The Plane of Fire

**The Plane of Fire** is the sixty first episode of *Another Bad Side Quest*. The party travels across planes in hopes of rescuing their old friend Bolton.

## The Plane of Fire

### Air date

November 11th, 2022

**Pre Show Shenanigans**

* Welcome to ABSQ pre-recording! Episodes will be up every Friday on Youtube, Spotify and Apple Podcasts
* There are some interesting things in the works so keep an eye out for that!

#### **Summary**

As Twynn II warned them to hold on, the party heard a thunderous crack before they felt a sense of weightlessness before they felt a thud landing against the ground. They felt an immediate, dry heat that surrounded them as Twynn announced they had arrived. Sterling asked how close they were to the *City of Brass* Twynn noted they would need to check outside to know before he hurriedly warned them not open the door as stepping out into the *Fire Plane* was deadly without the proper protections. As Twynn hurried off to find some things that might help Sterling headed to Quincy, still with Kaz, and finding they were still unconscious. asked if he could borrow Quincy’s hat and explained he had a new spell he had worked on that might help locate Bolton and it would help and Kaz agreed. Sterling took the hat, cast *Scrying* on Bolton causing a sensor to appear in the form of a miniature Tollanessa, quickly shuttled her off and eventually found him in a narrow cage dangling above the *City of Brass,* slumped inside, naked, bloodied and missing both his index fingers. Sterling also saw the chain holding the cage was suspended from a tunnel that led into a small cavern that the cage could be pulled into and appeared to be covered in runes of some sort before Tollanessa appeared back at Sterling’s side and described what she saw to the rest of the party. Twynn noted Bolton was likely being held above the *Charcoal Palace* and when Sterling mockingly assumed the palace was the greatest fortress anyone had seen and no one had escaped and lived to tell the tale said it was the home of the Grand Sultan, the Lord of Flame, had the equivalent power of a God and ruled over the Efreet.

Sterling asked how the Efreet would respond to an Elder Tempest while Alaerith asked what Efreet actually were. Sterling explained they were beings related to elementals, similar as Genasi like what Tieflings were to devils and demons and wield pure elemental magic. He added that Djinn were air related and were known in stories of genies granting wishes, while Efreet were more known for slavery and causing violence. Twynn noted all high powered elemental genies could grant *Wish* and that Djinn liked to attack the *Fire Plane* a lot before he brought out a box, put it on a work table in the middle of the group, offered them some badges and metallic chokers and explained they would allow them to endure the atmospheric heat of the *Fire Plane* and to breathe as anywhere outside his own house would be too hot for them to survive, but noted any excess fire would still hurt them. As the group put on the chokers and badges Twynn reiterated Sterling's words that the main export of the *City of Brass* was slaves, which mostly went to the devils of the *Nine Hells* who gave them gold, and that the *City of Brass* was one of the largest trading hubs in all the planes.

Twynn noted they had stopped about a two hour walk from the *Golden Gates* which would lead them into the part of the city that was most welcoming to adventurers and outsiders called *The* *Plume*. Twynn added that there were tiers to the city, that the highest point was *The* *Furnace* where the nobles were and where the *Charcoal Palace* was located before recommending them to avoid anywhere they were directed towards by a local other than *The* *Plume* for their own safety as Fire Newts were known to take people off the streets to harvest for their organs. Yashani pointed out it would be difficult to rescue Bolton from a place far removed from where it was safe for them to be, but Twynn noted *The* *Plume* was backed up to the hill that was *The* *Furnace*, the top of which is the *Charcoal* *Palace* and that *The* *Plume* was a place to make money to make good with the nobles if needed, which would send them to the *Ashlarkes* where the common Efreet also lived.

