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>>5481424
Fully dispersed, the orcs leave only a token force of five to stand at the cavern's entrance. As typical of their kind, they exhibit no diligence in their duties, bantering amongst themselves as they remain totally oblivious to your presence. When you demanded that the owl lead you to the location where it last saw the dance of the Eilistraeans, you did not anticipate that you would arrive at a place infested by the spawn of Gruumsh, the One-Eyed God of the orcs. If you are to discover what became of them, however, you will have venture deeper into what is now indisputably greenskin territory.

How will you approach this?
>[Agility] I must get in there. Stealthily, I will find my way around this patrol and descend into the earth.
>[Intellect] It is better to avoid putting myself at risk. I need only think my way around this obstacle.
>They will soon know the terror of death. I can defeat them before their fellows are aware of my presence.

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>>5481426
Previous Adventures:
https://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/qstarchive.html?searchall=Forgotten+Realms+Adventures

The Rules™:
https://pastebin.com/VRQHDHSr

Jezyrene's Abilities:
https://pastebin.com/0kjsLuHW

>>5481426
>>[Agility] I must get in there. Stealthily, I will find my way around this patrol and descend into the earth

>>5481426
>[Agility] I must get in there. Stealthily, I will find my way around this patrol and descend into the earth.

>>5481426
>[Agility] I must get in there. Stealthily, I will find my way around this patrol and descend into the earth.
>>Use the Dark Fantasy

>>5481426
>I must get in there. Stealthily, I will find my way around this patrol and descend into the earth.
Jez hasn't had a lot of luck with trying to be smrt.

>>5481426
>[Agility] I must get in there. Stealthily, I will find my way around this patrol and descend into the earth.
>Use the Dark Fantasy

Dark Fantasy got a recharge right? Or has it not been a day yet after Jez awoke. Seeing as she isn't cursing the sun atm I'm assuming that it's still dark out?

Right, if the Dark Fantasy can't be used, put me down for
>[Intellect] It is better to avoid putting myself at risk. I need only think my way around this obstacle.

>>5481426
>>They will soon know the terror of death. I can defeat them before their fellows are aware of my presence.

>>5481537
I'll just support this. I figure the stealth approach can always sidestep to a stealth attack.

Also, it's good to be back. I wonder if these orcs have any connection to the prophecy / our sisters. I suppose not every orc/follower of Gruumsh need be involved.

>>5481426
>>[Agility] I must get in there. Stealthily, I will find my way around this patrol and descend into the earth.
>>Use the Dark Fantasy

Vote closed.

>>5481537
It uses Power, so it can be used as long as Jez still has some.

Rolled 6 (1d20)

(Agility 14, +3 Dark Fantasy) Success on 17 or lower.

>>5482201
Finally

>>5481469
>>5481483
>>5481486
>>5481487
>>5481537
>>5481584
>>5481878
>>5481961
You grip the hilt of the Dark Fantasy and call on its power once more, adorning yourself in shadow as you coil your rope and store it neatly in your backpack. With a firm grip on the tree's bark, you cautiously make your way down by its branches, until you stealthily lower yourself to the ground. Taking care to avoid stepping on anything which might reveal your location, you maneuver yourself into a blind spot in the orcs' view, proceeding without the slightest hesitation.

As a silhouette against the twilight, you slip by the witless brutes undetected, keeping a hand on your weapon as a precaution as you tread down the muddy slope that leads into the bowels of the earth. Only after you are certain that the sound of your steps will not be heard by the guards above do you relax your posture and proceed at a more leisurely pace.

What little light trickles into this place dies off as you march into near-total darkness. All about you are passages which snake off in any which direction, most of which you deduce to be dead ends. As the air grows increasingly damp and stale, a distinctly uncomfortable though familiar sensation, a quick stroll becomes a trek into what is undoubtedly no simple cave.

You are returning to the Underdark.

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>>5483381
Following the prints of orcish boots to find your way, the snaking tunnel that you make your way through widens gradually as you progress. Up ahead, you hear the steady flow of an underground river resounding through open air, an indication that your destination is a cavern of considerable size. As you round a bend, the pitch black of your environment becomes awash with gentle blue luminescence.

You arrive at a subterranean complex of indeterminate vastness, a full forest of bioluminescent mushrooms thriving beneath the Moonwood. The spires of fungus tower above you, watered generously by the constant flow of fresh water that cuts through the region. In yet another frustrating turn of events, there is no obvious sign that the followers of Eilistraee are present. They must be inhabiting this place in much the same as the orcs, provided they were not slaughtered down to the last and fed to the ogres.

Where to begin...
>I suppose I shall continue to follow the well-worn trail left by the orcs to get my bearings.
>[Perception] There must be a clue here somewhere. I need only be meticulous in my search.
>A vantage point could help me survey the region more quickly. First, however, I must find one.

>>5483386
>[Perception] There must be a clue here somewhere. I need only be meticulous in my search.

Might as well start looking around.

>>5483386
>[Perception] There must be a clue here somewhere. I need only be meticulous in my search

>>5483386
>[Perception] There must be a clue here somewhere. I need only be meticulous in my search.
Maybe with a quick prayer to Eilistraee before we start, just in case.

>>5483386
>>[Perception] There must be a clue here somewhere. I need only be meticulous in my search.

>>5483386
>[Perception] There must be a clue here somewhere. I need only be meticulous in my search.

>>5483386
>>[Perception] There must be a clue here somewhere. I need only be meticulous in my search.

Rolled 13 (1d20)

(Perception 12) Success on 12 or lower.

Will Jez get lost again?

>>5484169
Yes

>>5484169
>>5484319
Jez was right: she SHOULD have considered ranger training.

How the hell did Jez find her way out of the Underdark at this rate

>>5483391
>>5483399
>>5483584
>>5483710
>>5483963
>>5484060
You came here for a reason, and you'll not squander a single second when you are so close to the truth. This is a fine sentiment, which does not survive contact with reality. In combing the area for even the slightest indication of your kin's existence, you suddenly find that you are nowhere in particular, a lone woman lost in a forest. Again. Thankfully, the terrain here has generously provided you with a set of tracks in the vague shape of your boots to guide you back, for all the good that will do. If nothing else, Phaere is not here to heckle you over this.

The odor of fresh slaughter wafts through the clustered stipes into your nostrils, inviting you to look upon a scene of carnage nearby. Suppressing your breathing, you lower your profile and creep through the fungal forest, hoping to spot the culprit before they can spot you. It is not long until you happen upon a clearing, and see the dark splatters dyed deep blue by the ambient light. Bracing yourself for any possibility, you position most of your body behind a mushroom, and tilt your head only enough to provide you with a glimpse at what lies beyond.

Corpses of an orcish patrol, slain by something far more devastating than any blade or axe. The scattered limbs and battered bodies are telltale signs of blast injuries from a concussive force, a story corroborated by their warped and shattered equipment that did nothing to spare them from such an unfortunate fate. You vividly recall how powerless you and those under your command were against those dreadful weapons employed against you during that battle a decade in the past, which had a similar effect. Such is their efficacy that the mere memory is enough to shake you from your sleep on occasion, often sweaty and trembling.

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>>5485447
Yet, you see the remnants of no such devices here. What, then, could have caused the untimely demise of these orcs? A magic spell is the first answer which comes to mind; you possess little knowledge of the Art and its practice, although you have certainly seen stranger magics at work firsthand. If that is the case, then who was it that killed the orcs, and what could they be doing here? Eilistraee's own may have magic workers among their number, but you have not seen a single strand of Ilythiiri hair anywhere here.

A scan of your surroundings leaves you with a handful of choices. The obvious one is to return from whence you came. However, there are no guarantees that you will not be followed back, nor can you be sure that the situation will not have changed once you arrive. As befitting their graceless ilk, the orcs left a rather obvious mess in the pitch dark mud that is guaranteed to take you to wherever it is that they arrived from, with the added benefit of helping to obscure your movements with theirs. Curiously, you manage to make out a trail of subtle indentations in the floor that belong to a quadruped. A lizard, perhaps?

What to do, what to do...
>I could follow the patrol's path back to their origin. They must have come from somewhere familiar to them.
>Following prints left by the creature may be my best chance of making a meaningful discovery.
>Better to err on the side of caution. I should do my best to retrace my steps to the cavern's entrance.

>>5485454
>>Following prints left by the creature may be my best chance of making a meaningful discovery.

