Beloved Child 18

Seems like another Thursday is invading our lives. So here we go again.


Beloved Child 18

The Jysstevs butler had a vacant look in his eyes, staring off into space. The man’s harsh angular face was slack in ways he would not have approved of normally. Haer`Dalis leaned against the man, a smile splitting his tattooed face and showing his sharp pointed teeth.

“Do you still doubt me, Jaheria?” He asked.

The druid looked at the charmed man and then at the bard.

“You were just lucky that no one else was here.” She stated

The actor sighed dramatically.

“Alas, getting a compliment from you, my dear, is like pressing water from a stone.” He tapped the side of the butlers head.

“Where is the lady Jysstev?” He asked.

“In her ladyship’s sitting room, she is alone right now. Lord Jysstev is out.” The man replied slowly, decisively.

“It is a good thing that servants know everything about their employers.” The bard smiled.

“They do?” Nalia asked.

“Aye, yours would have known all about that beauty spot on your inner thigh.” He winked at the redhead.

“How do you know about that?” The young woman nearly screamed.

The bard simply smiled at her.

“Anyways, what do you know about the people she meets, any special people?” The bard asked the charmed butler.

“Well, the bard is actually being useful.” Viconia said to Groder.

Nalia fumed, her face burning red. Yoshimo looked very intrigued.

“She meets with the hidden, the hidden they call themselves.” The butler snorted. “Rich people are so silly sometimes.”

“They say there is a psychic among them. He has been here. I don’t like him; he is odd, never eats or drinks. Never seen him laugh.”

“Good man!” Haer`Dalis said and slapped the butlers back. “Go into the kitchen and take some of the good wine. You have earned it.”

“Yes…” The butler wandered off.

“So shall we go upstairs and confront the good lady with this hidden crap?” Groder asked.
“If it doesn’t work we can just charm her right?”

“No, it is likely that the mind flayer has inserted mental defences in even his unwitting agents.” Jaheria said. “Hopefully confronting her will be enough. If that does not work we may have to search the house.”

“Won’t that be fun…?” Groder shrugged. “Remember to look menacing. Hopefully that will be enough. It is only some silly noblewoman after all.”

**

Lady Jysstev was a pretty woman in her early thirties. When the group entered her room she dropped the book she was reading and retreated behind the chair she had been sitting in.

“Who… who are you ruffians?” She asked; her voice shrill with fear. “Get out or I will summon the guards!”

“You will do no such thing.” Groder said slowly. “We know of your involvement with the hidden.”

The woman’s eyes went wide.

“How do you know about that? We are not doing anything unlawful if you are from the Cowled Wizards.” She stammered. “The hidden is powerful and will protect his circle.”

Groder laughed softly. The woman took a step back obviously disturbed.

“The hidden that you so revere is a mind flayer and our employers are at war with them. They are quite merciless and will kill all agents of the mind flayers whether they are unwitting servants or not.”

“I… I don’t believe you.” The noble woman said and looked around franticly.

“Be that as it may.” Groder said and smiled. A shiver ran down his spine. He had briefly forgotten how good these kinds of things felt. The woman was obviously terrified now.

“You will tell us were we can find the hidden and if you are really lucky, you may be alive tomorrow.”

Lady Jysstev whimpered and began to talk.

“We… we meet him under the temples. There is an entrance in the sewers.” Tears rolled down her cheeks. “I have the key and map here. Please don’t hurt me.”

She produced a key with a rolled up piece of paper tied to it from a desk that sat in the far end of the room. She tossed it at Groder who caught it in the air.

“Thank you.” He smiled wolfishly at her.

“Please… just leave…” Lady Jysstev cried.

**
“There was absolutely no need to traumatize the woman. She is only guilty of being stupid.”
Jaheira said when they walked across the district’s park.

“It doesn’t matter now, oblivion will claim her earlier then she expected anyways.” Haer`Dalis said. “The Githyanki will kill her for trafficking with the Illitihd and if she is lucky it will be fast.”

