As they made their way towards the cylindrical green building Myriana kept a careful eye out. She knew that Zim might not have given up looking for her and she really didn't want him to catch her. She wasn't sure what he would do to her if he ever managed it, maybe beat her to death, or possibly something worse. She'd seen the way he eyed her at times, his gang too, and she suspected that they might do...other things to her if they caught her. While she seemed innocent about it Myriana was nearly an adult and she knew by now what adults did with each other and that she was considered attractive, and adult enough, by many now to get any number of admiring looks and occasional proposition.
Myriana spots a skeleton walking in their general direction. This is not all that unusual: Certain less-scrupulous people use the mindless undead as cheap porters. This skeleton is odd in that it's bones are all scrimshawed with symbols and runes. It also doesn't seem to have a visible master. Skeletons are not known for their independence.
The strange skeleton left Myriana very nervous and she kept an eye on it watchfully. She didn't worry Hazel about it yet because it wasn't necessary as the thing wasn't a threat yet and she didn't want to panic him. She kept moving towards the store with the bunny man and watched to see if the skeleton followed them or not.
"Hey Four-Finger, want to come have a drink with us?" Alyse asks.Four Finger brightens
"You buyin? Where at?"
"Sure we're buying," Alyse answers quickly. "Let's go - somewhere nice." She waits to ensure that Four Fingers is going to come with them, then hurries him back out of this slum.
Tsun winces as Sara hits the bottom.
He calls down. "Sara? Are you doing okay? I'm... I'm going to do something. Hold on." He turns to Vector. "Congruence! Sara is forty feet below me and injured. Goblins are climbing up quickly. Any ideas?"
"Sure we're buying," Alyse answers quickly. "Let's go - somewhere nice." She waits to ensure that Four Fingers is going to come with them, then hurries him back out of this slum."Hey Four-Finger, want to come have a drink with us?" Alyse asks.Four Finger brightens
"You buyin? Where at?"
Tollard appreciates where Alyse is headed, and has become keenly aware of the attention they are attracting.
"Sure we're buying," Alyse answers quickly. "Let's go - somewhere nice." She waits to ensure that Four Fingers is going to come with them, then hurries him back out of this slum."Hey Four-Finger, want to come have a drink with us?" Alyse asks.Four Finger brightens
"You buyin? Where at?"
The three hurry out. Tollard and Alyse notice several feral faces in doorways looking them over, but their association with Four Finger seems to hold them off. They make it back to the main drag of the Marble District without incident
"Yeh have a place in mind, or do yeh wants me to pick?" Four Finger inquires
The strange skeleton left Myriana very nervous and she kept an eye on it watchfully. She didn't worry Hazel about it yet because it wasn't necessary as the thing wasn't a threat yet and she didn't want to panic him. She kept moving towards the store with the bunny man and watched to see if the skeleton followed them or not.
The skeleton does seem to be moving in their direction, but doesn't approach. It always maintains a certain distance, but its outlandish look is hard to miss.
The two soon end up in Tivuum's Antiquities. As they reach the large open double doors, they see a sign above the lintel:
ALLUVIUS RUSKIN'S PORTAL KEY EMPORIUM
keys for portals large and small
The two enter the vast building. Inside there is a large warehouse-like space filled with large stone bins. Dozens of shoppers with small wicker baskets peer into the bins, picking out small items and putting them in their baskets. A few young girls with green smocks circle about, helping some of the shoppers.
In the center of the large room is a big spiral staircase leading up into what looks to be a floor above. By the staircase there is a half-moon marble sales counter. An old woman with circular dark glasses and tiefling horns sits at the counter, tallying up customer's purchases. In between she seems to be eating live insects from a bowl.
With only an empathic emotional bond, Congruence feels the distress but has no idea what's happening. As best as they can, the modron feels toward his familiar to protect them, however possible. Then Congruence starts dashing about, looking for another entrance that might be more accommodating.
The rat listens to Tsun, and then sensing his master's worry and determination, it considers the situation. It is not very smart for a person, but it is quite clever for a lowly rat.
It knew its purpose was to guide Congruence along a destined path laid out by the Creator. But it also knew that the end of that path did not matter if they did not serve their purpose every step of the way. Congruence exists to protect others, and the rat exists to nudge the modron into that service.
