Menzoberanzan

Sep 17, 2025 3:01 am
https://i.ibb.co/JmH6wWV/Menzoberanzan.jpg
You make your way to the house exit. To do so you pass through a long narrow tunnel filled with numerous deadly traps and then a solid adamantine door and beyond that a walled keep were a goblin tribe lives. The rest of Menzoberanzan assumes the tribe are slaves, the truth is that they just live there and have done so for a long time giving tribute to the house. Numerous times the Matron Mother or her wives have tried to explain that they don’t require Tribute but the goblins just don’t seem to really understand. In their world the less powerful tribes pay tribute to the stronger.

At least the goblins don’t bother you as you pass through and finally exit into the city proper. You note the westrift and look down on Blade street. There forges down there are strangely inactive and there isn’t the usual pall of smoke that generally stays over that area.

You start heading east towards the Bazaar passing by some of the other houses as you do so. You move along Hag’s walk and then immediately south avoiding Manyfolk where House Higure live. You enter the Northwest of the Bazaar passing the guards there and are about to head onto the Stumble when you note a commotion within the Bazaar.

A group of men, it looks like a number of Cultists from the Cult of Vhaeraun, are attacking a priestess and her entourage. T’rissae immediately recognizes the priestess as her ally Arduva Melarn. Arduva and her entourage look as if they might not win the encounter and the rest of the Bazaar looks on waiting to see who wins before snatching up the scraps.
Sep 17, 2025 3:55 am
Walking into the city, T'rissae's callousness and paranoia rise to the forefront of her demeanor. Ordinarily an open and kind-hearted woman amongst the safety of her own house, in the streets of Menzoberanzan she wears the mask of a Drow priestess as she does her armor: openly and well.

This time, though, something is different. Some unnatural stillness that set the hair on the back of T'rissae's neck tingling to attention. It takes a moment for her to recognize it, but when she does it's clear: the forges of the city had gone silent. Why? For a city that was absent it's primary dirty and thus vulnerable to attack, all efforts should be focused towards war and invasion.

But then, that would require the Drow to be a cohesive society. And that was very far from the truth.

The commotion in the Bazaar draws T'rissae's attention back to the present, where it belongs. Fighting in the streets already? Vhaeraun cultists against a priestess. The coup begins already. But who-

"Arduna!" T'rissae's blade is in her hands before the thought to draw steel has completed. By law, Priestesses of Lolth were honor-bound to each other's defense, especially against males. In practice that was somewhat more flexible, depending on who was under assault. Doubly so for T'rissae given her true allegiances.

But Arduna Melarn was an ally. Maybe even a friend.
OOC:
if someone wants to stop T'rissae, speak now before Initiative is rolled

Rolls

Initiative (advantage) - (2d20H1+2)

(33) + 2 = 5

Sep 17, 2025 9:14 am
This was a strange group. Capable. But strange. Introductions were brief and everyone mostly kept to themselves. Ryo’fein was glad he had friends amongst the group.

They were still within the city, so he stayed with the group, his head bowed in deference to the female drow, but even with his eyes cast down, it was hard to miss the ring of combat from the bazaar.

T’rissae shouted a name in distress, and Ryo’fein’s body moved of its own accord in reflex. Shortbow out, arrow nocked, he sidled forward, eyes scanning for a target.

"Point the enemy, my lady." He said to T’rissae, though it was easy enough to guess, given the cultists in view. He moved in front of her to protect the Platin noble.

"Bor!" He called his dwarven friend, and nodded towards the commotion, a slight smile on his face.

Just like old times.
OOC:
Not our fight, but surely we can’t sacrifice an ally! Rolled initiative in case we need it.

@ysolde could Ryo have used the prep time to figure out what the dagger is? (Maybe try to attune it or whatever.)
Last edited September 17, 2025 9:17 am

Rolls

Initiative: (advantage) - (2d20H1+4)

(156) + 4 = 19

Sep 17, 2025 9:43 am
Bor returns Ryo’s like-minded gaze.

Years on the streets as a bodyguard, and as a house watcher before that, have honed Bor’s steadiness and coolness under fire. Our tongueless fighter does not speak, for he cannot. And, it’s just as well.

Time for action, and not words!

