So, I'm finally done with Nwn 1 storyline. This chapter took longer than I expected, and I decided to cut off the ending part and include it in the next chapter after all. So, this one is about 7000 words long.

Chapter VII
The legacy of betrayal

There was a time when he was hailed as a hero across the land, all the way from Port Llast through Neverwinter and onto the borders of Uthgard.
He liked the sound of that. The pride coming from being called the Hero of Neverwinter.
But with this pride came obligations… duties. And enemies he didn’t want to have.
Aribeth may have failed to uphold her vows, but he was a true failure as a hero and savior.
Because while liking the SOUND of the title, he came to hate the implications of it. People somehow always came to conclusion that somebody of his renown would be a kind, generous, noble person, one practically obsessive in his drive to sacrifice himself for others.
He never was like that.
He could be a very selfish, cold-hearted bastard if he wanted. He did want to save Neverwinter as a whole, but had no impulse to help individuals on his way, and had no repulsion when it came to sacrificing weaker people if he was to somehow achieve the purpose of saving Neverwinter faster or more efficiently. Thankfully for those concerned, he doubted he ever made any such sacrifices.
But there were those acts of heroism, sure. He wasn’t called a “hero” just because he was the mightiest being on Neverwinter’s side.
Those acts were always inspired by someone, never initiated by himself.
This “inspiration” usually came from two red-headed women he came to be quite close with during his servitude to Nasher.
The problem was one of these women, the more important one, betrayed them before he had enough conviction to truly become a hero…
And was killed before he finished his role as one.
It was too late for the other woman to do anything about him as he was now. He changed. He could feel it. Instead of a burning desire to fight, to destroy his enemies and protect those few things important to him…
Now, a darkness was now gnawing at his soul, it’s strength increasing almost every day he couldn’t do anything to achieve his one, true purpose.
He felt very little joy or fun in those months after her untimely death.
Maenaz wondered whether he had enough decency left in him to let the drow have a chance of defending themselves.
He thought he should. Once somebody trusted him, he was usually doing what he could to maintain that trust, but now he had to destroy it, break it, abuse it.
Maenaz wasn’t stupid enough not to notice exactly what he was doing,
He left the city without informing his friends or his liege of his actual purpose (well, he technically did scream he’s going to make Nasher suffer), began moving around, and was now not only the betrayer of Neverwinter, but of Seer also. That meant he certainly was following in someone else’s steps. The steps of someone he knew quite well.
He wondered how much truth did the stories hold.
Because according to the stories, somewhere about now a hero should rise and make a magnificent, successful attempt at stopping his dark schemes.
Truth was he was growing bored of this existence, and the last shreds of morality in him were terrified about what these consuming flames of vengeance were doing to him.
He could use a different purpose, sure. But more and more of him wished for just two things.
Vengeance. And death.
If there was to be a hero to appear, he would welcome a challenge.
But if that hero would appear at the wrong moment, before he took his vengeance…
Well, he would have to throw death away, and change the natural course of the story.
The moment he will open, blow up, crush, burn out with acid, or however else open that gate, redemption would become impossible.
Or so he thought.
All this was the legacy he was given by that single elven woman in her darkest times.


The megalomaniacal drow slut was more and more getting on his nerves, but he also came to somewhat appreciate her. For something as young and lowly born as she was, she was quite successful and remarkable in her life so far, even managing to bind him, one of the greatest beings that ever resided in Baator, with some gods-forsaken ritual.
Something he was becoming quite knowledgeable with.
And for a mere mortal, a cursed breed of an elf, this “Valsharess” was indeed something exceptional, exquisite. But he couldn’t turn her to his cause. He couldn’t make any use of her. And she was already strongly filled with her own purposes and desires. Meaning she was useless.
He needed her out of the way.
And since she was already bringing the human to him, it was fine. She was something special, true… but if not for the power she gained from him, she wouldn’t stand a chance against this human’s own might. And he was way younger, younger even in proportion when it came to humans and elves’ lifespan. Killing the drow bitch and exchanging her for this angry, incomplete and drowned in despair warlock was a good deal for him.

