Sophie lands on the ground and watches the two remaining giants leave, Sophie's Choice trained on them (they don't know it's empty, and after Blayze's display, she's sure they don't want to risk it). Once they are gone, she reverts back to her normal self, the harpy feathers melting away, and wings retracting into her back. She empties the spent shells and replaces them with new ones, taking care not to manhandle the damaged weapon. It's going to take some work when they make camp to get her baby back up to proper working order again.
"I agree with Alessia, we shouldn't have let them go. But I defer to our illustrious leaders," she motions to Karrin and Justin. "So is that it? We burn this place to the ground and let the prisoners go to resume their tending to the forest?"
The two giants take to their heels, running off along the river. Two of the camp tents are burning, but they are just starting up. The other tents were mangled by the mammoth stampede
Justin looks pointedly at the dead 'captain', and the scorched mark from his 'Big Boom', (They don't know he can only do that once!)
"This forest is under our protection. If you make us come back, we will be ,... angry. You don't want to see us when we're angry." He says slowly in Common. The wizard then makes a small 'Shoo, go away' gesture at the giants.
Alessia makes it back to the rest of the group just as the two remaining giants make their retreat. Watching the pair closely, she voices her opinion to no one in particular.
"Should have killed them when you had the chance. They'll be back."
"I agree with Alessia, we shouldn't have let them go. But I defer to our illustrious leaders," she motions to Karrin and Justin.
Justin also watches the retreating giants. If his furrowed brow is any indicator, he is thinking similar thoughts. He shrugs at the comments.
"Yeah. Sometimes it comes back to bite us in the Keister. But sometimes Karma is kind, and it ends up helping us out later on. I've seen stranger things happen. It's a small Planescape after all."
Justin indicates (what's left) of the camp. "I'm not saying they were nice or misunderstood or anything,..." He frowns at the way the prisoners were clearly mistreated. ",...But this wasn't an invading horde or mad mage's monster army. They were loggers. They just picked the wrong woods to destroy and got spanked. Everyone deserves a second chance. If they don't take it,... well,..." Justin shrugs again.
"Then we burn THAT bridge when we cross it too!"
"So is that it? We burn this place to the ground and let the prisoners go to resume their tending to the forest?"
Justin looks around again, and laughs.
"Well, at least we're halfway done?""Hm. Maybe we should tend to the prisoners first, and then ask them what they'd like us to do with the camp. Or at least with what's LEFT of it." He adds wryly.
Justin looks at Karrin, being UN-typically, almost stoically silent.
"Um, Is everyone OK? Anyone ,else, need healing?" He asks, wiping blood from his face for the second time in as many minutes.
(Thanks to Mel's mid-battle healing channel, he's still better off than he was prior. But his head is still ringing from that Giant Captain's last hit.)
"Nice work all, that was,... wow. You guys were doing things I hadn't imagined yet. When we get back we should have a strategy session. This is an almost completely new group. With a LOT of new tricks. If we can coordinate, I have a feeling there won't be much we can't handle."
"Hey Mel? Do you have enough 'Favors' left to be able to help out the prisoners too? They look half-dead."
Quieter, Justin also asks the cleric, "And um, if you don't mind, when we get a chance I'd love to talk to you about your wartime experience. This is a large group, and well,..." Justin shrugs, holding up his hands to the side with a wry grin. ",...I'm a Wizard, not a War-leader!"
As they tend to the prisoners, Justin speaks to them in elvish (unless they prefer Common?) and explains that they were sent by Pando, whom he calls 'The spirit of the forest', (Unsure if they were aware of the Multi-verse, and unwilling to try to explain it to them at the moment if they didn't.)
"Yeah. Sometimes it comes back to bite us in the Keister. But sometimes Karma is kind, and it ends up helping us out later on. I've seen stranger things happen. It's a small Planescape after all."Alessia makes it back to the rest of the group just as the two remaining giants make their retreat. Watching the pair closely, she voices her opinion to no one in particular.
"Should have killed them when you had the chance. They'll be back."
Alessia turns slowly to face Justin. Despite her lack of visible facial features, one gets the impression that her eyes are narrowed with suspicion.
"I did not understand any of those references. And you are also wrong."
Hamar stretches as he exits the tents his work cutting bonds completed. He lets the Wizard or whoever wants to do the talking do it.
"Wizard, I did what Scouts are supposed to do. Create chaos behind the backs of and sometimes under the nose of our foes. Most times I do not know what I am going to do until I attempt to do it", he shrugs.
