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Message: <blockquote data-quote="shilsen" data-source="post: 2821112" data-attributes="member: 198">Writen by shilsen - 11/8/05Session 13 - Back to the CogsCorven quickly checks the body to confirm that Neb is dead, while Cala revives the landlady and easily persuades her to leave the room and not return. Six and Luna arrive at this point and are quickly filled in on what has occurred. Corven also mentions to everyone that when he asked where Zokar was, he picked up the name Kielsten from Neb's thoughts. Cala says that she knows of one Kielsten (surname Marquan) in High Walls, a locksmith. After some discussion, the Angels decide that it would be better for Cala to put this Kielsten's home under surveillance for a while, to see if anything suspicious emerges. Cala agrees and has a couple of people take care of Neb's body, as well as telling the landlady to not inform anyone what happened here. When they are about to leave, Nameless suggests that they visit the priestess they had met before at the small temple of the Sovereign Host in the area. The priestess, Lanora, is pleased to see the group and then quickly surprised and shocked when they tell her what they have discovered, especially when Nameless says that it's quite possible Hestia has been sacrificed. She says that she does not know Kielsten and that he does not attend services at the temple. When asked about the tattoos, she says she has not seen anyone with one, but promises to let Cala know if she does find one. Once they take their leave from Cala and High Walls, Six and Luna let the others know what they discovered with Kylyman. Gareth promptly flips out about the fact that they let Kylyman know about their affairs, to which Luna protests, "Hey, I didn't say anything - I was just smelling him at the time." Six and Gareth embark on another short argument, with Corven and Nameless joining in mostly on Six's side. The upshot is that Six agrees to tell Kylyman to not act against Killian in any way over the next couple of days, so that they have a chance to recover Gareth's sword before that. The group then splits up, with Luna being the only one returning directly to the inn. Corven heads for the Esoteric Order, where he works on the wand he is crafting until the evening. Six drops off at Dragon Towers and heads back to the Sivis enclave, where he speaks to Kylyman. The gnome says that he was actually planning to show up at the group's meeting with Killian that evening ("so I can see who the bastard wearing my face is") and agrees to do so some fifteen minutes after the Angels get there, so that they can conclude their business first. He also promises to not reveal anything about having received the information from Six. Before leaving, Six also checks with him about the options for legal representation in Sharn, and learns that the Sivis enclave in Clifftop (which is apparently where Kylyman was returning from when the group saw him) provides such services specifically geared to adventurers. Kylyman mentions someone called Josilian Kand d'Tarlian, who is one of the best barristers in Sharn, and also says that if Six goes to that enclave he can either ask for Kylyman or use him as a reference. Nameless, meanwhile, heads up to Middle Tavick's and the Deathsgate district, where he drops in on Trillia. She is pleased to meet him, and even more so when she learns that he has made the breakthrough to becoming an alienist. She tells him that now that he has made the breakthrough, which is something that cannot really be taught, she will be able to exchange more esoteric information with him and show him some ways to manipulate the magic he now has access to. She asks Nameless to join her for a celebratory dinner. Though he has to decline, since they have the meeting with Killian, he agrees to join her the next day. Nameless also tells her about the issue with Zokar and asks if she has any information about the subject. Trillia and Nameless spend some time in her private library and find some documents on the subject, which indicate that radiant idols use a special ceremony to create magical links with those who worship them. These links allow them to spy on, hurt or kill the worshippers, as Nameless has already noted. The documents have no mention of the tattoos, but Trillia theorizes that they might be a focus for the link and that physically removing them or perhaps using dispel magic could block the connection. After leaving Trillia, Nameless spends some time at the Guild scribing a new spell into his spellbook and then heads to Upper Dura and Overlook, where he finds Havakhad at the Shrine of Il'Yannah. The old kalashtar seems a little surprised to see him and is unable to help with the question of Zokar, saying that radiant idols are not an area of expertise for him. Havakhad does, however, mention that he has been trying to detect exactly where Nameless' dreams came from and something has been blocking his divinations. He says that he will keep trying, and that he will let Nameless know what he learns.Gareth visits the Broken Mirror in Callestan and gets an unfriendly reception from the shifter Arian there, though he manages to get Arian to send a friend to fetch his brother Gorlick/Redtooth. Gorlick doesn't seem much friendlier, though he agrees to speak privately after Gareth buys him a drink. Gareth asks him if he's interested in a