Bezaleel nodded at both of them. "That sounds fine. I'll make my entrance then. You did your duties fine Thin-Finger, thank you. Maybe after this, you wouldn't mind teaching the scouts a thing or two. Maybe you may learn something from them, after all most of the Second Dead learned from me hands on."

Walking forward Bezaleel made his way to before the entrance of the witch's cove. Spreading his divine influence he spoke as the area darkened and shadows floated from the ground emphereally, "Come out and show yourself. I, Bezaleel, God of Erebus. Have come to speak with you."

The Witch of Erebus (Illustration)

The tunnel gradually grew dark, and the moon's light dimmed; and after a moment, the witch emerged from her home. Malformed beings spilled out from the shadows that formed a wide-skirted dress about her; horned and tailed, fanged and furred, scaled and slick.

She herself was an androgynous, eyeless, horned horror; her face was more a mask than a face. Blood rushed within and her heart beat; at least beneath the veneer, she was a living being. She was also a native of Erebus, though she was neither undead nor Shade; she was among your flock.

There was a faint flicker of divinity with her, marking her as a demigod.

Her voice emerged the many throats of her chittering brood. "Gift?"

Thinfinger whispered to you. "She looked like a normal elderly woman when I last saw her. The boneface is new. More attractive, really."
This message was last edited by the GM at 18:55, Tue 19 Feb 2019.

Bezaleel was unmoved by her features or her type of existence. There were many varieties of power and undead. As well as magics. Someone who was a witch and held magic in this realm, was bound to evolve some way.

Standing in front of the demigod, the witch. Bezaleel formed a table and two chairs for them to sit, moving the chair in front of her slightly to be seated. He sat across whether she did or didn't sit. "You speak of gifts before you speak your name. Peculiar."

Raising the shadows he created two shadow knights. Imbuing them with souls to make them. (-100 souls)

"I hope that this will suffice for now. I apologize as I came a bit unprepared. I had not expected one of my brood to expect a gift from their god upon first meet. "

"I wanted to have a discussion, on where you stand in the realm. What your goals and plans are. If you would be interested in an agreement or truce. Or possibly joining me and my flock. I did not come here to make enemies, but I do seek the best interest in my people of the realm.

"I serve many of your kin. The god of birth and the god of my rebirth. I have pacted with Adriel the Fallen, Lady of the Nineteenth Hell, as suits one such as I that has preserved the ancient tradition of Demonology, though the fearful little Necromancers now rule this Realm."

The voice continued to come from the chittering mass - something between spider, scorpion, and human, contorted and cavorting. "You gift is sufficient. The gift itself does not matter. It is simple hospitality. Due respect. The daemons are rather keen on rules and manners. The host of a house is greater than even the mightiest king, when that king is within the house of that host."

She crossed her delicate arms as you spoke. "You are wiser than I expected. I will not interfere the matters of the Necromancers and their petty kingdoms of charnel trash. My queendom runs deep beneath the earth, and my dealings are with the Sacranarch and her mate, Rohypnos the Arachnarch, not with you and yours."

An idea seemed to strike her, as she drew herself up. "However . .  I could considerably expand my brood, if I had more souls with which to call them up and fix them into physical forms. I am very willing to deal with you on that end. I may fashion demons to your specification in exchange for souls, and teach you how to summon your own brood, assume demonic aspect, and form pacts with daemons - or perhaps become a Devil yourself . . . Bezaleel."

"Most are with their own laws and order, especially devils and demons. It's part of why they are thought to be so cunning, it is their ruthlessness and ability to take advantage of things within the rules they set.

Bezaleel's claws tapped lightly on top of the metal plating of his gauntlets near his elbows. "I can say a sort of necromancy has taken it's influence within my people's ranks. It isn't hard to see why not with Erebus's natural properties and it's many inhabitants."

His eyes looked at the witch dispassionately, "I am one who likes respect where respect is due, and gives it to those who deserve it. I understand the idea you speak of. With that logic, it can be easily said you are one of the queens within this realm that I host for all. I know the name of those whom you have dealings with, yet not who I speak to."

It seemed he was in thought for a moment as Bezaleel changed positions, "There are many facets to Erebus. All of which can run under my direct control with in a moment. As with any and their own realm. These facets though, I know some, most I do not. You've yet to interact at all with my chosen, for that I thank you. Despite your outlook on them.

What I wish for, however. Is a unification of Erebus and it's patron forces and inhabitants. That includes all which dwell below under your crown and you, yourself."

