The Cage & Beyond IC

[WelcomingGrave]

In which the heroes take the first step in a long journey...

This is the IC Thread. OOC Thread is here. (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?p=9011779#post9011779)

Arc I - The Great Modron March


Sigil. The City of Doors. The Cage. These are the different names for this birdcage you've managed to stumble into. Some call it a city, others swear it's a prison, but no matter what it is one thing is for sure, you are stuck here for good. Clueless come to this berg everyday it seems, from all parts of the multiverse. Some willingly, others most often by mistake. Perhaps you are one of these clueless, perhaps you live in this berg, or you're just coming for a visit. What ever your reason one thing never ceases to amaze you, the very architect of Sigil itself.

The look is unmistakable. That glossy gaze upward with a wide open jaw. Local's call it the Clueless Look. That realization that you're no longer home, no longer on your own PLANE. This day in Sigil there are many Clueless Look going about.

http://www.shadowland.org/Planescape/images/sigilring.jpg

The city itself seems to be a top an infinitely tall spire. The actual city floats above the spire laying on its side. Like a donut laying on its side, with the city on the inside of it. Looking up at the 'sky' you see nothing but fog and the sprawling above you. For the clueless this is very disorienting, but the locals seem use to it.

Around you are various beings of different race, size, and apperance. A yellow skinned man passes by without so much as giving you a look over. Men dressed in robes argue on the side of the street, and the hussle and bussle of city life teems all around. The sound and feel of trading abounds in the air, and you realise you must be near the market place. More specifically you find yourselves in or around the Great Bazaar. Tents line the streets, selling strange wares from all across the multiverse. Buildings pump out people as them come and go, and the many many many taverns and inns fill the air with the smell of bud and freshly cooked food.

No one seems to be paying any attention to those coming and going, too focused on what they considered 'daily life' in the Cage. No time to deal with the clueless it seems.

[Night Monkey]

Kaldon Fulgrant trudges through the market crowds, large head slouching atop his wide dwarven shoulders, grey robes trailing behind him, uncaring about whom they might trip up or otherwise inconvenience, wooden staff knocking against the (apparantly) rocky ground with each footstep, wisps of stringy and unkempt silver beard swinging to and fro, stoney grey eyes slowly and implacably scanning his tumultuous surroundings. All in all, despite his relative youth (seventy-two years being a short time in a dwarven life) he looks every part the old, somewhat unhinged, bearded loner. His habit of occasionally muttering to himself doesn't hurt this image one bit.

"Crowds all'a place. Drawn 'ere. Insec's."

Despite his careful attentiveness to his surroundings, the dwarf steadily pursues a few trains of thought around his own mind.

Chaos all about. Sigil is a city of Chaos I suppose, but also of order, laws, meanings. Lots of those.

Need to travel again. New places to see, new people to meet I suppose. Why are there always people?

The planes are all the same in a way; a panopoly of order and chaos dressed in different colours, all hiding the true axioms. Why hiding so deeply?

If belief powers the planes, differentiates them, maybe the only places that can exist are those with people in them. But you need places for people to start living. An endless loop with living minds at the beginning and end?

Perhaps existence doesn't want to be understood, but it still can be...

"Need work. 'Splore. Need folk."

[noggenfogger]

Ugh. Never get used to this place. Food, need food. How long since the portal? A day? A week? Food, need food. At least a three days, must be at least three.

Sturm's mind runs over these thoughts and many like them as he works his way through the market looking for food, his brown overcloak mostly disguising his lanky body and the weapons he carries. Clearly edgy, out of place - obviously clueless - he works his way through the crowds lead by his nose.

Scanning the crowds, his foot catchs briefly and he lurchs forward, long black hair spilling forward and covering his green eyes. Recovering quickly, he continues walking.

Food. Food first. Then companions. Work. A duskblade can always find work.

((Edit: fixed internal dialog markup))

[Hat-Trick]

"'Go find a kip of your own' he says," Donovan mutters to himself as he wanders the streets of the Great Bazaar. "Easy for him to say, he can navigate a Maze. Still, I wonder if the local Graveyard has a mortuary I could bunk in. Wait, are there even any graveyards in this place?" He stops and thinks about that before being violently shoved onto his ass at the edge of the street.
Right, crowded street. Inward reflection later. He thought to himself before standing up and brushing off his clothes. He wasn't wearing his cloak and cowl at the moment, as he wanted to keep his charade on hiatus until he was a little more confident of his surroundings. Instead they were in his backpack with his bed roll and rope (should never go anywhere without some good rope, never know when it will come in handy).
He started moving again, looking for a tavern or somewhere where he could ask about lodging arrangements.

[WelcomingGrave]

The heat of the day beats down upon the market place. Today, it would seem, are one of the few days just about no one in Sigil wants to deal with berks that don't concern them. Only the occasional merchant waves to the heroes as they tromp along the slightly moist cobblestone streets of Sigil, and the few Harmonium patrols that are seen give a quick once over to everyone they pass. A tourism to the City of Doors might think something is amise, but locals know how common Harmonium partols are, outside of the Hive Ward at least.

It must had rained...somehow, in Sigil the previous night. A few puddles of water lie here and there, but everything is quickly becoming dry as the heat of the day steadingly increase. A canny cutter looking at the level of brightness can tell its about three hours till Peak, the time of day in Sigil when the light is at it's brightest (noon for you clueless).

A few philosophers argue nearby...

"All I'm saying is that if Rule-Of-Three and Unity-of-Rings exist, then the most logical answer is that a cutter calling themselves Center-Of-One must also be in or around the spire. You're just too leatherheaded to see it..."

"Now hold on a moment! It ain't that..."

OOC
((Just waiting for Cardea to make a intro post before I advance the story. Feel free to make one more fluff post if you want ;) ))

[Night Monkey]

"Rule a'frees, pff"" Kaldon snorts as he passes the arguing pair, choosing not to pay attention to another word they say.

Damned fool Sigilians, plenty of things come in numbers that aren't three; factions, elements, powers, schools of the Art, Ladies of Pain. All the "Rule of Three" tells anyone is that any berk can come up with an addled theory and get a universe full of saps to believe it. I guess that's how the factions work, the ones that aren't the Indeps of course...

Kaldon begins to prowl the marketplace, head tilting semi-rhythmically from one side to another, his right arm pushing him forwards on his staff. He can remember where all the stalls are, but he isn't interested in any one of them today.

Human, anxious, armed. Another, fallen by the wayside. Beached by the tides of the planes on the shores of everywhere. Clueless.

His left boot lurches lower than he anticipated. Displaced water shoots up onto his clothes and beard, a single droplet reaching his left cheek. A puddle. He had walked this route a dozen times and it had always seemed perfectly even ground.

Somehow, last night, the ground redistributed itself to create indents for puddles, all to accomodate the rain.

He looks down at his boot, the light from above now glimmering back at him from the soaked leather.

"Hff, 'oo knows?"

[Cardea]

Okay you have only a couple of hours before Silneas wants you back at the tap so get what you need what was is it we needed again oh right we need to get some gloves and a sharpening stone who sells sharpening stones probably a blacksmith is there a blacksmith in a bazaar I doubt it but then again it is Sigil.

Okhan rambled on and on in his mind, like usual these days. Ever since he found himself in Sigil, his mind had to adjust itself to keep up. And working the tap in a bar? He had to work fast. All kinds of nasty shi- things, most of which would bite him in half, constantly asked him for drinks of all kinds of new varieties. Angel's Favor? Bhazaal Blaster? Elder's Best Memory? And those were before he left for his midday break.

People around him shouted and yelled and some people fought. These fights he took a particular interest in. He learned a long time ago that anyone could be a Disciple of the True Sublime way and... well, it kind of messed up his view of the world. He tried to find some meaning in all kinds of fights and he is rambling again.

Where is a blacksmith where is a blacksmith where is a blacksmith where is a blacksmith where is a blacksmith where is a blacksmith where is a blacksmith where is a blacksmith and I wish people would stop standing around Sigil is not that scary...

[WelcomingGrave]

Food...food...food...

Work...work...work...

Metals...metals...metals...

All these thoughts flowed silently through Sigil's many alleyways. It twist and turns through the Alleyway Of Dangerous Angles, down and through the deep, often forgotten crypts, and deeper still into the dark, damp, wet places under the Cage. Another thought flowed though Sigil as well, one that clung to a select few individuals across the Market Ward. That thought, however, quickly became like a poke in the back of your brain-box.

To Everyone
The sensation rises in the back of your brain-box, like a cross between a tickle and an interrupted sneeze. This feeling quickly grows in intensity, becoming a painful, relentless squeeze on your brain. Unconsciousness calls to you like a sweet song of a secret haven, but you resist.

You take an involuntary step forward and discover that the pain diminishes ever so slightly as you move in that direction.

[Night Monkey]

Kaldon's features twist into an ugly frown as the feeling grips him. Stepping forward a few times, trying to help ease the discomfort, he quickly summons up his knowledge of the planes in his mind, trying to explain the bizarre phenomenon.

Piking Hells, if I'd wanted to feel strange things in the middle of the day I'd have become a Sensate.

((OOC: Knowledge (The Planes) [roll0]

If this is not a roll I should make myself, please ignore the above.))

[WelcomingGrave]

Kaldon
You muster up all the will power you can in order to calculate exactly what is happening. The intense pain makes it difficult, but you come to the conclusion that this must be some kind of magic that has invaded your mind. You feel that something is off about it though. Like this isn't the intended side effect.

As you concentrated your will power to the task of finding out exactly what is going on you involuntary stop, as the task of doing calculations and simple walking seems to be too much due to the pain. As you stop to come to your conclusions the pain is renewed, and agony sweeps across your brain-box once again, hitting you in the back of the head like a brick. You don't think you'll pass out yet, but that was a first good blow to getting there.

As you've walked though you noticed that sometimes you bump into an 'invisible wall', and when you do the pain is renewed again. It seems you're following a path, and as you continue down the correct 'path way' the pain eases up a little. Like something is beckoning you to come, all be it with a stick jammed in your head.

To Everyone
The pain continues it's relentless assault on your brain-box, beckoning you forward...

[Hat-Trick]

Donovan stumbles his step forward, the unknown sensation taking him completely by surprise. Garil never mentioned anything like that. What in the nine hells? A quick shake of his head proves ineffective, but as he stumbles on, the feeling becomes more manageable. What ever the reason, moving forward was better than standing still, so forward he went the relief of the pain and his own curiosity leading him on.

"Gotta ask the Eternal Dreamer about this, but later."

[WelcomingGrave]

Donovan
As you walk holding your head in agony, you notice that there seems to be 'invisible walls' that you run into. Each time the pain is renewed slightly, and you quickly come to the conclusion that you are following a set 'path way'. Any deviation from said 'path way' renews the pain once again, as you wind your way down seemingly random streets and alleyways, away from the Great Bazaar.

[Night Monkey]

Kaldon walks along the path that leads away from the agony for a few steps, allowing his brain to remain numb to his pain and to his situation, before suddenly hesitating.

