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Drusilla answered Idrys: "Only when a vampire is newly created, and not yet fully born to darkness can they still yet lay their seed within a mortal woman, yet only a very special kind of woman, typically one who is either a virgin or not baptized, and loves the vampire truly can she conceive. It takes the vampire at least a year before it is divorced from emotion, so that it still thinks itself as a mortal man. That is how your creation came about. However, unlike yourself, most dhampir are typically born from two dhampirs who sire them. There hasn't been a original dhampir in over a thousand years, meaning you were made by the ancient method. As such, you can expect that you are far more powerful and imbued with distinctive advantages associated with your dark heritage'

WHISPER: a self examination in the mirror checks out okay, you have a far sleeker feline physique than any mage ought to have. There's a tiny scar on the left side of your neck that, when you touch it you experience a vivid flashback of being alongside a drow-elf, within a dark forest, fighting off Goblins mounted on Worgs. There's others too, and then you're shot by a arrow before you can narrow in on them. A pair of fierce women, a knight, a fat elf with a funny mustache, and you hiding in the shadows somehow.

No wonder we're so rare... he muses to himself.

@Drusilla: "Have you any idea where I might fit into the familial line of Altradeus or if I even do?"


@Karlane "Is it a desireable thing to travel at your side?" Whisper paused and looked down to the blood stained sheet that covered the half devoured corpse still in the room. Since little to no information from those present besides Drusilla was willingly being shared with him Whisper weighed his responses to the questions that were asked of him. With a sigh the wizard continued to consider carefully his answers for several more moments. "I know not who I am presently nor what has transpired in the world prior to yesterday afternoon. The bits and pieces I have already stated are as much as I can recall. That is all, all that I am at this point." Whisper offered up only those words to answer the many questions that Karlane had asked of him. "Any information on the Altradeus family would be appreciated."

[OoC] I would have laughed long and hard if Drusilla had done the whole - arm on the shoulder, big sigh, "You see son, when a man and a woman love each other very much ....." sort of speech with Idrys.

Continuing the conversation between just the two of them, Karlane says quietly, "Whisper, frankly, if I were you, I'd get as far away from me as I could. There's a lot of death coming." She pursed her lips and put her fingertips together. "Now, I have a problem. I've been told that I need you by someone. That someone, is a person who I've been told not to trust by another someone that I do trust. No names, so don't ask. Until this conversation, you're just someone that wandered up and announced they're scared and can't do combat and are only good for one thing and didn't bother saying what that is. Then you woke up in the middle of the night and did combat effectively. Let's be clear. I try to be fair but I've little margin for tolerance. If I find you lie to me, it will not end well. So, truth, or why not , or walk-away now..." She pauses in case of a walk-away.

{OOC: Assuming Whisper remains 'in the game'..}

The priestess nods, "Well and good. Your capabilities exceed what you have claimed as your limit. Your protections exceed what you professed. Memory problems. Key questions: do you truly remember being Lord Altradeus? What has Drusilla told you in that context?"

@Karlane Whisper listened intently to Karlane as she spoke to him, trying not to miss any word or nuance. The young mage nibbled gently on the thumb nail of his right hand while trying to project an air of what he thought a 'wise sorcerer' might appear to be.

[OoC] Whisper would like to use his appraising skill while listening to Karlane but not appear outwardly that he's doing any evaluating of her. The type of equipment that is visible and a value on it might give Whisper some sort of an idea of the skill level of this person he is speaking with. I'll leave this up to the DM to resolve and pass along any information to the various parties.

"I have been as truthful and forthcoming with information as you have my lady. I know not who you or those here in this room are and I'd be a fool to increase my value on the slave blocks by divulging too much to the ones who just slew those who intended to sell me. I wish to leave this ... place. Not knowing if it is safe to do so might I travel with your group at least that far?"

[OoC] Would the PC's non weapon proficiency of diplomacy apply to this situation? Would it increase his chances of obtaining a few body guards for his grand adventure out of this complex? If it's as simple as they go down the lift and leave the building by the nearby and clearly labeled EXIT door Whisper will be completely embarrassed.

"You're not a prisoner of mine and shall leave here when I do. Just to a different place as you ignore both key questions," finished Karlane. She turned away, ready to continue with activities necessary before leaving the place.
Her mind switched to reprogramming the lesser star gem.

