"You are a generous blood, Hazmek." Tsun takes the proffered drink and seats himself slowly. He had a habit of sitting gingerly in new chairs. "Brother Meytal asked me to come and talk with you. The Indeps are offering free labor and materials for construction, correct. That's very charitable of you. Thank you. What did you have in mind?"
[dice=Sense Motive]1d20+6
Hazmek smiles
"We gots some Berks what need a bit of practice. St Cuthbert's is a chance for them to get their skills. You lot get some repairs. "
He seems truthful. But he seems kind of shifty
Myriana's stomach growled once more, louder than before, and she called out, "I'm going for breakfast Anni! Find me there meow!" With that the lovely catgirl ran off heading back upstairs to the dinning area.
Annie was busy talking to Click-Click as Myri was checking things out.
Sooo, you have any errands for me today? she asks casually, hoping that she will be sent someplace interesting.
as Myri headed off, Ok, I'll see you there, sorry for pulling you away from your breakfast.
"At least your making the best of it. As rude as this may sound I don't know what I would do if I was burdened with such powers from some unknowable force." Orla turns and gives Tollard a sympathetic smile.
"Well if you don't have anything to do until tonight might I suggest we find something before they stick back in those kitchens peeling Pharasma knows what."
Sara helps Congruence try the gloves on. It takes a few tries. Gloves, as clothing goes, have a fairly high learning curve. Especially if you've never worn clothes in your life.
Once Congruence has them on, Sara encourages him to try them out if they are to his liking.
"How do they fit? Not too snug? Not too loose?""The ongoing sensation across my hands is rather unusual." Congruence wiggles the fingers, then opens and closes fists. "Digit extension, grip, and flexibility are within normal range. Thank you for your assistance, the gloves fit satisfactorily."
After paying the bariaur, Congruence prepares to depart without another word to the merchant. Unless spoken to, the modron considers this task complete and no further interaction is necessary. Congruence has much to learn about manners still.
The merchant quotes Congruence a stinger and a green for the gloves. Once paid he wishes them both a good day and turns to an elderly dwarf woman rummaging his scarf collection.
The two continue on with the handcart towards the Merman Building.
The Great Bazaar is a sea of stalls and pushcarts surrounded by brick and mortar stores and trading houses. Among the stalls are a few isolated islands of brick and mortar shops, such as the small grouping that huddles around the immense green cylinder of Tivuum's Antiquities. Another surrounds the Merman Building.
The Merman is another tall cylindrical building, but blue colored rather than green. It gets its name from the frescos drawn along its curving walls of life in a merman city. Fish, Sharks, merman, sea elves, sahuagin, octopi, and many other aquatic features are picked out in once-bold paints. Around its large entry are another dozen smaller buildings, most dedicated to restaurants or aquatic traveling gear.
The two trundle up to the entrance and head inside. Within the vast open floor plan of the building is a circular set of tiered trays lined with ice holding all manner of fish. Employees run about helping customers and restocking the displays. The scene is very busy, with hundreds of shoppers out for fresh haddock or crab legs.
Reedalvan can't help but notice the Aasimar woman who comes into the common room of the Lightning Guild. Another plane-touched, he thinks. 'course, we're legion here in the Cage.
His curiosity is piqued when she goes to speak with Frenjik. I wonder what that's about? he thinks to himself. Another part of him thinks back. Careful; you know what they say about curiosity and the cat. In response, he thinks to himself, Actually, I'm not sure exactly what that saying is....
He tries to sidle over closer to Frenjik so that he might evesdrop on the conversation, without being obvious that that is what he's doing.
Trying to walk around without being obvious that he's trying to get closer for purposes of evesdropping.
Annie was busy talking to Click-Click as Myri was checking things out.
Sooo, you have any errands for me today? she asks casually, hoping that she will be sent someplace interesting.
as Myri headed off, Ok, I'll see you there, sorry for pulling you away from your breakfast.
