Session #27 - Would You Not Risk Everything?

Almont found himself in the throne room of Kiri-Jolith, just as he had so many times before.  The dark, perfectly cut stones that formed the space flickered with torchlight, partially illuminating and partially obscuring the god upon his throne.  As always, the room was empty other than the two of them.  Somehow he expected that when the end came there would be an audience.

 “Welcome, my son.”

 

Almont remained standing.  On every other visit he had taken one or both knees.  But not this time.  He would meet his final judgment on his feet.  Like a warrior.

 

The cleric bowed his head slightly, never taking his eyes from the god.  “My lord.”

 

“What brings you to me, Almont?”

 

“My pride, lord,” he answered honestly.  “My own hubris brings me to you on this, my final day.”  He stood rigid, awaiting his judgment and prepared to accept it, come what may.

 

After a long pause, Kiri-Jolith replied.  “Ah.  So you have learned.  Tell me of your folly.”

 

“We pursued Madhi because we felt wronged,” the priest answered.  “We lost sight of our true objective, to save the people of Elturel.  My death, while in honorable combat fighting evil, leaves my friends one warrior short as they face their true test.  In that I failed.”  

 

“They are noble warriors, are they not?”

 

“They are everything.”

 

The silence dragged on for an eternity, only the crackling of the torches to fill the time.  Finally, Kiri-Jolith spoke.

 

“Would you risk everything for them?”

 

Hearing Zariel’s words shocked Almont for a moment, but his answer came quickly.  “Everything.”

 

Kiri-Jolith leaned back into the shadow of his throne, though Almont caught just a glimpse of the smile on his face.  “Then you should not be here before me.  Not yet.”

 

The room began to slowly swirl around Almont, the speed picking up quickly until it became nauseating.  As the walls began to fly apart he heard the god’s voice as the hall receded.  “This is going to hurt a bit…”

 

 

“No!” Katla screamed, blasting the mezzoloth in front of her with a thunderous chromatic orb.  The sorceress ran forward, around the Demon Grinder and toward the fallen cleric and the dwarf desperately fighting off the devils surrounding his pone form.  She pulled a scroll tube from her belt as she ran.  The sorceress had no abilities with healing magic – that was Almont’s purview.  But the cleric told her she’d be able to use the revivification spell the scroll contained to bring him back from death’s door if the situation ever arose.  But he also cautioned her she’d only have one minute following his death in which to use it.  After his soul fully left his body, it would require much more powerful magic to bring him back to life.  There wasn’t much time.

 

With his left hand Kent reached to his belt and withdrew one of his healing potions, tearing the stopper out with his teeth as he parried the mezzoloth’s trident.  The rogue knocked aside yet another thrust, rolled to his left, and shoved the open end of the vial into Almont’s mouth as he passed.  He wasn’t sure if it would work, but it was the only thing he could do at the moment.

 

The hovering Donyxn took it all in with a glance, spinning to cut down the devil pursuing Katla with lightning bolt from his bow before turning back to Kent.  Chromatic orbs and lightning bolts and scimitars cut through the air, as did pitchforks, talons and razor-sharp teeth.  Blood and ichor blended together on the sands amid the smell of burnt flesh and thunderous blasts in a whirlwind of pain and death.

 

 

Kiri-Jolith was correct, it did hurt.  Tremendously.  The cleric gasped, the potion liquid going into both his stomach and his lungs.  The fiery burn quickly receded as the elixir worked quickly through his system.  He would hardly be fully healed – one more trident blow and he’d be back in Kiri-Jolith’s hall.  But he was, for the moment, alive.

 

The cleric’s eyes opened.  He was momentarily confused as to why the separation between ground and sky seemed to be a vertical line, the rust-colored sand to the left of his vision, the dull orange sky to his right.  The return of pain began to bring him back to reality, but it was the mezzoloth head falling to the ground in front of him that brought everything back into focus, the life fading from its infernal eyes as the ichor oozed from the clean cut that had separated head from body.

 

The sound returned quickly as Almont pushed himself to his knees, his body jostled first by a shove from Kent then the concussion of a thunderous blast from Katla.  Burning heat and the smell of ozone preceded the electric crackle of one of Donyxn’s lightning bolts as his friends finished off the two remaining devils.  By the time the cleric staggered to his feet, his warhammer held unsteadily but ready to strike, it was all over.

