Round 3, Init 17
--"All gone!"
Nikolay joins the rest of the party (S13) and swings once at the flaming.
"That corner won't protect you and this will be your last death."
Also, +2 arcane & +2 inspiration
Power Attacks
(BAB +9, STR +4, Black blade +3, Weapon Focus +1, -3 Power Attack)
(+6 STR, +3 Magic, +9 Power Attack, +2 Weapon specialization)
Nikolay, That spot is free, but it does have a -8 improved cover penalty around the built up doorway - I don't see that in your attack (or a -4 for normal cover either). Do you have a way to counter that? I presume not, but let me know.
Fondo, Nikolay took your spot and moves before you in the round. I don't see another open spot in front of the skeleton for your action. Care to do something else?
Barael, Charlie does in fact need to target you I think, and he cannot do so if he has no line of effect (aka you're invisible and he can't see you) so no, you don't get the Blessing sorry.
Also, on your first swing (hit no crit) the Captain gestures and the flames around his head writhe and lash out at you for . You're not sure what just happened and you don't know if he can do it again. Do you continue with your attacks before stepping back?
To be extra clear about this doorway. It is designed so that someone can stand in the square the Captain is in and hold off multiple attackers. The sides get -8 improved cover penalties while the top (where Dandilion is) get the usual -4.
Round 2, Init 12 {S10-->S10}
AC 23 Magic Plate Armor w/ fly
CMD 14
Harrow Points: 4
Elemental HP 68/68
Defensive casting = 23 (@12th)
Spell Penetration=15
Holy Water Vials: 10
potion(s) of lesser restoration:3
[b]diamond dust: 2600gps
If anyone is poisoned or diseased Charlie will attempt a heal check (15)
The spells/day listed will include the casting (if any) that I made this round
Orisons DC:16 (Create Water, Guidance, Mending, Purify Food and Drink, Stabilize, Mage Hand, Read Magic, Ghost Sound)
First Level: DC:17 (7/8 per day) (Bless, Bless Water, Doom, Ray of Enfeeblement, Remove Fear, Cure Light, Protection from Evil)
Second Level: DC:18 (6/8 per day) (Admonishing Ray,Communal Prot. from Evil, Hold Person, Lesser Restoration, Sound Burst, Cure Moderate)
Third Level: DC:19 5/7 per day) (Create Food and Water, Prayer, Remove Disease, Searing Light, Cure Serious, Dispel Magic)
Fourth Level: DC:20 (3/7 per day)(Minor Globe of Invulnerability, Holy Smite, Neutralize Poison, Restoration, Cure Critical Wounds)
Fifth Level: DC:21 (4/5 per day)(Constricting Coils, Scry) (Mass Cure Light Wounds)
Sixth Level: DC:22 (2/4 per day)(Anti-magic Field, Heal) (Mass Cure Moderate Wounds)
Oracle Revelation: Eldritch Bolt 9/9 times per day. 1d8+6 dam
summon elemental: Twice per day 6/6, 6/6 rounds per day + ring: 6/6 rnds
Sociable Trait6/6 rounds per day
wand CSW 14/37 (+5)
wand CLW 27/50
wand CLW 50/50
wand lesser restore 50/50
wand blessings of fervor 27/50
Rod of Reach 1/3 per day
wrist sheath: breath of life scroll (+3 backup)
Weapon equipped = Biting wit (and a MW dagger)
Shield equipped =OMG please don't hurt me
Fondo, S11 is now open for you, but you'll provoke going there. With BoF you'll have the movement to get there with an acrobatics check, but your disarm roll will be two lower. Up to you.
Barael, without the healing and with this new damage I have you at -56. Can you confirm that please? Math is hard this early in the morning. :)
Charlie, your prayer penetrates my SR, well done!
Laori attacks around the corner unsuccessfully and backs off foolishly though she vows to return. Charlie moves back up the stairs and heals some of Barael’s injuries. Briar manages to connect once in his flurry of arrows. Nikolay strides up and takes a solid blow, but misses due to cover and a tough foe. Dandilion lowers herself into the reach of the good Captain and lets loose her locks. Fondo attempts to disarm the foe around the corner, but fails (this is improved cover). Barael lashes out (he failed to read my post I think, so I’m saying he continued to press his attacks as he originally posted) but only connects the one time.