The Kobold looks down at a piece of paper on his workbench
"Yes , yes! I have letter from a friend who has some things for me. Would you pick them up for me? I cannot get away. I'll give you a Stinger if you go"
The Kobold produces a silver coin from his pouch
"At least your making the best of it. As rude as this may sound I don't know what I would do if I was burdened with such powers from some unknowable force." Orla turns and gives Tollard a sympathetic smile.
"Well if you don't have anything to do until tonight might I suggest we find something before they stick back in those kitchens peeling Pharasma knows what."
"Well well, a pair of young cutters in need of a chore!" A hearty voice booms out
The two turn to see Brother Fostaff standing nearby. For a portly monk he moves quite silently
"Perhaps you two could travel to the Ironspike Brewery. They have a barrel of the porter ready for us, and I need someone to go get it for me"
Reedalvan can't help but notice the Aasimar woman who comes into the common room of the Lightning Guild. Another plane-touched, he thinks. 'course, we're legion here in the Cage.
His curiosity is piqued when she goes to speak with Frenjik. I wonder what that's about? he thinks to himself. Another part of him thinks back. Careful; you know what they say about curiosity and the cat. In response, he thinks to himself, Actually, I'm not sure exactly what that saying is....
He tries to sidle over closer to Frenjik so that he might evesdrop on the conversation, without being obvious that that is what he's doing.
** spoiler omitted **
Reedalvan gets close enough to overhear the conversation
..."M'lady, I try not to take commissions to the Hive. Most of my couriers are young. "
"Oh dear! Is the Hive really that bad?"
"You've never been?"
"Celestia, no! Why would I?"
"But you have an acquaintance there "
"Well, yes. A former employee "
"It'll cost yeh. 15 ladies. Payment up front "
"Well, if I must"
The lady brings forth a gleaming silver-white coin
"Can you give me change for a Hammer?"
Myriana's stomach growled once more, louder than before, and she called out, "I'm going for breakfast Anni! Find me there meow!" With that the lovely catgirl ran off heading back upstairs to the dinning area.
Myriana sees the seat open next to the strange boy they call Zadkiel. He gestures for her to sit
Hazmek smiles
"We gots some Berks what need a bit of practice. St Cuthbert's is a chance for them to get their skills. You lot get some repairs. "
He seems truthful. But he seems kind of shifty
"There's plenty of tenements in the Hive that can be repaired, if you're just looking for practice. What makes you set your eyes on St. Cuthbert's?"
Sara is a bit intimidated by the crowds. The bazaar is always busy, but that is outside, with plenty of ways to escape.
Not that she is inside a building, it makes her a bit uneasy.
Scooting a bit closer to Congruence, she takes out the scroll.
"Do you see anyone who looks in charge? Its so busy in here I cant make sense of it."
"There's plenty of tenements in the Hive that can be repaired, if you're just looking for practice. What makes you set your eyes on St. Cuthbert's?"Hazmek smiles
"We gots some Berks what need a bit of practice. St Cuthbert's is a chance for them to get their skills. You lot get some repairs. "
He seems truthful. But he seems kind of shifty
Hazmek laughs
"The Hive! I want me droogs to get a bit of experience, not get a second smile! We're Indeps, we do work on Indep buildings. Let the Bleakers or the Xaos boys fix their own tenements "
He looks up at Tsun, his cheery, if disturbing, smile fading
"A suspicious cutter might think yeh don't like Indep help. But that's not the case is it? We are all boon droogs in the fight for faction?"
Cant:
- Droog=very slangy term for mate/friend
- Second smile=Throat cut
- Bleakers/Xaos boys (Xaositects)=The two main factions that live in the Hive
”Can you try to look scary? Without hurting them?”
Calita nods once, "I can certainly try," she whispers before following Alyse into the alley, angling herself so that the dark red section of her face is more prominently displayed for the young Kobolds to see. As the Kobolds turn towards Alyse's voice, a wicked looking, glowing vermillion short blade appears in her left hand, as if from nowhere.
