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B a l
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An All-Bard Oneshot from

Winghorn Press
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What is this Adventure?
There’s something wonderfully attractive about
bards, and not just because they max out their
CHA scores, either.
In a world of wizards and warriors they’re
walking oddities; laughing tricksters able to slot
into the role of emergency healer, front-line
fighter or magical support with ease. They have
a reputation - earned or not - of being
troublemakers whose mouth gets the heroes
into trouble as much as it saves the day.
In short, bards are fun.
So what, then, would an adventuring party
made up of nothing but bards look like? What
kind of adventure would they go on?
Well, that first part is up to you and your
friends. For the second part you’re going to have
to read a little further.
Building your Bards
Like a Bard Outta Hell is designed for a party of
3-6 sixth level bards. You can tinker with this as
much as you wish, but we advise placing the
following restrictions on character creation:
● If you are allowing multiclassing, characters
must have at least half their class levels in
bard.
● If you wish to allow magic items, each
player may select two uncommon items
while creating their character.
Each character must also have the bond: “Seven
years ago, a mysterious stranger helped kick-start
my career. I haven’t seen them since.”
Running the Adventure
The adventure should take approximately four
hours to run from start to finish.
Creatures from the Monster Manual are
listed in black bold text. Creatures in red bold
text have their stat blocks listed in Appendix A.
Running an all-bard adventure can be an
interesting DMing experience. Before starting
we advise you to read up on their abilities.
Bardic Inspiration
Every single character playing this adventure
should have access to the Bardic Inspiration
ability. Keeping track of who’s inspired by who
can be tricky, so we advise handing out counters
(poker chips, dice, etc.) so players can track who
they’ve inspired, and who’s inspired them.
Not that, following the rules as written, “a
creature can have only one Bardic Inspiration die
at a time.” You can choose to ignore this rule for
the sake of over-the-top shenanigans, but beware
this can lead to some truly insane skill checks.
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Cast List
Emanuel du Funq: A half-devil who operates
the 69th floor of the Tower of Song. An
incredible musician and charismatic leader, he
lures mortal bards to the Nine Hells in order to
drain their musical powers. Currently obsessed
with the music of Allegro.
Ophelia du Funq: A half-devil and twin sister of
Emanuel, currently serving Belial. She plans to
sabotage her brother’s operation by helping the
adventurers break their contracts.
Allegro: A low-ranking angel in service of Milil,
Goddess of Music and Art. They were captured
by Emanuel, who is obsessed with their singing
voice.
Taliah Swiftwood: Gnomish bard and one of
Emanuel’s previous victims. Has been working
for the half-devil for a full year, trying to find a
way to restore her musical talents.
Background
Seven years ago, several bards - our heroes -
signed a deal with a wealthy noble named
Emanuel du Funq. He helped them to kick-start
their careers, or possibly to revive a flagging one,
by providing money, equipment or just a few
careful introductions.
In return, all they needed to do was agree to
perform seven shows for him, in seven years’
time. A minor commitment, surely?
What they (probably) didn’t know was that
Emanuel was a cambion, an infernal half-devil.
He serves Fierna, co-ruler of Hell’s fourth circle,
by sourcing musical entertainment for the
pleasure city of Abriymoch.
The seven shows the bards agreed to all
those years ago will take place before an
audience of planer travellers. Worse, over the
course of the shows Emanuel plans to extract
their musical talents and weave them into Song
Dolls able to perform perfectly night after night.
Summary
There are three main phases to the adventure:
A) Escaping the Arrivals’ Lounge: The PCs find
out about the contracts, and are aided by
Ophelia du Funq
B) Destroying the Infernal Contracts: The PCs
explore the Tower of Song, find their
contracts in Emanuel’s Study and destroy
them
C) Escaping the Tower of Song: The PCs obtain
Emanuel’s Planer Tuning Fork and escape
through the Portal Chamber
Beginning the Adventure
The adventure begins with the entire party
being sucked through fiery portals.
Encourage the players to describe where
their character is and what they are doing when
the portals open. Are they in a group? Are they
alone? Are they mid-performance, or mid-battle?
No matter where they are, a ring of flames
outlines their body and in a flash they disappear
from the material place (or wherever they
happened to be at the time), leaving behind a
smell of brimstone.
Their contract is up. They have been
summoned to the Nine Hells.
1. The Arrivals’ Lounge
Read out loud or summarise the following:
You find yourselves sitting on a comfortable
sofa in a dark, smoky lounge. The furniture is
covered in red velvet and the low table
before you is set with a selection of drinks
resting on slate coasters. In the distance you
can hear the faint thrum of music playing.
On the chair opposite you sprawls a
handsome man with crimson skin and ink-
black eyes. He wears a dark suit and a wry
smile, and a pair of leathery wings sprout
from his back.
“Good to see you again,” he says. “Grab a
drink. We have a lot to discuss before your
show!”
The man sitting opposite the party is Emanuel
du Funq, a Cambion (also known as a half-devil)
who leads the 69th floor of the Tower of Song
(see THE TOWER OF SONG). He has summoned the
PCs to the Nine Hells using infernal contracts
they signed seven years ago.
The PCs may choose whether or not they
remember meeting Emanuel. If so, they recall a
chance encounter with a man who resembled
him several years ago. He provided some small
but significant service on their road to becoming
a bard.
Encourage players to think of how he aided
them. Did he stump up a few hundred gold for
their first real instrument? Did he set up a
meeting with a noble looking to hire a court
minstrel for a few seasons?
Any attempt to attack Emanuel or use any
offensive magic on him fails, due to the infernal
contract they signed with him.
Emanuel is smugly confident and happily
chats with the PCs. In response to questions he
explains the following:
