From the journal of Kenari Sanura

Nothing too eventful happens on our way to Spiral… other than me fighting the urge to take a hammer to that chess set. You never know… something important could be inside the thing, right?

I find it's better to try and keep busy than resort to chaotic acts of destruction just for the heck of it. Besides… the way this group's luck is holding out, I'm sure I'll get to destroy something soon enough.

We land smoothly in Spiral and check in at the dock masters to see if they have an info regarding the Crashbang crew. It seems they didn't just stop here to refuel… they visited a local sage by the name of Theron as well. We have no other major needs here in Spiral (other than the occasional bottle of Elven wine to sell at a high price on Bral), so we make our way to Theron's home for our own hopefully enlightening visit.

…and here I thought the Grey Elves were the snootiest people I've ever met. All it took was one look at the Void Elf with his brocaded clothes and brandy snifters to know that he probably never had to steal for his family to survive. Goddess forgive me but I need to watch myself. If I don't want people to judge me by my appearance, then they deserve the same treatment… no matter how many artifacts, jewels and shiny pretty things they have lying around ripe for the taking.

I think I'll keep quiet and keep my hands in my pockets for a while… just to be safe.

Ef Utan questions the sage, and we discover that the crew of the Crashbang had come to Theron in the hopes that he could identify a strange smoky gemstone that they had found near the vicinity of the Flow Falls. He identified it as the Dream Stone, a minor artifact created on another plane of existence that supposedly had the ability to make dreams manifest in reality.

My ears perk up at this, as all I seemed to hear was "Why yes, I do believe the Catfolk's theories were right." I do my best to fight the grin growing upon my face, as I wouldn't want the sage to think I ate one of his pets. The last place we saw the Spelljammer was in our dreams… so it seems to me that these different factions are trying to use Melkot / Melkoth to conduct the ritual with the Dream Stone to bring the Spelljammer into our world. Could you imagine what the Neogi, Mind Flayers or 10th Pit could do with such easy access to all planes of existence? All of creation would be in danger of enslavement or becoming someone's lunch to say the least.

I shake myself out of my reverie when I see that my friends are ready to leave.

"How about we go back to Sigil?" Vedis Valentine suggests. "I'd like to go to the Temple of Dreams and pray for some guidance regarding this Dream Stone."

"Sounds like a good idea as any," Ef Utan Izenik answers. "Besides, somebody needs to let Sly Nye know that there's a good chance his daughter is dead."

"Better you than me," I say as I make to follow Ayrun Sorpic through the portal.

"Oh no…" Ef Utan says as he grabs my sash, "If you want to know about the Planes so much, you're going to stay with me. Soon as I'm done talking to Sly, I'm going to introduce you to the Infinite Staircase."

We all toss our double-headed coins through the portal and find ourselves once again in the dreary and damp that is Sigil. You would figure if they can make a city that spins on its side, they could make it have nice weather too. I must remember to see if they have any treated cloaks around here for keeping out the rain…

Ef Utan waves to the others as he claps a hand on my shoulder. "We're all going to meet at the Temple of Celestian later. For now, though, you're with me, got it?"

"Aye-aye, Captain," I say with a grin. "So… is this Everclimb some exercise device from the 9 Hells, or what?"

Ef Utan laughs as we walk down the street. "Depends on what door you open, I guess. First things first, though… let's go find Sly."

Thankfully, that chaotic prankster who calls himself a lawyer is nowhere to be found. I kick a few mushrooms out of the way and we leave a message for him to contact us regarding his daughter. Sephira was an interesting person, even if a little cold. I can't help but wonder if we'd checked out that warehouse sooner…

My guilty thoughts are gratefully interrupted when Ef Utan pulls me into a shop called Avrodels. I don't complain, because the shimmering clothes in the window are something I've just got to check out.

"Come on, there's somebody I want you to meet." I look over Ef Utan's shoulder to see an extravagantly dressed dwarf trying on a plumed hat that makes me envious. "Kenari, meet Gimras Silveroath, a fellow Planewalker and friend."

The dwarf tosses the hat onto a stand and bows with a flourish. "Pleased to meet you, milady. What say we continue this conversation on the street? I could use a good drink."

"We'll come back here later, right?" I ask Ef Utan as I gesture towards the shimmering fabrics in the window.

Ef Utan rolls his eyes and sighs. "Yes, we'll come back here later. For now though, I am trying to teach you something… so please pay attention."

Gimras chuckles as we leave the store to walk through the Lower Ward. "You haven't met many Catfolk, have you?"

Thankfully Gimras is quite the storyteller, and he's able to keep my attention as he and Ef Utan share stories about the Everclimb. That is, until we're unfortunate enough to run into a drunk Bazattu stumbling out of one of the bars. The creature burps loudly and suddenly my eyes begin to water from the smell. Gods above, what did that thing drink? Thinking quickly I pull out my pipe and start puffing on some Halfling leaf to try and cover the smell.

