Choir looks at her tongue-tied companions and clears her throat. "Looking for a sword?" she says nervously. She looks around the forge for any weapons or swords of fallen angels that might be casually lying around.
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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
Bel raised a brow: "You've done all this" (he slightly raised the tablet from Dao) "to get one of my blades?"
The impossibly hot cavern is full of different weapons. Above the pool of magma in the middle of the cavern, steel pylons and gantries keep a huge machine, slightly resembling Demon Grinders but much larger and of a truly nightmarish design. Along the walls there are many weapon racks with containing swords, spears and what's not too big, though, for anyone in the party to wield effectively. There are few that could fit, you can spot it too through the melting air - a few javelins and swords in a separate rack, fashioned from infernal iron and traced with veins of hellfire that shed dim light. The fire giants in chains are using enormous hammers and anvils to craft more infernal weapons and armor for not yet filled racks.
"Do... Do we just ask and get it?" Polly asks the rest of the group, quietly. "Is that how it works?"
"We would like Zariel's sword," Polly says, turning to Bel, speaking loudly. She immediately regrets it and retreats behind the rest of her companions, scared.
"Oh!" She says and pokes back out from between them. "Please! And thank you!" Then she ducks right back out of sight.
"Not really, no. To get something you would have to give something. That," Bel closed his hand on the tablet, then opened and shook off the dust, "gave you the right to enter and ask. But nothing more."
"If you are searching for the sword of Zariel herself - why did you come here? You did not think that a loyal vassal could have such an important information and hide it from his Lord, did you?"
He was still studying the group and still talking out loud - hardly out of necessity, because even the lowest of devils are keen to telepathy.
"Ambition, it is something that ive seen and heard from every devil so far. The drive to move forward and upward in the hierarchy. Seems like you're at the tippy top, or really just one step shy. Waiting for that the momebt to step in," Adray says. He waves his hands. "We are not asking you to "do" anything. But should we get our hands on the sword and should Zariel be removed from the picture. There would be an open position for ruler and someone powerful, with the right plans could step in."
"Tiamat chose good. But you have a lot to learn yet, human. I am a loyal servant to Zariel, obeying the will of Asmodeus who put her in charge. And you are someone who suggested a treason. Zariel would appreciate a few decorations to her Keep." That was said out loud - again - but this time, there were also voice in your heads, saying quite the opposite. "You came to Avernus, you crossed it, made a few deals and got to me almost unscathed. That is impressive and - I might even say - promising. I might be willing to help you to reach your goals but for a price."
"Something tells me you are not ready to meet our ruler. What are you willing to pay for me not handing you over to Zariel?"
Polly mentally goes over what inventory she has left, hoping to find something she thinks might interest them, and which she feels she can afford to surrender... She comes up empty. The 'loudest' thought she willingly lets slips across her mind is "I got a little bag of sand..."
Choir offers a mayo-and-oatmeal sandwich. One never knows what a devil will be interested in, apart from souls, and she intended to keep hers.
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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 am afraid we operate on a different currency, but I appreciate the gesture."The voice in your heads felt like smiling, though the power of fiends telepathy made connection almost painful. Bel nodded: "That place is as good to talk as any other. And there is something I want. Get me this - and I can give you a creature, that knows where the thing you are looking for is. Though, why settle on so little if you can get so much more?" Another round of painfully attentive look into the soul, another whisper in your mind.
Adray
"You chose your master, I can not free you from her - Tiamat is not a forgiving type. Yet, a smart man makes friends where he goes. One never knows when he might need a helpful hand. A favor in one place might later pay off in another."
Polly
"You want to be brave, little one, you want to be loved, respected - or may be you want to be feared? You can have any or all. You only need to wish for it." Polly sees herself in Academy - a little laughing stalk of misfortune. "Typical Polly!" - the tall slender elven girl is pursing her perfect lips at the sight of her, a self-important gnome, managing to look down at her and calling her a disgrace of her race, the ever-patient human teacher, that can not hide disappointment when she freezes under the eyes of everyone in the audience, helplessly trying to make a simple cantrip, that does not work. And then she sees - and feels! - herself very differently. She is taller - the people around suddenly do not look like giants any more, she is ... attractive? - she catches admiring looks from those who never knew about her existence. She simply thinks about the spell - and the fire appears right there and then where she wants it (that happened to be on the bag of the elven girl). Polly laughs and others around answer with the laughter! The fear in other girl's eyes is so real - truly, it suits her better than disdain. Polly jumps up, spreads her wings - she can fly now! - and descends into the city. A little spell here, a few magic tricks there - all executed to the very perfection! - and she is surrounded by the grateful cheering audience, hanging on her every word, admiring, praising. She never knew the attention can be so pleasing. She can get what she wanted and more, with just the help of a strong caring master. All she need is to accept that help.
