City of the Spider Queen

[Ankh-Morpork Guard]

Taking it all in, though didn't completely understand some of the more detailed specifics, Jyren looked to the others and then to Morn. For a moment he was silent, then spoke up carefully, "Perhaps sealing the crypts would simply be a short term diversion? If these...Drow are as resourcesful and dangerous as I have heard, I would expect they would find another way to do whatever it is they are doing..." he paused to think on what else had been said, then, "But if the Drow use these crypts, perhaps they are not as haunted as it is spoken?

 

[silentspace]

Rashan nods and takes the letter from Randal.

Hearing Jyren's theory, Rashan says "Or maybe the crypts are haunted by powerful undead, such as a vampire, and the raiding drow are actually vampires. That would explain why they didn't take anything."

He thinks for a moment, the effort clearly hurting his head. "Well, I guess we'll only know once we investigate. Shall we head to this cleric of Tyr, Tunfer the Scout?"

 

[Dakkareth]

Merion nods as he listens to Randal's replies and smiles sardonically, when the peasants' superstitions are mentioned. Hearing of the Lord's suspicions he frowns. What could those raiders be after? Is there any pattern, that might be indicative of what they seek to accomplish or that might help us anticipate them? If we lay an ambush at the crypts they will surely notice us and we might get no answers at all - for answers we will need, if there's some greater purpose to their presence."

As the Tyr-priest is mentioned Merion seems to suppress a remark and grins as if about some private joke letting his eyes wander around the room. He perks up again at the mentioning of vampires: "It is unlikely, that it is vampires. Uneducated as the local people might be, a vampire's victims are easily recognizable. No, most likely the drow have ways to deal with such creatures, maybe even use them for their own aims." There's almost a hint of admiration in his voice.

Turning to the others and back to Lord Randal Merion casually mentions: "Well, if all other questions are answered there remains that of recompensation, before we go and see, what the gods-man has to contribute ..."

[OOC:

Spoiler

Of course Merion also tries to determine, whether Randal speaks the (whole) truth (sense motive). Bring up the topic of payment he is as polite as possible, not wanting to embarass his group or the Lord (diplomacy).

]

 

[Rayex]

Day 1 - At Lord Morns

The lors listens to what the mage has to say. No discernible patterns were evident. Remember though, that we're talk about one of the most chaotic races you'll ever encounter. There might be patterns hidden in the chaos. If so, I am unable to see them.

He nods in agreement to Merions last comment. Yes, the payment. I'll pay you five thousand gold coins, each, if you are able to find out the reason behind the raids, and stop them. Two thousand each now, if you choose to look into this, and the rest when I know my people are safe from these dark elves.


OOC: You are really quite certain that the Lord is not witholding any information.

 

[DemonAtheist]

Hazrael holds his bow at the ready, cautious stepping into the world of man for the first time in weeks.

Lord Morn called me here himself to aid this group, likely to guide them in foreign places where only experience allows survival. But these crypts are only ten miles away, their location known. There is more to this request than a simple crypt closing or town protection. He isn't telling us something. They never tell everything.

Harael is already resigned to accept the lord's request, be there compensation or not.

Despite humans being the victims here, it is the Drow that are out of line. The dealing of unjust death is not the domain of mortals.

Hazrael addresses Lord Morn: If Drow raids are uncommon, perhaps this is an isolated group, easily dealt with by ambush or protecting the town itself.. He turns to Merion: why must there be a greater purpose to these raids, its possible we are just dealing with the typical cruelty of the Drow?




OOC: I hope its okay for Haz to not be an original member of the party

 

[Dakkareth]

"What's the distance and relative position of the two raided villages to the crypts? Maybe we can discern something as we recover more information.", Merion concludes, confident in his ability to put the puzzle together, once more parts are available.

Addressing Hazrael the wizard shrugs lightly: I did not say that, I'm merely weighting the possibilities. If it's just random raids, good for us and the people. If not however, the simple solution may in fact be counter-productive and harmful. Thus my suggestion to proceed under the assumption, that there's some design to this.

---

"Sounds fine to me." Merion smiles broadly, leans back and looks at the others. "I'm in, what about you?".

[OOC:

Spoiler

As my background states, Merion has learned to be wary around figures of power ...

As it seems Rashak and Merion are the remains of the original party having met Jyren on the way and now meeting Hazrael. No problem with me

]

 

[silentspace]

"Aye, I'm in."

 

[Rayex]

Day 1 - At Randal Morns

Here, I'll show you.

Lord Morn takes out a scroll and scribbles on it before handing it over. The X marks the crypts, and I've marked on the map where the raids happened. The scouts who looked around found signs that indicate no more than a dozen individuals. Is there anything else I can help you with? he finnishes, and empties his mug.

 

[Dakkareth]

Merion (human necromancer)

"Thank you, that would be all from me." Leaning forward Merion easily memorizes the map, drinks from his own mug and set it down with an approving nod to his host.

 

[silentspace]

Rashak studies the map. Pointing to the southeast of the map, he says, "What does that say? The Undead Castle? What is that? It's about as far from the crypts as the crypts are from us, so about 10 miles then."