🤝66. unlikely allies

session 66 • march 05 2023 • 2,216 words

🌑 DAY 21 • 📅 MARPENOTH 10

A Beast to be Tamed

As the prisoners listen to the spiders feast on Derendil, the guards, amused, ask if anyone else would like to join him. Naturally, no one is jumping to volunteer. The guards also inform us that food is in short supply, and that only the champion of the "Slave Olympics"--i.e. Willow--will get to eat.

All eyes turn to Willow LOL,,, Will sweats

Soren confronts Nezznar for choosing Eldeth to die, instead of Derendil like Soren had suggested, and thus making an enemy of Eldeth. He chides Nezznar for making decisions out of spite, rather than working with Soren, and points out that if Nezznar wants to escape, then he is going to need to put some trust in Soren.

Annoyed, Nezznar points out that he picked logically: Derendil was, in his opinion, at least tameable; and that killing him was a waste of a powerful resource. On the other hand, Eldeth would not ever have considered working together with Soren/Nezznar due to her obvious disdain of Underdark denizens. Nezznar admits that he wants to trust Soren--even that Soren is the one he trusts the most in this pen, but cannot comprehend why Eldeth would be more useful than Derendil alive.

Soren, taken aback that Nezznar WASN'T just being a little bitch / contrary out of spite, reasons that though Eldeth might hate the Underdark folk, she is at least friends with Hugh and Will and would work together with them. Soren points out that Derendil was insane and delusional; which makes him a volatile wildcard that the group could not afford to escape with.

Nezznar reluctantly admits that Eldeth is more stable of the two, and tells Soren to get close to her and "manipulate her, as you've always done". Soren takes emotional damage from that.

A Little Preoccupied

Soren tries to ask where Nezznar was taken for his Funtime Torture Session with Ilvara; trying to glean if Nezznar might have seen anything that could help in the escape.

LMAO Nezznar responds with "????? I'm SORRY, I was too preoccupied with having my LEGS CUT OFF"

Soren apologizes, but maintains that any information Nezznar might have would be useful in the escape. Nezznar admits that there were hoards of magical-seeming items and weaponry in Ilvara's room, but he was unable to make out details amidst the, you know, sounds of his legs being cut off

Soren awkwardly pats him on the shoulder and tries to reassure him that "you're okay now".

Feeding Time!

The guards return with food and toss it at Will. Ront gets up immediately and snatches it from him. Already injured from the fight and whippings, Will lets him have it.

However, Droop steps up (Beloved CHILD) and tells Ront that it's not his food! It's Will's! He punches Ront, but without his Gauntlets of Ogre Power, barely does anything.

Ront attempts to retaliate... but Hugh steps in and knocks Ront THE FUCK OUT lol. It's a clownshow in here tonight. The drow guards are amused and gives Hugh some food as a reward.

Free Haircut!

The drow drag Will out of the pen to Weaponmaster Cliff's quarters, where Cliff is waiting. Will notices that Cliff is keeping several of the party's weapons here.

Cliff explains to Will that only nobles are allowed to have long hair, and demands to know why Will does. Will tries to explain that they don't have customs like that on the surface, but the drow are unsatisfied and continue to prompt Will to explain, clearly wanting him to insult himself.

Will eventually admits falsely that he is too lazy to cut his hair. Sneering at him, Cliff messily shears off his long hair, leaving him with ragged, messy short hair.

After this, Cliff attempts to get Will to snitch on any prisoners who might be thinking of rebelling, promising to keep Will and one friend of his choice alive in return. Will pretends to think about this but does not end up snitching on anyone.

Will is dragged back to the cell and, badly shaken, hides under his blankets. : ( He does tell Hugh about the weapons he saw.

Bad Cop, ... Bad Cop

Ront wakes up from being punched in the face by Hugh. Hugh offers Ront his food, which confuses Ront greatly LMFAO. Still, Ront accepts and gobbles the food.

Hugh says that this makes Ront and him friends now; and promises to share his food with Ront from now on. Hugh tries to get Ront to thank him, and Ront very, very reluctantly and insincerely does so.

Hugh sidles up to a nearby drow guard and continues to work his salted pork ploy, mentioning the various treasures in his turtle pack, and trying to sow dissent among the drow guards by mentioning that one of the drow guards might be pilfering from the party's loot.

🌑 DAY 22 • 📅 MARPENOTH 11

As Soren rests, the world slows to a stop around him--a familiar sight that usually signifies Graz'zt's communication attempts with him. Sure enough, Soren sees Graz'zt standing lazily next to him.

Graz'zt sadly remarks on Soren's poor state. Soren, shocked, asks where Graz'zt has been--noting that he's been desperately calling for help.

Graz'zt points out that there are other threats in this world to Soren, and that Graz'zt has used up all of his magical power protecting Soren from others. Though Soren is skeptical, Graz'zt seems genuinely upset on Soren's behalf (deception 23 bruhhh lmao) and Soren quickly believes that Graz'zt wants the best for him.

Graz'zt promises to help Soren in time when he regains more power; Soren points out that the party only has a tenday before they are shipped off as slaves to Menzoberranzan (and possibly separated). When Soren asks to know if there was anything he could do to help speed up the process, Graz'zt admits that there is: Soren could sacrifice a humanoid in his name.

Soren hesitates only for a moment before asking for details: any preference of race or method. Graz'zt says no, as long as someone dies in his name, and assures Soren that it would be just this one time.

Citing how Graz'zt had saved his life before and given him power, Soren readily promises that he's willing to do anything for Graz'zt, and earns a pat on the head. Graz'zt says that he's happy to have a friend in Soren.

Once again, Soren is taken aback that a DEMON LORD would even take notice of a smol worm like himself, and asks for clarification. Graz'zt wryly mentions that this is "fate", and promises to help Soren "as friends do". Profusely, Soren thanks him and takes his hand, "sealing the contract", as Graz'zt calls it.

