Ch 4: Part 2: Last Home of the Elves: Session 58

[15:38] <@Kilarra> *****Second Darkness*****
[15:38] <@Kilarra> ~~~Chaper 4: Endless Night~~~
[15:39] <@Kilarra> -Session 58-
[15:43] <@Kilarra> The party was left on their own to speak amongst themselves whilst Gadak went to set them up with an audience with House Vonnac's Slavemother. They took advantage of this time to finalize the crucial details of their falsified stories.
[15:44] <@Kilarra> With any luck, the connection established here could provide the party with a home from which to base their operation over the next three months, and perhaps even lend extra insight into the drow way of life.
[15:46] <@Kilarra> Aluthyra and Kahree can hear a door open nearby, announcing the return of Gadak
[15:47] * Aluthyra hushes her companions, making sure no one continues speaking of falsifying their stories. "Gadak, or the slavemother, is returning."
[15:47] <Aluthyra> Kahree is hard-pressed to not reach for her weaponry.
[15:48] <@Kilarra> Kjell nods and gives Kahree one last comment before quieting, "I think perhaps you were laying it on just a tad thick."
[15:49] * Kahree rolls her eyes. "Fine, fine..."
[15:52] <@Kilarra> Gadak rejoins the party and beckons for them to follow him, "The slavemother has agreed to see you."
[15:54] <Aluthyra> Kahree follows after Gadak, mumbling sarcastically under her breath, "Wonderful." She makes an effort to restrain herself so that she is not overheard. however.
[15:56] * Kilarra nods and stands up, "Of course. We are honoured that we are worthy of her consideration." She motions for Aluthyra to keep close.
[15:56] * Aluthyra motions for Kjell and Kilarra as she follows, keeping her bow over her shoulder, with her hand idly keeping it in place.
[15:56] <@Kilarra> Kjell stands and follows Kahree wordlessly.
[15:59] <@Kilarra> Gadak leads the party through the stables that house a sextet of large cave gecko mounts, and into the House of Vonnarc. Their first glimpse of the house is not exactly a favourable one, as Gadak leads them through a pair of what can only be assumed to be torture chambers. The first is smaller, and seemingly more practical, while the second is full of fancy and ornate devices, almost looking like a performance hall.
[16:01] * Aluthyra raises an eyebrow, curious about what type of 'performances' are held. Thinking on it, she frowns, if the scream earlier was any indication.
[16:02] * Kilarra doesn't ask abut the devices, but does have a question for Gadak, "It has been long since I have had such an audience; how would your House's revered Slavemother like us to present ourselves?"
[16:02] <@Kilarra> Kjell smirks just a bit. Kilarra was good at this.
[16:04] <@Kilarra> Gadak responds, "Self-demeaning respect, and silence." He leads the party out of the torture chambers and what looks to be a grand ballroom, elegant and stately. From there, he takes them through one more room; the interrogation room. A dim violet light emanates from some vague point above, while upon the walls hang diaphanous tapestries, delicately embroidered with the Vonnarc symbol and elaborate designs.
[16:05] <@Kilarra> Flanked by stone statues of fierce drow warriors, a long table of dark stone dominates one end of the room. Three chairs line the table’s far side, the centermost occupied by a severe looking drow woman, her head cleanly shaven, her fingers and sharp nails steepled before her, her gaze impatient.
[16:05] <Aluthyra> Kahree frowns. If the Slavemother expects anything polite, then Kahree would soon see how far her mace can make heads roll.
[16:07] * Aluthyra remains silent, as per the instruction of Gadak, waiting for instruction or to be spoken to by the Slavemother.
[16:08] <Aluthyra> Kahree just crosses her arms with the same ever-present frown that she's had since she heard they'd be meeting with a slaver.
[16:09] <@Kilarra> Gadak gestures to move to the center of the room before stepping forward and bowing low. “Revered Slavemother Undamesta, these are the travelers from beyond the portal of whom I spoke. House Rasivreign’s operations at the gate were confused and disordered and none stood to meet their arrival.