The flaming skull grins as his weapon is very nearly ripped from his grasp. ”Not quite yet my friend, not quite yet. God may grant me one of you before I fall!” He yells and presses his attack on the only viable target now that Barael has stepped away - Dandilion!
(the d6 is fire damage)
(the d6 is fire damage)
Laori steps back up above Nikolay and again tries to attack the newcomer around the corner.
As Laori hits the Captain, he gestures again, and his flaming head lashes out at her for . She did not confirm the blow, and does less than expected due to having the wrong weapon in hand. She looks to her hooked armor and finds that to be less than useful as well...
Round 4, Init 16
Dandi slips backwards 5 feet, but her hair whips forward, attacking the captain. She casts a spell and reaches out with her hair to deliver it.
Round 4, Init 14+
"Friend Nik, hold up. I'll draw him out."
Fondo dances with the Captain around the corner, drawing him out.
"Tis plain to me you have a captain's skill,
but have you yet a general or a queen?
They are our truer match, as time will show."
He does his best to knock the skeleton off balance, aiding Nikolay's attack
Active effects Endure elements, Heroism, Mage armor
HP = 99 / 99
AC 27 (17 touch, 22 flat, 21 incorporeal) (10 +5 dex +6 mithral shirt +2 ring +2 nat armor +2 buckler; +4 armor v. incorpoeal)
CMB = +16 (+20 disarm & reposition, +19 dirty trick, +17 steal)
CMD = 30 (34 reposition, 33 dirty trick & disarm, 31 steal)
Weapon equipped Rapier
Shield equipped Buckler
Bardic performance used 0 of 11 rounds
Inspired command used 7 of 17 rounds
Spells used 1st: 1 of 4
Challenge READY
Tactician (3/day; 6 rounds) 3 of 3 used
Wand of CLW 1
Glibness from bracers READY
Jaunt boots 0 of 3 used
Round 4, Init 26
Briar keeps shooting.
to hit; (PBS, Bard, Bane, Rapid, Divine Favor, Cover, Prayer)
blunt damage; (Bard, Bane, DivFav, Prayer)
to hit; (PBS, Bard, Bane, Rapid, Divine Favor, Cover, Prayer)
blunt damage; (Bard, Bane, DivFav, Prayer)
BoF:
to hit; (PBS, Bard, Bane, Rapid, Divine Favor, Cover, Prayer)
blunt damage; (Bard, Bane, DivFav, Prayer)
Iterative:
to hit; (PBS, Bard, Bane, Rapid, Divine Favor, Cover, Prayer)
blunt damage; (Bard, Bane, DivFav, Prayer)
Pot Crit:
to hit; (PBS, Bard, Bane, Rapid, Divine Favor, Cover, Prayer)
blunt damage; (Bard, Bane, DivFav, Prayer)
Round 3, Init 12 {S10-->S10}
Charlie will cast a mass cure light on anyone visible to him.
AC 23 Magic Plate Armor w/ fly
CMD 14
Harrow Points: 4
Elemental HP 68/68
Defensive casting = 23 (@12th)
Spell Penetration=15
Holy Water Vials: 10
potion(s) of lesser restoration:3
[b]diamond dust: 2600gps
If anyone is poisoned or diseased Charlie will attempt a heal check (15)
The spells/day listed will include the casting (if any) that I made this round
Orisons DC:16 (Create Water, Guidance, Mending, Purify Food and Drink, Stabilize, Mage Hand, Read Magic, Ghost Sound)
First Level: DC:17 (7/8 per day) (Bless, Bless Water, Doom, Ray of Enfeeblement, Remove Fear, Cure Light, Protection from Evil)
Second Level: DC:18 (6/8 per day) (Admonishing Ray,Communal Prot. from Evil, Hold Person, Lesser Restoration, Sound Burst, Cure Moderate)
Third Level: DC:19 5/7 per day) (Create Food and Water, Prayer, Remove Disease, Searing Light, Cure Serious, Dispel Magic)
Fourth Level: DC:20 (3/7 per day)(Minor Globe of Invulnerability, Holy Smite, Neutralize Poison, Restoration, Cure Critical Wounds)
Fifth Level: DC:21 (3/5 per day)(Constricting Coils, Scry) (Mass Cure Light Wounds)
Sixth Level: DC:22 (2/4 per day)(Anti-magic Field, Heal) (Mass Cure Moderate Wounds)
Oracle Revelation: Eldritch Bolt 9/9 times per day. 1d8+6 dam
summon elemental: Twice per day 6/6, 6/6 rounds per day + ring: 6/6 rnds
Sociable Trait6/6 rounds per day
wand CSW 14/37 (+5)
wand CLW 27/50
wand CLW 50/50
wand lesser restore 50/50
wand blessings of fervor 27/50
Rod of Reach 1/3 per day
wrist sheath: breath of life scroll (+3 backup)
Weapon equipped = Biting wit (and a MW dagger)
Shield equipped =OMG please don't hurt me
Round , Init 13
Nikolay waits for Fondo to pry the weasel from his hole.
