Irennaste seems to almost automatically respond to Coriana's orders, clearly having been talked to like this by many superiors in his life, "You. I was ordered by my matron to take a hit out on the overworld strangers recently arrived in the city." He looks almost shocked at his quick response.
Xanrym sighs in disappointment, and his voice comes from somewhere behind Irennaste, "Well, that certainly puts a damper on our relationship with you Irennaste! You give such loyal service to the matriarch of House Dusklorn -- to your own mother. And you get...what in return? Abuse, neglect? Torture? ... Disappointment? Don't you imagine that there could be more to life than this thankless service? What is it you want, Irennaste?"
Persuasion: 17 - trying to get Irennaste to open up
(Xanrym is attempting a little good cop / bad cop, trying to find out if there's anything that they could leverage or offer Irennaste other than simply sparing his life.)
Irennaste snorts at Xanrym's prompt, but seems to think to himself. "I just want to get what's mine. My mother is the last Priestess of Lolth left in this city, once she's gone the male drow here will finally get a chance to live up to our potential. Prove to the world we aren't weak, we can rule just as well as the women! If not better."
Khessa was deeply touched by Xanrym's words about free will and self-determination. She was skeptical that a Drow, indoctrinated by centuries of life with a worldview built on very different values, could embrace such a new vision. But she found herself waiting with bated breath for the Drow's response. After all, he has seen firsthand how unfairly a member of his society can be treated by that same society... what if that were enough to make him realize that another life is possible?
Then, the reply. Irennaste at least seems willing to betray. Needless to say, trusting him and revealing plans to assassinate the matron could be disastrous, if he were faking it now, or even if he were to have second thoughts or leak something in the future...
The blonde arcane warrior trusts, however, that the bard is also well aware of this.
Coriana says to her allies, "So basically, he is of of no use to us, had no non-obvious info and we should cut his throat and leave his bodies with the others."
[[Gamewise, Coriana is trying to play into the 'bad cop' and give a help action to anyone trying to convince Irennaste to play along. If you need and intimidation or deception, it the same modifier, so 9.]]
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Coriana - Company of the Grey Chain Wagner - Dragon Heist: Bards. DM - The Old Keep
Theldrin stands by quietly watching the conversation with Irennaste from his hiding place around a corner. As he waits patiently to see how things go, he ponders if there is a way to make sure the letter was destroyed.
Xanrym waits a moment for Coriana's threat to sink in. He's not sure whether Irennaste will believe it and whether the Drow would fear the threats from humans after suffering torture at the hands of his own mother! But Xanrym just needs Irennaste to have some sliver of doubt. Just some worry that he'll meet an ignominious here in The Riddle, killed by mere humans!
Xanrym's voice, again from somewhere behind the Drow, sounds calm and soothing after Coriana's threat: "I like you, Irennaste. Clearly, not everyone in my Company feels the same, but from everything we've learned so far, I think that you would make a better leader of the Drow here than Elessarwa Nledoor! But here you are, stuck delivering letters to The Guild like some errand boy. What of your desire to rule? Was that just a boast? Just some idle talk among your group of frustrated but timid male Drow? Do you plan to sit idle and simply wait the decades that it will surely take for your mother to fall from power? And do you believe that waiting patiently for Fate to take its course demonstrates your potential for leadership to your fellow Drow? Or....are you prepared to take a risk? To risk everything to get what has been denied to you -- what you deserve?! Are you the sort of leader who would take bold action to create the opportunity that Fate has cruelly denied you?"
Xanrym waits to see whether that provokes anything from the Drow. He's careful not to reveal the party's upcoming job. He's trying to pitch this idea more like an enthusiastic promoter -- or maybe a better analogy is some fiend from the Nine Hells, corrupting mortals by tempting them with their heart's desire.