Right now, their friends could use protection, but Congruence is far away. The rat also knows that sneaking, which it excelled at being such a small thing, would not be enough.
It looks directly at Tsun and nods, and then squeaks a reassurance to Sara as it scurries off in search of others. The others had called out to it often before - sought it to become part of them. But always the rat resisted and avoided them. It is not here to join those others. It is here to guide Congruence. But now friends were in danger, and the rat had to do more and become more in order to help.
The familiar will run off and see if it can find any more cranium rats. It (and I) have no idea if it merges with a pack, whether it will just be absorbed and Congruence is out a familiar, or if (even temporarily) it can nudge them to intervene and help Sara and Tsun. *crosses fingers*
Up to you on how you want to handle that if it can even find any quickly. Also, dunno if it would matter, but going with the Chosen One archetype, the cranium rat form actually masks it's true form. I just went with rat stats and flavored as cranium rat, but at higher level would reveal its true Outsider form. So I'm on board with however you want to work this - whether it is even possible or not since it's only sorta a cranium rat, or if it will just get absorbed, or not even find any fast enough. No worries on however you think it should go.
Sara carefully checks herself again. She feels slightly better now that she's healed herself. "I'm still in one piece. Barely. But I dont trust myself standing up yet."
"Sure we're buying," Alyse answers quickly. "Let's go - somewhere nice." She waits to ensure that Four Fingers is going to come with them, then hurries him back out of this slum."Hey Four-Finger, want to come have a drink with us?" Alyse asks.Four Finger brightens
"You buyin? Where at?"
[dice=events]1d1000
The three hurry out. Tollard and Alyse notice several feral faces in doorways looking them over, but their association with Four Finger seems to hold them off. They make it back to the main drag of the Marble District without incident
"Yeh have a place in mind, or do yeh wants me to pick?" Four Finger inquires
The skeleton does seem to be moving in their direction, but doesn't approach. It always maintains a certain distance, but its outlandish look is hard to miss.
The two soon end up in Tivuum's Antiquities. As they reach the large open double doors, they see a sign above the lintel:
ALLUVIUS RUSKIN'S PORTAL KEY EMPORIUM
keys for portals large and smallThe two enter the vast building. Inside there is a large warehouse-like space filled with large stone bins. Dozens of shoppers with small wicker baskets peer into the bins, picking out small items and putting them in their baskets. A few young girls with green smocks circle about, helping some of the shoppers.
In the center of the large room is a big spiral staircase leading up into what looks to be a floor above. By the staircase there is a half-moon marble sales counter. An old woman with circular dark glasses and tiefling horns sits at the counter, tallying up customer's purchases. In between she seems to be eating live insects from a bowl.
The fact the skeleton seemed to be following her left Myriana very nervous. She wasn't sure why there would be one doing that and her curiosity was being aroused. Fortunately for her they had found their destination and she looked at Hazel as she said, "Here we are meow, let's get you that portkey."
As they entered the large building Myriana looked around at everything for sale and knew she could spend a fair bit of time in here just looking at it all. Unfortunately she was here for a reason so she instead helped Hazel find the counter where the tiefling woman sat. She watched the woman pop a beetle in her mouth and made a wrinkly face of ick at the thought of eating a bug. Still, if the woman liked them it wasn't her place to comment so she kept her mouth shut about it and said to Hazel, "I think she can point us in the right direction meow. Why don't you ask her Hazel?"
"Sure we're buying," Alyse answers quickly. "Let's go - somewhere nice." She waits to ensure that Four Fingers is going to come with them, then hurries him back out of this slum."Hey Four-Finger, want to come have a drink with us?" Alyse asks.Four Finger brightens
"You buyin? Where at?"
[dice=events]1d1000
The three hurry out. Tollard and Alyse notice several feral faces in doorways looking them over, but their association with Four Finger seems to hold them off. They make it back to the main drag of the Marble District without incident
"Yeh have a place in mind, or do yeh wants me to pick?" Four Finger inquires
Why don't you ask her Hazel?
The rabbit walks forwards and nervously grooms himself. The small tiefling woman looks over her blue-tinted glasses at his. The *crunch-runch* of an insect being masticated floats out from her
"Excuse me, maam. But I am looking for a portal home."
