The noble drow looks between the arguing human and firbolg. Once he would have been proud of the human's reasoning, clearly the way of the drow. Vizeran might well discover their betrayal though and decide to punish them by placing the heart among those far more innocent than his kin. Even if the betrayal went unnoticed there was no real telling how Vizeran would react. All that aside, for some reason he still felt that this was their fight and the less people that perished in this final battle the better. "I'm sure we can find some place devoid of life on our way back where we can place the heart. Trying to cross Vizeran now by placing the heart at Araj will just endanger the mission in my opinion." He says calmly, then looking over at Horkas and Katryl.
Horkas adds his opinion to the mix. "I never liked the idea of tricking Vizeran nor of sentencing this city to destruction. Of the many locations in the underdark we've been, the vast oblivion where we defeated the beholder is a good spot. Devoid of life now, and tough to get out of unless you can fly. Perhaps easily bottled up by a good rockfall. The madness has to end before it spreads any further, and only our display of kindness and heroism has a chance of changing the hearts of those already angry and bitter..."
Khessa shrugs, resigned: "The Vast Oblivion it is, then. It is not the first time my opinion is not the most popular. And since I'm more a cabbage farmer the fate has taken pleasure in toying with, than a full-fledged hero like most others, I'll be ready to follow the course of action the majority of you think is more appropriate - I'll do whatever it takes to help you save the Underdark and the Prime Material Plane".
(So taking the heart to the Vast Oblivium then? Going straight there?)
Khessa would also like (if no one is against): - Gather the Army (so that the party has all the help possible when it comes to eliminating the 'winner' among the Demon Lords) - Have the party invest in large quantities of holy water (to prepare a trap for the 'winner' among the Demon Lords)
But aside from that yes, she is ready to go to Vast Oblivium and choose a low-altitude location for the heart - one with a corresponding high-altitude location where the party can hide to witness the 'demonic free-for-all' and, at the end of that fight, act.
"While some of us can fly, not all of us can," Katryl mentions. "But if you all think the Vast Oblivion is best then let's try it. We can't really face all the demons at once. We need places where we can isolate them one by one and be able to retreat when needed. Maybe the Vast Oblivion does that? Seems the area with the troglodytes also would work for that - without falling or flying."
She then adds, "I just don't want to see it in Araj, nor the drow city." She looks at Khessa. "I'm not sure why you're so eager to punish Vizeran when he's helping us. Likely those drow in their city are far more responsible for the abduction of your family. And the destruction of countless others." She leaves it at that and waits for the others to make a final decision.
Khessa raises a perplexed eyebrow at Katryl's words: "I thought I had clarified the tactical reasons that led me to recommend forcing the involvement of an archmage, his allies and his tower with its defenses. And I did not remember talking about punishing Vizeran. And I don't think it's helpful for us to go now into the possible reasons why I should punish him for something (not because I want to deny the possible existence of said reasons, but because they are not our primary focus at the moment). Anyway," she shrugs "I seem to have already said that, considering that the majority prefer a different set-up for the shodown with the Demon Lords, I will adapt and follow you anyway. As far as I'm concerned, this matter is closed".
"All in all, it has already happened several times, since we have known each other, that a different course of action than the one I recommended was chosen. And it has never been proven that this has harmed or hampered us" the blonde arcane warrior recalls, smiling confidently. "Therefore I have hope that it will be the same this time. I have more faith in the combined wisdom of all of us together, than in that of myself alone. If we consider even just the last time I resorted to it, if I remember correctly, I burned down an archwizard's sanctum".
"I just think we're pressing our luck if we bring the demons on top of him," Katryl retorts. "But there's no reason to go on and on about this. I think we're deciding between the troglodyte place or the Vast Oblivium at this point? Traydark? Surely you have an opinion. It seems Lulu and I have spoken for the one place. Horkas and Khessa for the other."
Lulu's tail curls around her ankle as she considers all this back and forth, finding their group is not unanimous in anything it seems. Their disjointedness worries the firbolg, though she knows the gravity of the situation is likely affecting them all. It could be important they find even just a single moment for levity before their final battle begins.
As Katryl asks Traydark his opinion--the drow inadvertently becoming a tie breaker--the cleric wonders how she might bring them all together again.
The noble drow hesitates before finally speaking up. He wasn't used to be asked for his opinion.
