Game: Blades of Git'riban : Primal State

If you are ready to post, Daraz could have arrived just before everyone went up to the roof for the duel, so he can be with the rest of the party.

Sorry, they aren't lice, there is no special shampoo to get rid of 'em.

K'tch's flat is significantly larger and more open than Gy-Nath's apartment. It is, however, much more lived-in looking. K'tch raises an eyebrow when the duthka'gith levitates down from the roof, but says nothing nor moves to get off the couch, just changes the tune to a more melodic "flying song".

Drrring - - - Drrring-Ting-Ting - - - Drrring - - - Drrring-Ting-Ting
Drrring - - -Drrring-Ting-Ting
Chinkka-Ting-Ting - - Cha-Chinkka-Ting-Ting
Jing-Jing-Jing - - Chakka-Chinkka-Ting-Ting

Gy-Nath and Ii'Jyka'Vaar (helped by whoever else) move all the foodstuffs, dirty dishes (some with scraps of old meals, which Gy-Nath throws into the fire) and other odds and ends to one end of the big table where they are no longer collecting rain. They also make sure none of the instuments are getting wet, but luckily most of them are in different parts of the flat and in no danger. When the entire party has assembled in the flat, K'tch stretches and yawns, then stands up and stretches some more, before giving a polite nod to each gith as introductions are made.

"Quite a raiding party ya put together, eh Nath? What's the occasion, more recruits for the mercinary company, or'e ya planning on goin' back to Bedlam?"

"See, that's why I never hired you, K'tch, my mercinaries know not to start asking a bunch of questions," Gy-Nath replies with a smile.

"Heh, heh. 'Tis my nature bro. Trained to be curious, observant, and on the lookout for all the angles, y'know?" K'tch laughs, "Have some wine, brothers and sisters, I got a whole case really cheap off this gith last night. I've got a couple of snorts of some stronger stuff too ... uh, over there, that bottle next the big drum. Don't mess with that green stuff over there, tho, unless you've got no other plans for today. Fungus brew, really good too! Wheee! I bet Sark is still trippin' out from last night."

"Sark'zja was here again? I thought you said you were done with her."

"Yea, well, there's done and then there's done, y'know? What can I say? K'tch shrugs, "Any of you want to take a mean drunk bitch of a gith with a killer body off my hands? I've considered putting a contract out on her, but I think she'd well shiv any assassins. If they could even find her, that is. Hende little gutter-snipe."

Gy-Nath nods, and adds, "Yes, and I am expecting even more company ..."

K'tch stops playing and puts his instument down. He folds his arms and looks severely at Gy-Nath, "Arright, Gy, now you're trying to spark my interest! What's goin' down? You said it isn't Bedlam again, and it can't be the Caverns of Thought, because you aren't a berk. So what is it? Silver Eyes ask you to hit another Prime Sept? They finally stick the Chaos Spire in place? What?"

Gy-Nath does not reply, but looks at the others and nods. His stance tells them that K'tch can be trusted.

"What? ... Oh ... Oh don't tell me you're hitting the House! I know you've been itching to since you got to Git'riban. Tell me you found the portals they used to come into Git'riban. You did, didn't you?!? Pike the Eyes, slayer! You've got some sharp, bro!" K'tch starts pacing back and forth excitedly, "But you seen the Dabus out there? Like ravens after a battle, the pikers. Figure, you take much more'n a dozen raiders, you'll be dealin' with the Lady before ya take more'n a few steps into the House. Hmm." K'tch stops and silently counts the githyanki present.

"Now, I'm trusting you to keep quiet on this, K'tch ... "

"Of course!"

" ... and I can't tell you what we know or how we know it ... "

"Of course not."

" ... but I've got a lode this time. You want a gem? I've been thinking, the ghaik must expect us to strike back through the portals they used to enter Git'riban, indeed how could we not after such an affront? The presence of the dabus confirms that the ghaik aren't the only ones expecting us to react."

