"Well, dip me in gold and call me Midas! Welcome back cutters!"
"But, MS. Kind, ye'll recall that you said we should use it on fiends or "bad guys". Justin's in a twist to "study" it, whatever he's on about, and Merle wants to see how much jink we could amass with it. So we kept it. I ain't a bloody dictator; if I'm in charge o' you sods at all it's by your consent and we ain't always gonna see eye to eye. So I say we consult Renkar and figure out what teh do with the bloody thing."
"True, but that was before people somehow knew we had it even though I thought we kept it secret and stuff," Karrin says, "Also fighting demons and devils isn't a sort of tomorrow plan it's kind of a long term goal and if folks know we got it I don't want to get stuck fighting increasingly powerful hit squads and collectors till some demi god or lich catches wind of it. Better to let Renkar find a buyer that he knows isn't going to misuse it or we fling it into space or something. either way I doubt we can keep it now."
"Well, dip me in gold and call me Midas! Welcome back cutters!"
"Hey Hanali!" Karrin says as they walk in, "Boy could I use something to eat! But first we got to report to Renkar, some kind of dull stuff, but also something really really important! So important that I'm gonna wait till after we tell him before I get anything to eat."
Karrin, perhaps subconsciously, dips her hand into her never ending rations and begins nibbling on some of the hard tack within.
Hanali opens the door into the Silver Rose for them.
"Renkar is upstars. I think he is still palavering with that Taker gent you were travelling with, Swire."
The party heads upstairs into Renkar's office. Renkar is there seated, talking to of all people, Mr. Swire. It looks as if the last few weeks have been good to him. His stained adventuring gear is gone, replaced by a fancy getup of fur and velvet. He still has that magic sword at his belt though. Renkar smiles, Mr. Swire just stares
"At last! I was beginning to worry! Welcome back!"
"Heh. Speak O' the fiends, and they shall appear."
"Awww, Monsieur Swill!" Karrin says quickly shifting into that strange accent she used weeks ago when they were originally scouting out the property in the lower ward, "Tu as bonne mine!"
"We got some really pressing stuff to talk about right now Renkar," Karrin says switching back to her normal voice, "But we can get back to that other thing we were working on later. First off Isaac is now our team leader, everyone else appointed him so he should take the lead on this, but we made some discoveries in our little side trek that you should know about."
Mr. Swire looks at Karrin with his beady black eyes. Despite his fancy clothes, he still looks like a weasel.
"I remember you lot were getting all wrapped up in 'side treks'. That's why I gave you the laugh an' headed back here. While you were gallivanting about on the Big Bark, I have been trying to save our comission with Jad'Hammet. Fortunately, I have landed a position working for him. I am now just a consultant for you lot, not an active member of your scruffy crewe."
"Morning Hana. Or is it afternoon here? I can never tell." Justin says with a small but genuine smile for the lady. Her own lovely dress only accentuates the groups' own road-weary appearance, and Justin self-consciously wipes his feet as he enters.
Justin simply nods to both Renkar and Swire as they enter the office, and plops into an available chair. The past few weeks of travel, battle, and more travel are finally catching up to him. He sinks into the comfortable chair, happily letting 'Leader' Isaac or 'helpful' Karrin do most of the talking.
He does take a look at Mr Swire's new wardrobe, and self-consciously pulls his new coat around to hide the worst of his travel-stained clothes.
'What IS it about that man that tweaks me so? Reminds me of a rodent. Good thing I don't have a familiar, I'd probably sic 'em on him!'
"Figgured as much," Karrin says with an enigmatic smile, "But could you excuse us for a moment Swire? We have some company business to take care of first and then we can get back to what your boss wanted."
"Oh and try not to listen at the door," Karrin says, "That would be embarrassing!"
Swire huffs
"I'm sure yeh can be brought up ta speed by Renkar. Good farings cutters."
He nods to Renkar
"I'll let Ser Jad'Hammet know that your crewe is back in the Cage. I'm sure he'll be expecting an update soon."
Swire departs, his sable cloak swirling as he scuttles out of the door.
"Top-shelf cloak, by the way! Think I'm gonna get one just like it fer my monkey!", Isaac says, waving farewell.
