The young Tiefling hems and haws a bit, but staying all night waiting to deliver a message was not on his agenda."I reckon it'd be OK. Here you go."
The courier passes Karrin a package with some salt and a pipe similar to Renkar's with a twist of paper stuffed inside the bowl. He stands back and looks expectantly at her.
Karrin finds fishes some silver out of her pockets.
"Here ya go lad," she says, "now I'm off to bed." she says as she makes her way to the stairs. If the lad scurries off Karrin immediately opens the note to read it, if not she makes her way to the top of the stairs (out of sight) before opening the note.
"So Norgins, you knew Pettigrue pretty well, huh? That surprised me."
She checks out her nails.
"Crikey, I broke a nail fighting."
Looks around.
"Not much in the way of decor, but then I guess you can't be choosy when you book a room in the wee hours."
Norgins looks at his captor. He ventures a nervous grin, displaying a dentist's nightmare of rotted teeth.
"Sure I did. We was both Hivers, born an' bred. There ain't so many of us what start in the Hive that makes it to our majority if yeh ken what I mean. We ran with the Xaos men fer a bit when we was pips, but they gets a bit barmy as yeh go up in the rankins. Mostly we paired up wif some others an' did scams on conys an' Clueless we'd see on the street."
Norgins eye develops a small tick.
"Listen cutter, you cuts me free I'm for the nearest portal out of here. By the Lady I am. Even if you just keep me here until me meetin's over I'm as good as scribed in the dead book. Them biters don't look like much, but they're mean as demons when they've got their blood up. They'll think I turned stag on them like ol' Pettigrue. I don't want ta end up wherever they's got their little mine, yeh ken? Maybe yeh takes 'em out, that's all well an' good. I'd come back after a season hauling wood in Ecstacy or summat like that. That way I'm outta yer hair, and that's the square chant, no screed or cross-trading."
Norgins rubs his face in a nervous fashion
...
"Here ya go lad," she says, "now I'm off to bed." she says as she makes her way to the stairs. If the lad scurries off Karrin immediately opens the note to read it, if not she makes her way to the top of the stairs (out of sight) before opening the note.
The young tiefling nods polietely after Karrin hands him the silver.
"Thankee cutter, an' good rest this Antipeak."
He hurries out the inn's door. Herbert asks Karrin to drop the bar on it again which she does. She returns to her table to investigate the package.
The paper with which the package is wrapped is blank . The package contains salt and a pipe like Renkar's. The pipe has a message on a small twist of paper in the bowl with some odd runes that Karrin can just decipher as Draconic. They read thus:
"Bring the husband, she's with him. hurry"
"Listen cutter, you cuts me free I'm for the nearest portal out of here.... That way I'm outta yer hair, and that's the square chant, no screed or cross-trading."
Norgins rubs his face in a nervous fashion
"You know I can't do that. And unless these gobbos are the powers themselves there's not much chance they'll catch you hiding in the armpit of a prime world. They're gonna get you goin' through? Doubt it. Unless you're tellin' me I'm in against some high-ups. Is that what you're talkin', Norgins?"
She snips the broken nail off by running it across the blade of the saber.
"You're a lyin' offal-sack, Norgins. Right now you'd probably say anything to get out of here. I have no reason to believe a drop of your crap."
He hurries out the inn's door. Herbert asks Karrin to drop the bar on it again which she does. She returns to her table to investigate the package.
The paper with which the package is wrapped is blank . The package contains salt and a pipe like Renkar's. The pipe has a message on a small twist of paper in the bowl with some odd runes that Karrin can just decipher as Draconic. They read thus:
"Bring the husband, she's with him. hurry"
Karrin scratches her head. It makes little sense but she figures that Renkar or Zigal might be able to decipher the message. She heads upstairs to wake them.
"Listen cutter, you cuts me free I'm for the nearest portal out of here.... That way I'm outta yer hair, and that's the square chant, no screed or cross-trading."
Norgins rubs his face in a nervous fashion
"You know I can't do that. And unless these gobbos are the powers themselves there's not much chance they'll catch you hiding in the armpit of a prime world. They're gonna get you goin' through? Doubt it. Unless you're tellin' me I'm in against some high-ups. Is that what you're talkin', Norgins?"
