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Prologue - A place most foul

avatar Ultan 31.Jul.2012 03:07
Minding his own business, Nathanael Helsang sips on a mug of beer, overlooking the taproom from a small table placed in the back of the tavern.

The young wizard is on his way to Ashabenford in order to meet with an old acquaintance of his master. Unfortunately the caravan providing his means of travel came to a halt in a tiny hamlet called Peldan's Helm, only two days worth of travel away from Nathanael's destination.

A broken wheelaxle or something similar tedious seemed to be the cause of Nathanael's suffering and while the young man was sure to have been bothered by the travelling merchants, he couldn't care less about such peasant headache.

Nevertheless the wizard was stranded until the carawan was ready to move on.
Biding his time Nathanael shudders at the first taste of the cheap alcohol, but soon takes a second sip. Boredom has always appeared as waste of ressources to the young academic so he tends to keep his mind occupied at all times. Nathanael tries to concentrate on the upcoming conversation with his mentor's colleague, but soon his minds drifts away as a conversation held by a few locals at a nearby table draws his attention:

"Hey, Ranph, did ya hear 'bout Farnie and Jeya? Them and Cari went out to that old wizard's place, you know, the one that everyone says is haunted."
The voice belongs to a sturdy but dim looking man around his forties. He'es sitting in front of an much younger man with reddish hair.
"Sure did", the redhead answers in a hushed voice.
"I heared that they musta tripped something while looking around, 'Cause they heared this great big roaring outta this secret room. Then Cari disappeared. Jeya and Farnie took off from there, and who wouldn't?"
"Y'bet I would! Where'd they get to? Haven't seen them in the last couple o' days."
"They're hidin' now, afraid somethin's cgonna come after 'em."


A few more locals gather around Ranph and his pal to join in the discussion, tossing off chant about the old mound where the wizard's home is.
avatar Damian 31.Jul.2012 02:07
An old wizard's place in Peldan's Helm? The Dalelands are not too fare away from Cormyr and Nathanael was sure to have heard about every remarkable wizard in that region, leaving the young appreciate with only two options. First, the folks talk just the usual town gossip, unworthy to listen to. But in the second case, they stumbled about something interesting, worth to be discovered.

Nathanael gently apologises to his mentor's colleague for interrupting their conversation and switches tables.

"Goodday! My name is Nathanael Helsang and while being a wizard myself, I would like to know more about this old wizard's place, if you do not mind."
avatar Ultan 31.Jul.2012 05:07
The locals flinch for a moment as Nathanael mentions being a wizard, but curiosity soon gets the upper hand. Ranph bows in a most clumsy way before telling you his name.

"Chauntea's blessing, master Helsang. Ye dunno about the ol' mound with the wizard's cottage on top? It's a half day's walk to the south, maybe less so. Place is abandoned though, haven't seen nobody coming up from or going there since forever. The wizard itself is long gone and I heard cross-traders cleaned the place out quite well. Well... somethin' must still be there. Farnie and Jeya wouldn't run from nothin', would they?

What you gon' to do, master Helsang? You might wanna check this out, do ya? If there's monsters and such you sure can handle it, right?"

The villagers look rather worried as Ranpg mentions 'monsters and such'. Mistledale has remained one surpinsingly peaceful place in the Realms over the past few decades and most folks around here aren't much familiar with the horrors that haunt the people almost everywhere else.
avatar Damian 31.Jul.2012 07:07
Nathanael scratches his chin and his eyes sweep to the window while listening to Ranph's report. The repairing of the waggon surely takes a couple of days and if he do not want to loose his mind watching cows and farmers, he might proove the validity of the nebolous claim. And who knows, Mystra moves in mysterious ways.

"Well, cowards die many times before their deaths and the valiant never taste of death but once. Expect me tomorrow. Probably I could bring back your Cari."

Finishing his last sentence, Nathanael bids farewell to his mentor's colleague and leaves the tavern to find a path to the haunted house.
avatar Ultan 31.Jul.2012 08:07
The famer's seem to be put at easy by Nathanaels bold words and they hastily scribble a crude map for the wizard.
As it's just a couple of hours past noon, the young man decides to leave at once and makes his way out of the tavern, past the few buildings that form the entirety of Peldan's Helm and into the rural hills and fields that surround the hamlet.

Not surprisingly the trip ist long but uneventful. The sky is bright and clear and the local animals are lively and loudly. Birds scold the wizard and each other all afternoon, and insecty hum lazily in the undergrowth. There's no sight of monsters or even remotely danger during the trip, after all Mistledale is a pieceful haven inmidst the raging Realms.

The wizard's mound isn't hard to find. From the outside, the dwelling built into the mound appears decrepit, cracked and vilated. Its wooden door swings awkwardly in the mild breeze, producing an eerie creaking. The little hill, a rounded spot just off the trail Nathanael was following all the while, looks curiously bare, though trees stand all around the base of the slope. The hill is covered with dry, brown grass and dotted with the occasional boulder. It rises about 50 feet above the door, which is set in its very base.
avatar Damian 31.Jul.2012 09:07
Nathanael casts some defensiv spells and enters[1]
 1. Mage Armor, Shield.
avatar Ultan 31.Jul.2012 10:07
The entryway shows evidence that seasons have passed since the mage left his home. The open door has all but invited in the elements; leaves, both withered and fresh, lie heaped on the floor in places and pushed into piles against the walls. Only a few lie scattered across walkways.
Nathanael finds the wizards home to be thoroughly looted. Furnishing has been pushed around and thrown hazardly around the rooms. Nothing of much value seems to have remained in the mound; the place is in shambles.
A berk looking for secret compartments has gouged holes in the walls and pulled down paintings and plaques.

