Tag Archives: Council

Poisoned!

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It is morning in the Underdark. The four Xaniqos siblings meet up with their eldest sister. Quarra is in a rather good mood and has ordered breakfast for them all. In the middle of the conversation about the Council, Quarra swallows her food, clears her throat and sneers to Lilith

You realize that skin kite scar on  your face is permanent, don’t you, sister? I can imagine you are upset…

Nostrils flaring, the Cleric replies

Upset? I consider it an honor to wear this battle scar, which I received during a fight for the benefit of the House of Xaniqos. And for the Spider Queen herself!

The others keep their eyes on the food and eat. It wouldn’t be wise to get caught in the middle. Suddenly a queasiness washes over them, nausea surging in and out. Then their eyesight blurs and one by one they pass out, except for Alvra and Quarra, who are less troubled by what’s ailing them. The High Priestess gets up, indignation and temper ravaging her face.

What the hell is happening here? The foo… We have been poisoned! Where’s the cook?

But the drow cook seems to have sneaked out. Quarra stalks the room and strikes down the serving slave, beating him to death in pure rage. Suddenly a loud shrieking erupts from the direction of the women’s rooms. The sound is ear piercing. The Fighter lifts his head, struggling against the effects of the drugs, and notices how his brother and youngest sister are gaining consciousness again. Lilith is still totally knocked-out. Quarra sinks into a trance and starts praying to their deity Lolth. Slowly a greenish glow appears, which envelops her hands. With the aid of the Spider Queen, she heals her sisters from the poison. Jharrath has to manage on his own, the weak male is unworthy of her blessing.

Lilith comes to her senses, no longer sick, and also Phaedra feels alert again. When she hears the deafening wailing, she shouts that there might be an intruder! After thanking Quarra, the Scout runs up to her room, accompanied by Alvra, while Lilith races towards the kitchen to take charge downstairs.

In the mess hall, Lilith is greeted by sounds of moaning and retching. Seems almost everyone in the Xaniqos household has been poisoned. After interrogating the most lucid ones, she discovers that the missing cook has fled the mansion. She immediately sends two guards after him.

Find him and bring him back. Alive. I need to have a talk with that bastard.

The guards hurry off and quickly the Cleric organizes a group of twenty more or less able warriors to patrol and guard the mansion in case of an attack.

…

When Phaedra and Alvra arrive at the women’s floor, the shrieking stops. The Scouts’ room is a mess, everything has been searched. The door to Lilith’s room is also open and offers the same view. Could it be possible they have been searching for… she gasps. The mask!

Go to the Treasurey, Alvra, and see that it is safe. Run, male, RUN!

She then turns to check her sister’s room, which has been devastated. Darts are scattered on the floor, and in the middle lies a small green snake, chopped in half. Lilith must have kept a pet snake, she won’t be pleased when she finds out, Phaedra thinks. A trail of blood  leads from the room into the hallway. Seems both traps worked properly, but they didn’t stop the intruder from entering.

The Scout follows the blood trail towards the throne room, its doors wide open. She quickly looks inside and assesses the situation. Two Minotaurs are stalking around. Seems they saw something, or someone, enter but can’t find the intruder. He or she has vanished into the shadows. Phaedra orders the creatures to guard the door – the only way out – and listens carefully until she hears shuffling to the right side of the room. It is dark. There are many places to hide.

…

To Alvra’s amazement and horror, the Treasury is deserted. Where are the Honor Guards?!  When he sees two house guards patrolling, he orders one to stand in front of the Treasury door, and sends the other to Quarra to report the missing Treasury guards. But then Amalika strolls in, alluring as ever. She seems happy to see him again… until she hears what happened. She orders Alvra to open the door, which is not locked. Amalika checks the treasury and a cold rage grips her: the Mask of the Matriarch. It is gone!

Go and inform Quarra about the disappearance at once!

All frivolity has vanished. The Fighter knows better than to argue and hurries back to alert his eldest sister himself. On his way down, he runs into Jharrath. The Wizard doesn’t look well, the poison still active in his body. Quickly Alvra fills Jharrath in on the latest developments. The wizard waves his brother onward and then turns around to head for the throne room to aid Phaedra.

…

The Scout, one of the minotaurs safely blocking the door, loads her hand-crossbow and grabs an object from her backpack. By now she hears shuffling and panting from the dark, and it’s coming closer. Quickly she shields her eyes and then throws a flash pellet in the direction of the sounds. The intruder cries out in anger and agony. When Phaedra tentatively opens her eyes, she sees a male drow, dressed in black, who looks wounded. The dart trap must have been aimed well.

Don’t let him get away, close the door and keep it shut until I tell otherwise,

she snaps at the minotaur. Phaedra then tries to trip the intruder, but somehow he evades her. Dropping into a defensive crouch, he still has trouble focusing due to the light flare. In his hands a rapier and a dagger. This man is no novice to fighting. Again Phaedra attacks, but to no avail, she can’t seem to hit the man.

