Help Me, Help You

**Help Me, Help You** is the sixty third episode of *Another Bad Side Quest*. Having successfully procured their quarry, the party meets with Pancake's proprietor who may be in a position to help them venture deeper into the *City of Brass*.

## Help Me, Help You

### **Summary**

The party reunited with RX who was blown away from the explosion, took stock of their issue and when they agreed they would want to be far away to avoid anyone looking for the source of the noise Sterling recalled another empty warehouse from when he cast *Arcane Eye* to scout. RX picked up the damaged chest to carry it and Alaerith cast *Invisibility* on him and the chest in case they ran into anyone. Sterling led the party to another empty warehouse where they hurried inside quietly and checked for alarms, but felt they were safe for the time being. Sterling told the group he planned to check with Pancake whether she should come to them or them to her and that he had limited magic remaining. Sterling also sent Tollanessa to the building rafters of the building to check they were safe, noticed that a number of Efreeti had come to the scene of the explosion and were taking a look around and told the others. The party discussed their options before Sterling cast *Sending* to tell Pancake their location and ask whether to wait to go to her and Pancake replied that she assumed going to it would be easier and give her time to get to them.

The party waited quietly in the warehouse, with Alaerith activating the *Staff of the Courts* to cast *Pass Without Trace* to help them hide better, while they recovered from their previous encounter and remained hidden. They eventually heard a knock at the door and, after preparing for any issues, Quincy opened the door and saw Pancake, alongside an eight foot tall, very well dressed Efreeti man, with a single tusk protruding from his bottom lip. Quincy confirmed Pancake’s identity by verifying the gem they discussed selling earlier before inviting them inside and Pancake inside the Efreeti man as her proprietor, Rezo. Sterling approached with a formal greeting in Ignan and Rezo, in Common, noted that it was respectable but unnecessary, though added his demeanour would go far in this place with it. Rezo noted they were the ones who retrieved his chest and that Pancake was his “employee” and, after Pancake admitted it was better than being called a slave, noted they did, though they though they were unable kill Djinn. Rezo said more would come and be back, but when Quincy assured they would likely tell others not to mess with Rezo in the future plainly stated they would definitely recoup and be back within the week. Sterling offered that if he learned any *Banishment* like spells from the offered book he would do so before asking what the book was and Rezo noted that it was a wizard’s spellbook, that the wizard was likely “loopy” as parts were in Common, Abyssal, along with some kind of cypher or additional languages for some kind of code, that he had no need for it just sat in the shop for a while.

Rezo was shown to his box before he asked what the party was doing in the *Plane of Fire* and Kaz told him they were on personal business before stepping forward, offering her hand and introduced herself. Rezo introduced himself fully as Rezo Duntzbarra and Kaz turned up her own natural charm as she told him the party was very excited to see more of the city. Rezo replied that it depended on what they wanted to see before pointig out if they picked up work from Pancake they certainly weren’t on the up-and-up. Kaz suggested it was more fun that way and that they hoped to see more of *The Furnace* and Rezo noted he lived there. Kaz playfully sat on the chest next to him to ask him what it was like, but Rezo just turned to the party and asked what they were really there for, noting if they wanted to go to *The Furnace* they wanted. Kaz’s dropped her flirty demeanor to ask what Rezo’s thoughts were are on the Grand Sultan and Rezo said he kept them alive, but was a bit of an ass and impeded a bit of his work and others, He added that he did allow the sale and trade of slaves for gold and such that the city was known for, but also didn't leave much room for side ventures. Sterling politely cut in to note that he was one for nothing, if not politics, having watched his family navigate it so long at home and told Rezo that recently a very powerful Baron fell and, while they mourned the loss, noted when one person of power fell those left behind picked up the pieces. Rezo agreed and noted that was close to his own scenario, citing that his father ran the slave trade in the city, but the Grand Sultan still was in the way of his own business. Kaz said their interests may be in alignment as the Sultan had something the party wanted, not explaining when Rezo asked what, and while they didn't expect Rezo’s help to get it hoped he could help get them there or close. Sterling offered while they were down there they could also get something for Rezo if he had any need and Rezo admitted that he had had some things taken from him that he mind want to get back.

