Vecna: Eve of Ruin
The Red Belvedere
Has anyone returned from the black doors?Shrieking gusts of hot air assault the senses as the company stepped into Avernus. Miasmic clouds roiled over a ravaged landscape of broken rocks, bleached bones, and jagged metal. The dusty atmosphere reeked of sulphur and tar.
In the near distance jagged mountains gave way to an unexpectedly beautiful sight at their foot: a sprawling, palatial complex glittering with silver and gold. Light danced through the front rotunda’s red stained-glass dome, reflecting off the overcast sky to shower the buildings with a rosy glow.
The company descended to the unlikely edifice where a carved stone at the front of the complex read in numerous languages: The Red Belvedere.
“I think it’s even money that Eli kills someone within 20 feet of entering the casino,” Three groaned.
“Walk with me Eli,” Sifer encouraged, “You’ll understand every word in here.” His suggestion was double edged: translation, but also keeping an eye on Eli’s righteous temper.
Idris pushed the grand doors open, stepped inside and beamed.
Sweet perfume and glittering lights chased away all evidence of the war-torn landscape outside. A gilded statue of a roaring dragon presided over the casino’s lobby, and a smorgasbord of devils of every size and shape lounged around the room. Clattering coins and patrons laughing in preternaturally deep voices sounded from deeper within the casino. Three enormous devils loomed in the corners of the foyer, evidently the muscle used to keep proceedings in order, eyes scanning the room intently.
A winged tiefling soared above the spectacle, patches of multicoloured scales freckling her skin and her prim tailcoat shimmering with every hue. She laughed and beamed, ostentatious and charismatic, making small talk with regular patrons. Upon spying the company she beamed and approached.
Windfall
“Newcomers! You are most welcome to The Red Belvedere! It is rare indeed that we find ourselves in the company of innocents such as you! Come, come, enjoy our hospitality—I am Windfall, and this is my casino!”
“A pleasure to meet you,” Idris bowed, “A very auspicious name, good lady!”
“I hope that is what you will find during your stay,” Windfall grinned. “Tell me—what is your poison? Where have you come from? What do you seek? Tell me everything!”
“I am…fond of gambling, and I thought I would take my friends to a casino they had never seen before,” Idris explained. “I had heard many rumours about this place and I thought what better time than now.”
“Well you are in for a treat—both you and your friends, who looked thrilled to be here,” Windfall enthused.
“Some more than others,” Idris laughed.
“The Belvedere is my tribute to the Dragon Queen. A celebration of greed and vanity. I think it’s rather lovely!”
Marko did his best to hide a scowl, staring hard at the gilt marble floor. He glanced over toward the bar looking out for anyone of his own stature. Most were far too tall, though the barkeep was a smallish jackal-like creature that reminded him of the character in the Far Realm brain. As he looked around he notice five coloured doors at the back of the room. He scowl deepened as he realised each door represented an aspect of Tiamat’s power: cerulean, scarlet, stygian, viridian, and alabaster.
“This appears a very well appointed atrium, and I look forward to a drink at the bar,” Idris nodded. “Can you also run us through the games of chance you have, fair lady?”
“Oh we have more than simple chance, I assure you. May I know your name?”
“Idris.”
“Well, Idris, my casino is intended as a decadent respite from the Blood War’s horrors. Here, adventurers and devils alike can indulge in their vices in five different rooms, each with its own theme.”
“That sounds most intriguing.”
“Indeed. Through the white doors,” Windfall said indicating, “You will find the Alabaster Racetrack, where you can experience the thrill of racing, and gamble thereon. A magnificent spectacle of Nightmare’s and speed, presided over by my friend Uvashar.”
Windfall moved on to the red doors. “Here we have something quite different, and judging by your well-armed appearance, perhaps more to your liking: the Scarlet Coliseum! Those that dare test their strength against foes of the deadliest nature. You look like you could handle yourselves, but be warned—my pitmaster Khai Kiroth is no easybeat.”
“Mm-hm,” Idris said, glancing at Sifer and Uthar.
“The blue doors conceal the Cerulean Hall. A haven of strategy and intellect where only the smartest may succeed. Nyssa Otellion is my pitmaster and will show you the ropes, should you need. The green doors are the polar opposite—no brains required in the Viridian Den, just luck, pure and simple. Rezran ‘Snake Eyes’ Agrodro runs the shop should you wish to try your arm.”
Windfall turned to the final doors of jet-black stone. “And last, but definitely not least, something very special lies beyond the black entryway. It once was a maze, but I tired of that gambit and commissioned something rather special. Perhaps the greatest challenge…but also the greatest reward. My good friend Kaylan Renaudon awaits your approach.”
Uthar noted the finely dressed figure leaning lazily against the black doors, who caught his eyes and smiled thinly, revealing a pair of sharpened fangs. Uthar shuddered as he realised he was looking at a vampire.
“Thank you, good lady, it all sounds very tempting,” Idris smiled. “And, possibly with the exception of the black door, are we free to peruse the delights behind each door or are there conditions?”
“No, none whatsoever,” Windfall said. “Though you are quite correct that the stygian doors once entered is one way only. Enter, and if you return great rewards shall be yours, but there is only one path.”
“Has anyone returned from the black doors?” Three asked.
