Isaac |
"Oi, well, Jed'Hamad's property's sorted now. That's one thing, cutter. But when we gave it the laugh, I peered a whole mess o' Dabus flockin' to the Case- with bloody saws and hammers. The plot's fine, I'd reckon, but it's the building that won't be there next Peak if ye tumble to my Chant."
"The Signers and the Defiers might not be a problem when there ain't a building- and if they are, the Lady may just Maze the lot of 'em. What gets my panties in a bunch is this gem, cutter. It's a piece of a dead Power. You think the Lady of Pain will make a distinction between a live one and a piece of one that's already penned in the deadbook?"
Ekuur |
Ekuur uncharacteristically speaks up. "I did not care for how this being seemed to use us, and wouldn't answer any of our questions. Especially concerning his name, which we did not learn. However, the Power which was trying to destroy him was a Power of the Sun named Nol. Have you heard of this being? If not, I suspect we should do some research of our own to learn more."
Justin Case |
Justin grabs a last handful of bread and cheese, and a last gulp of wine, and follows the others back to the offices. His mouth hangs open as Karrin finishes her Haste-Speed synopsis. It stays there for a bit.
"Um,... Yeah. I think that pretty much covers it." He adds, finally, taking another bite of food wryly as Isaac and Ekuur chime in. Justin regains his aplomb in record time.
"Research we can do. And I think we shouldn't let it wait too long. This, dead power, astral echo, whatever it was, made it sound like we had earned this little 'gift'. But more importantly, it made it sound as if we'd NEED it. And sooner rather than later." He points out, waving a crust of bread for emphasis.
"I'm not much for religion, personally." He says with an apologetic shrug to Ekuur. "But even I have to admit,... when a Power tells you that you might be in danger, You should probably start locking your doors." He says, popping the crust into his mouth.
Naridre Ro'Arisahshe |
"The tests were all designed to measure courage and compassion. Strength too, but mostly the first two," she said quietly. "He was very specific about what kind of person or people he wanted to give his last bit of power to. His prediction that we will need it may be a self-fulfilling prophecy based on those criteria...I agree with Justin that we should be very cautious. I would be happy to help with the research if I can be of any use," she added.
Isaac |
"Well guv, the questions for the anti-peak are where do we keep this sodding gem- whatever it is now- and how much we lann our client to the Chant. Now, I reckon saying the Signers and Defiers throwing down is enough to explain the dabus involvement... but what do we say about the Dark of it: what happened in the case?"
Karrin Kind |
Karrin listens to Nari's thoughts, nodding emphatically with her points, and shows genuine puzzlement at Isaac's question as she herself had no idea how the company would handle this problem. Meanwhile Karrin chews away, occasionally pausing to pokes one of the five sausages further into her mouth.
Justin Case |
Justin nods at Renkar's suggestion.
"And THAT'S why your the boss." He says, being distracted at the sight of Karrin inhaling five sausages at once.
He shakes his head at the sight, turning back to Renkar. "Sounds good to me. Sometimes less is more. The story is simple, explains what happened without overcomplicated details, and happens to have the added benefit of being the truth. The building is a loss, but the situation has been resolved, and the lot is now free to claim." Justin agrees with their boss.
"Client goes home happy, we get paid, WE go home happy. But that still leaves just one, niggling, little detail. What ARE we going to do with,... THAT?" He waves vaguely in Issac's direction.
"Call me hypocritical, but it seems that just, carrying a portion of Power around in your pocket might be just a tad irresponsible." He says, jutting out his chin as if daring anyone to actually call him hypocritical.
"So, what? Do you happen to have a safe in your office that might actually be safe enough to keep, that, in safekeeping?" He asks.
"It's not as if we can just drop it off at the bank. Can we??"
Justin Case |
Justin looks thoughtful.
"Hm. Good point. IF we are in 'danger' on a Power kind of scale, said danger probably isn't going to be polite enough to warn us first so we can come home and get it." He muses with a wry smile.
"So, it should probably be carried by those familiar with such things, but by someone who won't be tempted to use it casually." He says smirking.
Justin starts to point to himself, "I nominate,... Isaac." He says, pointing firmly at the warrior.
"What? Don't look so surprised. Of course I want to say me. But I'm not so blind that I don't know too much temptation when I see it. Even if it WOULD be for all the right reasons." he says with a self depreciating smile.
"And out of all of us, Isaac seems to be the one with the firmest grip on his own person, neuroses, and his place in the cosmos. I trust him NOT to use it unless absolutely necessary. Heck, the only worry I have is that he won't use it until it's too late. So Karrin can be his conscience. If SHE's screaming at him, it's probably time to use it." He grins.
