[Game Thread] Chapter six I: Fireside chat.

[Acathala]

"I think knowing what I know now, Myr'delith likely knew, and was bribed. Plus there were other political concerns as well at the time. The important thing was house Talneth was no longer a threat physically or politically. As for the why Talneth tried to poison the water supply, we don't know. If Angauf hadn't warned the exchange, then as much as I don't want to give her credit, Lolth probably would have stepped in." Nallaul grimaced for a moment, hoping he was into the last few times he would have to mention her. He sighed again. "Oh of course it wasn't the last time we heard of the Talneth clan. Like an ill advised spicy curry, they kept coming back up. First time, Tel'shar and I got caught in one of their murder taverns, something that is thankfully rare. We kill the enemy, and I turn the priestess running the show to stone. We may have....sold the statue.
Then there was the time they tried to take over the exchange. I'll say this for them. They came quite close. Hali'ara got hurt pretty bad. I saved the situation, and that's how Hali'ara used to owe a favour.
Third time was just the stupidest. A small child could have poke holes in that plan!
"

[SpatulaOdoom]

Morgan shakes his head bemusedly.
"I've met people that are too dumb to live, even couples and families, but I've never seen an entire clan of them."
He shrugs.
"Still, there must have been things about your home you liked? Places, events, natural features? I haven't had time for it lately, but I used to like going on ocean voyages while traveling from place to place. These days I just teleport everywhere. It's certainly a lot more efficient, but it lacks a certain sense of romance. There's something poetic about the vast elemental might of the sea A creaking ship surging beneath your feet like a living thing while the wind plays with your hair. I suppose unless there's underground lakes and such of size, you've probably never been on a boat, at least not of any size?
I actually own a small soarwood ship. It's surprisingly fast. If we get the chance I'll take you on a trip some day."

[Acathala]

"I think the ambush came very nearly close to succeeding." Nallaul shook his head. "I think I'll tell you of Matron Talneth's last stand. A perfect example of if you make something personal, you make yourself stupid. So Belvra, Gul's sister, returns from evil indoctrination school. She's a lot more forceful than I remember, but that could have been the work of evil indoctrination school. I think nothing of it at the time. Then an accident happens to her sister, and Alamen mentions seeing Belvra nearby. I get a feeling something's up, but it's common for Drow siblings, especially the young ones. Not too long I get a love letter from Belvra, asking me to meet her at the cavern of the daggers. I go, but as I find sudden romantic interest in me from some one I've barely spoken to suspicious, I cast true seeing. Probably to your complete lack of shock, it's matron Tluidi Talneth, and she brought armed men. Gets the drop on me with a silence spell. Thankfully she's a gloater and I keep her signing long enough for my surprise. Gul in spider form. I shall always treasure the look on her face when she realised the spider was spellcasting. He dispelled the silence, and I reversed gravity her soldiers into the stalactites. Gul and I put an end to the house of Talneth permanently. Not that her plan of replacing Myr'delith had any chance of working. Xufaer would have instantly known something was up as we spoke quite regularly. Going after me directly ensued her plan would fail quicker. Died as she lived. Stupidly."
Nallaul smiled at Morgan's question. "I liked many things about the city. Do you have any preference as to what to start with?"

[SpatulaOdoom]

"Well, howabout this. Where did you go when you wanted a little peace and quiet? The lab is the obvious answer for us wizards, but was there anywhere else you went when you wanted to get away for a while?
For example, my quiet place is in the mountain range bordering between Caldwan and Halva, not too far from Ikran territory. There's a high mountain valley I visit sometimes. It's about as far from civilization as you can get. More than a bit on the cold side, but that's not been a problem for me for a long time. Nadina, she's a Naiad who lives in a lake in the valley, is just about the only intelligent life there is out there. Although she says she is visited by other fey occasionally."
Morgan leans back, picturing it in his mind.
"Have you ever heard the phrase “deafening silence?” Well I didn't understand it until I was there.
There's a million little background noises that us city folk don't consciously hear, but they're there. It's almost unnerving when they're gone. Noticing the absence of something you didn't notice is an odd concept, but it's a real thing.
That's not to say it's totally silent. The rustle of wind in the pines. Occasional bird calls. A fish jumping to get at a bug. But it's all so quiet, clearing your throat seems like an imposition. After a bit, you can relax, and just be. The air is so clean and crisp too."
Morgan sighs and returns his attention to Nallaul.
"So, do you have a similar place?"

