Lokilia tries to recall if she's heard anything about Illithid. (Nature or Arcana?: 19)
She says, "The part about the gnome sounds... uh... serious. Shouldn't we figure out who that might be before they... get their loose ends tied up?"
In her time in Zephyr Lokilia has read a number of works regarding creatures called Flayers....that she now recognizes included the word illithid as an alternate name.....
Illithids are characterized by their exceptional height, purplish skin, facial tentacles surrounding a toothy maw, and ability to levitate, which is often used for movement.
Each illithid community is connected by a central intelligence, known as an elder brain, that telepathically projects its desires to the illithids within several miles. Mind flayers are suspicious of the arcane, and practice of such can lead to expulsion from their society.They are considered to be evil or at least uncaring of other beings, illithid society is well-structured, with groups of mind flayers being broken into creeds. Each individual mind flayer supports the whole.
While illithids do not typically possess arcane abilities, they do have powerful psionic capabilities. Most forms of attack from a mind flayer target the mind of a creature. While they know where a creature is, they can invade that creature's mind. If they are blinded and do not already have a firm mental link with a creature, they cannot use their abilities.
As she considers the illithid that Pren mentioned, Lokilia finally speaks up. "I think I've read about these Illithids. Flayers." She thinks a moment, "Evil. Have psionic abilities. And don't usually groups work together or something? Doesn't sound like a good thing if they're involved somehow."
She then glances at Normont. "When Pren was translating, the letter did say there were two duergar in Whitestone."
"Quite right, she did mention two duergar. My conclusion is perhaps not correct. Especially if we postulate that Bavvrikellimon is some sort of leader here", Normont replies to Lokilia.
"I still think Glinnick is our route to more information".
He thinks about what Lokilia said about Illithids for amount. "Now, regarding these Illithids, what sort of psionic abilities? Are we speaking about mind control?", he asks.
"What sort?" Lokilia says. "Well, it just said they didn't use magic. Hmm, but I seem to remember they could levitate. So not sure how that works if it isn't magic. But anyhow, they relied on psionics over the arcane. Mental attacks. I suppose mind control. I think they mentally communicate. But if they're blinded and don't already have a mental link it pretty much disables their attacks, from what I read." She seems to be done then adds, "Did I mention they are really tall and have tentacles all over their face? And I think they're purple."
"Quite right, she did mention two duergar. My conclusion is perhaps not correct. Especially if we postulate that Bavvrikellimon is some sort of leader here", Normont replies to Lokilia.
"I still think Glinnick is our route to more information".
He thinks about what Lokilia said about Illithids for amount. "Now, regarding these Illithids, what sort of psionic abilities? Are we speaking about mind control?", he asks.
"What sort?" Lokilia says. "Well, it just said they didn't use magic. Hmm, but I seem to remember they could levitate. So not sure how that works if it isn't magic. But anyhow, they relied on psionics over the arcane. Mental attacks. I suppose mind control. I think they mentally communicate. But if they're blinded and don't already have a mental link it pretty much disables their attacks, from what I read." She seems to be done then adds, "Did I mention they are really tall and have tentacles all over their face? And I think they're purple."
Pren nodded along with Lokilia, " Yes....now the only part of this that doesn't add up to me is the Shadow Steel.....that's not very illithid at all......"
"They sound horrifying and dangerous, these Illithids. I suppose the one good thing is if they are sending letters it means they aren't actually in Whitestone themselves", Normont says with a frown of concern.
"Shadow steel may not be related to these Illithids, but perhaps the ritual they are trying to perform is not either. Is there anything you can do to find out more about the potential rituals involving these particular components?", he asks.
"I also have another query for you, or for the librarian. Are there any historical census records from Whitestone here? We are looking to find out who owned a house some years ago, and who the current owner is".
(OOC: Hope all is ok, @1973. Don't worry about things here, we can keep things ticking over as long as you need)
"Yea, I've fortunately only read about them," Lokilia says. "I'd not want to meet one."
She listens as Normont asks more questions, wondering a bit about what this census is he mentioned. Could they really have records of all the houses and people that ever lived here? It seemed almost impossible to her, given just how many people there were in Whitestone!
