Climbing into the massive war machine Clonk and Chukka show you how to operate the different weapons that you have been assigned. From there they climb into the cockpit and Chukka takes the helm. You can see a chair with a wheel, levers, pedals, and other controls that he uses to operate the huge machine. As you rumble out of the keep screams of horror and pain come from the furnace that powers the machine. The anguish of souls trapped in the furnace seem to give the machine power.
The Demon Grinder powers across the landscape, up and down hills and over the sparse landscape.
Clonk and Chukka stop a couple times gathering some scraps from destroyed machines you come across. At one stop they cry out that they have found a Soul Coin and explain its use in using the trapped soul within to power the war machines.
At one point while stopped to scavenge at a large pile of wrecked machines in the distance, about a mile away, you see a number of other machines headed towards you. "Another Warlord!" Clonk yells, "Should we try and outrun them or turn and fight?"
Kaelani looks at the approaching machines, trying to judge numbers and potential capabilities. "As much as I'd like to test out this monstrosity, if we are significantly outnumbered or outclassed, we should make a run for it now..."
"I'm with Kaelani," Darvin says, looking up from the odd soul coin power mechanism, having been instinctively revulsed by the idea of turning souls to energy yet also morbidly fascinated by the idea. "I've got nothing against taking the fight to them if we've got a good chance, but if the odds are too long there's no shame in turning tail either."
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Abandoning the pile of scrap you rush back into the Demon Grinder and Clonk speeds away from the pile. "That was good stuff too!" Chukka bemoans as you race away. You watch as the other machines head your way. Will they be satisfied with the scrap opportunity or will they give chase?
13
The other machines turn away and make for the pile of scrap instead of chasing the larger Demon Grinder down. While there are 4 machines in the other group they are smaller and they don't look like they want to tangle with the larger Demon Grinder.
Continuing to head towards Haruman’s Hill a couple hours later the land begins to ascend and a tree covered hill can be seen ahead. Eventually Clonk stops. "Here's where we let you off. I saw a possible pile of scrap just a little ways away. We'll be close if you need another ride but we'll leave climbing the hill to you."
As you begin to climb you see wrought iron trees line a trail that leads to the summit of a steep hill. Anguished knights are impaled on the trees’ metal branches, their bodies writhing in torment as bloated stirges feast on their blood. A line of tortured souls leading to this desolate hill. Each soul is pinned to a barbed, metal tree. Inscriptions above their heads attest that most of them were mortal knights who abandoned Zariel during her assault into Avernus. Flocks of stirges buzz between the branches, feasting hungrily on the screaming, crucified victims.
Near the summit of the hill, a man is impaled on one of the largest iron trees. Seeming to be an elf warrior, cursed to an eternity of undeath, he pleads for you to cut him down so that his soul can move on from this accursed place.
"I can not bear to see these souls tortured in this manner!" Kaelani exclaims. "Is there anything we can do for them? If not all, can we save this one? At the very least can we end their agony and let their souls move on? I can call the flame of my celestial master down on them...that may release them." He examines the metal tree and the elf affixed upon it, looking for a way to bring him down.
Seeing Kaelani show interest in freeing him the elf turns his attention to you.
"My name is Jander Sunstar, please cut me down and free me. I and Haruman were both part of a host of warriors who joined the angel Zariel in her assault on the Nine Hells. After charging through the portal into Avernus, I panicked and fled back to Elturel. I betrayed my braver comrades by sealing the portal behind them. I and my fellow deserters never revealed our shameful retreat and betrayal of Zariel. It was a badge of shame that the Hellriders, as we came to be known, would wear in secret until the grave. After years of anguish, I chose to face the sun and threw myself on Lathander’s mercy. My prayers fell on deaf ears, and my soul was condemned to the Nine Hells to suffer for my sins. Please, cut me down and free me. These stirges, they swarm back and forth from my body, preserving my existence by injecting me with the blood of my traitorous companions. Release me, let me go free of this agony!"
Lulu, when she beholds Jander impaled on the iron tree, remembers him. "I remember your betrayal of Zariel" she says as she gives him a pitiful look.
Turning to the rest of you . "I have made a mistake leading you here and need to ponder my dreams in more detail to discern the Bleeding Citadel’s whereabouts. This is not the place."
Kaelani uses his Divine Sense to determine if there are any celestials, fiends, or undead within 60 ft - including, and especially, the elf. While he was loathe to see innocent men suffer, they may not be innocent. In fact, they may actually deserve this torment for their traitorous actions!
The only creature within range that smells of the noxious odor of evil is the elf you are speaking to. He is clearly undead. Lulu herself is identified as a celestial being as her presence is like heavenly music in your ears.
Lulu flutters back away from the elf. "I cannot say. I pity him and to see him suffer makes me sad. But he did also betray Zariel. But what Zariel is now, did he betray that Zariel? I cannot decide. Do as you please. I will not interfere either way."
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Lulu flutters back away from the elf. "I cannot say. I pity him and to see him suffer makes me sad. But he did also betray Zariel. But what Zariel is now, did he betray that Zariel? I cannot decide. Do as you please. I will not interfere either way."
