Summoned!

[Pervy]

I've tried tracking down the witches boss but.. now that I think back on it, she seemed almost..evasive. But anyway, I'm not afraid of remembering my own faith, I'm afraid of not remembering anything...
She glanced to the side.
"I forgot the importance of contraception." Love had heard this, and a thousand more teases. She then folded her hands, pondering about money-making schemes.

"All we'd need it to make it look like we have the ability to pay them back.. and ensure we win the bet. I'd have on risky idea already, the old... pull a weapon out of a stone, seemes I found a weapon that hurts all true fiends, but not me. I'm sure you came up with a lewd aternative.. perhaps we could offer me.. as enticement..." She sighed, stepping over to Love and hugging her softly.

"Thanks for bearing with me by the way. Let's get myself fully restored and then... " She shrugsmiled. "Feel like I can handle hell easier after that."

 

[Aenon]

"You had fun on your own? Naughty girl..." she giggled "It is fine, I understand...we all have our ups and downs. But hey, after we get out of here, who will be able to stop you?"

"Now, tell me about that sword and stone you speak of..." she inquired.

~~~

"Interesting weapon...yes, you aren't fully a devil, it was the best I could do." she mused "However, I am not sure if we can use it in this situation...let me explain."

"The mercenaries all belong to different mercenary companies. It is better to think them as small armies, rather than guilds, despite the name however. Those companies have people who arrange their logistics etc here, while they fight at the front lines. However, every now and then, they are not needed to fight, so they can return back here to rest, and waste their time and gold."

"This is what is going on right now...as we saw when we arrived, the demons have been pushed back, so now they are resting. They have just been paid, and they are looking to spend their coin...that's where we come in."

"I am afraid that your weapon will only work on fiends, not on them...and by the way, keep this weapon hidden, it feels....terrible...I am sure others will be able to tell too, if they see it."

"I had two ideas...the first was to literally playour bodies in the cards. I am sure I can win any game not luck related...however we will need to lose some times on purpose. to avoid drawing attention."

"The second idea...will surely draw attention...but I guess you will like it more. We could organize a fighting tournament...everyone who participates has to pay a high fee, and winner takes it all. However there are two problems. For this we will need some solid fake identities...and some cash for you to participate. We have neither...as you guess, I know someone who can offer them, but I don't know what they will ask as payment..."

 

[Pervy]

".. I mean that big-ass tentacle thing stopped me quite well, but let me not stop your optimism." She shrugged.. a filthy perverted as Love was, Cyra had to admit the devil kept the mood up. Then again. "The best you could do? You've done your job well enough, my dear. I may not be a true devil, but the utter helplessness and violation I felt when you did to my soul as you pleased I will not forget anytime soon.. I know, I know you had your reasons but damn, what's the point in doing good?"
Cyra gravely assured, after listening to the explanation of the mercenaries. She then raised her brow at the idea of losing on purpose.

"I'm more the tournamenty type, yes. .. and another problem is, that, unless you want a group of nasty mercenaries pursuing us, these folks can be dilligent about their pay, well.. I'd actually have to win the tournament too. I can hold my own, but not sure I can deal with an army of war-veterans.. certainly not while fighting all fair and square." She crossed her arms.
"Plus, not sure how easily you can encourage folks that seek respite from war to engage in more battle. Anyway." She mused, exhaling heavily. If it was her, she'd seek to learn more about the mercenary leaders, dispatch one of them, oh and while at it, learn more about the ferryman...

"GRAAAAAAH!" She growled out, suddenly punching the wall by her side.. and again.. and again.. blodding her knuckles after a moment or two, panting. "I will not surrender to this!" She panted. "Tell me about the mercenary companies and their leaders. I'm going to replace one of them, one way or the other."

 

[Aenon]

"Eh...you overestimate them, I think. Or you underestimate yourself. Besides, we will make the rules...so you can have every advantage." Love explained. Trust me, you can easily make them fight. Fighting with demons...changes you, and not for the best."

"Wha...what are you doing..." Love rushed, hugging Cyra...maybe in an attempt to prevent further self harm.

"Replace them? Like, changing your appearance to them? But you can't do that, right? Wait, you mean becoming the leader yourself? But why?"

"There are four of them. The biggest one is 'The Horde'...they are actually a collection of monstrous humanoids. Then there are the other two, 'The Crimson Banner', and 'The Aldarin'. The last group are 'The Free Fighters', and in reality they are just smaller teams who aren't large enough to fight on their own, so they are always send together. Now for their leaders...I didn't have enough time to ask around. However I do know that all the mercenaries all 'share' the same district, and it is not unusual to have fights between themselves."

 

[Pervy]

"My death and, moreso, this whole ordeal has given my confidence a pretty bad blow, yes. I'll recover, propably.
Fighting with demons changes you, hrmn.. so what does fighting with devils do?" She raised a brow, rubbing her hand. "Hmnn.. alright, yes, wall wins. Wasn't quite sure." She shrugged, trying to make light of her situation. It was tempting to give into despair... too tempting. She glanced over to the tiefling-disguised succubus hugging her.

"I already told you what I want." She insisted, with a cold smile. The things Love had done to her.. and to think she'd been kind. No one else should ever have to feel this way. Cyra was fully aware that even if she killed a devil or ten, it'd barely be worth notice. But what about a hundred or two. What about mercenaries not arriving where they were ment to, or arriving, and turning their blades upon devilish allies?
"Fights breaking out you say... this will suit me well." She nodded, crossing her arms behind her back.
"Lead the way. I guess I'll take a.. closer look myself. Any of the four would do, really, for starters, but let's see which suits best. Hmnn. Let's see whom we find." She mused, stepping into the shadow of the dark spired city.

(16 perception to peep on mercenaries.
14 Stealth to not be peeped on.
Pre-emptive Dex-initiative check: also 14)

 

[Aenon]

"Fighting devils makes you...learn how to fight smarter." she thought for a moment before adding "...if you survive long enough."

"If you really manage to replace one of them, we could go to the second layer through the gateway too....however we would have to go from layer to layer, instead taking the river shortcut." she mused.

"Ok, lets go..." sheo offered, leading the way.

