[i][b][center]Tyrael Marcrosias[/center][/b][/i]

Slowly, everyone began to gather. First was Darius, then Ssarak, and soon Tyrael had a small party of students gathered. He knew a few more would arrive soon, but he wasn't going to wait for them. They can catch up or go home. Grabbing his things Tyrael was about to open the doors when Baulder asked a question. Not a very important questions to Tyrael anyways, but he might as well educate the weirdo. [b]"Not long. Once digested and secreted, your imp will resurrect and can be summoned. But that is irrelevant. We are not going to the Inferno. You will all die if that was the case."[/b] Tyrael said quite plainly. While he can use his magic to protect them from the Inferno's inherently hostile nature, there would be much bigger problems at hand if for some reason everyone was forcefully transported into the Inferno.

After answering Baulder's question Tyrael went to get the door open. The iron gate was barred closed with heavy iron-and-wood logs, which Tyrael moved without much trouble. Opening the catacomb doors the first thing that would hit everyone was the stale smell of preservatives and the faint smell of death. As the name implies, the catacombs housed much of the college's dead, be it students, teachers, or strangers who chose to be buried here rather than home or wherever. Despite their connection with death, the catacombs are generally a peaceful place, aside from the vermin and occasional walking undead. Students are allowed to use certain corpses for their magical experimentation, but only after approval of the teachers, typically Uicle since he is the Necromancy Professor. Tyrael himself has very little to do in the catacombs and rarely goes this way, but today was different. The catacombs not only housed the college's dead, but it was the only location on the college grounds were Tyrael could reliable access the Ravine. While there were plenty of locations scattered throughout the Twilight Hold, their entrances had a tendency to seal or otherwise be inaccessible. It didn't help that ever since the demon attack, Tyrael had also sealed any known entrances to prevent more demonic invasions. And to make sure Mar doesn't run away.

Although Tyrael himself has no need for it, he lit a torch for illumination. But it did not glow red like most fires, but some sort of sickly green color. Fairy Fire: as bright as a normal flame, but produces no heat, uses no air, and creates no smoke. It can even be put inside a sealed container and the flame won't go out. Handy when one needs light but doesn't want to risk burning something. The fact that they were cheap and easy to make made Fairy Fire the most common means of illumination in the college. Once Tyrael had his torch out he walked into the catacombs, informing the students of what they were here to do.

[b]"First we go through the catacombs to reach the Ravine. There are zombies here. Weak, but sneaky. And vermin crawling about. Rats, bats, lizards. They are all diseased. Do not get bit. When we reach the Ravine Entrance, I will tell you what we need to find."[/b]

The fact that Tyrael, Overlord of the Inferno, Professor of Demonomancy, The Forge Master, needed the student's help with hunting monsters should imply just how tough some of these creatures are. But he didn't really elaborate beyond that. He'd tell them more once they actually got to the Ravine, since the catacombs will make sure to weed out any of the weaker-willed students.

Little did Tyrael know, however, was that there was more then vermin and skeletons in the catacombs. As the party traveled down further into the catacombs, Tyrael came across a disturbing sight. [b]"Ah shite..."[/b] Quickening his pace Tyrael came across the corpse of some [url=http://milesteves.com/images/gallery/illustration/Hell-Hound-02-72.jpg]strange animal[/url]. It's body was torn apart, with limbs scattered about. But as Tyrael looked at the body, he realized that it was not claws and fangs that ripped the creature apart, but blades and probably tentacles. Crushed bones at the torn off limbs implied that the creature was able to wrap their tendril around the area and tear it off. The cuts on the body were too clean to be claws or teeth, and likely were a manufactured or at least carved blade of stone or bone. The blood was still wet, which meant the monster was recently killed. The fact that this creature belonged in the Ravine, instead of the catacomb, worried him.

[b]"Change of plans. This is a ridge hound. A common pest in the Ravine. If they are here, then the entrance to the Ravine is open. Kill all the ridge hounds. They are weak, but there are many, and they breed rapidly. Destroy their eggs, leave no survivors. We will split into two teams. Ssarak you will come with me. We will head to the Ravine entrance and see what has happened. The rest of you, stay together and kill everything you come across. If other students arrive, tell them to help you eradicate the Ridge Hounds."[/b]

Not one to waste, Tyrael took out his big knife and carved out some parts from the Ridge Hounds. He took the Sulkus Gland, which he'll need in the event that there is poison at work. He also, with great care and focus, removed a thin black vein from the Ridge Hound's skull. He carefully closed the ends and put the vein into a small bag. Then he crushed the skull under his foot before taking out his great bow and moving onward.