The air was electric between the levitating dancing, the plethora of lively conversations from the guests and the bustle of the waiting staff tending to everyone's needs. The masquerade was in full swing as the grinning face of Levistus gazed out over the ballroom like a silent observer, trapped in a cage of ice. The warm air of Malbolge swirled around the statue causing beads of water like sweat to drip from the sculpture's surface, softening it's details as it pooled around it's base.
Rachel rejoined her companions, who had taken up positions near the courtyard's entrance to the ballroom. Tidal, Dido and Caravaggio were busy studying the two creatures that were loitering around a metallic fountain of blood at the courtyard's center. One of the creatures was a tall satyr with large red leathery wings jutting out from the shoulder. The other a giant black winged creature, stout in stature and its face pale and heavy with make up, showing blood red lips in a rictus grin.
"I think it's time for us to make our way to the 4th floor to meet our contact." Rachel spoke as she closed the distance between her and the group.
"Agreed" replied Dido dryly as she nodded towards the base of the grand staircase.
"I spoke with the head attendant, Gordok, who said guests have free reign so long as they don't pass roped off areas." explained Rachel.
The group nodded in understanding and began to follow Dido as she made her way to the staircase at the far end of the ballroom. It was easy to follow her as her gleaming armor reflected all the lights and made her stick out from the other guests who chose to wear less extravagant cloth costumes.
The staircase leading up to the second floor was large and ostentatious. Its rails formed broad sweeping curves up to the second floor and a dark red velvet carpet covered the steps. At equidistant intervals, crystal orbs dotted the railing. The group began their accent to the next level.
Upon reaching the second floor, they began to move clockwise, making their way to the next set of staircases which lead to the third floor. They passed several archways along the hall which they peered into as they wondered by. The first one they passed leaded to a game parlor. There was a royal purple theme to the walls, accented with a golden trim. It reminded the group of how Duke Zapar had decorated his gambler's tent at the Carnival Eternal. There were several tables with comfortable looking fabric chairs placed around them. Many guests were seated at the tables playing mainly games of chance. One such table at the room's center that contained a roulette wheel had drawn a crowd. Half a dozen devils were seated around the table, in an apparent trance. Their bodies were slumped back in their chairs while kobold attendants tend to their bodies.
Tidal stopped and took a step into the room to get a better look, as a large toothy grin began spreading across his scaly face.
"Now this is my kind of party!" Tidal bellowed, attracting the attention a the few guests not engaged in the gambling and the games.
A firm hand landed on Tidal's shoulder. He spun to see who would have the gumption of touching him. As he turned, he locks eyes with Dido, greeting him with a stern look on her face.
"We do not have time for games." Dido says calmly, a note of irritation lacing her words.
"You must be a lot of fun at parties" Tidal remarked sarcastically.
Another voice, warm and welcoming, spoke up.
"Are you interested in trying out some of the games?"
Dido and Tidal look over to see a kobold attendant stationed by the arch way. Tidal chuckled.
"Yes! What can you tell me about these games?" inquired Tidal.
The kobold's face lite up and he gestured to the game of roulette at the rooms center.
"This game is Psychic Roulette." the attendant started. "Players make wages and then enter a trance like state to complete the game on the Astral plane. If you win, you bring your earnings back with you."
Tidal nodded enthusiastically.
"However, if you loose..." the kobold started as the body of one of the players sitting at the table suddenly flashed a bright blood red. As the flash receded, the body had become the familiar form of a soul coin. Another of the kobold attendants then collected the coin and brought it over to a nearby chest.
Tidal and Dido both looked back at the kobold who was explaining the game.
"... if you loose you are turned into a soul coin." the kobold concluded.
Dido shook her head at Tidal. The kobold attendant pointed to one of the large devils slouched at the table.
"Lord Bel of the First has been performing quite well at the game during his time at the masquerade." the kobold continued gesturing to the large leathery winged red devil as Tidal and Dido looked on. Two large obsidian black horns twisted out of his head and several large jagged teeth protruded from his lower jaw. Many kobold attendants were working on filling his talons and scrubbing his scaly skin.
