here's one of the more interesting locations from the game: the prison plane. and the group officially gets its newest member, to most people's dismay. try not to feel too dejected. hehTybalt felt a surge of energy flow through him as he hurtled through the portal; dizziness overcame him until he was mercifully dumped to the floor. But this floor squished under his boot, unlike the stone basement of the Five Flagons. Where was he?
He gathered his bearings and saw himself standing on the brink of the world. Before him, the ground abruptly gave way to an endless void. One more step and he would have been lost forever.
He turned and found that the soft floor was in fact part of an enormous structure he had landed on. Pale, fleshy material formed columns and arches above him, connected to the floor as if one being. To further that belief, a faint thrum sounded throughout the area like a gigantic heartbeat.
Tybalt was not alone on this strange edifice in the middle of nowhere. A small dwarf ran at him with a mad gleam in his eyes. “How did you get here?” the creature asked him in astonishment. “No one but the masters can come and go!” He was half-starved and filthy, dressed only in tatters of clothing. He held a broken collar that looked to be a fit to a raw circle around the dwarf’s neck.
“I chased after some bounty hunters,” Tybalt gasped. “Where am I?”
The dwarf giggled insanely. “Not a good idea jumping through every doorway you see, is it?” he cried. “You’re in the planes’ best prison, you are! The Warden here hasn’t had an escape since anyone can remember. You better hope those bounty hunters were worth it, because you’re stuck here, now!”
The dwarf cringed as a flare erupted behind them and Jaheira and the others dropped from the sky onto the ground. They oriented themselves as Tybalt had done moments before, gaping in wonder at their new environment.
“Tybalt!” Jaheira yelled angrily when she caught sight of him. “I did not expect to become a baby-sitter! Must you always run off?”
“Could have fooled me,” Tybalt muttered to himself.
“What?” she asked dangerously.
“We’re on another plane,” Tybalt explained hastily to everyone. “The hunters have taken Haer’Dalis here. We should try to find him before they find us.”
“Too late!” the dwarf cried as he slipped behind a column. The bounty hunters had returned without the actors.
“It looks like we have some new prisoners,” the lead hunter laughed as the two parties clashed.
“We should have come here more prepared,” Jaheira asserted crabbily after they narrowly defeated the hunters. They had not had time to rest between the sewers exploration, the fight with Mekrath, and the defense of the actors back in the Five Flagons. Now, they were stranded for who knew how long on another plane and they were all tired.
“Strong fighters not need fight the whole prison,” the grungy dwarf said slyly when he determined the danger had passed. “I know a way to free the prisoners. They will fight for you.”
“Who are you?” Valygar demanded.
“A simple prisoner,” the dwarf mewled. “But free now! I slipped out of the control collar and am a slave no more! All prisoners here wear the collars, but if you turn them off they will help you.”
Yoshimo looked amused. “A most handy fellow, here. Tell me, how did you learn this?”
“I keep my ears open,” the dwarf shrugged. “The Master of Thralls carries the control orb for the collars. Destroy it and free everyone! They will fight the Warden, who holds the keys out.”
“Where is the Thrall Master and how do we destroy the orb?” Tybalt asked.
“There’s a pillar of flame,” the dwarf gestured to the right, “where you can destroy the orb. The Master of Thralls is further that way. You’ll know when you see him.”
Jaheira looked suspicious but was convinced by Valygar. “It’s our best plan right now,” he pointed out. “Even if it is a trap, we’re no worse off than if we knew nothing.”
The druid nodded reluctantly. “Very well. We will do as you ask, dwarf, but if you’re lying…” She left the threat hanging.
The dwarf gulped and took a step back. “I’ll watch from over here,” he squeaked and scuttled away.
The group made their way past several groups of slaves to a pillar of flame, just as the dwarf had promised. “He’s been truthful so far,” Yoshimo said. “Though the best lies are hidden in the truth.”
Valygar shot the thief an inquiring look. “I suppose you have a great deal of expertise with lies, Yoshimo?”
The bounty hunter smiled roguishly. “All in a day’s work, lord ranger, nothing more.”
To one side, Aerie was mournfully closing the eyes of one of the fallen slaves. “T-they’re not in control of their actions,” she said with tears in her eyes. “How can we kill them?”
Ajantis kneeled beside her. “My lady, these people were dead when they first put the collars on. Now we merely send them some peace. Better that these few die so the rest may be freed, I think.”
