Cornstarch looks them up and down and frowns. Fillius, seeing his hopes of finding something meaningful to do in Sigil evaporating, steps forward.
"Fillius Farnweather at your service," he says enthusiastically. "Calita here tells me you're quite the accomplished Alchemist. I myself had my own practice back where I came from, and young Karan here was my assistant. I'm not looking to cut in on your business, but we are in need of something soon, or else I'm afraid the we may find ourselves once more the guests of those dreaded "Red Men" as Calita so aptly put it." His enthusiasm fades a little at the thought of going back to that.
His smile returns though, as he holds his hand out towards the large man. "What do you say, do you think you could find a use for us?"
Cornstarch ponders
"Well, if you are willing to work for room and board at first, I can see how you work out. I have been looking to expand somewhat, and I havn't had a day off in years. I have a few appartments on the third floor of the shop, I think we could give it a go."
Congruence smiles at the abbot, "Do you require more chores of us this day?"
Brother Meytal smiles
"No, my dear Congruence, I think you are all set for the day. Why don't you spend some time preparing for your new journey and saying farewell to people?"
Sara smiles. "Thank you Abbot. We will make sure to bid everyone farewell before we leave. Thank you for having us here."
Stepping back outside, Sara looks to both Congruence and Tsun. Its clear that she's nervous and exited at the same time.
"I think its best we clean out our rooms first. Then we can check what gear we have. I have no idea how prepared we have to be. I assume the caravan has a lot of stuff like tents and the like. But we do need some items ourselves. We can make a shopping list with what we need individually, and what we need as a group. Once we get a list, we can say our goodbyes to everyone here and go shopping. I think that's the most efficient use of our time."
Mara looks at Myriana. She is a skinny human, but with a fair amount of curves where they count. She affects a Dustmen style, but her interpretation is a lot more salacious than the norm. She smiles lazily and takes a drag off some type of cigarette. The smell isn't one that Myrianna has smelt before.
"Sure thing, ducks. It's a good place. The gents are a bit handsy, but they are generous. You have to be ready for the full show, it's everything and the knickers off there. I've made the acquaintance of a lot of generous men there."
Myrianna considered that while she tried to not let her nose crinkle at the smell of the smoke, it would certainly be new for her, but not something she wasn't expecting to do at her current place of employment fairly soon so she wasn't unwilling. She nodded and finally replied, "I don't have a problem with that, how well do they police the gusts? Do they do a good job making sure they don't force performers, beyond being a bit handsey of course, into doing things they don't want to do?"
Sara smiles. "Thank you Abbot. We will make sure to bid everyone farewell before we leave. Thank you for having us here."
Stepping back outside, Sara looks to both Congruence and Tsun. Its clear that she's nervous and exited at the same time.
"I think its best we clean out our rooms first. Then we can check what gear we have. I have no idea how prepared we have to be. I assume the caravan has a lot of stuff like tents and the like. But we do need some items ourselves. We can make a shopping list with what we need individually, and what we need as a group. Once we get a list, we can say our goodbyes to everyone here and go shopping. I think that's the most efficient use of our time."
"That sounds like a good idea. I will get started on my room." Tsun heads down the hallway and disappears into his room.
Once they have farewelled Calita's friends, Alyse says to Calita and Tollard, "Well, Nye may well by barmy, but he does seem like an interesting cutter. If either of you are planning on working for him, I'll go along with you next Peak. Do either of you have any plans for the rest of the after-peak?"
If neither Calita or Tollard appear to be doing anything interesting or want company, Alyse will return to the Bazaar for a quick meal, see if she can find any friends for a catchup, and then find somewhere to kip. If she can't easily find lodgings she'll probably go to Shadow's place.
"I don't have a problem with that, how well do they police the gusts? Do they do a good job making sure they don't force performers, beyond being a bit handsey of course, into doing things they don't want to do?"
