Undrella AKA DM Dan E's page

A muttered word and Undrella becomes visible, landing smoothly on the balcony edge. She makes her way over to Kardswann, seemingly intent on satisfying herself he is really dead.

The size of Grall's killing wound means that process doesn't take very long and she beams at you.

Dead at last! Well you certainly held up your end of the bargain. I can scare believe you managed it without casualties.

Linah interrupts her impatiently. Speaking of casualties. Arjun. Where is he?

Oh! In of the sleeping cells below. This way.

When I left he was in a cell on the ground floor off the arena. I daren't get too close.

I really need to go. I will return if I can.

If you mean to launch your assault best do it as soon as possible. If you mean to defend here, she looks pointedly at some of the crumbling wooden supports and holes in the ceiling, I hope you can come up with a good plan. Remember that Kardswann cares nothing for stone walls. He can fly over them or walk straight through. He means to see you all dead.

She stares at Sajan for a moment and then moves to go.

Last chance for questions or requests.

Dusk comes and goes with no sign of the harpy.

Instead it is fully dark when a winged figure drops down out of the sky into the courtyard, surprising Sajan who is resting after Linah's care. Incidentally tonight is the last moonlight night this lunar cycle.

Hi there handsome. Her playful greeting isn’t reflected in her wan and wearied features. She is panting lightly and her wingtips tremble as if she has flown here very fast. A hessian sack is tied to her belt. She seems to avoid looking at it.

I need to talk to everyone. Kardswann has demanded my attendance and I don’t have much time.

When everyone gathers (Linah from her vigil in the chapel) she speaks.

Well if Kardswann didn’t know you were a real threat to him, he knows it now. I’ve never seen him so angry. He took the leader of the gnolls you faced today and strangled him to death with his bare hands. It seems as if this Emissary had come to negotiate the terms of some alliance between the Carrion King and the Kulldis. Well .. alliance was the term used but it seemed as if Kardswann was going to have the Kulldis swear allegiance, take up worship of Rovagug and all of that. That’s all ruined now. Kardswann is wroth. Something else too. If I didn’t know better I’d say it was fear.

He expects his reinforcements some time the day after tomorrow. He doesn’t intend to mess around any longer. He’s not going to let you kill any more of his gnolls piecemeal. Those that are left from outside have been pulled into the battle market. When the reinforcements come he’s going to march here at the head of his forces and burn the place to the ground. I’m to use my magic to draw you outside for the gnolls to slaughter. If I don’t … well he made certain promises as to what would happen to me. You’ve had difficulty reading her before but she seems honestly frightened.

As I promised, I spoke to the human merchants and slavers at the battle market. Warned them subtly to stay out of things. Truth be told they didn’t need much encouraging. None of them are warriors and none want to get into the middle of this. The bugbears were another story. Kardswann has promised them gold to fight for the Kulldis and they haven’t seen you in action yet. I think they’ll fight you.

As for Arjun. She pauses. Kardswann has him. As frustrated as Kardswann is, I’m not sure how long he will survive.

He ordered me to bring this. She gestures at the sack. And empty it out from the air and fly back.

She opens the sack. Inside is a severed, left, human hand.

Well sounds like the emissary is already here.

She yawns, flourishing her parchment map filled with notations in a neat script.

OK its all here. I will go see if I can find out where these new gnolls are to be quartered. I can’t see Kardswann allowing them to stay in the battle market but he won’t leave them in the lower town either, not with you running around killing his allies there. Best to limit any trips to the tannery. I don’t want to be found out. I’ll return here at dusk.

She moves to leave.

List repeated on my profile. The map may take me a little longer to put up I will confirm when this is updated. Its just before midnight and the Kulldis’ nightly sing-a-long. To bed?

Undrella responds to Linah's musings. Oh yes. The gnolls will be on constant alert now. Bird and I will return to my home. I will see what else I can find out.

In response to Khalid's question she waves the parchment she's been drawing on. I'm marking it down here. Everything I know about.

OK Q and As are hard to do in PBP so Undrella is going to tell her story and you can ask any specific questions.

Very well. You may want to brew some coffee as what I have to say may take some time.

Undrella takes parchment, quill and ink and as she talks she begins to draw, sketching a layout of the battle market.

