The preparations needed to enter the Infinite Abyss were not particularly complicated, consisting mainly of sleeping and hallucinogenic potions. These low-grade potions were quite effective against lesser imps. Since Punk was a neutral creature, and the spells he cast often carried neutral "concepts," he intended to use magic as little as possible in the Abyss, lest he attract the attention of demons sensitive to magic.
Punk prepared five or six bottles of sleeping potion. This highly volatile hypnotic could knock unconscious most creatures that carelessly inhaled it, into such a deep sleep that even a slash from a blade might not wake them. He also had more than ten bottles of paralysis potion and five or six bottles of suffocation powder. In truth, none of these potions were as lethal to demons as pure positive energy, but on one hand, Punk intended to capture some demons alive, and on the other, using positive energy in the Infinite Abyss was simply too risky.
After one final inspection of his robe, Punk found that this garment's assistance had become negligible. Once he returned from this trip to the Abyss, he planned to acquire a new Formal Level robe, one that would at least not make him look so shabby.
He cast a layer of Protection from Evil over himself. In fact, it would have been safer to add a layer of Protection from Chaos as well. Such conceptual defensive spells could sometimes produce many unexpected effects, and most also possessed a certain offensive capability. They were excellent methods for dealing with enemies of different alignments!
However, Protection from Chaos would likely be impossible for Punk to use. Just ten minutes ago, while practicing the spell on himself, he discovered that he seemed to belong to the Chaos Faction. The instant *Protection from