The ogre stood motionless like a statue, and though his figure was imposing, he wasn't threatening. He observed the now cursing demoness who had been foolish enough to come face to face with his clever trap; Lady Darkness snickered, dipping her chin in towards her chest so that she had a better view of the scene. It all occured in less than a few seconds. The other demoness was moving, straining, cursing and forcing her muscles to work out of sheer willpower, perhaps considering retreating as she moved forward, her tongue swipping over dry lips. Her wings had spasmodically extended and she couldn't close them anymore. The demonic fae wasn't going anywhere.

The Mistress of Torment's lips cracked to show a maleovolent, serpent-like grin at the moment the other demoness charged the orge, having no other choice, or so it seemed. Khan's muscles bunched in his legs, preparing himself for impact. He was caught off guard by the demon's charge, or so it seemed. She arched a solitary jet-black brow as he concentrated to the best of his ability, he sent his fist forth towards Vex's chest, aiming to knock her off balace and out of his way. The move he made nearly surprised the demoness observing their sprawl, but alas, Khan had moved much too late. Vex knocked him off balance, knocked him backwards, but she wasn't successful in knocking him to the floor.

Her dark eyes shot upwards with the orge's frame as he clasped enraged palms together and brought them down mercilessly towards the other demoness's skull. Lady Darkness blinked once, slightly losing interest in them. There were much bigger things to focus on rather than a mere fight. Perhaps they where trying to impress her, display their power, show her how they could contribute to her plans. The Dark Knight of Torment had seen enough. Vex was swift and fast on her feet whereas Khan was not, but could hold his own in a fight. She gathered everything she needed to know in those meer seconds that passed, for it was all she needed to know. They could show her their true power much later, under more fitting situations rather than now.

The black-clad demoness of night spun abruptly on her heels in the other direction, the metal spikes emerging from under them to grind upon the stone floor in an ear shattering noise that sounded more like a screech. When she faced forth once more, Lady Darkness tapped the back of her laced boots against the stone to withdraw the deadly spikes ment for surprise ambushes. Of course, she enjoyed violence as much as the next demon in line, but they had much more important things to discuss at the time. The sound, she hopped, would get their attention and put a pause on their... "fight".

Cryton stalked throught the back allyways of the streets. Why go in open view of the main road, when you can go by relatively secret ways through the allyways? You could go as quick if not quicker, and will rarely ever get stopped. The vampire stiffened at the sound of some scurrying behind him. Whipping around, his eyes sighted on a rat hurrying from one side of the stinking cesspit of the allyway, to the other side.

The stench was starting to slightly make him gag. Piss isnt the nicest of smells, and when its hours, even days old, it starts to get a bit disgusting, even to a vampire. Moving forward, Cryton arrived at the place, a locked and padlocked door blocknig his entrance. Obviously people had used a side door before hand, maybe even a front if they were intending to make a brave entrance, or were just horribly stupid.

Shaking lose his katana, Cryton stepped backwards away from the door. Using the hilt of his sword, he smashed a whole in the door, right next to where the lock was. The wood breaking away at the strength of the vampire combined with the solid metal hilt of the katana. Kicking the door open, Cryton strode through the back room, katana lowered to point down to the ground in hsi right hand.

Entering the main room, Cryton sighted who he supposed was the leader of the group. The person was tall, and dressed nearly entirely of black. The tapping of her boots gaining everyones attention. Moving forward further into the light, Cryton lifted his sword in a mock salute, "Cryton Neme here."

"So good to know," the drow sneered as she looked upon the newcomer, one obviously so very proud of himself.

Aradia's voice carried out from a distant corner of the room. She'd been watching the whole scene for some time, having slipped in just after dusk and used her skill in stealth and her magic to gain entrance and secrecy. Indeed, she had not been noticed yet - but now her companions would have to notice her. She slipped out of the corner quietly and into a chair nearby, appearing as a great cat might whilst on the hunt. She eyed the situation in a very bored manner, her eyes clearly showing her opinion of such things as an open fight. While she could fight when necessary, why bother? It was much better to just eliminate your opponents quietly and without a struggle. That was the way of the drow, after all, and it was why her kind had survived for so long without wiping itself from the face of the Prime Material plane of existence.

As the new Protector of Darkness, Aradia fit right in with the Sinners. She had met only the leader until this point, and she glanced at her now before returning her eyes to the fight more out of a need for something to do than any actual interest in the manner. Aradia was a skilled huntress of other drow, which made her even deadlier against surface elves and non-elven races, and that was a quality the leader of the Sinners had apparently noticed. Otherwise, she would not have attained such a position so easily and without any bloodshed at all. Indeed, in the Underdark, drow prided themselves on being able to advance themselves by destroying others, so long as those 'others' didn't have witnesses.

Even now, Aradia was always looking for an opportunity, always seeking advancement by the destruction of another. Why bother advancing, after all, if there were those that could threaten your position? Aradia wasn't a stupid woman. Even as young as she was in the eyes of the drow - only a century and a half of life was hers to claim - Aradia was clever and intelligent, and she was as dangerous as drow males said she was beautiful.

That was her deadliest weapon, of course: her looks. She sighed silently as she looked on, thoroughly bored with her surroundings and waiting for the real meeting to begin. The Sinners' members were all supposed to meet here tonight, old and new alike - and that included Aradia, of course. She simply wished the rest of the troupe would get their arses here so the meeting could begin. She didn't like waiting.

(Excellent replies everyone! And now... the attempt at a good post...)

As the sound and depth of the tapping boot intencified, the demoness grew more and more impatient. Where in death's name where the other members of the guild?! Her thin lips cracked into a mocking grin followed by the furrowing of her brows. This was beyond rediculous. Such useless, useless creatures... not being on time as she had commanded. Perhaps they had other things to attend to at the time, but this meeting was of the utmost importance. Light aliened groups were spreading like daisy's now and the dark forces could not afford to wait to rise to their challenge and put a stop to their impudence. And now they, with the exception of Kahn and who ever he was sparring against, were all LATE! Grounding her teeth together in her fustration, Lady Darkness shifted her weight to her right side, her ebony bangs sweeping over her death pale face to cloak it in shadows.

