Monday, June 27, 2011

IV. The City of Doors

Abruptly Edward, Arnold and Firiona awakened to find themselves back in their room at the inn. In the minds of each of them was new information: the location of portals to the many planes they had battled over, as well as knowledge of the locations of the keys needed to activate the portals; and knowledge of various of the wards of Sigil as well. Ominously, Firiona knew that she now was aware of how to reach the Demonweb Pits of the dreaded goddess Lolth, Queen of the Spiders. Edward could now locate the City Barracks, as well as access the portal town of Ecstasy. Arnold knew the location of portals leading to the Floating City, and even more importantly, to the Astral Plane itself, as well as the way to Sigil's Hive Ward. Firiona could also find the way to the plane of Arborea and the Guildhall/Market Ward of Sigil.

The party members discussed what Edward, Arnold and Firiona had learned. It soon became clear that each had battled the others!

The party members then began to explore Sigil, first asking the tavern owner how they could get in touch with Lily, the barmaid they had spoken with last night. Since she had worked the night shift and the party did not wish to disturb her during the day, they began their search for a guide and also a magic shop. The day barkeep suggested they find "Kylie" if they wanted a good guide, although he didn't know where she could be found.

Wandering into the streets of Sigil, the party soon encountered a team of pickpockets who stole a valuable wand from Firiona and attempted to relieve Green Arrow of his valuables as well; this latter attempt was thwarted by the keen eyes of the elven archer. Eventually the party located a magic shop, "The Purple Pill," and inquired about various magic items. Firiona also hoped to find information concerning an obscure spell she had located in the magic academy in Darksea, a spell called awaken ooze.

The proprietor examined the spellbook containing the awaken ooze spell, but wasn't familiar with it. However, he thought it looked like something the drow might have created. As it happened, he knew of a certain magic shop, run by a drow wizard named Daliq, where the party might find further information. The shop was located at the end of an alley in a dangerous section of the Guildhall Ward and was unmarked, but the proprietor gave the party the shop's address, as well as the recognition knock that would grant them access.

The party made their way through the Guildhall Ward and managed to find the alley in which the magic shop is located. They knocked on the door, which opened. A voice from within said, "Enter."

Inside the shop the party saw a dark, dusty room filled with drow artifacts of a disturbing nature, including various implements of torture and "artworks" depicting non-drow being tormented and sacrificed in ghastly ways. Arnold immediately asked Daliq if he happened to have any poisons for sale, in particular black lotus extract. Daliq replied sardonically, questioning whether Arnold knew what he was doing and whether he could afford the price. Arnold couldn't, as it turned out, but Firiona offered one of her diamonds in exchange. Daliq accepted the diamond and produced a single dose of black lotus extract. Daliq then asked Firiona if she might be interested in some of his other wares. He mentioned a potion which has the effect of raising a spellcaster's effective level when quaffed. Firiona expressed her interest, and purchased four vials of the potion at a heavy discount from Daliq (in view of the valuable diamond she used to pay for the black lotus extract).

Finally Firiona asked Daliq if he could tell her about the awaken ooze spell. He examined the spellbook and asked her where she obtained it; Firiona, very appropriately, gave a false location. The wizard then explained the nature of the awaken ooze spell: the spell allows the caster to endow an ooze with a mind and hence with intelligence.

Eventually the party returned to the tavern for the evening. When the night shift reported, the party contacted Lily again. They mentioned the various visions the party members had. Lily observed that it was almost unheard of for the Lady of Pain to take a personal interest in any of the residents of Sigil, still less in a party of recently arrived visitors. She recommended that the party return home, while she passed on the information to her superiors in the Enterprise. The party agreed, and left the next morning.

No comments:

Post a Comment