"Well that was a lot of help - not!"Tibi comments before continuing "lets see what the Lady thinks then ?" as he flips the Decionist coin in the air {1-2 = heads = cut him down / 3-4 = tails = leave him there for a bit longer} [2]
Tibi examines the result and says "looks like the Lady is feeling compassionate today! Are we all in agreement?" If the party is in agreement he turns to Drabash "be a good lad and hop up there and cut him down will you?"
At Tibi's request Drabash clambers up the tree (Athletics = 20) being very careful to avoid the spikes cuts the elf free and slings him over his shoulder before clambering back down.
OoC: I have the shield of the hidden lord on Darvin's character sheet, which says that it can be used to cast fireball... Is that correct? I seem to remember that you'd made a modified version of it, DM, so I'm not sure if I have the right one? If I do... Darvin will... do that.
OoC: I have the shield of the hidden lord on Darvin's character sheet, which says that it can be used to cast fireball... Is that correct? I seem to remember that you'd made a modified version of it, DM, so I'm not sure if I have the right one? If I do... Darvin will... do that.
((Sorry, somehow I missed this post. Yes you can do that. I assume you try and target a spot that gets stirges but not you and your companions.))
Tibi starts shooting crossbows randomly at the swarm of stirges but somehow misses on both shots. Kaelani sends a couple bolts of fire out and 2 striges fall to the ground charred and fried. Darvin, feeling the desire to one (or 10) up Kaelani launches a fireball straight up into the sky judging the angle so he can catch as many striges as possble.
A moment later and a flash of heat and 13 striges are burned out of existance.
Drabash swings his mighty axes and 178 cuts two more in half.
Tibi watches Khaelani climb into the seat with glee and mutters something about “small things amuse small minds!”
DM - Stopping a god in his tracks
Climbing into the massive war machine Clonk and Chukka show you how to operate the different weapons that you have been assigned. From there they climb into the cockpit and Chukka takes the helm. You can see a chair with a wheel, levers, pedals, and other controls that he uses to operate the huge machine. As you rumble out of the keep screams of horror and pain come from the furnace that powers the machine. The anguish of souls trapped in the furnace seem to give the machine power.
The Demon Grinder powers across the landscape, up and down hills and over the sparse landscape.
Clonk and Chukka stop a couple times gathering some scraps from destroyed machines you come across. At one stop they cry out that they have found a Soul Coin and explain its use in using the trapped soul within to power the war machines.
At one point while stopped to scavenge at a large pile of wrecked machines in the distance, about a mile away, you see a number of other machines headed towards you. "Another Warlord!" Clonk yells, "Should we try and outrun them or turn and fight?"
Kaelani looks at the approaching machines, trying to judge numbers and potential capabilities. "As much as I'd like to test out this monstrosity, if we are significantly outnumbered or outclassed, we should make a run for it now..."
Love God. Love Others. Any Questions?
"I'm with Kaelani," Darvin says, looking up from the odd soul coin power mechanism, having been instinctively revulsed by the idea of turning souls to energy yet also morbidly fascinated by the idea. "I've got nothing against taking the fight to them if we've got a good chance, but if the odds are too long there's no shame in turning tail either."
"Darvin" | Changeling | Hexblade 1 / Swords Bard 6 | Descent Into Avernus (AC 19; PP 14; 52/52 HP)
Anton Chergoba | Human | Battlemaster 4 | Lost Mines of Phandelver (AC 20; PP 14; 36/36 HP)
Tibi calls out “Chukka time to turn this beastie around and head for the hills metaphorically speaking!”
DM - Stopping a god in his tracks
Abandoning the pile of scrap you rush back into the Demon Grinder and Clonk speeds away from the pile. "That was good stuff too!" Chukka bemoans as you race away. You watch as the other machines head your way. Will they be satisfied with the scrap opportunity or will they give chase?
13
The other machines turn away and make for the pile of scrap instead of chasing the larger Demon Grinder down. While there are 4 machines in the other group they are smaller and they don't look like they want to tangle with the larger Demon Grinder.
Continuing to head towards Haruman’s Hill a couple hours later the land begins to ascend and a tree covered hill can be seen ahead. Eventually Clonk stops. "Here's where we let you off. I saw a possible pile of scrap just a little ways away. We'll be close if you need another ride but we'll leave climbing the hill to you."
As you begin to climb you see wrought iron trees line a trail that leads to the summit of a steep hill. Anguished knights are impaled on the trees’ metal branches, their bodies writhing in torment as bloated stirges feast on their blood. A line of tortured souls leading to this desolate hill. Each soul is pinned to a barbed, metal tree. Inscriptions above their heads attest that most of them were mortal knights who abandoned Zariel during her assault into Avernus. Flocks of stirges buzz between the branches, feasting hungrily on the screaming, crucified victims.
Near the summit of the hill, a man is impaled on one of the largest iron trees. Seeming to be an elf warrior, cursed to an eternity of undeath, he pleads for you to cut him down so that his soul can move on from this accursed place.