She snips the broken nail off by running it across the blade of the saber.
"You're a lyin' offal-sack, Norgins. Right now you'd probably say anything to get out of here. I have no reason to believe a drop of your crap."
Norgins blinks rapidly, his weak eyes squinting at Eir
"That's what I'm try to tell yeh cutter! They'll never find me if I fly the Cage. If I stay here they'll scribe me fer certain. Give me a chance to leave an' you wont see ol' Rab again for at least a year, I swear 'pon the silent bells of the Temple I do! Listen, I ain't got no problem with you putting me mates in the dead book. That's just business, it happens. I'm telling you square I just want out fer the duration of whatever yeh gots planned for the biters."
Karrin scratches her head. It makes little sense but she figures that Renkar or Zigal might be able to decipher the message. She heads upstairs to wake them.
He hurries out the inn's door. Herbert asks Karrin to drop the bar on it again which she does. She returns to her table to investigate the package.
The paper with which the package is wrapped is blank . The package contains salt and a pipe like Renkar's. The pipe has a message on a small twist of paper in the bowl with some odd runes that Karrin can just decipher as Draconic. They read thus:
"Bring the husband, she's with him. hurry"
Karrin hurries to Zigel's and Renkar's rooms and knocks at the doors. She gives them a quick summary after they descend to the common room. Renkar sits down, pondering the pipe and the odd message. Zigel scratches the base of his horns and yawns. Kratos does the same, only scratching a different area.
As the three look over the package, suddenly writing appears on the wrapper. In Common the writing reads:
"S. not returned. g. waiting near target. quiet back up wanted. have info. croaker"
Renkar reads this with a grim smile.
"It seems our resourceful friend Greep left us a secret communication. I would assume the other note was a red herring in case someone was watching us."
Renkar looks at Zigel and Karrin.
"I think you two should head to the New Market and Crackskull Close to find out what is going on. I will remain here and wait for news of Eir and Ffethpaar."
looking at the note for a moment zigel looks the karrian
'Well cutter ya may just get a chance to use that sodding big meat claver ys been packing about"
Zigel vanishes into his room to dress and gather weapons and spell compaonts , amurgeing a few moments later he looks to karrin and smiles
"Well lets go make a doom guard proud shall we "
"...Listen, I ain't got no problem with you putting me mates in the dead book..."
"We just wanted to talk. Your mates put themselves in the dead book. And you aren't flying anywhere, that's just business."
Still checking her nails.
"Tell me something new or shut up."
"...Listen, I ain't got no problem with you putting me mates in the dead book...""We just wanted to talk. Your mates put themselves in the dead book. And you aren't flying anywhere, that's just business."
Still checking her nails.
"Tell me something new or shut up."
Norgins squints at Eir, his bloodshot eyes bulging.
"I said me piece cutter. Yeh want to keep me here, I gots no choice."
Norgins leans back on the bed, his small frame tense.
"I guess I'll try and pray to Morpheus if we're stuck here."
Norgins closes his eyes.
looking at the note for a moment zigel looks the karrian
'Well cutter ya may just get a chance to use that sodding big meat claver ys been packing about"
Zigel vanishes into his room to dress and gather weapons and spell compaonts , amurgeing a few moments later he looks to karrin and smiles
"Well lets go make a doom guard proud shall we "
Zigel and Kratos assemble their gear and arrive downstairs, ready to depart. The second hour of After Antipeak has brought a steady brown rain which taps steadily on the inn's street windows.
Herbert looks at all the commotion, grunts, and returns to kneading bread dough. He calls out to the group
"Do us a favor cutters and toss a log on the hearth? It's getting low."
Renkar looks at Zigel.
"Try to use caution in approaching the goblins Ser Za Elric. Do not underestimate them."
"I guess I'll try and pray to Morpheus if we're stuck here."
"You do that."
"You do that."
"I guess I'll try and pray to Morpheus if we're stuck here."
Norgins closes his squinty eyes, but doesn't fall asleep until the third hour of After Antipeak arrives . His burbling snores echo around the room, as his sour stale-ale-and-cloves stink saturates the small space. Eir keeps her lonely vigil.
