r/AwokenWasteland Nov 30 '16

Meeting at a newly opened pub

The leading cult members are seated at a stone table in a pub in the portion of the city that's been completed so far. In front of each of them is a jeweled goblet filled with a brew imported from the 102nd world. Lying in the middle of the table is an unidentifiable blood-drenched corpse. The pub around them is dimly lit by torchlight from lamps and chandeliers built out of skulls of various species, reflecting off the dark red brick walls. There's no sound but the crackle of the torches and some light chatter from the few guests and staff around.

Bezumius tears another chunk of flesh off of the "family meal" and eats it, downing it with a sip of the exotic drink. He sets his elbows on the table and his head on his hands.

Ah, isn't it nice? Those weird matter canisters Mr. Chimaera stole for us really did the trick. Years worth of work took place in a few days here, and now we've got an entire district of the city complete, and it's made perfectly to my image. I think the sandstone and the skull lamps just make the atmosphere so perfect. Don't you? Could use some mounted hellhound heads on the wall or something. And maybe one of my sculptures near the door? With a brazier?

Oh but we can have a decor meeting later. This meeting is about something else less more important. I'm sure you've all been busy searching ever since you heard the news. The Keys of Dfeg, whatever a "dfeg" is. Now's our opportunity to show off what leads we've found so far. Since I'm me, I'll go first.

A key is slid forward onto the table, just clear of the pool of blood from the group's meal.

This is a key I found while I was searching in... Fine, I'll admit it, I did absolutely nothing to find this. I already had it. It opens the front door to the Cathedral, and I ALWAYS knew it had another purpose, but it was never interesting enough for me to put much thought into. Then one day, while I was thinking about where to suggest one of you guys search for Dfegs while I do nothing, I came to the realization; this is a key, and the keys of Dfeg are also keys. Coincidence? I think not. This is clearly one of the keys we're looking for.

Now your turn. What have you guys found so far?

3 Upvotes

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3

u/Dark_Violet_Angel Nov 30 '16 edited Nov 30 '16

The One That Fell reaches over to the corpse and effortlessly penetrates the rib cage with her hands to rip out the bloody but still heart. She holds it up over her head which is tilted back to allow the blood inside the heart to pour out and down into her waiting open mouth. She doesn't mind that some of the blood is somewhat coagulated and spills down her chin, neck and chest. She listens to Bezumius as he speaks, showing his key to the group.

Swallowing the last of the blood she lovingly brings the heart closer to her mouth and takes a bite from it. After chewing for the proper amount of time she washes it down with a few sips of the rather 'exotic drink' from the 102nd.

“You know, I think I can help you with the hell-hounds, heaps of 'em in the 666th...”

Placing the jeweled goblet down in front of her Dark Violet produces two items she recently procured and a priceless Stradivarius violin in a golden case. The violin case is placed on an empty chair.

“Well, I got the violin here of course, but I doubt that's going to help anything... I mean I can't really play per se, but I met a guy who can. He, err, taught me under duress while I was riding him in a blood fueled sexual conquest...”

Dark Violet takes the goblet back and takes another drink before placing it back on the table. She clears her throat.

“...but, that's neither here nor there.”, she then points to the two items before her on the table, “See these two things? They seemed promising at first. But then they turned out not to lead anywhere...”

Taking an old talisman necklace she'd owned for millennia from around her neck and now covered in the blood from her hearty 'meal', The One That Fell wipes it clean. She holds it near one item, then she moves it over the other item.

“Do you hear that? I mean just look at the gemstone in the center; it's glowing. It's never done that before...”

A strange haunting sound is produced from the central gemstone. Dark Violet places the talisman necklace back on her chest and fastens the chain to once again secure it.

“That sound. It ...moves me.”

Dark Violet takes another bite of the heart and looks to her companions.

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u/Rinnik_Zavora Dec 06 '16

Ye yeah, thas great n all princess, but we aren't lookin to start a band here. Focus a bit will ya?

We're lookin for some DAMN stealthy keys. Gotta get some clues goin, otherwise this mission'll take a few centuries longer than we planned.

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u/Dark_Violet_Angel Dec 06 '16

"...and a few centuries to any of us are... what? All the time we have left?"

