For an explanation of the calendar used, see [[Calendar of Harptos]]. See [[Chains of Asmodeus]] for more information on the campaign. ## 21 Nightal 1494 ### A lead to the Hells Three strangers wait outside the [[Temple of Helm (Elturel)|Temple of Helm]] in [[Elturel]]: [[Mystic]] (a showy tiefling wizard), [[Kyward Apostasio|Kyward]] (a mischievous gnome apothecary), and [[Marsh Ruldegost|Marsh]] (a blunt, inquisitive water genasi cleric). They all journeyed to Elturel to meet with [[Ramius Dangremond]], the weary High Rider of the [[Hellriders]], in the hopes that he can help them saved the damned souls of their [[Risk|sister]], [[King Reynard|king]], and [[Fen Ruldegost|brother]] respectively. ### Mystic the Magnificent Ramius lets the three inside the temple. Mystic introduces herself as "Mystic the Magnificent" – or Mysty for short. When Kyward makes a sarcastic remark, Mysty insists that she was given the nickname by others for her exploits as a career adventurer, after she had "saved a few villages, defeated liches, et cetera." ### Blaedswith the Damned To aid the others in both their own quests and his, Ramius resurrects [[Blaedswith Ashenwynd|Blaed]], an elven paladin. After the initial disorientation that comes with being dead for five years, Blaed admits that they do not remember anything of their time in the [[Nine Hells]]. Regardless, Ramius informs them that their soul is still in the Hells and needs to be retrieved, lest she become an "incoherent, brainless glob of flesh." Mysty flirts with Blaed as soon as she gets the chance. Unrelated to the flirting, Blaed later reveals that she served as her husband's knight before her death; Mysty clicks her tongue in disappointment. Despite the fact that Blaed also shares that he was married to his husband *before* he became his knight, Kyward gets stuck on the idea of marrying one's lord. ### Kyward the Right-hand Mysty asks the others about what they "do." Marsh jokes that, since he is looking for his lord, Kyward must be a knight. When Ramius sardonically adds that Kyward does have a "knightly countenance," Kyward puts his hands on his hips and declares that he is an apothecary, a vizier, and the right-hand of his king. ### Marsh the Curious Marsh shares that, despite having spent some time studying with wizards, she is primarily a cleric of Eldath, a goddess of peace and calm waters. Throughout the day, she asks her allies several – sometimes invasive – questions, showing herself to be friendly but perhaps only ostensibly courteous. ### Hellriders' help Ramius offers the group passage to the Nine Hells – as well as assistance with recovering the souls that they seek – in exchange for them helping rescue three captive celestial Hellriders: [[Barachiel]], [[Jenevere]], and [[Anagwendol]]. Kyward is disappointed to learn that rescuing the Hellriders will not come with monetary pay. The four nevertheless accept the terms. Ramius grants the party members several blessings to assist in their task: a nightly receipt of the effects of Greater Restoration, the ability to summon a Phantom Steed, and knowledge of a ritual that will send nearby willing celestials back to the [[Material Plane]]. He warns that they should be cautious, as saving angels isn't going to be a popular endeavor in the Hells. ### Ramius' contact The party teleports to [[Helm's Hall]] in [[Waterdeep]] before heading to the [[Cathedral of Kelemvor]], also in the [[Southern Ward]]. Inside the dark and bone-cold cathedral, they meet Ramius' contact: [[Koh Tam]], a polite, eccentrically-dressed head priest. Although he denies arrogance, Koh Tam claims to be the premier source of information on the Nine Hells among those who live on the mortal plane; even still, they must consult someone with even greater expertise than him due to the immensity of the Nine Hells. ### Koh Tam's ritual Koh Tam expresses his intent to conduct a ritual that will allow one of the [[Lords of the Nine]] – specifically, [[Baalzebul]], the lord of the seventh layer of hell, [[0 - Maladomini|Maladomini]] – to briefly possess his body so that the others may ask him questions and get truthful answers. Kyward is apprehensive; Marsh has Koh Tam go over his qualifications; Mysty insists that Koh Tam's plan is better than nothing. Koh Tam conducts the dramatic ritual. Through him, the party speaks to Baalzebul, who disparagingly greets them as "sinners." ### Interrogating Baalzebul: Risk Mysty asks where she can find the soul of her sister, Risk. Baalzebul describes Risk's soul as "tainted by the sin of jealousy"; it can be found "drifting among countless trophies and bountiful food and drink" in [[Phlegethos]], the fourth layer of the hells. ### Interrogating Baalzebul: Reynard Kyward asks after the location of the soul of King Reynard of [[Wolfenbutte]]. Baalzebul declares, "a soul that *reeks* of deceit...lost in a hall of endless reflections" in Maladomini. ### Interrogating Baalzebul: Blaed Blaed indicates that he is looking for the soul of Blaedswith Ashenwynd. Baalzebul somehow knows that Blaed is seeking his own soul; still, Baalzebul informs him that his soul is among the those of other oath-breakers and betrayers, trapped in the ice of [[Stygia]], the fifth layer of the Hells. ### Interrogating Baalzebul: Fen Marsh asks where Fen's soul is located. Baalzebul claims that Fen's soul has an "immediate and potent stink of greed" and that his soul rots in the gullet of a "foul beast" in [[Minauros]], the third layer of the Hells. ### Interrogating Baalzebul: the Hellriders Finally, Marsh asks for the locations of Barachiel, Jenevere, and Anagwendol. Baalzebul says that "poor Barachiel" is being held in a moving cage on the [[River Styx]], a guest of the "great Brothers"; "unfortunate Jenevere" is somewhere among the broken streets of the [[Eye Market]] in Maladomini; and "once-mighty Anagwendol" was captured by the "great hunter" and is at the heart of [[Kordichai|Kordichai's]] hunting grounds. Marsh makes Baalzebul repeat himself so she can finish writing things down. Baalzebul is annoyed but complies. When Marsh then asks for the identity of the "great Brothers," however, Baalzebul disdainfully states that he has given them more than enough information. Mysty tries to press him; Baalzebul doesn't give. ### The exorcism of Koh Tam Baalzebul attempts to escape Koh Tam's body via an avatar. During the fight, Mysty demonstrates that her spell book – which she made – is animated, and can manifest as a spirit. The book's name is [[Azure]]. The party manages to defeat the avatar without weathering any damage themselves. Koh Tam moves to attack after the avatar retreats back into him, but Marsh frees him and banishes Baalzebul by blowing a magical whistle. Koh Tam wearily sits