“Poor woman…” Nalia walked close to Yoshimo, shaken by the whole incident.

“The world is… unfair sometimes.” He said to her.

**

The two Githyanki were overjoyed although they looked more angry then happy.

“Yes!” The female one shouted. “Today we strike a blow at the plans of the vile devourers.”
She addressed the group that had squeezed into the small room the Githyanki had in The Five Flagons. Groder showed the pair the map Jysstev had given them.

“You will go beneath the temples and wait for us there. Today you share in the glory!” She rasped.

“I would rather be sharing the gold afterwards.” Groder muttered.

**

The temple district was crisscrossed with canals and marble bridges; the entire area was drowned in the pleasant sound of moving water. The place where the party entered was dominated by a temple of Helm and a temple of Lathander. Across the canal lay the dark façade of a temple of Talos.

Armoured men stood outside the temples, guarding them. There were also acolytes standing in the streets preaching the words of their chosen gods.

“Do all the churches here have their own guards?” Groder asked.

“The larger churches at least.” Yoshimo said. “A lot of the deities only have shrines.”

They moved along looking for an entrance to the sewers that lay beneath the temple district. They crossed a bridge and entered an area that held several smaller shrines. A large grey ornate building loomed in the distance.

“What is that?” Groder asked and pointed at it.

“That is the seat of the Order of The Radiant Heart.” Nalia answered.

“I think I meet a paladin in training from there once.” Groder mused.

“The one that proclaimed me evil at sight and who also tried to save Shar-Teel by trying to convert her?” Viconia asked, the amusement in voice rising.

“Oh yes, he was a walking caricature. I think Shar-Teel made him into a falsetto.” Groder laughed. “I kind of miss her.”

“She cracked your nose when you pinched her.” Jaheria said.

“She was a feisty woman.” The boy smiled and shrugged. “Shall we see about finding an entrance?”

“So I should be hitting you? Good to know.” Viconia drawled.

“Young lovely, I fear we are trapped in insanity.” Yoshimo said loudly to Nalia.

“Okay, okay. Enough of the circus antics please.” Groder said.

**

They soon found a grill that could be opened and was large enough for two men to enter through. The smell of raw sewage wafted up at them. None of them were too pleased with the prospect of climbing down there and wade through the waste of the city of coin. It turned out so that the sewers had stone walkways and the pipes extended above them to drop their never ending flood into the running rivers of sludge.

They followed the very detailed map that Lady Jysstev had provided. It also helped that the sewers were built in circular sections and all the walkways interconnected. As they approached the entrance to the mind flayer’s lair they found a man standing on the walkway staring out into the gloom. He heard them come and turned.

“Halt and go no further laymen, there be a grave evil down here.”

The man wore heavy armour and held a large two-hander. He was old with a face that was both harsh and kind. His beard and hair was dark with a grey speckles.

“I am sure there is.” Groder ventured.

“I am Keldorn Firecam, inquisitor of the Holy Order of The Radiant Heart. I was sent to investigate disappearances from the churches.” His voice radiated with power. “May I Inquire what you are doing down here?”

“We are with them.” Groder pointed behind the aged paladin.

A group of Githyanki had appeared fully armoured and wielding serrated swords. Keldorn was about to raise his sword when Jaheira called out.

“Wait paladin, they hunt mind flayers.”

The paladin turned back to the party.

“Such creatures? Here in the city?” He asked.

“We have found the lair!” One of the Githyanki shouted. Groder recognized it as the female of the pair that had hired them.

“Open the passageway and we shall taste the blood of our hated enemy.”

“Wait!” The male of the original pair said and pointed at Keldorn.

“That human was not with you before.”

“Don’t worry, he is with us now.” Groder said impatiently. “He is a paladin and we need not worry.”

The Githyanki nodded and pointed to the wall.

“It matters not should you betray us for then you will all die. Find the lock.”

