Fiendscape: Rise of Yednil - IC

[NotScaryBats]

"Ozazen will tailor its spells to suit this specific task, then. Let us meet back here tomorrow to properly begin this journey."

-----

Nul returns to the cave the next day, now that everyone is prepared and ready to use Ozazen's magic to covertly travel the planes.

[blazinghand]

Ozazen nods to the others. Good to see we're all back here. I'm now ready to transport us and move us around freely. I can bring us across planes twice, teleport us without failure twice, and teleport us with some chance of failure twice today. Are we ready to travel across the planes?

Spoiler: Spells Prepared

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8 - Prismatic Wall, Quickened Dimensional Anchor, Greater Shadow Evocation
7 - Greater Teleport, Greater Teleport, Plane Shift, Plane Shift
6 - Greater Dispel Magic, Repulsion, True Seeing, Greater Heroism, Quickened Mirror Image, Summon Monster VI
5 - Summon Monster V, Teleport, Teleport, Quickened Shield, Quickened Grease, Extended Summon Monster IV,Hold Monster
4 - Black Tentacles, Summon Monster IV, Dimension Door, Solid Fog, Extended Heroism, Extended Protection from Energy, Scrying
3 - Dispel Magic, Magic Circle against Good, Extended See Invisibility, Displacement, Summon Monster III, Clairaudience/Clairvoyance, Extended Mirror Image
2 - Mirror Image, Glitterdust, Web, Web, Detect Thoughts, Mirror Image, Blindness/Deafnesss, Hideous Laughter
1 - Protection from Good, Protection from Evil, Shield, Shield, Mage Armor, Charm Person, Silent Image, Grease
0 - Resistance, Detect Magic, Detect Magic, Arcane Mark, Acid Splash

[NotScaryBats]

Nul nods its featureless face. "Indeed. I love the smell of the Abyss at this time of day."

[blazinghand]

Sensing the others' consent, Ozazen says, For this spell, we will need to gather around in a circle and join hands. There we go. The shift will be instantaneous, and inaccurate at first. Once we're on-plane, I can teleport us exactly anywhere we want on the plane that isn't explicitly warded against teleportation, and whose location I know. My plan is to plane shift us to the Plane of Infinite Portals, close to the town of Broken Reach. After the plane shift, don't let go-- I'll be immediately teleporting us to the town of Broken Reach, where we may be able to find a portal to Steaming Fens.

As the others link arms, Ozazen says, Oh, one last thing-- everyone has to lower their magical shielding. Our innate defenses against magic will resist my magic even if we're willing. Okay, good. Here we go.

Now that everyone's SR is down, he speaks the arcane words and says the gestures, and the spell takes hold, bending reality.

For a moment, a heartbeat, they all stop. Something rumbles deep within the planes, as magic bends spacetime to draw the bulks through void between realities. That heartbeat drags on and on, until an eternity and yet only an instant of subjective experience seems to come crashing down on them. With breath held and time stopped, there was no way to tell how much subjective time was passing, for time has no meaning between one reality and the next.

How long did they spend in that margin between hearthbeats, that error bar on the graph of reality? As far as anyone can measure, no time at all.

Briefly, they are somewhere on the Plane of Infinite Portals, (5d100)[363] miles from the town of Broken Reach. Then, as they still hold hands, Ozazen says the next incantation, and they are teleported without fail to the town. Ozazen lets go.

Welcome to Broken Reach, comrades.

Spoiler: OOC

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Spells cast: Plane Shift x1 and Greater Teleport x1

[Deadline]

Neshrak nods to Ozazen and the others, "Now we simply need to find the Steaming Fens. It has been some time since I last had cause to visit here. There is a succubus who rules this city, or was. She will likely know the dark on the portal we seek. We should start there unless any of you are better informed." He suddenly turns his gaze to a particular section of the city and remains transfixed for a moment before adding, "We may also be able to find a tout with the information elsewhere in this wretched ruin."

Spoiler

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Spells currently up:
Divine Insight
Mind Blank
True Seeing
Unholy Aura

[blazinghand]

Ozazen remains in telepathy with his allies, and casts some spells about himself as he communicates. I'm not familiar with this town, but I'm sure we can find someone who will help us.