No... won't walk like this... again. Can't let...

Every idea in his head feels like someone swinging a heavy pick into his skull. The muscles in his right leg, the next one in sequence to move, tauten incrementally, before Kaldon flings himself to the ground, tossing aside his staff, forcing himself to stay put.

Won't... follow...

[Cardea]

Okhan winces visibly at the pain in his head. He realizes he took a step forward without effort, and that the pain subsided ever so slightly. His thoughts started to slow down... as the pain started to rush back... but soon they wandered, focusing in on the sensation in his mind. He thinks, his thoughts, returning. Do I ask the Whispers would the whispers respond would the whispers register would they help me no I don't need them right now this isn't serious just walk toward the relief.

He walks, cautiously, towards where the pain is soothed.

Who knows maybe there's a blacksmith.

[WelcomingGrave]

Kaldon
As you stand on your knees a new, much more intense pain enters your brain. Gripping it like a vice, and twisting it just a bit. Concentration becomes very difficult now, as unconciousness whispers into your ear. You have a gut feeling; if you keep resisting you'll passout, defendless, in some side street in Sigil.


Okhan
Your Cipher training begins to take focus. Thoughtless, and with relative ease, you accept the situation and simply 'go with the flow'. You occasionally hit one of the 'invisible walls', and for a short moment the pain is renewed, but you quickly fall into step on the right 'path'.

As you walk, carefully, down the 'path' you notice just up a head a dwarf on his knees ((Kaldon)).

[Hat-Trick]

Donovan follows the path of not antagonizing pain willingly, even humming a tune as he goes. His humming becomes somewhat unwelcome every so often when he hits another wall of pain, but he continues on the path set by his aching head. "Just put one foot in front of th- Argh! Wrong way, there we go." It would be much more effective if they had given him a map to follow to avoid all the agonizing turns. It doesn't seem like he would be able to talk to Garil until whatever was happening stopped. He just wished he knew what was going on. Damned ignorance....

[WelcomingGrave]

Donovan
You quickly begin to understand that just following the 'path' is the right thing to do. The great pain is still present, but its not bad enough to break your concentration. You quickly gain in distance, and up a head notice a dwarf on his knees ((Kaldon)), and a 'man' walking towards said dwarf ((Okhan)). They both look like they're in a great deal of pain.

To Everyone
Your current location is a few blocks away from the Great Bazaar. All within eyesight of each other.


OOC
((Asume Doctor Acula's character is following the group. Until he can post that is))

[Cardea]

Okhan continues down this path, and upon seeing the Dwarf, rushes and stoops down to him. He makes sure that he's still conscious, he tries to help the Dwarf back on his feet. His thoughts are blurred out, emptied, as he begins to walk with him down the 'path'. He is calm.

[Night Monkey]

Kaldon emits a harsh growl as he leans on his staff, struggling to his feet, his tortured mind bitterly admitting defeat by this unknown force. Holding himself upright, as opposed to adopting his usual bent-over gait, he walks straight towards the source of the relief, paying no heed to the odd-looking humanoid that had approached him, nor to any of the other men walking the same way, all his attention focused on swearing dark curses against the source of the magic.

Ba'atorian steel in their gullets for... shackling me like this. I'll not be their prisoner, pike it! I swear it by my beard that some berk'll die for this... indignity!

[WelcomingGrave]

Always beckoning, always present, the pain guides the strangers a few more blocks away from the Great Bazaar until they reach a particular two story building.

This building looks old. What few windows there are, are boarded up. Patches of razorvine crawl up one of its sides, and the welcome mat long since stolen. Only in Sigil...

The only thing identifying this building is a single, worn down sign.

'Jysson'

[Cardea]

Okhan taps on the Dwarves shoulders, and points to the sign. His mind is still blank, he moves forward with the Dwarf, up to the door, and knocks.

[WelcomingGrave]

There is no answer after the door is knocked on. There isn't even a peep from inside.

The pain is still present, but it's eased up a lot since it first started.

[Night Monkey]

Temporarily, Kaldon's body allows itself to be led, whilst his mind is busy in its own indignation. He then returns to his senses, shaking off the hands on his shoulders as violently as if they had been around his neck. He gives the door a swift kick with his right boot, his brain still throbbing with the renmants of pain and the presently unconsolable anger. He still curses silently, the usual erudition of his thoughts being replaced with more straightforward assertions.

Jysson. Pike Jysson. Pike piking Jysson...

[Hat-Trick]

Donovan notices that the two are heading in the same direction and lags behind them a bit and watch where they turn. It wasn't a map, but it helped avoid the pain some. When they arrived at the building he stepped up beside them and read the sign. "I don't know about the two of you, but that sign means utter **** to me."

[WelcomingGrave]

The door is easily kicked open. Apperantly it was unlocked. The sudden gust of wind sends year old dust in a light 'dust storm' around the room. Looking in from the outside the place is dark. Directly across from the door are stairs leading up to the second story, and a desk hidden next to the stairs.

Directly to the right of the door is a desk, with a few dust covered books on it.

The rest of the room is unseeable from the front of the door. A body would have to venture inside to see the whole picture.

[Hat-Trick]

Donovan takes the first steps in and looks around. Dusty, definitely dusty. He looks over the bookcase and the books resting upon it. He doesn't expect to find anything familiar, but books are good ways to get familiar with things. He lingers for a second before moving over to the desk and examining it as well.

[Night Monkey]

Aggression refining itself into curiosity, Kaldon shoulder-charges his way into the room and starts looking at the books, desperate for a clue as to who was behind this, and how they could be stopped.

[Cardea]

Okhan steps in after the dwarf, and begins sifting through the books, coughing at the dust he's upturning. He only does this for a few seconds, before moving to the stairs and walking up, drawing his sword.

[noggenfogger]

"Means *** to me too." Sturm's hand is at his head, afraid the pain will return. Seeing the door kicked open, his hand drops instinctively to his sword as he follows the dwarf inside. Mimicking the dwarf again, he draws steel once inside and begins to look around.

[Night Monkey]

Continuing to read the titles of the books, Kaldon idly removes the backpack from his back, pulls out his crossbow and loads a bolt. He puts the back back on, the crossbow in his right hand, the staff now in his left.

[WelcomingGrave]

As soon as the party enters the building the pain suddenly stops. The actual first floor has a number of small tables and bookshelves, all covered in a thick layer of dust. The books near the front door counter all have in them numerous tables of numbers. Like one might find in a merchant's inventory log, but these are just plain numbers.

At first glance, this building appears to be a old scribe's office.

As Okhan heads towards the stairs he is suddenly cut short by a meek voice coming from near the stairs and desk that's close by it.

"Oh dear," it states. "I had no idea that would be so...painful for you. Please accept my apology."

[Night Monkey]

Kaldon takes one of the books of numbers and stashes it in his bag, determined to figure out whatever devilish cipher it contains. Then, hearing the voice, he makes his way after Okhan, weapons ready, recalling the spells he had prepared that morning in the Free League headquarters.

Apologetic is he? Not quite yet I don't think...

Level One Spells Memorised: Cure Light Wounds x2, Protection from Alignment, Summon Monster I.
Level Zero Spells Memorised: Detect Magic, Guidance, Read Magic, Resistance.

[WelcomingGrave]

Kaldon takes one of the books of numbers and stashes it in his bag, determined to figure out whatever devilish cipher it contains. Then, hearing the voice from upstairs, he makes his way after Okhan, weapons ready, recalling the spells he had prepared that morning in the Free League headquarters.

Apologetic is he? Not quite yet I don't think...

Level One Spells Memorised: Cure Light Wounds x2, Protection from Alignment, Summon Monster I.
Level Zero Spells Memorised: Detect Magic, Guidance, Read Magic, Resistance.

((wasn't upstairs. it was near the stairs. particularly near the desk at the bottom of the stairs. No one is upstairs yet. The 'voice' cut them off))

[Night Monkey]

((wasn't upstairs. it was near the stairs. particularly near the desk at the bottom of the stairs. No one is upstairs yet. The 'voice' cut them off))

((Oops. Edited.))

[noggenfogger]

Sturm's knuckles go white as he involuntarily flexs his grip on his sword. Looking around he thinks to himself, Well, might as well see who this is. What's the worst he can do?

Sturm starts walking to the stairs and thinks, Break your neck and drink your blood. He could do that. Sturm swallows hard, falters in his step, a bead of sweat forming on his forehead.

His training kicks in and he calmly says, "Well then. Anyone want to meet whoever called us here?"

[WelcomingGrave]

"Well then. Anyone want to meet whoever called us here?"

Just as these words escaped Sturm's bone-box a black cat jumps from under the stairs and onto the desk nearby. The cat stares at the party.

[noggenfogger]

"Well then cat, is crippling mind pain a new side affect of putting men on a rail?"

[Night Monkey]

Well used to the absurdities of the planes, Kaldon is taken aback only for the briefest of moments before hoarsely demanding.

"F'line thingy. 'Splain 'self, now!"

[WelcomingGrave]

The cat looks to Sturm and says, in a surprisingly human voice, "Wasn't me. Sorry either way." You notice that this isn't the same meek voice you heard moments ago.

The cat looks to Kaldon and proclaims, "Wish I knew all the details myself cutter. It might be able to shed some light on the situation." As the cat says this it looks over at a particular dusty book on the table it sits on.

"I really am sorry,", the meek voice says again.

The book flips open, its pages turning to an unseen wind, until it stops about half way, revealing a human like face in the gutter between pages.

"I needed to call for help, so I reached out and tried to curb some 'pertish folks off the street. It's been so long since I've done that, I guess I grabbed too hard. Perhaps some sparkle would make it up to you? After you've heard me out I'll see to that, I promise.

You see, we need a few kind pivers who will take myself and my associate here to the gate-town of Automata. Have you heard of Automata, gate-town to Mechanus? It's still there, isn't it?"

[noggenfogger]

"Never heard of it. And what's a piver?"

Sturm relaxes his shoulders, but is still clearly on edge. Looking around the others in the building he asks without thinking, "Well, how hard can it be to carry a cat and a book to a some little town?"

[Cardea]

Okhan stares at the cat in bewilderment, while sheathing his sword and shield. He walks up to the cat, and crouches down to look at it on the same level. His mind begins to think again, and the thoughts come rushing back to his head, while he stares at this... creature.

So it's a cat a talking cat a talking cat that can cast spells psionics something else I don't know maybe he's just shifting form or something I mean I can turn into a wolf how hard could it be to turn into a cat wait he is casting spells why does he need our help or any help for that matter?

He looks at the Human. "He's a cat. A talking cat. A talking magical cat. I think it'd be pretty hard."

He looks back at the Cat. "Yeah, Automata is supposed to be still there I think. But you just made all our heads hurt in order to come to you. Why do you need help?"

[noggenfogger]

"Well it sounded like the cat and the book want to go. Unless..."

Sturm's face narrows to a frown and he casts Dectect Magic.

6 arcane attunement casts left today.

