Somi seems to be a middle aged, male human of medium build with brown-tan skin, calm, insightful amber eyes and a reserved air. He opened enough during concert to let drop he was a wizard, however.
Still, about mid afternoon on the third... Eruendo's seedling activates to give a report... "I can sense one expedition's return through the area I have some influence in and I think the other will soon follow. This first expeditions is still two days out from Gamjee town proper. However, dangerous things, monstrosities akin to the Grootslang, lurk in this area. I may need to transport you here to protect the group if they're attacked - they are our information source after all. I shall let you know... (assuming you share the report of books...) Certainly strange the Cucurai would trade such things on a regular basis. Perhaps they scoop them up from various dimensions, perhaps the jungle conceals a vast library in the area where things get too strange for me, perhaps they dream them. Certainly worth investigating who's buying and especially what they're buying...
Terexaltherin, of course, perks up at the mention of books. Maybe I could talk to him! Though... I guess that would kind of blow my cover...
The 'ferret' thinks for a bit. Maybe a different disguise? I could be... hmm... a talking cat? Well, a telepathic cat, I guess... go and see what kinds of books he sells, I mean, try to get him into a conversation about his supplies and suppliers.
At noon: A bit of inquiry directs Rollo to a Mr. Haral, who offers private gourmet dinners to those willing to pay his high prices. The comment that many of Haral's regular diners are with the expeditions and so he has seats available. Gamjee may look shabby, indeed it tries to look shabby but wealth and luxury are there below the surface.
Rollo certainly enjoys his repast at Haral's. The Sage reads any books that can be collected in town concerning the Cucurai while eating.
Palamedes responded to the report by saying, "::Talking to Somi could be worth it, but let's pay the House of Xox and Johan Giligesh Company a visit. Would be interesting find out what they're openly selling, maybe make a small purchase or two to establish a rapport. The familiarity gained would help later if we chose to scry on them, or perhaps ask after something more particular. Or maybe we could offer to sell something...::"
It was more risky visiting a shop catering to the magically inclined while disguised by simple magics, but Palamedes wasn't planning to do anything that might cause offence. Also he'd be far from the first practitioner to be cagy about his identity.
First up was the House of Xox. Palamedes politely tried to gain entrance and was prepared to spend some coin if that smoothed the way.
Once he got talking to the shopkeep he told them, "I'm thinking of joining one of the expeditions, do you have anything for sale that might be useful? Perhaps a curative wand? Naturally I'm hoping to turn a little profit and would be happy to sell you anything I find, is there anything in particular I should look out for? Books or things of that nature?"
Rollo happily joins Azzim in his shopping expedition.
::"Arr but I am not using a disguised Azzim. I could just pop in to see Somi's and mind hack. Get at all that loving information you want. Talking of which."::
She followed him to the shop keep
Stand close and mind-hack them.
At two in the afternoon, Palamedes, Rollo return to the main drag of Gamjee town and notice Somi, the wizard who attended the previous night's festivities, walking toward a tiny storefront on the edge of downtown area. Gift attempts to leap into Somi's mind but find her way blocked (she's not sure if he has some sort of protection or if his mind simply strong). The group then continues to the storefront, which has markings indicating the House Of Xox on it. Knocking, they are let in by a young apprentice, who ushers them into a waiting room and offers them find tea while giving the common ritual banter used by magical merchants, asking vague questions concerning their experience and accepting vague answers, when the subject of book arises, he says "Indeed we deal in these, let me hunt some prospectuses up" and leaves the group but then a few minutes later Somi himself appears and "Ah, good evening gentle folk, I am Somi, an official representative of Xox, if a small one. And I recognize at least one fine and beautiful performer newly arrived to the town and I'm sure two concerning friends, interested in the products of the House. I can't give any secrets but we should talk... He says while half an hour later, through Palamedes' bluff and flattery, he's describing thing that might well be seen as (mild) secrets (Rollo committing a minor etiquette breach at one point). "Xox holds the right to first examination and purchases of certain items of both the Blue Star and Red Circle expeditions. These items books, wands and smaller item. The other house may look at other things first. Smaller expeditions also come to us sometime. What is found is quite unpredictable but sometimes very valuable or instructive. The gold for payment is managed separately since security is crucial. This has been an important source for the House..." and "Yes, some expeditions have failed and some have brought back little. That is the risk. and "What we don't know is what the expeditions trade to these Cucurai. That is a closely guarded secret. Perhaps this good comes from that black ship in the harbor, perhaps that ship is a decoy. We at Xox don't pry past a certain point. Our reputation requires it.
