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[Aeloth Nazduin]

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The temple seemed like an open market from the floor above the main hall, where Admoreth prepared for the coming of the savior Nizar. He slipped on a pair of black silk gloves of arms length, which matched his tightly fit black robe complete with a gold trim. He took one final moment to adjust his ornate hat, which he recently added a pentagram sigil to.

"No turning back, You've dug your own grave this time..."


He reluctantly stepped onto the teleporter, to arrive in the main hall of the temple, full of his fellow cabalists. He knew them all, but given the situation he saw a side to each of them he's never seen before. They took on the guise of a blind follower, they gathered at the temple but seemed to know not why. Zh'Azhak stood at the head of the temple, with a malignant expression on his face. Admoreth gazed upon the crowd once more, as if it would be his last time doing so, then approached Zh'Azhak. Before Admoreth could even open his mouth, Zh'Azhak spat. "Tyranthraxus has deserted us!"

Admoreth's eyes narrowed to thin slits, then he turned to the gathered, still speaking to Zh'Azhak. "He holds the mirror of Morgaz, We cannot summon Nizar without him!" he muttered with a hissing tone.

Zh'Azhak took a step towards the cabalists, and yelled in a rage. "Our services to Nizar and Oblivion have gone unseen!" He immediately turned towards one of the teleporters and vanished in a puff of smoke upon stepping on it. Admoreth steepled his fingers against his forehead, and growled as he spoke. "Should you see Tyranthraxus before I do, reward his treachery with death!" Admoreth followed after Zh'Azhak, leaving the masses below in the main hall of the temple.

The teleporter moved Admoreth to the roof, Where he found Zh'Azhak standing over an altar, candles dimly lit creating a slight glow upon the stone of the altar. "And now what?" Zh'Azhak asked, still irritated by the situation.

Admoreth's head sank in thought, reflecting on the past few days. The first Pyre went smoothly, that eve the cabal was blessed with the Spellbook of Nizar. However.. the pyre of last night was disturbed. Spectators mocked the practice, and were left unpunished. Such was not the way of an advocate of entropy, not in the least.

"Another pyre." Admoreth spoke softly, looking to the northeast. "This time.. Luna."

Zh'Azhak, still obviously displeased nodded. "I shall send the others to gather materials.."

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The entire cabal rushed to gather materials. As Admoreth gathered, he saw the slave, Darrien, feverishly viscerate a woodland creature. Horace stood over the corpse of a deer behind one of Umbra's many black trees, and he could hear the others yelling about something off in the distance, amidst the sound of explosions and lightning claps. The horse Admoreth used to carry the flesh and hides grew weary, so he took it back to the small clearing in front of the temple. The pile of flesh, tree limbs and hide grew, Yet all of it was loaded. Kuja rode by with a bloody sack strapped to the back of his horse, and slid it off of the mount. The bloodied hides slid out of the sack, smearing a bit of blood across the grass. Admoreth immediately began loading the hides onto the horse, then a figure caught his gaze; Nephraal emerged from the gates to Charnel Hill, looking about in a bit of confusion.

"Tyranthraxus has betrayed us, We are off to Luna to light a pyre to satisfy Lord Nizar." Admoreth spoke, making his blood boil with a tinge of rage.

"Bah.. Luna needs to be reminded of their place in the realm. Under our feet." Nephraal spoke with a snarl, turning his head back towards the cemetery. Zh'Azhak rode back with Cassandra, Entulesse, Galnor and Cassandra Drey'Fonaar. The four of them brought more materials, mainly flesh. Then again, Admoreth expected such from Zh'Azhak.
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The gates of Luna, completely unguarded. Such was the effects virtues had on the hearts of man, far too much trust of their fellow kin. The group gathered infront of the gates, when they were approached by a figure in a dark robe and wizard's hat. He inclined his head, his face no longer hidden by the brim of his hat.

"Traitor..."


Zh'Azhak scowled at the man who halted their ritual, the man known as Tyranthraxus. "At the very least, do you hold the mirror?"Zh'Azhak asked with a hint of malignance.

"Of course.." Tyranthraxus answered as he removed a small box wrapped in black silk from his side.

"Save it." Zh'Azhak snapped as he looked to a balcony over the western gateway. "There, our pyre shall be built." He whispered, leading the group towards it.


