## Evening at the Sad Dog Tavern The session opened with the party reconvening at the Sad Dog Tavern after their various errands throughout Polaria. [[Saszotah Sseth'kaar (Sasz)|Sasz]], [[Tarnik]], and the others settled in for their pre-ordered meal. [[Elara Hammersworn - Owner of the Sad Dog Tavern|Elara]], the tavern owner brought out the plates, including raw meat for [[Saszotah Sseth'kaar (Sasz)|Sasz]] and—at his unusual request—a glass of blood. The owner nervously complied, clearly uncomfortable with the strange order but willing to accommodate her customers. Meanwhile, [[Grumthar]] remained at the [[The Naked Maiden's Tavern & The Naked Maidens Network|Naked Maidens Tavern]], where he'd spent the afternoon. As evening fell, he ordered a hot bath delivered to his room and settled in for what he expected to be a quiet night. However, [[Nyxalia]]—[[Krynvia]]'s trusted lieutenant—approached him with urgent news. [[Krynvia]] had tracked down an erinyes devil named [[Ravika - Erinyes Commander of Hidden Legions|Ravika]] who was hiding in the Polarian Mountains, and they needed the Bazgoth party to capture her immediately. ## The Queen's Mission [[Grumthar]] was led back to [[Krynvia]]'s chambers, where the succubus queen explained the situation. [[Ravika - Erinyes Commander of Hidden Legions|Ravika]] had brought dangerous items into Polaria and needed to be captured alive for interrogation. [[Krynvia]] offered a bargain: bring the erinyes back in chains, and she would consider it a test of their group's capabilities. Success would mean information and future partnership against [[Anam]], [[Anam|the Withered One]]. [[Krynvia]] also mentioned that [[Aria, Goddess of Birth and Death|Aria]], the [[Aria, Goddess of Birth and Death|goddess of death]], had contacted her about a "helper" who needed something from the group. Before [[Grumthar]] could fully process this information, a portal opened—blazing with the heat of the Nine Hells. ## [[Grom]]'s Return Through the portal stepped a figure the party hadn't seen in what felt like ages: [[Grom]], the minotaur bard. But this was not the [[Grom]] they remembered. He looked gaunt, thinner, with heavy circles beneath his eyes. His armor was scarred and battered but shimmered with new magical enchantments. He carried a crossbow mounted with a devil's skull, its eyes still glowing with infernal fire. Most notably, the performative, attention-seeking [[Grom]] had vanished—replaced by a weary, battle-hardened survivor with a distant, tired look. When the portal opened to the Sad Dog Tavern and [[Grom]] walked through, [[Tarnik]] immediately stood and embraced his old friend. The reunion was brief but emotional. [[Grom]] explained that he had been traveling through the Hells, tracking [[Syllin]]'s soul, and that his mission was not yet complete. He'd been sent by [[Aria, Goddess of Birth and Death|Aria]] to help with [[Krynvia]]'s mission and to retrieve an artifact for his own quest. ## The Blood Ritual [[Grom]] pulled out a mysterious infernal box—a device that required blood from the "god-chosen warriors" to create a key for deeper infiltration into the Hells. He needed blood from [[Grumthar]], [[Tarnik]], and [[Cub]] to complete the ritual. The box glowed with necromantic and infernal magic, clearly crafted in the Nine Hells for a dark purpose. [[Tarnik]] immediately complied, offering his blood without hesitation. [[Cub]] was more cautious, asking [[Grom]] to swear on his eternal soul that he would bring [[Syllin]] back. [[Grom]] gave his oath, and [[Cub]] reluctantly agreed, cutting his hand and providing the blood while giving [[Grom]] two potions of greater healing for his journey. [[Saszotah Sseth'kaar (Sasz)|Sasz]] cast Detect Magic on both [[Grom]] and the box, sensing the necromantic and infernal energies. When he questioned whether this was wise, [[Grom]] insisted it was necessary to fight devils with their own tools—"fight fire with fire." ## The New Companions The party had gained two new members during [[Grom]]'s absence: **[[Saszotah Sseth'kaar (Sasz)|Sasz]]** appeared as a middle-aged human man with messy hair and traveling clothes, but his voice betrayed his true nature—he was a [[Serpari]] (the campaign's original name for Yuan-Ti) using illusion magic to hide his true form. He was cynical, pragmatic, and deeply mistrustful of divine intervention. **Narzag the Survivor** was a seven-foot-tall orc ranger wearing thick leather armor, carrying multiple quivers, a longbow, and