"Eh," Karrin says, "My axe hasn't exploded any drow yet, although, to be fair, I could have said the same of goblins until it did that one time a goblin tried to take my axe. As of right now 0% of drow handling my axe have exploded. Interestingly the percentage of drow having handled my axe is also at 0%, but those numbers might not remain related . . . Hopefully they won't have anyone too important or likely to be missed handle the axe. Although, just to be safe, try to keep your eyes shut and mouths closed for a good 20 seconds after I hand it to him, just in case, trust me, you don't want to catch any giblets."
Karrin will offer her axe and her bow, but only her spiked gauntlet if pressed as Karrin is hoping they'll just think of it as armour.
"I will not be disarmed in this place. I will stay also."
"Oh..................good." Merle in a somewhat deadpan voice. "You know what if you can watch the stuff I'm happy to go along as well." As she approaches and offers up her wrists
[ooc]Just obvious actual weapons they looking for or scrolls and wands as well since if the second I can just see everyone standing around looking bored as Merle and Justin just keep pulling one scroll/wand after another out of there pockets
Seph meows someting on Merle's shoulder
Feline
The drow handle Ferissirion gingerly. The axe growls like an angry dog. The drow holding it gasps and drops the axe. Her hands are suddenly frostbitten.
The lead drow frowns
"Perhaps your axe can wait here with the others?"
Justin, ever the epitome of diplomacy, says,... nothing.
However, his eyes are wide, and he is biting his bottom lip.
The wizard turns to Merle as she is being fitted with shiny bracelets. He holds up his own shackled wrists.
"You have to admire the craftsmanship. And they really are quite comfortable. I think in the future everyone will be wearing them!" he says conversationally.
"Hey, nobody exploded, I count that as a win."
Justin, ever the epitome of diplomacy, says,... nothing.
However, his eyes are wide, and he is biting his bottom lip.
The wizard turns to Merle as she is being fitted with shiny bracelets. He holds up his own shackled wrists.
"You have to admire the craftsmanship. And they really are quite comfortable. I think in the future everyone will be wearing them!" he says conversationally.
"Oh yes clearly...."Merle examining the restraints and testing how much they restrain her movement
The Barbarian says nothing either though he is clearly not pleased with the dilemma they face.
"Hey, nobody exploded, I count that as a win."
"Good point." Justin nods in agreement.
Those that submit to manacling are led by the Drow down a cobbled road. About a mile of walking they enter an army encampment. Dark tents sit in ordered rows, and squads of drow , male and female, spar in open fields. The Drow captain brings them to the center of the camp where a large tent sits. Drow runners enter and leave clutching messenger bags. A pride of those tentacled cats Justin flambeed lounge at the entrance, looking for all the world like pampered housecats.
Perception DC20
The captain bids them wait then enters the tent. The cats eye them with the lazy hunger/interest cats do so well. After a few minutes she returns and leads them inside.
The tent is opulent, but also obviously a military command post. There are rich silks adorning the walls, and the smell of exotic incense in the air. A large table with maps sits in the center of the room, with a group of Drow surrounding it. A striking female looks up and smiles thinly.
“So, the prodigal daughters return! Well met Chadra, Alerra. I hear you have brought me some interesting news from without?”
Chadra and Alerra bow, their silvery manacles chiming.
“Well met, Matron Verdaeth. Truly , we have messages from your factors in Sigil. Also, we have brought sunfolk who claim to have very important information concerning your consort, the noble Erehe “
The woman, Verdaeth, frowns. A male Drow looks up from the table. He is much paler than most Drow, his skin having an almost lilac hue rather than the more common royal purple. He is dressed in dark robes with a skull pattern motif. He speaks
“What could such as these have to say concerning me?”
Merle keeping her mouth shut but at the same time looking pretty put out with the situation complete with fluffed up tail.
"May we address your consort directly oh great matron," Karrin says to Verdaeth, "We don't want to overstep out boundaries, I mean we did come a long distance to ask for information from the great wizard Erehe, but obviously if we're given permission to talk to him is entirely within your prerogative."
