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Unafraid, you stand to meet Mother's gaze. You are not a girl, not anymore, and you will be heard. Fighting, surviving for over two centuries has forged you into a mighty woman and a peerless warrior. She cannot silence you, not today, and never again. Gathering your courage, you speak your mind with no concern for the consequences.

"This is your doing, Mother. You have gone mad, and it is through you that we are ruined. I am guilty of nothing, and-" your assertion will forever go unfinished. Age has not slowed mother, nor has it tempered her aggression. Her hand shoots toward you, forcefully seizing a lock of your hair before you can even think to dodge. With a single firm tug, you suddenly find yourself floored, looking up at Mother from an even lower position that you were moments prior.

The crunch of shattering bone is accompanied by an agonizing pain originating from just above your ear, causing your world to blur momentarily. Disoriented, you frantically rack your brain in order to determine what exactly is happening. Mother must have kicked you - and you will be needing the help of a priestess to mend the new dent in your skull. It would seem that regardless of how much you've grown, she is always able to handle you as easily as a parent manages a child.
>>
>>5570860
"You will mind your tongue in front of me, girl," she reminds. Exasperated, Mother shuffles across the room, withdrawing a bottle of exquisite green wine from a nearby cabinet. Hoping to assuage her frustrations by imbibing in her old and familiar bosom friend, alcohol, she plucks the cork from its container and smiles, oblivious to the danger which she has placed herself in.

The wine - rather, 'wine,' reacts violently when exposed to the atmosphere, bubbling and roiling, until a stream of emerald liquid erupts from the bottle's throat. Narrowly, Mother is able to evade it, reactively releasing the glass container, which plummets and shatters against the slate floor. Missing its target, the corrosive fluid splashes against the statue across the room, voraciously eating away at the onerously chiseled features of the weeping mother. This was an attempt at murder, a trick of alchemy fashioned into a lethal weapon, and Mother is able to deduce the identity of the culprit instantaneously.

"PHAAAAAEEEEEREEEEEEEE!!"

A ragged sigh of relief squirms through your teeth. A new victim has captured your tormentor's ire.
>>
>>5570867
The year is 1374 DR. Sixteen years have passed since the Time of Troubles, when the gods were made humble, and forced to wander the Realms as mortals. With the ascension of the mad god Cyric, Prince of Lies, and the recent return of the tyrant god Bane, Lord of Darkness, the future of Faerûn seems increasingly uncertain. It falls to bold individuals who possess an abundance of cunning, might, and determination to shape the future... should they be up to the challenge.

Stirring from your slumber, you find yourself unconsciously rubbing at your skull, the memory of your injury still fresh in your mind. The dreams of Mother are far from the worst of your recurring nightmares, though they are without a doubt the most common. But that is the past, and the affairs of the moment will not pause while you ruminate. Making ready for the day's ordeals, you equip yourself and stretch, still sore from the long march of yesterday.

What will you do?
>The sooner I am rid of this place, the better. I will find Luaue, that we might discuss our departure.
>That elder, Chessayne? There is still much that I would speak with her about. She must be somewhere nearby.
>For whatever reason, I feel obligated to interact with the deplorable young Ilythiiri... or at least make the attempt to.
>There is so much to this dwarven ruin that I have yet to see. Ergo, I shall make the effort to explore it further.
>>
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>>5570870
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
>>
>>5570870
>For whatever reason, I feel obligated to interact with the deplorable young Ilythiiri... or at least make the attempt to.
Good to see you again, Greenwood. I was starting to worry that the curse had taken hold of you.
>>
>>5570870
>>For whatever reason, I feel obligated to interact with the deplorable young Ilythiiri... or at least make the attempt to.
>>
>>5570870
>For whatever reason, I feel obligated to interact with the deplorable young Ilythiiri... or at least make the attempt to.
Jez is invariably reminded yet again of her age
>>
>>5570870
>The sooner I am rid of this place, the better. I will find Luaue, that we might discuss our departure.
Bad dreams, gotta' move and get away from the past.
>>
>>5570870
>>For whatever reason, I feel obligated to interact with the deplorable young Ilythiiri... or at least make the attempt to.
>>
>>5570870
Hell yeah, Jez is back. Been looking every since the last thread
Also, an eternal reminder that being a drow sucks. So there's not even an limitations on when and where assasination attempts can come from. And an amusing comment on Phaere not being as good as she thinks at alchemical/intelligent stuff.
>There is so much to this dwarven ruin that I have yet to see. Ergo, I shall make the effort to explore it further.
I realize the votes are against me, but come on, dwarven RUINS, guys! We can always talk to these children once we've evacuated to the Silverwood.
>>
>>5570870
>>There is so much to this dwarven ruin that I have yet to see. Ergo, I shall make the effort to explore it further.
>>
>>5570870
>For whatever reason, I feel obligated to interact with the deplorable young Ilythiiri... or at least make the attempt to.

I feel like the ruin has already been cleaned out.
>>
Vote closed.
>>
Say, have we ever got a proper description of Jezyrene's appearance outside of slightly-yellowed hair and being a drow?
>>
>>5573331
I wouldn't call her hair slightly yellowed, her hair was described as containing a few yellow strands (that she does her absolute best to deny the existence of). Otherwise, I believe the corset picture was described as being very close, though I could be remembering it wrong.
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>>5573444
>I believe the corset picture was described as being very close
You mean this one?
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>>5573331
We know that Jez has a developed physique. And that her feminine assets are a bit unimpressive. That she has long hair, and her back is covered in hideous scars. The rest has been kept vague.

That is, unless anons think Jez is brave enough to step in front of a full length mirror.
>>
>>5573466
Different one of her holding a sword, though thinking back I think it was said that it was very accurate to the bustenhalt.
>>5573485
Didn't Jez get a perfect image of herself when communing with the Dark Fantasy?
>>
>>5573485
Maybe we will! Either way, after my next credit card statement is paid, I'm commissioning her art. Thanks for QMing like a boss for 7+ months, Greenwood!
>>
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>>5573331
Well this is the image on the character sheet
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>>5573485
Nothing wrong with a bit of ambiguity, I feel like she's been described just enough. Though it was amusing to realize Jez is "underdeveloped" in the chest department.
Besides >>5573670 there's also the image that was used in the first few threads. Though the current one is a bit uncanny valley for a reason I can't put down. Stomach / eyes look a bit photo shopped, for lack of a better word?
Incidentally, since many drow pictures are reused over the threads, and this one often pops up for the thread opener, is the picture in >>5570873 meant to be an alternate pic of Jez, one of her sisters or just, for lack of a better way ot putting it, another drow picture?
>>
>>5573596
Well, this is probably the most descriptive mention of Jez I've seen in quest.
>No, there is a single object here... a full length mirror. It casts a perfectly accurate image of your form, disrobed and vulnerable, so exact that you cannot help but hang your head in shame. The web of scars that trace along the surface of your body, accumulated across more than a century of regular hardship, the calluses on the ridge of your skin right beneath your fingers that formed as a consequence of the your near-constant struggling over the last tenday, the miniscule flecks of blonde in your hair that you've yet to notice until just now - yellowing hair is a sign of aging in female Ilythiiri.

