Turin calmly follows his compatriots and speaks, "anyone care to enlighten the Numerian? Robots and las guns I do know, elves the color of pitch, zilch."
Lorald had little to say concerning the drow. He had met few elves and so simple physical differences seemed unimportant to him. No more then a Ulfen between a Chelexian. Zartana was on the council and he treated her no differently. Still they did have a reputation and exceptions always existed. If his comrade was an exception then so be it. As always he would judge himself, not by the words of others.
"I have some expertise in stalking prey as well as ranged combat. As long as they are with in 120 feet. I can cover you during your interaction without being noticed, at least until I fire upon them. If I am supplied with any sort of poison or magical bolt, bring one down but alive will not be outside my abilities. Their are some bolt designs that make them nonlethal if somewhat unwieldy."
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So Zartana and Kyras, in disguise, creep up towards where they've been told the Drow are positioned. Everyone else follows along after at the agreed distance.
Kyras is having some trouble, because despite his heritage, he does not have full darkvision, merely low-light. It's a moonless night and the cold, heavy clouds block the stars.
As Zartana approaches the spot she sees several drow positioned on top of some nearby rocks. They spot her and a series of whistles are heard.
Down below, in front of a small spring-fed pool are two Drow females, each planked by a pair of bodyguards. They turn to face the new arrivals, cutting off their conversation with curt hand-gestures.
Further back, along the rock face are a line of blubbering humans. They have been shackled, hands and feet, and are chained to the ground in a kneeling position. There appears to be about a dozen.
The female who appears to be in charge turns towards Zartana, and in strangely accented elven begins to say: "Who sent you? What are you..."
A look of shock crosses her face, and she makes a complicated gesture with her hand, causing her compatriot to bow her head and make a gesture of respect.
"Matron," she continues, in a more respectful tone, "how may this one be of assistance to thee?" she, in turn, has adopted a very submissive posture.
Zartana was a bit shocked, but hid her emotions. Her new role had her practicing it quite a lot lately
"Greetings. It seems you know me. That is good to hear. But before this conversation continues any further. I would like to know what you heard and from whom, so that i can judge the... knowledge"
She was in unfamiliar terrain, and it was a bit frustrating. She had feint ideas on how to act. But the way these drow acted toward her... she was in deep water. Yet her curiosity needed to be sated. So hopefully she can gain knowledge about herself without setting off alarms
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The senior priestess settles a hand on her scourge. "Matron, we were sent to the surface when our scouts discovered a broken Seal of Bactrophan, possibly from tunneling being done in the area. We were ordered to investigate a nearby human settlement by taking captives and returning to the Court of Ether as quickly and quietly as possible."
"This one," she casts a scornful glance to her underling, "suggests we might have been seen and should retreat to the Narvoth. I feel one more raid is warranted. The humans will be unlikely to respond in this weather," she gestures to the falling rain. "Humans fear the cold and the dark. She and her guards chuckle at that.
Darn, i look de part, but i lack deir darkvision.
When he sees the number of the welcoming committee, his thoughts quickly shift, thinking of opportune spots to conjure pits at. He keeps behind Zartana, as the drow females are the leading gender.
I'm surprised dose guys aren't bein' punished for whistlin' at a female in public, with two more of deir women present.
She shakes her head
"I suggest leave as quickly as possible. I think you were found out and might be captured. I wish to stay in contact. Ive been outside and above ground to moniter movements." she looks around. She wont be able to keep them occupied for long, and the fact they wanted to raid another settlement, it was too much. But she needs to find more information
"leave the few humans with me or leave them here. They will slow you down. Knock them out if needed to avoid that your escape route is found out. I do not wish for anyone to be captured by these cowardly surface dwellers. But i wish to stay in contact. Its been a while, ive been on the surface for far too long." she chuckles
"But you are correct, they fear the dark. To avoid spending of resources, i can aid in the escape. Darkness is our friend is it not?" she gives her a knowing grin
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Carter watches the goings on with his own Darkvision and his black coat pulled tight against the cold and to conceal his shiny decorative armor. He's recently had the piece in the front of the long collar engraved with the seal of the founders of FreeWater with his own seal as magister(I think that's his title) in a circle. He may only be here in case of emergency, but he's rather well suited for hiding and watching in these cases, despite his loathing for both cold temperatures and rain.
Kyras relays the message to whomever was closest.
De party 'as de 'ostages 'ere. Dey also 'ad intention to attack odd'er nearby settlements. Zartana is tryin' to get dem to leave de 'ostages to 'er.
