The world's gone to hell, but at least your alive

[dantiesilva]

It has been a month since the temple of Asmedous and Hector successfully opened a portal connecting hell to the material plane. The world did not end when this happened, the sky did not explode, and for most citizens their day to day life didn't change much under the rule of their new diabolical leaders. However many would be heroes did die, all of the great archmages we're systematically destroyed. And all forms of religious worship that inspired and helped the spread of chaos and rebellion were outlawed or outright hunted to extinction. What was left you ask, the elves closed their borders, enacting ancient magic from their first age locking them behind magical barriers not even they can exit. The dwarves, mostly stayed in their mountain strongholds, though to some the strict laws of the devils did not bother in the least. As such trade between the dwarven empire and that of the human empire known as The Sword watch remained mostly unchanged.

However the other kingdoms, those of the centaur tribes to the west, to the south the hobgoblins and yuan-ti have allied with the devil's while the Black dragon who calls his domain the swamp just outside the Swordwatch empire sees this invasion as a serious threat to his rule, as do the dragon lords of the Northern desert. It is they who have summoned you now to this rather unassuming looking rock outcropping in the middle of nowhere with not a building or person in sight.

"Where two are one and one are two meet the rocks of Aklodu. Speak the words you know are true and the truth shall be revealed to you. But speak wrong or mean harm and you will not survive the wrath inside."

This was the message that was sent to you one morning as you awoke, before any protections could be placed upon you. What it could mean or from who you can guess easily enough, but what could they expect from one person?

[Biscuit]

Grunting, Viele rubs her eyes and glances over at a rumbled bedroom in the 'camp pit's corner, where Miau was still sleeping, the tibbit flopped and splayed out on her back in humanoid form. "Lazy cat," Viele sighed, and stood up to climb up out of the pit taking down the tent covering it before tossing it into the pit on top of the sleeping cat-girl as it became a cloak once more. Pulling a campfire from her Survival Pouch ant set to making coffee and ponders sleepily at the message.

Miau's pitiful groan was muffled as the grumpy feline-adjacent women struggled to extricate herself from the folds of her own cloak. "V," she whined, "I was having the good tuna dream again..." With a cavernous yawn, Miau rubs the sleep from her heterochromatic eyes and grumped pitifully. Stubbornly, she stuffs her bedroom into its customary wad before packing it away and pulls on her boots and eventually joining the changeling out of the pit. Taking a cup of coffee, they sit in silence as the sun finishes rising, both lost in thought. One, contemplating a cryptic message, and the other trying to capture and savor dreams of lightly braised lemon seasoned tuna steaks as large as small dinner tables.

Coffee consumed, and rations nibbled, the two finish breakfast. Using Prestidigitation, Viele cleans up after herself and freshens up both herself and her companion before she packs everything away into the 'camp pit' before folding it up to slide into her pocket, once again fooling the item into believing her to be lawful, or evil, or both, as easy as it was for Miau to fall asleep. "I still think its creepy you are able to trick magic items like that," Miau mumbles, to which Viele just smiles. She hadn't always been so good at it, but she wasn't about to admit that to her companion. Never admit weakness, she thought. Even if the weakness was in the past.

Stretching languidly, Miau starts casting several spells that have become all but routine every morning to prepare for the day, before transforming into a house cat and hopping up onto Viele's shoulder, still waiting for the coffee to kick in before bothering to walk. Rolling her eyes, Viele simply grunts noncommittally as her companion settles down before shifting her armor to look like an ordinary overcoat and shifting her own form to look like a plain human woman.

Spoiler: OOC

Show

Viele
Female C/G Changeling Gestalt, Level 16, Init 5, HP 192/192, Speed 45'
AC 30, Touch 23, Flat-footed 25, Fort 20, Ref 20, Will 20, Base Attack Bonus +16/+11/+6
+9 Electric Keen Parrying Magebane Mind Thinblade of Collision +28/+28/+23/+23/+18 (1d6+19 +5 Fire +2d6 vs Arcanists +1d6 Electric, 12-20/x2)
+4 Precise Ghost Touch Mind Arrow of Collision +23/+18/+13 (1d8+14, 20/x3)
+2 Glamoured Easy Travel Mithral Chainmail of Nimbleness and Quickness (+7 Armor, +5 Dex, +2 Deflect, +6 Misc)
Abilities Str 20, Dex 20, Con 16, Int 20, Wis 10, Cha 20
Condition None
Active SpellsTyche's Touch (+4/+3/+2/+1)

