hand towards the pale “This is Seryna, She is somewhat of a master with Shadow Magic as you undoubtedly should of worked out by now” She then pointed towards the Alu-Fiend “And I believe you have met Nazeera. She has a …. Talent you could say for certain situations” Nythara looked back up at the oracle “That’s all well and good but I still want to know why I am here” A smile crossed the oracles lips, her hood hiding the rest of her face “Oh I believe you already know why” The oracle responded. “If you wish to be part of the Clergy dear you will require the right….training, the Lady of Loss has seen fit to allow you to be tested. That is why you are here, we will see if you are indeed as devout as you claim to be” She paused for a moment, perhaps waiting to see how Nythara would respond. “Are you ready?” the oracle asked, Nythara looked behind her at the fountain of darkness before looking back at the Oracle “I have always been ready” she said, a smile crossed the oracles lips once more as she replied “Good then let us begin”.

“Do you know the Dogma of our faith?” The oracle asked “Of course! Must I really repeat the whole thing?” Nythara replied “Yes you must… now” the oracle said, It was not a suggestion, it was an order. “Very well then” Nythara said realising quickly that she should stow away her pride lest it be the death of her. “Reveal secrets only to fellow members of the faithful. Never follow hope or turn to promises of success. Quench the light of the moon whenever you find it, and hide from it when you cannot prevail. The dark is a time to act, not wait. It is forbidden to strive to better your lot in life or to plan ahead save when directly overseen by the faithful of the Dark Deity. Consorting with the faithful of good deities is a sin except in business dealings or to corrupt them from their beliefs. Obey and never speak out against ranking clergy unless it would result in your own death.” The oracle remained quite as Nythara spoke the creed of Shar. “And?” The oracle said as Nythara finished her recitation “Love is a lie. Only hate endures.” Nythara finished. “Very good” the oracle responded “But do you understand it? Do you believe it? Come, walk with me” Nythara followed the oracle closely, There was still much to do.

“Reveal secrets only to fellow members of the faithful. This is simple, Secrets are power, a well whispered secret in the ear of the right person has more power than the mightiest sword” the Oracle explained as her and Nythara walked around the Shadow Realm of Baldur’s Gate. “Yes I understand that part well enough, Knowledge is after all power” Nythara responded the oracle seemed happy enough with her response, for now. “Quench the light of the moon whenever you find it, and hide from it when you cannot prevail, Self explanatory really I would be very surprised if you did not fully understand” The oracle continued to speak “The dark is a time to act, not wait, The darkness is her domain and it gives us strength” “Yes I understand, As I like to say In darkness all men are equal, save for those who embrace it” Nythara responded.

“Consorting with the faithful of good deities is a sin except in business dealings or to corrupt them from their beliefs. I would hope you are not too stupid to do such things” The oracle continued to explain the meaning behind each of the parts of Shar’s Dogma. “Oh I would never do such things” Nythara responded “the only thing good about such people is how easy they are to manipulate” she chuckled as the oracle listened. “Obey and never speak out against ranking clergy unless it would result in your own death, I believe Seryna gave you a good enough lesson earlier” Nythara cringed slightly at the thought, the oracle clearly pleased with a lesson well taught.

“Never follow hope or turn to promises of success” The oracle paused “This part seems to confuse many people” She continued as she pulled out a small bottle of what looked like water and placed it on a nearby step. “Hold out your hand for me” the oracle demanded. Nythara held out her hand and the oracle took it in hers slowly looking over it before taking out a small pouch of black powder and pouring it over Nythara’s palm. The pain set in almost immediately as the powder started to disintegrate Nythara’s hand slowly; She fell to her knees grasping her forearm trying desperately to endure the pain. “Reach for the water; I know you want the pain to end…. Go on it is right there in front of you” the oracle said. Nythara’s eyes darted to her hand and the water desperately thinking of a way to make the pain stop, she fought through the pain and started casting spells at her hand in an attempt to sever it off completely. As she started to cast again the oracle stopped her, Waving her hands over Nythara’s damaged limb, healing magic took effect almost immediately knitting back flesh and bone restoring the hand to its original state. “Good.. I see you are not as naive as some might think, the water would have made the effects far worse than before, just as the promise of hope can be misleading. There is truth in pain and suffering. Well done”
The Oracle led Nythara back towards the fountain “are you ready now to show your faith, to prove your worth?” she said as they both approached the fountains edge, peering down in to the depths of nothingness “I have always been ready” Nythara responded “Good then kneel” the oracle said, Nythara kneeled down as she did the oracle pushed her head down in to the depths of the darkness.