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Carter is indeed the magister of Freewater. Since he's so well suited for this mission he won't mind making a Stealth check.
The Drow facing Zartana whistles a trilling note and the guards quickly begin to move. First they scan the periphery and then move cautiously back towards the captives.
"I had not heard you were away from your Seat," says the Drow, who quickly raises her hands in a defensive posture. "Not that it is my affair where you are and where you are not, Matron," she says with downcast eyes.
She hands Zartana what appears to be a black sheet of paper, with water running off of it in beads. "I will alert Matron Everhth to the situation. Do you desire to take some of our males to handle these humans? Or would you prefer we slay them?"
The guards have all retreated behind the captives and draw their rapiers, preparing to deliver deathblows to each of the captives.
"i will handle the humans myself. I have not had fun in some time. This will be a well deserved break" she then points at the one behind her
"He is well capable of handeling himself in combat." then to affirm herself in their eyes
"But his manners in bed i am still working on" she laughs
"Now hurry. Leave. I will take care of them. Pack and move. I will await your contact."
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Keep ready, Zartana's given choice of extra drow to 'andle de 'ostages or murder on de spot. De male drow 'ave rapiers on kill positions.
In case Kyras doesn't understand what they're saying; He'd be having a hunch that he's being mocked.
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They say all dogs are black in the dark. At any rate Carter doesn't seem to be noticed by the Drow.
At any rate one of the males tosses a set of keys to the Drow priestess who in turn passes it over to Zartana. "May the Queen of Destruction strengthen you," she says. Soon the Drow soldiers pass into the poll, which seems to have some entrance hidden into the side of it.
Kyras understands them well enough, they are clearly speaking elve, just one with an unfamiliar accent.
All that are left above ground are the whimpering humans, chained to the muddy ground.
Lorald had kept his sniping position the entire time. Watching and waiting for the time things turned bad. It seemed that time would not come, still he kept watch and ready. Until one of his two comrades gave the all clear he would stay hidden with his trigger finger ready and a row of black feathered bolts laid with in grabbing distance.
Kyras relays the drow have left and it's clear for the others to come over.
Turin walks towards the prisoners and speaks to the rest of his companions, "get these people unchained and give them a medical checkup..."
Turin then turns to Lorald and speaks in a faint whisper... His tone is serious but not accusatory...
"We need to talk...after this."
Jenya moves in and starts to help with the hostages. You could fool them into thinking you're their Queen, Zar
Carter will see to their health, something he's actually good at.
Take 10, Heal to check for conditons. He wears his spectacles of deathwatch, so he already knows what sort of HP they're on.
Alanya swoops down, landing with the others' approach.
"So you two, what did you say to make them leave? Zartana was probably very convincing, you didn't have to speak up at all did you Kyras?"
He remains lip tight for a moment.
"Let's not talk about that right now, she convinced them, end of story."
"They had taken hostages."
Btw, Carter backed down into human form, his wide brimmed hat keeping his ears hidden and the rain off, so as not to put the poor people through anything else startling.
"I like the wings, by the way. I've been meaning to try something like that."
"Thank you ^^. Would yours be like a bird's too, or draconic or bat?"
"If what I think works works, mostly cotton, silk, and magic."
He responds idly, checking on people.
Turin upon hearing Carter's desire for wings speaks... With a hand lightly clasped on the man's shoulder.
"Don't worry about wings, in due time I will have a functional jetpack available... As it stands I've been meaning to co opt you for your order, haven't had time to get at it and i'm wondering if you could advise me on your bandages..."
"I don't know what that means, but I feel like I'm close to a breakthrough with mine, no offense. Also, I'm not really good at working with magical objects, unless they come in a bottle. Magic of the fickle variety tends not to like me. Sorry. Magic defined by alchemy and chemistry is fine, but as an entity it doesn't care for me. If you can get it done at some point, I can pay regular price. Grandfather prefers we pass with no favors owed."
He seems perfectly capable of carrying a conversation while working, and does so as he tends to people.
Lorald gets up from his hiding spot, seeming to grow out of the ground. He makes his way over, crossbow still in hand and alert for anything. When Turin speaks he does not spare him a look, the man's words had not been forgotten and he had done nothing to earn his respect, much less consideration as of yet. Speaking to everyone in general.
"We should not linger, let us start putting some distance between us and this place."
Addressing Zartana.
"If you could be troubled Zartana, would you recount what just transpired between you and the other drow. With the rain I could not make out much words."
