Post/Author/DateTime	Post
sciborg2 02-02-07, 01:52 PM	guessing this will need refinement over time...please add your own letters, military reports, celestial observations, etc Dear Ananki, I hope you and Ademtus are doing well. Please find enclosed my payment from the Baatezu. It should be enough to keep the room in the Hive you two are staying in. I know there is nothing Good inside these devils, but I have to admit being paid on time has its own virtue. And we are killing demons, just like the ones that killed my father. But I'm not writing to argue about this. In fact I wanted to say again how sorry I am for the way I left. I hope seeing the gold coins helps you understand that I did this for us and for Ademtus. I have found myself stationed on Gehenna, in a place where there is little light save for the glowing azure from the ground which just makes outlines on the black stone. Acidic snow falls from a cloudless sky. Somewhere in this volcanic rock, the tanar'ri have found a portal from which they can send their hordes against our legions. While the baatezu have been unable to find the passageway, I'm confident that that will be able to do so. They are quite intelligent, their tactics improved over so many years I can't begin to imagine how long. I feel safer under my ice devil commander than I have under the King Xiodec whose stupidity is how we ended up in Sigil in the first place. I watch him in what I guess are the mornings, staring with bug eyes across the snow covered terrain. He is beautiful in his own way I guess, gross with a bug face but he reminds of those dragonflies we saw near the lake where we'd sneak off to. I know you're grinning that mischevious grin that made me fall for you. We are treated well actually, not just as canon fodder as the Sigil fishwives like to claim. The baatezu give out bonuses for extra tanar'ri killed, but deduct pay for recklessness. My sleeping with one eye open is because of the mortals in the ranks, not the devils. So many of these men are apparently fighting to reduce the sentences laid down on them by the MercyKillers. Don't worry though, any who foolishly endanger their fellow troops are killed. And just in case, I've banded with some other veteran mercenaries I hope you get the chance to meet one day. They are like us, trying to support their dreams in this crazy Wheel. Family men mostly, though a few young pups I've taken under my wing. One almost looks like Ademtus might in some years, though my son will never be a soldier. Never. I'm blessed to find people like that, Ananki. This place, it changes you. You know I would never do this, but sometimes I dream of slitting their throats and stealing their pay. If I did you could move out of the Slags, maybe into one of the guildhall districts. But I won't? I won't. Its just so cold, you start thinking things you'd never do. And the stone, this frozen lava that looks like it could come alive and burn me, its always whispering. But that's when I think of your face, your kindness. I know you will give some coins to the urchins near our hovel, no matter how much you know I'd yell at you. That brings a smile to my face and pushes away those whispers. Yesterday I killed a glabrezu and that's why you'll find enough coins to buy yourself something nice. I know you'll want to save even the smallest copper piece, you were always the planner, but please at least buy some decent meat from Parts & Pieces. I wish Ademtus could have seen me, firing my crossbow through its skull before it could crush me with its pinchers. Sorry, I know that's going to make you worry so I won't go on about the fight, but I want Ademtus to know that though we fled Xiodec's lost cause, even fled our world, I am not a coward. I was hoping to send some kind of souvenir for him, a bone from the kill like some of these men around me keep, but the baatezu have forbidden it. They tell me its too dangerous. I suppose he'll just have to believe me. I know I'm not a coward. That's why I'm here. I should be going. If I don't get enough sleep I won't be able to fight well tomorrow. And my company is counting on me. The baatezu are counting on me, and I won't be the weak link in their plans. Oh, is Ademtus walking yet? I hope so. all my love, Ziporra
Doom_Linnorm 02-02-07, 02:58 PM	OOC: Mind if I join in with a letter from a different source? And in regards to your letter, brilliant. :thumbsup: I'm going to try and come up with something that might come near to mimicing this quality. :D
Tarascon 02-02-07, 08:43 PM	Dude, nice. Seriously primo stuff here. I like how you kept bringing up Sigil and locations in the city. Gave it a nice Planescape feel. You don't see that enough anymore. You were very detailed on the baatezu, that little extra touch is what drove the planar feel. Who knows, maybe I'll put one up sooner or later. Maybe.
