Eleasis 15, 1371 DR.
It's odd that the group received a letter from Kerri Dundragon, a merchant you've had dealings with in the past, especially while in the Dales and Cormyr. The merchant is known for fair work, and her trade consortium stretches from as far east as the Dales to the westernmost areas of The North. The night is cool, odd for summer, but not unpleasant. Walking into the East Gate in Tilverton from the Moonsea Ride, the two Purple Dragons on duty inquire as to your business, and allow you to pass with little fanfare.
Finding the Windlord's Rest is quite simple, actually. You, like most folk, go to the old location, which is now an inn known as Jonstyl's banner, run by a limping dwarven woman. A pair of gnomish runners, almost instinctively knowing where you were intending to go, guide you through the winding streets to what seems to be the southermost section of town. There, as they show you, is the Windlord's Rest.
Upon entering the rest, you are greeted by an elderly gnome, who interoduces himself as Thungor Trilbane. He's balding, but has a very nicely kept beard and eyebrows you'd swear were fuzzy caterpillars. He greets you warmly, and inquires as to your reservation. Upon hearing that you are here to meet with Kerri Dundragon, he promptly asks you to follow him. He walks through several winding passages, and the taller of you duck under a few beams, but eventually you walk into a nicely lit home-like building. Sitting in the room is Kerri. She acknowledges your presence, and finishes writing on her coster notes before speaking. Thungor excuses himself at this point, and lets you know that breakfast is served promptly at sunup, for those that are awake.
"Well met, friends, Greene." Kerri says, with a worried look on her face. "I fear that your assistance may be required with some... problems along the Northride, as well as along the Tethyamar Trail. It seems that things best kept underground are coming up to the surface."
At that time, from another room, one of the stout folk, a dwarven woman of modest proportions for a dwarf, comes in. "Are these the folk you have called, Kerri?" She asks.
"Yes, Umil, they are." She says, turning back to your group, "Allow me to introduce Umil Brightblade, of Anathar's Dell. She, as well as her family, are good friends of mine, and they have been supplying my silver trade bars for the past 10 years. Unfortunately, we've run across a problem lately."
"Damn right we've run across a problem Kerri! We've run across the darkest of the dark. The Drow are on the surface! Not only that, they're raiding anything going through the Shadow Gap. What's worse is that it may be some form of territory war, as we've been attacked as much as we have found drow bodies, killed by their own murderous bretheren. This is horrible, and, I believe, a sign of things to come. The Dell is currently safe, as we're about two days' ride north of the "problem" in the Shadow Gap, but who knows if one side wins if they will start scouring the lands north and south of the Gap."
"Calm down, Umil. These folk are going to help." Taking a deep breath, Kerri begins, "About two months ago, a caravan of mine that always trades with the dwarves of the Dell was accosted by some dark elves. The first group merely inquired if others of their dark skinned bretheren had been seen near the area, but the second group had nothing but murder on their mind. In both cases, my caravan was outnumbered 3 to 1. Usually, we have no problems with 10 or so folks on the caravan route along the Northride, but this was different. Two of their number survived, and fled the caravan, making it to the Dell, and past the cats, at daybreak. Exhausted and bleeding, they fell to the ground, thankfully being found by one of Umil's cousins. They were able to relate what had happened. Something sinister is going on. The Drow should not be on the surface, and whatever has brought them to the surface needs to be stopped. My company cannot work without trade bars, and the Dell cannot survive without some of the trade that I bring in. You see our quandry."
Umil interrupts, "So, will ye help us, or do we gotta find someone else to help?"
Unconsciously trying to hide her face with her hair, "Lyra" answers softly.
"Drow? My teacher told me about them once. Dark elves with an affinity for spiders and subterfuge. If the tales are true(and I have little doubt they are), something is very wrong. I'll lend my services, as it should prove to be a rather interesting trip. Plus, my songs can help keep moral up!"
