Climbing down, he begins to move away through the crowd. If people are planning on bringing down the Lady's wrath, watching is not a safe place to be.
At hearing the exclamation, he looks over. Bringing up the 'Yanks to a monk is a particularly clueless thing to do.
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It had all happened so fast. He had no sooner finished sweeping this length of street before a mob of cagers had trodden dust, brimstone and all manner of things into the cobbles, and swept him up in the crowd marching toward the Shattered Temple. Bart let out a shudder and hid his holy symbol deeper in his tattered rags. He'd heard the chant about the Athars, and of all the groups in Sigil those heathens gave the old man pause.
Struggling in vain against the crowd, the street-sweeper suddenly finds himself face to face with Cedric's ironclad battlesuit, stationary in the ceaseless tide of people. Jabbing, swatting, and otherwise harranging passersby with his broom, he manages to make his way to the eye of the storm and escape the push of the crowd. "Buggrit! Cagers these days, no respect. Or any days I can recall, cometerthink." he says, before erupting into a hacking cough, leaning onto his broomstick for support and letting his rucksack fall to the floor, the telltale sound of chainmail hitting the ground with a thud.
The crowd stops just before the fallen temple, hesitant to move inside. Bad luck, misfortune. The superstition of the crowd stops it from going in. Still, their focus seems to be on a lone, filthy dwarf standing atop the pillars. The acoustics are still surprisingly good for a shattered temple. The time of the fours doors is at hand! he shouts. He wears the rags of a beggar, but his voice is loud and clear, and carries far. These are the doors that are gone, but always here. Present, but rarely accessible. The doors to unknown places! he continues, and the crowd ever continues to swell.
Where in the nine hells are the Harmonium bashers I sent for? a cranky-looking elf shouts out near Krachxton, scowling at a cheer from the crowd.
I see a few gathering nearby, Coranthol, a female human assures him, but you know they don't keep a large force in the lower ward.
That's a sodding understatement. They won't lift a finger of crack a skull until there's a sodding army of them on hand - and that won't happen until they can break bashers free of their duties in the other wards. a burly man says, who looks somewhat reminiscent of an Ulfen warrior.
They'd better hurry, or the Lady herself may take notice. the female adds, I don't want the Lady's shadow falling over me. What do you plan to do, Coranthol.
I plan to do something about it. Coranthol says, You three, go fetch me a Harmonium patrol he suddenly says to Cedric, Bart and Krachxton and see that they come over here. I'll reward you for your trouble!.
Krachxton nods to the Elf, accepting this. He doesn't know how to read the construct, so he explains. "It'll be a good idea to stop this before it gets stopped. That's what happened last time." he points to the rubble in the area. Some of the stones that were once in the temple have embedded themselves in buildings across the square. With that he'll start heading off if the others come or not.
Cedric has no idea what the elf is talking about is about to protest, until the strange man that looks like he is made of stone gestures to the destruction around them. Cedric simply nods and follows at that point, not wanting to be around if something like that happens again.
Mid-conversation with the confused Gith, he looks over to check on Cedric and manages to see him running off with some strangers. Figuring it had something to do with the speech that was going on, he merely gave a quick nod and bow to Tsu before forcing his way through the crowd after Cedric.
Lun is partially incensed and partially genuinely appreciative of the human who came and went so fast. With nothing else to do at the moment he follows behind thu human, the story is no doubt one worth hearing, Lun thinks to himself as he follows.
Krachxton moves off with Bart and Cedric in tow. No and Lun Tsu have some more trouble following as they perpendicular to the stream. Eventually they catch up as they leave the crowd behind them.
Krachxton spots a Harmonium patrol just a few blocks off...
The Harmonium
The Harmonium are the red-armed soldiers that guard Sigil from the law-breaking and those that would threaten the safety of the normal citizen. Their headquarters are the Barracks in the Lady's Cage and they're led by Sarin, a paladin of St. Cuthbert, who's a deity determined to beat people into order. Harmonium patrols are often seen parading around the Lady's Ward in their shiny red armor, breaking up rioters and putting Sigil into a clamp. Some would say (most likely the Anarchists and Xaosmen) that they're the "Hardheads", and they're out to make Sigil into their little Arcadian paradise, but to the average citizen, they're all that's protecting them from fiends and other things that don't belong in the natural world. The Harmonium is primarily composed of paladins and soldiers marching to put Sigil onto a new beat: one of law and order.
