The Devil's in the details (So I hope you read the fine print)

[gallagher]

Prior to heading out, Abben offers a little healing. After using Cure Minor Wounds on the dwarf to give him a better chance at survival, he asks his teammates if they need patched up on the way out of the mine.

[Timble]

"I will need some healing in case of any more combat. I wouldn't be able to survive a hit." Hadrian says. He knew that he would need to activate all his defensive powers should combat start.

[gallagher]

Abben casts Lesser Vigor on Hadrian. Hope that'll do for now.

[dantiesilva]

Spoiler: @ Jonas

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While the dwarves story does not seem to add up with the immediate reports you heard yesterday from the lone dwarf that made it to town escaping the mines it is clear he is not lying or under any magical enchantment.

As you all decide to leave you begin heading out the door when a group of Herlekins show up on both sides blocking your paths. Out of the group blocking your path back from the way you came steps forth a devil much bigger looking than his brothers and sisters around him, his claws seeming to be constantly covered in flames and dripping some green substance. That's when its voice speaks, like thunder in perfect common. "So you are the ones who have been running around killing my men. It has taken quite some time to find you, however we eventually did, and now you will be brought before the master." He says with a gleaming smile as his hands both grip the fork like weapons the others have been holding and it seems to take the power flowing through the creatures hands into itself as the shaft becomes wreathed in flames, and the fork dripping with a wicked green substance. No doubt acid.

[esorscher]

Despite the overwhelming odds and his close proximity to death, Madclaw brandishes his quarterstaff. "You won't take me without a fight," he warns, growling. Better to die free than live a slave.

Spoiler

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Cast Cure Light Wounds on self as standard action. (1d8+1)[8]

[gallagher]

I wonder, Abben says aloud, which of you intends to take us captive? Abben quickly converts Divine Favor into cure light wounds to help heal his brother, and holds his guisarme out menacingly.

Spoiler

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(1d8+2)[3] for madclaw

[ilinares]

Jonas's mind spins swiftly through possibilities. The situation was rapidly deteriorating. The barbarian brothers were determined to force a fight which, at these odds, would cost some of them their lives. The numbers on hand were such that victory would be impossible. Escape... there might come a time for that, but it was not going to be possible immediately.

Bravado would achieve nothing. Violence would solve nothing. Magic... Jonas swiftly reviews his repertoire, and finds nothing that will tip the odds.

Which left his tongue.

Linking swiftly with the minds of his companions, including the dwarf, Jonas sends them a telepathic message. We can't afford a fight - not until the moment is right. This calls for trickery. Follow my lead.

Summoning all his acting skills, Jonas affects a sneer.

"Finally. An interlocutor deserving of my attention. I had begun to imagine I must dispose of all your chaff before I finally found one capable of speech, instead of brute violence.

"As you can see, my servitors have been somewhat inconvenienced by the assaults, although nothing permanent. It is hardly the most promising beginning to our association.

"You say you are here to bring me to your master? Well and good: my message is not for the ears of lackeys. Lead on."

Stepping towards the larger devil, he strives to assume a commanding attitude, and looks with as much contempt as he can muster towards the nearest herlekin.

"The minions are hardly necessary - but be warned. I have not yet lowered myself to sullying my hands with their kind. If they seek to impede my progress, or lay a finger upon me or my servants, I shall not be held accountable for the results."

Jonas has to force himself not to hold his breath, but to continue looking self-assured - even somewhat bored. It is a bluff of truly ridiculous proportions, but it has two things to recommend it: firstly, the fact that he genuinely has not been harmed, which might led credence to the suggestion his power has not yet been unveiled. Secondly, the fact that all servants - human or devil - have the same instinct when confronted with uncertainty: don't take risks - send it up the chain of command.

Even if all Jonas can accomplish is making sure they remain armed and unbound, they will at least have that much more of a chance to escape later.

Spoiler: The all important bluff

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(1d20+8)[22]

[Timble]

Unsure how Jonas was choosing to proceed but knowing it to be better then how the others were acting.
"Stay calm," he whispers to Madclaw. "We shouldn't try to fight here."
Standing still, he attempts to meditate to gain the power to fight should this go badly.

