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<blockquote data-quote="htetickrt" data-source="post: 1363460" data-attributes="member: 16534"><p style="text-align: center">The Contract</p><p></p><p> </p><p>Trella approaches her comrades and calls for a conference. "Everybody squared away with their stuff?" Not really waiting for a response, she adds, "Good." The tall half-elf pats Earl's nose, causing the unicorn to smile at the affectionate gesture, and continues, "So, we've got quite a few people and two horses in close quarters. Unless we want to choke to death on dung fumes, anybody got any brilliant ideas about how to get out of this place?" She turns to Kai, resetting her jet-black hair into its customary long pony tail. "Please tell me you've got one of those kick ass wizard spells that'll teleport us to Denny's or something," she inquires, smirking.</p><p> </p><p>Kai is about to respond, but stops suddenly and looks exceedingly confused. While she stares at her brightly glowing ring for nearly a minute, seemingly seeking answers, Danek’s gaze—resembling nothing so much as a startled deer’s—takes in the way the gesture causes Kai’s delicate nose to crinkle appealingly. Before the newly-minted barbarian can move on to a closer examination of the lantern light echoing in her subject’s emerald eyes, she notes the kobold Jaalask watching her curiously. Angry and embarrassed all at once, Danek stalks off to stare studiously at the walls.</p><p> </p><p>Lost in thought, Kai does not register the action at the periphery. When no answers are revealed by her internal inquiry, she answers haltingly, "I was going to say that I didn't have any memorized, but...that doesn't appear to be the case. I guess...I guess I could teleport us out. The thing is, I don't know where we are, so unless we're on Toril or Arborea or someplace else I know doing so won't get us very far, and could be dangerous."</p><p> </p><p>Apparently growing more comfortable by the second, Kai adds, "On the bright side, we're all great diggers*, and there is always a chance that someone will come to rescue us. Even if no one knows where we are. And it's been eleven years since we vanished." Kai sighs heavily.</p><p> </p><p>Trella nods. She then tries to see what spells she has stored in memory, hoping for some powers to move earth and stone…. Unfortunately, she finds that the long time in stasis has wiped her mind clean of prepared magic.</p><p> </p><p>Kyree stands off to the side, cataloging the powers of his bow. His single-mindedness is not unusual, and he is largely left alone, save for Cerridwin, who watches him intently as she reacts to what he discovers. "Sweet." "Sweet!" "Oh, sweet!" "Hey, what the hell?" He shrugs. "Oh, well, I guess I can deal with that. Hey, sweet!"</p><p> </p><p>Cerridwin moves off and sets up some rocks at various distances from Kyree. When he is finished reviewing his bow, she suggests he take a few practice shots. The moon elf’s blue eyes mirror his answering smile, and he thanks her for her thoughtfulness before taking her up on her suggestion. His smile widens into a full-fledged grin as he feels the bow's power and accuracy. Cerridwin’s eyes twinkle as she beams back at him. An awkward silence follows. Trella rolls her eyes.</p><p> </p><p>Andy tries to get chummy with Kyree. Admiring the archer's bow, and his skill with it, the monk asks, "Uh, hey. You, uh, like shooting stuff? You're, uh, good at shooting stuff." He looks around for some assistance, as Andy is not versed in small talk with those of the same gender.</p><p> </p><p>Trella emits a sound somewhere between a grunt and a snort. She asks Kyree, "Wanna trade weapon secrets? I'll tell you what my staff does."</p><p> </p><p>Kyree doesn’t look up. “I’m kind of busy shooting these rocks. Can we talk later?”</p><p> </p><p>Trella groans. “You are such a dork.”</p><p> </p><p>Khail’s small gray eyes squint at his companion. “What’s a dork?”</p><p> </p><p>“Kyree.”</p><p> </p><p>Rhien scratches the back of his neck. “Isn’t that a little tautological?”</p><p> </p><p>“Wha—?” Trella puts her head in her hands. “You’re a dork too.”</p><p> </p><p>Khail strokes his square chin. “In that case, we’re going to need a better definition,” he says earnestly.</p><p> </p><p>Before Trella can make a snappy comeback, the outside world intrudes. Several feet behind where Buttercup stands, searching for new species of fungus, the wall begins to shake. Muffled words are heard then by the more acutely aware members of the large party, resulting in a flash that opens a hole in the rock wall of the natural cavern. As the group looks on in confusion, two figures step out into the lantern light.</p><p> </p><p>The first is clearly not human, though what race he is from is not immediately apparent. Long, clumped masses that could be hair, tentacles, or something in between sprout from his head and shoot off every which way. His ivory eyes manage somehow to be both eerie and glazed over at the same time; his lurching manner of walk bespeaks either drunkenness or tightly coiled aggression, poised to strike. When he speaks, though, the question is put to rest.