It's an uphill battle.
Of course, not every member of the Harmonium is a soldier of goodness. Power corrupts, and absolute power corrupts... well, you know. There are those members of the faction that seem to think that their membership in the Harmonium gives them the power to do anything they want. Sadly enough, these are quite often the stereotype: these are the ones that people group the entire faction by, and they're the types that people expect to see. While it's true that not all members of the Harmonium are the most upright and good of everyone (and they quite often get driven near insanity because of the flamboyant disrespect that many have for the laws of Sigil), the majority of them aren't the type that will bust an Indep down in the middle of the street for jaywalking. Even the worst of them aren't that bad... they'd probably move to a back alley for that.
The Harmonium believe in creating the Arcadian ideal: everyone thinking the same, acting the same, and everything will be perfect. No more problems to the world if we move as a group, think as a good, live as a group, die as a group, dream as a group, and despair as a group. Some want to force Sigil into that mold... some others want to simply root out the troublemakers and let the populace of Sigil choose order for themselves. As usual, it's the loud ones that get noticed and the quiet ones passed over... but in the end, they are all Harmonium. They will bring law and order to Sigil, or they will die in the attempt.
Since some of the people accompanying him seem to be clueless, he advises, "Be respectful and orderly. The Harmonium has no sense of humor."
Krachxton will step forward to the patrol, nodding his head in respect. "Lawbringers, there is a commotion occurring at the shattered temple. People are talking about ... the former resident of the the temple. The one forcibly evicted. I expect that there will be great disorder and forbidden activity. There are some of your comrades there, but some citizens believe that more protection is needed for the situation."
Clueless
Used to refer to a berk from the prime material plane, particularly one who is not familiar with the workings of the factions.
"Shhhhh" Cedric says to the floating skull.
Lun pushes his way through and reaches the others and hears Krachxton's request to the patrol.
He says nothing waiting for the patrol to retort or move on before engaging the human further.
"Don't take a scholar ter' see troubles a-coming." the street sweeper says, shaking his head at nobody in particular.
Pike that, Berk, we've got much more important business here. Word's been going the round of several knights of the post trying to peel the little shops. Sod off, you. The hardhead responds.
While Lun is not a regular dweller in the Cage he knows a rude response when he sees one, "I think the Lady may consider a gathering at that Temple more of a priority Lawbringer. Perhaps you should quell that unruly mob before you worry about petty theft".
"... mob o'scoundrels disturbing the peace an spouting heathen nonsense. Why, a feller would start to think yew weren't doing your jobs if you were to let that stand." Bart interjects. "Might be in yer best interests is all I'm sayin'."
Right. Mob of scoundrels. Sound like we're needed after all. 'Arry, you fetch the other patrol the leader says, and you, as he points to Bart point us to the mob!
The mob is still within sight, though, and easily pointed at. At the edge of the mob there is some commotion, some berks rattling their bone-boxes and pointing in some direction other than the speccing dwarf on top of the temple.
There's a dabus moving through the street: from behind the Hardhead he's moving toward the crowd. Not floating, like these caretakers of Sigil usually do, but walking - actually walking - placing one foot in front of the other.
It's Fell! some guy from the crowd shouts as he tries to run away I don't want to be near him when the Lady's show passes!
His path goes directly past the adventurers.
Much as he would prefer to not be here, he can't afford to pass up the promised reward. Perhaps one day he wouldn't need to eat, but until then jink is life. "Does anybody see the elf Coranthol?"
Lun, not being familiar with Coranthol does not respond and instead grasps No Levar by the shoulder.
"Human, tell me of this encounter with the Githyanki. You have raised my ire and my curiosity".
Cedric looks around at the odd collect of humanoids around him. "There was an elf?" Cedric asks a bit confused.
He looks at the construct, realizing that their mental states were not quite like creatures that were born. "He's the one who offered to pay us to fins the Harmonium. About so tall, accompanied by a human woman about so tall." He gestures to help it understand. "They were right over there."
