Silena lifts her nose into the air... and her pride in herself is clear to all. She does not look at Calain.
"I'm rightfully proud of my blood heritage and my accomplishments I have achieved on my own by my own will... despite the hardships I have endured! It is not false pride but hard earned - as I'm equally sure your pit-fight gladiator battles have been hard-won through pain and self-will alone!"
Then she turns her gaze upon Calain a twinkle of amusement in her pretty violet eyes, "But how could you possibly know Umdrella is evil Calain? There is not a magical bone in your body... you assume she is 'evil' simply because she is not human and smells bad? Though I must agree her smell is quite evil in and of itself - a woman should take better pride and care of herself! Though perhaps being the victim and regular sex-toy of a brutal genie rapist has traumatized her?"
"But this can be answered on the morrow! If you are soo convinced she is evil - I'll wager you 10 gold coins that she is not evil.. and I'll know tomorrow as I will prepare a spell this midnight!"
Calain smiles.
Beartrap, you have yourself a bet.
Silena tosses her head, shock white hair stirring softly revealing her long delicate pointed ears, nose in the air - the petite dark-skinned woman in a rather cute pout, "...~ deal!"
Jengren notices the pout. Strangely attractive. he forces himself to break the stare as they enter the monastery.
Calain breaks into a quick jog to greet his pugwampi followers.
Ho my ferocious warriors, the Hunt has begun. Today we have brought back a viscous clawed winged Harpy. Keep your distance, lest she snatch the eyes from your skulls. Go tell the Princess we return. And tell me, have you been treated well?
This was a side to Calain most of the party had not seen yet. Calvin speaks slowly and with kindness, as one might address a dim witted child, but there is no mockery in his tone.
As the party and the Half-drow closes he fixes a stern eye on them, particularly Silena, who may or may not illicit a reaction from the pugwampi, depending what they know of drop.
He speaks quietly, Go with the charade, we were told to clear out the temple, but they were merely living in squalor and not dangerous. They think I am a god and so they work with us instead of me having to wipe them out. The Princess seems amicable but only just. I'd rather not dishonor myself with their slaughter.
Silena gets a rather shocked expression on her face...
Vaguely remembering the oddly unlucky, mostly unplesant, Fey cave dwelling creatures...
She addresses them in Undercommon...
In common she replies softly, "I don't revel in mindless slaughter of those weaker than myself no matter how odd or socially inept they may seem to me."
Silena lifts her head striding proudly, ochre-colored 'green' cloak trailing her as she leads 'Nightscream' to the stables. The pretty, petite and shapely half-elven woman-child is queenly in her poise. As she moves her soft shock-white hair stirring with every step contrasting starkly with her inky black skin framing her pretty face with her long pointed delicate-looking ears. Even the blackened steel spiked plate armor her compact womanly form is clad in does not hide the shapely loveliness concealed beneath.
The tiny Pugwampi Gremlins scurry about her feet occasionally touching her legs but she pays them little heed other than to chuckle once or twice at their scampering antics and over-loud laughter as she casts per pretty violet eyes over them. She is not cruel to them nor inconsiderate of their presence... she is just not bothered by their antics either.
'Nightscream' secured, Silena unlimbers his riding saddle hefting it upon her shoulder she walks into the monastery heading up the steps to the higher levels to her assigned quarters. Silena leaves the bound Umdrella for Calain to manhandle as it seems he likes to put his hands on smelly dirty bird-women. She lifts her nose in a disgust pout but makes no comment. She is weary ... but she does not let it show in her queenly measured stride as she bears her saddle to her room .. and eventual bath she so longs for...
Jengren lets Calain hold court with his loyal followers, he waits for Lay Almah to summon them to her tent. He finds a water bucket using it to rinse the dust from his tan flesh. Occasionally gargling with the warm liquid and spitting it out.
Hmm, we must talk to this Dashki about his gnoll dealings.
Within her room Silena will remove her Blackened Steel Spiked Banded Mail armor... which has almost been like a second skin to her these past few days. As her usual habit she cleans the armor laying it out neatly for the next day.. same for her weapons. All the while wetting a clean linen cloth in the provided basin of water to dab upon her face and neck to cool herself down as she works. Later this evening she will have herself a proper bath before bed.
