Heatwave

Adventures
A Brief Tour of the Realms The Cursed Farmer The Mad Wizard Beast Intentions Terror in the Dark Unearthed Evil Escort to Waterdeep Waterdeep Detours Underdeep Cartography The Silken Swamp Supply Run The Mists of Ravenloft Family Entanglements Tower on the Lake Seeds of Deceit Flies on the Wall Backtracking Through Barovia Excavating History Towering Expectations Who Lurks in Lurkwood Orcs Are Wild The Sunless Citadel Meepo's Quest Lost in the Goblin Halls The Twilight Grove Into the Unknown The Prison of Velkynvelve Lost in the Underdark Leemooggoogoon Rises Neutral No More Encroaching Madness The Dark Heart The Alien Underdark The Oozing Hunger The Madness of Zuggtmoy The Cult of Lolth The Demon Lords of the Abyss Vecna Lives! Vecna Loots! Return to the Tomb Heatwave The Dread Domain of Tovag The Castle of a Thousand Vecnas The Sanctum of the Sword Get Back In The Castle Checkmate Vecna Out!
Campaigns
A Grand Tour of the Sword Coast‎ Tomb of Annihilation‎ Waterdeep: Dragon Heist‎ Baldur's Gate: Descent into Avernus‎ Icewind Dale: Rime of the Frostmaiden The Wild Beyond the Witchlight Light of Xaryxis Turn of Fortune's Wheel Vecna: Eve of Ruin
Others
Split The Party Tales of the Champions Time Gates Trials of Mount Tiamat

Heatwave is one of the adventures in the campaign: A Grand Tour of the Sword Coast.

	Collect the Hand of Vecna from Bel, the Archduke of Avernus.
Requirement(s)	Must have completed "Return to the Tomb"
Objective(s)	Complete Area 375
Restriction(s)	No restrictions
Rewards(?)	×750 ×???	Formation

Variants

To Avernus in a Handbasket

	Collect the Hand of Vecna with Delina under assault by poultry-in-motion.
Requirement(s)	Must have completed "Heatwave" Must have Delina available.
Objective(s)	Complete Area 400
Restriction(s)	Delina starts in the formation. She can't be swapped out or removed. You can't use other Champions with the DPS role. In all non-boss areas, whenever a non-poultry fiend is defeated, an Abyssal Chicken spawns. They don't drop gold, nor do they count toward quest progress.
Rewards(?)	×800 ×???	Formation
Patron: Mirt	Complete Area 500	×9.53e05 ×5,750
Patron: Vajra	Complete Area 525	×1.50e06 ×7,050
Patron: Strahd	Complete Area 550	×2.38e06 ×8,650

Hands Off!

	Collect the Hand of Vecna with empty hands while fighting even more empty hands.
Requirement(s)	Must have completed "Return to the Tomb" Must have completed 24 Grand Tour adventures or variants.
Objective(s)	Complete Area 425
Restriction(s)	You may only use Champions with Magic base attacks. Each wave spawns 1-2 severed hands. They don't drop gold nor count for quest progress.
Rewards(?)	×850 ×1250 ×???	Formation
Patron: Mirt	Complete Area 525	×1.50e06 ×9,450
Patron: Vajra	Complete Area 550	×2.38e06 ×1.04e04
Patron: Strahd	Complete Area 575	×3.76e06 ×1.09e04
Patron: Zariel	Complete Area 600	×5.96e06 ×1.20e04
Patron: Elminster	Complete Area 825	×3.68e08 ×2.14e04

Waves

Type	Waves	Bosses	Favored By
aberration	0	1	Imoen, Lae'zel, Zorbu
armor-based	0	3	Binwin, Ezmerelda, Gazrick, Grimm, Hew Maan, Lucius, Selise, Windfall, Wulfgar
beast	19	0	Imoen, Jaheira, Minsc, Zorbu
construct	1	0	Kalix, Wyll
demon	5	0
devil	15	1
fey	4	1	Minsc
fiend	18	4	Brother Uriah, Ezmerelda, Farideh, Havilar, Jaheira, Reya, Turiel, Wyll
goblinoid	1	0
half-orc	0	1
hit-based	0	1	Binwin, Ezmerelda, Grimm, Hew Maan, Windfall
human	8	0	Dynaheir, Ezmerelda, Jaheira, Kalix, Minsc, Zorbu
humanoid	10	1	Dynaheir, Ezmerelda, Jaheira, Kalix, Minsc, Zorbu
melee	50	8
monstrosity	3	1	Ezmerelda, Imoen, Minsc
ooze	1	0	Kalix
plant	2	0
ranged	2	3
undead	4	2	Brother Uriah, Ezmerelda, Jaheira, Minsc, Nerys, Volo, Wyll, Zorbu

Please add all the missing waves definition (with "0 & 0" or no values in case you don’t know them…) based on in-game’s "ENEMY TYPES" data mentionned on adventure’s starting/choice screen, place them between the header & the footer lines (which should remain untouched), and keep the monster-type lines sorted alphabetically. Thanks! (click this link for more info)

Wave	Tags	Monsters	Monster Tags	Image
1	outdoors	Thief	human humanoid melee
2	outdoors	Kenku Rogue, Thief	human humanoid melee
