Category: Avernus

Our mission has been a success!

Lulu was right.  We were able to redeem Zariel, and she and the other imprisoned angel have restored Elturel to its place on the prime material plane.    Nienor is back with her true master, and I feel a empty for the lack of her presence.  Although, I must say, I do feel … more like I used to be. Less judgemental, less decisive and certain of my actions.

I’ve also learned that apparently Zariel was the one who imprisoned Mooncolour, so she is still a little sore about that.

We encountered Zariel over the remains of Elturel, and with Lulu’s assistance, I was able to persuade her to come back to the light. She brought Elturel back from hell, and we were heralded as heroes. Apparently I am physically changed as well as matured in person, as my wings are still there, although my eyes have gone back to their pre-sword blue. This will make it harder to blend in and avoid the drow assassination squads, which are undoubtedly still after me.

After a bit, we are back in Baldur’s Gate again.  Our reward was a thousand platinum and the Vanthampor manor house.   We start the process of removing all the infernal items and getting new furniture, although we also hired some guards and servants.  I get the guards outfitted and we start getting everyone situated.  We leave for Candlekeep in two weeks to see if we can get transported to Cania.

Apparently, the same demon knows something about restoring Kavyre’s memory as well as a contract Daerian has.  We have a plan in the making, and preparations to make.

Well, it has been a while since my last entry. I feel like we’ve been in a marathon with little to no rest. When last I wrote, I had gained some additional direction and guidance by binding myself to the unicorn Mooncolor. She taught me that it is not weakness to help and nurture others, and that there is power in healing.

Well, we have made it through Avernus to the place where the temple which protected the sword was. We pierced the veil hiding it from most of the denizens of Avernus. We then made our way through the scab surrounding the temple, fighting demons along the way. When we reached the temple, I opened the doors, and we entered. There was the spirit of one of Zariel’s paladins guarding the place, and she took us into one of Lulu’s dreams to test our worthiness.

Inside the dream there was the town of Idylglen, and it was under attack by gnolls and demons. We fought them off, and while we were doing so, Korvold the kobold witnessed the death of the first of his name. Apparently the name is more of a title and not hereditary. He somehow used a soul coin to trade places with the paladin, and is now trapped in a coin, while the paladin Korvold inhabits his body.

We fight off the demons and fight Yeenagu the demon lord of gnolls, when Zariel and Lulu arrive and kick the demon lord through a portal, and slam it shut behind it. Zariel then asks us what we would do would we risk our very beings to assault Avernus to try and end these assaults or would we just keep defending. Knowing what I know about her assault on Avernus, I tell her no, and that if she lost herself, she would be an even bigger threat to the innocent than the demons were, and they would not have her to defend them any longer.

We are transported back to the temple, and Lulu has regained all her memories. The spirit and Lulu then ask who will take the sword, and caution that it will “be the end of who you are”. I feel a need to offer myself as I have no one depending on me back in the real world, and indeed expect to be assassinated within a few years anyway. And if by my sacrifice I can help save Elturel, and these comrades of mine, the closest thing I have to family, I cannot decline.

Shiven backs up, unwilling to risk his life. Kavyre debates, but also does so as she has her village to save. Korvald the paladin says he is obligated to restore the soul of Korvold the 6th, and declines. Darien does not even offer or think it over. Falco steps up but is rejected by the sword for whatever reason.

I take the sword, and gain a new purpose. All my life flashes before me, and it is like it has been leading up to this. First, born among the evil drow, where I recognized that I was different. Then taking small steps fighting for rights for male drow, then freedom for slaves, then fleeing to the upper world. Once there, fighting for survival, then to make a comfortable life in Balders Gate. Helping refugees from Elturel and expecting nothing in return. Being gifted the amulet by a good hearted gnome priestess who saw more in me than I saw in myself. Then meeting Lulu and being transported to Avernus and the reality of that sinking in. Freeing prisoners in Elturel and helping the hopeless here. Freeing Mooncolor just as I was ready to take the next step. Learning how to nurture and help and not just kill and steal.

And now. The sword. She has a life and personality which are her own, and while others just call her the Sword of Zariel, she tells me to call her Nienor, which is elvish for lamentation, as she still mourns the fall of Zariel into evil. She is understanding of my search for meaning, and gives me a new purpose. I feel fulfilled, and if I die, I am confident my spirit will no longer go to the Abyss to be a plaything of the servants of Lolth, but will go to either Amoria to be with Mooncolor or Lunia to serve the celestials there. I am content with either.

