Guardians of the Grove - No Contract for You - 11/16/23

 No Contract for You

With Barrett defeated, the Guardians waste no time pushing forward to the next destination, Duvall’s villa. Wulf and Corvus decide to carry the two children, Ani and Oni, on their backs as the Guardians decide to scale the cliffside. With a combined use of the spider climb spell and several climbing kits, the group can climb towards the top with some ease. However, Corvus and Wulf have difficulty keeping the children sitting tight and climbing the mountain. Atheya relieves Corvus of his burden, and Wulf pushes on. Blood recasts Pass Without a Trace again, but it wasn’t enough to prevent them from being discovered by a group of Imps (3 groups worth). While difficult, the Guardians are able to eliminate the threat before more show up and arrive at the top and into the Villa.

The Guardians are able to discover the entryway into the villa, but before entering, they devise a plan to keep the children safe. Blood will use his rope trick spell, and Wulf casts Alarm to keep the children “safe.” Hoping to return alive, the Guardians enter Duvall's bedroom. Amongst Duvall’s collection are living pictures, blankets of Unicorn fur, and an ornate platinum chest about the size of a shoebox that is possibly trapped. Eltuire has held herself back since the last time she tried to steal something, which went poorly.

Meanwhile, Wulf discovers a leather-bound book with gold decor and an unknown language. With the help of the tongues potion, Wulf is able to discover that this is Duvall’s Journal. With some time, he is able to read a middle entry among the entry keywords that pop up, such as

•  Cabal of ascension

• serve and survive,

• needs more power

•  infernal writing today's date

•  materials gathered

• a rite of ascension

• plans to ___ Tyrax

• one step closer to advancing Cabals’ goals,

• Barret has located the last of the ingredients

With a limited understanding of these entries, the group pushes forward again into a hallway filled with magical darkness. Eltuire, trying to make herself more useful, is able to dispel the Magic. The Guardians make their way through the hallway into another unlit room with only a small glimmer of light, that is, until they step inside and hear Duvall. Duvall admits that while it is disappointing that the Guardians would choose the path against him, he cannot deny their capabilities and offers them a new contract to work under him. Before refusing the contract, the Guardians are able to goad Duvall into talking about the Rite of Ascension. Duvall reveals that the time is close for a cycle to end where new gods may be born, and he plans to become one, a god of “who knows what.” Duvall reveals more about the Divine Cataclysm, a Civil War based on a disagreement on dealing with the approaching cycle. In order to ascend, you must survive the cycle Duvall repeats to the group, offering them a chance to become part of his circle and survive the cycle. The Guardians, unwilling to sell their soul individually, deny Duvall the satisfaction of a contract with the mightiest heroes. One by one, the Guardians push aside the contracts as Blood pushes his aside and says, “It’s in my line of sight."

The battle begins with Blood being shunted to a Maze-space, Wulf enduring a barrage of attacks, El barely dodging a disintegrate spell, Atheya transforming into a draconic state, and Corvus doing his paladin slive and dice smite combos. It’s only just begun. 

Guardians of the Grove - The Smoldering Ashes of Hopelessness - 11/9/23

     The Smoldering Ashes of Hopelessness - 11/9/23

    The Guardians successfully reunite and avoid being possibly kidnapped by a creepy individual offering “shelter.” Wulf adamantly declines the offer, and Blood can do his Ranger thing and search for a more discreet location to set up. While the group waits for Blood’s return, Wulf asks, “What the hell happened?” So, Eltuire explains how she heroically acquired a black diamond, a black diamond that is used for currency down in the Nine Hells. However, she immediately regrets her choice because of the haunting voices of possible 100s of souls in the diamond. Corvus remembers from his studies of Iya and Oya that these diamonds are against the practice of his god. El offers to pass it over to another party member, but the group refuses, knowing she wouldn't pass off something so valuable if there were not a catch.

     Blood returns with the Guardians' next location. Wulf casts Pass Without a Trace, and the group moves towards an abandoned building. Once inside, they find the lower floor destroyed; the Guardians make their way around the house and into a second-floor room. Wulf proposes a short rest to restore some of the resources lost traversing the Hells. Not requiring much rest, Eltuire agrees to cast Catnap on Atheya, Blood, and Wulf, so instead of an hour, they take 10 minutes. Eltuire and Blood spend 4 minutes(an eternity) together before she can make out a voice outside speaking in Infernal; familiar to her, it sounds like Barrett. While her blood boils with the opportunity to repay him for stabbing her, she must keep watch over the bodies of the sleeping Guardians. Time passes, and the voice continues onward; the Guardians are able to rest and prepare for the next steps. 

Once awakened, the group discusses the potential threat of Barret and their willingness to deal with him if he should become an obstacle. Wulf reminds the Guardians of the time set against them and where they need to go to defeat Duvall. Once done, Wulf opens the portal using the object Lysandra gave him. He states the passphrase “The Smoldering Ashes of Hopelessness,” and an orange portal opens. Still, in the abandoned house, the guardians can feel the pressure and heat from the portal; where they go will not be a safe environment. Wulf casts Oasis on the group to keep them safe; at the level cast, it will last 24 hours(?) in a 15ft radius around him. The Guardians head through the portal and witness a new circle of hell around them; smoke and ash fill the air. Volcanic craters wrap around a twisted path that stretches for miles. If not for the protection of Wulf’s Oasis spell, the Guardians would be experiencing a crippling discomfort, and would make traveling much more difficult. 