job, but does not divulge anything other than that it will involve fighting a minotaur. Gorlick promptly asks if Gareth's messing with Daask. Gareth asks why he thinks so, drawing a growled, "Do I look stupid? Unless someone in the upper wards is hiring minotaurs, Daask is likely to be the only source for them." Gareth asks whether that's a problem and is informed that since Gorlick and his friends live in the lower wards just above the underground areas, they're a lot more at risk if they piss off Daask than people like Gareth. Gareth offers a payment of 100 galifars, only for Gorlick to ask for 500. Gareth agrees but says that he will not be able to pay at once, which gets a "Do I look like I work on installment?" and an abrupt end to the discussion. When Gareth asks whether Gorlick is sure, the shifter flashes him some very large claws and asks if he seems sure, and Gareth leaves. During the discussion, he does detect that Gorlick is mildly evil. Leaving Callestan, Gareth goes to Clifftop and the Drunken Dragon, where he finds Flan. He tells Flan that Killian must meet him right then. The changeling points out that Killian is busy and is meeting them in the evening anyway, but Gareth insists. So Flan leaves and returns an hour later to confirm that Killian is too busy, and can only push the meeting forward a little if needed. Gareth declines and heads back to the inn.Over dinner, Bodo lets Gareth know about having found two possible schools, and then asks if he can accompany the group to meet Killian. This starts a discussion about whether Bodo should travel with the group, with Luna arguing that he will be safe and that she will protect him if needed, and Gareth refusing to put him in danger. When Luna points out that Gareth does not own Bodo, the boy does seem to be considering arguing with the paladin but finally doesn't do so. After dinner, the Angels head down to Lower Menthis and the Lucky Nines Casino, where Killian is waiting for them as usual. He says that he has done some checking and thinks he knows where Bhorak might be located. There is a location near the western end of Khyber's Gate where some of the new reinforcements to Daask stay temporarily before being relocated to other parts of Khyber's Gate. This location is run by Bhorak. Killian has located a guide who can show the group to the area. When Gareth asks about the guide, he mentions that she's a dwarf and a member of one of the sewer gangs, who tend to know the area under Sharn very well. From what he has been told, they will probably have to travel through the sewers and UnderSharn to the Cogs, which should be much faster. It will possibly be dangerous, but he says, "You're adventurers. You laugh in the face of danger - right?", which does draw a scoffing laugh from Luna. Killian also says that the group will have to negotiate their own payment with the guide. When he asks when he should send the guide, Gareth suggests the morning of the 6th, which will give them a little time to prepare and for Nameless to finish scribing his spell. Killian, as usual, spends a little time needling Gareth and the group, but not as much as before. He also discusses the question of what they will owe him after the sword is found, and is told that it is only Gareth who will owe him. When he asks if their sole interest in the sword is due to Gareth's interest in it, the others say that is so, with Luna adding that as far as she's concerned "there are lots of old swords available here, but Gareth wants this one," which draws a dirty look from Gareth. No real payment is agreed upon for the information Killian has provided, though he is clearly told that he is not getting a share of anything the group finds in their attack on Bhorak's lair.Killian is about to say goodbye to the group when some of them see Kylyman walk in. The second gnome looks around, sees them, and quickly heads over to their table. Killian looks surprised to see him, as Kylyman walks up and says, "Okay, who the bloody hell are you?" Killian ignores him momentarily, turning to the Angels to ask if they are they ones who told Kylyman about him, which all of them deny. He then turns back to the other gnome, says, "Ah, busted!" and changes form, turning into another gnome, who looks a little slimmer and younger than before. Kylyman evidently recognizes him, since he says, "Son of a bitch! Thur..." before 'Killian' cuts him off and says, "Easy now - names are personal!" Then he looks at the PCs in a mock-aggrieved fashion and says, "I'm not sure I believe you about not telling him. You jerks just lost me some good money. I had a bet going with Chance that I'd go a month before you found out it was a disguise. Dammit!" Kylyman now seems less angry than exasperated, and explains (after introducing himself to the group and keeping up the pretence that he knows nothing about them) that 'Killian' and he do know each other. Not sure if it is just another disguise, Nameless casts a detect magic, startling the two gnomes and drawing a "You know - that's a little rude!" from Killian. The spell reveals that Killian's hat detects of illusion magic (which Nameless presumes is a hat of disguise) and that he has a number of other magical items, including a pair of rings, his vest and his belt. He no longer has any illusions affecting him, but Nameless does detect two faint transmutation auras on him. Kylyman too has a couple of magic items