Knowing that their base is Sigil, a place of little grass, the Barbarian removes his shirt to dry it from his sweat and lays down to relax. Closing his eyes and awaiting the time to leave.
The elves are grateful, and one steps forward, identifying himself as Speaker-to-the-Trees. He seems to be the leader
“Thank you, champions of the Forest Spirit. Without your help we would have been worked to death cutting down our own home and then thrown in the giant’s cauldron for stew”
The tents are full of bric a brac. The group manages to put out the various fires. There is a large central fire with a large cauldron chained on a winch arm above it. A porkish smell comes from it.
The Forest elves reclaim their items from the tents that the giants had stolen. It looks as if they are on a stone/Bronze Age level of tech, but they do pick up some of the giants iron bits
After all of this it has come to midday. Mel has treated the worst of the wounded, with both magic and natural healing skills. As a group, they all head into the Forest. About two miles into the large forest they come upon the elven village. It’s a beautiful spot, sadly trampled by the giant’s raid. A curious thing begins to happen. Wolves, foxes and eagles appear, dropping rabbits and fish at the elves feet. Enough is soon accumulated to feed everyone. Chestnuts fall from trees, despite it being winter, as if the lifeless branches were in full fall harvest mode. The group hear Pando’s voice within their minds
You have done well. Thank you. If you are ready, I can bring you back to my root existence. I shall keep watch over the Drasvir until they can survive on their own
Quieter, Justin also asks the cleric, "And um, if you don't mind, when we get a chance I'd love to talk to you about your wartime experience. This is a large group, and well,..." Justin shrugs, holding up his hands to the side with a wry grin. ",...I'm a Wizard, not a War-leader!"
Mel grimaces
“I’m not much of a war leader either. I’m a medic. I patch soldiers up and I can do some spell support when needed. I’m not a strategy guy. I do think we could maybe go a better job keeping the group together next time. I mean, we got lucky and Karrin has a helluva whallop, but we all should have dealt with one fight at a time. A couple bad swings and you could have had that witch on your backs and all of us left behind dead. “
"I just got here," Karrin says as she rejoins the group, "What'd I miss, I had to chop my way though a few giants. Ooh stew! Smells good."
"Yeah. Sometimes it comes back to bite us in the Keister. But sometimes Karma is kind, and it ends up helping us out later on. I've seen stranger things happen. It's a small Planescape after all."Alessia makes it back to the rest of the group just as the two remaining giants make their retreat. Watching the pair closely, she voices her opinion to no one in particular.
"Should have killed them when you had the chance. They'll be back."
Alessia turns slowly to face Justin. Despite her lack of visible facial features, one gets the impression that her eyes are narrowed with suspicion.
"I did not understand any of those references. And you are also wrong."
Justin opens his mouth, closes it, and looks at Alessia with an inscrutable expression on his face. Finally he shrugs. Again.
"Yeah, well. Wouldn't be the FIRST time that's happened,..." He admits wryly.
Quieter, Justin also asks the cleric, "And um, if you don't mind, when we get a chance I'd love to talk to you about your wartime experience. This is a large group, and well,..." Justin shrugs, holding up his hands to the side with a wry grin. ",...I'm a Wizard, not a War-leader!"
Mel grimaces
“I’m not much of a war leader either. I’m a medic. I patch soldiers up and I can do some spell support when needed. I’m not a strategy guy. I do think we could maybe go a better job keeping the group together next time. I mean, we got lucky and Karrin has a helluva whallop, but we all should have dealt with one fight at a time. A couple bad swings and you could have had that witch on your backs and all of us left behind dead. “
Justin grimaces and does manage to look sheepish, if not exactly 'repentant'.
"Yeah, sorry about that. Our plans always seem solid, but you know what they say. 'No plan survives contact with the enemy'." The wizard gestures at the remains of the giants camp, where the elves reclaim their surviving items.
"Fortunately, we excel at improvisation!" He says cheerfully.
"Still, time permitting, You, me, and a few mugs of your favorite. I'll swap you tales of what we've managed to pull off, in return for some tales of plans you've actually seen work. I'd LOVE to learn some new tricks!" Justin smiles.
Justin helps as best he can to aid with the injured and wounded Elves.
His healing skills aren't great, but his simple magics at least can provide rudimentary cleaning and sanitation for those not in dire need of Mel's attentions.
Justin helps in searching the camp for anything useful that the Giants may have left. And then joins the rest of the Rose crew in escorting the elves to their battered home.
Justin is suitably impressed with the sudden appearance of the animals, and the unusual actions of the trees themselves. Even knowing that it is Pando's handiwork, it is still an incredible sight.
