Ah well, that won't be useful for us. Unless we happen upon one by luck.
He looks around, Very well, we should plan out our approach and head out quickly. We don't want to delay any further.
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If the Lady is agreeable, then so am I. You'll have your gold Skethyk...and your bodies. As to the plan, scouting in advance of a swift assault seems best, I agree. Information is always useful. The more we know, the faster we can push through the city. He turns back to Skethyk, You say caravans pass this way. How often?
That sounds terrible. I hope you feel well soon!
Kalenmourn nods, Very well, you and Duath'miaca are the experts. He looks thoughtful for a moment and responds, Openly approaching? An interesting idea. What do you think Lady Vintressa? Perhaps we could capture the town with but the threat of attack? A dangerous plan, perhaps. He frowns slighty, I think in the short term it may work, depending on what these gnomes are like. But if we mean to keep the settlement, a show of force will be necessary. I suggest we scout first, perhaps capture one or two of them. Learn more about them. We can only guess at their resources and resolve now, and it's best we not be too overconfident. With a chuckle, he continues, But I do like the idea.
Kalenmourn smiles at the helpfulness of the skis'raal. This is going well. It appears we are pressed for time when it comes to scouting this settlement. He looks around at the gathered drow. Vayshan, what do you think. Shall we approach from the south? Or do you see a better way in? He hesitates a moment, and addresses the skis'raal, My name is Kalenmourn. It has been a true pleasure meeting you. He again looks around at the others, Perhaps you'd like to join us in our journey? Your skills could prove...useful. And you'd be rewarded. I did, after all, promise food. He smiles. I'm not sure how much we can trust these skis'raal, but there are only two. And their knowledge and abilities will be quite useful where we are going.
Kalenmourn smiles, pleasantly surprised by how quickly the spiders became friendly. I do happen to have something to write with. Though I left them below. I could be back in but a moment. Oh...there's also someone else you should meet. Lady Vintressa would be...delighted...to speak with you. He pauses a moment and adds, That is, of course, if you don't mind another joining us. I wouldn't presume to impose on your hospitality any more than we already have. There are quite a few more of us, and I wouldn't want to crowd you with guests. Kalenmourn climbs back down to get his gear, unless there is any objection, and tells the others briefly of what they found. ...Yes, talking spiders. Skis’raal I think they're called...
Kalenmourn tilts his head to the side. Well, aren't you an odd Skis’raal. Eating gnomes? Don't get me wrong, I'm not judging. He smiles grimly. Now that we know we have something in common. You like eating gnomes, and we like them being eaten...perhaps you'd be interested in talking about them? I wouldn't be opposed to supplying you with food for information.
Kalenmourn places his hand casually on the hilt of his sword. We aren't looking to make trouble. But you will be answering a few of our questions. He calmly looks around the chamber, This is a nice home...so close to the gnomish city. You must know something about them. His casual tone barely hides the menace in his voice.
It takes a moment, but after the scout points out the exact spot, Kalenmourn seems to finally understand. Oh...I think I see it. That spot there? What do you think it is? He looks around at the others. No sense in not checking it out, I suppose. Anyone want to go in first? He places his bundle of gear on the ground and prepares for the short climb, letting anyone else go up first if they wish, then following them.
Gnome's Bane, you say? And there are over a hundred vials of it? Outstanding. This will make our assault much easier.
Hope you're feeling okay now!
Kalenmourn smiles as he looks over the porters and scouts and turns back to the group. I suggest we choose two or three other Sergeants for Zethra. Any good choices? Lady Vintressa, do any of the soldiers catch your eye? Perhaps one or two are blessed...or will be. Once that's done, I think it's best we leave as quickly as we can. Vayshan, I trust these scouts are acceptable?
Kalenmourn approaches Zethra and the others. Morgus will be one of your Sergeants, he states, expecting no objection. He turns to leave and says over his shoulder, I expect that the Lady will have recommendations for Sergeants, if not the others as well. If not, find someone to assist you. So, what shall we do with this 'army'? Perhaps keep them a half day back until the fork, as suggested? He indicates the fork in the map. We can check these minor passages west of Fasturvault for a closer staging ground on our way to the cache. Then send a scout back to lead them if we find anything.
Kalenmourn strides up to the drow named Morgus.
You. Come. He walks slightly away from the other drow, expecting to be followed. Talk to Zethra. Tell him that I have appointed you as a Sergeant. You will watch these other soldiers for me and report which ones fall out of line. I expect that none will. Let us see if this one is smart enough to take the hint. Dismissed. He then approaches the drow named Burak. If you wish to go unnoticed, you'll have to start doing a better job of it. He pauses and smirks. Do not worry, I'm not here to recruit scouts. I have other plans for you. Kalenmourn rests his hands on his belt and shifts his weight slightly, pausing again. Before the drow can interrupt, he continues, You will serve me in this camp. Watch the one called Morgus, and the others, both Sergeants and otherwise. Dissent and incompetence will not be tolerated. Watch. Report. And you will be left alone. Objections?
Kalenmourn idly sits around carving a piece of mushroom until camp is made. After which he wanders amongst the soldiers listening to anything worth hearing. Leadership, tyranny, or someone trying to avoid notice. All these things are of particular interest to him.
Kalenmourn absently turns the vial in his hand, Hrm? Oh...a curing potion. All of them are curing potions. He looks around, Yes...seeing this army would be a good idea. But I agree with my brother. Perhaps we could go ahead of the main force and scout out the settlement. Svirfneblin are perceptive and see as well as we do in the darkness. Resistant to magic, stealthy, and a knack for confusing their enemies, including blinding them. If they weren't so much trouble to control, they'd make good allies. Still absently toying with the vial, A short walk past Fasturvault should bring us to the old supply cache. It might be worth checking.
Kalenmourn tries to recall anything he knows about the paths to Fasturvault and what he knows about Deep Gnomes.
As they leave, Kalenmourn shrugs at Elrakyrr and smiles, Perhaps I'll have a bit more luck. Detect Magic
Well, this certainly sounds like it will be fun. When shall we head out?
This is my work-in-progress Drow Bard. I'll be finishing up the sheet and putting in the background/appearance shortly. But this is what it'll mostly look like barring any GM objections! Maldar: I was wondering if you'd be interested in our characters being siblings? I think it'd make for a pretty interesting interaction between the pretty boy and not-so-pretty boy in the party. I feel like they'll have a slightly antagonistic relationship and I think it'd be better as a sibling rivalry sort of thing. (Oh, and a reason for the party to put up with a charisma 5 character.) ;) Edit: Background updated a bit, pending Maldar being alright with being siblings (though it'll work mostly anyway). Appearance added. Kalenmourn is very much an artist and is often lost in thought or carving something. He's also quite impulsive. He often comes across as being braver than his brother, but this is more because he's less aware of his own limitations. |