Kaylayne glances at the usually quiet Allarnon entering the conversation and nods internally. She lets him lead, sensing that he knows something that she is missing.
She keeps quiet for the time being.
"The wheel will run out of time if the drow are not stopped I am afraid. The drow are currently in process of disrupting everything, possibly destroying the world in the process. That is unless the Council meets immediately."
”Oh, and you have proof of this?”
"Arlindil, from what I can tell, the Wheel of Time has already begun to bring it around, now that Perelir and Malindil have agreed to convene..."
His demeanor changes a little and he seems to pay you more attention. ”I’ll see the proof of your claims, but even if they are true - who are you? Are you going to stop them? What assurances do I have that you have the strength to pull it off?” he lapses into silence, thinking…
Lief looks to Allarnon, waiting for the bear man to engage Arlindil, on some level he senses they seem to share.
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Allarnon pleads to the elven elder. "The drow are using portals in time to try to bring stars crashing down into the earth, destroying the land, trees, animals and people within. We have seen it and are trying to stop it." He says with fearful eyes.
"We have been sent of several missions against the drow. One to include infiltrating the Underdark and living among them for several weeks. It cost Tarkir his life but we escaped with dire warnings, though few will listen. Whether you do anything or not to help here, though I hope you do, I will continue to do all I can to protect this world and that from happening." He bares his teeth as he begins to get angry.
"Cause if the drow and demons succeed there will be no world left for time to have any meaning. I completely understand there needing to have cycles, beginnings and ends. My elders taught me much about that in the wilds of my home, but the drow are bring about an unnatural wedge, halting the cycle and bringing about an untimely end."
He stands as his rage equals a fury. "NOW DECIDE OR WE ARE DONE HERE AND YOU HAVE DOOMED US ALL TO DEATH!" His hot breath blows through the gloomy elf's hair as a massive bear stands in front of him with teeth bared.
Dimitrio stands back and tries to add to the bear-man's imposing reason.
"What will you do? Will you just stand and watch how the Wheel of Time destroys everyone?"
He then added, "As for our worth, we are still standing despite the Winter Council trying to kill us. We offer no guarantees but offer a heartfelt try."
He looked around his companions and proudly states, "We also offer knowledge, bravery, resources and an indomitable will to put an end to the drow menace. Now are you with us? We could surely use your help."
He stands as his rage equals a fury. "NOW DECIDE OR WE ARE DONE HERE AND YOU HAVE DOOMED US ALL TO DEATH!" His hot breath blows through the gloomy elf's hair as a massive bear stands in front of him with teeth bared.
Arlindil looks up at the towering Allarnon, but he looks unafraid. He does however, look respectful. He does not seem to react much to Dimitrio, but he does hear him.
”Very well. There are vrock in my crumbling attic, and I quite tire of killing them. Yet their near-constant scratching, especially at night, is annoying. Best them, and I’ll accept you may have the strength you need to see this through. But be careful, it won’t take much to have the whole host on you from below. I’ll say this much for demons, they’re an incurious lot, but they do love a good fight.”
With that warning, he waves you off, and you depart into the hall for politeness sake. Ina waits for you there and as the door closes behind you, she asks, ”Well, will he join you?”
Kaylayne nods and leaves as Anlindil offers words about what it would take to get his support. In truth, it's what she wanted to do anyway: to take out some of her anger and kill the vrocks that had slain Ina in the first place.
Once outside, she addresses Ina and the party.
"I believe he will, but we must remove the vrocks above. The same vrocks that might have taken your first life, Ina. We can do it."
Kaylayne turns to the party.
"Might be that we return to Perelir first, and see Armistril. Perelir has magics we need to kill the vrock more easily, and Amristril clearly needs to see it in effect. We will not ask him to help, but to witness how divine magics might aid him in the future," Kaylayne says.
Kaylayne looks outside, trying to determine the time.
It's around mid-morning when you're done with Arlindil.
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Lief sighs, clearly unhappy that Arlindil's chosen to be hypocritical and incautious. "To be utterly transparent with you, Arlindil, we asked to speak with you and your Council, respectfully, and you insulted us as children for the impropriety of treating the Winter Council as 'plaything'. To appease you, we're asked to put our lives at risk to chase off a flock of vrock, which you yourself imply is futile work, and likely to bring misfortune should we be overwhelmed. The fact that we've traveled here through Tanglebriar, and Kaylayne's demonstration of her raw power to restore one of your own to life is not enough for you? I just want to be crystal clear with you."
