Adray's head snaps around to Polly and he says.  "That is perfect.  You two can remain in there impervious and that gives the rest of us time to get our priest and get back."

(Actually I meant Ordrag was going to go, but whatever, he can stay. We might be over-thinking it.)

Adray was certainly right about time being precious, yet, heroes luck probably still was with them - neither group was attacked. Dry hot sulphur saturated air was still hard on the lungs of the living, cracks of lightnings as menacing as ever, but at least there were no skeletons, scorpions or any other apparently common fauna of this plane.

You found mansion half barricaded incide. "Undead," explained Pherria, ans waved it as something insignificant. "I do not see the Duke or his people with you, and ... Where is the little one? Polly? And that man - Ordrag?" Her face sunk in expectation of bad news: "I sent you to your death, there was nothing anyone could do. I had to know better. I am so sorry!"

Adray holds up a hand to stop her midsentance.  "Stop... listen.  Ordrag and Polly live and we found the Duke.  He is back at the small temple in the graveyard.  He found the helm and put it on.  He's trapped in some sort of mental battle between something angelic and demonic.  We don't have the power to do anything about it beyond killing him.  Do you think you can do something?  If so you have to come with us, now."

(They are not the graveyard I believe. They are at the big temple where we found the refugees. Gedeon came with us and we took the duke there. He left his yugoloths at the cemetery)

Will there be enough time for Polly and Ordrag to take a long rest or are you just running back and forth? If you make it to the refugee camp, locate the priests, make a plan and then take a rest, is there still time to get back? 

(Short rest only, it's all close enough, especially for a small group. I say you have about 3 hours)

Colors returned to Pherria's face and she smiled in relief. Days in the Hell taught people here to think fast (those who did not were already gone): "A battle... Yes... It reminds me of something." She tried to open the book in her hands, realized it's not her scientific notes but the Creed, and called out shy boy, dressed as lower level Acolyte, asking him to bring her notes. "It might take a while... Please, rest a bit while I am checking."

Phettia's caution was unnecessary - her memory worked fine  and she found the ritual she needed quite fast: "I think I know what can help, though can not be sure, of course. But it will take some preparations. Also, have to confess, it is all theoretical, I have never attempted this particular ritual before and there might be a need for help from you, may be even fighting off any evil forces that might try to disrupt the process."

"Now, let's see... The ritual prayer takes only 30 seconds to recite - by three people in a unison. But we need the altar (that we obviously have) in the Temple, and some powerful symbol of courage and self-sacrifice. Also, a volunteer who will hold that symbol, which can be more dangerous than it sounds."

Then Polly will concentrate in the middle of the comfortable bubble for an hour and gather up as much arcane energy as possible and regain a 3rd lvl spellslot (arcane recovery) 

Choir will volunteer to hold the symbol...whatever it ends up being.

Fran would nod firmly understanding what Sister Pherria was suggesting. But if her companions felt it was worth the try and the effort, she would support them. The artificer would gently place a hand on Choirs shoulder and give it a gentle squeeze. “Ye’ may hold teh symbol alone, but don’t ferget. We are with ye’ every step of the way.” She was willing to guard Choir in what she believed to be right.

The preparations were quick, and soon adventurers and the group of acolytes were walking their way back through the dangerous streets to the relative safety of the cathedral in the High Hall. Gedeon stood aside keeping unblinking gaze at the Duke behind Polly's protective dome with Lulu patrolling perimeter of said dome - the picture was almost serene if not for the obvious suffering of the Duke.

"Reverend Gedeon," gasped Pherria, "you... we believed..." she obviously did not know how to finish that sentence. "I am dead," helped her Gedeon, "and yet, I am more alive than any of you. Stop your pointless gawking, Acolite Jynks. Those people here believe you can close the portal of Torm, by taking the Helm of Torm off the head of this man. Can you do it?"

Pherria blushed - likely with anger - and answered more firmly than could be expected: "I will do all I can, though I was not aware it has anything to do with any portal. We are about to proceed, you might want to step back, Re... Gedeon." Dead Priest did not answer but made a few steps back, watching preparations with the grim indifference.

"Chander, would you please bring the greatsword of the Unknown Hero. I believe that will do as a symbol".

While one of the acolyte run away to fetch the sword, Pherria asked Polly to remove the force field, sprinkled the surface of the altar with holy water she brought with her, and asked for help to place (and keep still) the Duke there. When sword has arrived, she gave it to Choir: "All what is needed is to gently rest the sword on the Helm," explained she, "but as the prayer goes... it might become difficult."

Pherria looked around, making sure everything is correct and repeated one last time: "Remember, the ritual prayer should not be interrupted by any means!"

Acolyte took their places around the altar, leaving Choir at the head of it. Pheria sung a high note, projected back from the walls and still intact half-dome of the cathedral - and acolytes begun a chant in a perfect unison.

Choir, Constitution saving throw, please (DC 11)

(Constitution roll with crossed fingers: 9 )

With preparations made, Adary will find a spot that he can be both near the Duke to help hold him down if needed and an eye on as many doors to the chamber as he can.

And so ritual begins. First six seconds Choir could only feel surprised what is so dangerous about keeping a sword, rested on the helm - it's not even heavy this way. But the moment her resolve was tested the first time, two balls of light emerged from the helmet and immediately flew above the altar.

Initiative!  Will-o'-Wisp1 - 20, Will-o'-Wisp2 - 13, Lulu - 17

Ordrag Initiative: 7

Initiative: 10

Adray initiative 14 + 2

(Assuming Choir will be too busy holding the sword to fight, but just in case: Initiative 10 )

(Choir is absolutely bound to keep her concentration on the ritual. So do acolytes)

Fran initiative: 23