CB's City of the Spider Queen v3.5

[kinem]

(ooc: Prixo is trying to Sense Motive, at +1)

Prixo doesn't comment on the human's usefulness. It might be that the creature had been trained to be a deadly fighter - they were nearly as tough as dwarves, he'd heard - but it was obvious that a human could be nothing but a liability in practical situations - unable to see without blatantly advertising his presense with a light, spending half the day sleeping, and sticking out like a sore thumb whenever a low profile is called for.

"Where did the little information on Maerimydra's fall that you do have come from? If it's from recent refugees, we should speak to them. Even if it's not we should find someone who came to the city most recently and question them."

By the way ... call me Rikky." Prixo doesn't want to reveal his identity.

 

[Scotley]

Lyssa

Feeling a headache coming on from the earlier drinking, Lyssa is unusually subdued as the questions are asked. Finally, she addresses Zarra, "I have a bad feeling about this whole mission. Is he suggesting that we finish off house T'sarran if we want the reward? Even slaves and children?"

 

[Eydis]

Responding quietly to Lyssa, Zarra states simply "I believe that Mistress Morcane wishes that very thing. Why she doesn't want to do her own dirty work one can only guess." And then rather quickly and a bit quieter, "Now hush about this and we will speak more in private later."

 

[Scotley]

Lyssa

With a shrug and a roll of the eyes, Lyssa heads her friend's advice and focuses on what is being said, but lingering doubts remain. She finally chimes in, "Yes, speaking to some survivors or recent visitors would be a good way to begin."

 

[CanadienneBacon]

Zarra considers Alex's words and finds bits and pieces that match her memory and current knowledge of drow politics in both Szith Morcane and Maerimydra, but also finds much amiss in the human's speech. Still, peering at Alex, Zarra judges the human to be forthright in demeanor. Polite in his intonation and mannerisms, Alex for all intents and purpose appears to wholeheartedly believe what he is saying and speaks with conviction.

E-mail sent to Zarra regarding more detailed results of Knowledge (local) check.

When Prixo speaks, Alex focues his attention on the male drow. "Rikky. You bear an unusual name, one that shares its heritage with the surface dwellers in the land above. I have known a human Rikky...or as we say--Ricky--...several times over in my travels before coming to Szith Morcane." Alex bows. "Well met, Rikky. In reply to your question, I am not privvy to the how or why of either my mistress's or the Council's having garnered their information regarding Maerimydra. If there have been refugees, wouldn't it be likely that we will find them in the Barracks? Or a merchant in the Bazaar, perhaps...one newly arrived to Szith Morcane?"

 

[Voadam]

Hael snorts and cuts in on Alex's suggestion. "So to be clear, human, up to 2,000 platinum for proof of the entire House fall. How much of that is 'commensurate to success' so some proof means still some reward. That is her offer. No reward for reporting anything else to her."

 

[kinem]

So I have chosen a human name as my alias? Prixo tries to hide his disgust.

 

[CanadienneBacon]

Alex shifts his attention back to Hael and pauses before answering. "Mistress Morcane is in a position to offer no more than the proffered 2000 platinum, and this only for proof of the demise of House T'sarran. 'Tis the Council who offers the Right of Pillage for those Houses listed." Interested, Alex lilts his head just so to the side and queries those gathered. "20,000 in gold buys a great deal in surface cities. I'm curious, does it not hold the same value down below?" Pausing again, Alex appears to be thinking on something and then replies to Hael. "I hadn't heard from the Mistress's lips that some reward will be granted for some work, no." Shrugging, Alex continues. "Mistress Morcane is demanding yet I have also seen what seemed to my eye to be great leniency from her--when it suits her, that is." Alex frowns. "I don't pretend to speak for the vagaries of a drow House; their politics and ever wavering favoritisms are beyond my ken. Perhaps one of the women here can speak to that?" Alex looks to Zarra and K'yorl for a reply.

 

[Guest 11456]

Ardyth : Female Human Wizard 10

Ardyth waits for the questioning to die down a bit, then she asks her own question.

"When do we leave?"

 

[CanadienneBacon]

Alex eyes the only other human in the ampitheatre, his voice boldly ringing out against the cold stone of the steps and seating. "Tomorrow. At the Hatching."

I'm using the Hatching to refer to dawn...early morning.