Reply to thread

Message: <blockquote data-quote="simmo" data-source="post: 1541868" data-attributes="member: 9744">Part 28 Plotting an Infinite PathThe journey across the Outlands to find a portal leading to Sigil was uneventful. An abandoned cemetery outside of a small farming community concealed an underground tavern that was frequented by a motley collection of underworld figures.The illithid bartender did not raise so much as a tentacle when the strange group of travellers passed through his establishment. The drow violinist stopped playing momentarily when the group stared at the beholder that was levitating a coat beneath his round head. The kou-toa gamblers in the corner were too absorbed in their game to pay much attention to the newcomers. The companions hurried through the strange tavern to the portal in one of the back rooms.Back in Sigil the companions each went their own separate ways. Caleb and Andrew headed straight for their favourite watering-holes and Cade went in search of a buyer for the soul gems. Serena contemplated going to A’kin’s shop to ask him about her torc and magical dress but could not find anyone to accompany her.Littleby headed in the direction of the Hive to speak to one of his contacts that he’d made since arriving in the Cage. After stopping by several shops to pick up some very fragrant packages he arrived at Rambunctious Alley and waited until the scent attracted his associate.“ShadowSkulker, is that you?””Squeak”“I prefer to speak with you when you are in a more humanoid form.”“Squeak… err, sorry about that. The aroma was making it hard to concentrate on Changing.”“Dumation’s curly whiskers, you seem to have missed a bit around the nose.”“Pike it. That’s the most handsome face in the Hive you’re criticising.”“Sorry old bean, anyway try some of this Dothion Blue Stilton.”“Mmm. Very nice, rugged and mature taste.”“Did you get all the things that I asked for?””Yes, yes. Here is a scroll with the information about the portal to the Outlands. The shopkeeper is called Lilly Cupgrass who runs a perfume and potions shop up in the Lady’s.” “I see, it’s a portal to a former mining colony. Is there anything that I need to know about travelling past or through Ironridge?””It’s a mining and trading town close to the Dwarven Mountain. The place suffers from the odd infestation of spies from Gzemnid’s Realm as well as the Caverns of Thought.” ShadowSkulker reached for another of the fragrant packages and Littleby made no move to interfere. “Here is a book on travelling though the realm of the Norns by Tarsheva Longreach.”“Thanks, but those books are a dime a jinks. There’s naught in there but popular legends and the ramblings of a disgruntled traveller on what dishes to avoid in which taverns.”“Well...” the were-mouse looked enviously at the other unopened packages and narrowed his eyes. “These are some pages from the journal of a priest of Loki who gives a first-hand account of how to get through the realm of the Norn with no hassles. It’s got to be worth something, no?”“Pandemonic mature cheddar, lightly salted. The seller assures me that the holes are deliberate.”“Lady’s Grace. I’ll be sure to keep that in a safe place. Here, I’ll throw in this map of navigating the Yggdrasil to get to Crux for free. Is that Arborean oak smoked emmental? I’ll trade it for this tome on ‘Flora and Fauna of the Yggdrasil’.”“That’s very kind, but I already own a copy. It contradicts some of the things that I have read in ‘Bestiary of the World Ash’ and ‘The Ecology of the Ratatosk’ but I digress. In any case take the cheese and show me what else you’ve got.”“Right then, let me just put the rest of them in a safe place. Here we have it; this is the ‘Encyclopaedia of Dead Worlds’ that has some information on Ranais. And this is a very rare tome indeed, ‘The Art and Design of Tcian Sumere’. Had to get that from The Parted Veil and what with Sir Cleve not liking me coming in the shop – that was the hardest on the list.”“You’ve done well. Is there any other chant that you think is important?”“Yes, don’t go to Tcian Sumere. It’s at the Bottom of the Multiverse for a reason and unless you’re desperate to get written in the dead book quick then I’d stay clear of the place.”</blockquote>

Verification