[Acathala]

Nallaul pauses. Considers the question. "I think my mansion is the most obvious choice. It's the most secure place I can think of, outside anything owned by Xufaer. I've done a lot there. Work, entertain, and relax. It's where I developed most of my highest end spells. I'm not sure you would care for the decor, as I'm a collector of spider art. Particularly phase spider statuettes. Kind of expected of me really, but I do enjoy it."
Again he pauses. "I can't really recommend anywhere to eat out, as it's a fairly basic rule not to eat anywhere too often. Predictable makes you easier to kill. Plus it was not a guarantee whomever prepared the food last time, would be the same person next time."
Nallaul nods as he moves on to outside places. "I can recommend the cavern of the daggers. It's a very beautiful place if you can get past the fact I had to kill a lot of people there. There's also a mushroom grove outside of the city I like to go to occasionally. It has the best mushrooms for cooking or making wine. I used to sell them as a little bit of a sideline. It's also difficult to get to, unless you are a good climber, or have magic. Both of those apply to me. Of course you saw me climb at Feid was it?"
Nallaul sits back. "Morgan, so what are your favourite nooks and crannies?"

[SpatulaOdoom]

"Yes, Feid. The capital of Phaere. A much nicer place when it isn't in the middle of a fiendish invasion, but it is moderately matriarchical. Not like your homeland mind you, but it's still there."

Much more pleasant is musing over his favorite places.

"Well, like I said, Nadina's lake is one of them.
In terms of nature there's also Diamond Cove, which is a good several miles down the coast from Edgewater. It used to be a secret landing used by the Diamond Shark pirates for them to do a little smuggling and get their ill-gotten gains onto dry land to be fenced. The Diamond Sharks are mostly broken and scattered now though, and the navy knows about it, so nobody uses it anymore. Nice sandy beach, warm shallow water, sheltered from the wind and storms, and some fresh water nearby. It's a great spot to go stargazing. In fact it's where I took Zilira for our first real date after we did a little grave robbing.
Actually in Halvanna, well." Morgan snorts in amusement. " It's too bad you weren't here a couple of weeks ago, you could have come with us when I took Princess Celes on a tour, and I think Bane still has my copy of “a Traveler's guide to Halvanna.”
I like the Temple Gardens. It's a big park smack in the middle of the temple district, overseen by all the temples collectively. The sunken garden layout creates a lot of little nooks and crannies where you can find a quiet spot in the middle of the city. Since it's still winter, you probably won't find many people there, but the foliage will be less impressive too.

There are a bunch of gambling halls I used to frequent. Originally it was part of a study on probability and how to tweak it, but I've come to enjoy the gaming tables and the brief friends and enemies you make around them. Not exactly what you'd call a quiet nook, so we'll gloss over that.

There's a few pubs if you want a drink and a bite. There's the Golden Hare, a high end festhall in the Golden Circle. They'll pamper you to no end as long as your gold holds out, and I'd sometimes go there after a big win in the gambling halls. There's also the Tella Wen tavern down in the Southside. It's a little more... salt of the earth so to speak, but the drinks are good and cheap, and it's about the safest place in the Southern District because it's the haunt of Anorde and his mercenaries. Anorde is one of the most well connected people in Halva, runs the largest free company of mercenaries around, and someone you'd do well to develop as a contact. His people are about as close as you'll find to an The Exchange, as you'll find around here.

If you're interested in sampling the various foods the surface has to offer, check out the Mage District. They tend to have restaurants with foreign foods. My favorite is the Spice Jammer. They do Eastern continent stuff, and I have a thing for some nice spicy Kastish food. You don't normally have to worry about being too predictable, poisoned, or jumped by assassins just going out for dinner, but it depends on your enemies. Given the ones I've made recently, I've been taking my meals mostly at the palace or my home."
Fortunately he'd also picked up a proper chef to go along with his new mansion.

Wait. Mage District, the tour, drow. Something about the chain of thought prompts a new idea.

