Adventures in Sigil - IC [4E]

[Hzurr]

DM Post



It's been over a month since the beholder Glydax died beneath the Feywild. The six companions, the "Heroes of Fallcrest" have drifted apart across the planes.


----------------------------


The Inn of the Lady's Favor was one of the smaller inns in this corner of the Market District, but that didn't mean it wasn't busy. It seemed that every Inn and tavern in Sigil was filled to capacity lately, particularly those such as the Lady's Favor which cater to a wide variety of clientele. Waiters ran in and out of the kitchen, frantically trying to keep up with their orders. The Githyanki at the bar wanted Feywine; two bald dwarves ordered another round of ale as they discussed a delivery of mining equipment; An immensely fat human had requested another order of Thri-Kreen legs which he loudly insisted were a delicacy. A clutch of Thri-Kreen across the room eyed him, debating about whether to see if the same held true for fat human legs. Near the stairs, a lively flute tune would rise above the noise, its player the focus of attention for a group of purple-skinned Quom. In the corner, an Illithid politely asks one of the serving girls to bring some "nutritious and stimulating sustenance, taste irrelevant" for his friend, a human who stood next to the him unmoving, unblinking, and drooling slightly.

The flute music stops, and the player steps down to a smattering of applause. As he makes his way through the crowd, a waiter hands him a drink and gives a quick bow. The half-elf, Lucan, leans against the bar and examines the tavern (his tavern, technically. Well, half of it at least). As he observes the crowd, an elven woman who had been sitting at a table (squished between two drunk minotaurs) stands, makes her way over to the bard, and whispers in his ear: "I've made up my mind, and I'll tell you what I know. I'll be back in a week, have your friends meet me here."

With one last icy glare, she wiggles her way across the crowded room, and the woman Kala Laroux slips out the door into the rainy streets of Sigil.



----------------------------


The young man, Thom, paused to catch his breath. By Melora, these mountains were high! As he panted, he glanced around, trying to gather his barings. He'd been rarely been this far into the wilderness before. Wait. There, between those two trees. That's what he'd been looking for.

Renewed, he begans walking again, and soon found himself in an open pasture, filled with thick green grass and beautiful wildflowers. A small stream trickled through the middle of the field, babbling pleasantly, and scattered in front of him, without a care in the world, was a flock of the fattest goats he'd ever seen.

In the middle of the field, what he could have mistaken for a menhir had he not known better, was The Shepherd. With a grin, Thom waved at the massive figure, and jogged across the field to meet him.

Thom gives the huge figure a toothy smile. "Wow, you're a lot further out than I was expecting. I thought you were still in the foothills, not all the way up here." He stops, and digs through the small bag slung over his shoulder. "A message came for you. Some weird looking man with a strange accent. I told the guy I'd deliver it, since he wouldn't have had a chance figuring out these mountains. He said it was urgent, so I figured I should get it to you right away."

He finally finds what he's looking for, and hands a large piece of parchment to the thick rocky fingers of the creature in front of him. The parchment is sealed with red wax, and imprinted in the wax are three slightly wavy lines parallel to one another, with two diagonal lines crossing in the middle.


----------------------------

Ok, calm down. It's going to be fine. The young halfling glanced down at her shaking hands, and immediately clasped the railing on the stairs to try and steady them. Just knock, wait for a reply, give him the message, and leave. Very cool, very professional. As if you do it every day She continues climbing the stairs, her knees shaking. This is all part of being in training, you get to interact with the masters, and learn from them.

The young girl, Martina, had been accepted as an apprentice at the Septarch's Tower just a week prior. She'd only just started her training, but had already heard the rumors and stories of the great Pavick Roslow. His meteoric rise from a wizard barely finished with his apprenticeship to one of the Guild Grandmasters in only a few months; how he saved the entire town from a crazed dragonborn; fighting demons in magical lands; single-handedly leading hundreds of gnomes to freedom after killing an entire fortress full of giants with only one eye...

Martina's knees again weakened. When she was told to take the message to Grandmaster Roslow, she immediately remembered the story that Willie Mishra had told the night before: "I hear that Grandmaster Roslow once got so mad at an apprentice who messed up a magic missile spell, he turned the apprentice into a frog and threw her out the window!" Naturally, all the other wizards in training immediately began speaking up. "I heard he killed a dragon!" "I heard that he's friends with a drow and a giant rock!" "I heard that when he gets bored he summons elementals to do tricks for him!"

No, no, no! Surely they were lieing. He wouldn't turn an apprentice into a frog! Would he? The young halfling steels herself, and knocks on the wooden door. Moments after knocking, the door swings open, soundlessly. Cautiously, Martina steps inside. "G-G-G-Grandmaster Roslow?" she calls out, her voice shaking a little bit. She pauses, looking up in awe at the model of the planar cosmology that fills the upper portion of the room. For herself and the gnomish grandmaster, it posed no problem, but any human or elf that tried to walk through these quarters would have issues. From the back room, she hears a shuffle of papers. Swallowing, she moves forward, and calls out again. "Grandmaster Roslow? A message arrived for you, sir! From Sigil!"


----------------------------

Isadore, captain of the Printempest House guards, whirls around, bringing up his blade to block the attack. Bloody hells he's gotten fast... Isadore takes careful, deliberate steps. He wasn't used to the cold. The bits of ice and snow drifting from his opponent were distracting, and made the ground slick. Ok, let's see how this bloody snow-drinker fares against 'three-fans-under-the-tree.' The captain of the guard switches into the new sword form, and moves forward like a viper, his sword coming against his opponent again, and again, and again; but each time his attack is blocked. Suddenly, the creature in front of him disappears leaving behind a flurry of snow, blinding Isadore's vision and disorienting the older Eladrin.

Isadore heard the rush of air behind him, but it was too late, he looked down, and at his chest was his opponents sword. Sehannine damn it... Isadore growls, but finally mutters "..I yield." He shoves away the practice sword at his chest, and stands, examining Eltain. "You've been practicing. Last week you couldn't block that attack."

From across the practice room, you hear clapping. "Well done, Eltain! That was phenomenal!" Toveliss stands, and walks across the room to the half-fey. "You really are getting quite good. I think you should re-consider my offer. When my wife and I return to winter lands, if you accompany us I assure you that you'll receive the finest training in the Winter Court."

Before Eltain has the chance to respond, Selene enters the room, bearing a thick envelope with a red seal. "Excuse me, sirs; mylord" she gives a polite now of her head to Eltain & Isadore, and a deeper bow to Toveliss. "This message just arrived for Sir Eltain." She hands the envelope to the half-eladrin, before adding "Lord Aramil received one as well, I believe he's meeting with Lord Printempest and Lady Limara." She curtsies, and exits the room without further comment.


Toveliss gives a thoughtful frown. "My wife has certainly been spending a lot of time couped up in those rooms wither her brother and father. I hadn't realized how close they were, but I guess it's understandable, given her father's sudden recovery." Toveliss sighs. "If you're going up there, would you do me a favor and remind Limara that I'm still waiting for her to settle on a date for our return to my home? She keeps on putting it off, but perhaps if she hears it from someone else she'll actually pause to consider it." His face takes on a frustrated look, but he says no more.


----------------------------

"That's odd. It's from Sigil, apparently." Limara tosses the envelope across the table to Aramil as the servent exits. "If that Corellite got one too, it's most likely from your bard friend. I've heard he ended up in Sigil..."

Limara stands, and stretches, her back sore after bending over a table, staring at maps all day. "Are you ever going to tell Eltain that Jaquel thinks he's Certhiel's son?"

Lord Printempest pauses from his examination of troop supplies, and looks at his daughter. "Why should Aramil be the one to tell him? You're the one who's related to him, now that you've gone through with that ridiculous marriage to his half-brother." The Fey Lord looks at his daughter pointedly, a dark cloud appearing above his head. This had been a touchy subject.

Limara meets his gaze, and leans forward. "I thought we were past this. We didn't know if you were going to recover, and if I'd suddenly broken off the engagement, the Winter Court would have been suspicious!"

Lightning flashes in the small cloud over Lord Printempest's head, as he arches an eyebrow. "And how suspicious do you think they are that you refuse to return to your husband's home? He's well within his rights to request it, and every day you delay going into winter lands makes you appear more and more suspicious. I understand why you don't want to go, but you made your decision and now you must see it through."

Limara sits down in a huff. This argument had happened before, and she still had no response for her father's words. Instead, she attempts to change the subject. "So, do you agree with my thoughts on the troops?"

Lord Printempest glances back down to the paper in his hands, and the cloud dissipates. "I agree. We can't make a stand against the Winter Court with the troops we have now, even with a few more months to train them. We may need to look into mercenaries."


Limara nods "That's what I was afraid of. I can find out what all is available on the prime, but my guess is we'll need to send someone either to the City of Brass or Sigil to find the type that we need." She pauses, and looks to Aramil. "Thoughts, brother?"


----------------------------

A cracking whip sends the goblins scurrying. Goblin slaves were cheap and abundant in Xendor'alln, and there were always a few who thought they could get away with skimping on their duties. Byldyn gives a smirk of satisfaction as the slaves run away. He re-coils the whip, and attaches it to his belt again. "That felt good. Hadn't gotten to use the new whip yet." Byldyn chuckles, and turns back to face Zyrr."Now, where were we? I think you were just about to try and counter my extremely reasonable offer for a batch of your poison with something ludicrous." He pauses as they pass in front of a set of double doors with a spider motif, and shrugs. "Here already? Well, I guess we'll have to finish this later. If you make it out alive, that is. Good luck with the females..." Byldyn gives another smirk, and moves off quickly around a corner.


A slave (looks to be a captured half-elf...) walks up to Zyrr, and motions for him to follow her. She says nothing (but that could be because her tongue had been cut out years prior), and leads him through the double doors. Upon entering the room, the slave girl immediately goes into a deep bow, as the two clerics of Lloth look up from their lounging to see what the disturbance is.


The priestess on the left, named Tri'pathi (sixth in line for the matron seat of
house Morvyndis) speaks first. "Took you long enough, male. When we summon you, I expect you to run. If it happens again, I'll have your feet fed to the Draegloths."


The other priestess, a tall female named Somalinga, sits up. "Zyrr, would you be so kind as to explain this?" She tosses an envelope, opened, across the room. It slides across the floor and comes to a stop at Zyrr's feet. Before Zyrr has a chance to look at it, Somalinga speaks again. "We've been extremely generous with you Zyrr. We let you go out alone and unsupervised on the surface world; and even after we find out you consorted with the day-walkers, we still alow you to live. I hope you appriciate how fortunate you are." She pauses to take a drink of wine, before continuing. "However, now you've begun receiving mail from them. We've taken the courier to the temple for "questioning", but I thought I'd give you a chance to explain before we add you to the list of those to be sacrificed to the Spider Queen?"

Tri'pathi gives Zyrr a level look. "Who is this "Lucan" and why does he want your help? Is this some sort of code?"



----------------------------


Below is the message that was received:


Hey guys,

Hope everyone is doing ok. Sigil is great! A bit damp though. Sorry to bother you, but I need some help. I'm trying to track down my dad, and apparently one of the last people he was seen with was a "handsome human" named Dellarin. Remember him? I think I've got a lead, but it's supposed to be dangerous, and I'd feel a bit better going with people I trust, particularly if demons are involved. If you can, come to the Inn of the Lady's Favor in Sigil. Just ask for the owner (That's me! Well...half of it, is). We're meeting the contact on the 24th day of Trith, so please come quickly! Hope to see everyone soon!

- Lucan Thoene



----------------------------

OOC



This is the continuation of the "Adventures in Fallcrest" game. The first part of the game can be found here (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=141355), The second part of the game is here (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=165206), and the third part is here (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=176365)


Out-of-character thread can be found here (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?p=10655259#post10655259)


The Characters:


Mando Knight - Eladrin Swordmage (http://www.myth-weavers.com/sheetview.php?sheetid=177227) "Aramil Printempest"

DSCrankshaw Half-Elf Bard (http://dl.dropbox.com/u/3843122/Lucan.pdf) "Lucan Thoene"

Nai_Calus - Half-Eladrin Paladin (http://www.myth-weavers.com/sheetview.php?sheetid=285291) - "Eltain Sharma"

Haberdashery - Goliath Monk (http://www.myth-weavers.com/sheetview.php?sheetid=199032) - "The Shepherd"

dariathalon - Gnome Wizard (http://www.myth-weavers.com/sheetview.php?sheetid=234069) "Pavick Roslow"

Toric - Drow Assassin (http://www.myth-weavers.com/sheetview.php?sheetid=233476) - Zyrr'delin Morvyndis

[Nai_Calus]

Eltain lays a comforting hand on Toveliss' shoulder and smiles cheerfully.

"It can be hard to leave lands you've known and loved all your life, Toveliss," he says gently, "Even if I was never really close with anyone at the temple I grew up at, it was still hard to leave when the time came. And many who are not from the Winter lands find them foreboding and are afraid of the tales they've heard. I'm sure she'll be ready soon enough. But I'll bring it up to her." He reads the letter and frowns. "I'm afraid I have to go see Aramil, this is unfortunately something that can't wait. Thank you for your help, Isidore, and you as well, Toveliss." He bows and leaves in search of Aramil.

-----

Eltain bows to Lord Printempest and Limara as he enters the room, and gives a lesser bow to Aramil.

"Good afternoon, Lord Printempest, Lady Limara, Aramil. How goes the planning?" He grimaces. "I'm afraid Toveliss has asked me to remind you that you haven't yet set a date for visiting the Winter lands. I think he's starting to either feel suspicious or unloved, neither of which are particularly good right now." He frowns. "I hope I'm not interrupting too much, but Selene told me you got a letter from Lucan as well."

[Haberdashery]

The staggering rock of a man leaned on a gnarled, thick piece of wood, spun all around with lengths of vine, the head of which was oddly curved and fresh with green and yellow leaves. The rock-man's free hand moved with such perfect grace that, as he moved his massive thumb beneath the fold of the small paper, the red wax lifted gently off the opposing side unbroken and pristine. The letter was ceremoniously withdrawn and unfolded carefully so as to not rip the fragile page between his far sturdier hands; he brought it up to his outcropping of a nose and squinted at it with his kindly lustrous black eyes. His face frowned, and his lips puckered into an oddly grumpy sort of look for such a blithe and serene figure. He tucked the gnarled stick between his bicep and his forearm, freeing his other hand, which he then thrust into the coarse, fibrous folds of his worn grey cloak. When the hand re-emerged, it held between two massive fingers a delicate object, the fingers almost seemed to cradle it between them; the edges glinted with gold, and the light glinted off the clear, reflective surfaces.

The Shepherd, for that was his name, unfolded the glasses, for that is what they were, as delicately as one would lift a small kitten, and with painstaking care, he placed them right on the bridge of his rocky nose. Satisfied, he rolled his shoulders brusquely, and brought the paper up to his face again. The rock-man hummed as he read it, a meandering sort of rumble from deep within the caverns of his chest. It took him quite some time to read the letter, for he perused ever word as if it had some hidden meaning he had to discern before proceeding to the next. The Shepherd finally smiled, a beaming sort of smile that curled the edges of his mouth in such a pleasnt sort of way, and tucked the letter away. His eyes twinkled behind the small glass disks on the front of his face.

"Let me give you a jug of milk for your family." He finally spoke to Thom, his voice like a rumbling crack of thunder in the still pasture. "Something for your trouble."

The Shepherd turned about, and beckoned him towards the little thatch cottage nestled against the mountainside.

[DSCrankshaw]

Lucan - Half-elf bard

Up in his room in the Inn, Lucan paces. "Do you think they'll come?" he says aloud. He doesn't wait for an answer. "Of course they'll come. They're my friends, right?" He stops, staring across his bed to his bookshelf, piled high with books that he fully means to read when he gets around to it. "Well, I'm not sure about Zyrr. And Eltain was always pretty annoyed with me. But Shep'll come, I'm sure of it. And Pavick. And probably Aramil, if he's not too busy with all those war preparations. They'll come to help their friend, and bring the others." A worried look crosses his face. "What if they don't know I'm their friend? I didn't think of that! I signed my last name, but they don't even know I have a last name. I didn't know until a month ago! They'll think it's from some stranger, and they won't come at all." He starts pacing again. "I could send new letters. That's what I should do. But if they've already decided it's some stranger trying to lure them to Sigil, they won't even read new letters. What can I do, Lena?"

A tiny woman, seated on the bookshelf with her legs swinging beneath her, jumps from the shelf. She drops a few inches before her transparent wings catch her and carry her into the air, to where Lucan still paces. She bobs along beside his head, speaking reassuringly in what sounds like a high-pitched garble to anyone else. Eventually he calms. "You're right," he says. "I shouldn't be so worried. They're smart, and they know where I went. They'll figure it out." He yawns.

"Hopefully they'll be here soon," he says, lying on his bed. He closes his eyes and is soon asleep. Lena waits until he starts to snore before settling down on her pillow. Soon she's asleep too.

[Toric]

Zyrr, Drow Assassin

Zyrr is led through the familiar halls with his ever-present wry grin. "Good luck? How do you think I've survived thus far? I sweat it." he replies casually, before spending his preparation time casting all jest aside. Wit can earn you protection on the streets, but it can kill you quickly when subservience is demanded. The assassin pays the half-elf slave no mind; down here, surfacers are either furniture or spies.

Zyrr enters the chamber with eyes downcast, rising to meet the females' gaze only after waiting for Tri'pathi's typical greeting. "My apologies, mistresses." he says with a bow. "When I received your summons I was -" He stops himself. Different rules in this room, he warns himself. She does not care why, she only cares that you were not at her beck and call. "I was only happy to answer." he finishes. Once the paper arrives at his feet, he reaches down to pick it up but does not dare pull the letter out of the envelope until Somalinga finishes speaking. The word "Lucan" raises an eyebrow, and the rest of Tri'pathi's query only serves to elevate the rest of his forehead.

"Trust me." Zyrr replies while staring at the envelope. "If you were to ever know Lucan you would laugh at yourself for using his name and 'code' in the same sentence. He is a useful fool from the surface; smart enough to be somewhat trusted, stupid enough to be simply trustful. He is one of those who helped me learn what I've brought back."

The assassin pulls out the letter. "I trust our spies know what a silent mobilization looks like. I told you, the Eladrin courts are preparing for their own House War." With the reward for their "generocity" adequately dangled, Zyrr skims through the letter. As he does so, an odd, almost warm smile creeps onto his lips. "It's a freelance job offer." the male explains as he folds the letter back up. "A little unfinished business with the associates of an incubus we killed together under the name of Dellarin. He offered me a job of killing some of Lolth's followers. I managed to negotiate him down to killing a single enemy of the Spider Queen, and he gave me this in return." The assassin whips out his cold-iron dagger and holds it up to the priestesses blade-down; Tri'pathi was always too bloated with confidence in this chamber to feel threatened by him here. "It seems Lolth may have woven my strand to the surface again!" the assassin declares, lips parting around hungry teeth. "I've cut the hand off an enemy of our Dark Mother, and perhaps its heart may now be revealed. Do I have her favor to cut it out as a tribute?"

[dariathalon]

Pavick Gnome Wizard

Pavick set down the armful of scrolls he carried in a messy heap on the desk in front of him. He peeked around the mountain of paper at the young apprentice. “Sigil you say? Must be Lucan. Who else do I know in Sigil?” he muttered as he climbed up into the chair. His desk and chair were made for someone twice his size. Nimozaran had offered to have a smaller one built, but Pavick refused the offer. As a gnome, he was used to dealing with too-big furniture anyway, and the large desk was actually nice; he had plenty of room to spread his papers out.

“Well, what are you waiting for, Martina isn’t it? Come in, bring me this message.” He wasn’t really sure about the young apprentice’s name, but thought he’d caught it in passing at some point in the last week.

The overly nervous halfling stepped into the room a little further and was immediately greeted by an angry hiss. She jumped back a step and looked down to see a very perturbed looking snake glaring back up at her. Slick, Pavick’s familiar, had been sunning himself in a patch of sunlight coming in through the window.

Pavick slid down off the chair and rushed around the desk, picked up the snake, cradling it in his arms. “Now you be careful there missy! You stepped on Slick’s tail! How would you like it if someone stepped on your tail? You wouldn’t. That’s how you’d like it.” He pointed an accusing finger at her.

All the color drained from the apprentice’s face. “You’re not going to turn me into a snake or something… are you?” she asked her shaking voice barely above a whisper.

“Nah, of course not. I’m more of an illusionist than a transmuter. I’d have to do some serious brushing up to actually turn you into something. Now I suppose I could make you turn into a snake if you like. See, you’re turning a little green already,” he laughs. “Now calm yourself down and apologize to Slick. He’s a bit testy sometimes, but I’m sure he’ll understand if you’re sincere about it.” He holds out the tiny snake that had wound itself around his fingers.