But he wondered just how useful this human could become. Nevertheless, he needed to be patient. Sinvyl’s offer was probably attractive in the short run. He, on the other hand, was a mystery to humans, all that the human could know about him was his status as an Archdevil, as well as the fact that he was probably extremely “evil” as far as human morality went.
Human morality. Such a useless concept.
Why did humans cling to this morality so much ? It was like with the devils and clinging to the rules, or tanar’ri being unable to restrain themselves – humans were usually either selfish and empty of any sort of greater purpose and devotion, or devoted to this whole morality thing, something they couldn’t let go of.
But he and his elite servants were pretty good in helping mortals dispose of these sorts of limitations.

Drogan Droganson was your usual dwarf, not exceptionally tall, with a long beard full of gray hair, even though he was partially bald already. The look in his eyes gave out the dwarf’s wisdom, knowledge and wit, and this man certainly did posses both a degree of power as well as the qualifications to teach young adventurers. This man also had the air of a Harper around him, as few Harpers as Xardas ever saw, but the spiritual feel they gave off was always similar. Still, it probably wouldn’t hurt him not to let the dwarf know he suspected him of being in the organization.
-Welcome to Hilltop, Xardas. I am Drogan Droganson, and these are my students : Dorna Trapspringer, Xanos Messarmos, and Mischa Waymeet.
A dwarf, a half orc, and a human paladin. Though apparently the first two had strange specializations for their races’ main strengths.
Which probably meant Droganson asked for help because his students sucked.
-I’m glad I was given this opportunity, Drogan. I don’t exactly enjoy being stuck in Neverwinter all the time, and considering you knew my father, I hope we will get along well. But, as for the students… there are three of them ?
-I rejected the other ones right away, they were too young. But, yes, there are three students. We will not divide them amongst ourselves – rather, I plan on each of them both learning from me and my decades worth of knowledge as well as gain from your intuition and hands-on experience.
-Then so be it. We shall start tomorrow.

Open the gate, she says… Open the gate. Well then, technically he could run all the way to the opening mechanism and start toying with it, but then, it would take quite some time.
And wouldn’t be a quarter as flashy as it could be.
He used his Dark Foresight ability, since for a moment he would have to cope with an army of drow and a couple of golems attacking him suddenly all by himself. He drew on Enserric, and he whispered the invocation.
A mass of green flames started to consume the gate, but it was just the beginning.
To the horror of those watching, and probably death of those who stood right next to it, Maenaz used Eldritch Doom to blow up the gate, already weakened by flames.
These were drow. They weren’t stupid, like some humans, who even when faced with an obvious evil done by their friends would still try to speak to them, wouldn’t believe what happened, would try to talk them out of continuing on this path, and so on.
No, drow were used to it. They knew right away.
-Betrayal ! The rivvin is a traitor !!
Hypocrites.
He killed the first drow to approach him by piercing right through his lungs with Enserric, and blocked the path of another pair by putting a wall of flames between themselves and him. His enemies started using projectiles, however, and this was far more problematic. He WAS able to dodge them because of his foresight, but it wouldn’t take long before they start connecting.
Well, since it probably wasn’t possible to burn them in flight…
He had to eliminate the source…


Ilivarra was a bit annoyed about the fact that she would not be able to simply take the Seer’s fortress by force, but the plan with a betrayer among the enemy was working, and the front line of her forces was already entering their ground.
But the betrayer himself…
She just missed a very good fight.
Just before entering, she saw a pillar of light above the castle, and now, well, she figured he didn’t need much help. Some of the drow were apparently blinded, a couple died of acid exposure and the few left were being hacked and sliced into pieces by her forces and the human himself.
So, he really was powerful. Barely a scratch on him.
The drow female walked up to Valsharess’ newest recruit, eyeing him up from a distance. Well, regardless of him being a spellcaster or not, he was surely familiar with swordfighting, and his body seemed flexible and athletic. Nothing bad about his armor, either, meaning he would put up FAR better fight than any traditional spellcaster against somebody like her.
Right after he noticed her, she spoke out.


