Justin will need to figure out who he can call on to assist him. One does not simply walk into Avalas.
Mel is busy chatting with Ramona, Memnon zipping about and trying to intrude on the conversation. Justin figures the battle-hardened cleric would be a good start. Then who? He’s unsure of how his Silver Rose team mates would react to a dangerous Hellride* through to a very rough plane, the afterlife of a majority of goblins and orcs who do the Valhalla thing with their own special twist.
Planar Cant: Hellride: A particularly difficult and/or complicated multi-portal pathway to a destination that can be more dangerous than the destination itself.
Justin looks at the note yet again. Looks at the back of it to make certain, then reads the front yet once more.
"Yeah. I'm gonna need to find a way BACK,...." He mutters.
Renkar's mouth twitches
"Getting back shouldn't be a problem. You would need a Portal Stone"
Renkar explains
"Many serious wizards grappled with the need to have a way to return to a specific spot. Plane shift is too random, other magics do not allow planar shift. The very nature of the planes is such that it is very difficult to figure distances with any accuracy. So, a group of magi worked with artificers to create a way to return to a spot just once. It is a very costly item, but it will be programmed to return you to a specific designation in Sigil ... once. It's basically a one-way, one-use portal."
He steeples his fingers
"I can ask around, but you would likely need about 10,000 Ladies to procure one"
He looks solemn
"Or you could research portals in Avalas that lead to Sigil. Not as costly, but you would likely need to travel some dangerous spots to get to one"
"THAT, is brilliant. A bit more than I was hoping,... but brilliant." Justin replies as he mentally adds 'learning how to make a Portal Stone' to The List.
"Still, not a bad price, for being able to avoid having to traipse across ginormous metal cubes covered with with inhospitable landscapes, unknown numbers of hostile evil dead warriors, and imminent collisions with OTHER ginormous metal cubes covered in the same. All while being pursued by the un-people that we just robbed of a 'snack'."
Justin looks at Renkar with a grin. "Yeah. That 10,000 Ladies is sounding better and better!"
"Guess I'm asking if you wouldn't mind? To ask around I mean. But just in case I don't find 10,000 Ladies under my pillow tonight, I'll start researching return portals from Avalas. Maybe I'll get lucky, and we can catch a direct portal BACK to Sigil."
Justin looks thoughtful, (The same look he usually gets before he says something either very very smart, or,... you know,... not.)
"Hrm. We know the Morgue has a lot of portals. I wonder if there's one back from the same cube as we're headed?" He shrugs. "Just a thought."
Justin spends some time at the library, asking O.L.L.I. for assistance in researching return portals from Avalas. (He does his best to narrow it down, but he's not even certain which cube the cavern he's heading to is on,...)
Later that same day, he meet sup with the Rose members who have gathered for a meal at the Copper Cauldron. When they are done eating, (ALl but Karrin), and are just talking, Justin clears his throat nervously.
"Hey, all. I, Uh, I need to ask you all something,..." He starts, clearly a trifle nervous. Or embarrassed.
Memnon instantly turns from whatever patron he was leering at and perks up. "Ohhhh! THIS is gonna be good! I love a good grovel!" The crystal skull plops onto the table, eyes glowing with anticipation. But he's facing away from Justin, and staring at Karrin and Merle.
"Um. Memnon?" Justin says, eyeing the women cautiously.
"What?! I want to see their reactions!"
Justin tosses a napkin over the purple skull and continues over the muffled protests.
"Look. A friend of mine is in trouble. First friend I made when I landed in this oversized carnival ring. She works for the hardheads, and was investigating a new Vamp gang in Deadtown. The 'Scarlet Circle'. Bad rep, dealing street drugs that give humanoids super-powers, And they've already killed some Harmonium. They're bad enough that even the Dustmen aren't dealing with them now. From what I can find, they found her out, captured her, and are holding her in a secret hideout they have. On another Plane."
"I made a deal, and I have information on the hideout. Including how to get there. And I have a plan."
Justin pauses, bites his lip, and bobs his head from side to side.
"Okay. I have MOST of a plan." he admits.
