Poppo eyes Trusty a little wearily, but then drags out the coin requested. Okay, I hope this is worth it. He whispers under his breath as he keeps eyes on the information broker.
Dettlaff van der Vesper, a curious fellow and by all accounts a very powerful mage. Recognized by his strange swirling green eye, even I dont know what that's all about. Now here's the strangest part, powerful sorcerer right? You'd expect him to have some sort of tower like Xalbar or a mysterious keep. Neither a toy shop he pauses giving a genuine look You'll find him at his toy shop in the Undercity. Anything else you need?
And when you say toy shop, do you mean actual children's toys? Poppo asks with a bit of confusion at the strange revelation.
Precisely that, wooden horses, toy knights, and so on so forth. A bit of free information the Undercity is a cluster of buildings that fall and are rebuilt miles away. Your best bet is hiring a guide to get through there.
That's certainly interesting, now who do you recommend as a guide? Poppo hopes he does have to reach for his coin purse again.
Patches does look at Poppo's coin pouch but as his is already full from the previous info it gives the information for free Hire a Silent Blade! They are the mercenary guards of the Undercity.
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Nalia quickly switches the topic from intimidation back to observation and shows Turngut how she likes to lean back against the wall with one foot back on wall and her arms crossed. She wishes she had a had to lower over her eyes.
Ok, now we'll both watch, and then you let me know what you saw and we can compare who is more observant. Sound ok?
Thank you Trusty Patches. He hops up and heads to toward the door. Come on BobE.
Heading out the door he spies Nalia and Turngut killin' time. Come on, you to we need to run to the Undercity.
He then leads the group toward the undercity.
BobE why was it you needed to find this Dettlaff van der Vesper the Toymaker?
To get to the entrance to the Undercity one must first make their way through the slums of Ark. A place where the dirty and corrupt Undercity bleeds out into Ark. At the entrance you see a palisade wall built up and surrounding the massive wooden gate that sits partially opened. Walk on the rickety gang planks of the wall are what look to be mercenaries. Their sigil a hand holding a punching dagger facing upward is emblazoned upon their dark leather armor.
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why indeed. I do reckon it's odd. Awkward to talk 'bout. You remember the dove that has been helpin' us out? Elnil is what the mage called it. Well, it spoke to me and told me to find this guy detlaf to learn more about the dove. Hate you'll spending up your time like this, but if a diety tells you to do something... well anymore I at least listen and consider it a bit. If you all have something else to do I understand. But I would really appreciate someone else looking in. Make sure I dont get sold on an evil manipulator again.
Oh, okay. Poppo says nonchalantly as if nothing about it is out of the ordinary.
He calls up to one of the mercenaries, A friend said it would be wise to hire a Silent Blade as a guide in the Undercity. I assume you are one, could we hire your services?
He looks around at the others and gives his goofy grin, as if to make sure he's doing alright.
Before the Silent Blade you speak to answers a hobgoblin jumps down from the wooden wall right in front of you. Pale skin with a massive scar the runs from the back of his all the way down to his right eye. Dagroar the hobgoblin says Captain of the Silent Blades! Would be happy to guide you in the Undercity just depends on where you want to go?
Well met Dagroar, we are looking for the Toymaker, Deklaff. Poppo indicates.
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If we've learned anything in the last few weeks, it's that we wouldn't get far without our friends. I don't know anything about what we're doing or where we're going Bobie, but you know we're happy to help
Nalia goes along towards the Undercity, wary as she certainly sees that we're heading into a more sketchy area. We seem to attract bad things in even the best areas of town so she's especially cautious. (Didn't say but after the battle in the inn and before setting out I would have put on my armor and gotten fully prepared).
Don't know any Dettlaff but I know of a toy store in the Undercity. Will only take about twenty minutes to get there, so I'll only charge you a small fee of five gold. Assuming you pay the man you pass through the wooden gates of the palisade wall and then through the massive gates of the Undercity itself. Scoundrels, rogues, beggars, and other people of ill reputation and profession line the streets. As you walk down a large stairway that goes down nearly two hundred feet. The stairs open up upon a gigantic slum like city. Even bigger than Ark itself, stretching for miles within a gigantic cave.