“I’m sorry, Slick,” Martina said, still sounding very uncertain of herself. Slick flicked his tongue out at her a few times then turned around and slowly made his way up Pavick’s sleeve to his usual resting place, wrapped around his forearm.

Pavick stood, looking expectantly at Martina. She looked at the floor at Pavick’s feet. “Well.”

“Well what, Grandmaster?” It was obvious that the whole ordeal with the serpent had unnerved her to the point of forgetting her reason for being there in the first place.

“The note. The one about Sigil.”

“Oh!” The color returned to Martina’s face in a flash of crimson. She dug in her pocket retrieving the message and held it out for him. Pavick took the missive and opened it, eyes quickly scanning the paper. “Hrm… Very interesting. Looks like I’ll soon be making a trip to Sigil. Tell me, what do you know about Sigil, apprentice?”

Martina shrugged. “Uh… It’s on another plane, right.” She paused searching her memory for any other bits of information. Then in one large breath, she said, “Please don’t feed me to an elemental, sir. I’m just in my first week of training. We really haven’t gotten to the finer points of the planes yet.”

Pavick just laughed. “No. No elementals. Come here, I want to show you something.” He walked over to one wall and picked up a large step-stool. He set it down in the center of the room and climbed up on it where he reached up into the model overhead and took hold of a large crank. As Pavick turned the crank, the brass wheels and levers of the model began rearranging themselves, moving different parts of the model to the forefront where they could be more easily seen. He pointed up to a large disk. “See that? That’s Sigil.” He launches into a rather long winded discussion of Sigil and its place within the planes.

Almost an hour later, Martina finally left Pavick’s office. He called out after her, “And tell the others that I’m going to be leaving again soon. I’ve got preparations to make first, but soon.”

[Mando Knight]

Aramil lets his family run over the month-old argument while he reads the letter from Lucan. He had no more of an answer to the problem than his sister did, after all. He finishes as the subject changes to mercenaries. "Well, this would give me an excuse to hop on over to Sigil. It is from Lucan, and he's inviting me over to help him with an issue dealing with some former associates."

Soon enough, Eltain comes in and begins to rehash two of the last three, four topics of the Printempest family meeting. "Yes, Eltain. We were just discussing that. Sister isn't sure she'll get a warm reception at her dear husband's home, and if we go to help Lucan, we won't be here to help keep a look out for unseasonable weather."

[Hzurr]

DM Post


-----------Shep---------------

Thom exits from the small thatch hut, jug in hand. He turns to shake the goliath's hand one last time. "Thanks for the milk, Shep. My ma will appreciate it. She always said that no one knew goats milk like you did. I'll be back tomorrow morning to check on the flock. Don't worry, they'll be in good hands."

The young man waves, as he begins making his way down the mountain.

It doesn't take The Shepherd long to gather his things. His old lavender kimono, torn and ripped and partially disintegrated from the battle with Glydax had been replaced with a new one from Lord Printempest, one of shimmering gold and embroidered leaves. A pair of iron bracelets (each engraved with a picture of his favorite goats) to give him strength, and finally that old gnarled staff with a snake carved into the head. A small amber gem now sat in the mouth of the snake, giving the already puissant weapon more power.

With that, he throws his old cloak on, a shimmering material that seemed to constantly shift colors, distorting the frame of the massive Goliath; and walks out the door.

As the Shepherd heads down the mountain, he can hear the bleat of goats behind him. Some are asking him not to go. Some are wishing him well on his journey. Some are overjoyed that they'll be able to get away with mischief.

The Shepherd moves down the hills and across the plains as fast as a galloping horse. It takes him almost full day, but his speed never falters, and his brow never sweats. It is mid-morning on the next day that he arrives at the gates of Fallcrest. The crowds part for the legendary figure, as the Monk makes his way through the cramped streets to the Septarch's Tower.


----------Pavick------------

"How can no one know what's on the outside! That doesn't make any sense!" the elf exclaimed, exasperated. Martina shrugged "They just don't. Grandmaster Roslow said that the entire city is the inside of a ring, and no one knows what's on the outside."

From just around the corner, Pavick can hear the argument continue. Martina had only been all too happy to share her lesson with the other students, and the odd nature of Sigil had caused no shortage of disputes among the apprentices.

As the gnome walks across the hall and begins to make his way up the stairs, he hears a loud pounding on the front door. Not angry pounding, but more the sound of someone who doesn't know the extent of his own strength. As a servant answers the door, Pavick hears a deep, gravely voice very politely ask if "The Lucky Gnome" is available.


----------Aramil & Eltain---------

Limara gives Aramil a pointed look. "I'll go eventually, I just need more time to get things settled here."

At the level looks from her father, brother, and half-brother-in-law, she sighs. "Fine, I'll go talk to him."

She stands, and leaves to try and find her husband. Lord Printempest stares after her for a long minute after the door closes."This never would have happened if I'd been well." He gives a frustrated grunt.

"Hmm...Sigil. Helping your friend would provide you a good cover for you to go without raising suspicion. We have some funds available in the Jaisingh bank there that you could easily access."

Lord Printempest gives his son and Eltain a smile. "How do you feel about hiring mercenaries?"


-----------Zyrr-------------

As Zyrr finishes speaking, Tri'pathi stands, a whip of snakes suddenly in her hand. "You dare to presume that you know the will of the godess?"

Somalinga hold up a hand. "Wait..." she stands, and walks across the room to examine Zyrr. She's tall, even for a female, and stands nearly half-a-foot taller than the assassin. She circles him slowly, thinking. "Very well, you may go to visit this...'Lucan' of yours."

Tri'pathi looks at her in disbelief, but before she can speak, Somalinga turns and flashes a quick message in Drow Sign Language. She keeps her body in between Zyrr and her hands, so the Assassin can see none of what was said. Tri'pathi arches an eyebrow, but nods.

Somalinga continues. "Once you arrive in Sigil, you're to immediately contact Bei'novak at the temple of Lloth. You're to report to her daily of your activities, and keep her informed at all times of your intentions. I won't have you out running around unsupervised again." She turns and gives Zyrr a smile that never reaches her eyes. "You're far too valuable for us to risk something happening to you."

[Nai_Calus]

Eltain frowns, snowing lightly.

"I wasn't trying to..." He sighs at Aramil's mention of unseasonable weather and gives him a hurt look.

"I'm fine with it," he says to Lord Printempest's suggestion. "It would probably be for the best if I went on this." He gives a smile he doesn't feel at all. "I'll go pack while you fill Aramil in on the details." He sighs once he's out of the room, ice crystals forming on his armor. He'd been so happy at first when he'd begun to finally be able to get in touch with his Fey side, when Aramil had managed to teach him how to teleport like full Eladrin did. But doing so had made the cold that haunted him worse, and it wasn't hard to see that nobody trusted him here and looked down upon him. He'd wanted to help, though, so he'd stayed. Maybe, he thought miserably, I should have gone back to Fallcrest with Shep and his goats. Visited Frank or something.

"Merciful Corellon, it's like they distrust me as much as they do him." He sighs again, snowing even stronger than before, and begins to head miserably to his room, wondering if there would ever be a place he belonged.

[Mando Knight]

Aramil watches Eltain sulk out, with a look of confusion on his face. He looks to his father. "...Was it something I said?"

He knew the kid was a bit sensitive about his heritage, but he didn't think Eltain was that sensitive...

[Hzurr]

DM Post

Aramil's father looks at his son. "Not exactly."

Lord Printempest stands, and walks over to the window, looking out at Eltain walking away.

"You're closer to the half-born than most here, so I'm not sure if you're aware how he's perceived and treated. He's young, and he still hasn't escaped his parentage." A warm breeze fills the room as Lord Primtempest speaks, staring out the window as if remembering something long past. "It's not uncommon for some fey to take Mortal lovers. Mortals are so...peculiar. Both full of emotion, yet steady. Immensely boring, yet they still manage to be full of surprises. It's this familiar, yet alien nature that makes some of us attracted to them. But it's rare for an offspring to occur."

He turns back to Aramil. "You've spent much of your time in the Prime, so perhaps humans don't seem as strange to you, but for most of us they're off putting, and a strange blend of fey and mortal like that is simply unsettling. He's ostracized and lonely. Plus, there's his mother to consider."

Lord Printempest taps his chin thoughtfully. "I first met Certhiel nearly 200 years ago. Fascinating woman. Intelligent, proud, fiercely opinionated. I'd spoken of her to your sister before my illness, which is most likely why she chose to accept Toveliss. However, when I knew her, she had little in common with the Prince. She enjoyed the company of mortals; found them fascinating. Always seemed to have one or two of them at her side. The Prince of Frost has such an unnatural hatred of mortals, I never would have expected Certhiel to join with him. I'm not sure what his hold is on her, but whatever it was, she seems to have gone over wholeheartedly. And until I know what happened to her, I won't trust in any Winter Fey completely." His voice trails off, as he stares out the window

The Fey lord sits up "I'm sorry, I lost myself in thought. Your friend Eltain shares the blood of someone we can't trust, and we can't trust that he won't run to her if he finds out his heritage. He may not deserve to be treated like an outsider, but I won't risk bringing him any further into the family."

"However, you've traveled with him, and I trust you to make your own decisions. If trust him to accompany you to Sigil, I leave that entirely in your judgment. Assuming you're willing to go, of course.

[dariathalon]

Pavick - Gnome Wizard

Pavick stood around the corner, listening to the apprentices conversation for a moment trying to determine how many details Martina had managed to retain. He smiled to himself, hearing that she was getting most things correct.

When he heard the gravelly voice requesting the Lucky Gnome, Pavick gave up any attempt at being unseen. He raced toward the front door. With a quick gesture (ghost sound) he sent his voice there ahead of him. "Yes. Tell him I'm here!" Pavick's voice said from a location just above the servant's shoulder. Just a few seconds later, Pavick rounded the corner himself. He almost knocked the servant aside as he skidded to a halt next to Shep's massive leg. He threw his arms around the monk's knee. "Long time, no see! How's the herd?" he asked extracting himself from the rocky leg.

[Haberdashery]

"Grumpy and belligerent." The Shepherd answers, stooping down to a more proper level with his good friend. Unfortunately, seeing as though the Shepherd had to stoop to simply talk to normal-sized fellows, even at the lowest he could crouch down to he still loomed over the little gnome. He planted a gentle hand on Pavick's head, and ruffled his light colored hair; a sudden stricken look crossed the Shepherd's face and his hand immediately recoiled.

"I apologize." Shep bowed his head respectfully, and removed his hood from his bald, gray head. "I had forgotten you are now Master Pavick." Shep's face grows paler still, "...and I called you the Lucky Gnome to your servant."

[Nai_Calus]

Eltain finishes his packing sadly and decides to go for a walk in the gardens, hoping that their beauty will inspire him and lift his spirits, but he finds himself too worried that his presence will harm the delicate blooms, and the flower he does finally work up the courage to touch is instantly coated in frost. He sits dejectedly on a bench to wait for Aramil, feeling thoroughly miserable and desperately wanting something, anything familiar and friendly.

A snort interrupts his pity party, and he looks up in surprise to see a thoroughly familiar, flea-bitten mule standing there, looking at him with an expression that clearly asks what in the hells he's doing. Eltain's face lights up in pure joy and he springs from the bench to wrap his arms around the mule in delight, the snow finally stopping and the chill about him vanishing almost completely.

"Frank! But how did you...? No, nevermind, it doesn't matter. Oh Frank, I'm so glad you're here!" He grins, stroking Frank's ears fondly, and glances skywards, whispering a quiet, fervent prayer of thanks to Corellon.

[Toric]

Here it comes. That name reminded him of the other world, and and he broke one of the rules of this one: Only priestesses can glean the will of Lolth. He'll be punished for his blasphemy, that's another rule. ....Except now it's his mistresses that are breaking the rules. This puts him on guard.Though his muscle tension could easily be explained by the imposing figure looming over him, the true cause of his fear is that she is changing the rules. Limits. Supervision. All in commands; Zyrr either leaves the chamber carrying these restrictions or he does not leave at all. With Lolth's clergy, a mere citizen's life has value only if it remains a reliable tool; that's another rule. "Understood."

[dariathalon]

Pavick - Gnome Wizard

Pavick waves a hand in front of his face. "Grandmaster, actually, but don't worry about it. You know me, I'm not a gnome who needs the ego stroking of a big fancy title. All the tales they tell about our wonderous deeds is enough to keep me going," he says with a big cheeky grin. "I consider myself lucky to have the position I've got here, so as far as I'm concerned Lucky Gnome is still a fine name for me."

"Thank you, James, I'll take our guest from here." Pavick addresses the servant at the door. "Come on Shep, I'll take you up to my office where we can catch up." He gestures for the goliath to follow as he leads the way up the nearby staircase, chattering happily all the way. "I guess you're here because of the letter from Lucan. I assume you got one two. Well don't worry, since we last saw each other I've been doing a lot of work on planar travel. Gotten pretty good at it, if I have to say so myself. I think I can open up a gate to Sigil when the time comes."

[DSCrankshaw]

Lucan - Half-elf bard

When he's not pacing a rut in his room, Lucan's working. He works the bar, sees to guests, and generally plays host. He does not, of course, keep the accounts. He leaves that to Chauncy. But he does get to entertain the guests by playing music. Accompanied by Lena on a tiny flute, he plays songs from the elven tribe he grew up with, and from the Feywild, and some he's picked up in Sigil. He even plays a few songs of his own composition, combining themes and rhythms from a dozen different sources to create something entirely new.

And afterwards, he listens. Buying people their favorite drinks (of whatever mood altering substance their species before), he talks to them, learning what he can of Sigil, and the hundreds of rumors on the streets and the planes.


Just looking for general rumors--nothing specific.
[roll0]
Bah! That's not going to amount to anything useful.

[Toric]

Zyrr exits the spider-chamber, and flashes Byldyn a passing grin to show that yes, his head is still fully attached to his shoulders. "You'll need to finish your bargaining with someone else." he spouts. "Good luck to yourself; you'll need that poison more than you know." With a parting wink, the assassin climbs to the outer crags of the massive stalactite House Morvyndis calls home. Thick, arcane-infused chains serving as familiar walkways, Zyrr half-runs, half-climbs to his immediate family's section, slowing as he passes the domicile of one of his young female cousins. This will always be yours, Ven. No matter who's put in it. He forces his arms and legs to keep moving to his own personal quarters. If a letter found a way to him, one definitely reached Pavick, and knowing one person around him when he takes his first steps in Sigil will be infinitely better than knowing none.

The drow grabs his tools of the trade - two small collections of alchemical appliances, and a purple wide-brimmed hat - and makes his way down to ground level, to the familiar well-beaten road to the surface.

A few days later, a drow elf carrying a wicker basket stands at spearpoint, arrowpoint, and several wandpoints outside the Septarch's Tower. "Yes, yes, exactly that. Name, Zyrr. Message, 'If you're going to see my little Pavikins anyway, bring him these and remind him he promised to come to his cousin's wedding next month.' Parcel, cookies." He thrusts the incriminating basket forward for emphasis. "Oatmeal raisin. Just somebody tell him already."

[Hzurr]

DM Post

There's a knock on the door to Pavick's study, and a young, overweight human peeks his head in. "Um...grandmaster Pavick? There's a drow outside who wants to see you? He...ah...sent a message." The human awkwardly pulls out a small piece of parchment, and reads it. "His name is Zyrr. He brought oatmeal raisin cookies, and wanted to remind you to come to your cousin's wedding? Um...and he called you 'Pavickins'." The young mage stares awkwardly at the floor, avoiding eye-contact with either the grandmaster, or the huge goliath that was having trouble finding a place to stand up straight. "Should we...um... throw him out?"


--------------------------

Lucan's original songs are met with generally positive reception. His "Ballad of the Disappearing Sheep Dog" proves to be the most popular, followed by a slow-paced flute duet titled: "Emo Paladin." However, his upbeat medley "There's a Drow in the Kitchen" is met with only a mediocre response, and is generally thought to be in poor taste.

As he asks around for rumors, he hears nothing that he hasn't heard a dozen times before. A bidding war over a building with a newly discovered portal; another failed assassination attempt against Rule-Of-Three; razorvine overgrowth in the clerk's ward; Some thieves arrested for trying to steal bricks and lumber off of one of the houses in the Guildhall ward. Nothing unusual.

[Haberdashery]

If Pavick's inner sanctum was a nuisance for those of normal height, then for the great figure of the Shepherd it was quite a great deal of trouble. Simply walking down the passages he had to duck lest he bump his head against one of the rafters. Which he did, numerous times, despite the poise he normally exhibited. When they finally did reach his study, a few bumps on the Shepherd's head later, and he beheld the sight of the cluttered space fitted with gnome-sized makeshift passageways through piled books and stacked papers, the Shepherd froze. He watched Pavick scurry through the little tunnels, and it seemed to the goliath that the little gnome did have quite a knack for architecture; it looked like a maze of perfectly geometrical subterranean passageways. He ran his fingers through his beard; impressive as it was, and as much as he was marveling at the wonderful odds and ends that littered the room at all angles, especially the orbiting stars and moon mobile above his head that he had to duck especially low in order to avoid being clocked by a particularly aggressive sun, this was perhaps going to be one of his toughest challenges yet. And he had jumped the entire length of a river.

As Pavick continued to talk, scuttling through the winding spaces, the Shepherd closed his eyes; he couldn't trust his sight in this labyrinth of hidden mishaps waiting to happen. Once false move and he could send an entire mountain of books on the theory of astral projection tumbling down upon himself. With his sight blinded, the room spoke to him, whispered its accoutrement and empty spaces; his stony flesh tingled as every aspect of the room revealed itself to his mind's eye. The Shepherd moved like a sudden bolt of lightning, darting to each spot of open floor with perfect precision on the balls of his feet; at one point when no floor opened before him in any direction he bounded straight upwards to recoil off the ceiling and shoot himself forwards. Each bound of his sandal-clad feet made not even the remotest sound as the Shepherd's form became a dark blur.

His motion ended abruptly, with the great goliath sitting politely atop a stool that would have not normally supported such a large, heavy person. He held his knees to his chest, wrapped with his arms around them. When Pavick finally turned his head to Shep, he smiled politely, as if he had been right behind him listening astutely to the entire time.

"You were saying something about a cockatrice named Bernard?" The Shepherd's eyebrows furrowed. "...what is a cockatrice?"

[Mando Knight]

"Perhaps the Prince's support isn't as solid as he presents it. Who knows, it might be Limara's marriage that will let us break apart the cold front...

...At any rate, about those mercenaries..."

After the briefing, Aramil heads off to find Eltain.

"Feeling better?"

[Nai_Calus]

Eltain looks up from his fussing over Frank at Aramil's voice.

"Not really. I guess you wouldn't really notice it, but I don't fit in here. I'm half human, for one thing. No matter how much I work at trying to be more fey, I'm not. I'm half-human. And unfortunately the half of me that is fey is, well, winter. Hells, I snow as much as Toveliss does, and he's a noble. I know the winter court isn't exactly popular right now, but that doesn't make me a winter patsy. They distrust me as much as they do Toveliss, for Corellon's sake. It's not like Certhiel is my mother or anything, or like I'm going to go join forces with her. There's nobody on this plane I'd rather see dead at my feet than her except maybe the Prince of Frost himself. I serve Corellon, not the Winter Court." He snows frustratedly, a cold wind blowing it about him, and sighs.

"I just want to help... But nobody will really let me do it around here. So I'm going, whether you are or not, I guess. I'll go help Lucan and get away for a while, I guess. Stop being an annoyance." He chews his lip and strokes Frank's ear again. "I just wish... Ugh, it's frustrating. Lucan's apparently found out more about his past, but it's starting to seem like I'll never know anything about mine. Even if it is a nightmare like Jaquel said back then, I still want to know someday... At least then I'll know." He sighs. "Come on, then, if you're coming. I'm ready to go. At least Lucan can have his answers if we're lucky. I just hope Zyrr doesn't come."

((OOC: No, Eltain doesn't have a way to Sigil on his own, but he really doesn't currently care. He just wants to leave.))

[dariathalon]

Pavick - Gnome Wizard

Pavick looked back at Shep, "Oh uh yes... Well hrm..." At a loss for words, he turned around and mutters to himself. "Let's see 3rd pile on the left, 5th book down..." He quickly locates what he is looking for and yanks a book until it comes free. For a brief moment, it looked as if several piles were going to collapse on the gnome, but the books and papers quickly settle back into place leaning against each other in a precarious jumble.

Pavick flipped through the pages until he found the picture he is looking for. It looked like an unholy union between a rooster and a lizard. He turned the book around for Shep to look at. "That my dear Shep, is a cockatrice. Truly nasty beast. Ugly and foul tempered. And they have the ability to turn someone into stone by pecking at them. And not the good kind of stone that can still move around and walk and talk, but the kind that just sits there."

This is the point at which the young man entered. Pavick responded to him, "Certainly not! Zyrr is a friend of mine. I'll come down and greet him." Turning to Shep he said, "You might want to read up on Cockatrices actually. They could cause a real mess if one of them finds its way into your herd. It is hard to milk a statue of a goat. If you'll excuse me, I'll be right back." He hurried out behind the young mage.