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● Seven years ago, he – in the form of a
wealthy or powerful mortal – made a deal
with each of them, providing them with a
stepping-stone on the path to fame and
glory
● In return for the favour, each of them
agreed to play seven shows over the course
of seven days, in seven years time
● The contract they signed specified that
Emanuel would arrange transport to the
shows’ venue. Thus, the teleportation
● The PCs are currently in the Nine Hells –
specifically the fourth layer, Phlegethos.
They are on the 69th floor of the Tower of
Song, in the pleasure city of Abriymoch
● He manages this floor, which provides
entertainment to beings from across the
multiverse. Over the next seven days, they
will form part of this entertainment
● Once they’ve played all seven shows the PCs
will be returned to the material plane. He
confirms they will not be harmed physically,
but refuses to provide any information
beyond that
● In case they were thinking of getting any
ideas about attacking him, the contract they
signed has a clause specifically forbidding
the PCs from “assaulting Emanuel du Funq
through physical or magical means, or using
magic to influence, mislead or otherwise affect
him.” Any attempt to do this simply fails –
the PC cannot make themselves swing the
blade or cast the spell
● Their first show is in about five hours
During any conversation Emanuel gets
agitated and annoyed if the PCs don’t use the
coasters when they put down their drinks, as it
chafes with his lawful nature.
The Tower of Song
Sat in the centre of the infernal pleasure-city of
Abriymoch, the Tower of Song attracts music-
lovers from across the planes.
Climbing like a needle into the ashen skies,
the Tower is famed to have more than 120
different floors, all designed to suit the tastes of
different travellers.
On some, foul monsters listen to
symphonies of pain being ripped from living
souls. On others, more refined visitors are
treated to performances by ghostly orchestras
and singers drawn from strange, alien worlds.
The only constant factor from floor-to-floor
is that of price. The Tower of Song is an
exclusive venue and sets its fees to match.
Summoning the Guards
Once he feels that the PCs have a general idea of
what’s going on, or he gets bored of talking to
them, Emanuel calls a group of three Fiendish
Enforcers, large devils in dark suits wearing
sleek suits and smoked lenses over their eyes,
and one Fiendish Charmer, a beautiful figure
wearing an outfit of jumping flames.
An invisible Ophelia du Funq, Emanuel’s
twin sister, sneaks in with the small group. She
quietly hides in a corner to see what happens.
Emanuel orders the guards to watch the PCs
for the next few hours and ensure they don’t
wander off and get hurt.
Once they are in place, he politely excuses
himself and leaves. If the PCs attempt to stop or
follow him, the Cambion instructs the guards to
“put them in their place.”
Exploring the Lounge
The lounge measures about 30 ft. by 40 ft. The
floor is covered with plush crimson rugs and the
furniture is made from black wood.
A chandelier provides murky orange light
that barely reaches the walls, which are covered
in lurid paintings showing devilish figures
revelling with mortal worshippers.
Two large windows provide views of a dark
grey sky that rains ash. Fires flicker in the
distance, and below them sprawls a city that
bustles with dark activity.
Escaping & Meeting Ophelia
Once Emanuel has left the fiendish guards take
up positions about the room.
If the PCs start a fight the guards try to
subdue them non-leathally. Tey to reward any
clever ideas they think up for escaping or
ambushing the guards.
If the PCs don’t seem inclined to escape or
fight back, Ophelia sneaks up behind one of
them and whispers that they’re in more danger
than they might think, before offering to
provide a distraction. She does this by throwing
a glass of wine into the wall behind the guards,
causing them to be Surprised in the first round
of any combat.
Talking with Ophelia
Once the PCs have dealt with the guards, with or
without her help, Ophelia drops her invisibility
and congratulates them.
She looks very similar to Emanuel, who is
her twin brother. She is happy to explain the
following, though she skips details if the PCs
seem keen to get going - Ophelia only really
cares that they mess with her brother’s plans:
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● She is here to help the PCs escape from the
Nine Hells with their souls intact
● Her brother collects groups of talented
bards on a regular basis, using the same
trick he pulled on the PCs
● Over the course of their seven shows,
Emanuel will siphon off their musical
abilities and implant them in enchanted
dolls, which he uses to keep patrons
entertained when he doesn’t have fresh
mortal talents on hand
● If they break their contract by refusing or
failing to play the shows their souls will
immediately be claimed by Asmodeus
● The only practical way to wriggle out of
their deal is to destroy Emanuel’s copy of the
contract
● Emanuel keeps his important documents in
his study, which is in the east wing of the
floor. To get there the PCs need to cross the
ballroom and head for the door in the
middle of far wall
● The PCs may wish to disguise themselves to
get through the crowd without raising
suspicion, as Emanuel will probably be
schmoozing the audience
If asked why she is willing to aid the PCs
against her brother, she explains that
Phlegethos is co-ruled by two Arch-Devils –
Fierna and Belial. Emanuel serves Fierna while
Ophelia works for Belial.
The Tower of Song has been bringing in
huge amounts of trade for Emanuel’s mistress,
so Ophelia has been sent to sabotage him.
Once she feels like she has provided enough
information for the PCs to be getting on with,
Ophelia turns invisible and leaves them to make
their own way forward.
Legal Eagles
Some players may wish to look for loopholes in
the deal with Emanuel, which would allow
them to escape the contract without physically
destroying it.
By default, there are no such loopholes. The
deal is phrased in a way that makes it seem
innocent, but it obliges the PCs to do everything
Emanuel says it does.
However, if the players are determined to
argue their way out of the deal - and seem like
they’d enjoy doing so - Ophelia may
recommend they speak to a contract devil
currently visiting the tower as a guest, or advise
them to seek out the legal books in Emanuel’s
Study. This may need some improvisation!
 The Tower of Song - Floor 69
8.
6. 14.

