Post: #1

This thread is intended for Disciple of Nagash and Voltaire only!

Dragging his captive Arkhan strode down the length of the hall. A crunching sound followed in their wake, as countless strewn bones snapped underfoot.
There was an air of anticipation, the giant skeletal guards seemed more animated and to those with even a slight sensitivity, it was clear something was going to happen.
"Stop."
The voice of Arkhan intruded on Milosh's dark thoughts. Ever since he had seen his wife cruelly taken away, he had entered a dark depression. The only slight ray of light in his life, was knowing that she was safe. But still, the knowledge that he would never see her again pained him so much. It felt like something was eating away inside of him, and worse was yet to come. Bound to Arkhan he knew the moment would come shortly when he would have to hand over the Claw of Nagash.
He felt something tugging at the back of his head, and then his blindfold was taken off.
The first thing that greeted his sight was what appeared to be a massive statue, seated on equally enormous throne. Whoever had sculpted the creation must have been a madman, for is visage was horrific.
Black armour clad a skeletal figure, a eighteen foot parody of a man. Withered claws gripped the arms of the throne, one noticeably entirely covered in the same metal as the armour.
As he saw this Milosh realised with shock, that the sight before him was not of a statue.
"My Lord. I have returned with great tidings."The respectful tone of Arkhan went further to confirm Milosh's suspicions. Suddenly high above a ghastly green light appeared as the eyes of Nagash opened. The witchlight shone from its depths was palpable with power, and as the gaze shifted downwards, Milosh suddenly knew how an ant must feel. His mage senses were now screaming at the build up of dark magic. The aura coming off the Supreme Lord of Undeath was choking, magical power stronger than anyone Milosh had ever met.
He felt a kick to the back of his legs, and he fell to his knees in front the Dark Lord. Milosh was literally shaking from a mixture of awe and fear. Before him was creature thousands of years old, someone who had destroyed an entire civilisation, and at the peak of his strength was the most powerful creature to have existed. And was Milosh was going to give him the key back to regaining his lost power.

Post: #2

The aura of prolific magic in the chamber room of the Dark Majesty of Undeath was one that choked all who were even slightly in tune with their magical capabilities. Warpstone, waystones and even the infamous Ogham stones of Albion could not contend with the raw power that radiated from the being that had become a figure of legend right across the Old World and beyond. None would dare to deny that the giant with the expressionless face known as Nagash was anything but the master of Necromancy. Standing at a magnificent eighteen feet tall, bereft of skin, organs or even an actual face, he was every bit the picture of death, a great irony because it was the one thing he feared and avoided from than anyone else in the world.

The emotionless skull turned its gaze to tje being that had been brought before him. The amount of sheer malice and contempt that was coming from the giant could be felt, even through the unreadable face of the Dark Lord. Slowly, the gaze of Nagash turned to Arkhan the Black, and for the first time since he had met Arkhan, Milosh noticed some apprehension on the face of the master of the black tower. With an un-natural movement, the hand of the Great Necromancer lifted and pointed at Arkhan. The aura in the room lessened slightly and became totally focused on a single point, that point being Arkhan. Nagash appeared to be angry as the air in the room was tense beyond reckoning. The great mouth on the even greater skull opened and anticipation of the words of the Great Necromancer was more than enough to break a man. The reality of those words for even worse as thousands of years of nothing but hate would come through a voice so laced with power that they could destroy civilisations without needing a single action. How Nagash could speak would baffle scholars across the globe, but so had his longevity. The enigma of the master of undeath would take a lifetime of ponderance. Finally, the silence broke and the throne room shook with the sheer volume of Nagash's voice.

"Arkhan The Black, why do you bring your disgrace into my prescence. You do not have my Crown or my Claw. Instead you bring me a morsel, like a sacrifice to Ptra. You have not returned to the ways of Khemri in your long spell out of my gaze have you?" Surprisingly, there was an uncurrent of slight humour in the voice that was lost in the significance of the words. Arkhan knew not to laugh however. "You bring me a vampire instead. One of those accursed who refused to help me in my time of need. I am once again in that time and still, I have nothing." The volume of the voice rose again and as the final words were uttered, the walls appeared to come alive with ghostly apparitions and the bones re-arranged as if by Nagashs mere subconscious. "EXPLAIN YOURSELF".

Outside Nagashizzar, a rumble of thunder occured as Nagash finally lowered his massive hand back to resting on his throne as he awaited the explanation of Arkhan the Black.

