Drow Wars: House Ezek'Kinar (IC)

[Erad]

Turn 1: Deep mines of svirfneblin.

Life was not easy for Ezek'Kinar the 11th House of Menzoberanzan. Yes, it had an army and skilled specialists, yes it very favored by Spider Queen, but still times were hard. The House had many enemies, both higher and lower then them. Especially a rival House Arkenrae, one position below them.

Fortunately, House Ezek'Kinar had an upper hand in equipment and gold coffers.
But there can never be to much money.

Seeking possible sources of wealth, noble rulers of the House sent their spies to distant places of Underdark - it was too risky to fight for gold within city borders.

After some time, one of the scouts reported that a small mining settlement of deep gnomes was being built not far from city. And this small settlement was being built on heavy deposits of adamantium, gold and silver.

If a good strike team will attack now, before all defenses are properly set, they can defeat cursed svirfneblin and capture the mine for Ezek'Kinar own use.

Right now, the nobles of Ezek'Kinar were planning the details of attack.

[Electrohydra]

Ilivfryn stood at one edge of the table, in full armour and weapon at his hilt, as always. In this he stood out, as most would not feel in danger in the centre of house Ezek'Kinar's fortress, but the weapon master would never left his sword if he could help it, even if the spider queen herself guarded his back. He had learned early on that one was never to prepared, even for the impossible.

And that was just one of those times when his guts told him something was up. A poorly defended mine on such a rare ore? It just did not feel right. He listened attentively to the scout's report, asking simple questions like "Numbers?" and "Distance?" when things where omitted, but not going deeper into it for now. This expedition was the head crafter's domain, and it was not his to plan. At least unless the leader proved incompetent.

[Drogos]

Nhilzyne, the House's Head Arcanist, was leaning back in a chair with his feet up on the table. He was wearing his usual outfit of red and purple, robes and leather. Unlike the weapons master, Nhilzyne preferred to not be clanking around in full battle gear all over the place and so his armor and weapons were back in his quarters. While he waited for the others to arrive, he amused himself by watching two small illusionary soldiers he had created fight each other across the table. As one would strike the other down the loser would change form into a slightly bigger creature and they would fight again.

[Ajadea]

Ash'miira walked in a few seconds after the scout did. She carried no weapons, wore no armor. She didn't need them, here in the relative safety of her own stronghold, and chainmail, no matter how well it was crafted, was uncomfortable to walk around in every day. She took her customary seat at the head of the table. As the scout rattled off her report, Ash'miira's fingers sketched a map on the table, calculating how many soldiers would be needed to take the mining settlement.

[Devilfish]

One week prior:

The day was done, and an aged drow was retiring to his chambers. The the morn' was productive, and the bed enticing, though there was one task left to be done before he would lay to rest. Double checking the arcane notes of a tattered spellbook, he would ease the magic from his delicate fingertips. The name Erudiel would come silently to mind, and a sending spell would be woven to life.

Kindest priestess; of Arkenrae's nobility,
you were most pleasing to speak with.
Know that I bear no grudge towards you.
Will welcome future conversation.
-Cev'Dvurel.

He smiled to himself at the extended offer, wondering if it would be taken genuinely, or if even it would be regarded at all. Dismissing the thought, he allowed the weariness to draw him tenderly towards the matress. It really had been a productive day.


* * *


"This is FANTASTIC!"

Cev'Dvurel's outburst rang sudden throughout his workshop, drawing the attention of many an ear and drawing all tinkering to an absolute silence. In his swell of delight, he motioned security to release the messenger from where he hung suspended by his ankles fifteen feet in the air- even offering the courtesy to return the good man's mental faculties! Such was the joy the Spider Queen had delivered to him this day.

Already he was dreaming of lucrative and exciting offers for his fellow craftsmen; mine out any weight in adamantium and keep its equal in gold that you might scavenge. His entire assembly would share his enthusiasm, and the nobles should too, if but one of his plans should come to fruition. Adamant-- the possibilities are endless!

The drow's hurried footsteps preceded his entrance by a hundred yards easily. Then flew in the homunculus- a bat-winged creature with the legs of a spider and the face of a devil, which would lazily take perch atop his high-backed chair until its master arrived. All was common procedure, really, almost ritualistic of Cev'Dvurel whenever something rare enough would arise to stir him from the workbench.

