Post: #1

The atmosphere as Arkhan entered the Dark Lord’s presence was electric. Flanked by the Jailer and the Judge, he walked down the vast hall, age old bones crunching underfoot. The journey back to Nagashizzar had taken longer than anticipated, he wounds from the duel with Valda had pained him somewhat.
Through his link to the other Dread Lords he had ascertained the attack at the Violet Citadel had not gone as planned, yet for Nagash’s thoughts were elsewhere.
As he arrived at the base of Nagash’s vast throne he dropped to one knee, both hands held upwards as he present the Crown to it’s true master.
”My Lord Nagash. I present to you that which was stolen.” Silence reverberated through the chamber as the witchlights in the pits of Nagash’s eyes flared. The air was charged with anticipation as the Supreme Lord of Undeath gripped the hands of his throne.
A cracking sound filled the air causing Arkhan to look up sharply. The sight that greeted his was shocked him, for it was something he had not seen hundreds of years. The massive form of Nagash slowly rose from his throne, until he stood at his full height, over sixteen feet tall. At one side the great runesword Mortis still hung in its sheath, whilst a closed book hung on the other side. With a hungry glance Arkhan realised that it must be the ninth book of Nagash, of which held secrets that only Nagash knew.
A tremor shook the room as the giant skeletal form placed his foot on the first step leading down. Again and again the room shook until eventually the Dar Lord stood before Arkhan. Glancing upwards the Liche realised he had forgotten how much Nagash towered over him, over three times his height. Yet Nagash’s eyes were only focused on one thing. Reaching down he plucked the seemingly tiny crown of our Arkhan’s hands, yet as he raised it up it swelled in size, as if it recognised its owner.
The eyes of the Dread Lords never left Nagash’s hands as they lowered to place the crown on his head. Somehow the Dark Lord had retained wisps of black dry hair that hung limply down like the Khemri warriors of old. On this the crown sat and time stood still for a moment. Then seconds passed and yet nothing happened, the witchlights in Nagash’s eyes flickering as if he was looking for something. Then the room turned black.

The roar of magical power of emanated from the Supreme Lord of Undeath, sent the Dread Lords flying back like tumbleweeds. With the final part of his soul returned, Nagash was now complete once more. Untold power that had been locked away for centuries flowed back through his rotting body, power which the world on not seen for thousands of years. Whilst not yet at the height of his power, that he had obtained before he was first defeated, it now at least was possible to reach the once more. With his soul split Nagash had been unable to regain his full power, like someone an amputated limb can learn to work around it, but never replace it. But now, now it would only be a matter of time before his power and control over the dead was supreme, and nothing in this world would be able to stop him.

Around the world those sensitive to the winds of magic, suddered as the felt the taint of death in it grow strong. Many of the Slaan of Lustra awoke, sending skinks to bring their sacred plaques forth. Sorcerers of the Dark and High elves alike ran to their leaders, warning them of this new deadly threat.
The wizards of men met in an attempt to work out who was doing this, as none in their life had felt anything like this, some of the most wise already suspecting what had come to pass. In the great hall of Drakenhof, the vampires of the council felt it perhaps the most keenly, and knew the war had just taken a drastic turn for the worst.

As Arkhan slowly picked himself up and abased himself before his Lord again, he felt Nagash’s gaze upon him.
“You have done well Arkhan. You will be rewarded. However this is just the beginnning.” Raising his hand high, Nagash allowed power to crackle around it before unleashing it across the room. In seconds an army stood there, created from the remains that had littered the floor. The ease and power the summoning had been done was unmatched, with barely a thought the Dark Lord had summoned thousands of troops.

At the sound of the door of the great hall, Nagash’s exuberent look changed to one of distaste. Heads bowed the Innocence, Executioner, Sentence and Guilt presented themselves to their Lord, each fearfully awaiting his wrath.

“Explain yourselves.”

Post: #2

"My Lord, if I may." The Executioner stepped forward, the haft of his mighty axe tapping the stone floor with an ominous echo as he knelt in reverence before his master.
"The mission would have gone as planned, were it not for the intervention of several of Abhorash's sons and the meddling of these two." The Executioner threw his arm out, pointing accusingly at Sentence and Innocence.
"I am pleased to report, my lord, that I, however, accomplished my task. Vekarin Banespike will no longer fight against us. In fact," The Executioner beckoned, and two Skeletons strode forward, dragging something between them.
"I brought you a gift, my lord."
The Executioner held up Vekarin's head, his last scream still etched upon his features.

