The respite was intentionally brief...it needed to be. The Blood War was still on the horizon, but now thankfully not blocking their path to Bel's forge at the moment. Still...to remain longer than necessary was a risk that they simply couldn't afford. Phyrra tended to everyone's wounds with special attention to Maul, the shattering blow the warforged took from the Balor still wracking his internal systems. Once it seemed like everyone was as good as they could be at the moment, Wake stoop up from amidst the bones
"Alright everyone...we'll be there in an hour or two assuming no interruptions. Nighttime on Avernus is...well, not as bad as you'd probably suspect. Let's get there and get out with enough time to make a proper camp." Everyone began gathering what little they'd set out during their rest, setting to the long travels once more. The volcano that housed Bel's forge now towered before them, only going to grow more imposing as they reached its base.
Wake had only made it a few minutes into their travel before deciding to pull aside Maul, the two of them walking far enough away from the rest of the group to have a conversation in relative privacy. "I can tell something is troubling you. It's not just affecting you, but your decision making as well. What can I do to resolve it?"
"Bulwark leadership transitioned. Shield core transferred."
Wake shook his head. "To...you?" Maul simply nodded, allowing the archer to continue. "And why is this a problem? Does this not mean you now lead an army when you return? I fail to see the issue. Please. Elaborate."
Maul finally broke...the order was given, and the words he needed to express could not be done concisely. "I have existed within a structure my entire existence, Wake. Never have I been at the top of that structure. Now that I am here, I do now know my place within it."
"And why do you speak this way now? I know you are far from unintelligent but I thought you incapable of such speech. Clearly I am wrong."
"It is how a warforged communicates to his commanding officers. The officer gives the order. The soldier asks all necessary questions to follow the order."
Wake paused for a moment. "I see...now that you have reached the peak of the warforged hierarchy, you still feel the need for a commanding officer?"
Maul nodded. "Precisely."
"Well then, it seems we have a problem. Maul, I rely on your input. I do not make decisions on my own, nor do I want to. It creates single points of failure. You take in the necessary factors when constructing a plan, and you are not influenced by external forces that might corrupt your reasoning. I rely on you for that guidance and knowledge, Maul...if functioning as your commanding officer would remove access to that insight, I think it is worse for the Syndicate as a whole if it comes to fruition."
The warforged continued on, stoically looking forward...he understood exactly where Wake was coming from. He knew this would not be an easy proposition, nor one that Wake would blindly accept. However...it needed to happen. Already in the warforged's machinations was a hole, a hole left by Bulwark had formed, the need for someone to report to, to exist within an order rather than on top of it...it needed to be remedied. Maul doubted that the sound advice he'd given Wake for so long would continue to be as such over time. "Would it be unacceptable to report to each other?"
Wake raised a curious eyebrow at the warforged. "I don't suppose so, no. Do not expect me to follow your customs, however...if that impacts your decision to offer that proposition. I am not opposed to the idea, though I think it may be troublesome to navigate in its beginnings."
"I did not expect that. We shall attempt it, and find the troubles that it causes." Maul paused, posture straightening before continuing on. "What is our first course of action?"
Wake pointed over to the volcano, now less than an hour's walk from them. "I've been working with Z-Thava. She's getting a plan ready. I trust her to do the nimble communication, and get as much information out of him while raising as little suspicion as possible. Once we know why Bel fears Zariel, where she is, and perhaps what her goals are if we're exceedingly lucky, we can make our way into the city of Dispater. I haven't attempted to plan much out past that point...there's enough moving pieces already in play that we need to get more clarity before preparing for Dispater. That's almost certainly our destination from what I've gathered from other sources."
"Bel intentions requested." Maul was quickly able to strike the balance between the two of them - he'd done it for so long, it was his natural reaction when requesting information. Wake struggled far more, having to shift from being the talker to the talked to.
"Every archdevil wants the security of knowing that their position will never be stripped from them. Asmodeus holds some sway over this, but even a being of his power cannot stop every fight from occurring. Bel was a general in the Blood War...the general in the Blood War. After claiming the title as Lord of the First, Zariel stepped in and replaced him. She's gaining the same popularity that he was in his rise, and fears that she may come after his position. At least...that's my best guess. It makes sense, but there very well could be more to it than that. We'll figure it out shortly."