His foresight suddenly went almost overdrive. Something intent on fighting him was approaching.
Turning around, he noticed a surprisingly tall dark elf woman walking towards him. She did carry a weapon – a double-bladed sword, but her stance wasn’t suggesting she was trying to attack him.
The female could be considered attractive. She had a pretty if a bit stern and grim face, with a single scar, suggesting she took a cut through her eyelid but either she had undergone strong enough magical healing or the cut wasn’t deep enough to damage her eye. The gaze of her eyes, which had the color reminding of a sunset, was intense and focused. She was of a slightly more solid built than most elves – bigger breasts, wider hips (she fell behind Valsharess in terms of being “gifted” in these areas, though), and well-toned muscles, but what was slightly distressing, her violet-grey skin was bearing black and dark-green tattoos all over her body, and he felt they weren’t just there as a work of art.
Maenaz realized that this woman was definitely a servant of Valsharess. Then, why did the foresight warn him ?
- Welcome, rivvin. I am Ilivarra, the Right Hand of the Red Triumvirate. I was informed of the whole plan just before the attack, but still, it is surprising that after siding with the Seer for so long, you suddenly change sides.
- You sound disappointed, drow.
- Perhaps. But now is not the time to discuss this. I have three questions. First, where is the Seer hiding. Second, will it be faster and more efficient to approach this location from the Dark River. Third, are there any enemies inside the Seer’s camp that we should be aware of ??
- That’s an awful lot of questions, and I’m pretty much… in distress right now.

He knew that Valsharess might be wrong. Or perhaps purposefully lying. The pain was already strong. He wondered whether he would be able to kill Seer like that, or will someone else have to do it ?
- I insist that you answer me. I am the highest ranking servant of…
- Shut up. Move. I have things to kill. If you want answers, come with me.

She didn’t expect a human male to behave like that… and to be so fluent with Undercommon. He had guts to talk to her like this, but apparently, something in this situation was upsetting him, and she somehow felt it had little to do with her.
Still, she wasn’t used to being treated like that by anyone but Valsharess. So she leashed out.
She was just going to slightly cut him, but even though she was attacking from behind, the human blocked her attack easily and turned his right hand straight towards her chest. She noticed the flash of light, but he only pushed her away a little. There was practically no damage. She grinned.
-Good reflex, but this shit isn’t going to even budge me.
-Drow are supposed to possess quite formidable spell resistance, but I never met any who simply took on my Eldritch Blast so easily… Are the tattoos that much of an enhancement ?
She went silent. Apparently, his guess was correct.
-Don’t attack me again, Ilivarra. As strong as your resistance will be, I have more than one way of hurting somebody like you. Follow me.
This time, she obeyed. He was quite interesting, in fact.

The Seer was almost panicking after knowing that the enemy broke through the gate BECAUSE Maenaz helped them.
As far as she was concerned, Nathyrra was simply totally pissed off.
No, more than that.
She was fucking furious.
-This is impossible ! Not a single dream ever spoke of such a thing… Eilistraee would have warned me if something like that was to happen !
-It is happening right now, Seer. I am asking for you to let me leave and deal with this traitor.
-Nathyrra, you mustn’t do it ! In single combat with this person, your death would be almost assured, and he definitely isn’t alone by now !
-Then I’m afraid I must disobey you.
-Nathyrra !
-I always knew there was something deeply wrong with that man. Drow are cruel, true, but such behavior wasn’t supposed to be found in a human who was to save us. But his sanity was questionable the moment I met him, and the further we went together into the Underdark, the worse it was.
-Maybe he is being controlled by the Illithids ? They’re still on Valsharess’…
-He was able to withstand being attacked by an Elder Brain, and he destroyed it. We know as much for sure. He’s with them of his own violition. I am living now, Seer. Whatever darkness is consuming this man’s mind, I will free him of it… by taking his life.


-So, Ilivarra, the Seer is, ironically, inside the main temple of Lloth in the centre of the city. Yes, it is possible to approach it quickly from the Dark River, but you cannot sail on it, anyway.
- We can. While you were on one of your missions with him, I met up with Cavallas, and forced him into an alliance. He wouldn’t leave your side immediately, though.
- Pretty impressive. I’d like to know how you even KNEW about him though. But, that’s the topic for another day. The last question. In my searching of the Underdark, I met with a race of sentient golems, and they send a few of these specimens here to help me in return for me helping them with a certain issue. And there is one more person you should be careful of.
Looking at him from the side, Ilivarra asked.
- And who would that be ??
Maenaz made a sad smile before responding. Pointing his finger to a a target that was a fair distance away from them, he said :
- Her.

