Crossover - Chapter 60

Hawke is a bit worried about the price on his head.  It is understandable.  He is very visible and many more than just the Guild of Villains are looking for him now.  The Constables blame him for the drow strike and are looking for him, too.  He gives voice to his concerns, “It’s getting hard for me to get about without bumping into to trouble.  Two groups tried to capture me just this morning.”

Shaddar advises him to no longer risk himself in public.  “If you deem the risk too great, then by all means, remain in the shadows.  It does us no good for you to put yourself at risk needlessly.”

“I’m worried that this Guildmaster won’t know who to fight,” Hawke grumbles. “We don’t want her challenging me directly – that’d do us no good.”

“The Guildmaster will know us better soon enough, have no fear of that!  Another good reason for you to blend in for a while.”  Hakwe nods and leaves to arrange his new and lengthier communication chain.

“A ready-made patsy, should I find myself in need of one,” Shaddar thinks with morbid satisfaction.  “Yes, I must keep my options open.”

Crossover - Chapter 59

“You, tall one!  No the other tall one!  Yes, you!  Move that heavy thing over there!” Cutt’s voice echoes down the hallway as Shaddar slides through the barely stirring underground lair. 

Shaddar is pleased to see that the svirfneblin has reassembled his alchemical workshop much faster than the initial one took to set up.  One factor could be the score or so of drow ‘assistants’ that Cutt has appropriated.  So long as the pipsqueak doesn’t put on airs again, Shaddar is for anything that will speed the thrall’s productivity.

Shaddar’s hopes that the troublesome little gnome has learned his place is dashed as he hears the gnome continue to order about the drow under his control.

“Good job.  Now move it back to where it was…  Because I say so, tall one!  Now get to it!  Bwah-ha-ha!”

Shaddar sighs heavily.  The work of a master is never done when the slaves are such as Cutt.  He makes a mental note to come up with some random, but memorable, public humiliation to inflict upon the gnome later.

Crossover - Chapter 58

Shaddar awakens and it takes just a moment to review the events of yesterday.  Happy thoughts enough, but he is eager to find out what his minions have accomplished during the night as per his orders.

So many plans were set into motion last night…

Masaxle’s unveiling of the drow artwork was inspiring. 

“Behold the glory of our race!” the crazed artisan had yelled as a group of about 300 stonemasons, students and apprentices had seen his workshop.  The silence of the gawking drow caused Shaddar’s tentacles jerk and writhe in pleasure. 

“It speaks to you, does it not, my children?” Shaddar whispered into the quiet room.  A gentle reminder that their new-found passions and freedoms were linked directly to him.  Excellent.  Excellent.