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Kaellarak

The God of Deception, Plots and Shadows

0 · 1,312 views · located in Pandeum

a character in “The Gods of Pandeum”, as played by TiMMMaY!!!

Description

ImageGod

  • God Name: Kaellarak

  • Title: God of Deception, Plots, and Shadows

  • Gender: Typically Male

  • Alignment: Lawful Evil

  • God Appearance: Kaellarak frequently takes on the form of a monstrous spider-humanoid hybrid, although he is capable of appearing in a more human form. His face seems to vary in regards to showing age, sometimes he looks like an ancient and other times very youthful. Normally his eyes glow a bright yellow, and various growths of spider-like appendages or writhing tentacles sprout, as if of their own will, from his already hideous body.

  • Origins: An Archaic Deity that can remember the rise of every major race and country on Pandeum, Kaellarak has meddled with his playthings from the very beginning. He has been the terror in the shadows and depths of Mortal subconscious for time immemorial.

  • Personality: The God of Deception, Plots and Shadows seeks only to further his own plans and goals, but his true intentions are often so convoluted with lies and half-truths that they are completely indiscernible. Although he supported the Divine Treaty that ended the Great Rebellion, he personally led many a foolish young God to their early demise, and whispers abound that he even turned on his own Archaic Brethren. Unsubstantiated by lack of proof or living witnesses to any deeds he may have done in those years, Kaellarak maintains an air of mystery, doubt, and fear. Like the spiders he claims patronage of, he creeps through the darkness with hidden intentions and only reveals himself when he sees fit.

  • Opinion of Mortals: "Puppets, strung by the intricate and entrapping Web, mere tools to be used in furthering my Plots and fulfilling my Deceptions. Disposable filth."

  • God’s Domain: Hung haphazardly from a series of tangled webbing are the Pyramids of Reflection, within which are stored the souls of both his most devoted followers as well as pathetic Mortals foolish enough to find themselves in Kaellarak's grasp at their time of death. Those in the Upper Reflection see only visions of bliss, lust, and sated appetites, while those in the Lower Reflection are entombed and immobilized by thick webs while being tortured and drained by visions of despair, longing, and starvation. Souls in the Lower Reflection have their life's essence sucked from them and absorbed by those in the Upper Reflection until the Lower souls completely disappear. Serving Kaellarak's purpose however, even these Upper Souls of his most devout are not safe, but his true intentions toward them remain unclear.

  • Avatar Name: Drozhisz'ahk, not a name, but a title that signifies he is the Patriarch of both Drow and Zhiszu


    Image
  • Avatar Appearance: Believed by the Drow to be the peak of evolutionary fusion of their own race with the Insectoid Zhiszu, Drozhisz'ahk possesses all of the most desirable features in the eyes of his society. His head tagmata(comprising of his humanoid abdomen, arms and head) and thorax tagmata(or segments), and six legs are entirely armored by a thick, chitinous exoskeleton. His coarse-haired abdominal tagmata is lined with hardened plates along its' sides that cover his lung slits, capable of shutting completely when need be. He has six black eyes with gleaming silvery irises, and six small appendage-like extensions sprouting from his head that resemble a crown. Long silver Drow-hair hangs loosely about his head, covering the sensitive hearing canals on either side. Drozhisz'ahk lacks lips entirely, soft flesh having been replaced by armor-like carapace even on his face, but does have a tongue inside his fanged-filled mouth and can speak well enough for other races to understand him. The exoskeleton of his fingers tapers off into deadly points, similar to the way his legs end in sharpened segments.

  • Anatomy: With respiratory and digestive systems in his two frontal tagmata that can operate independently from his abdominal(rear tagmata) systems, he can survive the loss of the back section. However, the abdomen contains his silk-producing organs as well as reproductive system, and would have to be regrown over time. The Drozhisz'ahk has araneomorphic fangs(meaning that they are angled, and bite in a 'V' pattern, starting at the tops of the 'V' and apexing at the bottom) that curl neatly into his mouth behind both cheek regions and out of the way of his tongue and more Drow-like frontal teeth. A pressurized venom gland in the back of his throat is linked to his two fangs, and is capable of spitting short jets of venom at targets ten yards away. His three sets of eyes all serve a different purpose, with the lower pair being most like ordinary Drow(or other humanoid Mortals) with color differentiation and attention to small details, the central two more suited to near pitch-black environments, and the upper set strictly attuned to picking up on even the slightest of movements. The upper eyes are linked directly to his nervous system in order to maximize reflexive action to movement.