However... business comes first. Silena only wears her small clothes under the leather underarmor padding of her Banded Mail in the desert but she unwilling to soil with sweat her Courtier's outfit she dons only the flowing outer-garments of hot weather desert robes. Needing nothing else in truth. She checks her wrist sheaths and cinches her wast with her weapon belt - the grim artistically adorned morning star still in its belt loop and her belt pouch attached.
Hefting the bag of loot Silena leaves her room. On her way to Lady Almah's caravan-master/quartermaster Silena makes a quick visit to Jengren.
"Master Dsustrun, I know you are a devotee of Nythys."
Gesturing with the loot bag, "We still have the ceremonial mask & golden pectoral of that faith that we recovered from the temple ruin. I'm going to have them appraised for their value... would you like me to keep you informed of their value before selling them so you might purchase them if you would rather have them?"
"I'm also going to see if Lady Almah's assembled baggage-train of retainers has magical scroll, magical potion, and/or alchemical stores that might be purchased for our field use. You may want to do the same - forearmed is forewarned."
The petite half-elven woman-child is surprisingly organized and clearly very professional in her carriage. There is no cruel brooding in her demeanor and were it not for the holy symbol of Zon-Kuthon hanging upon her breast one would never know she was a cleric at all! She is unarmored for once, the desert robes she is clad in clinging to her shapely womanly form revealing no doubt of the lovely figure beneath. Her head is bare and her hair for once is loose and not pinned up by the usual hair-pin 'needles' she uses to secure her mid-back length silver streaked white hair.
The pugwampis bow low at Calain's approach. Several run off at his command to notify the Lady Almah, elbowing each other aside in their haste to do his bidding.
One says, "Lord, the one called Dashki is mean to us. And he sneak-sneaked out last night and came back smelling of gnoll!"
Did he now? Well don't you worry about him. I'll be having a talk with him and the princess. I want to know why he smells of know
After bartering with the quartermaster's of Lady Almah's Caravan... unsatisfactorily, Silena returns to her corner of the monastery claimed for her tent. She fills a tube with water and takes a quick bath to freshen herself from the road travel... then puts on her Noble's attire - Violet Spider-silk web-patterned dress, bare shouldered, high collared with Ocher trim, shear sleeves clasped at wrists, bare midriff & slit-skirt sides to reveal legs accompanied with Jewelry - Silver Dragon Choker, Silver Fanged Maw Navel-Piercing depicting escaping 'spiked' Tentacles setting surrounding Orange Tiger-Eye Navel gem, and crowned with a Silver Devil Winged Tiara - Spiked.
Keeping her wrist sheaths filled with her and .
But she does drape her cold iron spiked chain around her shapely form... in fact it does not clash with her attire... purposely so.
Silena arrives at lady Almah's summons and curtsies politely, smiling sweetly, before taking position before the Princess.
"Greetings your highness, ...", she speaks a Quadiran traditional greeting.
She remains silent letting others make the report mindful to look at who is arrayed in the audience and the reactions of all... familiar with courtly intrigue. Silena is watchful of what is said who reacts and what is not said or reacted to. Silena is trying to see who is aligned with who and who may have ulterior motives for being present.
Jengren bows respectfully, "As instructed we scouted the area. We choose to cross the river and begin on the other bank. The water source being the key to survival and traffic. After we crossed we discovered an old temple dedicated to Nethys. An old man was the caretaker but he proved be the keeper of dark secrets."He pauses for moment before continuing, "We cleansed the threats and the temple could serve as forward base of operations. It offers protection."
"Following the temple battle, we agreed to camp near the river in hopes to ambush an unsuspecting gnoll squad, but that proved fruitless. Ultimately, we explored one outer building and came across the beastly monstrosity that we brought back for questioning. Her name is Umdrella, she is a beast known as a harpy, and she admits to be the lover of the leader Kardswann, a genie, that controls the gnoll tribe. He recruits low-lives for his own purpose."