[16:10] <@Kilarra> "With their own masters having forsaken them, I most meekly ask that their obvious skills and experience be considered for inclusion among the ranks of those who dutifully serve the envied house of Vonnarc.”
[16:11] * Kilarra takes a few mental notes on the way in which drow addressed their superiors, but felt she had been doing fairly well so far.
[16:11] <@Kilarra> Kjell avoids smiling, but is internally glad that at least Kilarra seemed to have some understanding of the mind games people like this played.
[16:12] <Aluthyra> Kahree holds her groan. Speaking like that is boring, and atypical for her.
[16:13] <@Kilarra> The slavemother seems unimpressed by Gadak’s words, lifting a suspicious eyebrow. “Obvious skills and experience, indeed? Is this not for me to judge?” the matronly drow retorts with a voice like a dagger upon slate. Gadak merely bows low and steps aside.
[16:16] <@Kilarra> Undamesta stands and locks the party with her icy stare, asking (demanging more like); "Where do you come from?"
[16:17] * Kilarra replies without hesitation, as per their agreed cover, "Umberweb."
[16:17] <Aluthyra> Kahree nods. "Umberweb as well."
[16:18] * Aluthyra remains silent, maintaining a calm expression. She doesn't risk looking to Kilarra, though she hopes the cleric will help sooner rather than later.
[16:18] <@Kilarra> Kjell answers immediately after Kahree, "Umberweb."
[16:19] * Aluthyra thinks, then nods. "I am from the same as my companions."
[16:20] <@Kilarra> Undamesta sneers at Aluthyra, "When I ask a question, I expect to be answered without hesitation. I suppose Umberweb is full of nothing but lowborn commoners who do not know how to present themselves to their betters."
[16:22] * Aluthyra nods in acceptance, not wanting to call attention to herself, of all people.
[16:22] <@Kilarra> Undamesta, her insult levied, move on to her next inquiry, "What House do you now serve?"
[16:24] <Aluthyra> Kahree tries to hide her scowl. "If you would allow, Vonnarc."
[16:24] <@Kilarra> Kahree's answer nets her a wry smile from Undamesta, "Not yet you don't."
[16:24] <@Kilarra> Kjell follows up by stating, "Then as of now, we serve no house."
[16:25] <Aluthyra> Kahree wishes dearly to wipe away that smile with a swing of her mace.
[16:25] * Aluthyra nods at Kjell's statement.
[16:25] * Kilarra nods, "Our previous masters abandoned us to the wretched traitor-elves, so as we are, we serve no house."
[16:26] <@Kilarra> Undamesta looks back to Aluthyra, "You hold your tongue perhaps too well."
[16:27] * Kilarra fields that, "Only because she once risked losing it." She raises a finger to ALuthyra's chin in a sort of taunting gesture, "She has since learned when it is an isn't appropriate to put it to use."
[16:27] <@Kilarra> Undamesta seems to accept that and continues her interrogation; "Why did you return to Zirnakaynin?"
[16:29] <Aluthyra> Kahree shrugs. "Because the attack on the traitor-elves failed, and our escape required returning through the portal."
[16:30] * Kilarra begins, "When the foolish plots of the Azrinae's turned to crow, we knew the traitor-elves would seek to press their dwindling luck. We waited, as they did, for the gate to recharge, then slew them so that we could bring word before it was brought by a volley of their arrows."
[16:31] <@Kilarra> Kjell adds, "We took great pains to ensure our return, whether by cunning or by the cutting of traitor-elf throats."
[16:34] <@Kilarra> Undamesta's next question is: "Why do you seek to serve House Vonnarc?"
[16:36] * Kilarra replies first, "To serve such an envied house would itself be enviable, and would be a great priviledge."
[16:37] <Aluthyra> Kahree scowls. "And If we were gonna have another chance against the traitor elves, a -decent- chance, unlike the others..." She mumbles, "unorganized," She nods. "We figured it'd be here."
[16:39] * Aluthyra nods. "If the chaos at the gate were any indication, the other houses are not as competent, or as efficient, as your own."
[16:40] <@Kilarra> Kjell says simply, "I seek to aid those who aided and would aid me."