down on the steps below the altar. Although his hands are trembling, his voice is calm when he thanks them all. ### Reiterating the goal Koh Tam takes a minute. Then, he tells their group that their mission is twofold: recover the souls that they seek, and deal with Asmodeus himself; if they are unable to convince or trick Asmodeus into declaring the souls free, then the souls will simply be hunted down again. ### To Avernus Koh Tam opens a portal to the [[Bronze Citadel]] in [[Avernus]], the first of the Nine Hells. The other side of the portal greets them with a heavy heat. Above them, the sunless sky is a brilliant red, alive with writhing masses of crimson clouds and flares of orange lightning. Koh Tam warns that they should leave the Bronze Citadel quickly so as to avoid being drafted into construction or war efforts. The party boards [[Koh Tam's Barge]] on the River Styx. The barge is capable of plane shifting up the layers of the Hells if they need to backtrack; it cannot plane shift further down, however. ### Meeting Tiax The group meets Koh Tam's first mate, [[Tiax]], an abrasive gnome with delusions of grandeur who seems to be in some kind of relationship with Koh Tam. He also claims to be a sorcerer, which – along with his insults toward other types of spellcasters – causes friction with Mysty. His general insults cause additional friction with the other members of the party as well. ### Consulting Koh Tam Koh Tam once again expresses that the Nine Hells are of "particular interest" to him and encourages the party to ask any questions that they might have. Marsh asks Koh Tam if he knows of the "great brothers" that Baalzebul mentioned when speaking about Barachiel's location. Koh Tam starts, "this was likely in reference to brothers–" Kyward interrupts, "no shit." When Koh Tam asks if he can finish, Kyward starts cackling. Mysty suggests that there is no need to be rude to their captain. Koh Tam guesses that Baalzebul spoke in reference to [[Brother Adramalech]] and [[Brother Morax]], two dukes who serve Asmodeus. Next, Marsh brings up the "great hunter" and "Kordichai" – both mentioned by Baalzebul in reference to Anagwendol's location – and asks if Kordichai is the hunter or a place. Koh Tam confirms that Kordichai is the hunter, and that he is a "mover and shaker" in Phlegethos. ### Of interest in Avernus Koh Tam suggests that, while they should of course remain cautious, they may want to occasionally venture off the barge to gather supplies, treasure, or anything of the sort. He offers that Tiamat's lair is in Avernus, but that they should probably steer clear; other than that, the most notable things in the layer are probably the [[Pillar of Skulls]] – a several mile-high monument to the Blood War – and the [[War-Slough]], which was formed during the "Great Fray," a momentous and drawn-out battle between demons and devils. The Slough is itself is a difficult stretch of land made chaotic by the ichor of fallen demons; the area likely has treasures and information to be sought, however. Mysty advocates going. ### Tiax tags along Despite the party's clear distaste for him, Tiax declares that he will guide the party to the Pillar of Skull and then the War-Slough. ### The Four Horsemen On land, the party encounters four bickering, dangerous-looking devils atop four dangerous-looking dinosaurs: King Molvar of the Rhokor, Overqueen Yarlis, Overlord Zelthor, and Yamun Khazad. Tiax is nowhere to be found, but the others draw the devils' attention when Kyward loudly complains, "gods, we *just* got here." Molvar introduces himself and his fellow fiends as the four [[Horsemen of the Apocalypse]]. He declares that the "mortals" will help them settle their argument: each horseman is going to present their philosophies and two related quotes; the party will then discuss each philosophy and decide whose "prevails" in the "court of public opinion." All four philosophies involve the power of the strongest individual to conquer and achieve greatness. After a quick aside strategy meeting, the party tells the devils as much. The devils are convinced that they have similar ideologies. However, instead of working together, they each conclude that they need to eliminate the others to come out on top. The party slips away as fighting breaks out. ### Back on track The party regroups with Tiax, who was apparently scoping out the remainder of their route. They continue on their way. ### On the road: Tiax annoys the party Tiax calls both Kyward and Mysty idiots for little reason. Marsh tells Tiax to abstain; Tiax agrees to do this, but only because she "asked politely." At one point, Tiax declares in a non sequitur that he "knows shit," citing Koh Tam being a cleric as his evidence. ### On the road: Kyward gets grilled Marsh asks Kyward how long he has served his king. Kyward shares that it has been about five years; they also reveal themself to be 19. While discussing Kyward's height, Tiax asks if they are a "guy or a girl or some other shit." Kyward says, "uh, sure." ### Pillar of Skulls & Book of Nightmares The party eventually approaches the aptly-named Pillar of Skulls. Inside the pile, Kyward finds a cursed "Book of Nightmares." Reading it grants her the ability to bestow nightmares onto a nearby sleeping target to her benefit. Kyward initially denies having gained anything from reading the book; everyone sees through the lie, however, and she ends up telling the truth after Mysty threatens to leave her stranded in Avernus. ### Deal with a devil Near the edge of the War-Slough – which is a vast and swampy pit – the party meets Rexlexkala, an amnizu looking to make a deal. Specifically, he wants the party retrieve a wriggly, metallic horn from the Slough, which he hopes to offer to [[Zariel]] in exchange for a more desirable station. In return, the party will get 10 soul coins and directions to various points of interest within the Slough. He also promises a bag of "Condensed Order" for each of them, which is a powder extracted from lawful creatures that grants resistance to the chaotic and transformative power of demon ichor. Although Mysty wants to keep the horn for themselves in case they end up needing to barter with Zariel, the others are on board with Rexlexkala's terms. Marsh gets Rexlexkala to throw in an extra two soul coins before they accept. Marsh shakes Rexlexkala's hand on request. Fire coils around their clasped hands as the deal is sealed. Then, Rexlexkala points out landmarks on a map of the War-Slough, initially provided by Tiax. He also hands over the Condensed Order and instructs them to either snort or smoke it. ### Summoning steeds Down in the Slough, Marsh, Mysty, Kyward, and Blaed summon Phantom Steeds. When Tiax declares that he will be riding with