Our duergar fellow drops his bow, draws his hammer and dons his shield. Readying himself for Underdarkened battle!
Last edited September 17, 2025 5:18 pm

Rolls

Initiative - (1d20+4)

(13) + 4 = 17

Sep 17, 2025 5:14 pm
Silver heads towards the fight and shouts "Filthy males , stay away from the Priestess!" The Priestessappearsto be an ally of the house and one must keep up appearances

Rolls

Initiative - (1d20)

(4) = 4

Sep 17, 2025 7:53 pm
Cursing herself for being unprepared, Burny quickly threw up her Fiendish Vigor WHICH SHE KNEW SHOULD ALWAYS BE ON OUTSIDE THE HOUSE, and told Yao Pu who was flying above invisible in his raven form to go check the area around the confrontation for possible allies/ambush but to end his turn within range (Yao Pu knows the range of her Eldritch Blast as well or better than she does . . . and he's smarter) of the cultists in case it comes to a fight.
[ +- ] Fiendish Vigor
[ +- ] Pact of Chain Imp (Yao Pu)

Rolls

Initiative - (1d20+2)

(13) + 2 = 15

Sep 17, 2025 11:26 pm
Initially intending to keep up appearances as aloof, Kalafein clocks the unusually silent forges and clearly shows his interest and discomfort. The commotion brings him out of his swirling thoughtsto analyze the new trouble.

Auntie T'rissae nearly explodes into action, spurring him to follow suit. He keeps his distance but ensures his spells can reach their targets.

Rolls

Initiative - (1d20+2)

(10) + 2 = 12

Sep 18, 2025 1:49 pm
Keeping her head high, her demeanor every bit the confident and imperious drow she had once been, Narcaere walks along with the motley crew she has found herself in. She's still getting used to the idea of travelling with people she trusts.

Not that she ever lets down her guard completely. And so she is not caught off-guard by the violent commotion.

T'rissae Platin charging into the melee without a seconds hesitation? That does catch her off-guard, even though it probably shouldn't.

Focus. Stay calm. Keep it under control. Focus.

Cursing quietly, she draws her rapier and follows behind Bor and Ryo, weaving spells under her breath as she works to keep her chaotic magic under control.

Focusfocusfocusfocusfocusfocusfocusfocusfocus...
OOC:
Sorry 'bout the delay in posting, been a rough week.

Edit: Rerolling Initiative using Tides of Chaos
Last edited September 18, 2025 1:50 pm

Rolls

Initiative - (1d20+4)

(6) + 4 = 10

Reroll Initiative - (1d20+4)

(19) + 4 = 23

Sep 18, 2025 2:14 pm
The battle is joined and Trissae is able to meet up with the Scion of House Melarn. In a somewhat familiar manner, the two women find themselves fighting back-to-back once again. Arduna laughs, "Hey there Triss, just like old times huh?"

The cultists of Vhearaun themselves are far more numerous than you'd first thought with some coming from out of the onlookers to attack you screaming their anger and discontent as they attack. You can almost understand their anger, you know all too well the unfairness of life outside House Platin walls and while some of you might accept that murder might further your goals you know that this chaotic and utterly useless attack will do nothing for anyone right now.
OOC:
Combat Rules
For certain combat events, such as this one, instead of the usual round by round dynamic I will present the combat as a challenge with potential penalties and rewards based on your rolls and expenditure of spell slots and the like. This ensures that combat with certain Challenge Rating foes goes quicker, and it represents the fact that such combat, while dangerous for your characters, is not necessarily deadly.
Battle Goals and Consequences:
Arduna survives the battle - 1 1st Level Spell slot or a total of 200 damage done
Arduna's retainers survive the battle - 2 1st level spell slots or a total of 300 damage done
Your character avoids taking 15 damage - A successful attack roll or spell cast including cantrips

To do damage you must hit AC 15
Sep 18, 2025 2:26 pm
Inability to speak doesn’t prevent dwarven grunts and battle-laden utterances. Which is all Bor needs, as our fightery fellow exclaims an incoherent command word - and instantly growing to Large size!

Wading into the fray, Bor positions himself at a point away from his spell-wielding friends. Intending to allow spellcasters an area of effect outside of his own hammer-swinging purview!

