The Cabal's Legacy

(Open to all intending to see this thing through to the end. All Red Hand members are encouraged to participate. Moderator note: Takes place a day after the events of my Round 1 battle regardless of the outcome)

January XX, CP 1806

The lands of Kebiras swung its doors open to the rest of Althanas. Hidden in myth and lore, there was doubt as to its very existence. Reacting to this formal invitation, the rest of Althanas began to plot and scheme anew. Corone, with its newly formed empire, eyed the continent for whatever resources it might have. Raiaera, with the recent assault from Xem'Zund's forces sought a new safe haven for its refugees. Alerar, wished to discover even more powerful technologies. Akashima wanted to form new spires to combine the Firmanent with the Anti-Firmanent.

Old rivalries were started once more. Old hatreds were once again brought to the surface and a second time of survival emerged. Each nation struggled to back stab its neighbors in an attempt to obtain the rights to the precious resources located within Keribas.

But they were all of them deceived.

In secrecy, Keribas' Cabal contacted the members of a Power Group known as the Red Hand. Working in shadows to overtake the global market by force, back alley treaties and deals were made. Members of the Red Hand met in secret with the members of the Cabal. Several members of the Red Hand agreed to participate in the events of the international competition.

Greed fueled more greed.

Before any other Power Groups could maintain a foothold, the Red Hand functioned quickly to obtain a stranglehold on the trade routes, and monopolize ample business.

And so, it was that Lorenor was given a secret assignment from his leader and master, Sorahn un' Rohnahmeh. The only other allegiance that Lorenor held that was superior to that of the Red Hand, was his allegiance to the Dark Mother known as N'Jal. As a fledgling spider magi, Lorenor worked the dark teachings of his goddess with superior efficiency. The further that the mutant dove into the secret teachings of the Necronomicon, the further his fate as an arch-villain of Althanas was sealed. With Lorenor's fate, so too, would the rest of Althanas' fate be sealed as well.

For if the mutant was to go down, he would ensure that the rest of Althanas went down with him. It was with this mood, that the mutant found himself standing in a garden of sorts, guided by the will of N'Jal. Whispering her secrets to the mutant, he followed her lead into the garden. Many other individuals were moving in and out of Althanas at will. He caught several people traveling through doors similar to those in the land of Phantarias. L

Lorenor could see swirling bolts of energy traveling through the air itself.

Even the very earth beneath him crackled with living energies. It filled his every breath, feeding the mutant with a certain wild confidence. He was eager to meet with the other participants of the competition, and perhaps, just perhaps, enroll a few of them into the Power Group known as the Red Hand. Competitions of this nature were economical strongholds with all of the gambling going on and the other dark business that seemed to swirl around the tournament.

"Hey you!" Called a voice from a nearby location. Lorenor paused, instinctively, the paranoid mutant began to draw blade. When the mutant gripped the handle of one of his weapons, the voice responded. "Hey kid, no need for that! Keep that thing hidden or you'll make them angry! And trust me kid, you wouldn't like them when they are angry." And at that moment, from behind a nearby rock a strange individual emerged.

The mutant beheld a creature of extremely short stature, standing no more than three feet, five inches in height. It had pink skin, long ears, and an extremely deformed nose. A single piercing was visible on the left nostril, as well as on his right eyebrow. The creature was bald and had glowing yellow eyes. His grubby, large hands, had three fingers a piece adorned with a ring on each finger. His large feet had three toes as well, and the mutant noticed that they were bare. Lorenor clenched his fists tightly. His familiar, the endless, was hiding nearby. "Word of your exploits have reached the land of Keribas kid. I expected you to be much taller o dark one."

Lorenor frowned at that, a hideous transformation of his deformed face. "Is that supposed to be a joke!?" Lorenor asked with growing impatience at the strange creature. The mutant wanted to end the thing right then and there, but N'Jal told him otherwise. "You hear the will of the Dark Mother too don't you?" The creature asked. Lorenor did not like where this was heading. "Where art thou heading with this?" The mutant asked, irritation in his voice. The little one responded to the mutant's question in haste. "I am simply offering you a compliment. You're far too uptight. You smell bad too!" Upon hearing the critical judgment, the mutant prepared to draw his weapon once more. "H-hey calm down. I have something good to show you!" Keeping his hand on the hilt of his weapon this time, the mutant pondered for a moment. He listened to the will of N'Jal and it spoke of patience and understanding. Lorenor shook his head. "Looks like you win for the time being."

With that, the mutant followed the little gremlin folk deeper into the garden of secrets...