Balasar replies in a low tone that is energetic, but not angry. If they were our men I wouldn't have attacked them; they're Drow in disguise. Lisette can confirm, and if the technique they're using to disguise themselves is anything like what we encountered earlier this evening, it should be wearing off shortly. The bigger problem is that an Illithid is involved in whatever is going on, and something is pretending to be Clearwater, which Lisette can confirm as well. Whatever it is has Drow weaponry stashed in his room. Not museum pieces; they're in much too good of condition, and maintained with something we've never used for our trophies. Something is scheduled to happen tonight, and soon, assuming this little kerfuffle hasn't altered their plans, and whatever it is won't be good.
Pooja's eyes widen, "Madness... Balasar's gone mad, I've taken food to these guards, I know their names!" she points down to the hacked remains close by, "That was Gerard, he-"
Gisi hushes her, "These are extraordinary claims, but if what you are saying is true, time is short. Do you have proof?"
Balasar nods hurriedly, apparently choosing to disregard Pooja's disbelief for the time being. In Lisette's chambers. We should go quickly; you're correct that time is short.
Balasar heads quickly but quietly in the direction of Lisette's chambers, expecting the group to follow. On the way, he'll glance at the dead and unconscious bodies to see if any of them have morphed into Drow form; if they have, he'll stop and point it out rather than continuing to Lisette's chambers.
With some prodding from her mother, Pooja follows the group, though she keeps her rapier drawn and scans the garden fearfully as everyone travels. Gisi seems less interested in her immediate surroundings than in securing confirmation and all but leads the pack towards Lisette's chambers. On arrival, the group is met with the still slumped body of Markus 2, nosebag of drugs still firmly in place.
"Ah." Gisi says in a strange mix of relief and horror, "You were right."
Pooja is already halfway back up the stairs, her sword gripped tightly in her clawed hand.
We managed to get a little information out of him. A flare is to be sent up tonight to signal allies of the Drow to take some kind of action. Stopping it seems like our best chance of disrupting whatever they have planned. I don't know where it is to be launched from, but Clearwater's balcony seems like the most likely location, given what little we know. One of the Drow managed to send off a signal of his own during the scuffle a few moments ago; I don't know what effect that might have.
Balasar glances at the Delmirev livery worn by the Drow before continuing. I do not know the extent to which the household has been compromised, but it is evident that a great deal of effort and resources have been invested in this scheme, whatever its ultimate objective may be. Swift and decisive action seems like our best hope, though it may already be too late.
Gisi nods, "Safety in numbers then. We should regroup with the rest of the family at once. Pooja-" she stops, suddenly realizing that Balazar's sister is no longer in the chambers with the party, "Pooja! Foolish girl!"
The lady of House Delmirev runs back up the stairs.
Lisette, having initially followed the group to her chambers, now follows them again, though she remarks to the party at large, "Recall that two of the 'guards' from our last encounter were knocked merely into unconsciousness, not death - we should consider keeping no unsecured enemies at our backs as we proceed." Her foreign accent and cadences are more pronounced than usual in her state of excited agitation brought on by the recent combat.
Balasar gently uses the tip of his greatsword to indicate the crossbows carried by the unconscious guards. Unless House Delmirev has adopted Drow weaponry and tactics in my absence, we can safely say that we're really looking at a couple of Drow. As to what to do with them... I'd prefer that we have the chance to interrogate them once all is said and done, but Lisette is right that we should take steps to ensure they can't attack us from behind or summon further assistance while we're in the process of dealing with this situation. Lisette, do you have any more of that concoction you used to temporarily incapacitate that Drow back in your quarters?
Covering her hand with her mouth, Lisette replies in a slightly distraught tone, "This... could be done, though the preparation of the herbs would take some time. Perhaps 20 minutes? I am not certain these" she gestures to the unconscious guards "would remain in their current, compliant state for so long."
Balasar frowns. While I would prefer to keep these alive, I don't think we have the time to spare to drug them, and one drow more or less may make all the difference in the battle ahead. Unless someone can think of another way to keep them out of the combat... Balasar looks to Gisi to weigh in on Pooja's question.
Gisi shakes her head, "I have no spell to restrain or incapacitate Drow. Their own poisons might work to keep them down, but the only certain method is execution. I will trust you and your allies to keep us safe regardless of your choice, but your father would slay them were he here."
Balasar considers briefly before replying: Bind them and leave their own poison darts stuck in their flesh. They may yet prove to have useful information. But work quickly; time is still of the essence. Balasar casts a quick glance in the direction of Clearwater's balcony as he speaks.
Once the living assailants have been bound per Balasar's instructions, the party is free to make their way into the manse. The closest doors to the party are the dining room, a small service door, or the great hall. Should the party wish to take a more circuitous route, the front door and library entrances are also options.
Balasar replies in a low tone that is energetic, but not angry. If they were our men I wouldn't have attacked them; they're Drow in disguise. Lisette can confirm, and if the technique they're using to disguise themselves is anything like what we encountered earlier this evening, it should be wearing off shortly. The bigger problem is that an Illithid is involved in whatever is going on, and something is pretending to be Clearwater, which Lisette can confirm as well. Whatever it is has Drow weaponry stashed in his room. Not museum pieces; they're in much too good of condition, and maintained with something we've never used for our trophies. Something is scheduled to happen tonight, and soon, assuming this little kerfuffle hasn't altered their plans, and whatever it is won't be good.