~~~
As Love explained, the layout of the citadel was simple...twelve lines of walls seperated the city into ten rings. The strongest devils would live in the rings closer to the massive bronze citadel in the center of the city, while those who were at the outer rings were weaker...and more disposable. However, this also meant that the outer layers of the city always had empty buildings. Someone who lived there was probably considered cannon fodder...and they were used as such, when needed. Also, the devils didn't care too much about who lived where....sure, that district belonged to a higher ranked devil....but as a general rule, they didn't care about who lived there. As long as they didn't need to use the houses for their own troops, that is...

However, simple to understand, didn't mean simple to navigate. There were no landmarks on sight, and everything looked kind of the same. Luckily, the district where the mercenaries lived was close, and not on the other side of the citadel....

This district felt somewhat different from the others. The buildings looked the same...and everything else was the same too...but Cyra could feel that the oppressive sense of order felt somewhat diminished.

She even saw a pair of orcs, dressed in yellow and fully equiped with weapons, walking down the street.

"Here we are...they have each set up their own...'tavern', to spend their time. Whose place do you want to check out, first?"

 

[Pervy]

"So what you're saying is I should fight lots of devils.. Although perhaps you are innately biased." She chuckled.
"We can still take the river shortcut, this just opens more possibilities. If I control one mercenary group, whose to say that I wont decide to make war for the spoils of another?" She chuckled.

"Ugh.. this place is so boring." Cyra had complained, on the way. At least demons were -creative-.