Atop the balcony Admoreth and Zh'Azhak lead the construction. "Horace, Galnor, Norture, and the slave. Build the pyre." Admoreth ordered. Admoreth looked towards Cassandra, but she was standing behind Zh'Azhak. Admoreth rolled his eyes and looked to Kuja and Tyranthraxus. "Keep an eye out.. we'll have no mishaps like yesterday." As the pyre was being constructed, Kuja turned towards Admoreth.

"Guards, quite a few." he said, pointing towards the center of the city. Admoreth walked hastily towards the ledge, placing his hands upon it.

"Damnable fate..." He hissed as he turned towards Zh'Azhak. "Salvage what you can, we'll not remain here." The cabal swiftly grabbed the materials and loaded them onto the packhorse, the slave strapping what he could to his back. Nephraal provided a moongate back to Charnel Hill, and the cabal escaped unscathed by the guards.
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Atop the temple, construction of the pyre was resumed. Already weary from the previous attempt, the cabal slaved to erect a pyre to satisfy their lord. Upon completion, Admoreth stood before the pyre and spoke to his bretheren.


The black seed we planted so long ago now bears fruits ripe for the picking. Tonight, we summon the Lich Lord Nizar to plunge Sosaria and her people into a plethora of woe and despair. My siblings of Oblivion, may Nizar guide us down the road paved with the blood and bone of our opposition

Admoreth stood back away from the pyre. "Ignite it."

All began casting spells of flame upon the pyre, and it erupted in a plume of smoke and heat. "Bathe in the flames!" Zh'Azhak yelled, and all did such accordingly. The heat licked at Admoreth's skin, sending him down to one knee. Eventualy the flames died, and many were covered in small amounts of ash. Admoreth stood to his feet, then gazed upon his bretheren.


The time is now.

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Zh'Azhak, Admoreth and Tyranthraxus stood at the front of the temple, the artifacts within each of their possesion. Zh'Azhak stood forward, holding Nizar's spellbook. Zh'Azhak detailed in the spellbook.. but Admoreth couldn't make sense of his words. He felt himself grow weak, and he stumbled back against a pillar. He caught himself as Zh'Azhak finished his speech, and Admoreth stepped forward. He spoke of his artifacts; Kabar's soulstone, the sermon, and the Harbinger's blood. He knew he was speaking, but could not hear it. When he would attempt to detail to deeply in one of the items, his skull would pound. He finished quickly, then motioned to Tyranthraxus. Tyranthraxus had gazed off into space, and Admoreth's pounding headache turned into a piercing one.

"Tyranthraxus!" Admoreth shouted, slamming his fist against the pillar. Zh'Azhak had begun to act in a peculiar fashion also, tightening his hands into fists and greeting his teeth, strain had never been shown by any of these men. The gathered bretheren watching knew not what to expect.

Tyranthraxus spoke on the mirror, but again.. Admoreth could make no sense of it. Tyranthraxus was dripping sweat and quick to speak, Thusly finishing quickly.

"Let us arrange the artifacts in a circle before us.." Admoreth spoke weakly, seeming a bit hazed. The objects were arranged accordingly, and with a flash the encompassed the room in a bright violet light for a brief second. Zh'Azhak and Admoreth spread their hands over the artifacts, a black swirl of energy formed between Zh'Azhak and the artifacts, a white swirl between Admoreth and the artifacts. But Tyranthraxus had his attention focused elsewhere. He watched the mirror, with great intent. Such intent was then turned to Admoreth, but such was not met with a gaze. Tyranthraxus raised a fist to the sky and a bolt of lightning came crashing down on Admoreth, knocking him back several feet.

Treacherous snake...

Tyranthraxus then set his eyes upon Zh'zhak, and did the same. Sending Zh'Azhak flying into a brazier, embers and ash littering the air above him. Tyranthraxus picked up the mirror, and looked into it.

"Mo.. come.. " Tyranthraxus uttered, then was stopped suddenly. He lot out a thin yell, and grasped at the air before him, dropping the mirror of Morgaz. "But y--" he spoke with great struggle. Tyranthraxus doubled over, and gave out a final scream before breathing his last breath.