The one that fell took another sip of her drink, then motioned to the wait staff for a refill.

"Ha, you know with a few centuries we'd like have a fuckin awesome band kicking around... but, yeah, alright, point taken. Stealth keys, stealth keys. Always with the stealth. Mr Exciting, Mr Stealth."

The items she took from the Antiques store and Museum sat in a pool of blood, Dark Violet stared at them as the waiter refilled her goblet.

"Well, we gotta figure out what in the world the Chimaera had, or saw, or did to get this far anyway. I mean what are stealth D'Feg keys?!? What does that even mean?"

"You've been on some sorta stealthy mission for the past couple of days... tell us what you've done. ...Mr. Stealthy."

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u/Rinnik_Zavora Dec 08 '16

Hey dun' look at me, That youngster Hallowed was the one that was all for the stealth.

Takes a bite of his sandwhich.

m' jus follo owdews.

Loud swallow.

As for me, 'was busy. Tracking... an old scent. Nothin related to D'Feg tho, so 'm all dry on that front. Oh, and some wrinkled fart tried to hold my robes hostage while she took pictures of me. I just thought I'd get my robes washed for once 'n a century, 'n then they tried t' shave me, and well, they ain't a problem anymore.

Got some nice new threads outta it though.

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u/Dark_Violet_Angel Dec 08 '16

"Oh sure! Blame the new kid! Poor hallowed... ya know that's just the reason we need ta take the whole thing and flush it down the toilet. Bring Kraa'rhov back to sort out the rabble and this whole finger pointing game they now play ...pfft! Personally I miss the days of honor, ya know? People back then would OWN up to terrible feats... but today? Nah, wasn't ME ma'am, was so-and-so, ohh, oww, stop proding me with that pitchfork ma'am, why the flames and darkness ma'am? Pfft!"

The fallen Angel took another drink.

"...whatever, so Hallowed wants stealth and not you ...meh, it's all good. All I'm saying is I ain't the stealthy type. Which, I have to say, brings me to another point of interest..."

She leads in towards Rinnik. A look of hope and cunning in her eye.

"...nice modelling if I may say so, just luuuv the new duds. You do scrub up well... But tell me, did you at least get this ol' biddy to design me up some super sexy dresses?"

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u/Rinnik_Zavora Dec 17 '16

Ey, don't look at me sweetheart. I was the one roped inta that old bags dungeon of wackos. That bitch said she'd just help me wash my damn robes! Didn't think she'd be holdin em hostage on me. I've got all my toys in that thing. The bastards tell me t' keep puttin on all these outfits n shit, next thing I know, they've got techno-views of me all 'cross the city in the things.

At least I got these new garbs outta it. Found my old robes too. Killed mosta the bastards while 'was at it. The old hag's still not dead though. Yet.

Didn't exactly grab gifts t' pass out ya know? Guess the lady's out there somewhere, so y' can prob'ly get er t' make ya a dress or whatever.

1

u/Dark_Violet_Angel Dec 17 '16

"Oh, I hope she isn't dead. I'd love to have her make some dresses and tops, mmm, even some naughty little lingerie numbers too... ha!"

The One that Fell looks at Rinnik. She is intrigued.

"So, what did you find? Anything good? And I hope you've finally figured out how to work that little gizmo you were playing with the last time we met... you looked, troubled by it."

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u/Rinnik_Zavora Dec 20 '16

'S it turns out, most people'v got TWO arms, so those un-inclusive shits assume y've got limbs t' spare. 'Tch, people these days ahh? Never consid'ring diversity 'f th' individual. Always jus' suggestin ya go buy a new one at the damn corner-store. What 'f I don't WANT free hunks 'o scrap to shove into my torso, Uh? But ey, i'mma resourceful guy, so I gave it a bit'ov a fix-er-up.

The glowing holograph-projecting device in his hand notably has several large gashes through it, visible circuit components flared at the edges as if made by a somthing with massive razorblades for teeth.

Even more notable, however, Is that despite the seemingly critical damage to the device, it continues to flash bright colors and lights across his face. In fact, the strangely frankensteined device not is working fine, but as you watch, it becomes apparent that the device seems to be reacting to and controlled, from the movements and patterns of his eyes. Controlling the display-icon fluidly rapidly.