</p><p> </p><p>“Dude,” he begins, “I totally told you that there was something here that wasn’t, you know, rock and stuff. You like are so buying the munchies next time.”</p><p> </p><p>His partner in exploration, entering the cavern just steps behind him, shakes his head in disbelief as a wry smile plays across his handsome face. A roguish fellow with a rapier swinging lightly from his hip and a handlebar mustache oiled up to a fine sheen, he seems casually uninterested in his new surroundings, despite the obvious untruth of this. Chuckling slightly, he replies, “How was I supposed to know that this wasn’t just another one of your drug-induced fugues, Rodney? After all, you have smoked enough razorweed to slay a vrock.”</p><p> </p><p>Rodney is about to respond when his eyes adjust to the light and he notices the party’s presence. “Dude, there are like totally other people here. Whoa,” he says.</p><p> </p><p>The man known only as “Dude” notices this as well and is seemingly pleased. “My, my. I certainly did not expect this experience.”</p><p> </p><p>Trella, not thrilled with the path her life is taking lately, snarls at the pair. Through gritted teeth she bites off, “Who…in…the…nine…hells…are…you?”</p><p> </p><p>Rodney looks aggrieved. “Dude, she’s totally harshing on my buzz. Make her stop, man.”</p><p> </p><p>Trella twirls her staff and moves toward Rodney, determined and somewhat eager to get to the bottom of this situation by force. “Dude” notes this with apparent nonchalance as he ignores his drugged-out companion in favor of taking in the others present. He seems unimpressed until his eyes alight on Kai, whereupon his pale green orbs widen into saucers.</p><p> </p><p>“Kai? Is it you?” he inquires in shock.</p><p> </p><p>Kai, taken aback that someone would know her here, given that she doesn’t even know where here is, takes a while to recognize the speaker, but when she does understanding dawns on the sorceress. “Montar?” she asks.</p><p> </p><p>Montar breaks out a broad grin, quickly closing the gap to Kai and taking her hand extravagantly in his. This, of course, causes Danek to growl, but Montar ignores the barbarian. “My dear Kai,” he exclaims, “I haven’t seen you in ages. Since you left the Gilded Hall in the company of that old wizard, in fact, over ten years ago. But look at you! You haven’t aged at all.” His forehead wrinkles. “I thought you were human?”</p><p> </p><p>Before Kai can get out much more than an “I am,” Trella lets go of Rodney’s shirt and storms over to Kai, thundering, “Would someone mind telling me what’s going on here?!”</p><p> </p><p>Kai, embarrassed that Montar still has her hand, backs up slightly and coughs to clear her throat. “I’m sorry, Trella, it’s just…this is awfully unexpected, although I guess everything is lately. This gentleman, as you may have guessed, goes by the name Montar, though I for one doubt it is his real name.”</p><p> </p><p>Montar breaks into the conversation with, “You flatter me, my dear.” He bows from the waist with a flourish.</p><p> </p><p>Trella rolls her eyes. Kai continues, “I met him during my time in Arborea with the Sensates in their Gilded Hall. Like all Sensates, he’s after new experiences.” The sorceress pauses lengthily as a rosy blush makes its slow way up her neck to her cheeks. “Particularly, Montar likes being the first at things.” She falls silent as her face reddens further.</p><p> </p><p>Montar’s eyes shine, but not particularly pleasantly. “I don’t always achieve my ambitions,” he pauses for a moment while challenging the sorceress with his gaze, “but this time at least it appears I have, thanks to my drug-addled compatriot Rodney over there.”</p><p> </p><p>Rodney helpfully adds, “Dude, like don’t mention it. This place is awesome. The air keeps talking to me, and it has more voices than usual.”</p><p> </p><p>Montar sighs exaggeratedly. “Please forgive him. Despite appearances, he has a sixth sense for areas of mystic convergence. I had heard rumors that there were natural caverns underneath the city that no one had ever seen before, so I grabbed Rodney and decided to have a look. We’ve been wandering for several days, following hallucinations as much as intuition, but it looks he actually came through. Amazing.”</p><p> </p><p>His handsome face takes on a suspicious cast after saying this, and Montar asks, “But how did you all get here? There are no openings to the Cage’s surface, and no one had ever found this place before.”</p><p> </p><p>Khail interrupts before Kai can answer. “Did you say the Cage?”</p><p> </p><p>Montar appraises Khail, as if noticing for the first time. “Yes, my burly friend. We are indeed beneath the surface of Sigil. You did not know this, I presume?”