Intro Monologue

Sothis is Hell

Rumple slowly looks down at his feet. The earth hes standing on is scorched and smoking; it looks as if it
could catch fire any second. Floating in the abyss above, colossal volcano-like land masses slowly drift
about, occasionally colliding with each other, producing explosions of magma which rains down onto
this forsaken plane that is the Nine Hells. This has to be the most hostile environment Rumple has ever
seen; fire everywhere, large craters, constant earthquakes and rugged plant life, not to mention its
inhabitants

He shifts his gaze to the left, scanning the horizon. From a top this smoldering mound of hardened
magma he can see hundreds of demons, devils and otherworldly beasts locked in mortal combat,
fighting over souls and even physical beings from the Material plane.

A few hundred yards away a demon plunges its claws through the chest of an unlucky foe. The prize
looks up at the beast in horror. A screamand then silence followed by the sound of bones snapping
under the crushing weight of powerful jaws. Rumples fist tightens and his jaw clenches as he watches
the demon slurps down the rest of the girls body. A few years ago Rumple didnt believe such beings
could even exist.

He looks back to his right where his fellow Branded stand calm and collected, taking in their
surroundings. An Archer who will make the shot when it counts, a sly Wizard who always has the right
tool for the job, a Monk with a passion for beating the ever living shit out of opponents and a Warblade
whose grace and command of the sword inspires raw wonder in allies and sickening dread in foes.

Grips tighten on weapons and looks of disgust are shared all around. The Warblade is the first to speak.
He steps forward and mutters:

Alex: Shall we

Its not a question. The others fall in line behind him as he starts to descend the mound. Rumple takes
one last look around and whispers to himself:

Rumple: Cant wait to make some deals