Justin elbows Merle as they wait in the middle of the camp,
"You think those 'pets' are mad about their cousins that we char-broiled?" The wizard whispers. In a smirky-voice that says he knows full-well that his 'WE' should be an 'I'.
Justin follows their guides into the tent, and takes a quick glance around before settling his gaze onto their 'hostess' and the goal of the expedition. Justin was just opening his mouth when Karrin (wisely?) pipes up first.
Justin snaps his mouth shut almost audibly. Of course Karrin or Merle should do the talking here. THIS Drow matron was NOT like their guides, and would probably not respond well to his usual wise-crackery. Best to let the ladies handle this. At least until the Matron granted them permission to speak.
The wizard nibbles slightly on the tip of his tongue, reminding himself not to use it as he watches to see how the conversation unfolds.
Merle steps foreward "Yes Illustrious matron If we could talk to Erehe we would be out of your hair in no time."
Verdaeth frowns and gestures to Erehe
“You have obviously come very far and spent much effort to reach us. However, we have no time for niceties. Speak your piece”
Alerra pipes up
“Noble matron mother, if what the sunfolk have told me is correct, perhaps it would be best spoken in confidence “
She looks around at the various flunkies within the tent
Verdaeth sighs
“Alerra, you realize I am trying to organize a war here? Very well, but this had best be important “
She orders everyone out of the tent save for Erehe and five mean looking Drow females in chain who fade into the background. Verdaeth flicks a hand and mutters a word. Suddenly the air changes, and everything gets slightly tinny and echoey
“There. We are shielded from scrying and nosy listeners. Speak”
"We're looking for an artifact that might be able to prevent the resurrection of a demon god that currently goes by the name Tenebrous, Our client believes this fiend once went by a different name and once terrorized the outer plains, and Erehe is the only person left who knows this item's location, or would have known it's location before his . . . indecent. We'd like to prevent this from happening and we're currently racing against his agents who are also seeking out this item. Our wizard could elaborate on these agents if you wish, they are fearsome foes and you should be aware of what might come seeking Erehe in the future.
However, getting to the more immediate reason for our visit: it's our understanding that Erehe's memories were lost, and we're sure that's quite vexing to him, and perhaps you Matron Mother, and not just for whatever mystical secrets might have been locked away, sometimes there are simple moments, a loving embrace, a first kiss, that sort of thing that were a shared bond that's now missing, but as we're unsure of the deal that was struck to return Erehe to the living we're thus far unsure if his memories can be restored without breaking some sort of bargain. However, if that's not a concern, we think we have a way of restoring said memories, and would be willing to do it in exchange for the information we seek."
A look of utter astonishment passes over Verdaeth’s face. As fast as it appears, it vanishes like a cloud in the desert sky. The Drow Matron Mother becomes very still
“You are very well-informed, young tiefling. As it so happens, you are correct. My lover Erehe was killed, and I petitioned the Pale Goddess for his return. She gifted me him, but in typical divine fashion the gift was... tainted”
She glances over to Erehe, who is standing very still, looking at the group. She lowers her voice
“Erehe and I had a ... singular relationship. Very intense. Very passionate. It bordered close to that perverse feeling you sunfolk call ... love”
Erehe’s face is wooden as he observes the exchange
“Since his return, things have been different. He was returned to me without much of his memories. His skills were there, and he knew our culture, but of us, there was nothing left. He has tried to recall, but his memory was drowned in the River Styx”
Verdaeth’s almond eyes shine just the smallest amount. To a Drow this is almost an emotional breakdown
“If you have a way to restore his memory, then I am certain we can get you the information you desire”
"Well, we have a potion, made from the waters of that river, and we believe it may work to restore his memories, but before we reveal the location of said potion we need your word that you'll heed our warnings: We think we're only days ahead of the agents of this Tenebrous, they may make an attempt on Erehe, and so long as that information is sealed away it's no use to us but this Tenebrous was once a lord of the dead and thus we think death would be no barrier. Again, our wizard can supply you with the details of these agents, I recommend that he be allowed to share what information he has to prevent any attempts on Erehe's life on the prime material realm, and strongly advise against traveling to any outer plains until we've had a chance at success. Success or failure, I think wouldn't matter, I mean if we succeed than what Erehe knows wouldn't mater, and if we fail and this dark lord resurrects the information would have probably come out through some other means, but if we don't have a chance at success, meaning we don't get the information, I think your lover's life may be in danger.
