Wyatt went off with Sable to go 'visit' Hextros, though if Johannes collects them before that, then he goes off to help them find the portal instead.
OOC: I was waitin' for a Hextros post or something, but, uh, yeah.
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Wyatt went off with Sable to go 'visit' Hextros, though if Johannes collects them before that, then he goes off to help them find the portal instead.
OOC: I was waitin' for a Hextros post or something, but, uh, yeah.
ooc: its coming tonight :)
Sable accompanies Wyatt to check in on how the mercenaries are doing. They have mustered over on the far wall of the massive foundry. Some of the mercenaries are tending to their own wounded. It's a fairly surprising act. One might almost expect them to feed their wounded to the slaads.
One thing completely expected were the mercenaries roaming around the battlefield looting the fallen Godsmen. Several small groups of them drag commendered carts around the area, stripping fallen soldiers of all of their valuables and showing little respect for the dead in the process. They knew well enough to stay away from any fallen dwarves, whose bodies were already being gathered and taken somewhere safe. Somewhere safe from the looters.
On their walk over, they pass by where Nalrak, Magnum and Kelith are working alongside the Silver Knightingale they had yet to be introduced to. A large number of dwarves are laid out on the floor and she moves between them. She wears only silver and black robes now, and her graying hair is tied in a bun atop her head. She directs the lesser priests with her to do what they can. Nalrak, Magnum and Kelith are working independently. She sees that Nalrak has stripped down to his bloodied fatigues now and is working to remove a spear shaft from the shoulder of one of the militia. Blood forms in a pool around the dwarf. Two more lay next to him, but their cloaks are drawn over their bodies to allow them some final dignity.
Alot of dwarves had fallen in combat or in the ambush by the other Godsmen or to stoneburner. It was a lot of lives lost caused by an act that had saved themselves, even if the intent had only been not to waste the weapon itself.
When they arrived at the mercenary camp, Hextros himself walks out to greet them.
"So you return!" Hextros proclaims. His dog like features twist into a jovial smile. "We saw you have the two leaders over in your area. The old man tell you why he attacked? Or did you just come to shower me in gold?" he laughs.
"Can't say I didn't see that coming. Their Godsmen. They'll crawl over each other to grasp at power and get over another. If one of them was off seeking a power beyond them, of course the other'd want it for himself. Oh well..." he muses.
"So what brings ye here, if not the gold?" Hextros asks. "I keep ask'n bought it before I have a mutiny, but by all means.. take your time."
"Feh, if you're lookin' for gold from us, well, keep lookin' - we're still waitin' for our own, as exciting as bein' the key to success has been. As far as 'dat old geezer goes... pretty much what you just said, to be honest." Wyatt replies.
"I'm just gettin' away from 'dat scene. I'd much rather bonk 'dat stupid smug look off 'dat old man's face and be done with it so we can get the hell out of 'dis place, but everybody insists on dinkin' around and arguin' with each other and making us look like a bunch of chumps. Ah, well, whatever. I'm sure 'dey'll figure out somethin'... eventually." He rolls his eyes a little, his disdain for being stuck here becoming more evident.
He rubs his chin a little. "Did you see us drop 'dat bomb on the incantation circle? Man, 'dat explosion lit the whole place up. I wonder how differently 'dis fight would have turned out had we not done 'dat..."
Sable and Wyatt at the mercenary encampment
"You can bonk the bastard, after I eat his heart" Hextros growls. He casts his eyes towards the dwarven formation. His eyes light up with delight as he sees four dwarves hauling a trunk in their direction.
"That would be our gold, if ye excuse me" he says. With more important things to do, he wanders off and pays Sable and Wyatt no more mind. He only has eyes for shiny objects now.
Good to see you again a voice whispers to Sable and Wyatt. It takes them a moment to realize the voice is in their head, and thats its not the crazy kind of voice. It was instead the creepy kind of inky voice that seemed to make them feel dirty. Standing to the side is the looming figure of Volkross, the mercenary yugoloth. He stands in his flowing black robes, holding a wickedly sharp sword covered in blood. He slowly wipes the blade clean and simply stares at them. It's unnerving. It's unnerving and a sign it was time to leave.