"Preventative subsystems?"
Wake shook his head. "Not much. Devils are creatures of law and contracts, but Asmodeus is willing to let the greater devils fight amongst themselves if he believes it to be beneficial. If Avernus saw a new Lord every week, it might be different...but Bel has had this position for decades, perhaps even centuries. If Zariel wishes for the throne, nothing explicitly prevents her. Why do you ask?"
"Simply understanding the laws of this world. From what you have said, Devils value strength of body and cunning of mind. Should you have to pick between Zariel and Bel, which would you rather see rule this place?"
Wake shook his head, thinking. "That's...that's tough. Zariel is ruthless, more ruthless than others. She is actually a Celestial fallen from grace, now living out the rest of her life as a devil. I think that means little of her capability...but I am interested to see how one who was previously known to be good and just rules the entrance to Hell."
"So you believe she is fit to rule?"
"I don't think that's in any of our places to judge. However, I am interested to see her try."
Maul nodded, starting to steer the duo towards the rest of the group. "One final question. A title such as 'Lord of the First' denotes power. Why are we journeying to a forge?"
"Though Bel does not personally oversee the Blood War anymore, he was, and is, a primary weapons manufacturer. With his title, however, his business is almost uncontested. He chooses to reside here, though there is also no formal home for the Lord of the First."
"And should Zariel come to become ruler here, where would her seat of power reside?"
Wake shrugged. "I do not know. I have no doubt Bel would remain in his forge, though it would cease to have as much power as it does now. There is a chance she would construct her own palace, or simply run off the denizens of a current one. Avernus is vast...there is no doubt she would make it work. I must ask...why so curious?"
"From what you have said and I have understood, Devils are vile, but structured. We are instigating civil unrest - dethroning a current ruler. If that forges too much of a power vacuum and throws the plane into unrest, the likelihood of our assets aiding us dwindle significantly."
"Fair...fair." Wake paused, almost now joined up with the group. "Zariel is the right call, still, though your concern is valid."
"What concern is that?" The duo had rejoined the group, Phyrra wishing to know just what had been discussed.
"That we'd create a power vacuum by removing Bel...that the resources we would have agreed to gain would not be enforced to due a lack of an enforcer. I'm not concerned...if there is one thing a devil is, it is reliable. If a contract is signed, and I will ensure that it is...it will be enforced. It will have to be."
"Or else?"
"Or else we codify enough ramifications into failing to abide by it that such an alternative is not even considered." Wake paused for effect before continuing. "Zariel will already be indebted to us. That, with penalties written into the contract, ought to be enough to dissuade her from breaking it. If it is not...then we have not created steep enough penalties."
Phyrra narrowed her eyes. "And just what sort of penalties are we talking about?"
Wake stifled a laugh. "I could explain...but we're almost to Bel. I think it best that you simply observe the forging of this contract...that should explain everything that you wish to know."
The mountain, black smoke billowing from its caldera, was almost out of vision due to the steep incline to get there. To their right they could see a gentle glow from the one opening to the forge, the loud clangs and whirrs of machinery muffled by the wall of stone and steel in front of them. Bel was inside...and it was time they paid the Lord of the First a visit.
The group started rotating around the side of the volcano, the glow of the entrance coming more and more into view. As Bel's forge was the only clear sign of civilization that they'd seen since the docks, a small collection of buildings was situated near the main entrance - no more than a dozen buildings, most of which were exploitative shops meant to wrench everything from the slaves that toiled away inside. The group walked through the buildings, the few that could read the Infernal script understanding just what was happening - predatory loans, pawn shops, and the like lined the streets - this was how Bel made sure his slaves never had the opportunity to leave.
As the group moved closer, two erinyes stood to blockade the glowing entrance - humanoid female creatures for the most part, but the pronged horns and red-feathered wings gave away their true natures. Their wings were outspread so as to further blockade the door, each one holding out a spear to form an 'X' between them. They were each clad in masterfully crafted plate armor, forged from a black metal that would have smelt heavily of brimstone had they been further from the forge.
As they spoke, the Infernal language rolled off their tongue in a series of guttural howls, barks, and snarls. "What business do you have with our Lord?"