Miau
Female C/G Tibbit Favored Soul 9 / Force Missile Mage 5, Level 14, Init 6, HP 92/92, Speed 40'
AC 27, Touch 19, Flat-footed 21, Fort 15, Ref 16, Will 15, Base Attack Bonus +9.25/+4.25
Tentacle Whip Symbiont +17/+12 (1, 20/x2)
Tentacle Whip Symbiont (Sting) +6 (1d4–1 +Poison [DC 12, 1d4/1d4 Dex], 20/x2)
Missile Reserves Automatic-Hit (1d4+5, x 3 Missiles)
+1 Easy Travel Mithral Breastplate of Nimbleness (+ Magic Vestment), Shield (+8 Armor, +6 Dex, +2 Size, +2 Deflect, -1 Misc)
Abilities Str 3, Dex 22, Con 10, Int 10, Wis 10, Cha 20
Condition None
Active SpellsTyche's Touch (+4/+3/+2/+1), Magic Vestment (+3), Superior Resistance (+6)


Viele uses Minor Shape Shift to Disguise (1d20+25)[42] herself after she casts:

• Prestidigitation (used for the Cleaning function)

Miau uses Feline Transformation to assume cat form after she casts:

• Tyche's Touch (on herself)
• Tyche's Touch (on V)
• Magic Vestment (on herself)
• Superior Resistance (on herself)

[dantiesilva]

As the morning breeze lightly blows by you can tell today will be a nice day, not a rain cloud in the sky and with the breeze it thankfully shouldn’t be too hot today. Sipping your coffee and contemplating the riddle in peace you notice nothing seems to have come near your camp the previous night, even this morning, while you can see a bird in the distance none seem to come closer than a hundred feet to where you are.

Eventually it is time to pack up the camp however and so with Miau casting her daily protections on the two of you before shifting into her more preferred form, and you changing to look like an ordinary human in an overcoat you look forward to the rock outcropping that stands before you. Aklodu wasn’t an easy thing to discover, and the word wasn’t found in a sages tome, or a library but in the mouth of a bard. A simple little fellow who laughed when he overheard you talking about it. “You won’t find Aklodu on any map ever made for it is the name of a place far older than any recorded history, and those who know of it do not dare to write it down. Make your way to the old lighthouse, abandoned since the war with Kurast centuries ago, along the way you will find a road that leads up and through the mountains, do not take it. Instead follow the rocky outcropping where the land meets the sea, keeping the outcropping to your right and you shall find the place you seek. Or you won’t, in which case you were not meant to see it. Best to keep this secret to yourself though.” The bard warned saying this all in a hushed voice before taking your drink and downing it.

It has been two days since then and you have followed his directions, keeping the sea to the left and the cliff to the right of you, however nothing has jumped out at you thus far as a structure of any kind. A few coastal caves that each seem to lead to dead ends have been the only thing looking anything like a structure so far, but then again this place was known to a bard, and to those who spoke to you with magic. Perhaps magic is the key as the waves roll in on the left of you, rolling along the sand, however never overtaking the simple trail you and Miau walk.

[Biscuit]

Yawning cavernously as she lounges on Viele's shoulders, Miau mutters, "Why can't we just take one of those ghost horses you can conjure up, V? This is taking foreeeever." She couldn't keep a hint of a whine out of her voice, despite the fact she was expending exactly zero effort in this hike. Sighing heavily, Viele replies patiently, "If we used a Phantom Steed to just speed overland at its break-neck speed, we might miss....whatever it is we're supposed to find."

"Ugh...I guess. Do you have any spells that could, I don't know...like find hidden stuff? Oh, hey, maybe Detect Magic!" Pausing to pinch the bridge of her nose, Viele's eyes remain shut as she asks calmly, "And what is the range of the spell you just burned through, Miau?" Glancing around, Miau's excited face falls a little, "Um...about sixty feet..." Opening her eyes and gesturing around at the coastline one one side and the rocky ridge on the other, Viele nods. "If it comes down to casting Detect Magic, or even True Sight, we'd burn through all our spells for the day within just a mile or so, as we would have to zig-zag around attempting to look for what might or might not be there."

