..... You have a strange feeling... is something distant trying to grab your soul? ..... A faint voice in your mind seems to call... 'Melbaaaaaaaaa!' ..... -at lanfear waiting for a sermon- Argh! You feel a cold, dry hand trying to grab your throat - but you can't see anything. You gasp in astonishment. -checka=face without name yet .. checka,checkb eg.- Checka scratches her head. You emote: Melba looks around. Checka asks in xyllic: what? You stretch your legs and stand up gracefully. Checka sits up and clambers to her feet. Checka looks defensive. Mara: Hi Checka asks you in xyllic: what happened? Checka looks around. You emote: Melba looks confused. Checka shrugs helplessly. You feel a presence deep below you, it seems to be seeking you somehow. Checka asks you in xyllic: are you ok? You nod solemnly. Checka smirks. 'hmm .. brb Checka relaxes a bit. Checka sits down to rest a while. Checka nods happily. You start with a magical gesture. It's Night. You are aboard the feluke 'Oshmaks Yrgaoth'. The sweet smell of decay surrounds this ship. Twenty weather-beaten strong male sailors. You ponder the situation. You have a sinking feeling. You emote: Melba looks down. Suddenly, water pours over the sides.... water rushes in, covers you, drags you down, down, down...darkness swallows you up. You become unconscious. You feel yourself magically transfered. You are on a path in midst of a gloomy swamp. The sky above you is of an ill-green colour, and you can't spot any sun. Pools of fire beside the path illuminate the area with some flickering, red light. You can hear screams from all around you, but you can't tell, where they are coming from and who - or what - might have caused them. There are paths leading northeast, northwest, southeast and southwest. There are four obvious exits: northeast, northwest, southeast, southwest. You wake up. The muscular dark-skinned male demon gloats in ancient language: Ahhhh, have I found you at last. Suddenly, you feel the world around you changing. You emote: Melba stands up slowly. You stand up again. You look at the muscular dark-skinned male demon. This demon is wide-shouldered and well muscled. His dark skin glistens slightly. He looks frightening. He is in good shape. He is extremely alert. The muscular dark-skinned male demon steps to you and grabs you by the neck. You shiver slightly. 'you have been looking for me ? You are surrounded by high-towering mountains. The sky above you is of an ill-green colour, and you can't spot any sun. Streams of lava flow down the mountains into pools of fire, which illuminate the area with some flickering, red light. Screams echo through the canyon, but you can't tell, where they are coming from and who, or what, might have caused them. There are paths leading northeast, northwest, southeast and southwest. There are four obvious exits: northeast, northwest, southeast, southwest. A muscular dark-skinned male demon is right in front of you. The muscular dark-skinned male demon says in ancient language: Yesssss. The muscular dark-skinned male demon smiles demonically. You will speak ancient language now. You emote: Melba remembers having sent a call. The muscular dark-skinned male demon says in ancient language: Speak to me in a civilized tongue... You will become tired of walking again. 'are you the one i am waiting for ? Suddenly, you feel the world around you changing. The muscular dark-skinned male demon says in ancient language: I am the one who will grant you your wish... yessss. The muscular dark-skinned male demon smiles evilly. 'so i finally The muscular dark-skinned male demon says in ancient language: For a tiny little price, of course. 'will find my destiny Suddenly, you feel the world around you changing. You emote: Melba looks up. The muscular dark-skinned male demon gloats in ancient language: Yes, you will. ask demon what price may that be ? The muscular dark-skinned male demon gloats in ancient language: or maybe not? The muscular dark-skinned male demon laughs cruelly. The muscular dark-skinned male demon asks in ancient language: the price? You nod solemnly. Suddenly, you feel the world around you changing. The muscular dark-skinned male demon leers in ancient language: First, you must agree. The muscular dark-skinned male demon says in ancient language: It is a great honour, to serve Him as one of His favourites. You nod knowingly. 'there is nothing i can imagine The muscular dark-skinned male demon says in ancient language: Too great, in fact. 