Ch 5: Part 4: Thorn's End: Session 90

[15:45] <@Kilarra> *****Second Darkness*****
[15:46] <@Kilarra> ~~~Chapter 5: A Memory of Darkness~~~
[15:47] <@Kilarra> -Session 90-
[15:49] <@Kilarra> The party met with the prisoner of Thorn's End, an unlucky Pixie by the name of Estril, who had been imprisoned by the arcanist Hialin, then forgotten about. They took him with them (or rather, he followed Kahree invisibly) as they went to see Perelir, the High Priestess of Calistria among the council members.
[15:51] <@Kilarra> Perelir already thought the Winter Council had long outlived its usefulness, and was more than willing to participate in an emergency discussion with the party members. She advised them to seek out Malindil and Arlindil next, and save Hialin for last. The party took her advice and found Malindil in Arlindil's room, attempting to console each other with their company.
[15:52] <@Kilarra> Malindil, a statuesque elven woman in glimmering golden armour, stands as the party opens the door to Arlindil's room, instinctively reaching for her weapons. The sight of Thorn's End Guards escorting them however, causes her to pause a moment.
[15:54] * Kilarra keeps to the back, knowing that is the trigger happy gold elf saw her, she might go nuts.
[15:57] <@Kilarra> Kjell steps forward, bowing to the two elves in a gesture he hoped would be seen as polite. "Greetings, wise elves of the Winter Council. My name is Kjell Caylean, and these are my companions." He gestures to the group. "We have come here seeking answers, as well as advice from those who best understand the drow menace."
[15:59] <@Kilarra> The mentioning of the drow seems to get Arlindil's attention. He looks up to the party, a cold hatred plainly visible in his eyes. Malindil seems equally intrigued at these outsides who knew of their dark cousins. She remains standing, but takes her hands away form her weapons.
[16:02] <@Kilarra> Kjell looks a bit intimidated by the two powerful elves staring at him, but stands firm. "We seek to arrange an emergency meeting of the Winter Council to deal with a dire threat to Kyonin itself. We have previously fought the drow alongside the elves of Crying Leaf, and learned of a dire plan they have in motion."
[16:02] <@Kilarra> Malindil speaks up, "The liberation of Celwynvian. You were the outsiders we heard reports of?"
[16:03] * Aluthyra nods. "We were. And we were hoping to deal with the situation, as it has not been entirely solved."
[16:06] <@Kilarra> "Anyone can claim to be someone famous or unusual," comes the gruff, low voice of Arlindil. "It has been some time since we deliberated on the drow threat, and you would have us do so again. Who are you to think you can tell us what is best? We, who have dealt with this menace longer than any of you have even been alive."
[16:11] <Aluthyra> Kahree frowns, stepping forward. "Seems like you need to be told. Doesn't look like you're doing much now."
[16:11] <@Kilarra> Arlindil frowns, "Fine. You want us to heed your advice? Prove to me that you are worth listening to."
[16:13] <Aluthyra> Kahree growls. "Fine, and how would we do that," she glares, "other than shoving my foot up your ass."
[16:18] <@Kilarra> Arilindil gestures with his staff upwards. "Make your way to the floor above this one and kill the Vrocks that roost there. I have killed more than I care to count myself, and grow tired of their constant returning and further desecration of my old quarters. Kill them and bring me proof of the deed, and I shall consider you worth acknolwedging."
[16:21] <Aluthyra> Kahree grumps. "Fine."
[16:22] * Aluthyra nods. "Very well. We shall return soon."
[16:22] <@Kilarra> Kjell nods, "Thank you for this chance to prove our worth." He then turns and looks to the guards, "How do we reach this roost he mentioned?"
[16:25] <@Kilarra> The elven guards lead the party back to a spiral staircase and gesture to the upward flight. "Do you wish us to accompany you? Armistil would certainly be glad to see the council reunited, your methods notwithstanding."
[16:26] * Kilarra shakes her head, "We can probably handle this ourselves. Wouldn't really look good for us if we got you killed."
[16:27] * Aluthyra nods, drawing her bow. "But thank you for offering."
[16:27] <@Kilarra> Kjell nods in agreement, "This task was given to us, and I would prefer not to deprive this fort of any more guards than I presume it to have already lost in the ongoing siege." He draws his sword and casts his shield spell before heading up the stairs
[16:28] * Kilarra sticks close to Aluthyra, "I can probably dismiss one of them to make things easier, but you might want to stay out of the air. Remember what Quilindra said about these things."