(OOC: Xanrym is using a combination of Deception and Persuasion here, but he has the same bonus and the benefit from Silver Tongue in both skills, so I'll just make one roll here: 23)
Avery will comments, "We won't really know if we kill him now, we can always kill him later." He'll look over at the drow, give him a penetrating look (Intimidation: 16) before returning to watch the street (Perception: 12)
Irennaste looks around at you all, perplexed and scared, but with Xanrym's veiled offer and you all clearly demonstrating yourselves as powerful people, he starts to form an idea. "So you are saying you wish to help me with ousting my mother? If she were to... be removed, and I take over, I could make you honored guests of House Dusklorn. You would be protected in the city, you would be basically one step removed from drow yourselves. My mother would never offer you this deal, but I can." You see a spark of hope in the eye of the selfish drow.
Xanrym's smile is not visible, but you can hear it in his voice. He says, "This is the side of you that I like: you're bold and smart, Irennaste, and you understand the value of working through others. Yes, if you rise to rule House Dusklorn, then we would be happy to accept such an honor." He's not sure whether Khessa will consent to be an "honored guest" of House Dusklorn after her previous experience as a very unwilling captive and slave to the Drow. On the other hand, if they pull this off and, assuming Irennaste ascends to the top of House Dusklorn and honors this deal...well, what better place to research what happened to Khessa's family than from within one of the houses of the Drow?
"But, as you say, the current matriarch would never make such an offer," Xanrym continues. "Sadly, you cannot advance while she holds power. And there's a reason that Elessarwa Nledoor still rules House Dusklorn: she must be a powerful priestess! But know this: there are plans -- already in motion! -- that could clear the way for you. If they fail, you gain nothing, of course. But you have an opportunity to help that plot succeed. You know the inner workings of House Dusklorn's stronghold. More importantly, you have seen your mother's power, have you not? Tell us: what is she capable of when threatened? What powers or magic make her the most dangerous? We can pass this information to the conspirators so that they are forewarned and ready to face her." Xanrym does not admit openly that The Company is doing this deed themselves, only that they can get this information to the ones who need it.
(OOC: To speed things along, Xanrym continues trying to tease out anything else Irennaste can tell them:
any password or pass codes currently used by House Dusklorn
loyal guards or creatures whom Elessarwa always keeps near her
any traps in Elessarwa's inner scanctum "For surely she will retreat there if she senses an attack."
alternate exits from House Dusklorn's stronghold They have a route in and out, but Xanrym is always happier when they have at least two!
any reliable supporters of Irennaste within the household If Irennaste suggests any such person, Xanrym would follow up with this question: "And how would your allies know that the conspirators have your -- well, if not support, then at least your approval? For example, do you have some token or secret sign that only you and your close allies would know?" In case things go sideways, as they often do, Xanrym hopes that Irennaste has some allies within the House who could help them.
Khessa is satisfied with how things are going... Irennaste may be useful in the short term with information about the matron and the house. And in the future, if he doesn't betray them, he could even be a source of information on the most likely fate of Twardens' slaves.
Well... honestly, the blonde arcane warrior fears that Irennaste will instead try to eliminate the company the moment he takes power—but it's still worth a try. At worst, she can always ask Es Sarch instead, as she initially planned.
If you make it known you plan to side with him, at least for a while, Irennaste will give you all the information you want. The passphrase Irennaste knows is 'Blood for Lolth', but he's not sure how it's used, as he doesn't spend much time in the matron's sanctum. He knows there's a secret way in, and it's basically the only way you'll get to her without having to tackle the entire House, which is suicide. The matron does all her work with her current consort, the drow wizard Muvaysil, who supplanted Irennaste's father. His father is Irennaste's only real ally within the House, and he's basically given up at this point, ready to sacrifice himself in battle when asked.
Yes, Xanrym says that The Company will try to help "clear the way" for Irennaste. As he speaks, he finally walks in front of Irennaste, still invisible. (While they finish talking, Xanrym quietly moves to a different part of the room every time Irennaste talks or answers a question. Xanrym wants to make Irennaste think that Xanrym could always somewhere nearby, invisible and silent.) He still carefully avoids identifying the "conspirators" who will actually be "eliminating" Elessarwa. If necessary, he'll simply imply that the deed will be done by the Assassin's Guild.