She nodded sadly. “Yes, but that doesn’t make this any easier.” She sighed and stood.
“If it helps,” Ajantis offered, “I will try to subdue any slaves without killing them.”
Aerie smiled brightly. “Thank you, Sir Ajantis.”
The group continued on the single path created from the living prison. After a few short skirmishes, they came across an imposing man armored in dark plate mail. Horns jutted from his helmet, though whether they originated beneath it or not was debatable.
“Who are you?” the tall man boomed. His voice guaranteed that here was no ordinary man as it hinted at infernal fires and demonic parentage. “Why are you not in collars?”
“You are horrible!” Aerie shouted before anyone else had a chance to respond. “How can you torment people like this? Is this a prison or a torture chamber?” She shot out a bolt of energy, striking the man unprepared.
The Master of Thralls bellowed and two air elementals flew before him. “You think to free the slaves?” he laughed. Then he and the elementals advanced.
“We must move back!” Jaheira cried. “Try to isolate them!” They retreated to a narrow section of the ground where only one person could get across at a time. Unfortunately, the air elementals held no such weaknesses as reliance on solid ground, and floated above the void surrounding them. They flanked the group across the bridge and struck from both sides. The Master of Thralls came at them from the small jut of floor available in front of them.
Ajantis and Xan battled the first elemental while Tybalt and Valygar focused on the second. Jaheira and Yoshimo warded off the Thrall Master as Aerie repeatedly cast spell after spell against the creature. Finally, their furious defense defeated the prison keepers and they were able to recuperate for a minute before taking the orb.
Aerie stared at the Thrall Master’s corpse, conflicted emotions playing across her face. “I’m glad he’s dead,” she whispered to Ajantis, who stood nearby. “I know I shouldn’t, but I’m glad.” She clutched her face in her hands. “What’s wrong with me?”
The paladin laid a hand around her shoulder. “He was an evil man, Aerie. There is no shame in despising such a villain. To enslave others is the basest form of evil.”
“You’re right, I guess,” Aerie smiled gratefully. “I just wish there was another way. Does violence have to solve everything?”
“’Tis a harsh world, young Aerie, and sometimes the only messenger can be a sword. The sooner you see this, the better.”
The elf girl narrowed her eyes. “Don’t talk down to me, Ajantis, I’ve seen more winters than you and have had more than my share of suffering. And I can’t believe that bloodshed will solve every problem. Maybe you’re the one who can’t see the truth, yet.” She walked away.
Ajantis stared after her in some confusion. Xan smiled nastily from nearby. “Say something she didn’t like?” he asked.
“It is none of your business, dwarf,” Ajantis replied shortly.
Xan drew himself up as high as possible. “I won’t be a dwarf forever, paladin. When I am cured, you will know to speak better to me.”
“I will never respect a man of such dubious morals,” Ajantis said coolly.
Xan barked a laugh. “Am I a mystery to you, paladin? Neither good nor evil? What are you to do with me? You have no reason to condemn me, but you cannot trust me, either, can you? You would not dare risk your superior moral code to smite something as insignificant as myself.”
Ajantis tried to make himself as imposing as possible and stepped to the dwarven mage. “I will be watching you, wizard, for any sign of evil. And when I detect it, you had best be ready.”
Xan scoffed. “I’ll wait for that moment eagerly. Then we’ll see who’s the better man.”
Aerie wandered over to them. “Is something wrong?” she asked innocently.
“We were just having a friendly chat,” Xan explained. Ajantis merely stared at him.
“Oh, that’s nice,” Aerie said uncertainly, noting the murderous looks exchanged. “Well, we’re ready to break the orb, so we should all be ready to storm the Warden as soon as the freed slaves regain control of their bodies.” She moved away.
“This isn’t over,” Ajantis promised.
“Of course not,” Xan sneered.
They separated and went back to the flaming column with the others. “Remember,” Jaheira reiterated, “as soon as the orb breaks, we’ll want to strike. Yoshimo will lead us to the Warden where he is surrounded by slaves. They should help us defeat him, but only if we get there in time.”
“Yes, yes, you’ve already been through this,” Tybalt danced around impatiently.
Jaheira frowned but placed the orb in the fire. A loud crack filled the air and several shrieks were heard in the distance. “Let’s go!” she commanded.