Mara smirks
"Gorek hires bouncers. They keep the worst of the creeps at bay. I usually wear my faction sign. That warns most canny coves off. Plus I have Rat Sticker"
Mara reaches under her skirt and draws out a long thin dagger
"The best defense is a good offense"
If neither Calita or Tollard appear to be doing anything interesting or want company, Alyse will return to the Bazaar for a quick meal, see if she can find any friends for a catchup, and then find somewhere to kip. If she can't easily find lodgings she'll probably go to Shadow's place.
Alyse heads back towards the main areas of the Great Bazaar, stopping at a Elven cuisine stall for some Arvelloi potstickers and steakberry popovers. Chewing she looks about for Shadow
She casts about and sees Grench, a tout that she knows through Shadow. Grench is an Orc that hails from some realm on the Elemental Plane of Earth. His skin is a mottled rocky brindle. Despite his fearsome looks, he is quite verbose and popular among the Clueless. He is casting about for a customer in the plaza formed by the local dozen or so food stalls
"Come see the wonders of Sigil! See the marvels of the Civic Festhall! Gaze on the hundreds of temples in the Lady's Ward! A whole day's tour of the Cage for just one Lady!"
The caravan group packs their belongings and rendezvouses in the dining hall. They ready their belongings and compare notes
Mara smirks
"Gorek hires bouncers. They keep the worst of the creeps at bay. I usually wear my faction sign. That warns most canny coves off. Plus I have Rat Sticker"
Mara reaches under her skirt and draws out a long thin dagger
"The best defense is a good offense"
Myriana was delighted at the news, this was sounding more and more like just the kind of job she wanted to try. As Mara pulled out her dagger to show it off Myriana looked at it carefully and said, "Oh, very nice. I couldn't agree more. I've had a few times some one got a little to friendly and had to drive them off. Lucky me a good cat scratch attack is enough to make the...canny coves think twice meow." She held out her hands then and the muscles of her hands shifted a bit causing her claws to come out, "It always surprise them." She retracted her claws again and looked at Mara questioningly, "I'm waiting on a cutter to finish his business before I leave, wanna come dance with me for a bit til he's ready?"
Congruence goes to his room and looks at the bed that was never slept in. The rough blanket is spread across the bed largely as the modron originally found it, however, arranged more symmetrically on the mattress. The modron spent many hours their first night here trying to get it properly positioned, but found neither object was uniform enough in shape to allow such precision.
They lean over and tug on a corner, shifting the blanket a fraction of an inch. Then they frown and walk around to the opposite corner and tug the blanket back that fraction of an inch.
Forcefully moving their attention away from the blanket, Congruence looks at the rest of the room, standing motionless. They only opened the drawers once to note that they were empty, so those are of no concern. The modron's only belongings are the sword, shield, and what is in the backpack - all already strapped to the cube-like body rather than slid under the bed to keep out of sight.
Congruence walks away and starts to return to the dining hall but stops half way. They look back towards their old room, and then forward to their future path awaiting them in the dining hall... and then proceed to turn around and go back to the room.
The modron gives the corner of the blanket one final infinitesimal tug - and then runs down the hallway toward the dining hall feeling a sensation that might be categorized as excitement.
Tsun stands in the hallway ready to go. His room needed little in the way of organizing, and he preferred to travel lightly. "Well, no sense standing around rattling our bone-boxes. Are we ready?"
Sara carefully straightens her room. While it is not really messy, she does her best to make it as nice as she can for the next inhabitant. Its not much, but she feels its the closest thing she can do as a 'pay it forward'.
Having found a place at t. Cuthberts had been incredibly lucky. Living rough in the Cage tended to shorten your lifespan significantly.
Its why she always took her chores siriously. Even when the other kids were goofing off. She owed these monks her life.
Closing the door behind her, backpack slung around one shoulder, Sara sighs. one door closes, another one opens, was it not?
Making her way down to the dining hall, she is not surprised to see Congruence there already.
"Im packed and ready." she plunks down her backpack. "What did you all bring?
"'Lo Grench," Alyse greets the orcish tout. "How's tricks this after-peak? Seen Shadow of late?"
Tsun reveals the contents of his backpack.