"Huh.. oh we're here.. how do you navigate this thing.. anyway.. whom to check out first.. well. we got to go by the coolest name rule because if I select anything here by non-arbitrary criteria I'm going to get a headache. Crimson banner sounds cool on the surface, but a big pretentious angsty if you look closer. The Aldarin makes me wonder what they are named after, but.. let's go to the Free fighters first. The name is strange and doesn't fit at all to this place, which makes me curious. if it's just a silly gimmick, can leave and check out someone else soon enough. For now, let's move cautiously and not attract attention.. can do that later." She nodded. "Actually.. perhaps we could split up.. I go check out the Free Figthers, perhaps you could find out something for me? You know, after wandering a little through this city I still kind of yearn for the shortcut.... just show me the way to the meetup taverns for the mercenaries please?" She decided, before explaining her idea:

"I also wanted to check out the ferryman.. perhaps they have something they need done that can help lower the price a fair bit. I presume they aren't easily swayed by sexual favours -else you'd have suggested such already- but everyone has something they need.. perhaps a debt that needs collecting, or a silly trinket they want for.. wouldn't know until we try asking, right?" She smiled and then hesitated, before adding... "Thanks for your help so far, Love.. I know you did what you did to me to help, in your own, ... lewd way, but I -am- really on edge. This place may be a home with nasty memories to you, but to me.. this is just...
Hell.
Heh, get it? Anyway, imagine you were trapped in a never ending church sermon and I'd have forced you to dress up as a nun and....

Don't grin at me like that, you were fetishizing it weren't you... Listen, just.. talk to the ferryman, I'll get some mercenaries and money, we'll see where we can go from there. I swear if my memories are really boring I'll punch another wall." She grumbled.

 

[Aenon]

"No, I want you to survive...devils are scheming, and you can not beat them easily even when you are stronger than them. So...if you do that, you have to keep calm and think things through..." she explained.

"Hmm....I guess I could go and ask. Who knows..." Love mused.

~~~

After Love explained how to go to the different makeshift taverns of each mercenary company, she left for her own task. Before they parted ways, she gave Cyra a warning that joining any of them now, would probably make her not welcome to the other 'taverns'...

Soon, Cyra found herself approaching a rather huge building. A wall covered with spikes surrounded it, and something like a small castle was inside. On the first floor there was a double door opened, and music could be heard from the inside.

Spoiler

On the second floor, small, hole-like openings...probably perches for imps and spinagons. However, they looked empty now. The top of the castle like building was flat, andcrowned by a line of embrasures, that only partially covered two massive ballistas. Maybe it used to be some kind of barracks?

From the open doors she could see that inside, the building really looked like a tavern...the decoration seemed a bit weird - who would hang bloody flags and other trophies on the walls of a normal inn - but the atmosphere was there.

However, in front of the door there was a tough-looking guy, whetting his axe. He seemed to be some kind of guard. As Cyra approached, he looked up, his eyes resting at her boobs, her belly, and then the greatsword.

"Hey, now. Who are you, and what brings you here, new-face?" he asked, raising an eyebrow.

 

[Pervy]

"I'm better at not keeping calm and still thinking things through." Cyra assured, her.. swollen tummy an indicator of that plan, but oh well.

A spikey tavern, kind of strange, oriental music.. Cyra was not sure what to think about this. But this was just a test of these freedom-guys. She really was not sure how reliable they'd prove to be...

"Afternoon.. or whatever time it is. I came here to check you folks out, really, so, there are a total of four mercenary companies here, what makes you lot better than all the others? Also... you have a peculiar name for mercenaries in hell, how's that come to be?" She asked, whilest subtly checking out the man.. hmnn.. muscular and well built, an axe to grind, very literally, but she'd not judge further yet.

 

[Aenon]

"Huh, you think about joining?" the man chuckled.

"Well, the name's because we don't do the joining stuff. If you want to work with us, you can...we don't care how you look like, or whatever. If you aren't good enough, you will die anyway..."

"So, we be free from the likes of stupid needless rules. We got enough from the devils already...we don't need none making extra rules." he explained, putting the axe by the side.

"But what are you doin' here? Shouldn't you wait to have your kid somewhere safe, instead of fighting the spawns of the abyss?" she asked curiously.

 

[Pervy]

"Hmn.. I can respect the.. open mindedness.. if a little laissez faire.. that's elfish for you don't really bother eh?" She chuckled. .. and then blushed, clearing her throat. "It's.. err.. not what it looks like.. I need to.. train my.. armor.. you know what, nevermind. So what can you tell me of the other mercenary groups, if you had to describe them in like a sentence or two..?" She asked.. she was not convinced.. she .. appreciated people not caring about rules, but.. there was not caring about rules.. and -not- caring about rules.. kinda?

Perhaps she should check out the other mercenaries, but she might as well get some information first.

 

[Aenon]

"Well, there are the monsterfolks...not that others don't have them, but they are mostly like that. Orcs, goblins, and half-creatures. They are outcasts even to their own evil gods...that should be enough to describe them, right? Their boss is an ogre mage." he said spitting at the side.

"The others with the fancy name, are led by elfs...they take you in only if you do the sneaky stuff, or if you are good with a bow. Fucking cowards, I think."

"The other ones...simply put, cultists. Each to their own, but I prefer to fight for my profit, not giving my life for some devil of all things..." he said, disapprovingly.

"Then again if you are good 'nough you can join anyone you want with your own terms...mostly. But, heh, the best company is here, no doubt." he chuckled.

 

[Pervy]

"Elves in hell huh.. interesting.." Mercenaries that could complement her weaknesses were quite tempting.. But, on the other hand, whilest the elves were loyal once their trust was earned, that was the hard part.
"Yeaah.. I figured the crimson folks were weirdos, and the elves do sound.. well, elfish. But I think I will check out the horde, I am good with outcasts." Just ask her hobgoblin friend.. although ugh those beasts.. oh well....

"Well, thanks for the info, cheers mate, may your axe be sharp and whatnot.. and.. heh.. I -am- good enough... but maybe I'll be back again later." She nodded, giving a tip of a -very- imaginary hat, and.. made her way off. Alright, the crimson folks were out, even if they were super into Love she'd not like to deal with the annoying chanting.. and she would -not- use her status as a devil-ish to get an army.. unless she was really desperate.
In her mental ranking, the elves weren't much better, but she could check them out first, right? And with that, she approached to get a peek at the Aldarin group.. meeting.. she'd propably not stay though, unless those seemed intriguing by their setup alone..

 

[Aenon]

"Oh, it will be sharp...same to you..." he replied back, before fishing an other whetstone from his pouch.

