Kaylyn nods to Zeno and follows along with the others.

"Who is Professor G, and what is his name? And what house is Jarlaxle of?" She asks Zeno as they travel. She has a hunch on who it is and would help her to trust Zeno if the names match up.

<As for Jarlaxle, Kinyel at Mantol-Derith told us of him when we returned there the second time, in the past. He is an assassin and works here. She said we needed to clear it with him to order a hit.  She said nothing further about him.> she says to the others using telepathy.

You don't know Jarlaxle? Of course, you wouldn't, I'm sorry. Wow! Where does one start on Jarlaxle Baenre? He's one of the most influential drow in all of Menzoberranzan! Probably third only behind his sister, Quenthel Baenre the Matron Mother, and his brother, Gromph Baenre the Archmage. Has his own mercenary company known as Bregan D’aerthe whose interests spread all through the Underdark, even up to Luskan. He even told me he's looking at expanding to Waterdeep, and invited me to take a position when this demon nonsense is all over. Great guy! But he's very well connected. Knows the city like no-one else. Has his hand in every pot and every plot. There isn't anything that goes down in Menzo without Jarlaxle knowing about it.

It's obvious that Zeno is a fan of this Jarlaxle, and thinks highly of him, despite basically describing his as the most powerful underworld figure in this nest of venomous vipers.

As for Professor G... well, I only know him as Professor G. He can be rather intimidating, but if you look past that you'll see him for who he is. Very erudite, very learned, you'd like him Rhayna. Very passionate, very concerned for the welfare of all good-meaning folk of the Underdark. Works hard to solve problems, along with his friends who are also great scholars. But I've still no idea how he knows what he knows. At first I thought perhaps he is some kind of diviner, but he doesn't strike me as the sort. It's more like... like he's reading a book with most of the pages missing.

Even the least insightful listener can tell that Zeno is skirting around the question, avoiding explicitly describing Professor G, but rather extolling his qualities. All the same, it is equally apparent that he is doing so not to deceive the group but rather to ease them into an otherwise uncomfortable meeting. He offers no further information when pressed, but instead skillfully turns each question into a counter-question about the general welfare of his closest associates, Rhayna and Kaylyn.

As the conversation progresses, the group pass through the West Wall district, and skirt around the south end of a large rift. Looking down into the rift, the observers can see the ruins of drow mansions engulfed by masses of thick spider webs. To the south is another residential district of the most remarkable sort - vertical streets formed of calcified strands of spider silk rise from the cavern floor all the way to the vaulted roof above, with hollow, cocoon-like dwellings constructed both above and below the layers of webbing. Beyond the rift, the district is unpopulated, and largely dominated by a single run-down estate.

Having now left the populated area, and out of sight of the drow public, Zeno begins to remove parts of his disguise: a white-haired wig is removed, and dark brown hair falls down around his fringe; two invisible elastic straps around his face that accentuated his cheek-bones come away, smoothing his half-elven features; a thin membrane is peeled from his chin that had concealed short patches of facial hair; and a grey powdery tint is wiped from his face, revealing his natural skin tone. Lastly the rogue slips a familiar brown cloak around his shoulders, looking remarkably normal in contrast to the street-savvy drow that met them at the steps of Tier Breche.

Zeno leads the party toward the dilapidated but otherwise intact estate mansion. Two male drow slouch casually outside the large main doors, and nod to Zeno as he approaches, eyeing the rest of the group with the sly smirks that are the common garb of every drow. The wide corridor is unadorned, save for several more silent male drow lurking in dark open doorways or in the shadows beyond. The corridor leads to another large set of doors, before which Zeno turns and says: My friends, it is my pleasure to introduce you to Jarlaxle Baenre, the leader of Bregan D’aerthe and our host.

