Session7


 * 2-9-13**
 * Introduction of the Mysterious Drow and Spies in the Slumber Party Bath**

Returning from the House of Tomes, we stop in Filur to pick up Azarius, who stayed behind to keep an eye on the villagers. They seem to have all gone back to normal, though Johann is still pretty bandaged up. Yuki takes some time to heal him up before we take the road out.

Posy selects a nice little campsite for the night and she and Thorn take the first watch. They’re very tired from the traveling, and doze on and off, but there seems to be no trouble. Azarius and Wren take the second watch. Azarius sits near Yuki, who wakes from a terrible dream involving tentacles, just after Wren notices figures moving in the trees. She goes to wake the others, but they’re quickly surrounded by three different groups of orcs. Some with tentacle masks, some in all black, and the others with white skulls painted on their faces. In the distance, there are also two drow.

One of the drow points toward the group and whispers. The ground around them springs alive with giant tentacles! Erevin avoids them and moves in to attack the orcs, but they outnumber him and he takes a devastating blow, leaving him barely standing. Wren manages to avoid the tentacles and moves out of range, barely healing Erevin. Yuki is trapped in one of the tentacles and struggles to help her friends, but is crushed within the coils of the holding tentacle! Posy is grabbed by a tentacle, but manages to break free, and moves in to the surrounding orcs. Thorn manages to wriggle loose of the tentacles and teams up with Kale against another group of orcs. The tentacle squeezing Azarius releases him, with echoed whispers of “one of us… one of us.” Jerrandis moves to defend Wren from another approaching orc, while she continues to try and keep Erevin alive. Posy works her way through the orcs, but they are spread out in a wide circle around us. Thorn and Kale battle the orcs near Yuki, as she continues to struggle against the tentacle crushing her. Azarius freely moves from the area of tentacles and aids Erevin, who continues to hold onto life and battle on. Thorn and Kale work together to free Yuki from the tentacles. Wren drops to the ground as another arrow strikes her body. One of the drow attempts to steal the clinging life essence of Wren, but her will remains strong. Jerrandis cradles her, and pours a potion into her, bringing her just to consciousness. One of the drow sends in fire into the trees surrounding Azarius as he helps Erevin battle a small group of orcs. Azarius is left badly burned, and barely standing. Yuki strives to keep everyone alive, separated by the circle of still grasping tentacles. Ursus arrives with White Fang, a smaller bear, and two other barbarians, one of which is his brother in a berserking rage… they help clear the remaining orcs and follow Posy to take on the two drow, who make their escape. Another drow whispers from the woods to Erevin, “Some of us will never forget what you and your kind did to the drow city… we will see you again.”

Looking over the dead and recalling stories and lessons… we find out that the symbols on the orcs and drow were for drow gods. Symbols of an Eye on the drow The white skull painted on the orc faces = Kiaransalee, god of undead The black ninja like orcs = Vhaeraun, male drow, god of assassins Octopus masks = Ghaunadaur, A god worshipped by drow, but is not drow himself – known as the watcher in the deep.

Ursus was worried with our delayed return, so he came to find us… bringing his brother, Uther, who Posy thinks is dreamy. Ursus goes to wake Mally, who strangely slept through the whole attack.

Erevin tells us the story of years ago when Lady Lionspaw led a group into the underdark to stop an a drow attack against Evermeet. Some of the drow had been released, following one of their heroes called Yillithor to the surface. Lava killed thousands of drow, and Lolth was defeated… banished from our world for 100 years.

Azarius tells us that he is from a merchant family… they had found “abandoned” temples at sea and looted the treasures… as it turned out… the temples weren’t as empty as they thought. These tentacle masked people may be some sort of revenge on him and his family for this.

Uther and Posy share a small moment. The barbarian clan accompanies on our trip to Lyrabar.

