Preparing for the Ceremony.

[Evil Hobgoblin]

Into the sack went the six torches, a lighter, two-blue jeweled rings, and a device for etching inscriptions into stone. The leather-hide flap closed, and Hob tugged it securely tight.

Deep within Hob's lair, past the library and the hall of armor, was a large, circular room from which a hammering noise echoed. Across from the opening was a large skull, carved from stone. It's mouth gaped wide in a toothy grin, and there were symbols cut and carved into the walls around it.

Hob gave one last tap with his hammer and chisel and stepped back to admire his work.

In front of him, in the exact center of the room was a large, circular stone with various symbols cut into it, and four torch holes as well. Anyone seeing the altar would know that its' purpose was not benign.

Hob ran a hand lovingly overtop the stone, then blew noisily to get rid of the accumulated rock dust. It was excellent craftsmanship.

It was unfortunate that none of Black Hand's members knew anything about the Empty Hood, however there were provisions contained in the Book of Anger for just such an occurrance.

Hob would have to make a new Empty Hood, inscribe it with the symbols and imbue it with the power that the original Empty Hood had contained.

The Shining Dark was starting to draw to a high zenith. Hob had three days to finish the Empty Hood, and then another two to perform the Ceremony of the Blasted. After that, the Darkness would ebb and the opportunity would be lost for another six months.

Hob quickly scampered about, placing four of the torches into the slots on the altar and two in the eye sockets of the skull, then set the rings on the altar.

Now, everything was ready except for the Empty Hood.

Hob left his Ritual Chamber and headed for the Gallery Vault. He needed the finest of cloth to make the Empty Hood, and the finest of gilded paint as well.

[Evil Hobgoblin]

Hob was finished with the Empty Hood's physical form five hours later.

Scattered around a workbench in the Gallery Vault were pieces of cloth and flecks of gold paint. Atop the bench was a bolt of fine silk from the May-taysss era of the Sluissi, and Hob who held his piece lovingly in his hands.

A grin spread across his face. He would show them all.

Hob returned to the Ritual Chamber and set the Book of Anger atop the Altar. He opened the book and set his replica of the Empty Hood atop the open book.

Then he began to chant the same phrase, over and over again in ritualistic monotone.

"Oliargara, kanyen, et offidium sentatiat.
Koolodan kenara. Koolodan kenara. Koolodan kenara."

The Book began to glow a violent purple, and then the Empty Hood began to glow as well. Light seemed to fall away from it, somehow making it larger than it was without changing its' size.

Then, the Book ceased glowing altogether and the Empty Hood alone burned blackly.

Hob ceased his chanting, but still the Hood glowed. He cackled with glee and stepped over to it, taking it in one hand and holding it aloft.

It felt rough, prickly, and oh, so good.

Hob resisted the urge, the pull, that he felt to try the Hood on. He needed now to rest, eat, and prepare for the Ceremony.

Hob closed the Book of Anger and set the Hood atop it.

He would be back for them both later.

[Evil Hobgoblin]

Hob re-entered the Ritual Chamber two days later.

He had spent that time preparing his lair's defenses, boosting old mechanical ones he'd made and in some cases creating new ones with his advanced power in the Force. The trap in the Crystal Cavern was a particularly nasty one, as well as the mindbending one in the Guest Bedroom. Fortunately, the Lilaena woman had left for the moment. Hob was now rested, and could proceed totally uninterrupted.

And what a change he had made for today. Not only was he washed and shaven, he wore a long black robe and actual clothes beneath it. He had eaten well.

On his head, the Empty Hood covered hair that was tied back in a ponytail and combed. On his neatly groomed fingers were the rings he had borrowed from Jeseth. And in his scarred right hand he clutched the Book of Anger.

Today, Hob would strengthen himself, and then the gauntlet would begin.

But first, Hob had to complete the Ceremony.

With a wave of Hob's hand, the torches in the room lit themselves.

Hob set the Book down in front of the Altar and placed his palms together, mentally preparing himself.

And then he began.