Zarbyn steps forward and answers, "Greetings! My name is Zarbyn and my friends and I wish to hire the House of Pain!"
He then waits to see what the response will be.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
"A rightful place awaits you in the Realms Above, in the Land of the Great Light. Come in peace, and live beneath the sun again, where trees and flowers grow."
— The message of Eilistraee to all decent drow.
"Run thy sword across my chains, Silver Lady, that I may join your dance.”
The door unlocks from within, then opens, making little sound on freshly oiled hinges. Within an exquisite hallway filled with mirrors, velvet lined walls, and candles surrounded by iron cage sconces.
An orc greets you. He is well dressed in a silver and black tunic and overcoat. Yet, it does not hide the muscles and large frame within, nor a series of runes and tattoos that begin at his face and go downward. Silvered sharp teeth and eyes the color of gold finish his upward appearance. All of you have heard of this man, as he may be one of the most famous men in Allansia (one of the soul victors of the Trial of Champions.)
(Amdaeng, and others from cities can roll history or other to gain additional lore and info)
“Welcome to the House of Pain,” he rumbles, his accent thick but words crisp, perhaps rehearsed. “I am Varin Pell — a humble servant of our noble house. Tell me, what service are you requesting?”
Upon hearing the response from the well dressed orc, Varin Pell, the thought crosses Zarbyn's mind that this... House of Pain may actually be necessary in a place like Blacksand. A method of dealing with slights and insults that doesn't require killing each other, it can actually be considered civilized in a strange way.
"There is a painter, Garolon, who has greatly offended a friend of mine. I wish for them to be... 'educated' in the error of their ways."
Zarbyn clenches and unclenches his fists while barely holding his arms at his sides. He takes a calming breath before continuing, "If at all possible, I would like 'quite' the example to made of them!"
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
"A rightful place awaits you in the Realms Above, in the Land of the Great Light. Come in peace, and live beneath the sun again, where trees and flowers grow."
— The message of Eilistraee to all decent drow.
"Run thy sword across my chains, Silver Lady, that I may join your dance.”
Amdaeng knows this information. Years ago, when Baron Sukumvit announced his second Trial of Champions, the city of Fang rejoiced in morbid spectacle. Six champions entered the labyrinth beneath his palace — slaves, mercenaries, and opportunists, each promised freedom or fortune.
Two survived.
No one quite knows how Serethys — then a nameless mercenary and dark elf, known for her elegant cruelty — and Varin Pell, a condemned orcish pit-fighter — managed to endure. They were the only pair in the Trial’s bloody history to escape its traps alive.
Though they emerged together, something in them changed. They did not claim Sukumvit’s prize or titles; instead, they vanished into the chaos of southern Allansia. Years later, both resurfaced in Port Blacksand, drawn to one another not by love, but by a shared understanding of surviving the Baron's cruel test. They then founded the House of Pain. Not to kill, but to provide justice, vengeance, and retribution. (She is likely a Vengeance Paladin)
The orc smiles, revealing more silvered teeth. “well friend, you’ve come to the right place. Now…let’s get some details, for instance, how offended was your friend, how uncomfortable do we want Garolon to feel (1-10) and of course, what might be your budget?”
Zarbyn blinks once as he almost becomes lost in considering the degree, "10... a 9 might be acceptable if you're having a bad day but I'll pay for a 10."
"Perhaps I should of asked the price up front but this is my first visit to the House of Pain and I am ignorant with regards to the price involved with such dealings."
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
"A rightful place awaits you in the Realms Above, in the Land of the Great Light. Come in peace, and live beneath the sun again, where trees and flowers grow."
— The message of Eilistraee to all decent drow.
"Run thy sword across my chains, Silver Lady, that I may join your dance.”
"If his offence warranted death I could just kill him myself," Zarbyn runs his right hand through his hair, combing it back and away from his face/eyes, "I was hoping more for... humiliations galore."
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
"A rightful place awaits you in the Realms Above, in the Land of the Great Light. Come in peace, and live beneath the sun again, where trees and flowers grow."
— The message of Eilistraee to all decent drow.
"Run thy sword across my chains, Silver Lady, that I may join your dance.”
The orc smiles, revealing that all of his teeth are silvered and sharp.
”A matter of this subtle of a nature will be most fun. You might consider the delicate touch of the house mistress’s approach. Costs a bit more but I think worth it. Price will be based us giving you several choices, using my mistress or myself, and who your friend is…-as some of the folks in town get a bulk rate or guild discount as they enjoy our work.”
Amdaeng recognise the orc but chose not to say anything less there was some offence taken......though she almost blurted out who had hired them instinctively....
Zarbyn visibly relaxes and even begins to smile as the conversation with Verin Pell progresses.
"Perhaps it would help if I heard some of the choices and of course that might influence whether you or your mistress would be better suited to the task. However, as it should be evident from my continued reference of 'a friend' I won't be able to benefit from any bulk rate or guild discount as I wish to preserve some level of anonymity."
