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=====The Ashlem War: Moranon's Gate=====
//Campaign 8 - Kyle// \\
[[c:awmg:summary|Story]] - [[c:awmg:start|Technical]] - [[c:awmg:sessions|Sessions]] - [[c:awmg:calendar]] - [[c:awmg:secret:start|Secrets]]

<WRAP box right 18em>
<diagram>
| | | 010 | | |010=**Ashlem War**
| | | |!| | | |
| | | 020 | | |020=**The Nine Hells**
| |,|-|^|~|7| |
| 030 |~| 040 |030=**Tif's Library**|040=Ritual site
| |`|-|.| | | |
| | | 050 | | |050=**Neerock Bridge**
| |F|~|^|-|.| |
| 060 |-| 070 |060=**Cliff Outlook**|070=**Volcano**
| |`|-|.| | | |
| | | 080 | | |080=**Moranon's Gate**
</diagram>
</WRAP>
**Ashlem War** <sup>Session 0</sup>\\
Character Creation

**The Nine Hells** <sup>Chapter I</sup>\\
After sudden flashes of red lightning Elowy, Maze, Brigs, and Sir Jeffard found themselves on the roof of a tower in the Nine Hells, fighting off demons they descended the tower escaping attacks from above, below they encountered a blind man hanging by hook and chain claiming to be Seer of the Damned, he speaks to group. "Woe to you, far from home. For Asmodeus sends his beasts with wrath. Seek Moranon's Gate for time is short", the group gathers that they are in Malsheem, a city in Nessus, ninth circle of Hell. Ruled by Asmodeus, Prince of Evil. Enquiring about Moranon's Gate the Seer advised that it is their way home, past a river of red, at the end where they may fall.

Continuing down the tower, sneaking and fighting their way out. They emerge into the city of ruin, horns blaring they see gates out of the city begin to close. Using their skills and abilities the group carved a path to one of the city gates, reaching one after a fight they take a moment as Sir Jeffard wishes them luck on their escape but his place remains in the city, helping others brought into the city to escape. Elowy, Maze and Brigs continued on their way, toward a lone and out of place building for the hells.

**Tif's Library** <sup>Chapter II</sup>\\
Escaping the city, the group investigated a structure not native to the Hells. Getting close they found a group of demons trying to break into the building. Maze managing to persuade them to leave, when the area was clear the group entered finding themselves in a library with a dead skeleton at the reception desk, moving deeper in they found imps had broken through a skylight and had begun burning books in a large pile. Dispatching the imps they travelled further in answering an animated skeleton's riddle and meeting the owner of the library.

Vestephany or Tif for short, a very young Topaz Dragon, provided the group with information, a map, and a scroll to further their goal. Tif claiming they wish to stop or slow the invasion but was too busy trying to teleport their library back home to the mortal plane. Maze and Elowy took time to rest and recover as Brigs kept guard and dove through books trying to catch up on history.

**Neerock Bridge** <sup>Chapter III</sup>\\
As the bridge across the river of red comes into view the trio encounter a small group of wardogs, patchwork beings made from fallen soldiers and forced back into service. Reaching the bridge proper they found themselves having to bargain their way onto the bridge, Brigs was able to offer apart of their body but the other two came up short causing a fight to break out with the devil toll keep and other wardog guards who upon death each exploded into a fine mist from loyalty collars. Most of their way across the bridge they see a flash of light at the end, checking behind themselves they see a similar flash where they entered from, reaching the exit they find a group of seven wardogs with orders saying that the bridge and anyone on it is to be broken down for resources, after a brief diplomatic attempt a high ranking wardog teleports away to verify the trio's claims, during the wardog's absence the party fights the remaining wardogs with Brigs falling into a death sleep Maze and Elowy begin carting and making their way to the volcano.

**The Volcano** <sup>Chapter IV</sup>\\
On their journey to the volcano after Brigs' unlife had returned the group spied a wardog patrol, with Maze and Brigs providing distraction Elowy stole a stone chest from the patrol and after a brief chase had lost the patrol and broke into the chest finding magical equipment. Scaling the side of the volcano to reach it's top they found a fire elemental warning them not to disturb the master of the volcano but upon hearing that they sought Moranon's true name the elemental advised the only way is to speak with the master.

Braving themselves they ventured out into the caldera of lava on a land bridge, with their path melting behind them, leaving only an island of rock, the party greet the master as he rises out of the lava and after discussing Moranon he agrees to provide Moranon's true name if the party prove themselves, strong and worthy enough. A sparring match ensues, taking out a pair of elementals but the master accidentally hits Brigs too hard killing him. As an apology the master revived Brigs, told them Moranon's true name, a sequence of sounds made by the volcano as Moranon was brought into being, and the master bestowed titles upon the party.

**Moranon's Gate** <sup>Chapter V</sup>\\
Making their way to Moranon's Gate the group planned to infiltrate, trying to avoid confrontation. Maze and Brigs pretending to be soldiers returning to camp, as Elowy blended into the background. Encountering a patrol and some persuasion they were brought into the camp and before a Commander to explain the state they were in, with some quick talking Maze was assigned to clean up while Brigs was to be re-armed. Under close scrutiny the group had little chance to sneak away to further their goals, eventually their disguises were broken and a chase to the gate begun.

Drawing closer to the gate with each others aid they found themselves at a blockade with a watchtower and multiple ballista, quickly dispatching and taking a ballista with them they reached the gate, facing down Moranon and an Adjudicator who was finalising the ritual to open the gate. The fight begins as Maze speaks Moranon's true name, weakening him as he tries to stop the group from stopping his plans, the trio fighting for time and their lives, waiting for passage home to be opened by the Adjudicator. With Hell's forces charging in to aid Moranon and run through the gate, in a close call the trio slip through the gate, Elowy attempting to close the gate but falters, Brigs takes the scroll and successfully closes it. Stopping the army and saving themselves.

With their return to the Ashlem Rise the trio go their separate ways, returning to their old lives and catching up with events during their absence. Elowy returns home to her wode. Brigs sets out into the world seeking answers on his death and return. And Maze reclaims her life, free once again from the trappings of the Nine Hells.