~~~

Cyra's next stop was the tavern of the elfs...however things were different here. The building was very similar to the first one she visited...after all such buildings where not exactly rare here. However the difference was immediately obvious. The spikes had been used to hung purple drapes over them, that formed beautiful inverted arches between the spikes. The sturdy iron door here was closed, and there was no guard anywhere around.

There were no windows to peek inside...and sadly, the keyhole revealed nothing...for some reason Cyra couldn't make anything besides some white fog...she could make some muffled noised from inside, but she couldn't be sure just exactly what they were.

After knocking the doorknob, a few moments passed...and then, someone opened the door.

It was an elf...but not exactly an elf...it what was known as Drow - a Dark Elf!

"Who are you?" the female drow asked, raising an eyebrow questioningly. Cyra found hard to ignore her clothing...or maybe it should be called jewelry instead? It really provided too little coverage...

"You want to join us? Step inside..." she offered, stepping back. Cyra could now see inside the room...but not much. Everything was covered in a white fog...however she could hear moans of pleasure, and could make humanoid shapes moving in the back...

(Disclaimer for those who read this, I asked Frog beforehand what he would do! You shouldn't normally do this!)

 

[Pervy]

"Well that man was dedicated to a sharp axe, I can respect that.." She mused, mentally adding points for the different mercenary groups.. the Free-fighters.. bit hard to control propably, but she liked their atittude the most, so far.

"Well.. you are more inviting than I expected..." She mused, tiltilng her head... and taking a step foward, curiously. The drow wouldn't do anything untowards not knowing who she was.. and what was all that white misty stuff? "An interesting guess.. anyway, I had a few questions first, namely, why should I join this over all of the other places, for one and for two, what could you tell me about the other mercenary folks?" She decided to reuse her questions. They'd been useful so far! She'd also glance at the inside.. this was propably more Love's kinda place..

 

[Aenon]

"Oh, you aren't here to join in for the fun? Such a shame...we could have so much fun together..." she mused.