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
"A rightful place awaits you in the Realms Above, in the Land of the Great Light. Come in peace, and live beneath the sun again, where trees and flowers grow."
— The message of Eilistraee to all decent drow.
"Run thy sword across my chains, Silver Lady, that I may join your dance.”
“The artist Garolon is known for his twisted caricatures. He thinks his art work masterpieces yet most others do not.. His art often an affront to those of power and influence, thus I surmise your friend one of some notoriety.”
he stokes his chin thoughtfully. “Here are a few options that come to mind. As I mentioned, my mistress may have additional thoughts.”
"The names of those options are unfamiliar to me."
Zarbyn leans forward slightly, clearly showing interest in what he's heard so far, and his smile grows.
"Could you elaborate somewhat? I don't need every detail of what would be involved but a general outline of each could help narrow it down, just enough to get the gist of what each may entail."
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
"A rightful place awaits you in the Realms Above, in the Land of the Great Light. Come in peace, and live beneath the sun again, where trees and flowers grow."
— The message of Eilistraee to all decent drow.
"Run thy sword across my chains, Silver Lady, that I may join your dance.”
The orc leans forward, looking the group over, his golden eyes glinting with professional interest rather than menace. His voice rolls low, almost silky.
“Yes, yes, the options. You bring a debt but hide the creditor’s name? A Dangerous thing, that.” He chuckles softly.
“You see, every torment here is tailored—art, not accident. The wrong patron’s pain might offend the true one, and that would reflect poorly on the House.”
He circles the group slowly, looking at Vydar and Jherak curiously before his eye rest on Amdaeng. “Interesting…”. He says more to himself than the group, “House Almighty.”
“Tell me who was wronged, and we can fashion something exquisite… personal. Without a name, your vengeance is—how do they say in Blacksand?—cheap theater and likely a waste of your coin.”
His gaze sharpens, voice dropping to a whisper meant only for them. “If you trust me with your friends name, the Mistress herself may grant an audience. And you do want to satisfy the one who sent you, don’t you?”
Before the well dressed orc can question Zarbyn further, "But my friend is well known in Blacksand and... "
Zarbyn pauses and the smile disappears from his face.
"I am going to trust that you hold what I am about to reveal in the strictest of confidence."
"She is widely known as the Serpent Queen."
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
"A rightful place awaits you in the Realms Above, in the Land of the Great Light. Come in peace, and live beneath the sun again, where trees and flowers grow."
— The message of Eilistraee to all decent drow.
"Run thy sword across my chains, Silver Lady, that I may join your dance.”
the orc turns a shade more pale, “Ah. I suspected as much, being the new painting in the square of her is new. It’s quite terrible, but getting a great deal of attention.”
He smiles at the group and shakes his head, “Let me see if Mistress Serethys will see you. The Serpent Queen is one of our best friends.”
Zarbyn has been maintaining his Gaze of Two Minds on Twiggy who is invisible this whole time, and now he sends her to follow the orc.
Stealth: 27
Not quite sure of what reaction he was expecting from the orc and knowing the reputation of Blacksand, a sudden wave of paranoia begins to wash over him. He quickly stands and takes note of the doors and any windows.
"Get ready! Could be nothing but if they're such good friends with the Serpent Queen why check to see 'if' Serethys will see us."
Pointing to the door they entered through, "Someone secure the exit. I'm starting to get a bad feeling but it could just be me being jumpy."
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
"A rightful place awaits you in the Realms Above, in the Land of the Great Light. Come in peace, and live beneath the sun again, where trees and flowers grow."
— The message of Eilistraee to all decent drow.
"Run thy sword across my chains, Silver Lady, that I may join your dance.”
— A basic prayer.
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At face level, a small square hatch on the red doorway opens and two eyes look out.
A low gentle voice says with a strong accent, "Yes, may I help you?"
Amdaeng backs up a little and hopes someone else does the talking....
Zarbyn steps forward and answers, "Greetings! My name is Zarbyn and my friends and I wish to hire the House of Pain!"
He then waits to see what the response will be.
The door unlocks from within, then opens, making little sound on freshly oiled hinges. Within an exquisite hallway filled with mirrors, velvet lined walls, and candles surrounded by iron cage sconces.
An orc greets you. He is well dressed in a silver and black tunic and overcoat. Yet, it does not hide the muscles and large frame within, nor a series of runes and tattoos that begin at his face and go downward. Silvered sharp teeth and eyes the color of gold finish his upward appearance. All of you have heard of this man, as he may be one of the most famous men in Allansia (one of the soul victors of the Trial of Champions.)
(Amdaeng, and others from cities can roll history or other to gain additional lore and info)
Upon hearing the response from the well dressed orc, Varin Pell, the thought crosses Zarbyn's mind that this... House of Pain may actually be necessary in a place like Blacksand. A method of dealing with slights and insults that doesn't require killing each other, it can actually be considered civilized in a strange way.
