The UnderTown

[Maerok]

(he's reverted back from the prior form, so Deus Mortus you can decide whatever happened with the apparent void in time)

It's been a while since Maerok has visited the Town, due to his work building a subterranean cavern system serving as a sanctuary for those seeking immunity against the forces of good and wishing to practice more deviant customs. Entry to the cavern is free but requires some investigating in order to find it. At the antechamber before the UnderTown, a several lines of brains in jars stand guard alongisde the walls. Blackguards patrol this area very intensely, along with a contingent of the undead who see the UnderTown as a most welcome habitat.

The main cavern of the system is like a deep amphitheater with 'steps' twenty feet in height. There are eleven levels of these steps and at the very center, on the lowest level, is a strange building built like a tall rectangular cube that narrows to half its length and width as you look down it. Inside is the main chamber for Maerok and an extradimensional portal to his private demiplane.

Construction of a building is without cost or license so long as the member contributes to the defense of the UnderTown as well as furthering its ideals.

Getting to the UnderTown is usually a matter of finding one of the correct manholes of the Town's streets, or a secret passageway within buildings. In the graveyard, there is a rather large mausoleum with a two-headed lion. Casting an inflict spell (or any negative energy effect) will open a passage into somewhere in the UnderTown, though it is never the same even for two consecutive uses. The sewers, between the Town and UnderTown, are also a place to find entrances into the cave. Of all these entrances, many converge into a lesser number of entrances into the actual cave.

[Deus Mortus]

Alcarath quickly flies through the levels and finds a good hiding spot in Maerok's room to see what the lich is doing.

[Maerok]

Maerok hovers in the strange room, looking down at a small scrying pool between a tall rectangular frame of stone and a bloodied altar that has various magical items placed on top of it. Inside the pool is a view of a blackened environment, illuminated by blue flames. Forty zombies labor away with picks, mining dark shining rocks from the side of a tunnel.

Similar pools radiate out from the main one, each focusing on a variety of entrances into the UnderTown. A large mirror to one wall features a view of cavern from its ceiling.

[Deus Mortus]

Alcarath quickly tries to see if there's a blind spot in the security

[Xerillum]

Xerillum walks into the the cavern, his newly regormed ruby glowing in response to the negative energy.

[Maerok]

Security is rather tight, mostly against any good creatures seeking to stow away within the UnderTown. Entrances are watched as there aren't that many, though it would be possible to drill a new one; the existing ones are narrow enough that a crowd passing through can easily be monitored and managed.

[Deus Mortus]

The fly casts detect thoughts on Maerok.

[Maerok]

The demilich's magical defenses ward off the detect spell as it continues to hover there, shifting over to a few other scrying pools before moving to the large stone frame. With a flash of red in his eyes, Maerok activates the frame, which forms a black rectangle of energy. Through this window, a dark plane stretches out in the distance.

A corrupting bleakness begins to radiate across the room as Maerok's tainted aura combines with that of this unleashed demiplane.

[Deus Mortus]

Alcarath flies closer trying to see what Maerok does.

[Maerok]

Maerok passes through the gateway into the black stretch of whatever place it is. Black sand pours from the sky in a sandstorm of bleak forms as the demilich continues on his way across an eternal floor made from black onyx and sapphires, visible through the event horizon of the portal. He stops just short of a legion of devourers and several squadrons of undead angels - planetars and solars. No sound permeates from this place. His jaws open and close as he apparently addresses his armies.

[Deus Mortus]

The fly flies through the portal and makes sure to count all the entire troop power in front of it.

[Maerok]

There are nine sets of 100-devourer battalions, each led by an undead solar angel centurion. A smaller group of the remaining angels is gathered into an elite platoon as well. All about the plane, ragged humans run around, dripping a purple slime across the ground which is quickly covered over with the rapidly falling black sand. The energy of the insidious sand burns away the hideous contagion, and the tiny grains slip into minute cracks in the black onyx where they are carried to the top of the plane to fall downwards once more. More forms mill around the place, nearly every type of undead creature and with zombies and skeletons of many common species. An elusive black dragon bone creature stalks the farthest extent of the plane.

Eight deep blue pillars are aligned in a circle, with Maerok and his troops between the fly and their arrangement. A rectangle of the previous room shines out among the blackness of this nocturnal place.

The demilich has been addressing his soldiers and the fly manages to catch some of the final parts of it. "...to build an empire for the undead! We must secure our hold against the forces that oppose us! I have granted you new life, to cure the faults of the first one. May there be eternal glory for those who march under the mantle of undeath." His legions roar out across the darkness.

