Ordrag stands by the door and waits for his friends to carry the conversation. The tiefling's reference to 'that terrible place' seems ironic. At least the duke's diabolical dungeon had a clear purpose, as opposed to this castle filled with useless books and equally-useless bookworms.

Fran would absolutely keep the schematics for now. She might want to come back one day, or the rare case of needing a favour, she had this knowledge, literally in her back pocket.

Once escorted to the tiefling's study, the artificer would pick her spot near the door, leaning back against the wall with her arms crossed as she usually does. She'd evaluate the area and the figures standing before her, not hiding a raised brow of surprise when she spots the little demon. "Aye. We found lotsa stuff." Fran would shift her weight to the other foot, letting in a pause. "Fergive me if I seem rude." She'd glance over to Falastar, "'E can attest teh our experience with these lil devilkin." She'd nod her head to the woman's companion. "Even in this esteemed establishment, trust comes with caution." Fran would meet eyes with the woman.

Insight: 3

"Oh, do not mind Jezebel," smiled Sylvira, "she is ... a companion? Yes, I think that would be the word. Kind of a professional quirk. Some entomologists keep poisonous spiders as pets, I study Outer Planes, with specialty on Hells. Jez is my "spider", adds just the right amount of mischief and chaos to my quiet and monotonous life. But I assure you, she is harmless."

"Now, did you find the infernal box among the "stuff?""

Choir eyes the little devil with suspicion.  She's not going to try to pet this one.

(Who has the box, by the way? Polly?)

(I don't remember who ended up with it last. I know Fran did inspect it. I would say Fran or Polly.)

Fran would ease up a little from Sylvira's nonchalant explanation of her companion. She'll look down to Brutus and give him a good hallow pat, then look back over to the tiefling with an approving nod. "Fair." The artificer will then relax her posture, "Aye. We found a fancy box. Ain't no crafting this jeweller 'er artificer recognizes how teh crack." She'd regretfully admit.

The woman took the box and checked it out turning left and right as if admiring good work.

"Don't be too hard on yourself - not many can do it. Magic puzzle boxes is a hobby of mine, made and even sold a few myself. To open an unfamiliar puzzle box you need a bit of magic, a lot of patience, some luck and a special solution I had to invent for cases like that."

Sylvyra was talking while checking some vials on her alchemy table. "No, not here," finally admitted she, "Jez, would you mind bringing the solution?". Impish creature flew out to the next room and soon returned with a flask of dark liquid. Sylvyra opened it and poured a small amount on top of the box, revealing the maze-like troughs carved into the box’s surface. Then she tipped the box so that the liquid flowed in certain directions through the patterns. "Now we have to wait a few moment"

“I’ve been suspicious of the High Observer of Elturel for a long time. But no one wanted to hear my concerns, because Thavius Kreeg was widely regarded as a hero who saved his city from an undead scourge, giving rise to the holy nation of Elturgard."

“You are all Elturelian, right? Then you too swore an oath, to defend the nation of Elturgard, right?" Reya nodded - the obvious thing for the warrior and a Hellrider, but in Elturel civilians had to take to oath as well, which citizens saw as sign of devotion to their principals.

"That oath was invented by Thavius Kreeg himself, praised for his deeds and the highest moral standards. But when I met him years ago, all my instincts told me he was a charlatan. Afterwards, I grew to suspect that he had cut a deal with one of more powerful devils, using the oath he invented to bind all Elturel to his dark deal."

“Since then I wished to prove my theory, and I believe the evidence is locked inside this particular puzzle box.”

When she finished, the box’s horn inlays popped loose and it broke apart. From inside the box Sylvyra took out a stack of nine chain-linked plates, each three inches on a side, cast of dark iron, and stamped with Infernal runes. Impatiently she looked through them, triumphantly exclaimed "I was right!" and then read for those, who did not speak Infernal:

"Be it known to all that I, Thavius Kreeg, High Observer of Elturel, have sworn to my master, Zariel, lord of Avernus, to keep the agreements contained in this oath.

I hereby submit to Zariel in all matters and for all time. I will place Her above all creatures, living and dead. I will obey Her all my days and beyond with fear and servility.

I recognize the dispensation of the device called the Solar Insidiator, hereafter called the Companion. In my capacity as High Observer of Elturel and its vassal territories, I acknowledge that all lands falling under the light of the Companion are forfeit to Zariel. All persons bound by oath to defend Elturel are also considered forfeit. I further recognize that this dispensation will last fifty years, after which the Companion will return whence it came, taking Elturel and its oath-bound defenders with it, if that is Zariel’s wish.

All this is my everlasting pledge."

A chair goes flying across the room shortly after Sylvyra finished reading the contract.  "That bastard..." he swears and then looks up.  "I was over it when he admitted to making a deal to prolong his life but this, set in place 50 years ago.  It means he set this shi" up to lure good folk to his holy city for 50 years and growing the number of civilians to maximize the casualties...including us who swore the oath"

He paces for a moment still agitate and then sits on the table.  "Anything else there listed on those plates?  Like a loop hole or how to get there so we can kill Zariel?" he asks with a hint of desperation.