Darkness, Emptiness &Nothingness. All 5 senses felt nothing and everything at once, Nythara felt her very mind on the edge of sanity, her very soul on the brink of destruction. It was a wonderful feeling and yet it was a horrible feeling, She fought hard to maintain her identity lest she lose herself in void. As she found herself fighting to keep her existence she felt the unmistakable pull on her soul, Her mind while in tact could barely comprehend what was happening, something was being taken from her and yet she was glad, Glad to loose whatever it was that was disappearing in to the void.

Nythara breathed for what seemed like the first time in a millennium as the oracle lifted her head back out of the black void that was the fountain. “You are free now” said the oracle in a pleased tone “Free of all fear, all doubt. There is no weakness in you anymore; the Lady has taken this from you. You are ready” Nythara smiled she was now ready to continue her training. “Nazeera” The oracle called out as the Alu-Fiends head looked over from the top of one of the buildings “Yes Oracle?” she replied looking a little flushed “Enough of your self gratification Nazeera, Come here and take Nythara back, we have to prepare for the gathering” said the oracle. “Right away Oracle”Nazeera replied as she slipped back down the building “You know the drill dear, place your hands anywhere and we can begin” she said coyly to Nythara who placed a hand on her shoulder once more and awaited the teleportation.



A few hours later the voices came back again “It is time Faithful, you know where to go” Nythara found herself once again in the shadow realm this time accompanied by many more of her Brothers and Sisters, The oracle spoke and the task was set, But the others would have to do so without her as Nythara had far more important things to handle and she had a long way to go yet.

Raven sits in her room, going over the list of targets the Lady's servants had asked them to get. She did not understand why some seems so squeamish about killing children. If that be the will of the Lady then so be it. If they were not up to the task, she would just do it all herself.

She did like the idea of finding pure hearted adults though....children could be corrupted given time, but a paladin or the like...not that would be a prize.

Raven pushed those thoughts away....her mind becoming wrapped up in the hunt and the kill, entrancing her...... There was more immediate work to be done. The holy day was still approaching, and she had yet to find a suitable offering.

Sighing, she leaves her room, heads out of the inn, and down to the coast..she had the need to kill, and thought it best she get away from other people, lest she be arrested for murder and fail in her duties to the Lady.

Bugs would have to suffice for now....plus, she could sell the potions she made from their bodies for a bit of coin.

The Netherese vampire had finally finished the ritual. The last Netherese Shadow Gem was finally over. Looking at the black, glossy surface of the stone, the woman's blue and empty eyes sparked with a hint of...glee.

She then returned to her chambers inside the Shadowy Netherese ruins, getting an incredibly old and voluminous book covered in human skin - her diary. Forming a quill out of pure shadowstuff, she opened the diary and started writing on it.



Well, what should I say. If I were to take into consideration the last reported date before this update, it looks like I have not been writing anything on this diary for well over a couple centuries. What a disappointment.

The truth is that time is irrelevant for me regardless. Time is irrelevant in the Shadow Realm, and time has been irrelevant to me ever since my heart stopped beating without me dying.
Oh, how I miss being still alive and breathing, being capable of feeling the wind against my skin and the taste of food and wine...or perhaps I don't.

The truth is, I had to make some deals to ensure my survival after Netheril's fall...back then I was ARCHMISTRESS Seryna of House Tenthur, one of the best Shadow Wizards of Thulthantar...and now I am simply Seryna, servant of Shar. It could have been worse, I admit. I just have to follow the orders of a mewling, omniscient child, and in exchange I get to continue my work and experiments. And I get my share of blood.

Lots of new aspiring shadow weavers here in the Sword Coast. Especially two: a tasty human female and a tiefling. The Lady ordered me to train both of the, yesyesyes. Frail, they look. I do not know if they will survive. And then there is that Imaskari wizard...he too looks interested....though I have to admit, I'd love to exchange magical theories with one of his kind.