..."M'lady, I try not to take commissions to the Hive. Most of my couriers are young. ""Oh dear! Is the Hive really that bad?"
"You've never been?"
"Celestia, no! Why would I?"
"But you have an acquaintance there "
"Well, yes. A former employee "
"It'll cost yeh. 15 ladies. Payment up front "
"Well, if I must"
The lady brings forth a gleaming silver-white coin
"Can you give me change for a Hammer?"
The Hive.... Reedalvan, being a bit overconfident, thinks to himself, It's bad there, yeah. Or, so I've heard. The Hive Ward isn't so bad, if you watch yourself, no need to end up in the dead book there. I could do it... though it'd be better if I had some other bashers with me.
"Do you see anyone who looks in charge? Its so busy in here I cant make sense of it."
Congruence scans the crowd and attempts to analyze patterns of movement and interactions to determine the hierarchies involved.
"Could someone direct us to the merchant in charge? We need to gather a donation for St. Cuthbert's."
"Could someone direct us to the merchant in charge? We need to gather a donation for St. Cuthbert's."
[dice=Diplomacy]1d20 + 6
A skinny boy with bluish skin and gill flaps on his neck pauses and goggles a bit at Congruence
"Ah, which merchant house ... Um... Ser? We have six operating on this floor. Do yeh have a company name?"
”Can you try to look scary? Without hurting them?”Calita nods once, "I can certainly try," she whispers before following Alyse into the alley, angling herself so that the dark red section of her face is more prominently displayed for the young Kobolds to see. As the Kobolds turn towards Alyse's voice, a wicked looking, glowing vermillion short blade appears in her left hand, as if from nowhere.
[dice=Intimidate Check]1d20 + 1
Alyse and Calita advance menacingly at the crowd of young kobolds. They look up, hissing in surprise. Seeing Alyse's naked blade and Calita's vermillion one they suddenly run off hissing into the nearby alleyways. All that is left is the curled up figure of their victim, unmoving on the cobbles
Myriana bounced impatiently in line as she got her food and by the time she was finished her plate was piled high with sausage, bacon, and pancakes with syrup. She snagged a glass of milk and made her way to where she saw an open space by Zadkiel. She plopped down and said, "Hi meow! I'm Myriana. I don't think we've met before have we?"
Zadkiel smiled at his new dining companion, gem like eyes gleaming and nearly perfect white teeth sparkling, "I don't believe we have, I'm sure I'd remember you. I'm Zadkiel, new to the Cage and newer still to St Cuthbert's." He extended his hand.
"Could someone direct us to the merchant in charge? We need to gather a donation for St. Cuthbert's."
[dice=Diplomacy]1d20 + 6
A skinny boy with bluish skin and gill flaps on his neck pauses and goggles a bit at Congruence
"Ah, which merchant house ... Um... Ser? We have six operating on this floor. Do yeh have a company name?"
Sara gets the scroll out and points at the florid signature and a large wax signet seal with a stylized "E" in its center.
"Its been donated by the Planar Trading Consortium. Supposed to go to St. Cuthberts. We're here to pick it up."
Annie was busy talking to Click-Click as Myri was checking things out.
Sooo, you have any errands for me today? she asks casually, hoping that she will be sent someplace interesting.
as Myri headed off, Ok, I'll see you there, sorry for pulling you away from your breakfast.
The Kobold looks down at a piece of paper on his workbench
"Yes , yes! I have letter from a friend who has some things for me. Would you pick them up for me? I cannot get away. I'll give you a Stinger if you go"
The Kobold produces a silver coin from his pouch
Annie's eyes light up as she grabs the coin and the note. I'm on it! right after breakfast.
She then heads up to the dining area, grabbing a simple breakfast and finding her cat friend, Myria
Hey, I got a mission today, you wanna come with me? suddenly noticing a new person, hey, I'm Annabelle, many call me Annie. she greets the new face, Zadkiel.