Thava and Wake were the only two to understand it, Lance's Infernal far from fluent, and the others having no need to learn such a foul tongue. The dragonborn stepped forward, eyes darkening into a glare. "We seek business."
"What sort of business?" The spears were rotated to show the jagged points on the ends, twin shields now held in front of their bodies. The erinyes acted as one unit, a practiced duo of guards that clearly had dealt with all manner of rabble.
Wake stepped forward, making no intention to appear hostile. "Business you need not concern yourself with. What we come offering is only for Bel's ears and Bel's ears only. It is a matter of - "
"What. Business?" The Erinyes alternated their words and punctuated them by slamming the spears together, one of them holding a hand to the sky with two fingers pointed up. Only a few seconds later, and two bone devils landed above the top of the door, malconstructed dragonfly-esque wings buzzing as they landed, twin scorpion-like tails poised and ready to strike at a moment's notice.
Thava responded quickly, trying to recover the situation. "We wish to secure your master's position further...or see if there is a need for such an endeavor. To forge a contract. Work, for pay."
The erinyes' eyes glared at Thava, the two looking at each other for a brief moment before nodding. Spears turned upright and wings retracted, the door visible once again. "Follow. Step out of line, and you will be put to work." The bone devils retreated back to their hideouts as the Erinyes turned around. Wake relayed the information as the group began to follow, entering into the Forge.
"You spoke of trust, darling, but you don't seem to have much of it. Leave this to me...Bel won't even realize he's telling us everything we need to know."
Wake was unflinching as the conversation was sent to him, Thava standing just beside him as the two led the double-filed line. "Apologies. I will not make the same mistake again."
The group was lead through the heart of the forge, seeing just how depraved the working conditions were - imps manned most of the mechanisms, spined devils barking orders at anything and everything that was out of line. Bel didn't care that neither were important in the devil hierarchy - that only made each and every one of them that much more expendable.
The heat of the volcano grew more and more intense as they passed through the more sophisticated tools of the forge, functional only here due to the immense and unlimited natural heat present. Stronger devils worked here under heavy supervision, the expertise to operate the mechanisms more sophisticated than an imp could be trusted to operate. The twin erinyes that walked them forward gave little time to observe the scenery, however, each one occasionally looking back to make sure none of the syndicate dared take even one pace out of line.
Soon, the group was lead all the way up to a towering set of double-doors, charred and blackened steel barring the way forward. Once again the erinyes turned around, a flourish of wing and steel barring the door. "We shall consult with Lord Bel before allowing further passage." One of the two demons slipped behind the door as the other shuffled to stand directly in the center, unflinching as the colossal door slammed shut behind her. She stared at the group in utter silence, eyes ever-vigilant as the group.
"He certainly hasn't laxed on security in recent decades."
Wake mentally shook his head, making sure to remain unmoving for the remaining guard. "And I doubt he ever will. The Blood War is on the horizon...I can't fault him for these measures. While you're in my head, I must ask...why use this for anything other than necessities? If it is a secret you wish to keep, you know that I find it advantageous to do so. I keep it as such only because you have wished it."
"Dearie, a mind like this needs to keep itself hidden. However...I know a trustworthy face when I've seen one. This is how I prefer to speak...I find it so much more intimate, just the two of us in here. However, it simply wouldn't do to let everyone know everything about me."
"The more you say that, the more I believe nobody knows even remotely anything about you."
Wake could feel Zaelynir smile in his mind. "Oh, sweetness, you have no idea…"
At that moment, both doors flung open of their own volition, a deep and bellowing voice thundering from inside. "Enter, mortals. I hear you have matters of...business." Promptly the two erinyes stepped to the sides of the hallway, Wake and Thava walking forward as they guided the rest of the Syndicate into Bel's chambers.
Inside, they found themselves face-to-face with the Lord of the First. Bel towered over every member of the Syndicate, 11 feet of glimmering red flesh staring down at them. A suit of thick plate armor hung from his chest, designed with the likeness of a vicious wolf upon the breastplate. The archdevil's wings flared out behind him, hiding only a small portion of the grand walls behind him, walls detailed with impressive battles of the Blood War where small legions of devils turned back hordes and hordes of demons. Bel's tail flicked out to the side, sliding to wrap around a glimmering sword that had just been forged by his underlings, the devil's practiced appendage coiling around the blade and pointing it towards the Syndicate. "Ah...it's you. This will be most interesting then."