Yeah Dagroar says [b]Ark was built on the ruins of an underground ancient Pyrean city. Thats what you see before you, though you'd be hard pressed to find any Pyrean architecture. The intricate designs of the Pyreans were replaced by a shanty town made by those that the city above would like to forget. Hold onto your purses while your down here, and keep your weapons close too.
You walk for around ten minutes through confusing winding streets but Dagroar is clearly experienced in making his way through the Undercity. As you continue on you here the brief scamper of feet on nearby roof tops follow by two shadows of massive rats scampering out of parallel alleyways.
Initiative Order Round 1
Undercity Bandits
Giant Dire Rats
Dagroar
Poppo
Nalia
Turngut
BobE
Upon 10ft tall shanty houses Undercity thugs begin to fire bows at you. The blue fires at BobE and misses, the red fires at Turngut and hits , the orange fires at Dagroar and misses, the yellow fires at Poppo and hits and the Cyan bandit misses Nalia. Two massive rats scamper out of the two alley ways in front of you and bite at your guide but only manages to hit Dagroar
Everyone can go!
OW!! Turngut yelps as the arrow sinks into his flesh. No shoot at Turngut! The wounded orc yells as he drops his longspear and holds one hand up in a defensive posture.
Then, with a look at the rat as though the creature had hurt his feelings, Turngut steps forward and kicks at it.
Arcane energy crackles into his boarding axe. Poppo runs straight passed Beatrip and attempts to tumble behind the RoUS, he then takes a swing.
The massive rat lunges at Turngut as he tries to strike the dire creature causing him to dodge back missing his attack. The ethereal ghost forms out of thin air and tries to strike out against the rat but the same lunge from the rat causes Beatrip to miss her attack. With a somersault followed by a back flip to avoid a claw attack from the rat Poppo flanks around the creature and gets into a flank. The halfling has become quite skilled with his favored boarding and drives it right into the lower back of the gigantic rodent. Nalia despite being in such an unholy and horrible place still feels the light of Malphas as she conjures a holy barrier to protect her. She then strikes out against the injured rat, her magical blade sparkling as she connects. However the rat still moves and lets out a high pitched squeal clearly in pain and angry.
Initiative Order Round 2
Undercity Bandits
Giant Dire Rats (Blue: 31 Damage)
Dagroar (9 Damage)
Poppo (2 Damage)
Nalia
Turngut (4 Damage)
BobE
They've got a bloody necromancer with them! the bandit by BobE's bloody skeleton calls out. The bandit drops his longbow, retrieves a wooden club from his belt and strikes the skeleton but the man of dripping red bones does not fall. Three of the archers begin to fire at the sneaky and athletic halfling but they are clearly not that skilled with a bow as only of them is able to land a shot on Poppo . The yellow bandit fires at Nalia hoping to get her while she's distracted with the rats but the magical shield surrounding Nalia deflects the arrow.
Even despite Nalia's protective armor and magic barrier the red rat is still able to bite into her shoulder ripping into the well defined muscles of the warrior maiden The other rat limps around in pain seeing that its now surrounded it makes a desperate attack at Poppo hoping to get out of the kill box but the beast is unable to bite into the nimble halfling.
Dagroar fights with two gladius' fighting in a much similar way to that of your friend Jespar. His first blow with his main hand stabs into the open mouth of the rat and through the top of the giant rodents head killing it. His second attack narrowly hits the second rat and isn't nearly effective as the first .
Everyone can go!
Assuming there's nothing for him to climb, Turngut will attempt to climb up the wall of the nearest shanty to get to the Blue and Red bandits.
Ahh! Poppo shouts out as the arrow hit him. Yet he stays focused, he circles behind the other rat and gives it a smack.
Turngut tries to scramble up the building but only makes it up there on the second try. Poppo again chops into the unwounded rat, it squeals in pain as the axe chops into one of it hind legs. BobE feels the magical energy flow throughout his entire body and a golden energy flows into his allies. However both Beatrip and BobE's skeleton are unable to hit their targets. Nalia quickly heals herself for a little bit more sealing up the massive gash from the rats bite. Using her powerful longsword she also is able to slash away at the remaining rat, but it does not go down.
