Watching the deadly Arrows of Velath pierce through the thick hide of the Behemoth, Cirok immediately reaches into his Haversack, produces a Wand, Steps off the edge of the Pit, floats down and taps Cuthalian with the Wand.
The Rogue then looks at Colgrim.
Enjoying yourself?
The drow then taps the dwarf/drow also.
He then patiently waits for an elevator back up....
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Bravo. Did everyone survive? Stunningly... Definitely, apart from your battles in that bright hell on the surface, I will be able to testify in front of the best aristocrats of my House that you are damn good warriors. Gadak comes out of the fog. Bring him his senses and let's get out of here. I heard they lost a few ghonatins. I wouldn't want to meet another one or even a couple.
Soryan Dirge visibly lets out a sigh of relief after his spell caused so many problems. Then he considers Gadak again, watching this all unfold. He makes a show of peering down the pit intently and then watches Cirok Brokencrown float down to 'collect his share of treasure.' Looking one more time at the Paladin beside him, he puts his Scroll back in his magical bag and calls to Gadak. "Huh, that little trinket isn't even worth my time."
Cirok smiles as the Pit spell's duration suddenly ends with them deposited back to the surface. The smiling Rogue walks over to the Wizard.
Soryan Dirge! That was a masterful piece of arcane talent!
The drow turns his attention to boththe dwarf/drow and the Warpriest.
Next time, perhaps, we strike from the top while my Debilitations allow it.
Nodding his gratitude of everyone's contributions, Cirok replaces, restows, and readies to continue the trek.....
He does look at their Host.
Lost a few? Is there a bounty?
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Huh, that little trinket isn't even worth my time.
It's amazing that it had anything at all. It was probably smart. For such a stupid thing. Gadak smiles crookedly, clearly not caring a bit about the issues of someone else's life and death.
Lost a few? Is there a bounty?
I haven't heard of it. I think that one of the older daughters of the House Parastric calmed down by the fact that they turned into driders those who missed the "goods for sale" during transportation. It is obvious that by the "goods for sale" he means mutant troglodytes. Heh, you know, ghonatins will die in a couple of years anyway. It seems that the idea of social responsibility or safety on the roads does not visit the Gadak's head (and he is by no means a fool, some of you are already sure of this).
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Once conscious and no longer nauseous, Cuthalian takes stock of his injuries. ”Yes, next time we should use ranged weapons while we can.” he says looking at Colgrim with raised eyebrows. He then excuses himself and steps away from the others to puke or relieve his bowels he does not say. When out of sight and sound he converts his prepared prayer to a cure serious wounds.
*Cough Cough* Well that was a right mess, it sure hit harder than I expected He looks at Cuthalian. Aye, Aye. I'll use my bow more often. He quaffs a potion.
Velath watched as the pit disappeared and the creature and his comrades were deposited on the surface again. He nodded agreeing with Cirok on Soryans magic. Then turned and looked at Gadak. if I didn't know better for you wanting to endanger yourself, unless perhaps you weren't in danger, I'd think you brought us here just to see our capabilities. So you could indeed relate our value to possible employers?!
As he made his way back to the wagon and climbed up on it.
Cirok laughs at the statement.
And I didn't properly dress!
The Rogue winks at Velath.
"Wherever you come from, you should know about House Vonnarc. This is your chance, dear warriors and sorcerers, and"--
It seems he wants to say something else, but does not have time. .... Gadak abruptly stops the lizards and listens intently. He pulls out a hand crossbow with one hand and still holds the reins with the other.
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With the fight won Soryan Dirge turns back to Gadak Simiryin, "A moment ago you sounded like you were about to say something, our chance to 'impress' House Vonnarc, perhaps?"
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if I didn't know better for you wanting to endanger yourself, unless perhaps you weren't in danger, I'd think you brought us here just to see our capabilities. So you could indeed relate our value to possible employers?!
I didn't plan this, Gadak raises his hands in a conciliatory manner and smiles. After all, if this creature had torn you all apart, it's unlikely that it would have let me go, right? Everything turned out extremely well for all of us, however.
With the fight won Soryan Dirge turns back to Gadak Simiryin, "A moment ago you sounded like you were about to say something, our chance to 'impress' House Vonnarc, perhaps?"
I wanted to say then... "and if you don't want to wander around like hobos forever, so that your employers throw you into the very inferno and sooner or later, but rather sooner, you will burn alive in this inferno... The Great House is your chance". Yes. He says it with great seriousness.
The Rogue just smiles knowingly at their guide.
Mercenary work ain't so bad. Travel. Freedom. Travel. Freedom.
Cirok then settles back into the front seat of the wagon.