  • Personality: Bred and born seven years ago to be the primary military leader and tactician of the unified Drow-Zhiszu kingdom, the Drozhisz'ahk is not an individual and has no desires outside of those expressed by Kaellarak and whatever serves the best interest of His domain.

  • Magic Abilities: Born to become Kaellarak's Avatar and bred in accordance with The God of Deceptions' will as determined by the Skirak(weavers or web-spinners), a religious order of female Zhiszu that can sometimes see into the future by reading it from the webs they weave, the Drozhisz'ahk will never grow to be older than his prime age, and will never die from any natural ailment.

    -From the Spawning Pool-

    ~Hivemind~ While most all Zhiszu share some form of mental connection while within eachother's proximity, only the Sovereign Matriarch and Patriarch can link to the minds of all Zhiszu. Drozhisz'ahk uses this ability to instantly coordinate the Zhiszu forces of the Dominion from anywhere.

    ~Regeneration~ The perfect creature, according to all in the Drow-Zhiszu kingdom, Drozhisz'ahk was bred with specific focus on regenerative qualities. Spawned from a concoction of mixed genetic materials engineered by Kaellarak personally, Drozhisz'ahk heals rapidly from injuries, can regrow lost limbs over the course of a few hours, and regenerate his entire abdominal tagmata over the course of a couple days.

    -From the Deity of Deception, Plots, and Shadows-

    ~Suppression~ An ability of will, and an embodiement of the Kaellaraknian theory in which shadows must inevitably extinguish light, so too does the Drozhisz'ahk extinguish magical talents of those nearby. Always surrounded by this Aura of Suppression, most Mortals will find it impossible to manifest their powers in his presence. Except for the most powerful of magic-users, Drozhisz'ahk can at least diminish magical attacks towards himself to the point that they are not significantly harmful.

  • Terrain Preference: Most primary Drow and Zhiszu population centers are found underground. Drow have expansive cities that spread across massive subterranean caverns and through complex tunnel systems, while the more primitive Zhiszu often burrow into similar caverns or create their own tunnels and chambers. It is not uncommon for Zhiszu colonies and Drow cities to be right next to or on top of one another, oftentimes with sections that are a melting pot of the two societies. Temperature and climate matter little to these dwellers of the subterranean world, be it desert or tundra above, below is always the same. Chasms and fissures shatter the surface-lands of the Dominion while hollow spires and watchtowers jut upward like jagged teeth on the horizon, serving as access points into the hidden world below.

  • Name of Kingdom/Empire: The Drow-Zhiszu Dominion;
    - called Kaniik-drozhisz by the Zhiszu, may more simply be called the Dominion, with the Drow sometimes referring to themselves as Kanii in order to differentiate from Drow outside of the Dominion.

  • Capitol:

    ~Gathod Elenath~ The main population center of the Drow, it is a subterranean city dimly lit by ghostly lights. There are four districts in this massive cavern. Starting furthest from Narthanuin Daeris('Beacon of the Shadow Queen', the Palace of the Queen and Royal Family), is the hybrid stretch of intermixed Drow and Zhiszu living spaces. Residences of most of the common-folk are found nearer to the first walled plateau, upon which lie the high-society manors and important buildings like temples and barracks. On the final and tallest plateau, the palace and its' grounds look down on all the rest.

  • Major Cities: WIP

  • Society:

    -People:

    Image~The Drow~ Sometimes called 'Dark Elves', Drow are an ancient Elven people that have always lived in the Northern regions of Pandeum. They are largely devout to Kaellarak, and were sworn enemies to the Dwarves in the time before the Great Rebellion. Their skin tones vary from light blue to jet black, commonly their hair is silver or white, and their eyes come in a variety of colors. Like most Elves, they are of fair complexion and beautiful proportions, with graceful and elegant bodies. Drow are known to be more hardy than common Elves, however this appears to come at a cost; Drow do not have any special affinity to nature or Natural Magicks, and are restricted to using only the destructive forces of Flame and Shadow. Those of the Dominion tend to be shadowmancers the majority of the time, however Drow can be found throughout Pandeum with various allegiances and talents. Surface-dwelling Drow in the Dominion tend to be more open-minded towards outsiders and foreign religions, while those that dwell in the expansive cities below tend to be fanatical religious zealots to the spider-like God of Shadows.

