"You think I know any of the random assorted fools and political people here?
Well, same thing, coulda saved my breath.
I don't particularly care. Who do you want me to embarrass you in front of?"
Xar'Cha Palace
Tobias gives his wife a more stern look. I don't like politics either, Orianna, but insulting people we know nothing about is just a nasty thing to do. Angels should be more willing to give people the benefit of the doubt.
__________________
"No friend ever served me,
and no enemy ever wronged me,
whom I have not repaid in full."
-Lucius Cornelius Sulla
[Xar'Cha Palace, with Lord Magtok, goblins, and hangers on]
Inala chuckles slightly at the cyborg's humor. She had heard he acted the part of the fool very well. But it was an act, and one she couldn't let herself get fooled by.
"Well, my Lord. I was hoping to introduce myself. My name is Inala Aleth and I am the head of the Customs House here. I was hoping that at some point we could discuss a business proposal." She smiles politely at Goldbaka. "After you are finished of course ma'am."
Magtok says not a word after his goofy shenanigans, simply wearing a polite smile as he waits to hear what the goblin boss says next. Sounds an awful lot like she's trying to get rid of you, Goldbaka, are you just going to be shooed away like that by some haughty cave elf?
[Xar'Cha Palace, with Lord Magtok, goblins, and hangers on]
Inala chuckles slightly at the cyborg's humor. She had heard he acted the part of the fool very well. But it was an act, and one she couldn't let herself get fooled by.
"Well, my Lord. I was hoping to introduce myself. My name is Inala Aleth and I am the head of the Customs House here. I was hoping that at some point we could discuss a business proposal." She smiles politely at Goldbaka. "After you are finished of course ma'am."
Quote:
Originally Posted by Lord Magtok
Magtok says not a word after his goofy shenanigans, simply wearing a polite smile as he waits to hear what the goblin boss says next. Sounds an awful lot like she's trying to get rid of you, Goldbaka, are you just going to be shooed away like that by some haughty cave elf?
Goldbaka raises her eyebrow and one of her ears perks up. "I'll make sure to only take as much of Lord Magtok's time as I need, then," she says, her tone seemingly casual, but also making it clear that she decides how much time she needs.
__________________
My FFRP characters. Avatar by Kid Kris. Sigatars by Gulaghar, Kid Kris, Zefir and billtodamax, respectively.
"Oh, yes, there's a Temple in Inside, Underside and Riverside, with a Hermitage in Outside for clerics that wish for a bit of isolation. Inside's the birth of the faith in the Nexus, though, and I have the most under-clerics here. Azurelle doesn't have a Temple, the Order of the Centipede is devoted to defending Dalachrech's faith in all its forms. Which reminds me, Harnel, Kail recently gave birth to a beautiful baby boy, and she's joined the Order of the Centipede." Since they used to work together, Terrowin thinks Harnel may be interested. Although I don't know if Harnel was aware that Kail was even pregnant.
__________________
"Ignorance is... Carlisle." The Doctor, Doctor Who
Terrowin Avatar by HappyTurtle. Much thanks!
I have a point!
Always willing to run a dungeon for those who need somewhere to explore. Just PM me, and decide the character and location and I'll see what I can rummage up.
You can NEVER have too many people guarding the buffet table. Never know when a band of wildebeests might come rampaging in and eat all the baby tomatoes.
Zee offers her usual grin to the over-sized spider.
"Ah, hello then! You're Ilpholin's friend aren't you?" she isn't sure if the spider can understand her or not. But it is certainly worth a try! One never knows with the Nexus.
Meanwhile!
Mister G, meanwhile, begins to make his rounds through chamber. He takes note of each guest, studying their mannerisms and gestures. Peeeeeeering.
__________________
Warning! Random Encounter™ detected!
Spoiler
Zee is a perfectly normal human female. You suspect nothing!
Winifred 'Freddie' Fredrick
Souls Nommed: 657
Days Since Last Nomming: 0
"I would like that very much." Sornnolu says to Naitiri, clearly interested in her proposition.