Sterling wondered if Bolton was connected to the nobles of the *Plane of Fire* somehow and if Quincy was aware of it and Twynn recommended they wake her up. Kaz, having held Quincy the whole time, took note that Quincy in their unconsciousness appeared disturbed and conflicted. Kaz kissed Quincy and Sterling kicked her shin causing Quincy to wake up confused. As Kaz asked how they felt RX bluntly informed them they were in the *Plane of Fire.* Alaerith asked if Bolton ever spoke of his parents or lineage and Quincy said there was a reason Bolton made a good champion of Broneli, slightly interrupted as several party members were confused on that unknown information, and added that Bolton was able to lend Quincy power because he was a champion of Broneli. As Sterling noted that he previously assumed Bolton was just especially cool with guns RX asked if that made Quincy the champion of a champion and Quincy said she was unsure. Quincy added that Bolton made for a good Champion likely because his father was the Grand Sultan.  Rx asked if this was a positive relationship and Quincy said no, that Bolton had run from this place and was why he was on the *Material Plane*.

Sterling reasoned if the *Fire Plane* had regular contact with the *Nine Hells* then it wasn’t a far leap to assume the Grand Sultan might have made a deal with the Order of Ruin to get his son back for some sort of deal. Yashani also suggested the spell Lunala used to banish him might have possibly just ended back at home as the magic dictated and was unlucky that his home was not welcoming to him. Sterling noted it was a good point, but believed Lunala wouldn't pass up a good trade, assumed they had some sort of deal with the Grand Sultan and pointed out with evil people if given the opportunity would betray others for greater self interest. Quincy took a moment to take stock that they were in the *Fire Plane*, that they shouldn't take off the choker outside and, after being told where Bolton was, asked if there was a plan. Kaz said getting in with the nobles was an option but the party noted that was unlikely to help them get to him. Sterling offered they could bargain for Bolton or could break him out, noting that as Bolton was hanging over the city by a chain it wouldn't be easy to hoist him, let alone get to the caverns where the chains were. Sterling offered that they did have an Elder Tempest and could threaten to level the city if it came to it, but Kaz noted they didn't have to jump straight to that and pointed out the city was built on deals and bargains. Alaerith noted that Twynn said *Plume* and adventurers and Twynn said they could work their way up to gain favors with the nobles there.

Some of the party said they might not have time to waste on that, but Sterling noted, while Bolton’s situation wass not comfortable, it also wasn’t dire and could take some time to get in the right person’s good graces. Quincy wondered if this was why their magic had been so weird and when Alaerith asked what she meant by weird Sterling explained it made sense that Bolton’s suffering was weakening Quincy’s connection to Broneli’s power since it appeared that was what magic Bolton channelled for them to use. RX wondered if they ever thought of trying to contact Broneli and when Quincy confusedly asked why said Bolton was his champion and Champions seem to be important to the Gods. Quincy shrugged and said the Gods didn't seem to be all that involved and Sterling immediately called for Tollanessa to ask her if Broneli, in his time, was a helpful person. Tollanessa said he was, noting that was a long time ago and when Sterling asked if he might help them if they ask said she was unsure. Sterling asked with more purpose, who in *The* *Plume* would be of most help to them in their current situation and Tollanessa's eyes widened with writing that appeared to scroll over her irises before she blinked and told them to find a tailor’s shop called the *Fire Pit* and find a Fire Genasi there. She noted that he was crooked, but was methodical and could get what she needed, but noted this was when she alive so they would likely run into one of his descendants.

Sterling suggested they dress in *Fire Plane* clothes as some of them would be fine while others were blue sea elves. Quincy said it was full of adventurers, but Sterling noted they might want to get ahead of the curve and the tailor could help with that. Tollanessa also warned against going into the *Rookery* and Twynn agreed noting it was the most lawless of the city sections and very dangerous as Fire Newts hung around there. Yashani said they would avoid that area and stated to Sterling she wouldn't save him from a Fire Newt if he went. Twynn added that it had gambling dens and pleasure gardens and Sterling questioned what they were. Quincy pointed out Sterling grew up in *Krak*, the brothel capital of the world, but Sterling reminded them he never went as he was too busy with his mother. Quincy laughed before asking Twynn how long he could stay here and Twynn said he could stay as long as they needed, but specified that the machine to teleport them back to the *Material Plane* wouldn't reset for another three days. Quincy took that to mean they shouldn’t cause trouble until they could escape the plane and Yashani suggested they not cause any issues at all, but admitted that would happen unless they convinced the Grand Sultan they needed the son he hated very much more than he did.

