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Lief looks towards Allarnon, with a small look of sadness, as the evil drow woman taunts him with the request, his request, to leverage great power to return an animal to life. He shakes it off, the regret, and readies to leave, taking up the scroll, and handing it to Ederin, who should make much better use of it. "You have indeed been generous, First Daughter. We will remember you to those in Kyonin." Lief is more than ready to depart.
"Our bear died." Lief moves to the table in front of Alicavniss, and sets down the ledgers. "The material you requested. Also, Orvignato has been silenced permanently." "The bear has value, if you have the means of restoring it to life."
Soft. That's what Alicavniss would say. Lief looks upon Kaylayne as she outwardly grieves. Not soft. Humane. Capable of sacrifice. That is the difference between us and the drow. Lief nods to Allarnon, and Kaylayne, and follows closely behind, as they head to their meeting with the First Daughter. He only hopes that she honors their agreement, instead of assigning them another risky task, with more promises. He doesn't suggest stopping for re-equipping. He wants to be gone from the Underdark as much as the others.
Lief blanches, if that's possible for a drow. "Allarnon, temper your words. I'm not asking you to temper your anger. If you think you'll be able to kill Alicavniss where she stands, when we get back, you're admitting to your desire to join Tarkir in the next life. And, you're consigning us to the same fate. To act against the First Daughter, in any way, is to guarantee a grisly death, after a long torture." Lief looks to Ederin, unsure about the next set of events.
Lief looks up from his healing, as Dimitrio asks to help. He points the dancer at the barmaid. "Help Kaylayne, then. She's also in need of help."
Lief applies his wand once to heal himself, but is ready to heal Allarnon fully, alone or with others helping.
Allarnon Healing, 13 Charges:
"Time to go." Lief nods to Dimitrio. He allows Dimitrio to gather the contents, before himself gathering the Vayav and the ledgers. He bounds back down the stairs, readying another vial, should their way back to House Vonnarc prove obstructed. Glancing over at Tarkir's corpse, he looks to Allarnon. "Are you able to leave his body? Or are we bringing it with us?"
Lief hears Dimitrio cite the Moivas specialty, and nods wordlessly. Hearing the jingle of keys on the body of Orvignato, Lief takes up the collection, and heads to the office, and the awaiting safe. He looks the device over for obvious traps, but worries a bit about magical workings, too. When reasonably sure he's not about to explode the establishment, he sifts through the keys first, disabling if none of them work. He only hopes that Orvignato's personal possession of them was safeguard enough.
"Grab anything of value or interest and let's go. Lethe? Lief? Go find what made this man so dangerous? Did he have blackmail or secrets stashed *sniff* above? See if you can find them." Lief prioritizes his activity. Allarnon healed, alchemicals pilfered, then searching for Orvignato stashes, if time allows. If someone takes up Allarnon's healing, he moves more quickly to the bar, and takes what he can, using the Haste effect to optimal effect. If time allows...: Lief raids Orvignato's office, though his heart isn't in it. He'd rather spend more time with the alchemicals. Something tangible for himself, nothing interests him that would interest the First Daughter...
Round ?, Init 23 Lief looks down on the dead bear, aware of a price paid. For deigning to take up this mission, something lost, for what gained? The pelt. You gained a pelt. Tarkir could really tie the room together. Stop. Do not think like that. That's drow thinking. Besides, you're no furrier. Renewing his Haste, Lief moves to the drider, extending his spines for perhaps the last time, and finishes him off with his fleshwarping. As the spines retract, he turns to the bar, where he proceeds to locate the section of the bar he can reasonably assume to be the fleshwarping alchemicals, and takes what he can. For research, of course. Given time, he moves to Allarnon, flicking the wand quickly, continually, to make sure that nothing else is sacrificed.
Round 7, Init 23 Status:
AC = 19 HP = 50/56 Weapon Equipped = +1 Hand Crossbow Condition(s) = See Invisibility, Resist Energy(Electricity), Antitoxin, Greater Invisibility(4/10), Fly, Haste(2/10)
Lief fires blindly at the drider, tracing its location from the recent lightning bolt having singed him. He uses one of his remaining poison bolts to see the work through.