After passing a short corridor, Nathanael stands in the main hall, a large room capped by a dome of bronze. Ivory paint peeling on the walls attests to its former glory. Now dust thickly coveres everything in the chamber, disturbed only by recent tracks.
Doors and passageways lead off to the other rooms.
avatar Damian 01.Aug.2012 12:08
Normally, adventurers would open all doors and search even in the smallest corners, but Nathanael was a wizard and so he condemn overhasty actionism. He casts a very simple spell[1] and concentrates.
 1. Detect Magic
avatar Ultan 01.Aug.2012 01:08
As soon as Nathanael cast the spell the feeling of a radiating magic flows through his body. Almost shocked for a moment, the wizard turns to the east where the magic flow seems to originate.
There is a door set in stonewall before him and some point behind it radiates conjuration magic most potent. Nathanael can't think of an occasion where he experienced power of that magnitude. Whatever spell or object lies beneath these walls it must be amongst the highest grades of magic.
avatar Damian 01.Aug.2012 03:08
Nathanael cannot abort a smile, too overwhelming is the impression of the powerful magic. He hesitates just a few seconds thinking about the possible dangers and then tries to investigate the door.
avatar Ultan 01.Aug.2012 03:08
The door is made of oak and looks quite sturdy. Luckily it doesn't appear to be locked, so Nathanael has no trouble pushing it open.
The room he enters must have been some kind of laboratory or spellcraft chamber. Like all the other rooms it is covered with dust disturbed only by a couple of footprints on the floor. Those must be from the villagers as the prints itself look quite human in shape and size.
Somehow, those sods discovered a secret door hidden behind a lab table pushed into the wall, which leaves a gaping hole in the wall as of now. The tracks lead into a black passageway beyond.

The wizard takes a look around the chamber which is not entirely empty. Beakers and ingredient bottles have been smashed, and there's a couple of old books and parchments, or rather what's left of them, heaped in a corner. Broken lab tables and shelves line the walls, some of them rotten and decaying.
avatar Damian 01.Aug.2012 03:08
A dark and hidden passage. Nathanael wonders why his professions favours such oppressive hideouts, but the magic lures his attention like a moth to a flame. While hoping not to shovel his own grave, Nathanael glances over the rest of the room before entering the gaping hole.
avatar Ultan 01.Aug.2012 03:08
Nathanael follows the hidden passway some yards into the dark, before he almost runs into a heavy door reinforced with iron bands. There doesn't seem to be a lock on this door so one dauntless push should open it.
On the other hand, whatever the source of the magic aura felt before must lie on the other side. Maybe some caution would be wise? However what would protect a poor sod from magic that grand?
avatar Damian 01.Aug.2012 05:08
Years later, Nathanael would have agreed that it was surely not his best idea to just burst into a mystery without even thinking carefuly for a moment or two, but that was exactly what he did. Too exciting was the question what kind of magic caused such powerfull effect.
avatar Ultan 01.Aug.2012 05:08
The door opens into a vaulted chamber, lit by a pale blue glow that seems to radiate from the walls. The ceiling rises a good 30 feet above the floor. Supporting buttresses meet in the center, as in a cathedral's dome Alchemical equipment lines the far walls, while potion bottles, chalk, and vials litter the table closest to the center of the room. Dust coats nearly everything, from floor to ceiling.
In the exact center of the room, a magical circle is iscribed into the floor in solid gold plating. The circle seems to repel the dust that has gathered everywhere else in the laboratory, though some of the traceries of the diagram outside the circle are not as immune to the steady accumulation of the years.

Nathanael rises an eyebrow in curiosity, then steps into the vaulted chamber.
Dust rises in little clouds near his feet, revealing more gold plating on the floor. In fact, the gold inscription, hidden under the dust of years, extend far beyond the circle in the center of the laboratory - the diagram covers the entire room! The carefree entrance of the young wizard has triggered the etching's magic.

A warm wind hurls the dust up into the air, where it sparkles and shines in the room's blue glow. The hazy nimbus surrounds you, sweeping you up in a surge of magical force, and the room spins around and around in a blur until your eyes feel as though they will fly from your head and a whirring fills your ears and suddenly -

The room stops spinning. No, it's not the room anymore. You're lying supine wihtin a glowing lattice. And you feel hot.

(http://uo-planescape.wdfiles.com/local--files/baator/Avernus_by_A_Stokes-D%26D_3ed_(2006)_WOTC-Fiendish_Codex_II-Tyrants_of_the_Nine_Hells.jpg)

Avernus, first layer of Baator

You have a moment of disorientation while your head clears from the magical transit. The stench of sulfur and ozone fills your nostrils. Hard stone supports your weight. The glowing blue lattice has faded from your sight, allowing you to notice that you're lying atop a circular inscribed diagram - an exact duplicate of the one that brought you here, but black instead of gold.
From off to one side comes a sharp intake of breath. Turning, you see the fiend.
Staring slack-jawed at you is a spiny little critter about three feet tall with wings and a spiked tail, carrying a military fork. It is backing into the gloom of a nearby crevice in a stony wall, keeping a close eye on you all the while.
avatar Damian 01.Aug.2012 06:08
Nathanael's face deforms first in surprise, then in disbeliefe, then in panic and finally bursts into insane laughter just to stop a second later again in horror. If he was not already completly screwd, he would curse his foolishness. He did everything false a wizard could do false. A portal! By mystra! A portal and as it seems to have him lead to one of the most filthy planes existing.