7.
15.
10.
12.
4.
5.
2.
3.

13.

1. 11.

9.

2. Western Hallway 3. Kitchen

A white-walled hallway. The sound of loud Read out loud or summarise the following:
music filters in from the Ballroom to the east.
The southern end of the hall leads to the
Lounge. The eastern end leads to the Cloakroom, When the door opens you’re immediately hit
the Kitchen and the Ballroom. by a blast of heat and a cloud of steam. A
half-dozen crimson-skinned devils in white
The northern portion of the hall is a long
aprons are feverishly working away at
corridor with several Guest Bedrooms to the east
chopping boards, ovens and pans, cursing
and west and a doorway to the Doll Storage
loudly as they work.
Room to the north.
Standing among them, delivering orders
This doorway is guarded by a pair of
like a battlefield commander, is a tall,
Fiendish Enforcers. They do not question guests
powerful devil with his barbed beard neatly
who pass by, and only stop people from
wrapped up in a black net.
investigating the Doll Storage Room.

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If the PCs are disguised as wealthy guests the
Head Chef (use stats of a Bearded Devil) politely
but firmly instructs them to leave, assigning one
of his six Fiendish Chefs (use stats of Fiendish
Enforcers) to escort them back to the Ballroom
if they don’t leave promptly.
If they’re clearly mortal wanderers, however,
he offers them a deal.
The Imps that normally serve as kitchen
assistants were unexpectedly promoted and sent
off to fight in the Blood War, so the shift is short-
handed. If they spend the next hour helping –
and do a reasonable job – he’ll provide them
with waiters’ outfits that should ensure none of
the guests pay attention to them.
Helping in Hell’s Kitchen
The party are given three tasks to help with –
cleaning dishes, whipping a huge quantity of
cream and removing bones from fish.
Allow the PCs to divide themselves between
the tasks as they wish. The Head Chef explains
that the slippery dishes requires quick hands,
whipping the cream needs strength and
endurance, and removing the bones relies on a
sharp eye and the ability to learn from mistakes.
Each task requires three separate checks.
Count each success and failure for each task. If
multiple PCs are helping with the same task,
they choose one PC to roll with advantage.
● Cleaning Dishes: DC 12 Dexterity (Sleight of
Hand) checks. The soap is slippery and the
PCs have to work at an incredible pace to
keep up. On a failure they drop dishes on the
floor, shattering them.
● Whipping Cream: DC 9 Strength (Athletics)
checks. Whipping the cream starts off easy
but gets harder as time passes. After each
check the PC makes a DC15 Constitution
Saving Throw. On a failure the DC for all
subsequent checks is increased by 3.
● Removing Bones: DC 15 Wisdom (Perception)
checks. Spotting all the fish bones is tricky,
but if the PCs make a mistake the Head Chef
ensures they don’t repeat it. Each time the
PCs fail a check the DC of all subsequent
checks is reduced by 3.
Should the PCs think of creative ways to
accomplish their tasks, feel free to reduce the DC
or change the type of check required.
If at least five of the nine total checks were
successful, the PCs held up their end of the deal.
The Head Chef provides them with drab black
uniforms and sends them on their way.
If at least five of the nice checks were
failures, the Head Chef claims the PCs did not
fulfil their end of the deal and refuses to help
them any further.
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4. Cloakroom
Read out loud or summarise the following:
As soon as you enter the room the sound of
music is muffled by long racks of brightly
coloured cloaks, coats and jackets that run
from wall to wall.
A bored looking halfling woman with fine
blonde hair and olive skin looks up from a
plain wooden desk.
“You want to store your coats, folks?”
The Cloakroom measures roughly 20 ft. square
and is filled with racks of clothing left by the
Tower of Song’s guests.
The halfling woman is Taliah Swiftwood, a
former bard who also fell afoul of Emanuel’s
schemes. The PCs might recognise her if they are
proficient with the lute and succeed on a DC12
Intelligence (History) check.
Unless the PCs have taken pains to disguise
themselves Taliah quickly realises that they’re
Emanuel’s latest victims. If so, she offers to help
them any way she can. She might explain the
following:
● She was teleported here by Emanuel about
six months ago
● When she played her songs the Cambion
had a wooden doll placed in the wings. It
had a small crystal embedded in its
forehead, which shone brightly as she
performed
● Each set seemed to drain her, and by the
time she strummed her final note she found
herself completely unable to play music. The
doll had absorbed her musical abilities
completely
