Ankita drops her chest, runs over and swallows Damian in a hug. Still has yet to find her voice so after she lets him go she nods to him as well and picks the chest back up. She walks with Samuel as she wants to stay by Ranala until they find her resting place.
"Hm, yes yes, we are all a bit emotional Ankita." Damian says, giving Ankita an awkward pat on the back as the Firbolg hugs him, seemingly very unused with someone touching him at all.
All - When Damian mentions notes, Mortlock stops and says, "I believe these are the notes you seek. I found them in cultists' worship area." He then produces a sheaf of notes before handing them to Damian with a nod and then taking his leave.
The notes contain the following information from a recurring dream that Ranala started having every night since the fall of Elturel:
In the sky over Elturel, a large radiant sphere blazes like a second sun, bathing Elturel and the surrounding countryside in holy light. Suddenly the orb is transformed from a radiant sun into a black orb awash with crackling energy. It rips Elturel from the Material Plane, transporting it and all its inhabitants to Avernus. Where it once stood, only a crater remains.
The notes also reference visions of a man in noble's fineries sitting in a dungeon cell. He stands over a large ornate shield and strokes its surface lovingly as he mutters to it. Strangely, in the flickering candle light the man's shadow is that of a pudgy, horned devil with small wings.
Damian recognizes this orb as an object referred to as the Companion. He is also familiar with the following information regarding the Companion:
In 1444 DR, Elturel was under siege by a vampire lord. A then young priest of Torm named Thavius Kreeg appealed to any power to help him save his holy city. In the sky over Elturel, a radiant sphere called the Companion appeared, bathing Elturel and the surrounding countryside in holy light which sent the vampire lord scrambling for the shadows and laid waste to his undead army. Thavius Kreeg, who took credit for summoning the Companion, was hailed as the savior of the city and rose to become its high overseer. Under Kreeg’s decades-long rule, Elturel embarked on a path to becoming not just a holy city but the holy nation of Elturgard.
“What’s done is done, Ankita. Remember when I said the world was full of shit? This is just more proof. Within the dankest of dungeons we found a companion, just to have them torn from us. Your life was also taken, yet restored at a cost. Even in the driest of deserts, one can find nectar in a cactus blossom, but must be willing to risk the thorns.” Samuel takes a brief moment to recollect himself, then adds, “We should copy Ranala’s notes and bury her with the originals. I appreciate you finding these Mortlock. Ankita, remember the example Mortlock sets. Society, even his own family, has labeled him a monster, and yet…he defies the reality others set for him and does good. Regardless of the deal you have struck, you are still Ankita…and we will fight along your side regardless of whatever devil comes. I’ll stand beside you through Eight Hells…the Ninth might be asking a little much though.” Sam says with a smirk at the end, making it abundantly clear the final line was intended as a joke. “Mortlock, enjoy your freedom.”
Damian nods and agrees to Sam's suggestion, ready to copy Ranala's notes before her funeral but commiting most of it to memory as he reads it now. He will inform the others of what he knows about the companion. "Yes, about that deal Ankita, you wouldn't happen to know who you made this deal with by any chance?" Damian asks on their way out of the sewers.
“You all are the very best. I was scared to tell you, but there was no way I was going to hide what happened. Thank you, thank you for accepting me and understanding.” You see that she visibly has a change like an immense weight is lifted off of her and she finally looks you all in the eyes. “Damian, he said his name was Bel, I think? It was so awful. Shall we all grab a chest and get out of here?”
Remi will set about to some work after consoling Ankita. He will use his dagger to chop off the head of the Death Head of Bhaal and put it in a bag, for Captain Zodge to see. In area C, if anyone has some oil, he will cover the wooden statues with it and set them ablaze. He helps to divide up the items in the crates in area B, and if no one objects, he would like to have the caltrops, one of the daggers, one of the potions of healing, one of the manacles and one of the alchemist fire bottles. He regards the potion of fire breath, looks at Rhogarr, "I could be a little more like you, noxious breath and all! That would be fun!" He leaves it in the trunk, decisions on that to be made later.
After that he will help someone to carry the third trunk, but before he picks it up, he takes the delicate mask and wraps it in his blanket, puts it in his backpack to protect it. "Let's get out of this place, what say you? Ok, heave ho! Heave ho!" He helps to hoist the trunks out of there. As they rise from the adventure in the sewer he takes deep, long breaths enjoying the fresh air again.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
A wizard is never late, nor is he early, he arrives precisely when he means to.