"By my valor there be some strange chant today, make no mistake." the chatty spectator mumbles, giving a few cursory sweeps with his broom as he slinks back to observe once more, giving a cursory glance at the featureless sky and the logic-defying arc of Sigil's rings and grimacing to himself as he follows in step behind.
No, oblivious to the current plan since he was away from Cedric when they got their orders to find the patrol, finally makes his way to the construct-gnome while chit-chatting with the somewhat-Githyanki. He pushes his way through the crowd in his blood-stained clothes from the red rivers of the last plane they were on, while turning occasionally to address Lun. "I died. Something happened when I died and I was lost on the Astral Plane. The Githyanki found me in my time of need and helped me understand my new abilities."
At that claim, Krachxton can't help but look back at the human. While he suspected that the man was lying or crazy, there was always the sliver of a chance that something exceedingly strange had happened to him.
...and yet it seemed that the fellow was being honest, at least to his own perceptions.
The dabus shuffles, one foot, then the next over the uneven cobblestones near the temple, as the speech of the dwarf on top continues.
---
Who knows the dark of these doors? Who has the power to open them? Only one blood knows these doors! Only one blood can open them! On the day, this blood opens the four doors, the multiverse will shake and shudder, the Cage will be unlocked and the Lady will cry out in anguish and pain! the dwarf declaims.
---
The crowd gasps at the dwarves powerful words. At this point, right in front of the adventurers, Fell the dabs falls to the floor, the bystanders moving backward, keeping their distance.
---
A murmur of excited voices ripples through the crowd, but the dwarf quiets them. This is no bob! I'm no barmy from Harbinger House! the dwarf shouts See the dark of it, for tomorrow is the day the Fourth door opens!
---
Coranthol the elf is up ahead, trying to disperse the crowd, pushing and discussing, but with little effect.
Lun stares at No Levar as if he had two heads, "What did the Githyanki ask in return?"
He looks up at the Dwarf screeching from the top of the Temple, "The Dwarf speaks madness. Perhaps we should assist in dispersing this crowd or at the very least take our leave to continue our discussions before things start to get out of hand".
"I don't think they'll listen to reason, and there's far too many to use unreasonable methods." says the stoneborn matter-of-factly. "We've been offered coin to get the hardheads. I suggest we collect it and leave to a more comfortable place for storytelling. I'd like to hear about these supposed benevolent 'Yanki myself."
He begins to make his way toward Coranthol.
"P'raps you're right, earth-blood. But we've got ter try lest the buggers get themselves killed. Give me a hand, will you?"
" Last chance to pike off 'fore trouble gets here! None of you berks want to spend the night in a Harmonium cell, no-sir-ree." he says, moving alongside the elf and attempting to sweep the rabble from the temple steps with a few sharp jabs of his broomstick.
The old man has a point, they should at least try before they leave. He picks up a couple pieces of rubble and half of a moldy spinefruit left on the street. Tossing the fruit up, he squishes it between the two pieces of rubble as it comes down.
Coranthol the Athar elf glares at Krachxton the powers are a fraud, he states, did you get that patrol? When will they arrive?
---
One doors for relics... the dwarf preacher blazes from atop the pillar ..forgotten and discarded..
---
A young half-elf reacts to Krachxton words, taking it as a cue to put on his own declamation. The youth has a fire in his eyes, a burning passion usually reserved for the enlightened. Or the insane, or the plain stupid.
I believe! the youth shouts, Aoskar, I will serve you! Garmundi! I will follow where you lead!
At that moment, a huge man, wearing bright red armour pushes through the crowd toward the half-elf. You have admitted guilt! the basher proclaims therefore, I'll administer the punishment.
He raises his halberd in the air, ready to strike a devastating blow...
Lun Tsu observes the situation around him, the only way to stop this is to silence the Dwarf
Lun turns to the strangers gathered beside him who seem removed from the frenzy of the moment. "You are correct stone-born. To quell this we need to reach the dwarf and quiet him down. That will disperse the crowd and restore order".
CMB Check
Cedric moves into interfere with the Mercykiller, and even though he does whatever he does clumsily, it is enough to distract the crimson-armorer man and draw his ire.
What is your business interfering here, citizen? This man has broken the law, and I will administer the punishment. Stand back, or be reprimanded.