Holding up a hand before Miau could apologize for being hasty as she opened her mouth, Viele continues. "But, even a toppled sundial is right every now and then, I suppose. A few spells here and there won't hurt." Casting her own spell in solidarity, she decides on See Invisible so as not to double-up on effects, as the distance in the daylight is as far as he own natural vision.

Spoiler: OOC

Show

Viele
Female C/G Changeling Gestalt, Level 16, Init 5, HP 192/192, Speed 45'
AC 30, Touch 23, Flat-footed 25, Fort 20, Ref 20, Will 20, Base Attack Bonus +16/+11/+6
+9 Electric Keen Parrying Magebane Mind Thinblade of Collision +28/+28/+23/+23/+18 (1d6+19 +5 Fire +2d6 vs Arcanists +1d6 Electric, 12-20/x2)
+4 Precise Ghost Touch Mind Arrow of Collision +23/+18/+13 (1d8+14, 20/x3)
+2 Glamoured Easy Travel Mithral Chainmail of Nimbleness and Quickness (+7 Armor, +5 Dex, +2 Deflect, +6 Misc)
Abilities Str 20, Dex 20, Con 16, Int 20, Wis 10, Cha 20
Condition None
Active SpellsTyche's Touch (+4/+3/+2/+1)

Miau
Female C/G Tibbit Favored Soul 9 / Force Missile Mage 5, Level 14, Init 6, HP 92/92, Speed 40'
AC 27, Touch 19, Flat-footed 21, Fort 15, Ref 16, Will 15, Base Attack Bonus +9.25/+4.25
Tentacle Whip Symbiont +17/+12 (1, 20/x2)
Tentacle Whip Symbiont (Sting) +6 (1d4–1 +Poison [DC 12, 1d4/1d4 Dex], 20/x2)
Missile Reserves Automatic-Hit (1d4+5, x 3 Missiles)
+1 Easy Travel Mithral Breastplate of Nimbleness (+ Magic Vestment), Shield (+8 Armor, +6 Dex, +2 Size, +2 Deflect, -1 Misc)
Abilities Str 3, Dex 22, Con 10, Int 10, Wis 10, Cha 20
Condition None
Active SpellsTyche's Touch (+4/+3/+2/+1), Magic Vestment (+3), Superior Resistance (+6)


Viele casts:

• See Invisibility (Duration: 130 Minutes)

Miau casts:

• Detect Magic (Duration: Concentration, up to 13 minutes)

[dantiesilva]

As the two of you with your magical vision work together to search the area it doesn't take you long at all to notice a humanoid figure standing in the smallest of alcoves. At first the figure tries to pretend as if you do not really see them, slowly moving this way and that, however as you are able to follow their movements the figure speaks. The sound is very gravely as it speaks, slowly.

"What comes here to this place few know and fewer travel.
Speak quickly now before the powers that bind me here unravel."

The figure says its shape seemingly to be in a constant state of motion, yet never really moving the longer you look at it. However it is not the same as a displacer beast, but more akin to an air elemental, simply unlike most this one seems to speak common, and not be visible.

[Biscuit]

Pausing to consider the figure, Viele hesitates but finally shrugs, feeling Miau's claws briefly as she flexes her paws to ride the shoulder wave, he mind is distracted as she guesses at the answer. "Where two are one and one are two meet the rocks of Aklodu?" Despite not wanting it to come out as a question, the lilt at the end was unavoidable as she realized she probably should have thought harder before blurting out an answer. Why was this person so...wavey? And what was Miau doing with that creepy tentacle pet behind her? It was all very distracting.

Staying silent, Miau's eyes simply take in the scene, easing her claws out of the fabric around Viele's shoulder as she snakes her tentacle whip behind her and slips it around the back of the woman's belt instead to secure her perched position, ready to swing down and away if fireballs or the like start flying.