“Not yet,” Windfall grinned. “Maybe you’ll be the first!”
“I’m tempted,” Three admitted.
“Well temptation is the name of our game!”
“All I know is I’m not going in the smart room,” Sifer smirked.
“Even I’m more comfortable in the luck room, to be honest,” Idris agreed.
“Though I am a fan of martial sports,” Sifer added.
“Same here,” Uthar nodded.
“You will need currency,” Windfall explained. “You can exchange 10 gold for 1 talon, our 1 soul coin for 300.”
“I think I prefer gold,” Three muttered.
“Take as much as you need—I’m sure you’ll come back with more than you started with!”
Idris made the exchange of a thousand gold for one hundred talons. “Will this be enough to get us started?”
“Plenty enough for the junior tables,” Windfall smiled.
As Idris took the bowl of talons and picked one up. It was an iridescent metal coin stamped with the silhouette of a dragon’s claw on both sides, and as he held it he tasted a growling hunger for more. He looked around the room and felt a burning jealousy for those that held more than he, hoarding what was rightfully his. He shook his head to clear it, his casino nous making him realise this feeling was likely magically related to Tiamat’s mote which Tasha had warned of. He met Windfall’s gaze, which was locked onto his, with a half-smirk.
“Marvellous is it not! You can feel Her need, Her desire,” Windfall said hungrily.
“I can see how you do well with these,” Idris laughed.
“I look forward to hearing of your successes! All hail the Dragon Queen!” Windfall cried, and the room echoed her call raising glasses. “All hail Tiamat!”
Three glanced around the room, seeing a mixture of reactions. Some cheered lustily, some half-hearted, and some barely shifted their position.
“Indeed,” Idris said, emptying the talons into a satchel at his side and doing his best to put the gnawing out of his mind.
“Perhaps we can sit at the bar and have a drink before making our decision,” Sifer urged.
“Of course! And here’s a token—first taste is free!”
The company joined Marko at the bar, finding him already in discussion with the barman. “I see you’re new here,” the foxy barman grinned through sharpened teeth. “My name’s Honore, what’re you drinking?”
“Anything you have,” Marko smiled, handing over the token Three slipped him. “How long have you been here for?”
“Longer than I care to remember,” Honore chuckled. “Here to gamble are you?”
“I dunno what we’re here for, not really sure.”
“To worship our Dragon Lady, perhaps?” Honore tried.
Marko squinted, sensing Honore didn’t really give a damn about Tiamat but wanted to be seen to say the right thing. “Fair enough,” Marko grinned with a wink and a nod.
“Give me a red wine,” Three said placing his coupon.
“Blood wine do the trick?” Honore asked.
“I don’t want anything with blood.”
“How about a spirit?”
“Yes.” Three thought for a moment and quickly added: “But not a real spirit.”
“Hahaha,” Honore laughed. “That’s a new one.” He slid over a shotglass full of clear liquid.
“What is this?”
“Cavruniel, a spirit, as you asked. Wrung from those that hang from the trees on Haruman’s Hill. Very pure.”
Three sipped, screwing up his face at the bitterness. It tasted like suffering.
Sifer took the reigns from Three. “If I were a betting man which room would you go in?”
“Depends on which type of gambling you like,” Honore. “You look like a warrior, so the Coliseum. But maybe you want a change—most do.”
“It’s always best to go with your natural advantages,” Sifer shrugged.
“If you wish to compete then the Coliseum. But if you wish to sit back and wash your money away, try the Alabaster track.”
“I see. Well, I’ll have what’s he’s drinking—” Sifer started before seeing Three giving a sharp ‘no’ nod. “—or instead, let’s mix it up. Something a ring fighter might take.”
“Something with a bit of spice then,” Honore nodded. He slid over a thick red drink. “Rakshasa Red should do the job.”
Sifer took a slug, the dull metallic taste and tinge of iron giving a hint to what it contained. It reminded him strongly of the uncooked meat he had tasted on the field of battle. He glanced over to Uthar who sat between two female patrons.
Uthar paid them no attention, instead casing the doors and observing those that come and go. There was no traffic from the red doors, perhaps because a bout was in progress, but the other doors did have a regular flow of gamblers. As he watched an glass slid in front of him. He looked down. “It’s empty?” he said, looking to the woman on his right who had placed it.
“Perhaps you’d like to fill it,” she purred.
“I think I have my own,” Uthar shrugged.
“You’re not looking for company?”
“No, actually. Not tonight.”
“That’s a great shame,” the woman said, pale blue eyes sparkling. “You look like you could handle yourself…and me.”
“Maybe later,” Uthar stammered as Idris stifled a laugh. “I’m here to, uh, take my chances in the Coliseum. How do you think I’d go?”
The woman reached a ashen white hand and squeezed Uthar’s bicep. “I think you’d go very well indeed,” she whispered. “Perhaps I’ll come and watch.”
“Perhaps later then,” Uthar nodded firmly.
“Is that a promise?”
Uthar stared into the void as the woman tapped her empty glass. “With my winnings,” he muttered.
“I see how it is,” the woman said coldly, snatching the glass away. She whispered something behind Uthar’s back to the other woman who laughed in response. Uthar felt himself blushing, glancing for help toward Idris.
