Session 6.5: Mortal in Turmoil

*For a list of all sessions, see the page Sessions.*

Roxy and Athleo dream of hell.

Roxy wakes up in the throne room of her patron, Veralia. Roxy catches up with Veralia, letting her know that Athleo seems to have some connection to Audrax, the Chaos King, given that he wrote the demon's name on Looney's hand. Veralia tells Roxy that Audrax has moved up the art show and that they're going tonight. She and Roxy get dressed, and Veralia gives Roxy a golden choker to disguise her origin outside of hell. The two head into Audrax's domain.

At the same time, Athleo awakens in a black void in front of an unfamiliar door. He opens the door and storms in. He sees Audrax in a dressing room, dressed in a blazer and slacks with his chest exposed. Audrax welcomes a confused Athleo, expressing excitement for his art show. They talk business (Looney being haunted by a mortal soul, the extent of Audrax’s power with a mark on a mortal, and the potential of doing more with blood) before Athleo reluctantly agrees to partake as the secret “pièce de résistance” at the show.

Gory contortionists, fleshy bits, crimson landscapes, and a mystery painting make up the hellish gallery filled with hellish fiends of all kinds. Audrax and Athleo make their entrance across the room from Veralia and Roxy, who clock Athleo immediately. Audrax begins to mingle with Athleo at his side, and they eventually run into Veralia and Roxy. Audrax and Veralia exchange “pleasantries” while Athleo wanders and explores, horrified. He instinctively casts detect good/evil and receives a sensory overload in return.

After he fails an escape, Roxy checks in on him cautiously. They discuss their connections to their patrons, their tiefling heritage, and Athleo’s disdain for both. Roxy takes a contrasting stance, feeling unslighted by her heritage and fond of Veralia. Athleo cryptically broaches the topics of Seira and “working” on his tiefling heritage.

After returning to their patrons, Roxy and Veralia discuss Athleo’s “charms” while Athleo learns about his aunt Regina’s death. Athleo demands to leave but before Audrax can answer, a loud handheld bell rings and everyone in the room goes still save for Roxy and Athleo. Appearing the end of the room is an elvishman (Eldalise) with long black hair and a fire genasi (Balthazar), walking through a blue vortex with the intention of "summoning the master" and "getting to work".

Roxy wakes Sparky. Its innitiative (and they both rolled nat 20s!)! Roxy beefs herself up while Athleo tolls bells of his own. Demons are summoned, blasts are thrown, and spectral swords are swung as Roxy, Athleo, and Sparky fend off the incursion and get a hold of the bell, releasing all the fiends. Veralia obliterates Balthazar, and Sparky bravely finishes off the devil.

Seizing the moment, Audrax draws back the veil on the mystery painting revealing his masterpiece, "Mortal in Turmoil". As the tarp falls, a gold dove smothered in red takes center stage, followed by Athleo, whom Audrax introduces as his grandson. Athleo makes his escape and Audrax boasts of his presence in the mortal realm. Roxy and Veralia make a classic Sunscar goodbye.

Upon waking in the mortal realm, Athleo flees into the night, homebound...or not?