He tried. He really tried. But it was no use.
Dimitrio's eyes went everywhere, taking in all sights. He tried to overhear all conversations, all sounds. Everything.
he really wished for some sort of magic device that would allow him to see this all over again. he made a mental note to talk to Layne about it. Maybe she could make something like that.
He tried once to focus on their path and asked the drow, "So are you taking us straight to House Vonnarc?"
Kaylayne notes the flashing of the house brooch and her face scrunches up with concern and thought.
That house brooch! I do not understand that. Why...why didn't the elves explain those? Kaylayne makes a mental note to explain this to the elves above. I wonder if they can collect all the brooches from every house. I wonder what happens when you get a full set.
Kaylayne listens to Thargrim's descriptions, occasionally favoring him with a smile or question. As she walks, she makes more mental notes of things to relate to the elves.
Ederin manages to prevent himself from staring wide-eyed at everything around him. He wasn't quite sure what he expected to see, but in his mind it had been something of a Riddleport clone just populated with drow, the reality was so much more. Despite himself he started walking with his chest out and the more he saw, the more the small smirk on his lips grew into an outright self-satisfied smile. He notes how fortified the city is and appreciates the show of power.
This is exactly how a drow city should look. Why do they even want to reclaim he surface? Just to relish in victory over the elves? He quickly realizes how similar that motivation was to his burning desire to get back at Zincher and shrugs it off.
"Thanks for the tour Thargrim but how soon can we meet our prospective employer?" He finally asks as he finds himself anxious to do more than sight-see.
He tried once to focus on their path and asked the drow, "So are you taking us straight to House Vonnarc?"
”Well, straight lines are so boring, don’t you think? But yes, I am taking you to House Vonnarc. It’s just ahead…”
"Thanks for the tour Thargrim but how soon can we meet our prospective employer?" He finally asks as he finds himself anxious to do more than sight-see.
”We’re almost there… look!”
Following the lead of Thargrim, you eventually reach the corner of the darkened “countryside” known as Eirdrisseir held by the Vonnarc noble family.
Seemingly grown from the dark stone of this nighted abyss, a sinister palace of unnatural beauty and deadly grace looms. A palace of warped stone, spidery iron, and towers alight with magical flame, House Vonnarc makes its owners’ decadence and arcane prowess obvious in every inch of its lit obsidian. It's huge - perhaps the largest single structure any of you have ever seen.
Spires of web-like metal slice through the darkness, their heights illuminated by arcane flame, while the elegant curves of the structure’s walls seem to flicker and shift in the dancing shadows. Around the compound, the barely perceptible silhouettes of dark armored shapes glide in soundless patrol upon an arcing barricade of bladed steel.
Suddenly, from somewhere within, rises an otherworldly shriek, a cry half scream, half bestial howl that slowly resonates and dies amid the gloom. A moment later comes the terrible noise’s answer, a uttering peal of mirthless, mocking laughter.
Tharagrim smiles, ”Home.” he says warmly. He flashes his signet ring to the guards on the walls who, eventually, open the gates. You get little scrutiny as he leads you into the courtyard and the great gates are closed behind you. ”Wait here while I speak to Undamesta, the house’s slavemother.”
He leaves you alone, though there are drow moving about everywhere in a great chaotic dance.
Lief looks about, a mixture of thoughts behind his drow eyes. The grandeur of it all. The only structure to compete in his mind is the Cyphergate. He deals with his diminutive status in the grand scheme of it all to focus on the danger swirling about he and his companions.
What have we gotten ourselves into? What fools were we to trust Voslil to cloak us in carcass, and hope to think we could just stroll in here. Well, I suppose we did, but that can't last long, before someone sees us for our true nature. We're screwed. We're totally screwed.
Lief looks for the exits, and marks them. He also counts the weaponed drow, and marks them as well. He takes his sudden loss of confidence, and rolls it into his portrayal of drow men, remaining quiet, and awaiting orders.
"Home."
Kaylayne sneers, not thinking much of this home for reasons that may or may not be clear. She waits in impatience silence for the slavemother to come offer reward for the property returned to her.