Only after he's taken the shot does he pull out his Light, unhappy to deal with blinding his companions, but understanding the need. "Light up!"
Round 6, Init 23 Status:
AC = 19 HP = 56/56 Weapon Equipped = +1 Hand Crossbow Condition(s) = See Invisibility, Resist Energy(Electricity), Antitoxin, Greater Invisibility(4/10), Fly, Haste(2/10) As the lights go out, Lief tries to review the floorplan in his mind. He decides to wait out a little more time, flying over to Tarkir's last known location, discovering the bear lying on the floor. Figuring the bear for dead, from its many attacks earlier, he at least tries to revive it through healing.
Round 5, Init 23 Status:
AC = 19 HP = 56/56 Weapon Equipped = +1 Hand Crossbow Condition(s) = See Invisibility, Resist Energy(Electricity), Antitoxin, Greater Invisibility(3/10), Fly, Haste(1/10) Lief finishes drinking another formula, welcoming what must be Orvignato himself, for all the bellowing. He watches as the drow crawls over the balcony and advances. Only after tracking his course does he realize that Kaylayne is the target. With the remaining bolts of poison, he decides to unleash as many strikes at the boss as he can. He looks over the boss for the briefest of moments.
Round 3, Init 23 Status:
AC = 19 HP = 56/56 Weapon Equipped = +1 Hand Crossbow Condition(s) = See Invisibility, Resist Energy(Electricity), Antitoxin, Greater Invisibility, Fly Lief whispers to Allarnon. "First one on your left." As he arrives in flank with Allarnon a second time, the young drow drinks another vial.
Round 2, Init 23 Status:
AC = 19 HP = 56/56 Weapon Equipped = +1 Hand Crossbow Condition(s) = See Invisibility, Resist Energy(Electricity), Antitoxin, Greater Invisibility Lief looks about, unsatisfied. The fireballs, though blanketing, seemed a flicker for what should be a much greater incendiary. He doesn't give his Necklace a third thought. Instead, the young faux drow leans in to Allarnon, whispering while he tosses back a formula. "The one in the corner behind you..." Lief disappears, and he pushes past the big bear to gain flank on Green.
Round 1, Init 23 Status:
AC = HP = Weapon Equipped = +1 Hand Crossbow Condition(s) = See Invisibility, Resist Energy(Electricity), Antitoxin In for a copper, in for a gold... Lief calculates placement for another fireball, not caring for the patrons of the Venom's Kiss, but caring very much about the scatter of guards still breathing. He keeps his eye on the barred door, actually hoping for someone to open it, and let the fire draft out.
Surprise Round Lief waits until just before Kaylayne starts to rise, to toss a single red marble from his Necklace, bringing fire and chaos to the near center of the room.
"Alright then. She won't be pleased, and that will be on each of your heads. For however long you may keep them. Your heads, you see. I'm suggesting that you'll lose your heads one of these days, turning down requests from potential business allies for your boss." Lief retracts his spines, and returns to the table. "The boss is upstairs. When you're ready, why don't we all return to the stairs?" Lief debates their course of action, then simply asks the others. "How would you like to approach the first wave of guards?"
"Well, then. Would he speak to my mistress?" Lief points back at the table hosting Kaylayne. "She may be forming a 'performance' back at the House, and might like these indulgences." Lief tries to avoid saying too much.
"The barkeep doesn't talk, so I figured I'd talk to the owner, about how he goes about getting these." Lief holds up his arms, extending his spines.
Lief watches from the bar, uninterested in joining what should be an easy fight for the bears. He does, however, pay attention to the guards, and their disposition. If any of them strike him as more leader-like, he marks them. Seeing as all of them were present on the main floor when the tender of the bar indicated the owner being on the second floor, Lief doesn't take any of the guards to be Orvignato himself. He returns to the table, once it's cleared, and remains standing, flexing his new forearm spines. "We should head upstairs now, I think. Not sure how long these are going to last." Without too much hesitation, Lief flicks his head towards the upstairs, and begins crossing the floor to reach it. While he walks in that direction, he keeps his peripherals on the guards, looking to see if they'll meet opposition before heading upstairs. With the additional mass in his forearms, he hopes they try to stop him.
