The House Of Six Fingers

[*Nimiane]

As they move through the foreign layer of the Abyss, Odette remains vigilant in her observations though moves with something of a confident ease in her gait. Her human eyesight may be adapted for use in the dark, but it did not grant her any exceptional prowess when it came to farseeing. Luckily, her hearing was keen and thus even as the two exchanged banter and chatter, she kept her senses tuned to the surrounding environment; the changes in which draw from her raised brows. Her hand always returns to rest on the pommel of her rapier when she is not gesturing in conversation.

Upon reaching the plateau, her aquamarine gaze scans over the rocky surface with a thoughtful hum. Walking over to it, she raps her gloved knuckles on the stone with a ponderous exclamation. "Could be useful iffen it were mined, whatever t'hells it be. Though, seems sturdy enough t'hold foundations too. Fortress mebbe? Watchtower a'least."

Grasping a handful of soil from atop the stone slab, she rubs it between her fingertips briefly before turning a flat palm sideways and allowing the granules to slowly trickle from her leather glove. Her attention turns first to the gaping maw of the nearby cave, then to Kelth with a smile, awaiting his own thoughts on the matter.

[*Mausman]

"Mhm...foundation is highly probable, aye....though that will require many hands ta arrive ferst.

Could take a gander a bit in those caves...likely huge network...and likely we'll need a lot more people ta scour those out..."


*Kelth advances towards the first cave near*

[*Nimiane]

"Worth a look at least." the bardess nods and follows after him, rapier sheath clicking against her thigh.

[*EM-Adimarchus]

The caverns seem damp, muggy and warm as they venture down into the nearest opening. Pus and bile occasionally drip from stalagmites and the soil beneath their feet feels somewhat springy. It doesn't take them long to get the impression that they're wandering through the grotesque innards of some large convalescent being.

The caves do seem to connect to one another in a warren-like network and, save for the occasional manes or dretch which is hastily dispatched they run into no significant signs of life. What they do run into, and frequently, are pulsing cysts bulging out from the cavern walls (and sometimes the floor). A closer inspection would reveal the faint shadow of something vaguely humanoid within the nearest cyst. What precisely lies within would be impossible to tell however, short of cutting the cysts open.

((If you both can make it, I plan to run an event this weekend to wrap up this scouting mission))

[*Mausman]

With a sudden flash behind them, a portal opens. A heavily bleeding young woman, sporting a familiar badge, cries out to Kelth.


"We need you at the front...T-cells going amok! we can't hold this..."


Kelth gives Odette an apologetic look.

"Sorry love...reckon ya can manage this?"

[*Nimiane]

"Aye, I'll head back an' give Maelfina t'report." the bardess gives a knowing smile and a nod, slapping the warrior on his rear with the dull length of her rapier as he disappears through the portal. "Give 'em hell!"

With that, Odette turns from the entrance of the cave and makes back for the original portal with some haste. Her return to the House of Six-Fingers details the layout of the land, it's inhabitants (or lack of) and the plateau which would make for a solid foundation. The cave is also mentioned along with notification of the cysts, the bardess suggesting a secondary scouting party to investigate properly. Perhaps with the aid of a mage or someone versed in the use of magics to aid in deciphering any arcane threat.

Additionally she apologises on Kelth's behalf, explaining that something had come up that required he be elsewhere for a time. Any coin he would have been paid for his services are collected to be passed on.

Odette then offers notice for herself, stating she might be unavailable for a few days due to other business that needed tending to on a prime called Illia, but would be available once again upon her return if more was needed from her. Little does she know at the time, however, such events would strand her on the prime for an entirety of two months.

Time passes, however, and soon word reaches Maelfina's ears of Odette's return to Sigil.

[*Nimiane]

Following the second scouting attempt, enlisted for aid upon her return to Sigil, Odette follows the usual protocol of enquiring after Maelfina within the House of Six Fingers; speaking first with Sultra the barkeep and then the Godsman Fire-Giant that stood watch at the door to his Mistress' chambers. Once given the go ahead, by now a familiar face, Odette steps forth into the office area of the woman's lodgings and slides a small scribed roll of parchment across the desk to the woman who greets her.

"Here ye are, Mael. As promised."

Casually taking a seat on one of the chairs situated in front of the desk, the bardess takes a small nip from the flask on her hip whilst the woman reads over the documents, allowing the time for any additional questions.