Post: #3

As the words blasted round the chamber Milosh could not stop the fear in his heart. The cold tone was a thousand times worse than Arkhan's had ever been. Face down before a god he felt true terror for the first time in his life.
Next to him Arkhan took an involuntary step back. He knew all too well of his Lord's wrath, favourite lieutenant or not, he knew the tortures that could be visited on him if Nagash should so choose.
"My Lord," he started, almost quailing at the glare from the giant before him,"I have succeeded. I have brought before you one who has your claw." The silence that followed was deafening. The wrathful nature in the hall changed and Nagash shifted slightly, betraying his eagerness. It had been many years since his claw was taken from him, and it was no little feat for it to be returned.
Gripping hold of Milosh's scalp Arkhan raised him up into the air, until he dangled off the ground. The vampire screwed his eyes tightly shut, better than to stare into that dreadful glare.
"Reveal the location." As much as he wanted to ignore the order, the magical bond would not allow it. Milosh felt his body respond and the secret to the claw's hiding place spilled out of his mouth.

Post: #4

Slowly something began to happen to the face of the Great Necromancer as he stood from his chair and descended the steps to where Milosh was standing. The skull appeared to be padding itself out and Nagash seemed to shrink with each pause. As he finally reached the bottom, the Dark Lord stood at a mere 7 feet tall. His face was like Arkhans, withered and decrepit, like a zombie. His eyes had finally returned and in them radiated a majesty born of arrogance, or perhaps of pure power. It was difficult to tell. The aura of prolific supremacy was still as strong around him though.

"Drop him, I want to see he is telling me the truth."

Reaching Milosh, Nagash reached down with his armoured gauntlet and lifted the vampire several feet off the ground and looked into his eyes. The return glance from the vampire was once of pure terror. Nagash admired that this vampire had retained so much of himself to be able to feel terror. He often forgot that the vampires were more human than he was. It was a sickening thought. Humans withered and died. He did not though, because he was Nagash, and he was immortal. The chamber rang once more.

"Speak to me then Vampire. Tell me where my claw is so I may retrieve it. It was taken from me long ago by another of your kind. What I took from him was just as dear though..." Turning his gaze momentarily once more to Arkhan, Nagash saw the face of one who knew what Nagash was peaking of "Now the irony is one of your kind will return it to me. Where is my claw"

The tone had become almost calm and the terror was only ghastly frightening. It felt like a reprieve to not be shouted at but it was still enough to chill people to the bone.

Post: #5

being forced to look into the gaze of Nagash was quite possibly worse that the voice. The aeons old stare seemed to bore into his skull, and Milosh knew he couldn't have lied, even if the spell enabled him to. The bond created with Arkhan responded to Nagash's words, no doubt the thoughts of Arkhan urging the vampire to respond.
Unwilled by himself, Milosh's mouth opened. Elven syllables taught to him by his wife spilled out, and tendrils of magic started to coalesce into a shining orb.
Nagash's eyes narrowed as if suspicious of treachery, but a nod from Arkhan showed this was expected. As much as Milosh tried he could not stop the incantation, and his mind screamed in protest.The orb grew until suddenly it ruptured, creating tiny hold in the fabric of reality. As the final world was said, the portal grew to the size of man's head, and there visible to all was the Claw of Nagash.

Post: #6

Elation filled the hole where the black heart of Nagash beat slowly. Here before him was one of the two items that were required to turn him back into the demon of unlife that had destroyed Khemri and brought it back from the dead. There within a single items grasp was all the ability of Necromancy that he needed to be able to muster the Dread Lords once more. A single portal held the entire destiny of the Old World, and for the first time in aeons, Nagash felt a glimmer of anticipation be rekindled. Finally he could begin planning the demise of the world and reclaiming his rightful place as the head of Khemri and get revenge on the people of Sigmar.

Reaching into the portal, Nagash held it in place with his iron will and clasped the claw. It felt so familiar yet so foreign, as if he had finally come home. It was a feeling that stayed for a few moments before he slipped the claw on like it were a glove. The air of magic became even denser than before as Nagash began to cackle loudly. Extending the arm with the claw on it, he turned to where some of the skeletal warriors had assembled and pointed a finger. In an instance, a lightning bolt shot out of the finger tip and the skeletons were replaced with a green mist. The smell of charred bone was quite disgusting. The Great Necromancer then opened his palm and the skeletons reassembled themselves. Such was his power. He returned his gaze to Arkhan the Black in a meticulous manner, the power of his voice only made more grandiose by the display of raw magical energy.