on him, but no currently functioning magic. Gareth tries to detect evil on Kylyman, which the gnome apparently detects and scoffingly tells Gareth that he isn't in the middle of a village and that he should be a little more careful about what he does since others might take offense.The Angels spend a little time trying to learn more about Killian from Kylyman, but he is interrupted by the former. He does say, however, that he knows Killian professionally and that they should be a little careful dealing with him, since Kylyman wouldn't trust him further than he can throw him. Killian, who has clearly regained his composure, jokingly pretends to take offense. When Gareth asks about his real name and occupation, he says that they might as well call him "Killian", since one name is as good as another, and claims to only be an information-broker. With nothing more to be done, the Angels take their leave. On the way out, they see the two gnomes talking and laughing together. Outside the casino, Gareth asks Six if this is the help he expected from Kylyman, but Six doesn't rise to the bait, saying only that at least they have a little more information and Kylyman might be a useful contact. The group heads back to the inn. After the others turn in, Six decides to visit Karr'Aashta and talk to him about their current situation, and he leaves for the  Deathsgate district. When he arrives there, Karr'Aashta's Investigations is closed and locked. Rather than returning to the inn, he decides to simply wait there, wandering around the district to stave off boredom.***The night passes peacefully for the others, with Gareth having one of the vivid dreams that he has been having recently. When they arise, they find Six gone and are momentarily alarmed, but the innkeeper Palk soon lets them know that Six left a message saying that he is off investigating something. Luna comments that the group should come up with a couple of passwords or phrases that they can use to identify each other, since it would be quite easy for someone to impersonate them. She also suggests that nobody go wandering alone without informing the others about what area of Sharn they will be in. The others agree and they spend some time coming up with a set of phrases.Shortly after breakfast, Lalia and Tasra stop by the inn. Lalia says that they returned the previous night and that she has arranged for Philo and his cronies to be handed over to the Watch. Gareth says that he was told that the Watch wouldn't be interested, and she says they normally wouldn't, but she has used a little influence with them. She says that they will be heavily fined, and since they are unlikely to be able to afford it, will probably end up doing hard labor in a city-owned workhouse. Tasra and she ask what the group has been up to and Gareth gives them a detailed coverage of their activities, especially with regard to him and the sword. When they hear about the planned expedition into the Cogs, Lalia says she will be happy to come along, since their latest job was boring and she could use the fun. Tasra declines, even though Lalia says that she actually has more experience working in urban surroundings than her (Lalia apparently does better in the wilderness), and adds that Lalia's an idiot to get mixed up in this. The pair then take their leave, after Lalia sets up a dinner plan with Gareth.When they are leaving, Lalia asks Luna if she can speak to her. Once Luna steps into the corridor with them, she asks Luna "what's up with Gareth" and whether he "likes boys". Amused, Luna says that isn't the case, but he's just a little uptight. Lalia says, "So he's just a little slow?", to which Luna agrees. Lalia comments that must be the case, since he's horrible at picking up a hint, and Tasra laughs at her and says that she always has one thing on her mind. Lalia grins and responds, "It's not my mind I'm interested in having him on," before thanking Luna and asking her to drop in a good word for her if possible. Tasra laughs and says, "You're asking the druid to be pimping for you?!" to which Lalia responds with a dirty look and a comment to Luna that she will have to excuse her while she throws her sister off one of the towers. The two Sentinel Marshals leave and the last Luna sees of them is Lalia smacking Tasra's head as they head out of the inn.Later, Narik and his friends stop by for more information about the Cogs job. Gareth asks them to stop by the next day, saying that they will be leaving in the evening. Narik also brings a short letter from Deemin and Finch, which explains that they have paid their debt by helping (and almost dying) in the attack on the drug den, and they are thankful to Gareth and the others but will not be accompanying them into the Cogs. Narik also says that Dala Arand (who he knows vaguely) was asking about the group at the Guild, and Luna recognizes her as the scholar they had spoken to regarding the expedition to Xen'drik.Six, meanwhile, has a meeting with Karr'Aashta when he and some of his employees show up to open up the agency. He tells Karr'Aashta that they have information that indicates that the sword is with a minotaur named Bhorak and asks him to confirm it. Karr'Aashta says that the information will help narrow down his search and says he should have more information in two or three days. Six says that they need the information the next day, since they will be heading for the Cogs, and Karr'Aashta says he will do what he can. Six also tells him about Killian and asks for any information that he can find about him. The inquisitive says that will probably be easier than finding things in the Cogs and quotes Six a base price of 25 galifars, which Six pays on the spot. After leaving Karr'Aashta, Six visits the Sivis enclave in Clifftop. There he learns that there are a few available lawyers and also learns about the basic retainer fees and services.After he rejoins the others, the group splits up as usual, with Corven and Nameless working respectively on the wand and the spell. In the evening, Gareth goes to the Deneith enclave to join Lalia for dinner, while Nameless goes to Trillia's from the Guild.