● Once her shows were over Emanuel offered
to teleport her back to the material plane.
She refused, as she was desperate to regain
her music and feared she would never get a
chance to do so if she just went home
● Ever since then she’s worked as a cloakroom
assistant and spied on Emanuel as much as
she can
Taliah cheerfully aids the party with any
task she can, though she admits she is not
particularly skilled in combat. If nothing else
she can easily sort out disguises and masks
using the boxes of lost property shoved to the
back of the cloakroom.
Taliah’s Intelligence
Taliah’s spying has produced the following
titbits of information:
● Emanuel keeps his contracts in his study. To
get there you enter his private quarters,
follow the corridor to the left and go
through the first door on the right
● The contracts are in a safe that is magically
locked. The key seems to be musical in
nature, so she hasn’t been able to do
anything with it
● Emanuel has some way of easily teleporting
to the material plane
● There’s something important being kept in a
room just north of Emanuel’s study. The
door is always locked, but sometimes she
hears beautiful singing coming through the
walls.
● Dozens of dolls containing bards’ stolen
abilities are stored in a room to the north,
but it’s well-guarded and the dolls can be
very loud.
● The Doll Room has a door leading to the
backstage area, which could be another way
to cross the ballroom
5. Guest Bedrooms
These small chambers are plainly appointed and
give off the feel of the bedrooms in a mid-budget
inn. Like many bards who have come before
them, the PCs are expected to stay here while
performing at the Tower of Song.
6. The Doll Room
Read out loud or summarise the following:
You step into a room filled with cold, still air,
lit by a pair of soft white globes of light that
hang from the centre of the high ceiling.
The gentle glow shines down on rows
and rows of wooden dolls. Each of them is
about the height of a human and carved
from smooth blocks of pale brown wood.
Some have intricately worked fingers that
hold instruments, others have mouths set
with what looks like rows of real human
teeth. They all stand on stone plinths bearing
a bronze label.
Gems of white crystal are set into the
dolls’ foreheads, and they all pulse with a
steady rhythm – almost a heartbeat.
As you move, dozens of blank faces turn
to watch you.
There are 25 Song Dolls in the room. They are
arranged to leave a path running from the door
in the east wall, which leads Backstage, to the
door in the south wall, which leads to the
Western Hallway.
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The dolls’ plinths are labelled with names of
the bards whose musical abilities they control. A
number of them, equal to the amount of PCs,
aren’t labelled yet.
There are also three empty plinths, which
would usually house the trio of Song Dolls
playing in the Ballroom.
The Song Dolls are enchanted to only obey
Emanuel. However, a PC disguised at the
Cambion can successfully give them orders with
a DC10 Charisma (Deception) check.
The Song Dolls only attack if one of their
number is attacked first. They are utterly
mindless in combat and simply aim to attack the
closest enemy.
If combat breaks out the Song Dolls make an
incredible din. After three rounds Emanuel and
two Fiendish Enforcers enter from Backstage.
7. The Ballroom
Read out loud or summarise the following:
As the door opens a wave of sound crashes
over you. Most of this comes from a stage,
where a trio of human-sized wooden dolls
play duelling violin solos, but this is mixed
with the conversation and laughter of the
lavishly dressed crowd watching them.
Some sit at low tables, while others stand
in small groups and chat over their drinks.
Many of the figures are clearly devils but
others seem drawn from all four corners of
the multiverse.
Among the throng hulking, blue-skinned
ogres are casually speaking with what seems
to be a levitating grey robe. An angel with
torn wings and blood running from her eyes
is sharing a joke with a man with a wolf’s
head. In the corner a band of what seem to
be humanoid hippos in neat blue uniforms
are playing cards and swapping war stories.
The Ballroom is very large. The floor measures
about 60 ft. by 90 ft., with the raised stage
covering another 60 ft. by 20 ft. The ceiling is
also very high.
A doorway in the western wall leads to the
Western Hallway, and another in the eastern
wall leads to the Eastern Hallway. A doorway to
the south leads to the staircase, while a pair of
small staircases at either end of the stage
provide access to Backstage.
A long bar runs along most of the western
wall. A team of devils mix elaborate drinks for
the guests. If the PCs wish to buy one, they find
that even the cheapest drinks cost around 50gp.
If the PCs wish to identify the music being

