Descent into Avernus 5

Sol — Today at 9:09 PM
The streets are largely deserted as the second group returns and brings their comrades new information discovered inside of the northern massage room of the stuccoed bathhouse. They now discuss the finer details of how to proceed in their, still paid for, private dining room.
Kiryuu Yamashiro — Today at 9:12 PM
"Unless we have a better idea. We break the door down and clear the place out starting with the bathhouse itself." Kiryuu says with a grunt.
Tharivol Amberwood — Today at 9:12 PM
"Xavier can move unseen. He will be in first," the Amberwood noble nods to his retainer.
Kiryuu Yamashiro — Today at 9:13 PM
"Is that so?" The half-Oni looks over to the noble's retainer and looks at him with a discerning eye.
Heat Stones — Today at 9:13 PM
Gundz prepares her tools and equipment as the others discuss the plan.
Xavier Smith — Today at 9:13 PM
"Although I can move invisibly I still sound like a angry bull moving."
Kovgan Mox — Today at 9:14 PM
"I could probably teleport over the external wall and unlock the courtyard door from the inside. It doesn't have a keyhole so is probably just a deadbolt."
"Thats a big assumption though."
Aelar Liadon — Today at 9:15 PM
"I should be able to make our movements more silent if needed."
Tharivol Amberwood — Today at 9:16 PM
"This happens tonight. We adapt to any new information as we encounter it."
Kiryuu Yamashiro — Today at 9:16 PM
"Indeed. They already know I've come by, so they're probably more alert because of it."
Tharivol Amberwood — Today at 9:16 PM
Tharivol nods at the elf, and glances over at Xavier.
Aelar Liadon — Today at 9:35 PM
"I can keep an eye on the outside with my cloak."
Kovgan Mox — Today at 9:35 PM
"Alright Tharivol you can go invisible fart cloud in, Aelar keep and eye out the rest of us will stand by close"
Xavier Smith — Today at 9:36 PM
"And I'll make you invisible."
Kovgan Mox — Today at 9:36 PM
"I said invisible fart cloud that was implied."
Sol — Today at 9:38 PM
The group stations themselves around the bathhouse in an inconspicuous manner, careful to avoid any roaming eyes or the few citizens that remain out at this hour, which seem to be the occasional drunk or the lone night watchman.
Tharivol Amberwood — Today at 9:38 PM
Tharivol prepares himself for the transformation, and nods Xavier over for the last touch.
Xavier Smith — Today at 9:39 PM
Xavier casts invisibility on Tharivol.
Sol — Today at 9:39 PM
The spells settle. The elven noble is now an invisible, gaseous cloud and begins slowly making his way into the bathhouse.
Kiryuu Yamashiro — Today at 9:39 PM
The mercenary stays in the shadows with the rest of the group as they await Tharivol's return.
Aelar Liadon — Today at 9:41 PM
Aelar positions himself to keep an eye on the outside of the bathhouse.
Sol — Today at 9:43 PM
Tharivol slips between the gaps around the engraved wooden doors that separate the bathhouse from the rest of Baldur's Gate. A dim glow exudes from the nearby stained glass window.
Tharivol Amberwood — Today at 9:47 PM
Surprised by the ease with which he is able to control this new form, Tharivol focuses his mind, and moves closer to the window.
Unsatisfied with the view, he moves on to the side, making sure the courtyard is clear.
Sol — Today at 9:51 PM
A quick survey of the courtyard reveals that it is deserted, the hired muscle as well as her lectern and ledger, are also absent.
Tharivol Amberwood — Today at 9:52 PM
In the cool night air, the invisible cloud moves for the door, intent on entering through its gaps.
Sol — Today at 9:57 PM
A brief survey of the room shows that the place is largely deserted..aside from three hunched, robed figures.
Kiryuu Yamashiro — Today at 10:00 PM
"I hope this...doesn't take long. I'd prefer if we just eliminate them all...outright."
