House Millithor in the City of the Spider Queen

[Endur]

As Marckarius stares at the interaction between the slavegirl and Lady Yyssiriryl and waits for the opportunity to volunteer his services in the Arena (perhaps against one of the Illithids or Spirit Nagas in the arena audience), he begins to fall involuntarily into a meditative trance.


Marckarius is visiting the stables at Laral's of Skullport, checking on his riding lizard. Nobody is in the stables, just a bunch of animals and Marckarius.

He chuckles to himself silently at the notion that a rogue might try and waylay him when nobody is looking.

Then he sees three Illithids entering the stables and gliding in his direction. At first, he thinks nothing of it. Then he decides to leave and avoid crossing their path.

All of a sudden, Marckarius is lying on the ground, staring up at three Illithids looking down at him.

Marckarius realizes that a voice is babbling all kinds of things to the Illithids, and the voice sounds a lot like his own, but he knows he would never say anything to an Illithid.

A moment later, the Illithids are gone, Marckarius is again patting his riding lizard, and everything is right in the world.


Marckarius comes to his senses. He thinks to himself, that never happened. I remember visiting the fine riding lizard this morning, but I never encountered three Illithids. I don't even remember there not being any staff around. Strange how one of the Illithids in my dream looks alot like the Illithid in the arena down below.

 

[metrostar]

Ki'Willis smiles inwardly, though her face is stern and cruel. The tone of her voice is cold and mocking as she toys with the girl. Look at me, child. What do those lovely eyes see? What do they tell you of my stature, my demeanor, my position? What could I be if not a Matron Mother? Look at me, child, and consider well what you say, or those lovely eyes might soon see no more.

Outwardly, Jena's body quivers in fear and... anticipation. Inwardly, Jena smiles to herself, seeing through the Matron Mother's bluff. She would not try to damage Laral's property, right in front of Laral and Sarduel, in Laral's Arena, surrounded by his guards and combat slaves, would she? It was a good bluff though, striking at the darkest fear in the hearts of the average slave. Jena's gaze wanders slowly up Matron Ki'Willis' alluring form as she raises her eyes to her.

"It is because you are so young and beautiful, and because you travel with such a small group, without your retinue of war slaves, and without the company of your pleasure slaves. I thought you were just a merchant seeking your pleasures at Laral's. Please forgive this slave, Matron Ki'Willis, and allow me to inform Master Laral that a Matron Mother has blessed his arena with her presence."

The drow slave lowers her eyes again.

 

[Prince Atom]

As Marckarius stares at the interaction between the slavegirl and Lady Yyssiriryl and waits for the opportunity to volunteer his services in the Arena (perhaps against one of the Illithids or Spirit Nagas in the arena audience), he begins to fall involuntarily into a meditative trance.


Marckarius is visiting the stables at Laral's of Skullport, checking on his riding lizard. Nobody is in the stables, just a bunch of animals and Marckarius.

He chuckles to himself silently at the notion that a rogue might try and waylay him when nobody is looking.

Then he sees three Illithids entering the stables and gliding in his direction. At first, he thinks nothing of it. Then he decides to leave and avoid crossing their path.

All of a sudden, Marckarius is lying on the ground, staring up at three Illithids looking down at him.

Marckarius realizes that a voice is babbling all kinds of things to the Illithids, and the voice sounds a lot like his own, but he knows he would never say anything to an Illithid.

A moment later, the Illithids are gone, Marckarius is again patting his riding lizard, and everything is right in the world.


Marckarius comes to his senses. He thinks to himself, that never happened. I remember visiting the fine riding lizard this morning, but I never encountered three Illithids. I don't even remember there not being any staff around. Strange how one of the Illithids in my dream looks alot like the Illithid in the arena down below.

Are they capable of such trickery? Could that braineater have overwhelmed me so easily? Nay! I am stalwart, a strong Millithor warrior! Their feeble mind tricks won't work on me. This is a mere dream, a fancy . . . I shall not bother anyone with it, for it is of no consequence!

Nonetheless, Marck resolves to discover some way to slay at least one illithid while within the ring....

