Pit of Eternal Pain

The Pit of Eternal Pain is a pocket dimension outside of the material plane of Aon, where Agarash the Damned was once trapped, and ruled over as its master. Various creatures of Evil are imprisoned here, waiting to be freed once more.

Pathways can be opened to the Pit of Eternal Pain via a gate, known as a Gate of Doom. A quiet running theme in history involves the followers of Agarash attempting to bring back Agarash via one of these Gates of Doom.

History

Creation

The Pit of Eternal Pain was created by accident in the throne room of Naaros. During the Age of War, the Elder Magi were desperate to defeat Agarash, but were unable to do so. Scaldar, in desperation, made a bargain with Pyrash, Lord of the Flame: In exchange for the Scarlet Fire, he would become the gaoler of the Fire Elementals that had contested Pyrash's tyranny — a pragmatic compromise and not the first such compromise made by the Elder Magi (such as their pact with the Slavemaster of Aarnak to help Lone Wolf). Scaldar taught the Elder Magi how to protect themselves against the Scarlet Fire — the Platinum Amulets — but they were unable to construct enough to protect all the forces of Good. When used against Agarash, however, although the Scarlet Fire was able to shatter Agarash's body and burned him to ashes, it was unable to kill him for good. Worse still, Agarash learnt how to summon and bind the Scarlet Fire himself, unleashing a storm of destruction on Magnamund not seen since the Draconic Holocaust. In Agarash's wrath, the Scarlet Fire consumed all — not just the forces of Good, but Agarashi, undead and mutants alike.

Before this, Agarash's land of Naaros had become the most terrible place in all of Aon. Countless mortals suffered unimaginable torture and corruption there before dying or being consumed by the Agarashi. The depravity distorted the fabric of Aon itself. The Scarlet Fire, unleashed in Naaros, provided the spark in which reality itself was shattered. The agony of the countless souls broke the Material Plane, creating a pocket dimension of pure pain, engulfing all inside Naaros, Agarash included, called the Pit of Eternal Pain. All the souls, Agarash included, were bound to the Pit of Doom, unable to return. The victims were forced to endure the tortures that imprisoned them there, alongside the power of the Scarlet Fire and the wrath of Agarash — and since the Pit lies outside of the dimension of Time, this suffering is forever. Furthermore, in order for one soul to leave, another must take its place. The soul must also be comparable in terms of power: Agarash himself could only be switched with a demigod, demonlord, or mortal with great power.

The Pit was eventually sealed by the Elder Magi during the Age of War, trapping Agarash inside the Pit, shattering Naaros in the process. Agarash himself was subsequently-dubbed "the Damned" on Magnamund, to refer to his imprisonment.

The rise of the Naarvakim

Despite the fall of Agarash, many Agarashi and their allies lived on, not slain in battle nor trapped in the Pit. Over time, several attempts were made to communicate with Agarash, or even free him. A cult known as the Naarvakim rose, whose main purpose was to bring back their master to Magnamund. The Naarvakim operated in secret, and were devoted to this task, corrupting people who could be tempted into their cause.

The Naarvakim were at least aware of the mechanics of the Pit of Eternal Pain, and how to enter it. At least one attempt was made to open a path to the Pit of Eternal Pain, by causing a powerful explosion that could rip the fabric of reality in the same way the Scarlet Fire did, and this pathway would be dubbed a Gate of Doom.

Sejanoz communicates with Agarash

In MS 1620, the ambitious warrior Sejanoz came to power after the Great Civil War, creating his own realm of Bhanar. However, Sejanoz was manipulated by his wife, Asharah, who was one of the Naarvakim. Asharah's plan was to turn Sejanoz into a Candidate to change places with Agarash. Sejanoz's ambitions meant he created many enemies, and in his desperation to stay in power, Asharah offered him a way. Sejanoz would create the city of Bahkasa, filled with countless temples to Evil, and performed many sacrifices there. Eventually, this created enough power for Sejanoz to spirit-walk to the Pit of Eternal Pain, where he would make a pact with Agarash: Agarash would grant Sejanoz immortality, but in exchange, once Sejanoz had become as powerful as his Children, they would switch places.

