Chapter 6: The City Above & The City Below

General Summary

This chapter begins on the 1st of Abarat as our party arrives in the capital city of Lorisen. A storm has just blown them and the crew of The Glowerm into the northern reach of the Maxilla Docks. After a recommendation by Ainsworth, the group of five make their way to The Tri-horned Narwhal, an inn and tavern located in Portside, ran by a goblin woman named Ini.   Inhe and Jacquora stayed downside while Lenihlra went off to bed and caught a moment to talk to Ini about the city. She mentioned that her husband had told her about recent issues in the sewers, but that she didn't know much about what was happening. She also mentioned that rats seemed to be becoming more and more of a problem as well. Finally, she told them a bit about some of the events that happen in the week leading up the Loras' day on the 23rd of Abarat. These events include fights at Sanctuary Stadium (melee, animal wrangling, one-on-ones, etc) and racing at The Tracks. (See the article The Residential Neighborhoods of Lorisen for more information these locations).   After a restful night's sleep, the party woke up on the 2nd of Abarat to a small knocking on their door. Falaern and Linn indicated that they had best be off. Before leaving, she placed a small sigil on a discreet area of each of the party's bodies, which would help them not only get into Xhosidva, but if they use this temporary tattoo - which lasts one month - to create a more permanent sigil, they will hopefully have an easier time gaining access to Ilythyra should they choose to go there.   Falaern led them inward towards the city, around the Sea Spire - a tall (though not as tall as it's sister spires located in Empire Circle) lighthouse, comprised of smooth white basalt stone - and towards the Chromatic Island where textiles are produced in the Empire. Eventually she was able to guide them to Purple Reigns, a shop specializing in purple textiles. After retrieving her purse, she paid all three of the party for their assistance in helping to find Linn.   However, Falaern was suprised to learn that the price of travel via the Transportation Circle had increased from mearly 100 gp to 1,000 gp. This meant that there was only enough for one of them to return to Ilythyra. Linn volunteered to stay as Falaern had to report back to her superiors. Together, all five of the group, plus Arik the owner of Plum Rains, made their way via a secret entrance into the undercity of Xhosidva.   In Xhosidva, they stopped by Mage You Look, a shop of magical artifacts operated by Gal Powers, who creates these objects for sale. While there, the party purchased a few pieces of magical equipment. Jacquora purchased "Bertha Lite," a kris knife with magical runes etched into the spine. Inhe purchased a Backfire Mantle to assist in shrugging off spells cast near her, though it is perhaps not as ornate as most magical capes as it was a prototype of Gal's. Lenihlra purchased a Marble of Slipping, which can transform into 1,000 marbles once the activation phrase is uttered. Falaern bought a pair of Sending Stones, which allow the users to speak to each other across any distance. She kept one and gave the other to Lenihlra.   Finally, the party made their way to the Transportation Circle in the city square where they said their goodbyes. She made her way up the stones and, after speaking with the attendant and paying the fee, vanished with a bright flash of light. Linn additionally took her leave, thanking the group for saving her from "that bastard" Wesley P'dash, but saying that she had some business to take care of elsewhere.