Justin looks around at the interior and the clientele. He smirks at the sight of the gaming tables.
"Oh, Good. A low-key establishment." He says with a straight face.
The party walks up to the barkeep. He is a small male Drow, dressed in a typical tunic with an apron. He looks over the group and nods
“Welcome, travelers. What can I get for you?”
Justin nods politely. (Forsaking his usual cheerful 'grin of greeting' as something that would likely get him targeted here. But it clearly takes an effort on his part.)
"Greetings. Are you Szethmare by any chance? We were told by Alerra that we could find rooms here?"
The man nods
“I am he. I can find you accommodations. What do you need?”
Justin chucks a thumb over his shoulder at the eclectic group behind him.
"Eight humanoids of varying types. I think we're fine with bunking up, as long as we have room for us to stretch out fully." Justin does give a small grin at his own equally small joke about his own height. Although he WAS glancing at the much burlier Hamar when he spoke.
"We weren't planning on staying overly long, but Alerra says that the current situation is,... complicated? So we are prepared to stay as long as needed for us to conduct our business." Justin explains. Truthfully if vaguely.
Hamar looks around the place for threats or anyone who appears too interested in the group.
Hamar looks around the place for threats or anyone who appears too interested in the group.
Seeing Hamar scanning the crowd for potential threats, Alessia follows suit, attempting to use her darkvision to the group's advantage.
Alessia doesn’t see anyone unduly attentive to their presence. Except, perhaps the leather-clad servers. They seem to be giving the party the once-over
Szethmare ponders their requirements
“I have one of our suites available. It has a common area with three bedrooms off it and running water. There are Dvimbillai available if you require light”
Drow
“It usually goes 12 spiders a night, but as you are associated with Alerra I’ll give it to you for 10”
Hamar gazes deeply at the ceiling becoming increasingly paranoid that spiders are hovering above watching and listening!
The ceiling is actually covered in a large fresco of spiders, so there is a lot to look at.
Justin raises an eyebrow at the mention of running water. But it is the only outward sign of surprise at 'civilization' in what he will admit he thought was going to be a giant cave.
Justin nods at the others.
"That sounds perfect. Thank you. We'll take it. Will two nights in advance be alright for now?"
"Ah, and a, Dvimbillai Did I say that right? for each of the rooms please." Justin adds with a smile.
'No sense in letting EVERYone know that we aren't, completely, surface Berks.' Justin thinks to himself.
As the group climbs the stairs the Barbarian remarks, "We should set watch by the door, I'd not sleep soundly in this place without one".
As the group climbs the stairs the Barbarian remarks, "We should set watch by the door, I'd not sleep soundly in this place without one".
"I do not require rest. I will do it."
The Barbarian nods forgetting sometimes that this particular companion is, in some ways, perhaps even more eerie than the Drow they have no hope of blending among. Hamar knows that he is not the man he was even several short weeks ago, the Necromancer in his old group perturbed him just with the thought of raising the dead. Whereas he now travels with one he knows to be dead. How quickly things change when change is forced upon you!
The suite is well appointed, if a little alien to their tastes. The fireflies give a steady light, and there is a stone in the corner that radiates heat. The central area has a low table and seat cushions.
As the party settles in , there is a knock on the door
Hamar moves behind the door, blades drawn in case this knock is an unwelcome guest.
Justin is admiring the unusual decor of their rooms, when the knock surprises him. He jumps. A little.
The wizard looks around, and nods at Hamar's discretion.
"Wow. Visitors already?" he asks bemused.
It is clear he is about to make another of his infamous (if not always appreciated) quips, but he glances at the others, and seems to decide otherwise.
The wizard walks to the door, and not seeing a peephole, opens it slowly.
"Yes?"
A man stands at the threshold. He is large, almost as tall as Justin, but with a lithe muscular build that speaks of cat quickness. He looks human, with dark shoulder-length hair and a reddish skin color like dark brick. His exposed skin crawls with tattoos of an obvious arcane style. He is dressed in leather armor, and carries an odd scimitar. His eyes are dark with kohl. He bows to Justin
“Greetings, Master Case. My name is Nekrotheptis. I represent a power who would like to extend some aid and information to your endeavor “
Justin raises an eyebrow at the fact that this man clearly already knows who they are. And presumably the real reason they are there.
'SO, which wise, wizardly adage applies here? "Don't look a gift horse in the mouth"? Or "Beware strangers bearing gifts"? And can we really afford to turn down possible, authentic, help?' Justin's mind reels through the possibilities in an eyeblink.
Justin gives the newcomer a polite (if cautious) nod of greeting and smile in return.
"Greetings Master, Nekrotheptis?" Justin's eyes flick to the sides, checking the hallway and making sure Nekrothptis is alone.
"Be at peace, and welcome. Please come in."
