Gate to the Abyss

Date: Month: Coldeven (Common | Snowflowers: Elvish) Starday15th

There is a temporal disruption while Graxusas tries to be lucky enough to try and counter the energy missile the Controller hurls to destroy the demonic scroll. For a moment it seems that the lizard folk sorcerer is able to stop but then.. no. Time continues once again and the massive 60' wide gate appears and a horde of demonic beings start to fly, crawl, hop, and jump through.

Overlord Romack, Lord Royce take action. Lord Royce, leaps into the air and flies towards the gate, his eyes turn to pure black with no whites and his long spear burns with a black energy. Overlord Romack grows to a massive size - over 30' in height and starts to lay into the hordes with a massive two-handed blade. A blue beam of energy darts out from Rory Dragonbane to impact the Abyssal gate - it seems to be the fighter/mage is trying to close the portal.

For a moment, Royce looks to the Fellowship and yells out to catch and kill the Controller and close the main doors!

The party at first  ignores the Lord's command all engage the demonic hordes. It seems though, that many spell effects are nullified in this hall - assumedly a protection against this exact action which affects the spells of the party but all the demonic hordes abilities as well!

Graxusas starts to fire bolts of lightning into the horde of demons, taking out rows as they fall to the powerful bolts. Cedric also stays to fight on, using his holy powers of Istus to great effect. Gothi walks up a pillar (Boots of spiderclimb) and then starts firing arrows into the demons, taking out many. Kantif uses his monk and rogue abilities destroying demon after demon. Doc Holliday blasts demons back to their plane with his pistols and lays into more with his blade and holy power of the Raven Queen.

Graxusas then polymorpths himself and Doc into cloud giants. Their great size allowing them to engage and be engaged by more demons. There is a wild magic happening with Graxusas' spells - courtesy of a green flaming red pickle (DM: see blog entry: The Demon Scroll and Betrayal).

Again Lord Royce yells for the party to get the Controller. The horde continues to spill out of the portal For every demon destroyed in a cloud of burning ash, 3 more take its place.

The party splits, Graxusas, Kantif and Cedric stay to fight the demons pouring out of the portal and close the doors to the great hall, while Gothi, Doc and Thograa race after the Controller. Kantif goes to close the doors and it seems the two iron golem guards were told by the controller to 'kill anything and everyone" so they attack Kantif AND the demons.

Graxusas starts to wade through the demons his giant form being attacked from all sides. It seems the wild magic is still affecting him as he is as easy to hit by the demons, but his is resolute to get to portal. The sorcerer can see a massive plan filled with a surging group of creatures.. thousands. But he sees that there is a set of standing stones with link the gate to the prime material plane. Realizing this, the lizardman jumps through following Lord Royce to take the battle to the Abyss. Laying into the columns with his massive hammer, giant-sized Graxusas works with Rory's widening cone of energy to close the gate. Overlord Romack continues to slaughter many his even larger giant form seemingly near impervious to the demons.

Cedric and Kantif continue to destroy the demons, but they still pour through the gate.. but it looks a little smaller now.. after Graxusas destroys one of the 5 pillars.

Meanwhile, the Controller races through the main war room where chaos has ensued, as many demons had made it into here and are being engaged by Romack's forces. Giant-sized Doc heads down a passage and comes into a foyer stairwell where he sees two young female troopers. Both exactly the same and saying the other is the impostor! 

 Graxusas is able to destroy the pillars while Royce destroys demons on the Abyssal plane, the demonic creatures never to exist again after being destroyed here. Kantif gets the golems engaging the demons while Cedric saves his henchman Skrit and continues to destroy the demons. As the gate starts to close due the powers of Rory Dragonbane and the destruction of the pillars, Graxusas BARELY makes it though to safety in the hall. Lord Royce.. is not as lucky and as the gate closes can be seen being surrounded by the demonic hordes.

Gothi catches up, then Thograa. and after some discussion, the former controller looks at the three adventurers as well as the trooper and a blast of psionic energy catches all and they are stunned. The creature transforms and moves to the trooper its long tentacles wrapping around the girl's head, a tear falls down her cheek and then crunching and gurgling sounds as her brain is consumed by the illithid.

The body slumps to the floor as the tentacles release the trooper's head. It turns to the party, but noises are coming down the hall, running feet and shouts. the mindflayer - or is there more than one.. THREE? -  touches each of the adventurers briefly.. and Gothi, Doc and Thograa each feel as if parts of their mind open up.. never before thought or felt.. like doors opening into vast rooms or planes of existence.. and the Illithid is gone.

Aftermath

 Overlord Romack is heart broken as Lord Royce - is gone now in the Abyss. The city of Wayberry it seems is being overrun by demons. the Gate that opened in the hall was not the only one it seems 3 others were opened by mercenary crews of the Black Runes. The demons overrunning the forces of Romack as well as turning back and engaging the forces of the BlackRunes and citizens of Wayberry. After 3 hours, the gates close down by the city but it is infested with demons and only to the Northeast did Wayberrians, BlackRunes and others escape with the GreySkull Mercenaries as well. 