But, eventually, one might make it to the ripe old age of 200 and one may desire that...security.
The drow chuckles.
Colgrim totally misses all the sneaky talk stuff and just keep a wary eye out for more lizard men.
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Though he can't percieve any averting of the eye contact or change of tone from the Drow -- the signs that an Elf or Human may show when being insincere -- Soryan Dirge still doesn't trust young Gadak. 'Well, either the Drow are far better at hiding their lies than I am used to, or this Drow is actually being honest. I guess that is possible. Hopefully with more time among these vile people I will get better at recognizing their subtle facial ticks, gestures and intonations, the better to discover their lies.'
Cirok laughs even harder at Cuthalian's jest.
Exactly my point! Keeps me in business!
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You climb back onto the wagon and move on. The way passes without adventures, the hours merge together. It turns out that it is very difficult to understand time in a space where there is no sun or stars. You constantly ready to fight again and gradually begin to understand that this is the everyday reality of those who live in these dark lands. Everything here breathes death, Gadak told you, and it feels like it's in the air.
Caves were replaced by caves. Some of them were bigger, some were smaller. Some tunnels were so narrow and long that it starts to get unnerving. In another cave, in a thicket of huge mushrooms of pale purple color, something was constantly moving, running from mushroom to mushroom following you. Whatever it was, it did not dare to attack, although it kept in suspense like a mosquito before going to bed. Once you were driving along a very narrow path along a deep canyon, a real abyss going indefinitely deep down. Judging by the echo very, very deep. Dangerous driving, but it seems your cabby is used to it too.
That was your way. Then suddenly another tunnel turns and you enter a new tremendous cave and what appears before you ... it takes your breath away.
Stretching into the darkened distance, a fearsome city of sculpted stone and bladed iron fills this impossibly sized cavern. Eerie eldritch flames—burning with the colors of dying suns and lightning-furious thunderheads—ripple over spires carved from ancient stalagmites, adoring them with the blaze of ominous, spidery runes. Two steep cliffs jut from the cavern floor, one stacked upon another, creating massive steps over which the city spills like a benighted waterfall. Flickering in the distance rises a single topless tower, a column connecting the cavern floor with the ceiling, its height crawling with runes. Elsewhere grows a tangle of fungal blooms alongside pools of oily cave water. Above, carved into the dome-like ceiling, flickering feyfire illuminates twelve caves, their mouths carved into unsettling and demonic images. And everywhere amid the severe, black city—as menacing as shadows—glide the graceful, deadly forms of drow.
Gadak spurs the lizards with a whip and directs the wagon to the gates of the city.
During the dull drudgery of darkness, dampness and deviating and Daring dangers, the Rogue hops about the wagon to confere with each member of the group.
He begins with Soryan Dirge.
Can you keep up a Message spell between us? You get to be the operator.
He then approaches Colgrim.
How are you at subtlety? Admittedly, you seem a bit more crash, bang boom than that.
He winks at the dwarf/drow.
Cirok whispers to Velath.
You're doing great. Need any stomach lining meds?
Sitting next to Cuthalian, Cirok winks.
Any particular plan once we enter the city?
If you mean wait until given the good ahead before headcrushing I can be subtle.
Having had several hours now to get used to his new form-- Darkvision, Faerie Fire, and the secret language of the Drow, Soryan Dirge considers the linguistics of Gadak's speech.
While Cirok speaks to the others, Soryan Dirge continues speaking to Gadak Simiryin. "So, returning to the deal we began to broker earlier," and he uses a word much more like "conspiracy" rather than "deal," "With your introduction to the House Vonnarc Master of Blades and, unappealingly, The Mother of Slaves, we may be hired as mercenaries or information gatherers? That seems appealing. Please provide more details." Soryan Dirge then switches from the secret language of the Drow to the Arcane language of Dragons, and in Draconic continues, "Do you know my language?"
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When he is able to answer Cirok in an unassuming way, either unobserved by Gadak or perhaps in Draconic if Gadak is unlearned of the language, Soryan Dirge answers. "Unfortunately no, I do not have the Message spell in my Spellbook. We shall have to come up with another solution. .... But I feel there is plenty of time. Let us observe more for now and then communicate our findings when we know we can. Just my two copper."
Velath nods and smiles at Ciroks joke and enjoys studying the caverns and their strange beauty albeit dangerous on the way.
Upon seeing the city he swallows hard not truly imagining the civilization of his opponents. He tried to take in as much detail as he can as they move into the city...trying to commit the way to memory
Cirok's white eyes dance the vision of the city. His smile genuine. The Rogue looks down (because he reflexively stood) at the seated Merchant.
