Evaluating your options thoroughly, you decide that the best course would be to repair the mythal to the best of your ability. While a full restoration would take years and demand a small fortune in reagents, research, labor... mending a few fraying strands of the Weave here and there would get the Demon's Ingle in working order long enough to exact some advantage from it. And if, by chance, you were to make a few augmentations to the design that placed a geas on those wearing the Ingle's products, compelling them to obey you... A few contingencies here, a redundancy there... by the gods, you are a genius. Truly, it is a shame that you are surrounded by troglodytes that could never appreciate the magnitude of your splendor. You'll need to cast some preliminary divinations, of course. And a way of concealing your work just in case - a few quasi-real illusions should-"Mistress Phaere!" A familiar voice calls to you, far too giddy and pitched such that it resembles the scraping of chalk along a cavern wall. "The negotiations have been opened! Your presence is required immediately!"
>>6375905Readying a lethal spell prepared in advance, you pivot in place, scanning the obelisk room for the new arrival. Your senses have the displeasure of being assaulted by the putrid sight of Xelthryn, Vierna's Ghaunadan spymaster. His yellow-brown oiled cloak reeking of harsh chemicals and his beady yellow eyes fixed on you, expression unreadable. At least you cannot cannot see the sheen of his bald head in this dark."Let us away, then, Xelthryn. Walk in front of me, and do keep your hands where I can see them lest I turn you into a toad," you demand. The tiny male laughs boisterously, which sounds more akin to a gargle, no doubt a product of whatever horrible concoctions he's inhaled over the centuries. "You wound me, Mistress Phaere! Traitor though I am, I could hardly liquidate you while you are still so crucial to our immediate plans. Right this way!"Traitor indeed... a trait that can be leveraged in opportune times. Just as he makes to lead you further into the sweltering depths of the dwarven ruin, you gently place a hand on his shoulder, drawing him back into the obelisk chamber. "Hold a moment, Xelthrn," you command, drawing him back in with a predatory grin. "I have a plan, and it involves you."
>>6375907LOYALTY DEFENSE INTEGRITYLovingly carved from a single chunk of igneous rock, the circular stone table large enough to seat over a dozen sits at the center of the dismal room illuminated by a single torch, the Dethek runes engraved on its surface extolling the dwarven virtues. What must have once served as the central command apparatus of this old fortress of dwarves and their elven allies is now occupied by the people of Ilythiir and the orcish menace, their longtime enemies since time immemorial. How ironic.Vierna has judiciously made the choice to exclude her daughter Vaelith from the negotiations - proof that she at has some sense, at least. Daereth, the ranger, seems to have decided against attending as well, to no one's surprise. That leaves only Vierna, Xelthryn, and yourself to shape the course of the coming campaign.For the opposite party, there is Wurgoth Twice-Scarred, half-orcish warlord horribly deformed, who masks his mutilation behind a visage of iron. Joining him are a musclebound, blue-skinned abomination twice the height of a man with vicious black claws that could no doubt rend flesh and an array of charms around his neck - an ogre mage, or 'oni' as they are sometimes called, and a female orc clothed in an austere robe of brown-black fur, her hood concealing her features. You infer that she is a priestess, likely of Luthic, the orc goddess of healing and witchery.
>>6375909"As was explained prior, Master Wurgoth, I will repair the Demon's Ingle mythal to support the war effort as a gesture of goodwill such that you may sustain your long-term campaigns in these lands. You and yours may also do with the city as you please once our victory is assured," you say in the surfacer tongue, speaking with a sufficient measure of deference. "Our objective is merely to recover our delinquent sibling. Are we agreed?"Erudition confers many unique advantages, control in matters of diplomacy being one of them. Vierna's grasp of the surfacer language is too feeble to make any meaningful use of, and while Xelthryn has an excellent command of six languages or perhaps more, you've managed to buy his complicity for the time being. As the orcs do not speak Ilythiirra, that leaves you to creatively interpret the exchange and shape the outcome to your liking."We are agreed, drow. We can easily replenish our numbers from the scattered bands roaming in the north for our future wars. Consider this a long-term strategic investment; understand that this commitment is conditional on your repair of the magma forges and expires upon our victory," responds the warlord, his low voice carrying a metallic hum through his mask. It will last so long as you require it, though you do not vocalize this.
>>6375910"Wonderful news, sister!" You transition seamlessly to Ilythiirra, addressing House Delyl's matron mother. "The orcs have accepted our offer and we have secured their cooperation!" Vierna clicks her tongue, a smirk finding its way across her face. "Good. Tell them that they are to storm the walls and open the way. From there, we will be able to use our superior scouting and maneuvering to terrorize the streets. From then on, it will be a slaughter," she demands."The Matron Mother requests your input on how best to proceed with the offensive," you tell the orcs. Xelthryn opts to remain silent, a confirmation that your plan will proceed smoothly. The half-orcish warlord leans back in his stone seat, tapping an armored finger against the rocky armrest in consideration. "I have fought with your kind before, drow, as both ally and enemy, and I admire the assets that you bring to the battlefield. Tell her that you and yours are to infiltrate the city and open the gates - we will handle the handle the rest."A strategic decision lies before you. No doubt the people of Ilythiir would fare far better in urban combat than the orcish army of the Thousand Scars by a wide margin - but with geas you'll be placing on them, the orcs are just as much your assets as they are Twice-Scarred's and it is in your own best interest to preserve them. The surfacers no doubt have an array of defenses prepared along the city's perimeter, a result of their unhealthy obsession with 'building things.' Whoever takes the walls will be incurring heavy casualties. Fortunately, you are able to shape the outcome of this discussion...>The orcish army will lead the vanguard, breaking through the walls and affording our people the chance to slip in and raid the city.>House Delyl's army will dismantle the defenses to make way for the orcish army.
>>6375910Previous Adventures: https://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/qstarchive.html?searchall=Forgotten+Realms+Adventures The Rules™: https://pastebin.com/VRQHDHSr Abilities:https://pastebin.com/FaJABuJsI'd like to personally thank whoever archived the previous thread before my involuntary hiatus. I'll allow some time for people to trickle in.