Finally, Ezek'kinar's head craftsman emerged from a small balcony, the message in hand and still in his work clothes.

"How do you sit so soundly? Have none of you seen this? Ha-HA!"

'Distinguished friends, distinguished friends!' he continued to mutter aloud as he scurried down a spiral staircase, still giddy as though he had heard the news just moments prior. He hardly composed himself as he took his place amidst the others.

"This is a happy day, and opportunity is upon us. How quickly do you suspect we can mobilize?"

[Ajadea]

"You are far too excited." Ash'miira remarked dryly. She wasn't surprised at Cev'Dvurel's excitement; heavy deposits of adamantine could create many strong weapons and armor for their troops. "We must mobilize quickly. I doubt we are the only ones to have noticed this. Indeed, it is almost too valuable a story to be true." With these words, she glances at the scout. Traitors were not unheard of, though rather rare in this house.

[SilentNight]

Behind the reclining arcanist, a second Nhilzyne enters the chamber, flowing robes and all. The doppleganger gives the first's chair a coy tap, threatening to throw it off balance. Darting away, the character's form shimmers, replaced by a bald, shirtless, muscular Drow, his jawline reminiscient of granite. He sits down easily, putting his feet up next to Nhilzyne, a wide smile on his face. At Cev'Dvurel's entrance though, his head immediately snaps around, his face displaying a mix of curiosity and combat readiness. Thinking along similar lines to Ash'miira, Ilof notes the faces of the scouts for further investigation, a spy's work was never done.

[Ajadea]

"Unless someone has any comments to make, I believe enslaving the svirfneblin is our best course of action. While corpses certainly have a multitude of purposes, slaves would help us mine out the region more expediently." Ash'miira said. She turned towards the scout. "How many deep gnomes did you say there were at the encampment?"

[Devilfish]

“At consequence of seeming senseless, I propose it should not matter.”

Now simmered down, Cev’Dvurel’s voice interjected with a collected smoothness. How his stagnant half grin is a thing to worry, pledging a most intricate of wonders on its own, while his eyes beamed alight with dangerous ingenuity. The devilish homunculus reflected a toothy smile, affixed with jagged incisors and forked tongues. How marvelous a thing, this inspiration is.

“Suppose we outrace competitors by not scouting at all. My creation can scan the skies from over a thousand feet on high- I sincerely doubt surprise will catch us unsuspecting. Advance a sizable troop with earnest urgency, and play the field by ear, and we will have the means to sidestep any ambush, plow through any hurdle.”

He turned to gauge the approval of his colleagues, before addressing the svirfneblii themselves.

“While others cower at this opportunity laying in wait, we shall already have garrisoned the mine.”

[Drogos]

Nhilzyne was picking at his immaculate nails, showing no interest at all in an attack on the deep gnomes settlement.

As much as I would relish to get a chance to get out of this dreadfully boring house, an attack on the deep gnomes does not seem like the best use of my talents. After all such creatures, even as low as they are, possess an inherent resistance to my favored method of magical warfare. Its annoying when one of them sees through my expertly crafted illusions and alerts the others. I mean I can throw fireballs as well as the next wizard, but wheres the fun in that? There has to be something more interesting going on in this city to amuse myself with.

[Ajadea]

"And how many troops would we require to, as you put it, play the field by ear, Cev'Dvurel?" Ash'miira asked, frowning slightly. "How many would be lost? Your plan has some merit, I admit, but perhaps, an opposite approach would work just as well. Lie in wait for a while. If the forces of another house come, and see no opposition, they will proceed to eliminate the svirfneblin. Their troops will be diminished, the svirfneblin will fall. We can easily clean up the remains of the battle. If there are, somehow, no other houses who have discovered the mine, we can simply move in and take the mine."

[Devilfish]

“Two hundred men,” the reply came flatly, as though oblivious to any flaw presented, “on the safe side.”

Curious, Bishop the homunculus leapt to the table as would a lion, musing at Nhilzyne’s dueling miniatures like a predator waiting to pounce. Cev’Dvurel eased forward, resting an elbow on the table to tentatively observe the three.

“Your concern for our house and its servants are truly admirable, Ash’miira, but I fear my tongue trips in its own eagerness; I assure you that drow of Ezik’kinar should fall this day.

