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 Posted: Sun Sep 14, 2008 7:20 pm
Gweneth nodded once and sat with bag beside her for there was little else to do and thought over the conversation with Arachnae once more.
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Posted: Wed Sep 17, 2008 12:00 am
-Val'atar stood in a large chamber one floor above the girl.. looking down through the floor. The magical floor was transparent on one side, allowing him to watch the she-elf below. A cruel smile flickered across his lips as he observed her silent worry over her fate within his house. Motioning with his right hand, Val'atar triggers a geas spell causing strange haunting noises and disturbing sensations to manifest within the room below. Chuckling darkly, he continues to watch her with interest.-
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vVDragonVofVDarknessVv Crew
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Posted: Wed Sep 17, 2008 3:44 am
Serethiel wove through the streets of the city with the agility of a cat, keeping close to the shadows not by necessity, but merely habit. A good drow was a cautious one, albeit she was only half.
She'd been away on patrol and informational business for a time now, having only just arrived home. As an assassin her duties stretched beyond mere slaughter. It had been a long while since the woman had actually done any sort of combat. Serethiel worried her skills would lose their edge before too long, but there was already word of new conflict astir, sure enough. That would have to be confirmed by her superiors, though rumours or that nature were never far off the mark. The Drow were a race of chaos and whispers; they thrived on disorder. She'd have to wet her dagger soon enough.
Feeling more at ease closer to the massive structure that was Qu'ellar Druu'giir, the young halfbreed loosened her grip on the weapon at her side without letting go completely. No denizen of this world could afford negligence. She paused for awhile. Her red eyes swept the gate and surrounding area, catching a glimpse of the mistress, who vanished nearly immediately, and a woman she'd not been acquainted with before. Erelala was a rare sight. The lady, from Serethiel's experience, mostly kept to her own devices. But then again it was only specialty that gave her station as little more than a soldier. The half-elf only saw higher ups during exceptional circumstances unless ordered. For that, she was relatively glad. Her prowess was keen with a blade, but that was nothing in the face of Au Shinduago's nobles, many of whom took every opportunity to spit on her impurities.
The fear they invoked paled in comparison to that of her own House.
She passed the sentries and made her way to the soldier's quarters to await further summons, or whatever else her authorities had planned for her, if anything. Presently, she was exhausted. The female sank onto her small mattress and closed her eyes, a dagger still close at hand.
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Posted: Thu Sep 18, 2008 11:37 am
*A soldier approaches the Captain and makes the customary motion of salute that House Druu'giir soldiers used. Captain Drizzt nods and listens as the soldier details the return of the house assassin. After a moment, Drizzt dismisses the soldier and rises from his desk, heading for the large spiral staircase that moved up the center of the fortress. Asking several guards along the way if they had seen the lord of the house, he finally finds that his master is in the observation room.
Nodding, Drizzt hastens to the large room above and knocks softly at the door. After a moment, he hears a faint call to enter and so he steps within, fighting the urge against feeling like he would fall as he walks out over a transparent floor. He'd always hated this area of the fortress.. it made him feel like he might plummet down to the floor below. Silly he knew, after all as part of his station as Captain he'd been given a magical device that allowed him to rise or fall at the rate of his choosing, but it didn't prevent the sense that one might fall at any moment.
Silently he dispensed with those thoughts as he approached Lord Druu'giir.. who seemed focused on some surface elf below them. Drizzt fell to one knee and awaited the attention of his superior, glancing up to observe the cruel rictus of a smile that seemed carved on Val'atar's face as he tormented the female below. Drizzt carried no love for the surface elves himself, having lost family members to them, but Lord Druu'giir seemed to always enjoy tormenting some creature or other. It made Drizzt's skin shiver remembering the time he had been present for the questioning of an enemy soldier at the hands of Lord Druu'giir, how the poor drow had howled in agony as his flesh was torn from his bones bit by bit over the coarse of days while red hot metal rods were used to prod the last vestiges of pain from the dieing nerves. Worse yet was how his Lord had laughed during the whole affair, as if it was a game.. Drizzt tore his eyes away from the sight of his Lord as he clenched his fists at his side, willing himself to forget the memory and wait silently for notice*
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Posted: Thu Sep 18, 2008 6:15 pm
Valatar Druugiir -Val'atar stood in a large chamber one floor above the girl.. looking down through the floor. The magical floor was transparent on one side, allowing him to watch the she-elf below. A cruel smile flickered across his lips as he observed her silent worry over her fate within his house. Motioning with his right hand, Val'atar triggers a geas spell causing strange haunting noises and disturbing sensations to manifest within the room below. Chuckling darkly, he continues to watch her with interest.-
Gweneth recognized the magic in the air and knew something was afoot but it did not prepare her for the eerie sounds surrounding her now. She jumped a bit when one of the sounds came too near her but she refused to be moved to terror. Did he think she had so little substance to her?