You have done well. Thank you. If you are ready, I can bring you back to my root existence. I shall keep watch over the Drasvir until they can survive on their own.
Justin winces at Pando's 'quiet' voice. He thinks back,...
'I think so Pando. Give us a moment to make sure.'"Everyone ready to go?" He asks,...
"I just got here," Karrin says as she rejoins the group, "What'd I miss, I had to chop my way though a few giants. Ooh stew! Smells good."
Justin facepalms.
"Yes Pando. We're ready. Thank you."
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Karrin grumbles a bit internally at the thought of wasting stew but realizing that some of the elves probably lost family and the monstrous act of butchering sentient beings for food is clearly a far more heinous act than wasting food, but Karrin still feels a bit of regret at pouring out the pot and burring the remains.
"It was probably under seasoned anyways," she mumbles to herself.
The group gathers together and bases goodbye to the elven tribe. They are gripped with that odd stretching feeling planar travel engenders. The forest changes from a cold winter mountain to a sunny autumn hill with bluish stones in a circle. Then a swampy humid hillock with twisted cypress trees locking knobby roots together. Then a small grove of young trees on a tiny island of grass surrounded an immense plain of black stone with strange vehicles arranged in rows stretching into the distance. The scenes flash faster
*trees*
*stones*
*clockwork figures
The impression of movement accelerates until only flashes of strange and wonderful vistas greet them for a moment before changing. Then they stop. The blue crystal stones of Pando surround them
Thank you again, Silver Rose. Now there is the matter of your boon.
A small pile of blue crystals flash
Although we didn’t contract them, I think it is only fair to give you all a gift. Wear one of those crystals and it will shield you from harm
Hamar, I have your gem prepared.
The group sees an oval faceted pigeons-blood colored ruby levitate over to Hamar
This was a mighty working. A hero’s gem. I call it Hamar’s Luckstone. Step forward
Hamar steps back up to the blue crystals and a glowing white light envelopes him. The rest of the party looks away. It fades and Hamar is revealed, the red oval gem implanted in his forehead
Hamar’s Luckstone:
Justin stumbles only a little this time as the traveling ends.
"I think I might be getting the hang of this." He says cheerfully to no one in particular.
Thank you again, Silver Rose. Now there is the matter of your boon.
Although we didn’t contract them, I think it is only fair to give you all a gift. Wear one of those crystals and it will shield you from harm.
"I'm glad we were able to help you Pando. Thank you. This is very generous. And much appreciated." Justin tells the crystalline entity, while turning over the small but potent blue stone in his fingers.
Justin examines the stone, and his eyes widen as he realizes that it is an expendable variation of the weak armor stone he wears on his coat lapel. Only much, much more powerful.
"Thank you,..." He murmurs again numbly, his mind suddenly busy with re-writing what he thought he knew about magic item creation. And coming up with new ideas,...
Justin watches as Pando gifts Hamar his requested stone. And implants it in Hamar's forehead. He gives a low whistle.
"I've read about this before, somewhere. Some archmages on some Prime or other found a way to implant Ioun stones into their bodies. Permanent and always-active Ioun stones. Impossible to lose."
Justin grins at Hamar.
"Pando has gone above and beyond Hamar. You have what you asked for and then some. I think your set!"
Hamar feels his forehead and rubs the crystal he nods, "I thank you O Great Pando. This is a great gift you have bestowed onto me, greater even than I asked for. Perhaps the greater gift was our journey to rescue the elves and the mammoths held captive by the giants.
Sometimes it is good to have a fight that is more than just a fight. One to remind us why training to fight is good and right. Know that Hamar of the Hyena Tribe will aid you again if the need arises".
The Barbarian nods his head in the direction he would perceive the sentience of Pando's center is and await the comments from the rest of the Silver Rose.
The crystalline entity fluoresces through the bad of observable colors
I have imbued the stone with powers that I have seen will serve you well in the future. You all have a most difficult road ahead. I wish I could help more, but the curse of being able to see future potentialities is knowing just how easy the observer can change the observed. I will wish you well and offer you a return to your city. Although I do not have a presence in Sigil, I can open a temporary portal thither
Justin nods at Pando's words. His mind reeling as he digests the concepts of temporal 'Cause-and-Effect'.
Or would that be 'Effect-and-Cause'?
Justin closes his eyes and shakes his head vigorously to clear it of the resulting confusion of multiple paradoxes his imagination created in just a few seconds.
