The three deep dwarves surround the kobold tinker who accidentally bumped into their pack lizard. They have an ashen complexion, that looked at first like soot rubbed into their skin, but on closer inspection appears to be their natural coloration. One swings a hammer in a sweeping motion, tripping the kobold to the ground.
"I sorry! Accident! Accident!" The kobold squeels in fear.
The dark dwarves begin kicking him, hard, in the ribs, and the pack lizard looks ready to snap at him with powerful jaws if he tries to wriggle away.
The guards just look on. The old shift od kobold guards look distraught but powerless to interfere because the incident took place in a cave just before the gate where jurisdiction of the Black Market begins.
The new guards almost seem to be enjoying the show.
Cousins to dwarves, duergar are foul-tempered creatures that loathe intruders to their underground realms—but not nearly as much as they do their kinfolk closer to the surface.
Duergar dwell in communities deep underground, and appear as darker, more twisted versions of their kinder kin. Their skin is a dull gray, as though rubbed with dust or ash, but this is a natural coloration that better allows them to blend with their underground surroundings. They are a race of slavers, but while non-dwarven prisoners are usually put to backbreaking work, dwarven prisoners are generally slain on the spot.
Humans! What terrible guards. I much prefer the other guards - they were much nicer!
Momo looks on in horror as the dwarves beat up on the kobold tinkerer. ”We have to save him! He didn’t do anything wrong!” Momo pleads with her companions.
Momo’s surprise quickly turns to anger. Always picking on the little guy, huh? Momo pulls out her shortbow and nocks an arrow. During Momo's attempt to ready her bow, her hood falls back revealing her ears. She aims for one of the dwarfs' head.
Momo lets out a ”hiss,” showing her little pointy canines, after firing off an arrow. Her ears are pointed back, as if to say I don't like you.
Morrigan glances sidelong at Nik'olo and then at Írwen to see what they're reaction to all this is, but before she can do anything further, Momo's exclamation brings her attention back. We don't need any more trouble, or to make any new enemies...
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
"It's just a K-" starts Nik'olo, but catches himself.
This is what he hated the most about this city, he realizes, this sentiment of freedom, but not for all.
At least not yet.
But there is more to this, he knows. The sight of the Dwarves beating on the Kobold brought him back to the Cantons, to thralldom. He wants to disappear, avoid trouble at all costs, for he knows the price of drawing attention to yourself.
Thrall thinking! This is not the Cantons! This is Zobeck!
"Rava's Gear!" he curses.
He grabs his cane in the manner of the Spyglass agents he saw earlier that day, the pommel mekes the cane look somewhat like their silver-tipped stick, and advances defiantly to the Dwarves: "OY! Stop kicking! That Kobold is wanted for questioning at the Blue House! Back off or I'll call for reinforcements!"
Alfen grimaces as the violent scene unfolds. He can't say he's ever been a big fan of the kobolds, but no one deserves to be treated like this.
Momo looks on in horror as the dwarves beat up on the kobold tinkerer. ”We have to save him! He didn’t do anything wrong!” Momo pleads with her companions.
Alfen looks to Momo and nods fervently. We can't just stand by and watch this happen. He is about to say something to the dwarves when Nik'olo steps in.
He grabs his cane in the manner of the Spyglass agents he saw earlier that day, the pommel mekes the cane look somewhat like their silver-tipped stick, and advances defiantly to the Dwarves: "OY! Stop kicking! That Kobold is wanted for questioning at the Blue House! Back off or I'll call for reinforcements!"
Alfen quickly turns his head so that the dwarves and guards can't see his smirk. When he turns back, he is scowling with arms crossed and fangs showing. "You don't want to see the bottom of the Blue House, do you?"
It looks like personal travel supplies, not bulk goods. These deep dwarves were using this lizard as a pack animal for a journey. Food and water, blankets. None of it seems to be damaged. They're reaction is cruel.
The deep dwarves chuckle at the threat. "Come and arrest us then! We have come here a long time for slaves. We know your law means nothing in this place." His accent is thick but his trade tongue is understandable. They must have travelled up from deep beneath the earth.
