‘Eκάτη's Endless Night

Game Master ‘Eκάτη

Colgrim arches an eyebrow at their grabby fingered rogue and follows Cuthalian. This place needs to be purged with a huge river of lava.

Soryan and Cirok. You find yourself in a group of other drow who are cleaning the clothes of nobles. It doesn't look like there's anything valuable on it, and it's not a job that can fail. Moreover, the work itself leaves room for chatter. Perhaps this is a good moment to prove yourself by creating a reputation among other servants.

Show me your social skills!

Colgrim. The patrol turns out to be a rather boring job, during which nothing happens at all... At all.

No rolls needed, chance of failing the task or critically succeeding.

Velath. You are assigned a place on the wall of the palace, where you must keep a sharp lookout for potential spies. To your surprise, after the end of duty, you will be questioned in detail about the movements of some drow who are members of the House, although this has not been stated before.

Perception check please.

Cuthalian. You spend the day in monstrously heavy training, which is conducted personally by the head of the house guard. His name is Drovoanis, and you will find out that the Master of Blades and the Paingiver are the same position, and the second sounds like an appeal to the commander much more often than the first. There is really a lot of pain. Jumping on vertically dug-in pillars while other drow practice throwing stones at the leaper or endless fencing exercises to bloody smears with physical punishments for each missed blow... And so on and so on.

Pure constitution (not Fort) check please. Feats like Endurance can work here. This situation gives you the most chances to prove yourself, since everything is in front of a significant person in the House, but at the same time it is quite difficult (the player cannot high the constitution like a skill).

The absence of the sun is very stressful psychologically. All of you (perhaps except Colgrim) begin to feel that you are missing something. Sun. Wind. Sky. Warm (oh yes, it's always cold here). Some kind of drowsiness rolls over because of the eternal darkness around. But you need to get together and not give in to this. You have free time ahead of you. The first since the beginning of your espionage operation in Darklands.

Cirok eats everything offered, twice if the rogue is able. Drinking the breakfast wine, he only takes a few sips, preferring water instead.

Entering the courtyard, Cirok's white eyes briefly travel to each individual, ending on the Slavemothers. Bowing, the smiling Rogue doesn't react to the given duties.

Heading over to the washing area, the Rogue takes up a basket and begins following along with the other Servitors.
Blood stains again! Who knows a bit of Prestidigitation? We all could be chill'n.

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (1) + 12 = 13

Colgrim knew many of his clan who were well suited to patrolling, stout kin who had a keen eye, patience and an ability to be entertained with cracks in the wall served well keeping the holds secure.

Colgrim was not one of these people.

He certainly had a keen eye but patrolling the mind boggingly empty halls and whatever stretch of god's forsaken floor had him grinding his teeth and wanting to kill something.

Velath had eaten all that was presented to him. Indeed he had eaten worse. He then heard his task and scowled, not liking they had sit up his group. But it was necessary to prove themselves. He had eagerly taken on the job of guard on the walls of House Vonnatc; Carefully noting the defenses, where the guards stood, who they reported too. He kept a wary eye for any tricks and an even more careful eye for any body or thing trying to enter the house.

perception: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (4) + 13 = 17

Having performed missions on behalf of my People in Ustalov, the WorldWound, and Tanglebriar, with a proficiency of Wizardry sufficient to Conjure a Hound Archon or cast Greater Invisibility, Hallucinatory Terrain, and Phantasmal Killer, I now launder clothes for Drow. .... Well, I guess we have to start somewhere.

Soryan Dirge does not use magic (such as Prestidigitation) while laundering the various garments, he uses only his natural dexterity and sweat. And though he does try joining in conversation, mostly he listens to other Drow, observes the others in the laundry chamber.

He does his absolute best to feign that he does not know Cirok Brokencrown, that they are strangers just as he is a stranger to these other Drow. (If needed-- Bluff that Cirok and I aren't trusted allies: 1d20 + 26 ⇒ (11) + 26 = 37 --of course, if we are introduced by Undamesta as allies or somethinglike that, it may be harder, but I'm hoping that we're viewed by the others as strangers.)

...These Demon-worshippers serve Areshkagal, who delights in perverse riddles. Okay. Riddles?....

