Tuesday
My Dearest Brother Thermadillion,
I bring you glad tidings! Our long-dreamt day has finally arrived. We have found it!
Those adventurers that I laid a Geas upon have finally done completed their task, and after many months probing the slopes of the Flametooth Mountains, they have found the entrance we have long sought. We have it! We have found the entrance to the Hellsmaw!
Once I gather a few supplies I will teleport there at once, and we will finally see if our desire lays behind those ancient, alien doors. I will send daily messages via my Astral Sparrow so that you will be able to read my accounts of what I have seen. You should also be able to see some images I cast into the sparrow's eyes. Look to your window tomorrow for my sparrow, and remember he prefers crushed rubies for his payment.
I cannot believe it has been 8 long years since we lost our beloved sister Amarel. I curse the day that we found that evil blade, and I wish I would have acted with greater haste to stop her from drawing it forth. The look upon her face as she vanished to the Hellscape still bides within me a great pain.
Perhaps, very soon, we shall see her again. I only hope we are not too late. I have from a malicious, yet truthful, source that the region of the Hellscape that our sister was banished has recently acquired a new ruler. It is said he is tenfold more foul and cruel in the region.
Your devoted brother,
Slithigarriett
Wednesday
My Dearest Brother Thermadillion,
I have much to tell but my time is short. Let me write in brief as to what fell deeds have befallen your devoted kindred.
After I gathered a good assortment of useful supplies, I used a teleportation magick to arrive just outside the hidden cave entrance found yesterday by our hirelings. They did a deed most crafty as the opening was well spelled to hide itself from the outside world. Fortunately for us the evil that weaved the warding magicks also left a foul taint upon the very ground where it labored those many centuries. Over time it warped the living things around it into horrid expressions of its malevolence. I know our druidical friend Morgan TaMoor would find this place to be an abomination. Since I knew the entrance was near this place of dread, it took a simple bit of abjuration to find the hidden entrance.
I quickly entered the small cavern and found its hindwall completely sealed by some horrific grand skull gateway that was flanked by glowing braziers of licking flames. Whether these flames had been burning all these many centuries I know not, but alas I can be certain that they were altogether evil and foul. I could hear the pitiful screams of many a lost soul as if it was their flesh that did provide its fuel.
Standing upon a Great Seal of Power, I was able to wealfully employ my Chime of Opening to cast the gate to its foundation. The stench that filled the small cavern was most foul, and it felt like the wake of a great wave of disdain had overwashed the chamber. My skin still feels its vile touch, and I can almost feel it seeping into my very skin.
It was then that I presented forth a holy relic that I have long found great power there within. The Holy Writ of Ascension was a great comfort to my troubled soul, and as I opened its ancient pages and began singing one of its holy hymns I found that the stench and the grief to be almost bearable. After I gathered my courage I stepped into the vile darkness. With only the faint muted illumination of my glowing Robe of Blessed Colors to guide my steps, I made my way into a curious chamber that laid beyond.
The small room was dominated by a set of stairs and a large platform of basaltic rock that were supported by ghastly tentacle-like appendages which sprang out of the very floor. I thought a great madness had taken me, but my fear of insanity soon turned to a base great dread as I was able to discern that these tentacles were, in fact, slowly shifting and moving. They were alive! And yet I saw that they acted as careful symphony of purpose so as the stairs stones and platform did not waiver in their position.
As I stepped first upon the stairs I felt the room grow instantly hotter in temperature, and the stench in the room shifted from foul to most foul. It was at that time that I turned the Holy Writ to another hymn, and I quickly began to sing of protection from fire and flame and the evil that employs it for fell purpose. It was a great comfort to me as I reached the top of the stairs and my eyes took in the sight no mortal should bear witness. Before my lay the Hellsmaw and within its hungry orifice I beheld the tortured souls sacrificed here many centuries ago. It ached my very bones to see such suffering, and my heart labored greatly to keep beating in the face of such ill-fate. My thoughts turned to our hapless sister Amarel, and the pain she must have long consumed, and it was my love for her that allowed me to endure such horrors.
I am to enter the Hellsmaw in short order, and I have sent this sparrow as a record of what I have witnessed. It pains me to enter a new world to find someone I love most dear, but only to leave another dear one behind. Please know I would do this most troublesome deed for you as well. It has been my profound honor and laborless task to call you my kin. I hope to send another Astral Sparrow as circumstance and providence dictate.