 

Almont fell back to his knees, his breath coming in ragged bursts.  He heard the flapping of wings and felt the air move around him as Donyxn landed, the ichor sizzling on his glowing blue sword.  Kent walked over to where the cleric knelt, panting from the exertion, his face and hands covered with splatters of ichor. 

 

The dwarf put his hand on the cleric’s shoulder.  “Welcome to the club,” he said with a grin.  Donyxn let out a laugh – both the dwarf and tiefling had briefly tasted death since they had been in hell.  Now it was Almont’s turn.  “Oh, and sorry about the thing with the scimitar,” he said sheepishly.

 

“I’m glad you’re not dead, Almont,” sang Lola.

 

“Me too,” he replied.

 

“You look hurt.  I can help you.”  Before Almont could object, a field of golden energy emerged from Lola’s trunk, covering the cleric like a film.  His wounds healed over, and while his injuries had been extensive, he felt strong again and ready for action.

 

“They’re coming out,” Katla said.

 

Everyone turned toward the emporium entrance, hands at their weapons.  But Katla wasn’t warning them of another attack.  Instead it was the inhabitants of the emporium who cautiously emerged from its confines, looking around with a combination of fear and hope.

 

The hobgoblin Z’neth approached them slowly, his head looking left, then right, then back left again as he walked.  “I haven’t been able to leave the boundary of the emporium for decades,” he said.  “Is Madhi dead?”

 

Katla shook her head.  “Not dead.  But with that spell he cast, my guess is he’s no longer on Avernus.  Does that set you free?”

 

“I… I don’t know.  But it seems to have.”

 

Others emerged as well, including Illiach, who had clearly been continuing to experiment on himself with demon ichor judging by his even more grotesque mutations.  One of the gifts the sword gave Donyxn was true sight, and he was able to see the wizard as he once was, a handsome man of late middle age.  It was sad to see what his time on Avernus had done to him.

 

“What do we do now?” asked Illiach.

 

“Whatever you like,” replied Almont.  

 

Any joy the inhabitants of the emporium felt about their newfound freedom was overcome by the dual recognition that they were still in hell and they now lacked Madhi’s protection.

 

“Seems you owe us some soul coins, Z’neth,” observed Kent, his scimitar resting casually over his shoulders.  

 

The hobgoblin’s brow furrowed.  “The deal was a dozen soul coins to kill Madhi.  And as the witch said, he’s not dead, just gone.”

 

“Call me a witch again,” Katla said firmly, “and we’ll just take the coins off your dead body.”  Faint thunder rolled off at a distance as the air around the elf darkened slightly.

 

Almont raised an eyebrow.  Donyxn laughed heartily.  Kent just continued to stare at Z’neth.

 

“I see your point,” Z’neth said, reaching to the pouch on his belt.  “Perhaps you would accept eight soul coins?  Since Madhi still lives, after all.”

 

Katla stepped forward but before she could blast the hobgoblin’s head off Almont offered a compromise. 

 

“We will rest here for a day.  Z’neth will pay us eight soul coins, but he will also be in our service as a guard, keeping watch and ensuring nothing is able to sneak up on us.”

 

“Yes, yes!  A wonderful idea!  You can rest in my shop and I’ll make sure you are not disturbed,” Z’neth agreed quickly.  

 

Katla sneered at the hobgoblin in a way that terrified him, but made her friends chuckle.  She wouldn’t hesitate to kill him if the need arose, but she wouldn’t do so over a petty insult or for a handful of soul coins.  They knew that even if Z’neth didn’t.

 

Z’neth pulled the purse from his belt, removing four coins and then tossing it toward Almont.  Kent reached out and snagged it out of the air.

 

“I don’t know about all of you, but I fancy a visit to those salamanders to see if they can upgrade my gear.”  The dwarf grinned.

 

Almont nodded.  They now had 30 soul coins, and given that they also had the sword it seemed that one way or another their time on Avernus was coming to an end, and soon.  They would need to put aside some coins to power their vehicle, but otherwise they should use them in any way possible to prepare for the final battles to come.

