Imzadi
01-11-2008, 10:02 PM
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The Premise
The Legions of Hell
First there were the Archons. Seven beings made of pure energy and power. Having entire dimensions at their disposal, the dead stars soon lost their appeal to shift and play with. Toys were needed; puppets to play with and a place for them to be toyed with. So a new planet was created, yet do not deem this to be like our Mother Earth. It was all but rock with dry winds and a hot sun burning down on the poor creatures that possessed no conscious mind or free will. It soon became apparent that this attempt had been nothing but a failure. Easily bored, one the Archons created a void, parallel to the dimensions they resided in. A world made of torment, heat and flames to burn what had gone so devastatingly wrong. A void that one could regard as what we refer to as "Hell".
In a second attempt, the 7 Archons created a new world. This time the puppets would be more than that. Fashioning them after themselves they would have instincts and be as much a pinnacle of this new world as the Archons were to the entire dimension. As yet another failure seemed within reach because their new toys where hardly more than mindless beasts the Archons decided they would give humans emotions much like their own and an aware conscience to process those emotions of others.
The gift of pride was given by the eldest, for the humans to ever evolve they needed to feel within themselves a self-gratification from their triumphs. Envy was second, to strive for what they did not have. Wrath was given to the third, for in their anger they would accomplish more than being passive. Greed was needed to provoke a want to acquire what they usually could not. Lust, to heighten their feelings and see the beauty in each other. Gluttony, for the Archons were willing to give everything their world had to offer to the humans, and wished for them to enjoy it. Finally, Sloth, for without sloth there could be no hierarchy created.
To prevent yet another complete failure, the Archons decided to 'test' these gifts first. Each gift would be bestowed on another exemplar of mankind, so all seven could be discarded easily if this attempt did turn out to be in vain yet again. And as it is mankind's nature, these seven humans fell into the bad side of these vices and thus began to ruin the Archon's creation once more by tainting the remaining humans. To save the remaining world of following this destiny, the seven tainted humans along with the more strongly tainted were cast into the void where the first creation had been burning until this very day and would be burning for all times to come. However, the damage was done; the seed of a free will had been planted and was spreading.
Once more the Archons were about to get rid of their creation. But create a third world? These toys of theirs modelled after themselves appeared to not be worth the effort. Being tired and bored the seven Gods decided to leave this dimension in search of another where the presets might prove more successful to them. But what to do about a dimension that was bound to a void separated only by a barrier maintained by their own magic? The youngest Archon bestowed five of the remaining humans - five he considered particularly pure and untainted - with the power to maintain this barrier between the worlds. Planting the destiny of maintaining this wall that separated the worlds in their head this dimension finally proved to hold nothing for the Archons anymore, leaving but a residue of their magic they parted from this dimension to take on another.
Decades, centuries of a time began where all but five humans that had received the gift of magic from their ancestors would maintain the barrier. Countless years in which the gift of magic was passed on to children and the proximity to those spots where the wall between the worlds was exceptionally thin allowed the other world to create powers in them that were beyond belief and perception of the average human.
The legend of unspeakable evil to reside between the walls of their Earth passed down, every being to possess magic destined their life to defending the barrier and keep anything from crossing over even if it took their life. And soon this dedication became more than needed as the residue power of the Archons dwindled weakening said barrier and even cracking it in places; as how could 5 mere humans maintain a wall created by seven Gods?!
As time passed these cracks got bigger allowing those strong enough a form of a passage way to walk between the worlds and it was the "Five Sinned Ones" to cross over first. They were five warlords that had been the first to imbue their personality and body with all Seven Sins. Having spent eternity in a lifeless and burning world their will had risen to a level to manifest itself, allowing them to manifest thoughts into solid matter or manipulate it - a form of magic of their own. These warlords had mastered control over the Sins, using them as much as source as well as fuel for their abilities.