Rezo apparated a cigar out of thin air and for Sterling at his request before saying that stealing from the Sultan wouldn't be easy, but not impossible as he wasn’t omniscient and didn't involve himself with nobles issues, so if they weren't in his way would likely not notice. Rezo added that he had been rather “chipper” lately and Sterling said they probably knew why and noted it would hold no real importance to the other nobles, but would be of great personal interest to the Sultan and his vendettas. Rezo noted he had many of them, but when Sterling said it was likely his strongest admitted they peaked his interest. Quincy asked how old Rezo was and after learning he was about 370, noting you eventually lose track, vaguely asked his knowledge of the Sultan and his son Bolton. Rezo replied that he had many sons and that one didn't ring a bell and Quincy fully explained that Bolton was the son of the Sultan, took something of great value when he left the *Plane of Fire,* that he was being held captive in a bird cage after being forcefully sent back there and the party wished to take him home. Rezo said that was a tall order before recalling his father told him about the theft as a boy and definitely explained why the Sultan was happy.

Rezo noted from the description he was likely the dungeons suspended under the city and Sterling asked if there was a plan to land soon noted it wouldn't be unless the Sultan wanted to and the last time was six years ago. Quincy asked what he knew about the dungeons and Rezo explained you could get in through the *Charcoal Palace* or *Military Barracks,* both not recommended. Sterling asked if there was a way to the exit leading to the bottom of the craft and Rezo praised his thinking before asking how the group was with the dark, with some unpleased at the idea. Rezo explained there were a series of tunnels filled with salamanders, that most the nobles knew about and went down to hunt for sport, but added there were also ways into the dungeons if they could make it through. Rezo added it would be their safest path and unfortunately their least dangerous and when Sterling suggested no one would miss a few salamanders gone Rezo noted people would appreciate, his father specifically as it would clear the area for easier trade of slaves. Rezo offered that their interests could be his interests, that his father and himself protected their interests and when Sterling asked who his father was said his name was Lenick. Quincy said they sensed a deal coming on before proposing the party could agree to help clear out the dungeons of salamanders for his father and, after just so happening to take a detour to grab a friend, Rezo and his father help the party get out of the city where the party already had their means to leave the *Plane of Fire*. Rezo agreed, amending that the party also pick some of his property along the way, and would make sure they were out of the city without anyone being the wiser.

Sterling activated *Ob’s Charm* to noted it could be good, as simple an in and out mission as they could hope for, but Yashani gave her worry about making a deal with an Efreeti who openly admitted to being a slave trader and pointed out if they became more of a nuisance than a help then Rezo may not hold his end of the bargain. Meanwhile Quincy did their usual deal of distracting Rezo, along with Alaerith. The party agreed on the idea until Sterling told Quincy it was their decision and Quincy told Rezo that, so long as they could agree on some finer details as well, they had themselves a deal. Rezo, pleased with the deal, said they would meet again at this warehouse in a day and a half after he spoke to his father to make arrangements and get the key and when Sterling asked if they should remain there suggested the party lodge elsewhere while they waited. The party assured that they had rooms in *The Plume* before Alaerith asked about ways to deal with the salamanders and Rezo noted anything cold would work well. Alaerith also asked the size of what he wanted picked up and Rezo described the items as a small two x two chest, which was more important, but noted if they retrieved a golden orb, roughly two feet in diameter with black etchings, he would sweeten their deal. Kaz asked where this important box was and Rezo explained there was a cell in the dungeons used as storage, for unwanted taken items, their garbage pile basically, and was at the end of the hall, bottom of the stairs, in the deepest part of the dungeon and most likely close to where their friend was. Rezo noted he would get them to the salamander gates and, from them didn't know them, until they returned and said their goodbyes to the group as he left with the chest.

The party followed Pancake back to her shop and admitted she was happy to see them all alive and noted that it sounded like quite a show from what she heard of the wreckage. The party explain it was really the Djinn’s fault but Pancake waved it off and noted weird things were stored in the warehouses by the harbor all the time so a little explosion now and then wasn't too suspicious. Sterling then excitedly asked about the spellbook and Pancake noted while she knew he was just excited it could be taken as rude and that in this place might never allow him to leave. Sterling noted she was right and explained that when people's lives depended on information he knew that he gets pushy sometimes and Pancake said in turn Rezo was nice enough to call her an employee. Sterling asked what Pancake thought of Rezo, as she was from the *Material Plane,* and Pancake said she preferred working with him as he wasn’t cruel. Sterling asked if she preferred to be elsewhere and Pancake explained that anyone who left without permission would have their protection from the *Plane of Fire’s* atmosphere removed and would mean certain death by combustion. Sterling offered if she wanted a way out to let them know and Pancake noted she was almost done with her time and preferred to wait it out as opposed to being stuck another year. Pancake gave the spellbook to Sterling and the *1200 gold* for selling the sapphire earlier, along with the *Bubble Staff* they saw earlier to RX, which Quincy discounted from *300 gold* to *200 gold* instead.

