Togo's Planar Adventure set partly in Sigil (IC)

[Obrysii]

"The silver dragons were allies of my family on my home plane," Androse stated - a little quiet considering his usual attitudes. He closed his eyes and listened to the talks - and he tried to think of any trace of knowledge in all of his draconic memory that might explain the mirror or the various events that were mentioned.

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Knowledge (Arcana): (1d20+15)[17]
Knowledge (Religion): (1d20+15)[23]
Knowledge (The Planes): (1d20+15)[30]

[Autopsibiofeeder]

"Ah, dragon-blooded, very good. As for the ice wall, silver dragons are creatures of air and cold, it does not surprise me you would have skill with such magic. What knowledge-seeking spells do you possess?"

Yes, of course, I know that. But I am not yet sure of the purpose of the spell, in the context of my quests. Derk, being a military man, has a desire for clarity and purpose and has a hard time appreciating things without a clear purpose. As for the knowledge seeking: most of these spells are there to aid me in uncovering knowledge. I can detect evil nature in beings, secret doors and understand languages I am unfamiliar with, for example.

"The silver dragons were allies of my family on my home plane."

Derk gives Androse a respectful nod and a small smile and turns to Umbriel again. And I guess one might say I have been blessed with the gift of true sight.

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I cast True seeing before as a security measure before stepping through the portal after volunteering to step through first. However, Derk does not want to reveal any info he gathered, nor does he want to imply towards Androse what he knows too much. If only out of respect.

After this, Derk decides to adress a broader audience. So, what about this temple? To which god or gods was it dedicated? That is something I would like to know before laying my head to rest here. He starts to peer at the temple, trying to see if some of the symbols (if any) are familiar.

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Knowledge religion: (1d20+10)[28]

As for the mirror and Kalinor's proposal, I insist we need some time to wind down, determine our position and assess possible tactical strategies later on, after learning more about the situation. I would not prefer to plunge head first into issues that are actually someone else's. Facts, position, options, strategy. And perhaps a glass of wine. Derk smiles.

[SPoD]

Saffron finally shuffles into the shop late, having needed to check on her bat. Luckily, tracking the large group through the streets had not proved difficult (something she might have to do something about in the future).

"There. That should be good. Do you still feel much pain?"

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Alright then, a blast of Restoration as well.
In OOC terms, have you come to within 10 points of your full Hit Points, SPoD?

Saffron grimaces. "I am in...no more pain than I deserve," Saffron mumbles. It is clear from he face and the open wounds on her body that she is still in poor shape, however. She pulls her own wand out of her pack and touches it to the worst of her remaining wounds. The act seems to do little to soothe her, however, as she winces at the pain of the wound closing.

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I'm at 58 out of 108 hp before the following Cure Light Wounds:

(1d8+1)[5]
EDIT: OK, 63 out of 108. No one burn wand charges for me, I can do that myself, but if anyone has renewable resource healing (spells, etc.) left, I'll take that.

[Cespenar]

Rhion hangs behind and doesn't really do anything other than to listen, but he does that with great attention.

[Togo]

Results of knowledge checks.
Check result of 20+ gets you the information

Knowledge Arcane

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Night of the Lost Children

A story from a world where most (respected) mages are elemental specialists, this is a story of a mage who tried to use forbidden (i.e. non-elemental) magics to resurrect his daughter, who had drowned aged 6. The complicated ritual involved the dead girl, a quantity of blood, and a large magical mirror. The result was a flood of homonculi, each looking identical as a 6-year old girl, who stormed the streets, murdering citizens in their beds, and setting several fires. After a long night of rampaging looting, arson and murder, a frenzied mob stormed the tower, and killed the mage.

Several mages have rather sniffily noted that a mob could hardly kill a competant mage, so they most likely had some kind of powerful help. The mirror was never found.


Flight of the Elves of the Great Northern Forest

A legend from an area known locally as the Great Northern Forest, whereby the local population of elves, panicked by some vague prohpecy of doom, moved their entire population through a gate to a safe haven, rumoured to be somewhere in the Elemental plane of Earth.

The gate was opened and maintained by the elves and a few trusted human allies, using a large magical mirror, referred to as the Well of Regrets or Well of Souls.

(It should be noted that an item used to create a gate can't typically pass through the gate, so it seems likely the mirror was left behind.)