"IF it all goes well, Or even halfway decent, It should be a simple 'Sneak N Grab'. Get in, Get my friend, and get out. With a little luck they won't even know I was there until after I'm long gone."
"What I don't have is an escort for the journey there. A couple of the Planes are,... not easy to travel. And, to be honest, I'm pretty certain I don't have enough firepower if things go south. I don't expect you to, but I was wondering, if any of you were interested in, maybe, helping me out?"
"This isn't a Rose assignment. Renkar's not footing the bill." Justin adds hastily. "I have a couple of other friends who may be able to lend a hand, but, basically, your the best group for this kind of thing that I know. And I know you all can handle yourself. And I trust you. And, your my friends too."
Justin looks around the table, and gives a big, toothy nervous grin. After another moment or three he clears his throat nervously.
"Sooooo,... Anyone up for, what did Renkar call it? A 'Hellride'?"
"Eh, not a fan of vampires, but what are you gonna do if one gets all up in your "grill" as the kids on the streets are saying these days? I mean I'm not a vampire hunter or anything but I'm pretty sure I could straighten a few out if they tried anything, but I will admit I'm not the best at sneaking and those blood suckers supposedly have real good senses, so I'm not sure how much use I'd be in a stealth operation."
"Eh, not a fan of vampires, but what are you gonna do if one gets all up in your "grill" as the kids on the streets are saying these days? I mean I'm not a vampire hunter or anything but I'm pretty sure I could straighten a few out if they tried anything, but I will admit I'm not the best at sneaking and those blood suckers supposedly have real good senses, so I'm not sure how much use I'd be in a stealth operation."
Alessia, uncharacteristically, speaks up.
"Perhaps my skills can be of use. I can be very quiet. And these vampires may have certain... information."
"Uh-huh..." Looks about ready to tell him where to go but Seph gives her 'the look' "Gaaggh fine I'll help."
Justin shakes his head at Karrin, but he's smiling.
"I'm going to try VERY hard not to let any vamps SEE my 'grill'. Much less give them a chance to 'get up in it'? But, if push comes to shove. I'm not leaving without my friend. And you've all seen how hard I can 'shove' back if needed. But yeah, that's why I'm asking for the help."
"I'm as egotistical as the next arch-wizard in training. But I know my limits. And I'm fairly certain that a secret hideout full of vamps and and minions on magical super-drugs is, just possibly, a teensy bit past my limit."
Justin holds up his thumb and finger, very close together.
"Just a little". He smirks.
Justin nods as Alessia and Merle speak up. He winks at Seph.
"I appreciate this. Really. I'm not sure how I can ever repay you."
Justin shrugs, managing to hide a smile at Merle and Seph's glaring contest.
"But I'm sure you'll find a way!"
The group heads out to the Snail Outfitters shop in the Great Bazaar. The peak is foggy, but that doesn’t stop the pedestrians from crowding in the huge market. Vendors cry their wares to the crowd:
“Baatorian rock crabs!”
“Faux Silverware! Genuine aluminum! Never burn your guests hands accidentally again!”
“Bytopean fabrics! Original gnomish patterns!”
They travel on until they see a sign in the shape of a giant snail with a backpack on its shell
Justin shakes his head as he hears the hawkers cries, and realizes that none of them actually surprise him anymore.
It's amazing what one gets used to. Isaac was right. All he needed was time. And a goal or two didn't hurt either.
Justin smiles at the sign picturing the snail with a backpack.
"I just realized. I must have passed this place a hundred times. But I've never had a reason to actually shop here before."
Justin opens the door, and gallantly waves for the others to precede him.
Inside the shop is roomy, and it has a wide set of stairs leading to an upper landing. A high ceiling features an enormous snail shell dangling from it that seems to be made of some sort of gleaming metal. Several young cutters seem to be shoppersons, and a Young thin male tiefling with small forehead horns and a bronze skin color approaches.
“Welcome to Snail Outfitters! Can I help you?”
Justin smiles back at the thin tiefling.