>>6375912>House Delyl's army will dismantle the defenses to make way for the orcish army.It gives our actual protagonist a better chance to catch them and stop them before the gates are ever open.>>6375914Welcome back, QM!>whoever archived the previous thread before my involuntary hiatusI think that was me, but I forget, kek.
>>6375912>>House Delyl's army will dismantle the defenses to make way for the orcish army.Fah, imagine letting the *Orcs* hog all the glory
>>6375912>House Delyl's army will dismantle the defenses to make way for the orcish army.Welcome back Greenwood! Glad to see you running again!>House Delyl's army will dismantle the defenses to make way for the orcish army.I can’t wait to see these mooks begin to learn what they’ve been missing up here.
Welcome back. It seems that the vote is unanimous to have the Drow take on the walls and get the glory of the vanguard. But what is Phaere's real endgame?I'll be updating in a few hours.
>>6376380Mastery of magics unknown to the Underdark? Command of her own House? To wield power over life and death itself?! No! It’s so much more than that! It’s to find a prettier, fancier dress than either of her sisters for the next ball!
"Their leader insists that our talents are better suited for taking the walls," you explain to Vierna. "That is another condition of their participation in this endeavor." The priestess sneers, visibly displeased with this development, although to your surprise she manages to get over it rather quickly. "Very well. Sszindra and Vaelith will be elated at the prospect of proving their worth in the vanguard, at least. Inform this creature that we agree to his terms."The terms of the alliance take shape under your direction. In exchange for the repair of the magma forges of the Demon's Ingle, the orcs of the Thousand Scars will commit an army to assist in besieging the city of Everlund, such that Matron Mother Vierna Delyl may exact punishment against her wayward sister Jezyrene. A clause is left for the possibility of future upkeep of the Ingle's infrastructure, though you are well aware that the orcs are not counting on this as a given.As you discuss assets, logistics, and the strategy of the campaign, it becomes evident that for all your apparent strengths, your nascent coalition is woefully deficient in many regards, specifically in the capacity to wage war. Supplies, transport, provisions, wages, coordination... the unglamorous necessities of any sustained campaign.
>>6376487"I have other allies that we might call to our aid," you state in both your native tongue and the local surface language. "Within the Zhentarim mercenary company, I have a number of contacts that are familiar with my name. Humans though they are, they will assuredly come to our aid, provided we can offer the right incentives," you explain.The Zhentarim, or 'Black Network,' as they are at times called, are a mercenary and mercantile organization that uses coercion, trade, crime, and diplomacy to exert their influence throughout the Realms. Despite their focus on the strategic domination of the North, including the Silver Marches region, they are quite well known for employing Ilythiiri and orcish mercenaries as proxies to do their bidding as the need arises. Ironically, they need no introduction at the war table."I have fought for the Zhentarim for the better part of seven years," informs Twice-Scarred. Hardly any amount of time at all, albeit quite substantial for the short-lived. "We can make use of them" You smile coquettishly, folding your hands. "I will send word for an envoy. They should be able to meet us here in a little over a tenday, less than two," you say.
>>6376488 Sure enough, the Zhentarim representatives arrive precisely on schedule under the iconic banner of a flying serpent. Accompanied by a retinue of twenty, the duo you're to be negotiating are a familiar face, and a new one. You knew Brandt Greycastle during his younger days, as a 'darkblade' - that is, a Realms colloquialism for an amoral mercenary that will kill most anyone for pay and not ask questions of their employer. That was over twenty years ago, however. Still, you recall that he was as sharp as a human could be with an acerbic wit, a valuable asset when you needed him.Joining him is a halfling, or 'hin' as their species refers to themselves. While their race does have a sort of quasi-religious relationship with large meals, this specimen is nevertheless absurdly large, a suitable main course for an orcish dinner all things considered. He introduces himself as Rupert Tenpenny. Though he has no apparent useful qualities and every other word out of his mouth is a crude remark about Vierna's daughter Vaelith (your favorite being 'wanton wench'), Greycastle assures that he is brilliant in matters of finance and acquisition.The de facto 'war room' grows ever busier as charts, ledgers, and unit lists accumulate faster daily.
>>6376489"After much deliberation," starts Brandt, his voice sounding of poisoned wine and his Ilythiirra well-practiced if crude. "The Zhentarim will agree to finance and supply this adventure of yours, as well as deploy a company of our own under a different banner to obfuscate their allegiance. All we ask in return is that occupation of the city be turned over to us with the conclusion of this affair.""Take it," says Vierna without a moment's hesitation. "We've no use for it." The orcish party to your alliance is not so easily convinced, however - two more rounds of negotiations follow until Wurgoth Twice-Scarred eventually agrees to cede occupation in exchange for a more durable trade agreement with the Zhentarim. The best solution for both parties that could be managed, you reason.With House Delyl at the van and the orcish Thousand Scars as the main force, that would fittingly put the Zhentarim at the rearguard, providing logistical support and defense from the threat of being outflanked. Brandt raises the topic of his own forces, offering to contribute what he calls 'monstrous auxiliaries' to the alliance.
>>6376490The first option are gargoyles. A 'classic' monster, you are intimately familiar with the creatures, being a magician yourself. They are stony predators capable of flight, both agile and durable. Clever and sadistic, they delight in inflicting pain on intelligent creatures, and are willing to serve for a pittance in treasure. The second option would be trolls. Another classic monster, they are some primitive form of giant-kin with an abnormal metabolism that allows them to heal from most every injury including dismemberment and decapitation, only able to be killed with fire or acid. Though dim-witted, few in number, and driven almost entirely by their existential appetites, a handful can nevertheless wreak havoc for a short time as shock troops before they inevitably forget their orders.Given your current army composition, you propose that...>Gargoyles would be the strongest complement to our varied army.>Trolls would serve their purpose for as long we we require them to.
>>6376491>>Gargoyles would be the strongest complement to our varied army.
>>6376489>wanton wenchKek, the ye olde ho table?>>6376491>Gargoyles would be the strongest complement to our varied army.I'd rather fight trolls, and yet can think of no good in-character reason to favor them over gargs.