Ekuur |
"We just hold onto it I guess, can't really hide it, but on the bright side, it's unlikely that anyone outside of this room knows we have it" Karrin says as she licks her fingers.
"That would be the logical thought. However, things of this nature rarely exist in a hole, and it always seems as though others become aware. frankly, it would surprise me if other Powers or beings of significant power couldn't sense the presence of this at some point. Retaining it amongst ourselves is probably the correct course of action. I would also support Justin's nomination of Isaac to carry it."
Turning to Renkar, Ekuur asks, "While I understand that Powers of the Sun may be common, I still think it might make sense for us to research this Nol. As I am still fairly new to the city, where might be the best place to do this?"
Renkar Sha'Hagmid |
Renkar nods at Ekuur
"Of course, it is always a good idea to look into these things. Don't trust kobolds bearing gifts after all. I would suggest the Lady's Library. It is the largest depository of books in the Cage. I happen to know one of the librarians, a modron that goes by the name of Olli. He works the Antipeak shift, and he does fantastic work ferreting out information. "
Isaac |
Justin looks thoughtful.
"Hm. Good point. IF we are in 'danger' on a Power kind of scale, said danger probably isn't going to be polite enough to warn us first so we can come home and get it." He muses with a wry smile.
"So, it should probably be carried by those familiar with such things, but by someone who won't be tempted to use it casually." He says smirking.
Justin starts to point to himself, "I nominate,... Isaac." He says, pointing firmly at the warrior.
"What? Don't look so surprised. Of course I want to say me. But I'm not so blind that I don't know too much temptation when I see it. Even if it WOULD be for all the right reasons." he says with a self depreciating smile.
"And out of all of us, Isaac seems to be the one with the firmest grip on his own person, neuroses, and his place in the cosmos. I trust him NOT to use it unless absolutely necessary. Heck, the only worry I have is that he won't use it until it's too late. So Karrin can be his conscience. If SHE's screaming at him, it's probably time to use it." He grins.
" 'Neuroses' eh? I'm flattered, cutter. Didn't know you had such a shine for me. Get's me right here.", the Godsman says, putting a hand to his heart.
"I'll keep an eye on the bloody thing, then, though I've a notion in my brainbox this could be my ticket into a new Incarnation- hope it won't be too painful, whenever the time comes."
Dungeon Monkey |
Renkar nods, somewhat sleepily
"Well, the Antipeak wanes, and I must needs rest. I suggest you head out and I will head back to my bedchamber. I will talk to Mr Swire this Peak unless you have anything to say to him"
Assuming some of you set out to the Library
The Antipeak crowd in the wide boulevard of Copperman's Way is a raucous mix of tiefling, mendicant, demon, thief, devil, and whore. The earlier rain has slackened into a thick Cager fog, redolent with the smell of brimstone, ordure, and cook fires.
Avoiding the crowds, the party walks along until they enter the Lady's Ward, and Copperman's Way ends among brightly-lit shopping districts thronged by servants and the occasional gaggle of silken-clad young nobles.
At the edge of the Noble and Court districts, the Library of the Lady stands, its long marble stairs flanked with pigeon-spattered griffon statues. The official name, The Municipal Scriptorium of Sigil is etched in planar Common above the entry.
The main doors, metal-studded monsters eight meters tall and equally wide, are closed. However, a postern door is located at the corner of one, a mere three meters in height and only one in width. It too is closed, but light can be seen from a small grilled window set into its midpoint.
Actions?
Anyone staying back let me know what you would do
Isaac |
Isaac steps out with the others into the antipeak fog.
'Libraries and modrons, eh? You cutters sure ye ain't gone and joined the Sensates on me? Should I tell the Hardheads to warm up their truncheons for when things get really rowdy?', Isaac quips. The half-elf takes a swig from his pocket flask on the walk over, offering his preferred mandrake liquor about to anyone else that needs to "pre-game" as he calls it.
Justin Case |
Justin accepts the proffered flask, although from the face he makes, it's obvious he wasn't ready for the contents.
"Smooth." He gasps out hoarsely, handing the flask back.
"Sensates? Nah" He says a few moments later, getting his wind back.
"They're too exciting for me. You know me, I like the nice, quiet life." He grins.
"And you keep the hardheads away from my head. Whatever is in that flask is already doing a number on it." He adds, rubbing his head in (mostly) mock pain.
"Although I must confess to being nearly as excited at meeting this modron as I am to get to visit the library again. I never saw him on my earlier visits. And my time was, limited."
Justin walks up the library steps with Karrin, at this point oblivious to whomever else chose to go with or stay behind. His eyes gleam with an almost holy reverence as they approach the doors. You get the feeling that this is the closest Justin has come to church since he arrived in Sigil.
"I love the library." He says aloud, still staring at the doors.
