Wishing K’dar the best until they return from the raid, Du’minh departs with a packed assortment of varied practical tools – silk rope, bags, sunrods, and other minor tidbits that may come in handy.
On their way to the rendezvous at the alchemical shop, the Rish seeks to sell off the masterwork blades to provide some gold for the incendiaries. During the deal, he casually inquires with the trader or other talkative patrons for any insight in the recent moving around of dabus.
Did Ar'dru keep Grazz's poisoned throwing knives?
Who is stopping off at their own kips before heading out?]
ooc - I suppose so. Did we find out what their properties were?
Ar'dru will skip going home. There's nothing really to grab from there.
Did Ar'dru keep Grazz's poisoned throwing knives?]
ooc - I suppose so. Did we find out what their properties were?
Git'riban, built on the ruins of the older elvin district, has many hidden ways, tunnels, alleys, vacant lots, and ruins. It would be difficult for anyone to take a route through the district that is open to the Sigilan 'sky' throughout, unless they stuck to Gith Lane or Silver Void Street.
Thus, when the githyanki slip out of Git'riban, they do so in ways harder to follow than a Slaad's train of thought.
****
The Square of the Mind is a large public space filled with flat rounded cobbles, worn smooth by water. Three great angular rocks, ranging from twelve to twenty feet tall, stand like islands. The entire place is a titanic zen garden, donated by Zadara to the elven nobles after the Forest burned, before Git'riban.
In the shadow of the tallest rock, Daraz waits. Ya'shenn's boarding house is nearby, and she had gone to fetch what jink she could. The rain has quickened, now falling in large, warm drops. As Ya'shenn approaches, Daraz shakes his head, for he can hear her jinx clinking in the purse she grabbed. He takes off his cloak, and lets himself be soaked by the rain. He shows her how to roll the coins in the cloth cape before stuffing the whole affair into the now-straining shoulder-bag. "This does three things," he explains, "It is simply quieter, it does not advertise wealth, and in a pinch, if you pull the whole cloak out, the coins go everywhere, causing a distraction."
"You're getting soaked ..." Ya'shenn shows concern, then silently chides herself for automaticly trusting Daraz without thinking.
"Better to wash the smell of Git'riban off anyway."
Ya'shenn and Daraz walk through the Clerks' Ward near the Festhall District, both without raincloaks.
****
The Sandstone District was once one of the most prosperous districts in the Clerks' Ward, dispite the fact that it bordered on the Hive Ward. The district is composed of large, sturdy buildings of sandstone. It had a well-made wall, thirty-three foot high, separating it from the slums. No wall, however, could stop the relentless march of poverty. The Sandstone District, so close to the Hive, was targeted by desperate criminals for its wealth and location. The residents fortified their homes further, or moved to other neighborhoods. The vacant buildings filled with squatters, and eventually the economy tanked. Now the Sandstone District is held up as an example by those who say the Hive Ward is growing. The buildings and streets still have the strong, simple elegance of the Clerks' Ward, but it is considered the Hive Ward by all Sigilans. At the near edge is Sandstone Square. Here the two Wards mesh. While the Sandstone District is considered "one of the best neighborhoods in the Hive", Sandstone Square is more like "the worst neighborhood in the Clerks' Ward". Here, businesses and professionals hold out in the face of anarchy. Of course, most of those businesses and professionals that have remained (or moved in) cater to Hivers and Under-Sigilans with jink to spend. There is a Key Shop, two Shiv-Shops, an Armorer, and an Alchemist, all very large affairs occupying several huge, sandstone buildings.
The first to arrive are Du'minh and Ar'dru. They do not even get to the door of the alchemists' shop, however, before Gy-Nath and Ii'Jyka'Vaar arrive in Sandstone Square, with Ya'shenn and Daraz close behind. The six gith enter the shop.