one of them, Mysty takes the opportunity to flirt with Blaed; she suggests that they can ride together while Tiax takes her own horse. Blaed agrees to this arrangement. ### Amulet of Power The party arrives at the canyon, which is the location that Rexlexkala identified as being most likely to contain magical items. They find their first magical artifact – an angry, sentient amulet – under a pile of corpses. The amulet offers to help one of them channel their anger into their magic to cast spells quicker, more accurately, and more potently; it can also help do the same with their weapon attacks, making them stronger and more accurate. The amulet reveals that, as soon as it grants its power, it will in turn be granted the gift of nonexistence. Blaed is immediately hesitant; Mysty considers the offer. She consults Azure, who suggests that – while Mysty is already a powerful caster – it could be a good idea to amplify her magical power with another magical object. Even still, Mysty ultimately decides against taking the amulet due to a lack of trust; she created Azure, whereas she did not create the amulet. No one else wants the amulet, either. They leave it in a corpse's hands on request. ### Blaed's cause of death Marsh takes the opportunity to ask Blaed how they died. Blaed reveals that they don't actually know, but they theorize that it was a "random heart attack." They deny that they were in any pain prior to their death, however, and Marsh observes that they seem "pretty healthy." Blaed admits that they were under a lot of stress at the time, as they and their husband were often fighting. Marsh asks Blaed if anyone had it out for him. The gears start turning in his head. ### Fighting a nalfeshnee & recovering the horn The party encounters a hulking, winged, tusked demon that is holding a writhing, metallic, horn-shaped artifact. Tiax quickly doubles back. Kyward attempts to follow, but Mysty stops him. The party tries in vain to communicate with the nalfeshnee. It becomes hostile and attacks after Marsh gestures at the horn. Kyward summons an angel to kick off the fight. Blaed and Mysty manage to avoid harm; Marsh and Kyward don't, and Kyward is knocked unconscious while attempting to retreat. Marsh heals him back to consciousness. The party then rallies and defeats the demon with relative ease. Marsh retrieves the horn. ### The party snorts some powder The party rests. Mysty ritually summons a tiny hut. Marsh tends to Kyward's wounds as well as her own. The air starts to feel unbearably heavy. They all snort their powder of Condensed Order, with varying levels of ease; Marsh and Blaed have some trouble, whereas Mysty and Kyward do not. Regardless, the feeling of heaviness goes away. ### Radiant bomb The party – including Tiax – searches the area for additional magical artifacts. Tiax finds a 20-pound-box emitting bright light for hundreds of feet. Mysty identifies it as a "radiant bomb" – a box full of concentrated divine energy that will explode in a 100-foot radius when opened. Tiax commands the "big guy" to carry it. He confirms that he is, in fact, talking to Blaed when she asks. ### Anti-fiend fan Marsh finds an ornate fan. Mysty identifies it as a weapon which releases spores that harm demons and subjects them to flesh-warping effects. Marsh puts it in her bag. ### Cloudkill bolus Marsh finds a fleshy, blood-hued sphere and gives it a wide berth. Mysty tells Azure to Identify the sphere, which Azure complains about, but ultimately does. They reveal that the sphere – when "popped" – releases an anti-fiend, 500-foot Cloudkill. Kyward reveals that he already knows how to cast Cloudkill; Azure and Mysty judge him for it. Blaed defends Kyward. Despite having joined in on the insults herself, Mysty tells the group that they do not need to talk to Azure if she is being rude. No one wants to take the sphere. When Marsh suggests wrapping it up in something, Tiax declares, "not my cape." Kyward, Mysty, and Blaed suggest in sequence that they should use his cape. Tiax eventually retrieves a blanket from his bedroll set after some more squabbling. Mysty takes the wrapped bolus. ### Infernal armor On their way out of the canyon, Mysty finds a secret passage which leads to a sunken pool filled with demon ichor. Sitting inside the pool is a set of red plate armor embossed with a winding black pattern. Protected by the Condensed Order, Blaed steps into the ichor to fish out the pieces of armor. ### Fulfilling Rexlexkala's contract The party makes their way out of the canyon and out of the War-Slough. Rexlexkala seems pleasantly surprised that they accomplished their task so quickly. When Marsh gives the horn to him, another coil of fire briefly wraps around her hand as she fulfills her end of the deal. Rexlexkala gives three soul coins each to Marsh, Mysty, Kyward, and Blaed. Fire coils around his hand as he fulfills his part of the contract. The party declines Rexlexkala's dinner invitation, even when he offers "stench kow." ### Hellish clerical errors On the way back to Koh Tam's barge, Marsh abruptly asks Mysty if her sister is a generally jealous person or if she was just jealous of Mysty specifically. Mysty insists that her sister isn't a jealous person at all – "she's a hero" – and that there must have been some kind of "clerical error." When Marsh asks Mysty what Risk did to be a hero, Mysty shares that Risk, who was also an adventurer, is the entire reason she began adventuring and helping people herself. Marsh indicates that she understands, as she doesn't think her brother is a particularly greedy or sinful person either. Kyward admits that he has no idea what Reynard is doing in the layer of deceit. Marsh points out that his lord is a king; Mysty agrees that kings do like to lie. Blaed flinches. Kyward insists that Reynard is too earnest and couldn't lie to save his life. ### Kyward gets grilled (again) Tiax, who doesn't know what the word "courtesan" means, suggests that Kyward is a courtesan. Marsh tells Tiax that a courtesan is a prostitute. After a moment, Tiax asks Kyward, "are you *not* fucking him?" Kyward puts their head in their hands. Marsh and Mysty echo the question, whereas Blaed tells them that it's none of their business. Marsh states that she is just curious before offering an apology to Kyward if she offended him. Blaed physically moves Kyward away from the others, which makes Kyward perk up a bit. Despite Blaed's protective maneuver, Marsh asks Kyward how old his king is. Kyward responds that Reynard is 18. Marsh immediately seems less interested in the situation, though she becomes interested once more when Kyward shares that Reynard got his title in a "convoluted" way. Kyward doesn't elaborate much, however, only revealing that Reynard