"You bring your will here like all else who strive forward in Erebus. It is something that is now a part of my home. Maybe it is something that will change the world itself, maybe persist forever. It could all be wiped out in an instant even. What ever it is, it is for history to tell, we all just write it with our own pens. Yes?"

"I hope that an extant of our dealings leads to that between your brood and my own flock. Hopefully enter a pact with each other. Non-aggresion and mutually benefiting. We help you, you help us. We share with you, you share with us. An agreement to grow together. Of course with our own setting of rules and terms on both sides. I find it fair we only see what each other plan and intend before this however. To insure that we find it our satisfaction and wanting. There will be no need to give up your crown or position of power. Like wise for my flock. Of course with time given your outlook."

It was obvious the way she viewed his people, as well as even himself. He was a means to an end for her in some way. Bezaleel was something she see's a benefit in using. Nothing more, most likely.

Turning his head some his eyes flickered lightly, "My dealings with you personally separate to that. I find could be worked out regardless of the previous. I do not mind an exchange of souls, so you may expand your brood. Only on the request that I know what it is you desire out of those you make and the rest of your brood. A further exchange of knowledge between each other as you know some of my own intentions."

A fanged smile crossed his face as the scarf flapped lightly. "You make a tempting offer. However, I know such things don't come freely, or cheaply. I have yet a reason to turn down your offer, and will gladly accept for the time being. I intend to play the game you've set, as you've piqued my interest.

I'll warn you now. I will stand on top. Separate and free from all. I will devour all of those who try to make me sit. Be they god, beast, devil, mad, or mortal."

The eyeless witch studied you through one hundred eyes.

"You are a phenomenally weak example of your kind, Bezaleel, if you bear the slightest intent of dealing with me. Your ancestor was a fierce god, unyielding and demanding without ever being asked to yield or issuing a demand. He had . . . a certain presence of inexorable might. There have been many Gods of Shadow . . . you are a hungry darkness . . ."

"Yes. We shall have a deal. Yet, I have already attempted to dominant you . .  and was surprised to find you immune to compulsion. A greater force than I has gripped you tightly . . . something older and weaker, something desperate, a cornered rat hiding in your blood. You could never become a Devil as you are. Free yourself of your cursed blood, and we may discuss your descension then."

"That aside. I would have dealings with your chosen, the right to make deals with them as I would with you, and if they would choose, allow them to become shades of hellfire. If you would call me a queen, I would demand a fief, a tithe on the inhabitants of that fief, a road linking it to the capital, and a palace to form a center of administration. I would have you raise me up as your Vassal, and be named your High Priestess.

"In return, I would pact with you, and you would have my loyalty until I repay you in full on your investment . . I would require 10 Od to achieve vassalhood, and a gift of 1500 Syl to grow my brood. I will then teach you all I know of Diabolism."

Creating a vassal costs 10 Spheres (Od, in the tongue of demons). She would become a lesser deity, and would rule one of your provinces (in this case, the Underhills) as her Fief. A province managed by a Vassal grows at twice the normal rate, producing additional souls that go to the Vassal. The Vassal is a Lesser God, absolutely loyal to you, and they may only increase in rank once they have repaid your initial investment of 10 Od. If they act against you, you may revoke their Vassalhood, returning them to their original status, but you will not recover the Spheres you invested.

Bezaleel's eyes enclosed as they peered at the witch. "I find there are many options and paths to take among the world. I thank you for your flat honesty. Though you said something interesting. Are you telling me that you were around when my predecessor was? I request you tell me more about this instead. "

Standing up Bezaleel turned around. Speaking out, "I have never disallowed your dealings with them personally. What each mortal chooses is their choice. If that is the route they wish to take then so be it. There are only a few, in which I will say you are strictly off limits from making deals with. Esseth, Saesin, and the rest of those bearing my mark on their souls."

His head turned, his eyes looking at the witch over his shoulder and scarf. "I have no interest in campaigning your rule. Nor will I put the immediate area under your direct control that is up to what you can do. I too, shall not make you my high priestess or vassal. I imagine you will not change your demands. So thus concludes our business."

Walking away he spoke, "For a mortal, your greed is more than a hungering darkness."

---

Spoiler text: (Highlight or hover over the text to view)
Raising his hand he waved goodbye. As he did, hundreds of blades of shadow ripped through the air at the same time from the encroaching shadows, enclosing all of the witch's broad and herself. Flaying and nashing them into a paste.  Looking over at the scouts and Thin-Finger, "We have not to gain from this witch but a knife in the back and a collar on our throats. I trust you can end her brood?"