Knowledge the Planes

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Korolis is some kind of evil god, who teamed up with a powerful demon to take and hold an area of ancient ruins called the Monkey's Spiral. These ruins are unusual in that they have also been found in the ethereal and by some reports into the astral planes, suggesting the civilisation that built them were planar travellers or multi-planar beings of some kind. It's unknown why Korolis wanted to take the ruins.

Korolis is generally depicted as holding a large mirror of unknown design. He was killed hundreds of years ago by a gang of good gods, heroes, and similar beings.


The Zhenterim are becoming quite an important organisation in the Forgotten Realms, now that the evil God Cyric has killed several good deities, absorbed their power, and looks set to conquer the whole world. There is some talk that they may start operating across different planes,

Knowledge Religion

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The Caravan of Khandar

This is an apocryphal story usually told as part of moral instruction lessons for young acolytes.

A group of Zhenterim (evil organisation based in the Forgotten Realms) are transporting a magical artefact (a mirror) across the desert, to present it to an evil God. Each has been warned that looking into the mirror is very dangerous, because of the terrible secrets it contains. As the journey progresses, each becomes convinced that one of the others has secretly looked into the mirror and gained it's secret knowledge and power. The story describes a night where one of them sneaks off and does just that, he looks into the mirror, and learns the terrible truth - the others will try and kill him! Unbeknownst to him, looking into the mirror has given him silver eyes. Because his eyes have turned silver the others know he has used the mirror, and resolve to use it themselves. By dawn, they are all dead, having all killed eachother, and all of them have silver eyes.

It's widely assumed this is a made-up story, created for the purposes of discussing philosohpy and morality, if only because noone is left alive at the end.

The Zheterim are an evil organisation from the Forgotten Realms, a world which is presently being conquered by the evil deity Cyric, who has killed a few good gods and absorbed their power.


Fall of Korolis

Korolis was a deity of corruption, evil and slime. About 300 years ago he was defeated and killed by a league of good gods and heroes (accounts vary as to who was involved). His remains were considered too dangerous to remain in the world, and were instead interred in the Tomb of Korolis, on a wandering star.

He is often depicted holding a large mirror, which it is said he used to examine the souls of his victims, to ensure no corner was left uncorrupted.

One of the legends around his fall is that he attempted to trap the hero-deity Khodan-Ra (LG, heroic battle and lightning) in his mirror. Unfortunately, so the story goes, the great hero-deity blasted everything he saw with lightning without really looking first, and thus blasted the mirror away before he could see his reflection in it. This story shows the virtue of acting rather than stopping to think, and tells you pretty much all you need to know about the priorities of the rather militant worshippers of Khodan-Ra.

There have been some rumours of a cult of Korolis, but since the deity is pretty solidly dead, noone worries much about them.

Knowledge Dungeoneering

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The Monkey's Spiral is a series of ruins left by a long-lost civilisation, pre-dating the elves. It is rumoured to contain strange items of eldrich power.

Korolis was a deity of corruption, and also of slimes.

Knowledge Nobility

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An adventuring party attacked the court of the Sahauguin, in the Sea of Stars. They sold most of the treasures looted in the nearby country of Chaldecott, including a large magic mirror.

Chaldecott is a monarchy dominated by a powerful merchant's guild. Chaldecott recently suffered some kind of invasion/civil war, which is rather unexpectedly won.

Knowledge History

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How Ahsile tricked Cyric

There was a story recently (last 20 years or so) of a struggle between Cyric and the goddess Ahsile, goddess of beauty and illusion. Cyric tried a variety of ways of defeating her, including poisoning her with a hairbrush, enchanting her with a cursed flower, and trapping her reflection in an alien glass, girded about with twisted men. All these attempts failed except the mirror, which did catch her reflection, but it turned out, as do most stories about Ahsile, that she was an illusion all along, and had simply been keeping Cyric busy while mischief was being worked elsewhere.


Night of the Lost Children

This is a very old story about a very old mage who lived on an island in the middle of the sea. His friends in the Northern Forest had moved away, and though there was a town there, and they respected him, he stayed shut up in the tower, alone. His only joy was his little granddaughter, who came with her family to visit. But one day the storms were very bad, and sank the ship, and all on board drowned. The body of the granddaughter washed up on shore. And the old mage was very sad.