[16:28] <Aluthyra> Kahree draws her maces and follows behind... sneakily!
[16:29] * Aluthyra sighs and nods. "I have not had much chance to test them in battle-- or time to fly for the simple sake of joy."
[16:30] * Kilarra gives Aluthyra a kiss on the cheek. "If you really want to, okay, but I just don't want you to make yourself an easy target."
[16:30] * Aluthyra chuckles. "No, I will be fine without risking myself. I understand." She smiles. "Thank you."
[16:31] <@Kilarra> What once seems to have been several different rooms is now nothing but a single ruin, left exposed to the elements. A partiallycollapsed balcony hangs precariously to the north, and theentire place is spattered with blood and bits of rotting flesh andsplintered bones. Two doors, their faces filthy but in remarkablygood repair, stand in the still-intact western walls.
[16:32] <@Kilarra> Kjell emerges first to spot two of the vulture-like wrathful demons on the ground, and two in the air, in the process of hurling small animal carcasses at the wall. All of them immediately take notice of the not-so-sneaky Magus. Kahree goes completely unnoticed
[16:38] <@Kilarra> The Vrocks seem keen on the prospect of fresh meat, and all of them immediately converge on Kjell. The two on the ground get to him first and slash at him with their clawed arms.
[16:40] <@Kilarra> When they completely fail to get through Kjell's armour and shield, the ones on the air caw in a form of cruel mocketing and attempty to show up the other two.
[16:41] <@Kilarra> Using their upward angle to their advantage, each of the Vrock's manages to get a slash through to Kjell, leaving him with some jagged cuts on his face and shoulder
[16:42] <@Kilarra> Kjell grunts, but bears it.
[16:44] * Aluthyra raises her bow up high, nocking a cold-iron arrow. The twang of her bowstring follows each of her six shots, three fired into each of the air-borne vrocks.
[16:50] <@Kilarra> Aluthyra manages to peg the first Vrock hard in the stomach, causing it to screech and gag. The second takes its hits in the chest and shoulder, but seems less gravely wounded
[16:55] <Aluthyra> Kahree aims to kick some ass! She launches out of the shadows at the closest Vrock, mace side-swiping at the Vrock's back. As the mace draws near, her backhand follows through, second mace coming down to bludgeon the beast's back. After each swipe, she brings the maces up, smashing them down once more, in tandem.
[17:00] <@Kilarra> The Vrock coughts up a wad of bloody spittle and falls onconscious as its innards are pummeled relentlessly
[17:07] <@Kilarra> Kjell turns his attention to the more badly injured of the flying Vrocks, thankful to Kahree for taking some of the pressure off him. He takes two swings of his sword at it, followed up by a barrage of magic projectiles.
[17:12] <@Kilarra> The Vrock proves resilient even in the face of a lucky hit from Kjell, but his barrage of arcane missiles manages to finish the job.
[17:13] * Kilarra moves up behind Kjell and brandishes her holy symbol at the uninjured Vrock; "Begone!"
[17:14] <@Kilarra> The Vrock manages a garbled screech as it is shunted back to its plane of origin.
[17:14] * Kilarra smirks. One left.
[17:16] <@Kilarra> The last Vrock does not seem to like its predicament, but rather than fleeing, it opens its beak wide and lets out a horrible, echoing screech that resounds across the entire fortress
[17:17] <@Kilarra> Kilarra stumbles backwards in a daze, but the rest of the party is fine
[17:18] <@Kilarra> Kjell frowns, "They'll have heard that in the courtyard. We'd best finish this quickly!"
[17:19] * Aluthyra frowns deeply, and with a nod, launches a barrage of six arrows at the last beast.
[17:21] <@Kilarra> The Vrock doesn't have it in it to take a full barrage from Aluthyra and smashes into the ruins like so many hurled small animals.
[17:21] <Aluthyra> Kahree looks to the Vrock she felled and looks for something to take...
[17:22] <Aluthyra> Kahree kills it first however, maces smashing its face.
[17:22] <@Kilarra> Kjell moves to decapitate the unconscious Vrock, motioning to the others. "Arlindil wanted some proof, so snap off a couple talons or something... that works too."
[17:23] <@Kilarra> Kjell decapitates it anyways. A head and some talons would probably suffice. He then quickly moves towards the stairs and the protection of the fort's wards before more demons can show up.