Thava turned around as the doors slammed shut behind them. "We've come across a bit of -"
Immediately Bel cut the dragonborn off. "Whatever ruse you wish to play Zaelynir, you need not carry it out any longer. There are no eyes here except mine and those you brought with you...spare me your usual charades."
Thava simply nodded, the scales melting from her flesh as infernal wings beat a sigh of relief, Zaelynir unleashing his true form once more. "Understood, Bel. You understand I must be cautious among your kin, but you I know are among those I trust."
Bel's fangs gleamed in the forgefire as he cracked a smile, idly tapping his hands on his throne of steel. "Your flattery goes only so far, incubus...only so far. I'm quite up to date on this 'Syndicate' that you've put together, and challenges you've formed for yourself. Let us cut straight to the point - how many troops are you wishing for, and what are you going to do for me in order to deserve them?"
Zaelynir's natural charm showed now that he'd shed his disguise, sauntering up closer to the archdevil. "I've come to understand that a position of such grand power begets a unique breed of...adversaries. Those that lust for the throne you now sit on, but are unworthy of ruling from it properly. We simply wish to dispose of one such adversary from your midst...I believe she is known as Zariel?"
Immediately, Bel's amusement faded as the matters of business came to light. "I see...and you believe yourselves capable of irreparably damaging her reputation?"
Wake responded quickly. "You've seen our deeds, Bel...you know our skillset lies somewhere else. Somewhere that creates a bit of a more permanent solution."
Zaelynir followed up, a hint of irritation as Wake steered away from the plan the incubus had crafted. "Indeed, should it suit you. We're a varied group...there is little that is beyond our reach. Tell us how you'd like us to dismiss this problem, and I give you my dearest assurance that it shall be carried out."
Fire raged in Bel's eyes as he spoke. "Zariel is a freak! A haughty angel that believes she is fit to rule a land of devils! She does not deserve death, but disgrace." Bel's composure returned, his words more measured, practiced. "Leave her for all to see. Show her that she is not fit just to rule here, but even to reside amongst the nobility of this land. Her angelic pride must be crushed into submission."
As Wake moved to respond, he heard a voice within his head. "Dearest, you're making me question just what your trust means. Do let me take the lead, will you?" Wake's jaw hung slack for a moment before he took a step back, letting the incubus go ahead.
"Oh Bel...for that we can do that and more...but we do need some information. We know that she currently resides within Dispater...but you and I both know the city is vast. What does she do there...where does she often reside?"
Bel's eyes narrowed, trying to read Zaelynir's intentions but struggling to get past the deceiving mask. "Zariel serves within Dispater's court...no doubt trying to usurp his throne as well. His court is always within view no matter where you reside within the city...I have no concerns with you locating it."
"And what does she value most?" When Bel raised a suspicious eyebrow, Zaelynir quickly continued. "You wish us to humiliate her, and we wish to receive favors in return. A job done well deserves comparable compensation, does it not? It is in our best interests to do as much as we can for you."
Bel's suspicion never wavered, eventually the sword captured in his tail flitting around to stand between him and the group. "Zariel is of no concern to me...Asmodeus would never deign to have an angel take my position. However...Zariel is a menace to this plane, and all its denizens. Angels have fallen to us before...but none have dared believe they are anything other than the lowest of filth. If you wish to rid me of this filth I will reward you as I see fit, but your methods are your own."
"Do you trust me?" Wake reached out via the psychic link between him and Zaelynir, unsure if it was even possible for him to initiate the conversation.
"But of course, dearie. Do go ahead."
Satisfied, Wake took his chance. "Well if it's of no concern with you, then we'll be on our way. We've been elsewhere for quite some time...if there's no guarantee of troops to be found here, we'd best be on our way." He turned around to Shavvir, looking the Shadar-kai in the eye with a knowing look. "You said Count Zarovich would support us, yes?"
Shavvir nodded. "Indeed."
Wake then turned to the group, making special effort to ignore the archdevil in front of them. "Well then, what do we think? Best be on our way?"
