DM Zyren's Heart of Riddles (Inactive)

Game Master Zyrenity

Bree nods and begins to make her way back to their quarters.

Winter likewise silently falls into step.

Once back in the relative privacy of their quarters Kabal found a seat and leaned back with his hands behind his head.

Well, this is what we've been waiting for. We're going in blind but we'll still get to kill drow.

"And what could be more righteous?" Winter finally breaks his silence.

Bree looks at Kabal, "I'm so sorry. Are you alright?"

Kabal shook his head and grimaced.

Bah! Dont be worrying your pretty little head over me. Aint nothing but my pride hurt lass. All this cowtowing has me on edge and ready to burst. Gonna need a few stiff drinks and at least a week of carousing when this all said and done.

Sitting up straight the dour man continued.

So whats the play? And how soon can we get started?

Bree reaches up to twirl a braid that isn't suppose to be there in this form, and so settles for crossing her arms under her breasts and fidgeting with her blades. "Well, if it's any condolence, hitting your face nearly broke my hand. Like hitting a brick wall."

Kabal arched an eyebrow that felt way too thin at Bree.

That's the same damn thing that Corvax used to say...

Dark thoughts flooded his mind and he wondered once again what had happened to his shield mate... i'd sure as hell feel better if he was here right now... bloody, sackless milk drinker... you better be dead pal... its the only excuse i'll accept... The ex mercenary shook his head and tried to lighten the foul mood that was threatening to send him off in a blind, murderous rage.

Hah! But if that's the case then I bet Cat's foot is damn near crushed.

Bree looks mildly uncomfortable and unsure of what to say as Kabal reminisces over his missing friend. Then, when he mentions Cat's foot, and Bree recalls exactly where Cat kicked him, it feels like her face flushes red but she manages to chuckle, wondering if it can be seen through Drow skin.

Caterine smirks slightly, but the only response she gives is that she does not limp.

"Well as awkward and sentimental as this is, we do have to figure out what we're going to do. Kabal is right, we have to figure out how we're going to handle this. We're going to need to ask questions, but also be careful who we ask. If anybody has any suggestions, now is the time."

"I suggest we start with carefully questioning our ever helpful chauffeur."

Caterine sighs and nods "Aye, seems the only likely way we're going to get information without looking like complete idiots... but even then, he's sure to know that we're not quite exactly what we're pretending to be." pursing lips and musing "Maybe we could snag one of the slaves off the street and beat a few things out of it."

"What about the slave Sable just bought? He's not Drow, but he might know something."

Kabal stretched tense muscles and felt a little disoriented in his new body.

Or we show up where and when we're supposed to and just kill everyone we see.

"Which would be ideal, but we need to know more about who is who if we're to make it look like it wasn't an assassination by hired hands but a meeting gone terribly wrong."

"I confess wanting to learn more of what the lizard has gleaned in his stay here."

"We walk out of here without more of an idea of the powers here and we could quickly end up in trouble. We can use Sable's pet if that's what people think best."

With a shake of his white haired head Kabal rose from his seat.

The lizard man? That thing has been locked in a cage. It wont know squat about the inner workings of this city. Best we pound sand and take a look at the lay of the land. We dont have much time.

Uh, that doesn't sound like a decision was made yet?!

But yeah, those 2 options were the ones I expected ;)

"It might, we don't know where it was before that cage, and slaves talk amongst themselves... But, if it is what you think is best, let's get going. Of course, we could just as easily do both. He is Sable's property now, he could accompany us as we 'pound sand'."

"Might come in handy for a lot of things, may as well pound sand with him along"

"Then let us grab my lizard and pound sand... Certainly doesn't sound like a euphemism for slavery and assassination." Sable sighs and laughs.

Kabal frowned as his naturally suspicious nature had him thinking the others were clerly making fun of him but he didnt care.

Good, we're in agreement. Hope you have a leash for lizard boy.

Crossing his arms across his chest the warrior tried to recall the details of their assignment.

Kabal frowned as his naturally suspicious nature had him thinking the others were clerly making fun of him but he didnt care.

Who us? Never! We all just really like to pound sand!

"He has, presumably, been caged long enough. I will follow whatever etiquette I must to keep up appearances, but I will not clip the wings of anyone. Let us ask our too-helpful guide to take us to him, bring the lizardman along, and then get out into the city. We have a lot to figure out about the particulars of this situation."