Fran
"You are working so hard, fiery one. You give yourself in - all of you, with no reservations. But what do you get back? How many times even one of them thanked you? Or anyone else? And your work? As precious to you as those little scraps are - are they really worth your time and your talent? You could be so much more!" Fran sees herself working in her own workshop - no, the place deserves a different name! It's so grand, it has everything one can possibly imagine to construct whatever comes to her mind. Around her - golems, her very own golems, made by her, obeying her words. She is working on a machine she never knew even existed. All - she knows it with absolute certainty! - for the better of the plane, no - the very realm! It's her machines that keep armies of demons at bay - and everyone knows about it, praising her name, carrying it into the battle. She can even see the battle, so far below, she should be scared to death, and yet she is not - she flies in her own machine, her machine can not fall, she is safe. All she need in order to get all of this - is a little guidance from the just attentive and appreciative master. One word - and she can have it.
Choir
"A bird with no voice, without the sky, never known the feeling of breeze in her feathers, the freedom of the flight. Used by others for the curse you are not responsible for. Forver paying the price of a few greedy among your people, who are long dead. Serving the goddess with so few followers, which she still not care much - primordials are like that. She would never return to you what you always wanted. But there are others, who can." Choir sees her Temple. It is familiar and comforting, even in it's pity to her - someone, who so ... limited in so many ways, but who grew up here. The people - loving, even if it's a pitying love, the walls - old but so familiar, the rare pilgrims. She did not have a chance to see what the place become now, but her imagination showed her ruins with demons chasing survivors, killing and destroying everyone and everything. In front of her very eyes disgusting figures with cat-like paws and claws ripped apart someone familiar - Choir did not want to even thing who could that be! She would not be able to help anyway - a lone bird against hoards of demons, what could she do? A lot! Choir suddenly felt herself to be bigger and more powerful than she ever felt! With a mighty weapon in her hand - yes, it was a human like hand, but who cares, behind her back she felt a real wings that easily lifted her up and allowed to descent on that cat-paws demons like a hurricane, destroying invaders for good! Flying itself was an amazing feeling - not on the back of a creature, not with any kind of contraption but with her own wings! Complete and absolute freedom! But it was more than that - she felt like an angel of vengeance, personification of retributive justice, singing the song of the battle with her own voice with her own words! All she needed to do to make it true was to bring her loyalty to someone, who can granted the wish. So simple, almost without conditions - just a few words to the master who could truly understand her desire.
Ordrag
"You are strong warrior, half-orc. Appreciated by many but loved by a few. You work a lot, save what you can - and yet it is still not enough to set the one you love most free, is it? Would not it feel good to let your mother live her own life, in her own house, with no worries where to get a coin to survive another day? Free from her cruel master, pig clients, sideglances, insults? Ordrag have not being home for some time, but can see Luskan ports vividly - noisy, colorful, dirty in every meaning of the word. His mother "worked" there and Ordrag did all he could to get her out. To some degree it worked, but this is a hard business to quit on your own, or hide the money and keep them from the pimp - the man does not care where they come from. But the picture fades away and Ordrag sees himself saying goodby to his mother on the porch of a lovely house, leaving her with ease of knowledge that she is well cared for, with a couple of servants and enough gold to live for years ahead. He, himself, returns to the sea - but not straight to the ship, he makes a stop in a quiet lagoon to swim, to dive, to fully enjoy the warm tender water. Why was he ever afraid of it? Swimming is like flying, better than that! And he can challenge a dolphin to the race with his skills! Then he returns - his three mast ship was patiently waiting for his Captain and the greetings of the crew warm his heart. The picture is lovely, all Ordrag needs to do to get it is to pledge his loyalty to someone who wishes nothing more than to help him.
I can be strong. Confident. Brave. The thoughts tempted to small gnome like nothing ever before had. Useful...
