The scarred vigilante shakes his head.
"They aren't summoned here like are in other parts of Cheliax. They walk in via an open gate to hell - like a wound in the world. Wescrown can never be free as long as the bastards in charge an endless army at their disposal. The Hellknights are finite, the devils are not."
"So, there's an actual port to Hell in Westcrown? A verifiable two-way street to the Nether Regions that allows them to resupply at will? No wonder they're so numerous and bold! At a moment's notice they can waltz back home without a look back. So, is this portal stable? Can we patch it?"
"Stable enough to have endured these past years and guarded too", the Songbird explains. "But not infallible. That's where your group comes in. You're going to destroy the foci keeping the gate stable while I provide a distraction."
Silvio very slowly stops, looks at the Songbird with a somewhat dubious look on his face and holds up one finger. "Us? Is someone here a magic pixie with magic pixie powers? Because I'm almost certain that you'd need one of those to take on an army of devils in a city from Hell. Also, perhaps a holy warrior or a demi-hero of some repute. I am a businessman. A businessman. Not a hero. I'll show myself out then, shall I?"
"I wouldn't be as dramatic as this one, but fella's got a point. How do you expect us to destroy this uh, Hellmouth?"
The Songbird gives Silvio a steely stay put glare before answering Bishop.
”The actual foci are made of sturdy but not-indestructible materials. It will be within your power to shatter them. Once the foci are destroyed the gate will become unstable and… well we’ll discuss phase two later.”
Aleixica listens to the Songbird's plan, doubt growing.
"I think we're going to need more details. Just saying we can go in and destroy these things is going to take more luck than even I have, I think."
Silvio slowly sits back down, looking chastened.
"Fortunately for us, between Miss Tas'Vere and I, it would seem that we have both bad luck and good luck to help us out. Can't say I much like the sound of this mysterious 'Phase Two', however."
The witch fiddles with his amulet nervously as he tries to size up the full-elf in their presence.
"The foci are made from mundane materials - iron, glass, fire-hardened wood... Things that are sturdy but destructible. All you'll need to do is remove whatever token defenders are left behind and destroy them. Doing so might be dangerous but that's something you'll have to handle on site."
"The next phase we can discuss after the foci are destroyed."
When should we get started?
”If you’re ready, soon – within the hour. I need some time to prepare myself.”
The Songbird points to the map, at the crater where Westcrown’s former mayor once had a lavish estate.
”The foci are arranged around this area. It’s important that once you start, you do not stop until all three foci are destroyed. If they catch wind of what we’re up to, they will reinforce the guard and our task will become impossible.”
"If there's not a rush, I could use a little more time. Does it have to be today?"
"On second thought, I suppose I am ready."
"Can you tell us anything about what may be guarding the foci?"
The Songbird pauses as he considers the question.
”Devils of some kind. Most likely erinyes but I’m not sure what else.”
"Devils, he says. As if they're merely devils. Not creatures dedicated to tearing down your soul and devouring your very being. Anyone have a devil-bane rapier? No?" Silvio grumbles, but then he sets his shoulders. "So, oh illustrious leader, what kills devils?"
"Most of the same things that will kill you. Stabbing and cutting usually works - though some are resistant to weapons that aren’t blessed or made from cold-forged iron. They’re immune to fire and poison and resistant to acid and cold. You’re an experienced group, you should be able to handle yourselves.”
Silvio nods slowly. "I take it my participation in this venture would satisfy our arrangement? If so, then I believe I am as ready as I'll ever be. Might as well act before anyone can be alerted to our plans." Silvio stands and stretches, much like a cat, allowing several joints to pop as he slides into a fencer's lunge and repeats with each leg.
"I can ask Desna to help with a couple of our weapons if anyone needs, but it won't last for too long."
"No cold iron bullets though, I could'a sworn you needed silver bullets. Those I got." Bishop shrugs.