>>5485454
>Following prints left by the creature may be my best chance of making a meaningful discovery.
Do they look at all like the tracks of Ilythiri riding-lizards? Or is our mystery spellcaster... A dragon??

>>5485454
>I could follow the patrol's path back to their origin. They must have come from somewhere familiar to them.

Gotta stay on target

>You vividly recall how powerless you and those under your command were against those dreadful weapons employed against you during that battle a decade in the past, which had a similar effect.

What weapons?

>>5485454
>>I could follow the patrol's path back to their origin. They must have come from somewhere familiar to them.

>>5485802
>What weapons?

https://youtu.be/R1tgBxuRqZ8

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>>5486110
DIABOLICAL.

>>5486110
Horrific, made me laugh uncontrollably.

Trying to figure out what would cause the wounds Jez described. Grenades using smokepowder are already incredibly rare thanks to Gond being an asshole, and the wounds described emphasize grievous concussive damage rather than what would be expected of fragmentation from a grenade, and perhaps charring. Thunderstones/explosive bulbs maybe? That or a gunstone, that's certainly something powerful enough to do the damage described. Wouldn't expect a gunstone in the Underdark though.

>>5485454
>>I could follow the patrol's path back to their origin. They must have come from somewhere familiar to them.

Vote closed.

>>5486110
Criminal

The update will be here as soon as I am done with work.

In the meantime, what does everyone think about Planescape? Asking for a friend.

>>5487209
Planescape is ok. They did a great job fleshing out the cosmology of D&D through Planescape with the Great Wheel. I'm not the biggest fan of Sigil and the whole hub bit, but it can work. The whole portal stuff is certainly a nice means to travel around to various planes (though there has to be a lot of adventuring to get to said portals in the first place, as opposed to Spelljammer where traveling to a different sphere IS the adventure, or at least that's Spelljammer at its best) and the planes themselves always lend to interesting adventures. As for a greater D&D cosmology, I vastly prefer the homebrew monstrosity of Planejammer, though that's becoming decidedly less hombrew as WOTC is combining the two for its more recent books, though the quality of said recent books is rather lacking. So to sum it up I guess I like Planescape, but I think travel more fun via Spelljammer, and the best experience is combining the two of them. Stuff like only being able to lock in portals by traveling to each location manually so that said portals can be used at your leisure later, etc.

>>5485485
>>5485584
>>5485802
>>5486009
>>5486627
Wandering off in search of odd creatures brings you no closer to your goal, nor does retracing your steps when there is progress to be made. If nothing else, you can trust that the orcs understand the layout of their stomping grounds. Concealing your tracks with theirs, you choose to follow the path to its origin, wherever that may be. Bracing for the worst, you keep a vigilant eye out for danger, ensuring that your weapon does not leave your hand. Much to your relief, you encounter no foes along the way, orcish or otherwise - it would seem that patrol's compatriots are still unaware of the fate that has befallen them.

Initially, you did not anticipate that your quest would lead you to the Underdark once more, a reality that fills you with ambivalence. There is no tyrant looming up above to torment you with its radiance here, no great void or unfathomably distant crystals suspended in the air. Day is night is day to you, and the only fresh air filters in from other cavern complexes or cracks in the ceiling. This is home, restrictive and suffocating.

The patrol's tracks wind through the fungal maze, guiding you to a hideously bland structure hewn from a colossal stalagmite, a spire hidden beneath the earth. At once, you recognize that the architecture is of dwarven make, albeit in a state of disrepair in the absence of its creators. Unlike elegant Ilythiiri architecture, which is widely acknowledged to be prone to collapse, the works of the dwarves are known to endure through the ages, however ugly and dull they may appear, and talented dwarven architects are coveted slaves well worth the blood and sweat required to capture them alive.

>>5487904
It is a pity that this, too, has now been infested by the orcish menace. Eight, ten of the creatures have set up camp in the bones of what must have been an outpost of some sort, imbibing in whatever crude brew their ilk partake in to pass the hours until reinforcements arrive to relieve them. Diligent in their duties as ever, they amuse themselves with what you suspect to be crude jokes, and by jabbing spears at what seems to be a large felid creature that they have trapped in a rusty cage.

It occurs to you that these orcs are spread far too thin to properly defend both this cavern and the forest above. The patrols that you have encountered thus far would hardly deter some unruly adventuring party or determined mercenary band. On the contrary, it would seem that they have deliberately extended their fighting force to cover the greatest area possible. Could they be searching for something? Ilythiiri, perhaps? The antipathy between your kind and the orcs spans the ages, but neither Lolth nor Eilistraee seem to have any strong presence here. Curious.

How will you proceed?
>[Strength] I could climb to the top of this spire undetected to survey the area. That knowledge could dictate my next decision.
>[Agility] This is but a finger of the Thousand Scars warband. I must pass them undetected, and follow the trail to its head.
>That creature may assist me in my efforts, provided I could free it from its cage, and that is exactly what I intend to do.

>>5487906
>That creature may assist me in my efforts, provided I could free it from its cage, and that is exactly what I intend to do.
Any chance that the cat has silver fur?

>>5487906
>[Strength] I could climb to the top of this spire undetected to survey the area. That knowledge could dictate my next decision.

Has an hour passed, or is Jez still hidden by her sword?

>>5487906
>>That creature may assist me in my efforts, provided I could free it from its cage, and that is exactly what I intend to do.

>>5487906
>>[Strength] I could climb to the top of this spire undetected to survey the area. That knowledge could dictate my next decision.

>>5487906
>That creature may assist me in my efforts, provided I could free it from its cage, and that is exactly what I intend to do.
Maybe our second attempt at animal friendship will bear more fruit than the first.

>>5487906
>>That creature may assist me in my efforts, provided I could free it from its cage, and that is exactly what I intend to do.

>>5487911
I should have specified, but it is black.

>>5487923
She has been wandering for quite some time. You would have to use it again.

>>5487906
>That creature may assist me in my efforts, provided I could free it from its cage, and that is exactly what I intend to do.
>Use dark fantasy to help in sneaking up close (preferably when maximum amount of orcs are sleeping, if we're close to the night shift)
>Free the felid creature
>Use the corn / speak with animals to get the Felid to work with you: "I'm here to help you - lets kill these orcs together!"
Maximum shock and awe, the orcs got quite the advantage in numbers

>>5487906
>>[Agility] This is but a finger of the Thousand Scars warband. I must pass them undetected, and follow the trail to its head.

Vote closed.

>>5488466
Hold your lizards, fellow adventurer. There will be a chance to dictate our approach, don't worry.

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>>5487911
>>5487923
>>5487953
>>5488045
>>5488088
>>5488110
>>5488466
>>5488683
That creature, you believe, could prove a valuable asset, were it freed from its captors. Skulking from one mushroom to the next, you close the distance between yourself and the dwarven spire as far as the forest extends, intent on finding a suitable position from which to plot your assault on the orcish outpost. It is surreal, that mere decades ago you were fighting prolonged battled across the Underdark in forests such as this one, filthy with mud and gore and sweat from months of ambushes and frantic melees. Had only you known that there was no lasting glory to be won in those fields.

To be so pensive at a time such as this... stretching your neck, you sigh and return your focus to affairs of the moment. Your first order of business is to identify the caged animal. You instantaneously recognize this creature as a displacer beast. Like the ogre, this large hexapedal cat-like mammal is a much-beloved favorite of the arena. Agile, stealthy, and powerfully built, the displacer beast is a monster that delights in torturing its prey, and the barbed tentacles sprouting from its shoulders are capable of puncturing steel. Most fascinating, however, is the ability from which it derives its moniker; the beast's skin can bend light, emitting an illusion which makes it difficult to discern the creature's true location during combat.

Confined in a slapdash enclosure a size too small for its frame, two orcs jab idly at the displacer beast with spears, which skillfully wards their weapons away using its tentacles. Sadistic as ever, even by your metric, the duo pollute the stagnant cavern air with full belly laughs as they take turns trying in futility to stab the beast. The imbeciles must have captured it thinking it would serve as a decent meal or some passing entertainment, ignorant of the threat it poses to their lives.