3	outdoors	Thief	human humanoid melee ranged
4	outdoors	Kenku Rogue	humanoid melee
5	outdoors	Kenku Rogue	humanoid melee
Boss	outdoors	Bandit Captain	boss half-orc humanoid melee
6	hellish, outdoors	Abyssal Chicken, Abyssal Fly	beast demon fiend melee
7	hellish, outdoors	Abyssal Chicken, Lesser Imp	demon devil fiend melee
8	hellish, outdoors	Abyssal Fly	beast melee
9	hellish, outdoors	Abyssal Chicken, Lesser Imp	demon devil fiend melee
10	hellish, outdoors	Lesser Imp	devil fiend melee
Boss	hellish, outdoors	Succubus	boss fiend melee
11	hellish, outdoors	Stirge	beast melee
12	hellish, outdoors	Abyssal Fly, Stirge	beast melee
13	hellish, outdoors	Abyssal Fly, Redcap, Stirge	beast fey melee
14	hellish, outdoors	Redcap	fey melee
15	hellish, outdoors	Redcap	fey melee
Boss	hellish, outdoors	Redcap Leader	boss fey melee
16	hellish, outdoors	Minotaur	monstrosity melee
17	hellish, outdoors	Abyssal Fly, Minotaur	beast monstrosity melee
18	hellish, outdoors	Bearded Devil, Minotaur	devil fiend monstrosity melee
19	hellish, outdoors	Abyssal Fly, Bearded Devil	beast devil fiend melee
20	hellish, outdoors	Bearded Devil	devil fiend melee
Boss	hellish, outdoors	Cambion	armor-based boss fiend ranged
21	hellish, outdoors	Dretch, Spined Devil	demon devil fiend melee
22	hellish, outdoors	Dretch	demon fiend mele
23	hellish, outdoors	Spined Devil	devil fiend melee
24	hellish, outdoors	Hellwasp, Spined Devil	devil fiend melee
25	hellish, outdoors	Hellwasp	fiend melee
Boss	hellish, outdoors	Hellwasp Queen	boss fiend hit-based melee
26	hellish, underground	Velociraptor	beast melee
27	hellish, underground	Triceratops	beast melee
28	hellish, underground	Goblin Zombie, Stegosaurus	beast goblinoid undead melee
29	hellish, underground	Vecna Zombie, Zombie Villager	undead melee
30	hellish, underground	Vecna Zombie	undead melee
Boss	hellish, underground	Undead Beholder	armor-based boss undead ranged
31	hellish	Black Abishai	devil fiend melee
32	hellish	Asmodeus Cultist, Black Abishai	devil fiend human humanoid melee
33	hellish	Asmodeus Cultist	human humanoid melee
34	hellish	Asmodeus Cultist, Black Abishai, White Abishai	devil fiend human humanoid melee
35	hellish	Asmodeus Cultist, Black Abishai, White Abishai	devil fiend human humanoid melee
Boss	hellish	Angry Flumph	aberration boss melee
36	outdoors	Couatl, Rabbit	beast melee
37	outdoors	Couatl, Rabbit	beast melee
38	outdoors	Hare, Rabbit	beast melee
39	outdoors	Feywild Porcupine, Giant Riding Dragonfly	beast fey melee
40	outdoors	Fluffy Shambling Mound Pangolin	beast plant melee
Boss	outdoors	Saja N'baza	boss monstrosity melee ranged
41	outdoors	Rabbit, Unicorn	beast melee
42	outdoors	Couatl, Hare	beast melee
43	outdoors	Couatl, Unicorn	melee
44	outdoors	Couatl, Unicorn	melee
45	outdoors	Hellwasp, White Abishai	devil fiend melee
Boss	outdoors	Zariel	armor-based boss devil fiend melee
46	outdoors	Parrot, Rabbit	beast melee
47	outdoors	Dancing Phoenix Toucan, Disheveled Gelatinous Cube Squirrel, Fluffy Shambling Mound Pangolin, Koala Gem Stalker, Pink Elephant	beast construct ooze plant melee
48	outdoors	Fist of Bane	human humanoid melee
49	outdoors	Lemure, Space Clown	devil fiend melee
50	outdoors	Zombie Villager	undead melee
Boss	outdoors	Revenant	boss undead melee

Transcript

Heatwave
Collect the Hand of Vecna from Bel, the Archduke of Avernus.
Area	Goal		Quests & Cinematics
Janussi:	Champions! Thank goodness you're back safe. Did you find the Eye of Vecna?
Xerophon:	Here. Be careful with it though. If Vecna gets hold of it, stopping him will become even harder.
Mordenkainen:	Good gods! The magic radiating off that! Get it stored safely, Master Janussi. We'll have to add destroying the Eye of Vecna safely to our research list.
Reya:	Have you figured out how to stop Vecna from completing his ritual to become a god and seal away all the other powers from reaching this plane?
Laeral Silverhand:	No, but we think we've worked out some of how he plans to do it, based on the artifacts he stole. If we're right, that might enable us to find a way to unravel it sooner. But we've been having trouble with thieves taking advantage of the damage to pick through the rubble.