Idris ignored him, happy to watch his friend dig himself in and out of the hole. He supped on his own glass of the Rakshasa, not quite sure if it was indeed blood or just a good simulacrum. Whatever it was it was potent, and he wanted to keep his wits.
“Where do you want to start here,” Uthar said quietly, finally recovered.
“Unless something very untoward happens I think we can ignore the vampire door,” Idris replied. “Otherwise, I think we’re going to have to test all the rooms until we find the game that we like.”
Uthar nodded wearily at the prospect.
“In any casino,” Three said, “There’s the casino, there’s the game rooms, and there’s the back rooms. We need to get to the back rooms.”
“Exactly,” Idris nodded.
Three turned to Honore. “Are there also rooms where we can stay?”
“For some, if you…get invited. Otherwise no.”
“So if you are invited by Windfall? Or is it just if you win enough?”
“If you impress her and her pitmasters enough you may earn an invite to the Dragon’s Pride,” Honore explained. “You have to work hard for that invite, she doesn’t let just anyone down there. But if you do well enough, then yes, and there you will find more luxurious offerings and delights, including a place to sleep.”
“A club, an extra high-rollers room?”
“Both, but mainly the latter. A place those more fortunate can relax in safety and play their power games.”
“Then perhaps it’s time for us to go and become more fortunate,” Sifer nodded.
“It seems like we need to get Windfall’s attention,” Three opined as the company gathered. “We need to get to the high roller room and see where we go from there.” He looked at Uthar, Sifer, Eli, then to the scarlet doors. “The gladiator room might be best, we have a few who you’d think would do ok in there to start.”
Sifer glanced around at the room full of enormous devils and worse and smirked.
“Look, Sifer mightn’t be up to it, morally, but Uthar and Eli should be right,” Three corrected.
“I’m feeling the order is black last, blue second last, and the other three…we have some people with luck, some with brawn.”
“Agreed,” Idris said. “And if we screw up all the others black is our last stop.”
“Let’s go white, lose some on the track, then green and have some bad luck, then red to fight our way back to evens,” Sifer joked. “You’ve gotta go down to go up.”
With everyone’s agreement, Sifer led the way through the alabaster doors.
A roar of excitement announced a race in progress, as ahead sleek white pillars surrounded a dusty racetrack. The stands bustled with patrons clutching tickets and hollering their favourite on. On the track what appeared to be a half-dozen clouds of rolling smoke hurtled along, resolving to jet-black horses with mane, tail, and hooves wreathed in flame as the company drew closer. Each beast was jockeyed by devils covered in barbs who used their thorny protrusions to urge their infernal mount on.
Marko, trailing behind the company decided to vanish, making himself scarce the better to understand the situation. Just as he did an elf in a stylish white suit approached, smiling widely. He took a seat by Uthar’s side and looked out over the just finished race. “Marvellous is it not?” he beamed.
“It’s fantastic!” Idris exclaimed, soaking in the brimstone atmosphere.
“Looking to make some coin on the races are we?”
“Sounds like a good idea,” Uthar nodded.
“Well it might just be your lucky day,” the Elf grinned. “My name’s Shav, and I’m very pleased to meet you.”
“You know who’s running well today?”
“As a matter of fact I do,” Shav smiled, leaning in as the other patrons started vacating the area to make their next bets. “I have a certainty for the next race, a tip that might be very useful to you…”
Sifer snorted, but Uthar merely raised an interested eyebrow and kept going. “Great! Is this something we would both be investing in, or?”
“Of course! A reward shared equally—I am a man of honour, after all. I have a little trick planned that will clinch the race in our favour; a thousand talons at least!”
“That does sound good,” Uthar said carefully.
“So: you want in?” the elf said, narrowing his eyes.
“He is almost certainly trying to rip us off with a scam,” Three whispered, sitting behind Idris, “But that doesn’t mean we can’t use this to our advantage. The kind of guy like Shav might be a pathway to the Dragon’s Pride.”
Idris, sitting by Uthar, agreed; this was a bullshitty sales technique he’d seen a hundred times before. Who approaches a bunch of strangers with an honest wager? “Before we commit—is there a form guide?” he said pleasantly.
“I’m your form guide,” Shav grinned, “You don’t need another.”
“Who’s in charge here?” Three said, leaning forward.
Shav turned to look back at Three. “Another of your friends?” he said to Uthar.
“One of my closest. Treat him like you would me,” Uthar assured.
Three pulled his hood down. “As you can see, I’ve lost a few bets. Makes me more cautious.”
Shav didn’t blink. “Ha! Well—I am here to make sure you don’t lose your next one. Uvashar is in charge, and if you were to win this race in the way I suggest, I will make the strongest recommendation to him.”
“And is Uvashar here?”
“Almost always. He has his private box, as you might expect, so the only way you’ll meet him is through me,” Shav smiled.
Three nodded. “And who takes our bets?”
Shav thumbed over his shoulder. “The bookie ring is just behind us.”
Sifer turned to look over the railings to the betting ring. Bookies were paying out and (more often) collecting from patrons, who looked in appropriately delighted and distressed. “Obviously you can win here,” he muttered to Three, “Unless you listen to Shav!”
“Depends on what kind of scam he’s running. Maybe you win with your first bet, he hooks you in, then your next bet is bigger and then the third time he fleeces you,” Three said.
