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<blockquote data-quote="htetickrt" data-source="post: 2197424" data-attributes="member: 16534"><p style="text-align: center">Regroup and Rearm</p><p></p><p>Hands clenching and unclenching in barely restrained anger, Trella moves to the mausoleum in which Earl’s stony form resides. “I’ll help with the altar, Quid, but I want Earl restored.”</p><p></p><p>Though a little pale and distant, Kai agrees with a nod to return the unicorn to flesh. "I'll come along to help deal with the altar, too, just in case anything unexpected crops up," she adds quietly to no one in particular. Then she withdraws, cradling Snicker, to think things over for a while.</p><p></p><p>Kyree’s eyes pass quickly over her, his entire demeanor betraying his preoccupation. “Let’s wait on everything else until after restoring Earl. For now, I need to be alone with my thoughts.” He abruptly trots off toward the nearby woods.</p><p></p><p>Quid yawns, stretching out stiff muscles. “We should rescue Calla as well, though possibly after dealing with the Drow threat.”</p><p></p><p>Kai pulls herself together somewhat after overhearing this, and returns to the discussion, though still not making eye contact. "I don't think we should leave her any longer than we have to," she begins, and after a pause explains, "We might not survive the next threat, and I'm sure she would really appreciate every effort we can make on her behalf. We should take care of Quid's geas first, and then try to help Calla, if it doesn't interfere with raising poor Khail."</p><p></p><p>With her geas flaring up again, Quid offers, “I need to go back by tomorrow with the appropriate spell memorized. I also need to return to the destroyed marketplace and consecrate it in the name of Waukeen. I don’t want to hole up here for too long, though, due to the rising threat of this Great Revenance. While we’re shopping, I’ll put out more feelers for information, and maybe see if I can acquire some funding or other aid.”</p><p></p><p>Trella says, “I’ll scry for Calla before we leave for the altar. I’m going to hallow it after you desecrate it, just to tick off whatever craven gods these drow worship. Frigging underground dirt bags.”</p><p></p><p>Rhien coughs delicately. “Not to dampen your fervor, Trella, but is it really your intent to expend such a large amount of your own personal energy and wealth on making an altar to Lolth hallowed in the name of Silvanus?”</p><p></p><p>Trella sighs. “Fine, party pooper, I’ll just consecrate it instead. Happy?”</p><p></p><p>Rhien smiles wanly. “Greatly.”</p><p></p><p>Kyree pads back into camp then, startling those present with the sudden opinion, “No, money is a more valuable resource to us now than time. Aside from Quid's geas, there's no need to rush back in there. We've done a lot of damage to the drow in there; the raids should stop, or at least be seriously reduced, for the next tenday or two. We could always camp out near the exit to the cave to make sure no one gets out. But when we go back in there, we need to make sure we're as well equipped as possible. If waiting a few more days lets us go back in there with better weapons, better armor, better healing, or whatever, I say we wait. Besides, it'll give us time to figure out how to cure Erdrick's insanity and to find out where Calla is. </p><p> </p><p>"In the meantime," he continues, looking up towards the sky, "I need to go somewhere to take care of something. Kai, or Quid, could you teleport me to Ssrenshen, in Deepingdale? The Common name for it is Moonrise Hill."</p><p></p><p>Trella whirls on the archer. “I thought you had gone off to be alone?”</p><p></p><p>Kyree placidity is unaffected. “I had. Now I am back.”</p><p></p><p>Trella refuses to let him off so easily. “You only left a minute ago.”</p><p></p><p>“I travel quickly. It is the way of the elves.”</p><p></p><p>The druid snorts incredulously. “A year ago you weren’t sure drow were evil; now you’re lecturing me about elves?”</p><p></p><p>“I have been getting in touch with my spiritual side.”</p><p></p><p>“Was that the side that took you to the woods and back in about a minute?”</p><p></p><p>“No, my feet did that.”</p><p></p><p>“Argh!” Trella screams and stalks off.</p><p></p><p>“What’s she so mad about?” Kyree inquires. He is met with silence.</p><p></p><p>Kai changes the subject, having warmed up to the strategic line of thought. “As I said, I’ll bring back Earl today, but perhaps we should summon a scout to find out for us what's going on in the Underdark before making any further decisions? If there's no sign of a gathering assault, it won't hurt us to take more time to prepare; otherwise I think we have the resources to resurrect our friends now.”