Raising up a single shadow double of himself with all the power of his artifact, he waves it into the hobble to get started. "Come Ophelia we must see to Marilla."

---

This message was last edited by the player at 14:41, Sat 09 Mar 2019.

"I officiated the Old Shadow's betrothal to Lady Adriel, in a time long past, when I was young, and a priestess," said the witch. "It was a bit of a rushed thing, given that you were on the way. A child born from beings that have not struck an alliance . . . and of demon and god both . . . you were ill-fated, and far weaker than you should have been. You should have been born a Devil. But the Old Shadow wanted better for you, and wanted you to inherit this land, and these people. He cared more for the forsaken than for the damned."

She sounded . . . wistful. You realized you still didn't know her name, or much at all about her, really. These Underhills were bursting with strange life - jungles buried in valleys - and this whole area was . .  warmer, and underneath the leaf must, there was the smell of swamp, and even more faintly, brimstone.

Bezaleel's head ticked to the side. His eyes were open with curiousity. "They were.. Married? I didn't even realize he was my father, much less I had a mother..."

Bezaleel looked at the claws on his hand, the leather glove and metal plates. Gripping it he watched the black ichor flow from his hand. "I can't really say he made the right choice or not. Maybe I'll ask him myself one day. I care for those left in dark. Those forgotten, forsaken, and damned. Such is my existence."

Looking up at the witch he spoke, "I would like to meet Adriel. Not now though. I can not extend to you god-hood as my vassal, nor as my head priestess. Maybe it be better we know each other more before we extend such gifts of diabolism and deityhood. I would have your name, witch of Adriel. I am also going to see what it is you rule over with your brood."

Standing up, he waved a hand up at his scouts to have them stay at hold. "Ophelia, my dear. Would you like to stay or accompany me?"

"I am called Veradis,", said the witch. "Speak my name into the ground anywhere in Erebus, and my brood is sure to convey your summons."

Something slipped from her hand as well - a bit of ash that your recognized from the caldera of Warrior's Rest. She'd had some sort of gun under the table as well, it seemed. What was it with Bezaleel and antagonizing women that were prepared to take the nuclear option?

As well, she was a demon, or kin to one. Bezaleel knew little enough about them, but he knew they didn't like to give out their true names - but they also were incapable of telling outright lies. He probably couldn't trust that Veradis was her real name - she had, after all, only said she was called Veradis.. Especially since Veradis literally meant 'True'.

Ophelia whispered that as much to you, from her readings.

"I'd like to learn Diabolism," she said. "I'll go with you and get to know Veradis, and learn more about . . my grandfather and grandmother."

There was a awkward pause, then she whispered to you. "If I end up eating her, don't be mad. You know I have a taste for damsels,"

Veradis was unperturbed. "Very well. Allow me to show you the true Underhills," she said. She approached, and marked your foreheads with sweet-smelling ash. "This says you're a guest. My brood is small, compared to the many thousands of Mazoku the dwell beneath. But my friend go unmolested. I am known for making an art out of grisly reprisal."
This message was last edited by the GM at 00:20, Sat 16 Mar 2019.

Bezaleel nodded, "Very well, Veradis. I will remember to summon them if I have need of them or you in the future."

He wasn't quite surprised she had armed herself. This was a meeting that very well could have turned into her graveyard just as easily as it was her home a minute before.

Listening to Ophelia he nodded lightly, then spoke. "This one is not for eating, my dear. As warning, I would indeed be mad if you ate her. There is much knowledge this one holds and much to be learned aside from Diabolism alone. Given we stay friendly, no doubt."

Bezaleel took the marking of ash, a bit skeptical of its entire purpose in its entirety though.

"What of after this visit and I have business deeper in the Underhills? Do the Mazoku take heel under you, or are they a nuisance to you?"

"They are my kin," said Veradis. "The Shades came with Erebus, when he raised this realm from Hell and set it drifting beneath the Realms Supernatural, so that it would catch and grant a second life to the forsaken,"

"A deal with my lady that was sealed with the mingling of their essences. This realm is so cold because it yearn to be stoked by hellfire, and accepts no substitutes,"

"So if you do have business with my kin, that is your buisness. Only the caverns leading to the Underrealm are my domain. The rest is the contested dwelling of the Mazoku of the Underhills, and the Arachne of the southern woods,"

Bezaleel tapped his chin some as he listened. There was much history of his realm he is learning. "The Arachne have quite expansive borders to stretch this far out of the woods as well. Do the Mazoku have a leader?"