Then his survival instinct awakes and the young, foolish wizards casts another protective spell, this time more related to the danger he was trapped inside[1]. Afterwards he carefully looks around scanning especially the fiend nearby[2].
 1. Protection from Evil.
 2. Knowledge (the planes): 21.
avatar Ultan 01.Aug.2012 06:08
Looking around Nathanael tries to get a better impression of the surroundings.
The ground is made out of sharp crystaline rock and completely devoide of any plant life. Almost every surface is blotched with dark stains and some of the debris on the ground seems far too organic to be made of stone. Adding the heavy scent hanging in the air, Nathanael feels reminded of a slaughterhouse.
The blood red sky is illuminated by fiery explosions which occure at random intervals, luckily not too close by.
Toothy mountains loom on every side, there peaks hidden in dark clouds looming over the hellish landscape.

Drawing his conclusion Nathanael might have stumbled into one of the bizarre layers of the Infinte Abyss, but otherwise the scenery resembles the description of Avernus, first layer of dreaded Baator or more common the Nine Hells.
Reinforcing this reasoning would be the hideous creature next to him, which matches the image of a Spined Devil or Spinagon, often depicted as one of the least Baatezu.
While the fiend looks not too much of a threat to the young wizard, his barbed frame could hurt a lot if underestimated.
avatar Damian 02.Aug.2012 08:08
Nathanael knows nothing about this hostile plane and though it would have seemed absolutely lightheaded to him just a day ago, he had no other option and thus raises his voice to speak to the devil.

Before wasting limited resources, the young wizard chooses the tongue of the fire elementals.

"I am in search of a portal back to the material plane."
avatar Ultan 02.Aug.2012 09:08
The spinagon jumps as Nathanael adresses him. The fiend prostrates himself on the ground seemingly frightened and flustered.
A hissing voice pops into the wizards mind, the overall tone most submissive.

"Welcome to Avernus m'lord. This one didn't expect such an important guest coming here this ... sudden. Surely you must be a man of both power and fame. Allow this one to offer his service and aid. Whatever might be your wish I shall strive for it to become true."

The creature looks up to you from the ground, his face sporting what might pass for a charming smile - if you were to think of a face filled with razor sharp teeth as charming that is.
avatar Damian 03.Aug.2012 01:08
Avernus. Nathanael was kept inside the Nine Hells and so it would be more than foolish to trust the words of a devil. But what does the baatezu want? Spinagons are considered by many to occupy the lowest rank on the baatezu heirarchy besides the lemures which are not considered real baatezu by the devils themselves. So the spinagon wants to gain favour, but most likely not from him.

"And I already declaimed my wish."
avatar Ultan 03.Aug.2012 01:08
The Spinagon crouches on the ground, wringing his hands in desperation.

"Yes, yes, of course, m'lord, I shall answer! Unfortunatly the conduit you just stepped trough is one way, my apologies.
But there is surely another gate somewhere.
The witch might know, yes! You should go ask her, I bet she knows! To the east lies her residence, just at the foot of the mountain range."
avatar Damian 03.Aug.2012 06:08
A witch from Avernus should help him? What help should that witch offer than cutting him in little slices, cooking and eating them afterwards? By mystra, but what else should he do? Walking through this hostile plane without any plan seems as insane as trusting that devil and hoping to get help from a witch in hell.

But probably he should tries to take that devil with him. Who knows whether he tells any other fiendish creature of his arrival. Better to keep him in sight. Although his first narrow and harsh sounding sentences have been more a reaction to this sheer madness, Nathanael hopes that the devil's servility was not a well performed joke and he so he tries to keep his commanding attitude.

"Guide me!"
avatar Ultan 03.Aug.2012 07:08
A painful grimace shows on the face of the fiend.

"Guide you to the witch? No, that'd spell certain doom for me. The witch doesn't take kindly to me kind, you know. If I step so much as within her field of view she'll slay me for sure.
She lives in a shack at the foot of the mountains. You won't miss it, m'lord I assure you."
avatar Damian 03.Aug.2012 10:08
Nathanael rises an eyebrow. Could it be that this witch defends the only celestial outpost in hell? He grins due to the sheer absurdity of this thought. But why should the devil avoid her home?

"Tell me more about that witch. Who is she that she dislikes your kind?"
avatar Ultan 04.Aug.2012 12:08
The devil sighs.

"Who she is? Just a barmy ol' planar I guess. She's taken residance in the mountains a few decades ago. No one knows why. Bel might, after all she must have some sort of agreement with him, after all she's still not in the deathbook after all those years, you see.
Well, whatever her reasoning, she has enough power to repell the likes of me and my kin.
So you want to go visit her? Best of luck to you, m'lord."
avatar Damian 04.Aug.2012 11:08
Nathanael squint his eyes while starring at the devil.

"And what are you going to do right now?"
avatar Ultan 04.Aug.2012 06:08
"Me?"
The fiend tries to gives you an innocent grin - failing miserably.

"Oh, I'm just going to attend some private matters. Hardly worth telling and surely not worth your interest m'lord. Going here and there, maybe kicking around some lemures, you know the usual.
avatar Damian 04.Aug.2012 06:08
Nathanael answers the devil with a grim mien.

"I asked you a question and hope you do not fail at answering again."
avatar Ultan 04.Aug.2012 07:08
The fiend flinches, his clawed hands twitching nervously.

"I mean... I'll stay right here, m'lord. In fact... well... it's my duty to guard the conduit."
avatar Damian 04.Aug.2012 08:08
"And who told you so?"
avatar Ultan 04.Aug.2012 08:08
"Well, ultimately we work all for the greater evil, right? Which would be no other than Bel himself, at least on Avernus that is. If you speak of the one who gave me the direct order, it is Ar'kle-mens, a Red Abishai and another servant of Bel."
avatar Damian 04.Aug.2012 09:08
"And I suppose, he told you to report every single incident happening here, especially, if someone appears at the portal, right?"
avatar Ultan 04.Aug.2012 10:08
The small fiend looks at you with wide eyes.