>>6376491>Gargoyles would be the strongest complement to our varied army.Golem vs Gargoyle… sounds like a kaiju film.
Vote closed.>>6376642>I'd rather fight trollsI'm not sure how you or your DM choose to run trolls, but LEMME TELL YA, you'd rather not.Speaking of which, what tabletop game or setting would readers hypothetically like to see a quest based on run by me? I have a few ideas that I've been developing during my hiatus, but I am curious. This board gets a healthy amount of Warhammer and the occasional WoD quest, but I notice quite a few of the other popular ones missing.
>>6376816RIFTS or Call of Cthulu could be cool. Or somthing in Ravenloft or Duskmourn would be kino.
While trolls can pose an existential threat, what you require is a scalpel, not a hammer. Convincing your company of their merits, Greycastle promises that the Zhentarim will commit a hundred gargoyles to the cause - hardly anything in the grand scheme of things, but enough to make a difference. Moreover, a magician of your caliber may make use of them when the need inevitably arises. You have your own ends that need accomplishing in the upcoming battle, for only under these unique circumstances might your objective be fulfilled. Here's to hoping that your planning was sufficient. The coalition will be ready to move in several months at the soonest, giving you ample time to integrate your desired modifications to the Demon's Ingle mythal and put a few important pieces in place.The stage is set - soon, the curtains will draw back, and the actors will reveal their talents - rather, that is how you assume that it goes. A life under Lolthite dogma has deprived you of the chance to engage with surfacer entertainments outside of what you can infer from books. Alas.
>>6376880We return now to Jezyrene...
>>6376881Hands at your sides, you observe your students as they spar in the early hours beneath the cool sky on the grass before your mansion. The Realms transition from one phase of life to another, leaving behind the warmer months for cooler ones, a period of the year which the surfacers refer to as 'autumn.' You cannot allege to understand the mechanics of this - where you are from, it is always some permutation of cold, or unreasonably hot in caverns auspicious enough to host magma flows. That the temperature changes every month is novel, unnatural in factLuaue is the aggressor again, favoring an offensive approach as ever. Every fighter has their peculiarities, and the girl does not manage her defenses as well as she should, a bad habit that you've been steadily breaking these past several months. Striking at Ilanis with her practice weapon, the swing goes wide, the darthiiri girl able to remain just outside of Luaue's reach. Ilanis is a prodigious fighter - even while on the retreat, she keeps Luaue at an appropriate distance, always allowing herself the room to dodge, parry, or retaliate as the need arises. The young priestess, having internalized your lessons, eases up on her attacks, slowing her pace significantly. That is good - Ilanis has the better technique, the better strategic insight, and roughly equal athleticism, putting Luaue at the disadvantage, and she is finally a mature enough fighter to recognize this and adapt. Instead, the Eilistraean continues the fight conservatively, preserving her stamina and probing Ilanis' defenses.
>>6376882Ilanis remains defensively responsible, capitalizing on Luaue's less frequent attacks to sneak in several of her own. The priestess manages to deflect, dodging once narrowly, though her opponent does not make this easy. Indeed, Ilanis does a fine job of obfuscating her intent, making it difficult to read her strikes until she's already committed to them. But fortune smiles upon the half-breed. Making a bold gambit, she ducks beneath one of Ilanis' strikes - as the darthiiri draws her arm back, Luaue counterattacks, just barely able to nick Ilanis' shoulder with her training weapon. Were it a real sword, that would hardly be enough to draw blood - but a connect is a connect. Both combatants lower their weapons, with Luaue collapsing onto the grass. "Two wins!" She exclaims, breathing heavily."... And twenty-seven losses, but I still won this time," she continues. Ilanis wipes the sweat from her brow, holding up better though still visibly fatigued, having managed her stamina more judiciously. "Let's make it twenty-eight wins!" She challenges in response, eliciting a laugh from both of them.Another productive day of training. You've managed to shape both of them into capable fighters, the sort you could rely on in battle, and feel reasonably confident that you can end today's session here.>They are ready. I want to get them outfitted with good armor, and help Ilanis pick out a good weapon now.>Let us conclude this with an early drink and some gossip at the Dreaming Dragon. Ilanis has yet to open for the evening, so this is the ideal time to celebrate.>We will resume again first thing tomorrow morning. For now, I would like to relax in my room. They are dismissed.>[Write-in.]
>>6376883>>They are ready. I want to get them outfitted with good armor, and help Ilanis pick out a good weapon now.
>>6376883>They are ready. I want to get them outfitted with good armor, and help Ilanis pick out a good weapon now.
>>6376883>They are ready. I want to get them outfitted with good armor, and help Ilanis pick out a good weapon now.One last shopping trip...
Vote closed.>>6376825Interesting, interesting. I have seen the odd Ravenloft quest here and there, though I am surprised by how little (if any) presence that CoC has on this board, being one of the more popular tabletop games considering this is a /tg/-adjacent board.
You feel reasonably confident that your students have 'graduated' into capable combatants. You have prepared many for the harsh realities of war, and these two are more than ready, with strong fundamentals and ample room to grow. Atop that, you aim to continue their daily instruction for as long as possible. Whilst Luaue will be using the Nelgetha, her mother's blade, Ilanis will be requiring a quality weapon that suits her strengths, and both of your girls will be needing armor. "No more for today. I have something special special planned," you state, gesturing for them to fall in behind you. "Do we get something good?" Asks Ilanis as if on cue. "Very good," you reply. "You are ready for real weapons and armor. I will get you real equipment, and I will teach you how to adapt to it. And you will be ready for your weapon," you inform the priestess, who nods solemnly.Leading them along the road to Everlund's bell market, you turn your head upwards, noting that the wicked sun seems less cruel this morning, as if to afford you some small measure of mercy. "Practice weapons are useful, but you need to learn about the weight and balance of a real weapon. How to wear your armor and move in it. From now on, you will train only in armor, even when you are not fighting," you state instructively. "Tomorrow, we will begin by running like always, around the city each morning. Then learn how to jump and roll, and..."