Getting Caught
There are several ways for the PCs to get caught
by Emanuel or his guards as they explore the
Tower of Song.
If they haven’t destroyed the infernal
contracts yet, they cannot harm Emanuel.
However, this doesn’t mean that being found
out has to result in failure. The PCs can still flee
through crowds, hide or mislead the cambion
and his guards.
Ophelia can be a useful tool if this happens.
She can appear unexpectedly to provide a
magical distraction and remind the PCs that
they need to get to the study as soon as possible.
played, they may attempt a DC16 Intelligence
check. On a success, they recognise the style as
belonging to a trio of Air Genasi sisters known
as the Howling Skies. The group was very
popular until around three years ago, when they
completely disappeared from public view.
The Crowd
The crowd consists of roughly 60 guests. They
are all exquisitely dressed and are bedecked in
shining jewels and precious metals. Many of
them are talking in small groups, but a fair few
are watching the show.
Most of the patrons shouldn’t have any
cause to get involved with the PCs – even if a
fight breaks out the guests view that it’s none of
their business – but if you wish to populate the
room just pick your favourite plane-hopping
creatures This may include Incubus/Succubus,
Rakshasa, Hags, Erinyes, Giff and Githyanki.
If the PCs are disguised as servants (see The
Kitchen) the crowds ignore them and allow
them to pass without problems.
If they are disguised as guests or aren’t
disguised at all they may run into some of the
patrons as they cross the room.
The Drunken Oni
As the PCs pass by the blue-skinned ogres, one of
their number trips over his own feet and
drunkenly stumbles towards the party.
A randomly selected PC must succeed on a
DC13 Dexterity Saving Throw or the Oni crashes
into them, causing 3 (1d6) bludgeoning damage
and covering them in expensive liquor.
If they fail the drunken Oni demands they
buy him a new drink. However, the drink in
question was a bottle of incredibly rare sake
distilled on the plane of Arborea, and costs
roughly 10,000gp.
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It is up to the PCs to decide how they trick,
bribe or talk their way around the angry
creature. If they end up fighting him the Oni
only uses his claw attacks, and when he is
reduced to half HP the rest of his party – three
more Oni – move to break up the fight and let
the PCs go about their business.
Enter Emanuel
Once the PCs are most of the way across the
ballroom Emanuel du Funq emerges from the
door to the Eastern Hallway and begins to greet
guests. As he wanders the room the PCs must
think of a way to hide or otherwise avoid him.
Evading Emanuel by hiding requires a DC12
Dexterity (Stealth) check. Avoiding his gaze by
blending in with the crowd requires a DC12
Charisma (Deception) check. These can be made
with advantage if the PCs are disguised or
wearing servants’ uniforms.
If at least half the PCs pass their checks, the
group successfully evades Emanuel.
If the PCs are particularly well hidden or
think of an inventive way to hide, reduce the DC
or allow them to pass the check automatically.
8. Backstage
A crimson curtain separates this narrow strip
from the main stage. It’s choked with ropes,
props and the general detritus of the
entertainment industry.
The area is watched over by six Imp
stagehands, who sit in the rafters and pull ropes
and move gear as appropriate. Avoiding the
Imps’ attention requires a DC14 Dexterity
(Stealth) check, with at least half the group
(rounding up) needing to pass.
If the PCs are spotted the Imps fly down to
investigate. They do not attack immediately, so
fast-talking PCs may be able to avoid any
combat.
Dashing from the backstage to the Ballroom
floor without being noticed requires either a
DC13 Dexterity (Stealth) check. Alternatively, a
DC15 Charisma (Performance) check allows
them to gauge the point where most viewers will
be distracted by the music.
9. The Stairs
Read out loud or summarise the following:
You find yourself standing before a staircase.
To your right, it heads down. To the left, it
climbs further up into the tower.
However, you can see that at about the
point where the stairs hit the next landing
they disappear into a cloud of grey mist.
This magical staircase teleports guests to their
desired floors – wealthy guests have no wish to
climb dozens of stories up, after all.
If the PCs enter the mist a croaking voice
informs them that they “have not been registered
as guests.” If they continue up/down anyway,
they return to the same floor they started on.
10. Eastern Hallway
A plush hall with purple carpets and golden
walls. The sound of loud music comes from the
Ballroom to the west.
To the south of the passage is a door to the