sciborg2 02-02-07, 11:01 PM	OOC: Mind if I join in with a letter from a different source? Sounds good. Thanks for the compliments y'all...
sciborg2 02-03-07, 05:53 PM	As Ananki reads the letter, she sees through to the conflicting emotions of her husband that raise a storm of feelings in her own heart. She's crying, her ten-month-old looking up with instinctual worry holding her hand as he stands on two wobbly legs that haven't yet lost their baby fat. She's smiling wistfully at moments, and gasping at fear in the next as her eyes pass over the sentences, sloppy and manic as if they had been written in darkness. And in moments its over, the black abishai deliverer just about to spread its wings and fly into the smog of Sigil's sunless morning. "Wait" she cries, her voice already showing signs of hoarsness, scooping Ademtus up in her arms as she takes a rush of barefooted steps beyond the buildings rotted doorway. The devil turns, looks at her with glassy reptilian eyes not quite alien enough to hide its amusement. "Where is he now? Is he okay?" Its as if she's forgotten that it is hellspawn she pins her hopes on, distracted by the stubborn courage she loves that will get her husband killed. ("I hope so" written as an afterthought?) The baatezu studies her as if drinking her tears. Then it grins to reveal pink gums normally hidden by the scaled maw that now widens slowly, showing fangs symetric, even and polished. "That's classified. My lady." Then it turns and takes to the air. Ademtus tugs at her sleeve, catching her attention as he points wordlessly at the ground. She's bleeding, having stepped on a small piece of unnoticed glass.
Mrloki 02-04-07, 03:07 AM	( just trying my hand at this too) Lord Heshrow king of Kernwood's diary I start this diary to document my encounter with a devil who came to me, to contract me to do scouting missions for him for the blood wars. Day 1 Today as I sat in my keep/manor with my current wife and my children, I was visited by a Horned Devil, he was wishing to enlist me and my renowned scouts. Contracting us out for just a couple missions. He promised he would have built for me a fortress of great power in my city of Kernwood. I accepted, since the recent earthquake ruined portions of my town and my keep. I gathered up 200 of my best scouts and rouges. We got our gear together, and he opened a portal to hell. It sent a shiver up my spine thinking about what we were about to do. Step into hell... Day 2 We were given good housing, and decent food. We meet with their diplomat, and came to the agreement on funds to be paid for services rendered. They were willing to give a kings ransom in jewels and gold for simple things. I accepted after consorting with my men. The devil told me that in 3 days a he will open a portal to the Abyss and that will be doing recon for numbers and movement on a demon force. We are to scout for 1 week and then come back to the infernal city. Day 3 I was walking through the city today. I was trying to find somebody with information about were we where and as to what was going on. The ones who did talk always mentioned a preemptive attack on some layer of the Abyss. It didn't matter to me what the armies were doing. We were here to do the easy stuff. It was weird watching the devils go about their lives, they all seemed to always want to one up the other but were very polite. I just told my men to stay low till mission, so as not to catch the ire of a devil. Day 4 One of my men was caught stealing from the armory. I tried to plead with the horned devil, but he would hear nothing of it. A swift and merciless trial was started and ended that day, beheading was his fate. The mans head being placed upon a pike on the palisades. His body thrown to the hell hounds for scraps. The horned devil told me "Traitors are worse then dogs, and as such will be devoured by them." He left after that. Day 5 I was approached by an emissary of the horned devil, a half fiend. He gave me my orders and a map of the out lying area. He told me to come back to where we appeared to come back in one week. I gathered my men and our gear, and we trecked out. We stepped through a vortex of Infernal red. A weird sensation of swimming came over me as I stepped through. For a brief minute you could feel the distance between the abyss and hell. And then we were there. Standing in an open field of rusted blades. The land scape would have been a glorious sight to behold, if the swords and daggers were weeds and grass. But they were not. The sky was a greenish yellow. The air a pungent smell of acid. We took little time in setting up a base of operations here. We dug ourselves under the blades, and into the hard ground. Built ourselves a pseudo den. We then set some men out to scout the Intel out lying area. After a few hours they reported no creatures were in sight, which was a relief. No food or water in sight, luckily the devils and I figured as much and brought more then enough to last a week. It rained a little acid tonight... Day 6 A sent out a larger scout party in a couple different directions