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
While the others confront the dwarves, Morrigan walks over to within easy earshot of the Kobald guards and 'casually' remarks, "I can see that you feel distress at his plight. It seems to me that, being that this seems to be happening quite outside your replacement's jurisdiction, and that you yourselves are off-duty and therefore free to do as you will outside of that jurisdiction, that should you choose to act, no one could legitimately say anything to the contrary. It also seems to me that you might even find allies here, should you do so." She glances over at whichever of the group seems to be 'alpha' and gives him a meaningful look.
Nik'olo snarls at the Dwarves, his eyes filled with cruelty: "You're right. It also means we don't have to arrest you. We can just kill you. Now just leave the Kobold and you can be on your way."
The kobold guards smile gleefully at Morrigan's line of reasoning. "She's right! Off duty! Outside jurisdiction! We do what we want!"
The kobolds start circling the duergar, looking like they mean business. As they do, Nik'olo makes his threat, and the duergar have heard enough. "All right. We already made our point. He's all yours."
They back away from the kobold and continue on their way through the gate into the Black Market.
The kobold guards cheer and the tinkerer slowly rises to his feet, wincing. "Thank you. You saved me."
"This has got nothing to do with you. Enjoy your day..." mumbles Nik'olo with his usual croaking voice, gloomy at the mix of emotions rising and sinking in his gut.
With the threat dispersed, Momo enters the close vicinity of the injured creature.
Momo approaches the tinkerer kobold and sniffs the air around him. "Are you alright? Bleeding?" Momo's ears twitch with curiosity as her cat eyes peer into the kobold's face.
Hmm Kobold scent. Then, "Do you need our help carrying those items? Purr?" Momo tilts her head.
After a second sniff, Momo leaps back and stands behind Morrigan. She attempts to hide again (behind Morrigan even though it does nothing.)
"We have to go... Let's go." comments Nik'olo, wanting to leave this dangerous place, but not wanting to leave Momo behind.
Momo gives Nik'olo a disappointed glance but says nothing.
The deep dwarves chuckle at the threat. "Come and arrest us then! We have come here a long time for slaves. We know your law means nothing in this place."
Alfen deflates as his attempt at appearing threatening falls embarrassingly short. He used to be more threatening. Or did he? That part of his life was what felt like a long time ago, and memory could be a fickle thing. Either way, it is clear to Alfen that it's better to leave any intimidation tactics to Nik'olo.
"Do you need our help carrying those items? Purr?" Momo tilts her head.
"We have to go... Let's go." comments Nik'olo, wanting to leave this dangerous place, but not wanting to leave Momo behind.
Alfen looks anxiously between the two, and slides next to Momo. "Nik'olo's right, we should get going," he says quietly. "He'll be safe with the guards." Alfen gives a pointed look to the kobold guards, as if there could be any confusion as to which guards he meant. "But we don't have much time to find Radu."
"You are not going to be able to help every unfortunate we run into down here - or anywhere for that matter." Morrigan says softly to the hiding Momo. She frowns slightly in distaste at something, though at what exactly would be hard to tell. She looks at the injured kobold, briefly considering healing his bruises, but in the end deciding she would rather not advertise her talents so openly down here. The creature would survive.
"Come, let's go." She nods at Nik'olo, indicating he should lead them onward.
After uncomfortably passing the guards who look genuinely disappointed they didn't get to see a kobold beat to death, you cross the rest of the Black Market to a place where a bulb shaped room hangs on a support beam.
A trio of beggar ghouls are panhandling near the foot of a ladder going up the side of the support beam. They reek of death.
A voice rings out from the chamber above. "Let them pass, you mongrels! Come, come. Don't mind them. The ladder is quite sturdy don't be afraid. I am Radu Underhill. What brings you to my perch?"
Nik'olo nods to the creature, but otherwise keeps quiet, letting the others ask for the girl.
With both Morrigan and Alfen encouraging Momo to leave the injured kobold to the kobold guards, Momo nods and follows the group obediently towards Radu Underhill.
A trio of beggar ghouls are panhandling near the foot of a ladder going up the side of the support beam. They reek of death.
Momo pulls her hood down over her forehead and covers her nose and mouth with the sleeve of her traveling cloak. Even with the cloth barrier, the smell of death is overwhelming to Momo’s sensitive nose. Tears involuntarily spring to Momo’s eyes. So… smelly… Momo doesn’t talk – she doesn’t want the taste of death on her tongue.
