"The Defiers also go by The Athar, if yeh don't tumble to the Cant. The Athar set out to prove the Powers ain't Gods, just powerful mortals playin' at bein' gods. They hold kip in the Lower Ward at the Shattered Temple. Think it used to belong to, uh, Aoskar, right? A dead god o' portals. Usually they spend their days keepin' any one cleric from amassin' too much power in the Cage. The Signers, or the Sign of One believe each berk's the center o' his own multiverse, buildin' the whole thing out o' there boneboxes. Once you say "I'm the center o' the sodding multiverse" and another berk says the same, yeh gotta agree that each sod creates their own multiverse. 'Cause o' that philosophy, they hold the Hall o' Speakers, usually actin' as arbitrators 'tween the other Factions. There's more'n that, but I ain't no philosophy tutor."
Renkar nods
"Issac has the dark of the chant correct. I will say that I find both factions rather tiring myself. The Athar are fanatics and the Signers are narcisscists. It is interesting that both find something worth fighting over in this old church. "
Renkar gets up
"I'm off to the Temple of Hermes to send a courier over to Ser Jad'Hammet's offices. Why don't you folks relax and we'll reconvene say in the second hour Afterpeak? ?
"Aye, boss. Any o' you dazzlers know a portal sense spell? Warp sense or detect portal or whatever they call it? Berks and bloods trip through portals all the sodding time; could be the simplest explanation. One second yer whistlin' a little tune, a bouquet o' flowers fer yer One True Love in hand and suddenly yer in the sodding Beastlands and the wolves are howlin'. Anyhow, reckon I'll run out to an alchemist and get some potions 'fore the meeting."
At the second hour after peaktime, the light begins its slide back into the long twilight the the Cage is known for. Today has been a relatively clear day by Sigil standards, just wisps of clouds and white runnels of fog twisting around the grey stone buildings. Now with the dimming of the light the fog begins to thicken. The party wends its way towards the Silver Rose.
A carraige rides up to the Silver Rose soon after the group gets settled in the conference room. Hanali escorts a short gentleman into the room soon after. The gentleman is an older cutter, perhaps with 60 years under his belt. He is dressed richly but soberly, with a thick Sigilian cloak attached at his shoulder with a gold and gem-studded Taker faction symbol.
Mr. Swire:
The man greets Renkar with a shake and Renkar clears his throat.
"Gentlebeings, this is Ser Ferrel Jad'Hammet. Ser Jad'Hammet, this is my team."
Ser Jad'Hammet greets you all in turn in a professional manner.
Assuming that he is some kind of noble, Bethany is polite for a change and introduces herself with s hort bow.
"Lady Bethany Archaise at your service my Lord. I'm sure you'll find us all more than up to the task you have for us."
She steps back, but not before noticing Drazek's smirk. She gives him a 'you'll pay for that later' look, but it's obvious to him that he'll enjoy the payment.
Renkar clears his throat as everyone sits down
"Ser Jad'Hammet, why don't you give us an overview of what's going on."
The well-dressed Taker nods
"Certainly. Well, I am a businessman who specializes in buying and renovating distressed and abandoned properties. I have extensive holdings in the Hive and Lower Wards, where the majority of distressed property in Sigil is located.
Recently, I acquired the title to an ancient abandoned church in the Shattered Temple District. I do a lot of business in this area, as there are many abandoned buildings around the Athar's faction headquarters.
I sent in a team of demolition workers to level the place, and they flat out vanished. Now, when word got out that the team vanished, all sorts of rumors started up in the neighborhood. The Defiers suddenly cordoned off the building, citing a 'religious hazard.' They are unwilling to let me even onsite! Then a group of Signers show up out of nowhere and start insisting they want access, but they wont tell anyone why."
Jad'Hammet pauses, sips some wine Hanali has poured for him, and continues.
"I would really like to fix this problem without involving the Harmonium. There is obviously something dangerous in the ruined church, but I need a stealthy group to get past the Athar cordon and check out what's what."
Justin nods slowly and thoughtfully, his fingers steepled together.
"I presume that you checked out the background of the property before you bought it. If you would be so kind as to provide us with what information you have on the property, it would assist us greatly in knowing where to start looking for answers." He requests politely.
it would assist us greatly in knowing where to start looking for answers." He requests politely.