(OOC @1973 - My same thoughts to you. Take care of yourself. And we'd love to have you back when and if you are able.)
"They sound horrifying and dangerous, these Illithids. I suppose the one good thing is if they are sending letters it means they aren't actually in Whitestone themselves", Normont says with a frown of concern.
"Shadow steel may not be related to these Illithids, but perhaps the ritual they are trying to perform is not either. Is there anything you can do to find out more about the potential rituals involving these particular components?", he asks.
"I also have another query for you, or for the librarian. Are there any historical census records from Whitestone here? We are looking to find out who owned a house some years ago, and who the current owner is".
(OOC: Hope all is ok, @1973. Don't worry about things here, we can keep things ticking over as long as you need)
Pren sighed, " As I intimated before with no actual details of the ritual....if that is truly what it is....all we know is that it involves both the Far Realm and the Shadowfell.....in some way....or at least draws on energies with similarity to both places....."
" Oh, I have no records of such things but Ms. Trickfoot may have something in the town records.", she noted nodding towards the librarian.
Normont follows Pren's nod and looks across at the librarian, and assuming she is looking gives her a smile.
"I don't think there is anything else right now, but thanks for the help. If I think of anything else I will pop by again if that is ok?", he says to Pren.
He then intends on moving over to Ms. Trickfoot, where he will enquire about town records.
Once they finish with Pren, Lokilia follows Normont over to Ms. Trickfoot. As they step over, she quietly puts her previous thoughts into words. "Is it really possible that the city would have recorded all the people who lived in a building? You hope to figure out about the man in the table, right?"
"I don't know. I expect there might be some records, and I would also be willing to hypothise that the old lady has been in that house for quite some time so it doesn't need to have happened often or be recent. And yes, I am not going to mention the details, but that is what I want to find out", Normont quietly replies to Lokilia.
"Yes, the town records. Unless you have knowledge of Illithids, or can find books describing them. I suppose you heard our conversation, so anything you feel you could add that would be useful as well", Normont replies.
"We have the address of a property in the city, and would like to know the occupancy history", he adds, giving Ms Trickfoot the address. If he doesn't have the exact address, he offers to point the property out on a map if she can produce one.
"Interesting, that tallies with what we have learned about them as well, and in truth is what I meant about their extremism", Normont replies.
When he hears Archivist Pren can read undercommon, he smiles. "You do speak undercommon, that is useful. Bavvrikellimon we believe is a person, and they sent this letter that we are unable to read. I believe the language is undercommon", he says producing the copy of the letter he created with his magical tinkering whilst he was under the effect of true seeing.
He passes it to the Archivist, and watches her closely as she looks to read it. It is not that he mistrusts her, but he doesn't have full trust as yet, and he wants to check her reaction and make sure she doesn't hide anything from them.
Normont notices nothing untoward about Prens demeanour when she is reading but he does note the 'gothic' gnomish librarian has taken particular interest in their conversation since 'undercommon' was mentioned.
Pren reads the note through.
" Hmmm......well there's mention of a delivery of supplies for a ritual......then something about a gnome who has outlived their usefulness and other loose ends to be tied up by weeks end. Ah, it appears this Bav person is probably duergar as they are called 'grey slaves' here and there appear to be two in question this Bav and another within Whitestone."
" Um......this stamp....and the term ' grey slaves' ....and the involvement of The Far Realm would to, my admittedly limited knowledge, point to involvement with a particularly disturbing element. Have any of you heard of illithid?"
(I'm back. :)
Dev has missed some of Normont's conversation, perhaps too gobsmacked by the idea of facing psionic snake-lipped baddies. To avoid this uncomfortable thought, the teenage tiefling focuses on a minor detail that he thinks might be important.
"If they're trying to wrap up loose ends," he whispers to Quinn, "and by wrap up they mean, kill, by week's end, how much time until then?"
She headed over to a series of cabinets that the companions soon realized were each labelled for a particular Ward of Whitestone. She pulled a key on a chain out of her velvet bodice and unlocked one of them and began leafing through dozens upon dozens of labelled files.
