Thread: The Overdue Destruction of House Vorn

Miriam chuckled and hugged her raccoon friend closer, You're rather silly. Feraloth can't do much, damage wise. and Jarikk dear doesn't know quite all that much about the surface world. Also, you shouldn't be mad at him. Your second youngest sister set this up, the cranky thing. She isn't very happy that your sire took her sire's place and deems it a bad omen for her, much less your and your youngest sister's continued existence. So she took on the plan to get rid of you on your trip up here. Who would question a drow male who had never ventured to the surface before getting killed? So she set up some things with Kurig and replaced him with that hideously stupid doppleganger. I mean, YOU are a magic wielder, right? Who in their right mind uses low draconic runes and gold sensors? That's like taking Ezrath's First Law of magic and shitting on it. Subtle is best, gold is very powerful but ostentatious and resonates too much. If it had had any forethought it would have used cold iron. Bit harder to get into shape but unless it was around fae the resonance would have been minimal except for those looking for it. Right? She had been grooming her raccoon and gave him a kiss before letting him waddle away. She looked at Jarikk who was still fearful and laughed, You know, Jarikk dear, if he hurts you none of these people would stick with him. YOU are the reason we came. We have no real obligation to this drow. Yes, he paid us, but we can get paid by other people. So, while with us you are inviolate. She cocked her head and turned to look at Ryltar, Now don't get worked up. Your precious goblin didn't plan it this way. He just knew us, and has impressed most of us. Look at him, the very idea of him being the glue that holds this together and not you is frightening for him. He worries about failing you so much and, think about it, have you EVER had to punish him? I know your kind don't get this very much, but he is LOYAL to you. Tch, drow. I swear, you people make paranoia into some kind of scavenger hunt of insanity. Jarikk was indeed rather shocked and, unlike usual, was showing it. He was generally a very calm goblin, but the idea that this mission might hinge on him instead of Ryltar completely threw him. HE was the servant, Ryltar was the master. That was how it always was. He looked up at his master as if to say he was sorry, but no words came from his mouth. He was just...stunned. The hunting party came back with some rabbits, a few birds, and one deer. They started cleaning them, with Jarikk helping to feel useful at something. He sent Ur over to speak to Ryltar at the thought of beasts and monsters he may bring back. I'm not sure how you drow work, but this forest contains unicorns, blink dogs every now and then, ettercaps, girallions, dragonnes, some dinosaurs, couatls, owlbears, spider eaters, and some animals and their dire forms. I'm not sure what you are planning, but a unicorn would probably be the best sacrifice for your matron. Spider eaters might have a hard time down below, they are huge flying creatures and would be difficult to transport. Dragonnes are pretty violent, but small enough to be easily transported. The dinosaurs are feral predators in these parts, and generally work in packs. It would be almost impossible to take a pack captive. He would go on, explaining the rest of the creatures, their strengths, their weaknesses, and the best way to capture them. Jik had started a fire after skinning her rabbits. The umber hulk had helped gather wood, and generally played the gentle, stupid beast even when it was as sharp as any normal drow and above the minds of the general human. The dire weasel was snoozing, having eaten what he needed on the hunting excursion. Fresh food was the best for one of it's kind. Jarikk was busy dismembering the deer, setting aside pieces that he thought would be special for Ryltar's spell components. He would carry them over later when Ryltar was done with his talk with the orc, thought both men looked rather silly talking with their sunglasses on. It didn't seem to suit either one of them. He was also terrified of what Miriam had said, not sure how Ryltar would take to being talked to her like that. Jarikk himself still didn't know how she saw and knew what she did, but he knew that every now and then she was completely nuts. There were rumors she used to be a mage who had made deals with the pseudonatural world in exchange for power, before she started learning how to deal with traps. Others say she just learned how to deal with traps as her mind only knew how to take things apart now. Either way, she was powerful and seemed to know a whole lot more than she ever let on. But she certainly had paid for her moments of terrifying lucidity. Jik, Miriam said that you and the others were doing this as a favor to me. Not for the money that my master paid you. Is that true? The kobold looked up from starting to spit the animals and shrugged, So what if it is? We'll listen to him while he is useful, and we will take his money. We'll make sure that he, and you, are safe and that his mission goes as planned. That is what you wanted, isn't it? Jarikk sighed and shook his head, bringing slabs of deer meat over, I wanted this to work out for Master Vorn. I do wish he'd get a better position in the house, something secure. Secure for a drow, at least. I know he is going to outlive me. It's just nature, even with my elongated life span. And that is assuming none of his sisters ever find out what I do. He went back to the deer and brought more meat over. Drows are transient and ephemeral, Jarikk. Their own society is only held together by a voyeuristic spider goddess who touches herself every time her children kill for her affections. Look at how everything is set up. Without her, and the rest of the pantheon's guidance, things would be dead. Vhaerun is trying to build a semi-stable living situation for the drow up on the surface, as is Eilistraee yet they clash because of their ethics and morals. As much as Eilistraee preaches unity, she is still androphobic in her outlook. Underground you have Kiaransalee trying to have drows live forever as undead, to make their games of murder and death more of a play than severe results. Yet Lolth has Seveltarm to keep the men satisfied in the caverns and people in line, her priestesses who have an easy way to power, as easy as anything is in that society. And then there is Ghaundaur, who seems to be dragging men and women away to form another unstable society just for the kicks. It is a precarious position held in place by delicate webs of self-interest. Those few drow who escape, well, what do they have to look forward too? More suspicion and hatred directed at them than any half-orc will ever face and having to forever look over their shoulders. It doesn't seem to hold much interest for them, does it? Jarikk looked downcast, but knew his friend wasn't too far off the mark. He stuck another hunk of deer meat on the spit and helped her place it up over the fire, I just...I just want Ryltar to have a good life, you know? Too many men...they are just tossed aside and seen as useless. I...I don't want that for him. Jik nodded and patted her little friend. Do not worry. Things should work out. Hopefully at least. Ur had finished off the list of monsters and creatures and gone on to talk about the elves that were living relatively close about. When he smelled meat he walked towards the cooking food and continued his talk, letting Ryltar scribble down what he needed. Miriam, for her part, was just busy picking flowers.