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.
The skull seems to be perusing through the stacks after talking to O.L.L.I. A book extracts itself from a shelf and opens in front of the skull (Morbo?). Pages begin flipping quickly in front of it.
The books Justin sees are a hodgepodge of subjects mundane and magical. Some look brand new, others centuries old. Most look to be written in Planar Common, but a sizable minority seem to be penned in the three main outer planar tongues: Celestial, Abyssal, and Infernal.
perception
Perception Merle
Seph to busy with his nose already in the first book he could reach
Isaac looks about, already thoroughly bored. Even if meeting an independent modron was a rarity, the fact that he was eagerly joining the Hardheads made it clear to the Godsman there was little common ground to be had.
Perception:
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?"
"That's fine Olli," Karrin says, "You want your usual fee?"
Karrin pauses, then stands up straight, as if hit by an invisible arrow.
"Issac? Can I have a word in private?" Karrin says turning to the team leader, "I'm sure this is nothing but I just had an thought . . ."
"Hm? Oh, sure cutter. Let's step outside then."
"Okay," Karrin says once she's certain no one else is listening in, "What I'm about to tell you cannot leave this room, you have to promise me not to tell anyone ever till then end of time. Okay? So I was just thinking about that gem we picked up and the subsequent fights we had to get it, and I'm thinking that if I had the power to choose who got to carry that little gem I might pick someone with . . . the right linage . . . and then I got to thinking about how each of those fights ended . . . you know despite everything I was around for every victory . . . So . . ." Karrin takes a deep breath, "I've never told anyone else this . . . but turns out, as far as my linage goes, well my grandfather . . . is Ba'al. Oh wow! I said it . . . I haven't been able to share that with anyone. Been keeping it locked away for weeks now. I didn't even tell my priest. Wow. I need a moment . . ."
Karrin takes a step back and fans herself.
"You know what I'm thinking right?" she manages to ask.
"That's fine Olli," Karrin says, "You want your usual fee?
O.L.L.I nods.
"100 Ladies, plus any expenses incurred. Or you can relate a detailed narrative of your planar adventures and this unit will waive the fee"
Isaac looks about, already thoroughly bored. Even if meeting an independent modron was a rarity, the fact that he was eagerly joining the Hardheads made it clear to the Godsman there was little common ground to be had.
Perception: 1d20+17
Isaac:
DM:
Knowledge: Local:
I'm guessing no, with that roll...
On his way out the door following Karrin, Isaac taps the modron's "shoulder".
"Appreciate the Chant, OLLI ol' son. Looks like our fellow bibliophiliac over there-", he says, pointing out an indecisive and shifty looking sod hovering between the stacks,"could use a little reading recommendation, eh? Don't want teh monopolize yer time, this bein' a jewel in the Cage's public cap, as it is."
He pats the cube's backplate before leaning in to Justin.
"The cutter in the smoked glasses' got a crush on you, mate. Old friend from the Prime or a new admirer?", he whispers, subtly indicating a different man.
"Okay," Karrin says once she's certain no one else is listening in, "What I'm about to tell you cannot leave this room, you have to promise me not to tell anyone ever till then end of time. Okay? So I was just thinking about that gem we picked up and the subsequent fights we had to get it, and I'm thinking that if I had the power to choose who got to carry that little gem I might pick someone with . . . the right linage . . . and then I got to thinking about how each of those fights ended . . . you know despite everything I was around for every victory . . . So . . ." Karrin takes a deep breath, "I've never told anyone else this . . . but turns out, as far as my linage goes, well my grandfather . . . is Ba'al. Oh wow! I said it . . . I haven't been able to share that with anyone. Been keeping it locked away for weeks now. I didn't even tell my priest. Wow. I need a moment . . ."
Karrin takes a step back and fans herself.
"You know what I'm thinking right?" she manages to ask.
Isaac raises his eyebrows.
"Oi. Uh, well. Thanks for yer confidence, cutter. So yer granddad's a Duke of Baator? Way to cut the line on yer road to being a Power, basher."He shakes his head in disbelief.