A new devil soon wandered up and took the newly vacated seat from the recently converted player. The new devil looked like a large bullfrog. A set of powerful looking digitigrade hind legs came to rest on an offered foot stool as the creature sat down then reclined on the recently vacated chair. An attendant brought over a tray of hors d'oeuvres which the frog devil grabbed and slid every morsel into it's large gapping mouth all at once. After licking it's lips with a saliva drenched tongue, the devil sat back and closed its eyes. It started to enter the same trance as the other players.
"Ah, Chogrun is back for more! He's been on quite a hot streak recently." the kobold attendant informed the pair. "It's really quite impressive for a slaad."
Dido began to lead Tidal away by the arm when the kobold offered another game.
"Perhaps you'd be more interested in Liar's Dice!" offered the attendant gesturing to a side table off to the right side of the room.
Tidal looked over at the dice table. There were some smaller devils seated around the table, each rolling a cup and some dice. After releasing their dice from the cups to the table the game master declarer a winner and the other devils promptly flashed into new soul coins. Some kobold attendants quickly cleared them away to make room for more players.
"Eh. I think I'll pass." Tidal grumped in his gravelly tone.
The pair moved back to join the group where they were greeted by the sight of Rachel tending to Flewid and Car who were leaning against the wall. Rachel explained that both had been injured by psychic power from a room of sculptures and mirrors located just a little further down the hall.
A moment passed as the two caught their breath and the party journeyed upwards to the third floor. Unlike the previous ascent, there were two staircases to the third floor, one to either side opposite the grand staircase from the first floor. These staircases were narrower than the previous, but still left a fair amount of space for creatures to ascend and descend at the same time. They were similarly decorated as the last staircase.
Moving along the third floor, one of the first rooms the group passed by was a study. It's walls were covered in bookcases. All manner of books, transcripts, scrolls and manuals could be seen on their shelves. Most shelves were bursting with texts, with some even littered on the floor at the bookcases base. There was also a lone creature within, fliting from shelf to shelf. This caught Rachel's attention and she paused to take a closer look. The creature seemed to be a golden metallic sphere. A small set a mechanical wings attached at the top of the sphere and a set of mechanical arms and legs dangled from the sphere. Rachel recognized the creature as a modron. She took a step into the study, and offered a greeting to the creature.
"Hail! My name is Rachel. What's yours?"
The modron turned to look at her, several books tucked in it's arms.
"Greetings. You may call me Sixes." came the reply in a warm crackle. It's voice was synthesized and eerily artificial. Sixes held up a leather bound book with a large set of teeth on it that were currently snarling and gnashing at the modron. "I must say, this collection is truly impressive."
An idea suddenly struck Rachel as she ventured further into the library.
"Then I must be in luck. I've been trying to find a tome about the relations between the heavens and the hells. Would you happen to know which section of this study might have something on that topic?"
The lone artificial blue eye in the middle of Sixes body studied Rachel for a moment before glancing off to the right.
"You may have some luck over in that section my dear." came the crackly modulated reply from Sixes as it pointed to a section near the back of the study.
Rachel nodded. She gave a quick hand motion to Dido to hold the group near the entrance for a moment as she moved to the back of the study. She set about rifling through the collection of books and scrolls but it became quickly apparent that nothing in this section was remotely close to the topic she inquired about. As she turned back to speak with Sixes, she was struck by a book which bounced harmlessly off her chest armor and fell to the ground.
"Why would you look for such a deplorable text?" screeched Sixes, its lone eye now a light scarlet color.
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to offend!" replied Rachel, a little confused.
Sixes locked his eye on Rachel and gave her a withering stare.
"Remove yourself from this study at once!" screeched Sixes in an agitated tone.
Rachel put her hands up and began to move towards the entrance. Once she was about half way, Sixes tossed another book at her.
"OUT! OUT! OUT!" Sixes shrieked, its wings beating faster and a moderate vibration began to shake it's body. Rachel broke out into a sprint and made it for the door, dodging another book from Sixes in the process. As Rachel passed the entrance, Sixes' eye returned to it's blue color and it resumed it's fliting about the shelves as if nothing had happened.
"We should probably stay on task." Dido remarked as Rachel took a moment to catch her breath.
"Aye." Rachel replied with a huff.