"I hope so! I've got a little plane-hopping to do. Sort of a wager/race/beat the clock thing. I've got the directions. What I'm short on are a couple pieces of survival gear. For one section of the race, we have to trek across a portion of the Plane of Ice. I don't think my usual 'endure elements' charm is gonna do the trick. Got anything in stock that might help me out with that? "
The salesbeing smiles
“Of course! The plane of Ice is no laughing matter! We have rings of warmth, boots of icy travel, warmstones, and this item”
He gestures to a large tent that seems to be fashioned out of white fur. It is set up on a small dias with glowing blue poles
“Leopoldo’s Tent of Comfort. Guaranteed to keep up to eight beings of a normal size in comfort no matter the chill outside!”
Justin admires the craftsmanship, as only someone who dreams of making such items himself one day can do.
He asks the usual questions, will the boots make traveling on the ice faster? Or just safer? IS a ring of warmth warm enough for the Plane of Ice? Is the tent self-setting and storing?
Meanwhile, his mind is going,...'HOW am I gonna PAY for this?!?'
Justin nods as Alessia and Merle speak up. He winks at Seph.
"I appreciate this. Really. I'm not sure how I can ever repay you."
Justin shrugs, managing to hide a smile at Merle and Seph's glaring contest.
"But I'm sure you'll find a way!"
"Yes," Alessia replies in her usual stilted speech, "I am sure I will find some appropriate form of payment."
As Justin asks his questions of the shopkeeper, Alessia turns toward Merle, an almost imperceptible veil of confusion crossing her expressionless features.
"Why does he ask so many questions? Does the cold cause that much discomfort? I cannot remember..."
As Justin asks his questions of the shopkeeper, Alessia turns toward Merle, an almost imperceptible veil of confusion crossing her expressionless features.
"Why does he ask so many questions? Does the cold cause that much discomfort? I cannot remember..."
"It can cause a fair bit but a lot of it is just Justin being Justin." Looks like she is about to say something else but turns to look at Seph
"No I am not giving you an excuse to hit me."
The salesman smiles
"Rings of the Warmth basically help you endure elements Boots of the Winterlands do the same, but also help you navigate. The tent self folds and sets up magically, and weighs only 10 pounds once compressed "
Justin nods. "THAT is a nice feature. Especially as I, at least, am not used to setting up camping gear in a hostile environment." He smiles.
"So, what kind of a deal can we make on a group purchase of the rings or boots? If your manufacturer needs additional references, I can guarantee several honest and forthright appraisals of their functionality." Justin assumes his 'serious but nice' face, in preparation for actual bargaining.
The salesman and Justin begin dickering
"Heh, humans, can't handle a little cold. Tieflings can run around barefoot in a blizzard, walk across hot sands, and never get a shock from static electricity!"
"Hey! If I could create a magic item that protected one from static electricity, I could make a FORTUNE!" Justin shrugs.
"Sadly, THAT particular protection spell still eludes me." He sighs.
"Heh, humans, can't handle a little cold. Tieflings can run around barefoot in a blizzard, walk across hot sands, and never get a shock from static electricity!"
Alessia shrugs.
"I am human, and I do not feel anything. Maybe the other one is defective," she says with no sarcasm whatsoever.
The deals are made, the items purchased, and the party leaves Snail Outfitters and heads back along Copperman’s Way towards the Lady’s Ward. They travel along that wide street, delving expertly through the packed throng. They enter Plague Court, and travel down Razorvine on Huddleston, passing quickly through the Nobles District.
The Temple District looms up, and Justin sees the Temple of Iomedae ahead. It looks quiet, and he leads his party inside. He sees Martin working with several other clericy-looking folk. Mel looks about nodding in professional approval
“Tight little kip this power has”
Justin looks around, as if seeing the place for the first time again.
"Yeah. I guess they do. Hadn't actually thought of it before." Justin admits. He waves 'Hi' at Martin when the big guy looks his way, and chats with his friends til the holy warrior is free to talk to him.
"I think you'll like Martin. He's good people. Even Memnon thinks so." Justin tells the others when it looks like Martin is free and heading their way.
"He's good people. Even Memnon thinks so."
"And this is supposed to reassure us how...?"