"Sorry to ramble, I'm sure you gleamed this already, but as the group's dumbest member I really prefer to say these things out loud to ensure we're all on the same page."
"Uh yeah what she said....."
Verdaeth nods and gestures to Erehe. The Wizard approaches, his spider-silk robes rustling faintly.
“If he has this information locked away in his mind, it will be shared with you. This I swear. We will find a way to remain safe from any who come against us. “
Erehe looks unquiet, but still remains silent
“Give him this potion you have”
"Justin?" Karrin says, "You heard the lady."
Justin nods his head in a precise, polite bow.
"As you wish."
Justin slowly, an with only one hand, so as not to make anyone nervous, reaches over his shoulder and pulls out the bottle from his magic haversack.
"This will restore your memories sir. It is Desert Night's Pollen."
Justin hands the jackal-headed jar to Erehe.
As he steps back, Justin looks to the matron. "Be aware, this 'Tenebrous' has also gotten his hands on this pollen as well. So HIS memories are also being restored. And we have been warned that as soon as he restores his strength, he will be looking for Erehe. Presumably to prevent him from sharing what he knows. And the foes are most, unusual. Ghost-Demons. Wearing masks."
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Erehe takes the jar and inspects it, muttering incantations over it. He then pops the jackal head off and pours a stream of golden pollen into his hand. He looks at the pollen and takes large pinches and snorts it into his nose. He begins sneezing then he convulses. He looks around wildly and sees Verdaeth. He stalks over to her and they embrace passionately. After a minute they unclench and Erehe turns to the party.
“My thanks. You have restored me more than the resurrection did. I feel whole again. “
He looks over at Verdaeth, then back to the party
“My goddess caused me to be drowned in the Styx. It was her wish that my memory was obliterated of what I had done for her.
“Kiransalee is the goddess of death, mistress of Thanatos, demon queen of the undead. But some years ago, she was a minor power, tolerated by Lolth, but with no real power. Through trickery and some mythic means she slew the demon prince of undead and absorbed his power. She used her power to erase his very name from the multiverse, save for a very few servants like myself. The name of this arch demon was ... Orcus”
The very name hangs in the air, like the sound of a rung bell. The party .... remembers, as if they had momentarily forgotten the name. Who could forget one of the oldest and most powerful tanar’ri ever to exist? The demon-prince of undeath, ram-horned, and wielding his fabled Wand of Orcus.
“Kiransalee erased him from the memory of the multiverse, but she could not decipher how to destroy his Wand. And his wand held a great portion of his power. So, she tasked me and my companion Kestod to hide it. We took it to the most secure and difficult to reach place in the multiverse. The fourth layer of Pandaemonium, Agathion. “
Erehe pauses, then continues
“If what you say is correct, then this Tenebrous must be a manifestation of Orcus, risen from annihilation to seek for his lost power. His knowledge of all things undead was without peer. Who knows what fell sorcery he could command? If it is him, or his shade, he has defied the very rules of the cosmos! Such an immense black evil will he wields!”
Erehe sounds almost envious. He stills, then speaks more
“All his power will be bent towards regaining his Wand. And his Wand will seek its master’s hand. It is imperative that he is prevented from this.”
Erehe looks to Verdaeth
“I must flee. There will be no safety for me should he know my name. He will search me out to discover his wand’s hiding place. “
Verdaeth nods and puts her arms around him
“I will go as well. I will not be parted from you. We shall face the flight together “
“What of the war?”
