"Merciful Oghma, what a deep question, my son". Monk looked at Ordrag with a thoughtful admiration. "I will try to explain it as best as I can. Tell me, am I right to assume you are the man of practical ways of life" I thought so. Then the best way I can describe it to you..." He interrupted himself and suddenly pulled Ordrag outside the Temple. "It might be better we discuss such ... practical matters outside of god's house. Where was I? Ah, yes. So, as I was saying, to you Gods can be seen as ... should I say bosses? They observe different aspects of our lives. Some see to it, that people study, some, that they care about others, some - that they fight. As powerful as they are, Gods need helpers, and this is where worshippers come. You find the God, that you agree with and serve him, as you would serve a boss by making his work - your work. If you do what pleases the God of your choosing, he or she will recognize you as a personal helper. Tyr is the God of law and justice. Obey the law, see to it, that others do the same - and I am sure you will get his attention. Though, if your will to serve is so strong, that you want to join the ranks of his most loyal followers and become a cleric of Tyr... A day of vigilance - from dawn to dawn - having nothing for eat, without sleep in a truly quiet place. Open your heart and your mind to Tyr, call to him. You will know if he responds to you."

"Think about it, and when you are ready - I will show you the place to try yourself in this endeavour."

Ordrag nodded in thanks to the priest, then walked back to the inn. None of his companions were nearby to share a drink with, so he walked onto the parapets and stared out toward the sea. How long would it be before he sailed its trackless expanse once more? Me be lucky to even see it again! he thought, and he stood for many long moments just breathing the salty breeze.

He and his group would be acting on their own soon. Adray had been a good leader, certainly, but even the monk will soon be in an unfamiliar environment, and Ordrag had always depended on those with experience. Without his ship captain or the Flaming Fist captain to give the orders, Ordrag feared that he will be cast adrift in a breeze-less ocean of uncertainty, with no rudder and no compass. He needed a new boss.

But how far was he willing to go? Ordrag had never done anything by half. He'd become master-at-arms on the Grinning Oyster through dedication and commitment, spending extra time in weapon practice and maintenance rather than carousing with the crew. He'd followed every order with exactness, rather than simply doing enough to keep the bosun's lash off his back. No, Ordrag couldn't be content just giving lip-service to Tyr. He was going to the worst place imaginable, and only one-hundred-percent loyalty would be enough.

Leaving the parapet, he walked again to the barracks. Night was approaching and the guard was changing, so they granted his request to see the picture once more. Looking up at the rough depiction, and to the surprise of the nearby guards, the half-orc spoke with a strong voice: Ordrag Greentide signing up, sir. Me is a good worker, five years behind the mast, strong on the rope and handy with the cutlass. Me is ready to stand to and receive your orders, sir. The picture gave no reply, so Ordrag just saluted and walked out the door. Walking back toward the temple, he hoped to catch the priest and let him know he would be ready at dawn.

 Fasting for a full day is nothing for someone, who - no doubt - had that "pleasure" before and for a longer time. Still, the this is not something a living being can get used to and adds enough distress to the unknown surrounding to keep one suffering on edge.

The room, that monk brought Ordrag, was empty, aside from a small shallow pool of water in the middle and a window at the top, allowing the first light of dawn to get through and colour the water gold. The door closed and Ordrag suddenly felt more alone in this confined silence than he ever was before - the silence was deafening. Combined discomfort did not allow to fall asleep, emptiness of the room could not offer any distraction to the mind. All what was left is to watch the light changing in the water. Minutes dragged on as hours, if not for the light, soon half-orc could believe he spent in that room weeks already. 

Whether it was a playful reflection, or there was some magic in the room, but eventually Ordrag senses calmed down and at the evening he learned the meaning of the word "meditation" (even if he never hear the term before). It was only him in the middle of the emptiness, and nothing more. Then came ... Presence. Who or what it was Ordrag would not be able to tell, but he felt ... attention. Not kind (though not malicious either) and heavy, almost painful - it felt as a presence of something too big to comprehend and too powerful to even think about fighting against. All Ordrag could do is to endure that cold study of his very soul, he felt he was all - down to the last though - taken apart, judged and then placed together again. 

When the first light of the next dawn looked into the room again, the Ordrag knew one thing - the god was aware of his existence and he was watching him.

The monk, that opened the door, was silent until they leave the building, only then asking "Did you find what you came for, son?" Nodded to Ordrag's answer, bowed and disappeared in the Temple of Oghma.

Ok, unless someone wants to make something special in addition to reading/equipping - we are ready to depart!

Adray closed the book he had been studying and pinched the bridge of his nose while closing his eyes a moment.  He had stood up and stretched a little.  All of the sitting had made him sore.  He began to pop a few of his joints and looked about the room for any of the others.  Seeing all but Ordrag, he moves over to them.  "I think tonight we should group up, have a good meal and discuss what we've found before heading out.  I'll meet you all at the tavern tonight.  I'm going to stretch a little and find Ordrag."

