Not pain that I wish. No, simply a technique that you must learn and practice. And you are the only one available for you to practice on. I'm talking about a way to take blood from a stone. A so far untapped source of power that is your only way out.

Blood Magic, interesting. Ok then Mentor. Teach me your ways. Ill be your student.

It's a simple technique really. Mana is based off of life. It's creates it and feeds it, which is why dead zones have such a negative background count. Blood is the essense of life, and therefore tightly linked to mana. The trick of it is to simply daw on the power potential within the blood as well as within mana, and channel the destrcutive power of the man through it. Like sending a large electrical charge through both your self and a heavy gauge line instead of just through the line, you will take less of the brunt of the force upon your self, letting you handle more energy.

[spoier]Using a deedm to take grade 7 initiate it would be about 26 karma to initiate. Using Mentor as a teacher, you could qualify as a group for about 20 karma total. Do you have enough to initiate, assuming I give you 8 karma now fr roleplaying and such so far since being arrested?[/'spoiler]

I never knew blood magic could be so fascinating...Will it take long to learn?

Quite a bit of time. But you don't seem to be going anywhere.

Im not sure how much longer Ill be in this room though. So may we get started Mentor?
Sinn now getting excited at the thought of hope. A chance to get out of here. And the chance of having something to do while hes in the fraggin place.

Sinn spends the rest of his waking hours now following the Mentor's instructions. He teaches him how to draw on the power of blood, showing him how it can be used to soften the blow from heavy drain. Unfortunately the only way Sinn can practice is by drawing his own blood, which means chewing on his mjor veins. it takes qutie an act of will to chew in to his wrist for the first time, only to use the power to cast a heal spell to save his life.

It goes on for some time, refining the technique. Within a few days, there are spatterd bits of blood all around his cell.

Sinn endures pain for many hours a day. After a while he knows where to bite to bleed the most. So it goes as smooth as a man bleeding to death can go.
Mentor, Im getting stronger. I can feel it.

With the lessons to keep track of time with, Sinn is able to keep better track of time. Days, then weeks pass under the Mentor's harsh tutelage. It accepts little hesitation and no weakness, almost as if it's forging him in to something stronger. The resolve it takes to chew in to his own wrists helps him forget the time in the tank, with plenty more immediate matters to focus on.

Sinn trains for days. Anytime he gets the thought of "going for to long" he shrugs it away remembering he has nothing else to do. Nothing else to stop him from getting stronger. As far as he knows, he has nothing to even live for.

The work goes on and on. Eventually Sinn learns to accept the pain and what he's dong to himself. Power at any price. Survival at any cost.

Near the end of his time in solitaire, he's mastered the basic art of sacrifice, and healed most of his wounds quite well. There will definitely be scarring around the wrists, but it's a small price compared to the suffering he's already been through.

He's learned nothing about the mysterious Mentor teaching him. All of their 'talk' has been aobut the work and teachings. His last command is perhaps the most difficult.

You've learnred the simple task I've set forth for you, and regained some of your strength. I can feel you growing stronger. But you still have more to learn, and little time to do it in. Your murdre of your attackers and the others in the shower room has pushed forward the judgmenet agaisnt you. You have been sentenced to die in the gas chamber. With you I doubt they will keep you on the Green Mile long. When you are released, you must cast again, something to bring you back in to solitary. I would suggest starting with your cell mate. I believe he is the one that sent the others after you, to give you incentive to give him what he wants.

All this time, the rumors of my hatred for orcs has been a lie. I never held anything against them. I have very little faith in the help of orcs now. I will kill that tusker if its the last thing I do....It just might be the last thing I do. But Im not sure If I can handle another 60 days in solitary......but very well. I will do it....survival at any cost...

Alright Mentor. I'll do it....How do I contact you once Ive returned?

I will find you once you are returned. Here, I can concentrate my energies. In the cells, there is too much interference, and more chance of discovery. Think of your time as a crucible, forging a newer, stronger you. Your soul will be reforged in the fires of your pain. As they say, pain is only weakness leaving your body. Follow me, and I will show you a world that you can understand. You'll find it in the darkness they bring you. There, I will be waiting.

I understand.

Sinn waits for his time in solitary to end until they come to bring him back to his cell with Skin.

A few more meaning less days pass until Sinn simply wakes one morning to find himself in his cell in the morning, Skin's snoring beneath him. An AR display comes up immediately upon in waking.

It's the Warden
Pleasant morning inmate. Due to your unruely behavior in the Shower Area, your case has been expedited towards a timely decision. It is my duty to inform you that you will soon likely face the charge of Multiple Murders in the First Degree while within Incarceration, and face Death by Gas Chamber. You will be notified when your case is decided.