Lief takes up the glass, unsure about cutting himself on the cracked parts. He takes an initial sniff, then downs half its contents, before taking the rest down. Ah well, Garridan. You'll never know the taste of this... whatever... this is...
Somewhat familiar with strange chemical burns in the air, Lief strides into the bar, taking in the sights, and waiting for the others to adjust to the atmosphere. He approaches the bar, and seeks out a strain of liquor he may never sample again, once they set their sights on flight. He may even take a sip. No more than twelve, likely, otherwise he'll have no one other than himself to blame for dulling his senses in the moment. "What's your rarest edge?" He looks about, mildly irritated. "Who oversees this sea of flesh?" He debates pressing for more than a name, let alone where Orvignato currently resides in the building. For the number of rooms, dedicated to various acts, he figures they won't have to search very far.
"...Yes we could ignite a war between the Houses!" Lief looks at his hand, with a House Vonnarc sigil ring that now allows them access to Tower Solacas. He nods, his lower lip protruding a little. "If Orvignato has any sway with another House, you may very well be right, Allarnon. In this part of town, I'm not sure how fast word travels."
Lief watches as Dimitrio fails to act, and chooses instead to use words to obfuscate what must be a very reasonable creeping fear. "Swear all you like, Dimitrio, if it will make you feel better, but I'm not asking for your allegiance. I'm asking if you're in enough agreement with our present course of action to shelve your desire to run now. As Kaylayne said, it's very reasonable to believe that Alicavniss is following us, even now. Running would only draw down upon us numerous hunting parties." As Dimitrio waits, Lief approaches the door, and speaks the passphrase, indicating that the rest of his crew is in on the desire to enter at the same time. "Sh’blu sent me."
"Look, it's not like I'm afraid of doing what needs to be done. I think we're way past that question here, Lief." Lief sighs, as the dancer fails to understand the question. "We're about to face off against another powerful drow, commanded by another powerful drow. I'm asking you to focus in asking my question of you. You're openly considering running right now." When Dimitrio falls silent, Lief stands and waits for him to approach the door, and utter the passphrase. Only after Dimitrio does this will Lief believe that he's still not going to try to run.
"The Almighty tells me he can get me out of this mess, but he's pretty sure you're fooked." You meant to say we males will be walking, while you float on air, well above the risk. Lief nods, hoping for something easy, but coming to accept disappointment as perpetual inevitable.
Lief turns to the panicked drow, the very picture of stoicism. "Do not patronize us, Dimitrio. No one is sleeping here. All of us felt Pharasma's Gaze in Tower Solacas just now. We've now received the full attention of someone powerful enough to understand what we are, despite complimenting Voslil on his work, and we are not yet exposed." The young drow holds up his arm, blood just beneath the surface in an ugly welt. "She admires this magic, and would use it to her advantage. My only fear is being forced into further black work, with little to show for it. She may tease us with small bits of information, but if she's willing to undermine another House by setting us against it, let it be so. There is still a chance here to learn something vital. I'm willing to risk it, if only for a little while longer." Lief turns to Kaylayne. "You denied us riding lizards. Have you learned of any magics to see us swiftly home? We're going to need a quick retreat for all of us, when the time comes. I can't turn all of us invisible, and their magics should easily detect the attempt. Should we stop in the market for any purchases?" ... When they arrive, Lief quaffs a formula to detect invisible creatures lurking about. He also drinks a vial of antitoxin, hoping to avoid contracting something. For good measure, he also sets his bones alight with protection from electricity, for all that he's seen in the Underdark. He looks at Dimitrio. "Are you sure that you're up to the task here?" He gestures towards the door in the distance, hoping the dancer remembers his lines.
Lief shrugs, glad to see an exit. He waits until they're out of Alicavness's sight to rub his arm, from the pinch. The pinch itself becomes a tipping point, a popping of a greasy bubble having enveloped his mind. A remembering. Soft, pfft. They're all damned, in my eyes. Let them have their dark, brooding self-pity. Who would ever want a 'drow' soul? The young drow darts a glance at Kaylayne, before continuing to retreat from the Tower, alive. "Alright. She gave us the sense that we don't have much time to get there. Passphrase, equipment. Tarkir? Do you think they allow bears?" Lief sizes up what may be a decent approach to the Den of Orvignato.