Down at the tower's door, he waved off the weapons pointed at Zyrr. "It's alright. He's with me." He smiled at the drow. "I see you found your way to my mother's first," he said, his cheeks reddened slightly. Pavick took the basket and examined it's contents. "Yum!" He pulled back the cloth covering the cookies and took one out, offering the first to Zyrr. If he eats it, then he also passes cookies out to several of the others that had gathered at the door.

"Shep is upstairs already. I assume you're here because of Lucan's message. We were just catching up while waiting to see if anyone else would be along to join us for the trip." He gestured for Zyrr to follow and began to climb the stairs back up to his office.

[Haberdashery]

What an ugly looking chicken. Or a rather fortunate lizard. Shep couldn't decide which it happened to be. However, Pavick had put the idea of stone goats in the Shepherd's head, and by all that was divine there was no way that thought would be able to exit quickly. He planted his small reading glasses upon the bridge of his nose, curled his finger and thumb around the edge of his rocky chin, and buried himself in the book, his head swimming with the thought of graceful, bleating rock sheep with skin akin to his own.

When he again heard the light steps of Pavick tapping up the steps to the study, the Shepherd called out;

"Mr. Lucky Gnome, would you happen to have a weasel with a mirror whose friend is a rooster somewhere in here? Because if you did, that would be very convenient when dealing with cockatrices. And if you don't, I think you should consider it."

[Mando Knight]

Aramil chuckles as he pats Eltain's shoulder in a warm, friendly manner. "So revenge is a dish best served cold."

He looks Eltain in the eye, trying his best to sound reassuring. "Father trusts me, and I trust you, so don't hurt yourself worrying about fitting in here. The rest of the household just doesn't know you quite like I do, yet. I've got a few things to pick up before I leave, so meet me in the portal room in about an hour."

Aramil backs up a step, and starts to head off with a smile and a wave.

In an hour, he enters the complex's portal room with his adventuring bag and the old wizard. "Ready to go, Eltain?"

(In other news, the wizard's nickname is totally Old Ben. His full name is probably Benk Nobi.)

[Nai_Calus]

Eltain frowns at the temperature joke, but lets it pass. He nods at Aramil's encouragement.

"I know, I shouldn't take it personally. Still, it'll probably be for the best if I leave for a bit. Get away from things." He snorts. "Let things cool off if you wi- Damn it, Aramil, you've got me doing it now." He grimaces, then shrugs it off and smiles. "I'm glad you trust me, at least. Thank you."

Eltain spends most of the intervening time fussing over Frank, before joining Aramil.

[Hzurr]

DM Post



--------------Aramil & Eltain-------------------

Their bags packed, Aramil and Eltain (and Frank) make their way to visit one of the local wizards, Ol'ben. Ol'ben was very old, even by Eladrin standards, and most people considered him little more than a crazy old hermit, but members of the Printempest family knew him to be a wizard of moderate power. He lived in a small hut just outside of the complex. Upon hearing their request, Ol'ben sits down thoughtfully. "Sigil? Never will you find a more retched hive of scum and villainy. Except of course in the Nine Hells. Or the Abyss. Or some of the Astral Dominions. Or the Underdark. Or the Feydark, or this small little tavern I found on the prime that was owned by the most fascinating..."

Ol'ben trails off, but after a moment snaps back. "Oh right, sorry. Yes, Sigil is an interesting place. However, you can't just teleport there. you've got to find a portal! Luckily, I know where one is." He flashes a knowing grin. He ducks inside the hut, and emerges a moment later with two large silver eggs.

"In the woods about two days travel from here are a pair of silver beech trees. They look a bit out of place, but there's nothing unusual about them. However, if you pass through while holding the freshly broken egg of a millennium falcon, you'll find yourself whisked to Sigil." He gives a slight cackle as he hands each of you an egg. As he turns to leave, he pauses as he sees Frank the mule. He looks back to Eltain in pleasant surprise, before kneeling in front of the mule. "Come here, my little friend"

Frank walks up, and allows Ol'ben to pet him on the nose while he munches some grass. Ol'ben glances at Eltain. "This is something I've not seen for a long time. You're a holy warrior of Corellon, yes?" He turns his attention back to the mule. "Sometimes, deities bless their paladins by providing them a magical horse that will appear at the paladin's call, no matter where you are." He stands, and looks at Eltain. "I don't have another egg to send this magnificent beast with you, but don't worry. All you have to do is call for him." he puts a hand on the half-eladrin's shoulder. "The horse will be with you. Always."


------------------Pavick, Zyrr & Shep---------------

As Pavick chants, Zyrr and the Shepherd find themselves standing awkwardly in the teleportation circle. The ritual is one that has been done before, but standing around for 10 minutes waiting for the small gnome to complete the chant isn't exactly the most stimulating scene. Before long, the ritual completes, and in a flash of light, the familiar wave of nausea hits as the three are teleported across the continent. As the nausua wears off, you find yourself standing on the outskirts of a moderately sized village. It's exceptionally hot, and the humidity is nearly unbearable, but in spite of that your eyes are drawn to a set of glowing stone pillars on the edge of the city. As you watch, you see people walk up to the pillars and step through, but rather than come out the other side, they disappear in a burst of orange light.

Pavick recalls the entry he had found in the guild library about this place.


"Near the town of Veuk on the southern coast is an odd phenomenon. A permanent portal to Sigil is found in this unlikely village. It only permits creatures to pass through rather than carts or carriages (which is probably the only thing preventing this town from being a more important trade route), but the portal is unique in that no key is required. Instead, the traveler simply needs to focus on the thought of partaking in his or her favorite meal. While state-of-mind portals are not unheard of, this does seem to be without precedent.



----------------Everyone but Lucan---------------

As the Monk, Wizard, and Assassin walk through the portal, you find yourself stepping into a busy city street. Thick, smokey air fills your lungs, and a light rain drizzles down on you. They sky is gray and the light is dim, yet all around you, creatures of every shape, size, and species mill through the crowded streets, a spectacle you could have never imagined. Just glancing around in front of you, you see a group of dwarves pulling a cart, while a raksasha rides in a litter carried by four ogres. Two eladrin are in a heated discussion with a thin tiefling, while a plant-like humanoid yells at them to walk faster. On the sides of the streets, small stalls appear to be selling everything you could have imagined. Figs, jewelery, reagents, weapons, dates (the fruit), paintings, clothing, dates (not the fruit), fortune telling... It's truly overwhelming.

As you stare, a halfling walks up. "Oi, what you berks looking at? You barmy or just waiting for a guide?" Without waiting for an answer, the halfling gives a low bow. "The monik's Gerald, and I'm the best guide a group of cutters like you could ever need." He begins leading them away from the doorway (before someone else comes through and runs into you). "What brings you to the cage?"

Before you can answer, just ahead of you you see a very bewildered looking Aramil and Eltain crawling out of what appears to be a window frame of a small shop. They're both holding broken eggs.

[Nai_Calus]

"I didn't have the heart to tell him that Frank is a mule," Eltain remarks to Aramil as they leave. "I don't think he's sane enough to understand anyway."

------

Eltain straightens himself and looks around at Sigil in digust. Everything is dirty, a thousand foul beings assault his senses, the ludicrous blades adorning the buildings, and the ludicrous shape of the place! Looking overhead all he can see are the faint lights of the other side of the city, no sky or sun or stars. What a horrible place. He hates it instantly. There is no beauty here.

[Toric]

When Pavick exits the large academy doors, the only change on the drow's body is a very large, toothy smile appearing on his face. It is only after the mage has ordered down the guards that he moves to hand over the goods.

"I'm glad you don't mind I took the liberty." Zyrr says as he breaks off a large cookie crumb and pops it into his mouth. "I wasn't sure where you were now so I thought I'd start at your home base, so to speak. Sorry about the commotion here, I'm just glad I caught you."

Zyrr nods a hello to the Shepherd when he's led upstairs, but doesn't initiate conversation until the dull calm before the teleporting storm. As the two stand around waiting, the drow narrows his eyes at the goliath. "I should tell you. I have never been able to look at rothe the same. I blame you entirely."

[Haberdashery]

The Shepherd flattens his mouth into a nonplussed half-hearted attempt at a smile, his hands folded neatly in front of him.

"I see."

The silence was palpable, thick enough to be cut and served for afternoon tea with a dish of crackers and honey.

"The...ummm..." The Shepherd skewed his mouth to the side of his face, "...black sheep forgets not...the...splendor in the grass?"

The Shepherd stretched his toes in uncomfortable idleness, nodding his head slowly, and tried his best not to look Zyrr in the eye.

[Toric]

Zyrr continues to scowl at the goliath, mulling the words over, digesting them. Then, his face morphs from a look of utter grudge to one of calm understanding. "Indeed. And the grey goat never forgets the taste of crabgrass."

Once in Sigil, Zyrr helps pull the others away from the entrance. Back on the prine, he had enough sense at least to take note of the ogre that would be lumbering through behind them. Once he sees the two eladrin representative, the drow immediately dismisses the halfing and cheerily approaches his two acquaintances. "Shello, you two! I'd have thought your trip here wouldn't be over easy, and we certainly scrambled as quick as we could, but I can see you clearly beat us here."

[Nai_Calus]

Eltain looks down at Zyrr and gives a grimace of disgust.

"You." He frowns. "I'm surprised your leash holders let you leave."

[Toric]

Zyrr's eyebrow twitches slightly at the remark, and he pauses before replying. "Funny, I thought you'd made that your job."

[Nai_Calus]

"I don't lay any claim to being anyone's master, you should know that. The only authority I truly recognize is Corellon's. I am his agent in the multiverse, yes, and I serve his will and bring it to others, but I am merely his servant and seek only to teach and to guide." Eltain frowns. "Which sounds incredibly arrogant, but that's how it is." He looks at Zyrr and smirks. "I think you'd do much better submitting to a different master than the ones you currently grovel before. Someone like you would do well in Sehanine's church at least, if you can't bring yourself to see the beauty that Corellon gives to us all. She doesn't object to your shadowy, underhanded methods, and she doesn't think males are useless scum either. Something to think about." He pats Zyrr on the shoulder cheerfully and turns to the others.

"Well! Pavick! Shep! Good to see you again! It's been a while, how have you been?"

[Haberdashery]

The landscape around him had filled his head with such strange thoughts and strange sights that the Shepherd felt in some kaleidoscopic daze. There were such vast quantities of information to take in that it was a blur to his senses, a sudden deluge of the unseen, the unheard and the unknown. It was disorienting to the very point that it made his eyes roll in their sockets, and the thankful reprieve of his companion's voices tore him out of the whirling eddy.

The Shepherd grasped the top of his hooded head, blinking his eyes. He gave a flat, tranquil smile to Eltain, and replied frankly.

"Fine. Though, to be honest, I had thought that two bright young spring goats who had been rather fine friends for some time would have put aside their differences over one dispute in these last few months."

He shrugged his shoulders, keeping his eyes to the ground so not to lose himself in the whirling cacophony of unbridled sensations waiting for him just outside this momentary bubble that surrounded his four other companions and himself.

"But perhaps in time." One of his black eyes winked.

[Mando Knight]

"Then you don't seem to understand the whole story, Shep. I'll leave it as a tale for another time, though. Let's find this watering hole that our friend bought half of."

[Haberdashery]

"No, you're right." The Shepherd bowed his head humbly to Aramil, "But a goat is a goat. Whatever color it may be, whatever grass it likes to eat, or whether it pushed who off what mountain side does not change the fact that the heart of the same goat beats in every goat's chest."

He drew his cloak tighter around his shoulders, and blinked upwards towards the opposite side of the disk above him.

"But I'm just a silly old shepherd. Let us go see where Lucan has hidden himself."

[Nai_Calus]

Eltain shrugs in confusion. Well, at least some things could be counted on no matter where one went.

"That at least I can agree to. We need to find Lucan." He frowns and looks at Zyrr.

"Think about what I said, and what I said before. You could do much better than to remain enslaved to those who see you only as a disposable tool simply because you're male." He looks about.

"Now. How do we find anything in this miserable sewer of a city?"

[DSCrankshaw]

Lucan - Half-elf bard

Lucan, meanwhile, is engaged in one of his favorite past-times. Discussing Lings with his clientele. Surely someone in Sigil must know something about them.

[Hzurr]

DM Post

Gerald, the halfling that greeted you when you first walked, and who is now furious at being so thoroughly ignored, pipes in at this point. "Oh, you need to find something in the city, do you? If only there was a tout who would wait at the gates to help visitors like yourselves find your way in the city." He spits at your feet in disgust.

"But obviously such people aren't worth the notice of a couple of cutters like you! Good luck finding someone else, and I hope he leads you straight to the Kadyx!" He tips his hat in mock respect, and storms off to wait by the gate again, muttering to himself about "arrogant oversized sods..."

[dariathalon]

Pavick - Gnome Wizard

Pavick had at first also been overjoyed to see his companions. Though perhaps not as excited as the others, it had been less time since he'd seen Aramil and Eltain. In the intervening months since their last adventure together, Pavick had visited them once or twice in the feywild as he practiced his new rituals. Even still, he greeted them happily.

When the annoyed halfling ran off, Pavick held up a hand in a gesture to wait for him, then he ran off behind him.

"I'm sorry, my friends and I were just reunited after months of being apart. I'm sure you understand, living in a place like this. Let's see, I've heard people around here tend to talk differently. You said your monik is Gerald, short for moniker? Correct, your name? In that case my monik is Pavick." He overstressed the word monik feeling confident in his use of the new word.

"You asked if we were barmy. Barmy... Maybe short for barmaid? Well I've never been a barmaid, kind of hard without some serious magical assistance. I did work at the Blue Moon Alehouse in Fallcrest for awhile in my youth, but..." He trails off uncertain if he is on the right track.

"Anyway, I apologize again and we certainly could use your help, Gerald. Another friend of ours runs an inn somewhere here. It's called the Inn of the Lady's Favor. If we offended you, I'll understand and we'll try to find it on our own, but in the mean streets of a city like this, we probably won't last for long."

May as well try some [roll0] here.

[Hzurr]

DM Post

Gerald stops as Pavick runs up. He's still a bit annoyed, but as the gnome speaks, he relaxes some. As Pavick tries his hand at the new lingo, the Halfling nearly bursts himself laughing. "Nah, barmy means you're touched and aren't right in the head. If you're barmy, only the Bleakers can take care of you, yeah?"

The halfling gives a quick bow to the gnome. "But as I said, I'm called Gerald. Pleasure to meet you Mister Pavick. I'm a professional tout, so that means no one knows a city like me. The standard rate for a tout like me is a doubleten of gold for the day, and worth every copper." He pauses, seeing the look of confusion. "Er...that means a hundred. But if you just need someone to take you as far as the Inn of the Lady's Favor, that'll only be 20, yeah?

[dariathalon]

Pavick - Gnome Wizard

Pavick's facial expressions show that he is still utterly confused by the halfling's cant. "Listen, I don't care how good of a trout or carp or any other type of fish you are for that matter. I do care that you can get us to Lucan's inn, but you really must think I'm barmy." Again Pavick overstresses his new word. "100 gold a day? 20 for one trip? Those prices are outrageous. I'll give you 2 gold for the trip, and at that price I'm being very generous."

[Hzurr]

DM Post

Gerald nearly falls over himself laughing. "Two? You're a right cracker, yeah?" He stops, seeing that Pavick was serious. "Oi, you really ain't familiar with the cage. Hey, you there!" He yells to a passing Duergar "What's the going for a good Tout?"

The grey dwarf pauses, and looks at you in confusion. "A platinum. Double that if the Tout knows as much as he says he does."

Gerald turns back to Pavick and gives a half-smirk."See? You ain't on the Prime anymore, and wonderin' round the cage aimlessly is a good way to end up lost, nicked, and in the hive. Twenty's a good price."

Streetwise DC 18 For a one way trip, you think you could find someone for as low as 15 gold, but 100gp/day is the standard rate

[dariathalon]

Pavick - Gnome Wizard

Pavick gives the Duergar an uncertain look. It occurs to him that the dwarf may be in on some sort of set up. "If I were planning on scamming new people it would be handy to have a partner to back up my prices," he thinks without speaking.


It occurs to me that [roll0] might be appropriate. I'm going ahead assuming this roll doesn't reveal anything untoward, but if it does the rest of this post will happen significantly differently.

Pavick digs into his pocket. "Alright, fine. I just want to get to the inn in one piece," he mutters. He counts out the coins and thrusts them at the halfling.

[Toric]

Zyrr continues to smile through Eltain's confirmation of belief, but his expression sours when the paladin suggests changing sides. ...Is it really that obvious I'm under watch? Maybe it's just the stereotype. "Yes, those priestesses a few months back showed me exactly how Sehanine values males. ...Actually, Lolth's priestesses value males in that regard to, but anyway! If even half of all Sehanine followers have their heads so high in the clouds, no thank you. I'll stick with a goddess I can take seriously."

Zyrr turns to find that halfling who offered his services as a guide, but sees Pavick has the situation well in hand. It's exactly then that he looks up and notices that the city has no real horizon to speak of. Or sky for that matter.

[Hzurr]

DM Post

The gold disappears in a flash (figuratively). Gerald smiles, and gives a jerk of his head. "Follow me..."

It's hard to tell if Gerald is purposefully leading you an indirect way, or if Sigil really is this confusing. The halfling leads you up main roads, through side allies, across bridges going over other streets. The entire journey is exceptionally confusing. As you walk, Gerald points out various things to you in his brisk cant, much of it hard to follow.

He points out a group of thin, pale-skinned humanoids working on repairing a street, who seem to be floating a few inches above the ground. They work in complete silence, but everyone seems to be giving them a wide berth. Gerald calls them Dabus.

At one point the rain stops and the air clears momentarily. High above you, you can see the other side of the city, and for the first time you get the full effect of being inside of a ring. It's a bit unsettling, but moments later the air is cloudy and grey again, obscuring your view.

The entire journey only takes about 20 minutes, and stepping out of an alley, Gerald gives you a flourish. "As promised, the Inn of the Lady's Favor. If you get tired banging around this kip, keep on heading down that street." He gestures to a wide boulevard several blocks down "And you'll find yourself at the Grand Bazaar. Keep an eye out for cony-catchers, and a close watch on your jink, but anything you could ever want, you can find there." He glances at the Drow and gives a wink "And if not there, try the Night Market by the Gatehouse."

With that, he's off, back into the twisting streets of the city.

In front of you, a small stone building nearly four stories high sits on the street corner, door open and music pouring out. A sign above the door proclaims the building as "The Inn of the Lady's Favor." At one point, there was a painting below the words, but it appears as if that part of the sign was scorched or blasted off.

Entering, it appears you've stumbled into a microcosm of the streets outside. Creatures of every race have packed the common room to near capacity. Waiters run around balancing drinks on precarious trays, two tables have some sort of card game going on, and a number of the booths in the back look like they're being used for business transactions of some sort. However, just above the din, over by the bar, you do pick out one snippet of conversation. "-possible to get to, except for the Githyanki. But there, hidden away in the Astral Sea, is the island of the Lings. The only ones left across the planes."

You look, and there by the bar is a small bird-man creature talking to a very familiar half-elf. Lucan's attention appears to be focused on the Kenku, but as you enter, by habit he glances up to see who the newcomers are.

[DSCrankshaw]

Lucan - Half-elf bard

Lucan glances up at the newcomers, and quickly dismisses them as too ordinary to know anything about Lings. Then he does a double-take. "Friends!" he calls, standing abruptly. "Pardon me," he says to the Kenku. "I'd love to hear more later, but right now . . ." He waves vaguely.

Once the Kenku seems satisfied, he leaves him behind to reach the others. A tiny woman with transparent wings flutters around his head. "It's great to see you. I'm really glad you decided to help me. All of you! There's so much to tell you."

[Nai_Calus]

Eltain rubs the bridge of his nose and sighs at Zyrr's response.

"That is not what I mean at all, and you know it. If you like being dominated, I can't help you with that. Well, I suppose I could get a whip and give your regular beatings while telling you how worthless you are, but you'd never accept that from me and you'd probably stick a knife in my gut, so why you accept it from your priestesses is beyond me. And yes, some of her priestesses and some of her priests as well are into the whole loveydovey thing. Others, I can assure you, are not, and are far more to what would be your liking. Personal experience, there." He snorts, remembering the woman who had discovered him that night in Sehanine's church, and rolls his eyes and turns his attention back to the others.

-----

"Hello again, Lucan." He notes Lucan's new companion and shrugs. His was bigger. And at least he was intelligent to recognize both Frank and what seemed to be a smaller version of Selene. He wondered why she was spying on Lucan and if she knew that pretty much anything related to the man was hopeless.