'i wouldnt do for HIM The muscular dark-skinned male demon says in ancient language: So.... The muscular dark-skinned male demon says in ancient language: I will serve Him and you will serve me. Your eyes flicker and then your magical sight is gone. You nod solemnly. The muscular dark-skinned male demon's grip tightens for a moment. Suddenly, you feel the world around you changing. The muscular dark-skinned male demon asks in ancient language: Is that something you find agreeable? You emote: Melba gasps for air. 'yes The protection of your shield spell is gone. The muscular dark-skinned male demon gazes at you piercingly. The muscular dark-skinned male demon asks in ancient language: Really? The muscular dark-skinned male demon slowly releases your neck. The muscular dark-skinned male demon smiles cunningly. 'i will serve HIM and only HIM Suddenly, you feel the world around you changing. The muscular dark-skinned male demon wields a bone sword in his right claw. The muscular dark-skinned male demon holds a nasty looking sword of bone under your nose. You shiver slightly. The muscular dark-skinned male demon growls in ancient language: I missed my name in your last sentence... you will also serve me, for I am His, and serve Him. 'i will serve HIM by whatever means Suddenly, you feel the world around you changing. The muscular dark-skinned male demon unwields a bone sword. 'and if that means to serve you then it must be HIS wish You nod seriously. The muscular dark-skinned male demon demands in ancient language: I shall have a token to seal the pact. The muscular dark-skinned male demon says in ancient language: Oh, yesss, it is His will, or you would not survive in this plane. The muscular dark-skinned male demon says in ancient language: You elves are so ... fragile... You smile weakly. You nod knowingly. The muscular dark-skinned male demon grins arrogantly. The muscular dark-skinned male demon looks much stronger than you. The muscular dark-skinned male demon looks much more agile than you. The muscular dark-skinned male demon looks much healthier than you. The muscular dark-skinned male demon says in ancient language: The token... to seal the pact. Suddenly, you feel the world around you changing. Someone reaches for your left hand. The muscular dark-skinned male demon reaches for your left hand. You emote: Melba holds out her left hand. Suddenly, you feel the world around you changing. You try to focus your view, but strangely, you can't make out more details. The muscular dark-skinned male demon smiles appreciatively as he studies your left hand. You emote: Melba looks at her left hand. The muscular dark-skinned male demon suddenly yanks hard at your arm, leans forward and bites off your small finger! Aaaaaaaarrrrrghhh!! Your wounds start to bleed. The muscular dark-skinned male demon smiles bloodily. The muscular dark-skinned male demon swallows once. Your wounds stopped bleeding. You emote: Melba doesnt show any signs of pain. The muscular dark-skinned male demon smiles cruelly. You emote: Melba looks at her left hand. The muscular dark-skinned male demon rubs his stomach. Suddenly, you feel the world around you changing. 'i am really fragile The muscular dark-skinned male demon says in ancient language: Indeed... you are very tasty. Now I have part of you... so you shall have part of my knowledge. You agree with the muscular dark-skinned male demon. The muscular dark-skinned male demon licks his lips clean. 'i have been looking for it since HE sent me into this world Suddenly, you feel the world around you changing. The muscular dark-skinned male demon wields a bone sword in his right claw. The muscular dark-skinned male demon wields a bone sword in his left claw. The muscular dark-skinned male demon snarls in ancient language: Betray our pact, and you will suffer! The muscular dark-skinned male demon unwields a bone sword. The muscular dark-skinned male demon unwields a bone sword. You nod knowingly. 'HE is not known to forgive failures Suddenly, you feel the world around you changing. 