"But you're tellin' me that not even Nari or Merle know 'bout this? What about Renkar? I mean... I ain't against ye pocketing this gem and all- but we should tell the others don't ye think? They all agreed to have me hold onto it; I drop the responsibility in yer hands without their say-so that's an abuse o' their trust. We all earned this thing."
"... and if you hold onto it, whose to say it won't react somehow? Very few sods know how apotheosis works, cutter, you could be fast-tracked to Powerhood with this thing."
Ekuur remains fixated on the little being made of metal while the others converse. He raises an eyebrow as Karrin takes Isaac outside, and also wonders at what he whispers to Justin as well. His instincts tell him something may be up, but not knowing what, he simply remains silent but alert.
Isaac raises his eyebrows.
"Oi. Uh, well. Thanks for yer confidence, cutter. So yer granddad's a Duke of Baator? Way to cut the line on yer road to being a Power, basher."He shakes his head in disbelief.
"But you're tellin' me that not even Nari or Merle know 'bout this? What about Renkar? I mean... I ain't against ye pocketing this gem and all- but we should tell the others don't ye think? They all agreed to have me hold onto it; I drop the responsibility in yer hands without their say-so that's an abuse o' their trust. We all earned this thing.""... and if you hold onto it, whose to say it won't react somehow? Very few sods know how apotheosis works, cutter, you could be fast-tracked to Powerhood with this thing."
"Wait . . . What? No! That's exactly the opposite of what I want. I want you to hold onto that gem and no matter what don't use it on me. I've always felt my fiendish blood was a curse but I had no idea how much of a curse. The idea of getting some sort of divine power . . . I mean all this could be just coincidence, but I'm not playing into someone else's game Isaac. I'd rather die then get pulled into that side of my family."
Karrin turns away to hide her anger, but Isaac can easily hear the grinding of metal as Karrin flexes her mitt.
"And that's exactly why I never told anyone," Karrin says, "I mean people think I'm an evil manipulative hell spawn as is, but knowing how close I am one of the lords of hell would only make people question me more. Not only that, but my blood, lots of folks would want it just because of how close I am to one of the dukes of Hell. There are exactly four people who know about this Isaac, and two of them are in this room. Please tell me that I haven't made a mistake entrusting you with this."
Merle finds a table for Seph while keeping an eye on any books that might somehow take her fancy.
DM: ** spoiler omitted **
On his way out the door following Karrin, Isaac taps the modron's "shoulder".
"Appreciate the Chant, OLLI ol' son. Looks like our fellow bibliophiliac over there-", he says, pointing out an indecisive and shifty looking sod hovering between the stacks,"could use a little reading recommendation, eh? Don't want teh monopolize yer time, this bein' a jewel in the Cage's public cap, as it is."
O.L.L.I. follows Issac's pointing finger.
"That being, designated Androcynes, is a guardian of the library. He has made statements to the effect that he is a tangible dream of the Lady, and as such guards her library. This unit cannot adequately corroborate Androcynes' claims."
Merle finds a table for Seph while keeping an eye on any books that might somehow take her fancy.
There is a small area that seems designed for smaller beings. Merle gets Seph set up with a large fairytale book, and looks about herself. There is a lot to take in. Books in Draconic, books in Aklo, even books in Sylvan, which is rarely written down. However, actual books containing spells, or magical writings seem to not be in the open stacks
Isaac raises his eyebrows.
"Oi. Uh, well. Thanks for yer confidence, cutter. So yer granddad's a Duke of Baator? Way to cut the line on yer road to being a Power, basher."He shakes his head in disbelief.
"But you're tellin' me that not even Nari or Merle know 'bout this? What about Renkar? I mean... I ain't against ye pocketing this gem and all- but we should tell the others don't ye think? They all agreed to have me hold onto it; I drop the responsibility in yer hands without their say-so that's an abuse o' their trust. We all earned this thing.""... and if you hold onto it, whose to say it won't react somehow? Very few sods know how apotheosis works, cutter, you could be fast-tracked to Powerhood with this thing."
