Driders, Peace Talks, and a Faern

[pattu]

This thread is a result of events that took place in the “Crossing The Border” (Underdark) Event. RP only please.

The faern of Baendar sat behind his desk, cold, sweating, and staring at a set of documents. The documents are the surviving proof of peace talks between the conclave and the driders. The peace talks that Cal destroyed. He could feel his fate, his doom approaching fast. He has but one chance to save those who participated in the scouting mission, and most importantly, himself.

Cal reviewed the charges that would be made against him; Disruption of peaceful negotiations, murder of a conclave emissary, and most importantly, the endangerment of the entire city of Sshamath. He chuckled and thought to himself “Ahhh.. not a bad cycle of work.” Though even trying to put humor on the situation did not lessen his anxiety. Cal’s only regret was not to kill the second emissary. At least that way he would have more time. The second emissary would most likely have reported the actions of the scouting party to the conclave.

Cal would bring the documents to the conclave and most likely stand trial.. for his life. He would also bring the mercenary contract provided by the scouting mission’s employer as his only defense. He would try and remove blame from himself and instead push it onto the employer and the drow wizard who transported the party into the drider caverns. He would argue that the party had no knowledge of the peace talks and the party was used and tricked as a means to disrupt the negotiations.

The faern breathed deep composing himself. He would now depend on his sharp mind and witty tongue to save himself from harm. He gathered the documents and the contract, hiding them on his person and made his way to the conclave. If he succeeds he will live and get his revenge against those who tricked him. If he fails, he dies.

[pattu]

Cal arrives at the Conclave and seeks an audience with the Conclave leadership.

[Empoweredfan]

Nawiel observed Cal, as he approached the conclave , and she could only assume that it had something to do with the documents that he had taken during their disastrous scouting mission. She felt sympathy for him, even as she probably was in it just as deep as him. It would not be a pleasant experience to be questioned by the faerns of the conclave, and she imagined that it would be something akin to what Cal himself had done to a Drider he had questioned during that fateful blunder.

She herself had not planed to keep an eye on him, but she had words for the conclave, regarding the aggressive Orc, with a price on his head. Having spotted him north-west of the river, a bit earlier in the cycle. She felt it best that the conclave took upon itself the matter of the aggressive Orc, so the brewing mob did not grow out of control. Seeing the faern derailed her plans, and she stuck to the shadows, observing Cal from a distance.

If he were to give the papers to the conclave at this time, it probably wasn't the best time for her to show herself, or give her name to be recorded. So the moment the faern Cal moved away from her view, she joined a group of tired officials heading out. Disappearing into the crowd.

[Kenshin]

Arnaut was casually watching passersby apparently having recently emerged from the Fountain of Endless Elixirs. He was just considering the pleasures of a fine meal at the nearby Luckhorn's Gullet when he spotted the mage Cal scurrying towards the Stonestave. The wizard seemed to be in a bit of a state approaching the seat of power, Arnaut reflected as he carefully scanned the entire area for who else the mage's arrival might have alerted. He thought he spied another member of the mission, that so interested his 'uncle', watching the anxious Cal from near the ramp that wound its way up the Stonestave but he did not know the female personally and almost immediately lost sight of her among the bustle of officials coming and going along the busy thoroughfare.

Arnaut supposed that Cal might be on some business of import and so he scribbled a message on a prepared scroll before activating the glyph on its reverse. Then he strolled towards the Luckhorn's Gullet, he had put off the considerable joy of eating a properly prepared meal from that odd, flightless, bird that was so common to the surface world long enough. Others could worry about events of import, Arnaut knew better than to share in their anxiety. Pleasures were to be grasped when and where possible for no one knew the number of cycles left to them to enjoy such.