Post: #3

Sentence hissed angrily with his robes ripped and ruined, the vampire obviously hadn't taken the time to fix his robes. In the vampires hands however was a staff he had not held earlier, made from blade twisted wood and he leant on it heavily at this time.
"Do not blame me fool! I did nothing but my orders! The count fled before my magic and I would of destroyed the rest of those fools if not for the intervention of this addled brain childe!" snarled the Necrarch gesturing angrily at Innocence.
Suddenly the balefire behind the empty eyes of the Dark Lord blazed violently
"Oh yes....and my older brother V'azrin the previous Dark Lord was there." he murmered, his voice dangerously quite.

Post: #4

"My meddling?" the Innocence hissed, "it was I who destroyed the defences, brought down the tower! You-"

"Silence."At Nagash's voice Dread Lords stopped, abasing themselves before their master. As the sound of the door opened once more, footsteps could be heard as another joined the group.

"Your will has been carried out my lord." The strong voice of the Verdict echoed round the room, "those who fled have been punished. The rest of the Nagashi are preparing as we speak." The newcomer as a startling figure. The first and most obvious feature was that he was albino, plaster white skin, pale hair and almost white eyes. Unlike the other Dread Lords his robes were a mixture red and orange, giving the impression he was covered in flames. In his right hand he held a sold black staff, atop which flickered fire.

Looking at the eight Dread Lords knelt before him, Nagash knew that the time had finally arrived. All the years of plotting and planning, finally his resurrection was a hand.

"Innocence, Guilt, Sentence. You have failed me, and you shall be punished." Before they could protest writhing snakes of black energy shot out of Nagash's hands, plunging into the ears of the Dread Lords. Horrific screams echoed round the hall as the three writhed on the floor, dark magic eating and burning inside them. The Dark Lord looked down dispassionately until eventually he clenched his fist, ending the spell.
"That is but a taste of what will happen should you fail me again," he said as the Dread Lords rose shakily from the ground. The Innocence seemed to have suffered the worst as he clutched his head, whilst the Guilt seemed more shocked that her defences had proved worthless. As if reading her mind Nagash's balefire settled upon,
"I granted your gifts Guilt. I can remove them at will. Do not forget that."

Turning round Nagash walked back up the steps to his throne, before looking back down at the Dread Lords.
"My resurrection is at hand. Whole once more, the world will be made to bow down before their true god, as they should have done those many years ago. The pathetic Council will not stand before me, and what is rightfully mine! Their kind forfeited their right to be at my side, when they betrayed, and they shall be the first to pay."

Post: #5

The Executioner observed with a detached interest while his fellow bickering Dread Lords were tortured by their master. Their screams were nothing new to him, they produced nothing his tortures could not devise.
"My lord, where do we strike next to destroy these upstart vampires?"

Post: #6

There was no reply from Nagash for moments, as the witchlights in his eyes flickered again, obvious thoughts running through his mind.

"Take part of my forces. Executioner, you will take command after your success. Innocence, Sentence, Verdict and Judge, you will accompany him." Turning his gaze to Arkhan who had moved his head in surprise at the honour gifted to the Executioner he addressed him directly.
"Arkhan, you are to take the Jailer and Guilt. The King's of Nehekhara are aware of what is happening. They cannot be allowed to unite against me. You know what to do."
"Of course my Lord. What of the Scribe?" At the elusive Dread Lords name the others shifted. Many of those in the room had never seen or met the Scribe, much less heard of his activities.
"Do not concern yourself with the Scribe," replied, the harsh tone making it abundantly clear not to question it further. "The forces of the Council and Nehekhara must be held in check. Come the next rising of the Green One, I will be ready, and this world shall be mine."

Post: #7

Leaning on his staff Sentence bowed looking slightly pained from his punishment.
"As you command Dread One so shall it be. The council as a whole shall fall by your will." rasped the Necrarch stiffly.

Post: #8

The Executioner bowed deeply to his lord.
"It will be done as you command." He acknowledged, "I will leave you, dread master, with the Blood Dragon's corpse. I hope you may find it interesting, as you know my lord I have little aptitude for such things." He bowed once again, respectfully stepped out of the hall, never turning his back to his master.

"Should I join them my lord?" A soft, lilting voice echoed from one dark corner of the hall as a thiun figure clothed in a red cloak strode forward.
"I can ensure that they don't...screw up again."

Post: #9

At the women's voice the remaining Dread Lords looked at the newcomer with a mixture of hate and distaste. Walking forward was a striking women who looked at the cowed Dread Lords disdainfully. Suddenly bolt of dark energy shot out, dashing her to the floor.

"Do not forget your place Requarah," Nagash's voice boomed round the hall, "you will bow in the presence of your god, or next time you will forfeit your life."