"Can we meet with the survivors of your caravan before we make any commitments? We have to be certain as to the scope of the threat we are facing, so we can determine the sufficiency of our manpower. More quests have been lost due to insufficiency of the means employed, don't you agree?"
Sunaj looks at his companions.
"Please do not mistake my caution for refusal to help. But we would be compounding the seriousness of the situation if we are ill-equipped to deal with these drow. You see I am familiar with their methods. Don't ask how I know. Tis best you don't know how I know."
Umil replies simply, "I'd love for you to meet 'em. Sad thing is, most healing magics haven't worked on them. Somethin's wrong with how they got hurt. They're still in the Dell, so you'll have to pass through just to get to 'em.
From what I was told, one group seems more 'peaceful' than another, however they were at least 30 strong. The other group, also about 40 strong, was much more militant. Armaments included swords, hand crossbows, and moderate armors. When we came through, we saw about ten bodies, all drow, but stripped of armaments and armors. They might be cannibalizing each other, and we didn't see all the rest."
Davin frowns in thought.
Shaundakul demands that I help those in need, and I cannot turn my back when trade is being interrupted. It would be better if we had more information, but I must act.
Sunaj nods at the prompt response. "Gentlemen, I would like to meet with these survivors. All interested to do so may accompany me. But those who believe that their time can be best applied to something else, please do not let me stop you."
"Master Umil, please lead us to these survivors. We might yet be able to help them."
"And Master Davin, consider that: action without purpose is no action at all."
Greene Tanache, arrayed with mithril armor and twin rapiers, the Andress family coat of arms painted across his breastplate, bent one knee when Kerri Dundragon entered the room. "My lady," he said, quietly. They'd met twice before, once at the point of his sword. Greene recognized the fear in her eyes because he'd put it there himself so many years ago and it shamed him.
"Well met, friends, Greene." Kerri says, with a worried look on her face. "I fear that your assistance may be required with some... problems along the Northride, as well as along the Tethyamar Trail. It seems that things best kept underground are coming up to the surface."
Greene rose to his feet and brushed his long, charcoal hair out of his eyes. "What do you mean?
"Damn right we've run across a problem Kerri! We've run across the darkest of the dark. The Drow are on the surface! Not only that, they're raiding anything going through the Shadow Gap. What's worse is that it may be some form of territory war, as we've been attacked as much as we have found drow bodies, killed by their own murderous bretheren. This is horrible, and, I believe, a sign of things to come. The Dell is currently safe, as we're about two days' ride north of the "problem" in the Shadow Gap, but who knows if one side wins if they will start scouring the lands north and south of the Gap."
The tiefling listened to the dwarf with a dark expression, growing ever darker. Impossible. The Drow are nothing more than an elvish fairy tale. "You're certain these creatures are dark elves and not merely bands of tieflings? There are places in Faerun where fiend-blooded gather in great numbers."
"Calm down, Umil. These folk are going to help." Taking a deep breath, Kerri begins, "About two months ago, a caravan of mine that always trades with the dwarves of the Dell was accosted by some dark elves. The first group merely inquired if others of their dark skinned bretheren had been seen near the area, but the second group had nothing but murder on their mind. In both cases, my caravan was outnumbered 3 to 1. Usually, we have no problems with 10 or so folks on the caravan route along the Northride, but this was different. Two of their number survived, and fled the caravan, making it to the Dell, and past the cats, at daybreak. Exhausted and bleeding, they fell to the ground, thankfully being found by one of Umil's cousins. They were able to relate what had happened. Something sinister is going on. The Drow should not be on the surface, and whatever has brought them to the surface needs to be stopped. My company cannot work without trade bars, and the Dell cannot survive without some of the trade that I bring in. You see our quandry."
Umil interrupts, "So, will ye help us, or do we gotta find someone else to help?"
"Can we meet with the survivors of your caravan before we make any commitments? We have to be certain as to the scope of the threat we are facing, so we can determine the sufficiency of our manpower. More quests have been lost due to insufficiency of the means employed, don't you agree?"
Sunaj looks at his companions.