As I’ve mentioned I’ve lived here in Kelmarane for seven years.

The place was pretty much abandoned when I found it. A few hostile animals that Bird and I either cleared out or moved on. The Kulldis, Kardswann, the perytons. They all came later. I cleaned up much of the battle market but the place was far to big for me to feel comfortable there. So I made my home in the tannery. It was quiet but I was content.

First came the Kulldis about three years ago. Their leader was a bit of a forward thinker, at least for a gnoll, and thought the town would make a good base for slaving and so forth. Some of the tribe, including their women and younglings, stayed up north. They took over the upper town. Obviously there wasn’t much I could do about it so I made a bargain with their leader and his chief shaman. In exchange for potions they left me alone and allowed me access to the battle market and the alchemical equipment there.

The situation wasn’t ideal but I made the best of it. Things changed when Kardswann came about nine months ago. She stares into space for a few seconds.

The truth is I don’t really know what Kardswann is. He’s never spoken about his past in my presence, not even once. He appears human, although stronger and tougher than any human has a right to be. But his eyes glow a faint blue and he has powers commonly attributed to the jinn [genies]. He can fly, turn invisible, walk through walls and make himself or others much bigger or smaller. He can communicate telepathically and believe me that is very unpleasant. He wields a magic great axe and he is deadly with it. Once, just once, when he was very angry he said that he was “lessened” but I don’t know what he meant.

The Kulldis treat him as some kind of demigod. It is doubtful they will give up or flee while he lives. As they tell it, Kardswann simply wandered into the town one day and killed their leader with a single blow from his axe. When I first laid eyes on him shortly after he didn’t seem to have any particular interest in ruling the Kulldis or Kelmarane. He didn’t seem to have any particular interest in anything. But he spent a few days exploring the ruins and something must have changed his mind. He declared himself chief, killed all of the gnolls that dared to disagree and has been ruling them absolutely since.

His actions since then speak of purpose but I do not know what it is. He continued, even expanded the old leaders plans, opening the battle market to everyone, gnoll or not. That brought human traders and slavers and whatnot. But he also sold basically the entire Kulldis’ slave force for coin. The gnolls don’t like that much, they hate to do any actual work. He seems practically obssessed with getting his hands on spellcasters but when each he managed to capture failed to do whatever he wanted them for he killed them, painfully and horribly. Worst of all from the shamans perspective, he commenced talks with the Pale Mountain packs, those ruled by the Carrion King and worshipers of Rovagug. That was heresy, even from Kardswann, and a few months ago the remaining shamans and their converts launched a coup. Kardswann crushed it and them without blinking. As far as I know theres not a shaman left to the Kulldis, at least here in the south.

I mentioned a reason why Kardswann may not move against you directly and that in essence is it. The gnolls are expecting an emmisary of the Carrion King any day. Kardswann will not want to show weakness before them. Even such as he must respect the Carrion King’s power with hundreds of gnolls at his direct command and perhaps thousands including his vassals. Equally though, I'd suggest you’ll not want to fight them together. Whoever this emmisary is it will not be weak. And if they're a servant of the Rough Beast then one look at those vestments, she gestures at Linah, may send them into a frenzy. Kardswann has already put out the call for all Kulldis to return to Kelmarane. At best guess he will meet this emmisary for however long it takes while he gathers his reinforcements. Then as soon as the emmisary leaves he will hit this place with all of his power.

I for one would not want to be here when that happens.

Undrella also seems to have regained her composure although Khalids statement that the Kulldis may or will know of her involvement seems to have her thinking. She sprawls casually into her cushion.

Well I will not involve myself in any combat. However I can tell you what I know of the disposition of the gnolls forces. I can draw you a layout of the battle market. I can tell you what I know of Kardswann and his abilities. I can try and ensure that any of the neutral visitors to the battle market stay out of any fight.

Oh.. and I can give you my key to the battle market doors. Would that be helpful? she asks the last with a smirk.

Monstrous! Undrella’s voice goes up several octaves and the pactguards place hands on weapon hilts. I’ve come here in good faith. Maybe I should just leave you to kill each other. You have no idea of Kardswann’s powers. He’ll send your pretty head back to your precious Pactmasters in a basket! If your very lucky he’ll kill you quickly.

Things seem to be degenerating rapidly.....