[Deus Mortus]

The fly casts major image, channeling Tinderhall a few steps in front of Maerok, You know, I would've expected some structers made out of bone to some ancients gods of undeath...

[Maerok]

The demilich swings around casually, recognizing the voice. "Ah, well met. I see you are a rather crafty one... Ancient gods? No, I do not care much for those entities. My training has led me away from their power, though the thought had dawned on me. But never in this innermost sanctuary..."

[Deus Mortus]

I'm not much for gods either, now about your hideout, have you ever considered reshaping it to a fundamental spell? Oh and thanks for tomes by the way, I haven't had time to read them yet, but any addition of knowledge is a welcome one.

[Maerok]

"This demiplane is a combination of reverse engineering with the genesis spell and demilich magics. Took a few risky attempts but I accomplished it. The cavern was dug manually with an undead machine of mine."

[Deus Mortus]

Yes I see, I guess you could use this, but I highly advice incorporating a spellweave like web of unlife or circle of power within it, not doing that seems a bit, amateurish...

[Maerok]

"Yes, I suppose those would prove useful. I'll have to prepare them later on. If they are compatible with this set-up... Altering this plane requires special care given its origin."

[Deus Mortus]

Meh, give me a few minutes and the risk of some undead dropping off/getting killed and your done...

[Maerok]

"Perhaps. But I cannot trust anyone to deal with this specific demiplane. There are certain circumstances which make it very... fragile. To allow it to come to sabotage would be utter stupidity on my part. Yet I believe it is less than defenseless as it stands."

[Deus Mortus]

I guess so, but then again remember defenseless is very subjective, I would need a few minutes to reshape, but destruction always is faster, don't you agree?

[Maerok]

"Indeed. But to dwell in the mind is nothing but subjection." The demilich grins as a bluish shadow appears at his side, whispering about a guild, and disappearing.

[Deus Mortus]

Perhaps, though you might find some usefull tools when you dwell within one's mind, however enough of this chitchatter, I would like to know your exact plans.

[Maerok]

"My plans? Acquiring some allies, strong support, what have you. I fear one part has fallen through, but inspired me on a different course. Most recently, I have been acquiring followers from across the planes, as you can see here and in the UnderTown." The skeletal face ponders for a while. "Worshippers would seem a more accurate term than followers... And I'm not sure where my quest for an empire of the undead will take me. But perhaps taking the Town's graveyard for my own uses might be a start. And might I ask of your plans?"

[Deus Mortus]

Complete and ultimate power, but that might take a while, now taking over the graveyard should be easy enough, I suggest you allow me to handle this, see it as a favor for the books you brought me...

[Maerok]

"Ok then. I just don't know whether to bring it down underground, whisk the whole thing away to this place, or just leave it as it stands. I have sent an Entomber but it has failed to return."

[Deus Mortus]

Oh, you've been doing it all wrong, things like that should be done stealthy, not just raid in, that atracts unwanted attention...

[Maerok]

"How do you plan on taking the graveyard? What subtle powers do you employ?"

[Deus Mortus]

Those of a fickle good samaritan, you'll see soon enough, I have already send him on this task...

[Maerok]

"Ah... I think the execution of this plan shall prove to be more amusing than its gains..."

[Deus Mortus]

Remind to tell you about the time I destroyed an entire civilisation by a dancing curse...

[Maerok]

"Now there's style!"

[Deus Mortus]

Like I said, your undead may be powerfull, but they lack a certain flair...

[Maerok]

"Yes, they are far from perfect. But someday I will be able to fix all that and they shall rise over the living, at least enough to get some respect from all those paladin sorts. I despise them dearly... How long will it take to control the graveyard?"

[Deus Mortus]

Building has already started, Underneath there will be tunnels that can't be scryed or broken into, it should be ready soon.

[Maerok]

"I trust you've been able to flatten any inconveniences along the way. I have a black onyx mine, which shall prove useful given the sheer number of bodies interred and entombed. With the proper sort of creature, I can have the place stripped of the dead and ready for reanimation within a week. How many do you think there are? And then there is the matter of a certain spark..."

[Deus Mortus]

I have checked the cemetary, a few thousands at least and a dozen coming in every day, it's a zombie goldmine...

[Maerok]

"Most excellent... More to be freed from death. Only say the word and I shall get to work. But I think they would do better as something other than mere zombies. Certain processes can bring them back to full capacity and in some cases they even exceed their prior forms all together. Most of this is a simple matter of my will. By traditional magics would take ages."