"Thank you, Fondo."
(BAB +9, STR +4, Black blade +3, Weapon Focus +1, -3 Power Attack)
(+6 STR, +3 Magic, +9 Power Attack, +2 Weapon specialization)
-
- Bof
- Confirm iterative crit?
-
Round 4, Init 14
AC = 24, not taking Combat Expertise, hoping Vanish cuts down his attacks
HP = 40/111
Weapon Equipped = Black Tooth
Condition(s) = Inspired, Heroic
Barael bares a toothy grin, snapping his front teeth several times in anticipation. "Well placed, Fondo, well placed." Barael considers his options, but doesn't look a gift horse in the mouth. He concentrates Charlie's boon into trying to pierce the skeleton's armor more effectively.
Laori attacks again, and manages to hit and do some damage. Charlie heals the party a bit, but not the invisible Barael. Briar hits twice, but does not confirm his critical. Dandilion siphons the flames from his head onto her own! She’s not sure the effect, but her own is wreathed in fire for only one round. Fondo repositions the Captain into the group. Nikolay manages to hit twice with all his help, but still does not confirm his critical either and again does about a third less damage due to DR. Barael also slices and dices, hitting once.
Captain Castothrane is upset finding himself in the middle of the group. ”You couldn’t do this where I came from!” he cries as he’s cut down…
And we’re out of initiative.
Presuming you look around the area, you find the other ‘rooms’ are in fact largely open to the roof giving you a bit of a view of the rooftop behind you though there is no way to get there from here. Must be the other set of stairs.
Barael leans in to snuffle Dandi. Well, more like her hair. "You were on fire, you know?" Barael tilts his head, not convinced the fire is entirely out in his mind's eye.
He spins back, and punches Fondo in the arm. "That was a great tactic, Brov. Like shucking an oyster. Would have never come out on his own." Barael turns back to Nik.
"Blade work like no other, Shadow's Death. I'd see you sated on more than bones, but less than flesh. Come, let's find us some more shadows."
Barael stops in place, now visible. "Charlie, would you be so kind?"
Briar looks around, noticing Dandi's flaming crown.
"Nice work, Waif. Impressive," Briar comments.
How is it that she is so impressive one moment, then so...so...un-good the next?
Briar ponders for a moment, his face lighting up.
Of course! Her elven and Varisian bloods battle...and we can tell when her elven side shows.
Briar, reflecting on the dual nature of Dandi, takes a look around the Captain's ward with Detect Magic. He eyes frequent Majenko's dead form and his eyes seek diamonds.
Perception
* * *After searching...* * *
"Today has been a full day. I suggest we return to camp and prepare again for tomorrow. I'll not lose another party member because we are unprepared," Briar states.
"Rest is good, too."
Fondo beams. "Rest in what realm your soul has earned, loyal brute. Well done, friends. Soon enough we'll have the queen and her retinue lying at our feet." He claps Nikolay on the back, does a playful dance with Barael and Dandi, and begs a swig on Charlie's whiskey. "Rest seems wise. On morrow we'll ask our drake's return, hopeful that Brother Rose's charms outweigh those of sweet Elysium."