Yennifer, Johannes and Grathalmor
Heretofore silent, Yennifer steps forward with a crystal in her hand and shows it to Carmard when she has her attention. As if form fitting red leather wasn't enough. That fact rather miffed Yennifer as it was.
"Just to remind you of our deal, I thought I'd ask when it was a good time to fulfill your end of the bargain?" she says, brandishing the crystal. "I trust I behaved for you?"
Carmard tilts his head slightly in her direction and nods.
"Go ahead. I hope it works, so our bargain's fulfilled" Carmard grumbles out. Obviously, he's not too happy about allowing the Sensante access to the the trunk, but he is good for his word. He motions Grathalmor and an Arcanii to watch her as well, to make sure she was good for hers.
The two, along with presumably Johannes, go towards the trunk where the minotaurs stand guard around it. They hold their axes and swords at rest, but they all look tired and most of them are wounded. A medic had came by awhile ago and stopped the leaks, but they were clearly battered. Three of them had been slain by the Stoneburner, but both Kerik and Gore remain.
"Carmard said to open it up for a minute, so I can inspect it" Yennifer says, not bothering with introductions. "Now, please" she says firmly.
Kerik and Gore look at each other, than grunts. Kerik takes a step forward and glowers down at her. She seems throughly unimpressed by the two minotaurs. Kerik looks past her and over at Carmard.
"Carmard, you allow her?" Kerik rumbles. It takes a moment before Carmard responds with a simple wave of his hand.
"Fine" Kerik growls. "It's evil. I hope you wreck it, woman"
"It is evil, yes. Precisely why I want an impression o'its mind. So others can experience what made it so" Yennifer smiles. She holds up the crystal and gestures to the trunk.
Kerik and Gore nod to her, and gesture to another minotaur standing by it. He grumbles, than starts unlatching the overly large trunk. It's top creaks open and a moment later it reveals the faintly glowing spheroid inside.
"Oh, how magnificently wicked and beautiful" she says with delight. She places her hand on it with near affection.
"Now, tell me what those dwarves did to get you in here. What did they do? Let me share your story" It takes her a moment, but she gets the crystal in place and it begins to glow a brilliant blue and white as the experiences are drawn into the crystal. It actually begins to vibrate from the power of the experiences flowing into it.
"Fantastic" she says says, as the crystal finally stops vibrating after several minutes. When it finally stops, she pulls it off and closes the trunk and puts the sphere back into the darkness.
"That's what I came for. I'm sure it will be QUITE the draw at the brothel. Such magnificent torment, its nearly passionate. May it be a lesson to all who consider such magics, and a boon for our coffers as well." she says with a broad, pretty smile. "Now what, John?"
"Heh, not much fun if he's still not alive, y'know. Later on, 'den." Wyatt just simply waves Hextros off as he goes to collect his coins.
He freezes at the voice in his head, frowning. He turns his head toward Volkros, giving him a sidelong look. "Ehh... damn. Well, mercs here look fine. C'mon, Sable." He motions for her to follow, to head back to the others, though if she stays, he does too, never trusting anybody alone with the yugoloth. Even dealing with Kaladus and his kender jokes was better than dealing with this freak.
Johannes goes along to watch and make sure the job gets done. He gives a satisfied nod as the stone is filled.
"Well, Yenn... while our time together has been just as exquisite as this misguided creature here, I'm afraid the next request I must ask of you will mean my departure from this 'ere cage. We need to find a portal back to Wayward, and preferably one not in the midst of a Taker's favourite restaurant. I was hoping you or one of your friends at the Sensorium could help us with that... and then we'll have to leave."
He smirks.
"Of course, you could always come with if you'd like. What do you say; traipsing across the planes with a band of hairy, rigid, ornery dwarves- yours truly included- you don't experience something like that every day, eh?"
Good to see you too. Sable smiles at Volkross seemingly nonplussed at the creepy voice in her head.
Just wanted to make certain you guys were taken care of. She watches Hextros' retreating back for a moment before turning to Wyatt. Following him she walks through the dead and wounded with one last backwards glance at Volkross as they go.
"Great. Now I'm getting away from 'DAT scene," Wyatt says once he believes he is out of earshot from Volkross, though not like it might have mattered much with that guy, if he was following him. Which he hoped was not the case.
"Morons in one direction, freaks in another, just can't win, can we? I can't wait to get the hell out of here."