Nathyrra finished casting the spell, and flame rays erupted from her hands, flying toward this traitorous fucker and this whore that was walking by him. Maenaz dodged two of his and was only struck once, but the drow.
She just stood there. She took the rays head-on, and was completely unfazed.
This meant Ilivarra was leading the charge.
She was in some deep shit, but she wasn’t going to give up this easily. She could hurt Ilivarra, only it would be a bit harder. And she also had her assassin abilities to work with.
Running toward them, she unleashed a barrage of magic missiles from the Missile Storm, hoping one of them would break through Ilivarra’s magical defense. And Maenaz would surely take some damage.
Truth was, she miscalculated.

Maenaz knew what kind of attack was coming. His Foresight was still working, and even the pain couldn’t make him think less clearly… yet.
It was probably overdoing it, but it was the best way to stop the magic missiles.
His eyes shined, and a mighty blast hit the ground in the way of the magic missiles, dispersing them in just a moment. He rushed forward, and noticed that Ilivarra was just behind him.
Nathyrra was unprepared, but did well to dodge his cone of acid, jumping up. And backwards, landing on a wide rock.
- Does Seer believe you can stop me, or are you here just to try and unleash your frustrations onto me so you can die peacefully ?
- I am here to butcher you and send your cut off dick to the very same bitch that bore you into this world, Maenaz. Even if you take help from this parody of an Ilythiiri next to you.
- It seems you and Nathyrra are on good terms, rivvin. I am a bit curious about this… Is it okay if I fight her ? She was once judged as having the potential to rival Sabal.
- I believe she is already stronger than the deceased Left Hand. And I believe she is far more interesting in taking her pitiful attempt at murdering and castrating me. Go and take care of golems or commanders around here, Ilivarra. If you manage to, you can kill Seer yourself, I don’t mind. But this here…this is personal. I have to do it myself.
- Nobody dies today but you two ! Enough talking, Maenaz ! I’ll rip your fucking head off and massacre your body so much that they won’t be able to identify you even in the world of dead !
- You’re welcome to try.

Ilivarra moved away, apparently willing to let them settle matters for themselves. Nathyrra unleashed a fireball, which he partially negated with a cone of acid. The remaining power wasn’t enough to hurt him because of his strong fire resistance, but it didn’t stop her from continuing her restless attacks. Nathyrra used the power of her Drow heritage to darken the area and attempted to attack him from behind, but found that the attack was blocked. Was he so good at blind-fighting ? She pushed his sword away with one of her blades, and struck with her short sword, This time, the hit connected.
Nathyrra new he moved after being hit and was unable to discern his location, but there was a spell to deal with this, Greater Fireburst send Maenaz flying out of the zone of darkness. Nathyrra started preparing a spell she knew Maenaz would be quite vulnerable to.


The pain was seriously affecting him. It was too much. And Nathyrra was making good use of this, pretty much kicking his ass.
He decided to use his powers to summon up some additional vitality, but his foresight went overdrive just before shutting down. What the hell ?
He heard a disturbing sound.
Crackling. Electricity ?
Chain lighting. It was too late to dodge.


The spell was doing horrors to his body, and the accumulated pain almost made him pass out. But, he did finish unlocking his regenerative abilities, so he should be fine. After a moment, he got up.
-That’s disappointing, Maenaz ! She is kicking your ass, and I didn’t see anything really impressive so far !
-I told you I will fucking kill you, bastard ! Not only did you lead Valen to his death, but now, THIS ! I’ll never fucking forgive you ! I hope you are ready to take your fucking well-deserved place among the other bums in the Abyss !
-Ladies, I am afraid I am being underestimated here. I’ve been fighting with a handicap, but now… I am dead serious.
Nathyrra noticed that his wounds were regenerating. She was preparing another spell, but suddenly had to jump back because of his wall of flames.
-Enjoy your bath.
She noticed his eyes were covered by a thick, pale-green mist. But she didn’t see the pillar of green light. Meaning...
Lloth damn it !