[Toric]

"A valid enough point. If I meet such a person, I'll be sure to tell you." Zyrr retorts, for once yielding. That reminds me. Once I've found this place I'll have to slip away for my regularly scheduled beating. Good call there, halfbreed.

Zyrr waves Lucan down - when there's a mindflayer in the corner and nobody seems worried, there's no point in him being subtle. An odd smirk gets plastered onto his face when he gets a good look at the pixie flitting around him. "Well. This is new."

[DSCrankshaw]

Lucan - Half-elf bard

"I suppose you're wondering why I called you here," Lucan says. "We need to talk, but somewhere private. I got you a suite for your stay--let me take you there."

[Nai_Calus]

"Fine. The sooner we get whatever this is done, the sooner we can leave this disgusting place. Lead on." It's clear from Eltain's tone and posture that 'this disgusting place' encompasses all of Sigil, rather than just the inn.

[DSCrankshaw]

Lucan - Half-elf bard

Lucan frowns at Eltain, but then grins. "I love Sigil!" he says. He's practically bouncing as he leads them upstairs. "You can meet anyone here, from anywhere. And you can go anywhere, too. Just last week I stepped through a portal into Celestia! Can you imagine? Of course, I turned around and came right back. That's what you have to do with an uncharted portal. You never know how long it will be around, and you don't want to risk losing the key or the portal vanishing or something. But Lena said that it was definitely Celestia. Oh, that's Lena by the way." He points at the little flying woman. "And here we are!"

He pulls a key from his pocket and opens a door onto a decent sized sitting room, with an unlit but laid out hearth. He quickly lights a few candles. "There are three bedrooms," he says, pointing to the doors leading from the sitting room. "I'm sorry I couldn't get more, but we aren't that big of an inn. So, I bet you're wondering how I became part owner of the inn." And even if no one is, he's going to tell them anyway. "I inherited it. My father was part owner, but he left it to me. That's what this thing"--he taps the medallion he's wearing--"was all about, and it's where the coin was coming from in my boot. It turns out he placed a portal in the cash box keyed to whoever was wearing the amulet. Chauncy--he's the other owner--thought someone was stealing it and scryed me. I had to come here and get it straightened out."

He takes a seat in one of the plush chairs and gives everyone a chance to grab a seat themselves. "So, my father. I still haven't met him, but thanks to Pavick, I know what he looks like. The thing is, we don't know whether he's dead or not. He's technically just missing. So I've been asking around, trying to find out, and that's how I found out the Dellarin connection. And I was able to find someone who had information on Dellarin, but I wanted backup before I met with her on her ground. I don't really trust her. You see, it's Kala Laroux."

[Nai_Calus]

Eltain completely fails to be able to feign the slightest interest in Lucan's babbling about Sigil, portals or his familiar. Any place where Zyrr seemed trustworthy and sane was a place he wanted the hells out of, and five minutes ago. He'd rather be back in Certhiel's lands dealing with the wrath of his superiors at the temple he'd lived at, or dealing with Certhiel herself than be in this madhouse. Mindflayers. Madness. Everywhere he looked in this place was something utterly devoid of beauty crying to be destroyed in Corellon's name, and Lucan liked the miserable cesspit? He shuddered.

He grimaces at the mention of Kala.

"Ah. Her. I'm surprised she didn't kill herself in grief over Oedipus or some such nonsense. Well, we've dealt with her before. It won't be that hard to deal with her again." He frowns. "Although really, you could have just hired bodyguards if you were that worried. Although in a hellhole like this city I wouldn't be surprised if you didn't trust anyone at all."

[Toric]

Zyrr on the other hand eats it all up with glee. The spontaneity. The chaos. The.... unparalleled freedom. He listens earnestly, and when Lucan introduces his familiar, extends an index finger in greeting. "S' Lena, then. I'm Zyrr. Nice to meet you."

He seems quite thrilled at the prospect of Lucan suddenly owning his own tavern, nodding his assent for the half-elf to tell the story. But his expression changes when the name Kala is dropped. The assassin drow furrows his brow, and brings a finger and thumb to his chin. "Hmm..... I should have hung onto that sword just a bit longer."

[Mando Knight]

that pretty much anything related to the man was hopeless.

...y'know, that would kinda include us...

"Eltain, please cheer up a little." Aramil's beginning to get the impression that Eltain has decided not to be happy no matter where he is or what he's doing. He'd like to slap him or something to get him to snap out of it, but this isn't the place to do it.

He turns to Lucan and smiles. "I'll be happy to watch your back, Lucan. I'd also like it if you could help me run some errands for my father." Namely, he'd like a mysterious corner in the tavern to sit at. After all, that's how you recruit the best adventurers and mercenaries around.

[DSCrankshaw]

Lucan - Half-elf bard

Lucan's face falls at Eltain's displeasure. "I could have hired bodyguards, I guess, but I thought you guys would want to find out more about Kala and Dellarin. And, I'm not sure if bodyguards could handle demons, if it came to that."

He frowns, clearly unhappy that Eltain's unhappy, but brightens when Aramil speaks up. "Of course, I'd be happy to help. What do you need?"

[Haberdashery]

The Shepherd had been very distracted by the squid man in the other room. And the spiky man. And the fire man. And the man that looked like he was one part bull and the other part...well, man. All they needed now was a goat man, and the Shepherd was frightened that around the next corner there'd be one staring him in the face, and oh the horror that would bring. He didn't want to imagine this would be the case, because think of the poor goat that happened to cause such a union. It was all so much for the poor Shepherd that he had all but missed Lucan as he was dragged behind his companions who seemed to have more of a sense of where they were going. When he had finally had the rest of the strange, strange world of Sigil closed behind him, he seemed to relax, in a sort of dumbstruck silence. What were those things? And why did they all seem to look like men crossed with something they shouldn't be crossed with? Horrifying.

It was a relief when his eyes fell upon Lucan, his familiar, normal, cheerful face, and the Shepherd's own face brightened considerably.

"It's good to see you, Lucan," The Shepherd said with a pleasant sigh, "Especially considering that you're not part made of fire or floating above the ground." He hadn't particularly been paying attention, but something about being a bodyguard for Lucan? That seemed to be what people were talking about. "And, err, I'd be happy to help you, if you'd have me. I'm not terribly sure what I could do to help in this place though..."

[Haberdashery]

The Shepherd's face settled for only an instant. Only an instant and then it hit him. It hit him like a ton of rocks tumbling from some celestial height, crashing down atop his head with the weight of a hundred suns.

He was a rock man.

Oh dear great goat in the sky, he was a rock man. A rock man.

This was madness, this couldn't be anything but madness; sheer, undiluted, utter madness. For his entire life he had been a rock man. The union of a man and a rock. Sitting right there in all of his glory defying the laws of basic biology.

Something in the Shepherd's head snapped. He simply stood there, frozen, his eyes wide and his lips pursed. How on earth did he manage to be a rock man? How was that even possible? Did his mother err...okay, maybe his father...err...

The Shepherd stood in transfixed, stony, tormented silence. He hardly knew the world anymore.

Again.

[dariathalon]

Pavick - Gnome Wizard

Pavick watched Shep for a moment, waiting for him to finish talking, until Shep just stopped. Pavick was used to Shep's slow and deliberate speech, so he gave him a few more seconds... then a few more seconds... Finally, Pavick just decided that Shep would finish up later, probably after whatever great thought the monk finished working it's way though his head.

"Yeah, sure Lucan I'd be happy to help. Wouldn't be here if I didn't want to. You know me, always up for getting into a good spot of trouble. Kala and Dellarin seem like a wonderful way to do that. And I'm sure we'll find out more about your dad along the way too."

[Nai_Calus]

Eltain sees that Shep doesn't seem to be taking any better to this place than he is, and lays a comforting hand on Shep's shoulder.

"It's madness, I know. But we'll be alright."

[DSCrankshaw]

Lucan - Half-elf bard

"Are you kidding, Shep? You'll be a great help!" Lucan says. But Shep doesn't respond. "Uh, Shep? Are you all right?" He waves his hand in front of his face. "Um, okay. So, yeah, I'm supposed to meet Kala soon right here."


OOC: I don't know when we're meeting relative to today.

[Hzurr]

OOC: You've got a full day til Kala scheduled to meet you

[DSCrankshaw]

Lucan - Half-elf bard

"We have a day first," Lucan says. "Do you guys want to do anything?"

[Hzurr]

DM Post

The rest of the day is spent recuperating in the inn. The rooms provided by Lucan are comfortable, if a bit cramped. The odd patronage of The Lady's Favor fluctuates throughout the day. Nearly every creature that you'd ever imagined manages to come through the tavern or at least pass by on the street outside. A necromancer in a cart pulled by skeletal horses; a pair of Angels of Moridin; a small troupe of Warforged, clearly uncomfortable in the crowds... At one point, a fight nearly broke out after the close of the Grand Bazaar out during the evening rush. A group of Githyanki "traders" tried to start a fight with a pair of Tieflings they accused of breaking a contract. The Tieflings insisted that they ahd simply taken "creative licenses" with a loophool, but tensions were high, and the Gith were a bit drunk. If it hadn't been for The Lady's Favor's two body guards (a pair of relatively intelligent ogres named Ixam and Drapp), things could have gotten very out of hand.

Once darkness finally falls, the crowds and traffic doesn't really change, but instead...shifts. Rather than parade around on litters carried by slaves, most move on foot through the streets with cloaks pulled up over their heads. Far in the distance, you can see faint glowing from the forges in the lower ward, just barely visible around the curve of the city. In the opposite direction, the sounds of music float of from the Civic Festhall in the Clerk's ward. However, before long you're able to find sleep (or a nice place to trance).

The next morning, One of the servants sets up some chairs and a few tables in one of the basement rooms for you, and just after breakfast you find yourself here, waiting. The beds were comfortable, and you feel fairly well rested. Plenty of food is brought down, and breakfast actually manages to be rather pleasant, since the last opportunity you all had to share a meal together like this was in the Rex Manor well over a month ago. Servants provide everything you need, and with the exception of an awkward staring contest between Lena and Slick, the meal passes without incident. Not long after you finish eating, there's a knock at the door, and a familiar looking elf enters the room.

She's a bit more haggard than you remembered. In Fallcrest she'd been known as a very attractive woman, but the elf has obviously ceased any efforts to maintain herself. She looks over all of you coldly, (and out outright scowls at Shep), before speaking. "Let's cut right to the chase. I despise all of you, but I have information that the half-human needs" she nods towards Lucan "but there's something I want in return. I'm a business woman, so I don't care who I deal with, as long as you hold up your end of the bargain. If you're not willing to deal, I'll turn around and walk out of here, are we clear?"

[Nai_Calus]

"That depends on the deal," Eltain says, looking levelly back and surpressing a frown at how much Kala has let herself go. "What are your terms?"

[Toric]

"I'd like to see that Night Market." Zyrr tells the others once their rooms have been established. "I'll be there most of the day. Don't worry. I'll be back."

At the market, the assassin does some casual shopping, some gossip trading, and trading of both poisonous and culinary recipes. Once he's sated his curiosity, Zyrr makes his way to the temple district, to the black, spider-embossed building nestled tightly between the only moon to be found in the city and a star-studded shrine. ....Clearly the property layout has been in effect for a long, long time. Of course he'll do as he's told, like a good little male. Sigil's a great place to visit, but he'd like to go back to the prime without being hunted.

He informs the priestesses, of course, that he'll be meeting with a contact tonight. Another old friend. One significantly less friendly than Lucan. His clothing might be a bit stained when next he reports in.

[Hzurr]

DM Post


---------------------------

At the temple of Lolth, Zyrr is forced to wait in a penitent position for several hours until one of the priestesses chooses to see him. He isn't allowed past the foyer leading to the main part of the temple, but even this rivals anything he'd ever seen in the Underdark. Eight tall pillars of black obsidian support the roof, each with an incredibly intricate web design carved from top to bottom. On the walls, sweeping mosaics made of precious gemstones cover the sides of the foyer from floor to ceiling, depicting the history of the Drow people and their victories (well, at least their history as told by the priestesses). The value of these murals is simply staggering, yet even in a city like Sigil, no one would dare risk stealing them. Two Driders and a Draegoleth stand watch over the foyer, chanting soft praises to Lolth, and hurling curses and prophesies of doom at followers of other gods that pass outside. Well, the Driders do, at least. The Draegoleth simply stares at everything as if he wants to devourer it (which it probably does).

Eventually, a priestess enters the foyer, a long whip with snake heads at the end in her hand. Zyrr, not fast enough to his knees for the priestess (although he assumes that nothing he would have done would have been good enough) receives a sharp blow across the back of his head from the butt of the whip. He feels a spiked booted heel against his face as the priestess examines him, as if he's too filthy to risk touching with anything but her foot. So...you're the worm called Zyrr'delin that I was told about. Pathetic..." She leans down slightly, and speaks in a low voice. Listen closely, male, and obey. In the temple of the cursed fey god is a traitor, a heretic of the Spider Queen, who seeks to turn the chosen away from the Dark Mother." She grinds her teeth at this, and hits Zyrr again to work out some frustration.

"You are to go to her, and convince her that you are a male disillusioned with your rightful place in Drow society. We have reports that she is planning on meeting with a number of pathetic and traitorous males, and you are to find out where that meeting is to take place. You will report everything you hear to me directly. Is that clear?"

It's obvious that this last question is rhetorical, because she doesn't wait for an answer before turning and walking away.


----------------back in the present time---------------

Kala gives Eltain a level look. "I want you to convince Tyrranus to let me raise Oedipus. We'll leave Fallcrest and not bother them again, but I want my love returned to me. Those are my terms."

[Mando Knight]

Aramil looks upon Kala with pity at her sorry appearance and insane declaration of affection. He sighs, and thinks a bit before speaking up. "You ask a hard thing, Kala. Even though I have not spoken with Tyrannus personally for several months, I can tell you that there are things he will need you to emphasize before he will even consider the request, even with us vouching for you. Can you guarantee that Oedipus will return your affection and never return to harm the Rex family?"

[Hzurr]

DM Post

Kala nods vigorously. "Oedopus loves me, I know it! He never would have even gone back to Fallcrest if he hadn't been pushed by-" she cuts herself off, suddenly, and pauses to take a drink of water. "As long as I'm careful who he lets influence him, he can be happy again. He wasn't always like this."

She sets down the glass of water, and looks up at you, her eyes starting to tear up. "He's got nothing now, except for me. He spent everything he had trying to get that stupid Flame. After I raise him, he'll see that I was the only one who was there for him. Then he'll love me, and stay with me, and listen to me, because he'll know I'm the only one he can rely on." She's smiling now, and staring at nothing, her eyes unfocused, but now she looks back at Aramil. "So you've got nothing to worry about. Oedipus will be with me, and I never want to go back to Fallcrest again. I've got money saved up, so we'll find somewhere to start a new life together, and never get involved with any demons or artifacts or anything like that again."

[Haberdashery]

"Pushed by who?" There are visible lines in the Shepherd's face, vexation and utter confusion mask his features, the remnants of his earlier discovery. Were he not made of sterner stuff perhaps it would have compromised his ability to think, but the wheels in his head were visibly turning now.

"If we're to to convince Tyrannus to allow you bring back someone who did dangerous things in the past, we need to know everything. Otherwise we can't give him back to you."

The Shepherd flattens his mouth, an almost apologetic look on his face.

"You do need us more than we need you."

[Hzurr]

DM Post

Kala looks at Shep for a long time. It's clear she hasn't forgotten who lassoed her and slung her over his shoulders like a sack of potatoes. Seeing the unchanging face, she gives a sigh. "There's...a woman here. She's the one who told Oedipus that his father had the flame, and convinced him that it was his birthright. She introduced him to Dellarin, and helped him contact all the people at the auction."

She pauses, again staring off into the distance. "But with her involved, I don't suppose it's any surprise that whatever bid was the most appealing to Oedipus was Dellarin's. She knew what would catch Oedipus' eye..."

She looks back to Shep, and her face hardens. "But you don't get her name until you convince Tyrannus."

[Haberdashery]

The Shepherd nods his head, and the visible worry lines in his face lessen somewhat. When his face rises again, it has an oddly appreciative expression on it.

"Thank you. I..." He pauses, a rumbling noise in his throat as he searches for the right word. "I know I called you a naughty goat and tied you up in the past, and was less than gentle about it."

There is another lengthy pause.

"And I am sorry that I did that. It was not right to treat you that way." He bows his head. "I do not ask for your forgiveness, but know that I apologize for mistreating you regardless."

[Mando Knight]

"And the information you're willing to relay... it is worth this effort on our part?"

[Toric]

Different temple, flashier decor, same rules. This priestess plays her social role just as the others. A strange request, though; one that does not involve direct killing, nor theft of an item. Simple reconnaissance, but on a most interesting subject. And with such an easy way to enter, too. As he resists the urge to clutch the back of his skull, waiting for the priestess to fully exit, he notes one rule she neglected out of hubris, one that has doomed several before her: she made a request of an assassin, but did not wait to hear if he would accept.

------Meanwhile, back at the inn,-------

"...You really could have saved us a trip. I was just in Fallcrest, why couldn't I have just lifted your beau's head from Tyrranus's fireplace?"

Zyrr keeps his feelings to himself, for the moment. When dealing with Kala, he's found it's best to stick to business even while running circles around her head.

[dariathalon]

Pavick - Gnome Wizard

Pavick sits at the table listening carefully. Slick lays on the table in front of him, and Pavick strokes his snake lazily as he watches what transpires. "Ms. Leroux, I believe you are in a very difficult position here. Obviously this other woman cause Oedipus to turn away from your wishes. She convinced him to go after his birthright. She sent Dellarin to take it back, when the two of you could easily have taken the flame and retired somewhere pleasant to live happily ever after. You said it yourself, she knew how to catch his eye. If you try to raise him before she is out of the picture, how do you know that she won't distract him from you again. Oedipus's true feelings for you were strong, but her beguilements were stronger. Don't let this other woman take him from you again. What assurances do you have that they won't be again?"

[DSCrankshaw]

Lucan - Half-elf bard

"Pavick has a point," Lucan says. "It's in your interest to deal with this woman first. If she is still around, she may attempt to influence Oedipus again."



OOC: I feel like I should make a longer speech, but there's really nothing to add to Pavick's.

Let's make a Diplomacy check.
Use Word of Friendship +5 Diplomacy
[roll0] (includes Word of Friendship)

[Hzurr]

DM Post

Kala seems a bit taken aback by Shep's apology, but gives a slight nod of forgiveness. She purses her lips as Aramil speaks, but just as she prepares to answer him, Zyrr comments.

She turns to give him an icy glare, but as she stares at the drow, revelation dawns across her face. "You...you traitor! How could you ally yourselves with them after what they did? You made a deal with Oedipus, why weren't you there to defend him when he died?" She scowls, and spits at the drow's feet. It's obvious she isn't aware of the full actions of Zyrr, else you feel she'd be at the Drow's throat.

Pavick's words, however, seem to strike a chord. As he speaks, she's at first slightly elated that someone begins to truly believe what she's saying, but as the wizard continues and starts pointing out the woman as a potential threat to the "happily ever after" scenario she'd formed in her mind, Kala bits her lower lip, and her already sunken eyes begin darting back and forth. Lucan's words, accented with magical force, finally push her over the edge. "Please, you've got to take care of her for me! Her name is Zorella! She met Oedipus at "The Chubby Imp" in the Lower Ward." she looks to Lucan, desperate to secure his help. "If your father was involved with Dellarin, he would have taken him to see her. Please..." she grasps the lapels of Lucan's cloak. "You've got to stop her from stealing Oedipus away from me again!" her eyes are completely wild now, and her voice has an edge of panic to it.

[DSCrankshaw]

Lucan - Half-elf bard

"We'll do what we can," Lucan assures her. "Is there more we should know?"

[Hzurr]

DM Post

She calms down a bit. "I'm not sure. Oedipus never let me go with him when he met her. He said it was too dangerous for me." She gives half a sniff, before bursting into tears "He cared about me so much!" Kala is now bawling. It's kind of awkward.

Lucan does know from his time in the city, that "The Chubby Imp" is a tavern known to cater to a more...infernal clientèle.

[Haberdashery]

It was at least a few moments before the Shepherd spoke again.

"Zorella is a...what, exactly? I would not want to go unprepared meeting someone in this...this place."

For all the Shepherd knew Zorella could be one of the dreaded Chu...no. No, he dared not even think that vile name.

[Hzurr]

DM Post

Kala calms down a bit in the few moments of silence, but eventually she's able to speak again. "I'm not sure. Oedipus said she was beautiful, but I didn't like him to talk about her..."

[Mando Knight]

Aramil's look of pity was not scornful before, but now he seems downright sympathetic. "Is she also the one who had contact with Lucan's father? Either way, we might need to stop her before Tyrannus will let you raise Oedipus, in case she finds you and steals him away again. Any information we can get beforehand can only help."

