View source for Session 5: Dealing in Ribcage

[[File:Ribcage.png|right|600px|thumb|Ribcage - Gate-town of The Nine Hells]]
== Summary ==

The party arrived at Ribcage. As they were getting their bearings, the Modron squadron from before flew in the (recently-repaired) silver skiff that they had "littered in their path". Passing by the gate guards, they were offered a contract by the "cambion" Cassander in exchange for passage to Sigil. The party could not read the contract, but noted that the cambion seemed very inexperienced. Cassander recommended a translation from a local advocate.

Asking where to do some shopping, they were directed to the Beetle Bazaar, where they met a variety of strange merchants and had access to merchandise from The Blood War and across the planes. After hocking their silver to the chain devil [[Kraxx'Tor]], buying bomb-making materials openly, sharing a secret to [[The Moss Hag]], and failing to talk [["Fingers" McFinney]] into a hook, they purchased a variety of magic items, including a Helm of Comprehend Languages, which they used to translate the contract. A gray slaad advocate, [[Xarannos]], offered to edit the terms to make them more favorable, which he did in his office.

On the way back to the gate, the party noted a rich noble dining lavishly on a balcony while being flanked by two cambions. Reaching the gate, they convinced Cassander to sign the contract, immediately outing him as an imp in disguise. He writhed and tried to fly away, and the party set him on the task of finding a gate to Sigil.

Witnessed by unseen eyes, the party was summoned to the Citadel of Cinders to speak to [[Zelza Zurkbane]], the duchess of Ribcage. Impressed by their guile, she tasked them with tracking down and killing a gem tradesmen accused of murdering a senator's son.

The hour grows late as the party considers the complimentary stay at the Gymnasium of Steam.

== XP Award ==
* 300 XP for negotiating the contract and fooling the imp
* 150 XP for efficient haggling at The Beetle Bazaar
* '''Total: 450 XP'''
* '''Current XP: 1005 XP -> 1455 XP''' (Level 3)
* ''(Required for next level: 2700 XP)''

== Things That Happened ==

=== Modron Delivery Service ===
* Diedric was caught up on recent events, and the quest to fetch an empty Grand Sensory Stone for [[Galdren Murendar]]. It's the key to sparking a rebellion to reshape Thay.
* A fluttering of wings revealed six monodrones gracefully landing the silver skiff, now repaired, with the duodrone riding it commandingly. He chided the party for littering and flew away, carried by some of the monodrones.

=== The Spire Gate ===

* The party crossed the bridge toward the bat-like gate, molten lava to either side. The air grew hot.
* Ahead, they could see a town of stark buildings made of iron or infernal steel. A massive citadel dominated the center, surrounded by a second set of inner walls. Each step closer to this citadel felt dangerous. It emitted the muffled sound of a roaring flame.
* The gate was guarded by two black Abishai.
* One of the guards had speared a Manes -- an Abyssal creature that had wandered too close. Three had been spotted recently. They made a joke about the party making good eating.
* The party asked where the gate to Sigil was.
* A crimson-skinned cambion, leaning against the opposite side of the gate, chimed in that he may be able to help.

=== Cassander's Proposition ===

* Acting overly excited and nervous, this cartoonishly-evil cambion offered a contract in exchange for information on how to get to the Sigil gate.
* The party could not read the contract. Cassander suggested getting it translated by an advocate, and warned that he had First Rights to make a deal with the party, as per Ribcage law, and that no other would help them until this contract was accepted or rejected.
* Not trusting this, the party inquired as to where they could do some shopping. One of the guards mentioned the Beetle Bazaar and pointed in that direction.