“what of it? Kiransalee will betray us and kill you again as soon as she hears your memories are restored. I have no further wish to conquer the Vault in her name. Let her and the spider b%@&! fight it out without us. My sister will be happy to take Tormtor’s helm”
Erehe looks to the party
“There is aught else I can tell you. The precise location of the Wand is unclear to me. Kiransalee sent me thither via magic and recalled me after. Agathion is the plain of buried secrets. I will suggest that if you wish to uncover hidden secrets, then you might find answers in the deserts of Pelion, the third layer of Arborea. There the realm of Nephythys lies. She is a goddess of dead and secrets. If there is any way to discover where on Agathion the Wand is, it is there amongst her necropoli”
Erehe grasps Verdaeth and they kiss. He breaks off and says one more thing
“Go now. Things will be chaotic soon. We will soon be departing, and you will find little good will from anyone in the Vault. For what it is worth you have our thanks”.
The Barbarian wrinkles his brow, he had heard of this death creature though the story of his death was... different. Perhaps different versions of the same Demon were slain at the same time by different foes in another sphere... the thought is too complex even for an intelligent Barbarian and so he states nothing at all. Glad to have had this meeting be one that he walked away from considering his entrance bound and without weapons at hand.
He grunts, "Time to go then".
"Thank you for the information and we wish you the best of luck, if we're successful in our mission I trust you will be able to enjoy some peace and safety, best of luck avoiding the agents of Orcus till then."
"Orcus? ORCUS. Of course!" Justin says with a slight smile as the memories snap back into existence.
The wizard looks at his companions.
"What? It makes perfect sense NOW."
Justin hastily scribbles the information that Erehe provides into his battered journal. He snaps it shut and tucks it away.
"Thank you very much. Both of you. Glad that we could help each other."
Justin pauses, biting his lower lip.
"I beg permission to ask you one more question? I think it might help, but I'm having trouble putting the puzzle pieces together."
Justin holds one side of his coat, as if second-guessing. Then he obviously reaches a decision, reaches into his coat, and (again, slowly so as not to alarm anyone), pulls out,... The Rod.
The wizard holds it up sideways so both Erehe and Verdaeeth can see it clearly, but does not offer it to them.
"Do you, either of you, recognize THIS?"
Blayze frowns as the memory of Orcus and the powers of undeath flood her mind. She takes a deep breath, opening and closing her hands slowly, wishing for the comforting weight of her guns.
Verdaeth and Erehe look at the worn bronze rod with the rubber tip quizzically
“”No, that doesn’t look familiar. Is it an artifact from Orcus?”
Justin turns the rod towards himself and looks at it as if seeing it for the first time.
He shrugs and tucks it back into his coat.
"No. At least I don't think so. I thought it might have been something involved in his,... Well. Anyway, I must have misunderstood the manuscript. Sorry to bother you with it. Thank you for indulging me."
The wizard nods his head deeply to the pair, and echoes Karrin's well-wishes.
"Good luck with the agents of Orcus. To all of us!"
Erehe nods
“Yes, we will need that luck. I will warn you, do not speak that name often. Names have power. Few indeed mention that one’s name aloud these days. You risk bringing his attention upon you.”
Verdaeth drops the protective magics and summons back her cast of flunkies. She has the captain of her guards unlock the manacles snd return the weapons to them. They are escorted back to Alessia, Steph, and Ferissirion. Chadra and Alerra deliver whatever messages they had for Verdaeth, and return with the party
“We would return with you to Sigil if that is where you head. The Vault is not a good place to be right now”
"Duly noted. Thank you both again."
Justin joins his companions and follows the escort back to their friends who waited.
(Watching Karrin reunite with her axe was,... embarrassing.)
“We would return with you to Sigil if that is where you head. The Vault is not a good place to be right now”
Justin nods.
"Sounds fair to me. You certainly delivered on YOUR end of the bargain!" the wizard grins at the drow.
Recovering (what little) decorum he had, he bows his head to the guides.
"So. What's your 'Get-out-of-town' plan? Because, we do have a backup if we need it." He asks the ladies who led them here.
Chadra and Alerra ponder
“Originally it would have been to accompany a caravan back from the Fane of Lolth, but considering the danger involved, if you have a better option we would be grateful to hear it”
Hamar looks grimly at the Drow, "The Wizard, as always, has spoken too soon there are strings attached to this offer as the cityfolk often say.