"Shrewd as ever, Mister Fellhand," Greene said, folding his arms. "These people don't have the luxury of choosing their battles."
"Please do not mistake my caution for refusal to help. But we would be compounding the seriousness of the situation if we are ill-equipped to deal with these drow. You see I am familiar with their methods. Don't ask how I know. Tis best you don't know how I know."
Greene softened his expression. "Your caution is understood, but I cannot share it." He looked at Kerri. "I owe you a debt, far more than a few paltry coins. Whatever my comrades decide, I will fight and die to repay the forgiveness you've shown me. I know something about darkness. It breeds where wills are weak and men are selfish."
The tiefling removed his coin purse and held it out for Kerri to take, unable to meet her eyes. "Take it. 130 gold pieces, all that I have. If I die, I'd rather you spent it."
"Mister Greene, winning wars is what I am about and not choosing battles."
Sunaj adjusts the greataxe across his back.
Sunaj nods at the prompt response. "Gentlemen, I would like to meet with these survivors. All interested to do so may accompany me. But those who believe that their time can be best applied to something else, please do not let me stop you."
Kara stares at Sunaj pointedly.
"Just the gentlemen? And here I thought I was included in the group."
There is a hint of amusement in her words.
Kara returns her attention to the discussion.
"Perhaps a magic of some kind is being employed to counteract the healing spells? The drow may not want the survivors to survive long."
The tiefling removed his coin purse and held it out for Kerri to take, unable to meet her eyes. "Take it. 130 gold pieces, all that I have. If I die, I'd rather you spent it."
Kerri brushes his hand, and coin purse away. "If you can find what the cause is, and possibly stop it, the money you hold to me may do you more good than myself. You know what they will be doing, perhaps better than others of your... kind."
Umil, watching gravely, says "Yes, I understand the fairytale aspect of Drow to you. I assure you, there is no mistaking those damnable dark things from below. No fiendish kin of theirs would be mistaken for a tiefling, that much is ceratain."
"Drow..." Finrod rasped, thinking of the cataclysmic tales he has heard of Drow in past ages.
"We need some way to beat their ability to cast Darkness; else we should just go home. Dispelling it won't help, they can just recast it at will. Darkvision, perhaps a wand..."
Kerri brushes his hand, and coin purse away. "If you can find what the cause is, and possibly stop it, the money you hold to me may do you more good than myself. You know what they will be doing, perhaps better than others of your... kind."
Greene felt a momentary flutter when the woman touched his hand, meeting her eyes just long enough to convey the unexpected feeling, then he nodded brusquely and stowed the purse. Since entering the service of Lathander, many things he once feared too much to acknowledge had become a part of him. His red eyes and animal-like incisors were mild manifestations of his true heritage, but they were sufficient to keep him from seeking or acknowledging the attentions of women. He no longer feared such reactions, but pride and remorse would not allow him to stare too long at Kerri's face. She was as lovely as the day he'd spied her riding through the High Forest, but he couldn't look on her now without seeing himself as she saw him then: a bandit, a highwayman, a rogue.
Umil, watching gravely, says "Yes, I understand the fairytale aspect of Drow to you. I assure you, there is no mistaking those damnable dark things from below. No fiendish kin of theirs would be mistaken for a tiefling, that much is ceratain."
"If they are drow," Greene said, casting a glance at Sunaj, "then their aggression must be answered. Our friend knows their ways. Perhaps some accommodation may be reached, if some among them feel differently than their kin and oppose these attacks." Even without Sunaj's answer, he had his doubts. He did know their kind, if not their race. Greene would freely extend one hand in friendship, so long as his other was on the hilt of a blade.
The tiefling turned to Sir Basil. "You are a more honorable man than me, Sir Basil, and you have fought in Tyr's name far longer than I have known Lathander's. I will follow your lead, but I think it's foolish to delay if the drow are on the move. If they're given time to spread, they could rule the Dell and Shadow Gap as the Thorn once ruled High Forest."