Spoiler: OOC

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Focus: (1d20+7)[13]

[dantiesilva]

"I wouldn't intend to have it any other way small ones, you killed many of my men this day, it is only fair that I get my share of licks in before you go before the master." The Herlekin that is clearly the leader says in resort to Madclaw.

"We all plan to, and once the task is complete we shall be allowed to open a portal fully." the creature replies with glee.

However it is the calm reaction mixed with the words of Jonas that give the devil pause as whispers begin to stir in the infernal language behind him. It seems your words have had some effect as it takes a few moments for th leader to settle them all down. However after a moment he replies. "If what you say is true than I suggest you follow quietly. If you try anything funny my forces will crush you under their cloven feet and drag you the rest of the way. I can smell the magic coming off of you mortal, but their are no doubt a lot more of us than you have magic to deal with. Keep that in mind." The leader says, stepping aside so you may join the horde of devils and be escorted to whereever this creatures master is.

Spoiler: OOC

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Your call if you try and make a break for it, but from what you can see their are at least eight Herlekins, not including the one built slightly larger than the others, though still clearly a herlekin.

[gallagher]

And yet there are not enough of you to deal with the sharp end of my weapon, Abben growls in a whisper to nobody in particular. He awaits the reaction of his compatriots before following, so that he can be the rearguard for his team. He gives a threatening look to any that might try and catch his gaze, showing that he remains mostly uninjured, and is prepared for any that might act with aggression towards the party.

Spoiler

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Abben is ready for a fight, and prepares an action to interrupt any aggressive act towards the party. Holding my guisarme at the ready.

[dantiesilva]

Ignoring the empty threat of the warrior, the leader of the devils has the others form rank around all of you and begin escorting you through the mines. A few times it even seems like he was taking you in circles until at last you are brought before a wide open cavern. At one end is a man kneeling before a strange portal, two braziers lit with a strange smell escaping the two of them seem to reach your noses. That is when a woman's voice is heard in everyone's mind, though it doesn't seem to be speaking to the four of you. Why did you bring them here? The master sent you to deal with them, make sure they did not stop us from turning the rest of the town. the voice says in the tongue of the devils, clearly believing none of you able to understand it.

Spot check DC 27 (sorry for the long wait and the high roll on my dice)

[esorscher]

Fear begins to weave its way into Madclaw's mind as the goliath is taken deeper into the mines, passing more and more foes who would stand between it and the surface. He keeps a watchful eye out:

Spoiler: OOC

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No way I can make a DC 27 check with my +2 modifier but here goes: (1d20+2)[15] if someone with a higher modifier rolls use this as aid another.

[Timble]

Keeping calm, Hadrian looks about to try and glimpse who spoke.

Spoiler: OOC

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Spot: (1d20+6)[18]
So I think the other three are aiding me for an additional +6 bonus but am leaving that out in case incorrect.

[dantiesilva]

As each of you looks around trying to help Hadrian catch a glimpse of this mysterious voice the old man seems to stop what he is doing and turn around to look at all of you. "In truth I did not expect to see any of you here, you must understand my surpprise to see not one of you, but all of you this far." the man says before turning to look at the devil who brought you into the chamber. "It seems some are still not compatent enough to know when they are being played. Well children any last requests before I kill you? After all I have important work to do and I really can not deal with interuptions at this time." the man says from where he has risen, still behind the two blazing fires.

[Timble]

"You do not have to do this," Hadrian says, forming a protective shield. He quickly tries to gain focus, doubting he would be able to talk the man down.

Spoiler: OOC

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Force Screen
Focus: (1d20+7)[21]
Hooray! Focused.

[ilinares]

Spoiler: OOC

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We don't understand what was said about turning the town, correct?

"Played?" Jonas tries - but it is clear this man has seen through the ruse.

If the only way out of this is violence, so be it - but then, trying to gather more intelligence is never a waste of time.

"You speak of your important work. If you mean opening the portal fully, you should consider if that is in your best interests.

"You are, it appears, mortal. Take it from one who knows: the devils will have little use for you once you have outlived their usefulness. It is not too late to free yourself of their clutches.

"Or, you could attempt to fight us. A venture which carries its own risks, and certainly one of those risks is your death - another, a Pyrrhic victory that earns your masters' displeasure. Devils do not respond well to failure.