  • Drow Heroes: WIP

  • Name: Daeris Manedhes, Queen and High Priestess of the Dominion.

    -Rank/Reason: Ambitious, ruthless, and self-righteous to a fault, Daeris Manedhes would do anything to ensure her continued power. She would see the world burn if it stood in her way.

  • Name(s): (the three female Drow, from left to right)Bainthaurel, Goeoleth, and Lymernil, daughters of Daeris

    -Rank/Reason: Heirs to the Throne in order opposite as above, all Priestesses of Gorfuinthel. Each of them more ambitious than the last, terrible to those whom block their way or inhibit their desires, these three use their royal mother's power to get whatever they want, and they lack harmless passions.

  • Name: Daedhelon, Prince of the Dominion

    -Rank/Reason: As a male, Daedhelon will never take the throne. However, the ambition of his other relatives is not lost on him. Raised in the arts of war with the best training the Dominion could offer, he is a brilliant military leader that wants to see the Drow(and himself) attain glory and expand the borders of the Dominion.

  • Name: Thiadwen, or simply 'Thia', Ranger of the Surface-world

    -Rank/Reason: Illegitimate daughter to murdered parents, a high-society father and a peasant mother, Thiadwen never had much faith in the Dominion to begin with. However, when she saw an opportunity to become a ranger and escape the darkness of subterranean Gathod Elenath, she took it. Now she protects those few Drow who live on the surface and keeps the Dominion's borders secure.

    -Personality: Although hardened by living the life of a poor peasant-girl in the massive capitol of the Dominion, Thia is kind at heart. She craves a chance to see the world and experience the freedoms of new lands, but the wages of a Ranger don't amount to much. Besides, she knows that much of the world see the Drow as war-mongers and practitioners of macabre magics. And, she has a vendetta that keeps her firmly in place in the Dominion. She knows who her father was, and who was responsible for her parents' deaths. Daeris Manedhes. Her fathers' wife.

    Image~The Zhiszu~ A collective body of large insect and arachnid beings that possess varying levels of intelligence. Their population dwarfs that of the ancient and cultivated Drow who make up the other half of the Dominion, however their true numbers are rarely seen as they live underground most of the time. With rapid birthing rates and a hivemind mentality, they have both the numbers and the will to throw away individual lives for the sake of continuity. The bulk of their population is made up of unintelligent drones that can serve as either workers or soldiers. Approximately a third of their population is advanced enough to roughly equal the intelligence of the other sentients of Pandeum, however not all among these are capable of producing any understandable vocalizations. The sentient among them are valued far above the lessers, and tend to more closely resemble humanoids in accordance with their level of intelligence. Cannibalism is not uncommon.

  • Zhiszu Heroes:

  • Name:Drozhisz'ahn, a Razhis'ahl ('Rae' - 'to bring' combined with 'Zhiszu' - 'the people', together meaning 'to birth', plus the female honorific 'ahl, "Birthing-Mother") and the Matriarch of the Drow-Zhiszu Dominion, female counterpart to the Drozhisz-ahk

    -Rank/Reason: Bred in similar fashion to the Drozhisz-ahk, the Drozhisz-ahn is also a more highly evolved hybrid of Drow and Zhiszu, though less adept as far as battlefield adaptations. She shares the Hivemind ability with her male counterpart, but uses it in a less militaristic fashion. As a Razhis'ahl, she spends much of her time birthing live young or laying eggs, depending on which mate was selected for that specific birthing cycle. There are four birthing cycles per year, and all together they cover the expanse of roughly four-fifths of the year, with short recovery periods between each cycle/pregnancy.