"Timey-Wimey, Wibbly-Wobbly,..." He mutters.
"Again, That is very kind of you Pando. Thank you. I don't think that any of us would mind taking a shortcut back to Sigil.(?)"
Justin looks around at the others to make sure he's right.
The wizard's gaze stops on their hired guide.
"Don't worry. YOUR fees are still good. You earned it!" he grins.
Rovuk grins
“That is always music to my ears. This has been a truly epic adventure, but I am ready to see Sigil’s streets again”
Hamar feels his forehead and rubs the crystal he nods, "I thank you O Great Pando. This is a great gift you have bestowed onto me, greater even than I asked for. Perhaps the greater gift was our journey to rescue the elves and the mammoths held captive by the giants.
Sometimes it is good to have a fight that is more than just a fight. One to remind us why training to fight is good and right. Know that Hamar of the Hyena Tribe will aid you again if the need arises".
The Barbarian nods his head in the direction he would perceive the sentience of Pando's center is and await the comments from the rest of the Silver Rose.
Friend Hamar, I thank you for your actions in freeing both the mammoths and the Drasvir. I shall remember you and perhaps some day our paths will cross again
Rovuk grins
“That is always music to my ears. This has been a truly epic adventure, but I am ready to see Sigil’s streets again”
Alessia mumbles under her breath .
"Adventure... You know nothing of adventure..."
The Blue menhirs glow and a standard portal opens. The busy streets of the Cage can be spied within. It’s raining there, and the view ripples as the portal stabilizes.
Good luck upon your journey Pando says within their minds
Justin bows respectfully to Pando. Then turns and makes a grand gesture towards the portal.
"Ladies first!" he says cheerfully.
Justin waits for the ladies to precede him, (If they wish. He's not about to hold the door open for Alessia or Karrin if they don't WANT him to.) The mage nods to Hamar, Rovuk and Mel. But he waits to take one more, last look at Pando and its cavern, and salute the being with his staff, before entering the portal.
The party enters the portal, and emerges on Copperman’s Way, just outside the entrance to Cooper Court. Brown rain sluices down on them from the leaden sky, and it looks to be some point in the Antipeak. The bustling crowd is peppered with Lower planar denizens, and undead that usually don’t come out in force until late Afterpeak. Rovuk nods at the group and arranges his gear
“I’ll call on you in a peak or two to settle our account. I have a bit of a walk ahead of me. Good farings! “
The Earthblood ranger walks off into the crowd, disappearing rapidly into the foggy distance.
The group pads down to the Copper Cauldron, seeing the place crowded with a dinner rush. They enter and find Renkar and Hanali supping at their usual table. Ramona heads by and takes orders from the group. After the Cager cloaks are hung to dry, Renkar looks them up and down
“How was your trip?”
Rovuk nods at the group and arranges his gear[/i]
“I’ll call on you in a peak or two to settle our account. I have a bit of a walk ahead of me. Good farings! “
Justin swiftly flips up the hood of his Cager Cloak, and gives Rovuk a jaunty salute from under it's protection.
"Thank you again Rovuk. I hope to do business with you again."
The Earthblood ranger walks off into the crowd, disappearing rapidly into the foggy distance.The group pads down to the Copper Cauldron, seeing the place crowded with a dinner rush. They enter and find Renkar and Hanali supping at their usual table. Ramona heads by and takes orders from the group. After the Cager cloaks are hung to dry, Renkar looks them up and down
“How was your trip?”
Justin turns back from hanging up his cloak, seemingly chipper despite the dingy rain clinging to where the rain snuck past his cloak and coat. He shrugs noncommittally.
"Pretty boring, as far as Silver Rose trips tend to go." The wizard says straight-faced.
"Our guide got us there safely. Only ran into one group of Xorns who tried to extort a travel tax. We declined. Politely." Justin emphasizes the last word ever so slightly.
"Met Pando. Who is as interesting to speak with as you would expect an inter-dimensional being to be. We made our request for Hamar, negotiated the price, kicked out some giant slaver/loggers who were illegally squatting on Pando's presence on another Prime, From atop a flying Stegosaurus. And Pando must have liked our service, cuz he threw in a bonus!"
Justin smiles and hands Renkar his own new stone to examine.
The wizard snaps his fingers. "Oh yeah, and we can add 'Mammoth-Rider' to Hamar's list of skills!" he grins, gesturing grandly at the burly barbarian.
"So, yeah, you know. The usual, Planar-travel stuff. Pretty tame, actually." He says innocently.
