[5e] Descent into Avernus (Inactive)

Game Master mishima

I am not surprised by this evident betrayal and plans within plans within lies and schemes... thus are the 'Bargains' of hell, he says sitting to take a load off and rest.

Donal, who has already listened to the door once, suddenly hears the sound of footsteps. It doesn't look like the person coming to you is in too much of a hurry.

The double doors swing open quite smoothly and a very pleasant-looking half-elf stands on the threshold. He is quite tall and thin, his skin is pale and his black slightly curly hair lies in a neat creative mess.

His clothes are expensive and elegant and clearly show him to be a nobleman (however, he still did not forget to put on the riveted leather armor). Even from afar, you can feel the fragrance of an expensive perfume.

He looks at you for a couple of seconds as if surprised and nervously adjusts his neck scarf, after which he suddenly smiles so friendly and radiant that you immediately feel the absolute insincerity of this smile.

Well, finally! That's what I was looking for! Famous adventurers who came to put an end to the machinations of the house Vanthampur. Greetings to you! I'm Saimon Eltan. Yes, yes, one of those Eltans. Bowing is not necessary, it is enough to stop pointing weapons at me. Ehemmm. How can I put it as gently as possible? I think you need help. And I know I can help you.

Mal at least would actually indeed recognize the noble name Eltan, being one of the major patriar families of BG, and whose namesake some 150 odd years ago founded the Flaming Fist. What stake they have in the mercenary group these days is uncertain, though whispered rumors have it they sold their interest some time ago to recover from debt. Others could as well with a DC 12 History check, advantage given your recent interest in the organization.

Hehe, fantastic entrance. :) Go ahead and begin play with Inspiration.

Donal's gaze seems to pierce the noble's soul, steely grey eyes, unforgiving, Fine.

For the sake of story, Donal is using Insight on the newcomer, but also declining to roll.

History: 1d20 ⇒ 7

Thats a very good entry

Whats your stake Silkling? Seeking temporary Purity so that you can benefit politically or is there genuine contrition and remorse for the fallen state of the organisation that drives you? I am guessing the first, he says not rising.

Simon conciliatory raises his hands, showing that there are no weapons in them. He takes one neat step towards your group, but no more so as not to be misunderstood.

I repeat. I'm here to help. I am aware of some of the dangers of this place and am ready to help eliminate them. I understand that in these conditions (he looks at the traces of the battle) you are somewhat tense. My story is simple - for some time now I have been infiltrating the ranks of these cultists. I was looking for a way to deal them a sudden blow, collecting evidence and so on. But everything was going very slowly and I might not have time to prevent Baldur's Gate from following Elturel...

He takes a spectacular pause.

Why do I want to help you? Firstly, I am a worthy son of this city. Secondly, it will all help to restore honor and glory to my family. By the way, if Baldur's Gate turns out to be in Hell, then there will be neither a family nor a city for me personally to live in. And... Third (he looks thoughtfully at the statue of Zariel)... I don't like this fallen angel, let's just say.

His voice sounds sonorous, melodious and convincing.

Let's join forces. I know something not only about this place, but also about witchcraft. How else would I pretend to be a cultist? I will be useful in battle, and you will need it here again and again. Believe me. And I have a couple of suggestions where we can go next. I will only have one condition... We will find one item here that I would like to take for myself. I don't know what it looks like yet, but I won't be wrong when I see it.

He looks thoughtfully at the statue again.

This new one could be useful, but best not let our guard down around them. An opportunist like this is like a scalpel, sharp but a careless swipe can lead to the loss of a lot of blood.

Donal moves to begin dragging the bodies behind the tapestries, then returns to replace the flagstone, before he spends time binding his wounds. He regards the newcomer carefully, watching for signs of deception and running through the unspoken tally of advantages and disadvantages of bringing this person along in a risk assessment.

Reya regarded the newcomer suspiciously from the corner of her eye as she tightened gear for the next assault, snuggly tucking away the fallen wooden goblet. She stepped a bit closer, focusing in particular on Simon's wrist where the other cultists had been branded "Prove it. Defy the cult's god." she motions to the marble statue with the light beaming from its glassy eyes.

Statue is 7 ft tall, AC 17 hp 33 if you wanted to strike it, DC 20 athletics to topple. Or some other creative way to show your lack of affiliation with Zariel.

The priest nods in approval.

A fitting test.

You know what? I really don't enjoy acts of vandalism. But! He walks forward, theatrically adjusting the sleeves of his doublet. I've been wanting to know for a long time, why the hell are her eyes glowing?

Simon begins to make mystical gestures, as if drawing runes in the air. And for a moment, these runes really manifest themselves as thin fiery lines, very similar to the infernal language. The lines immediately disappear, but the crackling black and red energy accumulated by these symbols remains and rushes towards the statue with a slight crackle.

Eldritch Blast: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (6) + 6 = 121d10 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10 

The first blow, however, goes by. Simon twitches his neck with displeasure, as if kneading it, casts a brief glance at you (he clearly sees this not only as a demonstration of dedication to the common cause, but also strength) and begins to repeat the same movements with redoubled concentration.

