Alara’s vision slowly cleared, but the ringing in her ears showed no sign of subsiding. She remembered the fall onto the unyielding stone floor. She was sure that there were others present when she came through. There was at least a moment when the wretched presence of the avatar was gone, but just as quickly it returned. Then there was guttural roar, followed by a shockwave and then unconsciousness.
She sat up and without thinking, removed her helmet and cast a minor healing on herself. It succeeded and she looked to the mithril diamond shaped power key on her belt. It was not shining, which was comforting. She looked around and realized she was surrounded by bodies; dozens or more. Before she could gain her feet, she saw Solaris standing beside her, his mace in one hand and the Gemblade in the other. In his always serene voice: “I have augmented your defenses against fire. You have only been unconscious for a few minutes.â€
She stood up and looked around. All of the bodies were in shackles. They were mostly dwarves; not surprising given how many were captured at Oneash. She took the Gemblade and examined it. There was no glimmer of light. Whit a sigh she secured it inside her backplate and drew her own sword. Taking another look about she said “I don’t think we are on Baator.â€
“We are not;’ Solaris replied, ‘If we were, we would be cut off from Hemator and Stasis, except for your power key. I believe we are on the Plane of Fire. Likely we are in a Fire Giant stronghold. They are immune to the heat, but need air to breathe. Fortunate, if odd.†Looking at the dead prisoners, he said: “I think they were powering the portal. They were slain by the blast.â€
“Can you raise them?â€, Alara asked, before she realized the scope of the horror. “A few, but as we are not on a lower plane, their spirits have made their way to the powers they followed. We should go, while we are immune to the heat, whatever spell was protecting them in life must soon expire. Neither of us need to add that to our list of experiences.â€
They made their way through the massive, rough hewn halls, finding no sign of occupants. Symbols of Sutyr and other powers were found throughout. Weapons and small amounts of treasure were scattered; clearly left in haste. Along with chains; lots of chains. “Can’t you Plane Shift us back to Habololy, or to the Mount?â€, Alara asked. “No, not out of this place. For now at least, it is still a divine realm.â€
After two careful hours, the exit beckoned. A long ramp leading down to a “breakwater†against a sea of magma. In the distance there were other “islandsâ€, some floating others fixed. As soon as Alara passed the threshold, she staggered back. The “air†outside was nothing but smoke and soot.
As they looked out over the endless seas, two dozen creatures, with the upper bodies of humanoids and the lower half serpents, pulled themselves out of the lava. All but one were armed with a spear or trident of glowing iron. The exception carried an iron staff. They cautiously slithered up the ramp and began speaking in an alien tongue. Solaris answered, telling them that he and Alara were travelers. The staff wielder pointed to Alara, emphatically gesturing with his staff. “He is offering me safe passage for you and the Gemblade, which he called your ornament. Safe to say, Stasis’ and Hemator’s reputations don’t precede us.†Alara prepared for battle and as waves of energy began to emanate from her, the Salamanders formed a semi-circle around them. Just as it seemed they would charge there was an explosion of smoke and ash, and a red skinned figure appeared. Its lower half concealed in a cloud of smoke, bare chested and covered in gold and bronze jewelry, it towered twelve feet tall.
“Ah! My friends, very good! The sultan will be greatly relieved that you are safe. We could not find you deep inside the fortress.†Alara and Solaris shared a look of suspicion and confusion. The efreet for a moment seemed completely unaware of the salamander company, but then looking about, began a stream of, what Alara was sure, was invective and profanity, in the same strange language of the salamanders. The leader seemed prepared to press his case until the efreet drew out a massive scimitar that caused the air to hiss. The efreet, with a gesture that clearly indicated his last best offer, pointed into the fortress, and the salamanders slithered in with no further complaint.
“Now! The sultan awaits with your advocates. I am Kerim, your humble servant. Come!†With no way to cross the magma sea, or breathe for that matter, Alara and Solaris took the efreet’s arms.
Poll