88 Imbolc
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12th December / Early February AR12

It wasn’t just the Venetzians who had entered Corjen. Percy and Matthias also made a return to Corjen. Having learned of Panam’s fate, he set about questioning the witnesses. There is some tension between the companions as a result.
Nineveh homed in on the dignitaries, Aurelia first and foremost and made some interesting inroads with them. First of all the matter of their invitation to accompany them to Port Royal. They assured her that the Mayor would be able to protect her from the attentions of “the Zealots” as they called them.

Ninevah was invited to partake in the “Great Carving”, a ritual associated with Saint Bridget, the columns marking a boundary between cold and warmth with a cross atop to symbolize the Saint.

Jack meantime discusses matters with Kapihi regarding the demise of Panam and the role of the Legba. She agreed Panam’s spirit was likely in some torment, and she offered to facilitate its recovery. He then shares his plan to acquire a townhouse in Corjen to better house his forge residents, for no-one seemed inclined to go to Port Royal despite the threat of war receding

Back in Corjen Ninevah hears the Venetzians chant as they complete their carving, “A fire in the Head, A fire in the Forge, A fire in the Hearth.” Duchess Morven arrived with news for Henry, the Mayor of Port Royal wanted to meet with her in Alverton.

Research had recovered some clues about some of the races that travelled with the Ventzian caravan, the Profondi and Nephilim.
It was time to attend the ceremonies where Nineveh gave a reading of her poem to Saint Bridget to the celebrants. This was received with an ululation of praise and Nineveh placed her platted cross in place.

The flames began to burn low and Jack felt a cold hand upon his shoulder. It was Kapihi, dressed in full Shamaness finery, but in her spirit form.
“Jack, the gateways…they go EVERYWHERE! You could go back, to the place you all came from! No more Vampires! You could return to the world your Grandparents were ripped from!” she told him, almost fervently.

“Why would I wish to do that? I have no memory of the place, I was born here, in Grimnest. Everything of value to me is here. This is my home.”
The flames all went out and the temperature dropped markedly. Something appeared within, which grew to a great size. It looked like some sort of ice demon, blue of hue and horned, cloven hooves, its visage grim.

Suddenly all the holly that had been used in decorations for the festivals was swept up as if in a wind and it coalesced into a colossal form that grappled the demon, overcoming it and crushing it to nothing, before the holly colossus erupted into a huge column of fire and in its place appeared a gate, composed entirely of flame.

He and Nineveh recognised it was a gateway to the Underworld.

89 Gates of Hell
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10th January 2024 / Early February AR12

Kapihi disappears but as the flames die down the group get a view of the dim space beyond the gate. There were four females waiting. Marina de Magdala led and was the guide Kapihi had asked to accompany them through the realm of the damned. She was a Profundi Jack recognised, one who was not trying to disguise her origins.

The path they would follow had a ritualistic aspect to it, there would be a number of ‘stations’ along the way that the group would need to address, the guide could only advise not actively assist. Nineveh is told sternly the Book could not travel with her, so she instructed Mobius to convey it to Miles and her secret vault.

The terrain they entered was rough, bleak and they could hear the screams of thousands of voices in terrible pain. It was loud enough to hurt the ears, but nothing more than that. There was a foul stench permeating the air as well, the stench of death and decay. They finally left the stairs and came onto a plateau where a veritable horde of lost souls were pushing and shoving, all appealing to a tall skeleton in ragged black robes holding a long staff. A decayed looking boat was moored in the black waters of a river that flowed sluggishly by. This was conveyer of the dead to their final destinations. He accepted their silver and conveyed them across the water.

The landscape beyond was as ever distorted and out of kilter – the mountains in the distance, were they actually mountains at all? Huge bones of long dead leviathans lay scattered across the plain and they could see there were people ahead, all seeming engaged in arguments; some with each other, others by themselves, or to one of the flying demons just above them.

They recognised some of the lost souls were wearing habits that resembled, the habits worn by the monks of Saint Barbara. A flying demon grabbed Mobius in its claws, intent it seemed on devouring him. Jack challenged the creature, then with a snarl let go of the little dragon who quickly flew down to his mistress and coiled himself around her neck.