So Gadak, it seems we have but a short jaunt to the city proper. Tell me of your business. What wares do you usually traffic in? Special products? Unique deliveries? Dangerous deliveries?
The Rogue sits back down.
My company may have a desire for a bit of R&R. These last escapades have done a number on morale. As you could witness in our ineffectiveness against the Behemoth.
Cirok seems sincere.
Colgrim gazed upon the city with an appreciative eye. Stone and metal were his heritage and the skill put into make the city,(alien as it was) impressed him. Perhaps he could use some of his time here to examine texts of stonemasonry and metalworking, let the gabby types infiltrate.
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Zirnakaynin is always impressive, right? You understand that you can translate this word from the drow language - "The Last Home of Elves." Gadak snaps his whip and the cart goes on.
He asks, what did you say? when he hears draconic so convincingly that you believe that he does not know this language. Then he adds in surprise, the language of troglodytes? did the ghonhatine bite you, huh?... In response to any questions about the upcoming work, he will only shrug his shoulders. Everyone has the same path, from the bottom up. Everything is in our hands. We are a free people who rise above the whole world, because chaos is a ladder. He will answer even more vaguely about his work. Something about him delivering the most important shipments for House Vonnarc.
You are getting closer to the gate. 30 feet of stone and pointed steel surround the city. Four heavily armed guards meet you.
Gadak shows a signet ring and those without any questions and inspections of the cart let you inside.
The gate slowly opens. You find yourself on streets that are close in meaning to the word "ghetto", but even here the shabby houses look quite elegant. Although you have a clear feeling that any dark alley conceals death. Perhaps this applies to the entire drow city, but this feeling is especially strong here. Drow themself here are not richly dressed and often hide their faces under the hoods of their cloaks. There are also some representatives of other races here. Most often they are troglodytes or strange humanoids, wrapped from top to bottom in some kind of rags. Some of them seem to be the size of gnomes, others are quite as tall as a man. Ahead you can see other tiers of this city, clearly more prestigious, and your cart is heading there.
Soryan Dirge focuses his gaze for a moment on Gadak's ring and its symbol, for future need should a forgery be required. As such, he is oblivious of having missed anything else.
Colgrim seems to spend more time ogling the rocks than anything else.[/b]
Cirok feels like he should be aware of something, but the ring on Gadak 's finger has him memorized....
Velath nods and grunts when Gadak talks and continues to look around. He is so caught up in looking around he is unaware as they go through the gate
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You continue to drive through the city. The poor part of Zirnakaynin is spread out for you in all directions. You drive through different districts, avoiding one with a crazy stink (you think that troglodytes probably live there) and drive along the very edge of the market area, dirty, dangerous and at the same time very colorful. Surely you can buy everything there, and even what no one should buy.
The cart goes up the road and pass through the inner gate to the middle city. The situation here is significantly different. It can be seen that this is a more prosperous part of the city. There are theaters, salons, taverns and gods demon lords knows what else. Everything radiates a cruel and dangerous aesthetics. Demonic mouths in the ceiling of the cave are opened above your heads, and it seems their eyes are watching you, as well as every inhabitant of this cursed city. You also see a neater market than the one below, as well as several guards (dressed in gloomy spiked heavy armor) who are terribly beating up some merchant. It is already difficult to understand the mess under their feet, but it seems to you that their victim is not a dark elf. One of the guards at this time fumbles behind the counter and smiles predatory. The rest of the merchants react to this scene so similar to a racket absolutely unperturbed.
In numerous places throughout the city, winding streets end in broad circular plazas, places of dark beauty decorated with linthcrafted rock gardens or mosaics of heatless mage fire. The first one you met back in the lower city, and then again and again similar plazas are repeated on your way. Obviously, this has some kind of symbolic meaning for drow.
You may assume that Gadak will take you to the upper city where the ceiling is supported by a huge tower covered with runes at the top and where the richest areas are probably located, but at some point it becomes clear that your charioteer is driving past the gate there.
Soryan Dirge keeps his eyes wide looking for any heraldry or symbology he may recognize: Demon Lords, ArchDevils, anything that may represent Power by name, religious sacrilegious or imperial.
He does not feign surprise at moving past the wealthiest neighborhood of Zirnakaynin, and tries not to show emotion of any kind during the ride.
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Soryan, you see the sacred symbols of the Demon Lords openly worn several times. The ones you could see belonged to Nocticula, queen of shadows, lust and succubi, Zura, the first vampire and Haagenti, lord of transmutations and forbidden forms of alchemy. There were others, but you didn't look too directly, it would have been noticeable. You can also assume that the demonic mouths at the top are caves and they have some meaning for demon worshippers.
