Ptolus:ReqSum13
From RainGamersWiki
February 28, 2009
We returned to the resting area after slaughtering all. It is now the 15th of New Year. After considering the options, we chose to return to the Underground Market, and consider other options for Delving down other corridors and Labyrinths.
I made some inquiries into the Mirror Maze. Rumor has it the maze was made by the Archlich Kagrisos. It has 3 major paths leading out of it on the other side of the maze. The mirrors are polished steel and self-healing. I also discovered that Tasilicus Rhendron of the Pale Tower is doing some extra research and might be a good source of funding to continue exploring. I also made some inquiry concerning the Dark Market, a source of interest beyond the Potions and Elixirs office in the Underground Market. To gain entrance, first I have to speak with Travinor and offer him an appropriate tribute, and the name of someone who will vouch for me, and the current password which is regularly changed but is known to the various City's nefarious groups. We also spent a good 20 minutes or so listening to Otto spewing pure bullshit, and loving it.
While Otto, Mulwrit, and Cheval were off researching new ways to endanger our lives, Grundric, Kekitat, and I went to the Pale Tower to try and discuss the information on the Mirror Maze from the Undermarket. The Tower is indeed featureless except for the outline of a door. Kekitat noticed something, and pointed up above the Tower to show us. That light, which was far, far above the Tower, had 3 people come out of it, fade away and the three people seemed to just fly off. The door opens inward, and reveals the inner chamber. There is a young Assamar female with a white tunic present. She was talking with a male human wearing shiny metal armor. She greets us. I spoke with her and found out that he is in his study, on the 4th floor (crossing over at the third floor), the door is the rightmost of the four doors. The second floor was a common area with a male elf meditating. With his gorgeous feathered wings keeping him safe. Yeah. We definitely left that guy to his business for the time being. The third floor revealed itself to be larger than the dimensions of the tower itself. The fourth floor, available from the tight spiral staircase from the third floor.
The study had windows (not visible from outside the tower) which looked out over the city. I spoke with Tasilicus at length to gain the information possible and to offer our services for getting through and exploring the three passages. He mentioned that there is pattern that repeats itself every 25 years; so maps that are 25 years old would be valid once again. The maze changes 'something' about every 30 seconds. There is a pocket dimension with the 'components' for the maze and the maze shifts among the options in the pocket dimension using and dismissing them as needed. Grundric asked how long he'd been studying the maze and was told about 10 years now. I asked and was told that he is also staying on the 4th floor aside from doing his studies on that floor. We had no further questions for the Wizard so we headed back to the rendezvous point (!) and waited.
On the way out, we 'noticed' that it was Dark (WOW!). We then noticed a chapel that hasn't been obviously consecrated to a particular Deity, and atop a minaret we noticed a raven watching us. Grundric waved at it, and I motioned for it to land on my arm, but it chose to fly off instead. We rendezvous at the Ghostly Minstrel. Otto had a particularly good set, and bought us all dinner because of it. Yay! While we ate dinner, the boy (Iltumar Shon) from the blacksmith that was working the forge when I was there working on my mace sat with us to … engage us in conversation regarding Delving. Otto then had his particular brand of 'fun' at the boy's expense as well. I managed to convince the child to continue his efforts at the blacksmith without listening to Otto.
As I was walking back to my home, after the evening's entertainment with Iltumar, I noticed what could have been a raven watching me again. I tried once again to have it land and communicate if that was its intent, but a passing group of guards seemingly chased it away.
We awoke (16th of New Year) to find an invitation to a luncheon at Castle Shard. Gathering the party, we killed some time by getting certain members of the party their good, meet the Nobles clothes. We took extra time to ensure that any formal blouses that were in evidence were pressed and cleaned as well. We were led into the dining hall to find a table of amethyst crystal, but the chairs are of oak with purple padding and accents. While on our way, we seem to have been accosted by a near-7' tall female satyr, with deer antlers and goat lower half. She seemed clearly to have had 'some' to drink and greeted Otto as though they knew each other.
We then arrived and found Lord and Lady Z. sitting before a repast of fine meats, cheeses and breads, with wine and spirits available as well for refreshment. The group partook of the refreshments, as Lord Z. announced that he had news. He said he received a strange message yesterday and said that someone had paid closer attention than he would have liked to our recent endeavors. He also said that several wizards had been by and were all unable to remove the enchantment on Lord Abercombe. Then yesterday a missive from Shilukar arrived by anonymous courier. He claims to know the problem, and has a solution. The payment requested is permanent hospitality in Castle Shard. Otto attempted to cover for the party's generosity in obtaining the statue. Grundric then blurted out the information about one of the persons escaping in the company of some Blue Gnolls. Otto examined the note handed over by Lord Z. I then inquired about links between Castle Shard and House Abanar. Lord Z. believes that the bounty comes from Shilukar having wronged Dered Abanar in some way (retcon -- Brian). Upon exiting Castle Shard, Otto gave Grundric an … ultimatum regarding speaking up in such a meeting.
The Pointy Hat, the wizard bar mentioned in the missive, is next to West Town Mixtures, an alchemists shop. Upon arriving, I set about to help lure Otto's lover Narasha back to the bar for the evening, after their near-tearful separation in Castle Shard earlier. The coach and good wine will be sure to help bring her here. Cheval spent the day inquiring of Tun his questions. We then prepared for Otto to have his set for the evening. We spoke with Nallis Deverini, the proprietor of the bar, to try and get Otto a spot in the evening's entertainment. He earned another few silver pieces before Narasha arrived for the evening's pinnacle of entertainment. Otto played her on stage with the Pipes of Haunting, thus chasing off several patrons and entering the evening's performance as one of the worst on record.