" On the corner? Yes. Right.....hmmm, an older building.....originally a haberdashery.....then a book shop........then a cafe....abandoned during the Briarwoods reign......purchased by Lady Hyacinth Merren after the De Rolo Restoration......ah, her family home was apparently one of those occupied by the New Nobles, as they were called, and was burned down during the liberation of Whitestone."
" As for Illithids.....run......my folk didn't always live on the surface of Exandria and there's a lot of nasty stuff beneath the earth.....Illithids are some of the nastiest......though Prens right, I don't see them being involved with anything death aspected.....they're more about slavery, experimentation and eating brains."
"JB is your name?", Normont tries to clarify. He assumes it must be Ms Trickfoot's initials.
"I am Normont", he says by way of introduction to himself.
He mulls over the information she has provided regarding the ownership of the house.
(OOC: DM - Does the timeline make sense? The gentleman he saw wore old fashioned clothes, do they fit with the fashion of 30 or so years ago after the restoration (although that would be the liberation, the restoration might have taken longer)? Or would the table perhaps already have been there? Obviously the old house burned down, which would have destroyed the table as it should be a regular table not magic having been polymoprhed, right?)
Lokilia tries to follow Ms. Tricklefoots descriptions. At the mention of De Rollo Restoration, she quietly says, "Ah, that's Trinket and Charlie that we saw in the picture." After the librarian finishes, she asks. "Is Lady Hyacinth Merren the present owner? And are you saying that her previous home was destroyed in the liberation and that's why she bought this one? Or was this house we're talking about get burnt down?" She looks at Normont. "It didn't seem to be recent construction, did it?" Though, she wasn't sure she'd really know.
@1973 - Also just want to say very glad to have you back!
In her time in Zephyr Lokilia has read a number of works regarding creatures called Flayers....that she now recognizes included the word illithid as an alternate name.....
Illithids are characterized by their exceptional height, purplish skin, facial tentacles surrounding a toothy maw, and ability to levitate, which is often used for movement.
While illithids do not typically possess arcane abilities, they do have powerful psionic capabilities. Most forms of attack from a mind flayer target the mind of a creature. While they know where a creature is, they can invade that creature's mind. If they are blinded and do not already have a firm mental link with a creature, they cannot use their abilities.
As she considers the illithid that Pren mentioned, Lokilia finally speaks up. "I think I've read about these Illithids. Flayers." She thinks a moment, "Evil. Have psionic abilities. And don't usually groups work together or something? Doesn't sound like a good thing if they're involved somehow."
She then glances at Normont. "When Pren was translating, the letter did say there were two duergar in Whitestone."
"So, what do we do now?" she asks the others.
Rabbit Sebrica, Sorcerer || Skarai, Monk || Lokilia Vaelphin, Druid || Vanizi, Warlock || Britari / Halila Talgeta / Jesa Gumovi || Neital Rhessil, Wizard ||
Iromae Quinaea, Cleric || Meira Dheran, Rogue || Qirynna Thadri, Wizard || Crisaryn Melkial, Sorcerer || Bronnryn Hethgar, Cleric
"Quite right, she did mention two duergar. My conclusion is perhaps not correct. Especially if we postulate that Bavvrikellimon is some sort of leader here", Normont replies to Lokilia.
"I still think Glinnick is our route to more information".
He thinks about what Lokilia said about Illithids for amount. "Now, regarding these Illithids, what sort of psionic abilities? Are we speaking about mind control?", he asks.
"What sort?" Lokilia says. "Well, it just said they didn't use magic. Hmm, but I seem to remember they could levitate. So not sure how that works if it isn't magic. But anyhow, they relied on psionics over the arcane. Mental attacks. I suppose mind control. I think they mentally communicate. But if they're blinded and don't already have a mental link it pretty much disables their attacks, from what I read." She seems to be done then adds, "Did I mention they are really tall and have tentacles all over their face? And I think they're purple."