Yoshimo and Nalia began scouring the wall after any indentations and holes. In the end Nalia found a small keyhole on the left side of the wall strategically placed behind thin pipes that ran from the floor to ceiling. Keldorn watched the party closely and Viconia quipped.

“You are not going to shout: vile drow die or something like that and try to skewer me are you?” She eyed the old man suspiciously.

“You are an odd collection and I cannot say I care for you presence, drow or his.” Keldron nodded towards Haer`Dalis. “Chaos wafts of him in waves.”

“Order needs chaos oh most holy warrior.” Haer`Dalis laughed.

“To answer your question drow: age brings temperance as well as experience so no, I will not attack you.” Keldron went on. “It also seems I have been drawn into your own hunt for now. It would not do well to stab allies in the back.”

“Be ready.” One of the Githyanki said as a section of the wall slid backwards. “There will be mental attacks as you enter but as you are with us it shall not affect you.”

The Githyanki started moving down into the passage chanting as they went. The party along with the paladin Keldorn followed. As they entered Groder felt as if a stone block had been dropped on his head. It affected the others as well except for the Githyanki that simply marched on. The boy realized that they may have been killed if the planar beings had not been there. The feeling let up as they entered a large domed room. Ethereal blue fires bathed it in their light. The walls were old and cracked; the room had been there a long time and was not an Illitihd construct.

The tall blue skinned creatures stood at the far end of the room, they were clad in exquisite robes with tall wide necks. The being`s milky white eyes regarded the new arrivals, mouth tentacles writhing in their direction. The alien beings made no sound and did not move. Groder felt something actually try to probe his mind; it didn’t succeed and drew back. One of the mind flayers raised a hand and pointed at them. From behind the mind flayers a large group of armed humans lurched, their faces slack and eyes unfocused.

“They use slaves to fight, the cowards.” One of the Githyanki growled.

The group readied themselves and then the mind flayers human slaves charged. The milky white eyes of the Illithid regarded it all in silence.

The Jysstevs butler had a vacant look in his eyes, staring off into space. The man’s harsh angular face was slack in ways he would not have approved of normally. Haer`Dalis leaned against the man, a smile splitting his tattooed face and showing his sharp pointed teeth.

“Do you still doubt me, Jaheria?” He asked.

I can’t see that changing… well, ever.

“Alas, getting a compliment from you, my dear, is like pressing water from a stone.” He tapped the side of the butlers head.

Theo: Bah… if only it was that easy!

“Aye, yours would have known all about that beauty spot on your inner thigh.” He winked at the redhead.

“How do you know about that?” The young woman nearly screamed.

Peeking while you took a shower, of course!

“Anyways, what do you know about the people she meets, any special people?” The bard asked the charmed butler.

“Well, the bard is actually being useful.” Viconia said to Groder.

Yes, but good thing he kept quiet about the beauty spot under Jaheira’s left breast.

“They say there is a psychic among them. He has been here. I don’t like him; he is odd, never eats or drinks. Never seen him laugh.”

Oh, he eats alright, you just weren’t serving the right kind of food… next time he comes, give him chilled monkey brains…

“No, it is likely that the mind flayer has inserted mental defences in even his unwitting agents.” Jaheria said. “Hopefully confronting her will be enough. If that does not work we may have to search the house.”

Threats of violence usually work very well on soft and weak nobles.

“How do you know about that? We are not doing anything unlawful if you are from the Cowled Wizards.” She stammered. “The hidden is powerful and will protect his circle.”

Wonder how did she get involved with the illithid, and of what use she can be to them.

“We… we meet him under the temples. There is an entrance in the sewers.” Tears rolled down her cheeks. “I have the key and map here. Please don’t hurt me.”

As I predicted the threats of violence worked like a charm.

“There was absolutely no need to traumatize the woman. She is only guilty of being stupid.”
Jaheira said when they walked across the district’s park.

Traumatize her? Unleashing you to talk with her, that would have traumatized her!