The party returned back to their inn, *Leon’s House,* and RX noted he was tired and Sterling agreed, but also said he was going to immediately read the spellbook. Quincy asked Alaerith for help to make a *Polymorph* bullet later, while Sterling and RX headed off to read the spellbook, but found even between the two of them there were languages they do not recognize. RX took Sterling and Quincy to his room and said they needed to talk about Masq and restated that he learned, from the requisition papers from Twynn, that the one who ordered his construction was none other than Arcus Malasana. RX said that they needed Masq, and possibly Twynn or other especially skilled craftsmen also adept with magic and as one of them knew about his construction believed they were making another version of him. Quincy pointed out Twynn said he was not capable of dealing with the obsidian, a kind of gemstone, that lined the inside of RX which was exactly what Masq was best at. Sterling warned they shouldn't make assumptions and theorized it was possibly to recreate RX or something similar, or that RX was a means to an end only. Sterling requested to see the original request and if Malasana wanted an Elder Tempest inside a body that walks or if that was Twynn's way to animate a robot, but RX said that Malasana she requested an “sentient undying bodyguard”. Sterling excitedly asked how Lunala could turn anyone Malasana before stating it was by killing them and offering them a deal, like how she did with Minnie, as an “undying” bodyguard could not be turned.

Sterling then suggested they observe Ilvwinter's interaction with Malasana, that he believed she wasn't on board maybe by conflict of interest or blackmail. RX suggested his original design was to be part of the Order of Ruin while Sterling suggested it was to be a bodyguard for Malasana so he couldn't be turned by her. Quincy asked why Ilvwinter would be the one getting her Masq and why Kalistock was also asking for Twynn and RX said they didn't know enough to theorize. RX questioned if Malasana was Lunala and Quincy noted considering she could change her form, briefly casting *Disguise Self* as a demonstration, that it wasn't out of reach to guess. Quincy then asked RX if he had a reason to only tell the two of them and not everyone and RX simply said he seemed to trust Quincy the most and that Sterling knew more about magic than anyone. Sterling thanked RX for the sentiment and when RX said it was keeping him alive Sterling noted it was more complex then that, but understood what he meant, that the best thing they could do was add context and making sense. Sterling also suggested that they should read Ilwvinter’s book now more than ever and take to the offensive and Quincy reminded him they were very near an ever-open portal to the *Nine Hells.* Sterling agreed and suggested they might read it right before leaving the plane and Quincy agreed, but noted that was a discussion to be had with everyone. Quincy then thanked RX for his trust and assured him it was not misplaced and RX noted they should discuss it more with everyone. Sterling voiced his congratulations to both of them and high fived RX, breaking his finger, before he passed by Yashani, had her fix his finger and headed to his room.

Quincy remained to tell RX they hoped he was excited to have some new items to use, but RX said, considering their purpose, he wouldn't enjoy the moment he does use them. Quincy admitted that she used to have fun with combat and hadn't felt that enjoyment in some time and RX noted he had more fun making friends. Quincy agreed that he picked incredible times to do so and RX said he had some knowledge of what a “band” was and may soon have enough friends to make one, though he lacked the musical knowledge to do so. Quincy started to make her way to the room door as she suggested RX should talk to Kerrack, citing that he was rather musically inclined, but was interrupted as Kaz burst out of her own room, white as a sheet, announced “they” were coming and that Boris could feel that sense of dread within 100 feet. As the three went to gather the party from their rooms and Kaz told them Boris felt the feeling coming from the south all but RX heard the sound of a whistle, which Alaerith, Quincy and Yashani recognized as Kalistock's. Kaz told Boris to go to where they were, noting that she would bring him back, to resurface on the southern side of the Order of Ruin member and make them believe he was running to her in the opposite direction and lead them away.