The tiefling laughs, small bits of insect flying from her mouth
"Dearie! This 'ere's a Portal KEY store! We don't get out darks on where yez can find a portal!"
The small rabbit seems the shrink
"The Ink Spot isn't far," Tollard offers. "You'll get a drink for your trouble." He indicates the direction of the pub.
Myriana stepped up to Hazel as she frightened her new friend and said, "No need to be so rude meow, we didn't know. He just needs a portkey and this [i[is[/i] the place to get them, right meow?" She lay a hand on Hazel's shoulder to try and comfort him while she gave the tiefling woman a rather aggravated look.
"The Ink Spot isn't far," Tollard offers. "You'll get a drink for your trouble." He indicates the direction of the pub.
Four Finger nods
"That's fair tinker."
Myriana stepped up to Hazel as she frightened her new friend and said, "No need to be so rude meow, we didn't know. He just needs a portkey and this [i[is[/i] the place to get them, right meow?" She lay a hand on Hazel's shoulder to try and comfort him while she gave the tiefling woman a rather aggravated look.
The tiefling woman grins, showing a mouthful of crickets
"Now, now. don't get your tail all swishy. I can tell yez who could help, if yeh wish.."
The rat listens to Tsun, and then sensing his master's worry and determination, it considers the situation. It is not very smart for a person, but it is quite clever for a lowly rat.
It knew its purpose was to guide Congruence along a destined path laid out by the Creator. But it also knew that the end of that path did not matter if they did not serve their purpose every step of the way. Congruence exists to protect others, and the rat exists to nudge the modron into that service.
Right now, their friends could use protection, but Congruence is far away. The rat also knows that sneaking, which it excelled at being such a small thing, would not be enough.
It looks directly at Tsun and nods, and then squeaks a reassurance to Sara as it scurries off in search of others. The others had called out to it often before - sought it to become part of them. But always the rat resisted and avoided them. It is not here to join those others. It is here to guide Congruence. But now friends were in danger, and the rat had to do more and become more in order to help.
** spoiler omitted **...
Vector extends his psychic senses and senses a gathering of cranium rats close to the entry
Tsun stares at Sara for a moment, then shrugs in helplessness. There is no way to reach her without putting himself in the same situation.
Vector extends his psychic senses and senses a gathering of cranium rats close to the entry
Vector scurries off as fast as possible in the direction of the other cranium rats. It feels something... unusual. There are vague memories of obedience to the Creator being natural and self-evident. But now, the Creator feels so far away, and Vector does not know if this is the Creator's will or even... even if the Creator was correct in sending Vector here!
When it nears the cranium rats, it finds something else in its small mind. It hopes the Creator was correct. It... has faith in the Creator. Then Vector lets itself merge with the other cranium rats while focusing it's entire mind on forcing the goblins away from Sara... forcing the goblins away from Sara... forcing the -
Tollard leads onward toward the tavern with Alyse and Four Fingers in tow. He says little as he keeps his eyes open and alert for ambushers and cutpurses. Or as wide-eyed and alert as a mostly blind halfling could be.
The tiefling woman grins, showing a mouthful of crickets
"Now, now. don't get your tail all swishy. I can tell yez who could help, if yeh wish.."
As the tiefling mentioned not getting her tail all swishy Myriana caught herself and her lashing tail stopped as she had an embarrassed look cross her face. She took a deep breath and said, "Fine meow, where can we got my friend's portkey at?" She looked a little sheepish and began to groom the hair around one of her ears with one hand.
Sara manages to jump and grab the ladder. She sees Tsun up high looking worried
[i]Despiteher injuries, Sara Magyars to start climbing[/ooc]
As the tiefling mentioned not getting her tail all swishy Myriana caught herself and her lashing tail stopped as she had an embarrassed look cross her face. She took a deep breath and said, "Fine meow, where can we got my friend's portkey at?" She looked a little sheepish and began to groom the hair around one of her ears with one hand.The tiefling woman grins, showing a mouthful of crickets
"Now, now. don't get your tail all swishy. I can tell yez who could help, if yeh wish.."
The ancient tiefling woman smiles wider
"Yeh'll want to talk to Tarsheeva Longreach. She usually gets her bub at the Walkers Rest Inn over on Copperman's Way"
Tollard leads onward toward the tavern with Alyse and Four Fingers in tow. He says little as he keeps his eyes open and alert for ambushers and cutpurses. Or as wide-eyed and alert as a mostly blind halfling could be.