Spoiler: OOC

Show

Viele
Female C/G Changeling Gestalt, Level 16, Init 5, HP 192/192, Speed 45'
AC 30, Touch 23, Flat-footed 25, Fort 20, Ref 20, Will 20, Base Attack Bonus +16/+11/+6
+9 Electric Keen Parrying Magebane Mind Thinblade of Collision +28/+28/+23/+23/+18 (1d6+19 +5 Fire +2d6 vs Arcanists +1d6 Electric, 12-20/x2)
+4 Precise Ghost Touch Mind Arrow of Collision +23/+18/+13 (1d8+14, 20/x3)
+2 Glamoured Easy Travel Mithral Chainmail of Nimbleness and Quickness (+7 Armor, +5 Dex, +2 Deflect, +6 Misc)
Abilities Str 20, Dex 20, Con 16, Int 20, Wis 10, Cha 20
Condition None
Active SpellsTyche's Touch (+4/+3/+2/+1)

Miau
Female C/G Tibbit Favored Soul 9 / Force Missile Mage 5, Level 14, Init 6, HP 92/92, Speed 40'
AC 27, Touch 19, Flat-footed 21, Fort 15, Ref 16, Will 15, Base Attack Bonus +9.25/+4.25
Tentacle Whip Symbiont +17/+12 (1, 20/x2)
Tentacle Whip Symbiont (Sting) +6 (1d4–1 +Poison [DC 12, 1d4/1d4 Dex], 20/x2)
Missile Reserves Automatic-Hit (1d4+5, x 3 Missiles)
+1 Easy Travel Mithral Breastplate of Nimbleness (+ Magic Vestment), Shield (+8 Armor, +6 Dex, +2 Size, +2 Deflect, -1 Misc)
Abilities Str 3, Dex 22, Con 10, Int 10, Wis 10, Cha 20
Condition None
Active SpellsTyche's Touch (+4/+3/+2/+1), Magic Vestment (+3), Superior Resistance (+6)

[dantiesilva]

The figure seems to think for a moment, remaining perfectly still after you answer as if conversing with someone before replying.

"The question asked has been deemed acceptable,
Now come this way into this receptacle.
Do not fear the rings that come,
and if you move from them it may sting some."

the figure says stepping aside to reveal a ruin covered circle that had previously been hidden by its body.

Spoiler: If you choose to step into the circular ring on the floor

Show

As the two of you step into the center the effect is almost instant as the ground around the ring seems to open up and seven metal rings rise from the ground surrounding the two of you. A moment later there is a flash and you find yourself in a large hallway. The entire thing seems to be lit with magical lights of some kind, and paintings of historical events seem to line the walls, most of these paintings take up twenty foot sections at a time, and are highly detailed.

"Greetings, and welcome to Aklodu, please make your way down this hallway to the double doors ahead. They are already waiting for you. says a rather plain sounding voice as a human holding a book and quill walks towards you. He seem rather nonthreatening in appearance, however you have learned over the years that appearance is not always everything as you sense magic in the quill his hand. Judging by his attire he is some kind of scholar, however his clothes are highly outdated for how young he is. If you had to guess the figure stands no more than five feet tall, and barely looks older than his early twenties, with the beginnings of a brown beard covering his face.

[Biscuit]

Giving a slight half-bow, Viele and Miau give one another a meaningful look before both shrug and Viele steps into the circle with Miau riding on her shoulder perch.

Giving the oddly dressed young-seeming man a good once-over, Viele simply nods and heads in the direction indicated. Miau, however, stares at the man unblinkingly and unashamedly, her head stretched around and bobbing along to Viele's footsteps.

Spoiler: OOC

Show

Viele
Female C/G Changeling Gestalt, Level 16, Init 5, HP 192/192, Speed 45'
AC 30, Touch 23, Flat-footed 25, Fort 20, Ref 20, Will 20, Base Attack Bonus +16/+11/+6
+9 Electric Keen Parrying Magebane Mind Thinblade of Collision +28/+28/+23/+23/+18 (1d6+19 +5 Fire +2d6 vs Arcanists +1d6 Electric, 12-20/x2)
+4 Precise Ghost Touch Mind Arrow of Collision +23/+18/+13 (1d8+14, 20/x3)
+2 Glamoured Easy Travel Mithral Chainmail of Nimbleness and Quickness (+7 Armor, +5 Dex, +2 Deflect, +6 Misc)
Abilities Str 20, Dex 20, Con 16, Int 20, Wis 10, Cha 20
Condition None
Active SpellsTyche's Touch (+4/+3/+2/+1)