Ederin raises his eyebrows as the elf gives them a task to complete to win him over. He almost laughs but keeps it to himself.
More 'an I expected to be honest. Thought he was 'bout ready to throw us all out. Ain't too keen on all them Vrock though.
When Lief tries to negotiate futher Ed waits for the response, though he's not expecting it to be anything helpful.
Lief sighs, clearly unhappy that Arlindil's chosen to be hypocritical and incautious. "To be utterly transparent with you, Arlindil, we asked to speak with you and your Council, respectfully, and you insulted us as children for the impropriety of treating the Winter Council as 'plaything'. To appease you, we're asked to put our lives at risk to chase off a flock of vrock, which you yourself imply is futile work, and likely to bring misfortune should we be overwhelmed. The fact that we've traveled here through Tanglebriar, and Kaylayne's demonstration of her raw power to restore one of your own to life is not enough for you? I just want to be crystal clear with you."
”Many have travelled through the Tanglebriar who were not worthy, and as for the rest,” he waives his hand dismissively, ”I’ve only your word for it. I do not know you son, and will not simply roll over and let you scratch my belly. Do this deed, or not, and I’ll know something of your measure.” He says nothing further.
"Might be that we return to Perelir first, and see Armistril. Perelir has magics we need to kill the vrock more easily, and Amristril clearly needs to see it in effect. We will not ask him to help, but to witness how divine magics might aid him in the future," Kaylayne says.
Kaylayne waits to here any feedback about her idea.
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Allarnon agrees. "If Perelir can help us take care of those vrocks a bit easier I am game. Arlindil treats these Vrocks in his attics as if it were a simple clearing of rats in his storage room." He sighs at having to face demons again. "We need to make sure we aren't dropped to our deaths." He nods at the young elven guide.
"We also have Hialin to visit"
Dimitrio agreed, "It may be worth to go see Amristril and show him how to better kill the demons."
He then shrugged, "But it may futile as you all say because we aren't going to kill all of them."
He then patted his blade and adjusted his armor, "So how many is a flock of vrocks? Are we talking two or three or many more?"
Kaylayne asks to return to see Perelir before going to Hailin. She will ask the elf if she will help.
"...we need a wand or a few scrolls to beautify our weapons. Can you help in this?"
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"I do not know you son, and will not simply roll over and let you scratch my belly. Do this deed, or not, and I’ll know something of your measure."
Lief's countenance darkens as he takes in the elf's words of dismissal and condescension. A dark flicker of thought congeals in his head. In the flicker, he watches as the entire elven nation's screams pummel Arlindil to death in retribution for his supreme narcissism. He watches the skeletons of elven children scratch at his belly, with broken-tipped fingers having dug themselves from the rubble of the Second Earthfall, animated by profound anguish, dragging themselves across the barren lands, to find the fleshy underside of this sheltered man-child.
He allows Arlindil to break eye contact, for he will not be the one to look away.
When the others turn to go, Lief debates staying, and offering words that only Arlindil will hear. Something tells the young man that any further words will not be truly heard. Not really.
"Might be that we return to Perelir first, and see Armistril. Perelir has magics we need to kill the vrock more easily, and Amristril clearly needs to see it in effect. We will not ask him to help, but to witness how divine magics might aid him in the future."
Lief almost says things he'd rather have said at Arlindil, at Kaylayne, but checks himself. "Are you sure that Arlindil won't simply dismiss us as weak, for having asked for help from Perelir, before attempting to demonstrate our measure?"
"Are you sure that Arlindil won't simply dismiss us as weak, for having asked for help from Perelir, before attempting to demonstrate our measure?"
Kaylayne shrugs.
"If we fail with him because we have shown him his deep failure to ask for help and arm properly before fighting demons, then I'll leave here a happy girl having proven that the wisdom of the elves is nothing but myth. However, I'm not going to die just to prove that old halfdead lagwit that I'm tough. Part of my toughness is that I'm smart."
Lief hears Kaylayne's answer, and finds it lacking. "That's just it. We're proving ourselves... to who? Perelir and Malindil, and for that matter, Arlindil, are unlikely to have watched us from afar, and ordered our assassination. They've gone inwards, caring little for the outside world. That leaves Hialin. I suggest we visit him now, damn the others. There is no Council to gather here. Hialin is our likely antagonist, and should be dealt with immediately. Let's not weaken ourselves against vrock. Let's prepare to deal with Hialin."
Kaylayne sees Lief's point, but continues to walk to Perelir. She had already thought this through. Because she's smart.