 

The party strolled into the emporium, the milling crowd clearing a path and giving them a wide berth.  Z’neth trailed behind, his chest puffed out and trying to look important as if he was now somehow allied with the group.

 

They entered the Firesnake Forge, and Rash was in the front area as if he was expecting them.  “So, you have returned.  And from what we are told, Madhi is gone.”

 

“A bit of a coward, that one,” Kent said cockily as he examined the wares.  “Seemed that when things got tough, he had somewhere else to be.”

 

“And what of you and your brothers,” Katla asked.  “What will you do now?”

 

Rash made a motion that resembled a shrug.  “Unlike these others, we travel with the emporium by choice.  After escaping our servitude at Bel’s forge, Madhi allowed us to continue our craft here.  Our path is unclear.”

 

“Perhaps Mad Maggie would provide a safe haven,” Katla suggested.

 

Rash nodded.  “We have considered this.  Perhaps.  Now, what can we do for you?”

 

Kent opened his cloak.  “I’d like a bit of an upgrade on this studded leather.”

 

Rash hissed.  “Simple enough.  We can infuse it with magic to offer extra protection, as well as the ability to mend itself.”  Rash turned and pointed at Almont.  “Your breast plate is already infused, priest.  But we can make the magic more powerful.”

 

One of Rash’s brothers entered the room and eyed Donyxn suspiciously before whispering to Rash, who nodded and turned back to them.  “My brother tells me your vehicle is damaged.  We can also make those repairs.  We will do all these things for 13 soul coins.”

 

Almont and Kent looked at one another in silent agreement.  But before they could formalize the deal, Donyxn asked, “What do you have that would cut through or destroy the chains anchoring Elturel to Avernus?”

 

The tent fell silent, Rash and his brother regarding the transformed tiefling.  “What you ask is dangerous.  We would be unable to remain in Avernus if we helped you in such a thing.”

 

“What if we had a way to take you from Avernus?”

 

Katla could see where Donyxn was headed.  “Indeed.  There will be much work involved in rebuilding Elturel.  Creatures with talents such as yours would be in high demand.  You could start new lives.”

 

Rash’s other brother, who had been listening from the other side of curtain separating the front room from the rest of the tent, entered.   They had the salamanders’ attention.

 

A plan of sorts was hatched.  Katla would be able to cast spider climb onto the three salamanders, allowing them to easily climb one of the chains and reach the city.  Once there they could melt through one of the chains from the top in relative safety, while also ensuring they were in the city itself when it returned to the material plane.  They would also manufacture a tool that would allow the party to cut through another chain, though it would probably require at least two of them to operate.  The cost for everything was 18 soul coins, which Almont happily paid.

 

“Leave your armor with us.  All will be ready in one day’s time,” said Rash, handing the coins to one of his brothers. 

 

They left tent and headed to Burney’s.  “That’s two chains accounted for,” Donyxn said.  “Now we just need to figure out a way to deal with two more.”

 

When they entered Burney’s Donyxn stopped dead in his tracks, staring right at Burney who returned his gaze with a look of surprise.  Everyone felt a tension growing in the tent until Burney spoke.

 

“I sense that you can see me as I really am, tiefling,” she said.

 

Donyxn nodded.  “I must admit, the sensation is a bit…”

 

“Yes, it creates a perspective you have never experienced before.”

 

Kent sat in one of the chairs.  “So does this mean no haircuts?”

 

Katla looked at the dwarf and shook her head the way parents do when their child says or does something foolish.

 

“Would you like to explain it to them, or should I try?” asked Donyxn.

 

Burney smiled.  “Sit, all of you.  Let me tell you a tale.”

 

It turned out that Burney was in fact an ancient copper dragon hidden behind an illusory form.  The confusion Donyxn experienced was because he could see her true self inside the tent, but yet not inside the tent at the same time since it was obviously not large enough to accommodate a dragon.  Burney had been sent to Avernus by her god to spy on Madhi and report back on his doings.

 

“But I thought Madhi couldn’t been fooled or tricked,” Katla observed.