Alessia seems ill at ease around the temple, keeping one hand on the hilt of her sword.
Martin walks over, the burly man dressed in a set of clerical-looking garb. A large great sword hangs over his broad back. He smiles at Justin
“Back from your journey I see? To what do I
Owe the pleasure of your visit?”
He looks over the group, introducing himself
“Greetings gentlebeings. I am Martin Hardisson, Martial Deacon of Iomedae.”
The large friendly mans smile fades somewhat when his eyes rest upon Alessia
“Greetings.”
"He's good people. Even Memnon thinks so.""And this is supposed to reassure us how...?"
Alessia seems ill at ease around the temple, keeping one hand on the hilt of her sword.
Justin starts to retort,... realizes that he doesn't actually have an argument for that observation, and simply nods instead.
Martin walks over, the burly man dressed in a set of clerical-looking garb. A large great sword hangs over his broad back. He smiles at Justin
“Back from your journey I see? To what do I
Owe the pleasure of your visit?”He looks over the group, introducing himself
“Greetings gentlebeings. I am Martin Hardisson, Martial Deacon of Iomedae.”
The large friendly mans smile fades somewhat when his eyes rest upon Alessia
“Greetings.”
"Hey Martin. What? A guy can't JUST stop by to see an old friend without having an ulterior motive or a pressing need?" Justin grins.
Noting both Martin's fading smile and Alessia's nervous grip on her sword, Justin raises his empty hands.
"Easy folks. We're all friends here. Gang, like he said, this is Martin, Don't let the trappings of his job fool you, he's one of the genuinely nicest beings I have ever met. Martin, these are a few of my friends and co-workers from the Silver Rose. Like most of us, they didn't all come to Sigil by choice. Although Sigil is a considerable step UP from where some of them were stuck when we met."
Justin introduces everyone individually, and only Slightly wary when introducing Martin to Alessia, but once he gets the impression that neither are going to outright draw down right then and there, he hastily continues.
"Well, Martin, I hate to be THAT guy,... But I do actually have an ulterior motive. AND a pressing need." Justin admits with a sheepish grin.
Justin's eyes flicker back and forth, making sure no one is too close or interested in their conversation. He gives Martin his usual sly smile, looking around obviously to indicate he's being cautious with what he says.
"Remember that talk we had earlier? About Murph getting mixed up with the wrong crowd? Well I found out where they hang their hats. And we're just planning a little visit. To make sure she's OK. I was kinda hoping you might want to come along too? See how she's doing?" Justin smiles.
Martin frowns
“That is indeed bad news. I shall of course come with you. I also know someone who might be of service. Let me send a runner and I shall gather my gear”
Martin writes a note and gives it to a teenage acolyte who runs off. Martin excuses himself for a time, but returns kitted out for adventure with armor and backpack. The runner returns with a middle-aged man. The man sports a large crossbow upon his back and looks fairly tough. He claps forearms with Martin, and Martin turns to the group.
“Friends, this is Avrahim Nas Finjaani. He is an Inquisitor of a sister deity of Iomedae, named Sarenrae. He is a vampire hunter”
The man, Avrahim, nods gravely
“I am happy to make your acquaintance “
His accent is rich and musical, pointing to Planar Common as a second tongue. He is lean and whip thin, with skin the color of Kaveh with little cream. A pair of golden-irises eyes stare out from above an aquiline nose. He wears no facial hair, and his hair is hidden beneath a battered traveling hat
A voice calls out from the temple door
"Excuse me, but I was told that I could meet a Justin Case here?"
The party turns and sees a woman striding towards them with a languorous walk. She has pin straight raven-hued hair set in a braid that sways down her back to below her waist. Several gleaming jewel-encrusted hair pins adorn her tresses. A literal crown is perched upon her smooth milk-white brow, a coronet really, one smooth band of silvery mithril set with a darkly gleaming stone. Her violet-black eyes are pupiled like a cats. She is dressed in a form-fitting travelling outfit of purest black, inset with silver embroidery in swirls of geometric shapes. A slim rapier sits astride her hip.
The woman looks at the assembled group.