>>5490033
Some distance away at the spire's base, five orcs sit around a campfire, bowls in hand, grumbling amongst themselves as they await their supper, or mayhaps breakfast - the hour has little meaning in this world. A sixth diligently stirs an iron pot suspended above the flame via a crude tripod, at times scooping out a spoonful of viscous umber fluid. Though it has been nearly a day since you have enjoyed a substantial meal, imagining the staple ingredients used in orcish cuisine is sufficient to rob you of your appetite. Marvelous.

Last are the two orcs who have been saddled with the burden of being productive. The first stands some distance away from the spire, with his back turned away from the rest. Axe in hand, he guards a wide path that you believe may be connected to wherever it is that the Thousand Scars have based themselves. The second sits partway up a broken spiral staircase which once led to the spire's apex, watching over the camp. Armed with what you believe to be a salvaged dwarven crossbow, his position provides him with a distinct tactical advantage, though orcs are not well-known for their accuracy at range.

Well?
>[Strength] I could climb up the side of the spire and catch the crossbowman unawares before shoving him to his doom.
>[Strength, Attack] The orcs by the fire shall perish before their next meal. They can not trade their spoons for weapons before I have dispatched them.
>[Agility] If I am to enlist the aid of the displacer beast, I should first approach by stealth and free it from its cage.
>I have a different plan in mind... [Write in.]

>>5490034
>>[Strength] I could climb up the side of the spire and catch the crossbowman unawares before shoving him to his doom.

>>5490034
>[Strength] I could climb up the side of the spire and catch the crossbowman unawares before shoving him to his doom.
See if we can grab that crossbow from him, as well as any spare knives he has.

>>5490034
>[Strength] I could climb up the side of the spire and catch the crossbowman unawares before shoving him to his doom.

Man how did they even capture a displacer beast.

>>5490034
>>[Strength] I could climb up the side of the spire and catch the crossbowman unawares before shoving him to his doom.

>>5490034
>>[Strength] I could climb up the side of the spire and catch the crossbowman unawares before shoving him to his doom.

(Strength 15) Success on 15 or less.

Will Jez embarrass herself this time?

Normally I try to allow at least 20 hours window to vote, but it seems people are generally in agreement about this.

Rolled 4 (1d20)

>>5490501

>>5490504
Yesss.

>>5490131
>>5490172
>>5490175
>>5490177
>>5490272
Strafing around the encampment, you get a better look at the spire from every angle. At some point, this structure may have been a fully enclosed spiral staircase serving as a sort of lookout, but time has opened gaps in its construction which may be leveraged to your advantage. Ascending via the loose stonework, you silently fear that your arms may fail you partway, a concern that proves to be baseless. You've at least three good centuries before you are considered elderly, although each year is inexplicably shorter than the one prior.

Pulling yourself up onto the steps behind the watchful orc, you halt your breathing and rise sluggishly, advancing at a pace that will allow you the element of surprise. Hardly a remarkable specimen for his race, the orc is a creature of fleshy thews that weighs over twice as much as you, and stands a head taller. Alas for him, it is his bulk that will be his demise. You deliver a swift kick to the back of the brute's cranium, sending him plummeting headfirst toward the cavern floor, an event that concludes with a meaty thud.

Peering over the edge, you confirm that the orc lies splayed out on the ground with his neck twisted at a strange angle. The sound travels through the cavern, rousing his fellows from their stupor. Not conscious of any immediate danger, the orcs are left momentarily oblivious to both your presence and the death of their comrade, affording you precious seconds to react before you are spotted.

>[Agility] Now is a fine time to abscond without being noticed. I will descend the way I came, and vanish as quickly as I appeared.
>I've the high ground, and the orcs will have to engage me in melee on these narrow stairs. This is the ideal position from which to fight them.

>>5491566
>I've the high ground, and the orcs will have to engage me in melee on these narrow stairs. This is the ideal position from which to fight them.
>Whirlwind Attack - Choose to spend 4 Power. Your Defense increases by 4 for one turn, and you make one free attack against every enemy in melee range.

Provided that this ability can be used in a narrow area. Don't suppose we have the time to get one free shot off with the crossbow, or did it fall off with the orc?

>>5491566
>>[Agility] Now is a fine time to abscond without being noticed. I will descend the way I came, and vanish as quickly as I appeared.

>>5491566
>[Agility] Now is a fine time to abscond without being noticed. I will descend the way I came, and vanish as quickly as I appeared.
The high ground is cool but would leave us with nowhere to escape. Plus the orcs could probably just starve us out or kite us with ranged attack.
Can we get our hands on the dwarven crossbow? Did he drop it before falling?

>>5491743
>>5491863
The orc was holding the crossbow when it fell. I didn't think that anyone would be keen to attempt wrestling it from a creature that is stronger than Jez while trying to remain stealthy, so I didn't bother putting it up to a vote. Then again, you all have surprised me in the past.

>>5492328
Well, dwarven make sounds of superior quality / good loot / useful in a fight, might be what's fueling our reasoning. Hopefully it did not break from the fa ll, sturdy dwarven thing that it is, and might be recovered later. Fair enough though!

I doubt anyone would've tried to wrestle it away as that's a massive trap vote, but you never know. Was simply hoping that we could get free loot.

>>5492359
I'll have you know that the best of dwarven smiths can only create items that simply approach elven quality.

>>5491566
>>[Agility] Now is a fine time to abscond without being noticed. I will descend the way I came, and vanish as quickly as I appeared.

Rolled 3 (1d20)

(Agility 14, +3 Orb Alur Mastery) Success on 17 or lower.

Will Jez fall to her doom?

>>5492499
My, how lucky. Hopefully we don't spend all of our good fortune here.

>>5491743
>>5491778
>>5491863
>>5492411
You'll not be caught out so soon. You scramble for the edge of the staircase with eminent alacrity and beat a hasty retreat to the spire's base. A less capable individual would lose their footing along the way, yet you demonstrate the agility and grace required to make a safe and hasty descent. Removed from any pressing threats, you draw in a deep breath and assess your present circumstances.

The orc standing guard by the path remains steadfast in his duties. It is the duo tormenting the displacer beast that has been put up to the task of investigating the disturbance you have caused, who grudgingly shuffle their feet toward the spiral staircase. From their position, they have yet to spot their fallen comrade, nor can they discern that he is absent from his post, leaving you the opportunity to act as you will.

Additionally, their fellows haven't so much as picked up their weapons, a blessing if there ever was one. Ignorant of your deeds, their much-anticipated meal takes priority over a sound off in the distance. Provided you give them a wide berth, slipping past them is a distinct possibility which remains available to you at this time.

Hmmm...
>I will take use this chance to retrieve that crossbow, and whatever ammunition I might find. With any luck, I may even pick a few of them off with it.
>I must return to the forest before I am found out, to plot my next strike. For all they know, the death of their fellow was only a tragic accident.
>This seems an opportune moment to free that displacer beast from its cage whilst its captors' attentions are elsewhere.

>>5493887
>This seems an opportune moment to free that displacer beast from its cage whilst its captors' attentions are elsewhere.
Extradimensional forest friend!

>>5493887
>I will take use this chance to retrieve that crossbow, and whatever ammunition I might find. With any luck, I may even pick a few of them off with it.

>>5493887
>>This seems an opportune moment to free that displacer beast from its cage whilst its captors' attentions are elsewhere

>>5493887
>This seems an opportune moment to free that displacer beast from its cage whilst its captors' attentions are elsewhere.
Use the acorn of animal friendship, Jez!

>>5493887
>>I must return to the forest before I am found out, to plot my next strike. For all they know, the death of their fellow was only a tragic accident.

>>5493887
>>This seems an opportune moment to free that displacer beast from its cage whilst its captors' attentions are elsewhere.

Vote closed.

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>>5493891
>>5493904
>>5493959
>>5494098
>>5494155
>>5494322
As a gust passing through the cavern, you maneuver around your foes unnoticed. Circling around the camp, you sneak a peek at the contents of the pot as you pass it by, spying the digits of a humanoid hand poking out from beneath the surface of the roiling liquid. The image evokes memories of a less pleasant time of your life - several, actually - which you promptly shunt from your mind. No more days of starving in some gelid tunnel for you.

As you draw close to the displacer beast's prison, you take a look over your shoulder to monitor the positions of your enemies. The group by the fire has just begun their meal, bowls in one hand and utensils on the other. Further on, the two sent to investigate your activities are roughly halfway up the stairs, still oblivious to the outcome of your deeds. Now is the ideal time to act.