Inside, the front room has a conter on which are empty flasks demonstrating fluid measure sizes. There does not seem to be anybody minding the store. In the back, behind the counter, is a low hubub of noise, which gets louder as the githyani investigate. They walk into the back to find a behive of activity. The interior is a large space with many tables and partitions. Alchemists of several different races are working, precicely measuring out ingredients, cleaning glassware, calibrating scales, etc. The most common by far, however, are the legions of kobolds carrying things back and forth. Nobody even notices the gith.
Gy-Nath stops one of the kobolds by standin in its way, "Inc." he says.
The kobold points with its snout, and Gy wlaks back to find an ebony-scaled kobold, much larger than the rest. The black kobold is arguing with an aged human about the temperature of kiln number three.
"When I say five hundred seventy-three degrees, I don't mean 'oh, somewhere between five seventy and five seventy-five' you sodding berk! Now get back therer and make sure its at five hundred seventy-three. Five hundred seventy-three! Five hundred seventy-three! Understand? If that batch goes in and the kiln is at five seventy-two, I'll throw you in with it!"
He glances over towards the approaching githyanki, and at first seems to ignore them a moment before doing a double-take.
"Oh, it's you ... " Inc says when he recognizes Gy-Nath. "Sorry cutter, but I've got a really big order and a tight scedule, so whatever it is, it'll have to wait a few days. That is, unless you want incendiaries, I could sell you a few out of this order if you're prepaired to pay a little more than my client per unit," Inc winks.
As Gy-Nath talks to the half-dragon Inc, Ar'dru notices that some of the kobolds, though they ignored the party's entrance and are still hard at work, steal some glaces at the duthka'gith's back.
Ar'dru allows Gy-Nath to do the talking and gives the Kobolds something between a snarl and a smile, hoping to provoke some kind of reaction.
He rumbles under his breath to his nearby companions "There may be some trouble here my brothers. It is of a personal nature and I would ask that you conclude our business and flee quickly should fighting break out."
Ii'Jyka'Vaar looks doubtful at the Duthka'Gith and asks, mumbling softly "should we not back each other up? even with regards to personal motives? or just let you sink in a mire of 'unfortunate personal happenstances'?"
Ar'dru smiles slightly and mutters through his fangs while maintaining eye contact with the Kobolds.
"I appreciate your concern cousin but know that I would turn this personal matter into a diversion for our attack, one which would not be safe for those who do not share my heritage."
"You tempt my curiosity..." Ii'Jyka nods
Already eager at the prospect of extensive blood-letting, Du’minh does not hesitate to provide his support. Fiddling with the wyrm-shaped chain-links from his flail, the Rish speaks barely audibly.
“Say the word, brother, and they will need all the chemicals they have to clean the walls of kobold tissue.”
The kobolds notibly do not look Ar'dru in the eyes, instead going about their business with only furative glances in his direction and low whispers among them. The leader, Inc, seems totally unconcerned with Ar'dru's presence as he negotiates with Gy-Nath.
"It so happens that incendiaries are just what I'm looking for. Must be a pretty big order, neh? I've rarely seen it this busy in here." Gy-Nath says.
"Yea, I know what you're getting at, I can spare a few flasks of alchemists' fire for you. Still, this is a new client and a big one, and he's under a time-constraint. Portals wait for none but the Lady, y'know? A few flasks is all I can really afford to give you ... Hey! Get back to work before I bob your tails, you layabouts!" Inc yells at two kobolds who had stopped to whisper to each other. When one of the kobolds lets out a frightened yip, he quickly adds, "But be careful with that abyssal guano, berk! You drop a jar of that and a bobbed tail will be fifth on your problem list!"
Gy-Nath beckons to Ya'shenn, and quietly asks her how much jink she brought. He is coy with Inc in negotiations, and Inc himself seems to be a consumate businessman (Fated namer).
"Look, this is a bulk order, so at the outset I'm not making much profit per unit. You know the regular price for incendiary flasks, but I'm telling you this isn't the regular stuff. Part of the deal was getting three new recipees. Which of course means I'm taking a further loss on the jink side of things. This all adds up to me charging three times normal price, and I'm cutting you a deal at that."