[Hat-Trick]

"Automata, gate town, wait," Donovan mutters to himself. "That means leaving Sigil, this city. I'm barely able to navigate this town let alone going outside its borders." Still can't leave a call for help unanswered. He reprimanded himself. Why do you need to go to Automata?"

[Night Monkey]

"Pfeh, Aut'mata, borin'. Dun wan' go there."

I think I swore some sort of oath to myself that I'd never go back to that city. Not that I necessarily keep my promises, but this'd have to be something pretty special to have me take these pikers to my hometown.

[WelcomingGrave]

Sturm
Your Detect Magic spell detects the presence of a magical aura. ((1st Round))

The cat looks at the group as the volley of questions are thrown at it. It licks one of its paws, glances down to the book, and back at the party before addressing everyone.

"Well, my name is Ydemi Jysson, and the book is...well...The Book. See, for ages it seemed I was a petitioner on the Beastlands, and quiet happy to be there might I add. One day last month the ruler of my kind came to me and ask me to deliver a message to someone in Sigil.

I loathed the idea of leaving the Beastlands, but I obeyed my mistress. I completed my task and was heading back to the Beastlands gate, but as I walked down this particular street, something seemed to beckon me inside this building. That's when I encountered The Book, which explained to me that I (in my mortal lifetime) had been a clerk who owned this tiny firm, and lived in the apartment overhead."

Jysson pauses to make sure everyone is understanding what he's saying, but moves along even if they don't, "In order to improve my business I purchased a magical book to help me with my work. The terms of the purchase involved a series of payments over a number of years - terms I defaulted upon when I died.

When I found out about that I figured the right thing to do would be return The Book to its rightful owner, but unfortunately there's no way I can carry a tome like The Book all the way to Automata with...well..." Jysson sits on his back legs and raises his two front up in the air, wiggling his little cat claws a bit.

"I bought The Book from a wizard named Heiron Lifegiver, a wizard that specializes in creating sentient, powerful magical items. I don't remember where Heiron lives exactly, but The Book knows, and said he would guide me to Heiron's kip."

The Book begins to speak now, in its meek voice. "Indeed. I know exactly where Heiron's kip is in Automata. I also know where Jysson keeps his hidden sparkle, and I promise to you all that if you aid us in this little endeavor you can keep it all. The building is yours also, if you want it that is."

Jysson looks at the party again. "We didn't mean to hurt you all. We just wanted to call for help. So I commanded The Book to do just that. If you help me I promise to make it up to you."

[Hat-Trick]

"I was looking for a place to call Kip, anyway," Donovan thought aloud. "We get to keep everything in the building as well? After we return you to Heiron, right?" I hope this isn't as dangerous as I fear, it's a decent reward. Let Garil run around in his Maze, I got a proper place. Well, will, if we follow through with this.

[Night Monkey]

Still feeling antagonistic after the magical compulsion, Kaldon finds himself suspicious.

"Jink, 'ouse, lotsa stuff fer simple deliv'ry. Wassa catch?"

[Cardea]

"What is it exactly you'd be rewarding us with, for this little excursion? And how long would it take?" Okhan shoots an amused glance over at the Human asking about this place. He looks him up and down properly, for the first time. He takes in how armored the man is, and the weapon(s) at his side. Perhaps he was a student.

[WelcomingGrave]

Jysson looks at the three who are addressing their concerns. This does indeed sound a little too good to be true, but Jysson replies in a calm, genuine tone.

"All I need is a few bashers to carry The Book for me to Heiron. I can't do it by myself. If you do this I don't mind giving you what jink I had saving up, along with the building itself and everything in it. I don't need them anymore. I'm perfectly happy living in the Beastlands.

I did do some looking around before having The Book call you here though. I managed to find a portal to Automata, and the key that goes along with it. Hopefully it will be a quick trip to the gate-town and back. I don't really remember much about Automata since I died, so I'm not too sure how long it will take. The Book says it knows the way to Heiron's old kip, so once we reach Automata it should be a quick trip."

Jysson looks over to Sturm. "What about you? Will you help me in this matter?"

[noggenfogger]

"Sounds easy enough." Can't be that easy. "I'm in." Fool.

Sturm looks at the others in the room and asks, "Anyone else?"

[WelcomingGrave]

Jysson breaths a silent sigh of relief and nods to Sturm before looking at the others.

"What about the rest of you? If nothing else Heiron might repay you as well. From what I've heard he's rather famous for his intelligent items. Just looking at The Book shows how well talented he is. Erm...don't take that as a promise though. I really don't remember much about Heiron, cept what The Book has told me about the blood."

[Hat-Trick]

"I'm in," Donovan answered. If there's a portal, I won't have to trudge around in the Outlands for very long. Should probably get some supplies and stuff for a few days anyway... "Are there any supplies in the house perhaps, if you don't know how long this will take, we might need some."

[Cardea]

"I'm in as well." Okhan says, rising up. He looks over at the stairs. Then back to the cat, and then turns around to face his 'comrades'. "Well, I'm in it. I could use a place that's safer than a Bar Basement to sleep in."

[noggenfogger]

"The blood? What blood?" Sturm asks a bit too nonchalantly.

[Night Monkey]

Looking around at this band of Clueless assembled about him, Kaldon forces himself to the logical conclusion.

He forced me to come, forced me. He wants to go to Automata of all places, the most boring city on the planes. I hate everything about this job... but it's the easiest way to garner a bit of shiny I've heard for a while. This stinks, but it'd be totally illogical to turn it down. Reason must come before emotion.

"'M in, I guess. This'd b'be onna level or'll rip yer pages out one b'one."

[Hat-Trick]

"If I remember correctly, a Blood is someone who really knows his stuff," Donovan answers Sturm. "And, ah, oh right, you almost never use it for yourself unless you got some real good way to back it up." The Cant may be confusing but I'll get it eventually.

[WelcomingGrave]

Jysson smiles as his tail swats back and forth. "Great! Thank you cutters so much! Here, one moment..."

Jysson jumps down the desk and walks underneath the dark stairs. He disappears for a few seconds before emerging with a piece of paper in his mouth. Jumping back on the desk next to The Book, Jysson places the piece of paper on the desk and looks at the group.

"This is the key to the portal. All one of you have to do is have it on your body when you go to activate the portal. I found out the portal is two way, so we wont have to worry about getting stuck in Automata or having to find a door back to Sigil."

The key itself, upon closer examination, is actually a piece of paper torn in perfectly two even halves, with the letter 'E' printed on it.

Jysson continues, "Before we go though I never did get your names. What should I call you bashers?"

In response to Jysson's question, The Book answers, "Indeed. I would like to know the name of my rescuers as well. After all, one of you kind pivers will be carrying me."

[Hat-Trick]

Donovan Puffs himself up as if to give an impressive introduction before remembering his position. You are NOT in your cloak and cowl. You are NOT a hero. You are NOT the Dark Fox. He deflates a bit and just says, "My name is Donovan."

[noggenfogger]

Sweeping his cloak open and sheathing his sword in one fluid movement, Sturm says "I am Sturm Milfeld, duskblade of the nation of Alendel."

[Cardea]

"Okhan." He says, dismissively. He stares down at the book and the cat, and then the key. "So. Who carries what?"

[WelcomingGrave]

Jysson looks over to Okhan, "Well I can walk on my own, but someone has to carry The Book. Seeing that it's the only one that knows the way who ever does it might have to keep The Book out, so it can see and guide us."

The Book responds in reassurance, "Indeed. Someone will have to hold me so I can guide everyone to my Master's kip. If for what ever reason we run into trouble I can defend myself somewhat thanks to Master Heiron. So who ever is holding me I'll be sure to protect you as well."

[noggenfogger]

Sturm strokes his chin, then says, "Well, I'm more than happy to carry you, but I can take care of myself." His hand drops instinctively to his sword pommel. "Perhaps someone more vunerable should carry you, if you're so able to defend yourself."

Looking over at the two who haven't spoken Sturm asks, "And you two are? Either of you want to bear the burden? Or either of you Okhan, Donovan?"

[WelcomingGrave]

The Book replies, "Well I do have some ability to defend myself, but its not much and I can't do it too often. A couple of times a day and my ability to defend myself is spent."

[noggenfogger]

"Oh. Well then..." Sturm's voice trails off as he scratches the back of his neck.

"Then maybe not such a good idea..."

[Hat-Trick]

"I'll carry him," Donovan volunteers, picking the Book up. "I can handle myself and a hand occupied won't limit me much." I might get some reading in if the Book doesn't mind.

[WelcomingGrave]

Donovan
As you pick The Book up you notice that is pulses juuust slightly. Like a living thing, or a heart.

Jysson nods to Dovovan, "Thank you cutter. You have no idea how hard of a time I would have had trying to carrying The Book all by myself."

Jysson puts his paw on the key and slides it across the table. "Who wants to be the one to open the door? I suppose I could be the one to carry the key but...well, if I did it would make talking a little difficult.

The door isn't too terribly far away. I managed to track one down in an old scribe's shop off Scholar Row, near the Hall of Records. We'll have a little bit of a walk in for us, so if anyone needs to pick something up from Sigil before we leave speak up. I'd rather not waste a lot of idle time though."


OOC
((Waiting for everyone to get up to speed before advancing the plot to the next step))

[WelcomingGrave]

Jysson jumps off the desk, sturring up a small dust storm as he does so. The portal key floats about the desk's surface, resting gently back on it.

He moves about to the front door and looks back at the group, "Well then, no time like the present, aye? If any of you cutters need to make a stop somewhere before we leave speak up now. Otherwise times a wasting. Oh, and don't forget the key."

[Night Monkey]

"I'll take key, some'n else carry book. Name's Kaldon, Fr'Leaguer."

Kaldon commits to memory (as much as possible) the conversation he was listening to whilst having remained largely silent, making a mental note to recall it later to check for possible tricks, traps or other complications. He has let go of his bad feelings, his training having provided him with strong personal willpower, but he is still very suspicious, both of the book-feline duo and this collection of strange companions into which he has managed to stumble.

Just five minutes ago I was thinking I needed companions and a job. Now I'm offered payment to transport a book to my hometown. Logically speaking, extreme serendipity is possible, but its never the only explanation.

[noggenfogger]

Rubbing his chin, Darius says simply, "I think Donovan's got that."

[Hat-Trick]

"I believe I said so earlier, but supplies for at least a few days would be nice," Donovan answers Jysson. "You said you didn't know exactly how long it would take, so better safe, right?"

[WelcomingGrave]

Jysson nods a bit, slightly unsure himself. "Well. I don't really remember much from my mortal life, and what I know of Automata has been from third parties. Like...I hear they literally have a rule for everything there. Like the one about how you have to take a left step when exiting all buildings and a right step when entering them...or was that the other way around?" Jysson looks over at Kaldon for clarification.

"I also hear they're form barmy there. So...yeah I honestly don't know how long this trip will take."

[WelcomingGrave]

The Book continues where Jysson left off, looking up at Donovan. "Jysson is correct. Automata, if it hasn't changed at all since I was last there (and I doubt that), is a place of law and order. Which is fitting considering it's proximity to Mechanus. They're not a bad much mind you, they just like a tight and efficient machine system. You'll never get lost in Automata, mark my words. And if we do I remember the way flawlessly. You need not worry my good spiver."