Silena listens to Jengren's report and appends, "...Umdrella indicated that Kardswann, her abusive ravisher, is not the original leader of the Gnoll Tribe, specifically the Kulldis Tribe. Kardswann recently killed the Gnoll leader and is now gathering any low-life mercenaries that will join his banner - not just gnolls. Umdrella wants Kardswann dead... at least that is what she told us - though I believe her desire for that is quite genuine. Kardswann is building an army of some sort. This may portent a darker design than just caravan raiding."
"I believe Kardswann use to be the servant of the previous gnoll leader... but when he entered a magic-sealed door leading to the ruined church crypt - Umdrella indicated that after that Kardswann was clearly under the control of some evil entity; violent and cruel and she wants him stopped - translation 'Dead'."
"Umdrella's a nasty self-serving beast, I trust her not. However, as Silena suggests, she could be a source of useful information. It was difficult to ascertain the veracity of her words given the situation we were in, we felt it best to gag and bind her, so a more thorough interrogation can occur." He holds up one palm in a calming fashion, "We did not trash her abode but rather made it look like she went out hunting for the day. That should buy us a few valuable hours before she is deemed missing."
Silena shrugs, "Umdrella is smelly and not very well kept... but I don't understand the hostility to her honestly. She has done nothing to harm us or treat us bad. I believe she called herself a harpy... a winged bird-like woman. I've only heard in passing of harpies that they can be mean spirited, but I've seen nothing of that in Umdrella. Tonight, I will prepare a to answer if she is of an evil spirit."
Calain let's his more eloquent allies relay the majority of the tale merely adding,
The old man was actually a ware beast leopard to almost gutted our Oracle before I killed it. The torturers cleric was able to mend her. As for the Harpy, she is a dirty carnivorous beast who reeks of carrion and I would put her down if she cannot be put to use. She knows who we are and willing bed mate or not would sell us out at the first opportunity for position.
She spoke of a Dark Market where mercenaries might hire on with this army.
A band of 'Outcasts' led by a genie blooded sorcerer and boasting an evil cleric of a Mad torture god could prove a convincing cover. We could look around in the open without having to pretend to be something we are not. 3 of us at least. Although Phoenix's scars were she to wear them openly in the market would help.
4 violent and angry mercs out for pay. It is not a difficult stretch. If this meets your approval could provide a chance to really look at the place, but the longer we keep up the charade the longer we risk discovery.
The barbarian pats a pugwampi who was hiding behind his leg.
Also. Simple they may be, but the pugwampis have shown me loyalty and are greatful for any small role they can play in killing the Gnolls. They are many and can be useful if treated correctly . The pugwampis spied your hunter trying, poorly I might add, to sneak out of the camp last night. He came back stinking of Gnoll by their words. Did you know about this, Princess?
Calain fixes a stare on the man if he is present.
Well and good if he had reason to converse with Gnolls, if not, his actions endanger the camp and our hunt
The big Half-orc sets his jaw, expecting an answer.
Silena gestures, smoothing out her dress skirts to keep herself occupied from snapping at Calain's tired and false inference of her allegiance to evil.
"I'm not opposed to a ruse... but I do not serve the cause of evil and I never will! Evil ALWAYS demands more of one than one is led to believe or reasonably willing to pay. I'm not opposed to questionable or even distasteful acts but I will hold to my honor and morals - content to break even at the end of the day, I do not kill on a whim nor spread fear unnecessarily. I will not play the part to the point of actually indulging in unjustified intentional, casual, evil. The himself makes no such demand of me - I'll let no mortal agency, no matter the cause, require me to do so either - simply to play a role or to make a point!"
"But It seems, Your Highness, we have a bigger issue at hand. You may have a traitor and spy among your retinue! We must root this out before irreparable harm is done to our mission lest we be betrayed even before we begin!"
"Calain check with your subjects to see if they've spied this Dashki. They may be able to track this gnoll associate, they did suggest he spelled of gnoll." Jengren bows to the Lady Almah, "With your leave we have much work to do today. Catch a spy and question a lover." He glances over at the others. " Yes, infiltrating Kardswann is something we are prepared and willing to do."