Admoreth slowly stood to his feet, his back hunced and his ankle sprained. Zh'Azhak struggled to his feet as well, and both gazed upon the corpse of the last Necromancer of the former Order of the Ebon Skull, the student of Ezerak.

Admoreth opened his arms and gazed upward, then snapped his attention to the south, in the direction of Umbra. The sky had created a funnel of the mists that lingered above Umbra, and red bolts of energy shot down from the heavens.

Ni.. Nizar.. the messiah cometh...

Admoreth lurched out of the temple, dragging his left leg. He followed the moat about halfway to the bridge that lead into Umbra's western borders, when he heard the sound of scuffling and benches being overturned coming from the temple. The cabal followed him, Zh'Azhak did not appear to be in the best of shape either.

Benev.. sav.. r..

Admoreth was now on one of the main roads into Umbra, heading towards the bank. He collapsed, and clawed his way onward, digging his long fingernails into the cobblestone, damaging them to a point that he normally wouldn't tolerate. He made his way to a tree just outside of the bank, and used it to get to his feet. Admoreth slowly turned to the masses, attempting to find Zh'Azhak. He spied him, and heard himself say "We are so close, never have the glories of Oblivion been so sweet!" Though others around him gave him peculiar looks as if they didn't understand him. Admoreth laughed maniacally, and walked through the bank, The well of tears now in sight.

Admoreth's vision faded, save for a figure in a black moongate at the foot of the well of tears.

Nizar...

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The cabal gathered before the ancient lich lord, Admoreth immediately sank to both knees. He saw some were reluctant to bow, sending a serge of fear and rage through his body. "Bow, immediately!" Admoreth turned and snapped, returning to his position of his head being lowered.

Nizar's corporeal body gave off an aura black as night, screams littering the air, eventually forming into one.

"Admoreth..." Nizar hissed, stepping out of the black moongate. "You are loyal indeed, and you reach for what is far beyond your grasp..." The lich lord tightened his skeletal hand into a fist, and Admoreth felt all air escape him. He fell back against the hard dirt clinging at his throat. And to top it off, behind Nizar was Zh'azhak on one weakend knee, grinning maliciously.

"My book... where is it?" Nizar asked, the red energy in his eye socket burning brightly. Admoreth nervously gestured to the north, still laying flat on his back. "A.. at your temple." Admoreth responded hesitantly.
Nizar nodded once. Nephraal stood forward, "I.. I will provide the gate." he said, opening a moongate to the temple.
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Nizar stood before the temple, and hissed with discontent. "This is -my- temple?" Admoreth felt his stomach wretch, then answered. "Yes, Lord Nizar. Your book is inside." Nizar held his hand out towards Admoreth, and Admoreth was thrown against the stone steps. Zh'Azhak walked towards Admoreth, and helped him up. What Admoreth didn't know was that Zh'Azhak slipped his hand into Admoreth's robe.

"Retrieve my book!" Nizar boomed, tossing his arms to his sides. Admoreth nodded swiftly, and started to walk inside the temple when a small tome slipped from his side. The book landed against the stone floor with a thud, alerting Admoreth to turn his head. Nizar's eye sockets exploded with red flares of energy, then snapped his skull towards Admoreth. "

"Mi.. milord! I'd never...!" Admoreth knew his words would fall on deaf ears, the book did fall from his robe after all. He fell to his knees and pleaded for forgiveness. Nizar cackled and dismissed the mishap of the tome, whilst Zh'Azhak stood in the background with a mischevious grin.

"Now... the ebon skull. Where is it?" Nizar asked Admoreth.

Admoreth's throat swelled, and fumbled with his fingers nonchalantly. "I.. I know not." he spoke softly. "..But he does." Admoreth smiled as he looked at Zh'Azhak. Nizar slowly turned towards Zh'Azhak, who was pulled towards the lich lord. "Where is my skull?" Nizar asked, pulling Zh'Azhak closer. Zh'Azhak appeared to be in a daze, and gave no response. Nizar's eyes flared, and Zh'Azhak let out a scream. Cassandra stepped forward, but was quickly caught by Galnor before she did anything which may lead to her end. Admoreth grinned at Zh'Azhak from afar, Horace and Nephraal the only two who noticed.

"..It.. vanished with Azalin!!" Zh'Azhak yelled in Nizar's face. Nizar sent Zh'Azhak into one of the support columns of the temple, the turned to the temple's face.