How much was the man worth? We'll see.
She tries to avoid feelings of worry and doom and nervousness and fear and dread and more fear that boil and churn in her stomach. No, she will not dwell upon them. No, she will avoid thinking about how much of their lives (all of their lives and freedoms) depend on what happens next. No, she will not worry about that.
Kaylayne bites her lip in not-worry.
And she digs her nails into her palm because she is not worried.
And she stares fixedly at her staff because she is not worried at all, too.
I'm fine.
Dimitrio's mind raced with thoughts about their upcoming meeting with the slavemaster woman.
So how does a drow make himself more employable?
Should I act overly meek and submissive? No, who would want to hire that.
Should I strut my stuff, perhaps show them my fencing skills? No, too rash, loose cannon.
He tried not to fidget too much when Tharagrim left them alone. He neared his companions, "So, this time's for real. Do we all speak or do we let Layne do the talking? What sort of work are we offering? Are we a fighting unit? Bounty hunters? What?"
"You wait and listen for instructions from Undamesta. Hopefully, she speaks mainly with Kaylayne. It will speed the process, and prevent multiple voices from crossing. If you don't know an answer to a question, look at Kaylayne."
"Yes, let our mistress negotiate, like we always do." Ederin adds casually while nodding at all the drow moving through the area, hoping the others take the hint.
Lief looks for the exits, and marks them. He also counts the weaponed drow, and marks them as well. He takes his sudden loss of confidence, and rolls it into his portrayal of drow men, remaining quiet, and awaiting orders.
There is but the one exit out, perhaps a hundred yards away and around the main building. In sight, you see almost two dozen drow attending to various duties. All are well weaponed, though only seven or eight appear to be actual guards.
"Yes, let our mistress negotiate, like we always do." Ederin adds casually while nodding at all the drow moving through the area, hoping the others take the hint.
It seems to Ederin, and the rest of you, that the other drow seem to be largely ignoring you. After all, you could be lowly servants - same as them - but you could also be nobles from another house, and their betters. It’s often hard to know from just a glance, and your life may well hang in the balance if you get it wrong…
”He is an unusual beast, I’ve not seen anything stranger, that’s for sure. How do you control it?” he asks clearly interested.
"I have traveled with Tarkir here for quite some time. I have learned to speak with him on occasion and we have come to an understanding of sorts."
Once the group reaches Zirnakaynin Allarnon is in absolute awe at the beauty. The hues in the darkness are mesmerizing and remind him of the many different colored fireflies in the forest back home. The way that the whites, red, blues and greens would dart about and sparkle across the fresh raincovered leaves.
His memory is quickly dashed by the howl of a demon and he grimaces.
How long are we to be in this hell?
During the tour Allarnon takes in the magnificent sight. There are so many of them. We don't stand a chance.... His heart begins to race furiously as he begins to panic. Sweat begins to form on his brow as he tries to contain himself. Why would the Elders think I was ready for this!?
The only thing that slightly calmed Allarnon down enough was Kaylayne whispering to him. Did she notice?
Reaching the incredible spire Allarnon's fear turns from panic to absolute terror. He places a shaking hand on Tarkir's back, hoping to hide it as his eyes dart all around. He gulps as he whispers under his breath. "What the f%!+ were we thinking!?"
You march to meet with Undamesta and get your first glimpse of House Vonnarc’s interior - a dark place almost devoid of straight angles. The building is a bustling, living place filled with drow around every corner. Thargrim leads you to the rear of the house, taking you to the slavemother via the servants’ entrance off the noble’s stable to the north.
Eventually, the you arrive at the chamber where the drow awaits. 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 arcane designs. 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 older drow woman, her hair largely missing save for a few wisps at the back of her neck, her fingers and sharp nails steepled before her, her gaze impatient.
Thargrim 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 city of whom I spoke. 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.”
The slavemother seems unimpressed by Thargrim’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. Thargrim merely bows low and steps aside.
”I’m going to ask a series of questions, and I expect you to reply with honesty,” she gestures to the walls, ”At least while you are in this interrogation chamber.” she smiles lightly… venomously. ”And the debt we owe you for this small one shall of course be respected no matter what the decision here today.”