"Compared to what's COMING at any rate,..." Memnon hisses clearly from over Justin's shoulder, rolling his eye-lights.
"They said the stew was to die for," Karrin mumbles, "But we had to dump it all out."
"That Mammoth was the largest thing I've ridden since Antisa the Wicked. But then she more sort of rode you I suppose..." Hamar looks thoughtful as his sentence trails off.
"A great success to be sure", the Barbarian rubs at the crystal now embedded in his forehead as he sits at the table.
After a time he turns to Karrin, "Karrin Kind, how long until our next journey? I have a Lady friend I might look up before we go again".
"They said the stew was to die for," Karrin mumbles, "But we had to dump it all out."
"GIANT stew!" Justin adds hastily, lest Renkar think they were denying Karrin her fair share of food,... (As if THAT could ever happen!)
"NOT on the 'Planer Traveler's approved list of digestible substances'. Like the water in Mexico. Whichever Plane THAT is."
"Eh, probably a couple of days Hamar, we need supplies I guess, and maybe we check our sources about these drow, see if there's anything we need to know, like I hear some of them are really into spiders and so buying any of those crispy spider bites they sell next to the boiled beetle shack might be a bad idea, but then some of them hate spiders because they got a different god or something? I never much followed the dark elf religions, basically they hate everyone and sacrifice people to their gods, which sort of makes them unmanageable and unpleasant to be around, which is why they sort of live underground. So knowing what snacks to bring, looking for any maps, and maybe checking with some guides I guess. So, maybe three? Check back here as often as you can though, there's still that slug monster guys looking for Justin and we might have rescue him at some point, supposing that they don't turn him into one of them if that's possible? Who knows? I got other things to think about and stuff . . .
"Say Ramona," Karrin says when the serving lady checks on them, "What are the chances that there'll be forbidden stew on the menu tonight? I got a hankern' for stew for some reason."
Hamar nods, "The half-drow to the south of my homelands are great pests. I think they revere a spider god but as I've never done anything but kill them I can hardly know".
The Barbarian nods, "Wizard, do you require a close watch on your comings and goings? My companion may not be back from whatever it was she was seeking to do, pirating or some such.
Wait for me, if I do not come back in four hours go get in trouble without me".
"They said the stew was to die for," Karrin mumbles, "But we had to dump it all out.""GIANT stew!" Justin adds hastily, lest Renkar think they were denying Karrin her fair share of food,... (As if THAT could ever happen!)
"NOT on the 'Planer Traveler's approved list of digestible substances'. Like the water in Mexico. Whichever Plane THAT is."
"Giant just means bigger portions!"
"Say Ramona," Karrin says when the serving lady checks on them, "What are the chances that there'll be forbidden stew on the menu tonight? I got a hankern' for stew for some reason."
Ramona laughs
“There’s always stew on the menu! I can fetch you a bowl of the Long Brown if yeh want. Green a bowl”
She points to the enormous copper cauldron hanging by a winch hook near the hearth fire.
"Giant just means bigger portions!"
Justin opens his mouth, gaping like a fish out of water.
He starts to facepalm himself, then sighs and lowers his arm again, as if he suddenly just doesn't have the energy."Well, if you can't beat 'em, join 'em! I'll have a bowl too Romana." He adds with a small smile.
Justin pulls out a chair and plops his gangly form into it.
"Honestly. It's like some days I can't take her anywhere." He grins at Renkar.
The Barbarian nods, "Wizard, do you require a close watch on your comings and goings? My companion may not be back from whatever it was she was seeking to do, pirating or some such.
Wait for me, if I do not come back in four hours go get in trouble without me".
Justin nods to Hamar in return. He does raise an eyebrow at the casual mention his 'friends' occupation. "Thank you Hamar. Appreciate it. I can wait that long and not get myself into trouble."
Memnon, who has settled onto the center of Justin's table, where he can conveniently watch Romana as she bends over to scoop stew from the hearth, clears his non-existent throat pointedly.
"Again." Justin adds from between clenched teeth.
Justin looks up at Renkar with his too-big, too-innocent smile that usually means he's up to something.
"So, boss. Once we've eaten, may I have a moment of your time? I've run into a,... complication, regarding a friend of mine. I'd like to talk to you about it."
After a side glance at Memnon's narrowing eyelights, "I think I need talk to you about it." Justin adds quickly, narrowing his own eyes at Memnon in a 'not now' look.
"So, boss. Once we've eaten, may I have a moment of your time? I've run into a,... complication, regarding a friend of mine. I'd like to talk to you about it."After a side glance at Memnon's narrowing eyelights, "I think I need talk to you about it." Justin adds quickly, narrowing his own eyes at Memnon in a 'not now' look.
