‘Eκάτη's Endless Night

Game Master ‘Eκάτη

Perception: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (13) + 10 = 23

Colgrim does his duty but also is thinking furiously on everything that has happened. He realizes that he is severely lacking in any skill that extends beyond combat and practices his scowling and glaring skills so he can persuade people better.

Cuthalian stands around bored and seethes at the lost time. After duty hours he heads straight back to their room with an idea to share.

Once everyone is back…

”I think we need to leave this place. We could operate out of the city. After receiving the greater enchanted weapon, we can sell my old sword and get lodging with that. Plus, we have the derro captured gear we could sell off. From there we can explore as needed without having to answer to anyone. Standing duty is wasting our time and getting our people hurt. We can focus on house Azrinae until we learn what they are up to.”

Cirok just stares at the Drow wizard and shrugs.
Unfortunately, mine Arts lie elsewhere, my liege. Perhaps, if his lordship would like someone assassinated?

The Not a Top Chef departs for his punishment even prior to being ordered.
No worries, mate. I am familiar with the route.

A bit of perspiration wetting his brow, the Fatigued Rogue enters the Slave Mitress' chamber with only a bit of pep in his step.
A pleasure, Slave Mitress. I was only advertising my potential usefulness to your esteemed person. Although, admittedly, I also was hoping that those three asshats would have gotten the blame. My skills could actually further perpetrate your rise, although being beaten, bloodied and battered does complicate the idea a bit.

Cirok smiles.

This place doesn't seem the type to just accept people skipping off, we have a way to get contacts to whereever we need to go. Maybe our wizard could try sniffen into the mage orders about whatever we need to find.

"I'm sure it wouldn't but every day we stay here we risk being flogged, or worse, for some perceived failure. None of us sleep well within these walls and one of us has such horrid nightmares that they trap him in his sleep. If we were to leave one evening and not come back they may come looking for us but we could just kill them. It won't get the whole city up against us because it'll be seen as a House Vonnarc issue. This spot gave us an initial point from which we could get our bearings. We've got them. Now there is no reason for us to stay. We have a mission to complete and this place gets in the way." Cuthalian says fighting to keep his voice low due to his conviction on the matter.

Botting
Terzarin's Perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (13) + 6 = 19
Soryan's Handle Animal: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (7) + 3 = 10

Terzarin proved himself to be a good guardian, but it seems Soryan could not get close to the riding lizards in any way so as not to run into growling and dangerous behavior.

@Cirok

You are a very strange drow, Cirok. I've never seen anyone behave like you. To dodge, to lie, to blame others... But not to admit his guilt outright. A very unusual path to power and authority. It may end in a dead end, keep in mind.

She looks at you expectantly for a while, then adds, tapping her finger on the glass.

Rumors about the lightning-fast killing of a four-armed giant in underground battles have even reached here... Your squad definitely has talents. I'll think about how you can be useful to me... But I also want to take a closer look. Do your job, and do it well.

@EVERYONE except Cirok

Please make two checks. First d100 (more is better), then Perception. Please make rolls for Soryan too.

secret: 1d100 ⇒ 18
Perception: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (12) + 10 = 22

d100: 1d100 ⇒ 33

perception: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (12) + 17 = 29

Cirok only smiles politely at the Slave Mitress.
As you command....

The Rogue then comments
Perhaps a spy mission to a rival House? Kick some dirt around. Wait to watch which cockroach stirs.

Thanks for botting me. I appreciate you keeping the game moving forward.

I'm ready to make a bold move if we are all in agreement. I hope Cirok is not getting beaten again today. I can help with any wounds or poisons if needed.

dice of the unknown: 1d100 ⇒ 20
dice of Perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (13) + 6 = 19

Higher is better you say? <gulp>

Well... I'll summon you when I need something like that. She makes a gesture to you, letting Cirok know that he is free. When the door opens, to the silent question of the guards, she replies, He has already been punished. And indeed, the guards let you go to your room and do not lead you to a spanking.

-----

Cuthalian, after returning from the patrol, you notice that someone was rummaging through your things. Someone was here and tried to leave unnoticed... But you do realize that a couple of things are out of place.

Cirok simply stands, bows and departs back to their dormitory.
I await your summons, Slave Mitress.

Back at the dormitory, the Rogue lays down on his bed.
I believe that I am making progress with her. Terzarin, my faculties have been sorely lessened recently. Any cures for Curses?

So when will ye have her become your girlfriend? I heard that getting a drow sidepiece and 'steering them to the right path' is the sign of being a proper hero.

Cirok just looks over at Colgrim.
I may be Super, but I ain't no Hero.

"Oh, and added bonus, someone is spying on us. I noticed various items out of place when I returned from duty. I tell you, we need to leave and focus on our mission, not this nonsense." Cuthalian says looking around the room at everyone.

Bloody thieves. Very well, just how are we going to get ourselves out of this place?

