DM Zyren / Heart of Riddles's page

The trog cocks his head slightly and hisses something in return

Gadak tries his best to imitate a genuine smile, but fails

As you command.

He pushes the door open and leads you into the wide courtyard. Purple lightning flicker at the ceiling of the cave and Gadak grunts as if he wasn't happy about the sight

The air is tense, full of magic...not a good night to hunt.

Even though the trog is not using its innate ability to emit that strange acidic odour that comes from kind of glands underneath the scales, the creature still stinks horribly and Gadak looks quite relieved to hand the chain over

Ah well, of yourse you're right, never would I dare to tell you how to handle your porperty. he gives a low bow and steps back...and looks astonishingly sincerely while doing that.

Korax is alright, though he misses the open sky already.

The troglodyte, a pretty impressive specimen with a height of more than 6 feet and weighing surely more than 180 pounds, utters three quick hisses which, to the proficient listener, make a rather long statement.

Gadak grins

No need for you to go yourself, I will fetch your property.

he says, leaves and returns only some minutes later with the troglodyte. A thick chain has been wrapped around his neck whose end is wrapped around Gadak's wrist

I didn't punish the stupid lizard, because I didn't want to damage your property, but the thing is really stubborn and I think deserves a nice flaying.

As you open the door to ask for Gadak, the coach dirver already waits for you, leaning at the wall opposite your door

Finally...thought you would be in there for ages. The Lady of the Blades asked me to help you in any way...

the drow says with a sly smile.

Uh, that doesn't sound like a decision was made yet?!

But yeah, those 2 options were the ones I expected ;)

You already know everything that is important for you...or, in other words: The gathering of information is aswell part of an assassin's task, so stop molesting me.

she smiles wickedly and with swaying hips walks down the line of training warriors.

The lady, weighing her staff in her hands, walks some steps with you, away from the training warriors.

There is going to be a meeting in the city proper...at the mansion of a merchant, a certain Verazzor Zarazzin. He'll meet up with two negotiators of other houses and we want both of them dead, so that both of them either think their agents have killed each other or were both killed by Verazzor. The meeting is going to be in...yeah, 6 hours.

The Lady puts her hand on yours and forces the whip down

Enough, it's already annoying me how feeble this male is...he is natural cannon fodder, not the stuff true warriors are made of...but what male is made of such stuff anyway. she sighs and turns back to the row of training recruits.

Quickly they take their initial positions and continue their routines - once that is organised again, she turns her attention back to you

Well, you look like you deserve a real test, not just a bit of spelunking...how stealthy can you lot be? Assassination it will be.

As Cat and Bree step in the way of the charging soldiers, the Lady clicks her tongue and the attackers freeze in mid-motion

You want to carry out the punishment of your inferiors yourself? Well, go ahead, but don't fail to amuse me.

Kabal's outburst causes a quite surprising reaction, while the Lady shows no sign of action, half a dozen warriors rush out of the line and barrel into Kabal, given him no choice other than to go down under their kicks and punches do you try to defend yourself or accept the kind of "treatment"? behind them others group up ready to join the fight should the insubordinate warrior offer any resistance.

Argh i so much hate mobile devices...typo madness all over

Mhm...a nice description...I like that image...I'll have a task for you to do...you got all the equipment you need for a bit of potholing? she arches an eyebrow, sneers...and says more to herself You really look like soldier material...I will keep an eye on you...

There is some silent snickering from the line of drow soldiers...but only very few dare to express their malevolence...some even look rather impressed, as does the Lady of the Blades, who nods slowly

At least you're made of the right material...how would you rate youselves soldiers? Recruits? Menn at arms? Officers?

There is a second of surprise in the Lady's eyes, but then she lashes out with the staff to hit Cat's cheek

Reflex Save Dc 18 to evade

The row of soldiers stop their routine instantly and await the outcome of the violent outburst.

The black rows of silent fighters are observed by a tall female wearing a spiked blacked platemail. In her hand she weighs a short white ivory staff crowned with a demon head made of black onyx.

