The contract rolled up and vanished, a blue spark spilled out of the adventurer - and floated lazily toward the demon, vanishing in his clenched fist.

His voice boomed like thunder: “The bargain is struck”; and room vanished with a snap of his fingers. In a flash of lightning the adventurer found himself in a bright open place - a burnt wasteland.

A sun-devoured vista, bleak and silent - save only for the occasional squeal of an unseen animal, and the weak echoing of the demon’s laughter. The adventurer wondered what exactly the demon had done to him, what had he signed?

Another shriek echoed behind, was someone or something calling to him? Fear or anticipation, he knew not which gripped him. His hands grew heavy, and with nearly no resistance, he hit the ground. His whole body grew heavy. His clouding mind heard yet another squeal - and he felt the presence of creatures surrounding him!

But the monsters closing in around him were of less concern, his body was growing now, his mind burning, fires escaping from inside! The contract was in full swing.

The demonic power coursed through his veins, human clothing burned away, revealing the rippling demonic muscle. Blue and baleful fire burst from the inside, accompanied by a spines and a great tail. Around his new form appeared strange gold and mighty tusks. The new bulk forced him to all fours, as his limbs ended in claws and powerful hooves. All would bask in his new glory.

At last the strange squealers circling him finally revealed themselves, tiptoeing out from the shadows. Any challenges they may have had to his loathsome majesty was put to shame from a single snort from his new snout. Each fell in line behind him, to bask in his might. HE was their new leader, a glorious Hellboar.

He bellowed now, and called all of them to join his new herd. They would all answer, and soon other mortals who heard the call would succumb too, and many so changed joined his herd… whether or not they wanted too.

The silence of that land fell beneath the shadow of the demon. Just the shrieks, the squeals and grunts - echoing off the wasteland - supplicating, professing him, hailing him.

They basked in HIS Glory.

The glory he was due, just as promised.

The Glory of the Hellboar.

*****

Scrying these events from afar, the Demon was pleased letting the spark dance above his fingers. With this creation, and with the new army of pigs - they would grow essentially unmanaged. Any foolish enough to challenge that leader would be defeated, and either eaten, or changed to join them, swelling the boar’s army. Most important of all, the herd was headed right toward that pesky encampment of inquisitors.

He liked paladins as much as the next demon, but these ones were hopelessly blind. If they would not see the what the authority they were serving truly was, then the entire group locked into an eternal war with unholy war-pigs would be a good distraction for them.

If nothing else it would be entertaining.

The spark settled into its place, soon - very soon, the time would come for his next move, and he nearly had enough for that phase of the plan.

But for now, another adventurer had reach the door, and Agezazel slouched back into his seat.

---

Commission: Kura Saurn
Theme: Demonic Contracts 

2024

~Age