Hell Bend

Locales found within the main city centers; primarily Inside, Riverside, and Skyside.
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Ironsmith
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Re: Hell Bend

Post by Ironsmith »

[Big Bad Wolf]

The angels quickly get the information they're looking for... sort of.

Hell Bend has three major concentrations of demonic energy (for want of a better term; it doesn't seem to be just population, as these three places would have to be entire cities squished into singular buildings for that to be the case). One of them is in Crimp's Casino, another is in a... house of some reputation further up the street, Madame Fidelity's, and the third seems to be under the Rave Cave.

Beyond that, there are dozens of sources that are likewise too big to account for individual demons, but to a less ridiculous degree. There's one underneath the Havnaught Hotel, another in the Rave Cave, at least seven in various homes across Hell Bend, two in Madame Fidelity's again, and a smattering of others both within Hell Bend and appearing in the immediate vicinity of its "borders".

And finally, between the larger spots, there are the motes representing individual demons. They are, as Ilpholin suggested, pretty much everywhere, but most of them are concentrated along the neighborhood's main street and in various businesses (including the aforementioned hotel, casino, nightclub and brothel). The rest are scattered along back alleys and in ruined, otherwise unused buildings.
Who're you? ...Don't matter.

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And they're aaaaall dead.

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Thursday Violist
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Re: Hell Bend

Post by Thursday Violist »

[Hotel]

On the plus side, 'short conversation' lets Zophiel know it's a low priority. If something else comes up, he won't have to prioritize returning to find out things. 'being with DAMN' and the stated outfit probably are the key takeaways, with a few other potentially-but-possibly-not important informations.

Zophiel uses the wall to assist him in getting down the hallway.

He sits on the bed.

He sets the alarm to go off in a few hours, even though he has no intentions on actually sleeping.

Forgetting to do anything to ensure the door's locked, he lies down...first hour, he just lies there, letting the magic and natural biology work. Then, he sits, tracing shapes in the air and trying to think through what limited magic he knows and the mystery of...the mystery (he can't think of a better word for this right now). then a shower, then lying down more while waiting for time to pass.
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Shadowcaller
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Re: Hell Bend

Post by Shadowcaller »

[Big Bad Wolf]

As they're waiting the archangel start to take on a more conventional form. Large feathery wings forming from the bright light it's made up of. They press these golden appendages against one another and as they pull them back a large holographic projection of the city have formed, including the people in it as they're moving around. Made up from the combined vision of the other angels. It's all very bright and yellow though, hard to look at without peering.

Then two arms and from them hands form within the light that makes up the angel. Though compared the wings they're pale reflections. Translucent outlines without any real substance. Looking more unreal than the projection they're gesturing at.

"These structures house the majority of the demons." They remark while pointing out the casino, the brothel and the rave cave. As they do previous unseen details such as all the doors and windows of these buildings appear since they're the ones the angels eagle-eyed gazes are being focused on.
In comparison the other buildings look like featureless golden blocks.
"My suggestion is that you move in with your elves stealthily and start blocking all the exits to them before they figure out what's happening. Then-" There's a pause. "-if you truly believe that there's nothing but fiends in these buildings, fire would be a good tool to use. Even if they can resist heat they will be buried underneath the rubble and the smoke will render anyone with the need to breath dead as well. Otherwise I suggest you start going through the buildings one at the time while keeping the others unable to leave."
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Reinholdt
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Re: Hell Bend

Post by Reinholdt »

[Big Bad Wolf]

"If I thought there were only demons here, I wouldn't have suggested silver to distinguish who is who," Ilpholin points out. And she'd have just let Svartha go ahead with her plan. That the angels and the phyrexians both suggest similar approaches is noticeable.

"Besides, the elves have already taken position for the earlier plan and I don't have a good way to redirect them all like that right now." Small independent squads are hard to control in exchange for their flexibility. "Why don't you have three angels a piece focus on taking care of the demons here and here," Ilpholin points to the casino and rave cave. "I'll take the last hot spot. The elves will sweep the streets and hit the hotel."
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Re: Hell Bend

Post by Shadowcaller »

[Big Bad Wolf]

"Good, we had hoped that was the case. But it only seemed fair to inform you of a more effective tactic as by our estimates it seems likely that some demons will escape the purge this way." The archangel replies. "But we don't know anything about your elves either so we shall see."

Their attention is then turned to the map again as Ilpholin points out the casino and the rave cave.
"We would prefer having intelligence rather than committing everything to the attack itself. We think two of our numbers shall be committed to these locations and and simply purge the demons trying to leave until your group is done with the first building and take out the next. Then two can remain in the air and leave us updates of the demons movements around the area. They can also shoot down any fleeing demons that weren't in the main buildings."
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Ironsmith
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Re: Hell Bend

Post by Ironsmith »

Thursday Violist wrote: Jun 02, 2023 1:40 am [Hotel]

On the plus side, 'short conversation' lets Zophiel know it's a low priority. If something else comes up, he won't have to prioritize returning to find out things. 'being with DAMN' and the stated outfit probably are the key takeaways, with a few other potentially-but-possibly-not important informations.

