Cedric will approach the mayor. "This really is going to be the best bet for your village. I mean look at the size of him, and think how much work he can do for the village. It also appears that he works for sheep, not a bad bargain if you ask me." The gnome flashes his best smile.
Bart lends his voices to the others. "... and if either party don't 'old up their side of the bargain, then they'll have me to answer to."
The villagers look on in awe, not ready to stand against both the giant, the wizard and the party. The major comes running out, while Somebody mutters in the back Somebody's name is not That. What kind of name is That?
The major looks angry Why, you traitorous double-crossing... when the village elders, the old men on the bench say we don't hear any evil, so we won't speak of any evil. If it is sheep he wants for help, then let him have sheep. It's better than the fish we've been getting.
The mayor has no option but to accept, grudgingly. Bringing a giant into the village... what has this plane come to!
Lun Tsu glares at the Mayor, "We have provided you with a solution, if you wish for blood seek it yourself".
Lun Tsu turns back to Somebody, "My friend, we shall scope out the best place for a dam and direct you to where we need the heaviest stones placed. Do you think the Beavers would be of assistance in ensuring that there are no leaks?"
Beavers good at building dam. I ask beavers. I will build dam here, as long as villagers are friendly.
Somebody seems to be glad enough that the villagers don't want to stake him. The mayor, meanwhile, realizes he has lost face, and slinks back into his residence.
Well, Rule-of-three says, that solves that conflict. I wonder though. There's you, there's me. Who is the third party that brought us together?
"That would be Lissandra, she send use here to check on you in exchange for some info on a portal." Cedric replies to the wizard. "Now that we've got you out of that mess, is there any message you'd like for us to take back to her?"
Lun Tsu approaches the Village Elders, "I trust this solution is to your satisfaction? I do not know your Mayor very well but I do know that he must learn that violence does not solve problems it only begets more violence. It is a means of last resort only".
Before Somebody leaves to speak with the Beavers, Lun Tsu approaches him, "Somebody. I wish you to know that I appreciate your trust in me and I hope that I have shown you that not all small folk intend you and yours harm".
Lun smiles and touches the Giant warmly on the knee then returns to his allies, "Well my friends, Rule of Three. All we need to do now is find the proper gate key and return to the Cage".
Bart shudders. "'ad enough of the cage fer a lifetime, I 'ave. But ain't a damned thing fer me here, either. Let's get to the bottom of this portal nonsense." he grunts, shouldering his shield and beginning the march out of the village.
News for her. Yea, don't go to the grey waste. She probably wants something more useful. I've heard some rumours about events of Mechanus. Nothing specific, but the sheer idea that there would be events on Mechanus boggles. Nothing ever happening on Mechanus is the whole point of the plane, it what I thought. Whole place runs like clockwork, you know? Literally is - clockwork. So some kind of hitch in the machine - anything - that would be big news.
Send Lissandra my regards. Just go back to that five-pointed star town Tradegate - bit of an odd fashion choice if you ask me - and take the same portal back whence you came. I assume you did come through that portal, didn't you? The one that the merchants cross? If not, just ask around in the city, it's the most common thing there is.
Old Bart nods along, but comprehension is slow to dawn across his weathered face. "Grey waste is a no, and poke our noses into Geartown. Got it." he says, shouldering his rucksack. "Well, it's a start. We did come a long way to get here, if yer catch my meaning. We'd be mighty appreciative if there's any more aid yer can be giving us. Sooner we can get after this Signer feller the sooner we might get some answers."
Cedric's little gnome eyes light up at the mention of a plane made of all clockwork. "A problem with the big machine you say? Well hopefully we may find ourselves out that way."
Depends on what you're looking for. Between me and Lissandra, there are very little secrets to gate that remain an unknown. I can tell you something about the planar pathways, if that's what you need - it makes life a lot easier. Is there a particular place you're trying to get to?
"Ask me twenty years ago and I'd've asked you to get me home. But I can hardly picture it now..." the old man says, rheumy eyed. "Jes' point me in whatever direction I might do a bit of good, and I'm content."
"Listen to me ramble. We're lookin' fer a feller by the name of Origax. Ringin' any bells?"