He shut himself in his tower, and used all his powers to try and undo what had been done. He summoned creatures from far away, and they were savage and terrible , but couldn't help him. And he looked in old books and dusty tomes, but could find nothing. And he looked in his magic mirror, that he was guarding for his friends in the forest, and it promised him his granddaughter, if only he would pay the price.

And day after day, he refused, and sat in the dark, alone, while the glass whispered to him. Eventually, he weakened, he used the mirror, and found aspects of himself that had never been. And his granddaughter stepped from the mirror, alive and perfect. Then another, and another, and another.

The town was soon swarming with identical little girls, cunning and agile, and with murder in their hearts. They crept into houses and slit throats, they into dark places and set fires, and only a raging storm stopped the town from burning down.

But one fair lady did not panic. She claimed the horror of the night was the work of an ancient evil. She rallied the town, and with the help of her mishapen ogre servants, the townsfolk stormed the tower, slew the mage, and brought the horror to an end.

Noone knows what happened to the lady. She boarded a ship for the east, with a few treasures from the tower, but the ship was sunk by sea-creatures, and never seen again.

Geography

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There are two principle locations in these accounts. The first is the lands around the Sea of Stars. The Sea of Stars is surrounded by land on three sides. To the North is the Great Northern Forest, to the East is Chaldecott, to the southeast is the city state of Perellion, to the west are a few scattered settlements on the coast and then further west is the Monkey's Spiral, an area occupied by demons. The Sea of Stars has an island on it containing an elementalist's academy, based around an old wizard's tower, and the centre of magical knowledge in the region. The stories of Korolis come from this region.

The Second is the Forgotten Realms, which is the setting for the caravan of Khandahar, and where you can find the deities Cyric and Ahsile.

[GuesssWho]

"By the sound of it, then, this is a mirror that can bring into being, or take from their universes, endless alternate versions of anyone who looks into it. Possibly it can do other things, as well.

"How interesting."

[THEChanger]

Simon glanced about his companions, and shook his head as Sther speaks. Looking about the room, Simon lets loose a small pulse of magic, waiting patiently for the pings of magic auras that would return.

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Detect Magic, specifically searching for any Divination auras in the room. Small, big, strong, weak, it matters not. They must not be watched.

IF the room was cleared enough for Simon to speak, he motioned for his companions to come closer.
"If the mirror that was stolen is truly connected to all of the stories that Kalinor and Nephria found, then we are dealing with something far more serious than simple pulling copies from alternate worlds. Umbriel, you are a priestess, yes? I suppose your temple back home no doubt told the story of the Carvan of Khandar? And of course you know of the Fall of Korolis." Simon looked to his fellow figure of religion for confirmation of his fears. If the mirror truly was the one refered to in even one of the stories mentioned, then the very fate of the worlds was in balance.

[Togo]

Umbriel raises her eyebrows as Kalinor leads them into the compound. "Temples are not allowed in Sigil? I suppose I should not be surprised. Is street preaching and so on forbidden, or merely buildings dedicated to a deity or faith? What of private worship gatherings?"

Kalinor glances at Nephira, who answers

Temples are not illegal. There are several, to good, to evil, and so on. Temples to particular Gods, deities, or any other individuals are illegal. Worship of the same is not strictly illegal but... they really can't hear you. Not here. Of course their servants, servitors, messangers and so on can hear you, and pass a message on, so maybe people think it's the same thing?

This place has been empty for some time. We got it cheaply because Kalinor is not superstituous, and thinks nothing of living in a place where misfortune has befallen others. No doubt any attempt to conduct organised worship here would be disastrous. You do understand that, Kalinor?

Kalinor waves his hand. Sure. Not something we were planning to do though. Prayer doesn't sell mirrors.

Derk asks So, what about this temple? To which god or gods was it dedicated? That is something I would like to know before laying my head to rest here.

Nephira blinks. I'm afraid noone seems to know. All the symbols and identifying markings have been removed.

Umbriel nods slightly at the description of the new mirror-making technique. "Have you tested if your mirrors can be employed in scrying?" she interjects, looking more at Nephira than at Kalinor.

Nephira nods. Of course. But then any reflective object can be used to scry


"I would be most interested to hear more of these stories, Nephira. Where did you find them? But - I am sorry, I do not believe we have introduced ourselves to you yet? I am called Umbriel."

