A Bard's Tale of a White Bat, the Scarred Bear, and a Rabid Red Fox

8.

Avernus- the hells themselves. However, the House of Hope was entirely different than most parts of Hell. Sinister in a different way. Course, it would be a bit disappointing if it was anything less from a devil like Raphael. Their leader was still feeling complicated feelings. Or at least as much a Bhaalspawn could. Auntie Ethel didn't stand a chance against her anger. Her migraines and pain have been worse. The voices kept clawing at her head for a significant kill. And what better way than to take some aggression out and be a petty bitch towards Raphael.Especially upon reading a little tidbit about how she was familiar with Raphael's incubus. Traded her body for information for the Crown years ago. Gwynnistri was practically begging the Emperor to wipe the mental image her mind drew up at the idea of a threesome with Gortash. As apparently she did that as part of the agreement. Could practically picture the dark, crusty man just jerking one off to it in the corner if he had not personally participated.

"For one moment, can we go somewhere that's not utterly hot? Just once. I can't tell if the Forge or Karlach is hotter than the hells." Astarion chimes. He was still seething he had to wear practically rags around. They all still had their armor and everything else underneath the illusion spell, but still. Hope could have given them a least some decent disguises- since some people want to play hero today. Then again he would rather keep his organs inside.

"Karlach." Halsin and Gwynnistri state with no hesitation and almost at the same time.

"Ah, Boo you are a modest hamster." Minsc tickles Boo's chin.

Karlach flushes as her tail wags a little from her companion's remarks. "Awe, you guys..."

It was helping a little with her discomfort in the Hells. As much as Karlach didn't like being in the hells, she had felt she wanted to come. Mostly to see how two of her friends were faring. As Astarion has been a little more talkative about that Ritual and such. But she also wanted to make sure Gwynni was alright after everything. So what she was a Bhaalspawn, still a good egg in her opinion. They both joked now how she had terrible taste in men in the past. A lot of people have that one relationship or a few they end up regretting. Course, they didn't know much of it just that she was with Enver in the past.

"Mis it balways warmer downs here during mfthe summer, Karlach?" Gwynnistri asks while tying her hair back with an herbal cigarette in her mouth. Trying to not have it drop to the ground. Then took a quick inhale and exhaled it. Coughing a little as she breathed it in a little wrong. "This summer has been hot lately. Perhaps I should cut my hair aft-"

"No." Halsin shook his head calmly.

"Absolutely not." Astarion's tone sounded almost offended at the idea. "Longer hair suits you better, darling." One of his claws takes a strand out of her ponytail. "But I'd be happy to trim it a little if we survive the little heist that you were insistent on."

'How cute a duck and goose are agreeing on something.' She thinks to herself as her brow raises at the pale elf. "You're the one that helped come up with a plan. Insistent on it actually." Her brow raised.

"And? Your point? It was either a devil's death or you threatening to kill someone at camp."

The blood druidess rolls her eyes at the rouge as they head over to Raphael's vault. Seeing all the prized possessions the charismatic devil had. Gauntlets that Helsik wanted as payment. An amulet that extended one's health. Then the grand prize itself, the Orphic Hammer. It was beautiful. Something that one's past life would have enjoyed having in her trophy room perhaps.

Astarion looks at barriers around each artifact. "Shit. The devil isn't a fool." He grumbles out of annoyance it is going to be a bit more difficult. They were technically on a time crunch as it was hard to say how long Raphael wouldn't notice unclaimed souls in his house. Hope is not exactly the saniest person they met.