[WelcomingGrave]

With everyone up to speed with exactly whats going on, who's carrying what, the ragtag party of adventurers exit the dusty old building back onto the streets of Sigil.

In the time the party was speaking with Jysson and The Book a smog has descended onto the Market District. Looking up at the other half of Sigil everyone can see that the smog is actually smoke trailing across the 'sky', bellowing out of a building everyone can see thanks to following the smoke trail. Those with basic local knowledge know that there is only one building in the Cage that pumps out that much smoke, the Great Foundry. Seems the Godsmen are working up a storm today. No matter.

Jysson stands at the lead as he hops down the steps to the old two story building, heading back in the direction of the Great Bazaar. "We can make a quick stop for those that want to make a few purchases before we leave for Automata. Try not to take too long. I'd rather we get this done as quick as possible." Jysson says, looking up at Donovan before glancing to the rest, "Did anyone else need anything in particular while we're there?"

OOC
((Three day limit reached. Advancing the plot.))

[Night Monkey]

"S'left in, right out," Kaldon corrects the cat as the group steps out onto the streets of Sigil. "Can't sell an'thing from outside a'less y'has imports license. Can't sleep at inn wi'out temp'ry res'dence license. Need license t'speak anythin's not Planar Trade, a'less 'ey changed it all. No' likely."

Whilst reciting all of Automata's pointless rules that he thinks are likely to trip the group up if they were unprepared, Kaldon finds himself curious about the source of the smoke, trying to recall any historical precedent for the Godsmen making anything of such a scale that would generate so much smoke.

[OOC: Knowledge (Factions and Guilds) check- [roll0]]

[WelcomingGrave]

Kaldon
The only major historical account you can think of for so much activity in the Foundry was from the kriegstanz, the great faction war. Other then that it isn't unusual to see major activity in the Foundry after an attempted or successful sabotage. You recall reading an entry in one of the many books you read while with the Fraternity.

One of the last major sabotages on the Godsmen halted their production for three weeks, which made the Godsman work thrice as hard in their production to make up for lost time, polluting Sigil's air greatly, which took months to clear away.

Which is for that reason that strict guidelines and protocols are the best way to run anything in the multiverse, least of which being a foundry. Stray from such protocols and it halts progress and damages the very environment itself, as it was detailed at great length.

[Cardea]

Okhan's mind came back into focus, tuning back into the situation at hand. He looks at the others, and at seeing that the key and book have been claimed, he shakes his head at the question of supplies.

[WelcomingGrave]

OOC Note
((Forgot to mention. Since Kaldon was born in Automata the party won't have to worry too much about the common law in Automata. With him in the party it's possible for everyone not to break the simplest of rules there. However if you want to RP some mistakes that'll be fun. You might break some, but just know that I wont bust you guys for sneezing when you're not suppose to. Thanks!))

As the party continues their trek, along the same general pathway that took them to the old building in the first place, they arrive a few blocks from the market. The Great Bazaar is within sight, as well as the sounds and smells of many strange things.

Distant cries of strange things, "Automated Pets for Sale!" "Get your Sensory Crystal here! Best in the Cage save the Sensorium!" "Mimirs! Get yours today! A Prime's best friend!"

However you hear a few bits and pieces of 'normal' things..."Get your weapons here! Straight from the Dwarven Mountain!" "Fresh fruit! On sale!" "Armor for sale! Better then the last!"

Jysson stops at this point and looks to the others. "I'll wait here if you don't mind. When ever your done just meet me back here. Oh, and keep a good grip on The Book Donovan. Lots of knights-of-the-post out there."

[Night Monkey]

Knights of the post eh? He's certainly right, but is he being entirely honest about his own intentions?

Kaldon locates the store where he buys food rations, aiming to buy enough for five days.

[Hat-Trick]

"Something tells me I'd have to try pretty hard to lose a talking book," Donovan replied light-heartedly to Jysson, tightening his grip and pulling his cloak closer all the same. He follows Kaldon and buys five day's worth of rations as well. The two seemed to have the same mind-set when it came to resources. Guess I'm not the only one who hates feeling under prepared...

[WelcomingGrave]

Kaldon & Donovan
While it doesn't take you long to find the rations you can actually make use of, you do spend a few minutes wandering the market place. One vendor was selling minerals for creatures from the Inner Plane of Earth and Minerals. Another was selling awful, gross slime balls for ooze mephits, while a third was selling small, child like bony fingers you'd rather not know about.

All in all you find what you are looking for, and thankfully it wasn't too expensive.

((Rations for 5 days each, one ration cost 5sp. -25sp for Kaldon and Donovan. Total cost combined 50sp))

Sturm decides to stay behind with Jysson, and despite Jysson's urge to get this ordeal done with and get back home the two being strike up a conversation.

Each gives a basic overview of their home plane. Jysson, while trying his best to be interested, drifts from the conversation a few times, but apologies when he catches himself doing so. "The Prime Material worlds are vast I'm sure, but it's nothing compared to the importance of the Outer and Inner Planes. Not trying to down talk your home, it sounds nice for a vacation away from the dangerous of everyday life out here, but it just doesn't sound too interesting." Jysson seems more interested in conversation about the flora and fauna of Sturm's home plane, which makes Jysson speak of the Beastlands.

He tells Sturm the basic ecology of the Beastlands, all manner of beast from every type of world known. The one and only law of the Beastlands (the law of "the jungle"), as well as the various beings that make up the plane. One of the more interesting things Jysson mentions about the Beastland is what he calls the Beastland Taint.

Jysson explains that visitors to the Beastland, depending how long they stay on the plane, might take on the characteristics and appearance of wild animals. Goat horns grow on top of basher's heads, small scales begin to cover their body, or a feather forms in their hair. He says that the condition isn't permanent, but its a good laugh when basher's visit the plane without the knowledge about it, they think they're turning into animals and all.

[Night Monkey]

Having found what he wanted, Kaldon moves away from the market stalls and returns to the others, eager to get this business out of the way as quickly as possible. Despite his mistrust of the cat and the book, he listens closely to as much of their conversation as he is in time to hear, always interested in learning new facts about the planes.

[Hat-Trick]

Donovan dawdles a bit on his way back, taking in the sites of the Bazaar as he goes. So many alien things, so many that were interesting and captivating, but he did not stop, only slowed. When he arrived, he also listened in on the conversation, curious to know what he could of what ever was available.

[WelcomingGrave]

Kaldon
It's easy to over hear the conversation, at least Jysson's injection. He makes no attempt to hide the information he lets loose. You catch snippets of the conversation.

How all the animals of the Beastlands are natural animals. There are no magical or dragons roaming the plane. You hear how one layer of the plane is nothing but eternal dusk and night. Jysson remembers hearing about some flying elves that make their kip in a giant tree on the first layer. He doesn't know much about them. Jysson does mention one very interesting thing about the Beastlands. That of the Mortai.

He roughly explains that the Mortai are like "guardians", or at least that's the best example Jysson can come up with. Creatures of the air, almost completely mistaken for clouds by uncanny bashers. No one knows for sure just exactly what they are, but most agree they fulfill am important role in the ecology of the Beastlands.

Donoavn
As you slowly move out of the Great Bazaar your eye's catch many strange and wondrous things. Mechanical contraptions sold by gnomes and dwarves, all claiming to be better then the next. Shady fiends selling glowing bottles of unknown origin. An art dealer that claims she can paint your emotions. The list goes on. They all beckon you to come see their wares, but you manage to get out of the market without spending all your gold in one place.

It's easy to over hear the conversation, at least Jysson's injection. He makes no attempt to hide the information he lets loose. You catch snippets of the conversation.

How all the animals of the Beastlands are natural animals. There are no magical or dragons roaming the plane. You hear how one layer of the plane is nothing but eternal dusk and night. Jysson remembers hearing about some flying elves that make their kip in a giant tree on the first layer. He doesn't know much about them. Jysson does mention one very interesting thing about the Beastlands. That of the Mortai.

He roughly explains that the Mortai are like "guardians", or at least that's the best example Jysson can come up with. Creatures of the air, almost completely mistaken for clouds by uncanny bashers. No one knows for sure just exactly what they are, but most agree they fulfill am important role in the ecology of the Beastlands

As Kaldon and Donovan return to the rest of the group Jysson and Sturm glance over towards them.

"All finished?", Jysson asks. His attitude no long 'desperate to get this done', but more bright now. As if his conversation with Sturm has eased him a bit.

Okhan, who has been keeping a watchful eye on his surroundings, looks over to acknowledge the group.

OOC
((Slight control taken over Okhan due to not knowing when Cardea will be able to post again. 3 day post limit reached. Feel free to take back your char when you get the chance to post))

[Night Monkey]

"S'done. Le's go."

Kaldon pulls a large, wide-brimmed grey hat out of his backpack and puts it on, a clear indicator that he is ready for adventure.

[WelcomingGrave]

"S'done. Le's go."

Jysson smiles and nods at the comment, turns on the 'ball' of his 'heels', and takes the first step. Sturm and Okhan following in tow.

It doesn't take long till the party starts to make good headway toward their destination. Unknown to the majority of the group they already pass the Market Ward and have entered the Guild Hall Ward. Even though there are no signs or anything to tell a body when they've passed a certain ward and entered another one, locals of Sigil can just tell when they've entered a new ward, be it a slight change in the way the buildings look, to just the feeling in the air and its inhabitants.

No one seems to be paying the party any mind in this ward either...well, maybe no everyone. No one could tell right off hand at first but a couple, a man and a woman, are making a b-line directly to the group. The man carries a old, brown sack, and the woman 'appears' to carry nothing but her clothing.

About 40ft from the group there's no mistaken, the couple are heading directly to the group. The man's clothing are very simple, his only notable feature is his pure white hair, an odd feature for someone that looks like they're in their late 20's. The man carries with him a smirk as he looks to the woman he's traveling with, and a mumble can be heard from him. "Speak of the devils..."

Donovan
There's no mistaken it for you, this is Garil.

[Hat-Trick]

"Ho, cutter," Donovan calls in greeting. This is a pleasant surprise... He smirks as he jokingly adds, "Having troubles or are you here to haze the Clueless?"

[Cardea]

Okhan's mind fades back into focus, and upon seeing Donovan greet the... 'couple', moves one hand to his sword. He runs through his mind his maneuvers and hopes that they will simply harass, at most.

OOC
Really sorry about not posting. Won't happen again.

[WelcomingGrave]

The man chuckles as he lifts a hand in greeting to the group, particularly Donovan. "Hail cutter." He smirks, looking to the woman next to him before back to Donovan and the group. "Hazing the Clueless? Haha, ya think yer the only one that knows me in this birdcage?"

Jysson, seeing Okhan take the right approach, moves behind him a bit. Like he doesn't fully trust or even know this man.

The man continues, "And nah, ain't having much trouble. Just out to collect the jink and all. A body can't survive on philosophy alone...well, no one that I know 'least." The man pauses and looks over the group in detail. Sizing them up? Perhaps.

