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 Posted: Sun Jan 31, 2010 6:41 pm
Two servants appeared from a hidden doorway somewhere in the chamber. They carried chairs for the other two matron mothers to sit upon, then left. Ulvira lazily waved a hand indicating for them to take a seat. These women were far younger than herself. Youth rounded their features, were as Ulvira's facial features were as sharp and slender as a dagger. She wore her long, thin white hair over her shoulders. The ends appeared to be dyed red. They were....with blood.
Ulvira stared thoughtfully at her guests, taking time to note each one's attire. In her opinion, both wore odd clothes considering their status. She assumed it had to do with their age. Her own wardrobe was more modest. The black and red robes of a high priestess hugged her womanly curves, the sleeves ended at her elbows and billowed out. Red vambraces covered her forearms. And at her side, tied in with her red sash, her five headed whip vipers writhed.
Normally, Ulvira did not wear a crown. However, she had donned her war helm; For she had been a warrior long before she had taken the throne as a matron mother, and she wanted these young women to know it. It was gold and shaped like a spider with red feathers that plumed out in the shape of a rainbow. As for her feet, she had simple black leather, polished to shine in the gloom.
Her pouty lips were framed in a perpetual frown, and she merely inclined her head in thanks to the compliment of her throne room.
Pleasantries were over with.
The atmosphere around them even seemed to turn darker. She held her chin high and sneered down at them from her nose. Her soft voice suddenly turned cold as steel. "I see Matron Mother Jys'yl has been replaced. Well done." Ulvira congratulated.
"However, did it cross your mind to thank the goddess when you ascended to the throne? And when was the last time Hun'Afin has payed homage to the Spider Queen?" She snapped. The vipers at her side hissed. "Lolth does not look favorably upon your house, Matron....?" Ulvira opened the question for the matron to introduce herself.
"I'd strike you down myself, but no, Lolth has plans for you." She ended the sentence in a dark chuckle. "The Spider Queen is giving you one chance to redeem yourself, to prove you are still worthy of her favor."
Her feline eyes fell upon Matron Tor'Afin. "Lolth demands that you should hold the third seat upon the council." Ulvira's eyes glittered. "You both are well aware of how this is to be achieved."
"Aleanduis must be destroyed. They are unaware that they have fallen from Lolth's graces." She paused, the side of her lip twitching in what was her equivalent of a smile. "The Spider Queen still grants them spells, but when the hour comes to which they shall fall their spells will not harm you."
Ulvira slammed her fist on the arm of her chair, screaming, "House Hun'Afin must annihilate Aleanduis!" Her deep crimson orbs smoldered with fire. She took in a calming breath and continued in the same acidic tone as before. "And if you should fail....." She hissed, "Hun'Afin will crumble by my hands."
The finger she pointed at Lariexith was long and slender like a spider's leg. Her voice became soft once more. "Then the task falls to you should Hun'Afin be unsuccessful."
Ulvira relaxed back into her seat, her elbows propped on the arms of the chair, and her fingers laced together under her pointed chin. "What say you?"
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Posted: Sun Jan 31, 2010 8:12 pm
Mene Mene Tekel Upharsin, The Writing On The Wall. That particular portent of doom continued circulating throughout Nyx’s mind long after it had been uttered, penetrating to the very front and center of her mind. A doom that spoke of fallen civilizations and ended reigns. The words themselves held power, power only bolstered when spoken through prophesy by a spider. The thing far odder to Nyx than talking spiders, was that it came to her in a dream. A dream, when Nyx was incapable of passing into sleep. She pushed herself into a more comfortable position on the massive bed. As she didn’t need to sleep, she rarely found herself in need of one, but imagine her surprise when she woke in her own, unused bed.
Her contemplations were cut short by a small ringing noise that only she could hear. It was her wards. They weren’t normal wards, designed to keep other out, they were layered to tell her when moderately powerful magics entered the compound. She closed her eyes allowing the weave to tell her everything she needed to know about the entering magic. The large majority came from a pair of drift disks. The rest from several smaller, inconsequential enchanted items working in unison. Probably enchanted weapons. The drift disks were probably the Matron Mothers of Houses Hun'Afin and Tor'Afin. Ulvira had been plotting and planning their reception for some time now. It would only make sense.