"You know, I've just remembered something from the tour. There are some caverns under the hills of the Mage District. About a hundred years ago there was a coven of necromancers hiding out in them. I don't know if anyone has claimed them or if they are being used for anything anymore. I wonder if they might be a good place to build a few dwellings for drow wanting to move to the surface, but not quite comfortable with all this open space."

Morgan ponders. Perhaps he could purchase that “land” and become a landlord. A proper ongoing income would be nice, even if it wasn't much, and even better it might be a good bridge in socializing drow to surface culture. A half-way or stepping off point where he could attract the right type and have a way to keep an eye on potential troublemakers.
Morgan decides he should send Montgomery off with a letter of enquiry to Cpt. Jadewalker tomorrow morning.
If it did work though, hmm, he'd need.

"Say, how are your skills with architecture? And engineering I suppose. If that happens I'd want to hire someone familiar with drow architecture to do the design work. We'd have to compromise on a few things, since we don't have that wood-like mushroom that drow apparently use, but we can approximate."
It might be interesting to blend styles.

 

Is an actual place.

[Acathala]

Nallaul takes mental notes on the places Morgan mentions. The lake sounded interesting. The cave less so. When you grew up underground, one cave was like another. Stargazing might be fun, as he had not seen stars before. Plus stars were useful for navigation. He'd have to learn about them. Nallaul is less keen on the gambling. He was never a big gambler at the arena. When he did, it was usually for polite socialization.
Food and drink are far more interesting. Whilst he's tried foreign cuisine, Nallaul suspects it was altered for Drow tastes. He would like to try something authentic. He would have to look into other cultures to see what food they had to offer.
Unfortunately Nallaul has to shake his head at Morgan's question. "I'm sorry but no. You would have to find an architect. I could probably site any settlement though. I'm good at finding food and water sources, as well any environmental issues. Survival skills are kind of my bag. Another way we Arachnomancer are similar to druids. Though I suspect I may be the last significant Arachnomancer."

[SpatulaOdoom]

Morgan shrugs.
"I'll look into it. Maybe Probably referring to Felynffyn and Felyndaone of the girls might be interested. I doubt it's deep enough to need to worry about food or water sources separate from the city's. The Mage's district is almost up against the Toa river, so if it was deep under the hills it would probably have water troubles."
He tugs on his beard, sounding unsure of that last bit. The rock shelf that created the hills could be non-pourous and solid enough to avoid that, or drain any seepage even further down? Morgan had never been to those caverns, and the history didn't mention how deep they were, so he'd have to look into it.
"Anyway, geological stability is probably a good thing to look into as well. I know a little about dungeoneering, but hiring an expert would be a much better idea."
Still, talking to Cpt. Jadewalker or whoever takes care of city records would be the first step. No point in putting the cart ahead of the horse.

The previous commentary about Anorde does bring up an idea though.
"You may want to hire someone from Anorde's mercenaries to act as a guide to Halvanna and bodyguard to keep the rifraff from bothering you.
Halvanna is the largest city in the world, unless Che'eldelorbben is bigger, and it can be hard to find what you're looking for or get lost without a local guide. More, being about as “outsider” as it gets without being a literal outsider, you may run into trouble with the local street scum or troublemakers. A bodyguard who knows the area can steer you clear of trouble or scare off miscreants who mistake you for a half-fiend or whatever. Far better than winding up having to self-defense some local idiots into piles of mush and then have to explain yourself to the watch and cool your heels at the jail until they investigate."
Unfortunate, but Morgan could certainly see it happening if Nallaul wanted or needed to go off on his own to explore or do business.
"I'd offer to loan you a few of my house guard, but the truth is their capabilities are limited. I hired most of them for loyalty and familiarity first"
Being familiar with them was especially important with Zera lurking around. It made it easier to tell if they'd be suborned or replaced.