***The next morning, Flim Turen returns to speak to the group. He says that he has held up the article from the edition of the Korranberg Chronicle that appeared this morning, and asks about the story that the Angels promised him. With some difficulty, Gareth persuades him to return the next morning, saying that they are embarking on something that will provide a much better story. Nameless also begins to give him the story about the Zokar situation, but Corven interrupts and (after asking Flim to give them a few minutes in private) opines that they shouldn't share the information. Nameless suggests that perhaps having that information in the paper will flush out those who are involved, but Corven prefers not to risk it and suggests that they wait until they can get more information from Cala before deciding to take this route. After calling Flim back in, they say that they will probably have a number of stories for him over the next few days. He grudgingly agrees to return the next morning, saying that either which way, the drug den story will be out in the Chronicle on the 9th, three days later. Shortly after he leaves, Flan arrives with the guide, an incredibly dirty and smelly dwarf called Menna. At first sight of her, Palk throws a fit and refuses to let her discuss things with the Angels in their room (or anywhere in the inn for that matter), but Gareth dropping 5 galifars in his hand has him quickly change his mind. After a quick discussion and the agreement to a fee of 25 galifars for Menna's services, the Angels ask Flan and her to return in an hour, so that they can prepare themselves as needed. Flan agrees and leaves with the dwarf, who has spent most of her time speaking to the group in poor Common and digging lice out of her matted beard and eating them with substantial relish.After they leave, the party meets with Karr’Aashta. His investigations confirm that there is a minotaur member of Daask who runs an emplacement where Killian said he does, but he has not been able to find the location of Gareth’s sword yet. He asks for some more time and Gareth asks him to continue investigating, though the planned expedition to the Cogs will continue. They return to the inn and are soon joined by Narik, Lothas and Valin. Once Menna returns, they follow her out. She flatly refuses to get on a skycoach and leads them to the Bazaar district and across the long bridge that connects it to Dava Gate in Middle Central. A quick stop at the Deneith enclave adds Lalia, this time wearing traveling gear with a bright mithral chain shirt above it and two shortswords at her back, increasing their number to ten. Menna leads them down to Myshan Gardens in Lower Central, a quiet residential district, and then through and around tower bases and apartment complexes till they reach a less populated area. Leading them into a complex that seems to have been abandoned a while ago, she comes to a room that has a large hole in the wall. Pointing down, she says, "Sewers this way. You come!" and climbs in. Beyond is a gradually sloping tunnel heading into the darkness, a faint stench coming from it. As the others follow her, the stench gradually increases, till they emerge some fifty feet below street level into the sewers. This section seems to be mostly unused, as evidenced by the low level of garbage, but as Menna leads them deeper (both horizontally and vertically) through the tunnels that open up around them, the stench increases and the garbage seems much newer. Soon the tunnels all possess a shallow trench that allows a stream of dirty water to flow sluggishly through it. Once in a while, the group passes grates that block off certain tunnels and valves that evidently release garbage and sewage from the towers far above. Menna evidently thinks she should act as a tour guide, pausing once in a while to point out tunnels that lead to "cleaning chambers", "watch people" and "other gangs".After nearly half an hour of travel, a pair of crossbow bolts shoot out of the darkness ahead and bounce off the wall near Gareth and Luna, who are in the lead behind Menna. The guide quickly shouts to them to stop and begins jabbering something at unseen people in the darkness. Narik, from the rear, translates, "Sounds like she knows them. She's identifying herself and telling them to let us pass." Moments later, three figures appear at the very edge of the adventurers' torchlight, all of them evidently dwarven. The one in the lead exchanges a few words with Menna and then all three fade back into the darkness. Menna turns to the group with a relieved grin and says, "My people. Grave Diggers. Very brave. Very strong. They let you go but you come quiet and quick." She