“The army, Lolth guide every one of them, will rest safely in the background, close enough to be called to stage yet distanced enough to effortlessly withdraw, should either scenario call. The point is that whether we move through action, or nonaction, they will be present to perform accordingly… rather than lag at our fortress while awaiting instruction.”

Ah, there the construct goes, tracing the movements of the illusions with its carapaced tail.

“In the foreground, Rook would accompany myself and a few others towards the svirfneblii while Bishop keeps watch from overhead. I rather like these deep gnomes, (productive little scamps, those! Ha ha ha,) and I am certain that with proper testimony from members of my employ, the wondrous opportunities of my shop will entice them into our allegiance. If they are alone, the troop moves in and we hold the mine. If there is opposition, we will be prepared to either advance or retreat on the spot.

“And if there are SCOUTS, as you would propose we deploy ourselves,” he scoffed, taking a moment to scratch his nose and shake his head in good humor, “then we will have a homunculus to spot them and an army to ensure their unsafe return.”

Finally, Bishop sprung forward at the smaller of the imaginary combatants, tearing at its side and making as though to toss it from its teeth. The soldier did indeed fall-- though there was a moment of confusion when it simply rose from its death with redoubled fervor. Cev’Dvurel watched the simple creature of his works, a mellow outlook taking hold of him.

“Of course, I am no general, no warblade knowing of soldiers as Ilivfryn would, nor skilled with scouting intrigue as is our Ilof…

…and certainly no Matron Mother.”

Exhausting interest in his creation’s antics, the old drow leaned back into his chair, turning to the ceiling towards nothing in particular.

“I am here merely to advise, and I believe I have just that. The decision is not mind to make.”

[Electrohydra]

Although he was not looking at the speakers, except the matron mother due to her position, everyone knew Ilivfryn was listening closely, as always. He took time before speaking up, but when he did it was with a strong voice.

-I do not like this, you don't wait in possibly semi-wild Underdark with a group of 200 and expect to not be spotted, especially with no scouts. There are things more dangerous than gnomes in the tunnels, things that could rip your creation in half before you even knew it was there. And even if we are lucky enough to bypass those, your little flying thing will only have an advantage in the large caverns where he can fly high. But the actual ambushes would probably occur in the narrow tunnels where it's hard to manoeuvre. And that's not counting magical alarms and defences, as well as magically-empowered enemy scouts or sentinels.

No, as much as your creature has it's uses, I would not trust it for this important scouting. Live scouts are a necessity I must insist upon, even if it does slow us down. As much as I want these weapons, it's not worth loosing 100 soldiers because some eye tyrant had magical camouflage.

[Ajadea]

"I agree with Ilifryn on this matter." Ash'miira said. "Your creature cannot be everywhere at once, nor can it fight properly. We must have live scouts." She turned towards Ilof and Ilifryn. "Our scouts and soldiers, however, should move at similar times, if this is possible. Within the same day, perhaps. Cev'Dvurel, I believe, is right about this much. Speed is a great advantage. We do not need to wait for soldiers to blindly march across the Underdark to defend a mine that is already taken by the time we arrive. How quickly can you ready the required scouts and soldiers?"

[Devilfish]

Cev’Dvurel slowly paled over, iota by iota with each passing word of Ilivfryn's. It had been so long that he had been within the walls of Menzoberanzan, or the solace of his workshop, that he had entirely forgotten such hazards of the wilds existed. Thank Lolth he has colleagues who are actually accustomed to such things!

“Perhaps I should have Tar’kiira in my company…” he mumbled to himself, assuming he would retain the bravery to venture the mines by the end of this conversation

[Trodon]

Tar-kiira sits a few chairs down on the the right of the Matron Mother, leaned forward listening. He wears his Dragonhide Plate armor with his scimitar at his side, on the Dragonhide Plate there is a spider carved into the chest, as if it were about to leap. He listens to the report and his family's plans, always staring at the map. When he hears Cev’Dvurel's mumbling Tar-kiira turns his head. "If the Matron Mother allows, I would gladly accompany you. Should I prepare some Spider-Riders, and how many?"

[Drogos]

Nhilzyne snickers at the look on the craft wizard's face. Heh, it seems that for once the all knowing Cev-Dvurel has made a miscalculation. Hehah ! Back to studying you old bookworm! Ha, but seriously, are any of my wizards required for this little outing or is it just the soldiers that Cev is leading to almost certain doom? Has it evenbeen decided that we all commit to this endeavor or are some of us going to pursue other agendas?