======
{OOC: Matt, You did previously decline to discuss stuff saying you wanted to fix things IG. I'm assuming that extends to not taking Whisper along just cos he`s a PC}

When Whisper asks @Karlane "Is it a desireable thing to travel at your side?"
Idrys replies, Probably not given the current evidence.

When whisper says ". Not knowing if it is safe to do so might I travel with your group at least that far?"
You never have to wonder if it is safe with us. It isn't. I cannot think of more than one night that has passed since we met where we have not been attacked.

Drusilla smirked wryly at Idrys, then said 'worry naught, that ends tonight. I'm laying a special blessing on you and your sister, and on this confused mage. One which will render you invisible to all escrying. But you must cease all this negativity because it will surely disrupt your blessing"

Then she extended her hands and shouted 'Cease this bickering you young fools! There is no time for such pettiness. You haven't even been truly tested, dhampir assassin. And what you hath gone through thus far? That was a blessing from Lor himself. To harden you and sharpen your edges, he had to hammer out the imperfections that were in you. He heard your askance of undergoing his tests when you spoke to his priestess Nyssa, and yet you bellyache at his gifts. Are you not more beautifully perfected in your unflinching swordsmanship?! Count thy blessings, assassin! Look at me, I have the thrice curse of knowing my own doom, and an inability to thwart its advancement. I've but a year to live. Yet I live exceptionally well with excellence, that my Goddess will make my work memorable here!

I must beg thy patience with this young man, and stay your ire Karlene. He is not of this time, he hails from an alternate prime material plane. Because of this, the distortion of time threads has discombobulated his being. In his timeline, many people he thought gone and destroyed are alive in ours, including vanquished foes and dead loves. You see, in this world he truly IS Lord Altradeaus physically speaking, but the Lord Altradeaus of this time continuum is a vampire lord, and a bard to boot. So I might suggest, master Altradeaus to keep a sober mind and be as forthcoming and clear as your wits can manage. There's no room for weakness and idiocy. And Karlene, Idrys there is no room for apathy and rancor. As you've already stated there is a shortage of friends and a surplus of foes."

Bah, I wasn't worried. I merely accept my situation. We have survived thus far, and if I have anything to say about it we will continue to endure. He eases and slides his swords in their scabbards as an almost unconscious motion (not threatening, just a habit he's picked up). I thank you for your blessing.

[He wasn't complaining, he was merely making a point to whisper that their life in general isn't going to be cozy and safe. Whisper seems to think they should be at a spa somewhere.]

"No ire that, Drusilla, merely no use for one that professes to be useless at most things and refuses to state that at which he has use. Or even to clarify his name," Replies Karlane as she pauses and spins round to face the three. "You know more than most mortals it seems. Nothing is without price. And you know mine. So, answer me two of these four and I shall listen to you, three and I shall take Whisper as you request. One: What is the Architect's name? Two: How can we disable or counter the clockwork beetles that guide the blackcloak battalion that seeks us? Three: What is Whisper's 'specialty' such that he may be useful to us? Four: What are the effects, including duration, of this poison?" says says holding up the black, skull-marked bottle recovered from the Trident Leader.

Karlane turns to Whisper, "I believe Drusilla speaks true. Now, let's be clear, it is for you to prove yourself to me. Not me to you. Now, speak true and no deflections - the female cousin appears to be one of this world's vampire Altradeaus rather than from your former worlds, so, do you desire to save her?"

Drusilla: 'None know the architect's true name' then pausing, said 'No need, none shall find you, as I've eliminated your presence from the ability to be detect, whether through divination or some other method' then she looked toward Whisper 'he is a mage, that should be sufficient in power. Also, he hath secret knowledge of a Lorian oracular relic that exited in his time, but sadly was destroyed. If it could be re-created here...it would be of great use' she took the bottle and inspected it, then said 'this is poison type E, a rarer sort. It is magical. When employed, it will kill, but those who manage to resist it's intended effect will be transformed into something less ideal, such as a Kobold or a Goblin. Hmph, it is outlawed throughout Nyr, be weary of revealing it'

"Thank you, Drusilla. That will suffice nicely," Karlane responds with a nod and a small smile. "Would you do something for me, please? Return these to their rightful owners among the former prisoners." She hands over the pile of rings and silver spoons previously located, then adds "And, unless you already know, please find out how many of them want to go to each of Harby, or to Targos or to Higkor. And how many have no place to go."

