# Old Adventure ## Chapter 1: The City of Nelghas ### Scene 1: Start *Aton-ka*, appearing as an old elf, is standing and looking away. He `tells some info`, and then dies and disintegrates. "We are surrounded by death. Seek Nelghas, where death is the least imminent" "I cannot help you, children, for I cannot delay the natural process. But I wish you all to live what you are given to the fullest, and pass on." He points party to Nelghas. They reach Nelghas. ### Scene 2: Nelghas In Nelghas the guards tell them to talk with Gan Distantshine. Distantshine is helping unload a wagon near a storage room. He has a proposition- he want the party to kill a devil that has infiltrated Nelghas, in exchange for favour. This is where a religion / history check might arouse suspicion. Either they research him, or they kill the Zebub before he fights with Gan Distantshine. ### Scene 3: Peyton the Jester at the Laughing Snake The oldest person in town is the dwarf Peyton the Jester, which runs the only apothecary. He was a bandit that unfortunately robbed a convoy headed by high ranking priest, and his whole gang got here. He remembers that when Gal arrived, he was sprayed in blood, and carried a large emblem depicting a setting golden sun (symbol of obelisk), also bloodied. ### Side note: A message from Aton-Ka Ulla feels his holy symbol grow hot. When praying for guidance with it, he would get the following message: "The Demonic Domains house no innocents. The light might appear righteous, but it is blinding." ### Scene 4: The search for the Demon The dead barman is *Broldon Moltenflower*. He died shortly before the party arrived. He was found in the building he called home by Aya, which is his sister. His body was taken, and Gan should know where it is. There is a two-tier system here, where a very high medicine check should reveal that he died from a sword wound in the back, and then someone made it appear like he was ravaged by claws. A lower roll will only tell them about the claw marks. Aya never saw the claw marks, since Gan added them after he got custody of the body. She also knows he was a devoted follower of Obelisk- a priest magician. When pressed, she might remember that he behaved weirdly before he was killed- he was greatly disturbed by something. Inside Broldon's house, you can use detect magic to find the remnants of some magic has been cast. A letter under a loose tile reads: "You know how dangerous he is. You know what he has done. We implore you, use your talents and rid the world of his presence. All things must end, and his time has passed." It is signed with the symbol of Obelisk. There are also some components that a religion check will verify are part of a summoning ritual. ### Scene 5: Stanford is Killed Stanford, the half-elf guard which is good with the crossbow, is killed by the demon while guarding Gan's house. When the party arrives, Gan is with Jarod, Peyton, and 5 guards, outside his house. He does not look worried, or sad- this is all a ploy to keep the party here for long enough for Gan to assemble the manpower to steal Bertha. Jarod is worried- having one of his subordinates die inside the walls is new. Stanford is found dead on the roof of Gan's house, with large bite marks on his arms and shoulders. His crossbow lays discarded and uncocked, his sword half-out its scabbard. He is surrounded by his own blood, but little drops of black blood can be found near him, forming a trail going over the side of the building. Following the trail leads to a seemingly empty building, where the Zebub is hiding and invisible. It will use message to ask if the killer (meaning Gan) sent the party. Answering with Gan's name or "yes" will cause it to attack the party. The Zebub knows that Gan killed Broldon, and that it is tasked with killing Gan, and "his constrictors". ### Scene 6: Bertha is Taken Everyone returns to Gan's house, which has a large Scale as a centerpiece. He thanks the party, and shares information: Avernus can be existed only through the middle. He then turns his back on the party and ties on a blindfold. He tells the party that he personally wishes them well, but justice must be blind. He simultaneously lifts the shield, and removes its cover to reveal Naru's Halo of Blades. On his queue, x guards storm out of the doors shouting "In the name of Blind Justice". He would try to get to Grust, at which point he would grapple with him and when touching Bertha disappear in a flash of light. ## Chapter 2: The Struggle for Bertha ### Scene x-1: The shadows are afraid When travelling the great expanse of grass on the plains center-ward from Nelghas, the shadows slowly gather more and more delay when moving in a specific direction. ### Scene x: Naru killing Aton-ka Naru is sitting on a rock at the side of the road, with Aton-ka's True Blade across his lap, and his halo of weapons all thrown on the ground around him. The shadows of all players point away from him. Play "A Call to Arms" here. He apologizes for Gan's behaviour, saying that "Some of my followers are too zealous, and sometimes forget that although our mission justifies the means, we should always use only the justest means required". He stands up and all of his weapons rise from the ground into the air into the Halo of Blades. Behind him, 9 greatswords fall from the sky into the ground. In flashes of light, figures in white robes or armour appear, with the Halo of Blades on their chest. Orpip is wearing Isoi's dagger. Naru: "I am sure you are confused. I am Naru, the Blinding Light. I've come to exact Retribution in the name of Justice." Bla bla bla, Naru avoids spoiling the entire story, Th'el notices the dagger. Naru calls upon Urian to stand witness `and maybe call the crimes?`. Naru explains this isn't a trial, and what must be done will be done- but he will allow his old friend these last dignities- to die standing, and defending himself. Nimrod can now play Aton-ka through Ula. Naru cleaves Ula's symbol in half with the hatchet, and everybody feels as their world loses a god- "You feel your connection with your church loosen- the pride you feel in continuing the traditions and belief carried by your church is lessened" Naru: "Now for the other matter. You carry with you something I need. I cannot let you go with it in your possession." He either takes Bertha or attaches Bell to the party to watch over them (and secretly to give him more experience with the world). Or he uses plot device magic to set a timer.