Myriana took Zadkiel's hand, "I'm Myriana, nice to meat you. I wasn't born here but I grew up in St. Cuthbert's." She released his hand and began to dig in. "So, do you remember anything about where you came from? What was it like?" She looked over as Annie sat and said through a mouthful of food, "'shure Ahnie!"
Alyse and Calita advance menacingly at the crowd of young kobolds. They look up, hissing in surprise. Seeing Alyse's naked blade and Calita's vermillion one they suddenly run off hissing into the nearby alleyways. All that is left is the curled up figure of their victim, unmoving on the cobbles”Can you try to look scary? Without hurting them?”Calita nods once, "I can certainly try," she whispers before following Alyse into the alley, angling herself so that the dark red section of her face is more prominently displayed for the young Kobolds to see. As the Kobolds turn towards Alyse's voice, a wicked looking, glowing vermillion short blade appears in her left hand, as if from nowhere.
[dice=Intimidate Check]1d20 + 1
Alyse glances in surprise at the blade that Calita appears to have produced from nowhere, but saves the questions for a more opportune moment. Instead, she quickly sheaths her own sword, then steps towards the young kobolds' victim. Crouching down beside the huddled figure she asks, "Are you alright?"
Tollard is somewhat grateful for the interruption. The subject of his divine power is never a particularly comfortable one.
"I have the time, if Orla does too," Tollard responds with a smile for both the dwarf and Brother Fostaff. "Is the cask in the name of the Lodge, or one of the Brothers?" he asks. "And are they expecting coin on delivery?"
Tollard is somewhat grateful for the interruption. The subject of his divine power is never a particularly comfortable one.
"I have the time, if Orla does too," Tollard responds with a smile for both the dwarf and Brother Fostaff. "Is the cask in the name of the Lodge, or one of the Brothers?" he asks. "And are they expecting coin on delivery?"
Brother Fostaff grins.
"the cask is under the name of St Cuthbert's. The brewery is in the Lower Ward, hard by Alehouse Row. Now, someone's taken the good handcart, but I have the dolly out back. Secure the keg with some twine and that will work fine. It's price is all settled, all that needs now is fetching it"
Zadkiel's gaze drifted to Annie, "Zadkiel, nice to meet you." He finished shaking hands with Myriana and extended hand to Annie.
At Myriana's questions his smile twitched, just slightly, "I don't remember much before the Cage I'm afraid, just that the people back home were very judgmental." He smiled once more.
"What's this about work, anything I can help with?"
Watching the Kobolds scamper off she drops her weapon, not bothering to look at it as it dissipates before it nears the ground, and moves towards the young victim.
Hearing Alyse speak to the young Kobold in another tongue, she stands by, a friendly smile on her face, but also keeping her eyes peeled for the possible return of the others.
"Could someone direct us to the merchant in charge? We need to gather a donation for St. Cuthbert's."
[dice=Diplomacy]1d20 + 6
A skinny boy with bluish skin and gill flaps on his neck pauses and goggles a bit at Congruence
"Ah, which merchant house ... Um... Ser? We have six operating on this floor. Do yeh have a company name?"
Sara gets the scroll out and points at the florid signature and a large wax signet seal with a stylized "E" in its center.
"Its been donated by the Planar Trading Consortium. Supposed to go to St. Cuthberts. We're here to pick it up."
The young man squints at the paper.
"Ah! You want Aqualon! They're over there "
He jabs a thumb at a section of the market to their right
"Are you alright?"
