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?
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