He does not give Volkross or anybody else a second glance - the faster he puts such people out of his mind, the better. The fact that they could talk into his head bothered him, but he ignored it best he could.
After a while of considering both unappealing choices, Thordrek speaks up.
I don't like trusting him... I like the idea of your soul being destroyed in a blast of arcane fire even less. Perhaps we could find someone in sigil to put a geas spell on him?
Carmard nods in deference to Thordek's decision on things.
"Hope it tis the right decision" he says. "Thank ye" Carmard adds quietly. Buna places a hand on his shoulder and squeezes. The gesture is physically lost on Carmard through his thick cloak and armor, but he notices it all the same.
"Fine" Carmard announces. "We'll take your deal, and we'll put a geas on ye as well to ensure your cooperation with it later. We'll take ye both with us. All the way with us. If ye lied, I reckon the both of ye will be the first things he aims for" Carmard says with a smile.
"You think I'll betray ye? I'm insulted" Kaladus says with false indignation. "What about after?"
"Ye know who put that soul into your "Artifact?" Buna asks. "We'll turn ye both over to her as a slave. Maybe she'll put ye into a can too"
"Oh, that's bloody marvelous" Kaladus grumbles.
With the decision made, Carmard and Buna throw themselves into getting everyone ready to move out. It takes the better part of an hour, but the dwarves are ready to move out again. The uninjured dwarves help the injured ones up. Those unable to walk are carried on stretchers; both the dead and living. Magnum, Nalrak and Kelith follow the train of wounded soldiers, monitoring them carefully. Short of additional injuries, most would live, but the effort to do so had nearly killed every cleric in attendance.
The two Demios, Kaladus and Regina, are shackled and ambulatory, thanks to the healing spared for them. They are surrounded by the remaining Valkyries and led by Nega, who holds the chain and is prepared to lead them out. She gives it an occasional yank to remind them to behave, which produces a yelp in response.
"What about the Godsmen prisoners?" Buna asks Carmard.
"Let'em go. They can run for their lives or wait around for their mates. Not our problem. Tell them to run fast or the slaadi will eat'em" he says, not particularly caring about dealing with them at this point. Buna acknowledges it and sets about ordering the other dwarves to turn the prisoners loose. It takes several minutes for the shackles to be unlocked and sent running. None of the ravenous slaadi pursue, due to Hextros' restraint. His laughter can be heard across the foundry floor however.
As all the dwarves watch to see what happen, Johannes and Yennifer approach. Her arm is draped around Johannes, who has a supremely satisfied look on his face.
"John and I have some ideas. I know a way to get you back to Wayward" she says with a smile.
"Does it involve trampling a Taker restaurant again? I'm not against that" Buna says with a smirk.
"Not as much fun" Yennifer replies. "There is a temple of Shaundaukul that is full of portals to nearly everyone. Including Wayward. We go there, pay the toll and off we go"
"That was simple" Buna admits.
"That's Sigil. City of Doors. We go places" Yennifer replies, smiling with pride.
"Ye coming with us for the next leg?" asks Buna, not sure if she wants her to come or not.
"Johannes makes a tempting offer. Off to crawl through your Underdark with all his bearded friends to use that awful thing of yours? It's too good to pass up, but alas I think I shall" she says with a dramatic pout. The exaggeration makes Buna smile in reply.
Carmard walks over to them as well. While he had been in earshot, he inserts himself now.
"Johannes, I trust ye are coming too?" he asks. "You've done a fine job here and made fer an easier way. Can't blame ye for staying with that fine lass, but all the same..." Carmard says. The words seem fairly uncharacteristic towards Johannes, as it is the first time he recalls Carmard showing him gratitude over irritation.
He listens to Johannes response, and the dwarves prepare to move on finally...
(OOC: Assuming Johannes stays and moving things along...)
Wyatt steps in, just in time to hear about the Shaundakul portals, and notices everybody moving out. "Finally! Something I can agree with! We've been stuck in 'dis place for far too long. Back on the road again... feels good."
He seems awfully excited to be getting out of such an awful place. When the group does move out to the temple, he makes sure to say a quick prayer to himself at a shrine (or other respectable prayer spot) if one is available.
"Thanks to you, the roads are always open, and I can walk the world again. Watch over my company and I as we travel, let the wind guide us true."
He glances around for a moment, before adding quietly...
