Dekhan will take the Drow’s weapons and do a search of his person. Then, when we are ready Dekhan will lay hands on the drow for 1 hp of healing. Unfortunately he already spent his radiant soul until our next long rest. Although he can try some straight up persuasion before the torture, psychological or otherwise, starts. Set up Scupper for the good aasimar bad halfling routine.
Dekhan, you find 29 gold pieces on the drow, as well as his shortsword which a standard, though well-made, weapon. You heal him for 1 HP and he comes to consciousness. He looks at each of you (those who are present), with a neutral expression, and says nothing.
Welcome back to the land of the living. I am Dekhan. I’m going to ask you some questions, how you answer them will dictate the tone of the conversation to follow. I have no desire to add to your suffering, Scupper here doesn’t share that feeling, especially since you attacked him with this sword of yours. Fine work, by the way. The sword I mean, not the attack. But I digress. Where was I? Ah yes, I hate to see my friend here embrace his darker nature so I implore you; give us the answers we seek and make such unsavory business unnecessary. First, who is the Spider?
(to be clear from earlier - the bugbears are bound and kept just at his periphery facing away from him. I'll use minor illusion for sounds of struggle and grunting bugbear but nothing over the top yet)
(It's hard to synch this up via PbP, but I assume at this point there's a minor illusion of a bugbear screaming playing, while a shifted Strix is tearing a bugbears face off and yelling "You...shudda...talked...you...shudda...talked" between pecks to the face.")
Alright ye devious drow bastard. We need numbers and force. What's he got guarding him? Monsters like before? Wizards like Phandalin? Thugs like you? What's his plan? Where's the dwarves he took? Is he keeping em bound? Kept in a room somewhere? Yer next on the menu if ye don't catch wise and start talking. Lolth will have to come get yer soul after our man has had hiself a nice shit otherwise.
Dekhan looks at Scupper for a long moment and then back at the Drow. Please, I implore you, let me help you. Spare yourself the trial to come, spare me the burden of the doing it on my soul. Tell us what we need to know. Persuasion14
The drow looks at Scupper, his neutral expression cracking a little as he considers what the halfling might do to him. He swallows. If you are going to kill him, then I will tell you what you want, in exchange for my life. He keeps his eyes on Dekhan, trying to avoid Scupper's gaze. Do we have an agreement?
Dekhan holds the Drow’s gaze for a moment and then nods. If you answer our questions truly and fully then yes, we have an agreement. And we will squash the spider, rest assured.
The drow shivers at the horrible display before him, then seems to catch himself, and his face becomes a calm scowl. Very well. You asked about his guards. You killed two of them here, and you have me, of course. There are three more bugbears, and then Nezznar himself, a powerful user of magic. I have seen great matrons command less arcane power than him - you had best be well prepared when you face him.
Dekhan nods. Well prepared, that’s where you come in. This Nezznar, what is his purpose here? What kind of magic does he practice? Do you use any call signs or passwords? Are there any traps that you know of?
No-one knows Nezznar's ultimate purpose, but the Forge of Spells, which you have claimed, is why he is here as far as I know. Now that you have taken it, you should strike quickly, before he can strike at you. He shakes his head; I know nothing of magic. How can I say what 'kind'? The question has no meaning. No signs, no passwords, no traps, though I have never entered his innermost sanctum - perhaps that is trapped, for he has warned us against venturing there.
Dekhan examines the Drow’s face and takes notes of his mannerisms as he speaks, then considers his words, searching for indicators that he’s lying or leaving something out. insight4
Where is this sanctum ye gloomy bastard? That one is still hungry and were nearly out of faces to feed 'im. So far you've told us mostly what we know and given us a name. Be useful or be nourishing. Has he done spells in yer presence. Summoned monsters? Brought down fire? Ye say he's powerful but given no examples. Are ye a parrot jest repeating what yer told?
The drow flinches, obviously uncomfortable in his restraints, but his face seems to remain calm.
I have seen him summon creatures, yes. Large, brutish ogres, and demons from the abyss, and set them upon his enemies. I have seen him cast a web of flames that engulfed a whole room, leaving nothing but charred flesh. You will not be disappointed if you face him. West of here, he his.
Dekhan will take the Drow’s weapons and do a search of his person. Then, when we are ready Dekhan will lay hands on the drow for 1 hp of healing. Unfortunately he already spent his radiant soul until our next long rest. Although he can try some straight up persuasion before the torture, psychological or otherwise, starts. Set up Scupper for the good aasimar bad halfling routine.
