Reed continues his perusal of the instruments and tools lying around the room. He's tempted to chime in that perhaps the best way to prevent Baldur's Gate from sinking would be to just kill anyone who could take charge and make a deal with this devil but he didn't want to attract attention to himself in case he came across something notably interesting.

Archie thinks and wonders over possibilities bristling in her head before she gives up, there was simply too much to take in and not enough leads on what to do next, she looks over to Sylvira and almost asks a question but then her attention is instead directed toward the small devil to Sylvira's side, "Jezebel, what do you make of all of this?" She asks directly to the wife eyed fiend.

"The Vanthampurs?  I believe I have heard of them... though the stories I have heard do not paint the most pleasant of pictures.  Also, I do not believe any other cities have something similar to the Companion?  No, Elturel was alone in this."  Sylvira's face softens a bit when she regards Reya, "Yes, I also believe that the inhabitants of the city are now trapped in Avernus as well."

"What to do?  Well, I suppose that is up to you lot.  I have given you objects I believe that should help, but I'm afraid I cannot do anymore.. no that isn't true, I can help you to Avernus if that is what you desire."  Sylvira looks contemplative as she says this.

Jezebel regards Archie a little warily as the suit of armor gives her attention.  "Make of it?  Not good not good.  Souls are not to go to Avernus this way.  Wrong, bad."  but the little demon nods as she says this.  With this conversation, she is unaware of the little halfling eyeing the goods on the shelves.

Sylvira sets down the box and the plates, and if anyone wants a closer look they are open to it, (there is nothing more to gain from them) and looks over at Virro.  "Yes, Gargauth."  She notices his reaction, his not really wanting to know, so she tries to soften what she says, but forages on nonetheless.

"This shield that you hold and try to cover with a black cloth is a symbol of good’s triumph over evil. Gazing at such beauty, one can easily overlook the terrible force bound within it. Gargauth is, I believe, its name, though it calls itself the Hidden Lord. It was a pit fiend sent by Asmodeus to corrupt mortals on the Material Plane, and there it amassed such a following as to rival that of gods. In that way, Gargauth became a sort of demigod, and having worshipers increased its power exponentially. My, how the mighty have fallen!  Gargauth has now been sequestered into that shield you hold."

“This shield has the power to corrupt everything around it. The Hhune family of Baldur’s Gate has kept it for years now. Doubtless they’ll want it back, but this shield should not be taken to any place where thousands of mortals reside. It needs to be locked away in an extradimensional space, away from corruptible souls.”

Archie nods along to Jezebel's complex and thought out observations, and then listens to the history of this hidden lord virgo has come into he possession of. "Well shit, Virro has the most corruptable soul out of all of us" she chuckles "you be bloody careful with that yeah!?" 

Corlith listens to Sylvana explain about the shield, adding to the account of Thurstwell in explaining it's links to Asmodeus. A name that resonates with him although he is not entirely sure why.

"So, Thurstwell was telling the truth. It is clear why it was of interest to Kreeg, being as corrupt as they come", he says simply, knowing any opinion he had on the matter of what to do with the shield would not be taken well after previous conversations.

He waits to see what Virro will do now someone knowledgable and impartial has corroborated what Thurstwell had said, and what Roo had sensed. Even when Archie tries to make light of the situation, he merely waits for Virro.

Virro pulls the black cloth off of the shield, holding it for all to look at, unstrapping it from hie arm and holding it upright, considering.  “I hear what you say and I agree with your assessment.  It did say that it was a “Hidden Lord” in the shield, I started calling it HL.  I realize that what you say is true.  It has been urging me forward, it was thrilled to get out of the hands of Kreeg, it does not want to be locked away somewhere.  But, I feel that it has also - - helped me.  Both in protecting me, bringing low that devilish creature we fought, the Cambion.  I am the same.  I don’t feel any different, like it is doing anything to me per se.  And if it helps us… maybe we should keep it?  I don’t know.”  He looks up to his companions, his friends, and also facing Sylvana, he says “What do you think we should do with it?  Should I keep using it to help us?  I’m glad to know truly who has been talking to me.  He thinks that we are friends…”  Virro looks conflicted with wanting to make the right decision, but he truly doesn’t seem to know the right way forward.

