12:30 8 Alturiak Klavikus

The Heroes of Waymeet have observed a ridiculous amount of treasure and wealth before, but this is definitely on the higher end, with powerful magic items scattered around the room. The sheer wealth alone doesn't amaze you, although the throbbing moonblade does enjoy the sight.

"Check the bear skin rug for traps," Kailute suggests.

Quilro realizes immediately that the floor is infused with magical energy, and it's best to avoid it. The magical presence is separate from the coins and other items. Stepping on it would trigger a magical response.

"I think you should dispel the magic on the floor, DonBrapp," Kailute suggests.

DonBrapp responds, "Today, we dispel the whole room." He focuses on dispelling the magic, but he clarifies, "It won't permanently affect the magic items. They'll only lose their magical properties temporarily."

DonBrapp tries his best not to get distracted by the treasure while dispelling the magic.
"Don't look at the coins," Kailute reminds everyone. "We don't have time for that, DonBrapp."

"I know, I know," DonBrapp replies, attempting to resist the temptation.

As you move silently over the coins, attempting a graceful slide like an elf, you enter the treasure room. The sight is resplendent, and Brapp exclaims, "Look at all those coins!"

"I know, but stay focused," Kailute reminds him.

Quilro, despite his best intentions, can't resist and starts filling his pockets with gems. Kailute observes Quilro's lack of self-control and smacks him in the back of his head to snap him out of it.

Quilro regains his senses and realizes his actions. "Sorry, got carried away with the sword," he says, aware of the tension caused by the enchanted weapon.

With everyone refocused, Kailute proceeds further into the room. DonBrapp follows suit, deep in thought about future plans and using the treasure to venerate Vergadain.

"We're not making a deal with Klavikus," Kailute asserts. "We're here to kill him."

"Right," Brapp agrees. "Someone open the other door so we can start stabbing things."

"Yeah, let's get moving," Kailute says, formulating a plan. "Quilro, polymorph into a bird and land on my shoulder. Everyone stay within my 10-foot radius. We'll move straight to Klavicus without engaging him. The ring of protection should prevent any attacks."

As the group huddles together near the door, Kailute takes the initiative to open it. The door is large, made of stamped bronze with geometric shapes. It exudes an infernal craftsmanship. As Kailute pushes it open, they see Draxos sitting at a table across the room, surrounded by demonesses and other creatures. Klavicus himself sits on a stone throne, guarded by lava torches. Tension fills the air.

"Is that a map of the area on the table?" Kailute wonders, looking around.
He noticed a table displaying maps of various regions, including Bloodstone and Damara. Unrelated demons were gathered around the table, while Klavikus, an immensely muscular figure, sat on a stone throne. Upon entering, the party immediately felt the overwhelming presence of Klavikus, which had a profound impact on their resolve.

Kailute took a moment to steady himself, using breathing exercises he had developed to overcome fear induced by dragons. Although he initially planned to lead the negotiations, the sheer power of Klavikus made him take a step back.

Klavikus showed no concern except for shifting his attention to the newcomers. The other demons and even the rakshasa displayed a mixture of fear and disdain towards the party, particularly Kailute, who was visibly surrounded by the protective energy of Vergadain.
DonBrapp informed Draxos that Kailute had his weapons, but the barbarian seemed preoccupied with his own thoughts. Kailute, struggling to regain control, refrained from making any sudden moves. DonBrapp signaled Draxos to retrieve his weapons from Kailute and urged the party to continue moving towards Klavikus.

As they moved forward, they noticed sinister glyphs appearing between them and Klavikus, emanating an evil aura. DonBrapp recognized the creatures capable of producing these glyphs and cautioned that their hasted capabilities would be affected if they looked directly at the symbols. They had the option to either avert their eyes and maneuver around the glyphs with penalties or face the potential consequences by confronting them head-on.

Despite the intimidating presence of Klavikus, the party asserted that they had come to conclude the negotiations. Klavikus responded by questioning the party's stance on the concept of a vault where souls must pay their dues. Although his argument was persuasive, the party sensed an attempt to influence their thoughts. The Rakshasa remained silent and tense while the other demons paced around.

The demons had invoked unholy symbols as a response to Kailute's protection, obstructing the direct line of sight between the party and Klavikus. DonBrapp considered that their Ring of Spell Turning might offer some protection against the magical glyphs, but its effectiveness was uncertain. Kailute focused on calming himself through deep breathing exercises, striving to maintain control and avoid succumbing to his inner rage.

Overwhelmed by the diabolical evil permeating the room, Kailute gestured towards a map, suggesting another location besides Barovia to Klavikus. Intrigued, Klavikus appeared receptive to the idea.

Sensing an opportunity, Draxos attempted to cast faery fire to retrieve his weapons, but the spell failed. Nevertheless, he managed to grab his bow from Kailute and stepped back from the table.

Klavikus expressed disappointment at the defensive posture of the party, suggesting they had mistreated his hospitality. The party remained vigilant, preparing themselves for combat. Although the party members magically enhanced for speed, including Quilro and DonBrapp, expected to act first, they noticed that Draxos, who appeared unaffected by any enchantment, moved before them.