I am Nephira, of the Dark. I work for Kalinor. She employs exactly the same tone of formality as Umbriel, letting the opportunity to show enthusiasm at the introduction pass unseized

Umbriel continues "Although... a brief question, before we discuss matters further. Nephira, do you or Uzark have wards against scrying active, or are there such protections inherent to this place? Since we already know someone has been observing us, perhaps it would be wise to take precautions." She looks around.

Kalinor looks troubled.

Nephira nods. A good idea. It would be a very great task to ward this building, but a small room might be within our capabilities. I'd need Uzark...

Kalinor shakes his head. Uzark is out checking with his contacts. I'm not expecting him back for an hour, at least.

Then I'll talk to him about it later. She says calmly. Would you like to see your rooms?


Umbriel

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GM, do I still see the strong divination aura that was previously coming from inside the wagon?

Yes.

[/QUOTE]

Simon

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The wagon you arrived with has a strong divination aura, consistent with carrying a magical scrying mirror of unusual size.

[Toliudar]

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I think that this might have been missed above. Or else it was responded to, and I missed it.

Godot brings together the fingertips of her hands and stared down at them. She is either not noticing his obvious desire to brush them off, or else is ignoring it.

"I...thank you, Kalinor. There's a couple of aspects really don't understand. Someone stole your legendary mirror, and you're afraid that they'll do it again? How many powerful artifact-y mirrors do you have?

"And when you say that someone 'apparently' stole it from your wagon, does that mean that it vanished without any sign of outside interference? Given its obscure origins and mythic status, is it possible that it...left of its own accord?"

[THEChanger]

Then I'll talk to him about it later. She says calmly. Would you like to see your rooms?

Simon turned to the cart where from the aura of Divination came from. "Not just yet. There is something I should like to see in that cart, if you don't mind. A feeling I'm getting." He began to walk slowly over to the cart, making no sudden movements, doing his best to appear nonchalant to anyone who might be observing through the mirror giving off the aura.

[Togo]

"I...thank you, Kalinor. There's a couple of aspects really don't understand. Someone stole your legendary mirror, and you're afraid that they'll do it again? How many powerful artifact-y mirrors do you have?

Kalinor frowns. I'm not really an expert on this kind of thing. Any kind of magic mirror is very expensive, more so than most magical items. I guess that's because they're very powerful devices? We have a good scrying mirror or two, and from what I understand that's no small enchantment. We're planning to move one out tonight. Which why I was thinking, if they're going to strike again, then maybe that should be more heavily guarded than the last one....

"And when you say that someone 'apparently' stole it from your wagon, does that mean that it vanished without any sign of outside interference? Given its obscure origins and mythic status, is it possible that it...left of its own accord?"

Kalinor shrugs. If it did, it killed the guards and took the wagon it was being transported on. Doesn't sound very mythic to me. Happened not far from here, when it was being transported through the backstreets.

He shrugs again. Nephira may know more details.

Nephira frowns, but says nothing.

[GuesssWho]

"Yes, I doubt a mirror knows how to drive a wagon."

[Toliudar]

Godot nods at Sthrer's wisdom. She nods and turns to Nephira. Her face is solemn and gloomy.

"It would seem, madam, that you have two choices.

"You can continue to treat us as a nuisance which you are bracing to tolerate, resist the idea of us assisting in the recovery of the mirror, and waste a great deal of everyone's time. Or you can make a leap of faith, assume that we might actually help, and tell us what happened."

[Obrysii]

Androse had remained in the back - though he was relatively knowledgeable, this was an arcane issue, something that he was not presently capable of doing much with. Sure, he had an innate sense on how to work devices, but the issues of scrying, of extra-dimensional whodunits was beyond even his considerable intellect.

Thus, for the time being, he resolved to remain in the back, observing - he felt, perhaps, he had over-extended himself in their initial meeting.

[Ifni]

"If the mirror that was stolen is truly connected to all of the stories that Kalinor and Nephria found, then we are dealing with something far more serious than simple pulling copies from alternate worlds. Umbriel, you are a priestess, yes? I suppose your temple back home no doubt told the story of the Carvan of Khandar? And of course you know of the Fall of Korolis." Simon looked to his fellow figure of religion for confirmation of his fears.

