Khessa is uneasy when she sees the aged Drow with fungal growths all over his face: "He doesn't look like a disciple of Lolth. The 'signature' of that extraplanar parasite and self-proclaimed goddess is spiders, while that drow seemed infested with fungi. Perhaps he was behind the mysterious creation of the Necrohulks... I wonder if Es Sarch knows anything."
The blonde arcane warrior, however, doesn't regret not giving in to her curiosity.
(OOC: I didn't realize on first reading that the party actually saw the fungus-infested Drow.)
Xanrym is burning with curiosity about the origin of the Necrohulks and the strange Drow elf they saw as they left the isle. It's difficult for him to leave a mystery like that alone. Since he's not rowing, Xanrym openly speculates during the boat ride back to Pedastal. Some of the theories are well-grounded in his studies; others are fanciful and outlandish. For example, was the Drow elf Rykarion himself? Is that why it's still called "Rykarion's Isle"?
Theldrin is also intrigued by the mysterious Drow the party glimpsed on their way from the island, but wants to keep the party focused on escaping any more danger and completing their mission, so stays quiet. He keeps a watchful eye on the boat's wake and the island as it fades from view, finally sighing with relief once it seems clear the Drow didn't send something after them. He hopes Es Sarch will have more information once they deliver the mushrooms to the Dripstone.
During the walk back to the boat if possible Syllen would like to get a sample of what on the island is causing poison damage to the group. Syllen hopes to use his Herbalism Kit to learn something about the poison and ways to combat it.
As they notice the Drow Syllen turns to Xanrym.
“Given that ominous looking Drow, if we stay around this area long enough I am sure we will have to return to that island to deal with him.”
When the group gets back to land Syllen thinks finding out what the next job is would be best so that we can prepare.
Sorry I need to make a correction here, none of you saw the drow. That was more of a storytelling device to show there was something going on that island.
You all leave the docks and start heading to Dripstone. On the way, three drow step out onto the street to block your path, you recognize them as the ones you helped escape from the Spiderhunters. They are now armed and look somewhat upset, "You have dishonored us, we demand recompense for this slight. 150 gold pieces!" They have their hands on their weapons, shaking slightly but determined.
Sorry I need to make a correction here, none of you saw the drow. That was more of a storytelling device to show there was something going on that island.
(OOC: No worries. Happy to ignore that part. From "we see the adventurers" and "the camera pans over" language, I thought that you had switched to a third-person omniscient perspective just to give the players a peek at something interesting. But the confusion probably came from the next sentence, which started with "you can just make out the features," which sounded like you switched back to describing something that the characters actually did see.)
As we see the adventurers disappear into the gloom of the Sullen Sea, the camera pans over to a figure watching them sail away from behind some trees. You can just make out the features of an aged Drow with fungal growths all over his face
You all leave the docks and start heading to Dripstone. On the way, three drow step out onto the street to block your path, you recognize them as the ones you helped escape from the Spiderhunters. They are now armed and look somewhat upset, "You have dishonored us, we demand recompense for this slight. 150 gold pieces!" They have their hands on their weapons, shaking slightly but determined.
Xanrym steps forward but keeps Khessa and/or Avery between him and the group of Drow. He considers what he has heard about the Drow but notes their shaking hands. Proud an suspicious, xenophobic but part of a society that's losing its former grip on the city. It's a volatile mixture, but he aims for a tone that's firm and strong but respectful, like a powerful person speaking to someone who is his equal or even superior. Xanrym's hands have are empty as he replies, and he hopes that not arming himself reinforces his confidence.
Xanrym says, "We are mere travelers and not from Pedestal! We apologize for any unintentional slight: I'm sure that we meant you no dishonor. Are you not the ones we saw a few hours ago down that alley? The ones whom the so-called 'Spiderhunters' were harassing? 150 gold pieces seems a rather high price for the offense of assisting you by distracting the Spiderhunters and giving you a chance to arm yourself with these fine weapons." He gestures at their swords(?) and then looks at the one who spoke. "I am unfamiliar with your customs here, but I would be happy to learn more. If you'll excuse our offense and forget your demand, I'll invite you to the Dripstone Inn. I'd be happy to buy all three of you drinks while you can educate me on your code and customs of honor."
Persuasion: 26 (min value from Silver Tongue feature)
Theldrin notices nothing on the rooftops, the 3 drow seem to be operating on their own.