Instrument Room.
To the northeast, a doorway leads to
Emanuel’s Study. Just to the north of that are
two further doors. One in the northern wall
leads to Emanuel’s Bedroom, while one in the
western wall leads to Allegro’s Cell.
The door to Allegro’s Cell is locked. Opening
it requires a DC20 Dexterity check using
Thieves’ Tools, or Emanuel’s Key (one copy is
kept on Emanuel, the other is in the safe in
Emanuel’s Study). PCs who put their ear up to
the door can hear a faint but beautiful
humming.
11. Instrument Room
Read out loud or summarise the following:
Where the rest of the tower has been lit with
yellow, fiery light, the room before you is laid
out in a soft white glow.
It illuminates rows and rows of
instruments, from horns and flutes to pianos
and drums, most of which look brand new.
Many of the pieces look as though they’re fresh
from the shop, still shiny and polished. Others,
look as though they’ve been regularly played.
A DC13 Intelligence (Investigation) check
allows a PC to work out that the wear pattern on
many of the violins and other stringed
instruments comes from just one user – in this
case, Emanuel.
A roll of 17 or more allows them to identify
one well-worn fiddle that’s seen particularly
heavy play, suggesting it may be the owner’s
favourite.
Some PCs may interpret this is a sign that,
for all his faults, Emanuel genuinely loves
music. Others may wish to break or sabotage
Emanuel’s favourite fiddle.
12. Emanuel’s Study
Read out loud or summarise the following:
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The room before you is neat and organised.
To your left stands a desk stacked with notes,
as well as a rather well-stocked drinks
cabinet, and to the right there’s a long
bookshelf.
On the far wall hangs a painting showing
piles of gold and shining trinkets. A small
stool sits a few feet before the painting,
alongside a music stand that holds a pair of
folios. The stand seems to have a mirror
bound to one side of it.
The Desk
Emanuel’s desk is just as tidy as you’d expect
from a devil. His notes have been divided up into
a few separate piles.
● A discussion of ways he could use music to
corrupt mortals. A lengthy section is
devoted to hiding backwards messages in
songs, but this is dismissed as “incredibly
stupid.” It does note, however, that having
music with other effects when reversed
could be useful
● A list of bards Emanuel has made deals
with. Accompanied by a rough schedule of
dates they’ll be summoned to his domain.
He talks about “owning” their music and
preserving it forever
● An investigation in how to make an angel
fall. This part is the least organised. A DC15
Intelligence (Investigation) check reveals
Emanuel is not satisfied with the options
he’s found so far, dismissing them as too
violent or upsetting for his target
● Ideas for a password. Notes suggest he plans
on using “a name I never planned to speak
again” as a password for something
important (the chain binding Allegro)
The Bookcase
Most of the books cover music theory. They
usually have hand-written notes dismissing the
authors’ ideas and claiming that the ideas being
discussed are simplistic.
Other titles cover infernal contract law, tips
on running an entertainment business and
details on the fall of angels.
The Painting
The painting on the southern wall is completely
invulnerable to damage and cannot be moved,
except with a DC30 Strength (Athletics) check.
Examining it with a DC15 Wisdom
(Perception) check reveals signs of wear on the
wall just to the left of the painting, indicating
that it might swing back like a door. If the PCs
haven’t already guessed, the painting hides
Emanuel’s safe.
There is no lock to pick or handle to force.
The music stand next to the painting holds
two pieces of music, both written in a neat hand
that matches the notes on the desk.
One is entitled “A Lock of Your Hair”. The
other is labelled “Concealing the Obvious.” A plain
mirror is neatly bound to the left-hand side of
the stand, so that it creates a reversed image of
the music placed there.
When played forwards these pieces of
music cause the safe to lock and the hidden door
(see Hidden Door) to be magically concealed,
respectively. In both cases there is a noise or a
flash of light to indicate that something magical
just happened.
When played backwards they cause the safe
to unlock, and for the hidden door to reveal
itself respectively.
Hidden Door
There is a hidden door in the southwest corner
of the study, which leads to the Portal Chamber.
It is obscured by a magical illusion and requires
a DC20 Wisdom (Perception) check to spot.
The illusion can also be dispelled using
music (see The Painting).
The door is not locked, and once spotted can
easily be opened.
The Safe
The interior of the safe is made from a dull grey