Funnily enough, it involves a full length mirror, albeit not exactly real.
>>
>>5570890
>>5570899
>>5570907
>>5570933
>>5570993
>>5571148
>>5571389
>>5571528
Of all the awful things inhabiting the Realms, few inspire as much hatred in you as the contemptible vermin known as 'children.' Of them, young Ilythiiri must indisputably be the worst, being disobedient little thieves and killers - often a portent of what they will become in adulthood. Regardless, you inexplicably feel compelled to mingle with the next generation of your people. Mayhaps you might even share your accumulated wisdom with them, should they prove wise enough to heed your advice.

Leisurely, you find your way through the dormitory out into the rotunda, which bustles with activity as the Eilistraeans begin to wake. Luaue gathers up the adults as they appear, leading them off into the banquet hall, her manner serious and resolute. Chessayne is left behind to mind the young one as she tends to her fungal garden, her disposition one of absolute serenity.

Leaning yourself against the wall, you elect to first spend some time observing today's youth. The littlest ones, likely no older than twenty, play a simple game with one another. One is designated to chase after the others, reversing roles with whoever they manage to catch. You recall participating in a similar activity, although you note that there were more sharp implements involved when you did so.
>>
>>5575866
Then there are the older ones, physically matured, though still less than a century old. The girls trade gossip and talk about their favorite boys - peculiar, though in no way surprising. By contrast, the boys have spirited discussions about which would win between a man-sized troll and a troll-sized man, and some ridiculous card game. You could never quite comprehend why Tatherin was so enamored with those foolish things, despite knowing him for most of your life.

"Miss Sindiira?" The saccharine sound of a girl's voice reaches your ears from nearby. Standing at waist-height, she is dressed in earthen-colored clothing much too wide for her frame, mended several times, perhaps spare dwarven garments reappropriated for an Ilythiiri. Her skin is dark ebony, which draws attention to her striking red eyes and scarlet, shoulder-length hair. She is thin, even for a child, although not from malnutrition, and her features are dignified despite her circumstances.

She holds hands with a boy, a head shorter than her, though they are likely of similar age. He is rare specimen, born with a striking bone-white coloration to his skin and lengthy hair of silver, complemented by a pair of piercing amber eyes. Oddly, there exists no particular stigma against albinism in your culture, though rumors oft circulate that those born with silver hair are deranged. This boy's manner, however, is meek, and he does his utmost to hide himself under his green cloak while studying you skeptically.
>>
>>5575867
"Uh... did you really fight the were-monsters?" She inquires, apparently in disbelief of your deeds. "Yes," you remind, "I did. I fought Malar's priest, and he died from his wounds." The girl fidgets uncomfortably. "Woah..." she mumbles, looking over you as if you were a being from another plane. More than likely, this girl has never seen a warrior such as yourself before. Their finest fighters are no doubt deceased, and Luaue's tiresome amiability makes it easy to mistake her for a soft-bodied surface-dweller.

The two spend no small amount of time marveling at you, for reasons unknown. You certainly don't believe that you appear much different from the average Ilythiiri. It could be that they are in disbelief, that you could not only hold your own against a werebeast, but emerge victorious in a battle against them. Or is it the mystique that comes with being a true denizen of the Underdark from a predominantly Lolthite region that has captured their interest?

Either way, it seems you must be the one to initiate a conversation.
>AHEM. They will address me as MALLA JABBRESS Sindiira Torani from now on, and today we are going to learn how to speak like real Ilythiiri.
>Why are they so... weak? The other children will surely murder them when the adults are not watching. I suppose I should show them how to use a knife.
>Ah, I am suddenly reminded of a story from my own childhood, when I was deplorable little pest like they are now. For when I was their age, I...
>Well, I am listening. Speak up, then. What exactly is it that they wish to say to me? I do not bite, or at least I have only bitten those who've tried to kill me.
>>
>>5573596
While I greatly appreciate every contribution to the quest, please don't feel like you have to if there are other things you need to spend money on.

>>5573589
More like a few things she doesn't like about herself that she'd rather other people didn't see.

>>5573843
Aside from what little we've been told, Jez has no concrete appearance. Those are just random drow pictures, though you're welcome to imagine them as Jezyrene's dead sisters who died unremarkable deaths and were quickly forgotten.

>>5573670
I think it's an accurate representation of the wacky bra armor she has equipped at the moment. Though it could be that anons decide to purchase something more conventional soon.
>>
>>5575870
Fuck there's so many good choices here. I wish every option was possible, but I suppose I'll choose this one.
>Ah, I am suddenly reminded of a story from my own childhood, when I was deplorable little pest like they are now. For when I was their age, I...
Time for the trauma train!

Oh hey, an albino drow. Funnily enough albinism is probably the best trait for a drow that wants to escape the underdark, as there's no visual way to differentiate an albino drow from any other albino elf for the most part. Also, don't see many redheaded drow.

>You could never quite comprehend why Tatherin was so enamored with those foolish things, despite knowing him for most of your life.
All the more reason to find him and ask. I must know what happened to Tatherin.
>>
>>5575887
>Though it could be that anons decide to purchase something more conventional soon.

It's never come up in any shopping sections, but then again we've only ever shopped at clothing shops rather than armor shops. Still, gotta wonder just how effective actual armor would even be considering a bustenhalt is somehow superior to Jez's previous breastplate. And potentially losing Jez's agility bonus could really hurt.
>>
>>5575870
>Well, I am listening. Speak up, then. What exactly is it that they wish to say to me? I do not bite, or at least I have only bitten those who've tried to kill me.

>>5575887
Well I did my taxes and owe the government about twenty bucks, but I am still happy to show my appreciation for such a reliably-good and long-running quest.