"Where is the Crown? I do not trust a vampire to bring it to me. The one tasked with bringing me my claw simply kept if for himself in a vault under his castle." His voice became irritated and a general question rang in the room as Nagash pointed in the direction of Arkhan and Milosh madly. "WHERE IS MY CROWN?!"

Post: #7

"Your Crown my Lord?" said Arkhan, unsettled by his master shifting moods. The intense air of magic was palpable around Nagash now. Rejoining his claw was not just symbolic, nor was it that the claw had much power. It was the potential that it created.
A soul is powerful thing. It is the essence of a being. Everything has one, including those who would have you believe they are evil soulless creatures. The undead, the vampires, the liches had souls, and it was because of this why they could be resurrected. Unlike their mortal counterparts, their souls were embedded in every part of their bodies, meaning that so longs as one piece of their corpse survived, it was still possible for them to be brought back.
It did not come without negative effects though. If the body, and thus the soul was split, so was the potential. Whilst Nagash's soul was split he would never be able to claim back his lost power, yet even just finding his claw had allowed his abilities to magnify tenfold. It was daunting feat, for such power to be regained in mere minutes, yet it was only a hint of the liche's full capabilities.
"The vampire filth Mannfred has it my Lord" Arkhan replied as he gathered his thoughts, "I left it with him as you instructed, to use it's power to rid us of this new 'Council' "

Post: #8

Examining the intricate details of his Claw, Nagash appeared to almost be happy though it would be difficult to tell beneath the clouded rage that he seemed to radiate like raw warpstone. There was a deep aura of majesty to the whole scene, dark glowing majesty. The thought of his crown too was intoxicated beyond measure. A hearty laugh escaped the great chest of the Liche King as the chambers quaked. He lowered his gaze back to Arkhan once more.

”A Vampire is not to be trusted Arkan. You had to nearly destroy this one to bring the claw to me. Imagine what will happen if Mannfred gets a taste of the power my Crown offers him.” Nagash recalled Azhag the Slaughterer and how the strong willed Orc had been difficult. Manipulating one so cunning and aware as Mannfred was not beyond him, but he did not have the strength to sustain it for any substantial amount of time. ”Let him try and destroy the Council. Keep an eye on him and the moment the Crown becomes available seize it for me. I care not for the whims of vampire politics. I care only for my Crown.”

Turning, he slowly walked and returned to his dark throne. There was nothing more that he really needed to say and in that moment he realised that there was still the small matter of the Vampire who had revealed the location of the Crown. Musing for a moment, he decided that the best course of action would be one that filled the Council with urgency. If Mannfred and the Council destroyed each other it would leave him in a better position for consolidation. Standing once more, he pointed his claw at the Milosh. His piercing gaze was enough to petrify eternities.

”For serving me and suffering Arkhan, I will bestow a single wish to you Milosh. What is it you desire. I shall grant it.”

Post: #9

(10-04-2008 07:43 PM)Disciple of Nagash Wrote:  This thread is intended for Disciple of Nagash and Voltaire only!

OOC: For the life of me I can't remember writing this......

As the Dark Lord offered Milosh his favour Arkhan stiffened. It was not like his master to be so forth coming with his gifts, and he was unsure what Nagash planned.
"My Lord, the Necrach had plans for this one, V'-" he started, before the furious gaze of the dark Lord stopped him.
"Silence!" Nagash hissed, before addressing Milosh once more, "What is your desire?"
Milosh knew this must be some kind of game, yet he answered without hesitation,
"To be freed, and returned to my wife."

Post: #10

I put it there

The Dread Lord mused to himself for a moment on the request of the vampire. It was a simple enough one that would result in some greater and grander scheme coming back to haunt him later on. It was nothing he would be unable to handle as nothing living could overpower him once he was fully restored. It had taken the 13 greatest skaven in existence and a King to stop him the last time, and a living god the time after that. Nothing walking the face of the planet would be able to stop him in this day and age. A hollow laughing escaped the Great Necromancer who spoke first to Arkhan the Black.

”Plans are within plans, my minion. There are forces at work in this world that will insure our victory. This single Vampire cannot play a significant role in that destruction.” He began to contemplate the possible role that his puppets had to play. It was then that his masterstroke struck. ”Instead of your wish, Milosh, I have a far greater gift for you. Never again shall you suffer to look upon my great visage.”