</p><p> </p><p>Khail’s look of surprise speaks volumes, and Montar quickly puts the pieces together. “Then this is a place of power. Rodney—”</p><p> </p><p>Montar starts as he realizes that Rodney is, much to his surprise, no longer around. “How?” His suspicion turns to anger and he turns back to regard Kai. “I have the distinct feeling, my dear, that I’ve been peeled.”</p><p> </p><p>Kai plays innocent. “Maybe so, but not by us. I can assure you that we don’t know any more than you do about this. Perhaps less.”</p><p> </p><p>Montar stares at her for a long moment, and the party prepares unconsciously for a battle. The sensate calms down, however, and a tight smile creases his face. “You know, I actually believe you, though I might be a fool for doing so. So, what now?”</p><p> </p><p>Trella pushes past Khail and barks, “We go home.”</p><p> </p><p>Montar taps his finger on his cheek. “You came from that little prime world Toril, right Kai?”</p><p> </p><p>Trella narrows her eyes, but Kai answers in the affirmative. Montar inquires, “Shall I assume that the rest of you come from there as well?”</p><p> </p><p>Dobi steps forward then, deciding now is as good a time as any to enter the conversation. From his perch on a rocky outcropping, he introduces himself with his standard prose, "Sir Dobius Elderberry of Highhedge, Faithful Servant of His August Majesty of Cormyr and his Lady Protector's Foreign Service, pleased to make your acquaintance.”</p><p> </p><p>Montar looks amused, but nods in acknowledgement and responds, “And I am pleased to make yours. Shall I assume this Cormyr is on your prime world?”</p><p> </p><p>Dobi nods and answers, “Of course. Though I have reason to doubt that my companions are from there as well.”</p><p> </p><p>Andy offers, “We’re from this place called Thistlehome, you see. I was in the army there. Have you ever been in the army?”</p><p> </p><p>Cerridwin cuts him off before he can go further. “We want to go with them!” she exclaims, and then looks away in embarrassment.</p><p> </p><p>Montar shakes his head in mild surprise, saying, “So does that mean you all want to go to Toril?” When no negative response is forthcoming, the roguish man says, “Very well. I think I know of someone who knows of a portal there, and I believe he’d be willing to trade a service for that information as well, assuming you’d be okay with providing that service.”</p><p> </p><p>At the suspicious looks of several party members, Montar quickly holds up his hands in a placating gesture. “Nothing awful, I’d imagine. But then, I don’t really know that much about him. Now, if you’ll all follow me….”</p><p> </p><p>The party grudgingly accompanies the rogue as he turns his back to it and begins moving up the passage he and Rodney made with magic and toil. It is a surprisingly easy task, given the circumstances of the dig, and more than one person wonders if perhaps Montar’s assessment of Rodney had some merit.</p><p> </p><p>Regardless, after only two hours the group finds itself in the Lower Ward of Sigil, on a street easily recognizable by the majority of the party. The appearance of multiple human, demihuman, and nonhuman entities in varying stages of undress, from a deep pit in the middle of a busy street merits mild attention from the jaded dwellers of the Cage, but all turn back to whatever else they were doing when a Dabus floats over in its typically inscrutable fashion and begins inspecting the hole. Montar, not desiring a meeting with the Lady of Pain should she seek to punish him for making said hole, quickly ushers the group away.</p><p> </p><p>Five city blocks takes the group to a rundown brick building that houses a seedy-looking friend of Montar’s. Silver and copper changes hands, leaving the party with none of either coin, and serviceable clothing is procured for all who need it. Kai returns Danek’s cloak with a polite word of thanks, causing Danek to blush furiously as she realizes from where the cloak just came. Khail returns Andy’s blanket as well, eliciting a comment from Jaalask that causes both Cerridwin and Lenara, as well as Snicker, to snicker. Jaalask backs away from the monk.</p><p> </p><p>While putting away the blanket, Andy asks what Jaalask says, confusion evident in his voice. It takes a full two minutes for Cerridwin to calm down enough to whisper it in the monk’s ear.</p><p> </p><p>Andy blanches, thinks about removing the blanket, realizes that this would require touching it again, and eventually gives up, trying hard not to think about it. His obvious emotional trouble sends the two women into further paroxysms of laughter.</p><p> </p><p>Having made the group presentable, Montar leads them out of the sooty Lower Ward and into the bustling Market Ward. Traders of every possible race and alignment barter everything from minor trinkets to the very souls of their customers. Maneuvering his way through the throngs effortlessly, Montar enters what appears to be a shop dealing in inexpensive curios.