Warlocks as a rule were a secretive group. Their spells, methods and rituals closely guarded from the outside world. The powers of demonic magic were not to be taken lightly, nor their responsibility handed to magic users who could not handle it. Certain groups within the warlock ranks were even more hardcore in accepting new initiates. One of these such groups was The Brotherhood of the Skull.
This secretive sect of warlocks believed that the dark arts of demonic magic trumped the powers of all other magic users and that warlocks would eventually be the rulers of the material world. Also they believed secrecy, tenacity,and throwing crazy keg parties once a month. For a new warlock (or evily inclined arcade wizard) to join the group they had to pledge their intention and then, once they reached a certain point in their training, they were asked to officially join the group through an initiation. No outsiders knew what exactly this test was and none who had gone through it wished to speak of it. Only the most crazy and power hungry of warlocks would even think of joining The Brotherhood and of that group only a few were able to make it through the hazing. And in the past twenty years, no new members had been admitted.
“A practitioner of the demonic arts must be ruthless! You must be ready do whatever it takes for power. This path of magic is not for the faint of heart or whiners. You must be prepared to do things others might find ‘evil’ or ‘deviant’ and be willing to sacrifice everything at the drop of a hat should you have to. A warlock must have a will of steel but you must remember not to have too much pride as that will result in your most untimely and painful death.” An elderly gnome warlock stood on top of a podium in front of a group of ten young Brotherhood hopefuls, all dressed in black robes as dark as the shadows lurking in the corner of the cave in which they were gathered. The old magic user punctuated each statement by smacking his pipe on the walnut stand sending a resounding crack echoing through the cave. Many of the initiates standing in the group tended to twitch a little at the noise like scared chickens in a coop.
“The powers of the demonic overrule the petty squabbing of the Horde and Alliance. All warlocks are on the same team and it is best you realize this. The ongoing tension between the factions is simply an inconvenience for those of us who walk the dark path. Are their any questions so far?” The gnome’s voice was high pitched but raspy, as if he had spent most of his life yelling in battle which was actually the case. One student in the back raised his hand slowly and the hawk-like black eyes of the gnome focused on him.
“Yes?”
“Maybe you explained this before…but why exactly are we here? We’ve heard the whole ‘Welcome to the Dark Arts 101′ speech before,” came a rich tenor voice from the student, a certain obvious tone of condescension clearly heard by the group. Those who had been through the ceremony before knew that this proud student was about to get that sly smirk smacked right off of his pretty face.
“What is your name student?”
“Uh…Alvar Hrunting sir.”
“Step forward and take off that hood.” The old warlock stared down at the group of new initiates as if watching ants on the ground as he motioned with one wrinkled hand. There was a shifting of many bodies and the hiss of whispers exchanged as Alvar pushed through the group to the front row, the hood of his black robe pulled down to reveal the obivous pointed ears and gleaming green eyes of a Bloodelf. He bowed before the master warlock, his long golden hair falling forward to cover his face. Two older warlocks, the Gnome’s assistants, shook their heads and smirked at each other from the dark shadows of their hoods. They knew exactly what was coming; there was one smart ass in every class.
“Do you figure he’ll use Curse of Agony this time? I always enjoy watching that one…” the watcher on the left hissed to his companion.
“I do so love the screams. I bet you five gold that he passes out; those High Born are such pansies.” A hand shake was exchanged, the large green one of an orc cupping the rough brown one of a human before the two turned to watch the action.
(more…)