This was exactly why she prefered her own kind. Demons, mainly other dark demons, would never be late to a meeting such as this. And as the guild master of The Sinners, the demoness would do to catastrophic lengths to make sure the members of her organization did well to follow her orders without any second thoughts. But what would it take to get them to bend to her will? Treasure? Torture, perhaps? Yes... tormenting them would be such marvelous fun.

Just as she was calculating her plans and punishments, a scent caught the wind and wafted into her nostrils. It was dank but familiarly contorted, a scent she had inahled before. And by the heavy taint of magic lingering with the scent, she knew it to be drow. Lady Darkness could smell a drow miles away after all the traveling and missions she'd been on with Vencrest. Only, this scent wasn't male. It reaked of fae. Before she spun around to confront the droven warrior cloaked in shadows, the echo of vibrations outside quivered up her limbs, causing a smirk to tug upon the edges of her lips. Fresh meat was about to enter.

The marble doors shuttered in the distance, followed by the rattling of chains. Lady Darkness folded her arms, tapping her boot more violently now, enraged that whoever this newcomer was had decided to show his face so late. A young man stepped into the dim lighting of torch light, his features resymboling that of a youth still full of rebelion. Perhaps it was an adirable trait else where but it was a thing the Mistress of Torment frowned upon. And by the red glint in his eyes, she guessed him to be an undead. Having had many a buisness in the City of the Damned, Lady Darkness would also know a vampire should one ever cross her path. At his side swung an idle katana, apprently recently unsheathed and used by the looks of it. He announced his name as Cryton Neme with a mock salute. Lady Darkness's lips pursed, revealing the tips of her ivory, demonic fangs. "So good to know," a sneer slithered from the shadows as more foot falls echoed behind her.

So the drow was making her presence known, eh? Lady Darkness smiled, this time out of satisfaction. Drow's where always reliable. She had been waiting in the dark for nearly an half a hour to make an enterence. Hmph. Clever little wench, aren't you, Aradia? she thought poisonously, I may have to keep you on a tight leash. She knew who the woman was now. How could she not remember the huntress with such exceptional skill? The quality of such talent could not go over looked nor undefined, which was the reason of why Aradia intrigued the demoness so. She was just as beautiful as she was gruetesc and that was what Lady Darkness liked about her. Aradia was perfect as the Protector of Darkness, thus the reason why the demoness had given her the title so early. Other members had to work for their's. However, in order to keep her position, Aradia would have to keep up her pace with the other members who may have their greedy orbs locked on her position. No doubt they would be jealous of the second in command next to the Guild Master herself.

Turning back towards the smug Cryton, the demoness cracked the bones of her neck, letting it tilt to the side, a curtain of jet-black hair casting shadows onto her pale, malevolent features. "You are ten seconds late, vampire. Since this is the first time the guild has gathered, I'll allow you to slide just this once." She craned her head a bit to glance upon Aradia, who appeared to be looking at her, too. The demoness gave her a reasuring grin before straightening herself out once more. Aradia was obviously bored out of her skull, trying to entertain herself my observing the spar before them with vouge, dull interest. For the drow's benefit as well as her own, Lady Darkness lifted her lips with which to speak, making her voice as loud as the sounds of quarl. "Since there are a few members running late, we shall wait a few more minutes for them to arrive. However, in no less than ten minutes, we shall begin the meeting."

(Complete! :D)

In the shadows of the room, a Demon stood there. He felt the need to kill. The demon was tall, it had a skeleton body and skeleton wings. He wore a worn cloak which covered his body. This demon had roamed this land for hundreds of years, he was know as The Demon Of Death, Or better known as a Reaper who followed the Grim reaper. But this wasn't his only form, He also had a human form and a Full demon form were he was larger than his reaper form. This demon fought for years under the banner of evil. He had recently chosen to take the form as a reaper. The demon watched the members of The Sinners enter the room, Lady Darkness looked outraged at the lateness of the members.

The demon decieded it was time for his entrance. "Lady Darkness. The smell of blood has tainted your lips" He said in their native tounge. His voice was deep, dark and cold. Azazel stepped forward, although he was a skeleton, he was strong. Azazel stood at a size of thirteen foot three. From his right hand, he held a scythe. It was old, the wood looked like it had a wax on it. The blade was black, it also looked like it had blood stained on the blade.

Azazel walked over to Lady Darkness, it looked like he was floating above the ground. The bottom of his cloak appear to have shadows crawling under it. Two evil red eyes were the only thing visible inside the cloak. His Skeleton wings drooped down his back. Azazel was no normal demon, in his skeleton form, he had the skull and bones of a demon. His fangs dripped blood and his horns were not visible in this form. Azazel stopped several metres from Lady Darkness. "I am Azazel. Demon of this land, Reaper of this Realm" Azazel said in his native tounge. He prefered to talk in his own language, it wasn't known by most people which made it harder for people to understand.

[[Would have made it longer but I have to go to bed]]

Khan was still enraged at the demoness known as Vex intruding on the meeting. Even were she to join there would be bad blood between Khan and her always. With the arrival of newcomers, and the displeasure of the Lady darkness however, he would postpone the battle.
"This isn't over" He snarled, before disengaging from the battle and walking back to stand beside Lady Darkness. While he doubted she needed protection, Khan was also certain she would be most displeased in having to lower herself to battle so soon.

Gazing at the newcomers, Khan was most unimpressed. Fodder for the most part he was certain. A vampire had wandered in nonchalently, unsheathing a weapon and feigning respect. Khan had seen this one in the same circles as himself, selling his skills as a mercenary, though Khan had never fought along side or against him. Well that would hopefully soon change.