"And just how do you intend to return to your desecrated homeland? You have no way back, mortals, not unless I grant you one. Dare threaten me again, and I will personally ensure that you never set foot on the Material plane ever again."
Wake's determination only resolved, the Devil's threats very real - but he'd dealt with them plenty of times in the past. "Then we must see on equal terms here, Bel. If Zariel is truly an underling filth unworthy of our time, then perhaps our services are best used for you elsewhere. However, I do believe we both know what you'd wish us to do...so let's simply get to the point. We seek an army, and you seek security. Shall we begin putting this in writing?"
At that, Bel's eyes glimmered. "Ah...you wish to forge a contract? Well then...that certainly changes matters. I will grant you this, and only this - Zariel is a threat, and I will reward handsomely to see her removed. As for a contract…" Bel snapped his fingers, a sheaf of papers appearing in his hands as fire seemed to forge them into existence. "I have everything right here."
"I hope you skipped your usual soul entrapment tricks, Bel...I've served you enough to see them all." Zaelynir flitted over to Wake. the two of them hungry eyeing the papers. "Shall we, darling?"
Wake held out his hands, Bel obliging and handed over the documentation. "Phyrra...I do believe your eyes would be useful here as well."
The drow sauntered over as well, the three of them starting to look through the documentation. For Wake and Zaelynir, it was all quite familiar - loopholes built within loopholes, caveats for every single statement, obscurity, misdirection...it was impossible to tell what was actually the request, and what was some structure built around it to ensure that Bel never saw any fallout should things go awry.
To Phyrra, however, it was barely legible, the words confounding each other the further they went, the drow chewing through the scrambled texts far slower than the other two. She understood exactly why infernal contracts had such a connotation to them - if you weren't careful, or weren't intelligent enough to know just what you were signing, you could just as easily sign your eternal damnation as you could the actual contract. However, the drow made careful note to understand every detail of it...if they were to do this damnable treaty again with Zariel, it would aid her to know the process and common pitfalls.
Soon, Phyrra leaned over Wake's shoulder, pointing to a passage as she read through it, whispering in his ear. "Is that...expected?"
Wake gave a sidelined glance to Zaelynir, the latter also shaking his head. "No...it is not." The archer looked up towards Bel, the archdevil still sitting on his throne, arms crossed with curiosity. "You give us a contract with no terms, Bel. 'Legions will be allocated based on method of task completion', and yet you provide no further clarification. We aren't your usual dogs, Bel. We know how this works."
"Then you know I have little incentive to care. My 'other dogs' are just as capable as you are at this...and they seem far more eager to succeed than you are. If you do not wish to sign the contract, then you can be on your way...I will await the success of my 'dogs', as you call them."
Wake's eyes narrowed, hands clenched. "Who have you hired, Bel?" Phyrra instinctively reached a hand to his shoulder, sensing that Wake was about to make a scene they couldn't afford right now.
Bel smiled wickedly, throwing the sword into the air and catching it with his hand as he playfully swung it around. "Oh, I would hate to spoil the surprise. If you work fast, I'm sure you'll be able to catch them. I see you didn't reach the time constraints on our contract...no matter. I gave them eight days...how long ago that was, I daren't say."
"We'll get it done in half." The words were concise, Wake's knuckles white with anger.
"Oh? You mean to tell me you can reach Dispater, find Zariel, humiliate her oh-so-handsomely, and return here within four days? For just rejecting our contract, you seem more than happy to accept it unconditionally."
"Four days, Bel. Terms as written. If we don't return within four days, the contract is null and void. Make the changes. I will sign it."
As Wake handed the contract back to Bel, he heard the voice of Zaelynir in his head. "Dearie, just what do you think you're getting us into?"
Internally, Wake was smiling. "He's given us what we need. He thinks we're on his side. After four days, the contract is null and void...when we reach Zariel and aid her, there will be no breach of contract. Dispater is three days' journey if we walk tirelessly, four far more realistic. By the time we reach Zariel, we'll be under no obligation to assail her."
"Ah...clever. Very well then...I think we've done about all we can here. I guess it'll be a few days before we find out just who else he's contracted for this."
