Fran would inspect Choir while she inspected the Duke. "Yer hurt too ya know..." She'd look over their cleric with concern, but would remain quiet and listen out of respect when the Duke would speak.
Adray speaks up. "Your men are dead. All died but for you. We came, got you and hoped the helm would be of some help," Adray says. He waits, "Give us some good news. Tell us the helm can do something..."
"All dead!" He buried his face in his hands with grief. "I was desperate and they paid the price. You be the judge if it was wort it," answered the Duke Adray's question. Pherria shook her head: "We all hoped for the miracle, they wanted it as much as you or I".
Duke Ravengard set silent for another moment and then relayed the story of the spirit journey he undertook while wearing the Helm of Torm’s Sight. "The Helm was supposed to bring our prayers to Torm, and I felt god's presence - it was magnificent! Torm was showing me a path forward - I was sure of it. But then... something happened, the visions were clouded and warped by some demonic essence. From that moment I remember nothing but Torm's pictures - they are burned in my memory".
"A bloodied woman in armor — a soldier wearing the colors and crest of Elturel — grasping a longsword fit for an angel. Fresh blood streamed from a nasty cut on her cheek. Flying next to that woman was a small, golden elephant with rapidly fluttering wings. Just like that one," Ravengard pointed at Lulu. "Then an enormous, loping demon threatened to devour the woman, and she plunged the sword into the ground while the winged elephant made a trumpet sound with its trunk. The demon was hurled back as an alabaster palace rose up around the sword. The winged elephant fled and took to the red sky of Avernus, where it watched as a bloody scab grew up from the ground to engulf the palace and the enormous demon".
He made a pause, remembering: "The winged elephant fled and wandered in a delirium before coming upon two odd, birdlike humanoids dressed in patchwork armor and standing next to a strange infernal vehicle. The bird creatures were equipped with odd weapons and tools".
"This is it. It all sounds bizarre - and looked no more comprehensive too." He looked again at Lulu: "Would you know anything about it?"
Lulu did not answer, staring somewhere far away but then she flapped her wings in excitement, as exclaimed with the greatest enthusiasm: "I remember! Yael! That was her name! Yael! I helped her - she was one of the Hellriders! - and I helped her to plant Zariel’s sword in the ground and raise an impenetrable fortress around it. I called on every ounce of goodness in my heart to raise that shield around it — a fortress against evil." “The demon lord Yeenoghu wants to destroy Zariel’s sword. He hates it as much as he hates her. We fought him once, but I don’t remember where.”
Little golden ball circled around the alter several times, shiner than ever. "But I remember meeting the pair of “bird folk” - Chukka and Clonk. They were like you, Choir! They took me to a strange place, like a junkyard called Fort Knucklebone, where two of them were building and repairing strange vehicles. I did not like those machines a bit, but Chukka said this is the only way to move quickly across the wastelands of Avernus." Lulu concentrated a bit more, but added with a touch of sadness: "I do not remember who ran the fort or what other creatures I saw there if any".
Still enthusiastic and more energetic than ever, Lulu quickly flew to the top of the cathedral and looked out over the blasted landscape of Avernus below Elturel. After trumpeting loudly, she returned to report that she can see Fort Knucklebone, and estimates it to be no more than ten miles away.
Ten miles if us can fly, grunts Ordrag. Looking at the others he says: Well the city is floating right? And even if us could get all these people down there, and make it ten miles across this devil-infested desert, and get one of these machines... where would us take them? Then to the duke he adds: No disrespect sir, but if Torm is showing you a path, it is not a very helpful one.
"These people?" Duke clearly did not understand but Pherria did: "Oh, no, we are not going anywhere. There are many weak among us, children too. And those you saw just a part of all the people in the city. We are staying, making our patrols to keep the streets safe from demons and other danger." The Duke nodded: "I am done playing with mysteries. People need help here and I will be the one protecting them. I feel like that sword - the sword of Zariel - is the answer, but I will not be the one going after it".
"Indeed, you are staying," the voice belonged to Gedeon that returned to inform that the portal become at least stable and no new demons came through it. "Zariel will need every soul in that city. Demons have to be averted at every cost. I will return to the Cemetery and keep watch there." He nodded, turned around and left the Cathedral.
