Secret Santa gift for my friend @offsidekineticist. Happy Holidays! 💕☃️💕
I hope you know I had to enlist the aid of both Ophenia and Woljif to piece this story together. Oh, that reminds me—(Siavash digs in his vest pocket and produces one silver bracelet, twelve gold pieces and a Chelish noble house signet ring)—with Woljif’s apologies. No questions asked about the ring.
I hope I got the main story beats right enough for art.
The half-orc druid I eventually tracked down in the Aspodell mountains told me Qweck was involved, but even my utmost attempts at diplomacy couldn’t prevent Qweck from slamming the door in my face, so I’m not sure where she fits into the story. There was also apparently a dinosaur? Or a golem made of dinosaurs? Anyway, here it is, as promised.
(He takes a sip of mulled Andoren wine and gives you a wink as he begins.)
🎶 The Ballad of Bellflower Hellfire 🎶
The Devil went down to Cheliax, she was lookin’ for a soul to steal
She was biding her time at the scene of the crime
In a gem that was magically sealed
When Gil came across that necklace, offering vengeance and serving it hot
And the devil grabbed hold of his heart in her claws
And said boy lemme tell you what
I guess you’ll do ‘bout anything to give them slavers their due
And if you vow to serve me now I’ll lend a hand to you
Now you’d make a damn fine Bellflower, boy
All I ask is a soul or two
I’ll bet the slaves you’ll free are worth that fee
And it was true for all he knew
And so the halfling set about with the fury of Hell in his hands
Without a regret started paying his debts
Freed his folk from their iron bands
(Chorus)
Gilly sharpen up your wits and fight that devil hard
Cause Hell’s broke loose in Cheliax and the devil deals the cards
And if you win you get the peace and freedom that you’re owed
But if you lose the devil gets your soul
Twas a rainy night in Brastlewark and Thay sat with his book
And he heard the sound of rustlin’ around and went to have a look
There stood Gil ‘bout to catch a chill
And Thay in his distress, said come on down, you look half drowned
And bundled Gil up good
And thus began the heart-bond ‘tween the halfling and the gnome
In the shadow of Thrune their sweet love bloomed, over cocoa snug at home
(There’s a break with romantic picking, then a shift to an ominous chord)
Til one dark day the news reached Gil that made his heart stop cold
The iron glove of Hell came down and crushed all Gilly’s hope
The Hellknights came, they were taking names, Mister Theo was their prey
Gil shed tears of grief and rage - the Rack had taken Thay
And Gil like Hell’s own vengeance on the wings of dragon black
Rained down on Rivad fury and fire and laid to waste the Rack
The only reclamation that was glorious that day
Was Gil who stormed the citadel and rescued poor dear Thay
(Chorus)
Gilly sharpen up your wits and fight that devil hard
Cause Hell’s broke loose in Cheliax and the devil deals the cards
And if you win you get the peace and freedom that you’re owed
But if you lose the devil gets your soul
Thay in gloom of dungeon hoped for nought but Ph’rasma’s grace
He held his ground, made not a sound as tears fell down his face
The Rack had wrought their cruel work and yet his lips were sealed
All he cared to pray for was an end to his ordeal
When a signifier’s shattered mask was tossed between the bars
And Theo raised his eyes and hope rekindled in his heart
A little short for a Hellknight, Theo said through tears of joy
Though they were trapped within the citadel the righteous would destroy
In a desperate race for freedom the heroes stumbled toward the gates
Paladins and Hellknights laid the citadel to waste
As knights closed round Gil stood his ground o’er Theo’s tortured form
As in his breast the fires of Hell let loose in violent storm
(from this crescendo the tempo slows, becomes soulful)
When Theo felt the heat of Hell and raised his heavy head
And saw that Gil had rescued him but damned himself instead
With failing limbs he lifted up and braved the flames of Dis
To wrestle Gil from the Devil’s grasp and free him… with True Love’s Kiss
(Chorus)
Gilly sharpen up your wits and fight that devil hard
Cause Hell’s broke loose in Cheliax and the devil deals the cards
And if you win you get the peace and freedom that you’re owed
But if you lose the devil gets your soul
---
Note: Modeled after “The Devil Went Down to Georgia” by the Charlie Daniels Band
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