[Toric]

Zyrr lets his friends finish coaxing information out of the elf before speaking next, smiling coyly as he waits. "I don't think you understand quite what happened back then. Oeddy and I had an unspoken agreement: when he tried to have me killed, my contract with him became null and void." Plus, he adds mentally, I was there when he died after all. No sense letting her know that, though. For now, he's content to sit back and let the others do the talking.

[Hzurr]

DM Post

Kala sniffs again, and hands Aramil a square piece of parchment about a hands width across. On it, is a name: "Focht Bendis" and an address in the Clerk's Ward"This man...he sets up formal meetings for Zorella and a number of other people. Um... she stops, and thinks. "Oedipus once mentioned that she has a pair of Barbazus as guards, but I don't know what those are. I don't know anything else."

OOC: Assuming there are no other questions

Kala again begs you to deal with this woman, and help her raise Oedipus, before turning and leaving, visibly very upset and shaken.

Religion DC 25
Barbazus, sometimes called "Bearded Devils", are a fairly common bodyguard and assault troop that infernal powers use. Unlike most devils, they tend to prefer more direct combat and fighting over tempting and bargaining.

[Nai_Calus]

Eltain ponders for a moment.

"Well, Barbazus are devils. They're used as body guards and troops a lot, since they're not as subtle as most devils." He frowns. "I wonder if this Zorella has anything to do with that Aleksie who wrote that letter we found, or the Jarath she mentioned in it."

[Toric]

After Kala leaves, Zyrr turns to the rest of the group. "So. Moral quandary time: we've already got the information we needed from her, so once we coax the next link of this chain out of this Zorella do we even try to bring Oedipus back?" He pushes off the wall he was leaning against, and stretches his arms high. "In my opinion, it's always good to have somebody around who owes you their life; you never know when they can pay you back, right Eltain?" he says with a wink.

[DSCrankshaw]

Lucan - Half-elf Bard

Lucan looks at Zyrr, honestly perplexed. "But we said we would, didn't we? We have to keep our word."


OOC: Honestly, I don't think we ever promised.

[Mando Knight]

"We never said we would, but if we find truth to what Kala claims, I at least will aid her. Oedipus has paid for his act, and if he can be kept from further evil, I see no reason to prevent Kala from raising him."

[dariathalon]

Pavick - Gnome Wizard

Pavick leans back in his chair. "Well I know I never promised her anything. We just oiled her tongue a little with reminders of how nasty this woman she's dealing with probably is. She gave up the information all on her own. Now, I don't know about you, but I'm of a mind that it's probably best all around if Oedipus stays dead. So unless matters change as we dig deeper, I don't think we should resurrect him or zombify him or whatever other ideas were running through her crazy little head."

He pulls a coin from his pocket and begins letting it dance across the backs of his fingers. It is either a very impressive display of agility, or more likely the gnome is using mage hand to force the coin to flip and tumble. "I don't know though," he continues. "I guess you did promise to do what you could. Did you see the way she's let herself go, obviously something inside her has snapped. If it helps you sleep better at night, maybe you could find someplace where she could get some help... A temple or something that might help someone like her."

[Haberdashery]

It was a while before the Shepherd spoke; he was staring at the floor when his lips finally moved.

"I would feel very guilty if we double-cross her. She has been naughty, and has tried to do terrible things--perhaps she has already done terrible things, but I don't think that we should do the same in return."

There was an earthy pause, and he leveled his eyes with his companions.

"If you want to do so, I won't stop you. But I don't want any part of it."

[Nai_Calus]

"The Sehanites would probably be willing to help her. They often deal with such things," Eltain says. "We'll worry about that if it comes up, however. Right now I think we should be worrying about this Zorella woman and finding her." He pats Shep on the shoulder.

"We won't do anything bad to her. But do remember the kind of person Oedipus was. Barring some shocking revelation, I'd much prefer he remains dead."

[Toric]

"Actually I would think the Corellite temple could help her if we don't bring her back. Show her the beauty still in her life. If you're set on keeping Oedipus dead, we could... ask what they can do for her." Zyrr mutters in a low voice, before shrugging.

[Nai_Calus]

Eltain arches an eyebrow.

"Eh, perhaps, but as it's a matter of love they're probably just going to refer her to the Sehanites anyway. Recall that the two deities are closely allied. I certainly wouldn't send her to a Corellite church myself." He frowns. "Odd. I wouldn't figure you of all people to suggest such a thing. Does this have something to do with that leash your priestesses have you on?"

[Toric]

"Odd, I wouldn't think Sehanine dealt with an end to love. In fact-" His thought is cut off as Eltain's latter comment runs its course. His brow furrows, and he raises two palms as though measuring invisible weights. ".....Send her to Corellan. .....Lolthite priestesses...... Send someone to the diety of drow genocide...... Advancing drow goals....." He finally shrugs and properly responds. "Maybe I just sympathize with her because I worked with her. I'm not always cold-blooded, you know. But we can visit the Sehanites too as long as you're there to distract the priestesses from cuddling me to death."

[Mando Knight]

Aramil gives Eltain a half-smile and a dry look, with a vague wave in Zyrr's direction. "And this is exactly why I wouldn't mind raising Oedipus."

[Nai_Calus]

"You misunderstand, then. The Sehanites often give counseling on matters of broken hearts. Sehanine is, among other things, the goddess of love, so dealing with its fallouts is also part of the duties of her clergy." He shrugs.

Eltain's face darkens in response to Zyrr's second comment.
"Corellon is not the god of drow genocide. He finds their behavior ugly, but he does not hate them and the idiots who preach otherwise are dangerous heretics who need to be purged. What would be more beautiful than for the drow to be returned to the light and Lolth's foul influence purged from them forever? It would be foolish for him to desire their destruction." He frowns. "Why do you think I haven't actually killed you yet, Zyrr, despite how often I threaten, how often your actions offend me and how little I trust you? Because Corellon has hope for you, Zyrr, and therefore so do I." He rests a hand on Zyrr's shoulder comfortingly. "It's a valid suspicion, though. If we took Kala there it would be together, and arriving in the presence of a Corellite Paladin would lend the visit legitimacy that would allow for effective spying. I have hope for you, and I want to help you, but I have to protect those of my faith as well."

[Toric]

"We'll cross that bridge when we come to it. It'll be a long one and a wide one." Zyrr claps his hands. "Now then. We have a name, and we have a place. Now let's bring the name to the place and watch the magic happen!" He waggles his dark fingers for emphasis.

[Nai_Calus]

Eltain nods at Zyrr.

"I agree. The sooner we do what we came for, the sooner Lucan can find out about his father and the sooner we can leave. Do you know how to get there, Lucan, or do we need to find another... whatever that halfling called himself?"

[dariathalon]

Pavick - Gnome Wizard

Pavick can't resist, as Zyrr waggles his fingers, the gnome tucks his hands into the large pockets of his robe and waves his own fingers hidden from sight. The result of Pavick's prestidigitation is a puff of colorful sparks erupting in the air in front of Zyrr's fingers.

"Indeed, we should be off. If Lucan can't lead the way, then I believe we should go down to the common room and inquire about a trout. I think that's what Gerald called himself. I haven't quite figured out the connection between fish and city guides, but there must be something."

[DSCrankshaw]

Lucan - Half-elf bard

Lucan holds a brief conversation with Lena. "But isn't it? No, I was sure it was just below . . . Oh, right, that's The Fat Ifrit. Or is it The Overweight Tiefling?"

He looks at the others. "I've discovered that I have no idea where The Chubby Imp is. As for a trout, I guess the market's a good place to find one. I'm not sure how a fish would help, though." He frowns at Pavick for another moment or two before getting it. "Oh, you mean a tout. Yeah, there's usually a couple hanging around the inn. Let's go find one."

[Toric]

"Well if you need to pay somebody to tell you where the Chubby Imp is, I could always use more coin." Zyrr chuckles before explaining.

"Some efreeti mentioned it in passing when I swapped spice uses with them. Say what you will about the clientele, but apparently the chef can do wonders with planetouched chili. Follow me, I'll do this one on the house." he finishes with a wink before stepping out the door.

[Haberdashery]

There is a dumb question on the Shepherd's mind. And so, he asks it, without a moment's pause.

"Why are they all portly?"

[Hzurr]

DM Post

The Efreeti Zyrr overheard mentioned the "The Chubby Imp" as right outside an area in the Lower Ward known as "The Fire Pit." Taking off through the rest of the Market Ward towards the Lady's Ward (and the Lower Ward beyond it), you soon find yourself in the middle of the Grand Bazaar. It's raining, again, yet moving through the Grand Bazaar is a truely astounding experience. The sights, sounds, and smells from a hundred different booths surround you on all sides. Nearly everything you can imagine is here. Exotic herbs from the Feywild, bottles of water from the lakes of Celestia, whips of lightning forged in the Elemental Chaos. Shep even spots a small booth selling goat milk, and from what he can make out through all the smells, it appears to be a quality that could even meet The Shepherd's standards.

In addition to the legitimate goods, there are a fair number of people trying to sell obviously fake or stolen goods. At least three different people try and sell Eltain "The Lost Longsword of Corellon" (and one of them was actually a scimitar).

Eventually, you move out of the Market Ward and into the Lady's Ward. The streets here are not nearly as crowded, and large gated houses line the roads on either side. Far above you, on the other side of the ring, you can see the Temple District in the Lady's ward, with temples glowing through the fog (although a few of the temples seems to be adding to the smoke and haze...)

After a bit, the houses begin getting smaller in size, and you gradually find yourself in the Lower Ward. Small houses and apartments of all shapes and sizes fill every street and alley. The smoke and smog here is much thicker, and the clanging of hammer and radiating heat from a forge seem to echo from every other street corner. Portals open to the elemental chaos abound here, and it isn't uncommon to glance in an archway and see a river of lightning or tumbleweed of fire rolling past on the other side.

Eventually, you're able to get directions to the Fire Pit (although the Eladrin who gave you directions called it Firepit Square), and as you emerge from the side street into the square, you realize that the name is well earned. The square is roughly 50' to a side, but in the middle is a 30' diameter pit of fire. As you look into the hole, it appears that there's some sort of structure inside, but the heat and flames make it difficult to look for more than a few seconds.

After bothering a few more passersby, you eventually are given directions to "The Chubby Imp" down a nearby side street. The building looks to be made of some dark stone, and the air around it is several degrees warmer than the ambient temperature. The door appears to be thick iron, and standing in front of it, scowling, is a hulking humanoid. It's unclear what he is, but first judgment would be some sort of devil-orc hybrid. Two swords hang on his belt, and a black piece of parchment is in his hand that he examines whenever someone tries to enter the building. He stands firmly in the middle of the doorway, blocking the entrance to some while allowing others to enter (after examining the list). He scowls at all who pass-by.

Perception DC 25
Down the road behind you, a drow is browsing a shop window, perusing it's contents. However, you saw this same drow in the Grand Bazaar, looking at some of the gardens in the Lady's Ward, and walking down a side-street earlier in the Lower Ward. You suspect he's following you.


OOC: Also, if anyone isn't clear on where the various wards lie in Sigil, it's:
Market Ward -> Lady's Ward -> Lower Ward -> The Hive -> Clerk's Ward -> Guildhall Ward -> Market Ward

[DSCrankshaw]

Lucan - Half-elf bard

"They probably eat too much," Lucan tells Shep.

[hr]

Once there, Lucan whispers to Zyrr, "Do you recognize that drow? I think he's following us."

[Nai_Calus]

Three times Eltain is gravely insulted by complete idiots of cheating fool shopkeepers. Three times, Eltain stands up straight and tall, his hand on the hilt of his sword, and Looks at them. A cold, harsh, icy look; a look accompanied by a chill wind and the glint of light off ice crystals in the air. A look that dares them to say one more blasphemous word, just one. Three times, the blaspheming fools see sense, and back off. Quickly. The Fey are not to be trifled with, even half-Fey. Paladins are not to be trifled with, especially not Fey Paladins of the god of Fey. Eltain feels slightly better. This may be an ugly place filled with ugly people, but at least some of them still have the good sense to fear the wrath of the servants of the gods.

-----

"Drow? Must be tailing Zyrr." Eltain shrugs. "Too late to lose him, I'm afraid." He frowns at the bouncer. "I doubt we're on the guest list," he says dryly to the others. "How do we plan to get in?"

[Mando Knight]

Aramil gives Eltain an amused smile. "Really? You need to ask how to get past an infernal orc?"

The answer, if it was a good place and time to fight, would be to stab out its eye with a longsword. But now isn't either of those, so Aramil strides confidently, hand at the sword on his hip, to the bouncer.

"Greetings. We are here to speak with Zorella."

[Hzurr]

DM Post

The creature looks at Aramil, and eyes him from head to toe. "Name?"

[Toric]

Zyrr looks at the cousin shadowing them, and flinches. Curses, I'd hoped their talk of me reporting wherever I go was posturing.

"No, but I should get acquainted before we go much farther." he whispers to Lucan before spreading his arms and walking to the drow. "Vendis! It is you! What in the planes are you doing here, brother?" After closing distance, he glances cheerfully around at onlookers and claps the drow jovially on the shoulder. Once his arm conceals their faces, Zyrr's expression turns serious. "Really, now. What is your business?"


If that female at the temple is going to send watchdogs, he may as well show them precisely what to expect.

[Hzurr]

DM Post

"Vendis" returns Zyrr's smile. "My business? What do you think it is? I'm hear to follow you and make sure you do what you're supposed to." He shrugs. "Orders, nothing personal."

[Mando Knight]

"I am Aramil Printempest."

[Hzurr]

DM Post

The Devil Orc stops for a moment, thinking, then checks the list. "No. Now leave"

[Haberdashery]

Perhaps it was the goat's milk he had sampled not a few moments ago. Perhaps the Sigil air was getting to him. Perhaps the earlier discussion of Aramil and Eltain's arrival had gotten to him somehow. But, whatever the reason, the Shepherd walked forwards calmly, bowed his head, and spoke very plainly to the orc.

"These are the people you're looking for. They can go about their business. Move along."


Bluff: [roll0]

I regret nothing.

[Hzurr]

DM Post

The orc is roughly the same size as Shep, and stares into the Monk's eyes. "Not on the list, you can't get in. Last warning." He lowers the list, and his hands drift towards the swords at his belt.

[Mando Knight]

"Then could you please inform us on how we may contact Zellora? We wouldn't want to cause a scene, it would be terrible for us to need to justify your death on our first week in Sigil."

[Hzurr]

ooc : intimidate check, please

[Toric]

"It never is." Zyrr replies with a smile. "Just making sure it's still friendly. The temple will come later, I'm buttering up a patsy, one of Corellan's fingers." He turns to give Eltain a jovial wave before returning to business. "Why lie my way in when I can just have him vouch for me?"

[roll0] and no, this roll isn't directed toward Eltain.

[Hzurr]

DM Post

The devil orc arches an eye-brow, before giving a snorty-laugh at Aramil's threat. Sill chuckling to himself, he knocks on an eye-slit in the door that opens up a moment later. "Got some addle-coves out here who want to wigwag with Zorella. You want me to chase 'em off, or you want me to gut them and bring in one for questioning?"

Through the eye-hole, a set of yellow pupils examines the PCs, widening in shock a little bit at the sight of a paladin. "What do they want to talk to her about?" The orc looks back to Aramil. "What'd you want to talk to her about?"


---------------

"Vendis" shrugs. "I don't care. You can do whatever you feel like. I just have to tell others what that is. You know how it goes, do what you're told without questioning, and there's a slightly less chance of ending up a sacrifice to the spider queen."

[Nai_Calus]

Eltain blinks innocently before bursting into tears.

"I'm so tired of being so good all the time! It's so horrible! I want to be evil so badly, and I've heard that Zorella is exactly the kind of person I need to talk to!"


I don't regret anything either!
Bluff: [roll0]

[Toric]

Zyrr remembers all too well. He's glad assassins get at least some measure of independence, however loathe the matrons are to admit it.

"Fair enough. We're off to talk to a demoness. ...Or a she-devil, I can never tell the two apart. Her name's Zorella at any rate. I'll keep in touch, 'brother.'"

[Mando Knight]

Aramil's hand flies up to his face. He bows his head a moment, then wipes his hand downwards. Why does Eltain have to be so melodramatic?

"We'd like to discuss some mutual former acquaintances with her, and we were told that this is where we could find her."

[Hzurr]

DM Post

The pupils narrow as they look at Eltain, before a loud laugh is heard through the door. Even the orc gives a snicker at the lie. The face in the window turns, and calls out behind him: "Hey Zorella! You feel like talking to an idiot paladin, an uppity fey and a...er...rock man?"

There's a pause while he gets his answer, and after laughing again, you hear the door unbolt, and silently swing open. Standing in the doorway is a tiefling, whose eyes you saw peering at you a moment before. "Welcome to The Chubby Imp. Fourth Partition on your right." he says with a sneer.

As you look inside, rather than the common room of a tavern that you would expect to see, there's a long hallway, lined on either side by thick black curtains. Each set of curtains seems to lead to an individual partition, and every so often you can see an imp or tiefling duck inside one with drinks and trays of food. As various curtains open, you can hear the sound of gutteral voices from some, odd music from others, and foul clouds of smoke and fire from others. About midway down the hall, the fourth set of curtains on the right-hand side has been partially opened.

[DSCrankshaw]

Lucan - Half-elf bard

Lucan tries to look like he's completely at home here, rather than itching to draw a weapon. He manages not to jump when Lena alights on his shoulder, at least, but only just.

[dariathalon]

Pavick - Gnome Wizard

Pavick joins the others as they walk in. He tries to stay near the middle of the group. There is something about this place he just doesn't like, so is trying to stay unnoticed in their midst as much as he can. Still, two little feet can be seen shuffling nervously amongst all the larger ones.

[Mando Knight]

Aramil continues as he had before. Even in this most wretched hive of scum and villainy, he wishes to keep an air of civility about him.

[Haberdashery]

All these imps were rather skinny. Boney too. This disturbed the Shepherd a great deal--was the tavern lying? Certainly there must be a Chubby Imp if the tavern was named the Chubby Imp, that would be false advertising otherwise. His eyes darted down the passageway, trying to spot the overweight fiend; maybe he was sitting in the corner, picking the remains of a turkey dinner out of his little fangs. Maybe he was flying dizzily through the air, flapping his wings furiously to keep himself upright. Maybe he was fast asleep on two pillows--rather than one, of course, he is a chubby imp, and therefore would need the extra one. But the Shepherd didn't see him, and it troubled him. He scratched his beard carefully, half expecting some rotund little red thing to jump from the ceiling and apprehend him with fatty hands of lilliputian strength. But maybe he was simply at the tailors, getting his waistcoat extended.

Yes, yes, this was definitely it. That's what the Shepherd was going to believe. He smiled, pleased at his own skills of deduction. That most certainly was it.

[Hzurr]

DM Post

As you make your way down the hall, the waiters who pass-by give you odd looks as they duck into the various partitions. The thick partitions prevent you from being able to see inside, and the distorted voices coming indicate that they're most likely warded against eavesdropping.

Arriving at the fourth partition, you make your way through the thick curtains, and find yourself in a dim room. The air here is unusually sweet, and under your feet are thick carpets with intricate designs. In front of you are a number of crimson cushions on the floor surrounding a low table. Against the far wall, on either side of a large tapestry depicting an iron-walled city in a torrential storm of fire and hail, are two Barbazus, each over 6' tall and holding a jagged glaive. The creatures have well earned their nickname of "bearded devils", although the hair making up their beards look closer to razors than actual hair.

In front of the Barbazus, is a creature that immediately grabs your attention. Lounging on one of the cushions, a drink in her hand, and golden eyes that study you intensely, is the single most beautiful creature you've ever seen in your life. Even for Aramil, who grew up among fey princesses, she is truly overwhelming. As you enter she gives an alluring smile, and sits a bit straighter, her gown (which you now realize is almost completely sheer), clinging to her in ways you didn't imagine was physically possible. At first glance, the creature appears to be a human woman, but as you look you notice that her eyebrows are just a bit too angled, her teeth end in a point, and what you thought was a long, maroon-black cloak across her shoulders is actually a pair of dark, leathery wings.

"Well...this is something I don't see every day..." her voice is deep, but smooth and flowing. She studies you for a moment, before snapping her fingers and laughing, a melodious sound that echos pleasantly in the small room. "Ah, of course. Now I remember where I heard about such an odd group of companions. You're the ones who freed the gnomes in the feydark. A most entertaining story, to be certain." She gives a polite nod.

"Please, sit. Make yourselves at home. The wine here is excellent." she gestures to the cushions behind you, then to a golden pitcher on the table. "I am Zorella. To what do I owe the pleasure of this visit?"

[Mando Knight]

Aramil sits, steeling his mind against the succubus's incredible physique.

"We are in need of some information that we heard you might possess. Some of it relates to some beings who died several months ago, that we were led to believe were in contact with you some time before they died."