Renkar looks at Zigel."Try to use caution in approaching the goblins Ser Za Elric. Do not underestimate them."
"Don't worry," Karrin says nodding to Renkar, "I'll keep him out of trouble. Those goblins won't know what hit 'em!"
Karrin and Zigel depart the Copper Cauldron and enter the rain-soaked streets of Sigil. The only activity on Copper Court at this hour is a trio of Dabus, who float ten feet in the air, patching brickwork and cutting razorvine on the second floor of several of the court's buildings. They glance at the Zigel and Karrin, the brightly-colored pictures they use as a language flashing over their heads in a kaleidoscope swirl.
The two enter Copperman Way, the wide boulevard much quieter than when they traversed it during the light of Peak. A group of drunken bravos, their clothes rumpled and their swords askew, surround a small troupe of brigthly-dressed dancers, clapping and tossing Greens as veiled women gyrate to the rythym of their companions' musical instruments.
Unlike before, this time their path leads them away from the Great Bazaar and towards the Lady's Ward. The buildings and businesses become fancier as they travel down Copperman Way. The streets are emptying except for squads of Dabus cleaning, patching and generally sprucing up the surrounding buildings. There is a much enlarged Harmonium presence as they walk on as well, and they are both stopped and questioned at several junctures. Fortunately, the Hardhead's seem content to let them go on their way with a minimum of fuss.
Travelling through the Noble District, Karrin is struck by the sheer massive size of some of the palaces here. Many of them could swallow her monastery back home whole. At the end of the District is the immense Palace of the Jester, its' huge gate closed against the darkness of Antipeak. Karrin squints at the buildings surrounding it, hoping to see any sign of the Lady's Library, but the rain confounds long-distance sight, and their mission doesn't allow for dawdling.
The two pass several well-lit establishments still doing a lively business. Zigel gazes longingly through the fogged glass of these well-to-do taverns, catching sight of many a pretty girl laughing with some young rake. But, needs must, and Greep could be in trouble as they travel, so they move on.
Finally, the two start to leave the gilded environs of the Lady's Ward and begin to enter the industrial confines of the Lower Ward. At this hour the ward is living up to its' name, with devils, demons, tieflings and various other nocturnal-prefering races in the majority. Humans are about as well, but many of these are Dustmen-shift workers, often taking a 'lunch' break on the sooty steps of their workhouse. The flames of the huge foundries never rest as the workers of the Lower Ward pound out metal items to be traded all along the Great Wheel.
The two finally arrive at the New Market and start to cast about for their friend Greep. The New Market is alive with shoppers and proprieters of the nocturnal sort. Ale-sellers and meat-pie vendors walk the narrow streets, hawking their wares to passerby. A magician performs minor illusions for a crowd of urchins, their smudged faces alight with glee. A man wearing in a sandwich board sign strolls up to our intrepid duo and calls:
"Best inn of the New market District cutters! Go to the Hammer and Tong and tell 'em Harry sent yeh and get a Stinger off yer room price! All redone rooms blessed by priests to ward off bedbugs!"
The two leave the immediate market area and head for the region of Crackskull Close
Ffethpaar enters Copper Court at the third hour of After Antipeak . The rain is steady now, and the denizens of the street are all indoors. A squad of Dabus are sweeping up refuse on the cobbles, loading anything large into a handcart parked to the side and sweeping anything small into the locked sewer grate by the court's fountain.
Ffethpaar arrives at the Silver Rose , but the door is locked and a sign informs him that everyone is at the Copper Cauldron . Ffethpaar walks over there and knocks on the shut door. A small peephole opens and Ffethpaar can see Bess' brother Herbert staring out. He grunts and opens the door after lifting its' bar out.
Ffethpaar enters the common room, trailing brown rain water off his clothing. The warm confines of the room enfolds him, the smell of bread and fresh ale a welcome change to the many unpleasant smells he encountered in the Hive. Steam begins to rise from his garments as he warms. Renkar sits at a table alone, smoking his battered pipe and nursing a mug of ale. He rises to greet Ffethpaar, casting an eye over his rumpled, blood-stained appearance.
