“Dark Blood”
A strange new apothecary has taken up shop in the streets of Adeluna. Amongst the regular tinctures and cures offered, a strange new substance has been included. Rumor has it that the apothecary made a deal with Dalanesca, the Reaper of Souls and Harbinger of Darkness. In exchange for his servitude, the rumor said she provided him with several vials of her blood. The blood had many properties, as the blood of a deity would, powerful healing among them - but the substance was incredibly addictive. Those who purchased the exorbitantly expensive concoction came back more and more often, and soon the apothecary’s supplies were running low.
Somehow, he continued to procure more and more of the Reaper’s blood, creating more and more of the thick, dark crimson substance that so many had come to crave. The sanguis tenebris, as the citizens of Adeluna (and its neighboring settlements) had come to call it, was administered through injection. The effects were immediate, a warm tingling sensation that spread throughout the entire body accompanied by a strong sense of euphoria. After several doses, the warmth and euphoria fade, leaving only rage and thoughts of violence when the sanguis tenebris leaves the system, and a stronger craving for another administration.
The pain and dread are not the only side effects. Those who had been taking multiple doses soon began to show physical symptoms, the irises of their eyes turning a deep blood red, much as those of the Goddess Dalanesca. It seems that all signs of humanity have faded from those who have reached this state, their only ambition to injure and kill any living soul who crosses their path unless they are defeated first.
Soon, the people of Adeluna began to pray to Dalanesca, begging her for mercy and to remove the effects that the sanguine tenebris. After endless pleas, she appeared to the people of Adeluna. In response to their pleas, she told them that their selfishness had earned them the punishment that had been bestowed upon them for their greed. However, the goddess was not entirely unsympathetic. She made the following decree to Adeluna, promising to cure the afflicted if they adhered to what she set forth.
“Defeat the Pale Death and find your Gods.
Remove the weight of the world with the warmth of love.
Drink with caution and watch the three heads closely.
Ignore the treasure and handle wisdom with care.
Let go of your grudges and subside your rage.
Respect the divine and all of their facets, and defeat the darkness within yourself.
Seek shelter from the heat and avoid the screams of hungry beasts.
Tread lightly and be truthful, and avoid all Judgement.
Warmth will save you.
Here you will reach the gates, and all will be forgiven.”
With her cryptic words coming to a halt, the goddess was simply gone, leaving the people of Adeluna wondering just what the words meant, waiting for that brave soul to understand them and take heed, to bring salvation to Adeluna and its surrounding areas from the violent afflicted.
———
For this event, members can post in the
Circulorum Inferni forum to fight their way through the Circles of Inferos! Remember, each Circle has its own environment and creature to battle. There are not nine separate forums, so feel free to choose whichever is the most appealing to you - and work together! If you’re lucky, the Reaper may even show up to lend a helping hand!
As for the riddles offered by the Reaper, here is a bit more explanation for each of them:
“Defeat the Pale Death and find your Gods.”
Circle One: Purgatory
A plane nearly void of light, connected to the Sundering Gardens via the soul-stream. Guarded by the Pale Death - a being which takes the form of Dalanesca’s daughter lost in childbirth. This circle houses souls who had no spiritual connection in life.
“Remove the weight of the world with the warmth of love.”
Circle Two: Lust
This circle consists of buildings made from sunstone and volcanic black salt, all crumbling and destroyed from the strong winds gusting throughout the circle. The souls sent here are those of adulterers and the lustful, constantly being blown about by the winds, never really finding rest of peace. This circle is guarded by dangerous succubi and incubi who will do anything within their power to cause your downfall.
“Drink with caution and watch the three heads closely.”
Circle Three:Gluttony
This circle resembles a beautiful tavern. Stacks higher than one can see of delicious food and drink are scattered throughout. Those who have gorged themselves on life’s luxuries to the point of personal degradation are sent here, being forced to eat and drink until they vomit. Five Cerberus guard the circle, devouring those who refuse to continue the process.
“Ignore the treasure and handle wisdom with care.”
Circle Four: Greed
The fourth circle is constructed of a giant network of never ending mines filled with gold coins, gemstones, and other treasure. The greedy are sent here to push things to the surface, where the must watch as a river of lava devours everything they love. A large Sphinx, sick with greed of knowledge, guards this circle.
“Let go of your grudges and subside your rage.”
Circle Five: Anger
This circle is filled with arenas where vicious fights take place, causing injuries that should result in death but do not, never healing. The urge to fight never leaves - this circle is guarded by banshees who suck away every emotion but the anger one lived in life.
"Divine respect the divine and all their facets, and defeat the darkness within yourself.”
Circle Six: Heresy
The sixth circle of Inferos is a world where rumors fly with the wind. Those who lived lives of lies and deceit find themselves here with their tongues ripped out or their mouths sewn shut. Burning bushes of Bittersweet line the circle. The dark being known as Zelus guards this circle, transforming into the person one resented most in life.
“Seek shelter from the heat and avoid the screams of hungry beasts.”
Circle Seven: Violence
The seventh circle is filled with rivers of lava shooting fireballs high into the sky. The heat is unbearable, but any source of water found is enchanted to offer no comfort. Those who die by suicide find themselves here, forever having the regenerating flesh stripped from their bones by the Harpies who guard the circle.
“Tread lightly and be truthful, and all will avoid Judgement.”
Circle Eight: Fraud
Beds of nails and food riddled with glass fill the desolate village of the eight circle. Everything is rotten no matter how delicious it appears, and things that appear comfortable cause pain. Everything is a lie. The Judgment guards this circle, deciding on how you suffer based on the lies you told in life.
“Warmth will save you.”
Circle Nine: Ruin
Those who were despicable in life find themselves here - the ruiners of the innocent. It is comprised of a world of tundras where one can never be warm. Even the fires burn cold. Body heat is instantly sapped by the Frost Maidens, the guardians of the circle, as they cast their powerful ice magic.
“Here you will reach the gates, and all will be forgiven.”
Domus Tenebris
Before one can reach the gates of Domus Tenebris, they must take the lantern which fades into existence at the entrance. Should one stray from the illumination of the lantern, the Nightmare will manifest itself. The Nightmare is the embodiment of Darkness itself… the proverbial boogeyman that parents warn their young ones about. This being is Fear. It can become anything or anyone in order to defeat its opponent.
Synth Items found here Namita's Relics:
Sanguine Cloak
Reaper's Scythe
Tenebris Amulet
Drops:
Vial of Sanguine Tenebris
Flesh of the Afflicted
Soil of Circulorum Inferi
RECIPES:Sanguine Cloak: 3 vials of sanguine tenebris, 1 flesh of the afflicted, 1 soil of Circulorum Inferni
Reaper’s Scythe: 3 flesh of the afflicted, 1 vial of sanguine tenebris, 1 soil of Circulorum Inferni
Tenebris Amulet: 2 vials of sanguine tenebris, 2 flesh of the afflicted, 1 soil of Circulorum Inferni
The Soul of Circulorum Inferni is acting as a rare drop and has been put into the system as one. There is a x3 silver boost on the forum!
