The demon grinder shelters beneath a ledge of rusty stone. Through the wind screen of the vehicle, the comrades can see four chain devils loafing against what appear to be the roots of an enormous tree. The grinder rolls to a stop.
One of the devils wanders lazily up to the window. A yellow rain spatters against the wind screen, hissing as it lands. It can be heard drumming on the roof of the grinder. “Prisoner transport?” The chain devil peers into back of the grinder, glaring through its mask at Lula, whose hands are draped with the unlocked manacles. The ruse will not stand up to close scrutiny, but the chain devil does not seem all that enthusiastic about investigating the group.
Through the open window, the stench of rot and corruption rolls into the cabin of the grinder, making those within feel queasy.
”Your vehicle is not going to work in the Stinking Mire,” the devil sneers, “It will sink to the bottom. And your weapons and armor will decay in the acid rain of our climate. But fear not, we have items to loan so you will not be without. You may return them to Lord Mammon’s guard on the far side of Minauros, on your way to Phlegethos.”
Eagerly, the party each take an item that the chain devil, inscrutable, distributes the items. A phial which has some of the qualities of bag of holding is Five’s choice. Rings said to mitigate damage in battle are taken by Reklaw, Kiki, Five and Arman. Mr C claims a greatsword said to have a powerful attack. Vali asks for an amulet that the devil says will amplify magic.
As the two artificers go to work on the grinder to convert it to a boat, the others investigate the “gifts” from chain devils. The group discover some disturbing qualities these items possess. Each item is cursed, and will corrupt the one who carries it. Though each item bears a gift, the negative outweighs the benefit.
The chain devils can be seen, laughing cruelly, in the distance.
Finally finished, the group climb into the bobbing grinder and set off to cross the endless swamps of Minauros. At first, all seems well. Then, the grinder flips its passengers into the fetid water three times.
The water is devastatingly corrupted. Bodies and worse bob in the oily substance, and the stench of decay rises, threatening to overpower the heroes. They break the surface, sputtering and soaked. Several of them are merely coated in the filth. They pull themselves out, reeking, and back into the grinder. They can barely stand their own stench.
As he breaks the surface, boils erupt on Vali. His nose and eyes begin running with green mucus. He sneezes explosively, and his comrades warily regard Vali: they are sympathetic but not sure if he is contagious.
Arman’s immersion ages him by more than ten years, while Reklaw becomes a two year old version of himself.
The friends combine magical spells in an extraordinary and unparalleled way. A trio of the friends each use their Enlarge spells, amplifying the power of a Mage Hand spell one. Unsure if the rules of magic will affect the conjured spectral hand, they are relieved when the grinder is raised to float over the water and carried to an outlying ridge of stone. Here they are set down gently before the giant hand vanishes.
In the night, the acid rain eats small holes in the grinder, and the corrosive acid begins dripping into the cabin of the grinder, burning the sleepers. Minauros is intolerable.