A change in the wind and a new horizon, is all that Ordrag responds to the priest, before heading back to the inn for a rest.

Later in the day, Adray finds Ordrag sparring with the guards some more. Waving him over and introducing him to the fellas, Ordrag then asks: Hows it going, Adray? Read all them books yet?

Fran had begun to wonder what type of materials could be available in the nine hells. While studying with the others, she would take an interest in looking at resources. Eventually, a light bulb would go off and she'd come to remember that powerful weapons and items were forged there, taking a dive down that rabbit hole...

At the sound of Adray's popping joints, Brutus would stand up abruptly from his spot at Fran's side, letting out a loud woof. This in turn, would startle the Artificer awake from napping in a chair nearby, sending a couple of books tumbling off her onto the floor. Blinking lazily at her companion, she'd point to him enthusiastically as if to try to convince she had been awake this whole time, "Yes. Food." Was the first thing to come from her mouth. Still feeling groggy, Fran would sit motionless for a moment before sliding herself off her seat to drag her feat after Adray. Until she' was completely awake, the battlesmith would follow the monk like Brutus followed her.

Ordrag will indicate at the evening meal/meeting that he is ready to depart. The only thing remaining before we leave is that Ordrag will ask Fran to create a simple amulet featuring a set of scales resting on the head of a hammer (he isn't quite sure where he's seen that before, but it feels right).

Presumably we've all been meeting up at least daily and sharing information, so although Ordrag has done no reading and will continue to depend on the others for knowledge about Avernus and devils, I also hope he picked up the basics through the course of normal conversation, particularly anything relevant to his field of expertise (combat). I'll also assume that Ordrag wouldn't have gone missing for 24 hours without telling anyone first, so he has also shared something of his experience in the temple.

Meeting up at the evening meal, Adray will eat and drink a little before getting it going.  "Ive spent this time trying to study our possible enemies.  There are a lot of them varying in their appearance and abilities.  But, it seems most are protective against fire and posion and most non magical means of damage.  However, magic, magic weapons and silver seems to hurt most of them.  There any chance we can get someone something silvered like that?"

((Small reminder: PHB p.148 on silvered weapons: You can silver a single weapon or ten pieces of ammunition for 100gp. This cost represents not only the price of the silver, but the time and expertise needed to add silver to the weapon without making it less effective.))

(Ooc: was more of implying we should ask around.  Kind of doubting we would find the likes but doesn't hurt to ask around.)

This information about silvered weapons is new to Ordrag, and he asks whether Fran has the ability to 'silver' their weapons. He has 10 silver coins they could melt down if that helps.

(It will not - proper silvering needs proper tools and facilities, that the library does not have. The word is, however, that Avernus is a big place and has many things in it...)

((I would also strongly recommend to pack some food and water - the improvised bag of holding can be quite useful here))

Three days were spent in collecting all possible knowledge about Hells and their inhabitants (with exception of Ordrag, who combined practical and spiritual exercises). Choir in addition found several books about history of the Faerunian races and learned all she could about the history of kenku - the happy times, the greed, the betrayal and the punishment.

It was time time to move on. Sylvyra helped with everything that could be helped, but you could say she was anxious to see you go (probably, the right word would be "impatiently excited", since she honestly envied your travel)

When everyone was packed and ready Sylvira ushered the group to a crescent-shaped landing platform with a stunning view of the sea - Ordrag could enjoy the salty wind once more. Waiting for the passengers atop this platform were several griffons with saddles, their handlers standing nearby to help. “The griffons have instructions to fly you to Traxigor’s tower,” said Sylvira. “Don’t worry, it’s safe!”

The griffons took flight and head out to sea, flying just below the clouds. Candlekeep looked no less majestic from the air but grew smaller as the griffons soared westward. Large, rocky islands passed below you, and beyond them laid the open sea. After a long journey, you suddenly saw a windowless, doorless stone tower — which somehow floated in the sky ahead. The griffons passed through jagged holes riddling the tower’s conical peak to land on the top floor below, which had a spiral staircase leading down.

The griffons allowed their passengers to dismount and handlers waved you good bye as the party descended into the tower.

One level down, you found a cluttered chamber illuminated by various objects upon which continual flame spells have been cast. Scurrying around the room is a tall very old man dressed in a red cassock, mumbling something about a tuning fork. Suddenly, he took notice of the group and called somewhere inside the tower “Lulu! Wake up! Our guests have arrived!”

At the sound of her name, a miniature elephant with golden fur appears from under a pile of blankets near a table strewn with alchemical equipment. The elephant took to the air on feathery wings and let out a pleasing trumpet sound.

Quote from BlueBayou >>

((I would also strongly recommend to pack some food and water - the improvised bag of holding can be quite useful here))

  ((Choir retroactively stocks up on rations and water...more than she can carry, so some can go into the bag.  Who has the bag of holding?))

Choir starts out on the voyage, gloomy at the prospect of hell ahead of her and the knowledge of why kenku had lost the ability to fly.  Only Akadi's promise of flight some day in the future could keep her from despair. At least, until she got to fly on griffon back. Then all her troubles were forgotten.