With this power, Sejanoz became immensely powerful, although Grand Master, later investigating Sejanoz's memories, speculated that Sejanoz delayed this quest on purpose. Sejanoz continued to be guided by Asharah, who was, in fact, an Agarashi shape-changer: Asharah would take on the guise of every single one of Sejanoz's ninety wives, guiding him towards becoming the Candidate.

Shasarak opens the first Gate of Doom

Nearly 1500 years after Sejanoz came to power, the rogue Shianti Shasarak independently discovered how to open a Gate of Doom, by accident. He discovered that in Southern Magnamund, due to Ishir changing the nature of Shadow Gates to be transient (to avoid the Shianti from being tempted to return), these Shadow Gates left marks on the fabric of reality, creating anomalies such as the Chaosus of the Great Lissan Plain. By accident, while experimenting with the Sun-stone that destroyed Taklakot, Shasarak discovered that a powerful explosion, close to one of these areas could tear into this fabric, opening a Gate of Doom. On the very same day he opened a Gate, he struck a bargain with Agarash: Agarash would provide the troops Shasarak needed to conquer the world, but in exchange, Shasarak would switch places with Agarash if he lost the war.

Shasarak was arrogant, thinking that if he was able to summon the same Agarashi that helped conquer Magnamund for Agarash, there was no way he could lose the war, so he accepted. Shasarak summoned the Zadakar Horde from beyond the Pit, but as no souls were exchanged, this was only a temporary army, and not at full power. Grey Star believes this link was powered by the Scarlet Fire, for these creatures could not cross stretches of water. In any case, Grey Star successfully sealed this portal, severing the connection, and forcing the Horde back to the Pit.

With Shasarak on the edge of defeat and unwilling to die, he opened a Gate of Doom to Agarash to fulfill the bargain, choosing eternal torment over eternal death. However, Shasarak was confronted by Grey Star, who fought and defeated Shasarak. On his deathbed, Agarash grabbed him and began to exit the Pit of Eternal Pain. However, Grey Star used the power of the Moonstone to seal the Gate, before he could, trapping both Agarash and Shasarak inside.

Agarash released from the Pit

In MS 5085, prior to the events of Vampirium, agents of Darkness discovered the Claw of Naar in Naaros, and at his latest wife's urging (Balerodah, one of Asharah's forms), Sejanoz set out to recover it. The Claw of Naar possessed enough power to open a Gate of Doom, although this was unknown to the forces of Good. Grand Master was successful in recovering the Claw of Naar, delivering it to Dessi to be kept safe. Additionally, Grand Master was able to slay Sejanoz using the Arrow of Atonement, thwarting the Naarvakim's plans to turn Sejanoz into a Candidate.

In MS 5103, prior to the events of The Dusk of Eternal Night, Grey Star discovered the existence of the Naarvakim, although he was unable to uncover their plans. The Naarvakim were in the process of attempting to open another Gate of Doom, by causing a powerful explosion in the throne room of Naaros itself, where the Pit was originally created. The Naarvakim succeeded in opening a Gate, although it is unknown how. Grand Master speculated the Claw of Naar was used, as it was stolen by the forces of Darkness by an Ice Demon, although its whereabouts were unknown to them after this.

Unbeknownst to all, however, Shasarak had also plotted his own return. He first attempted to corrupt Grand Master in a dream, masquerading as Lone Wolf, whereby Grand Master would sacrifice themselves to free a hidden "third power" that could break the balance between Good and Evil, but this failed. He was then able to manipulate the Naarvakim and tweak their plans accordingly: Shasarak himself would be freed by the sacrifice of Grey Star, at the expense of Agarash; then if required, he would sacrifice a Kai Grand Master (either Grand Master or Blazer) to release Agarash.