Dekhan, you find 29 gold pieces on the drow, as well as his shortsword which a standard, though well-made, weapon. You heal him for 1 HP and he comes to consciousness. He looks at each of you (those who are present), with a neutral expression, and says nothing.
Welcome back to the land of the living. I am Dekhan. I’m going to ask you some questions, how you answer them will dictate the tone of the conversation to follow. I have no desire to add to your suffering, Scupper here doesn’t share that feeling, especially since you attacked him with this sword of yours. Fine work, by the way. The sword I mean, not the attack. But I digress. Where was I? Ah yes, I hate to see my friend here embrace his darker nature so I implore you; give us the answers we seek and make such unsavory business unnecessary. First, who is the Spider?
(to be clear from earlier - the bugbears are bound and kept just at his periphery facing away from him. I'll use minor illusion for sounds of struggle and grunting bugbear but nothing over the top yet)
The drow looks at you with his fixed neutral expression. He calls himself the Black Spider. I don't know his real name.
(It's hard to synch this up via PbP, but I assume at this point there's a minor illusion of a bugbear screaming playing, while a shifted Strix is tearing a bugbears face off and yelling "You...shudda...talked...you...shudda...talked" between pecks to the face.")
Strix, Shifter Shadow Monk in Lost Mines of Phandelver ¦ Sihegiall Human Soulknife Rogue in In Search of Molly McGuffin
I'm giving advantage on that deception of Strix with minor illusion
Sounds good, so the next interaction can be Deception or Intimidation with advantage, where it makes sense.
Alright ye devious drow bastard. We need numbers and force. What's he got guarding him? Monsters like before? Wizards like Phandalin? Thugs like you? What's his plan? Where's the dwarves he took? Is he keeping em bound? Kept in a room somewhere? Yer next on the menu if ye don't catch wise and start talking. Lolth will have to come get yer soul after our man has had hiself a nice shit otherwise.
Intimidating 20
Dekhan looks at Scupper for a long moment and then back at the Drow. Please, I implore you, let me help you. Spare yourself the trial to come, spare me the burden of the doing it on my soul. Tell us what we need to know. Persuasion 14
The drow looks at Scupper, his neutral expression cracking a little as he considers what the halfling might do to him. He swallows. If you are going to kill him, then I will tell you what you want, in exchange for my life. He keeps his eyes on Dekhan, trying to avoid Scupper's gaze. Do we have an agreement?
"Still <peck> Hung <peck> gry! <peck>"
Strix, Shifter Shadow Monk in Lost Mines of Phandelver ¦ Sihegiall Human Soulknife Rogue in In Search of Molly McGuffin
Dekhan holds the Drow’s gaze for a moment and then nods. If you answer our questions truly and fully then yes, we have an agreement. And we will squash the spider, rest assured.
The drow shivers at the horrible display before him, then seems to catch himself, and his face becomes a calm scowl. Very well. You asked about his guards. You killed two of them here, and you have me, of course. There are three more bugbears, and then Nezznar himself, a powerful user of magic. I have seen great matrons command less arcane power than him - you had best be well prepared when you face him.
Dekhan nods. Well prepared, that’s where you come in. This Nezznar, what is his purpose here? What kind of magic does he practice? Do you use any call signs or passwords? Are there any traps that you know of?
No-one knows Nezznar's ultimate purpose, but the Forge of Spells, which you have claimed, is why he is here as far as I know. Now that you have taken it, you should strike quickly, before he can strike at you. He shakes his head; I know nothing of magic. How can I say what 'kind'? The question has no meaning. No signs, no passwords, no traps, though I have never entered his innermost sanctum - perhaps that is trapped, for he has warned us against venturing there.
Dekhan examines the Drow’s face and takes notes of his mannerisms as he speaks, then considers his words, searching for indicators that he’s lying or leaving something out. insight 4
S’the truth, innit.
Where is this sanctum ye gloomy bastard? That one is still hungry and were nearly out of faces to feed 'im. So far you've told us mostly what we know and given us a name. Be useful or be nourishing. Has he done spells in yer presence. Summoned monsters? Brought down fire? Ye say he's powerful but given no examples. Are ye a parrot jest repeating what yer told?
The drow flinches, obviously uncomfortable in his restraints, but his face seems to remain calm.
I have seen him summon creatures, yes. Large, brutish ogres, and demons from the abyss, and set them upon his enemies. I have seen him cast a web of flames that engulfed a whole room, leaving nothing but charred flesh. You will not be disappointed if you face him. West of here, he his.
Varinth takes a swig. He eyes the brazier, his head tilting to one side.
Widsom check: 7