Rollo does indeed invite Somi and the others to dine..
::"Well I tried to stealth hack of his mind but no go, if I push any harder he will know and that blows our cover. So it's the old school time, talk to him,."::
So, Gift, Rollo, Palamedes and Somi arrive at Haral's private table and are greeted by a quiet, nondescript half-elf who ushers the group a flight of stairs to a small but well appointed dining area where a couple other are enjoying themselves. The event is more like a private club than a restaurant proper. Haral is dwarf of wide experience and quiet, friendly manner who chats with each group in turn, describing exotic fare he delivered on a weekly basis as well as the planes from which it is taken. The tables are positioned so discussion is private but guests can see each other and interact in the central area when spirits and condiments are kept.
After a bit of discussion, Somi says "You mentioned looking for supplies for your own expedition. Unfortunately, House Xox is only here to purchase the results of expeditions. However, I myself, as a private individual, might be interested in joining an expedition. Xox would have no objections as I am magically sworn to maintain it's secrets and me gaining some knowledge could help the House. Everyone is curious about the Cucurai and the major factions here keep their secrets. And I could provide some resources of my own - though none of Xox"
Meanwhile, Gift notices her (unnamed) friend/groupie at another table with two men, one dressed in black leather like herself and one apparently a minor faction representative, with a sign like an amber, sideways "S".
Toric spends the day finding a major pathway through the town, and sets up a cup or bowl and begins playing on the streets for money.
::"Well it seems my new lover is here as well, the table with two men, one dressed in black leather, and one apparently by the looks of him seems to be a minor faction representative. He has an amber, sideways "S" on his clothing. So no idea which faction. And that 'S' could be half of an infinity sign. I think I shall go say hello."::
She walks over to her lover, And slips her arm around her waist.
"How nice to see you here, do you want to introduce me to your competitions?"
She has a slight smile as she greets them
Seeing how much of the group is going with Rollo, Terexaltherin decides instead to spend some time in miniature dragon form (sufficiently distinct from his true form in details) and meet some of the other miniature dragons in the area. He doesn't plumb for information this time around, mostly just getting to know them... though he is of course noting who might be useful to get to know better in the future.
He does insist on learning what kinds of books are available from the rest of the party after they meet back up.
In the evening he spends more time with <Shimmer>, trying to figure out the possible connection between the strange demiplanes <Shimmer> had detected and the dreams they'd had a couple nights ago.
During the third day: Toric generates an even larger following, building excitement for tomorrow night as well as further well-wishers...
At Haral's Table, evening of the third day: Moving through the dimly lit, luxuriously appoint dinner club, Gift approaches the table with "Morgana" and two men (half-elf in black leather and assimar in robe with symbol) "How nice to see you here, do you want to introduce me to your companions?" "Morgana" smiles a diplomatic smile and whispers to Gift, ::"Here, I am 'Moon'" while says to her companions "Why naturally, I am so happy Gift has chosen to appear. This is Leandro The Dreamer and my partner Helio" (Leandro has the symbol and Helio seems to be "Morgana" business partner). Further greetings are exchanged and then "Moon" says "This is quite confidential but I believe I can trust you, Gift. Leandro has been having wonderful luck lately penetrating the riddle of the dreams and believes they may be ready for an expedition. We deal in certain goods that the Cucurai value and so may Leandro that way. They may interested also in companions for the expedition, of course. Might you be interested my friend?" Looking at Gift with expectation. Helio looks on with a friendly neutrality and Leandro look expectant and perhaps slightly nervous.
Around the docks the third day:Terex meets Praxidolous and several other pseudodragons around the docks. Prax is sharp eyed, cynical and laughs at the human behind their backs though also clearly takes his job for the House of Xox seriously and is apparently a skilled magic user of some sort. The other pseudo dragons tend to be free-agents or familiars with time off.