Kane hops down off the stool he has perched himself on, and looks around at the big people around him. "I have heard of these drow, although I have not crossed paths with them. I once new a man who had...never the same again...changed his whole personality. He used to be a wild one...last I saw, he'd turned to religion...bastard still owes me money too..."
Sunaj nods at the prompt response. "Gentlemen, I would like to meet with these survivors. All interested to do so may accompany me. But those who believe that their time can be best applied to something else, please do not let me stop you."Kara stares at Sunaj pointedly.
"Just the gentlemen? And here I thought I was included in the group."
There is a hint of amusement in her words.Kara returns her attention to the discussion.
"Perhaps a magic of some kind is being employed to counteract the healing spells? The drow may not want the survivors to survive long."
"Milady, it is not my intention to exclude you. To the point, I insist that you accompany me. I will let none of these hooligans harm a single hair on your beautiful head."
For DM_Darkmeer
"Drow..." Finrod rasped, thinking of the cataclysmic tales he has heard of Drow in past ages.
"We need some way to beat their ability to cast Darkness; else we should just go home. Dispelling it won't help, they can just recast it at will. Darkvision, perhaps a wand..."
"The drow's ability to cast darkness will come into play most assuredly, if they can catch as off guard. Hence, if they do not catch us napping then I submit that we have nothing to fear. Also none of this one-on-one etiquette on the battlefield. The drow do not as a matter of course follow such. Gang-up on them and kill them. End their lives before they end yours."
"I for one do not intend to be within melee range of the drow and if they do come, I know a trick or two that may negate such."
Kane hops down off the stool he has perched himself on, and looks around at the big people around him. "I have heard of these drow, although I have not crossed paths with them. I once new a man who had...never the same again...changed his whole personality. He used to be a wild one...last I saw, he'd turned to religion...bastard still owes me money too..."
"Describe this religious bastard. Perhaps I know him."
For Kane
Sunaj
Kara
Greene
All:
For DM_Darkmeer
"The drow's ability to cast darkness will come into play most assuredly, if they can catch as off guard. Hence, if they do not catch us napping then I submit that we have nothing to fear. Also none of this one-on-one etiquette on the battlefield. The drow do not as a matter of course follow such. Gang-up on them and kill them. End their lives before they end yours."
"I for one do not intend to be within melee range of the drow and if they do come, I know a trick or two that may negate such."
Finrod leaned over the table, his green eyes blazing over the scarf that covered the lower half of his face.
"Fool of an Orc!" He snarled. "You might have no problem with Darkness-at-Will, but most of the rest of us will be helpless! You know none of us have trained to fight blind! Oh, and they like to fight at range. With poison."
Sunaj raises his left eyebrow at Finrod's tirade. He smiles and whispers to Finrod.
In Elven
To the hearing of everyone, he declares that:
"The poison the drow use is not intended to kill but only to incapacitate. Slaves are a prime commodity in the Underdark. Tis a rare drow who will not attempt to capture slaves."
"Master Umil, I pray you for a guide to the survivors."
"Lady Kara, the recovery of the survivors would surely hasten if you grace them with your presence."
"Master Umil, I pray you for a guide to the survivors.""Lady Kara, the recovery of the survivors would surely hasten if you grace them with your presence."
Greene arched an eyebrow and turned to the Dwarven woman. "Mistress Umil, my companion jests. As the Dell is on the other side of these attacks, we would not think of asking that you or anyone else endanger themselves for our benefit. If you'll kindly provide us with a map, my learned associate will have no trouble reading it."
The Tiefling stepped closer to Finrod and hoped that his presence and the presence of so many allies would ease the ranger's mind. "I understand your fear," he said, softly, so that only Finrod could hear. "I know the power of darkness. It was my province once, and I used it well. The enemy of dark is light. Take heart." He smiled. "Fellhand is an excellent tactician...though not, it would seem, a practiced listener. He intends to travel through the Dell to the victims of the attacks, exposing himself to the very same threat he intends to evaluate. A dangerous oversight or a cunning plan, who can say which?"