Chee Chowk chitters and waves.
A silvery form launches from the rafters
"OOOoo! MONKEY! "
The small faerie dragon swoops about Issac
"MONKEYMONKEYMONKEYMONKEY!"
Chee Chowk squawks and dives under Issac's claok
Isaac holds up a placating palm to the pseudodragon.
"Oi, cool yer heels, cutter, cool yer heels! Chee Chowk's new in town an' he's a bit shy at the moment."
He drops a hand to his monkey.
"Come on out, little friend. Mercutio's just excited teh meet you is all. There's a good lad."
The half-elf snaps an informal salute to Renkar.
"Good teh see ye, boss. How long have we been Out of Town, by the way? Sort o' lost track crossin' the Outlands, travelin' Yggdrasil, couple peaks on the Prime Material... a sod loses track."
"Let's see, not sure how much Chant Swire gave ye- Met a berk in a chicken-leg tower that was after the Thief of Charms, the Norns didn't take kindly to his marchin' straight into their forest and I adopted his monkey. After meetin' the Norns, we recovered the Thief of Charms from the Khaasta, freed their slaves, Nari's crystal broke in Crux while tryin' teh save a sod from possession. A woman and her fiend pal showed up teh try and get the artifact from us, but we turned the tables, the ratatosk asked us teh look into an infection spreadin' on the World Ash so we headed to the Prime teh get a magical circlet the burn it out. While there, we planted the seed of Yggdrasil and saved a civilization of elves- I'll let Nari clue ye in on the new body. Merle activated the circlet and cleared out the infection after a pack of undead fiends tried teh pen us in the deadbook. That's the dark of her new ink."
"Also- the illithid power o' knowledge and secrets was penned in the deadbook if ye haven't heard. And we're tryin' teh figure what to do with the Thief of Charms since we're deadlocked on how to proceed. What's new in the Cage?"
He snaps his fingers.
"It was in the khaasta's demiplane we met Rhiannon and she joined up- after Swire, Bethany and Drazek gave us the laugh."
Justin waves as Swire leaves.
"Yeh, you go ahead and do that." He murmurs to the closed door.
Justin laughs as the faerie dragon swoops around Isaac. It seems like some of his humor is for the recently departed Swire.
"Hello to you too Mercutio." Justin says with a grin. He reaches into his pocket and tosses a tiny glittering object lightly into the air.
"You didn't think we forgot about you did you?" He says to the dragon. Hoping that the minor distraction provides Chee-Chowk a moment to recover from the surprise greeting.
Justin looks at Renkar. "Like we were trying to say boss, we've run into quite a few things while we were traveling. Sheesh, I feel like I've forgotten half of it, I don't even know where to start." He says wryly, sitting back down and gesturing to Karrin and Isaac to indicate that they should.
"Also along the way we were ambushed by a demon and some tiefling chick named Talisman, we killed the demon and captured spell caster, but the thing is she knew about the Thief of Charms. I lied to her and made up a story about hiding it or throwing it away but I'm not sure if she bought it or not. Long story short is that we turned her over to the mercykillers, which reminds me we got a bounty note on her and I figure as our boss you should hang onto it and give us our cut when the note becomes valid, but anyways it's possible that she has friends here in the cage or maybe an employer that's after information or something but the problem is that she's being questioned at the moment and I figure she'll tell them anything she can to get out of the noose and information about artifacts usually don't stay hidden for long. The thing is I'm willing to bet folks are going to come looking for it and most of them aren't going to be nice people. So we need to figure out how to destroy it, sell it to someone with noble purposes, or we need to give it to someone for safekeeping till we can do one of the first two things. I planned on using it for good but that's the sort of thing we could only do sparingly cuz it's gonna leave some sort of mark I figure and if folks already know about it . . .
"Anyways I let Talisman think that we hid it somewhere and I figure we should continue that line until something more permanent can be done. I figure we got hours or days at best before the hardheads stop by to do some "follow up" questioning. And maybe a few days after that before someone breaks in to ransack the place. Your the boss and the one with connections I figgure if anyone has ideas it would have to be you. Otherwise you need to point us to a door that opens into formless space or something so we can chuck it."