Silena gestures, smoothing out her dress skirts to keep herself occupied from snapping at Calain's tired and false inference of her allegiance to evil.
"I'm not opposed to a ruse... but I do not serve the cause of evil and I never will! Evil ALWAYS demands more of one than one is led to believe or reasonably willing to pay. I'm not opposed to questionable or even distasteful acts but I will hold to my honor and morals - content to break even at the end of the day, I do not kill on a whim nor spread fear unnecessarily. I will not play the part to the point of actually indulging in unjustified intentional, casual, evil. The himself makes no such demand of me - I'll let no mortal agency, no matter the cause, require me to do so either - simply to play a role or to make a point!"
"But It seems, Your Highness, we have a bigger issue at hand. You may have a traitor and spy among your retinue! We must root this out before irreparable harm is done to our mission lest we be betrayed even before we begin!"
Calain looks over to the half - drow and smiles at his cleverness.
I never said you had to be or were a vicious, callous, torturous monster. Simply that people with prejudices and small closed minds would ASSUME you were. That gives us an advantage. Just like most common folk assume Sorcerers are all dragon or demon blooded. Or a woman with severe burns might be damaged goods or a gladiator to be a mindless thug. The party I just named sounds like something I would value if I were a Gnoll leader, looking to build an army for selfish purpose. Jengren, whose powers would be the least understood by most, save the genie himself, is likely the best choice to be assumed leader.Having said that he turns serious and looks at his pugwampi entourage. Tell everyone I want Dashki found. Lead us to him.
Jengren watches the pugwampi scramble to their task. He glances over at Calain and shakes his head, How he managed to gain their loyalty was no easy task. Now he speaks, they act.
Seeing an opportunity to diffuse the situation with the harpy. "Calain you lead the search for this Dashki...when he is discovered, try not to kill him before we can question him." He pauses, "Sonya can you help him out and make sure he doesn't inflict too much damage?"
He glances over at Silena, "Let us have a chat with Umdrella and see what sweet words she has to offer." It's obvious that Jengren is separating the hot tempered warrior from the captive.
Silena, sighs tiredly at the waning of the day.
"Very well lets be about this... I do need some rest at some point before this night's devotions to be ready to refresh my prepared miracles at midnight."
Turning to princess Almah, Silena curtsies deeply with dignity spreading her skirts gracefully and bowing her head, "... With your leave Your Highness Almah?"
Jengren watches the pugwampi scramble to their task. He glances over at Calain and shakes his head, How he managed to gain their loyalty was no easy task. Now he speaks, they act.
Seeing an opportunity to diffuse the situation with the harpy. "Calain you lead the search for this Dashki...when he is discovered, try not to kill him before we can question him." He pauses, "Sonya can you help him out and make sure he doesn't inflict too much damage?"
He glances over at Silena, "Let us have a chat with Umdrella and see what sweet words she has to offer." It's obvious that Jengren is separating the hot tempered warrior from the captive.
Calain nods at the Sorcerers words, but cannot contain a laugh.
If he is in camp the pugwampi will find him, if he is out I will hunt his scrawny a$$. But asking me not to kill is like asking the wind to stop blowing. I'll try.He looks at Sonya, Come on, pretty one. I'll show you want a fox does when it's cornerd by a lion.
He turns and follows the pugwampi out.
"Silena lets question Umdrella after you've had time to receive your nightly blessings. Perhaps, then, we can tell if she's as evil as Calain believes."
Silena nods, "Yes, it is my intent. I will prepare a detect evil spell tonight... my devotions are at midnight so we do have some little time. Let's get dinner and what resources we can prepare for tomorrow's needs."
She sighs consciously arranging her delicate courtly dress and noble attire... somewhat distractedly as she smooths her skirts again walking from the princess' audience chamber beside the towering {comapired to her petite height} Kelshite sorcerer Jengren, "Unfortunately, it seems I have misjudged the resources available to Her Highness Almah. The Princess has precious little here to give or even sell for our use in supporting her efforts - no arcane support besides you, and no magical resources to use in her service. I can't replace the scrolls I have expended nor purchase potions. Are you any good with Alchemy Master Jengren? If you could concoct some incendiaries or chemical admixtures ... like aniseed? It would be very useful and give us options in proceeding on our mission."