Remi - As the statues of the dead three burn, angry red electricity crackles over the statue of Myrkul. It arcs, catching you in the chest for a full five seconds of intense, body wracking pain. The electricity stiffens your body, causing you to stand fully erect. When it stops, you fall to your knees with a smoking scorch mark on your chest. As you take a few shuddering breaths, you feel... different. You aren't quite sure how, but the feeling is not a comforting one.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Remi is on his knees for a second, stunned. “Something happened, what was that? I feel like that statue did something to me… foul thing. What the heck happened?”
Arcana : 17
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
A wizard is never late, nor is he early, he arrives precisely when he means to.
"Bel you say. It can not be a coincidence that he likely conspires to wrench back control of the first layer of Hell, Avernus, which is where Elturel apparently have been transported to. Don't worry Ankita, this contract might still be to your benefit before all this have been dealt with." Damian says confidently.
Remi - You recall something you once saw over a game of back-alley dice. A friend of yours, a smug halfling man, took the pot and with it, a curved dagger with a gleaming red ruby in its hilt. A mere hour later you watched as the ruby suddenly glowed and released a similar burst of red electricity that crawled across your friend. It turns out the dagger was cursed and you believe the same unfortunate fate has befallen you, though you do not know to what affect.
When you gingerly pull your shirt up to check the spot on your chest you see what appears to be a symbol branded upon it. It is not perfect, but the blackened flesh and waxy pale flesh combine to resembles a skull inside a black triangle.
Remi says “I’m cursed! Let’s get out of this terrible place, perhaps I can find a healer when we get out of this rot. Guess that’s what I’ll buy with my share of the loot. The end of this stinking curse that this stinking statue just put on me. Grrr!”
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
A wizard is never late, nor is he early, he arrives precisely when he means to.
"I will argue that the Flaming Fist should take responsibility for lifting that curse as it struck you while you were performing your duties." Damian says, extremely ready to leave the sewers now.
Ankita would like a potion of healing and one set of manacles. She does not like having anything made of metal, but sticks one in her backpack after everything she’s been through. Naivety is a luxury she can no longer afford.
”Shall we find a shop where we can sell and consolidate this treasure? I don’t know about you, but I’d like to offload all this copper instead of hauling it around. I am unfamiliar with this village, so if Damian or Rhogarr can lead the way? And then honestly, I’d love a bath and a clean bed”
Ankita drops her chest, runs over and swallows Damian in a hug. Still has yet to find her voice so after she lets him go she nods to him as well and picks the chest back up. She walks with Samuel as she wants to stay by Ranala until they find her resting place.
"Hm, yes yes, we are all a bit emotional Ankita." Damian says, giving Ankita an awkward pat on the back as the Firbolg hugs him, seemingly very unused with someone touching him at all.
All - When Damian mentions notes, Mortlock stops and says, "I believe these are the notes you seek. I found them in cultists' worship area." He then produces a sheaf of notes before handing them to Damian with a nod and then taking his leave.
The notes contain the following information from a recurring dream that Ranala started having every night since the fall of Elturel:
Damian recognizes this orb as an object referred to as the Companion. He is also familiar with the following information regarding the Companion:
“What’s done is done, Ankita. Remember when I said the world was full of shit? This is just more proof. Within the dankest of dungeons we found a companion, just to have them torn from us. Your life was also taken, yet restored at a cost. Even in the driest of deserts, one can find nectar in a cactus blossom, but must be willing to risk the thorns.” Samuel takes a brief moment to recollect himself, then adds, “We should copy Ranala’s notes and bury her with the originals. I appreciate you finding these Mortlock. Ankita, remember the example Mortlock sets. Society, even his own family, has labeled him a monster, and yet…he defies the reality others set for him and does good. Regardless of the deal you have struck, you are still Ankita…and we will fight along your side regardless of whatever devil comes. I’ll stand beside you through Eight Hells…the Ninth might be asking a little much though.” Sam says with a smirk at the end, making it abundantly clear the final line was intended as a joke. “Mortlock, enjoy your freedom.”
Damian nods and agrees to Sam's suggestion, ready to copy Ranala's notes before her funeral but commiting most of it to memory as he reads it now.