>>5575899
Would be nice to get her a pretty skirt or skort of some sort.
>>
>>5575870
>Well, I am listening. Speak up, then. What exactly is it that they wish to say to me? I do not bite, or at least I have only bitten those who've tried to kill me.
>We’ll go by whoever raised their hand first, followed by the second fastest.
>>
>>5575870
>Ah, I am suddenly reminded of a story from my own childhood, when I was deplorable little pest like they are now. For when I was their age, I...
Time to traumatise the children
>>
>>5575870
>>Why are they so... weak? The other children will surely murder them when the adults are not watching. I suppose I should show them how to use a knife.
>>
>>5575870
>>Ah, I am suddenly reminded of a story from my own childhood, when I was deplorable little pest like they are now. For when I was their age, I...
>>
Vote closed.
>>
>>5576982
QM, all good?
>>
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>>5579834
Anon, I'm a wagekek, the update will arrive when I can finish it.
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>>5579902
No worries! Just making sure the curse didn't get you. Take your time!
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>>5579902
Stay strong, Greenwood
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>>5575894
>>5575899
>>5575925
>>5576104
>>5576262
>>5576800
>>5576952
"When I was a like you," you start, reminiscing about a more simple phase of your life, "I remember I would play in the city streets with my sister." Your brow creases as you search for the appropriate words with which to express yourself. This crude human dialect is becoming more and more familiar to you as necessity drives you to internalize it, though the knowledge that these little ones have adopted it as their own is somewhat infuriating.

"What's her name?" The girl obnoxiously interjects, before you can even begin the story proper. "Veldrin," you offer, providing the first name which comes to mind. Though 'Phaere' is a common enough name, you feel that using it would be imprudent, and you reason that the significance of 'Veldrin' would be lost on these children besides. "My sister is Veldrin."

"Uwaaah!" She cheers, beaming at you. "I have a friend named is Veldrin. It's a pretty name." You clear your throat and suck in a lungful of air. "Yes, there are many Veldrins. Our favorite game was to hide in the lowest level of the city, with the slaves. Then we would take turns trying to sneak up on each other. One day, I was hiding under a mushroom. Near a hole with an otyugh-"
>>
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>>5581406
"What's an ot-yoog?" Lilts the girl, who looks up at you with crystals in her eyes, hanging on your every word. Your left eye twitches. "An otyugh is a monster that lives all over the Realms. It eats trash, and bad food, and dead things. Big cities and small towns have them. Under the ground." You huff.

"I was hidden near the otyugh when an old woman came to throw away a dead body. So I snuck behind her, then pushed her into the hole." You snicker, darkly amused by the rare pleasant memory of your juvenile act of devilry. Although, it sounded much more exciting before the words left your mouth. Humans simply lack the means to articulate the nuances of Ilythiiri thought, you suppose.

The boy is quick to retreat further into the limited security offered by his cloak, while the girl grows ever more distressed, as evidenced by the perturbed expression that comes to dominate her visage. "Then what happened?" She asks, though her demeanor suggests that she is well aware of what transpired on that day. Nevertheless, you clarify. "It ate her," you declare, eliciting panicked whimpers from the girl.
>>
>>5581407
Folding your arms, you raise an eyebrow at the unusual reaction that your anedcote seems to have provoked. You do not consider yourself a talented raconteur - at least, not skilled enough to make your living as a bard - but by all accounts, these pests should have adored your story. It has violence and even a betrayal, of a sort.

What else could a child possibly want from something meant to entertain? Certainly, these are the things which occupied your thoughts at all hours of the day when you were a repulsive little brat. So why is it that they are not enthused, but instead dismayed? Could it be that there is something wrong with today's youth?

Hmm...
>Am I out of touch?
>No. It is the children who are wrong.
>>
>>5579995
>>5580215
We will get through this.
>>
>>5581408
>Am I out of touch?
>>
>>5581408
>Am I out of touch?

That's a good Simpsons reference
>>
>>5581408
>No. It is the children who are wrong
>>
>>5581408
>>No. It is the children who are wrong.
>>
>>5581408
>>Am I out of touch?
>>
Kek
These arn't actually two different options, are they?
>Am I out of touch? No. It is the children who are wrong
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eVddGSTjEd0
However
>Given how easily these frail children are upset, maybe I should consider my words before speaking. I know, maybe they would prefer something simple - like hearing about the fighting pits where they fight to the death! Failing that, perhaps I will try that spell my "dear" sister taught me [Create Shadow Bunnies against wall using appendages]
Yeah, I'm thinkin' Jez understands these juveniles PERFECTLY
>>
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>>5581408
>Am I out of touch?
Freshly baked in paint.net

I also fully support Jez getting completely the wrong idea and doing >>5581536
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>>5581408
>Am I out of touch?
>Also shadow bunnies.
>>
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As promised! Keep up the good work, Greenwood.

(I also support the shadow bunnies, in addition to my vote at >>5581450, but the children are DEFINITELY wrong, also weak and foolish.)
>>
Vote closed.

>>5581536
The choice here is whether Jez is self-aware enough to wonder if her assumptions about children (and to a degree the normality of her own upbringing) are wrong, or if she has a boomer moment and stubbornly insists that her perspective isn't lacking.

>>5581541
Impressive. Very nice.

>>5581589
Thank you. I will make sure that this becomes a part of future threads.
>>
>>5581589
Very very cool!
>>
Pleased to see so many support the shadow bunnies
>>5581589
Looks good, only one comment, does it look maybe a bit too buff in the upper body area? Too amazonian as opposed to lithe dancer-killer?
Can't quite put my finger on what it is, maybe the arms?
>>
>>5582338
Yes. It's the arms. Too minotaur like.
>>
>>5582338
You may not realise it, but bricc is the optimal elf body shape.
>>
>>5582338
I think it's the head size
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>>5582126
Hey, just gald you like it! It's by marcellmirzada on Fiverr.
>>
>>5581443
>>5581448
>>5581450
>>5581481
>>5581533
>>5581536
>>5581541
>>5581572
You are immediately struck by an epiphany; it could be that you are gravely mistaken about children, and indeed, the very nature of the Ilythiiri race. It is clear that thoughts of carnage and larceny do not preoccupy the minds of these little ones. The question then, is, why? Have they been contaminated with the same madness as the surface-dwellers at such a tender age? Could it be that they have no one around to teach them the correct way of things? Luaue is a poor role model, but has Chessayne forgotten herself as well?

Or are you simply behind the times? Much can transpire in the span of two centuries. Interest in the Lolthite way is not what it was a hundred or even fifty years ago. More and more of your people have gradually begun to throw their lots in with gods such as Vhaeraun and Ghaunadaur, or fled to seek their fortunes in the surface world. The younger Eilistraeans understand human languages better than old Ilythiirra, and raise their children to be... weak and foolish, in your most humble opinion.