The small figure groans. It is a Kobold, right enough, but an odd-looking one. It (he?) has an overall silver scale color with golden brindle markings along his arms, legs, and ribs. A pair of small leathery bat wings colored a sky blue emerge from his back
"Uuugh. Than..n..k you" The small Kobold groans in Common
"Are you alright?"The small figure groans. It is a Kobold, right enough, but an odd-looking one. It (he?) has an overall silver scale color with golden brindle markings along his arms, legs, and ribs. A pair of small leathery bat wings colored a sky blue emerge from his back
"Uuugh. Than..n..k you" The small Kobold groans in Common
They called him ‘half-breed’, Alyse thinks, but half what? Dragon, demon? Not that it really matters …
“It’s alright,” the girl shrugs. “It was my, uh, companion here,” she gestures to Calita, “who heard you and decided to help. Why were those berks hurting you?” She offers a hand to help the kobold to his feet as she stands again herself.
The Kobold gets to his feet gingerly. He is bleeding from a few minor cuts, but other than that he seems to be mostly bruised
"I am not sure why. My mother had sent me out to get some food. They appeared and began to taunt me. One threw a rock. I tried to run away but they cornered me and began beating me. I don't think they had any particular reason for beating me other than I am Dragon Touched "
Orla steps back in surprise of the monk's sudden appearance. "Uh yes I'm free to do so." The female dwarf takes a moment to gather her composure.
"Is there anything else needed while we are in the area?" Orla is a little worried that she and Tollard will be able to maneuver the heavy cask.
Orla steps back in surprise of the monk's sudden appearance. "Uh yes I'm free to do so." The female dwarf takes a moment to gather her composure.
"Is there anything else needed while we are in the area?" Orla is a little worried that she and Tollard will be able to maneuver the heavy cask.
Brother Fostaff chuckles
"No no, the barrel will be quite enough! If you make it back Johnny-quick there'll be some fresh apple pie for the two of you!"
"I am not one to turn away a helping hand... But the Lodge is my responsibility. I am it's steward. If we can agree that no work will be done without my on-site supervision, I think we can make it happen."
"I am not one to turn away a helping hand... But the Lodge is my responsibility. I am it's steward. If we can agree that no work will be done without my on-site supervision, I think we can make it happen."
Hazmek smiles his disconcerting smile again
"Everything is Mr. Tinker! You can supervise all yeh like, we have no grief with that. Any tips you can give the poor Clueless berks would be a help as well. Yeh look trig enough. I'll be in charge of my droogs though. They work for me. Yeh have a problem, yeh come and speak to me."
Cant
- Mr. Tinker=Good/cool/squared away
- clueless=green/noob
- berk=fool/idiot
- trig=smooth/competent
- droog=pal/mate
Myriana continued to eat as she replied to Zadkiel, "That's alright, I don't know anything about where I come from either. I got brought here as a newborn kit and never knew my home or parents." Her tone became lower and sad as she finished by saying, "Maybe I'm lucky not knowing them but I still wish I did meow." She gave a full body shake causing her chest to jiggle a fair bit and continued eating.
"Right then, best not delay," Tollard says to Orla and Brother Fostaff. He heads around to locate the dolly they are to use to transport the porter.
Calita's smile and nod of her head in greeting becomes a scrunched up look of thought. "Is that something that happens all the time here? Where I am from, a Kobold like you would be elevated amongst his peers."
Alyse shrugs. Kids can be cruel, as she knows too well, and any point of difference is fodder for being picked on. She could offer some motivational words such as 'be proud of who you are', but that's not something she's really learnt for herself yet. Instead she says, "Perhaps next time, don't run away. Sometimes if you face up to bullies, fight back or look like you're willing to, they'll either back down or respect you for it." She shrugs again. "And sometimes that won't work, and you'll take a beating anyway, but at least you saved yourself a run. Anyway ... did you get the food your mother sent you for? Can you find your way back to her from here?"
"Right then, best not delay," Tollard says to Orla and Brother Fostaff. He heads around to locate the dolly they are to use to transport the porter.
St. Cuthbert's has a small walled yard in the rear. There are a few benches, and a small truck garden with some weedy vegetables that never prosper in the source less sunshine of Sigil. A shed sits against the wall, containing bits of miscellaneous junk and various tools. Tollard finds the dolly within. It is a simple wooden contraption, with large wooden spiked wheels and a broad flat base to support whatever is carried with it.