>>6377727"Sindiira," says Luaue, sucking in a labored breath as she still tries to recover from the day's exertions. "I am as eager to improve as ever..." she begins cautiously, "but perhaps we could take just one day to relax? Aside from the usual two every tenday, I mean. Highharvestide draws near, and it would be good for us to enjoy ourselves. Even in the Silverwood, we had food, games, competitions, everything of the sort. It's a holiday enjoyed throughout the Realms." "Oh! Sindi!" Ilanis chimes in. "You should enter the Zzar Wrestling Tournament! You're super strong and fast, so I think you could win this year!" Your head swivels in the girl's direction as you look at her incredulously, dubious of the suggestion. "Zzar Wrestling?" You ask, slowing your pace. "Yeah! Zzar is a type of wine. You and your opponent get covered in zzar and enter a ring. Then, you have to force them to touch a red circle in the middle, but it's super difficult 'cause you're both slippery and sticky," she elaborates.What a bizarre pastime. That surfacers consider dousing oneself in drink and grappling a form of seasonal entertainment is perplexing, to say the least. If nothing else, it would be amusing to watch as they clumsily grab at one another and- "Did you know that Aunt Ara has won the tournament fifteen years in a row now?" She adds.... and perhaps it may be worth participating simply for the experience.
>>6377728"Ooh, this one looks pretty cute," says Ilanis, holding up a teal A-line dress that matches the distinct color of her eyes to her figure. "And here's one for you, Lu!" The girl displays a white slip dress with an open back that leaves only the essentials to the imagination. Luaue's features darken ever-so-slightly as she retorts, stumbling over her words. "Th-that's... Ilanis! We're supposed to be equipping ourselves for a battle n-not - whatever this is. Take this seriously!" she gestures vaguely at the dress. Ilanis retorts by playfully sticking out her tongue at the priestess, a gesture with no bite to it."I am serious! That's why I keep winnin'! Tell her, Sindi!" As the two bicker, you take a moment to compare their physiques against their fighting styles. The Jivvin Golhyrr style naturally lends itself to a strong defense, and Ilanis' natural agility paired with her talent for evasion make lighter armor the obvious choice - some good leathers will suffice. Being half human and merely 'great' at protecting herself, Luaue will be needing something heavier as she will inevitably be taking hits, although it must still allow her to leverage the mobility of the Bautha z'hin style. Some good chain will do.And while you're here, it wouldn't hurt to pick up a few additional items...Potions>Moonglass Philter - (Confers True Seeing for 10 minutes) - 2,000 GP>Titan's Draft - (+8 Strength for 10 minutes, grow to six times size) - 3,000 GP>Potion of Heal - (Fully restores Health upon imbibing, cures all ailments) - 5,000 GPA weapon for Ilanis>The Rose's Thorn - (Speed Rapier) - 6,000 GP>World Edge - (Keen Scimitar) - 3,000 HP>Kindly Knife - (Wounding Short Sword) - 4,500 GPOther Items>Dresses for Ilanis and Luaue - 400 GP>Gogondy Wine (Powerful divination magic upon imbibing) - 3,000 GP
>>6377729>Titan's Draft>Potion of Heal>The Rose's Thorn>Dresses for Ilanis and Luaue>Gogondy WineNow hear me out about the Titan's Draft, guys… If we can convince Arara to buy one as well, as unlikely as that sounds, we could put on the greatest Zarr Wrestling match Everlund has ever seen!
>>6377728>"Did you know that Aunt Ara has won the tournament fifteen years in a row now?" She adds.>... and perhaps it may be worth participating simply for the experience.kek>>6377729>Titan's Draft>Potion of Heal>World EdgeCritmaxxing>Dresses for Ilanis and LuaueDo we have enough gold for all this? I don't remember how much we have left.
>>6377852I should have posted this earlier, but it's 18,834.
>>6377729>Titan's Draft>Potion of Heal>The Rose's Thorn>Dresses for Ilanis and LuaueWell, our prize money was going to run out eventually. Could try asking Sten if we could work for the town guard or watch…>>6377764>Giant elf women covered in wine wrestling each other during a festivalThere’s going to be so many boys who will grow up to be macrophiliacs if we do this. We might be able to monetize it later, if we can think ahead and start up a market for giant made goods…
>>6377729>Titan's Draft - (+8 Strength for 10 minutes, grow to six times size) - 3,000 GP>Potion of Heal - (Fully restores Health upon imbibing, cures all ailments) - 5,000 GP>World Edge - (Keen Scimitar) - 3,000 HP>Dresses for Ilanis and Luaue - 400 GP
Vote closed.
Rolled 1 (1d2)Let's see what we get...
The girls will be getting their dresses - this is non-negotiable. Ilanis is understandably elated, Luaue less so, but you will rectify her doubt with time. Indeed, you make sure to acquire matching accessories for them as well - a pair of hoop earring and white heeled shoes for Luaue, and teal studded earrings with similar silk slippers for Ilanis. Perhaps this 'Highharvestide' of which they speak is an ideal time for all three of you to dress up. The large dress you acquired quite some time ago seems suitable for the occasion...As the girls get fitted for their armor, you take the time to make a few other purchases for the inevitable conflict between yourself and your sisters. A potion of Heal - that is, a spell known by the most powerful of clerics which totally restores the body - and what you are told is called a 'Titan's Draft.' Allegedly, it will make you several magnitudes larger, and improve your strength significantly. Will you be able swat Vierna as one does a cave gnat? One can dream.Now properly equipped, you inspect your students before finalizing the purchase. Ilanis wears fitting leathers dyed black with plates on the chest and a brassard on her right arm, suitable to protect her vitals and her sword arm while still allowing her as much mobility as possible. As for Luaue, her chain stretches from her neck to her knees, concealed beneath a white coat to afford some additional protection. All in all, it reads as distinctly 'human' in character, but it it will have to do.