"I think the first question is whether we deal with this ourselves or if we bring in all our allies. I know some, maybe all of you, would want an army fighting the demon lords and their minons, but to me it would still be an unnecessary and quite frankly cruel waste of lives. I admit the troops have proven to be of some use during our search for the components needed to create the dark heart, but this fight ahead of us will be nothing like we ever faced before. Some of us were at Sloobludop when great Demogorgon rose out of the Darklake and not even the greatest of the kuo-toa did anything but flee in panic and madness, as did we if you recall. We are tougher now but our allies aren't and when great Demogorgon, weakened or not, turns on them they will hopefully all flee, or stand in terror as he crushes them all. That said, if the majority wants to gather our forces then so be it. If this is the case we would need a battle field where they can make themselves useful which of the two options presented would be the troglodyte lair. If we, as I propose, do this ourselves, well, assisted of course by the earth elemental and Horkas' mechanical friends, then I would vote for placing the dark heart in the Vast Olivium."He says calmly, looking around at the others.
“So perhaps we should decide first whether or not to bring our allies with us” Khessa tries to keep it practical. “I am the first who does not want any unnecessary loss of life. But lives will be lost — and many — if we die, rather than banish the Demon Lords. Given that,” she turns to everyone “what do you think? Will the Zhentarim be able to be of any use in battle? And the scouts, with their ranged weapons? And the gauntlet veterans, nearly as skilled as I am in melee and, at least some of them, equipped with magical weapons? Or is our entire army as useless as the archmage, his allies, and his tower and its defenses? Shall we give up the army just as we gave up the other possible aid? Shall we go alone? Hoping to be able to finish off a weakened Demon Lord by ourselves? And knowing that if we’re wrong, it will mean big trouble for the Underdark first, then Bruenor, and the entire Prime Material Plane soon after?"
"You know how much is at stake in our mission" the blonde arcane warrior's blue eyes search the ones of each of her friends. "And you are adventurers far more than I am. You have chosen this life - unlike me. All things considered, do you think it is best to go alone to the final showdown? Let's decide this thing, so that we can decide the theatre of the clash accordingly”.
The tall adventuress seems really curious to know what her friends think about it.
"Oh yes, us hardened veterans of combat, who so eagerly jumped into all of this!" Katryl starts. But she catches something about Lulu's expression, and though it seemed she might say more, she stops. "I think the choice for our allies is simple. We ask them." She looks around to see if there is agreement. "I do not wish to see them killed needlessly. But as I think Khessa was trying to say, they came here to help. We shouldn't throw that away. We just need to find a way to let them help us without them facing down demons directly where they might get killed instantly."
After a pause, she adds, "We should likely try to not face many demons directly either. We could be killed too." Her gaze seems to absently drift to Lulu as she says this.
"So it seems we are saying to use the troglodyte cave if our allies join us. And the Vast Oblivium if we're on our own."
"Katryl's plan is sound. Ask our comrades if they want to fight and perhaps die, or return to their homes and prepare for what may come if we fail. Either location has tactical advantages as well as weaknesses. Let's get back to the group and explain it to them - but we must move quickly before our theft is discovered!"
Though the cleric has learned to no longer carry it upon her shoulders, guilt is still her constant companion. It's been with her now longer than any other. It walks beside her. It sleeps in her shadow. It waits for her to dream.
And she can not pretend that the thought of leaving their allies behind is not a tempting one. They are a liability as much as anything else. They could be spared. And it would mean fewer lives she'l fail to save. Because she will not be able to save them all.
This is my choice, Lunaria. Mine. I love you far more than I fear death, [mo' chridhe]. And it is an honor to fight for love.
...We shouldn't throw that away.
After a long moment, Lulu's tail uncoils and she nods. "Let it be their choice," she quietly agrees, her eyes bright with pride as she looks at Katryl. "They too are here to fight for their homes and to protect the people they love. We cannae take that from them."
With Horkas' reminder, the cleric grips her prayer beads, ready to turn them to cloud-form if that's how they wish to escape.
The noble drow keeps calm and does not argue further. Of course the morons would all bravely choose to die instead of taking care of their loved ones, but they hadn't been witness to the Prince of Demons wreaking havoc in the Underdark. What could they possibly accomplish that the combined might of Menzoberranzan could not with it's powerful priests, wizards and warriors. Perhaps his companions had all succumbed to the madness of the abyss.
"So be it."The drow says with a nod, ready to follow along to wherever the team would journey next...