Zophiel uses the wall to assist him in getting down the hallway.

He sits on the bed.

He sets the alarm to go off in a few hours, even though he has no intentions on actually sleeping.

Forgetting to do anything to ensure the door's locked, he lies down...first hour, he just lies there, letting the magic and natural biology work. Then, he sits, tracing shapes in the air and trying to think through what limited magic he knows and the mystery of...the mystery (he can't think of a better word for this right now). then a shower, then lying down more while waiting for time to pass.
[Hotel]

The bed, it turns out, is far more comfortable than it looks. In fact, when Zophiel goes to lay down, even if it's with the intention of getting back up again in a few moments, he's going to find that just touching the blanket seems to steady the room, as well as replace the flushed numbness with a sort of homely warmth. He won't recover any faster, but he'll at least be able to do so with the benefit of a clear head.

If he does nothing else, his alarm will eventually go off. This late in the evening, the hotel isn't going to be taking on any more guests. If Zophiel wants to follow through and talk to Tiff, that's an option.

Then again, she's not the only person here. That Petty lady might also know something.

Or he could risk breaking the rules and see about the other guests in the other rooms.
Who're you? ...Don't matter.

Want some rye? Course ya do!

Here's to us!
Who's like us?
Damn few,
And they're aaaaall dead.
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Reinholdt
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Re: Hell Bend

Post by Reinholdt »

[Big Bad Wolf]

So instead of committing too much to the attack, they want to play defense? Ilpholin frowns. "I honestly do not believe we have the manpower to make this a clean sweep like you desire, unless you have some way to call more angels here. And I cannot guarantee the demons don't have ways of their own to conjure reinforcements while they're safely huddled in the buildings."

Ilpholin runs her hand through her hair. "But if this is the tactic you're comfortable with, we'll try it your way. I'd rather play to your strengths. Are you ready?"
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Shadowcaller
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Re: Hell Bend

Post by Shadowcaller »

[Big Bad Wolf]

"Calling in more forces here would cause us to run into all sort of bureaucratic problems so we should do what we can with what we have. This is outside our field of expertise so we're approaching this with more caution than we ordinarily would and we believe this to be warranted. However, if our objective isn't attempting a complete purge we could commit four angels to one of the buildings and have our two scouts occasionally shoot down demons attempting to leave the third one as they fly past it. That way we can take out two of the buildings faster before combining our forces against the third one." The archangel suggests as a compromise.

"But whichever one of those you prefer, we are indeed ready."
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Reinholdt
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Re: Hell Bend

Post by Reinholdt »

[Big Bad Wolf]

"That's... understandable." These definitely weren't even close to the same angels that helped get the Pith. So looking at it from that angle, they've really been thrust into an unknown situation. Ilpholin would err on the side of caution as well.

"Let's do that then. We'll leave the center building for last and converge on it from three sides." The Rave Cave will just have to wait. Plus any demons fleeing from this one has the furthest to go to escape so it makes sense.

Ilpholin turns to step outside. "I'll go take care of my end." She pulls a small cube out of her duffelbag and tosses it to the ground, the piece of tech expanding to a sleek, futuristic hovercycle. The nymph shoves the bag into some back compartment, squishing it down just barely before hopping on, extensions of hair plugging into the cycle's front console and causing it to roar to life with an ominous purple glow. She nods one last time to the angel and lets it add anything else it might need to before Ilpholin drives off towards Madame Fidelity's House of Delight.

Along the way, the elves receive a text.
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Morty
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Re: Hell Bend

Post by Morty »

[The Streets]

On Ilpholin's signal, the elves strike. They attack any demons in the streets without warning, staying on the move and using any available cover to keep their targets uncertain as to just how many of them there are. They will focus on targets that seem to offer the most opportunity for sowing panic and mayhem, staying clear if they suspect heavy resistance. They also enter buildings, barging and killing who they can before retreating.

Some of the elves use hand to hand weapons, some have bows, crossbows, darts or javelins and others use a form of elemental magic. It seems to focus on summoning and commanding minor elementals and is more indirect, but no less deadly. They focus on disrupting the demons and making them easier targets. All the elves will throw containers of holy water into larger groups of demons and those with missiles will dip them into holy water.

A group of three elves is headed towards the Havnaught Hotel, striking at demons along the way but not staying to fight.
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Re: Hell Bend

Post by Ironsmith »

[Rushing In]

[Crimp's Casino]

(Pending approach details)


[Havnaught Hotel]

As the elves make their way up the streets, they do indeed succeed in starting a panic. Indiscriminate slaughter is good for that. While the demons have the elves outnumbered many times over, in the confusion and amidst being sprayed with holy water, there's not a sustained front of resistance.