</p><p></p><p>Quid responds to Kai’s earlier point, "I agree that the rescuing of Calla is of utmost importance but I fear for the other lives that may be lost if this drow threat is left unchecked. I will concede waiting a tenday if the rest think that is appropriate. </p><p>Kyree's logic stands to reason. However, the time delay in retrieving Calla may have devastating consequences. A full accounting of costs and benefits must be made.</p><p></p><p>“‘The needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few ... or the one’: Book of Khan 23:6.”</p><p></p><p>Kyree uncomfortably shifts his weight and agrees that Calla should be rescued as soon as possible. Noting the elf’s obvious guilt, Rhien places a hand on his shoulder in sympathy.</p><p></p><p>Quid smiles, unable to completely stifle a joke. Covering, she offers to teleport Kyree to where he desires to go, as long as he is willing to wait a day. The elf agrees, deciding to leave after the geas is removed and Calla is scried. He smiles and attempts to express his appreciation, but Quid has already stopped paying attention. Kyree resolves to offer money next time.</p><p></p><p>Quid turns back to Kai. "A scout would be a good idea. Perhaps Erdrick can send a few of his men, assuming some of them are scouts. I can try connections within the church. Perhaps a Divine Seeker of Waukeen can be found? Or, I could summon a greater or lesser planar ally who could scout for us in exchange for some kind of favor. That may not be a bad idea, if someone has a good idea of what to summon."</p><p></p><p>Trella is inclined to agree with Kyree that even if it takes longer, saving money is prudent. Getting a sudden idea, she says, "Let's find Erdrick's buddies, his fellow soldiers or whatever." She shrugs at her lack of articulation. "They need to know he fell in a good fight. They might even pitch in for his resurrection. Can't hurt, right?"</p><p></p><p>Quid answers approvingly, “True, true. Didn’t Erdrick say they’d be here soon? May as well wait.” Soon after saying her piece, the priest laments the lack of a wizard in the group, for one might be most fruitfully outfitted with the spoils of victory that she is now moving to examine in more detail.</p><p></p><p>Kai is dumbfounded by Quid’s assessment, focusing on one particular item. "You don't want the headband? Doesn't anybody else want the headband?" She looks around in bewilderment at the rest of the group. "I guess I'd understand if everyone else really wants to sell it, but…just think what it might be like to go through life that much smarter!"</p><p></p><p>Trella rolls her eyes, puts on the headband, adjusts its fit, and sticks her tongue out at everyone. Then she grabs a stick and tries to solve the three-color map problem in the dirt.</p><p></p><p>Kai looks taken aback, but eventually gives Trella a smile that, while really pretty weak, is also the first she's cracked since she was resurrected. “Shall I restore Earl now, Trella?”</p><p></p><p>“Most assuredly,” Trella chirps. Kai groans and casts her spell; Earl and Trella head off into the woods to renew their bond soon after.</p><p></p><p>Kyree stares after her. “Why is she entering the forest if she was put out by my doing so earlier?” Kai gapes at him. “What?” he inquires innocently.</p><p></p><p>The next morning Trella is back in camp, her enhanced intellect flooding her mind with new ideas. Soon a scrying pool is constructed, and the druid has located Calla’s location within its depths.</p><p></p><p>She finds the stone form of Calla standing intact upon a raised marble dais that rests in a windowed nook of a larger room. Outside, plumes of crimson magma erupt from frozen geysers, ignoring the unlikelihood of such a pairing.</p><p></p><p>Trella gulps and draws back from the halfling to take in the rest of the room, but she finds little to assuage her growing sense of hopelessness. A mammoth humanoid, which can only be a titan, sits idly in a gargantuan divan, toying with a knife many times larger than the druid while humming a long forgotten ditty to himself and pondering his new statuary.</p><p></p><p>Leaping to a stand, Trella exclaims, “We have to save her!”</p><p></p><p>Rhien and Kai share a look, and the latter shakes her head sadly at Trella. “As much as I would like to, the titan is imprisoned in Carceri. Even if we could find our way in, we would have no way of escaping. We’d be doomed along with her.” The sorceress’ pained look illustrates her obvious distaste for this eventuality.