"... and bless my travel on the road with less freaks and weirdos. Thank you."
He rejoins the group shortly after, waiting eagerly to leave.
((ooc)) I refer to post written earlier when Nega has the Valkyries tie the prisoners up and place them between 6 valkyries. Sorry that post came a little early))
Nega organizes the valkyries and the prison transport. Their hands are tied and they are gagged and tied with a neck rope between them. The valkyries march in line around them. Nega takes the reins of her horse turns to Caramard and speaks:"Where do you want me Carmard sir?"
The dwarven army, trailed by the battered mercenaries, exit the deserted foundry now. Several minotaurs guard the stoneburner, while Nega's Valkyries drag along Kaladus and Regina. The two walk largely in silence as they are led down the flagstones of Sigil.
If the other Godsmen had returned, none had shown their faces, and for that everyone was thankful. Despite what happened, they remained an enormously powerful faction in Sigil with equally powerful allies, and it would be best for all concerned to leave as quickly as possible before they exerted their influence to stop the dwarves or capture the traitorous Demios.
Hextros and his fiends depart with little acknowledgement and all concerned are glad to be separated from their presence. While they had proven to be powerful allies, they were a blight wherever they went and unapologetically offensive to everything the dwarves believed in. Carmard and Hextros exchange a terse wave from a distance, as well as a nod of acknowledgement. It seemed unlikely this would be the last they saw of Hextros. Like feeding a stray animal, once they got their first meal it was unlikely they would be gone for long. How long Hextros remained in charge of the Blood Company was an open question. What Hextros was remained an open question as well. His vaguely canine features were unlike anything from any Hells or similar Planes. Despite his foul and greedy disposition, he seemed like he had been more than that. Whatever his story truly was, he rode off on his fiendish mount without caring to share it and not many caring to hear it either.
The long, slow line of the dwarves makes its way out of the Lower Wards and heads towards the considerably more upscale Clerks Ward. It takes many long hours winding through the streets. A difficult journey on foot for a local, a battered dwarven force on a relentless force march with many wounded is simply punishing. Johannes and Yennifer lead the way, turning them this way and that, before eventually getting them all to a portal that would take them to the Clerk's Ward. With portals spread around the city, it made it far easier to move about, but few were in the Lower Ward or Hives because the rest of the city wanted to limit contact.
There were, however, portals used for freight to the better areas that were guarded. It took some haggling, but Yennifer and Johannes spend copious amounts of gold and move them through several portals to get the entire army there.
Once again, they are trailed by local militia, particularly the Harmonium. When Yennifer speaks with them, their attention becomes more distant, but they remain under observation from time to time. Considering the crime wave that followed Hextros' mercenaries, it was not an unwarranted if an unwanted, gesture.
On the way into the Clerk's Ward, Yennifer points out one of the more interesting establishments that symbolize the diversity of Sigil. Playing the constant tour guide, she explains the latest sight as they pass.
"On our left is one of the finest examples of why Sigil is so diverse. Run by the Blackfoot clan, this eatery is run by a clan of cannibal halflings with a fine menu and several drow bartenders. It is particular famous for its wrestling, pitting angels and demons together in prize fights. In the Clerk's Ward no less! Next time you are here, I'd highly recommend it" she smiles broadly.
You let us treat you to a traditional dwarven feast and I might go there for a drink. I think Nega might explode tough...
Thordrek laughs and winces as his many wounds make themselves known.
"You 'ig'ly underestimate me T'ordrek. But I'd doubt you get inn wit'out a bat'. You smell like cattle droppings. As for violence I never fite unless I need too and I'd rat'er drink ale den see people wrestle. Unless ye pride yerself for a fite wit' me T'ordrek." Nega Smiles and laughs heartily. She then focuses on the riding and controlling of her troops.
"What? Clan of halflings? But... cannibals? Er... maybe I'll pass up on 'dat offer..."
Wyatt grins at Nega's remarks, gesturing at Thordrek. "Hah. Sounds like a challenge if you ask me. I'm with her on 'dat regard, 'dough. Watchin' people kick the crud outta each other ain't all 'dat great... unless it's a friend of mine, of course. 'den I got a reason to watch."