Myriana has a very fun Afterpeak dancing with several Dustmen. Zadkiel and Astoril end up very drunk. Astoril offers Zadkiel and Myriana floor space at his kip. The tavern also sports rooms to let in its upper floors, or there is always walk home to St. Cuthbert's
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"'Lo Grench," Alyse greets the orcish tout. "How's tricks this after-peak? Seen Shadow of late?"
Grench turns and smiles
"'Lo, Alyse! Trade's a bit soft this Afterpeak, but I expect it will pick up once we get to Before Antipeak. Shadow, I seen 'er taking a group of Clueless down to Alehouse Row. Likely to that clip joint she's got a bargain with, the Green Branch."
Sara takes inventory.
"So, from Tsun we have a dagger, a lot of tools, a scarf, chalk, twine, whetstone, a signal whistle and a hammock."
Sara scratches her head. "Ok, nice. But not a lot for surviving in the wild I think."
Spreading out her stuff, "So apart from the clothes on my back, I've got hide armor for protection. I have my glaive, my bow and a dagger. For miscelanious items I got a Bedroll, a spare Blanket, a Candlestick, also some chalk, Flint and Steel, a Grappeling Hook with a hemp rope, also a Whetstone, Waterskin, also some Twine. Cant have enough of that I suppose. A bit of Soap, a Scroll Case, but there is nothing in there at the moment. I also have a Small Steel Mirror, a Mess Kit, an Inkpen and a Flute. Not all practical items, but its all I've managed to scavenge together in my time on the streets."
"So, Congruence, what do you have?"
[ooc]What're you going to do Zad?[ooc]
"We have our shield and sword that we found." Congruence sets down a masterfully crafted longsword and a plain steel shield. The modron looks down at their body, "If there will be danger perhaps we need armor? We are unsure if our form can have armor."
Then the modron sets their backpack down and opens it up. Inside is a mass of papers (several of them partially chewed) and hundreds of coins. Suddenly a rat with an over-sized exposed brain pops out of the pile of papers and coins. It scurries out of the backpack and darts around sniffing the other belongings but seeming unsatisfied.
"We keep sensing an unusual feeling coming from it. It has grown increasingly more uncomfortable throughout the day."
"Congruence, you have a Cranium rat in your backpack?! Those things are dangerous!"
"He provides assistance to us when making challenging decisions. I have concluded he was sent to provide guidance."
Congruence tries to smile but looks unsure after Chore Friend Sara's reaction, "Additionally, he displays significant displeasure with other cranium rats."
The modron then looks down at the ground, "Were we incorrect in carrying around a cranium rat?"
Sara looks hesistant. "Well, normally Cranium rats are dangerous. They are smart, and get smarter the more of them are gathered. I've even heard rumons on the street that if you put enough of them together they can even do magic. But even if that's just a tall tale, groups of them will attack people."
Sara puts a hand on congruence metal shoulder. "I just want you to be safe Congruence. There are things you dont know, and that can be dangerous. But if you trust this rat, I will trust it too."
Zadkiel took up his friend's offer of a place to sleep off his inevitable hangover. Somehow, with slurred words and hand gestures, he managed to convey this plan to Myriana and stumbled after Astoril in a manner that said he had made this inebriated walk more than once before.
As the sober one Myriana made sure that Zadkiel made it to Astoril's apartment to sleep off his hangover before returning to St. Cuthbert's alone. She didn't really need to go back there but it was the only home she ever knew and she was loathe to sleep elsewhere. She knew she would soon have to move out of the place, they only let residents stay until they got to a certain age and she was fast approaching, in fact, in just a few days she would turn eighteen and have to leave. She wasn't necessarily paying the greatest attention to where she was going beyond making sure she headed the right way and it left her open to all sorts of trouble.
"Yeah.... you would be best served getting rid of that, Congruence. They have a habit of causing mischief. Sometimes deadly mischief."
He turns to Sara. "I thought we were traveling with a caravan? Not trailblazing. Was I mistaken?"
Sara puts her things back in her backpack. "Yeah, we're traveling with a caravan. But I'm not entirely sure how self sufficient we should be. Being able to care for ourselves in case something happens would be good. Never know in the outlands."