[Acathala]

"I doubt being completely dependant on the city for food or water would be at all acceptable to my people." Nallaul said bluntly. On the subject of the twins, he softens. "I'm not sure if they have the skills either. Or what their plans even are. Though I suspect they'll stay here for now. If you do decide to speak with them, I would try Felynffyn first. She's less likely to backstab you then her sister. Speaking of her, I would be careful with her. Very manipulative."
Nallaul smiles a little. "Or miscreants that recognise me as Drow and decide to mete out punishment. I take your point, but unless they can fly, keep up with my phantom steed spider, it shouldn't be a problem. If they can do those things, then I'm probably going to have to go lethal. Still someone to have my back is a good idea though. I'm not sure if your city is bigger. Mine certainly felt bigger, but I suppose that depends on how much was destroyed by our recent tourists. Oh by the way, someone should let the palace guards know I speak Halvan. Whilst their casual racism is amusing, I doubt it will continue to be."

[SpatulaOdoom]

"Although I figured the bard would be more likely to have the correct skills, they're always picking up odds and ends, this might actually be something better to work with Felynda with. Something relatively benign so that I can start building a rapport and getting a feel for her."
Better to start with something minor, like a few houses, rather than something of import. Morgan isn't particularly worried about being tricked or manipulated. Between himself, Mortimer, especially Eloise, and heck Zilira, he doubts Felynda would get away with much. Not that he didn't intend to be cautious regardless, but he'd always been much better with people than anyone ever expected of a wizard.
"Honestly, it's not that I don't think you can handle yourself. It's more about not loosing face and constantly having to defend yourself or flee from minor annoyances that could be avoided.

The average man on the street isn't even going to know what a drow is, let alone recognize one on sight. Don't forget, your people were hidden away from the world until just a few days ago. Relegated to dusty tomes on ancient history for the most part. Maybe a follower of Ruaci might recognize the similarities, but I expect you're more likely to be mistaken for fiend blooded, or possibly a shadowkin on the outside."

Morgan frowns at the last comment about royal guardsmen making racist comments.
"That. Royal guardsmen treating guests like that is a problem.
Capt. Alta will be furious.
Remember how seriously the leadership of us surface realms take their various rules, like the rules of hospitality?"
It was the reason they'd saved a certain troublesome drow that could very well be working with Zera from Tel'shar's retribution.
"Well double that for her. Poor woman doesn't have a slack bone in her body.
The real question is how to fix the situation.

You could simply let them know you understand them. They'd certainly stop saying such things around you. Hell, you could hint at complaining to The Peregrine, and they'd treat you very well indeed.
Unfortunately, while that would fix the behavior, it wouldn't fix the attitude."
Morgan dips his hand into his satchel and draws out a scrollcase.
"We could simply go to Alta, and the Peregrine would certainly sort them out."
He grins a toothy grin.
"But where's the fun in that?
Care to scheme a little on how to ensure that the royal guard are reminded to treat all guests with equal respect?"

[Acathala]

"I think the human phrase is "it's your funeral". I'll still wish you the best of luck. Thankfully Zilira will be around. Don't be too surprised if Felyndra tries to seduce you." Nallaul says. He wonders how Morgan would handle that seduction. He certainly wasn't prudish as the Drow had heard humans could be. Not that Nallaul had to worry really. Zilira would put the kibosh on Felyndra doing anything. When Morgan mentions Ruaci. "Ruaci. One of our greatest heroes, almost forgotten by her own people."
On the guards, Nallaul frowns. He's a little concerned about confirming the guards thoughts about him. However Morgan knew his own people better than him. So he smiles and asks. "Morgan. What did you have in mind?"

[SpatulaOdoom]

Originally Posted by Nallaul

"Don't be too surprised if Felyndra tries to seduce you."

*Chuckle*
"If she tries I'll applaud her sense of self worth in trying to directly compete with a literal goddess, and then let her down firmly but gently. I'll make sure to openly wear Zil's holy symbol when I'm around her."
He'd taken to doing that anyway, ever since a certain conversation about marking her territory. It should help to encourage respect, or at the least caution, with a reminder of who might be watching, even if Felyndra didn't much respect a mere human male.
"If the subject does come up, Zilira does not share, nor does she expect me to share either."

Originally Posted by Nallaul

"Morgan. What did you have in mind?""