"But if we have quite finished posturing at one another, might we not more usefully discuss what you hope to achieve? Surely there must be a way to achieve your goals without furthering those of the Nine Hells - is that not a prospect that you would be well advised to explore?"

Spoiler: OOC

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Diplomacy (1d20+10)[17]

I don't expect to make him change his mind - but if he is well enough disposed to me to respond, we might learn more about his plans.

[dantiesilva]

Hadrian as you go to form a shield around yourself Jonas thankfully begins talking pulling the attention away from you as the invisible shield hovers around you like a protective bubble.

"I don't have to do anything, like any weak person I could stand around like any village idiot and watch each day as those who are not in power are stepped on like bugs so those that have power can simply laugh at the expense of others. However I have power and I will not allow those who use theirs wrongly to continue to rule this world." Ryl says calmly, almost as if he were trying to convince you that his way was the right way.

Turning to Jonas Ryl listens to his words for a moment, allowing the young wizard to plead his case before responding. " I will say this, it is easy to see why one of my men feel for your wordplay, perhaps in another time we could have been allies. However you see unlike you I was not born into a time where magic was looked at as evil, to come from a family of beings that wielded such power was unheard of due to the witch hunts. It was the devils who found me and took me in, raised me as one of their own. So you see while I may have been born a mortal like yourself, I was never treated like one by my own people. I at least know where I stand with those I serve, and when my time comes to move onto the next world the compact the gods signed ages ago shall merely transform me into what I was meant to be." Ryl says with pride, the idea of going to hell and becoming a devil appealing to him.

"The Prospects of my Mother as well as myself are one in the same, bring true law and order back to the material plane and stop once and for all the inequality of the people who are looked down upon for seeming to be weaker. I Ryl Aufein the seventh son of Alecuard Aufein shall bring true peace to this world. Join me now, after all you have made it this far, together we can create a world where those with magic no longer have to hide, people like your father will no longer be needed to do what they were trained for."

Spoiler: Telepathically to Jonas

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Why do you resist me? Your mother was like those I serve, and you wield magic much like myself, you should know better than most what I speak about. After all why try to learn so much if not to protect the ones you love?

[Timble]

"Your devils wiped out a mine and killed several lumberjacks. When we first approached you, you threatened to kill us and still may try to do so. You seem to be yet another person willing to crush the little people in your way," Hadrian says after the man finishes speaking to Jonas. "And if you continues on then more little people will be killed. Do your beliefs on the misuse of power conveniently excuse your misuses?"
He hoped that the man was motivated by a concern for people and could be swayed, but knew that it was very possible that he had either mistaken Ryl's motivation or that Ryl could just shrug off the deaths of a few for the greater good. The opening of the portal was too dangerous to allow, Hadrian knew that he had to stop it.

[ilinares]

Spoiler: OOC

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Knowledge (the Planes) (1d20+9)[11]
I want to see if Jonas knows whether the devil created from a lawful evil soul is in any meaningful sense the same person as the original soul.

"You have heard the expression 'judge the tree by its fruit?' No enterprise of benevolence begins with slaughter.

"You claim to identify with devils, to wish you had been created as such. If that is the truth - if you see yourself as glorifying in despicable deeds and tyranny - then my words will hardly move you.

"But consider this. You say you are acting because the rulers of our land are unfit. You refer to persecution, and you have my sympathy - though I have not myself experienced such. Yet how can substituting the rule of devils be better? Make no mistake - in any relationship involving devils, they will gain the upper hand. You will not rule in your own right. However deplorable a mortal leader, devil overlords would be infinitely worse. Persecution, torment, wholesale servitude: that is the future you are courting.

"Do you not see why we oppose that? So should we all! Abandon this vain dream of becoming a devil - it is a lie your masters have sold you. Turn your back on this mad course, and help us prevent hell from coming to this plane!"

Spoiler: Diplomacy

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(1d20+10)[11]

[dantiesilva]

Ryl listens to the two heroes plead their cases, explaining that he would simply be doing the work of the lords of hell, however as the man with the black beard finally speaks, he dose not seem to be moved by your passion. "Those who ran this mine were offered a choice, join me, stay out of my way, or resist me. They sadly choose to resist which forced me to recruit a few miners of my own. I much rather have had the dwarves making the weapons for my armies, however anyone with a basic skill will honestly do. As for the lumberjacks, I sent out scouts to secure our operation. If one is to build an empire they must first be able to keep their property safe, something the four of you are making rather difficult." Ryl says starting to sound annoyed.

