Session 0 - Part 1 (Daang, Usiris)

Emboldened thus, the dark-winged prophet spoke:
"Not for neglected catacombs or prayers
But for the betrayer host, whom Pelor scorned
And took his vengeance, barring brethren restored."

SESSION INSPIRATION AWARDS: Daang, Usiris

Our session opens in the Turst Fields, where Daang the half-orc barbarian and Usiris the aasimar celestial warlock (half-siblings on their father's side) reconnected after some time away, and made their way to the tower of Khor Oreheart, a staunch ally and friend after receiving a summons from the dwarven paladin.

"Usiris, I have some news for you ... you had better sit down."

Ozrick Dunn, a former disciple of the Celestial Dragon Abriell, had broken into the tower and stolen a very potent vial of ethereal oil created by Khor's alchemist, Minerva.  Khor gave Usiris a Sending Stone, and instructed the warlock to use it as soon as he found Ozrick.

"Henry, come along!"

Minerva, along with her mechanical octopus Henry, joined Daang and Usiris in the hunt for Ozrick.  Their first step: gathering information from the local town about the whereabouts of their prey.  

They split up, visiting the blacksmith, a former adventuring minotaur named Volgun who runs The Perfect Defense, the apothecary Eventide Ointments run by Tess Bright, and finally Moira Oakheart of the Full Tap Inn.

"I remember you ... in the mountains.  Daang, how are you!"

Eventide Ointments' proprietor  seemed very intrigued by Minerva.

Moira had seen Ozrick.  "Dodgy half-elf fella?  Yeah, he stayed here at the Full Tap!"

The tower, surrounded by an ancient battlefield dating back to the Calamity.

The group learned that Ozrick had stayed at the Full Tap and had taken delivery of a potion while he was there.  They explored his room and found a note mentioning a place called 'the forgotten tower.'  It also smelled faintly of sulfur and brimstone.  They followed the clues gathered from the room and Moira, eventually finding the long-forgotten mage tower to the east.

After making their way across the old battlefield, they came to a locked tower door.  Thanks to Minerva and some clever tactics, they breached the tower and encountered a summoning circle and a mysterious black orb mounted on the wall.  The summoning circle suddenly erupted and out stepped three devils, intent on guarding the tower.

Led by a black dragon devil named an Abishai, and flanked by two Merregons, the group was hard-pressed by the hellspawn.  But thanks to overwhelming power of the barbarian, as well as some creative use of a pit from Minerva's Robe of Many Things, the enemies were overcome.

But what is it for?

After defeating the devils, Usiris, Minerva, and Daang tested the black orb ... and were transported to the Shadowfel, an alternate plane of existence very similar to the Prime Material.  There was also a tower on the opposite side, though in better repair.  From the tower's vantage point, they discerned some ruins, a small hamlet or village, and a forest of ghostly trees.  Minerva used her skills to determine that Ozrick had fled to the ruins, and the group gave chase.

They happened across Ozrick near a cave, and overheard him arguing loudly with another entity about a 'contract.'  There was a loud sound, and the conversation stopped.  

Henry to the rescue!

Minerva sent Henry in to investigate and discovered Ozrick and a large metal construct waiting for them.  The combat was joined.  After a very long and brutal fight, Ozrick was defeated.  The shield guardian became inert; the group determined it was the amulet around Ozrick's neck that allowed the guardian to be controlled.  Minerva was given the amulet for study.

In the fray, Usiris had forgotten to use his Sending Stone to alert Khor that Ozrick had been located.  Only after the warlock had been killed by Daang did Usiris use the stone.  Khor's voice came back immediately, grim and stern: "She's coming."

A portal of gold and silver energy erupted across the room, and out stepped Abriell, celestial dragon of the Positive Plane, patron to both Khor and Usiris, and one of the most powerful forces of good known to exist.  She expressed her disappointment in Usiris for killing Ozrick without telling her.  She then retrieved the body and turned to leave, but not before magically illuminating a treasure hoard Ozrick had somehow amassed (or found).  There was no sign of the ethereal potion that was stolen, and no clue as to who the entity was that Ozrick was conversing with.

"You have failed me, Usiris."

Amongst the treasure was a Mantle of Spell Resistance, Dimensional Shackles, a Rope of Entanglement, and a single coin that smelled of sulfur.  It was identified as a coin belonging to Dispater, ruler of the second level of Hell, and the 'arms dealer' of the devil hordes.  With Abriell's rebuke stinging in his ears, Usiris and his friends returned to Khor's tower triumphant ... and defeated.

Was Dispater involved with Ozrick's plan?  Why has Abriell grown so distant from Usiris?  What was the ethereal potion for and who was Ozrick's contact?  Only time may tell ...

What is the connection to Dispater?