"What about you? Lookin' fer a kip or out making friends?" The man says, lowering his brown bag to his side.

Cardea OOC
((Not a problem. Picked a good time to get back into the game. Boring stuff is over and the actual adventure is back underway hehe. Welcome back!))

[Hat-Trick]

"A little bit of both," Donovan replied, "Jysson here needed help and is offering up his former place as payment." He indicated the cat behind Okhan before continuing. "The rest of them are helping out as well, for their own reasons. Who's your friend? I don't think I've had the pleasure."

[WelcomingGrave]

The man nods to Jysson. Jysson just gives a slight nod as well, staying behind Okhan.

The man continues, "Is he now? Whole building huh?" The man nods, "That was pretty quick, good on ya. Real estate is hard to come by in Sigil." The man pauses at the last statement Donovan makes. "Oh, right. Manners, terrible at them sometimes." He throws his hands up in a 'tada' motion to the woman. "Donovan, Miski. Miski, Donovan. An' seeing that we're on the focus of manners." The man looks at the other members of the party.

"I'm Garil, tout. Simple as that."

[Player3]

While taking in the group in front of her, her eyes fell upon Jysson as he was mentioned. Oh dear, they're working for a petitioner. Hopefully he doesn't lead them astray.

Miski bowed as she was introduced. "I see you took in the cute one." She grinned at Garil while brushing her hair back from her face. She was still curious as to why this Donovan was an exception, but knew better than to pry into the matter. I guess it will just have to stay a mystery for now.

[Hat-Trick]

"Cute? Well, I won't turn aside a compliment when offered," Donovan answered with a bit of surprise. Definitely a new experience, yet enjoyable. Better than suspicion and distrust by a fair bit. "Your kind to the eyes, as well. I am honored to make your acquaintance."

[Player3]

Miski suddenly felt very uncomfortable in her common clothes and bare feet. Unconsciously her hand went from hair to horn as if to make sure they were still there, or to hide them. The compliment had taken her aback and she struggled to find something to say. "Oh, um, thanks." She noticed the slight heat of her face on her hand and took a moment to compose herself. "Well, I'm happy to meet you too."

Hoping nobody noticed Miski quickly changed the subject. "Why don't you introduce us to the other cutters here?" She glanced at Garil. "Unless I'm the only one in the dark here."

[Hat-Trick]

"I would, but after introducing Jysson, I remembered that not everyone likes their name being thrown around on a whim, sorry," He says that last one to Jysson, hopefully the cat didn't mind his blunder. Donovan noticed Miski fidget with her hair, but thought nothing of it. Possibly just a tic.

[WelcomingGrave]

Jysson looks up to Donovan and shrugs a bit.

Sturm decides to be the second to speak up, "Sturm."

Garil shrugged to Miski's comment. "Don't know everyone here but I try to at least. Ahh, well." He looks to Donovan. "So where were you heading today?"

[Hat-Trick]

"We're off to Automata to return The Book," Donovan says, showing Garil the book he held. "Unfinished business from Jysson's times before petitioner-hood. Something tells me it will be a good test of discipline."

[WelcomingGrave]

"Automata?" Garil says, scratching his head. "Test of discipline nothing. More like test of patience." He chuckles slightly, playing it off like a joke.

Garil looks over to Miski with a smirk. "Maybe you should go too? You've always told me how you've never been outside of Sigil before. If yer too scared to even leave Sigil how can you possibly shoot for your dreams?"

[Night Monkey]

Deciding that the conversation is idle chatter that doesn't concern him, Kaldon doesn't bother to introduce himself, instead taking out his crossbow and checking that it is in working order.

[WelcomingGrave]

Garil, noticing Kaldon taking out his crossbow and basically ignoring the conversation, looks back to Donovan. "Sure picked a lively bunch to travel with cutter. Better hope they're up for it in case trouble happens, cuz they're conversational skills are truly lackin..."

Garil pauses and thinks for a second, "You know what, speaking of trouble." Garil tosses Donovan the brown bag he's been carrying. "You keep a hold of that for me. Use it all you like, but I except it back when you've used up everything it has to offer. Should help you get on your feet in no time."


OOC Note to Everyone
((While technically Garil "gave" Donovan something, what's inside is meant for the entire party's benefit. No favorites being played here :P))

[Player3]

Miski's eyes widened at Garil's suggestion: it was madness, but he was right. She couldn't live all her life in what was just another cage. I guess Automata doesn't sound too bad, at least it isn't one of the lower gate-towns. Should be fine if I keep my head down.

"How 'bout it? Care for a fifth?" So much for the rule of threes.

[Night Monkey]

Ignoring entirely the (perfectly accurate, he muses) commentary on his social graces, as well as the offer by the planetouched woman to join the group, Kaldon looks into the bag to see what they have been given.

Knowing Automata, whatever this is will be illegal to import without having sent in a dozen forms a week ago. I wonder if anyone I used to work with is on smuggling rotation for the Council?

[WelcomingGrave]

As the bag is opened a human sized, silver skull pops out and begins to float around Kaldon. Magical energy surrounds the skull, and looking closely a body can see small runes carved across it's face.

Taking a closer look a body can notice that there are a few burn marks here and there, some scratches across the runes, and general bents and dings. A sure sign that this has been a well used...whatever this is.

Locals of Sigil and the planes know instantly what this little thing is. A mimir, a type of 'talking encyclopedia'.

It bobs around Kaldon, much like a Ioun stone would, but not in a full circle. It just sort of hovers around him. Some times gravitating towards another party member, but seems 'attached' to Kaldon.

Garil chuckles at the sight, "Well then, just let everyone in Sigil know that they have a group of Clueless on their hands why dontcha? Haha." Garil points to Donovan with a smile, "Yer responsible for that mimir Donovan. I better not hear you dinged it one time and it stopped working." He said jokingly.

[Hat-Trick]

"Welcome aboard as far as I'm concerned," Donovan answered Miski brightly. As an aquaintance of Garil's, she was skilled, no doubt, and most likely more interesting to talk to.

At the sudden appearance of the mimir, Donovan jumped slightly. He wasn't exactly expecting a moving, and obviously thinking, object to pop out. At the mention of what it was, he laughed a bit. "A mimir, so this is one of the talking encyclopedias you told me about. Don't worry, I'll keep it safe and working."

[WelcomingGrave]

Garil can't help but chuckle at the sight of Donovan taken a back by the sudden appearance of the mimir. "Ain't no big deal lad. Like I said just don't break it or you'll be up the Styx. To activate it just point at it and say 'run introduction recording'. After that just take it out, point at it, and ask it a question. Simple"

Jysson, moving from behind Sturm, makes a comment. "I'd hate to break up this little reunion but..."

[Player3]

Miski smiled broadly with the acceptance into the group and out of amusement to their reaction to the mimir. This was me not too long ago, and I'm sure it'll show once we get out.

When Jysson brought their attention back to the matter, Miski went to finish his train of thought. "Right, right, work to be done." Spoilsport.
"Well, by the looks of the lot of you I may need to grab one or two things from my stash, so why don't you tell me where this portal is and I'll meet you there?"

[WelcomingGrave]

Jysson looks up to Donovan, then back to Miski. "It's located in an old scribes shop near the Hall of Records in the Clerk's Ward. We'll be there shortly so...if you have something you have to pick up might want to be quick about it."

Garil, putting his hands in his pockets, addresses Donovan, but doesn't look directly at him. "Hey Donovan, if'n you manage to avoid landing yerself in hot water in Automata, stop by the One Jink Tavern when you get a chance and I'll treat you and yer...um...'friends' to a drink."

Garil gives a slight wave to the group in farewell and begins to walk off, but stops suddenly, turns around, and points to the entire group. "Oh...one more thing for the clueless amongst you. Keep a close eye on your petitioner friend there. If he gets written in the dead-book outside his home plane there won't even be essence left behind...welp. Good luck!" He turns back around, and walks off in the distance.

Jysson, after hearing Garil's words, shivers a bit. "Uhhh...yeah. I didn't need to be reminded of that but..." Jysson looks up at the group.

[Hat-Trick]

"You'll be alright," Donovan reassures. "I don't know about the rest of these bashers, but I don't plan on getting into any trouble, let alone lose a fight." Worse comes to worse, he's light enough to carry in a dead sprint. He points to the Mimir and says, "Run introduction recording." Might as well try it out.

[WelcomingGrave]

"Run introduction recording."

The mimir, floating around Kaldon still, turns to look at Donovan. Upon hearing the command 'run introduction recording' the mimir begins to wizz and spin, the hidden gears clicking and turning, the magic coursing through the creation. Until it finally grows stable and a voice is heard, emanating from the mimir.

"I am a mimir, a magical construct designed to provide information. I can be a most valuable aid in the successful exploration of the Outer planes. If you have stolen me, please be aware that even now bounty hunters are coming to claim me for justice.

I perform only in the Outer planes. My information comes straight from the mouths of planewalkers, proxies, or petitioners. I have been carried around the Outer planes by agents who have sought out those who have had experience in various subjects. Inscribed on me are their voices, and impressions..."

Suddenly new voices, nothing like the mimir's, enter the recording.

"There are sixteen gate towns..."

"Why it won't stop whistling in my ears!?"

"If you're looking for more there's plenty of..."

"Get your business done and get out..."

"Lord Paracs is the brains behind the whole..."

The mimir's voice reenters the recording.

"...and they will speak to you directly of their experiences, though they can not answer questions. They are simply recordings, and the sights they see may or may not be true, or they may color the sights and sounds with their own perceptions. I am yours to command. Speak to me, and I will tell you all I know..."

[Night Monkey]

A mimir, that may end up being very useful...

...A very generous loan, in fact...

...They never know the answers to the really important questions, but...

...Very convenient, showing up with the planetouched as well...

...An excellent source of reference, a handy tool essentially...

...Possible that there is much more to this whole situation than meets the eye...

...Are we all just handy tools? Is a man but a mimir to real powers in the planes?

Having been distracted by his thoughts for a while, Kaldon speaks up.

"S'nice skull. Le's go, kin ask it stuff onna way."

[Player3]

Miski was just turning to go when the voice from the mimir changed and paused to listen.

"I wonder what that was all about?" She said to herself as she finished the motion.

"Seeya in the Clerk's ward." Miski said over her shoulder to the others as she gave a quick wave and darted off through the crowd.


Have I ever heard of a "Lord Paracs"?
Knowledge: Local
[roll0]
Knowledge: Factions and Guilds
[roll1]

(I hope I've done it right)

[WelcomingGrave]

Miski
You know for sure this Lord Paracs isn't some high-up in the factions, but you're not too sure who he is. With the title of 'Lord' you assume he must be someone important. Though of what you have no idea.

[WelcomingGrave]

The heroes continue on their way until they finally enter the Clerk's Ward. Jysson sure did his homework before calling everyone to him. No one bumps into them, no one stops them. After the encounter with Garil it has been smooth sailing, until you all stand in front of the Hall of Records.