"Neutralist Organization?" There's a hint of a laugh in Felyn'wae's voice. She seemed to find the idea of it somewhat absurd. "How can you influence anything while remaining neutral? Surely you must take a stand at some point!"
Felyn'wae smirks at Asim. "You are drow, are you not? A son of a noble House? It is your right to be here, at the appearance of a Matron of one of the greatest Houses in Menzoberranzan."
Those near the buffet tables will see that they are loaded with many tasty dishes from the Underdark. Some are simple snack sized items, while others were more elaborate, such as the massive Diatryma Bird cooked in its own plumage and huge haunches of roasted Rothe. Mushrooms of all sorts were on display, cooked into soups, stuffed and roasted. Pale and eyeless cave fish were baked in salt. Albino lobsters were grilled and split and served on a bed of lichen. Starchy root vegetables were diced and baked, some were mashed and heavily seasoned. Flatbread and rolls were made from the same vegetable. One table was devoted to desserts. Small tarts filled sweet mushrooms, cakes drizzled with a sweet syrup made from the same mushrooms. A recognizeable dish was simple cheesecake. There was also something that appeared to be squares of fudge, but would be discovered to be lichen flavored. It was not quite chocolate, but it had a similar rich and complex flavor. A soft cheese was being served, as well, alongside crackers and a bowl of what appeared to be sweetly roasted nuts.
[Administrative Headquarters]
Akoraun fails to escape the grip of the strong Drowess. She was a trained warrior. A bit of wiggling was not going to make her let go. "If you do not stop struggling I am going to slit your throat." The guard snarls.
A cacophony of french horns (for trumpets are far too crass to announce such a lovely presence) herald the arrival of a very fashionably late guest to the party, and one extremely assured of her own importance. After the horns die away they are quickly and precisely replaced by a soft, harmonious melody of flutes fluttering through and around each other as their notes dance merrily together. Small yet deep hand drums join the chorus of sound, building their tempo slowly as the sound of feet marching in perfect time can finally be heard.
Finally, after several long minutes of the lively music heralding their arrival, the first of the group comes in sight of the enclave. Wearing knee-length black kilts with heavy padding and decorative sashes made of interlocked green and bronze scales of shimmering polished metals. Other than that, their bodies are bare.
Apart from the heralds, there are also four strong drow with darker than average skin carrying a truly massive sedan chair, covered in gold and silver filigree and draped with the finest heavy silk curtains that reveal nothing of who might be inside. A wafting scent of lavender comes from beneath the curtains along with a few curling fingers of heavy smoke that trail along the ground.
A high and cultured voice calls out in Drow as the sedan chair is brought to the enclave guards, the accent distinctly noble, "I am headed to this little event in the palace, and require an escort. Fetch one for me."
"I know we haven't gotten along that well before. I think it was mostly because of some trouble at Trog's," Zee muses to the giant spider. "I'm supposed to stop people from tearing each other apart there and she took it personally."
Maybe she should apologize?
Eh... or would drow just see that as weakness?
Weird crazy cultures!
...this seems like it's going to be a really one-sided conversation. But Zee doesn't seem to mind at all!
Mister G still seems to be in curious observation mode. He'll probably approach someone to chat eventually. Hopefully it won't be awkward. After all, he isn't quite as accustom to this as his half-sister.
And to add a little more blue to the occasion... Sadei slips out of one of the doorways leading deeper into the palace and into the ballroom, arrayed in a pretty little dress of the house colors. She had been taken to the Palace earlier in the day and introduced to Sornnolu. And she had finally been given a concrete reason why singing in public is frowned upon!
It struck her as very odd, to say the least. No singing because a godling likes it. And because most drow dislike the godling in question. It must make for a very sad, very quiet world...
Unlike Zee Sadei has absolutely no qualms against raiding buffet table. She hasn't eaten much today and so that platter of rothe had best fear for its continued existence.
__________________
Warning! Random Encounter™ detected!
Spoiler
Zee is a perfectly normal human female. You suspect nothing!
