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

[Blue]

Mrith turned to the drow, her voice unchanging.
"You'll get the long version soon enough. For now, let's just call it more power: Someone like Lekkar, here."
With a small whipping of the tail, she returned her attention to the Lionheart before seeming lost in her thoughts.

[Makenshi]

Originally Posted by Nallaul

"Would Fisali's caveat applied if the Yanker pulled the demons in? Assuming the Yanker exists."

"It didn't last time." Theofan explains. "Although they were able to exploit whatever weakness it did as well, but they've been trying that this time too to no avail. Our best bet is that by appearing in the Underdark they circumvented the barrier. It's likely why they didn't go after the shard of the Godforge from the get go, as the longer they went unnoticed the better."

L'arabiel nods in response to Mrith's suggestion. "That was my thinking as well, but we won't know better until we get more involved. Can we count on your support?"

Kala and Lekkar don't hesitate to nod. "It's about time I did something other than meditating." Meaning that the attention then turns to Zilira.

"My place is here. This could be a distraction to get to Vulcar, in which case I need to keep an eye on him." Both L'arabiel and Theofan nod in understanding and, truth be told, don't look surprised by her response.

That leaves the matter of Innanna, which the Spider in the Dark handles. "I've contacted our mutual friend, although she's not sure how quickly she might be able to get an answer, or if she'll even be able to get an answer for that matter."

"Where do you need us?" Kala asks the winged pair.

"Deimos is the most powerful of them now, and getting into Sharak is problematic for most of the Archgates, so if you could try and deal with him and his, or at least get them to retreat, then that would be a great help." Theofan explains to Lekkar, before turning to Kala. "Shara and Raeth could do with help fighting Superbia and hers in Mayasoris. They've already destroyed the main bridge and the garrison there isn't equipped to deal with so many powerful Fiends. If you're brother is willing then he'd be of great help too."

"I'll be going to Jracht." L'arabiel explains. "Alainn and Jaan are in Jharaverd. Mirik and Selene are in Feid and Jester is in Arsinoh, where Theofan will join him. Ciilla will have to do in Calarin and there's been no sign of Fisali or Keberos so far, and we've yet to make contact with the Children. If you do speak with them then pass this all on and tell them that help in Trusharlan and Calarin in particular would be appreciated. Numbers are not on our side."

~MTWC

[Acathala]

"What happened to the other cities of the Drow?" Nallaul asked suddenly. "Did the fiends decimate them as well?"

[SpatulaOdoom]

Only one avenue really comes to mind, and even that won't really help in the short term.
”Master Nallaul. This sanctum you mentioned on arrival, the place where the godforge was. Was that Xuafer's sanctum, or someone else's?”
It occurs to Morgan that maybe not all the power of two Paragons was tied up in the hiding of the drow territory for that entire time. Xuafer, the city's archmage, could be sitting on quite the stockpile of artifacts and other magical goods. By attrition she might very well be the only one left who knew anything about it. Even if not she was supposed to be a very powerful individual, and she could make for a useful ally, both in the fighting now and rebuilding later.

Morgan slides his cloak off his shoulders and holds it out to Nallaul.
”You can activate a Sending spell with the command word Mainstoss. Contact Xuafer and let her know we'd like to talk to her about an alliance. Please don't tell her about Xu'deln unless he gives his permission.”
Looking over at the communing gods he shrugs.
”I've no clever plans for this one. Me, Rhys, and Eloise make a pretty good team for mortals. Where do you want us?”

[Acathala]

Nallaul answers Morgan "The Sanctum was inside the main temple. Ordinarily my presence there would have resulted in my rather gruesome and prolonged death."
On the subject of bringing Xufaer here, he sighs. "You realise the impossible position you're putting me in, yes? Xufaer is likely going to be volcanically vengeful when she finds out Tel'shar is partly responsible for destroying her life. She may even blame me. If I do this, I want protection for the twins and Tel'shar. I'll take my chances." He looks at Xu'deln then back at Morgan. "I don't think I can keep that promise. That would definately be a betrayal of Xufaer. Besides most, if not all of my people who wanted him dead, are.....dead."

[Blue]

Mrith was unsure of where to go from there. Especially given the request for aid.
"Certainly. If I can help with the situation somehow, I will."

She paused.
"Perhaps I should return home or send an envoy to petition for military support. Since Quall isn't being attacked perhaps we can help elsewhere. I imagine many would gladly take up arms to bring down the storm at yours or Theofan's side."
Perhaps even her mother would wage battle against the fiends. The thought gave her a chill.
"As for me, I can go wherever. Dragons can serve on most fronts."

[Makenshi]

Originally Posted by Nallaul

"What happened to the other cities of the Drow?" Nallaul asked suddenly. "Did the fiends decimate them as well?"

Theofan gives a reluctant shrug. "We simply don't know at this stage. You'll have to ask the Children, or perhaps Ciilla or Salorne."

Originally Posted by Nallaul

"The Sanctum was inside the main temple. Ordinarily my presence there would have resulted in my rather gruesome and prolonged death."

"Th Sanctum was Lolth's, and a holy place to her church. It is, or rather was, very rare for someone other than a priestess to be there, in which case it was even rarer still that they would come out alive." Felynda adds.