Greene addressed the Half-Orc. "Since it would appear my duty and your discretion both pass through the Shadow Gap, we need not quarrel or expose ourselves to the same danger separately. If we travel to the Dell together, we reduce our risk when we pass through the endangered territory. While you're tending to the sick, I'll double back and learn what I can at the Shadow Gap in the hopes that the plight of the wounded will better balance your conscience against your reason."
"Lead on, Mister Greene."
Finrod listens to Greene Tanache and slowly nods his head. "Yes, of course." He rasps out.
He looks at Sunaj Fellhand again. "I do not council cowardice, but I would like to hear something more than 'I have a few tricks'".
Sunaj
Kane hops down off the stool he has perched himself on, and looks around at the big people around him. "I have heard of these drow, although I have not crossed paths with them. I once new a man who had...never the same again...changed his whole personality. He used to be a wild one...last I saw, he'd turned to religion...bastard still owes me money too..."
Greene raised an eyebrow. "You know more than one scoundrel who turned to religion? Perhaps the gods are trying to tell you something."
Sunaj ** spoiler omitted **
For Kane
Sunaj tells Finrod and the others, "Watch."
For DM_Darkmeer
His image shimmers suddenly a drow is now in front of everyone.
At the sudden transformation into a Drow, Finrod gives a violent twitch and grabs his shortsword.
He points at Sunaj and says "THAT..."
...
...
"...could be very handy." Finrod relaxed his stance and seemed to be staring at nothing, thinking.
Kane hops down off the stool he has perched himself on, and looks around at the big people around him. "I have heard of these drow, although I have not crossed paths with them. I once new a man who had...never the same again...changed his whole personality. He used to be a wild one...last I saw, he'd turned to religion...bastard still owes me money too..."Greene raised an eyebrow. "You know more than one scoundrel who turned to religion? Perhaps the gods are trying to tell you something."
Aye, indeed they are, my...righteous companion
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His image shimmers suddenly a drow is now in front of everyone.
Hmf. How do I know whether or not the drow can see through your tricks? I would feel much better knowing that we could see through theirs. I imagine that drow skulls crack much like any other, once you know where to swing. What we need is a plan based on knowledge, not wishful thinking.
Oh, that and some eggs in the morning. I don't see why you and Greene are in such a hurry. I doubt that the drow will be ruling the Dell and Shadow Gap before I can belt on my pants in the morning. Rested, well fed, and relaxed is better for clear thinking.
I'd like to hear what Onyx has to say, perhaps while we try out some of this town's sausages.
Basil looks up from the scroll he is scribing to the commander of his oder describing the results of his last escapade..
"Parlour tricks and petty squabbling are not going to get us through to the Dell ..we'll need to be ready for a fight..and a hard one at that, these Drow are not stupid..and I have heard that each and everyone of them wields some degree of magic."
He turns back to the scroll and reads what he has just written
"...and so Sir if it had not been for the uninvited presence of that meddling old fool from Shadowdale we woud in truth have carried out the task with much greater alacrity thatn we managed to achieve..."
The dwarf-mage, who has been unusually silent, finally speaks.
"Aye, drow are not an enemy to be trifled with. Weeks, months or even years is still too little time to prepare for such an enemy. I myself have studied many written sources about dark elves, and I still don't feel I know them."
He gives each of his comrades the gravest expression he could muster.
"On the other hand, when dealing with drow, time is not our ally. They tend to act with speed and precision. Many innocent lives will be lost if we tarry. So yea, we should visit the survivors. But once we have done so, we must act decisively."
"Milady, it is not my intention to exclude you. To the point, I insist that you accompany me. I will let none of these hooligans harm a single hair on your beautiful head."
"How nice of you. Do not worry about me overly much, it wouldn't do for a member of our company to get hurt protecting me."
The dwarf-mage, who has been unusually silent, finally speaks.
"Aye, drow are not an enemy to be trifled with. Weeks, months or even years is still too little time to prepare for such an enemy. I myself have studied many written sources about dark elves, and I still don't feel I know them."