I’ve skipped through a bit but it seemed boring to do introductions. Feel free to retcon anything up to this point.

If Almah’s words unsettle the harpy, she hides it well. I offer no oath of service. I offer my assistance. You call yourself mayoress. From where I sit, Kardswann and the Kulldis would have something to say about that. You control only this monastery and it looks ready to collapse at any moment. From the looks of things you have even fewer soldiers than I thought. With just this handful the Pactmasters can’t have much faith in either your capabilities or your prospects. You need my help, whether you realise it or not.

As Sajan and Grall move the peryton into the room the harpy retrieves a reddish iron athame from a box sitting on one of the long racks. She walks back over to the pair and with a single efficient movement cuts the perytons throat moving the creatures neck to spill the spurt of blood into the tub. When it subsides she pushes the body into the hole and closes the trapdoor.

Thank you. The awful things would have tried to kill Bird and I long ago if given the choice.

Now. That should suffice for now if the Kulldis come sniffing around. It would be ideal to cover your tracks from the mill to here but safer for you to leave right now I think.

So. Shall we go see your boss now and make our bargain?

You take the items and quickly return to the mill, Sajan and Grall dragging the peryton.

The door opens as you approach, Undrella must have been waiting for you.

Well I must say you've exceeded my expectations. The gnolls are gone, swam back across the river. Well what do we have here? A present, for me?

How thoughtful dear, she smiles winsomely at Sajan. Though I normally like my gifts a little less likely to gore my throat out.

Bring her in.

Undrella moves inside and over to a corner with a large bronze tub. With far more strength than you'd expect from her slim frame she pushes it aside revealing a trapdoor in the floor. Then opens it to reveal cool darkness beneath.

Over here please.

Only reference to Kardswann is from the harpy and yes she seemed fairly careful about what she said.

In response to Linah's questions, Undrella seems a little cagey. Your getting a little ahead of yourself dear but I can understand why their your immediate concerns. The Kulldis' prisoners are all dead as far as I know. The gnolls were chasing for one that escaped during the battle but that was days ago. If they did manage to get away they're probably dead.

As to how much they know about you, little enough I suppose. Kardswann doesn't often share his plans with me, even less now he has his flame witch. Most of what I know is from what I observe at the battle market. The surviving gnolls from your battle with the schir described you and your numbers. Kardswann was roth. By killing his demon he knows he must take your threat seriously. Though I have reason to think he cannot move against you immediately. We can discuss that later. The perytons on the other hand... it depends what they have been ordered to do.

OK thats a mill plan which will be the next update.

This Almah is your leader? If you succeed I'll talk to her myself.

She turns to Khalid. Of course. They live in the mill. Horrible things. Have you seen them? Two of them. Flying creatures, part stag, part wolf. They serve the Kulldis. Kardswann set them to find your camp. Normally at this time one or both would be hunting but now I'm not sure. Don't take them lightly, they're cunning. Oh and you will need enchanted weapons to harm them fully.

Knowledge arcane for more info on perytons. Knowledge history might provide some info as well.

Grall's stumble sends shards of pottery and liquid flying everywhere.

Gah! My nimbus grass extract! Do you have any idea how hard that is to find?

She rushes over to try and salvage as much as possible throwing aggrieved looks at Grall. A few minutes later the mess is cleaned up and Undrella serves tea on dainty ceramic cups to Sajan and any others.

She seems delighted by Nuverils offering. Nutmeg! And silphion! I have to hassle the traders mercilessly to get any spices. This is a very thoughtful gift!. She seems to have at least partially forgiven Nuveril for earlier.

After that she is silent for a long time.

Ok there are partial and full successes availabe on dip checks here. With a penalty for questioning the harpies lifestyle choices and a bonus for a very appropriate gift nuveril just squeaked the partial success. Ill make a bare roll for Linah to see if she can do better than that 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (9) + 9 = 18. Ok no so we will proceed.

It would not unplease me if you defeated the Kulldis. Kardswann is a pig and he has hurt me. I have a proposal. You defeated the gnolls guardian demon, that awful schir Kezurkian. If you can defeat the perytons without bringing the gnolls down on you then it will prove that you have a chance. Enough of one for me to risk. If you succeed then I will help you. But first we would need to agree the terms of a bargain. If you intend to reclaim this town for the humans then I want my ownership to this house confirmed, in writing, sealed and all legal as you humans do it.

