Apostles of Doom

“Lord Tommus!” Targh Bowelsplitter hailed Tom as he entered the DCC from the passageway to the Oubliette. He was just returning from an excruciatingly long training session.

“Oracle?” Tom was concerned by the commander’s concern.

“You remember our discussion of reviving the ascension ceremonies?” Targh asked.

“I do,” Tom replied.

“Well, you wanted another D’Orc shaman, right?” Targh asked and Tom nodded. “Karth Death Cheater overextended himself over the last several days, propping himself up with borrowed energy so he could be involved in the ceremonies, and now his family are reporting that he is paying the price, that he is near death’s door.”

“Then we must move quickly,” Tom said, excited at the thought of his first D’Orcing. “Valg told me of his concerns about his father.”

Tamarin? Tom mentally called to his djinni.

Yes, master? Tamarin replied.

How have things gone on the ascension research? Tom asked.

It’s quite interesting, and I’ve made good progress. Yesterday Vaselle started helping me, and his knowledge of conjury has been extremely useful. The weird thing is that Vaselle says that creating a D’Orc is oddly reminiscent of the spells for conjuring and binding a brand-new demon, Tamarin thought at Tom, causing that cold, sinking feeling in the pit of his stomach to return.

I have to admit that I am not surprised; I’ve had a number of suspicions along that line, he replied.He had been trying very hard not to follow those suspicions because he was rapidly starting to suspect he wouldn’t like the answers. Do you think we could figure something out soon? he asked.We have a great candidate that is nearing death.

Uhm, I am not sure… there is so much to put together, so much reconstruction, I have tons of questions. How close is he? The candidate cannot be healed? Tamarin asked.

I don’t think so. He is a very old orc shaman who used strength and energy rituals to boost himself upon our arrival and through the ceremonies. I am now being told those rituals have a price that has to be paid later, and that price is killing him, Tom said.

Okay, let me think for a minute. In this case, I may be able to use some djinn magic to prolong his life a bit longer. Normally I would not do it, again because of the price that must eventually be paid. It would like borrowing against already borrowed time. However, given that we intend to ascend him, perhaps we can postpone the payment until after he is ascended.

Excellent! See what you can come up with, Tom thought back to her. He thought of something. Would it help if Targh brought you D’Orc shamans who have been through the process?

Definitely; an excellent idea! Tamarin replied.

I will have him round them up and we will move the process into high gear!

Ah, master? Tamarin asked. One more small problem.

What is that?

We need demon weed, Tamarin replied.

Tom sighed, physically and mentally. Of course. I will see what I can do.

Tom had shut his eyes, imagining Tamarin in his mind as they spoke. He opened them and turned his attention back to Targh.

“You sighed. Are things not good?” Targh asked. Darg-Krallnom had come up beside Targh as Tom had been communing with Tamarin.