"You should do the right thing and marry her Justin," Karrin says, "A kid needs a father, take it from me, I had 47 fathers."
Ramona brings over steaming bowls of a thick brownish stew. Chunks of different meats and vegetables float in the broth
“Enjoy!”
Renkar looks at Justin
“Does this have anything to do with a package I received for you a few peaks back? I have it at the office for you. Please enlighten me”
"You should do the right thing and marry her Justin," Karrin says, "A kid needs a father, take it from me, I had 47 fathers."
"Wait, what? NO! I mean yes, I would, but, no it's not THAT! It's,..."
Once again, Justin gapes like a fish while Memnon laughs outright. The Mimir is practically glowing with happiness. The wizard does slow burn-turn to face the chortling crystal skull.
"You. Are enjoying this entirely too much."
"Yes! Yes I am!"
Ramona brings over steaming bowls of a thick brownish stew. Chunks of different meats and vegetables float in the broth
“Enjoy!”
Justin smiles his thanks to Ramona, and quickly shovels a couple of spoonfuls into his mouth before he can say what he is thinking. He then quickly chugs a drink to save his tongue from scalding on the hot stew. This sends Memnon into another fit of laughter.
"See? SEE?!? Always in a hurry! THAT'S what got you into trouble in the first place!" Small drops of liquid seep from the crystal's eye sockets. The crystal mimir is actually crying from laughing so hard. Justin stares daggers at his bowl of stew, cheeks reddening.
Renkar looks at Justin
“Does this have anything to do with a package I received for you a few peaks back? I have it at the office for you. Please enlighten me”
Now Justin just looks befuddled. He exchanges a quick glance with Memnon.
"Um. No. I don't think so? So,... with my luck, probably. Yeah." The wizard sighs.
"Lizard probably sent me my own copy so I couldn't feign ignorance. Rassin' Frassin' Lil smart-,..."
The wizard deliberately takes another large bite of stew, more carefully this time, and chews it thoroughly before turning back to Renkar.
(Renkar is still looking at him, waiting. The man clearly has extraordinary patience, probably developed over a long lifetime of dealing with 'extremely talented' individuals like the current Rose crew. But he IS 'The Boss'. And Justin really doesn't want to tick anyone else off. Today.)
Justin smiles at Renkar and takes deep, calming breath in through his nose.
"Well, you see, Funny story actually. You see, I have this friend,..."
Justin turns to slowly LOOK at Memnon as the crystal skull once again is sent into peals of laughter.
"WHY does everyone have that reaction when I say that?!?"
Justin shakes his head at Memnon, and tries to ignore the chuckling skull as best he can.
He holds up a finger, goes through his embarrassed and frustrated memory, and nods.
"Actually, I AM expecting a package, yes. And it DOES have to do with my conundrum." He glances around the pub, making sure no one but Rose members are withing whisper-range.
"It's,... Actually let me start at the beginning. SHORT version, I swear." Justin smirks.
Justin steeples his fingers together, and collects his thoughts.
"A few peaks ago, has it only been that? Dadgum Plane-hopping makes it feel like YEARS. I got word that one of my friends, a Harmonium, hadn't been seen in a couple of peaks. While we had some down time last week I went to go check on her. Short SHORT version, You may know about some of this already? There's a new gang of Vamps operating out of Deadtown. The 'Scarlet Circle'. They gained a lot of attention fast. They and the Harmonium got into it and the Hardheads got slapped. Hard. Lost some members. They made 'Peace' and publicly the Gang backed off. BUT some of the Harmonium believed it was only an act. Some of those continued to investigate. Unofficially. My friend was one of them. She went into Deadtown, and hasn't been seen since."
Justin nods at Renkar's clear understanding.
"Yep. The fact that it was 'unofficial' means they can't, or won't, launch an official investigation. But I got a summons to the city barracks, where my friend's supervisor politely asked me if I would take a look UNofficially."
Justin shrugs. "It was my friend. I said yes."
"So,... I went and talked to a couple of other friends. Where I put together some information about this 'Scarlet Circle' and their new dangerous street super-drug, 'V'. Still waiting to hear if one managed to get anything useful about current events in Deadtown I can use." Justin holds up his hand, showing he has his fingers crossed.
"I went to visit a 'prominent businessbeing' I've,... had dealings with in the past. Figured I could trade what I'd cobbled together for at least a little information about how to 'get in touch' with the Circle, without needing a battalion behind me to do it."