She looks at Kaylayne, beginning somewhat politely with the female in your group. ”Where do you come from? I understand you are not from the city. Thargrim here says you were recently from the House Azrinae’s operations a half day from the city.” she seemed about to say more but holds her tongue waiting for Kaylayne’s response.
Dimitrio was about to answer but caught his faux pas in time.
He meekly waits for the slavemother to address him while he goes over in his head all the question and answer sessions imparted on him recently.
Lief takes a moment to take in the situation. An interrogation, not an interview. There is danger here, but he can't quite pin it down. The mention of a second House sets him on edge, as Thargrim must have submitted to questions before they stood before the Slavemother. Something of her interest, it felt layered, likely was. She's looking for what she stands to gain here. Uncovering an infiltration from another House? Information on the other House in defection? Strength to replace the cannon fodder? If she finds none of this, we're no use to her. Is this where we're meant to infiltrate? What about House Azrinae? No, that's likely to raise eyebrows regarding Nolveniss's death.
Lief continues to study Undamesta, and only hopes Kay's a quick study, for here stands a true example of female drow authority, an authority that Kay might have a chance of impersonating. Alright, Kay. Show us why you're our most important tool. Pick this lock, open the door, and allow us in. As soon as Lief is done sizing up Revered Slavemother Undamesta, he turns his observational skills upon Wannabe Servant Kaylayne.
Kaylayne looks at the slavemother as if counting the hairs on the back of her neck.
So this is what we fear? This?
Kaylayne hems and haws in her head as how to respond, giving only a slight sneer as how to respond, but then decides on deference in responding.
"I'm afraid that I cannot answer your question fully, Slavemother. We came from the south to kill some irksome drow that irked our benefactor. We completed that contract...now...now we look for other employment," Kaylayne says, keeping her chin up, eyes forward but not challenging. Everything she said was true, after all and Kaylayne prefers offering hazy truths than outright lies.
Kaylayne's eyes widen as she sees another Drow come out from behind the Slavemother. This dark drow seems familiar to Kaylayne, yet not. The Other Drow puts her arm near the Slavemother's chair, almost familial, almost placating, almost knowing.
What is she doing here? What!?
No one else seems to notice the Other Drow...only Kaylayne. She has a slight intake of breath as she has not seen this Other Drow before. But she knows her.
The slavemother frowns at the vague response from Kaylayne, but says little, ”I see.” She keeps her further thoughts to herself, though she does mark something in her mind.
She then turns to Dimitrio, who seems so eager to speak, though her eyes drift to all the men in the group, frowning. ”Why do you seek to serve in house Vonnarc?”
She then turns to Dimitrio, who seems so eager to speak, though her eyes drift to all the men in the group, frowning. ”Why do you seek to serve in house Vonnarc?”
Dimitrio looks to Layne for approval, making sure to observe the protocol they'd been taught. Once Layne nods her approval, he speaks slowly and making sure his speech is not taken as a challenge, "We understand that House Vonnarc is a powerful house and I seek to serve those in power. Especially those in power with higher aspirations. I only wish to add my skills to further House Vonnarc's ambitions."
He hoped the slavemother bought that story.
_______________
Kaylayne nods slowly, yet confidently to DimiDrow. Her eyes, however, remain affixed to the Other Drow who's head also nods in slow repetition of Kaylayne's own.
The violet light at the ceiling flickers, a little, as Dimitrio speaks. Undamesta eyes Dimitrio carefully, "That's your only wish huh?" she says thoughtfully - clearly disbelieving the lie. She gives Kaylayne a long look, "You should train him better."
She then turns to Allarnon.
"Interesting companion. Why do you believe you are worthy of serving House Vonnarc? According to Thargrim, you saved him from consuming a potion of invisibility and fleeing a fight with Red Caps with your presence. He seems to think you're great warriors." her tone clearly indicates she thinks little of what Thargrim says.
"What do you say?"
Her eyes seem to pierce you, stripping away lies and falsehoods like rinds of an onion...
