Dragon's Egg - Act IV

[Steerpike]

When Skivver passes Baldhart, the kobold nods at her. "Black elfs not know I trick. When they dead, kobolds safe." With that, he heads up to the northern door, tugs one of the double doors open by bracing his feet against the other one, and then slips into the darkness beyond.

Tarlack barks some commands at the looting kobolds, and they somewhat reluctantly put their findings on the stone altar. The coin purse jingles softly, and the glass vials clink against the stone. One vial is full of a greenish fluid, the other has brownish-red fluid and looks to have the decaying remains of a human finger (looks like a pinky finger) floating within. Liadan cannot tell much simply by examining them. Apart from the coloration and contents, there is nothing to indicate what they might be. The vials are free of markings.

The leather-bound book is written in a flowing script in another language. It looks to be related to elven, or, more accurately, some wide derivation of a very old elven dialect. Parts of the book appear to be a journal, and there are parts at the end that are set out like instructions for spells. The part the looks like a diary occasionally uses the word "Mittlestadt," written in the common tongue as though there is no word for the place in the foreign language. Tucked in loosely at the end of the binding is a folded sheet that has a drawing of the ceremonial knife on it, accompanied by a bunch of text, also written in the foreign language.

((Any elf can make an INT check to be able to decipher the foreign language, but it will take some time to piece it together)).

Masama looks to Tarlack and says "How long before the drow soldiers arrive?"

Tarlack shrugs. "Not take Skivver long to get there. Maybe same time as back to cells. When black elfs this witch want them, they run."

 

[Ireth]

Cadell

I move to examine the book, frowning at the ancient script.

((Forgot that Cadells INT mod is +1, so the roll should be a 13. Still a fail, though.))

I cannot seem to make sense of it at all. If it is elven, I think it may be even older than I am -- older than the oldest elves I know.

 

[Legendary Sidekick]

Baldhart

"Thank you so much, Tarlack."

I head down to get the other bodies. I hate looking at the work of my hands, but it's the drow who need to be disturbed.

I explain to Cadell and the others, "I was just talking to Tarlack about all these materials that belonged to the drow. As it happens, his people do not have a use for gold. He has offered that to us, and I have assured him we will be responsible for the children.

"All Tarlack wants is for his people to live in peace. He also told me of a human wagon. Perhaps after this battle, we can make a hasty exit and catch up with the people. I would like to leave a note in case any dwarves discover the kobolds here. We can discuss that more after the fight. For now, I want to be ready."

I grab the eyeless head and the particularly grotesque coprse by the north stairs. I set them up so the dead male is on one side, the dead female on the other. I can't bear her nakedness... I hastily brush her hair to cover the breasts, and I drop the head in her lap. I look at her crooked, toothless jaw.

I take no pleasure in your humiliation. But you are a disgrace to every woman who has ever risen above the men that try to keep us small. I want your men to see the stupid look on your face before they die.

I wait for the door to open. To whoever is near, I say, "I'll follow your arrows and try to grab one for questioning. Please finish the other quickly; I don't want to fight in the dark again."

I call to Batos, "Batos! If you would be so kind, please allow Tarlack the pleasure of riding into one more battle."

(When Batos is near me I'll pet him and say, "No more jokes, please.")

 

[Ireth]

Cadell

I tuck the book into my pack to examine in more detail later on. When Baldhart returns, I listen to her words and follow her to the door. I stand in front of her and ready an arrow to fire.

Liadan

I decide to leave the vials be for now, and join Cadell at the door with an arrow ready. With luck this will be over quickly and we can get the children out of here.

I silently pray to Fraxinus as I wait, asking his blessing upon my arrow in the hunt against evil.

 

[Legendary Sidekick]

Baldhart

I get into a low stance, ready to grab what arm pushed open the door.

I smear drow blood across my face. With my kills behind me, and their blood upon me, fear will make my enemy weak.

 

[Legendary Sidekick]

Baldhart

"What do you guys think of this? I grab the one that opens the door and all archers shoot the other."

 

[Ireth]

Cadell

I answer without turning my head. "Fine by me."

Liadan

"It might be the wiser choice," I agree.

 

[Legendary Sidekick]

Baldhart

I see even Bressel has chosen the bow. Good. So I can grab the guy without ruining Bressel's fun.

"Okay. If he escapes my grip, I trust Masama or Batos can take him down. The other won't know what hit him."

I say to Zoran in particular, "I don't know if what we discuss seems cruel or unsporting or if it violates your rules of war--and we can discuss that after we've finished the drow--I just want to be clear on one thing. I am a servant of Brynhild. The enemy is a child-killer, a slave-driver, and a soul-stealer. I have never faced a greater evil.

"In short, no matter what I say or do, I have no intention of keeping a prisoner from this lot. I hope you understand, even if you do not agree. I am very grateful that you are here, and my prayer to Brynhild includes you too."

I face the door and sink into a battle stance. I picture the door swinging open, where the arm will be. I consider the height of the different male elves we have faced. I make a silent prayer, and I include Nissa and the children as well as those here, and even Mauve and Ankari who apparently bolted the moment a paladin showed up.

"Tyr, Baldur or Heimdall?" I clarify to Zoran, "I mean which god do you serve? Nissa told me paladins tend to serve one of those three."