As you open the door to ask for Gadak, the coach dirver already waits for you, leaning at the wall opposite your door

Finally...thought you would be in there for ages. The Lady of the Blades asked me to help you in any way...

the drow says with a sly smile.

"I'm either really starting to like you... or loathe you. I have not decided which. We have matters to attend to. I want my property in attendance with us so that we are not merely seen as common-folk. Would you be so kind as to escort me there to retrieve it or to send it here?"

"I kind of like him," Bree says out of nowhere and with no further explanation.

Kabal didn't like their guide and spit to the ground in silent protest. He had learned his lesson as to how much trouble his uncouth mouth would get him into in this dark cesspool.

Gadak grins

No need for you to go yourself, I will fetch your property.

he says, leaves and returns only some minutes later with the troglodyte. A thick chain has been wrapped around his neck whose end is wrapped around Gadak's wrist

I didn't punish the stupid lizard, because I didn't want to damage your property, but the thing is really stubborn and I think deserves a nice flaying.

"It is fortunate for you that you chose not to sully what is mine. Your mistress was right to use your talents for guiding, not thinking."

Sable holds out her hand for the chain. He speaks to the trog, hissing his inquiry to seem like a threat to those who do not speak the tongue.

Bluff: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 2 = 21

Sable also extends his emphatic link to his poor companion trapped in the satchel on his side, checking on Korax.

Nodding in surprised agreement with Gadak; Kabal was reassured that the thing was chained... it aint been but a week or so since we're having to cut down lizard men like that... damn scaly skin gives me the creeps... figures Sable would take a liking to it...

Winter watches the scene unfolding, "Time to pound sand and begin gathering our information"

Bree eyes Sable's slave warily and keeps her distance from him. She can't help but to hope, nonetheless, that he might be the key to lead them to her brother.

Even though the trog is not using its innate ability to emit that strange acidic odour that comes from kind of glands underneath the scales, the creature still stinks horribly and Gadak looks quite relieved to hand the chain over

Ah well, of yourse you're right, never would I dare to tell you how to handle your porperty. he gives a low bow and steps back...and looks astonishingly sincerely while doing that.

Korax is alright, though he misses the open sky already.

The troglodyte, a pretty impressive specimen with a height of more than 6 feet and weighing surely more than 180 pounds, utters three quick hisses which, to the proficient listener, make a rather long statement.

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (9) + 4 = 13

As Sable speaks, he casts an eye towards Gadak to see if their guide understands the trog's words.

Sable's nose wrinkles a bit, but she does not break form.

"Gadak, we require your services as a guide. You will show us to the residence of Verazzor Zarazzin. You will take us through a discrete route, and will point out the mansion from a distance. You will answer any of our questions, and you will speak to no one of this matter."

Winter just continues to look on and play his role, frustrated at the charade, but happy it appears to be working.

Kabal followed Winter's lead. His mouth had gotten him into enough trouble already so he kept it shut. He'd vent went he had steel bared and enemies before him.

The trog cocks his head slightly and hisses something in return

Gadak tries his best to imitate a genuine smile, but fails

As you command.

He pushes the door open and leads you into the wide courtyard. Purple lightning flicker at the ceiling of the cave and Gadak grunts as if he wasn't happy about the sight

The air is tense, full of magic...not a good night to hunt.

"Come along, Night Creeper." Sable says to the trog. Turning towards Gadak, "Is there some event transpiring this event we were not made aware of? It may not be a good night, but we have our instructions."

Kabal wasnt impressed with the display of light at all and shrugged at Gadak's assessment.

Every night is a good night to hunt drow.

Bree looks at Kabal out of the corner of her eye and shakes her head slightly in dismay.

Gadak clicks his tongue and grins

Oh yeah...but in some nights the roles of hunter and prey are suddenly swapped...still a good night for hunting then, but the result might surprise all parties.

the smile freezes as he turns to Sable

No event that would cause this...I guess it a natural phenomenon but it doesn't bode well...

He walks over to the stables where the muscular riding lizards are kept and comments

Didn't you say you are from Umberweb? Heard they have an impressive cavalry there?

Kabal shrugged. He didn't much get the hunter prey connotation but he was beginning to not trust the intent of their guide and sized the drow up before following him.

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (14) + 10 = 24

Don't matter either way. The Lady of Blades says tonight is the night so best we be on about it. Savvy?

Sable looks at the lizards, then back to Gadak. "Yes, that is what you have heard. As a guide have you never been, or are you kept properly cowing near her Lady's skirts?"

...