OOC: I'm waiting for a summary of the clientele so I can choose an apropriate disguise
??? Not in the Hive yet, this is the alchemists' shop.
OOC: Oops, mind flayer must've got me. I'll post soon. :oops:
Daraz does not voice any suppourt, but he keeps an eye on the kobolds and does his best to look somewhat menacing (OOC: not an easy proposition 
).
If the group is pressed for money, Du’minh also offers what gold he has made on the sale of the illithid blades, should Gy-Nath need it for purchasing the incendiaries for Ar'dru.
Inc is somewhat willing to dicker, but Gy-Nath is no expert barginer. Indeed, the githyanki mindset isn't one used to compromise in general. It settles down to the party being able to afford nine flasks of the special alchemical mixtures that Inc is making.
The party can choose from among the following:
Wet Fire [burns on contact with water or open flame, 2d6 dam for 3 rounds in a 5' radius]
Amorphous Flame [drops a burning puddle causing 3d6 dam for d4+1 rounds]
Burning Dust [white cloud with 5' radius on round 1, expanding to 10' r, which may be mistaken for fog or steam, lasts 3 rounds causing 2d6 damage inhaled, or may be ignited all at once by open flame for 3d6 damage to all within]
Black Smoke [obscuring cloud of 10' r on round 1 expanding to 20' r, incapacitates as stinking cloud, lasts d4+1 rounds]
Thunderblast [very loud, sonic damage = 3d6 in 10' r, 2d6 in 20' r, d6 in 40' r]
"That thunderblast seems effective, but so does the Burning Dust"
"I suspect we may also have cause to use a flask of the 'wet fire'." rumbles Ar'dru
"With the rain, I agree." Gy-Nath weighs in, "and a very loud noise will get attention, which is what we want. A single thunderblast would be good, but two or three might seem a larger-scale assault. We can afford nine flasks, any other ideas?" He looks around at the assembled githyanki.
[ooc - We lost Zim. If she ever wants to come back, the door's always open.]
Du’minh offers his thoughts on the matter.
“Hmm, I don’t think two flasks of thunderblast is a bad idea actually – if nothing else, the second one offers another shot at drawing wide-spread attention if something should go wrong during the first attempt.”
“In addition, I suggest four vials of burning dust and two flasks of wet fire – you start with a couple of the former and follow up with one of the latter to activate a great fiery inferno. Finally, I recommend a flask of black smoke to incapacitate a greater force and cover our movements in a tight spot.”
"If the burning dust can be lit with an open flame, we would have no need for the liquid fire, annother bag of the burning dust would be my choice. It affects a large area, an causes a great deal of damage. Otherwise, I agree with the Chal's assesment of our options."
OOC
OOC: Case in point about why it's bad to post right after waking up :oops:
"The wet fire will be invaluable should we need to enter a damp combat area. Given the nature of our foes that seems likely."
"But wet things will not burn well; special chemicals or not, which defeats the purpose of using the fire. A blade or bolt is a far more efficient way to kill a ghaik. Fire is for killing buildings."
Ar'dru looks mildly irked at the mention of who they are hunting but reasons that, as Githyanki, any outsider would naturally assume that they were hunting the great enemy anyway.
"Fire kill everything if it is hot enough but you forget it's other uses, it can be used as a light source, to restrict movement and control the field of battle, it can be used to intimidate especially on the masses when water burns on fire, finally this particular compound would be invaluable in small doses to encourage co-operation from an information source should this prove necessary. Fire is a far more versatile tool than you seem to imagine. Furthermore I am immune to this level of heat and can move freely within it. I am unsure if the same can be said for the other compounds."
[ooc- Ar'dru's thinking about the mud show and the palace and what we can use there rather than just what will work in the brothel. Hes already got several gallons of lamp oil and alchemists fire so torching a standard building is no problem.]
"The Burning Dust shouldn't harm you, flame-drake," Inc tells Ar'dru, "not if you can stand volcanic fumes, that is. I wouldn't recomend repeated or long-term exposure, though. The Black Smoke, on the the other hand, is formulated to make anything that breathes, very, very, very sick."