</p><p> </p><p>Entering behind the rogue, the party glances with little interest over the goods arrayed on the counters, though Andy does spend entirely too much time ogling a fertility statue with an astonishingly large bosom. Scowling, Montar drags him by the arm over the rest of the group, which stands addressing a rather portly fellow attired in a robe of deep velvet.</p><p> </p><p>Montar goes to shake his hand with a warm expression on his face, but a scowl from the rotund gentleman puts him off. Montar says, “I had hoped you had put our previous differences behind you, my dear Jeremiah.”</p><p> </p><p>“You got up on a table and sang—off key I might add—a drunken rendition of ‘Jeremiah was a bullfrog’ at my engagement party.”</p><p> </p><p>Montar attempts to placate him by saying, “Now, you know I was merely trying to liven up the place. Those upper-crusty types you insist on inviting to ‘further your station’ are always such a bore.”</p><p> </p><p>Jeremiah seems unmoved. “Your pathetic attempt at carrying a tune not only offended my more auditorily sensitive guests, it also provided a perfect opportunity for a rival of mine to cast a minor magic that convinced my blushing bride-to-be that I did, in fact, resemble a bullfrog. Disgusted, she ran off, crying about the ugliness of the bullfrog. Sadly, I was not able to catch up to her before a pack of slaadi roaming outside took offense and ate her.”</p><p> </p><p>Jeremiah sits down on his plush chair, leans his elbows on the table, and steeples his hands together. “But you know all this. I told you the last time you entered my establishment before I had you removed. Why are you back, Montar? Did you miss the tender mercies of my guards?”</p><p> </p><p>Montar absentmindedly rubs his backside in remembered pain as he responds, “I come bearing a gift and a business opportunity, Jeremiah, as a way of apologizing for my unfortunate inebriation.”</p><p> </p><p>“I’m listening.”</p><p> </p><p>“The gift is one of knowledge. Beneath this city there have been rumors of places of power, long sealed and unknowable.” Montar pauses for dramatic effect.</p><p> </p><p>The plump merchant is unimpressed. “And?”</p><p> </p><p>“I have found one, and I will tell you where it is. If you hurry, you can explore it before the Lady has it shut away again.”</p><p> </p><p>“If you’re lying to me….” Jeremiah leaves the threat hanging in the air.</p><p> </p><p>Montar responds a little too quickly, “Lying? Me? The place is there, my friend. All of these fine people were recently there with me.”</p><p> </p><p>The party nods helpfully, and Jeremiah seems to relax. “Very well,” he says, “you will tell my associates where to explore as soon as we are done here. Now, you mentioned a business opportunity?”</p><p> </p><p>“These individuals seek to return to their home: the prime world of Toril. They would be willing to undertake a task for you if you were to lead them to a portal there.”</p><p> </p><p>Jeremiah addresses the group. “Is that true?”</p><p> </p><p>Kai looks to Khail for guidance, but the paladin merely shrugs, his detection ability blocked by some magic on Jeremiah’s person. She continues smoothly despite this. “It is true, but we will not perform any task that is evil or serves evil beings.”</p><p> </p><p>Jeremiah looks amused. “You think me evil then?”</p><p> </p><p>Kai responds respectfully, “Despite our appearance, we have been around the planes quite a bit, good merchant, and have seen evil masquerading as good.”</p><p> </p><p>Trella adds, “Yeah, and we kicked its ***!”</p><p> </p><p>Andy whispers to Jaalask, “She is so HOT!” Trella turns and glares at him.</p><p> </p><p>Dobi steps forward. “I must also inform you, good sir, that I will not agree to any task that contravenes the goals of the crown of Cormyr.”</p><p> </p><p>Jeremiah maintains his slight smirk. “Well then, let me assure you that the task I choose for you will be neither evil nor related to your home world. In fact, I have no task I need accomplishing right now. However, as I am a generous man, I offer you that which you desire now, for the promise of fulfilling a task for me at a later date.”</p><p> </p><p>Jeremiah reaches into a drawer and withdraws a rolled parchment, which he opens onto the desk in front of him. “This is a simple contract, stipulating that I will provide you with a service at the time of signing, in exchange for a service in return at a time of my choosing. I will be happy to add that my task will not further evil, nor involve Toril directly.” Jeremiah withdraws a quill from a vial of ink and proceeds to do exactly as he said he would.</p><p> </p><p>“Now, if you will just sign this, I will show you the portal and give you the portal key. When I have need of you I will activate the magic of the contract, which will teleport you to the nearest portal to Sigil and place a geas upon you to complete the task I assign.”