Initiative Order Round 3
Undercity Bandits
Giant Dire Rats (Blue: Dead, Red: 20 Damage)
Dagroar
Poppo
Nalia
Turngut
BobE
All apart from the yellow bandit see the tide of battle turning and run for their lives. As the blue disengages from the fight the skeleton will get an attack of opportunity on the bandit. The rat desperately tries to find back against the onslaught but cant land a bite attack on anyone. Dagroar slashes at the rat twice with his duel gladius'
Everyone can go!
Coward! Turngut calls out to the fleeing bandit. Then, looking down and seeing the group still struggling with the rat, he leaps off of the building, doing a double somersault, lands in a heroic 3 point stance, and then takes a swing at the rat.
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beatrip will 5 foot step and attack the rat
Attack the rat; attack the rat! RAT ATTAACK
skele:
then will move to rat and attack
BobE cuts his hand with a piece of chain and point to the yellow bandit, a chain burst from the roof and strikes at him.
barbed chain
Combat done, will post when I get home
Seeing the rat drop in front of him, Poppo slings some acid at the yellow bandit.
As the acid hits it's target, Poppo yells Splat!
The rat crumples under the strikes of Turngut and Beatrip. However despite BobE's chain attack and Poppo's acid the final bandit scampers away.
People down here will keep anything as a pet nowadays. Dagroar kicks the carcass of the giant rat They didn't stand much of a chance against you lot though. Lets continue on! You continue on for about ten more minutes before Dagroar stops and points at a simple shack. It has no distinguishing features or signs, its just a ramshackle slummy building. That's the toy shop you spoke of, afraid I have seldom seen toys actually come out of there though.
Thanks Dagroar! Wonder if you might hang around outside and wait on us. Not sure I could find my way back out of the Undercity. Okay BobE your show here, lead the way, we got your back! Poppo bounces excitedly.
Good fighting Dag-Roar. Turngut grins as he clasps the man's arm. No toys in toy store? What come out? What else is at a toy store?
I'm happy to wait around for a little while, but don't really want to be out in the open. I'll wait in that alley over there. Dagroar motions to a nearby backstreet.
BobE approaches the shop and knocks on the door, to his surprise the door slowly opens from the force of the knock. Inside a dust covered wood working shop that looks like it hasn't been touched in years. Several wooden toys are on shelves lining the room a wooden chess set, wooden soldiers, but most notably is a music box in the very center of the room. It is open and plays a mesmerizing yet eerie song. The sorrowful tune echoes amidst the untouched building.
No response
Poppo quite enjoys the music, for some reason it seems familiar, like some far off childhood memory. As it seems to be the focal point of the room his curiosity gets the best of him. He gets a closer look.
then he casts Detect Magic
After that he'll cast open/close on the box to close it.
It does detect as magic specifically Conjuration magic. It does not appear to be trapped. When you cast open/close to close the box it closes and the music stops.
Poppo casts open/close again to open the box again.
Conjuration magic! He tells the others as he moves over to the music box.
Weapons up!
After everyone is ready he closes the box again, this time with his hand.
You watch as Poppo closes the music box with his hand and suddenly vanishes!
Poppo you feel a sinking feeling in your stomach and feel as if you are suddenly pulled from your body! Then you suddenly reappear in a strange otherworldly place. Around you are lakes of a green liquid but you stand on a platform. The platform is also strange like its a gigantic books that has been shut. And the same goes for the hallway in front of you the walls and floor seem to be made entirely of massive books of various size and color. Past the hallway you can see a broader area that appears to be similar to a library. Several shadows either sit or walk through the library but you can't quite make them out from this distance.
I'm assuming you all do the same thing.
You feel a sinking feeling in your stomach and feel as if you are suddenly pulled from your body! Then you suddenly reappear in a strange otherworldly place. Around you are lakes of a green liquid but you stand on a platform. The platform is also strange like its a gigantic books that has been shut. And the same goes for the hallway in front of you the walls and floor seem to be made entirely of massive books of various size and color. Past the hallway you can see a broader area that appears to be similar to a library. Several shadows either sit or walk through the library but you can't quite make them out from this distance.
Poppo doesn't wait for the others, he immediately walks toward the library, as BobE suddenly appears behind him, he barely notices. He is clearly intrigued.
Poppo walks closer toward the library followed closely behind by the rest of the group and what you see is mesmerizing. Hundreds of thousands of books, scrolls, and papers on shelves or scattered upon tables. On occasion you will see a book quickly hover and fly to a specific place on one of the thousands of book shelves. A spiral staircase leads upward to a set of double doors.