It mattered little to you before your forced exile from the main body of your society, when you were surrounded by like minds. But from where you stand now, the norms you accepted as axiom - the priestesses, the lessons, the rules - appear to be slowly slipping into obsolescence as the Realms move on without them. Today's children are not the ones of yesteryear, and certainly not like you were then.
>>
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>>5583373
This leaves you in a predicament. It is not entirely clear how you are meant to interact with these two. Typically, the menial work of looking after children is a chore for novice priestesses, though you never advanced so far in the clergy, and those whom you've instructed in the art of warfare were matured enough to look after themselves. These pathetic creatures look upon you in terror, as if at some point you became Mother. The thought that you might actually take after her is mildly unsettling.

Taking pity on the duo, you cerebrate until you've given yourself a headache, trying to think of some way, any way to placate them. A flash of brilliant spontaneity overtakes you, and you contort your hands such that the shadow they cast resembles the shape of a rabbit, that elusive surface animal you learned of so long ago. Over two hundred years have gone by since you last did this... you were but a girl when you were taught this trick by Phaere, but the memory is still so powerful.

"Look," you command, adjusting your stance that they might better view the spectacle. "It's a bunny!" Exclaims the girl, who makes her attempt at creating the shadow puppet with her own hands, finding it difficult to do so by her lonesome. "Like this," you instruct, shaping her hands to allow her to produce her own 'rabbit,' which she is visibly elated to see. The boy is more clever, able to replicate the trick by his lonesome after viewing your demonstration.
>>
>>5583378
"I'm happy to see you getting along so well with Mytyl and Tyltyl," remarks Chessayne in Ilythiirra, catching you unawares. The old woman must have snuck up on you whilst you were distracted by the annoying little beasties who are now immersed in a game of 'rabbit friends.' Inexplicably, you feel like the most foolish person in all the planes at this moment. Pressing a palm against your face, you sigh and pivot to face her. "I suppose," you note dryly.

She cackles, resting a hand on her chest. "Don't let me get in your way. This is good for you," she mentions vaguely, gesturing for you to go about your business as she makes to return to hers.

Hmm...
>Hold a moment. While she is here, I would trade words with her. There is still much that I must ask.
>Right, then. No more stories. I am going to teach these two how to use knives, like REAL Ilythiiri.
>Talking can wait. I must find Luaue, that we might discuss our departure from this place posthaste.
>I have time to spare, and a ruin to see. Therefore, I must go exploring.
>>
>>5583382
>Hold a moment. While she is here, I would trade words with her. There is still much that I must ask.
>Also, I wanna see you give it a try.
>>
>>5583382
>>Right, then. No more stories. I am going to teach these two how to use knives, like REAL Ilythiiri.
>>
>>5583382
Kek, this went even better/more amusingly than I expected. Maybe Jez has talent for "magic" after all
>I have time to spare, and a ruin to see. Therefore, I must go exploring.
It's a dwarven ruin, and we're adventurers. We are also on some kind of time limit. Imagine the potential resources we might discover. Or something that could penetrate the armored husk of the machine coming after us. And potentially we might find something that could help us convince the dwarven councilmember that hates us to be more positive. For example, show proof that his god showed mercy on the followers of Eiliastrae/us, when we show up with a bunch of drow seeking refuge!
>>
>>5583382
>Right, then. No more stories. I am going to teach these two how to use knives, like REAL Ilythiiri.
>>
>>5583382
Cute! But...
>I have time to spare, and a ruin to see. Therefore, I must go exploring.
>>
>>5583382
>I have time to spare, and a ruin to see. Therefore, I must go exploring.
>>
Vote closed.
>>
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>>5582126
Tried my hand at something!
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>>5583552
>>5583587
>>5583660
>>5583707
>>5583764
>>5583951
"Hmph." Having suffered enough indignity for a day, you march across the bridge situated above the magma flow, where Alantha lazily dines on another fresh kill. She does not regard you as you pass her by, greedily tearing through the tender tissues of his abdomen to consume the nutritious innards within. Even now, the intellect of this creature astonishes you - the displacer beast is fully autonomous, looking after its own needs completely unassisted but always returning to this place. You distinctly recall spending hours caring for your bat when you were a girl - damn Vierna for mangling the thing.

Aimlessly, you wander the corridors of the ruin, studying the engravings meticulously carved into the floors and walls. The history of the stout folk plays out before you, although you possess not the knowledge to make sense of the imagery. In earnest, your understanding of dwarven history is near nihil. They are, first and foremost, opponents of the Ilythiiri, invaders of the Underdark, and a constant obstruction to your designs. Much like the darthiir, the dwarves have their own exiled counterpart, the Duergar, whom they treat with similar antipathy. This is the extent of what you have been taught.

As one might suspect, this ruin was plundered for all its wealth, although you note that there exist no traces of violence or death in these halls. It could be that the dwarves, whatever their reasons, elected to depart of their own accord, else their demise was a quiet one. The latter seems unlikely; dwarves are keen to fight down to the last in defense of their homes. Why, then, would they abandon a perfectly fine fortress?
>>
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>>5586550
The answer may yet reveal itself to you. Unwittingly, you set foot in a dismal vault guarded by twin statues of dwarven warriors standing twice your height, their dour expressions set to vigilantly overlook this place for all eternity. Hundreds of caskets are neatly slotted into every wall, each engraved with what you presume to be a name. Such decorum is ordinarily only reserved for those few Ilythiiri famed and respected enough to avoid being tossed in a mass grave and forgotten, but you believe this to be a burial chamber.

At the center is a monument of some sort, an unpolished - yet masterfully cut - obelisk on which a lengthy piece of text in the dwarven language is inscribed in red. The hasty design suggests that this is a last-minute addition to the room. Perchance this anomaly might provide some sort of clue as to what befell the inhabitants of this place. Alas, your grasp of the dwarven language is even more feeble than your initial command of the local human tongue. If you are to translate any of this, it will have to be one word at a time. Placing a hand on the warm surface of the rock, you appraise the letters before you and think.

Where to begin...
>Oath, oath, oath. What is this 'oath' being mentioned again and again?
>Right here, it says... 'demons?' What is this about demons!?
>[Intellect] This word here is not in dwarven. What language is this?
>>
>>5586554
Jez is back, hell yeah! I havn't been f5'ing all day at all, in my eagerness.
>[Intellect] This word here is not in dwarven. What language is this?
Ed, Jez seems language deficient for this task, is it reasonable to assume that Chessayne might have superior education in other languages, seeing as she used to be a drow priestess on the path to being a Matron Mother? We might consult her help if that's the case!
Also, a puzzle, for lack of a better way to describe it. How exciting.
>>
>>5586554
>[Intellect] This word here is not in dwarven. What language is this?

