Stone Giant

Posted on September 28, 2014 by Marion Driessen

The day after their visit to the slave market is spent studying by Jharrath, while Alvra visits the merchant Nyttoris. Free to do as she pleases, the cleric still has to pay close attention to etiquette, since the Matron Mother is a very adept politician and an intelligent, ambitious and self-assured woman. And she won’t let a cleric of House Xaniqos be anything less.

In the evening they set out towards the slave market again. It is more quiet this time as business is slowing down. When they walk towards the dais, they are stopped by a male drow.

What are you doing here?

Just looking around, we might want to buy something. Or someone.

You can’t proceed, this is a private area.

Like the old drow yesterday, this male is also not wearing an insignia. Lilith steps forward and takes over the conversation, so Phaedra can scout ahead.

We were here yesterday, when House Tormtor was doing business, and we could walk around without any trouble. So what’s the problem now?

Meanwhile, her sister slips uphill, until she sees four kua-toas. One is wearing a headdress. They seem to be checking out slaves. In her excitement, Phaedra loses cover and is spotted by the fish-like humanoids. Her sudden appearance creates a commotion and Phaedra can hear them shouting in their watery language. The scout unobtrusively scuttles back towards her siblings, but it’s too late. With snorts and growls, two huge bugbear overseers appear. One of them starts to cast.

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Jharrath recognizes the spell as ray of enfeeblement – they seem intent on taking the Xaniqos siblings alive. On both sides, coruscating rays spring from the bugbears’ hands, but they have no effect on the wizard because of his spell resistance. Phaedra also nimbly dodges the spell. Since his mistress hasn’t given the order to attack, the fighter stays alert in full defense. The wizard counterattacks with a spell of his own. Suddenly slime appears at the feet of one of the bugbears.

I’m warning you, don’t take another step!

Not wanting to waste their energy in an unnecessary fight, Lilith says:

Apologies on behalf of my intrusive sister. We did not meant to interfere with your business.

Seeing the reason in her words, the overseer is about to call off his bugbear guards, when two kua-toas appear around the corner. Dressed in leather, they carry no weapons but still look very capable. They are soon followed by a kua-toan priestess. Both monks give her a wide berth. Something tells Phaedra that she has seen this kua-toa before on their way to Blessed Seahaven. On the priestess’ command, the monks attack with flying kicks and flashing hand attacks – even in two directions at once, while the Xaniqos fight back with spiked chain, lightning and flame strikes.

Suddenly the humanoids pull back and a loud, clanging noise is heard from giant bars that are being moved aside. A huge shape, hulking, to not hit his head against the ceiling of the quarter he was in, appears and is easily recognized as a stone giant. At full length he is 12 feet high. The wizard immediately casts a spell, and a foul sludge seeps out of the ground, coating the area before the giant in a twenty feet radius. The scout’s chain is aimed at one of the kua-toas, while the bugbears make a flanking movement.

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Assessing the situation, Lilith suddenly yells in a very commanding voice.

Stop this madness! We came in search of slaves, and now we are treated like this? Harassed without any cause? You will stop this at once, and we will leave.

The monitor, under the influence of the cleric’s diplomacy, orders his bugbears and stone giant to step back.

This is a terrible misunderstanding,

the drow says, holding his crossbow.

As far as I’m concerned, nothing happened.

Then four guards of House Vae turn the corner, in full regalia, spears and shields ready.

When we came looking for slaves, we were attacked by these kua-toas. Outsiders without the mandatory green cloaks. I don’t know how things work here, but in our ghetto that’s not allowed!

The cleric is indignant in her anger. The guards salute Lilith.

We will deal with this at once, mistress!

On their way back, Phaedra says:

Those were no Blessed Seahaven kua-taos, Sister. I recognized the woman from our trip from Looblishar.

Hmm, that’s interesting! Did you see the slaves?

Yes, but they were normal ones, nothing special.

The drow continue towards their home, deep in thought.

The Slave Market

Posted on September 21, 2014 by Marion Driessen

The date of the big feast draws nearer and the drow siblings start to feel at home in the Xaniqos Manor. Lilith, who has increased her status as a full noble of the house, is kept busy with social meetings and other activities that befit her station. At some point Phaedra pulls the cleric aside and tells her that she’s been keeping tails on Blessed Seahaven.

Something fishy is going on. There are Kua-toas present who don’t follow Blid Dool Poolp, and there are Shar’ans about. Do you want to check it out?

The cleric gladly takes the opportunity to get away from her social obligations for a while. Together they go in search of their brothers. Jharrath is in his room, but to get Alvra, they have to go to the training grounds. Many Xaniqos soldiers are training, and their brother is practicing with javelins: broken sandbags and splintered wooden dummies are silent witnesses of the fighter’s prowess.

You have ten minutes to freshen up and be ready,

Lilith orders. Everyone seems to be training fanatically. A group of eight drow is drilled in crossbow tactics. All goes smoothly and it is a sight to behold. Orcs hastily help don Alvra’s gnashing armor.

The four leave for the Ghetto of Chattel; both Alvra and Phaedra have been there more often. It is an interesting area, though some parts are not that safe. There are many slave traders, even mindflayers. Their miserable wares stare blindly into the distance; among them orcs, goblins, and even drow, some duergar, ogres and giant ettins.

When the Xaniqos continue uphill, they arrive at a big square. A cacophony of sounds greets them, where traders shout in undercommon, people talk and pull their weapons. The market is rather organized. In the middle of the square a group of six slaves is being sold, their fighting spirit broken. Only the bite of a whip can bring back some power to their dull eyes.

