While Demios leads them through the streets of Skyway City, Hennesey takes notes as to where they went as part of his mapping process. When they finally get to the encampment, he gazes at the vast ruins and begins his map of the abyss. Starting with landmarks and trying his best to look in all directions to get a good basework sketch going.

Wow, an army of demons would have been helpful, literally dozens of times Stan. You've been holding out on us. Porto says trying to stay humorous in the immense heat.

Stan thanks Demios for his help in transporting them here. "Not that I'm exactly happy to be here, but thank-you anyway."

The heat of the place is striking, especially after the cool sewers of Skyway. Stan wrests off his red traveling coat and folds it up into his pack, leaving him his shirt and ascot.

Porto's indefatigable humor wrests a smile from the wizard. "Who's going to feed them," he asks quietly. Then, realizing the potential meanings of the question, he adds "you?" He shoots Chubbs a wink, but quickly becomes serious.

The pig demon seems to be in charge, though organization is obviously a tenuous thing here. "What's the situation here?" He leaves the question vague, trusting that the creature's chaotic nature will supply an ample answer.

Demios leaves the party with the pig-faced demon, excusing himself to prepare for the coming conflict.  When he returns, his hood is pulled down, but his face is now covered by an obsidian mask.  The mask bears a strange symbol unknown to you all, even Stan.
While Demios was away, the pig-faced demon answers Stan's question: "We have discovered Morothâ's hidden outpost!  We have been true to you, my Lord; and we remain true!  Many of us have suffered under her reign to uncover these truths, but the hour of our suffering has ended with your return.
"As you know, Morothâ has taken your bride and hidden her away.  We believe she is being held here, in that tower!  Demios has led us to this point, all of us—your dowry—and faithful servants 'til the Devils take us—"
"That's enough," Demios says once he has returned.  "They are great warriors do not doubt, but they can get a little excited over the simplest of things.  If we are going on with this, we had better do it right.  I have gifts for all of you, taken from Morothâ's treasuries."  He produces the skull of a horned devil and removes the crown.  He reaches in and, to your surprise, his arm goes much further down into the skull then dimensionally possible.  He retrieves three gifts and gives them to each of you: A ring for Porto, an amulet for Hennessy, and a gemstone for Stan.
"When you are ready," he says to Stan, after instructing each of them on how to use their gifts, "we'll launch our assault."

"The beauties of Chaos are sometimes hard for me to comprehend," he offers diplomatically.

"Have you appointed leaders, or surmised any scheme for the assault's success? I do not mean to stifle you with organization. However, if we treat briefly with order, it may lead to greater opportunity later."

He shoots a subtle eyebrow-raise to his companions, as if to say "I am out of my depth."

"If I may be so bold, m'lord," the pig-faced demon replies, "we have been breed for this, to fight devils and other demons.  The hoard knows what to do."
"But they don't," Demios says from behind his mask.  "Morothâ's soldiers have captured a Merregon and are currently dealing with it.  We will use that as a distraction and launch our assault while most are focused on subduing it.  Our warriors will focus on the bulk of their forces, allowing Stan and his slaves—err, companions to slip inside," he corrects himself, obviously not used to the idea of mutual companionship.
"Once you've taken the ground floor, work your way up towards the top.  Our forces will continue to batter their soldiers from outside," he says as he shifts his stance and gestures to a pair of batwings jutting from his back.  You also note that many of the other demons also have similar wings.  "The plan is that we will work off each others' distractions and free Clementine.  This is a research outpost, so they shouldn't have a significant force garrisoned here.  This should be pretty straight forward."
This message was last edited by the GM at 20:34, Tue 18 Jan 2011.

Stan nods. "Sound the attack, then."

Porto was getting more and more nervous as he went. But he made his choice. He would have to live with it. Hopefully live is what he does.