[Alkaizer74]

Szark sat in Gloura's Wings at and empty table well aware of the faern's intentions with with conclave and evidence of the peace treaty. Perhaps too much so after an opinionated an stubborn debate with faern concerning the events of the scouting mission. However, knowing the astute nature of the faern, she felt calm in her belief that the conclave will recognize the jaluk that is truly responsible for the failed peace negotiations...the no name faern, the would be employer of the scouting team.

"But if not ... if the conclave can naut see the truth." She thinks to herself. "Then Udos may have to seek our own justice."

[illithid]

Izzrar can be seen searching and asking for the whereabouts of the faern from the scouting party, he seems overly eager to speak to him and leaves instructions with many of the tavern owners and merchants to pass on should they see the faern to get in contact, he leaves a rough description of his likeness but when they ask for a name he merely shrugs.

[Selande]

Cyrithe can be found in a dimly lit corner of Gloura's Wings, plucking idly at the strings of her mandolin. Not listening to the dulcet tones, her mind is adrift in thought. She had not heard that the faern Cal was going to address the Conclave . . but nonetheless she had assumed it long ago. She had asked him to seek her out if he needed anything, something the faern had not done. She ponders the meanings and possible outcomes of each scenario as it enters her mind. Long hours pass within the jalil's absent melody, the only lingering remnant of significance being the empty glasses on her table.

[pattu]

Cal pauses before he enters the conclave, taking a moment to further compose himself. He breathes in calmly while staring at the conclave building, observing and appreciating its grandeur. A drow in passing bumps into the faern. Cal sneers at the hooded drow who walks away from him, who does not display his/her face. He feels something in his hand. A note. His eyes still burning with annoyance he opens the note carefully to reveal whom it is addressed to.

To the Faern of the Scouting Mission

Cal closes the note swiftly. A rush adrenaline moves through him formed from nervous anxiety. He panics and checks his person to make sure he still has the documents. He does. A cold drop of sweat forms on the side of his face, which he wipes away quickly. He moves away from the entrance, turning his back so he can read the note in its entirety.

To the Faern of the Scouting Mission

For one in such trouble, dos are not very hard to find. There is one who wishes to speak with dos in Glouras. He appears to be overly eager. This note is free. The next time it will cost dos

Sincerely
((Blank))

Cal finishes reading the note and cannot hide a smirk seeing the signature. He looks up and subtly folds the note, hiding it within the sleeve of his robe. He turns and scans the area with sharp eyes. The faern is the lone drow standing in front of the conclave entrance amongst several drow scurrying about. The moments seem like hours as Cal now weighs and calculates what his action should be. Does he continue into the conclave or does he postpone his doom and grant an audience with this eager drow.

“It would be rude to not say goodbye to Gloura.”

And with that the faern leaves the conclave and heads north towards Gloura’s Wings.

[pattu]

Cal arrives At Gloura's Wings and begins a conversation with the fey host.

[Empoweredfan]

The faern seemed to be everywhere that cycle. Having already decided to stay low that cycle, Nawiel had retreated to one of her many part time jobs around the city. One of her favoured places, as it happened, was the kitchen at Gloura's. There, she could wash the dishes, and still keep an ear open for information it the form of gossip. She was also offered a good view of the entrance and the bar. So, whilst having her hands deep in dirty wooden plates (that looked remarkable alike to those the Svirvneblin chef always seemed to loose) and other utilities, she got to keep an eye on him, from the cover of a chaotic kitchen.

Her thoughts on the matter wasn't all that clear to even her. Why he was free to walk the streets were just one of the questions that buzzed around her head. Had he explained everything away as a misunderstanding? Had he passed the blame on to someone else? Was his visit here just to drink up his courage?

Seeing as she was stuck at work for the time being, she just had to stay and find out.

[pattu]

Cal blinked. A ball of fairy dust soared and splashed into his face. He stood still as he endured the berating from the angry fey host. Cal had informed Gloura of what he had done, regarding the peace talks, the murder of the emissary, and what he intends to do now. The faern often confided things with Gloura, seeking her advice on past mistakes or gossip in general, but this time Gloura claimed this was the dumbest mistake Cal had ever done. And she was right.

