Justin looks around slowly, and gives a low whistle.
"So. THIS is where all the nick-knacks that people lose go to! I wonder if my odd socks are here?" He quips with a smirk.
"Tiandra, I presume that these are all potential portal keys? I'm guessing that they sell information about portals as well?" He asks, looking around and shaking his head at the sheer scope of the mountains of,... junk.
Isaac looks around the shop, thinking over what he knows about the place.
Knowledge (Local): 1d20+6
"So, Tiandra, ye got any notion what kind o' portal key we're scanning for?"
Issac:
Tiandra frowns
"I hope to ask the owner for the dark of this portal. I hope she has the answer."
She moves closer to the desk, waiting until the current customer is finished
Finally the customer at the desk moves away with a package in tow. The elderly female with the blue glasses looks up at the approaching group.
"Ahh, what can I do for yeh cutters?"
Tiandra smiles and bows slightly.
"Ser Alluvius I presume? My name is Tiandra and I am looking for a portal key to a gate in the Lower Ward. I don't know what the key is, but I and my associates are hoping that you could help us."
The elderly tiefling cackles and hops off her stool, coming around the desk. She grabs a walking stick carved of yellow ivory. She is dressed in a man's green frock coat and brown trousers, which accentuate her scrawny frame. She grabs a large ring of keys off a peg nearby.
"Mayhap, mayhap. I'll have to check my Memoribilia. It's up on the top floor. Yeh can come up or wait here. Do yeh know the location?"
Tiandra gives Alluvius a detailed description of the location.
"Now do yeh have some jink for this?"
Tiandra nods and flips her a small blue gem. Alluvius snatches it out of the air with a speed suprising for her age.
"Right. Come with me."
The tiefling leads them to the staircase, yelling to a large man as she goes:
"Kobbot! Man the desk! I'm upstairs with a customer."
Alluvius hops along like a large frizzy-haired bird, chuckling to herself. She leads the group up the spirial staircase.
As they ascend they come to landings showing other floors full of shelves and containers: Everything from boxes of iron nails to barrels of stone chips. The fourth and final floor doesn't feature barrels or boxes though, it features glass cases zig zagging all over the large expanse of the circular building. The magical glowing lighting picks up sparkles from many of the cases.
The glass cases seem to invite inspection, and indeed several people are oohing and ahhing over the items on display. The items on display here are absolutely fascinating. There is a huge horned skull literally covered in precious gems. A collection of flowers sculpted in gold sit in another case. An entire crystal human skeleton is on display in one case, the bones a translucent blue like the finest sapphire. An golden clockwork automaton canary in a crystal cage sings an ethereal tune on a shelf. Rings, amulets, jewels and precious metals from around the Great Wheel lay gathered in the glass display cases.
Alluvius looks over her shoulder.
"You lot can look about here, I'll be right back."
She walks over to a locked door and inserts a key. She goes inside and shuts the door.
"Wow." Justin says in a monotone as the tiefling hops off to do,... whatever it is that she does. The wizard looks first at the gem-encrusted skull, and then at the tiny golden canary singing in it's cage.
"Will you look at the craftmanship on these things? The mechanics on this are amazing! And those bones, they look like the real thing! I wonder if they were hand-carved or transmuted by spell?" He wonders aloud, apparently unfazed by the fact that the items are beyond priceless. He examines them with the same casual yet intent scrutiny that he gave the gew-gaws downstairs. Except he doesn't try to touch these,...
"Take some fine work getting them out too." Swire leers at the assembled riches.
Swire:
Lissandra the Gateseeker is rumored to be either her daughter or her lieutenant. The Anarchist portal explorer is rumored to keep kip here when the heat's on. It does make sense that they would have a working relationship, considering their fields of expertise.
Lu plays the dotty old lady bit, but it's all for the Clueless. The whole Cage knows she's a trig spellslinger. Swire had even heard darker rumors that she'd gotten hold of some top-shelf magics that made her immortal and invincible, but chant like that is more than likely to be barmy barkle. Still, she's been in this place for a lot of years, and never seems to change. She does have a reputation for square dealing, but she is a mercenary when it comes to jink.