"Of course, he knew about the Circle. But has decided that their businesses don't cross enough for him to want to get involved. Again. Officially." Justin adds wryly.
Justin motions Renkar closer, and whispers.
"What he offered to trade with me is in that package. It is the location of the Scarlet Circle's Secret Hideout. With location and key information of a portal that will get me close to it. And the most recent security protocols in place that he was aware of at the time we met."
Justin sits back up straight and holds his hands out to the side in a 'what was I to do?' gesture.
"So, HE knew that I needed that info. Badly. And I knew that he really wants to deal with the Circle. Badly. So, he made me an offer, and in the heat of the moment, I didn't negotiate as stringently as I,..."
"ALRIGHT That's Enough! I'M calling BANTHA POODOO!!!" Memnon's shrill voice cuts through the low buzz of Justin's rambling like a banshee's wail.
The crystal skull zips through the air between Justin and Renkar.
"He's trying to make himself sound better, like he was in control of the situation! But REALLY Your 'Resident Wizard' Blew it! Big time! If Brains were Fireballs, he couldn't blow his nose!" The Mimir declares to Renkar cheerfully.
The crystal skull seems, unusually pleased with itself?
"He Signed an infernal contract! Without READING IT first! Or asking for a lawyer, or, I don't know, maybe asking for advice from a repository of knowledge who was right next to his shoulder?!? He agreed to pay THREE favors! THREE! He didn't even TRY to negotiate,... he,... YIIIPE!"
Justin reaches out, grabs the Mimir's dangling orange tassles, and pulls. Grasping the top of the skull with the other hand, he firmly turns it around to face him.
"Thank. You. Memnon. He gets. The Point." Justin says darkly, pronouncing each syllable distinctly.
"AND that's not, entirely, true." Justin adds, releasing the Mimir unexpectedly, and since it had been fighting the hold Justin had on it, this caused the skull to almost strike itself on the ceiling before regaining control.
"I know that Marconi is a shrewd businessman, but as far as I can tell, he's always good to his word. The contract has a non-evil-act proviso, so he's not going to try to get me to burn down an orphanage or anything outrageous. I DID jump the crossbow though, no getting around that. Normally nothing would give me more pleasure than arguing with him for hours, but I didn't want to risk losing that info. Or my friend."
"I'd LIKE to say that if I had a do-over, I'd be cannier. But the truth is, for my friend, If I had to, I'd do it again in a heartbeat." Justin admits.
"For ANY of my friends,..." He adds, glancing at the Rose crew who wandered closer to hear Justin talk.
"Marconi doesn't worry me. Much. But he gave one of the favors to a 'guest' he was entertaining. Some big, burly dragonborn named 'Arkhan'. Wore a breastplate with an image of Takhisis on it. From the way the Contract Devil acted towards him, I think he's a Duke. Of Hell."
"Yeah. THAT worries me. Little bit."
Renkar arches an eyebrow at Justin
“It seems you have gotten yourself into a bit of a jam. I know this Arkhan. He isn’t technically a Duke of Hell, but he is a Duke of Tiamat’s infernal court. Tiamat/Takhisis is a goddess, and technically not subservient to the Infernal Court, but being a resident of Avernus and closely allied with Asmodeus it’s really just a technicality. Arkhan certainly wields power, serious power, but not the kind of power a Duke of Hell does. He IS Tiamat’s proxy in Sigil, and speaks on her behalf. He dwells in the Temple of Tiamat in the Temple District. “
Renkar frowns
“I would assume he will likely keep your favor as an insurance policy, should your interests and his ever cross. Those sorts of favors are very valuable as negotiating tools”.
Justin purses his lips thoughtfully.
"So, I jumped with both feet into boiling water instead of lava at least. BUT I still landed in over my head." He mutters aloud. "So not a literal Duke of Hell. Just semantics really. But those devils LOVE their semantics."
Justin looks up at Renkar.
"Yah, I figure your right. Or so I was informed by 'the repository of knowledge' over here. I could always hope he's enough of a true dragon to want to horde his shinies instead of spending them. But my luck doesn't run that good, usually. Since he hangs out in Sigil, I could always go and ask him if there's something he'd like to trade it for. But again, I don't think I'd like the answer."
"I can't help but wonder why Marconi was entertaining Arkhan in the first place? He's,... not in the usual pool of beings the kobold does his dealings with. Can't help but think, is he looking for alliances and resources for a large undertaking? Arkhan would certainly be a good person to have backing you if you were looking to, Oh I dont know, have a 'serious disagreement' with other Sigil-ites? Maybe?"