Zeno pushes the doors open to reveal a large chamber, finely decorated in contrast to the austere corridor, but just as much shrouded in darkness. Several dozen drow fill the room - all male - surrounding a simple throne with a spider-web motif. On the throne sits a finely-dressed male drow, his face obscured by a large and rather ostentatious wide-brimmed hat, plumed with a diatryma feather. A slender crystal lights up in his hand, shedding a soft glow through the room, as he raises his head. A handsome face adorned with an eye-patch smirks at the group, but without the malice that usually attends the expression, as Jarlaxle greets the guests: Welcome, heroes from the surface world, to my city. It is a pleasure to make your acquiantance.

Zeno moves into the room to stand on the left as the drow from the corridor behind move up slowly and quietly behind the group. As the light illuminates the chamber, another figure glides slowly toward them from the right. But it is not a drow... It is a mind-flayer!

A barely audible hiss came from Sekkar. He began to suspect something when Zeno started to slither around the description like a mud eel around sharp rocks. And here it was. The room full of drow was bad enough, but they were in a city full of drow and the lizardman was ready for such a gathering. Even curious - to see the male drow making an empire for himself under Lolth's nose. But this...

He had enough willpower not to activate Dawnbringer but he had the sword in hand. With the shield in another. "Hisss... The monster readsss and controlsss mindssss. Ssstop thinking!" He did not say anything out loud, not answered the greeting but instead was assessing the room from a future battle perspective: positions of everyone, exits, hiding spots - this king of things.

Throughout her “vacation”, from the Sunless Citadel up to this point, Rhayna never worried about her well-being. Perhaps, it was because most of the time she was too distracted to realize that she was in any danger. Suddenly, a sense of dread came upon the Cleric. Instinctively she holds her pendant to calm herself, and she prays to the Goddess for a positive outcome from this encounter. She tries to remember if she has read about this Jarlaxle Baenre. If Zeno has left anything out, and if the group can trust this person.

Rhayna History: 34

"Stop thinking" came the mental message from Sekkar. Great, stop thinking. Very helpful Sekkar. It was impossible to do so faced with this room. Her mind spun. This mind flayer somehow knew about them and their quest. Presumably it had given Jarlaxle some hint of that if not the full truth. How does Jarlaxle feel about their drow inspired plot to lay Menzoberranzan to waste using the demon threat? Is this his chance to upset the female led hierarchy of the drow and place himself within a position of power? Stop thinking? Ridiculous. But Pax did suddenly feel "naked" amidst so many creatures that she has, for her entire life, viewed as the embodiment of evil. Even after everything she'd been through, she felt only threat. Almost...accidentally, she mutters a few quick arcane words and the inky darkness of shadows crawl from the floor, creeping up her body, and surrounding her in a black haze. Armor of Agathys (at 1st level) to get her 'shields' up.  She doubted, but hoped, it may offer some protection from the insidious mental abilities of the mind flayer.  

With so much going on in her head, it takes her a few moments to get a grip on her thoughts. To the group, mentally she says, "Stay calm."

And yet, this advice might as well have been given to herself. More aggressively than perhaps she is intending, she points at the Illithid and says out loud, "One sniff of you poking about in our thoughts and your future gazing will have a surprising and unexpected end."

Then she turns back to the room, trying to calm herself down. 

<Out of the Frying pan into Fire. This is fire from another stove,> Kirin think as he tries to shrink down.

The name Jarlaxle didn't click with Rhayna before, when mentioned by Kinyel. But now with the surname of Baenre put together, a flood of memories flows into Rhayna's mind. Of course! Jarlaxle Baenre, the head of the famous mercenary group Braegen D'aerthe. He had been around for centuries, and his name has surfaced in history books for generations, mostly centered around events in Luskan. This must be the very same Jarlaxle!

Sekkar knows the safest exit is the way they entered, with fewer drow blocking the way and terrain he has already seen. He is confident that the advantage in battle he gains from Dawnbringer's light would be sufficient to ensure escape if it came to it. And yet he holds back, bridling his instinct to attack. Perhaps it is because he (and he alone) has seen this mind flayer before, as a spectral image of the past (or was it the future?) in Gravenhollow.