Unsure of the newcomers plane or country of origin, Justin ushers the man in with a slight bow, touching his hand to his head and heart, then waving him inside. A variation of a greeting he learned on a visit to one prime where the desert dwellers reminded him of this man.
"Everyone? We have a, visitor. This is Nekrotheptis. He says he represents a power who would like to provide us some information and assistance. Sir, I believe that you have our undivided attention."
Justin steps back politely, giving him room to speak. And, coincidentally, placing him almost in the middle of the Rose crew. JUST in case he turned out to be not friendly.
'Yeah I'm being paranoid. We are also currently in the middle of a hostile city ran by Dark Elves. This is NOT the time to quit being paranoid!'
Karrin looks up from cleaning her axe, "S'up dude."
Nekrotheptis bows back to Justin and seats himself on the floor cushions gracefully.
“I can see you are unsure of my intentions. I do not blame you. Beware free offers of strangers , yes? Nothing is free, and every savor hides a hidden sting”
Justin notes that there are two scorpions tattooed on the man’s forearms
“Let me explain my presence, and my master’s decision to render you aid. I am a warrior priest of Sutekh, son of Geb and Nut, Scorpion Lord of the Desert. My master’s realm of Ankhwugaht was recently attacked by a being of immense power and trickery. You may know this being’s name, yes?”
Hamar closes the door and sheathes his blades as the man begins to speak.
He too takes a seat on the cushions in the cross-legged fashion customary to his people. He listens but does not speak. The name Set is familiar to him but he says nothing else.
Nekrotheptis ,...
“Let me explain my presence, and my master’s decision to render you aid. I am a warrior priest of Sutekh, son of Geb and Nut, Scorpion Lord of the Desert. My master’s realm of Ankhwugaht was recently attacked by a being of immense power and trickery. You may know this being’s name, yes?”
Justin blinks, looking away from the man's tattooed forearms. He glances at the others before replying.
"Ah, you mean 'HE-WHO-MUST-NOT-BE-NAMED,... soweerasedhisnamefromeverybookinthePlanescape? THAT being's name? We think so, yeah."
Nekrotheptis smiles
“Yesss. The one who is now known as .. Tenebrous “
His smile vanishes
“It came to Ankhwugaht looking for something that can only be found there. A rare flower known as Desert’s Night.”
A terrible look of rage passes over his face, like a sudden thundercloud in the desert
“A power’s realm is not just their kip. It is an extension of themselves. To have another power force themselves into it ...”
He shudders
“It is a violation of a most intimate nature”
Nekrotheptis collects himself
“My master lost many of his most potent servants driving Tenebrous off. But before it was driven away, it made off with what it sought. Although the effort cost it.”
Nekrotheptis reaches into a belt pouch and takes out a small golden jar. The jar is covered in hieroglyphics and sports a jackal head top. He holds it carefully
“Desert’s night pollen is a most potent magic. It is perhaps the only herb able to reverse the effects of the River Styx. It can restore memories beyond the reach of most magic”
He looks at the group
“Tenebrous searches for someone who has lost their memories to the Styx’s waters. That someone has knowledge it most desperately wants. It now has the means to retrieve that knowledge. As soon as it recovers its strength it will be coming for them”
He holds up the jar
“I have the pollen here as well. My master wishes you to have it. He knows you seek this person, and he would have you thwart Tenebrous. He asks but one thing in return.”
Justin seems spellbound by the tale Interplanar Intrusion as much as he is by the jar, which contains magic so potent he imagines he doesn't need his spells to sense it,...
The wizard blinks and forces his gaze away from the jar to Nekrotheptis' face.
"And what would that be sir?" Justin asks quietly.
Nekrotheptis smiles wolfishly
“What else? A favor, redeemable at some future date of my master’s choosing”
He looks at Justin
“I can sweeten the pot. I assume you would wish to go home once you have gotten your
Information? I know you came here through the Demonweb. I doubt you wish to tread that road again, especially uninvited. It is a long walk to the surface of this world, and then you are stuck on a Prime planet. I can give you the key to a portal in the Lower Vault which can take you back to Sigil”
The Barbarian raises an eyebrow, Always favors. Never something tangible. The Barbarian shrugs, to him to slay is to slay, who he is doing it for and the... morality, that is the word, of such activities is for Wizards and Priests to contemplate.
Sitting quietly as she cleans her guns, Blayze studies her companions to gauge their responses to this Nekrotheptis' offer.
Nekrotheptis smiles wolfishly
“What else? A favor, redeemable at some future date of my master’s choosing”
Justin turns his head s l o w l y to the side, where Memnon floats nearby. The Pom of the crystal skull's gaudy orange hat bouncing slightly.
"Not. One. Bloody. Word."