"I can not bear to see these souls tortured in this manner!" Kaelani exclaims. "Is there anything we can do for them? If not all, can we save this one? At the very least can we end their agony and let their souls move on? I can call the flame of my celestial master down on them...that may release them." He examines the metal tree and the elf affixed upon it, looking for a way to bring him down.
Love God. Love Others. Any Questions?
Seeing Kaelani show interest in freeing him the elf turns his attention to you.
"My name is Jander Sunstar, please cut me down and free me. I and Haruman were both part of a host of warriors who joined the angel Zariel in her assault on the Nine Hells. After charging through the portal into Avernus, I panicked and fled back to Elturel. I betrayed my braver comrades by sealing the portal behind them. I and my fellow deserters never revealed our shameful retreat and betrayal of Zariel. It was a badge of shame that the Hellriders, as we came to be known, would wear in secret until the grave. After years of anguish, I chose to face the sun and threw myself on Lathander’s mercy. My prayers fell on deaf ears, and my soul was condemned to the Nine Hells to suffer for my sins. Please, cut me down and free me. These stirges, they swarm back and forth from my body, preserving my existence by injecting me with the blood of my traitorous companions. Release me, let me go free of this agony!"
Lulu, when she beholds Jander impaled on the iron tree, remembers him. "I remember your betrayal of Zariel" she says as she gives him a pitiful look.
Turning to the rest of you . "I have made a mistake leading you here and need to ponder my dreams in more detail to discern the Bleeding Citadel’s whereabouts. This is not the place."
Kaelani uses his Divine Sense to determine if there are any celestials, fiends, or undead within 60 ft - including, and especially, the elf. While he was loathe to see innocent men suffer, they may not be innocent. In fact, they may actually deserve this torment for their traitorous actions!
Love God. Love Others. Any Questions?
The only creature within range that smells of the noxious odor of evil is the elf you are speaking to. He is clearly undead. Lulu herself is identified as a celestial being as her presence is like heavenly music in your ears.
Tibi turns to Lulu "you're the one with the most skin in the game so to speak. Do we cut him down or do we leave him there to ponder his misdeeds?"
DM - Stopping a god in his tracks
Lulu flutters back away from the elf. "I cannot say. I pity him and to see him suffer makes me sad. But he did also betray Zariel. But what Zariel is now, did he betray that Zariel? I cannot decide. Do as you please. I will not interfere either way."
"Well that was a lot of help - not!" Tibi comments before continuing "lets see what the Lady thinks then ?" as he flips the Decionist coin in the air {1-2 = heads = cut him down / 3-4 = tails = leave him there for a bit longer} [2]
Tibi examines the result and says "looks like the Lady is feeling compassionate today! Are we all in agreement?" If the party is in agreement he turns to Drabash "be a good lad and hop up there and cut him down will you?"
DM - Stopping a god in his tracks
Kaelani nods in agreement. He was able to feel better without having to anger a god - a win in this blasted and forsaken place.
Love God. Love Others. Any Questions?
At Tibi's request Drabash clambers up the tree (Athletics = 20) being very careful to avoid the spikes cuts the elf free and slings him over his shoulder before clambering back down.
DM - Stopping a god in his tracks
As Drabash cuts the body of Jander down and moves to throw him over his shoulder he finds that his body crumbles to dust in grateful release.
A moment later the stirges start swarming around you and about there must be 20 in the swarm as the try and sting you.
Combat - PC's first, any order vs 20 stirges swarming in and around your group.
Tibi whips out his hand crossbows and fires at the swarming stirges {1st Crossbow = Attack: 20 Damage: 7 & 2nd Crossbow = Attack: 10 Damage: 7}
DM - Stopping a god in his tracks
OoC: I have the shield of the hidden lord on Darvin's character sheet, which says that it can be used to cast fireball... Is that correct? I seem to remember that you'd made a modified version of it, DM, so I'm not sure if I have the right one? If I do... Darvin will... do that.
"Darvin" | Changeling | Hexblade 1 / Swords Bard 6 | Descent Into Avernus (AC 19; PP 14; 52/52 HP)
Anton Chergoba | Human | Battlemaster 4 | Lost Mines of Phandelver (AC 20; PP 14; 36/36 HP)
Kaelani fires off a twinned fire bolt, targeting 2 different blood-suckers!
Attack 1: 25 Fire Damage: 6
Attack 2: 13 Fire Damage: 10
"Ugghh...stirges," the sorcerer exclaims in a huff.
Love God. Love Others. Any Questions?
((Sorry, somehow I missed this post. Yes you can do that. I assume you try and target a spot that gets stirges but not you and your companions.))
Tibi starts shooting crossbows randomly at the swarm of stirges but somehow misses on both shots. Kaelani sends a couple bolts of fire out and 2 striges fall to the ground charred and fried. Darvin, feeling the desire to one (or 10) up Kaelani launches a fireball straight up into the sky judging the angle so he can catch as many striges as possble.
A moment later and a flash of heat and 13 striges are burned out of existance.
Drabash swings his mighty axes and 17 8 cuts two more in half.