"I'm following you so far, brother. Offer them what they expect but when they take the bait it's not a worm but a wyrm? Who's sanctioning this, really? The Silver Eyes? The Embassy?"

"I can't tell you. My story, and I'm sticking to it, is that we just stumbled onto something and I put this raid together myself."

"Yea, sure, whatever."

"Yes, we must return," Gy-Nath agrees, "there may be others coming, and there are other matters as well. K'tch, it's your choice if you want in on this, but choose now."

K'tch does not reply, just smiles ear-to-ear. He rushes around the flat, gathering his blades and equipment. He lifts up the largest drum, and there is a suit of leather armor underneath. "I'll be down in a minute, just have to set the traps after y'all leave and put out the fire." Ya'shenn notes that although there are swords and daggers of various makes, not all githyanki, scattered around the flat, K'tch grabs a matched pair of shortswords with cubes of pyrite for pommels.

The party also notices that, as they are leaving, Gy-Nath pauses for a moment, as if considering something, then goes back and grabs the bottle of fungus-liquor.

***

One everyone is back in Gy-Nath's apartment, he replaces the pannel which hides the fireplace/ladder. A few minutes later, there is a knock on the door and Gy-Nath opens up for K'tch.

He enters and bows to the assembled githyanki, being as formal now as he had been informal upstairs, "I am K'tch of The Esoteric Order. My blades are yours, children of Gith. May the Enemy be destroyed!"

"May your blades destroy the Enemy!" Gy-Nath replies, "Yet your part in this is not set, K'tch, and I may have a special task for you, while we others strike. Our tactics have yet to be discussed, however, and at this point both you and our knight need to be brought up to speed."

"I cannot reveal the identity of our informant, nor how the intel was obtained, to those who do not already know." Gy-Nath scans the entire group, leaving those not 'in the know' guessing which ones might be. "Yet suffice to say I have come upon knowledge of Illithid House that makes a raid, a fairly deep raid, possible. I have come to know of several portals and their keys, and layouts and potential defences inbetween. What remains is a discussion of specific tactics and routes to be taken. I welcome all suggestions, of course, and though we are still missing our scouts Vivec and Daraz, perhaps we should begin."

"First, however, my own concerns. As I've said before, I believe a reprisal raid is both expected and prepared for by Illithid House. Too large a raiding force would be considered a 'riot' by the dabus and bring the wrath of the Lady down on us. Now, just how large is too large? Impossible to say, but I'm willing to risk going with about a dozen. That is, I am willing to risk my own life and those of any who would willingly follow me in this undertaking."

"Heh heh, 'undertaking' ... "

"One thing that has been weighing heavily on my thoughts has been something in my bedroom that was not there when I left. Something partially covered by a torn illithid robe. I did not look closely at it, but still did not like what little I saw. That is something else we need to discuss."

"Intriguing, but I like her hook better, Nath. Rob a burning house, neh? If there is strife in the Enemy's camp it can only help us to know as much about it as possible."

Only a couple of minutes after Daraz enters, there is another knock on the door. This time Gy-Nath answers it. Two gith enter, Vivec and a tall githyanki with a greatsword. The assembled githyanki recognize the newcomer as the one who provided their rear-guard when they chased after Sight, the street-preacher Xar'sauken the Free.

If there was any doubt, the tall githyanki bows to the assembled githwarriors and announces himself in a loud voice used to projecting to a crowd, "I am Xar'sauken the Free! It is a great thing to see so many free beings freely choose to fight the Great Enemy! You do me honor for presenting this opportunity, Kith'rak Gy-Nath of Ironrock!"

Vivec, too, greets the assembed gith honorably, though much less vocally. Xar'sauken and K'tch are both fairly young githyanki, a few years at most beyond first rrakkma*. They seem to know each other, at least in a familiar sense. In fact both are regular patrons at Haven Port, K'tch an occasional employee, and have met many times before.

Once intoductions have been made, Gy-Nath adresses the assembed gith, "Honored siblings," he looks at Ar'dru when he begins, and the duthka'gith finds finds it a pleasant change to not be referred to as 'cousin'. "We have before us an opportunity do deal a grievous wound to the House of our Enemy. I am conviced they are expecting us. Let's give them what they expect ... and much more."