"Really so when Asmendous and his followers left the seven heavens of Celestia to fight the demons plaguing the mortal realm centuries ago before man even remembers, and pushed the hordes back to the abyss do you know what happened to those brave souls that lived through the first Blood War? The very first battle between good and evil? The angels that stayed safely inside of their pearly gates refused to allow those who had sacrificed so much to return home. Instead they would have to suffer with one another and make a new home for themselves, never able to return to their rightful home. So if I were to judge the tree by the fruit I would say that these tyrants you are so afraid of have done more good for humanity than any servant of the heavens ever has." Ryl counters.

"I have lived among devils more centuries than any but the goliath's tribe can remember. I know what they are capable of full and well, I also know that they have more honor than any mortal. When they make a deal they honor it, even if it is not how you forsaw it ending. It is not there fault humanities minds are small and do not comprehend what it is they ask for. Do you fault a Genie and call it evil when it grants a wish not exactly as you stated? No because they grant you wishes, but because devils offer true partnerships they are looked at as such because they honor the pact that was made. Sometimes to create the most beautiful garden you must first.."

"Burn down a forest? Ryl we have had this argument before." Comes a females voice from behind all of you, as well as a presence of pure magic, seeming to fill all of you up so that it is hard to tell what you would be able to do. All around you the devils that had been keeping guard over you are enveloped in a yellow light before turning to dust as the yellow light forms a globe around you and the speaker.

Turning around you spot a woman in very primitive clothing, something a barbarian shaman would wear no doubt, however there is a regal power that seems to surround her.



"You know I can not allow you to open a portal Ryl, it would disrupt the balance."

" I was woundering how long it would take for you to notice I was trying to open another portal Magister. You know you can not be everywhere at once and one of the portals will eventually be opened." Ryl replies, a civil tone coming to his voice, almost as if he respected the woman's power standing behind you all, keeping you safe from all outside harm.

We do not have much time, and this is not the place to explain things. Do not leave the globe I have summoned around us however, or his servants will be on you like flies." she says quietly to the four of you before addressing Ryl. "These children and this town have to qualm with you Ryl, we both know you only came for the portal. I am here and if a battle ensures between us here and now neither of us will walk away unscrathed. I suggest you return home and bring your minions with you." the woman says to the much older looking man, as if she knew him once long ago.

[Timble]

Sensing battle likely Hadrian activated his precognition to warn him of incoming blows.
"We've seen what your devils did to the inhabitants," Hadrian said, guesturing towards the dwarf. "And we have seen them eat each other. Whatever good they have done in the past and whatever evil has been done to those you call master doesn't excuse their and your actions in this place. What you have done is unnecessary and shows how unfit you are for your task and that your task is unacceptable."
He turns to the woman.
"I do not know who you are, but you have encountered him doing this before. I doubt that you have ever talked him out of it before and I doubt we will be able to do so now. If his actions at the mine, the town and wherever he has been before aren't enough to convince him to stop then talking to him now won't. We should end this threat now."

[dantiesilva]

"Yes listen to the enlightened one Magister, shall we not end this dance we have been dancing for so long?" Ryl laughs as he looks across the small distance between the now five of you and himself.

"He only says this because he doesn't understand what a battle between us would do." The woman replies before looking to you, "Have you ever heard tale of the Jade empire to the west of here? It was once a beautiful place until Ryl found a portal there. It was the first time we did battle, and what remains is a desert and ruins scattered across it." The woman says to you hoping you would understand the magnitude of what you were asking her to do.

[Timble]

"Then how do we stop him?" Hadrian asks.

[gallagher]

Abben saw that the only way out would be the bloody path. He grasped his weapon, prepared for any aggressive action. I have heard you talk out of fear and pain. I know what it is like to be raised as an outsider, I grew up an orphan with the goliaths, I stood out like a red flower among the grass. He explained as he stepped forward, making sure that the man was within striking distance, all the while shielding his friends from attention.