Once Xanrym gathers the information that Irennaste can give them, he suggests that Khessalead The Company to another room so that they can discuss how to proceed. He asksAvery to stay behind to guard Irennaste so that the everyone else can discuss in private. He suggests to Avery, loudly enough for Irennaste to hear: "We'd like to help him, but we don't know whether we can trust him. If he tries to get away, kill him."
Once the group (sans Avery) is gathered in a separate room far enough away that Irennaste cannot hear them, invisible-Xanrym says, "So, I agree that we should go right away and do this job now. We've confirmed that Elessarwa is trying to have us killed, but thanks to Khessa's quick thinking, we might have intercepted that order in time. If The Guild got Irennaste's note before Khessa burned it up, we will soon have assassins looking for us. And even if the assassins are no worry, I think that Irennaste will soon become a problem. Either the news will spread that we captured him, and House Dusklorn will send a force into The Riddle to get him back. Or Irennaste himself will get impatient and find a way to betray us."
Xanrym asks whether anyone else thinks that Irrenaste is trying to send them into a trap. He says, "For my part, I fell like we can trust his information. I believe that the combination of his resentment and ambition are enough for him to betray his mother -- at least when he can do it indirectly and without exposing his involvement."
Regarding the job itself, Xanrym says,"We will face the priestess and a wizard, at least. I guess I can try to sneak close and Silence them like I did against Krell on the Emperor of the Waves. And that passphrase -- 'Blood for Lolth' -- maybe that's the key to some magical ward or lock, like the one for Garath's chest in the naga's lair."
(OOC: Anything else that folks want to do before we head for the secret passage to Elessarwa's torture chamber?
If The Company goes right away, Xanrym probably has enough time left on his Invisibility to make it into the secret tunnel, if not all the way to House Dusklorn's headquarters before the spell expires.
We need to decide what to do with Irennaste. Xanrym does not want to bring him with us. We could leave him here, but then should we tie him up? Or...?
Theldrin rubs his beard as he frowns and considers the situation. "Hmmm, yes I think we can probably trust his information pertaining to the attack on his mother, but beyond that.... well, he would probably betray us in an instant if he thought it benefited him. For now, leaving him tied and gagged here might be best."
If the party is ready to head towards the secret passage, he will go ahead and cast Mage Armor on himself.
Khessa was about to say the same thing as Coriana, so she simply nods.
Moving on to the bard's plans, the blonde arcane warrior replies to Xanrym: "Your idea of silence-sneaking them will be our trump card. They're both spellcasters... for them, losing the ability to cast will be a significant disadvantage. However, I feel like making two suggestions: the first to you: mutter the passphrase ('Blood for Lolth') as soon as you enter... perhaps it, instead of opening chests, deactivates some alarms!"
"The second," the tall adventuress concludes "to all of us: as soon as we begin hostilities, focus on the matron. Let's eliminate her first. Not only because she's our main target, but also because the wizard, without his matron, might even surrender. And in any case, lacking the clerical's martial training, deprived from the ability to cast spells, he should prove less dangerous than the lady of the house."
mutter the passphrase ('Blood for Lolth') as soon as you enter... perhaps it, instead of opening chests, deactivates some alarms!"
"Good idea!",Xanrym says. "And maybe even before I enter? Perhaps the alarm is on the door itself!"
"The second," the tall adventuress concludes "to all of us: as soon as we begin hostilities, focus on the matron.
Xanrym has no objections even though he shares Theldrin's concerns about the Drow wizard. "I'll do what I can," he says, "but if I am able to Silence them before they realize that we're there, I'll mostly just try to stay out-of-sight so that they cannot break my concentration."
(OOC: if we make it to level 8, I'll definitely be looking at taking War Caster (CHA) or Resilient (CON) for Xanrym.)