"The first team will be mustered by K'tch, as quickly as he is able."

"Sure thing Cap'n. I can scrounge up a dozen shivs who won't ask questions in less than an hour."

"Cut it down to eight of the fiercest. Vivec, Xar'sauken and Jhank'kor will go with you. Jhank'kor can show you to the ghaik holes under Gith Lane."

"WHAT?!? You'd assign me this bufoon and his street-rat friends?" Jhank'kor protests.

"Heh, 'bufoon', good word." K'tch simply chuckles at the insult.

Jhank'kor turns to K'tch with rage in his eyes. The young bard winces in pain and stumbles backward. A slight steam rises from Jhank'kor's tatoo.

Gy-Nath jumps forward and strikes Jhank'kor, "I told you before, warlock, in my house you'll deal with ME as proxy for my guests."

Once again, Jhank'kor turns toward Gy-Nath and blood errupts from his scar, only to boil and steam away when it encounters his tatoo. Gy-Nath stops and drops to one knee as if he had been struck, but Jhank'kor clenches his teeth and is also obviously in pain from the bleeding wound in his scalp. Then Gy-Nath punches him in the stomach. The mage crumples over, but it does nothing to stop whatever he is doing. Instead what stops it is Gy-Nath painfully standing, walking over to him, and gently putting a hand on his shoulder. Jhank'kor sits on the floor, rubbing his temples, tears streaming down his face. Once again, the others see Gy-Nath's ears bleeding slightly.

"I ... I'm ... umm" Jhank'kor stammers.

"Your rage is a powerful thing, warlock, but 'a missile weapon in the hands of a melee fighter is no asset to the warband'. You must learn to control your rage. I have taught you as well as I can, but you must now teach yourself, Jhank'kor of Onyx. The Enemy has let one of their weapons fall into your hands, and I have done my part in ensuring that it can only be grasped by you now, but you must learn to use it, not allow it to use you."

"I ... I ... (sigh) Yes, Kith'rak. I understand." Jhan'kor bows his head.

"Good. You are an effective agent of destruction, Jhank'kor, especially where the ghaik are concerned, but K'tch knows gith. He will be able to determine whose tactical sense is of most value, so I am making him honorary sarth of your raiding party. As Warlock you may out-rank him, but concentrate on your job, mage. Set the House on fire. That is your task, and the only way to redeem your honor, Marked One!"

Jhank'kor nods, obviously seething at Gy-Nath for calling attention to his affliction, but keeping himself in check this time.

"Jhank'kor, Xar'sauken, Vivec, K'tch; you have your assignment, and among you enough intel. You will attack through the portals under Gith Lane**, and when you have conquored those lairs, strike at the Imperial Palace. We will meet back up with you there if all goes well."

The four gith bow and and exit.

"And Jhank'kor ..." Gy-Nath stops the mage at the door, "Do your best to survive. That tatoo cost me a lot of jink." he says with a wink.

[* First rrakkma is when githyanki children become full adults. Gith are somewhat longer lived than humans, but bred by the illithids to mature fairly quickly. Thus 'first rrakkma' happens for githyanki at about age 15-18, depending on their training. Thus, Xar'sauken and K'tch are both around 18-20 years old.]

[** The portals Jhank'kor found in his solo alventure. They lead to "R-Y-B-G"]

[Oops, slight misunderstanding. Post above edited.]

[Once again, sorry that things came to a halt. I can only assume my last post was total crap and didn't leave anybody an opening to post IC. That's why a couple of players started doing introductions, to write something. Sorry. Let's try again.]

[DM: Assuming Ya'shenn will mindlink with K'tch, to stay in contact with the other team.]