"You... You'll give us a creature who knows where the sword of Zariel is. This creature... Will it leads us there? Safely?" Polly's voice was wavering but loud.
"Will it do it's best to lead us away from dangers... while still guiding us to the sword with as little delay as possible?" Polly asks, doubtfully but with consideration in her voice. "Just because a creature knows a thing does not mean it will do the other things. A sentient belt can know a thing but if all it can do is hold up your pants, well then it's not helpful at all."
Her thoughts races, even before hearing the answers. She could gain so much. Be so much. She could take the powers and use them to do so much... and have so long to figure out a way to slip out from the chains of the deal later. Polly didn't want to think about it, didn't want to consider it at all... But to really be able to help her friends and teammates. To really be able to help herself...
"I..." she whispered.
I can be strong, she thought.
"I..." she whispered a little more loudly.
I can be powerful, she thought.
"I..." she said.
"I..."
I will be brave, she thought.
"I...." she said, this time with confidence.
Owis, the Fey Mouse which is her familiar, crawled out of the pocket it had been hiding in for much of this adventure through hell. It made tiny, all but unheard noises of concern and worry as Polly's thoughts raced and raced. Owis skittered up her clothing and perched upon Polly's shoulder. As Polly had made up her mind, Owis stretch up an bit (was really no more than a nibble) Polly's ear, demanding her attention...
"Ow!" Polly squeaked out. "Owis!! What are you... Oh. Oh, oh, oh.... I... I would lose you, wouldn't I? Oh Owis.... I could never lose you!"
Carefully reaching up to her shoulder, Polly let Owis skitter onto her hand. She brought the Fey Mouse close in and gave it a soft, little kiss atop it's fuzzy head, right between his large floppy ears.
Choir sat down on the floor suddenly, holding her head in her hands. Akadi had just forgiven one disloyalty, how could she be tempted to another already?
But flying...
If she agreed, would she ever be able to return to the temple? Was it truly destroyed? Did the High Priestess and her other friends still live?
But flying...
How could she even consider giving up her beautiful feathers for a bats wings? And even words of her own. Flying would not be free in the open sky of Akadi, but always with a leash to a devil, enslaved. Like a hawk on jesses. The Augury spell failed her last time she tried it, so she had given p preparing it, but she rolls a sparkly, just hoping for a hope of a hint of Akadi's interest...
17
(Whoa.) Feeling the touch of Akadi upon her, Choir stands tall and looks defiantly at the devil. Do they really need to sell one of their souls for this information? There has to be some other way. Choir would remain herself.
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
Polly tilts her head as if listening to Owis. Or, perhaps, to some inner voice that only she could hear. "It's for the best, Owis. I'll change, yes. And so will you," she says in a whisper. "But in the end we'll still be us. But better us. And we'll be closer than ever we have been. We'll be strong, and powerful and a real team. You'll see....."
"I..." Once more Polly starts off, he voice quiet and unsteady. But as she speaks confidence pours into the voice. "I accept. I accept it all. We need the information and if I am going to owe you a debt for that information then I shall take the information and all else that you offer. Give it to me. Give it all to me!."
"Your eagerness gives you credits, little one." Bel concentrated his attention on Polly - the might of his will felt almost physically. "Or may be not so little?" His smile hurt too.
"You pledge yourself to me, the one known as Pollymorpha Greendale. I accept your oath, your loyalty will be ever rewarded, your betrayal will be punished. Let the will of Asmodeus seal the fealty".
Polly suddenly found herself loudly reciting in Infernal an oath binding her to the mighty Fiend on the throne - and feeling nothing but pure excitement. "Here you my Lord Bel, that I, Pollymorpha Greendale, from this day forth to you shall be faithful and lowly, and to you shall do all the customs and services that I ought to do. Nor will I ever with will or action, through word or deed, do anything which is unpleasing to you, on condition that you will hold to me as I shall deserve it, and that you will perform everything as it was in our agreement when I submitted myself to you and chose your will".
Only Fran could understand the words and probably only Lulu fully grasped the happening. The hollyphant did not try to stop Polly - as she did not stop Adray before, free will was sacred to the little celestial, she just looked very unhappy and strangely determined as if promising herself something.