Overlord Romack declares the battle lost for Wayberry as well as the Duchy of Ulek.

The Fellowship are taken by Lord Rory Dragonbane to a set of suites to rest and heal as they need to. The set of rooms which included multiple bedrooms, a central sitting room with fireplace, large table and comfortable chairs, a kitchen area - fully stocked. There is a single entrance door to the suite. The Fellowship assume this whole suite may be for guests or ambassadors. Very Comfortable beds - they have not rested in anything like this before. Lord Rory leaves, looking very troubled and sad. "I have never seen the Overlord Romack like this.. Royce is.. like a son to him." Rory shows each of the Fellowship a small bronze disk. "This activates an invisible servant that will do your bidding.. similar to a butler, server or cook. Is tied to this suite.. unfortunately." The elf winks. "I will check in with you in an hour.. or will you be resting longer?"

Sigmund with tears in his eyes stares on at the nothingness that was his home. "This group seems rough around the edges. But, were clever. And were lucky. We can make this work. Everything we just did was for nothing... If we don't try to help people down there. Not saying we charge into the flames but we should help stragglers. Take a while to recuperate. But in an hour or so I'm headed down there. I've died twice. Raven Mother forgiving maybe I can die 4 times. Won't be today. I don't know how much more I have left." He says and injects the empty casings into his hands and shoves them in his pocket.

Kantif puts his thumb and forefinger to his chin and contemplates. “We’re all pretty wounded from that fight, plus Graxusas has no spells left. If we go down there too soon we may end up dying but we also need to help people.” 

"Agreed. But its going to have to be a balance. We can rest for the minimum we need to get into condition. I dont think it would be wise to get into a fight, we should try to avoid one as much as possible, but we still need to get the Grayskulls to safety" Cedric notes.

Doc nods with a determined look. "I agree Cedric, i ain't looking for a fight. If the Gray Skulls die then all this was for nothing." 

The Demon Scroll and Betrayal

 Date: Month: Coldeven (Common | Snowflowers: Elvish) Freeday14th

 

When we join our adventurers, Hagrahoc, and the four rogues of the Scars advise the Fellowship of an assassin that butchered and killed all of the guild members. It seems that there was only one assassin. Kantif learns that it may have been his father as the bolts and daggers had a secret mark only the infamous assassin uses. It seemed the assassin had been able to neutralize a large portion of the guild before the alarm was raised. Noose - the guild-master - was taken after what looked to be a long battle. Many traps left by the assassin took out more of the guild members. It looked that of a guild of 50+ members, less than ten now survived. The Scarlet Spider Syndicate was no more..

Providing healing and aid to the rogues, Cedric and Doc are able to assist some and neutralize a powerful poison which had magical properties.

Hagrahoc tasks one of the guild members - Tassa - to guide the Fellowship out a secret entrance to the city. She agrees with reluctance.

Kantif and Doc decide to explore a little into the former guild halls, coming across many traps it seems either left by the assassin or the guild's.  Using stealth, and investigative skills, the two adventurers delve deeper but then decide to turn back.. too dangerous.

While this goes on, Gothi, Cedric and Graxusas, rest and decide to allow the sentient being - an infernal devil - in the magical trident to read the scroll that the Inquisition gave to the leader of the GreySkulls (See Blogpost). Gothi allows the demon to take control of her. After some discourse and study, the small

scroll has expanded to over 12' in length. A tome in length.. it seems. 

The devil advises Gothi that the scroll creates a portal - it is assumedly to the Abyss. (Gothi can see its his form now - a winged humanoid devil with fine black scales) 

The party discusses back and forth on why the Greyskulls were given the scroll and why the unit was to attack in a very specific direction in the battles. Finally, Graxusas identifies the scroll that it creates a massive portal to the Abyss, where if it is destroyed or covered in blood. Further discussion on why the BlackRunes and Scarlet Brotherhood want..

 Doc takes a moment to look at his new pistol - the former Commander's - reaches into his bag of holding and gets a blast of cold hit his hand. With surprise, he determines that the head of the Commander - which had been cut off at the end of the battle - was NOT dead. the dwarf was alive - somehow and in the bag of holding! Grabbing hold of the dwarf head, Doc feels that it was growing a new body..

After some dialogue, a truce was offered by the Commander, and for now, Doc agreed. but the 1/2 orc does not have access to his supplies all in the bag for now..

 Leaving this until later, taking a look from where the noises former bazaar, they see an old acquaintance: 

Thurr Tyyne (pronounced: '13' or  'Thirteen') is a travelling salesman of dubious repute. A Tiefling with 8 fingers on one hand and 5 on the other, he was nicknamed '13' early in life.He sells ointments, potions and unique items of strange or no real  worth.

 He has one famed product:

Thurr Tyyne's Green Flaming Red Pickles

These have become well known - '13' travels amongst the realms and planes peddling his wares. His pickles have
- if roasted - give a green flame. Once roasted for a exact 60 seconds, they are imbued with magic. A random magic. They need to be eaten while the green flame consumes them pickle.