They flinch and snarl at Xanrym's good natured response, but their hands also move away from the swords. The leader responds to Xanrym in broken Elven, "Your interference in our affairs and ignorance of our customs is exactly why we need recompence! To infer that we needed help with that cretin implies that the drow are weak. Our matriarch demands you subserve yourselves to us, so that House Dusklorn's good name is not trodden even further into the mud." His voice becomes slightly pleading, yet still impudent, Even a small amount of your outworlder gold would suffice, we could say you were poor and didn't have much to offer?"
Khessa sighs with relief: her companions were right to persuade her to leave the drow to their fate. If this is their gratitude, they deserved nothing less.
"You could instead say you didn't find us and that we never returned..." Her blue eyes fix coldly on the speaker, while she moves her hands to her greatsword. "Just to prevent the same being said of you instead..."
Khessa sighs with relief: her companions were right to persuade her to leave the drow to their fate. If this is their gratitude, they deserved nothing less.
"You could instead say you didn't find us and that we never returned..." Her blue eyes fix coldly on the speaker, while she moves her hands to her greatsword. "Just to prevent the same being said of you instead..."
Xanrym puts a hand on Khessa's shoulder and says loudly, "Now, now. This negotiation needn't come to blows, and we wouldn't want to get them in trouble with their matriarch."
Xanrym turns as though looking back to be sure of Theldrin, Coriana, and Syllen, but as he start to turn away from the Drow, he whispers quietly to Khessa:
(whispered) "It could be useful to have a connection within House Dusklorn."
Xanrym glances back toward Syllen and Theldrin to check that they're ready in case a fight does break out. He also wanted to check that they weren't being surrounded while they talk to the 3 drow. Turning back to the speaker, Xanrym says, "I'm sure that we can come to a mutually-agreeable arrangement. My name is Xanrym." He pauses expectantly.
Theldrin stands by listening to the conversation, arms folded and a slightly stern but attentive look on his face.
He trusts Xanrym's diplomatic skills to represent the party in the negotiations as he ponders the situation. If expensive boat rentals and "honor bribes" are going to be the norm in the strange city of Pedestal, while the party works for information rather than their usual coin, they might go through their gold rather quickly. On the other hand it would seem that diplomacy and intrigue may be the best way to advance here rather than open conflict, and hopefully an opportunity to earn more than the valuable information Es Sarch can provide, will soon present itself.
(OOC: I didn't realize on first reading that the party actually saw the fungus-infested Drow.)
Xanrym is burning with curiosity about the origin of the Necrohulks and the strange Drow elf they saw as they left the isle. It's difficult for him to leave a mystery like that alone. Since he's not rowing, Xanrym openly speculates during the boat ride back to Pedastal. Some of the theories are well-grounded in his studies; others are fanciful and outlandish. For example, was the Drow elf Rykarion himself? Is that why it's still called "Rykarion's Isle"?
Coriana says to Xanrym, "I get it, and maybe we should go back and investigate that island more, I just think we were risking a lot."
Coriana - Company of the Grey Chain
Wagner - Dragon Heist: Bards.
DM - The Old Keep
Theldrin is also intrigued by the mysterious Drow the party glimpsed on their way from the island, but wants to keep the party focused on escaping any more danger and completing their mission, so stays quiet. He keeps a watchful eye on the boat's wake and the island as it fades from view, finally sighing with relief once it seems clear the Drow didn't send something after them. He hopes Es Sarch will have more information once they deliver the mushrooms to the Dripstone.
During the walk back to the boat if possible Syllen would like to get a sample of what on the island is causing poison damage to the group. Syllen hopes to use his Herbalism Kit to learn something about the poison and ways to combat it.
As they notice the Drow Syllen turns to Xanrym.
“Given that ominous looking Drow, if we stay around this area long enough I am sure we will have to return to that island to deal with him.”
When the group gets back to land Syllen thinks finding out what the next job is would be best so that we can prepare.
Sorry I need to make a correction here, none of you saw the drow. That was more of a storytelling device to show there was something going on that island.
You all leave the docks and start heading to Dripstone. On the way, three drow step out onto the street to block your path, you recognize them as the ones you helped escape from the Spiderhunters. They are now armed and look somewhat upset, "You have dishonored us, we demand recompense for this slight. 150 gold pieces!" They have their hands on their weapons, shaking slightly but determined.
