"Well, then the play is to get on Arkhan's good side.  Play up that we have no love for Zariel or Bal if we have too and all we are doing may be a good distraction for what she is doing.  I mean what we are doing is going to get focus shifted to us.  Anyone doing something shady will want any break they can get right?"

(Fuel you still have, but the engine by Fran's estimation might need to cool a bit in a few hours. And you all were on your feet (without long rest) for a full day - flying, walking, working, fighting plus Adray can add 8 hours of driving on top of it. You sure you don't want to rest a bit?)

Dao did not elaborate on either retirement or Tiamat's business, but instead lowered his head to Fran and sort of whispered: "That lovely little critter of yours (he nodded toward Lulu) - how much do you want want it? I can promise a good price - better than many if not all."

Lulu did not hear (or listen) the monstrous guardian of Demon Zapper anymore, she was contemplating his previous words it seemed. When everyone returned to Tormentor, she very seriously looked to each of you in the eye and said: "Zariel can be redeemed. I feel it! All she needs is to remember! She needs her sword. And she needs me."

"Not for sale! No deal!" Choir squawks, putting her arms around Lulu. "Friend. We regret that we cannot accomodate you."

(Does this seem like a safe place to rest?)

(Relatively safe - the deal is made, demons that continue to come are zapped, seems like the rest is possible)

Cold appraising eyes turned to Choir, as if calculating kenku's price but lips smiled: "Not insisting, but when - if! - you decide to think about it, remember my offer".

     “Rest.  We all very much need...” Polly says ruefully. This was not her ideal place to take a rest but it seemed there was little choice.  Still, one does what they can... So Polly does the ritual for Leomund’s Tiny Hut once everyone is ready and prepared for sleep.  She will include the vehicle inside it, if it’s not too large for the spell...

We may all have to sleep inside the vehicle to fit but at this point Adray would be ready to have a quick bite and then pass out.

(Hm, the hut is by far not that tiny. Vehicle should it inside.)

Choir wonders if someone should keep watch. She falls asleep while she's wondering. It's been a long day.

((Wasn’t sure if vehicle would count as large...))

     Polly stays awake a little while, though not exactly on watch.  Instead she is preparing her spells for tomorrow and paying no attention to outside the hut. 

Ordrag considers keeping watch until he realises they are secure inside the magic hut, so he too rests.

Fran had strongly considered adding in a specific clause about protecting Lulu in their group huddle when discussing their deal with Dao, but she didn't. She'd hold her position firm, nodding in agreement with Choir. "Lulu is her own person." The artificer would say simply and clearly to the devil who towered tall before her. There was nothing to bargain in regards to the holyphant. Now if there was skill from Fran that he needed, that's something she could work with. But not sweet Lulu.

With a gentle pat on Polly's shoulder, Fran would thank the bubbly wizard for the safe haven. She felt comfortable and truly grateful for the way the gnome manipulated the weave. The artificer would make a quick round to check on everyone before looking for her own place to settle. She'd decide to take a seat with Lulu, looking back into her eyes. "Lulu. Are yeh sure you now remember all? Could there be anythin' else?" She'd ask gently, taking the holyphants hands in hers. "Do yeh truly believe in yer resolve teh redeem Zariel?" Fran believed in Lulu.

Eventually Fran would flop over, snoozing away.

Oh, you all felt clearly that Fran's skills, as well as Polly's, Choir's, Adray's and Ordrag's were accessed and assigned a price-tag to. Genies are like that. Dao did not insist on immediate sale of Lulu and did not mind the hut on the Zapper's territory (circling around it (probably in every direction including the ground underneath) and glancing at Polly with more interest - Polly's price probably rose few notches).

It was enough space in the hut for Tormentor and a bit around to sleep if not comfortably then well enough to get a much needed rest - the day was more than exhausting. Lulu gave Fran's questions long and serious thought. "I do not know if I remember everything. But a lot. I know I can  heal now, can protect too. But most of all, I remember Zariel. She was a warrior, always a warrior, but her dedication to war came out of compassion! She could not stay idle why evil thrived! She wanted to help - even when swore filthy to Asmodeus. And now she needs my help. And yours!"

Whether statements were true or not, but Lulu herself obviously believed in it wholeheartedly.

When morning came (or, with the lack of proper day cycle, when everyone woke up) dao was nowhere to be found (though imps were watching) and after the breakfast (water from hag still tasted better than the one that you had but was already getting stale too) you could continue your travel. Lulu went to Mooncolor, to bring to the Unicorn the word of hope and then joined the group in Tormentor.

Another few hours of travel across the hellscape - a long exhausting trip towards a tower on the horizon, its black spire rising hundreds of feet, its ramparts bristling with charred skulls mounted on iron spikes. The tower’s apex splits into five narrower spires that jab at the sky like clawed fingers. Circling above the tower’s peak is a great dragon looking pinkish in the red light of Avernus.

As you get closer to the tower, you notice figures shuffling atop its ramparts — undead guards in various states of decay.

"Hmm... there are some undead up there.  Is it rude for use to run them over on our way up?  We should avoid them right?  Steer clear and any big groups have Choir scatter them?"  Adray proposes to the group.

(They do not look like random undead - most likely it is part of the Arkhan's forces (dragon, obviously, too), that are guarding the tower.

Well, no point being shy about it, grunts Ordrag. Us may as well drive up to the front gate.

     “Is there a knocker?  Or a bell?  Or do we introduce ourselves to the dead?” Polly said, mirth in her voice.  The craziness of the situation, of the group just nicely going up to the front door and knocking as if there to borrow sugar, was just absurd.  Yet it was also very much their situation...

     “I suppose though they knew we were here once they set us upon us.  Seems hard to sneak up on anyone here...”

Better to put on a show of strength, for what it's worth when you're facing a citadel of undead and they have a dragon.

Hey, open up in there! yells the half-orc. Us want to talk to the master of this place.

Intimidation: 5 if applicable

Adray will drive the tormentor up towards the front gate.  He will blare the horn if there is one, or have one of the mages make alot of noise if they have a cantrip that can.  "Like Ordrag says, 'no point in being shy.'  Maybe gettin their attention calls off the undead.²

The nine-story tower did not have any kind of wall around it but did have a big door. One could call it "massive" - big enough to accommodate a giant. The tower looked as if it was made of huge chunks of obsidian - black mirror reflecting eversetting suns of Avernus.

There was no need to signal anyhow, Tormentor was definitely spotted by the dragon (that at closer look appeared to be of a White variety). The Dragon roared (a warning signal). Ghouls, gnawing on bones near the entrance, raised their heads and a smaller door opened up in the middle of a bigger one, letting out ... The one who stepped out looked like a giant turtle standing on it's hind legs with a spiky shell carved with Draconic runes.

The figure made a step towards Tormentor and stood there, leaning on an impressive black maul, waiting for the machine to stop. The eyes of the turtle were as cold and dead as those of ghouls surrounding him.

(There are dozens of different undead around the tower. The huge White dragon perched himself on the lower part of the tower and watched the party quite intently)

(Are the dragon and maybe-Tortle undead, too?)

Choir looks at the many strange creatures. "Master of this place?" she asks doubtfully, looking at the turtle. She supposes the dragon might start trouble if she tries to banish the undead...