Xerophon:	We need to follow the Book of Tarchamus's clues to the Hand of Vecna, so we can't stay long. But we can help with the thieves while Elminster sorts out a portal!
1	Defeat 25 Enemies		You've recovered the Eye of Vecna and returned it to Candlekeep for safekeeping -- but these thieves threaten the fortress's sanctity! Fight them off!
2	Defeat 25 Enemies		The damage to Candlekeep makes it easier for thieves to sneak in! Help defend the library while you plan!
Book of Tarchamus:	Perhaps you should content yourselves with the Eye of Vecna alone. I don't know if you're prepared for the depths you'll need to travel to recover the Hand of Vecna.
Hitch:	Do we need to listen to another long story to find out?
Book of Tarchamus:	No, I think this answer is funny enough that I won't make you wait.
Blackstaff:	I see you're getting along exactly as well with the Champions as everyone else.
Book of Tarchamus:	Well met, Vajra. You look...tired.
Blackstaff:	One of the perks of having a face still.
3	Collect 25 Daggers		Take those thieves' daggers and protect yourselves!
Book of Tarchamus:	The Hand of Vecna is lost in a much more dangerous place than the Tomb of the Nine Gods. It was given as an offering by a group of cultists who were ignorant of its true nature, long ago, and must still rest in the coffers of that terrible entity.
Reya:	This is the sort of battle I've dedicated myself to. What terrible entity must we face? A vampire? A fiend? An otherworldly being?
Book of Tarchamus:	Oh you'll enjoy this, Reya. The Hand of Vecna is in Avernus. It is currently the property of Lord Bel.
4	Defeat 25 Enemies		The kenku rogues use their powers of mimicry to sneak by -- and their weapons to stab you!
Xerophon:	We've survived Avernus before, I believe we can survive it again. We'll get the Hand of Vecna back from Bel and return with it as soon as we can. Elminster, are you familiar enough with the Nine Hells to get us a portal to the first layer?
Elminster:	Familiar? I wrote a whole book about it! I'll craft the portal. You just keep those thieves busy while I do.
5	Defeat the Bandit Captain		You're off to Avernus and all its hellish dangers -- but this bandit captain has other plans! Defend the circle!
Elminster:	There ye are! May the gods look on and favor ye! As much as they can in such a place as Avernus.
Book of Tarchamus:	Yes, this is going to be VERY interesting.
Hitch:	Wait...is this Fort Knucklebone? I definitely don't remember so much...merchandise.
Bearded Devil:	Get your Champions dolls! Your Champions chapbooks! Your Champions commemorative tankards! Best shop in Fort Knucklebone! Right here! Fair deals and free imp balloon with every purchase!
Ulkoria:	Certainly looks like we left an impression last time.
Xerophon:	We should find out if our war machine is still running. That will make reaching Bel much easier. I just hope so much hasn't changed that we don't know how to find someone we can trust.
Reya:	Well one thing hasn't changed! We're under attack!
6	Defeat 25 Enemies		Fort Knucklebone looks very different from how you remember it. Except for the Abyssal pests! Those are familiar!
Succubus:	Oooh! Champions dolls! I need to collect them all! Do you have a Freely in his Gladiator skin?
Bearded Devil:	Of course! Very popular! For you, two soul coins.
Succubus:	..For me? Why do you say it like that?
Bearded Devil:	Surcharge for cross-planar tourists -- and don't tell me you're one of ours, I can smell the Abyss on you. Call it an Abyssal tax.
Succubus:	Excuse me? I'm a paying customer. Yet your imps are snapping at me?
Bearded Devil:	You show up with a flock of Abyssal chickens that are biting all my customers, you get the tax!
7	Defeat 25 Enemies		The minor forces of the Abyss and the Hells clash in the fields of Avernus...over souvenirs?
8	Collect 25 Abyssal Fly Wings		Abyssal flies buzz toward you. Pluck their wings and ground them!
Succubus:	Give me the Gladiator Freely figurine or I'm going to burn down your stall!
Bearded Devil:	You and what army, demon?
Blooshi:	Um, can we get directions to where Mad Maggie might --
Succubus:	ME AND THIS ARMY, DEVIL!
9	Defeat 25 Enemies		There's a fierce fight for these Champions figurines -- are you getting royalties off them?
Succubus:	Hahahah! That's what you get, devil!
Hitch:	So...you might not be looking for critique here, but I'm thinking burning down the stall that sold the figurine you wanted, plus all the stock in it...might be counterproductive?
Succubus:	Who said I was trying to be productive? It's much more fun being destructive. You want to see?
10	Defeat the Succubus		The succubus is furious her collection's been derailed! Defend yourselves!
Hitch:	I feel sort of conflicted. She was clearly a fan of ours.
Blooshi:	Of Freely's maybe. She didn't even recognize us! But I bet a lot of the imps are gonna remember after that!
Xerophon:	[sigh] Come on. Let's see if Mad Maggie is still here.
Xerophon:	Excuse me, saer. Do you know if Mad Maggie is still in Fort Knucklebone?
Cambion:	Mad Maggie? Of course. She's practically the backbone of this place, even now that it's reinvented itself.
Hitch:	Yeah, what's up with that? Aren't you on the front of the Blood War? But here you're selling souvenirs to demons?