</p><p></p><p>Trella’s shoulders slump. “Mightn’t resurrection or even metempsychosis be a viable option?”</p><p></p><p>Kyree starts. “Metem-whatsis?” he blurts.</p><p></p><p>Kai shakes her head. “Her soul resides with her; as long as the titan keeps her safe, we can do nothing.”</p><p></p><p>Rhien adds, “We’d best hope he does keep her intact, as Carceri is proof against escape of the souls of man—or halfling.”</p><p></p><p>Trella sighs, feeling badly. “Very well, a rescue has to wait until after we complete this mission. However, before heading back down, we should let it be known to the more honorable and noble folk, like those Zeran freaks, that a person battling an evil drow archmage was lost and is in need of rescue. Maybe they'll beat us to it as some holy quest or whatever. That way, if we don't return, someone knows she is lost. I will also let other druids know as I plan to make some local inquiries on another matter."</p><p></p><p>Chastened by chance yet again, the party separates to think and pray, readying themselves for a brief trip below. Between breakfast and heading out, however, the long awaited troupe of Erdrick’s followers arrive, stare with distrust at the party, and fall into an uneasy silence.</p><p></p><p>Quickly taking their measure, Trella advances toward them. Noting the presence of the Helmite priest in the lead, she inclines her head slightly. “Well met, all,” she begins, smiling toothily, “you must be Erdrick’s men.” A woman in the back coughs, and Trella smoothly amends, “and women.”</p><p></p><p>The Helmite gets right to the point. “Where is Lord Erdrick?”</p><p></p><p>Trella’s tanned face moves gracefully to a sympathetic frown. “I am afraid he is presently deceased, along with his mount, Chagripor. Both fought bravely below in the bowels of the Underdark, but fell to the combined might of a warrior of utmost puissance and an odious drow archmage. We have healed both of their mystical afflictions, but I fear that we must wait another five days to return him to life. Unless, of course, you have some means of resurrecting him?” The druid looks hopeful.</p><p></p><p>The Helmite blanches, and slowly shakes his head as he attempts to process the loss of his leader and friend. When he announces his uselessness, Trella starts counting backwards from ten. "Nine...eight..."</p><p></p><p>Kyree snickers, “Wow, that headband is proving its worth already.”</p><p></p><p>The druid swiftly changes shape into a triceratops and roars at Kyree, daring the elf to say that again. Kyree quickly backs off, muttering, “Oh, like no one else noticed her wild swings in speech patterns. If you ask me, the thing’s defective.” He stops muttering at a glare from the triceratops.</p><p></p><p>Erdrick’s dismayed men retreat in fear at Trella’s display. After the druid returns to her usual form, the priest suggests that Erdrick’s body be brought back to Cormyr where he and his mount can be raised 'properly' by a high priest of Helm. Clearly uncertain of the exact intentions of their late leader's new acquaintances, especially since both Erdrick and his mount have died in their company, the troupe stares suspiciously at the party.</p><p> </p><p>Trella shrugs and agrees to take the bodies of them both to a priest of their choosing. She recounts his battles in more depth, including his last, emphasizing his potency and bravery whenever possible. Then she shows them her many scars and relates the stories behind them. This keeps them busy for a while, until Kyree interrupts.</p><p></p><p>“We're not paying for that, right?” the elf asks. “Because I thought we decided it made sense to resurrect people with Rhien's gloves because we need to save our cash.”</p><p></p><p>Kyree’s words snap them out of their attentiveness. The Helmite’s face grows dour, and he says, “Our duty to Cormyr and Helm and Erdrick is clear. We will procure a wagon for the noble Chagripor, and return the bodies of our leader and his mount to the head priest of Helm in our region. He is more than capable of resurrecting him as repayment of past services rendered, in addition to a small donation. I trust that Erdrick has received his just share of any loot you have received?”</p><p></p><p>Trella nods, sighing. The priest concludes, “Excellent. Knobbyfoot will take down your contact information, so that the mighty Erdrick might find you again if you have been judged honorable.”</p><p></p><p>A young man moves forward shyly, brandishing quill and ink while unwinding a scroll. “Official group name?”</p><p></p><p>“Huh?” Trella replies.