However, going into the buildings proves to be a mistake. There, the panic works against them, as they now have to contend with cornered, desperate demons with nothing to lose, as well as the blind spots and hiding places that come with entering an enclosed space like that. Even if they're well-protected against thrown bricks and kitchen knives, this will add up to a small number of casualties.

Nevertheless, it seems to be effective. After the initial series of buildings being sites for ambushes and counter-skirmishes, the subsequent places appear to be empty.

The elves converging on the Havnaught Hotel will find that the doors have been flung wide open, and a short-haired succubus in a bellhop uniform is frantically waving fleeing demons inside... not the entire crowd by any means, but more than a few stragglers. She watches wide-eyed as the elves approach, but waits until the very last minute before slamming the doors shut...

At which point a shimmering blue barrier appears around the building, hugging its walls and denying the elves entry.


[Madame Fidelity's House of Delight]

Word of the attack hasn't spread to Madame Fidelity's before Ilpholin arrives. The building is surprisingly opulent for the neighborhood, being not only intact but decorated with various nude statues in provocative poses. Or at least they appear to be statues; one of them slips Ilpholin a wink as she walks past, revealing himself to be an incubus covered in very convincing body paint. The building itself appears to lack proper doors; instead, each ingress is covered in a series of thin silk curtains, which seem to dance with the silohuettes of unseen figures corporeally inviting her in... and also into the building.

The main entryway smells of cheap cologne and is mostly dominated by a felt-covered desk, at which sits a bored-looking succubus who gives Ilpholin a weary look as she steps in. With a groan, she picks up a phone next to her and taps a few buttons. "Madame. Your three o'clock is here. Xar'cha, party of one."
Who're you? ...Don't matter.

Want some rye? Course ya do!

Here's to us!
Who's like us?
Damn few,
And they're aaaaall dead.
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Reinholdt
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Re: Hell Bend

Post by Reinholdt »

[Madame Fidelity's House of Delight]

Ilpholin hops off her bike which folds nicely into a cube she once more tucks away before making the final approach on foot. The winking incubus is the first to get axed, the purple battleaxe swinging to remove his head cleanly and efficiently before the nymph moves on to the next 'statue' and the next. Any statues she already passed before that point are ignored and left to thank whatever fate possessed them to be in the order they happened to be in.

The nymph makes it inside with one hand an axe dripping blood or stone or both and quirks an eyebrow at the receptionist for a moment. "Tell her I'll be running late," Ilpholin says while her other hand juts forward as a spear to drill through the receptionist's heart. "Oh. Nevermind. She'll figure it out."

After all, Ilpholin fully intends to eviscerate, behead, or perforate every demon in this building between her and Madame Fidelity. Time to methodically advance, break into rooms, and ruin any fantasies demons might have at staying alive.
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Ironsmith
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Re: Hell Bend

Post by Ironsmith »

[Madame Fidelity's House of Delight]

The winking incubus's expression turns distressed as Ilpholin cuts through him, quickly revealing that the "statue" is very much flesh and blood, aside from a very thin layer of paint on the skin. She also might note that the resulting corpse remains frozen in place even as the head rolls across the ground... and that none of the other statues, behind or ahead of her, move to evade her battle-axe.

Not for want of trying, mind. The statue-demons twitch and grunt in distress as she approaches, but apparently can't manage to move more than that.

The secretary, for her part, has a remarkably nonplussed reaction to being decarticated. She simply looks down at the spear sticking out of her chest and sighs (in as much as she can). "...Really?" She mutters, before plopping forward onto the desk, facefirst.

...

Fortunately for Ilpholin, or perhaps unfortunately, as it precludes a slaughter, the very next room she enters is a small office with an antique desk, at which sits a woman in a sideless red dress... provocative though it may be, that is likely not to be what Ilpholin notices first. Her attention will likely be drawn to the woman's eyes, or rather, her gaze... the look of kindness in those familiar brown eyes has no business being in a place like this.

Assuming Ilpholin's attention isn't instead drawn to the diagonal scar across her neck.

"...Hey, Ilphy." The woman greets with a smile. "I've missed you."
Who're you? ...Don't matter.

Want some rye? Course ya do!

Here's to us!
Who's like us?
Damn few,
And they're aaaaall dead.
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Re: Hell Bend

Post by Shadowcaller »

[Crimp's Casino]

Four figures of light descend down towards the casino and as they reach the ground they take forms that Ilpholin would be more familiar with. Vaguely humanoid figures clad completely in silver. Each one dominated by what appears like sun dogs which has taken the shape of wings that are somehow attached to their bodies.
Unlike the elves or Ilpholin they don't rush in. Instead they place themselves outside each entrance to the casino where they proceed to spread their wings of light which start to produce wisps of light that move into the casino through whatever crevice they can find.
While they cannot move through walls they seem to be able to move through any-see through material such as window panes and can squeeze through any gap in the boards which have been placed over them.

