Chapter LXVII
As we discussed in Chapter XXIX, the Van'Ci was created by the supremely powerful mind of the being known as Gogel of Maea. This wizard's millions of followers had bound themselves to their emperor, even in death. When civil-war erupted on this fabled planet, it resulted in a near mass-extinction of Maea. All of Gogel. and his prince Sethmar's followers, were annihilated, but their souls were thrown into the Dark Wizards mind, where they would remain incarcerated for eons
This cursed dimension is one of the primary places that an advanced Necromancer may draw his or her powers from, as previously discussed. However, the most gifted sorcerers may harness the ability to call to the individual Princes of the Van'Ci; these deities were among Gogel's original priesthood when the Dark Emperor suffered his demise thousands of years ago. They are the souls who literally absorbed Gogel's mind, transforming each individual prince into a sort of demigod, these entities have been worshipped by undead followers and liches for centuries.
It is quite possible to summon a Van'Ci Prince, as long as you pay proper respect and rites for dealing with greater netherworld beings (as outlined in chapter XVI). However, before going any further with this most dangerous ritual, you must first acquaint yourself completely with the names and identities of those you seek to call forth:
Status: Annihilated(?)
Sigil: Red Hexagon
Summoning Sethmar is a privilege that very powerful Necromancers strive to achieve; however be forewarned, every action of Sethmar's relates to some grander scheme, and you could easily become his tool.
He has a very large ego, and will claim greater power over the mortal realm then he really has. In physical form, Sethmar has appeared as a violet-robed skeleton, practicing grandmastery of all five elemental magics, and can raise the dead at will. Sethmar is far stronger if appearing through the Van'Ci, and is the only entity known to cross the dimensions at will, therefore many primitive tribes have witnessed him and thus worshipped him as a God. Sethmar has taken advantage of this, often controlling armies of Orcs and other such races by infecting the thoughts of their shamanic leaders.
It is currently rumoured Sethmar was defeated during a period known as the Ebon War.
Sigil: Hooked sun pentacle
Status: Existent
Her story is unknown. It is said that her marriage to Sethmar did not occur until sometime after his reign over the Van'Ci started. If she is anything like her daughter, her seduction skills played a part in gaining this prestigious level in her family.
Aerhaulus appears as an ethereal woman of great power. She enjoys conversation and philosophy, but despises arrogance, and will scold such behavior with disfiguring magic. She can grant a summoner wisdom, and at least one material desire.
Status: Existent
Sigil: Three inverted triangles, the middle one is red, the outsides are blue.
It is written that Agathala was second to Sethmar, so he holds much of Gogel's power, however he uses it for his own self-pleasure. In the Van'Ci, it is said that Agathala constructed a palace from sewn flesh of mortals captured on the physical world. It is written that the flesh of these walls are alive with their souls, and subject to every bit of pain as the flesh is continually flayed apart. Because of Agathala's excess, it is said that he was shunned by the rest of the family to the outskirts of the Van'Ci, where he commands his own army of demonic servants to wage civil war on Sethmar and Aerhaulus.
Despite his status as outcast, he instills great respect from most creatures in the Van'Ci, as well as countless human sorcerers and undead legions.
Agathala may grant bravery and the ability to remove remorse. However, my best advice: Do not attempt a summoning. Ever.
Status: Existent
Sigil: Inverted, hooked pentacle branch.
She can grant beauty to women, and give them the ability to seduce. She is considered in some cultures to be the Goddess of Succubi, and has been known to seduce male summoners, only to sap them of their life-force. Summon with great caution.
Sigil: A line with 6 arrows curved upward, linked with a line of 6 arrows curved downward
Status: Existent
Yiosiph perpetually desires a greater physical appearance, and will lure young men in their dreams to summon him; whereupon he will steal the victims features. Yiosiph is extremely jealous, and if he fears another creature in his own realm exceeds his beauty, he will have the creature dissected and grafted to his own form.
Yiosiph may grant a male summoner with seductive abilities, or a female summoner with the gift of his company, but he is far more recognized as a master tactician, who will help generals in times of war. Many seek Yiosiph's council, as he rarely asks for much in return. However: never attempt to summon Yiosiph if you consider yourself of strong or beautiful masculine features.