He looked at the cavern walls some as they started their way down. Bezaleel was overly curious now. "Do you know what had happened during the true night here in Erebus and why?"

"The Night that Erebus battled the Lurker at the Threshold?" She said, nonplussed. "Erebus enacted the Third Gift, drank of Void essence, and became a being of primordial Night, obliterating the Lurker at the Threshold and saving Taeltresin from catastrophe. He saved his people by giving them to his wife, Adriel, who kept them safe in the bowels of her Hell. Once the Night ended, she returened them to Erebus, where they became the Mazoku,"

The witch shrugged. "That's common knowledge. And no, they don't have a leader, although I am greatly respected and that lends me some authority."


Ophelia tapped you lightly on the shoulder. "This is kinda boring, actually. I'll leave you to it; I need to check on the children and see after my own Realm." she hugged you tightly, gave you a passionate (if bloodless) kiss, and then disappeared, softened running footsteps fading into the distance.

Bezaleel looked down at his shadow for a moment. Thinking of what he was told, why was Erebus in the state he was in before the blight crystal? Why was he able to defeat the mad incarnation of his father at that, did he still have a lot of himself in there?

"It seems it isn't such a common knowledge to the shades or undead above the Mazoku. I wonder how they would feel about me.. When I asked the current Pantheon about a predecessor of me. They had lack of knowledge to that as well. Tell me what happened to Erebus afterwards?"

Turning to Ophelia he nodded, "Alright, I'll get you before we deal with Marilla. Try not to go off on your own, without informing me, dear." his arms wrapped around her waist as he hugged Ophelia. Bezaleel had a surprised look on his face for a moment as she kissed him before returning it.

Scratching the back of his head, Bezaleel turned around putting both hands behind his head interlocked. "I imagine their respect isn't lightly earned then, I wonder how they would take me. If it is alright, I don't mean to be rude, but let us hurry. I have a few matters to attend to afterwards."

Chapter I: "Good Nights" Complete!
+1 Daughterwife
+1 Enemy Pantheon
+2 Pumpkins
+1 Demon Mom

Chapter II: "Gone To Hell" Begin!

Without further ado, you were lead by the witch deeper into her cave - a domicile decorated in blood and strange fetishes, ancient cave paintings, the gougings of inhuman claws, and other details you didn't care to investigate. Her brood chittered around you, reminding you of your own swarms of shadowlings.

Despite the macabre atmosphere and the rising heat and smell of sulfur, you felt something rising in your chest - and sense of homecoming, and a presence . .  a presence like Leech, but whole. You were passing in your father's footsteps, here.

Perhaps an hour of journeying down into the earth, and you came out . .  somewhere else, although you were still in Erebus.

It was a massive cavern, immense beyond what you could have expected. An entire city, of cold fire and strange figures. Waves crashed somewhere below, betraying the presence of a subterranean . . . sea?

The smell told you different - this was a hot spring, of proportions beyond what any kind of spring should encompass, and coated in a mat of deadly and iridescent glowing algae that provided dim lighting.

"Hell is near to this place, one of the greater homes of the Mazoku. If you could survive the dive, that sea has two sides; one of them in your mother's Hell."

A Mazoku guardsman noticed you and the chittering horde of the witch's brood. Or rather, decided to pay attention. "Hoy, oathbreaker. Hoy, prince."

His skin was bright copper, and his hair, clawed nails, and teeth were black iron. His eyes were golden, eerily like yours, and catlike - a match for the ears and tail. They glowed brightly in the half-light.

"Hello, Shoga. I've shown the prince the way. He will be coming and going as pleases."

Shoga shrugged. "As you say."


Meanwhile, back at the Forlorn Keep . . .

"I'm MOIRA! Moira. Herald of Ulfur the Citybreaker, Lord of Black Thrace. I'm bearing gifts for the Shadowgod and his . . .  beloved."

The undead guardsmen were impassive.

"Gods, it's like I'm talking to myself. What's a pilgrim got to do to stir up some proper quest-advancing dialogue around here?"

From the inner garden where the pumpkins grew, Ophelia heard the hollering.

She chose to ignore it.

"It's been forty minutes. She has no entourage and definitely isn't a Shade. Things don't usually end up in Erebus unless they're dead. She's probably actually some kind of representative." said Thinfinger.

Ophelia shrugged. "We're at war with at least three gods, and apparently there is a lot more going with Erebus than even I knew. I'm only being cautious. Maybe she's too dumb to realize she's talking to mindless undead. Maybe she's a special kind of undead that mimics life and has to be invited in. Hard to know."