Tharivol Amberwood — Today at 10:03 PM
Taking mental note of the odd figures, Tharivol continues to the southern-facing massage room.
Sol — Today at 10:05 PM
The southern massage room is much the same as it was earlier in the evening, minus the masseuse. As the invisible noble searches the room a muffled yell carries from the northern room.
Tharivol Amberwood — Today at 10:06 PM
The cloud floats to the northern room.
Sol — Today at 10:10 PM
The northern massage room paints a more horrific story as the androgynous masseuse, Jabaz, is strapped onto the massage table. A leather strap muffles their voice and two human males in grey, frayed, robes. Skulls swing from their rope belts and they wield butcher cleavers and ritual knives. The reason for the scream is immediately apparent. The robed men are peeling the skin from the masseuse.
In the corner of the room the other masseuse lays in a bloody heap, providing an insight of what awaits Jabaz.
Tharivol Amberwood — Today at 10:15 PM
Tharivol moves across the gruesome scene, slipping through the secret door.
Sol — Today at 10:16 PM
Behind the secret door a staircase descends 20 feet, featuring smooth stone steps and brick walls. Two sputtering torches in wall sconces illuminate the staircase, but the path below is dark.
The chamber at the bottom of the staircase is empty, unlit, and flooded with foul-smelling water to a depth of 2 feet.
Tharivol Amberwood — Today at 10:25 PM
Satisfied that he has the number of occupants likely to pose a threat, Tharivol returns to the landing, standing just behind the hidden door. Here, he wills the gaseous form to concentrate back into his normal form.
Three figures, likely standing watch, armaments unknown, on the main bathhouse chamber. North massage room requires immediate intervention. Two torturers doing their work.
Courtyard clear. Waste no time.
Kiryuu Yamashiro — Today at 10:27 PM
We move in now then? Kiryuu asks in clarification.
Tharivol Amberwood — Today at 10:27 PM
Now.
Xavier Smith — Today at 10:28 PM
"Initiate breaching sequence."
Kiryuu Yamashiro — Today at 10:28 PM
"Let's move."
Aelar Liadon — Today at 10:28 PM
Aelar hearing that begins to move up to the entrance to the court yard.
Kiryuu Yamashiro — Today at 10:28 PM
The half-Oni does one last check on his new shield and sword and readies himself before leading the way to the bathhouse from their position.
Heat Stones — Today at 10:29 PM
Gundz moves to the entrance.
Xavier Smith — Today at 10:29 PM
Xavier get's ready.
Sol — Today at 10:29 PM
The artificer easily avoids the walls, using his winged boots and lands on the lawn, carrying the kobold.
Xavier Smith — Today at 10:30 PM
Time to open the door
Sol — Today at 10:30 PM
The courtyard door is easy enough to unlock, the simple bar is done away with and the doors are swung wide.
Kovgan Mox — Today at 10:30 PM
Once everyone is inside Kovgan closes the door again, putting the bar back across.
Sol — Today at 10:33 PM
Entry is quick and silent, thanks to a quick spell from the elven ranger. The group moves swiftly through the courtyard and stacks up outside of the door leading to the bathhouse proper.
Aelar Liadon — Today at 10:36 PM
Aelar readies his new compound bow.
Kiryuu Yamashiro — Today at 10:36 PM
I'll be first once the door is ready to open.
Heat Stones — Today at 10:37 PM
Gundz gets her axe ready.
Tharivol Amberwood — Today at 10:38 PM
I will distract them. You will know when to come in.
Xavier Smith — Today at 10:38 PM
Xavier attempts to pick lock the door.
Sol — Today at 10:38 PM
A few moments is all it takes for the artificer to get the door unlocked.
Kiryuu Yamashiro — Today at 10:39 PM
Kiryuu rolls his neck and shoulders, waiting to open the door and charge in.
Xavier Smith — Today at 10:41 PM
Xavier get's ready to breach
Kovgan Mox — Today at 10:41 PM
Kovgan casts a minor enhancement on himself ready to breach
Aelar Liadon — Today at 10:42 PM
Aelar quickly summons up his Drake companion having it just up in front of him behind the oni.