Nyx slid out of her bed, her bare feet clattered slightly on the stone floor. She didn’t know whether Ulvira would want her there, actually, she wasn’t even sure if she should know about the visit of the two Matrons. She shrugged inwardly, as she planned to go anyway at the same time she shrugged her slightly large House Mage’s piwafwi on. Not only did it have the Rylinndar insignia on it, it also had her own private magical sign woven into it, making it uniquely her own. Once it had settled onto her small shoulders, it shrunk of it’s own accord to fit her perfectly. Her most powerful wand Quarmourn went into a sheath that buckled around her left forearm and a tiny dagger that caused a small antimagic when stabbed into something went underneath her hair. Her last ceremonial House Mage item, a scepter she would be holding, had the ability to shoot near immeasurable amounts of spider web. The special kind of spider web that peeled off your skin if you tried to remove it.
She walked out of her room, the slight feeling of her stomach twisting was ignored. Back when she first inherited the room, she had ensorcerelled it to be a pocket dimension. The room was not in the Rylinndar compound, but yet, it was. If someone tried to sneak into her room, they would either encounter the original room, dusty an abandoned, or be sent hurdling into another dimension. This afforded her safety and more room, she could make it as big as she wanted, and not even her elder sister would know. Outside of the doorframe, she cast a teleportation spell that pulled her to the doors of the Throne Room. The silent guards opened the doors for her to slip in. She avoided the gazes of the two guests, who she was delighted to see, were the Matrons, and instead focused her gaze upon on her own Matron, Ulvira. Ulvira gave no outward sign that she noticed Nyx’s arrival, but she was positive Ulvira knew she was there. Nyx took her place to the right of Ulvira, slightly behind her. She said no words, and looked to an obscure corner of the room.
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Posted: Mon Feb 01, 2010 6:38 am
Lariexith tried not to let her mind race with the possibilities that seem to fill her head. As ditsy as the Matron appeared, Lari maintained her persona to disguise her potential and even her future intentions. As experienced as the Matron is to tele-communication while being inside First House at that! Her thoughts would already be known to at least Ulvira almost immediately, one would assume. But Lari didn't fret about that too much.
When she heard that Hun'afin was not in the highest of favor and that Rylinndar would crush her house should she fail to destroy Aleanduis, the statement brought a smug, confided smile to her lips. When she heard that the House hadn't even paid homage to the Spider Queen, Lari felt a swelling pride enter her chest. The Temple she had built in her own royal compound, the restrictions set for Lolth's prayer, and the two rituals which had been performed since Tor'afin's arrival into Ulorbbath had obviously been not overlooked. Then her mind raced back to the look she had recieved from Ulvira's daughter, Aunthrae. Adding it all up in her mind, if she was correct, not only is Tor'afin in favor of Lolth, it is in favor of the most powerful House in Ulorbbath. But just how far would Rylinndar be willing to help Tor'afin? Perhaps hearing her original plan in destroying Aleanduis would further advance her favor. But the complexity of the plan would prove rather pointless should Hun'afin hear it out. And should she request Ulvira's attention in private would prove all the more suspicious. The plan had to be said now, Lari didn't know when the next time will be should she meet with Ulvira and she had to do it before Hun'afin took action. Now that Hun'afin was weak, she wasn't going to allow them to have the chance to redeem themselves. An opportunity as this was far too great. But what Lari needed now was time.
Rethinking the plan in her head, Lari replaced the vital parts and reported half of her plan. The part that would take the most time.
Stepping forward after Ulvira had taken her seat back onto her throne, Lari shrugged her shoulders and began to rub her hands together, "Well, if that is the plan then I might suggest we start up a stragedy for the upcoming battle.." Lari paused as she glanced at the Matron of Hun'afin before looking back at Ulvira and giving an elaborate humble gesture with her arms, "Matron Mother Ulvira... and Matron Mother Hun'afin... if I may have your attentions I can explain a few strategic tactics we might take into consideration just so all of us are on the same page. These are plans I made a while ago... and should insure your victory. The only thing I ask in return is of course... an alliance or some form of beneficial agreement."
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Posted: Tue Feb 02, 2010 1:22 pm
"Chalthara," the Matron of House Hun'Afin introduced herself as her superior left space in her speech and gave a curt nod. If Matron Ulvira had ever seen her before, she apparently did not remember. Chalthara supposed she was in luck.