"I like youse guys…" the Bazattu slurs as he grins at Ef Utan and Gimras. I don't know if you've ever seen a demon smile… but it's not something you want directed at you, believe me. I'll probably be seeing that in my sleep for a few days, at least. "… why don't youse tough guys join me in the Blood War? It will be glorious!"

"Speaking of the Blood War," I interject quickly, "did you know that I heard a group of sniveling looking Devils a few bars down talking about Demons? They said you guys couldn't fight your way out of a sack!" We cringe and step back as the Bazzatu roars and takes off down the street.

"I appreciate the save, Kenari. Let's not stick around to see what that Demon does, though."

We walk a little faster down the street past some shady Tieflings trying to sell some sundials, until we come to a dead willow tree drooping over to form a portal.

"Well, afraid I've drank too much to go climbing stairs today, boy," Gimras says as he shakes his hand. "It was good to see you, and a pleasure to meet you, Kenari."

"Until next time, Gimras, and thanks for the stories," I say with a nod as Ef Utan tosses some silver through the gate and it begins to ripple with energy.

"Shall we?"

My curiosity is definitely piqued from Ef Utan and Gimras' stories about these stairs that take you all over the planes. I whisper a quick prayer to Lenata's travelling god that we don't get lost, and step through the door…

…to see a staircase that for some reason reminds me of our time in Borovia. I look around to see at least fifteen feet of gothic black stone decorated with wicked looking blades as the staircase winds up and down out of our sight.

"You have to love the Lady's sense of style," Ef Utan remarks dryly. "The way the staircase looks will change, however, depending on what area we are close to. Which begs the question… which way shall we go?"

"Um…uh…how about we flip a coin?" I suggest cheerfully trying and covering up my awe and inexperience. "Heads we go up, Tails we go down." Ef Utan nods, and with a flick of his wrist flips a silver coin into the air. My tail twitches as I resist the urge to snatch it.

With a quick grab he slaps it into his palm and reveals the coin. "Up it is." I glance up the never-ending stairs and take a deep breath before we begin our climb.

Eventually the gothic stairs become less imposing and give way to a more simple style of sturdy wood. Well… most of it is sturdy anyway. There was a spot or two where the wood was looking a bit questionable, so I had to go across first to tell Ef Utan where best to step. My shoulder still aches at times when we walk the rain-drenched streets of Sigil… I do not look forward to having to catch Ef Utan again with all that armor.

We finally come to another door that is quite beautiful; it's framed by white marble pillars and made from a rich dark wood that just makes me want to run my hands across it. "This looks nice," I say with a nod of my head towards the door. "Care to give it a go?"

Ef Utan smiles and gestures towards the door with a wave of his hand. I rub my hands together excitedly and crack open the door to see something that once again makes me believe that the farther I run from home, the closer I seem to get to it.

"You have got to be kidding me," I mutter to myself. "There's a bunch of what look like Mulhorandi soldiers fighting some guys in togas in a library in there!" I say to Ef Utan in amazement.

"A library, you say?" Ef Utan asks curiously as he rubs his chin. "Maybe we should help whomever the library belongs to… you never know what kind of useful information they might have."

"I like the way you think, my friend…let me see if I can figure out who owns the place." I say as we sneak through the door and I disappear from view with the help of my ring.

Eventually I manage to weave through the fight and find what look like a pair of scholarly types in togas hiding in fear behind some books. I wonder if they speak Helenic? Here's hoping those ancient language books I'd been reading in the Seeker's Library will prove useful.

"Do not fear, my friends," I whisper. "As fellow protectors of knowledge, we seek to help those of this library."

One of the men nearly bowls the other one over as he scoots back in fear. "Who are you? What are you?" he answers shakily in Helenic.

Ah, good. Now think, Kenari… what were their gods again?

"The great goddess Athena, guardian of wisdom and battle, has heard your prayers and sent us to aid you in the protection of this library," I bluff. Let them think what they will… better than trying to have to explain my appearance to them.

"Then please, save us from the Osirans!" the other man begs desperately.

"That's all I needed to hear, my friend." I say and carefully sneak my way back to Ef Utan, with my tail just missing a trim by inches.

"The Osirans who look like people from Gheldaneth are the invading force here," I tell him.

"Got it," he says as he draws his sword. "Are you going to have any problem with this?"

I smile as I draw my guns, as this is a good a chance as any to take out some childhood frustration. "No… no problem at all." Sure, they're not actually Mulhorandi… but damn it, they're close enough. I jump out from the door way with my guns drawn as I spew insults in a language I hope they understand, but I don't feel the satisfying kick of the guns as they fire; I just get a small 'click' and nothing.