=== The Beetle Bazaar ===
[[File:The Beetle Bazaar.png|right|600px|thumb|The Beetle Bazaar]]
[[File:Kraxx'Tor.png|right|600px|thumb|Kraxx'Tor]]
[[File:Xylara.png|right|600px|thumb|Xylara]]
[[File:The Moss Hag.png|right|600px|thumb|The Moss Hag]]
[[File:Tikvik.png|right|600px|thumb|Tikvik]]
[[File:Saa.png|right|600px|thumb|Saa]]
[[File:Fingers McFinney.png|right|600px|thumb|Fingers McFinney]]
[[File:Zog.png|right|600px|thumb|Zog]]
* The party approached The Beetle Bazaar, a three-level multi-planar marketplace buzzing inside of the chitinous shell of a long-dead behemoth, slain in an ancient war. The entrance was the beast's mouth, with its mandibles pulled apart.
* Its interior was lit by a mix of torches and glow-in-the-dark fungi. The floor was tough but fleshy, like ancient digestive organs.
* Highlights:
** Glenn cut out a piece of the floor, tested its plasticity, and Cedani politely put the chunk back in its hole.
** Cedani and Diedric led negotiations for most purchases.
** The party sold the silver skiff and silver chest to [[Xarannos]], the chain devil merchant. He licked the skiff. His gear was primarily barbed weapons and armor. The party suggested silver chains.
*** There was a discussion with him about selling a hook to [["Fingers" McFinney]] -- he agreed to a commission.
*** The party discussed adding spikes to [[Unit 137]]. The chain devil agreed, asking for them to return tomorrow. He told the Modron his purpose was to kill.
*** The modron was taught "Pose 1".
*** Diedric purchased a Warhammer of Warning from Xarannos. He explained it had belonged to a Corellon-worshipping elf, and that the warhammer ''did'' wake him right before he was incinerated.
** Octavius purchased a feathered Helm of Comprehend Languages from [[Saa]], a half-elf woman dressed in a feathered dress, in exchange for coin and three of his feathers.
** Cedani spoke with [[The Moss Hag]], who appears as a pile of vegetation and is most interested in secrets.
*** She traded the secret of her nana Nanathia living in Sigil, in the Market Ward, in exchange for a Pearl of Power.
*** The Moss Hag indicated she had been to that part of the Feywild and hated it -- it's too cold.
** Diedric spoke to an armored giant grasshopper named [[Tikvik]] -- a salesman of insectoid armor.
**** He sold him Splint Mail made of an iridescent blue chitin that is always clean and can be removed quickly. It belonged to a warrior insect named Zrar-Katan -- and was in fact his chitin.
** The party approached [[Xylara]], the drow priestess alchemist with many spider eyes and a stall made of webs, and purchased sticky spider residue.
** The party approached [["Fingers" McFinney]], who declined a hook, saying he was saving jink for a restoration of his left hand. They purchased a barrel of smoke powder from him.
** The party approached [[Zog]], a floppy-hatted bored elderly wizard from Krynn, who sold them vellum and Octavius an Arcane Grimoire, featuring the face of a man screaming on its cover in realistic leather.
** The party saw two melded, legless goblins on a cart pulled by a skeletal mastiff, but did not interact with them. Their wares were very strange, including armor melded with feathers, glowing stones that whimpered, and more.
* Octavius read the contract to the party using his Helm of Comprehend Languages, confirming the terms were awful.

=== The Contract ===

<div style="margin: 20px; padding: 20px; padding-top: 0px; border: 2px solid #ccc; border-radius: 5px; background-color: #f9f9f9;">
  <h2 style="color: #333;">Hereby Drafted Agreement of Services Rendered</h2>
  <p style="color: #666;">This legal parchment, drafted with utmost care and attention to contractual minutiae, serves as a binding commitment between the below-named Parties:</p>
  <ul>
    <li style="color: #666;">Party of the First Part: An entity of exceptional acumen and influence, identity hereby indicated as Cassander.</li>
    <li style="color: #666;">Party of the Second Part: The individual(s) affixing their signature(s) below, desiring access to the planar conduit leading to the esteemed City of Sigil.</li>
  </ul>
  <h3 style="color: #333;">Terms and Considerations</h3>
  <ol>
    <li style="color: #666;"><strong>Service:</strong> The Benefactor shall furnish the Recipient(s) with accurate navigational knowledge as pertains to the location of an interplanar portal commonly designated as a "Sigil Gate". The veracity of such information is hereby stipulated.</li>
    <li style="color: #666;"><strong>Delivery:</strong> The aforementioned knowledge shall be imparted verbally, upon execution of this Agreement. Subsequent inquiries seeking clarification shall be rendered billable at the Benefactor's sole discretion.</li>
    <li style="color: #666;"><strong>Remuneration:</strong> In exchange for aforesaid Service, the Recipient(s) pledge a singular intangible asset referred to as the "Residual Essence". This Residual Essence is understood to be the animating force, or persistent vital spark, existing within the Recipient(s) corporeal form(s), which survives upon the cessation of bodily functions. Ownership transfer of this Residual Essence shall occur upon cessation of bodily functions, a juncture herein stipulated as the Termination Point.</li>
    <li style="color: #666;"><strong>Essence Valuation:</strong> The intrinsic worth of Residual Essence, subject to market fluctuations beyond the Benefactor's control, is herein deemed inestimable. Its surrender constitutes full and fair compensation.</li>
    <li style="color: #666;"><strong>Collection Mechanisms:</strong> Upon expiry of Recipient(s) lifespan(s), a duly authorized retrieval agency affiliated with the Benefactor shall present legitimate claim in conformity with prevailing cosmic law.</li>
  </ol>
  <p style="color: #666;"><strong>Miscellaneous Stipulations:</strong></p>
  <ul>
    <li style="color: #666;">Force Majeure: Acts of entities exceeding mortal dominion, planar upheavals, or cosmic disruptions may temporarily inhibit fulfillment of this Agreement. The Benefactor assumes no liability for such unforeseeable interruptions in service.</li>
    <li style="color: #666;">Severability: Any clause invalidated due to esoteric interplanar ordinances shall not nullify the Agreement in its entirety.</li>
    <li style="color: #666;">Amendments: No modifications, verbal or otherwise, shall supersede the binding legitimacy of this document.</li>
    <li style="color: #666;">Jurisdiction: Should a dispute arise, it shall be adjudicated exclusively within the Lower Planes, wherein the Benefactor enjoys considerable legal standing.</li>
  </ul>
  <p style="color: #666;"><strong>Let it be known: Signatures in blood constitute expedited processing.</strong></p>
</div>