Sizing up awesome creature, you cannot help but be impressed by its majesty, which is seemingly tripled by the illusion it projects beyond its body. Sleek and muscled, the beast is as large and quick as any riding lizard, yet its eyes are as twin emeralds that sparkle with a measure of intelligence befitting an apex predator. Like a coiled spring, it sits poised to leap into action and strike at any threat, despite its restraints.

Freeing this beast is as simple as undoing a makeshift latch which requires naught but opposable thumbs to defeat. As your hand falls on the lock, the creature growls deeply and whips its barbed appendages at you, forcing you to withdraw several paces. "I am here to let you out," you whisper, an assurance that convinces the creature to cease its antagonism for the time being. Cautiously, you undo the fasterner, opening up the beast's enclosure. "Now-"

Your eyes go wide as the displacer beast pounces at you with killing intent.

Oh...
>[Will] No, no, no! Get THEM, not me!
>Aaah! I need to get out of the way!
>[Agility] Perhaps I could release it then lock myself in the cage without being maimed?

>>5495769
>Aaah! I need to get out of the way!

Yeah I figured as much, displacer beasts are pricks. Hopefully Jez (and the viewers) will learn that trusting animals really doesn't work out the best of times, especially for notoriously dickish things like displacer beasts.

>>5495769
>[Will] No, no, no! Get THEM, not me!
Let's not place outlrselves in a cage, to be trapped by a savage displacer beast. It will be tamed or it will be killed.

>>5495769
>>[Will] No, no, no! Get THEM, not me!
Spend that fortune.

>>5496118
Supporting

>>5496118
>>5496313
I ( >>5496050 ) support spending our fortune.

>>5495769

>>5495769
>[Will] No, no, no! Get THEM, not me!
>use fortune
I mean, there was a reason why I kept saying use the Speak with animals ability. Displacer beast doesn't understand you normally.

>>5495769
>>[Will] No, no, no! Get THEM, not me!
>>use fortune

It seems that most people want to spend the Fortune to avoid being mauled. Vote closed.

>>5495769
>this is totally going to be our Guenhwyvar, guise!

>>5497962
Just a friendly forest friend.

>>5497962
Think of it this way, if Jez DOES kill it, we can get valuable reagents like its blood for jump daggers, or its pelt which can be used to craft a variety of great magical items, like a cloak of displacement, or things like Drow Piwafwi (basically just a Drow version of a cloak of elvenkind, but better). After all, what self respecting Drow DOESN'T know how to properly flay their enemies? Getting the pelt off should be easy!

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>>5495787
>>5496050
>>5496118
>>5496313
>>5496342
>>5496585
>>5496723
"No!" You shout in the language most familiar to you as the displacer beast slams into you with all of its might. Pressing the whole of its weight upon your body, you desperately beat your hands against against its sinewy form in futility. Gasping for air, you muster all of the remaining breath in your body and then some to admonish the animal as it eyes your throat intently. "Imbecile! Stupid animal! I helped you! Get them! Get THEM!"

Whether or not the creature cares for what you have to say, your tenacity has somehow deterred its fury. Relieving you of its immense burden, the monster shoots through the cavern like a bolt of black lightning, eager to exact its revenge against its captors. Your shouting has no doubt alerted the entire camp to your presence, though it seems they now have larger, more feral problems to contend with.

Living up to its reputation as an arena mainstay, the beast boldly faces down the six orcs gathered around the fire, whom are only just reaching for their weapons. Too little, too late; by the time they think to react, the animal has already mutilated the throat of an orc with a precise swipe of its right tentacle whilst it asphyxiates another with its left. The benefit of additional appendages leaves its claws unoccupied, freeing them to dig into the cook's abdomen to shred his innards.

>>5498366
If there is one admirable quality possessed by the whole of the orcish race, you would identify it as their relentless aggression. Captured orcs are seldom broken into docile slaves, for they will oft bide their time until they are afforded the chance to do battle against their masters, no matter how slim their odds of victory. Those brave and foolish Ilythiiri that would see the orcs put to work must take care to keep them under constant supervision, and refrain from giving them any implements that might be used as weapons, or else become the victims of orcish belligerence.

Unperturbed by the precipitous deaths of their fellows, the orcs rush into the fray with great enthusiasm. The displacer beast's two tormentors are the furthest away from the fight, left with no option but to squander their time descending down the spire's stairs. Refusing to perish without putting up a fight, the three left standing by the fire have taken up whatever weapons were in arm's reach, poised to retaliate against the creature. Knowing no fear, the one guarding the path raises his axe and initiates a charge.

You rise to your feet and dust yourself off. Six foes remain.
>[Strength, Attack] Let us see how the one with the axe fares against me.
>[Agility, Attack] I should wade into the fray together with the beast. Strength in numbers, and such.
>It will be some time before the two on stairs rejoin the fight. I will search for a way to ensure that they never do.

https://pastebin.com/0kjsLuHW

>>5498141
What self respecting drow doesn't know how to properly flay their enemies? The kind prone to getting lost in the forest.

>>5498370
>[Strength, Attack] Let us see how the one with the axe fares against me.
>Power Attack - When attacking with a melee weapon, you may choose to attempt a Power Attack. On a hit, 3 Power is spent and half your Strength is added to the damage roll.

Something tells me that this guy is the boss. Don't feel the need for the defense increase from whirlwind attack as I don't think this guy is as beefy as the huntlord, but I could very well be wrong.

>>5498371
Oh Jez, everything just went wrong for you from the start.

>>5498370
>>[Strength, Attack] Let us see how the one with the axe fares against me.

>>5498370
>[Strength, Attack] Let us see how the one with the axe fares against me.
>Power Attack - When attacking with a melee weapon, you may choose to attempt a Power Attack. On a hit, 3 Power is spent and half your Strength is added to the damage roll.

>>5498370
>>[Strength, Attack] Let us see how the one with the axe fares against me.
>>Power Attack - When attacking with a melee weapon, you may choose to attempt a Power Attack. On a hit, 3 Power is spent and half your Strength is added to the damage roll.

>>5498370
>[Strength, Attack] Let us see how the one with the axe fares against me.
>Power Attack - When attacking with a melee weapon, you may choose to attempt a Power Attack. On a hit, 3 Power is spent and half your Strength is added to the damage roll.

Rolled 20 (1d20)

(Strength 15, +3 Art of the Blade) vs (Defense 13) Hit on 15 or lower.

Jez swings.

Rolled 16 (1d20)

>>5499235
(Strength 16) vs (Defense 20) Hit on 6 or less.

... And misses. How about her opponent?

>>5499238
Displacer beast, halp

Rolled 7, 18, 11 = 36 (3d20)

>>5499238
(Agility 15) vs (Defense 13) Hit on 12 or lower. x3 From Rapidstrike.

The displacer beast bears its fangs.

Rolled 6, 1 = 7 (2d6)

>>5499245
And they find their mark! Let's see some damage.

Rolled 18, 10 = 28 (2d20)

>>5499249
(Strength 16) vs (Defense 17) Hit on 11 or lower.

Last but not least, the orcs.

Rolled 6 + 1 (1d6 + 1)

>>5499253
One hit. Vote closed.

>Goes for a big hit
>Immediate fail by the greatest possible margin

Wow, that's embarrassing. Either way we got info on where this guy stands regarding danger. Defense 13 and Strength 16, should be easy provided we don't roll a 20 again.

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>>5498418
>>5498565
>>5498612
>>5498649
>>5499033
Finding it most prudent to strike down the opponent directly in front of you before all else, you break into a sprint, set to meet his charge with one of your own. Brandishing your blade, you employ your signature tactic, dazzling your foe with movements both hypnotic and powerful before cutting them down to size. The orc's stance is flawed, and the clumsy way he handles his weapon telegraphs his inexperience. You can clearly envision slicing through the vulnerable tissue of his neck, and know that this will be your kill.

As is so often the case, however, the gods have different designs in mind. What seemed a clear path between you and your target is obstructed by a single solitary stone the size of a fist that has managed to escape your notice until this crucial moment. You are not even allowed a moment to curse before the tip of your boot knocks against it, throwing you off balance. Though you remain standing, your momentum has been lost, and with it your opportunity to fell the enemy with a single stroke of your blade.

Your ears register the maniacal cackling of a madwoman far off in the distance.