He will inform the others of what he knows about the companion.
"Yes, about that deal Ankita, you wouldn't happen to know who you made this deal with by any chance?" Damian asks on their way out of the sewers.
“You all are the very best. I was scared to tell you, but there was no way I was going to hide what happened. Thank you, thank you for accepting me and understanding.” You see that she visibly has a change like an immense weight is lifted off of her and she finally looks you all in the eyes. “Damian, he said his name was Bel, I think? It was so awful. Shall we all grab a chest and get out of here?”
Remi will set about to some work after consoling Ankita. He will use his dagger to chop off the head of the Death Head of Bhaal and put it in a bag, for Captain Zodge to see. In area C, if anyone has some oil, he will cover the wooden statues with it and set them ablaze. He helps to divide up the items in the crates in area B, and if no one objects, he would like to have the caltrops, one of the daggers, one of the potions of healing, one of the manacles and one of the alchemist fire bottles. He regards the potion of fire breath, looks at Rhogarr, "I could be a little more like you, noxious breath and all! That would be fun!" He leaves it in the trunk, decisions on that to be made later.
After that he will help someone to carry the third trunk, but before he picks it up, he takes the delicate mask and wraps it in his blanket, puts it in his backpack to protect it. "Let's get out of this place, what say you? Ok, heave ho! Heave ho!" He helps to hoist the trunks out of there. As they rise from the adventure in the sewer he takes deep, long breaths enjoying the fresh air again.
A wizard is never late, nor is he early, he arrives precisely when he means to.
Remi - As the statues of the dead three burn, angry red electricity crackles over the statue of Myrkul. It arcs, catching you in the chest for a full five seconds of intense, body wracking pain. The electricity stiffens your body, causing you to stand fully erect. When it stops, you fall to your knees with a smoking scorch mark on your chest. As you take a few shuddering breaths, you feel... different. You aren't quite sure how, but the feeling is not a comforting one.
“Remi!!” Ankita drops her chest again and runs over to him. She wraps her arms around him and helps him up. “Are you ok??”
Remi is on his knees for a second, stunned. “Something happened, what was that? I feel like that statue did something to me… foul thing. What the heck happened?”
Arcana : 17
A wizard is never late, nor is he early, he arrives precisely when he means to.
"Bel you say. It can not be a coincidence that he likely conspires to wrench back control of the first layer of Hell, Avernus, which is where Elturel apparently have been transported to. Don't worry Ankita, this contract might still be to your benefit before all this have been dealt with." Damian says confidently.
Damian too ponders what kind of curse might have befallen Remi, leaving the hugging to the Firbolg.
Arcana: 4
Remi - You recall something you once saw over a game of back-alley dice. A friend of yours, a smug halfling man, took the pot and with it, a curved dagger with a gleaming red ruby in its hilt. A mere hour later you watched as the ruby suddenly glowed and released a similar burst of red electricity that crawled across your friend. It turns out the dagger was cursed and you believe the same unfortunate fate has befallen you, though you do not know to what affect.
When you gingerly pull your shirt up to check the spot on your chest you see what appears to be a symbol branded upon it. It is not perfect, but the blackened flesh and waxy pale flesh combine to resembles a skull inside a black triangle.
Remi says “I’m cursed! Let’s get out of this terrible place, perhaps I can find a healer when we get out of this rot. Guess that’s what I’ll buy with my share of the loot. The end of this stinking curse that this stinking statue just put on me. Grrr!”
A wizard is never late, nor is he early, he arrives precisely when he means to.
Can Samuel cast identify on the brand?
"I will argue that the Flaming Fist should take responsibility for lifting that curse as it struck you while you were performing your duties." Damian says, extremely ready to leave the sewers now.
Ankita would like a potion of healing and one set of manacles. She does not like having anything made of metal, but sticks one in her backpack after everything she’s been through. Naivety is a luxury she can no longer afford.
”Shall we find a shop where we can sell and consolidate this treasure? I don’t know about you, but I’d like to offload all this copper instead of hauling it around. I am unfamiliar with this village, so if Damian or Rhogarr can lead the way? And then honestly, I’d love a bath and a clean bed”
“I believe we have a manse to dine at.”
Samuel - Through the casting of your spell you learn that Remi can not benefit from magical healing until the curse is removed.
Ankita turns to address Remi, “Oh yes, that sounds divine.”