A passage from the exploits of Habib al Taib.

Habib enters the hall of the Formian queen and stares at the great alien presence before him. He feels that it somehow falls into a certain sphere of the natural order of things. He does however concede that whilst his knowledge of nature is normally undisputed, the Seerdomain and Akaron in general do indeed present an interesting variation of the natural laws. He realizes that in this place he must maintain an open mind.

The creatures before him are neither ant nor human. They resemble both and neither, and this fact ensues a conflict within himself concerning weather or not the Formian race represent an abomination in the eyes of the natural order. He ponders not too heavily upon this matter, and deliberately turns a blind eye. The creatures have offered aid, and against their devil opponent, clearly an evil, unnatural creature who would destroy existence as he knows it, all aid must be accepted and graciously exploited.

His companions begin to question the Queen about the metal beasts, denizens of the Devil Shadowthrone. A consensus has been reached that the best way to weaken the enemy defenses would be to attack its allies. The metal beasts are an abomination and a threat to the mission. They must be eliminated.

The Formian queen is unable to provide much information that is not already known. The metal beasts eat anything metallic with delight, and have a weakness against organic means of destruction. Habib realizes that the fight will most likely center around himself and his pet Jackal. With this in mind he begins his meditations entreating the forces of nature to grant him specific magics to best exploit the enemy weakness. He plans to employ the use of a great wave of slime capable of eating through metal, as his primary means of attack. He is confident, for there are few who would be capable of countering this tactic, as a means of offense.

As a final warning, the Queen informs the group about Zalatium, Shadowthrone’s second. Zalatium, she explains is a fallen angel, a Trumpet Archon who despite his fall from grace, is still capable of employing his angelic abilities, along with new Devil powers. He is a force to be reckoned with, and as such, the party should prepare to deal with him should they assault Shadowthrone’s fortress.

The companions leave as the queen grows irritated at their noncessant interrogation. It matters not for they have obtained most of the necessary information for completion of their quest, and to remain longer would only invite unnecessary repetition.

Habib lands on soft eagle feet having scouted the area and finding it deserted. He consults the forces of nature, entreating them for answers, but none are forthcoming. This is strange to him, however he quickly remembers that in the Seerdomain, nature might very well answer to its owner only. He motions the party forward, weapons drawn and ready for anything. His anticipation is heightened when he spots very fresh tracks metal beast, and if not for the quasi-godlike eyes of Valenkel, he almost flies straight into an Orc hiding in the brush, accompanied by two tigers.

Remembering that things are different in Akaron, Habib speaks to the Orc in his own tongue entreating a discussion away from the potentially dangerous proximity of the metal beast lair. The Orc agrees, and the party follows him to a nearby hidden tunnel.

The Orc is called Munroot. Munroot is covered from head to toe in a bone armor with weapons made of similar material. Not an ounce of metal exists on his person for the metal beast smell the substance and revel in consuming it orally. He is sworn to avenge his brother, fallen victim to the head metal beast. Munroot assures the group that the power of the creature is such that a “sacrifice” must keep the beast at bay whilst he prepares a magic arrow to slay it instantly. Munroot explains his intentions to sacrifice his pet tigers, companions of his own fallen brother, whilst he prepares the spell. He spots Kay decked out with metal weapons, and understands him to be the group’s “sacrifice” against the beast. Kay concedes with a smile and irony, already confident of his own immortality. Meanwhile Habib attempts to befriend the tigers who, much to his surprise reply back in common tongue. Habib understands that Munroot’s brother was a Shaman, and had awakened tiger companions. In order to strengthen Munroot’s trust in him, Habib proclaims himself a powerful shaman. Munroot is pleased to have found a “friend of nature”.

A consensus is reached, and an alliance formed. They will work together. Habib finds working with an Orc repulsive at first, but retains an open mind. Akaron is a strange place indeed.

The companions creep carefully towards the lair. Early on they are jumped by the metal beasts who are quickly dispatched. Whilst the fight is short, it causes a ruckus. Munroot is quick enough to employ some form of magic to stifle the noise. The creeping resumes.

The lair of the metals beasts is, like the creatures, entirely constructed of metallic substance. Its walls are riddled with lookout spots where some of the monsters await to jump lesser creatures for food. The first of these sentinels is dispatched without incident. The second one proves more problematic as Habib foolishly orders his earth elemental to pound at the walls seeking to pulverize the beast lying in wait behind an illusionary. The noise sends a powerful resonance down into the pit of the cavern and warning is heard. The beasts are aware of their presence.

Habib recognizes orders being shouted. He is capable of understanding the language of the beasts and is able to warn the party of a pending attack. The beasts howl a metallic screech which resonates in the cavern as if its very walls had been engineered to amplify the sound. Its effects are excruciating but Valenkel throws a silence stone to nullify the noise. Battle is engaged.

The fight is brutal, for the metal beast leader is huge and intimidating. He is also unexpectedly agile as he dodges Habib’s slime wave. However knowing his role, Kay assumes an incredible display of taunts at the beast. Kay is a seasoned warrior and a cocky one. He understands that he must keep the beast distracted long enough for Munroot to prepare his arrow. He approaches battle weaponless, armed with a sturdy coral shield for defense. His taunts infuriate the sentient Metal Leader into a frenzy of powerful attacks absorbed by Kay’s body, reinforced by Estand’s magics. Whilst the Tigers are quickly destroyed by the lesser metal beasts, the rest of the party is capable of engaging them competently. Munroot smiles and proclaims the end. In, but a few moments the beast will be destroyed when a lesser creature slips by his attackers, disrupting Munroots’s concentration. Munroot goes pale with fear, but the warrior within him retains control. He raises his bow and begins again, awed by Kay’s resistance against the Leader’s furious attack.

Kay is brilliant, and it is only the sternest duty which prevents Habib from collapsing into a heap of feathers in tears of laughter at Kay’s taunts. “Ohh is that all bitch? Are there any females of your race? Cause you hit like a girl! Common! I’m just a measly human with no weapon? Is that it? I can dance all day bitch!” So insulting are the taunts that this monologue will not do it justice, and the beast doesn’t even realize as Munroot’s soul seems to flow into his arrow, piercing his powerful metal body.

The Metal Leader exploders into a myriad of shards. A creature rises from the remains bearing two marks of blue and red which Habib recognize as marks of ownership. He suspects that one must belong to Shadowthrone, for he himself bears a similar red symbol from a different devil lord. The second one, he believe belongs to Zalatium. The creature is weakened but not defeated, and it is by chance that Habib understands the metallic orders which eschew from the beast. “Summon him,” he urges, and smaller creatures run quickly to the back of the room.

“Kill them!” Habib screeches with a bird like screech, unleashing another slime wave. The party recognizes the threat for the slime is of Habib’s most potent curses. They fly. Alas one beast succeeds in reaching its destination, opening a portal. A few moments later a trumpet appears at its mouth. Habib orders a summoned earth elemental to block the sound with Valenkel’s stone of silencing, for the Archon’s trumpet can destroy mortals with its pure notes. The plan functions temporarily, but the Archon is wise and powerful. He projects a manifestation of himself and blows.

The sound is not unpleasant, crystal, clear, beautiful, but somehow tainted. Whilst the companions are unaffected the metal leader explodes once again, this time into a mess of gore and guts all over the back wall.

And then….