with orders to report back tomorrow, and to build a bunker out further so we can leap frog survey missions. I got back reports speaking of success, and a lack of still no reports of any creatures. It again rained acid... Day 7 My men reported back with Intel on a troupe of vrocks flying around. They seemingly did not see my men because they did not attack or do anything out of the catch or warrant attention. I told my next group where to find the bunker, and to rest there, and take half of that group out more and build a bunker and I will send for them when to come back, but if enemy seems hostile to retreat to base. They agreed, and I let the ones who had just come back rest a bit. Later in the day I got my reports from the other bunkers, that they were reestablished and the newer ones were almost done. The nightly acid still meet us the same as yesterday... Day 8 I received word that our outer most bunkers had not reported in today, and that more vrocks were seen out and about. They were even seen flying over my base of operations. The inner bunkers sent scouts to gather Intel of outer most bunkers, I await their reports tomorrow. I'm making preparations for a retreat, and have sent some of my elite to build an easily collapsible tunnel to a secret bunker I had them make today. no acid tonight... Day 9 I got word from the inner bunkers today, telling me that all the outer bunkers had all the men their killed. Little to no struggle was seemingly present. One of my more knowledgeable men told me that they might have fallen prey to the baubau. Demonic assassins. I had sent messengers back to the inner bunkers telling them to post extra guards to keep them from getting in. The acid started again tonight... Day 10 No reports today. This worries me, as I had some of my men tell me they heard a battling coming from the ways of the bunker. I don't want to give away my position, so, I cannot send them the needed help, hopefully they were the ones getting the jump on them. I now can only confirm that 78 of my men are alive. 41 were confirmed dead on the outer most bunker line. We have 3 more days to go, and then we will be out of here, and with the money they are paying us, well be very well off. As the other night no acid... an ominous sign... Day 11 Some wounded men came in today, they were not badly wounded, but they were the only ones who made it. Some more baubaus tried to sneak in, but they were ready and fought them, some men were killed, but they would up winning. Feeling that their hiding spot was clear, they made sure no one was watching and fell back here. Fearing that this place may have been compromised, I had all the men move through the tunnel to other bunker, I used a scroll I brought along to make it look like we were still there...then I went aswell, bringing down the tunnel as I left. I had men watch the base afterwards, and sure enough a large variety came, and attacked the old base. My scouts said they seemed ****** off after being duped by my spell. 2 more days then we get to go, I now can confirm that 109 of my men are alive. Not turning out so well for a scouting mission. I'll shed a tear for my men when were home. I never thought I would want it to rain acid, but it seems like when it does, their is no battles. Tonight, we had no acid rain. Day 12 Today we were attacked, it was very bad. They were everywhere....they teleported inside the bunker. We fought our way out, my men displayed such courage. As soon as we reached the exit a volley of arrows rained in upon us, off in the distance, demons with 4 arms and two bows. With the remaining we charged them, weaving around the rusted shards that littered the ground. They teleported as we got close. Damnit! We can't go back and search for any living, there was still some inside when we fell back. We dug ourselves a trench, or a grave I dunno... 32 of my men remain, I can hear in the distance scream for death... the demons have some prisoners, and they are my men! They are trying to get me to come out and show myself. I wish we could go and rescue them, but we would be killed...sleep will be impossible tonight, we just have to wait till the portal is up. Day xx so many...they run around yelling their accursed tongue...all around. So many. So many dead. Crying. Bleeding.... They surprised me...us. Devils said would be safe. Devils said just scouting mission. Devils LIED!!!! OH NO...shh...shh, must quite ourself. They roam. eating. Why won't the devils come?? AHHH!!!! I see it....the gate...it opens, the red...I wish for it to embrace me...but NO!!! NO!!! demons draw near, they killed me, they killed my men, they killed me! Must run, must hide!! SLEEP!! sleep, i'm going to sleep...when I sleep, i'll feel better in the morning.... This diary was later found clutched in the hands of Lord Hesrow by an devil strike force. He and all his men were killed in the plains of blades. He was mortally wounded, and had succumbed to his wounds. The acid rain has ruined some parts, but this is what was translated. It is but a single chapter in the chronicles of the Blood War.