“It doesn’t matter now, oblivion will claim her earlier then she expected anyways.” Haer`Dalis said. “The Githyanki will kill her for trafficking with the Illitihd and if she is lucky it will be fast.”

Wouldn’t surprise me if they were to forget all about her in the end…

They moved along looking for an entrance to the sewers that lay beneath the temple district. They crossed a bridge and entered an area that held several smaller shrines. A large grey ornate building loomed in the distance.

“What is that?” Groder asked and pointed at it.

Don’t stray too close… the paladins have your face on the WANTED: sign.

“The one that proclaimed me evil at sight and who also tried to save Shar-Teel by trying to convert her?” Viconia asked, the amusement in voice rising.

Why, didn’t his Evil detector sense Shar-Teel being EVUL?

“She cracked your nose when you pinched her.” Jaheria said.

It’s “Jaheira”, by the way.

“She was a feisty woman.” The boy smiled and shrugged. “Shall we see about finding an entrance?”

“So I should be hitting you? Good to know.” Viconia drawled.

I’m sure she had planned to anyways.

They followed the very detailed map that Lady Jysstev had provided. It also helped that the sewers were built in circular sections and all the walkways interconnected. As they approached the entrance to the mind flayer’s lair they found a man standing on the walkway staring out into the gloom. He heard them come and turned.

“Halt and go no further laymen, there be a grave evil down here.”

Whoops, wrong quest Keldorn!

A group of Githyanki had appeared fully armoured and wielding serrated swords. Keldorn was about to raise his sword when Jaheira called out.

“Wait paladin, they hunt mind flayers.”

Collaborate with one Evil in order to crush another Evil… I think most paladins would not be flexible enough to go along with that.

“Don’t worry, he is with us now.” Groder said impatiently. “He is a paladin and we need not worry.”

Are you sure of that?

“You are not going to shout: vile drow die or something like that and try to skewer me are you?” She eyed the old man suspiciously.

That comes later, Vic.

The tall blue skinned creatures stood at the far end of the room, they were clad in exquisite robes with tall wide necks. The being`s milky white eyes regarded the new arrivals, mouth tentacles writhing in their direction. The alien beings made no sound and did not move. Groder felt something actually try to probe his mind; it didn’t succeed and drew back. One of the mind flayers raised a hand and pointed at them. From behind the mind flayers a large group of armed humans lurched, their faces slack and eyes unfocused.

Nice description of the miond flayers, they look sufficiently creepy.

The group readied themselves and then the mind flayers human slaves charged. The milky white eyes of the Illithid regarded it all in silence.

They’re about as talkative as Kivan!

Hehe, I still love your HD - sneaky and cheeky. I also like how you bring in Ajantis and Shar-Teel (lol the converting!) and Keldorn. The Hidden quest never really worked for me - what do Illithid want from a noble anyway - so it would be neat if you explained a bit more than in game.

Good chapter, looking forward to more.

The Jysstevs butler had a vacant look in his eyes, staring off into space. The man’s harsh angular face was slack in ways he would not have approved of normally. Haer`Dalis leaned against the man, a smile splitting his tattooed face and showing his sharp pointed teeth.

“Do you still doubt me, Jaheria?” He asked.

I can’t see that changing… well, ever.

It is kind of hard to trust someone that may decide to do something at the drop of a coin.

“Alas, getting a compliment from you, my dear, is like pressing water from a stone.” He tapped the side of the butlers head.

Theo: Bah… if only it was that easy!

Haer`Dalis: I shall not cease trying, my other raven.

“Aye, yours would have known all about that beauty spot on your inner thigh.” He winked at the redhead.

“How do you know about that?” The young woman nearly screamed.

Peeking while you took a shower, of course!

Something like that.

“Anyways, what do you know about the people she meets, any special people?” The bard asked the charmed butler.

“Well, the bard is actually being useful.” Viconia said to Groder.

Yes, but good thing he kept quiet about the beauty spot under Jaheira’s left breast.

He does not want to encounter oblivion this early.

