Playing Cops and Robbers . . .

I got shot! I’ve never been shot before: it hurts as bad as they say it does in stories. I’m sure I can write a song about this.
 
We got pickpocketed a lot in the marketplace - The Fated almost stole 150G from us before The Harmonium stepped in. To be fair, I had to get shot first before they stepped in: rules are they only interfere with affairs where something has been stolen over 500G, there’s threat to life, or loss of life. Everyone whose crime doesn’t fall in those categories has to post on the Debtor’s Pole in the Market. I guess taking a bolt to the stomach has some perks!
 
After almost being killed and nearly reduced to poverty, we went to the starred location on the map Imel gave us (see next page). We deduced correctly that this was location of the Map Shop. Outside, some protestors were getting a bit rowdy over the fact that the mapmaker was a member of The Athar. I had a fascinating conversation with one of the protestors who worships Kruphix (Gryphx?), the Power that presides over Mysteries. I found this a bit ironic and let him know after he’d attempted to have Søren arrested - after all, isn’t part of worshipping the mysterious respecting the unknown? Perhaps I was wrong to assume such - more research needed! This Kruphix sounds like a fun figure (I do love reading a good mystery!), and as always, the impacts of Power worship on a society remain interesting. Though, I can’t say I’m upset that the Verdan don’t subscribe to such religious practices. I shared that with Beranta, the mapmaker. She illuminated us a bit more on the complexities of being a member of The Athar (apparently, not all of them want the Powers dead), and she also sold us a map to the Cavern of Thought (after Sigil map) - at a discount!
 
We were told we’d need a portal key to get us anywhere near our destination and set out to toward’s Tivvum’s Antiquities. A Harmonium officer named Parlum attempted to take us into custody per previously mentioned protestor’s complaint, but Caelen was able to convince him using some completely untrue racial stereotypes about Warforged and his own position as a fellow Aasimar. The officer then drop kicked the protestor, which didn’t feel very peaceful or harmonious.
 
On our way to the antique store, we stopped by the local butcher shop, Parts & Pieces. And they had PTERODACTYL!!! Of course, I had to get some. I may have never seen one, but I heard the Twins talking about it with Atar once when they didn’t notice I was there, and I’ve been curious every since. I’m more convinced than ever it’s a large bird, considering the avian taste. It would be great to go Toril someday...maybe then I’d have something to talk about at
dinner with the family…Though I suppose that’s not going to happen for awhile, if ever again. Anyways, I drew a picture of what I assume a pterodactyl looks like, based on my brothers’ vague description.
 
After Seamusxanthuszenus (Lizardfolk names are long - super cool!) set us up with some rations, we headed toward Tivvum’s. At first we didn’t appear as “clueless” as the other Material Planes visitors surrounding the Debtor’s Pole, but Tivvum quickly caught on. He explained how the whole portal/portal key thing worked and kept trying to talk with Clarity in Infernal (I have to ask her teach me some). We left them alone to discuss whatever they needed to after we got the key - maybe something about his favor?
 
We grabbed some more rations, met back up with Clarity, and started to go grab some more spell supplies when some of us noticed we were being followed. The Harmonium, who apparently Caelen has gotten in trouble with in the past, were tracking us. We tried to outsmart them - I even used my disguise kit for the first time since College - but turned out they were looking for Clarity instead! She seemed really nervous about their questioning regarding the bag and was trying to resist when
some Goblins (Fated?) popped out of the floorboards of the shop and slaughtered the officers! We made a break for it, half of us returning to the lodging at Imel’s, while the group members with more heat went to Clarity’s place.
 
Imel advised us not to go near that part of town anymore - apparently, it’s filled with worshippers of Bane, the Power associated with conquest and terror. Not my cup of tea to say the least. I tried to lift the mood with my version of a real Summer Court banger. Can never be a cloudy day when you play September! Doc rocked it as always, and Søren gave a pretty solid first performance as our main bell-ist (I think that’s a word). Though he did seem a bit upset about the whole experience of today. I get the feeling Mechanus is very orderly, and that a strict hierarchy and set standards of morality laid down by higher powers makes him feel...safe? I don’t know, I’ve only met the guy a few hours ago, but we’re best friends now, so I hope he understood what I was trying to say regarding Clarity and Caelen’s situation - and partially my own. I also hope those two are both okay tonight - not sure where they went, but they seem really cool, and Doc and I could really use more friends, and I don’t want any more people to get murdered by Goblins under floorboards…
 
Tomorrow, we set out for the Ironridge Mountains - Imel said we may encounter Wyverns, Chimeras, Rumored Dwarves, Oh my! I trust our party to see our tasks through, though I’m expecting more wild stories to come, especially considering the Cavern is a resting place for a Power...