Through the next gate there was naked flesh all about, folk of all sizes and descriptions copulating endlessly. It might have been erotic but it was deeply dark and cruel, for this was not a joyous union but the forced frenzy of lust, the very act hurting those who performed it.  Those that could stand it no longer were stabbed by one of the flying demons that constantly circled above until they resumed their hellish intercourse.
Kat and Percy recognised some faces in the crowd, faces that surfaced from the mad orgy for a few seconds before disappearing again, men and women who had prostituted themselves in Port Royal. The handmaidens stepped forward to the fringes of the huge mass of heaving flesh and cast powder upon them.

They were now approaching a figure that sat upon what seemed to be a red clam shell, formed of moulded red rock.  Twice the size of a normal person she was, with hideous avian-like clawed feet, long talons for nails, sporting a curved blade in one hand as she looked upon them with a cruel delight. For all that, she had a beautiful countenance, naked but for a high crown that sat upon her tawny flowing locks. The queen, called Astarte, tempted the group with offers of help, but she was rebuffed.
It transpired that the Queen had a burning enmity toward the entity that ruled the next realm, called Namtar which Nineveh had established through further discussions was to do with gluttony. Nineveh entertained the notion of entering some sort of a bargain, but Jack dismissed the suggestion and the group moved on.

As they were about to exit the realm, the gates were smashed open as a giant three-headed beast came bursting forth, it and Henry exchanging blows. Percy fired, his shot influenced by Nineveh’s spell which had not only enhanced the armour but had also enhanced the shot. Kat’s shot too went straight into the flesh, and it too drew ichor. The beast began to retire, no longer baring the way. Percy used his Life Seal to heal Henry’s wounds completed, much to his satisfaction.

They entered the next realm, the same grey sunless skies overhead, and another deeply unpleasant sight awaited them. Masses of folk, all grasping and chewing at each other, some of them reduced to chewing their own flesh because their own injuries had rendered them immobile.
There was a cave up ahead, the mouth of it covered by a heavy iron grate. Behind it lurked a large blubbery form that seemed to be trying to speak, a fat hand grasping through the bars. The way forward lay within.

90 Purgatory
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16th January 2024

Jack agreed to release Namtar and in return he would allow the group to proceed unmolested. Henry lifted off the grate and Namtar rolled out, leaving a brown streak of effluent behind him. Marina and her handmaidens led them through a portal to the next realm.
It was a sandy place, vast dunes rising all about. The realm of greed. A horde of souls was fighting and grabbing at each other for golden coins that would fall from their hands as it was prised loose by others who then tried to snatch it up, only to be assaulted in turn.
On a large dune upon which sat another Lord of the Realm, surrounded by his courtiers. A great horned demon but bedecked with jewels of great opulence. He accepted Azure coins for the toll, and waved them on their way.
Some wailing banshees appeared and their screams had a resonance to them that hurt the ear. They remained plagued by them though, for they flew overhead screaming all the while. They could see that ahead was a desiccated forest, where nothing grew except pomegranates on atrophied trees. Marina reported it was not as she remembered it.

Out of nowhere a large, masted ship appeared, the Heaven's Fall, the ghostly pirate ship captained by their deadly foe, Nubia. After an exchange of shot and steel, Jack ran her straight through. The wound itself screamed and before their eyes Nubia folded in on herself, once, twice, thrice and then with a harsh crack she was gone along with her ship and crew.

A figure then slowly approached in a punt through the shallow stinking waters.  A woman, green skinned and red eyed. Her name was Lissa and she was the daughter of Nix, a Moon Goddess of antiquity, it seemed Miss Nineveh’s spell had resonated with her, alerting her to the fall of Nubia. Into the punt they all crowded and she took them across the swamp.

Ahead they could see the huge, looming walls of the City of Dis. There were demons of all kinds both on and flying above the walls. A long endless column of souls trudged beneath them through the open gates, shouting and weeping in pain, for they were bombarded with stones by the demons as they went.

A magnificent if rather intimidating entity flew to intercept them. He was Balial, the Viceroy of Hell  known for his pride and arrogance. In order to pass, he demanded the name of the Judge they were to see, which Marina provided by writing it down. It was a name not spoken lightly.
Marina told her Handmaidens they could no longer follow; the path was for her alone. The Handmaidens sang to them as they joined the long procession through the gate, a loving and nurturing song that touched the soul, removing the dread upon them. Once inside they made their way through an infernal graveyard, and Marina spoke to some of the lost.