Nekrotheptis looks at Justin“I can sweeten the pot. I assume you would wish to go home once you have gotten your Information? I know you came here through the Demonweb. I doubt you wish to tread that road again, especially uninvited. It is a long walk to the surface of this world, and then you are stuck on a Prime planet. I can give you the key to a portal in the Lower Vault which can take you back to Sigil”
"Well sir. I have to admit that IS a tempting offer. Both the assistance, and the 'Get The Heck Out Of Town Free' card. But, just to be clear, ... because we DO have a certain, reputation, Not entirely unwarranted, you and your master DO realize that we're the GOOD guys, right? There are 'certain things' that we just won't, or can't, do."
"But up to that point where the moral wussy-ness kicks in, all bets are off!" Memnon pipes in cheerfully.
At Justin's flat stare, Memnon rolls his eye-lights.
"WHAT?!? I've heard stories of the stunts you've pulled. SOME of you won't shut up about them. YOU lot are a bleedin' menace! Why do you think I keep hanging around?!"
If you weren't sure that an entity made of purple crystal could somehow grin gleefully, your doubts are now erased. However the crystal skull is expressing it, he is clearly highly entertained at the moment.
"Um. Yes. Ergo the 'Reputation, not entirely unwarranted' comment. Thank you." Justin responds flatly.
The wizard sighs and pinches the bridge of his nose.
"What do you all think gang? Our friend here is right. If the guy we're looking for has had his memory erased by the Styx,... I haven't read anything, anywhere, about how else to possibly reverse the effects of THAT. Add to that the current political state here,... and the indisputable fact that wherever we go, we don't have to find trouble. IT always manages to find US. And we know Tenebrous is actively looking for the same guy we are,... yeah."
"SHORT version. We are being offered a means to guarantee that we can actually get the information we need, and a way to get back home WITH the info. Sounds like a very generous offer and a fair trade to me. But it's up to you."
Justin gestures vaguely for someone, anyone, to speak up,...
Nekrotheptis smiles
“Oh I understand you have moral qualms. We can do a standard neutral favor. One task or a good faith effort of a year and a day. Nothing overtly evil”
Sounds like a very generous offer and a fair trade to me.
Nekrotheptis nods
“It is a very generous offer. Because my lord wants you to thwart Tenebrous. And you will not be able to do it without the information you seek. But, he does not give darks for free. It is not his way”
Alessia says nothing, but does let out a low hiss, sounding more than a bit like an irate opossum.
"Well dealing with this Tenebrous fellow is more of a mutual favor to begin with, as you're going to be using us to exact some of you masters revenge right? So I'd suggest that this favor you're asking of us must also be a mutual favor otherwise there wouldn't be much incentive in it for us to come through on our end of the bargain once our business is concluded, but I got to ask, how is it you knew our business and where to find us? This is a big city, full of really nasty, resourceful and powerful people, and now I'm worried if you somehow came by this information than someone here might also know."
Nekrotheptis looks at Karrin
“The favor is the slight price on this “
He tosses the jar lightly in his hand
“You are one of the only mortals that Lord Sutekh has ever deigned to allow to have this herb. Without it, you might as well turn around and petition Lolth for passage back through her lair. I’m sure she will do it for free”
He smirks at her question
“My lord is very resourceful. And you have not been particularly discreet. I’m certain others know of your doings. If it is any consolation I was sent here to meet with you. He knew of your plans prior to you leaving Sigil. “
| 3 people marked this as a favorite. |
Hamar offers, "We need better disguises or we need to kill everyone we speak to from now on. Then Karrin Kind can eat them so there will be no evidence, perhaps that is a strategy to fill her ever hungry belly!" The Barbarian chuckles at his own joke.
"We must all agree to this price? What if one of us were to agree twice so another would not have to do so?"
Hamar watches Blayze from his periphery, he knows her kind, she may not be able to do this thing. The Barbarian though knows evil all too well. His own mother is evil, through and through...
Justin grins. Both at Karrin's question(s) and Nek's response.
'Yep. I used to think I was clever, dealing with other-planar entities as if they were just thugs from another dimension. Really big, powerful thugs,... BUT at least I do learn. Slowly.'
"Admittedly, 'discretion' IS something we are working on in Team-Building." Justin admits dryly.
"Anyone else have anything to add, or ask?" Justin looks around the apartment.
"Your lord Sutekh is indeed generous to offer that," Justin indicates the jar, "regardless of circumstances or whom it benefits, considering it's potency. And I think we are all well aware of how tightly portal secrets are valued." he adds wryly.
"I, think we are in agreement. ?,..."
Justin gives one last look around, silently inviting anyone else to comment,...
"Memnon. Would you be so kind as to negotiate the contract for a mutually-beneficial exchange of favors on our behalf with master Nekrotheptis please? Acknowledging the generosity provided by Lord Sutekh and our willingness to repay it, in kind, in the future. Provisos regarding overtly evil acts, etc, etc?" He asks Memnon politely.
