That is enough. Anaxian's mental voice spoke to Drisquar and Illia. "Unnecessary moral labels and justifications aside, we are allies. Whether we like each other or not is irrelevant. It is necessary to work together, which requires at least the appearance of respect."
"Illia, Drisquar is correct. If your harpies are obsolete, dispose of them. Either release them from service, or kill them and drop their remains down to me. Likewise for the vegipygmies."
"Drisquar, if you have not learned to parse Illia's particular colloquialisms by now, it may be best to smile and nod when she says something that makes no sense to you. If it is crucial, ask someone to translate."
"I have three bodies, seven souls, and I still have neither the time nor the patience to act as councilor to the two of you. Treat each other better."
Changing the subject:
"I'll be sending out messengers to Cheliax, Geb, Nidal, Ustalav, Jalmeray, Katapesh, and Absalom in a day or two to see if they'd be interested in starting trade negations. I have a way to make distance a non-issue. If anyone has thoughts on establishing satelite outposts we should talk. "
"Oh! That reminds me! We were going to back to Nidal and investigate that house that was so heavily warded when we were there beginning our search for Diamanda."
"Oh! That reminds me! We were going to back to Nidal and investigate that house that was so heavily warded when we were there beginning our search for Diamanda."
"If love to. I haven't been larcenous lately. However, we'll need to keep the operation clandestine just in case we want them as training partner. "
Week 4
Meredian instructs the servants to show the visitor every courtesy and insure him that a council representative will meet with him at earliest convenience.
Via telepathic bond to all pcs and relevant npcs
"We have a visitor. We need to make him wait for a bit lest he believe that we serve at his behest. I'll meet with him in a few hours and inform him that the council will see to adding him to the agenda for tomorrow's meeting. This is a game of power. Please do not contact him prior to tomorrow. I'll keep you all updated telepathicly.
For about three hours the visitor is shown to a comfortable salon and shown every courtesy by the servants as instructed. After that time a servant announces Meredians entrance.
Servant: "Dutchess Adriantic"
Meredian enters the salon adorned in an extremely flattering and opulent gown. A wooden humanoid approximating a halfling follows behind carrying a small box.
She crosses the room and stares at the man. She says nothing. Her expression is stern, but she motions for the visitor to speak. The implication of her body language is that she requires an explanation for the rude and unannounced interruption.
Week 4
The visitor is shown wealth and luxury, such as Escarra's mostly-still-unadorned stone halls and limited, somewhat-illiterate drow bureaucracy can provide. Her clothing is simple; black furs with a few silver-and-gemstone signets. She makes no attempt to hide the fact that she is a vampire, or an astral projection.
House Shraen also happens to be engaged in a cold war against the ghoul capital of Nemret Noktoria, whose envoy stated that any agreement between Escarra and Shraen would be considered an act of war.
Geography
Nobility
Week 4
The visitor is shown wealth and luxury, such as Escarra's mostly-still-unadorned stone halls and limited, somewhat-illiterate drow bureaucracy can provide. Her clothing is simple; black furs with a few silver-and-gemstone signets. She makes no attempt to hide the fact that she is a vampire, or an astral projection.
** spoiler omitted **
After a moment of staring in silence Meredian recognizes that someone who can astral project is powerful enough to warrant some diplomatic leeway and decides to speak first.
"You'll have to pardon our accommodations. Our city is new and we simply haven't had the time to properly adorn it in riches yet. "
Without waiting for a response Meredian continues. "You have the appearance of someone who warrants reckoning with, but until I know more about you I wont know how. Who are you, visitor, and what's your business here? "
Meredian and the Drow Vampire
"It's... rather sensitive matter. I represent myself, and perhaps my family as well, though we rarely follow the politics of the 'noble houses' you may be more familiar with. Still; the truly deep drow have heard stories of this city's rebirth. I wish to see it for myself, and learn who and what power your city represents."
Meredian and the Drow Vampire
"It's... rather sensitive matter. I represent myself, and perhaps my family as well, though we rarely follow the politics of the 'noble houses' you may be more familiar with. Still; the truly deep drow have heard stories of this city's rebirth. I wish to see it for myself, and learn who and what power your city represents."
