Reforged!

The City of Cormanworth

The city of Cormanworth, is a large city with a mostly human population, with some demi humans mixed in for flavor. The city was not some backstage hovel, the city was large and sprawling, with homes of different sizes and shapes blossoming out in all directions. The city even was made bright with a magical lighting system of street lamps, so even the dark corners had light. The city had running water and a working sewage system. Heating on the other hand was either fire pits or if you were lucky to have a mage-enhanced furnace that produced heat without the need for wood or coal. The large outer walls kept the outside world from encroaching on the most secure and peaceful life on the inside.

The Hidden Occult, a small shop, like most the building served as a residence for the owner and a place of business, this two-story building of stone and wood with a red clay tiled roof. The upper story had big shuttered windows of red-painted wood. A simple desk, with a chair and a large three-drawer dresser decorated this room. Inside this room, a man lay on a large bed. He was in his late twenties, his hair black and short, well-shaven, no beard. He was not a muscled individual by any means but not weak either. He tossed and turned, he had trouble sleeping, this was normal. His dreams were often nightmares and he was hoping tonight was going to be different. He faded off into sleep.

Dreamscape - The Blackthorn Academy

Oliver was standing in a hallway. He reached across and touched the wall with his bare hand. He noted the stone was too smooth, he felt that the wall had been spell-shaped by magic. He looked about, the lighting was provided by mage lights, small globes attached to the walls that provided light. His dreams were gritty and painful as he was expecting the nightmare again, with whips, chains, and being tortured by the blue-horned succubus, Heather. This was not the same, he let his mind wander at the relief. He often could control his dreams, but when they got dark, fear took over and he could not stop them, a side effect of his previous captivity.

He looked around, and he could see several doors, each had a sign hanging above. The one he was in front of was “Class K.” The door had a strange symbol painted across the front, a large red Circled Hand. He reached over and opened the door with the handle; inside was a classroom. All the ones he had ever been in had never looked like this. The room was clean and organized, and the tables were arranged in a circular pattern with a lectern at the end opening with a large crystal slate board. A magical device that one could draw on, cast spells into, and create moving illusions to be stored and replayed later, much like the older chalkboards. He had seen only once before in Casters Guild. The headmaster there had one. The board had a name written in bright red lettering, “Head Master Jerilith”. The room was full of people he did not recognize. All the people were younger than he was, all wearing matching uniforms and gray robes with black trim.

“Well, Mr. Martin, you’re late, not good for your first day of class?”

Oliver stared at the man behind the lectern. He was an older man with thick grey and black hair. His robes were completely black with silver and gold trim. He had two crystal skulls floating next to him, one red and the other blue. The teacher paused for a moment as the red skull turned to one of his ears and whispered something quietly to him. The skull spoke in whispering tones, the skull pulsed with a red light.

“No, I am not going to punish him for being late, this is his first day.”

Jerilith then turned to Oliver, “Now, young man come here and introduce yourself.” He pointed to the front of the class.

Oliver walked forward, and he was thinking this was a different dream; alright, go with it. “I am Oliver Martin, a transfer student. I specialize in the occult. I am a summoning specialist; I summon creatures to do my bidding.”

“Good Mr. Martin, please take a seat.” The teacher said.

Oliver looked around, and the only seat available was next to a young silver-haired woman. She looked at him and did not say a word. She had lovely deep blue eyes, slightly hidden behind her seeing aspects, and a petite frame, She was dressed in the school uniform, the standard gray apprentice robes, like the rest of the class.

As he approached the desk he looked at her, “Hi” he spoke. She turned red and turned away from him.

Oliver sat down and looked around. Then in the corner of the room, sitting down with her two cronies, was Heather. Heather was dressed in student robes as well. Heather was not human, she was a demon. He could see the curved blue horns she had, her black raven hair, and her shapely body. Her raven, black feathered wings rested on her back. Her black serrated tail swayed menacing back and forth.

Heather had presented herself as a half-celestial, the truth is she was a succubus. She was a prominent member of Cormanworth until she was exposed as a demon who until she was exposed by the Grind House Guild. Oliver had failed had summoned her, to lend her powers in the making of magical devices. He made a mistake in the contract, and the mistake cost him dearly. He lost his fiancée as she was captured by Heather and tortured. Oliver himself had become a favored thrall by the seductress of the mind and body.

Heather pushed the young student out of his seat in front of her to the floor. He hit the floor and looked back, “Yes mistress.” the student looked like he had enjoyed being pushed to the floor by the demon. Heather was now pointing to the empty chair in front of her.

“You belong here, my thrall. Remember what I did to your last woman! Are you so eager to push for pain again? I love the way you use your black whip on the backs of your loved ones."

Oliver’s heart began to race with fear. He woke up, he ended the dream as soon as he saw her, he did not want to go through her torments again.

Oliver shot straight up, and his heart was racing. He looked at the doors and windows of his room. He checked the magical wards and protections he had placed. The magical defenses were intact still. Relieved, he lay back against the wall. Heather, was a succubus who had made him her slave for months. He was deathly afraid of her. She was in his nightmares, not because of her direct influence but because of what she did to him.