As you approach her, the Lady of Blades, she arches an eyebrow brushes her white hip-long hair behind one ear

What?

Well...your choice...follow me to the Lady of the Blade.

Gadak turns around, he seems a bit disappointed, and for a second it sounded like he sighed.

He leads you out of the palace into the gloom of the courtyard again, every now and then purple lightnings ripple down from the towers' spires and bathe the place into a ghostly unlight.

To your right, in a separated area, two long columns of black-clad soldiers silently train standard sword tactics - attack, parry, dodge...

Gadak points at the warriors

Go over there and ask for her..she will know where to use you.

Gadak arches an eyebrow

Guards? All of you? How uncommon...maybe I should emphasize that a guard's life is much shorter than that of a house servant...I mean in general.

He takes out a coal pen and begins to write your names down

Some votes are missing, really everyone guard?

I heard that you have bought a slave...an interesting choice. He is kept in his own cell now...but he's still in the cell block down the corridor. Well, back to your servitor plans...You're lucky, Undamesta gives you the option to choose whether you want to be a house servant or a guard servant.

Gadak slowly enters the room and reminds you a bit of a shy cat, ever ready to flee.

No, the slavemother's expression didn't give away anything.

It takes quite a while until there's suddenly knocking at your door

It's me, Gadak...I got your servitor plans.

No...I have not but I heard that the lands above are even vaster than below, more varied, colourful...so many races, so many possible slaves...anyway, your knowledge of the surface world could turn you into a much more useful member of House Vonnarc than I had thought in the first place. Return to your chambers now, I have to talk to some people.

Your knowledge of the surface world is impressive. How long have you been there and what other stories of the Lands of Sun do you know?

the slavemother seems genuinely intrigued.

The slavemother doesn't seem irritated by the coins at all

Nice tokens these are...do you know anything about them...for example, where was this one minted?

Good call ;)

The slavemother was about to get angry and dismiss the whole idea, when Sebastian's honeyed words bring the conversation to a pleasant end

A test...indeed, I like testing...200 pieces of gold and the slave is yours.

Undamesta arches an eyebrow

Just arrived and already asking for something? Well, the one you speak of is a troglodyte I know very well, a strong one and cunning...I'm not sure you are able to handle that slave properly...

Diplomacy Check DC 18

Still shook by the disgusting sight, eventhough only on the inside, you return to the Slavemother's interrogation chamber. Undamesta still sits behind her stone table, like a queen giving audience to subalterns.

Here again? she doesn't seem to be overly happy to meet you again.

The rooms in the far north of the house are kennels, stables and a torture chamber. In the larger stable cave geckos and smaller lizards are kept (which are still large enough to be ridden) - while in the smaller stable only a very special breed of lizard mounts are kept, beasts nearly as tall as warhorses, imposing predators of the Underdark.

Close to the "standard" torture chamber, where the tools look just handy, is a "performance" torture chamber, here everything looks like it was designed from a mad designer with a soft spot for great cruelty.

The last rooms on your tour are a large ballroom and the Hall of Ancestors where long rows of portrays line the walls. In the centre of the room is a fenced area in which strange flesh-warped drow wander around...their bodies are highly mutated and they rather remind you of living artworks than of humanoid creatures.

Do you keep the tour-order or go to the slavemother at once?

The guard looks rather uninterested and sighs before answering

A slave the other slaves follow...not more...if you are interested in owning him, you have to ask the Slavemother.

Once you turn back to the troglodyte, the brown-scaled slave hisses

and nods subserviently.

A fire long forgotten glims in the troglodyte's eyes before he whispers a series of short hisses and snarls

The troglodyte nods and even though the creature is much bigger than you and has about twice your weight, he seems to be getting nervous.

The first rooms you visit are cells in which prisoners - at this time about a dozen troglodytes are kept. Most of them are in poor condition, malnourished, dehydrated and full of scars that give testament of the tortures they endured. As you enter the cell block, nearly all of the reptilian creatures back away, only one impressively large troglodyte stays close to the cell bars.

Not yet.