Meredian laughs slightly then responds in their typical blunt fashion
"If I had a doubt you were drow it is gone. In true Drow fashion you answered my question, but didn't. Also, you managed to insert an insult and imply your superiority. "
Another light chuckle
"I care nothing for other drow houses and their petty politics. They will either ally, serve, stay out if the way, or be destroyed. I've very little preference which they choose. "
Her tone changes to a stern one. "Because you intrigue me I'll break my personal preference and ask again. Who are you, what is your name, What is your house, and what is your goal here? Also, what matter is so sensitive? Answer these questions directly and without subterfuge and I'll consider giving you a tour. "
The vampire makes a face of mixed amusement and disappointment. "If you have to explain everything, it stops being clever. And if I wanted a tour, I would have walked unnoticed among your herd of subjects. This city may be well-planned for a drow stronghold, but it is nothing to the pillars of Orv."
And then she looks as though to be considering something for a few seconds, before waving a cone of silence into existence and continuing. "Well, then. If you demand an explanation, my time is not in short supply; and I suppose you may find it more entertaining than any of the handful of Hellknights outside. I have heard the tales of Adrexa and Jiator, but Escarra full of the living is certainly a curiosity."
"Still. On to your pre-meeting interrogation. I am, perhaps, the greatest sorceress on this side of Lake Nirthran, alongside my sisters and their less cosmopolitan escape from death. My name is Nyrinda, I am the Matriarch of House Shraen, and I am here to learn just how your leaders will respond to my presence."
** spoiler omitted **
"Ahh. You're the one the Ghouls are in such a tizzy over. I must sat your approach is far superior and civil to theirs, which is to be expected. As for how your presence will be taken: We're a neutral party in your skirmish with Nemret Noktoria. As such no public agreements will be made with your city at this time. That being said, What did you have in mind? "
"Noktoria is proud, and hypocritical, and small-minded in their zeal. Its leaders see ghouldom as the pinnacle and undeath, perfecting themselves through prayer and study; and seeking to end or contain any undead who would call them ugly or uncreative. But we of House Shraen have a need for slaves, and Nemret Noktoria has never taken too kindly to our capture and control of their weaker-minded citizens."
"Still, that is not our issue. As you may not know, the city of Shraen is a fortress. The entire vault of the Black Desert teems with so much blightburn, making it impossible to teleport anywhere within a hundred miles of the city. Any army crossing the sands would be easy prey to our miles of tunnels, traps, and worm hunting grounds; and so the armies of Noktoria have ended silently, at the end of a long month's march, and we are left unobstructed and unassailable."
"But for the past ten years, we have been under siege. The Urdefhan chieftain Urserf has entrenched his armies around our city, and while they pose little threat, their forces are crafty and patience, disappearing into tunnels and bunkers to avoid the desert's worms and launching counterattacks across the city when we try to route their positions. For ten years, the Urdefhands have picked away at our slaves and cattle, and our resources for living comfortably are all but gone; and Urserf has struck some bargain with forces on the Plane of Shadow, which have gathered and converged around our fair vault to prevent shadow travel as well as astral."
"This city is a new player, one with unique resources—and we have no interest in treating with the petty drow of Zirnakaynin or the lumbering duergar. We seek a route to bring new slaves and food into our city for the next generation, and would pay for the assistance."
"This city is a new player, one with unique resources—and we have no interest in treating with the petty drow of Zirnakaynin or the lumbering duergar. We seek a route to bring new slaves and food into our city for the next generation, and would pay for the assistance."
"Interesting. Though I make no formal agreement I'll bring your plight to the council to see what, if anything, they wish to do. I'll contact you should the council decide to take any action. You realize of course that if we offer any aid to you then we'll essentially be declaring war on the Ghouls as well. Strictly speaking i'd rather deal with you than them, but their emissary was faster and we've made an arrangement. In order to break that arrangement, go to war, and assist you it'll have to be a very very lucrative agreement. "
I'd enjoy a chance to try out my new techniques for army shredding. I wouldn't mind slaughtering their foes on a mercenary contract. The neo-worms are getting a little samey.
Illia mentioned through telepathy.
"I believe aligning with Shraen is the better choice, by far. They are way more versatile for one, they're likely a vastly superior foe for two, and I believe they will probably prove to be much better overall allies than the ghouls." Dris says, in response to both the emissary, and Mere.
"I believe aligning with Shraen is the better choice, by far. They are way more versatile for one, they're likely a vastly superior foe for two, and I believe they will probably prove to be much better overall allies than the ghouls." Dris says, in response to both the emissary, and Mere.
