Hralyk confirms that he is ready, as well.
Jordan is ready with the chalk and glitterdust and has an inspiration.
"Can we get some local carvings that would entice a demon. Maybe twisted sculptures that would interest him to use as bait?"
Zeltyieli shrugs, "You all know more about this than I do. Does art make good demon-bait? Is there anything else we could offer up? Personally, I'm still trying to figure out why we didn't kill the devil, to be honest. Especially since it's afraid of the thing we've agreed to hunt."
"They are probably to impotent to kill each other; peons of hell. Besides until we know what a rift siphon is he might prove useful."
Hralyk nods at Ramenhotep. "Just because we did not kill the devil does not mean that we could not do so later - I made no deal with the creature. Let us gain safe passage from its minions, and we can deal with this rift siphon."
"I consider the glitterdust and powder ample preparation with a few artworks of a diabolic flavor that would entice a devil to bait the trap."
Jordan prices diabolic artwork from a local artist.
"Then we start our search in the northwest corner of the dungeon, and Jordan may try his tricks there."
Zeltyieli nods in agreement, "Sounds reasonable. Don't imagine he'll just appear if we walk around calling 'Here Demon, Demon, Demon...'"
Jordan puts his considerable intellect at the problem, and thinks of what these devils and demons would be interested in, and tries to have a local craftsman and bookbinder make him the following if they are available.
Carvings and artwork of a demonic nature, books that look arcane, and a few well built, woodworked craft boxes. He will put tempting labels on the books, 'True names of local demons and devils' , 'How to activate and deactivate rift siphons', and 'Devil and demon wars -- how to win'. He will put labels on the craft boxes like 'talisman to nullify rift syphon' 'demonbane tokens' and 'devilbane powder'.
He is only interested in getting the bait for a trap that will tempt the demon and devil, and will get local craftsmen in on the project.
Once the adventurers arrive back in the Crow, Hralyk looks at Telka. "You said the northwest corner? Very well - let's begin where we spoke with the devil last." He begins leading the way to that room, falchion drawn.
If Jordan has found any sculptures he adds it to the intriguing books he purchased. Putting together a set of devil-bait, he hands it to someone else to carry, as he has found books to be quite heavy.
Their supplies purchased, they are ready to begin baiting their trap.
Telka dubiously observes Jordan, and attempts to give what little aid she can. "Here, after chisel in the label, you should soak the wood in water infused with dark herbs and rust - it will make it look old."
Jordan gets ready to set his trap.
"Now would be a good time for the magic dust..." Telka growls under her breath.
Zeltyeli notices the movement and resists the urge to whistle, I don't knoe if I should be pleased or worried that Jordan seems to know what devils like...
He hurls his packet of powder at the books, thinking, Here goes... Sinashakti, guide my throw....
Jordan casts the dust that glitters around the evil creature, hoping to keep it visible.
A cloud of golden particles covers everyone and everything in the area, causing creatures to become blinded and visibly outlining invisible things for the duration of the spell. All within the area are covered by the dust, which cannot be removed and continues to sparkle until it fades. Each round at the end of their turn blinded creatures may attempt new saving throws to end the blindness effect.
Any creature covered by the dust takes a –40 penalty on Stealth checks.
Once Jordan's spell is cast, Hralyk charges into the room, drawing his falchion as he approaches.
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As Jordan's spell goes off, a tiny winged figure appears, coated in golden dust - the Suzerain of Little Erebus! Though still invisible, the creature's outline is perfectly clear. It appears to have avoided getting blinded by the wizard's spell.
Trap for the Suzerain! - round 1
1. Jordan, Telka
2. Suzerain
3. Hralyk, Tyieli, Ramenhotep
Telka quickly races in and swings at the little imp.
Jordan begins to cast and a portal opens. He focuses on the Celestial creatures.
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Telka's swing hurts the Suzerain badly, but he still stands! Meanwhile, Jordan starts calling beasts from the outer planes.
The alledged king's wounds appear to regenerate, and the devil attack Telka with his poisonous sting!
Trap for the Suzerain! - round 2
1. Hralyk, Tyieli, Ramenhotep, Jordan, Telka
2. Suzerain (8)
Zeltyieli points his holy symbol at the fiend and whispers to the Walker of Worlds, asking for protection against the fiend.