"How do we do this then? We need to return to get our forces to find out their decision," Katryl says. "But we cannot place the heart until we know their response. Do we just bring it with us then?"
"Yes, why not?" Khessa reasons "The heart is safe in the Bag of Holding... In these conditions, transportation is not a problem. And in the first city we meet, we should also try to sell as much loot as possible to equip ourselves for the final battle. I still believe that investing in large quantities of Holy Water could pay off, for example. Holy Water burns demons - even Demon Lords or they princes".
Horkas barks a quick laugh. "Ha! Good luck finding holy water down here in these underground cities! We can ask about, but I think we'll find vials at best..." He grins, though, eager to be on their way and end this quest one way or another.
Before they take cloud form, Lulu Sends their fractured expeditionary force messages, explaining that they'll meet them in Blingdenstone to regroup and prepare (if the party is alright with that! We haven't really decided still lol).
Hearing talk of holy water, she chuckles as her form starts to lose shape, “Ye ken, I’m more than just a furry face. If we need holy water, ye need only ask.” And, with that, they're on their way (presumably!).
Alright, unless someone has something else they wanted to do before you leave, Lulu hears the message back that they are already on their way and will arrive as soon as possible. Once you get into cloud form it is only a matter of hours before you find yourselves at the gates of Blingdenstone once more.
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The noble drow looks between the arguing human and firbolg. Once he would have been proud of the human's reasoning, clearly the way of the drow. Vizeran might well discover their betrayal though and decide to punish them by placing the heart among those far more innocent than his kin. Even if the betrayal went unnoticed there was no real telling how Vizeran would react. All that aside, for some reason he still felt that this was their fight and the less people that perished in this final battle the better. "I'm sure we can find some place devoid of life on our way back where we can place the heart. Trying to cross Vizeran now by placing the heart at Araj will just endanger the mission in my opinion." He says calmly, then looking over at Horkas and Katryl.
Horkas adds his opinion to the mix. "I never liked the idea of tricking Vizeran nor of sentencing this city to destruction. Of the many locations in the underdark we've been, the vast oblivion where we defeated the beholder is a good spot. Devoid of life now, and tough to get out of unless you can fly. Perhaps easily bottled up by a good rockfall. The madness has to end before it spreads any further, and only our display of kindness and heroism has a chance of changing the hearts of those already angry and bitter..."
Love God. Love Others. Any Questions?
Khessa shrugs, resigned: "The Vast Oblivion it is, then. It is not the first time my opinion is not the most popular. And since I'm more a cabbage farmer the fate has taken pleasure in toying with, than a full-fledged hero like most others, I'll be ready to follow the course of action the majority of you think is more appropriate - I'll do whatever it takes to help you save the Underdark and the Prime Material Plane".
(So taking the heart to the Vast Oblivium then? Going straight there?)
Khessa would also like (if no one is against):
- Gather the Army (so that the party has all the help possible when it comes to eliminating the 'winner' among the Demon Lords)
- Have the party invest in large quantities of holy water (to prepare a trap for the 'winner' among the Demon Lords)
But aside from that yes, she is ready to go to Vast Oblivium and choose a low-altitude location for the heart - one with a corresponding high-altitude location where the party can hide to witness the 'demonic free-for-all' and, at the end of that fight, act.
"While some of us can fly, not all of us can," Katryl mentions. "But if you all think the Vast Oblivion is best then let's try it. We can't really face all the demons at once. We need places where we can isolate them one by one and be able to retreat when needed. Maybe the Vast Oblivion does that? Seems the area with the troglodytes also would work for that - without falling or flying."
She then adds, "I just don't want to see it in Araj, nor the drow city." She looks at Khessa. "I'm not sure why you're so eager to punish Vizeran when he's helping us. Likely those drow in their city are far more responsible for the abduction of your family. And the destruction of countless others." She leaves it at that and waits for the others to make a final decision.
Rabbit Sebrica, Sorcerer || Skarai, Monk || Lokilia Vaelphin, Druid || Liivi Orav, Barbarian || Vanizi, Warlock || Britari / Halila Talgeta / Jesa Gumovi ||
Neital Rhessil, Wizard || Iromae Quinaea, Cleric || Roxana Raincrest, Rogue || Satina Cindermark, Fighter || Meira Dheran, Rogue
Khessa raises a perplexed eyebrow at Katryl's words: "I thought I had clarified the tactical reasons that led me to recommend forcing the involvement of an archmage, his allies and his tower with its defenses. And I did not remember talking about punishing Vizeran. And I don't think it's helpful for us to go now into the possible reasons why I should punish him for something (not because I want to deny the possible existence of said reasons, but because they are not our primary focus at the moment). Anyway," she shrugs "I seem to have already said that, considering that the majority prefer a different set-up for the shodown with the Demon Lords, I will adapt and follow you anyway. As far as I'm concerned, this matter is closed".