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Among the visitors are a couple of kua-toas. They are not participating in the trade, but observe everything closely. Phaedra signals to her sister and quietly mingles with the crowd. Drow guards of House Vae patrol in groups of four. They seem to mind their own business, as long as no one asks for their assistance.

The slave traders with cheaper ‘wares’ bid against each other in loud voices. Lilith heads towards a dais where the more exclusive slaves are sold, but is not allowed any closer. House Tormtor seems to be looking for fighters. The cleric is told she can make an appointment if she wants special slaves, like spell casters.

Phaedra notices that an elderly drow often is assisting in the higher deals. The male takes notes with a large feather pen in a book, which a slave carries. He keeps an eye on all that is going on. Phaedra walks towards the ancient one and waits until he notices her. He doesn’t seem to wear a House insignia.

Greetings, Sir, do you keep track of the higher purchases?

Yes, I do.

And do only Erelhei-Cinlu inhabitants do the buying?

No, other cities as well. Looblishar loses as many slaves as they buy.

Does Blessed Seahaven also buy slaves?

No, they have never kept slaves.

But do other kua-toas buy them?

Yes, actually there’s a meeting scheduled tomorrow.

Phaedra continues:

And if we wanted a private audience at our House, could that be arranged?

Yes.

Thank you, I’m much obliged.

With that, the scout returns to her siblings and quickly informs them of her discoveries.

Creepy Creeps

Posted on June 17, 2012 by Marion Driessen

House Xaniqos has calmed down a bit. Occasionally the Lady Thandysha falls into a fit of rage, but is mostly taking it out on her eldest daughter, Quarra. One morning, the Xaniqos siblings walk into K’yorl, the house wizard, who is dressed in an expensive robe.

I hear Jharrath has had an interesting business proposition in which I’m quite interested. I would advice you to check it out as soon as possible!

Jharrath has been talking to Tylesse, a merchant who trades in potions and alchemy items and ingredients. His supply caravan has been ambushed near a cave complex and the only survivor mentioned a big reptile as culprit. If the drow are able to get the bag with ingredients back and punish the perpetrator, House Xaniqos will get a 30% discount. A good deal.

The four set out into the Underdark and reach the crime scene. A huge cave opens up for them, revealing four entrances. It is silent in the cave, the only sound is water dripping. A perfect environment for lizards, salamanders, small vipers and vermin.

Lilith orders her brother to check out the various entrances. The first and second cave are small, with patches of the ever present fungi. When Alvra is about to enter the third cave, the scout warns him. Clicking sounds indicate the presence of large vermin. In the middle of the large bare cave is a nest with two cockroaches. The stench is overwhelming but the Fighter goes in anyway. Phaedra signals the others to come closer and together – in between several gagging fits – they attack the huge insects. Alvra kills both creatures.

In the last cave the company is faced with a stream that leads to the right, with a smaller tunnel on the left. More clicking sounds resonate against the walls. The Cleric tells her Wizard brother to summon an elemental and check out the water. After its appearance, Phaedra follows close on the summoned creature’s heels. The elemental kills the approaching cockroach in two massive blows and the company moves forward. They all wade into the tunnel, past the insect’s carcass, towards the fourth beast. With magic missiles, Kellgore’s firebolt and heavy pummeling, they manage to slay the cockroach. Will there never be an end to this vermin? Another big beetle scuttles close and again it is Alvra who slashes it to smithereens. Lilith, not displeased with her brother’s performance, heals most of the Fighter’s wounds.

Down the tunnel, in a relatively dry part of the cave, they find rotting material, some bones, a purse filled with gold and two tanglefoot bags. The Cleric gives one of the bags to Alvra. A pool of water lies stagnant in the center of the cave. When Lilith looks closer, she sees movement on the surface, but assumes it is caused by the moisture that is dripping down the walls.

Then they discover five relatively fresh kobold skulls and a very fresh goblin head. A masterwork chainmail lies close, flanked by a magical sword. Three skulls are arranged into a shrine; Lilith doesn’t know any religion that uses this kind of display. Suddenly Phaedra warns her siblings of a new threat: a predator sound arises from the water. A large crablike insect emerges from the pool, with dark hungry eyes, mandibles and tentacles, quivering around the beast’s maw. It is a very fast moving crustacean, that clicks its two big pincers.

The beast tries to grapple Jharrath and the Wizard activates a grease spell and attempts to free himself, but the crustacean wraps his tentacles around him, totally paralyzing Jharrath. The same fate awaits the Cleric. Phaedra manages to chop off one of the tentacles – her brother drops to the ground – but then gets grabbed by the beast herself. Before it can act any further, Alvra kills the monster with a huge hit. Phaedra lands gracefully and checks on her brother and sister. Both are not moving, Jharrath on the verge of death. When he comes by, they offer him a healing potion. Soon after, Lilith also gains consciousness.

Behind the pile of skulls, they find a big bag with ingredients and several potions. Jharrath confirms it is the stuff they were searching for and starts taking tiny samples from the ingredients. Phaedra scolds him and tells him to put them back.

Bloodied and injured, they make their way back to the city and search for merchant Tylesse at the market. The nobles stare at the group and the Cleric glares back. Merchant Tylesse is impressed and tells them she is in debt of House Xaniqos. They have earned their 30% discount on all wares and receive two potions of holy water and two bottles of accid. Then the siblings head back to the mansion, exhausted and filthy. The masterwork chainmail and magic short sword are donated to the armory, though the Cleric keeps the gold pieces. Jharrath finds out that the beast was a Chuul, a predator that has the custom to keep trophies – if nothing else can be found, they will keep the skulls of their victims.

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