Sterling, excited for the first steps of their eventual plan plotted out, wondered if they might go shopping and find anything interesting and magical and Twynn *The* *Plume* would be the place for that, noting the taverns there looked similar to the ones in *Krak*. Yashani asked if gold burned a hole in Sterling’s pockets and he sheepishly admitted he had never grown up without it and that it went fast. Yashani suggested if they earn gold while they were here then they could spend gold on something Sterling finds interesting, but if not might maybe spend with discretion. Quincy asked Sterling if he had any chance to inspect the charms, hoping it was safe to use them again before they headed out into strange territory and Sterling quickly cast *Identify* on them and Kaz's variant, found nothing wrong with them, offered that they should be safe to use for the moment and the group put their charms back on.

Sterling suggested they try to disguise themselves, citing with it's close contact to the *Nine Hells* that the *Plane of Fire* should not be considered out of the Order of Ruin’s reach and Twynn noted it would be a good idea to be cautious. Sterling asked Twynn if he had any spare cotton or flak and when told he did used it to cast *Fabricate* to create six matching hooded cloaks. RX wondered if it was a good idea to make it so obvious that they were all together, but Sterling pointed out it was mainly to disguise their exact identities and that drawing attention was alright so long as they appeared nondescript. Sterling also added eerie symbols to appear like a cult and when it was met with protest by some of the party insisted the combination of a robot, two Genasis, a Sea Elf, a masked Half-Orc and some guy was very identifiable. Twynn reiterated they were going to *The* *Plume* so it wouldn't be that distracting, but said they could add Twynn's symbol as it would probably get them through the door and Sterling happily did so. Meanwhile, as the conversation of disguises continues, Quincy thought to themself about appearing different and unconsciously cast *Disguise Self* causing their their purple skin to go pale white, her hair to become bright red and curly in its braid, with the squareness of the jaw making them appear as a human version of themself, but as if they were related to Kylan. RX paused the conversation to point out the intruder, but after a moment the party realized Quincy did Alaerith could occasionally do to appear as someone else and cast *Disguise Self* to appear as her new form. As the distraction passed over Twynn pointed out that they tried too hard and suggested they just trust their gut.

The party headed out of the house into the *Plane of Fire* and found a blackened expanse before them, dotted with naturally forming pillars of dark material, embers and smoke filling the air and the heat nearly unbearable but were able to withstand it with the help of Twynn’s chokers. RX asked which direction they were headed and Twynn dictated the path to the *Golden Gate* and where to go once inside to reach *The* *Plume*. Meanwhile Alaerith noted the *Staff of the Courts* had changed to a burned and blackened form, with the flowers slightly burned and their centres were flaming bulbs. The party trekked off across the blackened magma rock like ground, which crunched beneath their feet, and diverted their path now and then to avoid rivers of magma and ponds of flame. As they saw the pillars in the distance growing closer and closer they saw streaks of red lightning that ripped across the sky and, after theorizing what storms and rains were like in the *Fire Plane,* started to hurry their pace.

The party eventually came to a sort of forest of burnt trees and as the ash in the air became thicker, making it hard for the party to see, Alaerith and Quincy quickly became separate from the group in different directions. Kaz, RX and Yashani soon noticed they were missing and when Yashani activated *Ob's Charm* to reach out to them both replied that they couldn't see anyone. Sterling cast *Dancing Lights* to help guide them back, but when he found the ash in the air blocked out the light, Kaz reminded them she could feel their locations with her charm and told them to stay put while the rest of the party would come to them. As they waited, Alaerith and Quincy heard a skittering sound and felt something, unseen in the smoke, bite them before it vanished. Kaz led the party to Alaerith's location, who panickily latched on to Kaz, and headed to Quincy. Meanwhile Quincy felt a bite on her neck and soon felt like the wounds started to heat up and quickly cast *Mage Armor* just as Kaz and the others found her. Sterling, once everyone was together, took out his spellbook and cast new *Cloud of Daggers* to surround their backs as they continue forward which sounded as though several creatures impacted against them. RX attempted to lead them in a direction, but found themselves against a wall of charred stumps and trees. Quincy asked Yashani to check if her wounds looked infected and Yashani touched the mark and activated *Hand of Healing* and *Physician's Touch* to cure whatever poison was inside. Yashani managed to lead them through the dense smoke of the burnt forest to the edge of a magma river. The party struggled to figure which direction to follow as they were turned around in the smoke, but RX managed to reorient the group and led them to follow the magma river towards the *Golden Gates*. As the party travelled on, seeing the three pillars in the distance grow closer, Quincy leaned in to Kaz and quietly admitted they could see Esmeria following in the smoke and, while they knew she wasn't real, needed someone else to confirm it. Kaz looked and saw Esmeria wasn't there before they assured Quincy of as much and switched spots with them to break Quincy’s line of sight with her.