A large river lay beyond, composed of flame. There were souls within it, struggling to cross, sometimes one would surface and stretch out an arm to the sky, but would soon sink back into the flames. Harpies flew above them, screaming in laughter. On the far bank stood Centaurs, eyes aglow and carrying long spears. One of them, bigger than the rest stood observing them, muscular arms crossed as he looked on.

After speaking with the centaurs and considering carrying Percy across, Kat used her Seal to command the Harpies and carry everyone to safety. The lead centaur pointed the way and the travellers felt a change in their surroundings, entering a lush valley. In the centre of the valley stood a huge edifice, a building like a decapitated pyramid, built of black basalt.

The Halls of Justice.

91 Judgement
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23rd January 2024 / March AR12

Jack collects his thoughts. There was no point trying to dispute the judgement itself. Instead, he focused Panam’s premature arrival being the result of the Legba and she deserved another chance at life to make good. The judge bade the group collect four fruits and return with them.
The fruit was gathered despite the attentions of some ugly demons and a pathetic creature was then led in, manacled in chains, a heavy spiked collar around its neck. The tattoo on her shoulder was instantly recognisable, being the symbol of the Feral Nomad Clan.

The Judge called forth Nineveh as the murderess. She did not deny that her inaction was wilful but argued that for her part it was not due to hate but love for Miles. As Ninevah kissed the prisoner her chains and manacles fell away, and one of the attendant ladies stepped forward and cradled Panam to her bosom. Recovered, Panam looked at the group with genuine gratitude.

Panam relayed she had been pursuing a soul through the realms that she was determined to track down. Kat and Percy immediately offered their assistance. Panam explained that she suspected the soul was the archbishop, the source of disorder in the city and much else. So, they descended deeper.

They emerge into a vast cavern, where a series of ten concentric circles go ever deeper into the Pit, at the centre of which sat a castle or keep. It looked like a massive amphitheatre, with trenches, iron grey stone walls, bleak and cold.

“When Wisdom fell, a great tremor passed through the lands. Even down here it was felt and so many of the bridges fell.” Marina explained.

They reached the Pit and Panam bade them wait. A moment later a giant serpent with a human face erupted forth, writhing through the air. Panam welcomed it and it seemed pleased to see her as she rubbed the scales on its underside. The creature then took them down to the depths.

Their new vista was a frozen lake. Beneath it they could make out shapes, frozen in place, eyes wide open. Above all was a large monstrosity frozen solid. There was a blind maw that seemed to comprise a head, though there were others that popped up here and there across its grotesque form.
The observers were able to locate a ghostly apparition of the archbishop. It was a spiritual footprint that showed he had passed this way and worshipped the unearthly entity. The best way forward was to return to Grimnest and deal with the problem of the archbishop there. They came to a place where there stood a large stone tablet, taller than a man. Words were carved there in an obscure language. An angel appeared at Marina’s shoulder as Jack and Ninevah studied it.

“It is time, that which you have striven for awaits. You may come with me now.” the angel told her and there were tears of joy falling from the eyes of their Profundi guide.

“I bid you all farewell at last, but here, this will be useful to you in your return.” Marina told them and handed Percy a silver coin. Then she transformed, the long years of pain and weariness fell away, she grew younger and more radiant, her beauty shone as she and the angel ascended toward the light.

Past the tablet they strove up the mountain until they came to a stone chamber in the side of the mountain. Percy placed Marina’s coin into a vacant circular slot. Patterns then glowed forth, a door appeared and they stepped through into fresh air. They had emerged in Port Royal, the park in question being the entrance to the May Queen’s abode.

Panam was all for setting forth and having at the Archbishop. Jack reminded them that they were still in hostile territory, so perhaps it might be an idea to talk with the Mayor first.

Back in Corjen, Henry discovers that the mayor is very ill. Henry sent for Percy and explained what was amiss. Percy drew upon the powers of the Life Seal; he laid hands upon the mayor, golden light bathed him and the sores were washed away in the warm glow.

The Mayor had recovered by the next day, very grateful and eager to return to Port Royal and take the Archbishop to task. Jack sent a telegram to Abercoch instructing Lady Ashbury to come immediately to Alverton to assist in the preparations.

Ninevah returned to her library only find a howling, spiralling void, a vortex of terrible power where the Book had been.