Looking to the next arrival Khan grimaced in disgust. An elf, calm, collected, slightly bored, with the arrogance that always resided within that race. Khan had always felt great emnity towards their kind. As an ogre the things he most revered in life were strength, size and sheer bloody rage. None of these things would ever be evident in an elf. They lived for deceit and stealth. Already Khan was appauled by how she had been listening in on the meeting without annoucing her presence.
So, a vampire and one of the elven races. So far Khan was worried. Neither struck him as the kind to throw themselves into battle, bare-fist brawling with the enemy till they lay broken and battered. Would he be the only front line attacker for this entire Gathering.

He had believed so, but then a huge demonic figure moved from the shadows, gliding out to announce it presence in as impressive a way as possible. Massively built, bare bone instead of physical being but still an imposing figure, Khan thouight that this one could end up being with him in the battles as ttrue warriors should be, crushing all in their collective paths.

Khan regarded the entire assmebly as a whole and laughed derisively. They had all spoken and the words had been used no doubt to imtimidate, impress or force respect, but Khan couldn't care less about their words. What mattered were actions.

He looked to each of them, and then to the Lady Darkness who had annouced that soon the meetings would take place. He sat in the rubble of the floor and waited, using every ounce of willpower not to leap up and attack the elf, but merely to content himself with glaring at her constantly. He allowed himself instead to merely Announce his disgust;
"...vampires...elves...demons...where are the warriors, the ones who face mortality every day and revel in it! If we are to be the terror in the night then people should know Whom they fear! Not faceless horror, not bumps in the night."
Khan shook his head and waited, hoping the Lady darkness would have a plan for all of them.

(Dont take anything personally. Khan is an angry angry guy who doesn't like anyone. Personally I think the characters look great, but evil teams are never exactly best of friends are they)

Wasn't there...something...impor- Awww Xoco...

As the grieving husband swung his sword clumsily at her, she ducked it using her preternatural reflexes and rammed the top of her axe into his abdomen, cracking some bones and sending him to floor gasping. Grabbing something from the ground, she stuffed it into a small sack and took off running, hardly sparing enough time to snap her axe into place on the holster over her shoulder.

It might have been an odd sight in a better to do district, but in a place like this. Just a passing moment to distract regular conversation for a few moments. There was a young woman running down the street in a full-blown run in disheveled commoner's clothing with a dark green hooded cloak, held together by the Roscherwitz crest in pin form. There was a crude, but no less deadly, single-bladed axe strapped to her shoulder with the hilt sticking out near her face. The blade was slick with a crimson liquid. Mirroring that was the small bundle she was carrying, the bottom becoming increasingly wet from whatever was inside.

Barreling over a swindler and his two targets in an alleyway, she ignored the angry shouting following her. There was a slight noise of an impact, a thrown weapon or arrow perhaps. Or a bottle, who knew? Either way it didn't hit her and it didn't matter. There was a slight tug at her cloak and it caused ehr to stumble and whack into the wall or something and left a dull ache in her shoulder. Stupid clumsiness.

Running down the alleyways, there was a banging noise up ahead. Someone got angry at a door or a wall. Or were breaking into the Sinner's meeting. She was in a bit of trouble, having been late for the demoness twice now. If only she understood the burdens of motherhood, she had to get Robyn-rin a present for her birthday! Such an event could not idly be ignored!

Stumbling slightly in the doorway she smacked into the door but caught herself on the hinge to stop from falling. Hefting the bundle she inspected it with her hands, staining them red before wiping it off on her pants. It wasn't damaged, too much. she was though, she'd taken a crossbow round to the shoulder, but it was a small one, no larger than a dining fork. Such things came from concealed crossbows, those meant to be strapped onto the wrist or carried in a pocket. They only really noticed that they'd been hit by the round because of the wet feeling her left side had.

Snapping up an imperfect salute like she'd seen some knights do before, she was pretty certain that they weren't too late. "Alice here an' ready for duty!"

The screech ended the fight before it had even properly begun.

Vex groaned as the whimsies of the Fear left her body, dissipating into the ether of this mortal plane like dust. It was interesting plane- magical saturation seemed unlikely to ever occur. Vex rubbed her skull, where had -that- thought come from? The haze of fear and the physical attack itself had dislodged something in Vex's brain, but like a dream it vanished even as she tried to focus on it. Damnit. And then the pain hit like a roaring tides. She dampened it with the stringent discipline she had learned in Hel.

She barely caught on through the haze of contradictory pain and euphoria (good memories to combat bad ones) but heard it nonetheless, as if from far away. This isn't over. Vex smiled, grimly. It wasn't. She watched the ogre stalk off and decided that running around was a bit beyond her abilities at the moment. She elected to stay exactly where she was, leaning heavily on some tabletop.

"What a friendly guy."

That was Ennui, making himself known again after the danger was past. Vex was irritated, but not so irritated that her anger could override her throbbing skull. It felt like a localized hangover. Well, not -that- localized, the stupid brute had huge hands but the feeling stuck. At least he hadn't made a dent. Or so she hoped. She needed a helm. Yes, a thick, furry helm with lots of impact absorbing magicks. She didn't plan to be in silly fights like this one too often (knife in the back, mace to the head- yar, those would be good things) but she didn't expect her luck to hold out forever either. If the Guidlmaster hadn't interfered...

Well either she'd be dead or the brute would. She briefly entertained the logistics of killing him without Lady Darkness interfering or noticing and decided to scrap the idea. For now anyways, she could always handle him on a later date. Hadn't he foolishly gotten caught and captured by orcs, or some grimbly other mortals? Strength had its failings, as she well knew...

Of course, lack of strength had more failings. Much more. She resolved to find a means of increasing her combat abilities then and there. Though she was stealthy enough for an assassin, she lacked the physical ability to back up her heritage shouldanother ogre or orc decide that they needed to eat her or something. Who knew what these barbaric tribes did in their spare time, anyways? Best to remain on guard. Then she started. Her impromptu entrance and subsequent fight meant that she hadn't had time to properly take in the milieu. What the Heck was she doing here?