Silvio nods slowly. "I take it my participation in this venture would satisfy our arrangement? If so, then I believe I am as ready as I'll ever be. Might as well act before anyone can be alerted to our plans." Silvio stands and stretches, much like a cat, allowing several joints to pop as he slides into a fencer's lunge and repeats with each leg.
"It'll be a good start", the scarred man says flatly.
"If you've asked all your questions, I am going to head out. It's important you don't start your attack until ten bells. That should give me the time I need to distract the bulk of the forces in that area."
"Just one last one: What do the foci look like?"
"It will vary by location but it will be some form of structure built around a pillar of hellfire. Look for things like arches or supportive beams. Tristan's clever and versed in magic, he's should able to determine the specifics when you're there."
"OK, well, hopefully pillars of hellfire won't be too hard to miss. Lead on, and we'll see what we can do."
After finishing their preparations, the party makes their way back to the surface and heads towards Westcrown's southernmost point.
The streets are largely empty for the most part until the party reaches the borders of the Obedience Sector, formerly the Priest Sector. There's enough other foot traffic here that the party isn't immediately spotted - groups of servants carting goods in for the privileged few or slaves being carted in for an unknown and no doubt terrible purpose - but there are several units of Hellknights visible and obviously on high alert.
"It looks like our best chance here is to try to disguise ourselves, I guess?"
"... Anyone have any practice with that?"
Tristan shakes his head in response. "I haven't, but I don't object; duplicity will likely be our best bet to avoid detection and preserve our strength."
I am not skilled in the art of disguise.
"OK, disguises might not work -- I don't think that Lucius could ever pass for a servant anyway. Maybe a distraction? But that's probably going to cause some sort of alert. Maybe try to come up with a story and talk our way past them?"
"I'm game for a good lie on the Hellknights. How's this?" He concentrates and his clothes change to a noble's outfit. Then he concentrates and his armor become a hellknight's plate mail. "Or this?"
"Not bad. You got a knack fer this, dontcha?"
"I think the noble version looks good. Perhaps out hiring this group of mercenaries for some work you need done?"
Aleixica believes that's a flawless plan that can't not work.
Aleixica smiles.
That's a flawless plan that can't not work.
Silvio nods and changes his clothing to match a well-to-do noble's outfit. "Are we ready?" If he hears an affirmative, he sets himself and marches imperiously toward the hellknights. As he gets close, he pays attention to how the other nobles seem to act.
Before setting out, Aleixica prays to Desna that this crazy plan doesn't fail miserably. It's a flawless plan that can't not work.
Lucius follows the others out of the hideout.
Just make sure you bring plenty of body bags...right Grimm? Lucius looks over his shoulder at the large black wolf trailing him. Grimm snarls back at Lucius.
The unit of armored warriors stand at attention when Silvio and the rest of the group approach. The lead hellknight, the most decorated of the group, tilts his head at Silvio but studies the group curiously.
”Who are these men and women? They don’t bear the mark of slave or servant”, he says in a muffled voice from beneath his featureless helm.
Silvio pulls himself up to his full height and glares down at the Hellknight. In a loud voice (and in Elvish) he begins to launch into a long and boring tale of how he acquired the services of the afore mentioned servants and how he doesn't feel marking his servants will do them any good. Instead he relies on subtle intimidation and the threat of violence done to loved ones to motivate his employees. Having done this, he stares intently at the Hellknight.
The lead Hellknight seems to relax in light of Silvio's story.
"I understand but you know the Paralictor's orders - No unmarked slaves in the obedience sector. You risk both of our heads by bringing them here."
Still in flawless Elvish, Silvio nods. "I will not insult you by offering a bribe or some such lawless nonsense. Instead I offer my sincerest pledge that I shall have them marked as soon as I return to my estates. Oh and the large dog. It is unconventional but the angry one is somehow bound to it and it soothes him. Plus thieves defecate themselves when it growls." Silvio breaks into a high titter as he says this, clearly amused by the thought.