A voice rings out from the chamber above. "Let them pass, you mongrels! Come, come. Don't mind them. The ladder is quite sturdy don't be afraid. I am Radu Underhill. What brings you to my perch?"
Nik'olo nods to the creature, but otherwise keeps quiet, letting the others ask for the girl.
Momo eyes Nik’olo’s silence and her ears twitch in curiosity. So the tough human doesn’t want to talk? Momo looks up at the one who calls himself Radu Underhill and tries not to be frightened by his appearance. Momo passes the ghouls to approach Radul, eager to distance herself from stench a la ghoul. Still covering her nose and mouth with her cloak sleeve, Momo asks ”Are you really Radu? You look more powerful than the stories I’ve heard.”
Perhaps it's Momo's exotic cat eyes or her tentative voice that appeals to Radu, but Momo finds herself becoming confident. "We need your help locating someone you've helped. Ilyana the tiefling. She's in more trouble and we need to find her before someone worse does." Momo has to stop covering her face so that she can pull out the red cloak with the luxurious fur trim. She holds it up for examination but doesn't offer it to Radu (although she isn't stopping him from grabbing it either.) The cloak is warm from being nestled against Momo's chest.
Momo does not use sense motive. Why would Radu lie? He helped Ilyana so he must be good, Momo assumes.
At first Radu is just a voice from above.. distinguished sounding, perhaps late middle aged. After hearing Momo mention Iyana, he leans down from the hatch and beckons for the group to ascend the ladder. "Come, come. Up here we will have privacy."
In life Radu was a well coifed and groomed gentleman of means. He's kept his ghoulish form in excellent condition. The smell of death is not obvious on him at all, but to Momo's keen senses it is there. An average nose might miss it.
"Tell me, how do you know Ilyana?" he shouts down.
The perch hangs nearly 30' off the ground on one of the support beams for the cavernous black market. It has the appearance of a genies lamp, with brass walls and curvy ornamental windows.
Incense burns in every corner. There are no other occupants save Radu.
Momo obediently climbs that ladder, happy to get further away from the ghoul guards.
Momo does a little circle, looking for a comfortable place to sit. She finds the least smelly and gross place (and preferably the softest) and plops herself down. ”We just got to Zobeck today when we were approached by a thief. He told us Ilyana is in terrible danger – from two different groups. They both want to hurt her,” Momo explains vaguely. Momo’s eyes widen slightly, ”Oh! I also have her cloak. Filipa and Iskra gave it to me to return to Ilyana. I really want to meet Ilyana. She smells so interesting.” Momo sniffs the fur trim of Ilyana's cloak and a disappointed look crosses her face. The cloak was beginning to smell like Momo herself.
If Radu doesn’t offer much information on Ilyana, Momo becomes distracted and starts questioning Radu Underhill about himself. ”I’ve never met someone who smells like you. Were you always like this or did you… change? You smell like you were once human. I’ve always had ears and a tail,” Momo offers conversationally. Then, ”Do you live in the Black Hills? Do you have family there? Do you miss your family?” Momo’s ears twitch, rustling the hood of her cloak. Momo curiously examines Radu Underhill but chooses not to give him a good sniff – she isn’t fond of the smell of death that lingers to his flesh.
Then, ”Do you like Ilyana because you’re both outcasts in a human city? Is that why you helped her? I’m an outcast too… maybe you’d be willing to help me? To meet Ilyana and return her cloak?”
-----------------
After Radu speaks and answers some of Momo’s questions:
Momo’s ear lean back and words keep spilling out: ”Actually, if I’m being completely honest, the people after Ilyana are after us too. The thief – Grigori - randomly approached us and the wrong people saw. Now they want us dead regardless if we help Ilyana or not.” Momo wrinkles her brow, ”But I do want to help – I want to be an adult – and help." Momo finishes her rant with: "Regardless of what the Cloven Nine or Spyglass Guild may do to us.” Momo is blurting out her life story to this ghoulish stranger before her companions can stop her. Some may find her childish honestly endearing while others may seek to take advantage of it.