Inside they will no doubt be immediately noticed as they appear like bright orbs with fainter halo's of lightbright orbs with fainter halo's of light surrounding them. The orb is roughly the size of a persons head with the halo surrounding it extending about four feet outwards.
Though in the darkness of the casino the orbs appear more solid and anyone not completely blinded by them might notice that inside the orb there's yet another one. Making them appear almost like eyes with the core acting as the pupil.

If any of the demons decide to leave the casino through any of the entrances at this point they will be cut down or impaled by silver weapons.
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Reinholdt
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Re: Hell Bend

Post by Reinholdt »

[Madame Fidelity's House of Delight]

Hopefully the secretary at least had her coffee this morning.

Ilpholin's aggressive entry into the office is cut short, everything freezing up. A tightness in her chest suggests she's stopped breathing, but she doesn't bother to rectify it. Her axe shakes and her thoughts whirl as the nymph takes a step back.

Only when her thoughts reboot does the tenseness in her body release. The foot that pulled away steps forward once more with conviction. Ilpholin's eyes squeeze shut to block out the image as she focuses on her other senses, prepared for the knife to her back. When she speaks the tremble in her voice comes from barely contained rage. "Get out of my head demon."

The phyrexian's nanites are already moving, closing around Ilpholin's brain like an internal helmet to shield it from psychic intrusions and influences, much like she did the day she fought Sapphira. That the demons knew about Darcy wasn't a surprise. That they knew about how Darcy died... that was... they shouldn't. It's impossible. Only Squiggles knew and he hated the demons just as much as she did. Perhaps this was one of those deepest desire illusions where the demon doesn't actually know what they've tapped into. Either way... that wasn't Darcy. She had been cremated and sent to Valhalla, where their differing faiths ensured Ilpholin would never meet her again. Not that she could ever face Darcy even if she could.

Much how Ilpholin couldn't even now. She just has to do it. Strike the blow and make it quick. Shut this petty demon up for daring, daring to use Ilphy on her. Just has to...
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Re: Hell Bend

Post by Ironsmith »

[Crimp's Casino]

Inside the casino, it seems to be business as usual. The downstairs area is, predictably, full of demons going about their gambling, the card-dealing and roulette spinning only coming to a momentary halt as the orbs appear and drift through the casino. A few of the demons look fascinated by their presence. A few more look vaguely disturbed, some primal warning urging them to leave. But most of them seem to care less. The Nexus gets all types. Glowy ball guys probably had vices, too.


[Madame Fidelity's House of Delight]

"Ilphy, I'm not in your..."

The woman takes a deep breath and sighs. "...You don't think it's me, do you?" She asks quietly, barely raising her voice above a hoarse whisper. "You're thinking this can't be real. You won't even acknowledge the possibility. I'm... I'm supposed to be dead."

"...If it helps, I am."

Ilpholin will hear the sound of her chair scooting back, followed by slow, hesitant footfalls in Ilpholin's direction. "I... I couldn't stand to leave things between us the way they were." She continues, her voice shaking. "I couldn't enjoy anything about Valhalla knowing that you were in so much pain when I died. I couldn't get your voice out of my head." She sniffs. "I heard every word. You telling me how you didn't mean it. How sorry you were. How you needed me. And I just... I couldn't. I couldn't leave you like that."

The woman stops short of Ilpholin. "To see you again, I would have to leave Valhalla. They don't have a way for you to do that up there. Nobody's supposed to just leave. Not on their own, at least. But my body was gone and there was no chance of anyone bringing me back."

"Not before I met her. Libidine." The woman continues, voice shaking. "She offered to bring me back here. To let me see you again one last time. To put things right. She said she was moved by my plight and wouldn't ask anything more of me than what was needed to complete the ritual."

"...I wasn't thinking. I should have known she was lying. You can't trust a Devil. But I didn't see the trap until it was too late." Her voice drops still further, muted by the lump in her throat. "I let her in. Right past the rainbow bridge. We fought her demons as hard and as long as we could, but there was no closing the gate. I'd doomed us all."

"...So if you want to kill me again, I understand. I deserve it. I did something terrible. But please, please..." The woman begs through choked sobs. "Please don't let it have all been for nothing."
Who're you? ...Don't matter.

Want some rye? Course ya do!

Here's to us!
Who's like us?
Damn few,
And they're aaaaall dead.
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Shadowcaller
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Re: Hell Bend

Post by Shadowcaller »

[Crimp's Casino]

The 'eyes' do only seem curious at first. Seemingly moving around while studying the patrons and the games they engage with. It's impossible to see if they're turning around as the beings is always facing the viewer regardless of what angle they're seeing it from.