I do not expect to be her caretaker for long, something inside me feels that Zariel will seek to claim her once again, for good or ill.

It has been a while since I’ve been introspective, I suppose as due to having more pressing concerns. To sum it up, we were transported to Avernus in pursuit of Elturel and finding some method of bringing it back to our plane.

Since then, we’ve been hounded by demons and fiends, and have been in a near constant struggle to stay alive and sane. I’ve had little time for introspection, although I had found myself struggling to keep myself from descending into the despair and deprivation that I see when I look at the occupants of this plane – like those poor wretches at Fort Knucklebones.

I suppose it all started long ago – back in Menzoberanzan, when I was younger, and was being taught that kindness, mercy, honor, generosity, and their attendant traits were all signs of weakness. Lloth always preferred to keep her followers divided and untrusting of one another. Likely because it made them easier to control. I questioned those teachings then, and I outright deny and repudiate them now.

We have been in Avernus quite a while now – time seems to have little meaning in this place – and have accomplished some good deeds – releasing a titan and a unicorn from this place among them. In that deed – releasing the unicorn, I have found a little bit of redemption, and have acquired a guide. The celestial Mooncolor has consented to be my guide and mentor. At first she was a little reluctant – due to my heritage, but she apparently recognized that I was more than what my city, race and family made me. In her, I feel I have found a magical and moral mentor unlike any I envisioned.

I am still in danger, of course, and will be the rest of my life – either here in Avernus or back in our plane, being hunted by other drow as a renegade and traitor. Or just for money, as no normal drow does something for another without payment.

But if I die, at least I will know I die in a decent cause, something bigger and better than myself.

Memiors from the Pit. [note to self – all names are likely misspelled]

After we left Balders gate, we were ambushed by a devil with a cart and some corrupt humans, we killed the humans and drove the devil off. We made an Inn halfway between Balders Gate and Candlekeep, and stayed there for the night. I approached a drow in the Inn, thinking to get some news of the underdark. Turns out, I’m the news, he’s keeping an eye on me so his group can catch me later and execute me. Not news which is welcome to my ears. After he leaves, I mention this to the guards guarding the tavern (more Flaming Fist), and the innkeeper. His wife stops by to visit, and gives me an amulet which should offer me some limited protection from other drow, and also from devils and the like. I thank her for her generosity, and we leave the next morning.

Along the way, we’re ambushed by a group of Gnolls, and waste no time in slaying them and freeing their captive humans, except for one who was slain during the rescue.

Well, since my warning in the Inn, I’ve been a little on edge knowing their is a group of Drow out there with orders to hunt me down and either take me back or to execute me quietly. After the gnoll encounter, we decide to camp for the night, and during my watch, someone approaches from the East under an Invisibility enchantment. Luckily for me, they just want to warn me – apparently he was a sympathizer, and wanted to warn me that there is not one group, but three. Each with a mage, tasked with finding me and executing me. I get a little more nervous. The benefactor of this information is Kalanzar, a minor member of a minor house – I think I remember him, one of those who was hoping we would succeed, but not willing to risk his life on our behalf. We make it to Candlekeep, and are allowed inside. The gentleman we rescued takes us to his employer, who gets the contract between Thavveus and the devil ruler of Avernus (Zariel), allowing that ruler the right to drag the city down into hell after fifty years of protection. As a reward and to assist us in the next step of our journey, she makes arrangements for us to be transported to Avernus, and also gives us an enchanted gem, a potion, and two enchanted swords. I take one, and Shiven takes the other.

One other item to note – apparently the shield Shiven has, contains not a celestial being, but a Pit Fiend. Not exactly what we thought. Shiven is a bit shaken to realize the kind of being he’s been dragging around. The vial of liquid we stole to start this entire thing is apparently called the Tears of Lulu, and is a healing potion and can restore memories. Lulu is apparently an actual celestial being, and she’s staying with a wizard named Traxor. We fly to Taxor’s floating tower, give the tears back. Lulu is a small dog-sized winged elephant. I confirm this with the rest of the party, perhaps a bit worried the mushrooms I had for lunch were having an adverse effect on my senses. Lulu was Zariels mount back when Zariel was a divine being, and before she was corrupted by Asmodeus. After some more discussions, we port to Avernus, and Traxor disappears, leaving us abandoned.

Almost immediately, we are faced with three bearded devils chasing a woman carring two toddlers. We slay with devils without too much difficulty, despite them bringing more friends to the party – a testament to the need we had of enchanted weapons!