Ser Jad'Hammet frowns
"It's funny you should mention that. I gained title of the church as payment for certain debts I held on the estate of an acquaintence of mine. I did make some inquiries about the property, but everyone in the neighborhood has said it has been there abandoned for as long as they can remember. No one could even tell me which power was worshipped there! "
Ser Jad'Hammet looks at Justin
"You have to remember, Ser Case, that Sigil is a city whose existence spans countless millenia. No one can even put a date to when it was founded; some believe it has always been here. Some of these abandoned buildings I deal in have been that way since before the factions formed and began keeping records. I have found buildings that were raised by races that don't even exist anymore. The back alleys of some of these older districts hold many surprises."
"Do you know who your acquaintance got the temple from? They had to have bought it or inherited it at some point. Mayhap if we could trace ownership back far enough, we could get some clue as to what this is about. Could be yer team stumbled on a portal or disappeared into Undersigil..."
Nervously, he adds:
"... or got Mazed. Not to say they did anything deliberately, Ser, but it's possible. The Athar and The Signers have the Dark of it, or think they do, so there must be some way to get lanned to it ourselves 'fore we crack it."
Ser Jad'Hammet frowns
"It's funny you should mention that. I gained title of the church as payment for certain debts I held on the estate of an acquaintence of mine. I did make some inquiries about the property, but everyone in the neighborhood has said it has been there abandoned for as long as they can remember. No one could even tell me which power was worshipped there! "
Ser Jad'Hammet looks at Justin
"You have to remember, Ser Case, that Sigil is a city whose existence spans countless millenia. No one can even put a date to when it was founded; some believe it has always been here. Some of these abandoned buildings I deal in have been that way since before the factions formed and began keeping records. I have found buildings that were raised by races that don't even exist anymore. The back alleys of some of these older districts hold many surprises."
"Yes, of course." Justin gives a small smile. "Forgive me, I am not a Sigil native, and I sometimes forget the,... unusual history of the City."
"Do you know who your acquaintance got the temple from? They had to have bought it or inherited it at some point. Mayhap if we could trace ownership back far enough, we could get some clue as to what this is about. Could be yer team stumbled on a portal or disappeared into Undersigil..."
Nervously, he adds:
"... or got Mazed. Not to say they did anything deliberately, Ser, but it's possible. The Athar and The Signers have the Dark of it, or think they do, so there must be some way to get lanned to it ourselves 'fore we crack it."
The mage nods at Isaac.
"He's got the right of it. SOMEone knows SOMEthing. And we have at least two groups that we know of claiming to be that ONE. Time to ask a few questions. The last thing I want to do is take, , a trip to the elemental plane of fire and realize too late that I forgot to pack my fire-proof underwear!" He mutters wryly.
Jad'Hammet nods to Issac
"You are on the right track Ser. I personally believe there is something in the church that both factions want, mayhap either a new or very old portal or an access point to some location in UnderSigil."
He sighs
"I have had my subordinates combing the Hall of Records for any trace of the property's provenance, but I have come up empty. All I can tell you is my deceased associate, Argesh Fiord, payed taxes on the property for ten cycles, which is enough to establish ownership if he is not challenged."
Jad'Hammet pauses for a second as Justin speaks.
"As for lanning the chant, there might be one slender lead I can give you. I recently heard a bit of chant about a cutter by the name of Hulester. Seems he was in the Athar, but was actually an Revolutionary League plant. Somehow he was found out, and now he is disowned by both factions. He hangs about the Lower Ward supposedly, but I'm not sure exactly where."
Issac:
Jad'Hammet continues
"Since he was just found out last Peak, he might have some of the chant the Athar are holding."
"This might seem like a stupid question," Karrin says, "but it doesn't hurt to ask: besides the tragic disappearance of the work crew, was there any other events that might have attracted attention to your property?"
Ser Jad'Hammet frowns thoughtfully
"Not that I am aware of. The neighborhood is very strange in regards to the property. Usually when you have an abandoned church like this, you get tales of ghosts, or other undead supposedly living there. People like to spin stories about abandoned places."
Jad'Hammet takes a sip of wine
"But when my subordinates tried to figure out the history of the building, the folks that live nearby had nothing to relate. It's as if the church was a null spot in the neighborhood. From what my people told me, most were unaware who owned it, that it was a church, or even when it was abandoned. All they could tell them when asked was that it had been abandoned since time out of mind. They just ignored it, which I found very odd."