With Stan's order, the pig-faced demon literally jumps up and away from the others and rushes off toward the small hoard of demons encamped behind the outcropping.  You follow Demios down to meet the others as they prepare, many of them have already taken to the air.  A massive demon that resembles a mix between a rhinoceros and hill giant begins to hit the outcropping with a very big rod of iron!  Chunks of rock begin to break away, and many of the winged demons swoop down to gather the stones before flying over the barrier.
Demios leads you around the cropping, granting you a straight-on view of the tower, not more than a few hundred yards from your current location.  The demons without wings rush all about you, past you, and straight on toward the tower!  A brief moment later, the battle is fully involved.
Spindly and twisted demons that Stan recognizes as Rutterkin form a perimeter in the tower's courtyard, ready to repel the invaders.  From above, the winged demons drop their heavy stones, raining them down upon the opposition and breaking the outward defenses.
"Now!" Demios shouts to the lesser demons all around, "Crush the Horde!"  His battle cry may hit the others as something of a non-sequitur; why would a demon be allied against the Horde?  Certainly, demons engage in infighting, but to shout a battle cry that is to call for the total usurping of the entire Demonic Horde?  The party hadn't much time to think his meaning over, as the battle is joined and chaos takes the courtyard!

Closer to the tower's entrance, they can see a small band of three demons, one tough-looking demon and two fat dretches, attempting to control what appears to be devil bound in chains.  The devil unceremoniously breaks his bounds crushes the two dretches before calling forth his weapons—which he must have had stored magically—and cutting the other demon down.  It roars in anger as it attempts to defeat the chains binding its great wings; but as it notices mortals drawing near, a sinister smile creeps across its face and it zones in on you!

Initiative plus Round One action(s)
Map Update Pending...

Stan conjures up a protective barrier of energy that should last him the whole battle.

17:14, Today: Stan Fetchin rolled 13 using 1d20+5. Init.
mage armor

Porto activates his ring shield with his own little password and reveals the true power of the dagger they found in the woods. A shimmering transparent blade springs forth from the littler blade to the size of a halfing's great-sword. But Porto continues to hold it as if it were a dagger. Porto then begins to sing.

Inspire Courage+1
20:50, Today: Porto 'Chubbs' Brandybuck rolled 22 using 1d20+4. init.

A devil went down to Sacville, he was looking for a soul to steal.
He was in a bind 'cos he was way behind he was willin' to make a deal.
When he came across this young halfling sawin' on a lute and playin' it hot.
And the devil jumped upon a hickory stump and said "Boy let me tell you what"
"I bet you didn't know it, but I'm a lute player too.
"And if you'd care to take a dare, I'll make a bet with you...

Round One

Porto reacts first.  The little guy quickly prepares for battle, activating his magical blade and summoning an energy shield as if from nowhere.  Truly, this little halfling is full of surprises.  As he does this, he also sings a song, intent of rising the spirits and combat prowess of his companions.
The Legion Devil snickers in the faces of the mortals as they come ever closer.  With a devilish laugh, he calls forth the ancient evil within all devils and demons capable of summoning his own surprise: another baatezu ally!  As if from nowhere, another legion devil steps from a summoned gate and into the fray!
  The summoned Legion Devil, seeing the mortals, launches itself in a reckless charge directly at them!  It swings its longsword and delivers to Hennessey a nasty gash.
Stan casts a familiar spell to him; bring forth a barrier of magical force to protect him.
Demios, being more than a little engaged in another nearby skirmish with a mob of demons, glances over and sees the second devil cut Hennessey.  He grits his teeth and quickly casts a minor spell, which seems to be focused on the first devil.  The spell flashes and seems to frazzle the devil.
Hennessey grimaces at the bite of the devil's blade, but almost expects a little more.  He shifts backward and looses two arrows at the beast!  His first arrow hits, but the second attempt is so horribly awkward, the warrior injures his own self (minor)!

Active Effects:

• Inspire Courage (+1 bonus to hit & damage)
• mage armor (Stan only; 4 hours)

This message was last edited by the GM at 13:59, Fri 21 Jan 2011.

