In a dark room in a less than reputable inn in a less than reputable part of Baldur’s Gate Passoveloce sits across the table from a heavily disguised individual. Passoveloce has been building a relationship with this individual and the other parties that he represents for over a year now. Once the deal that they are about to agree on is in place it will set up Passoveloce’s organisation for the next five years. The deal is down and already signed by the disguised individual. Passoveloce reaches for the document to sign it when ...!

In a cluttered workshop Toruun is putting the final touches on a creation that he has been working on for the past two years. Once finalised and operational it will make his name as one of the most skilled artificers to have been born and raised in Luskan. As he reaches to place the last piece ...!

Lucas had spent the last ten years criss-crossing the multiverse in search of a cure for his mother's condition. Eventually he found himself in the Great Hall of the House of the Broken God in Keltar, Caslimshan. In his backpack he had a letter of introduction to the High Mistress of Worthy Suffering. Lucas waited patiently until his name was called. However, just as his name was called ...!

Having just returned from a mission for the Harpers which included a foray deep into The Great Sand Sea, also known as Anauroch, Corwyn had just emerged from a bath in which he had been able to wash off the dust of the desert and dressed in a bathrobe was settling down to a glass of Silverymoon Blue - a local wine he had developed a taste for - and a plate of fresh and dried fruit, nuts and cheeses, when ...!

Behind each of the characters a silvery portal opens. Before they act they are sucked into the portal and their senses assailed with a kaleidoscope of visions. The visions included key moments of their past - some of which they were glad to remember and some which they preferred to forget. However, one vision they all received could only be described as a spiderweb at the centre of which was a withered humanoid form. On the outer reaches of the web were images of groups of cultists (dressed in robes adorned with an image of a staring eye gripped in a withered hand), all of whom appeared to be torturing various humanoids. Each of the groups of cultists seemed to be linked by a deep purplish thread to the withered figure in the middle of the web. Eventually they perceive a soft silvery light with blush tinges and passing through it find themselves standing in a plush candle parlour.

As they emerge they hear a voice saying "Alustriel, really this is the best you could do to save the multiverse!"  In front of them are three characters, one of whom a stately woman in blue robes - who Corwyn recognises as the Lady Alustriel - has a look of confusion on her face as she leans towards them. In the background they can see a frowning woman in a flowing black dress and a man tugging in confusion at his high crimson collar. To one side they can see a large figure - approximately 8 feet tall and weighing close to 400 lbs dressed in outdoorsy clothes leaning against a wall. Beside him is an axe the likes of which none of the party want to be on the sharp side of. As they come to grips - or not as the case maybe - with wherever they are the portal opens behind them and various backpacks drop onto the floor behind them. In Torrun's case it seems to be most of his workshop that has arrived.

Before anybody can say anything you hear the crash of broken china coming form an adjacent room and an indignant voice screams "Drat you, you dammed beauty get your bloody head out of the china cabinet!"  A short and exceedingly plump halfling with flour in her hair and on her apron comes into the room and shouts at the large outdoorsman "Paul how many times have I told you not to let that beast of yours run loose in my kitchen!" The outdoorsman looks down at the halfling and says in a meek voice "Sorry Polly" before bellowing "Babe get your hide in hear!" A very large, like size of an aurochs large, blue ox comes into the room and steps delicately past Polly before standing next to the outdoorsman. The more perceptive members of the party can spot a grin on the woman dressed in the flowing black robes as if this was not the first time she had observed this interaction.

And so ...

Corwyn:

Naked except for a thin bathrobe and with his auburn hair still partially wet, the tall and unusually muscular elf observes the room with his piercing blue eyes.  

The tightening of his grip on the simple fluted goblet of fine elvish wine betraying his battle readiness, Corwyn relaxes fractionally as he recognizes Lady Alustriel.  He observes, “Saving the multiverse, hm?  Say more,” as he takes a casual sip of the Silverymoon Blue.

Lucas:

Standing next to the near naked elf in well-worn but otherwise a largely unassuming set of traveler's attire is a fairly tall human(6'2) of Turami descent, judging by his dark mahogany skin and short trimmed black hair. Though relatively young in appearance, Lucas scratched at a scraggly beard as dull brown eyes surveyed the room with a weariness behind them of someone far more seasoned, or with too few ****s left to give for anything. Even the screamed complaint elicited little more than a raised brow, before his expression shifted with a small but amused smirk as the situation unfolded itself.