"I have a riddle for you all," Soryan Dirge announces several minutes into the communal dialogue -- among his first words spoken at all. "I have a long, hard shaft. I always penetrate with the tip first, and I enjoy rattling in a quiver. ...What am I?" (the lame double entendre is that I am a penis, not just an arrow)

"How about this one: What is something men keep in their trousers that their lovers like to blow? .... Money!"

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (15) + 17 = 32

. . . .

If you could describe some, or at least one, of the other Drow in the laundry, it'll help to choose someone with whom to converse -- or you could give a topic that the other Drow are discussing, the easier for me to try to join in.

Cirok snorts!

Dad jokes..the pain!

Cuthalian has a good day. It's been a while since he had a good workout plus he's built up a lot of frustration down here already. After the evening hearing the screams he was ready to work off some steam.

CON: 1d20 + 2 + 4 ⇒ (20) + 2 + 4 = 26 I have Endurance, yippee!

While the other servants only snort at Cirok's comment, Soryan's playful riddles make everyone laugh. All except one woman (yes, the same servant as you), who previously told how she gouged out the troglodyte's eyes because he mixed up the harness and harnessed the gekko of the Second Son with the personal harness of the First Son (other drow smiled at the beginning of the story, listening to the mistake, clearly expecting a bloody ending). She did it right in front of Erdrinneir Vonnarc and he praised her.

_____

While some drow warriors are either already holding weapons with difficulty and barely performing exercises, and the rest are at least able to hide it, Cuthalian is really holding up well. Only slightly out of breath and sweating, he is still in great shape when the Paingiver announces the time of sparring. You take blunt swords and start fighting in a very unusual manner - every man for himself. Sparring is very brutal. It is difficult to kill with such a weapon, but it is quite possible to break bones. Everyone strikes with full force ... Cuthalian, you see that the commander is looking at you intently, and you see that you can easily beat everyone here. How brutally are you going to win and how strongly and clearly do you want to dominate? No checks are required - you're in so much better shape than other drow that it doesn't matter anymore. Just your choice.

_____

Velath and Colgrim are just coping with their tasks. There is nothing to find fault with, nothing to praise. Who knows if this is good or bad for their mission?

_____

After we finish the scenes with Soryan and Cuthalian, you will all gather in your room at one time or another. There is still enough time ahead to do what you deem necessary.

Colgrim will stomp back to their room after his patrol, he isn't in the mind to joke or chit-chat with these underground elves since he has seen far too much to consider them anything other than hammer fodder.

He lays back on his bed and stares at the ceiling until the others arrive.

Cirok smiles weakly. His hands dirty soap water filled laundry tub scrubbing vigorously.

Cuthalian shows no mercy, he avoids breaks if possible but he leaves the assemblage with bruises to remember. At some point he flexes and roars, "This is what I was made for!"

Paingiver nods, seeing how Сuthalian causes pain, but does not disable the servants of the house. His appraising gaze combines interest in a talented warrior, which obviously can strengthen his position and doubts about whether he is creating a competitor for himself and whether it is worth removing this competitor in advance.

____

Knock, knock. Are we all here? Anyway, no matter how the scene with Soryan ends, you will all gather in the room and be able to act. From the conversations during this day, you definitely understood that members of the house can leave the territory in their free time. And this means that at least you have this mansion, plus huge cave where you are now (apparently with other manors), plus the city in the neighboring mega-cave, plus caves around the city. And maybe something else, if you get there for some reason. You have also heard that not going to work means being whipped, not going to work for a few days in a row is death. It's better not to get lost.

In fact, this adventure is a huge sandbox. Dozens of locations to visit, dozens of NPCs and so on. There is almost no chance that you will see everything here and it is wonderful in my opinion. Go ahead!

After creating a rapport with his fellow launderers, Soryan Dirge wondering if any of them are equally overqualified, he considers the Drow woman who screamed "Out vile jelly" at a Troglodyte's eyes as though he were a tragic figure in a Bard's masterpiece play.
Sense Motive: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (12) + 6 = 18

So now where do we look? We have to find out about this big disaster planned. That sounds like major magic and seeing if we can get into any wizard or cleric factions would help.