Thank you, have a Pleasant Day.

The AR blinks off.

Have a pleasent day eh? I think I will...
Sinn jumps down to the floor seeing Skin asleep on the bottom bunk.
Hey skin...! He says in a bit of a louder tone.
You try to have me killed? Or raped? Well heres a gift, choke on it!
Force 7 manabolt
Magic rating-3
edge-6
sorcery-5
Total-14
Roll=3,3,5,6,6,3,6,6,6,5,5,1,2=8 success

Taken completely by suprise as he wakes, Skin is slammed in to the wall by the force of the manabolt, and slumps dead in his cot.

Sinn has about 30 seconds to feel great and congratulate him self before the shock slams him, paralyzing him with pain and throwing him to the ground. The pain quickly puts him under. Or maybe it's the autoinjector. Who knows.

When Sinn wakes, once again,all around him is black.

Well....Here we are again darkness my old friend....you bastard

Sinn prepares himself for the hell he's about to indure.

Insantity is like a cold blanket that you can't take off because what's outside it is worst.

Sinn's in the cave, the bats are all around, flittering and fuddering, and it's cold and they keep going. Ther's no way out of the cave, not even any light, which makes him wonder why he can even see Bourbon in the first place. She shakes her head at him, takes off her hat, and pulls the rabbit out of her hat, looks at it critcally, then tosses it aside. "Weakness is a smell that doesn't go away" she says, as she walks past in to the pantry. Sinn turns and opens the door, and is quickly buried under a veritable flood of walking canes. One of them punishes him for spraying graffiti, but he manges to catch it in his oven miits. The lot of them come alive and begin moving about the room. Faces leer at him from the top of each of the canes, a skull like face with glowing red eyes. Magic fills the air as the canes begin swirling patterns in the blood on the kitchen floor, and the spiders scurry aside when the thunder strikes, filling the room with brilliantly bright sound. Everything is bathed in a cool blue light as the cow walks past the window, making Sinn wonder how it even got off the roof in the first place. The balloons fly in the window, playfully bobbing in the air. He can hear the boy's laugh somewhere in the house, until the canes jump up and pop all of the balloons. The boy's start crying, sad at the loss of the balloons, until the explosion steals their voices. All that's left is a soft , quiet sobbing. Sinn isn't sure if it belongs to the boy or to himself. He, whichever He, keeps crying for a while in the quiet darkness of the pool, the water chilling him to the bone. He knows that if he waits here to long then they'll ocme for him, and drag him in to the world below. But it doesn't seem to matter. Nothing seems to matter any more, exceptt hat his magic, his one strength left, has abandoned him. He can see it walking away still , floating along the top of the bone chilling water. He's lost his strength, his home, his family, even his body and soul, and now watches his magic walk away.
He start fighting the current trying to drag him down. It doesn't matter! it can go! I don't need it! I have the strength in side me! The strength is in my blood. I don't need anything else. The world can abandon me if it wants, but it can't rid it's self of me. I'm stronger than this.

Then he realizes he is not as the current swallows him whole.

Sinn wakes, panting on the floor of his cell. The stone is cold and hard, and moist. The smell is unpleasant. It seems he's been sitting here for some time. His body feels weak , as if he hasn't eaten in days. He can barely move. But he knows one thing.

He survived one more time.

Sinn lifts himself off the ground. Half way up he lifts his head to look around.
Im still here....

He tries to stand, but quickly stumbles against a wall. Then he slides to the ground.
Sitting and looking up at the ceiling, Sinn says:
God, what have you done to me....Ill strike back at you....Ill strike BACK AT ALL OF YOU!!
His voice echoes through out the room as he makes his threats to God in the heavens.

There is dead silence as if denying Sinn even the right to an echo. Then the voice is back.

You may well do that .... with my help. Are you prepared? You must understand the cost of what is coming. I can grant you power, and freedom. But you must take it willingly and with no regrests. I have already told you the cost. Are you prepared to pay it?

[color]My pain is yours mentor, may we begin?[COLOR=salmon]

The Mentor leads Sinn through a long and complicated ritual. He begins by making numerous incisions along his arms, drawing out patterns on the floor. The patterns eventually form in to a large ritual circle on the floor, with arcane markings unknown to Sinn, but seemingly based in Black Magic and Hermeticism. The work goes on for hours, as Sinn attunes the cell to the energies, even using Mana Static and rituals of attunement to heighten the mana warp, then bend it to his own will.

The ritual builds over 40 hours straight. Near the end, Sinn can feel it's power building to fantastically terrible levels. The corrupted mana has a wicked feel, making the sense of dread and danger palpable. Finally after nearly two days straight of work, the Mentor brings the ritual to completion.