His appearance shifts to that of a different arcanoloth, and warps slightly until it's not clear to the average viewer that this is Ozazen. Magical protections weave around him as he lifts into the air and blurs into invisibility. I'm still here, just invisible. It might be prudent for one of us to stay somewhat obscured during any interactions with the locals.

Spoiler: OOC

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Cast Mage Armor, Disguise Self, Invisibility

[NotScaryBats]

Nul, too, redoubles its magical protections, then leads the way into the city. With a casual and comfortable air, the Ultroloth begins attempting to pinpoint the location of Red Shroud.

Spoiler

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Gather Information (1d20+8)[26] How am I not trained in this? Oh well

[kinem]

The Abyss

Overhead, a large red sun bathes the plane in oppressive heat. Small flocks of vulture-demons can be seen flying in the distance.

The landscape itself is cracked and stony. Twisted bushes grow in clumps seemingly at random. Huge pits dot the reddish plain.

Broken Reach is a very small trading town in the shadow of a crumbling, many-towered stone fortress. You see succubi, rilmani, mercane, tieflings, half-fiends of various sorts, a few vrocks, and even some humans in the town. A huge glabrezu demon towers over the mercane he is haggling with.

When Nul inquires about Red Shroud, the tieflings he speaks to point to the entrance of the fortress and back away from the group.

The metal portcullis that guards the huge door to the fortress is up, although the door is closed. The metal looks like it might be bronze, but has somewhat of a reddish tint. The metal door knocker is shaped like a human hand, and the door appears to be wooden, producing a deep thump when struck. A lens set into the door allows someone inside to see who approaches.

A succubus answers the door; she is clad in leather armor. She looks over the group. A hallway stretches behind her, lit by everburning torches. The hallway is lined with large stone statues in the shape of nude human males.

"Greetings" she says. "I am Ferrella. Broken Reach is a place for trade and comfort. Violence here is not tolerated by my mistress, but the wise can gain much here. What can I do for you?"

[NotScaryBats]

"Violence ill suits our needs. I would know which of the portals will take us to the Steaming Fens. Must we treat with your mistress to learn such a tidbit, or will you share the knowledge with us?" The Ultroloth speaks in its easy, collected manner, bulging eyes and featureless face showing no emotion.

[blazinghand]

Ozazen waits for the succubus' response to Nul's inquiry. If she plans to share the knowledge here, immediately, there would be no need to reveal himself.

[kinem]

The succubus replies "I can get that information for you. What do you propose in trade? Even for such powerful beings as yourselves, nothing here comes for free."

[NotScaryBats]

Nul seems to consider for a moment. There was a time in its life it would have destroyed the lesser demon for its impudence, but those days were long in the past. It would be nice to play a game of chance with the information riding on the outcome, but it would seem that time is of the essence. With this in mind, Nul the Ultroloth reaches into its sleeve and removes a small but well-cut emerald. It holds the stone out to the succubus, "It matches your eyes," the yugoloth says smoothly, its own bulging eyes unblinking.

Spoiler

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Do synergy bonuses stack? I have ranks in both bluff and sense motive, so do I get +2 or +4 to my diplo checks?
So, I believe I get +26 to the roll. Ranks are 16 (I think, I just used the default skills you had in there) +8 Cha +2 synergy (+2 more if they stack)

Anyway, assuming +26, I diplomance her (1d20+26)[38]
The emerald is worth 100 gp, I will subtract from my remaining wealth.

[Deadline]

Neshrak watches the exchange, glowering at Ferrella but saying nothing. When Nul offers the emerald, Neshrak sends a telepathic message to the Ultroloth, << You use far too soft a touch for my tastes, but then perhaps you get better results. I would have offered her the sum in stingers myself. Her form belies just how ... durable this particular breed of Tanar'ri is. >>

Spoiler

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I just realized that I haven't really described Neshrak.

Spoiler: Basic Baernaloth look

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Neshrak is, like all of his kind, disturbing to behold. However, he is particularly hideous. Much of the left side of his head is free of covering skin, revealing the muscle tissue and bone underneath. Bilious drool collects at left corner of his mouth, and either drips to the floor with a sizzle, or flies free when he is shouting in rage. His yellow, milky eyes ooze a slow but constant stream of pus that runs down his cheeks and then back along his jawline to drip onto the tattered robes and cloak that conceal most of the rest of his form. His too long arms end in hands made comically large by sharp talons. Atop his horned head, there is a circlet of silver that appears to be stapled to his flesh. Occasionally, he wears an eyepiece over one eye to examine magical artifacts more closely. The eyepiece is crusted around the edges with crystallized pus, and forms a seal over his eye which rapidly fills the interior of the eyepiece with that gooey yellow fluid.