"Interesting companion. Why do you believe you are worthy of serving House Vonnarc? According to Thargrim, you saved him from consuming a potion of invisibility and fleeing a fight with Red Caps with your presence. He seems to think you're great warriors." her tone clearly indicates she thinks little of what Thargrim says.
"What do you say?"
Allarnon gulps and tries to recompose himself internally. Closing his follows Thorgrim's lead and gives a deep bow and tries to speak as confidently as he can.
"Do I need to explain why we are worthy further than one of your own was not able to fend off simple Redcaps here in the Underdark? How then is the House able to protect itself then without us? You will not see us fleeing at the first sight of danger."
"Do I need to explain why we are worthy further than one of your own was not able to fend off simple Redcaps here in the Underdark? How then is the House able to protect itself then without us?"
She laughs quickly and loudly, "Oh, we need you to protect us do we?" she holds up her hand as if to say no more!
"You will not see us fleeing at the first sight of danger."
She peers up at the roof, but the light does not flicker.
"Ahhh." she says, still smiling, "That much is true. But I wonder, little one, what will get you to flee?" the question comes with an evil grin, and it's clear she'd love to know the answer, but by doing - not through some simple question. She leaves you be and looks to... Lief.
"What could you possibly have to offer the illustrious house of Vonnarc?"
"I'm afraid that I cannot answer..."
<Frown> "I see."
Drow are a suspicious lot, guarding secrets, both personal and familial. No scorn, but now she knows you hold back, and that will mark you for further study. Not good.
"I only wish to add my skills to further House Vonnarc's ambitions."
" "That's your only wish huh?... You should train him better."
Alright, then. An obedient offering, but too... humble? Too... obsequious? Too... obvious? Hrm... Lief mulls over the first male response to the Slavemother.
"Do I need to explain further...? You will not see us fleeing at the first sight of danger."
<Laughs> "Oh, we need you to protect us do we? ...what will get you to flee?"
She doesn't ask unless she expects further explanation, you lug. Emasculate Thargrim, and insult their defenses? Not the best strategy, Mr. Bear. This is the Slavemother.
Lief looks at Allarnon, then turns to Undamesta when she addresses him, second-to-last.
""What could you possibly have to offer the illustrious house of Vonnarc?"
Lief bows his head slightly, as if reacting to a light snap of a whip.
"Revered Slavemother, of course you are right to suspect us of mediocre skills, found in any common male. We have survived this long without the protections of a strong House, such as yours, but Life is fickle. I believe knowledge is power, so try and make up for my weak frame by steeling my mind in education. I am also able to work with alchemicals, and rarely waste the base materials with which I am trusted. I believe I can demonstrate that my work is at a Master's level."
"Revered Slavemother, of course you are right to suspect us of mediocre skills, found in any common male. We have survived this long without the protections of a strong House, such as yours, but Life is fickle. I believe knowledge is power, so try and make up for my weak frame by steeling my mind in education. I am also able to work with alchemicals, and rarely waste the base materials with which I am trusted. I believe I can demonstrate that my work is at a Master's level."
”Interesting, you probably feel you are, as a Master,” she mockingly capitalizes the letter in her voice, ”entitled don’t you?” a flicker crosses her brow and she frowns for the first time - though she does not say why. Instead, she turns then to Ederin.
She gives him an evil grin, as if to say, No dear, I’ve not forgotten you. She considers a moment, and looks at the group. She asks Ederin, ”What is your relationship to each other? Rarely do groups of drow come seeking service. I wonder… where do your loyalties lie?” she glances at Kaylayne before turning her full attention back on Ederin for his answer.
"You should train him better."
Kaylayne shrugs as if she knew that already and had already had the same thought before...which, of course, she had...several 1000 times before.
Kaylayne opens her mouth to respond...then shrugs in a way as if to say "you state the impossibly obvious".
"What could you possibly have to offer the illustrious house of Vonnarc?"
Kaylayne opens her mouth to answer for her male, the weakest and youngest among her servants, but holds her tongue when she realizes the directness of the question.
