Lost Lab of Kwalish

(OOC: Etrigan is ready to re-enter the Temple of Moloch. Rebuilding the Infernal machine sounds interesting.)

(OOC-  yes let’s do it-  back to the temple)

<I guess if yiur looking for how Lum brought new species of monster into the world with the machine, Thesselar would be a very good person to ask about it.  PCs from the future could reasonably know with a decent history check that he is credited with the creation of the owlbear and you e already me the thessalhydra.>

So are you guys just going to use the front door then or is there a plan?

<The townsfolk are by no means talkative, but they might be persuaded to answer questions if asked.>

 Some form of sneaking in will be planned.   Dimension door?   Illusionary magic?   At least try to catch some off guard.  

(OOC: Well, as earlier stated Etrigans idea is to impersonate Barbatos, a sort of minor boss at the temple. I admit it is unclear how much this would help but it doesn´t hurt to try I think. I suppose Tetrevess could go in invisible but I don´t know about Huarache. Going in as a lizardfolk also seems like a safe way to get around the temple unmolested. About the temple Etrigan doesn´t know much other than we should expect to run into lizardfolk and a strange creature called a Thessalhydra that spits acid and keeps on reviving. Hurarache would know more about what we should expect though.)

Coming towards all of you is a tall wanderer. His gait and demeanor belie an air of uncertainty. Or perhaps he is just drunk.

He stands roughly 6' tall and wears the gear of an adventurer. An oversized dark gray cloak covers most of his body but you can perceive a rapier on his hip and evidence of a studded leather tunic underneath. The hood of his cloak is gathered at his shoulders. He has short cropped black hair and the ears of an elf. But he is nowhere near as comely in appearance as you would expect of that race. In fact, his complexion is ruddy and his forehead has furrowed worry lines that have taken decades to obtain their current depths. His eyes are piercing and intense. They are a deep sapphire blue. Those eyes were definitely not intoxicated but they did reveal the bearer's unspoken pain.

As he nears, he slows slightly to not be perceived as a threat. He also raises a hand in a partial wave.

"Hello. I beg your pardon, but I seem to have lost my travelling companions. Have you seen them pass this way recently? They would have been travelling away from the temple. Perhaps even in a hurry."

Barril will not use their names, but will clearly describe them as Big and Little Gadai and Mack Francache.

<to catch everyone up, re: the crew... Etrigan met Mack and Big Gadai, though she was apparently killed by the animated statue if Moloch.  The group later saved her brother, wo fled the scene as did Mack.  Huarache and Sam met Mack and Big when they were being tortured /  experimented on by a man with the head of an owl, who they reformed into a man and his owl companion.>

(OOC ok well I’m still pretty confused but I’ll wing it and eventually I’m sure it will make sense.

A young human man, with sharp features, green eyes, unkempt brown hair. and a 3-day beard is standing near the bar with a tin cup of steaming tea.    He is wearing a faded grey traveling cloak, high soft boots and green clothes underneath.   By his side is a backpack loaded with gear and a long ebony staff.    He smiles and says “Tetrevess, at your service.    I have not seen anyone meeting that description.  I am recently arrived here.   Are you with the group exploring the temple?   I’m a scholar with interest in the temple, we were discussing going back there shortly-  well, there for the first time for me, but for these others a return trip.   I understand the first visit was… harrowing.  We were just discussing how to get back in there with an unfair advantage against the other.. inhabitants ”

“Exploring. Yes. We were exploring.”

Barril appreciates the descriptor.

”Barril, pleasure to make your acquaintance.”

It becomes apparent that Barril is talking in very controlled modulation. Just enough to be heard and not so much as to be overheard. As ambient noises rise and fall, his volume rises and falls with it. When he pronounces an “s” sound it sounds more like “th” and sharp popping sounds like “p” and “t” are pronounced as “b” and “d”. To an untrained ear, it could be written off as a speech impediment, but in reality it is a trained art of how to communicate covertly and controlled awareness of how sound carries.

”If I don’t locate my compatriots here, perhaps I can tag along with your group to continue my search?”

Barril will search the faces of the rest of the group for signs that he will be welcomed.

(OOC: Ok, can I assume that Etrigan have re-summoned Grygaxx, had dinner with Huarache and Tetrevess while Huarache briefed them on the temple and the mission to find the missing parts of the infernal machine, had a long rest at the pub, left the pub together with Huarache, Tetrevess and Logan the next morning after breakfast and are now meeting Barril on their way back to the Temple of Moloch? Please confirm or correct this DM as I really need some solid ground for further roleplaying. I get the sense that Barril is somewhere on the road to the temple speaking to Tetrevess having tea at the bar which gives me some problem with immersion. Also I don´t think we decided on a plan yet. I would appreciate some feedback on my earlier posts on this please. To just go with the flow did not turn out well at our earlier visit at the temple.)