Winifred 'Freddie' Fredrick
Souls Nommed: 657
Days Since Last Nomming: 0
Mister Squiggles chitters, suspecting it didn't have much to do with that at all, but what does he know? Ilpholin doesn't make sense to him either.
At least... not anymore. Chitter chitter.
__________________
There is happiness for those who accept their fate.
There is glory for those who resist their fate.
"Neutralist Organization?" There's a hint of a laugh in Felyn'wae's voice. She seemed to find the idea of it somewhat absurd. "How can you influence anything while remaining neutral? Surely you must take a stand at some point!"
Dipsnig's mouth widens into a crooked smile. It seems that this woman is underestimating him. He likes when people do that.
"Is it so strange? We don't take sides. We take any contract that doesn't directly threaten the city and we specialize in espionage, since this is what many of our employers ask us for. Everyone knows that we can be bought and what once we are, we stay bought. We're a known quantity and this way, we influence things.
__________________
My FFRP characters. Avatar by Kid Kris. Sigatars by Gulaghar, Kid Kris, Zefir and billtodamax, respectively.
Felyn'wae laughs. "There is a very similar organization in Menzoberranzan. I know all too well that they cannot be trusted, and I believe, Master Razortooth, that neither can you!" She points a finger at him, the gesture and her voice light and playful. It's clear she doesn't think this is a bad quality at all.
Not long later, the escort requested approaches the new arrivals. Four of House Xar'Cha's royal guard have been spared for the escort. At their head is a young drow boy, perhaps around ten years old. Every aspect of his appearance has been carefully manacured. His clothing, coloured blue and gold to represent his House, is of fine craftsmanship. His short, white hair has been carefully groomed and his blue-black face and hands have been scrubbed clean. He is the perfect picture of a young drow noble of House Xar'Cha.
And he looks a bit uncomfortable. He's not particularly fond of these sorts of formal settings, but he was told very specifically what was expected of him. He stops before the sedan chair and bows deeply. "Greetings, Illharess. It's my honour, and the honour of House Xar'Cha, to receive you." He keeps his head inclined, out of respect and the secondary benefit of hiding his nervous expression.
"Oh, yes, there's a Temple in Inside, Underside and Riverside, with a Hermitage in Outside for clerics that wish for a bit of isolation. Inside's the birth of the faith in the Nexus, though, and I have the most under-clerics here. Azurelle doesn't have a Temple, the Order of the Centipede is devoted to defending Dalachrech's faith in all its forms. Which reminds me, Harnel, Kail recently gave birth to a beautiful baby boy, and she's joined the Order of the Centipede." Since they used to work together, Terrowin thinks Harnel may be interested. Although I don't know if Harnel was aware that Kail was even pregnant.
Xar'Cha Palace Party- Terrowin, Cessie & Harnel
"A child?" Cessie remarks while glancing at Harnel, trying to avoid sounding shocked. A child? Already? Were they even married? She did realize they likely had another culture but even Sakura and Adir had waited longer then these two. The fact that the cult she had joined was practicing slavery didn't make it much better.
"Yes, I do remember her from the wedding. She was one of your fellow adventurers right Harnel?" And apparently insane.
There is a long, tense pause as no sound comes from the sedan chair's occupant, as if she was pondering the many and varied ways that the worm before her disgusted her with his mere presence.
Instead of saying as much, she instead queries, "You sound rather young. How many did house Xar'Cha send, if they are so honored to receive me?"
"Five, my Matron. Four guards and a boy." One of the bearers replies, his shoulders straining against the weight of the pole it supports.
"A mere four guards? Such honor I have scarce seen in so pitiful supply. It will have to do. To the palace, and don't tarry." The music, which had faded to a slow, rhythmic tapping along the edges of the drums, picks up once more as the bearers raise the sedan higher on their shoulders in preparation to move on through the gates. They wait for the escort to fall in around the litter of course, but if they have to wait long they'll begin walking without them, more afraid of the one they carry than of the guards in their way.