Sajan blushes a little. Thankyou, bird lady. Where did you live before you lived here? Sajan used to live in a big farmhouse, but some bad Gnolls burnt it down. Grall here is a good Gnoll, you'll like him i'm sure.

She bustles between racks. Let me see where did I put that tea... hm cardamon, pesh stalks, powdered nightshade ... ah heres the tea. Let me put that on.

Well my people dwell in the very deep sections of the Brazen Mountains, up near Osirion. I didn't get along with them as you might expect so I travelled quite a bit: Nex, Osirion, here in Katapesh. Learnt alchemy and a bit of magic in Nex. There a bit more liberal about such things there.

I'm sorry to hear about your farm dear. Gnolls do not make good neighbours in many ways I fear. I honestly think its there awful gods as much as anything. But things were better when the old chieftan was in charge. They call Lamashtu the mother of monsters you know, so they pretty much left me and Bird alone. The shaman wasn't too bad either, all things considered. Completely crazy of course. Kept cutting into his own head to find his third eye.

She seems to be thinking about how to answer Grall's question.

Due to Sajan's favored status and endorsement of Grall as a "good gnoll' I'm going to treat that as an auto-assist to his diplomacy roll.

She beams at Sajan. You don't talk much but you are such a nice man.

The irony. The 7 charisma Sajan is doing by far the best having stowed his weapon, eaten the soup and complimented her hospitality.

"What do you do here, besides cook?" Nuveril bursts out incredulously. "I mean, before the gnolls came. What is there so desirable about this ruined town that you would rather serve the gnolls than leave and reclaim your freedom?"

She draws herself up to her full height, wings half unfolding and her eyes flinty. You become acutely aware that this creature is half bird of prey.

You know nothing of my life little halfling! Do you have any idea what its like making your way in a world where most consider you a monster? Where your own people consider you a freak! I found this place. A place where I could make my potions, cook my food, without a horde of humans coming to burn me out. Thats more than I've ever had. Theres none of your freedom out there in the world for such as me.

Its not a perfect place but its mine! And the gods themselves will have to drag me out wings up before I'll leave it!

She calms herself with visible effort. Now would anyone like any more soup? She smiles at Sajan. How about a nice cup of tea? I'm sure I have some tea here somewhere...

Grall returns, perhaps hearing the raised voices, and asks his question.

Diplomacy roll for Grall please. Others might like to assist or make their own entreaties.

Edit:Remembered that your best diplomancer said she was off for a bit. I'll make an attempt on her behalf depending on how Grall fares.

Ah how rude of me! I thought you'd all declined.

She scoops you out a big bowl. Oh I hope you like it. Its even better with nutmeg but I haven't been able to get any of that in months.

Undrella AKA DM Dan E wrote:

Would be pretty difficult to fit these, she waggles her wings, under a robe like that.

As I said. I'm not allied with the Kulldis. And I am not that woman. There is just the faintest hint of heat in her voice.

** spoiler omitted **

Khalid snaps out of his mild trance...

"I believe you when you say that you are not that woman, do you happen to know who she is?"

I don't know her name. The gnolls call her the flame witch. I understand she roasted a few before she joined them. They are terrified of her.

She pauses, walking over to the cauldron and spooning out a portion of soup into a clay bowl. She takes a sip. Ahh. My mother was utterly crazy but I have to admit her soup recipes are amazing. I actually have to thank you. You need a really big snake to make the best snake head soup.

Look. I will be frank as you seem the sort to appreciate that. I am happy for the company and happy to share my soup. But if I give you information then I get involved in your little war against the Kulldis. And if I do that and Kardswann finds out then he'll stake me out in the desert for the vultures to eat. If I'm still alive after a few days of that he'll stop being so pleasant.

The remains of the last group to challenge the Kulldis, these so called Lions, are still feeding the hyenas. Unless you've got an army tucked away somewhere I can't see how the six of you can defeat them. So no gain for me if I help you but plenty of downside if I do and you fail. You can see my difficulty.

Would be pretty difficult to fit these, she waggles her wings, under a robe like that.

As I said. I'm not allied with the Kulldis. And I am not that woman. There is just the faintest hint of heat in her voice.