</p><p></p><p>The man blushes. “Your, er, officially registered Cormyrian group name, miss.”</p><p></p><p>Kyree giggles, “Miss?”</p><p></p><p>Trella glares at the elf. “We’ve never been registered. You can call us the Stepchildren of Fate, kid.”</p><p></p><p>Knobbyfoot dutifully scribes this, all the while looking disturbed at the breach of protocol. “Likely location?”</p><p></p><p>“Um, somewhere in the Underdark,” Trella offers helpfully.</p><p></p><p>The Helmite drags Knobbyfoot away before he even finishes scribing the last answer. “We’ll be in touch,” he grumbles, and leads the troupe away, after his soldiers secure Erdrick, Chagripor, and their share of the loot.</p><p></p><p>Kyree looks pensively at them. “I don’t think they’re coming back.”</p><p></p><p>Trella scowls. “Maybe you should wear the headband.”</p><p></p><p>The archer throws up his arms. “Hey, someone has to say this stuff when Khail’s not around.”</p><p></p><p>Quid sighs at the diminished pile of gold. “Can we go eliminate my geas now?”</p><p></p><p>Kai sighs back at her, staring at Erdrick’s retreating soldiers. “I can’t see why not.” A half-hour later the group again stands within the House Morcane level.</p><p></p><p>Quid moves to the ladder up, but Kyree holds her back. “Didn’t we leave a mess of dead bodies here?” the elf asks.</p><p></p><p>Trella barely looks up from her thoughts as she replies, “Yeah, wall-to-wall. Why?”</p><p></p><p>Kyree gestures expansively. “Well, do you see all of them? For instance, that troll?”</p><p></p><p>Trella gapes at the room, but cannot make the huge fighter return. Shaking her surprise off, she says, “It doesn’t matter; he was toast. Let’s move on.”</p><p></p><p>Kyree shrugs and moves to the ladder. Once the party ascends, Quid makes everyone ethereal, and all rush the likely location of the ghost. Rhien reaches her first, pummeling the priestess of Lolth with a series of five blows that sends her reeling. Trella’s staff provides the finishing touches, and the priestess is again destroyed before she can act.</p><p></p><p>This time, however, Quid is prepared to end her existence for good. Summoning Waukeen’s holy essence, the merchant priest shatters the altar to Lolth with a mighty evocation. As the broken stone slabs tumble to the ground, Quid feels the geas lift, and she breathes a sigh of relief.</p><p></p><p>Trella, not satisfied with this, proceeds to consecrate the area in the name of Silvanus, relaxing only when positive energy floods the dark area.</p><p></p><p>Quid taps her head. “Great minds think alike,” she says, and takes a short trip to the bazaar level. There she consecrates the area to Waukeen, visibly pleased as this too radiates holiness, in addition to strong economic potential. Then the party returns to the surface to continue its plans.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="htetickrt, post: 2197424, member: 16534"] [CENTER]Regroup and Rearm[/CENTER] Hands clenching and unclenching in barely restrained anger, Trella moves to the mausoleum in which Earl’s stony form resides. “I’ll help with the altar, Quid, but I want Earl restored.” Though a little pale and distant, Kai agrees with a nod to return the unicorn to flesh. "I'll come along to help deal with the altar, too, just in case anything unexpected crops up," she adds quietly to no one in particular. Then she withdraws, cradling Snicker, to think things over for a while. Kyree’s eyes pass quickly over her, his entire demeanor betraying his preoccupation. “Let’s wait on everything else until after restoring Earl. For now, I need to be alone with my thoughts.” He abruptly trots off toward the nearby woods. Quid yawns, stretching out stiff muscles. “We should rescue Calla as well, though possibly after dealing with the Drow threat.” Kai pulls herself together somewhat after overhearing this, and returns to the discussion, though still not making eye contact. "I don't think we should leave her any longer than we have to," she begins, and after a pause explains, "We might not survive the next threat, and I'm sure she would really appreciate every effort we can make on her behalf. We should take care of Quid's geas first, and then try to help Calla, if it doesn't interfere with raising poor Khail." With her geas flaring up again, Quid offers, “I need to go back by tomorrow with the appropriate spell memorized. I also need to return to the destroyed marketplace and consecrate it in the name of Waukeen. I don’t want to hole up here for too long, though, due to the rising threat of this Great Revenance. While we’re shopping, I’ll put out more feelers for information, and maybe see if I can