[Ajadea]

"I will not stop you from accompanying our head crafter on this mission, Tar-kiira. You make take up to a quarter of the spider riders along with you, but I will leave the exact number up to you." Ash'miira says, turning towards Nhilzyne. Occasionally, she wondered exactly what she had been thinking, accepting the responsibilities of a Matron Mother before she was even considered a true adult. This was one of those times. "I doubt that we all are commiting to this expedition. My presence is required in the city, and you do not seem especially eager to accompany Cev'Dvurel and Tar-kiira." Not that being able to leave Menzoberranzan for the second time in her life wouldn't be an enjoyable experience, in her opinion, but she had duties that she could not abandon.

[SilentNight]

"I could probably provide some assistance Matron Mother, if you think I couldn't be more useful here," Ilof speaks up, "a little infiltration and reconnisance could do wonders."

[Devilfish]

“Ah!” Cev’Dvurel delighted, rasping at the table, “I am glad that between the six of us we have begun to speak sensibly.

I have spent my time in the saddle, as you may know, and the spider contingent’s speed and mobility sits well with me. Ilof and his insurgents could easily take a few to scout ahead, while the rest of the pack could serve flexibly enough to act as skirmishers, messengers for the soldiers, anything, really. It pains me, but I shall leave Rook behind to defend the workshop until word comes to mobilize the troop, and open his employ to Ilivfryn’s discretion then; still, with Tar-kiira, Ilof, and myself in the field, I should say that even without him we move in considerable force. If we are in consensus with the cavalry as our primary movement, the rest of today’s plans regarding the mine- where to position the soldiers awaiting instruction, how many priestesses and mages to accompany them, how to coerce the svirfneblin- all these become accessory. I suspect the three of us could be leaving Menzoberranzan’s walls well within the hour.”

With adamantium in the horizon, it was hard to bring a craftsman down. He leaned back, resting an elbow on one of the chair’s rests, and smiled in harmless jest.

“That is unless Nhilzyne should like to join us so that he may simply bicker the gnomes to death.”

[Ajadea]

"I doubt even our esteemed Head Arcanist has yet devised a spell that would allow him to do such a thing." Ash'miira replies, smiling slightly. You may accompany them if you wish Ilof, though I must request that you leave our spies in Menzoberranzan. The scouts will be enough for this mission." She murmurs a few words, laying a spell on Cev'Dvurel, Tar-kiira, and Nhilzyne. Warriors were easier to find than proper spellcasters, after all. "You are free to leave. I will have five priestesses accompany you, and Nhilzyne may decide for himself how many wizards he wishes to send to their supposed doom."

Spoiler

Show

Extended Status on Cev'Dvurel, Tar'kiira, and Nhilzyne. Sadly, I don't have enough CL to cover the other two.

[Drogos]

Hmmmpf. Well, if it means having to sit around here with nothing to do and go with you lot and maybe having like one or two things to do I suppose I will choose the latter. Someone will have to keep Cev' from forgetting his casting components again. As for how many of our wizards to bring, I would so no more than quarter. I not exactly sure where our precise number of wizards sit, Cev's better at numbers than me, I'm sure he knows.

Nhilzyne notices the weaponsmaster had not be mentioned.

So where does our esteemed weapons master fit into all of this. Is he the lucky one to pull guard duty?

[SilentNight]

"If he stays perhaps he'll be kind enough to provide me distraction from the inevitable boredom," Ilof comments, "I think my time would be better spent here though, and his with you if we're to succeed."

[Drogos]

Well Ilof what exactly are you going to be doing? Not going to any social events without me are you? As I said before, fighting those retched deep gnomes is slightly more annoying than I would like it to be. If you have better idea for us to do I would almost certainly choose to commit myself to that. That would allow Ilivfryn to accompany his soldiers into battle and do what he does best. Meanwhile the two of us could go shmooze with the Baenre's or assassinate some rivals or interrogate some prisoners or some such.

[Ajadea]

"Ilifryn will accompany Cev'Dvurel and Tar-kiira. I do not believe leaving half our army in the care of two spellcasters is the soundest tactical decision. Especially if, as you say, one of these casters cannot even remember to bring his spell components on such an important mission. I cannot think of any rivals that are in such desperate need of a knife to the throat, but going to negotiate with the Baenres may give us an edge in this never-ending battle. Having the first house on our side certainly cannot be detrimental."