I will free you of your prison Sinn. Be free of your mortal chains.

The mentor gives him a mental 'picture' of the completion of the ritual, like a massive conjuring completing inside his head, and directs his tearing fingers towards Sinn's wrists yet again to tear free the needed blood.

Make two Will tests

Will-6
roll: 5,5,2,6,3- 3 net success
roll: 3,1,5,5,3- 2 net success's

Sinn wrenches hsi teeth across his wrists, freeing the life giving blood from his flesh to enact the final parts of the ritual. As he does, he feels power and energy take hold of him. It takes him a moment to realize that he cannot move. He can hardly control his own thoughts. It takes a moment to come down from the haze of the ritual to understand what's happening. He is under the effects of a Control Thoughts spell, and a powerful one at that. He's allowed about as much free reaign as it takes to realize this, but any thoughts of resisting are immediately quelched.

He sits, and feels him self grow weaker and weaker, as the blood slowly drains from his open veins. He cannot even summon the force to perform a minor healing to clsoe the wounds. His life blood pours out of him, draining over the floor, filing in the rest of the circle he had so meticulously drawn in hiw own blood, and pooling at knees, as he sits crouched on the concrete. He feels his head swim , and black circles swim in his vision. He has trouble forming thoughts, then almost has time to finally panic, as he passes out , and dies.

Sinn feels his hands, then the rest of his body. Then in astonishment, up at Raist.
Nathaniel?! You are mentor? But how did I not recognise you? And more importantly, is this real? Am I really free?

Sinn waits for his response, when something even more important comes to mind.
Dante! And Lucky! Are they alright?

Dante and Lucky have their own concerns. They're not in any mortal danger tha I am aware of, although your 'mafia madame' is keeping them close. They have hteir own path to walk now, and you , you have yours.

You are dead Sinn. Within a few hours, the prison's systems will certainly notice the cessation of your life functions, and will report it to the Warden. You're body will be found, your wrists bitten open. "Escaped execution by means of Suicide." Nice headline, and a fitting ending , one more death by a mas murder. Maybe they'll even write a book about you some day.

Nathaniel walks about the room, his hands casually folded behind his back, wearing his white suit and black wingtip shoes.

As for 'Mentor', yes, I am, or was, after a fashion. You are free of the prison you found your self in, including your mortal form. But that doesn't mean that you're out of our bargain. Now comes the painful part.

His face looks consoling, almost like he's about to stick out his lower lip. It's a little mocking as well.

You're dead. No Nine Lives acct this time. You're a Blood Spirit, and my new Ally Spirit. You are bound to me, to serve and obey. As my first command to you, I forbid you with interacting with the people of your former life, with the exception of myself. You will not attempt to contact them, inquire about them, or in any way attempt to make your continued existance known to them.

You had your chance, and quite frankly, you simply didn't learn fast enough. They've moved on, and it's time that you do the same. I won't allow your previous self destructive behaviior.

With that in mind, I also forbid you from any attempts at self destruction, or attempts to needlessly waste your new existance or bring harm to your self . You will not so much as intend to let your self be harmed, unless I command otherwise.

Nor will you divulge information about my self, my doings, my organizations , or my associates to anyone or anything, which includes leaving little journals and the like. You will also never attempt to harm me, orfind means to bring me to harm, through action or inaction.

There, now that we've laid down a few ground rules to rule out any possible future difficulties, lets talk about the good things in Unlife.


Nathaniel moves over to the couch next to the one Sinn is lying across, sots, and crosses his leg, with one arm on the back of the couch.

I've given you a new chance, and a fresh start, at, I might add, great expense to myself. I'm sure you know how difficult it is to creat an Ally. And you are a powerful one at that. You now have more strength and power than you likely ever would have achieved in life. You have a body, and a very good looking one at that. You have a clean slate. No one is looking for you. You wished to be part of the Hellfire Club, and now you are. The Pain of leaving your old life and a few freedoms behind is a small price to pay for everything that I've given you.

I certainl don't intend to keep you as a servantforever. I believe generally the terms of services for such things is a century. As you are now effectively Immmortal, really it's quite a short time. I hope you'll agree.

I have also created other forms, and granted you numerous powers, that I will reveal to you as you serve me. Some of them are , well, quite amazing.

You'll no longer be able to summon, being a spirit after all. And you will need to feed of the Essence of the living weekly. You are, as I said, a Blood Spirit. You'll get used to it.

Oh, and one more thing; you will refer to me as Master unless I say otherwise.

I'm sure you have questions. Ask away.

