Skilver, Thud and Orthan travel to the temple of Belial in the desert. Skilver seeks to entice the witch priestess to breed with a devil, the babies to be servants of Belial and live at the temple. The enticement is not cheap. Skilver has previously traded his book of fire elemental control for a staff of command. He also purchases an 8,000 gp star sapphire to present to the priestess along with the staff. Her reaction to his proposition is met with astounding enthusiasm and she mates with Skilver on the spot.
One month later a ceremony is held and the devil appears and mates with the witch. Skilver is forbidden to attend but is blessed by the devil for his part. He is granted a +1 on reaction to devils the bane being that he also attracts attention from the very good.
He returns to Thudwater to celebrate the union of his accomplishment.
The group then decides to travel back to Hellgate Keep for another try at the recently destroyed city. The druids transport via plant ahead of the group and witness another group of 7 – 10 entering the ruined city. The EFK arrives several days later and decides to enter the city as well.
The group is now adrift in a sea of vague evil and neutrally-inclined neutrals as all ponder individual goals and aspirations. Thudheim requires regular infusions of coin in order to stay staffed, and the Witch of Belial is costly to maintain as well.
Thus they find their way back to the now partially overgrown crater and prepare to descend into the scary depths yet again. Perhaps this time will produce more reward for the risk…
Rubble here, scavenging there – digging for magic everywhere. Doors of stone are hard to open, try too hard and bones will be broken. Thank the wizards for knock spells and tiny druid that enabled the retrieval of old bones.