Judge Aghu hung from chains, the noxious fumes overtaking his lungs, he gasped, unable to speak. Aghu prayed that his patron would remember summoning him to his lair in Avernus in enough time to allow him to breathe. Black spots filled his vision while his body screamed for oxygen. Just as Judge Aghu threatened to fall into unconsiousness Nergal arose from the noxious pit below him, restoring his minions ability to survive the harsh climate of the first layer of hell. It angered the great devil to be unable to scry or view this particular prime material plane. To avoid allowing his minion to know his true worth he made sure to show him his power every time Nergal summoned his Tiefling to report.
Judge Aghu croaked out "My apprentice Teidro Feisdom has acquired several properties as we have discussed. I assure you the chromatic queen has no foothold in the Isles. Our most pressing dangers are the Giant war to the east and word of that the Dragons of Virtue have woken throughout the isles." With his ability to breath restored, the Tiefling continued, "We have experienced some delays due to having to hire individuals from other Duchies but construction has began at three of the first properties we acquired."
Nergal's voice invaded the Judge's thoughts, somehow yelling without a sound, "Have you come any closer to discovering Duke Malphas' priest? We must not allow Duke Malphas to succeed in his appointed task Asmodeus will soon choose Tiamat's successor and Duke Amduscias is an ambassador not a leader. Whem Malphas fails, I will be the obvious choice and you will be raised up with me. Fail and your eternity will be agony and torment."
Judge Aghu's disciplined training saved him, allowing him to focus his thoughts and not reveal too much to his master, "We have several suspects and until recently it would be difficult to use your token to reveal the priest. As fate would have it there is a charity ball and auction based around the college I spoke to you about. Everyone of importance will be at the Chancellors' speech, if you allow I will be there as well and utilize the token you provided to identify our target."
Judge Aghu could feel
Nergal searching his thoughts but also sensed that his master's anger towards him was receeding, "Tell me more of this CHARITY ball. Is it connected to the Virtues!?" his tone revealing his displeasure of the word charity.
Judge Aghu continued to tell Nergal of the ridiculousness of mortal life, finally realizing that he would eventually be returned to the prime material and his home in Naper's Dawn.
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| Naper's Dawn |
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| Judge Aghu |
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| Teidro Feisdom-Halfling |
