"No. The only prayer I used was one to freeze them in place, and it failed. I did not swing my trikal once." Although I did consider a nice, big fireball ... he thinks.
K checks
Justin has read many things about stones and minerals as relates to portals and magic. Unfortunately, the field is vast, from Archeron ironstone to Bytopian schist. Without a close look, and perhaps a sample, there is no real way of identifying the material..
K checks
Ekuur is equally dumbfounded. A glassy green stone? Smooth as basalt? It rings no bells..
K checksJustin has read many things about stones and minerals as relates to portals and magic. Unfortunately, the field is vast, from Archeron ironstone to Bytopian schist. Without a close look, and perhaps a sample, there is no real way of identifying the material..
K checksEkuur is equally dumbfounded. A glassy green stone? Smooth as basalt? It rings no bells..
Justin shakes his head in frustration.
"I'm going to have to see this stone myself. If it's been built into the temple itself, well, there must have been a reason! Sound like we're going to have to get inside to solve this mystery." Justin strokes his beard as her thinks.
"Well, I'm about out of 'useful' spells for the day anyway. Unless we need something incinerated, then I'm good to go! BUt we stirred up the whole Ardorwesp nest. I don't think we're going to get in again tonight. OR tomorrow for that matter. Presuming they don't triple the guards or something worse, how likely is it that we can all get inside the building through your hidey-entrance?"
The darkness and rain make it hard to see what is going on beyond the bridge outcropping the group is huddled under. The stench of the Ditch wars with the smell of Cage smog, the fusty mixture of burning razorvine fires, ordure and coal smoke that permeates the Lower Ward.
Justin looks around, frowning at the unfamiliar landmarks, and the dingy rain.
"Where in the name of the mystic source are we anyway?" He mutters.
"Ok Guys, What's the shortest, or perhaps I should ask safest route back to the Rose?"
"Come on then." Swire attempts to lead the party safely back to the inn.
After a brief palaver Issac and Swire agree the best bet is to head Spikewards along the edge of the Ditch and make for the Great Foundry. The group emerges from under the worn stone buttress of the Zaddfum Trestle into the rainy darkness.
The Ditch lies below them, its greenish-brown waters agitated by the downpour. As the group walks along the deserted docks and warehouses lining the fetid waterway, they see little besides the occasional distant cloaked figure hurrying along on some unknown errand.
The avenue paralleling the Ditch is known as the Street of the Martyrs. They follow it until they come to Barmy Street, which leads them directly into the Hellgate District. As they enter this area they pass a large tavern that even at this late hour pulses with activity. An assortment of devils and leather-clad Sensates await their turn to enter. The sign above the black iron door reads The Tenth Pit.
Hellgate is busy, it is the main time for lower planar cutters to get their work done. The group sees an assortment of devlish types: Everything from amorphous lemures to towering pit fiends. They travel quickly down the Alley of Dangerous Angles headed for the Gear District. They pass Caritas, the subterranian tavern looks to be going strong.
Gear Run is quiet, the gnomes and magewrights all tucked into their beds dreaming of cogged contraptions no doubt. The party hurries through in the darkness, their way lit with the belching flames of the Great Foundry looming cycoplean ahead of them.
The Foundry District is never asleep, and the massive crucible fires burn with a never-ending intensity only a portal to the plane of fire could harness. The air rings out with the clang of a thousand anvils as the graveyard shift continues the work their peaktime brethren started.
Passing down Alehouse Row, the party blends into the carnival crowd staggering from one tavern to the next. Despite the late hour, many of the taverns do a brisk business, as do the gaggle of jinkskirts on every corner. The group passes the Black Sail Tavern, where they confronted Eliath during their last adventure. The knot of Doomguard loitering about makes the place somewhat unappealing for a casual drink.
Alehouse Row segues into Smith Street, which is much quieter. A few smithies are open for the antipeak trade, but for the most part the fires are banks until next peak. At the end of Smith street sits the triangular lot where the gothic pile of the Society of the Lumineferous Aether resides. It is dark save for a few lit windows high above the street.
Heading through Bloodgem Park, the group enters the Temple District. Moving quickly down Bloodgem Road they skirt the fearsome shadow of the Temple of the Abyss and head further in towards the Greytowers District.
The quiet streets of Greytowers are deserted save for crews of Dabus pruning razorvine and clearing stormdrains. Most Hardhead, Guvner, and Mercykiller namers are safe in bed at this hour, and their district slumbers as well. The houses get more and more ornate as Greytowers morphs into the Nobles' District.