Cyra could feel the aromatic smoke assaulting her...it smelled nice, whatever it was...and from inside the smoke, she could now see the bodies that were around. Were they slaves, or unfortunate victims that the drow had their fun with?

"See how much fun we have here? You could...also join in...after all just fighting is no way to live..." she whispered suggestively, circling around Cyra, inspecting her body.

"So...have you ever felt...the urge to submit to someone? To let someone take care of you, and discipline you...?" she asked with an even lowered voice. Had she? From the look of things, the others here weren't struggling to escape or anything...maybe it could be fun?


[You succeeded the con save against the smoke, but you can choose to inhale more on purpose to roll additional saves!]

 

[Pervy]

Cyra sniffed under the assault of the smoke.. but perhaps something about.. hanging out with Love had hardened her a bit over time.. "Oh totally.." she nodded, looking around at the place and sniffing a little. "Have you ever considered airing the place out a little, it's a bit .. musky. Anyway. I feel pretty disciplined already. Also, you're kind avoiding the question, also also, if anything, I kinda intended becoming the boss of one of you folks, I don't think that's an option here, sorry.

I mean, best of luck to you, but...

Don't cause me any trouble, and I'll forget about your little .. idea here, nice? Nice." She chuckled and waved, leaving the drow.. yeah.. kinky but.. propably not eager to accept authority that was not dark skinned, pointy eared and white haired either, and Cyra only had one of those factors down. It was time to check out the Horde next. With two of the mercenary groups kinda eliminated, it was that or proving she was the strongest amongst the free fighters.. and that had been a pretty sharp axe!

 

[Aenon]

"Now, now, don't be so eager to leave...you haven't given it a try yet, have you? Why don't you join us for a while?" the drow offered.

"And actually...if you play with me for a while...even if you don't want to join us afterwards...I could take you to see the Mistress. I think she could have a job that could interest you..." she smiled "...but only if you prove willing to try out our fun first...come, don't be afraid..."

Maybe she could give it a try? It shouldn't take too long, and it wouldn't hurt to have good relations with the drow, right? Besides, meeting the boss could give her new options...and besides...those tied up people looked so nice...how would it be if she was also tied and helpless...at the hands of some unknown drow...in the depths of hell...yes, it was kind of dangerous...but when would she ever get a chance like this, again...?

 

[Pervy]

"Right, listen, you've just met me, not seemed very interested in answering and I am not sure just how certain you know that you got anything that could interest me." Like a very cute but slightly mangled body in the abyss or a shortcut to the eighth hell... "If you're just messing with me I might play with you, but more my sword, your collected savings, and let's call it.. annoying-me-tax." She chuckled at the drow, glancing over to the bound up folks. even if they were having fun, fooling around with a drow even on the material plane was a lot of danger, even if Cyra could hardly get into more trouble than she was in right now. Also, this smoke was getting more intense the more she inhaled it, it almost felt like.

"I've got a total of three.. viable mercenary groups about and I'm not interested in doing any odd jobs for some gold coins, alright? Most of the time, sure, but right now I'm very annoyed at the current state of affairs, not in extra horny mood." She insisted.

(Cons save of 15 this time around, persuasion 17, then a cons of 9. )

 

[Aenon]

"But you asked why you should join us...and I am providing you the answer, am I not?" the drow explained.

"We all work for the same things...but what are you looking for? However you are too tense...we are all friends here. Or we can become friends." she offered.

Sudden;y, Cyra felt something at her feet...looking down, she would notice a female human licking at her feet...

"See, they like you already. Here, working all day can be tiring...let Us take care of your problems. We will take good care of you...like we do for all of our sisters..."

Sure enough, Cyra felt the nice smoke affecting her. Whatever that thing was, it was able to bypass her fiendish resistance to poisons...and the more she breathed in, the harder it was to resist it. But was she even trying to resist it? She could feel that while she had just claimed that she wasn't horny, right now she actually was...finding someone to heed to her needs didn't sound so bad...and besides, it would probably be better to have fun with the drow, rather than getting fucked by an imp, or something...