Being used for Evils Plans

The monk Abbendis hired numerous adventurers to obtain artifacts. Little did we know he needed them to perform a transformation into a Devil. Numerous people joined up to stop this. People I have never met. The problem with parties this size is you have no clue how they will act
 
We adventured to a castle. As we arrived the portcullis was in the down position. Having a spotter to assist me, I was able to fashion a hook to a rope. I threw it over the wall and hooked the level. The spotter assisted me in moving the hook to the lever and I was able to raise the portcullis.
 
Upon entering, we were greeted by a representative of Abbendis. I was going to attempt diplomacy to get myself close to the door when someone cast a spell at him, causing him to summon burrowers and disappear. This horde of ground pounders gave a go, but with smart positioning, we were able to overcome the horde. Regrettably, I had to hurt a party member, but I was able to wipe a group of the attackers, so the trade off was acceptable. I did apologize after, and he seemed to accept it, but he is a follower of Dispater, so I am not sure if he is biding his time for retribution, or if he was sincere.
 
Victory was ours and we entered the castle. Seeing the representative at a table, we were invited to dine. Information was needed here so accepting the invitation was the best course of action. Through discussion and trade, I had to give up my mortar, we were successful in gleaning the information necessary to get to Abbendis. Our benefactor had to protect himself from his betrayal. If we failed, Abbendis would kill him, so he asked me to shoot him to make it look like we defeated him. My aim was a little too good. He fell unconscious and one member of the group beheaded him. I saw no reason to leave my mortar with him and he admitted he has machinations that may not have been for the benefit of everyone, so we left him
 
We had to pass through The Room of Dichotomy. Luckily for us, we were able to obtain the phrase to pass through this room without slowing us. A hallway to a portal was revealed. After having the hallway checked for traps, I jumped through the portal
 
Being transported to a room that had 4 giant green crystals on pedestals in the corner with huge chains leading to a bigger crystal at the end of the room. A multicolored beam hit a dais where Abbendis was pacing. Luckily, being an artificer, I was able to discern that the pedestals in the corners were feeding the power to the fifth to further the transformation. I immediately started to dismantle one of the pedestals. Using my precious pillow as firestarter, I ignited one of the wood pedestals. It began burning.
 
Now we just had to get Abbendis's attention and hold it. I was effective in doing that. He nearly killed me. The party focused on the Monk while he stunned me and battered me. Eventually, Abbendis had to retreat to his Dais to transform. Just as he did, the platform I ignited collapsed, and the rest of the party defeated him just as he transformed. If the platform didn't collapse, things would have gotten ugly.
 
Success was the flavor of the day. It allowed me to take the first step in becoming the Artificer I desire. In the future, I hope our groups are not so large, but, who know what the days have in store for us. Life is an adventure.