"This will just a moment, Lief. Perelir's not likely to have solutions for us now...tomorrow? Maybe. We won't know our options until we speak with her."
Perelir bids you enter when you knock. She gets up off her knees, having been praying at the altar. She looks surprised to see you so soon, ”Have the others agreed to meet? Well, then, I must say I’m surprised, I thought it would take more convincing for some of them.”
She looks to the party for answers.
Kaylayne asks to return to see Perelir before going to Hailin. She will ask the elf if she will help.
"...we need a wand or a few scrolls to beautify our weapons. Can you help in this?"
"Beautify? Oh, there are many ways to beautify a weapon, but I presume you mean bless, or rather align. Armistril has a wand I think, should still have some charges left. But he does like to save them for his troops you understand. I could craft something for you in a day or so. I want to finish my current project first. I do so hate several half-finished magics lying about."
"Why? Do you not have your own way of fighting demons?" she grows a little concerned...
"Why? Do you not have your own way of fighting demons?" she grows a little concerned.
"I bring back your dead, and you worry about my power?" Kaylayne snorts. "No, we have always overcome might vs. might when we have fought before. I know there are better ways and would seek your help. Your master-at-elves did not say he had any blessings at all, let alone to spare, I had hoped you might be more able to help."
Kaylayne pauses and backs off and backs up.
"But to answer your question, we have two on board. The third, Arlindil, barely rose out of coma to tell us he would agree if we removed the vrocks from his bellfry." Kaylayne snorts, annoyed at having to play these games. "But if that is what we must do, we shall. And that's why we need your magics to aid us. It will be easier with your help."
"We go to visit Hialin next. Hopefully, he, like you, will show some concern over these events rather than the tepid responses so far. It has been strange and strained conversations so far."
She frowns, "He does keep things close to the chest that one. Which is why I was surprised to see you at all. Normally, he wouldn't let strangers wander the halls with only Ina go watch over them. He's very protective of us you understand."
"Ahh, yes, the druid and his vrocks. They do annoy him so. Before our last Council meeting, those were his chambers above. But our protection was damaged in a, ah, scuffle, and we lost that part of the tower. Most unfortunate, he had such a lovely bed." she smiles in remembrance of something wonderful...
She turns back to the group and addresses Kaylayne's last point, "Unfortunately my spells are not aligned to demons today but rather to crafting. I could cast for you this evening after dark if you like. Or prepare a scroll in the next couple hours? Your choice."
Allarnon looks to Lief. "Do we have the time or should we just head on up to the oversized bats in the attic?"
He still shudders at the thought of facing the Vrocks and pictured himself being dropped back into the attic high from above.
He pauses and awaits for his doom.
Dimitrio answered, "If you want my opinion, I think we should wait to be better prepared. The elves don't seem to be in a hurry and the demons have been there for a very long time so what's the hurry?"
He shrugged, "A few more hours won't make a difference. Besides, we still don't know how big a flock is?"
"Might as well wait then. Gives us time to meet wit' the last elf, maybe they won't ask us for a favor too, but now that we've agree to kill vrock, who knows what they want from us.'
"Unfortunately my spells are not aligned to demons today but rather to crafting. I could cast for you this evening after dark if you like. Or prepare a scroll in the next couple hours? Your choice."
Kaylayne smiles, happy to have aid.
"A scroll would be keen. About 4 or maybe 6 castings? That would be helpful, if you could," Kaylayne answers. "Do you happen to know how many of the dirty birds are up there? Ina, do you?"
Lief agrees with Allarnon. "Yes, Ina, will you escort us to speak with Hialin?" The young man can only speculate as to the mental state of this last Councilor. Perhaps there will be no need to prove themselves, if Hialin proves to be their nemesis.
"A scroll would be keen. About 4 or maybe 6 castings? That would be helpful, if you could," Kaylayne answers. "Do you happen to know how many of the dirty birds are up there? Ina, do you?"
Perelir laughs, "Now wait a moment. That will take all day, scrolls are not penned so easily as you may imagine. I can give you a casting in two hours and perhaps another the two hours after that, but I won't give you my whole day's efforts just to kill a few more vrock and appease Arlindil." she adds. ”If you want to help Arlindil, that’s fine. But I’ve my own projects to handle as well you know.”
Ina says, ”There are a seemingly never ending amount of demons these days.” she shrugs, ”But I don’t know how many vrock are in Arlindil’s rooms at any given time no.”
