Descent Into Avernus

       The party decides to use their boon to ask Klava Ikaia for intel about more places we might find effective weapons. She tells us about two places in Hellturel that could have what we're looking for: - A Pair of Black Antlers (weapons left behind by paladins) - Helm's Shield Hall (Hellrider holdouts here likely have some weapons) The party starts traveling towards A Pair of Black Antlers, the closer lead, but are waylaid by giant shadow skulls that puke meteors from above. They are beckoned inside a nearby building by a thin hand in a doorway. The party rushes inside and encounters the strange, jingling being that offered them shelter. We quickly find out that this is Lucetto, and he is trading for and selling keys. The dude is entirely covered in all kinds of keys and is really intense about them! Honey is STOKED. Keys are connections! They have so much potential to propel stories forward! Let's get some fuckin' keys!  - Talon receives a key to a Subaru h...

     Okay so we kept fighting Spurnyte Mal until we won. It was fine! Less fine was the poor communication, contradictions and moral wrasslin' the party endured as they decided what to do with the still-sleeping vampire kids. Vaantrik, clearly a hardliner on staking all vampires (except the one we're working for), was stopped by Honey, who did not think it was sporting to kill something that was hurt and sleeping but had been notably on-board with murdering an old man in the recent past. Honey would also like to please hold on until everyone in the party clearly communicates their feelings on the matter, so that she knows what the majority wants to do!! So far, the majority is waffling and unclear. Vaantrik got all upsetti spaghetti at Honey for stopping him, and she sent a few barbs back his way. While this was happening, Talon snuck the vamp kids back to their coffin and stacked a bunch of crates on top, essentially making the decision for the party. No one is happy. Af...

  Point form recap is all I can muster this week! - The party fought the tiny vampires. The wounded knight got super stressed out and fled. - Tiny vampires read the way this is going and then also flee the room. - The party hears the knight get murdered outside, then a few bearded devils bust in. - We fight them for awhile too but when they realize we will probably win, they yell in Infernal to fall back to the line. They flee too. - We ignore that very obvious clue about more devils being nearby and chase them to the threshold of the building, killing all but one. - We do some introspection and figure maybe we shouldn’t follow him outside, where there will absolutely be more bearded devils. Vaantrik is bummed we didn’t get them all. - Oz explores more of the house, finding a couple of rooms that could lead somewhere, while Flea looms at the top of a downward staircase. - Honey studies the two and tries to figure out which one she thinks is wiser (Emily rolls for this.) - Flea poss...

The party finishes the fight and goes looking for the children, finding Ezo and Brask and bringing them along for the journey. Vaantrick harvests the bodies of the devils. The DM warns that using items made from devil parts carries a 50/50 chance of being cursed. He collects: 9 vials of bearded devil blood, which can be used as a potion base 1 clump of beard lashes, which can be used to make a +1 flail 2 vials of poison, which can be applied to a weapon They head towards the market through dried-up trees and ruined streets. Along the way they find a halfling man talking to an imp, about to sign a contract exchanging his family's souls for food and water. The party convinces him not to sign and brings the Peblechuck family along with them. They reach what remains of the market. The market itself is gone, reduced to ash and rubble, with everything on fire. Two people approach with crossbows drawn and lead the party into a basement, where they find a small community of survivors. They...

Sylvira mentions a shop in The Hearth where the group can stock up on any last-minute supplies and everyone empties their pockets for potions, buffs and all the components they can carry. The party discusses their reasons for travelling to Hell, convincing one another that the journey is one worth making until finally Flea is the last member to join Team hell. Returning to Sylvira's office, she stresses that it is important Lulu is not seen. Lulu must remain hidden or disguised from higher-ranking devils, especially Zariel. Vaantrick asks Sylvira whether she has any books he can borrow. She apologises that books cannot leave Candlekeep, but tells him she is happy to answer any questions he has. Before the party departs, Sylvira gives them a crash course on what to expect in Avernus. She explains that the Blood War is fought between the Infernal forces of the Nine Hells and the Abyssal forces of the demons, although there are sometimes other wildcards involved. When devils ar...

The party travels to Candlekeep in the rain. On the way Vaantrik asks Oz about his evening disappearances - Is he feeling okay (pooping) or just praying? Oz is evasive but says he is praying. Honey asks if Candlekeep will have any restaurants with those fortune-telling cookies that Talon mentioned. Fisk says that the Hearth at Candlekeep can likely produce what she seeks. The party arrives at their destination around 5:00 pm. The Library at Candlekeep encourages donations of knowledge from the party, even though Fisk can get us in for free this time. Sima is welcome to Candlekeep forever because she donates a fawning biography of Duke Thalemra Vanthampur upon entry. Fisk whisks us into a spire, where we then have to trudge up many, many stairs. After awhile, we slow onto a landing. Fisk walks us past a door labelled in Draconic “Traxigor, Resident Fellow” and into the chambers of infernal scholar, Sylvira Savikas. Savikas is a middle-aged tielfing with a slight German accent. Her famil...