Sit on your hands until I tell you otherwise! Porto shouts at the original devil hoping that his frazzled state makes him more susceptible to magic. Porto stands defensively waiting to be attacked.

Standard Action: Cast Suggestion
Move Action: Stand Defensively

"One of your friends?" Stan says to Demios. The clues to Demios' nature were subtle, and ultimately that was the biggest clue of all: nothing about a demon was subtle.

Stan calls on the powers of darkness to blind the party's foe.

Standard: blindness against charging devil

OOC: Ill fix later

07:19, Today: Hennesey Rydell rolled 9 using 1d8+4 with rolls of 5. Damage 2/2.
07:19, Today: Hennesey Rydell rolled 9 using 1d8+4 with rolls of 5. Damage 1/1.
07:18, Today: Hennesey Rydell rolled 16 using 1d20+6 with rolls of 10. Shot 2/2.
07:18, Today: Hennesey Rydell rolled 16 using 1d20+6 with rolls of 10. Shot 1/2.

Round Two

Porto stops singing and casts a rather difficult spell.  He wiggles his fingers and opens his eyes wide, speaking clearly and directly at the original devil.  He doesn't get the intended result, and the devil sticks out his forked-tongue in protest.
The Legion Devil, now focused on the little bard, wades over with a sinister grin on his face.  He swings his longsword at him, which is fully larger than the halfling is tall.  It is by the skin of his teeth that Porto dodges the blow, sure it would have cut him in two.
   The summoned Legion Devil continues to assail Hennessey.  It slashes again with its longsword, scoring another hit.
Stan casts another spell, one of the more advanced in his arsenal.  He shouts the words loudly and points at the devil engaged with Hennessey.  The devil's eyes begin to shine brightly, causing it discomfort and blindness.
Demios continues to fight the other demons of the Tower, but spares a glance back to see Stan's spell.  He offers the wizard a curt nod before refocusing on his superb blade-work.
Hennessey takes another step backward, giving the devil ground.  He launches two more quickened shots at the beast's belly, but both fail to penetrate its toughened skin.

Stan assaults the blinded devil with a magical barrage.

Standard: magic missile 16:36, Today: Stan Fetchin rolled 9 using 2d4+2. Magic Missile.

Porto curses wasting his strongest spell and calling the attention of the demon. Porto takes a quick swing and then tumbles back trying to get away so that he might use other tactics.

Standard Action:Attack Devil
Move Action: Tumble Back(max)

16:37, Today: Porto 'Chubbs' Brandybuck rolled 19 using 1d20+11. tumble.
16:37, Today: Porto 'Chubbs' Brandybuck rolled 8 using 1d20+5. attack.

OOC:Can a halfling only tumble 20ft. or can he go the whole 30?

Porto's face goes sickly pale as he realizes that he is in fact squaring off face-to-face with a devil.  He forces himself to give a mighty swing of his blade, and, having missed, tumbles away 10-feet.
The devil roars in laughter as the small creature tumbles away.  Instead of pursuing the cowardly bard, he instead disappears—and instantly reappears next to the summoned devil, only a few feet from Hennessey.  It shifts up to the ranger, ready to attack...
  Blinded but not out of the fight, the summoned devil launches itself into the air!  With a couple of powerful flaps of its great wings, it is over Hennessey and gliding back down on his other side, catching him between the two devils!  Taking this opportunity, Hennessey chops at the floating devil as it if were a tree—scoring a mighty blow!  The devil snarls and is quick to repay the favor, but its anger—and blindness—cause it to swing a little too haphazardly, an attack Hennessey has little trouble avoiding.
Bolstered by the success of his last spell, Stan continues to focus on the summoned devil.  He is sure that Hennessey needs him now more than ever, now that he is being flanked by the two beasts!  His magical barrage hits home, tearing large holes in the monster.  Blood pours out of it, but still it stands, defying death.
Demios twirls his double-bladed sword around him expertly, cutting down a band of Rutterkin with ease.  He keeps a watchful eye on Stan and his companions.  "They share life energy," he shouts seeing the condition of the summoned devil.  "Focus on the other one to kill them both!"  Truly, you look at the other, original devil, and he too shares many of the summoned devil's wounds, although no one has actually hit it.
Hennessey is too caught up in his attacks and continues to attack the summoned devil.  He swings again, putting as much power behind the attack as he can muster, but it is now his turn to miss.