"All in all, it has already happened several times, since we have known each other, that a different course of action than the one I recommended was chosen. And it has never been proven that this has harmed or hampered us" the blonde arcane warrior recalls, smiling confidently. "Therefore I have hope that it will be the same this time. I have more faith in the combined wisdom of all of us together, than in that of myself alone. If we consider even just the last time I resorted to it, if I remember correctly, I burned down an archwizard's sanctum".
"I just think we're pressing our luck if we bring the demons on top of him," Katryl retorts. "But there's no reason to go on and on about this. I think we're deciding between the troglodyte place or the Vast Oblivium at this point? Traydark? Surely you have an opinion. It seems Lulu and I have spoken for the one place. Horkas and Khessa for the other."
Rabbit Sebrica, Sorcerer || Skarai, Monk || Lokilia Vaelphin, Druid || Liivi Orav, Barbarian || Vanizi, Warlock || Britari / Halila Talgeta / Jesa Gumovi ||
Neital Rhessil, Wizard || Iromae Quinaea, Cleric || Roxana Raincrest, Rogue || Satina Cindermark, Fighter || Meira Dheran, Rogue
Lulu's tail curls around her ankle as she considers all this back and forth, finding their group is not unanimous in anything it seems. Their disjointedness worries the firbolg, though she knows the gravity of the situation is likely affecting them all. It could be important they find even just a single moment for levity before their final battle begins.
As Katryl asks Traydark his opinion--the drow inadvertently becoming a tie breaker--the cleric wonders how she might bring them all together again.
The noble drow hesitates before finally speaking up. He wasn't used to be asked for his opinion.
"I think the first question is whether we deal with this ourselves or if we bring in all our allies. I know some, maybe all of you, would want an army fighting the demon lords and their minons, but to me it would still be an unnecessary and quite frankly cruel waste of lives. I admit the troops have proven to be of some use during our search for the components needed to create the dark heart, but this fight ahead of us will be nothing like we ever faced before. Some of us were at Sloobludop when great Demogorgon rose out of the Darklake and not even the greatest of the kuo-toa did anything but flee in panic and madness, as did we if you recall. We are tougher now but our allies aren't and when great Demogorgon, weakened or not, turns on them they will hopefully all flee, or stand in terror as he crushes them all. That said, if the majority wants to gather our forces then so be it. If this is the case we would need a battle field where they can make themselves useful which of the two options presented would be the troglodyte lair. If we, as I propose, do this ourselves, well, assisted of course by the earth elemental and Horkas' mechanical friends, then I would vote for placing the dark heart in the Vast Olivium." He says calmly, looking around at the others.
“So perhaps we should decide first whether or not to bring our allies with us” Khessa tries to keep it practical. “I am the first who does not want any unnecessary loss of life. But lives will be lost — and many — if we die, rather than banish the Demon Lords. Given that,” she turns to everyone “what do you think? Will the Zhentarim be able to be of any use in battle? And the scouts, with their ranged weapons? And the gauntlet veterans, nearly as skilled as I am in melee and, at least some of them, equipped with magical weapons? Or is our entire army as useless as the archmage, his allies, and his tower and its defenses? Shall we give up the army just as we gave up the other possible aid? Shall we go alone? Hoping to be able to finish off a weakened Demon Lord by ourselves? And knowing that if we’re wrong, it will mean big trouble for the Underdark first, then Bruenor, and the entire Prime Material Plane soon after?"
"You know how much is at stake in our mission" the blonde arcane warrior's blue eyes search the ones of each of her friends. "And you are adventurers far more than I am. You have chosen this life - unlike me. All things considered, do you think it is best to go alone to the final showdown? Let's decide this thing, so that we can decide the theatre of the clash accordingly”.
The tall adventuress seems really curious to know what her friends think about it.
