The "morning" here felt (and was, of course) "morning" only nominally: same red light from outside, same sound of cracking lightnings and smell of burning rock and flesh. You are getting used to that background atrocities. There is not much in terms of fancy meal either - your rations and your water (Polly did not even had that and relied on others), all that you had here.

Survivors of the High Halls were waking up as well, a touch more used to the harsh conditions around. Acolyte Pherria Jynks still with The Book in her hands (most likely she was sleeping, while hugging it too) greeted you with hope in her eyes. "Still no sight of the Duke. Our Perry (she did not explain who was it, but obviously one of the survivors) was watching the gates and the High Halls entrance - some devils did enter the Halls, but no one came back from the cemetery. It has been way too long.  Will you go there to check?"

Day One in Hell had felt like an eternity, and supplied more danger and horror than Ordrag had ever expected to experience in a lifetime. And that was in a city and a temple. Now they were off to a cemetery, and he could only imagine what perils a cemetery in Hell might offer. Munching on a few rations, the half-orc looked around at the crowd, wondering whether there were any more warrior-types they could muster, but then remembered that the duke took a whole battalion and they didn't return. Perhaps a smaller group was better, and with a wider range of skills than simply arms and armor. Finally he replied: Yeah, we'll go take a look, eh. Just one thing first - can someone help me into this armor?

Adray gave a nod and moved over to assist with doning the armor.  "After your armor's set.  Stretch a little and then lets spar a bit.  Get you use to how that let's ya move.  Unless, you've already been in somethin like this.  Then never mind I guess."

Polly wakes from her deep slumber when the domes magic disappear. She stretches her body out and start to do a morning yoga to get limber, Owis by her side trying to imitate her movements (It’s super cute btw).

“Owis, how about you put that nose of yours to good use and see if you can find anything to eat around here. I’m famished.” -perception w/ advantage cause smell: 15

She hopes that she and Owis could scrape something together from what they found outside. She didn’t want to relay in the others food to much and she regretted not having packed some food for herself. But she was small and didn’t need too eat much to get full and figured she would get by somehow. 

The city was underground without any outside sources of food and water for some time now. (Actually, if devils wanted people here dead, all they needed was to wait a little and starving and dying from thirst populous will be theirs in no time) Owis could not find anything that did not exist. But Choir was buying rations having the group in mind, it should not have being a problem (for now at least).

Fran wakes from a deep slumber that felt like days. Waking up in hell felt strange. Is this what it feels like to 'wake up dead'? The artificer would groan at herself as she'd rub the sleep out of her eyes. She was very much alive, but the longer she was here, witnessing just the tip of the horrors avernus had to offer, how much of her could truly survive? Surely there were parts of her dying away in this place. Her soul was damned.

Looking around though, Fran could see the others preparing for the day. But at least there was companionship. And that she could appreciate this morning. She'd take her turn snacking on rations and donning her gear. Should she have some time to kill before they all were prepared to leave for the cemetery, the artificer would busy herself with sharpening her knives. There was nothing worth salvaging here, but maybe there?

Considering that you saw undead even on the streets, there can be no doubts that cemetery holds at least some of them.

Elturel’s grand cemetery was once a beautiful memorial to those who had passed into the realms beyond. Picturesque flowers and grass framed the graves, statues, and mausoleums that were once respectful reminders of the dead. Later years is was more of a monument (and the last resting place only for the most important citizens) but Choir might have been there on occasions - accompanying higher priests for the significant events like rare funerals, and could remember it in it's former glory (which might include approximate map of the place).

Choir makes a final quick prayer to Akadi, and hopes that She of the Short Attention Span is watching over her and her friends. If there is a gate, she will attempt to open it and step into the cemetery.

One more thing happen this night - the experience you had in that (literally) forsaken place made you stronger.

Level 6, everybody!  (Obviously, spells could be rearranged to your liking)

As a result of this morning's sparring session with Adray, as well as Fran's magical enhancement of his hammer, Ordrag decides to change his fighting technique a little and switch his weapons. Previously, the sword was doing the bulk of attacking and parrying, while the hammer swept in rather predictably with supplementary attacks. But with heavier armor boosting his defenses, Ordrag realises he can swing more aggressively with the hammer, and then use his sword for parrying and more unpredictable quick cuts and thrusts. The only downside is that hell is HOT, and with a metal helm, gauntlets and boots, Ordrag feels like he's inside the cooking pot.

Fran would grin to herself, she enjoyed seeing her tinker work held in Ordrag’s hand during some sparring training with Adray. 

