Oh yeah, just go ahead and start the planning, we will see in how far we can integarte that in what is going to come next.
Once Gadak has finished his work with the lizards he beckons you over and to follow him.
Unchallenged but observed by the host of training soldiers, servants and troglodyte slaves, you pass the courtyard and enter the palace proper from the backside.
The place is dark and devoid of straight angles. A strange labyrinth only here and there lightened up by purple globes hovering through the corridors.
Gadak here and there greets other drow you meet and while he never bows to someone, lots of others do so to him...
When you finally reach a large black granite door, he sighs
That's the interrogation chamber...here Undamesta will surely have some questions...as all drow houses, House Vonnarc also fears infiltrators of all kinds...so...umm...be sure about what you're going to say.
"It would serve us well to have a sponsor of some kind here... if we are garbed with the color of a house it would likely offer some protection against opportunistic attention."
Turning to Kabal with a smirk "We need to make an impression here... Would you be willing to play along with a ruse? When the slavemother comes... speak out of turn, and I will put you in your place." pausing for a moment before chuckling "Surely it wouldn't be the first time you've let a lady whip you?"
Hah! The only woman to lay her hands or lash on my backside was my dear mum...and she let me suck her tits.
Kabal almost added that if a similar offer were made then maybe he'd be up for it but he considered their position and reckoned this was no time for play so he shook his head with a grimace.
But if it will make an impression and further our quest then I'm game. You just mind that whip doesn't get near my eyes, you heard?
To Kabal, Caterine just winks and cryptically commits "We'll see if I can manage"
Once brought to the chamber of interrogation, Caterine steels her will - and allows others to enter before she does, with coiled whip in hand.
Gadak is the first to enter, the room is square and quite large, dim violet light emanates from some vague point above, while upon the walls hang diaphanous tapestries, delicately embroidered with the Vonnarc symbol and elaborate designs. 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 centremost occupied by a severe looking drow woman, her hair pulled back tightly, her fingers and sharp nails steepled before her, her gaze impatient.
Gadak gestures to move to the centre of the room before bowing low Revered Slavemother Undamesta, these are travelers from beyond the portal. House Rasivreign's operations at the gate were confused and disordered and none stood to meet their arrival. With their own masters having forsaken them, I most meekly ask that their obvious skills and experience be considered for inclusion among the ranks of those who dutifully serve the envied House of Vonnarc.
The slavemother seems unimpressed by Gadak's explanation, lifting a suspiciuous eyebrow Obvious skills and experience, indeed? Is this not for me to judge? the matronly drow retorts with a voice like dagger upon slate.
Undamesta points at Kabal
Where do you come from?
Winter stands silent and stoic.
Kabal wished he was any where than under this drow matron's regard at the moment...except a gods be damned boat... but he wasn't about to fold under this b~#%~'s questions... Shiite!,.. I've been played right into Cat's hand on this one...well, blast it...here's to dying fast, young and far from home...
The Brevian swelled as much as the scrawny elven body would allow him and met the matron's gaze as he replied with all the macho bravado he had.
What the hell does it matter where Im from? Im here now with sharp steel, a strong arm and a penchant for slaying my enemies. Pay me well and Im yours to command. Nothing else matters.
With arms crossed, Kabal waited for the inevitable.
Gadak's eyes widen, but he bites his tongue and prefers to give Kabal only a look of shock. Undamesta menwhile just arches an eyebrow and turns her attention to Cat
The same question to you...and while I found the male's reply amusing, even though iritating, I now demand an answer...
Before Kabal has chance to finish his words, Caterine lets her feet fall into an open stance and her whip flashes forwards before unwinding sinuously about Kabal's ankles. A violent jerk sends him to the ground before Cat spins as she draws and the whip spins 360 to come at the prone warrior from the other direction. The cracker whistles through the air to explode upon his cheek, drawing a line of blood that seeps as Cat raises one eyebrow...
Non-lethal from the whip:
...and without taking eyes from Kabal she responds to Undamesta "My apologies Reverend Slavemother... this one is not yet housebroken." waiting until she was sure that Kabal would just lie subservient upon the ground before turning eyes upward and giving a bow of deference as she re-coils her whip.
"Forgive his impudence, he bulges where bulges are pleasing, but his mind cannot yet control his tongue. Gadak speaks the truth... we seek employ, and submit to your judgement."
Gadak snickers and gives Kabal a look of sympathy mixed with glee. Undamesta also smiles and it seems that she has forgotten her question over Cat's display of how drow society should function.
She lets her gaze wander again and this time it rests on Bree
What makes you think that House Vonnarc could be in need of your service?
|
"I see you are no fool, Reverend Slavemother. This... stallion may have a sharp misplaced tongue, but I can assure you his blade is swifter. We have been to the cacophony of the surface and returned, our numbers intact. If you see no reason to set our steel against your enemies, it stands to reason that their coffers may be deeper to set us back against you."
