[Game Thread] Chapter Six: Be Careful What You Wish For

[Blue]

The young dragon lets out of short gasp in her glee.
It was exciting now and she the visible success of the operation, along with witnessing Kala's amazing talents, totally made her day.

When that was done with and the subject switched in a matter she was still wrapping her around, she figured she'd rather shut up for a spell while the big boys figured it all out.

[SpatulaOdoom]

Morgan nods.
”I'm ready as I'll ever be. Who else is coming?”
Morgan is glad he'd warned the vampire lord that Zera might make a play for the mirror shards in his acolyte's possession. Now would be the perfect time to claim them. While everybody is running around and paying attention to the drow situation.
”While we're out someone should grab a map and talk with T'rissafay. She might have a pretty good idea where they are in relation to the surface too.” And she had plenty of reason to cooperate since she'd want to know what was going on in her home right now.

[Makenshi]

Just as Vulcar calls for a guard to fetch maps four Drow, a human and a Half-Troll appear from out of no-where, causing more than a few reactions, from surprise to magical attacks. The robed Drow woman with the familiar staff bats those aside rather effortlessly however. Despite the different body, they could recognise Shade by now due to his clothes and staff, not to mention the fact that trying to think too hard about his/her appearance quickly became very confusing.

One of the other female Drow, a young woman wearing clothing and armour with a spider motif, appeared sprawled on her backside, as if she had fallen over although that was how she appeared to them. From the descriptions Xu'deln had given, as well as the appearance of one of the other women, this was Felynda, one of Tel'shar's Half-Drow daughters and a Priestess of Lolth.

The other female Drow present had more colourful hair and a much less serious demeaner, although she was no less surprised by their sudden appearance, diving behind the male Drow, a mage by the looks of it, when some launched attacks. Given her similarity with the other and Xu'deln's descriptions, this was Felynffyn, Tel'shar's other twin daughter and a Dirgesinger.

The male, who stood much taller than Tel'shar at about 6ft, matched Xu'deln's description of an Arachnomancer friend of the bard's called Nallaul, who was one of the more moderate members of the House and, like Tel'shar, adopted into the family rather than born into it.

The sole human among the group was a dishevelled looking Tsuuneese woman that matched the description of Isoude Quen, one of the people who had interacted with and eventually joined Kerberos' group.

The last of them could only be Jaan Feykin, alive despite reports to the contrary, although given his patron it was entirely possible that he was still dead.

All of them save for Shade appear just as surprised by their sudden appearance as everyone else is, while the immortal mage just smiles. "Well, fancy finding all of you here."

~MTWC

[Acathala]

Ignoring the attacks as he's aware they're not serious, he casts an amused look to Felynffyn before addressing Shade. "Thank you for that. I really didn't want to wait in the sanctum anymore. Especially when they realised the barrier's down." He looked round the room, the burning red eyes strangely a little unfocused at first, but strangely unaffected by the light. The mage's facial features were more feline than arachnid looking, definitely putting you in mind of a panther.. A headband was worn on his head, with a hairstyle that Nallaul kept short. An ioun stone was in orbit around him, whilst his black cloak writhed and moved like a shadow. A silk expensive looking black robe with red trim went well with his medium build. The light catches his white-blond hair, making it shimmer like a halo. Nallaul was certainly a handsome devil, and it wasn't hard to imagine why he might catch the attention of a female Archmage.
He looks round the room. "Hello there. I thank your solidiers for their warm welcome. I presume this is Halva, yes? Is the Goddess Zilira here? I'd like to speak with her if she's here please. I think you already know whom we are, but incase you are unaware, I am Nallaul, the sisters are Felynda and Felynffyn. The human is Isoude and the half-troll is Jaan." it feels strange to him to take the lead in the conversation. Normally he'd be punished for this. Exciting.

[SpatulaOdoom]

When a number of unknown people suddenly appear, somehow inside the palace's own true magic wards, Morgan has his wand out in a flash. The only thing that stops him from blasting away is a flash of recognition and the confusion it brings. Half trolls aren't exactly common, and Jaan is the only one Morgan ever knew personally, if only in passing, so it's not a surprise that Morgan recognizes him. He's supposed to be dead, thought that doesn't seem to mean much these days. Morgan himself had died a few days ago and here he is.