---
Lun Tsu makes some progress through the crowd, and finds himself at the base of a large stone pillar. The dwarf is standing right on top. ()
No focuses to keep within distance of Cedric, being the only person he really knows, and overhears the conversation between him and the crimson-armored man. From within the crowd, he'll try to cast a Grease spell underneath the guard...
...and keeps himself focused as he throws some butter through the crowd and it spreads underneath the guard's feet.
Lun attempts to scale the pillar
Climb
and fails.
Quietly to Coranthol, he says "One must use the argument that the people will listen to. I've brought two patrols of lawbringers." As he sees the Githzerai having trouble with the smooth pillar, he smiles. Nodding to the Elf, he walks toward the pillar. As he does so, he takes a nugget of metal from his pouch. It seems to flow under his touch, responding to his elemental nature.
By the time he reaches the base of the pillar, it has become an adamantine axe. "I think this might bring him down to earth."
Seeing Cedric and No Levar step in to save the youths life, Bart wheels his way through the crowd and swings his broomstick wildly at the Mercykiller, battering him across the temples. "In Heironeous' name, you won't cut this feller down without a trial. Not if I have anything to say about it." the old man says, having made himself known, armed with only what remains of his broomstick and his heavy rucksack.
No trips up the Mercykiller, and old Bart proceeds to cut the feller down without a trial. HIs broomstick might be improvised, but it crushes the skull of the armoured man all the same.
----
A second door for powers, set aside and lost. A third door for mysteries, waiting to be freed. A fourth door for reality, to tie them together and reveal the path for tomorrow's better shores
----
Coranthol smiles as Krachxton returns, here's something for the trouble, he says, as he throws a platinum coin at him. The coin bears the mark of the Athar faction.
---
Lun fails to climb up the Dwarf's pillar, and Krachxton arrives shortly later to start hacking away at it. Near No and Cedric, the death of the Mercykiller causes the crowd to veer away.
---
The dwarf finishes the description of the four doors and looks down. For the first time, his face is visible. Besides the dirt and tangled beard, his exposed forehead is decorated with a colourful tattoo: the picture of an elaborate key. The pommel of the key is shaped like a glowing door frame, bounding for a field of silver stars. For a moment, it seems like the dwarf is looking right at No and Bart, and then he smiles and the warmth of summer passes over the crowd.
At that moment, the place is flooded from all sides with Harmonium patrols. Stand down! Disperse! This meeting has ended! Different orders come from all sides, and the crowd is on the brink of being thrown into a panic. People are arrested, dragged away, but the patrols mostly seem to focus on the high pillar, with the dwarf on top...
Krachxton will continue to chop at the pillar until the Harmonium approaches or says something. When they arrive, he'll ask, "Should I continue bringing this criminal to the ground?"
"Harumph."
Bart throws his splintered broomstick to the ground and helps the young half-elf to his feet. "...might be time to make yourself scarce, lad." he says, giving the youth a shove.
Lun stands back as Krachxton chops at the pillar like a tree.
Through the crowd, the Harmonium patrol reaches Krachxton and Lun Tsu, and the leader command Get that man down here! pointing at the dwarf. The dwarf, meanwhile leaps from pillar to pillar. The four doors return! he shouts, as he jumps to a slanted pillar that precariously overhang a crack in the foundation of the shattered temple. The crack looks deep and dark.
Without hesitation, the dwarf jumps in. The harmonium bashers run to the edge of the crack and say What addle-coved nonsense is this? He gave us the laugh! The leaders turns around and shouts: Find him! He broke the laws of Sigil and the Lady!
At around the same time, a pretty female tiefling taps Lun on the arm Here, she says, handing him a small card, then dashing off again. In the distance, she can be seen handing a similar card to No Levar, as she says For you two, obviously pointing at No and Bart.
The card is a calling card, of one 'Balthazar Thames'. Written on it, is the message 'Your help is required, come as soon as you can!
"Friend for hire?" the old man says, incredulously, as he peers over No Levar's shoulder. "Last time I encountered a 'friend for hire' I found meself... well..." he chuckles, letting out a hacking cough and wiping a tear from his eye.
"Well, p'rhaps that's a story for another time. Name's Bart. What'd'ya say we get the hell out of here?"