The artificer still had one trick up her sleeve. She would wait for Polly’s blessing to infuse her arcane focus, should she desire. Fran had other tinkering options to offer the wizard, such as an equivalent to a spell storing ring, should she prefer that.

Adray lifts his arms and began to move and jab at Ordrag.  He'd swing with the mace every now and then for good measure.  As they went back and forth it was clear that Ordrag was experienced with this heavier movement.  About mid way though, Adray felt great.  He thought his movement was sharper and thoughts clearer.  At first he couldn't put his finger on it but took a moment focus his ki and found it circulated more cleanly.  With a little effort, he focused it and felt a distinct warmth flow through his limbs.

After the warm up spar, he wipes a little sweat from his brow and gives Ordrag a big smile.  "No worries here.  You're in fine shape," he says and pats him on the shoulder.  "When you're ready lets meet up by the front doors."  He then head over to find the others to give them the same order with the exception of Choir, whom he relays the message but gives the mace back too.  "Thank you for letting me borrow it but you can have it back now.  I'm pretty sure I can safely punch devils in the face to full effect."

Once everyone was ready to move, acolyte Pherria wished you the best and repeated once more how much hope is bestowed not upon the group. She returned to the people inside the mansion, and you stepped outside - into the hot, stinky, gloomy and outright dangerous streets. The path to the cemetery was clear enough and the group did not encounter any devil or demon there.

The (now fallen in numerous places) ten-foot-high brass fence that surrounded Elturel’s cemetery is easy to spot, as well as the wide gate that has been torn from its hinges. Severed humanoid body parts adorn the spikes atop the fence posts. Some of the body parts wriggle and writhe as if undead, twitching in concert with the lightning flashes of the Companion.

Cracked gravestones and crumbling monuments are scattered across the cemetery grounds, whose center is occupied by a chapel dedicated to Lathander, Torm, Helm, and Tyr. That once-holy structure now glows with a fetid purple radiance.

From the gates, you can see that several graves have been dug up, leaving deep pits in the earth. A number of stone mausoleums stand vacant, their doors hanging open. There are dozens of skeletons and zombies moving about the grounds. However, these undead, seemed to be wandering aimlessly and without direction, ignoring the living (the group) and not even trying to leave the cemetery.

Choir twirls her shining mace happily, glad to have it back.  She decides to keep the scavenged warhammer, just in case.

Looking at the dozens of listless undead, she decides it would probably be best to reserve her powers of turning until they become aggressive. She steps a foot into the gate, watchin closely to see if they react to the intrusion.

(EDIT: Yeah, I guess a perception check would be good to make: 8 )

Ordrag is tensed and alert for attack, but will start to look around for any signs of where the duke and his party might have gone. Perception? 17

Adray looks about the premise and has a slight shiver.  It was all so very wrong.  He could remember visiting this place once with his father.  It had been a quiet place, well kept with visitors prey at the chapel or openly over the graves of fallen ones.  This... was as corrupted as could be. 

He stopped a moment, realizing how hard he was clenching his fists and took a breath to calm himself.  He looked over at the chapel.  "He was looking for something right?  If thats the case I'd wager the chapel there in the center is our best bet and if they were attacked, its about the best defensive structure there is here."

Perception: 13 + 1

Unable to find any food in this desolated place had put Polly in a bad mood. So she went to find Choir when she saw Ordrag an Adrey sparring and Fran watching from the side lines. 

She smiled to herself. At least those two won’t ever change..

“Hi Fran, you are good with 11enhancements and tinkering right? Do you have anything that can help me? My magic doesn’t seem to do much against the creature down here.. At least not against the devils..” 

When they stand before the grave yard, do Polly see any small animals? 

perception: 

 Ooc: don’t know what just happened but that 11 in the middle of the text is the perception  roll:D

(I'd say, the cursor moved - happens quite often)

The undead remain surprisingly indifferent to supposed intruders. Polly's idea about small animals was interesting - indeed, you have not seen even a mouse in here, yet alone a cat or a dog. Either animals could sense the danger and left before the city was dragged underground, or that plane-shift did not work for them.

The entrance to the chapel is not visible from where you stand, but the chapel itself is beaten up by the lightnings, like everything else in Elturel now.

“You bet Polly.” Fran would grin. “I can enhance yer wizard trinket fer ya if ye’d like.”

 Fran would put her hands on her hips and take a good look around when the group would stop at the graveyard.

Perception: 6  

“Huh.”

”yes the is just the thing I was thinking of! How long do you need to do that?” Polly ask and hand over the wand of secrets to her. Then she look through her component pouch to make sure she can make due in the meantime.

Polly were surprised by the lack of life around. She couldn’t even find a spider to ask for direction.. 

“so what is the plan here Adrey?”