>>6379375It is time for Ilanis to pick her first weapon. Unlike many, she will have the privilege of selecting something that suits her. She settles on a delicate piece, a rapier with a guard fashioned to resemble a steel flower from which the blade juts out from its center, enveloped in a gentle aura of luminous magic with a rosy hue. Though you yourself prefer heavier arms, you do admit that this weapon could be truly magnificent if skillfully poisoned. Alas, there are no poisoners so skilled as your own people in this market. With the day's training concluded, you part ways, with Ilanis returning to the Dreaming Dragon and Luaue for the old Tenpenny estate, converted into a place for the young Eilistraeans. As for yourself, you've nothing in particular planned for today. Amaranth has informed you that that he will be at home 'Observing a six-planet conjunction in Realmspace,' or some such magician jargon. Allegedly it has something to do with omens, although he assured you that he is not busy if you need to see him. If you were to be honest with yourself, you are becoming quite restless as of late. Your hunger for adventure has long passed after your many campaigns and recent exploits, though you cannot help but feel that you should at the least be 'doing something,' As a matter of fact, peradventure you could do something right now...>I will visit the All-Faiths Hall, specifically the shrine of Sune. It has been too long, and I wonder if my goddess might have something for me to do.>I suppose I could retire early today, and listen to Amaranth speak of this 'conjunction' and these 'omens.'>I am possessed by a most peculiar urge to find Arara and boast of how well my life is going at this moment.>[Write-in.]
>>6379379Peradventure? Huh. New word!Anyway,w e're petty, but>I suppose I could retire early today, and listen to Amaranth speak of this 'conjunction' and these 'omens.'sounds more important than even lording our superiority over our rival... And Sune knows where to find us if it's urgent.
>>6379379>I am possessed by a most peculiar urge to find Arara and boast of how well my life is going at this moment.Complete with noblewoman's laugh.
Rolled 2 (1d2)Vote closed. But what's going to happen?Since an anon brought up Ravenloft, I've been delving into the old material, and it's incredible to me just how much DM-facing content was put out for 3e, as well as how player-centric the newer material in 5e tends to be. There's information about ethnic groups, fashion, cuisine, values, the economy of each realm, statecraft and diplomacy, mundane ecology, even small details like what each nation puts on its coins. It's very generous in a way that's difficult to convey unless you've run a game before.
>>6379379>>I suppose I could retire early today, and listen to Amaranth speak of this 'conjunction' and these 'omens.'
>>6380194I've noticed modern D&D tends to encourage/enable homebrew settings and modifications to the world, whereas old D&D tended to lead with pre-built settings and scenarios.
Returning home for the day, you elect to spend your time with Amaranth, passing through the mansion's foyer into the study. Lined from end to end with books in languages both familiar and strange upon old oaken shelving, you are almost certain that the interior seems to grow larger each time that you enter. The air is crisp - artificially so, and the lighting is at once plentiful without the overbearing glare of the cruel sun. Seated on a cushioned chair three sizes too large for his frame by a window, Amaranth has set up a utilitarian wooden table nearby, such that it is withing arm's reach. Splayed out across its surface are well-worn charts yellowed with age, scrolls with arcane inscriptions common in the magician's trade, books with fraying pages in the darthiiri tongue... Idly, he tinkers with an implement that resembles a brass club, with a piece of glass situated at either end.You clear your throat, drawing his attention as you take up a seat next to him, hooking your leg over his possessively. "Ah, welcome back. How was this morning's training session?" He asks, still absorbed in his maintenance of the peculiar instrument. "Good. Luaue is a good student. She is almost ready to be the protector of our people," you report confidently. "What she needs now is more experience, but she is ready for a real battle."
>>6381635"And Ilanis?" He asks."She is a sargtlsinss among sargtlinen. With time, she could even be worthy of being called sarol'veldruk. It is a shame to keep her away from battle and war," you say, extending your arms out to emphasize the magnitude of her potential. "Ilanis will not be battling or warring with anyone," insists the magician. You fold your arms and sigh, rolling your head back in frustration. If only he could appreciate her talents. The girl's rare artistry with a weapon is wasted in her domestic lifestyle when she could be thriving as a mercenary or adventurer, and she is far more clever than first blush would suggest. In ten years' time, you can teach her an officer's skills, and in thirty you can shape her into a formidable commander. In a hundred, she could even be a better general than you were."What is this?" You ask, picking up a chart in an attempt to change the subject and diffuse the tension."This is Realmspace," he explains. "It's our world, Toril, and the other worlds nearby. This evening I'll be observing the alignment of Anadia, Coliar, Glyth, Karpri, Garden, and H'Catha. A conjunction of this sort is quite rare, and can be very informative for a skilled diviner. For instance, tonight would be a good night to plan betrayals, or preempt them if one's clever."
>>6381636Beholding him as though he's started speaking another language entirely, Amaranth seems to intuit that he's lost you. Gently confiscating the chart, he instead leans over, retrieving a book with a faded indigo cover. Rifling through its pages, he lays it out between you, inviting you to lean in closer to him. "All right, we should start with some fundamentals. Planets are celestial bodies, massive spheroids moving in an elliptical orbit around an even larger spheroid known as a 'star' made of what is called 'plasma.' You can imagine it much like lightning...."For hours, Amaranth enlightens you on the cosmology of the known universe. Allegedly the world you inhabit is round, with only a roof of air surrounding it as opposed to stone. The lights in the sky are not crystals, but instead the radiance of impossibly distant spheres of energized gas. Perhaps more immediately concerning is the revelation that you are held to the ground by some invisible, fundamental force known as 'gravity' which all objects exert...He tells you tales of the Burnt World of Athas, a scorching desert planet ruled by tyrant sorcerer kings. He speaks at length of Krynn, a world of knights and dragons with a storied history of the perpetual conflict between heroism and villainy. He speaks of vessels known as Spelljammers, machines used to travel between stars and how so much of the night sky remains uncharted.The clarity with which he describes all of this strongly suggests that these are no mere stories told secondhand.
