Session 8

Heroes: Tarabas, Meghera, Aonar, Vaako, Sarvaas

The Heroes bargain with the Pillar of Skulls, obtaining the information they need: the nearest portal out of Avernus is to the south, and the key to activate it is a yellow brick from the road adjacent to the pit fiend Bel's fortress.

They must cross again the River of Blood, this time having to face man-sized bloodworms. When they arrive near the fortress and the yellow road, they spot vast legions of devils preparing to march. In the red sky, far to the south, a rift has opened, and a colossal dragon-like figure is climbing into it. The Heroes wait in hiding, biding their time.

When the army begins its march, the Heroes carefully approach the road, and steal a few bricks. Unfortunately, a unit of red and black abishai, fifty strong, leave the fortress with delay, spotting the Heroes on the side of the road. The devils fly in pursuit, with the Heroes running for their lifes to the Portal.

They reach the door in the nick of time, but are stopped by a humanoid figure guarding the portal. The man introduces himself as Ark'le-mens, and seems to have some authority on the abishai, as he orders them to stand down while he speaks with the Heroes.

Ark'le-mens informs them that the portal will bring them to Sigil, and he will let them used the portal, if they bring with them a "gift". He hands them an orb of smooth obsidian, which they must carry to Sigil. True to his faction's tenets, Vaako does not think twice about it, grabs the orb, and enters the portal. The others follow suit.

Back in Sigil, Vaako notices that the orb has turned to dust. Not worried in the slightest, the Heroes go back to report to their factions about their latest adventure.

* * *

Carousing in the gambling halls of Sigil, Tarabas enjoys a streak of good luck: a young aasimar by the name of Maedhros proposes to settle his debts by inviting the Heroes to his villa in Lunia, on the first layer of Mount Celestia. The Heroes promptly accept the opportunity to visit heaven.

While in Lunia, they visit the town of Hearth's Faith, home of the Winged Pride, a community of lammasus protecting the town. Though the holy creatures are out of town for a conclave, the town is a peaceful burg where both citizens and visitors help each other the best they can.

After a few days of rest, the Heroes are summoned to the abode of a Sword Archon, a powerful servant of the Powers of Good. The Archon has a task for them: the Modron March approaches Heart's Faith, and the Archons may not parley with the modron, afraid that the chaos that pushed them to begin their march out of schedule will affect them also. Thus, they ask the Heroes to approach the marching modron, and convince them to avoid the town, lest they bring destruction to the jewel of Lunia with their inflexible passage.