"The Dust will burn away very quickly if exposed to open flame. Too quickly to ignite anything more durable than paper. The Thunderblasts are a quick flash as well, and I can't even guarantee one would ignite the Dust, if set off in a cloud of it. The Wet Fire is designed for use against ships, so wet wood is fairly likely to ignite. The Amorphous Flame is specificly designed to restrict movement, as it basicly forms a burning puddle that should last quite a while."
"I am very proud of my recipees, cousin," Inc smiles at Ar'dru, "and I have improved on those that I purchased in exchange for their production. There is a big difference between using mundane, prime-world bat guanno and fresh Varrangoin shait from the Abyss."
OOC
Perhaps we should just make a quick vote or some such? Du’minh stands by his recommendations, but is fine with whatever the collective chooses.
[DM- So, that's: 2x Thunderblast, 3x Burning Dust, 3x Wet Fire, and 1x Black Smoke, right?]
OOC
Yep, that's my preference, though with one more Burning Dust and one less Wet Fire.
ooc: so i hope i did not miss anything critical, with the boards getting shifted i was a bit out of the loop 
[Yayyyy! Planewalker returns! ]
Inc orders a gaggle of kobolds to fetch the appropriate flasks. He then leads the githyanki back into the front room of the shop, and places their payment in a large, heavy chest under the counter. A few minutes later, several kobolds file in with boxes containing the alchemical flasks.
Inc inspects the content of the boxes as they come in, just giving the flasks a quick look. He stops one of the kobolds, "What's this? Why is there a quick fuse on this black smoker?"
The kobold looks confused and does not answer.
"Who gave this to you, Mreep? Was it it Karrachk? Go fetch him here."
Soon, another kobold comes back with Mreep. Karrachk gives Ar'dru an evil look.
Inc pulls the fuse from the smoke bomb and shows it to Karrachk. "A quick fuse. Shortened, even. Want to tell me what you were thinking? Did the duthka'gith ask for a smoker that'd go off in his hand?" Karrachk does not answer, but the look he gave Ar'dru is not lost on the large, black-scaled kobold. Inc sighs and shakes his head. "I don't know what your problem is, little berk, and I really don't care. This is a business. These gith are my customers. When you sabotage my products, you spit in my eye!"
Karrachk takes a step back in fear, but it is too late. Inc spits a stream of green-black acid into Karrachk's face. The screaming kobold is taken away by his fellows. Several cast evil looks in the general direction of Ar'dru, but their fear of their employer far outweighs any other consideration.
"Three days off without pay! If you still want a job after that, show up early on the fourth!" Inc yells.
Inc turns back to the githyanki, "My appologies, cutters. That's the problem with hiring famly, they sometimes think they can get away with personal pranks on the job. Tell you what, I'll get you a new smoker, and even throw in an extra one free of charge, eh? No hard feelings."
[DM - The party gets 2 Thunderblasts, 2 Black Smokers, 2 Wet fires, and 4 Burning Dust.]
Before the party leaves, Inc has a quiet word with Ar'dru. "I don't know why my father's kin have it out for you, my cousin, but I will know, within the hour, I promise you. Swift wings, cousin."
Realizing his unwise slip earlier, and trying to take advantage of it, Daraz speaks again.
"Let us hurry, brothers and sisters, we have other preperations to make, and two days is hardly enough time as it is."
Bluff: 15 (Damnit!)
"I agree, but i am not sure what i can contribute now except my blade..."
While the incident plays out Du’minh maintains a firm grip on the handle of his flail, in case any more surprises should come up. When they all are well out of kobold-earshot, the Rish speaks up.
“Fortunately, the proprietor seems genuinely unconnected and appears to deal decisively with the traitorous kobolds. However, that was no “personal prank”, as he put it - I insist we double-check all the explosives… and keep an eye out for tails when on the move again.”