As the legend about the Dark World had survived on Earth the knowledge about the "other" magic was as apparent in the Warlords' world. It seemed the sins had affected the other world as well, but in a way where it would neither grant power nor make them stronger. This gift was in the hands of the Dark Ones only. Seeing the five warlords walk freely between the worlds others wanted to follow. Giving into what ultimately created them they would pledge allegiance to one of the lords to gain the ability to control the Sin that could ultimately consume them. No longer the creatures the other world would call "demons" were trapped.
You might think this sounds so easy and nicely working for these demons? Don't be mistaken. A lot of things were working against them. There were the mages, and behind them an army of witches trying to beat them back. With each side wielding powers so strong the opposition created when the void was first created by the Archons it turned into a fight - with firepower. Demons belonging into another world their beings were rooted in it, threatening to pull them back anytime. And of course, there were the Warlords. The Five Sinners had started recruiting Dark Ones around them, creating groups, armies - Legions! Each of them following their own ulterior motive in the battle that would turn out to be never ending. Only through the Warlords they would gain the ability to behold the control over their Sins and therefore their abilities. Those deserting would be hunted down and killed, or simply destroy themselves in a world where not constrains on Sins like in their Hell existed.
Being challenged by ever more demons coming from the void with powers that would match if not exceed their own, the witches wondered how and why these creatures could possess such abilities. Now, that is how an Urban Legend comes into being. A story that is to explain and strike fear into those that might not believe or not be on their toes as much. Soon a fairytale about an Academy, where all demons could come together and train for their fight against the mages and witched, turned into a story, then into the truth. By that time it was not just some Academy. It was the Academy of Demonic Arts where the warlords would teach other demons the skills and techniques to control and wield powers so similar yet so alien to them. The fact that no such thing ever existed or will exist remains hidden from them until this very day.
But back to where we were. Soon it became apparent that for those who had just received the gift of Control their stay on Earth was all but temporary. The constant pull of their own world would draw them back mercilessly. Only long practice and mastering their abilities would allow them to gain the strength to reside longer and longer outside the void. Recognizing the need to create a place for their Legions to regroup and rejuvenate. So the Warlords agreed to create a refuge for their followers. However, as much as Legions would join forced to fight the mages and witches on Earth they would fight each other so the silent agreement was that no Legion member could enter that of another.
In an attempt to create places where each warlord would not lose sight of the other and would be high enough above their globe of hell to catch a glimpse of Earth, five towers were created. Each reached up so far above the ground that the tip would be hidden in clouds of fire and brimstone. Before every tower a Nepharite - a watcher of this tower - would stand to not only guard it but to test those who were about to enter. Each Nepharite would be selected by the Warlord themselve, to test whether someone was cut out to be one to follow the agenda the respective leader followed.
The urge to strengthen one's Legion then would drive the Warlords to new means. After the centuries they had developed the abilities to 'taint' humans with sins much like the original Seven Sinners had infected humans before. The difference, however, was the Warlords' powers originated from all seven vinces and not just one. Within a hell-bred Dark One, one of the Sins would dominate over all and in turn define their scope of abilities. Much the same happened to the tainted humans. Upon being imbued with the Sins one would dominate and allow them to develop the sin's trademark abilities. However, as these Sins were rooted within the void, immediately they would feel the pull back to hell just as every other Dark One bred in Hell.
Of course, the Dark Ones did not fail to register the witches and their peculiar way to call the Legion Towers an Academy. In order to keep the Legions of Hell and the Legion Towers a secret they would use the term Academy of Demonic Arts as a substitute whenever crossing paths with mages, who by now where adressed with the title of 'Guides', or their witches. as a reference to the entire complex within Hell that features the towers as well as the War Grounds. What happens in each tower and what each Legions plans remains a secret to not leave the black stone walls of a tower.
And yet this is not the end of this story. It is merely a fracture of the all encompassing, ever on-going struggle between good and evil. Read on below to find out where the ADA is currently at.