Hey, we even got that one trait for dealing with languages as well.
>>
>>5586554
>>[Intellect] This word here is not in dwarven. What language is this?
>>
>>5586554
>[Intellect] option
Also, DON’T SAY THE WORD OUT LOUD. Wait until we’ve put some distance from the big spooky obelisk before speaking its name.
>>
>>5586821
https://youtu.be/QRQXiI8-_EI?t=45

Christopher?
>>
>>5586554
>[Intellect] This word here is not in dwarven. What language is this?
>>
Rolled 7 (1d20)

(Intellect 14, +3 Elf Dilettante, -3 Strange Language) Success on 14 or lower.
>>
>>5586564
>>5586623
>>5586679
>>5586821
>>5587231
An oddity; there is a small segment of text that features a word that does not belong to the dwarvish alphabet. Placing both hands on the obelisk, you squint at the words and sound out each individual character of the passage starting from the beginning. Unlike the crude and irrational traitor dialect, dwarvish adheres to many of the same grammatical rules as several human languages, allowing you at least some experience to draw from in translation.

It reads, "W-E A-C-C-E-P-T T-H-U-S..." you run a hand through your hair and reconsider. Not 'thus,' but 'this.' All of these lizard scratches appear identical, and there is no punctuation to speak of. It is a wonder that dwarvenkind has managed to record anything at all when they must work within the constraints of this barbaric system. "T-H-I-S _________ O-F T-H-E P-E-O-P-L-E..." the rest is too complex for you to make sense of using your limited familiarity with these letters. 'We accept this (unknown) of the people.'

Accept what, then, from which people? The phrasing is vague enough that it is impossible to derive any meaning from this statement. Or is it? Tens of minutes pass you by as you study the sentence again and again, until you notice a pattern. Rather than use a different symbol to denote that a letter has been capitalized, the dwarves seem to make use of a subtle accent to distinguish letter case.
>>
>>5588511
This sentence, then, refers not to 'the people,' but instead 'the People' - this is the word which the arrogant traitors use to refer only to themselves. The obelisk commemorates the dwarves receiving something from the darthiir. Having made this breakthrough, the pieces begin to fall neatly into place.

The unknown word must belong to the traitors. And yet, though it bears a superficial resemblance to the script shared by the traitors and Ilythiiri both, you find yourself unable to draw any connections to your own language. By your reckoning, the word is so ancient that it may even predate the schism between your peoples. Without reference material or a scholar's assistance, its meaning will forever elude you.

There remains much to be deciphered.
>The word 'oath' appears so often here. Of what oath do they speak?
>There is mention of demons right here, and I find this incredibly alarming.
>I believe this word means... 'filth?' What could they have meant by this?
>>
>>5588512
>There is mention of demons right here, and I find this incredibly alarming.
>>
>>5588512
>>There is mention of demons right here, and I find this incredibly alarming.
>>
>>5588512
>There is mention of demons right here, and I find this incredibly alarming.
>>
>>5588512
>There is mention of demons right here, and I find this incredibly alarming.
>>
>>5588512
Sacrifice, perhaps?
We should make a copy of the symbols if we can loan some paper from the people we are with. Amaranth could no doubt help us, plus he would definitely appreciate the puzzle or the gift of this knowledge
>There is mention of demons right here, and I find this incredibly alarming.
>>
>>5588512
>>The word 'oath' appears so often here. Of what oath do they speak?
>>
>>5588512
>I believe this word means... 'filth?' What could they have meant by this?

inb4 filth refers to the drow
>>
>>5588684
I think it could be either 'gift', or perhaps 'oath'
>>
Vote closed.

>>5586564
I forgot to answer this. Lolth is not a cerebral goddess, and the "duties" of her clergy involve minimal learning outside of knowing the rituals and whatever their superiors tell them. Drow do pick up bits of knowledge over time, but most aren't educated outside of what they need for their profession. The exceptions, of course, would be mages, who have plenty of lore available to them.
>>
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>>5588545
>>5588550
>>5588579
>>5588650
>>5588684
>>5588730
>>5588927
Your attention turns to passage making explicit mention of demons. Dwarves are not known to align themselves with fiends, nor have you seen evidence of their presence anywhere in this fortress. More than likely, the dwarves did battle with them at an earlier date, even more ancient than the construction of this ruin itself. Wiping dust from the surface of the obelisk, you set to work translating the runes to the best of your ability.

"W-I-T-H O-U-R H-A-N-D-S T-H-E D-E-M-O-N-S..." another word you have never heard nor seen, though this one is dwarvish. You opt to forego it for the moment. " W-A-S M-A-D-E..." what follows is too difficult to make sense of. Reviewing this statement a second time, you apply what you have learned prior and avoid mistaking its intent. 'With our hands, the Demon's (unknown) was made...' that is what is inscribed here.

Your first inclination is to wonder what it was that the dwarves wrought for the demon in question. But, this seems incongruous with what you can observe in your surroundings. The inhabitants of this ruin were dedicated worshipers of Moradin, and fairly standard specimens of their race by your reckoning. Further reading confirms your suspicions - there is frequent mention of the dwarves utilizing this 'Demon's (unknown),' although you are ill-equipped to exact further context from the writing on the obelisk.

'Demon's (unknown)' is figurative, then. Likely a name given to some sort of relic or weapon, likely magical in nature, created by the dwarves to further an unknown end. Such a project must have been of the utmost import if the stubborn, isolationist stout folk accepted the assistance of the traitors to complete their work, as your earlier conclusion implies. That its completion merits the building of a monument is a testament to the value this artifact held.

Surely, you are at the cusp of unraveling this mystery.
>'Filth, filth...' or perhaps this is 'plague' or 'illness?'
>The 'oath' is the key to all of this.
>I believe this word here means 'descend?'
>>
>>5591217
>I believe this word here means 'descend?'

I think the dwarves worked together with the elves to create a prison for a demon? And the unknown word stands for pact or agreement, given the constant mention of oath? With all these dwarves being buried here and a mention of elves I can't help but think of a baelnorn, though that's probably ridiculously off base.

Now, if the demon's "unknown" is figurative, and doesn't speak to an internment or defeat...man I need more to work off of.
>>
>>5591217
>'Filth, filth...' or perhaps this is 'plague' or 'illness?'
I theorize that it isn't a weapon or tool FOR demons, but to DESTROY demons. Maybe the word is "bane" or something similar?
>>
>>5591217
>>The 'oath' is the key to all of this.
>>
>>5591217

Hmmhmm, how about

We accept this GIFT of the People

With our hands the Demon's Bane was made?

We shall see!

