Flamerule 7, 1491 DR
A little more healing and the group was ready to continue exploring the old dilapidated mine. A long tunnel split off to the right a short distance ahead, but it led to a collapsed tunnel. They continued forward and after a couple hundred feet they came into a square room with a short tunnel on the left that ended after twenty feet at another dead end collapse while the right tunnel went about one hundred feet to a dead end collapse.
Keeper and Nash were exploring the right tunnel and found the skeletal remains of some long dead traveler laying upon the rubble of the tunnel. They searched the body and found nothing of interest or value. It had been there for decades it seemed. Meanwhile Farooq, checking the north wall noticed a recently used torch laying there and decided to search for secret doors - which of course he found.
Activating the switch, the secret door unlatched and was pushed open. Beyond was a cut stone tunnel of flagstones going sixty feet to an iron bound wooden door covered in strange runes. Traps were searched for in the hallway and on the door and none were found, however the runes on the door detected as abjuration magic. The door was thought to be magically held, as regular force would not open it.
Farooq stepped forward and applied all his strength to overcome the magical nature of the door and after much exertion he forced it open, but suffered lightning damage as a result of breaking the seal. Shrugging it off, they all entered the room beyond.
There were three other doors at the cardinal points of this room, all having runes of power etched upon them as well. The walls of the room were filled with carved stone scenes of evil and depravity. Smiling fiends are shown torturing humans in various horrific ways in incredible detail. Skin is flayed off bodies, the suffering are forced to eat their brethren, and engage in acts of depravity for the delight of their captors. The torchlight cast shadows upon the scenes, making the eyes of the fiends and those of their prey seem to follow those in the room.
They chose to explore the left door and Farooq put himself in harm's way once again taking lightning damage but managing to open this door as well. Beyond was a narrow passage leading off into darkness. Exploring further they found that the tunnel cut north and then east again bringing them within range of small chambers with glowing purple light emanating from them.
These small chambers held glowing summoning circles with strange fiends standing in them. As soon as the PCs were seen, two bearded devils and one barbed devil rushed out to attack. The bearded devils attacked with their jagged beards as well as mighty glaives. The barbed devil fought with spiny claws and tail. The battle was fraught with peril, but the group expertly kept most of the damage on Farooq while Bronn and Finder supplied healing for him. They soon got the hang of things and defeated these infernal creatures.
They went back to the door chamber and had a short rest to top up the healing. Next they went through the north door. With Nash helping Farooq they successfully pushed the door open strongly enough that they suffered little damage from the lightning affect. Beyond was a well-lit room with Pillars and large burning braziers in the corners. Stone steps led down into the room and on the far wall was a massive statue of a mighty devil holding a burning bowl in front of it. In front of the statue was a slightly raised dais containing a deep carved rune of power with what looked like wet blood residing in its carved depressions.
This imposing room's walls were filled with carved murals professing the power of a mighty devil and its combat prowess against legions of demons. Most likely the statue also represented this mighty devil. Searching the area, Keeper soon found a large secret door behind the great statue. Of course they eagerly went forth to the great hall beyond.
This long great hall was also brightly lit by magical braziers all along its length and several narrow pillars in two rows followed suit. The carved walls of this hall depicted a blasted mountainous terrain and several platforms along the slopes holding small cages containing screaming and mourning devils of all shapes and sizes. Perhaps this represented the home plane of this particular devil. A wide set of brass double doors lay at the far end of the hall.
Progressing forward, Farooq heard sounds of voices coming from beyond the doors and prepared to deal with what sounded to him like a summoning ritual being performed. Nash cast a silence spell upon Farooq and the rest of the group backed up to be outside the radius. Farooq silently pushed open the heavy brass doors and saw before him a mighty devil inside a red glowing summoning circle with a human summoner standing beside. The human was none other than Iarno Albrek - The Glasstaff.
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