"Welcome back Ffethpaar. I can see that you have had some interesting times this evening. Sit down, I will get you some ale and a bite. Where is Eir?"
Greep shivers as the rain slowly soaks him to the bone. It seems like he has been crouched hidden for hours, although it can't have been long. When did he send that courier? Someone should have been here by now.
Suddenly, Greep hears quiet footsteps close to the entrance of Crackskull Close. Two beings are slowly walking without much purpose, stopping often. Greep tenses, but then over the hiss of the rain he hears Karrin's voice whispering somthing indistinct.
Karrin is oblivious as usual.
"Welcome back Ffethpaar. I can see that you have had some interesting times this evening. Sit down, I will get you some ale and a bite. Where is Eir?"
Ffethpaar first explains that Eir is looking after Norgins and will need to be relieved soon as she does not believe it safe to let him wander around. He tells them that she is at the Bone and Bobbin. This being the important part, he pays attention to what they just said.
"Please do not give me beer. Berry juice will do, and something to eat but preferably not anything from Mr Orsmonder's establishment - but I'm sure you wouldn't buy from him anyway."
After settling down a bit, he tells them what both Orsmonder and Norgins said, saying that someone should go to the meeting to see who turns up and maybe find out what they were going to talk about.
so 28 for listen
Greep:
Renkar laughs when Ffethpaar cracks about Orsmonder.
"Never fear Ffethpaar, I do not think that Bess will be serving street sausages from the Hive any time soon. "
He calls to Herbert to get a mug of berry juice and some kippers. Within a minute the smell of frying fish fills the room. Renkar frowns and continues talking
"The one problem we have is that there really is no one I can call on at this late hour to go relieve Eir. Perhaps we should bring this Mr. Norgins back to the Silver Rose and hold him there until we complete our task. I can watch him while you all investigate this Dungeon Crawl place."
Karrin looks about (not really seeing anything), and tilts her head now and then as if listening, but Karrin is easily distracted and often forgets what she was doing. She has he Axe on her shoulder though, and if any excitement starts she'll be quick to act.
Ffethpaar frowns at the news that there is no-one available to relieve Eir .
"I am not too familair, still, with the vernacular here. When is first hour before peak? So how long do we have? I think Eir should be at this meeting because she has a knack of extracting information from her surroundings. Things I might miss. If that is still a few hours away, I could try to find my friend early in the morning and ask if he could help. Otherwise, I can go back and take care of Norgins while Eir goes to the meeting."
Then as an afterthought
"If Mr Norgins wishes to leave Sigil, I could procure a key for him tomorrow. One that we chose that he would find it hard to return from, then we could see that he uses the portal."
Renkar puffs his pipe
"The first hour of Before Peak is the first hour of observable light in Sigil, similar to dawn on a world with a sun. Just about 3 hours from now. I would imagine this would be the time when the goblins would be finalizing their Antipeak business. I agree that Miss Haakonen is most effective in negotiations. It would be a shame to leave her sitting in an inn room. Let me see ..."
Renkar frowns in concentration.
"I know an obscure gate near the Sandstone District that I learned of in my adventuring days. It leads to a non-descript Prime world, nothing really special about it, and if you blindfold Ser Norgins he won't know the key. He'd be stranded there at least until he found an experienced wizard, and this gate takes you to a rural farming settlement."
Renkar looks at Ffethpaar.
"I will write the location and the instructions down for you. Take it to Eir, send Norgins through, and go rendezvous with Zigel, Karrin and Greep. Hopefully you can find them close by the Dungeon Crawl tavern. They should be near its' location."
Renkar asks Herbert for a chicken's wishbone. Once Herbert complies with the request, Renkar hands the small wishbone to Ffethpaar.
"This is the portal key you will need. Break it as if making a wish between you and Eir at the location I give you and the portal should open. Make sure Norgins doesn't see this, or he will be back in a matter of hours."
Renkar scratches down a note on some foolscap he retreives from his robe.