"Come on. This way." Jysson says, as he leads the group to a side street. It doesn't take long until the party is standing in front of one of the many old clerk's buildings.

About this time Miski stumbles upon the group again. Jysson walks up to the front door and sits down. "Well, we're here. Beyond this door is a small closet that is the portal to Automata. Everyone ready?"


OOC
Advancing plot along since no one posted yesterday. Slight control taken over Okhan. Three day limit reached.

[Night Monkey]

Kaldon adjusts the position of his hat unnecessarily, before responding.

"Eh."

Don't look back. Doubt is a cage.

[Player3]

"The portal will only be open for a couple of seconds, right?" Miski double checked her gear to make sure nothing was loose.

[Cardea]

"As ready as I'll ever be. Which... is sayin' nothin', given the Planes." Okhan says, adjusting his bag on his shoulder to a more comfortable position.

[WelcomingGrave]

Jysson nods. "Yes. Portals are usually only open for a few seconds. Enough time for six bodies to make it through if they're ready. The closet that contains the portal is near the back of the building."

[Player3]

"Then what are we waiting for?" Miski opened the door and entered the building. "By the way Jysson, this trip better not leave us hipped."

[WelcomingGrave]

As Miski opens the door the party sees a familiar sight, expect some minor factors. A dusty clerk's office. There are a few very old looking workers, slowly but surely writing on pieces of paper. They don't seem to notice the door suddenly open.

Jysson looks up to Miski, "You have my word on that. I thrice checked, and this portal is two ways. I believe Kaldon has the key, so if nothing else you have to worry about HIM hipping us..." With that Jysson enters the building, taking the lead and heading towards the back of the office, taking a right turn and disappearing down a hallway.

[Night Monkey]

Kaldon gives an involuntary shudder at the sight of the old clerks.

Barely alive, that's what this kind of environment does to you.

"Aye, 'ere 'tis," Kaldon brandishes the portal key, paying close attention to the clerks, as well as to Jysson. "M'mir, wha's time in Aut'mata now?"

[WelcomingGrave]

The mimir looks over to Kaldon and speaks. "I do not possess the exact time in Automata. The day light and night cycle of Automata is a cycle of exact half and half. 6 am from 6pm are daylight hours, and 6pm to 6am are night hours. One of the more common laws in Automata is the mandatory curfew. No one is allowed on the streets during the night time hours.

Judging by the current light level in Sigil, about two hours to Peak, it should roughly be another six or seven hours until night falls onto Automata. Do you wish for more information on the city of Automata?"


Planar Characters
Due to your nature of being planar creatures ((note. Planar chars/creatures are those born on a plane. Tieflings born on prime worlds are still considered prime creatures)) you can sense a nearby portal. Roughly in the same direction that Jysson disappeared to. At least he's telling the truth about a portal being in this clerk's office.

[Player3]

Kaldon? Oh, the dwarf.

Miski screwed her face up as she heard about the strict curfew. Something tells me I'm not gonna like this place.

"Uhh, I'm not gonna get arrested for sneezing in the wrong direction or anything, am I?" The question was only half rhetorical, but she was beginning to really worry about how easy it might be to accidentally put a foot out of line.

She began to move across the office after Jysson, but found herself walking carefully, not wanting to disturb the clerks.

[Night Monkey]

"N'fer sneezin', no' when I were there. P'rhaps need 'orns measured though."

Kaldon gives a short chuckle that sounds more like a cough, before striding into the portal ahead.

[Hat-Trick]

"What are the normal punishments for small infractions in Automata, Mimir," Donovan asks at the subject of laws. If it was something minor it might not matter if they got in trouble, and knowing this before hand is usually a good thing.

[WelcomingGrave]

"Punishment by not abiding to Automata's law are as numerous as the laws themselves. Depending on the severity of the crime committed you might get a slap on the wrist, a fine, or jail time.

For example, failure to register as a visitor carries a minimal fine of 10 gold. Whereas failure to have a needed permit for various activities in Automata might result in a stern lecture.

However, the rules change when night falls on Automata, when the Council of Anarchy takes the place of the Council of Order.

Do you wish for more information?

[Hat-Trick]

"Yes," Donovan confirmed, walking after Jysson. Council of order and Council of anarchy? I thought Automata was a place of law, not status quo.

[noggenfogger]

Sturm listens to the mimir, entranced by the silver skull. Order and Anarchy? What the hell is this place? Rules for what foot to step with when entering the door? And how are we going to stay off the streets during the night?

"Right. Ugh... book? Did you say just how long it'd take to get ya to your home? If'n ya know that is..." says Sturm. Rubbing his chin apprehensively he asks "... and will we be able to find a room to sleep in if it'll take long? Do they even have inns there? Or do you need a license for that?" Maybe this was a bad idea.

[WelcomingGrave]

The mimir clicks and whirls, searching for the rest of the dark on Automata before responding.

"Automata is the gate to the plane of Mechanus, the Plane of Ultimate Order. The members of the Council of Anarchy were tracked down, and a discussion of theirs were secretly recorded by me. A small portion of it follows..."

"Now remember, when the berk with the mimir comes by here we pretend we're the Council of Order so we lure more leatherheads to this stupid town!...no slips up this time, right Ravis?"

"Pike it Leggis, you were the sod who slipped up last time!"

"And how did you figure that?"

"You and your stinkin' accent! Puttin' on the 'Oh I'm so holier then thou,' act that you particulary fell over your own soddin' tongue."

"Ah, what a bunch of hogwash."

"Help me out here Aurach!"

"Right Ravis...don't try to put the blame where it don't belong Leggis, and both of your remember your parts! Not like last time, right?"

"Got that Leggis!"

"Well...*mumble mumble mumble*"

"Shapeshift Aurach! He's coming..."

"Greetings honored one!"

"How do you do."

"Welcome to our fair city. My name is Captain Arstimis, and these are my fellow councilors; Pelnis the Clockmaker, and Serafil priestest of Lie Kung."

"How do you do!"

"Now I understand that you desire a small description of our city, for your master?"

"Hah! Indeed!"

*whispered* "Pompus windbag" *light chuckling heard in background, followed by a cough* "Ahem, excuse me..."

"I am Pelnis, and I am proud to make your accuantance."

"Nice to meet you."

*whispered* "That was close. I thought she forgot to shapechange..."

"Let me FORMALLY introduce myself. I'm Serafil of Lie Kung, and it falls to me to tell you about our town. First I would like to stress exactly how easy it is to pass through the gate to Mechanus. There are a feeew minor forms..."

*whispered* "A few thousand!"

"So that we can ease the traffic through the gate, and ensure proper placement in Mechanus. Our town is quiet, and there are many exciting features here. If a body's a merchant, we like 'em to come in with a fat purse."

"What?"

"I-I mean a full load of goods and LEAVE with a fat purse!"

"Erm, well I, uh. I-I dunno...ah"

"Well you blew this one all by yerself Ravis! Hey berk! We're the Council of Anarchy, and we've just scrapped our peel for your precious mimir!"

"How...how dare you!"

"Ah no, now don't try to run..."

"Make with the dagger Leggis!"

"Don't you dare! Arg!"

*A light scuffle is heard in the background, followed by the sudden sound of a dagger entering flesh, and a "thud"*

"That's just great...we go to all that trouble and you two drop it like a tanar'ri baby...now we've got to start all over. Hand me that mimir and we'll destroy it."

"Well I'd like to but I'm afraid its dissolving away!"

"Ehh, looks like its time to change our identities...again."

The Book, hearing Sturm, answers "Oh...well of course there are inns and taverns in Automata. Master Heiron most often frequents The Divine Machine for example. You do require a license to operate a place of business in Automata, but not one to rent a room."


As the mimir and The Book explain some of Automata's features and laws, Kaldon activates the portal with the key given to him. Touching the door knob and turning it a bright flash of light is seen around the door's edges, and as he opens the door an entire city lays on the other side.



Kaldon gives a short chuckle that sounds more like a cough, before striding into the portal ahead.

OOC to Everyone
Due to Kaldon already deciding to pass through the portal I'm going to assume everyone is going to follow in tow behind him. Else wise you'll be left behind.

A slight chill runs down the hero's spine as they pass through the portal into Automata. No longer within the dusty scribe's office, you now find yourself out-of-doors, with clear daylight replacing the foggy dimness you're use to in the Cage.

The town around you is built entirely of uniformed gray-red stone that rises in identically sized stories. The whole burg seems constructed out of right angles and straight lines. The people hustle about in neat little rows, most of them dressed in the same identical gray robes.

"Newcomers must register at the Office of Visiting Entities," a voice says. It belongs to a stern, armor-clad soldier standing near the party with nine of his fellows.

[Night Monkey]

Seeing his old home city brings a little feeling of serenity and nostalgia to the back of Kaldon's mind, which he then suppresses, chilled at his own readiness to feel safe and calm.

"Yer yer, 'old ont'yer gears," Kaldon says to the guard, suddenly feeling aggressive. He starts stomping towards where he remembers the office to be. "Over 'ere, c'mon."

[Hat-Trick]

"Thanks for being reasonable," Donovan calls back to the guards as he follows Kaldon's lead. Something tell him he won't be so polite after too much of it, but for now it was important to not seem hostile.

[WelcomingGrave]

The guard gives a visible nod to Donovan in regards to his comment, before him and his fellows venture off down one of the many straight streets.

Jysson, catching up to Kaldon, says "Do we really have to? Wont that take a really long time? I mean..." Jysson stops and counts, "Six people to process. Can't we just skip that part and head straight to Heiron's kip?"

At this point Jysson looks back to the others, seeing if they agree with him.

[Player3]

"I don't know, Jysson, you don't seem to have 10 gold on you. Besides, it can't be more trouble than signing some sort of guest book, right?" Miski said, squinting slightly in the daylight. It was different to be able to see all the way down every street, but they all looked the same to her. Even the people looked the same, but that was probably just their clothes. I could get lost if I rely on visual clues, perhaps I could count the streets or something?

"Who has the mimir? I have a question for it." She asked, loosing interest in the sameness of the burg. "Does it have any recordings containing a 'Lord Paracs'?"

[WelcomingGrave]

"Who has the mimir? I have a question for it." She asked, loosing interest in the sameness of the burg. "Does it have any recordings containing a 'Lord Paracs'?"

OOC
no one has told me they put it away, so until someone decides they've looked at the ugly thing long enough it'll act just like an Ioun Stone. Hovering/Following the party

Jysson looks over to Miski, "I don't remember to be honest. Only what I've heard. If Kaldon thinks we should I guess we might as well." Jysson gives out a sigh.


The mimir, still floating about the group, turns to address Miski. The usually sounds of hidden gears spinning and twirling (indicating it's searching for the dark) is heard until it speaks. "Lord Quentill Paracs is the ruler of Ribcage, gate town to the plane of Baator, the Pits of Desolation and Despair. Beneath Lord Paracs are five other senators who can overturn his vote if the majority oppose the bill set up.

Lord Quentill Paracs is filed under information involving Ribcage. Do you wish for more information on Ribcage?"