[Deus Mortus]

Interesting, I would like to see that.

[Maerok]

"Another few thousand recruits. Ah, I must start keeping records or something, though I do not wish to relate them to something like cattle. They are devoted to the cause and myself, and for that I thank them. With my followers in the late thousands, all I would need is a spark..."

[Deus Mortus]

What kind of spark?

[Maerok]

"A spark. The Spark... A catalyst, one might say, for greater power. One requiring the assistance of tens of thousands of devoted followers..." The demilich begins to smirk again, almost grinning its head off had such an event not already happened.

[Deus Mortus]

Hmmm, tens of thousands of devoted followers and huge power, how axactly would this spark work?

[Maerok]

"I'm not sure. I've been trying to find it; it is the next step in my progression towards becoming a true lord of undeath. Demilichdom, despite the power it offers, is only another step on the way to this. I've been acquiring an empire of worshippers to aid in this process. They believe in me, and yet there has been no ascension. Thus I have come to believe that I need a Spark, some powerful ritual, or magic, or task, or what have you, that will complete the effects of their devotion, if you understand."

[Deus Mortus]

Ah yes, well there are multiple ways to go around this, you either have to kill a god and take his portfolio, ask an overgod to allow you in or complete a series of rituals, now killing a god is easy, but you want one with your kind of portfolio and those death dudes usually make short work of undeads like you, permission of an overgod, well I doubt it, but I have a few tomes on the subject of becoming a god. But if you want my advice, don't, gods are overrated...

[GuesssWho]

Scylla and Sasic wander up.
"Did you realize that there is a back entrance to here from the sewers?" Scylla asks.
Sasic giggles, looking at the brains in jars. "What in the multiverse are these for?"

[Maerok]

"Perhaps. If it becomes a dire need... But in either case, I believe that they may become a nuisance to our future endeavors in the Town. And my undead are rather susceptible to their divine influences. What I need is some kind of defense against it."

[hr]

Despite their humble appearance, the network of brains begin to probe the minds of the two intruders to determine their allegiances and intentions, sending a squadron of blackguards if needed.

[Deus Mortus]

Tinderhall grins, Then kill the worthless fools...

[Maerok]

"It's on my to-do list. But I'd rather bring them to my cause than kill them. I tried to awaken the Dark a while ago but I fear that he is weak. I've heard things about him being 'subsumed'. I even attempted an attack on the temple directly to get his attention, but one of the priests or something took out an entire division in an instant. Perhaps subtlety is the key in this, but one step at a time. I think I would stand up better against divine power than my followers."

[Deus Mortus]

What I came to understand by browsing some of the trials of the town that the dark is under control by his light side, but if the dark gains enough power the light must let him out or it will break out, you will have to feed his dark side and when it takes over you will have to give it a lot of power so it can subdue the ligth side, or atleast that would be my theory...

[GuesssWho]

Scylla examines the brains. Something twitches under her coat.
Sasic pokes the door they came through with a claw-like fingernail.

[Maerok]

"Hmm... newcomers... Anyway, I think it would be best to bide our time. We might not necessarily have to draw their attention and we could strike at our leisure if it became an issue later. I could even awaken one of my old siblings if needed, far more competent than my common followers."

[Deus Mortus]

Newcomers? Friendly or enemy?

[Maerok]

"Bumbling? I don't know. The brain network doesn't seem to be reporting anything urgent to me. Just two wanderers it would seem."

[Saurous]

Saurous appears on level 6 of the Undertown. He looks around.

This could be useful...

He looks around for signs of other living beings.

[Deus Mortus]

Either way, I would prefer not to be associated with you, nothing against you, but the less others know, the better...

[GuesssWho]

Scylla blinks and snaps out of it. "Are you talking about us?"
"Because we are a very interesting duo," Sasic adds.
{The info for these two are near the bottom of the 7th page in the characters thread, in case you want to know.}

[Deus Mortus]

Tinderhall's image fades away, though Alcarath remains vigilant to what Maerok is doing.

[Maerok]

Maerok remains in his blackened plane, looking around in the absence of Tinderhall. Black sand begins to swirl up around his skull creating a slight presence of some form beneath him. In another moment it disperses back into the still air. "Well then..." He turns to the army. "You all may continue about your business for now. If I need you, I will call." They disassemble into a jumbled tide of devourers, destined for different hollows and burrows beneath the surface of the ground, the place where the undead take residence in Dread Nirvana. He keeps eight soldiers of the angel squadron behind, giving them specific orders. "I need you eight to seek out my brother. You know which one. Awaken him with this but keep away from the rest of my siblings for now." He summons a sliver of gray crystal, which the lead angel takes. With it, she carves a rift into the air and the undead angels pass through into another plane.