[ 
No word from Az yet, so when he comes back, I'd do a mini-adventure with him. The signal for the rest of the party to attack was two loud explosions, so that's all they'll know of Ar'dru's attack anyway.
The plan stands as thus; Ar'dru will take to wing, and rest of the party will go to a portal leading deep into the Hive Brothel. Daraz and Ya'shenn will go through first, in disguise, and scout out the area, only eliminating those guards they need to secure the portals deeper into Illithid House, to cut off the escape of any fleeing flayers. When Gy, Ii, and Du hear the explosions (which will echo throughout Sigil), they wait a few moments then charge through the portal and start a general attack, heading in the directon of the portals deeper into the House.]
Ar'dru bids the rest good hunding and takes to Sigil's skies. The party sees him circle back a few times, watching for anyone following. Ya'shenn and Daraz go forward towards the portal the Accursed showed them, a back-alley affair just outside the Festhall District whose portal key is 'a copper coin clenched in the mouth'. The three armored warriors take a longer route to the same place.
The trio of githyanki warriors find themselves marching almost in step, for here in the crossroads of the planes even the most jaded bashers hold the githyanki in awe and fear, and for their own part, githwarriors often seek to encourage this kind of thinking in the graith. Gy-Nath talks easily with Du'minh and Ii'jyka'vaar in their native tounge. He asks nothing about their pasts nor their political affiliations, but they get the sense that the captain holds himself as a Unifist, one who believes in the githyanki people's ability to transcend the passing of Vlaakith and emerge more powerful for the shake-up. "The Great War is all, my brother and sister. Though our siblings may bicker, they know this too. Let our example inspire them. I have allied with many graith who have seen the truth of The Enemy, and will continue do so whenever it slays ghaik. Look at them watch us, the mixed stew of a million planes, realms, and worlds. See how those that know us fear us, and how those who are clueless wonder if they should. Let them, too, know of our example, and let those that can comprehend honor and courage see us as exemplars of these things. We stand before the doom of the multiverse and quail not!"
***
Daraz and Ya'shenn approach their destination, an alley off of Pleasure Path near its intersection with Sweet Scent Lane. There are about half a dozen Greenskirts standing about on the corner there, mostly tieflings but with a rather androgenous male human and an extra-short and clean-shaven dwarf. There is also a male tiefling, a well-dressed and slyly handsome chap in a top-hat with much gold jewelry, who is smoking a large cigar. He seems armed only with a fancy cane, but Daraz has seen the sort. Likely, a twist of the head and he'd draw a shiv from it, or a blade'll pop out the end, or something similar.
[What will Daraz & Ya'shenn be disguised as?]
OOC: Just clarifying with Zim before I post. We've decided to diguise ourselves as clients, right? If so, I think that disguising ourselves as Tieflings would probably work.
[Zim is out, so it is up to you. Disguised as clients it is.]
OOC: Out out? Or out temporarily?
Daraz is disguised as a teifling of abysal stock--fairly generic with a small spade tail (which he wraps around himself to avoid it passing through a wall), small horns, and slightly reddish skin matching similarly colored hair. Daraz appears reasonably well dressed in reds, browns, and golds. He tries to look just ragged enough to look like the dubious sort while still giving the impression of wealth. He also adds a few small bulges to his tunic, creating the illusion that he has full pockets--posibly with a hand crossbow or dagger.
Daraz avoids showing any attraction towards Ya'shnen and tries for indiference. Minimizing the number of bluffs needed seems wise to him.
Daraz knocks on the door and waits for someone to open it.
Daraz knocks on the door and waits for someone to open it.
[Out out, unfortunately, so Ya'shenn is now an NPC.
Sorry If I was unclear about the set-up. No door. Just six whores and a pimp under the streetlight on the corner. There is a side alley, a short way down which is an open archway that manifests a portal into the Hive Brothel if you hold a copper coin in your mouth. In order to get into the alley, Daraz and Ya'shenn will need to get by the greenskirts on the corner.]