30th Flamerule to 2nd Eleasis The group heads south towards Candlekeep, travelling through the night until around 4am. Flea suggests they continue for a few more hours before stopping to rest to be well clear of any heat from the night's dees. Sima judges the woods to be safe enough from an animal point of view, while Honey feels confident she can find somewhere suitable to camp, so the group heads into the trees. On the way, Sima identifies Honey's newly acquired pipes as Pipes of the Sewers. Honey forages and finds four Nightflame seeds. The seeds contain oil which, when thrown onto a fire, turns the flame blue. The fire gives off dim light without smoke, while still keeping everyone warm. Honey gives one seed each to Sima, Talon and Flea, keeping the fourth for herself. Talon takes the opportunity to have a firm conversation with the Hidden Lord. He tells the shield not to keep dropping bombs into his head whenever he is busy, and that their relationship needs to remain prof...

30th Flamerule The group continues up through Vanthampur Villa and encounters two guards on the stairs. The fight takes a long time, but eventually the guards are taken down. At the top of the stairs they find a vanity room, including a closet full of fine clothes, wooden chests, a vanity unit, hats and three wedding dresses. The next room is the Duchess Vanthampur's bedroom, containing a large bed, a bathtub and a padlocked iron chest. The padlock is carved with the image of a scorned devil. Honey finds a key that fits the chest. Inside are three leather books, writing equipment and a set of pan pipes. As Honey begins taking the contents, the chest springs a trap and poison gas fills the room. The group quickly runs out. Further investigation reveals the chest also contains a healthy amount of platinum, gold and silver, a poisoner's kit, calligrapher's supplies and legitimate business records for the Duchess Vanthampur, written in Infernal. While the others investigate the...

29th Flamerule Continuing to explore the dungeon beneath Vanthampur Villa, the group speaks with Falister Fisk about the infernal puzzle box. He explains that such cubes are of infernal design and can only be opened by creatures of infernal origin. They are used to safeguard objects of great power and Fisk believes his tiefling mistress, a scholar who frequently travels to the Hells to conduct her research, can be trusted with whatever lies inside. He trusts her with his soul and pleads with the group to help him recover it. After a brief discussion, the group agrees to allow Fisk to accompany them. Fisk reveals that Thurstwell Vanthampur has the box and assures the party that he is not much of a fighter. The scene shifts eighty years into the past to Conyberry Village. Giant geoliths float in the sky while people farm, fish and simply go about their lives. Beyond the village, surrounded by rich forest, stands Daleth's tower. Inside a chicken coop, just aside from the tower, Daleth...

29th Flamerule Move East - find kitchen & empty mess hall next door.  Across the corridor sounds of ritual chanting are coming from behind a closed door. Honey reads Infernal words "That which falls can rise again" across the door and decides kicking down the door is the best course of action! Inside are Cultists & an Odious Devil, the inevitable fight breaks out. With cultists dispatched but the devil still fighting hard the Duchess herself joins the fight. Vaantrick cuts down the devil which has Flea grappled but Talon is fighting for his life, he goes down several times during the fight. The Duchess seems to make a beeline for the weakling Sima and she also goes down at one point. As Reya lands the final blow on her, Vanthampur tells the group they are "Fools if you think it ends with me" Honey finds keys on Vanthamper's body and Vaantrick looks at a statue in the room. He finds it's hollow, cuts head off & finds the light inside is from a wel...

Over breakfast discuss plans for ways to get into the Upper City with Reya and break for various plans. Talon & Sima look for a library only to find they only exist in the Upper City so go in search of bookshops instead. Flea & Reya spend the morning looking for "Leap" and find him dumpster diving. He assumes Flea has finally gone straight with her fancy armour and kick-ass flail so his hesitant to help at first but after promising to take his boots to a good cobbler he agrees to help find a way. Leep gives Flea a whistle to blew when the group is at a grate he's pointed out to summon him. Talon & Sima have no luck with the books & end up paying some serious gold for some history books including a "rags to riches" story of Duchess Vanthamper. They also head to the harbour where Talon enquires with local workmen trying to find out about grate construction but rubs a few people up the wrong way and ends up with a punch to gut for his troubles! Vaan...

  Combat Resolution - Dungeon of Dead Three Eliminated cult leadership including Voss (skull-headed leader) Rescued Mortlock Van Thamper from cultists Revealed family abuse, sent to sewers as scapegoat Duchess Lady Van Thamper orchestrating Dead Three activities Wants to eliminate Flaming Fist, become Grand Duke Consulting with “darker forces” beyond typical cultists Mortlock departed for Sima’s tower to tend chickens Party cleared of all charges, received official pardon Took head of Voss to Captain Zodge of the Flaming Fist Reya’s Return & Intelligence Hell Rider survivor, tracking Vanthamper conspiracy Believes High Observer Kreeg escaped Elturel destruction Saw him flee with bodyguards during the fall Suspects Vanthampers sheltering him in Upper City Demands justice for Elturel’s destruction Joined party at Elfsong Tavern after cleanup Upper City Infiltration Planning Multiple approaches discussed: Contact Klim Jhasso for legitimate invitation Sima sent formal letter via Sw...