    -Personality: Created in almost the same way as the Drozhisz'ahk, by a specifically engineered mixture of genetic materials put together by Kaellarak, Drozhisz-ahn has a close bond to her God and obligation to near-continually birth more children. However, she is more of an individual than the Avatar. Bound to stay in only a few different places like all Razhis'ahl, for her safety and the safety of her young, and limited in mobility by her massive abdominal tagmata, her mind is more prone to wandering and wondering. She craves the sights and sounds of the outside world and foreign cultures, even though she views them as inferior to her own. Although she is capable of commanding her lesser Zhiszu and Drow alike, and could forsake a cycle of birthing if she chose, she remains committed to her duty to her people and her God.

  • Name: Karrion, whose real name is nothing more than a series of clicks, hisses and screeches that range from completely inaudible to utterly unbearable by human(or other sentients') standards, is one of the finest Variik'ihz(meaning 'tactician') the Zhiszu have to offer.

    -Rank/Reason: His notably more humanoid shape(as contrasted to the breed he is most closely related to) is a clear-cut sign that he possesses significantly greater intelligence than most Zhiszu. Although Karrion is markedly more exposed than his heavily armored kin, he is a savage on the battlefield; cold, calculating, he is an example to all other Variik'ihz.

    -Personality: Fiercely loyal to his people and the Dominion as a whole, there is nothing he is unwilling to do for the right cause. However, he is a moral creature, despite all appearances and prejudices others may have of the Zhiszu. Like many of his less-intelligent brethren, Karrion does not worship any Deity, but whereas his counterparts may be incapable of comprehending religion, he simply ignores it.

    -Anatomy: While Karrion does have a thick exoskeleton covering many parts of his body, his underside/front(depending on whether he is standing upright or not, he usually is) is dangerously more exposed than most other beetle-like Zhiszu. His intelligence and enhanced level of evolution compensate for this. Like the majority of Zhiszu, he cannot fly, being far too large for his thin membrane wings to lift him, which are only for show. His central pair of limbs are extremely recessed, having grown mostly useless except for in close range combat, since they are still very sharp. He has a pair of eyes painted onto both the inside and outside of his back carapace, they are not naturally occurring. Karrion is capable of mating, although the likelihood of him producing offspring as evolved as himself in the right female is low.

  • Name: Shensi, arguably the most mentally evolved Variik'ihz of the Dominion

    -Rank/Reason: Shensi has a keen intellect and understanding of tactics that may very well be unrivaled by any in the Dominion, including the Drow. It is capable of processing new information so quickly that it never even gets the opportunity to feel surprised by unforeseen or unusual events. With a mind so well-developed to make it capable of utilizing telekinetic abilities, Shensi's name is known by every Drow and sentient Zhiszu.

    -Personality: It lacks gender and reproductive system, and acts apathetically towards just about everything. All it lives for is its' purpose, which is bound to the will of its' people.

  • Name: Rosh

    -Rank/Reason: While treated in the same fashion as a Variik-ihz, Rosh lacks great ability in controlling the Hivemind. He can only command lesser Zhiszu in his very immediate vicinity, in a radius not much greater than ten yards. However he has not earned his infamy for no reason. Rosh is a beast in all things, from appetite to bloodlust, and has proven his worth time and again.

    -Personality: "Rosh wants your meat!" He speaks in the third person...

    -Anatomy: Rosh can breed, and does so often. His offspring only come out big and dumb though. His frontal tagmata/torso may lead some to believe he is a hybrid, but no, he is just a link in the ever-varying chain of Zhiszu evolution. He dwarfs most of those that cross his path, with his head ten feet off the ground and weighs half a ton. His twin stingers are loaded with all kinds of good stuff. Well, venom mostly. Good for him though.

    ~Zhiszu Hybrids~ While they are still referred to simply as Zhiszu, those whose genetic material is a mixture of some sentient beings' with that of the Zhiszu are markedly different. They usually have a high level of intelligence, are capable of producing normal vocalizations, and may be completely unable to breed. Despite that last, they are viewed by most Kanii-Drow as the epitome of evolution or fusion and thought to be favored by Kaellarak. Some Drow, however, do not see it that way, and view them either as equal sentient Mortals or as tools of the Dominion. True Zhiszu, if you can call them that, tend not to differentiate between themselves and Hybrid Zhiszu. They often seek out those capable of breeding in order to spawn the most intelligent young possible, as the Zhiszu decide their leaders from the most intelligent. Hybrid Zhiszu will often find themselves with a following of less-intelligent Zhiszu that will do their bidding and eventually help the Hybrid to form the telepathic Hivemind connection if they did not already have it.

