Barrityl is going to be gone for quite a while – handling all of the orders that Shaddar (and Cutt) gave him. Hawke begins yelling orders at the drow porters as to where things should go and what should be unpacked first.
Half of the drow who serve in the underground palace are excited or satisfied (for many different reasons. Some were disgruntled with the old leadership, some are still dazzled by his mental suggestions, some wanted change, etc. As for the rest? They are utterly terrified. This is acceptable.
“It is boring here and I tire of second-hand reports,” Shaddar thinks. “I shall go into the slums to taste the dark winds of change for myself!”
He takes Toothsnatcher with him. He makes sure that the minotaur is wearing his standard, mediocre Swashbuckling Rogue attire. Those who think that his group has been eliminated must be taught differently.
Sunday, March 31, 2013
Saturday, March 30, 2013
Crossover - Chapter 51
The last of the chests and boxes have been loaded by the drow that Shaddar brought with him from the underground palace. It is time to leave.
“Hawke? Walk with me. I’m sure you have much more to tell me of my time while I was away. We can speak on these matters as we travel to our new base of operations.”
“Of course, Boss,” Hawke replies somewhat uncertainly. He is still a bit hesitant to live in a home built by the palehairs, but will do as he is ordered to by Shaddar. Good.
“Before we begin, I have an additional task for you to give to your network.”
“Oh?”
“Hawke? Walk with me. I’m sure you have much more to tell me of my time while I was away. We can speak on these matters as we travel to our new base of operations.”
“Of course, Boss,” Hawke replies somewhat uncertainly. He is still a bit hesitant to live in a home built by the palehairs, but will do as he is ordered to by Shaddar. Good.
“Before we begin, I have an additional task for you to give to your network.”
“Oh?”
Monday, February 25, 2013
AAR: February 16, 2013 - Green Dye Number 14
"Ah, ha! It's that maniac, Mega-Warboss Chainsaw, brothers! He's a Green Dye #14 addict! To the droppods!"
Wednesday, February 20, 2013
Crossover - Chapter 50
It is clear that Shaddar’s appearance has upset the drow elder’s sleep schedule. All three of the ancient dark elf leaders jump as the double doors fly open and slam into the walls with a bang. None of them look happy to see him.
The sole female elder looks terrible with lines of deep depression clearly etched in her face. It looks like she has not been sleeping or eating very well at all. She appears to be even further aged – something Shaddar did not believe was possible.
“The Harvester returns,” Griselle thinks with frantic dread, “Will he bring us any reason to have optimism? Oh, why do I torment myself with such thoughts? It is hopeless! Our doom is sealed. Doubtless he comes with a missive that promises an eternity of darkness and pain…”
The second drow elder that Shaddar examines as he walks across the room glares at him with unfeigned and unmasked hostility.
“Drips and spots! He’s back – and looking even more fancy than he did on his last visit,” thinks the sorcerer Filazar, “I wonder what insipid demand he will make this time? It’s a good thing I was able to summon my best assassins and hide them in the other room. I can’t wait to call them in on one excuse or another and humble this fraud for good!”
The sole female elder looks terrible with lines of deep depression clearly etched in her face. It looks like she has not been sleeping or eating very well at all. She appears to be even further aged – something Shaddar did not believe was possible.
“The Harvester returns,” Griselle thinks with frantic dread, “Will he bring us any reason to have optimism? Oh, why do I torment myself with such thoughts? It is hopeless! Our doom is sealed. Doubtless he comes with a missive that promises an eternity of darkness and pain…”
The second drow elder that Shaddar examines as he walks across the room glares at him with unfeigned and unmasked hostility.
“Drips and spots! He’s back – and looking even more fancy than he did on his last visit,” thinks the sorcerer Filazar, “I wonder what insipid demand he will make this time? It’s a good thing I was able to summon my best assassins and hide them in the other room. I can’t wait to call them in on one excuse or another and humble this fraud for good!”
Saturday, February 16, 2013
Crossover - Chapter 49
“So where is our new headquarters going to be?” Hawke asks.
“The dark elves have a facility that will suit us perfectly. I will be leaving to gain unrestricted access and cooperation from their elders soon,” Shaddar explains.
“Bunking with palehairs? Ugh!” the man thinks, but Shaddar notes that none of his inner emotion reaches his facial features.
Shaddar continues with an upraised finger, “Actually, I believe that it will be more like a hostile takeover. I do not expect them to welcome us with open arms to their finest and most secret lair.”
Hawke barks a laugh. “Not one of their hovels, then?”
“Oh, no,” Shaddar says with a tone of distaste, “Just wait, Hawke. It is a fitting location for men of our stature.”
Hawke shakes his head. “No disrespect meant, but I’ll believe that the palehairs are capable of making a place like that when I see it, Boss.”
“The dark elves have a facility that will suit us perfectly. I will be leaving to gain unrestricted access and cooperation from their elders soon,” Shaddar explains.
