Apostles of Doom

“Rust Bucket! I would have assumed you to be lich farts at this point!” Darg-Krallnom bellowed.

“By Lilith’s frigid teats! It is you! I never thought to see this day!” his grandfather bellowed before charging full speed through the air at the oncoming D’Orc. There was a loud crash as the two collided in midair, their arms embracing each other tightly in joyous reunion.

“Darg-Krallnom!” Valg’s grandfather shouted again as the two pulled apart to grin happily at each other. “I cannot believe you have survived!”

“Nor I you!” Darg-Krallnom shouted.

Valg had to resist the urge to cover his ears at the volume. He glanced up to see more D’Orcs descending on the village. He also noted other groups of D’Orcs taking off in other directions, most likely towards other towns.

“Who else is with you?” Targh asked.

“Arg-nargoloth is off to his namesake city, as I am sure are Helga Dourtooth and Vargg Agnoth,” Darg-Krallnom told his grandfather. “Unfortunately, so many are gone.” He shook his head sadly.

Targh nodded. “We’ve had some word from those who returned to the Abyss early on.”

“It’s been a long time, and there were more losses,” Darg-Krallnom said sadly. “However, things are looking good now that Lord Tommus is with us.”

Valg’s grandfather nodded. “He is the heir of Orcus?” he asked uncertainly.

“Indeed, even as prophesied. He stole mana from the gods, found the Wand, relit Mount Doom, has taken our allegiance and led us to victory in epic battle! We have not only beaten, but subsumed the forces Lilith sent against us. We defeated a Chaos Maelstrom!” Darg-Krallnom shouted.

“You what?” Targh’s eyes went wide in shock.

Only about half of what the D’Orc had said made any sense to Valg. What was a Chaos Maelstrom? It did not sound good, but it did sound like an impressive victory.

“You heard me, Rust Bucket!” Darg-Krallnom punched Valg’s grandfather in the shoulder. “Lord Tommus led us to decisive victory over Lilith’s forces and then convinced most of them to turn their backs on her and join our ranks!”

“Is that a good idea?” Targh asked.

Darg-Krallnom shrugged. “I was hesitant, but I think so. He let those who wished to return to Lilith or run away do so. There was no threat to their lives. They have sworn and bound themselves to him and so now, we watch.”

“Well, returning to Lilith in defeat is a threat to their lives,” Targh grinned.

“Indeed,” Darg-Krallnom said. “However, we need the bodies to fully man Doom and bring mana levels up to where we can open the Doomalogues.”

“So are we the first?” Targh asked.

Darg-Krallnom nodded. “As planned.”

At this point Valg noted that the very large demon, Lord Tommus, was descending towards them. He had to blink because even though the demon was getting closer, it was also getting smaller. When it reached Darg-Krallnom, it had stopped shrinking and was about one or two heads taller than his grandfather.

“From what I see of the greetings going on, I assume the area is secure?” the demon lord boomed in a rather awe-inspiring manner.

“Indeed, Lord Tommus.” Darg-Krallnom glanced to Targh.

His grandfather nodded. “The Isle of Doom is currently secure. We face periodic incursions, but we have been able to hold for the last several thousand years.” He gestured to the ruins of the old city. “As you can see, our major cities were all destroyed in the wars that followed the disconnection, but we have been rebuilding.”

“Good,” the demon lord said, turning more fully to Targh.

“Lord Tommus, may I present Targh Bowelsplitter, the Oracle of Orcus upon Nysegard,” Darg-Krallnom said as Valg’s grandfather bowed his head in acknowledgement.

“You have kept the people and the island secure,” the demon lord told his grandfather. “We are all grateful for your loyalty and service, and I look forward to rebuilding the Isle of Doom to its previous glory.” He paused. “And, when we are ready, those who have so wronged us will pay for their actions.”

Loud cheers came from around the village. Valg looked down at it, about twenty feet below them. Everyone was staring at the demon lord, Darg-Krallnom and his grandfather.

The demon lord smiled and nodded. “Now, Targh Bowelsplitter, how about introducing me to your people?” It gestured toward the village as well as Valg and his mother who were in the air nearby.

The Inferno

“So, what are you industrious spiritual fellows up to?” Sir Samwell asked, walking up to Barabus in the assembly chamber where his priests were working hand in hand with several Oorstemothian wizards. “Seems rather odd for wizards and priests to be working together…”

“Indeed,” Barabus agreed. “While there are wizards employed by the Holy Etonian Emperor, they do not typically work with priests.”

“So what are they all up to then?” Sir Samwell asked.

“We are searching for a knight who was kidnapped by a greater demon, with the hope of also, of course, locating the greater demon, who is violation of many Oorstemothian laws and court orders,” Barabus said.