Heavy words seemed to hang in the hot air - it was not a simple binding contract, but something deeper - a mortal pledging herself freely to the Hell. Not unique by far and yet, the Archdevil's smile looked incredibly proud and satisfied.
As Polly talked, a cloud of pitch-black smoke, the puff of pure blackness rose from the ground swirling around her feet, knees, waistline - going up, until it covered her full. The cloud got taller, puffier - and then begun to dissipate, letting those around to get glimpses of the transformation the little figure inside was getting through. A lean shape of a human size, feminine but with predatory stance of a trained warrior, with the skin of a pale shade of green not un-similar to grass, long, wild, bushy hair of a dark, rich green like a pine but with wild highlights of red and gold and auburn as if littered with autumnal leaves. Horns protruded from her forehead a few inches before bending back and branching out and circling around her head, making it look like a thorny crown woven of dark brown twigs and branches. The shape grew a tail that continued out from the base of her spine almost the whole length of her again and ending in a tip similar to a red and gold beech leaf. And finally, from her shoulder blades, sprouted bat like wings. They seemed small, delicate, surely not enough to lift the newly formed tiefling... But as the branch like edges and framework of them are done growing, and a thin membrane of green leaf like skin forms across them, they flicker and bat and eventually lift her aloft...
Where the small gnome was standing just moments ago, a devil like creature was hovering - beautiful and dangerous, bursting with magical power. Bel did not hide his satisfaction openly enjoying the view of his new creation. "The loyalty is always rewarded" repeated Fiend and looked at the rest of the group "that is the law."
Choir gapes as Polly transforms, in horror, tinged with jealousy as the tiefling takes off. ""Polly?" she asks, just to be sure.
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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 thoughts in Ordrag's mind are almost enough to bring a tear to his eye - but such a waste of precious water in this place had to be prevented. Forcing these rare emotions back down deep where they belong, the half-orc sailor hardened his mind against the temptation. Such things should not be. Everyone has their place in life, and hard work with fair payment, without undue ambition, is the only way to change that.
Despite these thoughts, Ordrag could also understand how someone else could choose such a path, perhaps not to artificially change their station, but to give themselves greater power or opportunity to do so. And so it was with respect and not horror that he watched little timid Polly submit herself to the devil's offer and transform herself into something more befitting her wishes...
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How does a red dragon blow out the candles on its birthday cake?
Adray heard the voice in his head and felt nothing amiss about it. He knew he was stuck with Tiamat, at least for now, and he figured trading favors would be expected.
He was surprised and honestly a little scared as Polly transformed. He had not known that the Devil spoke to the others but that shouldn't have surprised him. Henonly hoped that whatever price was paid that Polly understood it all.
Fran would shift uncomfortably, grumbling to herself. She could only listen and watch Polly’s transformation, unable to settle on how she felt about the whole thing. But, truly, it didn’t matter how she felt about it. It was Polly’s decision. The artificer would only take a step back in an attempt to put herself back into the shadows. She would simply stand firm keeping Mooncolour and Lulu in her sights.
Adray shifts from foot to foot as he watches Polly recite something in a harsh language. When it was done he'd look between the two. "Polly, ya still with us?"
"It..." Polly starts, but pauses. Not out of reservation or timidness, but merely at the sound of her voice. It was as new to her as it surely was to the others.
"It is me," Polly says, her voice strong and assured and unwavering. "Same me, just differently packaged." Polly held out her hands and turned them, looking them over. Then reached up to touch her face, her hair, her horns.
"It will take some getting used to but nothing has changed big picture wise. We still have our mission and our goal, now we'll just have some assistance along the way." Polly shrugged and the shrug turned into a big, full body stretch and she worked the kinks out of her new body. At the end of the stretch she just let it all go with a giant shake, wriggling shaking from top of her head to the tip of her tail, not unlike a dog shaking water out of it's fur.
Giving herself one more quick look over she smirked to herself. "Well, at least the clothes got stretched out along with the rest of me, huh?" With that, Polly took up her staff and twirled it between her fingers like a baton. "Really all, it's fine. The person who ends the journey is never the same who began it. My changes are just a bit more visible than mosts. We're all good... We got this."
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Choir looks at her tongue-tied companions and clears her throat. "Looking for a sword?" she says nervously. She looks around the forge for any weapons or swords of fallen angels that might be casually lying around.
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
Bel raised a brow: "You've done all this" (he slightly raised the tablet from Dao) "to get one of my blades?"