The sudden tension in the group doesn't seem to faze the assembled onlookers. In fact it seems they expected such a reaction, or were at least well prepared for such an eventuality. All the drow remain silent, looking on with impassive faces, except for Jarlaxle who seems amused by the group's discomfort. And yet he isn't the first to speak, and watches the ensuing conversation with hawk-like curiosity. In response to both Pax's warning, the mind flayer genuflects, a most uncharacteristic gesture from a member of such a haughty race. While still down on one knee, and with head bowed, the Professor speaks in Undercommon:

I would not do so without your permission. I swear this. To do so would be a gross intrusion of your autonomy, and as honored guests of our esteemed host, I pledge only to engage in that discourse that is most natural to you.

Neither Pax nor any member of the group sense the telltale twinge of their thoughts being probed, and it seems the illithid is true to his word - for now at least. The Professor rises, but still maintains a noticeably subservient manner as he continues:

As you may have guessed, I am called Grazilaxx. I requested Zeno not to reveal my identity as I feared you may decline our invitation. Your reaction is rational - my race are almost universally despotic. But if by some chance you have met others of my order, the Society of Brilliance, and can bear witness of their unobjectionable intent, you may be inclined to expect the same of me. I am at your service, and would be pleased to answer your questions.

The room is as still as a gallery of statues as the entire assembly awaits a response...

Sekkar did remember that scene vividly - five creatures: an orog, a kuo-toa, a troglodyte, a derro - and a mind flayer! - happily floating in the corridors of the great library and then no less happily arguing about ways to prevent the disasters of the future. He was not thrilled with the picture then and was not about to get excited now. Just because he met three of those creatures (the orog, troglodyte, a derro) before and they declared themselves "Society of Brilliance", does not mean he trusted their judgement on anything and particularly on the choice of the allies. 

But yes, he did not attack. Not that self-humbling of that particular mind flayer convinced him but right now an attack was the worse option - too risky with their precious cargo and grandiose plan.

Sekkar's tone was not challenged when he said (addressing Jarlaxle) "We did not come to ask questions. We were told you can get us into the magic tower. So, can you?"

Rhayna's mind eases a little with the information she recollects, but as soon as the Mind Flayer says his name, the sense of dread from a moment ago is totally forgotten. "Yes!! Blurg!!" She walks (excuse me, coming through) to Professor G, and when he's back up, she will shake his hands. "Zeno should have mentioned your name earlier!! Master Blurg spoke of you, and I thought that I would never get to meet you." She shakes his hands, a little too forcefully, for she's too excited to finally meet the Professor. "Name is Rhayna Nursk. I am soooo pleased to meet you."

(Rhayna resists the urge to take out her Journal to ask for an autograph from the Professor.)

Pax, still inhaling and exhaling through her nose with force, seems to work on calming herself down. She removes her hand from the longsword at her side, where's she'd absently rested it. With a final deep inhale and exhale she seems to relax somewhat as Rhayna shakes the Illithid's hand. Pax looks with strange and sick fascination to see if Rhayna's flesh touches the illithid's strange purple skin directly, or if either of them are wearing gloves. 

Sekkar's question, as direct as usual hangs out there. Pax decides to add to it, "And....tell us what you understand of why we are here and how you intend to involve yourselves in our mission." 

It is a pleasure to meet you at last, Rhayna Nursk, replies Grazilaxx. Sekkar is far from convinced by the mind flayer's genial tone, and is certain he sees a tremble of delight in the creature's facial tentacles as Rhayna approaches and grasps his hand. Jarlaxle doesn't reply to Sekkar (except to incline his head in a 'perhaps' kind of way) nor to Pax, but instead wordlessly points to Grazilaxx to indicate that his gruesome guest should be the one to expound, which Grazilaxx does:

Years ago, myself and my companions visited the fabled stone giant library of Gravenhollow. Perhaps you know of it. It is a curious place where both the past and the future are recorded from the perspective of the stone giant librarians. The records of the future are frequently unclear, and can even be altered. The fact that Rhayna here claims to have met Blurg, despite the fact the Blurg himself has reported no such meeting, speaks volumes.