Surprisingly, beyond all the rhetoric... the pretty dark-skinned half-elven woman/child is not what you'd expect... when you get her into conversation. Silena is not at all like what one might expect out of a pain worshiping cultist of a god of torture! She is refreshingly competent, sane and pleasant to engage in dialogue.
After a few hours, Calain and the pugwampis spot Dashki coming towards the monastery from the north, picking his way through the pesh fields.
Calain waits at the edge of the monastery, his Nodachi in hand. Not that meant anything, he ALWAYS had it in hand.
He let's the human close to within 10 feet and stands, a wicked smirk on his face.
Been out snooping without telling the boss, eh? She wants to speak with you and so do I. We're gonna head to the princesses tent. Move.
Upon arriving at the monastery Sonya is quick to find a warm bath and prepare herself in accordance with speaking to the princess. She dresses in her courtiers outfit ever cautious to hide her scars under her long silken gloves.
Once meeting with the princess, Sonya ensures to keep her veil over her face and remain quietly behind the others letting them deal with their business. At Jengren's request Sonya gives a simple nod agreeing to keep an eye on Calain.
Sonya wait's with Calain at the edge of the monestary keeping a close eye on him, nervous at how his fingers gently caress the hilt of his blade. When he stands and bears his presence down on this man "Dashki" she lets a silent prayer off that Cailin is only attempting to scare Dashki and not intending to attack. Hearing Cailin's words, Sonya lets out a gentle sigh of relief. Sonya's eyes drift to Dashki wondering what he has been up to and why this group seems so interested in this man's movements.
Make no mistake, little man, that is a word used to describe my kind often. Right now I prefer their company to yours and if they bring word to my ears you've hurt them I'll remove yours, clear?
Calain continues on their way to the princesses tent, staying one step behind the man, he places his Nodachi away. His fists would do the job if it came to blows, but the intent was clear. This man was being 'escorted' for questioning.
Sonya follows in silence back to the princess's tent.
Calain growels and bears his half orc insicors. He stalks over to the human, every bit of him a clenched muscle, pulling his Nodachi as he walks and keeping it low and to the side.
Do that again, BOY and I use your a$$ to sheath my sword. Now be clear with your f#{king answers. Where did you go? Don't think. SPEAK!
The pugwampis reaction is a mix of fear and awe at the iimposing power of their God king. They waited mouths agape to see if the tiny man (compared to Calain) was going to die.
About 1:00am, after Silena's ritual, Jengren will approach the drow's tent. He waits for her to emerge, so they can move on to the interrogation.
Silena will emerge... prepared, refreshed {if a little sore from her even spell preparation}...
She is once again clad in her Blackened Steel Spiked Banded Mail and fully armed... the slightest hint of some exotic perfume wafts from her stirring of her soft white hair as she imperiously leads the way to the holding pins.
"Ah, Jengren, good. Let's go and be done with this exercise in redundancy. I don't think I'll learn anything I did not already conjecture from Umdrella... but I'll try to keep an open mind."
The Kellish Genie blooded sorcerer towers over the petite half-elven woman-child... but you'd not know that from the confidence and certainty in her step and proud carriage.
Silena collects a plate of fruit a small bottle of wine with three cups along the way.
Arriving at Umdrella's pin. Silena sets down on an available stool and address the Harpy woman directly.
"I was opposed to this ..taking you from Kelmarane... I felt you were being most reasonable in your offered assistance... but my opinion did not prevail. If I have my way.. and you are cooperative... I will have you back in Kelmarane... hopefully before sunrise."
Silena casts upon the bond and gagged Harpy woman.
Then she sets the plate of fruit before her and a cup which she fills with wine.