[align=center]Reconnaissance of the Abyssal Layer Occipitus.[/align]


[color=414141]Geography[/color]

This particular Abyssal layer forms a large bowl at it's center, seemingly flat with a slight incline and barren of almost all forms of life, stretching out as far as the eye can see to the faint silhouette of mountains in the distance. These natural monuments seem to form something of a barrier around the area. Save for the plateaus that just upwards from the reddish earth, the environment could be considered empty and void of anything save for the occasional withered bush or carcass. These plateaus seem the most common area in which the patches of Celestia are able to break through, given it's connections to the former plane. Additionally, these inclines make for excellent scouting positions, and solid foundation for small constructs.

A number of small caves are also present around the vicinity of these plateaus, though they seem connected they are not easily accessible for anyone larger than hin stature. A larger series of caverns snake their way beneath the earth from a yawning chasm some distance away.

As one approaches the mountain range, the land becomes unmistakably swamp-like though strange in texture, a sponge-like spring underfoot with what may or may not be a blood-like substance. The ground here seems to shift and move at times, though whether or not this is related to the cysts that have formed there is unknown.


[align=center] - - - - - [/align]

[color=414141]Lifeforms[/color]

Based upon the original scouting mission, it was assumed the layer was void of all lifeforms as none were encountered. However, upon a returned trip for reconnaissance, signs of life have become apparent; though not in the usual sense. Fleshy cysts seem to contain paradoxical crimson behemoths, heads like the most viscous of wolves and wielding weapons of goodly aura. With further research upon return, it can be surmised such beings are of the Molydeus line and highly skilled in combat. They should be avoided where possible.

Though such is not my area of expertise, Quinn, the mage I enlisted to aid in identifying these cocoons, determined that they do in fact appear native to the plane. Additional notes stated that these cysts attempt to align it's contents to the plane itself, causing an alignment paradox in polarity. This results in swings between said polarity, which seemingly forces their nature inverse as well. Despite the ferocity of the behemoth in combat, it was quick to flee at the possibility of our intervention.

These cysts were originally only noted to be present within the caverns, though seem to have newly formed in areas once void. Their number increase as one approaches the mountain range, though these seem much older, and possibly dormant. Touching these cysts, to my understanding, leads to one being whisked elsewhere perhaps by teleportation or other magical means.


[align=center] - - - - - [/align]

[color=414141]Athux's Forces[/color]

Athux's presence has been confirmed in the form of Cambion scouts, a small number of which were slain by the behemoth. Regardless, overheard conversation mentioned the releasing of Vrok to test apparent plasma; wherever or whatever that is. Later forces of scouts were seen to be accompanied by Cambion soldiers. Both sets seemed lacking in scouting expertise, and were in fact quite sloppy in their abilities.

Upon tracking the footprints of scouting forces in a northerly direction from the portal to Sigil, it can be largely surmised that the portal being used by enemy forces lay beyond the swamp at the base of the mountain range. Though such was unable to be directly confirmed, it is believed said portal lay in the valley between mountains.


[align=center] - - - - - [/align]

[color=414141]Additional Notes[/color]

A subsidiary presence was also noted, though this one skilled in deception, scouting and possibly tracking. It is my belief that whomever or whatever it was, they were sent to keep an eye on our actions. When investigated, all that was discovered was the mark of Six Fingers etched into the rock's surface. This can, of course, be disregarded should you be sending your own people.


[align=center] - - - - - [/align]

[*EM-Adimarchus]

Maelfina reads through the report silently for a while, her eyes and mind focused on the ramifications it carries. Eventually she finishes, lays the report down and rubs the bridge of her nose.

"I dunnae think tha we'll 'ave ta worry 'bout armies o' Molydei springin outta tha ground...or else I dunnae think either one o' us 's gunna be able ta conquer tha layer. Still, tha cysts innerest me. Once me forward base be established 'm gunna 'ave ta investigate 'em closer."

She gives Odette a grin.

"Ye did good lovely. There'll likely be more fer ye ta do 'ere before tha job's done, if yer up ta such, but fer now rest an' look in on yer ship at tha workshop."

[*Nimiane]

"Maelfina dear, ye know all ye need do is ask an' I'll do what I can." the blonde-haired bard returns with a grin of her own, nodding to the words offered - particularly those mentioning her jammer, several careful months in the making. "Seems I've nae plans t'leave Kelth's any time soon, so ye can leave word fer me there iffen ye require anythin' more or feel in t'mood fer a chinwag. Miss seein' ye around and about, but that's the price of power, eh?"

With that, Odette rises from the chair and offers her usual flourished bow. The smile she offers the tiefling is a genuine one, dipping her head as she collects the gold for her companions and exchanges farewells before departure. As expected, she makes a detour to the foundry en route to the Hive, checking in on the progress of her vessel before returning home.

[*Azulfae]

*Sigil seems to be full of fat orcs.*