"It's a lovely event," Delisle says. Lying through her teeth, as she wants nothing more than to leave, but she's doing a good job of pretending to be delighted to be here. "The palace is quite beautiful. Vyrn, how does it compare to yours?"
Quote:
Originally Posted by ApeofLight
[Xar'Cha Palace]
Teb smiled slightly and sighed inwardly. Of course he had to pick two of the most important non-drow to talk to.
"Ah, representatives from Remnant, how delightful. Yes, the palace is quite beautiful. However, it pales in comparison to the structures we construct in the Underdark. Though it is somewhat easier to cultivate and tend the gardens up here than it is down there." The drow idly chatted with the two of them.
Vyrn can't help but smile a bit as Delisle brings that up. "Ah, the old Ascendant Palace. It was the product of the wealth of a regime that essentially ruled half the world, sparing no expense in both beauty and security. Rumor had it they were going to try to make it capable of flight, much like Remnant HQ is now." Considering Imperial mega-aircraft technology originated in the Dominion, as shown by Haven, that may very well have been possible for them at some point. "I'm sorry to say it's difficult to stand up to that palace, but then, it's a different sort altogether. This is not the headquarters and home of the highest-ranking members of House Xar'Cha, after all, so naturally it's not fair to compare it to that of the leaders of a superpower. As Tebtranlyn says himself, it's not nearly so high-profile."
The disciplined guards fall into place around the sedan chair quickly. The boy swallows hard and walks alongside it. That wasn't exactly the most encouraging of starts, but maybe the rest of the party will go better. Neither he nor the guards will speak as they move toward the palace, unless he's addressed of course.
Goldbaka raises her eyebrow and one of her ears perks up. "I'll make sure to only take as much of Lord Magtok's time as I need, then," she says, her tone seemingly casual, but also making it clear that she decides how much time she needs.
[Xar'Cha Palace, with Lord Magtok and Goblins]
Inala shrugs, picking up a glass of wine from a passing tray.
"No hurry. I have all the time in the world." She lets the words hang in the air, and lets the Goblins interpret that how they will.
----------------------------------------------------------------------- [Xar'Cha Palace, with Sorn]
"There are worse things in the world then having no one trust you." Asim observes, looking at the NO representative with interest. "I trust you have several customers at the party tonight?"
__________________
Spoiler
Quotes:
Quote:
Originally Posted by Haruki-kun
Wikipedia NEVER had me busy for a whole day the way TV Tropes did. If Wikipedia is a Time Killer, TV Tropes is a Time Genocider.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Nerd-o-rama
If you squint really hard, this is the plot of the Command & Conquer: Red Alert series.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Artemis97
Is the entirety of WoD made up of small decrepid ghost towns?
Vyrn can't help but smile a bit as Delisle brings that up. "Ah, the old Ascendant Palace. It was the product of the wealth of a regime that essentially ruled half the world, sparing no expense in both beauty and security. Rumor had it they were going to try to make it capable of flight, much like Remnant HQ is now." Considering Imperial mega-aircraft technology originated in the Dominion, as shown by Haven, that may very well have been possible for them at some point. "I'm sorry to say it's difficult to stand up to that palace, but then, it's a different sort altogether. This is not the headquarters and home of the highest-ranking members of House Xar'Cha, after all, so naturally it's not fair to compare it to that of the leaders of a superpower. As Tebtranlyn says himself, it's not nearly so high-profile."
Quote:
Originally Posted by happyturtle
Xar'Cha Palace
"You must be delighted to be receiving the Matron here," Delisle says. Gah. Small talk! It buuuuuurns!
Xar'Cha Palace
Teb nods. "Yes, that certainly sounds like quite the palace. I would consider myself lucky to see such a magnificent site." He says to Vyrn.
The drow assassin then turns his attention back to Delisle. "Yes, it's quite the honor." Awkward silence ensues.
"Well, it was nice meeting the both of you. I hope you enjoy the party." Tebtranlyn said and then started to move away from them.