'if i ever should betray HIM i will surely get the punishment i deserve You nod knowingly. The muscular dark-skinned male demon nods seriously. The muscular dark-skinned male demon steps closer again, and puts his hand around your neck, and begins to strangle you... You become unconscious. You feel yourself magically transfered. Only the faint sounds of an outside wind and the feel of the ground beneath your feet give you any kind of feeling that you are still alive. This place is as black and silent as a tomb, and you feel very uncomfortable here. In the southern part of the room, you notice a huge slab of stone on the ground. Something has been engraved into the wall beyond the slab. There is one obvious exit: west. emote slowly stands up again. But you are unconscious. You wake up. The swarthy sinister male human raises his eyebrow. You emote: Melba slowly stands up again. You stand up again. You look at the swarthy sinister male human. It is Lereth, Guard to the entrance of the Great Ones. He may deign to answer your questions..but then again not. A grey veil flickers around him. He is surrounded with a dark red aura. He looks nice. He is slightly hurt. He is extremely alert. He is wielding a ritual blade. He is wearing two golden rings, a left glove, a nightblack cloak, a pair of black leather boots and a right glove. The muscular dark-skinned male demon says to the swarthy sinister male human in ancient language: Faithful guard, I bring you a new apprentice for Him. The swarthy sinister male human glances over to the muscular dark-skinned male demon. The muscular dark-skinned male demon points at you. The muscular dark-skinned male demon says in ancient language: She has paid the first token... The swarthy sinister male human asks amusedly in ancient language: So, you want her? You emote: Melba looks at her left hand. The muscular dark-skinned male demon smiles cruelly. The swarthy sinister male human studies the left hand of you and nods. The swarthy sinister male human says in ancient language: Very good, very good. The muscular dark-skinned male demon says in ancient language: He wants her... so I shall instruct her for Him. The muscular dark-skinned male demon smiles sadistically. The swarthy sinister male human looks at the muscular dark-skinned male demon. The swarthy sinister male human says in ancient language: I am pretty sure, you will succeed. The swarthy sinister male human grins wickedly. The muscular dark-skinned male demon says in ancient language: It will be a pleasure, after all these aeons, and she is such a pretty one. You smile shyly. The muscular dark-skinned male demon leers at you. The swarthy sinister male human says in ancient language: I am sure, she knows what she is buying? The swarthy sinister male human raises his eyebrow at you. 'oh yes You nod seriously. The swarthy sinister male human says in ancient language: Good, good. The swarthy sinister male human says in ancient language: Not to say, very good. The muscular dark-skinned male demon says in ancient language: She knows enough. Not all, but to face the unknown is one of His tests. The swarthy sinister male human grins amusedly and raises his left hand over you. The muscular dark-skinned male demon's face twists into a sadistic grin. You emote: Melba looks up. The swarthy sinister male human says in ancient language: Very well. Enjoy your initiation. You are suddenly surrounded by a thick, choking smoke... When the smoke clears, your surroundings have changed... You stand on a plain of sheer gray that seems to extend in every direction you can imagine. The sky above is a lightless black. Despite this lack of light, you can see perfectly. In front of you is an enormous tree, rising so high above that you can't see the top of it. The branches at the bottom of the tree are as thick around as your chest. From the leaves and bark of the tree seem to run hundreds of tiny rivers of blood, dripping down to the ground and there absorbed hungrily by the dirt. A quiet young male elf. You find yourself hanging upside down with your feet in a noose! Someone says in xyllic: I'm Pathark the Hand of Death. Someone says in xyllic: And so we shall begin the ritual of renewal. Someone says in xyllic: You, initiate, must forsake your old ways ... Someone says in xyllic: In favour of the ways of Necromancy! Someone says in xyllic: You must give up your soul, mind, and body! Someone says in xyllic: There will be no turning back! Someone says in xyllic: Are you ready to abandon your life for what we can teach you? Someone says in xyllic: Answer me! Yes or no! Someone says in xyllic: Just answer yes or no! You agree to give up your life. Someone takes a knife, and slices your throat wide open. Your life slowly bleeds away onto the ground. You are now a member of the Necromancers. You died. You can see your dead body from above. Your ghost state allows you to travel 'start'. Someone says