=== The Advocacy Offices of Xarannos ===
[[File:Xarannos.png|right|600px|thumb|Xarannos]]
* A gray slaad, [[Xarannos]], tapped Octavius on the shoulder, introducing himself as an advocate and asking to read the contract. He was dressed in tattered judge's robes and workman's breeches. He also wore black spectacles.
* He confirmed the terms were awful, and strange, written in low infernal, as if by an imp, and offered to make the terms more favorable.
* The party followed him to his office. It was spartan and iron, other than an iron desk, and contracts hanging from hooks in the ceiling in a senseless spiral.
* Xarannos carelessly tossed aside papers on his desk to read the contract, and making arcane gestures, moved the infernal script around.
* He reversed the cost, making the devil having to pay his soul, dispel any magic on himself, and gave the party full control to command him and to alter the contract verbally at any time.
* Xarannos explained that chaos is a pond of tadpoles, and the best way to control the tadpoles is to ''shape the pond itself''.
** He refers to order as a tapestry, woven too tight.
* He's "piked many contracts" -- and bid the party farewell, and to "direct their tadpole."

=== The Rich Nobleman ===

* On the way to pike Cassander, the party witnessed a rich noble on a balcony, being fed delicacies by two cambions -- one crimson, one poison colored. He laughed and spilled some of his wine from a golden goblet.

=== The Double-Cross ===

* The party returned to the main gate, Cassander more than willing to sign. Glenn signed in blood.
* His illusion melted, revealing him to be an imp with mottled black and green skin, [[Smokescale]].
* He writhed on the ground and screamed, feeling a barbed vice circling inside his chest.
* He begged and pleaded for the party to release him.
** The party heard the flapping of invisible wings flying away.
* He tried to fly away and was commanded to return.
* He cursed at the party a dozen times.
* He complained that Slygrip had a better idea to make jink.
* Glenn commanded him to write instructions on how to summon him -- he produced a scroll of Find Familiar: Smokescale, which includes his ''true name'' in the script.
* They ordered him to find a gate to Sigil. He agreed to meet the party in the morning at the Gymnasium of Steam.
* Smokescale pointed out another invisible imp, [[Scabs]], stating that the city was full of them.

=== The Citadel of Cinders ===
* Two black abishai flew in from the sky and headed toward the party.
* They indicated they had been summoned to the Citadel of Cinders by Duchess [[Zelza Zurkbane]].
* The party was escorted past the second set of inner walls, into a pavilion with a large copper statue of a woman holding burning scales -- one side held a heart, and the other a pile of coins. A sense of heat and doom built as they approached Ribcage's center.
* They entered the Citadel of Cinders -- having to shield their eyes from a 20 foot wide, 100 foot tall column of flame inside the structure. It was surrounded by a whirlwind of silvery ash. They knew at first sight this was a portal to The Nine Hells.
* [[Zelza Zurkbane]], a tiefling woman in what was described as a business suit, played with the fiery column, at one point turning it into an icy column (changing its destination to another layer of the Nine Hells).
* She spoke with the party, impressed by their handling of the imp, and asked for their help in tracking down and killing a man who murdered a senator's son. He's a gem salesman, last seen at The Beetle Bazaar.
* The party was escorted out, although bore witness to a thief being executed by being led into the flames by a pole-manacle -- his silvery ashes joined the others in their eternal swirl.
* The session ended, with Cedani having plans to summon her Pixie companion during their rest at the Gymnasium of Steam.

== Maps ==
[[File:Map - Session 5.png|none|800px|thumb|Map - Session 5]]

== NPCs Encountered (or mentioned) ==
* [[Smokescale]], the <span style="text-decoration: line-through;">Conniving</span> Indentured Imp
* [[Kraxx'Tor]], the Chain Devil
* [["Fingers" McFinney]], the Gnome Artificer
* [[Xylara]], the Drow Alchemist
* [[The Moss Hag]], the Purveyor of Secrets
* [[Saa]], the Feather Mistress
* [[Zog]], the Droopy-Hatted Mage
* [[Tikvik]], the Armored Grasshopper
* [[Gristle & Bone]], the Fused Goblins
* [[Scabs]], the Watching Imp
* [[Zelza Zurkbane]], Duchess of Ribcage

== Memes ==
* Grand Theft Auto, but with silver skiffs in the Astral Plane.
* All we need to do is tell this Modron to ****. That's the only command he needs. (Waiter: 👀)

== DM Thoughts ==
* I should give more frequent reminders of the main quest objective, especially if our sessions are closer to once a month.