"All persons bound by oath to defend Elturel are also considered forfeit..." Choir repeated. That didn't seem right.  Choir was sworn to Akadi.  Kreeg had no right to sign her away, and Zariel had no right to her in any case.  Struggling to assemble vocabulary from her memory Choir spluttered out, "Zariel and Kreeg can kiss my feathery backside! Praise Akadi!"

Fran would blink in disbelief. She’d walk over to Sylvira mumbling and grumbling. The artificer will help herself to the document so she could read it with her own eyes. “Awe, what the f-“ and she’d start cursing off more colourfully than she did when the shield was taken. “I echoe Adray’s sentiment!” The red head would grumble some more, wishing she had something that wasn’t Sylvira’s to boot across the room. She’d want to crumple the paper up so bad, but would put it down firmly before she lit it on fire.

Fran would continue muttering as she began to pace the room. “My feathers are ruffled too.” She’d grumble in agreement with Choir. “No stinkin’ right...” mutter, mutter, grumble...

Ordrag is astonished at the concept that a single leader has the power to commit his entire citizenry to diabolical service. He wonders briefly how his companions from Elturel and the other refugees avoided being transported to Hell along with the city itself, but is glad that he isn't included in the deal ... until he remembers that he has sworn an oath to the Flaming Fist, and also accepted citizenship of Baldur's Gate. If Thavius Kreeg could do what he did with Elturel, then surely Duke Vanthampur or her family, or some other subordinate, could do the same with Baldur's Gate!

Polly just stare at the box. She had read a little bit about how to make contracts with other beings. After all, she had made one with Owis. But she never thought someone could do this. Binding other people to a contract? How was that even possible? 

The atmosphere in the room has gotten thick and Polly has a hard time meeting anyone’s gaze. Although she is not from Elturel she can imagine what the others are going through. This kind of betrayal is going to leave a big scar on her friends. 

Eventually she speak up with a low voice “I’m so sorry guys, this is aweful. I promise you, we will get revenge for this and bring Elturel back.” To the tie tiefling she ask “What more do you know about what happened to Elturel Sylvira?”

Surprisingly, Reya managed to keep her cool - sort of: she did not yell or tried to break anything. Probably because all the tears and cries run off after the first news about Kreeg's betrayal back in Baldur's Gate. “If Zariel wants my soul,” calmly said Reya, “she’s welcome to try to take it.”

Sylvyra looked at the group with a sad expression. "I am afraid, she will do just that when time comes. May be strong devotion to a very benevolent god, or an enormously great deed can free your soul - I do not know for sure, but think about it. One thing I do know, though: killing Zariel is simply impossible. She is an archdevil of the Nine Hells and the ruler of Avernus - the first layer of all nine. She is ... not vicious but devoted beyond comprehension. Yet, outside her ... obsession(?) she is not completely without reason. As - surprisingly! - many inhabitants there." Sylvyra gave Jaz a cookie and the little devil disappeared behind the labtable, grumbling.

"Hellrider," Sylvyra suddenly looked at Reya, "what were you taught about Zariel?"

Reya sighed, "She was praised as the greatest hero, who sacrificed herself for her people. The story is told at initiation.

“It was over a century past that the great troubles began. Fiends roamed the lands to the north and west of Elturel. Fields were despoiled, livestock slaughtered, homes razed, and people dragged off to a terrible and unknowable fate. Terror gripped the hearts of all.

“The city’s cavalry rode across the land, striking down fiends wherever they found them and suffering fearful losses. But it was never enough. For every fiend they destroyed, it seemed as though two more appeared elsewhere. The ruler of Elturel, the High Rider, asked his people to pray to the gods for aid. To everyone’s astonishment, a mighty angel entered the city the next day. Her name was Zariel, which means Companion of Light. The prayers of Elturel had been heard, and help had come.

“Zariel located the gate through which the fiends were entering the natural world, on the Fields of the Dead west of the city. Zariel declared that she would lead the cavalry into Avernus, destroying the infernal host that was amassing there, and striking a great blow against the forces of darkness.

“The High Rider sent out the riders of Elturel, now numbering many thousands, with Zariel at their head, riding a golden mastodon. With a great cry, Zariel and her army charged through the gate. The legions of Avernus trembled and buckled, but did not crumble. Zariel was defeated, and the remnants of her army returned to Elturel, overcome with grief at the loss of their glorious general but confident that the lords of the Nine Hells would think twice about threatening Elturel again.

“There were great celebrations to honour the valiant knights of the cavalry, who became known as Hellriders from that day on.” 

"There is even a grain of truth in it," nodded Sylvyra  but did not elaborate. Instead she looked at everyone in the group: "You can try to go to her. To Zariel. I know how it sounds to someone not used to the plane-shifting, and the very idea of dealing with such higher being or literally walking into Hell can be very frightening. Yet, as you just heard, the armies are useless in such endeavours. But a plea from someone truly wishing to save the innocent, and themselves, I should add... Who knows."