Your devoted brother,
Slithigarriett
Thursday
Thermadillion,
I have much to tell yet my weakness will not grant you the boon of a full accounting. I have seen much and I long to rid myself of the wound I shall ever carry. I am now within the Hellscape, and I fear it will ever be so.
As was writ upon my previous message, I did indeed jump into the Hellsmaw and thusly did I enter the realm of Hellscape. The journey through the portal was not the great torment of pain that I had imagined. Rather, a descent of unbridled despair was the grim price of the passage thus. I felt, for the first time, that I was cut off from all goodness, any hope, and every salvation. It lasted but a few beats of a heart, but I can now tell you this. Even though we mortals are unaware of it due to our ever-constant blessing, there is a great good in our world, and I now count myself as fortunate to have been severed from it for a time. That period of blackness did show me that I have ever been blessed with an golden light.
My arrival found me at a place indescribable with my meager pen. If you have the courage, look upon the images burned into the Astral Sparrow's eyes and be a witness to my quest to find our bewitched sister.
The Hellscape is a bleak region of black rock, choking smoke and ever-present lava. This lava is everywhere, and it is my belief most strong that it is the blood of this fell land. For it courses its way into every bend and cranny.
It is a good fortune that I was able to bring suitable projection for this inhospitable land, as I had little time to weaver protection magicks upon my arrival. Within a few moments I was quickly accosted by the denizens who dwell a miserable life here.
"Mortal, lay down such weapons you yet possess, and give unto us all that you hold dear," said an efrett of foul countenance. "You have trespassed upon the lands of Murrog, and the Master must be paid. You shall trade utter ruin for your pathetic life."
I did not answer nor give action at first. I looked through the foul fog and noticed that he was not alone. Many unspeakable horrors lurked within the smoke, and it was then that I decided to not toy with this nefarious elemental.
It was then that I stepped forward and held aloft my hellproof, my Holy Writ of Ascension, and I spoke aloud a Great Word of Holiness. My voice was magnified tenhold by the power within the book, and it shook the very foundations of this accursed realm. My enemies were struck down with righteous indignation and holy power, and the end of their foul deeds was at hand.
It was then that I made my way forward...carefully guiding my steps to avoid the instant incineration that awaited any miscue. I walked by various bubbling spouts of liquid flame, and it seemed to me that they grew more violent as I drew near. Perhaps these vile discharge portals were sentient and evil as well. I fear that they were hungry, and that it was not ONLY my flesh they wish to sup.
It should have been most clear to me that my use of the Great Holy Word would bring me notice. It would be a sage-thought to say that before the region stopped shaking from the power of the Holy Writ that Evil was on the march to find me. It was only a few moments of my precarious trek that I was challenged by a great Balor would seemed nonplussed by my appearance. I gather that he was expecting a more fearsome foe with which to do battle, and I could say that his disappointment at finding me was an insult in turn. He spoke in a tone that showed is utter disdain for my person.
"I had hoped to find an opponent of worth, but I have found a mortal worm who foolishly wields the incorruptible power of those his greater. Murrog knows your mortal and sinful ways, and it has been decided you should come forth and pledge your fealty at the Well of Sin. Come now, and do not dally. I need no excuse to slay you thus."
Surprisingly, the beast Murrog did keep to his word. We did not do battle. And he did escort me to a secluded den which contains a fountain most foul. I had hoped to treaty with him for the life of my sister -- for surely her soul was under his dominion. I was prepared to give my soul for hers such that my less-tainted soul might be more succulent to his hunger.
It was then that I first glimpsed her. Through the gray smoke and wispy flames I could see her! There was fair Amarel!
At last, after eight long years, I had found our sister!
She was astride a foul horse whose hoofs and mane were that of hellfire, and while her great beauty was evident, her face hung a deep scowl of disdain.
It struck me most smartly to also see in her hand that accursed blade. Why she picked up the long sword from that foul Death Knight I can only guess, but there it held firm in her grasp. Its black steel seemed to sing a faint spell as it moved to point at me. It was then that she spoke in voice that was intermixed with the pronouncements of the sword.
"Worm! Bound before Murrog and pledge your soul. If you do so before this Well of Sin your soul will be bound by your word."
Feeling no choice other than the one most present, I knelt at the feet of the Balor and said the words.