"Oh yes, us hardened veterans of combat, who so eagerly jumped into all of this!" Katryl starts. But she catches something about Lulu's expression, and though it seemed she might say more, she stops. "I think the choice for our allies is simple. We ask them." She looks around to see if there is agreement. "I do not wish to see them killed needlessly. But as I think Khessa was trying to say, they came here to help. We shouldn't throw that away. We just need to find a way to let them help us without them facing down demons directly where they might get killed instantly."
After a pause, she adds, "We should likely try to not face many demons directly either. We could be killed too." Her gaze seems to absently drift to Lulu as she says this.
"So it seems we are saying to use the troglodyte cave if our allies join us. And the Vast Oblivium if we're on our own."
Rabbit Sebrica, Sorcerer || Skarai, Monk || Lokilia Vaelphin, Druid || Liivi Orav, Barbarian || Vanizi, Warlock || Britari / Halila Talgeta / Jesa Gumovi ||
Neital Rhessil, Wizard || Iromae Quinaea, Cleric || Roxana Raincrest, Rogue || Satina Cindermark, Fighter || Meira Dheran, Rogue
"Katryl's plan is sound. Ask our comrades if they want to fight and perhaps die, or return to their homes and prepare for what may come if we fail. Either location has tactical advantages as well as weaknesses. Let's get back to the group and explain it to them - but we must move quickly before our theft is discovered!"
Love God. Love Others. Any Questions?
Though the cleric has learned to no longer carry it upon her shoulders, guilt is still her constant companion. It's been with her now longer than any other. It walks beside her. It sleeps in her shadow. It waits for her to dream.
And she can not pretend that the thought of leaving their allies behind is not a tempting one. They are a liability as much as anything else. They could be spared. And it would mean fewer lives she'l fail to save. Because she will not be able to save them all.
This is my choice, Lunaria. Mine. I love you far more than I fear death, [mo' chridhe]. And it is an honor to fight for love.
...We shouldn't throw that away.
After a long moment, Lulu's tail uncoils and she nods. "Let it be their choice," she quietly agrees, her eyes bright with pride as she looks at Katryl. "They too are here to fight for their homes and to protect the people they love. We cannae take that from them."
With Horkas' reminder, the cleric grips her prayer beads, ready to turn them to cloud-form if that's how they wish to escape.
The noble drow keeps calm and does not argue further. Of course the morons would all bravely choose to die instead of taking care of their loved ones, but they hadn't been witness to the Prince of Demons wreaking havoc in the Underdark. What could they possibly accomplish that the combined might of Menzoberranzan could not with it's powerful priests, wizards and warriors. Perhaps his companions had all succumbed to the madness of the abyss.
"So be it." The drow says with a nod, ready to follow along to wherever the team would journey next...
"How do we do this then? We need to return to get our forces to find out their decision," Katryl says. "But we cannot place the heart until we know their response. Do we just bring it with us then?"
Rabbit Sebrica, Sorcerer || Skarai, Monk || Lokilia Vaelphin, Druid || Liivi Orav, Barbarian || Vanizi, Warlock || Britari / Halila Talgeta / Jesa Gumovi ||
Neital Rhessil, Wizard || Iromae Quinaea, Cleric || Roxana Raincrest, Rogue || Satina Cindermark, Fighter || Meira Dheran, Rogue
"Yes, why not?" Khessa reasons "The heart is safe in the Bag of Holding... In these conditions, transportation is not a problem. And in the first city we meet, we should also try to sell as much loot as possible to equip ourselves for the final battle. I still believe that investing in large quantities of Holy Water could pay off, for example. Holy Water burns demons - even Demon Lords or they princes".
Horkas barks a quick laugh. "Ha! Good luck finding holy water down here in these underground cities! We can ask about, but I think we'll find vials at best..." He grins, though, eager to be on their way and end this quest one way or another.
Love God. Love Others. Any Questions?
Before they take cloud form, Lulu Sends their fractured expeditionary force messages, explaining that they'll meet them in Blingdenstone to regroup and prepare (if the party is alright with that! We haven't really decided still lol).
Hearing talk of holy water, she chuckles as her form starts to lose shape, “Ye ken, I’m more than just a furry face. If we need holy water, ye need only ask.” And, with that, they're on their way (presumably!).
Alright, unless someone has something else they wanted to do before you leave, Lulu hears the message back that they are already on their way and will arrive as soon as possible. Once you get into cloud form it is only a matter of hours before you find yourselves at the gates of Blingdenstone once more.