Miski
As you think about counting the streets you actually realize that is probably the best way for a newcomer to get around Automata. The berg itself doesn't look like one could easily get lost in it, but the general make up of the town is somewhat "chaotic". Residential areas right next to working factories. Bars and taverns located in illogical places. It seems every block is dedicated to a single enterprise. IE, This block is nothing but shops that sell weapons, the next is housing, the next are office buildings, and the one after that sells nothing but goods obtained from the Upper planes.


As Kaldon leads the group towards the Office of Visiting Entities the group suddenly finds itself on a street MUCH, MUCH, MUCH wider then all the other streets you've been down. The party is now moving down this very wide road, away from the Spire. A few minutes go by and within eye sight is a building that proudly proclaims itself to be the Office of Visiting Entities.

[noggenfogger]

What that hell is the place? The streets! Such streets! Never... they're, they're so regular. Such such straight lines. And the buildings. They're all the same, every damned one of them is the same red-gray. Same height.

Sturm's mouth falls open as he takes in the city, looking from building to build, street to street. His hand instinctively starts dropping to his hilt. No, stop that. His arm stops its descent. They'll be no need for that and if there need of your steel you will draw in response as master Malrubin taught you. You'll be quick enough if the need shows itself. You always have been. His face twitches imperceptible. Well, other than-No need. Put that from your mind. You've work to do.

Breathing deeply, Sturm steadies himself and starts taking note of his surroundings. Strange architecture... Vanden would certainly have something to say. Well trained, starts looking for ambush points, cover, running through urban battle tactics. Not great, too regular for real leverage but...

Upon seeing the Office of Visiting Entities, he says "You're from here, right Kaldon? How bad is this office going to be?"

[Night Monkey]

"'Ow bad? D'pends, does an 'our or so o' tedious paperwork fill y'with dread? Prob'ly norra problem, jus' dull as watchin' a debate on 'ow 'zatcly ter define th'word 'table', b'lieve me I know."

As the group draws closer to the Office, Kaldon puts away his hat with a low sigh.

"Hmph, now ev'ryone put on yer best moron faces 'n' do as yer told. Save fuss."

[WelcomingGrave]

Inside the Office of Visiting Entities are as many paper-pushing petitioners as there are humorless modrons. The experience was, to say the least, extremely boring.

Having to file out forms upon forms, in triplicate, for about two hours. Having to speak with many different people and modrons, having to run about the office.

"Fill out these forms and then take them upstairs, fill out those forms and bring them back down here be proof read, THEN take them across the way to be stamped. After all that you need to head to..." ect ect.

It went like this for two hours until the party FINALLY finished registering as visitors. The whole process cost 5 sp each for processing fees, and each individual was given a LONG list of Automata laws as well as street passes.


OOC
No way am I going to RP the boring process of filing paper work. So extreme fast forward past those parts haha. The list of Automata laws give everyone in the party "immunity" from breaking common infractions. Like...sneezing when you're not suppose to. Stealing, murder, and breaking the curfew are still breaking the law though, but the mundane ones you don't have to worry over.

[noggenfogger]

Sturm looks at Kaldon and in a harried voice says "That may have been the most boring experience in my life."

[Cardea]

"Is... is it alright to cut that part of my brain out? It should be alright to cut that part of my brain out. Do they have a law against that?" Okhan says, his brain numb from so much paperwork.

[Hat-Trick]

"I think you need a license, or was it a permit, is there a difference?" Donovan answers, looking over his copy of Automata law.

[Player3]

"I should've chanced the ten gold." Miski said, rubbing her head. "Let's get going, I can't bare to stand around any longer." She started walking off (deliberately ignoring the little neat rows of traffic) before pausing; realising she didn't actually know the way.

[Night Monkey]

"Harumph," Kaldon utters a longer grunt than normal. "Think that's bad, try liv'n' 'ere fer first thirt'eight years of yer life." His voice is louder now, slightly clearer than before, as though familiar territory is rendering him more confident.

Stop that, this is all foreign to your mind. You have nothing in common with this place. Complacency is weakness.

"Uhh, cat person. Where's 'ouse then?"

[WelcomingGrave]

OOC
Assuming The Book is still out. And I believe Donovan has The Book too.

Jysson seems just about as dazed as the majority of the group itself. He mumbles to himself, "By the powers, I pray I never have to go through THAT again..." Jysson looks over to Kaldon and tries his best so shake off the dizzy images, "I don't know. The Book does though."

The Book, seemingly unphased by the whole ordeal, says in it's meek voice "Indeed. Where we have to go is..."

The Book begins to give a detailed route to take through the non-winding streets.

[Player3]

"Even the book talks..." Miski comments after it finishes giving directions. "What's in it, anyway?" She asks as she starts off in the right direction this time.

[Hat-Trick]

"Information about running a business," Donovan says, opening the Book to its face page. "Or something along those lines."

[WelcomingGrave]

Jysson looks over to Miski as Donovan tries to explain The Book. "Mostly what Donovan said. Yes. From what I've learned of it since I was reintroduced to my past life that is. Flawless mathematician and it knows a great deal about running a business. Though it's not very creative. Not sure if Heiron intended it to be like that or if it just came out like that."

The party makes good time walking through the streets of Automata with the help of The Book guiding them. Flawlessly telling them exactly what stone to step on.

Following The Book's directions the party finds itself in a block dedicated to various shops - candlemakers, leather workers, bakers, and other craftsmen. It leads the group to the exact building where Heiron's kip is. The building has a rather new looking sign on it, proclaiming...

Thandol's Smoked Meats

..and judging from the spicy, smoky smell coming from within, it's probably correct.

The Book proclaims, "Where here."

[Hat-Trick]

"Did Heiron paint eyes on you?" Donovan exclaimed, looking at the Face page, noting two perfectly drawn eyes before turning it to show the building. "This is not what we're looking for. He must have moved."

[Cardea]

"I don't care if they were etched on," Okhan says, putting his hand on Donovan's shoulder. "I'm going into the shop that promises me food. You tellin' me you ain't hungry?"

[Hat-Trick]

"I never said that," Donovan admits, pondering. "Just that this isn't our objective. Who else is hungry? My treat." Need to lighten my purse a bit anyway, carrying too much for safety.

[noggenfogger]

At the scent of the smoked meat, Sturm finds his mouth watering. "I was hungry before the ordeal, and this smell certainly isn't helping matters. I'm in."

[Night Monkey]

Great, we come here to do a simple job and now we're stopping for lunch.

"Fine s'pose..." Kaldon murmurs, before grumbling incomprehensibly.

I wonder if this place cuts the meat into precise squares like my mother always did...

[WelcomingGrave]

The Book looks up to Donovan, "I'm one hundred percent certain that this is Heiron's kip. This is the exact place Jysson first purchased me at."

As the door to "Heiron's kip" is opened the smell of the meat becomes almost overwhelming. The only person in the building is an elderly old man, Thandol, that has a good deal more liveliness about him than most folks on the streets.

"Well hello there strangers! Welcome to Thandol's Smoked Meats. What can I do fer ya this fine day?"

[Hat-Trick]

"We're looking for a meal, and information on Herion, the fellow who used to live here," Donovan says curiously. "We've come into possession of a book of his and are looking to return it. Can you be of any help?"

[Night Monkey]

Fantastic, the self-appointed group spokesberk here has decided to announce our intentions plain as day. There is one absolute advantage that we can claim over the residents of this place; dishonesty. Everyone here tells the truth, always behaves predictably. Apparantly we've decided to buy into their weakness. I must make a mental note to be rid of these Clueless and team up with some good Indep types as soon as we get paid.

[WelcomingGrave]

"Oh, well I can help ya with the meal no problem. Information on old Heiron though? Well, can't say I know much about the blood. He doesn't work here any longer. Packed up his things and left a few months ago. Bout that time I bought the building from him at a rather reasonable price, got in on sale actually during one of the Sale Days." Thandol says, as he slides off his stool and stands closer to the counter.

"But I can tell you 'bout that as I get yer meal ready. What did you all have in mind?" Thandol says, looking over the group one by one.

OOC
Random tips I might throw in every once in awhile.

Tip: Thandol now has become your only reliably source of information, as The Book has brought you to a dead end. If you want to go about finding Heiron a different way you are more then welcomed to, but pumping the old man for information might prove useful.

[Player3]

"I don't know... can you count smoked meat as a meal?" Miski said nonchalantly as she eyed Thandol's wares and walked up behind Donovan, poking his arm with her finger.

[Hat-Trick]

Donovan turns to Miski with a confused look. "Need something?" He wondered.

[WelcomingGrave]

Thandol looks over to Miski, and with a weak smile states, "Oh well if you're hungry enough anything can be a meal missy. Though the smoked meat is my best seller, especially with the baatzu it seems."

Jysson, remembering why they're here, walks forward with Miski and says, "None for me, thanks, unless you have more information on a Heiron Lifegiver. I've come too far to walk into a dead end, in Automata of all places."

Thandol pauses before continuing, "Well like I said. Don't know much about the blood myself. I think Heiron used to hang out at the Divine Machine. Might find some basher that know of him round those parts."

[Night Monkey]

"Uh, yeah. Th'alflin' pub, or so's called. Sh'prob'ly go there. I guess some bur'crats'll prob'ly 'ave records of's where'bouts," Kaldon shifts uncomfortably in his seat. "But I don't think we wanna tangle wi'em again soon."

[Player3]

Miski looked daggers at Thandol, trying to work out if he was implying she was Baatezu. Thankfully Kaldon piped up, allowing her to divert her attention and add her two greens. "Sounds awfully grand for a pub, the place must be terrible."

[Hat-Trick]

"Grand, terrible, whathaveyou, it's where we need to go, but first our orders," Donovan states. "What's on the fire?"

[WelcomingGrave]

Thandol moves towards the fire as he continues talking, "Aye, that's the place. One of the more popular taverns in Automata. Can find just about anyone in there, save hins I suppose. An I'm not too sure if they have records of Heiron to be honest. Least after he sold the place."

Thandol turns around to look at Kaldon, lowering his voice for some reason, "I think old Heiron was not completely on the legal side, if you know what I mean...He had a number of secret compartments and hiding places in here I've noticed after I bought the place from him."

Hearing Donovan make a comment on something that will actually cost gold Thandol adds, "Oh, well I got some fresh...um." Thandol pauses before looking to Jysson, "Fresh boar straight from the Faunel area, if you fancy that."

Jysson simply shrugs, "As long as it wasn't sentient." To which Thandol replies, "Nah, made sure of it. I don't deal like that."

[Night Monkey]

Ignoring the food for now, Kaldon's interest is piqued by the suggestion of illegality.

"Coun'l Anarchy y'reckon? Or freelancin', if 'e's so brave?"

Is it possible I've worked with this man at some point?... No, he hardly seems the type to get posted to the gear mines.

[Player3]

Miski whispered aside to Kaldon, "Council of Anarchy? Don't tell me he had something to do with those bunglers in the recording."

