H130, day 186, Peak (Open) - Spell Keys Tent

[blank]

A cloaked figure coming in off the street stops briefly to consult the signs directing visitors among the tents before making his way through the crowd toward the one labeled Spell Keys.

As he walks the cloak sways open slightly, revealing part of the Dustmen symbol sewn into his tunic. Passing by the Spell Formula tent, he notices a fellow Dustman, a tiefling woman paused outside the tent, and nods in acknowledgement without slowing or stopping.

After getting out of the rain, he pulls back the hood of his cloak, revealing a young human, clean-shaven, hair cropped close, wearing the expression most typical of his faction: none at all.

He surveys the wares attentively. While they are mostly outside his price range now, these are things he'll almost certainly need in the work he does for the faction, so he's here to get an idea of what they should cost, and which planes have more expensive, rarer or more difficult to obtain keys.

[Stix]

While still very well guarded, this tent is on the low end for foot traffic -- in the Cage, there's no need for spell keys, after all. A few planewalkers mill about -- a Sinker here, an Indep there -- looking through the various displays of spell keys. A nearby Sensate comments idly to a Guvner on the high quality of the lettering and calligraphy on the signs labeling each plane's keys.

"Afternoon, basher," says a middle-aged human (a Society member) approaching from nearby. He's dressed to travel, in a few light beige-colored layers with a gray leather overcloak -- as gray as the Waste itself -- and thick boots made from some sort of scaly black hide. His polite tone and expression are marred by an involuntary facial tic that leaves his left eye in a permanent squint and causes the same corner of his mouth to rise in a sporadic halfhearted smirk. "Saw you looking over the keys, thought you might need some help. What plane are you bound for?"

[blank]

"I plan to travel to the Astral," Jonas responds, sparing a look at the Society member. Is he wearing any visible faction symbol?

[Stix]

"The Astral," he repeats, lifting his chin to stretch his neck. "Since it lacks any resemblance to a physical place, you might guess that the keys for it are mental constructs of some kind. And if you did, you'd be right. We have reports with up-to-date keys and how to properly exercise your mind to make 'em work, available today for ten gold pieces," he suggests, not bothering to try to push the sale any more than that.

"What's the ride on the Astral?" the traveler inquires, trying to make some small talk.

(No visible faction symbol on him.)

[blank]

"Exploration and research, mainly faction business. You mention the keys are 'up-to-date.' How frequently do the requirements of a working key change?"

[Stix]

The planewalker purses his lips as he gives that some thought. "You know, I don't think the keys for the Astral have ever changed. It's been several years using same ones for me, at least. History isn't as much my focus, but I can call for someone if you want to know. Otherwise, it varies across the Ring. Planes of chaos change a lot more often than law, of course, and the rest... well, sometimes it's a few days, sometimes a few years before they change. Again, generally speaking, the closer to Law you get...." He trails off, splaying his hands in a "there you have it" gesture.

[blank]

"An historian is not necessary. I will purchase a key to the Astral at the stated price. Are you the assigned attendant for this tent?"

[Stix]

"One of, yes," he says, turning to a nearby runner. "This gentleman would like a key guide for the Astral Plane, on the pick-up." The clerk nods and collects a few more requests from nearby attendants before ducking into the building. In moments, he's out again, handing off scroll cases.

"Ten gold pieces," says the planewalker nonchalantly. "Any other business here today? We've got rare spell formulas available -- cantrips, first house, second house -- we've got rare components to match -- and they'll buy 'em from you, in case you've fallen into the habit of collecting strange materials. Let's see, ah...." He trails off in thought, trying to get a read on the level of Jonas' interest.

[blank]

"Yes, I saw the signs for the other tents. I will have to peruse them and see what piques my interest."

When the runner returns, Jonas reaches under his cloak to withdraw the needed coins from a belt pouch hidden there. He stows the guidebook in his backpack for later, and heads out of the tent with a quick, "Thank you, cutter."

[Stix]

"And thank you," the attendant says to Jonas' back. He waves the runner back inside and begins to idly reorganize a few displays, keeping an eye out for further buyers.

[TheGratefulNed]

A fairly small, horse-legged tiefling in grey leather armor purposefully approaches the Spell Key tent. Glancing across the available miscellany, he approaches one of the attendants nearest the Inner Planes displays and asks, "what keys would I need for a ride to Fire?"

[Stix]

A tall, statuesque woman regards the tiefling with a nod. "The keys on Fire are a bit different than what you might expect. Most planewalkers go in thinking they'll have to burn something associated with the school of magic -- dead flesh for necromancy, an iron ring for abjuration, and so on. That way of thinking was actually a nasty series of rumors that's written many an unprepared spellslinger into the dead-book.