The party see a portal the tielfing is moving his supplies

through. Some of the party each see a kindred spirit as they see these adventurers through the gate (DM: Check out the Laughing Moon Campaign). Some of the party buy and ingest a number of cooked pickles:

• Doc seeminly nothing happens..
  
• Gothi is pelted by snowballs! Gains experience (5000) and then nothing..
  
• Kantif gains a power in his hand - cold - to drain life and sucks 3hp. permanently from Doc! Doc is very upset.
  
• Graxusas has an effect on his spell, his firebolt is cast with a greater effect
  

Finally, the party is able to exit the city of Wayberry, emerging in the cellar of a former apothecary. Using their skills of stealth, the Fellowship are able to infiltrate the Overlord Romack's lines and once again meet with the Controller - the head of the Overlord's espionage forces. Advising of the betrayal of the truce by the BlackRunes, she asks for evidence. The party reluctantly provides the demonic scroll of summoning as proof. A change comes over the controller and she grimaces. Taking a small rod in hand she breaks it and a gate appears (Arcana reveals this was a Contingency spell). the Fellowship is sucked into it with the Controller and they teleport into unfamiliar place..

The heroes appear in a massive room on a balcony overlooking a large room bustling with activity. A large diorama..? No it is moving.. (Arcana checks show these to be silent images and more powerful illusions being cast by a cohort of wizards wearing robes emblazoned with the heraldry of Romack) that show a detailed view of Wayberry and the area around, trenches, and defenders positions, Romack’s troops and forces encircling the city. And hanging above back to the North east high above is the massive flying fortress of Overlord Romack. Every few minutes some of the images flicker as an illusion fades and is recast. 

The Fellowship are ON the flying fortress of Overlord Romack.

Uniformed offices rush in and out over to a group, more wizards look to be sitting at desks being given scrolls and then casting spells (sending and more powerful message 1st or 2nd level..? Arcana check)
The party are ushered into a small foyer from the balcony that surrounds the war room, then told to wait. 2 massive metal statues guard the door holding dual bronze blades at the ready one each crossing the door across from the party. The Controller waits not speaking for a minute, then her eyes will lift and she nods to the fellowship. “Go ahead.” At that moment, the 2 metal golems swords will be sheathed and the thick doors pushed open by them. A long pillared hall can be seen to lead up to a dias. Upon it is a table to one side, a large chair, looking to have been created from a massive skull. Standing at the table is an imposing figure, a grizzled muscular older man probably in his 70s for a human, wearing 1/2 plate. Standing nearby is a younger man, looking bemused with his arms crossed, long black hair in a pony tail, his hands and arms covered in scars, wearing blood-red chain and plate, looking to be in his late 30s. The younger man turns to look and nods to the Controller and looks over the adventurers with an appraising eye. The older man does not look up from the table, which appears to have a miniature illusion of the battlefield of Wayberry below.

“What news Dasin?” The Overlord says quietly in a gravelly voice. Still watching a small flight of griffon riders heading west of Wayberry.

The Controller steps forward and with a perfunctory bow.

"Overlord Romack and Lord Royce," with a slight bow to the warrior in red chain and plate, "this.." a pause, "is the RedWater Fellowship."

The party introduce themselves - Graxusas with his long list of titles to amused looks from all - with a hand flicker from the Controller.

With a slight smile, Lord Royce murmurs, "ahh the ones with the flying tower.."

As each is introduced, Lord Royce, looks the person over with a keen eye.. Measuring them up in battle or skill, perhaps.. Once introductions are done,

the Controller advises the Overlord of the news of the potential betrayal of the truce by the Black Runes.

The Overlord had not turned from the table, not looking up, watching a single griffon rider fly off to the south. "Proof." A statement more than a question.

The Controller  - Dasin - shows the scroll as ghostly hand plucks it from the 1/2 orc's hand and it floats to a darker area on the far side of the table.

Controller Dasin grates,  "Lord Rory Dragonbane."

A handsome elf with silvery long hair, ageless, wearing finest leathers and chain, multiple wands and rods at belt, (Arcana check tell these are all powerful items) appears in a cloak glowing with a multiple
colours. A 2nd ghostly mage hand traces the seal in wax of the scroll while the 1st holds it. A quiet but thoughtful voice, "Infernal.. No.. Abyssal.. " the scroll continues to be examined as it unravels to the full length. "From.. Ahh.. The 133rd layer it looks to be.. of the Abyss"

Lord Royce, looks over to the elf. "133rd? That is a recently acquired domain of IUZ." The elf nods. Still examining the scroll.

"This.. This has been opened." Lord Rory murmurs.. 

The warrior in red armour looks back to the party with a raised eyebrow. In a smooth deep voice, asks "Did anyone read this..?"

The party advises they had.. Kantif advises and that they did read it.

At that point a bolt of energy shoots forth from the Controller and streaks towards the scroll.. BETRAYAL!

 

(DM the party use inspiration so Graxusas can counterspell but still, the Controller is able to fire the burst of energy.. the scroll bursts
and a massive gate (80' x 80') appears in the room where a legion on demons stand ready to pour through.....)

DM - follow-up: Graxusas has the lucky feat so start of next session, he will be allowed to use it.. Maybe the gate does not open.. Until next time.