Something's not right here, secret compartments are not simply 'noticed'. If they really are Heiron's, he either left them to be found or he is a fool.
She tried fishing for more information from Thandol. "They don't sound like good hiding places if you found them that easily. Perhaps they were here before Heiron even got this place?"

[WelcomingGrave]

Thandol shrugs to Kaldon's comment. "Not sure cutter. All I know is the Automata laws, and it's pretty frowned upon for shop keepers to have secret compartments throughout their buildings. Especially the one's Heiron had. What do they call 'em? Extra...extra dimension pockets? Something like that?"

Upon hearing Miski's comment ((the one that wasn't whispered)) "Well that's the thing. They were hid good. I didn't know they were there until the magic wore off and a few new items I wasn't suppose to be selling here started to turn up in my inventory. Nothing fancy like that book ya got there," Thandol motions over to The Book, "But obviously belonging to a mage."

Thandol focuses his attention on Miski, who is obviously a newcomer to the town he reckons, or at least she doesn't know much about the workings of Automata then the dwarf Kaldon, whom Thandol seems to be getting along with the most. "See lass, Automata, as I'm sure you've noticed, has laws for everything. 'A proper place for everything, and everything in it's proper place' is a common Modron saying I'm sure you've heard down here in, or will eventually if'n you stay long enough. Anyways, they frown upon shop keepers having a lot of secret compartments.

Now a few are understandable, jink goes into a safe, or bank if you have the means to, but a LOT of them, filled with things that ain't suppose to be there, well, you start to have problems. Namely...well..." Thandol coughs, as if clearing his throat, "With the Council of Anarchy. Illegal goods come into and out of Automata all the time, and are generally stored away from prying eyes...at least on the local shop level. Not saying I have any involvement with the berks, but it's no secret that not everyone in Automata is a straight arrow as the Council of Order would like everyone to believe.

Now Mechanus is a totally different story. Sure, they have one gear that ain't as lawful as the rest of the plane, but that gear is mostly for outsiders that find themselves in the Clockwork Universe. Find yourself on any other, especially Regulas, and you'll be wishing you were back in Automata. At least that's how most of the tourist think when they first step onto the plane." Thandol chuckles, finding the thought funny himself. "It seems unless you're born in Automata or Mechanus the local Modrons are just too much for some berks to handle. I've lived here my whole life, and I don't even fully understand them. Hells, I don't think any one does save for the modrons themselves. It can be quite a jarring experience for planewalkers that ain't ready for it."

Jysson simply listens to the old man and the party's exchange of words, weighing them heavily in his mind. So many questions answered, but so many more raised.

[Night Monkey]

Seems odd that nobody understands the Modrons. If they're perfectly lawful, they should be predictable, easy to analyse. Either nobody studies them well enough, the axioms by which they operate are too complex to discern or... they aren't the automatons we believe them to be...

"What was in 'em? The dimension pockets? Dun' worry, shan't tell no'n."

[WelcomingGrave]

"Strange various ingredients from the looks of it. I'm no alchemist, but if I was a betting man, and I'm not, I'd say that's what it was. I found a small vial of...something or the other along with the stuff. Not sure what that was too, but it had a silver liquid in it."

Hearing about the vial The Book says, "Silver liquid? That must have been Master Heiron's 'Spark of Life'. He uses it in all his sentient creations, like myself. I do hope it was properly returned to him."

Thandol, looking over to The Book replies, "Well, don't know where he went, but I turned it in to the proper authorities."

[Player3]

Everyone's spilling the beans today.

Miski still didn't understand Thandol's concern. "So Heiron was a little barmy and didn't want his 11 different secret spices to creating intelligent items to be stolen, what of it?"

I wonder if anything else is still hidden.

[WelcomingGrave]

Thandol shrugs, "If it's illegal, it's illegal. I don't know the full law in the terms of alchemy and magical item imports and exports. Sure if you wanted to know the Fraternity would have the full listing. It's like breaking down the Ladies' portals, it just ain't allowed, though you wont get Mazed or any of the other horrible things I've heard happens in Sigil."

Thandol pauses and thinks for a moment, "You cutters sure you're just looking to return a book to him or are you investigators?...or..." Thandol visibly begins to get worried as his mind begins to wander into possibilities.

"Let me see your permits."

[Player3]

Miski briefly looked aside at Kaldon before asking Thandol. "Which ones?"

[Hat-Trick]

"The visitor permit?" Donovan asks, confused. "I don't remember any more being handed out."

[Night Monkey]

Kaldon grunts, deeply irritated at the Automatan bureaucracy he thought he'd left behind.

"Dun be silly, course we got permits, why d'ya wan' see 'em?"

[WelcomingGrave]

Thandol looks over to Donovan, "Visitor permits? Let me see them if you want me to talk any more about this." Glancing over to Kaldon he adds, "Yer asking a lot of questions about my shop and its make up then you are about Heiron personally, call it making sure I'm not dealing with someone that's trying to peel me. Show me proof of what yer saying, and I'll continue, otherwise there's always guards right outside, in fact give it a few more minutes and the next patrol will be coming around..."

[Hat-Trick]

Donovan pulls out his permit and hold it up for the shopkeeper to see. "Well, you've made it quite clear that you can't help us find him anymore than you have, but knowing about the shop might warn us if we're getting into something we don't really appreciate," he explained. "We don't want to get peeled either. Anyway, I'm up for that boar if you're still accepting our patronage."

[WelcomingGrave]

Thandol looks over the visitor's permit, making sure not to touch someone's property. Nodding he continues, "Aye, it looks legit to me. Ya gotta understand stranger. Someone ups and sells their shop, I find secret compartments and illegal goods, and someone comes into my shop trying to track him down. It's one of three things, you're either telling the truth and just want ta bring some of his legitimate property back, you're with the city watch, or you're tracking him down for other reasons, and I don't want to get involved with the 'other reasons'."

About that time the sound of loud 'clanks' are heard outside the shop. Apparently Thandol wasn't kidding that the next patrol would be coming around any minute. "And aye I'll still sell to ya. I'd give you a discount for the trouble I've caused ya, but unless the entire town gives a discount I'm not allow to. Three silvers for the road and I can point you towards the Divine Machine if you need directions."

[Night Monkey]

"I c'n get us there, jus' gi' us t'food an' we'll be out ya 'air."

[Hat-Trick]

Donovan counts out the coins and throws an extra jinx for the trouble.

[WelcomingGrave]

Thandol nods and goes to the rack and prepares the Faunel boar meat, cutting it with almost surgical precision into neat squares, and with even amounts. ((an even amount for those purchasing it that is))

Wrapping them up for easy carrying he sets the meat on the table, scooping up the silver he pauses as he counts it. He over paid for it...is it legal for me to take it? He thinks. Ahh, for the information, of course. Thandol nods again with a smile. "There you go. I've heard the meat taste wonderful. If there's anything else ya need just let me know. An if not may the road you take always be the right one. Good luck trackin' down Heiron, an' don't be a stranger to Automata."

Jysson nods, "Thanks again Thandol." Heiron in some trouble with the Council of Anarchy? I hope my escorts are still up for the job...

[Night Monkey]

Kaldon grunts, picks up the meat and leaves, donning his travelling hat as he walks out of the door..

"Don't be a stranger..." I swear I'd eat my own beard, run howling around the streets of Sigil and get taken in by the Bleakers before I'd consider myself barmy enough to come back here. It's the tenth sodding layer of Hell, make no mistake.

[Hat-Trick]

Donovan picks up his piece of boar and lifts it in respect of Thandol before taking a bite out of it. "Tasty, better than I'm used to, actually," the Prime notes. Not like I didn't have the coin, but the hoop jumping back home wasn't exactly a fun experience for anything better than bread and cheese. Damned secret identity and its draw backs.

[WelcomingGrave]

The view outside is as expectable as the plane of Limbo, expect a uniformed city, blandness and without emotions. Not much time has pasted with talking to Thandol. A few modrons walk the streets nearby, ones that appear to be in the shape of starfish, each limb having a separate hand, and each carrying a blade. Everyone on the street steps aside to let these modrons be about their way quickly, and as soon as they pass everyone resume walking in a straight line down the 180 degree roads and 90 degree turns.

Perfect and peaceful, if not bland and colorless with its rules seemingly overshadowing the entire city.

Jysson looks to his traveling companions, "So...I take it everyone is still up for the task at hand?"

OOC
Those that know about Modrons, such as Kaldon, know that the "starfish" shaped modrons are called Pentadrones.

Also, the ball is in your court now. You guys have to advance the plot now. Let me know where everyone plans to go to. The Book can no longer direct you to Heiron. Good luck! :smallwink:

[Night Monkey]

"Yeah, le's get on wi'it."

Kaldon walks as briskly as his dwarven physique permits in the direction of the Divine Machine, Automata's unchanging nature making navigating the streets significantly easier than it is in Sigil.

City's got no personality... No, it does, it's just a really stupid one. Sigil's smart, smart as anything. It knows the way of the planes, it knows the laws, but it does nothing other than what it darn well pleases. I have so much more to learn from it...

[Hat-Trick]

Donovan Bids farewell to the shopkeeper and follows his dwarven... Not exactly a companion. More of a... No, not a comrade either. He was more of a co-worker... Yeah, that one sounded right for the circumstances.

[WelcomingGrave]

With Kaldon's aid in directing the party through the town they quickly arrive at The Divine Machine.

It looks a lot like all the other buildings, but it's a noticeable smaller then the rest of the buildings surrounding it.

The door to the place is smaller as well, but not too small for larger beings to pass through it.

All it all it seems to have been built with smaller people in mind.

OOC
Sorry for lack of posting. Been busy this week. Carry on. :smallbiggrin:

[Night Monkey]

"Le's be get'n on with't then." Kaldon steps through the moderately-small doorway into the Divine Machine. Knowing it won't have changed an inch since last he visited, he swiftly scans the area for anyone he knows, seeking to avoid them if at all possible.

[WelcomingGrave]

Stepping into the 'tiny' building, the first thing Kaldon and company notice about the place is the sudden smell of sweet, earthly incense 'fleeing' from the room and back outside. The second thing they notice are, despite the building's small size, is that it's a fairly busy place. It's not loud like other taverns, but more like each table is it's own community, wrapped in it's own small little world.

The third, and final thing that pops out to the group is a small halfling, running up to greet his new guest. "Welcome! Welcome travelers! Ahhh, and a fine welcome to a long lost face!", the halfling says, directing it to Kaldon. "It's so good to see fresh faces again. I'm Tourlac, and welcome to the Divine Machine!" Tourlac opens his arms out wide, presenting his establishment for the group to see. "Please, make yourselves at home. I'm sorry about the size of the chairs and tables. Seems like I always attract larger bashers then my tavern can handle." Tourlac tries his best to usher the group further inside, not forcefully, but more of a 'come in, come in' manner.

"What can I do for you fine folk?"

[Hat-Trick]

Donovan doesn't need much coaxing to get him moving, as he steps right in and looks around. "We're here on business actually," the Prime shares. "We were directed here looking for someone, although I wouldn't turn down a drink about now."