Rabbit Sebrica, Sorcerer || Skarai, Monk || Lokilia Vaelphin, Druid || Vanizi, Warlock || Britari / Halila Talgeta / Jesa Gumovi || Neital Rhessil, Wizard ||
Iromae Quinaea, Cleric || Meira Dheran, Rogue || Qirynna Thadri, Wizard || Crisaryn Melkial, Sorcerer || Bronnryn Hethgar, Cleric
(Friends, I'm reeling from an unexpected change. Apologies... I'll post when I can, I just can't think right now.)
DM for Candlekeep Mysteries // Dev Hornd in Curious Critters
Pren nodded along with Lokilia, " Yes....now the only part of this that doesn't add up to me is the Shadow Steel.....that's not very illithid at all......"
"They sound horrifying and dangerous, these Illithids. I suppose the one good thing is if they are sending letters it means they aren't actually in Whitestone themselves", Normont says with a frown of concern.
"Shadow steel may not be related to these Illithids, but perhaps the ritual they are trying to perform is not either. Is there anything you can do to find out more about the potential rituals involving these particular components?", he asks.
"I also have another query for you, or for the librarian. Are there any historical census records from Whitestone here? We are looking to find out who owned a house some years ago, and who the current owner is".
(OOC: Hope all is ok, @1973. Don't worry about things here, we can keep things ticking over as long as you need)
"Yea, I've fortunately only read about them," Lokilia says. "I'd not want to meet one."
She listens as Normont asks more questions, wondering a bit about what this census is he mentioned. Could they really have records of all the houses and people that ever lived here? It seemed almost impossible to her, given just how many people there were in Whitestone!
(OOC @1973 - My same thoughts to you. Take care of yourself. And we'd love to have you back when and if you are able.)
Rabbit Sebrica, Sorcerer || Skarai, Monk || Lokilia Vaelphin, Druid || Vanizi, Warlock || Britari / Halila Talgeta / Jesa Gumovi || Neital Rhessil, Wizard ||
Iromae Quinaea, Cleric || Meira Dheran, Rogue || Qirynna Thadri, Wizard || Crisaryn Melkial, Sorcerer || Bronnryn Hethgar, Cleric
Pren sighed, " As I intimated before with no actual details of the ritual....if that is truly what it is....all we know is that it involves both the Far Realm and the Shadowfell.....in some way....or at least draws on energies with similarity to both places....."
" Oh, I have no records of such things but Ms. Trickfoot may have something in the town records.", she noted nodding towards the librarian.
Normont follows Pren's nod and looks across at the librarian, and assuming she is looking gives her a smile.
"I don't think there is anything else right now, but thanks for the help. If I think of anything else I will pop by again if that is ok?", he says to Pren.
He then intends on moving over to Ms. Trickfoot, where he will enquire about town records.
Once they finish with Pren, Lokilia follows Normont over to Ms. Trickfoot. As they step over, she quietly puts her previous thoughts into words. "Is it really possible that the city would have recorded all the people who lived in a building? You hope to figure out about the man in the table, right?"
Rabbit Sebrica, Sorcerer || Skarai, Monk || Lokilia Vaelphin, Druid || Vanizi, Warlock || Britari / Halila Talgeta / Jesa Gumovi || Neital Rhessil, Wizard ||
Iromae Quinaea, Cleric || Meira Dheran, Rogue || Qirynna Thadri, Wizard || Crisaryn Melkial, Sorcerer || Bronnryn Hethgar, Cleric
"I don't know. I expect there might be some records, and I would also be willing to hypothise that the old lady has been in that house for quite some time so it doesn't need to have happened often or be recent. And yes, I am not going to mention the details, but that is what I want to find out", Normont quietly replies to Lokilia.
Lokilia smiles, intersted to see what they might find from the librarian.
Rabbit Sebrica, Sorcerer || Skarai, Monk || Lokilia Vaelphin, Druid || Vanizi, Warlock || Britari / Halila Talgeta / Jesa Gumovi || Neital Rhessil, Wizard ||
Iromae Quinaea, Cleric || Meira Dheran, Rogue || Qirynna Thadri, Wizard || Crisaryn Melkial, Sorcerer || Bronnryn Hethgar, Cleric
The rather severely dressed gnome looked up as the companions approached, " Illithids. Town records."
