42 - Alvis the Faceless

General Summary

Recovering from the events of the encounter with Mephistopheles, Kayin and Edalweiss are more than confused about the recent occurrences. "Fortunately", a voice arrives to offer them guidance - exiting through Kayin's abdomen is a fiend made entirely of black smoke, face shrouded by a white mask with an infernal symbol upon it. The visage appears to be the same size and physique as Kayin, but entirely occluded in features. He introduces himself as Alvis, a fiend tasked by the Eighth to protect Kayin from death. Kayin and Alvis recount history, and Alvis states the condition of Kayin's brother is none of his concern. Kayin carries the bloodline of the Lord of the Eighth, the archdevil Mephistopheles, and is the strongest of the bloodline in all of the Material Plane, making him invaluable.
Alvis offers Kayin his assistance in times of peril, strengthening him with an infernal blessing through partial possession. As Alvis disappears back into Kayin (after connsuming a well-cooked meal with his shadowy hand), Edalweiss and Kayin debate over what to do with Bartholemew's cindered body. They call upon Celder's help, who just returned to Solis with River and a gravely injured Drud and Finn. Celder and River meet up at Bartholemew's house to survey the situation. Celder calls over a few city guards, and the party convinces them that Bartholemew incinerated himself in an infernal ritual. They leave towards the tavern to rest, reconvening with Orceena.
Orceena has a lively day to herself - she purchases books for her children and herself, then buys some unusual food from the market. The Firegrasp daughter takes it upon herself to train Orkuno on how to use a whip made of spinal cord bones, to which they receive a number of contemptuous stares for their heritage. Orceena tells her daughter to pay them no mind, but the young orc is visibly distressed.
In the evening, Edalweiss and Kayin meet with Celder to show Alvis the staff. The fiend is surprised when he holds it, almost immediately realizing its purpose. The two-pronged Staff of Aleum is a magical tool used by powerful arcanists to cross planes - any mages who hold this could arrive within the Material Plane. The party is conflicted - they must bring this staff to "the arms of Carcaeri" to free Mellow from her tie to the Fourth, Fierna, but doing so might bring the archdevil to San'Grenon. Is it worth the risk?
Edalweiss spends some time surveying the kingdom of Esylalea, learning that the troops are about to engage with their enemies in the Bloodlands. She contacts Wolvara, Orceena's mother, and suggests the strike to happen soon. Wolvara agrees, confirming Edalweiss's information with her own scouts, and suggests they meet within the mountains to travel eastward and conclude this assault. The party reluctantly agrees, bringing along Violette and Drud in their travels.

Rewards Granted

Kayin

• Blood of the Eighth [Boon from Alvis]

Orceena

• Club +1
• Chicken on a Stick x3 [eaten]
• Spicy Boar Snouts x4 [eaten]
• "Baby Orc Burns Down Village: A Charming Children's Tale" Book
• "Tusk Love" Book

Finn

• Sentinel Shield [bought back for 270gp]

Character(s) interacted with

Alvis - A fiend living inside Kayin in contract with Mephistopheles, ordered to protect him.
Recurring Characters: Sol, Wolvara

Report Date

04 Apr 2020

Primary Location

Solis

Alvis, bearing the mark of the Eighth.