The group continued to venture down the hall, passing by a set of swinging metallic doors with a circular port hole to look through. Caravaggio took a peak and could make out an operating room. In the middle was a lone operating table, a random elf male strapped to its metallic surface. Another figure, a devil wearing a white long coat, was in the process of dissecting the elf's brain while providing a lecture upwards to the seating theater. Car noted that the elf did not seem sedated as he moved back to join his companions.
The group continued along until they reached the next staircase. This one was similar to the main floor, being one grand staircase heading up to the fourth floor. The group ascended, eager to meet with their mysterious contact.
The fourth floor was so far the smallest floor they had been on. Each floor had gotten progressively smaller, but this floor was the most notable. To their left was a buffet room. From their vantage point at the top of the stairs, they could see several tables each topped with a broad array of foods from the mundane to the exotic. At the end of the table nearest them sat a pair of devils, a succubus and an incubus. They were feeding each other and having a very merry time. The group could also make out four Nupperibos gathered around the tables. The strings which normally sewed their mouths shut were cut open as they feed upon the offerings of the buffet. It was a truly grewsome sight to behold as they shoveled a copious amount of food into their mouths.
To the group's right, was an open archway to a second kitchen. Kobold servers scurried back and forth between the kitchen and the buffet to make sure the tables were full at all times. Unlike all the other architecture in Ossiea, this kitchen was the only room to have tiles. The walls, the floor and even the ceiling were all ivory tile that glistened.
Rachel spotted a door just inside the kitchen and pointed it out to the group. They all nodded guessing this was the butler's pantry they were looking for. Dido offered to stay watch near the stairs while the rest of the party stood near the entrance to the pantry, allowing Flewid and Rachel to enter.
"You look high, I'll look low" Rachel said to Flewid as they entered the chamber. Like the kitchen behind them, the pantry was all tile. At the opposite end was the elevator that likely connected down to the ballroom kitchen. Rachel started to look along the floor while Flewid started examining the ceiling. All the tiles were similar in color which made finding anything notable challenging. After a few moments however, Rachel found a tile that was a little more worn than those surrounding it. She pressed it with her hand and the elevator started to rumble. A moment later, a clicking noise started. The sound swelled until the tiles surrounding the elevator began to shift. They started to fold in on themselves as they peeled back from the elevator door. The elevator door itself began to sink into the floor in front of them finally revealing the barroom beyond. Flewid waved the others in and Car and Tidal each squeezed through the door.
Dido turned around just in time to see Tidal's tail disappear as the elevator door rose and she began to dash towards the group. The wall had already begun to return as Dido raced to get to it. She was able to stop just short of crashing into the door as the last of the tiles returned. Releasing an audible sigh of annoyance, Dido took a deep breath as she refocused herself and began to look for the trigger.
On the other side of the wall, the party stood just there, taking in the view before them. It was an exquisite drinking lounge, with dark velvety red hues on the walls. The space was lit by magical green flames places a regular intervals along the wall. They way the room was lit, but a dark shadow hung along the ceiling making it hard to see it. Well polished tables and chairs were available for guests and at the back of the room was a large bar made of brass. A long wall of exotic beverages lined its shelves. It manned by a kobold barkeep who was in the process of wiping a wine glass clean.
Behind the group, the wall slid open to reveal Dido, her composure cold as steel as she locked eyes with Tidal and gave him a withering glare. The bright light from the kitchen behind made her armor glint and radiated around her like an angelic glow. Groans and moans came from some of the patrons as they covered their eyes, waiting for Dido to leave the threshold and let the wall close, returning the ambient light back down to it's proper sullen level.
Dido moved to rejoin the group and spoke in a muted tone as the wall closed up behind her.
"What is our course of action now?" Inquired Dido.
"Well, our contact is likely a druid, so maybe we need to speak something in druidic?" offered Rachel.
Looking around the lounge, Rachel decided to head over to the bar. As she took a seat, the kobold looked up at her expectantly.
In her best druidic, Rachel asked for a glass of root beer. The kobold seemed unfazed by the use of druidic and set about to get a glass of root beer. While Rachel was speaking, Tidal was scanning the faces of those in the lounge looking for a hint of reaction. There were only about a dozen individuals, most sitting alone. One patron in the back corner looked up at hearing Rachel placed her order. Tidal figured this must be their contact. He began to stomp towards the figure, closing the distance to the back table with no attempt at subtlety.