"Wait . . . What? No! That's exactly the opposite of what I want. I want you to hold onto that gem and no matter what don't use it on me. I've always felt my fiendish blood was a curse but I had no idea how much of a curse. The idea of getting some sort of divine power . . . I mean all this could be just coincidence, but I'm not playing into someone else's game Isaac. I'd rather die then get pulled into that side of my family."
Karrin turns away to hide her anger, but Isaac can easily hear the grinding of metal as Karrin flexes her mitt.
"And that's exactly why I never told anyone," Karrin says, "I mean people think I'm an evil manipulative hell spawn as is, but knowing how close I am one of the lords of hell would only make people question me more. Not only that, but my blood, lots of folks would want it just because of how close I am to one of the dukes of Hell. There are exactly four people who know about this Isaac, and two of them are in this room. Please tell me that I haven't made a mistake entrusting you with this."
Isaac holds up both hands, placating.
"S#**, cutter, I'm sorry. I misunderstood- and I think you should understand somethin' about me, right? See, I'm a Believer of the Source, right? Also called the Godsmen. Our point o' view is that all of us have the potential to be Powers, if we realize our full potential. Hence we work metal- I ain't a man with a book education, you know, but I think that's a metaphor. So either through living, dying and being reborn we think we're all pushing our way toward to the Best Us. And for us, that means at some point becoming a Power.""So, when you said you're related to a demigod, you had survived these trials- I jumped to a conclusion. Got nothin' to do with tiefling prejudices, of which I have none, it's just my years of Godsman philosophy jumping in. I agree that this thing's a huge risk, and knowing this, I'll keep it bloody well away from you. Really, we had the same thought; I just misunderstood what ye were drivin' at. And I'm sorry for that, truly. Not a bloody word will rattle from my bonebox, basher, I'll swear it three times."
DM: ** spoiler omitted **
On his way out the door following Karrin, Isaac taps the modron's "shoulder".
"Appreciate the Chant, OLLI ol' son. Looks like our fellow bibliophiliac over there-", he says, pointing out an indecisive and shifty looking sod hovering between the stacks,"could use a little reading recommendation, eh? Don't want teh monopolize yer time, this bein' a jewel in the Cage's public cap, as it is."
O.L.L.I. follows Issac's pointing finger.
"That being, designated Androcynes, is a guardian of the library. He has made statements to the effect that he is a tangible dream of the Lady, and as such guards her library. This unit cannot adequately corroborate Androcynes' claims."
Isaac raises an eyebrow, though he really hopes that the rest of the team marked him as well.
"Sounds like a good way to get Mazed.. or worse. Thanks cutter."
"Well I got nothing against wanting to become a power, if you're not linked to one of the lower planes that is, but it's nothing I'm willing to risk. Maybe, if I'm lucky, I'll get to live my life without drawing the attention of . . . that side of the family. It's strange, Kron, that's my adopted father, well he always told me to avoid devils, and I'd always hoped and maybe even assumed that I was tainted with demon blood. When I first came to the cage I was terrified of devils. Well, still am really, but it's not just my soul I'm scared they'll take now. Now I got to worry about . . ."
There's a long pause, and it doesn't take a master at reading people to know Karrin has more to say, but the usually talkative tiefling has decided to clamp up.
"We'd better get back to the others . . ."
"The cutter in the smoked glasses' got a crush on you, mate. Old friend from the Prime or a new admirer?", he whispers, subtly indicating a different man.
"Hm?" Justin says, reluctantly dragging his eyes from the stacks of knowledge before him, glancing sideways at the person Isaac is nonchalantly indicating.
"Don't think I've seen him before. But I'm more of a name person not a face person." He mutters, wondering what the libraries policy on copying spells was. Fair exchange? Gold up front? And where are the spellbooks anyway? There were a couple of books he had already glanced at that might help him develop the active casting theory for a couple of spells he had been thinking about,...
Justin shook his head, bringing him back to the present.
"Thanks Isaac, I'll be careful." Justin nods to his friend, pulling an interesting volume from the shelf to keep himself from unconsciously checking on the Rod tucked into his inside coat pocket.
