Khessa isn't at all convinced of the wisdom of Xanrym's proposal... Accepting to pay drow for information—when Es Sarch is a contact the Company already has business with and who, so far, has neither threatened them with weapons nor proven unreliable—seems not only pointless to her, but also potentially harmful, as it could lead the drow to believe the Company is easily bullied...
...But the blonde arcane warrior is also acutely aware that she isn't the wisest mind in the group, so for now she remains ready for action, should it ever come to that, but she doesn't contradict the bard.
(OOC: Assuming The Company makes it back to the Dripstone Inn without further incident, Xanrym would be sure to explain his thinking to the others, especially addressing Khessa. This might occur during the walk back to the inn or maybe once they get back to the inn, after they've delivered the mushrooms to Es Sarch (e.g., during their Short Rest and lunch). I'll put it in a spoiler for now since it's possible that this conversation with the Drow takes a nasty turn or that something else intercepts The Company before we make it back to Dripstone Inn.
Xanrym says, "Es Sarch seems to be a reliable, if mysterious, patron for us in Pedestal, and I hope that he follows through on his end of our bargain. But I don't like to trust wholly in just one person about whom we know so little. I feel that it puts The Company in a precarious position. Even if Es Sarch deals honestly with us, he could fail to find the information we want. And we don't know what agenda we're furthering by helping him: we don't know what his priorities or goals are. I'd like to have some independent sources of information, especially if we ever find ourselves starting to mistrust our patron.
"What we lack is information, and I will seek it from anyone who's willing to give it to us. Cost is a concern, and I wouldn't want to owe anyone we've met here a debt! I'm sure that each faction will also shade their story to put their own side in the best light. Some of them may outright lie to us. But somewhere, among all of their stories, I think that we could learn something of value to The Company.
"Khessa, I want you to know that I don't disregard your antipathy to the Drow. Far from it! Knowing what the Drow did to your village and family, I expected them to be self-interested and treacherous. We don't know whether all Drow are murderous slavers, but given what we saw today, I expect that the Drow of House Dusklorn would be imperious rulers if they ever regained complete control of Pedestal." He shakes his head, wondering whether any of the factions in Pedestal would be good or just rulers. But he reminds himself that it's not their mission to solve the problems of Pedestal. They're just here to recover the Lost King's bones and other artifacts. To drive home his point about not trusting the Drow, Xanrym says, "And if Irrenaste found me alone in an alley, I do not doubt that he would happily murder me if he thought that it would gain him favor with House Dusklorn's matriarch. But as long as Irrenaste thinks that it is in his interest to deal with us, he could be our first direct source of information about the Drow and about the workings of House Dusklorn."
In case Khessa didn't understand the significance of his words, Xanrym turns again to the tall warrior and says,"Even if we have no cause to go into House Dusklorn's quarter of the city again, I would have tried to form a connection with Irrenaste for your sake, Khessa! Suppose we have nothing to ask him about Pedestal or House Dusklorn when we see him next. I was thinking: Irrenaste might be able to tell us more about the Drow outside of Pedestal. Perhaps he would even know where to find the Drow who raided Twardens."
The drow look at each other and shrug slightly, “I suppose we could take that to the matriarch. She may see it as a good opportunity” Irennaste says. But the other drow don’t seem convinced. He takes your small tithing and the drow leave. You’re free to continue to the Dripstone Inn, where Es Sarch awaits in his usual position, a few patrons filing into the bar.
You’re free to continue to the Dripstone Inn, where Es Sarch awaits in his usual position, a few patrons filing into the bar.
Xanrymhas done a lot of talking already today, and he feels a bit drained. He's looking forward to lunch and maybe some quiet time reading in his room.
Since Coriana, Theldrin, and (especially) Avery were the ones most responsible for gathering mushrooms and for getting everyone out alive, Xanrym is inclined to have them take the lead in delivering the special mushrooms to Es Sarch. Xanrym will be there to hear what Es Sarch says, but he'll be hanging back a bit. He just wants to know whether Es Sarch has learned anything more about Xeron's cult or Fhadheela, and if not, whether their patron already has another job for The Company to do.
(OOC: lots of social encounters since we arrived in Pedestal, but I don't want Xanrym to monopolize the game. Es Sarch is a known associate, and we shouldn't really need Xanrym's Silver Tongue to influence him here. Someone else should feel free to jump in.)