Those who have known Justin a while notice that he seems, a trifle subdued when asking that last question of the floating crystal skull. Almost apologetic. Almost,....
Hamar offers, "We need better disguises or we need to kill everyone we speak to from now on. Then Karrin Kind can eat them so there will be no evidence, perhaps that is a strategy to fill her ever hungry belly!" The Barbarian chuckles at his own joke.
"We must all agree to this price? What if one of us were to agree twice so another would not have to do so?"
Hamar watches Blayze from his periphery, he knows her kind, she may not be able to do this thing. The Barbarian though knows evil all too well. His own mother is evil, through and through...
Justin snorts and hides his mouth behind his hand, turning it into a cough, at Hamar's joke.
"Yeah, I don't think that's quite how it works Hamar. There is room for negotiation, and interpretation, but we either have to agree, or we don't. Promising that we won't have to do any 'overtly evil' acts doesn't mean that we have to LIKE what we're asked to do in return."
Justin looks thoughtful,
"Presuming this contract is with US, specifically of course? Depending upon our phrasing, it could be a contract with the Silver Rose itself, payable by the Home Office even if all of us are no longer around to fulfill it. But I'd hesitate to drag Renkar into this without at least consulting him first."
Nekrotheptis stands and smiles, drawing a scroll tube from his belt
“The contract would be binding on those present. Their names would be on the contract, after all, not your lord’s or any other members of your company. So, in effect it is a favor from each of you.”
The purple skull whizzes up to the proxy
“Just a minute, tall dark and evil. Let’s talk Turkey. Lemme see that boilerplate you got going on there. “
The two of them examine the document. Anyone looking at it notes that it is a work of art in itself, one side hieroglyphics, the other is planar common. Memnon and him dicker and a few words are crossed out or rewritten, the document somehow subsuming the corrections into itself to remain pristine
“Am I a signatory to these shenanigans?” The gabby skull inquires. “I am more of an independent contractor”
The two haggle some more, and finally reach a conclusion. Memnon asks for a bit of privacy, and Nekrotheptis withdraws into one of the bedrooms and closes the door
“OK, I got him down to three signatures. I can be one, I don’t mind. So that leaves two of you “
The Barbarian grabs the writing instrument and signs his name with surprisingly decent handwriting. One of the things he picked up from his old group of adventuring allies, reading and writing.
“OK, I got him down to three signatures. I can be one, I don’t mind. So that leaves two of you “
"Dont look at me I'm not signing that thing if I dont have to."
The deity known as Sutekh, also known as Set is an ancient god who is worshipped across many prime worlds, including Toril and Oerth. He originally was a deity of law, and was the head of his pantheon but was eclipsed by his brother Osiris. There was some sort of power struggle, and he was accused of murdering his brother Osiris and dismembering him. He was cast out of the pantheon, and became the Lord of the Wastes, the Scorpion Lord, the Lord of Evil. He resides in a realm that occupies Baator, but is not an actual part of that infernal realm. He is still a god of strict law, but it is the law of the lash. He is often depicted as a giant scorpion.
“OK, I got him down to three signatures. I can be one, I don’t mind. So that leaves two of you “"Don't look at me, I'm not signing that thing if I don't have to."
Surprisingly, Alessia nods her assent. She leans against the wall, crossing her arms.
"I will not sign this. I do not trust this emissary, and I refuse to bargain with the Lord of the Wastes."
“OK, I got him down to three signatures. I can be one, I don’t mind. So that leaves two of you “
Justin blinks and LOOKS at the flying Winter's Solstice ornament with wide eyes.
"Way to GO chrome dome! Nice work."
The wizard blinks when he realizes that the barbarian is signing the document before he finished the statement.
"Ah,... Thank you Hamar. That's two."
"Dont look at me I'm not signing that thing if I dont have to."
Memnon snickers, the pom of his orange hat bouncing with (not so) restrained mirth.
"I KNEW she was smarter than you! Better looking too! 'All-knowing wizard' my invisible crystal keister!"The sour look Justin gives Memnon might curdle milk, but doesn't faze the unflappable Mimir.
"I will not sign this. I do not trust this emissary, and I refuse to bargain with the Lord of the Wastes."
Justin nods slowly, pursing his lips. "Fair enough. And I don't blame you. Anyone else?"
The wizard looks around.
"I can sign, But I've already promised,... um,... yeah, for that last little planar escapade some of us went on. I don't fancy owing MORE. But we need that information. And a guaranteed escape route IS the Devil's Food Icing on the Angel cake."
Justin looks around. Again,...
Blayze makes eye contact with Justin, making it unmistakably clear how astute Hamar's assessment was.