On the 8th Day of the 1st Month after the Autumn Equinox

On the 8th day of the 1st month after the autumn equinox (continued):As the adventurers were retiring to their rooms in the Green Tankard for a night of well-deserved rest, Zibreski had a sudden flash of mystical insight. Curavar, the missing mage, had returned to his tower and wanted to meet with them. Zibreski immediately roused his companions and they set off to the wizard's tower.

When they arrived and knocked on the door, the wizard's voice beckoned them to enter. The entry chamber was empty and mysteriously dark. The adventurers called out, and Curavar's voice urged them to ascend the stairs. Zibreski conjured magical light, and as the adventurers approached the stairs to the second floor, they were suddenly attacked by fiendish creatures that materialized out of the walls. The creatures were a motley assortment of nightmarish creations, reeking of acid and brimstone. At first, the adventurers thought Curavar's minions were attacking. Before long, it was apparent that the devilish creatures had lured the adventurers here for their own nefarious purpose. One creature in particular drew their attention, an 8 foot tall devil -- identified by the bard as an Aspect of Dispater, arch-devil and ruler of the 2nd layer of the Nine Hells!

The fiends spoke to Zibreski, tempting him with promises of power and the fulfillment of his desires. Shaken at first by this unwanted attention, Zibreski eventually gathered himself and did not succumb to the temptation. Instead, he demanded of the devils: "Why have you brought us here?" and "What have you done with Loranna?!" After an intense battle, the devilish minions were defeated, and the Aspect disappeared into a nearby wall. Obviously, the 'appearance' of Curavar had been a ruse by the devil to lure the party here, as Curavar was nowhere to be found.

After a short rest, the adventurers returned to the Green Tankard, but before they could enter, they were accosted once again by the Aspect of Dispater. This time he spoke aloud, complementing Zibreski on his loyalty to his companions, and attempting to cajole him and the rest of the party into serving the lords of Hell. They refused, and more devils appeared and attacked. After a fierce skirmish, the adventurers vanquished the devils. Toward the end of the battle, Zibreski stared intently at the arch-devil for long moments, as if weighing his choices, and finally exclaimed, "I will not serve you!" and disappeared (he fey stepped inside the tavern).

After the battle, the other members of the party were confused and suspicious, and pressed Zibreski for an explanation. "Who is Loranna? And why is this devil interested in you?" His initial response was "It is personal - I do not wish to speak of it!" Not letting it go that easy, they eventually were able to pry the story from him over a cold glass of sweet elven wine in a dark corner of the Green Tankard...

As they settle into their seats, Eris gives his brother a warning glance, then looks around nervously, making sure no one is near enough to overhear. Slowly twirling the wine glass in his hand, staring through it into the past, Zibreski reluctantly begins to speak, his voice low.

"When I was a student at the Academy of Magic in Evereska, I met a fellow apprentice. Her name was Loranna. We were close, and spent a lot of time together." He takes a sip of wine, then continues. "I soon discovered that she was consorting with a group of decadent noble scions. Looking for some form of entertainment with which to occupy themselves, they had come up with the idea of a 'cult' and claimed to supplicate devils for the sake of their own jests and hedonistic acts. I thought little of it, and even accompanied her to a few of these events. It all seemed harmless. That is, until one day, I arrived late to one of these meetings and found the 'ritual' chamber covered in blood. It appeared that the group had been slaughtered as if by a storm of ravaging claws and fangs. I searched the wreckage, but there was no sign of Loranna." Zibreski pauses for a moment, his eyes unfocused, as if reliving the scene inside his head.

After a long moment, he begins to speak again. "I searched the length and breadth of Evereska, but found none of the members of the group. Determined to discover Loranna's fate, I convinced my brother Eris to accompany me to Loudwater, the last place outside Evereska she visited before her disappearance."

Zibreski takes a long pull on the wine, draining it, and looks up with a concerned expression on his face. "It appears that their false religious rites attracted the attention of some devilish power." He pauses for a moment, staring at the companions intently. "And now that power seems to have taken an interest in me."

After a long moment of silence, Zibreski rises. Taking the half-empty bottle of wine with him, and without another word, he heads for his room, Eris close behind.

Placated but disconcerted, the companions retire for the night.

Rewards: 225 xp each, 102 gp each (combination of gems and coins), potion of healing (claimed by Zibreski)