"Hm! And here I thought Babe was gonna be some prized sheeping pig, but a blue auroch purtty neat too." He commented while looking to Paul. At the first hint of a lack of recognition for the reference, Lucas just sighs, shook his head, and dismissively answered with a "Forget 'bout it" had the look been accompanied with a question. "So, what's this about saving the multiverse?" Lucas asks of the trio, absently shifting his weight so that crystalline staff he carried bore more of it as he sloppily leaned against it. "Also, you two in the back, uhh... I swear I've seen you two before, but... hmm..." He mentions, briefly gesturing to the woman in black and crimson collar man.

Current Imagery:

An image flashes into Lucas’ mind of a large blue ox lumbering around a paddock trying vainly to round up sheep before sitting down on its haunches and trying unsuccessfully to scratch an ear before giving up on that and rolling on its back exposing its stomach.

Lucas (Perception = 22) {26 rolled} realises that the woman in flowing black robes is studying him closely as if something doesn’t quite add up.

The Lady Alustriel says to Corwyn “Corwyn  Flamedancer - it is many years since our paths havre crossed! You’re well I hope?” She then turns to Lucas, Passoveloce and Toruun  and says “I don’t believe I know you gentlemen” before looking directly at Toruun and saying “… my good dwarf I suspect that you may have to explain to Polly why what looks like most of a blacksmith’s workshop is cluttering up what she considers to be her parlour!”

Corwyn:

Sketching a passable bow, Corwyn responds, “A pleasure to see you again, Lady Alustriel.  I am well, if a bit underdressed at the moment.  Perhaps I should avail myself of my possessions that seem to have been teleported here as well?”

The elf picks up a pack with several weapons and a shiny set of armor draped over the top.

In response to Corwyn drawing attention to his current state of undress Lady Alustriel says somewhat flirtatiously “… don’t feel you need to get dressed on my behalf and I’m sure Tasha won’t mind as well but if you wish please feel free to make use of one of the adjoining rooms!” 

Corwyn:

Smiling at the high lady and looking around to the assembled group, Corwyn responds, “Given the current company, I expect action of a more strategic nature to be required this night, though perhaps after we ‘save the multiverse’ we can explore other avenues more thoroughly.”

The elven warrior drains the last of his wine and sets down the goblet, then retires to a side room to gird himself for the upcoming battles.

Noting the look from the woman in black, Lucas cannot help but make a show of trying to shield more of his figure in the red-brown cloak he work and look both jokingly affronted and amused like that of an old friend teasing another for some perverted antics. But barring if she insisted on further scrutiny, she'd see... (see spoiler)

  For a brief while there, his attention is stolen when adressed by Lady Alustriel. Yet just as he's part way into bowing and greeting, he straightened out immediately and even took a half step back. "N-name's Lucas, j-just Lucas, but I'm sorry did'ja Tasha. As in THE Tasha?" He asks of Lady Alustriel, but then looked to the woman in black. "Y-your Tasha? Ohhh snap! Well, at first ya'll had my curiosity, but now ya'll got my full attention." 

In the middle of the room is a stocky dwarf, short by even dwarven standards with a shock bright orange hair. He is covering in grease and oil and looks like he has a bewildered expression with one eyebrow singed off, standing next to a large suit of armour covered in arcane symbols pulsating with magic. 

"What in the name of?!?!" Torunn mutters amongst a string of curses as he looks around. As soon as he spots his invention, he hurries over to it and checks over it. As he is fussing over the suit of armour, "Blasted portals, never trusted them.." he tinkers and inspects another section, "never liked them.." he trails off.

Only once he has done looking over his work, does he pay any attention to his surrounds. At the woman's comment, he responds gruffly "Maybe you can explain why it looks like a section of my workshop has been magically dumped in this parlor." and before she can respond, he pulls out a bag, turns away and starts picking up his tools off the floor and putting them in the bag. He scurries around methodically packing his tools up and putting them into the bag before coming to a stop in front of the semi naked elf. "Lucky you haven't taken one more step forward.." He bends down and picks up a glowing vial by the elves feet, and looks up with a grin, "or else we would have gone a flying."

Only as he hears the name Tasha does he stop and pay some attention to what the others are saying.

Passoveloce blinks a couple of times, cursing under his breath at the interruption to his negotiations, they'll take many months or years to repair the damage from his sudden disappearance. Then he looks around at the motley crew in the room thinking to himself, these are not my usual choice of company. As he tries to clear the fog from his head, the words "...save the multiverse..." seep through. Then the names Lady Alustriel, Tasha and  Paul float by. These people sound important and were very well dressed, perhaps there is an opportunity here. Pulling himself up to his full stature (36") he says "Passoveloce Penumbra at your service." before pushing his hood back and bowing low to the lady in blue. As he arises, he takes careful stock of his surroundings and fellow occupants of the room, then recognising his backpack he moves toward it to make sure that his belongings are intact and present.