Cal remained stoic listening to Gloura when a drow bard approached him. The bard greeted the Faern who turned and recognized the bard as Cyrithe. Cyrithe ordered an icy beverage and placed her gaze on Cal studying him. As a bard, Cyrithe was easily able to read Cal determining he was nervous and full of anxiety. Furthermore, being another member of the scouting mission, she was fairly certain she knew what was upsetting the faern. But, the bard decided to play ignorance and asked the faern what was troubling him. Cal returned his glance to Gloura and dismissed her with a wave of his hand. The fairy scoffed and floated away with her nose turned up, heading into the kitchen. The faern tried to bluff the bard stating nothing was wrong, but the bard could read the bluff as easy as a book. She offered the faern to join her for drinks at a nearby table, which Cal felt compelled to agree to. He was getting up from his chair at the counter when he heard a noise from the kitchen..

Gloura was unleashing her frustration on a defenseless dishwasher. (Sylvan) “DID I GIVE PERMISSION FOR A BREAK? I HAVE FIVE GLASSES AND TEN PATRONS WAITING TO BE SERVED! I WANT THE GLASSES DONE IN FIVE MINUTES OR I WILL SUMMON THE MINOTAUR TO THROW YOU INTO THE DISHWATER!”

Cal, able to understand the fairy’s banter, winced and felt sympathy for the dishwasher, whoever they were. He managed to tune out Gloura’s further tirade, as she continued to scold the dishwasher, and joined Cyrithe at the table. Again Cyrithe asked Cal how he was feeling and again Cal claimed nothing was wrong. Cyrithe stared at the faern, while spinning her beverage, making the ice to clink against the glass. Cal avoided her stare by looking into his glass of wine, but he could still hear the noise of the ice, which began to grow and soon was the only thing the faern heard. The small clinking turned into banging, and eventually sounded as loud as thunder. Cal broke like a twig under the torture.

“Dos need naut torture Usstan further Jalil... What does dos wish to know..”

Cyrithe smiled victorious and listened to Cal, as he described his interpretation of the recent events and his plan to clear their names. Cal explained his nervous behavior is a reflection of the danger and certain doom facing the members of the scouting group. The two had a small disagreement on what the best course of action should be, but Cal felt in the end he convinced the bard his idea was best. During their conversation, the two were interrupted on two occasions. Once by a Jaluk who wished to speak with Cyrithe. Cal and this Jaluk clashed briefly before Cyrithe’s eyes advised Cal to yield. He however noted the Jaluk’s “rudeness” and would teach him a lesson at a future date. The second interruption was by a gnome, the same gnome who accompanied the scout team. The gnome joined the conversation for furthering his own understanding of the recent events.

Cal finished sharing his feelings and opinions on the matter as Cyrithe finished her drink. She seemed content with what she learned and excused herself. Cal however, motioned for her to wait. From the sleeve of his robe he revealed a note and asked the bard if she knew the significance. The bard took the note and read its contents then looked up to the faern . . .

[Selande]

Cyrithe speaks to the faern with a lowered voice, as had been continously done throughout their discussion at the table. She tells him that the man described in the note does indeed frequent the tavern . . and that he should speak with the man but tell him nothing until he proves that he might be useful. She is adamant that the man in the note has his own agenda but she's not certain whether to indulge him. Regardless, she assures the faern that she believes his judgement will prove sufficient in that matter. That he will meet with the man and see what he offers.

She had earlier reminded the faern that his fate might not be as foreboding as he had thought. This principle of punishment that doesn't end in disintegration seems to undo her earlier efforts to comfort the faern. As she gets up, her frosty drink empty, she places a hand on his shoulder and tells him that he performed well during the mission. She then leaves without another word, setting her empty glass on the bar counter and proceeding towards the markets.

