DavesGaming

I took a moment aside with Aerie, so we could talk about dealing with the onslaught to our sensitivities I knew would come with entering a Drow city. In some ways, the two of us are wired a lot alike and I figured she was the most likely to track with my angst over what I knew was coming. Then we all talked for a moment. I trust my team, none of us are looking forward to this. But we want to play it smart, I think any of us would be morally broken by a genocidal romp through the city, even if on the spur of the moment it seems like the best option. I think we all found the right attitude, to play the part of heartless Drow adventurers while not actually *doing* anything we would regret.

Entering the city, the feeling of evil is oppressive. We were expected (I was “Veldrin”, a foreign Drow adventurer expected in town. But actually already slain by Adalon) and directed to contact a male warrior named Solaufein who would be our liaison (baby sitter?) while in Ust Natha. The warrior population of the city seemed on the light side, perhaps having to do with whatever Irenicus was up to. The observation seemed correct when we were directed rescue a “matron’s” daughter who’d been abducted by Ilithids. We performed the rescue with no drama. The woman we’d rescued, Phaerie, was a harsh and unlikable sort. I guess that’s no shock, but no common courtesy in this place! We were then tasked with killing a beholder entering Ust Natha. Again, simple enough and not really compromising for us.

But then we were tasked with massacring a Svirfneblin patrol. Surprisingly our minder, Solaufein seemed to find this as distasteful as we did. Was that a hint of conscience? Or just pride? Either way, we encouraged him to return to the city and let us do this on our own.

Our ruse worked and our work was considered acceptable. We had observed almost since her rescue, that there is considerable hostility between Phaerie and Solaufein. Perhaps more than normal between Drow? We were not shocked when Phaerie asked us to slay Solaufein for her. As foreigners, unaligned with local politics, we could do so with minimum fuss.
Did I mention I’ll be ready to get out of here anytime?
We “ambushed” Solaufein in his quarters, for a chat. He was surprised by our not doing as directed. He revealed that he and Phaerie had once been lovers, and she’d been punished, tortured severely for becoming too attached to a mere man. He gave us a cloak with a family crest on it to take as proof of our dirty deed. Hey, we’re getting good at these non-assassinations! He wished us well in the name of a good-aligned elven goddess. A surface elven goddess. Interesting. Well we met Drizzt several months back, obviously Drow are not ALL wicked and corrupt. But Solaufein will have a hard path wherever he goes from here.

Apparently we now have a reputation among the Drow as being resourceful and ruthless. Oh yeah, that’s me! We met with Phaerie’s matron and were tasked with locating blood from a noble of one of the neighbor races, whom we’d already met and cleared out. If we weren’t in good before, we sure were when we provided everything she wanted without leaving her sight. This was to be used for a rather frightening sounding summoning ceremony, but it sounds like Adalon’s eggs are also used for the ritual. I’m seeing a path out of this, but so far a lot of bloodshed seems likely?
Phaerie asked me to her private quarters for a quick chat. She led off with asking if I had any loyalty to her matron. My mind was laughing pretty hard, I had to bite my tongue not to chuckle, you neither lady…

She actually gave us the key to the vault where Adalon’s eggs were being stored and asked us to swap them for fakes she’d had made. On our way to do the deed we were met by Solaufein hiding in some shadows, he had more fake eggs. “Give these to Phaerie and get the real ones back to Adalon”. Never mind having a plan come together, we’d just been handed one on a platter.

After getting tangled in some drama with a local warlord, we met up at the Dark Temple for the Matron’s twisted ceremony. A demon was summoned, it was smaller than the one we slew at Dragonspear Castle a few months ago. It was not amused when the Matron tried to offer it fake dragon eggs for a boon and it killed her. The demon actually laughed when Phaerie offered more fake eggs that we’d gotten from Solaufein. It knew exactly what we’d done! Fortunately it didn’t care, and after killing Phaerie for wasting its time it gated itself back to the Abyss. I realized I’d been holding my breath.
Now its time to move! No one had to be told it was time for us to get out.

Which we did and hustled back to Adalon’s lair. She was beyond pleased to see us and the precious cargo we brought her. The Drow illusion was dispelled and we were ourselves once again. Adalon then led us to a gate that led back to the surface. This was at an ancient Elven temple, that had been defaced and destroyed by a Drow army that had just come this way.
The site had been occupied by a small elven army. They were immediately suspicious of us, but stating we were in pursuit of Irenicus really aroused their curiosity. We were led to meet with a General Elhan who was in charge.

Irenicus had taken something as dear to the elves as what he’d taken from me, their home city! He’d led an army of Drow into Suldanessellar, and then magically hid it somehow. There was an elven artifact that could lead them home, but it was lost. I thought of Bodhi’s lair in Athkatla as a likely hiding place, but that would be all on us. An army of elves would not by welcomed into Amnish territory.

First order of business was to get home to our castle for a check in. Things were secure, but training for our militia was proceeding slowly. It occurred to me we had a single companion with actual military service, and she had become a capable archer. Really a trusted companion. I asked if she could oversee archery training for our troops for the next several weeks and she agreed.

We needed to do some business in the city, and while there ran into a Paladin of the Radiant Heart, Keldorn. He was happy to join with us for a righteous cause.

*****

Yeah, I decided I really wanted Keldorn with us. It wasn’t a completely easy choice, Skie really has become a good archer! But I’m so used to a stronger melee front than we’ve had. I’d also reiterate, my initial consideration had been to replace Jaheira with Keldorn. But I just can’t see Psyche liking that plan at all. And for the reasons given above, Skie does seem somewhat logical to detach. Like Minsc, I imagine one day (when the actual game is over) Skie will adventure with her friends once again.