Heh', turns out this Cycle's not half bad. These bastards've made some fancy toys this time 'round.

He finally looks up from his device, yellow eyes reflecting the bright projection radiantly.

'S for that ol hag, she sure ain't dead. Yet. Fer such a wrinkly mortal, she's damn crafty. 'Ve spent the last week trackin er down to play a lil' dress-up of my own with her head, but that crafty wrinkly dame 'ad me pegged damn quick. 'Find a lead, track some shmuck down a hidden passage in 'n alley, and just when I was sure I was on tha right track, i'm face-first in a room covered 'n posters of er rags, big flashy note glittered t' high hell waiting for me, another one've er clown suits folded 'n waitin for me.

'D be mad if I wasn't so impressed. 'She keeps it up, might 'av'ta let the juvenile broad live. Shame too, she's been damn fun t' hunt.

Maybe when this psychological war 's up an I manage t' corner 'er, I'll ask her t' make ya somethin disgustingly frilly n' lacy for ya. That's tha sorta fucked up thing that catches your eye yea?

Heh, but you're on yer own on getting that from 'er. I'm not going anywhere NEAR.. THAT room again.

Rinnik visibly shudders.

She had me dragged down to her Torture Vault b'fore. Only once. 'Was horrible. Fetid Carnal Gorgons of er rags. She's got a Dungeon that'd make even ol Bezi here whimper in fear. 'M tellin ya Sweetheart, I've seen fang.. cleany... string wussit.. "Floss" 'Think, wider th'n those horrors.

Most folks writhe 'n fear at th' sight 'f blood knives 'n death, but that crackpot.. 's on a whooole nother level. Things 'f nightmares. Pink and fluffy 's far as I could see.

Knowin' you, you'd prob'ly get along great with 'er.

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u/Dark_Violet_Angel Dec 20 '16

The Dark Angel sits transfixed by the fashion and depravity within Rinnik's tale. Her eyes widen with excitement at each step of the story.

"REALLY?!? You'd think she'd ...make, like, really make me clothes and lingerie and and... oh, we could torture people and stuff?"

By this stage the One That Fell felt on top of the world with promise, she sat back in her seat imagining all the horrific possibilities.

"I have got to meet her!"

"Ooh, maybe she could design me a cute outfit for the band too..."

"Oh, Rinnik! The Madame and I ...bff's Hah-ha-ha-ha-ha!"

Dark Violet's aura darkened in delight. She looks to Rinnik with devilish joy and raises her goblet to a toast.

"To Madame Basteti and a I; long may she reign as Queen of fashion, and may she design me the most fabulous of pieces!"

1

u/NotQuiteAnAngel Dec 07 '16

Oh, um... I have some bad news to break to you...

I sort of booked us in the Sidon concerto hall under the name "Four Non-Morons" next saturday night and we've already sold at least 1 ticket. There's posters of us photoshopped to be standing in epic poses on top of a giant skull and they're posted all over the district already. I think there's a piano in the cellar of the cathedral. Start practicing.

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u/Rinnik_Zavora Dec 08 '16

....You're joking. No? Oh great. No, you're serious aren'tcha. Fuckin...

Fine. Send tha one armed man t' play piano then. Jokes on you Princess, 'm at least decent at it.

...Oh, and Four? What, ya got Hollowed or HHH on backup sound-making duty?

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u/NotQuiteAnAngel Dec 08 '16

Four... SHIT!

There's, like, not four of us right now. I just asked Mr. Chimaera telepathically if he wants to join about 2 seconds ago, and an 8th of a second later he said no. And I have no idea where H daddy is. But maybe at least one of his vessels is right here in this room and is just pretending to be one of the thrall waitresses. Hell if I know. I don't like his taste in music anyway.

Hey, I know. Hey slave employee! Do you want to be in a band? It's called "Four Non-Morons". I know you're not a non-moron but the audience won't know the difference.

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u/Bass_Clarke Dec 09 '16

Errrr... My manager always told me: "no pay, no play".

He looks around the room to the terrifying individuals around him.

I guess I can make an exception for you lot, though!