Umbriel shakes her head, but smiles slightly. "I am a lay devotee of my Lady, Simon, not a priestess. There are certain qualities required for the priesthood that I do not possess, so I serve in other ways, as my talents allow. That said, yes, I know the tales you speak of, and more as well. But if we fear observation, perhaps we should wait to discuss this. I can perform one simple test, at least." The mage reaches into her spell component pouch and brings out a pinch of talc and powdered silver, which she swipes across her eyelids, speaking a few arcane words as she does so. The spell completed, she opens her eyes and looks around, searching for any watchers waiting on the circumscribed Ethereal counterpart of the great City.

So... if these tales were merely parts of a jigsaw... the mage guarded the mirror for the elves. The woman who defeated the mage took the mirror and lost it at sea, where it was found by the sahuagin. The adventurers looted it from the sahuagin and sold it in Chaldecott. But how do Cyric and the Zhents come into the picture?

Nephira nods. Of course. But then any reflective object can be used to scry

Umbriel's eyes narrow slightly at this. While divine magic permits scrying in water, her own tradition requires a mirror, and a reasonably well-made one, at least for the simplest scrying spells. A difference worthy of note, or merely a bluff from one who cannot herself scry?

Simon turned to the cart where from the aura of Divination came from. "Not just yet. There is something I should like to see in that cart, if you don't mind. A feeling I'm getting." He began to walk slowly over to the cart, making no sudden movements, doing his best to appear nonchalant to anyone who might be observing through the mirror giving off the aura.

Umbriel coughs, covering her mouth with her hand, and mutters through the Message to Simon, "The Divination aura? It's been there since we first saw the wagon, in the Outlands. I attributed it to a scrying device, akin to a crystal ball - probably the powerful mirror or mirrors they still retain, that Kalinor has mentioned. You suspect it might be a sensor?"

She does not react visibly to Godot's words, except perhaps that her eyes become a little more intent as she watches Nephira.

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Casting See Invisibility to see if anyone is watching from the Ethereal. Umbriel is also trying to remember the approximate year-of-origin of the stories, insofar as she knows.
Also, would any of my Knowledge skills tell me anything about "The Dark" in conjunction with Chaldecott or neighboring areas?

[Togo]

Godot nods at Sthrer's wisdom. She nods and turns to Nephira. Her face is solemn and gloomy.

"It would seem, madam, that you have two choices.

"You can continue to treat us as a nuisance which you are bracing to tolerate, resist the idea of us assisting in the recovery of the mirror, and waste a great deal of everyone's time. Or you can make a leap of faith, assume that we might actually help, and tell us what happened."

Kalinor's eyebrows go up. Nephira looks confused, and glances around as if looking for clues in people's faces.

I'm not sure what else to tell you. The mirror was attacked in transit. The guards were found dead, the mirror was taken. I wasn't actually there...

Her face clouds.
Look, why don't I just show you some rooms.

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No ethereal that you can see. (Note that you'd need a spot check to see anyone who was both ethereal and trying to hide behind something.)

The age of the stories... Ahsile herself was killed some time in the last 10 years. Most recent story is Ahsile and Cyric, at around 20 years or so. The Raid on the sahaughin is about 100 years ago, as is the Caravan of Zhandahar. Night of the lost children is about 150 years ago, flight of the elves about the same. Fall of Korolis is more like 3-400 years ago. The Monkey's Spiral has been ruins as far back as you know, but certainly predates humans, dwarves and elves. Of course the events described in the stories may be older than the stories themselves.

[Cespenar]

"Please, do."

Rhion takes a step ahead to Nephira to urge her to lead the way, and pats Godot's shoulder on the way in a part-calming, part-apologetic manner.

[Togo]

Nephira flashes a weak smile, and then pauses for a moment, as if expecting something to happen. When nothing does, she carefully beckons the party to follow her, and sets off through the double doors, into the main hall.

The hall is very large, taking up 2/3 of the width of the building, and the height from ground to roof. The inside is decorated in brick, slate and marble. High up, internal flying bustresses hold up the vaulted cealing, alternating along each wall with long windows of coloured glass, arranged in an abstract fashion. Flat retangular objects wrapped in cloth are in piles, or being moved from place to place by teams of workmen. Where you might expect pillars to be, along either side, hang large mirrors, planes of glass without frames, each about 12-16 feet high, 6-8 feet wide, and hanging about 2 feet from the ground. At first glance they appear to be floating in midair, and it takes a moment to spot the small clamps on each side and the thin wires that extend upwards towards the cealing. Towards the far end, a folding triptych of mirrors are being set up, and where you might expect an alter, there is instead a table with a rich ivory velvet tablecloth, on which a series of two-foot sections of mirror frames are artistically arranged.