[16:44] <@Kilarra> Undamesta seems impressed by ALuthyra and Kjell, not so much by Kilarra. She snaps at Kahree, "You would do well not to place your ambitions before those of your betters."
[16:46] * Kilarra glowers at Kahree, as if to beam 'don't fuck this up for the rest of us' into her brain.
[16:47] <Aluthyra> Kahree narrows her eyes. She opens her mouth to speak, about to make a snarky that she -did- ask, but she stops, remaining quiet, and nods.
[16:51] <@Kilarra> Undamesta looked like she was daring Kahree to speak out, but smiles coolly as she remains silent. "Good. Now, why do believe you are worthy of serving House Vonnarc?"
[16:58] <Aluthyra> Kahree's not done well so far, but she knows the stakes. She can be serious if she wants! (Though she still plans on killing this woman) "I would give myself completely, maces and all, for a chance to serve. I'm only worthy if you deem me to be."
[17:00] * Aluthyra nods. "I believe that my bow will serve you well, if you allow."
[17:00] * Kilarra nods, "Our worth is for you to determine, not us."
[17:00] <@Kilarra> Kjell simply nods along with Kahree's statement
[17:03] <@Kilarra> Undamesta looks to Aluthyra, "What you believe is irrelevant here." She then moves on to her next question, "What could you possibly have to offer the illustrious house of Vonnarc?"
[17:05] <Aluthyra> Kahree answers simply, "Loyalty," She pauses, containing her hate for the slavemother, "and subservience."
[17:06] <@Kilarra> Undamesta looks to Kahree, "Almost anyone could offer those, and rather cheaply at that. What could -you- offer?"
[17:06] <@Kilarra> Kjell states: "Far less, I presume, than what the illustrious House of Vonnarc could offer me. I am a student of both sword and sorcery, but I could only ever dream of one day being as accomplished as the mages of Vonnarc."
[17:09] <Aluthyra> Kahree grumps. Stupid Undamesta, switching from wanting brown-nosing to -actual- answers. "I can be rather stealthy and deadly with both maces, killing most opponents outright if they are caught unaware. I would wish to learn, as I am sure that the assassins and infiltrators within your ranks can teach."
[17:10] * Kilarra doesn't want to give away her divine allotment, lest it lead to questions about who she worships. "I have some martial prowess, though I am more experienced with interrogation than with warfare."
[17:11] * Aluthyra nods. "I am proficient with my bow at both long range, and in close quarters. I can fire faster than most can manage swinging a knife."
[17:12] <@Kilarra> Undamesta glances to Kilarra's whip, not sure if she liked that, considering her own position. She wonders about Aluthyra's weapon choice, given the ease of which anyone (or any drow, but anyone who wasn't a drow wouldn't fit into her definition of people) could use a hand-crossbow, but knows such dedication to honing a skill is useful.
[17:13] <@Kilarra> Undamesta has no qualms about Kahree's capabilities, knowing that if she was stupid enough to try and use them against the House, she would not likely leave in one piece, if at all. Kjell's arcane talents, and humility thereabout, seem to strike a chord.
[17:14] <@Kilarra> "What is your relationship to each other?" she asks.
[17:15] * Kilarra starts them off, touching Aluthyra's chin again, "This one sticks with me because I am quite good at keeping her out of trouble. Unless it's the kind I wish her to be in."
[17:15] * Kilarra waves an arm, "The other two just tagged along."
[17:16] * Aluthyra smiles lightly, keeping silent for now.
[17:16] <Aluthyra> Kahree shrugs. "I haven't known them for long. New companions, I suppose."
[17:17] <@Kilarra> Kjell frowns at Kilarra, "You may have led us this far, but without us following you wouldn't have made it at all."
[17:18] * Kilarra glares back at Kjell as though he was being remarkably audatious, "Keep a lid on it."
[17:19] <@Kilarra> Undamesta motions for them to be quiet before they bickered further, "What then, is your relationship to Gadak?"
[17:20] * Kilarra rolls her eyes, "One of conveniece and nothing more. The little rat was stupid enough to trust those he did not know, but it served us well enough to go along with."