There is still a bit of life in the nobility quarter. Carraiges clatter to and fro, and Harmonium patrols walk the wide avenuses looking for troublemakers. A few stop and quaestion the group, but they aren't detained overlong.
The group enters Copperman's Way off Plague Square, passing the Square Bar. The Harmonium local is fairly quiet, but a few red-armored cutters loiter about. Copperman's Way is about as quiet as it ever gets, the rich boutiques slowly diminshing in size as the group transitions into the Market Ward.
Finally the Copper Cauldron looms into sight in the rainy darkness. A knock on the door bring Bess' brother Herbert to unlock for them. Inside the common room is hushed, just a banked fire and some baking bread smells to welcome them.
"Fancy anything cutters?" Herbert yawns
Justin steps inside, nodding his thanks to the youth. He stifles his own yawn, triggered by Herbert's, and looks to the others.
"I dunno, some tea while we cover what we learned? I'm starved, but I'm more just tired. I plan on going to bed and eating the cupboard bare in the morning." Justin mutters.
"Yea, tea please Herbert. Then you'd better get some sleep. Your going to need all your strength for the platter I'm going to order in the morning!" Justin tells the youth with a hint of his usual smirk.
Justin looks to the others and shrugs.
"So, what do we KNOW that we didn't this morning?" He asks, rubbing his beard.
Karrin removes her disguise with a goofy/sneaky sort of smile on her face.
"Best purchase ever," she whispers to herself, but her head pops up at the mention of food, "just tea and some bread, butter,and jam for me, also some sausage if you have it, whatever fruit you have lying around, and whatever left overs you have from supper."
Karrin glances at the others and quickly realizes that she might be over doing it, "but that's it! I got to save room for breakfast."
Nari smiles at Karrin's idea of a light snack and finds herself a chair near the fire, keeping her ears open as the others recapped the information they'd found.
"Anything. Just not any more sodding fruit." Swire takes a seat.
"So, we know how to get in, but we'll have trouble getting in that way without getting written in the dead book in the process. We know something odd's in there, but we don't know what it is. We won't be getting any of the spellslingers through the hole without a lot of luck, especially since they're probably increasing the guards already."
"We won't be getting in through the top, and probably won't be able to get most of you through the hole. Might be an easier way in through UnderSigil, but I wouldn't want to bet on it."
Justin raises an eyebrow at Swire's swearing at fruit, then recalls the odors in the bar, and smirks instead. He plops himself into another chair near the fire and grins at Nari
"Right. I think we just proved that some of us need a lot more practice at sneaking. Give me a few years, and let me try it again!" He smiles wryly, winking at the usually shy elf maid.
"I don't know much about Undersigil, but Let's presume that they have ALL of the obvious entrances guarded. Even the the out-of-sight ones. The 'secret' entrance you found seems to be the only way in without another fight. The trouble is getting TO it, correct? Hm. Merle probably saved my arse with that scroll of no-see-um, (thanks for that by the way!), But I, personally, stink at veils. I don't have a single one in my spellbook. The best I can do is take the form of one of them for a time. And with the ice-ant hive kicked over," He shrugs.
"I'm open to suggestions."
He rubs his chin. "Maybe we're trying TOO hard? Maybe there's a way to make them cooperate? We know they have a feud going with the other faction, is there anyone they HAVE to listen to? The hardheads? City official? City workers?!? I don't know, I'm making things up as I go here." HE grins.
"But I usually do it so well!"
"Could we not just get one of us to Join them or pretend to be a member? Worked pretty well the last time."
"But how could we be sure that we'd get sent to guard that place even if we did successfully infiltrate them?" Karrin asks, "I mean if we pulled everything else off? I don't think they'd send new members on a real important mission like that . . . unless something were to happen to leave them with a real shortage of guards or something."
"Reckon I need to wash up, Herbert, but I can get the water myself."
He rubs his chin. "Maybe we're trying TOO hard? Maybe there's a way to make them cooperate? We know they have a feud going with the other faction, is there anyone they HAVE to listen to? The hardheads? City official? City workers?!? I don't know, I'm making things up as I go here." HE grins.
"Thing is, cutter, Sigil ain't like other cities. We don't have city workers or builders that ain't in a faction. The dabus are the closest thing we got to that and I don't expect yeh can turn yerself into a floatin' sod what talks through a rebus, eh? I scanned that temple high 'n low, cutter, and I didn't see a single exit Below. Whoever goes back in needs to see in the dark, too, or risk a light like I did. Reckon Merle and Seph might pull it off. Maybe Seph alone if yeh tumble to that, lad."