But then the door opened, revealing another brute. A male. Much the same, really. She shuddered a bit. Being a female Rauko in Hel, especially a female rauko who had not been, as a mortal, not one to indulge in the pleasures carnal overly much least in the classical respect, was not pleasant. No, not pleasant at all. And ironic. Especially considering the Sin that had damned her.

She would kill Him. She would kill him dead. It wasn't the first time she had made the promise but it was nice to remember her goals. Her aspirations. Her dream. Oh yes, her dream... so immersed in the dream (having been hit on the head by what had felt like a ton of muscle probably also had something to do with it) was Vex that she only tangentially noticed the presence of the newcomers. Something in her inner radar told her that they weren't worth paying attention to. More grubs than true warriors. Psychotics who -thought- they knew what evil was and would probably bathe in it trying to prove it to each other. No, that wasn't evil. Evil was knowing what you did and why you did it.

The man who killed children to feed himself? He wasn't evil. He wasn't even close to evil. Evil was... deadlier. Quiscient. A line that divided the hearts of all thinking creatures.

“...Not faceless horror, not bumps in the night." The ogre had been finished ranting. Vex gave him a cool appraising glance. She was in a contemplative mood. Usually it took massive amounts of alcohol to do this to her. Had she known anything of the arts medical she might have put two and two together and realized that brain damage was how she became contemplative. Still, she was smart enough to realize that the Ogre had apparently forgotten Lady Darkness' race. What would she do? She was the Guildmaster. To invite such ill-luck by forgetting who was top dog- Vex shivered in anticipation. Rauko knew pain, they had been birthed into pain and had lived through it. They understood hierarchy. What would the assassin do...? Assert herself? Shame him in front of the others? Do nothing at all?

Her musing were interrupted when the door slammed open again, admitting a human. A mortal woman. For some reason, she looked familiar. Even the way she talked... No, it must have just been an impression of some sort. She brushed it away. There was a dilemma enfolding for Lady Darkness whether she realized it or not. The poor, pitiable ogre. Had he maintained a pseudo-alliance (Vex held little illusions about real friendship) she might have saved his thick-skinned neck. As it stood, she just waited expectantly.

Aradia rolled her eyes at the fighter speaking about 'knowing one's enemies'. Stealth was the best option in many cases, a fact that drow knew all too well. Her tone was extremely mocking as she spoke to him, especially her emphasis on the word 'warrior', but it was also dead-serious.

"And reveal ourselves to every paladin, angel, and do-gooder wizard in Arda? I think not. The shadows are allies. Use them and they protect you. Forsake them and they leave you to the ravenous wolves. You would do well to learn a bit of subltety, warrior."

Others arrived, though she ignored them for the most part. The soldier-boy, the demons, the others...they were nothing. They would serve their purpose well, just as Aradia would, but unlike her, she knew how to disappear if need be. One girl seemed to be particularly clumsy, however - a human girl. She apparently forgot how to properly use a door. Again Aradia rolled her eyes, though this time in distaste. She only hoped that the human girl's severe lack of any form of dexterity didn't expose them all to those that would quickly seek to wipe them out. Their actions would not go unnoticed, after all, though their methods would hopefully keep their opponents in the dark for a good long while.

"This isn't over!" The demoness spat distastefully upon the ground to rid herself of such rotten words that had taken form on her tongue just a few seconds after the two had ceased their conflict. They could spar all they wanted in their spare time but not on the Guild Master's watch. Vex seemed to be in a bit of a predicument, though. Even if the other rauko had no desire to remain in this ceremony, her body wouldn't allow her to leave, nor would her state of mind at the moment. Her eyes observed the other members present in the room as she attempted to put faces to names. Khan the angry orge. Aradia the collective drow... there was someone missing.

"Lady Darkness. The smell of blood has tainted your lips." The voice was cold, low in tune, tainted like...
A cruel, nightmareish smirk cracked the demoness's thin lips, baring the tips of her ivory fangs. Another demon, a male, had made his presence known. Lady Darkness craned her head 'round in a seemingly impossible and uncomfertable angle to observe him. Though he spoke the Black Speech, his figure was composed mainly of skeletal remains. The bones, shaped into that of a demon's, glistened dully in the fire light when the cloak lifted and fell from place as it flopped about when he moved. As he came towards her, she noticed that he reverted back to his human form as he floated to stand before her. She gave him an emotionless gaze, though her lips formed a sinister smirk. Though most of the members could plainly see that Azazel was thrice the size of their Guildmaster in his reaper and human form, she wasn't even the least bit imtimidated by him. "Let's see if you're fit to retain that title, shall we?" she hissed between her fangs in the Black Speech as well. Lady Darkness's accent was powerful, fluent when spoken in her second native tonuge, yet just as contorted and malevolent as the male's. "Welcome to the Sinners, Azazel."

Just as soon as she had finished her new connection with the male demon, the door flew open once more to a mortal woman who had obviously forgotten how to use a door. Once the woman came in, The Mistress of Torment blinked. That face was awefully familiar... Had they met before? The moment the mortal spoke, the demoness's suspence was confirmed. "Ah, Alice!" she jested, "Late again. Don't make that a habit." Khan, as LD had previously noted, looked to each of them, and then to the Lady Darkness who had annouced that soon the meetings would take place. He sat in the rubble of the floor and waited, glaring in the drow's direction constantly. Of course it was then that he foolishly allowed himself instead to merely announce his disgust.

The black veins began to pop out from her death pale flesh as her jaw locked into a snarl, baring her cruel fangs to their roots. A menacing, toxic, malevolent demon's snarl vibrated outward from the depth of her chest, giving it an almost dragonic magnitude. Her entire body begun to seeth with the intensity of her rage. Normally such disrespect was overlooked as immaturity, but since much of the other members obviously had no sort of sense for the department of respect, Lady Darkness homed in on Khan as a target of her example. Demons where feared and praised for their strength and skill, but most were known for their intellect and temper. Unfortunately for the ogre, he was to become a victim of a demon's wrath.