"Argesh Fiord, he died of natural causes right?" Karrin asks, "sorry for the bluntness but I suppose we'd better address all the possible loose ends first."
Ser Jad'Hammet looks over at Karrin
"No, I am pleased at the insight of your questions. The long and the short of it is I cannot tell you for sure."
He pauses and continues
"I operate a service by which property owners can acquire loans on their land. Ser Fiord entered into a contract with my service using the church's title as collateral. He mentioned to the subordinate who took care of the papers that he was off to the Outlands on a trading venture, which is why he needed the funds. A couple of months later he vanished during an ambush, and was declared dead by his business partners and family."
He sips a bit more wine and continues.
"I met him at the signing, so I really knew very little about the cutter, but his references were sterling. His estate released the title to my possesion, and that is how we have come to the current situation."
Ekuur speaks up a moment, asking what he thought was an obvious question. "I am sorry if you mentioned and I missed it - my mastery of your language is still imperfect - but I don't remember you saying what god or force the church is, or was, dedicated to. Do you know?"
Jad'Hammet looks to Ekuur
"That is quite all right. It seems no one knows who was worshipped there. It looks like a church and was identified as such on the title that was drawn up for Ser Fiord, so I have been calling it such. But, honestly I have no idea if was even used as a house of worship. Considering it lies close to the Athar's headquarters, I would assume if it was a church it would have to have been abandoned since before that faction arose."
"Has anyone tried checking it for magical Aura's?" Merle asks "Could be a magical affect causing people to Ignore it."
Jad'Hammet looks to Merle
"A perceptive question. No, I have not had a chance to get an arcane investigator close, since the Athar sealed the area off quickly and are deaf to my pleas for entry. They have invoked Faction Domain on the area, which means I can be frozen out for some time until the case is setttled in court. This leaves me in a nebulous position, as I cannot force them to admit me legally."
Drazek gives Merle a look reserved for those who ask questions like "is water wet?"
" 'course it's magic involved. Hell if you're up to no good, and don't wanna be disturbed 'till its too late to do anythin' 'bout it, what better way thanto make nobody care 'bout ya?"
" Well then since you know so much about the subject I'm sure you have figured it all out and can save us all a trip by explaining it all here. Go on were listening."
Isaac taps a finger on his chin, musing mostly to himself.
"I wonder if the Dabus keep it up at all? No rhyme or reason to what they fix or break, depending on the Lady's whims. Could well be they spent time keepin' it exactly as it was, time out o' mind..."
"Theories are all we have 'till we get out there and start workin' the angles. Any other questions? What say we quit coolin' our heels and start rattlin' our boneboxes?"
Isaac taps a finger on his chin, musing mostly to himself.
"I wonder if the Dabus keep it up at all? No rhyme or reason to what they fix or break, depending on the Lady's whims. Could well be they spent time keepin' it exactly as it was, time out o' mind..."
Jad'Hammet nods
"As a matter of fact, I have seen quite a few Dabus in that neighborhood. Nothing on the church, that I saw, but there are a lot of them about."
Renkar looks about
"If there are no further questions, I am sure Ser Jad'Hammet has other business to attend to."
Renkar rises
"Thank you Ser Jad'Hammet. You can count on the Silver Rose Company to handle this matter discreetely."
Ser Jad'Hammet rises and claps hands with Renkar
"I am counting on it Ser Sha'Hagmid. This situation is most ...touchy ... politically. I don't wish to embroil my faction in this, and neither do I want it said that the Athar and Signers began a faction war on my property!"
He looks at Mr. Swire.
"Mr. Swire a word with you if you wouldn't mind at my carraige?"
Renkar nods slightly over Ser Jad'Hammet's shoulder
Mr. Swire and Ser Jad'Hammet descend to street level. A light rain has begun as the two emerge out of the Silver Rose.
Jad'Hammet's subordinates hold out large umbrellas, sheilding the path to the carraige. Swire notes that the carraige is of a very fine quality, as are the horses. Several very large footmen in chain shirts and armed with fancy swords stand guard. He enters his coach and looks back at Mr. Swire.
Swire:
He looks back at Swire, sizing him up
"I do a lot of work in the Hive. I always have a need for able associates to troubleshoot the myriad problems that crop up in that area. I also am a close friend of His Grace, Duke Darkwood. Bring me success, and I predict many new doors within and without the faction will open for you. I bid you goodday ser."