She turns to newcomer-mage, "Whisper, you're 'in'. It remains for you to speak your will towards saving your other self's cousin, assuming she did not also come from whatever world you came from. So, yes? Or no?"

While talking with Whisper, Karlane counts out 10 darts (with bulbous stems for the poison) and offers them to Idrys along with the black, skull-marked bottle recovered from the Trident Leader. "You're best with all this."

The Lorian Priestess then hands the remaining 10 darts (with bulbous stems for the powder) and a leather drawstring pouch filled with black powder to Whisper, saying, "I think you may be able to use darts, yes? The black powder in here is explosive. You may choose to use these sparingly. There won't be any replacements. What other weapons do you have some skill with? We have some daggers, a trident that can shoot these darts, and also a folding glaive."

Unless anything else crops up, Karlane continues with her intent to re-programme the lesser star-gem's passwords.

[OoC:]A short turn for this PC but given the breadth of information he lacks before taking just this small turn it should suffice. I apologize in advance for not responding to Karlane's posts, but at this time the PC and the player have no idea on if there are even answers to them. We can totally play it up as my character avoiding providing answers to them though.

Whisper removes from his ingredient satchel a very old appearing amulet, the very same one that he found beneath the bed the previous evening. The wizard takes his time inspecting the repairs that have been made to it while Drusilla speaks. Keeping his ears and mind open to all while busies himself with the inspection. He continues his silence while Karlane and Idrys speak with or to Drusilla, although if any had been watching him they would have seen him wince several times. When Karlane begins to command answers from him, Whisper instead remains silent while he untangles the item's chain. Without saying a word he puts the empty former relic of Lor around his neck and tucks it under the shirt he is wearing. "Drusilla, I thank you for the candor with which you have spoken. It either belies how dire the situation is or the level of faith some of your present audience has."

"Drusilla, I stand by my word to you. You may wish to consider educating your mage here," responds Karlane, giving up with the uncommunicative Whisper. "Neither the world nor I owe him a damn thing. And it was not us that came to him."
After making her request to Drusilla about the prisoners, she leaves to be about other business. "I'll be about 20 minutes, Idrys. Can you make sure watches are kept and get people to ensure breakfast is kicked off for the masses? Get them to look for waterskins for traveling, too."

While waiting for Karlene:

Azonia came via the lift and reports that all the freed prisoners are rested and fed, and provisions taken from the store rooms.

Sarancen says 'one of the children went missing in the night, I recovered the little tyke. He was captured by a giant spider living in one of the many rooms below, but Azonia and I dispatched it. That was one fat blob of a spider, must have been eating exceptionally well down here. Never saw so many orc bones piled up before like a buffet of orc meat must have been pooped out of the damned thing'

When Karlene returned after her 'other' activities, there was a shout from below. There were five black guards clad entirely in leather, either held a dagger at the throats of some women and children. A blonde haired warlock came forward, he was handsome and almost immaculate looking, wearing a chain around his waist that ended with a scythe. His gray eyes seemed to smile as they perceived you all. He spoke calmly, cooly and with a light hearted casualness 'So, you must be the little troublemakers who've been interfering in imperial affairs. I commend you, you have brass stones to cross with the likes of us. Tell you what, since your grit so does tickle me pink I'll go easy on you all, give you a little what do you call it again?"

A black cloak assassin answered 'mercy'

'Ah yes, mercy, hah. But you see, you lovely fools do so amuse me! I nearly want to join in your fun, alas the fates would deny me such rare exquisite pleasures. Now, you will give me the young lady Elsylvia, and don't tell me you don't have her. She's to be wed and there's no changing that. Give us the filthy little harlot and I'll let you walk out of here. Also, we'll want all of your possessions, too. Everything you have belongs to the empire now, by Dezloz' then he added 'where is that damned forger you broke from the Harby prison? We will need to be speaking to that wretched old fart about some paintings he stole from us as well'