Descent into Avernus — Session #6
The session ended with the party standing at the edge of Torm's Bridge, six infernal creatures blocking their path to the western section of Elturel. The holy runes offered a potential advantage, but activating them would surely provoke the guards. The party had gained crucial information: Thavius Krieg's contract confirmed the city's fate, Lulu's lost memories pointed to Zariel's Sword as a possible key, and the desperate state of the survivors made every decision a matter of life and death. The immediate goal was clear: reach High Hall and find Zavius Krieg and Uldur Ravengard to organize rescue efforts, but the path was guarded by infernal forces that would not yield easily.
The opening of the infernal Puzzle Box by Sylvira Savica revealed Thavius Krieg's damning contract with Zariel, confirming the betrayal of Elturel and setting the party's mission in motion.
The meeting with Lulu at Traxigor's Tower uncovered her fragmented memories of Zariel's original assault on Avernus, the Hellriders' betrayal, and the hidden sword—a key to the city's salvation.
The wizard Traxigor abandoned the party in Elturel immediately after plane shifting them there, leaving them stranded in Avernus with no easy way back.
The rescue of Harkina and her two toddlers from three bearded devils showcased the party's coordination and set the tone for the desperate state of the fallen city.
The revelation that devils in Avernus die permanently added weight to every combat encounter, making each victory a true blow against the infernal forces.
The approach to Torm's Bridge, with its holy runes and six infernal guards, set up a tactical dilemma: activate the runes for divine aid or face the creatures head-on.
The party arrived at the great library-fortress of Candlekeep after a five-day journey from Baldur's Gate, their entry secured by a curious gift: a book titled 'Apocalypse' that Sam recognized from the Vanthampur Villa. Their guide, Fisk, led them first to The Hearth tavern, where Sam bought a round of drinks and tipped generously, while Aun ordered wine and joked about being intoxicated before going to hell. Ohsoss prepared to cast spells aggressively but got distracted by mechanical discussions, and Nick quietly enjoyed his mead.
At Sylvira's Tower, the tiefling sage Sylvira Savica revealed her long-held suspicion of Thavius Krieg, who was present and hesitant. With a deft touch, she opened the infernal Puzzle Box, revealing a contract signed by Krieg surrendering Elturel to the archdevil Zariel for fifty years. "That's fucking crazy," Ohsoss muttered. Krieg weakly defended his actions, claiming he did what he had to do to save his people. Sylvira also examined the Shield of Garguoth, warning it contained a trapped pit fiend who had become a demigod and must be locked away from mortals. She provided the party with a Map of Avernus and arranged transport via griffon to the wizard Traxigor, who could plane shift them to Elturel. She mentioned an old friend named Lulu, a fighter with experience battling devils, who was with Traxigor.
At Traxigor's Tower, the party met the wizard—an otter in a red cassock—and his hollyphant companion Lulu. While Elowena found a Tuning Fork (Nine Hells) hidden under scrolls, Sam discovered a White Sequin Glove bedazzled on a table. Lulu telepathically shared her fragmented memories: she was with Zariel when the angel assembled the Hellriders to attack Avernus, and they were betrayed when some Hellriders sealed the gate behind them, trapping Zariel. Before her capture, Zariel told Lulu to hide her sword so it wouldn't fall into evil hands; Lulu hid it but cannot remember where or who helped her. Traxigor cast plane shift, transporting the party directly to Elturel in Avernus. Upon arrival, they saw a ruined city under a red sky with a 400-foot sphere of darkness discharging blue-white lightning. Traxigor immediately used time stop and plane shifted back to safety, abandoning them.
A woman with two toddlers fled from three bearded devils, crying for help. The party sprang into action: Sam cast haste and used Bladesong, Aun called down sacred flame and summoned a spiritual weapon, Nick commanded a devil to drop its weapon and struck with divine smite. The devils were slain, and the mother, Harkina, expressed eternal gratitude. She explained that Elturel had been split in two by a chasm, with the eastern side worse off; she was heading to High Hall hoping High Overseer Zavius Krieg and Grand Duke Uldur Ravengard were alive and organizing rescue efforts. Food and water were the number one killers among survivors. She directed the party to Torm's Bridge or Torm's Reach as routes to the western section.
Approaching Torm's Bridge, the party saw six infernal creatures standing guard at the center. The holy runes on the bridge, consecrated to Torm, god of courage and self-sacrifice, could be activated by anyone who prayed for guidance and protection—something the infernal creatures would not like. As the creatures acted hostilely, the party prepared for battle, knowing that in Avernus, devils die permanently.
This chronicle was generated by Kazkar from a live D&D session.
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