Menzoberanzan

"I have it with me today," T'rissae says, resheathing her half-naked sword, "but we need to consider its use carefully."

She had elected to join the melee fighters up front, both to ensure their safety and to test out her new weapon. And, belatedly she realized, to further sell the illusion that she, a 'priestess of Llolth,' didn't have reliable access to spellcraft. An illusion that both she and Silver would need to maintain. Giving both Silver and Ryo'fein, both divine casters themselves, a knowing glance, she delicately and subtly rubbed a fake icon of Llolth as if to say, 'it's time to play a part.'

"First let's see what we're working with." Going to the prisoners once it was considered safe, she began assessing them, determining not just the nature of whatever shackles the illithid had placed around their minds but also how aware they were of their surroundings within that state. It was vitally important to know whether or not these captives could see, hear, understand, and remember. If they could, then she and her companions would have to be very careful with what they said in the next few minutes. One slip up and word would inevitably get back to the Baenre's...or they would have to perform a grisly and cold-blooded murder of their fellow drow.

These souls may be deserving of Ellistraee's compassion, but that was not the same thing as trust.

Now that the mindflayers were dealt with, Ryo'fein found he felt disgusted at himself for helping out Drathir. Even the gratitude of the other survivors couldn't wash away the dirty feeling. Still, he offered them all a nod, even the despicable Baenre. A nod was all he could offer, for he needed to play the part of the meek male.

The female leaders would have to do all the talking, and so he set himself the task of ensuring everyone's wellbeing. "Are you hurt? In need of healing?" He asked each of them quietly as he looked them over, even Drathir. Despite all his hatred, he found that he truly wouldn't wish this enemy dead if he could help it. Perhaps even someone as foul as Drathir could be made to see Eilistraee's light. One day.

Slipping back into the role of a subservient male, Kalafein bows before T'rissa and Silver. "Priestesses, as we have been sent on a mission by House Baenre, I will offer protection and warning if the Ythrak beasts behind us, should you command." He was putting on a show while honoring his faith in The Dark Maiden.

[Updated]
When it comes time to camp for the night, the wizard swears he sees the perfect spot that he believes will provide just the right neck support that he's accustomed to back home. He nudges Ryo and gestures toward the area.

As the party prepares to shut down for the night, Burny makes her preparations. Is there Faerzress here? It would protect them a bit against divination if so. Stopping herself, she has Yao Pu and her Arcane Eye make concentric circles outside the camp to look for potential problems.

Given no problems at this time, she has Yao Pu and the Eye set up along the routes she thinks are most likely for someone to come upon them, both at the far edge of their bond (roughly 60' away). As usual, Yao Put is invisible and in raven form. He suggests running a message to the Drow they had just rescued, and having them change their course to attack a possible Umber Hulk attack, maybe even helping it a little. As usual, she tries to ignore his suggestions, knowing what Shishi would do if she did that.

Grumbling to himself, the raven imp perched on a tree if available, outcropping of rock if not, roughly 60' away. Even imps needed to sleep so she and Yao Pu chose non overlapping sleep periods. If she was warned of Umber Hulks approaching, Burny would cast Thaumaturgy through the imp with the ground vibrating well away from them and hopefully distracting them (while Yao Pu did what he did best and got himself out of danger).

Ryo'fein nodded at Kalafein, happy with the assessment of the camping spot. It's dangerous to rest in the wilds of the Underdark, but it looked to have decent defensive positioning, and was well away from their path.

He guarded the perimeter to let the others set about to set up their camp. Ryo'fein was used to a life of discomfort, he didn't need any special spot to sleep on, he could wait till everyone else got the pick of their spot.

Scoffing just a bit as the guard captain and the two males bowed and scraped, T'rissae did not hide her suspicion of Drathir. "No orders, not yet," she said to the captain. "Be mindful of the Ythrak on your way back. I'm sure something will come up soon, and it would be such a waste to have saved the three of you here just to lose you to the beasts."

---

Settling her gear while the others secured the campsite and arranged the watch, T'rissae stretched out the aches of the road and stepped into her preferred camp role: the humble cook. It was one of the small habits she had picked up from her mother, and there was something simple and humbling about preparing food for other people.

"So that was the infamous Drathir Baenre, was it?" She said idly to Ryo'fein as she settled into her tasks. "What a charming individual. Are we sure that he isn't the younger of a set of twins and that his aunt lost track of which one was the third son?"

Ryo'fein nodded at T'rissae. "He did seem more polite than usual. Perhaps it was your presence as a priestesses that cowed him, or perhaps he was still recovering from the delirium of the mindflayer's control. Either way, I would be surprised if he told the truth upon his return. But it's good to know I have something over him till his dying day."

He grinned at the priestess.