Tidal came to a stop at the edge of the table. Straightening himself to be tall and imposing, he addressed the table's lone occupant.
"Are you the contact?" Tidal growled in his gravely voice with his arms folded across his chest.
"Aye. So ye found me." came the smirking reply in an equally gravely voice as the lone patron kicked out a chair and beckoned Tidal and the others to have a seat.
"The name's Kindra Tillintos. I was Jahrl's partner." she continued.
Kindra was a short stout dwarf. She wore a dark colored duster with weathered leather pants and scuffed boots. She drew back her hood to show her face as the group settled in around the table. Long white hair framed a pale face with weathered features. Wrinkles and sun spots were all over her skin. She looked each member of the group up and down, sizing them up one by one.
"So what brings such a 'diverse' group to Baator? Ta whom do ye swear yer allegiance?" inquired Kindra.
Rachel took the lead to respond for the group as Tidal was opening his mouth to say something, cutting him off in the process.
"We've been tasked by an entity known as 'The Choir' to bring an end to Fraz-Urb'luu. We're seeking aid to this endeavor."
Kindra's eyes narrowed. She studied the group again for a moment before she continued her questioning.
"An' how did ye get a hold of Jahrl's sendin' stone?"
"As we entered this layer, we witnessed Jahrl being tossed off the cliff by a devil. He landed in the Styx ahead of our boat. His satchel, however, was caught on a tree branch as he fell and we retrieved it, finding the stone and a note which lead us to you." Rachel responded.
Kindra continued to examine the group a bit longer before seemingly accepting what she heard. She let out a small sigh making a religious gesture with her hands before finishing off her drink in a single gulp.
"Well, if ye be true in yer word, then I think we canna work somethin' out." Kindra started. "The reason we both be comin' here is ta help free a frie-"
"Jabril" interjected Dido, not wanting to beat around the bush.
"Aye." acknowledged Kindra before she continued. "We had tracked 'em down ta this layer of Baator. Turns out Glasya had captured 'em and wants t-ask 'em some questions'."
"So what do you need from us?" Nodded Tidal.
"Well, here be the 'lay o' the land'." Kindra leaned forward. "Glasya and Levistus hate each other. Many years ago, the two were an item an' tried ta topple another lord, Asmodeus, Glasya's father. Their scheme failed an' Levistus took the fall. Asmodeus imprisoned 'em in a block o' ice in his home layer of Stygia so that he could serve as an example ta his subjects. This whole masquerade is a ploy to prove that Levistus be a traitor ta Baator by colluding with a holy entity. Truth is, that be partially true." Kindra paused for a moment to let the group digest before she continued.
"Jahrl, Jabril, and I had tried ta court Levistus intah givin' us some intel about Baator. As we arrived for our meetin', we was ambush'd by Glasya's forces and Jabril was captured in the process. Glasya has turned Jabril intah her mask for the masquerade an' she's locked 'em up in'er private chambers one floor up. It's a restricted area and I'm sure the little devil has placed some magical traps ta keep unwanted guests out. The meltin' of the statue just be a count down. Once the statue of Levistus be a puddle, Glasya will begin her interrogation of Jabril."
The group nodded in understanding.
"A further complication be that a holy entity such as Jabril be a highly sought after prize here in Baator." Kindra explained.
"What exactly is Jabril?" Rachel inquired.
"He be a planetar. An angelic warrior of the Gods." answered Kindra matter of factly as she locked eyes with Rachel.
The group was momentarily shocked as they absorbed this information.
"If the group of ye be able to free Jabril before the statue melts, I will do everything in me power ta get Deeproot ta support ye in yer fight against Fraz." proposed Kindra as she placed her hands on the table, leaning in towards the group. "But ye need ta act fast. That statue be almost gone."