Valsharess was getting a bit impatient, even though she had a pretty good idea of what was going on the battlefield thanks to her Arcane Eye spell, but she didn’t know everything, and observing Maenaz the whole time was purposeless since he should be doing just fine.
But when she did turn her eye to see, it seemed like instead of an easy walk against Nathyrra, a full-fledged battle was going out there. Either Nathyrra grew far more than she expected, or she miscalculated about Maenaz feeling pain because of the Geas.
Either way, she COULD expect her main servants to survive and she was DEFINITELY winning this one. So she could settle down. But she waited so long for this, that it seemed impossible to do so.
- Get me fiends down there. Now. And attack from the Dark River’s side.

Nathyrra dodged the attack miraculously. The Eldritch Doom was aimed slightly behing her, so the only sure way out would be through the flames. Rolling out of them, however, she was greeted by Maenaz, hacking and battering at her quickly put-up two blades defense. One of the hits connected, however, and just a moment after, she felt a blast from the side. Another cut hurt her more deeply, but thanks to the powerful magic of her armor and cloak, she was still able to shrug off the damage. Nathyrra cut him with a pirouette that put her right next to his body and started running forward, whispering the incantation.
It was both overdoing it and wasting a spell, partially, but Firebrand would surely hit him.
This spell was extremely effective against a large opponent or a group of enemies, but the flames of the spell were always flying away from each other. Focusing all of them on one opponent was impossible unless it was dragon-size we were talking about. But this same trait made Firebrand practically impossible to evade for a human-sized opponent.

She unleashed the spell… But miscalculated again.
Maenaz made a tremendous leap to the side, but it would still get him nowhere as the spell would connect. Before he hit the ground again, however, he sent himself airborne by firing a strong blast into the ground and pushing himself away from it.
She NEVER saw a human dodge this spell completely.
Still, she had time. She send fire rays at him again.
Maenaz struck the ground, unable to land on his feet, and rolled to the side, dodging some of the rays. Turning his palm towards Nathyrra, he fired the Beshadowed Blast, temporarily blinding her, and immediately set up a wall of flames on her. Nathyrra rushed away from it, but he followed quickly, managing to cut her slightly on the hip, and fired another blast into her body, sending her into the fortress’ wall. The pain was getting stronger, and this dark vitality filing him up wouldn’t be able to keep it at bay forever.
Meaning he had to finish it quickly.
But Nathyrra wasn’t giving up. Small stars suddenly burst with light all over her cloak, and he recognized the positive energy floating from it to her body.
Damn bitch was healing herself with the magic of her cloak.
The warlock was sure this cloak was the most magically potent element of her equipment, carrying strong enchantments, supporting her stealth, increasing her endurance slightly, and now, it seemed it could heal her as well.
- You have guts, drow girl. You’ve put up quite a fight so far, but you cannot stop me.
- I don’t care what you think. I’m going to kill you.
- Idiot. The only reason you aren’t dead yet is because I’m handicapped. The geas, Nathyrra. The geas is making it harder to kill you.
- Then why are you fighting ? You will die if you keep on doing this. Either this, or I will kill you.
- I have a mission in this world yet, Nathyrra, and supporting Seer wouldn’t help me finish it. I know how you feel. You want to avenge your fallen brethren, you want to avenge Valen…
- Damn right I do ! And you’re going down, bastard ! Enough talk !
She unleashed another Missile Storm, forcing his reflexes to work on full throttle, but it was clear she was running out of both spells and energy. Maenaz rushed forward, engaging her in melee with a simple combination – slash from the left, from the right, another one from the left, second from the right, and finished it by thrusting his sword through her block, a move she barely dodged.
- But, if you are going to do this, you must tell me one thing. Nathyrra, did you love Valen ?
She was apparently stunned at this question. She seemed to blush, but answered.
- No you idiot ! We were friends ! And I do not recognize this whole love thing yet !
- Then your situation is simple. You’ll lose… You want vengeance, but your desire for it… Is weaker than mine. Because I lost a person I loved. I would spare your life if it were just the two of us, if you gave up quicker. But since you already fucked with me, I simply WANT to kill you. I doubt Valsharess would be willing to let you go, either.
- Then die, heartless bastard !