Karrin pauses to take a breath, then starts up again, "Oh ya, Swire knows about the thing but not what happened to it after the fact. I think he's okay and all but very opportunistic and would sell his own mother for a bit of jink. He knows we found it but not what happened to it afterwards. I think we should let him think we got rid of it as well."
Only a very concentrated effort on Justin's part prevents him from reaching up to touch the rod in his coat pocket as they talk about the Thief of Charms. As it is he visibly cringes every time they mention 'tossing' or 'destroying'.
However, he manages to sit more or less calmly, and wait for Renkar to make his input before he actually objects to anything.
Renkar listens avidly to the description of the groups' adventures
"Ahh, it reminds me of my youth."
He nods to Issac
"You've been gone about a tenth cycle . The good news is the heat on your last assignment has cooled. Since Drazek is gone especially."
He shakes Rhiannon's hand
"It is great to meet another willing member of our crew."
He looks Nari over critically
"So, a whole new body? I remember a friend of mine ended up as a satyr when they did a reincarnation spell on him. It's a hard thing to deal with, I hope all is well with you."
He frowns when the Thief of Charms is brought up
'Well, you were hired by the warrior Tiandra. I had assumed she would take it. If you have the item, I would assume it is 'spoils of war'. An unknown magical item like that could be worth a load of jink. I really don't know what you should do with it. It doesn't kill folks, so it is inherently less dangerous than many items in Sigil. However, it produces a potent elixir, so it will be valuable to many. Can I see it?"
Rhiannon listens ar the others brief Renkar, nodding quietly.
"Ya," Karrin says when Drazek is mentioned, "He kind of got all sorts of bad attention and stuff. But I figure he was hard of hearing like me cuz he was always staring. It's real nice to have another front line fighter like me an Isaac though! Helps keep the squishies safe."
Karrin doesn't even try to look at someone other then Justin when she says that last part.
Justin looks surprised.
"30 days? Is that all?" He asks, genuinely intrigued.
"Must be some sort of temporal flux across the various planes,..." He muses, then brings himself back to the present.
He manages to suppress a quick feeling of anxiety, (no, it was definitely possessiveness), and nods.
"Of course." He says pulling the Rod out of his inside coat pocket and unwrapping his kerchief from around it. He hands the Thief of Charms to his boss.
"It really is beautiful. An exciting piece of workmanship. So simple, and elegant in it's simplicity. Yet very, VERY powerful. I haven't had time to study it properly yet, but it may actually amplify the essence that it takes. Which would explain why it is as short-lived as a regular potion, despite it's source and obvious power, which you might think would make it permanent." Justin says as he watches Renkar examine the rod.
"Oh! THAT reminds me! I picked up a few other items on our travels, interesting things I had thought might make for crafting unusual or powerful items. But these last, I couldn't leave them lying behind. Literally." Justin says, opening his pack and pulling out the 4 carefully wrapped bundles.
"These are the remains of the things that tried to stop us from healing the World Ash at the end. As far as we could tell,... they were Fiends. UNDEAD fiends." He smiles just a little smugly at Renkar's reaction to that news.
"Yeah. That's what we thought too. That's why I made sure we didn't leave them behind. I had thought anything like that would obviously be a channel for powerful magic, and thought to use it for an item, but I think it STILL IS a channel. Just carrying them gives me the willies. Like i have a crossbow aimed between my shoulder blades."
"Ya," Karrin says when Drazek is mentioned, "He kind of got all sorts of bad attention and stuff. But I figure he was hard of hearing like me cuz he was always staring. It's real nice to have another front line fighter like me an Isaac though! Helps keep the squishies safe."
Karrin doesn't even try to look at someone other then Justin when she says that last part.
"What?!" Justin replies, all wide eyed innocence.
"Just because all of us can't bend steel with our Patented Pinkie Painkiller Manuever. <SHeesh, you get hit by ONE freakin' fireball,...>"
He mutters good naturedly.
Rhiannon grins at Justin, "You're welcome squishie"
The first part of their walk across Sigil, Nari had flitted here and there like a small child, amazed by everything. But she had become distinctly more subdued during the stop to drop off Talismin. Everything about the prison felt wrong to her. Even after they left she seemed less energetic. But the closer they got to the Silver Rose the more she cheered up. She wasn't running off as much, but her green eyes were wide as she tried to take everything in and her smiles came more easily.