A re-assessment lets Morgan recognize Shade in his/her new body. The other drow and the human he's never seen before. With a sigh Morgan puts away his wand.
”Shade. Would it kill you to simply knock like a normal person? We have had to fend off one attack already.”

He shakes his head, muttering something about inconsiderate jackasses while one of the drow steps forward to introduce the lot of them.
”Halvanna, the capital city. Inside the palace in fact. You just missed Zilira.” Morgan himself takes a few steps forward, moving to help Felynda to her feet after a short bow. ”But if it's important, I can certainly get a message to her. I'm Morgan by the way.” While he's wearing relatively unassuming clothes, looking to be made more for comfort than style. Aside from some wizarldy accoutrements, one thing does immediately stand out upon Morgan. Minlolth Zilira's holy symbol rests openly on his chest.
”So I hear that things are getting a little hectic in Che'eldelorbben?”

[Acathala]

He sees Morgan go to help Felynda "I advise against that, unless she asks you to. That's a mortal insult in our culture, touching a female without permission."
On Zilira "Well that's a pity. I am very curious to see what she's like. I see you wear her holy symbol. I was given one today. Sadly left behind in my mansion. She is free of the the true magic binding the Halvans put on her I understand? If you can get a message to her, then tell her Lolth is dead. I saw it happen. "
On Morgan's question he replies. "Not at all! Che'eldelorbben is lovely this time of year. Aside from Deimos and the Sins murdering or enslaving the entire population."
Since he knows where he is now,, he looks around properly. He sees that Triss is around, but recovering from something. There doesn't seem to be any sign of Tel'shar. Nallaul hopes that Tel'shar didn't try to assassinate her. Dreading the answer he asks. "Might I inquire where my brother Tel'shar is?"

[Makenshi]

Felynda looks at Morgan's hand as if it was a poisonous snake, picking herself up off of the floor and muttering a Prestidigitation to tidy up her clothes. while Shade gives the mage a wry look. "Knock? Well, I guess I could have sent a telepathic cascade which would approximate 'knocking', but that'd probably worry you more rather than less. We were also in a bit of a rush, since when I collapsed the Lolth's shard it would have alerted Deimos and the others, and I didn't go through all that trouble to recover it only for one of them to steal it from under my nose."

Vulcar frowns at Nallaul, especially given the twins' surprise at his talk of Zilira. "And how is it exactly that you are even aware of Zilira's existence, let alone the fact that she was bound and isn't any more?" He glances to the twins. "Since it doesn't appear to be common knowledge." After a brief moment he realises that Nallaul has no reason to know who he is and adds. "And I suggest you answer truthful since as the King of Halva your 'brother's fate lies in my hands, since he attempted to kill a guest of mine." He gestures to T'rissafay, who is still looking out of it at the moment, barely having even registered the news that Lolth was dead, although chances were she was already aware to some degree.

Felynda frowns at that news of her father, but surprisingly it is Shade who speaks up, having only just noticed that T'rissafay was still alive. "You've imprisoned him for dealing with the Drow threat for you?"

"T'rissafay is my guest, regardless of whether her people are a threat to us or our enemy. Now more than ever we must have trust between the nations and allowing an attempted assassination attempt beneath my own nose would be unacceptable."

Shade sighs dramatically. "Honestly, you people and you're complicated rules." Despite his protests he doesn't say or do anything else about the matter.

~MTWC

~MTWC

[Makenshi]

Felynda looks at Morgan's hand as if it was a poisonous snake, picking herself up off of the floor and muttering a Prestidigitation to tidy up her clothes. while Shade gives the mage a wry look. "Knock? Well, I guess I could have sent a telepathic cascade which would approximate 'knocking', but that'd probably worry you more rather than less. We were also in a bit of a rush, since when I collapsed Lolth's shard it would have alerted Deimos and the others, and I didn't go through all that trouble to recover it only for one of them to steal it again from under my nose."

Vulcar frowns at Nallaul, especially given the twins' surprise at his talk of Zilira. "And how is it exactly that you are even aware of Zilira's existence, let alone the fact that she was bound and isn't any more?" He glances to the twins. "Since it doesn't appear to be common knowledge." After a brief moment he realises that Nallaul has no reason to know who he is and adds. "And I suggest you answer truthfully since as the King of Halva your 'brother's fate lies in my hands, since he attempted to kill a guest of mine." He gestures to T'rissafay, who is still looking out of it at the moment, barely having even registered the news that Lolth was dead, although chances were she was already aware to some degree.