Coriana will take point on walking up to Es Sarch. She walks up to him and very directly states while holding out a bag, "We got your flamin' mushrooms. Information on what was guarding those mushrooms will be extra."
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Coriana - Company of the Grey Chain Wagner - Dragon Heist: Bards. DM - The Old Keep
Khessa was about to greet Es Sarch enthusiastically—and tell him everything in a fully (and naively) spirit of cooperation—but Coriana is quicker and seems intent on bargaining before providing details.
'Maybe it's a good idea...' The blonde arcane warrior, perplexed, once again falls silent and lets another member of the group try his own approach. 'Perhaps, by trusting Es Sarch, I would be making the same mistake I made when I trusted the drow by meddling instead of letting them be killed as they deserved. Perhaps the Company can teach me a little healthy distrust of the rest of the world.'
While he personally prefers Xanrym's more diplomatic approach to negotiations, Theldrin has to admit there's something appealing about Coriana's brash style, though he finds it a bit unnerving at times given his aristocratic upbringing. In any case he hadn't been in a hurry to approach Es Sarch when the party first arrived, and now finds himself following her lead, waiting to see how Es Sarch will respond.
Es Sarch waves his hand, and a server comes to grab the bag. "That is very appreciated, you have fulfilled part of our bargain. The assumption that I do not already know about the inhabitants of the Isle might be amusing to some. I do not need to know information, but as another gesture of good will, I can share with you some of the information I have learned about your quarry. I do not know currently where she is, but I am honing in, however I have found out some other interesting details. Fadheela is a member of the Assassin's Guild, quite a new one it seems. However, that hasn't stopped her from quickly rising the ranks as an enforcer, second now only to the Guild's leader, Fluid." Es Sarch let's out a long quiet groan. "Now, I believe the deal was for one more job before our business is concluded, which is very well for me. Feel free to stay here another night on me, for I wish to discuss the details of this next one with a little more privacy. The nature of it might be slightly controversial for some of our guests." Es Sarch motions to the gathering patrons, then goes back to his endless watch over the Inn.
You all have the rest of the evening free to run any errands you want to in Pedestal. Or simply enjoy the comforts of the Dripstone Inn and wait till the morning to get your next job.
Khessa thanks Es Sarch for the information on Fadheela: "It's a shame our friend rose so quickly through the ranks of her faction—but apparently there's nothing we can do about that. Perhaps at least some more seasoned assassins felt overlooked—and might be inclined to facilitate her downfall. Anyway," she smiles brightly "it will be a pleasure to enjoy another night of the hospitality of a host like you. It will help us be fresh and strong to better assist you soon."
The blonde arcane warrior has no particular interest in wandering around the still-little-known Pedestal; so she dedicates herself entirely to relaxing, enjoying the evening in the tavern, then quickly going up to her room for a quick study of magic followed by a pleasant night's rest.
Theldrin doens't have any errands he wants to run, but is willing to accompany others if taking a Short Rest first and the party keeping together for strength in numbers. His preference is to have a nice meal and rest for the evening, though he could be talked into a game.
(Rolling a straight D20 here to get a sense of how he does if playing dice or cards)
Theldrin is also relieved to hear Es Sarch say he wants to move the next meeting to a more private location, as discussing their business dealings thus far in the tavern common room has been a concern.
You all head to bed for the night, Coriana and Theldrin getting into a a surprisingly friendly game of dice with a group of deep gnome huddled in the corner of the Dripstone. The drow do not come and seek you out that night, in fact there seems to be few drow in the Inn tonight at all. You have an otherwise uneventful evening and all get a Long Rest.
In the morning you come downstairs and, for the first time since arriving at the Dripstone, Es Sarch is not in his chair in the common room of the Inn. A server comes and leads you into a private meeting room out the back, where Es Sarch welcomes you and has his servers provide another strange breakfast as he launches into the mission. "The disruption following Pedestal's fall lasts even unto this hour, though I must admit the vacuum provided by the fleeing drow has been to my advantage. Consider, though, that the reason this City did and does not completely collapse into chaos is due to my efforts. Nearly everyone here appreciates my influence. Bur gratitude doesn't last, and others seek to displace me." The robed figure is talking more candidly and personally than you're used to, his voice falls to a whisper. "The Assassins' Guild has decided to seek an alliance with House Dusklorn. If my agents were to disrupt this burgeoning accord, I fear I'd do more to cement the relationship than diffuse it. I ask you to eliminate or drive off Elessarwa Nledoor, matron of the house and a psychotic to boor. I have knowledge of a hidden route into her secret torture chamber, where she slinks away from her duties to the Dusklorn to apply her savage arts to hapless victims she takes from Pedestal's alleys. I have arranged matters so the Dusklorn will believe her death to be the work of the duplicitous Assassins' Guild. That will be the end of that."