Exploring with <Shimmer>, Terex can see that the interplanar network indeed begins with a dream plane. The entire complex is something of a maze but for what? Testing? Communication? Something else?
Gift/Sapphire looks/but dose does not look with her 360 vision at the two as they talk studying them. She did not use telepathy keeping that to herself for now
"How nice to meet you both, Leandro and Helio, and a Dreamer, I take you will lead us into the 'dreaming' Morgana did say she does expeditions and that did interest me. I think I would be interested, it sounds Dangerous and challenging, but before I commit. It would be nice to know just what an expedition entails. Before I commit."
Toric spends the day finding a major pathway through the town, and sets up a cup or bowl and begins playing on the streets for money.
[dice=Perform (wind)]1d20 + 38
During the third day: Toric generates an even larger following, building excitement for tomorrow night as well as further well-wishers...
'Well well well...' mused Azzim at the reaction, 'A fast thinker that one!'
Azzim was taken with the idea of somebody being called The Dreamer and unable to contain his curiosity he sent over the link "::Leandro The Dreamer, that's an interesting sobriquet. Could you maybe ask, how he earned such a name?::"
At Haral's Table, evening of the third day, Rollo orders everything on the menu. The dhampir sips various bottles of offered wine and toast their host on many occasions.
::"O I shall Azzim but Terexaltherin what do your books say about dream mining?"::
Toric receives about 453 universal gold equivalent - half in gold and half in variety of local currency, jewelry and other minor valuable. Most of those passing by already know Toric and take the performance as a publicity event ... or an opportunity to spend time on Toric's lap or massage his shoulders...
The party's table Haral carefully explains that he has no "menu" but prepares whatever guests find interesting on the spot but he prepare a potpourri that would be something like "everything on the menu". Rollo enjoys samples from a wide of dishes Haral, from primitive stews to multicolored technological extracts to magically floating custards...
The table with Moon/Morgana and Gift/Saphire: Leandro glances at Saphire with eyes that appear suddenly very calm, like still, very deep pools with water moving only at the very bottom. "Saphire, it is indeed wonderful to make your acquaintance. This expedition is very preliminary and Moon and Helio are doing me a great favor by speaking to me since they will be necessary for such a thing. I came, I was drawn to Gamjee Town by tales of strange creatures that communicate by dreaming and I believe I am making progress in my effort to make contact with them in their dream world. The next step would be a journey, an expedition to make offering to them. Having people with me to do this would be important and so I have to talk to people. All this is to say, the only part of an expedition I have is the ability to communicate at the end. Otherwise, you are the only possible companion I've spoken to so far. The thing is, when the dream world reappears, in maybe four to six days, I may complete my understanding and be ready to act. Until then I can't offer anything certain but I should speak to people, yes"
Terexaltherin is a bit disappointed by Praxidolous's cynicism, though he can understand the other miniature dragon's frustration with big people. He does spend a bit of time chatting about magic with him, though.
With <Shimmer>, the little dragon focuses on the dream connection. Shimmer, when we sleep, can you see if there's any activity connecting us to all this? It may not be for a few nights, given the pattern we've heard of.
When Gift asks him about the idea of mining dreams, Terexaltherin gladly takes the excuse to dive into his library and do some research.
Azzim picked at his food, some of the dishes were marvelous it was true, but the presentation was a little too much for his tastes (levitating custard, really?) Still Rollo was enjoying himself and he didn't want to be a downer so he smiled and completed the dishes even though his heart wasn't really in it.
He was however rather curious about the clientele, Gift had one table covered so he discreetly observed the other tables. In his experience people came to really high end establishments like this to be seen as much as to eat, he took note of those there and who else was looking.
After chatting for a short while, "Moon", Helio and Leandro promise to be in touch but make it clear they have to talk alone.
On being complimented, Haral explains some of the dishes in an entertaining but not overbearing fashion and returns to chatting with other guests.