"'Lo Grench," Alyse greets the orcish tout. "How's tricks this after-peak? Seen Shadow of late?"Grench turns and smiles
"'Lo, Alyse! Trade's a bit soft this Afterpeak, but I expect it will pick up once we get to Before Antipeak. Shadow, I seen 'er taking a group of Clueless down to Alehouse Row. Likely to that clip joint she's got a bargain with, the Green Branch."
As the sober one Myriana made sure that Zadkiel made it to Astoril's apartment to sleep off his hangover before returning to St. Cuthbert's alone. She didn't really need to go back there but it was the only home she ever knew and she was loathe to sleep elsewhere. She knew she would soon have to move out of the place, they only let residents stay until they got to a certain age and she was fast approaching, in fact, in just a few days she would turn eighteen and have to leave. She wasn't necessarily paying the greatest attention to where she was going beyond making sure she headed the right way and it left her open to all sorts of trouble.
Myriana heads out after dancing for most of the Before Antipeak. Antipeak looms, Sigil's midnight analog. She head out into the thronged streets of the Dead District.
The district lives up to its nickname at this hour of darkness. Myriana sees throngs of Dustmen and their undead allies going about their business.
A ghost in spectral finery walks by Myriana, holding a leash on a skeletal small dog. A group of ghouls troop past, dressed in polished full plate with giant swords strapped to their backs. A zombie with corpse-pale skin and red burning eyes turns to watch Myriana walk by.
Myriana walks by a club that is boisterous and well lit. The sign reads The Vampire's Lair
Myriana heads out after dancing for most of the Before Antipeak. Antipeak looms, Sigil's midnight analog. She head out into the thronged streets of the Dead District.
The district lives up to its nickname at this hour of darkness. Myriana sees throngs of Dustmen and their undead allies going about their business.
A ghost in spectral finery walks by Myriana, holding a leash on a skeletal small dog. A group of ghouls troop past, dressed in polished full plate with giant swords strapped to their backs. A zombie with corpse-pale skin and red burning eyes turns to watch Myriana walk by.
Myriana walks by a club that is boisterous and well lit. The sign reads The Vampire's Lair
The appearance of all of the walking dead on her way back to St. Cuthbert's gave Myriana pause. It was weird, and frightening, and yet oddly interesting. She'd never been here this time of night and all of the sights and sounds caught her attention. The ghost with the skeletal dog out for a walk was perhaps the most amusing thing she'd seen, even in death the mutts couldn't break their chains. The ghouls were a strange sight, she'd not expected to see the like and she wasn't sure what to make of them. The only one that really disturbed her was, of all things, the zombie. Those red eyes in particular gave her the willies as she passed it but she tried to give it a smile anyway, even if it was a bit weak.
Then she walked by the boisterous club called the Vampire's Lair. She was quite curious, the place seemed interesting but she was getting too tired to care just now. She made sure to note where it was for later investigation but for now continued on her way back to St. Cuthbert's and her bed.
Myriana travels through the hushed streets and makes her way into Ragpicker's square. Although it is dark, the stalls are still busy, lit with flickering torchlight. The city truly doesn't sleep as night-loving folk of all description do business with each other.
After Ragpicker's square she traces her steps through Hellgate. There is a marked change to this district. Demons of every size and description line the walk. Towering Glabrezu with their snarling canine faces and lobster clawed extra arms walk next to Gelugons, clacking their insectile mouthparts.
Hellgate transitions into the Gear Run district. The streets here are a bit more quiet, with few shops open for business at this late hours. Myriana passes the entrance to the subterranean bar Caritas, where bad singing is wafting out.
Next is the Foundry, and its notorious street of sin, Alehouse Row. This boulevard of bars is awash with light and activity. the boulevard is packed with drunken folk, and those that prey upon them. Myriana spots a young girl in a skimpy dress searching the pockets of a passed-out gentlemen in an alley.
The Lower Ward transitions into the Lady's Ward, with the first squalid shacks of the Temple District. As she walks along, the temples become more and more prosperous, until she is walking among the massive cathedrals of the main gods of the multiverse. Despite the late hour there are a lot of nighttime ceremonies going on. Myrianna sees a group of lizardmen parade down a side street carrying a tenticular blob of a statue on their shoulders.