He has a habit of watching empty, dark corners, and listening intently when there is nothing to be heard. When dealing with other creatures, his rarely turns his unsettling gaze away from them, and always seems to be looking at something more than their physical appearance.

[kinem]

She smiles, and takes the gem, examining it. Then she hands it back to Nul.

"Wait here while I find the information. To avoid misunderstanding, hang on to the gem until I return."

She closes the door. A few minutes later, she opens it again, steps out, closes the door behind her and accepts the emerald.

She leads you to a large open pit a few hundred yards behind the fortress. A few large monoliths serve as landmarks here on the otherwise flat plain. She pulls out a square piece of leather with a crude map drawn on it, studies the surrounding terrain, then nods, satisfied. Many similar pits gape at irregular intervals here, separated by a hundred yards or so.

"This one leads to the Steaming Fens. It is a one-way portal. I hope we can do business again sometime."

The pit is about 30' wide (wider than most of the pits) and at least that deep. Looking down into it you see only absolute blackness.

Spoiler: ooc

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Skill synergy bonuses stack.

[NotScaryBats]

Nul replies to the Baernaloth telepathically <<Violence bores me. I find that the more I use the stick, the more callous a hide becomes. It is so tiresome to constantly flex and spit when a simple gem got us a friendly escort>>

At the portal, the Ultroloth gestures quite grandly for a 30 foot pit of darkness, and says "Shall we?"

It will cast Invisibility on itself and then enter the portal first, unless someone else wants the honor.

[blazinghand]

Ozazen nods, approvingly (though he is too invisible for the nod to be noticeable). It was well-handled. Though Neshrak is right that we could have simply taken what we wanted, there are times for a lighter touch, and this was one of them.

Yes, let's go. I hunger to know what mysteries await us. He passes through at the same time as Nul.

[Deadline]

Neshrak shrugs, the expression painfully alien on his frame, and mentally responds << I find that pain produces excellent results. When the truth is laid bare like an exposed nerve, pure agony allows no room for dishonesty, no room to hide secrets. But as I said, you have clearly gotten excellent results with your methods.>> He begins chuckling at the thought, << The illusion of civility coupled with a few baubles and trinkets lets their caution be silenced by their own greed!>> He begins to laugh at the thought, his body wracked by wet coughing spasms as much as by mirth.

After Nul and Ozazen jump into the pit, he leaps in after them, cackling madly.

[kinem]

The fiends fall into blackness ...

With a plop, you land in a shallow swamp. Between the cushioning effect of the foul water and your tough body, you are not hurt by this.

The sky here is overcast, but it is uncomfortably hot and humid here. Sickly, slimy grass protrudes from the water. There are numerous insects both buzzing in the air and lurking in the water, some of which are a few inches long. Some sort of stinging insect tries to attack you, but is defeated by your tough hide.

Looking around, you see that there is higher ground in one direction. A steep hill composed of red, jagged rocks looks to be about a thousand yards from here. Near the top there you see a large cave mouth.

OOC: Let me know if you pass around any buffs.

[NotScaryBats]

<<Here, allow me to give you the power to float above this fetid swamp. I do not relish being leapt upon by something camouflaged beneath turbid waters>> The Ultroloth telepathically informs its companions, as it treads upon the air and makes its way free of the smelly swamp, to stand about a foot above the waters.

If Nul is allowed, it will cast a 150 minute duration Air Walk on the party. Once this is complete, the invisible yugoloth will climb to about ten feet above the water.

[blazinghand]

Thank you, Nul, but I will be able to fly under my own power-- make sure to help the others, however, because it is not a power I can share.

Invisibly, Ozazen rises above the canopy and looks out towards the hill. I'm not familiar with this land. Is anyone else?

