I've always known it was neither near nor far that fate, as some call it, would intervene once again and turn the bloody tide of war in a new direction.
My involvement with the eternal struggle between good and evil, mortal and immortal alike, is long and broad, and riddled with the holes of misfortune, like a sword-hewn cloak about my shoulders. But still it hangs there, proud and resilient, even while stained with ichor. So too have I always known the ways of the war, for it in itself is a cruel allegory of the multiverse at large. Such a litany of chaos and violence can not be ignored, and indeed may serve to heighten one's own perceptions. However, if one is gazing into the Abyss, one should be expect the Abyss to gaze back.
And so it has come to be. The hour of the next act of this saga is nigh, however the director is absent and the actors unwitting. What will unfold from here is not only a matter of personae dramatis, but of the set and audience as well. When the curtain draws down, the roses thrown will have sharp thorns indeed, and the actors will not exchange bows but bloody kisses.
The final infernal words carry heavy weight. Your vision blurs again, but you feel your body blurring with it.
Her infernal commands ring in your ears. The vision fades, and you feel your body being wrenched. )
Her soft-spoken infernal decree weighs upon you. Her visage vanishes, and your form disperses as well.
The infernal threat hangs on you. The sight dissipates and you feel yourself being tugged to new horizons.
Its stereo commands hang with importance. As the vision dissolves, so too does your being.
Her silky decree carries magnitude. The scene becomes foggy, and you feel yourself lulling into the same fog.
She barks her orders and their priority holds measure. In an instant the vision blinks out, and you feel your body following suit.
You arrive at your destination, a temperate morning completes the atmosphere of this Prime sierra. Miles below, vast plains dotted occasionally with settlements, rivers, and forests, stretches from horizon to horizon. Before you, carved into the rocky face of the mountain, stands a church. Emblazoned in the stained glass window is a stylized flaming fist resembling a comet.
In addition to the nestled antiquated church, you see that you are not alone. Six other creatures stand nearby, an equal look of confusion painted on their faces.
The choice between remaining in the Infernal realms or returning to the prime material plane is resolved in but moments. Elita relaxes while immediately becoming uncommonly vigilant.
As the burning fires if hell disappear and the cool breeze of the material plane touches her wings, Elita immediately begins to scan the area looking for a place to hide. Seeing the dark shadows above the church, she flies up and disappears into the darkness.
Stealth:
Knowledge(religion):
Elita immediately recognizes the symbol's of good and law on the church. For a brief moment, she recalls many years flitting about the material planes, comforting weary travelers and serving powerful mages. But, that moment is over almost before it began. She knows that she now serves darker powers. At least until she is able to overthrow those denizens of the lower planes and take their places.
For now though, she has been given an assignment. But, first, she must determine what comprises these other six beings, some clearly from other parts of the lower planes, or at least touched by the darkness as is she.
A large brownish spider, somewhat larger than the average man, skitters back from the other creatures present. In addition to the usual complement of entirely-too-many eyes and legs, this spider possesses spindly insect-like hands which wave in complement to the arcane syllables coming from its mouth. Giving lie to your initial impression of a bestial nature it wears an odd garment that offers several buckles and straps to secure assorted pouches and cases to its back then wraps around to cover its underbelly. It also carries a small shield made of gleaming mithral; its only visible weapon is a crossbow strapped to its side.
Its spell produces no obvious effect, and the spider doesn't do anything that could be considered hostile. It just waits and watches the others, its eight beady black eyes gleaming in the sun.
With a flourish of multi-hued linking chains, this lithe, exotic predator is poised on pointed toes with the grace of a well balanced weapon upon a finger. Auburn haired and clad in gleaming iron chains, her alabaster skin seems tinged with cyanosis and what isn't adorned in chain is laced with criss-crossing scars. Sizing up the group members with seductive calculation, she glances to the religious edifice.
With a disgusted gaze towards the church, she turns and spits upon the ground, as if to purge the very sight of the building from her body like a bitter spirit.
The five figures have the sense of a large presence in their midst. Chess still reclined since before his transport, stretches out first one paw than the other, finally stretching his back in a big arch. Those gathered catch the faint outline of a giant cat. He yawns and the shadowed recess of his fanged maw come into brief view. Those that can see invisible can see the Hellcat for what he is.