Herbert gets them their late-night snacks as he finishes up the loaves for the Before Peak rush. The group eats quietly at their normal table by the hearth, the side baking ovens exhuding a fragrant bread smell over their company.
As After Antipeak readies to turn into Before Peak, they finish up and decide to catch a few winks before seeing Renkar in the morning. Justin remembers that the exotic warrior maid Tiandra is scheduled to show up at Peak at the Silver Rose. He also remembers that Skyy will be awaiting him at his appartment. He makes his farewells and sets off.
The next morning is an improvement on the previous, in that the rain is more of a thick damp fog. Darroth knocks on their doors two hours prior to Peak . They quickly wash up and get dressed, eating a hearty breakfast before clumping out to the Silver Rose an hour before Peak.
Renkar is busy with his morning exercises, sparring with Hanali with rattan swords. He pauses and looks the group over.
"A little bird has told me you lot were out very late last night. Anything interesting discovered?"
. Reckon Merle and Seph might pull it off. Maybe Seph alone if yeh tumble to that, lad."
"I could try I guess" Seph says although he doesn't sound to sure about the idea
"I could try I guess" Seph says although he doesn't sound to sure about the idea. Reckon Merle and Seph might pull it off. Maybe Seph alone if yeh tumble to that, lad."
Isaac shrugs.
"If I could manage it, cutter, I'd say you could too. Just rattling my bonebox, but I'd say between you and your sister you've got the arcane darks covered and enough stealth to pull it off. But it's up to you."
Justin walks in with the others. ALMOST on time for a change, munching on a banana, (Or at least on the closest approximation that he can get in Sigil) Sadly, the Sigilian bananas are actually quite sour, and the peeling is the most edible part, making for a strange sight.
"A little bird has told me you lot were out very late last night. Anything interesting discovered?"
"I think you could say that. Not USEFUL yet, but interesting." Justin quips up. He gestures to Isaac,...
Isaac shrugs.
"If I could manage it, cutter, I'd say you could too. Just rattling my bonebox, but I'd say between you and your sister you've got the arcane darks covered and enough stealth to pull it off. But it's up to you."
"Well if Seph stayed like a cat I don't see why anyone would bother him." Merle muses clearly pleased at being complimented
"We might have new clients!" Karrin blurts out, but she catches herself before she can completely spoil the surprise, "but I'd better let Justin explain. I think he's got a whole monologue or something!"
Nari finds herself a quiet corner to listen to the others talk. The psicrystal jumps down from her shoulder and skitters away from her.
"We might have new clients!" Karrin blurts out, but she catches herself before she can completely spoil the surprise, "but I'd better let Justin explain. I think he's got a whole monologue or something!"
Justin gives Karrin an exaggerated frown. He is trying hard not to smile. "Yes. Well, Not an ENTIRE monologue, a couple of paragraphs maybe." He responds dryly.
"When we split up to follow the clues, Karrin, Nari, Swire and I ran into a couple of people who needed help. Turns out a gang of Khasshta are using an artifact to steal beauty from people and sell the essence to others. We recovered some essences and restored three people, but the leader got away through a gate. But I can track one of them magically from close range, and we know where they're hanging out while they wait for the leader to return. I plan on tracking down this leader and taking away his toy when I get the chance. Tiandra, one of the ones we helped, should be coming by today to discuss things with you." Justin shrugs, then gestures to Isaac.
"AND, back to you!" He smirks.
"Well, we started scannin' the Chant on this temple and came up with a lead, name o' Barmy Kank from Ekuur's home plane. He gave us the Dark on a secret entrance to his old kip, that creepy temple. During our footwork, we picked up a tail: three cutters, each experienced in shadowing. We was just about to have a bit o' the wig wag with 'em when a berk from the Sons of Anarchy took a shot at us. Penned him in the deadbook and the Hardheads lanned us to the Chant that these berks are Anarchist hushmen. I'd reckon the Illuminated were behind it. I tried slippin' into the secret entrance while Ekuur, Bethany 'n Drazek provided a diversion. It's sodding creepy in there, boss, but there weren't no sign o' the missing crew. No bodies, blood or tracks. Nothin' much in there, really, besides where Kank slept and the main entrance. Only feature out o' the ordinary were these blocks o' green stone like basalt that felt warm to the touch. May have to send a dazzler in there to have a look, since I couldn't make sense o' it. I gave that place the laugh just as our diversion started getting... out of hand."
"My best guess is our missing workers got hipped through a portal somehow. Or they got Mazed and we're in serious risk o' hittin' the blinds ourselves."
"Mazed?" she asked softly. "What does that mean?"
"Pretty much how it sounds really." Merle explains as best she can "you get dumped in a maze probably permanently."