  • Hybrid Heroes:

  • Name: Iareth, Variik'ihz

    -Rank/Reason: Typically responsible for keeping outsiders from the south out, Iareth has developed a bloody reputation, as she resorts to violence on contact.

    -Personality: A cutthroat and a savage, but beneath her rough demeanor and monstrous form is a woman that never got to be a girl, or someones cherished child or sweetheart. She doesn't normally open up about it though.

    -Anatomy: While capable of bearing offspring, and frequently propositioned by Zhiszu and Drow alike, she has, as of yet, no interest in having children. She was born as she is, a perfect mixture of Drow and Zhiszu, and feels great resentment about not being given a choice in the matter. Her frontal tagmata almost perfectly mimics the upper half of a Drow, mounted onto the vicious body of a scorpion. Her hair is actually an amalgamation of leg-like appendages that reflexively tense up, writhe, or vibrate when she experiences certain emotions.

  • Name: Scythe. another whose real name is far too complex to bother speaking to non-Zhiszu, one of the most savage and well-known(not to mention easily recognizable) Variik'ihz

    -Rank/Reason: Believed by many to have been Kaellarak's second choice for the Drozhisz'ahk, Scythe is a formidable warrior and tactician, with full Variik'ihz-level skill in interacting with the Hivemind and a reputation for leaving no survivors when dealing with would-be invaders or trespassers into the Dominion.

    -Personality: A slave to efficiency and perfection of all ones' pursuits, as well as a devout worshipper of the God of Shadows, Scythe is the exemplary Hybrid.

    -Anatomy: Perfect evolution and fusion all in one. Fully capable of reproducing, but picky in the females he chooses, and correct humanoid proportioning coupled with deadly Zhiszu combat adaptations, it's no wonder he is the most well-known Hybrid in the Dominion. Hands and digits that resemble those of humanoids' to a fault, mouth, eyes, nasal inlet for the respiratory system, and six and a half feet tall, Scythe is what Zhiszu want to be. The limbs on his back are fully functional, capable of extending upward to be perfectly straight in relation to his spine, and in downward motion they form a deadly arc until they jab straight forward. His elongated antennae provide a feel for his surroundings that hearing and smell could never approach. He has both an interior and exterior skeleton, which makes him very tough and much heavier than he appears.

  • Name: Mariko

    -Rank/Reason: Having only recently been cursed to be the monster that she views herself as, Mariko has travelled to Dominion lands, where she knew there to be insectoid hybrids like herself.

    -Personality: She's just a poor, sweet girl. Isn't she? WIP, probably more development IC

    -Economy: WIP

    -Politics: Politics of the Dominion are normally handled by the Drow Queen, or Daeris, but since the birth and coming-of-age of Kaellarak's Avatar, the Drozhisz'ahk, he may decide to intervene in what was once exclusively the realm of the Daeris as he pleases.

    ~The Drow Monarchy~ The Daeris or Queen of the Drow reigns supreme over her people. A Daeris must always learn the ways of the Gorfuinthel, a sisterhood of Priestesses skilled in the use of shadowmancy and various dark magics. The only person who can usurp the Daeris is the High Priestess, but typically the reigning Daeris is also the reigning High Priestess. The Daeris of today and her family have held the throne for nearly three thousand years.

    ~Zhiszu Hierarchy~ Knowledge is power. The most intelligent Zhiszu are always granted leadership positions, however they have historically wanted little to do with the world outside of the Dominion. The Zhiszu, in general, have always been faithful to Kaellarak, and therefore have always been solid allies of the Kanii-Drow. The Zhiszu have rarely, if ever, been the ones to cause a war, but when the Drow fight so do they. With the coming-of-age of the Drozhisz'ahk, and by the whispered commands of their Spider-God, activity underground has grown irregularly active. Sightings of Zhiszu above-ground have increased significantly throughout Dominion lands, and even near the borders of neighboring countries. The Zhiszu grow restless.