The long march continues for another hour, until the battered troop arrives at a bustling intersection. Pedestrians stroll by, along with carts drawn by anything from slaves or zombies to mechanical horses. The crowd noise is almost deafening. Across the way is a broad looking building with numerous, large doors. Dozens of tapestries adorn the walls, emblazoned with the welcome holy symbol of Shaundakul. A pair of statues flank each entry way as well, visages of Shaundakul himself apparently. The place does not look like a temple and more like a travel hub. Wagons surround the location, forming a queue outside of it and waiting to get in. A steady stream exits from the other side as well.
"I reckon that makes a kind of sense" Carmard remarks, watching the movement through the temple. "Shaundakul being a God of travel and portals, why not?"
Too weary to offer anything else, the dwarven throng follows the lead of the frustratingly energetic Yennifer and the relentless march of Johannes. While it was just across the road, getting across the street was an all together difficult operation which eventually involved the Knights of Moradin, lead by Hjalmar, and the minotaurs simply blocking off the road. Not surprisingly, most were content to wait than draw the ire of either.
Upon entering the yawning doors of this temple of Shaundakul, they are greeted by a several blue robed cleric types dressed in a similar fashion to Harold. Hopefully they would be more cooperative. Beyond them are dozens of portals, large and small, to places unknown. The room vibrates with magic, enough to excite any mages in the group and trouble many of the dwarves. The portals are mainly dormant, but some recently used ones swirl with a vortex of blue and white energy.
Yennifer and Johannes briefly consult with the priests, while another pair do a head count of all who would be travel. When they try to more closely examine the trunk that the stoneburner is in, they are met with growling minotaurs and decide to move along quickly.
After some haggling, involving as much tough bargaining as flirtation on behalf of Yennifer, the two quickly come to an agreement.
"We're in luck" she says, smiling widely. "While the price is steep, they do indeed have a portal to Wayward. They say it had not been used for awhile as it was in a ruined settlement in Wayward and unsafe because of a hydra infestation, but I assured them it would trouble us not. They agreed, so long as we didn't complain if we were killed and said it is the only way as the portal in the temple of Shaundakul there has been closed. From what Johannes said, it should not be too far a march from there to your own portal. Oh, and don't worry about the gold. What we'll make from the sensory stone, never mind the value of myself experiencing such trauma, more than cover your toll"
She smiles and gives Johannes a peck on the cheek and smiles.
"Time for you to go home again, John. Do come back and visit" she say with a wink.
Beyond them, the priests walk over to disused portal in the corner. After some chanting and manipulating some crystals, the portal roars to life with a throaty growl of magic.
"Hurry along. We charge extra the longer its open" the priest implies, not bothering to make that statement sound like a note of concern at all.
"Ah, here we are... not really a temple, but it'll do. Here's to hopin' our travels be blessed."
Wyatt gives his thanks to the clerics and other Shaundakul followers, being one himself. Whether they cared wasn't much of his concern, though it bothered him that everybody in this land these days was either conniving, disgruntled, or had some other barely tolerable attitude.
"Well, we heard the man. Let's get the hell outta 'dis damn place." He turns to Sable, with a grin. "Shall we?" He makes a gesture with his hand for her to follow along with him, so they both go through together. "Let's hope the portal on the other side 'dis time isn't facing the ground - watch your step 'dis time, everybody."
With that, he, hopefully along with Sable, made his way through the portal. He made sure to be careful, however - were there anything waiting for him on the other side, he wanted to be ready, as he was sure his dwarven friends wouldn't be able to react fast enough to whatever dangers lie on the other side, and he wanted to be able to warn them as well - though he made a note to himself to get out of the way once on the other side so he doesn't get flattened by the onslaught of troops and minotaurs behind him. He holds his buckler up in front of him in a defensive posture as he walks, muttering to himself...
God of travel, please bless the other side with something 'dat I will not hate.
As the army of battered, bruised and wounded dwarves pass the portal, Thordrek waits until the stoneburner goes through before stepping in the magical vortex. Before doing so, he looks back at Sigil, thinking of everything he missed there
Another time
Nega walkes leading her horse inn toward the portal."May I never set foot in this place again by da dorfmot'er" Sighing she steps thru.
Johannes ponders staying behind with Yennifer for a moment. "Well, I suppose I could stay behind, go back to my dilettante ways, enjoy all the luxury of the whole multiverse..." He lets it trail off, then finally opens up with a grin.