</p><p> </p><p>Jeremiah turns the contract around to face the group and says, “All I need are your signatures, and you can be on your way."</p><p> </p><p><em>*This references the six months the Stepchildren spent stuck in a sealed cave. The inherent nature of the cavern kept them alive, but it also prevented the use of teleportation and detection magic, and they were forced to dig their way out of its area of effect. Khail’s old sculpture proficiency actually came in handy, one of the few times a non-weapon proficiency had a role other than as character development.</em></p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="htetickrt, post: 1363460, member: 16534"] [center]The Contract[/center] Trella approaches her comrades and calls for a conference. "Everybody squared away with their stuff?" Not really waiting for a response, she adds, "Good." The tall half-elf pats Earl's nose, causing the unicorn to smile at the affectionate gesture, and continues, "So, we've got quite a few people and two horses in close quarters. Unless we want to choke to death on dung fumes, anybody got any brilliant ideas about how to get out of this place?" She turns to Kai, resetting her jet-black hair into its customary long pony tail. "Please tell me you've got one of those kick ass wizard spells that'll teleport us to Denny's or something," she inquires, smirking. Kai is about to respond, but stops suddenly and looks exceedingly confused. While she stares at her brightly glowing ring for nearly a minute, seemingly seeking answers, Danek’s gaze—resembling nothing so much as a startled deer’s—takes in the way the gesture causes Kai’s delicate nose to crinkle appealingly. Before the newly-minted barbarian can move on to a closer examination of the lantern light echoing in her subject’s emerald eyes, she notes the kobold Jaalask watching her curiously. Angry and embarrassed all at once, Danek stalks off to stare studiously at the walls. Lost in thought, Kai does not register the action at the periphery. When no answers are revealed by her internal inquiry, she answers haltingly, "I was going to say that I didn't have any memorized, but...that doesn't appear to be the case. I guess...I guess I could teleport us out. The thing is, I don't know where we are, so unless we're on Toril or Arborea or someplace else I know doing so won't get us very far, and could be dangerous." Apparently growing more comfortable by the second, Kai adds, "On the bright side, we're all great diggers*, and there is always a chance that someone will come to rescue us. Even if no one knows where we are. And it's been eleven years since we vanished." Kai sighs heavily. Trella nods. She then tries to see what spells she has stored in memory, hoping for some powers to move earth and stone…. Unfortunately, she finds that the long time in stasis has wiped her mind clean of prepared magic. Kyree stands off to the side, cataloging the powers of his bow. His single-mindedness is not unusual, and he is largely left alone, save for Cerridwin, who watches him intently as she reacts to what he discovers. "Sweet." "Sweet!" "Oh, sweet!" "Hey, what the hell?" He shrugs. "Oh, well, I guess I can deal with that. Hey, sweet!" Cerridwin moves off and sets up some rocks at various distances from Kyree. When he is finished reviewing his bow, she suggests he take a few practice shots. The moon elf’s blue eyes mirror his answering smile, and he thanks her for her thoughtfulness before taking her up on her suggestion. His smile widens into a full-fledged grin as he feels the bow's power and accuracy. Cerridwin’s eyes twinkle as she beams back at him. An awkward silence follows. Trella rolls her eyes. Andy tries to get chummy with Kyree. Admiring the archer's bow, and his skill with it, the monk asks, "Uh, hey. You, uh, like shooting stuff? You're, uh, good at shooting stuff." He looks around for some assistance, as Andy is not versed in small talk with those of the same gender. Trella emits a sound somewhere between a grunt and a snort. She asks Kyree, "Wanna trade weapon secrets? I'll tell you what my staff does." Kyree doesn’t look up. “I’m kind of busy shooting these rocks. Can we talk later?” Trella groans. “You are such a dork.” Khail’s small gray eyes squint at his companion. “What’s a dork?” “Kyree.” Rhien scratches the back of his neck. “Isn’t that a little tautological?” “Wha—?” Trella puts her head in her hands. “You’re a dork too.” Khail strokes his square chin. “In that case, we’re going to need a better definition,” he says earnestly. Before Trella can make a snappy comeback, the outside world intrudes. Several feet behind where Buttercup stands, searching for new species of fungus, the wall begins to shake. Muffled words are heard then by the more acutely aware members of the large party, resulting in a flash that opens a hole in the rock wall of the natural cavern. As the group looks on in confusion, two