Descent into Avernus

Last week was somehow even more completely off the rails than the previous weeks. The party arrived at Vanthampur Manor — a luxurious estate in one of Baldur’s Gate’s wealthiest districts — for their scheduled noon meeting with Amrik Vanthampur.

Reya Mantlemorn was brought along in “loose bindings” as part of a scheme to turn her over in exchange for the promised 1,000 gold needed to resurrect Cordalles (RIP). Meanwhile, Nelmesh decided to go invisible and spy through a nearby window from outside.

Inside, the group was welcomed warmly by Amrik and Vhaltus and invited to share wine while discussing business. Impressed by their success, Amrik instructed Vhaltus to take Reya downstairs for questioning. Gha'zala enthusiastically volunteered to participate in the “interrogation,” which Amrik thought was simply wonderful.

Nelmesh secretly followed them into the cellar after unlocking the front door. Unfortunately, some hidden devils noticed someone was trailing Vhaltus. In desperation, Nelmesh dropped invisibility and spun an incredible story about recovering treasure marked by Tiamat herself. He claimed Zariel had sent him personally to remove the cursed hoard from the manor.

Through a combination of lies, charm magic, and absolute confidence, Nelmesh somehow convinced Duke Thalma Vanthampur that he was entirely trustworthy. She even escorted him personally to the treasure vault.

Upstairs, Vhaltus informed Amrik that something suspicious was unfolding below. The party was brought down into a hidden shrine of Zariel where cultists and devils gathered in prayer. Things immediately devolved into absolute chaos when Gha'zala nearly killed Vhaltus outright with an Inflict Wounds.

Before violence could fully erupt, Aurel convinced everyone that the true danger was Nelmesh, who was currently alone with Amrik’s mother. Panic spread quickly.

Mientras tanto, Nelmesh encountered Overseer Thavius Kreeg hiding within the manor, briefly communicated telepathically with a mysterious shield on the wall, gathered up the stolen Dragon Queen treasure into a single coffer, and attempted to flee the dungeon entirely.

Duke Thalma, however, was absolutely determined to help her new best friend Nelmesh and insisted he accompany her into her private chapel where they would not be disturbed.

Moments later, the rest of the party arrived and the entire situation transformed into a living Spider-Man pointing meme. Everyone accused everyone else of betrayal while devils, cultists, nobles, and adventurers all attempted to figure out what in the Nine Hells was happening.

Gha'zala attacked Thalma, breaking the charm spell and causing the Duke to realize Nelmesh had manipulated her all along.

And somewhere beneath all of this madness, a loused-up Mark Georges wandered through the dungeon sewers searching for Reya Mantlemorn’s prison cell.

But where is Frank Genius? How is his date going? Will he arrive in time to save the day? What happens now?

Tune in Tuesday night at 7:30 PM and we will find out.