Meanwhile Alaerith, still in his room, heard a knock at the window and spotted Darie waving at him outside. He rushed to the window to open it and Darie just told him she was always watching before she vanished around the corner. As the party found Alaerith pale and frozen in shock and pulled him out into the hallway as they try to decide where to go Sterling activated *Manifest Mind* to summon Tollanessa to and readied her to cast *Hideous Laughter* if needed. The party soon noticed an eyeball floating over Sterling’s shoulder that shimmered with magic and when Sterling explained someone cast *Arcane Eye* out Quincy exclaimed they were taunting them and needed to go. Yashani asked where they should go and RX said they should leave the city. Sterling countered that they shouldn't leave and as Quincy suggested on top that they should go to *The Furnace.* The party soon heard a knock on the door and, aware they didn't have time to discuss, decided to leave, with Sterling and RX taking the lead to jump out the nearest window into the back alley of the inn. RX called out that he would catch those who need help and Quincy and Yashani quickly followed suit. Alaerith and Kaz, with out having the chance to do the same, saw the door open to reveal Ilvwinter. Ilvwinter said hello and assured them tiredly that he wasn’t there to kill anyone and just wanted to have a conversation about what they saw. Alaerith asked what they saw and the floating eye returned over Ilvwinter's shoulder temporarily before Darie revealed herself from behind him and repeated that she was always watching. As Quincy activated *Ob's Charm* to tell the two to hurry and Kaz, noting that he was not being aggressive, replied over the charm that running wouldn't do much and, out loud, that they ought to have a civilized conversation.

The party outside weighed their options and Yashani pointed out running like rats in a trap wouldn't do them any good and would be no safer than having this conversation. The group begin to move back into the inn, but Sterling waited with Quincy a moment, cast *Message* to say if he message her to that he would throw the book and to used the mark on their hand to try to destroy it. Quincy explained they did not have the same power as Seren, but Sterling said it was a hail mary that he did not intend to use.

As the party returned to the room, with most of them coming back through the bottom floor entryway and Quincy back into the window, Ilvwinter sat down on the bed and slowly removed his plate armor and sets it aside, while Darie sat next to him. Ilvwinter told them to sit, which all but Alaerith did as his legs didn't let him do so, before suggesting they work on not letting themselves be seen by magical means, as that was what Darie was for, to watch his back. Sterling pointed out *Nondetection* did cost money before he asked what all they saw. Kaz asked what he was afraid they saw and, after a moment, Ilvwinter said him *“giving that Dark Elf to the Arcus”*. Sterling said it didn't matter because they have been seen, but Ilvwinter countered that it did as it wasn’t a part of the Order’s plan, but his own. Sterling asked him to explain and, as he began to remove his leg armor, explained that just because the Order members were puppets didn't mean they didn't have autonomy and admitted he didn't want to remain like this. Yashani asked if he knew a way to end it and Ilvwinter said he didn't other than to end the one he made a deal with. Sterling asked if there was a way to reduce the stipulations and Ilvwinter repeated that he didn't know and thought his only option was to go back to the Holy Enclave. Yashani asked if he made a deal and Ilvwinter said he and Malasana were friends at one point, that he figured he could trust her and she agreed to do what she could if he helped her gather a few things and people. Sterling asked who she was looking for party, with RX adding the question of why she needed an artificer, but Ilvwinter said he didn't know as he didn’t ask questions when going behind Lunala's back. Yashani asked if Lunala wasn’t always watching him or if that was what Darie is for and Ilvwinter explained she didn't and that Darie was with him, as she also was discontent with her current employment.

Ilvwinter admitted he had wanted to die for a long time, but Lunala had prevented it, even bringing him back a time before. Kaz wondered if all of them felt the same, but Ilvwinter said they didn't, that Kalistock didn't, noting it really wasn't at his own beck and call anymore, and that Esmeria never complained but added “that fucking gun” made her crazy. Sterling jumped in to ask for proof, noting Ilvwinter had taken off his armor but also chose a moment when the party was weak and could take them without it and Ilvwinter said he was playing his odds. Sterling asked him to show his cards and they would show theirs and Ilvwinter opened a small black portal in the air, removed his sword and dropped it on the ground between himself and the party and commented that he was now unarmed. Yashani noted Ilvwinter’s phrasing and asked if it meant he considered the party the more favorable of his odds and Ilvwinter said it could be beneficial before admitting, even while weakened, without his armor and still six on one would still have the upper hand. Sterling asked for a moment to discuss amongst themselves, that they deserved it as an enemy did come to them and invaded their space. Ilvwinter readily agreed and when Kaz asked for clarities’ sake what Ilvwinter was offering for their silence and said to call it an “upper hand” and that if they wanted to take “her” down couldn't do it without someone on the inside. Ilvwinter added that it doesn’t have to be him, but noted the longer they waited the more time Kalistock would have to play his games, that he was very good at them and often chatted about he planned these things before he and Darie left the room, along with his armor and sword.