When you've finished negotiating with Perelir, Ina will take you to Hialin's residence. His is in another tower, on an intact seventh floor. The stairwell opens to an arcane workshop, filled with materials used for testing the properties of magic items and potions. The center of the room is dominated by a long table topped by a magnificent alchemist’s laboratory.
Hialin (image) is there, bent over a vial when Ina announces the party. He looks up and scowls menacingly. "What do you lot want." he frowns.
"Now wait a moment. That will take all day, scrolls are not penned so easily as you may imagine. I can give you a casting in two hours and perhaps another the two hours after that, but I won't give you my whole day's efforts just to kill a few more vrock and appease Arlindil."
Kaylayne smiles, happy to get what she can get.
"We'll be back in a few hours then, Perelir. We just need a few castings, I think," Kaylayne says, her eyes counting Ederin's bow and Dimitrio's blade. She is unsure if others need it.
* * *
"What do you lot want?"
Kaylayne holds her tongue for someone to speak, as the formula has worked so well so far.
"What do you lot want?"
Lief watches Hialin's demeanor and body language. Seeing the wonderful array, Lief doesn't immediately answer Hialin. Instead, he leaves a little time to gauge the gaunt elf, while approaching, and looking over the table. Figuring the Councilor to be as unsteady as the rest, the young man eventually answers him.
"Beautiful set up you have here. You must be busy, producing weaponry against the demons. I dabble in alchemicals, myself. You're well-advanced, I have no doubt." Lief considers picking something up, but decides better.
"None of the other Councilors have shown the slightest interest in the outer world. The process of elimination tells me that you're the one responsible for the attempt on our lives, in Iadara. We are not here to revenge ourselves against you, but I suspect you have knowledge of General Allevrah, now Allevrah of the Drow House Azrinae, in Zirnakaynin. My friends and I would like to hear her story, before we travel to the Land of Black Blood, and confront her. Are you ally or enemy?"
Dimitrio held his tongue waiting to see how the wizard would react to Lief's bold statement.
He watched carefully to try and gauge if this elf was the leader of the pack.
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"Beautiful set up you have here. You must be busy, producing weaponry against the demons. I dabble in alchemicals, myself. You're well-advanced, I have no doubt." Lief considers picking something up, but decides better.
"None of the other Councilors have shown the slightest interest in the outer world. The process of elimination tells me that you're the one responsible for the attempt on our lives, in Iadara. We are not here to revenge ourselves against you, but I suspect you have knowledge of General Allevrah, now Allevrah of the Drow House Azrinae, in Zirnakaynin. My friends and I would like to hear her story, before we travel to the Land of Black Blood, and confront her. Are you ally or enemy?"
”I am well advanced and I’ll appreciate it if you all leave me to it. The defenses at Thorn’s End require vigilance, and your intrusion is untimely. Confront whom you like, but leave me alone.” his voice is strained and it’s clear he has no wish for you to be in his chambers.
Sense Motive
'Confront!?!'
Kaylayne bristles again, preparing a similar speech as last time.
But seeing as this one was likely the one who ordered them to be attacked, she holds her tongue...for the moment.
Lief weighs his next words and actions carefully. He turns to his companions, shooting them a look which hopefully reads of danger and warning.
This one is different. This one is dangerous.
He moves to the table, a bit away from Hialin, and studies the contents of the table more thoroughly.
He looks for things that should find a place in the battles with the demons below. He looks for ways to lend help, if only in symbolic gesture. He does not touch anything. Not yet.
"Hialin, speak to us of Allevrah, and we shall go. Speak fully, and we will bother you no more. Inspire us, and we may even join your battle here, where Arlindil and Malindil fail to do so. Surely you must want help in your vigilance."
The gaunt man scowls, and watches your gaze on his lab. It seems even your eyes are an intrusion into his life and he'll have none of it.
Second, there are some unfinished magics on the table, a few potions and a belt. Without a Detect Magic, or at least a more careful examination, it’s hard to know the contents.
”I’ll speak to you of no such thing. I don’t need your help.” he sneers. "You're interrupting a long planned alchemical reaction. I will not have you disrupt my work."
"Leave."
"And if we were to bid you join the other three for a convening of the Council, to discuss dire events, would you leave your work here to hear us out in the company of your fellow Councilors?"
You catch him by surprise and he laughs meanly, "You'll never get that lot in one room." he smirks clearly believing his knowledge to be superior to your own.
"Well, they've mostly agreed. We'll have them in there soon. No worries if you're too busy, we can meet and make decisions without you so you can continue up here," Kaylayne says helpfully, noting Lief's warning. "We'll let you know what they decide."
