The Bulls of Brahma (or Brahma's Bulls)by Bob CauthronThe cave was large, full of damp, cold air, but very little light, for it was past dusk. The winds howling outside were not able to reach this far into the cave. Winter had arrived, but that is as nothing for those who dwell in these wastelands. Within the cave, a large, monstrous figure, with wings held next to its body, stood in the center. A fearsome head, full of horns ands fangs, looked down upon the large, semi-conscious, and groaning beastman who actually had the arrogance to give himself a name. The creature of the forces of chaos, or daemon as it is commonly known, thought to itself. These are such stupid creatures. Beastmen. Krala! It's an insult to the animals even. Brahma. What kind of name is that? Imagine, a beastmen like this one thinks he is noteworthy enough to have a name. He is just part of their pathetic herd here. Still, that is no longer my problem. Now, it is someone else's, and it's about time. "Baaltor!" roared the daemon. From the recesses of the cave comes forth another beastman, somewhat smaller than the self-titled Brahma. Male, with pale colored fur and horns, and possessing features that are ugly even for the beastmen. The eyes, though, were striking, being an ice blue in color, but in a almost transparent way. In beastmen society, though, this has not been of benefit. Not here, in this perpetually cold land, with its continual winds and storms. While definitely approaching as an inferior to a superior, the beastman called Baaltor was not subservient in the menial sense. This apparently does not bother the daemon at all. Quite the opposite, in fact. "Huargh! You make me laugh, Baaltor. For all of your planning and scheming, the recent events have led you nowhere. Backing Brahma has led you to this moment. Now you will find out how painful death can be. Brahma yet lives only because of your words. And, I remind you, so do you. I have been failed by you two for the last time, unless you can convince me otherwise. Believe me, Baaltor, this is something I can do without. Speak quickly, and do not whine. My patience is gone, as is my tolerance for your pitiful existence." The one called Baaltor, while a beastman, was significantly smaller than Brahma. Smaller in all ways, but brighter. More of a visionary. As tough as he is, thought the creature of chaos, he is no match for Brahma in a fight. But he makes up for it in other ways. He is smarter than his "leader," who is more cunning than smart. Baaltor also serves as Brahma's controller, far more so than he realizes. And both shall serve me, or perish in a horrible way. Baaltor, with his shorn horns a continual reminder of his disgraced state, reflected upon his physical state. The latest disaster had left his fur burned off, and numerous wounds still left to recover from. His hideous visage was no longer the only frightening part of his body. This only serves to reinforce his belief that the mind is the important part. Strengthen that, and the rest will follow. Now to deal with the daemon. I am alive only by its will, but this must be for a reason. Otherwise, both Brahma and I would be dead. So...what does it want? There is so much that I have told it that it's hard to remember exactly what I have said. Only one way to find out. Chaos does as chaos does. "Dread Doombringer, I have already spoken to you about the previous mission, and the lack of results that came from it. I, and the mission leader, live at your behest. What would have us do?" said Baaltor. The immense daemon shouted his appreciation of the words from the fearful beastman shaman. "Nravik! Short and to the point, without giving anything useful away. Yes, you will live, as will Brahma, despite his idiocy. Make sure that does not happen again, for I will not allow that. There is a place you mentioned, Baaltor, from your travels amongst the human lands. A city of the damned. You and yours are going to go there. Take some of your kind with you, I do not care who or what. The storm hounds stay, though, as do the winter trolls, as they are mine!" Doombringer emphasized its words by lifting the shaman from the cave floor and shaking him to and for, then tossing Baaltor to the other end, hitting the wall hard. The shaman put up with this because, in addition to having to, he did not want the beating that Brahma was given. Some chaos gifts are better left untouched. "Go to the human lands, both of you, and find that city of the damned. Do it right this time. Discover what you can, and bring back what you can. That is your goal, and it is the only one. Any agendas you may have, forget them. For your very spirits are in peril. I will take you two and break both of you and feed upon your spirits if you fail me in this. Do not shrug off my words here, shaman. I can always locate you if I need to," warned the horrific daemon, as its presence gained in intensity and solidness. Baaltor quickly spoke, "It shall be as you command, Dread Doombringer. Brahma shall lead his warriors to the damned place, and I will be at his side, guiding him. We will be back with what you want." The daemon gave a harsh, guttural grunt. It looked carefully at Baaltor, then Brahma. It shook its mighty head and uttered in an intense whisper, "See that you do, shaman. There will be no more chances after this. Fail, and best make sure that it is because you are dead. For I will make the two of you return to chaos if success does not happen." With that heavy statement, the daemon disappeared, instantly. Baaltor grunted. What a herd's mess. Gratha. Well, it's time to get this together. Hrrrgh. Look at Brahma. At least it is not me...
Heroes
Henchmen
This list is by memory. I think it comes to 497 points. |