in xyllic: Now be reborn, and begin your new life as a Necromancer. Someone mutters strange phrases and makes motions with a blade. Someone drives the blade down into the hanging corpse. You find yourself alive once again. Someone groans painfully. Someone hands you a ritual blade. He then cuts you down from the tree. The quiet young male elf says in xyllic: Go forth, now, and welcome to the brotherhood. The room fizzles before your eyes - and suddenly you are elsewhere. You are standing at the bottom of a stairwell, looking into a torchlit chamber. This appears to be apart of the passages one expects to find beneath a century-old graveyard. Eerie echoes haunt this place, and you do not think that you are the one who caused them. On the floor in front of you is a strange symbol in black. It looks as if somebody burned it into the floor. An archway leads south. There are two obvious exits: south, up. A corpse of yourself. You hear a rumbling sound from above. You hear a rumbeling sound from above. You look at the corpse of yourself. You hear a rumbling sound from above. You are missing your small finger on the left hand. You are totally naked. You are carrying a ritual blade. You hear a rumbeling sound from above. -getting all from the corpse- There is a magic overload as two magic symbols come together. (of course there is ...) You frown. Is something wrong? -getting dressed again- As you touch the cover at the top of the stairs, it sildes aside. You hear a rumbling sound from above. The swarthy sinister male human raises his arms and mumbles some arcane syllables. Only the faint sounds of an outside wind and the feel of the ground beneath your feet give you any kind of feeling that you are still alive. This place is as black and silent as a tomb, and you feel very uncomfortable here. In the southern part of the room, you notice two huge slabs of stone on the ground and a pit in the floor between the slabs. Something has been engraved into the wall beyond the slabs. There are two obvious exits: down, west. A dull black disc. A group of eight Ghouls. A group of eight Skeletons. A group of eight Zombies. Cadderly. A muscular dark-skinned male demon. A red-robed tall female elf. A red-scaled slithering imp. A swarthy sinister male human. The swarthy sinister male human is suddenly surrounded with a dark red aura. The aura around The swarthy sinister male human pulsates strongly. The stone slabs move towards each other with an earth-shaking rumble and seal the opening beneath them. The muscular dark-skinned male demon glares at Cadderly. Cadderly grins slightly. Cadderly looks at you. You greet Cadderly. How friendly! 'hello The muscular dark-skinned male demon says to you in ancient language: So, I see you have turned over a new leaf, so to say. You nod solemnly to the red-robed tall female elf. (of course nod demon wasnt the right choice here) The muscular dark-skinned male demon chuckles throatily. 'yes i have You look at the red-robed tall female elf. This woman is tall and haughty-looking, and wears a long red robe which extends down to the ground. She has a definitely evil look to her eyes.. She looks like the image of perfection. She is in good shape. She is extremely alert. She is wielding two black-bladed long daggers. The red-robed tall female elf says to someone in ancient language: Ah, now tell me what are -YOU- doing here? You start to concentrate upon the spell. Cadderly raises his eyebrow. Your eyes start to flicker for a moment. The red-robed tall female elf says to the muscular dark-skinned male demon in ancient language: Ah, now tell me what are -YOU- doing here? The muscular dark-skinned male demon stalks over to the red-robed tall female elf. The muscular dark-skinned male demon says in ancient language: Hello, sweety. The muscular dark-skinned male demon kisses the red-robed tall female elf hard. YUCK. One of the zombies loses a leg. The muscular dark-skinned male demon throws his head back and cackles gleefully! The red-robed tall female elf grins amusedly. The red-robed tall female elf says in ancient language: So, you took your share? The red-robed tall female elf gestures at you. The muscular dark-skinned male demon says to Cadderly in ancient language: Take your toy, and leave us. You emote: Melba looks at her left hand. The red-robed tall female elf growls slightly. Cadderly says in ancient language: If you speak to me, demon, it shall be with respect. The muscular dark-skinned male demon nods solemnly to