"I am Sarastra, Princess Royal of the Shadow Court. An old friend of mine, Renkar ShaHagmid told me that you were travelling to Avalas. As it so happens I have business there, and I would offer myself as a travelling companion. It is always safer to travel in groups I find."
Martin frowns at the newcomer
"Justin, do you know this Renkar?"
As Martin looks the newcomer over another voice rings out
"Dad! I came to see if you need ..."
The voice trails off and the party sees a young woman just past adolescence, dressed in a skirt and tunic of grey cotton. She wears a thick Cager Cloak, but it is embroidered to resemble silver eagle wings. A beret sits atop her blonde hair, with a eagle-shaped pin affixed.
Martin smiles
"Marya, you remember my friend Justin Case? I am glad you stopped by. I am going to need you to tell your mother I have been called to duty. I shall be back presently."
The girl looks confused for a second, but nods
"OK Dad. I'll let Mom know. Do you need me here today?"
Martin shakes his head
"No little Mars, you are free to go, but be home for supper. You know how your mother worries"
The girl gives a timeless teenage eyeroll and nods
"I will, Dad. Take care of yourself"
The young woman turns and walks off back into the fogs of the Temple District
"Nice to meet you all," Karrin says, "I'm Karrin Kind, I hope, for Justin's sake, that anything he's said about me has been good. Because I am good, also kind, and if I hear he's said anything different I'll give him such a smack! Oh, I'm also forgiving, not a vindictive bone in my body, isn't that right Justin?"
"Pleasure to meet you Avrahim. Any friend of Martin's is a,..."
And he is interrupted by the arrival of Sarastra.
Martin frowns at the newcomer
"Justin, do you know this Renkar?"
Justin laughs out loud, relief evident in his voice.
"As a matter of fact I do. Only I usually call him 'Boss'. And I think this means that he doesn't want to have to go looking for any new employees anytime soon." Justin smiles at the lady and touches the brim if his hat, (at least that what his magic hat looks like at the moment)
"Pleasure to meet you Sarastra. And I agree with you, Groups are far safer when traveling the Planes. Especially if one is headed to Avalas." He smiles.
Justin seems surprised by 'Mars' when she arrives, chats with her dad, and then walks off.
'Um, THAT was 'Mars'?!? When did she get so,... tall?" Justin politely asks his friend, watching the girl he thought was still a lil tomboy of 8 or 10 walking off into the fogs of the Temple district with a teenage swagger.
"Nice to meet you all," Karrin says, "I'm Karrin Kind, I hope, for Justin's sake, that anything he's said about me has been good. Because I am good, also kind, and if I hear he's said anything different I'll give him such a smack! Oh, I'm also forgiving, not a vindictive bone in my body, isn't that right Justin?"
"Absolutelycorrect!" Justin replies without hesitation.
Martin looks to Justin.
“So, perhaps you could explain exactly what the mission is?”
"Right!" Justin clears his throat with a little cough.
"In a perfect Multiverse, this is a simple snatch-and-grab rescue operation. With even a little luck we get in, get out, and they won't even know we were there until we're already gone. In THAT reality, the hardest part will be getting there."
Justin explains his path and keys, and that they may have to take a little jog across the elemental plane of Ice, and a dash across a cube of Averness.
"Worse case scenario, someone raises an alarm. And then we still need to find Murphy, get her and get out. But then we'll be facing an angry group of powerful Vamps, and their magic-drug empowered cronies, trying to prevent us from doing that. Which will sort of put us on a short timer." The wizard admits wryly.
"So, if anyone wants to back out, now is probably the best time. Oh, and if anyone is holding a special 'Get-out-of-danger-and-back-to-Sigil-(or any safe Plane)-Free' card, you might want to share with the rest of the class. Because the one thing I haven't arranged, yet, is an emergency exit."
"Why am I not suprised the getting out part would be the bit he stumbles on?" Merle mumbling to Seph in feline
Martin frowns
"I am not sure that going without a pathway home is very tactical. Though, if these creatures are based in Sigil you could assume they have a way back. But we would be just assuming that. Do you know of any nearby portals on Avalas?"