[17:20] <Aluthyra> Kahree nods. "Met him outside of the portal-- hiding from battle."
[17:21] <Aluthyra> Kahree could care less if that causes Gadak harm.
[17:21] <@Kilarra> Kjell glares at Gadak, "Like a coward." Apparently insulting the other drow was the way to go.
[17:25] <@Kilarra> Undamesta gives the party a sly smile. She did not look to have any love for Gadak herself. "Would you kill Gadak if I asked you to?"
[17:25] <@Kilarra> Gadak blanches at this question, his eyes widening as he stands motionless.
[17:25] <Aluthyra> Kahree smirks. "Sure."
[17:25] * Kilarra immediately answers "Yes," suspecting that was what she wanted to hear. Not that she really cared about the idiot.
[17:26] <@Kilarra> Kjell however answers, "No" almost synchronously with Kilarra's 'Yes' and Kahree's 'Sure'
[17:27] * Aluthyra hesitantly nods. The drow may be evil, yes, but Gadak hadn't antagonized them to this end. She sighs to herself after thinking for a moment, nodding again.
[17:28] * Aluthyra winces as Kjell states his answer, raising an eyebrow with worry.
[17:28] <@Kilarra> Undamesta looks to Kjell, "Are you certain? Gadak would certainly kill you if the situation was reversed."
[17:30] <@Kilarra> Kjell nods, "Then yes, if he is so fickle in his friendships."
[17:32] <@Kilarra> Undamesta waves a hand, curtly dismissing the party, her interrogation at an end. "Gadak, take them to the servant's quarters while I make my decision."
[17:34] <Aluthyra> Kahree turns to Gadak with her smirk still present. She gestures to the door. "Shall we?"
[17:35] <@Kilarra> Gadak gives a bow to the SLavemother, apparently pleased she didn't follow through on ordering him killed, and beckons for the party to follow him through the door opposite the one they came in. This one, as he opens it, reveals to lead directly to the servant's living quarters.
[17:37] * Aluthyra sighs once again, following after Gadak. What a wonderful introduction to drow culture.
[17:37] <Aluthyra> Kahree follows as well, stretching as she moves through the door.
[17:39] * Kilarra squeezes Aluthyra's hand. She had done fairly well. Frankly, she was more concerned Kahree was going to get herself flogged or worse.
[17:43] <@Kilarra> Gadak offers the party a quick tour of the servant areas, including the kitchen and pantries, the stables, the living quarters (slaves, mostly troglodytes, were housed elsewhere), the torture chamber, the solitary cells, and Undamesta's quarters in passing.
[17:47] <@Kilarra> The four of them are set to a single room containing a pair of bunks and none too much space aside from. "I'll leave you to get settled," he says. "I suggest taking this opportunity to rest, considering your ordeals. As well, so that you might be ready to work as soon as the SLavemother makes up her mind."
[17:47] <@Kilarra> Gadak takes his leave at that point.
[17:48] * Kilarra seats herself on the bed after closing the door. She sighs deeply and pulls Aluthyra in close for an embrace. "This is going to be a long three months."
[17:49] * Aluthyra sighs, nodding as she hugs Kilarra back. "With luck. I hope that we can make it through this time without incident, but their treatment of their own seems to say otherwise."
[17:50] <Aluthyra> Kahree flops down onto a bed, groaning. "I swear, I'm going to have trouble not bashing that woman's head in."
[17:50] * Kilarra looks to Kahree in particular, "If you get yourself punished in any way, shape or form, I'm not going to have any sympathy. However, if you screw this up, you're putting all of us, and any potential rewards you might have been hoping for, at risk."
[17:51] <@Kilarra> Kjell looks disdainful, "We will be at odds with the drow enough, we do not need to be at each other's throats as well."
[17:52] <Aluthyra> Kahree scowls. "I could say fuck that," she sighs. "I do -not- like working with slavers."
[17:53] <Aluthyra> Kahree sighs. "But I will -try- my best."
[17:53] <@Kilarra> Kjell looks to Kahree curiously, "Have you perhaps been at their mercy before?"
