Hulester looks confused, then terrified as Riaen walks away nonplussed, but when Rinika finally explains the plan a look of realization, "Really? Will that work?" He stammers, "Uh.. ok. The church is on Arbor Rd, it was supposed to be demolished and the work crew disappeared. Then the Harmonioum sent their berks in and they disappeared. So the Athar cordon the area off, Rillern Postaff, one of their factors heads up the operation. But a bunch of Signers want in to the place for some barmy reason but the Athar are willing to fight to keep other out. That's all I know really."
Wilphesh's expression sours when Jek mentions he's a Signer, "Sorry I'm not here to talk about your leatherhead philosophy." With that she gets up and leaves.
"Oh right, I forgot the Fated don't share. It's fine, enjoy your bub." Nik replies with a shrug.
Hm, 'leatherhead philosophy' isn't wrong but it's a bit harsh...
Seeing Wilphesh walk off, Nik turns to his friend.
"That reminds me, Jek, it's like I keep saying: some Signer already thought up a multiverse where we're all dead. That invitation to become a dustie is still open..."
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Jek shouts after her "Who would have a philosophy about that?"
Turning to Nik "Thanks, but that's not one of my books." Jek pauses. "I should explain that. Let me see if I remember this right... A mentor once told me that 'Being a Signer is like having access to a library.' Don't worry, it's not that boring. It's one of those 'one thing means another' type stories. 'You don't have to like every book, and it doesn't matter what books other people like. You just search through the books to find the ones you like, and perhaps someday you may even write one. In the end, we care for all of the books so that others will care for ours.'" Jek looks at the ceiling. "I can't remember the rest... There's more about book banning, fires, and making them into reality... Anyway, I like the that story. I think I'm still browsing the shelves. Let's drink."
Rinika pops open her book as Hulester starts to spill and she furiously starts to scribble down notes with her bandaged hand, seemingly at odds with her otherwise placid expression.
"You're a doll, Hulester. Now, one more question, just for my own curiosity. How'd you get outed in the Athar?"
"I... paid for an augury from a priest of a power, uh.. Bastet I think, doesn't matter. One of their loyal members somehow saw me and reported it, everything fell apart after that. I don't know who but they're probably watching this place, me in particular."
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"Well put your wooing pants on and get those adventure stories ready, because we're gonna give these watchers a show." she leans back in her seat and grins for a second and says, "Nothing personal."
Then reaches over and bats her drink into his lap. Jumping up, she yells She motions down at herself, then reaches out and bats Hulester's drink off the table to join her own in his lap. Then she turns and storms off, angling to walk past Riaen while muttering "...stupid piking too young, age appropriate, that barmy little mephit..."
She'll slink off after causing the scene and make her way back to the group, holding up her notebook "Hey guys. I got the dark of it. Oh hey, whiskey!" She reaches out to take a quick swig and put the bottle down again.
"Libraries are not boring, but you're right about one thing. Let's get a drink." Nik replies just as Rinika returns.
Seeing her reach for the whiskey, Nik looks on curiously.
Vaascht attempts to stop Rinlka from stealing his whiskey by grabbing the bottle.
"This one is mine."
Rinika pouts. "You gonna drink it all?"
"Anyway, here's what's what. This church is on Arbor road, and it was supposed to get torn down but the work crew to do that went missing. So did the Harmonium goons that went in after 'em. Now the Athar are trying to keep everyone else out. Time to find out what the Signers know and why they're willing to fight the Athar to get in."
Akrynn grins.
Let's go Trick or Treating!
Vaascht looks at the bottle and his mug, "It's not in my nature to give things away for free."
He then listens to her report and smiles along with the druid, "a good lead."
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Jek tries to signal for ale. "Dead plants wrapped in dead creature skins with words of dead writers... it's almost another crypt for you. Next time we pass a gnomish library, stop in and quietly push your way between their tipsy shelves to page through their little tomes while avoiding scared librarians and stacks to be reshelved. After a while you're told to stay up front and wait while they find you a book. That, my friend, is boring."
Jek chuckles at the whiskey antics. "Vaascht, did that whiskey bottle pay your retainer fee or are you guarding it for free?"
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Hulester looks like he doesn't quite know what to do with himself as Rinika storms off. Many eyes watch Rinika as she stalks away including Riaen. Will Hulester win the heart of the fair Riaen? Will Riaen notice Hulester's existence? Tune in next time!
Rinika manages to swipe the whiskey away from Vaascht with ease.
She takes her swig, hands it over and then pouts at his response. She certainly tries to keep a lookout on Riaen and Hulester before they leave, to see the results of her incredibly finessed social engineering.
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Vaascht makes a mental note to deduct the cost of a swig of whiskey from Rinlka's payment for this task.
He also simply looks at Jek for a long moment after his question, then takes a pull from the bottle. "yes"
Nik tries to steer the conversation back towards business.
"Anyway, why don't we head on over to the church next and find out whats happening over there?"
"Are we planning to introduce ourselves to the Athar directly?"
"It seems we might, I doubt we can all sneak past. Let's go have a quiet look see and figure out what we need to do then. Maybe they will be lazy, or maybe they'll let us pass if we ask real nice."
"If worse comes to worse, we can pretend we're investigating in a more official capacity on behalf of... the faction of the guy we're trying to get past at the time."
hopefully the lines won't be close enough together that we'll need to whisper...
As you walk towards Arbor Rd you see a gaunt leathery-skinned man dressed in light but tattered hides and sporting a staff made of bones tied together with hardened leather strips. He yells at the party ”The end of Sigil is coming, and it will come from that church. A great war will issue forth from that spot, and every person in this great city will die because of it. Because the war, this world will become barren and waterless, magic will become twisted and corrupted and drain life from the land. The gods will abandon us and great dragon kings will rise up to terrorize and enslave those who survive.”