"We have 90 days, 89 considering we may not do anything else today. I met no one in the, er, laundry room, today that could lead us to the right path. .... I think if I ask someone where the altar to Areshkagal is, where the chapel is for sacrifices and torture and stuff is, I can go there and try to build a rapport with the vile priests of Vonnarc. That may be a good place to start.

"Also, I have an idea regarding a mundane test to see if our room -- "The Inner Sanctum of Blood Currency" -- is being encroached upon. Allow me to think through some of my minor magics to see if my plan can work."

"I either made a boatload of enemies today and/or became a mentor for others. The drills were brutal and I made it more so. I was... frustrated at the situation and took it out on the others. My next set of drills may find me returning here rather bloodied up. In this culture, it may lead to something though. I think we need to use this evening to check this mansion if nothing else." Cuthalian says to the others once all are gathered.

Cirok enters The Inner Sanctum of Blood Currency mumbling something about finding a Wand of Prestidigitation.

The Rogue then lookscat the others.
We can explore this section tonight. The next section the next night. And continue to expand our parameter each day, learning more about this culture, this place and this mission.

Cirok then gathers his things after a quick wash.
Ready?

"Ready. Anyone else?"

"I'm up for a stroll." Cuthalian says having washed himself immediately after being released from drill. It never paid to remain sweaty inside armor longer than you needed to.

Works for me.

As far as I understand, you are interested in the Areshkagal's temple. Well... 1d100 ⇒ 50

It is not difficult to find the Areshkagal's temple, because the entrance there is very close to the place where you eat. The massive double doors have no deadbolt, and by pushing them slightly you find yourself in the hall lit a little brighter than usual. Up to the ceiling, the walls are covered with demonic runes, but made in some strange style that evokes associations with Osirion. On the opposite side of the room there is an altar made of light stone, which seems to rest on the paws of a faceless and sinister sphinx made of the same stone, which raised its tail with the head of a snake over the victim. The altar, though thoroughly washed, has darkened with blood over the years. It seems that there is the same darkening from blood on the snake's mouth above, although how there could be so much blood that the stone also darkened is not entirely clear. Now there are several bowls with some internal organs on the altar and five black candles are burning, spreading wax over assimitric candlesticks.

Once inside, you do not immediately notice that you are not alone. Only the feeling of a heavy evil presence makes the most observant of you look away from the hypnotizing and alluring altar and look back a couple of seconds after you went inside. There are four recesses in the walls, located above the entrance to the temple premises, so that they are behind the back of the person entering. In each of these recesses, in a sitting position, there is a creepy figure with a spear in his hands, looking like an elf who has been skinned alive. Eyes full of malice are looking at you. Blood barely drips from their bodies, having already formed puddles in the niches where they sit and slowly trickling down the walls. The creatures do not utter a word, but their posture clearly hints that they are ready to rush into battle at any second... when there is a reason for that.

The visit here took about 10 minutes. If you want to talk to demons, go ahead. If not, then he can do something further. I'm sorry, d100 said that right now is not the time for religious service.

Cirok enters the temple. His white eyes scanning everywhere, everything, everyone. He smiles, nods and ignores the demonic sentinels.

Taking in the ambiance, the Rogue seems intrigued by the possibility of secret doors....
Perception: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (11) + 13 = 24 +4 Traps, Trap Spotter

To Soryan Dirge

Right now you don't see secret doors and traps. It seems that this room is exactly what it seems. Here sacrifices are made to the Demon Patron of the House. In general, you may wonder "what does the worship of the Demon Lord look like"? Does someone come here to pray just like that, without gifts? Do they pray to demons at all, or is it just a barter exchange of victims for strength? Who knows. Perhaps you will find out later.

A voice is heard in the head of each of you pronouncing the words in Abyssal:

:: There is no wall of force. Do something stupid in this temple and you will find out that in order to fall into the Abyss, only a step is needed. ::

It seems that one of the demons who is now staring at Сirok is "thinking this into your heads". The others nod in agreement, smoothly like a cats before jumping on a mouse.

Colgrim facepalms and smacks Cirok upside the head. Don't do anything like that again!

Cirok just shrugs. The Rogue seems a bit disappointed....

Nodding to the demons, Cirok prepares to depart the inner temple.

Without much chagrin (actually zero), Cirok waves good-bye to the demons....

