She was more cold and calculating than Dirai, and she quickly added things up. If this human was in fact a new god, much like that Cyric fellow she'd heard about, then this was a risk and an opportunity.
Oh, she could turn the boy in - the priestesses would rip his heart out and feed it to a draegloth or something to regain the favor of the Spider Queen. If it didn't work they'd go on to something else maybe.
On the other hand, if this boy was on his way to becoming a deity - and one that clearly accepted a ditzy naive girl like Dirai as a high priestess. Well, she wasn't willing to switch faiths or philosophies at least by much - but being an interested hanger on would allow her to reap benefits. She could always betray them later if there was more profit to it.
"Count me in," said Iranae out loud. "A chance of getting out of these damn pits strikes me as better than no chance at all."
The society of the drow was run by the clergy of Lolth. The clergy was run by the most vicious and sadistic of their ranks, as well as the oldest and most accomplished.
They had scrolls and magical items, which allowed them to cover for their loss of spells - for now. It was only a matter of time before the word got out. They were not going to admit their current lack of resources and lessening power, at least if it could be avoided.
Still, old wounds festered. Slights and petty feuds were ready to erupt into full scale warfare. The eye of the goddess was not on them - and so there were many who thought this the perfect opportunity to advance their own quests for power or vengeance.
"Never Trust A Drow." While this was not true in certain individuals, it was certainly the case in the majority. A drow's word was good - up until the point honoring that word was inconvenient or potentially harmful.
The minor city of Chad Nespair was not quite as bad off as some of the other cities. It was simply a matter of size. Chad Nasad was a major tradesport. The capital of Menzonobarrenzen was huge and had the individuals who had risen to the heights of their profession.
Chad Nespair by contrast had roughly 1/6 the population of Chad Nasad. The higher echelons were not nearly as competent or vicious as those in larger cities. If you wanted to borrow human terms, you might describe it as 'Hicksville' or a 'backwoods hamlet' by contrast.
This carried some benefits and problems. If one wanted to strike back at the drow, one usually thought of other cities. The wealth wasn't there - being mainly off as tribute to other cities, and the place was off the beaten path - even as regarded the traffic of the Underdark and the chasms and tunnels that were used for travel.
A lake of water that trickled down from the World Above surrounded three quarters of Chad Nespair, and large thick walls blocked the last quarter except for the two gates. Problems with duergar and the occasional illithid had caused those walls to be erected and maintained.
Chad Nespair had no tower of Sorcere. There were a few mages, but they too were hardly the ones who held the reins of true power or ambition. If they had ambition and power - they wouldn't be here.
With a few exceptions - people who'd rather be skilled and powerful in a minor city rather than be average in a major city.
Pentas Vourl was one such. In a major drow city, one with a tower of Sorcere or similarly powerful group of mages, he might have been able to rise to the ranks of the ruling council. He had the power but not the subtlety nor the innate cleverness to reach further. Whereas in Chad Nespair - he was the most powerful mage in the city.
After the first day, he knew something was up. The priestesses were as tight-lipped as ever, but they had spent four hours in session with doors closed during the later part of the day.
Matron Kavriel missing her mid-afternoon Reverie and meal - something BIG was up. Matron Acherea had been seen scurrying to the temple despite one of her caravans being due today - completely out of character.
He knew, liked was not even vaguely applicable, most of the Matrons of the city and their habits. The best to avoid them and their attention for one thing.
Pentas Vourl looked out over his city and wondered what it meant as he prepared and cast a few minor spells. As he had expected, most struck anti-eavesdropping wards and barriers.
To his delight and surprise, one got through. Clairaudience cast on a point where the walls of the chamber were not thick, and a storeroom that was crowded with odd supplies was a good place to spy from. Especially if one didn't have to be physically present.
Pentas heard the arguments, though not all the voices could be heard. Lolth had turned her back on them? The Spider Goddess was not answering their sacrifices and pleas?
That brought a brief smile to Pentas' face. Until he heard his own name mentioned. They hadn't sacrificed sufficiently and maybe a mage would make a better sacrifice?
Pentas Vourl mentally drew a circle around the name of Matron Kavriel. She had just gone to the top of the payback list.
Being a mage, he didn't rely on a being as fickle as the drow goddess to cast spells. Pentas quickly gathered the ingredients for a spell.
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(Posted Mon, 22 Mar 2004 07:56)
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