His gaze slowly takes in the others. His tail flicking as his eyes narrow and seem to study Elita. But the faint glow of his eyes blink lazily and he takes a short walk around the group.
A silky voice purrs into each figure's mind,
He had, unfortunately, been flying with a small clutch of his accumulated things, upon being sent away, so he came awake within the material plane to find the ground rising up to meet him quickly. With the ease of long experience he banks in a low circle, his right wing almost brushing the ground before he settles down on the ground. Adjustments of his clothing and gear take place, while he studies the others.
He could have been a tiny hairless with a crooked nose man, except for the flame red hue of his skin, hidden behind the leaves that had been carefully used to make armor that he wore, and a few vials and bags had been attached to the armor, along with a dozen pieces of cold iron that were anchored across it's back, sharply pointed on both ends. And of course there was the tail, complete with a scorpion's stinger, which lashed the air idly.
For those who opened their eyes quickly. You saw what looked like an angel from the upper planes. Except the angel was dark with wings looking more like oil spilled in water than a rainbow. However, almost as soon as you saw her, you saw the the tiny creature glance at each of you before flitting her wings and disappearing into the shadows above the church where you are sure she is watching your every move.
Tia answers in a surprisingly feminine voice, "I speak the devil's tongue. My name is Tia. I assume we are all here for the same prey..." One of her legs gestures toward the stone edifice.
"Yes, daemon, the weaving calls to me. It is in my blood; I could no more ignore its call than than I could refuse to draw breath." She mutters a few arcane words and studies Zadlu for several seconds before turning her attention to the stronghold looming over them.
Elita watches the oddly trusting assemblage from above. Most seeming to speak the tongue of the Infernals. Realizing that most appear to be as confused as she, Elita moves from her hiding spot and hovers out of reach, about 30' above the ground.
In what might best be a complete contradiction, you hear a beautiful angelic voice speaking in the guttural tongue of the Infernals - I to am here to eliminate a threat to my queen. One of my former brethren. I assume that your lords have similarly commanded you.
"Speaking the language of the Abyss always leaves my tongue in knots, but I understand it well enough." Abdiel continues to talk in his native infernal tongue while he speaks, favoring Zadluzeny with a small smirk. "Any ways, I wouldn't exactly say that I'm here for prey. I'm just here to make sure that whatever it is Heaven wants to happen... doesn't. So, if anyone does see a vassal of the Hosts wandering about, could we at least take a few minutes to find out what it's purpose is before its wings are torn off? Or at least as that's happening? Questions go a long way towards getting answers. Also, devoured souls don't count as having fallen. You know, for the bet."
The church emits no auras, and beneath the circular glass window the only entrance appears to be a large set of stone double doors.
The spider rubs its fangs together and says "Oh yes, I am very good at asking questions. Tell me imp, what can be seen through that window? Shall we enter through there, or the door? I doubt we have time for a siege, or the leverage to make the defenders of the fortress come out here to fight us."
Now that the disorientation from the abrupt travel was beginning to fade, Tia started to wonder whether they had been observed. She carefully examines the cliff faces above for any sign of a guard or watchpost.
Though I should roll for Tia as well at this point
Abdiel glances up at the window, pondering Tia's question for a moment. "Hmm... a wonderful question, Tia. Let me go take a quick little look-see, and then I'll be back to tell you all." So saying, he clicked his tongue to make a popping noise, and vanished from sight.
Invisible, he stretched his wings for a moment and knuckled his lower spine, before taking off and climbing high above the church, then letting himself glide down land on the outside of the window. Perhaps he was being overly cautious, worried that someone might hear the beat of his wings through the glass and stone, but who could really be certain how great the blessings of Heaven might be? Finally, pressed up against the glass he peered inside, his senses attuned to sensing both good and magic, as well as seeing the mundane.
Let me see if I can see anything. And if I am spotted, I am much less likely to raise the alarms than some of the rest of you.
Stealth:
Perception:
It is almost impossible to discern any details through the thick chunks of colored glass. All that can be ascertained is that is seems there is a large room on the other side.
Neither detect good or detect magic reveals anything through the stained glass.