Nik'olo climbs the ladder, more curious than worried, trying not to stare too much at Radu. Thankfully, he can count on Momo to keep the ghoulish man busy.
Alfen climbs the ladder, unable to stop himself from staring at Radu Underhill. The ghouls by themselves were frightening, but there was something disturbing about one that seemed to masquerade as if he were still alive. The kitsune glances around at his companions. Nik'olo was being strangely silent, did he find the Dharakul as off-putting as Alfen did? Momo, on the other hand, didn't seem bothered at all.
Momo’s ear lean back and words keep spilling out: ”Actually, if I’m being completely honest, the people after Ilyana are after us too. The thief – Grigori - randomly approached us and the wrong people saw. Now they want us dead regardless if we help Ilyana or not.” Momo wrinkles her brow, ”But I do want to help – I want to be an adult – and help." Momo finishes her rant with: "Regardless of what the Cloven Nine or Spyglass Guild may do to us.”
Alfen shoots Momo a pained look as she offers up way more information than was necessary. "As you can see, time is of the essence," he interrupts before the young catfolk divulged even more details about themselves. Alfen isn't sure how much more information Momo could give away, but he's worried that she'll still manage it if left unchecked. "We need to find Ilyana and keep moving."
Radu smiles and nods at the mention of the Black Hills. "I come from a little further than that... the Ghoul Imperium beneath the Principalities of Morgau and Doresh. But you have the right idea. My kin haunt those hills. Very good! Tea?" The ghoul has an ornate tea set, and makes himself and anyone else interested a cup of strong green tea.
"I don't think I can see a way out of this for you." Radu begins, sipping on his tea. "The Spyglass Guild and the Cloven Nine. Am I to understand both have tasked you with finding Ilyana? If so you will have to disappoint one, if not both. Not an attractive proposition. I can tell you where Ilyana is but what will you do with that information? Unless... You could call a meeting at Hommal's Bottanical Rooftop. Invite both parties by courier. Each would think the other the interloper. In the ensuing chaos perhaps you could escape with your lives."
Nik'olo thinks Radu is sincere but knows more than he's saying and he hasn't said what's in it for him.
Nik'olo frowns a bit at the proposal and offers: "Perhaps it could work, but perhaps not... And we'd still have both sides after us, no? In any case, we first need to speak with Ilyana. Perhaps what she knows might help us figure out something."
"Let me explain. Each side is after the same thing, and has charged you with getting it for them. But neither knows the other is involved. If you invite them both, each will blame the other for interfering... and you can slip off the hook in the chaos that ensues." Radu rubs his hands together conspiratorially.
"At any rate..." he leans in to Momo, "You can find her at the Old Stross Bathhouse. But I urge you to consider my suggestion. Remember I can contact both parties for you by courrier, and arrange for neutral ground for a meeting.'
Haunt... the hills? Momo tries to imagine what haunting something may entail. She invisions Radu walking around an old stuffy castle with a bed sheet draped over his head. Momo is pulled out of her imagination by Radu's next words:
"At any rate..." he leans in to Momo, "You can find her at the Old Stross Bathhouse. But I urge you to consider my suggestion. Remember I can contact both parties for you by courrier, and arrange for neutral ground for a meeting."
Nik'olo frowns a bit at the proposal and offers: "Perhaps it could work, but perhaps not... And we'd still have both sides after us, no? In any case, we first need to speak with Ilyana. Perhaps what she knows might help us figure out something."
Momo nods at Nik'olo's suggestion but continues to press Radu with more questions:
"Do you want both groups to die? Or do you simply like chaos?" Momo tilts her head. "I am curious to know who would be the stronger of the two - humans or tieflings. Which party do you think would win?" He's more eager to help us than I expected. Maybe he's just really nice, Momo contemplates. Haunting doesn't sound like a very nice thing to do though... nor tricking both parties.
Momo is both intimidated and fascinated by Radu Underhill. She'd been warned throughout her childhood about the Black Hills and evil that lurks there, but Radu Underhill doesn't seem that bad. Momo would consider inviting Radu and the bugbears out for a drink with her judge of character.
"Let me explain. Each side is after the same thing, and has charged you with getting it for them. But neither knows the other is involved. If you invite them both, each will blame the other for interfering... and you can slip off the hook in the chaos that ensues." Radu rubs his hands together conspiratorially.