"As to the status of my House regarding our Goddess, I shall make no excuses. In the tumult following Matron Jys'lyl's death and leading to my acension, we were foolish and did not think to thank she whose will had brought us to our blessed place as the Second House. I myself was foolish for not acknolwedging the fact that I had been favored." Favored as a figurehead by Veldrin and the warlock of the house, perhaps. Whether Lolth had had anything to do with it, Chalthara did not know. Perhaps through Veldrin, she was being tested? "The downfall of House Aleanduis shall be the sacred duty of myself and all those of House Hun'Afin, to repent for the error we have committed. The blasphemers shall be punished, and our great Spider Queen shall be appeased."
By the way the matron of Tor'Afin was looking at her, she could tell that the other Matron was a zealot. She sighed inwardly. She had always believed that those who were absorbed fully by their own fanaticism were not the best opportunists. Sometimes compromise was necessary to climb to the top. Power could not always be gained by force or idle, angry threats. Chalthara had excelled in her training as a priestess, and her devotion to Lolth remained strong -- she just felt that there were more subtle ways of serving the Spider Queen. She often favored the intelligent over the strong, in Chalthara's experience. Her sister, for example, had been much more fit in every way to rule House Kenrahel -- she was the quintessential bossy priestess of Lolth, physically strong and stubborn as a rock wall. Chalthara was smaller, talked and threatened less...but her venom was greater when she deigned to strike.
"As for an alliance with your House, Matron of Tor'Afin, I believe I shall require a short time to contemplate the offer you have made. Perhaps I could return to my House and contact you once things there are in better order? Unless, of course, Matron Ulvira would rather I made the decision now. Her will outweighs mine in this."
She almost hoped Ulvira would intervene and say that the decision had to be made then and there. Then she could make the decision on her own, without having to consult Veldrin. Then again, she took his threats seriously...and she was not so certain that Lolth would reward her in the afterlife for her cowardice and willing to defer to a male when making House decisions.
A knot of dread settled itself in her stomach.
But Veldrin is only a pawn in my grand scheme, Chalthara reassured herself. She didn't know exactly what that grand scheme was, as of yet, but she would have to wrest control from him eventually.
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Posted: Thu Feb 04, 2010 6:25 pm
The Matron Mother of Rylinndar sat back in her seat absently stroking a viper from her whip. She remained silent, allowing the weight of her words to sink into the other women. The soft sound of her throne doors being opened brought her attention to the child that had entered through them. Ulvira recognized who it was immediately, for there were few children who existed within the castle, none of whom ever visited the throne room. Nyx, Ulvira's youngest sibling, strode past Ulvira's guests with nothing more than a twinkle of dark humor in her eyes.
Ulvira assumed her sister was here to eavesdrop on the confabulation. There was no other reason for her being here. She hadn't been summoned. Nyx's presence did not concern the matron mother. A quirk of her arched brow was the only outward indication she gave of her sister's approach.
Her eyes fell upon Lariexith once more. Ulvira saw past the woman's eccentric attitude and clothing. She had learned in her early century of life that mere appearances could beguile the true nature of a drow. This knowledge was a small part of what had seen her through to her fifth century of life. Lariexith was smiling, Ulvira noted.
Her air of indifference suddenly changed. Ulvira's features turned hard, her full lips deepened further into a scowl. She fixed Lariexith with a look so full of loathing, so utterly malevolent, it would make her smile falter.
Sensing her mood, two of the vipers from her handle rose, hissing.
The House of Black Hearts were known to be as fickle as the Spider Queen herself. And it was well known that it was both stupid and dangerous to assume what Matron Ulvira's standpoint was behind anything.
Thunder began to gather under her eye when Matron Lariexith mentioned she had a strategy that could help House Hun'Afin. "No." Ulvira said through clenched teeth, her voice tight with anger. "This is Matron Chalthara's trial. Assistance in any manner is forbidden. It is the will of Lolth."
Still looking as if she might explode, Ulvira turned her head slowly to look at the Matron Mother of the Second House. She remained respectfully quiet as Chalthara spoke, then, when she was finished Ulvira replied curtly, "You must make your decision now." She leaned forward in her seat, a hungry, expectant gleam in her crimson orbs. Like a spider ready to pounce on its prey.