"We do not need her help," the Innocence hissed. Though his face could not be seen it was obvious her felt enmity towards the woman."We will not fail you again my Lord." At these words Arkhan moved faster than could be seen, striking the cowled figure to the floor.

"Do not presume to make decisions in our Lords stead, lest I remove the tongue from your mouth. Speak only when spoken to." Turning round to Nagash, Arkhan bowed low.
"With your leave my Lord, I will carry out your orders,"

"Begone," the ancient Liche commanded, "do not fail me Arkhan, for you know the price all too well." An expression fleeted across Arkhan's face, so fast it was missed by the Lord of Death. But to the others who had seen it, the glance of hate had been all too clear.

"Requarah, join the Executioner and the other Dread Lords on the assault on the Council. They must be destroyed before the next rise of the Green One."

Post: #10

"As you command, my master." Requarah rasped, her voice leaving her in the wake of Nagash's attack. Crouched low in reverence she scampered out the door, blood red cloak trailing behind her. As she left the chamber, she shot a look of hatred at backwards at her massive lord. Her hood covered the glance, but if any had seen her face, they could not miss the venom in it.

Post: #11

The raven circled the towers of Nagash's fortress, unnoticed in the darkness of night and the hundreds of other carrion birds that made their nests there. The raven flew around the vast towers and spires several times, searching for a way inside the fortress.
The animal could sense at a basic level the darkness of the fortress, but loyalty and years of training overcame its natural reluctance to enter into a danger.

The raven spotted what it was looking for, an open window in a lower section of a tower. The bird turned and flew into the window and found perched on a white bust of an ancient female deity. Inside the fortress, the bird could sense the power residing within its bowls even if it could not understand it.
The bird took off from the room, flying through the fortress, making its way toward the source of malevolence that was clearly the target of the message it bore. The raven twisted through rooms and hallways, sometimes doubling back when the way was blocked and sometimes passing the occasional guard or other denizen of the fortress.

The bird finally flew threw a large archway into a wide, dark room. A human, or something resembling its likeness sat on a large chair opposite the doorway. The bird was buffeted by the sheer power the being exuded, its animal brain struggling to process what it was feeling, but where instinct failed, training and loyalty succeeded. The raven flew on bast several surprised looking vampires until it landed on the floor before the humanoid being whose name was Nagash.

The raven performed an odd sort of bow, extending one of its wings and lowering itself on its legs.
The bird spoke in a croaky, cawing voice.

Great god Nagash, mightiest of beings. I am a messenger for Erick von Strauss, a member of the Vampire Council. My master recognizes the supremacy of Nagash, first of the immortals and the foolishness of resistance. My master would be honored to serve the god Nagash by informing him of the actions of the Vampire Council.
The raven glanced upwards and looked at Nagash with a single yellow eye.
The Vampire Council is now in Drakenhof in the lands of Sylvania, where they are fighting and squabbling amongst themselves, they have no plan as yet.
The black bird looked at Nagash, expectantly.

Post: #12

Silence filled the room following the crow's speech, before finally Nagash spoke.
"Go." There was a moment of confusion before the remaining Dread Lords realised he had spoken to them. Bowing low they had left, ready to carry their gods will to the world.

Left alone the Dark Lord seemed to be deep in thought as the crow shifted uncertainly. A trained pet it might be, yet the very sense of horror that emanated from the monstrosity in front of it threatened to overwhelm his senses.

"Return to you master," Nagash suddenly commanded, "I will summon him when required. If this is deception he and all his kin will suffer at my hands." Though it was but a simple threat, the tone in which it was conveyed showed its intent. With squawk the crow was released from Nagash's penetrating gaze, flying off from whence it came from.

****************************

The glare that met his eyes sent pain rippling through his head. He did not know how long he had been asleep, yet it had felt like centuries. Images flickered before his eyes as memories came back. Experiments and torture, unknown drugs and the vilest of magics had all been used on him. Then finally a word came back to him. It took him a minute to realise what it was, his name, Milosh.
At this word other memories came rushing in and he remembered where he was, and why he was here. Jerking upwards he realised he was still bound down, his naked body on a tied tightly to a stone slab. Something else was pestering him thouhg, a nagging thought, something to do with the Council. That word triggered the memory. He had seen them, here, looking for him. Yet that had not been able to find him. He had tried shouting, screaming, everything he could, yet they had missed him, and instead had been defeated. The Necrach he had seen must have done something to mask him, something powerful to hide him right in front of the vampires eyes.
A shuffle in the room caught his attention, and he realised with a sinking feeling that he was not alone.