was a courier before he was boy-king. ### Kudos from Koh Tam Tiax tells Koh Tam about the nalfeshnee when the group makes it back. Koh Tam, surprised that they all survived and that no one needed to be resurrected, congratulates them on a job well done. He explains that nalfeshnees are some of the "strongest of the lot" and that many are aspiring demon lords. ### Koh Tam's interest in the Hells Koh Tam offers dinner. Marsh offers to assist with preparations. As they are working, Marsh asks Koh Tam how he became so interested in the hells, which is a question he is delighted to receive and answer. Koh Tam shares that he attained a position of status in the [[Church of Kelemvor]] many years ago. When Kelemvor himself eventually became interested in the Nine Hells due to its entanglements with death, Koh Tam was dispatched to study its layers. He quickly found himself fascinated with the differences between the Hells and the Material Plane, and with the idea that one could successfully live an entire life in the Hells as long as they know its rules. He adds that it certainly isn't a *good* place – there are horrors beyond comprehension – but it is still a place worth learning about. Koh Tam states that the Hells have shaped him in various ways; the mask that he always wears is even made out of devil bone, harvested from dead fiends. He sheepishly states that he cleared it with his god first. ### Ramius stops in Dinner is served. As everyone is eating their incredibly spicy meal, a pulsing, horse head-shaped sigil appears on the backs of the hands of Marsh, Mysty, Kyward, and Blaed. Upon touching the sigils, Ramius teleports onto the boat in a flash of light. ### Recapping the day for Ramius Ramius asks the group how day one went. Kyward declares that she almost died, but that she is fine now. When Ramius says that he won't offer to "healing touch" her, then, Kyward agrees that Ramius doesn't need to touch her. She cackles when Ramius dryly tells her that she isn't his type nor his age. Ramius seems exhausted when he finds out that Kyward found a book that taught him how to give people nightmares. Ramius informs the group that their Greater Restoration blessing should take effect later that night; so, if they do have something that they want curing, it will happen then. ### Ramius the merchant Ramius provides rations and water in case they are needed, but he insists that Koh Tam is a "hell of a cook." He then shares a list of items that he can provide in exchange for coin. He also indicates that he can purchase items from them, including dangerous items that need to be disposed. The party declines to buy or sell anything for the time being. Ramius informs them all that he will be back in a few days. He thanks the party for being willing to help and wishes them luck. Then, he disappears. ### Onto the next After dinner, Koh Tam informs the others that he will come through to wake them when they get to the next layer: [[Dis]], the city of burning iron. Marsh, Mysty, and Kyward head to bed. ### Blaed gets cursed (briefly) Blaed attunes to the infernal plate armor that he found in the War-Slough. He quickly finds that he is unable to remove the armor. Shaking Marsh awake, Blaed asks, "can you help me get this off?" Marsh blinks. Blaed clarifies that there is a curse on the armor. After Marsh casts Remove Curse, Blaed doffs the armor, revealing their feminine form. Mysty says, "oh... okay." Tiax grumbles. Blaed settles down to trance. The others go to sleep. ## 22 Nightal 1494 ### Arrival in Dis Koh Tam's barge crosses the boundary from Avernus into [[Dis]]. Koh Tam gives the rundown: the layer of Dis – ruled by the archdevil [[Dispater]] – is a highly populated commercial hub. He advises the party to visit the [[Agora of Floating Knives]], a marketplace and enclave for non-devils, and a useful place to find information or magical items. Koh Tam gives them maps of the Agora marked in his handwriting. He insists, however, that they should either hire a guide or take Tiax with them. When Mysty flatly declines Tiax's help, Koh Tam sheepishly suggests that Tiax is an "acquired taste." The party disembarks, leaving Koh Tam and Tiax behind. ### Centaurs saving the damned On the way to the Agora, the party crosses paths with a band of a dozen centaurs who are transporting carts full of caged creatures, including various amorphous monsters and large larvae with humanoid faces. The leader of the group – Tsega – communicates in Elvish with Blaed, who acts as translator. Over the course of the conversation, Tsega reveals that their group – once hundreds in number – willingly entered the Hells on the behest of their venerable chieftain, who supposedly wanted them to save innocent souls that had been damned. Specifically, he told them to look for lesser devils who have a particularly joyful expression – especially if they can be heard damning the gods. Marsh is skeptical of these "signs," believing that they only demonstrate that the devils are near-mindless and stuck in the Hells. Kyward suppresses his anxieties that Reynard has become an amorphous meat monster. Although the party members all sympathize with the centaurs' goals, they have little to offer in the way of concrete aid. They point the centaurs in the direction of the River Styx and Avernus; then, the groups wish each other good luck and head their separate ways. ### Arrival at the Agora The party reaches an artificial lagoon, above which floats the Agora of Floating Knives. The hire an imp named Gargaroo to be their guide and gondolier at a rate of 10 gold per person per location. ### Kuskan's & Grassik Rog's shops Gargaroo first takes the party to a shop run by a barbed devil named Kuskan. Kuskan has some useful magic items on offer, including various weapons and a soul-trapping mirror. Marsh is surprised when Mysty seems interested in the latter, but Mysty argues that it would be "decent home security." Despite her interest, however, Kuskan's demand for equivalent magic items and soul coins has the party leaving without making any purchases. Next, Gargaroo takes the party to a shop run by a neogi named Grassik Rog. The party once again finds that they cannot afford most of what is on offer, but Mysty does end up buying a Deck of Illusions for 400 gold. Grassik advertises the nearby Market of Killers and Market of Victims, which offer assassination and kidnapping services respectively. The party members, all uncomfortable, decline and depart. ### Wellith's amulet The party is intercepted by an incubus named Wellith on their way back to Gargaroo's gondola. Wellith tries to sell them an "Amulet of Betrayal," which transfers the wearer's ailments to a nearby ally. Mysty complains that Wellith sounds like a con artist – and