“They say there is a psychic among them. He has been here. I don’t like him; he is odd, never eats or drinks. Never seen him laugh.”

Oh, he eats alright, you just weren’t serving the right kind of food… next time he comes, give him chilled monkey brains…

Yeah, but you know he will be rude and pass up on the eyeball soup.

“No, it is likely that the mind flayer has inserted mental defences in even his unwitting agents.” Jaheria said. “Hopefully confronting her will be enough. If that does not work we may have to search the house.”

Threats of violence usually work very well on soft and weak nobles.

Yep and the partys intimidate skills are high!

“How do you know about that? We are not doing anything unlawful if you are from the Cowled Wizards.” She stammered. “The hidden is powerful and will protect his circle.”

Wonder how did she get involved with the illithid, and of what use she can be to them.

I don`t think it was exactly explained in the game either. I just threw in the secret society bit since it seemed to fit with mind flayer sneakiness.

“We… we meet him under the temples. There is an entrance in the sewers.” Tears rolled down her cheeks. “I have the key and map here. Please don’t hurt me.”

As I predicted the threats of violence worked like a charm.

Oh yeah...

“There was absolutely no need to traumatize the woman. She is only guilty of being stupid.”
Jaheira said when they walked across the district’s park.

Traumatize her? Unleashing you to talk with her, that would have traumatized her!

He he... Had Jaheira talked with her we would know every sin she had comminted since the age of three.

“It doesn’t matter now, oblivion will claim her earlier then she expected anyways.” Haer`Dalis said. “The Githyanki will kill her for trafficking with the Illitihd and if she is lucky it will be fast.”

Wouldn’t surprise me if they were to forget all about her in the end…

Maybe... maybe not.

They moved along looking for an entrance to the sewers that lay beneath the temple district. They crossed a bridge and entered an area that held several smaller shrines. A large grey ornate building loomed in the distance.

“What is that?” Groder asked and pointed at it.

Don’t stray too close… the paladins have your face on the WANTED: sign.

Groder: And the artists impression is so poorly done...

“The one that proclaimed me evil at sight and who also tried to save Shar-Teel by trying to convert her?” Viconia asked, the amusement in voice rising.

Why, didn’t his Evil detector sense Shar-Teel being EVUL?

Hence the converting.

“She cracked your nose when you pinched her.” Jaheria said.

It’s “Jaheira”, by the way.

I usually catch the slip ups regarding her name.

It is very easy for the i and the r to change places.

“She was a feisty woman.” The boy smiled and shrugged. “Shall we see about finding an entrance?”

“So I should be hitting you? Good to know.” Viconia drawled.

I’m sure she had planned to anyways.

It is on Viconia`s "ways control the male bhaalspawn" list.

They followed the very detailed map that Lady Jysstev had provided. It also helped that the sewers were built in circular sections and all the walkways interconnected. As they approached the entrance to the mind flayer’s lair they found a man standing on the walkway staring out into the gloom. He heard them come and turned.

“Halt and go no further laymen, there be a grave evil down here.”

Whoops, wrong quest Keldorn!

He is getting on in age and all that.

Keldorn just got lucky while searching for the beholder cult.

A group of Githyanki had appeared fully armoured and wielding serrated swords. Keldorn was about to raise his sword when Jaheira called out.

“Wait paladin, they hunt mind flayers.”

Collaborate with one Evil in order to crush another Evil… I think most paladins would not be flexible enough to go along with that.

He doesn`t have much choice in the matter.

“Don’t worry, he is with us now.” Groder said impatiently. “He is a paladin and we need not worry.”

Are you sure of that?

Oh no, there is trouble heading Groder`s way.

“You are not going to shout: vile drow die or something like that and try to skewer me are you?” She eyed the old man suspiciously.

That comes later, Vic.

She lucks out this time. Sometimes I question her wisdom in antagonzing the large man with the large sword ingame.