Soryan Dirge nods a chuckle and grin at Cirok Brokencrown and bluffs his ease and confidence (more for the Babau's than his ally's ). He responds in Draconic, "There is no need to send these pets back to their home in the Abyss, my Dear Co-Conspirator, we are among allies of our new House now, and need not fight."

The Wizard takes a few steps closer to one (10 feet in front of Cirok but hopefully still a good 20 feet or more away from the closest Babau). He speaks fluently in the tortured language of The Abyss, rasping and choking the phonemes and syllables angrily, viciously, "Greetings Princes of Guardians. I am new to House Vonnarc and want only to give my respects and salutations in the House Temple. Is there some malicious riddle I can answer in order for you to inform me of when I can come here to speak with a Cleric or Inquisitor of Areshkagal?"

Bluff that I'm here to pay respects to Areshkagal instead of infiltrating the church as a spy: 1d20 + 26 ⇒ (13) + 26 = 39

Diplomacy when it becomes appropriate: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (5) + 17 = 22

Knowledge of Babau Demons: 1d20 + 24 ⇒ (16) + 24 = 40

You know a lot about Babau! If you need it now, you can ask 5 questions or postpone until the battle - if it happens.

:: We are not sphinxes to tell you riddles. Mistress Faidaeva Vonnarc holds sacrificial offerings every 66 hours. Watching the suffering and deaths of mortals is the only thing we like here. ::

Cirok pauses at the door....

He looks hopeful....

Sporting with a couple of sphinxes would be entertaining.

Cuthalian paid little attention in the classes about other religions and their deities. The palpable evil, however, made him grind his teeth. Looking around, he muttered, "Interesting." but said nothing else. When the demon sends its message his face hardens and he says, "Noted."

It seems that the demons did not condescend to answer Сirok.

I think that in 12 hours we will move on to day two if there is no action from the players.

Cirok departs the inner sanctuary of eeevvveeelllll.

The Rogue gathers everyone together into a huddle.
We need to make names for ourselves, along with investigating the area, people, places.

Smiling a bit mischievously, his white eyes shining, Cirok looks at both
Cuthalian and Velath.
Who wants to check out the night life?

Works for me. Just don't eat or drink anything and keep it in your pants.

Not wanting to be left behind, Soryan Dirge veritably pants like a puppy at following Cirok, Colgrim, Cuthalian and Velath to *the nightlife.*

"Lead on. Perhaps we can find some loose lips." Cuthalian says and follows along. He keeps an eye on those they meet being respectful but not jovial.

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (7) + 8 = 15

Cuthalian is at best a bodyguard on any forays, I have no diplomacy nor is he intimidating.

Velath had stood at the doorway to the temple having a hard time entering. His skin crawled. Every step was painful to him. He kept his face deadpan and tried to just focus on architecture . Seeing the demons in the alcoves he just wanted to go on the attack...but the stakes were too high . He resisted the urge and when Cirok suggested seeing the nightlife...he turned and strode out quickly nodding his head on agreement.

His breath came out strongly when he was out of the temple. yes let's

Nightlife is very different in different parts of Zirnakaynin. Where exactly do you want to go? See the new post in the Discussion Thread and the BIG MAP link at the top.

I think I wrote this somewhere, but you can gather information in the house by asking specific questions, checking diplomacy and the number of hours spent. The house never sleeps completely (and the whole city never sleep).

Cirok thinks.
Anyone know how we find Gadak?

The Rogue shrugs. He begins returning to their area, asking everyone if they know where Gadak can be found.
We need our guide. Going out to see the...errr...life around these parts.

Diplomacy to Gather Information, hours: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (18) + 12 = 301d3 ⇒ 2 Hours

You find Gadak pretty quickly (this is not a task that will take hours). Would you like to walk around the city, Bloody Currency? OK, ready to be your guide. You don't have your own riding lizards, right? Ooookay, I'll get you a couple for this walk. You will be my debtors, heh. He is quite friendly, although the intonation in his voice does not seem to be the same as it was yesterday. Where are we going? And of course you pay.

If allowed, Cirok would then spend that time speaking with taxi drivers, doormen, anyone that the Rogue may associate with perhaps criminal element to get THE name of the bar, tavern, warehouse that is known to cater to them (underworld).