The room is getting gloomy with the dying light, and as you walk along, you pass a set of what are recognisable as [I]continual light[/] effects, contained within coloured glass, cast on the ends of freestanding poles. Lying on the ground next to them are two brass braziers, each mounted on a 15 foot pole, and featuring what would be very convincing illusory red and green flames, if only they were upright rather than burning at right angles to the floor.

Nephira leads you to a small door in a side wall, one of three along each wall, and up a narrow set of stairs. There a narrow corridor runs parallel to the main hall, connecting five doors.

Those four are all free to use. The last one on the end is mine. They're a bit bare, but we have plenty of supplies if you need to borrow anything.

[Toliudar]

Godot nods, and turns to her companions. Her sombre tone counterpoints the lightness of her words.

"Perhaps it would be best if we were to gather in one of the rooms to start with, to toast our first night together in Sigil?"

She ambles into one of the offered chambers.

[Autopsibiofeeder]

Derk follows and listens to the discussions, but decides to stay out of the mirror discussion until things crystallize. It is right now a tad complicated, some of the smart folks will work it out.

He smiles broadly at Godot and follows her into the room. Splendid! Do we have wine, or do we have to send for... um, go and buy some?

[GuesssWho]

"A toast indeed!

"I collected toasts for a hobby when I was younger, you know. Some of them are hilarious."

[Obrysii]

"After the evening, I should like some time for myself," Androse said, "to collect my thoughts."

He followed them along - none of the rooms was suitable for him to change form, and this he found tiresome. It wasn't that he needed to do so - he simply wanted to feel his natural strength return, as he felt very limited in this simple human form.

But I must keep this charade, he thought to himself. He had to - or else he might be hunted down as some kind of game.

[Toliudar]

Settling on a bed in the room, Godot turns uncomprehending eyes on Derk.

"I was...irony is hard sometimes...we killed four people today. And learned that someone with a great deal of money and influence wants us dead."

She looks down, staring at her tiny hands.

[Autopsibiofeeder]

Derk seats himself next to Godot. Brave. You were brave today. You chose a path that was not easiest, but was the noblest. For that I am proud to be traveling with you. These men were not going to reason, unfortunately.

And because of your pure heart, the gods will keep you safe. Derk grips his holy symbol. I am perhaps as confused as you are, but please. Don't be afraid. I will keep you from harm and away from violence. Derk gently puts his hand on Godot's shoulder.

We, this group, bears the intelligence to work things out, the reason to avoid unnecessary conflict and the prowess to defend our selves. Do not worry. We will work things out and we will be all right.

Derk lets out a small sigh. Say, do you fancy a drink....can I get you something?

[Cespenar]

"The big guy tells the truth, you know," Rhion mumbles casually from the wall he was leaning to. His gaze keeps on for a second longer, as if he is to continue, but then he doesn't.

[Obrysii]

"We have the blood of dragons to protect us," Androse said, trying to also make the bard feel better, "I'm certain that we are going to be fine - and that we'll forge ahead with whatever path we decide to take."

[Toliudar]

Godot looks up at them glumly. Slowly, a faint smile forms.

"Optimism in the face of overwhelming evidence. I like it. Well then, my friends. What do we do next? Seek out the Iron Tower, to convince them that fulfilling this contract is not worth their while? Or helping our hosts with their inventory shrinkage?"

[Autopsibiofeeder]

Derk nods at Rhion in an appreciating manner and gives Androse a meaningful, agreeing, nod. Optimism? I prefer to call that faith. Derk loosens his grip on his holy symbol, lets it rest on the palm of his hand and shows it to Godot. Faith.

I suggest we ask Umbriel to ward this place before we discuss further matters. Derk looks around the room to see if others agree. However, should the Iron Tower be listening, I would suggest them to send a negotiator. Surely there is a misunderstanding. As far as I can tell, we have nothing to do with this messy situation.

Derk looks determined. I could really do with a glass of wine...anyone else?