As chance would have it, I beheld a most interesting record of the future that involved a group of explorers from the surface world coming to Tier Breche with the power to send the demon lords back to the Abyss. Two features of the information were unusually clear: the day of their arrival, and the names of two of them: Rhayna Nursk of Light and Loam, and Kaylyn Lightsorrow of the Radiant Song. The record spoke also of one who was or would become their companion and helper, an escaped slave lost in the Whorlstone Tunnels under Gracklstugh. No further description was given. It was only much later, when the demon incursion came to pass, that I recalled this information. I wished to ensure that those foretold to end it would succeed, and to provide them whatever aid was available.

I first sought out the lost one in Whorlstone, learning his name by chance from a nearby flumph, and ventured to use the names from the prophecy. As luck would have it, he knew them, and so I recruited him to intercept you at the foretold time and place. We then came to Menzoberranzan and approached Jarlaxle, telling him of the prophecy. His interests in Menzoberranzan have been marred by the demon incursion, and he expressed his willingness to employ his resources to ensure your success.

And so we meet. My knowledge extends only to the details of your arrival, and the surety that you possess the means to resolve the incursion. Jarlaxle has agreed to lend his resources to your aid, but wishes to first confirm that you have said resources, and to know what it is that you intend to do...

And with that Grazilaxx steps back and gestures toward Jarlaxle, who continues to sit quietly, watching and listening carefully, with his small legion of mercenaries surrounding him.

Kaylyn had noticed that Zeno had not answered her directly.  Yet, he had provided some information.  She was beginning to piece things together when they arrived at their destination.

As they entered the room and the mindflayer was seen it was not Kaylyn who immediately reacted.  It was in fact Pensive, curled up around her neck and onto her shoulder that had the first reaction.  Pensive let out a hiss that broke the silence, a stronger hiss than any had heard of him before.  He sent a clear emotion of fear and concern.

But Kaylyn remained quiet as she listened to the challenges made by her companions and then the answers given back.  As Grazilaxx steped back and gestured toward Jarlaxle she reached up and touched Pensive.  She stroked his head for a moment, calming the small pseudodragon, who still watched Grazilaxx warily.

"Of the Radiant Song?  Hmm," She finally said. "It might be that alone that leads me to believe that you are who you say you are and could be trusted.  That is an insight that would be hard to fake.  And I think I rather like it.  Y and Skriss spoke highly of you, as did Blurgg. " she added at the end. "I wonder, though, if you would like all of our plans, yet somehow we succeed.  That is good to know, though we know not how exactly we succeed.  Interesting."

She then turned her attention to Jarlaxle.  "I am Kaylyn Lightsorrow... <pause> ...of the Radiant Song.  The fact that we are here should be enough to know we have the resources needed.  How exactly we go about this is still to be determined.  I am sure will tell us how you would like to see it play out?"

Well met, Kaylyn Lightsorrow, Jarlaxle replies with a voice as smooth as spider silk. With one leg still cocked on the other, he grins widely as he continues: Tidings have reached me of an altercation at the Narbondellyn Arch. The account was most amusing, and I regret I did not witness it myself. I must conclude that you and your companions were involved, and if so I congratulate you on vexing the Academy's finest.

Then Jarlaxle's expression turns serious, and lowering his other foot to the floor, he leans forward and says:

Your presence here certainly lends credence to the claims Grazilaxx has made. But I'm afraid prophecies of the future are too fickle for my tastes, as Grazilaxx himself admits, and certainly not sufficient stock to gamble on. If I must gamble, I make sure to pick the winner, even if it means stacking the odds in my favor first. And so I have brought you here to see whether you are worth the investment.