He gives each of his comrades the gravest expression he could muster.
"On the other hand, when dealing with drow, time is not our ally. They tend to act with speed and precision. Many innocent lives will be lost if we tarry. So yea, we should visit the survivors. But once we have done so, we must act decisively."
Well put my stout friend. I am all for acting decisively. I don't think we should be tarrying here for too long if action is hat is needed.
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Aside to Greene:
Or, if you prefer, I'll speak with her, although my graceful charms may prompt her to look elsewhere for adventurers. Actually, that would work to our advantage. Watching them would be an opportunity to learn more about our enemies, and their failure would put us in a better bargaining position, although I would feel sorry for the unlucky scoundrels who take the assignment.
winces
"Could you speak up? I'm a trifle deaf in this ear."
Umil replies to the group as a whole, "So, you'll all be traveling with a half-deaf fool when the drow themselves are typicaly stealthy? Wow, you are all either brave or foolish."
..."Oh, that and some eggs in the morning. I don't see why you and Greene are in such a hurry. I dobt that the drow will be ruling the dell and shadow gap before I can belt on my pants in the morning. Rested, well fed, and relaxed is better for clear thinking."
"Too true, Huergar," Kerri replies, trying to ease the tensions in the room. "Sunaj seems well versed in their tactics. Perhaps, over dinner this evening, and breakfast in the morning, you will be able to discern some sort of 'battle plan' for facing the dark ones." Turning to Onyx, Kerri says: "If you leave in the cover of darkness, and they meet you there, who is in their element more, you or them? Daylight is your ally, in this we know. Unfortunately, without this being the constant, we will have vulnerable times, just as they will."
Kerri motions for everyone to follow her, and after a couple of winding passages, in what appears to have been a street at one time, is a dining hall. "I rented the whole hall tonight, given that we have so many of us. There's a bit of everything, since I didn't know what everyone ate."
And she is right. There are lamb chops, steaks, whole roasted chickens, and every vegetable under the sun. There are several cheeses and breads, and even an elven fruit bread of some kind. For the lighter fare, there appears to be a couple of soups. Umil heads straight for the keg on the left, fills up a mug, and motions for both Onyx and Huergar to come and fill a mug with her.
"I fear that even leaving tonight, you would do yourselves more harm than good. That, and you've already heeded my summons and traveled at least a week so far. So, I believe it's best to enjoy the evening. Please, everyone, have whatever you'd like."
Sunaj
Huergar
Responds to Umil, "No, we just feel lucky."
For DM_Darkmeer
Oh and have I seduced the little minx? I rolled a 32.
Sunaj removes his hat and back returns his mixed-blooded countenance. "So, you see what I am proposing to use against the drow is: trickery and misdirection. Anyone here have a problem with underhanded tactics? Speak now or forever hold your peace."
For DM_Darkmeer:
"Lady Kerri's counsel is wise, my friends. Daylight is hurtful to the drow, so great is the darkness in their souls."
Umil chuckles at Sunaj's humor. "You're not half bad... unlike some other folks like you I've met. Trick the drow into thinkin' yer one of them? Nice touch."
Kerri smiles at Onyx and replies "Why thank you, my stout friend."
Kara:
Finrod, Onyx
They can see in the dark further than anyone in the group (to 120,' as you can put into character).
They cast many spells: Dancing Lights, Darkness, and Faerie Fire each at least once per day.
They favor lighter weapons, quick to draw and quicker to stab you with.
They are very perceptive, as well as stealthy.
You've already shown the poison and Darkness abilities, but those are the most well known (and "fairy-tale" of the abilities).
Sunaj:
They can see in the dark further than anyone in the group (to 120,' as you can put into character).
They cast many spells: Dancing Lights, Darkness, and Faerie Fire each at least once per day.
They favor lighter weapons, quick to draw and quicker to stab you with.
They are very perceptive, as well as stealthy.