Telka (barely) dodges the stinger and howls in anger. "No! Not again. I tire of the filth, the venom, the muck and insanity. Die, devil!"
She circles the devil, but waits to strike until Ramnehotep or Hralyk step into the flank.
...dang!
Hralyk steps forward, screams, and swings his falchion at the devil.
Jordan brings his eagle into being right by the devil, and with a motion sends the eagle to engage while he summons another.
The eagle invokes celestial smiting and attacks.
N Small celestial/fiendish animal
Init +2; Senses darkvision 60 ft.; Perception +9
DEFENSE
AC 14, touch 13, flat-footed 12 (+2 Dex, +1 natural, +1 size)
hp 5 [7] (1d8+1) [1d8+3]
Fort +3 [+5], Ref +4, Will +2
SR 5
Celestial - Resist Acid, Cold, and Electricity 5
Fiendish - Resist Cold and Fire 5
OFFENSE
Speed 10ft., fly 80 ft. (average)
Melee 2 talons +3 [+3] (1d4) [1d4+2], bite +3 [+3] (1d4) [1d4+2]
Special Attacks Smite evil/good
STATISTICS
Str 10 [14], Dex 15, Con 12 [16], Int 2, Wis 15, Cha 7
Base Atk +0; CMB -1 [+1]; CMD 11 [13]
Feats Weapon Finesse
Skills Fly +8, Perception +10; Racial Modifiers +8 Perception
SPECIAL ABILITIES
Smite evil/good 1/day as a swift action (adds CHA bonus (+0) to attack rolls and damage bonus equal to HD (+1) against evil/good foes; smite persists until target is dead or the celestial/fiendish creature rests).
Augment Summoning: Items in brackets [] represent the spell being cast by a character with the Augment Summoning feat.
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Finding oneself between Telka and Hralyk could be compared to being smitten by an angry forge hammer on and anvil of woe. The Suzerain of Little Erebus finds out the hard way about this simple truth, and loses his devilish life in the process! Soon, the imp is nothing more but ashes and dust.
Upon your return to Lord Baz, the accuser devil rubs his hands together. "I heard the miserable scream of that silly excuse of a ruler. Good riddance I say! You held your part of the bargain, so I'm bound to abide by the terms we stated." grins the devil, drinking his own words as if they were the finest wine. "I will lead you past the Rift Siphon as promised."
The accuser devil takes flight and indeed leads you through a maze of corridors and rooms. Twists and turns finally bring you to what appears to be a room flooded by murky waters where pillars carved to look like coiling tentacles support a vaulted roof. Beyond lies the exit of that level.
"There you are, strangers. I wouldn't advise backtracking and exploring the side rooms, for they are fraught with dangers both you and I want to left undisturbed. As for the siphon itself, it lies to the east, its magic still calling devils forth. On these warnings, I shall take my leave." With a snap of the fingers, the devil disappears.
"You still haven't told us what the siphon is, truly. You promised more information once your nemesis was slain. The suzerain is dead, so tell us. Is it a portal, a circle? A beacon? Is it what brought you here? Speak, Accuser."
"Why not get the artifact first, then start kicking hornets nests?"
Zeltyieli nods, his voice somewhat lacking his usual zeal, "Let's. We made a deal so I think it's best we just finish our mission. And who knows, maybe we'll have time to slay anothe fiend on the way out? I'm sure it'll still be here, trying to consolodate its power."
Hralyk nods, "Let us find this next shard and complete our tasks in this place. While I am do not care to leave enemies behind us, I am also in no rush to fight battles we need not fight."
"Yes, let us dispatch this Lord Baz when we can. It would be a service to the planes to dispose of the lying flea."
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A short flight of stairs leads down to a thirty-foot-square chamber with a cistern filled with dark water taking up most of the floor. Troughs of this dark water run east, west, and south through hallways alongside five-foot-wide walkways. Soggy timbers have been draped over the gaps to provide unstablelooking bridges over the troughs. An ornamental torch made of onyx burns in a sconce next to a hallway heading east, from which the distant sound of someone singing with a raspy throat wafts down the hall.
"Singing?"
"I'm sure it's not a song any of us wish to here up close."
Telka will try the western door.
Zeltyieli suggests, "Let me see beyond it first, just in case?", and gently nudges Telka to the side placing his hand on the door and triggering his door sight.