the red-robed tall female elf. The muscular dark-skinned male demon wields a bone sword in his right claw. The muscular dark-skinned male demon wields a bone sword in his left claw. Cadderly looks stronger than you. Cadderly looks a bit better coordinated than you. Cadderly looks much healthier than you. Cadderly laughs. The muscular dark-skinned male demon roars in ancient language: You better be silent drow, you anger Him enough! Cadderly says in ancient language: That way you will only soon find yourself back in the lower planes. The swarthy sinister male human says in ancient language: Now, this is an amusing sight. Cadderly looks at the muscular dark-skinned male demon. You can't remember the muscular dark-skinned male demon..., the image in your head always dissapears again. The swarthy sinister male human says in ancient language: I didn't dream of seing both of you in one place. The muscular dark-skinned male demon turns back to you. The muscular dark-skinned male demon says in ancient language: Time to show you your new place of servitude to Him. The red-robed tall female elf chuckles briefly. Cadderly smirks. You nod solemnly. The red-robed tall female elf says in ancient language: Good, go play with your toys. The muscular dark-skinned male demon says to the red-robed tall female elf in ancient language: And you get yours out of my sight before I rip him and his pitiful 'army' to pieces! Cadderly seems to be slightly unaware of his surroundings for a moment. The red-robed tall female elf grins briefly. The red-robed tall female elf says in ancient language: Oh, that's not my decision here. I just .. follow. Cadderly says in ancient language: I am not amused by your bantering, demon. Hmmmmm. Your throat is totally dried out. You are very thirsty! The muscular dark-skinned male demon remarks in ancient language: Yes, you were always so easy to convince to serve mere mortals. You raise your eyebrow at Cadderly. The muscular dark-skinned male demon says in ancient language: You dare threaten me? The muscular dark-skinned male demon looks at Cadderly interestedly. ask cadderly are you sure you know what you are doing ? Cadderly smirks slightly. Cadderly says in ancient language: You are a cocky one, demon. Suddenly you hear a loud scream from behind, and in a puff of stinking smoke, The dull large neuter demon arrives. The dull large neuter demon tickles the muscular dark-skinned male demon. The dull large neuter demon cackles wildly as it vanishes in a stinking cloud of smoke. Cadderly laughs. Cadderly's eyebrows rise slightly, as he weaves some symbols with his hands in the air. You recognize the spell as resist. Cadderly traces a line along his body. The red-robed tall female elf grins amusedly. Cadderly seems to be slightly unaware of his surroundings for a moment. The muscular dark-skinned male demon's facial features become tense for a moment. The rotten left leg decays to dust. Cadderly offers a wand of strike to a red-scaled slithering imp. Cadderly gives a wand of strike to the red-scaled slithering imp. Your eyes flicker and then your magical sight is gone. Cadderly offers a wand of inferno to a red-scaled slithering imp. Cadderly gives a wand of inferno to the red-scaled slithering imp. The muscular dark-skinned male demon takes a deep breath and looks concentrated. The muscular dark-skinned male demon closes his eyes. Cadderly's eyes widen in pain and his body goes rigid, thin streams of blood trickling from nose and ears. Retching sounds escape his throat as his eyes bulge and greyish red gore sprays from his ears, spattering on the ground. He collapses in a heap. Cadderly falls unconscious. The muscular dark-skinned male demon says in ancient language: mnawoaupfh we habbfew peatzse. Presf dhe rune. One of the zombies loses a leg. The muscular dark-skinned male demon says in ancient language: it. rhaather, touch Orr Cadderly wakes up. The red-robed tall female elf steps in front of Cadderly and starts to guard him. Cadderly shakes the dizziness away. The muscular dark-skinned male demon says to Cadderly in ancient language: Maayhe yooa show mori respect, oass a juest doheph Hihr hewie. Cadderly offers a wand of inferno to a red-scaled slithering imp. Cadderly gives a wand of inferno to the red-scaled slithering imp. The muscular dark-skinned male demon smiles nicely at Cadderly. The red-scaled slithering imp offers a wand of inferno to Cadderly. The red-scaled slithering imp gives a wand of inferno to Cadderly. The