[pattu]

The faern watched Cyrithe leave and also reflected in agreement with what Cyrithe advised about the jaluk who wished to meet. Cal assured himself the Jaluk would show eventually and remained at the table. He turned to notice the gnome still remained, who still seemed anxious for more information. With nothing better to do, the faern indulged the gnome and spoke in conversation. The two exchange further ideas as to the true meaning behind the Drider Peace Talks. Cal of course left his greatest theories to himself. However, even a conversation allowing Cal to display his intellect by discussing hypothetical conclave motives began to dull him. The faern stood, growing fatigued, was about to dismiss himself when a Jaluk sat down in a chair at the table. . .

[Braithwaite]

Sitting at the table with Cal and Cyrithe...Gwirk gain greater understanding of the events that occured among the Driders and the Emmissaries. It was clear to him that they were to only be simple observers to the clandestine Accord taking place. But from what he could recall before he was fatally wounded was a bit fuzzy and if his head was to be taken, he wanted to know just how much it was worth and why his life would assumably be forefit.

Being a Svirfneblin...he knew the Conclave held little value for his life. Yet being a member of the 7th Circle, his actions in the past have facilitated much for the Trade that comes in and out of the city, a value far above what any Drow Faern of the Conclave would calculate his life for. And since he wasn't paid for his participation in the scouting mission, at least not by his deeds but by his fuzzy recounting to a curious Jaluk...he held no loyalty for his dubious employer. Someone was clearly to profit from this mess that unfolded. He smelled a set up which only could mean that significant forces were at work to disrupt the Drider Accord with the Conclave.

He offered his thoughts to Cal..stating that his suspicions of a possible Llothite plot to have the Accord lost only to maintain what hold of power they have here in Sshamath. Llothites have no love for Driders and an Accord with them among the Conclave is as close to a spit in the face to the Temple of Lloth as one could think. Cal made it known that there is a Temple Chair among the Conclave which only supported my claim that there is a possible Traitor among the members of the Conclave. But a Drow Yoth would not be so risky as to involve herself directly. She would hire someone to broker the scouting mission with every hope of bad luck and blunder to take place.

Cal nodded and spoke to my wisdom on the matter and appeared to take my comments to heart. There was wisdom in my words to be sure and the webs woven by the treatury seemed to be clear enough for Cal to bolster his planks of defence on the matter when he decided to plead the case. Smoking out a Traitor is worth any amount of inconvenience that would be encured by the mess it would seem took place.

[Empoweredfan]

Seeing the Svirvneblin talking with the faern, whilst doing her best not to neglect her work this time, Nawiel could not help but feel about it all. Having talked to Gwirk about the issues before, she knew how set he was in his conviction that this was all conspiracy. Hearing only bits of their conversation, she had no claim as to know where the faern stood on this issue.

The thing about it all though, the thing that bothered Nawiel the most, was that she could just could not see it. She could not see the conspiracy the others was convinced had taken place. This was troublesome, because of the two possible scenarios. On the one hand, they could be right in their assumptions, and there really was a plot to ruin the peace that the conclave wanted with the Drider tribes. With that in mind, Nawiel could still not see how their failings to stay hidden, and not engage in open conflict (which they very much did) had anything to do with their employer, whom specified that this should not happen. If it really was a hidden agenda, Nawiel was ashamed to say, that she just could not see it. It would just be too complicated.

On the other hand, if she were right, and her companions were wrong, and this was just what it appeared to be. . . a massive blunder. Over all, the notion that she felt dominated the group, was the insistence that whatever wrong was done, it were not by their hand. This contradicted Nawiel's view on the matter, where she was rather certain that the failed mission was because of their group, not because of some notorious mastermind that wanted to drive a wedge into the peace negotiations. They had specified instructions, and they failed, simple as.

Well. . .there was the issue of the others having such conviction on the matter, that Naiwel feared that she too would start to jump at her own shadow. . . whom in turn, chuckled at the idea from it's place under the sink.