Knock him down but try not to kill him!

As the other minotaur moves in to obey, the man in the black cape suddenly lunges at Phaedra. He wields his weapons expertly and wounds the female with his dagger, after which he again crouches into a defensive position. The fishy smell that comes from her wounds tells Phaedra that she has been poisoned, again. She feels a rigidity settling in her joints.

A voice at the door hisses to get the minotaur’s attention.

Open up, it is me, Jharrath. Let me in!

Since his mistress only said not to let anyone out, the minotaur figures it is OK to let someone in. The Wizard pushes past the big guardian and sees a dark figure in combat with his sister and another minotaur aiding her. The assassin blocks and counterattacks, but when the Scout sees an opening, she finally manages to trip him.

Knock him unconscious, don’t kill him!

she yells, but again the drow breaks free. Jharrath casts a spell that slows him down, but only a little. The assassin lunges towards the Wizard and his rapier pierces Jharrath’s shoulder. Again he casts a spell and suddenly a huge web appears, catching them all. Phaedra, alert as ever, delivers a blow to the intruder’s head. For a moment no one moves, and then the drow male’s eyes roll slowly backwards.

…

Clerics have come to the mass hall to heal the suffering. Having done all she can at the moment, Lilith returns to Quarra. She arrives just in time to hear the bad news from Alvra. They all hurry towards the treasury. Quarry looks worried. This could be a huge problem; the Matron Mother needs to know as soon as possible.

Go back to the Council of the Eight Ruling Houses, Amalika, and inform Lady Thandysha that the quest for the Mask of the Matriarch has failed. Not a word on the infiltration of the house though!

Failed?! Lilith and Alvra exchange a meaningful glance, holding their tongues.

…

To be continued!

Council of the Eight Ruling Houses

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In the evening, just before the Matron Mother will leave for the Council of the Eight Ruling Houses, our four brave drow are summoned to their mother’s private quarters. Dressed in a robe of spider silk, Thandysha does not even bother to ask after Vorn’s fate. Since Taldinyon is also present, the youngsters presume she knows about Vorn’s defeat. Two impressive minotaur impassively guard the door. Security is very high in House Xaniqos tonight, and Mother Thandysha reminds her children of their house insignia’s.

The Matron Mother then accepts the letters of her children with their choice for a possible alliance with one of the Ruling Houses. After reading the notes, she tells them they have named two alternatives, which she will keep in mind when making her final decision. Thandysha thanks them for their opinion and sends Phaedra, Lilith and the brothers to their chambers to get some rest. They have to be ready to be called upon though.

Later that night, the Matron Mother, her favored Consort and most of the house guard leave for the First House, where the Council will be held. Quarra, the eldest sister, turns to her siblings:

Pay attention. We are undermanned, so I expect to see you in full armor as soon as possible. And bring your weapons with you. We need to stay at high alert!

Jharrath looks rather smug wearing his new dark snakeskin outfit.

The hours pass and the attentive drow enjoy a good evening meal, separate from the main guard. Rumors already buzz through the mansion when Quarra sends for them: Cleric Amalika has arrived with news from the Council. House Xaniqos has been accepted as Eighth House! Only for their ears though, she tells them that Mother Thandysha has talked to Matron Mother Sereska of the House of Vae, who is quite interested in a coalition but can not see the benefits… yet. The other option was House Godeep, and Matron Mother Siadef is ready to return Thandysha’s favor, though on one condition. House Xaniqos has to prove itself worthy by obtaining a special artifact: the Mask of the Matriarch. This mask used to belong to one of the lower old noble houses and has been lost from sight. The Mask of the Matriarch has the powerful ability to make others cower in fear.

Cleric Amalika asks the four Xaniqos siblings if they are up to the task of retrieving this mask in the Ghetto of the Dead (situated next to the Ghetto of Outcasts). As one they raise their chins and Lilith replies with a definite yes. When she asks for specifics, Amalika tells her the mask is made of obsidian and bears resemblance to the face of a female drow. The Mask of the Matriarch is thought to be buried underneath the House of Nuchar. Strange necromancy experiments have taken place in that house, which is now totally obliterated.

The Ghetto of the Dead, also called the Necropolis, is the home of necromancers, vampires, ghouls and undead. Long ago, the ghetto was a traditional place of the dead, known for its mausoleums, cemeteries and tombs. There are eight big obelisks at the Necropolis Square, one for each of the Ruling Houses. Most drow avoid the district, venturing into the ghetto only when they must dispose of mortal remains. Once the mourners depart, the hungry undead descend to feast upon the corpses.

With Alvra in the lead, they set out into the night…

Shucks! VORN!