Marko meanwhile was scouting the stands and watching carefully. It appeared a legitimate track, as much as they ever were. The crowd were mostly devils, with a smattering of humanoids and creatures he wasn’t sure of. Several of the massive guard devils stood at attention in strategic spots. He settled down behind Shav to eavesdrop on the conversation.
“So. Are you interested? You seem to be playing hard to get—this is a sure thing!” Shav said.
“Well what are you offering?” Three said.
“As I said—1000 talons at a minimum, split each way. Listen; time’s running short here, are we doing this?” Shav pressured.
“What do we have to do? What’s the stake?” Uthar said.
Shav rubbed his hands and leant in conspiratorially. “There’s a nag named Sunshroud in the next race. A filly.” He opened his very flash white jacket to reveal an inner pocked that held a small vial. “This potion will guarantee she wins. All you need to do is get it into her. Deliver the potion, make the bet, winners are grinners!”
Marko perked up as he saw the potion. As luck would have it the recognised the colour and viscosity from the few times he’d needed to quicken his step when on a second-story job. It was a Potion of Speed, he was sure of it.
“Why don’t you do that?” Three said, full of suspicion.
“Well my face is rather well known around the track,” Shav protested, “I’d be nabbed in an instant.”
“This is getting more interesting all the time,” Sifer smirked.
“What are the odds,” Idris said.
“On Sunshroud winning? 100-1. Easy money.”
“Easy money when we get Marko the invisible to slip the potion,” Idris send to Uthar.
“And who’s the favourite?” Three asked.
“Crunchy. Every step it takes the ground rumbles in protest. Never been beaten,” Shav said. “Come on fellas, don’t look a gift nightmare in the mouth! I’m handing this to you on a platter!”
“Where are the stables?”
Shav pointed the opposite direction from the bookies. “Down the steps, into the stables. Sure there are guards but that’s why you’re getting half the take.”
“And what differentiates Sunshroud from all of the other flaming horses?” Idris asked. “How will we find her?”
Shav frowned. “Not much of a track man, I see. There’ll be a plinth above her stall, don’t you worry.”
“How long until the race?” Three said. “We need to scout the area.”
“Fifteen minutes now,” Shav guessed.
“As long as we get this done and we’re out of here before the steward’s enquiry, we’re good,” Sifer said. Patrons were filtering back into the stands.
“This would be a way, if we pull it off, to get to the prize,” Three agreed.
“Excellent,” Shav said rubbing his hands. “Follow me.” He led to a thick wooden door. “Through here you’ll get to the stables. I’ll lay the bet, you do the work.”
Three frowned. “So you’re going to bet your money, and give us?”
“A half share. Let’s get to it. Who’s taking the potion?”
Idris put out a hand and Shav dropped the potion into it.
“I’ll stay with you, Shav, to watch you put the wager on and stay with you as you collect.”
“Keep me honest,” Shav grinned with a nod.
“Have you seen Marko anywhere?” Idris said quietly to Three. Three raised a destroyed eyebrow. “I assume he’s ‘around’,” he said knowingly.
Marko sidled up to Idris’s side. “I’m here. I’m invisible” Idris nodded once, shortly, and backhanded the potion, feeling Marko take it.
“Why don’t you put our own bet on for 10 talons?” Idris said turning back to Three, counting them from his stash. “Careful with these.”
“I will,” Three agreed, and once he clutched the coins he felt a thrill of excitement at the prospect of getting more. Many more.
Eli stood by the door ready to ‘take care of the guards’, as Shav had indicated would be necessarily. He wasn’t sure exactly what the plan was, but assumed Marko would be involved. As he waited impatiently, he jumped when a loud crunch rang out and the ground beneath his feet seemed to rock. One of the huge fiends was stomping over, thumping his mace into the ground with each step.
The pit fiend pointed the mace at nothing and bellowed. “SHOW YOURSELF!”
Eli looked around.
The pit fiend leapt into the air and seemed to be following something. Eli groaned and followed, jumping into the stands.
“NOW!” the devil roared.
“It’s gone tits up already,” Idris sighed.
Marko sped toward Sifer and dropped the potion into his pocket, before revealing himself. He cowered defensively, hands above his head. “Don’t hurt, don’t strike!” he whimpered.
The fiend leant down, looming over Marko. “LEAVE. NOW.”
“I’m scared, I was scared,” Marko tried. “Of everyone! You’re too big”
“I WILL CRUSH YOU.”
“B…b…but….”
Sifer stepped forward, causing the devil to turn it’s head slowly. “BACK AWAY.”
“You must excuse my friend,” Sifer smiled, “Surely his money is as good as the next?”
“NO EXCEPTIONS. HE CHEATED.”
“He is fairly wealthy,” Sifer tried.
“HOW WEALTHY?” the fiend said, holding out a massive open palm.
Sifer smirked, dropping forty gold into the fist.
The devil growled, a deeply unpleasant rumble. “PATHETIC. LEAVE. BOTH OF YOU.”
Sifer held out another sixty.
“ONE LAST CHANCE,” the devil spat, leaning down so its face was inches from Sifer.
Sifer didn’t panic. “Double?”
“LEAVE.”