Justin starts mentally cataloging the interesting items he has collected during his recent adventures, idly matching their qualities up to certain arcane enchantment properties they might retain well.
Nari is entranced by the books and unintentionally wanders off from the group, though (hopefully) not far before she can be found curled up on the floor somewhat hidden by bookshelves reading a book on the history (or mythology...it tends to get a bit fuzzy) of the fey.
The odd-looking cutter scoping out Justin rises from his seat and glides into the farther stacks
(Karrin and Issac return eventually, not in the least bit hot and sweaty, so don't even bother starting those rumors)
The After-Antipeak hours start to fade into the Before Peak as Karrin and Issac return. The library starts to fill with the early-risers and a small crowd of scribes set up small folding tables in the large foyer to ply their trade
Merle continues to idly sarch books while Seph reads whatever he can get his paws on.
After stepping back into the library with Karrin, Isaac finds OLLI and counts out 100 ladies.
"100 ladies is your research fee, right cutter? This should square us away. And if there's any extra research or shall we say discretionary fees, just lann me the Chant, eh?"
Justin asks OLLI if there are any reference works to mentally advanced rodents or other vermin in Sigil. He also requests to be directed to works that might assist him in his designing and enchanting of arcane items.
"Urm, I'm, ah, a little short of coins at the moment." Justin says, scratching his ear.
"Did you say that you had alternative payment methods?" He asks hopefully.
O.L.L.I nods
"Indeed, wizard designated Justin Case. This unit is a collector of information. If you can provide this unit with relevant information on Sigil, and it's inhabitants this unit will attempt to provide the information you require."
After stepping back into the library with Karrin, Isaac finds OLLI and counts out 100 ladies.
"100 ladies is your research fee, right cutter? This should square us away. And if there's any extra research or shall we say discretionary fees, just lann me the Chant, eh?"
"This unit will keep a detailed invoice of any costs accrued while collating the information, adventurer designated Issac. The information you seek should not require undue travel or payment"
Merle continues to idly sarch books while Seph reads whatever he can get his paws on.
Nari has lost track of time as she read, uncharacteristically unaware of her immediate environment. In her excitement about this place of learning she has forgotten to be afraid for a little while at least.
O.L.L.I nods
"Indeed, wizard designated Justin Case. This unit is a collector of information. If you can provide this unit with relevant information on Sigil, and it's inhabitants this unit will attempt to provide the information you require."
Justin smiles.
"Collector of information eh? You sound a lot like me." He says.Justin spends a few moments discussing details with OLLI, (Does he want names and details of specific persons? Or does he prefer portals discovered, what worlds they connect to, types of creatures encountered, etc? Or all of the above?) He relaxes while talking, and after a few moments he is talking to OLLI as if the Modron were an old acquaintance.
"Right! Sounds Like a deal OLLI. I'll tell you about my personal encounters and discoveries of Sigil so far, you subtract the information you already knew, I'll add in whatever I find about these cranium-rat things, and any extra you can put towards those enchantments references I asked about." The wizard says jovially. Justin rubs his hands briskly in anticipation.
"Hm. Out of curiosity OLLI, do you prefer to receive your information verbally, so you can write it down as you prefer? Or would you rather that I write it down and give it to you that way?"
Justin continues to work out the details and ask general questions about the layout of the library until the others are ready to go.
Isaac stretches, then quickly scribbles a note on a piece of scrap in his pocket, handing it to Justin on his walk to the door.
Note:
"We got ourselves a deal then, OLLI old son. I'm sure Karrin or any of these other learned cutters will be happy to check in on that, eh? I'm ready to call it an evening, cutters, I'll see ye back at the kip."
While there is quite a bit Ekuur would love to research and get to know, he starts to become a little nervous around so much paper and wood. Not the best place for Fire, he thinks.
"Yes, I agree, Isaac. I am also ready to head on for the night ... or is it morning? Either way, I would like to retire to my temple for some rest and early morning worship. Shall we meet back here at the designated time?"
Assuming the others agree, Ekuur will make his way back to the Temple District and the comforting sight of the Temple of the Sacred Flame.
