‘Eκάτη's Endless Night

Game Master ‘Eκάτη

"I was stuck in those forsaken wide open spaces up above for what seemed like forever. We finally get back and seems like it gained us nothing that I can see. Have you heard anything about another attack on the surface? Different location maybe so we can get a foothold?" Cuthalian asks in an exasperated tone. He drops a pair of gold pieces on the bar for the drinks assuming the tab will be established later.

@Cuthalian: I think this liqueur made from the best white mosses will suit you. Fragrant notes and light sweetness are what will best help you relax after such a trip. 20 gold pieces. I assume that you're taking a drink. He takes out a very decent liqueur glass and pours quite a bit, clearly hoping that you will drink it slowly. You pay attention to his hands. These are certainly the overworked and calloused hands of a warrior who changed his profession some time ago. They say they have found another portal. I think several Greater Houses are now "disputing" who owns it and who will be the first to take advantage of this privilege. For example, mages of Vonnarc House are well-known portal specialists. On the other hand, the find, like most finds in our lands, belongs to the House Dolour. I think some other Houses, greater or lesser, have something to say about this. You're trying the liquor. It is really very good, although it may be too sweet and dessert. However, as I said, in the absence of the House Azrinae and especially the matron of this house, activity has waned. It seems that she already has everything to burn these traitorous sun-lovers. He pours himself a little liqueur and holds out a glass in your direction, clearly offering to clink glasses. Toast. Death to traitors under the sun. May we be avenged.

"Just one of those, I'm still on a soldiers wage." Cuthalian says responding to the drink offer which he pays for. Raising his glass he intones, "May we be avenged." Then he changes the subject, "What house did you fight for?"

Pharnis chuckles. We can say House Dolour... Most of the time, I acted as a guide for beings who wanted to get into our city and had the courage to do so... I did not become a member of any of the Houses... I've been on the road and among non-elves too often to serve any of the Houses worthily... But I always took Dolour's interests into account. He's talking a little thoughtfully now. From his smile, it is clear what would have become of him if he had not taken into account the interests of the Greater House, which apparently oversees ranger activities outside Zirnakaynin.

I think a good roll of diplomacy or a good roll of money will help you gather more information about the balance of power in the city (if you wish - frankly, you can do it a lot of places and with a lot of people, it's clearly part of the drow mindset).

Terzarin does not want to interfere with Cuthalian's progress. He nods encouragingly at whatever he says and tries to aid in the Diplomacy roll.

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (16) + 8 = 24

Huh, I'm not sure that Cuthalian wants to roll diplomacy. But if he decides to offer money, then thanks to your help, Pharnis will give more information (as if you paid a little more).

The ghoul nods, listening to a few formal polite phrases from Soryan. He will have no difficulty answering where he came from, clearly considering the answer to be quite obvious and at the same time proud of this answer. Having sailed across the great sea, I arrived from Nemret Noktoria*, a beautiful rotting pearl of the Darklands.

*A difficult Locale check to figure out what it is (on the surface, the sages could have heard about this place, unlike Zirnakaynin). Religion check on this creature will not give anything special (I assume that with the knowledge of your character, you know perfectly well what a ghoul is), except realizing that this ghoul knows how to control his hunger and probably has "class levels".

Cuthalian just nods as if that is the way of things. He knows he has no way with words and often frustration with his inability to get his thoughts across leads to violence. So, for now, he just sips on his drink.

Terzarin, I would think, would know Cuthalian is not much of a people person and as likely to cause a bar fight as get any significant information.

This is the start of a wonderful relationship!

Cirok simply sips his drink (pinky properly displayed). His drow eyes finding the scene(s) quite entertaining and possibly gladiatorial.

I'm happy to do the talking for you, especially with that roll. :-)

Terzarin chats with the bartender for a while about this and that. Rumors, gossip, and so on. And gradually learns the general balance of power in the city... I will think a little about the result for 24 and prepare a text and one interesting slide for you...

Cuthalian has thoughts about what he has heard but wants a private meeting with his comrades to discuss it. He waits as they continue to discuss the goings on of the city.

After drinking some more time, chatting with the bartender and the ghoul from the far southern lands, you go back to the Vonnarс House. The pain in the muscles after the battle, fatigue and nervous tension make themselves felt, and the thought of the tortures that are accepted among the drow makes you want to sleep well and not be late for service... Anyway, it makes sense until you still need your spy legend. Nothing interesting, right? Gadak is clearly not surprised.