She obviously wasn’t going to give up, but Maenaz was pretty much determined to finish this, She was being pushed back in the melee, but there was a wall behind here. With no place for her to run to, Maenaz send down another Eldritch Doom. As soon as it cleared, he leaped forward, piercing her body with Enserric. She moaned in pain and was about to fall over, but he supported her by putting his hand on her throat. It wasn’t to prolong her life, though.
-Goodbye, Nathyrra.
The Eldritch blast went through her throat straight to her head. There was no way of surviving this. Maenaz leaned over to take her cloak off her, and hid it into his magical sack. Ilivarra sat on the rock, cleaning her sword. Apparently, she had some fun fighting drow after all.
- The fight became boring as soon as you dodged Firebrand. And you took an awfully long time.
- I am under the effect of Geas. This one forces me to battle your mistress. I’m basically doing the exactly opposite thing, and Nathyrra is…was… no pushover. That’s what you get in my position. Besides, I won, so it doesn’t matter. Let’s go. We have another drow do-gooder to kill.
- Yeah. Definitely.

This battle was already lost. They attacked from too many different sides, with too many different types of enemies for them to withstand the attack. Even if Maenaz was on their side, it would be extremely hard. The moment he betrayed them the fate of this settlement was sealed.
But Seer still knew she could do something to help those who would attempt to stop Valsharess both in the Underdark and in the surface world.
Maenaz was more powerful, true, but she could attempt to kill him.
She raised from her throne, her long forgotten dark elf heritage finally cutting in.
Killing was in their very nature. She wouldn’t hesitate.

Valsharess’ eye was now just observing the entrance to the Lloth’s temple.
With both Ilivarra and Maenaz to battle her, Seer stood no chance. Valsharess knew that as a priestess she might possess some powerful magic, but firmly believed in Ilivarra’s extraordinary resistance and her newest ally’s supreme power.
The Eilistraee’s priest finally left her safe temple, and the three finally stood against each other.
- It is truly regrettable that you decided to join forces with Valsharess, Maenaz ! The only thing awaiting you now will be constant betrayal ! She’s going to make you into a slave, like all the others around her, and once you’re no longer useful, you’ll be done with !
- I wasn’t helping you out of my own free will either. I promised you I would get rid of this geas, right ? Well, killing Valsharess while under the effect of geas is precisely this – slavery. So I would never do it, you see… I dislike enslaving others, but I absolutely hate the mere thought of being a slave myself ! Not to mention, unlike helping you idiots, Sinvyl at least gave me a pretty good offer in return for my help. And you never even tried to do away with the Geas. Did you even plan to ? I don’t think so. You’re far more of a manipulative bitch than you are showing, “Seer”.
So, he was referring to her… by her given name ? Only Phaere could do that ! Pretty arrogant of him…

- Hey, rivvin, I believe we are supposed to kill her, not chit-chat all day. I’ve been waiting for this opportunity, Seer. You are supposed to be quite powerful, thanks to your “goddess”… So come on – give me your best shot !
Ilivarra rushed towards the elder elf, attempting to impale her on one of her sword’s blades. Seer dodged, and blocked the next attack with her staff.
- If this is indeed all there is to say… So be it. I hope they have a special place for you all in the Lower Planes !

Seer quickly started by increasing her agility and increasing the distance between her and Ilivarra. Maenaz attempted to finish her off quickly with a blast of acid, but he missed. The seer, on the other hand, had a pretty good idea of what to do. She cast a spell that caused him to quickly drop in body temperature, and so he recognized Hypothermia.
Finally somebody who knew better than try to fry him.
Ilivarra stroke out against the Seer, and before the priestess managed to draw back, Maenaz cut her way off with a fall of flames. In the following clash, Ilivarra had show just how much she surpasses an average Drow in terms of combat ability, slashing and piercing with unfathomable speed. After breaking through Seer’s defence with a thrust, she almost managed to chop off her hand with a pirouette, and then she cut her leg and her abdomen by twisting her sword in the air. The Seer recognized she stood little chance against two opponents, so she healed herself and started casting another spell. This time, Maenaz’s blast connected, but the priestess was quick enough to use her regeneration magic.
This would prove to be problematic.
Seer attempted to use a negative energy spell on Ilivarra, but the Right Hand’s extreme spell resistance shrugged it off.
[ I am losing. Badly. And they seem to be… totally unserious. Maenaz isn’t even using his blasts so much, and he definitely possesses other powers too. I doubt I can actually hurt Ilivarra without resorting to something drastic… So it would be better to try and finish this in two… three moves. ]

The Seer proceeded to summon a Blade Barrier, finally hurting Ilivarra and causing her to be pushed back. But it was the other spell she wanted badly to work against her drow adversary.
She summoned up the divine flames in a dreadful incantation, and she reached out to the tattooed drows’ skin.
- Elge !!
This word could have only one meaning. Drow for “Destruction”.