Post: #13

A faint chuckling began as the shuffling became louder; turning his head Milosh saw a robed figure in black with a cowl drawn up around his head.
”Ah…your awake at last…it took longer this time” rasped the figure
”We have met before…but I suppose this repetitive experimentation might…cloud…ones memories…well the first stage of the experiment is finished and now to the second.” continued the robed man, this time with amusement in his voice.
Reaching up the figure pulled down his hood to show his face, the first thought that struck Milosh was that V’azrin stood before him, but after a moment it became obvious that this face had subtle differences, the eyes where made of black flame and not the glowing bright balefire of the Council Necrarch and his face was more decayed than that of V’azrin.
”I am Sentence, get of W’soran…Dark Lord of Nagash…I believe you have met my older brother” he said the last with his words laced with hatred.
Before Milosh could respond the vampire turned around he shuffled of towards a table still speaking as he did so
”Oh yes you know V’azrin, things he is W’soran heir but the I have surpassed the fools in the realms of magic and undeath…my necromantic skill would crush him into a pile of flesh!” Ranted the Necrarch
The Dark Lord began lifting things of the table and throwing them aside, suddenly he murmured
”Ah…”
Turning around Milosh could see Sentence held a short saw, unlike one might expect it was well cared for and clean after a moment he sighed and sat the saw back down
”To large” he muttered before rustling around the table once more.
”Ahhh…this is it” he sighed
This time he lifted up a thin and long implement, sharpened into a point in one hand and in his other he held a vial filled with a bubbling black liquid.
As he moved back towards Milosh he smiled
”Shall I explain this to you? Ah but what’s the point? You won’t remember anyway…maybe I shall just tell you the immediate workings of this procedure.” he murmured.
”First I will shove this…probing spike…through your skull, it is enforced magically and required an incantation so your skull won’t crack instead we’ll just have a thin hole towards you brain. Of course I shouldn’t pierce your brain as that might cause considerable problems for later…but I’m sure I have estimated the distance to your brain from the exterior of your skill correctly.”
Lifting his vial he shook it slightly
”This will be poured through the hole and then…” he trailed of slightly.
The Sentence shrugged
”And well…you wouldn’t understand this spell to be honest, its far to complicated…indeed even the fabled Mistress Lesa wouldn’t understand it although no doubt she has the strength for it” he said
Seeing Milosh’s look his corpse like face grinned even further
”Oh yes I know all about the Lahmian slut…shes an impressive mage although no match for one such as I…probably more than a match for a second rate vampire like my dear brother though”
Standing directly beside Milosh now and leaning over him he smiled
”Time to begin”

Post: #14

As the Sentence began his horrific work once more, screams echoed through the halls of Nagashizzar. The mighty fortress was perhaps the largest in the world, burrowing through the mountain similar to the dwarven holds, yet the undead labours had never tired, digging deeper and deeper.

A flurry of activity that had not been seen for may years, filled the fortress with an air of anticipation. Within its walls hundreds of thousands of dead lay, ready for their masters command. Now Nagash was finally ready the littered corpses started to awake, making their way to the to the vast plain between Nagashizzars main gates and the inner gates. It was a slow process that would take many days, yet those watching knew then it was ready it would be the largest army of dead seen in a millennia.

Post: #15

As Momus paced tirelessly round his earth prison he cursed his luck again. Though he had managed to survive been crushed, the chamber he had fallen into had proved to be inescapable.
Suddenly the room shook as if gripped in the throes of an earthquake. Trying to keep his feet, the vampire failed and fell flat onto his back. Dust cascaded round the room, and Momus though his death has finally come. As the shaking subsided he realised that he could now see light, like a doorway had been opened. Stumbling towards it he forced his way through the clinging dust, until finally he reached clean air.
Looking around he realised that he was back in one of the tunnels of Nagashizzaar, the dank cloying atmosphere wrapping itself back round him. Turning back round to see where he had come from, he saw a slab of rock slowly sliding back across the entrance. Once shut it was invisible even to his vampiric senses.
Now he had the chance of freedom, to escape this place of horror. But there was one question that stuck in his mind.......who had let him out?

Post: #16

Momus quickly began do sprint down the now-opened passageway. Such mysteries as who had released him could wait for a later time. For now, he would escape.

Post: #17

As Momus ran as fast as he could down the deserted passageways, he did not see the person in front of him until it was too late. He smashed into him with a bone shattering crash, sending both of them sprawling onto the floor. Looking up Momus froze in shock as a cowled figure seemed to do the same. Moments passed as both waited for the other to make a move before finally the figure spoke.