Pooja's eyes widen, "Madness... Balasar's gone mad, I've taken food to these guards, I know their names!" she points down to the hacked remains close by, "That was Gerard, he-"
Gisi hushes her, "These are extraordinary claims, but if what you are saying is true, time is short. Do you have proof?"
Balasar nods hurriedly, apparently choosing to disregard Pooja's disbelief for the time being. In Lisette's chambers. We should go quickly; you're correct that time is short.
Balasar heads quickly but quietly in the direction of Lisette's chambers, expecting the group to follow. On the way, he'll glance at the dead and unconscious bodies to see if any of them have morphed into Drow form; if they have, he'll stop and point it out rather than continuing to Lisette's chambers.
15 and 12
With some prodding from her mother, Pooja follows the group, though she keeps her rapier drawn and scans the garden fearfully as everyone travels. Gisi seems less interested in her immediate surroundings than in securing confirmation and all but leads the pack towards Lisette's chambers. On arrival, the group is met with the still slumped body of Markus 2, nosebag of drugs still firmly in place.
"Ah." Gisi says in a strange mix of relief and horror, "You were right."
Pooja is already halfway back up the stairs, her sword gripped tightly in her clawed hand.
We managed to get a little information out of him. A flare is to be sent up tonight to signal allies of the Drow to take some kind of action. Stopping it seems like our best chance of disrupting whatever they have planned. I don't know where it is to be launched from, but Clearwater's balcony seems like the most likely location, given what little we know. One of the Drow managed to send off a signal of his own during the scuffle a few moments ago; I don't know what effect that might have.
Balasar glances at the Delmirev livery worn by the Drow before continuing. I do not know the extent to which the household has been compromised, but it is evident that a great deal of effort and resources have been invested in this scheme, whatever its ultimate objective may be. Swift and decisive action seems like our best hope, though it may already be too late.
Gisi nods, "Safety in numbers then. We should regroup with the rest of the family at once. Pooja-" she stops, suddenly realizing that Balazar's sister is no longer in the chambers with the party, "Pooja! Foolish girl!"
The lady of House Delmirev runs back up the stairs.
With a quick glance to ensure that Markus 2 looks likely to remain secure and undisturbed, Balasar follows.
Gong also follows.
Lisette, having initially followed the group to her chambers, now follows them again, though she remarks to the party at large, "Recall that two of the 'guards' from our last encounter were knocked merely into unconsciousness, not death - we should consider keeping no unsecured enemies at our backs as we proceed." Her foreign accent and cadences are more pronounced than usual in her state of excited agitation brought on by the recent combat.
The party finds Pooja standing over one of the unconscious guards, rapier drawn and breathing rapidly.
"We... have to kill them, right Bal? And it's really not Gramt and Parthe?"
Balasar gently uses the tip of his greatsword to indicate the crossbows carried by the unconscious guards. Unless House Delmirev has adopted Drow weaponry and tactics in my absence, we can safely say that we're really looking at a couple of Drow. As to what to do with them... I'd prefer that we have the chance to interrogate them once all is said and done, but Lisette is right that we should take steps to ensure they can't attack us from behind or summon further assistance while we're in the process of dealing with this situation. Lisette, do you have any more of that concoction you used to temporarily incapacitate that Drow back in your quarters?
Covering her hand with her mouth, Lisette replies in a slightly distraught tone, "This... could be done, though the preparation of the herbs would take some time. Perhaps 20 minutes? I am not certain these" she gestures to the unconscious guards "would remain in their current, compliant state for so long."
Realizing she had allowed her thoughts to wander, Lisette snaps her attention back to the conversation and the potentially urgent affairs at hand.
Balasar frowns. While I would prefer to keep these alive, I don't think we have the time to spare to drug them, and one drow more or less may make all the difference in the battle ahead. Unless someone can think of another way to keep them out of the combat... Balasar looks to Gisi to weigh in on Pooja's question.
Gisi shakes her head, "I have no spell to restrain or incapacitate Drow. Their own poisons might work to keep them down, but the only certain method is execution. I will trust you and your allies to keep us safe regardless of your choice, but your father would slay them were he here."
Gong speaks up at this point. "If you'd rather keep them alive, I've some rope to bind them," he rumbles.
[OOC] He has a 50ft. coil in his inventory.
Balasar considers briefly before replying: Bind them and leave their own poison darts stuck in their flesh. They may yet prove to have useful information. But work quickly; time is still of the essence. Balasar casts a quick glance in the direction of Clearwater's balcony as he speaks.
Once the living assailants have been bound per Balasar's instructions, the party is free to make their way into the manse. The closest doors to the party are the dining room, a small service door, or the great hall. Should the party wish to take a more circuitous route, the front door and library entrances are also options.
Of the doors available to the party, which one offers the most direct route to Clearwater's quarters?