Isaac |
Justin accepts the proffered flask, although from the face he makes, it's obvious he wasn't ready for the contents.
"Smooth." He gasps out hoarsely, handing the flask back.
"Sensates? Nah" He says a few moments later, getting his wind back.
"They're too exciting for me. You know me, I like the nice, quiet life." He grins."And you keep the hardheads away from my head. Whatever is in that flask is already doing a number on it." He adds, rubbing his head in (mostly) mock pain.
"Sarcasm, cutter. I'm sayin' this trip sounds as dry as a Dusty's underdrawers."
Karrin Kind |
"I think you guys are gonna like Olli," Karrin says, "He was one of the first friends I ever made on the planes, and he's really smart and kind, and forgiving, but remember this is a library so no shouting or anything like that. Try to keep your voice down. We don't want to get him into trouble or anything. Also this isn't the first time the silver rose has consulted Olli about stuff, so he'll know the score and all that, but I think just meeting him and getting to know him will be great. I kind of feel guilty not coming to see him a lot. You know as a modren he's had a really rough time with this being autonomous, you know, cuz they're not like that where he's from, so having original thoughts and feelings are scary, but I'm sure he's adapted and I know he likes it here at the library. I bet he's got tons of friends here. Oh! Funny story, when we first met I thought he was trying to become an anonymous being. That was funny."
Karrin smiles and takes a breath of contentment as muses over the memory.
"Well shall we step inside? And remember no shouting."
Karrin walks up and lightly knocks on the smaller door.
"Hello," Karrin says though the grate, "We're rogue scholars and we'd like to do some studying please."
Karrin Kind |
The group hears some thudding footsteps approaching. A large blue insectile face stares out from the grate. Karrin recognizes O.L.L.I's co-worker Shactal, the Ice Devil
"Oi, kind of late for book lanning, innit Berks?"
"Late? Or just really early?!" Karrin says with a wide grin, "Hello Shactal, remember me? We met a couple of times at the World Serpent Inn, anyways we came to see Olli, and I suppose you can tell by the time of night that it might be kind of important."
O.L.L.I |
Shactal puts a large hexagonal-celled eye to the window
"Oh yeh. The hungry tiefling. Yeah, come on in. The box is transcribing stuff"
There is the sound of bolts sliding back, and the postern door opens
Shactal steps aside and grumbles
"Keep yer hallooing to a minimum"
the large ice devil stumps off to an enormous desk with piles of books upon it. He ducks behind some tall stacks, and the party soon hears a rumbling snoring sound
The foyer if the library is huge, with vaulted ceilings frescoed with a fanciful map of Sigil. A small square modron stands at a table, it's arms rapidly scribing something from a book with a large quilled pen. A silver ball swings lazily over its head, attached to some sort of lever atop its ...head. The being looks up as the party enters
"Friend and fellow adventurer known as Karrin. This unit recognizes you. It has been several cycles since this unit occupied a space with you"
Justin Case |
Justin enters, gazing around the large library with a grin of happiness on his face. When he sees O.L.L.I. his eyes open wide.
"A Modron. Just when I think I've seen everything that Sigil could surprise me with, now I get to meet a modron." Justin whispers with undisguised glee.
The wizard swiftly gets his fan-boy-ing under control, although he is still grinning, and walks forward with Karrin and the others.
Somewhere in the back of his mind, Justin figures that as long as he can still get excited about meeting new creatures/races (at least the ones that don't try to eat him) he must still be, okay. He worries about that sometimes, when things get too quiet. That's one of the reason he enjoys hanging around with this group. Things are RARELY quiet around them for very long.
Ekuur |
Ekuur stares in awe at the huge collections of books, scrolls, tablets, and other documents. On Athas, paper was nearly unknown. A "library" would be a few dozen animal hide scrolls at best. Here, in Sigil, that wouldn't even make up the section on basket weaving.
Even more amazing to Ekuur is a living being made up entirely of metal. Though he was able to hide his disgust at the being of law and ice that allowed them entry, his face at the sight of the moron clearly shows the wonder and awe he feels.
Karrin Kind |
"Olli!" Karrin says, before clamping her hands over her mouth, "Oops," she says as she turns down her volume, "Hows it going?"
Karrin walks up and give Olli a hug.
"Got some more work for you if you're interested, but first let me introduce everyone. These are our spell slingers, Justin and Merle, over here is our cleric Ekuur, this Naridre Ro'Arisahshe, she does stuff with her mind, Rhiannon d'Deneith is our walking wall, and Isaac here is our acting leader. Everyone this is Olli, or OiL Lube Initializer, and he's about the coolest Modron you're ever going to meet."
(If people didn't come along to the library just ignore Karrin's introduction)
Justin Case |
"Pleasure to meet you Olli." Justin says with a smile and a small bow.