[drack]

Brant, who managed to pick a suitable landing point via a short distance dimensional door slips his icy blade through the ice freezing a patch, and dimensionally pops right onto it. Sliding his blade back and forth to make a path. When the spell is cast however he nods acknowledgement and steps up off the ice.

[blazinghand]

Ozazen gestures invisible towards the red hill. That is probably redcap hill. They say it contains a two-way gate between the Fens and Ter-Yednil. We should head towards it to investigate. We can fly there or teleport, but given our unfamiliarity with this land, we might be safer flying and staying in the air than jumping into a situation we're unfamiliar with.

[NotScaryBats]

"Yes, that sounds reasonable," Nul murmurs. If the yugoloths settle into a marching order, it will take up a position second or third from the front, the better to use its medium range whip from.

[Deadline]

Neshrak lands with an undignified splash, still chuckling from a joke with a punchline only he seems to know. He nods at the offer of a flying spell, and then bobs up into the air like the others. When the reddish hill is mentioned, he agrees, "Yes, it is likely the one we seek." Seeing Nul settle into the middle of the group, Neshrak eyes the brash younger fiend, "Brandt, do you wish to lead, or shall I?"

As they travel, he pulls a small tome from his satchel and begins puzzling over it to determine if he can find mention of the portal key for the portal atop the hill.

Spoiler

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Knowledge(The Planes) check with regards to the portal key, consulting his Tome of Worldly Memory for a +5 Competence bonus to the check: (1d20+28)[40]

Spoiler: Spells Currently Active

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Mind Blank
Unholy Aura
Divine Insight
True Seeing

[drack]

"Lets cover both flanks then since you're eager." Brant replies, the bloodlust back in his eyes.

[kinem]

With Brant and Neshrak in the lead, and Nul and Ozazen close behind, the party of fiends walks up a stairway of air towards the top of the red rock hill - except for Ozazen, who more conventionally flies there.

There is a large, dark cave mouth at the top of the hill - at least 30' across.

Spoiler: Neshrak

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With his true seeing, Neshrak can see a huge web covering most of the cave mouth, like a spiderweb. It is invisible to normal sight. The upper left corner is not covered by it.

Based on his knowledge of planar creatures, Neshrak can guess that it is probably the work of an arachlith - a huge and powerful spider-like demon. Arachliths tend to confuse enemies who see them, can poison other fiends, and those caught in their webs cannot escape by teleportation.

[blazinghand]

Doesn't look like there's much else on this hill other than the cave. What we seek probably lies within, says Ozazen. Who wants to lead us in?

[Deadline]

Neshrak raises his clawed hand and hisses, "Hold! There is an unseen danger here." He studies the open mouth of the cave for a moment nodding to himself before motioning his hand over the entrance, "Yes, yes. An invisible web meant to snare unwary fiends." He gives a rictus grin to the others, "No doubt an Arachlith seeking a meal. We can bypass it if we keep to the upper left of the entrance there, single file, but it's probably set up kip somewhere in the cave."

He pauses for a moment and casts a spell. As he does so, he utters a word of the Dark Speech, it's sound a stain even upon this blighted landscape. His form blurs briefly, then he appears to teleport a few feet away. "Make yourselves look like cutters, or get bobbed like the clueless."

Spoiler: Spells currently active

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Mind Blank
Divine Insight
Unholy Aura
Displacement
True Seeing

[NotScaryBats]

Spoiler

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Is Neshrak's Unholy Aura self only, or do we get the +4 AC and save bonus?
How does our Summon Yugoloth SLA work -- are the summoned creatures bound to our will, are they called in like Gate or just summoned creatures like Summon Monster I?

Nul stops with the others and is immediately quite grateful for the Baernaloth's mysterious insights. It grips Synryx's Thorn holds it at the ready. Once the group is ready to move out, Nul will warn its fellow fiends telepathically and then activate the wand hidden in the handle of the Balor's whip, casting Haste on the group. Because the transmutation will only last about 30 seconds, Nul waits until the group is ready to move forward before casting.

[Deadline]

Spoiler

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Is Neshrak's Unholy Aura self only, or do we get the +4 AC and save bonus?
How does our Summon Yugoloth SLA work -- are the summoned creatures bound to our will, are they called in like Gate or just summoned creatures like Summon Monster I?

Spoiler

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Yep, the party members within 20' of Neshrak would benefit.