Since the arrival of the Eilistraeans, the entire Tenpenny estate has been refurbished, many of its rooms converted to dormitories and facilities all funded by Emitia. The girl spared no expense in providing for your people, ensuring that the building is staffed and adequately supplied, insisting that Sune will provide for them until the children are grown enough to provide for themselves. While you've not acquired the artisanal techniques of your people, there are many skills that you can impart besides fighting - the survival techniques from your ranger training and affinity for dance chief among them.But you've a more immediate concern that demands your attention - impressing upon these children the culture of the Ilythiiri that was lost with their elders. They speak the local surfacer language, are ignorant to their illustrious history, and have no understanding of who they truly are, something that you have been working diligently to remedy as of late. The old gallery, once filled with Tenpenny's vulgar paintings, has been completely redone into a library filled with fiction and realmslore. Rows upon rows of dark wood shelves sitting on white tile, surrounding a common area, the chairs arranged in a semicircle around yourself. In attendance are the children, who sit in anticipation of your lecture, their benefactor Emitia Rouzet, High Sorcerer Lael Lathalas, and his apprentices.What, you wonder, will be the topic of today's lesson?>Today I will tell them the storied history of Menzoberra the Kinless, one of Lolth's most powerful priestesses and the founder of the city Menzoberranzan itself.>It is time for a lesson on Ilythiirra. They are learning the basics of our language well enough, but it is important to review regularly..>I will tell them more of our homeland, the Underdark, Of its many cities and peoples that inhabit it.>[Write-in.]
>>6310391Previous Adventures: https://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/qstarchive.html?searchall=Forgotten+Realms+Adventures The Rules™: https://pastebin.com/VRQHDHSr Abilities:https://pastebin.com/FaJABuJsLooks like the network in had maintenance right before I could post the update. QM Curse confirmed?
>>6310391>Today I will tell them the storied history of Menzoberra the Kinless, one of Lolth's most powerful priestesses and the founder of the city Menzoberranzan itself.Welcome back Greenwood!
>>6310391>>Today I will tell them the storied history of Menzoberra the Kinless, one of Lolth's most powerful priestesses and the founder of the city Menzoberranzan itself.
>>6310391>I will tell them more of our homeland, the Underdark, Of its many cities and peoples that inhabit it.The horrors and strife, but also the beauty and wonder. They'll hear enough of the former, but only one who lived it from birth can recognize the latter. They should not be ashamed of their origins, or their kin.
>>6310391>>I will tell them more of our homeland, the Underdark, Of its many cities and peoples that inhabit it.
Hmm, vote closed.
>>6311133...QM?
>>6316102The update will be out later today.
>>6316251Get hype!
"Not long after the war with our surfacer cousins sent us into exile, we were at war once more. For in those days, many of our people worshipped not only the Spider Queen, but also Ghaunadaur, god of exiles and That Which Lurks in the dark. Older than even Lolth and all of the darthiiri gods themselves, Ghaunadaur commanded many of our people, making him the enemy of the Weaver of Webs. For many decades, the Ilythiiri were divided, our new city in the Underdark already a ruin."You pause briefly, allowing the children a moment to digest the information that you've provided before proceeding. "With no end to the fighting, Lolth commanded her favorite priestess, Menzoberra the Kinless. to lead the most worthy of our people far to the north of Ilythiir, away from the long war that had broken us a second time."Leaning against a nearby table, you draw a heavy sigh, recalling the story as you've heard it so many times. "All throughout the the Underdark they fought, defeating every foe they faced during their travels. For years, they wandered in search of the promised land of our goddess, losing half their number along the way. Yet the goddess is cruel, for once the Ilythiiri led by Menzoberra arrived at their destination, tired and wounded, their final test awaited them."