"If you are ever free, I confess to having a few, (hundred) questions for you. But as Karrin said, right now we're here for work. Perhaps another time? Over a cup of,... beverage?" Justin asks unabashedly, unsure what the Modron might actually drink.
O.L.L.I |
O.L.L.I bows to Justin in turn, accidentally sending a rather large time crashing to the floor in the process.
"this unit is pleased to make your acquaintance, friend of Karrin's designated Justin. This unit can be found at the World Serpent Inn when this unit is in need of a medium grade oil for lubrication. This unit can also be found here most Antipeaks. This unit has also recently been inducted into the Harmonium faction, so this unit will soon be on street patrol"
The party notes that a faction symbol for the Hardheads has been attached to the little modron's metal skin. His steamer-trunk body also has several new red-enameled corner protectors at the intersections of his angles
O.L.L.I |
"Olli!" Karrin says, before clamping her hands over her mouth, "Oops," she says as she turns down her volume, "Hows it going?"
Karrin walks up and give Olli a hug.
"Got some more work for you if you're interested, but first let me introduce everyone. These are our spell slingers, Justin and Merle, over here is our cleric Ekuur, this Naridre Ro'Arisahshe, she does stuff with her mind, Rhiannon d'Deneith is our walking wall, and Isaac here is our acting leader. Everyone this is Olli, or OiL Lube Initializer, and he's about the coolest Modron you're ever going to meet."
(If people didn't come along to the library just ignore Karrin's introduction)
O.L.L.I gives Karrin an awkward hug back and gravely introduces himself around. He is cute, in a steamtrunk kind of way, with small vestigial wings and large chibi eyes. Thin pipestem arms and legs complete the look
Guy Humual |
O.L.L.I gives Karrin an awkward hug back and gravely introduces himself around. He is cute, in a steamtrunk kind of way, with small vestigial wings and large chibi eyes. Thin pipestem arms and legs complete the look
Didn't you get some hack artist to draw a picture of him? James something . . .
Naridre Ro'Arisahshe |
Nari waved shyly when she was introduced, but otherwise let the more social members of the group do the talking. She was captivated by the library itself. She'd been in large libraries before, but this was by far the most impressive library she'd ever seen. And she was absolutely itching to wander through the stacks and explore all of this amazing knowledge.
Patrick Curtin |
O.L.L.I wrote:O.L.L.I gives Karrin an awkward hug back and gravely introduces himself around. He is cute, in a steamtrunk kind of way, with small vestigial wings and large chibi eyes. Thin pipestem arms and legs complete the lookDidn't you get some hack artist to draw a picture of him? James something . . .
I did, but the old link to James' blog is inexplicably broken. I'll have to upload one on my p-bucket account
O.L.L.I |
The library itself is a wonder in rich wood, marble and semi-precious stone. Although it is quiet, there are a few small gatherings or solo readers scattered amongst the mahogany tables, most with a light sphere illuminating them. Twin curving staircases lead to the second floor, which seems to be nothing but stacks of books, ledgers, tomes and scrolls.
While the group is looking a purple-colored crystal skull with bright white light shining from its sockets zips though the air at about normal human height. It stops, curves towards O.L.L.I. and comments in a rather non-bookish Cant accent
"Olli, I have those books yeh wanted located."
O.L.L.I. turns from Karrin with a quick "Apologies, friend Karrin." and faces the purple skull
"Thank you Morbo. This unit will renumerate you in the items promised."
Justin Case |
Justin starts looking over the nearest stacks, knowing they won't be what he's looking for, but interested nonetheless. He double takes at the zipping entrance of the flying purple crystal skull.
Displaying an unusual amount of wisdom, he keeps his mouth shut as the skull conducts business with Olli.
Karrin Kind |
"Obscure, likely defunct, religious sects Olli," Karrin says once the flying skull leaves, "Particularly Chyasis, queen of the Moon, a sun god named Nol, and Nol's son, a demi-god known as Lord of the Mists. Anything you can find out. We're not 100% but there could be a connection to this piece of property we're investigating for a client here in the cage. Not that the property will give you any leads, we already researched that without any luck, but if our hunches are correct there could be something either on their home plane or maybe even something in their pasts that could serve as a key we need to break this case. I should mention that Nol is described as driving a chariot, a sheik, and I seem to recall a story from somewhere about Nol killing his son but dying afterwards. I know it's not a lot to go on but if anyone can find something it would be you."
O.L.L.I |
Sorry. Been a real busy weekend.
O.L.L.I takes in the information silently. At the end he chirps
"It will take some time for this unit to do the research. This unit extrapolates a wait of thirty one hours and fourteen minutes before all sources can be accessed and collated. Can this unit reach you at this time?" About noon tomorrow