Stories of my brain

Adaly tries to make an amulet but fails, frustrated she goes down into the tavern meeting up with the rest of the party. They intend to spend the night in the downstairs safe house, but while they are walking there Adaly notices something weird in the kitchen fire. For a split second it looked like eyes were staring back at them.

They quickly go down “Did you see that?” Adaly asks and Amara immediately replies, “The eyes, yes, that… that could be a problem.” Adaly swallows and the rest of the party looks at them alarmed “Can we use the other exit for a second? So that I can spy on the generals, checking if it was either of them” Adaly asks unsurely, but Jeremy immediately starts leading them.

“Could you guys keep an eye down here, while Amara stays with me and keeps an eye up there? I rather not get ambushed” They all nod in agreement and Adaly walks up.

She sits down and starts her blood magic flowing while Amara looks out. The spell not finding any ground on any of her targets. She sighs frustrated “Nothing is working today.”

“So shall we go down?” Amara asks but Adaly stops her, and grabs the box that Es-Grenalieth gave her. “Es-Grenalieth wanted me to gift this to you… I never trust devils, but I expect it is nothing lethal she wanted me to work with her. Before I give it to you I need to tell you she is like me, a black tiefling. She just got turned into a devil…. And she thinks Ilhoketh wants to do the same to me. She thinks that is why he will be weak.”

Amara nods “Okay interesting… but the gift, let’s just see what it is” and opens the box. There is a magically infused candle and a book with instructions “It is a Hellmark, do you know about that?” Amara asks, and Adaly raises her shoulders. She takes the book and quickly scans through it “I haven’t heard about that, but reading this, it is a contract. You should never sign a contract with any entity.”

Amara looks through it, “You have experience with contracts” Adaly chuckles “I never signed one myself until a few days ago, but in my time Muddy I saw many do it, and it never went well. Also I am the result of at least two contracts, so a cautionary tale.” Adaly jokes.

“If it gets us more strength to fight Ilhoketh…” Amara starts but Adaly jumps in “It really never is worth it. Muddy’s contract are of course hag contracts, so are different, but you know. If you really want too I will support you.” Amara’s eyes go larger. “Your mother is a hag” Adaly chuckles and rubs the back of her head “Yes… well… My adoptive mother is, was… And she was also one of the people with a contract on me. The other one is my father, both feel entitled to own me, but Muddy won. Up until the day he killed her.”

Amara looks at Adaly, and Adaly looks at her friend “Cool… maybe we should check with Heskeni if this is indeed what is says. If I read this it is not that bad, as long as I don’t use the ability to often” Adaly nods “If that is what you want” and Amara nods this time.

“Great, shall we leave?” Adaly says and starts going down. Amara quickly follows.

The paladins look at her expectantly “I… the spell failed. I don’t like this though, so I think we should teleport. I don’t want to wait until someone shows up.” The rest of the party nods while Adaly starts casting teleportation circle, back to the cabin in the woods in Suzal.

Heskeni stares at them from a small distance while they walk out of the teleportation circle. “Amazing…” Adaly chuckles “It is not that uncommon” but Heskeni quickly shakes her head, “There was a person here before who gave me a note that said you would arrive here at this moment… And it is exactly right”

Amara and the paladins immediately grab there weapons, while Adaly is also on alert “Are they still here?” Adaly asks while checking around “Nononononono they left, just gave me a note for Amara” and Heskeni gives Amara the note.

Even before Amara finishes the note Heskeni starts “The truths unquestioned was a monastery in the Mokodor mountains. It is long destroyed, but it was specialized in training seers and prophets. Not sure why this is relevant for you guys.” Adaly can see Jeremy meanwhile whispering with Sam, probably wondering what this lich is.

Adaly asks Amara “What does the note say?” Amara chuckles “Ask Heskeni about truth unquestioned.” Adaly smiles. “So I guess we know where to go next” Adaly rubs her head and directs her attention to the paladins “Could you guys set up some kind of camp, or place for Heskeni and Jeremy to stay? Also Heskeni this is Jeremy, Jeremy this is Heskeni.” The lich and the paladin shake hands, while Sam looks at her in surprise.

“Why what are you going to do?” Sam says while narrowing his eyes towards her “Sjeesh  paranoid much, Heskeni is a wizard and we have some items from Grishbalan I want to identify” Adaly says while holding up the wand and the gems they took from enemies they fought. Sam still looks at her but quickly turns around and starts helping Jeremy setting up.

Adaly asks Heskeni first to identify the gem, which is a nice magic booster, and hands Amara the candle and book while positioning herself in a way that she can keep an eye on the paladins, and making sure they are not listening in.

Heskeni takes a look at it “Well this is a hellmark, it helps empowering the devils favored mortal. The notebook basically describes it correctly…” Amara nods and asks “How can the bond be broken?” Heskeni smiles “Very easy… You just kill the devil in question.” Adaly rolls her eyes and looks at Amara. Amara just lifts her shoulders.

Heskeni goes back towards the paladins, while Adaly says “We will go hunting for a bit, be right back.” Adaly and Amara walk through the woods, quickly capture 3 rabbits.

“So what do you want to do with the hellmark?” Adaly asks. “I will sleep on it, no rash decisions…” Amara replies, clearly in thought, so Adaly changes the subject “We will probably go to Orodo the coming days, would you want to stop by your home?” Amara stops walking and just looks at her.

Amara takes a deep breath “I rather not… Not until I have my vengeance.” Adaly continues to questions “Don’t you think your father will appreciate the visit?” Amara chuckles, “No he wouldn’t. He doesn’t care… He tried to hide the fact that my mother got killed. Feeling ashamed that his human wife was not strong enough I guess… He was a bad father” Adaly lays a hand on Amara’s shoulder “I am sorry… but revenge will come soon enough. Would you rather we don’t go to Orodo?” she kindly smiles to her friend.

Amara smiles back “No Orodo is fine… We probably first have to figure out where the truth unquestioned are exactly…” Adaly thinks back “In Grishbalan was also the note about the Greenfire tribe.. They also might have information that can help us, with their soul magic… We should also try to figure out where they are.” Amara nods “I have some connections in Polotel, so let’s start there.” Adaly smiles and agrees, while they walk back to the camp.