"Visions and dreams of the sword and Lulu. Its not much to go on but is Torm saying get the sword?" Adray says to no one in particular. He turns our group. "What's everyone's take on this? We going for that fort and then the sword? We leaving these people in hopes we can fix this outside the city?"
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
"Get the sword," Choir repeats. "A fortress against evil..I feel like that sword - the sword of Zariel - is the answer. Fort Knucklebone! Chukka and Clonk!"
Choir sways a littl on her feet. Since they have a little time, she casts Prayer of Healing to heal 13 damage to everyone who's been injured.
And since Akadi is clearly not paying attention as she should be, she tries it a second time for 15
Edeleth Treesong (Aldalire) WoodElf Druid lvl 8 Talaveroth Sub 2 Last Tree StandingTabaxi Ranger, Chef and Hoardsperson lvl 5, Company of the Dragon Team 1 Choir Kenku Cleric, Tempest Domain, lvl 11, Descent Into Avernus Test Drive Poinki Goblin Paladin, Redemption, lvl 5, Tales from Talaveroth Lyrika Nyx Satyr Bard lvl 1, The Six Kingdoms of Talia
The Duke shook his head sadly and extended his hand towards the helmet but did not touch it: "That was supposed to be our help. For all of us. I am afraid, that is all I have now."
“I understand. Then let us go down and get your men and take them back to the safe house. This is not a good place to leave the dead.” She look to the others, hoping they will agree to that.
She walk over to the helm, then take out a piece of cloth from her bag and wrap the helm in it for later study, being careful not to touch it. “Once we get back I will see what I can get from this helm.”
Ordrag is doubtful that Gedeon will allow them to take the soldiers' bodies, probably preferring to reanimate them as defense against demons, but offers to accompany Polly to make the request.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
How does a red dragon blow out the candles on its birthday cake?
Fran had been resting her chin in her hand in thought. She had been listening intently to what the Duke had to say. Most interestingly to her, he jogged Lulu’s memory and although it was probably a bitter sweet memory, the artificer felt a form of pride for the strength of their golden companion. To have summoned a whole fortress to protect such a legendary blade... She was in awe.
It clearly wouldn’t take much to convince Fran. “Aye. Yeh had me at sword fit fer an angel.” Thinking back to the forge that was mentioned prior to coming to the hells, the artificer did have personal curiosity for the type of weapons forged. To hear not only of a legendary forged blade, but war machines.... oh ho ho ho... She’d check her person for all her tools before she’d start rubbing her hands together. Looking to Lulu, she’d remember that she didn’t like them. There was probably a reason for it. “These machines... what’s teh scoop? Can I get us one? Could become handy?” If it truly upset Lulu to have one around though, Fran would respectfully drop the subject.
Fran would also support Polly’s suggestion regarding the dead.
"Do not remember,"Lulu honestly tried to search her memory about machines but could not. "They were... No, do not liked them - all I can say. But if we get there, we will find out - should we do it?" Her enthusiasm was contagious.
Gedeon was not around (he lest again for the Crypt) to stop anyone willing to do with the bodies - what, exactly? Neither Pherria and her acolytes nor the Duke were trying to do anything about the dead. The bodies could be buried, probably, but undead army under command of someone fighting at least demons looked like a better way to preserve them. Should anyone bother to ask Gedeon directly, he would say just that adding that the souls of the the dead are serving Zariel already. The body can still be used for protection of the city.
The way back to the mansion - Pherria still preferred that place - was slow (the Duke was still weak) but safe enough (barring occasional silhouettes of all kind of demons (or devils?) on the horizon). Once inside the mansion, Pherria asked the obvious question: "You are very brave to go ... anywhere in this place. But how would you get down?"
(The city is floating above the ground - 500 feet above, to be precise, and not so much above the ground as above the river - River Styx - the one you do not want to get into. According to locals, city is slowly sinking, as they suspect, because the eight gigantic chains pulling it down.)
Choir is not certain herself. She is far from the level of priesthood which would allow her to ride the winds. "Chukka and Clonk...strange vehicles...fly?" she says hopefully. Then she looks at Lulu. "Lulu flymaybe.."