Note:
The late-night rain falls softly on the slick cobbles of the New Market District. Karrin can see the area where the goblin neighborhood of Crackskull Close lies. Everything seems relatively quiet, just as if this were a human residential neighborhood. A few wan lights dot some of the tenement windows, some colored an odd shade of green, almost phosphorescent. Zigel looks around warily. Kratos sniffs the air, then Karrin sees the dog stiffen a bit. Karrin looks around and sees that Kratos is looking at a dark corner near the entrance of Crackskull Close. Zigel notcies a shadow that might perhaps be a lookout, or perhaps Greep? He and the goblins are close in size, and whoever or whatever it is, it is well hidden.
Eir takes some of her guarding time for an early morning prayer to Calistra.
Ffethpaar thanks Renkar and leaves with the note and wishbone for the Bone and Bobbin or whatever it was called.
Eir takes some of her guarding time for an early morning prayer to Calistra.
As Eir composes herself for the morning prayers, it occurs to her that she really must find some time to go see Iarn Kal'Mintaka. The new Temple of Calistra would be dedicated with the next month and there would be a lot to accomplish. The Temple District in the Lady's Ward was a tony new address, but Calistra was a rising power, and her priestesses were very popular among the well-to-do in Sigil. Her old temple in the Guildhall Ward was filled to bursting, especially on the Holy Days of Sacred Whip.
Norgins snores loudly, the obnoxious sound ripping across Eir's mind like a rusty saw. She winces for a second, then puts the sorry little man out of her head. She prays.
Greep prepares to carefully show himself to his friends in such a way that he remains out of view from the gobbos he has been watching. First, he cautiously fills his shootin' hand with a wand, preparing to defend the Tiefling Two (and himself) if necessary
-greep- he croaks quietly, eyes and ears scanning the sky overhead and the surrounding buildings.
Ffethpaar thanks Renkar and leaves with the note and wishbone for the Bone and Bobbin or whatever it was called.
Ffethpaar moves swiftly through the darkened streets of Sigil, retracing his steps until he finally arrives back at the Bone and Bobbin inn. The fourth hour of After Antipeak has come and Fftehpaar feels a sense of worry that perhaps they will not be able to accomplish everything they need to before light dawns over Sigil again.
The Bone and Bobbin finally comes into view, its dilapidated exterior dripping with rain. Ffethpaar enters the common room, its' corners populated by beings of questionable character. The scarred barkeep still holds court at the bar, and gives Ffethpaar the room number for Eir and Norgins.
Ffethpaar climbs the creaking stairs and knocks on the door.
Greep prepares to carefully show himself to his friends in such a way that he remains out of view from the gobbos he has been watching. First, he cautiously fills his shootin' hand with a wand, preparing to defend the Tiefling Two (and himself) if necessary
-greep- he croaks quietly, eyes and ears scanning the sky overhead and the surrounding buildings.
Greep doesn't hear anything from the goblin neighborhood as he croaks. Karrin and Zigel hear his soft croaking, and Kratos lowers his ears and wags his tail furiously.
As Eir finishes up her round of prayers to Calistra, a light knock comes to the room's door. The voice that asks for entry is Ffethpaar's.
Eir let's Ffeth in. She sees he is alone and knows they'll be packing. She flips Norgins off the mattress to wake him up.
"Morning has broken s$$$sack."
Greep waves the threesome over. He hopes his hidden position will conceal all three. If not, he will lead them away from the warehouse, to a spot they can talk.
Speaking quietly, "The goblins have rooftop watchers and are suprisingly well organized." -greep- "So keep very quiet."
"Are you and the others well?"
moving over to geeps hiding place
speaking with a low voice "roof ya say...humm cutter where is swift..we are fine as far as i know" zigel scan s the roof tops and look to kratos"keep an eye out "
Ffethparr silently shows Eir the note lets her read it
"We don't have much time. We need to go now, I think."
"Move it Norgins or I'll poke you a new ass."
"Move it Norgins or I'll poke you a new ass."
Norgins sputters as he is unceremoniously dumped on the dirty floorboards. He mutters and sputters a bit, then comes up and gives Eir the evil eye.
"An' what now?"