[17:54] * Kilarra shrugs, "Well, we seem to be servants rather than slaves, for what difference that makes down here. Seems more like a title than anything, considering what we know of how they act."
[17:54] <Aluthyra> Kahree frowns at Kjell. "Just... mind your own business."
[17:55] <@Kilarra> Kjell nods, "As you wish."
[17:56] * Kilarra looks herself over, then Aluthyra. "I have to admit, wierd as it is, I'm at least glad we got good looking bodies. Small comfort."
[17:56] * Aluthyra sighs. "Regardless, this showed us how cruel they can be. What will we do when they except us to kill someone who is truly innocent, or perform a task of which we would normally not?"
[17:58] <@Kilarra> Kjell looks to ALuthyra, "There is no such thing as a necessary evil. Without us here, they would accomplish their goals regardless. However, in some cases, perhaps we can subtly mitigate the evils they might otherwise accomplish. Surely they are not all completely devoid of empathy."
[17:59] * Aluthyra sighs. "Very well. We shall see how this turns out, then."
[18:00] * Kilarra shrugs, "Evil not withstanding, the two of you will definitely need to watch what you do. Compassion is a weakness down here, and the only ones we can truly trust are each other, got it?"
[18:02] * Aluthyra nods. "Of course."
[18:02] <Aluthyra> Kahree nods into her pillow, aiming to rest for the time being. "Yeah."
[18:02] * Kilarra looks to Kahree, "I suspect you're at least as able as I am to adapt to less than outstanding moral situations."
[18:03] <@Kilarra> Kjell looks to Kilarra, "You did seem to have a knack for knowing what and how to speak."
[18:04] <Aluthyra> Kahree chuckles. "It's just ass-kissing and ego-boosting here."
[18:05] * Kilarra chuckles, "For the most part, yes."
[18:09] * Aluthyra nods. "So, how do you think that went? Well?"
[18:10] * Kilarra shrugs, "Well, for the most part. I think she was particularly fond of our verbally browbeating Gadak."
[18:11] * Aluthyra nods, laying back on the bed. "Hopefully."
[18:12] <@Kilarra> Kjell chuckles a bit, "Well, he did seem to not be well liked, at least by her. Still, I don't think I'd actually kill him unless he started it. Of course, killing anyone within this house is liable to get all of us in trouble."
[18:16] * Kilarra nods, "So if you must kill someone, don't get caught."
[18:16] <Aluthyra> Kahree smirks, head-bashing running through her mind.
[18:17] <@Kilarra> Kjell notes, "Perhaps we should take Gadak's advice and rest a bit. Drow may not need to sleep, like elves, but I am not certain we follow all the same rules, even with their forms overlaying our own."
[18:18] <Aluthyra> Kahree nods, already against her pillow, and yawns. "Sounds good to me..."
[18:19] * Aluthyra smiles. "I would have to agree."
[18:19] * Kilarra looks to the bunk above her, then to ALuthyra, "Want to sleep on your own? These beds might be a little cramped, since I'm not short anymore."
[18:19] * Aluthyra hmms, shrugging. "I do not mind tight spaces, though it is your choice."
[18:21] * Kilarra wouldn't want to do anything with Kahree and Kjell being present but not participating, "We should probably focus on just sleeping for now. We can worry about whether or not these bodies are suitable for playing with once we've had a chance to settle into them."
[18:22] * Aluthyra blushes. "I didn't mean playing... But yes, we should focus on rest."
[18:23] * Kilarra nods, "I know you didn't." She chuckles, "This is hardly the time or place anyways, I know that."
[18:25] * Aluthyra rolls her eyes, rolling over onto her stomach. "Then sleep." She closes her eyes to rest, and to think.
[18:26] * Kilarra cuddles in close to Aluthyra, closing her eyes as well.
[18:26] <@Kilarra> Kjell lays back in his bunk and rests his eyes.
[18:26] <@Kilarra> -End Session-
[18:26] <@Kilarra> Rewards: Navigating Undamesta's Interrogation: 1200 Experience Each