Miau
Female C/G Tibbit Favored Soul 9 / Force Missile Mage 5, Level 14, Init 6, HP 92/92, Speed 40'
AC 27, Touch 19, Flat-footed 21, Fort 15, Ref 16, Will 15, Base Attack Bonus +9.25/+4.25
Tentacle Whip Symbiont +17/+12 (1, 20/x2)
Tentacle Whip Symbiont (Sting) +6 (1d4–1 +Poison [DC 12, 1d4/1d4 Dex], 20/x2)
Missile Reserves Automatic-Hit (1d4+5, x 3 Missiles)
+1 Easy Travel Mithral Breastplate of Nimbleness (+ Magic Vestment), Shield (+8 Armor, +6 Dex, +2 Size, +2 Deflect, -1 Misc)
Abilities Str 3, Dex 22, Con 10, Int 10, Wis 10, Cha 20
Condition None
Active SpellsTyche's Touch (+4/+3/+2/+1), Magic Vestment (+3), Superior Resistance (+6)


Not wanting to be seen a threat, or like she has no idea what is going on (despite not knowing what it going on), Viele opts to go with the flow.

[dantiesilva]

Continuing along down the hallway you begin to notice more recent events, including the fall of the resistance in Redwood Haven, as well as the signing of the diabolic pact between the child emperor and the diabolic entities of hell. However it is different from how people talk about it. Instead it is four figures standing on one side of the table, all mostly human looking, while the emperor stands at the other all alone. Lastly there seems to be a picture still unfinished, it shows a diabolic horde, with undead and legions of humans in the armor of Hextor leading a charge, but against what remains unclear and unfinished as only rough strokes have been made so far on the rest of the painting. The last you notice before a large double door at the end of the hallway.

Opening the double door you are greeted by a great deal of commotion from many different sources as a large group of creatures, both humanoid and otherwise argue around a stone table bigger than a house. There appears to be a figure with a veil covering their face, a golden disk rising from atop its head depicting snakes wearing a dark grey dress of some kind, clearly of expert craftsmanship revealing hints of almost stone like flesh beneath. She is surrounded by a group of lizardfolk each wearing the heraldry of Myrrum, the great black Dragon, ruler of Uustra. A hag in magical gear sits in a small seat to the figures left, whispering to the veiled woman every now and then.

Next to them is an old gold dragon, flanked by a group of Dragonborn of all different color scales. Judging from their weapons and desert clothing they are from Kurast. The gold dragon seems to be arguing with a centaur to the right of him as the two seem to get louder and louder trying to speak over one another.

The Centaur arguing with the dragon is covered in tattoos across his arms and chest. And while no one in the room appears to have any weapons, even the guards with each group, the centaur and his group seem to be an exception as each has some kind of pack strapped to them with a bunch of what can easily be assumed to be spears inside.

Inbetween the veiled figure and the gold dragon sits an ancient elf in simple clothing, no doubt seeing no point in being flashy in such a situation. While all the others seem to be arguing about one thing or another, she seems to be just sitting their patiently waiting and listening. Her guards each wear the healdry of Ellenthyr, an acorn on a simple green field, and each is in their standard green and gold armor. A dryad sitting to the left of her wears a simple white and gold dress.

Lastly among the assembled is a gnome in extremely odd clothing. It all seems mechanical and covered in gears or glass of some sorts. And such an odd obscene hat. He is flanked by a group of atomotants no doubt made by the Axiom kingdom he hails from, and no doubt each of them is designed to counter any type of foe they encounter.

2 chairs remain empty, while a third is a pile of rubble. All faces turn to look at you as you enter. It is the veiled speaker that addresses you first, and as she does you notice a hiss in her voice, not threatening, simply as if it is part of her voice. "Good, yoz are here. Perhaps now the talkz can continue without fights breaking out over simply stuff." she says, never once making direct eye contact with you.

[Biscuit]

Viele gives a half bow, just deep enough to keep Miau from having to use her claws to keep purchase on her shoulder before sitting in one of the empty chairs. Opting to stay silent and with Viele rather than be separated, Miau pretends to be disinterested and begins to lick her paw absently.