Our dwarven fellow swings his trusty hammer, cleaving through cultic opposition with champion-minded prowess!

Shapin’ up to be a good day so far!
OOC:
Enlarge (self). Then, Action Surge to attack. I guess the move is first, then Enlarge, then Action-Surge for Attack action. The way I posted feels like it narrates the best.
OOC:
That's 22 Damage done and 1 spell slot. He also avoids damage
Last edited September 18, 2025 2:38 pm

Rolls

+1 Warhammer - Attack - (1d20+11)

(8) + 11 = 19

+1 Warhammer - Damage - (1d8+1d4+5)

(5) + (3) + 5 = 13

+1 Warhammer - Attack - (1d20+11)

(14) + 11 = 25

+1 Warhammer - Damage - (1d8+1d4+5)

(3) + (1) + 5 = 9

Sep 18, 2025 2:34 pm
Coalescing raw magic into a shimmering, multicolored orb, Narcaere lets it fly forward, past the shoulders of her allies.
OOC:
Casting Chromatic Orb at level 1.

9 Thunder damage to one target, and then 7 Thunder Damage to a second one within 30 ft. [f=color:red]16 damage in total.

Scratch that, just 9 Thunder damage to the first target, no bounce to the second target. My bad.
[ +- ] Chromatic Orb
Last edited September 18, 2025 4:42 pm

Rolls

Chromatic Orb Attack Roll - (1d20+8)

(12) + 8 = 20

First Hit: Damage (Thunder) - (3d8)

(315) = 9

Bounce to second target - (1d20+8)

(9) + 8 = 17

Second Hit: Damage - (3d8)

(223) = 7

Sep 18, 2025 6:22 pm
Ryo'fein acted swiftly and decisively. An arrow flew, clearing a path for his companions. Reposition, then another arrow quickly followed.
OOC:
Using the double sneak attack trick:
Bonus Action: Using War Priest ability to attack.
Action: Ready Action to attack when Bor moves in.
Reaction: Ready Action triggers to attack on Bor's turn.

Total 51 damage.
Last edited September 18, 2025 6:40 pm

Rolls

Shortbow Assassinate - Attack - (1d20+11)

(6) + 11 = 17

Shortbow Assassinate - Damage - (1d6+4+1+7)

(1) + 12 = 13

Sneak Attack - (4d6)

(6431) = 14

Shortbow Assassinate (Elven Accuracy) - Attack - (3d20H1+11)

(8159) + 11 = 26

Shortbow Assassinate - Damage - (1d6+4+1+7)

(3) + 12 = 15

Sneak Attack - (4d6)

(4212) = 9

Sep 18, 2025 11:20 pm
Kal's aloof demeanor is broken once again as he realized just how numerous are these cultists. He stops his casual gestures to cast a mere cantrip and instead opts to stike out at as many cultists as he can and pours extra magical energy into his spell.
OOC:
If there are not 6 targets, he would use the appropriate amount of spell energy to match their number, but I have a feeling there are plenty of targets.
Last edited September 18, 2025 11:22 pm

Rolls

Magic Missile (4th level spell slot for 6 targets) - (1d4+1, 1d4+1, 1d4+1, 1d4+1, 1d4+1, 1d4+1)

1d4+1 : (2) + 1 = 3

1d4+1 : (1) + 1 = 2

1d4+1 : (3) + 1 = 4

1d4+1 : (4) + 1 = 5

1d4+1 : (4) + 1 = 5

1d4+1 : (2) + 1 = 3

Sep 19, 2025 12:51 am
Burny reflexively looks for cover, somewhere within 60' of the battle but where those in the battle can't see her and she can't see it. IF there are no signs of Faerzress, she looks through Yao Pu's invisible eyes (casting using Gaze of Two Eyes), fumbles out a jeweled object, and Summons a Celestial Defender there next to the two embattled priestesses. The one traveling with us gets the temporary HP unless one is injured in which cast the more injured one does. The invisible imp/raven moves after casting, staying within range but not wanting to be targeted.
OOC:
Does summoning count as teleportation for Faerzress? If the characteristic dim light is there and summoning is more difficult, she will use a different spell . . . eldritch blast as fallback.