Irennaste seems to almost automatically respond to Coriana's orders, clearly having been talked to like this by many superiors in his life, "You. I was ordered by my matron to take a hit out on the overworld strangers recently arrived in the city." He looks almost shocked at his quick response.
Xanrym sighs in disappointment, and his voice comes from somewhere behind Irennaste, "Well, that certainly puts a damper on our relationship with you Irennaste! You give such loyal service to the matriarch of House Dusklorn -- to your own mother. And you get...what in return? Abuse, neglect? Torture? ... Disappointment? Don't you imagine that there could be more to life than this thankless service? What is it you want, Irennaste?"
Persuasion: 17 - trying to get Irennaste to open up
(Xanrym is attempting a little good cop / bad cop, trying to find out if there's anything that they could leverage or offer Irennaste other than simply sparing his life.)
Irennaste snorts at Xanrym's prompt, but seems to think to himself. "I just want to get what's mine. My mother is the last Priestess of Lolth left in this city, once she's gone the male drow here will finally get a chance to live up to our potential. Prove to the world we aren't weak, we can rule just as well as the women! If not better."
Khessa was deeply touched by Xanrym's words about free will and self-determination.
She was skeptical that a Drow, indoctrinated by centuries of life with a worldview built on very different values, could embrace such a new vision. But she found herself waiting with bated breath for the Drow's response. After all, he has seen firsthand how unfairly a member of his society can be treated by that same society... what if that were enough to make him realize that another life is possible?
Then, the reply. Irennaste at least seems willing to betray.
Needless to say, trusting him and revealing plans to assassinate the matron could be disastrous, if he were faking it now, or even if he were to have second thoughts or leak something in the future...
The blonde arcane warrior trusts, however, that the bard is also well aware of this.
Coriana says to her allies, "So basically, he is of of no use to us, had no non-obvious info and we should cut his throat and leave his bodies with the others."
[[Gamewise, Coriana is trying to play into the 'bad cop' and give a help action to anyone trying to convince Irennaste to play along. If you need and intimidation or deception, it the same modifier, so 9.]]
Coriana - Company of the Grey Chain
Wagner - Dragon Heist: Bards.
DM - The Old Keep
Theldrin stands by quietly watching the conversation with Irennaste from his hiding place around a corner. As he waits patiently to see how things go, he ponders if there is a way to make sure the letter was destroyed.
Xanrym waits a moment for Coriana's threat to sink in. He's not sure whether Irennaste will believe it and whether the Drow would fear the threats from humans after suffering torture at the hands of his own mother! But Xanrym just needs Irennaste to have some sliver of doubt. Just some worry that he'll meet an ignominious here in The Riddle, killed by mere humans!
Xanrym's voice, again from somewhere behind the Drow, sounds calm and soothing after Coriana's threat: "I like you, Irennaste. Clearly, not everyone in my Company feels the same, but from everything we've learned so far, I think that you would make a better leader of the Drow here than Elessarwa Nledoor! But here you are, stuck delivering letters to The Guild like some errand boy. What of your desire to rule? Was that just a boast? Just some idle talk among your group of frustrated but timid male Drow? Do you plan to sit idle and simply wait the decades that it will surely take for your mother to fall from power? And do you believe that waiting patiently for Fate to take its course demonstrates your potential for leadership to your fellow Drow? Or....are you prepared to take a risk? To risk everything to get what has been denied to you -- what you deserve?! Are you the sort of leader who would take bold action to create the opportunity that Fate has cruelly denied you?"
Xanrym waits to see whether that provokes anything from the Drow. He's careful not to reveal the party's upcoming job. He's trying to pitch this idea more like an enthusiastic promoter -- or maybe a better analogy is some fiend from the Nine Hells, corrupting mortals by tempting them with their heart's desire.