Gadak bows deeply as he leaves the interrogation room and leads you through the nearby servants' quarters.

Ok, I canned the map of the house, you will now have some time to accomodate yourself and explore the House.

House Vonnarc

Your quarters are A19, the interrogation room was A17.

You can just plan a short expedition by telling me the numbers you are visiting.

What an exotic name...it has a sound uncommon to Zirnakaynin...anyway, House Vonnarc signs you...by now I haven't chosen for what. Some of you seem to be quite apt with weapons that is good...I'll see to your tasks later...Gadak, bring them to the servants' quarters.

Hah, no...poor Gadak is a far too amusing pet to sacrifice him at this point...well...you, I like you, what is your name?

Undamesta says turning again to Cat

Undamesta nods slowly

Then I know of which house you speak and I don't fear speaking its name aloud. Azinraewas foolish enough to believe that their expditions into the daylight world would gain them anything...fame, power whatever. Now they're only a shade of their former self and only survive at our mercy...mhm...You seem to be more or less useful..at least useful enough to...oh, there's one more question...Would you kill Gadak if I asked you to? she turns to Winter and arches an eyebrow...meanwhile poor Gadak blanches but stares motionless at Winter.

Undamesta follows the daggers with an approving nod, but raises an eyebrow when Sable speaks without being asked

Your words matter not...just answer my questions...what was the last house you have worked for and why did you leave its service?

[ooc]Thx for the info, but he's alright, right?[/b]

Gadak snickers and gives Kabal a look of sympathy mixed with glee. Undamesta also smiles and it seems that she has forgotten her question over Cat's display of how drow society should function.

She lets her gaze wander again and this time it rests on Bree

What makes you think that House Vonnarc could be in need of your service?

Gadak's eyes widen, but he bites his tongue and prefers to give Kabal only a look of shock. Undamesta menwhile just arches an eyebrow and turns her attention to Cat

The same question to you...and while I found the male's reply amusing, even though iritating, I now demand an answer...

Gadak is the first to enter, the room is square and quite large, dim violet light emanates from some vague point above, while upon the walls hang diaphanous tapestries, delicately embroidered with the Vonnarc symbol and elaborate designs. Flanked by stone statues of fierce drow warriors, a long table of dark stone dominates one end of the room. Three chairs line the table's far side, the centremost occupied by a severe looking drow woman, her hair pulled back tightly, her fingers and sharp nails steepled before her, her gaze impatient.

Gadak gestures to move to the centre of the room before bowing low Revered Slavemother Undamesta, these are travelers from beyond the portal. House Rasivreign's operations at the gate were confused and disordered and none stood to meet their arrival. With their own masters having forsaken them, I most meekly ask that their obvious skills and experience be considered for inclusion among the ranks of those who dutifully serve the envied House of Vonnarc.

The slavemother seems unimpressed by Gadak's explanation, lifting a suspiciuous eyebrow Obvious skills and experience, indeed? Is this not for me to judge? the matronly drow retorts with a voice like dagger upon slate.

Undamesta points at Kabal

Where do you come from?

Oh yeah, just go ahead and start the planning, we will see in how far we can integarte that in what is going to come next.

Once Gadak has finished his work with the lizards he beckons you over and to follow him.

Unchallenged but observed by the host of training soldiers, servants and troglodyte slaves, you pass the courtyard and enter the palace proper from the backside.

The place is dark and devoid of straight angles. A strange labyrinth only here and there lightened up by purple globes hovering through the corridors.

Gadak here and there greets other drow you meet and while he never bows to someone, lots of others do so to him...

When you finally reach a large black granite door, he sighs

That's the interrogation chamber...here Undamesta will surely have some questions...as all drow houses, House Vonnarc also fears infiltrators of all kinds...so...umm...be sure about what you're going to say.

I'll test my scan powers! However that doesn't explain while Sable, Bree and Sebastian were all muted?! Mhm...Sadly the maps aren't very helpful. This is the map of the Eldreissil cave. House Vonnarc is at the far right.

