Crimson Sands of Time

“we don’t need to go to the market for things.  As long as we know what we want, and it’s not too fancy- I can get it.”. Tetrevess says.   reaching into his backpack, he pulls out a small painter’s box.  “These pigments are truly marvelous.   One of the few things i was able to salvage when my handy haversack tore a rift into the fabric of space-time.  Did I mention it was made my Heward himself?  Not spacetime.  My haversack. anyway-  describe what you want and we can create it.-  unless we have a better idea, like getting a seeming spell..”

Quote from Wile_E_Coyote >>

<I think Sam is the only remaining PC who saw Sigil - but the impact of the place is still important for the trajectory of our story.  Reading through the recently released Planescape adventure, I found this line most interesting: "The last Great Modron March occurred ahead of schedule and experienced a heightened number of irregularities and losses for tenebrous reasons.">

Also, Samogri, there is now an official symbol for the Fraternity of Order, to which you belong. I really tried to find one before, but I just don't think one ever existed. Ta-da!

 Nice 

"If any witnesses do report us all they will have is a vague description of what we looked like then, change a few details, add or remove an item or two, even break up into two or three smaller groups and we should be fine... mostly... I hope."

Trisk takes a drink of his wine.

"Just to be sure I'm coming with you lot to the market. This is no time to try and go it alone."

"I mean there's nothing much we need to buy to disguise ourselves, right? And... maybe one of you tell Randy about this too or else he might break the no fighting rules in this place. I don't think he can hear everything that we're discussing right now." Ethan suggests. "Also, how do we time our escape, as in, when and how large should the crowd be if we're to pick a good time to head out?"

<if that's all, then, the market... 

Unlike the rest of the city, Daerath is a warren of narrow and cramped alleys where the crowds are close and tight. Should you have attracted any unwanted attention from law enforcement, the Market is a great place to give them the slip.

The notorious Pheldanther’s gambling club stands on the north side of the Daerath Market. Stationed just outside the entrance of this rambling structure are two well-armed and battle-scarred bouncer/ guards. After giving you a once over, they allow them to pass with a nod.

Once inside, the characters are greeted by a caccophony of noise and a hive of activity. Players gather around tables playing various games of chance. No matter the time of day, there are dice games, card games, as well as games set up with battle-boards featuring what look like miniature armies actively in progress.

Among the players hovering over and around these tables, servers expertly weave their way through the crowd dropping off ordered food and beverage to the assembled gamblers. These servers stream though

a set of swinging double doors behind which is the kitchen. Adjacent to and in front of the kitchen, is a broad and crowded bar. Many of the seats at the bar are taken by patrons who have their backs to the bar so that they can watch the action in the gambling hall.

Finally, on the far side of the hall, a host stands behind a podium, watching over a section of private dining rooms and booths. Asking either at the bar or at the host’s stand after Lavas Gurza results in the individual asked excusing themselves for a moment after instructing the characters to wait where they are.

A few minutes later, the queried individual returns and beckons the characters to follow.

While being led back through this section of Pheldanther’s the characters cannot help notice the sounds of fighting and raucous cheers emanating from somewhere deeper in the complex. A closer listen reveals there is more than one source of noise, suggesting that several fights/combats going on at the same time. 

<so, at this point, you've either opened the package and know what's on it and taken any measures appropriate or you have left it unmolested. Unless I hear otherwise, it's still sealed.>

"There doesn't seem to be a lack of action here. I see many card and dice games of various types and can hear multiple fights going on. For those who like to bet and gamble I guess this is the place to be."

Trisk will follow the others as they are led back to who they are supposed to meet to hand off the package.

"Let's just get this done and over with. And I don't think Randy should even be here in the first place..." Ethan whispers quietly as he gestures his brother to stay close to the pack.

<interesting guide to bastions I came across https://docs.google.com/document/u/0/d/156rOsECPa32TtWGsogQ4uzB2FeO257LakENMN5Phu_o/mobilebasic

You are led to a small private dining room wherein sits one individual sporting fine clothing and horn-rimmed glasses. Spread before him are stacks of papers and documents that he seems to be studying or organizing. Without looking up, he states, “I understand you were asking after me. Please come in and state your business.”

(tetrevess has cut down his long brown beard to a reasonable trim, and changed his outfit to look more like a merchant than a wizard) 

“Right.. Yes well we have something for you.   Err… where is it… hold on.. ahh yes.”

after a brief frantic checking of pouches he produces the package.   “We did not peek at it, although to be honest I certainly wanted to”    He smiles awkwardly.  

Lavas briefly inspects it without opening it.

If asked about the noise, Lavas freely relates it is coming from the fighting pits, another featured at￾traction of Pheldanther’s. If asked further, he informs that the contests can be between wrestlers, armed combatants, and even between monsters and their challengers. Of course, bets can be placed on any of the contestants.

After briefly inspecting the packet, he states something along the lines of, “Ah, this was not intended for me. I am merely the intermediary. If you will accompany me, I can take you to the true and intended recipient.”

Lavas does not know Prim Handor or anything about him. He readily admits that he (Lavas) works for the Department of Sewer and Water in Eltabbar and finds it most “useful” to hold his offices here at Pheldanther’s

"If you don't mind me asking Lavas, 'Why' do you find it most 'useful' to have your offices here at Pheldanther's?"