His subordinates shut the carraige door and clamber on to the running boards. The driver calls and the carraige clatters off into the foggy Sigilian afterpeak.
"No need to act all pissy just 'cause ya' asked a stupid question, darlin'. Could happen to anybody....well...almost anybody."
"Um, how's it a stupid question?" Karrin asks scratching her head, "I mean for one thing it would save us some time if we already knew if we were dealing with, but there's no guaranteeing that we're dealing with magic is there? I mean for all we know the church is home to some ghastly cult and the neighbors are either members or too scared to talk. I could think of a dozen or more possibilities and I'm not even that smart. Heck even if it is magic we don't know for sure if it's the site itself that's enchanted or something that's living inside that's using magical compulsion. I mean there's all sorts of possibilities. Sometimes easy questions have complex answers."
"No worries, ser." Swire takes off his badge and slips it into his pocket. "Those poor sods aren't even going to realize a Taker's been there in the first place."
Swire stalks out after Ser Jed'Hammet.
Swire watches the carriage drive off into the mists before returning to the Silver Rose.
"No need to act all pissy just 'cause ya' asked a stupid question, darlin'. Could happen to anybody....well...almost anybody.""Um, how's it a stupid question?" Karrin asks scratching her head, "I mean for one thing it would save us some time if we already knew if we were dealing with, but there's no guaranteeing that we're dealing with magic is there? I mean for all we know the church is home to some ghastly cult and the neighbors are either members or too scared to talk. I could think of a dozen or more possibilities and I'm not even that smart. Heck even if it is magic we don't know for sure if it's the site itself that's enchanted or something that's living inside that's using magical compulsion. I mean there's all sorts of possibilities. Sometimes easy questions have complex answers."
"Also," Karrin continues once, Ser Jad'Hammet has left, "it's not good form to snap back and forth in the presence of a client. Very unprofessional! I got no problem with people not agreeing and stuff, but you don't argue in front of the client! Imagine how that makes you and the rest of us look. We got a good group here, and I think we started to hammer out some of these team work issues, but now I see we're also sloppy and undisciplined in basic mercenary etiquette. When this job is through Issac and I are going to need to run a course on that now as well!"
Karrin glares at Drazek and Merle mainly during her speech but also glances at Beth because her laughs and smiles weren't helping.
"Alright as to the matter at hand," Karrin says turning to Issac, "I think we need to scope the place out at the very least, maybe make out plans from there, but maybe we need to do a little information gathering as well. I mean if you think we can do that discreetly. Last thing we'd want is some of out questions drawing attention to ourselves."
"Also," Karrin continues once, Ser Jad'Hammet has left, "it's not good form to snap back and forth in the presence of a client. Very unprofessional! I got no problem with people not agreeing and stuff, but you don't argue in front of the client! Imagine how that makes you and the rest of us look. We got a good group here, and I think we started to hammer out some of these team work issues, but now I see we're also sloppy and undisciplined in basic mercenary etiquette. When this job is through Issac and I are going to need to run a course on that now as well!"Karrin glares at Drazek and Merle mainly during her speech but also glances at Beth because her laughs and smiles weren't helping.
".........He started it." Merle responds pointing a figure at Drazek. Seph from his perch just roles hie eyes.
".........He started it." Merle responds pointing a figure at Drazek. Seph from his perch just roles hie eyes.
Justin merely slaps his hand to his forehead and shakes his head slightly.
"Alright Karrin, good idea. Um, for those of us still acquiring knowledge others may take for granted," He says, indicating the used copy of Sigil basics lying on the table, "I understand why these two factions might not usually get along, but do they have a history of animosity? What might be in this church that both these diametrically opposed factions would both want? Or could this be a simple case of 'they want it, so we must have it!'?" Justin asks.
"On the other hand, this church lying unnoticed by it's neighbors forever concerns me a great deal. The power required to lay a spell that powerful and long lasting,... Let's get all the info we can before hand, but I'm afraid that getting INTO the church may be the only option to find out what's really going on. Someone went to a great deal of trouble to make sure that building went unnoticed." Justin says, concern furrowing his brow.
"I'm still confused by some of the local laws, HOW is it, exactly, that these factions can cordon off and keep our new client from entering his own building?"