Soren drifts off into an uneasy reverie.

Tor, the Elf

When he awakens, the only other person awake are Sarith, Nezznar and Tor--the other elves, who are also stirring from their elven reverie.

Now tasked with the job of finding the easiest target to sacrifice to Graz'zt, Soren introduces himself to Tor, mentioning his name and house. This scares Tor, but Soren assures him that he is not like the other drow.

After some conversation, Tor admits that he was once captured by mind flayers who tortured and "did stuff" to his brain. Soren offers his condolences. Tor grabs his hand and desperately begs Soren not to "let him go back"; Soren promises that he has a plan to free all of the prisoners.

Soren inquires about Tor's fighting ability, and Tor mentions that he's a spellcaster--effectively, crippled in the anti-spell properties of the prison. Noting this, Soren asks Tor to trust him and be patient. Tor readily agrees.

The Mystery Buyer

Alya and the Weaponsmaster come by the prison to check in on the guards and prisoners. We catch bits and pieces of their conversation; Alya mentions that the slaves should sell very well, and reminds the guards to keep us in a "decent state".

Alya also says to keep Soren in "especially good condition", because of this mystery buyer. It seems that neither Alya nor the WM knows who this buyer is, and both seem curious.

Cleaning Out

Will, Sarith, Topsy and Turvy are taken out for chores! They are instructed to clean the elite barracks of the drow soldiers. As they enter the room, Nadhiir (the heavily scarred drow elite guard) is present, and gruffly acknowledges them.

Will notices that several potions are in the room, and that Nadhiir is fiddling with what looks to be Sorennar's herbalism kit. As they clean, Nadhiir asks Will for details about how he met Soren.

Will goes along with Soren's lie: that they met in Wave Echo Cave, where Soren betrayed Nezznar shortly after he became a drider, and joined the party then. Will, noting Nadhiir's curiosity in Soren and physical similarities to Soren, asks if Nadhiir is Soren's family, and Nadhiir coldly responds: "not anymore".

A Distraction

Will notices a chest in the corner and wants to look into it to see if it contains any of the party's items. He quietly convinces Sarith to cause a distraction; pointing out that Sarith could stand to gain from this too, in case there was any incriminating evidence about those who framed him for murder.

Sarith reluctantly strikes up a conversation with Nadhiir, pleading his case and insisting that he was framed. In doing so, Sarith points out that he and Nadhiir are not so different: they were both used and thrown away unfairly. This seems to bother Nadhiir, but Nadhiir also seems sympathetic to Sarith's plight.

Will looks into the chest but finds only glass vials. Nadhiir stands up at this point and draws his sword, stabbing it through Will's shoulder and revealing that Nadhiir had heard Will and Sarith's entire conversation.

Sarith is horrified and stutteringly apologizes in a rare display of submission. Nadhiir admits that he likes Sarith and that he wants to help him get to the bottom of things, but will not allow Sarith to undermine his authority and toe the line of "betraying the drow for filthy surfacers".

Nadhiir also cuts Sarith as punishment, but allows them both to continue cleaning without much more issue.

My Brother's Keeper

As Nadhiir escorts the prisoners back to their cell after the cleaning, Soren begs to speak to him.

Nadhiir remarks disdainfully on Soren's situation; noting that this is what comes out of associating with iblith and that Soren deserves what's coming.

Despairingly, Soren reminiscences on his 30 year of enslavement and torture--all to try and protect Nadhiir and their father, Dresnan. Looking at Nadhiir's mangled face and missing arm, Soren realizes aloud that it was all for nothing, and that the only one who stood to gain from his sacrifice was Amalka, their Matron.

Nadhiir’s stern façade seems to crack as he gently reminds Soren that Soren did, in fact, protect the family to the best of his abilities. Desperately, Soren asks Nadhiir to return the favor by helping him escape from the prison now. Nadhiir stoutly refuses, reminding Soren that Mistress Ilvara is from a house far more powerful than either of them.

Soren points out that Nadhiir has fallen out of favor with her, and that they could escape together. Solemnly, Nadhiir says that Soren has always tried to achieve too much and that he wants to try and regain favor with his mistress. He cuts off any more of Soren’s pleading, thanks him for all he’s done and wishes that he meets a painless fate.

Heartbroken but realizing that there is no point in continuing to try and convince Nadhiir to help them, Soren remarks that while it lasted, they had made a pretty good team. Nadhiir response that “yes all three of us did. But we are not children anymore”. He bids Soren a “farewell, brother” and notes that this would be their last interaction as such, effectively disowning Soren from the family.

Mating Dance

Meanwhile, the next chore group is taken to the quaggoth den and instructed to clean it up. Hugh accidentally makes eye contact with the alpha of the den, and it is construed as a challenge. Hugh is forced to act submissive in order to prevent a fight from breaking out.

Hugh attempts to sow dissent among the quaggoths by asking if they like it here however, the beasts say that it is the only home they have ever known.

The chores go uneventfully until Jimjar bets Hugh a piece of rope if he can make the Alpha dance. Hugh manages to do so, by baiting the Alpha into demonstrating a quaggoth mating call. Jim jar is thoroughly impressed.

Eventually, the group returns to the cell safely. The relief is short-lived however, when Ilvara and her ENTIRE SQUAD comes for the next chore group but only summons Soren out of the cell.

A Fitting Audience

Ilvara remarks that she has heard about Soren’s playing and wants him to play to the Quaggoths as the only audience sitting for his stature.

Demurely and humbly, Soren pledges his service to Ilvara. Pleased by his words, Ilvara muses that if Soren keeps being Slave of the Month, she might choose to keep him for herself instead.