OOC: Looked back. That would be my reading comprehension at fault, not your writing.
Daraz walks past the group to the portal, trying to give the impression of casual interest while trying to determine if any of the greenskirts/shirts are potential threats or thralls. He tries (and likely fails) to hide that he is assesing the threat posed by the group.
Inside, he looks around and tries to take stock of his environment, looking for places where either he or the defenders would be at an advantage.
Spot: 23
Sense motive: 21
Bluff: 11
“Your words ring true, brother. In the wake of our enacted wrath this day, graith and ghaik alike shall know truth of our strength and conviction, and they shall tremble when our gaze is upon them.”
Du’minh carries himself with determination to let the Planes bleed the blood of illithids and those that gets in his way. He does not allow confidence to diminish his vigilance, however, and keeps his wits about him while proceeding towards the portal.
OOC
Is the trio in position to see when Daraz and Ya’shenn have cleared the occupants of the portal entryway?
[To Dunamin: Either/or. I figured that the warriors would arrive later than the infultrators and if there was still anyone watching this side of the portal, they'd take 'em out. If you want to arrive just as Daraz & Ya'shenn are confronting the streetwalkers, that's OK, but if you want the rather conspicuous armored githyanki to hang back, that's OK too.
To Weishan: If you want to bluff or pay your way past, that's OK, but if you want to shiv these berks, that's OK too. Ya'shenn is an NPC, but since she and Daraz are a team, you can utilize her ability to influence minds, as she can suggest or even dominate one or more beings.]
****
Daraz and Ya'shenn, disguised as planetouched Sensate namers, approach the alleyway. When he sees them coming, the well-dressed tiefer saunters over to intercept them. Two of the greenskirts lazily accompany him, one on each arm. When he speaks, his voice drips like honey.
"Hmm, love. You senses slummin? Like anythin' you see, me lovelies? If'n there's more ya'd see, I got the key. Ohhh, yes, the Festhall's got it all, don't it love? Still, it's so ... clean. And expensive. Here, 'sonly two jinx fo'th'door, love. Two jinx fo'th'door."
OOC
I expect we should stay far enough away not to draw attention, though I suppose we should still have some idea of the portal layout before the signal.
Since Ii mentioned having some stealthy skills, perhaps she should sneak within eyesight of the scene while Gy and Du hang further back?
holy tripple-post batman!
...
Prostitution is not unheard of in githyanki society, but it does not take the money-grubbing form it does with the graith. Instead, certain traveling varsh-caste members, on their way to fortress-nursuries, provide 'services' to warrior garrisons in order to insure that they are ready to lay their own eggs (of untracable heritige) upon arrival, though there are male counterparts who behave similarly. As in the rest of githyanki society, honor and status are far more important than money, so when payment is made, is most often goes directly to the nursuries.
Ya'shenn can barely hide her disgust at the pimp, but manages to come off as snobby and aloof. "Two jinx? If we wanted to pay in gold, we wouldn't be going to Hive Ward, now would we? Two stingers, berk, for the both of us."
"Whee, me lovlies. I can see you'll barter some good deals in the Marble District, love. Four stingers. Each. And y'can provide yer own portal key."
"Three stingers, total. There are plenty of whores here in the Festhall District who'll come nearly as cheap." Ya'shenn spares a glance at the greenskirts on the pimp's arms, who sneer in return.
"Three stingers it is then, love. May you experience both pleasure and pain, and be the better for it."
Sure, no problem...
Ii'Jyka'Vhaar moves unobtrusively (correct word? .) to a spot she can both see the 2 members she is 'with' and the rest of the group...
2x +2 mod after armor check penalty of -6 is taken into account on, first move silent, then hide...not so much as actually doing either, but just to move inconspicuously to a spot of use. And just to make sure a bluff check to look not out of place...
When Daraz is walking with Ya'shenn: "We must decide on a way to disguise ourselves when we enter. It may be best to disuise ourselves as something unobtrusive and then observe the clientele before assuming a second diguise. I will defer to your better judgement if you object."