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The House of Xaniqos is in a slight state of uproar over the coming Council of the Eight Ruling Houses. Matron Mother Thandysha is away often and her eldest daughter is taking care of the daily routine. Somewhat proud of their success in getting rid of the kobold infestation, the siblings sleep in and have a late breakfast. Suddenly the Matron Mother sweeps in. Everyone is dead silent; the lady Thandysha never ever enters the dining room…

Though she looks ravishing, dressed up in her finest clothes, her face is contorted in a mask of rage. In an icy voice she tells her offspring that she has received a message. A message saying Vorn is still alive!! Due to their failure, Vorn’s second-in-command, who was supposed to take over from him and support house Xaniqos, barely escaped with his life. They have killed a doppelganger in stead of the real deal! Acidly she tells them,

Vorn needs to be dealt with at once. And try not to alarm the whole city!

In a swirl of robes, the Matron Mother leaves the room. Seems breakfast is over. Taldinyon advises them to hurry: Vorn is trying to escape the city!

After a stop at the armory, where Lilith asks for healing potions, the four make their way to Vorn’s mansion in great haste. When they arrive at the street, a carriage – pulled by a huge lizard – is parked in front of the main door. The Scout sucks in a sharp breath when she sees her ogre ‘friend’ carrying boxes towards it. Two drow are on top of the cart, while another is on the open loading platform at the back of the cart, surrounded by furniture. At every street corner pox bearing spies have been stationed and silent signals flow back and forth. So much for a stealthy approach.

The drow mercenaries urge the lizard forward and slowly the cart starts moving. The ogre drops everything he is carrying and runs alongside, while the other drow is balancing himself in the open cart. The Xaniqos race after, dodging crossbow bolts. They have to stop the wagon somehow! Jharrath summons two earth elementals, who attack the lizard, while the Cleric calls forth a spiritual weapon that gleams with an evil red force, hovering over the lizard’s head. The draft animal halts, unwilling to move forward. The streets are suddenly deserted.

The ogre turns back and aims for Phaedra, swinging his great club. Fortunately the Scout is protected by her armor. Alvra charges the giant ogre and throws his javelin, while bolts still hum through the air. Phaedra uses the opportunity to get clear of the ogre and tumbles past him towards the lizard. In the midst of this chaos, Vorn – with intricate spellcasting – counterattacks and suddenly one of the earth elementals and the spiritual weapon vanish. Enraged, the Wizard shoots a firebolt at Vorn to protect his remaining elemental, who is still punching the lizard.

Lilith calls upon the powers of the Spider Queen and commands the ogre to fall. When the giant humanoid crashes to the ground, Alvra immediately charges the prone brute. The Cleric again calls out to Lolth and orders the ogre to stay. One of the mercenaries jumps from the cart and stalks Alvra. The Fighter appraises this new opponent – hired mercenaries are not exactly known for their great loyalty – and decides to attack the new threat. While Lilith dooms the ogre, who is still on the ground, a newly summoned elemental finally delivers the last blow to the big humanoid: the ogre is dead! The Cleric helps Alvra and uses a touch attack to kill the hireling.

Meanwhile the Scout takes down the lizard, thus immobilizing the chariot. She then uses her spiked chain to try and pull Vorn from the carriage. Though she doesn’t succeed, Phaedra does manage to harm him. Jharrath aims a hail of stones at Vorn and the nearby second mercenary.

It is time for new measures. Vorn concentrates hard and is lost in the trance of spellcasting. With a spell of blindness, Lilith tries to break Vorn’s concentration, but to no avail. A huge gelatinous cube slides over the ground towards the Xaniqos Wizard and soons envelops Jharrath in acid ooze. Each creature that comes too close, will be attacked by the mindless cube.

Alvra throws a javelin at Vorn and hits, but the leader of the Pox Bearers quickly takes a healing potion. The Fighter launches himself at the carriage and attacks in melee, which causes Vorn to flee. The Xaniqos must prevent this, if it is the last thing they do! Phaedra and Lilith, who were both fighting the remaining drow mercenary, now turn to Vorn. The mercenary runs for his life and escapes, evading the Cleric’s hastily shot crossbow bolt. Phaedra attacks Vorn with the use of a tanglefoot bag, and Alvra jumps in for the kill. Vorn is down and out.

All three of them now shoot, hack and slash at the gelatinous cube to free their brother, who might still come in handy. At least his summoning skills are quite useful. Jharrath does look a ‘bit’ mangled. Phaedra orders two servant bugbears to carry all the furniture, books and papers from the cart back into the mansion. They hurriedly search the bodies of the slain drow and ogre and find a nightscale armor, a potion belt, a masterwork rapier and crossbow, spell book, plus a pouch with 100 gold pieces. The Cleric now orders Alvra to cut off the guild leader’s head and cover it in rags. This way the proof of his death is undeniable.

They head home – Vorn’s head dangling over the Fighter’s shoulder – where Taldinyon is waiting. The Weapon Master takes one look at the severed drow head and then sends a patrol to clean up the ghetto. The potion belt contains a potion of haste, which Phaedra can make good use of, and two potions of bear’s endurance. Lilith gives one to Alvra and keeps the other for herself. The Scout hands Jharrath the nightscale armor, but holds on to the spellbook, planning on giving that to the Matron Mother.