House Millithor in COSQ: part 4

[Serpenteye]

There is a fire in the Shrine of Lolth. There is much wailing and gnashing of teeth as all of the vampiric coffins, except Torellen's stone sarcophagi, are destroyed. The cause of the fire is almost certainly magical in nature.

ooc:
*Wail!* *Gnash!*

Casualties?
--

ooc: Narcelia is compelled to provide a true, as far as she knows, answer to #1. The rest of the questions do not have a magical compulsion behind them.

Mind Probe
Telepathy (Cha) [Charm]
Level: Psion 5
Display: Vi, Ma, Au
Manifestation Time: 1 minute
Range: Close (25 ft. + 5 ft./2 levels)
Target: One living creature
Duration: 1 minute/level
Saving Throw: Fortitude negates
Power Resistance: Yes
Power Points: 9
All the subject’s memories and knowledge are accessible to the manifester, from memories deep below the surface to those still easily called to mind. The manifester can learn the answer to one question per round, to the best of the subject’s knowledge. The manifester can also probe a sleeping subject, though the subject may make a Will save against the DC of the mind probe to wake after each question. Subjects who do not wish to be probed can attempt to move beyond the power’s range, unless somehow hindered. The manifester poses the questions telepathically, and the answers to those questions are imparted directly to the manifester’s mind. The manifester and the subject do not need to speak the same language, though less intelligent creatures may yield up only appropriate visual images in answer to the questions.
Creatures protected by mind blank are immune to mind probe.

ooc:
All the Subject's Memories and Knowledge. All of them, conscious and sub-conscious. It will tell me things Narcelia is not even aware that she knows.

The devil responds,"The price would depend on who you are negotiating with. And, Location is as important as Duration. Where would these three Paragons of the Infernal Realm be expected to arrive?"

"Maerimydra."

 

[Endur]

There were no casualties in the fire, except for the loss of coffins. New coffins are built.

Yes, all of the memories with regard to the first question. The Illithid Device only allows one question to be probed per day.

All the Subject's Memories and Knowledge. All of them, conscious and sub-conscious. It will tell me things Narcelia is not even aware that she knows.

 

[Endur]

The devil responds, "With regards to hiring three devils to enter Maerimydra for a period of seventy-two hours, I do not think it will possible to accomdate your request at this time.

"With the possibility of engaging a horde of demons led by a Balor, no infernal force smaller than a cohort will enter Maerimydra. And I would really recommend sending an infernal legion or two.

"If you wish an introduction to another Malebranch who leads a cohort, I would be happy to provide an introduction. Or, if you wish, to a legion commander."

 

[Serpenteye]

The devil responds, "With regards to hiring three devils to enter Maerimydra for a period of seventy-two hours, I do not think it will possible to accomdate your request at this time.

"With the possibility of engaging a horde of demons led by a Balor, no infernal force smaller than a cohort will enter Maerimydra. And I would really recommend sending an infernal legion or two.

"If you wish an introduction to another Malebranch who leads a cohort, I would be happy to provide an introduction. Or, if you wish, to a legion commander."

"Give me an approximation, a guess if you must, of what price a cohort of Kytons with Gelugon and Erinyes support and command would cost.
My resources are not unlimited, nor is my time."

 

[Endur]

The Devil smiles and responds (telling the truth as far as the Matron can judge),
"The first cohort of the Inescapables matches your criteria. Isha would probably be willing to work for 90% of the souls. She would ask for 100% naturally, but I'm sure you could bargain her down to 90%.

"On the other hand, you could approach Tierax, the commander of the Inescapables Legion, and obtain all ten cohorts. Tierax would not accept the commission for less than 100%, of course. Tierax would, though, be able to grant you super-natural powers that exceed your lost spell-casting abilities."

 

[Serpenteye]

There were no casualties in the fire, except for the loss of coffins. New coffins are built.

Yes, all of the memories with regard to the first question. The Illithid Device only allows one question to be probed per day.

Ok, fine. Then she'll simply dominate narcelia, ask the questions and dismiss the spell.

 

[Pyrex]

"Such a simple solution...We shall see, if we find this wand, what true value it holds to our dear friends in darkness."

"I doubt very much that the destruction of the wand would be simple, the item shown to me appeared to be an instrument of power. I am, however, certain that TWSID wishes to see the wand destroyed and I also find it very likely that we shall face the wands current wielder when we strike at Maermydra. What I am less certain about is that the destruction of the wand is in either our or our Queen's best interest.

With your permission I would like to question Quertus about the wand so we may better know what we will face.

The Matron gives Carcelon leave to rest after the hardships of her travels and requests that Kripp be sent in.

Having been dismissed, Carcelon bows and turns to leave. Halfway to the door, she stops and turns back to the Matron;
"Mother, how fares the restoration of the Temple above?"

 

[Serpenteye]

The Devil smiles and responds (telling the truth as far as the Matron can judge),
"The first cohort of the Inescapables matches your criteria. Isha would probably be willing to work for 90% of the souls. She would ask for 100% naturally, but I'm sure you could bargain her down to 90%.

"On the other hand, you could approach Tierax, the commander of the Inescapables Legion, and obtain all ten cohorts. Tierax would not accept the commission for less than 100%, of course. Tierax would, though, be able to grant you super-natural powers that exceed your lost spell-casting abilities."

The Matron sneers.
"I find your pathetic attempts to decieve me insulting to my intelligence. '90% of the souls', Would that be 90 percent of each soul or merely 90 percent of the number of souls at my disposal, selected by the mercenary, including myself and my family? And that unreasonable price is to be payed in advance?
Rediculous.
Please stop these childish attempts to snare me, and let us discuss the matter at hand like adults or I shall find the troops I need elsewhere."

 

[Serpenteye]

With your permission I would like to question Quertus about the wand so we may better know what we will face.

Having been dismissed, Carcelon bows and turns to leave. Halfway to the door, she stops and turns back to the Matron;
"Mother, how fares the restoration of the Temple above?"

The Matron nods her assent, and answers Carcelon's question. "The restoration is nearly complete, and it shall be finished the day we leave Szith Morcane. Completing the restoration before then would be unpractical."

 

[Pyrex]

Later, after Carcelon's meeting with the Matron;

“I’ve decided what I want my reward to be. I want the Cephalometer ... Surely with my life spearing rescue of you I’ve proven where my loyalty lies.”

"What you ask is not possible. Even were the Matron willing to part with it she would not allow an item of such power to be held by a hired servant of the house. Think over the events of the past month and draw your own conclusions as to how highly the Matron values the lives of her offspring.

I, however, value my life quite highly. Firstly, I will make it known to the Matron how much more effective you were after freeing yourself from the enslavement of the Cephalometer. Secondly, I will reward you as promised, but you must choose your request more wisely."