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"So far two of your companions are on board and the third just needs us to clear out the attic of a couple demons. Should be no big deal but it sounds like everyone is on board so far except for yourself." Allarnon tries to say it as confidently as he can though truly the Attic bats scare the crap out of him.
Allarnon gets and understands Lief's message and quickly quiets down as he doesn't know how to read or what to expect from Hialin. He has seen powerful magic since joining this group and if it is anything like Kaylayne's staff of destruction then he wants nothing to do with it.
Dimitrio adds his voice, "True that. We did manage to get everyone to agree to meet. The only delay is us taking care of some vrocks for the druid."
He ventured to taunt the man, "Do you not care enough to participate in a decision that could decide the fate of the elven nation? What's more important than that?"
Lief's face strains, seeking to depart quickly, so that they do not have to face Hialin, here and now. Something tells him not all of them would make it out alive. Knowing Kaylayne could bring them back is little consolation, as he marks Hialin for an elf who would know it is she to be struck down first, in that event.
"Come, Dimitrio. We've overstayed our welcome. Hialin will be summoned when the other three have gathered. Whether he chooses to heed the summons, well..."
Lief moves to exit, hoping it's as simple as that.
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"Got me wonderin' why it's even called the Winter Council." Ederin says, expressing his thoughts out loud as he leaves the room behind Lief.
"Criminals in Riddleport got better sense than these lot. Cooperate better too. Would be a city of rottin' buildings and filth if every leader locked himself away the way these fancylads do."
"Well, they've mostly agreed. We'll have them in there soon. No worries if you're too busy, we can meet and make decisions without you so you can continue up here," Kaylayne says helpfully, noting Lief's warning. "We'll let you know what they decide."
"So far two of your companions are on board and the third just needs us to clear out the attic of a couple demons. Should be no big deal but it sounds like everyone is on board so far except for yourself." Allarnon tries to say it as confidently as he can though truly the Attic bats scare the crap out of him.
Dimitrio adds his voice, "True that. We did manage to get everyone to agree to meet. The only delay is us taking care of some vrocks for the druid."
He ventured to taunt the man, "Do you not care enough to participate in a decision that could decide the fate of the elven nation? What's more important than that?"
"Come, Dimitrio. We've overstayed our welcome. Hialin will be summoned when the other three have gathered. Whether he chooses to heed the summons, well..."
The razor thin elf watches you all as you try to be polite and convince him. He nearly spits at you, when finally Lief speaks. "You most certainly have worn out your welcome. Bye."
You are able to leave his chambers without further incident, but you're sure there's one council member who doesn't like, nor trust you - or anything you say.
Ina waits down the stairwell and greets you as before. She looks relieved that you're all there, and in one piece. "So... is he coming?" she asks uneasily.
Ina waits down the stairwell and greets you as before. She looks relieved that you're all there, and in one piece. "So... is he coming?" she asks uneasily.
Dimitrio shook his head, "Not likely. We tried to ask politely and even tried to prod him along by stating that the rest of the council would meet and make decisions without him. All to no avail."
He continued, "He said he was working on some alchemical reaction for the defense of Thorn's End. Do you know what he's doing?"
He looked at Lief, "Do you know what he's doing, Lief?"
Lief turns to Ina, hearing her unease. "He's the last, and will be unable to stay away if he learns that the other three have finally gathered. Ina, thank you for your escort. My group needs to speak in private, if only briefly. Can you show us a quiet room?"
"Do you know what he's doing, Lief?"
Once they're alone, Lief answers Dimitrio. "He's rotting. There are many things on that table he's working on, but that's besides the point. He's becoming Hate Incarnate, and I didn't want to risk igniting his fuse just now. Not when we can bring Perelir, Malindil, and Arlindil together and face him as a collective. Without demonstrating his ire, how far he's slipped, they might have just as easily assumed they were all under attack, and come to his defense."
Lief turns back to the others. "Unless we want to deceive Hialin, we might have to deal with the vrock, in order to get Arlindil to the table. I don't enjoy the prospect, because we need to be at full strength when we bring them all together. I want Hialin dead, and the Council should participate in his destruction."
Ina shrugs at Dimitrio, "I know little of such things unfortunately. But he is a powerful spell caster of some sort. I've seen him disintegrate demons before." she shudders, not wanting to die that way.
She escorts you to an unused practice room with more weapons lining the walls, and stands outside the door to ensure your privacy. The doors here are thick, and you doubt she'd hear much, even if she tried.