Thinfinger clacked his jaws. "She cuts a fine figure. Even with all that flesh covering them up, I can tell she has lovely bones."

That got her attention. "She's hot? You're sure?"

"Sure as death," He said. "What? Did you think I was giving her the time of day for the tone she's taken with a brace of numbskulls?"

Ophelia contemplated. On one hand, she needed to be getting back to her Realm. On the other hand, there was an attractive foreigner at her gates bearing gifts.

Her teeth itched. She ground them to relieve the feeling. "Fine, let her in and tell her how to get up to my chambers. I'll receive her there; I don't think the rest of the castle is hospitable to the living."

Her stomach rumbled. "I'll be having her for dinner. I haven't eaten in hours."
This message was last edited by the GM at 06:50, Mon 08 Apr 2019.

Bezaleel was quiet on his way down. Paying attention some to the marks and pathways. He was entirely surprised however at the change so deep in his world. It was fascinating. Bezaleel's eyes gazed around the open cavern with an excitement.

Listening to the witch, Bezaleel thought then spoke, "I see, always connected to her domain...Does she come here often?" What she said to Bezaleel about coming back from hell was no joke. These were his father's people and their dwelling. He could somehow tell their looks were due to their living with his mother.

Looking over he gazed back at the Mazoku, Shoga. There was a bit of surprise in how similar he looked in ways as he continued to inspect him again. Though, Bezaleel felt the clash of black and copper distasteful the way a bright copper was the forefront. "Greetings Shoga. It seems you already know who I am." Bezaleel did not let the fact she was called oath breaker slip his mind.

It was weird to him that, they were aware of his existence but didn't decide to fetch him at any point. "I think I am a bit surprised here. I didn't quite really expect all of this." There were a lot of things left alone when he thought about it. A lot of answers he needed to find. He was surprised that Ophelia has left to the castle and her realm. Especially when she spoke so keenly on learning more about the realm and what is in it.

Looking at Shoga, Bezaleel spoke, "I imagine I must get started in making acquaintance with everything going on here. Tell me Shoga, who is in lead here that I must talk to first to best make my presence known. I'd like to begin learning as much history as I can. As well as better know the Mazoku" It seems that he would have to traverse this alone. Sighing he felt something wasn't right with it.

For all of Bezaleel's excitement, it seemed he couldn't help but worry that Ophelia may go off. Bezaleel trusted Ophelia, but felt that after her forced ultimatum towards him and killing of Skeles, dampened the capability to fully trust Ophelia. Though he trusted she'd tell him before going off, since he requested that.

By the time Moira made it up the castle stairs, she had a sense of foreboding. She'd been in Erebus before, sure - dark, bitter, full of dead folks - but had never spent an extensive amount of time in the realm, so it was a strange place still, one that chilled the bone and numbed the spirit.

What made her uncomfortable, though, was the distinct smell of a curse. She stopped midway up the stairs. "Sent on an errand to a strange, dark land. Big castle. I'm a pretty girl being invited up to a secluded personal space. For dinner."

She narrowed her eyes, glaring at a shade standing guard. "Are there any dogs in Erebus? Wolves? Cats?"

The shade let out at breath - the only it would take for the next five minutes. "No."

"Taciturn, monosyllabic guardsmen. No regular guests of note. Complex structure but partially abandoned. I smell beasts, but not pets." Her nose crinkled. "This is a fucking trap and I'm hip deep in dungeon."

But why a trap? She was on a diplomatic envoy. The woman of the house had -

The woman.

The woman.

"Goddamnit. I'm being seduced. Or killed? Augh, fuck!"

She sprinted up the stairs, and slammed into the door to Ophelia's chambers, As the talkative skeleton she had been completely ignoring the entire time creaked in shock. As soon as she was in the room, she turned and slammed the door shut and threw the bolt.

Ophelia dropped her wooden spoon into the soup she'd been making.

"You're. Uh. Early."

Ophelia's eyes fell to the dagger in Moira's hand.

"If you're gonna stick me, do it. I regenerate and can turn my body into stone, among other fun tricks. I'm great at parties."

Moira faltered. "Oh, um. I really . . .  expected . . ."

"Um. What're you making, there?"

"Soup. You have to cook everything really thoroughly. It's called cream of mushroom, plus I have old bread to serve it in. I figured an adventurer wouldn't want anything too fancy."

Moira was hungry. She sheathed the dagger and sat down at the small table. She sniffed. "I keep smelling wolf, or dog." Moira froze, then slowly stood up, sniffing. She sniffed herself. Nope, not wolf.

