View source for Session 061 Gates within lead to gates without

{{Session |campaign=Ivae Orr
|session date=6 May 2022 
|game date= 19 afternoon
|synopsis= Weakened by crossing the ouji board trap room the party finds themselves confronted by a devil and his minions as Mourn discovers the possible holding cells of the prisoners.
|summary= 
After a seemingly eternal pause [[Gallandin]] and [[Mourn]] wracked with necrotic energy as the fail to answer the question correctly. The jump back to the stairs and the party in a chaotic rush decides to step out en-masse and answer a question as a group. Ragnums going on the count of three confuses the group or was it going on one? - and nobody moves. Trying again they step forward while [[Luthaist]] watches from the shadows. After another failed answer they suffer two more strikes before finally making it across to the other side. Luthaist meanwhile has tried to scale the wall using the torch sconces but perhaps momentarily distracted by the attack on the party slips to the floor and is wracked by necrotic energy as he makes a mad dash to the stairs. Finally gathered together they proceed up to level four.

Another debate ensues about resting on the steps to recover spells and some health but they decide to press forward fearing whatever  is int eh room could attack them. Upon entry to level four they find themselves in a massive gate-room with onyx floors, with a glowing pentagram in the center. Moving carefully so as to not touch the magic circle Luthaist is the first to spot a glyphed door but is unable to read it. Mourn and Gallandin both take a look and Gallandin identifies the runes as written in the infernal tongue. The writing and pentagram jog his memory and he remembers seeing such a gate in the cave in Darzong Hold as well as Kazull Hall. Meanwhile [[orin]] and [[Ragnum]] have gotten weaker as they move about the room - each step seems to drain their life energy. 

Luthaist uncorks a vial of holy water and lobs it into the pentagram which immediacy  begins to sizzle - in seeming anger but clearly in response to the water. Horin and Ragnum decide to attempt to consecrate the circle to Clangadden and negate the necrotic effects. Ragnum enters an altered state of consciousness and begins a wild dance coupled with loud chanting that unfortunately amuses more than entices the party to join him in channeling positive energy to counter the negative effects of the gate. As Horin and Ragnum touch the floor in unison at the completion of the spell they snap back in pain as black tendrils appear on their arms dating more necrotic damage. Gallandin watching the scene takes note of depressions in the onyx floor that seem to fit the amulet he carries from Kazel outpost as well as the one he found in Sorgen Abbey. The elves now at the base of the stairs to level five see from their vantage point the air over the gate has begun to shimmer and a hellish visage appear in the floor. The dwarves dash to the steps, their life energy draining away at each step to seemingly powering up the gate. Horin the furthest away is the last to make the steps and is worn out from the ceaseless energy loss.

Gathered together on the steps the party sees an infernal being rise from the center surrounded by seven smaller devils. Mourn dashes up the steps ahead to see if a safe spot to shelter and rest exists on the next floor. At the top of the steps he bursts into a well kept guardroom, oddly immaculate, with two ebony wood doors each with a sliding peephole that appear to lead to cells. A weapon and cloak rack are the only other items of interest, the guards nowhere to be seen, with the eastern door at least clearly locked. He debates what to do next as he hears sounds of combat from the floor below.

Gallandin unleashes and ice storm killing three and wounding the horned devil who isnt fully materialized and cant strike back physically. The devil does retaliate with a magical burst of hellish fire that singes Gallandin and awakens Stirkirk (still floating above him on a tether) who demands to but cut free. Galladin attempts to return fire but is distracted and fumbles his spell leaving him afflicted with “cackle fever”. With most of the party significantly wounded (1/2 HP or less) Horin’s tries a combo ranged spell attack to buy time while Ragnum, Luthaist, Stirkirk, and Aileen get into defensive positions. Aileen dashes across the floor strikes tempting to strike the large devil with a dagger from behind while Stirkirk hits it with a thrown ax as he settles to the floor. The movement distracts Horin who so spectacularly fumbles his spiritual hammer attack he stuns the entire part into inaction for the next round.

We leave the group standing mouths agape transfixed at the hellish figures who are but moments from completing their materialization….

|exp=

2250XP Milestone - bypassing the ouija guardian, making it off level three, insights about the towers secret gate connections to Darzog Hold and Kazel outpost, combat with the devils minions

'''Individual Experience Bonus:'''

Gallandrin: 370XP insights about bypassing the ouija board, lore about the gate, spell combat (even with crit fail/cackle fever effects)

Horin: 300XP attempt to consecrate the gate, good idea about the spell combo attack (even if crit fail on execution)

Luthaist: 330XP thiefly skills, discerning the glyphs, damaging the gate

Mourn:  300XP providing overwatch of the party, scouting ahead discovering the whereabouts of the cells

Ragnum: 400XP entereing a trance/daning/speaking in tongues, consecration/commune attempt with Clangeddin


|npcs=

*[[Zalxis'yarlak]]

== Rumors: ==

A group of Dwarves live in caves of the wailing winds.

Elves of the Adri Forrest are able to kill the monsters of the realm who enter the woods.

Velor's forces dont venture south into the Adri Forrest 

The plains of Demoray are dangerous (usually fatal to enter) in the day and much worse at night
}}