Scanning the dozen or so people in the small club, Azzim notices Nosfino and half half-ogres associated with the blue stars (who Strandel spoke with earlier) sitting in a secluded nook, laughing over some private jokes and drinking a dark red liqueur and sampling a cake made of edible lace.
Azzim would guess the patrons are split between Haral's friends, higher members of various factions and random people looking for a pleasant and luxurious experience. Just by their look, you can see Moon, Helio and Leandro are carefully negotiating something (mostly likely whatever Moon and Helio sell, as Leandro said).
Once the meal ends, the tab is high but not excessive, food is a nutritious as well as delicious and all who indulged feel satiated.
Back at the ship, Terex has <Shimmer> monitor the near-planes as the party sleeps with the hive-mind active. No unusual dreams appear but in the morning, <Shimmer> makes an interesting report; the dream plane moves about between a variety of planes yet it would be quite possible to send the party into the plane physically, a situation which would give considerable more control but would also have dangers - you'd risk physical death among other things.
Today is the day of Jungle Bloom's second scheduled concert, preparations are in order.
Rollo enjoys the splendid repast with both joy and enthusiasm.
levitating custard, really!
In the end Azzim found the evening fascinating, he'd always enjoyed people watching and he spent a good hour or more speculating who was with with which faction.
On the way back to the boat he asked the hive mind, "::What should we focus on next? I could attempt divinations on Somi's boss... Also there's the gig to consider, Laurana has been bugging me about appearing as a triffid, which is a sort of walking plant thing. I can cast a Veil over her to do that, could maybe do that for one or two more if you want to look suitably exotic...::"
So, <Shimmer> could transport us to the dream plane if we wanted to go--but of course, that plane is being controlled by something, so it could easily be dangerous, Terexaltherin reports to the rest of the group. Do we want to try before the expeditions get back?
As for the performance tonight... I could go in my disguised miniature dragon form and add some thoughtsong?
Until then I can't offer anything certain but I should speak to people, yes"
She nods at this,
"That is most interesting, you see, as you have a gift in dreaming, So do I, mine is to be able to traveling by dream. As for possible companions, I may know of a couple, who would also be of use. Now that you have sparked my interest, What say you, would you be interested in meeting them?"
Her body flashes blue under her odd scale-like armor.
Leandro tell Gift he often meditates during at "far point", a long pier of boulders extending into the sea North of the main town area and she could meet him there during the day.
For Jungle Bloom, Wensin and Bagzin have set up a large pavilion area on the edge of Jungle itself. Inspecting the area in the afternoon and remembering Eruendo's warning, it becomes clear a bit more security might be needed against things coming out of the jungle (though several faction guards are present).
::"Team we are up, I have a dreamer here who needs hands to help him communicate with the beings in the local dream scape."
And she sends them the location.
Rollo orders a carry out before he dimensional door them to Gift's rendezvous.
In preparation for the evening's performance, Azzim had chosen a slightly different spell selection.
Wandering Spirit -> Lore
Wandering Hex -> Arcane Enlightenment: Major Image, Veil, Mirage Arcarna, Overland Flight, Reverse Gravity
Ritual Hex -> Heaven's Leap
Spells Memorized:
1. Cultural Adaption, Heightened Awareness x2, Protection from Evil, Strands of The Tangled Knot, Tears to Wine
2. Ashen path, Barkskin, Focused Scrutiny, Fog Cloud, Resist Energy x2
3. Cure Serious Wounds, Daylight, Dispel Magic Major Image, Sand whirlwind, Sleet Storm
4. Blessing of Fervor, Air Walk, Freedom of Movement, Purify Body, Wandering Star Motes,
5. Mirage Arcarna, Breath of Life, Unleash Pandemonium, Wall of Thorns
6. Anti-life shell, Veil, Heal
7. Familiar Blessing of Fervor, Reverse Gravity
Spirit Magics (aka Domain Spells):
1. Identify, Remove Sickness
2. Lesser Restoration, Tongues
3. Locate Object, Neutralize Poison
4. Legend Lore, Restoration
5. Breath of Life, Contact other Plane
6. Heal, Mass Owl's Wisdom
7. Greater Restoration, Vision
The more he thought about it, the more Azzim cooled about using divination to learn about Somi's boss. They likely had protection and may regard the intrusion as rather provocative. Besides Laurana had been going on about tonight and he wanted to be ready.