At the campsite for the night, the barbarians share their mead. Very potent. It hits Wren a little harder than the others, leaving her very warm and fuzzy. She dances around the fire, dragging in an occasional, sometimes protesting, partner. The barbarians share stories of their clan. Clan of the Red Bear from Earthspur. Many of their tribe fell into following Melar – an evil god of beasts, rage, and blood. (A god typically worshipped by barbarian followers) There was a great split in the tribe, and Ursus and his comrades were driven out. Their shaman sent them to find “the smallest bear” who would reunite the tribe and release the others from Melar’s grip. Ursus tells us that Uther almost feel to him, and he retains the bear claws and red eyes with his rage.

Upon our return to Lyrabar, we retire to Heroes’ Rest to relax. Erevin and Wren go to see Annaisaru to fill her in on what happened. She welcomes us back and makes arrangements for the slumber party for the girls. We discuss the possible sending of paladins to look over the library. Find out drow are in town, staying at The Dauntless Dolphin.

Azarius reads our newly acquired book by Ilmara from the House of Tomes. He learns more about the workings of the ship… He’s sure he can get it to jump again, but he’s not sure where it would go. Wren and Yuki fill him in on the information they obtained from Rosche about spheres and Sigil… which is the city shown along the halo on top of the spire within the tower of Heroes’ Rest.

(See more information and the story with Rosche here…)

We discuss that we need to move the boat soon… and keep Ars Salience in the dark on most of our obtained information. We will need to charge the ship by through the “tunnels” between spheres to open more doors.

Azarius discovers that the ship seems to have its own means of preservation, so he sets about stocking it with fresh fruits, bread, quality meats, and fine wine. Gregori and Whitestrake take an interest in the food…

Gregori also looks into finding other spheres.

Thorn and Posy take a trip into the city. Its winter and decorated festively. Thorn “shops” while they travel. Posy is oblivious. Salem approaches Thorn, and asks him if Posy is an “Item Acquisition Agent” too… Thorn tells her Posy is the muscle.

Salem tells Thorn that someone named Marco has been asking around looking for Thorn. She says they wear a black mark symbol, and she doesn’t like the look of them. She said he has a sword and uses bad words. Thorn instructs her to stay away from him. She says he’s been staying in The Shadow District, the district located in the shadow of the paladins. “Us waifs have to stick together!” She tells him that she hopes the valuable information helps him… he gives her some copper and tells her again to stay away from him.

Posy asks him after the young girl leaves, “So… who’s Marco?” Thorn responds with, “No one… let’s do something you want to do… where’s your new boyfriend?” Posy… “Oh! Let’s go find him.” It takes them a long time to hunt them down, but they find the group of barbarians in a feast hall they’ve taken over. About a dozen guys including Ursus and Uther. All large, buff men, and 1 older man who seems to be the 2 brothers’ father. Uther - “Posy! You came to visit us! Come have a drink…” Posy – “Next round is on me!” Lots of carousing and carrying on. Thorn and Posy have a drink and feast with them… Uther asks why the dark skinned elves had been after them. “They just attacked you in the middle of the night?! You didn’t know them… and they used orcs? Ugh!!”

Uther asks Posy when she knew the spirit of the bear was within her and she tells him it was passed down from her family for generations. She learned from Uncle Jerome the Gnome. Uther seems impressed that Posy seeks to make her uncle proud. He tells her again of their clan.. and how people of their clan lose themselves to their rage, unable to tell friend from foe. He asks her about her rage and Melar’s touch. She says that she likes it and has no problem telling who is who in battle.

Meanwhile, Thorn finds out from the brothers’ father, Uthgart, that the boys’ wives-to-be were killed and they are both single. He tells him that Uther has had the hardest time – especially now that he’s been touched by the rage…

Yuki, Amynta, and Wren collect Posy for the slumber party… which peaks Thorn’s interest and he says his goodbyes to the clan.

The Harbinger, a priest of Shar, speaks with Anna about staying in the embassy. Erevin speaks with her afterward, and she tells him that the priest wants to talk with the other priests and priestesses in the city, including those of Sune and Corellian… there has been much sorrow and loss in the city of Lyrabar and some of the clergy of Shar console those in grief and help them through it… sometimes they even bring back the voices of the lost. Annaisaru asks Erevin if he would want to hear the voice of a lost love one more time… to which he responds he doesn’t know, but when he finds her… he’ll let her know. Thoughts of the lost drow woman leave Annaisaru with renewed thoughts of finding Erevin a new girlfriend.