Cirok smiles at Gadak.
Ghenavoc!

Fighting pits if there are any, plus taverns and brothels.

@Cirok, yes, and that's exactly it, and you'll have to ask around about it to put the picture together. Three hours later you'll find out:

- The Broken Chain (Cocyrdavarin - Ghenavoc - N1 on the map): A curious sort of drow, Pharnis Xharn touts his out-of-the-way inn as a welcoming resting place for non-drow visitors to Zirnakaynin. This is not a criminal place in the literal sense, but the public gathers there is very diverse and diverse.

- Drashes (Cocyrdavarin - Ghenavoc - N6 on the map): Amid the tenements and workhouses of Ghenavoc sprawl the filthy paths and dangerous alleys of Drashes, the Gray Market. Where perfumed officials strictly regulate the commerce of Ovessia (the Pale Market in Arshyvhar), in Drashes anyone or anything can sell anyone or anything. Thugs for hire, second-hand slaves, questionable alchemy, drugs, poisons, dark magic, and untold other wares that even the unscrupulous merchants of Ovessia would balk at selling are found in ready supply. Unsurprisingly, crime runs rampant here, with theft, arson, murder, and all manner of double-dealing taking place in the perpetual twilight. City guardsmen rarely bother to enter the market, preferring to let the foreigners, the poor, and the desperate sort out their own squabbles.

- The Blind Eye (Cocyrdavarin - Arshyvhar - N12 on the map): Run by the serious duergar Ranbhor Gost and Vorjans Gost, the Blind Eye serves a variety of bland dwarven fare and well-mixed drinks for high prices. The tavern makes most of its money off of the Gosts’ promise of privacy and their hatred of snitches. This is also not a criminal place in the literal sense, but those who meet there for secret negotiations can often be representatives of this world... and are not of the lowest class.

Obviously, the second one is not a tavern and it will not work just like that to sit down with someone with a drink. It's just that this is one of the most criminal places in the city, so of course they will tell you about it in the way you put the question.

@Colgrim:

Big spread, tough guy. Although I like the idea of a brothel the most, I agree.

"Drashes or the Blind Eye sound interesting to me." Cuthalian offers but does not press. He's along to observe so he'll let the professionals at information gathering handle the direction.

Cirok nods at Cuthalian's suggestion.
Yes, let us start Drashes.

Ok, to Drashes then! I will make a new post tomorrow around lunch at my time - that is, in about 16-18 hours. If you have any other suggestions (to drop by somewhere or do something) - there is time for it.

Cirok muses possible sight-seeing places along their path to Drashes.
I wouldn't be opposed to visiting a Wand shop for a Prestidigitation Wand. The dust down here is absolutely ruining my attire.

The Rogue looks at Soryan Dirge.
Please tell me that you prepped Message this morning?

ThecRogue then reaches into his handy haversack to produce two daggers and a set of Thieves Tools.

Swiftly maneuvering his cloak a bit here and there, those items seem to disappear.
Sleight of Hand
Sleight of Hand +19+2+2

The Rogue smiles at everyone.
I may want another set of Tools also.

"Alas, I did not prepare Message; it is not usually among those I study each morning. Hmm, if I were to go without one of my typical Cantrips each day, starting tomorrow, I would probably lose the Light spell, though especially in a place like this that spell could be useful. Truthfully, though, my instinct would drive me to prepare Mage Hand in its stead before Message but, I do see your point in the benefit of Message if we become separated. .... I think for today, at least, we should likely just stick together.

"As for Heroism, it is not a spell in my Spellbook and, generally, it's not the kind of spell I usually research. Enchantments that negatively affect potential adversaries and enemies are more my forte rather than spells that benefit any allies. I spent so much time alone in my early life, shunned in Lethaquel and Siavenian, and an outsider in Ustalov as a university student. By the time I was proficient enough to benefit the Elven cause in Tanglebriar and The Worldwound, my spells were not remotely those that could buff other Elves."

Colgrim cuts Soryan off with a finger in the ribs before he blows their cover.

Cirok commits to laughing at the Wizard's jokes.
Bluff(Cha): 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (12) + 12 = 24

Are all Wizard's this f*~%ing hilarious?