The dark streets of the Court district slide by and them she is in the Nobles' District. The streets are busy here as well, with party goers entering the walled mansions of the rich. Myriana sees dozens of well-dress ladies decked in jewels that wouldn't shame a queen walking with a retinue of guards and attendants. One mansion seems to be hosting a costume ball, and the attendants waiting for admission at the gate are all dressed in a fantastic array of fanciful masks and costumes.
Copperman's Way begins, leading Myriana into the mercantile heart of Sigil. The shops start out rich, but become more practical as she walks on. The boulevard is packed, as it usually is at any given moment of the peak. Myriana has to step lively to avoid the huge wains that lumber down the boulevard, and she melds into the pedestrian crowd as she walks on.
Copperman's way leads her to the Great Bazaar. Another place where there seems to be no quiet time, the bazaar is lit up by every manner of light conceivable, from a simple torch to giant fireflies kept in silver cages.
St. Cuthbert's finally greets her eyes. the brother at the doors lets her in with an admonishing scowl, and she finds her way up to her bed.
"'Lo Grench," Alyse greets the orcish tout. "How's tricks this after-peak? Seen Shadow of late?"Grench turns and smiles
"'Lo, Alyse! Trade's a bit soft this Afterpeak, but I expect it will pick up once we get to Before Antipeak. Shadow, I seen 'er taking a group of Clueless down to Alehouse Row. Likely to that clip joint she's got a bargain with, the Green Branch."
"'Lo Grench," Alyse greets the orcish tout. "How's tricks this after-peak? Seen Shadow of late?"Grench turns and smiles
"'Lo, Alyse! Trade's a bit soft this Afterpeak, but I expect it will pick up once we get to Before Antipeak. Shadow, I seen 'er taking a group of Clueless down to Alehouse Row. Likely to that clip joint she's got a bargain with, the Green Branch."
....
"Okay. Let's go."
Myriana went through all of the districts in something of a daze, she hadn't realized just how far away St. Cuthbert's was from where she'd been and wryly admitted to herself that she would have taken the offered floor space if she had. When she was given such a stern look by the brother upon her arrival Myriana was too tired to hold back giving him a sheepish grin and saying, "I'm sorry meow." She made her way up to her bed and put her things away before collapsing to her bed, still dressed in her street clothes. The tired catgirl's head hit the pillow and she was already asleep with dreams of all of the days wonders flitting through her.
Things packed, Sara still fidgets nervously. It is obvious she wants to do this right.
"Tsun, think we can pass trough the market? I want to buy a journal before we leave. So I can write things down abouy my journey. Also, Congruence might want to say goodbye to his friend in the market."
“Ta Grench.”
Alyse looks around to see if Tollard and Calita have stayed with her. If she sees either of them she asks, “Anyone feel like a drink?”
Either way she’ll head off towards the Green Branch.
"Not a problem. You just lead the way and I will follow."
Sara retraces her steps from that morning to the Cages Pages, the shop of Congruence 'friend' Jorin.
Seeing Jorin busy in his shop, Sara approaches. "Eh, hello? Do you sell journals?"
Tollard has followed along, looking about idly.
"I can be persuaded," Tollard says in response to Alyse's invitation. "I'm not expected at the library today. Hopefully Master Qurdar is keeping his books out of the baths."
"Who is this Shadow anyway? Old friend of yours?"
Tollard has followed along, looking about idly.
"I can be persuaded," Tollard says in response to Alyse's invitation. "I'm not expected at the library today. Hopefully Master Qurdar is keeping his books out of the baths."
"Who is this Shadow anyway? Old friend of yours?"
Alyse taps one black painted fingernail against another. "Oh ... she's ... Well, she looked after me, when I first ... since I was little. C'mon, let's get a drink."
She winds her way through the market stalls and after-peak crowds, heading for Alehouse Row.
Calita smiles at Alyse. "A drink sounds like just the answer after such a stressful day. Is it always this full on around you? It's going to be exciting times if it is!" She smiles again broadly.