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Edeleth Treesong (Aldalire) WoodElf Druid lvl 8 Talaveroth Sub 2 Last Tree StandingTabaxi Ranger, Chef and Hoardsperson lvl 5, Company of the Dragon Team 1 Choir Kenku Cleric, Tempest Domain, lvl 11, Descent Into Avernus Test Drive Poinki Goblin Paladin, Redemption, lvl 5, Tales from Talaveroth Lyrika Nyx Satyr Bard lvl 1, The Six Kingdoms of Talia
"I can fly," did not argue Lulu and made a kulbit to prove the notion. "Can not carry anyone, though". She though a bit more: "Chukka and Clonk - never flew, though."
“Well if we can’t find a way down I might have an idea.. but it is a last resort though.. I could cast feather fall. It will take us down a fall of up to 600feet safety (60ft/round for 10 rounds), the problem would be the river beneath, so unless we find a way to navigate mid air, we should avoid that..could you whip something together Fran?”
Adray looks over the horizon towards where they need to go and ponders to himself. "The chains, they have go be anchored to solid ground. We could travel along them to get there. Climb if they are big enough or zip line down. Maybe even use feather fall near the end so as to reduce confrontation of what's down there."
Hearing Lulu confirm that she doesn't remember things makes Ordrag recall something his mother said: Hollyphants never forget. He thought they were a myth, but now he finally met one, and ironically it can't remember much at all. Perhaps in time...
Ordrag isn't bothered by the idea of descending on the chains, being used as he is to scaling up and down the rigging of the Grinning Oyster, but falling into a river fills him with dread.
(Edited when I remembered Ordrag is afraid of drowning)
Fran would swallow, hard, when the realization would hit her that they couldn't just walk there. None of the options presented made her excited. She'd try to hide her wide eyes as she'd pan to look to Polly. "'Spose a kite like structure?" The artificer also had the ability to the Feather Fall spell as well and could assist with that. She'd start looking around from where she stood seeing if there could be any supplies or scraps she could use to craft something Polly was looking for.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
just an unstable unicorn.
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Fran would inspect Choir while she inspected the Duke. "Yer hurt too ya know..." She'd look over their cleric with concern, but would remain quiet and listen out of respect when the Duke would speak.
just an unstable unicorn.
Adray speaks up. "Your men are dead. All died but for you. We came, got you and hoped the helm would be of some help," Adray says. He waits, "Give us some good news. Tell us the helm can do something..."
"All dead!" He buried his face in his hands with grief. "I was desperate and they paid the price. You be the judge if it was wort it," answered the Duke Adray's question. Pherria shook her head: "We all hoped for the miracle, they wanted it as much as you or I".
Duke Ravengard set silent for another moment and then relayed the story of the spirit journey he undertook while wearing the Helm of Torm’s Sight. "The Helm was supposed to bring our prayers to Torm, and I felt god's presence - it was magnificent! Torm was showing me a path forward - I was sure of it. But then... something happened, the visions were clouded and warped by some demonic essence. From that moment I remember nothing but Torm's pictures - they are burned in my memory".
"A bloodied woman in armor — a soldier wearing the colors and crest of Elturel — grasping a longsword fit for an angel. Fresh blood streamed from a nasty cut on her cheek. Flying next to that woman was a small, golden elephant with rapidly fluttering wings. Just like that one," Ravengard pointed at Lulu. "Then an enormous, loping demon threatened to devour the woman, and she plunged the sword into the ground while the winged elephant made a trumpet sound with its trunk. The demon was hurled back as an alabaster palace rose up around the sword. The winged elephant fled and took to the red sky of Avernus, where it watched as a bloody scab grew up from the ground to engulf the palace and the enormous demon".
He made a pause, remembering: "The winged elephant fled and wandered in a delirium before coming upon two odd, birdlike humanoids dressed in patchwork armor and standing next to a strange infernal vehicle. The bird creatures were equipped with odd weapons and tools".
"This is it. It all sounds bizarre - and looked no more comprehensive too." He looked again at Lulu: "Would you know anything about it?"
Lulu did not answer, staring somewhere far away but then she flapped her wings in excitement, as exclaimed with the greatest enthusiasm: "I remember! Yael! That was her name! Yael! I helped her - she was one of the Hellriders! - and I helped her to plant Zariel’s sword in the ground and raise an impenetrable fortress around it. I called on every ounce of goodness in my heart to raise that shield around it — a fortress against evil." “The demon lord Yeenoghu wants to destroy Zariel’s sword. He hates it as much as he hates her. We fought him once, but I don’t remember where.”