He smiles that smile again.

So I am now a blood spirit, fit for your command? Oh master, imagen, if you will a few short years ago, both of us would have rather spit on our own graves than think of such a thing. Then again, this does seem suiting. Us, working side by side. Regardless of who was in charge, Im not even sure fate knew who that was going to be.
As for Dante, you're right. Its probably best for not to see him anymore. Ive become exactly what I was trying to protect from him. Im not a suitable father. Not anymore. Lucky is taking care of him Im sure. While I was in prison, I thought of all those who called me friend. And the only that came to mind really was you. And here you are, devising the perfact plan to get me out, and in the process you've acheived a new ally, and if Im as powerful as you hoped, Im hoping you would grant me the honor to kill Miriam Kozwlowski. Im sure I cant destroy The Baron, but this would piss him off a bit. Id love to feed on her and end her life, as she ended mine. Sinns face now shows one of disgust as he thinks of the wretched woman.
But now that I think of it...if Im not to relate to anything of my past, then what is my name, master?

I'm glad you see things clearly. What quirk of fate gave you a child I'll never know. It's a curious thing. I beleive your son has some role of his own to play in this world, and your part in his life is past. That was never your life. Everything you did lead you to this path. It's good to see you embrace it instead of fighting, as you've always done. That will make this new life all the more rewarding for you.

I've always found it ironic that the thing that most defines us, our name, is defined by another. Choose your name, or call your self Sin if you like.

As for Miriam, there are things that you know now about her. She is housing a spirit, one stronger than you, in your present form. However, as you feed , you will grow stronger, much as I do. Her time is coming, that much I have seen. The time for her demise is not yet here. Think on this; if you were to destroy her now , New Orleans would be in chaos. Although you are not to interfere with their lives, imagine the fall out it would cause for Lucky and Dante if such a thing were to happen at this time.

But you know the Baron, and you know it's nature. it is a consumer, and a force of Entropy. it consumes and destroys everythign around it, as is it's nature. Soon it will find it's foundations weakend through it's own efforts. It is then that you will be ther, to insure their downfall. I very much understand the desire for vengence, and you will have it.

As for my little secret, dear Jakob, is that I too am a drinker of blood. Some may call me 'nosferatu', although it wouldn't be exactly correct. That's a matter for another time. As you say, we have both changed very much since we first met. I must admit a certain sense of satisfaction however, having brought about your death, at your hands no less. that you don't hold it against me makes it all the sweeter. Really though, there was no other way. I think you see that.

Well then, I do have tasks for you, so that you may enjoy your new found abilities. However , I will give you your first taste of true freedom in quite some time.

Your new form is an Inhabited form, meaning that you are in fact within a true flesh and blood body. You have the same immunities as other spirits however, including a powerful resistance to mundane weapons.

To emphasize his point, Nathaniel calmly lifts a pistol from the side table. It's a large barreled predator IV, complete with gas vent recoil compensation, and what looks like a custom grip. He points it at Sinn and fires three times in rapid succession, putting three rounds into Sin's chest. There's a tingling sensation, and prick, like being poked by a needle. Looking down, Sinn sees the three holes in his chest, as they heal, gone in an instant.

You can no longer access the astral plane however. No galavanting about the world and metaplanes for you my friend. I'm afraid you'd likely get your self in to too much trouble. Anything else is fair game. We are in Seattle by the way. Although soon we will be leaving for the Land of Promise.

Tir?!
Sinn had never been to Tir, but often pondered the thought.
Very well, I will acompony, where ever you wish to send me.
And as for my name, Jakob Sinner is dead. And will remain that way. If I cant have any link to my past and those along with it, then I cant go around calling myself Sinn, my rep with that name would simply bring more trouble. I am neither Sinn, nor Jakob Sinner anymore. I am now Lucius Kain. Seems suiting enough. Dont you think?

"Lucius Kane"? Yes, appropriate I would say.

Very well Lucius, what will you do with your new found freedom? You have some time to yourself until I will call upon you.

Well, I would like to go back to old Luciens shop and get my things back. But seeing how we are in Seattle, and pressed a little for time, that seems a bit far fetched. So I suppose I'll have a night out on the town. Perhaps grab a drink, and test out my new thirst, if at all possible.

Your sword and dagger I have, although they will do you no good. You are a spirit. You do not have the ability to bond foci. You may have them as keep sakes if you wish of course, although the dagger I may bond later.

Go out and see the world with your new eyes, and slake your thirst. Take care not to be seen when you do. You do not feed in the same way I do. It will be much ... messier.