Erevin makes plans with Dominic and Kale to go to inn and see the drow who are staying there, but Dom tells him he was summoned from the lab by a letter from Yuki… something about a slumber party? Apparently some human tradition where the boys should honor them by sneaking a peak. Erevin gets information from Anna about secret passages and they pick up Azarius and Thorn who were wandering into the embassy…

Through the secret passages, they find a room above the bath hall, where parts of the ceiling are open for lighting to go in and steam to escape. All of the girls are talking and laughing in the bathing pool. As they look down below, they catch a glimpse of Yuki's beautiful, naked back slipping into the water. The boys are silent and move up to take a peak over the rail… Thorn is short. Erevin looks down at him, struggling to see, “You want me to get you a box?” “Yes, Please!” Azarius is quite noisy causing Yuki to look up and see his face peering over the railing at her.

Yuki - “Azarius?! … Did you girls see that? I swear I just saw Azarius up there!” All is quiet above and no faces… Wren calls up “How many of you are up there?” No response from above… Yuki gasps! “You think there’s more?” Wren – “Well you don’t think Azarius just happened into the elven embassy … AND happened to find a room above the bath hall?” Wren thinks about it some more… “Erevin Moonsong! I know you’re up there….” Yuki - "No... Not Erevin... He wouldn't!" After no response…”or Dominic! It has to be one of you.” Still no answer… all is quiet. Yuki - "Well... yeah... Dominic I could believe... but not Erevin. " Dominic looks at Erevin, “I think you should take one for the team.” Erevin just casts him a look and makes his way out of the room, tripping Dominic behind him and nudging Kale in his armor on the way out. Azarius follows him quickly, and Dominic uses an invisibility potion. Thorn hides in the corner.

Wren levitates up to the room out of the water, wet and naked, except for a little suds from the bath. Yuki - "Uhhh Wren?" She tries to point out that she's naked... but its too late... Wren is already on her way up. Wren points at the person left behind in the open… “Kale! You are so busted!” After a brief interrogation he tells her that Erevin had led them up there to find the safety of the place… for protection! … and maybe Thorn was with them, but he was sure he was gone now. Thorn stayed hidden and quiet in the corner through the ordeal and Wren sent Kale on his way before returning to the bath and the girls below. Thorn waits for a few moments and then returns to his box to watch in peace, shortly after joined by The Harbinger from the shadows. The two go out for a drink afterward.

Erevin and Dominic quickly head out of the embassy toward the Dauntless Dolphin. Dom – “That was low!” Erevin laughs – “That’s what you get for trying to sell me out.” Dom – “I was only suggesting…” They talk to the guards outside and go into the inn. A bar on the wharf. Rather quiet inside with chairs on tables to look like they’re closing up… a couple of tables are still open. 8 drow in the room, dressed in similar fashion, though one of the women seems a little different. There are 4 men, and 4 women. Mix of drow god worshippers. They speak in flawless elven. “We have a guest this evening.” Erevin- “I figured you were expecting me… didn’t want to keep you waiting.” Drow – “You’re not who we were expecting, but it’s always good to meet a friend from… Myth Coramanth, is it?” Erevin – “Of course.” The drow goes on to explain that they came to find a member of their kin who they had heard was here… but apparently an event happened and she disappeared… a drow priestess known as Shri… a friend of theirs for a long time. Erevin – “Well… when I see her, I’ll be sure to let her know that family is worried about her.” A lot of poking and angry terms… and Erevin and Dominic see their way out and inform the guards.

Dom- “Those drow women were giving me some looks! I felt emasculated… You don’t think Shri knows them, do you?” Erevin – “She may have. She’s older… and was around when the fight occurred.”

4th Level! Woohoo!