    As the group progresses, they can make out a familiar bald-headed figure. Stealthily, they approach the figure without giving their position. Quickly, they can identify Barret accompanied by several fiend-like creatures and pull the two Aasimar children that Eltuire saw from the auction. Eltuire, unwilling to let Barret escape again, asks the Guardians for permission to engage. Surprisingly, the Guardians give the green light. Gleefully, Eltuire sneaks in closer and casts Hold Person on Barret. Unable to resist the surprise effect, Barret is immediately paralyzed, and the fiends are surprised. Eltuire signals to attack and take down Barret once and for all. 

                                                                  -Enter Combat-

    Blood releases a barrage of arrows at Barret while Corvus, Eltuire, and Wulf rush the surprised enemy. Atheya wildshapes into a giant eagle and flies above the group. Blood can penetrate Barrett's defenses but with minimal damage. Barret, in response, is able to break free of the Hold Person spell and join the fray, deflecting and returning arrows at Blood with his bare hands. Eltuire and Wulf attempt a combo barrage toward Barret, causing more damage than expected.  Meanwhile, Corvus and Atheya attempt to subdue the other creatures. Corvus rips and tears through the enemies, supporting the best friend duo(EL and Wulf). Atheya, in her eagle form, claws away at the flesh of the enemy as an eagle in the nine circles of hell is definitely a rare sight. Wulf and Barrett enter a heated match as the two exchange mighty blows. However, Barrett is surprised to see that Wulf, through magic and sheer will, can overcome the barrage of attacks and almost appear unphased.

     Barrett may have underestimated his enemy this time and prepared his next move, instructing the other creatures to kill the chained children as it would distract the Guardians long enough to escape. As the battle intensifies and Barrett starts pulling away from the fight, the fiends make short work of the children. Despite the group's best efforts, they are unable to prevent the deaths of the two children as they are slaughtered in front of the Guardians. Seeing two children like herself triggers Eltuire into a fit of rage as she momentarily surpasses her limits and bypasses the reactions of the creatures around her and sprints towards Barrett with piercing speed and jabs her blade inside his lower abdomen, triggering her weapon psychic burst effect and splits Barett in half. His lower body fell into a ravine and was burned two smithereens, along with any possible items. With the main threat dealt with, the other Guardians slice, smash, tear, and shoot the remaining creatures to death.

                                                                  -End Combat-

    After Guardians regain their composure, Wulf and Atheya work fast to revive the children, while more challenging in the Nine Circles of Hells, they are both able to bring back the two children who are at first frightened at the sight of the group and their blood covered attire. Still under the effects of his tongues potion, Wulf can communicate with the children along with Eltuire, who can speak Celestial. They discover that the two children (Ani and Oni?) are from Gladesedge but have no way back home. Wulf pockets their infernal manacles and agrees to carry them to Duvall’s, as leaving them alone to fend for themselves would be impossible in the current environment. With the details of the assault on Duvalls yet to be discussed, the Guardians move forward with contracts to fulfill, tiefling children to rescue, and two new companions in tow. What other promises can they make and keep? 

Guardians of the Grove - Recap 11/2/23

Blame it all on Me

    The Guardians continue their adventures in hell, searching for Edson Duvall and ignoring their natural talent to help people and to cause trouble…at least at first. Blood got distracted by a bow, Corvus promised to save a Tiefling child, Freida, and Eltuire traded her blood for information. It is not the best start, but the Guardians' luck turns around quickly as they are able to meet with Finneas, a disguised seeker, who turns out to be an old “friend” of the group. After the shock passes and everyone's wallets are confirmed safe, Lexa provides the deets on Edson Duvall, to be more exact, his informant with an entire network of spies across several realms, Lysandra. No one is 100% loyal in hell. Their next destination would be Lysandra, with raven black hair, ashen skin, mourning-like attire, and orange eyes that burn like fire. Lexa warns that Lysandra can be quite the manipulator.

 

Self-Control

        The Guardians decide on their next destination, the Auction Blocks, to speak with Lysandra and convince her to give up information on Edson Duvall. When arriving, they witness several “items” on display. Sadly, the group could do nothing, and their mission must take priority, or they would endanger themselves and lose the chance to eliminate Duvall for good. Atheya finds Lysandra, and after an awkward exchange of looks, she makes her way to Lysandra with Corvus and Wulf. At the same time, Eltuire and Blood are left alone, and Eltuire does nothing wrong……

Meanwhile, the trio speaks with Lysandra and arranges sorts. In exchange for the information on Edson Duvall, the Guardians will eliminate him and provide Lysandra with most of  Duvall’s assets, the details to be worked out upon his death, and the freeing of one Tiefling girl, Frieda. The collateral being held is the trio's souls; if they were to break their word, they would lose their souls. The information provided tells them that Duvall is located in the smoldering ash of hopelessness circle at the pinnacle of pride, a villa owned by Duvall that may provide him certain enhancements (lair actions) if confronted in specific areas such as the courtyard. A frontal assault is not recommended. 

 Not My Fault

      While the group discusses their arrangement with Lysandra, Eltuire gets into a bit of mischief with another patron at the auction blocks; Eltuire, unfortunately, fumbles the “trade” and is rescued by Blood, not before being slapped. Blood pops a smoke arrow and the two escape towards the Hollowed Inn. El successfully steals the black diamond, and the attention of the crowd as a major image goes off with both her and Blood's faces appearing as wanted criminals. The other trio makes their way back to the Hollowed Inn, cursing El and Blood the whole way. El and Blood are both able to rendevous with the rest of the Guardians in new temporary forms.  Wulf inquires about what the fuck happened but quickly changes his tone and expresses the urgency to move against Duvall NOW!