"Revered Slavemother, of course you are right to suspect us of mediocre skills, found in any common male...I believe I can demonstrate that my work is at a Master's level."
She nods, says nothing, trying to show confidence in her menfolk. She waits to her what Drowderin will say. Her eyes flicker between the slavemother, Drowderin...and the Other Drow standing near the slavemother.
Ederin shifts his feet as the Slavemother speaks to him, more out of restlessness than anything else. He remembers taking jobs from Zincher's thugs and the stupid questions they'd asked before hiring him to kill people. He remembers how scared he was the first time and almost laughs at the small frightened human in his minds eye. This slavemother, as far as he could tell, was nothing he hadn't seen before. In any case he tires to be as deferential as he knows how to be.
"Survival and Strength." He says. "We compliment each others skills, and use each other for mutual gain."
He points a perfect slender finger at each party member except Kaylayne offering her a bow of his head instead, as he explains, using the drow names they'd discusses previously in place of their own.
"Dimitro and Allarnon display superior drow strength and tactics, providing a front line, Lief uses his mastery of alchemy and keen insight to provide us with a edge against those that move against us, while I and my mistress rain death from where ever she sees fit. Our relationship is survival and strength. Our loyalty is to the same. Our mistress believes that offering ourselves to a powerful drow house such as your is in line with those goals, so our loyalties may soon be to you as well."
Perhaps getting full of himself, Ederin allows a smirk to grow along his perfect lips as he finishes addressing the slavemother.
It's like being in a gang again. He thinks to himself, recalling the shifting loyalties in Riddleport.
Undamesta considers Ederin’s long and thoughtful response. She has no immediate response, and seems ready to question everyone further when a particularly shrill scream fills the air from somewhere to your west. ”Ahh, time for the changing of the guard. Just one more question then.” she turns back to Kaylayne, but the question is clearly meant for the group as a whole.
”Would you kill Thargrim if I asked you to?”
The question feels more imperative than the others. The slavemother watches you all carefully, gauging your responses.
"Would you kill Thargrim if I asked you to?"
Lief looks from Undamesta to Kaylayne, then returns to address the Slavemother. "Yes, of course. Your wisdom is greater than mine regarding the man, and I'm sure that he'd kill me if you asked him to."
But you didn't ask, did you?
”Would you kill Thargrim if I asked you to?”
Kaylayne snorts as if the concept was beneath her. She certainly thinks she could kill the man, but would need provocation or some advantage...or payment.
"No. *We* wouldn't," Kaylayne countermands Lief's easy acquiescence. If only he were so easy to instruct when not in this guise.
"First, you have not offered us money or employment," Kaylayne explains, still trying to show deference. "In addition, it do not see that it would serve us socially...it would just teach you that we work cheaply. There is no gain for me in it. We would not."
Kaylayne's tone shows that she doesn't expect any of her men-drow to argue.
"We would not."
Lief listens with a stone face, though his mouth enjoys a light tease at the corners, a smirk imminent, but not forthcoming. It's in the title, poor Kay. Slavemother means just that. Oh well. I'm sure we'll all learn more as we immerse ourselves.
"Of course, Mistress. Her question, to me, implied that she would ask us under the circumstances of our new employment, where her word would supercede your own. As Slavemother, her word becomes our new law, doesn't it?" The young male drow inquires genuinely of his mistress.
Dimitrio scoffed, "If that is what is best for House Vonnarc, then consider it done. My hand does not shake when it comes to my duties."
"Are we suddenly allied with House Vonnarc?" Ederin asks looking toward Kaylayne. "I was unaware that an arrangement had been reached, but if you give the instruction, I will see it done."
Allarnon looks to the Slavemother. "Of course!" He places a palm out to Tarkir as the small bear growls loudly at the drow. His noise reverberates in the large chamber's walls.
"Say the command and I will release him."
What is one more dead drow. Would they have shown us the same courtesy?
She listens to each in turn and nods to Kaylayne. She turns to Thargrim, ”Once again you’ve proven yourself just expensive enough to keep.” she smiles at the largely mercenary nature of the group.