"Was I? Am I singed?" Dandi's hair flicks towards her face so she can snif for herself. "I don't think it burnt anything important. But it helpd a little, didn't it?"
Dandi sighs, agreeing with both Briar and Barael. "Rest would be wonderful."
"Good Smashing everyone. Barael, Dandi come hither. I'll give you some heals from my personal stock if we're going to rest. We need to figure some way around your vanishing act boyo."
Holy crap that boy is gonna get himself killed with that nonsense some day.
AC 23 Magic Plate Armor w/ fly
CMD 14
Harrow Points: 4
Elemental HP 68/68
Defensive casting = 23 (@12th)
Spell Penetration=15
Holy Water Vials: 10
potion(s) of lesser restoration:3
[b]diamond dust: 2600gps
If anyone is poisoned or diseased Charlie will attempt a heal check (15)
The spells/day listed will include the casting (if any) that I made this round
Orisons DC:16 (Create Water, Guidance, Mending, Purify Food and Drink, Stabilize, Mage Hand, Read Magic, Ghost Sound)
First Level: DC:17 (7/8 per day) (Bless, Bless Water, Doom, Ray of Enfeeblement, Remove Fear, Cure Light, Protection from Evil)
Second Level: DC:18 (6/8 per day) (Admonishing Ray,Communal Prot. from Evil, Hold Person, Lesser Restoration, Sound Burst, Cure Moderate)
Third Level: DC:19 5/7 per day) (Create Food and Water, Prayer, Remove Disease, Searing Light, Cure Serious, Dispel Magic)
Fourth Level: DC:20 (2/7 per day)(Minor Globe of Invulnerability, Holy Smite, Neutralize Poison, Restoration, Cure Critical Wounds)
Fifth Level: DC:21 (3/5 per day)(Constricting Coils, Scry) (Mass Cure Light Wounds)
Sixth Level: DC:22 (1/4 per day)(Anti-magic Field, Heal) (Mass Cure Moderate Wounds)
Oracle Revelation: Eldritch Bolt 9/9 times per day. 1d8+6 dam
summon elemental: Twice per day 6/6, 6/6 rounds per day + ring: 6/6 rnds
Sociable Trait6/6 rounds per day
wand CSW 14/37 (+5)
wand CLW 27/50
wand CLW 50/50
wand lesser restore 50/50
wand blessings of fervor 27/50
Rod of Reach 1/3 per day
wrist sheath: breath of life scroll (+3 backup)
Weapon equipped = Biting wit (and a MW dagger)
Shield equipped =OMG please don't hurt me
Briar finds that his full plate is +2 and his battle axe is +1, flaming.
The ring was a ring of immolation. The ring summons a fire shield (as per the spell) around the wearer on command for a period of time each day.
The party decides to take one more day to face the denizens of Scarwall, with scarcely a thought of poor Zellara trapped somewhere within, or a Queen left to her own devices, plotting, planning and acting for the greater evil.
As you return to the Barbican Gate that you've been using as a base, you stumble into a squad of orcs who had come in your absence. A few short rounds of combat are required, but those who do not fall are quickly driven off and the structure is yours once more.
The night passes fitfully, unlike past nights, and you are better rested in the morning. As you glance back at the castle proper even the shadows seem to shorten a bit in the morning light. It's as if the evil is drawn inward, protecting some inner core, gathering strength...
"It seems we've made a dent in evils steely plate." Fondo smiles and gets out Zellara's now mundane Harrow deck.
Briar turns the ring over in his hands, certain of what he saw, another mockery of both kinship and life.
I am beginning to think that I will kill him with the magics he has mocked me with. Once I finish with these Varisians, I shall use magic to truly hunt his festering life-corpse down and $#%#$%! into $@#$%#$!
Taking his time, he identifies the ring and prayer beads on the next morning (with Identify).
Take 10+19+10=39 Identify on ring and beads.
Briar, disgusted by his brother's mockery, offers the Ring of Immolation around to anyone who wants it.
* * *Charlie * * *
Briar, sensing that the party is under dusted, prepares Majenko's body with Gentle Repose.
He spends a few minutes prepping Majenko's body, saying prayers and asking for patience.
Fondo casts the Harrow...
I must my flank expose to win the day... Hrm...