"Right. The Lady of Blades can make a sod's next step in Sigil lead straight into a maze. Chant is there's always an exit, to torment the victim with the promise of escape and food is left to keep 'em alive. She's done it to bloods and berks that would be a threat to her or the Cage if left unchecked. Hells, an entire faction's been mazed in the past. Maybe those workers did somethin' in that temple to get the Lady's ire."
"You think they were digging where they weren't supposed to be?" Karrin asked, "I imagine you can only dig so far."
Renkar follows the discussion avidly. He puts his training weapon away and motions to Justin:
"Justin, if I could trouble you for a cleansing spell? I fear I have practiced overlong and have no time for a bath."
He taps a finger against his beard.
"Well, seeing as the Athar are aware of your poking about, and perhaps others are following you. I have heard of these Sons of Anarchy, and they are not to be laughed at. Perhaps we should let the place cool off for a bit."
He looks at Justin
"This new client, perhaps helping her will let the current comission settle down, yes?"
"Are we sure we want to take time away from the first mission? The longer we wait, the colder the trail gets, yes? And I am itching to pay them back for accosting me as they did."
"Are we sure we want to take time away from the first mission? The longer we wait, the colder the trail gets, yes? And I am itching to pay them back for accosting me as they did."
Renkar turns to Ekuur
"Well, if what I am hearing about your evening is correct, you will not be able to access the church for at least a day, maybe longer. As for paying them back, that may be unwise. The Athar are a powerful faction, at least in their own areas. They are also prone to seeking revenge, not having any gods to pray to they tend to take it on themselves."
Renkar turns to Karrin
"You could always visit your Modron friend Karrin, and perhaps try and do a bit of research on the building."
Renkar turns to Justin
"And you can assist me in talking to this mysterious client you have procured."
Justin perks back up from whatever he was thinking.
"Certainly." He nods in pleasant agreement as he waggles his fingers, then 'wipes' away the sweat and grime without actually touching Renkar. He breezes the elder's hair dry, and adds a puff of lavender at the end. Justin shrugs.
"Good first impressions. Very important." He says (almost) straight faced.
"I suppose that working on another case would let the temple cool down, but I confess I was kind of hoping to find out what happened to the last crew that went in. IF they are still alive, but in trouble,..." He trails off. "Yeah, your right. Won't do them any good if we end up in a war with the faction. I just wonder WHAT it is about that church that is so all-fired important?!?" He grumbles. "And was it just me, or was Mr. Split -Personality really in charge of the guard crew?!?" He asks with a raised eyebrow.
WIth a shrug, Justin begins telling Renkar what he knows about Tiandra.
"Very well. I bow to your wisdom, Renkar."
"I wonder how he gets both personalities to work together so well..." she murmured to herself before biting her lip and going back to being as close to invisible as possible.
"Oi, don't be prejudiced Justin old son. Every sod's got potential. I reckon it's mighty handy being able to bark two sets of orders at once."
Renkar nods at Ekuur
"I understand the desire for satisfaction, but it should be carefully thought out. Let us talk to this Tiandra, then we can make a descision at that point. Karrin why don't you go visit your friend and the rest of us can see this new client? See if there is any information on old churches near the Shattered Temple."
The group stretches and chats while waiting for Tiandra. At Peak, the bell above the door chimes and the warrior enters.
Tiandra is dressed in flame-patterned burnoose and baggy silk pants. Her chain shirt peeks out from the warm orange silk from time to time. Her longsword lies sheathed in an intricately-tooled scabbard attached to a silver-chased swordbelt strung with various pouches and vials. A steel spiked helm capped with a small silken turban containing a glittering red jewel completes her outfit. Now that she has regained her beauty, she is a vision of deadly grace.
She is brought in and introductions are made. She comes to the point quickly.
"I intend to mount an expedition to avenge myself for the insult I received at these reptiles' hands. Your group proved itself both kind and deadly, so I wanted to give you the first opportunity to accompany me. I plan to inquire at Tivuum's Antiquities at the Great Bazaar later this peak to see if I can acquire the portal key to the gate they used. "
She pauses and looks around
"I am well off after a journey to the Elemental Planes, and I can pay you all in quality gemstones. Here is a small downpayment."
She reaches into her burnoose and withdraws a velvet bag. She opens it and reveals the contents. Several high-quality gemstones wink up from the dark fabric.
Justin nods at Tiandra as she presents her bag of precious stones. He glances at the stones, (and he does raise one eyebrow at the size of a particularly large one), but doesn't give them another glance as he speaks.