Sara retraces her steps from that morning to the Cages Pages, the shop of Congruence 'friend' Jorin.
Seeing Jorin busy in his shop, Sara approaches. "Eh, hello? Do you sell journals?"
Jorin looks up at the young woman as she speaks.
"Good Peak to yeh! Aye, what sort of journal have you a need for? We can do papyrus, parchment, vellum, depending on yer needs and the clank of yer jink."
Tollard has followed along, looking about idly.
"I can be persuaded," Tollard says in response to Alyse's invitation. "I'm not expected at the library today. Hopefully Master Qurdar is keeping his books out of the baths."
"Who is this Shadow anyway? Old friend of yours?"
Alyse taps one black painted fingernail against another. "Oh ... she's ... Well, she looked after me, when I first ... since I was little. C'mon, let's get a drink."
She winds her way through the market stalls and after-peak crowds, heading for Alehouse Row.
The group heads out into the busy confines of the Great Bazaar. The Afterpeak crowd is busy with travelers headed back to their kips after a day of working. They travel through the stalls, with the calls of the merchants ringing in their ears
"Jumpberry juice! All the up of kahveh mixed with a delectable punch of alcohol!"
"Pastys! Savory or sweet, good to eat! Fresh made with Prime-sourced ingredients!"
"Knives, swords, daggers! Fine steelwork from the Dwarves of Ironcrag!"
They pass the large Merman building, and the green cylindrical structure of Tivuum's Antiquities. As they reach the edge of the Bazaar and Indep Plaza, they mount to the wide boulevard known as Copperman's Way.
The crowds surge against them as they thread their way through groups of Clueless, a gaggle of Githyanki, and a pod of Mindflayers walking strange octopodal creatures on stout leashes.
An hour's walk brings them to the Lady's Ward. Copperman's Way dumps into Plague Court, the gateway to the Nobles' District. The large plaza is crawling with Hardheads, as per usual. The red-armored law-lickers love the area, and their favorite pub the Square Bar sits brooding by the beginning of Razorvine on Hiddleton.
Razorvine on Hiddleton is the commercial heart of the Nobles' District. As such the shops tend to fancy restaurants, jewelers, clothing stores, and other high-end retail shops. The Harmonium have a large presence here as well, as do the Dabus, the Lady's personal maintenance and troubleshooting army. If that wasn't enough, most of the stores have an armored tough or three standing guard by the front door, ensuring the riff raff don't darken the glittering interiors.
Razorvine on Hiddleton brings them to the Court District, busy with Guvners headed back to their kips. The first spectacular temple complexes come into view as the group reaches the Temple District.
The awesome palace temples of Zeus, Odin and Abadar fall behind them as they make their way through the hundreds of temples squeezed in cheek to jowl. The temples grow progressively smaller, until as the reach Meat Market Square most are little more than squatter's shacks cobbled together from scraps of packing crates bound together with razorvine.
The Lower Ward begins as they travel through Swordhold, the main district for mercenary companies that make the Cage home. AT the edge of this district is Alehouse Row, their destination.
Alehouse Row is a sight to see. A wide street, lined for miles by tavern after tavern. Even though Afterpeak was just fading into Before Antipeak the road was jammed with revelers. Alyse keeps a peery eye out, and finds the Green Branch.
The tavern is themed in a sylvan bucolic manner, with a round halfling door and flowing carvings on the lintels. Inside a mixed crowd of humans, elves, and hobbits, many dressed in heavy work clothing, drink mugs of ale. A rotund human caters the bar, and a staff of barwomen dressed in peasant dresses work the early Before Antipeak crowd.
Alyse spies Shadow over in a corner booth, talking animatedly with four Primes. They look as if they still have portal dust on their shoes, and are hanging on every one of the fetchling's words.
Jorin looks up at the young woman as she speaks.
"Good Peak to yeh! Aye, what sort of journal have you a need for? We can do papyrus, parchment, vellum, depending on yer needs and the clank of yer jink."
"I need something sturdy. We're going on a trip to the Outlands. Doesnt have to be fancy, as long as it can take a beating."