[Hzurr]

DM Post

Zorella arches an eyebrow. "Skipping right onto the business rather than enjoy good wine and good company? How...unusual for a fey lord." She sighs, and puts down her cup. "Very well, then. I deal in information, so I may be able to find out what you want to know. Tell me what you want, and I will tell you my price."

[Toric]

Zyrr notices the others finally gaining entrance, and claps his new friend on the shoulder once more. "And it's time to play more sava. Ciao."

Once inside The Chubby Imp, Zyrr assumes his usual tactic: find a shaded part of the room at which to lounge and flash his cheshire grin. "Actually I'm here for the stuffed hellpeppers. I hear they're to die for, and that the pumpkin pie is enough to make a devout man question his faith."

[Hzurr]

DM Post

Zorella's mouth spreads in a grin at the Drow's words "You've heard correctly. The hellpeppers are exquisite, but not all are up for handling something so strong..." She arches a finger towards the drow. "Come, sit." She purrs, motioning to a cushion next to her.

[Nai_Calus]

"Perhaps we should feed you some of that pie, then. Make you question your faith." Eltain snickers.

"I suppose I'll skip the tedious questioning of if we can trust you. Little point, of course. Those of my faith know better. We'll just have to rely on your honour as a businesswoman." He smiles coldly, ice crystals glittering in the air around him. "So, Lucan. This is your quest, you know the most about it."

[DSCrankshaw]

Lucan - Half-elf Bard

"Er, quest. Yes." He looks away from Zorella, blushing furiously. "Yes, we're looking for a human wizard named Edgren Thoene. He was last seen with a, um, person named Dellarin."

[Toric]

A glance around the room tells the drow everything he needs to know. Aramil's being all-business, Lucan's averting his eyes from the splendor, and the Shepherd is busy being the Shepherd, so it looks like it's up to Zyrr to make sure Zorella doesn't get bored with the lot of them.

His smile gains a playful curl on each end. "It would be my pleasure." He slowly walks around the table, keeping a respectful distance from the bearded devils, and lowers himself with catlike grace next to his hostess. "Yes, Dellarin, that was his name." he confirms for the bard with a nod. "He was fun to talk to. Did he ever show you his trick with his thousand-fiend box?"

[dariathalon]

Pavick - Gnome Wizard

Pavick stood near the curtain leading back into the hallway, mouth hanging open wide. This was certainly not what he was expecting. Intellectually, he knew it was possible for a devil to be beautiful, but he certainly hadn't expected this. When he rounded the corner, he had expected to see 1000 pounds of hairy wart meat with horns sticking out at odd angles every few inches from the flesh. Maybe some open festering lesions or something to spice things up a bit, but decidedly not this.

[Haberdashery]

It seemed at that very moment that the Shepherd was puzzled.

Which, to be absolutely honest, was not an uncommon thing for the Shepherd to be. He was puzzled a lot. In fact, not a day went by without him expressing some manner of puzzlement; his brow would furrow and his lips would pursed, and his fingers would stroke his beard absentmindedly.

But perhaps now the Shepherd looked a mite more puzzled than normal. Or maybe just regularly puzzled, it was often hard to tell with him. When his companions entered the room, he could feel how uncomfortable they suddenly became. It was like those days he would walk out of his hut and suddenly realize that members of his flock were in heat. Those were awful days, and the Shepherd preferred to spend them with his eyes closed. This being the case, the Shepherd strongly felt the desire to do the same now, though judging by the fact it seemed his companions had more sense than mountain goats (arguable, depending on the goat of course), he made no attempt to leave the room and shut the door behind him.

Though it did puzzle him, as the woman's charms washed over him, and frankly went in one pour and then out the other with a stuffy cough. He didn't quite know what the fuss was about. Other than the woman certainly did need a proper tailor, and the Shepherd had half a mind to offer her his cloak simply because she must be frightfully cold. From the looks of it, she obviously was a bat person. Only she must be only a quarter-bat, because she only had the wings, and not the funny nose or the fur and she certainly didn't seem to be practicing any echolocation at the moment. His eyes drifted from companion to companion, watching them fidget and avert their eyes; he scratched his beard pensively. Maybe he was missing something, maybe he was looking at her wrong. The Shepherd focused his eyes on her, squinting, staring with such amazing focus the very air in front of his eyes seemed to burn. There was obviously something, and maybe if he stared really really hard...

[Hzurr]

DM Post

Zorella gives the drow a slightly puzzled look. "His box? How could you know..." she stops, mid-sentence, as she turns to examine everyone again. "Ah, so you were the ones...I hadn't connected the two stories. Interesting." She pauses for a moment, before giving Zyrr a smile. "Yes, I'm aware of his box. I was there when he received it. I'd be careful of who you speak of Dellarin to, though. He was quite popular, and there are many who would love to avenge his most inconvenient death." Her lips curl back slightly, almost making her smile a snarl.


"However, as you said, I'm a business woman." She eyes Eltain for a moment, but when her gaze falls on his holy symbol she gives a sad shake of her head, and instead focuses on Lucan. She purses her lips slightly, before standing, and walking to the other side of the room, putting her hands on the bard's shoulders, and leaning down. You can feel her breath on your neck, and her lips seem to be almost touching your ears, but never quite connecting. "So, this is your quest, is it my handsome friend?" she whispers, slowly beginning to massage the half-elf's shoulders, the scent of her perfume washing over Lucan. "And you're looking for a man named Edgren Thoene you think was with Dellarin." Her voice pauses for a moment, and her eyes go unfocused as she stares at nothing for a few seconds, before she gives a low chuckle. "Ah yes, I remember him. I helped introduce him to a friend of mine for a business transaction. If I recall, this Edgren failed to live up to his end of the agreement."

Perception DC 27
You notice that when she stated who you were looking for, she momentarily stopped massaging with her right hand to press her thumb and forefinger together, and continues doing this while she stares at nothing. In addition, you realize that her right hand has 6 fingers.

She finally moves away from Lucan, and steps over to Pavick. "And why are you looking for this wizard, when you already have such a capable one right here?" she softly brushes the back of her hand against Pavick's cheek.

[Mando Knight]

Aramil suppresses the urge to inform Zellora that there's a man looking for her... something about the man's father. Oh, wait.

"That may be, but we're looking for the man for an entirely different reason, one that is also currently disconnected to the circumstances leading to Dellarin's death."

[Hzurr]

DM Post

Zorella glances towards Aramil, before returning her attention to the more attractive members of the party. And what, exactly, would those reasons be?"

[DSCrankshaw]

Lucan - Half-elf bard

"I've learned that Edgren's kin to me," Lucan says. "I'd like to learn more about the human side of my family."


Since he's not telling the whole truth, I'll go ahead and roll.
[roll0]

[Hzurr]

DM Post

"If I recall correctly, Edgren was the part owner of an Inn here in Sigil, and rumor has it that his half-elven son has taken over from him? I assume that I'm speaking with that son?" She gives a low chuckle. "Well, this has already been a most informative meeting for me, so I shall return the favor."

She again leans down, and whispers in Lucan's ear: Edgren isn't dead." She pauses for a moment, to watch Lucan's reaction, and meanders across the room to Eltain. She slowly walks her fingers along Eltain's shoulders as she continues speaking. "My understanding is that according to the terms of the agreement, he had promised to deliver something or other. The agreed price for failure: his soul" The corner of her mouth rises in a sadistic smile, and she runs her tongue along the front of her pointed teeth.

[DSCrankshaw]

Lucan - Half-elf bard

Lucan shrugs and tries not to look too concerned. Why should he be? His father abandoned his mother before he was even born. He had never even met the man. Still, for all that, Edgren was his father.

"Do you know what he was supposed to deliver?" he asks.

[Hzurr]

DM Post

Zorella gives a slight smile "Naturally, that matter is private." She shrugs "Unless, of course, you were interested in undertaking the delivery yourself?"

[dariathalon]

Pavick - Gnome Wizard

Pavick finally swallows the lump that had been in his throat. "That might be a possibility. First, I think we would need to know who Edgren made this arrangement with. Was it Dellarin? You? Or someone else entirely? We can't really agree to taking on a task without knowing who to speak with about it."

[Mando Knight]

Aramil has long since realized that Zellora lost any interest in him. Fine. If she's doing it to rile him up, two can play at that game. Relaxing a bit more, he continues to survey the room while the others talk with her... this isn't his quest, after all.

[Nai_Calus]

Eltain looks at Pavick as if the man were mad.

"You do recall the last time a fiend tried to get us to do something, yes?" He asks, brushing Zellora's hand off of his shoulders with a cool smile as he speaks.

"Such a pity about his failure, but I fail to see a reason why we should attempt to fix it, especially when we don't know what it was and," his smile turns completely cold and snow swirls about him, "I assume the same terms would apply to us." He winks at Zorella. "Sorry, my dear, but my soul belongs to Corellon, if he'll have it, and to whatever oblivion the Raven Queen damns us all to if not, and I'm not so afraid of the latter that I'll sell my soul to fiends just to avoid it."

[Haberdashery]

The Shepherd caught Aramil's eye with his own, miming a look of exasperation and befuddlement. It felt like now was quite a good time to examine the wood grain in the door frame.

And that is just what the Shepherd did.

[Hzurr]

DM Post

Zorella gives a polite nod to the wizard. "The arrangement was with an associate of mine named Jarath, but I'm authorized to negotiate on his behalf. A group of Githyanki pirates attacked a spelljammer belonging to Jarath, and Edgren was hired to travel to the crashed ship, retrieve something hidden in the cargo hold, and deliver it to us here. A small chest, I believe, although I'm not entirely clear of it's contents..."

Her eyes blaze with anger at the Paladin's rejection, but she manages to contain herself. "Naturally, the terms would remain the same, but the original deal was only for one soul upon failure. I really don't care whose it is. Of course, if you're callous enough to leave Edgren's sould in torment for all of eternity, it really doesn't affect me in the least."

Noticing Aramil's wavered interest, Zorella meanders over to the Swordmage. "Of course, any business we enter into would put us on very good terms with one another. It would make it far less likely that my colleagues and I would agree to help one of your enemies against you. Say, a rival fey court, for example?"

The Shepherd notices that the wood appears to be a nice dark pine, but he is unsure of what varnish was used.

[dariathalon]

Pavick Roslow - Gnome Wizard

Pavick drew his knees up to his chest and began rocking back and forth slightly on the cushion. "Interesting. And what was to be his compensation for this task. I mean, I am certain he wouldn't have agreed to retrieve this chest without some reward, especially with such dire consequences for failure."

[Hzurr]

Zorella gives the wizard a warm smile, and repeats the question to herself "What was Edgren's price?" she pauses for a moment, perusing the question before responding.

@Aramil you notice that as she says this, she again presses her thumb and firstfinger together

"Oh, the usual things. Some money, rights to whatever else he found on the ship. But mainly it was in exchange for us removing the warrant on his head back on the Prime. Apparently, he hadn't been able to go to the Prime in over 20 years because of it. Some trouble with a local Dragonborn Lord, I believe. For you, the same deal would apply, although instead of the warrant, I'll see to it that all claims on his soul are renounced. And I believe we've already discussed the price of failure." Again she smiles, just a hint of the fangs showing.

[Mando Knight]

Aramil continues to feign boredom. "Well, that's all quite a lot for just a chest. Honestly, it smells rather like a trap, and now that we have some of the information, perhaps we'll just find the item on our own, and then we'll name our own price for it."

He gestures to indicate the drapes. "By the way, the curtains are quite lovely. Do you happen to know where the owner got them?"

[Nai_Calus]

"It must have been a rather terrible crime, then, if the whole of the Prime was closed off to him. Even with the trouble I'm in in my homeland, I can still go to the Feywild, and I have far more dangerous people than merely mortal landowners pissed at me," Eltain remarks, shrugging. "Doesn't sound like someone I'm inclined to help, especially not at the risk of the souls of myself or any of my companions. He knew what he was getting into when he made the bargain, and those who willingly consort with fiends have lost all sense of beauty." He pauses for a moment and languidly stretches as he glances at Zellora.

"Besides. If this thing, whatever it is, is so important... Why don't you lot get it yourself?"

[DSCrankshaw]

Lucan - Half-elf bard

Lucan looks at his companions, especially Eltain, and sighs. It's not like it was ever in question, really. "I'll do it," he tells Zorella. "Tell me what I have to do."

[Toric]

"Then I am with you." Zyrr says, holding a wine glass in a toast from his spot on the floor. "I still owe you after all, remember?" He turns to Zorella. "We don't have to decide who gives up their soul now, do we? It would spoil the meal."

The drow bites down on a delicious pastry before she can answer.

[Nai_Calus]

Eltain looks sadly at Lucan for a moment, sighs, and then stands and leaves the building, feeling completely numb. He instinctively looks up to look to the stars for guidance, but of course there aren't any. He feels small, and lost, and alone, and he doesn't know what to do. He doesn't belong here. He shouldn't be here. He should never have left the temple he grew up at. He should have just stayed there and faced his sentence for his crime and been done with it all. What can he possibly do about anything? He's just a boy. He isn't worthy, of anything. He'll just wait for the others to finish, and tell them that he's sorry, and then he'll find some way out of this city and go home to the punishment he's been running from. Yes. That's what he should do. Stop pretending that he's someone who matters. Stop pretending he's someone who can do things. He selects a likely spot and curls up against a wall, crying, not caring who sees him or what they think. It doesn't matter.

[DSCrankshaw]

Lucan - Half-elf bard

Lucan looks after Eltain as he leaves. "Where I come from, family matters," he says, then adds, more quietly, "So do friends. I'm sorry if you can't see that."

He shakes his head to keep from tearing up. "My father abandoned me before I was born. I don't know the man. He never did anything for me, except to leave me the inn. I know that I don't owe him this. The inn is not worth my soul. But it's my one chance to meet him, to look him in the eye and say, 'See, that's what family does. Why didn't you?' I will give him a chance to explain himself."

[Hzurr]

DM Post

Zorella watches as the Paladin leaves. "Interesting..." she mutters to herself, before turning her attention back to Lucan. She gives the bard a wicked grin, before producing a paper and pen. You're not certain where she was keeping these items given her current state of dress, or how she produced them so fast, but she lays them on the table and quickly writes, before handing the pen to Lucan. "Just sign here..." she coos, pointing at the bottom of the page

The paper, a dark charcoal, burns with fiery letters:


I, the undersigned, agree to retrieve the item specified to me: one small gold chest hidden in the captain's quarters of the spelljammer vessel "Strickweem" that crashed into The Tangle of Celestia. If the above item is returned intact and untampered within two weeks time, all claims to the soul of the human Edgren Thoene by any infernal powers or creatures shall be null and void. If the item specified is not returned within this time frame, my soul shall be forever forfeit to the fiend Zorella'al'welrub.

Signed,
______________________


The pen in Lucan's hand is solid gold, and hot to the touch.



---------------------------------------

(OOC: Could I get a perception check from Eltain?)

[Nai_Calus]

Eltain hears Lucan's comment about family as he leaves and looks behind him.

"I wouldn't know. I never had one," he says quietly, his eyes hollow.

-----

Perception: [roll0]

[Mando Knight]

Aramil motions to Lucan. "Let me see that, before you sign."

[DSCrankshaw]

Lucan - Half-elf bard

Lucan steps back and lets Aramil take a look.

[Mando Knight]

Aramil gave the paper a once-over, and drew a breath between his teeth, slowly. "Yeah... I don't know about these terms. Can we take a bit to think this one over? Like, a day or two? After all, Edgar's soul and the chest aren't exactly going anywhere, by the looks of it."

[Haberdashery]

The tall figure of the Shepherd remains in place, facing the doorway, running a rocky thumb across the wood grain. Seemingly still examining the wood, he speaks, to no one in particular--almost to the wood itself.

"There once was a goat named William. Who wanted to eat from the crab apple tree that grew on the slopes above the pasture. But the crab apple tree belonged to another goat, a big, beautiful ewe named Bertha. Bertha was all smiles when William came to her and asked if he could perhaps have a bite from one of the crab apples from the tree. They shared a patch of grass together, and she told him that she would be happy to give him a whole slew of crab apples if he would but fetch a fallen rock at the bottom of the nearby ravine. That was her favorite, it was very smooth on one side, and she used to love to play with it before it fell out of her reach. But, to prevent him from running off with the rock, so she told him, if William did not return it by sundown, she would get his entire patch of clover. It was only fair. William brayed and nodded his bearded head--he went down to the ravine to get the rock, while Bertha waited on the cliffs above. William was a sturdy, stout goat, with impressive hind legs and a muscular frame; he retrieved the stone effortlessly, and strutted proudly back up to Bertha, who beamed at her triumphant goat in shaggy fur. William laid the stone at Bertha's feet, expecting his reward."

The Shepherd paused, for dramatic effect.

"Her rock in her grasp, Bertha pushed poor William off the cliff. He fell to his death on the rocks below. William lay dead, and Bertha kept her crab apple tree, her special rock, and gained William's patch of clover."

There is another great pause as the Shepherd rubs his finger and thumb together pensively.

"This is very nice wood."

[Hzurr]

DM Post

She gives Aramil a fiery smile. "Of course, but don't think too long. You never know what could happen to a soul in the Nine Hells.

She indicates that you can go, but meets Shep's gaze firmly. "An interesting parable. But I always meet my end of the bargain. Even with Edgren, I had already taken steps to meet my end of the deal before I knew of his failure. Steps that you actually got in the way of, come to think of it."

She waves a dismissive hand. If you need me, you know where to find me."

--------------------------

Outside, across the plaza with the firepit, Eltain can see creatures of all shapes and sizes pass by. However, for a brief moment, you see a creature that looks exactly like Zorella on the other side of the square, watching "The Chubby Imp"

[Toric]

An odd look creeps onto Zyrr's face as Eltain leaves. Disappointment? Or perhaps indigestion? Zyrr himself isn't sure which is dominant; Zellora wasn't lying about the hellpeppers. He could chase after the departing paladin to reason with him, but that would be rather like consoling a small girl by giving her her very own pet maggot. So he stays, and goes over the contract with the others. "So we do have to decide whose soul is at stake when we start." He finishes off a hellpepper and turns to the fiend, trying his best to hide the raised vocal pitch the snack has provoked. "Can you assure us, at least, that if and when we do sign the pact you can ensure Edgren will last for two weeks? We wouldn't want to go to all that work just for a big disappointment."

[Hzurr]

DM Post

She nods. "As soon as you sign the pact, I'll contact a broker in the Nine Hells and have him purchase that soul for me, so that no one else can do anything to it. If you complete the assignment, I'll have the soul released."

[dariathalon]

Pavick - Gnome Wizard

Pavick watches Eltain walk out, his lower lip twitching uncomfortably. As soon as he is out of the room, Pavick heaves a heavy sigh of disappointment. Part of him could understand the paladin's moral objections, but there seemed to be moral obligations on both sides of this issue. He turned to look Lucan in the eye. "You know I'm with you, whatever you decide."

He then turned his attention back to Zorella. "What if someone else has gotten to this chest first? How do you know for certain if it is? Or that it hasn't already been "tampered with" in the meantime, during the wreck, for example? Have you carried out the proper divinations?"

[Hzurr]

DM Post

Zorella gives a laugh as she eats one of the hellpeppers. "Quite paranoid, aren't we? Trust me, I would know if it had been tampered with. Nothing you need to concern yourself with. If it's an issue, divinations will be cast upon receipt, and you may be present for all of them."

[Nai_Calus]

Eltain frowns as he sees what seems to be Zellora's doppleganger outside the place where by all rights she should be inside. He gets up and tries to find 'Zellora', looking around the plaza where he saw 'her'.

[Hzurr]

OOC: Perception check, s'il vous plait?

[Nai_Calus]

Perception: [roll0]

[Hzurr]

DM Post

Eltain makes his way across the square, he eventually spots who he's looking for leaning against a wall in a dark alley. As far as he can tell, it's Zorella, Barbazus body guards and all. She appears to be watching the Chubby Imp, waiting.

[Nai_Calus]

Eltain is long past caring about caution. His planned course of action after this will lead to his death anyway, after all, he might as well be stupid first.

"Hello again, Zellora. Negotiations over so quickly? I figured you'd still be talking."

[Hzurr]

DM Post

The fiend looks truly shocked when Eltain speaks to her suddenly. The two Barbazus step in front of her, lowering their glaves. After a moment, Zorella slowly nods in recognition. "Ah, yes, the Paladin. she glances around, curses silently at the crowds in the square, before placing a hand on the Barbazus guard's shoulder, the six fingers on her left hand clearly visible to Eltain."No, the negotiations are continuing. What you see is simply an astral projection of myself. I use it to keep an eye open out for spies while I'm negotiating. Now, if you'll excuse me..."

She quickly turns and walks down the alley, the Beard Devil guards firmly blocking Eltain's path until she turns the corner and is out of sight.

[Nai_Calus]

Eltain looks after her suspiciously, and narrows his eyes at the six fingers on his hand. He rushes around the corner to try to follow, but it's too late. He swears, and then a thought occurs to him.