Looking about, Swire sees a few mooks in standard Guard Gear on the floor. They look like they are there to assist customers, but Swire knows the look of a guard nonetheless. The display cases themselves look to be thick crystal glass, secured by small brass locks. Swire imagines picking them could be a cinch for a trig cove like himself, but there's always a catch. More like there's spellwork tangled up in them somewhere, they have the look about them.
The shop's layout is strange, in that there are no windows or skylights at all in the building. No fireplace either, but the place feels warm and pleasant. There are few shadows: high placed glowing orbs give them place an unnaturaly bright illumination, very unlike the flickering firelight Swire is used to. The walls are that black-flecked green marble the outside was made of. Swire would bet Stingers to sausages those marble walls are plenty thick. The place has the hallmarks of a very secure kip indeed.
Isaac examines the cases with bemused wonder, thinking mostly about how one would make some of these items rather than their monetary value. He spends the most time looking over the more exotic precious metals.
"Talk about raw potential! Reckon a cutter could make some mighty fine pieces with a kit like that."
Ekuur finds a spot not anywhere near the priceless items, and leans back folding his arms across his chest. Though he certainly recognizes their value, he sometimes still has difficulty getting himself all worked up over gold, silver, and the like. Mostly too soft to be of any use, he thinks. Still, they are exquisite craftsmanship, of that there can be no doubt.
After a while the Alluvius returns to the group, humming tonelessly as she hops along.
"I got it. Yeh'll need a silver Arcadian Dovehawk feather. Yer in luck, that portal is fairly stable an' it won't destroy yer key in use. Plus it's a two-way, an the feather will work on both sides. I think I have a few feathers like that on the second floor. Follow me!"
Lu leads them to the second floor. Towards the edge of the cylinder there is a large sheet of corkwood with a myriad of different feathers attached, making a crazyquilt rainbow. The elderly tiefling plucks a silver-colored feather from the collection and hands it to Tiandra.
"There yeh go ducks, that'll be jest another 500 Ladies to finish up."
Tiandra pays the small woman with another small gem. Alluvius smiles, revealing slightly-pointed teeth and pockets the sparkling green jewel.
"Right, a pleasure doing business with yeh!"
The group parts ways with the enegmatic portalkey seller and reemerges into the bustle of the Great Bazaar. Tiandra turns to the group.
"I have a few purchases to make before we head out on this expedition. I am eager to begin, so why don't we rendezvous in two hours' time at your office? I would suggest you provision for at least a week, in case we have to track down these khaasta."
Tiandra heads off into the vast sprawl of merchants' tents.
Isaac admires Tiandra's walk as she heads off into the market, but quickly turns his attention back to his comrades.
"Right. You cutters can pick my brainbox if yeh need some advice on packin' yer kit for planes hopping. I ain't the chief blood on the subject, but I've bent an ear teh better lanned cutters so I can give yeh the straight Chant."
Justin nods, then frowns in confusion.
"Wait, do we actually know where the portal goes? We have the key, but,..." He muses and rubs his chin thoughtfully.
"I can manage a pack for traveling, I keep one pretty much ready, but I've never been a big outdoors person. I always preferred the library." He shrugs with a smirk. "So any advice would be appreciated. Tent? Extra rations? Extra Clothes? 'Survival gear'? Hmmm,..." He begins muttering and checking off things on his fingers.
"Well, cutter, the typical traveling kit is a safe bet. Ye'll want a proper knife ('never go noplace without a good knife' as my fa used to say), good sturdy boots and rope. An oiled tarp 'n tent teh keep the weather off. I heard tell some planes got acidic rain an' the like, but I think we ought t'be fine in the Outlands so long as we stay away from the Lower planes' Gate Towns."
He pulls the bandanna from around his neck.