OOC- Ok let’s say we had our strategy discussion, a long rest (giving Tetrevess the chance to change spells) and are now heading to the temple.

heres Two  potential plans: 

1) Prior to reaching  the temple, Tetrevess will disguise himself  using the spell as an impressive looking lizard folk barbarian , leading the group.  He will ritual cast rary’s telepathic bond on the group, so we can still communicate freely.    Anyone we can’t sufficiently disguise will be tied up with rope, using slip knots so they can escape easily.  He will be leading them as sacrifices for the temple.  

or:
2) Tetrevess will use his magical abilities to scout the temple with his manifest mind, and find a place fir us to dimension door safely to.   We can still have some disguised or invisible (and telepathic bond will be up)

In either case Tetrevess will cast mage armor on himself before the journey.

(OOC: Good. I got the sense that the parts were spread out in the temple. Getting in and out has not seemed to be a big deal but rather all the opponents, wandering and stationary inside the temple. Ithink we will have to move around the temple to search for the missing parts, hopefully without having to fight too much. My vote is on plan 1. but I should think Barbatos would have more authority in the temple than a lizardfolk. Logan could also turn into a lizardfolk I guess. Still don´t know about Huarache but he could be a "prisoner" then I suppose. Unless someone has another opinion Etrigan will go in as Barbatos then, but I wouldn´t mind a comment on that.)

Ok let’s do number 1.   Tetrevess will be a random lizardfolk barbarian.   He speaks draconic if it comes up but isn’t skilled with deception.  He can be escorting prisoners or just glaring at anyone asking questions, Etrrigan will go in as Barbatos, you have the deception skills to pull that off.  

We could put a deep hooded cloak on Huarache and leave it vague as to what they are.  

sounds good.   Telepathic bond will be up so we don’t have to talk at all to coordinate.  

(OOC: Thanks, sounds like a decent plan altogether, let´s go with that. I will now join the encounter with Barril :-)

In the company of the young wizard is a man of indeterminable age with dark hair and eyes to match, wearing a fine but somewhat worn attire, blood red with strange black patterns and embroideries under a blood red cloak, high black leather boots and a dark rod tucked into his black leather belt. 
"Of course good Sir, you join us can,
the name good Sir is Etrigan."
Etrigan says, bowing slightly to the half-elf before continuing.
"We could, good Sir, use your aid
to free our friends in another raid."
He studies the half-elf for a moment before continuing.
"Also good Sir, we in there mean
to find some parts for a machine."
Another brief pause before resuming.
"And last good Sir, but not the least,
I need to slay the temples priest."
He pauses again to let the half-elf digest his words.
"I see good Sir, you listen still,
does this mean that you join us will?"

“We’ll met, Etrigan.” Barril says. And with the beginnings of a bemused grin, he continues, “The name’s Barril. You can drop the Sir stuff. I’m not that important.”

Barril retrieves a waterskin from under his cloak, uncorks it, and takes a quick swig. It’s now evident that he also carries a short bow.

”It seems our paths are connected. At least for a while. If you will help me find or determine the fate of my previous party, I would be glad to join with your group and assist with your goals.”

<FTR, I thought I said I loved the Barbatos disguise idea.  The place always had security but it is heightened since the eyes of the statue of Moloch were taken.  I haven't heard much from Huarache lately, but he and Sam were given and might be wearing, badges that identify them as agents of Moghadam.  Barrill would recognize them if they are worn openly, but so would Thesellar and his agents, so FTR I'd say they are concealed.  I'll just tell you, but rhe PCs don't know (might suspect) that these tokens can be used by Moghadam to discern the whereabouts if his agents.  This divination magic is not immediately obvious because they have other more obvious magical properties.

Sacrifices are frequent in the temple and after losing the gemstone eyes of his statue, Moloch will need to be apppeased! Lizardfolk bearing sacrifices would be welcome by most of the guards,, who might fear becoming sacrifices themselves.  Etrigan knows the way to the statue's normal place: it's through that tunnel south of the room all the fighting took place in, just keep going straight when you get down the stairs and take the secret door, assuming it's open or can be opened, that sat behind the wooden dais.  It's a likely place to take a sacrifice. Some bodies were also seen by Huarache and Sam being carried through that passage, so they would be aware of ad much also.

Sam actually knows where Thesellar's sanctum is, but his motives are uncertain, so it's really up to him if he feels like sharing that info.>

"But no, good Sir, you and your bow,
are more important than you know."
Etrigan answers with a cryptic smile.
"Come then good Sir and we will go
and send this evil temple low."
Etrigan adds and starts walking again.

While out in the open Etrigan sends the invisible bat Grygaxx to scout ahead for any patrols.
As they near the temple Etrigan assumes the form of Barbatos while the others make their planned preparations.
"You would need some disguise, or you could be a sacrifice, your choice." Etrigan/Barbatos says to Barril in a voice Huarache recognizes as a near perfect imitation of Barbatos´.
Furthermore, in this guise Etrigan seems to have temporarily lost his rhyming obsession, to the relief of his new associates.

(Could we have a brief description of Barbatos?)

Barril frowns slightly as he considers the options presented.

”I do not carry any disguise with me and I freely admit that I am no actor, nor do I excel at deception. However, I do have some skill at being hidden, and with these…” he points down to his slippers “…I have the ability to walk on walls and ceilings. I have found that most creatures rarely look up. I would prefer to scout ahead, follow behind, or shadow the group from above. If the ceilings are high enough. But I will, of course,  defer to the plans of the party.”