Xu'deln seems curiously quiet in regards to his mother, although once again Felynda seems more willing to speak than before, although that seems mostly out of annoyance to Nallaul's attempt to bargain for her. "I'm capable of looking after myself Nallaul, as is Fyn, for the most part at least." She holds out a hand for the cloak. "I've no issue with withholding information to Xufaer, besides which, he kisses the ground that she walks on, even when she steps on him." The comment doesn't seem to be as malicious as it sounds at first, more frustrated. "Xufaer is practical, she won't lash out at the few allies she potentially has left to avenge a family she made little effort to hide her dislike of."

Just as Theofan is about to reply to the question on where to go he stops, before frowning and muttering a soft. "...what in the..." He looks to L'arabiel. "Did you-?" She nods, looking equally confused, before the Rudaa looks back to them. "Others have joined the fight."

"...isn't that good?" Felynda asks, obviously confused.

"Well, I'm not about to look a gift horse in the mouth, but none of the other Archgates recognise them. There's a blond man fighting Gula in Jharaverd, a woman inside some sort of shadowy abomination fighting Invidia in Feid and a dark-haired swords-woman fighting Superbia in Mayasoris."

Zilira's head snaps up at the mention of the second description, glancing to Morgan. "That sounds like the 'Shadow' woman. A chance to find out more about her perhaps?"

~MTWC

[Acathala]

Nallaul sighs. Her bluntness aside, Felynda was mostly correct. "I said noting about Xufaer avenging her family. I meant life in the life she led. She now has to rebuild her entire life. But otherwise yes, I was being too cautious."
He turns to Xu'deln. "I'm going to have to mention you're here to your mother, but I'd still like your blessing."
Regardless of whether he gets the blessing or not, Nallaul composes a message to Xufaer and uses the scroll to send it.
It is Nallaul. Escaped to Halvanna's royal palace. Xu'deln present. Halvans wish alliance. I sung Belvra's Triumph at your last birthday.
Nallaul singing at her birthday was a private tradition they had. It would be highly unlikely anyone outside Xufaer or Nallaul knew about this, as it took part on her realm.

[Makenshi]

[Acathala]

Nallaul smiles at some private amusement before looking more serious. "She's coming but it will take her a few hours. The Shrouds are preventing her from teleporting."

[SpatulaOdoom]

Morgan nods to Zilira.
"I've never been to Feid before. I'll pick you up something at the market.
Could you contact Eloise and tell her to meet me at the palace gates?"
Morgan again takes stock of his supplies and available spells, glad that he'd held off on heavy magic use till now.
"Any tools nearby I can grab to make my return a little more likely?"

[Acathala]

"I would like to speak with Tel'shar." Nallaul says. He wants to ask him a few things. Specifcally how much Hali knew, and when she knew it.

[Makenshi]

Zilira nods to Morgan. "I can give you and Rhys a lift to your 'tower' if you want to pick anything up from there before I drop you off in Feid. As for you-" She turns to Nallaul. "-we've got enough to watch out for without putting you and Tel'shar in the same room for now. I'll see what I can do for later, although if you want me to vouch for you then you'll have to do something for me first." Assuming the Arachnomancer shows interest in Zilira's very Drow-like proposition, she would continue, grinning almost from ear to ear. "Go with Morgan and make sure he comes back alive. I'm not done with him yet."

Meanwhile, Theofan was busy speaking with Mrith. "If you'd be willing then we could probably do with more help in Jharaverd, although if Lady Kala-" There is a distinctly unladylike snort from Kala at the title which Theofan ignores. "-has any way to protect you from poisons then I would suggest that you take her up on it. Gula's followers like to emulate their patron's affinity for them, as do the Devils under his control."

"I can delay the onset of poisons long enough that you should be able to-" She pauses in her signing for a moment. "-huh...actually, I guess now it'll protect you for more than a day. Anyway, unless something drastic happens it'll prevent it from harming you long enough that someone can neutralise any poison that affects you."

~MTWC

[Acathala]

Nallaul frowns "And how do you intend to imperil me today?" He recalls saying something similar to Hali at the start of this affair. He liked the word peril more than danger. Shorter and better sounding. "No, let me guess. Go with Morgan." Nallaul says at the same time as Zilira. The mage looks unhappy about this for a moment before nodding in acceptance. Looking at Morgan he adds "I have an almost full selection of spells. I am as ready as I'll ever be." Looking back at Zilira he says "Is the Patron Father treating Triss as a prisoner now, and is she secure? I wouldn't pot it past her and the Elerian to have an exit strategy for this."

[Blue]

Mrith nodded confidently, still a little unsure of exactly how dangerous to her the situation actually was.
"Certainly, I'll go."
She was in no hurry to join the battlefield but knew full well that since it had already begun, any delay could be significant.
A glance in Kala's direction at the offer of protection against Gula's followers, she seemed inspirited by her support.
Poison was something she never really worried about ,who knew, perhaps they could actually manage to get something in. It was reassuring to know that it wouldn't be a concern now.
"Yes, that would be great. Thank you."