The Premise
The Legions of Hell
First there were the Archons. Seven beings made of pure energy and power. Having entire dimensions at their disposal, the dead stars soon lost their appeal to shift and play with. Toys were needed; puppets to play with and a place for them to be toyed with. So a new planet was created, yet do not deem this to be like our Mother Earth. It was all but rock with dry winds and a hot sun burning down on the poor creatures that possessed no conscious mind or free will. It soon became apparent that this attempt had been nothing but a failure. Easily bored, one the Archons created a void, parallel to the dimensions they resided in. A world made of torment, heat and flames to burn what had gone so devastatingly wrong. A void that one could regard as what we refer to as "Hell".
In a second attempt, the 7 Archons created a new world. This time the puppets would be more than that. Fashioning them after themselves they would have instincts and be as much a pinnacle of this new world as the Archons were to the entire dimension. As yet another failure seemed within reach because their new toys where hardly more than mindless beasts the Archons decided they would give humans emotions much like their own and an aware conscience to process those emotions of others.
The gift of pride was given by the eldest, for the humans to ever evolve they needed to feel within themselves a self-gratification from their triumphs. Envy was second, to strive for what they did not have. Wrath was given to the third, for in their anger they would accomplish more than being passive. Greed was needed to provoke a want to acquire what they usually could not. Lust, to heighten their feelings and see the beauty in each other. Gluttony, for the Archons were willing to give everything their world had to offer to the humans, and wished for them to enjoy it. Finally, Sloth, for without sloth there could be no hierarchy created.
To prevent yet another complete failure, the Archons decided to 'test' these gifts first. Each gift would be bestowed on another exemplar of mankind, so all seven could be discarded easily if this attempt did turn out to be in vain yet again. And as it is mankind's nature, these seven humans fell into the bad side of these vices and thus began to ruin the Archon's creation once more by tainting the remaining humans. To save the remaining world of following this destiny, the seven tainted humans along with the more strongly tainted were cast into the void where the first creation had been burning until this very day and would be burning for all times to come. However, the damage was done; the seed of a free will had been planted and was spreading.
Once more the Archons were about to get rid of their creation. But create a third world? These toys of theirs modelled after themselves appeared to not be worth the effort. Being tired and bored the seven Gods decided to leave this dimension in search of another where the presets might prove more successful to them. But what to do about a dimension that was bound to a void separated only by a barrier maintained by their own magic? The youngest Archon bestowed five of the remaining humans - five he considered particularly pure and untainted - with the power to maintain this barrier between the worlds. Planting the destiny of maintaining this wall that separated the worlds in their head this dimension finally proved to hold nothing for the Archons anymore, leaving but a residue of their magic they parted from this dimension to take on another.
Decades, centuries of a time began where all but five humans that had received the gift of magic from their ancestors would maintain the barrier. Countless years in which the gift of magic was passed on to children and the proximity to those spots where the wall between the worlds was exceptionally thin allowed the other world to create powers in them that were beyond belief and perception of the average human.
The legend of unspeakable evil to reside between the walls of their Earth passed down, every being to possess magic destined their life to defending the barrier and keep anything from crossing over even if it took their life. And soon this dedication became more than needed as the residue power of the Archons dwindled weakening said barrier and even cracking it in places; as how could 5 mere humans maintain a wall created by seven Gods?!
As time passed these cracks got bigger allowing those strong enough a form of a passage way to walk between the worlds and it was the "Five Sinned Ones" to cross over first. They were five warlords that had been the first to imbue their personality and body with all Seven Sins. Having spent eternity in a lifeless and burning world their will had risen to a level to manifest itself, allowing them to manifest thoughts into solid matter or manipulate it - a form of magic of their own. These warlords had mastered control over the Sins, using them as much as source as well as fuel for their abilities.