Hoping to capitalize on your misfortune, the orc draws close and swings wide with his weapon. This does him little good; the gap in skill betwixt the two of you is too wide to bridge through ferocity alone. You manage to duck under the head of the axe with minimal effort, strafing around him to ensure that all of your opponents are in front of you whilst he stamps his boots into the floor to halt his ill-conceived advance.

A superior position provides a better perspective of the battlefield. The displacer beast has already gored another foe, leaving another still with a hideous scar across his face. In an attempt to avenge their fallen comrade, the two remaining orcs attack in serial, resolved to put the creature down for good. Both catch air in place of flesh, the first missing the beast's body by a wide margin, the second landing a sure-kill against a mere trick of light.

The two remaining orcs join the fight, seeking to aid their fellows by flanking the beast. Together with the one before you, five enemies remain.
>[Strength, Attack] Once more, with feeling. Die, iblith!
>[Strength] Perhaps it is good that I did not kill this one. I will be taking him alive, instead.
>[Agility, Attack] My efforts are better spent assisting the beast, for I still have need of it.

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Some time earlier in this thread my brother ended up on the brink of divorce, and somehow my nieces ended up invading my home. Things should be settling down now.

The QM curse is real.

>>5501401
>>[Strength, Attack] Once more, with feeling. Die, iblith!

The faster we kill this guy the faster we can help the displacer beast and/or run away.
>>5501404
Sheesh, I just figured it was the usual weekend stuff getting in the way, especially since it's the last weekend before christmas.

>>5501401
>[Strength, Attack] Once more, with feeling. Die, iblith!
>Power Attack - When attacking with a melee weapon, you may choose to attempt a Power Attack. On a hit, 3 Power is spent and half your Strength is added to the damage roll.

We have enough power remaining, and I doubt we're going to end up rolling like complete ass again, right?

>Your ears register the maniacal cackling of a madwoman far off in the distance.
FUCK YOU BESHABA

>>5501401
>[Strength] Perhaps it is good that I did not kill this one. I will be taking him alive, instead.
We could ask him about the moon-dancers.

>>5501401
>>[Strength, Attack] Once more, with feeling. Die, iblith!
>>Power Attack - When attacking with a melee weapon, you may choose to attempt a Power Attack. On a hit, 3 Power is spent and half your Strength is added to the damage roll.

Rolled 16 (1d20)

(Strength 15, +3 Art of the Blade) vs (Defense 13) Hit on 15 or lower.

Does bad luck strike twice?

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Rolled 7 (1d20)

>>5502302
(Strength 16) vs (Defense 20) Hit on 6 or less.

So it does...

I may move on to the next round for expediency depending on how this plays out.

>>5502305
(Agility 15) vs (Defense 13) Hit on 12 or lower. x3 From Rapidstrike.

The beast takes its chance.

Rolled 4, 10, 11 = 25 (3d20)

>>5502306

Rolled 2, 1, 4 = 7 (3d6)

>>5502307
And succeeds!

Rolled 13, 16 = 29 (2d20)

>>5502309
(Strength 16) vs (Defense 17) Hit on 11 or lower.

Last are the orcs.

Rolled 9 (1d20)

>>5502311
(Strength 15, +3 Art of the Blade) vs (Defense 13) Hit on 15 or lower.

I will give Jez one chance not to mess this up.

Rolled 4, 1 + 9 = 14 (2d4 + 9)

>>5502312
That's damage! Vote closed.

>>5501424
>>5501521
>>5501592
>>5502149
True to the stereotype, the orc proves the dogged resilience of his race. You weave through an onslaught of fierce swings, probing his defenses with feints and failed counterattacks. In the end, the fruits of persistence and discipline are yours to be had. Flicking the edge of the Dark Fantasy toward his throat, your opponent raises his weapon defensively, a move which all but guarantees his demise. With an elegant, sinuous motion, you draw your weapon back and instead guide it upward toward his torso, carving a vertical wound through his ribcage and splitting his heart with absolute certainty. A beautiful display of honed lethality.

As you pry your blade from the still-warm corpse of the tusked man, your attention shifts over to the feral beast. A dominant melee combatant even by your measure, its tentacles lash out against the orcs, frustrating their attempts at overwhelming the creature. The tide turns against them as its extra appendages skewer one through the belly and rake another across the chest, ending them both.

All but two of the original ten encamped here have perished violently, stirring something resembling good sense in the dormant brains of those few who remain. Bloodlust loses out to reason, and the very mortal orcish warriors flee hopelessly in either direction, praying to their gods that they might live to take their vengeance rather than die by the hand of their most hated enemy and a voracious monster.

And? What becomes of them?
>They deserve nothing less than a painful death, and I intend to deliver.
>Hunting down every single boor and cretin is a waste of my time; let them flee.

>>5502722
>Hunting down every single boor and cretin is a waste of my time; let them flee.

>>5502722
>They deserve nothing less than a painful death, and I intend to deliver.
Better we kill them then have them warn any possible reinforcements.

>>5502722
>They deserve nothing less than a painful death, and I intend to deliver.

>>5502722
Wouldn't it be more prudent to decide first what to the about the obstacle between you and the orcs, ie the super killer beast that just cut through all of them? Which is now a threat to you?

With that said, the wisest bet is to ensure the death of the remainder of the orcs so they can't alert anyone. It's not about pain, but ensuring they can't call in reinforcements.
Assuming that's possible, given the super killer beast, again.

>>5502722
>>They deserve nothing less than a painful death, and I intend to deliver.
They should die, but not before we interrogate and discover everything they know about what we are looking for.

>>5502722
What will the displacer beast do?

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>>5503351
We'll find out soon!

>>5503220
I'll say that this is a vote about something phrased as a vote about something else, and leave people to make of that what they will.

>>5503475
>a vote about something phrased as a vote about something else
Dicey proposition, Greenwood. Players tend to react poorly when they learn they have accidentally sabotaged themselves.

>>5503263
>>5502906
>>5502773
Perhaps hunting the orcs down means we lose the chance to tame the displacer beast?

>>5502722
>>Hunting down every single boor and cretin is a waste of my time; let them flee.

>>5503487
Trying to tame a ravenous beast may not be the wisest idea after all

>>5502722
>Hunting down every single boor and cretin is a waste of my time; let them flee.

Rather not turn Jez's back to a displacer beast, plus I want to see about that crossbow that was dropped. As for taming a displacer beast.... I doubt Jez could "tame" a housecat, let alone something like a displacer beast, an animal that is most notoriously fickle.

Interesting, interesting. There seems to be a slight inclination toward hunting them down. Vote closed.

>>5502726
>>5502773
>>5502906
>>5503220
>>5503263
>>5503528
>>5503568
You'll not allow these warriors to return to their superiors, informing of your presence and returning with reinforcements. Sparing a glance at the beast, it looks upon you inquisitively, betraying no hostile intent. Hardly an assurance of your safety, it will simply have to do. Rushing to pursue the nearest orc, the circumstances are in your favor. The dedicated training that you have endured makes you quicker than him, quashing any chance of escape on foot.

An exposed back is a blank canvas for your work, which you complete with a single tasteful sweep of the Dark Fantasy. Splitting the orc's spine vertically down the center, his burly physique surrenders to its fate, and he collapses into a heap. That leaves only one - you scrutinize the area, spotting the mangled remains of your second target, killed before he could manage a scream, your chances of taking one alive reduced to zero. Your ears twitch as you catch the muffled sound of the beast's padded feet approaching from your blind spot.

"Hmmhmmhmm. Woman hunts them, kills! Verrry good..." The creature addresses you with a voice like a low rumble, tinged with the barest hint of femininity. "Woman wears scent of the Beast of Beasts, paws red with blood-swift-hunt. Verrry good." The Beast of Beasts? You understood that this animal possessed an intellect superior to that of the bat-like one which guided you here, but it never occurred to you that such a creature would be cognizant of the gods. Then again, the displacer beast is a convincing champion of Malar's precepts in all ways. Such a revelation does not stretch the boundaries of reason.

>>5504071
Angling your weapon at the monster to anticipate a possible attack, you begin to circle around her, an action which she mirrors. Two predators think alike, so it seems. "I am not 'woman,' beast. I..." you pause. You have grown so accustomed to introducing yourself by your alias in one of the human languages that to do so in Ilythiirra feels unusual, like wearing a dress tailor made for a different woman. "... am Sindiira Torani," you say. If nothing else, the magic acorn allows you the privilege of communicating fluently with the natural world.

