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.