"Still, you can get there anything you want, and I mean - anything," Choir mutters thoughtfully. Blood of Tiamat?   Wings?  She feels her empty coin pouch with woe.  Not likely they will trade those for her sparkly dice.

     Polly scoffs.  "Don't think they can free the city and people for us... So not anything."

"Free the city?" Seemingly relaxed absentminded elf picked up the important bit. "Is that your bigger picture?"

     "Ummm... well..." Polly looks around to the others....  "Is it?"

"The less we do outside the mission,  the better.  As we know, deals here are tricky and we never know what the end result will be." Adray says.

"Oh, but you do! The beauty of the place - what you get is exactly what you are bargaining for. Provided you did read your fine print well. And the price... Do you really care that much what happens after you die?" From an elf with his thousand years lifespan it was a bit hollow but he seemed honestly thinking that way. "To get what you want now and pay much later - why not?" "Why not" was hidden by an illusion of the Feywild, and Mooncolor neighed something, not understandable to the group but perfectly clear to Smiler it seemed, because he answered: "I am no devil to make deals. Just saying - the deals are real and the price might not be that terrible after all."

"There's always a catch," says Choir. The illusion of the Feywild was breathtaking after days in the hellscape, though, and Choir rests her eyes taking in the beauty that surrounds her...even if it's fake. "Trust not in demons. Read your fine print well."

If she asked them to make her fly, they'd probably turn her into an imp or a beetle or something, and that would definitely not be as much fun as being Choir flying. And if they free the city, they must make sure they include themselves in the bargain.  Self-sacrifice was noble, but there were lots of people on Elturel who deserved to be in hell much more than Choir and her companions, she was sure, so they must absolutely be freed with the city, if at all possible.

     “Always a catch... always a loophole... and always a chance to renegotiate or find a way to buy yourself out of it...”  Polly seemed perhaps not interested in such a deal, but not as dead set against it than the others. “Would they perhaps wine and dine us while they presented the offer?  Perhaps we could get some fresh clean water and good for just entertaining the thought...”

"Smiler, what is your source of food here?" Adray asks.  "Does this place provide food, fruit, veggies, meat?  Or is this just a temporary hideaway?"

"This is just for beauty of it, the food for the soul, if you wish. Not everyone need it," he did not even look at someone specifically, just smiled, "but for some it is as necessary as an actual food. As for where I get some... There is always someone on the plane carrying something useful. That can be traded or used."

The answer was vague enough but Smiler did invite you to his band, and it was highly unlikely he meant "a small musical ensemble" here.

For a fraction of a second his smile vanished when he answered to Polly: "There is only one place with a free cheese around here, and that would be a mousetrap. You take something - you pay for it. Good meal will cost you a soul coin. Not that much, though, not cheap by any means either. And you got the gist of it - Asmodeus's daughter dedicated her whole plane to re-negotiating. Of course, the new terms - with her - would be less breakable. But one can always try."

Adray frowns and thinks about the soul coin comment.  It is what they need to use to drive the Torrmentor.  Trading it away is a steep price for a single meal.  If only he could crest food like being about to create water but that is not something Tiamat had granted him.  He looks up, "Choir, my new patron gave me access to water but I have a very weak bond.  Has yours granted any ability to make food?  That would remove this concern altogether."

Choir puts her head to one side as she thinks over her studies and prayers from the temple.  Remembering, she jumps up happily. "Create Food and Water! You create 45 pounds of food and 30 gallons of water on the ground or in containers within range, enough to sustain up to fifteen humanoids or five steeds for 24 hours. The food is bland but nourishing, and spoils if uneaten after 24 hours. The water is clean and doesn't go bad." She has never needed the spell before, small wonder she didn't think of it until asked. "Well, that settles that!  Not today. Little birdies need to get their rest."

Adray smiles and says, "That is one problem solved, for tomorrow."  He looks at Chior still smiles and nods, "Akadi be praised."  No sooner were the words out of his mouth when his eyes go wide, he doubles over and clutches his chest while gasping for breath.  The mark had suddenly flared and searing pain wracked through his body and then it was gone.  Disappointing to a dull throb and then nothing.

Fran would cock a brow to Smiler’s offer. She’d be lying if she said she wasn’t a little enticed. Though his sentence that followed directly after his offer explained to her that there didn’t seem to be a reason or grand purpose for the defilers. Just living wild and free and scrapping with the devils and demons? The artificer would rub her chin for a moment. Honestly, if she truly is destined to live the rest of her days in hell, she’d be up for the ride. Smiler had peaked her curiosity. “Rain check.” She’d grunt. Because for now, the battle smith was loyal to the group and Lulu’s cause.