>>6381638"... And if you adjust the lens like so, you can see the star Liga, which orbits around the planet Oerth. Do note that it is Oerth, not Liga, around which the celestial bodies of Greyspace orbit," he instructs, allowing you to observe the evening sky through the telescope. That scholars have taken the time to identify and name each of the fathomless stars confounds you. Still, this newfound understanding that you are but a mote of dust in an endless void inhabited by the throng of countless souls makes you feel.... existentially small.Your musings are disrupted by a knock on the front door. "I will get it," you say, handing the instrument back to Amaranth, who regards you with a nod as he returns to his observations. Returning your attention to the affairs of the moment, you quickly fetch your weapon, habitually leaving it by the side of the frame as you twist the knob and peer outside. Most unexpectedly, you are greeted by the sight of Luaue, who wrings her hands idly, the anxiety plainly visible on her visage."Sindiira, I'm glad. I... I need your help, if it's all right," she says sheepishly. You nod firmly, prompting her to continue. She beckons for you to step outside, which you oblige. Sucking in a labored breath, she proceeds. "I gave some thought to what you said earlier. That I was ready for a weapon. Quite a lot of thought, actually, haha." She laughs nervously.
>>6381640"I asked Lael to help me bring my mother here, to that old bone temple that we remade into a place for the goddess, and he agreed. She's in front of the altar." Luaue pauses, doing her utmost to retain her composure, although the slight misting of her eyes suggests that this is all very emotional to her. "I want to take the Nelgetha, and become a Silverhair Knight tonight. But I don't know how to make it accept me," she admits. "You're the only person that I know who recalls the old ways now, even if you were never Eilistraean. I suppose what I mean to ask is... what makes us worthy of calling ourselves the People of Ilythiir? What makes us, us? Different than a human or a dwarf?" She asks, looking to you for guidance.>Resolve defines us. For over ten millennia, we have endured the betrayal of the darthiir, war amongst ourselves and the ignorance of the lesser races, yet we remain unbowed and unbroken.>Power is what makes us different. Our athleticism, weapon skill, magic, knowledge, tactics... we are feared because of how formidable we are. In all things, we are without equal.>Memory is our inheritance. We remember what was stolen from us, what we were, and what we must someday become again.>[Write-in.]
>>6380248True, but what I'm really enjoying going back and reading the old books are the DM tools. Running games myself, there's a lot of "here's how you can use this monster" and "here's an adventure you can do if you can't make one up on short notice," which are great material when you need it.
>>6381641>>Memory is our inheritance. We remember what was stolen from us, what we were, and what we must someday become again.
>>6381638See, like, there's high-level adventurers and then there's THIS GUY. We hit the jackpot with Amaranth.>>6381641>Memory is our inheritance. We remember what was stolen from us, what we were, and what we must someday become again.The essence of the Drow is their insistence on clinging to their old empire's faded glory, for better or worse.
>>6381641>>Resolve defines us. For over ten millennia, we have endured the betrayal of the darthiir, war amongst ourselves and the ignorance of the lesser races, yet we remain unbowed and unbroken.
Vote closed.>>6381874Strangely enough, it is the dwarves in the Realms that occupy the "dying race clinging bitterly to the remnants of their great empire" trope. The elves are a resurgent race, returning to the world after a long period of isolation. For the drow, they've been gradually returning back to the surface, and whether to follow Lolth, Eilistraee, Ghaunadaur, or Vhaeraun was a big debate that was quickly splitting up the race as they established new communities until Wizards hit the reset button in 5e.
>>6382285Fair, but they're not widely referring to their cousins (and referred to by their cousins) by their words for "traitor" over a bajillion year old civil war.
>>6382292Being even more fair, the Dwarves probably refer to the Duergar in the same way as the Scotsman insults Jack.
>>6382346kek
"What makes us worthy of calling ourselves the People of Ilythiir?" You ask, affording the question its due consideration. This girl, redeemed by her mother's heritage, has no example from which to derive her understanding of what makes her special sans yourself. With her elders dead and her mother among them, the responsibility of shaping this next generation of your people falls squarely on your shoulders. "That we remember," you answer. "We remember the greatness of our people after thousands of years. We remember our dances, our language, our way of war. How all of it was stolen away. We remember that we are no 'drow' - we are the Ilythiiri, and someday all of the Realms will know us by our true name again. We must make it so."The girl nods along with your every word, trying to internalize your wisdom. "Will you come with me?" She asks. "It's embarrassing, but you're the closet person that I have to someone that I can rely on. Emitia is amazing, and Lael is... Lael, but you are the only one whom I can turn to when I need the sort of help that my mother used to provide," she admits. "Let's go," you say.
>>6383645The trail leading to the shrine of Eilistraee winds through the tree line behind your mansion. Amaranth had offered to have the way paved with cobble, though Luaue insisted that the grass remain - nature suits the goddess best, she said. The priestess forces open the weighty old doors to the former shrine devoted to the death god now renovated. The skulls which occupied the walls have all since been removed, and the round grooves in which they were set meticulously smoothed away and polished to give the interior of dark stone flecked with white specks a nice sheen that scatters the late day's brilliant ochre glow.Crossing a floor of glossy black tile, you make your way past four black granite statues of the Dark Dancer in various poses arranged in a symmetrical square, financed in part by the literal old bones of this place - apparently Amaranth made a tidy profit from their sale with an old colleague of his. Why magicians would pay a premium for worthless remains is beyond you, although you cannot allege to understand their machinations. Living with a magician is proves stranger daily.Across the back wall a mural depicting Lady Silverhair in all her glory commands your attention as you approach. Unclad and unafraid, she dances beneath the full moon's pale light above a still lake, blade in hand, contrasting sharply with her pitch dark form. Amaranth was careful to commission the piece from a darthiir artist from a city far away - a human's touch would simply not do credit to the image, nor would it have the same longevity as the work of the People, he said.A humble altar made up of a bulky rectangular slab of stone draped in milk-white fabric sits in front of the mural, upon which rests a woman-sized figure bundled in black cloth. You maintain a respectable distance, allowing Luaue to approach alone. Briefly, she looks to you for encouragement, receiving a firm nod in turn. You have prepared her adequately for this moment - the rest is between herself and the goddess.