 

[Legendary Sidekick]

Baldhart

After praying, it hits me that I did not make a sacrifice! I tear off my dress, which is so ill-fitting, bloodied, torn and burnt, I probably look more decent in my undergarments. I remove the head from the drow's lap and drape my dress over her to cover her nakedness. I put the head back on her lap.

I don't expect them to understand my religious reason, so I just say, "I couldn't just... I just... couldn't."

That explains nothing. I face the door.

 

[Philster401]

"I serve no god, I have had bad experiences with those who do, the evil things people do in the "name of their god". Also I see no reason to give them mercy I tried before so, since that didn't work I will be ready to strike them with an arrow," after saying this Zoran sheathes his sword, draws his bow, and notches an arrow. I aim my arrow at the door.

 

[Ireth]

Cadell

Zoran's words make me tilt my head. "Is it possible for a paladin not to serve a god? It seems... contradictory. Counter-intuitive."

 

[Legendary Sidekick]

Baldhart

A paladin who serves no god? I'm surprised, but if an old guy like Cadell hasn't heard of such a thing…!

"I once saw a priest who was prepared to kill a girl in Tyr's name, but I know for a fact that the ritual burning is not Tyr's way. That ritual serves the same master as the ritual killings that happened here."

Not the time, Baldy. That's what Nissa would say.

"So much to discuss…" I keep my eye on the door. I remain close, and centered, not knowing if it will open left or right. "…but I think the most important thing I can say right now is this:

"I'll either shove the drow against a wall or pull him to the floor so you can shoot over us."

 

[Legendary Sidekick]

Baldhart

As I formulate my attack plan in my head, a sudden thought hits me. Hmm… the time it takes to get to the cells. Yeah, I can do this!

"Masama," I say, "Hold my position for a moment, please."

I tear a small piece off of my discarded dress. Large enough so it'll be thick to protect my own skin. I then go to one of the hand crossbows with sleep poison and I spread a bit from the little bolt onto the cloth. I am careful not to touch the stuff with my skin.


((In case she isn't.

And I think Bressel stayed awake with a 17, but damn… talk about cutting it close!
+4 = Primeval; +1 = Iron Body))


When I get back upstairs, I thank Masama and take back my position by the door, hoping when I grab the guy I can show this rag in his face and knock him out.

 

[Philster401]

"I serve myself and defend those who can't, for I am to promote goodness and order. Whether it be by helping the poor or killing those who have done wrong and refuse to surrender. With that I say that I need not to serve no god to serve if he or she sets by and let orphans like these get massacred by evil beings like them, though just because I don't serve a god doesn't mean I don't believe in them I just think they either don't have any control our anything or they just don't care, so to answer your question Cadell, yes it is very possible, it is just a road less travelled," he states ferociously.

"Baldhart that is what I am talking about why would a god allow something like that to happen," he says a bit more calmly.

 

[Legendary Sidekick]

Baldhart

"We're not puppets on strings," I say, also calmly. "We all make choices: good, evil, fight or don't fight, follow the laws as written or think for yourself.

"Look at what happened here. I don't just mean the evil, but the one-sided battle we missed: a wizard versus a child. What chance did she have? It's easy to say the world would be perfect if the gods intervened to stop evil acts from happening. Imagine a being so powerful, you're not like a child to him. You're like an ant. Be glad the gods don't get into the fight because not all of them are good.

"Brynhild is. I heard Her voice once. Nissa's soul was inside me. It was after Cadell and others saw Nissa for the first time, and if that wasn't enough, I heard my goddess speak to Nissa. It wasn't meant for my ears, and I was only hearing Nissa's memory of the conversation. She called her 'little one.' It was a loving tone, not the way I expected the goddess of battle to speak. She has a beautiful voice.

"But having heard Her voice doesn't mean I assume I can shout out Her name to justify everything I do. I'm hoping you see that I'm not like the men who do evil things for good gods. Like you, I think for myself. I use my own judgment to fight against evil, fight for survival, resolve a situation peacefully… and when I pray to my goddess it is to share my intent, which is to sincerely do the right thing."

I look at Zoran. Nissa says paladins have an aura.

What the f—'s an aura look like?

I better keep my eye on the door.

I say to Zoran, "Devout, godless… we're saving kids, freeing slaves and crushing evil. That's what matters."

 

[Philster401]

He says, "Yes I agree, at this moment saving the children is all that matters."

 

[Ireth]

Liadan

Zoran and Baldhart's conversation draws my interest. I look at the paladin, wondering whether I can see any markings on him that denote the god he might once have followed.

 

[Philster401]

"Nissa is it true that you have spoken to the goddess called Brynhild, are able to speak with her at any time. For example could you ask her if she knows anything about this blade?" He asked holding the knife.

 

[Philster401]

"Why do you guys stare at me?" He asks.
(I have a feeling that if anyone would be able to sense or see an aura it would be my character. I also wonder if detect evil would be sensing or seeing an aura possibly. Btw Baldhart never said anything all she did was think about it.)

 

[Ireth]

Liadan

"You spoke of gods. I wanted to see whether there was anything on you relevant the one you might have once worshiped. Apologies, I should have asked first."