When they reached the Silver Rose she started to hide from Hanali out of habit and then stopped. She really wasn't afraid of her after all. She watched shyly as the others greeted the snazzily dressed elf. She stayed towards the back and let the others do the talking as they began their report to Renkar. Though she couldn't quite stifle a delighted laugh at Mercutio's antics.
She smiled at Renkar's concern and shook her head. "I'm alright, sir. I...remember before, but it's a bit distant. Like a book I read once. That's probably for the best. For the most part, it wasn't a very nice book. I'm not really sure what I am now, except that it looks human. But I don't think I actually am human. I'm pretty certain I'm not. Well, it probably doesn't matter much."
"You look human and that's really all that maters to most," Karrin says, "But then folks around here are far more accepting of folk then anywhere else I've ever been."
'Well, you were hired by the warrior Tiandra. I had assumed she would take it. If you have the item, I would assume it is 'spoils of war'. An unknown magical item like that could be worth a load of jink. I really don't know what you should do with it. It doesn't kill folks, so it is inherently less dangerous than many items in Sigil. However, it produces a potent elixir, so it will be valuable to many. Can I see it?"
"Far more deadly then any silly death ray Renkar," Karrin says, "Those things are really good for one thing . . . well one thing plus intimidation: 'ooooh, look at me, I have a death ray so you'd better do what I say,' and so forth, but this could be used to not only cripple your enemies (lots of fiends and such draw power from their personalities and stuff), but it can also be used to boot your own charisma and charms. Lots of folk cast spells based on that you know, so basically you have two groups both terrified and captivated by it, but you know we also saw some evidence that the elixir this thing makes is both addictive and possibly destructive . . . like I'd imagine that some of the creature that'd been drained personality exists with in the elixir and those that are kind of weak willed or whatever would find themselves kind of being shaped by the essence of whatever the elixir was made from. Also we saw lots of evidence that this stuff is addictive as all get out, I mean it was pretty clear that the lizard guys we took this off of were infighting over the stuff and because the thing isn't permanent people who liked what it did to them will want to keep using it. I mean for that reason alone this thing would be worth a fortune in unscrupulous hands.
"Course this is just speculation," Karrin says with a sigh, "I mean we haven't seen this thing used on anything but fey bloods like elves and stuff, for all we know it's a weapon for one kind of race war, but then maybe that was just the folks that the lizard guys thought made the most mild elixir or something. I'd think that demon or devil elixir would be pretty dangerous for most folk to drink . . . but supposing that you could use it on fiends you could cripple quite a few of them pretty bad with this thing, you just wouldn't drink the stuff the wand produces afterwards."
Justin glances at Karrin shrewdly. Despite ALL of his lessons to the contrary, he STILL keeps getting lured into accepting Karrin's 'dumb bimbo' act, and keeps forgetting how intelligent and shrewd she really is.
Sigh, If he wasn't careful, he was going to end up on the 'demonstration' end of another paralyzing-pinkie-oriental-sleeper-grip again. Soon.
"Well, it IS all speculation at this point." Justin points out. Politely.
"We haven't had time to study the device itself, much less the effects of prolonged usage of the elixir it produces. Although the effects DO seem rather exaggerated compared to a standard potion. We found one pair of shopkeepers being assaulted by a crowd because they used an elixir to help them make better sales, and all who saw them fell instantly in 'love' with them and began fighting with them and each other. Kind of funny in retrospect, but pretty terrifying for them at the moment." Justin smiles at the memory.
"Still I think further research is warranted. It appears to 'steal' not only physical beauty, but the force of personality itself that makes one attractive. At first glance the 'stealing' appears to be permanent. But drinking an elixir seems to restore the person fully & permanently. I suspect that the effect is long-lasting, but since the force of personality we call 'charisma' is self-generated and essentially endless, theoretically, given sufficient time the person should recover fully from the effects. Just as if from a spell effect that drains intelligence."