Extending the claw out, Nagash cackled with laughter as his necromantic energies extended around the vampire. Slowly, the dark energies began to seep into Miloshs eyes and they began to burn. As he looked away, the burning ceased. Turning again to Nagash, every nuance of energy in his body was sapped. It was a terrible enchantment. Turning as if happy with his work, Nagash gestured to Arkhan.

”I grow weary of him, take this one away. Don’t go far though, we have much to discuss.”

Post: #11

Arkhan bowed his head to the Nagash,
"As you say my Lord." Grasping hold of Milosh by the shoulder, he dragged him away.
Milosh allowed himself to be dragged, numbness settling in his body. His mind swam at what he had just done, of the horror he has just unleashed on the world. The only thing that was certain in his mind, was that he had done it for Lesa.
As he was dragged along Milosh glanced at his surroundings. The walls seemed to be half covered in some kind of material, that had burned a long time ago. As he was dragged further down he realised what it was, as he came to a part that had been recently repaired. Stretched across this section was a tapestry of human skins melted together, yet the real horror was that the empty faces still moved in agony, and he knew the souls were still bound in them.
"In here,"Arkhan's cold voice suddenly cut into his thoughts. The chamber he had been brought into resembled more of a laboratory than a cell, and Milosh's fear took a new twist at the thought of what was planned for him. Before he could react he was shackled down onto a stone table and blindfolded. the job was done well and he could move barely an inch.
"There are wards in the walls. It is pointless to try your magic in here," the mocking tone of Arkhan said as he walked to the door, "I would not worry though Cromwell. You will come to understand our thinking soon enough."

Post: #12

OOC: This has been cleared with DoN

As Milosh lay shackled he suddenly heard footsteps nearby and then a familiar voice,
"You know Milosh, I rather like what Arkhan and his master have done with this place. I'll have to look into introducing something similar to Nexeternus." Milosh turned his head towards the source of the voice.
"Who's there? Some trick of Arkhan's?"
"Oh please Milosh. Do you really think that blacktoothed idiot would come up with something like that?" said the voice.

Post: #13

“Simon?!” Milosh said incredulously. Arcing back his neck he managed to catch a glimpse of the blonde haired vampire, as he walked round the plinth he was shackled to. “How....what...what the hell are you doing here?”
“That’s a bit hard to explain old chap,” Simon drawled from somewhere behind his head.
“Well you can explain later. Undo the shackles and we can get out of here,” Milosh interrupted, jingling the chains round his arms and legs. There was a slight paused, before Simon answered,
“That also might be a tad difficult.”
***********
Arkhan strode back to the throne room, mind awash with plans. Now the Dark Lord had his claw, and soon his Crown back, soon they would be gods among men again. Soon the world would bow down before Nagash, and to his trusted lieutenant as well.
Before he reached the forbidding hall, he grabbed hold of a wizened Necrach as he scuttled past.
”Advise your master, his subject his ready. I expect him to be prepared immediately.” The vampire nodded nervously, before thankfully running off as Arkhan realised his iron grip.
Walking back into his Lords presence, Arkhan abased himself,
”Cromwell is being made ready my Lord. What would you have me do now?”

Post: #14

"Why might it be a tad difficult?" asked Milosh. "Oh don't get me wrong old chap theres nothing I'd like better than to free you but" Simon stepped up to plinth and placed his hand on the nearest chain. It passed through. "two problems one I'm dead and not just undead but dead dead! and two I'm just a figment of your imagination. which is quite a curious predicament to be in wouldn't you say?"

Post: #15

"What?!" Milosh snapped at Simon's words, "how can you be a figment of my imagination? I promise you, if I was going to start fantasising, it would be someone a dam sight better looking than you." Trying with all his might, Milosh snarled in anger when the shackles refused to give,
"However I might concede that you could be dead, considering your fingers just passed through the chain. So, why of all the people in the land are you haunting me, and how did you die?"
Suddenly the door to the cell banged open, to reveal the decayed form of a Necrach. Striding into the room he jabbed something swiftly in Milosh's arm, before retreating as quickly as he appeared.
"What was that?" Milosh called after the vampire, a feeling of dread overcoming him as his arm began to go numb. As he turned his head to look at Simon again his vision blurred before blinking out, Struggling in fear Milosh also realised he couldn't speak, and he could barely hear Simon's words,
"You're not looking too well old chap." The words sounded oddly slowed and deeper than normal, if it were not for the familiar 'old chap' Milosh would not have been able to tell who said it.
From the other side of him, another voice sounded from the door,
"Excellent. We have much work to...ah....Lord Cromwell."