As the party soon reached the stone bridge that would lead to the *City of Brass* glowing on the other side Sterling checked to see if anyone wanted to wear the cloaks he made. RX changed topic to suggest using fake names to further conceal their identities with Sterling suggested Archibald for Yashani, while RX suggesting Stanley for Sterling. Everyone but RX and Sterling soon noticed a gathering of Fire Newts on the other side of the bridge and as the party became aware they wouldn't be able to get past them Sterling cast *Minor Illusion* to make his face appear like the Fire Newts and keep the rest of his body concealed by his black cloak. RX quickly asked what other names the group would use with Quincy using Alwynn, Sterling using Levistus, Kaz using Fren, Alaerith using Drake and RX as Bucket, while Yashani forwent it and used her staff as a walking stick. The Fire Newts approached and one told the group, in Ignan, that they looked like they shouldn't be here and Sterling, as the only who could understand them directly, said he was escorting the group, not for harvesting but to the Tailor. The Fire Newt said there wasn’t a tailor, but Sterling insisted there was one in *The* *Plume* for them to go to. The Fire Newt continued to push for harvesting, but Sterling stood firm before he stumbled into implying that he planned to double cross the group and sell them as slaves, citing that the array of strange types like the metal one would fetch a fair price. As Quincy, barely understanding the words, activated *Ob's Charm* to ask if he just implied they were to be sold as slaves the Fire Newt agreed the nobles might like to see any of the ones he has for sale and would likely be sent to the *Ashlarkes* to do so. They added that if one of them ran to make sure they could have their organs before they eventually let the party pass. The party hurried away and discussed what happened along with their story for why they were there, with RX trying to to enforce the use of their fake names, and decided to say they were working for Twynn.

The party neared the *Golden Gate* that marked the western end of the city and arrived at a tall iron gate with an exceptionally large man standing 7.5', with dark red skin, black eyes with red colorations, ridged bones along his brow, wearing dark plate armor and carrying a large curved blade stood beside it. The figure asked in Ignan what their wanted in the city and Sterling stepped forward to say they were artificers in training looking to get supplies for Twynn and showed his symbol on the back of his cloak. The man said he didn't recognize the name before he asked the rest of the party in Common who they worked for and Quincy also told him they worked for an artificer named Twynn Roderick II. The man scoffed and noted at least they had their story straight and, in spite of Sterling switching and implying he might harvest them or sell them for slavery, he allowed them to enter. The party quickly entered and as RX followed Twynn’s directions to lead the group to *The Plume* most of the party discussed Sterling’s inability to lie and needed to be more careful when addressing locals.

As the party walked around the city they looked around, saw the buildings were made of brass and copper and became smaller and more compact as the streets got narrower the deeper they got and eventually found *The* *Plume,* noticing it was busy, full of all races and bustling with activity. Quincy asked if they should find a place to stay before going further and Sterling countered to ask if there was anything pressing they needed to do as he was interested to see what new spells he could find. Quincy noted they wanted to sit and read the book Tali had given them in *Eveed* about Bolton, stifling quickly as she realized she said his name out loud, as they weren't sure if they missed something important in there. RX said if they planned to split the party they should even, but Sterling eventually suggested they stayed together, looked for someone who looked the least likely to kill them for being a bother and found a coffeehouse. The party headed inside and after getting coffee and oil for the group Sterling asked the man where to find room and board, as well as arcane items and spell scrolls. The man told them to visit Pancake for anything magical and recommended *Leon’s House* for room and board. The party headed out to the magic shop and Quincy, becoming impatient, pulled out their book to read and held Kaz’s arm so they could be led around as they did so.