a trident. His familiar was an unusual black eagle. Narzag had been sent by the orc deity to guide the party and proved to be a skilled tracker and scout. [[Grom]] greeted Narzag with traditional orcish respect, clasping arms in the warrior's manner, and expressed his gratitude that another orc had joined their cause. ## Journey to the Mountains With [[Krynvia]]'s mission explained and [[Grom]]'s arrival changing the dynamics, [[Grumthar]] made the decision to proceed immediately despite [[Tarnik]]'s protests. [[Tarnik]] argued they needed rest to fight at full strength, warning that they couldn't battle devils without proper preparation. [[Cub]] agreed, noting he didn't have his strongest healing spells available. However, [[Grumthar]] insisted the mission was urgent and that [[Krynvia]]'s intelligence was too valuable to risk. The party reluctantly agreed to move forward, with tensions rising between the leadership. Before departing, [[Grumthar]] asked for divine blessings. [[Tarnik]] blew his war horn—the sound of orcish victory and home—granting [[Grom]] bardic inspiration. [[Cub]] cast guidance and enhanced [[Grom]]'s charisma with magical blessings, while creating atmospheric effects with elementalism to add gravitas to their departure. The party collected their mounts and rode south toward the Polarian Mountains, following [[Krynvia]]'s map to the X marking [[Ravika - Erinyes Commander of Hidden Legions|Ravika]]'s suspected location. ## The Plan As they traveled, Narzag's black eagle scouted ahead, revealing a cavern system with multiple devils guarding the entrance—bone devils, chain devils, and their constructs. The party devised a strategy: [[Grom]] would use his legendary persuasion skills to talk their way to [[Ravika - Erinyes Commander of Hidden Legions|Ravika]], claiming to bring orders from higher infernal authorities. [[Volza Redhand|Volza]] would use the shadows to position herself for the ambush, ready to clamp the anti-magic chains onto the erinyes. [[Saszotah Sseth'kaar (Sasz)|Sasz]] would hold the portal ring, ready to open an escape route back to [[Krynvia]]'s domain at a moment's notice. [[Grumthar]] would wait for [[Grom]]'s signal—once the erinyes was affected by magic, he would charge and grapple her through the portal. ## Confronting the Devils As night fell, [[Grom]] and [[Saszotah Sseth'kaar (Sasz)|Sasz]] approached the cave entrance, with [[Grom]]'s breastplate magically illuminated. A bone devil emerged, cackling about "victims" and "intruders." [[Grom]] raised his hand calmly and delivered a masterful performance—he told the devil to sniff him and recognize the stench of the Hells, claiming he brought official business that required an audience with [[Ravika - Erinyes Commander of Hidden Legions|Ravika]]. Rolling a 34 on persuasion, [[Grom]] convinced the bone devil to hesitate. When the devil remained suspicious, [[Grom]] flashed his devil-skull crossbow and casually mentioned the last devil who questioned him hadn't fared well. Though his intimidation wasn't as effective (rolling only 13), the combination was enough to make the devil reconsider. The bone devil demanded to know who [[Grom]] worked for. [[Grom]] claimed to represent [[Gonosh]] and the clan Bazgoth, warning that failure to comply would result in a "fate much worse than death." When the devil turned his attention to [[Saszotah Sseth'kaar (Sasz)|Sasz]], asking about the [[Serpari]] armies and whether they'd received commands from "[[Anam|the Withered One]]," [[Saszotah Sseth'kaar (Sasz)|Sasz]] improvised brilliantly. He claimed they brought new orders directly from [[Anam|the Withered One]] about leadership changes. [[Grom]] supported this, blowing smoke in the devil's face and invoking the name of Bilkor—a high-ranking infernal general—to add weight to their claims. With another persuasion roll of 33, the bone devil was completely convinced and went to fetch [[Ravika - Erinyes Commander of Hidden Legions|Ravika]]. ## The Erinyes Revealed After five tense minutes, [[Ravika - Erinyes Commander of Hidden Legions|Ravika]] emerged—an erinyes devil who immediately recognized [[Saszotah Sseth'kaar (Sasz)|Sasz]] as [[Serpari]] and questioned why [[Serpari]] forces were at her location when they should be deployed to the south. She was clearly suspicious and demanded explanations. [[Saszotah Sseth'kaar (Sasz)|Sasz]] attempted to maintain the deception, but before he could fully respond, [[Grom]] interrupted. He suggested they speak privately, away