An astral projection is the exact kind of thing a devil would use to try to slither out of a contract... By legitimately claiming to not have signed it themselves. Astral projection his foot, that was probably the real Zellora and the one in the Imp was the projection or an outright fake. He runs back across the square, teleports past the bouncer and rushes back into the room, dragging Lucan away from the table and the contract physically as he does so, a minor snowstorm swirling about him in his sudden panic.

"Lucan. We have a thing or seventeen to discuss. In private. Elsewhere."

[DSCrankshaw]

Lucan - Half-elf bard

Lucan looks around in confusion as Eltain comes rushing back in. "Huh. What? And can the others come too?" he asks as Eltain drags him out.

[Hzurr]

DM Post

As Eltain drags Lucan out of the room, Zorella arches an eyebrow in confusion. Suddenly, she tilts her head sideways as if listening to something, followed by a loud curse. She quickly re-composes herself, and stands gracefully. "Ah, I understand what has happened." she lays a hand on Zyrr and Pavick's shoulders. "As a rule, when I'm in a business discussion, I use an astral projection of myself to keep an eye on the inn, in case I'm simply being distracted from larger events. When your friend suddenly ran out, he stumbled across my projection and is understandably confused." She traces her fingernails across the gnome and drow's necks. "As you can see, my physical form is here, ready and willing for both business and pleasure." her voice is once again silky-smooth, and you can feel her perfume begin to cloud your senses.

[Mando Knight]

Aramil stands. "I'm sure you are."

He starts to leave. "We'll come around again after we talk it over."

[Hzurr]

OOC: Could I get an arcana check from Aramil & Pavick (Zyrr & Shep can attempt if they want)

[Hzurr]

DM Post

As you head back down the darkened hallway, a few of the servers eye you curiously. The paladin running down the hall and pulling the bard out of the room drew a bit of attention, but you soon find yourself back in Firepit square, outside of The Chubby Imp, the orc-fiend eying you.

Once you're outside of her intoxicating perfume, Aramil has a chance to stop and think back over what Zorella said, before realizing it doesn't quite add up. An astral projection, were it even possible in Sigil (which you doubt), wouldn't have appeared as a duplicate of her, but would have instead been a hazy, slightly transparent version. In addition, most astral projections require the full attention of the host or require the host to be unconscious.

[Toric]

As she lays her hands on the drow, Zyrr remembers something vaguely. A way to tell whether you're in a dream. Whether it works for external illusions, well....

The hand crosses over to his other shoulder, and a dark hand falls upon it gently. He lifts it in front of him, palm out, smiling to the fiend as he does so. He then quite calmly attempts to poke a finger of his free hand through the center of Zellora's palm.

[roll0] because why not?

[Nai_Calus]

Eltain looks at the others when they join him.

"Come. Some place away from here." When Eltain is satisfied with their location, he speaks, snowing worriedly as he does.

"Corellon is surely watching and guiding us, even in this horrid place. I don't know what she told you, but. After I left, I saw her, outside of the building, in an alleyway. And yes, I'm sure, I went up to her and talked to her. No mistaking it, right down to the six fingers on her left hand." He frowns. "She told me it was an astral projection, but... Well, that's ridiculous, I don't think it would even work here, and it certainly wouldn't work the way she claimed to be using it if it did." His brow furrows. "Furthermore, there was something else off. It took her a moment to recognize me when I spoke to her. I'm not at all a nondescript person, if you've seen me once you'll immediately know me when you see me again." He drums his fingers on something, leaving a thin coating of frost. "Something very wrong is going on there. And it would be so very like a baatezu to try to wriggle out of a contract by way of, say, legitimately claiming to not be the one who signed it. I think one or both was a fake, and probably the one inside. That's why I came running back and pulled you away. ...And why I left when you said you'd do it. Lucan. I know you want to find your father, trust me, I want to find my own family, I know what it's like, even more than you since I never knew any of them at all. But some things are not worth it. And I will not help you damn yourself, nor potentially allow myself to be the source of that damnation - If we retrieve this fiend's box, and it turns out to be something they cannot be allowed to have, then I am obligated for the sake of those they would use it against to ensure that it does not fall into their hands. If you want to go to the hells and look for him, then I'm with you and you have my sword and all the strength I can call to bear, but I cannot support you in foolishly making a deal with a devil."

[DSCrankshaw]

Lucan - Half-elf bard

"We never did ask her what she had to do with Oedipus, did we?" Lucan says, after Eltain's storm of words. "You really think we could travel to the Nine Hells and find him there? How would we find him? How would we survive long enough to reach him?" He shakes his head. "I'm not sure it's possible. Anyway, we're probably going to have to kill Zorella. She's sure to double-cross us, and that's what we told Kala we were going to do, anyway. I'm still hoping that we can get my father back before we do that. But now that there are two of them, will we need to kill both of them? What if there are more?"

[Hzurr]

DM Post

Zyrr's attempt to poke a finger through Zorella is met with solid (albeit slightly warm) flesh

[DSCrankshaw]

Lucan - Half-elf bard

"I suppose we should see what we can find out," Lucan says.

He starts asking around in the usual places, seeing what he can find out about Jarath's crashed ship.


[roll0]
OOC: Bah--I really could have used a good roll on this one.

[Nai_Calus]

Eltain sees what he can find out about the ship and Lucan's father.

Streetwise: [roll0] (I think it's +10. It can't be lower anyway. ...Not that it matters. Screw you, forum roller.)

[Hzurr]

DM Post

As Eltain and Lucan ask around, they're met with nothing but dead ends and vague speculations. A few recognize the names, but not much else.

If need be, you can also ask around in the Clerks Ward, and se about hiring someone to go through Sigil's records and see what they can dig up.

[Nai_Calus]

"We could certainly try to do it." Eltain says in response to Lucan's questioning. "Not that it would be easy, but little is in life." He frowns. "At any rate, we should see what we can find out."

-----

Later, after his unsuccessful attempts to find information, Eltain rejoins the others.

"Well, I've had no luck. Any idea who might know or be able to find something out?"

[DSCrankshaw]

Lucan - Half-elf bard

Lucan's been equally unsuccessful, and is feeling rather down. "We could see if the Clerks' Ward has any records about it," he says, not very hopeful.

[Nai_Calus]

"Well, it's better than doing nothing. Any other ideas?" He looks to Shep, Aramil, Pavick and Zyrr.

[Toric]

"We should call a trout." Zyrr says after looking over his shoulder for a familiar drow face. "We're all green here, but Sigil seems like a place where you can learn about anything if you know where to look."

[dariathalon]

Pavick - Gnome Wizard

"Hrm..." Pavick scratches his chin. "I am stumped. I don't know this city, so wouldn't even begin to know where to start looking for information. Maybe is there some sort of hangout for githyanki pirates around here?" He shrugs.

[Mando Knight]

Aramil waves the folded contract. "Or, we can go look up the Tangle of Celestia. I'd start with an atlas of the Astral Sea."

[Hzurr]

DM Post

The easiest place to find an Atlas of the Astral Sea would be at the Grand Bazaar (although you run the risk of low-quality copies or inaccurate information), or you could ask around and find a more reputable (but probably more expensive) map-dealer. Githyanki pirates can be found throughout Sigil (some came through the Inn yesterday). You could just hang out and wait for some to come by, or you could hire a tout or ask around to try and find a place. Clerk's ward is still an option as well, as-is to continue asking around and trying to find information on Jarath's ship

[Toric]

"Well, I for one have no sense of direction." Zyrr chuckles as he thinks. "One perk I've found with the surface is you only have to worry about four directions to get lost in. I'll buy us a good map, I still owe Mr. Innkeep here some of his boot-coin." He flashes Lucan a wink before continuing.

"Then..... Then I say we find a nice gith to get buddy-buddy with until he tells us about anyone who's been to the Astral Tangle. It might be better if we split up; I'll pay somebody back the cost of the map if we do, I want to help coerce the pirate; I have a few tricks in mind."

[Hzurr]

DM Post

OOC: Where's Zyrr going to try and track down a map? Bazaar, or an independent shop? Or rob someone, I guess...

[DSCrankshaw]

Lucan - Half-elf bard

"I should probably stay at the inn," Lucan says. "I can keep an eye out for any githyanki who come by. My music can make him more cooperative without any coercion. If you want to stay with me, Zyrr, you're welcome. So, who wants to see about finding a map, and who wants to check the clerk's ward? I suppose I could ask around about a map first."

Before heading back to the inn, Lucan tries to locate a reputable map-maker.


[roll0]

NOTE: And where were you earlier, 20?

[Hzurr]

DM Post

Nearly everyone Lucan asks about a map point him to the same source: A Deva in the Market Ward named Retper Fahnsing. Apparently he's built quite a name for himself over the last few months, and both his map selection and quality are unparalleled in the city.

[DSCrankshaw]

Lucan - Half-elf Bard

"So, yeah," Lucan says, "someone should go talk to this Retper Fahnsing. I'm going to the inn. Does anyone want to go check out the Clerk's Ward?"

[Mando Knight]

"Maybe. I'm going to check Ioun's temple. Should be one of the best libraries in the city."

[Hzurr]

DM Post

OOC: Ok, Aramil is checking Ioun's temple, Lucan is headed back to the Inn. I'm guessing Zyrr is going to speak with Retper. Anyone else want to do anything, or check the Clerk's ward?

[Toric]

"Retper Fahnsing. Right. I'll meet everyone back at the inn then."

With a flip of his purple cape, Zyrr turns and makes his way to this reputable deva mapmaker. As he walks, the main thing on his mind is I hope the business with Tzunk doesn't equate to Deva assisted-suicide.

[dariathalon]

Pavick - Gnome Wizard

Pavick sidles up next to Shep. "Hey big guy, what do you say you and I go check out the clerk's ward? Sounds like most of the others have somewhere in mind to look already and someone should probably check it out. If you come with me, at least if we get lost we'll be lost together. Unless you have somewhere else you'd rather be, that is."

He turns to Lucan. "Maybe you should give us directions first. I don't really know where I'm going."

[Haberdashery]

A warm, earthy smile beams down at Pavick from the pinnacle of Shepherdly rock.

"I would be glad too. But, I think by this point you are far too lucky to get lost."

His fingers coil into his fibrous, gray beard.

"And if we do get lost, I fully expect that wherever we end up will happen to be some place innately relevant to our situation."

[Nai_Calus]

"Zyrr. Be careful," Eltain calls out after the drow, frowning. He should go after him. He knew he had acted poorly back at the Chubby Imp, even if his moment of weakness had led to discovering important information. Things would need to be patched with the others as well, but Zyrr seemed the most important. He was the one who needed proof that Corellon's servants weren't weak, pitiful beings.

"Here, take these, if you're going to the library they'll help if you need to consult books in languages you don't speak." He hands Aramil a pair of reading glasses. "I'm going after Zyrr. I need to speak to him." He hurries out the door to catch up with Zyrr.

[Mando Knight]

"Hm? Ah, yes." Aramil takes the glasses and inspects them for a second. "I keep meaning to invest in my own pair of these, but I always forget. Thanks."

[Hzurr]

DM Post


-------------Shep & Pavick---------------

After getting some rough directions from Lucan; Pavick and The Shepherd make their way towards the Clerk's Ward. The streets here are clean and slightly less crowded, but very similar to one another, and before long you find yourself hopelessly lost, and wandering down a dead-end alleyway. It is in no way relevant to your situation.


--------------Zyrr & Eltain--------------

Zyrr and Eltain make their way through the market district to the address of Retper Fahnsing. The sign above the door marks the business as "Fahnsing's Atlas' and Guides". Entering, a small bell chimes, and you find yourselves in front of a large wooden desk, with rows and rows of bookshelves behind it, each stuffed with parchments, books, and rolled up scrolls. From somewhere in the back you hear a voice call out "Be with you in a minute!" and moments later you see a tall, thin deva in orange robes appear from behind a bookshelf. The deva is limping slightly, and you can see that his right leg has been replaced with an artificial limb made of steel and wood. He peers down at the odd couple in front of him, and gives a smile. "Yes, what can I do for you?"


-------------Aramil---------------

Aramil makes his way to the temple district, and before long finds the temple of Ioun. As you enter into the temple, you find yourself in a room that appears to be made completely of marble, huge pillars supporting a ceiling nearly 80' over your head. In between the pillars, you can see rows upon rows of shelves on various balconies, and it appears that this library has at least 4 floors of nothing but books. Directly beneath you, a golden mosaic of the symbol of Ioun, the eye of knowledge spreads across the entire floor. Just off center, the only object on the entire first floor of the temple, is a simple desk that looks to be made of mithril. Behind it, a huge man in thick plate mail sits, a large two-handed sword strapped across his back, and the holy symbol of Ioun glowing on his chest. As you enter, the Paladin (there was no mistaking what this man was) glances at you over the horn-rimmed glasses on his nose, before placing a bookmark in the thick tome he was reading, and lowering his glasses, letting them hang by a cord around his neck. "Welcome to the temple of Ioun. Have you come as a seeker of knowledge?"


--------------Lucan--------------

Back at the Inn, Lucan is welcomed back with cheers, and before long his music begins drawing attention, many choosing to clap and sing along (including one particularly tone-deaf gnome). After an hour or so of playing, Lucan notices a pair of Githyanki come in and take a seat at one of the booths. Based on their slim build and lack of scars or weapons, it's doubtful that the pair have ever seen battle. However, they are fairly well dressed, and given the proximity to the market district, it's likely they're traders of some sort.



--------------Shep & Pavick--------------

Eventually, Pavick and Shep find their way out of the alley, and after a bit of stumbling around and getting confusing (and often contradictory directions), you make your way to the Hall of Records. After an hour of standing in a painfully slow moving line, you find yourself at a small window. On the other side, a rather bored looking half-orc woman hands you a slip of paper. In a the dry, monotone voice of someone who has repeated the exact same thing for hours, she intones "Welcome to the hall of records, maintained by the Order of Master Clerks and Scribes, please state your request. If you need a translator one will be provided for you." She makes a vague motion to a small placard in the corner if the window that shows this same message written in Common, Elven, Dwarven, Draconic, Primordial, Supernal, Abyssal, and Deep Speech. She has yet to actually look up at you.

[DSCrankshaw]

Lucan - Half-elf bard

Lucan decides to put the crowd in a cooperative mood. It's not like he's never used magic in his performances before, and the crowd at the inn expects a modicum of mood altering.

He begins to play a stirring version of "The Adventurer's Road," weaving in a more emphatic version of the call to adventure, directing it to the Githyanki.


Use Call of Friendship
[roll0] 33 (Used Studied Casting to re-roll--see OOC thread)

[Mando Knight]

Aramil smiles and nods at the burly warrior-librarian. "Indeed I have. I'm looking for a number of texts to prepare my friends and me for a quest."

He tries to remember if the Printempest family used a pan-planar membership to Ioun's Halls of Knowledge or just a local one...

[Hzurr]

DM Post

@Aramil

The Librarian gives a slight smile. "You've come to the right place. What are you looking for?" He pulls out a rolladex, and looks at you expectantly.

@Lucan
The Gith turn their attention towards you, tapping their feet in time with the music.

[DSCrankshaw]

Lucan - Half-elf bard

Lucan finishes his song, and bows to the audience. "Thank you," he says. "If you'll allow me a moment to quench my thirst, I'll be glad to play more for you. And please remember to tip your barwench."

Coming down from the stage, he accepts a drink from one of the serving girls--at least he thinks it's a girl. It's hard to tell with the Thri-keen. He then settles down to drink, close to the githyanki, whom he salutes with his mug. After a long draught, he strikes up a conversation. "Tell me," he says. "I've heard a rumor, but I don't know if it's true or not. Do you know anything about Lings?"

[Nai_Calus]

Eltain catches up to Zyrr on the way to the mapdealer.

"Zyrr, I... I want to apologize." He looks down at the ground uncomfortably. "I speak of beauty and turning away from things that bind you, but I act like a hypocrite and bring ugliness and let myself be bound by my own preconceived notions of things." He sighs. "I know I'm a terrible representative of my faith. I'm not a good example, or the one who should be trying to help you find your way out of the slavery you're subjected to under Lolthite rule. But... I want to help you. I know you probably couldn't care less, and probably wouldn't even want to worship Corellon, Seldarine knows you've probably heard a thousand times about how much he hates the drow and has written them off forever, and how all who follow him despise them as well...." He looks Zyrr in the eye.

"But it's not true. Corellon could never hate his own creation. He loves his children, all of them, even the bastard children like me. He doesn't hate the drow. He hates Lolth, and he despairs for those who give themselves blindly to her, but he loves those who turn away from her darkness and her cruelty and seek to find a better life." His eyes are shining and he trembles slightly. It's obvious that this is something he feels passionately about. "And there are those of us who know this, who don't give into the lies and hate that permeate far too much of the church. We're here to help people like you, Zyrr, who want to know a better life and a better world. After I left the temple I was raised at I wound up at a new one, one where I was taught what had been in my heart all along - That Corellon loves us all, and shuns none of us, so long as we're willing to see the beauty in our lives and embrace it and practice it. That the azure star that Corellon long ago placed in the sky is not a warning, but a promise. A promise that his love will extend to all those willing to accept it. A promise that the drow might one day return to the world above and find themselves reunited with their brothers and sisters." He smiles apologetically.

"So please, don't judge Corellon by me. I'll be the first to admit that I falter and don't provide the best example. Judge him by your own heart and what his teachings can show you. Learn to see the beauty in your life, the renewal, all that is magical and wondrous, and embrace it." He grabs Zyrr's hand and looks into his eyes pleadingly.

-----

When the pair arrive, Eltain flashes the Deva his warmest smile.

"We find ourselves, unsurprisingly, in need of a map, and we've heard you're the man to ask about such things."

[dariathalon]

Pavick - Gnome Wizard

Pavick stands before the window, staring directly at the wooden barricade below the window. He taps his foot impatiently. A small waggle of his fingers and his voice is projected to a point (he is guessing) somewhere next to the woman's ear. "Translator isn't necessary, though I wouldn't mind a step-stool. I swear you big people never put a thought of consideration toward your more compact friends."

He sighs. "Wait, I think I might have it covered." He turns to Shep, "Mind giving me a lift?"

Assuming Shep is willing, Pavick soon looks the woman eye to eye. "There now, isn't that better? Not that it's your fault, I'm certain. I don't want to make your life any more difficult, I'm certain you're are already overworked and underappreciated. But still I can tell you're exactly the sort of woman who can help us out. You see we're looking for information on a spelljammer vessel called the Strickweem owned by an individual by the name of Jarath. How would one go about accessing the city's records on this?"


Might as well try to charm her a little...
[roll0]

[Haberdashery]

The Shepherd is happy to oblige his shorter companion. He gives him the best seat in the house. Right on his left shoulder.

[Mando Knight]

"I'm looking for a fairly wide variety of texts, but I'll start with the easy ones. Do you happen to have a copy of a good atlas of the Astral Sea or the Fiendish Codex available?"

[Toric]

Zyrr rolls his eyes when he hears Eltain call for him. The boy is a paradox; on the one hand he can be insufferable at time, while on the other he works so well with his Lolthian counterpart. He walks beside the half-Eladrin, silently taking in what he says, trying his hardest not to let Eltain see him smile. So the lad walked out on a business negotiation. That was hardly a noteworthy offense, Lolth knows Zyrr has lost patience himself. It's not until the paladin grabs his arm and looks him in the eye, forcing him to stop, that the drow truly listens.

While he's done his best not to attribute to Eltain the actions of Corellon's faithful in general, for each diatribe of the elven overdeity's gentle and forgiving nature he'd been given a dozen actions aggressive enough to make the paladin's promises seem empty, as though he was saying only what he wanted to believe. But now...... he speaks of a splinter church, one that truly believes in a kinder, softer deity than the one presented by a more fanatical main clergy. A deity that mortals could consider.... reasonable. The more he gets to know this man of the diametrically-opposed cloth, the more he sees fragments of his own self within. The boy is a paradox, indeed.

"I don't think you understand." Zyrr replies once Eltain seems to have finished. "If I want to have any chance of survival in his influence I can only pray he's anything like you compared to my view of him. You've been the most.... welcoming Corellite I've known, and I'm thankful for that. Who knows? Maybe one day I'll find another Larethian worshiper who doesn't stab me on face value. Maybe in this very city."

As they resume walking, his signature "neutral" grin disappears, his pace slows, and his voice lowers. "I'm going to tell you something I don't tell... well... anyone. It's apocryphal, it could get me killed if somebody finds out I know of it. One of my assassin teachers once showed me an old scroll about the famous battle between Corellon and Grumsh." He flashes Eltain a wink. "It's something of an in-joke that he has it. Proof positive that the assassin academy has the very best instructor on obscurity. Anyway, most versions of the legend both on the surface and underground tell of how, just when Corellon was on the verge of defeat, Sehanine appeared from nowhere to tip the scales back into his favor. The legend according to this scroll, however..." Zyrr glances around and licks his lips, perhaps through anticipation, perhaps though nerves, perhaps simply to heighten the dramatic moment. "was that Lolth herself helped Corellon not Sehanine. It certainly makes more sense; Gruumsh would have been taken by complete surprise, assuming she was there to take her ultimate revenge on he who spurned her. Which is interesting, he assumed what everyone assumes about the spider queen: that she's utterly merciless, consumed by thirst for power, and obsessed with revenge."

