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Message: <blockquote data-quote="(contact)" data-source="post: 528332" data-attributes="member: 41">49—How Little We Know.That night, the group debates the best course of action, and their divinations reveal that in essence, the drow have been truthful.  Lolth has gone silent; Irae T’ssarion has taken the city of Maermydra, and plans to launch an attack on the surface.  In the end, it is this last piece of information, along with the name of Sharlequannan that compels the Champions of the Risen Goddess.“We are decided, then,” Kyreel says.  We must go to this place and do this thing.  The child will come before the statue of Palatin Eremath, that the goddess may gaze upon her.”“Well, killing drow is usually good,” Taran says, then adds “except for the good drow.  Killing them is bad.”“Succinctly put, brother,” Thelbar says.  “Your moral compass is unclouded.”  And to Kyreel, “We are decided.  This mystery of Sharlequannan must be unraveled, and our charges here in the Dalelands must be kept safe.”-----That night, none of the Champions sleep deeply or well.  Several hours before dawn, Taran rises from his brooding when he hears soft footsteps entering his room.  Nathe, the sword-maiden to the matron mother is standing before him, divested of her traveling robes but still wearing a pair of short swords at her hip.  She moves toward the beefy fighter casually, and with no haste.“What are you doing here?” Taran asks.  Shouldn’t you be planning something evil, or something?”  When she does not reply, he rises, and places his hand on Black Lisa’s hilt.  “You’re going to have to replace those little knives you carry if you want to fight me.”“Skill counts more than size,” She says.  “If you draw that blade, I will disarm you,” “A smart girl wouldn’t try it,” Taran growls as Nathe steps within his reach.  He stares into her eyes for a long moment.  “Because I’ll kill you dead.”For a moment, the two warriors regard one another stonily, and then Taran takes her into his arms in a passionate embrace.-----The three drow leave as quietly as they came, after briefing the group on their objective and route through the Underdark.  In the dining room, Taran, Juron and Glim begin preparing adventuring packs for the group, while Kyreel and Thelbar commune with Palatin Eremath.  They ask several questions:<ul> <li data-xf-list-type="ul"> “Is Irae T’ssarion actually building an army?”  Yes. “Does she intend to attack the surface with it?”  Yes.</li> </ul>“Damn it all,” Taran says, “Now we have to kill her.”<ul> <li data-xf-list-type="ul"> “Will killing Irae T’sarrion lead to Lolth’s priesthood regaining their spells?”  Indirectly.</li> </ul>“Goddess curse every last drow!” Taran swears.  “Except you, Ky.”<ul> <li data-xf-list-type="ul"> “Do the forces of Irae T’ssarion await in ambush?”  No. “Does Matron mother want us to succeed?”  Yes. “Does Matron Mother intend to betray us once we have killed Irae T’ssarion?”  Yes. “Do they intend to betray us in the Underdark?” No. “Will we be able to find allies in the drow cities?”  Yes. “Will these allies be drowish?”  Yes and no. “Will they be found within Irae T’ssarion’s organization?”  No. “Are there any other adventurers seeking this goal?”  Yes. “If left alone, will Irae T’ssarion attack Lolth’s priesthood?”  Yes. “If left alone, will Irae T’ssarion attack the Dalelands?”  Yes. “Is Irae T’ssarion aware of Sharlequannan’s significance?”  Yes. “Does Irae T’ssarion intend to kill Sharlequannan?” Yes, although such a thing would be exceedingly difficult for her. “Is the priesthood of Lolth aware of Sharlequannan’s significance?”  The mother matron is aware. “Does the matron mother intend to kill the child?”  She intends to make the child in her own image. “Does Thelbar actually have children?”  Yes. “Do Kyreel or Taran have living family from a past life?” No, your loved ones were slain. “Do the drow actually know the whereabouts of Thelbar’s children?”  Yes. “Do they intend to lead us to the children, as promised?” No. “Would the children recognize Thelbar?” No. “Are the children in the prime material plane?” Yes. “Are they in Faerun?”  Yes. “Are they in the Dalelands?” No. “Are they warded against scrying?” No. “Are they safe from the drow?”  No, although they have a powerful guardian. “Is this guardian a friend?”  Yes, it is a trusted servant.</li> </ul>-----Following the commune spells, Kyreel divines a course of action.  She sits still, and composes herself for a moment, then states the course of action aloud.  Within a few seconds, she replies to her own question, in a powerful and resonant tone.“Mother, pull the future from our eyes and instruct us.  If we seek the course of direct action against Irae T’ssarion, with the goal of killing her, how will we fare?”“Those that follow through may receive enlightenment.”Kyreel looks up and says, “I am satisfied.”“As am I,” Thelbar says.  “We stay the course.”Taran stops packing and whines, “Aw, c’mon Ky.  Ask my question!”Kyreel regards him, then slips back into her trance.  “Mother pull the future from our eyes and instruct us,” she begins.  “If we hunt down and kill the drow who made us that offer, how will we fare?”“Their souls hang in the balance, and we may offer them salvation.”“Well crap,” Taran says.  “Does that mean yes or no?”</blockquote>

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