The impossibly hot cavern is full of different weapons. Above the pool of magma in the middle of the cavern, steel pylons and gantries keep a huge machine, slightly resembling Demon Grinders but much larger and of a truly nightmarish design. Along the walls there are many weapon racks with containing swords, spears and what's not too big, though, for anyone in the party to wield effectively. There are few that could fit, you can spot it too through the melting air - a few javelins and swords in a separate rack, fashioned from infernal iron and traced with veins of hellfire that shed dim light. The fire giants in chains are using enormous hammers and anvils to craft more infernal weapons and armor for not yet filled racks.
But non of it is a Zariel's sword, obviously.
"Which would it be that you want?"
Meili Liang Lvl 5 Monk
Dice
"Do... Do we just ask and get it?" Polly asks the rest of the group, quietly. "Is that how it works?"
"We would like Zariel's sword," Polly says, turning to Bel, speaking loudly. She immediately regrets it and retreats behind the rest of her companions, scared.
"Oh!" She says and pokes back out from between them. "Please! And thank you!" Then she ducks right back out of sight.
"Not really, no. To get something you would have to give something. That," Bel closed his hand on the tablet, then opened and shook off the dust, "gave you the right to enter and ask. But nothing more."
"If you are searching for the sword of Zariel herself - why did you come here? You did not think that a loyal vassal could have such an important information and hide it from his Lord, did you?"
He was still studying the group and still talking out loud - hardly out of necessity, because even the lowest of devils are keen to telepathy.
Meili Liang Lvl 5 Monk
Dice
"Ambition, it is something that ive seen and heard from every devil so far. The drive to move forward and upward in the hierarchy. Seems like you're at the tippy top, or really just one step shy. Waiting for that the momebt to step in," Adray says. He waves his hands. "We are not asking you to "do" anything. But should we get our hands on the sword and should Zariel be removed from the picture. There would be an open position for ruler and someone powerful, with the right plans could step in."
"Tiamat chose good. But you have a lot to learn yet, human. I am a loyal servant to Zariel, obeying the will of Asmodeus who put her in charge. And you are someone who suggested a treason. Zariel would appreciate a few decorations to her Keep." That was said out loud - again - but this time, there were also voice in your heads, saying quite the opposite. "You came to Avernus, you crossed it, made a few deals and got to me almost unscathed. That is impressive and - I might even say - promising. I might be willing to help you to reach your goals but for a price."
"Something tells me you are not ready to meet our ruler. What are you willing to pay for me not handing you over to Zariel?"
Meili Liang Lvl 5 Monk
Dice
Polly mentally goes over what inventory she has left, hoping to find something she thinks might interest them, and which she feels she can afford to surrender... She comes up empty. The 'loudest' thought she willingly lets slips across her mind is "I got a little bag of sand..."
Adray huffs a little. "Well, why don't find some place to sit and negotiate." He suggests.
Choir offers a mayo-and-oatmeal sandwich. One never knows what a devil will be interested in, apart from souls, and she intended to keep hers.
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 am afraid we operate on a different currency, but I appreciate the gesture." The voice in your heads felt like smiling, though the power of fiends telepathy made connection almost painful. Bel nodded: "That place is as good to talk as any other. And there is something I want. Get me this - and I can give you a creature, that knows where the thing you are looking for is. Though, why settle on so little if you can get so much more?" Another round of painfully attentive look into the soul, another whisper in your mind.
Adray
"You chose your master, I can not free you from her - Tiamat is not a forgiving type. Yet, a smart man makes friends where he goes. One never knows when he might need a helpful hand. A favor in one place might later pay off in another."
Polly
"You want to be brave, little one, you want to be loved, respected - or may be you want to be feared? You can have any or all. You only need to wish for it."
Polly sees herself in Academy - a little laughing stalk of misfortune. "Typical Polly!" - the tall slender elven girl is pursing her perfect lips at the sight of her, a self-important gnome, managing to look down at her and calling her a disgrace of her race, the ever-patient human teacher, that can not hide disappointment when she freezes under the eyes of everyone in the audience, helplessly trying to make a simple cantrip, that does not work. And then she sees - and feels! - herself very differently. She is taller - the people around suddenly do not look like giants any more, she is ... attractive? - she catches admiring looks from those who never knew about her existence. She simply thinks about the spell - and the fire appears right there and then where she wants it (that happened to be on the bag of the elven girl). Polly laughs and others around answer with the laughter! The fear in other girl's eyes is so real - truly, it suits her better than disdain. Polly jumps up, spreads her wings - she can fly now! - and descends into the city. A little spell here, a few magic tricks there - all executed to the very perfection! - and she is surrounded by the grateful cheering audience, hanging on her every word, admiring, praising. She never knew the attention can be so pleasing.