TWK

 

[Serpenteye]

Ki'Willis chuckles briefly, amused at the girl's boldness and wits. A common pleasure-slave would be desperately begging for her life right now, trapped and blinded by fear she would run straight into the grave, or the tentacle rods. It's so much more interesting this way.

Appearances can be decieving, child, and deception can be deadly. You would be well advised to take greater care in the future, you never know who you might offend. Do you really believe Laral would intercede on the behalf of a slave if it could cost him the enmity of Menzoberranzan?

She looks down at the quivering supine shape, the perfect blend of soft curves and planes. She pictures those flawless features screaming in agony as they're being slowly and expertly torn apart in a symphony of beauty and pain. For an infinitesmal moment her eyes are like a mirror of the abyss. Then she smiles.

I shall be merciful, though. If only for those lovely eyes of yours. Bring my regards to your master. I am pleased with his establishment, the possibilities it offers, and his choice in servants.

 

[Serpenteye]

Marckarius pauses to let Matron Ki'Willis deal with the insolent slave first, then approaches her to ask permission to assist the cause in any way he can.

In time, my son, I'm sure a suitable opportunity will present itself for you to demonstrate your prowess.

 

[Endur]

Lady Yyssiriryl speaks to the Matron,

"Ahhh, Matron Ki'Willis, do you see the large bugbear sitting in the front row of the bleachers with the great bow on his back?

"That is Kileif, a bounty hunter. Giant strength combined with a keen intelligence and a hatred for the surface elves. He might make an ideal mercenary for your plans."

 

[Xael]

Quertus comes to his senses and he realizes that he is gripping a coin in his right hand. The coin is so hot, it is coming close to burning him.

Quertus twitches involuntary as he returns to reality, then realises that the coin is hot, but nevertheless grips it even tigher. His mind races as he quickly looks around himself and tries to calm down.

*Again... But this time I was awake. What is this coin? A device used to look to the past? Maybe to the future as well? Or just to ansver questions? At both times I saw a vision like this, I was pondering something. First time it was the coin, and the coin showed me something about itself. Now it was the troll...

And at both times there was an Illithid present in the vision. Wearing same kind of clothing. Coincidence? I doubt it. Mind-control tricks by the coin with an Illithid-perversion. Could be. But didn't we also see an Illithid in the trade quarter? This is getting interesting. And very troublesome. I'm being beset by visions send by an old coin, be they as useful as they have been, and I sure as hell don't like being frozen in the middle of crowds.

I need to identify this... thing... as quickly as possible. No need to tell Matron yet, as I don't have much to tell. Later...*

Quertus pockets the coin as soon as it (hopefully) cools down, not wanting to keep it in sight with this much people around. He tries to spot if there are any Illithids in the crowd, and remember if the Illithid in the trade quarter had the same symbol in it's robes, while he waits.

 

[Serpenteye]

Lady Yyssiriryl speaks to the Matron,

"Ahhh, Matron Ki'Willis, do you see the large bugbear sitting in the front row of the bleachers with the great bow on his back?

"That is Kileif, a bounty hunter. Giant strength combined with a keen intelligence and a hatred for the surface elves. He might make an ideal mercenary for your plans."

Ah, yes. He looks capable. Is he another of Laral's creatures, or an independent operator? What is his reputation for loyalty to his employers?

 

[Seonaid]

Narcelia looks at the bugbear Yyssiriryl points out. A bounty hunter with such attributes as his would not come cheaply. But then again, as the Matron says, she reflects wryly, appearances can be deceiving. When the Matron answers Yyssiriryl, Narcelia smiles inwardly in approval. I hope that I will be as smart a Matron.

 

[Endur]

Lady Yyssiriryl speaks to the Matron,

"Kileif, like many bounty hunters, is a mix of loyalties, loyalty to his employer, loyalty to his price, and loyalty to himself.

"I have heard it said that once he accepts a contract, nothing will stop him from bringing back his target. Not even if the target offers him a bribe of even more money to leave him alone. I myself have employed him in the past, as has Laral, and other wealthy individuals in Mantol Derith.

"I have also heard a rumor that once upon a time, one of his quarries, who was very wealthy, offered a large amount of money for the head of Kileif's employer. Kileif supposedly killed both his employer and the quarry and collected the bounties on each of them from the other."