"Sin-diira hunts Scarred Ones?" She asks. You ponder the query in tense silence. The Thousand Scars do obstruct you from reaching your goal, though whether or not you intend to do battle against them is another matter. Malar's prophecy also made mention that your sisters would seek allies in the orcs, yet the particulars of such an arrangement remain shrouded in mystery for the time being. "Perhaps," you offer noncommittally, "though I have embarked on a very different sort of hunt."

You may choose no more than three.
>She says I wear the scent of Malar? What does she mean by that?
>All I require is that she point me in the direction of the Eilistraeans, nothing more.
>What can she tell me of the Thousand Scars, and why is she here?
>I delivered her from her captors and demand her assistance as compensation.
>Malar left me with a cryptic prophecy. He spoke to me, and said...
>Talk about... [Write-in.]

>>5504077
>She says I wear the scent of Malar? What does she mean by that?
>All I require is that she point me in the direction of the Eilistraeans, nothing more.
>May you kill enough orcs to slake your fury and hunger.

>>5504077
>Malar left me with a cryptic prophecy. He spoke to me, and said...
>I delivered her from her captors and demand her assistance as compensation.
>All I require is that she point me in the direction of the Eilistraeans, nothing more.
Eyes on the prize!

>>5504077
>She says I wear the scent of Malar? What does she mean by that?
>All I require is that she point me in the direction of the Eilistraeans, nothing more.
>What can she tell me of the Thousand Scars, and why is she here?

I am quite curious as to how this displacer beast can detect godly influence. I swear, if Malar decided to spritz Jez with his god cologne there will be hell to pay. Gods aside, the most important information we need is where the Eilistraeans are, and whether there's any important information regarding the current orc infestation. Personally I don't think they're in the Underdark as Eilistraee is sorta all about Drow living outside of the Underdark.

>>5504077

>All I require is that she point me in the direction of the Eilistraeans, nothing more.
>What can she tell me of the Thousand Scars, and why is she here?
>Malar left me with a cryptic prophecy. He spoke to me, and said...

>>5504077
>All I require is that she point me in the direction of the Eilistraeans, nothing more.
>I delivered her from her captors and demand her assistance as compensation.
>Malar left me with a cryptic prophecy. He spoke to me, and said...

>>5504077
>Malar left me with a cryptic prophecy. He spoke to me, and said...
While the majority decided to follow Eilistraee, I want to explore what the mark of Malar means for us.

>>5504077
>All I require is that she point me in the direction of the Eilistraeans, nothing more.
>What can she tell me of the Thousand Scars, and why is she here?
>Malar left me with a cryptic prophecy. He spoke to me, and said...

Vote closed.

>>5504097
>>5504098
>>5504113
>>5504190
>>5504612
>>5504811
>>5504846
"My hunt is for the Eilistraeans, Ilythiiri such as myself. The search has brought me here, to this remote location in the Underdark. You must know of whom I speak. Tell me beast, where might they be found?" She curls her tentacles at the air thoughtfully. "Eil-ist-raeans? Ily-thii-ri? Know nothing about Sin-diira's stalk-find-prey," she growls. "Moon-dancer-women," you say, mimicking the beast's idiosyncrasy. "Have you seen them?"

"Moon Dancers..." the displacer beast slows her pace until she comes to a halt. "Can smell, hear the kin-folk of Sin-diira paw-pawing all around here. Walking together with shadows, hidden from Scarred Ones in deepest burrow of Short Ones. Avoiding me." Coming to a stop yourself, you pivot in place, silently noting that there is not a single other living being to be found anywhere nearby. Tilting her head, she looks upon you quizzically, unable to grasp how you could be unaware of such an obvious truth. "Sin-diira does not smell-hear-see them?"

"No, Sindiira does not. Perchance you could help her?" You ask, folding your arms. Conversing with animals is consistently proving to be more of a chore than you had initially imagined, but this one seems to know exactly where your objective is to be found. This is a chance which you can scarce afford to pass up. Pensive, the beast scratches her left ear, weighing your request. "Sin-diira is like cub; can't find own way. Will help blind-deaf-slow Cubling Sin-diira. For now..." she trails off.

Going out of your way to assist this creature has won you an unlikely ally, even if she was mere seconds from tearing out your throat. Why, you haven't been this excited over an animal since you received that pet bat as a girl! Damn Vierna for poisoning the thing. While you sincerely doubt that such a monster could be tamed by any short of a master animal handler, she does exhibit enough intelligence to make cooperation feasible. Best to avoid getting on her bad side if you wish to ensure that your organs remain internal, however.

>>5507903
As the creature busies itself by supping on fallen orcs to slake her appropriately sizeable appetite, you march over to retrieve the old crossbow and whatever ammunition you can find, throwing a quiver filled with bolts over your shoulder. Your marksmanship has atrophied from neglect, admittedly, though a projectile weapon does confer unique advantages that no amount of sword skill could replace. "So," you hum, fishing for more information, "what can you tell me about the Thousand Scars?"

"Hate Scarred Ones!" Exclaims the beast, who victoriously gulps down a length of intestine. "Scarred Ones take territory. Must not rest until last Scarred One is extinct. Will eat, eat until fat on meat of littlest ones!" Gauging the emotions of an animal is difficult, but you detect a simmering malice in her voice. Apparently their unwanted intrusion merits a hatred which demands slaughtering them down to the last. A crude way of approaching the world, but there is a primitive logic to it.

"They invaded your territory?" You were told that this region was a hub of Malarite activity until the arrival of the orcs. Having fought both yourself, the full force of the Thousand Scars must be fearsome indeed if they managed to drive even the Huntlord away, a testament to the threat they pose. "Hmm," she affirms, "Scarred Ones fly down from mountains to fill maws, become kin-folk with giant. Soon they are paw-pawing all around, digging through bones of Short Ones' burrows. Culled many until caught by cleverest on the hunt."

Having managed an army yourself, you recognize the resources required to properly supply, plan for, and move a sizeable party of raiders, never mind accounting for the challenges of managing an orcish clan of however many hundreds or thousands. Yet what perplexes you is the intent behind their actions. You had suspected that Thousand Scars have been searching for something here, but what could be so valuable that they expend their time and manpower in pursuit of it?

>>5507908
Looking on in mild disgust as she gleefully uses a tentacle to shove a liver into her mouth, you decide to to seek insight on Malar's cryptic words from one of his own. "Malar, the Beast of Beasts, appeared before me and spoke of the future. He said..." you relay the god's message from memory to the best of your ability, studying her reaction closely.

"Ma-lar, Ma-lar," she chants, her tentacles flailing about enthusiastically. "Sin-diira serves good, verrry good. Like Sin-diira!" Reflexively, you sneer. "Serve? I do not serve him," you protest. She howls, some wild analog for laughter which conveys her amusement. "Sin-diira is like cub, thinking she is cleverer than elders." She refuses to elaborate further, or perhaps simply feels no need to. A disturbing thought crosses your mind; are you simply dancing to the Beastlord's tune of your own volition?

A concern for some other time. It is the lot of mortalkind to be subject to the whims of the gods. You will simply have to 'deal with it' for the time being, as the surface-dwellers say.

Through with the bounty of her kills, she stretches her limbs and turns to you. It is about time that you quit this place.

How will you get where you are going?
>There is no telling how much ground we must cover. Best we get to walking, then.
>I used to race as a girl. Riding a displacer beast could not be so different from riding a lizard, if she will allow me.
>[Strength] Ahahahaha! I am a devil of speed! Let us see how fast this creature can go!

Referring to her 'the beast' all of the time is a bit inconvenient. Or is it? You'll call her...
>Veldrin, obviously. Honestly, was there ever any other choice?
>Thiala. I am not comparing this majestic creature to a traitor princess. I... simply like the name, is all.
>Alantha, or 'Midnight,' as the surface-dwellers might say. A fitting name for a dark-furred beast.
>It is a beast, and addressing it as such will do.
>[Write-in.]

>There is no telling how much ground we must cover. Best we get to walking, then.
Please don't try to ride the murder cat

>Alantha, or 'Midnight,' as the surface-dwellers might say. A fitting name for a dark-furred beast.
>Veldrin
The most common name of all is just boring

>>5507911
>There is no telling how much ground we must cover. Best we get to walking, then.
>Alantha, or 'Midnight,' as the surface-dwellers might say. A fitting name for a dark-furred beast.