Valsharess grimaced as she saw her servant swallowed by the flames, apparently screaming.
- Fiend ! Wasn’t the tattoos supposed to render her almost invulnerable to magic ?
- But, great Valsharess… The Seer is on the level of a Matron Mother. And with the element of luck included, she can damage the Right Hand.
- Shut up ! If she hits again, or strikes Maenaz with such a spell, then it will all be useless !! Send *it* to them ! Now !

Ilivarra got back on her feet… well, one feet and one knee, actually. The spell might have been lethal, if she wasn’t well-prepared to deal with such magic.
Still, two more hits from this and she would definitely be finished. And that’s being optimistic.
The human spoke out.
- I did not expect you to possess such destructive magic, Seer. I believe all this talk about peace and pacifism from the believers of Eilistraee is just babbling, after all… Since when it comes to protecting your believes, you resort to the most destructive magic possible.
- Sometimes, such tools are necessary to stop the likes of Valsharess… or the likes of you.
- Maybe. But you’re dead anyway.

He raised his head, his eyes surrounded by a dark grey haze. He turned his palm towards her.
- You won’t… She’s in the range !!
- Who fucking cares.


Ground was torn apart as the powerful energy hit the ground, taking it’s toll on both Ilivarra and the priestess. The Right Hand barely got up, pondering on how this time she might have met somebody out of her league. He was able to overcome her spell resistance with sheer might, in this instance – and he claimed he had far better methods to deal with her. Still, the whole situation was annoying.
- What the hell are you doing, bastard ! Do you want to kill me ?
- You’re supposed to be immune to magic, right ? So shut up. You’re the one who remained in the range.
- If we weren’t on this battlefield, I would…

Before he managed to cut into her sentence, a dark figure rushed to him from the place just outside his blast’s range. The Seer was hurt, but not defeated. And this time it was the Harm Spell that connected. Maenaz drew away, attempting to blast her again, but he simply missed. Something was off…
-You can be killed as well, Warlock. And apparently, thanks to Nathyrra, you don’t possess regeneration like I do.
- I think I’m being misunderstood here… I…

Pain suddenly brought Maenaz to his knees. The geas was starting to scream for him to stop fighting Seer and turn on Valsharess again.
- It seems like, in the end, the Geas will be your undoing, rivvin.
- I really am being underestimated on every step.

They both cast spells of their own, only the Seer’s had an immediate visible effect. Flame Strike did not exactly help Maenaz’s condition, but his own spell did.
The barrier of blades already disappeared on it’s own, but the regeneration was suddenly cut off, as well as her additional agility.

- You’re just another idiot who apparently believes the more she buff’s herself up, the greater her advantage becomes.
- It doesn’t matter. I’m about to kill you…
She summoned the flames again, preparing another Destruction spell. Maenaz was ready to take it as she started running towards him, but suddenly, she fell, a chain twisted around her ankle.
A great dark grey figure with horns and wings was holding the other end of the chain.
Apparently, Valsharess brought a cornugon to the battlefield.
It was a good moment to finish all this.
A giant pillar of energy came down on the Seer, ending her mission once and for all… along with her life.
- Well fuck you, bitch.

In the Valsharess’ fortress…

-Open the portals !!
Valsharess smiled at first. Then grinned. Then started chuckling.
-That had me worried… But at last, all is done. My new ally is victorious, meaning I am victorious as well. Without Seer, it will all be so easy…
The fiend stood there, silent, motionless. There was no reason to spoil her momentary triumph.
-This is… perfect. Archdevil… It is time for an audience. Bring him here. Now.