Tharivol Amberwood — Today at 10:46 PM
Tharivol kicks open the secret door, and levels the arquebus at the torturer before him, in a fraction of a second he squeezes the trigger.
Heat Stones — Today at 10:47 PM
Corvus lands on Yamashiro, looking around menacingly.
Sol — Today at 10:47 PM
The cultist reels from the blast as the lead ball rips a chunk from his flesh. He screams in pain and his comrade turns toward the assailant, ready for revenge.
Tharivol Amberwood — Today at 10:50 PM
Reloading with incredible speed, Tharivol squeezes out a second round at the figure before him.
Pushing his limits, Tharivol fires off yet another shot.
Sol — Today at 10:53 PM
The two consecutive shots ragdoll the necromite, sending him sprawling into the wall behind him.
Tharivol Amberwood — Today at 10:56 PM
"Drop the knife!"
Aelar Liadon — Today at 11:10 PM
Moved up kicking in the door, Aelar opens fire on the one figure straight in front of the group, hitting them once and missing with his other shot before backing up and issuing the Drake to move in and attack the same robed figure.
Kiryuu Yamashiro — Today at 11:16 PM
Kiryuu charges inside and attempts to shove the shadowy figure to the south against the wall to make them vulnerable. The figure dodges nimbly out of the way as he thwacks into the wall with his shield. The half-Oni roars in disappointment and slashes the figure across the chest in a follow-up strike.
Heat Stones — Today at 11:21 PM
Gundz walks into the desolated bathroom. She sees a Robbed Man and casts crippling agony on them. Gundz walks out of the building.
Sol — Today at 11:25 PM
"Slaughter the intruders! Make their corpses an offering to Lord Bhaal!!" The female cultists draw their hidden blades and ready themselves for combat. The one nearest the drake stabs downward twice in quick succession, the poison coating it's blade having no effect, luckily it is susceptible to steel.
The necromite across from Tharivol drops the ritual knife and unwinds a flail with a spiked skull from his belt loop. He raises his arms and is surrounded by a sickly green glow. "DEAD KING MYRKUL, AFFLICT THIS WRETCH WHO INTRUDES UPON YOUR SERVANTS HOLY WORK!" Tharivol's eyes cloud over and sounds fade from his hearing.
The nightblade cornered by the oni attempts to strike back but it's blade cannot make it past the mercenary's shield.
Kiryuu Yamashiro — Today at 11:37 PM
"You. See. Your death." Kiryuu says between clenched teeth.
Kovgan Mox — Today at 11:38 PM
Kovgan dashes inside, attacking one of the hooded figures with a magically enhanced rapier blow before dashing back to throw a dagger.
Xavier Smith — Today at 11:43 PM
Xavier moves in to attack the Night Blade Kiryuu is attacking and instructs Molly to defend Tharivol
Sol — Today at 11:47 PM
The cursed nightblade fights through the pain and closes with the orc shaman, stabbing it's hidden blade deep into her chest.
Tharivol Amberwood — Today at 11:51 PM
Losing his senses of sight and hearing, Tharivol focuses all his training into the next shot. Despite his condition, the lead ball rips through the cultist before him.
Seconds later, he regains full use of his senses.
Aelar Liadon — Yesterday at 11:57 PM
Fires on the robed figure who moved into combat with both him and the ork hitting them with the first attack, but the second shot misses.
Kiryuu Yamashiro — Today at 12:00 AM
Noticing their shaman is in immediate danger, the half-Oni triggers the ring of transposition switching place with the kobold. Rounding the corner of the entrance he attacks the other cultist. Only hitting with one strike, much to his chagrin.
Heat Stones — Today at 12:07 AM
Gundz takes a drink from the black phail. After recovering from some of her wounds, She fire punches her attacker.