"Korvosa birthed a force of smallfolk strong.
We seven stand on verge of victory.
Come, let us end this quest and kill a queen!"
He gazes up into the dark spires of Scarwall. "What if we were to walk as one on air up to the devil's keep? Avoid the chains, and face the beasts with wings...?" He hums for a moment, then turns his attention to Briar and Majenko. "I pray thee, Jenko, let Elysium's sweet nectar wait, that we might see you dance on Ileosa's grave."
So there's no ring left and the magics fade into the black background of Scarwall. There is no ring to identify. So the mockery is greater than you imagined. Maybe he's angry that you gave his last gift away? Hard to know the thoughts of your brother.
The beads are Zon Kuthon Greater Prayer Beads.
Laori looks over Briar's shoulder as he works, taken in by the sheer beauty of the object he holds - the blood encrusted pearls, the sharp cut-inducing rubies. Just identifying the item gives Briar a paper-cut type wound on his hand. Laori leans down and licks the blood from his palm.
- - -
As the party hauls the orc bodies off to the pile you made before some distance away, you must beat down a handful of ghouls who found the pile and were helping themselves to choice bits of rotten orc from it. Those of you who help with body carrying have some trouble with the stench afforded you at the main pile. It is quite sickening.
Fondo makes a point of shoving the corpses into the ravine. Who said there's no greater vermin than a wererat? Ah, Scarwall.
Briar lets Laori suck his hand, rolling his eyes while she is busy at it.
I think I'm done with this.
He feigns delight in the bloody sucking.
* * *Retro* * *
Briar looks for his arrows, hoping not too many are broken/lost
(high=good) ghost
(high=good) ghost
(high=good) ghost
(high=good) blunt
(high=good) blunt
(high=good) blunt
(high=good) blunt
(high=good) blunt
Sheesh, I sure do miss a lot.
Briar replaces his arrows from this stores in his haversack.
* * *
After dealing with his prayers and preserving Majenko, Briar is ready to return to Scarwall proper. He hopes to avoid the allip/haunt and chain beast until the upper demon/devil/daemon is dealt with.
Fondo asks Charlie in the morning, "What news have you from Eries? I fear for those we've left behind. And yet, our quest is near it's end. I feel it in my bones." He starts to make some kahve, but quickly learns he's out of grounds. "It needs must end,t hat we might find our bellies full again."
| 4 people marked this as a favorite. |
:::Eyes closed:::
Barael walks lightly across the taut surface, wind blowing through his hair. Across a small hill, he watches as the shifting figure approaches. He studies the individual, as it shrinks, then stretches. Its hair grows wild, then disappears, then flows again, changes color. It beckons, and without hesitation, Barael hastens his step, meeting the figure at the peak.
"The blue on the horizon. Can you see it? It's growing larger. We're getting closer." Barael can see the anticipation in his eyes. He's getting excited. Like a man dying of thirst, the halls of a cursed castle are his desert. He cannot wait to drink of love or lust, of life.
Barael nods. "I can barely keep the tears from my eyes, but I think it's the icy winds blowing that generate them."
"A fine imported whiskey is in order, boyo. We'll toast the morning's rise, the sun's ascent, the people's rise, the queen's fall, then finally the night's descent into even greater debauchery." Barael chuckles as the figure belches his pipes clean, and shoots his arms out as they feel a sudden dip in altitude.
Barael smiles. "Raising glasses and razing Castles."
A strong hand clasps Barael on his back. "We return, bearing a mighty Sword. That... that seems worthy of a Naming. It's a shame it already has one." Barael flinches as the shifting figure closes the distance between them so effortlessly.
Barael raises an eyebrow. "You're speaking of Shadow's Death, right? Serethiel stands in its shadow, and it is content."
"This is inevitable, the conclusion forgone. Do you still doubt the power of magic, Varisian? After all that you've seen? After you were brought back from the dead?" The voice is incredulous, as the tall figure cocks its head inquisitively to the side.
Barael shakes his head. "I do not doubt you. Not now."
"The evil must vibrate along its threads, Barrie. What can be weaved into a twisted skein of green can, and shall, be unweaved. It's the greatest insult, really. To undo what must have been an extraordinary amount of work. Wraith shudders to think." Her hand flits and traces, while her hair draws and erases.