Yoshimo ran toward the Warden’s station, dodging pulsing sphincters in the floor as he went. The others followed swiftly in time to see groups of collared prisoners shake themselves out of their long torpor and face the world again. At the end of the path lay a large platform where slaves crowded around another heavily armored man. This man, however, was having a much more difficult time in maintaining authority as the former slaves were taking their vengeance. In their starved and beaten state, though, they were no match for a strong warrior such as the Warden. The slaves would soon fall.
The group pushed through the crowd to reach the embattled Warden and give him a real test of his abilities. With all of the chaos from the mob, the Warden had no chance to retaliate and fell quickly.
Yoshimo deftly grabbed a keychain from the body before the surge of prisoners could swarm the body and vent their rage on it. “One exit, coming right up!”
“Please!” Aerie fought to make her voice heard over the crowd. “We will free you all, but you must be patient. Give us a chance to release our friends and they can help us all!”
The crowd gave no sign of hearing this until Xan shot an explosion into the air with a loud boom.
“Th-thank you,” Aerie stammered. “Everyone keep calm and you’ll soon be free.” She gathered the slaves to the side, allowing a path to another hallway of individual cells. “I’ll gather these people until you find the actors.”
Yoshimo led the rest of them down the hall to the last occupied cell. Haer’Dalis and his troupe lounged hopelessly within until they caught sight of their rescuers. “My raven!” Haer’Dalis shouted. “I knew you would not abandon us so easily! You have my heartfelt thanks.”
“And mine,” Raelis smiled. “If you free us from this cell, I will be able to send you back to Athkatla, and we will be able to return to Sigil.”
“We also ask that you return the slaves to their homes,” Ajantis mentioned.
Raelis frowned. “That would doubtless take time; these prisoners come from all corners of the multiverse. The best I can do is take them with me to Sigil. From there, they will have means to find their own worlds.”
Tybalt nodded. “That sounds fair enough.” They opened the door and escorted the troupe back to the Warden’s room, where Aerie had taken all of the surviving slaves. The dirty dwarf appeared to thank them all before vanishing in a cloud of smoke.
“If he could leave at any time…” Tybalt wondered.
“The magic of the prison is such that no one may leave without the Warden’s permission,” Haer’Dalis explained at his side. “With your timely arrival, we are free to go as we please.”
“Attention,” Raelis stated with more success than Aerie had previously had. Everyone immediately quieted and waited for her announcement. “I am ready to take us all from this place. First, Tybalt and his friends shall go back to Athkatla, then the rest of us can return to Sigil. Is everyone ready?”
“Mistress Raelis, I am afraid I cannot go with you.” Haer’Dalis’ confession shocked everyone present.
Raelis looked at him sadly. “I knew our time together would never be forever,” she said, “but I did not expect you to leave so soon.”
“Yes,” the bard announced, “this bard has learned much during my time with you, but I cannot in good conscience leave the Prime with unfinished business. Perhaps one day we will meet again, Raelis.”
Raelis brushed his cheek gently and nodded. “Farewell, Haer’Dalis.” In another moment, she and the prisoners were gone, replaced by the familiar basement of the Five Flagons.
“It is good to have the solid earth under us,” Jaheira said in relief. “I think I will take a long bath and go to sleep for a week.”
Everyone agreed. The group slowly walked up the stairs to a long meal and longer rest. But Haer’Dalis held Tybalt back for a moment. “My raven, might I ask a boon of you?”
“I suppose,” Tybalt answered uncertainly.
“I confess that your world has captured my heart as surely as any spider web’s. I am bound to travel its lengths until it releases me from its cruel bondage. Until then, may I join with you, see through your eyes and adventure as one of your comrades. Your tale promises to be a grand one, and a skilled poet at your side will be an enormous asset.”
“Haer’Dalis,” Tybalt responded nervously, “while I would welcome you with us, our path is not the safest. We will not be able to protect you all the time; I would worry for your safety.”
“If that is your greatest reluctance,” the bard laughed, “then fear not. I am a skilled swordsman; I have bested opponents across the planes with Chaos and Entropy.” He showed the Bhaalspawn his twin blades strapped at the waist. “And I have some small talent with street magic,” he admitted.
Truth to tell, Tybalt wasn’t displeased at the bard’s offer, but he wasn’t sure of the others’ opinions to this addition, specifically Jaheira’s. He thought for a moment, then grinned. Jaheira wasn’t leader of the group, at least, not officially. “Welcome aboard,” he congratulated Haer’Dalis.