Sol — Today at 12:08 AM
Having dealt with the overgrown lizard the nightblade closes on the kobold and stabs him in the back with a vicious sneak attack.
Seeing the devastation the firearms can do, the necromite opts for potentially easier offerings for his god and rushes up to the oni. Placing his hand on the oni's back he shakes his skull flail and once more entreats his god for power.
"OH DEAD ONE! LAY THIS CRETIN LOW SO THAT I MAY OFFER HIS BONES TO YOUR TEMPLE!"
The oni's arms grow weak and his weaponry heavy as the curse saps his inner strength.
As the kobold turns to react to the sneak attack the first cultist takes advantage of the distraction and stabs her blade into the draconoid's thigh muscle.
"The Lord of Murder shall drink of your blood this day, lizard!"
Kovgan Mox — Today at 12:21 AM
Kovgan rolls between the legs of one of the attackers, firing a beam of fire that strikes two of them before fleeing outside to recuperate.
Xavier Smith — Today at 12:25 AM
Xavier continues to attack the Night Blade in front of him and orders Molly to defend his allies.
Sol — Today at 12:27 AM
The cursed nightblade reaches past the shaman to deliver several stabs to the ranger that continues to pelt her with projectiles.
Tharivol Amberwood — Today at 12:33 AM
Tharivol rushes to the doorway, firing again at the torturer cultist before repositioning.
Sol — Today at 12:33 AM
The lead ball disrupts the necromite's concentration and the curse wanes causing the oni's strength to rapidly return. "Curse you and your kin, half-breed!"
Kiryuu Yamashiro — Today at 12:36 AM
"I will use...your skull as a kick-ball!" He responds back, practically spitting on the cultist.
Aelar Liadon — Today at 12:39 AM
Aelar takes aim at the robed figure who attacked him and both his shots hit, killing them finally.
Kiryuu Yamashiro — Today at 12:42 AM
Kiryuu makes good on his offer, beheading the old cultist and kicking the head into the empty bath to the north. He then strides around the other cultist and slams his lighter-than normal great sword into their side.
Heat Stones — Today at 12:46 AM
Gundz walks up to Mox and says "Stand still." She casts cure wounds on the Kobold.
Sol — Today at 12:46 AM
The artificer and mercenary withstand the barrage of stabs from the cultists of the murder god.
Kiryuu Yamashiro — Today at 12:47 AM
Violent laughter echoes in the bathhouse.
Kovgan Mox — Today at 12:48 AM
Kovgan, rejuvenated, moves in and stabs one of the remaining enemies, surrounding them in thunderous energy.
Xavier Smith — Today at 12:51 AM
Xavier moves up to attack the Night Blade his comrades are attacking.
Tharivol Amberwood — Today at 12:55 AM
The half-elf noble fires at the same cultist, caving in his skull. Intent on finishing the last of them, he leaves his arquebus behind, and closes the distance to fire with the roaring silver roc pistol.
Kovgan Mox — Today at 12:55 AM
With the enemies slayed, Kovgan retrieves his thrown dagger.
Tharivol Amberwood — Today at 12:55 AM
Gundz. See to the masseur in the northern room.
Aelar Liadon — Today at 12:56 AM
Aelar moves into the bath house now that the fighting is over for the moment.
Heat Stones — Today at 12:56 AM
Understood. How bad is it?
She makers her way to the northern massage room.
Tharivol Amberwood — Today at 12:56 AM
See for yourself. The beasts were attempting to flay him.
Heat Stones — Today at 12:56 AM
By the Gods....
Tharivol Amberwood — Today at 12:57 AM
After retrieving his arquebus, Tharivol enters the room with Heat Stones.
Sol — Today at 12:59 AM
As Gundz moves into the massage room she sees the sorry state Jabaz is in, as well as personally recognizing the bloody mess that remains of Qurmilah.
Kiryuu Yamashiro — Today at 12:59 AM
Kiryuu collects the bodies and throws them all into the northern bath. "Damned cultists." He spits to show his disgust.