(OOC: Xanrym is using a combination of Deception and Persuasion here, but he has the same bonus and the benefit from Silver Tongue in both skills, so I'll just make one roll here:
23)
Concentration: Invisibility
Avery will comments, "We won't really know if we kill him now, we can always kill him later." He'll look over at the drow, give him a penetrating look (Intimidation: 16) before returning to watch the street (Perception: 12)
Irennaste looks around at you all, perplexed and scared, but with Xanrym's veiled offer and you all clearly demonstrating yourselves as powerful people, he starts to form an idea. "So you are saying you wish to help me with ousting my mother? If she were to... be removed, and I take over, I could make you honored guests of House Dusklorn. You would be protected in the city, you would be basically one step removed from drow yourselves. My mother would never offer you this deal, but I can." You see a spark of hope in the eye of the selfish drow.
With Avery pushing the bad cop, Coriana will soften her edge toward the drow, saying "So you might be of use after all..."
While Coriana has social skills, the scheme Xanrym seems to be hatching seems pretty wild, so she is loath to poke too much and interfere.
Coriana - Company of the Grey Chain
Wagner - Dragon Heist: Bards.
DM - The Old Keep
Xanrym's smile is not visible, but you can hear it in his voice. He says, "This is the side of you that I like: you're bold and smart, Irennaste, and you understand the value of working through others. Yes, if you rise to rule House Dusklorn, then we would be happy to accept such an honor." He's not sure whether Khessa will consent to be an "honored guest" of House Dusklorn after her previous experience as a very unwilling captive and slave to the Drow. On the other hand, if they pull this off and, assuming Irennaste ascends to the top of House Dusklorn and honors this deal...well, what better place to research what happened to Khessa's family than from within one of the houses of the Drow?
"But, as you say, the current matriarch would never make such an offer," Xanrym continues. "Sadly, you cannot advance while she holds power. And there's a reason that Elessarwa Nledoor still rules House Dusklorn: she must be a powerful priestess! But know this: there are plans -- already in motion! -- that could clear the way for you. If they fail, you gain nothing, of course. But you have an opportunity to help that plot succeed. You know the inner workings of House Dusklorn's stronghold. More importantly, you have seen your mother's power, have you not? Tell us: what is she capable of when threatened? What powers or magic make her the most dangerous? We can pass this information to the conspirators so that they are forewarned and ready to face her." Xanrym does not admit openly that The Company is doing this deed themselves, only that they can get this information to the ones who need it.
(OOC: To speed things along, Xanrym continues trying to tease out anything else Irennaste can tell them:
"For surely she will retreat there if she senses an attack."
They have a route in and out, but Xanrym is always happier when they have at least two!
If Irennaste suggests any such person, Xanrym would follow up with this question: "And how would your allies know that the conspirators have your -- well, if not support, then at least your approval? For example, do you have some token or secret sign that only you and your close allies would know?" In case things go sideways, as they often do, Xanrym hopes that Irennaste has some allies within the House who could help them.
)
Concentration: Invisibility
Khessa is satisfied with how things are going... Irennaste may be useful in the short term with information about the matron and the house. And in the future, if he doesn't betray them, he could even be a source of information on the most likely fate of Twardens' slaves.
Well... honestly, the blonde arcane warrior fears that Irennaste will instead try to eliminate the company the moment he takes power—but it's still worth a try. At worst, she can always ask Es Sarch instead, as she initially planned.
If you make it known you plan to side with him, at least for a while, Irennaste will give you all the information you want. The passphrase Irennaste knows is 'Blood for Lolth', but he's not sure how it's used, as he doesn't spend much time in the matron's sanctum. He knows there's a secret way in, and it's basically the only way you'll get to her without having to tackle the entire House, which is suicide. The matron does all her work with her current consort, the drow wizard Muvaysil, who supplanted Irennaste's father. His father is Irennaste's only real ally within the House, and he's basically given up at this point, ready to sacrifice himself in battle when asked.