Post: #16

Milosh couldn't tell how long he had been out when he awoke. Vague images swam across his mind, dismembered pictures that as soon as he tried to focus on swam away.
He remembered a voice speaking into his mind, twisting, wheedling. It had been overpowering, commanding. Yet at the same time it was seductive and comforting. What was most disturbing was that apart from the feelings he couldn't remember what was said.
Trying to raise his limbs, he could feel he was still strapped down. From the side of him he heard a rustle as someone walked past.
"So you're finally awake. Good, good," a voice muttered to his side, "the Master will be pleased." The voice trailed off as its owner exited the room, leaving Milosh alone again...or maybe not.
"Simon?" Milsoh croaked weakly, "Are you still there?"

Post: #17

"I am a God Milosh I am everywhere." said Simon's arrogant voice "its also very infuriating. Theres so much I'd like to do to this place and I just can't touch it. I just don't know how Nar-Zuul managed it I really don't." Milosh turned his head towards the voice Simon was standing on the ceiling looking down towards him. "I didn't know you could do that." Milosh croaked "Theres a lot of things you didn't know about me Milosh. The divine plan being one of them." said Simon floating down "Divine plan?" asked Milosh "Yes but that will be remaining a secret for a little bit longer" smiled Simon "I shouldn't worry Milosh. Soon Nagash will be receiving a message that will with any luck force him to make a move of his own. You should be able to escape while he's occupied with that."

Post: #18

A low laugh filled the room.
"The arrogance of our line always astounded me," Milosh chuckled, before a hacking cough stopped him. "It's always been the Carsteins downfall Simon. Beware not to fall into the same trap." Futilely he tried with all his strength to break his bonds, but no no avail. Arkhan was no fool and the shackles would not move an inch.
Before Simon could answer footsteps sounded from the corridor. A few moments later the Necrach who had left earlier reappeared, looking quizzically around the room.
"To whom was you speaking?" he demanded, only to met by a stony silence by Milosh. Shrugging his bony shoulders he turned to one of the vials nearby.
"It is of no consequence. The Master has instructed for your..... treatment to continue. Lets begin shall we?"

Post: #19

"Ooh yes lets! We mustn't keep the master waiting must we" said Simon sarcastically. The Necrarch ignored him "HEY I'M TALKING TO YOU! WITHERED ONE" The Necrarch looked up for a second. It was almost if he had heard. Simon walked up to him and struck out at him his fist passed harmlessly through his would be victim. As the Necrarch bent over Milosh to undo the straps Simon launched a variety of different attacks at him all of them passing through harmlessly. Milosh couldn't help smiling despite where he was the image of a rapidly frustrated Simon trying to attack his captors despite having no corporeal form was a most amusing one. If this Simon was just a figment of his imagination then he couldn't have dreamed up a better morale booster. "AHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!" Simon screamed hurling himself at the Necrarch and passing through him and the plinth that Milosh was attached to fell to the floor in a crumpled heap before leaping up and quickly brushing himself off.

Post: #20

Meanwhile...

The great form of Nagash was sat on his throne once more as he watched Arkhan the Black. They had seen life and death together and this situation called for something more. He was tapping his claw on the side of the immense throne, almost nervously. Many around would probably believe it was more to do with simply getting used to the claw once more. Looking blankly into space, he began to boom with horror once more. His voice carrying through the room.

"Arkhan, we are missing someone. They have gone. They are eight where there should be nine. I lost one to the same runt who was supposed to retrieve my claw originally. This petrubes me. I feel incomplete knowing I have been twice hurt by that Vampire. I sense now he consorts with others who are ancient and terrible. An opportunity has now risen to fix this and you are to thank."

Arkhan bowed his head as the tapping stopped. The tone of the Necromancer was pensive and slow. He knew what he had planned and it would all bear fruit soon enough.

"We have an opportunity Arkhan. The war of the Vampire Counts is about to hit its peak. You must now bring me the crown from Mannfred Von Carstein. I need it now lest I grow weary and find it myself. If I did such a thing, it is almost guarenteed that some whiley enemy, such as the fool Settra would come to find me. I am safe here yet you know the lands abroad well. I care not for Mannfred Von Carstein. He was to be a Dread Lord but his failures mean I have to rely on you. Do you understand this?"