Marko, quivering artistically, sighed deeply. “Let’s go,” he muttered to Sifer, who shrugged and started toward the portals.
Idris wasn’t so ready to give up. “Good sir!” he called to the fiend, who lifted its gaze to meet his. “MORE TO EJECT.”
“I’m simply enquiring what is the precise issue at hand here?”
“ARE YOU SERIOUS.”
“We’ve never been here before and we were just invited by Windfall,” Idris snapped, “To come and enjoy the games. We haven’t even placed any bets yet and you’re kicking good customers out. Which we will mention to her. "
“I AM REMOVING CHEATS.”
“What is the nature of the cheating?” Idris bluffed.
“HE WAS INVISIBLE. THAT IS NOT ALLOWED.”
“Well now we know that,” Sifer grumbled.
“And where is that stated?” Idris tried, realising he was on thin ice. He wouldn’t permit an unseen patron at the Shining Serpent either.
“STATED?” the devil scoffed. A small crowd was gathering, enjoying the conflict, and they too laughed.
“Correct me if I’m wrong, but the only way to find that out is to actually do it?”
“OR BE SMART. WHICH YOU CLEARLY ARE NOT.”
Ignoring the slight, Idris put a hand on Marko’s shoulder. “My companion is very small and very skittish and turns invisible almost compulsively.”
“Very small?” Marko muttered, but he excused Idris (just this once) given the fragile situation.
“Surely a warning would suffice, and then we can all get about a business of losing money for Windfall,” Idris continued.
“NO WARNINGS, NO EXCUSES. TAKE IT UP WITH WINDFALL.”
“Oh I will. Right now.”
“THANK BEL.”
“We’ll be right back.”
“I HOPE NOT.”
“We’ll see.”
Shav, witnessing all of this with Three, was crestfallen. He rubbed a weary hand over his forehead. “Oh you fools,” he muttered.
“Should I try and get your potion back?” Three offered.
“Oh I have plenty more. I’ll try again with the next lot,” Shav sighed, walking away.
Three watched him leave, curious that he neither placed a bet nor collected. Three had been surprised to see the bets flow as Shav had advised—perhaps he was more trustworthy than he appeared. He waited for Sunshroud’s race to finish, and she did indeed finish at the tail of the field. Shav’s Crunch ran second, so perhaps there was more than one Shav in the arena.
With a sigh he withdrew and followed the company back to the lobby, walking with a disappointed Eli who had been looking forward to some devil-slaying.
Idris was draped at the bar, watching Windfall but not approaching. He ordered another glass—“3 talons”—and nodded to Honore. “Is there an established set of no-goes in the house?”
“Don’t cheat, simple as that.”
“That seems to have a lot of scope. A friend of mine was bounced from the races.”
“For doing what?” Honore said polishing a glass.
“It’s the small chap you were talking to. He gets skittish when confronted and turns himself invisible.”
“Well that will do it every time.”
“So that’s a definite no-go?”
“What do you think?” Honore scoffed “You’re an intelligent fellow, say you were running a casino and a patron turns up invisible?”
“Absolutely.”
“Say a guys is gambling on cards with an invisible friend at his side. Be a bit stupid to let it go, wouldn’t you think?”
“I get it,” Idris snapped. “It all seems rather unreasonable. I just want to find out the broad scope of the houe rules. Pretend we haven’t been to a casino in Hell before, my friend.”
“Number one: don’t cheat. Number two? Don’t cheat.”
“Ok. I’m just not sure how invisibility counts as cheating when you’re watching a horse race, but ok.”
“It’s a general principle. Use your common sense is my best advice and you’ll be just fine.”
“Thank you for at least answering the question…in a very obtuse way,” Idris sighed.
“There’s no rules that can’t be worked around, so it would be absurd to try and list them all,” Honore shrugged.
“That’s what I—”
“But invisibility is a rookie mistake,” Honore interrupted, “You won’t get anywhere near the Dragon’s Pride if you try and pull that kind of thing.”
Hearing this Sifer put a hand on Idris’s shoulder. “If you’re not going to talk to Windfall I’m going to scope the Coliseum,” he said to a nod.
After finishing their drinks, and once Three and Eli appeared, the company joined Sifer through the scarlet doors.
Jeers and shouts rose from a huge open-air coliseum made of deep-red stone. Over the sound of roars and clattering metal, a speaker excitedly commentated on a fight just finished.
A booming laugh sounded over the arena as a huge Red skinned dragon-devil leapt down to stand amidst the carnage. “A defeat most worthy! I dedicate the fallen to our Queen, Tiamat!” The crowd cheered mildly, more interested in discussing the fight than toasting the Dragon Queen.
Khai Kiroth
“Who will stand next? Who will fight? Who will emerge triumphant with honour!?”
Sifer summoned his companions to the stands on the left of the arena. “I’m not ready to leap into the ring yet,” he advised. “They bring out the challengers and then release creatures from the wings,” he pointed. “A trio of massive gorilla devils with blue skin last round, who made short work of a couple of the winged devils.”
Sifer say by a large, insectoid devil with a mantis head who vibrated with cold and was chattering to a similar companion. “Wouldn’t get through a third round if it killed them.”
Bil
“Well Bil, it did kill them so you’re right,” the second devil laughed.
