Markus 2 sneers, and answers in the same language, "One of many, for all the good that knowledge will do you. If you've made up your mind to kill me, I see little point in resisting. Still..."
A light comes into his eyes, and his gaze becomes at once hopeful and avaricious, "If by some miracle you manage to overcome my allies... I could be persuaded to assist House Delmirev in an advisory capacity. I cannot betray my kin but... there are other dangers lurking in the depths that High Hills does not know of; dangers I would be pleased to educate you on for a small price."
Insight check to see how plausible Markus 2's offer is: 17
(Balasar does not sense deceit in Markus 2's face or words)
Markus 2's face looks suddenly drawn, "Death would be the least of my punishments for betraying my people to iblith, but if you overcome them through guile or might of arms... surely even the Queen of Spiders could see the benefit of employing skilled enemies against a common foe."
[OOC: Lisette mentioned an Illithid earlier in the conversation. Do Balasar and the others know of Illithids, or is this the first they've heard of the species?]
Balasar nods, then turns his attention back to the party. Switching back to Common, he says in a low voice, We must act quickly, and I'm open to any suggestions as to how best to proceed. Our principle task at the moment, it seems, is to locate the signal location and sender and prevent the signal from being sent. There's no telling how many on the estate are disguised drow, so if anybody has the ability to see through the disguise now that you've seen it disperse from that corpse over there, that would be most useful. As for him (indicating Markus 2 with a brief gesture), I'd prefer to keep him alive, but we can't have him interfering with our efforts or warning his comrades that we're on to them. If anyone has any ideas for how best to keep him incapacitated, let's hear them.
Balasar knows "surface level" information regarding the illithid, including their nicknames, general appearance, diet, and reputation as powerful and frightening opponents. Additionally, through his family's familiarity with Drow, he is aware that they occasionally form alliances with the dark elves when it is mutually beneficial.
"I've no eye for their illusions," Gong rumbles, "but if there's some foul Outsider at work, I've some small wards to use at least." He follows Balasar's gesture to Markus 2. "I say we leave that one tied up and locked in a cellar."
Lisette considers for a moment. "I could perhaps use a ritual to know if there was a magical disguise in use, but I have no magic to easily dispel or even see through such an illusion."
When the party gathers for their evening meal at the Goat and Bagpipes, Balasar catches everyone's attention. In a voice much quieter than his normal booming thunder, he addresses the party: I have received word today that my cousin has been killed by parties unknown. I must return to High Hills at once to aid in the investigation and avenging of his death. I know little of the circumstances, but I have been asked to bring allies with me. I would be extremely grateful if you would join me in this task, and I'm certain my family would be grateful for your assistance as well.
Balasar glances at Elaric and Wendell: As I'm sure you're aware, High Hills has an Academy of UnderDark Studies; as an added inducement, I'm certain we could procure access to its archives for your learned pursuits.
[OOG - I would still like to bring Elaric in to explore the Academy of Underdark Studies]
Lisette considers for a moment. "I could perhaps use a ritual to know if there was a magical disguise in use, but I have no magic to easily dispel or even see through such an illusion."
After a brief pause, the healer flicks her eyes about to see if anyone else has something to add.
You've been closer to his mind than any of us. Do you think we have the time? I trust your lab more than any of the other buildings on the estate, under the circumstances, but if we can't spare the time to make it secure, then we'll have to seek alternate solutions.
Biting her lip in concentration, Lisette hesitates before answering, pitching her voice low to avoid being overheard, "I am thinking there is not enough time. I have no wish to kill a prisoner, but I do not know if we have any other option that does not risk disaster."
Balasar nods thoughtfully at Lisette's response. He glances over at Markus, and as his gaze traverses the room, an idea appears to strike him. He turns back to Lisette, and in an equally low voice asks You have your supplies here. Is there anything you could give him that would... put him to sleep? Prevent anyone from waking him up for a good 10 or 12 hours, but leave him unharmed?
Lisette dashes through the cupboards of her workstation, pulling out powders of of opium, mandrake, hemlock, and henbane. Calling for boiling water, she sets to work and in only a few minutes, she produces a thick tea-like liquid into which she plunges a sponge. Before Markus II can struggle overmuch, Lisette clamps the soaked sponge over his face like a feedbag. In a few moments, the enemy's frantic thrashing slows, then stops.
After an intensely evaluative look, Lisette nods. "That should keep him out of trouble long enough for our purposes. Though," she adds with some concern, " I shall need to administer an antidote before long or he will never wake."