Some of the "highborn drow" also have abilitiy to levitate, detect magic, and detect good in the hearts of men (men intended as use as "all races").
Other drow have adapted to the light of the sun. Virtually none of the followers of Lolth have done this, but many of others () have adapted.
You've already shown the poison and Darkness abilities, but those are the most well known (and "fairy-tale" of the abilities).
Not all drow favor the Spider Queen, Lolth. Some favor Vhaerun or other deities, like House Jaelre.
DM:
"Ms. Dundragon," Greene said quietly, "I thank you now for your kindness. Even the most jaded of my companions has a good heart. You may trust that we will help you, when all is said and done."
I thank you for your hospitality madam. We will do our best to discover the intent of the Drow and to remove the threat if possible.
Davin loads a plate with food and takes a nearby seat.
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Huergar takes a mug at Umil's prompting without any sign that he has anything against her; indeed he has quite forgotten anything she said earlier. He allows himself a few pleasantries and nurses his single mug slowly over his meal. The food seems to quiet him and put him in better spirits.
Presently he excuses himself from Umil's company and seeks out Kane. He is curious about what the rogue is discussing and seats himself at a distance where he can easily hear what is said and possibly be invited to join the conversation.
He limps slightly as he moves about the room. His armor appears too big for him, and the overall impression he makes is rather pathetic.
Later on Onyx shares what he knows of the drow:
They are very resistant to magic (SR), and that, like elves, it is hard to affect drow with Enchantment spells.
They can see in the dark further than anyone in the group (to 120,' as you can put into character).
They cast many spells: Dancing Lights, Darkness, and Faerie Fire each at least once per day.
They favor lighter weapons, quick to draw and quicker to stab you with.
They are very perceptive, as well as stealthy.
The poison and Darkness abilities are the most well known (and "fairy-tale" of the abilities).
"Aside from what you have said, Onyx, I would like to add that some highborn drow do exhibit 'talent' above the norm, some levitate, while still others do have the power to look into the hearts of men."
"That said: there are some drow who have thrown off their fear of the surface world and can operate here without penalty. But they are most often non-Lolth worshipping outcasts. But does not mean that they are not dangerous. Because they all are DANGEROUS."
"But they all die just the same."
Kara
** spoiler omited**
"Well now," she thinks to herself, "Who would have guessed Sunaj likes me? I hope he doesn't find out I lied about who I am, he seems nice..."
"So the plan is simple then? I'm starting to wish I had hair less visible in the moonlight."
"I'm going to have to pick up some writing materials, this has the makings of a great tale." She thinks for as moment. "Perhaps I will be remembered for more than my carnival shows..."
"Yup, plan is simple: kill them before they kill you."
"We will need a plan indeed...but as I'm sure we all know no plan, even the most carefully thought out can cope with every eventuality...So let us have a basic plan..a simple one that can adapt to circumstances."
"These Drow count many fiends amongst their allies....servants of the foul Goddess they serve..I am equipped and trained to deal with such...my role therefore is clear..what of the rest of you?"
"We will need a plan indeed...but as I'm sure we all know no plan, even the most carefully thought out can cope with every eventuality...So let us have a basic plan..a simple one that can adapt to circumstances."
"These Drow count many fiends amongst their allies....servants of the foul Goddess they serve..I am equipped and trained to deal with such...my role therefore is clear..what of the rest of you?"
"Don't worry about my role. I have a high art: I wound with cruelty those who wound me."
"Now anyone has a map of the area we're going to?"
"We need the map to determine the most likely place for an ambush and from there determine the points from which we can launch a counter-ambush."
"Sounds like plan, doesn't it?"
"I can ask around to see if anyone has a map that is up-to-date and well priced. Shouldn't be to hard, to find, seeing as it is a trade route."
"As for my part in the ambush, I can hold my own in melee and am a fair hand with bow. Despite this scar," she points to the one running down her left eye, "I can handle a whip well enough in a pinch. I also have a bit of magic, a voice for song, and bits of knowledge on various subjects at my disposal."