But after having just surveyed the casino for a moment they all explode in dangerously bright flashes of light. More powerful than a flashbang but without the disorienting noise having a high potential to cause permanent eye-damage. Eyelids doing little to block out these blasts of pure illumination that suddenly go off all over the casino.

Moments after the halo-orbs explode the front door will be slammed open and what seems like an army of glowing winged figures rush into the building. Most of them are mere mirror images but as they all glow equally brightly just looking at them will be disorienting for those patrons that can still see. But those that are more solid will effectively start to cut down any demon they come across with weapons of pure silver.

The only expectations being those that don't fill Ilpholin's criteria of 'demon'.

[Hell's Bent]

The halo-eyes appear all over the district now. Not nearly in the sheer numbers that descended upon the casino (a dozen in total) but more spread out and content with simply staring at people from afar.
Most of these eyes seem can be found near the rave cave. Those attempting to leave said building potentially finding themselves being impaled by a huge silver bolt.
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Re: Hell Bend

Post by Reinholdt »

[Madame Fidelity's House of Delight]

Ilpholin had long prepared for the possibility that demons would take Darcy's image to use against her. But for the life of her, she couldn't remember the procedures she had planned. It involved raising her axe up and... and...

Having it lower again, shifting back to simple hands. This was a possibility too right? That Darcy had truly come back. She never could let anything go. Never could let Ilpholin go. Her steps the same. Her voice... identical, even the way it softened. And the things Darcy knew. The impossible things she knew that she'd have to have been there. If anyone would drag themselves out of Valhalla just to let someone as dumb and unworthy as Ilpholin know it was alright, it was Darcy.

Ilphy's eyes slowly open, staring at the women she cared most for. Cares most for. Hurt the most. Out of all her regrets - Cessie, Wenomir, Nadas, KR, Magtok, Becky, Adir, Squiggles - Here she was. Sporting the injuries Ilphy gave her in all their uncouth glory. Ilphy's own throat throbs with an understanding of just how much it hurt. Not nearly as much as the stupid fight they had because Ilphy couldn't just... wouldn't just...

Darcy...

"Darcy... Oh Darcy... I love you," Ilphy says, her lip quivering as her hand reaches up. Surprisingly silky fingertips softly caresses Darcy's cheek. Feeling the heat, the realness of her flesh. No amount of blinking stops the watery tears from obscuring her vision, from staining her cheek as choked gasps escape the nymph's throat.

With her other hand, Ilpholin attempts to drives a shifted sword up under the woman's ribcage and through her heart. Ilpholin's gentle caresses sharpen to a clutch as her gaze hardens. "But you. You spit on her grave," Ilpholin snarls. "She would never cut a deal with demons. And she wouldn't know what a Devil is." For years it just been the fight against Demons. Devil was new. It suggested an understanding of the new cosmology from after her time. Of the hierarchy behind it. Of respecting it. Never things Darcy cared about before.

Still, if a body begins to drop, Ilpholin can't help but to catch it, lowering it to the floor instead. The nymph's hair begins to writhe behind her, growing as if feeding on the palpable rage emanating from the shaking Phyrexian. The world around her seems to lose color, but that's incorrect. It's more accurate to say she gains a sharpness, that the darkness surrounding her is just so much more vivid than everything else in the room. And the contrast is only growing.
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Re: Hell Bend

Post by Ironsmith »

[Crimp's Casino]

The casino's floor fills with the sounds of confused, panicked screaming as the angels attack. While the number of casualties from the angels themselves are quite small (there are, after all, only four of them in reality), panic leads to trampling and reckless flight, meaning a few demons end up being responsible for their own demise. The waitstaff quickly flee up the stairs, shouting out a warning to the patrons and staff there.

Nevertheless, the room empties surprisingly quickly, ending with maybe two dozen corpses in various stages of disassembly scattered across the floor and tables. The angels will be able to tell from the silver in their weapons that there is still a large demonic presence in this building... in the same room as them, even. Where and how is less clear.


[Madame Fidelity's House of Delight]

Ilpholin's probably stabbed enough people through the heart to know what to expect. The sudden, involuntary grunt as the impact drives the air from her victim's lungs. The veritable deluge of hot blood pouring from the fresh wound. The rapid paling and cooling of the victim's skin. It's probably easier to manage if she doesn't think of the victim as Darcy. Nothing but an impostor, right?

Then come the secondary signs. Ragged, rapid breathing, or at least a clear attempt at it; the path her blade took through the woman's body goes through her diaphragm, meaning she isn't going to be breathing at all, even as her chest heaves with the effort. Blood continues to spurt out in waves, in time with her quickened pulse, her body's instinct to keep it circulating only serving to kill her faster.

In a matter of seconds, Darcy will be dead again. And rather appropriately, her blood is on Ilpholin's hands.