Lief startles a moment, realizing that he had a question otherwise unasked. "This may be well beyond my position to ask for anything, given the circumstances, but I'd ask of you a favor, seeing as how you have a great amount of sway in this House. It is only this- Dimitrio," Lief points to the faux drow, "was tortured during a performance, if only for the act of swaying to unheard music during his shift guarding for the House. I would humbly ask you to find the servant or guard responsible for informing on our friend, and provide him the same honor, of 'performing' for the House in much the same way our friend did." Lief strains as he asks the question, but senses the possibility, however slight, that he may prove just drow enough in the request.
"Also, I would ask one more question. How did you manage to see through our disguises? I mean, specifically. I have no doubt of your strength in magics, but I would know how it failed us, if we are ever lucky enough to share the information with the necromancer."
Lief presses his lips together, aware that Alicavness speaks the truth. How could she not be? He takes a brief step forward, bringing his hands behind him, where they clench together. "We come from the surface, but we are not, ourselves, elven. We wear your dead as skins, cloaked magically by a very powerful surface elf who specializes in the magics of necromancy. We are here to learn as much of drow culture as is possible, without losing our lives in the process. Your plausible threat leads me to believe that our research is ended, here and now, and we have only to decide how to stay your hand, which hangs above us like an executioner's." "We passed through the Gate, pretending to be drow fleeing the front. We met a member of your House, who took us in. We then deceived Undamesta, and worked ourselves into her good graces, in order to serve your House, well, I might add, and help ourselves to your resources, and your vantage in this city. There are things that threaten our world above, and we would know why Nolveniss sought out powerful magics in order to bring about its destruction. As you've admitted to not caring about the surface world, at least take our word that we wish it to continue, intact." Lief brings his hands to his front, palms forward, a sign of peace. "We fear that Azrinae holds this vital information, and our time has been wasted not having infiltrated its domain to learn from the inside. Likely, we would have still failed, for the paranoia rampant within its halls." "There. I don't think there is anything else you'd consider interesting that I could add to what I have confessed. This is a singular audience you've gathered us into, so I'm hoping that you have needs that we can meet, which would lend our lives value above our immediate executions. I'm not sure our bodies would respond similarly to Transformation." Lief finishes, and waits. He understands fully to what he has committed, both himself, and the others.
Lief watches quietly as the First Daughter weighs the party, and the possibilities. We know not how she knows what we are. We have no clue as to her personal machinations within House Vonnarc, so won't be able to tell if we're to be set on a self-destructive course, or a self-serving one. Either way, to prolong our usefulness here, we must listen to what she proposes. Then we try to figure out how to both fulfill her desires, and set wheels in motion to see us safely out of this rat cage of a society. The young drow sees no other way, so looks to the First Daughter as Dimitrio petitions her for transparency. Which is just as unlikely as any of them to reveal their true intentions themselves. "You claim that Vonnarc was uninvolved with Azrinae's folly, and yet we saw with our own eyes a Vonnarc wagon at the Gate upon our return, with one of your House, by the name of Gadak. Did you simply supply Azrinae forces, without committing manpower?" Lief asks with genuine curiosity.
Lief realizes the Cat has finally stopped toying with the Mouse... or has she? He doesn't spend any time studying the woman further. They are in her Tower, under her powers. They are found out. And they are not dead. "Are you done?" Lief asks the First Daughter. "Or do you have further questions of us? Are you readying our deaths as you pronounce your judgment? How much time do we have, then? You are convinced, and no words we offer will dissuade you from your sentence. If you are done, and you have no further questions, are you seeking our help, like your brother? I believe your brother wants us dead, too, and has likely convinced you of something to see it done by someone as powerful as you." Lief stands ready, for what, he's unsure.
Lief hears Kaylayne speak, and takes comfort initially that she's finally taken responsibility for speaking directly to the First Daughter. Then he pays attention to her words. Huh. Ederin was by your side while you sought knowledge and information. You look weaker because you try to explain how you are better than us males, which should be a given, you foolish woman. Pretend we aren't here, and you'll better resemble a drow woman, like the First Daughter. Now, there's an example of true female drow... power. Lief lifts his eyes from the woman's chest, to her face, then down to the floor again.