    Other: What else do you want to tell us?

So begins...

Kaellarak's Story

Setting

Characters Present

Character Portrait: [NPC] Bartender Character Portrait: Muertina Character Portrait: Luman and Cali Character Portrait: Kaellarak Character Portrait: Anaria'tal Character Portrait: Montayzuomah
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Cali and Luman

“There is a shift in energy manifesting.” Luman said as he stroked his chin, two golden eyes focused on checkered board in front of him. He reached out, moving his the white form of one of his knights several spaces forward. “Yes, I’m very away, my love.” Cali said as she cornered her husband’s ivory king with a dark queen. “It’s a emptiness unlike anything I’ve ever felt before.” She looked up from the board, amusement flickering in her ebony colored eyes. “I believe I won this game.” Luman chuckled, running his fingers through his hair as leaned back in his throne. “I believe so, my dear. Your cleverness knows no bounds.” The Lady of Shadows smirked, rising from her obsidian seat and walking about the chessboard. She sat in her husband’s lap, draping her legs over his throne’s armrest. “Now,” she started. “We must prepare for this coming change, whatever it is. Regardless of whether it’s dark or light, something with this much energy is bound to knock everything out of balance.”

Luman nodded. “I know, that’s what I’m worried about. We’ve all come to such a good place. The nations are healthy, the Treaty goes unthreatened, and for a while, I thought we’d have actual harmony.” “Well, you know what they say.” Cali said. “A God’s work is never finished.” Luman smiled weakly and leaned over, kissing the goddess on her nose. “Why must you always be so insightful?” “It’s a blessing and a curse, to be quite frank.” Ebony smirked as she got up, her leathery wings lifting her several inches off the ground. “We should spread the word among the gods.” Luman nodded, standing up and walking over to the nearest window. A ball of light formed in his hand and he brought it to his lips. “Go give word to our brothers.” And it flew off into the realms of the other gods, where it would give the same message.

“Something is coming. Be prepared.”

Dolus Magnus

The crown was heavy on Dolus’ head. It’s golden halo and sparkling jewels filled the white of his hair with colored light. The tips of his elongated ears rubbed against the crown’s rim, causing their pointed ends to slightly redden with irritation. As the bastard prince looked into the mirror, he couldn’t bring himself to smile. The crown wasn’t meant to be worn by someone who looked like him. The dull silver in his eyes deepened with the slight pang of sadness he felt. He starred in the mirror for several moments, a look of concentration on his face, before his appearance began to subtly ripple and change.

The marks on his skin faded, his hair turned a warm brown, and his ears shortened and rounded out, not leaving a hint of their barbs. The sad metallics of his eyes filled with a sharp amber and for a moment, Dolus flickered with genuine satisfaction. This is what the people wanted. “Dolus? Are you ready?” Orion walked in, a mixture of sadness and anger covering his face when he saw his prince. “You aren’t trying this again.” A smile formed on Dolus’ lips as he turned around. It was mostly sincere, which became progressively more difficult for the prince as he coronation closened. “Oh, hush. This is a good idea. The people will be much more comfortable if I look like this.” Dolus gestured to his face. Orion rolled his eyes and shook his head. “They’ll love you. They’ll love you without your tricks and spells. Just as I do.” Dolus let out a laugh. “Many late nights have proven that you’re a big fan of my ‘tricks.’” A smile cracked on the bodyguard’s face.

A moment of silence passed between them. “Well,” Orion started. “We should be on our way. You have to discuss plans for the Harvest Festival.” He paused before continuing. “And, at the end of the day, it’s your coronation. It’s your decision how the Empire sees you. You’re the Emperor, so I won’t tell you how to live your life.” Dolus shook his head, the color draining from his hair and the marks slowly rising back onto his skin. “I’m not the Emperor yet. Let’s not get too dramatic.” He walked toward his guard and placed a hand on his cheek, the other man’s stubble pricking him slightly. “Thank you, Orion.” “It’s my pleasure, Prince Dolus.” The future emperor smiled. “Let’s not delay then. I feel like this festival will be a grand time, don’t you?” They began walking. “If you have a hand in it, this festival will be like none that anyone has ever seen before.”