>>6383647Finding her resolve, the priestess undoes the bundle with shaky hands, unveiling the form of Talassysnre. Mature and powerful, Luaue's mother remains pristine in death, her hands clasped firmly around the elegant white steel of the blade Nelgetha, still patiently awaiting a successor to take up the sword in her place. "I am the inheritor of the legacy of ten thousand years, ready to claim my birthright and take on my duty as the defender of Ilythiir's people. Goddess, grant me strength!" Says Luaue crudely in your language.Holding her breath, the girl steadies her hands, grasping the hilt and effortlessly pulling the weapon free.Talassysnre's remains dissolve into thousands of miniscule motes of starry light, much like the countless stars of the night sky, dispersing into nothingness one by one until none remain as though she were never there. Argent flames lick the blade of the Nelgetha, growing in size until the weapon is engulfed with a healthy, heatless burn as the priestess tests its heft. Even you, deficient in the Art as you are, can feel the awesome power radiating out from the relic which causes you to experience a sensation best approximated to lightning running wild across your skin and deep within your thews.Delicately, she slides the sword into a sheath of gray leather, securing it to her waist. Pivoting in place, she rests her hands at her sides, looking to you with newfound confidence. Before you are able to react, she lunges toward you, capturing you in a suffocating embrace against your will. Try as you might to wriggle free, her hold remains firm.How long the two of you remain in silence is unclear.
>>6383648BOMF BOMF BOMF BOMF BOMF.You toss and turn in the small hours of the morning, pulling the sheets over your face as you shut your eyes and tune out the world around you.BOMF BOMF BOMF BOMF BOMF BOMF BOMF.The infernal sound of some horrid creature besieging your home's front entrance resounds throughout the halls, stirring you from your slumber. Lazily throwing your robe over your body, you navigate down the stairs, eyes still misty. Confirming that your weapon is where you left it several nights ago, you warily open the door, prepared to give the intruder a beating they'll not live to see the end of.The Lathalas siblings barge in uninvited, invading your foyer as you stare on, dumbstruck. Adorned in the teal dress you purchased with slippers and earrings to match, Ilanis looks over you, her expression conveying her disapproval as she fixes your robe. "Sindi, wake up! It's Highharvestide! We need to get you ready for today!" She exclaims. It seems that the time has arrived - would that only she could wake at this hour for her training sessions..."Where's the old man?" Asks Lael, who paces to and fro expectantly. "We have a mage fair to attend this morning, There are several urgent items on the docket for this year, so being fashionably late is unfortunately not an option. Very Important Magician Business™ as I'm sure you can understand," he says, tapping his foot impatiently.
>>6383649"Coming, coming!" Exclaims Amaranth as he emerges from the study hauling a stack of books and charts from the night when the two of you observed the skies, his robe wrinkled with specks of lint, a sure sign that it was thrown on hastily. He momentarily stops to assist Ilanis with fixing your hair as you try to blink away the sleep from your eyes. "I have some colleagues that need my prognostic from the last conjunction, but the fair should only last a few hours," he informs, momentarily pressing his forehead against yours. "Ew," remarks Lael, turning his head away at the display. You repress the urge to reach for your weapon and strike him."Our business should be concluded after a handful of hours. Why not enjoy the festivities in the meantime? I should be able to join you come noon," says Amaranth, disregarding the half-breed child's insolent behavior entirely. You nod languidly, still yearning for your bed. "Try not to have too much fun, you two. The mornings can be rather hectic."The magicians depart to carry out their business, leaving you with Ilanis, who seizes you by the arm and leads you upstairs, her enthusiasm evidently overtaking her good sense. "We gotta be quick if we're gonna make it before the lines for the Blessing of First Bread! Every bakery is going to be packed today. I know a good one that makes bread with a crust that's salty and crunchy on the outside, but sweet and fluffy in the middle..."
>>6383650Applying a generous amount of makeup as per the diligent instruction of the Sunites, Ilanis assists you with donning the overlarge dress that you purchased on a whim however long ago. Fitting from the waist up and puffy from the waist down, you will assuredly not be fighting anyone in this. How human women are expected to wear such things without constricting their ribs or tripping over themselves is a mystery, although you feel fairly comfortable. The girl does your hair up into a tidy bun, and you apply a generous amount of perfume to complete the outfit. You are adequately prepared to conquer this city.The two of you venture outside, the young morning sun still barely peeking out from the horizon. Today is yours to do with as you please. Ilanis has insisted that the two of you pay visit to her favorite bakery posthaste for your morning bread, and admittedly your expectations are high - most anything beats cave moss or blind cave eel for the day's first meal. That said, you should still have ample time to reach your destination should you instead opt to make a stop along the way.>Let us go directly to this bakery. I am famished, and intrigued by what I am told of the products from its ovens.>Now seems a fine enough time to pick up Luaue. I'll not allow her to avoid the festivities under the guise of some 'priestess duties' of hers.>Why don't we crash this so-called 'mage fair?' I would very much like to see what those bookish folk actually DO when amongst themselves.>[Write-in.]
>>6383651>Now seems a fine enough time to pick up Luaue. I'll not allow her to avoid the festivities under the guise of some 'priestess duties' of hers.>Jez gets a big cream filled eclair, eat it in front of Amaranth as he gets progressively redderIf this gets outvoted for going directly to the bakery, I suggest buying Luaue and Amaranth something for when we see them. I suggest an apple fritter for Luaue and a cream filled coda di aragosta (lobster tail pastry) for him to join in on our suggestive fun.
>>6383821Kek, no wonder Lael is grossed out my our antics.>>6383651>Now seems a fine enough time to pick up Luaue. I'll not allow her to avoid the festivities under the guise of some 'priestess duties' of hers.
>>6383651>>Let us go directly to this bakery. I am famished, and intrigued by what I am told of the products from its ovens.
Vote closed.>>6383821Save your enthusiasm for the wine wrestling tournament, anon. Don't you want to show Arara who's boss of this gym?
>>6384376QM?
>>6387888The update will be out later today, I've just been busy.
>>6387891No worries. Glad to see all is well and that you're still with us!