On correcting the guards, he leans back in the chair, stretching his tired back and eliciting a few quiet pops from his spine.
"That. That is going to depend on you.
For one, I don't know precisely what was said, or even generally what attitudes were expressed. So it might be best if you give me a little more information.
For two, you are the aggrieved party, and as such what might happen should be to your satisfaction."
For three, this could be another one of those learning experiences.
Little things like this could be a chance for the drow to learn a little more of the nuances of human culture.
"So take a moment, and consider what the offense was, and you know about humans, Halva specifically, our expressed rules of hospitality, myself, and maybe the king, since you probably don't want to offend him.
What do you think should be done? What would you personally like to do?"

[Acathala]

"I think most of it is just stupid stuff that can probably resolved by education. However, there are a couple of more serious things. The first seems to be that we're all fiend blooded, and have subtle mind control abilities. Which apparently makes us automatically evil." Nallaul sighs. "I know that we have not presented the best case, as some half fiend abominations have been created. Thankfully such beings are rare. Unless you're in a certain house."

Nallaul paused. He isn't sure how to put this. "I think the most serious thing is a couple of the guards seem to think because I'm Drow, I intend to violate unwilling women. The other day I was speaking to a maid about food. A guard took her aside. Later on I saw her alone in a corridor, and said hello. She sprinted away so fast I'm fairly certain she set a new record for Halva. I managed to catch up to her via magic and once I calmed her down, I found out the guard had put the idea into her head I was only being nice to her, to get her alone."
Nallaul stroked his hair as he thinks. "I don't want anything severe to happen to them. A lot comes from stupidity and ignorance. We Drow also now have a bad reputation thanks to our many evil deeds. So I can understand why they think that way."

[SpatulaOdoom]

"Right."
Morgan lightly chews on the pipe's stem and spends a long moment pondering what the drow has told him. After another Hmm or two he again retrieves the small notebook and inkpen from his vest pocket, flipping to a blank page and jotting down a few notes.
"I believe you are correct. An education will do them better than a punishment."
That was almost always the case in any situation, but he is slightly surprised to hear Nallaul suggest that. Maybe even a little disappointed that the drow wasn't interested in having a little fun with the response. Then again they both probably had many better things to do with their time.
"I've already prepared handouts on a number of subjects, like Zera and the Children in the Dark for the council and foreign representatives, so one more chapbook on the basics of the drow won't kill me. I'll write it up, get you to look over it, then distribute it. I mean, I was going to do that eventually anyway, but I wanted more sources of information than only Xu'deln. Make sure I'm getting the real deal instead of a skewed perspective.

That said there was definitely a breach in both etiquette and I suspect procedure. I'm not certain on the latter, but I expect if they had such concerns they should have brought them up to their superior, only acting in situations where they knew wrongdoing was occurring, instead of acting like frightened yokels."
Nallaul is a guest of the crown after all.
The mage puts away the notebook and pen again, and draws from his haversack a literal sheaf of velum sheets. Each sheet has a small colored ribbon with a number on it. Morgan flicks through the ribbons until he finds a yellow one marked with the numeral one. He slips the sheet out from the bundle and passes it across to Nallaul.
"A scroll of Silent Image. If you could give me Don't worry about actually writing it out unless you're interestedthe faces of the royal guards involved as well as the maid in question, their names too if you caught them, I'll bring the matter to captain Alta."
The trick is that they are right to be wary and careful. They just needed to ensure people were working with correct information, and didn't allow that to become problematic behavior or attitudes.

[Acathala]

"Theodora was what the maid called herself. Her father had just bought an orchard, a fact she presented several times. She had straight black hair and green eyes. Mildly pretty. I didn't catch the name of the first guard, but I think he was hired more for his brawn than brain. Built like a siege engine, and probably the tallest human I've seen. Wearing something you humans call a moustache. Drow can't really grow facial hair. The other one was called Alan? Alex? Alonzo? Something beginning with a. I was more concerned about him. Red haired, green eyes. He's a handsome chap, someone people would listen to. He's the one whom warned Theodora off." Nallaul pauses. "I think he might be from money, as his equipment looked a bit more expensive than most of the other guards. I'd have to examine it to be sure but I think his sword was enchanted too."
Nallaul sighs again. "I think we need to be careful here. Caution is wise when dealing with my people. At the same time I don't want to be worried an ally is going to attempt something stupid to me, Tel'shar, or the girls. Tel'shar especially, given his position."