"Attack the blind one!" Stan shouts to Hennesey. "It will take wounds for the both of them."

Stan, unworried by considerations of speed or armor, focuses his own attacks on the still-seeing creature.

Standard: magic missile
17:16, Today: Stan Fetchin rolled 6 using 2d4+2. MM.

Porto sees an opportunity that the devil itself presented to him by flanking Hennessey. He left himself open to be flanked by Porto as Porto charges at the demon and tries to finish him off.

Full Round Action: Charge Attack

18:05, Today: Porto 'Chubbs' Brandybuck rolled 8 using 1d10+1. damage.
18:05, Today: Porto 'Chubbs' Brandybuck rolled 15 using 1d20+8. attack.

Inspired by the revelation of the linked wounds, Hennesy take a small step to un flank himself and attacks the blinded devil.

10:05, Today: Hennesey Rydell rolled 32 using 2d12+20 with rolls of 11,1. critical hit + power attack and str.
09:53, Today: Hennesey Rydell rolled 23 using 1d20+6 with rolls of 17. here we.go!.
09:53, Today: Hennesey Rydell rolled 26 using 1d20+6 with rolls of 20. PA[-4] vs Blind Devil.
This message was last edited by the GM at 17:24, Tue 25 Jan 2011.

Round Four

Porto charges the original devil, who is in turn flanking Hennessey with the blinded devil beyond.  His enchanted greatsword buries itself deep into the devil's back, drawing from it a very loud roar!  The impressive wound can be seen on both devils.
The devil spins around quickly and brings his sword down on the small bard.  The blade, more than twice Porto's size, powers past his defenses, magical and otherwise, dealing to him a terrible wound!  He cries out loudly as a sizable amount of his blood spills out on the rocky ground—which also seems to soak it up too quickly to be natural.
   The summoned devil, still blinded, continues to focus on Hennessey.  It swings wildly, and is unable to hit the ranger.
Stan launches another barrage of magical orbs at the devil now engaged with Porto.  His attacks hit unerringly and wreak havoc upon the devil, blasting terrible wounds into its battered body.
Demios has nearly cleared a path for you to the tower, slicing through demons with skill.
Hennessey raises his axe and delivers a brutal hack to the blinded devil's midsection!  The blow is powerful, and nearly severs the beast in half.  Both devils suffer from the wound, and both devils fall to the ground and smolder and ash.

+375 xp!

As they burn, the original devil's rough skin begins to shimmer—or appear to shimmer.  Its corpse collapses on itself as it burns away, revealing to the party that it wasn't its skin that was glittering, but a suit of glammered, studded leather armor.  Aside from the armor, all that is left behind from them are their strange-looking longswords.
"Hurry," Demios shouts as the sounds of battle seem to die away, "into the tower!  Our brothers need us."
This message was last edited by the GM at 21:36, Tue 25 Jan 2011.

Stan watches the ground in awe as it soaks up the creatures' blood.

The loot is at first no temptation to Stan. He wishes to carry no evil enchantment, however powerful. Then he remembers that Devils and Demons often enchant their weapons, each to the bane of the other. If the weapons were to be lawful as well as evil, they might prove useful against the demons in the tower. Carefully, he picks one up and wraps it into his pack.

When Demios speaks of "brothers", Stan laughs under his breath. He is still doubtful that Demios belongs here at all. But he has been reliable so far, so the wizard says nothing.

He waves his comrades forward to the tower.

Porto, wanting to save his spells uses the wand that he acquired so long ago and so long has it been since he used it. His wound begins to heal up, as he looks for Hennessey to take the sword and armor if not, he will take a sword though he cannot carry the armor and be as effective.