Justin rubs the bridge of his nose. And Sighs.
"I know. I know! And no, I do not, yet, know of a nearby portal on Avalas. BUT I AM working on that. I also have a lead on an item,... Renkar said he may know of a guy who might have a direct-to-Sigil- return portkey-somethingorother. Or at least can find where I can pick one up. Problem is they aint cheap. And my coinpurse is not exactly bulging with coins. None of my notes say any of the portals to get there are one-way only, so we have a way back. But if we get spotted, a direct out is always better than a running retreat."
"I actually considered asking the folks over at the Mortuary. It's Probably the best-known 'secret' in Sigil that the Mortuary has the greatest number of portals in one building in the Ring. But if I can't afford a magical doo-dad, I probably can't afford to 'convince' the nice folk to let me use one of their 'secret' portals either." Justin says wryly.
Just before setting out on this shopping expedition, a courier had brought a letter for Justin. Being the Preoccupied, busy and forgetful wizard he is, he had stashed it in his pocket. It had had a very precise script on it, that he recognized as that of his Modron librarian friend O.L.L.I. This talk of Avalas and portals reminded him he had sent an inquiry to him to see what he could ascertain about portals from Avalas to Sigil from the Citadel of Ruin
Justin sighs, shoving his hands in his pockets as he muses his unarguably poor-rescue-planning skills. He finds something paper in his pocket. (The one he usually keeps empty for his hands) and pulls it out.
Upon seeing the tight, precise script on the envelope, Justin barely manages not to facepalm. (He's had a lot of practice at restraint lately.)
"Gonna make addled-old-codger-wizard early at THIS rate,..." Justin mutters. He smirks self-deprecatingly as he opens the wax seal on the envelope.
Inside, in the flawless hand of his Modron friend is the following missive:
Friend and fellow adventuring unit designated Justin Case:
Greetings. This unit received your request and spent 6 hours, 31 minutes and 22 seconds researching the particulars within the library. The following is a summation of the unit’s discoveries.
The Citadel of Ruin is a large fortress located within a rust cave on Avalas known as Gormoth-Moktor. The Citadel of Ruin is an ancient stronghold that frequently changes owners. The last reported owner was a Petitioner goblin warlord known as Thrag. This information is at least 500 cycles old, so is not reliable. Gormoth-Moktor is a depository of many ruined items, what is known as a ‘junkyard’. The junkyard surrounds the Citadel of Ruin, and poses a difficult terrain to traverse. There are several paths to the surface of the cube, and one known as the Verdigris Seam is known to have a portal to Sigil somewhere along its passage. The portal reportedly is a star-shaped depression in the wall, and requires a drop of oil to activate. It only goes in one direction - from Avalas to Sigil, ending up somewhere in the Great Foundry District.
The fee for this research is 367 GP, 4 SP, and 2 CP. As this unit has had prior beneficial dealings with you, the fee will be interest free for a period of one cycle. Afterwards a late fee of 10% will compound per cycle unpaid.
This unit hopes that the information provided proves helpful
Assistant Librarian and Harmonium Notary 3 unit designated O.L.L.I
Justin smiles, thinking the note is the nicest that anyone has ever told him that he owes them money. And he earned it!
Folding under the bottom of the page, (no need to share his money woes with his friend), he shows Martin the note.
"Good news! Found a shortcut back to Sigil, nearby to our vacation destination. And it seems our particular destination has been turned into a junkyard. So bad news, it won't be fun traveling across, but GOOD news, much less likely to be hordes of crazed, dead berzerker-warriors to 'negotiate' with!" Justin smiles.
Martin frowns at the paper
“It’s a slender hope to hang our lives on, but we must have faith “
He straightens and looks at Justin
“Lead on. “
Justin nods at his larger, beefier friend with a half-smile.
"We prepped for the Plane of Ice with some magic boots, is everyone else set for extreme Planar travel?" Justin asks the rest.
Justin nods at them all, looks at Martin once more, mouths 'Thank you', and reclaims his various papers.
"Let's go!" The wizard says cheerfully, as if they were setting out for an inter-Planar picnic instead of a dangerous rescue mission.