As the legend about the Dark World had survived on Earth the knowledge about the "other" magic was as apparent in the Warlords' world. It seemed the sins had affected the other world as well, but in a way where it would neither grant power nor make them stronger. This gift was in the hands of the Dark Ones only. Seeing the five warlords walk freely between the worlds others wanted to follow. Giving into what ultimately created them they would pledge allegiance to one of the lords to gain the ability to control the Sin that could ultimately consume them. No longer the creatures the other world would call "demons" were trapped.
You might think this sounds so easy and nicely working for these demons? Don't be mistaken. A lot of things were working against them. There were the mages, and behind them an army of witches trying to beat them back. With each side wielding powers so strong the opposition created when the void was first created by the Archons it turned into a fight - with firepower. Demons belonging into another world their beings were rooted in it, threatening to pull them back anytime. And of course, there were the Warlords. The Five Sinners had started recruiting Dark Ones around them, creating groups, armies - Legions! Each of them following their own ulterior motive in the battle that would turn out to be never ending. Only through the Warlords they would gain the ability to behold the control over their Sins and therefore their abilities. Those deserting would be hunted down and killed, or simply destroy themselves in a world where not constrains on Sins like in their Hell existed.
Being challenged by ever more demons coming from the void with powers that would match if not exceed their own, the witches wondered how and why these creatures could possess such abilities. Now, that is how an Urban Legend comes into being. A story that is to explain and strike fear into those that might not believe or not be on their toes as much. Soon a fairytale about an Academy, where all demons could come together and train for their fight against the mages and witched, turned into a story, then into the truth. By that time it was not just some Academy. It was the Academy of Demonic Arts where the warlords would teach other demons the skills and techniques to control and wield powers so similar yet so alien to them. The fact that no such thing ever existed or will exist remains hidden from them until this very day.
But back to where we were. Soon it became apparent that for those who had just received the gift of Control their stay on Earth was all but temporary. The constant pull of their own world would draw them back mercilessly. Only long practice and mastering their abilities would allow them to gain the strength to reside longer and longer outside the void. Recognizing the need to create a place for their Legions to regroup and rejuvenate. So the Warlords agreed to create a refuge for their followers. However, as much as Legions would join forced to fight the mages and witches on Earth they would fight each other so the silent agreement was that no Legion member could enter that of another.
In an attempt to create places where each warlord would not lose sight of the other and would be high enough above their globe of hell to catch a glimpse of Earth, five towers were created. Each reached up so far above the ground that the tip would be hidden in clouds of fire and brimstone. Before every tower a Nepharite - a watcher of this tower - would stand to not only guard it but to test those who were about to enter. Each Nepharite would be selected by the Warlord themselve, to test whether someone was cut out to be one to follow the agenda the respective leader followed.
The urge to strengthen one's Legion then would drive the Warlords to new means. After the centuries they had developed the abilities to 'taint' humans with sins much like the original Seven Sinners had infected humans before. The difference, however, was the Warlords' powers originated from all seven vinces and not just one. Within a hell-bred Dark One, one of the Sins would dominate over all and in turn define their scope of abilities. Much the same happened to the tainted humans. Upon being imbued with the Sins one would dominate and allow them to develop the sin's trademark abilities. However, as these Sins were rooted within the void, immediately they would feel the pull back to hell just as every other Dark One bred in Hell.
Of course, the Dark Ones did not fail to register the witches and their peculiar way to call the Legion Towers an Academy. In order to keep the Legions of Hell and the Legion Towers a secret they would use the term Academy of Demonic Arts as a substitute whenever crossing paths with mages, who by now where adressed with the title of 'Guides', or their witches. as a reference to the entire complex within Hell that features the towers as well as the War Grounds. What happens in each tower and what each Legions plans remains a secret to not leave the black stone walls of a tower.
And yet this is not the end of this story. It is merely a fracture of the all encompassing, ever on-going struggle between good and evil. Read on below to find out where the ADA is currently at.