"If there is no 'where' but only a 'when' and perhaps an 'if' then couldn't we just wait here until the when of our destination was here?" Polly asked, curiously, softly, and mainly to herself.   "If we think our destination is right here, then if we're lucky we do not need travel through either devil nor demon territory."

     Polly tried to puzzle out how to make such strange navigation work in this puzzling land.  Reaching destinations by just intending to do so...  It seemed kind of like magic, without the magic.  Surely it couldn't be so easy?  The very idea that they could manage to get anywhere in this realm without danger, chaos and insanity surrounding them was absurd.  Still though, it did bear some consideration...

This is all too much for poor Ordrag's brain. The idea that you could travel in any direction and still make your destination just doesn't work in this sailor's mind. Instead of pondering it further, the half-orc turned his attention to something he could understand: the vehicle's weapons! Especially that thing up there looks like a whaling harpoon...

Fran would rub her hands together. "Well. If Brutus is gunna come with us, I'mma have to add teh the bus!" She'd chuckle at her own rhyme, striding over to the machine with her tools. The artificer would consult with the pair of Kenku on where they suggest the best space could be. In order to keep it aerodynamic, they suggested the back. Truthfully, Fran was half tempted to try to find a way to 'arm' him in the front. Either way, she'd get to work finding the best scraps and wheel(s). This would at least get her started. Eventually things wwould come to her like puzzle pieces. She usually hopes anyway. With a little extra help from the Kenku and anyone else who was interested, Fran hopefully would be able to achieve a reliable result. Topping it off with a pair of goggles to snap onto the defender.

Choir is happy to help Fran with any Guidance or physical work.

(Someone should pick up the Soul Coins, btw - if you are going to take those 2 more coins Maggie is offering)

The hag tilted her head back and laughed loudly. "I wish it worked like this, little one. Sadly, you still need to move. The thing is, though, when you choose a direction and you think you are heading straight to it - you find yourself turned around and ended in a very different place. Chaos bleeds on this plane, distorts the reality. Or so they say. You want to get to your Citadel - you have to use your legs, or the wheels. But if you want to join my gang - I can use someone like you. You would have to earn your keeping, but I am sure we can find a suitable work for your talents".

I took a couple of precious hours but Fran had good helpers and clear idea what to modify. Kenku generously shared scraps and worked with excited curiosity. A bit elevated back, adjustments to the side plates, moved seats - and Brutus did not need to run after the machine like a village dog after the warhorse.

Lulu, energetic and enthusiastic at first became quiet and as if "dimmed" after the start of the engine and use of the coin. "What was it?" Finally asked the hollyphant Maggie and the hag answered with visible pleasure: "Souls. To end in the coin one need to try to break the deal that one made with the devil. Or get some hag very, very angry. That one, that I tossed in the furnace, hunted one of my sisters long ago. Well, his hunting days are over forever now - there is no exit from the machine, his soul will burn down completely. But before you incinerate others - here, take and listen, they loooove to cry out about unfairness of the world to them".

Lulu did not touch the "bleats" and even flew away a few feet looking at them with horror. "We can not use them!" Hag shook her head: "You might think differently, when you need to heal a wound, or searching for some answer the soul can give - yes, they can do that. Or when you are stranded and the whole gang of demons is after you. Take it, I do not offer so much just to anyone." Lulu stubbornly flipped her ears and refused to come closer.

Adray held out his hand for the coins.  "I've trained for year to keep my mind keen and emotions in control.  If they cry out, I believe I can remained focused to their distraction," Adray said.  Turning towards the others he says, "Ive also riden in and driven many carts and wagons.  I know its not quite the same I would think some experience managing any vehicle would be better than none.  Would it be fine for me to drive?"

     Polly backs away from the Hag when she mentions the idea of Polly staying here.  "No.  No.  We definitely have to move on, I'm afraid," Polly says quietly and then runs over to Fran and lends any support she can.  It's not much but it keeps Polly away from the hag.

     Overhearing talk about the Soul Coin s, Polly asks aloud "Is there a way to release the souls?"

Wiping some sweat from her brow, Fran was satisfied with her modifcation. She'd join the others, brushing the dirt from her gear and hands. The artificer would nod confidently to Adray trusting him both in holding the coins and driving. "Aye, if teh burden ever come too much. It can be shared." She'd give him a reassuring pat on the shoulder. "You drive. I can be teh mechanic." Then she'd jut her chin out to Ordrag admiring the weaponry. "In good hands there too." Fran would give a good hearty chuckle. She'd then smile to Choir and Polly. Those two always pack a good punch and good tricks up their sleeves.

Fran would look to Lulu. "Ready when yeh are brave one."

Choir pats Lulu reassuringly and climbs into the vehicle.