Lief tries to suss out why the First Daughter would ask that, considering the alliance between House Azrinae and House Vonnarc. If she's truly in the know, then she's asking to pull at the threads of Dimitrio's yarn. If she doesn't know, then she's been left out of a particular loop, which feels unlikely. Lief continues to look at Dimitrio for their collective response.
Lief relaxes, aware that Dimitrio understands the Cat and Mouse taking place at present, and which animal he is. When Dimitrio mouses well, Lief finally finds enough air to fully fill his lungs. It takes his entire concentration to keep from over-inhaling. He looks at Alicavness, his eyes taking in her full female form. That. That is what a female drow should look like. He allows only a brief moment of appreciation before he sets his jaw, and waits.
Lief cringes as Kaylayne looks to Dimitrio, the one responsible for their current predicament, and gives him license to inevitably give them all away to the wily First Daughter. He holds his tongue, for what good will it do him, if he can't pass air across his vocal chords to speak? He looks at Ederin, and his bow, and wonders if they're about to perform a coup within House Vonnarc this very moment.
As the hole in the floor ceases to be, Lief feels a tightening, as if the floor psychically constricted his throat. When Alicavniss enters, he irrationally believes that she is currently to blame for the sensation. He looks about the table, seeing many things that would please his palate, but he fears nothing will pass the constriction in his throat. He neither eats, nor speaks, preferring to look to his 'mistress' for some indication of permission to relax. As if she could ease his fear. With the thought, his throat tightens even further.
Lief watches as the doors close behind them. He's feeling slowly more and more like a bird in a cage, with cats prowling about. But the cats prowl within the cage, not without. And Lief is suddenly very afraid. And very angry with Voslil, and with himself for ever thinking they'd be able to hide in plain sight. No. They're not here because they're superior servants. Undamesta would have been more forthcoming, even prideful. No. Something has shown through. He's suddenly very angry with Dimitrio, the only one of them to have been studied during his 'performance'. Magic worked over the Varisian's body, and something felt wrong to the mage, and now they're here, among the wolves, like sheep to the slaughter. Why it took so long, he doesn't know, but he's certain that they need to watch their next step very carefully.
Lief gathers all his possessions. Tower Solacas. Whatever comes next, he's suddenly very nervous. The place where their rings won't allow them. A summons, but a nameless one. Without any time to read Undamesta, Lief can't find anything to reassure himself. He tries to predict whatever he can from whatever gossip has managed to circulate regarding the Tower.
He quietly speaks to the others regarding whatever he remembers.
Lief returns to their room, doing his best to feign strength as he passes the House Guard, as well as fellow servant drow coming and going, even for the late hour. He saw the femur cut coming, so was able to avoid heavy bleeding and maintained only a small limp after he had quickly healed on the street. With morning's arrival, he shares his intel, leaving nothing out. He only speaks when the clear sign is given. "So Azrinae had a bit of an exodus, led by a new matron, Allevrah. They left Zirnakaynin. Not sure to where. House Azrinae is bolstering its arms by opening vaults of weaponry that sounds at the same time both awe-inspiring and bed-wetting." Lief shoots a mournful stare at Dimitrio, remembering the man's awful turn during his 'performance'. "As for Vonnarc and Azrinae, we were witness to their mutual presence at the Gate, so it's no surprise that they've colluded, though to what extent, or if it's continuing to this day, I can't say. There is talk of war between the two Houses, if their symbiosis has waned, but that may also be ruse." Lief checks his wounds, and his formulae. He turns over an empty one, before remaking them, grateful for its presence last night. Without having Vanished in the middle of them, he's not sure he would be here to convey his newly-acquired information.