>>The 'oath' is the key to all of this.
>>
>>5591217
>The 'oath' is the key to all of this.
>>
>>5591217
>>'Filth, filth...' or perhaps this is 'plague' or 'illness?'
>>
>>5591217
>The 'oath' is the key to all of this.
>>
>>5591217
>'Filth, filth...' or perhaps this is 'plague' or 'illness?'
I gotta wonder if we could trace some key segments from this obelisk onto parchment, should we have or find any. Might the Eilistraeans have some lying around?
>>
Vote closed.
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>>5591237
>>5591240
>>5591253
>>5591265
>>5591305
>>5592003
>>5592316
>>5592483
Dwarvish psychology is not your field of expertise. You know only of what you have been told, and the eclectic bits of information you have picked up over the centuries. Fortunately for you, what you mistakenly believed to be an obscure factoid worth nothing at long last proves its worth. The 'oath' referenced in this inscription connotes a transaction in their language. A more fitting word would be a 'deal' or 'agreement,' meant to be fulfilled only under certain conditions.

In your bones, you can tell that you are close to unraveling the mysteries of this forlorn place. All you need do is learn the nature of this agreement. The text here is too expansive for you to make out in full. Instead, you resort to reading off what few portions you can manage, in the hope that you can derive something resembling to a whole from the fragments.

"W-I-T-H O-U-R O-A-T-H W-E G-I-V-E O-U-R S-T-R-E-N-G-T-H T-O T-H-E P-E-O-P-L-E..." a quirk of translation. The words for 'strength' and 'shield' are one and the same. This could imply that the dwarves were offering the traitors not only their support, but their equipment as well, a conclusion that further reading seems to support. "T-O H-O-N-O-R O-U-R O-A-T-H I-N W-A-R..." or something to that effect.

With this, you are able to weave a narrative in your imagination based on what you have learned here. The inhabitants of this fortress provided the traitors with their might and some sort of relic, receiving some traitor gift in return. It is suggested that both parties agreed to this in order to defeat a mutual enemy on the battlefield, a threat grave enough to unite their peoples in alliance.

Your efforts to decipher the obelisk's text are bearing fruit. All that remains is to complete your work.
>>
>>5593411
A girl's piercing scream followed by uproarious shouting shatters your focus. Troubles have hounded you incessantly at every turn, and it should come as no surprise that they have managed to find you even here, of all places. The truth of the accord between the stout folk and the traitors will have to wait. Drawing your weapon, you jog for the rotunda, retracing your steps to the bridge leading up to it.

A mad dash overlooking the magma flow takes you to the entrance of Moradin's shrine, whereupon you are greeted by the aftermath of slaughter. Three orcs, fully equipped for battle, have all been thoroughly dismembered by Alantha, who unhurriedly picks out her favorite organs from their remains. Chessayne has gathered up the children and tries desperately to direct them into the banquet hall, although a number of the curious youths cannot help but try to get a look at the displacer beast.

"What's going on?!" Roars Luaue, who storms into the rotunda, sword in hand. Gasping the very second that the carnage registers with her brain, she stands slack-jawed until she takes notice of you. Pulling one of the older children aside, she gulps and makes her attempt at addressing them calmly. "Go tell the others to grab all of the supplies they can carry. NOW," she dictates, her voice unsteady. Hurriedly, he runs off to relay her message to the other adults.

Marching over to you, the half-breed again spares a glance at the fallen orcs, before pivoting to face you. "Why..." she hesitates. "Had you not been here, goddess-knows-what would have become of us." You shrug, lowering the Dark Fantasy to speak at her. "We need to leave," you state plainly, already resigned to undertaking the difficult trek back to Everlund, a sentiment that she appears to share.
>>
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>>5593415
But you have not escaped from peril's jaws, not yet. The heavy tromping of boots throughout the fortress converges at the opposite end of the bridge. This is no mere patrol; the Thousand Scars have arrived in force, fully prepared to bare their teeth. No doubt, it was the earlier commotion that gave away your location to those investigating the rest of the fortress. A dozen of the hideous dastards spill out onto the bridge with more on the way, brandishing their weapons as they rally in their disgusting language. Noticing that they are set to charge, both you and Luaue raise your blades in anticipation, as Alantha assumes a defensive posture.

"Step aside, ladies. I can take it from here," purrs a confident, velvety voice from behind. Clad in simple, though tasteful robes, a fetching half-breed male with boyish features and a delicate frame slips past you - he must have approached unnoticed in the tumult. Delicately, he makes a series of complex hand gestures whilst speaking an incantation. "Arrn'ess, Sharde, Arkhdrauth!" He exclaims, thrusting his right index finger forward.

A torrent of whirling winds is shot forth from his extended digit, assuming the form of a violent cyclone directed at the bridge's center. Magic collides with stone, resulting in a thunderous explosion that demolishes a sizeable portion of the structure and sends half of the approaching warriors soaring into the magma, leaving the remainder stranded on the side opposite yours.

"No need to thank me, it was even easier than it looked," he hums, though his irregular breathing suggests that the spectacle was more physically demanding of him than he would prefer to let on. The newly-made gap in the infrastructure of the fortress should provide ample time for you and the Eilistraeans to abscond, provided you can find an escape route. However, across the way, you spy a concealed figure issuing orders to what you presume to be their subordinates, indistinct at this distance. From where you stand, their only defining detail is a polearm with the head of an axe on each end held firmly in their left hand.

The warlord Wurgoth Twice-Scarred is here.
>>
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>>5593418
Having vanquished the immediate threat, the half breed runs a hand through his lengthy blonde hair and sighs, giving those few who remain in the rotunda a once-over. Raising an inquisitive eyebrow at Alantha, his gaze is captured by Luaue. He clears his throat and steps up to her gracefully.

"You must be Sindiira. I was sent here to rescue you, and I must confess, you're even more beautiful than I had imagined," he declares, gently stroking her cheek. Returning her blade to its scabbard, Luaue smiles coyly and stares into his eyes, forming a fist which punches at his temple with enough force to knock the man on his back. A wave of relief washes over you as you visually confirm that the good half of her heritage happens to be the dominant one.

"Aaah!" He cries, cradling the bruised side of his skull between his hands as he rolls on the floor. Gathering himself, he rises to his feet and dusts himself off, readjusting his gloves. "Cyric's Blood, that was completely uncalled for!"

"I am Sindiira," you clarify.

The peculiar mage looks you up and down, sparing additional time to study your chest. His disappointment is palpable.

"Oh. Uh, I guess I can help you, too," he offers noncommittally.