figures step out into the lantern light. The first is clearly not human, though what race he is from is not immediately apparent. Long, clumped masses that could be hair, tentacles, or something in between sprout from his head and shoot off every which way. His ivory eyes manage somehow to be both eerie and glazed over at the same time; his lurching manner of walk bespeaks either drunkenness or tightly coiled aggression, poised to strike. When he speaks, though, the question is put to rest. “Dude,” he begins, “I totally told you that there was something here that wasn’t, you know, rock and stuff. You like are so buying the munchies next time.” His partner in exploration, entering the cavern just steps behind him, shakes his head in disbelief as a wry smile plays across his handsome face. A roguish fellow with a rapier swinging lightly from his hip and a handlebar mustache oiled up to a fine sheen, he seems casually uninterested in his new surroundings, despite the obvious untruth of this. Chuckling slightly, he replies, “How was I supposed to know that this wasn’t just another one of your drug-induced fugues, Rodney? After all, you have smoked enough razorweed to slay a vrock.” Rodney is about to respond when his eyes adjust to the light and he notices the party’s presence. “Dude, there are like totally other people here. Whoa,” he says. The man known only as “Dude” notices this as well and is seemingly pleased. “My, my. I certainly did not expect this experience.” Trella, not thrilled with the path her life is taking lately, snarls at the pair. Through gritted teeth she bites off, “Who…in…the…nine…hells…are…you?” Rodney looks aggrieved. “Dude, she’s totally harshing on my buzz. Make her stop, man.” Trella twirls her staff and moves toward Rodney, determined and somewhat eager to get to the bottom of this situation by force. “Dude” notes this with apparent nonchalance as he ignores his drugged-out companion in favor of taking in the others present. He seems unimpressed until his eyes alight on Kai, whereupon his pale green orbs widen into saucers. “Kai? Is it you?” he inquires in shock. Kai, taken aback that someone would know her here, given that she doesn’t even know where here is, takes a while to recognize the speaker, but when she does understanding dawns on the sorceress. “Montar?” she asks. Montar breaks out a broad grin, quickly closing the gap to Kai and taking her hand extravagantly in his. This, of course, causes Danek to growl, but Montar ignores the barbarian. “My dear Kai,” he exclaims, “I haven’t seen you in ages. Since you left the Gilded Hall in the company of that old wizard, in fact, over ten years ago. But look at you! You haven’t aged at all.” His forehead wrinkles. “I thought you were human?” Before Kai can get out much more than an “I am,” Trella lets go of Rodney’s shirt and storms over to Kai, thundering, “Would someone mind telling me what’s going on here?!” Kai, embarrassed that Montar still has her hand, backs up slightly and coughs to clear her throat. “I’m sorry, Trella, it’s just…this is awfully unexpected, although I guess everything is lately. This gentleman, as you may have guessed, goes by the name Montar, though I for one doubt it is his real name.” Montar breaks into the conversation with, “You flatter me, my dear.” He bows from the waist with a flourish. Trella rolls her eyes. Kai continues, “I met him during my time in Arborea with the Sensates in their Gilded Hall. Like all Sensates, he’s after new experiences.” The sorceress pauses lengthily as a rosy blush makes its slow way up her neck to her cheeks. “Particularly, Montar likes being the first at things.” She falls silent as her face reddens further. Montar’s eyes shine, but not particularly pleasantly. “I don’t always achieve my ambitions,” he pauses for a moment while challenging the sorceress with his gaze, “but this time at least it appears I have, thanks to my drug-addled compatriot Rodney over there.” Rodney helpfully adds, “Dude, like don’t mention it. This place is awesome. The air keeps talking to me, and it has more voices than usual.” Montar sighs exaggeratedly. “Please forgive him. Despite appearances, he has a sixth sense for areas of mystic convergence. I had heard rumors that there were natural caverns underneath the city that no one had ever seen before, so I grabbed Rodney and decided to have a look. We’ve been wandering for several days, following hallucinations as much as intuition, but it looks he actually came through. Amazing.” His handsome face takes on a suspicious cast after saying this, and Montar asks, “But how did you all get here? There are no openings to the Cage’s surface, and no one had ever found this place before.” Khail interrupts before Kai can answer. “Did you say the Cage?” Montar appraises Khail, as if noticing for the first time. “Yes, my burly friend. We are indeed beneath the surface of Sigil. You did not know this, I