"I do pledge my soul to Murrog so long as my sister Amarel is free from any bounds that hold her here, " I said proudly -- determined to make my last mortal act one of profound love.
I turned out to be a
foolish one. After my proud pronouncement she spoke mockingly.
"Fool! He is not Murrog! This is my land in that you dwell! And I accept your pledge of loyalty, fool -- as I have ever been free to leave this land. It was not the sword that choose me! It was I that chose the sword! And I used its power to venture to many lands and many realms these past eight years. I have gained much power hence, and it was only recently that I have sought to carve a realm for myself here -- in this exquisite land of doom and corruption."
She paused to enjoy the disbelief that hung upon my visage, and then she gave me this command.
"Write our brother Thermadillion one last time. I give him account of all that has passed here today, but be true to hide your folly until the end. I want his horror to be as yours. Perhaps he will be a fool of an ass and try to rescue you from my charge?"
And with that she held out her dark blade and struck down the Balor with flick of her wrist. The blade seemed to enjoy the use of its vorpal function, as a barely audible laugh was heard from that foul blade.
"Slithigarriett, you are now my lieutenant at arms. This pathetic Balor was a useful pawn, but I know you have great knowledge that will prove useful. Let us get to work."
You brother, even in bondage,
Slithigarriett
Den of Evil: Hellscape Set NOW ON SALE!
(The Den of Evil: Hellscape Set comes with all the pieces shown above.)
The next installment in the acclaimed Den of Evil series is in stock and ready to ship! This Limited Edition Set (1,500) is a great setting for many possible scenarios including volcanic caverns, Star Wars/Sith encounters and more "evil" locales. The set comes fully hand-painted with felt bottoms and a custom-molded styrofoam box. The pieces include:
x2 4" x 4" Floor
x1 Volcano Floor
x3 Curved Corner Wall
x1 Waved Corner Wall
x1 Corner Conversion Wall
x1 Dead End Wall
x1 Waved Straight Wall
x4 Small Conversion Wall
x1 Large Conversion Wall
x2 Mini-Volcano
x4 Cavern to Hellscape Rock
The price of the set is $139, but now through Halloween (Oct. 31st) the price is just $129 each. We also have a short supply of some individual DoE: Hellspace pieces to round out your set-ups:
4" x 4" Floor (as pictured above): $15 each
Waved Straight Wall (as pictured above): $15 each
Awesome Halloween Promotion!
The DoE: Hellscape Set is perfect for many horror settings, so we are offering through Halloween at great deal on buying three sets or more of this set. Not only will you get the $10/set (save $30!) but for each set of 3 DoE: Hellscape Sets you buy in October you will also receive one limited-edition, never offered again, Hellscape Well of Sin piece.
Pictured here, this 4" x 4" sculpt offers collectors an exciting piece that many adventures can be built upon -- whether it is a trip into Mordor, an assault on a Sith Temple, or an expedition into a more hellish locale.
This Well of Sin floor piece will be available for individual sale on March 1st, 2010 at a price of $20.
Below are better photos of the individual pieces. The detail of the sculpting and the painting is amazing.
Shown above is approximately 3 DoE: Hellscape Sets in action.
More Older Sets in Stock NOW!
We have lots of older sets now in stock NOW! Hurry, as some of these won't last long. They are at the warehouse and ready to ship!
ROOM SET
ROOM & PASSAGE SET
WICKED ADDITIONS SET
WICKED ADDITIONS II SET
DUNGEON ACCESSORIES SET
MEDIEVAL FURNITURE SET
NARROW PASSAGE SET
ADVANCED BUILDER SET
ADVANCED BUILDER #2
FANTASY FLOOR SET
CAVERN SET
CAVERNOUS PASSAGE SET
CAVERNOUS LAKE EXPANSION SET
CHASM SET
MEDIEVAL BUILDING SET
MEDIEVAL BLDG EXPANSION SET
TAVERN SET
DEN OF EVIL - WICKED ADDITIONS
DEN OF EVIL - ROOM SET
REALMS OF THE ANCIENTS
REALM OF THE ANCIENTS 2
SCI-FI STARTER SET
SCI-FI PASSAGE SET
SCI-FI ALPHA EXPANSION SET
SCI-FI BETA EXPANSION SET
SCI-FI GAMMA EXPANSION SET