Very well, Call for me when you need me master. Resoectivley Bowing.
And with that Lucius Kane walked out of the room and through the hallways of the building in which he had been reborn. He found the exit and walked out to the world with, as Raist had put it, his new eyes.

The world was sharp and alive like never before. After taking an elevator down, Kane finds himself in Downtown Seattle, in front of a nightclub proudly declaring it's name the HellFire Club. A long line of club goers wait their entrance into the flame-flanked black double doors, with stark white uplighting along the black, neo-gothic walls.

Every sense tingles as his dual senses take in every sight, sound, and emotion in the air. He can taste the pollution more palpable now that he can sense it's astral effects as well. he can feel the eagerness mixed with trepidation of the club goers, the desperation and hate of the homeless, and the indifference or wonder of those people driving by. The world is alive in a way he never really knew.

Lucius smiles as he takes it all in.

I think Im going to enjoy this.

He heads in the direction of Dantes Inferno.

Strolling through the city streets, the life of pain of the city is like walking through a buffet for Kane. Astral perception does not compare to feeling the pulse of the city in every vein of his body. He hardly notices the passage of time as he strolls, nor feel any strain in his muscles after walking for miles at a steady pace. He sees the Inferno in the distance, it's red lights illuminating the area around it.

The passerbys on the street are aware of him as he strolls as well, but on an unconcious level. He can't help but notice how their auras react, as they shirk past him. They seem to shrink in on themselves, even parting to let him walk by. The street peddlers hawking chips don't bother shouting to him. No one makes eye contact. Many of them look .... filling.

Shoot a glance at a random on looker.
What the hell are they looking at?

No one meets Kane's eye. it doens't seem to be a concious decision. Rather, it's more like dogs moving away from a wolf moving among them. Whatever it is that kane is, he is a predator, and the people on the street seem to sense that.

Enjoy the feeling. Kane is used to people fearing him. Dying 6 times does that to a mans spirit.

The Inferno looms before him, as Kane rounds the last corner. Huge, dark, and wicked, it's a sirens call to the cities chic-low lifes. The shadow business and vice that pass through this place every night have left a distinct flavor to the astral around it. It's demon-maw entrance becons.

Kane licks his lips as if tasting the sin here, as he aproached the bar and orders 4 double shots of rum.

Sinns new Form: Lucius Kane

The people move aside, giving him room. The bartender quickly puts down the shots, which Kane throws back. The rum slides down his throat slowly. he can feel it move down every inch of his throat. The taste does nothing to satisfy him however. It may as well be water.

The club music continues to pound, getting his blod up. The scent of the dancers is in the air, the vibes from their emotions is almost palpable. He can taste the life. After a moment, people begin to crowd back in. Familiarity and alcohol have dulled their senses to the predator among them.

Kane luaghs to himself.
Yesterday, I was in prison. And today Im at Dante's. Enjoying a drink and some company. My the times have certainly changed. Certainly indeed.
He thinks with a smile.
He fades into the club and enjoys his first night of freedom. From a prison atleast.

After about 3 am, he heads back to The Hellfire Club.

Nathaniel is waiting when Kane returns to the black marble floored room. Again, he is sitting on one of the white couches, one leg crossed over the other. A pair of young women are dancing on the coffee table, wearing only a number of carefully placed leather straps.

I must say that I expected you to take a bit longer. No matter though. I expect you're getting hungry by now.

I have a few tasks for you to take care of. Some minor deaths.

The first is a member of the laesal , an elven crime organization with roots in Tarislar. No one of any great importance. He is one of the secret leaders of the organization. He's being a bit too vocal in having his on opinion, and needs to be removed. Use a gun. Make it look like it was your everyday power struggle.

The second is a fashion designer. I know, I know, small peas, but necessary. He is visting Seattle for the next week, and in that time, has decided to start experimenting with some pharmaceuticals. I'd almost be dissapointed if it hadn't taken so much to bend his will to the endeavor. In a few days, you'll need to make sure that he over doses.


The last one will be a bit mroe interesting for you. I want you to bring me the person known as 'Gateway' from the Voodoo Posse. Alive.

The word "Alive" disapointed Kane. He had made so many enemies in his time, that bringing in someone alive was harder based off of will, other than their skill against his.

Very well master. Ill get started...imeidatley?
Kane was unaware if Spirits needed rest. Didnt know wether or not he actually needed to go to bed.
Where can I find these people?

Gateway is of course in New Orleans. I think if you're within range of him, you should be able to Search him out. I'l have a plane available at your conveinance, and give you $250,000 to play with while you're there.Don't spend it all in one place.

Reember that he is a powerful comjurer, and can likely summon spirits near your strength. Feed when you arrive, and you should be able to over power them.

Deal with him first.