Kindra pointed over to a framed mirror hanging on the wall behind them. The mirror was large and ornate with a golden frame. It's reflection was not of the room they were in however, but rather it was of the ballroom on the first floor. Showing a vantage point from above, and perfectly framed, was the image of the ice sculpture of Levistus. There was little definition left to the statue now. Everything above the waist had melted away leaving a little rounded stump. The pool of water at it's base now flowed into the grates around it.
"Then we will act now." stated Tidal as he got up form his seat.
He strode to the wall where the hidden door was as the rest of the group abruptly stood up to follow. The door automatically opened up at the groups approach and they continued through the threshold and back out to the landing where the stairs to the fifth floor were located.
Rachel walked up to the railing and gazed up at the ascending stairs. She placed a hand over her eyes for a moment, casting a spell over them. Her eyes turned the color of pale moonlight as she blinked a few times before looking around. From her perspective, there was a moon lite glow coming off all the surfaces around her. Looking along the path of the staircase and up to the door of Glasya's chamber, nothing stood out or glowed to indicate it was unseen by the naked eye.
"There's nothing invisible on the stairs that I can see" Rachel said to the group. "But there's still a chance that there's powerful magic I can't detect which could trigger an alarm."
"It is a very strong possibility that there are wards on the stairs and Glasya's door." Dido cautioned. "We will need those removed if we are to gain access to her chambers."
Rachel nodded to Dido. "I can take care of that."
"How are we going to get up there?" Flewid asked, trying to act casual with his back to the railing while looking at the art work hung on the walls, hoping not to draw any attention to the group. So far, none of the guests or staff were paying them any attention.
"I can use my step of the night magic to walk up to the balcony." offered Rachel.
"I'll take the rope and use my boots to climb the wall." Tidal added, a smile creeping in at the corner of his mouth.
"Once I get up there," Rachel continued in a hushed tone, "I'll disable any spells on the door. Then we'll break in, grab the mask and make our way out."
Rachel pulled out a small pouch and started to bounce it up and down in her hand.
"And we'll use this to help!" she continued, gesturing to the pouch. "It's our last pouch of invisibility dust. We'll make a clean escape!"
"The rest of us will stay hear and guard the rear." Dido said. "We will make sure no guards make their way to you."
Everyone nodded at each other and split into their separate ways.
Tidal began to walk up the side of the wall at a brisk pace while Rachel got up on the railing and stepped out onto a moon lite disc that appeared under her feet. She then bounded her way across the gap that went all the way down to the first floor. A couple of guests started to notice the two individuals making their way to the fifth floor and would point upwards to some of the other near by guests.
Rachel arrived first on the fifth floor and immediately set about dispelling any wards on the large golden doors. Her hands glowed a soft light as she spoke her incantations. Tidal finished his walk up and began to tie the rope around the railing. Satisfied the hold was secure, he tossed the other end back down to Car who was waiting on the floor below. Before he could begin to climb up to Tidal, Dido called over to him.
"The guards have noticed our attempt to breach Glasya's chamber. We must defend the approach!"
Car nodded and drew his rapier as he moved closer to the staircase that ascended from the third floor. He could see the guards beginning to climb the stairs towards them.
Rachel breathed a sigh of relief as her dispelling magic completed it's task. She reach for the handle to open the door, but it was locked. Quickly rummaging through her satchel, she produced a smaller satchel tucked within. Unwrapping it, she revealed a set of lock picking tools. Rachel began to apply her tools to the lock, jostling the internal mechanism.
"Come on you stubborn..." she said under her breath.
Rachel could hear the commotion below as a group of guards was shouting as they ascended the flights of stairs to reach her companions. She squinted her face and strained her ears as she rushed to pick the lock. After a few more moments, an audible click came from the door and Rachel pulled the knob and began to push the door.
No sooner than the door began to budge, Tidal came charging by smashing his lowered head into the door. The force of the hit swung the door wide open and it smashed with a clatter against the wall beside it. Tidal paused for a moment as the splendor of the room was now in full view. Glasya's private chamber was truly exquisite. While all of Ossiea was lavish and ordinate, this chamber was every measure beyond that. Most of the surfaces were gold, or had some precious metal of stone infused within them. Satin and silk sheets were hung all around the room while priceless artifacts and heirlooms were on full display. A king might blush at such opulence.