"There is a painter, Garolon, who has greatly offended a friend of mine. I wish for them to be... 'educated' in the error of their ways."
Zarbyn clenches and unclenches his fists while barely holding his arms at his sides. He takes a calming breath before continuing, "If at all possible, I would like 'quite' the example to made of them!"
Amdaeng
Amdaeng knows this information.
Years ago, when Baron Sukumvit announced his second Trial of Champions, the city of Fang rejoiced in morbid spectacle. Six champions entered the labyrinth beneath his palace — slaves, mercenaries, and opportunists, each promised freedom or fortune.
Two survived.
No one quite knows how Serethys — then a nameless mercenary and dark elf, known for her elegant cruelty — and Varin Pell, a condemned orcish pit-fighter — managed to endure. They were the only pair in the Trial’s bloody history to escape its traps alive.
Though they emerged together, something in them changed. They did not claim Sukumvit’s prize or titles; instead, they vanished into the chaos of southern Allansia. Years later, both resurfaced in Port Blacksand, drawn to one another not by love, but by a shared understanding of surviving the Baron's cruel test. They then founded the House of Pain. Not to kill, but to provide justice, vengeance, and retribution. (She is likely a Vengeance Paladin)
Vydar
As a black elf, Vydar has heard of Serethys Hookblade. (Roll to see how much he knows. )
The orc smiles, revealing more silvered teeth.
“well friend, you’ve come to the right place. Now…let’s get some details, for instance, how offended was your friend, how uncomfortable do we want Garolon to feel (1-10) and of course, what might be your budget?”
"My friend was... very offended!"
Zarbyn blinks once as he almost becomes lost in considering the degree, "10... a 9 might be acceptable if you're having a bad day but I'll pay for a 10."
"Perhaps I should of asked the price up front but this is my first visit to the House of Pain and I am ignorant with regards to the price involved with such dealings."
He takes long nailed fingers on a glass table,
“Hum…very exciting, we don’t get that many folks who would want such an extreme level of creativity without just hiring an assassin.”
"If his offence warranted death I could just kill him myself," Zarbyn runs his right hand through his hair, combing it back and away from his face/eyes, "I was hoping more for... humiliations galore."
The orc smiles, revealing that all of his teeth are silvered and sharp.
”A matter of this subtle of a nature will be most fun. You might consider the delicate touch of the house mistress’s approach. Costs a bit more but I think worth it. Price will be based us giving you several choices, using my mistress or myself, and who your friend is…-as some of the folks in town get a bulk rate or guild discount as they enjoy our work.”
”Thoughts so far?”
Amdaeng recognise the orc but chose not to say anything less there was some offence taken......though she almost blurted out who had hired them instinctively....
Zarbyn visibly relaxes and even begins to smile as the conversation with Verin Pell progresses.
"Perhaps it would help if I heard some of the choices and of course that might influence whether you or your mistress would be better suited to the task. However, as it should be evident from my continued reference of 'a friend' I won't be able to benefit from any bulk rate or guild discount as I wish to preserve some level of anonymity."
“The artist Garolon is known for his twisted caricatures. He thinks his art work masterpieces yet most others do not.. His art often an affront to those of power and influence, thus I surmise your friend one of some notoriety.”
he stokes his chin thoughtfully.
“Here are a few options that come to mind. As I mentioned, my mistress may have additional thoughts.”
"The names of those options are unfamiliar to me."
Zarbyn leans forward slightly, clearly showing interest in what he's heard so far, and his smile grows.
"Could you elaborate somewhat? I don't need every detail of what would be involved but a general outline of each could help narrow it down, just enough to get the gist of what each may entail."
The orc leans forward, looking the group over, his golden eyes glinting with professional interest rather than menace. His voice rolls low, almost silky.
"I don't know her name."
Before the well dressed orc can question Zarbyn further, "But my friend is well known in Blacksand and... "
Zarbyn pauses and the smile disappears from his face.
"I am going to trust that you hold what I am about to reveal in the strictest of confidence."
"She is widely known as the Serpent Queen."
the orc turns a shade more pale, “Ah. I suspected as much, being the new painting in the square of her is new. It’s quite terrible, but getting a great deal of attention.”
He smiles at the group and shakes his head, “Let me see if Mistress Serethys will see you. The Serpent Queen is one of our best friends.”
The orc bows, then retreats into another chamber.
Zarbyn has been maintaining his Gaze of Two Minds on Twiggy who is invisible this whole time, and now he sends her to follow the orc.
Stealth: 27
Not quite sure of what reaction he was expecting from the orc and knowing the reputation of Blacksand, a sudden wave of paranoia begins to wash over him. He quickly stands and takes note of the doors and any windows.
"Get ready! Could be nothing but if they're such good friends with the Serpent Queen why check to see 'if' Serethys will see us."
Pointing to the door they entered through, "Someone secure the exit. I'm starting to get a bad feeling but it could just be me being jumpy."