You will have time to chat in private, most likely having already arrived at the house (unless you are going to plug the Gadak's ears in some way on the way, heh).

Also, Cirok, roll another will save please (at night).
______

DAY 5

The slavemother seems to be in a playful mood today. She's obviously having fun sending some of you to unusual jobs. Does she want to test your abilities?

Soryan, you are sent as a watchman through the corridors of the house. (Perception check please). Cirok, you are being sent on patrol (no check needed). Colgrim and Cuthalian, you are sent to take care of gekko in the stable (separate Handle Animal checks please). Terzarin, you are sent for a whole day to train with weapons, jump over obstacles and do the rest of the routine soldier training (Constitution check please; feats like Endurance will help here).

Cirok rests fitfully.

Will: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (13) + 5 = 18 (+2 enchantment/illusion)

The next morning, the Rogue ready for a relaxing day of patrols....

Handle Animal, what is charisma again?: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (6) - 1 = 5

Colgrim decides that punching a lizard is the perfect way to get it to calm down.

Once alone with the team Cuthalian shares, "The bartender mentioned House Azrinae. He made it sound as if the Matron of the house is unusually inactive but that is because she believes she has everything needed to burn the sun-lovers. That, to me sounds like our target. At the same time he said there is another portal, for all I know that's the one we came through since he said House Dolour claims it but Vonnarc has portal specialists. I think House Azrinae is our target and getting the location of that portal we came through will be needed to plan for our escape."

Сirok slept well, although he woke up with a vague anxiety in his heart. He was tormented by disturbing dreams, but in the morning he could not remember any of them.

Сolgrim in the stalls punched a lizard in the face that seems to belong to one of the aristocrats. Perhaps Cuthalian can save the situation?

”Hold on there Colgrim, let me give you a hand. Unlike the old wives tale about animals can smell fear, it’s more like they can sense your energy. Negative emotions such as fear, anger, or frustration can get an animal to act up. You need to relax around the beasts.” Cuthalian says as he brings the large lizard under control.

Handle animal: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (16) + 8 = 24

Dern lizards. Colgrim grumped. Never got along with mounts of any kind.

The situation in stables has de-escalated.)
@Everyone, You can also discuss your plans for day 5 in parallel with rolls, taking into account all the information received. After 8 hours of work, you can go somewhere. Or not .)
Soryan, Cirok and Terzarin are up!

Terzarin takes the workout "in stride," never complaining and maybe even learning something.
Con: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (13) + 1 = 14

This is great. I would fight by your side at any time, teacher. Thank you for what you've taught me.

Most likely need to find out where there soldiers go to drink. Plenty of information there. Probably go ask Gadak. That drow is a wellspring of information.

The Rogue winks.

Colgrim wonders why they just can't punch their way through.

We keep hitting him up with questions, and he'll start being really interested why we keep asking them

"I'm amazed I found that much information. I need our information experts to see if they can find out where Azrinae is, then we need to work a plan to sneak in there and take out this means of destroying the sun-lovers. This evening we take out the duergar for the darkstalker, then we get the darkstalker to give us information on Azrinae. We can even pay him for it but that needs to be our next target."

Soryan's Perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (8) + 6 = 14

Soryan manages to spot the quasit spy and raise the alarm. Whether the little demon was caught or not remains a mystery, but Soryan's attentiveness was noticed.

Cuthalian manages to cope with the lizards and calm them down, as well as skillfully does all the necessary care for the sled animals. Colgrim's ineptitude did not go unnoticed, but no lashes today, thanks to his partner.

Terzarin, perhaps to his own surprise and certainly to the surprise of the Pain Giver, copes well with all exercises, drills and sparrings.

If you want to learn something basic about Azrinae, technically you can do it without leaving the estate. You meet other drow in the dinning room, go together on patrol, and so on. This will be a check of diplomacy to gather information (no additional 1d4 hours is needed in this case). If you want to do this without possible attracting attention, then these are separate checks. If you are ready to draw someone's attention that you are all interested in this, then you can aid for the lead check. However, this is just an option and you can do it in the city (additional time will be needed there according to the usual rules).

I added a new slide - this is what you (and first of all Terzarin in the tavern) found out... Let's just say that in 5 days a certain general picture of the balance of power in the city has developed. The Inner Circle is the Greater Houses. The Outer Circle is a significant Lesser Houses.