...

Or at least she should be.

The woman falls forward when Ilpholin runs her through, arms already wrapped around the nymph for an embrace as their reunion and remaining there as she desperately clings to both Ilpholin and life itself. She presses against her as her legs quickly lose functionality, quickly becoming almost literal dead weight... but holding on just the same. Her grip loosens significantly by the time Ilpholin gets her to the floor, to the point where she can be slid off easily.

And yet she's not dead. She can only look up at Ilpholin and mouth words without sound, robbed of her ability to breathe and therefore speak, but she's still moving, still silently gasping for air that's never going to come, even though she should be still by now.

"Oh, come now, miss Xar'cha, do be fair about this."

The voice seems to come from behind her, and if Ilpholin cares to look, she'll find herself staring at a certifiable giantess of a woman; she's at least twice the Phyrexian's height, clad in an identical sideless red dress, with charcoal-black skin, white hair, and pointed ears, the sort of features that would mark her as a drow if she weren't so obviously not. A pair of massive, batlike wings drape from her shoulders, and a thick, spade-tipped tail runs along the floor behind her, like a snake with its head trapped under her dress. A pair of curled horns grow from her forehead, curled back to follow the contour of her head. She has a half-empty wine glass in one hand, which she swirls idly, stirring the familiar red liquid inside.

"Poor Darcy had plenty of time to learn what a Devil is. And really, does the name sound like something you can trust?" The massive fiend taunts, taking a sip from her glass.

"Fuck off, Libby. That was a clear loss for you. She could choose her girlfriend or her hate of demons. She picked the latter." The new voice comes from the giantess as well, but there's a distinctly different timbre to it; someone else is speaking.

"Gotta go with Dolly on this one. Yeah, she picked dumbly, but she still picked. It's pretty clear what her priorities are." Another new voice, same larynx. In another context that might be considered impressive.

"Oh, please. Don't start getting lazy and greedy now. The Innys might take offense at you moving in on their turf." The giantess scolds. "How about we give her an opportunity to change her mind? We know mortals do that quite often, now, don't we?"
Who're you? ...Don't matter.

Want some rye? Course ya do!

Here's to us!
Who's like us?
Damn few,
And they're aaaaall dead.
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Morty
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Re: Hell Bend

Post by Morty »

[Rushing In]

The elves are canny and experienced fighters, but urban warfare isn't their area of expertise. They're pushed back by the fierce resistance indoors and decide to avoid chasing demons into buildings from then on, after three of them are badly wounded. They focus on steering the panicked inhabitants away from buildings where possible.

Haabeth, an elven woman wearing a breastplate and hefting a large axe, is the first of the elves to arrive at the hotel when the barrier comes up. She has only moments to react, but it looks like sorcery to her and she was trained in dealing with sorcery. Steeling her thoughts and her body, muttering something under her breath, she makes a powerful leap towards one of the ground floor windows, smashing through both it and the barrier with all her weight. She narrowly escapes possibly having her legs sliced off as the protective field solidifies.

Thus the elves do have someone inside. She will send a quick text to Ilpholin:
made it inside. barrier is up, no one else enters

haabeth
She's not very practiced with phones but she's learning quickly.
Ironsmith
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Re: Hell Bend

Post by Ironsmith »

[Havnaught Hotel]

"...D'ya mind?!"

While standing amidst the broken glass and updating her colleagues on the situation in the hotel, Haabeth would be forgiven for not, at first, noticing that the room she's crashed into isn't vacant. There are, in fact, two other people in here; a pair of incubi, neither of whom seem to be wearing any clothing, though Haabeth can't exactly just lift the sheet and check.

Well, she could. But if the incubi are indignant now, they'd probably be even more so if she made the attempt.

Not that it matters; the one on the left looks down at the battle-axe on her hand, then up at the broken window, and comes to the ready conclusion. With a cry of alarm, he hurls the blanket at Haabeth, intending to momentarily blind her.

After which both of them disappear without a trace.
Who're you? ...Don't matter.

Want some rye? Course ya do!

Here's to us!
Who's like us?
Damn few,
And they're aaaaall dead.
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Shadowcaller
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Re: Hell Bend

Post by Shadowcaller »

[Crimp's Casino]

The angels are more than just their weapons as those demons that end up running into their radiant wings will find out. Since they will be instantly be exposed to potentially lethal levels of ultraviolet light. Causing horrible sunburns all over their bodies unless they're wearing clothes or armor covered in something strongly reflective such as silver.

The angels regroup in the main room and creature another wave of halo-eyes which spread out through the casino in search for survivors.
One of the scouting angels outside keep an eye on people potentially escaping through windows or the room while the four inside the casino consider their options.