Akrynn smirks.
"From that church? How did you figure all of this out?"
Nik shrugs, not otherwise regarding the man's prediction of doom and gloom.
"Nice staff, mind if I take a closer look?" he asks.
The staff is an amalgam of bones from various creatures. It looks like it would break if swung too hard. He continues ranting, ”The church no one heeded until now! No one but Kank, I know because I traveled in time from the distant future and I’ve seen what our hands have wrought with my own eyes! A world terrible to behold, that I have lived in for so long, endless dry deserts, filled with nothing but suffering. I came back to warn you but it’s too late, the end of Sigil is nearing.” Perhaps because Jek acknowledged him the barmy Kank leans in close and says in a voice that’s still too loud for conversation, ”I know a way in, there is a hole big enough for a man to crawl through on the back of the building. But the agents of the soon to be Sorcerer-Kings guard it now.”
"Traveled in time? That sounds very important! Did you do that in the church somehow? How did it all work?"
"And is the hole big enough for Jek here?" Nik asks, pointing a thumb at the bariaur.
The druid grins.
Perhaps, I go scout this hole in the back? I do have some skill in that regard.
He begins yelling again completely ignoring Jek's question, "I said a man, this is no man!" He looks at Arkynn, "But you are a man! A man whose seen hardship. The floating picture people watch and listen. They know what lurks in the church but are afraid of what it will awaken. The doom of everyone!" He continues to rant and rave for as long as you engage him but nothing really useful is said.
Jek turns to Nik and whispers "Sod's clueless and just took his first portal. Sounds like something powerful is on the other side, so maybe that's what everyone's after in the church?"
Jek removes three rations from his backpack and offers them to Kank.
"Thanks for warning us. These are for you. Luckily, Sigil isn't on any world. It's a ring with more portals than residents. Lots of bashers end up here accidentally."
Arbor Road is a quiet street with little activity. The church sits near the corner, one wall partially demolished. Two guards are visible out front with a crossbowman on the roof across the street, and the interior of the temple itself looks dark. The lot next to the church on the right has been cleared of whatever once stood there. The building on the left, on the corner of the street, still stands - although it is likewise dark. A small yard surrounds the church, though there are no outbuildings or objects (like markers, statuary, or tombstones) that a body might find in other churchyards.
We should take care of that one across the street, before any further attempts at entry.
"Are you volunteering?"
Akrynn grins.
I am capable. If you and I sneak to him and take him out; the others could neutralize the doormen.
The druid begins looking for a flower cart....
Nik replies to Jek "Yeah, a barmy clueless. I believe it."
Nik nods knowingly as Jek mentions bashers accidentally ending up in Sigil...
"Really? Are we just going to start a fight?"
Nik turns to Vaascht, the mercenary who hired them, for confirmation.
Vaascht frowns, thinking (not his specialty) and nods to Nik.
"I was ordered to do this discreetly, if possible. Dropping bodies immediately does seem to work against this goal, especially if these Athar blame the Signers."
He looks around, do we posses mind control magics, or perhaps some type of ruse?" Further frowning, "or, and I hate to split the group, perhaps those with a penchant for stealth can sneak past the guards and have a look see? Perhaps if the rest of us offer a distraction."
Finally, sighing one last time.
"Or, we could just go ask to be let in. We, mostly, aren't Signers. Might work."
"Or, there may be entrance from that building from the left over there. Even our less sneaky members might find proper cover."
Happy to have someone less bloodthirsty join the discussion, Nik starts explaining his original plan a bit better.
"Well, I know that I am still a fan of the bluff-our-way-past plan. I think if we point out that Jek is a Signer and the rest of us are outsiders they'll have to believe us when we suggest we were sent by their superiors as part of negotiations to end the fighting. Signers wouldn't let us go without at least one Signer along, et cetera, et cetera. Heck, we can even point out that his lance is merciful as a sign of good faith."
"Sorry Nik, my superiors wouldn't want me lying about them without them knowing. It's a trust thing. Besides, these are the Athar. Unless you're a religious object, they're usually harmless. It looks like they've already been clearing the area. If they bought a church, they can guard it."
Jek thinks for a moment.
"Maybe we can talk to the guards when they're off shift? We do have an old wooden unholy symbol to offer."
"Negotiating, bluffing, sneaking, theyre cleaner than the alternative. Want to at least check out this hidden back route?"
Akrynn bows to his peers.
Would you like us to scout this back entrance prior to any actions?
Nik frowns and scratches his head at Jek's incessant honesty "Fine, let's see if we can't sneak in the back or trade ...or something. As long as we don't have to pick a fight with the one anti-religious-fanaticism group, it's good enough for me."
Nik looks around for obvious routes to the back of the church.
As the party circles around Nickle Street they notice three Athar guards patrolling the street. The lead doesn't wear armor. They keep an eye on the back of the church and on the party as you poke around. You do manage to see the hole Barmy Kank was talking about. Additionally in a building next to the church, the corner or Arbor and Greystone, a temporary barracks has been set up which easily houses 20 more guards. A cart holding cooked meals is being unloaded at the barracks.
Perhaps, we procure some of those cooked meals and deliver them. Who is a good liar?
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Jek takes interest in the cart. Is it labeled? Is there a delivery person? "I'm a bit jealous. Their guards get catering. Are you sure we're on the right side? Hot food runs are usually a local gig. The delivery person may know more. If we're lucky they might even want to hire out their deliveries."
"Subterfuge is a good idea. I... Do not possess a gift for gab. he grumbles.
"I'm not a well practiced liar, but maybe I can help?" Nik shrugs.