The tall blue skinned creatures stood at the far end of the room, they were clad in exquisite robes with tall wide necks. The being`s milky white eyes regarded the new arrivals, mouth tentacles writhing in their direction. The alien beings made no sound and did not move. Groder felt something actually try to probe his mind; it didn’t succeed and drew back. One of the mind flayers raised a hand and pointed at them. From behind the mind flayers a large group of armed humans lurched, their faces slack and eyes unfocused.

Nice description of the miond flayers, they look sufficiently creepy.

Thank you.

The group readied themselves and then the mind flayers human slaves charged. The milky white eyes of the Illithid regarded it all in silence.

They’re about as talkative as Kivan!

Hey, they may actually talk more!

Hehe, I still love your HD - sneaky and cheeky. I also like how you bring in Ajantis and Shar-Teel (lol the converting!) and Keldorn. The Hidden quest never really worked for me - what do Illithid want from a noble anyway - so it would be neat if you explained a bit more than in game.

Thank you.

I think the hidden were supposed to be connected with the mind flayers in the sewers. Those have a conviniently place note that says something about establishing control of the city or something. I`ll try and explain it a bit better.

Good chapter, looking forward to more.

And more will come.

I feel a bit sorry for Lady Jysstev.

And poor Ajantis, suffering yet again.

I feel a bit sorry for Lady Jysstev.

Yep, She does not have much luck.

And poor Ajantis, suffering yet again.

He will get soe abuse from Keldorn later aswell.

“Aye, yours would have known all about that beauty spot on your inner thigh.” He winked at the redhead.

“How do you know about that?” The young woman nearly screamed.

The bard simply smiled at her.

Lol, invisibility may be quite useful.

“
“The hidden that you so revere is a mind flayer and our employers are at war with them. They are quite merciless and will kill all agents of the mind flayers whether they are unwitting servants or not.”

“I… I don’t believe you.” The noble woman said and looked around franticly.

“Be that as it may.” Groder said and smiled. A shiver ran down his spine. He had briefly forgotten how good these kinds of things felt. The woman was obviously terrified now.

Good, he almost seemed to become ...soft.

“
“There was absolutely no need to traumatize the woman. She is only guilty of being stupid.”
Jaheira said when they walked across the district’s park.

“It doesn’t matter now, oblivion will claim her earlier then she expected anyways.” Haer`Dalis said. “The Githyanki will kill her for trafficking with the Illitihd and if she is lucky it will be fast.”

“Poor woman…” Nalia walked close to Yoshimo, shaken by the whole incident.

“The world is… unfair sometimes.” He said to her.

Well, joining strange sects is not the wisest thing in RL... In magic-infested world it must be much more dangerous.

“
“The one that proclaimed me evil at sight and who also tried to save Shar-Teel by trying to convert her?” Viconia asked, the amusement in voice rising.

“Oh yes, he was a walking caricature. I think Shar-Teel made him into a falsetto.” Groder laughed. “I kind of miss her.”

“She cracked your nose when you pinched her.” Jaheria said.

“She was a feisty woman.” The boy smiled and shrugged. “Shall we see about finding an entrance?”

“So I should be hitting you? Good to know.” Viconia drawled.

Good opportunity to feel yourself noble Drow female again

“
“Halt and go no further laymen, there be a grave evil down here.”

The man wore heavy armour and held a large two-hander. He was old with a face that was both harsh and kind. His beard and hair was dark with a grey speckles.

“I am sure there is.” Groder ventured.

Yes, and another portion of evil have arrived.

““You are not going to shout: vile drow die or something like that and try to skewer me are you?” She eyed the old man suspiciously.

“You are an odd collection and I cannot say I care for you presence, drow or his.” Keldron nodded towards Haer`Dalis. “Chaos wafts of him in waves.”

“Order needs chaos oh most holy warrior.” Haer`Dalis laughed.

“To answer your question drow: age brings temperance as well as experience so no, I will not attack you.” Keldron went on. “It also seems I have been drawn into your own hunt for now. It would not do well to stab allies in the back.”

