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Message: <blockquote data-quote="gfunk" data-source="post: 769288" data-attributes="member: 1813">Session 26 Spinning the web The Githzerai looked on in disbelief.  He was finally becoming accustomed to life on the Prime, had just begun to put down roots, and now this . . .Hor'ahun drew his rapier as he approached the gutted remains of his keep.  The structure became his, not long ago, after a fortuitous draw from a Deck of Many Things.  Through the power of the artifact, the keep had instantly sprung into being, complete with a loyal retainer to maintain it.Moving up quickly beside him, Noir shared the Psychic Warrior's shock.  "By the Red Knight, it looks like an entire army, complete with seige equipment came through here!"  Pausing for a moment, the Paladin stuck two fingers in her mouth and whistled.Noir's mount, a mighty Griffon, did not respond.As the pair cautiously moved through the remains of the keep, they saw that it appeared as if the entire place had been set to flame.  Though they found the corpse of Hor'ahun's retainer, they found no evidence of Noir's Griffon, save a few bloody feathers."Who could have done this?  We have no political enemies in this region," Hor'ahun asked rhetorically.Noir knew there could be only one answer.  What had occured here was not an attack, but it was meant as a message.  A prophecy of doom.  The Paladin whispered but a single word, but it contained all the information that Hor'ahun required."Lolth."------------------------------------------------------------Over the course of the next several hours, both Noir and Hor'ahun traveled across Hillsfar and towards Entropy's three towers.  Most importantly, they wanted to see if the sorcerer's organization had met the same fate as Hor'ahun's keep.  But they also needed a quick way to travel to the Temple of the Triad in Homlet to discuss the matter with Joachim.Landing quickly amidst the construction crew, both warriors looked for either Entropy or her cohort, Eclavdra.  But they were nowhere to be seen.After some time, a warrior in chainmail approached them, "What do you two clowns want?"It was Phibrizzo, Noir recognized, the captain of Entropy's guard.  "Captain, we need to speak with Entropy, it is of dire importance!"The ill-mannered and boorish soldier just sneered, "Well you will have to wait a while.  The Mistress has taken leave along with Eclavdra.  She will not be returning anytime soon."Both Hor'ahun and Noir glanced at each other.  Without the aid of the sorcerer's teleportation magic, it would take them days to reach Homlet -- time they could ill afford to waste.Seeing the frustration in the pair, Phibrizzo smiled cunningly, "HOWEVER, Mistress Entropy did leave me a way to contact her in emergencies such as this.  I could be persuaded to call her if I was . . . sufficiently compensated."Bearing a look of outrage and anger, Hor'ahun began manifesting a psionic power before Noir stopped him.  "NO!  This time it appears we need him.  Phibrizzo, here are 200 gold pieces, I assume that it will be sufficient.""Why yes, noble, valiant Paladin, I believe it is."  After greedily grabbing the pouch, Phibrizzo cleared his mind and began to concentrate.  "Mistress . . . I need to speak with you . . ."------------------------------------------------------------From the look on her face, it was plainly obvious that Dorina T'ssaren did not appreciate being supplanted by Entropy's cohort.  Dorina had fully expected to take her mother's mantle of leadership and prestige after Entropy ordered her to complete the Great Revenance.But now, Entropy had placed someone else in charge -- another drow no less!  And a former worshipper of Ghaunadar!  Dorina looked at Eclavdra Eilservs, as she sat comfortably on Irae's throne -- the Claw of the Revenancer secured to her wrist.Noticing her rival's penentrating gaze, Eclavdra simply smiled, delighting in Dorina's torment.  Knowing that it would provoke the priestess further, Eclavdra tried to put on as civil a tone as possible, "My dear Dorina, what brings you to my chambers?  I don't believe I summoned you here.  I think it would be best if you returned to the altar and continued your work."Dorina could take it no longer!  Her whole life, she had been groomed as a high priestess of Kiaransalee.  And after her mother's demise, her rightful position was taken over by a complete outsider!  Her blood boiling with homicidal rage, Dorina began to cast a spell."STOP!"With great effort, Dorina stopped her incantation and the divine energy she had generated dissapated.A Draegloth ran up to Dorina and seized the priestess with her massively muscled arm.  "How dare you!  We are all to submit to Lady Kiaransalee, not to weaken her forces through foolish pride.  Mistress Eclavdra was selected by the Chosen of the Revenancer!  DO NOT forget that!  The Chosen's commands are sanctioned by the White Banshee herself!""Please, Flenser, release her.  She has been through so much lately.  After all, such a multitude of failures must truly be difficult to bear," Entropy patted her minion on the back.Flenser immediately released her grip as Dorina unceremoniously fell to the floor.  Standing, she quickly regained her composure, "Forgive me Mistress . . .""Never forget that we exist only to please the Revenancer.  My mind has touched hers and I know what the White Banshee desires.  Do not forget that again or Flenser may not be so gentle in the future."Fuming at Eclavdra's smug expression, Dorina knew she had no choice.  She bowed her head in obesience.As the Alienist turned to leave, she heard a voice in her mind, "Mistress . . . I need to speak with you . . ."  Entropy recognized it instantly, the voice of Phibrizzo, the captain of her guard.  To facilitate communication, the sorcerer had dominated many of her key followers.  Not only did this give her absolute control over their actions, but it also allowed telepathic communication between them.As Phibrizzo's message continued, Entropy's expression went from disgruntled to concerened to one of pure terror.Noticing her reaction, Eclavdra stood up, "Is there a problem mistress?""No time to discuss it.  I must go, make sure the defense of the Undying Temple are secure."With a flash, the sorcerer disappeared.</blockquote>

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