The most attentive may notice that the runes in the air appear different every time, and Simon quietly whispers some words, like a memorized poem (rhythmically it sounds like a verse or a song without music, but very gloomy; if there were adverbs in the infernal language, then this would be exactly it - almost impossible to understand the meaning, but it is also difficult to confuse).

Eldritch Blast: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (13) + 6 = 191d10 + 4 ⇒ (7) + 4 = 11 
Eldritch Blast: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (15) + 6 = 211d10 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10 
Eldritch Blast: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (18) + 6 = 241d10 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10 
Eldritch Blast: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (15) + 6 = 211d10 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7 

Blow after blow crashes into the statue, chipping off whole pieces from it and causing cracks to go. The penultimate mystical projectile knocks down the head of a fallen angel, and the last one causes the torso to split literally into several parts.

With a slight smile, he looks around at you, as if with all his appearance wanting to say "I'm not bad, am I?". After that, he walks towards the statue with a relaxed gait.

Let's see what's inside you, Zariel.

*zzzthUmP*
*zkThUMP*
*zzthuRKKrshh*
*claNg*

The bottomless concussive force that spews forth from Simon's hands plays a game of attrition with the white and red spackled marble...and ultimately loses. Head sized pieces of the artwork crumble to dust instantly or break apart like a tossed melon, whittling down the face and chest to its core.

It appears at first to have some kind of metal rod supporting the figure where the spinal column would be. When, in the end, it dislodges and clangs to the floor rolling slowly to a stop its clear that it is actually a mace. A mace whose head is glowing white from some internal magics, that gently dims to polished bright yellow bronze. The weapon does not look nasty and devilish at all, but rather the opposite...regal and authoritative, like something you'd see an angel from a storybook illustration carry to war.

It is obviously a magical mace. Attunement or ID spell for more details.

Spellcasters would also recognize the Eldritch Blast as a strange and rare type of magic...not within the traditional schools of wizardry. Perhaps more on a high Arcana roll.

The mace slowly rolls up to the boots of Simon, who has stopped a dozen steps from the collapsed statue. Curious. It seems that this is it, although I imagined it completely differently... He bends down for the mace and picks it up, jokingly adding that he hopes it is not cursed.

He concentrates for a couple of seconds and listens to something with his eyes closed, after which he says: No, that's not it. But it's still a good thing. Simon looks around at the armored warriors. You may need it, so take it... By the way, what are your names? I have heard about your deeds in the most general terms, but nothing more.

Donal the warrior says flatly as he looks at the mace, leaving the others to introduce themselves. So, what is it?

It's a mace, Donal. Simon cringes a little under his gaze and smiles nervous. Very nice to meet you, by the way.

That remains to be seen, Donal replies matter-of-factly as he binds his wounds, And I know it's a mace. Do you know its enchantments?

No, no, no, I didn't do such a ritual. I just realized that this is not what I'm looking for. But it's obviously magical, and since I can give it away, it's probably not cursed.

Donal nods, cataloguing the information for later, ... not what I'm looking for.

Anyone else want this? If not, I will hold on to it, the warrior says feeling its heft.

Donal looks at Reya, What is your aim, Hellrider? If you die being a distraction, you never get the information you seek. If you come with us, we help to keep each other alive, and take down this Duke. At least, that is the best scenario in my mind.

Bundling up her hair in a tight top knot and securing her scuffed steel helm "True. I merely thought their forces could be split on two fronts, rather than focused on one. Yes...I see now I harkon back to the battlefield, when my mind should adapt to corridors and small squads. Perhaps I could learn much. 'For the display of Justice brings Hope to the innocent, Strengthen me whole when I'll face incarnations of Evil...'" she bows clutching her fist over her heart.

I will stick to my blade for now. This devil heralds a deeply malady, as does the statue... let us make haste.

Speaking of devils. Would you like to pay a courtesy call to the second of the two that lives here? All that will remain after is a bunch of rather pathetic cultists, rats, and maybe imps in invisibility. I can lead you there... Oh! By the way. There are a couple of tortured prisoners in the company of this devil too. I thought maybe you were looking for someone?

The priest splutters and goes pale...

Two more?

One more. You have already defeated one of the two, it seems to me.

I guess I will try to attune to the mace over the course of the short rest?

Yes we can say the item was found before you all rested. Attuning to this particular magic item is not strenuous and you can roll HD during the same time. However attuning to any item and identifying its properties must be 2 separate short rests. Some properties may become clear through use after attunement.

Donal has no way of identifying it, but sees it as a tool, should we face off with that other devil. So just attuning, and will identify it later. Haha, half expect it to be cursed... :p

Donal sits after binding his wounds, turning the mace over in his hands, testing its heft... Torm...

Is there a particular look that this mace has? Or can I pick something?

Feel free to pick whatever you like, I was thinking a celestial sort of look sorta along these lines. But again whatever you like.

I was thinking something like this or this.

EDIT: Thinking that the impact sites glow with impact! ^_^

EDIT^2: Would this mace have any religious significance? Religion, just in case: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5 Dang.