She came closer to Ophelia, sniffing all the while, and Ophelia gradually recoiled more deeply and frowned in concerned. "Um. You're . .  Telluran? Is this . .  customary?"

Moira stopped a foot away. "You smell distincly like a beast . . . like you've been shacking up with a cat. And a dog?"

"Well, my husb- my fath- my partner is catlike. And I have . . . well, I don't get to bathe often,"

Moira looked into Ophelia's eyes for a long moment.

"Okay, this going to sound weird . . . but . . . "

She sniffed again, right at Ophelia's neck. "I think we're way past weird. Don't you have rings to give me? Gifts? Official reasoning for being around?"

"Oh! Right. Here." She put a wooden box on the table, and opened to contain the two rings. "One for the shadowgod, one for you. Gifts from Ulfur . . . "

Moira's head tracked back to Ophelia, who was looking at Moira funny. "You . . . you're like me. But mortal."

"I'm a werewolf, if that's what you mean," Moira said. "And you're a puppy on the cusp of becoming one. But. The stupid, fucked up cursed version for Gods. Not the sexy, cool natural version for mortals,"

"There are different versions?"

"Yeah, different bloodlines, tracing back to the first god to betray another for the power of blood for Gods, and tracing back to the first wolf to become a dog for mortals," Moira said. "I'm an heir of the Old Blood, the blood of the wolf-thanes who pacted with men, to guard them, in exchange for the warmth of their fires," she said. "The first wolf to be born in the light of the fires of man was of both worlds, and had one foot in both. His descendant likewise have two forms, and protect both the wilds and the people that try to make a living from the land," She said. "I love providing my backstory. It always makes me sound badass."

Ophelia continued to stir the pot. "And what about the . . . cursed version? Is it really that bad?"

"Oh, it's awful. You're a ravening creature, fearful of betrayal, breeding in darkness, a slave to lust and fear that feeds an ever-growing insatiable hunger for power," she said. "Honestly, why they're called beast gods is a mystery. They're ghouls, not beast, and I'm glad they were finally eradi-" she paused. "Oh shit. Right. You're infected. How far? How many folks have you eaten?"

"Two," she whispered. "More, if my kitten hadn't stopped me. It's all I think about . . ."

Moira scratched her head. "Well. Uh. Eventually you'll give in. And transform, and there's no way back,"

"Is there anything? Anything I can do about it? I haven't been able to find anything or think up anything. I just . . .  I didn't know. I was so angry the first time. Crazy. The second time, it just felt right. Like giving in to myself. To something bad . . . and good . . ."

"Well, uh,"

"I'm no master cursebreaker, but the stronger the curse . . . if it's anything like the fey curses I know . . . the more it has to follow, like, wording. And the last part to fulfill the curse, is to eat one akin . . ."

"A god that also eaten another god. Yeah."

"Well," Moira said. "Really, not even that. Like, it's more multiple choice than that. You are what you eat. You eat something along the road you're on, you turn out like that. Yeah. But if you eat something different . . ."

Ophelia swished around in the soup. "It might go different. Will go different."

"Like, eating me, for example," Moira said. "I'm a werewolf, I'm akin. Not the same, but akin. That'd satisfy the requirement."

"But . .  that's still cannibalism. Evil. It wouldn't be much better."

"You'd become a half-beast or something, right. But what if you didn't eat me in the cannibal way?"

Ophelia slowed her swirl. "There's . . . another way to eat someone?"

"For girls? Oh yes," Moira said as she grinned wolfishly. "Girls can eat other girls for days, and nobody gets hurt. Sore, but not hurt." Moira slung an arm around the slightly shorter girl.

Ophelia swallowed. "UH. UM. The soup! The soup is done!" she announced.

"Great!" Moira said. "Where's your bed?"

"My bed?" Ophelia said. "Upstairs, but I'd rather we-"

"I. am ready to eat," Moira said.

Ophelia blushed. "You . . . you can stop the puns. I get it. I need to . . . let my consort know. That you're here,"

Ophelia spent a handful of souls, creating a raven of shadow. "Blackbird. Carry my words to Bezaleel. I am hosting a herald of Ulfur, a friendly God. The herald is a scholar and knows of the beast blood. She knows of a ritual that will prevent . . .  that will neutralize the blood. The cursed blood. The ritual involves sex?"

Moira nodded, stifling a snort.

"Involves a sex thing. It's not cheating if it's for magic." Ophelia added. "Oh. And I've locked down the castle. The children will be born soon. Maybe in a day's time, maybe a week. I will send further word when you must return." She finished.