If you want to learn something basic about Azrinae, technically you can do it without leaving the estate. You meet other drow in the dinning room, go together on patrol, and so on. This will be a check of diplomacy to gather information (no additional 1d4 hours is needed in this case). If you want to do this without possible attracting attention, then these are separate checks. If you are ready to draw someone's attention that you are all interested in this, then you can aid for the lead check. However, this is just an option and you can do it in the city (additional time will be needed there according to the usual rules).

Terzarin will start by asking vague questions about Azrinae after doing his exercises and impressing the others. He tries not to attract attention, as you said above.

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (18) + 8 = 26

Cirok does indeed begin discreet inquiries concerning House Azrinae. The Rogue integrates himself while having lunch in the cafeteria.

Diplomacy (Cha) to gather information: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (9) + 12 = 21

Cuthalian keeps his trap shut and works hard awaiting a chance to crush heads. But I do wonder when we are going to take out the duergar group. This evening perhaps?

That souths like a good idea, Cuth.

Cirok and Terzarin, both of you learn that the House Azrinae has indeed left the city of Zirnakaynin. Of course, they left reliable guards on their estate (and there are rumors of truly monstrous and powerful creatures summoned by forgotten rituals bestowed by the Demon Lord Abraxas to this family over thousands of years of faithful service), but most of them left the city led by a matron named Allevrah Azrinae.

Cirok, you find confirmation of what Kaerishiel told you on the surface. Despite the fact that many dark elves hate her (which is generally normal in drow society and does not stand out in any way), matron Allevrah also enjoys great respect in society. She was the main warmonger, the author of the idea of a crusade against the light elves and promised her people "revenge for betrayal" and "the final solution to the elven question." She gathered around her a huge number of fanatics, including the younger nobles from other houses. At some point, exploiting this idea, she herself became a force that could tell all the noble houses of the city what and how to do as long as it concerned the main task - war and the destruction of elves from the surface.

Terzarin, you learn a couple more things in addition. No one knows exactly where the Azrinae House went. But very, very many of them left, and these were packing for a long journey. It is no secret that by the time they return, all surface elves will be wiped off the face of the earth.

Terzarin, you also find out that she became a Matron in a rather unusual way. Obviously, daughters often kill sisters and mothers in order to ascend to the top of power in their Houses, but in fact it always happens so that it looks like an accident. Allevrah, who was the eldest daughter at that time, killed the previous matron Simovara Azrinae in public, entering the estate without a fight with an army of fanatics and sacrificing her to the Demon Lord Abraxas alive right in the audience chamber of Azrinae's estate. On the one hand, it was a shock and a slap in the face to the traditions and customs of the dark elves, on the other hand, this savagery, cruelty and determination attracted new supporters to her. To some extent, she was a problem, leading the drow society to split and many of the nobility exhaled calmly when she left the city. However, the question remains what will happen when Allevrah Azrinae returns.

...If she comes back, of course. It seems that the chaotic nature of the drow leads to the fact that many do not look too far ahead, unless it concerns their immediate machinations to rise in power and wealth.

Is there somewhere we can go that is protected from scrying? When he feels safe Terzarin will excitedly share what he has learned and suggest we check out the mostly abandoned estate when we finish with the duergar.

You do not know for sure a place in the house (especially one that is accessible to you) that would definitely be protected from scrying magic. By the way, I think some of you are confusing Duergars and Derro. Or you have something very unexpected on your mind .)

So?

Cirok does meet back up with everyone to discuss the information that they gleaned.
It may take a few to fully digest that information. In the meantime, we could take care of that derro issue.

Colgrim educates the group on Duergar and Derro. The lecture includes quite a deal of curses and comparing said dwarves to what is found on the bottom of one's boot.

I think I was just repeating what someone else typed. I meant derro, yes.

Are we ready to go? No other healing or restoring needed?

All set.

How do you go to the "city"? On Gadak's wagon or otherwise? If you want to take gekko, you will need a bluff check (you are going on Vonnark's business), diplomacy (just ask) or intimidation (ask insistently let's call it that) to take the riding lizards. One general check from one party member is enough. In the case of riding with Gadak, no checks are needed.

Other ways are also possible (sell your soul to a powerful demon and learn how to teleport? Why not!)

I will be interested in this every time you leave the estate.