“Bunking with palehairs? Ugh!” the man thinks, but Shaddar notes that none of his inner emotion reaches his facial features.
Shaddar continues with an upraised finger, “Actually, I believe that it will be more like a hostile takeover. I do not expect them to welcome us with open arms to their finest and most secret lair.”
Hawke barks a laugh. “Not one of their hovels, then?”
“Oh, no,” Shaddar says with a tone of distaste, “Just wait, Hawke. It is a fitting location for men of our stature.”
Hawke shakes his head. “No disrespect meant, but I’ll believe that the palehairs are capable of making a place like that when I see it, Boss.”
Friday, February 15, 2013
Crossover - Chapter 48
Back in the border zone of Big City once more, Loolipo guides them into a part of town Shaddar has not visited before. The place is clearly abandoned with many of the buildings having been torn down or burned several years ago.
“Hawke told us that this place used to be the main part of town for the hobgoblins to live,” Loolipo says quietly, “It was burned by the Guild of Villains during a riot long ago and never refurbished.”
Kug snorts. “Just made us cram into the palehair ghetto is all they did,” he says with disgust, “I’ve heard the story many times from my band’s chiefs. They fixed most of their own warehouses, where we store furniture and other fine things until some human wants it, but not any of our dens or gathering halls.” The hobgoblin spits to one side of the wagon. “I hate humans…”
“Rightfully so, General. But be patient: Retribution is coming,” Shaddar promises. He notes with satisfaction that many of the other hobgoblins have listened in on this exchange. Good.
“Hawke told us that this place used to be the main part of town for the hobgoblins to live,” Loolipo says quietly, “It was burned by the Guild of Villains during a riot long ago and never refurbished.”
Kug snorts. “Just made us cram into the palehair ghetto is all they did,” he says with disgust, “I’ve heard the story many times from my band’s chiefs. They fixed most of their own warehouses, where we store furniture and other fine things until some human wants it, but not any of our dens or gathering halls.” The hobgoblin spits to one side of the wagon. “I hate humans…”
“Rightfully so, General. But be patient: Retribution is coming,” Shaddar promises. He notes with satisfaction that many of the other hobgoblins have listened in on this exchange. Good.
Crossover - Chapter 47
Shaddar is certain that either the Lords or the Mist of Darkness will be after him en masse quite soon. Because of this, he has no choice but to abandon the Jester and Hawk Meadhall as his center of operations. He plans to visit the drow Elders again and make them an offer they can’t refuse. Either they will follow him willingly or he will have Cutt clean up a lot of elf blood from his newly emptied underground palace...
It is unlikely that the Knights will be able to keep their masters in the dark about the ‘winds of change’ that have begun to blow through their city. Either news of the vile rumors Shaddar spread, the unrest he has caused, or this latest provocation of stealing their tribute will cause the Lords to act.
As for the Mist of Darkness? Well. He has no way of contacting them directly, but it is clear that their people have been watching some of his minions at the very least. But not him and his own personal activities. No, he has remained fairly well hidden and can avoid any competent minds that are seeking him out. Shaddar is quite certain that they have no idea that he left the city.
It is unlikely that the Knights will be able to keep their masters in the dark about the ‘winds of change’ that have begun to blow through their city. Either news of the vile rumors Shaddar spread, the unrest he has caused, or this latest provocation of stealing their tribute will cause the Lords to act.
As for the Mist of Darkness? Well. He has no way of contacting them directly, but it is clear that their people have been watching some of his minions at the very least. But not him and his own personal activities. No, he has remained fairly well hidden and can avoid any competent minds that are seeking him out. Shaddar is quite certain that they have no idea that he left the city.
Crossover - Chapter 46
Once they reach the top of the ramp and can see the stars at the top of the Well – it happens.
The slave who is being forced to be the leader of their expedition has an exceptionally bad time…
From one side of the archway a clawed hand darts out and rips the fellow’s throat into a red ruin. The claw’s owner steps out of the shadows with a hiss and Shaddar recognizes it as a vampire spawn.
“You dare to defy the UnderKing? This place is not for you! It is not for anyone!” it snarls, “You die, desecraters!”
Toothsnatcher responds with eagerness to not only remove the threat, but to test his new axe in combat. He is not disappointed in the results.
The slave who is being forced to be the leader of their expedition has an exceptionally bad time…
From one side of the archway a clawed hand darts out and rips the fellow’s throat into a red ruin. The claw’s owner steps out of the shadows with a hiss and Shaddar recognizes it as a vampire spawn.
“You dare to defy the UnderKing? This place is not for you! It is not for anyone!” it snarls, “You die, desecraters!”
Toothsnatcher responds with eagerness to not only remove the threat, but to test his new axe in combat. He is not disappointed in the results.
Crossover - Chapter 45
Felinxtrath obviously had massive creative control over this world as it came into being; power sufficient to create finery and pomp fit for a king – so he did so.
“And here it is,” Shaddar thinks with his eyes creasing with delight, “All for me.”