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Posted: Sun Sep 21, 2008 9:45 pm
Master Drizzt *A soldier approaches the Captain and makes the customary motion of salute that House Druu'giir soldiers used. Captain Drizzt nods and listens as the soldier details the return of the house assassin. After a moment, Drizzt dismisses the soldier and rises from his desk, heading for the large spiral staircase that moved up the center of the fortress. Asking several guards along the way if they had seen the lord of the house, he finally finds that his master is in the observation room. Nodding, Drizzt hastens to the large room above and knocks softly at the door. After a moment, he hears a faint call to enter and so he steps within, fighting the urge against feeling like he would fall as he walks out over a transparent floor. He'd always hated this area of the fortress.. it made him feel like he might plummet down to the floor below. Silly he knew, after all as part of his station as Captain he'd been given a magical device that allowed him to rise or fall at the rate of his choosing, but it didn't prevent the sense that one might fall at any moment. Silently he dispensed with those thoughts as he approached Lord Druu'giir.. who seemed focused on some surface elf below them. Drizzt fell to one knee and awaited the attention of his superior, glancing up to observe the cruel rictus of a smile that seemed carved on Val'atar's face as he tormented the female below. Drizzt carried no love for the surface elves himself, having lost family members to them, but Lord Druu'giir seemed to always enjoy tormenting some creature or other. It made Drizzt's skin shiver remembering the time he had been present for the questioning of an enemy soldier at the hands of Lord Druu'giir, how the poor drow had howled in agony as his flesh was torn from his bones bit by bit over the coarse of days while red hot metal rods were used to prod the last vestiges of pain from the dieing nerves. Worse yet was how his Lord had laughed during the whole affair, as if it was a game.. Drizzt tore his eyes away from the sight of his Lord as he clenched his fists at his side, willing himself to forget the memory and wait silently for notice* " What is it Captain.. that brings you to interrupt me?" -He spoke without turning towards his vassal, his attention still upon the female below. Smiling, he sealed the room with a gesture and then opened a small portal to another plane, sucking the air from the chamber into wild space-
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vVDragonVofVDarknessVv Crew
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Posted: Sun Sep 21, 2008 9:50 pm
*Drizzt stood and spoke softly* "Your assassin has returned my lord. She was spotted coming in through the outer defenses by the shadows, but as per your orders she was not interfered with. I thought it wise to notify you at the least, is there anything you would like me to do regarding her sir?"
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Posted: Sun Sep 21, 2008 10:14 pm
-Slowly, Val'atar turns his head until he can glance at the Captain out of the corner of his eyes- "Leave her to me Drizzt.. I need you to see to the new barracks for my Tanarukks. I'm having one of our arcanists convert the east spire already, but you will see to the final details. When I transport them here, you will lead them. I do not have to tell you what your fate will be should you fail me in any way.. do I old friend?"
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vVDragonVofVDarknessVv Crew
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Posted: Sun Sep 21, 2008 10:26 pm
*Drizzt shook his head slightly as his gaze dropped to the floor in front of Val'atar*
"I fully understand my lord, but I assure you I will not fail. I will see to your orders at once, the barracks will be ready when your legions arrive."