[17:24] * Kilarra shakes herself out of her daze a few seconds later, but keeps close to Aluthyra until she heads back down first.
[17:25] <Aluthyra> Kahree follows after, smirking at her work.
[17:25] * Aluthyra places her bow back over her shoulder as they return to the safety of the guards.
[17:26] <@Kilarra> The guards have their weapons drawn as the party returns, "We heard that thing screeching, and thought you might need help after all."
[17:27] <@Kilarra> Kjell brandishes the head and smiles, "Your concern is appreciated, but we are mostly unharmed. However, I can see why Arlindil grows weary of that task. Every time one of those things screeches, it just calls more up to replace the ones removed."
[17:27] * Kilarra , on that note, pulls out one of her curing wands and begins to touch Kjell up.
[17:29] * Kilarra expends 7 charges of the light wand, but that would keep her own more potent healing held back for emergencies
[17:31] <@Kilarra> The guards nod, "Well, good work anyways. We have all been hoping for something to restore the council after the loss of two of its greatest."
[17:32] <@Kilarra> Kahree once again feels the slight breeze of Estrils wings on the back of her neck. "That was most amazing how you took down one of those ferocious demons all on your own."
[17:33] <Aluthyra> Kahree frowns. "...You were watching the whole time?"
[17:36] <@Kilarra> Estril nods invisbly, "I could not do much to help without my bow, but clearly someone as adept as you wouldn't have needed it anyways!"
[17:38] <Aluthyra> Kahree smirks. Damn right. She continues forward, not caring much about Estril following.
[17:40] <@Kilarra> Kjell returns to Arlindil's room first, brandishing the head of one of the Vrocks. "We slew four of them, but I think you were right about their ceaseless roosting. The last one let out a screech that could be heard all the way in the courtyard, and more have likely already replaced those slain."
[17:40] <@Kilarra> Arlindil nods, "And so you see much of our predicament here."
[17:43] * Kilarra nods, "Yeah, no wonder. How do you manage to keep them at bay anyways?"
[17:43] <@Kilarra> Malindil looks a little shocked as Kilarra speaks, as though noticing the tiefling for the first time, and again instinctively reaching for her weapons. She stops herself, simply starting at Kilarra. She doesn't answer the question.
[17:44] * Kilarra frowns a bit, although she had been expecting that. Perhaps she should have asked Perelir.
[17:46] * Aluthyra sighs and shakes her head. "There is no need to be so defensive. Do not draw your weapons, please."
[17:46] <@Kilarra> Malindil watches Kilarra for a minute, but seems to relax (barely) when she doesn't keel over. "A tiefling?"
[17:47] * Kilarra nods, "Yeah, but not exactly proud of it. I'm under the assumption that whatever is keeping those demons out is also what's making me itchy all over."
[17:48] <@Kilarra> Malindil simply nods, but still says nothing of the warding.
[17:49] <@Kilarra> Arlindil spends a moment observing the bits of Vrock, then motions for the guards to dispose of them. "Well, you have performed the task I set, so I shall uphold my word. I am not sure what we might be able to do as we are now, but perhaps..."
[17:50] <@Kilarra> Malindil looks at the party as something occurs to her, "How did you arrive here anyways?"
[17:51] <@Kilarra> Kjell answers, "We were guided here by a demon in disguise whom we had convinced of our enmity of you, after a group of Shin'Rakorath mercenaries attacked us in Iadara after an audience with Queen Telandia."
[17:52] <@Kilarra> Malindil raises an eyebrow, "The Shin'Rakorath attacked you? On whose orders?"
[17:52] * Kilarra shrugs, "They didn't say. We figured it would have had to be one of you."
[17:54] * Aluthyra nods. "That is partly why we wish to have the council reassembled. So that we might find out."
[17:58] <@Kilarra> Malindil shakes his head, "I am usually the one who consults with the Lantern Bearers, but I was not the one who sent a group to Kyonin."
[17:59] * Kilarra rolls her eyes, "Guess that leaves the last of you four. Hialin I think."
[18:00] <@Kilarra> Malindil nods, "Hialin has grown as reclusive as the rest of us, but he lacks Perelir's faith or Arlindil and my support in each other. However, perhaps if he were told that the rest of us were reconvening, he might once more provide his council."
[18:02] <@Kilarra> Arlindil nods, "All of us took Allevrah's betrayal very personally, for we had all of us been friends once. Her departure caused a rift that we feared would ultimately destroy the Council and each of us in turn."