Bree looks for a nearby target, something that won't damage her blades and is not valuable. She draws a dagger and indicates the selected nearby target before raising her brow questioningly. If given the go ahead, Bree begins throwing her daggers at the target. After which she quietly retrieves and inspects each one before replacing it in its sheath.
Winter watches on, recognising the scene for what it is.
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
Undamesta follows the daggers with an approving nod, but raises an eyebrow when Sable speaks without being asked
Your words matter not...just answer my questions...what was the last house you have worked for and why did you leave its service?
[ooc]Thx for the info, but he's alright, right?[/b]
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
Caterine had hoped that actions would dissuade the Slavemother from that particular line of inquiry... so she risks a subtle approach, and hopes it works "We cannot say.. for the house is no longer, and to speak of it would be blasphemy against Abraxas' will."
Undamesta nods slowly
Then I know of which house you speak and I don't fear speaking its name aloud. Azinraewas foolish enough to believe that their expditions into the daylight world would gain them anything...fame, power whatever. Now they're only a shade of their former self and only survive at our mercy...mhm...You seem to be more or less useful..at least useful enough to...oh, there's one more question...Would you kill Gadak if I asked you to? she turns to Winter and arches an eyebrow...meanwhile poor Gadak blanches but stares motionless at Winter.
"No." Winter just replies flatly.
Caterine's half-spoken yes catches in her throat as Winter speaks. She turns with impassive face towards him, waiting for Undamesta's next issued question...
"I answer to the word of my Mistress, and she does not yet answer to yours" Winter bows deferentially to Caterine.
Caterine smirks as she turns her head to Undamesta "That one... is housetrained."
"If we were in your employ, and were ordered, then yes... I would have no qualms in slaying him... but" pausing momentarily "Are we in your employ?... and are you asking?"
Hah, no...poor Gadak is a far too amusing pet to sacrifice him at this point...well...you, I like you, what is your name?
Undamesta says turning again to Cat
Thinking it easier to give a name easily remembered she replied "Katerin"
What an exotic name...it has a sound uncommon to Zirnakaynin...anyway, House Vonnarc signs you...by now I haven't chosen for what. Some of you seem to be quite apt with weapons that is good...I'll see to your tasks later...Gadak, bring them to the servants' quarters.
Bree remains mostly quiet, speaking only when addressed directly and glaring at everyone who crosses her path. When alone with her companions again, she quietly says to them, "We should have thought of names before we came to this place."
Katerin smirks before replying to Bree "Wishes and horses", but shows deference to the Slavemistress - while also giving Gadak a neutral expression with a hint of predation.
Gadak bows deeply as he leaves the interrogation room and leads you through the nearby servants' quarters.
Ok, I canned the map of the house, you will now have some time to accomodate yourself and explore the House.
Your quarters are A19, the interrogation room was A17.
You can just plan a short expedition by telling me the numbers you are visiting.
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
Sry typo
Not yet.
We move in an anticlockwise circuit in the top 1/3rd - 20/21/22/25 etc and back through 16 and 14.
Now that they were out of direct earshot - Katerin was happy to defer to Winter.
Kabal had thought Cat would take a shot at him but getting tripped up was unexpected... damn sneaky woman...hah!.. like all of them... Their play seemed to have worked as the matron waved them off. The brute got up, dusted himself off and tried to not look like a tourist as they wandered the house with its strange designs.
The first rooms you visit are cells in which prisoners - at this time about a dozen troglodytes are kept. Most of them are in poor condition, malnourished, dehydrated and full of scars that give testament of the tortures they endured. As you enter the cell block, nearly all of the reptilian creatures back away, only one impressively large troglodyte stays close to the cell bars.
The troglodyte nods and even though the creature is much bigger than you and has about twice your weight, he seems to be getting nervous.
Bree moves forward next to Sable, curious to see what the troglodyte might have to say.
Winter stands about looking at nothing in particular, as any good man-at-arms should.
Caterine waits to see what Sable has planned for the trog.
A fire long forgotten glims in the troglodyte's eyes before he whispers a series of short hisses and snarls
Yes I do, master...you are new...no one ever addresses us in our tongue.
|
|
Looking around for the nearest guard and addressing them back in the tongue of the drow. "Guard, what is this beast's purpose, and is it for sale? I could use a lackey and this one seems more capable to withstand my... temper."
Bree frowns slightly when Sable changes languages, but remains nearby listening quietly.
The guard looks rather uninterested and sighs before answering
A slave the other slaves follow...not more...if you are interested in owning him, you have to ask the Slavemother.
Once you turn back to the troglodyte, the brown-scaled slave hisses
I will follow your command.
and nods subserviently.
|
|
Returning to the drow tongue, "I shall do so shortly."
Once the party leaves the cells, Sable will address them lowly in Common, "It would be wise to have someone who knows how the inner workings of this place unfold... and who might know slave faces better than their masters."