>>5507911
>There is no telling how much ground we must cover. Best we get to walking, then.
>Thiala. I am not comparing this majestic creature to a traitor princess. I... simply like the name, is all.

>>5507911
>I used to race as a girl. Riding a displacer beast could not be so different from riding a lizard, if she will allow me.

>Thiala. I am not comparing this majestic creature to a traitor princess. I... simply like the name, is all.
Ride ride ride

>>5507911
>There is no telling how much ground we must cover. Best we get to walking, then.
>Alantha, or 'Midnight,' as the surface-dwellers might say. A fitting name for a dark-furred beast.

Boomer Jez doesn't want to hurt her back trying to handle a mount.

Vote closed.

>>5508430
Jez isn't old! There's no streaks of yellow in her hair, that's simply a trick of the light! You're just jealous of her young, lithe figure!

>>5508631
How much did she have to threaten you to get you to make this post, anon?

>>5508713
Not enough!

>>5507911
I'm too late to vote, but I must say I enjoyed this update, that is all.

>>5507934
>>5507982
>>5508117
>>5508135
>>5508196
"Alantha," you say to the beast, giving it a label by which you may easily refer to it. "That is what I shall call you." A part of you entertains the idea of attempting to mount the beast. She is assuredly sturdy enough to carry your weight and then some, and quick to boot. Memories of the days when you used to race up and down the walls of Ched Nasad on the back of a lizard while beheading the poor and sickly come to mind - so simple were the joys of youth.

In the present day, by contrast, you are imagining yourself with a sore back and an injured hip. At the very least, you should first invest in a good saddle. Never mind that the monster could tear you in half if its mood sours. The imagery swirling through your mind serves to give you pause; you were not always this unadventurous. It must be all of the traveling you've done as of late, surely. Nothing more to it.

The animal appears to care little for the thoughtful name which you've given it. Eyeing you skeptically, she whips her tentacles in a manner reminiscent of a shrug and beckons for you to follow her into the forest. "This way, this way. Sin-diira comes, can smell kin-folk." Alantha knows the way. The conclusion of your search draws ever closer. At long last, you will have found Eilistraee's faithful, other Ilythiiri such as yourself.

What should be relief that your objective is within reach is instead anxiety. You have heard, read of those whom you are soon to meet, yet there is a lingering feeling of uncertainty which you find yourself unable to be rid of. Will they truly accept you as you are? And their ways, they deviate so far from the traditions as to be totally unrecognizable. Will you too be forced to prance around under the moonlight and offer succor to surface-dwellers at no expense?

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>>5510214
You resolve to continue pushing yourself. Perhaps there's more to you than you thought.

Level Up!
>Select one Attribute to increase by 2.
>Select one DIFFERENT Attribute to increase by 1.

Lastly, choose one Feat.
>Noble Warrior - Not so long ago, you were a seasoned commander from the ranks of the nobility. +3 bonus when interacting with the well-to-do and highborn. You can always accurately assess the tactics of your foes in battle.
>Elf Dilettante - You have learned so much over the long years, but the pieces are finally coming together. +3 bonus when dealing with all matters academic and erudite. You are better able to translate languages both modern and ancient.

>>5510216
>+2 Perception
We're hunting people down a lot. We could really use it.
>+1 Strength
We're battling orcs, after all.
>Elf Dilettante
We're encountering a lot of unfamilair languages, lately, from Human to Bat to Beast.

>>5510216
>Select one Attribute to increase by 2.
Intellect
>Select one DIFFERENT Attribute to increase by 1.
Will

The idea with these choices is to boost our power and give a direct increase to our perception, as perception directly translates to intellect. I feel like our attack and defense abilities are in a good place currently, and defense can be actively changed via buying armor rather than dedicating immediate stats to it. Attack can be modified using power with our various feats, and being able to actively apply attack+defense modifiers in battle is very useful, provided we aren't in a long drawn out battle where we can't regenerate our power. As for the will increase, aside from the direct benefits to our power pool, we get a greater will save which is very useful for fighters, especially Jez as she seems to be working alone a lot. If Jez was in a party this would be less of an issue, but one bad will save could just end up with Jez dying.

>Elf Dilettante - You have learned so much over the long years, but the pieces are finally coming together. +3 bonus when dealing with all matters academic and erudite. You are better able to translate languages both modern and ancient.

Jez has been going to and from Amaranth in order to study. A skill like this should help with such things in the future, along with acclimating to common, something Jez STILL has issues with from time to time.

>>5510223
Perception isn't an attribute, you need to choose between strength, agility, intellect, and will. Check the rules to see how everything is calculated, and you increase perception via intellect.

So for those who just want to see how this will end up, Jez would end up with 23 power and 14 perception. We would also get a 14 will save. Remember how the fight went with the priest of Cyric, more powerful enemies will be able to just charm Jez entirely rather than just making her afraid. (Unless spells just end up providing a -3 bane which would be rather silly)

>>5510276
*13 will save, I can count I promise.

>>5510216
>+2 Perception
>+1 Strength
>Elf Dilettante

>>5510383
Perception isn't an attribute, it's directly equivalent to intelligence.

>>5510259
Fair play!

>>5510216
Amending my vote at >>5510223 to:
>+2 Intellect
>+1 Strength
>Elf Dilettante

>>5510216
+2 Perception
+1 Will
>Elf Dilettante - You have learned so much over the long years, but the pieces are finally coming together. +3 bonus when dealing with all matters academic and erudite. You are better able to translate languages both modern and ancient.

>>5510572
Perception isn't an attribute, it's directly equivalent to intelligence

>>5510426
>>5510577
I'm sure OP will rightly interpret these as Intelligence votes.

>>5510216
>+2 Intellect
>+1 Will
>Elf Dilettante

>>5510216
>Agility: +2
>Will: +1

Agility makes us harder to hit (increases our defense) and Will is making and willpower I believe. Very useful to focus on our anti magi angle.

>>Noble Warrior - Not so long ago, you were a seasoned commander from the ranks of the nobility. +3 bonus when interacting with the well-to-do and highborn. You can always accurately assess the tactics of your foes in battle.

Purely for the military angle in combat. Though I think Elf dilettante is better for if we want to be a wizardly apprentice to our beloved friend Amaranth, as some of you were talking about. Then again, it would help us learn draconic...

>>5511015
Greenwood confirmed that Jez has no real talent for magic, but I'm still holding out for just enough capability for an eldritch knight/spellsword prestige class.

Vote closed.

>>5511015
>>5511102
Middle-aged drow woman goes back to school.

>>5511192
That's it, time to push for finding an elixir of youth or helping out a mage enough till they are willing to cast a clone spell.

>>5511192
Que the Community soundtrack!
>>5511201
Finding an elixir of youth or fountain of youth or the like seems like a very normal adventurer thing to do, honestly.

>>5511699
I mean even when people do find them, it's typically the ones that have the side effect of making you old if you take too much. That and 10 years younger for a centuries old elf is practically nothing. Now, if Jez was able to get her hands on the good shit that only ever appears in books then it's a different matter. Closest one I know during this time period would be from one of the Zulkir's of the Red Wizards of Thay, though the guy in question is currently dead due to a cave in.

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>>5510259
>>5510383
>>5510442
>>5510572
>>5510961
>>5511015
Everything is clear to you now. You never were the brightest candle. No, you were an awful student, a poor listener, and only grudgingly learned to read when you were forced to. But there are benefits to aging which you have finally come to appreciate. What your eyes have seen from mighty Gracklstugh all the way to the Glimmersea are no works of imagination. A great much can be learned across two centuries and some decades, and you are finally mature enough to put that knowledge to use.

Together with Alantha, the latest addition to your list of unlikely allies, you silently trek through the fungal forest, evading orcish patrols all the while. The beast proves a boon companion, for on more than one occasion you effortlessly avoid parties of Thousand Scars warriors by walking in step with her. She is, as one might expect, not much of a conversationalist - which suits you just fine. You yourself have never been particularly loquacious, at least before meeting Ilanis.

Pushing ever onward, the two of you squeeze through an inconspicuous crevice, a gap which takes you through a claustrophobic tunnel that opens up to an eroded staircase leading downwards into a vast chamber of engraved stone supported by hardwearing pillars. This is, without a doubt, dwarven architecture. And you are not alone - the muted sound of padded boots treading across the floor prompts you to draw your weapon as a precaution.