[18:02] * Aluthyra nods. "Easy enough then, but if he were the one that sent the lantern-bearers, might you have any idea why he'd want to keep the drow hidden?"
[18:03] <@Kilarra> Kjell chimes in, "That reminds me, it would see that the drow matron leading the threat against Kyonin is also named Allevrah."
[18:04] <@Kilarra> Arlindil looks to Aluthyra, "The COuncil sought to keep the drow hidden in myth and stories so as to prevent fear of our dark cousins from spreading through the populace. Best they remain a thing of children's frightful stories except to those that must know."
[18:05] <@Kilarra> He then looks to Kjell, "I think, perhaps, that all shall become clear once the council is reassembled."
[18:05] <@Kilarra> Malindil nods, "We shall go to the meeting room and await you, Perelir and Hialin. Perhaps we have a chance here to end our wallowing."
[18:06] * Kilarra nods, "Perelir already agreed to come." She gestures to her holy symbol; "She was willing to speak with another of her faith fairly readily."
[18:09] * Aluthyra smiles to the pair. "Thank you for your consideration. We shall, with luck, not be long in convincing Hialin."
[18:10] <@Kilarra> Kjell nods and looks to the guards, "Would you be willing to escort us once more? If this Hialin is as introverted as they claim, it will likely take more than our words to convince him."
[18:12] <@Kilarra> The guards nod and lead the party through Thorn's End, up and down winding stairs and passages, eventually reaching the seventh floor of the northeast tower. They knock on the door first, but nudge the door open when no response comes.
[18:14] <@Kilarra> Clearly an arcane workshop, this room is filled with materialsused for testing the properties of magic items and potions, andthe center of the room is dominated by a long table topped bya magnificent alchemist’s laboratory.
[18:15] <@Kilarra> Hialin is not presently in this room, but Kahree hears from Estril's squeaky voice, "Aha!" He flaps over to a bookshelf and retrieves a tiny bow and quiver before returning to Kahree's side. "Hilain is a meany with all his foul smells and wierd mumbling, you should be careful."
[18:17] <@Kilarra> The guards frown at the empty lab, but seem to not care about the Pixie's whispered comments, and move to the next door over, knocking once again.
[18:17] <Aluthyra> Kahree rolls her eyes. "I'm sure we'll be fine."
[18:18] <@Kilarra> Once again, the guards recieve no answer, and nudge the door open...
[18:19] <@Kilarra> This bedchamber is cluttered and disorganized, with piles of clothing lying on the floor and on the canopy bed, and books, scrolls, half-empty wine bottles, and half-eaten food covering every horizontal surface. The walls are covered with shelves of jars, vials, and bottles full of the kinds of macabre items arcane spellcasters tend to collect. Narrow paths in the debris lead from the door to the bed and to a chamberpot nearby.
[18:22] <@Kilarra> Inside is an exceedingly pale and malnourished looking elf pouring over tomes and discarding another bit of half-eaten food. He barely seems to noticed the intrusion.
[18:26] * Aluthyra clears her throat, trying to garner the arcanist's attention. "Hialin, yes? We apologize for the intrusion, but we have something to discuss," She gestures to her friends. "I am Aluthyra, and these are my companions; Kilarra, Kjell, and Kahree."
[18:30] <@Kilarra> Hialin looks a bit startled at the presence of unexpected company. He brushes some crumbs off his robes and just sort of looks at the group vacantly for a moment. "Why are you interrupting me? Can't you see I'm busy?" He speaks with a certain amount of civility, but his impatience is obvious to anyone, and Kilarra can feel a simmering rage in his clipped voice.
[18:32] * Aluthyra frowns. "We wish for the Winter Council to reconvene."
[18:32] * Aluthyra adds, "All other members have already agreed."
[18:33] <@Kilarra> Hialin scoffs, "The council you say? While the rest of them have been wallowing in their slef-pity and maudlin sighs, I have been trying to find a solution to our siege here."
[18:34] <@Kilarra> Kjell attempts, "Nonetheless, they have agreed to reconvene when we brought them word of a dire threat. They are waiting only on you to join them now."
[18:35] <@Kilarra> Hialin scoffs again, "What matters the words of outsiders? Can you prove this to me? If not, then begone and stop wasting my precious time."
[18:35] <@Kilarra> -End Session-
[18:35] <@Kilarra> Rewards: 1 EL 13, 6400 Experience Each