The scorched halfling walks around the room in a haze collecting his daggers. He gives Reya a wide berth until she introduces himself. Then, he subtly keeps the wide berth wondering the Hellriders position on Shar.

Then, when an Eltan arrives to escort them around the Vanthampur Villa, the halfling shrinks behind his two Fisters. He watches the noble's body language and is convinced only after the Eltan destroy the statue of the devil.

The exhausted and silent halfling slides down the wall to sit next to Donal for a rest.

I'm exhausted from my trip and ready to go. Leveled to 3rd and need to know what abilities are available. Cheers

Don, sounds good. Mal, check discussion.

All, map updated to include what Simon knows from his experience as a cultist. The prison mentioned with the other devil, his resting quarters with a secret door leading to a ritual chamber, dining area and general layout of the water tunnels. He has only been blindfolded in the blindfolded area which makes him suspect it is the exit leading up to the mansion.

So, Donal starts as he stands, Where is this other devil?

Information overload? Let me know what else you need to get going. Simon mentioned the devil being with the prisoners.

After an hour, Mal jumps up and says, "Let's go."

What's our marching order? Mal can scout 60 feet in front if everything is dark. Otherwise if lit, he'd prefer in the middle of the pack. I suggest heading toward the prison first.

Assuming that is the prison to the East? As for Mal's idea, Donal will go up front with Simon. Are we using the masks and robes to disguise ourselves?

Halls outside the double doors here are lit with green lanterns hanging from foot long chains (marked in regular intervals if you look closely, spreading 10ft...so there is some occasional darkness depending on path). Ceilings are curved and 9 ft high, walls are the same white plaster. The halls are the main sewer lines, stench held in check by incense...the cut stone trenches carrying the waste are 4 ft wide and 3 ft deep, and the paths on either side are 3 ft.

Maybe just do a quick vote on the disguise yea/nea? Prison is marked area to the southeast, yes.

If we're going to talk to the devil, we should disguise ourselves. If not, then I don't see much point. However, I just joined the game and I can miss something .)

Mal will defintely disguise himself as a short cultist! Talk to the devil? Aren't we to destroy it?

Donal is yea for disguise.

With plenty of dead cultists around, he grabs a robe that more or less fits over his armour (with a few strategic cuts in it so it works out) and throws it on. It's not much of a disguise but it was what it was.

Reya follows suit, shredding the skirt to match her halfling proportions. So adorned and with one final inspection of each other, you realize the golden masks are actually all quite different visages, real or imagined, of devils from beyond the planes.

The business-minded among you would also realize the masks could fetch 25 gp a piece given their weight and artistic quality.

You make your way out and past an empty dining hall to the east. There seems to be someone working back in the kitchen already, much too busy preparing another breakfast of sliced fruit and barley porridge to notice the party. Further on is a locked room across the trenches Simon has never seen open before, but before you can decide whether or not to explore, you hear some footsteps around a sharp corner to the south...

"Too much air you fool, its burning. You want it to smolder, not flame..." you hear some metallic clanking and stirring.

"Wh..how am I supposed to control the amount of air, Gertrude? You think I'm a genie...?"

"Good lord no, you pampered ninny. Twist the bottom there, see how it clears or obscures the vents?"

The voices are getting louder. You might have a moment to think of something. Map updated. Voices are from around the corner to the south.

Donal signals to Mal that he will follow the halfling, and signals the others to hang back. Then the two will sneak to the corner to see what they can see...

Stealth: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4 Yay! <.<

Don, poking your head around the corner awkwardly into their direct view, you see 2 cultists having a discussion over a brightly burning censor of incense. One is armed with a scimitar, the other only seems to have a dagger...but both have hunting traps slung over their shoulders. One of them snuffs the censor, making the flame become a steady stream of perfumed smoke before turning to look at you for a moment...

Everyone can roll charisma (deception) with advantage to set the DC of your disguise, adding disguise mod if proficient.

Donal looks back over his shoulder, Whew, I thought you guys might be those heathens that were responsible for the carnage back there...

Charisma w advantage: 2d20 + 1 ⇒ (12, 11) + 1 = 24 13 for Donal.

Deception -1 w/Advantage: 2d20 ⇒ (17, 2) = 19 16 for me... I feel at home in religious robes

"Carnage you say? Ah yes...the morning meal is never the best. I would swear its a hobgoblin back there tending the mess. Honestly, would it kill them to poach an egg once in a while?" Gertrude bemoans.

"There were the scones." her companion reminds.

"True, the scones were a treat. Once in a blue moon...but who isn't hard-pressed to hork down that barley porridge off-holiday?"

So far so good, 11 is the number to beat for the disguises.

Donal chuckles as he prepares to head past them... I am sure that Simon will ace this check... It is in his wheel house. ;)

Deception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (15) + 6 = 21
Deception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (7) + 6 = 13

Yes, buns save us. Without them, I would have gone to look for another job and another cult, it would have been unbearable… But praise be to our dark patroness, something tasty falls to us too, hehe. Come on, guys, I'm kidding. Have a nice day! Bye!