She can get what she wanted and more, with just the help of a strong caring master. All she need is to accept that help.
Fran
"You are working so hard, fiery one. You give yourself in - all of you, with no reservations. But what do you get back? How many times even one of them thanked you? Or anyone else? And your work? As precious to you as those little scraps are - are they really worth your time and your talent? You could be so much more!"
Fran sees herself working in her own workshop - no, the place deserves a different name! It's so grand, it has everything one can possibly imagine to construct whatever comes to her mind. Around her - golems, her very own golems, made by her, obeying her words. She is working on a machine she never knew even existed. All - she knows it with absolute certainty! - for the better of the plane, no - the very realm! It's her machines that keep armies of demons at bay - and everyone knows about it, praising her name, carrying it into the battle. She can even see the battle, so far below, she should be scared to death, and yet she is not - she flies in her own machine, her machine can not fall, she is safe.
All she need in order to get all of this - is a little guidance from the just attentive and appreciative master. One word - and she can have it.
Choir
"A bird with no voice, without the sky, never known the feeling of breeze in her feathers, the freedom of the flight. Used by others for the curse you are not responsible for. Forver paying the price of a few greedy among your people, who are long dead. Serving the goddess with so few followers, which she still not care much - primordials are like that. She would never return to you what you always wanted. But there are others, who can."
Choir sees her Temple. It is familiar and comforting, even in it's pity to her - someone, who so ... limited in so many ways, but who grew up here. The people - loving, even if it's a pitying love, the walls - old but so familiar, the rare pilgrims. She did not have a chance to see what the place become now, but her imagination showed her ruins with demons chasing survivors, killing and destroying everyone and everything. In front of her very eyes disgusting figures with cat-like paws and claws ripped apart someone familiar - Choir did not want to even thing who could that be! She would not be able to help anyway - a lone bird against hoards of demons, what could she do?
A lot! Choir suddenly felt herself to be bigger and more powerful than she ever felt! With a mighty weapon in her hand - yes, it was a human like hand, but who cares, behind her back she felt a real wings that easily lifted her up and allowed to descent on that cat-paws demons like a hurricane, destroying invaders for good! Flying itself was an amazing feeling - not on the back of a creature, not with any kind of contraption but with her own wings! Complete and absolute freedom! But it was more than that - she felt like an angel of vengeance, personification of retributive justice, singing the song of the battle with her own voice with her own words!
All she needed to do to make it true was to bring her loyalty to someone, who can granted the wish. So simple, almost without conditions - just a few words to the master who could truly understand her desire.
Ordrag
"You are strong warrior, half-orc. Appreciated by many but loved by a few. You work a lot, save what you can - and yet it is still not enough to set the one you love most free, is it? Would not it feel good to let your mother live her own life, in her own house, with no worries where to get a coin to survive another day? Free from her cruel master, pig clients, sideglances, insults? Ordrag have not being home for some time, but can see Luskan ports vividly - noisy, colorful, dirty in every meaning of the word. His mother "worked" there and Ordrag did all he could to get her out. To some degree it worked, but this is a hard business to quit on your own, or hide the money and keep them from the pimp - the man does not care where they come from.
But the picture fades away and Ordrag sees himself saying goodby to his mother on the porch of a lovely house, leaving her with ease of knowledge that she is well cared for, with a couple of servants and enough gold to live for years ahead. He, himself, returns to the sea - but not straight to the ship, he makes a stop in a quiet lagoon to swim, to dive, to fully enjoy the warm tender water. Why was he ever afraid of it? Swimming is like flying, better than that! And he can challenge a dolphin to the race with his skills! Then he returns - his three mast ship was patiently waiting for his Captain and the greetings of the crew warm his heart.
The picture is lovely, all Ordrag needs to do to get it is to pledge his loyalty to someone who wishes nothing more than to help him.