" Follow me.......I assume the records are what you need me for?"
" Address? Occupants name? Title holder?"
"Yes, the town records. Unless you have knowledge of Illithids, or can find books describing them. I suppose you heard our conversation, so anything you feel you could add that would be useful as well", Normont replies.
"We have the address of a property in the city, and would like to know the occupancy history", he adds, giving Ms Trickfoot the address. If he doesn't have the exact address, he offers to point the property out on a map if she can produce one.
Lokilia follows after the librarian. She too is curious about her mention of illithids. "Yea, do you know anything about illirthids?"
Rabbit Sebrica, Sorcerer || Skarai, Monk || Lokilia Vaelphin, Druid || Vanizi, Warlock || Britari / Halila Talgeta / Jesa Gumovi || Neital Rhessil, Wizard ||
Iromae Quinaea, Cleric || Meira Dheran, Rogue || Qirynna Thadri, Wizard || Crisaryn Melkial, Sorcerer || Bronnryn Hethgar, Cleric
(I'm back. :)
Dev has missed some of Normont's conversation, perhaps too gobsmacked by the idea of facing psionic snake-lipped baddies. To avoid this uncomfortable thought, the teenage tiefling focuses on a minor detail that he thinks might be important.
"If they're trying to wrap up loose ends," he whispers to Quinn, "and by wrap up they mean, kill, by week's end, how much time until then?"
(@Damian_May, what day of the week is it?)
DM for Candlekeep Mysteries // Dev Hornd in Curious Critters
( You likely have four days).
" Alright, let me check. JB is me, if you care."
She headed over to a series of cabinets that the companions soon realized were each labelled for a particular Ward of Whitestone. She pulled a key on a chain out of her velvet bodice and unlocked one of them and began leafing through dozens upon dozens of labelled files.
" On the corner? Yes. Right.....hmmm, an older building.....originally a haberdashery.....then a book shop........then a cafe....abandoned during the Briarwoods reign......purchased by Lady Hyacinth Merren after the De Rolo Restoration......ah, her family home was apparently one of those occupied by the New Nobles, as they were called, and was burned down during the liberation of Whitestone."
" As for Illithids.....run......my folk didn't always live on the surface of Exandria and there's a lot of nasty stuff beneath the earth.....Illithids are some of the nastiest......though Prens right, I don't see them being involved with anything death aspected.....they're more about slavery, experimentation and eating brains."
"JB is your name?", Normont tries to clarify. He assumes it must be Ms Trickfoot's initials.
"I am Normont", he says by way of introduction to himself.
He mulls over the information she has provided regarding the ownership of the house.
(OOC: DM - Does the timeline make sense? The gentleman he saw wore old fashioned clothes, do they fit with the fashion of 30 or so years ago after the restoration (although that would be the liberation, the restoration might have taken longer)? Or would the table perhaps already have been there? Obviously the old house burned down, which would have destroyed the table as it should be a regular table not magic having been polymoprhed, right?)
@1973 - good to have you back. Hope all is ok.
Lokilia tries to follow Ms. Tricklefoots descriptions. At the mention of De Rollo Restoration, she quietly says, "Ah, that's Trinket and Charlie that we saw in the picture." After the librarian finishes, she asks. "Is Lady Hyacinth Merren the present owner? And are you saying that her previous home was destroyed in the liberation and that's why she bought this one? Or was this house we're talking about get burnt down?" She looks at Normont. "It didn't seem to be recent construction, did it?" Though, she wasn't sure she'd really know.
@1973 - Also just want to say very glad to have you back!
Rabbit Sebrica, Sorcerer || Skarai, Monk || Lokilia Vaelphin, Druid || Vanizi, Warlock || Britari / Halila Talgeta / Jesa Gumovi || Neital Rhessil, Wizard ||
Iromae Quinaea, Cleric || Meira Dheran, Rogue || Qirynna Thadri, Wizard || Crisaryn Melkial, Sorcerer || Bronnryn Hethgar, Cleric