"Well Tiandra, I've already told you that I'm willing to help, time and boss permitting of course," He adds with a hasty nod to Renkar. "Just the chance to obtain and study such a device is worth it to me. The Rose's official involvement is up to Renkar, of course." He smirks.
Turning to Renkar he drops his usual smirk and counts off points on his fingers. Unusually serious for the usually smart-aleck mage.
"I can think of several reasons we should take the job. First, we're helping people, these lizards think of us as cattle, they told us as much. They're not going to quit preying upon humanoids just because we ask them, nice or otherwise. The chance to study this artifact is too good to pass up. IF we can figure out how it works,... well if 'darks' are better than money around here, I'd say the knowledge of how to create an object like that would be worth a lot to m, us. It's a seriously good bit of magic. These Khashtaa seem to be more dangerous to unsuspecting victims than prepared warriors. Granted, we got the drop on THEM, but unless they're a lot scarier than they appear, they aren't anything that we can't handle. And last, but certainly not least,..." He says, reaching out to snag a gem from the still-opened bag. He holds up his prize, looks at it, then smiles at Renkar.
"THAT would make a wicked wand-topper!" He grins. He tosses the stone back into the bag with a wink to Tiandra.
"What do you think Swire, Nari? Anything about these sawed-off scaly scam-artists that you saw we need to be worried about?"
"Hey" Merle butts in sounding annoyed "I was there too you know"
"Just remember, these things take to portals like a rat to filth, so be careful they don't run off."
Renkar nods at Justin
"All excellent points. And I feel that we need to back off our current assignment until such time as things have cooled off. I will send a message to Ser Jad'Hammet and let him know what we have done so far. I think for an intial foray we have done quite well."
Tiandra looks at the group
"You may take these gems as a downpayment. If any of you are interested, I would enjoy some company to the Great Bazaar. Tivuum's Antiquities is quite an interesting shop."
"As the gears said to the modron: count me in. Makin' them slaver berks hit the blinds sounds a lot more exciting than coolin' our heels here."
"Sounds like a plan,"Drazek replies, silent as a shadow until now in the back of the room. Bethany leans aginst his shoulder quietly studying thier new potential employer.
Justin grins at Tiandra. "Looks like the Silver Rose is on the case!" He grins.
"Antiquities huh? Sounds interesting. I'll keep you company."
Nari smiles a little, pleased that there would be another chance to deal with those filthy slavers.
"True. It is certainly better than 'cooling our heels'. And sounds interesting."
Tiandra nods to Justin.
"Yes Tivvum's Antiquities is the place to find portals and portal keys. Any of you who wish to accompany me feel free."
After a bit more palaver and such, Tiandra takes the group out along Copperman's Way, headed to the Great Bazaar.
The busy boulevard is packed at Peak. The weather is cooperating today, with only a few wispy runnels of fog cowering along the foundations of the many packed rowhouses along the avenue. The crowd is mostly Upper Planar folk and Primes at this point of the day, the Lower Planar folk and undead unable to stand the four brightest hours surrounding Peak.
The group makes its way through the throng, dodging vendors, beggars and jinkskirts alike as they make their way to the massive market. Tiandra leads them, taking long strides through the many tents and stalls of the Great Bazaar.
"Potions, unguents, nostrums! Best prices in the Cage!"
"Silver spoons, fine cutlery! Sets and individuals!"
"Fine smithwork from Undermountain! Metalwork made by the fallen heroes of the dwarven race!"
Tiandra halts in a small clearing among the merchant stalls where a few tables are set up for shoppers to rest. She points at a strange building at the edge of the market.
"There is our destination."
A five-story cylinder of green marble rears above the many odd buildings surrounding the Great Bazaar. Even in a city known for odd architecture this building is unusual. Along it's outside, carved in the marble skin is a ribbon of ten-foot high text reading Tivvum's Antiquities over and over, twisting fully around the cylinder's circumference from top to bottom.
Tiandra walks forward, heading for the building. A large doorway looms, without a door. Tiandra walks inside.
Inside is a very spacious shop floor packed with old wine and ale barrels brimming with all sorts of small geegaws. Marbles, hunks of metal, balls of multi-colored yarn, glass frogs: There is no end to the oddities. Near the archway is a huge half-moon marble desk. An elderly >tiefling< sits behind the desk, chatting with a customer and making change. She seems to be less than five feet tall, with small horns, bushy white hair and a pair of blue-glass spectacles. Several customers peruse the barrels, picking up items and putting them in small wicker baskets. There is a pile of said baskets right near the doorway the group entered. A black-iron spiral staircase sits in the center of the shop floor, presumably leading to the upper levels.