Cave

Gadak shrugs and steers the wagon over to the stables

No one of us minors knows for sure, several hundreds at least...knowledge like that is a precious good in Zirnakaynin...once I have taken care of the lizards I'll introduce you to the Slavemother.

Uh...anything wrong? As quite as it has never been - I know it's railroady, but no questions about the house, troops, Vonnarc drow, whatever?

For the little tour? Oh nothing...but, since you asked...ah well, I just keep in mind that you asked.

He steers the wagon over to the gate and flashes his signet again...sconds later the brutally faced guard captain commands to some unseen guards to open the gate.

Inside, the place teems with soldiers...at least two hundred train crossbow shooting, sword fights or try to master an obstacle parcours.

The pride of House Vonnarc...males trained to be masterful killers and living weapons, quite a sight, eh?

Gadak says and there's an audible tone of mocking in his voice.

Andirifkhu is the patron demon lord of a specific group of demons, sadistic inventors, and those who inflict pain for pay or sport. You also remember that she is usual depicted as some kind of alien woman.

Our Lady in Shadow, Nocticula,is a demon lord who concerns herself with the metaphysical qualities of darkness and lust. She excels in seduction, beauty, cruelty and sadism. Lady Nocticula appears in her true form as a curvaceous succubus, wearing her dark hair in a complex style. Her eyes are devoid of pupils, her fingers are tipped with talons, and her feet end in stony hooves that exude red-hot, liquid iron. Her bat-like wings are covered with glowing runes, and three stinger-tipped tails complete her demonic visage. Like her brother Socothbenoth, however, she often shifts her form to meet the deepest, darkest desires of those observing her. She is worshipped by traitors, assassins and succubi.

Dadak relaxes a bit and steers the wagon around another group of duergar

If you are clever...you should either visit the temple of Nocticula or of Andirifku. Their cults are the most portent these days and as a stranger, I wouldn't show my respect to one of the weaker cults first...nearly there...any last questions before we reach House Vonnarc?

Never been to the surface

Gadak replies and sighs Never been anywhere else besides Zirnakaynin actually.

The Broken Chain? Oh, it's a fabulous place. You don't meet many drow there, because it is the favourite place to stay for visitors. Its owner, Pharnis Xharn is a good friend of mine and so I like to stay there and hear tales of distant lands and...ah well, I've already said too much, lt's just say it's a very good inn, I can heartily recommend. Oh, now you should only breathe through your mouth - over there is The Reek...a flophouse for troglodytes...uargh....

You pass a building that once was some sort of warehouse that was converted into a flophouse and Gadak was 100% correct, the stench is unbearable...

Once you have passed the place he is able to speak again

Temples? We have Vivirnis, The Chapel of Sovereigns...look up!

Gadak points at the domed ceiling of the cavern and you can make out a dozen dark caverns high above you.

Each of them is dedicated to one of our patrons...are you looking for a specific prince or princess? Whom do you worship?

he asks casually while driving the lizards around a band of derro haggling with a very angry looking band of duergar.

Gadak ignores Winter and seems glad that someone asked him a question

The other two are Rygirnan and Eirdrisseir. The first one is a lava cavern, the home of smiths and siege engineers and tinker of all sorts...not a place I like, much too hot down there...umm and Eirdrisseir is the cavern where the noble houses have their residences, that is the place we are hailing to...oh look there, that is the Garden of Chayt

he points to the right where between two black houses a wide field of obsidians carved into the form of trees and bushes spreads

Nice, isn't it? Cold, perfect beauty.

A human? Oh how boring...I had hopes you people from Umberweb might have some more special things in your repertoire...well, at House Vonnarc it is Slavemother Undamesta you have to talk to...but beware, she can be quite unforgiving...oh, did I already tell you that Zirnakaynin consists of three enormous caverns? We're in Cocyrdavarin at the moment, it holds most of the city proper and many of its most important places - like the Borken Chain, my favourite inn.

Gadak explains as if he was some kind of tour guide.

Gadak's smile widens

We could always need a helping hand at House Vonnarc...a house of great renown, home of the drow's most talented arcanists of all times...