Over the hive mind he responded to Terex, "::With preparation and caution, I think an excursion to the dreamlands is worth trying.::"
When Gift filled them in about Leandro The Dreamer's request he agreed, "::Let's help Leandro, this would be a great opportunity to learn about the mechanics of these dream sendings. It may be risky however, the dimension of dreams is haunted by strange and disturbing monsters.::"
Later when they were setting up for the gig, Azzim suggested "::Since we're going to perform on the edge of the jungle how about we really double down on the theme? I could cast a Mirage Arcanra spell to make the area look like the deepest part of a first world jungle - thick with fireflies and strange glowing plants. I can combine that with a major image spell to provide sick light show moving in time with the music!::"
Gift hikes to the general location Leandro specifies. Far Point is on the opposite side of "downtown" Gamjee Town from the harbor area where the party's boat is moored. As she approaches the area, Gift realizes both this area and all of Gamjee Town is built on a series of huge, ancient, decaying stone blocks sunk into the sea and extending into the jungle. While Gamjee Town seems maybe ten or twenty years old, these structures may be from thousands of years ago. Filing this information, she continues to the far end of these block where a long stack of rough stones extends a quarter mile into the wide, foggy, Unash river - at the end, the stack widens to about ten feet and a figure can be seen sitting on one of the rocks, staring out to the river.
At this point, Gift summons the party and you dimension together to vantage. As the group pops into existence in the middle of the river, Leander turns around only slightly startled and then nods, "Welcome my friends, I dreamed you would come."then, not want to seem to "Well, I dream many things". The "dream" goes on to tell his story. "I began in a far and quite rustic plane. As I grew into adulthood, I experienced a series of strange dreams centered around speaking flowers. My people, the Plenu, have a method of remaining awake in dreams and used this method to pursue these flowers, who sent me coded messages for actions in dreams and in real life. In dreams, I visited a number of ancient sites, some being built, some in ruins. I added certain things or remove them without understanding the implications. In real life, the dreams gradually directed me here, where I surmised that these "Cucurai" were the creatures who spoke to me. Thus I have been aiming to visit their area, settlement, whatever it is." Pauses. " Moon and Helio, it seems sell certain things these Cucurai, apparently prize and so I have been negotiating to obtain them. Naturally, they sworn me to secrecy concerning these things. However, if your group is interested in an expedition, I could be use you." Seeing Leandro up close, he seems to have aasimar or other celestial blood in him.
Interesting... so if you dreamed we would come meet you, does that imply that the Cucurai are wanting to contact us as well? Terexaltherin, in his slightly-different-miniature-dragon disguise, muses 'aloud' to the group and Leander. Have you been able to glean anything of the motives of the Cucurai from what the dreams have directed you to do? We are, as you've guessed, interested in the topic.
Toric stays to assist his party, while mentally approving and disapproving the playlist for the gig later.
Gift holds out her hand and an image of the strange plants they came across before forms in it, turning slowly.
"So the plans look like this?"
She asked.
Azzim listens to Leandro and as the man speaks. Studying Leandro's body language, the way he presents himself and his rhetorical tactics and Azzim tries to figure out how trustworthy Leandro is.
"Out of curiosity did you have a dream a few days ago where you were asked a question?" asked Azzim.
"Fascinating, we had a similar dream and I suspect many in town did too. I'm familiar with magics that can interfere with the dreams of a single target, for this message to be so widespread is impressive..."
Leander settles into a more comfortable position as the party discusses things with him...
so if you dreamed we would come meet you, does that imply that the Cucurai are wanting to contact us as well?
Leander looks thoughtful. "I think the dream people, sometime known as the Cucurai, want to contact anyone - or maybe they aren't concerned contact those who contact them. But the situation is they can only send a message or ask a question, once someone is attuned to their thought patterns..."
Gift shows Leander the plant image... "Yes, it's as if you pulled the image out of my mind, this may be a Cucurai but even now I am uncertain...
Out of curiosity did you have a dream a few days ago where you were asked a question?