Shasarak's agents had succeeded in planting a crystal into Kai Grand Master Blazer's mind during his mission in Kalte, eventually succeeding in possessing him with the spirit of an Ice Demon. Blazer had travelled alongside Grand Master and Grey Star in their quest to uncover the Naarvakim's plans, but unwittingly communicated their location and plans to the Naarvakim via the crystal. The possessed Blazer was able to separate himself and Grey Star from Grand Master, and sacrificed Grey Star himself into the Gate of Doom.

Due to Shasarak's scheming, when Grey Star entered the Gate of Doom, it was Shasarak who returned, not Agarash, to the anger and confusion of the Naarvakim. But Agarash's malice beyond the Pit was still strong, and threatened Shasarak, who pointed out that a Kai Grand Master would free him. The reader then can choose, indirectly, how Agarash is released:

• If Grand Master suspects Blazer is a traitor, Grand Master will attack Blazer, and succeed in temporarily breaking his possession. Shasarak will then cast Grand Master into the Gate of Doom, but be blocked by Blazer in atonement for his actions. Blazer will fall into the Gate of Doom, releasing Agarash. Grand Master will then duel Shasarak, and cast him into the Gate of Doom, where Blazer will refuse to return, insisting Grey Star does in his stead.
• If Grand Master attacks Shasarak, Blazer will betray Grand Master, and Shasarak and Blazer will combine their powers to cast Grand Master into the Gate of Doom, releasing Agarash. Blazer, as the Ice Demon, will then request Agarash to fight Shasarak for enslaving his race, which Agarash agrees to. Blazer will then awaken and join forces temporarily with the Ice Demon, to fight a common foe in Shasarak, and succeed in casting him into the Gate of Doom, freeing Grand Master. Blazer will then sacrifice himself willingly to bring Grey Star back.

Grand Master and Grey Star were present to witness Agarash's full revival. They also discovered that two Children of Agarash — Swamplord Vag'kroag and Drednurash the Mindscourge — were not actually Candidates to be switched with Agarash, but were actually present to be sacrificed to rebuild Agarash, whose body was missing chunks of flesh after his revival (possibly due to damage inflicted by the Scarlet Fire).

Demon Stone

A Demon Stone acts as a conduit to the Pit of Eternal Pain. While it cannot free those trapped in it, nor send people into it, it can summon the essence of those trapped in the Pit, as well as draw back these essences to the Pit.

During the events of The Dusk of Eternal Night, After Grand Master defeats Khazullo, he attempts to use his Demon Stone to channel the power of a Zadakar Demon Master to attack Grand Master. After Grand Master exorcises or defeats the Zadakar Demon Master, they obtain Khazullo's Demon Stone. This Demon Stone may then be used in Naaros, near the top of the Night Spire: If Grand Master is suspected of being an intruder, demonic essences will be summoned temporarily from the Pit of Eternal Pain, but the Demon Stone allows Grand Master to avoid facing them in combat.

Known prisoners

As of the end of The Dusk of Eternal Night:

Current

• Zadakar Horde
• Zadakar Demon Master (possesses Khazullo's dying body: Combat Skill 55, Endurance 50; may be avoided with Kai-alchemy/Telegnosis + Deliverance + Sun Thane rank)
• Zadakar Demons (possibly the same as the Zadakar Horde; possible fight in The Dusk of Eternal Night: Combat Skill 50, Endurance 44)
• Demonlord Plagazar (possible fight in The Dusk of Eternal Night: Combat Skill 54, Endurance 50)
• Shasarak (cast by either Grand Master or Blazer, depending on the player's actions)
• Blazer (either blocks Grand Master or willingly sacrifices himself, depending on the player's actions)

Former

• Agarash the Damned (released by either Grand Master or Blazer, depending on the player's actions)
• Grey Star (released by either Blazer or Shasarak, depending on the player's actions)
• Grand Master (if Grand Master does not suspect Blazer's betrayal)

Temporary releases

These refer to incomplete releases from the Pit of Eternal Pain, using Agarash's power, but without a corresponding soul to switch places with. These manifestations are temporary and have limited sustainability.

• Zadakar Horde
• Zadakar Demon Master
• Zadakar Demons
• Demonlord Plagazar