>>6316457"In a great cavern with a bounty of fresh air and clean water dwelled an army of spiders large enough to eat a person whole, servants of the legendary Mzil Solen, 'Many Eyes' in the surface tongue. A powerful b'ahlach, or a creature that the humans call 'beholder.' It is an ugly thing that floats in the air, with one large eye and many smaller ones, each shooting wicked magic in all directions," you explain, attempting to describe the creature as best you can with the crude surfacer lexicon."It was a battle for the ages. Most of the Ilythiiri people fell during the struggle, yet we were victorious in the end. For Menzoberra dealt the final blow to Mzil Solen, scattering the army of the b'ahlach and winning the cavern and the favor of Lolth for our people. It is here that Menzoberranzan was built, named in honor of the Kinless priestess herself, making her name immortal. Remember this story well - for all of our people in this part of the Realms, even those who follow Eilistraee, descend from those brave warriors who traveled here with Menzoberra and survived."A murmured discussion breaks out amongst the Eilistraeans as your tale concludes, Emitia herself joining enthusiastically. As if on cue, the obnoxious red-haired girl - Lael's apprentice Mytyl - raises her hand, submitting her query before you can even acknowledge it. "Are you from Menzoberraban?" She asks sweetly.
>>6316458You cackle, shaking your head. "Menzoberranzan. And no. I am from Ched Nasad," you correct gently. Once called the Che'el de'Sril've Cressen. It was a great city, larger than this city of Everlund, held above a large cavern by giant webs. But the webs were burned by mercenaries during a great war, and the city fell, destroying it all." Mytyl shifts in her seat, clearly uncomfortable with the implications, but you smirk reassuringly. "But all of the treasure is still there, waiting for those brave enough to find it one day.""Have you ever been to Menzoberranzan?" Asks Emitia, who leans forward, anticipating your answer. "Yes," you reply coolly. "It is one of the most rich cities of our people, full of our wonders and history. It is the best place to travel. But it is not the place to live," you assert, tapping the palm of your hand with your finger for emphasis as you continue. "For the Ilythiiri of Menzoberranzan are hated even by our own kind, They attack without reason and treat those from other cities almost as bad as their slaves.""Where else have you been?" Asks an older boy. You give the question more consideration than it merits, reflecting on the countless locations that you've visited in your centuries. "Many, many places. To the south, there is a great city called Sshamath. It is not the priestesses, but the mages that rule here. So strong are they that Lolth has no say, and everything that can be made with magic and more can be bought from its markets. Non-lythiiri looking to adventure are welcome to visit, for wizards always want for something rare."
>>6316459"It is not only we who live in the Underdark. Just as the darthiiri drove us into darkness, so too did the harglukkin - dwarves - do the same to their own. Dark like us, they are known as duergar, and perhaps the only people who are our equal. Their greatest city is Gracklstugh, City of Blades, where their forges burn red at all hours, bright enough to match the surface sun. They make the best weapons," you affirm."Humans live in the Underdark, too. Human followers of the Night Goddess had a great temple far to the east of here. Many years ago, my army fought a long war against them for the treasure of their goddess. Rivvil though they were, they fought almost as well as our own. It was a difficult war," you add.The mention of an army at your command provokes a new round of questions from your audience, who are eager to hear the storied history of your military career, from your very first skirmish to the most bitter wars. It seems that you'll be here for quite some time...
Meanwhile, elsewhere...
>>6316462Sequestered away in the depths of the Delyl Estate, situated at the very edge of Menzoberranzan, sat Vierna Delyl in the lotus position in a stony room housing only a humble shrine venerating the Weaver of Chaos. A powerful arch-priestess of Lolth and now matron of the house following the... untimely demise of her mother, she meditated on the precepts of her goddess, staring into the singular candle which burned with black flame before her, and only source of light in the otherwise lightless room.A weak rap against the carved granite door behind her heralds the expected arrival of a visitor. Nevertheless, she gripped her iron scepter in anticipation, the best practice. With a labored heave, the visitor forced the door open, her footsteps silent as she struggled again to close it behind her. "Phaere," said Vierna to her sister, her tone seated firmly at the intersection of condescending and instructive. "Do you understand why I have summoned you here?"Her sister inhaled sharply, ready to present an excuse meticulously prepared in advance. Vierna cut her off decisively before the first word could exit her sibling's mouth. "You do," answered the elder sister in Phaere's stead. "I gave you a simple task, and everything you could have needed to carry it out. And yet the traitor that we call blood-kin still has her head attached to her shoulders. Why?"