therefore like her ex. Blaed briefly considers the amulet's merits in terms of transferring harm to Tiax, but he quickly realizes, "no, no, that's horrible." The other party members decline as well. ### Kyward the freakshow Gargaroo explains the types of entertainment offered at the Barges of Theater as they pass by: freakshows, music, competitions – "stuff to watch." Kyward quips, "this whole place is kind of a freakshow." Gargaroo berates her for being judgmental and accuses her of looking like "an imp with everything wrong." Kyward says, "not an imp." Marsh points out that, if they *were* an imp, they would indeed have "everything wrong." ### Gaining entry to Orishada's palace Gargaroo navigates to the [[Orishada's Palace|looming palace]] in the center of the Agora, which he states is the best place in the entire city to get information, even for mortals. The palace belongs to [[Orishada]], a powerful devil who serves Dispater directly. The party converses with the majordomo of the palace, [[Aelvette]], a blue-skinned horned woman. Mysty flirts; Aelvette flirts back. Kyward identifies Aelvette as a night hag in disguise, but he keeps this fact to himself. Aelvette informs the group that her employer is very scrutinizing about who is allowed to partake in the services provided inside the palace. She then asks them if they would describe themselves as "particularly clever." Mysty says, "very"; Kyward says, "yes." Blaed remains silent, whereas Marsh muses that it depends on who she is being compared to. In any case, the four are granted an audience with Orishada after Mysty and Kyward both beat Aelvette in a game of chess. ### Meeting Orishada Orishada – an old, bulky amnizu – informs the party that he specializes in investigations into "dispensations": boilerplate clauses hidden in the fine print of many infernal contracts which authorize the contract holders (or their descendants) to be killed without consequence. When Mysty asks Orishada whether they are covered by dispensations themselves, Orishada sizes Mysty up before declaring that it would cost her 12,000 gold for him to look into the matter. Mysty, who does not have nearly enough money to meet the cost, seems hesitant. Orishada advises the group to think about his offer, and to peruse the rest of the palace in the meantime; specifically, he recommends [[Corteso|Corteso's]] [[Salon of Experience]], which many visit to gain knowledge outside of their own experiences. ### Meeting Corteso The party soon discovers that Corteso is an elder brain, who they meet surrounded by half a dozen intellect devourers and half a dozen mind flayers. Still, Corteso is pleasant enough. It reveals that it deals in exchanges of memory: the client permanently gives up a memory unique to their experiences in exchange for a memory that Corteso has come to possess. With her most standout memories having to do with her brother, her parents, or being a cleric, Marsh declines to give up any memories, thinking that she needs them all for the task at hand. Blaed briefly considers giving up her memories of the pain of childbirth; she ultimately decides against giving up anything to do with her son, however. Mysty and Kyward describe Risk and Reynard. After they are convinced that Corteso has knowledge that will assist them in finding the souls they seek, they both give up one of their own memories. ### Mysty's exchange Mysty gives up the memory of the first time she and her ex – who she believes goes by "Kitty" these days – took drugs (specifically, Ginyak weed) together and nearly coughed up their lungs as a result. Corteso tells Mysty about one of its clients who occasionally works at the Elemental Preserve in Phlegethos: a pain devil who occasionally visits to gain insight on how to better hurt people. It has a memory of his, moreover, that incidentally includes the reflection of someone who looks like Mysty, leaned against the wall above a mounted salamander skull. ### Kyward's exchange Kyward reveals that they wanted to kill Reynard for a long time; however, being boy-king for a few months proved that it wasn't all that they thought it would be. Because of this, Kyward reasons that they have no reason to kill Reynard, nor to remember why they wanted to kill him in the first place. In exchange for Kyward's memory (which Corteso is delighted by), Corteso informs her that it possess a memory from an amnizu who saw Reynard's reflection somewhere near Ilkatar's territory in the Ganglands of Maladomini. ### Eating for two The party meets back up with Aelvette after departing from Corteso's salon. Aelvette gives them each a candied spider eye from the kitchen before asking if Blaed wants another, given that they are "eating for two." Blaed is stunned; they had no idea that their baby was resurrected with them. After Aelvette departs to talk with Orishada again, Marsh asks Blaed how she is feeling about "that revelation." Mysty scolds, "*Marsh*." Marsh only looks confused. Blaed admits that, while his situation isn't an ideal one to bring a baby into, he is relieved to know that the baby isn't dead. Blaed is two months along, leaving approximately four months until the baby becomes ensouled and therefore at risk in the Hells – assuming the baby isn't at risk already, that is. ### Negotiations with Orishada Against their wishes, the party is brought before Orishada once more. Mysty tries to barter with Orishada for an investigation into a potential dispensation for her sister, which Orishada initially prices at 16,000 gold. Orishada suggests that there are many ways to barter if they do not have the money right now; they could even sell their services at the Market of Killers or the Market of Victims. When Mysty expresses disinterest, Orishada then suggests that Mysty could purchase a cut of pegasus for the "low price" of 100 gold; then, he would dock the price of his investigation by 100 gold. Mysty incredulously points out the ridiculousness of the suggestion, adding, "I'm not fucking hungry!" Orishada snaps, accusing Mysty of spitting in his face after he offered her "nothing but courtesy." He orders his guards – five bone devils and five horned devils – to "liquidate" the party. ### Escaping the palace Kyward tries to convince Orishada to "talk things out." In response, Orishada tells Kyward that he will be spared if he joins the fight against his peers. Although Kyward considers, he decides against betraying his companions. Mysty is badly hurt by a bone devil as soon as the fighting starts. Marsh casts Word of Recall, teleporting the party back to Koh Tam's barge. Back at the barge, Blaed heals Mysty. Mysty and Tiax exchange sharp words. Then, Koh Tam sets off. ### Corteso's proposition Corteso telepathically reaches out to Kyward