metal. Within, it contains around 30,000gp in
gold and platinum pieces, six gems containing
the souls of corrupted mortals - each worth
around 5,000 gp to a buyer interested in such
goods - and a +2 Rapier.
Missing Clues
Between the hints provided by NPCs, the notes
on the desk and the mirror on the music stand,
the puzzle over opening the safe shouldn’t
prove too much of a problem for most parties.
However, it’s entirely possible for some
groups to miss clues or not put the pieces
together, leaving them with no way to open
Emanuel’s safe.
If this happens, Allegro could provide more
direct hints (such as hearing the same song
being played forward and backwards from his
cell). Failing that, if the PCs come up with a
plausible solution of their own you could allow
it to simply work.
Finally, you may wish to force the PCs to
think up an alternative way to break the deal.
9
It also contains a bright silver key, which
unlocks the door to Allegro’s Cell, and a bundle
of around 100 infernal contracts.
A few minutes of searching allows the PCs to
find their own contracts. If the PCs destroy
them, they are no longer bound by the contract
and can attack Emanuel.
13. Portal Chamber
The small chamber is completely empty, save for
a stone archway set into the southern wall. The
arch is engraved with complex magical runes.
PCs who make a DC13 Intelligence (Arcana)
check recognise that the runes are linked to
teleportation magic, and that this would appear
to be a way to leave the Nine Hells. If the result
was 17 or more, they can see that the magic is
activated through some kind of magical
resonance, similar to that used in Planar Tuning
Forks.
Emanuel holds the fork needed to activate
the portal, and keeps it on his person at all
times.
14. Emanuel’s Bedroom
A neat and tidy bedroom with a large,
comfortable bed and a wardrobe filled with
expensive clothing.
A book of poetry sits on a nightstand. PCs
examining the book find that it’s written in
Celestial, and that a primer on understanding
the divine language is tucked within the poetry
book’s cover.
15. Allegro’s Cell
Read out loud or summarise the following:
The open door reveals a small bedroom with
bright white walls and a blue carpet. A plain
but comfortable bed rests in one corner, and
in the other stands a desk piled with what
looks to be hand-written sheet music.
Sat cross-legged on the bed is an pale-
skinned figure wearing a white robe. A pair
of white wings emerge from their back and a
golden harp rests across their thighs.
The angelic figure has their eyes closed
and seems to be humming to himself as they
pluck a slow, gentle tune on the instrument.
The angel is Allegeo. They are a devoted servant
of Milil, the goddess of music and dance, and
have been imprisoned here for several weeks.
Until the PCs speak Allegro keeps their eyes
closed and assumes they’re Emanuel, carrying
out one of his regular visits. A DC15 Wisdom
(Perception) check allows them to spot the
shimmer of a spectral chain around their ankle.
Once they realise the PCs aren’t Emanuel,
Allegro is incredibly friendly. They happily
explain the following:
● They were tasked with investigating the
disappearance of several famous bards, as it
was feared there was an infernal connection
● They were spying on Emanuel when the
cambion tricked and captured them
● They came to the Tower of Song through a
portal in a hidden room beyond Emanuel’s
study. Emanuel opened and closed the
portal using a tuning fork he keeps on a
chain around his neck.
● Emanuel was planning to offer up Allegro to
his overlords as a gift, but when he heard
the angel singing, he changed his mind
● Since that day, Allegro has been trapped in
this room. Emanuel makes sure they have
everything they wants other than their
freedom. In return he demands that the
angel sing the songs he writes.
The chain around Allegro’s ankle is shifted
to the astral plane and is unbreakable unless the
PCs have a way to access it. It can only be loosed
by speaking the command word “Ophelia.”
There is a chance the PCs might accidentally
stumble across this command word while
10
speaking to Allegeo, or guess it based on the
notes in Emanuel’s Study. Otherwise, the only
one who knows the word is Emanuel.
Allegro dearly wishes for freedom but is
more concerned about freeing the bards from
their infernal contracts and releasing any
trapped musical essence. They know that
Emanuel is desperate to have them perform, and
gives the PCs permission to offer up their talents
or even their life as part of a deal to secure
passage home or destroy the dolls.
If asked about Emanuel, Allegro notes that
the Cambion has a vast ego when it comes to his
own musical abilities. That may be a weakness.
Planar Tuning Forks
These forks of enchanted metal are attuned to