red-scaled slithering imp offers a wand of strike to Cadderly. The red-scaled slithering imp gives a wand of strike to Cadderly. You're beginning to get a little thirsty. Nothing to worry about yet, but you could drink something! Cadderly glares at the muscular dark-skinned male demon. The muscular dark-skinned male demon says smilingly in ancient language: dou feopne. iheinllighten happy Alhbhaith Cadderly says in ancient language: Have you forgotten your own tongue, demon? You raise an eyebrow confusedly. The red-robed tall female elf says in ancient language: He's always a bit confused, when he is enraged. Cadderly looks at the muscular dark-skinned male demon. Cadderly says in ancient language: I see you know a few tricks besides playing with bones. Cadderly says in ancient language: But let me assure you, so do I. The muscular dark-skinned male demon says in ancient language: Your puny communication forms are indeed difficult to speak for a higher being. The red-robed tall female elf whispers something to Cadderly. The muscular dark-skinned male demon commands in ancient language: Now, apprentice, touch the rune. A complicated rune has been engraved into the wall. You sense that a being has been captured within the rune by a powerful necromantic spell. Touching the rune will draw the being's attention. Cadderly looks at you. The muscular dark-skinned male demon shoves you forward. As you touch the rune, you feel something move within the rock. As a hidden crack opens, the stone slab is split into two halves. The slabs move apart with a grinding sound, exposing an opening in the floor. The muscular dark-skinned male demon tried to move down the stairway but the swarthy sinister male human blocks the way down there. The swarthy sinister male human points at the muscular dark-skinned male demon. The swarthy sinister male human laughs. The swarthy sinister male human says in ancient language: You are not allowed beyond there. The stone slabs move towards each other with an earth-shaking rumble and seal the opening beneath them. Cadderly throws his head back and cackles gleefully! The muscular dark-skinned male demon glares at the swarthy sinister male human. The swarthy sinister male human says in ancient language: Ops. Cadderly whispers to you in ancient language: What is his nature and which are his powers? Cadderly whispers something to the red-robed tall female elf. : Cadderly: damn these non-remember demons.. sorry The muscular dark-skinned male demon says to you in ancient language: Go down. : np As you touch the rune, you feel something move within the rock. As a hidden crack opens, the stone slab is split into two halves. The slabs move apart with a grinding sound, exposing an opening in the floor. You are standing at the bottom of a stairwell, looking into a torchlit chamber. This appears to be apart of the passages one expects to find beneath a century-old graveyard. Eerie echoes haunt this place, and you do not think that you are the one who caused them. On the floor in front of you is a strange symbol in black. It looks as if somebody burned it into the floor. An archway leads south. There are two obvious exits: south, up. You hear a rumbeling sound from above. The muscular dark-skinned male demon smiles. The muscular dark-skinned male demon says in ancient language: This is your new home. 'i have one important question 'that always made me curious The muscular dark-skinned male demon says in ancient language: Ask. 'and i think you can answer it 'how can someone who betrayed HIM still use HIS powers ? The muscular dark-skinned male demon says in ancient language: I can. Perhaps I even will. The muscular dark-skinned male demon grins generously. You smile hopefully. 'or is the answer .. The muscular dark-skinned male demon says in ancient language: That is His alone to decide. As long as the drow hurts this world and not His followers, it seems to please Him. The muscular dark-skinned male demon looks as if he would like to kill the drow if his master allowed him to. 'that he still works for HIS cause .. without knowing it ? The muscular dark-skinned male demon laughs. The muscular dark-skinned male demon says in ancient language: Of course. He knows nothing, nothing at all. You nod solemnly. The muscular dark-skinned male demon says in ancient language: Whatever. We have more important things to consider. You nod solemnly. The muscular dark-skinned male demon leaves south. -here melba started to learn a lot-