In-game Keldorn would do well to remember this. The only time I had him in my party such attempt ended really bad. High-level cleric with magic resistance and almost flawless stats is not really replaceable - unlike low-dex fighter with some spells...

““
“They use slaves to fight, the cowards.” One of the Githyanki growled.

The group readied themselves and then the mind flayers human slaves charged. The milky white eyes of the Illithid regarded it all in silence.

And brave Giths are using mercenaries...

Thanks for the new chapter about evil brat.

“Aye, yours would have known all about that beauty spot on your inner thigh.” He winked at the redhead.

“How do you know about that?” The young woman nearly screamed.

The bard simply smiled at her.

Lol, invisibility may be quite useful.

Indeed. Especially for people like Haer.

“
“The hidden that you so revere is a mind flayer and our employers are at war with them. They are quite merciless and will kill all agents of the mind flayers whether they are unwitting servants or not.”

“I… I don’t believe you.” The noble woman said and looked around franticly.

“Be that as it may.” Groder said and smiled. A shiver ran down his spine. He had briefly forgotten how good these kinds of things felt. The woman was obviously terrified now.

Good, he almost seemed to become ...soft.

He will be getting back to his usual self. There is some stress coming up for him soon though.

“
“There was absolutely no need to traumatize the woman. She is only guilty of being stupid.”

Jaheira said when they walked across the district’s park.

“It doesn’t matter now, oblivion will claim her earlier then she expected anyways.” Haer`Dalis said. “The Githyanki will kill her for trafficking with the Illitihd and if she is lucky it will be fast.”

“Poor woman…” Nalia walked close to Yoshimo, shaken by the whole incident.

“The world is… unfair sometimes.” He said to her.

Well, joining strange sects is not the wisest thing in RL... In magic-infested world it must be much more dangerous.

Yeah, you never really know there. One second you are standing in the secret lair and the next you are in the mouth of a dragon.

“
“The one that proclaimed me evil at sight and who also tried to save Shar-Teel by trying to convert her?” Viconia asked, the amusement in voice rising.

“Oh yes, he was a walking caricature. I think Shar-Teel made him into a falsetto.” Groder laughed. “I kind of miss her.”

“She cracked your nose when you pinched her.” Jaheria said.

“She was a feisty woman.” The boy smiled and shrugged. “Shall we see about finding an entrance?”

“So I should be hitting you? Good to know.” Viconia drawled.

Good opportunity to feel yourself noble Drow female again

She will of course get the chance later again.

“
“Halt and go no further laymen, there be a grave evil down here.”

The man wore heavy armour and held a large two-hander. He was old with a face that was both harsh and kind. His beard and hair was dark with a grey speckles.

“I am sure there is.” Groder ventured.

Yes, and another portion of evil have arrived.

But this one is more adorable then the beholder.

““You are not going to shout: vile drow die or something like that and try to skewer me are you?” She eyed the old man suspiciously.

“You are an odd collection and I cannot say I care for you presence, drow or his.” Keldron nodded towards Haer`Dalis. “Chaos wafts of him in waves.”

“Order needs chaos oh most holy warrior.” Haer`Dalis laughed.

“To answer your question drow: age brings temperance as well as experience so no, I will not attack you.” Keldron went on. “It also seems I have been drawn into your own hunt for now. It would not do well to stab allies in the back.”

In-game Keldorn would do well to remember this. The only time I had him in my party such attempt ended really bad. High-level cleric with magic resistance and almost flawless stats is not really replaceable - unlike low-dex fighter with some spells...

Yeah... but Viconia does bring him on her with her constant taunting IIRC.

““
“They use slaves to fight, the cowards.” One of the Githyanki growled.

The group readied themselves and then the mind flayers human slaves charged. The milky white eyes of the Illithid regarded it all in silence.

And brave Giths are using mercenaries...

The subtle difference is that they do not stand behind their mercenaries and will actually fight.

Thanks for the new chapter about evil brat.

And there is more coming.