The Lamentation of Lolth - Chapter III

[Majin]

Naamani speaks loudly and with a hiss in common, "You flatter me and insult me in the same sentence, Ghostwise," she spits, looking at Drogo. "I am female, but I will forgive your ignorance just this once. But to you it must seem I do know everything," she grins, long forked tongue flicking in and out of her mouth. Somehow, Drogo realizes, she had read his thoughts to Ayden!

Naamani continues, "But what you say about that worm Applebottom interests me. It seems you wish a diplomatic resolution," she turns her head sharply to Ayden. "You may show me this letter. Ssyrin! Fetch it from him and read it to me!" The large lizardman comes over to Ayden and takes the letter from him. He then proceeds to read it aloud.

After he is finished Naamani stays silent for quite some time, obviously considering the words in the letter, searching for any sign of treachery. Finally she eyes Ayden once more. "You are lucky that I wish this conflict to end so desperately between us and the inhabitants of Orchard Meadows. Our swamps are dwindling more and more, day after day. But a simple letter will not be proof enough. I will send some runners to check on the dam. If it is indeed out of operation I will begin talks with Orchard Meadows once more." Naamani sends a guard off to dispatch lizardmen off to the dam to confirm the statements in the letter, and then looks back to the party. "You will stay here as my guests until they return."

 

[kirinke]

Teleri:
Though motionless and helpless, Teleri is quite aware of what is going on, at least some part of her is aware and none to pleased with the situation. She had been camping innocently enough on the edge of a great swamp, when she felt a sharp pain inside her head. For a long time, she floated in darkness, with brief laspses of awareness that made her want to go back into that soft, comforting blackness. Now she heard voices, in a language she did not understand. And she screamed silently for help.

 

[Verbatim]

As Drogo's frantic thoughts enter into his mind, Ayden could not stop himself from looking at the halfling in shock. While he knew that some mages, as well as powerful priests, could achieve such a feat magically, he had never known of druids being able to do so. Perhaps, there was more to his companions than met the eye, but Ayden's musing were stopped suddenly when the creature, Naamani the villagers had called her, began speaking to them in her heavily accented common.

As she quickly dispatched runners to check their story, Ayden could not stop staring at the creature, trying to see if Applebottom's "guest" could have been related to her.
Before he could stop himself, Ayden opened his mouth and asked the question he prayed he would not regret later.

"Naamini, since we are to be your guests, forgive my asking a question that I fear may upset you. Yesterday, after we arrested the dwarven captain at the dam, and returned to town, we had to physically remove Applebottom from power. After his arrest, we began looking for proof of his guilt, and we encounterd a being, who seemed to be part serpent, but at the same time part waterkin. Sadly, we were not able to stop her without force, and in the process, she fell to our combined attacks. I believe her name was Ssirine. Was she known to you?"

Looking back towards his companions, then to her, Ayden knew the only thing he could do was to speak open and honestly, if they were to have any hopes of getting the powerful creature to trust them.

<<Draconic>>"Naamani, my companions and I are not your foes, neither are the people of Orchard Meadows, but we do need to know we can trust you as well. Please tell me who these people are that you surround you in your hall. Are they Applebottom's minions, or merely people who happened to get caught up in something they did not understand?"

 

[kirinke]

Teleri

Well screaming silently for awhile is all well and good. Unfortunantly, no one can hear it but yourself and the odd telepath. At least, that was what her mother always told her. Teleri sighed mentally in frustration as the fear faded and wished for the thousandth time she had not wandered too near this blasted swamp.

I'll sing again. If nothing else it will help pass the time.
"Ninety-nine bottles of ale on the wall...." she began, grinning inwardly, regaining some of her old humor.

 

[Jarval]

Andreas stands at the back of the group, keeping a wary eye on the lizardmen. He shifts uncomfortably from one foot to the other, listening to Naamani's words, but remaining silent.

Quite a trick to have that many people under one's thrall. He thinks, both unnerved and curious with regard to the naga's powers.

 

[Velmont]

Sielwoodan is hidden at an arrow range of the village, stying silent and motionless, awaiting for his friend to come back or for any sign of hostility.

 

[Manzanita]

Drogo

Drogo grimaces at Naamini's words, then grins sheepishly, and bows slightly at the Naga. He figures keeping his mouth shut is the best way to avoid putting his foot in it again.

 

[hippocrachus]

Calenthang, now grim-faced, sits down and makes himself comfortable; preparing for the long wait to come.
Considering the size of the room, he begins to think about acoustics. He unshoulders his pack and rumages through it. He pulls out a well-tarnished copper pan flute and looks at it idly.
He blows one long, low, and mournful note into it, letting the sound reverberate off the cavern walls before gauging everyones' reaction.

 

[kirinke]

Teleri

Teleri finishes her mental rendition of "ninety-nine bottles of ale on the wall" and goes into a raucous performance of "a hole, a hole, a hole in the bottom of the sea."

Anything to kill time. Especially when you can't move or speak....

OOC:
she picked up those particular songs from a gnome she was traveling with at one time. ^_^

 

[Majin]

At the mention of Ssirine, Naamani's features visibly darken. "Her death is of no consequence to me. She was the offspring of a priestess of another clan and an elemental of the water plane. She was abandoned by her parents at an early age. Some of my scouts came upon her and she was brought to me. I trained her as a sorceress and she repaid me by attempting to overthrow me. She was a bloodthirsty one. She preferred our old warlike ways, and could not stand the new direction the clan was heading. I can only assume that the mayor of Orchard Meadows promised her something for her help. Possibily what would be left of our clan if the worst happened. You did well in exterminating her." As she says this you cannot help feeling uneasy at the grin that crosses her lips.

As Ayden switches to Draconic with his next question Naamani's face sours again. "The gnome and halfing twins ambushed a party of my guards at the old mill. They killed a few, but they were neutralized and brought here to me to serve as "pets" for their crimes. As for the elven female, I have no proof that she is working for the mayor, but she was in our territory during dangerous times. We could not afford to trust anyone so she was brought here as well."