Coal-black claws flexed and gripped tightly 'round the hilt of one of the short sword's handle as she reached down to collect it. And, like a ninja spinning a kunai, Lady Darkness twirled it and hurled it at blinding speed and velocity towards him. The hilt made contact with the other side of the wall, leaving an indent caused by the force at which it had been hurled as a loud 'CLANK!' echoed from it. However, the demoness wasn't about to start an unneeded brawl after she had just recently broken one up. The slits in her black orbs expanded into diamonds as the two demonic tails spun around the iris. "Mind your tongue!" she snarled, "Whether you like it or not, these are the people we will be on missions with and training with. Do not judge clearly by what you see before you."

Azazel listened lady darkness as she spoke the Black Speech, she had their accent. Azazel had let them see two of his forms, and He had been welcomed to the sinners. Azazel looked at them with his human eyes, he didn't like this form much, it made him look weak and useless. Azazel transformed into his Huge Demon form. He was about sixteen foot five but that didn't include the size of his wings and several large horns. Azazel looked down at the members of the sinners, Azazel was about three or four times their size. His scyther grew with his size and he no longer wore a cloak, but just a loincloth with a skull.

"I don't think anyone will take that from me. Even now that I am part of the sinners" Azazel said in the Black Speech. His accent clearly stated he was a demon, he spoke it fluently but his voice was deep and dark which brought fear into thoose who were weaker than him. After hearing what Khan said, Azazel was about to kill him for saying a thing like that. But Lady Darkness had bet him too it. Azazel snarled at the orge. Azazel took a step towards the Orge, his claw grabbed hold of the orge by the shoulder. "Watch what you say. Because you might be my next victim on my list to kill, and your sould will be tortured in hell forever" Azazel said, his voice would send fear to even the strongest of people.

Oh how he would like to kill the orge that he held in his hand. Azazel dug his claws in before he let go. This orge had no respect, and obiviously he would be dis-favoured. Azazel hadn't pierced the orges skin, but he was close enough. Azazel folded his wings against his back, how he wished to rip that man apart and eat him for supper. He hadn't had orge in a long time. Azazel laughed, he would keep a watchfull eye on this orge. Lady Darkness seemed to have already taken a hating to this orge. "Would you like me to Kill him?" Azazel said in the Black Speech, he choose to speak his native tounge so the Orge wouldn't understand.

Cryton sheathed his sword while glancing around. An ogre, another demon, a drow, and a few other creatures he didnt care to name. The ogre obviously thought of anyone who wasnt built for combat as useless. Maybe he would show him something or two? Brute strength wasnt everything, and Cryton would show him, a nick here, a nick there, a cut on the back quickly, in and out. He would die slowly from blood loss, and Cryton would then laugh at him on the floor, pitifull creature.

None of the others held any interest to him, and so he paid no undue interest to them, apart from the demon in the centre. The one attracting all the attention. The one who had called them all here. She didnt seem intimidated in the slightest by the other huge demon, and they conversed in their language, clearly not wanting the others to listen in.

Moving over to one of the walls, slowly and deliberately, Cryton kicked a crate over, sitting on it when it had settled. Leaning back on the wall, Cryton settled down to watch the others and what would happen.

Khan listened as the elf spoke of enemies that the sinners would crush as though they mattered, and of Shadows being friends, as though Stealth was even possible for an Ogre…Or friendship for that matter.

“Paladins? If you fear them you truly are a sorry creature. Those you name are for Killing, not fearing! and another thing...."

Just before Khan broke into another tirade against his erstwhile allies the Lady Darkness snapped at him.

"Mind your tongue!"she snarled, "Whether you like it or not, these are the people we will be on missions with and training with. Do not judge clearly by what you see before you."

Khan quickly backed down from Lady Darkness, the one being on Arda he would wilfully bow down to. In the past he had even challenged immortals, but the Lady would be able to do something he never could. Lead an army. With any luck he would be allowed to take part in any wars she would start, but first he would have to ensure that he was not amongst those she disfavoured
Gathering all his courage he looked up into her eyes, meeting her gaze before speaking, as a subordinate to a Leader

“Sorry, my Lady. I will be more careful in…”

He was about to finish the sentence when the demon that was once a floating robe with Skeletal attachments grasped his shoulder, digging its claws in. Towering over even Khan the demon spoke in its harsh guttural voice, threatening him damnation in a voice that would break the spirits of the most stalwart of men. In truth it even sent a shiver down Khans spine, and it took all his willpower not to do the instinctive ogre thing when faced with fear, Breaking every bone in near vicinity. Instead he tried to reason with the beast, in the only way he knew how. Through gritted teeth, the pain in his shoulder making any slight movements agony, he snarled towards the beast

“If it wasn’t for the fact that I’m in enough hot water without starting another fight I would make you eat those words, along with your own damn fist. Now drop me or lose face in front of the Lady.”

Khan hoped that the demon would ignore his request and try and impose some demonic might, if only so that when next he fought and lost respect he would take this pretender down with him. And get a chance to show that he didn't make idle threats. Hearing the Demon speak its infernal tongue to the Lady Darkness, Khan interrupted.

"Lets get started shall we, I want to get to training"

Aradia sighed mentally. These people were idiots. Did the Lady Darkness think she could actually control all of them should they decide to rebel against her, each one struggling to attain power over the others? It would be an internal war that would be the Sinners' undoing - and Aradia wasn't about to stand by and let her own hide get tanned just because the Lady Darkness said she must. If it came down to it, she'd save her own life first and formost. Then she'd debate and negotiate the rest.

This ragtag bunch of villains, though, would be useful if the Lady Darkness could control them. Though she most certainly wouldn't want to work with them - the one now sitting on the crate seemed to be the only one apart from the Lady Darkness herself who had any sense or who knew how and when to kill without being noticed - their combined power would be a formidable force in the days and weeks to come. Perhaps even Raku would recognize their strength - and Aradia's - and favor them. If that happened, of course, he would be even more useful to her than he was presently - and so would the rest of these morons. But for now, she wanted to hear what the Lady Darkness had to say.