"Why would you do that?" Flaming skull was looking at Polly with a genuine interest. "It might happen, of course, but to do so on purpose... Wasteful." Barnabas elaborated, though - it looked like he personally became fond of the party and used the last opportunity to talk.

"If one set on freeing the soul inside, one can try to remove the curse from the coin. Or destroy it - not an easy task, mind you. Unless you have a hellfire weapon, it's pointless to even try. There is an easier way, though. Like cats said to have nine lives, the soul inside the coin has three. You can drain them - to add to yourself, or spend by asking questions. Not that those souls know anything useful, but can be fun. When these souls "die" - they are freed to travel to the realm of the god it served. Unless you used it as a fuel - that is will be the final death."

Adray accepted two coins and now felt as if he was keeping in his hands a weeping manifestation of despair, with telepathic screams searching it's way into his mind "Unfair! It was not my fault! Don't kill me!!!" Adray is strong and indeed well trained, but it does not look like the screams are going to stop. 

"Have you decided?" Mad Maggie was looking at the adjustments to the Tormentor approvingly. "Devils or demons?"

Adray pats Fran's shoulder and gives a nod and a tight smile of acknowledgment.  Hearing the Hag's question, Adray runs his hand through his hair.  "It makes no difference to me but, Lulu, Chior, Polly, do your spells worker better against one than the other?  If so we'll take that route.  Any edge we can have to get us there we'll take."

 "Six of one, half a dozen of the other," Choir repeats. She really doesn't see much difference between devils and demons.

     “The little devils in the dreams were defeated easily enough,” Polly says, hopefully.  “I suspect they’ll be tougher awake though...”

     Polly thought on it a bit but couldn’t come up with a good solid reason to choose one or the other.  “We don’t really know enough to know, do we? “ 

Ordrag's opinion of devils is that they are at least able to be bargained with. Demons are not. He would rather face devils than demons.

"Sounds like vote is the devil side.  Then we shall make way for the Bleeding Citadel by traveling though the devil's side.  Let's finish up an last minute prep and take our leave." Adray says.

Lulu did not have any preferences and seemed to see both ways equally unsettling. The hag did comment the choice either and only set direction: "Then stick to this side of the river. Pass the hill - funny, the hill itself is old yet nobody remembers it's name before if it even had one, now it is "Haruman's Hill", after that - try to keep to the lightnings - you would see them from far away. That would be the Demon Zapper. From there you would see a tower. Reach it - and you can spot Tiamat's monument. From there you should be able to see the the Volcano - Bel's Forge, not the most pleasant place but you'll manage. The Citadel has to be visible from the slopes."

With this instruction (charting quite a trip) Mad Maggie gave the signal to pen the gates to allow Tormentor to leave the Fort. "Wish you luck," smiled the hag and the crew joined with there farewell wishes.

Adray studied controls. Hell of a design, but nothing a smart man can not overcome. The helm consists of a chair with a wheel, levers, pedals, and other controls. Adray tried pressed one of the foot pedal and the sound of engine become louder, he released another pedal and machine moved. Jerked, actually, at first, but the monk was a fast learner and past the gates already in a full control of the vehicle.

The Hill, Maggie was talking about, could be indeed seen quite clearly a few miles away (at least that is how it looked like). The gates behind Tormentor closed up and the chorus of Redcap's voices wished you "break the wheels". You were free to go any way you wanted.

     Polly leans out and waves vigorously!  "Bye bye!!  Thanks for all the presents and stuffs!"

     It's only polite to say goodbye.

Whether you were relieved to leave the place or cautious about returning to the planes - hellscape did not change, of course, and remained the most unpleasant inhospitable surroundings you could ever imagine - the idea to travel from one location in a clear line of sight to another seemed sound, even if you did not experience yet that space-shifting Mad Maggie mentioned. The steep hill ahead looked like a good vantage point and there you drove.

You were about a half-mile or so (who can say on this hot red pan) away from Fort Knucklebone, when a plume of red dust billowed in the distance, created by a large infernal war machine barreling in your direction. The approaching machine seems bigger and louder than Tormentor, resembling that "Dead Brick" you were fixing earlier - the Demon Grinder with gnashing metal teeth at the front and a wrecking ball swinging behind it.The machine is clearly moves to intercept your group.

Once it get closer, you could see that its crew consists of boar-headed and rat-headed humanoids (two of each), all wearing goggles and with a particular big and mean looking boar driving the thing.

Ordrag is having flashbacks about being intercepted, fired upon and boarded by pirates. Don't show them any sign of weakness, he shouts out to his companions. They may back down if us show us mean business. He mans the harpoon and awaits instructions from the leaders in the group...

If combat starts, Ordrag will target the driver with the harpoon (if that's possible)

Choir prepares to hurl her nastiest prayers at the pigmobile, if it gets too close.