presume?” Khail’s look of surprise speaks volumes, and Montar quickly puts the pieces together. “Then this is a place of power. Rodney—” Montar starts as he realizes that Rodney is, much to his surprise, no longer around. “How?” His suspicion turns to anger and he turns back to regard Kai. “I have the distinct feeling, my dear, that I’ve been peeled.” Kai plays innocent. “Maybe so, but not by us. I can assure you that we don’t know any more than you do about this. Perhaps less.” Montar stares at her for a long moment, and the party prepares unconsciously for a battle. The sensate calms down, however, and a tight smile creases his face. “You know, I actually believe you, though I might be a fool for doing so. So, what now?” Trella pushes past Khail and barks, “We go home.” Montar taps his finger on his cheek. “You came from that little prime world Toril, right Kai?” Trella narrows her eyes, but Kai answers in the affirmative. Montar inquires, “Shall I assume that the rest of you come from there as well?” Dobi steps forward then, deciding now is as good a time as any to enter the conversation. From his perch on a rocky outcropping, he introduces himself with his standard prose, "Sir Dobius Elderberry of Highhedge, Faithful Servant of His August Majesty of Cormyr and his Lady Protector's Foreign Service, pleased to make your acquaintance.” Montar looks amused, but nods in acknowledgement and responds, “And I am pleased to make yours. Shall I assume this Cormyr is on your prime world?” Dobi nods and answers, “Of course. Though I have reason to doubt that my companions are from there as well.” Andy offers, “We’re from this place called Thistlehome, you see. I was in the army there. Have you ever been in the army?” Cerridwin cuts him off before he can go further. “We want to go with them!” she exclaims, and then looks away in embarrassment. Montar shakes his head in mild surprise, saying, “So does that mean you all want to go to Toril?” When no negative response is forthcoming, the roguish man says, “Very well. I think I know of someone who knows of a portal there, and I believe he’d be willing to trade a service for that information as well, assuming you’d be okay with providing that service.” At the suspicious looks of several party members, Montar quickly holds up his hands in a placating gesture. “Nothing awful, I’d imagine. But then, I don’t really know that much about him. Now, if you’ll all follow me….” The party grudgingly accompanies the rogue as he turns his back to it and begins moving up the passage he and Rodney made with magic and toil. It is a surprisingly easy task, given the circumstances of the dig, and more than one person wonders if perhaps Montar’s assessment of Rodney had some merit. Regardless, after only two hours the group finds itself in the Lower Ward of Sigil, on a street easily recognizable by the majority of the party. The appearance of multiple human, demihuman, and nonhuman entities in varying stages of undress, from a deep pit in the middle of a busy street merits mild attention from the jaded dwellers of the Cage, but all turn back to whatever else they were doing when a Dabus floats over in its typically inscrutable fashion and begins inspecting the hole. Montar, not desiring a meeting with the Lady of Pain should she seek to punish him for making said hole, quickly ushers the group away. Five city blocks takes the group to a rundown brick building that houses a seedy-looking friend of Montar’s. Silver and copper changes hands, leaving the party with none of either coin, and serviceable clothing is procured for all who need it. Kai returns Danek’s cloak with a polite word of thanks, causing Danek to blush furiously as she realizes from where the cloak just came. Khail returns Andy’s blanket as well, eliciting a comment from Jaalask that causes both Cerridwin and Lenara, as well as Snicker, to snicker. Jaalask backs away from the monk. While putting away the blanket, Andy asks what Jaalask says, confusion evident in his voice. It takes a full two minutes for Cerridwin to calm down enough to whisper it in the monk’s ear. Andy blanches, thinks about removing the blanket, realizes that this would require touching it again, and eventually gives up, trying hard not to think about it. His obvious emotional trouble sends the two women into further paroxysms of laughter. Having made the group presentable, Montar leads them out of the sooty Lower Ward and into the bustling Market Ward. Traders of every possible race and alignment barter everything from minor trinkets to the very souls of their customers. Maneuvering his way through the throngs effortlessly, Montar enters what appears to be a shop dealing in inexpensive curios. Entering behind the rogue, the party glances with little interest over the goods arrayed on the counters, though Andy does spend entirely too much time ogling a fertility statue with an astonishingly large bosom. Scowling, Montar