In response to Alustriel's flirtatious comment concerning Corwyn, the other woman replies "... he is well made I agree but I must confess he doesn't do anything for me!".

Corwyn then quickly exits the room and comes back a few minutes later changed into fine quality if somewhat worn (and a bit dusty) travelling clothes.

Alustriel turns to the party saying "... welcome Lucas, Señor Penumbra and Master Dwarf and of course my friend here Corwyn Flamedancer. For of those who don't know me I am the Lady Alustriel Silverhand. I must confess seeing you turn up here in response to my conjuration was a bit of surprise to us all. By way of background when I become aware that the so called Undying King - I wont honour him by naming such a creature - was trying to remake the multiverse with himself at the centre I requested the help of my colleagues" pointing to the woman "... Natasha" who barely acknowledges the party "... and Mordenkainen" who at least acknowledges the party with a bow. "Jointly we cast a spell to find a way to stop the creature in his tracks. You can imagine our surprise when the four of you, along with various pieces of equipment and what appears to be most of an artificer's workshop appeared in my parlour. I can only assume that you are in some way linked - possibly unknown to yourselves - to the creature!" 

Corwyn:

”Or linked to the cause of its defeat,” adds Corwyn with a smile, though he tries to search his memory for any run-ins with undead that might have bearing on the situation.

Lucas hadn't been lying. Though tempted twice over to glance at Passoveloce and Torunn following their own "introductions", his gaze stayed glued to Alustriel. Yet a sly smirk and/or a stifled snort his possessing open ears and a divided focus. Suddenly Lucas' whole body stiffened as Natasha and Mordenkainen were more formally introduced, as recognition visibly dawns on his face at their names.

Before his gaze could wander over to the pair however, he finds himself instead folding his arms over his chest and looking to the ground. "I think I actually have some ideas why that might be in my particular case, but-...." Lucas sighs, then finally looks up again. "Regardless, seeing as this was how the Weave, and I guess multiverse itself chose to answer the call of some of the three most powerful mages in existence, I take it walking away from all this ain't on the table, huh? So, uhh, where do we even start?"

As the Alustriel introduces the people in the room, he continues to pack up the mess created by her spell, "yeah, yeah and who will pay for my workshop?" He pauses to glare around the room. "Just by the look of this mess, I would hate to see what state it would be in!"

Once he has finished tidying up, he continues "You are lucky that my latest work wasn't damaged, or there would be more trouble than a sizeable bill! In regards to this so called undying king, how exactly is he any different any other arrogant, self entitled lich that thinks the multiverse revolves around their rotting corpse?"

Tasha laughs uproariously at the dwarf giving Alustriel a piece of his mind. 

In response to Toruun's diatribe Alustriel replies "... good dwarf the issue is that this Lich actually has the power and the will to alter the multiverse. Now ..." reminding Toruun that he has not as yet formally introduced himself she continues "... I have the power and means to make good any damage to your workshop however I need to know whose ..." looking directly at him "... workshop it is, otherwise there is a risk I may upgrade one of your competitors' workshops!"

 With the party unable to recall how they may be linked to Vecna or if they can not prepared to admit it there is quiet in the room before Mordenkainen strides over to a cabinet full of wondrous items and picks up a silver chime saying "I was worried that our joint spell may not stop one as powerful as the so-called Undying King, as obviously appears to be the case, and consequently I planned a contingency. As we surmised the so-called Undying King is to powerful to stop directly at this point but as we all know no power is absolute! I believe that the so-called Undying King will be vulnerable while he weaves his ritual. At that time and with the assistance of an extremely powerful item called the 'Rod of Seven Parts' a brave group of individuals will be able to use this chime ..." holding up the chime "... to banish him back to place of origin 'Oerth' and where he will no longer be able to influence more than that part of the multiverse."

Mordenkainen's eyes gleam with excitement as he turns directly to the party before continuing "... Unfortunately the Rod of the Seven Parts has for reasons I don't know been broken into its component parts which have then been scattered across existence! While Alustriel and Natasha were researching the spell which inadvertently perhaps - or maybe greater forces were at play - who knows? brought you here! I undertook some research as I say in case a contingency was needed into where the first part of there rod might lie. I have been able to locate it as being deep in the Underdark hidden inside a safe house that belongs to worshippers of the Demon-goddess 'Lolth': Web's Edge it is called! Like calls to like and once you find the first piece of the rod it should point you to where the second piece lies. Are you prepared to undertake this task on behalf of all denizens of the multiverse?