Felynda frowns at that news of her father, but surprisingly it is Shade who speaks up, having only just noticed that T'rissafay was still alive. "You've imprisoned him for dealing with the Drow threat for you?"

"T'rissafay is my guest, regardless of whether her people are a threat to us or our enemy. Now more than ever we must have trust between the nations and allowing an attempted assassination attempt beneath my own nose would be unacceptable."

Shade sighs dramatically. "Honestly, you people and you're complicated rules." Despite his protests he doesn't say or do anything else about the matter.

~MTWC

[Acathala]

Nallaul sighs, his fear being justified. "I was afraid that he was responsible for that. To answer your question, I know a few things that are not common knowledge. I only recently became aware of her existance comparatively recently. During the raid on the arena, where people claiming to be from the Childen freed the slaves there. I surrendered to them when it became apparent they had power beyond my abilities. During a conversation with them I found out that the leader of the Children was Zilra's son and she was still alive. One of them, a half-drow called Sulion, came to see me. Don't ask me why, but she felt I was different to the other drow, and deserving of her kindness. She gave me the holy symbol then, and it came out later in the conversation that she was herself bound. I was able to guess from that binding was the cause of the Zilira's disappearence which she cofirmed. Sulion also admitted she wasn't with the Children and Sulion was an alias. That's how I know."
The mage manages a wan smile "I am aware as a Drow my word is suspect at best. If you wish me to repeat what I said to a cleric with a truth spell active, then I understand and will submit. I am sure your source would confirm I am also fairly inept at lying." He looks at Triss. "I doubt you will get the same offer from Triss."

[Makenshi]

[Acathala]

OOC Above post modified to avoid confusion with another NPC.

[SpatulaOdoom]

Morgan doesn't immediately respond to Nallaul's caution. He'd had no intention of touching the woman without her permission, even up here on the surface it's considered rude. Nor had he had much expectation that she would accept the offered help from a human male. The proffered hand is a little test, as well as a lesson. The test part goes almost exactly as expected. He leaves the hand out there for another moment or two, making it obvious she'd intentionally snubbed his offer of help without even an attempt of good grace. Whether or not she would think on the lesson remained to be seen.

”Yes. Zilira is finally free. Stick around for a bit and you'll probably get to meet her. Two bits of advice, don't call her Minlolth, and don't go expecting her to dole out advice on what to do or fix your life or any of that sort of thing.”

With their father-slash-brother's part in the fall of Lolth it seemed at first glance that to return to their homeland would most likely be death. Living on the surface meant learning how surfacers did things, and their culture. More, with Lolth dead even drow culture would likely undergo radical shifts in the near future. That was the lesson.
Adapt or die. They'd figure it out sooner or later, hopefully sooner.

”That's a pretty novel take on how “normal” people knock master Shade. Good to hear you managed to recover the shard.
Tel'shar was imprisoned for murdering, successfully if temporarily, a recognized diplomatic envoy under our protection. Seems pretty simple to me. He wasn't even subtle about it.
As for dealing with the drow threat, if Ciin or Deimos has taken over I'm not sure I'd call it dealt with.
Instead of bandying back and forth about who should do what, would you fine folks give us the full story of what went on and how things currently lie? Once everybody's on the same page we can work from there. Good?”

[Acathala]