Setting

Characters Present

Character Portrait: Kaellarak
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Kaellarak
in His realm...


"Wretched vermin." The God of Shadows forced his voice into yet another Mortal slaughtered by the Zhiszu, His eternal servants. A new arrival, a new addition. "You belong to me now, your horrors will become the only reality you know. There is no reprieve, there is no release." His voice slithered up the spine of the new one. "Your soul will be but a pale Reflection of itself, and at the peak of despair you will be consumed." The Mortal soul tried to scream, tried to thrash and find an escape, but Kaellarak's webs held it in submission and silence. It could only see what it's new master wished it to see, it's identity, accomplishments, failures, all meant nothing now, and never would again. When the soul was broken in entirety, it would be devoured by those above.

Kaellarak melded into the webs that composed all things in His realm, turning them from silky white to oozing black, and his presence moved on, leaving his new pet to its own torment. Upward the God went, reveling in the subdued screams and cries of the subjugated ones trapped in the Lower Reflection of this great pyramid, until he passed through the center and into the Upper Reflection. His devout, his puppets strung by strands of deception, gluttons whose appetite for those below would never be sated, fruits that would be picked when they were good and ripe. Weavers, monstrous spider-things spun webs from the Upper Reflection down to the souls below, connecting the devout to those who had been broken completely, thus allowing sporadic feeding frenzies.

Still upward Kaellarak went. It was not yet the time to pluck souls for the feast. Upward until he was outside of the massive pyramid that hung precariously over nothingness, upward until he could see the thing that had caused his webs to vibrate and tense, announcing that something was here. A ball of light, blemishing the ghastly scenery of Kaellarak's realm. It hovered in a clearing relatively free of entrapping webs, casting shadows in every direction. Kaellarak approached, moving through his webs as a black sludge, and stopped before the unwelcome thing. A messenger from his lesser kin.

The Spider Deity took on a more substantial form, with some semblance of a body, leg-like appendages jutting out and reaching for nothing in particular all around him, but he continued to shift, never settling on a single shape. "Your message?" He spoke slowly and with great deliberation, as if speaking to something other than an imprisoned soul took great effort and was bothersome.

"Something is coming. Be prepared." Luman. The blightful ball of light reeked of him, and reflected his voice with disgusting perfection.

Kaellarak sneered, revealing a horribly toothy mouth, his eyes took a surer shape and brightened so much as to cast a shadow behind the messenger. He waved a clawed hand dismissively, "Go," the word rasped from his mouth, then echoed throughout the dark and web-covered world. The messenger vanished, and only then did Kaellarak's sneer widen further into an unnatural smile. What could have been laughter croaked from his massive fanged mouth and, "Finally..." He said to himself, pleasure coursing through him. It is almost time...





Daedhelon, Prince of the Dominion
Gathod Elenath, in the palace

In the throne room of the Narthanuin Daeris, the great palace of the Drow-Zhiszu Dominion, Daedhelon stood tall and proud on the left side of the Daeris' throne. His three sisters stood opposite, on the right side of the throne, Bainthaurel leering covetously at the still empty throne, Goeoleth staring boredly at the great double doors at the end of the room, and Lymernil staring intently at her brother. He hadn't been united with his dear sisters for quite some time, having recently committed himself to a deeper study of neighboring countries. Cold Maakulm, liberated Commonwealth, enchanting Arro'ell, savage Outlands. He'd of rather continued his studies than see the three heiresses to the throne again. Lymernil was still staring at him, he realized, only now she was smiling and running her tongue over her teeth.

Fortunately, the Daeris walked in from behind the throne and glared at the sisters, halting Lymernil's gaze and preventing her from, Gods-forbid, engaging Daedhelon in conversation. He suppressed a shiver threatening to run up his spine. The desires of his eldest sister were nothing he cared to dwell on.

"Beloved daughters," Daeris Manedhes had a voice that rang with benevolence, which counteracted the disgusted look on her face as she gazed upon the three young women, "How beautiful you all are." She turned in a flourish of her extravagant gown, white hair whipping at her back, and now addressed Daedhelon, "And my son, looking ever so handsome!" Although her expression did soften when she faced him, her words were still a mask for the machinations at work in her mind. Daedhelon knew that fully well, none of these royal Drow females were to be trusted.