Es Sarch sits expectantly, awaiting your confirmation on the mission.
Coriana replies, trying for a more cooperative tone than last night. "Might we have a moment to discuss the ramifications of this proposed mission alone?" she says to Es Sarch.
She looks around to see if the room is large enough to pull a quick sidebar with everyone in a corner.
Assuming she does, she will say this to her compatriots: "I have no problems with murdering a sadistic drow noblewoman. It occurs to me that some of you might object to that. I also have the concern of what happens if ole 'Es' here dumps the blame on us and disavows all knowledge. I just don't think we have much of a choice."
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Coriana - Company of the Grey Chain Wagner - Dragon Heist: Bards. DM - The Old Keep
Coriana will take point on walking up to Es Sarch. She walks up to him and very directly states while holding out a bag, "We got your flamin' mushrooms. Information on what was guarding those mushrooms will be extra."
Xanrym was looking tired and "zoned out" as the group approached Es Sarch, but Coriana's way of negotiating immediately snapped him back to attention. He probably would have laughed if he hadn't been so surprised.
The drow do not come and seek you out that night, in fact there seems to be few drow in the Inn tonight at all. You have an otherwise uneventful evening and all get a Long Rest.
This was the only thing that Xanrym wanted to do. He took a book down to the common room and found a quiet spot where he could read and wait for the Drow. He's a little disappointed when Irennaste doesn't turn up, and he wonders what that means. He's still imaging different scenarios as he goes to bed that night. The matriarch, furious with her son's failure to extract 150 gp from the party, meted out some punishment that prevented Irennaste from coming to the Dripstone Inn. Or Irrenaste and his companions tried to come to the Dripstone Inn, but the "Spiderhunters" ambushed them. Or perhaps someone else paid The Guild to assassinate Irennaste to send a message to House Dusklorn's matriarch.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
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Coriana is seriously impressed by Xanrym's smoothness here.
Coriana - Company of the Grey Chain
Wagner - Dragon Heist: Bards.
DM - The Old Keep
Khessa isn't at all convinced of the wisdom of Xanrym's proposal... Accepting to pay drow for information—when Es Sarch is a contact the Company already has business with and who, so far, has neither threatened them with weapons nor proven unreliable—seems not only pointless to her, but also potentially harmful, as it could lead the drow to believe the Company is easily bullied...
...But the blonde arcane warrior is also acutely aware that she isn't the wisest mind in the group, so for now she remains ready for action, should it ever come to that, but she doesn't contradict the bard.
(OOC: Assuming The Company makes it back to the Dripstone Inn without further incident, Xanrym would be sure to explain his thinking to the others, especially addressing Khessa. This might occur during the walk back to the inn or maybe once they get back to the inn, after they've delivered the mushrooms to Es Sarch (e.g., during their Short Rest and lunch). I'll put it in a spoiler for now since it's possible that this conversation with the Drow takes a nasty turn or that something else intercepts The Company before we make it back to Dripstone Inn.
Xanrym says, "Es Sarch seems to be a reliable, if mysterious, patron for us in Pedestal, and I hope that he follows through on his end of our bargain. But I don't like to trust wholly in just one person about whom we know so little. I feel that it puts The Company in a precarious position. Even if Es Sarch deals honestly with us, he could fail to find the information we want. And we don't know what agenda we're furthering by helping him: we don't know what his priorities or goals are. I'd like to have some independent sources of information, especially if we ever find ourselves starting to mistrust our patron.
"What we lack is information, and I will seek it from anyone who's willing to give it to us. Cost is a concern, and I wouldn't want to owe anyone we've met here a debt! I'm sure that each faction will also shade their story to put their own side in the best light. Some of them may outright lie to us. But somewhere, among all of their stories, I think that we could learn something of value to The Company.