Barael sighs. "It must, it can, and it shall. You know, I shudder, too."
"You're almost there. It's almost enough. Almost." The figure Shifts familiarly into a hairier form, tail languidly bracing it from the turbulence.
Barael kneels, and pats the hill reassuringly. The flat expanse, a tight, leathery sail, rises and falls.
"Majenko, take us home."
:::Eyes Open:::
During the morning's rousing, Barael stays close by Briar, as he prepares Majenko's body.
"Fondo, wait a moment for Khava. I found some unused grounds rolling around in the bottom of my pack."
In the morning once everyone is roused Charlie, with a flourish, produces from thin air a table full of the most delicious food ever to be seen in this desert. He takes a moment to watch the reactions of the party before tucking in himself.
After eating, Charlie rubs his hands together holding a mischievous grin on his face. I can't wait to rain some holy fire down on these mother scratchers.
Eries replies, "The citizens are under the Queen's heel. The resistance is failing. The statues are nearly complete. We are safe and secure."
Remember that she told you in an earlier missive (through scrying) that the Queen was erecting enormously tall statutes of herself throughout the city and tearing down the tallest structure in the city for the stone - the old Sable Marine main barracks and guard tower.
Fondo's jaw goes slack as Charlie conjures up a feast. Then he laughs. "Is there any whiskey in those jugs? I could use some liquid courage with my pheasant." He quickly busies himself with consuming more than his fill of Charlie's offerings.
Barael's eyes widen as he watches dream Charlie proven right by wakeful Charlie. "Oh, this is grand, Charlie. A sensory overload, if I've ever seen one." Barael takes a couple of initial huffs of aroma in, and pauses.
Once he's become himself, he attends the smells again, this time, with grand snuffles. His cheeks distend too quickly, and he carelessly dips his nose through plates of meat and sweetsquash. He loses all sense of decorum.
Raising his head up, Barael grins messily. "There now. I think I have enough up my nostrils to remember this meal til day's end." He doesn't wipe off a single shred or drop, and actively resists preening efforts.
He readies for the return to Scarwall, hopefully for the last time.
Briar sups slowly, his eyes flickering to Majenko's preservations, eating from the repast created by magic.
"Halfblood, this meal amplifies the magic within us...it is like liquid courage. I should have thought to try this long ago...if only someone had thought to mention it. This cherry fondue is...divine," Briar says, dipping another cornmallow into the creamy dip.
"I feel better already...let us get in the there and ensure Majenko's fall was not in vain."
Briar is ready to return when others are. He suggests that they again avoid the allip/haunt and return to the upstairs to fine the demon/devil/daemon. He still can't believe he recalls so little about who to best fight demons or devils, shaking his head for want of memory.
Fondo almost loses his appetite at the sight of a feasting rat at the table. Almost. Luckily his face is practically buried in mutton curry.
"Oh my, Charlie...thank you!" Dandi helps herself to a rich stew and hearty bread rolls and some most welcome khave.
Eries replies, "The citizens are under the Queen's heel. The resistance is failing. The statues are nearly complete. We are safe and secure."
Remember that she told you in an earlier missive (through scrying) that the Queen was erecting enormously tall statutes of herself throughout the city and tearing down the tallest structure in the city for the stone - the old Sable Marine main barracks and guard tower.
Charlie takes his time eating. He eats simple stew with a gigantic hunk of bread. He enjoys the nectar and the extra life it lends.
"This is excellent fare Charlie. If I had known the gods could provide so well I might have found myself in a church earlier in my life."
Nikolay eats and drinks like it might be his last meal.
Well, it might.
Barael stands a little taller, after Dandi's ministations. "That energy did me well yesterday. Thank you kindly." Barael smiles, a bright green piece of broccoli biding its time between his front teeth.
"I think it's high time we venture closer. If fire is red, and spitting was what that ignoble knight was doing, then we have three of the four behind us, a fourth waiting cold above." Barael makes his bow more accessible.
"Do devils or demons fly, you think? I would think they did, since they take to towers."
Dandi sighs, a long tress of her hair twitching as she resists the urge to pick the broccoli from Barrie's teeth.