Reed eventually wanders over from the other side of the room, a smile on his face. He looks closely at the shield.

"So there's really a devil inside this? Hello?" Reed asks as he reaches out and knocks on the shield. "As good a place as any to keep one."

He looks back at Sylvana and the others.

"Seems like we're as good as any group to keep a watch over it so people like Kreeg don't get their hands on it."

The shield echoes a bit when Reed knocks on it, but nothing else happens.  Sylvira listens to the comments and shrugs when Virro asks her what they should do with it.  "It's up to you, I just wanted you to be sure you knew what you had."

Reya then pipes up, "You said you can help us to Avernus?" she can't contain the urgency in her voice as she turns to the rest, "That's where we are going next, right?"

Roo gets the little deck and looks delighted with its ornate and shiny designs.  He steps away with it, clucking as he manipulates it with surprisingly dexterous feathered hands.  He looks and oggles, shuffling the cards around in his hand before stuffing the deck into the top of his armor.  

"This is a very interesting little deck of things!"  Roo says, bobbing his way back over toward the conversation.  His little body becomes more and more animated as he begins the following tirade, until he has fluttered up onto a desk, drawn his sword, and is espousing threats at fiends who aren't even in the room.  "Ah, wait.  Avernus?  You would have us descend into Avernus now?  Well, the Owl's Talon is sharp and ready, and shall reap the bodies of the damned like a scythe in wheat!  Buck!  Send us forthwith, as we are battle-starved!  The Owl's Talon will drink of the blood of a million infidels and their heads will hang from our hands!  WE SHALL LEAVE THEIR BODIES BROKEN BY THE SEA OF OUR FURY ON THE ROCKS OF RIGHTEOUSNESS AND THEIR WAILS WILL BE THE BUGLES OF OUR VICTORY!  WE SHALL BUILD SPIKED BARRICADES OF THEIR BROKEN, SPLINTERED BONES AND THEIRHORNESWILLCAPOURHEADSATOPCROWNSWEFORGEDINFIRESTEMPEREDWITHTHEIRSOULS!"  

The little Gallus leans back then, crowing and kicking his feet, kicking everything on the table into the floor.  

Virro looks at everyone and slowly straps the shield back in place, giving Roo the side eye as he goes ballistic on the table.  “Ummm.  Yeah.  I think I’ve got this.  I’m made of stern stuff.  If you see me going… *quick look at Roo* .. wacky, then please, pull me aside, inform me, and we will make another plan.”  Virro pauses, considering.  “Avernus.  Is that where we are to head next?  What else should we do?  Is there anything to prepare us for what we could face there….”

Corlith keeps his watching brief over proceedings, listening to all that is said and wincing slightly at the volume Roo reaches with his monologue and crowing.

When Virro has made his decision, he walks over to the elf and puts a hand on his shoulder and nods meaningfully to him whilst looking him in the eye. "I trust you. You see the shield for what it is and we can now all be mindful. If we notice you acting wacky, we will tell you. And if you feel strange, please tell us as well. It will be good to get it away from civilisation anyway".

"And yes, I believe that somehow, and I struggle to believe I am having to say this. We are going to Avernus!".

Sylvira looks taken aback and actually takes a few steps backwards as Roo makes his declaration.  Jezebel, however crawls forward and joins him on the table, her nodding increasing to where it is moving her entire body and she is smiling as she listens to the rooster.  

Reya grins and goes over and gives Corlith a bear hug.  "Yes!!  We are going to do this!" and she pumps her fist in the air and turns to Archie, "Right Archie?"

"Wait, I might have something that could help." Sylvira turns around and starts rummaging through some drawers, "Ah ha!  Here it is."  And she unfurls a map of Avernus. “This map might not be entirely reliable,” she warns, “Its creator went mad making it.”

