Chapter 7: The Glimmering Ocean
General Summary
Our chapter begins on the second of Abarat. Having just watched Falaern return to presumably Ilythyra through a permanent teleportation circle and Linn leave for Drifandi, our group was left in the dim light of Xhosidva, the undercity. They made their way upwards back to Purple Reigns and Arik Prince. Arik informed them that if they should be needing anything, they should return to him and that he was working on a possible commission for new uniforms for the Celestial Guard. He also had some recommendations for places to stay throughout Lorisen.
The group chose the Umbral Inn, located in the shadow of the Jubilee Spire. On the way there, they came across a bakery, Baked with Love, that was under assault by two swarms of rats. They quickly defeated the creatures. They received a few gold, but were swiftly found out to not be a part of the extermination crews and had to make a quick exit.
At the Umbral Inn, they were able to secure lodging in Room 712 from the owner, Evan T'vaul, a human man who was originally from The Gatipids. He has an assistant, a young Tabaxi woman named Kiji. The took some time to take a bath, discuss their plans, and gamble a bit. While gambling they came across two men, Pol and Viz. While gambling it seems that a few of Viz's fingers may have been broken. Still grateful for the fun, he divulged to the group that the rats were getting worse and he in fact had quite a few in his basement. Jacquora offered to help exterminate his rat problem as it was she that injured his hand. He gratefully accepted and wrote down his address, a place in Dawnford. Pol also mentioned that if they were looking for some high-stakes gambling, they should check out The Gemini Club and pay their compliments to the chef.
That night, each of the group experienced the same odd dream. Trapped under the water, seeing the moonlight skitter across the top of the waves. Unable to move. Without a body or need to breathe. They felt a presence and a low feminine voice spoke to them. They each heard different words. THE LIGHT or FIND or RELEASE. Their vision then flashed to white and they felt a searing white-hot pain. They awoke to find that all of their temporary tattoos had been transformed to faintly glowing symbols. The three inset teardrops of Ilythyra now were a shimmering silver. The pain faded until their skin felt normal once more.
Lenihlra and Inhe returned to sleep, troubled by what has happened. Jacquora went for a early morning stroll and glimpsed a figure hurrying through Empire Circle. She stealthily followed the cloaked individual until losing them. She found a moved sewer grate just behind the Ascension Spire. Returning to the group, tired, but motivated, she shared with the rest of the group her findings. They decided not to contact Falaern about their new symbols on their bodies and headed to the sewer grate. They found it was guarded by Celestial Guard and needed to have credentials to access it. They went to the Ascension Spire to find the Department of Public Sanitation. After paying a small fee to use the lifts up the seventeenth floor, they came across Grak Aabock, a goblin man who is a scribe for the head of the department and in charge of finding out what is happening in the sewers.
He told the group that several groups of individuals have gone misssing in there in the course of their work to repair a few blockages or collapses. The sewers are old, so this is not infrequent work. However, so many groups not returning to the surface is odd. He tells them that the reward for solving this situation is 1500 gp if the missing are found alive and 1200 if not. He offers to not spread news of this contract (possibly losing the group the bid for the work) in return for receiving a 20% split of the reward. He gives them a patch with the crest of the department and navy blue coveralls to have them appear as workers or exterminators. He also tells them that the rats are being driven out of the sewers possibly because of what is happening to the workers.
They agreed to meet Grak around 4PM that day by the message board in front of the Ascension Spire. They read some of the messages that were on that board:
- WANTED: Assistance with persistant spirit. Discretion required. Large Reward if taken care of. Contact Y. D. at 1818 Resplendant Spire.
- HELP NEEDED: Extra baking assistants for the celebration season. Steady pay for one month. 2 sp/day!
- IN REVIEW: Rorden Gamsey's Weekly Dining Review: I approached The Gemini Club thinking that the luxurious name would indicate a level of service approximate to its name. However, the sheer stench of the place dashed any of those ideas before I rounded the corner. A shamble-like three-story hut with a partially obscured sign was a sore greeting indeed. Upon entering I was taken aback by the sour smell of ale long-past its expiration. After taking one sniff of the stuff I couldn't even bear to drink. Why there were folks willing to share their compliments with the chef while I was there is beyond me. I suppose people must eat...but by Desna's own luck, why would they even approach the kitchen let alone think to take a bite of that stale stew. One star. Next week: Cloudtops Cafe.
- CREATURE CAPTURE: Help needed in capturing (NOT KILLING) creatures for the stadium fights on Loras' Day. Expertise in animal handling preferred, but not required. Pays well.
- TAKING APPLICATIONS: want to earn glory? Want to earn gold? How about both?! Visit 767 Jubilee Spire to submit your application to fight in the Sanctuary stadium during the celebration week. Winner and two runner-ups will receive entry to the Jubilation Ball and private ceremony with Estor Pator himself.
- SEEKING WITNESSES: Trial of Moldoryn Crime Lords to begin day after Loras' Day. Verdict to follow. Yatza Kyloth, formerly the head of United Emaniquora Trading Company, and associates currently being detained in The Golden Dome Prison. Associated with illegal smuggling of Fire Isles contraband that led to the demise of nearly a dozen individuals. Death sentence expected. If you have any incriminating or exonerating information on these individuals, come to the grand jury offices at 4100 Ascension Spire by 17th of Abarat at noon.
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