__________________
"Insert some witty comment here"
The disciplined guards fall into place around the sedan chair quickly. The boy swallows hard and walks alongside it. That wasn't exactly the most encouraging of starts, but maybe the rest of the party will go better. Neither he nor the guards will speak as they move toward the palace, unless he's addressed of course.
Xar'Cha Palace - To the Entrance
As they are walking along, one of the drummers reaches into a pocket on his kilt and pulls out an official looking document, sealed with a large green wax emblem, that he holds out to the boy.
"If you're the herald, then this is for you to read to announce the matron's arrival. Do not skip a single word if you value your health." The drow's warning seems genuine, and isn't phrased as a threat. It's the type of matter-of-fact message that is passed discretely from one male drow to another when someone of higher status is on the warpath and it doesn't benefit anyone to have the receiver killed.
Once they arrive, The sedan chair is lowered to precisely a half-foot above the floor, held there by the kneeling litter-bearers who hold their arms rigid to keep it in place.
"I would like that very much." Sornnolu says to Naitiri, clearly interested in her proposition.
"Excellent. I'm sure you'll be pleased," Naitiri replies, satisfied with that arrangement. She glances off toward the front entrance, at the sedan chair. "Who would that be?" Though it looks like her question's about to be answered. The matron of this house? An honored guest, perhaps...
__________________ The (somewhat) overdue avatar of Adir, my FFRP character, was done by Gulaghar. Thanks!
Spoiler
In a dream I found a place
of rotting meat and eldritch grace
and looked upon his primordial face
and from my thoughts could not erase
that sense of time that sense of space
and my heart the darkness did embrace.
-Johanna Stokes
Jane spares a glance towards the sedan chair. Either the Matron was going to enter, or someone was very full of themselves. Though in her view, the two aren't mutually exclusive.
The boy steps forward and cracks the document open. "My Ladies and Lords," As he begins to speak, his voice wavers a bit, but he doesn't pause or stammer throughout. "It is the greatest pleasure of my house and one of my secret lifelong dreams to be presenting you the resplendent, beauteous, wise, noble, generous, caring, cunning, ruthless, peerless, ingenious, and compassionate Matron of House Baenneld." Once he's finished, the drow boy steps aside and waits dutifully. He kind of wishes he could melt away after that.
Akoraun fails to escape the grip of the strong Drowess. She was a trained warrior. A bit of wiggling was not going to make her let go. "If you do not stop struggling I am going to slit your throat." The guard snarls.
The kid stammers a bit. You'll slit it anyways!
((Could he see the party from the gates?))
__________________ zimmerwald1915 made my avatar!
Spoiler
Quote:
This is the thief who likes to hoard,
That loves the bard with the puppet Lord
That admires the fighter with the green-hilted sword,
That employs the Wizard, whose bird is ignored,
That has the gender unexplored
That intrigues the Halfling, usually bored,
That slew a mountain of the goblin horde,
That follows the cleric,
That serves the lich,
That seeks the gate,
That guards the snarl,
That lives in the prison the gods built.
Dipsnig smiles.
"It's good to know that you can't trust someone. It means you know where you stand with them. I do take pride, though, in knowing that I've never broken a legal contract."
[Xar'Cha Palace - Goblins]
Goldbaka nods and she and her general turn back to Magtok. She was going to ask Magtok about his take on the party and their hosts, but now that one of said hosts is here...
"As I was going to say, Underside Colony does have need for soldiers, unfortunately. Underside is full of dangerous creatures, so we need to keep them out. We've also heard of a slave-keeping temple somewhere in the tunnels. We're not sure if the rumors are true but if they are, we need to protect our people against them," General Ridgebank says.
__________________
My FFRP characters. Avatar by Kid Kris. Sigatars by Gulaghar, Kid Kris, Zefir and billtodamax, respectively.
"So far, so good." Amis replies, craning his neck to look out over the dining floor before returning his gaze to the hostess and taking a seat. "Far nicer then the average dilettante in the street would lead you to think."He sips from his wine impassively, for a moment before continuing. "You've been doing good business I trust?"