For the rest of the walk, Zyrr stands just a bit taller. "Just as you've been following another view of Corellon, I've been following another view of Lolth. One centered around this act and the mystery that must have utterly baffled Gruumsh when it happened: why did she come to her former lover's aid? An echo of past affection? A calculated plan for more power? Neither of these answers satisfies and each leads to further guesses and insinuations that Lolth is not the character she appears, ideas about her nature that her priestesses, Sehanine's priestesses, and possibly even Lolth herself wouldn't want people thinking. That is what I follow. the Lolth that maybe, just maybe, has a light heart under her dark skin. Think of that what you will."

---

"One of or including the Astral Tangle." Zyrr clarifies. Not much sense giving the deva an opening to rattle off his entire collection.

[Nai_Calus]

"It is difficult to say from myths; the legend I was raised with gave that Corellon triumphed alone without the help of either." He frowns. "But that version, too, raises a possibility that one might hope for. Part of what I believe is that no one is truly beyond hope or redemption. Perhaps there may somehow be some spark of kindness that still lingers in the Spider Queen. Perhaps someday she'll remember the love she is said to have shared with Corellon and Sehanine. Is that not why ancient temples devoted to all three still leave Lolth's altar, bare but untouched, waiting for her return? I doubt it will happen in our lifetimes, if it happens at all, but perhaps someday..." He frowns. "Still, I don't want to see you and your soul possibly enslaved to her as she is now. I still feel a different way would be best."

[Hzurr]

DM Post



--------------- Lucan --------------


The two Gith exchange gladly share a drink with Lucan, but on hearing his question, they look at each other in surprise. "Lings? Those are just a myth... the first one begins with a chuckle, but his friend shakes his head. "I don't know...I heard that Gerome's cousin's step-sister saw one once. Some island on the outskirts of a dead Astral Domain or something like that. But then again, Gerome's a bit of a liar..." the two give a laugh together, before looking at Lucan. "Why do you want to know about them?"



--------------- Aramil --------------

The Librarian gives Aramil a long look. "We have a number of Atlases on the Astral Sea, as well as the Fiendish Codex." He reaches down onto the desk, and presses on a small rune. The golden mosaic under Aramil's feet begins glowing slightly. "However, the Codex is in the restricted section. Why do you need to see it?"

The man does not appear threatening or angry, however the magical glow coming from Aramil's feet feels like it's clinging to your tongue. You feel an strong urge to be open and honest with this man...



--------------- Pavick & Shep --------------


With Shep's help, Pavick shoots right past eye-level, and is soon looking down on the woman. She doesn't seem to be overly flattered by Pavick's words, but she gives the Wizard a slight smile as she turns around and pulls out an orange paper. "Travel and transport records, not a problem. Fill out this form please. Name of the Vessel, Name of the owner if you have it, voyage date, and either departure or destination city. A clerk will search through the records and return all relevant information within 3 working days. Record access fee is 50gp"



--------------- Eltain & Zyrr --------------


The Deva gives you a smile. "The Tangle? Yes, I think I've got something on that. You need an Astral Chart for a ship, or a map of the island itself?" He pauses as he glances out the door. "Is your friend coming in as well?" you glance behind you, and across the street you see Vendis casually watching the shop.

[Nai_Calus]

"Both, most likely," Eltain says. He looks across to Vendis and gives the drow a friendly wave.

"Oh, no, he likes it out there. He isn't fond of buildings." He leans out the door. "It's warmer in here, you know! Rather pleasant, sure you won't change your mind?"

He lowers his voice and mutters to Zyrr. "We've got to do something about your tail, especially if we're going to discuss things like we were discussing. I don't want you getting into further trouble with the matrons. Maybe he didn't hear us, but we might need some alternate explanation to throw him off."

[DSCrankshaw]

Lucan - Half-elf bard

"I've just always been curious," Lucan says. "And I thought the Githyanki, of all people, might know. They've seen more of the Astral Sea than anyone. You have quite a, um, reputation." He says it with a smile, to take the sting out.

Then he lowers his voice conspiratorially. "I've heard that some githyanki freelancers have been giving some devils a hard time. The horned buggers are all up in arms about some ship they lost. The Strickweem, I believe. Anyone who can get those bastards all riled up is doing some good in the planes, in my book." He has slowly been letting a bit of music creep into his voice. Now he lets his voice resonate with it. But the effect is subtle, alluring. "I bet that's one hell of a story," he says. He smiles again. "Pun intended."


Use Word of Friendship
[roll0] (Word of Friendship included)
OOC: A 1? All that, and I roll a 1? I mean, given the modifiers, it's better than most folks could get on a good day, but still!

[Mando Knight]

Aramil nods, and gives a short chuckle to himself. "...I see. I'm looking for the Codex because one of my friends is compelled to make a deal with... a succubus, I believe... for a soul, and I'd like to have as much an advantage over her as possible so he doesn't end up signing the raw end of the deal."

[Toric]

"Friend?..." Zyrr feigns surprise before turning around to see his shadow once more. "Ah, Vendis!" he calls as he waves his arms emphatically. "Our paths, cross again, brother! Won't you join us?" He only gives the other drow a moment to respond, guessing the answer. "No? Very well then, another time!"

He turns around and mutters to Eltain with his back to the door, "Don't worry. If he'd heard me it would be a priestess out there, not him. I've got a plan to lose him for a day, if you don't mind going to the temple district after this. ...I'll also need a whip of some kind or a scourge, maybe some knotted string tied to the end of a rope. Keep an eye out on our way there."

That business set into motion, he returns his attention to the Deva. "Perhaps I'll come back for the chart, but for now what we really need is an accurate map of the isle itself, if you please."

[Nai_Calus]

"Do I even want to know what you want that for? If it involves whipping me, no thank you, I'm not into that sort of thing. Nor do I have any interest in whipping you, or even pretending to."

[dariathalon]

Pavick - Gnome Wizard

Pavick looks over to Shep, "Care to split the cost with me? Things here in Sigil are more expensive than I expected, and I brought along most of my spare cash in the form of ritual components. I've got it, if you don't want to split, but I'll be running low soon."

Regardless of whether he is handing over 25 or 50 gold, Pavick uses a mage hand to deliver the coins to the woman behind the counter. "Thank you very much miss... I don't believe I caught your name."

As he awaits her answer he picks up the pen and leans forward to write on the form against the wall filing in the name of the ship and it's owner in neat but quick strokes of the pen. He is certain to give as much information as he can as correctly as he can.

[Hzurr]

DM Post


---------------- Lucan -------------

The Bard's words dance off his tongue, and the two Githyanki give a chuckle at his joke. "Well, Fiendish ships aren't easy, but if you can get one, the reward tends to be worth it. Er...so I've been told." he adds that last part hastily, glancing around in case anyone is listening. "Let's see... The Strickweem? Can't say I've heard of it. You ever heard of that ship, Zeek?"

The one called Zeek leans back in his chair and thinks for a moment. "Hmm..yeah, sounds familiar. I think that might have been one that Farrell hit. Don't think he ever got much from it, I think it crashed."


---------------- Eltain & Zyrr -------------

Vendis waves back, and shakes his head, declining the offer. The Deva arches an eyebrow at the odd couple in front of him, before turning back and examining some of his shelves. "One moment, let me see what I've got... The Grey-skinned Deva pulls out a stepladder, and pulls something off of the top shelf of one of the bookcases.

"Well, an Astral map is easy. Standard Rate of 200 gold for a chart. Unfortunately, a map of the island itself is a bit trickier. There's not much to the Tangle except for Jungle. The only creatures that live there are in small tribes. This map has the general area of some of the lands belonging to the larger clans, and the main roads, but even those aren't always reliable." He gives an apologetic shrug. "Not the level of detail that I try to have in the maps I provide, so it's only 300 gold for the island map."


---------------- Aramil -------------

The Paladin carefully examines the Swordmage for a long minute, before nodding. He leans forward, and begins examining the Rolodex. So many cards flip past, Aramil quickly discerns that the item must be magical. As the paladin peers down at the cards flashing before his eyes through his glasses, he speaks to the Eladrin without looking up. "You know, I'd tell your friend to think very carefully about a deal with a devil. Sometimes they work out ok, but more often than not, mortals end up getting the raw end of the deal..." He pauses, smiles, and hands Aramil a slip of paper. "Atlases are in the green section, 3rd floor, Row I, number 238.4. Information on the Succubus can be found in The Brown section, 4th floor, row AC, number 666.69"

Behind the Paladin, a small door opens in the wall, revealing a staircase leading to the upper floors.

After wandering around a bit in the massive Library, Aramil eventually finds an Atlas with some information on the Tangle. There isn't much, but he does find the following bit of information in a book on Celestia.


"The Tangle, a small island on the outskirts of Celestia, is an inhospitable jungle. The magic that permeates the island calls all food and water to spoil, and all structures to collapse. Foraging on the island itself is the only way to survive for creatures who need food and drink. The Tangle is loosely inhabited by a few thousand mortals and outsiders who live together in clans. The clans occasionally war among themselves, and are generally unfriendly to visitors. Because of the tendency for items to break down, little trade occurs here.


In the Fiendish Codex, Aramil finds little on Succubi that he didn't already know. Most of the information is on their attempts to prey on other's lust and greed. However, he does find some information on Fiendish Contracts.


A Devil entering into an agreement with a mortal is bound to honor that agreement by the Pact Primeval that Asmodeus signed with the Gods. A signed agreement between a fiend and a mortal must be followed to the letter. A fiend cannot make a promise it cannot deliver on. However, nothing is implied in these contracts. If something is not stated explicitly, then it is not part of the contract. Typically, these contracts are used for the procurement of souls, most often in exchange for power (be it magical or military).


---------------- Pavick & Shep -------------

The woman gives Pavick a smile. "The name is Deb"Unfortunately, Pavick doesn't know very much information. He doesn't know the voyage date (other than a vague timeframe), and neither departure city nor destination city. When you hand it back to the woman, she gives a sigh. "This is it? We'll do our best, but with this little information no promises..."

[Haberdashery]

The Shepherd frankly didn't have the faintest idea what was going on, what to ask for, or how to ask for it. But thankfully, it seemed that Pavick most certainly did. He handed him a number of coins from within the folds of his cloak, and smiled blithely.

[DSCrankshaw]

Lucan - Half-elf bard

"Really?" Lucan says. "I've never been there, but I always thought the Astral Sea was mostly empty. Where could a ship crash? Surely not one of the divine dominions?"

[Hzurr]

DM Post

@Lucan

Zeek stops and thinks about it for a minute. "If Farrel said it crashed, he probably meant an island somewhere. He did most of his runs between Celestia and the Chaos, so if it's not one of the islands off Celestia, its gods knows where in the Chaos. I think he had contacts in one of the ports of Celestia who would let him know about the promising shipments, but that's just heresay."

The second Githyanki heads to the bar to buy a round of drinks, and Zeek leans forward. "Why you so curious about The Strickweem? Did you have something valuable on there?"

[DSCrankshaw]

Lucan - Half-elf bard

"Me? Nah," Lucan says. "I try to stay out of diabolical business. But like I said, the devils seem pretty worked up about it. Eh, maybe it's just a revenge thing. They're petty enough that it hardly matters whether they lost anything valuable or not."


Let's make the bluff check first, then I'll write out what I say.

[roll0]

[Hzurr]

DM Post

Zeek nods, as his companion (name Lano) returns. As he drinks, Zeek glances around the bar. "This doesn't really seem the type of place for Fiends. Where'd you hear Devils talking about that ship?"

[dariathalon]

Pavick - Gnome Wizard

Pavick beams at the woman. "Thanks a bunch, Deb. I've got some other friends looking into information on this ship as well. If I find out more for sure, I'll let you know. How will I get the information? Do I stop back each day to see if it's done, or will you somehow deliver it?" Pavick leans relaxed against the side of Shep's head, draping one elbow across the top of his skull.

[Mando Knight]

While he's got the Codex out, Aramil flips through it to see if there's anything that he notices that would lead to information about the object that Zorella wants them to find.

[Toric]

The odd accusation doesn't phase Zyrr, who responds offhandedly while the deva searches his stock. "No no, nothing so bizarre. I'll be whipping the nameless man tailing us. It'll make sense in time, trust me."

When the mapmaker returns. the drow ponders over the parcel before him. The Astral Sea is big from the sound of it. Very big. In a pinch it might be good to know where a safe haven is. He debates bullying his way into a lower price, but sees the paladin from the corner of his eye. Like trying to sneak across a castle in a suit of armor, that would be. "On second thought I'll take the chart as well. It sounds like we'll be mostly on our own when we hit the Tangle. That comes to 400 GP total, right?" Wrong, but maybe he won't notice.

[roll0]

[Nai_Calus]

Eltain notes Zyrr's lie and suppresses both a snort and a smirk. Leave it to a drow to lie through his teeth to a deva. He says nothing, seeing if the drow can get away with it.

[Hzurr]

DM Post


-----------Pavick & Shep--------------

Deb falls back into her rehearsed monologue voice, as she hands Pavick a slip of paper with a number across the top. "This is your number. At midday, each day, all the numbers corresponding to the processed requests will be posted on the wall outside the building."



----------- Aramil --------------

Without knowing more details, Aramil doesn't find much else in the codex, save for one small footnote. Apparently, a golden chest can be used as part of a defensive/protective ritual that hides an object from any immortal creature. This is used occasionally by all creatures throughout the planes, but most often by Devils who want to hide information or objects from agents of other fiendish lords in the various political squabbles of the Nine Hells.



----------- Eltain & Zyrr --------------

The Deva stares at Zyrr. He pulls out a small quill and a scrap piece of parchment, and quickly scribbles down the numbers. "I'm terribly sorry, apparently your schooling was neglected. The total is 500." He hands the Drow the parchment that has the math worked out on it. "Don't worry, it's not your fault. I can recommend some excellent tutors, if you wish to learn your arithmetic." He gives a smile.

[DSCrankshaw]

Lucan - Half-elf bard

"I visit other inns from time to time," he says. "I keep my ears open when I do. Can't say for certain where I heard this one, though."

He finishes with his drink. "Well, thank you for your time. I think I better get up there before the crowd gets restless." With that, he takes his leave and returns to the stage.

[Nai_Calus]

"Alas, I fear a tutor will do him no good. I've tried teaching him many times to no avail. I've stopped even bothering to correct him, since his mistakes are so obvious and so constant. I don't want to embarrass him too much," Eltain says mournfully. "It seems like I'll manage to save his soul and get him to see the error of his evil ways long before I'll teach him to add." He ponders for a moment. "Do you need me to count your money for you again, Zyrr?"

[Hzurr]

DM Post

@Lucan
Zeek nods. "Good talking with you." He looks at his friend. "Come on, we should probably tell Farrell that he's got some infernal attention." Lano drains his glass, stands, and the pair exit the bar.


@Everyone:
OOC: Anything anyone wants to do before you all meet back up at the Inn?

[Mando Knight]

Checking the time, Aramil realizes he's probably been at the library long enough. Giving the librarian a cheerful farewell, he heads back to Lucan's tavern.

[Toric]

"Umm, no thank you." Zyrr flounders, embarrassed at the turnout of his little fib. He pulls out his coin purse and counts out the gold, in plain view of the deva. "Here you are, 500 gold for the lot of it. If we survive, you'll probably see us again."

Yup, Zyrr's gonna pay the full 500 himself. He has the money.

[dariathalon]

Pavick - Gnome Wizard

"I don't know how long we'll be in town, but I might have someone else pick up the information for me. We'll have to see. But thank you for all you've done for us. You're a real peach; thanks a ton." Pavick gives Deb a quick salute then climbs down Mount Shep.

"Alright Shep, I think we ought to get back to the inn. Maybe see if the others have turned up something," Pavick says leading the way out of the clerk's ward.

[Hzurr]

DM Post

Once everyone finishes their various tasks, you all rendezvous back at the Inn of the Lady's Fortune. By the time everyone finishes explaining what they've learned, it's late in the evening, and Sigil's six-hour night period has begun.

[Nai_Calus]

"So... What shall we do now? If the aim is to get Lucan's father back, time is probably of the essence."

[DSCrankshaw]

Lucan - Half-elf bard

"I wonder how she produced the contract so quickly," Lucan muses, almost to himself. "Was it magic, or did she know I would be coming?"

[Toric]

"Probably magic." Zyrr offers. "I wouldn't put it past law fiends to devise a 'Summon Legal Document' spell."

He sets his charts down on the table they surround. "So we know where we're going, and a decent idea of what to expect. Don't bother bringing food, the tribes may help or hinder, be ready to forage. It's time to start planning how we'll get to the Tangle, learning how we'll survive once we're there such as what things are edible, and ensuring we can get back once we've found the chest. ....Speaking of which I think we really should have another look at Zellora's contract, we can try to renegotiate if need be. I was serious about not wanting to trudge back into civilization to find out our reward has passed its expiration date."

[DSCrankshaw]

Lucan - Half-elf bard

"We should try to find this Farrell. He's our best lead," Lucan says. He glances at the contract. "If I don't sign the contract, how can I make sure we get my father back?"

[Mando Knight]

"We could drive the bargain to our favor after getting the succubus her trinket, or else we could renegotiate before heading off. As is, though, the deal she's giving you is a terrible one."

[Toric]

"You could probably find an expert in demon contracts around here to help re-negotiate. And make sure the contract contains something about an entity resembling Zellora being able to accept the box in her place - I don't buy that illusion story, and I don't want one of our souls lost because we gave the chest to the wrong woman."

Zyrr pauses, and looks around the room. Apparently decisionmaking via percolation isn't working, so he clears his throat and takes the risk of assuming command. "Right. Here's what I think we should do. Let's plan to set sail in..... two days, enough time for everyone to prepare. The best island guide we'd hope to find is a native to the Tangle. Lucan, I'd suggest you finding somebody who's been there and learning what the locals like. Don't necessarily hire anyone as a guide unless you get a good gut feeling because I want to hire somebody once we're at the Tangle itself. You run a tavern, so you probably know planar travelers better than any of us; I'd suggest you secure us a ship as well, bearing in mind we already have a chart of the Astral Sea."

He turns to the Eladrin knight next. "Aramil, when we get somebody to sail us to the Tangle, we'll need some incentive for them to not sail back off while we're snooping around; we're paying for the round trip, we should get our money's worth. Get some mercenaries. Their job is simple, and one I've paid mercs for in the past: keep our escape route from winking out of existence. Hopefully you'll have the clout needed to assure them your family's coin is good."

The drow addresses the Shepherd and the Lucky Gnome next. "And now that I think about it, you two might be the best team we have for sorting out a demonic contract. One of you has been weaving words most of his life, the other.... how to say this.... is perfectly qualified to interpret literal meanings. Risky as it is, I still think the contract is a good life-insurance policy. Or soul-insurance.

In the meantime, Eltain and I have some pressing business in the temples of Melora, Corellan, and Sehonine. The former might have particular knowledge of this untamed region, the latter two will help our decision of whether to give Kala everything she wants, and while I'm in the area I can deal with a certain liability."

[Nai_Calus]

"I still think signing any kind of contract with any kind of fiend is madness. But yes, the Melorans if nothing else should be able to provide survival suggestions." He snorts. "I'm still not certain why you're obsessed with visiting a Corellite temple suddenly when you've had ample opportunity in the past, but perhaps talking with the priests there will succeed where I've to this point failed. And the Sehanites will definitely have advice on what to do with Kala."

[dariathalon]

Pavick - Gnome Wizard

Pavick takes a step back, holding his hands out in front of him. "Whoa. Hold on a second," he says shaking his head. "I'm happy to look things over, if Lucan decides he really wants to deal with Zellora. But I don't know if I'm really comfortable sorting out her contract. I mean, what if we miss something. I would hate to see Lucan damned just because I overlooked one loophole in wording. I'd be much more comfortable with a different course of action. Maybe get the box first then deal with her once we've got a little more leverage. Deals with devils give me the heebee-jeebees."

[Toric]

"Oh don't be silly." Zyrr answers the gnome. "It won't be his soul on the line, I'll be the one signing the contract. I think that'll be suitable payback to Lucan for what I've put him through. And I really am concerned we won't have a soul to bargain back for once we return. At the very least it'll solve any of our resident holy warrior's moral quandaries; what's the difference between the Abyss and the Demonweb Pits for a final destination after all?"


He pauses to stretch. "But if you're not comfortable with the responsibility I suppose I can look over it with our stony friend. Though that reminds me, we should learn just how long we'll be out; two weeks might be cutting it close."