You may only accompany us if you both accompany me to a night of drinking a debauchery whenst we return to Sigil!" He then breaks out a grin.
The two Drow grin wickedly
“That is a bargain we will be happy to enter into”
Justin snorts, but maintains (most of) his dignity.
(Although he reappraises his estimate of Hamar. UP a couple of notches.)
"Well, Sounds like THAT'S settled then." He says with a sardonically straight face.
"And a deals a deal. We have knowledge of a shortcut from somewhere in this area directly back to Sigil. We need to find a statue,..."
Justin describes the statue as it was told to them, looking to the drow with hopeful expectation that they recognize it.
The Drow nod
“We know where it is. Follow us”
The two Drow lead the party for about a mile until they reach a manicured lawn with various fungal topiary. There is a statue of a drider, cast in bronze, near the center of the lawn. When the golden ball is dropped into its open mouth a portal snaps into being next to it. The wavering sight beyond is the familiar stalls of the Great Bazaar.
Alerra and Chadra step through unhesitatingly
The party emerges into the fog and drizzle of a typical Cage Afterpeak. The light is just fading from the grey clouds above , and the crowds are thick around the many stalls. Alerra and Chadra nod to the party
“We must head back to our merchant house. There is much of import to relate. Hamar, if you wish to meet later in the Afterpeak, we should be at this tavern”
Alerra hands him a quickly scribbled address
The Sticky Web, Alehouse Row, Lower Ward
The two saunter off into the fog
Justin grins at the drow entering the portal without hesitation.
"Never look a gift portal in the mouth!" He says, following swiftly as he realizes that they were never told how long the portal would last.
The wizard waves to the ladies as they depart and gives Hamar a sly look.
"So, I guess YOUR evening is booked?"
"We should get back to the Rose. We need to tell the boss that we're back, And what we found out." Justin says to the others as he raises the hood of his coat against the foggy drizzle.
The barbarian grunts, "Never have I felt so close to death as I just was. Unarmed and shackled in the hands of the Drow. Most never return from such a fate.
If we push death so must we push life".
He follows as the others lead to the Rose, after all, the Barbarian is still not 100% familiar with this city. As they walk he still looks around, trying to hide the wonder from his face as best he can.
Justin claps the barbarian on the shoulder. Then shakes his hand out behind Hamar's back, as the impact of the friendly gesture was like slapping a boulder.
"So True. Well said."
Justin takes the shortest route (he thinks, he still gets confused on some of the less major streets) back to the Rose offices.
"Well it's good to be back home," Karrin says, "I like traveling but you're never sure of the quality of the food you're going to get on the road, like sometimes it's real good, other times there's strange spices, and sometimes you don't even know what you're eating, and I'm not fussy, but I do like to know what I'm eating. Other times you get food that you might not know how to eat, like it's got all these shells and husks and bones and you don't know what you can eat and what you can't, and other times there's these things called garnish, and garnish is only supposed to be there to make the food look good. I mean we got garnish here, but at least I know it's garnish, I still sometimes eat the garnish, because I hate to see anything go to waste, but some people might think you're an uncivilized savage if you drink the pickle juice that the pickles come in for example. Pickle juice isn't exactly garnish I suppose, but the principle is the same I suppose. Good to be back where you don't have to worry about these things."
Hamar nods sagely, "Indeed, pickles and garnish are both green".
Hamar nods sagely, "Indeed, pickles and garnish are both green".
Justin glances at Merle and Seph with a quizzical expression.
"Well,... That is usually true." he admits to the felines.
On the group's way back to the Rose, Alessia follows the others at her usual distance. However, her furtive movements become less subtle as the group progresses, until, less than a block away from the Silver Rose, Alessia works up the initiative to tap Justin on the shoulder, hissing menacingly in his ear.
"Wizard. I will speak with you. For a moment..."
Realizing her potential breach of etiquette, she pulls back, squaring her shoulders, mustering all of her rather limited store of decorum before speaking.
"I... nngh... apologize..."