"This thing is definitely artifact-level powerful from what I've seen. And that level of power usually comes with a price of some sort. Addiction to the elixir would be a fairly mild consequence compared to some things I've studied."
Justin shrugs. "WAY too many questions. I'd need time to study it to start finding answers."
Rankar follows the back and forth while studying the Thief of Charms. He hands it back to Justin.
"If you wish, I do have some arcane contacts I could bring in to help you study the artifact Justin."
. . . like I'd imagine that some of the creature that'd been drained personality exists with in the elixir and those that are kind of weak willed or whatever would find themselves kind of being shaped by the essence of whatever the elixir was made from. Also we saw lots of evidence that this stuff is addictive as all get out, I mean it was pretty clear that the lizard guys we took this off of were infighting over the stuff and because the thing isn't permanent people who liked what it did to them will want to keep using it. I mean for that reason alone this thing would be worth a fortune in unscrupulous hands.
Renkar nods
"Very cogent points Karrin. Judging from its aged condition, perhaps it was meant to do something arcane with the drained essence, and this love potion is just an odd side effect. There are many strange things out there in the multiverse. "
He pauses
"Since it seems you have lost more folks than you regained, do you think I should recruit a few more companions? And what sort of cutters would you like if so?"
"I'm fine either way to be honest." Merle seems somewhat fidgety standing around
"Well we almost have a full squad of eight as is," Karrin says scratching her head, "but if you wanted to bump us up to a full squad I guess you could, but I think we're pretty lean mean fighting machine as is. I mean if you could talk Eir or Greep back into action that would be great but I think the team right now is pretty solid."
Renkar frowns as Justin reveals the four masks and discusses their provenance
"'Undead fiends?' That's impossible. A fiend would just reincarnate as a lesser fiend if killed. "
He shudders
"There's something not right about those masks, ill give you that. Why don't you put them away? A Dustman would be the proper cutter to give those a once over. They'd likely get as excited as a Dustman can get over the thought of extra-planar undead"
Justin shrugs. "WAY too many questions. I'd need time to study it to start finding answers."
"Answer me this first, old son- how d'ye plan to "study" or "test" this thing? Seems teh me the only means of doin' it is usin' it on a sod... and ye saw how miserable the sods we rescued were and how bloody repugnant they seemed without their beauty. So it's established what happens when beauty's stolen, it's established what happens when a berk drinks it, it's established that a sod gets their beauty back when they drink some. Long-term effects, seems like ye could track down the poor bastards in Crux teh find out... So what's even there teh study? Ye gonna take it apart and put it back together? What do you expect teh come of it? The only use I see of it is makin' some sods completely miserable, possibly the rest o' their lives and givin' whatever berk does the stealin' the means teh make a pile o' jink- possibly more than that."
Isaac crosses his arms.
"Ye have the best intentions, cutter, but once ye put out yer findings... it's out o' yer hands. Some addle-cove'll decide he wants teh steal sods' health or wits or strength- and they'll use the same sodding ideas at work in that bloody thing teh do it."
Having been completely silent up until now, Ekuur finally speaks up. "Justin, if you study this item, I also suggest you research a way to destroy it. In my opinion, there is no use of it that would possibly be beneficial unless you were willing to rob a creature of their sense of self.
"In truth, I agree with Isaac. I feel our focus should be on destroying it or finding something powerful ... and trustworthy ... to take it. It can bring nothing but trouble."
Renkar frowns as Justin reveals the four masks and discusses their provenance
"'Undead fiends?' That's impossible. A fiend would just reincarnate as a lesser fiend if killed. "
He shudders
"There's something not right about those masks, ill give you that. Why don't you put them away? A Dustman would be the proper cutter to give those a once over. They'd likely get as excited as a Dustman can get over the thought of extra-planar undead"
"I assure you, Renkar, they were very real. Incorporeal, with wicked claws and the ability to control minds," he says, with sideways glance at Nari. "Had I not had an appropriate protection spell, we might not have made it back."
Ekuur remains a bit anxious as the discussion progresses, though. His mind goes back to his temple, which he yearns to get back to. And he also envisions another trip to the Plane of Fire.