"Well... yes. Sort of. I mean duty is duty, right? If I'd fail to mention a trespasser while on guarding duty, do you know what my superiors would do to me? Me neither. But I bet something I'd rather not want to happen.
Do you mind me making a report? I mean sooner or later you'll be noticed nevertheless. You sort of stick out from the crowd, you know?"
avatar Damian 04.Aug.2012 10:08
Nathanael smiles.

"Not at all. I understand your duty and I appreciate your way of tackling tasks dutifully and willingly. Unfortunately I see a dilemma. If you report my arrival on this plane, you leave this place and will not be able to perceive the arrival of another creature. In other words, you do not fullfil your duty. But if you stay, you cannot report my arrival and do not fullfil your duty either. A tricky quandary, but probably I may help[1]."

 1. Diplomacy: 20.
avatar Ultan 04.Aug.2012 11:08
Undecided the fiend scratches his head.

"More of the likes of you? I don't know. There hasn't ben anybody for decades coming through this conduit. It's probably not very likely for another one to suddenly pop up. Or is there?"

The Spinagon eyes you with suspicion.

"What leads you here anyway, if I may ask so? You've some sort of business with the higher-ups? If so you'd have to report anyways. Wouldn't it be more convenient if I just herald your arrival?"
avatar Damian 04.Aug.2012 11:08
Nathanael keeps on smiling politly.

"I may be wrong, but will you tell your master that an arrival of another creature seemed unlikely if another one appears and your master asks you why you left your guard? Will he accept that answer? It is probably not very likely, it is not?

I am, where I am. And I have to leave this place back to the material plane. That is everything I told and will tell you. Because you are still alive, I have, as you recognize, no hostile intention towards you. And to whom and of which position I may speak while being on this plane is unfortunately nothing I can tell you.

My attendance neither requires an announcing nor does it forbids one. To me, whatever you do is most likely irrelevant, if we consider, where we are. But to you it matters and by offering you my help a second and last time, I wanted to reciprocate because you have told me where I am. So tell me if you like to hear my offer."
avatar Ultan 05.Aug.2012 12:08
The devil seems confused by your long speech.

"So you want to make a deal? That's... well that's fine with me. I like deals, go on."
avatar Damian 05.Aug.2012 12:08
Nathanael nods.

"My offer is very simple and still serves your pursuit. I offer you to not tell anyone in any way that I appeared at the portal you are guarding. I will not tell a lie, but due to the fact that the portal through which I arrived is precisly spoken not the same portal as this one here because of the small but important distinction in time, no creature will ever ask exactly the right question to get the answer that would set you in very uncomfortable conditions. And due to the fact, that my appearance here is completly random, I doubt that you take any risk by keeping your secret. Personnaly I have better things to keep in mind and will forget this incident as soon as I have to remember something more important.

But, as an offer intends, the decision is up to you."
avatar Ultan 05.Aug.2012 01:08
Undecided the fiend hops from one feet to another. After a brief moment he seems to have come to a conclusion.

"So basically we have never seen each other, right? You don't tell that you stumpled to this conduit and I won't report you?
Fine, let's do this. Now if you'd please leave this place before anyone sees us together, m'lord."
avatar Damian 05.Aug.2012 01:08
Nathanael was not sure, whether he could believe the devil's words and neither whether his little trick brought him any advantage, but it felt like he got the upper hand and for now that was more than he could have wished to achieve.

"With pleasure."

Following the way the devil described to him, Nathanael leaves the plateau.
avatar Ultan 05.Aug.2012 02:08
Nathanael finds his trek across the reddish plain largely uneventful. On the horizon, he sees vast numbers of fiends marching about to the south an leathery-winged flyers above them.
The sweltering heat makes the journey uncomfortable, more so because the small portion of water the wizard has brought with him is steadily dwindling.
Great blocks of black basalt lie scattered about, and fireballs explode at random intervals, shedding light and heat across the land. None of the missiles get close enough to threaten the the young man directly, but a wave of heat ripples his clothing every time one bursts nearby. Even when the fireballs explode far away, their thunder rolls across the plains like a stampeding herd.

After several miles of travel Nathanael reaches a river. Closer inspection of the red, sluggish stream reveals that it's a river of blood coursing across the plain!
Images of tormented faces spring up on the foam caught in the eddies of the river, to be dashed to bits on the rocks. Each such "face" seems to let out a faint scream when the current forces it against the crags, thought that might be simply the splashing of the fluid on the basalt. A muted howling comes from much farther upstream, from the spring in the mountains.
As the horrifying river stretches in front of the mountains where the witches hut is supposed to be, Nathanael has to choose to either cross it or find a way around it.
avatar Damian 05.Aug.2012 05:08
It is always a pitty to loose useful resources, but Nathanael was kept in hell and so had not time to waste. Without further ado he casts a spell and crosses the river[1].
 1. Natahanael casts Fly.
avatar Ultan 05.Aug.2012 05:08
Once across the River of Blood, Nathanael has no trouble finding the quarters of the witch. The mountains are a short distance away, and a cloud of smoke rises from the base of the one towering before him. This billowing cloud differs from the dirty black smoke of exploding fireballs in that it looks white, as though from a cooking flame or hearth fire. The column originates approximately a half mile south of where the river emerges from the mountains.
As Nathanael draws closer he finds the smoke puring heavily out of a smalle cave in the base of the mountain, directly on his line of approach. Someone as set up a ring of posts around the cave some 30 feet from the entrance. As the posts have no crossbar spanning the 5 feet between each, they do not seem a handy method of repelling intruders.
As the young wizard approaches, he sees a white-haired woman clad in red robes stagger, coughing, from the cave. She glances up with beary, bloodshot eyes, curses, and begins to make a series of gestures.
avatar Damian 05.Aug.2012 06:08
Nathanel sighs. Who would have suspect the witch to be agressive. By trying to identify the witch's spell, he starts his own attack[1].
 1. Spellcraft: 30; Spell: Web
avatar Ultan 05.Aug.2012 06:08
At the same moment Nathanael finishes his spell he reads from the witch's gestures, that she is about to cast the very same magic.

The web cast by the witch spreads anchored between the posts and sticky strand try to entrap the wizard. With a sudden movement Nathanael dodges the arcane trap and fires his own spell.
Nathanael's magic hits the suprised witch with uncanny accuracy and a moment later the old woman hangs screaming and cursing trapped in her very own spell in the entrance to the cave.
avatar Damian 05.Aug.2012 11:08
Nathanael lands next to the witch carefully avoiding the web. He is curious what kind of creature survives in the Nine Hells by protecting itself with magic, even Nathanael had mastered.

"Greeting, Mylady. I beg you pardon for interupting your privacy, but I was told to ask you for a way back to the material orany different, more friendly plane than Avernus."
avatar Ultan 06.Aug.2012 12:08
The woman glares at you with fury.

"Wretched fiend, why do you mock me even in defeat? Why can't you just leave me alone?"
avatar Damian 06.Aug.2012 10:08
Nathanael raises his hands trying to curb the witch's distrust.

"By Mystra, I am no fiend and I am neither native to any other plane than the material one. I came here by accident and I am just looking for a way to return to my homeplane. Please, Mylady, trust my words![1]"
 1. Diplomacy: 12
avatar Ultan 06.Aug.2012 04:08
The woman studies Nathanael with a peery eye as if weighing her options, then she speaks.

"You want me to believe that you're not one of those? If you want me to, let me go! I'll go inside and grab somethin' to make sure what you claim to be is the truth. I won't hurt you if you turn out to be an honest man."
avatar Damian 06.Aug.2012 05:08
Nathanael smiles in despair.

"Well, that is indeed a compelling test to check whether I am a fiend. No devil and neither any demon would be that stupid. But it seems that I lack of alternatives"

With a small gestures, Nathanael releases the witch of his magic.

"And if you want to thank me by killing me, it would be grateful if you would give me nine hours to reprepare that spell."
avatar Ultan 06.Aug.2012 07:08
The witch seems surprised as Nathanael dismisses the magic. Quickly she hobbles into the cave mouth. A moment later she returns carrying a metallic flask and a dangerous looking mace.
As she emerges from the cave she lifts a shiny gem up to her face, looking through it at the wizard. Inspecting Nathanael from head to toe she finally puts the gem down and nods.

"Hardly to believe but you aren't one of them shapechangers, that's for sure. You said you're a prime? If that'd be true you'd be a barmy one, to stumble into the Pit.
But why don't we have this talk inside? There's less eyes and ears in my place."
avatar Damian 06.Aug.2012 08:08
Nathanael keeps his lousy smile.

"With pleasure. And if you refer to the material plane while caling me a prime, yes indeed, that is where I belong to."
avatar Ultan 06.Aug.2012 09:08
Nathanael follows the witch into the cave. As he passes the entrance, he feels a strange tingle.
Once inside he spies a small hut, from which white smoke still emerges in fitful, acrid puffs. Thr woman leads you in, introducing herself as "Hexla the Mad. 'Least that's how I was called back home. I don't mind the "mad" part. It can be quite convenient to keep unwanted visitors at bay, you know?"

The inside of the hut seems larger then it looked from the outside. There's an old dented cauldron boiling some obscure liquid in the middle of the room which produces a steady stream of smoke that rises to a hole in the roof. Lot's of charms, made of wood, bone or worse dangle from the narrow ceiling an in the corner besides as triangular door sits a large shelf, nearly bursting with dusty tome and strange objects.

Hexla plumps into a rocking chair seemingly made of bones. She makes a gesture as if invinting you to take as seat, but there is no other chair nearby.
"It's rare for m to have guests these days, atleast ones that don't come to slice my throat," Hexla cackles.
avatar Damian 06.Aug.2012 09:08
Nathanael touches some of the charms, before turning to the witch and asking her a question which he had on the tip of his tongue since he saw that lady.

"Normally, I would not be that inpolite, but being trapped in hell is not that normal, so please pardon me my direct question: what are you doing here?"
avatar Ultan 06.Aug.2012 10:08
Hexla makes a grim face.

Like you, I'm a prisoner of hell. I had once a life of peace in my home on the Outlands but when I learned of the multitude of planes all around me, foolishly I wanted to see them with my very own eyes. I discovered an ancient spell that that was to provide me with the necessary means for many years. But it was a failure. There was a puff of smoke and and bright flash but nothing else. The smell of sulfar hang thick in the air and when I left my house, I stumbled right into the very cave we're sitting in.
This all happened many years ago, I've given up to count the years."
avatar Damian 06.Aug.2012 10:08
"That does not sound that you know a way back to another more friendly plane."
avatar Ultan 06.Aug.2012 10:08
The witch bares her yellow teeth.

"I don't. But there is someone, or rather something that does. The pillar of skulls.
The pillar is composed of the skulls of the victims of the blood war. Mostly fiends but it's said that there also are the heads of the truly wicked, cowardly or most rotten mortals. Although it's composed of dead flesh and bones, the pillar itself is sentient and quite knowledgeable. After countless centuries of absorbing heads, it's got the answers to 'most any questions.
Ask it about the way out and make sure to also ask about the key, too. You have to be more clever than it is and they say the pillar's is made out of the skulls of petitioners who lied for a livin'. It'll try to cut a deal with you, but you've to make sure you're gettin' the better end of it.

If you accept my advice you have to follow the River of Blood through a set of hills. Once past 'em, you'll come to a plain surrounded by more hills that form a dead end at the bend of the river. Head off to the right, towards those hills across the plain, and soon you'll reach the pillar."
avatar Damian 09.Aug.2012 03:08
Nathanael nods.

"You do not want to come with me, do you?"
avatar Ultan 09.Aug.2012 04:08
The witch blinks at you, a moment of hesitation in her eyes. Then she shakes her head.

"Those wretched fiends would take the opportunity to raid this place, taking my last belongings from me. I can't leave my home unguarded, it's the only thing left to me in this hell."
avatar Damian 09.Aug.2012 05:08
"Well then, but if I manage to find a way back to another plane, would you like to join me?"
avatar Ultan 09.Aug.2012 07:08
Sceptically the witch tilts her head. For a faint moment hope glimmers ope in her eyes, then she burst in almost maniacal laughter.

"A way back? You say you'll come back to this place even if you find an escape from Avernus? As if there was a soul in all of the Nine Hells that'd be this pure and honest. Hah, I almost fell for it. Don't you play games with an old woman, Clueless One.
Now get out of my house, we're done with the talking. You go and try your luck with getting out of this rotten plane, I'll be sittin' here for the rest of my miserable life."
avatar Damian 09.Aug.2012 07:08
Nathanael nods and follows the witch's instructions.
avatar Ultan 10.Aug.2012 01:08
Nathanael leaves the witche's shack, preparing to make his way to the Pillar of Skulls.
As soon as he's a few yards away from the hut, Hexla the Mad shouts after him:

"Don't forget where you are, Prime. There is no one to be trusted in the Nine Hells, mark my words."

A maniacal laughter follows shortly after. Looks like her personality fits her name after all.

Shaking of the uneasy feeling, the wizard steps out of the mountain cave and walks towards his next destinition. The right path is not hard to find but walking it turn out to be far from convenient. The sharp, bloodied rocks pierce through the soles of Nathanael's shoes. All too often the young man has to cower behind debris or jagged crags to stay out of sight of passing fiends and soon his body is covered in bruises.
The fiery explosions in the distance only add to the feeling of impending doom.
Nevertheless the witches directions were quite accurate and after a few hours of hardship a tall pillar rises before Nathanael.

The Pillar of Skulls is huge, towering almost a hundreth feet into the sky and as Nathanael draws closer he hears the sound of many voices, argueing and bickering among themselves. Soon the voices rise into a cacaphony of sound in the still air of the surrounding hills.

As it turns out, the pillar is not exactly made of skulls. Instead, it is a pile of the living heads of humand, dwarves, elves, and other beings not so easily identifiable. The heads, in various states of decay and decomposition, are little mor than bone-boxes with no more trace of their former bodies. Yet some of them remain silent, keeping a watch over the surroundings, while others stay quiet only because they're missing pieces of their jaws or tongues.
It looks as though the Pillar of Skulls extends into the ground, with half buried heads still trying to talk, despite the earth filling their mouths.

Nathanael stands now in front of the pillar, only a few feet away from the monstrosities that live inside. Some of the heads have taken notice of him, eyeing him with suspicion, but overall the pillar seems to ignore him.
avatar Damian 10.Aug.2012 03:08
Nathanael has read about many magical or mysterious places. A day ago, he would have been sure to face every absurdity, no matter how strange, but now he remains silent for a couple of seconds. Skulls. Where ever he looks. And still talking. But well, what had he exspected in hell?

He clears his throat:

"Uh, hullo."
avatar Ultan 10.Aug.2012 04:08
Suddenly all heads fall silent, and all eyes turn twoard Nathanael. The heads begin a hushed babble, each seeking to gain the wizards attention, until one voice cuts off the rest with a booming
"'Nuff!"
The head that spoke, larger than most of the rest, perhaps belonged to an ogre or even a giant. Though remarkably ugly and decayed, it manages a slurred, slow but still understandable speech.
Grotesquely rolling his eyes, the giant head spies Nathanael.

"What business do you have with Khazarn, human?", the head roars.
avatar Damian 10.Aug.2012 04:08
Nathanael tries to speak as clear and certain as he is able to.

"I am looking for a portal back to the material plane.
avatar Ultan 11.Aug.2012 01:08
The pillar bursts into laughter.

"A Prime!"

"A Cluesless!"

"He wants to get back to the Material Plane, did you hear?"

"Doesn't he know? What is he, stupid?"

"What folly! A cluesless stranded in hell."

"Foolish Prime, foolish Prime!"

"As if there was but one Material Plane. He doesn't know, right?"

"SILENCE!"

The giant head's voice bellows and all other heads fall silent. Then the big, ugly face turns to Nathanael.

"Cluesless you are indeed, human. There is no way back to the place you call the "Material Plane". There is but a myriad of different planes with that name which all exist next to each other. Correctly choosing the one you're belonging to is next to impossible. You won't be gettin' back home, Prime.
But if you're looking for a way out of Avernus, then we shall strike a bargain."
avatar Damian 13.Aug.2012 10:08
Another prime material plane? No way. These skulls must have mixed something up. Nathanael gets a headache by the sheer thought and shakes his head to dispel the gnawing questions. He has to concentrate on the main problem.

"Well, every way out of Avernus is more than exspected. Since we are still in hell, what kind of bargain do you have in mind."
avatar Ultan 13.Aug.2012 04:08
The monstrous head smiles hideously.

"You want answers human. I on the other hand want something more lively. It's unfortunate you don't have company, so the sacrifice is up to you. What will it be? You could bring me a fiend, although something personal is much more tasty. Perhaps an arm or a leg?"

While the giant head drools in anticipation, an elvish looking head pops up.

"Don't listen to this abomination, human! I'll tell you for a much cheaper price. You just have to knock this ugly big head out of the pillar. Erase him and I'll tell you whatever you need to know."

A third head with a gnomish appeareance speaks up from the lower part of the pillar. Both of his eyes are missing, but he looks at you with rotten, empty sockets nevertheless.

"The spellkey! I need the spellkey to Avernus! Give it to me and you shall be rewarded handsomely!"

Soon all the other heads are chiming in with their own offers in exchange for the secret to leaving the plane.
avatar Damian 13.Aug.2012 04:08
Nathanael is obviously overextended. Does he realy have to offer his arm, fight a rotten head or search a key for a dead gnome? What key, besides? The wizard knees down.

"What is a spellkey?"
avatar Ultan 13.Aug.2012 05:08
Again, the pillar burst in to laughter. The heads seem to be quite amused by Nathanael's ignorance.

The gnome explains:
"Both most intriguing and essential the spellkeys hold the power for tapping into arcane power within the planes. Without a key there is no weaving spells, this is one of the most basic planar rules.
You don't know? You don't seem to be the brutish type either. What are you, a godsman?"
avatar Damian 13.Aug.2012 05:08
Nathanael smiles in frustration.

"Well, but actually I did cast a spell and do not hold any spellkey?"
avatar Ultan 13.Aug.2012 06:08
The gnome's dead eyes look at you.

"Impossible. Without a key to touch there is no casting spells. This is not a law to be ignored by a mere mortal."
avatar Damian 14.Aug.2012 10:08
Having the words of the witch in mind, Nathanael was unsure what to do next. Right now, three skulls offered their bargain and obviously marked the hidden trap of the bargain. But despite the fact, that he neither wants to losse any part of his body nor touch any of these rotten skulls, the young wizard does not yet understand what this key thing was all about.

The witch told him to ask about the key and so did he but to no use. He posseses no key and though he was able to cast a spell either the skull lies or he surprisingly does posses something without noticing. Due to the fact, that he is a terrible lier, he tries questioning further.

"Well, probably I got you wrong. Probably I do posses a key. How does this key look like?"
avatar Ultan 14.Aug.2012 02:08
The gnome spits some clotted blood on the ground, then answers:

"Keys take many forms and have many uses. Think of the planes as a locked up, forbidden place. In order to advance you have to unriddle what lies ahead. Sometimes an object is a key, sometimes a gesture. There are keys that exist only in your mind while others are bizarre rituals that have to be executed with utmost care.
Key are important for unraveling the planes, human. Rarely are they easy to come by but most often a precious secret only known to few. You see, knowledge is quite the treasure in the planes.

You say you have aquired a key without knowing? Baator is not a place were good fortune comes freely, mortal. You should take care not to draw unwanted attention."
avatar Damian 17.Aug.2012 11:08
Nathanael feels clumsy. He stumples across this plane without knowing anything, not even whether he can trust that gnome skull. Besides, if he realy posseses some kind of key, would not it be much more sensful to keep this key?

"Thanks, I am trying. But clueless as I am, I need your help. How do I recognize my spellkey? I realy do not want to stay in Baator longer than absolutely necessary."
avatar Ultan 20.Aug.2012 04:08
The gnomish head hisses angrily.

"If I'd know how it looks like, why would I want to know about it, human? If you can weave magic you're certainly touching a spell key right now."
avatar Damian 21.Aug.2012 11:08
Nathanael nods.

"And you would recognize a spellkey? I mean if I show you everything I got?"
avatar Ultan 21.Aug.2012 12:08
The rotten head nods.

"Yes, that's easy. Magic attracts magic. To recognize is not the issue, but finding one is."

That being said, Nathanael opens his backpack for the skull. One after another he's presenting his belongings to fiendish pillar. When he shows the last item the gnome shakes it's head fiercely.

"No, that's not it. You don't own a key, everything of those is just useless waste. With this you won't be able to bring forth even a spark of magic. How dare you lie to me, prime?"
avatar Damian 21.Aug.2012 12:08
"But I did cast a spell the moment I stepped trough that portal! The spellkey cannot be the dirt I standed upon!"
avatar Ultan 21.Aug.2012 02:08
"...Or can it?"

The gnome seems stumped.

"While the ground itself is unlikely to be a spellkey, there was maybe something else you stepped onto? Quick, where else did you cast a spell? And what did you stand upon at this time?"
avatar Ultan 04.Sep.2012 08:09
Nathanael thinks carefully. If a spellkey could be almost anything then he just had to remind himself of what was near him at the time he casted his spells.
Of course there was always the air around him, but as the air was everywhere, it seems illogical for it to be a proper key. Back then he wasn't grasping onto something but himself, so if he didn't happen to be a spell key himself, then only thing left he was touching would have been the very ground he stood upon. At the time he first arrived on Avernus he found himself on sharp rocks. The rocks were the very same as everywhere else around the plane, so either it'd be a specific shape of rock or something else. He arrived on top of a magic circle, drawn by some hand with an unknown ingredient. The colour of the circle was mostly charred black, but this wasm ost probably due to the scorching by arcane energy. Nathanael used to draw his own circles and symbols with white chalk, he could only guss what substance devils would use to do the same.

As he crossed the River of Blood he too had cast a spell to fly over it. At this time he stood upon the blood-drenched riverbank, hardly anything else in sight but the desolate landscape and the disgusting flow of rotten gore.