Besides some grunting and occasional swearing, Fran would keep busy tending to the tormentor while the others broke into a very informative and constructive conversation. It was good to learn of this Mahadi’s Wandering Emporium and to be reminded of the high costs and bargaining that is abundant in this place. More so though, it was relieving to learn that Choir’s patron Akadi could provide them with sustenance. The artificer’s belly would let out a gurgle of appreciation.

Hearing Adray’s groan and display of pain, Fran would cast a concern look in his direction. He’s gunna push himself ‘til ‘e’s dust. She could only let out a small sigh.

”Aye. I got a question.” Fran would look to Smiler, “What’s everyone’s obsession with Lulu? Something we missin’?” She’d ask genuinely. For Maggie it was her memories. But was that it? Was it simply her tie to Zareal? “Is it jus’ moths teh a flame like Mooncolour?” Was it really just that simple? 

Smiler gave a long hearty laugh and even stood up again to come closer and take a look at Lulu. "THE Lulu?! Really? You are a very interesting bunch. You know, come to think of it, Avernus is a small place, and news do fly. So, this is Zariel's pet?" "A friend!" quiet Lulu, that was carefully enjoying the scenery with Mooncolor, now hovered in front of Smiler like an angry ball of golden fur (all standing up and making her twice as big). "And I am still her friend! Once I find her sword I will get through to her! She will remember who she is and right all wrong that... happened." 

The outburst made Smiler laugh again. "Now we are talking! Saving Zariel, are we? And someone dares to call my plans crazy! Wish you luck with that, you got yourself quite a task." "As of your question, hon - there are many uses for celestials around here. Suck up their essence - and you get yourself years of life, take their blood - get ingredients for many rituals, corrupt them - and get the promotion you were waiting for centuries. But this is for him mostly" (Smiler pointed at Mooncolor) "Lulu here is special - aren't you, little hollyphant? Zariel's personal pet. That cost a lot. Surprised Maggie let you keep her but can guess what she got instead. You have a flying golden mine in your pocket."

"By the way, would go easier on announcing your skills, Choir" (apparently, the elf listened and remembered) "Some can find them too useful to let you go around so freely."

"So, looking for a sword?  And where, pray tell?"

Choir clamps her beak shut tight, and looks from Smiler to Adray to Lulu and back. In one breath, the strange elf just warned her to keep her mouth shut, then asked them to spill their plans.  Choir wonders just how far they can trust the crazy green elf.

Ordrag listens carefully to the conversation. It was natural to mistrust everyone in this place, and easy to assume this elf with the permanent smile was probably another wolf in sheep's clothing. But he did come recommended from Maggie, and had been fair in their exchanges so far. They had helped him escape from his pursuers, he had offered advice and even the opportunity to join his group. They had shared some of their plans, and he had given some directions, suggestions and warnings. So Ordrag decided there was little harm in sharing one more piece of information and seeing what was offered in return, although this time he watched the elf's reaction closely to get one more read on his intent. Calling out from behind his harpoon, he simple says: Bleeding Citadel. 

(Insight: 19) 

May be you can trust the man - may be not at all. He is laughing and smiling but he is one of the warlord of Avernus (though, so is Mad Maggie). Right now Smiler absolutely honestly (at least Ordrag did not get a hint of false information) said: "Would even know where to look for it. Makes sense, though - "Bleeding Citadel" is a rumor around here, no one even knows for sure what it is. Fitting for a lost weapon of a higher-up. Word is, Zariel wanted to destroy her sword but Bel sabotaged the attempts." Smiler shrugged, "Rumors". 

Adray shrugs at that, "Best we can do is keep on keeping on.  We got the goal and have to step towards it."  He stands up and wipes his hands on his pants and says, "we need to go on with the next steps.  We can press on or rest or take turns reastin in the Tormenter.  But personally, I'm feeling pretty beat.  We can keep driving if ya want but I'd hand that off to Fran for a little shut eye."

Ordrag is feeling okay and volunteers to take a turn at driving. Only problem is that if they run into trouble they might have to wake up the sleepers, so probably better to all sleep at the same time.

(How long since our last rest? I thought it wasn't that long - just before we left the Zapper and these armies converged. Was that a long time ago?)