Anthony Orchidacaea:[sblock]ooc: Anthony's Knowledge: Sigil check: 1d20+10; [13,10] = (23) Actually, you're pretty spot-on with what you've already said about Law and Order in The Cage; the Harmonium makes the arrests, the Guvners try the cases, and the Mercykillers carry out the punishments.
The system also has a built-in series of checks and balances. The Guvners don't have the power to make the laws, only to "discover" them. The Harmonium can't make arrests on frivolous charges, since the Guvners simply dismiss those cases. And the Mercykiller's can't lay a hand on anyone unless they're officially convicted of a crime.[/sblock]
The aasimar tout helpfully identifies several places of note as the oddly-matched group continues through the ward -- the sprawling Palace of the Jester that Istavan spied earlier from a distance, a below-street-level tavern known as The Twelve Factols, another popular tavern and gambling house named Fortune's Wheel (along with its attached second-story inn, the Azure Iris). Then there were the temples; massive edifices far more ostentatious than anything back home. Temples devoted to Zeus and Hermes of the Olympians, Io the Dragon-god, and Gruumsh of the Orcs all shared the same neighborhood, along with many more besides. It seemed that, if anywhere on any plane could be found a major religion, its corresponding shrine was located here.
Of course, that meant that the Temple of the Lords of the Nine resided here as well, and it this looming structure that the three primes and their planar escorts had sought. The architecture of the massive temple was at once both majestic and intimidating. Climbing the multitude of black basalt steps leading to the temple's entrance was an ordeal in itself, but one couldn't help but appreciate the cold beauty of the main worship hall once they reached the top.
At the far end of the great hall stood a mammoth, masterfully-carved form of a handsome, regal man, his form illuminated by two roaring braziers and a cold sneer of rulership on his lips. The walls to either side of the dominating figure were each lined with four smaller statues, each one an idealized depiction of one of Baator's rulers. A small brass plaque identified the personalities to the faithful: "Bel, Warlord of Avernus; "Dispater, Archduke of Dis"; "Mammon, Viscount of Minauros" and so on.
Despite the temple's wide environs, the worship hall was virtually empty, the only individual in sight a middle-aged, severe-looking woman in rich velvet robes who swept forward as the group made its way into the inner fane.
"Welcome, seekers of strength, to the Temple of the Lords of the Nine." The woman spoke in a rich, unhurried voice. "I am Matron Maegara, and I am at your disposal."