Undamesta dismisses you curtly and you are lead from the interrogation chamber by the still living Thargrim down a short hall to a small cramped room largely filled with three bunks. Thargrim congratulates you, ”That went well!” He seems convinced that you passed the interrogation and says so. ”Wait here until the slavemother calls for you, or otherwise sends word. It could be until breakfast - though she did keep one young man waiting for days - so you might as well spend the night and get comfortable. I’ll come by early tomorrow to give you a tour and welcome you to the house!”
What do you do to prepare for your first night in a drow stronghold? It seems clear you are meant to stay in your room until someone comes to get you.
Thargrim congratulates you, ”That went well!”
Kaylayne turns on the man, less pleased with the 'success' than he. "So, you think your debt to paid to us, then?"
She eyes the beds, inspecting each and takes the best for herself, then also a pillow off another of the beds and adds it to her own.
Kaylayne has no shenannigans planned for tonight, happy to survive this night (if it really is night, Kaylayne has no idea). Nonetheless, she rests, happy to chat quietly with the others out of guise if they are alone.
Well, I'm glad thought this went well.
Dimitrio was exhausted from the whole ordeal. More so than in his previous audition to dance in the main theater of Magnimar.
Restless and turning at every strange noise, and there were many, Dimitrio asked, "Something that hadn't occurred to me before is how long is this mission. Are we suppose to stay a couple of days or a couple of months?"
Lief finds himself a decent spot on the floor, facing the door to their communal room. He checks his gear, surprised they weren't searched at all. Or perhaps they were, but he remained unaware of their detections. Did Undamesta wield magics in her interrogation room? Hard to say now, in retrospect. He retrieves his various bolts, and takes inventory.
"Something that hadn't occurred to me before is how long is this mission. Are we supposed to stay a couple of days or a couple of months?"
"You meant to say employment. Our missions are long completed, a thing of our past, should House Vonnarc prove to be a worthy employer. Stop dwelling on your war efforts, mercenary. Who knows what time we'll have with this House. A day. A year. Wait and see how long it takes us to become trusted servants of the House, and we'll have better insight into our duration." Lief refuses to let his guard down, and expects the others will understand the need to follow suit in the earliest stage of their infiltration.
"We are the least trusted drow in this House, most likely. Any and all words and actions are affecting the balance of our scales. Best keep that in mind." He's soon asleep, seeking to gain his two hours, before he awakens and takes up the vigil until Thargrim returns.
Allarnon lets out a sigh of relief as they are finally in the room together and alone. He looks to the strange 'bed' with curious eyes. Pulling out his longspear he pokes and prods at it, expecting it to leap out at him.
After a few moments of this he seems content and flips the bed on its side. He quickly lies down with Tarkir in between the wall of the chamber and placing the flipped bed between them and the door.
He decides to remain quiet in case this was another test of the Slavemother and the room was being monitored in some way. "May as well get some rest."
Ederin listens to Dimitrio's question and wonders if the man had paid any attention at all to the weeks worth of lessons and planning they had prior to walking through the gate to the underdark. When Lief maintains their cover he catches his eye and gives the younger man a nod.
He moves to the door of the room and inspects it, looking for traps and listening for anyone on the other side. Not because he intends to leave but more to sate his curiosity.
"Employment or not, let's keep to our usual watch assignments. We don't know that we're done being tested." He looks to Kaylayne for 'confirmation', trying to make sure seeking her approval becomes a habit.
Ederin finds nothing in his search, though he will note the door is locked and there doesn’t seem to be a key or latch. Other than that, the night passes uneventfully.
The ‘day’ starts early in this eternal night with another shrill scream. A half hour or so later, an elderly male servant with one sightless eye opens your door with a perfunctory knock. ”Undamesta, the slavemother,” he says with great reverence, ”has decided you may lend your skills to the house Vonnarc. You will wait here.” He leaves and closes the door behind him again.