[Ifni]

Umbriel's mouth twists as if she has bitten into something sour. "If we are to seek out the Iron Tower, we should be most wary. The githyanki cannot be trusted, not ever. It might be worthwhile to gain some information on them and their employers, but..." She shakes her head. "They are always vile, and can be both dangerous and subtle; we were lucky today, as well as skilled."

"Still, I suppose we should decide what to do with the bodies of their human thralls, and their blades. And their spiders." She nods slightly to Derk and Androse. "The spiders are likely worth a significant amount of money, I estimate ten thousand golds each to the right buyer. The creatures they were made from are mindless vermin: there is no question of consent or kin-rights here. However... they are creatures of chaos, as I remembered after the battle. I last saw such as them in service to a mad lich, and if they bite another vermin they will transform it into a husk like themselves. It might be difficult to find an honorable buyer, although easier in Sigil than almost anywhere else. I no longer think a temple of my Lady would find them worthy of Her service, even if such existed in Sigil. So, if you wish to send them to the final death, I would not protest. Consider while I check this room."

The woman rises and walks around the room, tapping lightly at the walls, searching for secret passages or spyholes. With spell-enhanced sight, she checks carefully for auras of magic, and scans slowly over the room's ethereal counterpart.

Finishing her inspection, she returns and sits down next to Godot on the bed. A click of her tongue summons a disheveled-looking raven from its pouch.

"What is it, Umber? Was sleeping," Valthrax complains in creaky cawing Infernal.

"You can sleep again soon. I need to put the spell of discretion on you," Umbriel replies in the same language.

"Awwwk! Vile spell of silencing of Valthrax! Cast on yourself." The raven attempts to fix Umbriel with a beady-eyed glare.

Umbriel closes the raven's beak gently, and with her other hand weaves an intricate gesture as she chants a few words. The raven mantles her wings, but does not struggle, maintaining an air of wounded dignity. Umbriel lets her go once the spell is done, but the bird does not move, only sinking her claws deeper into the pad on Umbriel's shoulder and shaking her wings huffily.

"Now, if we gather close, we should be able to speak and none outside will hear us. I did not perceive any divination magic or spy-holes within this room, but such things can be cloaked. Unfortunately, I do not have more direct wards against divination available, but this should stop more mundane forms of eavesdropping. I can ward against teleportation, if you think that would be of use, but perhaps that is a tactical option we wish to keep open for ourselves."

The mage steeples her fingers. "How many of the mentioned stories regarding the mirror did you recognize? Some of them were... interesting. If even a fraction of them were true, the mirror would be more than worth our time, I would think."

As Umbriel begins to summarize the tales of the mirror, Valthrax flaps down to the bed, and regards the other adventurers with interest. She hops over to Sthrer, eyeing her cautiously. Softly she mutters, still in Infernal, "You speak this tongue, pretty tentacled lady? Hmm?"

Spoiler

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Umbriel will take 10 on a quick Search check of the walls, ceiling and floor, getting 38. Once done, and assuming her Arcane Sight, See Invisibility and Dragonsight don't reveal any spies or strange auras, she will cast Zone of Silence on Valthrax: Spellcraft DC 18 will recognize the spell. It allows us to speak without being heard by anyone beyond 5ft of Valthrax.

Umbriel is then going to summarize the stories of the mirror: if she gets to the end without interruption, everyone should feel free to read the spoilerblocked legends above. Second the comment in the OOC thread, Togo: those are awesome stories

Valthrax, in the meantime, is checking out the people with arcane spellcasting ability (since she shared the Arcane Sight) to figure out if there are any other familiars around for her to complain to. Unfortunately, she only speaks Infernal

Sadly Umbriel does not currently know either Detect Scrying or Mordenkainen's Private Sanctum - not enough spells They and/or Rary's Telepathic Bond would be nice here, although we're probably being over-paranoid

Also, if our room has any kind of view of the courtyard, Umbriel would suggest that Saffron watch the wagon, judging the tiger-woman's eyes to be keener than her own.

[GuesssWho]

Sthrer shakes her head slightly, replying in Elvish. "I recognize the sound, but know not the tongue. My tongues are those of men and elves and but one other--the fartongue, Nacaal, R'lyai, the tongue of the unformed.

"If you speak the tongue of human or of elf I will know it better--the other tongue is not for the ears of these planes' beings."