Do there appear to be any openings which I could get into to scout forward?
The entire window is one solid piece without hinge or crack. The rest of the church is carved into the living rock.
Those that know me, call me Chess and I am afraid I have no use for souls, bets, or questions...only sustenance. There is to be one here, reeking of the no fun Heavens, I am desiring to taste his flesh...at least just a little if you must talk with him...before he dies."
It's early morning, a few light shadows from jutting peaks here and there, but otherwise the valley is fairly well lit.
After examining the window, Elita flits back down to the rest of the group, still remaining well out of reach of anyone including the translucent cat.
Well, from the appearance of things, this church is simply carved into the stone, so I doubt that even one as slight as I can get in without going through the door. If you all can hide, I can likely sneak in when someone leaves the church. Or we can attempt to simply enter and face whatever holy forces are within.
Astrid's gaze moves over the party silently, her lips slightly pursed in thought. The chains wrapping her body twitch and clink in subtle movements as her gaze passes over Elita, Zadluzeny and Tia, her eyes narrowing in thought. Folding her hands behind her back, her chains calm and she smiles a soft smile, waiting patiently for battle to begin.
Abdiel is a few moments later than Elita in coming back, returning to visibility as he glances over his shoulder at the church, with a slightly perplexed expression on his face.
He pauses, tapping his chin thoughtfully, before continuing.
Glancing from lower plane denizen to lower plane denizen. The ends justify the means. Let us just go through the door and crush whatever is within.
When you are able to catch a glance of the rapidly moving butterfly woman, you think you can almost see flames dancing in her eyes. You also see that a tiny wicked looking scimitar has appeared in her hand.
"I vote big folk are first into the breach, then." Abdiel offers, before turning invisible once more and fluttering to take up a place somewhere above Tia's head.
The big folk are too slow. Just take the door down and storm the place. Destruction and bloodshed shall abound.
Not waiting for the others, Elita flies to the door and begins to examine if for traps or locks.
Perception:
Can I retcon and purchase some masterwork thieves tools? While I am not a thief, I am about as close as this group is going to get.
Elita, yes you may make the retcon purchase.
There does not appear to be any traps, and from the outside there doesn't seem to be any locking mechanism on the heavy stone doors.
Knowledge(engineering):
I have never worked with massive doors like these. And there does not appear to be any locking or opening mechanism from this side. Does anyone have another idea? Or should we let the daemon knock and charm those within.
Smiling as the daemon changes his appearance.
Should I accompany you my upper planar friend? This is said with a combination of disgust and sarcasm. Or remain hidden above the door and sneak in when it is opened?
Drawing a small pack from within the folds of her chains, Astrid spends a few moments adjusting her appearance to that of a young elven monk.
Stepping forward, she takes her place beside the scholar, awaiting what's to come.
Chess ensures that he is fully in the sun. His smile of fangs and flames slowly fades from view, leaving nothing to show of his presence there.
The spidery shape ripples and blurs as it shifts itself into the form of a young woman. She wears a voluminous grey-blue traveler's cloak that hides most of her figure, revealing only her pale face, black hair, and green eyes. She falls into place next to Zadlu as he approaches the door.
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Fighting the urge to simply pummel the door until it breaks, Elita flies down and settles on the old man's shoulder. Giving him a smile clearly showing her celestial heritage, a smile that none here had seen previously.
All good wizards have familiars. And only good wizards have celestial familiars.
After a pause. And if anyone tries anything, I will gut you just as fast as the holy servants within.
Disguise:
As you stand at the entrance, you are greeted by silence.
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You sense that the minute butterfly is more than a little impatient.
Bah, letsjustgointhroughthewindow.
I fly up toward the window and begin to search for a part that can be broken with minimal noise and without taking down the whole window.
Knowledge(engineering):
Abdiel watches the small side play, and joins Elita up at the window.
"Check and see if it is held in by an adhesive. I might be able to dissolve it if so." He offers helpfully, with a cheerful smile.
Unless I hear a better alternative soon, I am just going through the window. Nobody can see or hit me so what difference does it make.
I find the smallest pane of glass that it appears I could fit through, and then smash it with my scimitar if I have not heard from below after about 45 seconds.