"Yes, lets," she said in response to the ogre.

As for paladins, even the most powerful demons had trouble facing a large army of paladins coming against them. It was difficult, after all, to defeat an army of people constantly hurling spells against you that destroyed legions of villains all on their own; imagine a thousand spells hitting you, each of which burned you to your very core and blinded you, each one slowing you down a little more, until you were destroyed before you managed to take down more than a few of your enemies? Aradia was not a stupid woman, yet already she felt the intelligence draining out of her with each passing second. She was eager to hear what the Lady Darkness had to say for multiple reasons, not the least of which was her desire to no longer listen to or watch the antics of those around her as they bickered, squabbled, threatened, and bellowed ceaselessly.

Khan soon apologized, which caused the demoness's brows to arch. He knew who was top dog and he bowed, gratefully, before her figure as if she were the goddess she wished she was. An "army" such as this would be a bit... haggard for a short time. Lady Darkness had seen it done before, only she was just apart of the army back then. Her mother Messiah had gathered the demons and villians in all of the forgotten realms, even birthed few from the shadows, and still managed to tame every last rebel who dared to stand against her. Now, her Queen was one of the most powerful beings in the universe and all of her hard work paid off. Lady Darkness hoped to have the same luck one day, and just like her mother Messiah's, her army would begin small and grow with time.

Azazel clasped the orge's shoulder firmly, threateningly, murmuring into his ear. Khan replied; she was somewhat pleased by his reluctance. Pleased that he had enough intelligence to stand down from a fight, pleased that he countered the death threat with his own. He had a brain in there somewhere, and it was up to her to bring it out. And that was a challenge she looked forward to. Whipping these worthless dogs into shape would be well worth it later in time. The male demon spoke to her then and Lady Darkness simply cast him an emotionless look, lifting her lips withb which to form the word, 'no'. It was obvious that the others were growing anxious and eager to get the meeting started and the demoness was more than willing to obpliage.

"Welcome fellow Sinners." she begun, raising her arms to becon them forth from the darkness that birthed them, "I have called you all for an important reason. It has come to my attention that the forces of light tread without hardly a single speck of fear in their hearts due to the protection offered by the paladins. Some time ago, a drow named Vencrest and I captured, tormented, and murdered the paladin leader of a nearby shrine to the gods. The people are beginning to fear and their hearts are heavy with greif. The defences have weakened slightly in the past few days."

She cast her gaze to each individual member, then closed her eyes as she continued to explain. "This is where all of us come into play. We will seige the ambassador of Arda's capidal city and take him out. Without him in our way, the defences of Lomedor are shattered. We will take that time to organize, train, plot, and charge them in their weak point. I will reveal more information once our first mission is complete."

Opening her eyes, the demonic slits fell upon the orge and the male demon instantly. "Khan. Azazel. The two of you will lead the attack. We will hit them heavily first with hammer and fist and leave them dazed." Her gaze then cast to the female drow. "Aradia. Alice. The two of you will follow behind them and hit the front lines with magic. The other demoness and I will come in last and take out the remaining. After the front gates are cleared, Aradia, you and I will charge the hall and clear it. Stealth will play a huge part there. Khan and Azazel, the two of you will head to the second gate to keep the second and third division of paladin's busy. Alice, you will back them up. Cryton, you're with Aradia and I when we head up to take out the head master. Is that clear? This is our first mission, everyone. We cannot mess up. Questions, comments, concerns?"

Cryton idly played with his strap that held his sword around his waist, tired of hearing the others threats, promises and stupid remarks. Why did he decide to join them here? They were either dumwitted and just wanted to go and kill, or wanted to do it all by stealth, hardly showing themselves. There would need to be a mid point, but with people wanting the extremes, would it work?

Looking up when the demoness started to give out orders, the plans for their first mission, Cryton started to pay attention again. He would need to know the orders of hismelf, and the others around him so that he would not be placed somewhere that would compromise him by someone elses mistakes. Staring at the leader as she stared around, he held her gaze while she looked at him, though every instinct told him to not hold it. When she finished, Cryton considered his orders, his part in the role, and decided that he had been given a minor role compared to everyone else.

"I have one question, hhe started, directing his question straight at the demoness, "why do I have such a small role in this attack? All I do is follow you up to the head master and then take part in his killing?" He spoke calmly, though his eyes showed his annoyance.

"I have the feeling that will not be such a minor part, Neme."

Aradia's tasks were simple enough, of course: slam them hard with spellcraft. Her only worry was the obviously loose-footed girl, Alice. She didn't know her surname as it hadn't been given, nor did she recognize the girl at all, but her skills in espionage had paid off where the others were concerned. Thus, she knew several of them already - though they might not know her. Cryton Neme, at least, had good skills in battle. The others, however, seemed too self-righteous to mean much more than a distraction and the girl, Alice, was an out-and-out clutz. Oh, this was going to be a wonderful fight. She and Neme might well be the only ones that would get out alive the way the rest of them were acting and Alice would no doubt be nothing short of useless.

"Any well-trained and faithful paladin is a serious threat to most of those that would be called evil, yet one that has risen to a position of power has no doubt done so only because of the powers she has gained through devotion to Lothlomendil or whatever other gods she might follow."

No doubt the reference to a woman paladin was not missed, but it hardly mattered; Aradia simply said 'she' out of pure instinct the way most others said 'he'. In drow society, males weren't worth mentioning unless they were needed for something. But her voice seemed to positively drip with the greasy disgust typical of anti-Lothlomendil mortals as she said the Goddess of Life's name.

"That said, the leader will no doubt be very well-guarded. Even without her guards, though - or his, if it's a man," she corrected herself forcefully, though not without a rolling of her eyes. Clearly, she didn't think much of the male half of any race, even - perhaps especially - her own. "The leader will no doubt be powerful and dangerous. It might take several of us to take her - or him - down."