Alorhna lifts one of her shoulders in a mild shrug, sipping from her blackberry wine. "It is difficult for an establishment such as this to cast aside the stigma attached to it. Our society is built on rumours and mistruths, Sir Amis. The best way to combat the rumours and mistruths is simply to run the best business I can." She smiles, looking at the spell-caster through her half-moon glasses. "So yes, I'm doing good business. For varying definitions of the word 'good,' I like to think."
[Xar'Cha Palace]
Spoiler
Quote:
Originally Posted by Gulaghar
Izzy whisks off his hat and holds it over his chest. "Ilpholin! Cousin! It's simply been entirely too long." With a flourish, he dips down in a deep bow, his hand practically sweeping against the floor. "I see the surface has been treating you well. I must admit that I almost didn't recognize you. I wasn't aware that the sun darkened the skin so, like it does to the surface races."
Quote:
Originally Posted by Reinholdt
At The Gala At the Gala
Ilpholin shakes her head slightly to Alorhna.
"I don't think I've been there. I'm afraid I don't visit the enclave much." She hasn't even heard of it to be honest.
"And Izz'daer! And yes, I've been blessed for my hardships. But you, I see you're as flashy as ever."
"How did you two meet?"
Alorhna smiles slightly even as Ilpholin shakes her head. "A shame. We're up across from the Temple. Very hard to miss. You simply must come for one of our shows. Every other evening after the Priestess do their prayers. That's how dear Izz'dear and I met, actually."
"Oh, yes, there's a Temple in Inside, Underside and Riverside, with a Hermitage in Outside for clerics that wish for a bit of isolation. Inside's the birth of the faith in the Nexus, though, and I have the most under-clerics here. Azurelle doesn't have a Temple, the Order of the Centipede is devoted to defending Dalachrech's faith in all its forms. Which reminds me, Harnel, Kail recently gave birth to a beautiful baby boy, and she's joined the Order of the Centipede." Since they used to work together, Terrowin thinks Harnel may be interested. Although I don't know if Harnel was aware that Kail was even pregnant.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Shadowcaller
Xar'Cha Palace Party- Terrowin, Cessie & Harnel
"A child?" Cessie remarks while glancing at Harnel, trying to avoid sounding shocked. A child? Already? Were they even married? She did realize they likely had another culture but even Sakura and Adir had waited longer then these two. The fact that the cult she had joined was practicing slavery didn't make it much better.
"Yes, I do remember her from the wedding. She was one of your fellow adventurers right Harnel?" And apparently insane.
[Xar'cha part - Terrowin, Cessie, and Harnel]
Harnel stares at Terrowin dumbfounded for a moment, and for all the world this is obviously the organic equivalent of "DOES NOT COMPUTE".
"... It's Kail? You're sure it's not some other woman that happens to look like her? Because I'm having a hard time believing that, no offense."
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"None taken. It's not mine, anyway. I told Kail I could speak to a powerful extraplanar creature that might be able to restore her manhood, as it were, and she accepted. I let her know there would be a price to pay, and I was expecting a sacrifice- gold, gemstones, blood, the usual. The being in question asked Kail for a child, and she accepted. However, now, it's made another deal with her. Kail's unwilling to leave her child without his mother, so she's promised to ensure the boy gets a good education and he's got a guaranteed place in the Order, so he's happy. I think it knew all that when it stated its price; creatures of that sort are very cunning, and rarely state a price one is unwilling to pay." Terrowin is carefully avoiding saying the word 'demon', or 'glabrezu'. Just because they know Terrowin's on the interesting side of the alignment chart, and he knows they know, doesn't mean he should let them know he knows they know.
__________________
"Ignorance is... Carlisle." The Doctor, Doctor Who
Terrowin Avatar by HappyTurtle. Much thanks!
I have a point!
Always willing to run a dungeon for those who need somewhere to explore. Just PM me, and decide the character and location and I'll see what I can rummage up.
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