leads them quickly down the passage and as the others follow, they see movement in the shadows around them and in the tunnels on either side. There is no sign of hostility, however, and the signs of their presence soon disappears. About ten minutes later, Menna leads the group down a short tunnel to another hole in the wall, this one leading to a somewhat narrower and steeper tunnel than the first one. With the aid of ropes and each other's help, the adventurers negotiate it without too much difficulty and eventually emerge into a huge cavern. The ceiling towers above beyond the reach of their light and the walls stretch away into darkness. The floor is too smooth to be wholly natural and as Menna leads them forward, parts of the walls show evidence of craftsmanship by human or other hands. Menna says quietly, "This UnderSharn. Come quiet now, or the hungry ones come. Many strange things her - always hungry, always waiting!"As the group proceeds after her, more and more evidence of the historical nature of their surroundings is evident. Even though the area is badly damaged by time, smooth walls and floors show up at times, as do stairways leading up and (usually) down. Some pillars and the remnants of statues remain here and there, the latter usually goblinoid in nature. Rubble lies all around the place, with a number of cracks and crevasses making travel complicated. Some of the deepest crevasses reveal the flaming glow of lava at their bottom. Despite Menna's warning, the group travels peacefully for nearly half an hour. Six does, at one point, notice the track of what he surmises to be a giant snake crossing their path. After he points it out to her, Luna examines it and says that it was more like a huge worm, pointing out the segmented nature of the track, causing Valin to say that he really doesn't want to meet any worm that big. A few minutes past the worm-track, while passing along one wall of a rubble-strewn cavern, the adventurers hear the sound of shuffling footsteps in the darkness to their left. Narik, able to see in the dark beyond the torchlight, yells a warning that two human-sized creatures are advancing upon them. As the more martial adventurers quickly move to put themselves between the creatures and the spellcasters, their torches reveal the creatures to be zombies, as evidenced by their slack-jawed, eyeless visages and their shambling movement, though their speed is greater than that of the more common version. Nameless suggests moving on quickly rather than bothering to fight, but nobody seems to pay much attention (other than Menna, who has backed up against the wall and drawn a battered shortsword) and the surrounding rubble makes the possibility unlikely.Battle is quickly joined, as the creatures simply walk up to the adventurers and strike out with heavy punches. Gareth, Luna, Lalia, Narik and Valin form a line of defenders, while Six moves around to attack from behind the zombies. Corven and Nameless fire crossbows from behind the front line, while Lothas calls upon Dol Dorn and unleashes blasts of positive energy to wound the zombies.With the zombies now right in front of them, the adventurers see that they have hardened, almost chitinous skin, which undulates constantly as if something were moving beneath it. A beetle or two falls out of their open mouths. As they strike and are struck in turn, their skin splits in places to reveal movement beneath and a rancid stench fills the air around them. Nameless and Gareth soon recognize them to be a rare breed of undead animated by a controlling swarm of beetles, and shout warnings to the others that their blows can cause disease.Narik, Luna and Gareth quickly encounter this theory in practice, as the blows of the zombies hammer into them, leaving painful bruises. Gareth's divinely granted immunity to disease protects him, while the fortitude of the other two shrugs off the effects. Though the zombies turn out to be very tough, the adventurers gradually hack them down. A further danger is quickly revealed, however, as the first zombie collapses. As it hits the ground it literally falls apart, exploding into a swarm of glistening brown insects, which climb onto those in the area, assailing them with a number of tiny bites.Trying not to use up their spells, the adventurers take recourse to flasks of acid and alchemist's fire, but the combination of darkness, the movement of their allies and over-hastiness makes these have little effect*. Deciding that discretion is the better part of valor, the group quickly beats a retreat. They are pursued for some distance by the insects, but these eventually fall behind. Once they are some distance away, both Nameless and Valin find themselves suffering nausea and weakness from the effect of the bites. Lothas produces a scroll and Corven infuses a lesser restoration spell to remove their weakness, but it is clear that they are still diseased. Lothas uses another scroll on Valin to remove disease but says that he has none to spare for Nameless, so Luna promises to heal him when she is next able to prepare spells. After healing their wounds, the group continues on, Lalia chuckling as they go at the idea that they ran from some beetles but will soon be fighting a minotaur.* I think something like 5 flasks were hurled and only one hit, with Nameless having two natural 1s.</blockquote>

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