and Mysty as well as – after it has been granted permission – Marsh and Blaed. Corteso proposes that the party could make a bit of money under the table, unbeknownst to its employer. Corteso tells the party about "the Trove," a toxic wasteland in Minauros that contains "dreaming pools." Dreaming pools hold conferrable psychological states and experiences; if they retrieve some of these states and experiences, Corteso is willing to pay them between 500 and 2,500 gold per – or up to 5,000 gold for any mortal's memory of their own death. He claims that the mortals to whom these memories belonged would have no chance of recovering them since the mortals in question are "long gone." When Marsh and Mysty point out that they wouldn't be welcomed at the palace, Corteso shares that it has an "arrangement" with majordomo. Moreover, they can reach out telepathically when they return, and it will provide them with instructions on how to sneak in undetected. ### Dream bottles Corteso directs the party to a mind flayer vendor who sells "Dream Bottles," which can be used to bottle dreams. On the other hand, Corteso explains, partaking of or binding to the memories could come with "various effects," good and bad. Corteso suggests that some experiences – like love, for example – could go a long way, but that the experiences are safest when bottled. At the mention of love, Kyward shudders and declares "not interested." When Corteso calls her an "odd mortal" for this, Blaed tells Corteso to leave her alone. Kyward tells Koh Tam about the stop they will need to make before leaving Dis. Koh Tam shares that he is "quite fond" of Corteso and that they briefly worked together in the past. Kyward says, "it isn't the worst person I've met." Kyward, Blaed, and Marsh all purchase three Dream Bottles for 50 gold each. Mysty purchases five. ### A mysterious camp The group is just entering Minauros when they find themselves passing by a fortified camp, the walls of which are made out of large bones and bleached wood. Music, laughter, and revelry can be heard from within. Despite Kyward's, Blaed's, and Marsh's objections, Mysty's curiosity and Koh Tam's status as captain win out. Marsh remarks that they must not be in as democratic of a situation as she thought. An apparent half-orc named Rielle Blacktower greets the party at the gate and welcomes them. She explains that, though once a military installation, the camp is now a place to "relax and have fun." Inside the camp, the party finds feasting adventurers, knights getting their armor polished, and a rowdy game of dice in progress. There are also private tents, one reserved for the "boss of the place" and the other reserved for people who need "personal space." Blaed says, "ew." ### The party relaxes and has fun After their chaperone has left, Mysty casts Detect Magic. She discovers that those staffing the camp are surrounded by auras of transmutation magic and that most of the mortal guests are surrounded by auras of enchantment magic. Marsh, Tiax, Blaed, and Kyward seem to be free from magical effects, but Mysty and Koh Tam are not. Marsh sneakily casts Remove Curse on Mysty, freeing her from the magical compulsion that drew her to the camp. Before Marsh can do the same for Koh Tam, however, Rielle returns and interrupts the spell. Marsh's charm-breaking and possession-breaking whistle snaps all the mortals in the camp out of their charmed states. The camp's staff immediately turns hostile, with a few yelling "spoilsports" in an attempt to turn the dazed guests against the party. To counter, Blaed puts their hands up and says, "I'm pregnant, don't hit me!" Mysty and Kyward also try to rally the other mortals to their side. ### Battle at the Camp of Hedonism The knights who were having their armor polished jump to their feet to assist the party. A priest also comes to their aid. The two rogues align against them, however, and everyone else is too dazed to do anything. Meanwhile, a very large corruption devil wearing full-body leather gear emerges from the boss' tent. The devil – Gulgara – rallies her subordinates. Tiax quickly escorts Koh Tam out of the camp. The party, the knights, and the priest are surrounded by ten succubi, three affliction devils, the rogues, and Gulgara. The fight is tough. The priest and one of the allied knights are killed early on. Mysty goes down soon after, gaining a deep gash over her eye; Kyward also goes down, gaining a deep gash over his nose. Marsh manages to revive them both and keep Blaed on her feet, though Blaed has to heal herself as well. The party only manages to turn the tide after Mysty crushes the Cloudkill bolus and the poison cloud kills the remaining devils, sans Gulgara. The rogues reevaluate and join the party's side. ### Gulgara's offer & end to the fight With her forces wiped out, Gulgara commends the party for some carnage well done. She suggests letting bygones be bygones. She also offers the ring on her finger – a Ring of Treachery, which allows the wearer to transfer any harm they would have received to someone else at random – as a bonus. The fight resumes after the party declines. Gulgara uses the ring to redirect Kyward's casting of Vile Necrosis back to him, knocking him unconscious once again. Marsh then tries to chop Gulgara's hand off with her battleaxe so that she cannot use the ring anymore. Gulgara, however, redirects the damage – again to Kyward, which leads to his hand being severed from his arm. Blaed delivers the killing blow to Gulgara shortly afterward. Kyward returns to consciousness as Marsh heals him. Marsh offers an apology about his hand, whereas Mysty dismissively suggests that "everyone" has lost a hand before. An embarrassed and guilt-ridden Koh Tam later regenerates Kyward's lost appendage. The surviving knight delivers the severed one to her wrapped in a blanket – "a spare." Despite Kyward's insistence that she "deserves" the Ring of Treachery "after everything," Mysty throws it into the River Styx. ### New allies The knight – [[Abriel Redchord]] – tells Blaed that he fought well for someone with child. She compliments the rest of the party's combat prowess as well. The two rogues introduce themselves as [[Synestia Whitechapel]] (nicknamed "Syn") and [[Elysia Saltwound]] (nicknamed "Lysi"). Elysia apologizes to Mysty for shooting her with an arrow. Mysty dismisses the apology, adding, "you were cursed." Abriel receives an explicit invitation to continue traveling with the party further down into the Hells. Abriel accepts the offer; she arrived in the Hells on business, and that business has not been concluded. Syn and Lysi decide to come along as well. ### Fate of the other survivors The party brainstorms what to do about the remaining survivors who cannot fit