But one of the other things you quickly notice are the peculiar creatures that read the tomes dispersed throughout the gigantic room. Humanoid bodies give way for an octopus like head, four tentacles surround a lamprey like mouth. Their skin ranges anywhere from white to dark purple with pale pupiless eyes. They pay you no mind as you enter instead preferring to read and consume any information they have in front of them.
The sound of pages turning and books being placed on shelves is interrupted by the tap of fingers on the book-made staircase. Looking down at you is a pale man wearing a black leather long coat, a butterfly brooch pinned to one of the collars. The man looks to be middle aged but is still rather handsome. However you are distracted from the mans appearance by one thing, his left eye. A swirling orb of green that does not look at you like his other eye. The green eye glances around in a sporadic way looking at a book for a brief second before glancing at something different. The eye sees something different but you aren't even sure what it may see. His other eye however looks down at you and lands specifically on BobE. The black haired gentleman gets a serious and stern look on his face and motions for you to ascend the staircase.
At the sight of the pale man, Turngut quickly steps in front of Poppo and BobE, giving the man a stern and guarding look. When no threats are made and the man motions the party upstairs, Turngut will allow BobE to pass, but holds Poppo's shoulder to keep him behind. He then follows BobE closely, keeping an eye out for any danger.
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Thinking to herself.....why are we in this odd room with creepy music....why is everyone touching that box and disappearing....why am I doing this as well.....What the heck is this weird world we've zapped to?....who are these octopus people.....who is this guy.....I doubt I'll get any answers to my questions.....
I'll take up the rear.
Dettlaff doesn't respond initially, leading you through the double doors at the top of the stairs. He ushers you all into a smaller room but still similar in regards to the books the only difference is the perfectly circular table in the center of the room. BobE son of Harry I foresaw your coming this day. He sits silent for a moment his swirling green eye landing on BobE for a brief second before re scanning the room Initially I thought you may be an enemy but the god you speak of Elnil is no enemy to Pamat. As such I shall tell you what Elnil wishes you to know such is my job as champion of the god of knowledge. Let me start from the beginning.
He motions his hands and casts some sort of incantation over the large round table Many have never heard of how everything began I intend to show you. A sudden spark of blue suddenly explodes in the middle of the table and breaks away to galaxies, hundreds of thousands of little specs, stars. But one star shines brighter than the rest and suddenly the illusion pulls inward toward the bright star. When the universe was created their was an anomaly there, a strange star that glowed brighter than the rest. A strange star that gave birth to the first life, the gods.
Now the gods you know of are the Lightborn Eroned, Tyr, Esara, Irlanda, Eliath, the twins Morala and Saldrin, and Malphas Dettlaff's eye glances at Nalia. But what most don't know is during the Conjunction of Planes more god then the Lightborn were created. While the Lightborn watched over Vyn and its continents, other planes of existence were also created and with them other gods. The place you stand now is the realm of Apocrpha watched over by the god of knowledge Pamat.
Elnil is one of those planar gods. Dettlaff states Originally Elnil and Carsis were one a neutral protector of those that became undead through nefarious magics. Carsis however had pre disposition to evil acts and banished Elnil from the Abyss. For a while Carsis was the sole god of undead and ruled over them with an ironclad talon. Elnil lingered in the stars for many years upset at the beliefs of his sister. No one followed her and as such she all but disappeared for close to a thousand years. Until one a simple mortal woman pledged her life to the unknown god, Elnil and created a tapestry. She would guide undead to the dark tapestry to not only help them become free of Carsis clutches but to prove her devotion to the White Phoenix, Elnil. Years past and the woman had freed hundreds of undead, it was then that Elnil reappeared and declared that he would no longer sit idly by as Carsis created a horde of evil undead. She would teach the undead good, show others that even as an undead you can still be a hero.
Dettlaff pauses again and this time looks at Beatrip The one who created the Tapestry walks with you. Though she can neither remember her deed nor her god. Most of the gods speak to me I am the messenger of sorts to those chosen by the planar gods. And Elnil told me that you are to bring Beatrice Daughter of Elnil to the Dark Tapestry when you get the chance.