Training...AGAIN....after these many centuries...I will have to explain them just exactly what the Shadow Weave is. Full of idiots who are convinced that the Shadow Weave is the absolute contrary of the Weave. Fools, all of them.

The Shadow Weave is indeed a force of magic similar to the Weave. But the main difference is that it originates from Shar instead of Mystril. Shar studied the Weave long ago, and created a dark distorted version of it.

Of course, no one outside the faithful of the Mistress are aware of this detail. And those who become so start looking for this power for their own agendas. But where can someone find the Shadow Weave? The simpletons would then say "in the Shadow Plane, of course".

Wrong, wrong wrong wrong wrong WRONG! As much as saying that cats like milk because they can't produce it on their own. HAH! I know cats well, have made extensive research on them (with the aid of my trusted surgical tools) and I can safely say that cats can indeed produce milk!

Wait, where was I? Oh right. Shadow Weave and Shadow Plane are not the same thing. Of course they are not! So looking for the Shadow Weave in the Shadow Plane is completely absurd and worthless.

This is where the Mistress' genius amazes even someone as sharp as me: the Shadow Weave is contained...within the Weave itself! HAH! Take that Mystryl, you pathetic wretch! The Mistresss has transformed your favored tool into a shelter for her own.

Yes. The Shadow Weave lies within the "empty gaps" of the normal Weave. It is, indeed, a direct manifestation of Shar's void: the cold, hollow emptyness of the Weave itself. The Shadow Weave is negation and loss of the ordinary Weave, not the Weave's opposite.

But of course, since most wizards are godless wretches, this subtle theological coherency eludes them. Fools!

Still, the Shadow Weave has its own limitations. Spells coming from Schools that directly manipulate matter, like Conjuration, Evocation and Transmutation are impaired. On the positive side, spells from the Schools of Necromancy, Illusion and Enchantment are enormously empowered.

Moreover, since the Shadow Weave is not dependant on the Weave, a Shadow Weave user carries no risk of failing spells inside a Dead Magic zone. That is a nice extra for sure. I still remember the terrified and shocked face of the last mage that tried to fight me inside a dead magic zone...his shocked face when he realized that I was still capable of casting spells was priceless.

Still...it seems I will have to explain these details to those two pupils next time I will see them. I do not want them to get hurt by toying with a power they are not supposed to wield. Or do I?

I should probably get back to my experiment, now. Implanting raw shadow stuff into human beings - be they witting or not - is giving me amazing results. I am sure the Oracle would approve my research. Even more so than my last test subject is absolutely willing.


A faint moan interrupted the arcanist's writing, as a man tied to a rack in her room finally managed to get rid of his gag and started yelling at her.

"What are you doing to me, you crazy woman??? SET ME FREE!"

Shrugging, the arcanist resumed writing.

"He trusts me, Oracle. He has put his life into my hands. He is conscious of the importance he has in my experiment!"

After writing those last lines, the arcanist took a surgical tool from her bench and approached the man on the rack, who was now shaking uncontrollably.

"Wait!!! What are you planning to do with that hammer and scalpel??? STOP, I BEG YOU!"

A luod cracking noise resonated throughout the chamber, as the netherese woman emitted a faint, sadistic laugh.

"Now...let us proceed with the test...."

The last tenday has been studying and memorizing all the new spells given to him by the netherese immortal.

One event is still deeply engraved in his memory though. A special occurence, that just keeps distracting him from his daily routine. The place where they found the sceptre had such a negative impression on him, he even tried to forget it as fast and thoroughly as possible.

But it just resurfaces every time he tries to cast a spell. He has seen some of his companions in this adventure still casting spells, while his magic was blocked as if he had lost his talent. And he just doesn't understand it. He believes that the Lady of Loss enables them, but how and why?

He was defenseless there. And that is what scared him the most. At the end before they picked up the sceptre a shadowy creature casted darkness, and what would have been easy to counteract was more unnerving as if he had been hit by a Bigsby spell.

Gladly would he toss everything to the negative plane and forget about it, but the alluring possibilities of learning about the Netherese and maybe this new form of casting the weave is too strong.