Sigil: The cross of arrows.
Status: Existent, chaotic
Since the rumoured defeat of Sethmar, it is believed that Kadrill is now considered a demon of chaos, feeding on the sorrow of mortals, and devouring huge pieces of his own world. He cannot be summoned.
Sigil: Three inverted crosses
Status: Existent, chaotic
Shelorn Vish has never been successfully used in a summon, it is said that her mind is completely insane, and calling her forth is always a disaster for the summoner. She is considered without alignment to the rest of the Van'Ci, but is often manipulated like a toy by Agathala.
Sigil: Two blue octagons
Status: Existent
He will answer summons if he feels they are of importance, and has been known to grant advice and clarity of thought to spell-casters.
Sigil: An eye within an arrow imbued pentacle
Status: Existent
Odorinus rarely has the time to be summoned, but if experiencing a great injustice, he may dispatch a foe for you, or enhance your Necromantic abilities. He may also ressurect a loved-one, but if you understand Van'Ci Necromancy, you'll realize that it's unlikely it would be your true kin.
Sigil: A crescent
Status: Annihilated
He could be summoned for guidance and to strengthen ones magical abilities
He served as an advisor to the Ebon Order-- the Van'Ci's wing of mostly human militant cultists, which was led by a general hand-picked by Sethmar. Tamaraz was considered destroyed, along with Sethmar, during the period known as the Ebon War. Summoning him is impossible.
Sigil: The palm
Status: Existent
He exists in our world as an immortal humanoid, he and his order are able to travel at will through the multiverse. He is reputed as a very powerful sorceror, and in the authors own experience with him, he is known to be mild-tempered and intellectual.
Due to Adyllis' non-etheric nature, summoning him is impossible, except by appointment.
Sigil: The Wolf
Status: Existent
Sigil: Four-sided goblet
Status: Formless
Other Names: Samarin, Eth'Vit, The Great Mind, the Nightgod, the Sorcerer King, the God of Rebirth
Gogel has been worshipped by countless civilizations, especially by more inferior races such as Orcs, tribals, and lesser undead and demons. However, on some worlds, Gogel-worship has enveloped entire empires of completely civilized people.
Gogel's actual form is considered to be that of the Van'Ci itself, which is the Nightgods true mind and essence, and every creature living in the Van'Ci is just leeching off his own power. However, some believe Gogel is completely non-existant, that the Van'Ci itself sustains its own energy... And yet, other theories suggest that Gogel's priesthood, covered in this chapter, represent his true energy and spirit, and should all of these princes be destroyed, then Gogel would surely perish, along with his world.
Attempts to actually summon Gogel never work. At best, a summoner may conjure a lesser-demon merely claiming to be the Nightgod, at worst you may conjure an ethereal disciple, ready to destroy you for trying something so heretical as to call on Gogel. It is suggested to avoid any summoning in Gogel's own name.
~
Other beings worth noting:
Kravon Ghiask: A royal ghoul assistant in Agathala's army, evil to the core, Kravon can also speak in masterful riddles.
The Gatekeeper: An ancient guard from the Ganymide empire, the Gatekeeper has thus been considered by some as the most powerful of all liches, but his role exists entirely to protect the Van'Ci from foreign magics and to determine who gets in, and who gets out.
The Ebon Golem: This creature wanders the Van'Ci, inflicting discipline on the resident souls.
Merra: The name of a cursed Dragon, which became greedy for knowledge and was stranded in the Van'Ci, it is considered a dracolich, its mind being controlled by the princes; being a dragon it can regularly cross worlds, and appear in the physical as a force to be reckoned with during times of war.
Sharazai: This former servant is said to be the culprit behind Sethmar's destruction and the failure of the Ebon War. This treacherous creature infiltrated the Van'Ci with some sort of weapon which could slice through their dimension. When the Van'Ci collapsed after Sethmar's defeat, its believed both Sharazai and the weapon were swallowed up.
Soraya: A mortal daughter of Sethmar, and a lover of Sharazai, she dissappeared after the recent events transpired.