"So, it seems that one of the vermin still remains. The breathy voice of the Innocence sounded faint, almost if he was faint. Yet there was no denying his power. With a roar twin blasts of mist coruscated from his pale hands, smashing Momus into the wall.

"There will be no mistake this time," the Innocence hissed hatefully, I will rend the flesh from your bones with my very hands."

*****************************************

"Enter."

At the voice of the Dark Lord the proud form of the Verdict entered the hall. The albino felt no fear, for his heart was full of the word of Nagash. He was a fanatic in all sense of the world, and his entire purpose was to enlighten the world to his masters words, or crush them.

Averting his eyes from the majesty that was his god he dropped to one knee.
"Oh dark and mighty one. My will is yours to command." The was a shifting from the giant liche in front of him, before Nagash finally replied,
"It appears those who challenge seek more allies. The fools thought they could travel so close to my realm, without drawing my attention. Their folly with cost them. Some of Council has travelled to the Plain of Bones, to create an army of dragons. You must stop this."

A smile crept across the Verdicts face, as his eyes blazed with fire.
"The unbelievers shall be taught my Lord. Through the fire they shall learn of your might, and their ignorance in defying you."

"Then go." Nagash's voice boomed, "another of you choosing will accompany you." Bowing once more the Verdict retreated, prepared to destroy all those that stood before the righteous might of his Lord.

Post: #18

The Executioner strode through the dank tunnels, heading to the chambers where he had been told the Sentence was waiting for him. The Necrach offended the martial Dread Lord's sensibilities, but the order had been spoken by a Disciple of Nagash, who spoke with the word of their Dark Lord.
Finally reaching his destination he slammed open the door, not caring whether he offended or not.

"What do you want?" he demanded in an harsh tone. Straightening upwards the Sentence gave him a withering look, before moving away from what he had been working on,
"Perhaps he looks....familiar?" True to the Necrach's words, the Executioner did indeed recognise the massive form that lay bound to the bed. Stripped of armour Vekarin was no less dominating, and it was with shock the Executioner noticed his head was reattached.
"What are you doing?!" he bellowed in anger, his imposing bulk towering over the Sentences as he strode forward. Stepping hastily back the Necrach's eyes flashed with anger as he replied,
"I do as the Dark Lord commands," he hissed, causing he Executioner's advance to falter, "he is to be awoken, for his secrets and then perhaps........"
"No," the Executioner snapped back, "not that. It is proving difficult to watch him, never mind another. I do not believe the Dark Lord would let you do it again." The air was tense as the two Dread Lords stared at each other, before finally the Sentence shrugged his wasted shoulders.
"Maybe. We will see.........ah it looks as if you arrived just in time. He is awakening."

Post: #19

"The time has come, little immortal." That voice, once again. That voice, so soft and velvety, and yet harsh as a tempest, ever changing like the flickering shadow cast by the light of a flame.
"Awake, and go forth in my name."

Vekarin's eyes shot open, his bunched muscles and tendons straining against the bonds that held him down. He glanced around the dark chamber quickly, taking in every detail of the room the surrounded him in a moment. His eyes lit and a feral grin broke his sharp face when they fell upon the tall form of the Executioner.
"Not done yet, are you?" He spat, his voice strong and reverberating, "But I see you feel the need to keep me restrained. What, are you scared, little Dread Lord?"

Post: #20

"A-ha...ha," the Sentence laughed, seemingly most amused by Vekarin's insult, "it seems the experiment was a success."
Moving over to the vampire he poked and prodded him with a bony finger, before stepping back thoughtfully.
"Did you know....no how would have you....anyway, did you know there is a special point in the vampire brain?" stepping over to the side, he picked up something that Vekarin could not quite see out of the corner of his eye. The metallic sound it made as it was picked up however, was enough to create a knot of tension in his stomach.
"If.....interfered with it.....well it increases your sensory perceptions exponentially. I have not had chance to test it on one as.......old as yourself, but if it works just the slightest touch with feel like a silvered dagger."
As the Sentence came closer Vekarin could see he had wide, excited smile over his ravaged features. In his hand he held a long steel rod, sharpened at one end.
"Ah...lets begin shall we?" Before the Blood Dragon could react the Sentence struck downwards, the rod spearing through Vekarin's eyeball and bursting it an a shower of gore. On wards it drove into the depths of Vekarin's brain until just at the right point the Sentence stopped.
"Ah....yes. A success I feel." Though the Dread Lord's voice entered his ears, Vekarin could not hear anything, he was floating in a world of pure pain as his nerves screamed in agony at their newly found senses.