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Message: <blockquote data-quote="CanadienneBacon" data-source="post: 2821574" data-attributes="member: 11146">Prixo, searching for any sign that the forthcoming answer from the human guardsman is dishonest, senses the man's irritation with the duergar's curt interrogation.  The human appears to be a man of integrity prone to the forms of polite society and visibly chaffes at Hael's insinuation that a human companion isn't worth his salt in the dark.  Still, the human masters his will and marshals a reply to the duergar.Alex stiffens at Hael's verbal assault.  Clearly beleaguered and weary, Alex rebuffs Hael's barrage, chosing to first address the duergar's last demand.  With flat eyes that leave no room for play, Alex narrows in on Hael with an uncompromising look.  In a quiet purposeful voice, Alex intones, "It's not my eyes you need worry about, little dwarf."  Alex removes a length of spiked and barbed chain fashioned of glittering silver and holds to outstretched between two hands in a horizontal line.  The chain, by the look of it, reaches a full ten feet.  Making a slow quarter turn of the pit floor so that all assembled can view his somewhat unorthodox weapon, Alex continues.  "I live by the Chain.  As it defends my blood, so shall it defend yours."  Gingerly recoiling his spiked chain and eyeing Hael full on, Alex lilts his chin in a silent declaration of pride.  "If you've yet to see such a weapon in action, then I bid you hold your calloused tongue.  No doubt you'll have ample opportunity to see its whirling maelstrom ere long...the way to Maerimydra is long, or so sayeth Mistress Morcane."Alex hangs his length of gleaming chain from his belt.  By the wariness of his gestures and movement, Prixo determines that the human is actively gauging the other seven selectees for worth and is uncertain yet who, if any, shall claim the honor of worthiness in his eyes.  In this sense at least the human seems no different from any of the others assembled.  Alex begins with a nearly courtly introduction, albeit without a bow and his eyes never removed from the other seven.  "I am Alex.  The Lady Tierak Morcane," and here Alex's voice betrays no small degree of loyalty and respect for his employer, "bids me welcome you in her stead.  Having passed the Council's test of fortitude and endurance, you are deemed worthy volunteers; the Council is pleased to count such men and women of strength among its guardians.  The terms of the commission are simple.  We are to journey to Maerimydra by land.  Once we arrive, we are to determine the nature of the incursion, the damage leveled upon the city, and the state of affairs inside Maerimydra's walls and are then to remove ourselves to a safely discrete distance and make our report.  Pockets of faerzress that have long surrounded the Great City and some other wall of newly formed magical interference prevent the Council from transporting our team via magical means.  Mistress Morcane has further deemed it unlikely that whomever holds the city will suspect our entrance on foot; she hopes to level the advantage of surprise in our direction by sending us afoot."Alex pauses to stand stock still on two feet, his hands behind his back.  "In return for your aid in this little scouting mission, the Lady Morcane offers you the Right of Pillage with the exception that the following Houses are to be left untouched: Morcane, Ned'razak, Wharreil, Mar-Shinn, and Umaerh."  Alex pauses to let the list of reserved Houses sink in.  "Houses T'sarran, Thendrik, Thenduk, Dumian, and Nelinderra and their treasuries shall fall to your able hands.  If there is opportunity, the Lady Morcane has stated that she would have you return with proof of the demise of the entire household of House T'sarran" here Alex pauses, slightly uncomfortable, "family and slaves in all."  Clearing his throat, Alex continues.  "By way of compensation for the proven demise of House T'sarran, Mistress Morcane herself further offers you a sum of commesurate with your success but valuing no less than 2000 platinum florin.  Each."Alex clears his throat a second time and lifts his chin.  "I have been afforded no details regarding the fall of Maerimydra, save only that its destruction was not recent.  The faerzress prevented the Council from timely recognition of the trouble that has beset upon the city.  Having never been there myself, I had hoped you might speak to me of the possible nature of the city's fall." For those with ranks in Knowledge (local) or Knowledge (nobility or royalty), you may call for a knowledge check to see what of Alex's description jives with or clashes with your knowledge of political affairs in both Szith Morcane and Maerimydra.  Anyone wishing to roll a Sense Motive check on Alex's words may of course do so--along with any other action or skill use that you deem appropriate to this situation.</blockquote>

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