on Koh Tam's barge. Mysty initially tries to offer a scroll of Teleportation Circle, but none of the survivors know about an existing circle in Dis, making the spell useless. Together, the group instead picks two trustworthy individuals – a half-elf druid named Oceano and an aasimar knight named Entheos – to banish back to the [Material Plane](app://obsidian.md/0%20-%20Material%20Plane) to hopefully find aid for the other survivors. Marsh and Mysty do the banishing. ### Blaed's pronouns After Marsh prepares a Heroes' Feast, everyone except Koh Tam and Tiax head below deck. Marsh takes the opportunity to ask Blaed for their pronouns, as she is unable to determine whether Blaed is okay with being referred to with male-gendered language or if they have just been being polite. Blaed, flustered, claims that it's only that they do not care to correct the assumptions of others. They deny that their situation is similar to Kyward's, however, haltingly insisting, "I'm a... woman." ### Elysia prompts a pronoun circle To almost everyone's displeasure, Elysia starts a pronoun circle by saying that she is "just a woman" and that Syn is too. Abriel indicates that she is also a woman. Marsh and Mysty both say "she," with Mysty tacking on a muttered, "obviously." Elysia points at Kyward, who complains, "I don't care. I hate this question." Abriel notes the disproportionate amount of women in their group, though she agrees when Marsh and Mysty imply that this is preferable to the alternative. ### Six beds, nine people On Abriel's suggestion, the group starts sorting out sleeping arrangements. Synestia briefly looks at Elysia before looking away. Elysia makes her preference for a male bedmate known, her reasoning being that sharing a bed with another can be "a bit physically touchy." Kyward teases her for being so heterosexual that she is unable to even platonically touch another woman. In the end, Marsh shares a bed with Blaed, Mysty shares with Abriel, and Koh Tam shares with Tiax. Kyward, Synestia, and Elysia each take their own hammock. ## 23 Nightal 1494 ### Koh Tam's Minauros rundown Koh Tam informs the party that Minauros is likely the most dangerous layer that they have visited thus far. He mentions some notable locations: Jangling Hiter, a floating city ruled by chain devils renowned for torture; the city of Minauros, which has the most to offer in terms of trade; and the [[Ineffable Trove]], a vast swamp that once served as the Hells' garbage pit and is now saturated with feelings and experiences, all mostly "scraped" from humanoids and contained in Dreaming Pools. Koh Tam tells Marsh that there is a good chance that she will also find her brother within the Trove. ### More souls to hunt Abriel, Synestia, and Elysia conclude that they would only be liabilities if they accompanied the party off the barge. However, since they are also searching for particular souls in the Hells, they ask the party for assistance. Elysia and Synestia share that they were hired to find the soul of an older elven woman named [[Ammisyll Veldann]]. They are under the impression she exchanged her soul for prestige and financial gain. Abriel is reluctant to say much about her quarry, only sharing that the soul is likely on the fifth or sixth layer of the Nine Hells. Marsh suggests that Abriel can share more details as they get closer; otherwise, she might need to help them search the two layers. ### Tiax's debt Marsh approaches Tiax about his unusual quietness. Tiax initially remains tight-lipped, but Marsh stands there until he becomes uncomfortable enough to share. He admits that he is anxious about being in Minauros, as he once lost a game and owes a favor to a "shitty little halfling" who lives in the layer. He shares that the halfling's name is Grinken Eyre. ### Into the Trove Mysty, Marsh, Blaed, and Kyward leave the barge and head into the Ineffable Trove. The air is difficult to breathe, the flora looks to be rotting, and ambient whispering comes from no discernable source. Worse than that, however, is the sudden hailstorm that arrives soon after the party enters the swamp. The group is forced to wait and rest under the cover of a tree after Mysty ends up covered in bloody gashes. ### Dreaming Pools As they are traversing the trove, the party finds several glowing pools of water from which fragmented voices, laughter, and screams drift up. The party members are unable to bottle the experiences within the pools without getting in the water. Kyward is the first to lower herself into a pool; after she ends up fine, the others follow suit. In most cases, each experience confers a benefit onto the person who binds to it. Bottling the experience removes the benefit; moreover, everyone but Kyward chooses to stay bound to one. ### Blaed's dreams and profit Within the Dreaming Pools, Blaed finds: * The memory of falling in love with his childhood best friend in the halfling hamlet in which he grew up. Blaed bottles and later sells the memory to Corteso for 500 gold. * The memory of dying alongside the rest of her family from a runaway carriage in Waterdeep. Staying bound to the memory protects Blaed from death once a day as if Death Ward was cast on her; because of this, she decides not to sell the memory. ### Mysty's dreams and profit Mysty experiences the following in the Dreaming Pools: * The memory of being stabbed to death by her husband while her child lay dead on the ground nearby. She bottles the memory and ends up selling it Corteso for 5,000 gold. * The memory of being celebrated by her parents after winning a spelling bee. Binding to the memory grants her the effects of Bless, so she decides not bottle it. ### Kyward's dreams & profit Within the Dreaming Pools, Kyward experiences: * The memory of a bloody battle in which he kills people by the dozens. Despite his discomfort, he binds to, bottles, and later sells the memory to Corteso for 1,000 gold. * A vision of an empty room in which nothing seems to occur. Corteso later reveals that Kyward experienced the trait of psychopathy, which she apparently already possesses – an assessment that Kyward disagrees with. Regardless, Kyward bottles and sells the trait for 2,500 gold. * The memory of being mauled and devoured by a jaguar. Kyward bottles and sells the memory for 5,000 gold. ### Marsh's dream After getting into the first Dreaming Pool, Marsh remembers the simple joy that came with being an ice cream vendor. She decides to stay bound to the memory since it bolsters her healing abilities. ### Finding "Fen" Deep in the Trove, the party comes across an individual who looks just like Marsh's brother, Fen. Marsh is immediately suspicious, however, given that Baalzebul told her that Fen's soul is inside a phylactery, which is in turn inside