"I've dealt with many questions in my explorations. It's part of how little they understand us, I think. If you were asked questions when the main plane descended some nights ago, you were at least reached their second plane but there are quite a few, eighteen that know of...
Leander pauses and stares out at the foggy Unash for some time. The wind on this long pier is mild, the day only slight cool and the shore is fuzzy but visible through the fog.
He turns back and continues. "It seems you make progress on your dreaming but it will be some months at least before any breakthrough for any of you I would guess. Still, I hear you are also adventurers. What would be your price for joining with me in expedition? I hear you are interested in the blue stars but with me, you can command everything except the final deal with Cucurai. With the Blue Stars, you would be hired labor. And they may not leave immediately even if they return on time..." He continues offering various arguments in his favor....
Later, as the party scouts the concert location and awaits the guests...
Terexaltherin considers the offer. He does make some good points, but a 'rogue' expedition would probably not win us any friends around here. That said, we're not really looking to make friends around here, so as long as we don't think we need more support from town and the other factions, it might be our best choice. Assuming he's telling the truth--anyone got a good feel for that?
Terexaltherin is pretty terrible at wilderness stuff, but he does his best to look around the chosen area before the event.
sounding thoughtful Azzim replied, "A very interesting proposal Leandro, we'll need to discuss this. One question, I assume you considered and rejected joining one of the established expeditions? If you don't mind me asking, why?"
Azzim felt he knew the answer to this already, he suspected Leandro was hoping to have a freer hand, but he wanted it hear him say it.
...sounding thoughtful Azzim replied, "A very interesting proposal Leandro, we'll need to discuss this. One question, I assume you considered and rejected joining one of the established expeditions? If you don't mind me asking, why?"
Leandro nods. "I made my inquiries. It doesn't seem they want my services. I believe the impression each expedition has it's own dreamer and it's own arrangement with the Cucurai - my contact with these creatures is very ... personal and I am aiming to complete it by meeting them face to face ... or face to flower ... at it may be."
Gift had been in deep focus for 2 hours, getting the rest she needed. When she came out of it, Hexqil played back the conversations that had been had.
To the group
::"I think this is too good a chance to miss, we can have a look without the main two groups. They will have well-tred paths and we don't want to see those, we want to see this group of planes nested dream planes from the angles we pick. we have back doors out, I can dream walk us away and shimmer can also pull us. But dreams can be dangerous. They are formed form the mind or minds, They can be totally immersive to the point one dose not know one is still in a dream landscape. I am a psion, the mind is where I live and a mind can get lost in layers of dreams never knowing what is real and what is not. 18 nested planes, each with its own internal logic rules and pitfalls. I have reconfigured to give is some change, but any spells or arts you know related to the mind, now is the time to get them ready."::
Over the hive mind link, Azzim sent ":::I reckon he's keeping a few cards in reserve, but I believe his offer is in earnest. This seems like a golden opportunity to me... I know of a few spells for creating and manipulating mindscapes that might be useful, or not. I know of others that will help us keep our wits about us, I shall prepare in the morning.::"
Toric admits, ::Yeah. Seems genuine.::
I agree, I think this is our best option. It's less risky than asking <Shimmer> to physically transport us over--the Curucai might see that as a threat, anyway. But we can keep that option in mind if Leandro's deal turns out badly.
Terexaltherin directs his thoughts towards <Shimmer>. And you can keep track of the planar stuff going on as we travel--I'm sure there's going to be some weird things happening as we go.
So, the party consults with Leander and makes tentative plans to meet again tomorrow, after the concert. He comments "I can be ready to leave by the second bell if we find ourselves in accord at that point. I have been given a rough route, which I think may be partly a test itself but I don't believe it will be malicious."
The party then goes to prepare for the event. The outdoor area has sumptuously prepared, refreshments and brightly colored ribbon abound. A variety of magical lanterns have been setup and guested - a good section of the town, are drinking and enjoying when Jungle Bloom is ready. The first part goes off without a problem. But just as the party stops for a short rest, Terex spots a pair of enormous black and green panther-like cats lurking in the jungle, 150' from concert area, with their eyes on a drunken couple at a table nearly within the underbrush...