Briar leads the party back upstairs to where they faced the Captain Flameface, avoiding known dangers.
Fondo shakes his head at Briar's directions. "We'll need different stairs to ascend higher into the fortress. Alas, the stairs near the chained one seem our best wager. Or we could ascend on the outside using magic. I don't suppose any of you have means to let us all walk as mystic elves...?"
Devil
Devils are lawful evil outsiders that hail from the plane of Hell. Devils possess a particular suite of traits (unless otherwise noted in a creature's entry).
Immunity to fire and poison.
Resistance to acid 10 and cold 10.
See in Darkness (Su) Some devils can see perfectly in darkness of any kind, even that created by a deeper darkness spell.
Summon (Sp) Devils share the ability to summon others of their kind, typically another of their type or a small number of less-powerful devils.
Telepathy.
Except when otherwise noted, devils speak Celestial, Draconic, and Infernal.
A devil's natural weapons, as well as any weapons it wields, are treated as lawful and evil for the purpose of resolving damage reduction.
Masters of corruption and despoilers of purity, devils seek to destroy all things good and drag mortal souls back with them to the depths of Hell.
As the most numerous fiendish occupants of Hell, the various forms of devils are well catalogued by diabolists. Most are known by two names: an evocative title given to the fiends by commoners and folklore, and an obscure, ancient designation spoken by the servants of Hell and those who would seek to deal with the damned.
Born from the foulest of mortal souls—their personalities and memories long since scoured by millennia of torment—would-be devils rise from the masses of suffering souls as lemures, revolting beings of mindless evil potentiality. Only through continued centuries of torture or by the edicts of more powerful devils do these least of devilkind rise to become deadlier fiends, graduating through a pain-wracked metamorphosis dictated by their masters or the infernal whims of Hell's semi-sentient layers. While fiendish lords wield transformation into greater or lesser forms as both prize and punishment, some devils spontaneously rise from particularly evil souls long trapped upon an infernal layer. Thus, although the various diabolical breeds possess recognizable abilities and hold generalized rankings in the great infernal hierarchy, a devil's type alone does not always correspond to a specific tenure of torment or place in the infernal chain of command.
Devils fill the nine layers of Hell, though certain fiends are more common on specific layers than others, their specialized duties or fealty to individual archdevils drawing them to one torturous domain more than others. Although the various types of devils tend to specialize in unique forms of depravity or temptation, the hierarchies of Hell are not without flexibility for uncommon individual talents. Thus, particularly watchful hamatulas might join the ranks of Phlegethon's bone devil inquisitors, while veteran barbazus might serve among the pit fiends of Nessus.
Beyond the pits of Hell, devils often travel to the Material Plane at the summons of evil spellcasters. Quick to bargain and willing to serve mortals to assure their damnation, devils ever obey the letter of their agreements, but serve the whims of Hell foremost. Thus, even the least of devilkind might come to the Material Plane intent on further corrupting souls, cleverly escaping the bonds of their contracts to indulge their own plots, or to further the unspeakable goals of the archdevils of Hell.
Demon
Demons are chaotic evil outsiders that call the Abyss their home. Demons possess a particular suite of traits (unless otherwise noted in a creature's entry) as summarized here.
Immunity to electricity and poison.
Resistance to acid 10, cold 10, and fire 10.
Summon (Sp) Demons share the ability to summon others of their kind, typically another of their type or a small number of less powerful demons.
Telepathy.
Except where otherwise noted, demons speak Abyssal, Celestial, and Draconic.
A demon's natural weapons, as well as any weapon it wields, is treated as chaotic and evil for the purpose of resolving damage reduction
Demons exist for one reason—to destroy. Where their more lawful counterparts, the devils of Hell, seek to twist mortal minds and values to remake and reshape them into reflections of their own evil, demons seek only to maim, ruin, and feed. They recruit mortal life only if such cohorts speed along the eventual destruction of hope and goodness. Death is, in some ways, their enemy—for a mortal who dies can often escape a demon's depredations and flee to his just reward in the afterlife. It is the prolonging of mortal pain and suffering that fuels a demon's lusts and desires, for it is partially from mortal sin and cruelty that these monstrous fiends were born.