acquire some funding or other aid.” Trella says, “I’ll scry for Calla before we leave for the altar. I’m going to hallow it after you desecrate it, just to tick off whatever craven gods these drow worship. Frigging underground dirt bags.” Rhien coughs delicately. “Not to dampen your fervor, Trella, but is it really your intent to expend such a large amount of your own personal energy and wealth on making an altar to Lolth hallowed in the name of Silvanus?” Trella sighs. “Fine, party pooper, I’ll just consecrate it instead. Happy?” Rhien smiles wanly. “Greatly.” Kyree pads back into camp then, startling those present with the sudden opinion, “No, money is a more valuable resource to us now than time. Aside from Quid's geas, there's no need to rush back in there. We've done a lot of damage to the drow in there; the raids should stop, or at least be seriously reduced, for the next tenday or two. We could always camp out near the exit to the cave to make sure no one gets out. But when we go back in there, we need to make sure we're as well equipped as possible. If waiting a few more days lets us go back in there with better weapons, better armor, better healing, or whatever, I say we wait. Besides, it'll give us time to figure out how to cure Erdrick's insanity and to find out where Calla is. "In the meantime," he continues, looking up towards the sky, "I need to go somewhere to take care of something. Kai, or Quid, could you teleport me to Ssrenshen, in Deepingdale? The Common name for it is Moonrise Hill." Trella whirls on the archer. “I thought you had gone off to be alone?” Kyree placidity is unaffected. “I had. Now I am back.” Trella refuses to let him off so easily. “You only left a minute ago.” “I travel quickly. It is the way of the elves.” The druid snorts incredulously. “A year ago you weren’t sure drow were evil; now you’re lecturing me about elves?” “I have been getting in touch with my spiritual side.” “Was that the side that took you to the woods and back in about a minute?” “No, my feet did that.” “Argh!” Trella screams and stalks off. “What’s she so mad about?” Kyree inquires. He is met with silence. Kai changes the subject, having warmed up to the strategic line of thought. “As I said, I’ll bring back Earl today, but perhaps we should summon a scout to find out for us what's going on in the Underdark before making any further decisions? If there's no sign of a gathering assault, it won't hurt us to take more time to prepare; otherwise I think we have the resources to resurrect our friends now.” Quid responds to Kai’s earlier point, "I agree that the rescuing of Calla is of utmost importance but I fear for the other lives that may be lost if this drow threat is left unchecked. I will concede waiting a tenday if the rest think that is appropriate. Kyree's logic stands to reason. However, the time delay in retrieving Calla may have devastating consequences. A full accounting of costs and benefits must be made. “‘The needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few ... or the one’: Book of Khan 23:6.” Kyree uncomfortably shifts his weight and agrees that Calla should be rescued as soon as possible. Noting the elf’s obvious guilt, Rhien places a hand on his shoulder in sympathy. Quid smiles, unable to completely stifle a joke. Covering, she offers to teleport Kyree to where he desires to go, as long as he is willing to wait a day. The elf agrees, deciding to leave after the geas is removed and Calla is scried. He smiles and attempts to express his appreciation, but Quid has already stopped paying attention. Kyree resolves to offer money next time. Quid turns back to Kai. "A scout would be a good idea. Perhaps Erdrick can send a few of his men, assuming some of them are scouts. I can try connections within the church. Perhaps a Divine Seeker of Waukeen can be found? Or, I could summon a greater or lesser planar ally who could scout for us in exchange for some kind of favor. That may not be a bad idea, if someone has a good idea of what to summon." Trella is inclined to agree with Kyree that even if it takes longer, saving money is prudent. Getting a sudden idea, she says, "Let's find Erdrick's buddies, his fellow soldiers or whatever." She shrugs at her lack of articulation. "They need to know he fell in a good fight. They might even pitch in for his resurrection. Can't hurt, right?" Quid answers approvingly, “True, true. Didn’t Erdrick say they’d be here soon? May as well wait.” Soon after saying her piece, the priest laments the lack of a wizard in the group, for one might be most fruitfully outfitted with the spoils of victory