As the tension escalated, Kailute and DonBrapp both observed the appearance of infernal symbols in front of them. They deduced that these symbols were a defensive response to their presence. Draxos loaded his bow with magically honed arrows obtained from their Svirfneblin allies and sought to aim at Klavikus. They understood that only one shot could be taken while averting their gaze. Klavikus reacted with intense anger, realizing that he had to confront yet another group of stubborn adversaries.

Draxos unleashed a volley of arrows, pulsing with energy as they struck their mark, visibly wounding Klavikus. The two tiger-like individuals observing the situation declared that negotiations had reached an impasse and stepped back, disappearing in bluish light force fields.

However, the mysterious glyphs still floated in the air, obstructing their path. DonBrapp took a magical stone orb and rolled it through the glyphs, hoping to dispel them. The glyphs reacted, but DonBrapp's dispel magic managed to eliminate two of the three barriers, creating a clear path between the party and Klavikus.

Klavikus, still wounded, demanded to know the decision of Vergadain regarding a place where souls must go for repentance. He moved between two locations on different planes, while the other demons paced restlessly but did not initiate any further attacks.

Quilro, using his cleverness, decided to scamper under the table, clinging to the bottom like a squirrel. Meanwhile, DonBrapp engaged in a verbal exchange with Klavikus, but the demon's words held no power over him. Klavikus taunted the party, belittling their abilities and predicting their failure.

Suddenly, a barbed devil leaped onto the table and mercilessly whipped Draxos, inflicting significant damage. Klavikus reminded the party that he could stop the assault at any moment. Despite the assault, Draxos remained protected by the magical defenses.
The party realized that only Klavikus seemed capable of attacking them directly, while the other demons and rakshasa appeared to be restricted. Klavikus continued to mock and taunt them, emphasizing his power to control the situation.

Quilro resignedly stated that they had no choice but to fight their way out, urging the others to eliminate the demons.

The mariliths, armed with magical swords, advanced and attacked Draxos. The heroes were pressed by the demonic forces, facing a flurry of multi-armed sword thrusts. The situation grew dire as the demons closed in.

The demon Klavikus continued to mock and belittle the heroes, emphasizing their powerlessness. He mentioned that there were more demons to come and seemed confident in his advantage.

Undeterred, Draxos retaliated with a barrage of magical arrows, inflicting significant damage on the demons. However, Klavikus dismissed their efforts, declaring his disdain for their long-range tactics.

Meanwhile, the rakshasas appeared to step back, suggesting they were not fully aligned with the other demons. The rest of the demons, including the mariliths, continued their relentless assault.

Kailute, determined to take action, charged at Klavikus, swinging his weapon. However, his attack missed, and Klavikus struggled to unleash his whip due to a mishap with a bookshelf.
As the battle continued, the demons concentrated their attacks on Draxos and Kailute, exploiting their vulnerabilities. The heroes stood their ground, ready to face the onslaught.

Draxos braced himself against the overwhelming presence of pure evil in the room, aided by Vergadain's favor, which barely contained the chaotic energy. One of Draxos' arrows successfully severed the arm of a multi-armed demon, while the second arrow disarmed another, accompanied by a sickening odor and repulsive aura.

Quilro, seeking an advantageous position, contemplated a maneuver to deliver a backstab. Hidden beneath a table, he prepared to strike the wounded Baylor or either of the mariliths. With precision, Quilro emerged from his hiding spot, transforming into an elf and thrusting his weapon into the vulnerable area between the lower spine and hip cage of a demon. The moon blade's power surged through the creature, causing it to perish and sending shockwaves through the ranks of the abyssal beings.

Klavikus, observing the impact of Quilro's attack, acknowledged the threat. He retreated to the far side of the room, voicing his reluctance to continue the battle if necessary. Meanwhile, a demoness slashed at Kailute, draining his life force.

The heroes remained undeterred, assuring each other that they had the situation under control. However, they were unaware of the demons closing in on Draxos from behind. Kailute, with his senses sharp, recognized the potential danger and remained vigilant.

As the battle waged on, the demons launched relentless assaults. Draxos endured their attacks, maintaining his resilience. Despite the physical and mental onslaught, he was able to resist the demons' attempts to demoralize him.

The mariliths, the Baylor, and Klavikus continued their offensive, leaving Draxos and Kailute to bear the brunt of their assault. The heroes valiantly defended themselves, enduring wounds and displaying their unwavering determination.

Amidst the chaos, the demons began using the surrounding environment as a weapon, hurling objects and debris to hinder the heroes. The Rakshasa and the two lesser demons seemed reluctant to engage directly but were still exerting their influence.

DonBrapp was urged to interpose himself between the heroes and the mariliths to prevent their flanking maneuvers. Klavikus pondered the demise of the heroes and the fate of the souls they had freed in Hillsfar, savoring the prospect of eternal servitude.