Heat Stones — Today at 1:00 AM
Gundz tries to heal and stabilize Jabaz.
Sol — Today at 1:02 AM
The magical healing reconnects the flesh that hung in stands from the arms of the torture victim, the bruises and abrasions that covered their body slowly dissipate as the shamanistic magic permeates the victim.
Now fully healed, Jabaz wakes from their unconscious state and immediately begins screaming, likely reliving the pain they went through only a few minutes prior.
Tharivol Amberwood — Today at 1:03 AM
"Easy. Calm yourself. You're alright."
Kiryuu Yamashiro — Today at 1:03 AM
Hearing the screams Kiryuu joins the rest of the group, easily looking over the others into the massage room.
Sol — Today at 1:04 AM
Slowly the masseuse calms themselves, though their eyes remain wide as they take in their new surroundings.
Kovgan Mox — Today at 1:04 AM
Kovgan closes the door to the bathhouse, trying to reduce the noise escaping into the outside world.
Tharivol Amberwood — Today at 1:05 AM
"You're alright," Tharivol repeats, putting a reassuring hand on the masseur's shoulder.
"They're gone. But I need to know if there are more. Tell me everything you can, and I swear to you these animals will be hunted down."
Sol — Today at 1:08 AM
Their eyes glance towards the leather straps covering their mouth and restraining them.
Xavier Smith — Today at 1:09 AM
Xavier unlocks the leather straps.
Tharivol Amberwood — Today at 1:09 AM
Tharivol nods a thanks at his retainer.
Kiryuu Yamashiro — Today at 1:09 AM
The half-Oni will stay where he is, blocking the door with his large frame.
Sol — Today at 1:10 AM
Jabaz sits up and nods appreciatively. "T-t-thank you for removing my wounds.." They rub their arms where the skin was once removed.
"All I know is the the son of Duke Thalamra runs this place and tells everyone to clear out before midnight. I always assumed it was for some kind of shady side business, not...this.."
Tharivol Amberwood — Today at 1:14 AM
"I see," he says, glancing to Kiryuu.
Kiryuu Yamashiro — Today at 1:14 AM
"Interesting...this might...complicate things."
Tharivol Amberwood — Today at 1:15 AM
"Your presence here cannot be known to anyone. Do you have a safe place to go?"
Kiryuu Yamashiro — Today at 1:15 AM
"Did he say...why he was here past midnight?" Kiryuu asks Tharivol.
Tharivol Amberwood — Today at 1:16 AM
The noble shakes his head in the negative.
Sol — Today at 1:16 AM
"This city is my home..and besides..the gates are shut...no one in or out." Jabaz shoots a dirty look towards the mercenary.
Tharivol Amberwood — Today at 1:16 AM
"It could be significant. How did they get a hold of you?"
Kiryuu Yamashiro — Today at 1:16 AM
"Orders...are orders, Jabaz. Stare daggers....at me all you want."
"Just be aware...we killed those cultists....who were flaying you alive."
Sol — Today at 1:17 AM
Jabaz looks away and down. "I was trying to find out what the business was...negotiate better pay to keep my mouth shut and all that."
Tharivol Amberwood — Today at 1:18 AM
"And what of your late colleague?"
Sol — Today at 1:19 AM
Jabaz shrugs. "Likely the same, steady employment doesn't mean fair employment. But she was gone before I was strapped to the table."
Tharivol Amberwood — Today at 1:20 AM
"Leave this place. Discreetly. Drape yourself in a cloak, and get as far as you can from here."
Kiryuu Yamashiro — Today at 1:20 AM
Kiryuu frowns at this. It would be wiser to kill this man.
Sol — Today at 1:22 AM
Jabaz nods glumly while moving out to the main room and starts stripping a hooded cloak from one of the murder cultists.
Once garbed, Jabaz makes for the locked doors.
Xavier Smith — Today at 1:28 AM
Xavier locks the doors after Jabaz leaves.