Sifer shuffled closer. “So, Bil, three rounds? What’s the deal here?”
“Win three matches and eternal glory is yours!”
“How long’s eternal glory last?”
“Until the next fight,” Bil and his companion laughed uproariously.
“Champion for a day.”
“Khai down there,” Bil said nodding to the dragonkin still stalking the arena, “He’ll give you his mark if you win glory, which is enough for most.”
“Doesn’t pay for drinks,” Sifer laughed.
“A victory token from the pitmaster?” Uthar mused. “I think it might.”
“Your friend is right,” Bil nodded, “Pick up three of those marks and you’re on your way to the Pride.”
“Is it one stamp per fighter?”
“If you’re a team you’ll all get a stamp, even from the stands.”
“And why aren’t you down there, Bil?” Sifer teased.
“I’m a lover not a fighter, can’t you tell?” Bil’s friend stifled a chuckle.
“And can you win esteem as a team?”
“Interested are you? You look handy—and yes, three in a team. Three combatants, three tiers, each one harder than the next.”
“And what do we fight?” Eli asked.
“It’s not a set menu, young one. Khai will take a look at you, see what he thinks, and send out his best guesses to crush you.”
“Has anyone ever won all three?” Three said, sensing another set-up.
“‘course.”
“Who?”
“That two-eyed fella…never seen anyone fight like that in all my days. Quite something to behold.”
Three felt suddenly watched, spinning to see who it was, but there was nothing, just the glint of a shadow. He turned back to Bil. “And magic is banned, I assume?”
“Naturally. This is a show of strength, pure and simple. You get caught using magic…”
Hearing this, Idris relaxed, slumping back in his seat and lighting a cigarello. “Marko would be a good bet with his disembowelling shiv, though Uthar is no slouch even without magic.”
Uthar slapped Sifer on the back as they met eyes. “I think we’re fucked,” Sifer laughed, “And Uthar’s not using magic, it’s an aura.”
Idris raised an eyebrow. “The rules on what’s cheating here are very amorphous. But invisibility is definitely out,” he grinned.
“Eli’s pretty handy,” Three protested. “What weapons can we take in?” he asked Bil.
“Anything you like within reason,” Bil advised. “Take in a vorpal blade you might be in a bit of trouble,” he said glancing at the sword strapped to Uthar’s back.
“You got a vorpal blade?” Sifer quipped, causing the devil’s to break out in laughter again.
“Next fight in an hour if you’re wanting to fight,” Bil said.
“I think we’ll watch a bout first,” Three said cautiously.
An hour later the next fight got underway, the crowd having swelled and throbbing with bloodlust. Two bearded devils and a chain wielding devil stepped into the arena, greeted with a swelling roar.
There was plenty of side-hustle bets happening in the stands, and just as much flowing through the official bookies. “Three-to-one against the challengers,” Three advised.
“Those chains the devil is using are snaking around of their own accord,” Idris pointed out, “So that’s magic. Based on that, Red, you could smite someone and no-one would blink.”
Uthar agreed. “I hope you’re right, as it’s not something I can turn off. Every hit will be like that.”
“There are two reasons Khai might let you fight,” Idris mused. “A: you could skirt around the cheating rules, and B: as soon as he pays attention to you he’ll work out exactly the kind of power you wield, and where it comes from, and that will gee the crown up a lot.”
Khai crunched his sceptre into the arena’s blood-stained dirt and called for quiet. “Our three challengers will face Mudbane! He rises from the depths of the Abyss, yet to defeated, yet to taste anything but the blood of his victims!”
An enormous hound stalked free from the innards of the coliseum, saliva dripping from fangs stained with the remains of all those it had hunted. It roared hungrily as the crowd leapt to their feet, the devil’s stepping back and exchanging glances.
“Those three don’t stand a chance,” Sifer grunted, not sure that his three would either.
As the fight got underway it was clear Bil was right about the non-weapon magic—there was no sign of magic from the combatants or any allies in the audience. The hound snarled into the battle, tearing into the panicked trio, but they soon found their feet and started to fight back. The chain-devil tangled Mudbane’s rear leg allowing a bearded devil to leap atop and plunge a spear—and the tentacles of the beard—-into the beast’s flank. But Mudbane was too much, too big, and too fierce. Before the fight had even begun the devils lay sprawled about the arena, dead or close to. Only the chain devil stayed on his feet, staggering as the wolf stalked closer.
“Enough!” Khai cried, “He will live to fight another day, unlike his bearded friends!!” The crowd booed as the devil scuttled below the stands, but cheered when Mudbane released a victory howl. “For Tiamat!” Khai cried triumphantly.
“That was only the first round,” Three groaned.
“I saw no healing from the stands,” Sifer added. “Just fighters.”
“Bil? Does anyone ever assist from afar?” Three asked. “How do they stop it?”
Bil nodded to the ever-present Pit Fiends. “You have to deal with him.”
“He knows when magic is being used?”
“Oh yes, they know. But you’re welcome to try,” Bil grinned.
“No, no, I just want to know the rules. Has anyone ever beaten that dog?”
“Not in my time. I’d like to see him up against old two-eyes though,” Bil said thoughtfully.