"Agreed. Plus since the ghouls so rudely promised a preemptive strike should we align as we see fit I say we return the favor. We should decimate the ghouls to prevent them from taking up arms against us as they've promised. I'm sure we can think of something creative.
Dris will relay the above info via telepathy. ::"If we decide to declare war on the ghouls, we'll need to rely heavily on Anaxian, more so than normal. His command of the undead should prove invaluable vs them."::
Knowledge Gauntlet
Knowledge (arcana)
Knowledge (dungeoneering)
Knowledge (geography)
Knowledge (history)
Knowledge (local)
Knowledge (nature)
Knowledge (nobility)
Knowledge (planes)
Knowledge (religion)
Anaxian was undergoing another change. As before he became more reclusive than usual, distant even during telepathic communication save for the occasional odd bust of dry emotions. It seemed reminiscent of molting.
Anaxian spent some time in the library running down information and relaying it back to the Council.
*pop* "Fighting those pirates sounds like fun! I wanna try it out! Let's be besties!" Illia- said to Nyrinda as she attempted a hug, which wasn't exactly a declaration of alliance, but definitely wasn't a declaration of war. Unless Nyrinda had personal space issues.
Telepathically to the council:
"I'd like to set up a meeting this afternoon with all of you and the Shraen diplomat. In addition to allowing everyone to ask their questions i'll also be a show of strength for us.This meeting is off the record of course. We wouldn't want to arouse the suspicion of our ghoul allies until we're ready to strike. Please come to my Mansion around 6 bells this evening. I'll have the ballroom prepared accordingly."
To the diplomat,
"The others would like to meet you. I'd like to invite you to dine with me this evening a 6 bells. Best if you're not seen entering or exiting."
With a wave a magical circle appears on the floor. Meredian motions to it as she says "If you please."
Once the envoy steps through Meredian does so the round after and dismisses the circle. They spend the rest of the time preparing the meeting area and lounging.
Inubrix will be there, but he will be metamorphosed into a particularly ostentatious statue on a pedestal. He will remain perfectly still.
"What pirates are you referring to, Illia?" Dris asks as Mer and the envoy depart.
"The ones attacking the dark elves we're gonna team up with to cheese the ghouls?" Illia- blinks, confused.
"The ones attacking the dark elves we're gonna team up with to cheese the ghouls?" Illia- blinks, confused.
Looking quizzical, "Dear, at what point did you see a ship? Ships are rather crucial for the definition of pirates, else they're just brigands."
"They don't have a ship? DARN! I wanted to see if I could shred through one with my new attack..."
"They don't have a ship? DARN! I wanted to see if I could shred through one with my new attack..."
"You could always teleport to the Inner Sea and pick one at random. "
"Naw, first I gotta go kill the not-pirates for not having a ship."
The smallest Anaxian was present, perched on Meridian's shoulder as though he were a familiar.
Perhaps the discussion of killing non-pirates can wait until after the meeting. his dry voice crackled in their minds.
"Right, right, gotta have meetings. Gotta make sure we take three times as much time to communicate things, because we're all immortal and have the time to spare."
"Council members, This is Nyrinda. She's here to discuss the possibility of some of our mutual interests with Shraen. This of course would be in direct opposition to our agreement with the ghouls, so we'll need to take that into consideration."
"May I introduce the council..."
"I am Nyrinda, Matriarch of House Shraen," the astrally-projected Drow vampire introduces herself. "No doubt you have already heard some form of my story, and request. But I will repeat it again, so as to avoid confusion. I represent the wealthy, ancient, and cultured city of Shraen, at the heart of the Black Desert, far deeper underground than any other center of Drow civilization. The natural geology of the Black Desert prevents teleportation, helping to keep our city secure—but it also makes trade difficult. Recently, an Urdefhan horde has laid siege to our city, and struck a bargain with extraplanar forces to block shadow travel."
"My sisters and I are confident we could survive this siege indefinitely. However, our way of life has already begun to suffer; without a way to import new corpses, servants, and luxuries, our fair city may eventually become something pitiable and wretched. We have heard that the agents of Escarra are... uniquely skilled at traveling quickly and unseen, and would pay handsomely to see our small trade with the cities of Sekamina re-established through stealth or war."