"I can only guess it's someone as desperate as we are. I have a few ideas...and I wouldn't want to run into any of them. We shall formulate a plan once we have more information. Speculation this early will get us nowhere."
At that point, Bel had finished with the papers, infernal fires rewriting the text that had already been written before. "I believe you know what comes next, don't you Wake? Of course, I assume your actions speak for the rest of your group here? What is it they call you? The Syndicate?"
Wake turned to look at the group earnestly as he accepted the papers. "Yes. I speak for them unless there is any among us that object now." When all voiced remained quiet, he returned his attention to the papers he'd been handed once again, Zaelynir fluttering over to look through them as well. Once again, everything was oddly in order...usually, this process took five, ten, perhaps twenty revisions, forcing out terribly unjust terms laid forth by the archdevil simply to see if they were foolish enough to overlook it. This contract, however...was nigh-legitimate. Despite the plurality of statements protecting Bel from any harm should problems occur, nothing was laid out that imposed undue restrictions on how the Syndicate completed their tasks, ways he could back out on his end of the bargain if circuitous or impossible rules weren't followed.
When Wake reached the end, he saw the timeline - four days, after which all terms in the contract become null and void. That was exactly what he was looking for...a perfect escape route for their true plan. He didn't know how much Bel had read them, had figured out their true plan...he could only hope that the entire contract wasn't a setup, and that their plan had worked.
At the bottom of the final page was a large blank spot, a crimson line on the bottom with a ceremonial dagger affixed below it, bound to the page by a bit of string that Wake began undoing. He set the papers on the ground, hand pressed firmly in the empty space on the page, dagger clutching in his other hand.
"I...accept." Wake closed his eyes as he thrust the dagger downwards, splitting his hand in the center as he felt hot blood pour from the fresh wound. As it did, he felt the familiar sensation of the paper consuming the blood, the words he'd read growing with life as his blood fed the contract four days, sealing it. When he took his bleeding hand away, there on the page was the faint outline of his hand in his own blood, a small cut in the center from where he'd stabbed through the paper.
Bel's smile turned wicked as Wake stood up, blood still trickling unrestrained down his hand. "Just wonderful. Zaelynir, Wake, you've both always yielded such consistent results. I look forward to your success."
"Of course, Bel. We will not disappoint." As Wake spoke, Zaelynir was begin to shapeshift once again, scales sprouting from his back as the form of Thava took over once more.
"Well then, now that everything's settled." Bel stood up, hands clapping twice as the doors were immediately flung open, the two erinyes appearing once again. "Guards, our business has concluded. Take them to the exit."
Twin "As you command"s were issued as the two erinyes began marching them out, the Syndicate following close behind them. Wake and Zaelynir travelled in complete silence, both mentally and physically - revealing anything now, while still within the presence of Bel's trusted, would only lead them to regret it. The erinyes guided them back out the path that they had just walked, sights of imps tirelessly working in near-death conditions hitting them once again. Devils made the perfect servants...if they died, they simply reappeared on their home plane the same instant. With the resources Bel had, he could afford to work the lower devils to death...he was one of the few that could pull them back into eternal enslavement.
"Out with you, mortals." Both erinyes stood to the sides, wings flared out and spears pointing to the exit, granting the Syndicate the necessary passage to leave. The filed out two-by-two, eventually returning to the desolate and arid wasteland that greeted them outside.
"Follow me." Wake spoke in a hushed tone, trying not to catch the ears of the devils just behind them. The archer began walking out towards where he knew they needed to travel, waiting until he was certain there weren't any prying eyes around.
"Care to tell us what sort of pact you just binded us to? Start explaining yourselves...I'm reconsidering my Queen's orders to remain here." Shavvir's brow was furrowed, Everlife gleaming in the shadar-kai's hands as she glared at Wake, eventually settling on Zaelynir under the familiar guise of Thava.
Wake cracked a grin. "In truth, nothing. We agreed to return within four days with proof of Zariel's utter humiliation. Should we not return within that time, we are under no contract nor obligation to fulfill the terms. We signed an impossible treaty...my only concern is whether or not Bel knew that's what we wanted."
"Extrapolation requested. Timeline relevancy inconclusive."