sciborg2 02-09-07, 10:04 PM	your story reminds me of a question -- can mortals really face up to the reality the Outer Planes represent? Though I do believe the physical terrain is just veneer for the metaphorical landscape underneath it All....
Mrloki 02-10-07, 07:33 AM	Well people in general like to relate things to past expirences so thats what it proably comes down to. seeing a plains made of blades, only reminds him of blades, because hes seen what plains would look like, and hes seen hundreds of weapons about. putting the two together, bringing the thought to fullfilment. Where as a demon might see it as more then that in the sense that the demon sees every blade, that had been sowed to the ground from hundrends of years of battle. Or he might look past such things, the concept of "plains" meaning nothing more then tactical point for the next massacure. Different creatures would see it different ways maybe.
sciborg2 02-11-07, 10:18 PM	"My body aches to breathe your breath, your words keep me alive..." --Possession My Ziporra, I don't know where you are, or where I could send this so that it could reach you. All I know is that I can't speak to you, you're not here, you're somewhere in the darkness. I need to at least pretend that you can hear me, can hear my prayers, can feel my love no matter what desolation the baatezu have you fighting over. So I'm writing this letter in anticipation of the time you'll come back to me and after we've put Ademtus to bed, made love, and awoken to the morning I can show these words to you. Thank you for the money. I did give a few coppers to the children camped around our building, I know that as much as you complain you know that they are more needy as we are. I did get some fresh vegetables for Ademtus's meals, rather than the usual dull orange carrots and faded green peas. Still, I think we could have found another way, but as you said I don't want to fight about it across the infinite distance that separates us now. Your words made me cry, and it warms my heart that you think of me to drive those evil whispers away. Just remember who you are, my love, and that you aren't fighting for the devils, not really. You're fighting for your son, he wakes up and cries for you, 'Dada Dada' and I just hold him and promise him you'll be home soon. Please don't be ashamed Zippora but sometimes I just start weeping and we cry together. We're closer than ever, bonded by our love for the man in our lives. He started walking, your son, stumbling really for a few steps but I know your heart would swell with pride just as mine does as he crosses more and more distance on his stubby legs. You are right, he will never be soldier, but he'll be proud that you were one, and all that you did for him. Keep him in your thoughts and keep me in your thoughts as well. And as you remember us, remember yourself as well. Think of my smile, yes, but think of your strong hand cupping my face, your body pressed against mine when we saw the cities burning. Remember your tears at your fallen comrades, and how I told you it was okay to cry for them. You are a beautiful man my husband, and I want that man to come back to me. Don't let them change you. I am forever waiting. your loving wife, Ananki
shades of eternity 03-21-07, 12:23 PM	kinda an odd question which side is more likely to have mercs and why?
sciborg2 03-21-07, 12:24 PM	I think both, but I suspect baatezu because they're more likely to honor a contract than the tanar'ri. Certain tanar'ri lords might be partially trusted, but on the whole I wouldn't go trusting that race....
Elthbert 03-21-07, 10:30 PM	THese are really good. They give a real vermissilitude to the whole thing. Keep them up.
Khadmus 04-05-07, 06:17 PM	:bump: This thread rocks. My meager intellect is overwhelmed by the forces at work here.
sciborg2 04-05-07, 10:15 PM	Feel free to join in. :D