Need to figure this condition out as I am primarily a summoner in terms of spells.
OOC:
Summoning isn’t effected so ignore the Eldritch Blast.
[ +- ] Summon Celestial
Last edited September 21, 2025 12:18 am

Rolls

Celestial grants temporary HP - (1d10)

(10) = 10

Celestial attacks nearest attacker - (1d20+8)

(13) + 8 = 21

Celestial Damage (radiant) - (1d10+8)

(4) + 8 = 12

or Eldritch Blast from Yau Pu's location - (1d20+8)

(14) + 8 = 22

Force Damage (Plus 10' repelling blast) - (1d10+5)

(2) + 5 = 7

second EB beam against 2nd charging attacker - (1d20+8)

(11) + 8 = 19

Force Damage (Plus 10' repelling blast) - (1d10+5)

(8) + 5 = 13

Sep 20, 2025 11:18 pm
Silver waits until one of them is wounded, then Silver raises her hand, and the sound of a bell echoes through the air towards one of the wounded males. He suddenly feels a wave of necrotic energy flow through him.

Rolls

Toll the Dead - (2D12+5)

(109) + 5 = 24

Sep 22, 2025 2:04 pm
The battle ends with more than twenty dead cultists. The Vhearaunites fought to the last and now the rest of the Bazaar is waiting for you to take any spoils before they descend on the bodies.

Arduna and her guards look at your group. The women of the guard waiting for the politics. Arduna steps to Trissae and bows deep. "My house will recognize a debt owed to House Platin for this."

Where the guards can’t see she signs, "Contact me later, this may be an advantage for both our houses."

With that, she and her guards quickly head to her House. Then, you continue on your way.
You make it fully across town on the eastern side of the city. House Baenre occupies the highest tier in the main cavern of Menzoberranzan, at the eastern end of Qu'ellarz'orl.

The compound is roughly oval in shape, three-eighths of a mile long and a quarter-mile wide, surrounded by a magnificent and magical fence that has the appearance of a silver spider's web wrapped around the general blue hues of the Baenre compound twenty feet high, this barrier is formed of iron strands as thick as a Drow’s arm, and enchanted so that anything touching it becomes stuck fast until the matron mother of the house wills it to be freed. Rumors suggest that not even the sharpest of drow weapons can put a nick in this Lolth-given gift.

Entrance is gained through one of several symmetrical web-gates, the principal one being set between the outer compound's tallest two stalagmites, which spiral out, creating a circular gap.

It is at one of these web-gates, that you find yourself right now. One of the elite female warriors of House Baenre looks upon you with disdain, "What house sigil is that? House Baenre has no time for commoners."
Sep 22, 2025 3:24 pm
Bor begins looting the bodies. Moving as fast as stubby dwarven hands can, before the populous descends upon the scene!
Sep 22, 2025 5:51 pm
Burny helps Bor, her raven flying around (invisibly) to find the bodies that aren't immediately obvious. Her street kid roots are never far away.

At the gate, she'll let the Drow do the talking. No one likes the Yuan-ti, especially not noble Drow.
Last edited September 22, 2025 11:52 pm
Sep 22, 2025 5:56 pm
Knowing his place, Kalafein does not speak unless spoken to, especially if a priestess is present to speak on his behalf. He utilizes his Drow High Magic to detect any magical trinkets the cultists may have on them - and attempt to lay claim to the most powerful of any such item that might be present.
[ +- ] Drow High Magic
At the Baenre compound gate, Kal stands as a proud noble male but ensures his eyes do not meet any female who does not directly speak to him. He remembers that even the lowliest female Drow outranks him in Drow society.
Sep 23, 2025 12:03 am
Quick and efficient. Ryo'fein nodded at the job well done. He didn't loot the corpses, instead staying back protectively by the drow noble, eyes alert. Who knew what dangers might strike.
At the gates of House Baenre, once again he slinked to the back, hood down low over his face. Too many enemies from that family. And besides, it wasn't his place as a male to greet a female drow--especially a Baenre one.

Still, the words angered him. For House Platin to be brushed aside so casually as some commoner, Ryo'fein couldn't help the involuntary rage that simmered in him, even if he did know the words were likely calculated to draw such ire.

He stayed still, though his eyes roamed for danger.
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