Choir was thrilled at the sight of the castle dropping away below her, and the ocean waves whooshing by below.  THIS was where she was meant to be--in Akadi's own realm, riding the wind!  Even though she was borrowing the griffon's wings to do it on.  Choir sang hymns to Akadi as they flew along.  As much as she regretted the end of the ride, even the tower was in the sky!

When she set eyes on the fluffy, flying elephant, her beak dropped open, and she gave a squawk of pure delight.  If she had to go to hell, all praises to Akadi for giving her one fabulous send-off.

Flying over the sea should have been exhilarating, but without the stability of a solid wooden deck below him, Ordrag had to close his eyes for much of the journey rather than risk looking down and seeing the open expanse of water. He clung tightly to the griffon's feathers for the entire journey.

Ordrag looks curiously at the furry elephant and says to the man: Greetings sir. Interesting pet you have there, eh?

"Pet?!" The man did not even understood at first Ordrag's notion. "Young man, you should seriously work on your manners. And while you are on it, do something about your ignorance as well. Lulu is a friend and a higher being - a hollyphant, I'll have you know." "Lulu, dear, do talk some senses into our guest. Now, what was I looking for?"

Lulu made a flip and now hovered in front of you looking at each with curiosity (as much as elephant's "face" can express some). She made several melodical sounds - Choir recognised them as greetings in Celestial - waited for a moment, realized it is not the most familiar language to the present people and sent a telepathic message instead: "Greetings! I am Lulu and I am a friend. Traxigor said you are going to Hells. I will go with you - it will be so exciting!"

Ordrag mumbles an apology, but looks dubiously at the hollyphant, as if to say: What good is that thing going to be in the Hells? It doesn't look like it would last five minutes in a rowdy tavern! 

(Fran too would have grabbed some spare rations with some coin that remains. She has an infused bag of holding.)

Fran would immediately want to turn around and demand they go any other way. She'd dig her heels into the ground, refusing to move. Brutus would have to push at the back of the artificer's knees to get her to step forward when it was her turn to board a griffon. She would mumble and grumble the whole time she stumbled to get on. "Nope. No. Nope..." She'd mutter over and over.

The artificer would grip so hard onto the reins her knuckles would turn white. "No. Nope. Not a fan! No siree! Nope. No. How is this safe? Where is the safety- ahhhh!" Fran would shout as the powerful creature would take off to the sky with her. She was not ready. Mind you she might not ever have ever been ready.

While choir soared high and free in the delight of the wind in her feathers, Fran had flopped forward on her griffon. She involuntarily passed out when she made the mistake of looking down.

Upon landing Brutus would let out a prompt "Woof!" alerting Fran. "Are we there?" She'd jolt upright with a snort, staring around  little confused for a moment before scrambling off the mount. Her legs were wobbly and she was pale as a ghost, but she'd try to stride along like everything was fine. Occasionally she'd make a gagging sound but would hold it together.

Fran would get a sense of calmness as her eyes would fall upon the miniature elephant. That sense of calm would be snatched away as soon as the man accompanying it would chastise Ordrag. The artificers expression would shift as if he was shouting directly in her ear. She'd grumble a little when he'd finally stop.

"Hi Lulu." Fran knew not to judge a book by its covers, or a being by its size. She's learned the hard way before. With a respectful head nod and a faithful clap against Brutus' side, she'd introduce herself. "Name's Fran. This here's Brutus. Please dun tell me we fly teh the Hells."

"Wonderful beings those hollyphants! Gentle, stalwart, came straight from the Upper Planes. Well, not Lulu, not straight, I mean, but before that she did too." The man stopped his search for a moment to share his delight. "Angels and Gods - the good kind - use them as messengers and helpers." He looked at the flying golden furball of joy with a compassion. "Lulu was helping too."

Ordrag's question finally sunk in and the wizard shook his head: "Can not say about a tavern - have not been in one for ... some time, yes. But "holly" is in their name for a reason, young man. A hollyphant is blessed with powerful magic, which helps it combat evil and protect good. Besides, she was there once already. You can tell them, Lulu."

And Lulu did tell:

“I was with the angel Zariel when she assembled her army of Hellriders to attack Avernus. Through the gate we went, tearing through devils like a song through air. Victory was within our grasp until some of the Hellriders betrayed us. They retreated through the gate and sealed it behind them."

“Before she was captured, Zariel told me to hide her sword so that it wouldn’t fall into evil hands. Someone helped me hide the sword, but I don’t remember who. We found a place to hide it, but I don’t remember where. I escaped Avernus, but I don’t remember how. Most of my memory is gone, and I don’t remember why.”

"And I do not remember where did I put my fork!" Traxigor - familiar with the story - completely ruined the moment with the great reveal. "Otherwise I can not tune my teleportation circle and you will indeed have to fly to Hell, as young lady suggested, if you find a ride, that is."

Choit begins searching among the clutter for a misplaced fork, or anything else interesting.  Investigation: 8