Raven walks through the market of Baldur’s Gate and into the Sorcerous Sundries. She looks around the shop and when asked by the shop keeper she replies.

“I am looking for a magical item that bestows light upon the user. Do you have such an item in stock?”

The shop keeper quickly shows Raven several rings that when worn, emanate a glowing radius of light allowing the wear to see better in darkness. He went on to say he had several rings that emanate different colors.

Raven examines the rings and suddenly smiles to herself, and says “I will take that one”, pointing at the ring whose description card said it gave of a purple glow when worn.

Raven takes her purchase and heads down into the sewers of the Gate, she knows of several places where she can sit and not be disturbed in her studies. Once at her destination, she begins setting alarm spells and wards to alert her if someone should approach. She lays out an arcane circle, and calls up her power, casting Detect Magic and a few protections spells, summons her familiar and begins to study the enchantment on the ring.

Shaking her head she muses “You think this would be an easy task, light is such simple spell, it should be easy to corrupt it and convert it…..” looking at Fira. Many hours pass as she tries to force the Darkness spell over the Light enchantment already on the ring, in the hopes that pure will and focus will push the Light away, making room for the Darkness. “My mistress will punish me greatly if I do not figure this out Fira, or worse she will deem me unworthy to be her apprentice and if that happens, I might lose the favor of the Lady. I have to figure this out.”

The rabbit looks back at Raven and rolls over, and suddenly falls through the bars on a grate in the floor she has been laying across. Barely catching herself before falling through. Raven quickly grabs her by the scruff of her neck, and pulls her out……”You need to be more careful Fira, while you can lie across the bars of the grate, if you align yourself with them rather than against, you will fall through…….” Her words trail off as she puts the rabbit back down looking very thoughtful as if something had just clicked.

She turns back to her task at hand, resets her circle and once again begins to study the enchantment on the ring. But this time instead of forcing the Darkness spell onto the ring, and digs deeper into the weave of the Light enchantment, remember the words of her mistress on how the weaves work. She looks into the weave of the Light enchantment, and beings to instill her Darkness spell between the weaves of the Light enchantment. The Shadow Weave, quickly and seamlessly moving into position easily slipping in and out of the gaps that exist in the weave, much like a Yin/Yang relationship. She slowly layers her enchantment onto the Ring, subverting the Light, and making the Darkness the dominant spell on the ring.

When she is done, she sits back and sighs, looking at the ring, feeling confident this is what her mistress wanted. Not so much the task she undertook, but the lesson learned. That the Shadow Weave is not separate from the Weave but rather it exists within the Weave. Able to move between its strands, and even grant power where the normal Weave cannot. That it is much like the Shadow Adepts, we move amongst the other mages undetected, but always there, always ready to strike when needed.

She picks up the ring, places in her bag, and heads off to the Friendly Arm Inn, waiting for the next time she is summoned.

Cardin is for once imbibed by courage, or maybe it is wine after an invigorating card game in Gloura's and decides to contact the immortal netherese vampire Seryna by "sending". He tries to find out what this shadow weave really is. His words are: "I would like to arrange a meeting, regarding the shadow weave."

Seryna and Cardin meet in the netherese Ruins, albeit in the part of the shadow plane.
Conversation is secret, though some pictures remain vividly in the memory of Cardin:

The elven woman is sitting proudly on her chair, the notes from the day spread out across the table. She fondles with her shadow gem whispering to it like a lover, "They are like chess pieces. How I do enjoy playing with them... It has started my mistress, the plan has been set into motion. Soon I shall turn guild against guild; brother against brother; husband against wife." She grins with malicious delight. "Soon I shall wrap the world in chaos and sorrow, all in your honour my mistress."

Raven stands from the floor where she had been sitting, closing her spell book...her studies had paid off, and she found she was able to memorize more spells for the upcoming day. She did not seem happy, or sad about it, just that it had happened.

She dressed and headed out into the City to continue her search. She had come to the conclusion that for the Rising of the Dark she was going to kidnap a priest of Selûne or perhaps Lathander. She would continue to watching of them, looking for the weakest link, then striking when the time was right.

She had been summoned.