If you are to partake in the festivities, then Luaue is coming with you. The girl will not be allowed to use the pretext of 'duty to the goddess' to leave you as the only individual who seems out of place today. Moreover, she will be wearing the clothing that you purchased for her whether she wants to or not - you paid generously for it, after all. At least Ilanis can appreciate the finer things of life. With Ilanis falling in behind, the two of you find your way through the vacant streets to the former Tenpenny estate, its gates predictably still closed at this hour. "Let's go," you tell the girl, firmly grasping the gate and clambering over it in your overlarge dress, awkwardly dropping to the other side. The girl follows suit in a surprising display of athleticism as she effortlessly navigate the obstacle. The regular exercises that you've been subjecting her to are paying dividends, evidently. Initially the two of you decide to try the entrance, though quickly discover that it is locked and barred from the inside. Undeterred, you recall how Ilanis woke you several minutes prior and follow her example, battering your fist against the wooden door, again and again, awaiting an answer. The sound of the lock being aggressively undone on the other side is promptly followed by Luaue swinging the door open toward the interior, still dressed in a white night gown, appearing disheveled. "Cyric's blood, what in the name of the Nine-" she cuts herself off as she comes to recognize that she's speaking with you. Straightening her posture, she clears her throat and attempts to appear alert. "Sindiira," she manages uncomfortably. "Hello."
>>6388172"Put your dress on, we're leaving," you command, waiting for her to comply. "C'mon, we're gonna be late! Trust me, the lines at the bakeries are gonna be looo-ooong today," says Ilanis, grabbing Luaue by the arm and leading her further inside. "Wha- wait, I can't wear that. And besides, I have to look after the children, and-""Chessayne will take care of them," you retort, seizing the half-breed's other arm. The old woman prefers her own company as you've come to understand, but she's never once complained about looking after the young Eilistraeans during your daily instruction of Luaue. She could even take them out for... whatever activities are done during Highharvestide. Dragging the girl back to her room, the two of you forcibly transform Luaue despite her protests. Ilanis applies a generous amount of makeup as you brush her hair straight, and Luaue fills out the dress nicely, her physique at the right intersection between conditioned and curvaceous. She gasps as you hold her up to the overlarge wall mirror of the room once occupied by Tenpenny's deceased wife, cupping her hand over her mouth. "Tymora's dice.... I look... I look... like a who-!""You look sexy!" Interjects Ilanis, who slaps Luaue's outer thigh playfully. The priestess recoils, rubbing her leg. "DON'T say things like that! Let's... just get this over with," she huffs, finally capitulating.
>>6388174Ilanis takes Luaue and yourself on a tour on a tour of Everlund's bakeries at dawn, whilst the city still wakes, her treat. The three of you requisition sacks of earthy breads and sweet pastries, dividing them strategically amongst yourselves. Ilanis gets a warm roll shaped like a spiral, filled with an exotic warming spice and dripping with a sweet glaze. For Luaue, she is given a sliced surfacer fruit indigenous to the region, an apple, sliced into chunks and fried in batter. You yourself settle on an elongated pastry, filled with the most decadent cream and topped with white frosting spiced with a flavor which Ilanis refers to as 'vanilla.' You eat one... and then another, and then another. By the time that the sun has risen proper, you've had a half dozen, with another half dozen in reserve. Withdrawing another from your sack, you tear the pastry open, voraciously sucking its viscous white treasure down before taking the delicacy as far into your mouth as it will fit and biting down.The girls look upon the display in horror, stunned by what should be a normal reaction to something so delightful. "Uh, S-Sindi..." starts Ilanis. "Maybe don't eat it like that while we're outside... and stop eating so many! You're gonna get fat!" You shrug finishing the remainder as you wipe the cream from your face, licking your fingers.Had they too been forced to subsist on spicy lichen and cave eels for two centuries. they would understand the unbridled joy of eating such sweets that no adjective in any lexicon could properly convey.
>>6388175As the tyrant sun assumes its rightful place in the sky proper, the great deluge of citizens and visitors alike flood the roads. You see the usual faces out and about, humans, dathriiri, half-breeds, half-men and all... curiously, there is a sudden influx of dwarves. Dwarves cloaked in fine furs with dwarven servants hauling crates of weapons and trinkets and tools that their people are famous for. Dwarves armored from head to toe in plate, and dwarves with tiaras and rings and gold chains who seem to be visiting the city for pleasure rather than business.Cloakmakers, leatherworkers, and boot sellers parade their latest products through the street near their stalls, looking for prospective customers to buy their newest wares. Grain bushels are weighted, and the priests of some coin goddess or other bless currency and ledgers - whatever that is meant to accomplish.Every now and again, you catch someone staring at Luaue or yourself, unaccustomed to the presence of your people. The looks range from curious to afraid to loathing, and some are unafraid of appraising your feminine assets. At least some things in this world are constant. Luaue tries - and fails - to conceal her skin subconsciously, breaking out into a light sweat despite the mild weather. "Don't be shy, Lu - this is a great time to pick up a guy! Maybe even two or three?" Teases Ilanis, The priestess lightly punches the girl on the arm and pouts.As you wade through the crowd, you get a strong impression of the day's activities. Contracts are being brokered between merchants, mercenaries and adventurers hired on for caravans and provisions made for the worsening of road conditions. Inventory is being taken for the colder months, and money is changing hands as trades are made in bulk.On the more recreational side, there are a number of activities that you can partake of.>[Strength] Why not test my might at the Stone Lifting Competition on the bridge.>Partaking in the ribbon dance in the Bell Market seems like it could amuse and demonstrate my skill.>'The Silver Marches Tasting Row?' And these samples are free? I do have room for more...>This is an excellent opportunity to intrude upon the 'mage fair' that Amaranth and the half-breed boy are attending.>[Write-in.]
>>6388181>>Partaking in the ribbon dance in the Bell Market seems like it could amuse and demonstrate my skill.
>>6388181>Partaking in the ribbon dance in the Bell Market seems like it could amuse and demonstrate my skill.Work off those patries before we go glut ourself all over again! The circle of life continues.
>>6388181>Partaking in the ribbon dance in the Bell Market seems like it could amuse and demonstrate my skill.>"Remember, Luaue, you're out here me and Ilanis to show Everlund that the People of Ilythiir have more to reveal to the surface than just spiders, poisons and snake-whips. Our dances, for one."I can't wait to show our dress to Emitia, she'll love it. And to Arara, the snobby bitch.
