"Free me and I will give you the answers you seek."
The creature looks to be in a weakened state.
Absolutely not, do not bargain with devils, they're worse than demons
Brandark looks on with interest, as he grips his axe a little tighter.
I suggest you not deal with it.
Shaking her head Electra corrects Flynn.
"Actually, they are. Devils will honor their bargain, Demons will not. That does not mean, that I will free him, but even I pitty a devil in such a state! But do not misunderstand mercy with softness."
Adressing the pitfiend she takes up her courage and speaks up.
"Listen, terror. How shall we free you. Do you want a clean death to return to your netherrealms?"
The Pitfiend struggles with his speech in response to Stone, "I understand. I have been trapped here for so many centuries that I have lost count. If you promise to release me, I will tell you what you need to know."
He will then respond to Elektra, "Dispel the circle holding me. I will then immediately return to my realm."
i understand how devils are, i worked in Cheliax. i was referring to something different
"I can sense the dam around me. It takes two life forces to open the gates. In the other circle was another like me. But decades ago, the last time the dam opened, he became the pile of ash you see. I have been feeling the tug for weeks that the dam needed to open, but there has not been two life forces. I told you what you needed to know. Release me. I am in no condition to harm you." the Pit Fiend responds to Stone.
So what you are saying is that it requires Life energy to open and close this damn dam.
Brandark shakes his head ruefully.
Just how much energy is needed
He slowly makes his way over to the winch and cranks up the western side.
I guess it will be a volunteer to open this
At which point Brandark steps across the circle and into the alcove grimacing with expected pain.
With its remaining life force, the Pit Fiend stands and yells as Brandark enters the other magic circle, "No! Do not enter the circle!" As Brandark enters the circle, pain writhes through every centimeter of the Dwarf Cavalier's flesh. With a massive groaning the dam begins to shake as the floodgates begin to open to relieve the building pressure on the dam. The Pit Fiend howls in pain before rapidly turning in to a crimson dust.
The easing of the waters flowing through the massive floodgates and mechanisms controlling it will briefly continue the flooding downstream, but within a couple of days the water will recede and though Turtleback Ferry will never truly be back to normal, it will begin the slow rebuilding process, albeit on a little higher ground. The main thing is that there will not be a total lost to the town as would have resulted had the dam fully broke.
"Are you sure? Well you do your race proud!"
Electra was about to summon an outsider to do the task, but as the Brandark volunteered, she does not.
Struggling out from the circle with smoke rising from his skin and clothes.
By the Gods, that hurt.
He takes a few minutes to regain his feet and stability.
You can be sure I will not be doing that again, as it really hurt.
As for that troll, if we could have grabbed him, I would have thrown him into that circle. How about we warn the townfolk about it.
The Scrag doesn't bother the party as they leave the depths of Skull Crossing. "Once bitten", as the saying may go. You have no problem returning to the horses. Abacuzar and Shadowmist appear to be standing guard. Smart horses.
When the party sees the effects of the floodgates being released, they will notice that no longer is water poring from the breech. And that the Skull River has already began to lower. Turtleback Ferry will notice the improvement long before the party would be able to tell them. However, the party had previously been on another quest, when the flooding at Turtleback Ferry altered their course. But the day is getting late, very late, and Fort Rannick is near.
Just after dusk, the party arrives at Fort Rannick. Jakardros and Shalelu, along with ten Gnomes were guarding the fort. Not nearly enough.
Garreth announces that he will be staying at Fort Rannick with Shalelu, that his days of adventuring are over, at least for now.
Brandark shakes the hand of his friend and wishes him well.
I for one, need a rest after that, I am still a bit jittery about that damn circle.
Plus we will have to let the townfolk know about how that was run and the water ugly.
My thanks to both you and Sarenrae
Brandark takes a bit of time, and rests while he goes over the things that happened over the last couple of months.
Well, I guess we will just have to see what she wants of me to bring back my strength
He takes some time in the morning to think about the events of the last few months.[/b]
Brandark comes in after seeing to the horses.
Any chance that we can get someone to bring some equipment in here, if we are going to use it as a base to work out of?
He points the question at both Elektra and Stone.
After all, I am hoping that someone might be able to assist us as Garrath is not going to be coming with us
I'll help find a replacement for Garrath, I have a few contacts.
"Our supplies are limited. The Kreegs destroyed most of it." Jakardros repsonds to Stone's inquiry.
Is there any way of getting some here fast??
Plus we will probably be needing some other supplies while we are at it.
Jakardros will look at Brandark, "The hunting is good in these parts. We should be able to maintain a stock of food. But other things, like stocks of arrows, will need to be resupplied. Though I have already started making more arrows, my skill is limited. It could be weeks before we can expect a resupply. We need reinforcements. Can you stay here until we receive reinforcements? We need every available person."
Electra looks at the others and remarks.
"Do you think we can take some time to craft some items?"
I got no issues with taking a bit of time.
The party wakes up a bit rested after a night at the fort.
Day Seventy-Six
About mid-morning a caravan emerges out of the Kreegwood lead by a pair of Gnomes riding large mastiffs. There are four wagons in the caravan. There are also a ragtag array of warriors on horseback, mostly tattooed Varisians, but also other humans, a half-elf, and a half-orc.
It is the Half-Orc that will catch the parties eyes, particularly Stone's. He is imposing, over six feet in height. A black mane of hair frame orcish facial features. His eyes are a stunning blue. He wears a shimmering set of full plate. It is made of Mithril. The symbol of Sarenrae is on it chest.
Jarkardros comes out to meet the caravan, "Thank goodness! We are in need of relief."
The head of the caravan is a Magnimar merchant named Tovarl, "The Lord Mayor sent us word to head to Fort Rannick. This is further north than we like to travel. But here we are." The merchant looks a bit reluctant to be at Fort Rannick.
"We picked up some mercenaries along the way," Tovarl says. There are eleven warrior types that accompanied the caravan.
The half-orc is almost as wide as he is tall, with a sharply curved blade protruding from behind him, sheathe and all. He doesn't offer a greeting per say, but his eyes bear down onto both Stone and Flynn before stepping towards them.
Flynn nods, approaching with a stoic face. hello
Weaving a quick incantation to check for magical auras Electra simply nods at the newcommer!
Elektra notes that three of the mercenaries, including the big Half-Orc, are wearing armor that radiates magic. You will note also some magic weapons, headbands, and rings radiating magic.
Jarkardros will ask the party if they had any luck finding Commander Bayden in the Shimmerglens. The party will then relay what happened at Turtleback Ferry and then the events at the Skull Crossing dam.
Jakardros will seem very concerned for Turtleback Ferry. "Can you go and check on the town? Turtleback Ferry is vital to the continued survival of this fort."
The man grunts out a response to Stone, a deep voice carrying on the wind.
"Severo Lione. We have work to do. Where is this town?"
He seems like a conversationalist.
"Very well. Be forewarned I have my own priorities, but at the moment, ours align." Severo awaits.
Flynn walks up with a friendly smile, offering his hand been a while Severo.
"Pleased to meet you," Devora looks hard at Severo Lione. "I think..." Devorah says barely audible. She returns to writing in her journal.
"...You've grown Flynn."
Yeah, kind of had to. Being on the run is hard work
"On the run. Hmmm. Interesting," Devora keeps writing.
Off hand, out loud you won't find anything, any document on my past or name are lost or destroyed.
"Can't destroy memories. This is a distraction, are we going to the town?"
Devora looks at Flynn, "Well, aren't you interesting." She keeps writing.
we should handle this situation with the ferry and then go look for the commander