a beast's gullet. Marsh makes her suspicion known. Even still, the individual maintains that he is truly Fen, and Mysty's Detect Magic reveals that there is no magic at play, illusion or otherwise. ### Meeting Grinken Eyre Marsh starts to catch on when "Fen" asks to play a game. In response, she asks the individual if his name is Grinken Eyre. It isn't until she mentions that Tiax told her about him that Grinken Eyre gives up the ruse. Once it becomes clear that Grinken Eyre is under the impression that he owes Tiax a favor (and not the other way around), Marsh suggests that she is willing to put in a good word for him if he is able to help her find her brother. Grinken Eyre, finding Marsh's proposition "fair enough," agrees to assist. ### Finding Fen (actually) "Fen's" features contort and tear as Grinken Eyre's flesh splits and reshapes into an incomprehensible, shifting mass. Then, he vomits up the Phylactery of Greed. Marsh grimaces, picks up the phylactery, thanks Grinken Eyre, and walks away. The rest of the party follows. Fen is relieved to be reunited with Marsh. He asks about the family; Marsh says, "they are them." When Fen asks if they are "cross" because he died, Marsh indicates that they aren't any more cross with him than they were already. Marsh has Fen walk her through what led to his death. Fen admits that he was looking for a way to solve their family's "financial burdens," adding that devils can be "very charismatic" and convincing; in summary, he lost a dice game against Asmodeus and was killed shortly thereafter. Fen asks Marsh to get him out of the phylactery. Marsh admits that she doesn't know how to and that, even if she did, she worries that releasing him right then would send him elsewhere in the Hells. Marsh asks Fen if he has any ideas on the situation, given that he is also cleric. Fen admits – with a "heavy heart" – that Marsh is a better cleric than him, which is a conclusion he has come to in the time since his death. He adds, however, that he hopes that he will become more capable for his experiences and surpass her again one day soon. Fen takes it in stride when Marsh informs him that she has an agreement to help the rest of the party and that they will be traveling further down into the Hells before leaving. He tells Marsh that he will be around if she requires any sort of advice, guidance, or a metaphorical shoulder. ### Thelekarna's roost The party comes across some rotting vultures being watched over by an erinyes named Thelekarna, who claims to be the "druid" presiding over the Trove. She declares that the swamp is the most beautiful place in the world, lamenting that devils do not appreciate it and mortals outright defile it. Kyward initially angers Thelekarna by suggesting that the place is "stinky" and without much to ruin, but Blaed endears themself to her by sharing that the Trove is their favorite place they've seen in the Hells so far. Because of this, Thelekarna lets them leave without issue. As they are departing, Mysty notices that Thelekarna is wearing a Belt of Storm Giant Strength. She quietly relays this to Blaed, who she believes would find it useful. Azure speaks up to agree. Blaed shuts the conversation down, however, arguing that they can't just steal the belt. ### Return to the barge The party makes it back to Koh Tam's barge. Noticing the phylactery tied to Marsh's bag, Koh Tam expresses that he is very happy for her. Despite having just offended Orishada the day prior, the group decides to head back to Dis so that they can sell their newly bottled memories to Corteso. ### Dream eaters As they get going, the group passes by a forest of gnarled trees populated by large, sloth-like creatures called oneirovores – or "dream eaters." Blaed calls them cute; Koh Tam shares that he is fond. He explains that oneirovores are descendants of fey and that – though they are typically peaceful – they can emit a shriek that would likely kill at least a few of the party members. He adds that lesser devils are contractually obligated to protect nearby oneirovores if they are disturbed. ### Visiting the Market of Victims Koh Tam Plane Shifts the barge up to Dis. The party disembarks and heads to the Agora of Floating Knives, deciding to stop by the Market of Victims in case Syn and Elysia's quarry is being sold there. Sure enough, the party encounters a barbed devil – G'lank Thraan – selling a phylactery that contains an elven noblewoman from Toril who was murdered by an agent of Asmodeus. Kyward secures the phylactery by outbidding an affliction devil with an offer of 5,000 gold. Ammisyll Veldann is, in fact, inside. ### Meeting Ammisyll Veldann Although she is initially rude to Kyward from inside the phylactery, Ammisyll is pleased to learn that he is "fey kin" and that he is a court advisor. She is less pleased to find out that he was born a commoner. Marsh and Blaed come to Mysty's defense when Ammisyll calls her "fiend blood." Kyward tells Ammisyll that she needs to be respectful; despite this, he does say that "it's kind of funny." Mysty disagrees. In response, Ammisyll implies that she and Kyward are the only nobles among them. Marsh and Blaed, who are also nobles, do not bother correcting her. On Mysty's insistence, Kyward puts Ammisyll in their Bag of Holding so that she can no longer be heard. Blaed comforts Mysty. ### Selling memories The party successfully sneaks into Orishada's Palace with the help of Corteso. After they sell their bottled experiences, Corteso informs them that they are among its favorite vendors that it has met this month. It tells them that they are free to return if they find any other memories to sell. On their way out, each party member receives a small bag in which there are a few candies and an enamel pin of a brain. ### Regrouping with Syn & Elysia Back at the barge, Mysty informs Elysia that Kyward spent 5,000 gold to recover Ammisyll Veldann's soul. Despite this – and despite the fact that Syn and Elysia will be paid 6,000 gold each if they manage to return Ammisyll to Evermeet – Kyward asks for a mere 275 gold pieces to round out his total to 9,000. Mysty is incredulous; Elysia is delighted; Syn is as dry as usual. After confirming that Syn is okay with the transaction, Elysia hands over the requested 275 gold. When she finds out that possessing the phylactery magically boosts the accuracy of weapon attacks, Syn suggests that Blaed should hold onto it until they are out of the Hells. Blaed is reluctant but ultimately takes the phylactery, though she immediately puts it in her Bag of Holding after Ammisyll calls her a anti half-elf slur. --- ## Page Tags/Properties **Tags:** #Timeline **Category:** [[Timelines.base|Timelines]] **Type:** Campaign **Campaign:** [[Chains of Asmodeus]]