After getting his answer Trisk will let others have a chance to speak and/or wait a few moments before asking:

"Perhaps later, after we've completed our business, we can enjoy the premises, perhaps even place a bet or two ourselves?"

Sam just looks around making sure no one’s trying to kill them 

Quote from Brian_Avery >>

"If you don't mind me asking Lavas, 'Why' do you find it most 'useful' to have your offices here at Pheldanther's?"

 

After a brief pause, he gives his reply,"In addition to my work for the city, I'm also a Waste Management Consultant," spelling out each syllable, punctuated with a hand gesture reminiscent of a cleaver chopping rhe unseen word in mid-air, accompanied by a look that suggests this is the end of that line of questioning.

Assumimg you acquiesce, Lavas leads you deeper into the complex towards the roars and noise from the fighting pits.

After stepping out of the private dining section and joining what appears to be a main corridor that leads into the heart of the complex, you are led towards the fighting pits via a descending set of broad stairs. In a space that is roughly twice as large as the gambling hall above, visitors are greeted with a boisterous and intense scene. Inset in the floor are four separate fighting pits evenly spaced in this large hall. Each inset pit is surrounded with a railing over which spectators lean and shout encouragement or abuse onto the below combatants. The floors of each of the pits are roughly 15 feet below the floor of the hall itself and each pit is approximately 20 feet across in width. How the participants get into the pits is not immediately obvious.

Paying the scene no mind at all, Lavas leads the characters through the crowd of spectators towards the very back of the hall and a smaller set of stairs that descend further. There are two bouts currently in progress: One featuring a hulking human wielding a massive club and little in the way of armor facing off against a much slenderer opponent bearing two slim swords. The other active pit contains what appears to be an ogre being circled by a trio of disparately armed fighters. Ignoring all of that, Lavas heads directly for the back stairs.

The 15-foot staircase descends into a high-ceilinged chamber that is partially natural and partially worked stone. The prominent features of this chamber include a finished hallway adjacent to the stairs that heads back the way you came and towards the fighting pits. A glance down that hallway confirms the presence of four iron bound doors—the individual access points to the pits themselves.

Further, on either sides of the chamber and pushed into naturally occurring recesses stand several large cages, some of them occupied. The most eye catching one is occupied by a pacing giant hyena that moves back and forth in its tight enclosure. (Optional: Wisdom (Nature) check)

Other cages hold a pair of worgs, a lion, and a giant spider, all in different states of health.

Near the tunnel sits a set of benches, a couple of low tables, and a weapons rack.

(Optional: Intelligence (History) check)

Deeper into the chamber and away from the stairs and pits sit a series of bins containing different powdered materials. The bins appear to hold three distinct powders of different colors: black, white, and yellow each in separate bins.

(Without careful inspection it is hard to discern what these substances are, but you csn try with a Wisdom (Perception) check.) 

Finally, at the far end of the chamber, flanked by two armed guards, sits a dark-complexioned woman, a cast common to natives of Thay, dressed in dark colored and nondescript clothing.

Without hesitation, Lavas heads in her direction obviously expecting the characters to follow.

Without preamble, this woman speaks in a strong voice, “Ah Lavas, you have brought visitors. Who do we have here?” Lavas then turns addressing the party, “This is Gafna Bilton, one of the owners of this establishment.” And without missing a beat continues, “Mistress Bilton, these individuals bear a package for you.” He then bows to Gafna, turns around, and heads back towards the stairs.

Lavas leaves you with Gafna looking on expectantly. (She's waiting portal the package, ehicj you still have, Lavas gave it back to you - I may or may not have stated this- but I fully intended to.)

"Where in the actual hell are we going?!" Randy whispers after staying silent for the majority of the journey to this strange place as he follows the rest down. "You sure this is where we're supposed to go because I definitely didn't sign up for anything like this!"

Perception: 1 (He can't tell)

If you turn over the packet to her, she unceremoniously opens it, finds the note within, and reads it nodding to herself.

<If you ask her any if the info below, she gives it freely.  Any other questions may require an skill check.  Help yourself to ask and reply.>

 Optional: INT (investigation), (low DC) check

Ethan takes note of the different animals being held captive within this... chamber... of some sort, and couldn't help but let off a disgusted grimace at sight of these poor animals being confined to these tight spaces whilst they are slowly driven to insanity (Nature: 18). He doesn't really say anything much either as he lets his comrades take the lead should they take the chance to ask before he can do so.

Quote from Wildland_Shifters >>

"Where in the actual hell are we going?!" Randy whispers after staying silent for the majority of the journey to this strange place as he follows the rest down. "You sure this is where we're supposed to go because I definitely didn't sign up for anything like this!"

"Just keep your mouth shut. I don't any more chaos caused right now!" Ethan hisses back.

Ethan surmises the hyena is agitated, presumably from a recent appearance in the pits.

Gafna continues, "something tells me it's no mere chsnce that you were asked to make this delivery. So, will you consider this fortuitous opportunity of serving in my employ? As you might imagine, my organization has certain means at our disposal to navigate the eye of the authorities, which might be useful to you while you're here in town.  Meanwhile, I find myself shorthanded, so your arrival couldn't hav3 come at a better time? Maybe jts fate. So, do we have a deal?"