"One o' these can be pretty helpful. Far-fetched as it may seem, cutter, there's some things an' places on the planes yeh don't want teh scan. So these can make a fine blindfold should a medusa lock 'er gaze on ye or if yeh need teh cut a jag through the Inner Planes or yeh can block your bonebox with it to keep out the smoke 'n fumes a little on some o' the other Planes. Earplugs are another fine notion. Never know if yeh'll catch up with one o' Bethany's less friendly cousins or if yer travels will take yeh to Pandemonium or some other sodding place."
Isaac ties on his bandanna again and stares into the sky filling the center Sigil's ring.
"Sort of goes without sayin', but yeh'll want to bring yer own food 'n water. What's safe for the natives may not be safe fer you and some o' the less... friendly... natives may try to trick yeh into eating somethin' foul. Be wary who yeh take hospitality from. 'course you want torches, a lantern or magic light. Maps are useless; distances tend to change in the Outlands. May take yeh three days to get where yer goin', but gettin' back could take three times as long. A journal's a better option. And, of course, jink. No matter what tongue a berk speaks, jink can make 'em understood."
The group spends an interesting early afterpeak shopping in the multiverse's most famous marketplace.
As the two hours wind down the group reconvenes at the Silver Rose. Tiandra is already there chatting with Renkar. The tall warrior has exchanged her silken burnoose for a practical travelling ensemble of chainmail and tunic, with a thick dark-green woolen cloak. A backpack that looks to have seen many adventures sits propped along a wall.
"Ah, are we ready?" She inquires.
Tiandra leads the group out into the (relatively) bright afterpeak headed towards the Hive Ward and Khaasta Row. As they arrive at the end of Copper Court and segue onto the vast boulevard of Copperman's Way Tiandra hails a cairrage.
"I have the feeling we will be doing much walking in the next few days. Let us travel in ease while we can."
A large carraige with a team of hissing lizards for propulsion halts for her, and she dickers the price with the driver. The group climbs aboard and they are off.
"Well, get as far as the edge of the Clerk's Ward at least." Tiandra says, after securing her backpack to the carraige's top rack.
The ride is uneventful, the large carraige swaying and bumping a bit as they travel the potholed streets of the Cage. The Great Bazaar passes by, as does the sylvan-themed neighborhood of the Forest District. They pass the massive Hall of Speakers, where the factions hammer out municipal codes amongst themselves.
The government buildings slowly turn to tenements for the army of clerks the Fated, Signers and Guvners use to keep the wheels of bureaucracy creaking along. The carraige come to a stop by the large conveyance rental area known as the Tea Street Transit. Tiandra disembarks and grabs her backpack, flipping the driver a few golden coins
"Come along, our destination is not far," She says
The group heads out on foot along Tea Street, which marks the border of Khaasta Row and Darkwell Court. They soon return to the small plaza where the Khaasta had disappeared the previous day. The door in the crumbling brick wall looks unchanged. Tiandra steps forward with the silver feather held high. The door disappears in a haze of blue-green wavery energy. Beyond a scene of mountains can be glimpsed. Tiandra beckons and steps through, sword drawn. She disappears from view
"No need to pack much in the way of food and water. Perhaps a little spare, but I can create enough of both for everyone each day."
Isaac's eye twitches just a tiny bit. His casual manner becomes a bit more nervous.
"That may be so, cutter, but what happens if yer penned in the deadbook or we get separated? Anything can happen, cutter. Anything. Better to buy enough provisions and rely on you for the extra if we have to."The half-elf walks off to replenish his arrow supply, buy his provisions and a new tent.
The group heads out on foot along Tea Street, which marks the border of Khaasta Row and Darkwell Court. They soon return to the small plaza where the Khaasta had disappeared the previous day. The door in the crumbling brick wall looks unchanged. Tiandra steps forward with the silver feather held high. The door disappears in a haze of blue-green wavery energy. Beyond a scene of mountains can be glimpsed. Tiandra beckons and steps through, sword drawn. She disappears from view
Actions?
