Marineking

Victoria Fletching, the first of four powerful men and women who were publically contending for the position of the late Satan, was probably the hardest woman in Hell. While gender roles played much less importance in the warped feudal era that Hell enjoyed, Victoria was one of the few women that men were not ashamed to take seriously. At four hundred years old, she had an army of twelve hundred demons in her fortress city of Ameria in the far northern province of Sance, along with twice that under the control of hired hands and sworn men. Since she set out for the Royal Lands, her combined strength has nearly quadrupled in size, the local provincial rulers realizing a good investment when they saw one. But for all her military strength and skill, she was a true witch at heart, having innate talents and a creative mind when it came to using magic. Few could decide which side of her was worse, for while she was considered fair, she had foul mood-swings and was just as likely to kiss you as to order you raped by her demons.

Kale Varing was a strange man, and few could could decide with any conviction what he was truely like. He let few in his presence besindes his own personal demons, and was lucky enough to have a small number of very intelligent elemental demons, which he kept around him at all times and used to command both his armies and his subjects, letting them use his voice. In the east, he had built his army of a thousand demons to size over the years, and his reclusive but unafraid actions have drawn many men under his command, mainly mercenaries who like his silver, but a goodly number of those looking for security as well. Carved into a cliff over the city of Evandeen, Kale's fortress watched over the far-eastern province of Bast, and was only accessible by climbing a long and narrow stairway, or else through the magical elevator that Kale keeps powered with his strongest demons. When word of Satan's end came to him, it seemed he was taking his time, for even though he was in the far-east, he was closer then his opponents, but in truth he had sent a number of spies abroad the moment it came to his attention. The eastern lords gather at his feet, fully ecxpecting him to win.

Joseph Smith was what many would call the typical brute, using his demons to subjugate the lands around him into obeisance. Many had thoughts of banding together to dispose of him once and for all, but his strength gathered many under his banner, some of common mind but less power, others simply smelling an opportunity. He had an army of around thirteen hundred, half of those patrolling among the neighboring privinces in normal times. Lord of the south, beyond vast forests that border the Royal Lands, Joseph is king, feared more then Satan, for he was not afraid to reach beyond his borders and choke you into submission. His fortress was located near the Sea of the South, the only salt-water body in Hell worthy of the name, and his walls cover the entire city of Grenda. His palace in in the center, surrounded by another wall, and cutting through the middle of the city is a great river tributary flowing into the southern sea. His palace is built over this river, and from it he distributes clean water to his people. Whenever someone attacks, he is not afraid to sacrifice everyone in the city to save himself. He had set forth to the Royal Lands in forth a day before the death of Satan, loyal followers behind him.

The western lord, though it was expected that he would compete as well, is happy to sit in his fortress far away from trouble, no interest in who becomes Satan whatsoever.

The lords of the Royal Lands must choose what path they wish to take... or pave their own.

(((Just for content purposes, these lords will arrive shortly after this post, so you can react accordingly. For the north and east, they will probably be passing through your towns on the way to the capital.)))

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Astro

Moving swiftly through the road, quickly Sagat and his elementals reached Sucli. Only a couple of people could be seen in the main street while a handfull of his demons were keeping eye over the town, sitting on the rooftops.

Without a single hesitation Sagat moved between wooden houses and dwelled in little alleys until he reached his destination. A sturdy wooden door and a sign where a horse could be seen, if it hadn't degraded with time, were the only things in the old front of the inn.
The Rampant was the most infamous place in Sucli and it was where he ordered one of his special demons to meet him. The owner of the bar fled inside his kitchen right when Sagat entered, leaving only a winged demon in the corner, Sagat and his escort.

Sulfur Archipelago was inacessible, unless you could fly over the Sulfur Ocean. That was why this demon was so special, it could fly. Winged demons were rare and Sagat had some under his power.

Nearing the Winged Demon, Sagat spoke in a low tone of voice - "Is everything in order and everyone ready to move?"

"Yes master. If master keeps promise, they shall keep theirs."

"Good. I need their part of the deal now. I'll fulfill mine later. Now go and tell them."

The winged demon immediatly left, slamming the door hard. Sagat sat down at the table and shouted - "Give me a damn drink, I'm having an headache."

The plan was in motion, but will it be fast enough? Sagat could only wait in Hell.

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Fieren

Baron Revilgaz slouched on his seat, smiling and staring at his card hand. In front of him was a small regal table, with a pile of cards face down to the center. Around the cards were two of the apothecary demons, and one of the assassin order. The three of them also held their own card hands. The assassin placed two cards down.

"Two countesses."

The apothecary to his left fiddled with his cards, placing 3 down.

"Three barons."

"BS." Revilgaz called.

The demon grunted and gathered the pile to add to his hand, the other two chuckled.

"Baron Revilgaz," One of the earlier 7 dispatch team appeared at the door," There's something you should see, the Ghost Lands."

He set his cards down and went to the top of the tower, followed by the other 3 demons. In a few minutes, he was at the height of his vision, staring down at the shadow of his towers, at Red Venice. The comforting sound of glass breaking, profanity, and two by fours breaking was zeroed out. He stared with and eyebrow raised at the large escort passing the Ghost Lands. It was Kale, marching in a hurry through the Ghost Lands. His men showed signs of fatique and nausea, as does everyone if they survive a full trip through the Ghost Lands. But Kale was a clever man, if not undoubtebly weird, and they seemed to be in one piece.

"Give order to the grunts, let them pass, calm the citizens if you will."

"But Baro-"

"If anybody, Kale would know not to launch an attack situated at the Ghost Lands, much less piss off my people while they're still rowdy from Satan's death. Go, trust my judgement as you do your blade."

The four demons smiled and nodded from that remark, for Baron Revilgaz rarely said anything that cheesey.

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Jabor_

His spies keeping him informed as always, Singer decided to postpone his gambling trip. He had some familiarity with Victoria, in fact she had supported him from the shadows in his coup. Upon his relocation to the Royal Lands, he had largely dropped out of contact with his old supporter. Whether she was still supportive of "her" Baron would remain to be seen, but he would have to test the waters to see how far he could push her, and how easy it would be to eliminate her if she became a problem. Singer was guessing "almost impossible", though it always payed to make sure. Calling his servants to hand, he began to make arrangements for her arrival. Baek would have to wait, and he would no doubt have his own issues to work through with Varing.

(( Bumpity bump bump bump, is anyone still playing? ))

(( It started out so well, too. Oh well. ))

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