Tollard and Orla wrestle it out of the bric a brac surrounding it, and trundle it out into the mazy stall paths of the Great Bazaar.
The Great Bazaar is crowded, as always. The two manage to clear a path, but the traveling is hard through the narrow spaces. A trio of gnolls, dressed in red leathers and carrying wicked bows shoulder them aside, cackling amongst themselves in their laugh-laden language.
Gnoll:
They manage to traverse the bazaar without incident and enter Copperman's Way. The wide boulevard is thronged, but they make good time, reaching Plague Court within an hour of leaving St. Cuthbert's.
They head through the Lady's Ward, careful to stay on Razorvine on Hiddleton street. The crowd is laden with Harmonium Movers, their red spiky armor identifying them even through the thick Cager fog. They pass through the Court District, then through the Temple District. The thousands of temples awe Orla as they traverse the chanting and praying crowds. She sees several familiarly-styled temples, including an immense bank/temple of Abadar.
As the last pitiful shack-temples of the poorest gods pass to their backs, the two enter Swordhold, and the Lower Ward. Mercenaries of all stripes roam the streets: From the most Clueless cannon fodder with padded doublet and bronze gladius to lean hard scarred men that move like tigers and are kitted out with weapons that look to be fashioned of crystal, Mercury, or sunshine. They pass a strange building bearing the sign Society of the Luminaferous Aether.
They soon reach Alehouse Row. Despite the pre-peak hour, the wide lane is packed with frolickers. Taverns, inns, bawdy houses, hookah parlours, dance halls, saloons, and any other type of establishment dedicated to intoxication and revelry line the road.
Just off the main drag , the Ironspike Brewery sits, a cheery brick building belching smoke from several chimneys. Sweating laborers wrestle barrels onto flatbed wagons parked at loading doors cut into the brick. A main entrance sits to the side of these.
Sare rolls the scroll back up. "Thanks cutter. We'll get out of yer way now."
Sara leads congruence to the right side of the large room.
Pfew, that went worse then I tought... I was gonna say hair, but out of his way will have to do. Glad I didnt say gills...
Still not sure where to go exaclty Sara holds up the parchment again.
"Any here from Aqualon? We're here to pick up a donation to St. Cuthbert?"
"That will work. When were you looking to start?"
Myriana continued to eat as she replied to Zadkiel, "That's alright, I don't know anything about where I come from either. I got brought here as a newborn kit and never knew my home or parents." Her tone became lower and sad as she finished by saying, "Maybe I'm lucky not knowing them but I still wish I did meow." She gave a full body shake causing her chest to jiggle a fair bit and continued eating.
Zadkiel smiled, he clearly appreciated her words and her display. "There's no reason not to try to find out, knowing where we come from is important, something many take for granted"
Annie greets Zadkiel her tiny had nearly engulfed by his much larger hand.
I remember a little of my home, I was raised by dwarves in the foundry section of my home. until I accidentally burned down a whole city block. I was the only survivor and ended up in an orphanage after that.
Oh, I almost forgot, you wanna come on my mission to? asking Zadkiel
Annie greets Zadkiel her tiny had nearly engulfed by his much larger hand.
I remember a little of my home, I was raised by dwarves in the foundry section of my home. until I accidentally burned down a whole city block. I was the only survivor and ended up in an orphanage after that.
Oh, I almost forgot, you wanna come on my mission to? asking Zadkiel
Zadkiel smiled, "I'd be happy to accompany you."
Tollard slips through the crowded streets with familiar ease. In the tonier neighborhoods, he keeps a low profile and avoids getting in the way of more powerful citizens. When they reach the Lower Ward he walks with purpose but avoids drawing attention.
He strides right up the door of the Alehouse and raps upon the frame.
"That will work. When were you looking to start?"
Hazmek grins wider
"Next Peak if that's Mr Tinker with you?"