drags him by the arm over the rest of the group, which stands addressing a rather portly fellow attired in a robe of deep velvet. Montar goes to shake his hand with a warm expression on his face, but a scowl from the rotund gentleman puts him off. Montar says, “I had hoped you had put our previous differences behind you, my dear Jeremiah.” “You got up on a table and sang—off key I might add—a drunken rendition of ‘Jeremiah was a bullfrog’ at my engagement party.” Montar attempts to placate him by saying, “Now, you know I was merely trying to liven up the place. Those upper-crusty types you insist on inviting to ‘further your station’ are always such a bore.” Jeremiah seems unmoved. “Your pathetic attempt at carrying a tune not only offended my more auditorily sensitive guests, it also provided a perfect opportunity for a rival of mine to cast a minor magic that convinced my blushing bride-to-be that I did, in fact, resemble a bullfrog. Disgusted, she ran off, crying about the ugliness of the bullfrog. Sadly, I was not able to catch up to her before a pack of slaadi roaming outside took offense and ate her.” Jeremiah sits down on his plush chair, leans his elbows on the table, and steeples his hands together. “But you know all this. I told you the last time you entered my establishment before I had you removed. Why are you back, Montar? Did you miss the tender mercies of my guards?” Montar absentmindedly rubs his backside in remembered pain as he responds, “I come bearing a gift and a business opportunity, Jeremiah, as a way of apologizing for my unfortunate inebriation.” “I’m listening.” “The gift is one of knowledge. Beneath this city there have been rumors of places of power, long sealed and unknowable.” Montar pauses for dramatic effect. The plump merchant is unimpressed. “And?” “I have found one, and I will tell you where it is. If you hurry, you can explore it before the Lady has it shut away again.” “If you’re lying to me….” Jeremiah leaves the threat hanging in the air. Montar responds a little too quickly, “Lying? Me? The place is there, my friend. All of these fine people were recently there with me.” The party nods helpfully, and Jeremiah seems to relax. “Very well,” he says, “you will tell my associates where to explore as soon as we are done here. Now, you mentioned a business opportunity?” “These individuals seek to return to their home: the prime world of Toril. They would be willing to undertake a task for you if you were to lead them to a portal there.” Jeremiah addresses the group. “Is that true?” Kai looks to Khail for guidance, but the paladin merely shrugs, his detection ability blocked by some magic on Jeremiah’s person. She continues smoothly despite this. “It is true, but we will not perform any task that is evil or serves evil beings.” Jeremiah looks amused. “You think me evil then?” Kai responds respectfully, “Despite our appearance, we have been around the planes quite a bit, good merchant, and have seen evil masquerading as good.” Trella adds, “Yeah, and we kicked its ***!” Andy whispers to Jaalask, “She is so HOT!” Trella turns and glares at him. Dobi steps forward. “I must also inform you, good sir, that I will not agree to any task that contravenes the goals of the crown of Cormyr.” Jeremiah maintains his slight smirk. “Well then, let me assure you that the task I choose for you will be neither evil nor related to your home world. In fact, I have no task I need accomplishing right now. However, as I am a generous man, I offer you that which you desire now, for the promise of fulfilling a task for me at a later date.” Jeremiah reaches into a drawer and withdraws a rolled parchment, which he opens onto the desk in front of him. “This is a simple contract, stipulating that I will provide you with a service at the time of signing, in exchange for a service in return at a time of my choosing. I will be happy to add that my task will not further evil, nor involve Toril directly.” Jeremiah withdraws a quill from a vial of ink and proceeds to do exactly as he said he would. “Now, if you will just sign this, I will show you the portal and give you the portal key. When I have need of you I will activate the magic of the contract, which will teleport you to the nearest portal to Sigil and place a geas upon you to complete the task I assign.” Jeremiah turns the contract around to face the group and says, “All I need are your signatures, and you can be on your way." [i]*This references the six months the Stepchildren spent stuck in a sealed cave. The inherent nature of the cavern kept them alive, but it also prevented the use of teleportation and detection magic, and they were forced to dig their way out of its area of effect. Khail’s old sculpture proficiency actually came in handy, one of the few times a non-weapon proficiency had a role other than as character development.[/i] [/QUOTE]
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