Just as he was helping Ilivarra rise and beginning to talk with her, the cornugon suddenly moved, grabbing his shoulder. Then, he saw a flash of light, and was teleported to a dark, dimly lit room, with a throne, and a giant pool of something that looked like blood, surrounding a platform on which stood… Something. It moved it’s hand, and the cornugon, standing next to him just a moment ago, suddenly disappeared.
-Vendui’ ! I apologize for bringing you here so suddenly, but I couldn’t wait any longer to meet you in person, Maenaz. This is the room forbidden to most of my servants, hidden deeper in my fortress than even my own private rooms… And this is the place where we will celebrate our victory. Welcome. I’m glad you’re finally here.
Maenaz felt a shiver, and then an impulse. He was supposed to be here for one reason only…
- Oh yes, first things first. Ustan sut dos dal dosst valmuth. !
Ash she spoke those words, which were Drow, apparently meaning something along the way of releasing him from his bonds, he felt the pain, and the shitty “new-purpose” feeling suddenly gone.
She pulled herself closer to him, wrapping her arm around his.
- It must feel better now, and it is just the beginning. I promise you’ll like it on my side…
- The geas is undone. I believe this means we’re now equal allies. Though, I think we would both prefer it to be more along the lines of “I’m in charge”.
- Oh ? But, you see, I’m not afraid of your ambitions, if you would suddenly plan to overthrow me… Because of him.
They walked closer to the pool. The being standing on the platform was surprisingly humanoid, and clearly a male. Long, black hair fell on it’s shoulders, its ends turning red like blood on the back of his head. The creature was at least seven feet tall, lean but athletic, with large, green-gray wings unfurled behind it’s back being the first sign it wasn’t human after all. The next one were two slightly curved, goat-like horns jutting out of it’s forehead.
The last inhuman trait was the most disturbing.
The being’s eyes were anything but human. They had the color of molten gold and thin, vertical black irises, being very similar to those of a snake, and yet somehow more dreadful than anything one could see in a normal environment. The being’s skin was a pale white-gray color, with the exception of it’s hands from the palms to the elbows, which were covered in green scales reminiscent of snake’s as well. The fingers were pale like the rest of the body, and ended in disturbing, claw-like nails, which were black.
Maenaz did not like that being’s presence one bit. He was sickened, and he actually felt like a worse person just by being near it…
Unknown to him, but not unpredictably, the beings in this room would change his life forever.
And it would be a horrifying turn for the worse.
- Greet our guest, archdevil. I command you. Maenaz, let me introduce : Samael, an ex-lord of Baator from generations ago… And my pet archdevil.


So, his three new students were Mischa, a Paladin of Mystra, Dorna, a dwarf rogue, and Xanos…. A half-orc sorcerer…
Basically this was the craziest bunch of hero-wannabies one could imagine.
And Xanos was fated to fail.
- So… basically, Xanos dislikes Mischa, Mischa dislikes Xanos, and Dorna is making fun of the whole situation. I see. So, with whom should I begin tomorrow ?
- I’d say Xanos, and you’ll probably teach Dorna the least, but that isn’t what matters the most. I have one more matter to discuss with you, because I summoned you here not only so you could teach… but also so you could learn.
- What do you mean ?
- I learned something about you before summoning you here. Just as you unlocked a larger part of your potential as far as your main abilities are concerned, you learned you also have potential to be something else, didn’t you ?
- You’re talking about my arcane abilities ?
- Yes. You’re a sorcerer like Xanos, aren’t you ?
- I am. But I suck at it. I prefer to use my main abilities by far.
- It doesn’t matter, you won’t have to be a good sorcerer for this. Because you see, I researched something and I found some interesting details about your mother’s lineage. I believe I know how to best employ this… alternative power of yours. We’ll start soon. Oh, and one more thing. Refrain from changing their faiths… but don’t be afraid to put some wisdom into these kids’ skulls. Especially Mischa must learn what is black, what is white, and what is light gray.
- So be it. Good night, Drogan.
- Good night, Xardas.


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Well.... yeah.

Someone might have guessed it so far, with me always talking about "the Fiend" or the "Archdevil", the snake eyes shit, and so on, but basically - i got rid of Mephistofeles. The reason is I prefer his 1st edition incarnation as well as I think putting him in the story is overdoing it - a being with this magnitude of power shouldn't be used so recklessly. Samael is outside other character's scope as well, but he is currently quite a bit weaker than how I envision the Baator's "top three". I wanted to be original, too. Samael is based off a few fictional characters as well as his namesake from my thoroughly-planned-but-not-yet-started original novel (my nickname comes from there as well) and will play a large part in the story, but I'd like to learn how do you readers perceive this change - what do you think of him so far ?