*With a salute, he turns and walks to the door, stepping out of the room as his hand pulls the door closed and he pauses, equal parts anger and fear coursing through his body. He was the best fighter in the house, perhaps the city if one didn't include the undead and automatons. Knowing that, it still got to him that someone as martially weak as Val'atar had saved his life when his house fell so many years ago. Perhaps one day he would act on his feelings, but for now the ancient sorcerer was untouchable, so he straightened himself and strode off to find the guards and relay the instructions before he went to the east spire to see to the new barracks*
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Posted: Sun Sep 21, 2008 10:59 pm
-Val'atar watched his Weapon-Master go, then turned his attention back to the female below. His mind divided its attention, half watching while the air thinned and became un-breathable below, while another part pondered if it Drizzt had any plans of his own. He knew it irritated the Captain to be reminded of his weakness to magic and so Val'atar made it a point to remind him every chance he got. Chuckling at the thought, his mind abandons the concept and focuses on the scene below. Whispering the words to end the spell, he unseals the room and allows air to return just after the she-elf had blacked out. With an even crueler smile, he began casting a spell of polymorph on her, changing her to look exactly like herself.. but with the ebony skin and silvery hair of a drow. With a last nod, he ends the spell and steps back to a large chair.. sitting as he awaits her to regain consciousness-
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vVDragonVofVDarknessVv Crew
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Posted: Mon Sep 22, 2008 10:47 pm
Serethiel woke from a fitful sleep that left her gasping, and found the end of her dagger buried deep within the side of her mattress, knuckles white about it. The half elf shuddered, her neck still tingling from the onslaught of shriveled hands that invaded her reverie.
Only an hour had passed since she'd arrived, but it seemed so much longer. The woman rose shakily, dislodging her weapon to replace it near her side. Perhaps she would be dismissed for the evening, she thought hopefully, quite visibly fatigued from her long journey, not to mention the disturbing vision she'd recently escaped from. The thought quickly dissolved, though, as she surveyed the view of the grounds outside from the window, promptly realizing just how legitimate the whispers truly were. The whole place was buzzing with an unusual amount of activity, and there hung a distinct air of expectancy that spoke of things to come.
Undoubtedly, she would be hearing from her authorities soon. Serethiel needed information to operate. She would likely be directed to coordinate with the captain at some point, to better adapt her own circumstances.
The halfling closed the door, and stripped off her armour and clothing. Both were made of flexible materials, wrought with enchantments to allow for silence and speed. Redressing herself promptly in fresh attire, Serethiel stood before the mirror, checking that all necessities were in place. Last was the leather band that hid her most prominent anomaly. Only one of Serethiel's eyes was gifted with the drow's bloody dark percieving red; the other was as blue and clear as the sky outside their subterranean world. On the surface, her vision was near perfect. Down below, she was near half blind, the sapphire orb not yet adjusted to the stifling black of the underworld due to the fact that it was usually hidden away to avoid unwanted attention. Assassins could not afford to be conspicuous. Such dressings were not necessary here, however. Everyone in Qu'ellar Druu'giir that knew of Serethiel, though few, knew what lay beneath that mask. It generally served as a blight on her appearance here, and had been the topic of many a crass remark. Thankfully, beauty was of no use to a fighter(although Serethiel had her share of it despite). Anyone that took up a sword should expect to be hit by one, and the halfling was no exception. More than several of her peers had a few nasty impediments that would stay the course of their whole lives. Quietly, she removed it, letting both her eyes focus gradually on the reflection before her. Her fingers ran over the ornate leather-work, admiring the craftsmanship of her dark kin. Insidious though they were, their prowess in artistry never ceased to amaze her; from fine weaponry, to the brilliant stone homes they constructed with ease in their stalagmites down to the tiny intricacies so delicately placed in their jewelry, the Drow indeed excelled in creation.
Serethiel let out a long breath. Setting the object down, the woman sensed her time alone was up, and moved out into the corridors to seek her superiors, hoping inwardly her time with any of them would be short.
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Posted: Wed Sep 24, 2008 12:29 am
-Val'atar sat watching the unconscious form below for several minutes, a smirk on his lips. Lifting his head suddenly, he glances to one of the rings on his hand and then stands, making for the door with a graceful stride. Outside, he walks down the staircase to the level below and approaches the guard stationed near the stairs.-
"See that the female is kept locked within that room. She is to be fed and treated as my personal guest, but she is to remain within until I order otherwise, no one is permitted to see or speak with her unless my permission is gained."