Raven watches the interaction with interest. It seemed Zartana was well respected where she came from, or the other dark skinned elves simply mistook her for someone else. Either way, Raven kept her thoughts to herself. She approached only when it was safe and checks on the prisoners. She gives a knowing nod to Zartana as she does so.
Turin's answer to Carter is polite but slightly urgent in the last few lines.
"Understood Carter, although if you desire to learn about the use of magical items visit me and I will do my best to instruct you... As it stands I have a project you might be interested in, this involves your alchemical expertise. Meet me say tomorrow night?"
Turin then calmly proceeds to investigate the area for anything suspicious...
perception
As he does this he "wanders" over to Jenya ands speaks quietly, "I have a special project in mind, it involves your blackpowder... Meet me say tomorrow night?"
Continuing his relentless inspection of the surrounding area Turin speaks to yet another member of the group, Natalya. His voice is still quiet but not truly secretive.
"As I remember you saying previously you desired to learn more of Numeria, if you so desire meet me tomorrow evening."
"I'd prefer day. Night meetings look bad."
He stands and wipes his hands off on his coat, ready to help get the people to Freewater.
She stood there, watching as her kin vanish into the night. She slips the paper into her pocket then starts to help the rest.
Power. Respect. And so much more. She had a great urge to gain all od that. All she had to do was warn them. She could say one thing, but her hands could say something else. With a group like this. She could have had majority control of the council. It was hard. But she knew these drow were not her friends or family. But the option was there...
"In time I will tell you, but I need to process everything first. All you need to know at this point, there will be no more attacks on our people. For now. At least. Thats how i understand it"
She was in a bit of a daze as they walked back. Her mind somewhere else
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Lorald said nothing at Zartana's response. Clearly she was holding something back, he did not like that. He did not like the numerian's ways ether as he floated about trying to dig into the others. He would have a patrol of obsidian eagles stationed in the area, keeping it under close watch for the next six months. Not that he would inform anyone of that. This would not happen again and if the drow appeared, only their corpses would be brought before the council's attention. He didn't care who or what they were, they enslaved people with in the river kingdoms. Even in this lawless land that was taboo and more then the people of Freewater would have something to say about that, more so if the slavers were just left alone by them.
Natalya joins the team as everyone is finishing up, captives released and being escorted home. She checks with everyone to ensure nothing else needs doing this night
Well done on the rescue, I'll catch up on the details once everyone is back safe, just let me know if I can do anything. Sorry I was not here for the start of this, I've been training this one...
she gestures to the white wolfcub with blue eyes that is trailing at her heels.
His coat tends to make him stick out somewhat, we'll have to see if we can do something about that for the non-winter months.
she looks up as Turin approaches and listens to his suggestion
I'm curious I must admit, and my social calender is sadly more bereft than a lady of my age should really be, I'd be glad to drop by and see what you are talking about.
Kyras takes off the hat, reverting to his own self as he and Zartana walked with the others.
"I'd appreciate if you'd teach me dat accent and any languages in case we get a run-in wit' dis lot. My social skills are meanin'less if i don't sound de part. Anyway, you look like you could use a sofa to relax on dis, non?"
Kyras takes off the hat, reverting to his own self as he and Zartana walked with the others.
"I'd appreciate if you'd teach me dat accent and any languages in case we get a run-in wit' dis lot. My social skills are meanin'less if i don't sound de part. Anyway, you look like you could use a sofa to relax on dis, non?"
She gives him a wary smile, then shakes her head
"I'll be okay, just need to be alone for a while. We can talk about languages and those kind of studies at a later stage..."
He nods.
"Mm, you take care den."
, he notices the more active way of Turin.
"Turin looks more...social? Or is it just me?"
"Huh? oh. no.I haven't noticed much. But if you say so..."
Prefer daytime, but evening's alright Jenya says to Turin.
To Zartana Managed to save a lot of folks today. I'm sure you've got a lot of stuff to think about. We'll wait for ya.
"Thanks. If you need me... just knock..."
When they reach their little town, she goes straight to her room. Closing the door behind her. Time to try and sort the happenings of the day out.
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The captives have not been treated well, but none of these are seriously injured. Dry clothes, a few meals and a few days rest and they should be right again.
Turin looks over the area for suspicious things and finds that the Drow had come out of a tunnel in the side of the small pool, easily overlooked. It appears that at one time the entrance was sealed by a stone carving of a grinning frog, but that had shattered, exposing the tunnel.
So if you guys are done here we can head back to town.