Cirok rides silently next to Gadak while he maneuvers the wagon through the city. The Rogue's white eyes warily watch for anyone who's attention seems a bit fixated on them.
He only smiles at the normal liberation being provided by the city guard.
Apparently, he allowed some dust to blind him.
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Cuthalian considers the protection racket apparently in play. Depending on how the job goes with house Vonnarc, perhaps they could open their own protection racket sticking it to those beating the merchants. Could be interesting but they needed to get the baseline of the city first. Who was in charge, who worked what parts of town, and where were there opportunities. Cirok would be indispensable in determining that. Accordingly, he watched those they passed for threat or recognition.
While fine stone and metalwork is much appreciated, something is just very off about how the demons and angles come together, he had heard tales in the dwarf halls about how the shapes of stone and metal could shape minds as well and somehow knew a wicked hand made these.
Clenching his weapon haft tighter, Colgrim made to sure to keep a wary eye about the wagon, not wanting some creature to slither out of an alley and try to strike at them.
Velath could feel the evil crawling along his spine and causing his skin to crawl. He almost jumped from the wagon to help the merchant the guards were beating, but held himself back with prayers to Erastil. He knew the mission was far too important to risk exposing the group through his altruism.
As Gadak guided the wagon past the gates to the wealthier houses he frowned...and asked pointedly where are you taking us Gadak?
Looking forward and gauging his answer.
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To the ancestral home of the House Vonnarc, of course. Or do you think that Great Houses will nest in such a place? Pfft. Gadak remains a mystery to you. For everyone except maybe Cuthalian.
Gadak already clearly understands that you are strangers, although many of you try to hide your surprise. But you're sure he's not lying… now. The fact that you have come from far away rather inspires him. He seems to be sure that he has hit the jackpot.
You drive through the city and leave it through the opposite gate (there is no ghetto adjacent to it). The cart goes through the next tunnels. The road seems to be gradually climbing up, although it is still difficult for you to navigate these tunnels, especially when driving takes a long time.
You enter another huge cave. Maybe it is not as big as the one in which city is located, but it is still huge. There are groves of creepy mushrooms scattered here and it seems the earth is cut by treacherous ravines and sharp cliffs. All this can be seen because of the flickering in the distance. It seems there are some very luxurious buildings here, illuminated by ominous witchcraft lights, but they are very far from each other like some dark beacons. You enter from the eastern side and in the westernmost you see a huge tower covered with runes. It is very similar to the tower that rested on the ceiling of the cave in the middle of the drow city... Meanwhile, Gadak turns to one of these barely discernible "beacon", which turns out to be something like a guarded estate.
Seemingly grown from the dark stone of this nighted abyss, a sinister palace of unnatural beauty and deadly grace looms. Spires of web-like metal slice through the darkness, their heights illuminated by arcane flame, while the elegant curves of the structure’s walls seem to flicker and shift in the dancing shadows. Around the compound, the barely perceptible silhouettes of dark armored shapes glide in soundless patrol upon an arcing barricade of bladed steel. Suddenly, from somewhere within, rises an otherworldly shriek, a cry half scream, half bestial howl that slowly resonates and dies amid the gloom. A moment later comes the terrible noise’s answer, a fluttering peal of mirthless, mocking laughter.
You're heading for the gate...
Cirok merely watches the shadows as if expecting them to swallow them whole. The Rogue seems especially interested in the westernmost you see a huge tower covered with runes. It is very similar to the tower that rested on the ceiling of the cave in the middle of the drow city...
Now that may be worth a look....
Not responding to the terrible sounds and mocking laughter, Cirok merely reaffirms their predicament.
If I was a wizard or one of my clan's priests of stone, I would bring the entire ceiling down on this cursed place. Colgrim fumes as he glares at the estate.Don't even bother hiding it, just what filth lays within the minds of these drow?
Having sat near Gadak on the ride through Zirnakaynin, Soryan Dirge wide-eyed at the iconography of Demon Lords, he speaks with banality, with feigned ennui: "Ah, Haagenti and Zura and Nocticula, oh my -- and all the kaleidoscopic colors of home. How I've missed the Darklands, where one can play at subtlety rather than brutishly murder with no sense of grace and aesthetics. .... You never made it to the Burned Lands above, did you young Gadak? Count yourself lucky."
Upon arriving into the second cavernous hole-in-the-earth and making our way to the House Vonnarc estate, Soryan Dirge once again speaks softly to his Drow host, a smirk and joke on his lips: "So, should we feign awe or ill at viewing your playground? Heh, I guess we could always go for honesty?!"