The demoness managed to keep the attention of the others without much splendor. After all, the task she had just given them was actually quite simple. Cryton paid the most attention, locking eye contact with her multiple times as her gaze swept over the small collection of members. Did he wish to see a manifestation of death or something in the soulless, murky depths of her eyes?

"I have one question," he started, directing his question straight at the demoness. Lady Darkness met his annoyed gaze with irritation, listening to his compaining without a word. "Why do I have such a small role in this attack? All I do is follow you up to the head master and then take part in his killing?" He spoke calmly, though his eyes showed his annoyance. The Mistress of Torment cut off the last few of his words with her own, countering his question with her own so that she didn't have to take in his sheer misunderstanding. He was basically her soldier now and soldiers must do whatever their commander orders them to without question. "Eager, aren't we? Unless you want to stand beside Khan and his new partner and get blasted by magic without the endurance to hold it off, don't complain." Aradia spoke her mind then, as if reading LD's own. The female drow voiced the truth of the role, and the hidden significance of it without so much as getting off track. The demoness nodded in her direction approvingly. It was clear she had chosen wisely, since the Protector of Darkness was to be her right hand.

"The drow is correct. Their leader will have the most protection, so it will be much more than just going in, taking him out, and then going back home. He or she will have their own guards protecting him, and if what I heard was true, there is one angel among them." She almost cringed at the word. Lady Darkness hated angels, and it disgusted her to think of ruining her blades with that filthy white blood that angel's possessed. Shallowing her disgust, the Mistress of Torment continued. "And if you haven't already guessed, this is also your first exam."- input evil grin here- "I will be observing each of you closely, so do yourselves a favor and don't screw up. Aradia, I know I don't have to worry about you, therefore, you'll stick with me. Cryton, as I said before, you will come with the two of use. When Khan and his company have finnished holding off the main troops, we will rondavu in the woods." LAdy Darkness gestured to a door hidden in the shadows, "And when the others come to check it out... BOOM!"

Triella had drifted a bit to the sidelines while egos bruised and whacked against each other. There wasn't a reason for her to fight, so why risk getting squished? She was a bit happy with how Lady Darkness responded to her, the others tended to be a bit self-centered or attempting to be menacing. Being a bit-too motherly left her being quiet and without complaint, although she did pause for a moment as her stance steeled up and braced when she overheard the black speech. She'd taken a sort of liking to Kahn, he just seemed...honest in a sense. Her right hand seemed to be spasming, but she was fighting the urge to draw her axe until Lady Darkness backed down both sides with force of will.

With the tension swept under the rug, but no less present, she began to tell the Sinners of her plan. an ambitious one indeed, it sounded almost suicidal. to conduct such a thing mostly openly. watch about the City Watch? Many people looked down on them, but they had fine sword arms, numbers, and friendly territory on their side.

The magic part confused her. she...didn't really know magic. There were a handful of minor spells she remembered being taught by Clayton, mostly things for making oneself appear better without much effort. Battle-worthy spells she had "learned" were half-remembered at best, and usually used on an instinctual level. Otherwise she was fine with splitting skulls, her axe haft had fifty-nine notches in it so far, and obviously only death-blows made with the axe counted for the tally.

She raised her hand slightly for attention, in a way asking for the grounds to speak without just bursting into a speech, "For the first part...I just watch Aradia? I'm not really...the spell-caster sort..." Her words lost a bit of their resolve and trailed off into a mumble. she didn't want to disappoint, but to pretend could lead to disaster.

"For the first part...I just watch Aradia? I'm not really...the spell-caster sort..." Alice, as it seemed, was at a loss. However, the Mistress of Torment could almost taste the mana in her blood- the mortal woman knew magic, but was more comfertable with her weapon of choice, which was something Lady Darkness well understood. Spells and hexes where fine and dandy, but this demoness preferred the blade to shread, reducing a body to ribbons while bathing in the blood of victory. These rough times called for those who were willing to risk it all. And when the going got rough, the rough go killing.

A sigh fell from her thin lips, the dark murky depths of her demonic orbs revealed slightly beneath the curtain of her ebony bangs. "You have magic, Alice. Use it or fall behind me and the drow and let us handle it. My spells," her claws flexed beneath the fabric of her gloves, a ripple of movement in both arms as her eyes fell to her palms. "Are quite limited in this world. It seems the only one I've been able to spark is the ability to spark a flame. As time draws on, I'll unlock more of them."



The demoness froze, her hand flying instantly to her ear the moment [i]her voice sounded in her head.



Dark lashes swooped over her orbs, her free hand raised for silence. Should a member speak during the time the dark knight's Mistress was speaking to her, she would snarl in difiance in their direction without opening her eyes as she hurled a dagger at their head. Speaking to her Mistress was of the utmost importance.
The moment her eyes closed, the darkness of her mind molded, gleaming and hissing to merge into an image. Shimmers of the palest silver caught her mind's eye; it took a moment for it to register as the sean of bones. A throne, composed of dragon bone and granite, sat at the back of a seemingly empty room. Hidden by the darkness, a woman sat back against the stem of the chair, made of the bones of the ribcage. Lady Darkness remembered the history behind her Messiah's throne- how she, as a mere Goddess, had taken down the most powerful dragonic lord with her bare hands as weapons. Or, that's how the legend went. The Mother of Darkness, back in the day, had taken down Lord Ryuu with her bare hands, but it was not without the aid of a blade she found on the battle field.

Skin as pale as milk glowed in the darkness of the throne room, darkened only by the dancing of dark fire light. Lining the magnificent chamber were skulls with lit black candles in their mouths. The pillars and the other structure that seemed sighnificant in holding up the roof were composed of bones also. An otherworldly growl, low in pitch, grumbled in the dark as a pair of blood red eyes blinked at the base of the dragon bone throne. A dark hand, reinforced with talons longer than Lady Darkness's arm, stroke the creature hidden in the shadows. Through the darkness, not much of the Mother of Darkness's figure could be seen. One hand which rested upon the left arm rest, both legs (which were crossed), and the slithering shadows crawling out from the queen's back were all that could be seen. The Mistress of Torment focused more on her figure, trying, without success, to distinguish the woman's features in the blackness of the chamber.