Piles of gold nuggets, glass dishes overflowing with richly-colored, dark gemstones, and racks of finely-crafted armor and weapons are immediately visible. All of it arranged to impress those who might be on hand to witness the grand opening of the treasure chamber.
And it works. Shaddar’s small force of hobgoblins is impressed. Even the slaves are murmuring to one another at the sight. Shaddar, however, is not dazzled for long by such trinkets. He strides into the room, casting his eyes about for something more. Works of incomparable artwork line the walls interspersed with further piles of riches. The artwork is of high quality, but to Shaddar’s eyes it is nothing but refuse; each piece has Felinxtrath’s repulsive features on it somewhere, ruining the lot. As for wealth? Ho-hum.
“Surely this is not all? I am certain that my dead master would have made himself something even more impressive and powerful than mere riches. They must around here some–“ His thoughts stop and he makes a satisfied slurping noise as he sees what he knew must be here.
“And here it is,” Shaddar thinks with his eyes creasing with delight, “All for me.”
Piles of gold nuggets, glass dishes overflowing with richly-colored, dark gemstones, and racks of finely-crafted armor and weapons are immediately visible. All of it arranged to impress those who might be on hand to witness the grand opening of the treasure chamber.
And it works. Shaddar’s small force of hobgoblins is impressed. Even the slaves are murmuring to one another at the sight. Shaddar, however, is not dazzled for long by such trinkets. He strides into the room, casting his eyes about for something more. Works of incomparable artwork line the walls interspersed with further piles of riches. The artwork is of high quality, but to Shaddar’s eyes it is nothing but refuse; each piece has Felinxtrath’s repulsive features on it somewhere, ruining the lot. As for wealth? Ho-hum.
“Surely this is not all? I am certain that my dead master would have made himself something even more impressive and powerful than mere riches. They must around here some–“ His thoughts stop and he makes a satisfied slurping noise as he sees what he knew must be here.
Thursday, January 24, 2013
AAR: December 27, 2012 - Jailbreak Hijinx
Saturday, January 19, 2013
Crossover - Chapter 44
This is a disaster. A disaster!
The Realm is a world based on sound illithid principles, but then the blueprints were torn to fragments and it has been finished by the insane and stupid. And then! Then it has run out of control, like a drunken troglodyte in a cave filled with shrieking mushrooms!
And Shaddar is stuck in the middle of this unstable matrix? Oh. My.
“If this is record of how the world works, then perhaps I can glean something of the rules by reading what the four slaves created before they were consumed by the forces of the experiment,” he thinks with forlorn hopes. How likely is it that the four tortured slaves would mentally co-operate, such that the chair and other magical equipment would understand and process their commands?
The Realm is a world based on sound illithid principles, but then the blueprints were torn to fragments and it has been finished by the insane and stupid. And then! Then it has run out of control, like a drunken troglodyte in a cave filled with shrieking mushrooms!
And Shaddar is stuck in the middle of this unstable matrix? Oh. My.
“If this is record of how the world works, then perhaps I can glean something of the rules by reading what the four slaves created before they were consumed by the forces of the experiment,” he thinks with forlorn hopes. How likely is it that the four tortured slaves would mentally co-operate, such that the chair and other magical equipment would understand and process their commands?
Sunday, January 6, 2013
Crossover - Chapter 43
There is much groaning when Shaddar kicks the hobgoblins and slaves awake after their extravagant rest.
“Up! We have much to explore and discover!” he urges.
A thought he had as he awakened is that Felinxtrath may have created a stash of powerful arms, weapons, or magical items for his own personal use in this world. If so, he would have hidden it somewhere in the city. If such a trove exists, Shaddar will have it for his own!
Even if this thought is a vain one, the work of centuries of illithid study were done here in this ancient city – stored away as a gift to ‘the long-tentacled one’. Shaddar feels a burning need for the results and research that would have been collected. He looks forward to finding it and… What was the term the drow elders used? Ah, yes… Harvesting the knowledge.
These thoughts encourage him to be even more blunt than usual with his minions.
“We leave now,” he states simply and then walks off with Toothsnatcher. The hobgoblins and slaves have to run to catch up with him, but none of them want to be left alone in this strange ruin.
“Up! We have much to explore and discover!” he urges.
A thought he had as he awakened is that Felinxtrath may have created a stash of powerful arms, weapons, or magical items for his own personal use in this world. If so, he would have hidden it somewhere in the city. If such a trove exists, Shaddar will have it for his own!
Even if this thought is a vain one, the work of centuries of illithid study were done here in this ancient city – stored away as a gift to ‘the long-tentacled one’. Shaddar feels a burning need for the results and research that would have been collected. He looks forward to finding it and… What was the term the drow elders used? Ah, yes… Harvesting the knowledge.
These thoughts encourage him to be even more blunt than usual with his minions.
“We leave now,” he states simply and then walks off with Toothsnatcher. The hobgoblins and slaves have to run to catch up with him, but none of them want to be left alone in this strange ruin.
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