"But then I'd likely never be able to be trampled by orcs again, and I wouldn't miss that for the world."
He gives Carmard a slap on the back, and that was that.
At the temple, he gives the slightest twitch at the sight of their robes- still quite sore from his, ah, negotiations with Harold- but other than that helps the proceedings go with what efficacy he can.
With Yennifer's farewell, he replies "Gor, Takers one way and hydras the other? With welcoming parties like that, I'll be coming to visit every week." He returns the wink, and heads on through the portal.
Don't worry Joh, the mercs and us killed most of the hydras, only the huge, flying, part dragon ones are left. Speaking of the multi-verse, next time we have leave, think you could take me on a tour of Sigil? Or at least of the nicest bars
"Well, that depends on how you define 'nice'. 'Course you can get some decent dwarven ale, but if you're in for something more exotic I'd advise you head down to the Hive and over to Tiamat's Kip for the Baatorian firewhiskey. I've always likened the experience to simultaneously drinking a vial of alchemist's fire and being punched in the chest by an ogre. It's quite an interesting experience, so long as you don't need to be capable of walking or forming coherent sentences the rest of the evening, on account of both the debilitating drunkenness and the way it tends to, ah, cook yer innards a little.
On the other side of the spectrum, we could always head over to the Sensorium and try the Arborean heartwine. Again, you'd better not be intending on forming coherent sentences the rest of the evening, and you likely won't be able to walk, though one of your legs should still be working."
Sounds like I'd need a few elf lifetimes to see it all. Oh well, maybe I can get a research posting, there's bound to be information on the Netherese here, and I'm afraid I've let my historian skills go rusty in the last few months, and I could go to a different bar every night. Of course I may have to get preemptive absolutions with the Churches if half of what I hear is true.
Overhearing the conversation, Carmard approaches Thordek and Johannes. He seems to be limping; having been shot twice in the leg this week has finally caught up with him.
"I think a research posting can be arranged" Carmard remarks. "Choice of assignment, if we survive this, might not be outta the question. Cannae ask a dwarf to do more than ye have so far" he says. He gives Thordek and Johannes a slight nod and continues to walk, until he's in front of the swirling portal.
"Dwarves. Time to go" he says, waving his hand and pointing to the portal. The chorus of groans from the dwarven force rumbles. Having an instinctive dislike for magic, using such powerful magic to go between the Planes themselves is not something many of them enjoyed.
"By the way Thordrek"Nega Yells out as she enters:"You owe me a wrestle ye big mout'"Nega laughs heartily.
Carmard looks between Thordek and Nega with a look of surprise. He almost stammers out a question on Nega's statement.... but decides he doesn't want to know...
Out the Rabbit Hole...
One by one the battered force of dwarves and minotaurs, most walking and some carried, march through the waiting portal. Last in line is the enormous fire cannon and its bladders of oil, all dragged by its grumbling artillery crew. The complaints about the portal are only silenced when the reluctant dwarves grimly march through it, unsure of what is even on the other side. The two iron golems haul the bladders of oil, and both Arman and Arum are in close attendance. That Sable and Wyatt had not came back through with a warning told Carmard things must be reasonably safe.
Or they were immediately engaged. Or the portal was malfunctioning. Or it was throwing them all into an underground tomb. Numbly, he figures he should have checked that first but it was too late now to worry about that.
Last to go through are the battered Knights of Moradin on their armored war pigs. Both the knights and their mounts all look battered, including the indomitable knight, Hjalmar Crownshield. Their charge had saved the left flank, for a time, until they were hemmed in by the weight of their enemies. Encircled, they have used spears and halberds to poke at the dwarves from a safe distance, and it had taken a toll. Two of the knights are tied to their mounts, severally wounded. Hjalmar looks at Carmard as he passes, and the barrel chested, one eyed dwarf gives Carmard a hard look as he passes.
With everyone else through the portal, Carmard and his Arcanii go through last. He takes a moment to take in the sights of Sigil one last time. Only in the City of Doors could such a massive structure be filled with so many portals. The effort it was taking to link the dwarven strongholds together with portals had and still was staggering. It seemed so.. easy here. He knew that it wasn't. The portals here could be impossibly old. With a last sigh of faint admiration, Carmard walks through the portal as well...