So why have you come? Wait! Let me see how close I can reach the mark. My brother Gromph has been absent since the arrival of Demogorgon in our fair city, an absence that is being concealed by my sister the Matron Mother. This can only mean he is culpable, at least in part. Your sibilant associate here (and he gestures toward Sekkar) let slip that the tower was your destination, so I deduce that you wish to gain access to Gromph's study and learn how he accomplished this remarkable feat. With this information you expect to be able to reverse the process and send them back.

Your antics at the Arch are one thing. But Gromph is the most powerful mage of our kind, and yet I marvel that even he had the power to summon the demon lords from the Abyss. Art thou greater than he?

Pax let's her thought ripple across the party, "Careful. I suspect if he knew our true purpose, things will get ugly quickly. There is no way he'll agree to let this city be torn apart by a demon lord battle."

Out loud she stalls for time to have their mental discussion, and steps forward next to Kaylyn to address Jarlaxle in fluent undercommon,  "We have no need to compare ourselves to your brother or flex our prowess. As the Professor here has already seen in the future, we have the power to return the demons. But, you are correct. We do need into the tower. A book there is important to our task. And it is there, where we believe your brother performed the original ritual, that we believe we should work to counter them." 

For all her warrior-ship, Pax's mind has always been sharp. She weaves her way through the statement, nimbly avoiding direct lies while just as equally avoiding the full truth. She's left with a sour taste in her mouth, wondering if perhaps she's been among the underdark denizens for too long and she's....learned from their half-truths.

The sibilant associate only glanced at Jarlaxle. Whether this drow saw him as a drow as well or could somehow see through the disguise, both visages - true and false - had a cold expression, denying any accusations of "slipping information". Zeno was the one who promised and talked about entrances. But if that was the beginning of drow's typical game of divide and conquer, Sekkar was ready to it. Obviously, he would not be the one to enlighten the present company about anything.

(Yes, to be fair it was actually Pax that mentioned the tower first, when speaking to Zeno. Just to clarify, the tower of magic is named Sorcere, and the entire plateau containing the wizard tower and the priestess cathedral and the warrior pyramid is named Tier Breche.)

Let's have a Deception check from Pax. Or Persuasion if you prefer, or some other skill if you think it fits the situation better.

13,9

(They're all the same modifier, so...). 24

(But she's feeling particularly inspired!!). 12 

(*eeeeyyeeroolllll*) 

Jarlaxle looks intently at Pax as she gives her spiel, and continues to gaze silently for a few moments afterwards, as though processing not only her words but all the potential meaning lodged between them. He responds:

I admire your temerity, friend of Kaylyn Lightsorrow. The prophecy says that you would come to Menzoberranzan with the means to vanquish the demon lords. It does not stipulate that you must also be the ones to actuate it. I doubt not that you have the means you speak of, and yet I surmise it came not of your own invention or ingenuity. A superior weapon is best wielded by one with the greatest strength or skill. Why not divest yourself of the burden and leave it to one more suited for the task, one who can enter the tower without hindrance?

As for this book which you claim is so important - my shrewd sister has already dispatched her underlings to Sorcere to rid Gromph's sanctum of any incriminating evidence. If there were such a book, surely it would be in the possession of the Matron Mother. If it is crucial to the success of the mission, then clearly I am better placed to re-acquire it.

Pax places her hand back on her swords hilt. "If you truly think so, then test us now. I suspect it will be your Drow bodies that litter this chamber when we are done. A sad ending to Jarlaxle's legacy. Play this game fool...you will see why we have survived purple worms, dragons, demons lords and more."  She bristles as the shadows around her twist and move. "Otherwise stop your posturing and let us end this demon plague."

Intimidation check : 22 

(*shrug*  ehhh, whaddya going to do?) 

23