Lief decides that his time will pass more comfortably with Allarnon, and his desire to interact with the denizens of the city, rather than the books of the Library. "Stories being told it is, then. Let's take to the city, and try to understand Azrinae's relation to the attack at Celwynvian. The Paingiver wasn't too keen on anyone from House Vonnarc being associated with the activity at the Gate, was my take on it. Another drow we could isolate and question would be Gadak himself, but he's Vonnarc, and would likely speak to Drovoanis about my continued nosing about, and I'd end up with a 'performance' of my own." Taking to Zirnakaynin, Lief stays close by Allarnon, glad for the protection. "I'm thinking we're better suited to pull stories about Celwynvian through second-hand braggadocio. Keep an ear out, and we might be rewarded." For the two days, he finds himself distracted somewhat, so promises to stay out longer to commit to some degree of investigation. He tries to weed out the irrelevant material, concentrating on Azrinae's designs on Celwynvian, and their leveraging of the Gate. He notes any and all Houses that may have tried to access the Gate, as well.
Lief looks at Ederin with confusion. "Cocky? Did you... no, of course you didn't. My apologies. We, uh, I tried to torture one of the captured drow to ply information from him, to no effect. It was utter failure. I only managed to bleed threats from a soon-to-be-dead drow. Not cocky at all... resigned. Resigned to the fact that we are outmatched on almost every front when it comes to drow politics. There was no way we weren't going to be followed, in retrospect. If the Second Son had designs on assassinating Safan, he didn't need to track us, he just needed to track Safan." Slightly more agitated than he thought he'd be with Ederin, he refrains from further elaboration.
Lief frowns as Kaylayne suggests ever helping the Second Son. She's becoming a drow more and more with every instance she can exert her female privilege. "Our cause. Yes. We still haven't learned anything regarding the Plucking of the Star, as seen through drow eyes. What are our odds that we'll ever stumble upon a crumb?" He doesn't really expect anything substantive from Kaylayne, as he opens the conversation up to the others. "How much longer will we remain?" "I've been cleaning out your tracks to make sure none of us are followed again." Lief gladdens to Ederin's return, snorting when the tracker indicates their being followed. "For our directness in absconding with Safan, it was all too easy for the Second Son to set dogs on our trail. Avoiding being followed is as easy a feat as torturing a drow for information."
Lief waits until Kaylayne gives them the sign to speak freely, then inquires of his mistress. "Are you going to speak with Undamesta, regarding the Son's assassination attempt? Or are we going to let things lie? Are we worried about the ones that got away informing on us as having succeeded? I only worry that the Son will take a personal interest in us, and target us similarly, if he thinks we grasped the dynamics of the attack. I personally don't think so, for having killed both the priest and the guard. The other one wasn't privileged to the priest's threats, however hollow they were."
Lief listens as the wymin engage in their subtle negotiations to who may be more offended, and the young drow sighs inwardly, glad to puppet his wishes through his mistress. "No, we escort her and lizards back." Lief nods demurely. "Of course, mistress. We'll be slower in our return, and less agile as a unit, should we encounter any other ambushes, but our lives are yours to use as you see fit. I can not doubt your sympathies with Safan. Being scorned and all. It must be horrible to have endured a relationship of so many years, only to have it end with the male trying to kill the female." Lief doesn't bother to look in Safan's direction, simply waits for Dimitrio to return from scouting.
"When she learns what you have done here today, against a lord in house Vonnarc, it is you who shall be punished, not me. I shall see you punished for this." Lief looks the wide-eyed priest over, trying to place him as lord, then shakes his head. He means the son. When Kaylayne ends the drow's life, a small regret passes across the young drow's face. No chance to try something else. I suppose that's for the better. He presses Safan through Kaylayne when the bodies have been disposed. "Mistress, do you think that Safan would agree to lend us these lizards in order to return more quickly to Undamesta? We did just save her life." Lief pretends subservience.
Lief nods, fully expecting the answer. He remembers Dimitrio's 'performance', and suppresses a small shudder, hoping it looks more like anticipation than bad memory. Well, I can't argue that. We certainly have his body... Lief reaches out to Ederin, his hand grasping for something unmentioned, until he remembers the archer's absence. He frowns, then turns back to the cleric, debating what to work with first. "I'm glad you are ready. We don't envy your position, having failed in your intention to see Safan survive your attempt on her life. When we return to the House, I suppose your Master will do our work for us. Let's at least make you presentable, eh?" He begins on the eyelids, slowly cutting them free of their roots. He is slow, and careful not to injure the eyes, which must function through whatever he is to face in the future. Lief occasionally looks up from his work, an inquiring look thrown to his mistress.
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