The blackbird took wing, flying from the window of the tower after Ophelia opened it.

===

"This the first settlement of the Mazoku, and the one closest to surface," Shogu provided. "We as vast as the Underhills, and deep as the Hell of the Lady,"

He agreed to serve as your guide, given that "I'm not a guard or anything. I just enjoy having the first taste of anything edible that comes down from the surface," He said, side-eyeing the Witch. "At least, anything that doesn't get eaten by the Witch's brood."

The Mazoku were deeply religious, you discovered, passing yet another shadowtemple. "Erebus is the physical world we live within - at least, every since he became the Night. The Lady is our patron, and those among us who are worthy pass on to her Hell, to serve her as loyal demons. In life, we are granted the fiend's blood. We feed on the spirit of food, as much as the food itself, and this allows our bodies to remain alive even as our spirits are rendered undead," Shogu boasted.

The witch had disappeared, and you were within a courtyard partially curtained off from the main gathering space surrounding one of the settlements to palatial structures. Shogu pulled the stopper from a ceramic jug; the substance inside was syrupy and powerfully alcoholic. "It's . . .  distilled ectoplasm, originally. The stuff of ghosts. A Spirit spirit." He took a long slug of it, and passed it to you.

"It's a good thing you're a God," said Shogu. "Otherwise, you would never be able to leave the Netherworld. Of which this settlement is a part."

Just then, a shadowy bird flew to your shoulder from a dark corner of the room, and whispered in your ear with the voice of your daughter . . .

===

"It's . . . Oneiric opium. Distilled from the dreams of madmen, or something. I don't wax poetic about what potions are, it's way more important what they do," said Moira. "This is Phantasmagoria, and it's the key to fixing your beast blood problem,"

Ophelia was uncomfortable, quizzical. "We agreed this was going to be a sex thing. Is it a drug thing now?"

"Like, not that I'm opposed. Godsblood is about the hottest drug there is. How do I know you're not poisoning me, though?"

Moira poured the drug into a cup of brewed coffee - strong and bitter. "You don't? But I'll be chugging it before you do, duh. But before we drink, I want to be clear - you are literally going to eat my dreamself. Her name is Aethelwulf, but you won't be eating the version of me that's me. You'll be eating the version of me that lives in the mind of the Sleeping God Erebus."

"You just . . " Ophelia started. "Keep saying cryptic and intriguing stuff. Is that a gift, do you have a Power devoted to that? Like why just say something like, like -" She said, swaying already as she drank from he own mug.

Moira caught her, laid her down on the bed. After chugging down her own dose, she pulled the princess of the shadow realm close to her. Ophelia's breath slowed, then deepened as she descended into sleep.

Moira brushed back her Ophelia's long hair. "Sweet child. If only you your father hadn . .  hadn't . . ."

They dreamt, and in dreaming, woke . . .
This message was last edited by the GM at 06:14, Tue 16 Apr 2019.

Bezaleel nodded as he listened to Shogu, "I see, to be honest I was unaware of the existence of this place or the Mazoku until just recently. The fact it ties to the netherworld, and even that you the Mazoku pass on to her realm of Hell. It is interesting in fact. Maybe it is part of the belief, the blood, and this place all tied together that wills your being there. Much like many pass to come to Erebus."

Looking over to the witch and then back to Shogu, Bezaleel thought about how she resided closer to the surface. Essentially the expansion of her brood would root them out of food supply. "I see, and because you can not leave this place and area tied to the netherworld, you can not hunt for food. Nor could have it delivered...I wonder if my shadow servitors I made would be stuck in the same condition. If not, maybe we can bridge the gap between the people of old and new in Erebus."

Bezaleel looked at the jug for a few moments, he had no idea how he would react to the drink. Or if any at all. "I have a history of being poisoned, so I hope you'll understand my anxiety in accepting a drink, but thank you anyway Shogu."

Then a bird flew in and perched on Bezaleel's shoulder. Listening to Ophelia, Bezaleel frowned slightly. Sending a reply back the same way. "Thank you for notifying me. Please continue to host the herald, but hold off on any acts of ritual, sex, or anything else while I am away. It would he safest to have me around during that time. I plan to return home soon if that is the case."

The bird slipped away into shadow as quickly as it had come, after repeating your message back to you for confirmation.

Physically, you were there with Shogu, but spiritually you felt . . . odd. More distant from Erebus than was comfortable; this place was not entirely of your own Realm, and going any deeper would probably meaning crossing a spiritual threshold.