"Such an inferior testament to my greatness, it shall be torn down." Nizar hissed quietly. Admoreth's eyes widened, looking to the cabal, then to Nizar. Nizar spread his arms before the temple, and it began to tremble akin to a frightend child. The stone walls began to fall, and the temple was reduced to a pile of dust and stone. Nizar headed west of Charnel Hill, leaving the cabal behind him. Admoreth sank to his knees and tightened his hands into fists.

[/i]Just wait until I catch you alone, cadaverous worm...

Admoreth stood and followed after Nizar, and the cabal followed. Nizar stood over a mound of dirt and bone, and raised his hands to the skies. A new "temple" was erected from the dirt, and Nizar applauded himself accordingly. He ascended the steps, while Nephraal, Zh'Azhak and Admoreth exchanged very subtle nods. They followed inside, as the rest of the cabal attempted to do. "Wait outside." Admoreth snapped, then turned to follow Nizar, Nephraal and Zh'Azhak in.

Nizar descended into the subteranean area of the temple, Admoreth keeping a scornful eye on him. In the main chamber of the floor, Admoreth stepped forward. "Milord, we have prepared for you a gift.. to celebrate your return."

Nizar looked up at the mention of the word gift, tilting his skull to the side. Admoreth exchanged a grin and a malevolent laugh with Nephraal, and the pair began to gather balls of fire in their hands. Nizar's eye's flared as he readied his own cantrip, but was interrupted by the hail of flames which spewed from Admoreth's and Nephraal's fingertips. Nizar recoiled with an ear-piercing scream, and readied another spell.

Zh'Azhak had moved himself to the corner, and began to bend his wrist to the point that the bone snapped. Admoreth took note of it, and whispered to himself.

Prove useful, fleshcrafting kindred...

Zh'Azhak had readied his arm into a spear of sorts, the end a sharpened bone. Admoreth and Nephraal had drained themselves of arcane potency, and Nizar hovered towards Admoreth with amazing speed. Zh'Azhak charged at Nizar, using his organic weaponry to slay him. Nizar's skeletal frame exploded in an inferno of flames and anguished cries, leaving only a pile of bone.

His skull was shrouded in a black flare of energy, then was released to become a blackened skull. Nizar's spellbook sat atop the bone pile, as did a ring.

Admoreth lunged for the skull, and swiped it as Nephraal nearly took it for himself. Zh'Azhak snatched Nizar's spellbook, and cradled it as a mother would an infant. Nephraal took the ring, and slid it onto his finger.

Admoreth felt a slight inner burning, and his flesh began to fall off. "W.. what?!" Admoreth inquired to whatever was listening. Zh'Azhak and Nephraal watched in wonder as Admoreth began to take on a violet glow, and his flesh sank into a pile on the ground.

There Admoreth stood, stripped of flesh and organ, no longer bound to the burdens of the living. He became the next Lich Lord of the Ebon Skull.
Zh'Azhak darted outside, leaving Nephraal and Admoreth in the basement. Admoreth let out a shriek of laughter, which was followed by the sounds of scurrying footsteps up above. The cabal was lead by Zh'Azhak into the basement. The gathered gazed upon Admoreth with awe, feeling compelled to drop to one knee. One member yelled the age old word that the Seekers only learned of in books.

"Etheng!"

Others followed, and Admoreth halted the chanting.

"Spread word in the cities of the return of Oblivion, and the birth of Admoreth Nazduin, Lich Lord of the Ebon Skull!" He extended his skeletal finger towards the surface, letting out bursts of energy around him. The cabal rushed to leave.

...But Admoreth had unfinished busniness. He took with him four members of the cult to Umbra.
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"Guard this tower with your lives, I will not be disturbed." Admoreth snapped.

Admoreth ascended the steps, his bones cracking as he made every move.

It has been far too long... I wonder what he's like now.

A circle of vulture's above the tower caught Admoreth's attention for a brief second.

A victim of his stubborn demeanor, I had hoped he would have followed like most of this city.

Admoreth continued up the steps, then into the chamber where he found the elder of the Necromantic brotherhood, mixing liquids in vials and boiling various organics. He turned his attention to Admoreth, dropping the vial to the floor and pressing himself against the wall.

Hello, Mardoth.......