You pass through Eirdrisseir and Arshyvhar (Cocyrdavarin's middle part) without any problems. The beautiful and deadly city of the dark elves lives its own dark life. Rare cries of pain on the one hand are mixed with equally rare but vivid moans of pleasure on the other. There is an active and somewhat noisy trade in the Gray Market, carts and couriers deliver goods here and there, richly dressed drow surrounded by less flashy bodyguards just stroll or go about their business plotting dark plans - who knows?... The city lives.

A little before reaching Ghenavoc (see yellow token on the Roll20 map), you see the following disgusting picture. Three armed drow are standing in the middle of a recent massacre. There are four bodies lying around in pools of blood. One body belongs to a drow, dressed and equipped in much the same way as the three standing ones. The other three, probably already dead or seriously injured, are dressed more like a beggars. They also look like drow, but with significant differences. One has a claw instead of a hand, the other has powerful beetle-like jaws that can easily bite through a human body, the legs and arms of the third are more like the clawed paws of a lizard.

In addition, there is another participant, the last of the poor mutants. Her tough skin looks like the black scales of a snake and apparently it protected her for some time with its hardness from blows, but in the end the swords, daggers and bolts managed to cut holes in it. She's barely standing with her back against the wall, all covered in blood, but continues to desperately wave his dagger at the attackers.

The three drow are already playing with her rather than trying to kill her quickly. One lures out to himself, and while the "mutant" reacts with a dagger, the other makes a quick cut, causing a mixture of furious growl and groans of pain. Obviously, she cannot stand for long - and in general, she is alive only because her killers are "playing" with her.

You are not the only ones witnessing this scene. Some drow watch from the windows of their houses, others just passers-by stopped to stare.

If you want to do something, then the score goes by seconds - the game is clearly coming to an end. If not, then you can move on your way - no one is stopping you.

”Keep moving,” Cuthalian says, focused on the mission as he is.

Knowledge (local) (Int) to what House they belong to?: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (4) + 6 = 10
Anyone do better?

Looks like that one would be good to put into the arena! Shame for it to go to waste! Colgrim tries some half baked attempt at getting the drow to not kill the being.

They're going to turn on you. We should leave.

Cirok couldn't identify who they were or which house they belonged to. In response to Colgrim's attempt to appeal to their minds, he receives only a couple of puzzled glances, both from one of the attackers and from a couple of passers-by. Meanwhile, another blow hits somewhere in the liver area and the mutant woman falls to the ground. Convulsions shake her and one of the attackers bends over her, grabbing her by the hair and holding a short sword to her throat. This is clearly not an interrogation or anything, he's just going to look into her eyes before cutting her throat.

You are slowly passing by...

Dependent on another's Local roll if Cirok interferes. He would like to recruit the mutants unless the drow are from House V?

Colgrim just shrugs.

Terzarin says a SILENT prayer for the mutant, but keeps walking. Their mission is world-changing.

Drow cuts the mutant's throat to the mocking remarks of his partners. Blood splashes on the pavement and life fades in eyes filled with horror... The killers have no sympathy for their dead comrade, quickly check whether everyone they attacked is dead, delivering control blows with swords and daggers, and disappear into the darkness of the alleys of Zirnakaynin...

You continue on your way. A heavy feeling appears in the chest of most of you. Probably, when you can look at the scenes of cold-blooded and brutal murder with complete indifference, you will no longer find a place in the world for which you are fighting. But until that happens, everything you see hurts your heart in one way or another.

You are entering Ghenavoc. The poverty of this area contrasts with the upper town, and you follow the route to the abandoned warehouse that became the derro's base. You stop a few streets away - there is time to prepare and come up with a plan.

Cirok peers intently at the warehouse, while wasting zero time slipping various wands from his Haversack and casting them.

The Rogue then turns to his fellows.
Be right back.

Turning to speak to nothing, he says
Go to that front door of that warehouse and pick up something of max weight and hold it high.

He then Stealths to said warehouse, walking its parameter, taking especially note of sentries, Traps, hazards and entrances.
Taking 10s until cannot. Stealth+17 Perception +13(+4 Traps, Trap Spotter

Stealth (Dex), fast stealth 60': 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (19) + 17 = 36
Perception : 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (6) + 13 = 19 (+4 Traps; Trap Spotter (Ex))

The Rogue returns within 1 minute of leaving. He then tells everyone what he has seen....