from the other devils, claiming the message was sensitive. Rolling yet another natural persuasion check of 32 (modified to 33), [[Grom]] successfully lured [[Ravika - Erinyes Commander of Hidden Legions|Ravika]] away from her guards and toward the tree line—closer to where the rest of Bazgoth waited in ambush. ## The Perfect Ambush As [[Ravika - Erinyes Commander of Hidden Legions|Ravika]] walked with [[Grom]] and [[Saszotah Sseth'kaar (Sasz)|Sasz]] toward the trees, asking about updates from "[[EMBROCIEA - Master of Necromancy, The Grave-Eyed Whisper|Embrociea]]" and the southern campaigns, [[Grom]] suddenly raised his hands and cast _Geas_—a fifth-level enchantment spell commanding [[Ravika - Erinyes Commander of Hidden Legions|Ravika]] to "grovel at my feet, you infernal bitch." The spell's DC was 17, and [[Ravika - Erinyes Commander of Hidden Legions|Ravika]] failed her wisdom save. The erinyes immediately dropped to her knees, groveling as commanded by the magical compulsion. At that exact moment, [[Volza Redhand|Volza]] teleported from the shadows directly onto [[Ravika - Erinyes Commander of Hidden Legions|Ravika]]'s back, wrapping [[Krynvia]]'s anti-magic chains around her wrists with practiced precision. [[Saszotah Sseth'kaar (Sasz)|Sasz]] opened the portal back to [[Krynvia]]'s domain. [[Grumthar]] charged from the tree line, grabbed the chained and groveling devil, and bodily dragged her through the shimmering gateway. ## The [[Serpari]] Question As the remaining party members rushed through the portal, [[Grom]] turned one final time to the confused bone devils and commanded them to "stand in attention" while waiting for their new orders from [[Saszotah Sseth'kaar (Sasz)|Sasz]]. Then he walked calmly through the portal. [[Saszotah Sseth'kaar (Sasz)|Sasz]], left alone for a moment with the devils, maintained his composure perfectly. He told them that [[Ravika - Erinyes Commander of Hidden Legions|Ravika]] had betrayed the cause and was being taken for immediate punishment, and that they should march south to reinforce the [[Serpari]] positions. Then he too stepped through the portal, which closed behind him. The party had succeeded without a single blade being drawn. ## Return to [[Krynvia]] Back in [[Krynvia]]'s chambers, [[Grumthar]] ceremoniously dropped the chained and groveling [[Ravika - Erinyes Commander of Hidden Legions|Ravika]] at the succubus queen's feet. [[Krynvia]] was impressed but noticed immediately that [[Ravika - Erinyes Commander of Hidden Legions|Ravika]] couldn't speak—the _Geas_ spell was still compelling her to grovel, and any attempt to disobey would cause psychic damage. However, the mood quickly soured. [[Grom]] pulled out his dagger and pressed it to [[Saszotah Sseth'kaar (Sasz)|Sasz]]'s back, demanding to know why the devils had recognized him as [[Serpari]] and why they thought he was delivering orders from [[Anam|the Withered One]]. ## Accusations and Explanations Tensions exploded. [[Tarnik]] pushed his blade into [[Saszotah Sseth'kaar (Sasz)|Sasz]]'s back as well, while [[Grumthar]] asked [[Krynvia]] if she could read [[Saszotah Sseth'kaar (Sasz)|Sasz]]'s mind to determine if he was a traitor. [[Saszotah Sseth'kaar (Sasz)|Sasz]], insulted and furious, dropped his human disguise and revealed his true form—a seven-foot-tall, muscular, green-scaled [[Serpari]]. He turned to [[Krynvia]] and demanded she explain why the devils would insult the [[Serpari]] by claiming they served [[Anam|the Withered One]]. [[Krynvia]] calmly explained that some [[Serpari]] armies _had_ allied with [[Anam]] and were working alongside devils to attack cities across Solare, including Polaria itself. However, she noted that not all [[Serpari]] followed this path—some had separated from their hierarchical culture and lived independently. [[Saszotah Sseth'kaar (Sasz)|Sasz]] was incensed, explaining that in [[Serpari]] culture, any who broke from the hierarchy were hunted down and eradicated. If [[Serpari]] were serving devils, they would be considered outcasts and killed by their own kind. [[Krynvia]] pointed out that perhaps [[Saszotah Sseth'kaar (Sasz)|Sasz]] should take this matter up with the [[Serpari]] who attacked Polaria, rather than accusing her of lying. ## [[Grom]]'s Departure With the interrogation of [[Saszotah Sseth'kaar (Sasz)|Sasz]] concluded (and [[Grom]]'s insight check of 28 confirming [[Saszotah Sseth'kaar (Sasz)|Sasz]] was telling the truth), [[Grom]] withdrew his blade and apologized. He