But it seems that your hatred was stoked like a fire. Can you not see you are being used for anothers purpose? You act like seeking revenge will somehow make you even for the wrongs done to you. Listen to me now, life is hard for all, everyone has to struggle to make it through to the next world. I see that you ignore that truth and chose an easy path. You seek to lash out like a petulant child, your vengence reaches those who never saw your face or learned your name.

You say you have power. Fine, why not use it for good? My friends here each have power unlike that had any been seen in our village, and have earned the acceptance of those around them. It is a harder path, yes, but easy paths are for weak people. Will you not be strong and choose a better way? Abben asks, knowing the mans answer already. Abben merely wanted to provide his friends time to oreoare to take this man down by force.

[dantiesilva]

"You think I had an easy life boy, comparing a life with the goliaths to that of living in hell with devils? Even your greatest enemies in a goliath tribe would look like friends when growing up not knowing the ways of devils. However I like you learned how to become part of my adopted family, and since than things have changed. You believe I take the lesser path, that I am not trying to do good only because you see it from an outsiders point of view. Ask the ghosts of a thousand dead mages as you stand in the ashes of your family if what others thinks matters. All that matters is making sure what happened to people like me never happens again." Ryl says looking to the Magister.

"So how shall we decide this time, it seems you do not want to have fun once more and lose innocent lives. Perhaps a wager than. I send forth a champion to do battle with the four you are despretly trying to protect. IF my champion wins you must leave, and allow me to open the portal. However if by some strange miracle your own champions win I shall depart from here for now." Ryl says with a smile waiting on her answer.

"Ryl you speak as if I can control these souls as if they were chess pieces on a board instead of people. It is up to them if they accept your conditions not I, however if they do I have a stipulation of my own. Neither side may gain outside support of any kind once the battle has begun, meaning your champion can not be one of those you called to this plane yourself." She says looking to you braze heroes to see what you shall do.

[esorscher]

"I accept the challenge," Madclaw says, healing himself quickly. (CLW: (1d8+1)[2])

[ilinares]

Jonas considers briefly. "If there is no other way to thwart your purpose without mutually assured destruction, so be it. But should the Magister not first satisfy herself of your choice of champion - that this is an even contest - before she agrees to abide by the outcome?"

[Timble]

"If a challenge will end this," Hadrian says, "then let us start."

[dantiesilva]

As each of you agrees to the challenge a figure seems to fall from the ceiling, its wings much like an insects, slowing it enough so it didn't harm itself from the descent. "Allow me to do it Master, I shall not be beaten." comes a voice into all of your heads, though not directed at any of you. To each person it sounds different, like how they remember their mothers voice from childhood. Slowly the wings recced back into the creatures body you have still yet to see as its skin become like that of a normal humans, as hair slowly begins to grow from its once bald scalp until standing before Ryl is the spitting image of Jonas's mother.

"As the Magister has left me with few others that can deal with them it seems I have no other choice. Well Magister shall we step aside to allow our champions to do battle? Or are you having second thoughts? Perhaps the pawns on the table are not as powerful as you think they are, and when they fail you will have to leave, allowing me to finish my work here." Ryl says with a smile on his face as he seems to fly a few feet into the air, just enough so that he would be out of the way of the battle, however still remaining behind the two flaming braziers.

"I have faith in them Ryl, and when this is over remember you must leave this place." the woman says with a smile looking to all of you. "When this is over I promise to explain everything I can." she tells you all allowing the veil to fall so that you could do battle.

Spoiler: Important

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Boss battle

So for the boss battle I will ask that everyone roll initiative
Abben
Enemy that looks like Jonas's mom
Madclaw
Jonas
Hadrian

[gallagher]

Abben, unafraid and wanting to put himself between his friends and harm, charges at the creature and strikes out at it's knees with his guisarme, hoping to knock it to the ground swiftly.

Spoiler

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Attack: (1d20+9)[14] for (2d4+7)[15]
Potential crit: (1d20+9)[19] for (4d4+14)[22]

Free trip attempt: (1d20+15)[27]

Conditional attack: (1d20+9)[27] for (2d4+7)[12]
Potential crit: (1d20+9)[10] for (4d4+14)[25]