"Khessa, I want you to know that I don't disregard your antipathy to the Drow. Far from it! Knowing what the Drow did to your village and family, I expected them to be self-interested and treacherous. We don't know whether all Drow are murderous slavers, but given what we saw today, I expect that the Drow of House Dusklorn would be imperious rulers if they ever regained complete control of Pedestal." He shakes his head, wondering whether any of the factions in Pedestal would be good or just rulers. But he reminds himself that it's not their mission to solve the problems of Pedestal. They're just here to recover the Lost King's bones and other artifacts. To drive home his point about not trusting the Drow, Xanrym says, "And if Irrenaste found me alone in an alley, I do not doubt that he would happily murder me if he thought that it would gain him favor with House Dusklorn's matriarch. But as long as Irrenaste thinks that it is in his interest to deal with us, he could be our first direct source of information about the Drow and about the workings of House Dusklorn."
In case Khessa didn't understand the significance of his words, Xanrym turns again to the tall warrior and says, "Even if we have no cause to go into House Dusklorn's quarter of the city again, I would have tried to form a connection with Irrenaste for your sake, Khessa! Suppose we have nothing to ask him about Pedestal or House Dusklorn when we see him next. I was thinking: Irrenaste might be able to tell us more about the Drow outside of Pedestal. Perhaps he would even know where to find the Drow who raided Twardens."
)
The drow look at each other and shrug slightly, “I suppose we could take that to the matriarch. She may see it as a good opportunity” Irennaste says. But the other drow don’t seem convinced. He takes your small tithing and the drow leave. You’re free to continue to the Dripstone Inn, where Es Sarch awaits in his usual position, a few patrons filing into the bar.
Xanrym has done a lot of talking already today, and he feels a bit drained. He's looking forward to lunch and maybe some quiet time reading in his room.
Since Coriana, Theldrin, and (especially) Avery were the ones most responsible for gathering mushrooms and for getting everyone out alive, Xanrym is inclined to have them take the lead in delivering the special mushrooms to Es Sarch. Xanrym will be there to hear what Es Sarch says, but he'll be hanging back a bit. He just wants to know whether Es Sarch has learned anything more about Xeron's cult or Fhadheela, and if not, whether their patron already has another job for The Company to do.
(OOC: lots of social encounters since we arrived in Pedestal, but I don't want Xanrym to monopolize the game. Es Sarch is a known associate, and we shouldn't really need Xanrym's Silver Tongue to influence him here. Someone else should feel free to jump in.)
Coriana will take point on walking up to Es Sarch. She walks up to him and very directly states while holding out a bag, "We got your flamin' mushrooms. Information on what was guarding those mushrooms will be extra."
Coriana - Company of the Grey Chain
Wagner - Dragon Heist: Bards.
DM - The Old Keep
Khessa was about to greet Es Sarch enthusiastically—and tell him everything in a fully (and naively) spirit of cooperation—but Coriana is quicker and seems intent on bargaining before providing details.
'Maybe it's a good idea...' The blonde arcane warrior, perplexed, once again falls silent and lets another member of the group try his own approach. 'Perhaps, by trusting Es Sarch, I would be making the same mistake I made when I trusted the drow by meddling instead of letting them be killed as they deserved. Perhaps the Company can teach me a little healthy distrust of the rest of the world.'
While he personally prefers Xanrym's more diplomatic approach to negotiations, Theldrin has to admit there's something appealing about Coriana's brash style, though he finds it a bit unnerving at times given his aristocratic upbringing. In any case he hadn't been in a hurry to approach Es Sarch when the party first arrived, and now finds himself following her lead, waiting to see how Es Sarch will respond.
Es Sarch waves his hand, and a server comes to grab the bag. "That is very appreciated, you have fulfilled part of our bargain. The assumption that I do not already know about the inhabitants of the Isle might be amusing to some. I do not need to know information, but as another gesture of good will, I can share with you some of the information I have learned about your quarry. I do not know currently where she is, but I am honing in, however I have found out some other interesting details. Fadheela is a member of the Assassin's Guild, quite a new one it seems. However, that hasn't stopped her from quickly rising the ranks as an enforcer, second now only to the Guild's leader, Fluid." Es Sarch let's out a long quiet groan. "Now, I believe the deal was for one more job before our business is concluded, which is very well for me. Feel free to stay here another night on me, for I wish to discuss the details of this next one with a little more privacy. The nature of it might be slightly controversial for some of our guests." Es Sarch motions to the gathering patrons, then goes back to his endless watch over the Inn.
You all have the rest of the evening free to run any errands you want to in Pedestal. Or simply enjoy the comforts of the Dripstone Inn and wait till the morning to get your next job.