Still lying on his bed, the Rogue simply states

Terzarin takes 10 on the Heal check, resulting in a 21.

"I can try Restoration today and maybe Dispel Magic. If those don't work, I'll have Remove Curse tomorrow morning."

Cirok raises a trembling thumbs up to Terzarin.

Well we better plan our escape route then.

"I think we head out to town as we've done these last few nights. When we get there, we rent a building or some rooms and settle in there. On the morrow we inspect house Azrinae. We deal with drow from House Vonnarc as they are unlucky enough to come upon us." Cuthalian says simply.

Sounds good to me. Colgrim is still utterly out of his depth with all this skullduggery.

Terzarin understands that Сirok has some kind of mental disorder. Restoration can simplify the task of relieving the disorder, but besides that, he needs rest and communication with someone who will be able to sort out the darkness that all this violence puts in his soul and mind. Imbued with sinister energy, Darkland enhances the effect of impressions of violence (such as the killing of children or the cold-blooded murder of sleepers). You are all walking a couple of steps away from mind-blurring.

Effectively, magic like restoration reduces the DC of the new will save. But it's not so easy to get a new roll. We need someone with high charisma who will try to break through the mask of a "cold Cirok" and find there someone who suffers from what is happening and does not rejoice at cruelty at all. A psychotherapist, yes.

Cirok just seems to be a bit confused as to why the above actually impedes his openness to using cruelty as a tool....
I swear. This has never happened to me before this.

Perhaps you were cursed by the god of the derro. We did kill it's worshippers and topple an altar to it.

I swear. This has never happened to me before this.

That is one of the funniest retorts I have ever seen on this site. Well done, sir. Well done indeed. <slow clap standing ovation>

Terzarin casts Restoration on Cirok and will channel if anyone is down hit points.

Your working day passed without incident, as you understand. Many of you have noticed that your status in the House Vonnarc is gradually increasing, although it has not been long since you have been here. Not so much that you will have any new rights, but enough to be recognized. Drow are very sensitive to new factors that change the balance of power. It's always a chance, right? The main thing is to see it in time to have time to jump on the fleeing lizard.... You are definitely not ordinary drones, and some are already looking at you closely. Someone is envious, someone is thinking about how to use you, and someone is probably wondering if it's time to start fawning? In any case, the question is hanging in the air - will you become the new stars of the house... or will you die earlier? Everything is possible. Chaos is a ladder.

Huh. Looks like we have some 'fans.' Anyone still want to stick around and see if we can leverage this?

Perhaps, we go shopping for proper attire for our increasingly expanding reputations. No one wants to get assassinated in last year's fashion.

"I still think we leave and the sooner the better. We have a mission and it does not include fashion or followers."

"I think Cirok was kidding. Let's be kind as he is having a bit of a crisis. I am curious to see where the House Vonnarc business takes us, but I also understand moving toward our true mission. We need more information..."

Cirok does have the decency to look a bit pale....

And that definitely is not drool on his lapel....

If we stay and work here, we might be able to get enough influence to get where we need to go. All this sounds like we need to try to find the ones who can do this 'Armageddon Echo'

"Good point. Somebody here must be able to point us in the right direction. Maybe that bartender?"

When you agree on where you want to go, we will move in that direction. The ball is on your side.

"Either way, the road leads into town. I suggest we do not come back unless we find some evidence that house Vonnarc is involved." Cuthalian says and waits for the others to grab their stuff.

Cirok sits up. He begins to gather his belongings, stuffing them into his haversack.
Armageddon Echo? Yes. Sounds vaguely familiar. Let's find the perpetrator of that.

The Rogue slowly rises. He grants a thumbs up to Cuthalian.
Better find someone higher than a bartender though.

Cirok actually seems a bit stumped....

Colgrim loads up as well.

Terzarin looks around at the unspeakable place before he leaves, maybe for the last time.

Fine. You have quite a few places on the map where you can go. Rather, there are a lot of places that are not open yet and a couple of open ones (see the big map; let me remind you that the yellow pin is where you are now). So, where are you going? And by the way, on foot or take the lizards?

"I recommend we leave on foot so there is one less reason to come looking for us. And instead of trolling for information this evening, why don't we pay a visit to house Azrinae. We may find some hints there as to what their matron is up to. If it doesn't seem to be our cause we go look elsewhere. It only makes sense to me that we investigate the known possibility." Cuthalian suggests.

As to where to go, I looked at the big map and see all the number references but where is the legend or guide to resolve what is what?

Cirok finishes getting dressed. The Rogue stands steady.
Pay a visit to house Azrinae. Yes. Let's do that.

The Rogue then smiles.
After we procure a f%@+ing Wand of Prestidigitation!

Colgrim wordlessly follows.

I need a little more time to prepare for this turn of events .))

Cirok grins.
I have a plan! This shits gonna have nuts in it!