>>6316464You are Phaere Delyl, and this was not your first plan. It was, however, your third plan, for your mighty intellect has devised several contingencies for this exact occasion. "My plan was flawless, sister. The hunter from the plane of Acheron whom I hired from Mechanus was the perfect match against Jezyrene... yet a powerful mage numbers amongst her allies, for it was banished!" You exclaim, raising your index finger in the air for emphasis, despite the fact that your elder sister has her back turned away from you."Allies?" Asks the arch-priestess, unable to suppress the genuine surprise in her voice despite her usually severe manner. "Indeed, Matron Mother!" You state, placing your hands at your hips. "Why, my incredibly reputable sources have recently informed me that she is the city's new favorite, a hero amongst humans and halflings and dwarves. They have named her their champion, and they say she even has a true warrior of Eilistraee in her retinue. How are we to gain the upper hand when she has a city at her back and a warrior of the Dark Dancer at her side?" You ask quizzically, intent on provoking her to action.Vierna takes the bait, standing upright as her hands wring her scepter in repressed anger. Steadying her breathing, the arch-priestess answers. "I will prepare our army for a campaign," she responds sternly. "And you, sister, my trusted lieutenant, will explain how you intend to contribute to this endeavor to make up for your recent failure, lest I end you here and now."You wring your hands and smile sheepishly, minimizing your profile in spite of the fact that your sister cannot see your anxiety and submissive posture. "I- I assure, sister, I have many reliable allies to call upon for this very occasion! Allies not of our people, whose trustworthiness is without question, S-so long as we reward them generously..." you state confidently."Tell me - who are these allies?" She asks directly. You have a few in mind - but who should you contact first?>I speak of my contacts in the Zhentarim, a human mercenary company who can field the finest soldiers that money can purchase outside of the Underdark.>I refer of course to a powerful orcish warlord. He has offered me many favors in exchange for obscure lore, and will gladly do so again.
>>6316467>I speak of my contacts in the Zhentarim, a human mercenary company who can field the finest soldiers that money can purchase outside of the Underdark.Better for us if the army of dark elves also has evil humans among them, so that people of Everlund can't make it a race thing afterwards and begrudge our people.
>>6316459I wonder if Chessayne was a prisoner of a Menzoberranzan house that was made an example of, or vice versa...Also, how's she doing? Any chance she's interested in teaching for a living? And her opinion on us effectively adopting Ilanis and Luaue and dating Amaranth?>>6316467>I speak of my contacts in the Zhentarim, a human mercenary company who can field the finest soldiers that money can purchase outside of the Underdark.So did Vierna have her kid yet? Or is she going to fight us in specially made armor?Also, Phaere dealing with Lael quest when?
>>6316503>So did Vierna have her kid yet?Of course. That infant has been sent to the nursery, where they will fight the other infants for survival. As soon as that baby comes out, it's the junior priestess' problem until they're old enough to have a job. The good ol' Lolthite way.We'll see more of Chessayne soon. Now, here's a fun question for readers to ponder. We saw in a previous flashback that Phaere derisively called Lolth's teachings "amorphous gray slop" with little hesitation, and she's always done very un-Lolthite things like reading surface books even as a girl. So, which god or goddess of the Realms does she favor? It doesn't necessarily have to be a drow or even Underdark deity, though it might be.
>>6316467>>I refer of course to a powerful orcish warlord. He has offered me many favors in exchange for obscure lore, and will gladly do so again.OrcxElf is my fetish
>>6316524Zinzerena, the self-serving trickster who was born a dark elf.mage and stole divinity from a consort of Lolth?
>>6316524I'd guess Oghma or Mystra, if Phaere's alignment is closer to Neutral than Evil and she's scheming in order to further her magical knowledge rather than to become Matron Mother.Jez should ask a favor of Willow, see if she has any orphaned rabbit kits that we could give Phaere as a test of character.
>>6316467>I refer of course to a powerful orcish warlord. He has offered me many favors in exchange for obscure lore, and will gladly do so again.
Vote closed.>>6316753>>6316887Excellent guesses. We'll be controlling Phaere for a little while, so we'll see more of where her loyalties (or lack thereof) lie.