Demons are the most prolific and among the most destructive of the fiendish races, yet despite what some lore might preach, they were not the first forms of life to rise in the stinking pits of ruin and cruelty known across the multiverse as the Abyss. Before the first fledgling deity gazed upon reality, before mortal life drew its breath, before even the Material Plane itself had fully formed, the Abyss was infested with life.
Known to many scholars as “proto-demons,” these wretched and deadly beings were the qlippoth. Today, because of the influence of sinful mortal souls upon the Abyss, mixed with unholy tamperings at the hands of the daemonic keepers of Abaddon and the cruel whims of fate and evolution, the rule of the qlippoth has receded. The proto-demons dwell now in the noxious and forgotten corners of the Abyss, and the far more fecund and prolific demons rule now in their stead. With each evil mortal soul that finds its way into the Abyss, the ranks of the demonic hordes grows—a single soul can fuel the manifestation of dozens or even hundreds of demons, with the exact nature of the sins carried by the soul guiding the shapes and roles of the newly formed fiends.
The Abyss is a vast (some say infinite) realm, far larger than any other plane save possibly the primal chaos of the Maelstrom itself. As befits such a vast and varied realm, the demonic host is likewise diverse. Some carry in their frames humanoid shapes, while others are twisted beasts. Some flop on land while others flap in air or sea. Some are schemers and manipulators of emotion and politics, others are destructive engines of ruin. Yet all demons work to the same goal—pain and suffering for mortal life in all its forms.
Yet despite this, mortals have sought demonic aid since the start. Be it an instinctual draw to self-destruction or a misguided lust for power, conjurers to this day continue to draw forth demons with forbidden magic. Some conjure demons for lore, while others call upon them to serve as assassins or guards. Demons view such summoners with a mix of hatred and thanks, for most demons lack the ability to come to the Material Plane to wreak havoc on their own. They depend on the mad to call them up from the Abyss, and while they gnash their fangs and rail against the commands and strictures enforced, most demons find ways to twist their summoners' demands so that even the most tightly controlled demonic slave leaves a trace of ruin and despair in its wake. More often than not, a foolish spellcaster makes a fatal mistake in the conjuring and pays for it with blood, unwittingly releasing a terrible blight upon the world as his conjuration breaks free of his control.
The truly mad call upon demons to offer themselves, both body and soul, in the misguided belief that alliance with the demonic can buy salvation and protection when the demonic apocalypse finally comes to call. Tales of desperate kings who sought to engage demons to serve as generals for their armies or of lunatics who seek demonic sires to gift them with horrific children are common enough, yet worst are those mortals who worship the most powerful demons as gods, and who pledge their lives in support of that which would bring destruction to all.
Fondo waits for those who can fly to answer whether they can help the party ascend from the outside, or the party will need to ascend the stairs near the chained one.
That was such delicious caviar.
Briar smiles as he finally remembers what he remembers about his memories of devils and demons. He will explain it to the party as they walk.
"...and yeah...so demons...blahblah...spooning curry power...blahblah...while devils...blahblah...love polished toenails...blahblah...and the halfling said "get your finger out of there!"...blahblah...so I moved to intercept the banana...blahblah...demons are like...blahblah...ice cream bath, a nice ice cream bath...blahblah...and so I explained "I thought the paladin was a prostitute"...blahblah...total misunderstanding...blahblah...cold iron vs. silver...blahblah...and that's why you shouldn't trust gypsies."
Briar finishes his clinical dissertation and waits for questions.
"I can help one person to fly on their own, and perhaps carry someone." Dandi answers, though she's not sure who would be bet for her to try to carry.
"Brother Rose and Sister Bramble can walk as elves. Brov could perhaps climb, if the walls will allow. Niko, jel'inedra and myself could fly. Mayhap you could carry Kako, little flutterfly." Fondo smiles as a plan emerges.
"I think Charlie's armor let's him take flight, doesn't it? Pretty buttery, if you ask me." Barael eyes the construction along the external, weighing his ability to scale the walls to the tower's height.
"We can try to make our way up those other stairs, we should just be really, really quiet about it." Barael looks at Nik, and doubts.
"Either way. Have any of you means to muffle our steps?"