"Ah that starts with Tel'shar again." Nallaul says. He finds somewhere to sit. "Tel'shar brings two people whom appear to be of drow descent to be applicants to join our House, called Dea and Isoude. He even claims Isoude as his daughter. Right away that makes me suspicious. That is out of character for him, as he never brings his surface children to the city. I don't get a chance to talk to him before he's sent here. After my surrender, Hal'iara and I did some snooping and discovered that Isoude and Dea were not whom they said they were. The reason why they were in the underdark, was they were investigating an individual whom could pull demons onto this plane, willing or unwilling. We call him or her the Yanker for brevity's sake. Their investigation led them to the underdark. Before you ask, I don't think my people knew anything about the Yanker, though I could be wrong." Nallaul sighs "At least that's why they thought they were there. I'm getting ahead of myself, we'll come back to that. Anyway after the attack on the Arena, it is likely their true identity will be uncovered. Since this will likely be lethal or worse to the twins, Tel'shar, me and possibly some of my other allies, I expend a valuable favour with Hali to get her to protect and help them. Later I suspect Hali manipulated me. Again getting ahead of myself.[ After I've handed over the pair, things are peaceful for a few weeks. Then Myr'delith calls a grand meeting of all the houses at the main temple. You have to understand that such a meeting is rare. Only a couple have happened in the last century. Lolth is going to be there, along with the powerful of society. Along the way Xufaer tells me the reason why. Hali handed over Dea, and as she is Deimos' daughter, she is to be sacrificed. Yes I know that is evil and repellant..... There is nothing I can do to save her. The most I can hope for is that Dea dies quickly and painlessly. Then everything goes to hell. Well more to hell than usual."
The arachnomancer pauses a moment. "So Myr'delith selects Alamen, our weapon master to do the deed. She steps up to do the deed......but instead attacks Lolth. Alamen turns into Deimos, and that's when the Sins appear and slaughter everyone. Xufaer escapes thankfully. Unfortunately so does the vampire matron. The deal made between Deimos and Tel'shar does not Luxuria from trying the charm whammy on me. She fails. Lolth finally dies. Deimos takes her divinity, and surprisingly gives some to Dea. She's out of it for a while. "
Nallaul needs to take another short pause there again. "So the grand plan was to use Dea as bait to draw everyone in. Apparently Deimos was also testing Dea for goddesshood. The only reason the twins and I were spared was because of the deal Tel'shar made. Hali also made a deal with Deimos so her Exchange is safe. Unfortunately Xul'olin and her ahbomination of a son were also spared as they helped with the planning, according to Gula. After Lolth's death, we were sent to the Sanctum, and Ira is sent to protect us. That works out well as he starts to lose it, and I think he's going to rape the twins. I move to try and at least talk him down. Sulion and a couple of her friends arrived fortunately, as I couldn't stop Ira if he wanted to hurt the twins. They beat him down, and here's the interesting part. They used a machine to take his divinty before they killed him. They went into the room with the godforge, and give enough power to gradually awaken the paragons. They don't awaken them immediately as I think they want to give us enough time to be rescued. Not long after that Shade and friend of Dea's arrive. The paragons awaken and go after the Sins and Deimos. I hope Invidia suffers. He was a jerk. Dea awakens, and think her father made a mistake giving her divinity., as she talked of going against his church with her friend, whom had converted to her. What was his name again Master Shade? I admit the only interest I had in him was preventing him from attacking our Deathless friend Jaan. Fortunately once I mentioned Jaan had saved her life, hostility ended. Then Shade showed kindness that I certainly didn't deserve and teleported us here. Can I request sone wine as my throat is now somewhat parched?"

[Blue]

Mrith stayed stuck to her seat. Eyes wide open and dumbstruck by the succession of events. Too many details at once.
Thankfully Nevh's presence took mental notes of all that was being said to review later. A lot had happened and they would have to start making calls on it very soon.

The young dragon wore red make-up at the edge of her almond-shaped eyes, one of many facial traits that hinted to the origin of her Quallish and Arian ancestors.
Her hair was short but still easily caught the eye by its bright forest green colour that matched her emerald eyes well.

She is elegantly dressed for the occasion, mostly in rich tones of jade and lavender with matching ribbons in her hair.
Her pupils contracted into slits at times, not unlike a snake or even a cat.

Mrith appeared strict despite her difficulty to keep up with the chain of events. Not letting it show was easy as it did nothing to diminish her overwhelming self-confidence.

[Acathala]

Regardless of whether he gets wine or not, Nallaul continues to scan the room. He notes a very attractivr woman with draconic features, and resolves to get to know her better later if possible. However his gaze keeps returning to Triss, and he also realises the slave is not here. Nallaul had long suspected there was something wrong about this relationship. The amount of stuff he was allowed to get away was a lot more than the most trusted slave would be. Of course there was no evidence, and it was possible that he was being overly paranoid, but he still didn't like it. Nallaul couldn't do anything about it in the Underdark, but this situation presented an unique opportunity.
"Master Shade, I hate to ask for another kindness, but would you mind checking Triss for signs of Mind Control? Probably best if everyone from the underdark is checked, though you could leave the guards and servants."
He turns to the King. "Where is her slave? No doubt she tried to decieve you about him. It may be worth interrogating him even if a long held suspicion of mine turns out to be incorrect. All I have is a deeling that there is something wrong about him, I admit."