Origax? As in the signer? He's a 24-carat barmy, that one. You see, in general, these signers already don't have them all together, you know. They follow the rule of the one, while that obviously isn't true. Each of them thinks the whole universe revolves around themselves. The trouble being, of course, is that there's too many of them. To many people for the universe to revolve around. Each of them with his own delusion of grandeur. Origax' delusion is a special one, that is sure to send a few dust mephits his way: he wants to
Rule-of-three suddenly becomes self-aware, as if he is afraid to be overheard. He lowers his voice and says: Let me give you the dark of it. All of it. You know the shattered temple of the Athar? That one used to be the temple to a god long-forgotten - Aoskar, god of portals. It's not clear what happened to him, but he somehow lost all followers, and a god without faith is no god at all. He died, his faith forgotten, and now his body drifts in the Astral plane, like all dead gods.
Just as loss of faith can kill a god, renewed faith can revive him. This is what Origax is apparantly trying: bring back a dead god. For nothing more but to show his own influence over the multiverse...
Lun Tsu considers Rule of Three's commentary on Origax, "How would he go about reviving such a God? Gather followers who would believe again? That may be why he was orating the way he was where he was... Any idea how he moves about Rule of Three?"
At the grim reminder of the importance of faith, Bart traces his gauntlet along the spine of his holy-text and sets his jaw. "Don't bother me none who that feller wants to worship, but if it means more brawls in the streets we ought ta' put a stop to it. Make sure noone else gets hurt an' all."
Bart fixes his mind on the Mercykiller he had to put down, and falls silent.
To be honest, it's not my specialty. It wouldn't surprise me if Origax doesn't have a clear-cut plan. You know, these signers always think they can get things done by sheer force of will. Trouble is, in this case that is probably what it takes. The Athar have been about as happy as a fire mephit in a rain storm about him.
Rule-of-three bids you goodbye I'm not stepping back into the cage, but I'll travel to Tradegate with you. Joyward is more my style anyway, I'll do my spire research some other day. I've got a journal at my home that I'm not using too much, you should take it to Lissandra - I owe her that much for sending you guys over.
The journey back to Tradesgate is pleasant and without distractions. When the fresh air of the trade town changes for the filthy, foggy, soot-filled air of the cage, the difference could not be any more pronounced.
Lissandra is not hard to locate, hanging in her usual spot in the Market's ward. So, she says got a song to sing?
"Better." Bart says, holding out the journal, his mailed fists creasing the pages. "We 'ave yer friends research on the portals. An' we know what this Origax feller is up to. It'll be trouble, yew mark my words."
"Trouble we can all avoid with your knowledge of Portals Lissandra", notes Lun Tsu.
Yer gonna get yerself scragged if you start styx-mouthing blood like that. You better be careful who you rattle your bone-box to, or you might end up paying the music. Lissandra says with a hushed voice.
That's a good catch, this binder. So you found the wizard then? I hope he didn't bother you too much with his Guvner trollop.
Anyway, a deal's a deal. I've got the dark on that portal in the shattered temple. You'll need a key for it, and it's once that wont make the Athar very happy. It's the holy symbol of the forgotten god that the temple was dedicated to. Better be careful who you show it to, though.
I guess your best bet for obtaining it is fell, the fallen dabus. He is good at symbols.
"Guvner?" Bart hisses to the mimir, still eyeing it warily as it answers. "Thanks for the tip, ma'am. Fallen Dabus huh? The stories of folk that mess around with the Lady's servants ain't pretty, but if it's one o' them we got to deal with then so be it."
"Then I suppose the Fallen Dabus is our next destination.
Another question for you Lissandra before we step away, what do you know of Estevan the Ogre Mage or Balthazar Thames?"
Guvner, or a member of the Fraternity of Order. They believe the multiverse follows strict rules of law, and that understanding these laws means understanding the multiverse.
Probably not more than that cute little skull there can tell you., Lissandra remarks, where'd you get him anyway? I haven't seen a functioning mimir in quite some time.
Esteban pretty much owns the planar trade consortium, and he's got a good deal of contacts all over the outer planes and beyond. He's a trader by heart though, so be on your toes when he tries to give you something for free.
Balthaar Thames... Lissandra says, trying to weigh her words his interests puzzle me. I don't see why he's being so narrow - finding lost stuff, solving mysteries. He's really not doing himself a favour by staying in the cage this much. Anyway, he appears to be pretty decent at what he does, so to each his own.
Cedric looks at the floating mimir. "Found it in a pile of heads while trying to escape the abyssal plane." He then ponders if Esteban has offered him anything for free yet.