Once the others leave, Gy-Nath looks to his strike-team. "Now let us plan the real attack on Illithid House. Do not hold back, for I gave my word of honor that we would include Ii'Jyka'Vaar fully. Each one of us has something to contribute. Du'minh, your tactical sense seems strong, and I believe you should take command of the raid if I should fall. Ya'shenn, as you are in contact with the other team, you will be in the back rank, covering us as best you can from a distance and coordinating our efforts as needs demand. Daraz, you will assist Ya'shenn in covering the melee fighters with crossbow and spells. Ar'dru, your mobility may prove to be one of our greatest assets. Ii ... you I know the least about, and I hope you will prove yourself to me very quickly by slaying a ghaik. Your blade is cold, and thirsty." He rubs the cut on his shoulder, partially healed already, where Ii'Jyka'Vaar's blade bit into him. "It remains to be seen what more you can contribute, but you seem to be a fast learner."

"We will attack the Hive Brothel first. Confusion will be most easily sowed there, and an aerial attack by Ar'dru simultaneous with the rest attacking from the street as well as internal portals. We should be able to quickly discern dominated thralls from the unwitting, as the innocent will flee. Any who stay should be assumed either enthralled or culpable, and therefore hostile. However, this particular attack must also send a message: any who give aid or comfort to the Enemy, even unwittingly, face the wrath of the children of Gith!"

"Those of us striking through the portal will move quickly to secure the next portal in the series, to make sure none of the ghaik or their close lackeys escape that way. Ar'dru and any others attacking from without will then cut and burn their way into the inner offices*. At that point we will go through the portal to The Packing House, then from there to The Imperial Palace."

"I propose we do our best to sneak out of Git'riban either individually or in pairs to throw off the Dabus, and meet either on the battleground or some other spot along the way. I know of a place we can pick up some alchemists' fire. There is an alchemist's shop at the corner of Craftsmens' Row and Sandstone Row** that I have had dealings with through the mercinary company I work for, though I myself am currently low on jink."

"This is my plan, such as it is. Any comments, additions, even criticisms are welcome. "

*[Where the ghaik-portals are.]
**[DM on the locations of things, Sigil-wise - I use the map of Sigil by zen79 (deviant art). Git'riban is between the Market and Guildhall Wards. The Alchemist's shop Gy-Nath mentioned is just inside the Sandstone District, which was once part of the Clerk's Ward, but was swollowed in the expansion of the Hive. The Hive Brothel is in the Marble District, a once-posh area of the Hive along Sigil's edge, equidistant from the Mortuary and the Gatehouse. The Packing House is in Meat Market Square, between the Lower Ward and the Lady's Ward."

"I will be fine. Take your pick of crossbows, if you want." Gy-Nath brushes aside Ya'shenn's concerns, "Whichever blade you are proficient in is what you shall wield, sister. Using the ghaiks' own thralls against them may put them off balance. In fact, that gives me some ideas on possible tactics ..."

Gy-Nath looks over the others, considering deeply, before speaking again. "Ya'shenn and Daraz will go through the portal, but will not attack immediately. Your first order of business is to evade detection, or at least eliminate or dominate any guards, ghaik, or employees encountered. When you are set, send a missive for the rest of us to begin our attack. Ar'dru will fire-bomb one end of the complex, while the warriors cut our way into a flank in the confusion. When the ghaik and their guards react to the attack, the portal-team will rise up and strike."

"I am considering whether or not to assign a melee fighter to Ya'shenn and Daraz. While close support would be good, a fighter in heavy armor might prove a liability when trying to escape detection."

"Also, if Daraz has any illusions in his spell list, a pair of magical disguises might even prove fruitful, as I would imagine glamours to be commonplace in a hive brothel. In fact, Daraz, if you are well proficient in such things, I might even suggest we reverse attack directions completely. Daraz and Ya'shenn should be able to walk in off the street if they appear non-gith. Then, when they are ready, the missive is sent, Ar'dru does his run simultaneous with Du'minh, Ii'Jyka'Vaar, and I attacking via portal."

[DM - Gy-Nath doesn't know that Daraz and Ya'shenn have magical items of disguise, of course, but neither does he know Daraz's spell list.]