She pauses for a moment, impassive as always, before continuing, more than a little formally.
"I wish to know what occurred while you and the others sought knowledge within the Vault of the Drow."
She shifts uncomfortably.
"I could not... Giving up my weapons would have meant giving up my quest. Giving up my revenge. I need to know..."
Another uncomfortable pause.
"I have no other purpose. I have followed you to the city of the Dark Elves. And to the other realms, the... Lost Vegas? And the fortress of the Ice King? Did we accomplish...?"
A skeletal armored hand suddenly reaches out to grasp Justin tightly by the arm, the red eyelights flaring behind Alessia's porcelain mask.
"Am I close? Please..."
Alessia abruptly lets go of the mage, however, stepping back a pace, seeming a bit unsteady. She shakes her head, as if to shake loose some possibly literal cobwebs, her overall demeanor changings as she lets out an unearthly hissing sound.
"Sssss... never mind. Do not trouble yourself. I... my blade is still yours. I have waited this long, and... ah..."
She trails off, shaking her head again. Striding ahead of the others, she stalks toward the inn, most likely to take up her usual silent vigil near the door.
"Useless..."
On the group's way back to the Rose, Alessia follows the others at her usual distance. However, her furtive movements become less subtle as the group progresses, until, less than a block away from the Silver Rose, Alessia works up the initiative to tap Justin on the shoulder, hissing menacingly in his ear.
"Wizard. I will speak with you. For a moment..."
Justin jumps. A little. Then turns to the armored figure looming behind him. He covers his sudden burst of adrenaline with a raised eyebrow.
"Sure Alessia. What do you need?"
Realizing her potential breach of etiquette, she pulls back, squaring her shoulders, mustering all of her rather limited store of decorum before speaking."I... nngh... apologize..."
Justin's other eyebrow joins the first one.
She pauses for a moment, impassive as always, before continuing, more than a little formally."I wish to know what occurred while you and the others sought knowledge within the Vault of the Drow."
Justin relaxes. "Oh. Is that all?"
She shifts uncomfortably.
Justin could not recall ever seeing Alessia looking 'uncomfortable'.
MAKING others uncomfortable? Sure. It was like her 'thing'. But her being on the other side of it? It did not seem to suit her.
"I could not... Giving up my weapons would have meant giving up my quest. Giving up my revenge. I need to know..."Another uncomfortable pause.
Ah. NOW things started to clear up. A little. But before the wizard could form a reply, Alessia continued suddenly in an unusual display of wordy-ness for the formerly-living warrior.
"I have no other purpose. I have followed you to the city of the Dark Elves. And to the other realms, the... Lost Vegas? And the fortress of the Ice King? Did we accomplish...?"A skeletal armored hand suddenly reaches out to grasp Justin tightly by the arm, the red eyelights flaring behind Alessia's porcelain mask.
"Am I close? Please..."
Justin's eyes meet the glowing red eye-lights shining through the porcelain mask. He slowly, deliberately, blinks. (He did NOT want to inadvertently start a soul-gaze with a potentially,... distraught, undead warrior. Not without permission.) He stared at the point on the mask between the eyes instead. Taking a slow, calm breath Justin's mind races to form a satisfactory reply.
"Ah. Well,... I, that is,... I believe,..."
Alessia abruptly lets go of the mage, however, stepping back a pace, seeming a bit unsteady. She shakes her head, as if to shake loose some possibly literal cobwebs, her overall demeanor changing as she lets out an unearthly hissing sound.
Justin was momentarily reminded of the sound the giant, floating gasbag-creatures of one planar world make when they were physically injured. Or of the warning hiss of a giant reptile,...
"Sssss... never mind. Do not trouble yourself. I... my blade is still yours. I have waited this long, and... ah..."She trails off, shaking her head again. Striding ahead of the others, she stalks toward the inn, most likely to take up her usual silent vigil near the door.
"Useless..."
Justin stands unusually still, watching wide-eyed as Alessia strides towards the inn with an almost living passion of intent. The wizard turns his head slightly to find Memnon floating right next to him, the crystal skulls own eyelights staring back.