"Perhaps their role in this will be more clear when we pursue this Origax. Let us get that key made so we can continue though at some point we will need to rest. This journey has been a seemingly non-stop affair".
Well, if it's an inn you seek, I'd recommend the clerk's or lady's ward. Stay clear of the hive, you're as likely to get scragged as to get a good night's sleep. Lissandra says, but that skull should be able to tell you that as well. Take good care of it, it can be a lifesaver.
"Well I could use a nice rest after all this running around. Not entirely sure when I slept last." Cedric says before stifling a yawn. "This portal hopping really messes with one's perception of time."
Lun Tsu nods, "Yes let us rest and collect our wits to ensure what we plan to do next is the correct move".
"Hear hear. Don't suppose one of yew fellers has a place to stay? Doubt the three of us would fit in my rickshaw."
"My friends, do we believe that the task involving the ledger is somehow tied to the Signer we seek? I am not sure it would be, yet. It seems an odd coincidence that we were chosen to retrieve that ledger only a few moments after we attempted to disrupt Origax's rant. We all independently chose to do so on top of that. There are three of us, perhaps Rule of Three has a point".
After some questioning, the party is directed to an inn called 'the ubiquitous wayfarer', a lively place on the edge between market and clerk's ward which serves as a hub for planewalkers of all sorts.
Bart will clap two mouldy loaves of bread, his rusty old (non-magical) longsword and a half drunk wineskin onto the table. "Not a coin on me, m'afraid. Used to rely on charity back 'ome, but the Cagers are more like ter rob you than feed you in my experience."
"So how much is it for three rooms anyway?" Cedric inquires as the others seem to be checking their pockets.
"So how much is it for three rooms anyway?" Cedric inquires as the others seem to be checking their pockets.
"Let's stick to one room my friend, I think we have much to discuss".
Lun reaches into his pocket for coins that have long lain dormant.
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Two gold pieces between the three of you. Gets you a decent room too. the innkeeper says.
The inn itself is a friendly enough place, almost normal for the standard the party has gotten used to, if it weren't for the abundance of strange creatures assembled here. A trio of sylphs is playing some music in a corner, while a cubic, metallic creature approaches Lun and says Extend introduction: 'sixteen'. Request identification.
Bart cleans out his ears in clear view of the tavern's patrons, straining to listen to the sylphs. He has a fairly sparse meal of bread and water, murmuring to himself before tucking in. After a while, he begins to look distant and pensive, retreating into the dusty corridors of his mind.
Cedric pays the inn keeper before looking over at the strange cube like creature. "Best say something Lun, it might get angry if you don't reply."
Lun hands an extra gold piece to over to the Innkeeper the meals of all three of the companions.
"Greetings sixteen, I am Lun Tsu", he replies as he watches Bart find a table and begin eating dinner. Lun's stomach rumbles as he realizes how hungry he too has become.
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Reciprocate. Identifier 'Tsu, Lun' not recognised. Hypothesis: Tsu, Lun recent addition to locale. Request: Share recent experiences.
Bart sits in a corner having some water and bread, while Lun looks on with hollow eyes.
"Come Sixteen, I require sustenance. Join with us and i will regale you with my tales as best i can, I fear I am not much of a storyteller".
Lun Tsu joins Bart, with sixteen following in on the invitation, Invitation: accepted. Acknowledge: weakness in storytelling for Tsu, Lun. Store. Request: recent locations visited. Context: unclarity regarding modron population.
"Soooo, sixteen. What brings you to this tavern? Come to think of it which plane are you from?"
"Most recently we have traveled to the Tradegate. Before that Acheron. We've no desire to journey to either of this places any time soon again Sixteen".
Continuing in a lowered voice Lun states, "So my friends, do we pursue Garumundi or Origax next? How do all of these mysteries fit together? I cannot quite puzzle it out. Plus there was the discussion by Thames of the blink portals...
Mimir, can you elaborate on the blink portals?"
Origin: Mechanus. Current mission: ... <access denied>. sixteen answers, suddenly seeming to slam shut. It tries again: Current mission: ... <access denied>
Statement: unable to retrieve current mission. Primary objective: rejoin with eight. Location: unknown. Current status: gathering data.
The mimir then answers Lun Tsu's questions: I know little more than what you have gathered. The blink cycle takes place every 400 years, so if you want to visit these places in your lifetime, now is your chance.