"The keys you'll need are actually motions that mimic the leaping of flame," she continues, motioning to a nearby runner, who hands her one of the same thin, wooden scroll tubes used for all the information dispersed at the Society's fair. "I have here a set of diagrams by school that might well save your life. Ten gold pieces, if you're interested."

[TheGratefulNed]

admin said:

"The keys you'll need are actually motions that mimic the leaping of flame," she continues, motioning to a nearby runner, who hands her one of the same thin, wooden scroll tubes used for all the information dispersed at the Society's fair. "I have here a set of diagrams by school that might well save your life. Ten gold pieces, if you're interested."

The tiefling, without even a second's consideration, undoes a complex knot on a belt pouch and fishes ten assorted gold pieces from it. While deftly retying the knot with one hand, he offers the jink to the tall woman. "Quite interested and more obliged," he adds with a nod and a grin. After taking a moment to peer into the scroll case to ensure it did contain information relevant to the Crematorium, Gl'Fnak places the wooden cylinder into his backpack, abruptly turns on one green-shod hoof and heads for the tent labeled 'Rare Components Bought and Sold.'

[Stix]

The contents of the scroll case include five parchment pages of intricately detailed illustrations and instructions, depicting motions from a flick of the fingers to a complex dance that looks like it might be performed around a bonfire. Each spell school is addressed individually, and the layout is remarkably easy to follow.

"I hope you're satisfied with the results," the attendant says with finality and a polite smile. "And that your ride's a successful one."

[feq]

Vatndir entered the tent, scanning the room. "It won't be long here Wraith, I just want to see if there is anything for Arborea, and how much it costs." He starts looking around seeing if anything of interest, merchandice or customer, catches his eye.

[Stix]

A lean tiefling youth sidles up to Vatndir, her goat-legged stride sure and calm. "Cutter," she says, regarding him. She gives a cursory glance to Wraith -- as if simply to convey that she's aware of her -- before returning her attention to the Genasi.

She addresses Vatndir with rapid and precise words, getting straight to the point. "Arborea's an easy place to get lost. If you need a minder, my services are on the market. If you need keys, I can help you with those, too."

[feq]

"A minder? My mind is enough for me. There is no room for an extra one." Vatndir thinks deeply and continues. "Actually, I imagine it wouldn't be my place to hire one anyway, as I'm an employee on my journey. Keys would be interesting. How much?"

[Uathach Blackmantle]

Wraith frowns thoughtfully. She may've been no expert on the Outer Planes - or the Inner, for that matter - but from what she'd learned and committed to memory from long, exhausting hours of study, Arborea couldn't exactly be called "dangerous"; not unless you were a fiend, anyway. Treacherous travel? Most certainly. Dangerous to a cutter like Vatndir? Of that, she wasn't entirely sure.

Suspecting a peel, Wraith squints in concentration at the tiefling youth; taking her time to study her face, and read her gestures. She may've been wrong with her assumptions - she wasn't known for being a good judge of character - but this was an open market in the Lower Ward. Places like these were breeding grounds for those canny con-artists and thieves adroit enough to slip past the watchful gaze of the Harmonium.

Offering a tight, obviously forced smile to the young fiendling, Wraith leans close to Vatndir, and whispers into his ear; "In case you aren't familiar, a minder is another name for a bodyguard." She pauses. "I'd be careful around here if I were you. The Lower Ward might not be half as dangerous as the Hive, but you should still be wary of the spivs looking for a ripe gully to peel. My advise is, buy your keys from a legitimate vendor; this might sound prejudiced, but I don't trust her."


[dice=20+3]
Sense Motive [rand=5791129762105425773542510793119664161711635701736204226330655455]

[Stix]

The tiefling gives Wraith some space to speak softly to Vatndir, stepping back but keeping her attention fixed on them both. When it appears that the Dustman has spoken her piece, she picks up the coversation as though she hadn't stopped speaking in the first place. "A full report on the keys to any plane costs ten gold pieces. Appropriate physical keys are available at their market value. All prices and sales are final."

[feq]

Vatndir laughs at Wraith's comment, sadly oblivious to the temporary change that had overcome his companion, and noticing only that she now appeard to be back to normal. "Thank you Wraith. I was completely wrong on that term, wasn't I?" HE smiled at her, hoping to return her to the more joyous state from before.

"Ah, a minder would be quite useful. I've got John as a slatr skjoldr, and Holgar and Nuuko as 'minders' as well." He considered the Tiefling's offer. "Ten gold seems pricey. Especially without any keys. How about you knock it down a few, or better yet, throw a few necessary keys free of charge? One can't relaly think the key chart to be worth tht much without at last a few keys"