Daedhelon smiled graciously, flashing pearly white that contrasted his ebony skin, and made to speak but Goeoleth beat him to it, "We've been waiting an eternity," her voice was dull and flat, her eyes hadn't left the two massive doors that served as entrance to the throne room, "What is this all about?" No tact, no grace. Goeoleth would have been murdered if she were the eldest sister and first in line for the throne. By mother or sister. Daedhelon fought the urge to shake his head disappointedly.

He saw the rage flash across the Daeris' face, but it was gone in an instant as she gracefully seated herself on the crystal throne. "It just so happens, sweet Goeoleth, that the Drozhisz'ahk has called an audience of us." Daedhelon could imagine the burning spite hidden by his mothers' carefully composed demeanor.

"The Drozhisz'ahk? Here?" Bainthaurel openly expressed the surprise all the royal family felt. "Why?" To show that he is the true master of this Dominion, why else? Daedhelon thought, but kept his silence. He let no expression cross his regal face, only let his eyes flit from Bainthaurel to their queen mother.

Composure still perfect, she answered kindly, "We shall see shortly, my dear." Not a minute passed, but in the following silence it felt like an hour, before the massive double doors parted. And enter the Drozhisz'ahk. On his six thick legs, he strode head and shoulders above the royal guard that lined the throne room, moving almost casually, yet so quickly it could have been an attack. Six silvery irises stared ahead unblinking, unwavering, uninterested in all but the Daeris in her throne. They called it a hybrid, but the Drozhisz'ahk was something else entirely. It was a piece for Kaellarak to move around freely, something with no questions or hesitations, no past or future except for the God of Shadows.

"My Daeris," The voice of Drozhisz'ahk both rumbled and rasped through the great hall, the emphasis on his first word causing a shiver Daedhelon could not prevent this time. She belongs to him. We all do. "It has been too long since I've seen..."

Unnaturally quickly, the Drozhisz'ahk was already at the foot of the throne, looking down on the elevated Daeris. Despite his appearance and words, Manedhes was still perfectly composed, and stared back up at the Avatar of Kaellarak without flinching or hesitating. "Drozhisz'ahk, a pleasure as always." She smiled graciously, but did not stand from her seat. An uncomfortable silence siezed the room for a second, but the Daeris broke it before it could gain any precedent. "To what, do we owe the great privilege of this visit?"

The six black eyes blinked consecutively, deliberately, the bottom pair first and the top pair last, and then the Drozhisz'ahk lifted both his hands and extended his fingertips, as if to encompass all the world. "Kaellarak's will, my Daeris." Daedhelon, from his angle to the left of the throne, caught a glimpse of a venomous fang curled behind Drozhisz'ahk's cheek. He heard air rushing into the lung slits on the sides of the Avatar's rear segment, the abdominal tagmata of a spider, and even as he inhaled he continued speaking, "And this..." He tilted his head with a sudden twitch, "Visit... Will be an extended one. I will stay here, in your palace." He nodded self-assuredly, more to himself than anyone else. Many of the guardsmen were staring at the back of the Drozhisz'ahk. His proximity to the Daeris and the way he carried himself must have been making them nervous. "We have much to discuss, privately." His long legs suddenly carried him to the right of the throne, nearly trampling the three sisters had they not stumbled out of the way, "Tomorrow."

That was the last word he said before the sound of his scurrying legs vanished him into the palace. "All of you, go!" His mother commanded. Daedhelon knew her well enough to see that she had been unnerved, and that made her furious. His sisters all departed at once through a side passage, Lymernil giving her brother one last, long look, and the guardsmen filed out the great double doors. Daedhelon made to leave as well, but he knew she would stop him. "Not you, Dae." He bit his lip before turning to face the Daeris, and took a breath. Silently and obediently, he turned to look at her. "Come here."

Daeris Manedhes sat back in her throne, and slowly parted her legs while lifting her gown with one hand, the other gesturing for Daedhelon to fall to his knees. "Yes, my Daeris." Her fingernails dug into the back of his neck as he went about fulfilling her desires...

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