I think we should find someplace a bit more private where we can talk. Lisette, I hope it's not an imposition, but do you mind if we all retire to your quarters? I'd like to minimize the risk of interruption by anyone who isn't currently present.
Speaking up from the corpse, Lisette replies, "Of course, Bal. Perhaps we are bringing this one also, yes? He is disguised with magic which should be wearing off shortly. I am wanting very much to get a better look at what it is we are dealing with. Would anyone perhaps help me carry the body?"
Markus 2 grunts and jerks a thumb at Balasar, "Pass. If I'm gonna get killed by this one's old man anyways, I'm going to take it easy before I go off to see Kelemvor."
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Markus 2's comment causes a flicker of amusement to pass over Balasar's face as he nods in response to Lisette. Gong, please help Lisette with the body.
History and Religion checks to see what, if anything, Balasar knows of Kelemvor:
Markus 2's comment causes a flicker of amusement to pass over Balasar's face as he nods in response to Lisette. Gong, please help Lisette with the body.
History and Religion checks to see what, if anything, Balasar knows of Kelemvor:
History: 18
Religion: 15
Kelemvor is the principle god of Death, and the judge of all the dead.
With little additional fanfare, the group manages to take the body of Markus 1 and their new prisoner back to Lisette's Lab/Quarters.
A few minutes after setting the body on a bier, its human guise flickers and billows away in a waft of flesh colored smoke. Lying there on the table is a male Drow, face still very much cratered.
After gazing at the Drow corpse for a minute, Balasar turns his attention to Markus 2: So; how do you fit into all this?
[Balasar makes Perception, History, and Insight checks to see what information he can glean from the Drow and whatever clothing/weapons/etc. may be on the body.]
Balasar notes that the Drow's attire remains House Delmirev livery and that nothing on his person, save a very definitely Drow-made assassin's crossbow, would denote anything suspicious.
Even with his family's history with the Drow, Balasar cannot think of another example of infiltration with this degree of subtlety. Typical drow raids follow a distinct format of two volleys: disposable foot solders, followed by magical attacks and crossbow darts. Only when defenses are sufficiently soft will most Drow forces deign to wade into surface affairs themselves.
Altogether, Balasar concludes with some certainty that this is likely not the beginning of an organized raid. Beyond that, he can't guess at the motive. Judging by the very real kit, this disguise was a long time in the planning and hints at other possible contingencies.
Lisette backs up, exclaiming to the group, "One of the family betrays the rest to the Drow and an illithid! Watch out! He hopes to escape and send a signal which cannot wait another night. His allies are prepared to act now. If he fails, he dies - he has little to lose in trying."
As she says this, she signals her assistant to come close and she raises her hands, as if preparing to cast.
Lisette answers, "Some kind of hot, dark flair. We must not allow him to signal. I could not see what he and his allies have planned, but it seems urgent that it happens tonight."
Something flares in Markus's eyes and he grins victoriously at Lisette, "Less time than you need," he says, turning back to Balasar, "But with my help, maybe you can save a few of them."
Lisette hisses in faint frustration, backing slightly from the bound imposter. "Do not trust him, Bal. I could see into his mind and, to him, failure is akin to death. He has absolutely no reason to assist us and will do anything to signal his allies. We are best to incapacitate him if at all possible."
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I think we should find someplace a bit more private where we can talk. Lisette, I hope it's not an imposition, but do you mind if we all retire to your quarters? I'd like to minimize the risk of interruption by anyone who isn't currently present.
Speaking up from the corpse, Lisette replies, "Of course, Bal. Perhaps we are bringing this one also, yes? He is disguised with magic which should be wearing off shortly. I am wanting very much to get a better look at what it is we are dealing with. Would anyone perhaps help me carry the body?"
Markus 2 grunts and jerks a thumb at Balasar, "Pass. If I'm gonna get killed by this one's old man anyways, I'm going to take it easy before I go off to see Kelemvor."
Markus 2's comment causes a flicker of amusement to pass over Balasar's face as he nods in response to Lisette. Gong, please help Lisette with the body.
History and Religion checks to see what, if anything, Balasar knows of Kelemvor:
History: 11
Religion: 10
Kelemvor is the principle god of Death, and the judge of all the dead.
Gong nods with a grunt and assists with the corpse.
With little additional fanfare, the group manages to take the body of Markus 1 and their new prisoner back to Lisette's Lab/Quarters.
A few minutes after setting the body on a bier, its human guise flickers and billows away in a waft of flesh colored smoke. Lying there on the table is a male Drow, face still very much cratered.
Living Markus sighs, "Well damn."
After gazing at the Drow corpse for a minute, Balasar turns his attention to Markus 2: So; how do you fit into all this?
[Balasar makes Perception, History, and Insight checks to see what information he can glean from the Drow and whatever clothing/weapons/etc. may be on the body.]
Perception: 18
History: 18
Insight: 7
Lisette putters about her lab, apparently muttering to herself, her mute assisstant, the zombie cat, or to spirits only she can see.
Balasar notes that the Drow's attire remains House Delmirev livery and that nothing on his person, save a very definitely Drow-made assassin's crossbow, would denote anything suspicious.
Even with his family's history with the Drow, Balasar cannot think of another example of infiltration with this degree of subtlety. Typical drow raids follow a distinct format of two volleys: disposable foot solders, followed by magical attacks and crossbow darts. Only when defenses are sufficiently soft will most Drow forces deign to wade into surface affairs themselves.
Altogether, Balasar concludes with some certainty that this is likely not the beginning of an organized raid. Beyond that, he can't guess at the motive. Judging by the very real kit, this disguise was a long time in the planning and hints at other possible contingencies.
Lisette inquires of Markus 2, "Who killed Delmirev Thaan? And why?"
After a brief pause, she adds, "And how?"
Markus 2 grows very still for a moment before replying, "Probably my employer, but I don't know how. I wasn't part of that job."
Lisette, having returned to be nearer the prisoner, asks in a low but gentle tone, "What signal? Why tonight?"
Markus's eyes bulge, "*****! Isn't it enough that you'll die? You want to take me down with you?!"
Lisette backs up, exclaiming to the group, "One of the family betrays the rest to the Drow and an illithid! Watch out! He hopes to escape and send a signal which cannot wait another night. His allies are prepared to act now. If he fails, he dies - he has little to lose in trying."
As she says this, she signals her assistant to come close and she raises her hands, as if preparing to cast.
Balasar focuses on Markus 2 and growls Who is it? And what's the signal?
Lisette answers, "Some kind of hot, dark flair. We must not allow him to signal. I could not see what he and his allies have planned, but it seems urgent that it happens tonight."
Balasar keeps his gaze fixed on Markus 2. How long do we have?
Something flares in Markus's eyes and he grins victoriously at Lisette, "Less time than you need," he says, turning back to Balasar, "But with my help, maybe you can save a few of them."
Lisette hisses in faint frustration, backing slightly from the bound imposter. "Do not trust him, Bal. I could see into his mind and, to him, failure is akin to death. He has absolutely no reason to assist us and will do anything to signal his allies. We are best to incapacitate him if at all possible."