Kaz commented that this was different, that he and the other members talked to her in the *Dusterburyan Lighthouse,* but this was different compared to then. Yashani agreed and noted the monks had the expression "world weary" for those who had seen much and lived long that they were weary of it, that Ilwinter seemed like that, that maybe even Ob was also, and didn't believe Ilvwinter was playing an angle. Sterling agreed and pointed out Ilvwinter was no Kalistock and might be doing something very stupid, but believed they should hear him out. Quincy, seeing Kaz looked particularly upset like when they first found her in the *Dusterburyan* *Lighthouse*, sat at her feet and went to hold her hand in comfort, but Kaz pulled away and refused to meet her gaze. Kaz said she agreed having someone on the inside is a good idea and and Quincy, realizing she wasn't speaking about Ilvwinter, told her to stop. Kaz told her to stop in turn before explaining she was close enough already, that he didn't have to be the only one doing on the other side, but Quincy told her she had said enough. Kaz told Quincy it wasn't Quincy her choice to make before adding that it wasn’t like any of them were in a good place right now, pointing out Quincy had *Puncture*, the Order has Sterling’s mother and portals to Yashani’s home, not to mention someone clearly important to Alaerith with regards to Darie. Sterling commented that Arcus would achieve her goal whether with Twynn or Masq before admitting to Kaz he thought similar to her prior and affirming that all power corrupts. He added that he believed Ilvwinter was coming to them because he was stupid, that any one would betray a demon goddess, but they were ignoring their bigger foe Kalistock who was scheming and this could be part of them. Sterling made it clear they would not play into his hands before giving the idea to hear him out because at worst they could tell Kalistock of his betrayal and have Ilvwinter take him out and best they have a powerful ally on the inside. Sterling also admitted his frustrations with their lack of progress due to the group's high any mighty morals before noting Kalistock was the only one he feared as he knew he was smarter then himself, while Ilvwinter's strength didn't need to be outsmarted.

Sterling asked Yashani what she thought as he trusted her wisdom and Yashani said she saw both plans as viable, though still believed her earlier assessment, in that even if Ilvwinter was not smart his world weariness just made him tired which was reasonable due to his life. Yashani then told Kaz her offer of sacrifice was noble as she did it for those she loved, but didnt think the Order of Ruin would with certainty likely to bring her into their circle of trust knowing who she held dear. Kaz said she would rather do this of her own accord than to be broken down further, but Sterling warned if Kalistock as him that he would see through him and God knows what else. Yashani added that broken things could be fixed, that she had spent her life training to do such things and to not give up on herself. Kaz said she would believe them for now and allowed Quincy to take her hand, though she did not hold it back.

Sterling changed the topic to tell the group they could do this, reminding them of their recent successes and even one of their members were with them for help. RX added that he though this it could be beneficial even if it was risky, that it was risky for him stepping out of his box in the first place and saw no reason to not take another risk for another ally even if they didn't trust him. Meanwhile, Quincy sat on the floor, looked over the shed armor and dropped sword on the ground and saw how the armor was the deepest and darkest black they have ever seen, etched with runes that seemed to faintly glow green along the inside of it. Quincy delicately pushed the sword around to get a better look, but when it gave off the worst, most sickening sensation Quincy had ever felt off of an object, even just hovering their palm over it chose to leave it be. Sterling asked Alaerith on his opinion and seeing he was unresponsive patted his shoulder and gave his regret he couldn't do what Seren could. Yashani stood from where she had sat with her legs crossed, approached Alaerith, laid a hand on his heart to activate *Physician’s Touch* to remove what was leaving him stunned and alleviate whatever held him to stare at the door. Yashani asked that he sat before he fell and while Alaerith noted he didn't think he could, began to tremble before he collapsed to the ground and covered his face, with Yashani meditating beside him.

RX asked if they had a majority decision and Sterling noted he believed so. He added that he preferred it to be unanimous and attempted to ask Alaerith his thoughts, but Alaerith responded that he just didn't know, over and over. Sterling accepted the group's majority decision and RX headed to the the inn room door and invited them back inside. The pair sat down and confirmed the group had come to a decision before Ilvwinter procured a six inch diameter coin from his jacket, tossed it onto the table in the room, pressed his finger against it to stop its rattle and asked if anyone knew what it was like to hold their own soul. Sterling offered that he had held someone else's and Ilvwinter picked the coin up again and asked Sterling to hold his.

1. ↑ Once again, while not mechanically beneficial, Yashani's *Physician’s Touch* is used to break emotional damage and trauma