Little golden ball circled around the alter several times, shiner than ever. "But I remember meeting the pair of “bird folk” - Chukka and Clonk. They were like you, Choir! They took me to a strange place, like a junkyard called Fort Knucklebone, where two of them were building and repairing strange vehicles. I did not like those machines a bit, but Chukka said this is the only way to move quickly across the wastelands of Avernus." Lulu concentrated a bit more, but added with a touch of sadness: "I do not remember who ran the fort or what other creatures I saw there if any".
Still enthusiastic and more energetic than ever, Lulu quickly flew to the top of the cathedral and looked out over the blasted landscape of Avernus below Elturel. After trumpeting loudly, she returned to report that she can see Fort Knucklebone, and estimates it to be no more than ten miles away.
Meili Liang Lvl 5 Monk
Dice
Ten miles if us can fly, grunts Ordrag. Looking at the others he says: Well the city is floating right? And even if us could get all these people down there, and make it ten miles across this devil-infested desert, and get one of these machines... where would us take them? Then to the duke he adds: No disrespect sir, but if Torm is showing you a path, it is not a very helpful one.
How does a red dragon blow out the candles on its birthday cake?
"These people?" Duke clearly did not understand but Pherria did: "Oh, no, we are not going anywhere. There are many weak among us, children too. And those you saw just a part of all the people in the city. We are staying, making our patrols to keep the streets safe from demons and other danger." The Duke nodded: "I am done playing with mysteries. People need help here and I will be the one protecting them. I feel like that sword - the sword of Zariel - is the answer, but I will not be the one going after it".
"Indeed, you are staying," the voice belonged to Gedeon that returned to inform that the portal become at least stable and no new demons came through it. "Zariel will need every soul in that city. Demons have to be averted at every cost. I will return to the Cemetery and keep watch there." He nodded, turned around and left the Cathedral.
Meili Liang Lvl 5 Monk
Dice
"Visions and dreams of the sword and Lulu. Its not much to go on but is Torm saying get the sword?" Adray says to no one in particular. He turns our group. "What's everyone's take on this? We going for that fort and then the sword? We leaving these people in hopes we can fix this outside the city?"
"Get the sword," Choir repeats. "A fortress against evil..I feel like that sword - the sword of Zariel - is the answer. Fort Knucklebone! Chukka and Clonk!"
Choir sways a littl on her feet. Since they have a little time, she casts Prayer of Healing to heal 13 damage to everyone who's been injured.
And since Akadi is clearly not paying attention as she should be, she tries it a second time for 15
Edeleth Treesong (Aldalire) Wood Elf Druid lvl 8 Talaveroth Sub 2
Last Tree Standing Tabaxi Ranger, Chef and Hoardsperson lvl 5, Company of the Dragon Team 1
Choir Kenku Cleric, Tempest Domain, lvl 11, Descent Into Avernus Test Drive
Poinki Goblin Paladin, Redemption, lvl 5, Tales from Talaveroth
Lyrika Nyx Satyr Bard lvl 1, The Six Kingdoms of Talia
Adray wohld take part of that 8 heals,, brings him to max.
”Se should go there” Polly agrees with choir. “Duke Revenguard, do you posses anything that can help us? We will need all the help we can get..”
The Duke shook his head sadly and extended his hand towards the helmet but did not touch it: "That was supposed to be our help. For all of us. I am afraid, that is all I have now."
Meili Liang Lvl 5 Monk
Dice
“I understand. Then let us go down and get your men and take them back to the safe house. This is not a good place to leave the dead.” She look to the others, hoping they will agree to that.
She walk over to the helm, then take out a piece of cloth from her bag and wrap the helm in it for later study, being careful not to touch it. “Once we get back I will see what I can get from this helm.”
Ordrag is doubtful that Gedeon will allow them to take the soldiers' bodies, probably preferring to reanimate them as defense against demons, but offers to accompany Polly to make the request.
How does a red dragon blow out the candles on its birthday cake?
Fran had been resting her chin in her hand in thought. She had been listening intently to what the Duke had to say. Most interestingly to her, he jogged Lulu’s memory and although it was probably a bitter sweet memory, the artificer felt a form of pride for the strength of their golden companion. To have summoned a whole fortress to protect such a legendary blade... She was in awe.