various planes of existence. Normally, they are
used as materials for complex magical spells to
open portals, but Emanuel uses his to control a
powerful planar gate.
When struck within 15 ft. of the gate, the
fok opens a portal to any location on the
material plane that the wielder can visualise.
This could be somewhere they’ve visited, or a
location they can name - the taproom of The
Yawning Portal Inn, for example.
The portal remains open for six hours
before disappearing.
Escaping the Tower
In order to escape the Tower of Song and the
Nine Hells, the PCs need to retrieve the Planar
Tuning Fork from Emanuel. They may also wish
to destroy the dolls and free Allegro.
Generally, the most likely ways the PCs can
retrieve the fork are:
● Pickpocketing Emanuel
● Defeating Emanuel in battle
● Trading for a use of it
● Winning it in a challenge
Of course, if the PCs come up with some other
(vaguely plausible) idea then allow them to
pursue it.
Pickpocketing Emanuel
Emanuel spends most of the evening prowling
the Ballroom, chatting with guests and ensuring
everyone is having a pleasant (andexpensive)
evening.
Picking his pocket requires the PCs to get
close to him without arousing suspicion, and
then to district him. A DC15 Dexterity (Stealth)
or Charisma (Deception) check should be
enough to get close to the Cambion, but feel free
to modify this depending on the choices the PCs
make.
Actually stealing the tuning fork requires a
DC12 Dexterity (Sleight of Hands) check, with a
result of 15 or more allowing them to do so
without Emanuel noticing.
Fighting Emanuel
Emanuel is accompanied by a pair of Fiendish
Enforcers who watch him from a respectable
distance. If a fight breaks out they support him,
though any guests who might be about simply
watch and choose not to get involved.
In combat, Emanuel makes liberal use of his
wings to avoid any melee fighters. He also drops
chandeliers on foes when possible.
If soundly defeated, Emanuel can be
persuaded to agree to the PCs’ demands. His
only request is that he be allowed to travel to the
material plane, as he will be destroyed if he
remains in the Nine Hells after such a defeat.
Trading
Emanuel may be willing to cut a deal with the
PCs if they have something he wants.
Allegro’s willing service or the copies of
other bards’ contracts should be sufficient to
buy them a way out of the Nine Hells. Anything
beyond that requires a Persuasion or
Intimidation check.
11
Musical Challenge
Emanuel is highly arrogant about his musical
abilities and is happy to bet against the PCs in a
‘Battle of the Bands’.
He probably demands that if he wins, the
PCs must sign identical contracts to those they
destroyed, with added clauses preventing them
from disobeying a command from Emanuel.
Emanuel opens any competition by grandly
announcing it to the crowd, sending for his
favourite fiddle and summoning a backing
group of Song Dolls.
The Battle of the Bands consists of each PC
making an opposed Charisma (Performance)
check against Emanuel, as they each perform a
solo on their instrument of choice.
If the PCs win at least half, they are
victorious. In the event of a tie, the PCs get to
nominate one member for a Sudden Death
round that decides all.
If the PCs interfered with his favourite fiddle
(in the Instrument Room) Emanuel
automatically loses the first check. If they
destroyed or stole it, he makes his first two
checks with disadvantage as he gets comfortable
with his new fiddle.
There is a short gap between each round,
where Emanuel taunts or threatens the PCs,
depending on whether he just won or lost.
This allows time for the PCs to distract him,
play magical tricks or try to win the audience
over to their side. Depending on how successful
they are, this may give them advantage (or
Emanuel disadvantage) on the next check.
Completing the
Adventure
Once the PCs have access to Emanuel’s Planar
Tuning Fork they can escape through the Portal
Chamber.
The portal transports them to any location
they desire on the material plane, though if they
don’t have any particularly strong ideas it drops
them in the alleyway behind a tavern in
Waterdeep.
If Allegro or Taliah Swiftwood escaped with
the PCs, they thank them profusely, promising
all kinds of favours once them become re-
established. Allegro, in particular, says he plans
to inform his goddess about their abilities
directly!
12
Appendix A: Stat Blocks

FIENDISH CHARMER FIENDISH ENFORCER

Medium fiend (Devil), lawful evil Medium fiend (Devil), lawful evil

SONG DOLL
Medium construct, no alignment

TALIAH SWIFTWOOD
Small humanoid (Halfling), neutral good

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EMANUEL/OPHELIA DU FUNQ ALLEGRO
Medium fiend (Devil), lawful evil Medium celestial (Angel), lawful good

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