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Posted: Mon Feb 08, 2010 6:24 am
Her smile did indeed falter at Ulvira's unexpected reaction. Instead, her face became almost a blank stare, with a fire growing in the pits of her pupils at her building rage from within. She had hoped she would catch the Matron's attention long enough to explain the complexity of her plan, knowing that it had been a good one. And would have probably raised her reputation as a respected and intelligent individual. But having spent long hours of planning just to have it dropped like a dead fly brought spite in the form of venom that flowed through Lariexith's veins. The Matron had considered of not telling either of the Matrons that she had a plan and left the throne room that day and gone on about it. But Lari judged on Ulvira's words and heard that it was not 'Lolth's will.' And so dropped the plan. That was all she could do. And from then on she crossed her arms and sighed impatiently. She felt that her time was being wasted. That she shouldn't have been here in the first place. Her whole summoning was just to have her here and legally eavesdrop. And it seemed that the only useful information she had gathered was Tor'afin was in a higher favor then Hun'afin currently. Everything else was Hun'afin's business and had nothing to do with her. By order of first house she had no say-so in any other matter thus her presence should no longer be useful in the meeting. As she sunk in her own pit of anger and impatience, hearing Matron Ulvira's contradictory statement to Chalthara only made Lariexith all the more angrier. If Lari can give no assistance then what's the point of making Chalthara decide now? Unless... unless it was all a test. But even then, Lari had no interest in playing games unless it was others playing her own.
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Posted: Thu Feb 11, 2010 6:33 pm
Chalthara nodded, remaining relatively impassive. Perhaps she didn't need Veldrin's approval on this decision. He would hardly advise her to go against Lolth's will so overtly -- and even if that was his goal, he certainly would not want to have to share the glory of conquest with another house.
She herself did not want to ally with House Tor'Afin either. The other Matron looked as if she had something up her slighly eccentric sleeve, and Chalthara did not want to be deposed because of a stupid decision. She and Veldrin could probably think of strategies more devious than those of the head of the fourth house. They were of the second most powerful house in the city, and Chalthara, at least, had gotten to that place by her own survival instincts. They hadn't failed her yet, and she didn't expect them to do so now.
She looked at Lari levelly, eyes narrowing slightly in her small-featured face. "As beneficial as an alliance could be, I shall have to decline. Matron Ulvira has declared that this mission is pennance for House Hun'Afin, and I therefore believe that it should be the sacred duty of my house alone."
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Posted: Sat Feb 13, 2010 4:24 am
They may just as well fall without the aid or favor of Lolth. Then let them be crushed by Rylinndar with humiliation. Why bother getting caught up with an unfavored house?
These were Lariexith's thoughts as she turned to look at Chalthara and hear her decline. But then, another devious plan began to form along the edges of her mind. She was ordered not to aid Hun'afin by any means. But perhaps interference in this war will be made. Though of course, not by Lariexith. A smile reached her lips once more.
"Well... after hearing Matron Ulvira's last statement I can understand your decision entirely."
Lariexith then turned to Ulvira and made a bow respectfully, "I apologize for my out spoken request. It was my own minor misunderstanding at your previous words. But I will be honored to take up that task when Hun'afin fails it," a slight promising, final tone was found in her voice as she looked respectfully at Ulvira, no longer acknowledging Chalthara, as if the Matron had already left the room.
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Posted: Wed Feb 17, 2010 11:37 am
Still leaning forward in her seat, she flicked a glance back at Matron Lariexith, and noted with a bit of disappointment, that the young woman had not taken Ulvira's words in a better light. Lariexith's posture and impatient sighs told Ulvira everything she needed to know about how the woman felt behind her impassive expression. Ulvira's white brows netted together in annoyance. The Matron Mother of the Fourth House obviously felt that this meeting was a waste of time.
Her long slender fingers grasped the arms of her chair tightly. It was all Ulvira could do to keep herself from backhanding the young woman for her impudence. Perhaps, Lariexith had forgotten just who exactly had summoned her. Perhaps, it had escaped her mind that Ulvira was the voice of Lolth. It was the Spider Queen who wished Ulvira to extend the invitation of this meeting to the Matron of Tor'Afin. If Lolth had not expressed her desire for the matron mother to be here, Ulvira wouldn't have even bothered wasting her time with a summons to House Tor'Afin. The Spider Queen wanted Lariexith here, not Ulvira.
Matron Lariexith's behavior angered Ulvira. Her attitude was one of the reasons why Ulvira hated dealing with women younger than herself. A matron of her own age would have realized that even though this meeting held little action for herself, the simple knowledge garnered from this coupling held a great deal of potential. Ulvira sighed quietly. Obviously, she thought, Such knowledge isn't useful for one who doesn't plan ahead of herself.