Norgins looks like five miles of bad pavement. His squint is even worse than before, and his few remaining strands of hair float halo-like above his head. The hour of rest has not helped him sleep off his drunk, and he looks totally croggled.
moving over to geeps hiding place
speaking with a low voice "roof ya say...humm cutter where is swift..we are fine as far as i know" zigel scan s the roof tops and look to kratos"keep an eye out "
Zigel happens to glance at the rooftops just in time to catch a slight movement on the one adjacent to the Broken Claw warehouse. The guard is still active.
"An' what now?"
"We're gonna walk off your hangover."
At the appointed time, Eir will cover his head with her cape and slip his sword back into his belt. I think she can buy a new cape later.
"An' what now?"
"We're gonna walk off your hangover."
At the appointed time, Eir will cover his head with her cape and slip his sword back into his belt. I think she can buy a new cape later.
Eir scanns Renkar's note briefly
Go to the alcove leading up to Argusson's leather shop on Crystal Dew Lane, 8 blocks from the Civic Festhall Plaza, stand in front of it both of you and break the wishbone together.
The three make their way through the darkened streets of the Sandstone District. They travel quickly towards the distant looming edifice of the Civic Festhall, its' bulbous shape crouched on the skyline. As they approach the Festhall District, the streets become a bit more lively, as the Sensates continue their neverending carnival of experiences even in the small hours of Sigil's night.
Crystal Dew Lane has many shops on it, some that remain open even during the After Antipeak hours. Argusson's Leather is not one of these. It looks like a typical leatherworker's shop, the small barred windows featuring a pedestrian selection of beltpouches, backpacks, and plain scabbards. Norgins, stumbling in the dark and holding his head grumbles as they approach the building.
"What in the Nine Hells are we stoppin' here for?"
Eir motions for Ffethpaar to grab Norgins, and when he is secured, slips the sword belt back on him and puts his cape over his head
Norgins struggles a bit, exclaiming as the cape blinds him,
"Yeh gonna tunneljack me? You bleedin' blexpates!"
Ffethpaar manages to hold Norgins in one hand while the two stand in front of the leather shop's alcoved doorway. Ffethpaar retreives the wishbone, and the two of you snap it.
Instantly, a bright light appears in the alcove. A bright Spring morning on the top of a gentle hill greets the two of you through the hazy blue gate nimbus. In the distance below the hill, the two of you can see what looks to be a small hamlet, its' peasants already out planting the season's crops in their fields. A pleasant wind caresses both of you for a moment as Ffethpaar tosses Norgins through the gate. You hear him yell and you catch a glimpse of him rolling in the high grass before the gate winks out.
"I can still smell him. I need a bath."
"Where to next, Ffeth?"
"Swift went in there." (points at warehouse)"She had a stealth mode and went in while the door was open." -greep- "That was 4 or 5 hours ago. The plan was if she needed backup or a distraction, she'd yowl and I'd provide it. But there has been nothing. Some activety from goblins, but not what they would do if they spotted her. I've scouted around the building and all the other doors have been walled up."
-greep- -greep-
"I was noticed while checking for wards (I found none). The gobbo on the roof there (points) called out 'intruder' and a four man patrol came looking. I lost them in the market. Since I returned, I've spotted guards (Points and lists all noticed)." -greep-
"My thought is that there is a gate inside leading to somewhere the goblins have a camp, but not a gate directly to Salt. None of the 'Broken Claw' I've seen have had protective gear. I think the gate key could involve a stone or crystal pendant many of the gobbos wear. I think Swift followed thru that gate as well."
-greep-eep-
"It is also possible that Swift went thru some tunnel to another building or an underground complex. I've seen goblins using a down ramp (points towards it). But I think if she were still in the city, she would have returned by now." -greep-
"I have overheard some interesting things while concealed, but we can talk of that later." -greep- "What concerns me is that I have been warned to 'beware the fiend in shadows'. And as you approached, I heard the flap of wings- but not since."
-greep- "The question is 'what next?' The tribe is well equipted, with well fitted armor and good swords and bows. If the alarm went up, I'm not sure the four of us could break into the building and pull Swift out. And she may not be inside until she can follow the goblins back"
" Indeed ,seems there wll armed and alert, we need the others and a plan or were end up bobed or in the deadbook for su' cutter. I's say we cut back and see what darks the others have found. plan a proper raid and find just were swift went."