Through telepathy, he orders an arrangement of Entombers on standby and calls up several retriever teams for extraplanar searchs. The retriever teams leave via planeshifting, intent on finding new recruits, either dead or already undead.

Maerok drifts over to the circle of eight deep blue pillars and begins to resume control of one of his pawns positioned in the Town.

===Later On (Edit)===
Three of the angels return back to Dread Nirvana escorting someone through the rift they had left behind. The cut in reality seals over as they reach Maerok who remains in concentration. The figure is dressed in brown robes, rather plain and unadorned but inherently of fine quality. The black sand fails to damage him, sizzling away as it falls within inches of his clothing and skin. His hair is black and his eyes shimmer with a gray tone in the blue of the gems. "When will he be awake?" The angels do not respond, only signalling him to wait until Maerok has finished. He ignores them, walking over to a portal into the UnderTown, which he enters and heads out into the upper levels of the cavern.

He comes across Scylla and Sasic.

[GuesssWho]

They look at him.
"Hello."
"Hello. Who are you?"
"And what are you?"
"And why are you here? We're here because we found a back entrance from the sewers."

[Maerok]

"Me? I'm new here. Meeting family, you know?" He casts a quick spell with a few waves of his hand and then yawns. "And who are you two?"

[GuesssWho]

"Sasic." She shimmers and is gone. In her place is a black dragon the size of a horse.
"Scylla." Tentacles appear from under her cloak.

[Maerok]

"Interesting... A dragon and something strange. I certainly haven't seen that before." He scratches at a bracelet locked around his wrist.

[GuesssWho]

"What's that?" Sasic asks, looking at the bracelet.

[Maerok]

"A mind control device, more or less. Keeps me sane for the most part. I wasn't being very good so they locked me up." He smiles with a creepy grin.

[GuesssWho]

Scylla grins back, just as creepy. "Mind control! Cool!"
Sasic nods. "Very cool indeed."

[Maerok]

"Yup. Someone around here is supposed to undo this thing, but he's busy right now."

[GuesssWho]

{I like your spoiler.}
Sasic frowns. "Can it be taken off by force, or do you need magic?"

[Deus Mortus]

An iron coin appears in front of Maerok, like the ones in the streets of town (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=33148)

[Maerok]

"Magic I guess. But for now I'll just hang around here."

[hr]

Maerok awakens from his meditation, seeing the iron coin. Thinking deeply, he bellows out "shift me".

[GuesssWho]

"You guess?" Scylla asks.
Sasic nods. "And if so, what kind of magic?"

[Deus Mortus]

He instantly shifts to Tinderhalls realm.

[Maerok]

"Well I'm no professor of magics, but I'd have to assume it was enchantment magic. It kind of smothers all the rage that had plagued me; it's rather peaceful right now." He gives a snort.

[GuesssWho]

Sasic groans. "I could've taken it off if it could be done by force. Oh, well."

[Maerok]

"I've had an eternity to try to take this thing off, but it never budged."

[GuesssWho]

"Have you tried dragon's hate yet?"
She grins and spits on the floor. It sizzles and forms a hole.

[Maerok]

"Well where was I supposed to get a dragon when they had me locked up?!?"

[GuesssWho]

"True enough." She frowns. "Do you think . . ?"
"It might hurt him, though . . ."
"Damn. Sorry."

[Maerok]

"I don't particularly feel like being spit on, no offense." He grins.

[GuesssWho]

They grin back. Sasic has very sharp teeth, while some of Scylla's are missing.

[Maerok]

"Now where are you two from?"

[GuesssWho]

"The Upperdark of the Underdark." Sasic laughs. "There was an entrance to it in a swamp."
"My father came from the Far Realm. There was a Black Portal near an elven town . . ." Scylla grins. "I still go to the Far Realm sometimes."

[Maerok]

"Ah, I see. And you two probably met under circumstances just as strange, I assume?"

[GuesssWho]

"We just kept bumping into each other around Town, and we started chatting. So here we are."

[Maerok]

"The Town? Where is that? I've just arrived here, wherever here is. This is the UnderTown, so I suppose the Town is above it?"

[GuesssWho]

"Yeah."
Scylla grins. "See you in the Far Realm!"
And the two disappear.