A strange stranger has arrived.
>He was sent? By whom, and why? Elaborate.
> I would have him explain exactly how he managed to locate me in excruciating detail right this instant.
> [Hit him.]
> No time for idle chatter. We must get out of here!
> [Write-in.]
>>
>>5593423
>>He was sent? By whom, and why? Elaborate.
This is just like one of those surfacer books!
>>
>>5593423
>He was sent? By whom, and why? Elaborate.
Not much time for anything else at the moment.
>>
>>5593423
>Incredolously: "Rescue? Did Amaranth send you? ... You must be be his half bree-, his apprentice: Lael. He calls you exceptional, a Talented child - I can see why. "
>Tell me how you will help rescue these people. Now. We do not have time to waste
>Start organizing defences as a delaying action
Ack, you have made me a phone poster Ed, but no way I was missing this post. But it was fun digging up the references from that conversation with Amaranth. Wild mage indeed!
And thanks for the cleric knowledge explanation
>>
>>5593611
Oh, and Jez is obviously insulting him a bit with the child bit
>>
>>5593611
Supporting this general thrust. Insult, praise just enough to keep him onside, demand sweeping aid for group.

>>5593423
>>
>>5593423
>>5593611
Support.

Huh, has Amaranth been scrying Jez? Or perhaps Everlund was attacked by Drow infiltrators who still believed that Jez was in the city, and Amaranth sent Lael to get Jez because of it. Or better yet, Amaranth wants to save Jez for other reasons. Cultured ones.

>The peculiar mage looks you up and down, sparing additional time to study your chest. His disappointment is palpable.

Clearly, Lael lacks culture. Also, it's quite interesting how he invokes Cyric in that manner, especially considering just how old Cyric is. "Child" indeed.
>>
>>5593611
+1
>Remember to talk to Amaranth later on teaching his student manners. With aid of a chair leg to beat in into him, if necessary…
>”Excellent form, Luaue, though I would have followed through with a kick to the ribs, personally.”
>>
>>5593611
Support.
He seems to have a bad taste in women. Muscles>boobs
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>>5593829
*Ahem*
Boobs or Muscles<Muscled boobs.
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>>5594406
Asking the next god to grant us a favor to enhance our boobs
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>>5594431
"No, I do not think I will."
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>>5594455
Not you Malar!
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>>5593423
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>>5593474
>>5593517
>>5593611
>>5593619
>>5593702
>>5593795
>>5593829
"Rescue?" You inquire, scrutinizing his response. It is not as though you do not trust him - actually, no, you very much distrust him, and you have no strong inclination to believe what you are being told. "Weeell... I may be taking a few creative liberties in how I interpret what I was told," he admits. 'Liberties?' What is that? He sucks in a lungful of air through his teeth. "HOWEVER, it is true that, via an act which I knowingly, willingly committed, at least one of you has avoided a preventable death, thereby qualifying me as your savior; you can thank me now, by the way."

"You should have kicked him," you tell Luaue, who looks back at mage and nods, wordlessly concurring with you. The half-breed mage retreats a few paces as a precaution. Considering it, you can think of none who would send a magician to aid you on your quest, save for one individual. "Amaranth sent you?"

"Sent?" He adopts an uncharacteristically thoughtful demeanor. "I wouldn't say 'sent.' More that the old man asked me to check in on you if I had the time. Why, you're lucky that I even bothered to - do you have any idea how difficult it was to track you down? You know, usually there's some sort of reward for going out of your way to help somebody like that," he points out, leering at Luaue expectantly. "Enough, enough!" She yells.
>>
>>5598162
Careful to maintain a measured tempo in her speech, Luaue restrains her fists as she continues. "We have little enough to give, brother. But, should you help us, goddess save me, we shall think of something." He folds his arms, smiling coyly. "I am not saying that you have to give me anything. I am merely implying that I would very much like it if your goddess could find it in her heart to give me something, hint hint."

How Amaranth has not beaten some manners into this loathsome creature is beyond you. Really, you have half a mind to subject this boy to some sort of punitive violence right now, were you not faced with imminent demise. Certainly, he does love to hear himself talk. "Amaranth says you are strong, for a child," you acknowledge, "tell us what you can do."

"Well, I'm glad you asked!" He declares, spinning on his heel. Whether he is ignoring your jab at his experience or genuinely oblivious to it is impossible to tell. "There are a... few more of you than I expected; luckily for all of us, I came prepared." He procures a scroll from the sleeve of his robe, pointing it at you. "With a few minutes and some open space, I should be able to create a circle that can teleport all of us directly to Everlund."
>>
>>5598168
Realizing that this may be the only chance that the Eilistraeans have for survival, Luaue immediately consents to this, the desperation in her voice readily apparent. "We can use the dining hall. It has more than enough room, and we can hold them off out here should it come to that." The half-breed priestess looks to you, drawing strength from you placid confidence.

"Not even a day ago, I was beginning lose hope that we would ever see the Selûne in the sky again. But with the..." she glances cautiously at Alantha as the displacer beast tears into an orcish liver. "... three of you here, my spirit is restored. Together, I know we can do this."
>>
This concludes the eight volume of Forgotten Realms Adventures. It is not often that I cut a thread off early, but there may be some action on the way, and I would prefer not to have it separated by the latest iteration of the Kenyan Femboy Civ Quests that are taking /qst/ by storm these days. More importantly, I need some time to make some preparations.

Until then, now is the time to discuss what is happening, ask questions, et al.
>>
>>5598174
Thanks for running! Lael is quite amusing, and I appreciate the bonding moment for Jezyrene and Luaue as a result.

I'm kind of thinking Eilistraee is a bad fit for us as a patron deity, though.
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>>5598188
As long as she can grant kids Jez will be happy
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>>5598220
Is that ALL Jez wants out of life? I wouldn't think so.
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>>5598220
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>>5598228
No but it would go a long way to solving her insecurities and anxiety
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>>5598188
Not like Jez needs to become a perfect worshipper or the like, it's just that her portfolio is just about perfect for Jez, along with being all about providing a support group for drow who left the underdark. But really, a god with an emphasis on dance, swordwork, beauty, the arts in general, leaving the underdark, and saving Jez's soul from being declared as one of the false/getting stuck with Lolth after she dies? I'd call the worship of Eilistraee a nigh perfect transaction.
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>>5598174
Thanks for running as always! I admit I was inordinately pleased with myself that I figured out it was Lael when I started typing out my reply that (happily) got so much support. Right after posting I realized his name was in the filename of the picture though, d'oh!
>>5598188
You don't have to be a paladin/cleric-tier devoted to someone in order to worship them. It's enough that she's a protector of surface "drow", really. Especially since we want our soul to be protected. Otherwise we can be transactional in our dealings with different gods. Though I find the implication of Malar/Alantha interesting.

However, upon rereading threads (a favorite past time of mine, which speaks highly of your writing, Ed!) I've realized a not insubstantial amount of anons were interested in trying to repair Jez arcane deficencies to become an eldritch knight or the like. Given that hope, would it be plausible to undergo Quests for the Church of Mystra in order to gain some actually useful arcane abilities? What would anons think about this?

