Yellowish pages of this book are unyielding. They keep their secrets. There is no writing, no letters, no drawings – but the vellum itself is covered in a faded crimson web of arteries like a living being. At times you could swear that you see them pulsate to the beatings of an unseen heart. And then you remember the cover of this book of horrors. Black hide as hard as stone, as rugged and twisted as skin of a demon; a widely open fanged mouth is carved into it, and the forked tongue sticking out is colored crimson. One single line of inscription runs on the cover: “Price of knowledge is paid in blood.”

Those who will dare to open their veins and press them against the cruel mouth will see the black hide soften and redden as it drinks until its thirst is sated. Arteries in the vellum now pulsate and glow, and in their menacing red light letters can finally be seen. And read.

Infernal Key
A handbook of daemonic summonings and pacts
–by Lady Aldaar the Helltouched

Shadows of Hell

The line of human kings has ruled on Azeroth for about three millennia. The greatest human sage may be three centuries old. A human life may end in an instant, and at a whim of chance. We should feel privileged that creatures that are as old as the stars and still sing of the times of chaos many eons ago when Creation did not exist, take notice of us and crave our mortal souls.

The Fires of Hell hold many mysteries, secrets the gods themselves deem too dangerous to know. With such knowledge comes great power. And power of hell washes over our world like the wind. Those who care to see will see the black, jade, crimson and purple winds blow over the mountains and churn in the streets. And there is song in this wind, as beautiful as the ringing of small silver bells, it sings of power, it sings of chaos; It sings of the shadows of hell gliding through the flames, ancient as the world, graceful in their twisted glory. Such a pity that most mortals are blind and do not see this awesome display of beauty and power play out before them; Hell is closer than we think.

Secrets of Hell open eagerly to those who wish to hear them, those worthy of knowing the forbidden lore. All it takes, is to break through the walls of this world and stand in the sulfuric draft, and let the power wash over you. Demons will gladly whisper their secrets into your ear, as long as you are willing to pay the price; As long as you are capable of summoning them to this world.

There are countless species of demons, ordered into the shifting hierarchies. Every specie, every rank has its own desires as well as own gifts to bestow. They are attuned to different elements and different emotions. A wise man would set out to learn not only how to perform a summoning, but also the nature of the demon he is to call upon.

Not all demons one can call upon are nameless. Some are creatures of great power, sat upon the lonely pinnacles of the ever-shifting hierarchies. They command great powers, and own the dubious loyalty of their legions. Their summoning-names have been recorded, their character defined, their desires learned. It is only when the stars and the planets take particular places on the firmament that those powerful demons can be summoned. The gifts those Lords can give are countless, and terrible to know. And the price is so heavy, that most would lose their mind the moment they hear of it. If you think you dare to call upon a Lord of Hell, then seek out “The Book of A Thousand Names”.

As for the lesser demons, I will eagerly tell you how to call upon them and converse with them. What they want and what they can give. Read on, unfortunate reader, for now there is no way back for you.