Realms S1E87 Old Wounds

This is my teaser for the episode: An inter-party counterspell of Wish, a deal with a devil, a mysterious stranger insisting on buying them drinks and a Rakshasa being affected by a second level spell? Things get weird as the Light Bringers venture back into the Fire Ward.

### Player Characters Present

Jeidobii, Torq, Denahi, Cerise, Seian, Tormund

### Synopsis

The Light Bringers all converge over Venri’s body and debate whether or not he deserves to be brought back, Jeidobii, Romyn and Cerise for it while Seian, Denahi and Tormund oppose. Cerise thinking they've decided casts Wish to give Venri a second chance at life but Tormund counterspells at 9th level. The Light Bringers split up and take some time to cool off and regroup, Jeidobii takes Venri’s body to Fecina in the hopes he can later be revived without the rest of the group’s knowledge.

After a brief stop to get potions at the Misty Monkey they take themselves to the Fire Ward. Romyn casts seeming over the party, Torq becoming a Duergar, Tormund becoming a Goliath, Cerise an Imp and Jeidobii an Incubus while Denahi remains her normal self. At the Gates of the city Duthore a Horned Devil stops them and asks their business. After the Devil brushes aside Jeidobii’s explanations, Cerise boldly declares that they are here to see Rujek. Unfortunately that Devil has a particular hatred of Rujek. The Devil introduces himself as Venriekku and says he’ll let the party through the gate if Cerise makes a deal with him: They all get into the city if she gets Rujek to wear a bracelet that will enslave him to that Venriekku . Cerise quickly agrees to the dismay of the rest of the party.

Once in the city Romyn tells them that he needs to keep his distance, being recognized could be a disaster but he’ll help from a distance. They enter the Tavern Fire and Ale and a Estar, the right hand man of the Queen of the Devils herself, Orianna introduces himself to the party. Estar expresses his hatred for Riha and says he will help them get to her at the bottom level of hell to banish the goddess, if they help him take down Orianna so he can take the throne himself. In particular he wants the book of corruption magic. The Light Bringers agree to think about it.

Rujek makes his entrance, missing the party as he goes to the bar. Cerise and Denahi invite him over and while he’s distracted Seian casts Zone of Truth around the table. Despite the nature of Zone of Truth and Rakshasas, Rujek is somehow affected without his knowledge. The Light Bringers begin to negotiate for information, Rujek expressing an interest in anything that will increase his consequence in the city when from across the bar, Romyn casts Dominate person on Rujek and the floodgates of information open. He reveals where the keep is, where they are most likely to find the Book of Corruption Magic, hands them the key to the back gate, and tells them the combination to the safe where Vulraak keeps his phylactery.

Tormund asks about his former companions, The Travelers, and Rujek happily tells him that their corpses are animated in the basement, and reveals he has a ring of luck from one of their bodies. They ask Rujek if he has any information on Orianna dealing with Riha and Rujek tells them she’s planning on letting Riha have run of the city which Tormund records in magic mouth.

Finally Cerise offers to exchange Venriekku’s bracelet for the ring, pretending it's very precious to her and Rujek makes the exchange hesitating only a moment before putting on the bracelet. Rujek is immediately bound to Venriekku who charges into the Tavern to claim him, telling Cerise he is in her debt. Estar returns marveling at all they accomplished in the city in less than an hour, and with the gift of the magic mouth recording of Orianna’s plans he no longer needs the book and proposes a toast to his new … friends?