The answer to the riddle must be at hand, but he couldn't quite put the finger on it. On the other hand, If the problem would prove itself as too troublesome he could still go back to the witch and ask about the spellkey.
avatar Damian 05.Sep.2012 05:09
Nathanael thinks desparetely.

"What about blood? May this be a proper spellkey?"
avatar Ultan 05.Sep.2012 06:09
The gnome suddenly sports a broad, rotten grin.

"Yes, yes! Bring it to me! Bring me the key and the reward will be yours. Now go! Hurry, hurry!"
avatar Damian 05.Sep.2012 07:09
Nathanael bites in his thumb untill he tastes the bitter taste of blood. With a distorted face he clenches his fist and shows the gnome skull the palm of his hand.

"Is this the spellkey?"
avatar Ultan 06.Sep.2012 10:09
Excited the gnome twists his decaying head.

"It might be! Oh, it is! Finally the key in my reach! With this I'll be able to escape I'm sure. Give it to me! Put it in the pillar! Just push it in here!"

Nathanael musters the pillar of muttering rotten heads and wonders how foolish it'd be to put as much as a finger inside.
avatar Damian 06.Sep.2012 11:09
Nathanael takes a strap of his coat and breaks something of it away. Then he dips the frazzle in his blood and puts it carefully in the pillar of skulls.
avatar Ultan 06.Sep.2012 04:09
"Ah, finally!, the gnomish head cheers.

For a moment the skulls seems caught in excitement, muttering and twisting like a madman.
Then he fixates Nathanael again, his face distorted by a unnatural broad grin.

"A deals's a deal, Prime. There is a portal which will bring you out of Avernus. It lies across the River of Blood, southeast of the keep of Bel. It's a spiny outcropping of rock atop a low hill, you'll recognize it upon seeing.

Now listen for what I'm telling you now is most important. You'll need a key to enter the portal. A brick from the Great Avernus Road will do the trick. The road leads to Bel's keep so you will stumple upon it one way or another.

To use the portal just hold onto the key and step through it's easy as that."
avatar Damian 17.Sep.2012 12:09
Nathanael's eyes widen and he stumbles backwards.

"Bel's keep? I am not insane! Is there no other portal next to no lord of hell?!"
avatar Ultan 18.Sep.2012 11:09
Shaking his head the gnome denies.

"Nay, there ain't. If you want to leave, this very gate it has to be. If you want to have but a chance of survival that is. Otherwise feel free to consult another skull. I bet there's plenty of my kind who will die to make a trade with you. But know that there's not one portal as close. Either you try your luck with the portal next to Bel's keep or you take the chance of traveling another day or two into the blue. Or rather the red it seems."

The rotten head chuckles.

"Not an easy choice I reckon? Well this place wants your soul, you know? It craves after the living. With that kind of feeble determination you won't make it even half way. If you want to survive here then your mind has to be strong. Bend to fear and anxiety and you'll be doomed as certain as the sky is crimson. Now of you go, one way or the other!"

With the sound of a boot treading in deep mud the gnomish head retreats back into the horrifying pillar.
avatar Damian 20.Oct.2012 12:10
Nathanael nods but remains in doubt. How things work in theory does not always match with how things work in reality. Especially if the theory involves Bel. But all in all Nathanaels trip to hell got a head start and given that he has to keep running, the young wizard does not want to loose his advance, now that he finally found out the destination of his race.

He squares his shoulders and smiles.

"Well, the die is cast and that's how it should be. Thank you and farewell."

Nathanael tries to find the portal.
avatar Ultan 25.Oct.2012 05:10
Nathanael leaves the blithering Pillar of Skulls behind and again sets foot onto the blood-slick rocks.
The first landmark of the description given by the gnome can be seen from afar: The sinister River of Blood clearly stands out against the barren landscape and if the gnomish skull was to be trusted, crossing the river would be the first step in finding the portal.

Shortly thereafter the Wizard finds himself again pit against the gory flow, his previous cast spell of flight long faded. As he looks around for a more shallow part of the riverbed, after a while Nathanael finds a place where the blood runs only waist-high. Unfortunatley the river is also where broad at this point, easily measuring 200 yards across.
avatar Damian 25.Oct.2012 06:10
Wanting to leave Hell as fast as possible, Nathanel casts his second fly spell. He would never step into a blood river willingly if there is still another option.
avatar Ultan 27.Oct.2012 07:10
Nathanael casts the spell and rises into the air. With a quick dash he crosses the abominable river and lands safely on the other side.
Leaving this obstacle behind the young wizard moves on.

The plane of Avernus seems to be and endless wasteland of bloodspattered rocks and crimson sky. After hours of walking without meeting anything particular besides the occasional devil flying by in the distance, Nathanael starts to question the directions given by the gnomish skull. After all there never has been given any sense of distance regarding to planar layers in the tomes of high arcana. So if this layer was supposedly endless, how slim would be the chance of tracking an object as comparatively small as a portal?
Pondering the possibilty of being trapped on this fiendish layer, Nathanael doesn't notice the figure appearing on the horizon.
Only after several minutes he notices there is someone approaching him.

The creature is a hulking 7 feet high with scarlet skin and an impressiv muscular build. Two curved horns are protruding from its head and there are severals cryptic tatoos covering the whole of its body.
An abundance of sharp an pointy weapons seem to be attached to the back of the fiend and it drags and enormous and heavily sword behind itself. Although the creature has obviously noticed you, it's not making any effort to attack.
You are unsure if this is due to anxiety or rather a feling of superiority. Condidering the heavy build and the diversity of weaponry the creature is carrying you'd suggest it's the later one.
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