"Pfft. Well, she's got you there, my bearded friend." Lucas tacked on with a bit of a smile to his voice. However, the moment Mordenkainen so much as look as if he's about to speak, Lucas's demeanor shifts back to that of a professional. He went on to listen with rapt attention and absentmindedly rubbed his chin. Then as if bracing to say something, if not bordering on the contraversial, he takes a breath, prior to then snatching up his backpack.

"You know eight or nine years ago I would've jokingly said 'Sure, Boss! Just as soon as you lend /us/ something to help make our task a whole lot easier~'" Lucas gives a fleeting smirk. "But, I'm... I'm not quite the guy anymore. Still, if'n ya don't mind me ask'n of ya, you wouldn't happen to have contacts nestled up with these worshippers, or a description of what this piece could look like? Like, uhh, I 'vaguely' remember hearing 'bout something like that, but for all I know, the darn thing has a habit of disguise itself as a stick or something. Ya dig?" He says to Mordekainen. Then while the man is chewing over the request, Lucas turns to the other party members. "And while I can guess what Paul there is good at, it wouldn't hurt to have an idea of what the rest of ya'll cook'n with. Me personally? I know a bit of arcane magic, as well as a few restorative and bolstering charms and the sort. Beyond that, ehh.. most everything else I got is meant to supplement it."

Corwyn:

”I harken back to the ancient tradition of Elven Fightet/Magic Users, as our tradition used to be called.  Those of us who augment our martial capability with the flow of the Weave are known as Bladedancers or Eldritch Knights, and those of us who dabble in blades to enhance already impressive magical prowess are called Bladesingers or Magi.  I am of the former sect,” replies Corwyn in answer to Lucas’ question.

”I don’t know about anyone else, but in the course of my adventures I have visited many strange realms.  Sometimes in the spaces between realms I have seen visions—and this powerful lich king has been present in more than one.  Once I have changed into my armor, I would indeed be ready to start this perilous but essential mission, though I worry my kind will be quite unwelcome in a Drow city.  We will have to be careful.  Also, we should arrange a way for us to correspond that we may securely update you on our progress and request aid at need,” he continues, now addressing the great mage Mordenkainen.

Torunn chuckles at the mention of competitors, "You think I, Torunn Emberhair, the greatest artificer that Gond has ever blessed has competitors? Ha! You clearly do not know what your spell has brought you! My creations have made even the so called mighty giants tremble and wish they had half my skill!" At the mention of the Rod, he pauses to recall if he had heard of any such artifact:

Arcana: 14

"I would still ask what is in this for me.." He quickly pauses as his eyes greedily hover over the cabinet of wonderous items that Mordenkainen had passed, "But I am sure you will be able to come up with something by the time we are back from the underdark. Fortunately for you lot, my latest project appears to be undamaged and I am looking forward to giving it a test run."

"I have had some interactions with members of the cult of Vecna, I am familiar with some of their practices. Let us say we are not the closest of friends." says Passoveloce. "I would not like to see them become more powerful, and I do not want any Lich running this world or this multiverse thing, whatever that is. I will do what I can to assist in the recovery of the rod and its use to banish the Lich. Higher powers than I think I may be useful in such a quest, so who am I to argue. This has however taken me away from some important work for my guild and that will require some compensation for my absence. What is on offer here?" 

In response to Toruun's boast Alustriel simply smiles and says "... oh really and Gond has told you this himself, I must check with him next time we catch-up. But as they say the proof is in in the pudding!" It turns out however that Toruun has heard of the Rod of Seven Parts and recalls the following:
1) it was made by seven powerful elemental beings known only as the Wind Dukes of Aaqa to imprison a demon lord called Miska the Wolf Spider - who was rampaging across the multiverse - somewhere on the plane of Pandemonium
2) Each part of the Rod allows a specific spell to be cast
3) if somebody is holding a part of the Rod they will immediately know the location of the next part.

In response to Corwyn's and Lucas' questions Mordenkainen says "I'm sorry but I cannot provide you with any further information on the actual location of the first part as I am unable to scry it! As to what it looks like that I can say. It is simply a large green crystal in a metal frame."

Tasha nods at Passoveloce's question as if it is reasonable but before she or Alustriel can say anything Mordenkainen says "... rest assured you will find more than adequate compensation for your time on your  search for the rod should you decide to take this task on?"

(OOC - any more questions or comments)