Alfen nods excitedly as Radu explains his plan. This is what he had been hoping for! A way to go against the Spyglass Guild and the Cloven Nine without either one suspecting a thing. But there is still one thing that's nagging at him...
"What exactly do you get out of this?" Alfen asks bluntly. "Not that I don't appreciate your help," he adds quickly, "But this plan of yours must benefit you in some way."
It could be as simple as what Momo said. Maybe he wants to see both groups dead, Alfen thinks to himself. But what if he wants something from us? He shudders to think what being indebted to Radu Underhill would be like.
Radu leans back and holds out both hands, palms up. "My needs are simple. I require a mere pittance. I simply seek a word with Lady Marack. I haven't been able to get an audience with her to date. If you can tell me what Ilyana has that is so important to the Lord Commander, we should have no trouble getting her to attend the meeting... and you shall escape with your lives!"
"Thank you for your help. We need to meet the girl first. Perhaps things will be clearer after we get a chance to hear her story. We should leave now, by your leave..." adds Nik'olo, getting ready to leave.
"Thank you for your help. We need to meet the girl first. Perhaps things will be clearer after we get a chance to hear her story. We should leave now, by your leave..." adds Nik'olo, getting ready to leave.
Momo’s ears twitch and she adjusts her hood. Next, Momo secures Ilyana's red cloak under her own forest green cloak once more. ”Bye bye, Radu Underhill! I won’t forget about you so don’t forget about me! We will see you again soon, yes?” Momo’s ears twitch again waiting for a response, then, Momo stands to exit the platform and descend the ladder.
Like a little monkey, Momo dexterously descends the ladder. When Momo reaches the bottom, she turns her head to gaze at Nik'olo with her large green cat eyes. "Do you know where the Old Stross Bathhouse is?" The human was intimidating but he sure seemed to know his way around Zobeck. He's one of the better humans, Momo thinks. Momo closely stalks behind Morrigan, feeling protected by her proximity.
Momo does her best to avoid Radu Underhill's undead guards and the other dangers in the Cartways Black Market.
Nik'olo keeps walking, his cane striking the rhythm on the stone underneath: "I do. The Bathhouse is something to see! One of the few reminders of the Stross's extravagances. Only the Watch can enter with weapons or armour. It's the perfect neutral ground. All sorts of people commingle there..."
Morrigan had remained silently observing during the encounter with Radu, but now back on the street below, she strides along next to Nik'olo. After they are out of earshot of the ghoulish guards she asks, "Momo and I are strangers here and so much of what was said was largely meaningless to me. What did you think of what the dead one said, or of his plan?"
Morrigan thinks Radu wants more than a word with Lady Marack but otherwise he's telling the truth.
| 2 people marked this as a favorite. |
As they reach the surface, Nik'olo adds, now out of Cartways' earshot: "I have one or two things to buy along the way. Keep your eyes peeled for a library or any other place that would sell books, full or empty."
Nik'olo keeps walking, his cane striking the rhythm on the stone underneath: "I do. The Bathhouse is something to see! One of the few reminders of the Stross's extravagances. Only the Watch can enter with weapons or armour. It's the perfect neutral ground. All sorts of people commingle there..."
Momo’s ears twitch while she listens to Zik’olo. She has little to no knowledge of Zobeck but she’s learning a lot today.
After they are out of earshot of the ghoulish guards she asks, "Momo and I are strangers here and so much of what was said was largely meaningless to me. What did you think of what the dead one said, or of his plan?"
Momo nods her head vigorously up and down. Yeah, yeah! We’re strangers!
As they reach the surface, Nik'olo adds, now out of Cartways' earshot: "I have one or two things to buy along the way. Keep your eyes peeled for a library or any other place that would sell books, full or empty."
Momo’s heard of libraries but her small village didn’t have one. There weren’t enough catfolk to warrant a library. Momo dutifully follows Nik’olo around, favoring Morrigan’s side. Momo occasionally glances over at Alfen to make sure the kitsune is still with them. He smells as interesting at the tiefling they are going go to meet.