Justin takes the paper, glances at it, makes a 'huh' sound as he reads it, then pockets it.
"Thanks a lot OLLI. I'm with the guys though. We have been up for a while, and I need my beauty sleep." He says to the Modron with a smile.
"Sounds good to me Ekuur. We meeting up for breakfast? Then back here?" He asks the muscular priest and lithe ranger as they head toward the doors. Justin stops, then turns back to the Library.
"Um, where did Merle, Nari and Seph go?" He asks, glancing at the stacks.
"Whatever your fancy, cutter. Don't give this place the laugh on my account- I just ain't the library sort o' sod."
The Cager shrugs.
"I'd reckon they're all right; don't seem like the darkman would tolerate any cross trading. They'll leave at their own pace."
The day, such as it is in a place with no sun, has begun again with the first hour of Before Peak. The rain has increased with the light, making a rushing curtain above the main library doors. Shactal the surly ice devil has unbolted and heaved the doors open, and a trickle of early-morning researchers and scribes scurry into the deep stacks.
Ekuur says his farewells and heads off to the Temple District, eager to catch up with his congregation. O.L.L.I bids the group farewell, heading off to report to his new faction for training. The party stares out at the cascade of water and ponders breakfast
Karrin heads home to the copper cauldron and has a nice big breakfast. Karrin then lounges about the main room of the Cauldron, casually cleaning Ferissirion with a tooth pick (making sure anything that pops out is put in an old cracked fruit mold before it can thaw) and listening to causal conversation around the inn. Ideally she wants to know if the big brawl they left at the old temple was big enough to attract city wide attention, but mostly Karrin's just listening for news to keep herself entertained.
Karrin arrives at the Cauldron somewhat drippy from the hour-long slog back from the Lady's Library. Ferissirion smokes as it enters, shedding small ice bits as the rain freezes on it. Bess starts up the pancakes as she sits down, Ramona bringing them out in a regular rotation along with sausages, eggs and various pots of preserved veggies and meat.
The Copper Cauldron is busy in the Before Peak hours. Drovers, dyers, coppersmiths, and ragmen all sit at the tables. A low murmur of conversation sighs the room, and a fog of mist from drying black wool Cager Cloaks dampens the air.
Merle has breakfast in the main room keeping to an out of the way table while going over any notes she may have mad during her reads.
Seph nearbye also having breakfast
Bwhahaha, perception?
Ramona, Bess' eldest daughter and head waitress of the inn saunters over with more food
"A courier left a package for Justin here."
Perception Merle
Perception seph
Nari was startled by a lock of red hair falling across her vision. At first she thought it belonged to someone else and she whirled around, barely stifling a shriek. And then she remembered that it was her own hair. She blushed fiercely. It was still so easy to forget. She gingerly closed the book and placed it back on the shelf she had taken it from. When she came out of the nook where she had been reading she was startled to realize that it was day...err....Peak? She looked around for a while to try and find the others before an annoyed scholar told her that they had left some time ago.
She headed out from the library and back towards the Copper Cauldron, torn between terror and curiosity as she traveled the streets of Sigil alone.
Justin nods, accepting Issac's wisdom, and waves goodbye to the Ranger at the door. Justin is simply unable to resist taking one, last peek at the stacks.
And when he next thinks to check the time, the doors have been open for a while, the stacks are swarming with various peoples, and his companions are no where to be found.
Justin pulls up his hood as he quickly heads for the doors, taking one last glance behind him as he remembers Issac's note, then wades, literally, into the rainy street.
Justin decides to traipse all the way over to his apartment. Taking the time to mentally review the many tidbits of information he has just gleaned from the library, and what he hopes to gain from OLLI, and planning possible enchanted items to create. He wants to check on Skyy, and feels guilty at asking her to move into his place, and then hardly ever being there due to his traipsing all over the multiverse.
Justin mused that one of the many good things about Skyy is that she was fiercely independent. She never minded being treated like a lady, but hint that you opened the door because she COULDN'T and,...well,... Justin would rather face that Ape-Demon again. Spell-less.