“I know you’re a lover, Bil, but tere’s plenty in the crowd big enough, like you, to take it on,” Sifer said. “What’s stopping them?”
Bil shrugged. “People are here to relax, bet, soak in the blood. Not everyone wants to jump down there, but some will. Like the three we just watched.”
“So Bil, just to clarify,” Idris said, “By no using magic you mean no casting spells.”
“Right enough.”
“So that guy over there,” Idris pointed, “Say he could shoot fire out his arse, as an example. Not a normal thing for most, but for him it is. So that doesn’t constitute magic, does it?”
Bil pulled out his ice-covered spear. “This, this has magic. I can use it in a fight. But if I were to spit fireballs out my arse, that would be cheating.”
“So if it’s weapon-related it’s all good?”
“Within reason, my friend. Jump down there was a flaming sword, you’re all good. Jump down there and start casting lightning bolts from your sword? Not so much.”
“Got it. Hack and slash with a little stank on it.”
“Use your commons sense, that’s my best advice,” Bil grinned.
Idris rolled his eyes and nodded. “So anything you do Sifer, and you, Marko—discarding vanishing—and anything you do Eli. And, if you can make it look good, anything you do Uthar, will probably pass. You all could give anything a run for their money.”
Sifer nodded. “Put it this way; we’ve been kicked out of one room, we’ve got to find our esteem somewhere before we lose everything.”
“There’s always the black doors,” Three smirked.
“We now what we’re up against here. Let’s check the other rooms before we get started,” Idris said.
“We’re not going to fight?” Eli wailed, frustrated again.
As the company emerged into the lobby and started toward the green doors, the vampire who guarded the black doors hustled over. “People, people!” he cried, “Please may I have a word before you proceed?”
“Definitely!” Three beamed.
Kaylan Renaudon
“Very good! I have watched you wandering aimlessly seeking great rewards, and I am here to tell you that I, Kalylan Renaudon, have what you desire behind my stygian doors. Everything you could want lies within, all you need do is step through.”
“What is in there?” Three asked keenly.
“Well there is a tale,” Kalylan smiled. “What lay beyond in times past was a maze. I trapped dozens inside, hundreds even—they begged for their release and I gave them what they asked,” he grinned, bearing his trademark fangs. “But, in her infinite wisdom, Windfall decreed the maze too simple, not enough of a challenge. Pah!” Kalylan scowled.
“Which is?”
“Something she believes is a little more challenging…and, I will admit, perhaps it is, for none have returned! I present to you: The Stygian Tomb! That’s right: a tomb! What do you make of that?!”
Three looked unimpressed. “Well we’ve done tombs, so tell me more.”
Sifer groaned, turned, and started again toward the green doorway. “No, wait!” Kaylan cried. “You have not heard all!”
“Describe the tomb,” Idris said, intrigued.
Kaylan smiled slowly and raised a very pale hand, spreading his fingers. “Five rooms only. Absurd, you might say! Ridiculous even! But Windfall would beg to differ: she claims a famed lich designed it just for her…and for you!”
“Here we go,” Three said hungrily.
Kaylan rubbed his hands together. “You know you want to…
“I do. I do want to!”
“Me too,” Marko said, eyes glittering.
“But wait, there’s more!” Kalylan announced dramatically. “Windfall is so excited to for a survivor to emerge from the tomb that, should you be the ones, as I have no doubt you will be, you will recieve not one, not two, but three marks of esteem!”
“Which will get us to the Dragon’s Pride,” Three smiled.
“Unusually generous, I think you will agreed,” Kalyan nodded.
“Except not one person has survived,” Three grimaced.
“A minor inconvenience! Just look at you all! A finer selection of gentlemen I have yet to see,” Kalyan said looking around the company. “You sir have lost an eye, but perhaps you will find another within? You with the glowing red skin, a holy man if I am not mistaken? Well behind these doors stands a holy place!”
Uthar grunted.
“What do you say, gentlemen? Are you game to step inside the Stygian Tomb? Or will you continue your fruitless, piffling search for success amongst the lesser rooms my so-called equals so wilfully present?”
Eli stepped forward. “We’re going in, thank you very much for the offer.”
“No Eli!” Three cried, grabbing his padawan. “We should look at the other rooms first, as tempted as I am.”
“Brother Cooper, gambling is a sin. The temptation of devils.”
“It is a game of chance that some religions consider a sin, but many do not,” Three said patiently. “Many a priest has gambled and then gone and taken mass. And you have to think, again, why are we here?”
“We have to get downstairs and this is the quickest way,” Eli said simply.
“Young sir!” Kaylan exclaimed, “You speak the truth, the honest truth, more truth than I have heard in this establishment for many, many a year. It is the only way. The quickest way. The path to glory!”
“I only ever speak the truth,” Eli agreed, finding it odd to be agreeing with the pale-faced vampire.
“Stop telling the truth,” Sifer muttered.
“Let’s just have a look in green and blue before making a decision,” Three repeated.
“You turn your back on eternal fame!” Kaylan cried.
“Eternal fame will be there when we return,” Sifer shrugged.
“What if someone else should venture in and take it from you!”
“I don’t like their odds,” Sifer smirked.
“Given your pitch I suspect there has been quite a while between customers,” Three said wryly.