Descending cautiously, you proceed forward one circumspect step at a time. No matter how desolate this ancient ruin may seem, you are in the Underdark, and can name a multitude of creatures that would capitalize on the chance to catch you unawares. There! A dusky woman with silver hair steps out from behind the nearest pillar, holding a bow which is ready to let loose a projectile toward Alantha. A tense moment follows as she stares the two of you down, before releasing the tension in her bow and storing the arrow in a quiver as she breathes a sigh of relief.

At last, at long last, you have finally made it.

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>>5514118
"Usstan venduin dos, wanre d'Eilistraee. Ol uriu tlus sreenath z'hind jhal usstan inbal raq'tus a vaen," you huff, rolling your shoulders. She bites her lip, evidently vexed by your words. Sluggishly, she replies in an accent which you are wholly unfamiliar with. "Um... Vendui, vendui! Udossta talthalra... zhah sekene... sekene du'ased!" She coughs. "Forgive me, sister. I am not very good with the language, haha." You note that her command of the regional human language is much stronger than her grasp of Ilythiirra, and eye her warily.

Gradually, you lower your weapon and you step toward her. Being up close provides a much more detailed view of the woman - she is an adult with a confident posture, only a few decades younger than you, perhaps, although there is an imperceptible quality about her which you find incredibly abnormal. Leaning in, you look her up and down, scrutinizing her every feature. "I'm... flattered, but I already have a man, sister," she says, stepping back several paces. Disregarding her, you wrack your brain, until the revelation impacts against your psyche like a flood of water crashing against a cavern wall. "You are a half-breed."

"Half-" she raises a skeptical eyebrow, nodding to herself as she comes to realize something. "My name is Luaue, sister. Luaue Ousstlar. Although, I suppose my father was a human, haha!" Luaue shifts her weight and softly squeezes your shoulder with her free hand, an uncomfortably overfamiliar act. You sneer at her, which convinces her to withdraw. "So, what's your name?"

"Sindiira," you say as you return the Dark Fantasy to its scabbard. "Torani." Despite having come so far, you find your lexicon failing you now that you have met your objective. Unsure of what to say, what to feel, Luaue takes the initiative. She spares Alantha a fearful glance and beckons for the two of you to join her as she moves deeper into the ruin. "You must have so many questions, Sindiira. I can tell you're still used to the Lolthite ways, but as the senior priestess here, I know how to help people you adjust. Come, I want to introduce you to the others. These are dark times, but goddess willing, we will get through them. "

You blink.

This half-breed is Eilistraee's senior priestess?
>Oh. Well. That is very... progressive. I suppose I shall simply have to get used to such things.
>Ho ho, a fine joke! This girl has a sense of humor. Now, who is the real senior priestess?
>Mayhaps it is for the best, to leave some of the old ways behind.
>Outrageous. I refuse to believe that my people would ever willingly obey a half-breed girl.
>Such are their ways. The can elect a darthiir to lord over them, for all I care.

>>5514123
>Oh. Well. That is very... progressive. I suppose I shall simply have to get used to such things.
>Mayhaps it is for the best, to leave some of the old ways behind.

Jez has always had choice words for the older members of her society, especially her mother. Never mind her entire monologue earlier about FINALLY learning.

>only a few decades younger than you, perhaps, although there is an imperceptible quality about her which you find incredibly abnormal.

The consistent characterization of Jez getting ages wrong because she doesn't want to see herself as old is hilarious. Especially seeing as Luaue couldn't be even close to Jez's age due to being a half elf.

>>5514123
>Oh. Well. That is very... progressive. I suppose I shall simply have to get used to such things.
>Such are their ways. The can elect a darthiir to lord over them, for all I care.
IF we even stay with them. Let's see what these 'ways' are, first.

From everything that's happened so far I doubt people are going to go the route of joining an Eilistraean conclave. So far the goal to my understanding has just been to ensure the safety of Jez's soul, lest she gets eaten by Lolth/turned into one of the False. Never mind how large portions of Eilistraee's portfolio happen to coincide with Jez's habits. If Jez ends up leading everyone back to the Silverwood that would be interesting to see, especially considering any reactions from Arara and other followers of Corellon.

Perhaps doing as such will be enough to petition Eilistraee to fix her fecundity issue

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>>5514330
AHEM, salvation is quid pro quo, not pro bono. Has Jez been collecting enough treasure to save her soul?

>>5514346
I'm sure Eilistraee would at least consider it for a moment. She's practically the god version of those people that rescue abused animals. Honestly the comparison between some Drow and a beaten dog are rather sadly accurate.

>>5514123
>Oh. Well. That is very... progressive. I suppose I shall simply have to get used to such things.
>Mayhaps it is for the best, to leave some of the old ways behind.
>…except swordplay and dancing. No way I’m giving those up.

>>5514123
>>Ho ho, a fine joke! This girl has a sense of humor. Now, who is the real senior priestess?
>>Outrageous. I refuse to believe that my people would ever willingly obey a half-breed girl.
A half breed? In this day? Not so fast

>>5514123
>>Oh. Well. That is very... progressive. I suppose I shall simply have to get used to such things.
>>Mayhaps it is for the best, to leave some of the old ways behind.
>>…except swordplay and dancing. No way I’m giving those up.

>>5514123
I don't know what piece of dialogue it would fall under but something like
>Reserve judgment for later, it is only natural things are different here. That doesn't mean it's good or bad.

>>5514123
>>Ho ho, a fine joke! This girl has a sense of humor. Now, who is the real senior priestess?

Vote closed.

>>5514152
>>5514183
>>5514245
>>5514539
>>5514646
>>5514667
>>5514773
>>5515006
Were you the Jezyrene of yesteryear, you would never acknowledge the woman before you as fit to lead anyone, much less the proud Ilythiiri. But you have recently come to realize that you are not immutable, nor is the reach of the Weaver of Chaos infinite. The Eilistraeans are willing to accept a creature of inferior birth as one of their own, as woman worthy of representing the goddess and her precepts; what would be unthinkable where you are from is possible here. For better or worse, such is the way of things, and that is something which you must accept.

Long have you languished under the suzerainty of the Spider Queen and and her sycophants, internalizing their every mandate out of necessity. There exists a unique word in Ilythiirra, 'elamshin,' which has no direct equivalent in any other language which you know. It describes both the concept of destiny and the will of Lolth herself, for the desires of the goddess and the fate of all Ilythiiri are meant to be inextricably bound. For over ten millennia, the banished Ilythiiri have uncritically taken this to be truth, yet Luaue stands as a living proof that deviance from Lolth's whims needn't equate to death.

Perhaps it would be for the best if the old ways became a thing of the past.

Your introspection is cut short by a melodic whistle from the Eilistraean. Deep in thought, you realize that you have been glaring at Luaue for quite some time. "Is something wrong, sister?" She asks. Whether genuinely concerned or merely perturbed by your unusual behavior is impossible to know, but she awaits your answer with a patient smile.

"No. Nothing is wrong."

"Then we should hurry. The orcs have been getting more brazen every day, and I worry that we will be found out soon." Patting you on the shoulder, Luaue guides you across the chamber and ducks into a corridor obscured by total darkness as Alantha trails behind you, her manner conveying mild disinterest in the affairs of the moment. One problem after another, as has always been the case. If not your sisters, then the Malarites or the orcs. No matter - willingly or not, you must find the fortitude to see this quest to its conclusion.

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And that concludes Volume VI. Unlike previous times, I plan to make the next thread as soon as possible. For now, it is time for questions, comments, et al.

>>5516131
Thanks for running, QM!

I can't think of any questions, but I really like this quest and think you're doing a great job of it. I'm not super familiar with the lore or novels of Forgotten Realms except as a byproduct of playing D&D more broadly, but I've been able to follow this quite well, and I like what you're doing with the setting and characterizations.

>>5516131
No question comes to mind, but I really want to emphasise this is my favorite quest in a long, long time.
And I've been reading them from 2009.

Looking forward to the continuation of the story and glad there will be a new thread soon. I should reiterate that I really enjoyed Alantha's speech pattern

>>5516131
I love how you write Jez's internal thoughts and feelings. You can see her evolve and grow since the first thread.

It's good to hear that everyone is enjoying the quest. The next update will be here in a few hours.

>>5518488
In a new thread?

>>5518498
Indeed.

>>5519244
The adventure continues.