"Now I'm going to ask you some... admittedly redundant questions..both I an Jengren here... if you are cooperative... we can be done with this foolishness and get back the task of importance... that being your vengeance and our mission to clear Kelemarane. But, there is no need for us to be uncivilized about this. I will unbind your hand and ungag you so you may answer and eat & drink some refreshments from your... ordeal at our clumsy hands."
"Do not make me regret my congeniality... you will not find the alternatives... tasteful..."
Jengren leans against a post, pushing up his robe's sleeves while his chaotic tattoos dance between forearms under the moonlight and torch flame. Swirls of dark colors flow over his flesh. He slowly places his left thumb and forefinger under his chin, as stares at Umdrella.
Finally, he speaks, "Answer her truthfully," his simple three word sentence is chalked full of meaning.
The instant the Pugwampi is kicked Sonya's arms lift up drawing to her mind a spell of fiery retribution; Cailin intercedes first stepping infront of Sonya to address the man. Sonya allows Cailin to deal with the man instead never putting a single word to her spell, though Cailin must certainly feel the warmth like an open flame on the exposed skin on the back of his neck.
Silena gets a sour look on her face at the results from her casting divination. She turns her gaze to meet Jengren's eyes directly and nods ever so slightly.
Then continues on speaking, "You have my sympathies Umdrella. As I said, I was opposed to abducting you here. Jengran, I believe you and Sonya had additional questions, ask your questions."
Silena empties the bowl of fruit... setting the fruit on the top of a stool as a makeshift table within reach of Umdrella. Casually, Silena picks up on of the filled cups of wine and takes a drink... just to show the bottle it was poured from was not tainted somehow.
Taking the bowl Silena casts and fills it - scooting her stool closer to the Harpy woman.
Then Silena pulls out her healers kit and begins to gently see to the tattered remnants of the harpy woman's wings. With the water she will gently clean her wings and treat the old injuries. Her touch is skilled and surprisingly tender all the while Jengren asks his questions. Silena expands her cleaning to Umdrella's back and shoulders, eventually gently taking one arm and then the other she cleans in the course of her treating her injuries. Though her attention is on treating her 'patient' she is paying close attention to the conversation to interject when a supplemental question might occur to her.
Assuming Silena mentioned the racial taint to Jengren, he nods clearly understanding more. "Let's begin with a simple conversation. If we release you, what will you tell your lover and his entourage about your whereabouts?" He grins slightly, "That answer will for the foundation for other actions." It is clear that the sorcerer is concerned about being double crossed and their identities and camp whereabouts disclosed to the enemy.
"Have you been able to ascertain Kardswann's source of power and a means to interrupt that power?" His questions coming a bit faster now, "is what lays behind the magic-sealed door in the crypt key to destroy Kardswann?" he pauses a bit, "Certainly you've given thought on how to kill such a as vilely evil creature." He stops a moment,"is there a link between the genie and Kardswann that can be destroyed, like weapon or amulet. Have you noticed anything like that?"
"I trust the blood lust lover enjoys his pillow talk, what has he revealed about his troop strength and plan of attack?' He stretches his his fingers, "When does he plan on attacking and from which direction will the main assault come from?"
Waiting for the conversation to proceed Jengren will ask, "Back at you home you offered to give use something useful if we bought you the head of that giant mamba...what is it that will be useful and were do we find the giant mamba?" Clearly suggestion an olive branch between parties.
Calain accepts the story as truth, so far. But the easynway to catch a lie was to let it grow. Keep him talking.
What else, Worm. Find your f##king Manhood in front of the women and speak plainly. Details. I just got back from scouting, confirm what I saw if you were out as well. No doubt your story will match mine. I didn't ask for your sob story I asked WHAT WERE YOU DOING! Give a damn report!
Sonya listens to the story choosing her words carefully. "I'm sorry to hear of your father. It is a horrible fate you were dealt, but your father was blessed. He never had the unfortunate fate of seeing that your time among the monsters has turned you into one. A brutal man lacking any form of compassion for those weaker than you, or do you have some reason to hate these Pugwampi as well. A story of your mother's passing maybe."
Sonya's words are not spoken passionately but are calmly delivered to burn him. This man has clearly angered the usually peaceful woman, but even he is not beyond redemption.