The party follow the barista’s instructions to Pancake’s shop and arrived at a building with a sign overhead that simply read *“Pancake’s”* and had an arrow pointing down to indicate a set of stairs that led to the basement doorway. The party knocked on the locked door and a female Gnome appeared at the door, confirmed she was Pancake and, after confirming they didn't work for the Sultan, let them into her shop. Sterling asked about spell books and was told they had none, but noted she had spell scrolls for *Compulsion*, *Fire Shield* and *Suggestion* in the front. Meanwhile RX looked around and found a staff topped with a miniature shield that created a bubble of protection, like a larger version of *Resilient Sphere,* for *300 gold* and a cube when tossed cast *Wall of Force* for *500 gold*. Quincy looked up from their book, activated *Ob's Charm* to ask about selling their gems to get enough money to maybe buy an item and one or two spell scrolls and Sterling voiced his interest for Fire Shield and noted he didn't have to keep the scroll, just see it long enough to copy it and asked to purchase materials to do so. Quincy agreed before asking again if the gems should be sold Alaerith asked that they held onto the diamond and sell the sapphire. Quincy approached Pancake with a smile, said she was highly recommended by the barista down the road and believed they could make quite the deal today. Quincy showed the sapphire, said it was from *The Underdark* from the *Material Plane* and Pancake noted they could see what it was and immediately offered *1200 gold* as sapphires weren't natural to the *Fire Plane*. Quincy, noting the reaction, also offered the gem encrusted scimitar they bought as a gift for Kaz, from Ember in *Nij’a,* and Pancake asked Quincy hoped to get out of it. Quincy requested the *Force Cube* RX picked up, as well as to let Sterling copy the scroll for *Fire Shield* for his own use, noting it was a good deal for her as she would still have the scroll to sell to again. Sterling added that they of course would buy the ink and paper needed from her as well and Pancake pointed up and said to visit her sister upstairs for that.

Pancake looked closely at Quincy and asked what she really wanted, citing that no one came into a shop like this just for magic items and Quincy asked what Pancake had. Pancake said they could do this trade or the group could do a favor for Pancake and would sweeten the pot, noting that she needed something dealt with. Pancake called out to Sterling, pulled out a large tome from under her counter, said she got it about 50 years ago from a quite important young wizard from a different space and noted she didn't sell it as it had something in the back not very nice to people and had spells that were quite dangerous. She explained she was willing to make a deal, she would take the sapphire, RX could take the *Force Cube* and, if they came back after completing her favor, would give the tome as well. Quincy said they weren't the type to make promises without details before asking what the favor entailed and Pancake told them her main proprietor, who she got most of her items for sale from, was a noble from higher up in *The Furnace*, that some of his things had gone missing in transport, that the culprits were a pair of Djinn and wanted them to retrieve them. Quincy asked for a moment to discuss with the party before they activated *Ob's Charm* to ask how everyone felt about the deal. Sterling wondered if they could receive the *Fire Shield* scroll on top of that and Quincy noted with how Pancake reacted to the sapphire Quincy planned to bargain for all the spell scrolls currently available. Sterling and Kaz also added that it would help make an in with her benefactor as well. Quincy admitted to Yashani they were pretty excited at the thought of some good bargaining but wondered if it sounded reasonable and Yashani said she agreed, particularly for leverage for Pancake’s proprietor to help with the Bolton situation. Kaz recalled Pancake asked whether they aligned with the Grand Sultan before they entered and imagined she wasn't a fan of the *City of Brass’* ruler and Sterling noted it would put them in direct opposition with the Sultan if they did this. Yashani pointed out that there was next to no chance that wouldn't have to take Bolton by force, so doing this wouldn't change it.