"Thank you for your hospitality. It is an honor to meet you all." Viele's words are spoken cheerily and respectfully with a winning smile, but they hold little truth. She has little confidence in their ability to escape should things become hostile, so instead she decides to focus on making a good impression.

Spoiler: OOC

Show

Viele
Female C/G Changeling Gestalt, Level 16, Init 5, HP 192/192, Speed 45'
AC 30, Touch 23, Flat-footed 25, Fort 20, Ref 20, Will 20, Base Attack Bonus +16/+11/+6
+9 Electric Keen Parrying Magebane Mind Thinblade of Collision +28/+28/+23/+23/+18 (1d6+19 +5 Fire +2d6 vs Arcanists +1d6 Electric, 12-20/x2)
+4 Precise Ghost Touch Mind Arrow of Collision +23/+18/+13 (1d8+14, 20/x3)
+2 Glamoured Easy Travel Mithral Chainmail of Nimbleness and Quickness (+7 Armor, +5 Dex, +2 Deflect, +6 Misc)
Abilities Str 20, Dex 20, Con 16, Int 20, Wis 10, Cha 20
Condition None
Active SpellsTyche's Touch (+4/+3/+2/+1)

Miau
Female C/G Tibbit Favored Soul 9 / Force Missile Mage 5, Level 14, Init 6, HP 92/92, Speed 40'
AC 27, Touch 19, Flat-footed 21, Fort 15, Ref 16, Will 15, Base Attack Bonus +9.25/+4.25
Tentacle Whip Symbiont +17/+12 (1, 20/x2)
Tentacle Whip Symbiont (Sting) +6 (1d4–1 +Poison [DC 12, 1d4/1d4 Dex], 20/x2)
Missile Reserves Automatic-Hit (1d4+5, x 3 Missiles)
+1 Easy Travel Mithral Breastplate of Nimbleness (+ Magic Vestment), Shield (+8 Armor, +6 Dex, +2 Size, +2 Deflect, -1 Misc)
Abilities Str 3, Dex 22, Con 10, Int 10, Wis 10, Cha 20
Condition None
Active SpellsTyche's Touch (+4/+3/+2/+1), Magic Vestment (+3), Superior Resistance (+6)


Viele's Diplomacy Check (to make a good impression): 43
Viele's Bluff Check (to seem unafraid and in good spirits): 45
Viele's Sense Motive Check (to discern intentions): 18
(Note: Viele takes 10 on Bluff, Diplomacy, Intimidate, Gather Information, and Sense Motive Checks via the Changeling Rogue class feature 'Social Intuition' so these will always be her default results unless her Charisma score or magical items are affected.)

[dantiesilva]

The figures in the room nod to you in greeting though it is unclear if they believe what you say. The same veiled figure once more speaks up, clearly taking the lead to keep things moving.

“I am Queen Zarda, the representative of Uustra, and you have been summoned here to be frank as you have no connections to any one of the kingdoms represented here. That makes you a very powerful ally or very dangerous threat should you choose to join Ryl and the others he has convinced to serve hell.”

Zarda says plainly, in a neutral tone as if she were explaining a fact instead of seeing you as an actual threat to them.

Next the gold dragon speaks introducing himself as Aurixlitrix, stating he is a commander in the army of Kurast. The Centaur speaker places his hand over his chest before introducing himself as Odolos. Next the plain elf speaks up, introducing herself as Jastira Miathana and welcoming you to the meeting before looking over to the gnome who jumps up and walks across the table to great you.

“Names Edgar Wendal Redsmith the 3rd, a pleasure to make your acquaintance if I say so myself young ladies.” He says the last part just loud enough for the two of you to hear as you note some strange symbols in his googles lens. After that he makes his way back to his seat and Zarda once more speaks up.

“As you know devils now rule the Swordwatch empire. And to be frank we are unsure at this point if we can even stop it due to the portal being open. What we want to do, and Edgar agrees it is possible, is send you back to a week before the portal opened to hell so that you can infiltrate the empire and kill Ryl, or one of his other three coconspirators. It will not be easy by any means, however I doubt in that time he will be as cautious as he is now that the portal is open.” She explains to you, letting you know finally why you have been called here.