(OOC: No worries. Happy to ignore that part. From "we see the adventurers" and "the camera pans over" language, I thought that you had switched to a third-person omniscient perspective just to give the players a peek at something interesting. But the confusion probably came from the next sentence, which started with "you can just make out the features," which sounded like you switched back to describing something that the characters actually did see.)
(OOC: Are the Drow speaking in Common, Undercommon, Elvish, or some other language?)
Xanrym steps forward but keeps Khessa and/or Avery between him and the group of Drow. He considers what he has heard about the Drow but notes their shaking hands. Proud an suspicious, xenophobic but part of a society that's losing its former grip on the city. It's a volatile mixture, but he aims for a tone that's firm and strong but respectful, like a powerful person speaking to someone who is his equal or even superior. Xanrym's hands have are empty as he replies, and he hopes that not arming himself reinforces his confidence.
Xanrym says, "We are mere travelers and not from Pedestal! We apologize for any unintentional slight: I'm sure that we meant you no dishonor. Are you not the ones we saw a few hours ago down that alley? The ones whom the so-called 'Spiderhunters' were harassing? 150 gold pieces seems a rather high price for the offense of assisting you by distracting the Spiderhunters and giving you a chance to arm yourself with these fine weapons." He gestures at their swords(?) and then looks at the one who spoke. "I am unfamiliar with your customs here, but I would be happy to learn more. If you'll excuse our offense and forget your demand, I'll invite you to the Dripstone Inn. I'd be happy to buy all three of you drinks while you can educate me on your code and customs of honor."
Persuasion: 26 (min value from Silver Tongue feature)
While Xanrym steps up and addresses the Drow, Theldrin quickly scans the nearby area including rooftops and windows to see if he spots anything.
Perception: 22
Theldrin notices nothing on the rooftops, the 3 drow seem to be operating on their own.
They flinch and snarl at Xanrym's good natured response, but their hands also move away from the swords. The leader responds to Xanrym in broken Elven, "Your interference in our affairs and ignorance of our customs is exactly why we need recompence! To infer that we needed help with that cretin implies that the drow are weak. Our matriarch demands you subserve yourselves to us, so that House Dusklorn's good name is not trodden even further into the mud." His voice becomes slightly pleading, yet still impudent, Even a small amount of your outworlder gold would suffice, we could say you were poor and didn't have much to offer?"
Khessa sighs with relief: her companions were right to persuade her to leave the drow to their fate. If this is their gratitude, they deserved nothing less.
"You could instead say you didn't find us and that we never returned..." Her blue eyes fix coldly on the speaker, while she moves her hands to her greatsword. "Just to prevent the same being said of you instead..."
Avery moves up to a supporting position behind Khessa, adding his weight to her statement. His hand lays easily upon the hilt of his longsword.
Xanrym puts a hand on Khessa's shoulder and says loudly, "Now, now. This negotiation needn't come to blows, and we wouldn't want to get them in trouble with their matriarch."
Xanrym turns as though looking back to be sure of Theldrin, Coriana, and Syllen, but as he start to turn away from the Drow, he whispers quietly to Khessa:
(whispered) "It could be useful to have a connection within House Dusklorn."
Xanrym glances back toward Syllen and Theldrin to check that they're ready in case a fight does break out. He also wanted to check that they weren't being surrounded while they talk to the 3 drow. Turning back to the speaker, Xanrym says, "I'm sure that we can come to a mutually-agreeable arrangement. My name is Xanrym." He pauses expectantly.
Coriana meets Xanrym's eyes, and nods slightly, a very subtle smirk indicating her approval of how he is handling the situation.
Coriana - Company of the Grey Chain
Wagner - Dragon Heist: Bards.
DM - The Old Keep
Theldrin stands by listening to the conversation, arms folded and a slightly stern but attentive look on his face.
He trusts Xanrym's diplomatic skills to represent the party in the negotiations as he ponders the situation. If expensive boat rentals and "honor bribes" are going to be the norm in the strange city of Pedestal, while the party works for information rather than their usual coin, they might go through their gold rather quickly. On the other hand it would seem that diplomacy and intrigue may be the best way to advance here rather than open conflict, and hopefully an opportunity to earn more than the valuable information Es Sarch can provide, will soon present itself.
Syllen has a look of disappointment at the thought of this being the norm in this city. Syllen looks at Xanrym.
“All information has value. If we can get useful information about their matriarch or house Dusklorn I am willing to pay for it.”