The one with the massive wings, the archangel, will scan the room for any sort of presence that standard vision would miss. Since if all their eye-symbology didn't already make it obvious, these angels are rather good at seeing things. The eyes on their wings aiding them in this endeavor while the halos are scouting out the rest of the building.
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Ironsmith
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Re: Hell Bend

Post by Ironsmith »

[Crimp's Casino]

A look around with Infravision (Extravision, Truesight, whatever) will quickly explain how it was the demons managed to so quickly flee the building without going by the angels at the doors.

They didn't.

In fact, the overwhelming majority of them are still in this room, hiding huddled in the corners, their wings pulled around them tightly, projecting an illusion of nothing there. Despite the cramped quarters in the corners, none of them dare to move or make a sound, and all eyes are on the angels themselves.

But fortunately for them, there are a couple of other things the angels might find more distracting. The floor below them is, under the scrutiny of True ExtraInfraSight, barely obscuring a much more valueable target, an object that radiates darkness to their magical sight, filling the room below with a light-swallowing abyss.

A hellgate. Right below their feet.

And above them? Another object, the larger of the two major energy centers found in their preliminary scouting. Something much bigger, much more powerful, and much worse in every respect.

Come. I'm waiting for you.
Who're you? ...Don't matter.

Want some rye? Course ya do!

Here's to us!
Who's like us?
Damn few,
And they're aaaaall dead.
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Shadowcaller
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Re: Hell Bend

Post by Shadowcaller »

[Crimp's Casino]

As the archangel observes all of this they take a moment to take it all in.
They weren't sure what a 'hellgate' was but it's connection to the demons and that it was concerning was pretty clear.
But perhaps not as much as the entity above them.

A silent decision is made a moment after all this information has been taken in and all the angels except the archangel will attempt to retreat from the casino until they can confirm just what all of this was. Though the demons are unlikely to notice the angels retreat as their light-projected doppelgangers remained behind.

The archangel will retreat back but just a bit and extend their senses towards the gate and the entity above to get a better idea of what they were.
Since while these angels lacked a sense to detect unmarked demons they could detect spiritual entities and this seemed to fall into that category rather than these physical mortal-like demons.

At the same time they will send Ilpholin a telepathic message. We've encountered a gate and a unknown powerful entity inside the casino. It claims it has been waiting for us.

We have no words for you. The angel sends to the entity at the same time, normally they wouldn't give it any words but perhaps this could buy them a moment.
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Re: Hell Bend

Post by Reinholdt »

[Crimp's Casino]

Unfortunately, Ilpholin just activated her psychic blocker a few posts ago, so the angels will know when the message bounces that's being actively prevented.

[Just West of Hell's Bend]

Ilpholin might be distracted at the moment, but she's not the only one who gets the text. After a moment, Mecha-Squiggles rotates, chittering lightly for the elves to step back. Braces on his leg extend and clamp down into the ground, anchoring his body. A barrel extends above him, angled upwards. A hiss of steam releases before the sudden, deep KATHUNK that occurs, vibrating the mecha-spider tank.

Over at the Havnaught hotel, a thick silver mortar shell falls upon the barrier, apparently self correcting as it's accuracy is quite good. The silver payload will test the strength of this barrier with the element most known for disrupting demonic forces.

[Madame Fidelity's House of Delight]

The giantess is only made to seem all the taller as Ilpholin stays knelt, practically prostrated before the great and mighty devil. This doesn't affect the way Ilpholin only seems to be getting brighter than the world around her. "There's also the matter of your idiotic timing," Ilpholin growls. A Darcy that escaped Valhalla approaching Ilpholin's house on her own instead of sitting behind a desk (a Desk!) waiting for Ilpholin in a House of Pleasures would be much more believable.

"But more than that, I trust Darcy. She would never cut a deal to affect the soul's journey in a million years. I know Darcy. This kind of injury?" Ilpholin motions to the woman who is barely hanging on from death, eyes failing to make contact with her. "Wouldn't even phase her. You clearly don't know anything about Darcy!"

"So... I'll show you," Ilpholin says in a trembling, high pitched voice. Her hair crashes into the ground, digging into it with remarkable ease, causing cracks to spiderweb from their entry point. Only for an instant, but nothing else seems to happen. It's rather anti-climatic really. "I'll show you something she taught me. Then you'll understand."
► SHOW SPOILER
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Shadowcaller
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Re: Hell Bend

Post by Shadowcaller »

Observing the Carnage

The happenings in hell's bend hasn't gone unnoticed as a redheaded teenage girl can be seen sitting on a rooftop dangling her feet in the air smiling to herself. In the guttering of the building near the girl strange noises can be heard as they're filled to the brim with an army of strange white insects.

The girl shouldn't be able to see much of what's going on from here yet she still seems to be enjoying just being near the events as they unfold.