Khessa thanks Es Sarch for the information on Fadheela: "It's a shame our friend rose so quickly through the ranks of her faction—but apparently there's nothing we can do about that. Perhaps at least some more seasoned assassins felt overlooked—and might be inclined to facilitate her downfall. Anyway," she smiles brightly "it will be a pleasure to enjoy another night of the hospitality of a host like you. It will help us be fresh and strong to better assist you soon."
The blonde arcane warrior has no particular interest in wandering around the still-little-known Pedestal; so she dedicates herself entirely to relaxing, enjoying the evening in the tavern, then quickly going up to her room for a quick study of magic followed by a pleasant night's rest.
Coriana will spend the evening relaxing, maybe try to talk other members of the company into a low stakes dice or card game.
Coriana - Company of the Grey Chain
Wagner - Dragon Heist: Bards.
DM - The Old Keep
Theldrin doens't have any errands he wants to run, but is willing to accompany others if taking a Short Rest first and the party keeping together for strength in numbers. His preference is to have a nice meal and rest for the evening, though he could be talked into a game.
(Rolling a straight D20 here to get a sense of how he does if playing dice or cards)
8
Theldrin is also relieved to hear Es Sarch say he wants to move the next meeting to a more private location, as discussing their business dealings thus far in the tavern common room has been a concern.
You all head to bed for the night, Coriana and Theldrin getting into a a surprisingly friendly game of dice with a group of deep gnome huddled in the corner of the Dripstone. The drow do not come and seek you out that night, in fact there seems to be few drow in the Inn tonight at all. You have an otherwise uneventful evening and all get a Long Rest.
In the morning you come downstairs and, for the first time since arriving at the Dripstone, Es Sarch is not in his chair in the common room of the Inn. A server comes and leads you into a private meeting room out the back, where Es Sarch welcomes you and has his servers provide another strange breakfast as he launches into the mission. "The disruption following Pedestal's fall lasts even unto this hour, though I must admit the vacuum provided by the fleeing drow has been to my advantage. Consider, though, that the reason this City did and does not completely collapse into chaos is due to my efforts. Nearly everyone here appreciates my influence. Bur gratitude doesn't last, and others seek to displace me." The robed figure is talking more candidly and personally than you're used to, his voice falls to a whisper. "The Assassins' Guild has decided to seek an alliance with House Dusklorn. If my agents were to disrupt this burgeoning accord, I fear I'd do more to cement the relationship than diffuse it. I ask you to eliminate or drive off Elessarwa Nledoor, matron of the house and a psychotic to boor. I have knowledge of a hidden route into her secret torture chamber, where she slinks away from her duties to the Dusklorn to apply her savage arts to hapless victims she takes from Pedestal's alleys. I have arranged matters so the Dusklorn will believe her death to be the work of the duplicitous Assassins' Guild. That will be the end of that."
Es Sarch sits expectantly, awaiting your confirmation on the mission.
Coriana replies, trying for a more cooperative tone than last night. "Might we have a moment to discuss the ramifications of this proposed mission alone?" she says to Es Sarch.
She looks around to see if the room is large enough to pull a quick sidebar with everyone in a corner.
Assuming she does, she will say this to her compatriots: "I have no problems with murdering a sadistic drow noblewoman. It occurs to me that some of you might object to that. I also have the concern of what happens if ole 'Es' here dumps the blame on us and disavows all knowledge. I just don't think we have much of a choice."
Coriana - Company of the Grey Chain
Wagner - Dragon Heist: Bards.
DM - The Old Keep
Xanrym was looking tired and "zoned out" as the group approached Es Sarch, but Coriana's way of negotiating immediately snapped him back to attention. He probably would have laughed if he hadn't been so surprised.
This was the only thing that Xanrym wanted to do. He took a book down to the common room and found a quiet spot where he could read and wait for the Drow. He's a little disappointed when Irennaste doesn't turn up, and he wonders what that means. He's still imaging different scenarios as he goes to bed that night. The matriarch, furious with her son's failure to extract 150 gp from the party, meted out some punishment that prevented Irennaste from coming to the Dripstone Inn. Or Irrenaste and his companions tried to come to the Dripstone Inn, but the "Spiderhunters" ambushed them. Or perhaps someone else paid The Guild to assassinate Irennaste to send a message to House Dusklorn's matriarch.