Kaylan’s shoulders slumped, and with a deep sigh he spun on his toes and walked away to resume his spot in front of the black doors.
The walls and ceilings of the cosy den through the green doorway were made of luminescent jade. Rowdy patrons gathered around game tables, drinking heavily and scowling at dice and cards as they tested their luck. Idris smiled, feeling right at home: this was more like it.
A green-scaled draconic devil moved between games, idly chatting with players. He spun as the company entered and smiled hungrily.
Rezran ‘Snake Eyes’ Agrodro
“Gentlemen, welcome! You can call me Snake Eyes! Comes from a winning penchant for rolling ones in Triple Hydra,” he grinned. “Hard to beat, I think you’ll agree!”
“Pleasure to make your acquaintance, Snake Eyes,” Idris nodded. “Mind if I peruse the tables?”
“By all means, sir! You’ll find the money that flows through these rooms dwarfs all else—earns me a great deal of Tiamat’s favour, I assure you. But maybe your luck will change that!”
Idris grinned, then wandered the rooms. He recognised every game: the aforementioned Triple Hydra, Bel’s Bones (a dice rolling game of luck), 21 Demons (cards), and Zariel’s Hold (more cards) were typically popular. He turned to the company. “I can win easy money down here,” he announced, “It just depends how much we need.”
“How much?” Snake Eyes overheard. “Earn 1000 talons and I’ll give you each my mark.”
“We’ll be back,” Idris nodded.
The Cerulean Hall, the final room, was far more subdued, concentration filling the atmosphere like an thoughtful mirror of the Viridian Den. Blue crystal pillars reached toward hall’s ceiling, and a pair of sculptured blue dragons festooned a pool in the centre of the room, occasionally breathing clouds of ice that formed into fish which dropped into the water below. All was quiet except for the clinking of coins and shuffling of cards and pieces. Dragonchess was the main game being played, along with Three Dragon Ante amongst other less popular tables.
Walking between the tables was a lean, blue-scaled devil with dragon wings, pausing to admire and compliment particularly smart moves.
Nyssa Otellion
“Come to test your wits against the best, gentlemen?” the Abishai said as she approached, haughty and calm. “You made the right choice coming here instead of Rezran’s hall of fools.”
“Rezran?” Idris said.
“Maybe you know him as Snake Eyes,” she said disdainfully. “My name is Nyssa Otellion and this is my hall. You are most welcome to take a seat, should you wish.”
“Thank you,” Idris smiled, “We just might.”
“To get three marks, realistically it’s going to be blue, green, and red…or just black,” Uthar said, glad to have at least reached that conclusion.
“I think blue, green, and red and we’re there,” Sifer said firmly.
“I’m pretty confident, with some luck, that I can get us all marks from the green room,” Idris said, “And there’s a strong chance of the same from the blue.”
“I think Stygian Tomb,” Marko shrugged.
“I know you do,” Sifer smirked.
“I’m quietly tempted,” Uthar admitted, “But…”
Sifer shook his head. “We’ve got Three Dragon Ante,” he glanced at Idris, “Then we’ve got a little bit of luck, then we’ve got simple fighting. What’s the problem?”
“Tomb of Horrors!” Marko reminded everyone. “If we can survive that we can survive anything.”
“How about we do it our normal way,” Sifer grinned, “See how we fail in green and red, and then we go in the black.”
“I’m not going back into the green room,” Eli declared.
“Oh?” Uthar said.
“Black it is!” Marko clapped.
“But Eli, you came through to the horses,” Three probed.
“I thought we were going to be on the horses,” Eli shrugged.
“What about the blue room then? Could you go there?”
“I don’t want to! I want to go in the Stygian Tomb. This is what we know how to do!”
“I know you’d like to go in there, we all would, but—”
“We have come this far,” Eli interrupted, “By fighting our way through tombs and temples and underground lairs and suddenly we’re going to change that?”
Sifer grabbed Eli by the shoulder and pointed him at the red doorway. “You want to fight? Let’s fight.”
Eli shrugged himself. “We could do that too,” he said. “I was happy to do that and then we left.”
“If we do that then we don’t have to do the black,” Sifer explained.
“The black room won’t be harder than the red room,” Eli sulked.
“Not one person has ever returned from this tomb!” Three scowled.
“No one has ever gone in!” Eli cried. “It won’t be harder!”
“Eli,” Sifer said sternly, “We’ve just come from our wizards, and they said we’re going to a fucking casino! What are you doing here?”
Eli glared at Sifer. “If I commit any sin here, it will be leaving without dying trying to kill every single person down here.”
Three grabbed Eli. “There is a man at the bottom of this place, this place full of sin,” he growled through gritted teeth, “And he has an evil Hand! We have to do this to go down there, cut that Hand off, get the piece of the Rod, and stop he who is destroying the world! With your pride you are going to block us from that?! Think upon that! Will you block the sins of the world because you won’t go into one room!! Is that what you are telling me? Don’t you think I’ve paid?” Three cried ripping his hood down. “Now you must!”
Eli watched as Three stalked away toward the green room. “Brother Cooper?” he called softly. “I think you sin all the time.”
Three stopped in his tracks. He turned and walked calmly back, putting his face close to Eli’s. “Yes. That’s what I have become. And yet I do good all the time.”
Session played July 20, 2026