An hour goes by, then two, before the brief knock again precedes the opening of the door. The same servant returns, this time with another, more distinguished man in tow. The servant stands between you in the extremely crowded room and the other stands in the threshold. The man in the doorway asks, ”Any of you deep gnomes?” as he looks around. Frowning at the lack of gnome flesh, he nods to the older man who takes out a small box, and removes a simple blackened steel ring with the symbol of Vonnarc on the crest.
The younger man takes the ring and casts a spell upon it. The ring glows with a lick of purple fire. He hands it to Kaylayne, ”I am Neskeir Vonnarc. Welcome to house Vonnarc. This is our signet ring. You will wear it at all times.” he says simply.
Neskeir takes a breath and continues, in a bored tone, ”The signet rings mark you as servants of the house, allow you to come and go as your duties demand, and show other drow your allegiance. A servant caught not wearing a signet once is taken to be flogged; a servant caught twice without a signet is executed. A servant who sells her signet or loans it to anyone else is executed, as is the person to whom the signet was loaned. Altering or changing the inscription or magics on the signet brings a sentence of execution as well.”
He does the same with other rings from the box, a simple spell, and he hands a ring to each of you. When you put the rings on, the flame subsides, into your skin, and fades from view leaving a simple band on your finger.
The Vonnarc nods curtly to Kaylayne as a superior would to a trusted inferior, and departs. The older man remains though he steps back to the threshold as well. ”The slavemother will see you now.” He leads you back around the corner to the interrogation chamber where Undamesta again sits waiting for you. He waits to the side in the chamber. She has a plate of food before her, and it occurs to you it has been some time since you last ate…
Undamesta begins immediately, ”You know about the rings?” she doesn’t wait for an answer, ”Good.”
”You will each be assigned tasks over the coming weeks to both prove your loyalty, and your skill-set.” she smiles ”Your tasks may seem… simple at first, but there are no slackers in this house. Do your job, do it well, and you will be rewarded with better assignments. But fear not, we save the worst jobs for the troglodytes and slaves.” she smiles, and for the first time, you feel as though she’s smiling with you.
”You will not be working as a group most of the time, but rather as individual servitors. We simply don’t have that many tasks where it would be useful to have such a large contingent - save certain guard duties. So I need to know from each of you, will you, broadly speaking, be a house servitor or a guard servitor?”
She looks at each of you, waiting for your response. It is clear she is not there to answer questions, but rather to assign tasks.
S&%@. Do I look like a house servitor? I knew all this acting meekly was too much.
Dimitrio forces himself to look at Layne before speaking. Once she nods, he continues, "My skills are best suited for guard servitor."
Or entertainment. I'm an awesome dancer and a pretty decent singer. I can play percussion...
He then adds, "But I will fulfill whatever task you desire."
"My skills are primarily in scouting, tracking and dispatching my targets, whichever position you believe my abilities best suit is the one I will gladly take, if my understanding is correct Guard Servitor sounds more likely."
As he speaks Ederin rotates the new ring on his finger, not used to its weight or the feel of it on his skin.
Allarnon tkes the ring from the man. "What form of spell is this upon the ring?" He asks with interest as he is unsure about many magics.
He slips the ring on his finger. "You will have no worries of this ring coming off my finger?"
********************************************
Fast forward to the Slavemother. "I believe my abilities would be best suited to helping the Guard, but you may place me as you so desire."
Kaylayne sniffs as a male casts magic in front of her...as if she wouldn't understand.
Spellcraft (ring spell)
She accepts the ring and dons it if the preceding magic isn't too vexing.
* * *
Kaylayne smirks as the slavemother asks her preference.
"I wield powerful magics over both life and death. Would you have do your laundry. Give me something to guard and I will guard it," Kaylayne defers as much as she feels appropriate to the slavemother. "Are there any restrictions on what tools we might use in your house? Some others can be so...*limited*...in what tools they think is appropriate."
"House or Guard?"
Lief waits as his co-conspirators voice their desires. He speaks when Undamesta looks to him directly. "House, if it pleases you. Guard, if it does not."
Allarnon questions the Vonnarc, but he does not respond. He merely hands him the ring and starts on Dimitrio’s moving down the line. Tarkir does not get a ring.