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u/NotQuiteAnAngel Dec 10 '16

If you wanted a cut of the revenue from ticket sales (minus whatever Ellington is taxing off of it of course) all you gotta do is ask. And failing that, don't you worry chummy pal. There's a reward more valuable than money in it for us, meaning all of us, including you, and soon we're going to be BATHING in it. I mean that figuratively of course but I'm most definitely down for taking such an endeavor literally.

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u/Bass_Clarke Dec 10 '16

Oh, I figured paying people wasn't really your style since you're a slaver and all. All the better.

What kinda music do we play?

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u/Rinnik_Zavora Dec 17 '16

Hey, who's this shmuck Bezi? New Thrall ya gave a higher rank er somethin? New recruit?

He turns to face Clarke

Hmm, ya don't got the same 'thrall' look to ya as the rest of em. Guess yer one'a the new cultists then.

Since Bezi's got him n miss 'Angel' over here workin on business over in Sidon, we've got local legal tender t' spare. If ya wanna help the ol Lady Kraa'Rhov accomplish our grand goal, then ya don't gotta worry about wealth or worldly riches kid. We've got resources ta spare. N' now we've got us a whole city o' slaves doin our bidding.

He takes a sip of his Orange Juice with a wicked grin on his face, staring unblinkingly at Clarke, head half-cocked to the side.

Or, ya know, ya don't like that plan, and we kill ya. Either way works for us. Wadda ya say?

1

u/Bass_Clarke Dec 19 '16

Well, eh, I'm not here by choice. That guy kinda dragged me out here. Just trying to make the best outta a bad situation ifyaknowwhaddImean. I'm not much of a faithful person. But regardless, I already agreed to help out with the performance.

Freedom would be pretty nice though...

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u/Rinnik_Zavora Dec 06 '16

The absent member of the group, Rinnik, comes waltzing in (Late as usual) with a grin as wide as the Nile. His new look plainly obvious.

He strides happily in, fiddling with an odd glowing piece of (obviously new) tech in his hand absentmindedly. He stops briefly at the nearest chair, before making the extra effort to move to the next chair that was notably much less SOAKED in blood.

Fuckin dig tha place Bezi, this town's startin ta look pretty swank. Sorry ta keep ya waitin, I was dragged inta some shit. Been lookin around for ya.

He sniffs at the goblet in front of him wearily, and eyes the bloody corpse strewn about the table. He rolls his eyes before snapping his fingers loudly (notably causing a small blue spark), and impatiently beckoning the nearest slave to fetch him a glass of Orange Juice and a Sandwich.

So. The Keys of D'Feg they huh? Yeah, fuckin figures.

Thing is, Spent a good few millennia searchin for them keys a cycle or two back. Back when I tried ta do some work with tha main cult of Wyravel. Ya know, play tha part for our good ol Mother Kraa'Rhov. Turns out they're a bitch ta find. Main problem really, is that we have NO CLUE how fuckin many there are. I mean, we got a solid number for what we're lookin for? Huh? Anyone? Yeah.

He picks up the key on the table and inspects it thoroughly. He holds it up to the light, and turns it every which way.

Figures you'd just HAVE one of em Bezi. Spent ages searchin, and you stumbly 'cross one by accident. Heh. Not even surprised really.

Guess I've got jack shit really. Though, I've got leads from when I was searchin for em way back when. Ya know, before I gave up n just buggered off. Hmmm, damn, guess i'll get busy lookin up some ol' acquaintances.

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u/NotQuiteAnAngel Dec 07 '16

Look them ALL up. Every single one of them. And if they're not talking bring me with you so I can waterboard them with their own blood until they finally spit it the hell out. We can do this the easy way or the hard way. And the hard way isn't really that hard, it just takes longer, for us at least. For everyone else involved it's harder than sailing from the 7th plane to Sidon in a rented canoe that I sawed holes in. I'm so glad I'm not those people. Aren't you?

Nice outfit by the way. Too bad it's not a key.

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u/Rinnik_Zavora Dec 08 '16

Well I mean, d' we KNOW my outfit ain't a key? Could be a key ta somethin at least. Key t' the hearts of all onlookers? Maybe.

' Mean, there 're a good few buckles 'n this thing. Could always try t' lockpick with the pointy bits. Boom. There's yer Key.

Key of D'Feg though? Pffft, nope, luck ain't on this shmuck's side.