The Ink Spot is back on the main thoroughfare of the Marble District. It is the first floor of a six-story marble building, the upper levels looking to be rooms for rent. The clientele looks to be Xaositect and Bleaker mostly. A lot of them are busy scribbling on paper while drinking cheap ale.
Four Finger looks at the two and nods to a back booth
"I'll grab that. You grab me a pint of Clockwork Amber. None of that local home brew, mind."
Myriana listened as the tiefling woman spoke to her with a great deal of relief. "Thanks meow, now we just need to get there." Her tail swished side to side as she thought through how to get to the place and asked, "What does this Tarsheeva look like meow?"
Vector extends his psychic senses and senses a gathering of cranium rats close to the entry
Vector scurries off as fast as possible in the direction of the other cranium rats. It feels something... unusual. There are vague memories of obedience to the Creator being natural and self-evident. But now, the Creator feels so far away, and Vector does not know if this is the Creator's will or even... even if the Creator was correct in sending Vector here!
When it nears the cranium rats, it finds something else in its small mind. It hopes the Creator was correct. It... has faith in the Creator. Then Vector lets itself merge with the other cranium rats while focusing it's entire mind on forcing the goblins away from Sara... forcing the goblins away from Sara... forcing the -
As Sara struggles up the rungs, she hears a faint chitterling. A group of large rats come flooding out of the cave walls, and head towards her goblin persuers. The goblins spot the large rats and squeal loudly
"Gnarkash ak-Mothsta!"
Goblin
Tollard looks to Alyse. ”I can get this” he offers, with a meaningful looks suggesting Alyse stay with their guest. He wanders up to the bar and attempts to get the barkeep’s attention.
Tsun shouts down. "Climb, Sara! Climb! The rats are distracting them!"
Sara tries to go as fast up the latter as her bruised and broken body will allow, reaching up to Tsun.
The cranium rats distract the goblins, and Sara manages to reach Tsun's outstretched hand
With a last desperate push Sara grasps Tsun's hand.
"Please, please lets get out of here"
Its clear she's close to tears.
Alyse nods briefly and taps her finger to the side of her nose. “Oh, wait,” she says before he leaves for the bar. Reaching into her beltpouch she pulls out a few of the coins that Nye had given her. “This’s what the jink’s for I guess,” she says, pressing them into Tollard’s hand before turning and hurrying after Four Finger.”
With a last desperate push Sara grasps Tsun's hand.
"Please, please lets get out of here"Its clear she's close to tears.
The two meet Congruence at the tunnel mouth. The trio regain the town streets
Myriana listened as the tiefling woman spoke to her with a great deal of relief. "Thanks meow, now we just need to get there." Her tail swished side to side as she thought through how to get to the place and asked, "What does this Tarsheeva look like meow?"
The old tiefling snorts
"She's a human, blonde, and tall. Two meters. Wears plate and carries a fair decent sword"
Alyse nods briefly and taps her finger to the side of her nose. “Oh, wait,” she says before he leaves for the bar. Reaching into her beltpouch she pulls out a few of the coins that Nye had given her. “This’s what the jink’s for I guess,” she says, pressing them into Tollard’s hand before turning and hurrying after Four Finger.”
Four Finger sits and looks warily around
"Well, rattle yer bone box and lamb me yer chant"
The two meet Congruence at the tunnel mouth. The trio regain the town streetsWith a last desperate push Sara grasps Tsun's hand.
"Please, please lets get out of here"Its clear she's close to tears.
Congruence hurries over to them, sword drawn and in a panic.
"We sensed there was danger and fear down there. Only Friends Sara and Tsun, are you both well?"
Sara starts crying and holds on to Congruence.
"Con*Sniff*gruence. You're here *sniff*"
Not a lot more comes out of her, except more sobs.
Tollard nods to Alyse and makes his way to the bar. He attempts to get the attention of the barkeep to order three Clockwork Ambers.
The barkeep sets three bottles with a gear pattern label on the scarred counter
“Three Stingers, six Greens”
Tollard pays the man and heads back to the table where Four Fingers is sitting.