Yes, Xanrym says that The Company will try to help "clear the way" for Irennaste. As he speaks, he finally walks in front of Irennaste, still invisible. (While they finish talking, Xanrym quietly moves to a different part of the room every time Irennaste talks or answers a question. Xanrym wants to make Irennaste think that Xanrym could always somewhere nearby, invisible and silent.) He still carefully avoids identifying the "conspirators" who will actually be "eliminating" Elessarwa. If necessary, he'll simply imply that the deed will be done by the Assassin's Guild.
Once Xanrym gathers the information that Irennaste can give them, he suggests that Khessa lead The Company to another room so that they can discuss how to proceed. He asksAvery to stay behind to guard Irennaste so that the everyone else can discuss in private. He suggests to Avery, loudly enough for Irennaste to hear: "We'd like to help him, but we don't know whether we can trust him. If he tries to get away, kill him."
Once the group (sans Avery) is gathered in a separate room far enough away that Irennaste cannot hear them, invisible-Xanrym says, "So, I agree that we should go right away and do this job now. We've confirmed that Elessarwa is trying to have us killed, but thanks to Khessa's quick thinking, we might have intercepted that order in time. If The Guild got Irennaste's note before Khessa burned it up, we will soon have assassins looking for us. And even if the assassins are no worry, I think that Irennaste will soon become a problem. Either the news will spread that we captured him, and House Dusklorn will send a force into The Riddle to get him back. Or Irennaste himself will get impatient and find a way to betray us."
Xanrym asks whether anyone else thinks that Irrenaste is trying to send them into a trap. He says, "For my part, I fell like we can trust his information. I believe that the combination of his resentment and ambition are enough for him to betray his mother -- at least when he can do it indirectly and without exposing his involvement."
Regarding the job itself, Xanrym says, "We will face the priestess and a wizard, at least. I guess I can try to sneak close and Silence them like I did against Krell on the Emperor of the Waves. And that passphrase -- 'Blood for Lolth' -- maybe that's the key to some magical ward or lock, like the one for Garath's chest in the naga's lair."
(OOC: Anything else that folks want to do before we head for the secret passage to Elessarwa's torture chamber?
)
Theldrin rubs his beard as he frowns and considers the situation. "Hmmm, yes I think we can probably trust his information pertaining to the attack on his mother, but beyond that.... well, he would probably betray us in an instant if he thought it benefited him. For now, leaving him tied and gagged here might be best."
If the party is ready to head towards the secret passage, he will go ahead and cast Mage Armor on himself.
"I agree with Theldrin."
Coriana - Company of the Grey Chain
Wagner - Dragon Heist: Bards.
DM - The Old Keep
Khessa was about to say the same thing as Coriana, so she simply nods.
Moving on to the bard's plans, the blonde arcane warrior replies to Xanrym: "Your idea of silence-sneaking them will be our trump card. They're both spellcasters... for them, losing the ability to cast will be a significant disadvantage. However, I feel like making two suggestions: the first to you: mutter the passphrase ('Blood for Lolth') as soon as you enter... perhaps it, instead of opening chests, deactivates some alarms!"
"The second," the tall adventuress concludes "to all of us: as soon as we begin hostilities, focus on the matron. Let's eliminate her first. Not only because she's our main target, but also because the wizard, without his matron, might even surrender. And in any case, lacking the clerical's martial training, deprived from the ability to cast spells, he should prove less dangerous than the lady of the house."
Theldrin nods, then adds with a wink and wry grin, "Good suggestions... but never underestimate a wizard."
"If we are not to underestimate him," Khessa winks "better to give him a reason to surrender by killing the matron he is forced to obey, right?"
"Good idea!", Xanrym says. "And maybe even before I enter? Perhaps the alarm is on the door itself!"
Xanrym has no objections even though he shares Theldrin's concerns about the Drow wizard. "I'll do what I can," he says, "but if I am able to Silence them before they realize that we're there, I'll mostly just try to stay out-of-sight so that they cannot break my concentration."
(OOC: if we make it to level 8, I'll definitely be looking at taking War Caster (CHA) or Resilient (CON) for Xanrym.)