It clearly wouldn’t take much to convince Fran. “Aye. Yeh had me at sword fit fer an angel.” Thinking back to the forge that was mentioned prior to coming to the hells, the artificer did have personal curiosity for the type of weapons forged. To hear not only of a legendary forged blade, but war machines.... oh ho ho ho... She’d check her person for all her tools before she’d start rubbing her hands together. Looking to Lulu, she’d remember that she didn’t like them. There was probably a reason for it. “These machines... what’s teh scoop? Can I get us one? Could become handy?” If it truly upset Lulu to have one around though, Fran would respectfully drop the subject.
Fran would also support Polly’s suggestion regarding the dead.
just an unstable unicorn.
"Do not remember," Lulu honestly tried to search her memory about machines but could not. "They were... No, do not liked them - all I can say. But if we get there, we will find out - should we do it?" Her enthusiasm was contagious.
Gedeon was not around (he lest again for the Crypt) to stop anyone willing to do with the bodies - what, exactly? Neither Pherria and her acolytes nor the Duke were trying to do anything about the dead. The bodies could be buried, probably, but undead army under command of someone fighting at least demons looked like a better way to preserve them. Should anyone bother to ask Gedeon directly, he would say just that adding that the souls of the the dead are serving Zariel already. The body can still be used for protection of the city.
The way back to the mansion - Pherria still preferred that place - was slow (the Duke was still weak) but safe enough (barring occasional silhouettes of all kind of demons (or devils?) on the horizon). Once inside the mansion, Pherria asked the obvious question: "You are very brave to go ... anywhere in this place. But how would you get down?"
(The city is floating above the ground - 500 feet above, to be precise, and not so much above the ground as above the river - River Styx - the one you do not want to get into. According to locals, city is slowly sinking, as they suspect, because the eight gigantic chains pulling it down.)
Meili Liang Lvl 5 Monk
Dice
Choir is not certain herself. She is far from the level of priesthood which would allow her to ride the winds. "Chukka and Clonk...strange vehicles...fly?" she says hopefully. Then she looks at Lulu. "Lulu fly maybe.."
Edeleth Treesong (Aldalire) Wood Elf Druid lvl 8 Talaveroth Sub 2
Last Tree Standing Tabaxi Ranger, Chef and Hoardsperson lvl 5, Company of the Dragon Team 1
Choir Kenku Cleric, Tempest Domain, lvl 11, Descent Into Avernus Test Drive
Poinki Goblin Paladin, Redemption, lvl 5, Tales from Talaveroth
Lyrika Nyx Satyr Bard lvl 1, The Six Kingdoms of Talia
"I can fly," did not argue Lulu and made a kulbit to prove the notion. "Can not carry anyone, though". She though a bit more: "Chukka and Clonk - never flew, though."
Meili Liang Lvl 5 Monk
Dice
“Well if we can’t find a way down I might have an idea.. but it is a last resort though.. I could cast feather fall. It will take us down a fall of up to 600feet safety (60ft/round for 10 rounds), the problem would be the river beneath, so unless we find a way to navigate mid air, we should avoid that..could you whip something together Fran?”
Adray looks over the horizon towards where they need to go and ponders to himself. "The chains, they have go be anchored to solid ground. We could travel along them to get there. Climb if they are big enough or zip line down. Maybe even use feather fall near the end so as to reduce confrontation of what's down there."
Hearing Lulu confirm that she doesn't remember things makes Ordrag recall something his mother said: Hollyphants never forget. He thought they were a myth, but now he finally met one, and ironically it can't remember much at all. Perhaps in time...
Ordrag isn't bothered by the idea of descending on the chains, being used as he is to scaling up and down the rigging of the Grinning Oyster, but falling into a river fills him with dread.
(Edited when I remembered Ordrag is afraid of drowning)
How does a red dragon blow out the candles on its birthday cake?
Fran would swallow, hard, when the realization would hit her that they couldn't just walk there. None of the options presented made her excited. She'd try to hide her wide eyes as she'd pan to look to Polly. "'Spose a kite like structure?" The artificer also had the ability to the Feather Fall spell as well and could assist with that. She'd start looking around from where she stood seeing if there could be any supplies or scraps she could use to craft something Polly was looking for.
just an unstable unicorn.