Justin planned on checking on his apartment, See how Skyy was doing, (It was early enough, she should be home from her work by now) and ask her for her opinion on his planned enchanted items.
(Skyy knew next to nothing about enchantments. But she had a lady's uncanny knack for accessorizing.) :)
Then, after talking with Skyy, he would rejoin the others for breakfast at the Cauldron, (The way Justin's chats with Skyy went, it would be a late breakfast)and the group would see how the Modron's information gathering had gone.
SOmewhere in the back of his mind, Justin maintained a pessimistic (He called it 'honest') opinion that there would be some minor disaster to prevent his plans from going as smoothly as they should.
SOmewhere in the back of his mind, Justin maintained a pessimistic (He called it 'honest') opinion that there would be some minor disaster to prevent his plans from going as smoothly as they should.
Justin walks through the rain with the others, turning off towards his small apartment to check on Skyy. He reaches the stairway and gingerly steps down the sodden stone steps, grumbling as he sees the small sewer grate at the bottom of his stairs blocked with some dark trash and collecting water at a rapid rate.
He kicks it aside grumbling, and waits for the six inches of brown rainwater to gurgle down the grate. While he does, he hears a female voice from the top of the stairs.
"Excuse me, Mr. Case? Could I speak to you for a moment?"
The accent is Sigilian, but not spiced with the bewildering slang that the natives called Cant. It sounded young, melodious and educated. Justin squints up, but all he can discern is a figure wrapped in a large black Cager Cloak with the hood drawn up against the rain standing at the top of his stairs.
Nari was startled by a lock of red hair falling across her vision. At first she thought it belonged to someone else and she whirled around, barely stifling a shriek. And then she remembered that it was her own hair. She blushed fiercely. It was still so easy to forget. She gingerly closed the book and placed it back on the shelf she had taken it from. When she came out of the nook where she had been reading she was startled to realize that it was day...err....Peak? She looked around for a while to try and find the others before an annoyed scholar told her that they had left some time ago.
She headed out from the library and back towards the Copper Cauldron, torn between terror and curiosity as she traveled the streets of Sigil alone.
The rain hisses down from the lowering sky, painting the vast city in shades of grey. Naridre hurries along, trying her best to avoid the large masses of pedestrians travelling to their peaktime jobs. The city is terrifying, but in a majestic way, a vista of awe-inspiring scenes.
Nari turns aside as a coach thunders down the street, all ebon and silver. Six silver-mailed skeletons drive the coach and stand at the footman's posts. The horses are dead, reanimated as snarling zombies. Nari cannot see any windows in the coach, just black panels without any glass. A row of three inverted gold triangles are the only livery markings on the side.
A large man with a dash of some giant blood in him hawks his wares to the crowd from a pushcart laden with exotic fruit.
"Starberries! Fresh Purpleberries! Malagongs from far Hamarr! Apples, cherries, ongons!"
Nari approaches Plague Court, the beginning of Copperman's Way in the Lady's Ward. The district surrounding the large plaza with its memorial statue is some of the most expensive shops anywhere. Nari sees a young woman, tall and gracefull, step from a crystal carriage drawn by blue lions the size of Percherons. Large men hold umbreallas over her head as she enters a large clothing shop. At another shop a trio of Harmonium troopers in their red-spiked armor wrestle a large ragged-clothed man with a strange design tattooed on his cheek . He shouts out to the crowd:
"THE TIME OF THE HARDHEADS IS ALMOST OVER! THE MULTIVERSE READIES FOR CHANGE! FIGHT THE FORCES OF CONSERVATISM!"
The three Harmonium herd him off, clouting him half-senseless as they go.
Nari heads down Copperman Way, the broad thoroughfare swarming with beings of every description despite the heavy rain. The crowd looks like a river of blackness with all the hoods pulled up against the driving rain.
Nari sees a small child, small human or humanoid snatch a fruit off a cart. A shout goes up but the child ducks into a small alley between two tall buildings and is gone.
Eventually Copperman's Way leads to Copper Court. The Copper Cauldron's door is open, and the awning is crowded with several folks shucking their thick cloaks off before stepping inside