Isaac steps through.
Nari tried not to let her small pack come before Isaac's disapproving eyes. She was just too weak to carry heavy loads over a long distance. Better to be able to run away when necessary. She had picked up a couple day's rations and a scarf as he had advised. And a small honey leather tarp to use as shelter if needed. She nervously followed her friends, keeping a wary eye out as she went.
The group files through the portal, and each feels that unique stretching of time and space as they step through to another plane of existence.
The arrive at the top of a large flat, scarred rock. Tall mountains surround them; they seem to have landed in a valley. Merle and Karrin recognize hese mountains: They look very similar to the ones they traveled through to the goblin salt mine.
Unlike that wild verdant valley where the goblins had their portal, this valley is a wasteland. The ground is bereft of vegetation, and has a greasy, oily look to it, and the few collections of water about are sheened with bright bizarre colors. The distant valley walls look oddly scarred and are also bare of vegetation.
A fairly obvious trail has been left in the soggy soil, discernable even for those without tracking skills. A fresh set of wheel ruts and various other tracks head off further into this noxious valley.
Merle first makes a face at the (Probably) foul smell of the place. Then she begins to look around
The air is indeed foul, with a bitter metallic reek to it. Looking around Merle can see piles of rubble dotting the oily gooey mud. The wagon (?) tracks look to have sunken in about 4-6 inches into the mire. Looking closer there seems to be a faded crisscross of older tracks under the new. These ones seem to be well weatherworn. The sky is covered in black clouds and the air is chill as well as foul.
Perception:
10:
15:
20:
Knowledge (planes) checks:
10:
15:
20:
25:
Knowledge (Dungeoneering/Engineering/mining):
10:
15:
20
Knowledge (Dungeoneering):
Isaac looks about, assessing the area.
"This area was strip mined a long time ago. I'd cover your boneboxes, cutters; could be toxic. See, no plants or animals, eh? If yeh find any tailings, leave 'em. Might could catch sick. I'd reckon we're... central Outlands. By Dwarven Mountain. Hmm. Let's follow the wagon ruts, see what that kip is."
Running a hand through his hair, he adds:
"Be careful with yer spells, too, mates. Closer we are to the Spire, more likely higher power spells fall flat. Can't say fer sure what'll work an' what won't. So just be cautious an' everything's Mr. Tinker, eh? Close to the center means close to the Spire."
Justin covers his mouth with his own handkerchief, then takes a good look around to get his bearings. As Isaac gives them a brief rundown, Justin nods in agreement, surprising himself with what he remembers reading and hearing about this place.
"I agree Isaac, but whatever was mined here was long ago. Like you said, as long as we don't handle anything, we should be relatively safe." Justin replies offhandedly as he examines an odd bit of rock.
"Unless I'm mistaken, These mountains are most likely close to the, er, 'kip' of three major Dwarven gods known as Dwarven Mountain. If that's true, then the trading town of Ironridge must be nearby. I hear it's One of the bigger towns in the mountain area, and supposedly it is the main place to buy dwarvish-crafted gear. Um, so I'm told." He adds lower as he realizes he is rambling. He files away what he has heard about the Spires and how they can affect magic, and follows the group.
:)
The group heads along the wagon ruts leading off towards one end of the valley. The lowering clouds make it hard to make out the peaks of the surrounding mountains, but they seem to be quite formidable. They find the mud likes to stick to their footwear. The mud has a faint rainbow sheen to it. The few pools of water they see are colored bright primary hues. A few clumps of razorvine can be seen here and there, but even that invasive plant seems to struggle here.
The building that Issac had spotted slowly comes into view as they trudge along in the sticky mud. It looks like a cylindrical building with a domed roof, perhaps three stories tall. It is leaning at a distinct angle, perhaps as much as 20 degrees of horizontal, as if it was sinking into the mud slowly. The first level is almost submerged into the bluish mud.
Nari will stay towards the back and activate her detect hostile intent power.
Nari: