Game: Incubus (Solo)

This time, the hag and the other woman both look at you, and the hag addresses you instead.

Why, I thought you'd never ask he he he!!! Her voice screeches like claws scraping over cobblestones. She is truly a hideous sight to behold - the full extent of her appalling features magnified now that she's looking directly at you. Her tone is lovingly insidious.

How much do you want the girl my dear? For reasons unknown, you feel suddenly uncomfortable. Are ye wiling to bring me what I need? OOh, but I sense something different about you, you're not like the others, so... lost. she KNOWS what you really are. [b]Give me three damned souls, and some stones of worth, and the fiendling girl is yours. She purrs with a feral look in her eyes.

Beraszar interrupts your thoughts - Why bother? Are you going to save them all, young crusader? The prisoners at the Temple, this fiendling? For every action you commit, there will be a counteraction. Every good you commit will be offset by evils that others as well as your past self have committed. I have seen beings far greater than your station destroyed by such sentiments. Do you not see what the hag is trying to do? She's trying to corrupt you - three souls for one. Even if you bargain with her, though I doubt you'll be able to change the terms - even if no souls are damned in the process, I ask you again fool, why bother? I assure you, it will take more than this to tip the scales the planes so precariously balance upon


Beraszar probably isn't giving you advice for your sake - he doesn't strike you as the caring type who'd give a damn should a girl's life be saved.

OOC: you interpret 'stones of worth' as either ioun stones or some of magical jewelry.

The girl appears very afraid and unsure, shuddering at your touch. You notice that her skin is unusually cold.

E..E.Evey She whimpers

She appears to be bracing herself for a blow. When none is forthcoming, she continues with some more confidence:

Please sir, before anything, can you pay my little brother?

While this is happening, the auctioneer presents the next "item" - a Unicorn: Our next item is fine and rare Ysgardian unicorn, the beast is unharmed (mostly), and price of horn is included in price of animal and not sold seperattly. To lucky buyer of this fine beast we will give village maiden for free. Bidding starts at 5,000gp.

The feeling emanating from your locket right now is one you'd imagine if Bereszar were rolling his eyes- anticipating that you'll try to help THIS creature as well.

I'm here for my little brother- to prevent him the same fate. He's only 6- he shouldn't have to go through this. She looks down, hiding her face, but you can see a single teardrop fall to the ground.

OOC: the auctioneer is, from appearances, human, and as are his helpers, though one may be half-elf

me: The auctioneer's thoughts are mostly on selling the items for the highest possible price. You learn from skimming his mind that he gets a commission based solely on the profit made from the items sold
Evey replies:
"The Jackal says that it's 500 jink to not take my brother's life, and 8,000 for mine."
.."Otherwise he'll do what he did to our parents"
Sean: Um, are her clothes as spikey as in the picture? Also, what's the deal with Sigilians wearing spikes?
me: OOC: not at the moment, she's wearing unremarkable clothing and boots right now
I think Sigilians wear spikes not just to keep up with fashion, but also as a semiconscious act of reverence to the Lady.
Sean: Samael frowns, "And who's the Jackal? He wouldn't happen to be a berk who wear and black mask and a black cloak and has spiky swords would he?"
me: This is also why most buildings, residential, municipal, military and otherwise are adorned with spikes as well.
Sent at 2:49 PM on Friday
me: "No, he's a Wererat - dressed mostly in brown. Sir, can you please kill me quickly?"
"I don't want it to hurt too much"
You get the sense that others, like the Jackal have toyed with her and her close ones before.
Sent at 2:52 PM on Friday
Sean: "You think I went to all this trouble to get you from those three then asked you all these questions just so I could watch you die?" Samael sighs. "I guess you could say I'm one of those meddling do-gooders that never seem to be around when you need them. At least that's what some bashers seem to think..."
Sent at 2:53 PM on Friday
me: You see a sudden flash of light in her face, but it's quickly quenched. Detecting her thoughts tells you that she isn't sure.
"That's 10,000 from that well dressed fellow in the back" Do I hear 11?
(the auctioneer continues)
"So what are we going to do now?"
Evey asks, her tenuous tone belies her mistrust.
Sent at 2:57 PM on Friday
Sean: Samael glances up at the auctioneer momentarily, trying to think of something to do to disrupt the auction and perhaps free the captive creature while at the same time think of a way to help Evey.
Sent at 2:59 PM on Friday
Sean: "Well, I suppose we should scribe this Jack-Rat berk... I mean, you don't relaly think writing yourself into the dead book is going to keep your brother out do you? Most likely he'd kill him anyway."
me: The area is guarded well - Masked Thugs (presumably some kinds of assassins) cover the entire perimeter of the auction block. That is not to say anything of the auctioneer's nor the audience's abilities.
Sean: OOC: Seems like it might be a good idea to use one of those masked guards.
OOC: Detect thoughts on one of them first of course.
me: "No sir, I think he's going to be happy to get the gold from my little brother and see me die-" she pauses momentarily, fighting back tears "so I think Ivan is going to be safe"
"You are a fool" Bereszar remarks
Guards' thoughts:
Sean: Yes, Beraszar, I'm a fool. How'd you like to kill a Jack-o-Wererat though?
Sent at 3:03 PM on Friday
me: Mercenary band of assassins - The guard is a halfling - he is paying particular attention to an oddly dressed human with goggles walking around the perimeter of the auction block. The guard suspects that the goggled man is not here as a patron of the Night Market, but rather as a spy. One wrong move, and the guards will pounce.
Sean: OOC: Does Samael know what a Jackal is? I wouldn't think so.
me: Other thoughts: they're headquartered in one of the "establishments" nearby
OOC: Never heard of him- probably some small time crook
Sean: No no, I'm asking if he knows what A Jackal is. The animal the guy is named after. Since it's a prime animal I doubt he would.
me: Oh, I guess not
But Samael has heard the word used before
as a personification of someone who is a ruthless survivor
Sean: Samael attempts to detect Goggle Man's thoughts.
me: He's blocked!
The goggle man has a blue tinge around him
he wears blue robes, thinly veiling some kind of armor beneath
You notice a crossbow and a sabre on his belt
Sent at 3:10 PM on Friday
me: He stands taller than the other guards, and appears to be checking out certain stalls, though you suspect that the reason he's probably garnered the guards' suspicions is because he continues standing there and not purchasing anything, nor going anywhere - as if he's trying to take everything in.
Sent at 3:11 PM on Friday
me: You see nearby the "Open Throat" tavern - most likely the headquarters of this group of mercenary-assasins
Sent at 3:12 PM on Friday
Sean: Samael sends a telepathic message to Goggle Man.
Sent at 3:13 PM on Friday
me: Ever so slightly, the man straightens a bit. OOC: the man is outside the auction perimeter, simply looking at stalls
No immediate response is fothcoming
Sean: Samael looks down at the Tiefling girl. "Evey... You really think so? There any reason I can't just scribe the berk and save you both the worry?"
me: You are to his side (at a 90 degree angle to him) but you have a strange feeling that he's closely observing you.
Sent at 3:16 PM on Friday
me: Evey gets up "You could sir, and I've wanted to for the longest time, but, he's got a ..whole pack behind him - he's their leader - and you'd have to get through his pack first before deadbooking him"
Sean: "Hm... Why's he want you dead anyway?"
Sent at 3:18 PM on Friday
Sean: "You steal something from him?"
me: "He keeps tabs on everyone in our neighborhood - makes sure they pay up big time to him, otherwise he'll kill them. No one's got the stomach to stop him because he's too strong, and there are too many of them."
Sent at 3:20 PM on Friday
Sean: "Well, what can you tell me about his pack? Just how many are there?"
me: "Dozens that I've seen, though there could be up to fifty of them around"
Sean: "...Wow... How about I just take you and your brother to The Lady's Ward? I have a friend there who owes me."
Sent at 3:24 PM on Friday
me: "Ok,.." her mind is racing, and you realize that you've bestowed more hope into her than anyone in a long while. "Let me get Ivan"
"Can you come with me?"
Sent at 3:26 PM on Friday
Sean: "Sure, but since I'm helping you can you help me? I have some friends who've been locked in the Gatehouse to cover up a crime. All I need is for one of you to play an addle-cove. Don't worry, I'm not gonna leave you there. I promise. I just need an excuse to get inside. I can say I'm just trying to decide to admit you. Think you can do that for me?"
me: She hesitates, but finally agrees
Sean: "Alright, lead on then lass."
me: then leads you to a small boy standing by the guards, grabs him quickly, and continues on back towards the Gatehouse.
She drops by a small tenement, tells you to wait outside, and she and Ivan both go in.
Within moments, they return with two small unmarked bags- their necessary possesions
and continue onward towards the Gatehouse
The haunting effluvia of burnt meat, decaying flesh, body odor, acrid gases and dirt all mix together in a cacophony to assault the olfactory system. Almost as bad as the realization that most of these odors come from a vendor selling mystery foods for consumption.
Sent at 3:34 PM on Friday
me: Finally, the familiar arches of the Gatehouse enter your sight, and you see the Voice Tower
Sean: Alright, Evey, when we get to the Gatehouse I'll need you to act oblivious. Don't react to anything."
me: Evey stops for a moment -"but how are we going to get out once they jacket me?"
"there are too many guards"
Sean: Samael alters his appearance to resemble the elder brother of the two.
me: "WHOA!" Little Ivan yells
Evey looks surprised
"Magician!!" Little Ivan yells again
though softer this time
Sean: "Calm down kid. You've never seen a magic disguise before?"
me: Evey hushes him up with a nudge on the side
Sean: OOC: Incubus with kid sidekicks, this couldn't sound much worse out of context!
me: and a pitfiend
to boot
It's like a bad dream
Sean: "They won't jacket you. I'll tell em I'm not sure yet whether I need to commit you. I want to see things before I decide."
me: "Don't they jacket everyone?"
Sent at 3:39 PM on Friday
Sean: "Uh... dunno, never been in there. Point is, I won't be committing you. Just asking for information. You know?" Samael shrugs. "You're the ones who live around here, does that make any sense?"
"If not we can find an old barmy and say he's our grandpa or something."
me: "Okay!" Little Ivan yells
Sean: Samael winces.
me: You move over, and once again the voice calls out
"PURPOSE OF VISIT"
Sean: "Calm down kid..."
Sent at 3:42 PM on Friday
Sean: "I'm thinking of committing a relative. I want to see the place though. Make sure she'll be alright."
me: Without a word, one gate slowly creaks open
The two children walk tremulously inside
Sean: Samael quickly moves in with them.
Not wanting to get seperated.
me: You are quickly approached by three guards in white robes- asylum uniforms
One of them, a young looking elf approaches.
He carries one of the notorious jackets, and you notice the others do as well
"Who is to be admitted?"
He looks at all three of you to decide which one is the barmy
"NOT ME!" Little Ivan yells
Sean: "No one yet. I'm not deciding whether I need to do it until I see the place."
"Ivan, keep it down will ya?"
Sent at 3:47 PM on Friday
Sean: Samael looks around.
me: "i think we would be the best judge of who should stay or not"
Looking around:
Sent at 3:50 PM on Friday
Sean: It's not a matter of expertise. I just want to know what it's like here before I decide whether I want commit anyone. I've heard horror stories, you've gotta understand."
me: The area is enclosed, guards are sprinkled throughout the compound. Some lights remain on in the many rooms of the two main towers
The towers flank a smaller building in the center, probably a reception area.
"Very well, follow us" the guard replies and leads you to the reception room.
g2g soon
Sean:
me: >0

Sean: Samael keeps an eye out for any of the prisoners from the temple.
me: The reception room is very spartan and unadorned. Two humans are behind a giant desk
There are no prisoners apparent
in this room
Two hallways on opposite sides lead to either tower flanking the reception area.
There is also a third hallway in the back - you are unsure of where that leads.
Sent at 3:55 PM on Friday
Sean: "I read the paper today." Samael mentions idly. "The guards dropped off a bunch of folks claiming to be prisoners from the temple of the abyss after an explosion or something there? What was so barmy about them? I mean sure they coulda been lying but..."
me: baator be damned that my home connection doesnt work
Sean: Oh, ok.
me: "The guards in the room eye you suspicously
as do the receptionists
Sean: "What?"
me: "We are not at liberty to share information about other wards"

We're not going anywhere, one of the receptionist continues, the public is allowed to see this much of the Gatehouse - the towers are off limits.

It seems that the receptionist is unyielding. It would perhaps take some stealthier mode of attack to gain access to the towers.

I'm going on gmail

OOC: sorry for not being able to post/chat for the last couple of days- they’ve been unreasonably hectic.
After grasping the daggers and seeing the unusual red robes, you realize that you’ve seen them before.

Your world quickly turns dark.

A Tanar’ri outpost tower in the Gray Waste. Hidden inside the top-most room, you look over the leading Nalfeshnee who has just died by your hands. His dark, severed carapace serves as a tragic centerpiece to the otherwise exquisite room – his grimace of shock and outrage belie the sheer quickness and efficiency of his undoing. The kill had been all too easy. Not until its last seconds of life had the fiend suspected your treachery.

Around you, he had been completely disarmed by your façade as a fearful new recruit. This masquerade had worked as perfectly and cleanly as the last one. You smile darkly, savoring the moment, enjoying the thrill of the kill. The intense pleasure that reverberated through your body as your short sword impaled the Nalfeshnee’s thoracic cavity still lingers. Yes, you are an artist… a spider. You spun your web of intrigue around this target just as you had the last target. You are an artist – manipulating the other players around yourself such that when you actually went for the strike, the target (though more than capable of defending himself and actually could easily have slayed you instead had it known your murderous intent) never knew what hit him.

After looting the portal key from the fiend’s carcass, you approach the bookshelf. Surely enough, the blue swirl swallows you into your next destination – the extradimensional vault.

You enter the pocketed treasure area and are instantly surrounded in gigantic room overflowing with mercs and gems, along with assorted magical items- the chaotic Tanar’ri had made no effort to arrange this area. No, but this was obviously not about the money- taking or leaving the hoard would hardly make a difference in your financial situation. Besides, the truest assassins, the best in the multiverse, were not driven by coin, but by a greater purpose. You are not here for the loot, but begin to search for that very important document you know is hidden somewhere among the treasure hoard.

Perhaps it’s instinct that makes you uneasy about being in this room. Something off-putting that you cannot quite pinpoint. You feel as though someone else is here, but that’s impossible – the portal to this area has a single key- and that was the one you just removed from the corpse in the tower. Still, something is not right.

Before you can whirl around to counter – the curved sword is upon your shoulder – the landing only cutting your shoulder slightly. You are about to laugh and face whosoever is foolish enough to attack you with an unenchanted weapon until you see the reflection of who’s behind you and for the second time in your three millennia of existance your blood runs cold.

“The next blow will be fatal,” promises the tall, tanned human female. You do not doubt it. With neatly kept, unremarkable brown hair and subtle features, she is of above average beauty, but by no means amongst the top ten, or even twenty most beautiful females you’ve seen. Yet there is something in the way which she speaks that commands not just the attention, but the will of anyone who hears.

“But how-” you begin, but quickly cease as you read her increasingly hostile body language.

You dare to slowly turn around and face her.

“My means are not your concern,” her commanding voice continues, “but if you wish to exist for another second, you will do as I say.” You begin to wonder if there is some magical dominating-effect laced into the words. Willing or not, you will have to comply.

The vision fades, and there is another:

This time, you are in Undersigil amongst a circular gathering of mortals and immortals alike. All of the people around you wear exquisite red robes save the tanned woman with subtle features at the center. She is dressed in expensive clothing, but not the ceremonial robes that you and the others are wearing. You realize that you are holding a dagger in each hand – and so is the tiefling adjacent to you- and the human adjacent to her- and the rest of the people in the circle.

Slowly and gracefully, the tanned woman walks around the circle and stops at every person to say a few words.

She finally gets to you, and once again, you fight the urge to kneel before her presence.

“You will rise anew. And I will find you again.”

The visions swirl away, and once again you return to the present.

The halfie matches none of the faces in your memory, though the Red Robes are unmistakably the same as the one she has in her closet.

No markings of note on her person

You can recognize three of the robed faces if you see them, but the rest is a blur - all mashed irrevocably in the depths of your mind.

After about ten more minutes of writing, the girl closes the unmarked tome and slips it back into the bookshelf. She begins to walk outside, grabbing her belt, then panicking as she doesn't see her weapons. After quickly push/pulling the door to ensure it's locked, she scrambles to the rooms, searching rapidly.

OOC: google chat appears to be having 'technical difficulties'

OOC: What other chat client did you have in mind? I can come up with a Yahoo account in about 5-10 min. Also, I will be free to post/chat for the next 90 min or so.

You can FEEL the fear emnating from her person, and she begins casting - you are unable to recognize the spell, but are fairly certain that it is one to dispel effects in the vicinity. The spell does not affect your ethereal state, and she bolts out the door.

(Assuming you follow), she leads you through the tortuous alleyways of the housing district, and finally emerges to initial road where you met her. She begins to run down the road, past the tavern and the food store.

You can continue to follow her or enter the tavern

She quickly enters another residential bloc in the Ward, this time once again, the alleys are nearly deserted and once again, they twist and turn is such a way that it is very difficult for anyone without prior knowledge of the area to find his way to... or back from wherever she's going.

Finally she arrives at a site with a small sewer lid. She looks around again to make sure no one is following, opens the lid, and jumps down into Undersigil.

You follow her through a series of ladders and short pathways - it is pitch black and you figure her darkvision to be excellent in order to avoid the close walls and tight corners. Nothing besides a few rats inhabit the area.

She pauses when reaching a concealed circular door in one of the narrow stone pathways, after dusting off the exterior, she removes a key from her belt, and enters.

Unlike the narrow, rectangular stone pathways before, the new area is an asymmetric, large earthen cavern. She starts descending into the natural slope that leads to a smaller clearing. There is a large (unconcealed) circular door guarded by four guards in unmarked armor. One of the guards approaches her, she speaks in an incomprehensible language (you have Tongues so you understand every known language- you figure they must be talking in code). The guard shortly lets her in.

You are in the atrium of what appears to be a large underground facility. This chamber is circular, and the walls are made of some kind of magical stone. The entire structure (apparently constructed of fine granite) appears to be laced with magic. Spersed througout the room are guards in similar garb to the ones outside. The ceiling is about 40 feet high, and the room has a diameter of about 300 feet. Aside from a massive (nearly ceiling-high) yellow crystal in the middle of the room, the entire area is barren, and you do not see any connecting doorways.

Your confusion is shortly abated as she walks to the crystal, speaks another codeword (Kaheelah) touches the crystal. Then she is gone.

erg.. sorry, i guess that's the problem with assuming you will follow her all the way (this is why chat is better) We can backtrack if you wish. Also, remember that you are ethereal, and you can not just travel as normal, but also up and down through solid ground- so you can technically 'levitate' back out of here to the surface.

the patrons of note
1:53 PM 1) Two articulate (planar common-speaking) hook horrors sitting across from each other - you're quite sure they're arm...er.. hook wrestling. Occasionally one screeches something about how the other is nearly beaten
1:55 PM 2) An imp and two armedmale human bodyguards (thralls?) sitting across from a third, frightened looking human male
Sean: Samael wants to know what sex the bodyguards are.
lol
1:56 PM me: 3) A conspicuously suspicious looking githyanki female sitting and drinking alone, eyeing you
- the bodyguards are male humans - armed in leather and shortswords-
Sean: (OOC:Hm, gith, not particularly suscetible to seduction.)
me: that's about it
1:57 PM (OOC: have more confidence in your seducing-abilities)
Sean: (OOC: After that thing with Kate?
(That was horrible.
me: and of course, 4) the stairs leading to the second story- where you suspect Zakarius is
(yea, but i guess it didn't count as much bc she was suspicious to start with)
1:58 PM (detect evil - she must not be a fan of evil bashers walking up to her)
Sean: (So's the Gith chit.)
(Sides, GIthyanki are barmy.)
1:59 PM So um, I guess I'll head up the stairs and see who's up there. assuming they don't seem guarded.
2:00 PM me: The stairs are guarded - also by two human males (female guards, or guards of other races just aren't in high demand these days). They eye you warily, but let you cross
2:01 PM After a short climb, you reach a slightly cracked door, revealing a room (much smaller than the main chamber below)
2:02 PM The decorations are simple yet elegant. The walls are lined with tomes ancient, recent, and bizarre. You're quite certain that several of them are bound by material that once used to be flesh.
2:03 PM Sean: You mean leather?
me: Not just that - some of the tomes have a scaly exterior, while others resemble what might be preserved human flesh
2:04 PM At the center behind a rectangular cherry desk sits a burly-looking basher you think would be better suited to bashing than information brokering
He is portly, and his attire makes no attempt to hide the small array of blades he has on his person
2:05 PM his hair is long, black and stringy, and his eyes and face are small and blunt
He scrathes some of the scruff on his chin as he sees you outside
"come in"
2:06 PM it appears as if he's just been writing, and put down his pen when he heard you come up
You also notice two clay statues standing on either side of the desk
they might be more than just for decoration
2:07 PM the statues are in the shape.. of armored human males

e: Not just that - some of the tomes have a scaly exterior, while others resemble what might be preserved human flesh
2:04 PM At the center behind a rectangular cherry desk sits a burly-looking basher you think would be better suited to bashing than information brokering
He is portly, and his attire makes no attempt to hide the small array of blades he has on his person
2:05 PM his hair is long, black and stringy, and his eyes and face are small and blunt
He scrathes some of the scruff on his chin as he sees you outside
"come in"
2:06 PM it appears as if he's just been writing, and put down his pen when he heard you come up
You also notice two clay statues standing on either side of the desk
they might be more than just for decoration
2:07 PM the statues are in the shape.. of armored human males
g2g
later!
8:19 PM Sean: Samael slowly approaches the man behind the desk. "Zakarius I presume?"
8:20 PM me: Yes, yes, come in already, what's your business?
Sean: OOC: Ok, time to check my notes for what that password was.
8:21 PM me: OOC: something about crashing into the spire
8:23 PM Sean: Samael approaches a bit closer, and says in a low voice. "A mutual aqaintance of ours asked me to tell you to crash the ring into the spire."
"Sounds like a barmy idea to me."
8:24 PM me: one sec.
8:25 PM Sean: OOC: You still there? Did I bore you? I'm sorry!
Oh.
8:27 PM me: NO, lol
talking on the phone wiht my employer
just a sec//
Sean: Ah, employers.. Who needs em... besides ya know, people with jobs.
8:28 PM
5 minutes
8:33 PM me: LOOONG WINDED....
Sean: I see.
8:35 PM
I'm sorry to hear that.
8:36 PM me: ok, back
8:37 PM Sean: Yay!
me: I had to explain to him that I wouldnt be comign in a lot until i finished retaking the mcat
aright
Zak: "It does sound like a barmy idea, doesn't it?!"
Sean: Sounds like it would be difficult.
me: Or impossible
8:38 PM "Wait here a minute"
he goes to one of the bookshelves
Sean: Samael shrugs and waits, looking around the office again.
me: and starts searching for somehting
8:40 PM finally he removes a thin, unmarked crimson tome from the stacks, and places it on the table.
Sean: "Nice statues by the way."
me: "Yes, yes, they're magnificent" he hurries noncommittedly "You can return this to your employer"
8:41 PM Anything else? I'm a busy man, you know?
(He is visibly annoyed at having a visitor with a code - you can tell he'd much rather have you pay jink for a visit)
Sean: Yeah, you're supposed to tell me how to get back.
me: "I do have paid consultations, if you're interested"
8:42 PM Yes, yes, how could I forget, Ventiri's outpost, right?
Sean: Samael nods.
8:44 PM "I'm just a messenger. Doubt I could afford your top o the like services."
8:45 PM me: "Go to the Gray District in the Hive. You need to have some kind of carrion or bone with you - that's the portal key- anything that is dead will likely do. Circumvent the Mortuary approximately 60 degrees clockwise, clasp the dead thing with both hands. The portal should lead you to Ventiri.
8:46 PM Sean: Samael sighs. "Least I don' have to put it in my mouth or somethin'. Thanks."
Samael starts to back out of the room.
8:47 PM me: "Be safe, cutter"
and he goes back to his writing
Sean: "Aye, you too."
8:48 PM me: you think it slightly odd that someone you just met, who apparently knows nothing about you just told you to be safe. The greeting is nonstandard in Sigil, and is generally reserved for friends or associates undertaking a dangerous task
8:50 PM Sean: Only once he reaches the door, does he turn around. He then heads back downstairs. He's still got allot to do in Sigil before he leaves, so hopefully he has time for it... Free the prisoners at the Gatehouse. Meet up with Tranchita and Firefly... Not get killed...
8:51 PM me: Not get summoned at an awkward time by the Night Hag
you're back downstairs
Sean: That too... What who said that?
me: hehehe
Sean: OOC: One of us just broke the fourth wall I think.
me: OOC: huh?
Sean: Anything new doenstairs?
8:52 PM me: no, still the same old, the patrons of interest still remain
8:53 PM Sean: Samael glances at the female Gith and grins.
OOC: Samael would be very stupid if he was not so good at running away from things.
8:54 PM me: This chit is loaded with exotic jewlrey of bright, clashing colors - unfashionable for the average Cager, but something tells you that she isn't from around here. She locks her eyes at with you, not grinning back, nor saying anything
8:55 PM Sean: Samael continues looking at her for a moment longer before turning to view the sod talking with the imp.
8:56 PM me: You can FEEL her piercing gaze upon you as you turn away, you are certain she's scrutinizing you - at least normally if not magically
8:58 PM The imp speaks telepathically to the sod, you can make out a few phrases - 20,000 jink, kill your wife and children, three days
you also notice that the imp's drink cup does not match that of the other patrons.
Sean: (Oh crap... not this)
8:59 PM me: upon closer inspection, you don't think that the cup is one for libations
Sean: Before anyone notices him he decides to take a seat.
me: there appears to be a small wisp of mist evaporating from the cup, flowing towards the poor sod's nostrils (he appears unaware of this)
9:00 PM Sean: (OOC: Well, notices him just standing in the middle of the room that is.
9:01 PM me: Shortly, a saucy bar-wench approaches with a tray expertly balanced on her left hand. Her appearance is plump and jovial. "Can I interest you in today's special, basher?"
Sean: Samael continues watching the man, curious to see his reaction to the vapors.
He looks up at the wench, flashing her a brilliant smile.
"Hm, I think so."
9:02 PM me: She smiles back, though there's something naughty and coy to her demeanor
Sean: "What is it though?"
9:03 PM me: Ysguardian Rum! Fresh from the first layer this morning!
"Not for the weak-tummied, mind you" she continues, as if trying to entice you
9:04 PM Sean: "Hm, I like the sound of that..." Samael replies, still smiling.
me: Out of the corner of your vision, you make out that the poor sod appears drugged/groggier than you first remember him. His eyelids are drooping and posture is increasingly hunching
9:05 PM Sean: "If that's what you recommend of course." He adds.
9:06 PM me: She takes a generously filled tankard out and places it before you. "Ye can settle yer tab with 'im later" she points to the portly barkeep. She doesn't leave though, but waits, and gives an exaggerated cough.
9:07 PM You swear you see foaming at the mouth of the man sitting across from the imp
but if you did, it was only for a second
9:08 PM but you do, for certain, see him turn slightly blue. He is undoubtedly being poisoned
9:09 PM Sean: "That sod over there is gettin' something powerful," He comments to the wench as he takes out his money pouch.
He produces two gold coins, but waits for her to lean in closer to take them.
9:10 PM me: "Huh?" she looks over to the table you just gestured at, but turns back, as if she didn't see anything.. "which sod?" she leans in
(i should go back to studying in like 20 min)
Sean: "The one with the Baatezu." he replies.
9:11 PM me:
Sean:
me: She looks back, again oblivious to what you're seeing
Sean: "Just in case you have some rules against the poisoning of your customers by other patrons... just though you should know."
9:12 PM me: she blinks and looks back, then at you again.. "Heh are you sure ye haven't been drinking already?"
"Maybe ye should stop while you're ahead" she is visibly regretting giving you the full tankard
Sean: He shrugs, and tucks a pair of gold coins into her shirt.
9:13 PM "What's that mean?"
"I'm hallucinating am I? Wouldn't be the first time..." He frowns.
me: "Stop drinking before ye have anymore hallucinations - they'll start thinkning ye barmy!"
The imp and his guards have noticed
9:14 PM Sean: "Do you think I'm barmy?"
"What do you see?"
me: What d'ye mean?
Sean: "Well, if I'm hallucinating then I must have seen something different than you hm?"
9:16 PM me: "There's nothing there, cutter!" she walks over to the apparently empty table and gestures (nearly grazing one of the guards) "See?"
Sean: Samael frowns. "Guess I am seein' things..." He walks over next to her and stares at the space.
9:17 PM me: "Now go on and enjoy yer booze, but no more fer you - we don't like throwing out good looking bashers like yerself" (she winks)
Both of the imp's human guards now turn and face you (the imp continues to look across at the man).
9:18 PM "That's right, berk" one of them says to you in a soft, very dangerous tone, "go on and enjoy yer booze!"
Sean: "Well, as long as you're the one throwing me out..."
me: (the bar-wench appears oblivious of the guards)
9:19 PM Sean: Samael cocks his head at the guard, hoping to appear as if he genuinely believes him to be a hallucination.
"Oi, now it's talkin' to me."
That's it, I'm going over here.
Samael heads over to the other side of the room.
9:20 PM me: she starts laughing "easy now!" and gives you a provocative tap as you walk away
9:21 PM Sean: Samael nurses his drink. Every once in a while glancing over at the group with apparent disbelief, and shaking his head.
me: The guards still stare intently, murderously at you
THUD!
9:22 PM you hear the man sitting across from the imp hit his head weirdly on the table, and it stays there
Sean: Samael looks around worriedly to see if anyone else heard it.
me: Drool begins pooling from his mouth, and his skin is now a shade of blue
a deeper shade
9:23 PM no one but you appears to have noticed
the thud was quite loud, but no one even flinched
Sean: (Um, Bereszar? You got any idea what's happening here?)
9:24 PM me: (Yes, of course)
..He doesn't elaborate..
9:25 PM Sean: (Um... What is it?)
(C'mon, you aren't gonna stick up for an Imp are you?)
(Annoying little buggers aren't they?)
me: (that idiot sod probably defaulted on a contract of some sort, the imp was returning for payment... )
9:26 PM (his soul, as well as those of his family)
(never sign a contract with a Baatezu)
Sean: (Wow... that guy is... er.. was really dumb.)
9:27 PM me: (probably, that or he was somehow manipulated, somehow seduced.. I'm sure you'd know all about that)
Sean: (So um, he signed over the souls of himself and his family for 20'000 jinx?
me: (No)
Sean: (Or was that what he failed to pay?)
9:28 PM (I don't really go for contracts.)
9:29 PM me: (From what I gathered of the conversation, I believe he borrowed that amount, and failed to pay on time... so the imp captured his soul- I'm sure it was in the fine print somewhere - if he failed to pay, he'd default his soul as well as those of his family)
9:30 PM (Now, you must leave.. quickly.. before there is any trouble - The imp can smell your tanar'ri blood)
9:31 PM Sean: (Good point... Well that berk deserved it but his family... damn...)
9:32 PM Samael shakes his head. (Why am I the only one who can see it?)

He gets up and throws down the last of his drink. Then approaches the barmaid.
me: (It is odd that the bar wench lied)
Sean: "That was great!"
me: "Alright cutter, now go home before ye end up in the gatehouse! haha!"
Sean: He grins at her.
9:33 PM "Aw, but I was just gettin' comfortable. Fore I go you could at least tell me what I call this vision of beauty before me?"
9:34 PM me: "hahaha! ye playful devil ye!"
9:35 PM Sean: "Who's playin'?"
me: "call me Lanria
Sean: Samael continues grinning stupidly.
"Lanria, mm..."
"Well I... hope we meet again."
9:36 PM me: OOC: should go back and study
Sean: He sweeps up her hand and gives it a kiss, then heads slightly unsteadily out the door.
me: "you too rounder, come back when ye're sobered up so I can fill yer head with some more!"
you stumble out of the bar..
2:29 PM Sean: Hyup.

2:30 PM Samael looks around to get his bearings for a moment, then starts heading towards Violet's corner... again. Hoping to find Tranchita, either directly, or through Violet.
2:31 PM me: OOC: I forgot, where were you supposed to meet firefly?
Sean: Gymnasium
2:32 PM me: You fly back the the Lady's, and this time, you see both of them standing at the corner. You almost don't recognize Tranchita in her fine new orange robes which resemble those of Violet's
2:33 PM Sean: "Uh..."
me: They appear to be deep in conversation
2:34 PM Sean: Samael slowly approaches the two, staring at the transformed Tranchita.
2:35 PM me: Violet is apparently giving her speaking lessons - "so you want to soften your consonants and extend your vowels. Always re-- Hi there!"
Tranchita looks your way
"Hello there sir! And how may I serve you today?"
Her accent is notably different
2:40 PM Sean: Samael raises an eyebrow at her new voice. "Well hello to you my lovely lady." He says, grinning. "How does the day greet the two of you?"
2:42 PM me: They both giggle. Violet replies "We're doing quite well, I'm training my new apprentice - also, I think it might be better for business to have a wingman. Also, many of our patrons are enticed by the possibilities offered by two rather than one partner"
5 minutes
2:47 PM me: there?
Sean: "Hm... I can see that. And Trani here has quite allot of... alternative experience." He gazes at Tranchita again for a moment. "It's great to see you again lass, I'd hug you! But I don't want to mess up your new clothes." He smiles again. "Well, I... guess you don't need to follow me around anymore, though I would obviously enjoy it..." He sighs.
"I'm glad you found something better though."
"I really am."
2:48 PM me: "no, no, it's not that, I think it'd be fun hang out with you - Maybe later today?"
2:50 PM Sean: "I'd love to." He frowns. "However... I need to go out of town today, dunno when I'll be back."
me: "oh, ok... we'll you know where t' find me!"
2:51 PM She comes over and gives you a hug
Sean: Samael is surprised by this, but returns the gesture none the less.
"So um, are you going to be getting one of those top shelf courtesan names as well?"
2:52 PM me: "Hahah, maybe, we'll see-" her face contorts into mock shock - "why, you don't think my name is top-shelf?"
2:55 PM .
2:57 PM Sean: "Oh no, nothing like that, just doesn't seem flowery enough." Samael chuckles.
me: Violet also chuckles
Sean: "I do wonder, was that name from your parents?"
He asks Tranchita.
2:58 PM "I've never heard a name quite like it.
me: "Yea..er.. yes, yes it was"
Sean: Samael cocks his head at her.
"Well, if it's not something you want to talk about I understand."
2:59 PM "But you know you can always tell me anything."
me: OOC: it's nothing like that, she was just working on her language skills - Yea vs Yes
3:00 PM Sean: OOC: Oh.
me: "OOC; lol
"no, no, it's a good name, i like it!'
3:01 PM Sean: "Well I do too, it's completely unique."
"Samael glances up at the "Sky"
"Well I guess I had better get going."
"You too, you take care of each other."
3:02 PM me: "See you soon, rounder!" Violet flashes a winning smile
Sean: "I'm sure I'll be back, and I'll want to see you again."
"Both of you."
me: "We'll be here!"
Sean: Samael returns the smile before heading away towards the gymnasium.
3:04 PM me: (looking for source material)
Situated roughly in the center of the Guildhall Ward, the Great Gymnasium did, and still does, function primarily as what its name implies. The calm beauty of the Great Gymnasium in many ways rivals or exceeds the laurels given to the glory of other buildings of the ward, and indeed the city. The gymnasium’s entire outer façade, and much of the inner structure, is built of a unique and evocative black marble laced throughout with veins of gold and rose colored minerals. While before the Faction War the Great Gymnasium was also the home of the Transcendent Order, it was and still is a place where most any basher can go to improve their body by a great variety of physical activities.

The structure is composed of a grand front portico that rises up to front the central tower of the gymnasium. The first level extends to both sides of the tower and back, while the second floor comprises the tower and a top layer to the front of the left and right wings. The third and least frequented floor is that which comprises the top of the tower.

Dominating one of the exterior walls of the Great Gymnasium is a gigantic painted mural, gifted without any request for it nearly six years prior by a member of the Xaositects. Called simply the Painter, the tiefling up and decided to paint the wall one day, following her winds of whimsy. In the end, she created one of the most moving and beautiful paintings in all of Sigil. Abstract in nature, and as varied as the whims of the Painter herself, two different bloods can look at it and claim to see a different pattern within its chaotic - or perhaps simply complex - depths. Regardless of what one claims to see within it, it is evocative to most all that look upon it, and the Ciphers were not in the least ungracious to the Xaositect who took it upon herself to gift it to them for naught.
3:05 PM Within an hour, you are back in the Gymnasium
3:06 PM Sean: (OOC: So my idea of having an Eledrin pimp in weishan's game was crushed by the fact that I don't like playing evil types, and his game is full of... well it's got your character in it. needless to say, my good character wouldn't have fit. So I was thinking it could make sense that Samael might try to do that at some point. Making a sort of brothel / resteraunt / place for people to be safe in the Hive.)
3:07 PM me: haaha, I am actually looking forward to "introducing" Suore Drum into the campaign
needless to say, I don't think the introduction will be overly pleasant
3:08 PM Outside the grand portico, is the massive archway to the entrance, just beyond you make out the first 'floor' of the Gymnasium which would more accurately be called the first level.
3:09 PM From your general knowledge of the Cage, you recall that the first floor is dominated by the exercise field used for various martial arts and combat skills. The center of the field also sports three pools, one hot, one warm, and one cold. Beyond the field is an inner portico used for musical and other public artistic demonstrations and lectures. Past the portico are a number of separated rooms for music, dancing, sculpting, and other artistic endeavors as well as sealed and warded rooms for spellslingers to practice their arts without harming themselves or others in the process.
3:10 PM Sean: (OOC: Who's Suore Drum?)
me: (OOC: my character from weishan's game)
3:11 PM Sean: (OOC: Samael would kill him...)
(Or try to.)
me: (OOC: instantly, without even the pleasantries?)
Sean: (I shuld say, he would try to get him killed.)
3:12 PM (As soon as he realized what he was like. basically)
me: (all you have to do to figure that out is see what his name spells, backwards)
3:13 PM Sean: (I suppose a Tanar'ri could figure that out.
(Hm, it still doesn't say anything about his diet.)
me: (lol, so you've been following the campaign)
Sean: (Not that it really matters to Samael why you're slaughtering people.)
3:14 PM me: (I don' t think it matters to him why he's slaughtering people either - he just.. does it)
3:15 PM Sean: (Great. so there's no problem, I mean, no... um... well, Samael will hate him.)
me: (for him it would be no different from casually squashing an ant, or (in some gruesome cases) slaughtering an animal for food)
3:16 PM Sean: (See but, Samael doesn't really sympathize with the whole killing for food thing as much as others might.
(Course he doesn't actively go out of his way to squash insects. they're literally and figuratively beneath his notice.)
3:17 PM me: The archway is unguarded, and the area appears busy with (former) Ciphers and other cagers alike, all attempting to 'better' their bodies, minds and souls. Inside you see a great mix of races and faces. You could have sworn you just saw a young silver dragon emerge from the cold pool)
3:19 PM Sean: Samael looks around as he walks, quite interested in the many different people populating the building, though more so of course by the females. He heads in no particular hurry towards where he was meant to find Firefly. assuming he can find it.
me: OOC: hehe, I actually don't recall
3:20 PM Sean: OOC: Well, you can make something up if you like, you're the master of the multiverse after all.)
3:22 PM me: You were to meet your Genasi associate at the entrance of the inner portico
Moving through the bustle, you get to the area in question
3:23 PM Surely enough, you see Firefly's ...fiery... figure (back turned) at an open-air lecture near the entrance
Sean: (OOC: I just remembered that I think,,, it was supposed to be a room somewhere, )
3:24 PM Samael sneaks up behind her and tries to wrap his hands around her eyes and say "Guess who.)
me: "aaah," she jumps slightly
3:25 PM drawing vaguely surprised gazes from the small crowd gathered around the lecturer
3:26 PM "Hi!" she whispers
"Alignment is a descriptor of one’s beliefs, and how one acts upon those beliefs. At their core, all creatures predominately behave in one of three ways: with good in their heart, with evil in their heart, or indifference — or neutrality — in their heart. "
the elderly archon lecturer's voice is raspy, yet soothing
"you ready to go?"
Sean: "You bored yet?"
me: "wait... where are we going?"
3:28 PM "I was thinking we start at the Temple, but intuition dictates that they have wards against clandestine operations"
The lecturer continues: "They predominately express each of these core behaviors in one of three different ways: in an ordered manner, in a chaotic manner, or in an indifferent, neutral manner. Thus, there are nine core alignments that one is capable of. The nine alignments, then, are lawful good, neutral good, and chaotic Good… lawful neutral, true neutral, and chaotic neutral… and lawful Evil, neutral evil, and chaotic evil."
3:29 PM Sean: "Good question. I still want to get those people out of the Gatehouse, but I need to leave town before the end of the day or I'm gonna be... in big trouble, probably."
(OOC: Er, change question to point.)
me: "wait.. why?"
"Are you in trouble?"
3:30 PM Sean: "Not as long as I meet this guy by the end of the day."
me: Which guy?
3:31 PM Sean: "Long story you wouldn't want to hear and I don't think he wants me to tell anyway."
me: "Hmm... alright, then why don't you go meet your guy, and I'll meet up with you after that?"
Sean: "I just need to deliver something to him. I should be back soon enough."
3:32 PM "Well, alright. You take care of those kids ok."
me: "I think whatever we do with these people will have to take longer than a day"
Sean: Samael leaves before she can ask any more questions.
me: OOC: ROFL
3:33 PM You are back outside the Gymnasium
Sean: OOC: I didn't want her to ask why he was saying something like that.
(OOC She does still owe him her life. That should be good for a while.)
3:34 PM me: Yep
Sean: Samael heads for the... Gray District right?
me: yes
Sean: Right, keeping low and looking out for trouble.
3:35 PM me: (keeping low- as in walking?)
Sean: He still never did find anyone to try his whole hero trick on.
(Or flying low.)
me: (ok)
Sean: (Either way.)
3:36 PM me: Besides a few monodrones in formation who pass you on the way there, you do not encounter any trouble as you make your way to the gray district
Sean: (OOC: Shame, that.)
me: The main streets over which you fly tend to stay out of explicit trouble
though nothing here is quite what it seems
3:37 PM Sean: Samael as usual will land in an alley in reassume his human guise.
3:38 PM me: As you exit the alley towards the Mortuary, an odd, unexplained sense of foreboding engulfs your senses.
Sean: "Not this again."
3:39 PM me: OOC: explain your location with respect to the Mortuary
in terms of a circle - with zero degrees marking the entrance
3:40 PM Sean: OOC: Well let's see, I was supposed to go around the right side of it was it?
me: yes, 60 degrees to the right
or clockwise
Sean: Wait, isn't clockwise left?
3:41 PM me: so is that where you go to
Sean: Yes, but remembering the strange farewell I'll go... carefully.
me: oh.. right.. your left, but I suppose right with respect to the Mortuary itself
3:42 PM Avoiding the congregation of Dusties at the front, you are now where you believe Zakarius mentioned the portal entrance
Nothing happens
3:43 PM Sean: Samael taps his thigh for a moment, then suddenly remembers...
"Augh, damn it."
(Now how am I gonna get something dead right next to the mortuary.
3:44 PM me: You are quite sure that the Dusties are not generous when it comes to allocating cadavers to locals
3:45 PM Sean: (OOC: Exactly, and they'd keep this area quite clean of the dead as well.)
3:46 PM (Maybe I can find a zombie to steal a toe from or something...)
Samael looks around.
(OOC: Anyone around here?)
3:47 PM me: As coincidence would have it, you notice a figure in the distance with a shuffling, metronomic gait
Sean: (Inconvenietly for Sam he's not the type that would kill someone just to get their corpse as a portal key.)
Samael starts appoaching the figure, slowly and carefully.
3:48 PM me: The corpse stops and stares blankly at you. The number “782” is carved into its green forehead, and its lips are stitched closed. The faint smell of formaldehyde emanates from the body
It begins to move around you, as if to resume its duties
as if you're no more than an inanimate object
3:49 PM The zombie continues moving past you, towards the entrance
Sean: Samael cocks his head at the corpse, looking for any appendages that appear to have a weak linkage. One he might dislodge without serious damage to the zombie.
me: None
Sean: (Damn.)
3:50 PM (Don't want to get the deadmen upset with me now... though...)
me: The zombie, though slow, is now getting quite close to the entrance
Sean: He looks around to see if there are any Dusties around.
3:52 PM me: Unfortunately, a Dustman had approached near you on silent feet, and is now too close for you to pretend you don't see him. He is a tired-looking man in a black robe. His narrow face is extremely pale, and he doesn't look as if he's been sleeping: his shoulders are slumped, and the flesh sags loosely beneath his bloodshot eyes.
He looks so lost in thought he might not even notice you, but you can't count on that
3:53 PM without warning: "Greetings"
Sean: "Greetings cutter."
Samael smiles slightly.
Then drops the effort.
me: The man turns to face you and makes a slight bow. You suddenly notice that his eyes aren't bloodshot so much as they have a red tinge to them.
3:54 PM “I'm sorry, sirrah, are you lost?”
3:55 PM He looks at you suspiciously, and his eyes gleam red in the light of the torches that surround the structure. “May I ask what you are doing here?”
3:56 PM Sean: "Well, sort of... Actually, I think it's good you found me. I um... need a bit of something dead for a portal key... you wouldn't happen to have anything like that you could spare do you? Don't need a whole corpse or anything. just the tip of a finger would do I think."
"Any of your zombies lose any bits lately?"
3:57 PM me: "No one's parts, living or dead, are commodities, you will do well to remember that ” His mouth twitches, and to your surprise, he sniffs the air for a moment.
3:59 PM The zombie is now out of sight
Sean: "Um... Ok... I didn't want to buy anything, but I figure. I don't make much use of my own pinky finger, so a deader wouldn't have any use for the tip of their's... Ah, whatever, I'll go find a rat or something."
4:00 PM Samael shakes his head, not really wanting to figure out what the deal is with this blood, he quickly heads off in another direction.
4:01 PM me: "Very well, and you shouldn't be roaming the exterior of the Mortuary unauthorized." His mouth twitches briefly
You head back towards the entrance
(or do you?)
Sean: Yeah sure why not?
4:02 PM "Hmph." (Great, now what.)
(Guess I'll just find a rat.)
me: (You know exactly what Bereszar would say)
Sean: "Here ratty ratty." Samael mumbles.