"So, to get there.  I could cast plane shift, but there is no point as the magic here at Candlekeep will not allow it.  But fear not, I have an alternate plan.  A wizard named Traxigor lives in a tower twenty miles from here. I’ve loaned him a spellbook or two, so he owes me a favor. I can have you delivered safely to his tower, and he can use a plane shift spell to take you straight to Elturel. Even more importantly, Traxigor is looking after an old friend of mine — someone with a history of battling devils in the Nine Hells. I think you’ll enjoy her company very much. Her name is Lulu.”  She hands the map to whoever wants it and starts picking up the items Roo has kicked onto the floor, "Just come back whenever you're ready to go.  I'll get your rides ready."

"Absolutely!" Archie responds to Reya excitedly, but then she remembers something and her excitement dissipates a little, "...But first we have to see master Ahvoste to get my arcane sphere fitted, right?"

Corlith stands stock still as Reya bear hugs him, finally patting her back with one hand awkwardly.

When the map is offered, he eagerly untangles himself to go and collect it, "Do you have any books detailing the sorts of creatures we are likely to come across? I know a little but my knowledge could certainly be supplemented by a volume or two on fiends and the like".

Reed stands in thought for several moments not sure that he’ll really kept up with the general discussion.

”Avernus is a real place? I thought we were talking ‘fallen’ in the sense of someone losing their way in life. A city actual fell into another plane?” Reed says.

He looks around at everyone and then shrugs.

”Do they have inns and taverns there? Or is this more of a ‘roughing it’ kind of trip?“

Reed looks lost in thought for a moment again.

”We might want to pick up the odd supply or two before we go. Anywhere around here to get that?”

"Hey!  Chin up, of course we are going back for the sphere, what kind of question is that?" Reya teasingly admonishes her friend as she can't contain her excitement that her new friends are going to help her on this seemingly impossible task.  

Sylvira regards Corlith for a moment and then breaks into a broad grin, "Do we have books?  Do you know where you are sir?  Of course we have books.  Though I can't tell you where to locate what you need.  For that, search out the First Reader.  He goes by Bookwyrm, though I don't think that is his real name.  He is a green dragonborn."

The tiefling looks a bit surprised as Reed pops out from behind some shelves, she had apparently forgotten about him.  "Why yes it is an actual place, and no.. I don't believe there are any inns or taverns?  Though I am no expert.  As for supplies?  Search out Alkrist over at the Hearth, I believe he has a store inside."

Reya ruffles the hair of Reed, "What did you think I meant when I said there was a big hole where Elturel once stood?  We need to go get it!"

Corlith smiles at Sylvana, "I do indeed know where we are. Do you think a library would allow me to take a book or two to Avernus though? I do not want to delay our trip whilst I study here, you see".

Looking at the others, "Is there anything else we want to do before we leave? Supplies, books and most importantly Archie's device so far".

"If we split up on these errands, I have a few things you could look for, Reed. If you don't mind".

“I would like to look through your library, but also obtain some supplies, rations and equipment.  And perhaps a nice breastplate.  I would like to see if you have any books of spells for a budding wizard.  And after we have finished all of that, I think that we should be well rested, fed, and have time for meditation before we depart.”  He turns to Sylvana and says, “Have you ever been there before?  What is it like?  Are there “Welcome to Avernus” taverns?  Lava sandwiches?  We really have no idea about what we are headed into….”

"Ooh.. no, I am sorry but everything in the collection stays here.  Books enter Candlekeep, but books do not leave Candlekeep.  I understand your need to be hasty, but you are welcome to stay here while you do research, we have plenty of clean, modest rooms."

Sylvira then regards Virro with his dizzying list of requests and questions, "Well... we do have spell books, but like I said, they can't leave Candlekeep.  As for Welcome to Avernus taverns," she chuckles a bit at this, "I have no idea, no, I have never had the, um, pleasure of traveling to any of the nine layers of hell."

Reed gives Reya a thin lipped smile when she ruffles his hair. "Please do not do that."

He holds back what else he'd like to say. Then he gets distracted by movement near the door that he can only see.

"Are you asking for permission to go Avernus? I doubt my saying no will have any affect on the lot of you." Reed says to the air.

Reed turns his attention to Corlith and nods. "List away, though I'm not sure we're in any hurry, right? A literal hell with devils probably isn't going anywhere soon."