Meili Liang Lvl 5 Monk
Dice
I can be strong. Confident. Brave. The thoughts tempted to small gnome like nothing ever before had. Useful...
"You... You'll give us a creature who knows where the sword of Zariel is. This creature... Will it leads us there? Safely?" Polly's voice was wavering but loud.
"Will it do it's best to lead us away from dangers... while still guiding us to the sword with as little delay as possible?" Polly asks, doubtfully but with consideration in her voice. "Just because a creature knows a thing does not mean it will do the other things. A sentient belt can know a thing but if all it can do is hold up your pants, well then it's not helpful at all."
Her thoughts races, even before hearing the answers. She could gain so much. Be so much. She could take the powers and use them to do so much... and have so long to figure out a way to slip out from the chains of the deal later. Polly didn't want to think about it, didn't want to consider it at all... But to really be able to help her friends and teammates. To really be able to help herself...
"I..." she whispered.
I can be strong, she thought.
"I..." she whispered a little more loudly.
I can be powerful, she thought.
"I..." she said.
"I..."
I will be brave, she thought.
"I...." she said, this time with confidence.
Owis, the Fey Mouse which is her familiar, crawled out of the pocket it had been hiding in for much of this adventure through hell. It made tiny, all but unheard noises of concern and worry as Polly's thoughts raced and raced. Owis skittered up her clothing and perched upon Polly's shoulder. As Polly had made up her mind, Owis stretch up an bit (was really no more than a nibble) Polly's ear, demanding her attention...
"Ow!" Polly squeaked out. "Owis!! What are you... Oh. Oh, oh, oh.... I... I would lose you, wouldn't I? Oh Owis.... I could never lose you!"
Carefully reaching up to her shoulder, Polly let Owis skitter onto her hand. She brought the Fey Mouse close in and gave it a soft, little kiss atop it's fuzzy head, right between his large floppy ears.
Choir sat down on the floor suddenly, holding her head in her hands. Akadi had just forgiven one disloyalty, how could she be tempted to another already?
But flying...
If she agreed, would she ever be able to return to the temple? Was it truly destroyed? Did the High Priestess and her other friends still live?
But flying...
How could she even consider giving up her beautiful feathers for a bats wings? And even words of her own. Flying would not be free in the open sky of Akadi, but always with a leash to a devil, enslaved. Like a hawk on jesses. The Augury spell failed her last time she tried it, so she had given p preparing it, but she rolls a sparkly, just hoping for a hope of a hint of Akadi's interest...
17
(Whoa.) Feeling the touch of Akadi upon her, Choir stands tall and looks defiantly at the devil. Do they really need to sell one of their souls for this information? There has to be some other way. Choir would remain herself.
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
Polly tilts her head as if listening to Owis. Or, perhaps, to some inner voice that only she could hear. "It's for the best, Owis. I'll change, yes. And so will you," she says in a whisper. "But in the end we'll still be us. But better us. And we'll be closer than ever we have been. We'll be strong, and powerful and a real team. You'll see....."
"I..." Once more Polly starts off, he voice quiet and unsteady. But as she speaks confidence pours into the voice. "I accept. I accept it all. We need the information and if I am going to owe you a debt for that information then I shall take the information and all else that you offer. Give it to me. Give it all to me!."
"Your eagerness gives you credits, little one." Bel concentrated his attention on Polly - the might of his will felt almost physically. "Or may be not so little?" His smile hurt too.
"You pledge yourself to me, the one known as Pollymorpha Greendale. I accept your oath, your loyalty will be ever rewarded, your betrayal will be punished. Let the will of Asmodeus seal the fealty".
Polly suddenly found herself loudly reciting in Infernal an oath binding her to the mighty Fiend on the throne - and feeling nothing but pure excitement. "Here you my Lord Bel, that I, Pollymorpha Greendale, from this day forth to you shall be faithful and lowly, and to you shall do all the customs and services that I ought to do. Nor will I ever with will or action, through word or deed, do anything which is unpleasing to you, on condition that you will hold to me as I shall deserve it, and that you will perform everything as it was in our agreement when I submitted myself to you and chose your will".
Only Fran could understand the words and probably only Lulu fully grasped the happening. The hollyphant did not try to stop Polly - as she did not stop Adray before, free will was sacred to the little celestial, she just looked very unhappy and strangely determined as if promising herself something.