"My patience is running thin, Lady Darkness."

The omnious voice, drentched in malice and malevolence, hissed between unseen sabers. Full, black lips pursed as fire light washed over the woman's cold, milk white and inhumanly perfect face with which to speak.

"You are due for another trip home, O Mistress of Torment. And this time, bring someone else; the company you have gathered intrigues me. You're aware that the City Watch is active at this hour, yes?"

"Yes, your majesty. We will move si-"

"No need."

The dark lips cracked into a wicked grin, revealing coal-black, shimmering sabers hidden within the prison that was her mouth. Her features darkened as her demples appeared, showing the high cheek-boned structured face.

"I will hold them down for you. Lillian Bloodmare and WindStar Devilin are waiting for you and your group to move. When such a move is taken, I will signal them. The City Watch guard is no longer your consern."

The demoness opened her eyes as the comferting image of her Messiah faded. She took one last look around, searching the eyes of her companions before speaking. "We have to move quickly. The sooner we return, the sooner I can discuss with you all another matter of importance." she locked her gaze with Alices then. "We don't have to worry about the City Watch. They are under control. Unless there are any more questions, let's move out."

Khan had been quiet during the planning stage. The fact that he would soon get to crush paladins and anything else in his way suited him just fine, and whatever the others could think of would undoubtably be better than his lartest idea of using the oversized demon as a battering ram, and no matter hw much the idea amused Khan it would no doubt get him more looks of distain. Khan knew why The others looked down on his simplistic way of fighting. All might and strength, no subtley or spells. But it was all he was good for within the confines of the Guild, so he would show them all exactly why Ogres were built for fighting.

He stood aside and waited while the others voiced their concerns, most speaking of their own worries rather than fretting over his and the Large demons safety. Either respected Khans ability to survive or they didn't much care whether or not he lived. Again, it didn't worry Khan, because frankly he didn't much care whether he fell or not either.

He stood slowly and began to prepare for nthe coming battle whilst the others watched the Lady darkness seemingly freeze up, glowly with barely contained power. Khan had no knowledge of magic beings, perhaps this was a commen thing. Whatever the deal was it held no threat to him, nor any advice, so he ignored it and continued to stretch each of his garganruan muscles, loosening up fully before the battle. Picturing the paladins he remembered his experiences with them, searing blasts of light scouring his arms and chest, heavy maces swung with precision at weak joints and exposed skin. It would be a hard battle, one which he would revel in. Being on of the few beasts not directly on the Paladins agenda he had less worry than the demons and spell casters might, but still...

The lady darkness spoke at last, giving the order to attack. Khan smiled, clenching his fists and raising to his full height.

"I thought this would never happen. Ok Lady Darkness, Point the way. I'm ready for some action"

Hi eyes glowed briefly, and his entire body started to glow with fearful energy. There was one spell he knew, and it might just help.

"I can't believe you actually fell asleep."

Vex couldn't quite believe she had fallen asleep either and was of the strong opinion that her sudden lapse of attention had something to do with an overly large ogre, the said ogre's overly large equivalents of a living warhammer, and one rather frail skull and equally if not more frail brain but she didn't dare comment. While Ennui's voice was difficult on her ears (and he was buzzing but a few scant fingertips away from one of them) her voice would carry over to her newest acquaintances like the darkside of the moon would carry the sun's shadows. And while it might be amusing to watch them hurdle through the logistics of one of their own actually falling asleep during a planning session she preferred to keep the fact that her body could force itself into a sort of quasi-hibernation where she looked awake a secret. Or she hoped she had looked awake, no one else seemed to have commented so she supposed she had looked awake. Vague memories of what the conversations had pertained to have managed to leak through to her animal awareness and she was thus, at least somewhat, aware of what they were going and why they were doing it.

Not that she actually believed that they had a chance of succeeding but that was another story altogether. One that had quite a bit to do with the animosity that surrounded these various denizens of the less-than-holy realms. No, not animosity. Posturing. She had seen it happen before and as skillful as they were (Vex didn't delude herself on that particular point either, while the assembled rogues were good they were hardly the best) and what it all came down to now was that the numbers would be roughly equal. The faction that would win would be the one that had the sheer strength of will, the power to get what they wanted and keep it that would manage to win. And avarice could never equal the strength of those willing to win at any costs. When the guardsmen realized what they were up again- well, they would go into that state. Those fighting for their lives always did.

Not to mention the bloody fact that if an adventuring hero of any caliber whatsoever happened upon them during their little stint they would be massacred. Against a tactically superior foe the only way they would have a chance of success would be if they all did their part- became a cohesive, functional unit. Not merely a bunch of appendages that did their best to make sure that the appendage itself was advantaged but the actual body as whole- then, maybe then, would they be ready and prepared to take on real challenges. Events that would shape and change the world- that was what this guild aspired to provoke. A new world order... it was very, very attractive. And yet... they had a flaming snowball's chance in Hel of making it through the first ten seconds of a serious fight. Vex knew she was part of the problem but if the inconsistency of her thoughts bothered her she didn't think through it. Life was like that for the rauko sometimes- for all rauko for that matter. Evil bled into evil and if anyone said different, well, they had but check with the former warlord (or archmage or something along those lines) turned assassin.

They would be the final group, if what Vex understood (or blurrily understood) was true. She considered her weapons and her artifacts and especially her skills and wondered if she would be up to the task. Still, even if she wasn't... there was always that potion or two she might be consulted to imbibe. A straight-up fight was hardly her preferred modus operandi but with the right impetus and the right conditions it could become quite profitable and profit, as Vex well knew, would only ever be directed towards one goal, one dream- one possibility. She stayed silent, savoring it and then opened her mouth:

"Lead on, sister." It was a small, stupid affectation at familiarity but some rauko employed it. Vex did too, this time, out of instinct. "But remember why it is we do this."