Nik'olo keeps walking, his cane striking the rhythm on the stone underneath: "I do. The Bathhouse is something to see! One of the few reminders of the Stross's extravagances. Only the Watch can enter with weapons or armour. It's the perfect neutral ground. All sorts of people commingle there..."
Alfen nods as Nik'olo speaks. "From what I recall, it used to cater strictly to the upper crust. Once upon a time, they wouldn't have let riff-raff like us in there," he adds with a grin.
"Momo and I are strangers here and so much of what was said was largely meaningless to me. What did you think of what the dead one said, or of his plan?"
Alfen's grin quickly turns to a frown. "I was skeptical of him at first, but he seemed pretty earnest in his desire to help us. I just wonder what business he wants with Lady Marack." He shrugs as Morrigan glides past him, and he trails slightly behind.
As they reach the surface, Nik'olo adds, now out of Cartways' earshot: "I have one or two things to buy along the way. Keep your eyes peeled for a library or any other place that would sell books, full or empty."
"I've spent quite a bit of time in libraries, but rarely in this part of town," he adds mournfully, trying to recall any booksellers that might be on their path.
"I might know a place..."
While the others are having a serious conversation, Momo sniffs the air.
I smell food.
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
Nik'olo immediately thinks of Ulmar's Rare Books in the Market District, a dwarf run place. Known for rare books not blank journals but there are rumors he forges duplicates for a price. There is also the Cartographers Guildhouse. It would be a little closer and more certain to have a blank journal but not ordinarily open to the public as far as Nik'olo knows.
As Nik'olo ponders the options the group passes out through the gates of the Black Market and back into the tunnels. As they leave the bustle of the Black Market behind them the tunnels ahead are cloaked in shadows. Nik'olo spots something in the darkness, crouched on all fours...
Surprise Round
Bhargest
Nik'olo
Round 1
Bhargest
Nik'olo, Morrigan, Momo, Alfen
Dim-light
Surprise Round
As Nik'olo spots the creature and trains his eyes on it in the shadows, the creature suddenly starts to blink rapidly in and out of existence... one moment it is there and the next it is gone. There, gone, there, gone.
Blink (Spell-like Ability)
The creature has the face of a goblin, and crouches on all fours like a wolf, but in place of front paws it has hands.
"There's something hidden in the darkness! It's coming for us. Stay where you are and form a line beside me! Let it come to us..." shouts' Nik'olo as he releases his longspear and brings it to bear.
Round 1
The creature bounds out of the shadows, loping on all fours, tongue slathering and ears flopping.
Suddenly you all feel a wave of despair coming over you... you can not help but feel that all is lost, there's no hope for you and you might as well stop trying.
Spend 2 inspiration:
The wave of despair nearly crushes Nik'olo, but he manages to let it go through him and leave him unscathed. Such evil!
"We hold here! Endure! Let it come!"
Momo isn't affected by Crushing Despair - perhaps she's daydreaming about what their next meal is going to be. A small amount of drool pools at the side of Momo's mouth. Mmm, honey-glazed pork skewers wrapped in bacon - huh? What? Momo snaps to alert when she hears Nik'olo's voice.
...Goblin... werewolf...? Momo has no idea what the creature they're fighting is.
"We hold here! Endure! Let it come!"
Move Action: Momo pulls out her shortbow.
Standard Action: Momo aims and shoots at the area which she thinks the goblin-wolf creature is lurking (despite the creature being some distance away.)
Despite Nik'olo's resolute words, Morrigan's face seems to drain of all color. The sight of the creature's dripping jaws and the sound of its howl brought memory of a certain night a few years ago unexpectedly back all at once... "No... not again...
Seconds passed before she thinks to move. Her lips move and her hand waves as a breeze whirls about her, the sound of rustling leaves swirling around her as the protective spell forms around her slender body.
Alfen stares in horror as the creature bursts back into existence. Nik'olo's words do little to steady his resolve as memories of his childhood flash before his eyes. Never knowing his parents, living on the streets, scrounging for food and barely surviving. What was he doing getting involved with the affairs of the aristocracy, the secret police, the Cloven Nine? He's just a street urchin playing pretend.
Alfen shakes his head violently, as if trying to expel the thoughts from his head. He quickly moves his arms in an arcane motion and speaks an incantation. As he does, four bright lights resembling torches appear and illuminate the creature.