Heavy words seemed to hang in the hot air - it was not a simple binding contract, but something deeper - a mortal pledging herself freely to the Hell. Not unique by far and yet, the Archdevil's smile looked incredibly proud and satisfied.
As Polly talked, a cloud of pitch-black smoke, the puff of pure blackness rose from the ground swirling around her feet, knees, waistline - going up, until it covered her full. The cloud got taller, puffier - and then begun to dissipate, letting those around to get glimpses of the transformation the little figure inside was getting through. A lean shape of a human size, feminine but with predatory stance of a trained warrior, with the skin of a pale shade of green not un-similar to grass, long, wild, bushy hair of a dark, rich green like a pine but with wild highlights of red and gold and auburn as if littered with autumnal leaves. Horns protruded from her forehead a few inches before bending back and branching out and circling around her head, making it look like a thorny crown woven of dark brown twigs and branches. The shape grew a tail that continued out from the base of her spine almost the whole length of her again and ending in a tip similar to a red and gold beech leaf. And finally, from her shoulder blades, sprouted bat like wings. They seemed small, delicate, surely not enough to lift the newly formed tiefling... But as the branch like edges and framework of them are done growing, and a thin membrane of green leaf like skin forms across them, they flicker and bat and eventually lift her aloft...
Where the small gnome was standing just moments ago, a devil like creature was hovering - beautiful and dangerous, bursting with magical power. Bel did not hide his satisfaction openly enjoying the view of his new creation. "The loyalty is always rewarded" repeated Fiend and looked at the rest of the group "that is the law."
Meili Liang Lvl 5 Monk
Dice
Choir gapes as Polly transforms, in horror, tinged with jealousy as the tiefling takes off. ""Polly?" she asks, just to be sure.
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
The thoughts in Ordrag's mind are almost enough to bring a tear to his eye - but such a waste of precious water in this place had to be prevented. Forcing these rare emotions back down deep where they belong, the half-orc sailor hardened his mind against the temptation. Such things should not be. Everyone has their place in life, and hard work with fair payment, without undue ambition, is the only way to change that.
Despite these thoughts, Ordrag could also understand how someone else could choose such a path, perhaps not to artificially change their station, but to give themselves greater power or opportunity to do so. And so it was with respect and not horror that he watched little timid Polly submit herself to the devil's offer and transform herself into something more befitting her wishes...
How does a red dragon blow out the candles on its birthday cake?
Adray heard the voice in his head and felt nothing amiss about it. He knew he was stuck with Tiamat, at least for now, and he figured trading favors would be expected.
He was surprised and honestly a little scared as Polly transformed. He had not known that the Devil spoke to the others but that shouldn't have surprised him. Henonly hoped that whatever price was paid that Polly understood it all.
Fran would shift uncomfortably, grumbling to herself. She could only listen and watch Polly’s transformation, unable to settle on how she felt about the whole thing. But, truly, it didn’t matter how she felt about it. It was Polly’s decision. The artificer would only take a step back in an attempt to put herself back into the shadows. She would simply stand firm keeping Mooncolour and Lulu in her sights.
just an unstable unicorn.
Adray shifts from foot to foot as he watches Polly recite something in a harsh language. When it was done he'd look between the two. "Polly, ya still with us?"
"It..." Polly starts, but pauses. Not out of reservation or timidness, but merely at the sound of her voice. It was as new to her as it surely was to the others.
"It is me," Polly says, her voice strong and assured and unwavering. "Same me, just differently packaged." Polly held out her hands and turned them, looking them over. Then reached up to touch her face, her hair, her horns.
"It will take some getting used to but nothing has changed big picture wise. We still have our mission and our goal, now we'll just have some assistance along the way." Polly shrugged and the shrug turned into a big, full body stretch and she worked the kinks out of her new body. At the end of the stretch she just let it all go with a giant shake, wriggling shaking from top of her head to the tip of her tail, not unlike a dog shaking water out of it's fur.
Giving herself one more quick look over she smirked to herself. "Well, at least the clothes got stretched out along with the rest of me, huh?" With that, Polly took up her staff and twirled it between her fingers like a baton. "Really all, it's fine. The person who ends the journey is never the same who began it. My changes are just a bit more visible than mosts. We're all good... We got this."