Be patient with your inferiors, mistress. One of her whip vipers chided. Ulvira openly scowled. It irritated her when her serpents would remark on her feelings, especially when they were correct. She listened to it nonetheless, immediately replacing her simmering anger with cold indifference.
Ulvira tapped a finger to her soft lips, listening to the other matrons exchange words, and when Lariexith bowed, apologizing, Ulvira's mood lightened. Her lip twitched again in her own way of smiling. Lariexith might have angered her, but Ulvira liked the matron's promising tone. It amused her. Her voice was soft when she spoke again. "Your hands are full, I'll dismiss you now." Ulvira slowly rose from her seat in apparent ease. Even from the raised dais that she stood upon the other women could see that Ulvira was taller than was normal for drow females. She spread out her hands in a farewell. "You came to me protected by my own guards. I will extend the same protection to each of you on your journey home."
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Posted: Thu Feb 18, 2010 3:18 am
Catching the change of tone in the Matron's words, Lariexith was sure not to make any more of her obnoxious arrogant comments or even her eccentric gestures. Her taunting was done and her impressions were made. Her pose became more stiffened and serious.
Nodding her head at Ulvira's farewell, "It was a pleasure being invited into your House and having my presence in your meeting."
Lari then rose from her seat and swept passed Chalthara without the slightest recognition. On her way to the doors a faint, melancholy whistle that seemed to dance around the throne room was heard before Lariexith left through the doors.
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Posted: Fri Mar 12, 2010 2:30 pm
Nyx sent a brief, conspiratorial wink in Chalthara's direction as a cheshire grin crossed her face in response to Lariexith's departure. Lariexith was a fool to show her true feelings to Ulvira. And to attempt to take control of the meeting from Ulvira... Well, at least Ulvira had not backed down an inch. If anything, Ulvira had gained another foothold and asserted her dominance over the other two matrons, albeit in a very subtle maneuver.
Nyx departed the meeting as quietly as she had come, the grin still fixed on her face. All the information she needed had been said. The Second House was to attack and destroy the Third, without the help of the other houses, as decreed by Lolth. Nyx was not certain that the Second House would have the resources to succeed and then stave off possible attacks from other, offended Matrons seeking to raise their house's rank.
Oh the chaos that would ensue if the Third House had fair warning though. Lolth had explicity directed that The Second House was to be rendered no help, no such block was put on the Third House. But what could she get out of helping the decadent Third House?
When she was out of sight of the throne room, Nyx activated a teleportation spell to send her to the gates of the Rylinndar compound. She wanted to be able to see it when Matron Lariexith exited. Nyx did not trust her.
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Posted: Mon Jun 14, 2010 3:58 pm
It had been a long day of meditation and even longer day of prayer. A creature constructed of danger and beauty had left the house temple some time ago after concluding her daily worship of Lolth and now she walk down the long corridors of the palace walls in silence. It was not beyond her knowledge that important matters were being discussed and this is why she remained as silent as she was. It was not for the purpose of listening in, she knew better than to be so bold to do something so foolish, but it was out of respect for the Matron and those who were involved. For a brief moment she paused in her stride and allow her crimson eyes to trace over the elaborate art that decorated the walls with such excellence.
The finery this place held never did cease to amaze her though any who did not know her would think she wasn't impressed in the slightest. Alaktana slowly took in a deep breath before releasing it through her nose. She found herself pondering again but it was of something that held no importance. She was simply trying to decide where it is she would go now. Matron Ulvira had not summoned her to be in her company and thus there really was nothing left for her to do.
A low hiss broke through the silence causing Alaktana to run a slender finger atop the head of the viper that belonged to her four headed serpents whip. It was settled, as she was not needed now she would return to her private quarters and take to either relaxing, practicing what skills and spells the great Lolth had bestowed upon her or gathering what knowledge she could to be that much better so that she might stay in Matron Ulvira's favor but more importantly Lolths favor. Then an idea hit her, perhaps it would be best to take the time to pamper herself. She'd not done so since her arrival here putting her studies and worship before all else. Yes, a pampering couldn't hurt and she knew of the best place to do it, The Rose and Web.
Removing her sweet touch from the vipers head, she continued her stride, her womanly curves swinging to and fro' in an exotic dance of seduction and she made her way for the exit and to her destination.
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Patron Saint Of Farewells
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