that she is now moving to examine in more detail. Kai is dumbfounded by Quid’s assessment, focusing on one particular item. "You don't want the headband? Doesn't anybody else want the headband?" She looks around in bewilderment at the rest of the group. "I guess I'd understand if everyone else really wants to sell it, but…just think what it might be like to go through life that much smarter!" Trella rolls her eyes, puts on the headband, adjusts its fit, and sticks her tongue out at everyone. Then she grabs a stick and tries to solve the three-color map problem in the dirt. Kai looks taken aback, but eventually gives Trella a smile that, while really pretty weak, is also the first she's cracked since she was resurrected. “Shall I restore Earl now, Trella?” “Most assuredly,” Trella chirps. Kai groans and casts her spell; Earl and Trella head off into the woods to renew their bond soon after. Kyree stares after her. “Why is she entering the forest if she was put out by my doing so earlier?” Kai gapes at him. “What?” he inquires innocently. The next morning Trella is back in camp, her enhanced intellect flooding her mind with new ideas. Soon a scrying pool is constructed, and the druid has located Calla’s location within its depths. She finds the stone form of Calla standing intact upon a raised marble dais that rests in a windowed nook of a larger room. Outside, plumes of crimson magma erupt from frozen geysers, ignoring the unlikelihood of such a pairing. Trella gulps and draws back from the halfling to take in the rest of the room, but she finds little to assuage her growing sense of hopelessness. A mammoth humanoid, which can only be a titan, sits idly in a gargantuan divan, toying with a knife many times larger than the druid while humming a long forgotten ditty to himself and pondering his new statuary. Leaping to a stand, Trella exclaims, “We have to save her!” Rhien and Kai share a look, and the latter shakes her head sadly at Trella. “As much as I would like to, the titan is imprisoned in Carceri. Even if we could find our way in, we would have no way of escaping. We’d be doomed along with her.” The sorceress’ pained look illustrates her obvious distaste for this eventuality. Trella’s shoulders slump. “Mightn’t resurrection or even metempsychosis be a viable option?” Kyree starts. “Metem-whatsis?” he blurts. Kai shakes her head. “Her soul resides with her; as long as the titan keeps her safe, we can do nothing.” Rhien adds, “We’d best hope he does keep her intact, as Carceri is proof against escape of the souls of man—or halfling.” Trella sighs, feeling badly. “Very well, a rescue has to wait until after we complete this mission. However, before heading back down, we should let it be known to the more honorable and noble folk, like those Zeran freaks, that a person battling an evil drow archmage was lost and is in need of rescue. Maybe they'll beat us to it as some holy quest or whatever. That way, if we don't return, someone knows she is lost. I will also let other druids know as I plan to make some local inquiries on another matter." Chastened by chance yet again, the party separates to think and pray, readying themselves for a brief trip below. Between breakfast and heading out, however, the long awaited troupe of Erdrick’s followers arrive, stare with distrust at the party, and fall into an uneasy silence. Quickly taking their measure, Trella advances toward them. Noting the presence of the Helmite priest in the lead, she inclines her head slightly. “Well met, all,” she begins, smiling toothily, “you must be Erdrick’s men.” A woman in the back coughs, and Trella smoothly amends, “and women.” The Helmite gets right to the point. “Where is Lord Erdrick?” Trella’s tanned face moves gracefully to a sympathetic frown. “I am afraid he is presently deceased, along with his mount, Chagripor. Both fought bravely below in the bowels of the Underdark, but fell to the combined might of a warrior of utmost puissance and an odious drow archmage. We have healed both of their mystical afflictions, but I fear that we must wait another five days to return him to life. Unless, of course, you have some means of resurrecting him?” The druid looks hopeful. The Helmite blanches, and slowly shakes his head as he attempts to process the loss of his leader and friend. When he announces his uselessness, Trella starts counting backwards from ten. "Nine...eight..." Kyree snickers, “Wow, that headband is proving its worth already.” The druid swiftly changes shape into a triceratops and roars at Kyree, daring the elf to say that again. Kyree quickly backs off, muttering, “Oh, like