Justin has murmured his way into another conversation with himself, it seems.
“This contract Devil you mentioned, could you describe him and his interactions with everyone?”
Justin blinks.
"Yes, of course. Hang on a sec."
Justin steeples his fingers together and closes his eyes, his bowl of stew cooling forgotten on the table beside him.
Without opening his eyes, Justin speaks. Slowly at first, then gaining speed as his confidence in his memory gains strength.
"His name was, is, 'Bartlebeeze'. Marconi called him by speaking that name and saying 'Attend me'. At first I thought it might be an Infernal Dragonborn. He was wearing an expensive looking business tunic."
"He bowed politely to Marconi, then was obviously startled to find Arkhan there. He bowed much deeper to Arkhan, apologized for not realizing he was there, and asked if 'Her Draconic Majesty' had a direct interest in the matter. Arkhan laughed, said no, and told Bartlebeeze to continue as if he wasn't there. Bartlebeeze didn't look like he was comfortable with that, but acquiesced. VERY politely."
"He asked Marconi what he could do for him. Kept referring to him as 'my lord' when he addressed him. Marconi laid it out short and sweet. Standard three favor contract, with the standard non-evil proviso. In exchange for the info about the redoubt."
"Bartlebeeze pulled out a scroll, ink pot, and tiny knife. Asked me to prick my finger, put one drop of blood in the ink, and sign on the line. I did. The scroll snapped shut, then it, him and all his stuff vanished in a puff of smoke, and left 3 coins on the table. One of which Marconi gave to Arkhan as a 'token of his esteem'."
Justin opens his eyes, blinks, and turns to Memnon. "Does that sound right? Did I leave anything out?"
"Yes. You left out the part where you Signed it without asking for advice or negotiating!" The Mimir responds without hesitation.
It's Justin's turn to roll his eyes. "I mean about the devil crystal-for-brains."
"Nope. THAT part you got right. Better late than never."
"Well. I was due ONE today. Is that what you were looking for Boss?" Justin asks Renkar, picking up his now-cool stew and eating it.
Justin recalls that Bartlebeeze was actually an abishai
"Hey Memnon. Isn't there an actual race of devils that look like devil-blooded Dragonborn? Not common even for Sigil, But, Abishis? Abashus?"
"ABISHAI! Honestly, how a mutton-headed farmboy reject like you ever learned cast a spell, and call yourself a wizard, I'll never,... know?,..."
The mimir stops when he realizes that Justin is grinning at him. Like he knew the answer all along.
"THAT sounds right. Just wanted to verify. Hey Renkar. Bartlebeeze is an Abishai. Final Answer." Justin says, still grinning at Memnon.
"Oh ho. Very funny. If he has time for jokes, he must be ALL caught up on his studies. So I guess you've solved the Mystery of the Ninth Circle? Hmmmm?!?"
"Nope." Justin admits. "But I have the next best thing. A partner who won't stop bugging me until I get it right."
"You got THAT part right!" Memnon mutters, partially mollified.
Justin pulls out a remnant of a stick of incense, lights it, and places it on a plate for Memnon. The mimir "Hrmphs" but makes no other comment. He DOES make inhaling sounds, and his eyelights flicker slower. Memnon seems to be pacified for the moment.
Of course, he also seems to be staring at Ramona. As she bends over the hearth once more.
Renkar frowns
“It sounds to me as if Marconius is a member of Tiamat’s court as well. If he can summon an Abishai at will to do his bidding, he is likely of at least baronet rank. “
Renkar steeples his fingers
“Tiamat plays a long game. She is a powerful deity, for all that she is imprisoned on Avernus. Be careful when dealing with dragons, for you are crunchy and go well with garum sauce”
"Well that's hardly fair, everything goes well with garum sauce."
Justin leans his lanky frame back in his seat, stares at the ceiling, and blows a razzberry.
"ARGH! The lil' gecko was annoying, and dangerous, enough when he was 'just' a player in Sigil. NOW your telling me he's a baronet in the court of a Hydra with a Power Complex?!? Every time I think I know what I'm getting myself into,..."
Justin pinches the bridge of his nose. He sighs.
"THIS just keeps. Getting. Better."
He sighs. Again.
,...
"Garum sauce does go good with everything." He adds sulkily, still slouched in his seat.
Merle listens to Justins 'short' conversation at first with mild disintrest but growing much more interetsed at the mension of a devil contract also developing a bit of an eye/tail twitch as well.