With the go ahead from the rest of the party, Quincy turned back to Pancake while Sterling cast *Enhance Ability : Eagle's Splendour* on her. Quincy said they were ready to make a deal, but rehashed the terms as Pancake took the sapphire now for the spell scrolls and the *Force Cube* and on successful completion of the job would get the tome and, after Pancake noted she needed it done quickly, she and Quincy shook on it. Pancake told Sterling to go upstairs to get the necessary supplies to copy spells before Pancake she expanded more on the task. She explained it was likely taken to the harbor, as the docks were not in use while the city was in flight, but would become busy when it landed and would make for a quick escape. Alaerith asked what they needed to find exactly and Pancake described the item as a large, burnt black chest, with a large golden “R” inscribed on the lid. Quincy asked if there was a preference for how this was done, whether subtly and quiet or with more fanfare and Pancake said as long as it was done it was good, but not many people around there like the Djinn and making them look bad wouldn’t count against them. Quincy asked if they could request something if they did especially well in this retrieval, for her to put in a good word with her proprietor as the party has other business in the city and the help of a noble could go a long way and Pancake said if they did she could guarantee a meeting. After the group collected what was promised they thanked Pancake and Pancake noted Pancake was her nickname and original name was Patricia before the group parted.

The party headed back out to *Leon’s House* to find rooms and, after securing three rooms for *nine gold,* rested, copied spells or other quiet activities for a time before Quincy activated *Ob's Charm* to ask everyone to gather as they had information everyone should know. Quincy admitted they weren't sure how much of the book was fact or fiction, but they possibly knew why Bolton was locked up. Quincy explained his father had always been cruel to him and on Bolton's way out stole a very valuable item from his father, a sword from the *Celestial Plane*. Bolton left to the *Material Plane,* made friends and worked together to steal something from Orcus and, after asking if anyone knew who that was, Sterling said they were the Abyssal Demon of Undeath. Quincy added that Bolton and his friends tried to open a gate there, but something went wrong, they released demons into the *Material Plane,* which was when Bolton made *Puncture,* that they stopped the demons, closed the gate and returned the sword to the *Celestial Plane*, but closing the gate caused a large explosion and a lot of damage. She finished that he eventually ended up on a ship that took him to the *Maltrop Strip* and that’s was where the book ended. Quincy assumed Bolton hadn’t been back to the *Fire Plane* since and was likely being punished for stealing the sword all those centuries ago.

Sterling noted unless they intended to go to the *Celestial Plane* to steal a sword then any small hope of bargaining for Bolton’s freedom was utterly crushed. Sterling said he intended to call it a night there, with Quincy in agreement, but Yashani asked if they weren't sure if the job they just took was not time sensitive and that the thieves were waiting to escape with what was taken. RX headed to the inn owner to ask when the city would land next and the owner said it only landed when the Grand Sultan wanted it to land, which could be tomorrow or not for weeks, and the last time was a couple months ago. Quincy tried to reason she didn't give a deadline and resting was more important, with RX noting eight hours would be enough to make sure the majority of them were fine, but Yashani countered that in eight hours the harbour might be busy. Sterling cast *Sending* to ask Pancake how time sensitive it was and Pancake said as fast as they could make it happen. Quincy asked if there was anything that could help RX feel better and Sterling said only a rest would do so before noting magic would be useful and gave the now free scroll of *Fire Shield* to RX to use. They party discussed whether to attempt sneaking unseen and subterfuge their way to getting the chest without having to fight. Sterling gave Kaz the scroll of *Suggestion* before they eventually decided to have a short rest and recover what they could. As they rested RX started to read the papers from Twynn, Yashani made some treats for the group and nearing the end of the rest Alaerith changed the *Staff of the Courts* form to a stalk of Baby Blue Eyes with a tinge of brown and red at the petals tips.

1. ↑ Using his once a day ability to ask her a question.
2. ↑ Quincy is using their Eldritch Invocation *Mask of Many Faces*
3. ↑ At some point the words Djinn and Efreet got confused leading to talk about unneeded fire protection