But she and the insects are in turn being observed by an unusual amount of pigeons that has settled down on a nearby rooftop. The one watching through their eyes seeing much more than a girl and her unusual pets however. There were at least four yokai here feed off the events as they unfolded...
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Ironsmith
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Re: Hell Bend

Post by Ironsmith »

[Havnaught Hotel]

The mortar shell does, of course, land a direct hit on the building-sized target. It would be pretty difficult to miss, even if the mortar wasn't self-guiding.

However, it seems as though the effectiveness of it as a weapon is... lacking. The mortar shell delivers its payload, but the barrier seems wholly unaffected by the impact, explosion, or aftermath.

Haabeth, it seems, was right. Nothing is getting in.


[Crimp's Casino]

A closer examination of the hellgate reveals it to be exactly what the name implies: a disk-shaped hole in reality, through which the pitch blackness of the Lethean Abyss can be seen, and vice versa. It's stoppered up for now- nothing on either side can get to the other- but that could change at a moment's notice.

The entity upstairs, meanwhile, defies description. It's there, but also... not. Its presence can be felt not only in the building, but all over Hell Bend and possibly beyond. But that ominous sense itself seems... strangely normal. Perhaps it's blending into something in the cosmic background? ...Regardless, whatever it has waiting for the archangel upstairs, it's not it. It's perhaps the equivalent of a hand puppet, which itself seems to be the source of the energy the archangel picked up.


[Madame Fidelity's House of Delight]

"...A stab through the heart wouldn't faze her." The giantess echoes skeptically, raising an eyebrow. "...Well. If you insist on making excuses and refusing to accept the situation, we can move on."

"I told you. This woman has long since lost any semblance of compassion. All she has left is the lie."

"She's a nymph, you really can't fault me for trying." The giantess frowns. "...But is seems as though, for once, you're right."

"Aren't you going to do something about...?"

"Of course not. Let her throw her little tantrum. I, for one, am curious to see what she does."

If Ilpholin can feel anything through her hair, she might realize something is amiss. The floorboards her locks smash through break away exactly as she would expect, but underneath, the materials are much more fragile... and cold. Incredibly cold. As though she had just shoved her hand into a bucket of ice.

Her stabbing victim, meanwhile, continues to lay there on the floor, silently mouthing up at Ilpholin. She's stopped bleeding; there's nothing left in her body, and yet she's still awake and (kind of) moving. It's difficult to tell what she's saying, but if Ilpholin looks, she might be able to make out "stop", "please" and her own name. But not much more than that.
Who're you? ...Don't matter.

Want some rye? Course ya do!

Here's to us!
Who's like us?
Damn few,
And they're aaaaall dead.
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Shadowcaller
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Re: Hell Bend

Post by Shadowcaller »

[Crimp's Casino]

Interesting.

Thee archangel is going to perform a little experiment as it suddenly extends its wings almost like tentacles.
Each one is going to attempt to grab one demon and then chug one of them into the abyss and the other one into the entities domain, just to see what happens.

Chances are that they're just going to be slammed into the floor/ceiling but it was worth testing regardless.

[Madame Fidelity's House of Delight]

Meanwhile, as Ilpholin isn't answering one of the retreating angels are going to seek her out to deliver potentially crucial information. She will locate the building she's in and move to find her. Which is bound to happen at the end of her next post.
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Re: Hell Bend

Post by Morty »

[Havnaught Hotel]

Haabeth wasn't expecting naked incubi (proving perhaps that she still has much to learn about demons) or being attacked with a blanket. She stifles an indignant yell as she surges forward and swings her axe around with one hand, hoping to hit the demons, even as she pulls the blanket away with the other.
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Re: Hell Bend

Post by Arkhosia »

[Havnaught Hotel]

"Fuck." Blanche bursts from her room. using the side of the doorframe to swing herself around and run down the hallway. Things were finally starting to get bloody, just like she'd known they would. It hadn't stopped her from being caught unawares - she'd only been able to rush to her window by the time the attackers began to approach, maybe hastily fire a shot or two in an attempt to save any stragglers with the elves hot on their heels. But once the barrier was up, there wasn't much to be done from there.

A slim black SMG rattles against Blanche's side as she hurries down the stairs, one hand on her railing and the other on the pistol at her side. She only pauses to throw herself against the wall when something splits above the building with a deafening crack, then breathe once more when nothing around her trembles or collapses from an impact. Was that a damn mortar? Fuck, things really were breaking out.

"Wenomir - this is Blanche. Things are starting to get bloody down here, working to establish a sitrep." Lowering her communicator, the catgirl moves next to the lobby, hoping to find Tiff and speak with anyone taking shelter in the establishment.
"Are we living a life that is safe from harm? Of course not, we never are. But that's not the right question. The question is: are we living a life that is worth the harm?"
~Welcome to Night Vale
SliiArhem wrote:Arkh I may be slightly delirious but I don't think that would make sense even if I was coherent.
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