[Drogos]

I don't know about Ilof, but I know I would be ready for a night out on the town.

Nhilzyne had examined the minds of a wide variety of creatures and from them learned some outlandish sayings. He enjoyed using such carefree phrases when talking about the harshness that was Drow society because it was ironic.
Another question for you Matron, how is our standings with the Spider Queen?
Are their any infidels shes wishes us to eliminate or any such things? Certainly the favor of Lloth would be even more useful than favor from the Baenres. Yes?

Either option I would be fine with, I will leave it up to you and Ilof because I think Cev has his hands full with this mine raid. You know what they say about too many cooks or whatever...

[Devilfish]

Cev’Dvurel grew tired of this, rolling his eyes and inspected his fingernails for dirt.

“If we are all quite finished insulting the man who architected the halls you take shelter in, built the beds you trust to recline on, fashioned the very chairs on which you now sit…” the list goes on, though time was of importance, “I should like to summarize the evening’s planning into proposition.

Tar-Kiira shall depart with the spider riders at the same time that I move out with Ilifvryn, who will be commanding enough soldiers to take and hold the mines (or as many as our good weapons master sees fit, he is more studied in such things I, I am sure). We will all be headed for the snirfviblin encampment, but because of the spider scouts’ speed over the rest of the troop, they will have the time to investigate while the rest of us are en-route. Should anything arise, they can return to tell us, or if pressed by urgency, signal us appropriately via dancing lights.(Thanks, Rich! ;D)

With permission, I should like to take my personal escort with the troops, and have a pupil under Nhilzyne’s disciplines disguise him. I normally deter from illusion- though surprise has its uses, and I will turn away no element which can provide such.”

Cev’Dvurel pulled a paper and quill from the table, writing as though his pen were aflame without slowing his speech in the slightest.

“Meanwhile, Ilof will decide whether to accompany either Ash’miira or Nhilzyne, who will attend the Baenre high society for the evening in an effort to better our standings with them. Personally, I don’t know how you can stomach a conversation with an aristocrat, and so I leave it to you three as to how to navigate such things.

Ash’Miira, I thank you for the aid of your handmaidens, and will leave you to your meditations, mediations, or whathaveyou. Unless there are any concerns from my adjoining colleagues, I must take leave to oversee the movement of the new javelins just off the line to the armory. The only time it takes us to mobilize is the time we take with discussions in this room. As such, my final proposition is that we inform our good troops of their dispatch-”

In an instant, he signed the note in three wild strokes, handing it to Bishop who bolted from the room like a thunderbolt already knowing her master’s intent. Cev’Dvurel interwove his fingers, resting his chin upon them.

“-effective immediately.”

[Electrohydra]

Ilivfryn nodded, taking a few final notes on a scrap of parchment. He signalled a servant to pick up maps and other notes on their path and destination, before taking a step back.

"I am glad this is all settled, I shall go ready the Rat, the Claw, and the Shield. Including supplies and briefing, we should be on the march within the hour, or not much more. The priestesses can join in with the Rat, while the mages should go with the Shield. I want spider rider scouting reports to be delivered to a Claw every half-hour. For the glory of house Ezek'kinar, and Loth."

With those final words, he saluted and turned back, leaving with two servants on his heels, heading to the barracks.

[Drogos]

Well I am glad we got that taken care of. The majority of our number will attempt to secure the gnomes' mine while myself and Ilof will go to have a little chat with the Baenre's leaving our Matron to do as she sees fit as usual.

Nhilzyne turns to Ilof while standing up from the table.

Ilof, my friend, I have already readied myself for our little incursion, let me know whenever you are ready to depart. I await in my quarters.

The illusionist turns from the table and takes a couple steps towards the door. As he does he seems to fade away until he completely disappears. The Nobles of House Ezek'kinar blink in surprise for they had been talking to an illusion the entire time.

[Ajadea]

Ash'miira shakes her head as the table disperses and the illusion of Nhilzyne disappears. Typical, really. Can't even be bothered to attend... She closes her eyes, resting her head in her hands. Am I doing the right thing?

Spoiler

Show

Activate Phylactery of Faithfulness, to check her and House Ezek'kinar's standing with Lolth.