“As far as I can tell, there is no way of closing the portal. Unless you know of a way? And for him speaking demonic words, he also speaks divine words, does he not? And that should mean that there is a way to save him.” Polly stare back into the dead eyes of the former holy man.  “And just because he didn’t come with us, doesn’t mean he isn’t one of us. We were sent here to locate and bring back these men, or at least to find out what happened to them.”

Ordrag leaves this diplomacy to the experts. He is still helping to carry the deranged duke, but is prepared to drop him and draw weapons at the first sign of trouble.

Choir has a lapse of confidence that they are going to be allowed to leave with the Duke, so she pays close attention to the strange words he is muttering, hoping there will be some useful information buried in the rambling.

Adray waits as Chior finishes talking before adding, "The portal can't be closed and is connected to the helm.  The helm was connected to Tyr.  Im guessing when the portal was corrupted so was the helm.  But there is still a connection as he still speaks angelic words.  We kill the man now and likely that portal remains locked on demons but of we can fix the helm then maybe we can use its connection to fix the portal.  It's all a guess but I'd rather try something than nothing "

Gedeon stepped closer to look at the man and the helmet - a slight motion, as if he glided into position. "This is the Helm of Torm. And I am not convinced killing the man and returning the helm to the chamber would not close the portal."

((Rare case when rolls might be needed. A couple more words and a Persuasion roll will decide: whoever dares to speak - roll Persuasion))

Fran would stand firm the whole time with her arms crossed and brows furrowed. She'd listen to the conversation back and forth, and it seems as though they are coming at a cross roads. The artificer wondered how true Gedeon's words were.

(Is it worth insighting Gedeon? Is he just trying to get us to kill him? Is he telling us the truth that he believes this is the only way? Does he actually know the real way?)

(Fanatic, caring only about stopping demons - Choir described him correctly. Like any fanatic - suspicious and hard to steer off course, that he deems right)

Intimidation: 23  (Persuasion isn't in Ordrag's toolkit)

The weight of the duke and the stubbornness of Gideon is wearing down Ordrag's patience. Argh! You is just guessing, same as us! Kill him, kill us, kill yourself while you at it. Then who is gonna stop demons, eh?

Roll with advantage since we are all helping to convince Gideon? :D 

Polly is glad that Adrey and Ordrag stepped up beside her. She might put on a brave front but she is in fact very intimidated by Gideon. "Calm down Ordrag, fighting right now won't solve anything." she turn to Gideon again. "But he has a point, you know just as much as we do about closing that portal. What if we kill him and by doing so give the portal fully over to the demons? Then you will get the opposite result of what you are looking for and will for ever be remembered as the man who aided the demons..." She let the words sink in for a moment. 

Persuation with advantage: 16 (Polly got +0 to these kind of rolls >_< )

Choir almost says, "the Duke was hoping that a holy relic in the cemetery chapel called the Helm of Torm’s Sight might provide some awareness into Elturel’s dire circumstances and possible salvation." But then she remembers that Gedeon doesn't care about saving Elturel..****y about using it to stave off demons. Her feathers bristle as she wonders whether they have the strength to take down this dangerous fanatic...and wondering if that would only make things worse.

She struggles with trying to put together words with meaning. "This is the Helm of Torm...closing that portal...need...prayers to Torm....followers of Torm...ritual. Refugees. Not YOU. Followers of Torm"

Persuasion (if understood) 15

It is highly unlikely the undead (even an intelligent one) can be intimidated in any way - and Gedeon definitely was not (not that you could tell anything from his face expression). Yet, intelligence assumes ability to analyze.

"Followers of Torm still live? The church was empty last I checked..." He was standing still for sometime - thinking or calculating, hard to tell - sometimes glancing at each of you (quite unpleasantly too). Quite often his gaze was returning to Lulu, as if he was trying to remember something (the hollyphant kept silent, though). "Very well. Bring the man to Torm's altar. I will stay with him until you can fetch acolytes. Some of you can stay as well, though I give my word that no harm will come to that man until tomorrow morning. My servants will see to it, that no demon gets out of the portal".

He made a gesture pointing to the exit and Lulu spoke for the first time "I can stay with them, if you wish and you can talk to Pherria - if someone knows what to do, it's she".

Ordrag considers staying, but realises there is more danger travelling from here to the mansion and back again. He carries the duke to the place directed, then follows the others back into the cemetery.

What time is it now? Would the part know how time works in Avernus? 

Polly look to Adrey, “what do you say Adrey?”

(There is absolutely no way to tell the time. Several hours past, that's for sure, you would not mind to eat something, but unless there is an item recharging at specific time, it's hart to keep track of even days)

Adray runs his hand through his hair and steps back in thought.  "There isn't a great option and we are pressed for time.  If the play is to try and save him then we'll need to bring Pherria back.  I won't force anyone to stay but will take volunteers and if the vote is for me to stay then I'm fine with that.  Whom ever is to go, speed is a must."

"Can split Brute an' I. Minimum, recommend Choir or I, or both go with ye's though. Should always have mendin' close by."

By "Torm's altar" Gedeon apparently meant the Temple in the High Halls. Nothing changed there - shattered windows, dead bodies on the floor (Gedeon commented it with somewhat cryptic "wasteful poachers") and the altar itself. Being here did not affect the Duke (we can probably call him like this already) in any way - the battle in his head obviously continued. Dead priest was not affected either, though, he did not touch the altar. Gedeon stood closer to the doors, patiently waiting for acolytes to arrive. 

Lulu brightened the room with her golden self as usual, flying around a bit in curiosity, but keeping close to the Duke and the altar, as if she was going to protect the man with all her questionable might.

Choir hesitates, unsure whether to stay with the man in the helm or return with the others.  In the end, she decided Lulu was probably capable of keeping an eye on things here, and heads off with the others to gather the acolytes.

(Cool, so we all went back to the Temple. Now we are leaving the duke with Gedeon and Lulu at the temple and going to fetch Pherria &co. Correct?)

Ordrag will keep his weapons drawn and his weather eye open for enemies, ready to defend the group during their to-and-fro through the floating, burning, ruined city.

”I voile stay as well.” Polly offer up. “I can create a bubble that last for eight hours. It is impregnable so we’ll be safe in there.”