-Turning, Val'atar walks to the stairs once more and descends several floors until he reaches the one he sought, where he turns and strides down a hallway. Several moments later he spots Serethiel ahead and so he draws up short, waiting for her to reach him. His face was emotionless as he regarded her for several long moments-
"I've given you alot of freedom within my house.. kitrye vlos. Where have you been? Our house is beset on all sides by enemies and Kiaransalee has abandoned us. What is more, there is a new mercenary group within the city and I believe that the other houses intend to use them against us. I want you to observe the other houses and learn what you can about this mercenary group."
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vVDragonVofVDarknessVv Crew
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Posted: Wed Sep 24, 2008 12:45 am
Sereth froze in her tracks, nearly bumping headfirst into none other than Val'atar. She swept low in a hasty bow, dropping to her knee, and inclined her head. What little she ever saw of the master in her mismatched gaze was by no means repulsive; he was in fact quite the opposite, but the ancient male brought fourth such an air of trepidation to his subordinates that the halfling would have little room for notice. The dull ambience of power eminating from the master thrummed in her head, and her skin crawled uncomfortably whenever she stood in his presence.
The remark stung, even from a noble, whose prejudices she had grown accustomed to over years of time spent in the Underark. "M-my deepest apologies Sir, I was delayed on my assignment. It shall not happen again." She said in response to his query, her eyes fixed to the floor as she listened to his orders. The rumours were indeed legitimate; a fight was at hand.
"Understood. I will begin gathering information immediately." Serethiel gave him a curt salute, hoping her tardiness would not cost her.
"Is there anything else you should require?"
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Posted: Wed Sep 24, 2008 6:24 pm
"That will suffice for now child.. see that you do not repeat your absence again."
-Casually he turned from her, smiling inwardly. She was a clever and resourceful member of his house, one he intended to keep for many years barring her death by foe or folly. With an air of contempt, he passed down the hallways and out of sight, returning to the stairs once again to travel much higher this time to the upper levels where only himself and a few of his personal servants were allowed.
His sanguine eyes clove through the pitch darkness as easily as any drow, allowing him to see without the need for lights or torches. His upper rooms were kept in a perpetual blanket of darkness and silence, exactly the combination that allowed him to work his arcane spells.
Pausing at a door, he studies the arcane spell covering it, then reaches out and touches a spot, unraveling the spell before pushing the door open. Had he not taken the time to undo the spell, when he opened the door, a gout of flame would have engulfed him as he entered the room. Safely he passes within and closes the door, resetting the spell before he turns and strides to a large mirror along one wall. Motioning slowly, he casts a spell to open a portal to another place, then steps through it and allows it to close behind him, returning to just another large ornate mirror-
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vVDragonVofVDarknessVv Crew
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Posted: Sat Sep 27, 2008 11:30 pm
"Kampi'unus, Jabbuk Val'atar. I will not fail."
Supplying another deep bow of gratitude, the halfblood slipped away into darkness. Relief swept over her like a warm hand as he disappeared behind her. The master must have been in a particularly fine mood to allow her error to go unbidden. Either that, or particularly busy, which seemed the more likely scenario. It mattered not, though, for he had gone, and all that was heard of him was the hissing of his clothes as he stalked away. The woman made an inward note to tread more carefully about her master's wishes, as luck and good fortune were never exponential here, and one could never predict when either one might run out. Besides, she owed him that much. It was Val'atar alone who'd taken note of the battered slave's abilities and gave her a position with considerable freedom in his house. It was still hard going; the life of an individual born of two opposing worlds always posed complications, but the intolerance the female endured here was far less than what she'd experienced on the surface.
Here, the notion of freedom was an empty one, and lowly sorts no longer fathomed the meaning. Serethiel had resigned herself to serving Qu'ellar Druu'giir, and her heightened level of autonomy depended upon it. The advent of another ruling house would undoubtedly dispel all privileges the half-elf had come to enjoy. She would, at worst, be reverted to a drudge, and her hand would never clasp the hilt of a weapon again. For individuals like Serethiel, battle was the only solace in such an unyielding existence. Her sword and daggers gave her purpose, and therefore her House and its master had given her purpose.
That was exactly why failure, in her own mind, would not be an option.
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