It may have been only by the Alu-fiend but she could not deny the pride of being the one choosen. They had trust in her.
They knew she was the right one, no, "Mother" knew she was the right one.
Narasida knew, on a deeper level, that she never had been a Scholar, never had been one of those people that could lean over books for days and weeks and come up with some obsucre ritual 200 years forgotten.

But she had other qualities. If she didn't knew something she'd find someone who does and make that one talk, one way or the other.
If she couldn't beat a Wizard in a battle of wits then she would just kill him without any warning. No honorable duel on a mountain-top, no, only a piercing lance of ice to the back, out of the shadows.

Out of the shadows, yes Moth...Shar could appreciate that. And now she was here, talking to that Fiend who bragged in front of her about her Shape-shifting abilities.

For someone as vain as Narasida, her next question was obvious



and talking to herself had been one of the best conversations she ever had.

But that was now not the matter, big things where to come, a shadow moveing over the land burring all that would not embrace it.

And she was part of it, she had found her place in the matter of things and it was a good one, things were going to pay off, finally.

The Shadows were moveing again and she with them.

The day had been spent uneventfully and boringly inside Sshamath. Save for some company, Nazeera was not really sure of what to do amidst the drows. Her favorite victim was still locked up inside the dungeons of the Conclave.

All the other drows of Sshamath were boring and dull to the fiendling, unless they were faithful, or even more hilariously, believers in that stupid goddess of the moon she heard talking about.

What was the problem with that stupid, insipid drow female? Nazeera wasn't surely expecting any interference from her part when she gave her the dark gem to Seryna. Hells, it wasn't the first time she recruited a local drow for the delivery.

Yet, it was the first time that someone messed up. Worst of all, willingly. She wasn't uncertain of the angel's reasons for appearing in such a normally dreadful place. Not that it mattered any longer, since the angel was now dead, fatally entrapped into one of those deadly webs of intrigue, deception and guile that the alu-fiend delighted in spinning. Feeling bored, she started climbing upon one of the spires in the Darkwood district aided by her natural claws, hoping to have a better view of the area and finding something...ANYTHING...of interest.

"Why do I always have to deal with either incompetent louts or two dime goody-goodies? I miss last night's drow female, at least she is a capable sort and knows how to keep me entertained. "

Her monologues was said in such a hushed whisper, as she climbed upon the spire, that not even the keenest ear in the world could have heard it. When she finally reached the top, her eyes were fixed on the plays of lights and shadows permeating the skies of Sshamath - or what passed for sky in that dark place.

For a moment, as her sapphire blue eyes lingered on the show of light, she had a very brief (perhaps mercifully so) glimpse of the Abyss. Not that she had ever been there physically, but she had an extensive knowledge of the place she had not acquired through any means. Seryna suggested that this infused memory could have in fact been a form of genetic memory, but Nazeera wasn't very sure. Not that she cared.

*Tick!*

That small, almost imperceptible noise made her snap out of her thoughts. Looking down on the streets of the Darkwood district, the alu-fiend's plump and enticing lips curled into a crooked smile as she saw her prey desperately trying to skulk in the shadows, most likely looking for her.

"Well well - she told herself - it looks like the spider has entrapped another fly into its webs. And what a succulent fly at that!"

As her prey kept skuling around in the shadows like a predator, the alu-fiend nimbly descended from her elevated spot, her prey completely unaware of her presence. At best, she could have known that the alu-fiend was nearby. Which, ironically, was not far from the truth at all.

The chase proceeded for some time, Nazeera moving from shadow to shadow in the same way of her prey. Problem is, she was far more capable at it.

"Hmmm, she isn't as bad as I thought - she told herself once agian - but she's far from getting even closer to my skills."

The chase proceeded for a little longer, until the point wherein the prey committed the unforgivable mistake of putting herself into a place without escapes. A dead end, hopeless and deadly.

Nazeera chuckled, unsheating her short swords and coming out from the shadows.

"You've been a good sport, Nawiel. But the hunt is over."

Nawiel turned back, looking at Nazeera from head to toe.

"How...how can you see me?"

"You think I am an amateur, little drow? I've been doing this for much longer than you could imagine. Are you ready to die, kid?"

"Before we commence....I wish you could find Selune's light into your dark heart."