"What do you mean, guns don't work?" I throw my guns down and snarl in frustration as Ef Utan leaps into battle with his sword. "Guess I'll have to do this the old fashioned way," I say to myself as I strap on my claws.

With a roar I leap into the fray, my strange appearance yet familiar tattoos hopefully catching them off guard. With any luck, maybe they'll think I'm a vengeful avatar of Bast or something. Before too long the battle ends and with the help of the other soldiers we manage to take out the Osirans in the library. I start to rifle through their things when Ef Utan nudges me and nods towards the remaining soldiers.

"Maybe that should wait till after you explain things to them," he whispers.

Silly me, I have to fight my natural urges, sometimes. I smile in chagrin and wipe my claw off on one of the Osiran's skirts before extending an open hand to the surviving soldiers. "Peace be with you, my friends, for we mean no harm. My friends and I were just passing through and thought it would be a travesty if a library such as this fell to the spoils of war. Pray tell, what library is this, that we may speak of this struggle to others?"

"You are in the Great Library of Zandria in Nova Roma, strangers, and I am saddened to say that you are now cursed like the rest of us," one of the soldiers answers.

I gulp and try to keep a smile on my face as Ef Utan looks at me questioningly. "Cursed… why whatever do you mean?"

"Those blasted Set and Osiris followers had their gods curse us with a plague of boils and bleeding from the eyes!" one of the soldiers said angrily. "They all deserved their fate, so thank you for your help."

Goddess save us… a plague? I back up towards the door as innocently as I can and tug on Ef Utan's arm as I whisper, "We need to get out of here…now."

"It truly saddens me, my friends, that they would do such a thing. Rest assured we will do our best to aid you in a search for a cure when we return home."

"I don't understand," the first soldier asks, "how are you going to get home that way?"

"Bye-bye!" I say with a wave as we leave through the door and back to the Everclimb. As soon as we close the door behind us I sigh and slide down the door to sit on the stairs. "Ok… Sigil is looking awfully good right now."

"What was that all about?" Ef Utan asks in frustration.

"I don't know if you've ever read about the Gods of Mulhorand, Ef…but they seem to have a thing for cursing people with plagues…" I joke weakly. "What do you say we go meet up with everybody at the temple, now?"

Ef Utan rolls his eyes and sighs. "Yeah… probably a very good idea."

We make our way back down the stairs a little quicker than when we came up. When we get to the spot of weakened wooden stairs, however, I can't help but notice that it's creaking even after we've passed it. As nonchalantly as possible I take out my handy-dandy pipe and light it with my sparker. Ef Utan shakes his head and continues on, until I quickly turn and puff the smoke behind me.

Suddenly the space behind us coughs and the air shimmers to reveal a strange yet beautiful creature that reminds me of the intimidating winged serpent I met once. This one looks a lot better from the waist up, however, as the tail forms into the top half of a woman instead of an angry snake.

Thankfully Ef Utan is more used to this kind of thing than I as he unbuckles his scabbard and rests his hand on the hilt of his sword. "Can we help you?"

"I am Laresca of the Lillend, travelers, and we guard the Everclimb. I mean you no harm… I was just curious to see who everyone was talking about at the World Serpent Inn."

"We are just heading back to Sigil for healing, Laresca. Please inform any other travelers that the world past the door we left is suffering from a plague," Ef Utan informs her.

"Thank you, travelers. May your healing be swift and true."

We wave goodbye and head back down to the door to Sigil so that we can get to the Temple of Celestian to get checked out by the clerics. I can't get over what the Lillend said, though. I wonder what they're saying about us at the World Serpent Inn? Perhaps we should head there for a drink again… though I'll let someone else order from that snake-bearded bartender.

Thankfully after a check-up by the clerics at the Temple of Celestian, Ef Utan and I were both given a clean bill of health. Just in case, though, I suggested that we pick up some potions of "Cure Disease" in case we come across another situation like that and (Goddess forbid) don't have our cleric around to help.

Taking a stab in the dark at where we can find information regarding Nova Roma, we all hop portals over to Greyhawk, and Ayrun and I go to check out their Great Library at the University. Unfortunately the only thing we find is a case of the sneezes from all the dust.

Nothing cheers me up like shopping, however… and besides, I need to check with Maldin's to see if they could sell that jar of Illithid brain candy. Who knows… maybe they can tell me something about that chess set while we are at it. Meanwhile, we hear from Lenata that Vedis is going to spend some time in a Psi school somewhere. Whatever floats her boat, I say. I tend to learn more on the streets, but if they can teach her to keep her space monkey out of our equipment, then more's the better.