She sets her assisstant to guard the sleeping drow and gives instructions that she is to be fetched with all possible haste if the elf shows any sign that he is not breathing, makes any attempts to stand up or move more than an inch, or if anyone other than Lisette, the party, snd the zombie cat attempt to enter the lab or (here she casts her eyes about briefly) if anyone goes near the drow.
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Balasar keeps his eyes on Markus 2, asking in Undercommon So, are you another Drow in disguise?
Markus 2 sneers, and answers in the same language, "One of many, for all the good that knowledge will do you. If you've made up your mind to kill me, I see little point in resisting. Still..."
A light comes into his eyes, and his gaze becomes at once hopeful and avaricious, "If by some miracle you manage to overcome my allies... I could be persuaded to assist House Delmirev in an advisory capacity. I cannot betray my kin but... there are other dangers lurking in the depths that High Hills does not know of; dangers I would be pleased to educate you on for a small price."
Cannot betray your kin... what's stopping you?
Insight check to see how plausible Markus 2's offer is: 17
(Balasar does not sense deceit in Markus 2's face or words)
Markus 2's face looks suddenly drawn, "Death would be the least of my punishments for betraying my people to iblith, but if you overcome them through guile or might of arms... surely even the Queen of Spiders could see the benefit of employing skilled enemies against a common foe."
[OOC: Lisette mentioned an Illithid earlier in the conversation. Do Balasar and the others know of Illithids, or is this the first they've heard of the species?]
Balasar nods, then turns his attention back to the party. Switching back to Common, he says in a low voice, We must act quickly, and I'm open to any suggestions as to how best to proceed. Our principle task at the moment, it seems, is to locate the signal location and sender and prevent the signal from being sent. There's no telling how many on the estate are disguised drow, so if anybody has the ability to see through the disguise now that you've seen it disperse from that corpse over there, that would be most useful. As for him (indicating Markus 2 with a brief gesture), I'd prefer to keep him alive, but we can't have him interfering with our efforts or warning his comrades that we're on to them. If anyone has any ideas for how best to keep him incapacitated, let's hear them.
[Please make a knowledge roll on that one, with advantage]
History check, with advantage: 9
Balasar knows "surface level" information regarding the illithid, including their nicknames, general appearance, diet, and reputation as powerful and frightening opponents. Additionally, through his family's familiarity with Drow, he is aware that they occasionally form alliances with the dark elves when it is mutually beneficial.
"I've no eye for their illusions," Gong rumbles, "but if there's some foul Outsider at work, I've some small wards to use at least." He follows Balasar's gesture to Markus 2. "I say we leave that one tied up and locked in a cellar."
Lisette considers for a moment. "I could perhaps use a ritual to know if there was a magical disguise in use, but I have no magic to easily dispel or even see through such an illusion."
[OOG - I would still like to bring Elaric in to explore the Academy of Underdark Studies]
After a brief pause, the healer flicks her eyes about to see if anyone else has something to add.
Balasar nods. Very well then. Lisette, do you have a secure room handy to keep our guest out of trouble?
Lisette nods slowly. "My laboratory can be made secure and my assistant could perhaps be of help as a watchman."
You've been closer to his mind than any of us. Do you think we have the time? I trust your lab more than any of the other buildings on the estate, under the circumstances, but if we can't spare the time to make it secure, then we'll have to seek alternate solutions.
Biting her lip in concentration, Lisette hesitates before answering, pitching her voice low to avoid being overheard, "I am thinking there is not enough time. I have no wish to kill a prisoner, but I do not know if we have any other option that does not risk disaster."
Balasar nods thoughtfully at Lisette's response. He glances over at Markus, and as his gaze traverses the room, an idea appears to strike him. He turns back to Lisette, and in an equally low voice asks You have your supplies here. Is there anything you could give him that would... put him to sleep? Prevent anyone from waking him up for a good 10 or 12 hours, but leave him unharmed?
Medicine Check: 11
Lisette dashes through the cupboards of her workstation, pulling out powders of of opium, mandrake, hemlock, and henbane. Calling for boiling water, she sets to work and in only a few minutes, she produces a thick tea-like liquid into which she plunges a sponge. Before Markus II can struggle overmuch, Lisette clamps the soaked sponge over his face like a feedbag. In a few moments, the enemy's frantic thrashing slows, then stops.
After an intensely evaluative look, Lisette nods. "That should keep him out of trouble long enough for our purposes. Though," she adds with some concern, " I shall need to administer an antidote before long or he will never wake."
She sets her assisstant to guard the sleeping drow and gives instructions that she is to be fetched with all possible haste if the elf shows any sign that he is not breathing, makes any attempts to stand up or move more than an inch, or if anyone other than Lisette, the party, snd the zombie cat attempt to enter the lab or (here she casts her eyes about briefly) if anyone goes near the drow.