Nazeera's soul became a raging inferno of vengeance, hatred and spite. Tormenting NAwiel had been rather impersonal until that exact point; she was just a small plush animal to be toyed with and then discarded once no longer entertaining. After that line, though, Nazeera's feelings turned into actual hatred, which made her even more dangerous than before. Now it was personal.

Instead of exploding in a typical demonic burst of wrath, though, the fiend composed herself, offering Nawiel a wry smile.

"Any lasts words before I kill you, little drow?"

"Yes. You and the Raven Lady have horrible teeth"

Nawiel warded herself a bit, but it was too little, too late.

"Do you know how to dance?"

"Worry not about the dancing, kid. It's time to die."

Instead of replying, Nazeera lunged at the female drow. The battle lasted only for a few moments. The fiend's superior demonic physique, combined with years and years of training and furtherly empowered by her rage, was more than a match for the drow's meager skills.

Nawiel could have clearly felt the demonette's blades cutting deep into her flesh, strike after strike after strike...in a matter of a couple of minutes, she hurtled to the ground, grievously injured and exhausted.

Nazeera simply stood immobile, gazing upon Nawiel's ravaged body with a mixture of sadistic satisfaction and unspeakable pleasure in her eyes. The suffering experienced by the drow must have been very excruciating. It was time for NAzeera to furtherly aggravate Nawiel's pain and sorrow.

"Want to know what happened to your little angelic pigeon, fool?"

"N...no"

"Well, I'll tell you regardless. I ambushed him, then summoned a demonic friend of mine who killed him, ate him, and feasted upon his soul. Bye bye little pigeon, you will not be missed."

Nawiel started to cry. It was quite clear that she cared for the angel.

"You think I corrupted the higher-ups in Sshamath, little silly drow? I'll tell you the absolute truth, that is: I haven't corrupted no one. This city is already purulent and rotten to its very core, without me actually needing to do anything.

Your whole race is cursed and damned, silly drow. Just deal with it."

Nawiel, at that point, was a complete wreck. Nazeera looked upon her hopeless, sorrwful state in amazement and enjoyiment. Finally emerging from her enraptured trance, Nazeera knelt over the female and seemingly kissed her, in truth piercing and ravaiging Nawiel's lips with her needle like teeth. She couldn't even start enjoying this last pleasure, though, that she felt Nawiel's hand attempting to enter her pockets.

In a fit of furtherly enhanced rage, Nazeera grabbed one of her shortswords and stuck it inside Nawiel's right shoulder, twisting the blade inside the wound just to incapacitate her furtherly.

A long, agonizing scream of agony pierced the Darkwoods district, but no one seemed to either notice or care.

"Now listen up, wretch. I would have limited myself to simply killing you, but since you are such a detestable fool, I think I will let you crawl back to Sshamath in your current, pitiable state. And hurry up, you don't have much time left before the poison starts taking effect."

In a fit of desperation, Nawiel started crawling back towards Sshamath, while the demonic woman disappeared from her sight. Only her sadistic laughters of enjoyiment hinted that the fiend must have been still around.

Finally, with the strength that only fighting for one's life can give, Nawiel reached Sshamath, her salvation.

Nazeera, on the other hand, was just too happy to look upon the long trail of blood leading all the way up to the ambush' original place.

"You thought yourself the predator, silly drow? You were wrong. But prepare yourself. Now it's personal."

The fiendling turned her eyes to Sshamath's direction, a sadistic, wicked and fiendish smile forming on her lips.

(a big thank you to Empoweredfan/Nawiel for having taken the beating without complaining and just adding up to this storyline)

The Elven woman grinned in malicious delight as she caressed the shadow gem, the screams of pain echoing through the cave.

The pale elven male tired to the torture rack.
"come now its not that bad" she grins gleeful looming over him "Just tell me where the other selunites are and we will be done".

she bends the shadow weave pouring negative energy into the writhing body of the elf, she then turns her gaze to the frightfully beautiful gem.

"my mistress i have found a group of selunites. i have befriended one".
The screams enhance in volume and pitch.
"I am sure he will lead me to the rest and their lifes will be snuffed out"
she turns grinning evilly to the elf male.
"its time to play a game"