It was hinted at in some threads that there might be some non traditional means of increasing arcane potential.

Also, having never really read about Drizt, I think I only just figured out a parallel between Alantha and said drow's panther after skimming the wiki.

Did us "waste" time (fun as it was) talking to the kids ensure we didn't have enough time to solve the riddle in the ruins before the orcs showed up?
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>>5598374
>Malar or Mystra
Both options I'm a bit more interested in, and Malar in particular is starting to seem more viable... So long as he doesn't require us to be a bloodthirsty, melee-only, ritual murderer of the innocent as a part of standard non-clerical worship.
>>
>>5598374
>Given that hope, would it be plausible to undergo Quests for the Church of Mystra in order to gain some actually useful arcane abilities?
I feel these are the sorts of questions that are better answered by Lael or Amaranth, so that Jez can react to what she's told. But I think anons might be setting their expectations too high for what Jezyrene can accomplish, at least without devoting her heart fully to a dogma.
>>
>>5598854
Yeah, I'm just waiting for Jez to get back to Everlund so that she can take that test she was promised, and end up having her dreams crushed sadly. Gish dreams are just going to be crushed.
>>5598679
I feel that it's important to check up upon Jez's own opinions on the subject, given what she said after reading about them. I believe it's been well established that Jez heavily disagrees with Malar's dogma, even if she does practice the whole survival of the fittest bit as Malar said himself. Malar really doesn't leave room for the pleasures that Jez enjoys, and even on a transactional basis he simply offers less by virtue of what transactions Malar would even offer. Really, non-standard clerical worship of Malar is both disingenuous and a poor substitute for what other gods can offer. Plenty of gods with better portfolios for Jez.
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>>5598874
>I feel that it's important to check up upon Jez's own opinions on the subject
Fair, fair. I feel like she might at least have warmed up to him given how chummy and useful Alantha has been. Is he friendly to any other deities which might better fit Jezyrene?
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>>5598174
Thanks for the run, Greenwood. Waiting with baited breath for the next chapter.

>>5598679
That’s exactly what Malar’s about, anon.

Also, Jez probably wants to have Drow kids that look like Drow, and I’m pretty sure that if she asks for Malar’s assistance in that regard, he’ll make them look like Ortiz the Dog Boy. Or he’ll just make them literal wolves.
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>>5598877
Well, put it this way. Silvanus, THE big nature god of the wild and all that thinks Malar is full of shit. The only people that seemingly like the guy are the rest of the "evil" gods like bane(pretty much the god of evil), the trio of fury (the 3 asshole destruction gods), and he has a long standing alliance with Lolth. I cannot stress just how poor of a choice Malar is, both in his portfolio, what his worshippers can offer to Jez, his long term goals in reference to what Jez could do for him on a transactional basis, and what he requires Jez to believe in order to really pick her up after she dies.

Frankly, I just don't see how Malar is viable in comparison to what other gods could offer. Sure, Alantha has been useful, but it's a rather poor idea to put these sorts of expectations upon amoral big cats, especially displacer beasts.

Regarding deities that might better fit Jezyrene, there's perhaps Lathander given his whole self-perfection, creativity, new beginnings, and athletics stuff. Plus, he's one of the gods with the specific portfolio regarding Jez's fecundity issue as he's a god of birth. On a transactional basis? He's blessed Jez after she sacrificed the Huntlord's head to him, and generally doing "good" stuff and providing the proper sacrifices will certainly offer rewards. Though, the same could be said of any other god really. Someone like Deneir could fit Jez's art focused side, Tempus could fit Jez's battle side (though I doubt he would approve of Jez's more sneaky tendencies, but I'm sure there's a consideration for Jez nigh constantly having to fight a numerically superior foe with the proper tactics), but there's really already one god that's here who patronizes a lot of the stuff Jez cares about, and that's Eilistraee.
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>>5598901
Any Gods of Travel that might fit Jez's newfound sense of exploration? Those might be a good fit, considering how interested she's becoming of new cultures. Perhaps ones with some interest in storytelling, too.
>>
>>5598901
>>5598915
Lathander or Selûne could work. I just don't see what Jez and the Eilistraeeans have in common in terms of attitudes and beliefs, from our interactions so far. They share aesthetic and practical interests, but so far Jez primarily seems to regard them with confusion and contempt as soft, naive, and alien. I guess we could vote her into warming up to then, but I'm more interested in seeing what less-conventional "surface drow" deities have to offer.
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>>5598923
It is the aesthetic and practical interests that are important, especially for Jez's spiritual considerations, along with what can be gained on a transactional basis. As for Jez's thoughts about the Eilistraeans and their largely pacifistic dogma, Jez slowly falling out of the classic drow mindset is a good thing if she's going to be spending time on the surface, and she need not be a perfect worshipper either. The crux of the matter is the practicality of the worship of Eilistraee.

>>5598915
Shaundakul or Deneir would be your best bet, Shaundakul for an exploration focus, and Deneir for a lesser exploration focus but greater storytelling focus. Really, the only bit about travel for Deneir is the requirements to travel in order to create stories, and his cartography portfolio.
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>>5598915
Also, Selune, really shouldn't've forgotten her.
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>>5598923
Jez has been regarding everyone who hasn't tried to attack her physically or verbally that way ever since she left the Underdark. It's a product of living as a Lolthite for most of her life. Of course she's going to be confused and contemptuous when she meets a group of people she's never met; Life in Menzoberranzan requires Drow to be paranoid of others, lest they poison you while you dine with them, and to project a facade of strength and competence in order to protect themselves. Without people doing the same, I'd think it just confuses Jez and leaves her flat-footed, like, "What're you doing? I'm a dangerous Drow warrior and noble, and you're not worried that I'll whip you for standing within reach of my riding crop? Wait, nobles above ground don't always carry whips or riding crops??"
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>>5598854
I suppose this is a question that is hard to qualify, but how much would someone have to devote themselves to do stuff like get a flaming sword on command like with the fight between Jez and the Huntlord? There's the whole transactional basis where Jez was able to get aid by doing stuff Eilistraee wanted, but that's hardly on command.
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>>5570860

I feel like my attention span has been so shot by the internet, that it's been a long time since I've genuinely sat down and read something out of interest. There's just something about the way you write - your ability to really make a high fantasy setting with a compelling character here come alive. I can't wait to read more of this!
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>>5599457
I'm glad that you're enjoying it.

>>5599182
>how much would someone have to devote themselves to do stuff like get a flaming sword on command
You just described being a cleric, anon. Although, most clergy don't even have that. Getting magic from a god is a great privilege.

And with that said, the adventure continues.
>>5603889



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