no one else noticed her wild swings in speech patterns. If you ask me, the thing’s defective.” He stops muttering at a glare from the triceratops. Erdrick’s dismayed men retreat in fear at Trella’s display. After the druid returns to her usual form, the priest suggests that Erdrick’s body be brought back to Cormyr where he and his mount can be raised 'properly' by a high priest of Helm. Clearly uncertain of the exact intentions of their late leader's new acquaintances, especially since both Erdrick and his mount have died in their company, the troupe stares suspiciously at the party. Trella shrugs and agrees to take the bodies of them both to a priest of their choosing. She recounts his battles in more depth, including his last, emphasizing his potency and bravery whenever possible. Then she shows them her many scars and relates the stories behind them. This keeps them busy for a while, until Kyree interrupts. “We're not paying for that, right?” the elf asks. “Because I thought we decided it made sense to resurrect people with Rhien's gloves because we need to save our cash.” Kyree’s words snap them out of their attentiveness. The Helmite’s face grows dour, and he says, “Our duty to Cormyr and Helm and Erdrick is clear. We will procure a wagon for the noble Chagripor, and return the bodies of our leader and his mount to the head priest of Helm in our region. He is more than capable of resurrecting him as repayment of past services rendered, in addition to a small donation. I trust that Erdrick has received his just share of any loot you have received?” Trella nods, sighing. The priest concludes, “Excellent. Knobbyfoot will take down your contact information, so that the mighty Erdrick might find you again if you have been judged honorable.” A young man moves forward shyly, brandishing quill and ink while unwinding a scroll. “Official group name?” “Huh?” Trella replies. The man blushes. “Your, er, officially registered Cormyrian group name, miss.” Kyree giggles, “Miss?” Trella glares at the elf. “We’ve never been registered. You can call us the Stepchildren of Fate, kid.” Knobbyfoot dutifully scribes this, all the while looking disturbed at the breach of protocol. “Likely location?” “Um, somewhere in the Underdark,” Trella offers helpfully. The Helmite drags Knobbyfoot away before he even finishes scribing the last answer. “We’ll be in touch,” he grumbles, and leads the troupe away, after his soldiers secure Erdrick, Chagripor, and their share of the loot. Kyree looks pensively at them. “I don’t think they’re coming back.” Trella scowls. “Maybe you should wear the headband.” The archer throws up his arms. “Hey, someone has to say this stuff when Khail’s not around.” Quid sighs at the diminished pile of gold. “Can we go eliminate my geas now?” Kai sighs back at her, staring at Erdrick’s retreating soldiers. “I can’t see why not.” A half-hour later the group again stands within the House Morcane level. Quid moves to the ladder up, but Kyree holds her back. “Didn’t we leave a mess of dead bodies here?” the elf asks. Trella barely looks up from her thoughts as she replies, “Yeah, wall-to-wall. Why?” Kyree gestures expansively. “Well, do you see all of them? For instance, that troll?” Trella gapes at the room, but cannot make the huge fighter return. Shaking her surprise off, she says, “It doesn’t matter; he was toast. Let’s move on.” Kyree shrugs and moves to the ladder. Once the party ascends, Quid makes everyone ethereal, and all rush the likely location of the ghost. Rhien reaches her first, pummeling the priestess of Lolth with a series of five blows that sends her reeling. Trella’s staff provides the finishing touches, and the priestess is again destroyed before she can act. This time, however, Quid is prepared to end her existence for good. Summoning Waukeen’s holy essence, the merchant priest shatters the altar to Lolth with a mighty evocation. As the broken stone slabs tumble to the ground, Quid feels the geas lift, and she breathes a sigh of relief. Trella, not satisfied with this, proceeds to consecrate the area in the name of Silvanus, relaxing only when positive energy floods the dark area. Quid taps her head. “Great minds think alike,” she says, and takes a short trip to the bazaar level. There she consecrates the area to Waukeen, visibly pleased as this too radiates holiness, in addition to strong economic potential. Then the party returns to the surface to continue its plans. [/QUOTE]
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The Stepchildren of Fate (Updated 6/3)
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