then turned his attention to searching [[Ravika - Erinyes Commander of Hidden Legions|Ravika]] for the artifact he needed—a red blood gem required for his mission to save [[Syllin]]. [[Krynvia]] watched [[Grom]] with interest, noting that it was "very strange" for the [[Aria, Goddess of Birth and Death|goddess of death]] to take such personal interest in someone. She handed [[Grom]] a locked book, telling him it contained information that helped her escape from the Abyss and fight against the Nine Hells. She offered it as a gift, saying they shared a common enemy. As [[Grom]] prepared to leave, a portal opened—one leading back to the path he'd been traveling through the Hells. [[Grumthar]] stopped him one final time, cutting his hand and offering his blood for [[Grom]]'s ritual box, completing the collection except for one final vial. [[Cub]] intercepted [[Grom]] at the portal, grabbing his hand and confessing that he'd been having visions of himself as a murderer—that he felt guilty for crimes he couldn't remember. [[Grom]] embraced him and told [[Cub]] that being born an evil creature didn't mean choosing to remain evil, and that [[Cub]] was one of the most good people he'd ever met. [[Cub]] gave [[Grom]] two potions of greater healing, asking him to "return the favor" by bringing [[Syllin]] back. [[Grom]] swore he would, promising to put the heads of her tormentors on spears and free her from her prison. [[Tarnik]] blocked the portal one last time, handing [[Grom]] a bag of holding with his personal belongings from their traveling forge—calligraphy supplies, tinker's tools, his saddle, and other items. [[Grom]] took only his father's minotaur dagger, pushing the rest back to [[Tarnik]] and saying, "Where I'm going, such niceties won't get me very far." He gripped [[Tarnik]]'s arm in the orcish manner and said, "Until next time, my good friend." [[Tarnik]] replied, "Do not take so long." Before stepping through the portal, [[Grom]] turned back one final time and declared: "I have returned. And I will return again before it happens. We will defeat [[Anam|the Withered One]]. We will bring back balance to the world and glory to the orcs." With that, [[Grom]] walked through the portal and vanished back into the Nine Hells, continuing his impossible quest to save [[Syllin]]'s damned soul. ## Aftermath and Broken Trust As the portal closed, [[Volza Redhand|Volza]] muttered something about everyone being "mushy and shit" and walked away. [[Cub]] called after her, "Way to kill the mood, girl." But [[Tarnik]] wasn't finished. He turned to [[Saszotah Sseth'kaar (Sasz)|Sasz]] with murder in his eyes and said coldly: "We gave you trust. You broke it. You need to tell us everything you know, and we'll do that in the morning." Then he stormed off, leaving [[Saszotah Sseth'kaar (Sasz)|Sasz]] standing alone with the weight of suspicion still hanging over him despite his explanations. The session ended with the party fractured by mistrust, [[Grom]] departed on his dark quest, [[Ravika - Erinyes Commander of Hidden Legions|Ravika]] chained and ready for interrogation, and the knowledge that greater threats—[[EMBROCIEA - Master of Necromancy, The Grave-Eyed Whisper|Embrociea]], [[Anam]], the corrupted ley lines, and armies of devils and [[Serpari]]—were moving across Solare. The Bazgoth had passed [[Krynvia]]'s test, but the cost was another crack in their unity—and the clock was still counting down to catastrophe. --- **Key Session Moments:** - [[Grom]]'s dramatic return, visibly changed by his time in the Hells - The blood ritual and [[Grom]]'s quest to save [[Syllin]] - Masterful deception and persuasion to capture [[Ravika - Erinyes Commander of Hidden Legions|Ravika]] without combat - The revelation about [[Serpari]] armies serving [[Anam]] - [[Saszotah Sseth'kaar (Sasz)|Sasz]]'s true form revealed and trust broken within the party - [[Grom]]'s emotional farewell as he returns to the Nine Hells - Growing tensions between party members over leadership and trust **Next Session Setup:** - [[Saszotah Sseth'kaar (Sasz)|Sasz]] must explain everything to the party - [[Krynvia]] will interrogate [[Ravika - Erinyes Commander of Hidden Legions|Ravika]] about devil plans - The party must decide whether to trust [[Krynvia]]'s information - Leadership conflicts between [[Grumthar]], [[Tarnik]], and others continue - The greater threat of [[EMBROCIEA - Master of Necromancy, The Grave-Eyed Whisper|Embrociea]], [[Anam]], and the eight-month deadline looms