Renkar stands and stretches
"Well, I'm sure you cutters will do the right thing. If you want it lost, I can help you with that, just let me know"
He pauses
"It seems as if you experienced some strange goings on out on the Wheel. Undead fiends, dead gods, ancient artifacts. I am glad that you have made it back, and I'm certain Bess will be happy to put on a welcome home supper for you"
He looks at the intricate orrery clock on his desk.
"Since it is nearing The end of Afterpeak , why don't we continue our debriefing over at the Copper Cauldron? I'm sure after a tenth cycle in the field you lot are ready for a good warm meal and your own beds"
Mercutio flies down to his shoulders, looking plaintively at Chee Chowk while fiddling with the gewgaw Justin tossed him. The spider monkey does his best to hide behind Issac's head.
"Shall we?"
Karrin licks her chops.
"I suppose I could do with a bite."
"Also- the illithid power o' knowledge and secrets was penned in the deadbook if ye haven't heard.
"I know someone who would be interested in that chant. Mayhap he could help with the issue of the masks as well."
Renkar ponders
"He's an odd duck. An illithid , but also a Lich. The proper name foe his type is Alhoon. He studies the secrets of death, but he's no Dustman. He's an independent researcher. Goes by the name of Bloolp. I think you might get some answers from him."
"Actually If you dont mind I would like to go visit Skint*. You know let him know I'm back."
(*Could be spelled wrong))
Justin listens to the others statements regarding the rod with a furrowed brow. He takes a deep breath, and lets it out. When he speaks he is surprisingly calm and reasonable.
"I understand your concerns, but please consider. SOmetimes a piece of art is just worth studying! You don't judge a beautiful sword as unacceptable just because it's primary purpose is to kill a bloke. Isaac, you have valid points. We know exactly what it does and how it's victims suffer. But think about it, what if it's function as we know it is only a side effect? What if it was actually created to restore charisma lost through spells or other unusual attack? What if it was created to provide a (temporary) boost to a caster-team leader from volunteers? There are SO many possibilities, and no way to find out besides study."
"And even if this IS it's only function, study may provide a better way to restore those affected, or protect against this or similar attacks. I have no intention of destroying it without at least attempting to determine it's origins. That alone may answer a dozen questions."
He says reasonably, but his crossed arms and firm set of his jaw speak to his stubbornness regarding this topic.
When Renkar examines the masks, he relaxes his stance. he obviously shares the same concerns everyone else has regarding the possibilities of undead fiends.
"Yeah, actually, I'd love to have some help studying both of these items. If you have friends you can trust." He adds with a raised eyebrow. He swiftly wraps the masks back up in the silk cloths.
"I'd appreciate a hand with the rod, and these masks just give me the creeps. Heh, Actually, we met a Dustman when we exited the portal. He seemed interested in anything we had from the dead-world. I think I'd rather trust your lich-friend though." He says with a smirk.
Renkar listens to Justin
"Well, I'd not characterize Bloolp as a "friend", but as a research contact he has proven his value several times. It takes all kinds in the Cage."
He writes down an address
"Bloolp runs a shop in the Lower Ward off Ragpicker's Square. It's called The Pnakotic Fragment. It's primarily a bookshop, but the Alhoon has a private library of tomes devoted to necromancy and the necromantic arts. Let him know I sent you"
He looks at Justin
"Do you have enough jink to cover research expenses?"
"Thanks." Justin says, tucking the scrap of paper into a pocket.
At Renkars' question he starts patting his coat pockets.
"I,... don't know. Hang on a sec,..."
Renkar laughs
"You shouldn't need much. Use your chant about Maanzecorian getting penned in the dead book as a trade. "
Since no one seems to object Merle goes to see Skrint.
Justin grins wryly.
"Will do. Thanks." He says.
"After supper, of course!" He adds with a grin.
;P
When there is a lull in the conversation, Renkar feels a gentle tug on his sleeve. "Excuse me, Mr. Renkar?" Nari asked shyly. "Umm....I have something to ask. It seems that without Sanna sharing my body anymore I have some err...unexpected holes in my mental defenses. I need to find a teacher, someone who can help me learn how to protect my mind...and maybe how to better control my mental abilities as well. I...ummmm.....that is, I was hoping you could maybe help me find a teacher?"