Cambion:	Selling impulsive demons poor quality souvenirs at a markup isn't harming them? That's news to me. The War waxes and wanes and sometimes the Nine Hells have to get creative finding the most fruitful front for our battle. Do you want to buy a Champions banner for your bedroom or office? We have three kinds.
Hitch:	No thanks. Just directions to Mad Maggie.
Cambion:	Sure, just head down this road. Through the cloud of bloodthirsty stirges. Then left at the tavern.
11	Defeat 25 Enemies		Your old companions are still here! They can help you find your war machine! If only you can get past these stirges!
12	Defeat 25 Enemies		The airborne pests of Fort Knucklebone are irritating and deadly! Swat them down!
Bearded Devil:	Line up! Line up! Genuine Arkhan scales! Real scales from the one and only Arkhan, Champion and paladin of Tiamat! Guaranteed authentic [cough] facsimiles.
Reya:	Those are NOT Arkhan's scales!
Blooshi:	I don't think those are even scales. That one looks like the sole of a shoe.
Bearded Devil:	Are you questioning my integrity? I've sold hundreds of Arkhan scales and have never dealt with such calumny! Get away from my shop!
13	Collect 25 Arkhan Scales		Excuse me! Those are not authentic scales at all! Get those knockoffs off the market!
Chukka:	Welcome, welcome to Fort Knucklebone!
Reya:	Chukka!
Clonk:	Look out, here comes trouble!
Reya:	And Clonk! Can you take us to Mad Maggie? We need our war machine again.
Clonk:	It's the Champions. Look out, here comes trouble! Redcaps redcaps!
14	Defeat 25 Enemies		Well the redcaps are still here -- and they still don't like the look of you! Get ready to fight!
15	Defeat the Redcap Leader		You have a mission to complete, but this redcap leader thinks you're up to no good! Prepare to do battle!
Xerophon:	We need to get our war machine back up and running. We have to get an artifact from Bel himself, and we don't have the time to battle across Avernus.
Clonk:	The fight comes to you! Let's get ready to rummmmble!
Chukka:	Mad Maggie has all the goods a traveler could need. Step right up! Step right up!
Ulkoria:	Look, there's Mad Maggie!
Minotaur:	The minotaur merchants have had enough! You need to let us out of our contract.
Mad Maggie:	I told you, Vignus, market fights are just part of the scenery here. I can't control everybody that comes into this place -- and I'm not throwing people out unless they cause more trouble than I can handle.
Minotaur:	If that's the case, then you leave us no choice but to be more than you can handle!
16	Defeat 25 Enemies		Minotaurs ply their trade in the market of Fort Knucklebone, but they don't like the trouble you bring!
Mad Maggie:	And I'm still charging you rent for the market stalls! Hmph! Well, Champions! Where did you come from? I hope you're not here to discuss, ah, contract terms. It's far too warm for that.
Xerophon:	Nothing like that.
Hitch:	Although let's not close the door on discussing how you're selling souvenirs with our faces on them and giving us none of the money.
Xerophon:	We're here on a mission. We need to stop an evil lich from taking over the plane, and in order to do that we need to convince Lord Bel to give us an artifact. And in order to do that, we need our war machine.
Mad Maggie:	It just so happens I still have the old beauty. Pretty much ready to roll! Maybe... I give it to you in exchange for dropping this whole 'you're using our likenesses without paying' thing.
Hitch:	This seems predatory, even for a night hag.
Book of Tarchamus:	Blooshi, you should give me to that night hag.
Blooshi:	Mad Maggie? I don't think she'd want you.
Book of Tarchamus:	Just leave me here while you go to Lord Bel's palace. I'm sure you'll be back in no time.
Blooshi:	Wait, you think we're going to die here! That's so rude. We're perfectly capable of having a polite conversation with an archdevil.
Book of Tarchamus:	Lord Bel is not known for his polite manners.
Blooshi:	Okay then we'll have a rude conversation with him. In which case you will come in very handy. Hey! You minotaurs get off our war machine!
17	Defeat 25 Enemies		There's your war machine! You just have to get past these fearsome foes!
Mad Maggie:	There you are. Almost as good as new and ready to roll. Let me and the boys make a couple of adjustments as we take it out of the fort, and you'll be ready to go.
Bearded Devil:	Heyyy, nice Hellrider badge! I got one too.
Minotaur:	Sweet. They're as good as the real thing.
Reya:	What treachery is this? Those aren't Hellriders. To be a Hellrider is a noble calling that one devotes their whole lives to. It is sacrifice and dedication and HONOR.
Mad Maggie:	Ah, leave 'em alone. Those idiots aren't going up to flash them at anyone.
Bearded Devil:	I hear you can get free drinks at the Tortured Mimic if you flash one of these.
Reya:	YOU DID NOT EARN THOSE FREE DRINKS, FIEND! FACE ME!
18	Collect 25 Hellrider Badges		These fiends are carrying false Hellrider badges! This cannot stand! Take them back!
19	Defeat 25 Enemies		Your war machine is mostly ready to go -- but you're being hammered by these fiendish hordes!
20	Defeat the Cambion		The spawn of fiends and mortals, a cambion has surprising power for being the castoff of both bloodlines! Don't let this one get the upper hand!
Mad Maggie:	That should do it. You're ready to roll.
Xerophon:	Thank you for your help. Can you point us to Bel's palace?
Mad Maggie:	Sure enough -- you want to go across the plane toward that mountain. Northwest of the hellwasp nests, you'll find the Bleeding Citadel. That's what you're after.
Chukka:	Have fun storming the castle!
Clonk:	Champions figurines half-off! Half-off!
Mad Maggie:	Oh right! If they die, we can sell some dolls with decapitation action. Good thinking!
Ulkoria:	Well this part looks EXACTLY the same as before.
Reya:	Some things never change and one of those things is the Blood War.
Book of Tarchamus:	The endless armies of the Abyss clashing against the immovable forces of the Nine Hells. An entire layer sacrificed to a battle which can never end. It is something to see.
Blooshi:	Ugh it's fart-pig demons versus porcupine devils. Worst.
Book of Tarchamus:	I beg your pardon?
Xerophon:	Dretches and spined devils incoming. Everyone get your weapons up!
21	Defeat 25 Enemies		Dretches from the Abyss and spined devils of the Hells -- you're caught in the everyday crossfire of the Blood War!
22	Defeat 25 Enemies		A dretch is among the weakest of demons -- but when anything swarms, it gets a lot stronger!
Blooshi:	Uh-oh, looks like another war machine got taken down over there. There's a bunch of devils scavenging the wreck.
Xerophon:	They're looking for soul coins.
Ulkoria:	They're looking for TROUBLE. They're coming this way!
23	Collect 25 Soul Coins		What are those devils scavenging for? Soul coins! Collect them up!
Reya:	Everyone stay alert. We've reached the hellwasp nests.
Hitch:	You do not want to get these swarming.
Xerophon:	We're all in agreement there.
Blooshi:	HEY HELLWASPS! ARE YOU LOOKING FOR A NEW QUEEN? BECAUSE I AM TAKING APPLICATIONS FOR MINIONS AND ALSO SNIVELING TOADIES.
Reya:	Curses, Blooshi!
24	Defeat 25 Enemies		Your passage has attracted the attention of more devilish foes! Stand firm!
Reya:	You need to make a choice, Blooshi! Either you're an evil overlord in training or you're a Champion. You can't do both.
Blooshi:	Um excuse me, I contain multitudes.
Ulkoria:	While I agree this is a conversation that's going to have to happen sooner or later, I'm going to vote heavily for later since the hellwasps' queen looks pretty angry Blooshi tried to usurp her!
25	Defeat the Hellwasp Queen		The hellwasps' queen descends, bladed appendages slicing through the air!
Xerophon:	Blooshi, Reya is right. We're in the middle of a mission and we need to know you're with us. You can't go off to recruit minions or make deals.
Book of Tarchamus:	I find it very interesting that you as an adventuring group allow an evil member like the bullywug girl. And by interesting I mean hilariously inept.
Reya:	Shut it, Book. Blooshi does contain multitudes. Which means she can still choose good. Even Zariel was once consumed by her most wicked thoughts. Even as a lord of Hell Zariel could be redeemed. Besides, she's a very competent fighter and a good comrade.
Blooshi:	Wow. Reya...I...That's the nicest thing you've ever said about me.
Reya:	I mean it. I also mean this: STOP TRYING TO RECRUIT DEVILS IN THE MIDDLE OF AVERNUS, WE'RE TRYING TO THWART VECNA.
Xerophon:	All right -- we've made it to the Bloody Citadel.
Hitch:	I see why they named it that. This is disgusting.
Xerophon:	I wonder how hard it's going to be to find Bel.
Blooshi:	Are you SURE this is the right place?
Hitch:	How many palaces are there in the middle of Avernus? How many citadels have literal bleeding walls?
Blooshi:	How many archdevils' palaces are full of velociraptors?
26	Defeat 25 Enemies		You've reached Bel's palace, but the archlord remembers how best to torment you! Stay sharp!
Book of Tarchamus:	How unexpected. It's almost as if someone is taunting you.
Ulkoria:	That would be entirely Bel's style. Big brute forgets he owes us in a way -- if we hadn't redeemed Zariel he'd still be sulking in the middle of the battlefield.
Xerophon:	Bel IS the sort to want to keep us on our toes. Be prepared for anything.
27	Defeat 25 Enemies		Dinosaurs don't belong in the Hells, but these are happy to escape through you!
Blooshi:	Is EVERYONE doing dinosaurs now? Vecna, Acererak, now Bel. I hate feeling behind on trends!
Hitch:	Hey, you know what? Those dinosaur scales look an awful lot like dragonborn scales.
Blooshi:	I guess?
Hitch:	And there's a bunch of demons and devils eager to collect Arkhan scales. Eager enough not to ask questions. And pay money.
Blooshi:	Ooh, good thinking! Let's get some!
28	Collect 25 Dino Scales		These dinosaur scales have a multitude of purposes -- scamming fiends is only one!
Xerophon:	Zombies! Has Vecna caught up to us?
Reya:	Or is Bel just tormenting us?
Ulkoria:	Doesn't matter -- either way we have to fight zombies. So less talk more chop!
29	Defeat 25 Enemies		Zombie hordes are a change of pace from dinosaurs -- but they're even more deadly!
30	Defeat the Undead Beholder		An undead beholder floats in your path, blocking your way with its rotting bulk! Dodge those eye rays!
Bel:	CHAMPIONS. YOU HAVE RETURNED TO AVERNUS. HOW FOOLISH.
Xerophon:	Lord Bel, we have a favor to ask you.
Bel:	HOW AMUSING. WHAT MAKES YOU THINK I AM IN THE BUSINESS OF GRANTING FAVORS? ABISHAI! CORRECT THEIR FOOLISHNESS!
31	Defeat 25 Enemies		The abishai's allegiance is divided between Tiamat and the Nine Hells -- but fortunately all their masters would see you defeated!
Ulkoria:	I seem to recall that your kind likes to make deals. And I seem to recall that you owe us.
Bel:	HOW DO YOU COME TO THAT CONCLUSION?
Reya:	Without us, Zariel would not have been redeemed. She would still sit on the throne of Avernus -- your throne.
Ulkoria:	I'll bet you don't want that information getting out too widely. Maybe it's fine that the rabble of Fort Knucklebone knows, but do you want your fellow archdevils made too aware that you had nothing much to do with dethroning Zariel?
Bel:	HMMM. COMPELLING. WHAT IS IT YOU WISH OF ME?
Xerophon:	...So you see, if Vecna gets possession of his hand, he will be one step closer to completing his ritual.
Ulkoria:	And I can't imagine you want that either. No access to Toril. That's going to hurt the Nine Hells right in the soul-gathering.
Bel:	I SEE. BUT THERE ARE TWO MAJOR ISSUES WITH YOUR PLAN.
Xerophon:	We'd be happy to consider them.
Bel:	FIRST...WE FIGHT!
Ulkoria:	Watching Gods, I hate Avernus.
32	Defeat 25 Enemies		It's hard to negotiate while under attack, but there's no other way to work in Avernus! Do your best!
33	Collect 25 Symbols of Asmodeus		Asmodeus, king of the Hells, has a reach that extends throughout the layers. Collect the symbols of his worshippers!
Hitch:	This is a lot of Asmodeus cultists for Avernus, isn't it? I thought he was in charge of the Ninth Layer, not the First.
Bel:	ASMODEUS IS LORD OF ALL THE NINE HELLS. EVERY ARCHDEVIL IS HIS LOYAL VASSAL...BUT THIS IS ALSO AN ISSUE WITH YOUR PLAN. IF THE LICH IS SEALING OFF THE PLANE, THAT IS A MATTER FOR THE KING OF THE HELLS. THIS VECNA MAY SOON FIND HIMSELF THE TARGET OF MY ARMIES.
Ulkoria:	Which is bad news for the Prime Material Plane.
Bel:	IF YOU WISH ME TO TRUST YOU WITH THE HAND OF VECNA AND THIS MISSION, RATHER THAN KILLING YOU NOW AND TAKING IT STRAIGHT TO ASMODEUS, YOU MUST CONVINCE ME YOU ARE UP TO THE TASK. FIGHT CHAMPIONS!
Ulkoria:	[sigh] Again?
34	Defeat 25 Enemies		Bel's willing to give you the hand of Vecna -- but the catch is Asmodeus! Prove you can handle this mission!
Bel:	THIS IS SATISFACTORY. YOU MAY HAVE THE HAND OF VECNA, MUCH GOOD MAY IT DO YOU, AND HOPEFULLY YOU WILL FIGURE OUT HOW TO ATTUNE TO IT AND TURN VECNA'S EVIL AGAINST HIM BEFORE MY ARMIES MUST MARCH ACROSS YOUR PLANE.
Xerophon:	...uhhh, thank you. But that's not our plan. We're going to destroy the Hand and the Eye so Vecna can't use them.
Bel:	...I WANT TO SAVOR THIS MOMENT.
Xerophon:	What moment?
Bel:	WITH THE ARCHDUKES AND ARCHDUCHESSES AS THEY ARE, I AM SELDOM AFFORDED THE OPPORTUNITY TO BE THE SMARTEST ENTITY IN THE ROOM. JUST LET ME HAVE THIS. AHHHH....YOU ABSOLUTE DUMMIES, DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEA HOW THE HAND AND EYE OF VECNA FUNCTION???
Xerophon:	Book, what is he talking about?
Book of Tarchamus:	I must confess...I don't know.
Bel:	YOU CANNOT DESTROY THE EYE AND HAND OF VECNA BY SIMPLE MEANS. ANY ATTEMPT WILL SIMPLY CAUSE THEM TO RECONSTITUTE IN ONE OF THE LICH'S MANY HIDING PLACES.
Xerophon:	How do you know this?
Bel:	HOW DO YOU NOT KNOW THIS? YOU MUST RECLAIM THE SWORD OF KAS, THE WEAPON WHICH KILLED VECNA THE FIRST TIME. THEN A WILLING CREATURE MUST REPLACE THEIR OWN EYE AND HAND WITH THE ARTIFACTS. THEN YOU MUST SLAY THE CREATURE WITH THE FABLED SWORD. THIS IS THE ONLY WAY.
Bel:	I CAN'T BELIEVE YOU DON'T KNOW THIS. I FEEL LIKE I LEARNED THIS IN IMP BOOTCAMP. WHAT KIND OF HEROES ARE YOU? WHAT...WHAT IS THAT FLUMPH DOING HERE?
35	Defeat the Angry Flumph		A flumph? In the Hells? What's going on? No time to ask! You're under attack!
Bel:	WHICH OF YOU FOOLS BROUGHT A FLUMPH INTO MY REALM. THIS IS MOST INAPPROPRIATE.
Blooshi:	It wasn't me.
Reya:	Nor I.
Zariel:	A gift, for my friends. Please come join me and be done with this foul miscreant.
Bel:	ZARIEL! DON'T YOU DARE OPEN A PORTAL IN MY PALACE -- THIS IS MY PALACE, YOU HEAR! CLOSE IT CLOSE IT RIGHT NOW!
Reya:	Quick, everyone! Into the portal!
Blooshi:	Whoa. Where are we?
Reya:	Mount Celestia. A plane of order and goodness. Home to Zariel, the angel of hope. She must have brought us here to aid us on our quest.
Blooshi:	Ooh, look! Flying rainbow snakes!
Reya:	Those are couatls! They are guardians of goodness and honor. They must be here to guide us to Zariel.
Couatl:	Defilers! Foul defilers! The taint of evil must be cleansed!
Reya:	The what?
Couatl:	YOU DEFILE MOUNT CELESTIA WITH THIS OBJECT YOU WIELD! YOU MUST BE DRIVEN FROM ITS SLOPES!
36	Defeat 25 Enemies		Mount Celestia is a realm of law and goodness. You are...mixed results. Defend yourselves!
Reya:	You misunderstand! We're only carrying the Hand of Vecna because we're trying to discover how to destroy it!
Couatl:	These are the lies a defiler would speak! We are not deceived. You would not say to us, 'Oh yes, I have brought forth this embodiment of evil to defile and desecrate Mount Celestia' now would you? We are Lawful Good, not Lawful Stupid!
Reya:	Just convey us to Lady Zariel. She knows everything.
Couatl:	YOU SHALL NOT TURN THIS EVIL AGAINST THE LADY ZARIEL! TURN BACK OR PERISH!
37	Defeat 25 Enemies		The denizens of Mount Celestia want no part of Vecna in their midst! They don't even want to hear the plan!
Blooshi:	Is shouting a lawful good thing? Reya does it, the couatls do it.
Hitch:	Yeah, but so did Bel.
Blooshi:	Ooh, so just a lawful thing. Got it.
Reya:	We are here by invitation of Zariel! We mean no harm, and I myself am the avatar of Zariel.
Ulkoria:	Maybe they need offerings. These sorts get very proud about their standing.
Blooshi:	Want me to sacrifice a rabbit?
Ulkoria:	NO. This lot is more the fresh-picked flowers type.
38	Collect 25 Flower Bundles		A gentle offering of flowers might reassure these lawful good creatures! Let's give it a try!
39	Defeat 25 Enemies		As sweet and lovely as these creatures seem they have one purpose: to reject all that is chaotic and not-good. Which means you! Fight back!
Saja N'baza:	What is this disturbance?
Reya:	Oh great Saja N'Baza! Thank goodness you're here. Can you --
Saja N'baza:	EVIL! GREAT EVIL! I have seen this in my visions, the coming destruction. You cannot destroy Mount Celestia, villains!
40	Defeat the Guardian Naga		Saja N'Baza, the guardian naga, remembers your great service, but cannot let her dedication to her task slack. Stand firm!
Saja N'baza:	One moment -- Reya? Reya Mantlemorn, is that you?
Reya:	YES!
Saja N'baza:	My goodness! I didn't recognize you. What are you doing here, carrying the tool of the multiverse's destruction? That doesn't seem like you at all.
Reya:	We are on a quest to destroy it. Zariel brought us here, I assume to give us more information. As I told the couatls!
Saja N'baza:	Oh. That does make a great deal more sense. Yes. All right, you can head on up to Zariel's palace.
Reya:	I can feel Zariel. We're getting close.
Hitch:	Uh, is that why all those unicorns look like they're getting ready to charge us? Do we need to sign in with them or something?
Xerophon:	I can't attack a unicorn! Reya, can't you tell Zariel to clear the path?
Reya:	I think...I think this is a test. A test of our resolve. Continue on, Champions, Zariel awaits.
41	Defeat 25 Enemies		It...feels wrong to attack unicorns...but they don't seem to care how you feel about it! Prove your dedication to the cause!
42	Defeat 25 Enemies		Couatls are brilliant rainbow serpents of light -- and they bite just as hard as a hare does! Look out!
43	Collect 25 Wild Flowers		More flowers might soothe these agitated spirits of goodness! Collect some offerings!
44	Defeat 25 Enemies		Unicorns and couatls may be among the purest of creatures -- but that doesn't mean they aren't fierce fighters!
Zariel:	Champions, you have come.
Reya:	Zariel! Thank you so much for bringing us here.
Hitch:	Uh, yeah, could we have come by without all the rabbit attacks and angry unicorns though?
Zariel:	It was a test. Of your resolve.
Reya:	I knew it! I knew it, Zariel. I told them it was a test of our resolve. That was such a good idea.
Blooshi:	Oh my giant frog. And you said I was bad with Vecna.
Reya:	We have the Hand and the Eye of Vecna, but Lord Bel told us we need a special artifact to destroy it and we don't know where to look.
Book of Tarchamus:	Ahem. If you'd ASKED, I would have been able to tell you that legend holds that Kas is the name of a darklord in the Domains of Dread. He is a vampire who rules a realm called Tovag, a land that exists endlessly in preparation for war.
Zariel:	Correct. Tovag is built of Kas's burning hatred of none other than Vecna. He is always preparing to go to war with the lich, trapped in his own obsession and never aware that he holds the key to Vecna's destruction already: the Sword of Kas.
Reya:	Wonderful. Can you send us there?
Zariel:	I can send you to Tovag. But you have to understand what you are up against, Champions. The fate of the multiverse is at your hands so I must test you here and now. Face me. Face me at my worst, and as your path becomes darker and darker, remember not to give up in the face of darkness, or it will swallow you whole.
45	Defeat the Zariel		What you are suggesting is a most dangerous path, and Zariel cannot send you down it unknowing. Prove you have the stomach to face the darkness! Face the dark aspect of Zariel!
Zariel:	You have succeeded. Against my first test.
Hitch:	First test? Did we clarify we're on a short timeline?
Zariel:	You Champions think that you're ready, yet the challenges you face have skewed to the more laughable of opponents. Such as these.
46	Defeat 25 Enemies		What you must face will test all of your skills: begin with the unexpected and fight these rabbits and parrots!
Reya:	There is nothing laughable in being threatened by something others call weak. A rat may be lowly, but it can carry pestilence that would fell even the strongest.
Blooshi:	Yeah! And a parrot will bite your nose off! What else have you got?
Zariel:	You have been tormented by foes which float through you as if in a dream. The small, the soft, the ridiculous! Do you think that facing off against these has helped you prepare for what's ahead?
47	Defeat 25 Enemies		You may think monsters can only be fearsome -- that's when you let your guard down! Face the strangest, most innocent-seeming opponents!
Reya:	These foes were born from internal conflicts that we had to overcome. They may not be bloodthirsty, and most are downright adorable, but they were necessary to overcome our inner demons!
Blooshi:	I don't know, I don't think Jarlaxle is over the pink elephants...
Zariel:	Those that follow evil deities have darkness in their hearts. Each time you face them, their darkness threatens to seep into you.
48	Collect 25 Symbols of Bane		The wicked stain of evil gods can seep from their followers to you! Guard yourselves against the selfish, violent nature of Bane's dedicants!
Reya:	We have battled demon lords and elder evils, bandits and cultists, and wicked monsters. We have stood firm and not wavered. Our hearts may not be pure, but they are not flimsy, wilting in whatever washes over them.
Blooshi:	Also I'm less of a follower, more of a leader?
Reya:	Stop. Helping.
Zariel:	You have no idea what awaits you in the Domains of Dread. The Dark Powers form these foul regions from the selfish desires of the most evil souls. They are nightmarish -- for what could torment and delight a Dark Lord but nightmares? You will have to face the very worst of the worst.
49	Defeat 25 Enemies		In the Domains of Dread, you must face forces out of your worst nightmares! Don't flinch against this next wave!
Reya:	We have faced all these things and more! We will face them all again! We won't back down in the face of Vecna's threat -- whatever you throw at us, we are READY.
Zariel:	ENOUGH.
Blooshi:	See, that's that 'lawful shouting.'
Zariel:	Champions, you have passed my tests, as you did in Avernus. You saved me and I wanted to try to save you from what is to come. Know that I will be watching, and praying for your success, but I fear for you as I fear for all of creation. Be righteous and mighty and do not back down in the face of darkness.
Reya:	I will destroy these cursed objects, even if I have to sacrifice my life to do so. You have my word.
Zariel:	That may be the only way this ends... Be strong, and think fast, because your opponent is already moving to solidify his power. Tovag is not a land for the faint of heart, but you have shown me you are not that. I pray this is not the last time I see you all. Clasp hands and I shall send you to your goal.
Xerophon:	This is Tovag. What a gloomy place.
Reya:	Keep your wits about you. We'll certainly face its dangers before long.
Ulkoria:	There's a building that way. Maybe we ought to ask where to find this Kas.
Book of Tarchamus:	That would be risky. This realm is constantly preparing for a war that never happens. If you talk to the wrong people --
Revenant:	You there! Travelers! Or should I say deserters? What battalion are you with?
Blooshi:	Um, none of them? Who are you?
Revenant:	Your superior officer now. You're coming with me. All in Tovag serve the grand army of Kas. Whether they like it or not.
50	Defeat the Revenant		You've arrived in a strange and unholy place -- the dread realm of Tovag. This shouting revenant seeks to claim you! Show it why Zariel has put her trust in you!
Book of Tarchamus:	Just so we're all clear...I told you so.
Xerophon:	If that's going to keep happening, we're going to need to be careful about how we move through Tovag. We can't afford to waste time getting drafted into this army or that.
Ulkoria:	I have a few ideas. But let's get moving. We need to find that sword so we can destroy the Hand and the Eye before it's too late.
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