".........He started it." Merle responds pointing a figure at Drazek. Seph from his perch just roles hie eyes.Justin merely slaps his hand to his forehead and shakes his head slightly.
"Alright Karrin, good idea. Um, for those of us still acquiring knowledge others may take for granted," He says, indicating the used copy of Sigil basics lying on the table, "I understand why these two factions might not usually get along, but do they have a history of animosity? What might be in this church that both these diametrically opposed factions would both want? Or could this be a simple case of 'they want it, so we must have it!'?" Justin asks.
"On the other hand, this church lying unnoticed by it's neighbors forever concerns me a great deal. The power required to lay a spell that powerful and long lasting,... Let's get all the info we can before hand, but I'm afraid that getting INTO the church may be the only option to find out what's really going on. Someone went to a great deal of trouble to make sure that building went unnoticed." Justin says, concern furrowing his brow.
"I'm still confused by some of the local laws, HOW is it, exactly, that these factions can cordon off and keep our new client from entering his own building?"
"I ain't no Guvner, cutter, but I'll spill yeh what's in my brainbox. There ain't no central government as such in Sigil, right? It's just the Factions what are in charge of the sentient concerns an' that's how they earn their keep while holdin' to their philosophies. The Dabus keep Sigil the way the Lady is supposed to like it, but ain't a berk in the Cage knows what they're really about. In any city, just like on the Prime, some poor sod's got to pick up the deaders so's we don't have a plague, right? Or run the asylum for the other poor sods, or turn out iron goods or collect taxes or patrol the streets... tumble to that? Each has teh recognize each other's authority or else there's more sodding trouble than any o' us would want. What if the Harmonium decided they could do a better job collectin' taxes? That would be an outright war with the Takers, right? And open warfare..."
Isaac shakes his head."... good way to draw the Lady's attention, cutter. Whole Factions been mazed for that, I heard. Others fall in her shadow, penned in the deadbook with a thousand little cuts. Much as each Faction wants the whole sodding Cage, they gotta stay in line one way or 'nother. Better for business, right? So even if it's Jed'Hammat's property, the Athar can step in an' claim that it's not only on their turf, but it falls within their jurisdiction since those poor sods up 'n ghosted in a temple. The resident Defiers make a case with the Guvners, the Signers make a counter claim... our client's left holding a corner in a tug-o-war. 'specially since he only got the property through a default. That's my take, leastaways. I ain't a Guvner, like I said.
"Only thing I can swear on my mother's ashes (may the Source speed her to Ascension) is there won't be a Power waitin' in there. Powers are the only sentients barred from the Cage, that's why Proxies do their legwork here. Otherwise, could be sodding anything but my jink's on a portal or a passage to Undersigil. Or the sods done somethin' what displeased the Lady and they wound up Mazed."
Nari frowned. "So...the temple goes unnoticed for no one knows how long.....the secret of how would be valuable....so if both factions want it....perhaps think that somehow it will validate their ideas...I mean, most conflicts turn out to be about money, love, or religious ideology - some people would add politics, but I find that tends to end up back at the first three when you get down to it...." Nari mutters to herself as her psicrystal races around on her open palm. She trails off, embarrassed as she realizes she's been speaking out loud. She blushes and tucks her psicrystal back onto her shoulder.
Justin 'Humphs', but nods his head to Isaac. "Thanks, don't know if I'll ever understand this city." He says wryly.
Justin gives a small smile to Nari. He holds out his hand toward the psicrytal, idly curious if it will come to him.
"Correct Nari. All we really have to do is figure out what is possibly inside that could mean so much to both factions. It may not be general knowledge, but everything and everyone leaves a clue, from the sneakiest thief to the most powerful and subtle spell. SOMEwhere there is a clue, and these factions have tumbled onto it. We need to find out what they know,..." Justin muses, rubbing his chin as if stroking a goatee.
"Possibly the disappearance of the workers and the resulting hue and cry was enough to penetrate the 'inattention' aura of the old church, and the factions, supposedly having been looking for it, jumped on it. Spells like that rely on subtly and misdirection, and rarely stand up to direct scrutiny. Probably only affects the immediate proximity as well. THat would explain how the property can actually have an owner, but the neighbors don't even realize it's there half the time." The mage mutters softly, thinking out loud.