- - -
"Are there any restrictions on what tools we might use in your house? Some others can be so...*limited*...in what tools they think is appropriate."
”You may use any resources you have at your disposal. Depending on the circumstances, the house will even reimburse you for consumables. Tread lightly here naturally - but if it is important, know that we are a very wealthy house, and even generous when something is used for the house.”
The slavemother nods and assigns you to various tasks. Because you do not know where to start, Harado (or so you learn is the old servants name) guides you from the room and directs you down various halls and passages. ”Tomorrow, you will meet with the other servants at the end of this row.” he points around the curve of the wall, ”within 5 minutes of the morning scream for instructions. What you do with your off time is entirely up to you.”
You all make haste for your respective assignments, and are abused, a little, by various supervisors for coming so late in the morning to your duties. No actual lashes come down though for your initial failures but it’s viewed as a bad start.
- - -
Please make a Bluff or Acrobatics check, whichever you prefer.
- - -
Please make a Bluff or Acrobatics check, whichever you prefer.
- - -
- - -
- - -
When the evening scream finally screeches its throaty call, you’re all exhausted. It’s not just the labor of the day, but the constant fear of being found out somehow that bears down on you. As promised, you are immediately left to your own devices. There is food in the common area, or you can leave the compound and dine in the city. As you are considering your options, the door is knocked upon, but not immediately opened.
He tries to act as much of a drow as he was taught by the elves.
Getting ready to speak with the others on how their day went Allarnon hears the knock on the door. Grabbing ahold of his spear he signals the others and opens it.
It's like working for Zincher all over again.
It's one of the few thoughts Ederin actually has time to consider between dodging crossbow bolts and whatever else they can throw at him.
He sneers at the idea of his perfect drow form riddled with cuts or bruises, but he reminds himself of the scarred arms of his human form and relaxes slightly. The mid day healing is enough to keep him going to the end of the day at least and by the end of the session his muscles are more sore than they've been in years.
Ederin returns to his bed and wants nothing more than to sleep when he hears the knock on the door. He sits in his spot on the upper bunk, bow held in hand and keeps his eye on the door readying himself with Allarnon, not willing to risk having to dodge another blow.
WTF! Target practice and I'm the target! Time to put my dancing feet to work...
And so Dimitrio dodged and weaved and jumped and ducked.
Luckily for him, the drow weren't very good.
A bruised and battered Dimitrio was getting ready to step out the town. They were supposed to gather information and what better way is there than by talking to the locals.
The knock on the door gave him pause...
Lief breathes easier when he learns he's to assist Shiovom, then tightens up when he finds himself untrained in almost every regard required to repair things physically around the House. Nonetheless, he applies himself with his intuition, hoping it's enough.
He can't help but converse with Shiovom, but cools his heels if he encounters resistance to exchange of information.
"I'm much better versed in preparing alchemicals, Shiovom. Let me know if I can assist in creating things that will enhance your work. Solvents, glues, accelerants..." He starts committing the House's layout to memory, as they move about.
"How long have you worked for House Vonnarc? Have they treated you well? I am eager to do well. What are the punishments for less-than-competent work? I only ask, because I don't want to jeopardize your work with my own, should I prove inept."
Returning to the room, Lief welcomes the relative peace, though he doesn't relish the claustrophobic quality of their shared room. He almost longs for the Golden Goblin's singular quarters.
When the knock at the door occurs so soon after their day's end, Lief spares no time in moving to the door, and opening it.
Kaylayne suffers, roiling from the unexpected pain.
How is this guarding? What does this prove? Kaylayne's mind roils as she vomits from the unexpected punishment given to her.
Kaylayne's eyes barely focus...
When will this end? How? How is this worthwhile?
...they close, trying to find escape from the conditioning.
Her eyes open to see the Other Drow staring her back in the face. Her Other Self is smirking at her pain. *Enjoying* her misery. *Enjoying* seeing her suffer.
Kaylayne vomits again.
* * *
Kaylayne stumbles back to the shared room and collapses on her double pillowed bed. She does not cry, but that is only because others might be watching: both in person and through the ring.
She ignores the knock.