Zeroing in on his target, Tidal spied a pedestal near the center of the room. The pedestal's column was a blend or marble and azure, with red gemstones lined along the edge near its top. A plush purple cushion sat on the top, shielded by a domed glass cover. Resting on the cushion was the masquerade mask. The mask was a mix of light and dark blue hues, dotted with gem stones that seemed to radiate glittering light. A set of feathers created the illusion of wings on either side of the mask.
Tidal bellowed and charged towards it, raising his axe as he moved closer. Once in range, he brought the axe swinging down onto the glass cover. As its glowing red blade made contact, a darker red shield of energy flickered across the glasses surface. Tidal paused a moment as he pondered how to overcome such magic. Rachel quickly darted out form behind him, having caught up after he smashed his way past her. Having witnessed Tidal's attempt to break the glass dome, she began to caste her dispel magic to remove the obstacle.
A few heart beats later, Rachel nodded towards Tidal and he lifted his axe again and brought it down on the dome. This time the blade smashed through the glass barrier and continued on to the mask bellow. As the mask was sundered, a bright flash of blue light engulfed the room.
Tidal and Rachel blinked furiously to clear their vision. While the flash had receded, there was still a bright glow of radiant blue light coming from right in front of them. As their vision adjusted to the light, their mouths gasped. Before them hovered a large individual easily head and shoulders taller than Tidal, who was a 7ft tall minotaur. The individual seemed puzzled as they gazed around the chamber, though they had no pupils to tell where exactly they were looking. Eventually, their gaze seemed to fall upon the two adventures.
"Jabril?" prompted Rachel.
Jabril nodded.
Rachel continued in a hurried tone as she angled herself towards the chamber's entrance. "I know this may be confusing, but Kindra has sent us to free you and we need to leave this place now. We can explain more later."
Jabril's brow furrowed a little at the mention of Kindra as if recognizing the name.
They made their way out of the chamber to be greeted by the rest of the party who had retreated to the 5th floor.
"Time to go!" Flewid called out.
"I can provide transport." Jabril said as his wings flared out causing a strong gust of air to blow past the assembled group. He knelt down allowing the party to climb onto his back.
"Aye, go with Jabril. I'll cover yer escape an' find ye later." Kindra ordered.
Everyone nodded and began to mount on Jabril's back.
"It is nice to see you again old friend." Jabril said to Kindra.
Kindra allowed her weathered face to flash a smirk before she refocused on the situation at hand. As the party settled on Jabril's back, Rachel pulled out her pouch of invisibility dust and sprinkled it over everyone. In moments they were all invisible to the naked eye.
"Hold on." Jabril ordered as he took off.
Kindra could feel the air being displaced by the wing beats. Pushing her concerns to the back of her mind, she turned around to see the guards now reaching the 5th floor after breaking through their makeshift barricade. Letting loose a battle cry, she raised her axe and charged towards the on coming guards.
Dido was a little off put by the sensation of riding on the back of an invisible creature. She could tell they were moving fast as Jabril had leapt off the 5th floor and begun a dive straight down towards the ballroom below. Just before reaching the floor, Jabril pulled up and begun heading towards Osseia's entrance.
While all the guests and guards had not been able to track their movements, Dido could tell the pair of Nupperibos at the entrance could see them as the two creatures positioned themselves to bar their exit.
"Take out the Nupperibos!" Dido yelled as she instinctively drew an arrow and let is loose.
From the on looking guest's perspective, one of the Nupperibos seemed to violently shudder before falling back on the ground. As it came to rest, a javelin and an arrow protruded from it's corpse as they flickered into existence from seemingly no where. A loud buzzing noise came from the second Nupperibo as many puncture wounds started to form over it's torso. As it too feel to the ground, an enormous bee flickered into view just as it began to fly away from it's victim.
A group of Erinys guards moved to the edge of their patrol path on the outer wall at the sound of the commotion. As they peered down to the entrance the form of a large blue Planar with an assorted group of individuals riding on it's back flickered into view as they came flying out at a break neck pace from the main entrance. No sooner had they appeared, when a javelin thrown by the Bugbear struck on of the guards, knocking them off their feel to the ground.
"Pursue!" ordered the lead guard as their comrades took to the sky. "They must not escape."
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