DonBrapp moved to protect Draxos, pushing back the snarling demons and preparing for his turn. Klavikus continued his taunts, while the heroes endured the relentless assault, making strategic decisions and bracing themselves against the encroaching evil.

The air crackled with tension as the heroes assessed their situation and prepared for a decisive battle.

DonBrapp nodded in awe as Kailute poured a heal potion down the throat of his comrade. "That's some combat medic skill right there. Good job. Alright, it's my turn now," he responded, preparing for his next move.

Quilro observed Klavikus, a mix of amusement and determination in his eyes.

Mocking the demon, Kailute shouted, "You've spent all this time collecting books and powers, only to engage in a fight here where everything will be destroyed! How foolish!" With a burst of speed, Kailute charged at Klavikus to launch an attack. However, his strikes missed their mark, leaving him frustrated.

Klavikus, seemingly unfazed, evaded Kailute's assault and retorted, "How would I share this knowledge with someone who cannot comprehend its value? Your criticism is baseless, green skin."

Quilro, his frustration growing, exclaimed, "Burn it all, you foolish moron!" He took aim and unleashed a series of arrows at Klavikus, hoping to land a decisive blow.
Draxos released his arrows, each one flying with deadly accuracy toward Klavikus. The first arrow struck true, inflicting a significant wound. "That's a hit!" Quilro exclaimed with satisfaction.

He swiftly followed up with two more arrows, one finding its mark in Klavikus' thigh, causing a deep and bloody gash. The final arrow landed with precision, leaving a lasting scar on the demon's flesh.

Klavikus, feeling the pain and realizing the gravity of the situation, attempted to negotiate. "Seems like you want to negotiate terms for my surrender. What can you offer me?"
Kailutes's voice turned cold and determined. "I need you to focus on the absolute minimum you can do to comply with our demands. Think very creatively about it."

Caught between the heroes and the wrath of the other demons, Klavikus paused, knowing his survival depended on finding a compromise. "There will be deaths no matter what transpires here. Armies are marching upon Damara. If you grant me the souls of the fallen, I might be willing to halt my actions temporarily and negotiate with Orcus."

Kailute analyzed Klavikus' proposal. "So, you believe that if we don't interfere in the battle in Damara, that will be enough for you?"

"Just give me those souls and allow them to populate my extra-dimensional territory," Klavikus insisted, his tone filled with a mix of desperation and arrogance.

Quilro, realizing the significance of the situation, turned to his comrades. "As I understand it, Klavikus requests the souls of the fallen, but we cannot grant such a request. We cannot determine where souls go after death."

Klavikus's frustration became evident. "Who are you again? The Heroes of Waymeet? You have no control over the destination of souls."

Kailute stood firm, resolute in his convictions. "We do not possess the power to decide where souls go. We cannot negotiate on that matter."

With tensions rising, the battlefield grew chaotic as lesser demons attacked Klavikus, breaching the rules of engagement. However, Klavikus, desperate to salvage the situation, prevented further harm to the heroes.

Realizing they had the upper hand, Kailute issued an ultimatum. "Tell us where the phylactery is now and dismiss the rest of your minions. We can make a private deal that benefits you, but it will be on our terms. Spare your other demons the shame of witnessing your defeat."

"Quilro, there comes a point where a direct connection is established. What is it? Is it the Scion who has defeated your minions? What can you offer to parlay with the Prince of the Undead?" Kailute questioned, eager to find a resolution.

Quilro chuckled. "I won't erase you from existence. You can have the dwarf continuum. Just kidding, that was never a thought, right?"

Quilro added, "We need to know where the phylactery is. You don't have to make this deal in front of your minions."

Klavikus sneered, "You are already among the phylactery."

Quilro clarified, "We want you to disband your minions and call off the cat people. Let's talk like reasonable people who understand the situation. None of us want to be dead forever."

The tension continued to escalate as Klavikus argued, "There is no reason for violence. The chaos is insignificant, and the humans and humanoids believe fervently."

Quilro responded sharply, "You don't understand. You have no place in this plane."
Klavikus calmly retorted, "I seek no further time on this plane. This plane is nothing to me."

Kailute, sensing the gravity of the situation, interjected, "Your accumulated knowledge means nothing if we destroy it all. Negotiate with us or face the consequences."
Quilro added, "Kailute is ready to destroy everything in this library. We have no interest in preserving this knowledge."

Klavikus scoffed, "You won't even leave a mark."

The negotiation continued as Klavikus questioned their resolve, but the heroes remained steadfast. The conversation shifted, and Klavikus proposed an offer in exchange for his removal from the situation.

Quilro seized the opportunity, "We'll ensure you never hear the name Zanghyi again. Just reveal his central weakness, and you can walk through the portal with your books."

Klavikus acknowledged, "You are already among the phylactery itself, and Zeke's weakness."
As Klavikus vanished, the other demons and rakshasa remained, and the heroes realized that the situation had changed. The magical aura in the area shifted, and Draxos senses a difference in the air.