Acumen: That threshold was contained within the drink you were holding. Old legends . . . taking part in drinking or eating in the underworld would trap you, or perhaps permit your entrance to the deeper caverns.

"It's no issue," said Shogu. "A gift can be kept."

"As for food,"

"We do not need to eat. Or drink. We are sustained by . . . it is difficult to describe, but we are sustained by suffering of a particular kind,"

"By grief, mainly. Sorrow colored by loss and longing. It's the nature of the Lady; she governs a variety of . . . transgression, in part, those who die with their sin a secret . . . and those who commit crimes of intimacy. You understand."

He took a swig from his own drink. "Those of us who linger here are those who died with the intent and desire to commit such sins, but never . . .  acted on them. Those, like I, who killed ourselves rather than sin . . . well . . . " he trailed off, and did not continue the thought.

"Why have you come, shadow prince? What is here for you? Do you seek the Lady?"
This message was last edited by the GM at 05:51, Fri 26 Apr 2019.

Bezaleel nodded as he took the flask, "Thank you, Shogu." Capping the flask he put it into a pocket.

Listening to Shogu speak of the sin and crimes of intimacy, it made Bezaleel curious. "I see. Those like you...Were my father and my own..Forsaken. I guess to some in their views, damned if you do, damned if you don't. I can tell you all must be tethered here. Do you all wait to pass on, or seek to leave this place?"

Bezaleel grew silent for a few seconds then. After a moment Bezaleel looked up towards the roof of the cavern then to Shogu, "To be honest, I originally came here to see what it was this witch is and what it is she is doing in Erebus. Being here I hoped to learn more of both my father and mother. As well as the history of what has happened. What type of people they are, how it is they treated you. You the Mazoku are my people as well, I didn't even know about you. I have no idea what needs or wants there are here. What problems need attending. As far as seeking the Lady. I'm not quite sure it's best I meet her just yet. It'd be nice to, but there are more important things, and I don't think I'm ready for that. There would be a few awkward conversations I imagine."

"We make our home here. We may pass beyond to the Lady's domain, but are tethered to this realm; were were once Shades of Erebus, and Erebus itself is a kind of afterlife . . . our souls have two destinations, and neither can claim us wholly." said Shogu.

Shogu shrugged. "Family business is family business. We knew your father and your mother, but I doubt many will see you as their lord here. We prefer to make deals than to receive charity."

Bezaleel nodded, "What if there was a way for one to lay full claim or relinquish it's claim. Would that be something wanted? I don't exactly mind deals, I wouldn't call my actions for anyone charity either. I do them for my own reasons. If it would make things easier to do them as deals so be it."

Looking around at others in the area, he continued to speak, "I doubt a people who went without a lord for so long would gladfully welcome a new one either, even if I am the child of those you saw as Lords. I just want what is best for my realm and those within it. I am not my mother or my father. I wasn't raised by either, nor did I spend time here with all of you. I spent it above with the forsaken and shades of Erebus. Regardless, you all are in a way my responsibility just the same though."

Looking over to Shogu, Bezaleel asked another question, "What was he like, my father? Did you know him more personally or was it a more distant thing."

"Erebus . . ." said Shogu. "Was a terror. There was never a being colder . .  more inhuman. He was hunger wrapped a shroud of flesh for the convenience of his people. He didn't care for anything that was . . . he saw an ocean and built a castle in it. Saw the raw shadow and told it it was ground, and trees, and his people. He was a darkness so cold and so hungry that the flames of Hell  . . . he found them appetizing. And so you came to be . . .  little starving cat . . ."

He was getting progressively drunker off the spirit he had offered you. "Nothing could have stopped Erebus . . . anything found . . of him . . was just a cast-off. The shadow of a shadow. I could crush you . . . but he wouldn't need to. You'd be swallowed before you knew you were in his maw . . ."

Bezaleel's eyes stayed looking at Shogu as he spoke. He was quiet and thought on what was said, looking down at his claws and hand. "You must be drunk if you are speaking of crushing me with the state your in. Where do you sleep?"

Grabbing the man with a whirl of shadows, he left off to return the drunkard to his dwelling. Before looking at Shogu, he snagged the drink waving it slightly, "I think I'll be taking this with me for the trip back. I'll be seeing you around." Using his shadow-smithing he made a flask to pour the drink into before setting Shogu's container back down.

Flying out of the building entirely. Bezaleel sat on the roof, putting his face into his palm he looked over at as shadow. "Are you awake yet in there?"