 

“That’s true, he can’t,” Burney said as she trimmed Kent’s beard.  “But I never lied to him, so there was no deception for him to see through.  I was also able to use my magic to cloud his memory when he’d leave my tent so he’d never remember precisely what we discussed.  Truth be told, I think he knew why I was here but allowed me to stay because it flattered his ego to think he was that important.”

 

The party updated Burney on their adventures and showed her the sword.  “It sounds like all of us are coming to the ends of our time in Avernus,” she said, putting a hot towel over Kent’s face.

 

“How will you return home, Burney?” Katla asked.

 

The barber smiled.  “I can plane shift.  I can take you all with me if you like.”

 

Donyxn stroked his chin.  “Do you have a way to help us break one of the chains holding Elturel?”

 

Burney began trying to combo out the knots in Kent’s hair caused by the ichor as she considered the question.  “I believe that I can.  My acidic breath would likely burn through one without too much trouble, but I could only do that once.”

 

Donxyn smiled, his white fangs glistening.  “Three down, one to go.”

 

Burney allowed them to rest in her tent, and for the first time in ages they felt at least somewhat secure.  As they roused themselves after a full night of sleep, Z’neth burst into the tent.

 

“There’s trouble coming outside.”

 

A few seconds later came a booming voice.  “Where is Madhi?  Get me Madhi.”

 

As they grabbed their weapons Kent and Almont realized their armor was still with the salamanders.  “Well this should be fun,” Kent deadpanned.

 

They exited the tent and headed to the emporium’s entrance.  Walking toward them were a pair of nine foot tall horned devils.  Four spined devils flew above them in intricate patterns.  

 

“There’s an invisible imp behind them as well,” Donyxn observed, drawing his sword.  

 

The horned devils stopped and regarded them.  “You,” it said pointing at Kent, “go get Madhi.  We would speak with him.”

 

Kent chuckled.  “Sorry, Madhi’s not here at the moment.  And the emporium doesn’t serve customers who are unclothed, so we’re going to have to ask you to leave.”

 

The horned devils both looked confused.  “We don’t have time for your foolishness, dwarf.  No go fetch your master and I may decide not to destroy you.”

 

“Tsk, tsk,” Kent said, shaking his head.  “Donyxn, perhaps you’d like to show our guests out?”

Donyxn's New Form

 

Donyxn flew forward before the horned devils could react, the blue sword gleaming and he landed a pair of blows on one as the spined devils scattered in momentary surprise.

 

Kent and Almont both dash forward, the rogue outpacing the cleric thanks to his magic boots.  Kent’s scimitar bit deep into the startled horned devil, and the wails of the dead that followed in his wake caused the creature to grab its head and howl in rage and pain.

 

The battle proceeded at a brisk pace.  The flying devils recovered quickly and began launching spines from their tails. The first of the horned devils, already wounded by Donyxn and Kent’s swords, fell to a blast of rainbow energy from Lola’s trunk.  

 

Kent and Almont turned their attention to its partner while Donyxn and Katla dealt with their flying adversaries.  Once again Kent was out in front, though this horned devil was ready, it’s trident held forward and prepared to skewer the dwarf.  Kent seemed to pay it no mind, rushing headlong right for the weapon before he… To say he disappeared would be inaccurate, as Almont could still see his form.  But it was as if he turned himself into a ghost, passing right through the trident and the horned devil itself, much to its surprise.  

 

It was even more surprised when Kent re-solidified behind it and slashed into its back with his scimitar.  As it turned in rage to engage the dwarf, Almont came upon it from behind, reaching out and grabbing hold if its leg as he slid under its wings.  The necrotic energy flowed through his body and into that of the devil, its color draining as the life force within it shriveled.  It didn’t die outright, but its vitality and strength were diminished, making it easy prey.  It eventually fell to Kent’s blade, the ghost rogue ritually collecting another of his strange death trinkets, this time the essence of the devil taking the form of a small change purse.

 

As the party surveyed the scene of carnage they were surprised to hear cracking lighting.  They looked upward in time to see the snapping discharge leap from Donyxn’s bow and strike an airborne object a few hundred feet distance, which fell to the ground and smoldered.

 

“Got you,” Donyxn whispered.