"But I would understand if you refuse, of course. This is truly way to much to ask even of a hero."

Ordrag has heard (and used) some colourful language around other sailors, but he never thought anyone really meant it when they said "Go to Hell". And yet that's what they were expected to do? To actually travel to Hell and try to bargain with devils? The half-orc's loyalties were torn - to return to his old familiar ship and crew, or to travel into Hell itself with his new friends and save the world - until Sylvyra spoke the last words... "Too much to ask". Ordrag had never shirked a duty, no matter where it took him and what he was asked to do, and he wasn't about to let anyone tell him something was "too much". Yeah, all right then. To hell with it, me guess. How do us get there?

Go to hell....find the arch-devil...ask her politely to give Elturel back.

Why not? 

"It never hurts to ask," Choir quotes the High Priestess a little doubtfully. It is quite possible that it WILL hurt to ask.  But she wants Elturel back, whatever it might cost.

Adray stares at the floor for a bit, letting the information sink in.  All these years the city folk had been manipulated, tricked and now it wasn't just the city or the citizens at stake but their very souls.  

He thought of his family, his brother in arms, the sweet old lady that worked at the bakery, the five children that played in the street just down the lane for his home and dozens of other that he was close with.  When he Ordrag and Chior spoke, he snapped out of it and found his fist clenched.  "Right, we go to Hell, see an arcedevil about releasing the city and if negotiations break down then I swear I'm causing such trouble she'll have no choice but to return the city and our souls just to get rid of me."

Fran would continue pacing. Brutus would look to her in confusion for the first bit until he figured it’d be helpful to pad along beside her. The artificer listened intently to Sylvira as she told the story of Zariel and her riders. So what meant that was part of Reya’s story too? The red head would continue her path back and forth, grunting and mumbling along the way as the others chimed in, agreeing to take the road to hell. Fran will inhale, “Ahhh...” and exhale with a loud huff. “F... it!” She’ll finally stop pacing, not wanting to wear the floor out. The half-dwarf will shrug in defeat, “What else I got teh lose?” She’ll sigh again. 

“Bubbles! .. I knew we were going to hell ever since I heard that Elf spirit’s song at the tavern..” Polly mutters. “The question is, what would we have to give up to make a deal with the devil? Apparently she already got your souls.”

She would then walk over to Adrey and place a mage hand on his shoulder. “You are our leader Adrey. Where ever you go I’ll follow. I gave you my promise that I would help you to get your city back, and I’m not about to break it that easily.” 

Reya did not participate the discussion and - surprisingly for her temper - did not rush to say one way or another. Instead, she asked the question the heavily bothered her all this time: "Thavius Keeg called Elturel the city of traitors. Why?"

"You really want to know?" Sylvyra sighed. "The legend of Hellriders you just recall... It was not completely true. Many of Zariel’s warriors indeed fought bravely, but for others, the horrors of the Nine Hells proved too great. They fled back through the portal, sealing it behind them, leaving their comrades and Zariel herself locked in Hells, and never revealing their shameful retreat and betrayal. The Hellriders, as they were called since that time, would wear this badge of shame to the grave." She looked at Reya with a pity in her eyes: "I am sorry."

Reya stood in silence for a few moments, then she unbuckled her sword belt and threw the weapon on the floor. A second later the tabard with insignia of Hellriders, that she refused to take off even in Baldur's Gates and stubbornly just covered with the cloak, joined the weapon. "I am a Hellrider no more, I am a warrior no more," declared Reya. "If your monks will let me join them, I wish to swear my life to Great Oghma." She dropped her head waiting for Sylvyra's answer. "I... I am sure it can be arranged, child." The mage looked at Falaster: "Would you ..." Falaster took reya's hand and lead the girl out of the room.

"Well, if you truly decided, then let's prepare you to the journey. I would not be the one opening the gates - it is impossible from within Candlekeep and as much as I long for a journey, I can not join you in it. However, there is a wizard named Traxigor that lives in a tower twenty miles from here. I’ve loaned him a spellbook or two, so he owes me a favour. I can have you delivered safely to his tower, and he can use a plane shift spell to take you straight to Elturel on Avernus. Even more importantly, Traxigor is looking after an old friend of mine — someone with a history of battling devils in the Nine Hells. I think you’ll enjoy her company very much. Her name is Lulu.”

"But would you like to do anything before going there? Candlekeep is not a workshop for mages, but any knowledge you might need is at your disposal."

Unless they have any books that you can bash someone over the head with, then Ordrag isn't interested in the library. But looking down at Reya's discarded effects, Ordrag respectfully goes over and picks them up. He folds the tabard carefully, thinking of the turmoil is must be for Reya - not a particularly genial human, but one of the most loyal and honour-bound warriors Ordrag has encountered - to have her world turned upside-down. The half-orc won't be contemplating any old tomes today, but while the others do so he will be in a quiet corner thinking deeply about loyalty, honour and betrayal.