"Um. What just happened?!?"
You made a friend?
"I HOPE."
Justin shakes his head to clear his own cobwebs.
"C'mon paperweight. I need a bowl or two of the Copper's famous stew and about a dozen hours of sack time. But I'll bet we can score you another copper-dreadful or three before we get you back to the lab and me back to Skyy. I mean bed." Justin corrects himself without skipping a beat.
The Copper Cauldron sits with its door open, a warm light spilling out into the deepening gloom of the rainy Afterpeak. Bess and Ramona welcome them in with smiles, and begin laying out a large spread of food. There aren’t many folk in the tavern at this hour, as it straddles the lunch and dinner times of most Cagers. Renkar arrives soon, alerted to their return by Bess’ son Robyn who had been dispatched to fetch him. He sits down and looks the weary party over
“I am happy to see you returned in good order my friends. What news?”
"Unarmed and bound Karrin Kind spoke to Drow Mistresses and here we stand, still alive, not sacrificed to any of their Evil Gods.
There is no doubt more that should be relayed but this may be the most impressive feat any group of adventurers or mercenaries or whatever we are, have undertaken to live to tell the tale".
At least that's the part that Hamar remembers the best!
Justin stops, pausing in shoveling another spoonful of stew halfway to his mouth. He snorts a laugh.
"Well, There is a little more to it than that. But I LIKE how Hamar cuts right to the part that makes us sound awesome! I mean, even more than we are." Justin grins.
"The trip there was actually more,... eventful, than once we reached the city. But that was probably just luck."
Justin picks up his drink and expounds on the interesting parts of the journey, including the unfortunate recognition by a survivor of the 'Khassta Planar Incident' and the resulting battle royale. He bites his tongue and keeps the travel details succinct (for him). Once he gets to the destination, he keeps his voice low so that only those at the table can hear him.
"Once we reached the drow city, we discovered that they were in the middle of a civil war. Our guides were aware of the circumstances, but not that it had evolved as far as it had. We got settled in the, erm, 'Visitors Quarter' while the guides went to find out exactly what we were dealing with politics-wise. While we prepared, we received our own visitor. A representative of a power with a vested interest in putting the genie back in the bottle, so to speak. He offered some information to us for free. Well,... more accurately, in a revenge-exchange for the baddie invading his realm. But we had to trade some favors for the other thing he offered. Desert Night Pollen. Guaranteed to cure Erehe's memory loss."
Justin shrugs. "Seemed like a good deal at the time. Since it worked, it still does, actually."
"Anyway, our guides returned and we told them who we were looking for, and it turned out Erehe was the consort of the Rebel leader. Which is who the guides had business with as well. So we arranged to make our way to the meeting place. With an astoundingly minimal amount of collateral damage. For us." Justin hides his smirk by taking another long pull of his mug.
"As Hamar pointed out, the rebels would not allow us armed into the camp, so Karrin left her axe, and Alessia and Seph stood guard over our equipment while the rest of us went unarmed, and magically shackled, to visit Erehe."
"We had a nice, polite chat. Explained why we were there, and that we had cure for Erehe's memory loss. We agreed to exchange the pollen for information. And, well, what can I say? The stuff worked. And they were good to their word. They answered all our questions and told us more we didn't know to ask besides."
Justin tugs his battered notebook from inside his coat and places it, open, on the table and slides it towards Renkar.
"All the pertinent information is here. Now we know who. Or what, we're dealing with."
Justin's long finger taps the page on a word written boldy and underlined heavily. A name he's not willing to speak aloud in the unsecure confines of the Copper Cauldron.
ORCUS
Renkar stares at the written word. He shudders and then crumples it, bringing it to the Cauldron’s vast hearth and pitching it into the fire. He stares at the burning paper until it is ash. He then returns looking grim
“That was … unsettling. I don’t suggest speaking or sharing that with too many. Names have power. Who knows who will be listening for that name to be spoken again. “
He sits and sips the hot Gahveh Ramona brought him.
“Perhaps after you all rest, we can have a debriefing in the Before Peak in our office?”