"It's unlikely we even reach Dispater within three days, dearie...assuming there's only the usual amount of problems in our way, we're lucky to make it in four. By the time we reach Dispater, we can do whatever we want...we'll be under no contract to stand against Zariel."
"And you're blind enough to think that you slipped that past an archdevil unnoticed?" Shavvir was wholly unconvinced - it sounded too perfect.
Wake responded. "Unlikely, but possibly. He mentioned that he had already recruited another group to undergo this task...he refused to say whom. We need to figure out who, and why...and stop them before they succeed. If he was telling the truth, which he most certainly was not, at best we have eight days to stop them."
Lance interjected, walking towards his brother. "So...let me get this straight. Bel isn't our concern anymore...and from what it sounds like, perhaps he wanted it that way. Instead, we're dealing with whatever group decided to hunt down Zariel for their own purposes. So we don't have an explicit time limit...but implicitly, we do. Stop this shadow group before they thwart our plans?"
Wake nodded. "Precisely."
"Does that mean we won't have time to…" Lance made a gesture, a finger trailing off from his back, twirling through the air. The rogue was freshly reminded of the issue having fought through the Blood War nearly unsupervised - he still had no way to control his own body. Earlier, Wake had said that they could likely find a resolution within Dispater
Phyrra shook her head, eyes then sliding to glare intently at Wake. "Of course not...if we're to be in Dispater, there's no reason we can't purchase some necessary supplies while we're there. Right?"
Wake was taken back by the drow's apparent bluntness. "Yes...yes. We're trying to locate a group of creatures we know nothing about. Blending in and acting like we belong will help us hear something we otherwise wouldn't."
Phyrra glanced back at Lance for only a moment. "See...nothing to worry about."
Wake's eyebrow raised curiously, not sure just what angle Phyrra was taking at the moment. "Anyways, best we'd begin moving. We need to reach Dispa...oh. Oh no."
"What, half-elf?" Shavvir's anger returned in an instant, Wake's seemingly flawless plan apparently shown holes by its own inventor. "What have you so conveniently forgot?"
Wake glanced at Thava. "Tiamat. We forgot about Tiamat."
The dragonborn nodded. "Indeed dearie...seems we did. This...well, this will be quite exciting."
"Brother." Lance's eyes were big, fear clearly present within them. He'd always seen him with a plan...to see worry creeping in so early into the process was cause for great concern. It wasn't the first time...and the rogue knew what he had to do to guide Wake back on track. "What threat does Tiamat pose?"
"She guards the gate from Avernus to Dispater...as we are not devils or devil-kin, she reserves the right to block us access."
Lance nodded, continuing on. "And why would she do that to us?"
Thava interjected, a hint of a smile on her draconic visage. "An old grudge. Tiamat was known as Lord of the First, only to be replaced by Bel...he banished her to be little more than a gatekeeper. She's going to know why we're travelling there. Whether we tell her it's to secure Bel's position or to have someone different replace Bel, neither option is something she'd be particularly fond of."
"And you think she'd block us access over a grudge?"
Wake nodded. "She's blocked me for less in the past. Her hatred for Bel is not to be reckoned with, though perhaps we can use that to our advantage. Our goals aren't dissimilar to what she would agree to...save for the person for which we're doing them."
Phyrra perked up. "What if we lie? Tell her we're working to undermine Bel's position, create a power vacuum...and for a price, we can help her secure the seat that she lost?"
"It...it's risky, but not impossible. I think that's what we might have to do, in fact...convince her that we're not seeking Zariel in particular - just that we're working to diminish Bel's hold within the plane. We can easily say that we need to go to Dispater in order to find equipment...which we do." Wake looked meaningfully towards his brother, and then again at Phyrra. "My worry with Tiamat is that she has previously found ways to force the truth out of you. We need to plan on speaking ambiguously...she will know something is amiss, but we can truthfully say that our plan is against the contract we signed with Bel. We have enough to go on that I don't think it's impossible that we get through...just difficult."
"And what's the fallout should we be unable to convince her?" Shavvir folded her arms.
Thava's wicked smile returned. "Well dearie, that depends on just what we say. If she isn't convinced, odds are we just walk away. If we anger her, however, I doubt any of us will live long enough to be able to escape. And, just between us...Tiamat's not known for being level-headed."
