Ilharess Nizzre'tyne Jess d'l'Orbb, glowing with the resultant power of her recent prayer, faced Ul’Saruk Streeak’ael Jess d’l’Orbb and Melzar Krrja. They were at the cave entrance to the rebels. “Do not kill the priestesses. I will inspect any to see if they are suitable for the Valsharess.”

Streeaka’ael nodded, obviously more than ready to dispatch the weak. Krrja patted his spellbook, hidden amongst his things. “I have just the spell to hold them for your inspection, dreaded whip of the Valsharess.”

Nizzre’tyne glided along after them as they dispatched the driders with blade and weave. Soon they were at the first building where the rebels took shelter. The guards outside rushed Streeaka’ael, an entirely foolish thing to do as they soon discovered. Streeaka’ael moved as one with his blade and soon the rebels were in a pile at his boots. Out of Krrja’s fingertips burst several balls of energy that chased and brought down the last rebel who had attempted to flee.

Once inside Nizzre’tyne was delighted to find a priestess. She stood in the back as her would-be protectors ran up weapons raised. Streeaka’ael charged in with the shout of “Selvetarm!” Krrja set fire to a group of archers and Nizzre’tyne glided up to the now wobbling, dazed priestess. Nizzre’tyne inspected her, yet the young priestess bared little that would mark her as being of any import.

“Go and writhe in slime, jalil. You are not fit for much else.” Nizzre’tyne said gazing into the blank eyes staring out at nothing. Then Nizzre’tyne raised her morningstar and dispatched the priestess. As the priestess fell an object slid out of a pocket and onto the now bloodied floor. Nizzre’tyne set aside her Morningstar to pick up the object. “Ah, she had a mythal so not a total loss.” She tucked it into her bag, picked up her morningstar and they continued on.

Into and out of more rooms with no success. Nizzre’tyne refused to bring anything of less than excellent quality as a gift to the Valsharess.

“Perhaps they may be in service at the temple Malla Ilharess.” Streeaka’ael offered.

“Xas, but we still check the other building and every room.” She told him and they moved on.

The other building was as devoid of acceptable priestesses as the first. So they continued onto the temple building itself and were met with a locked door. As it was the door leading into the alter room itself, Nizzre’tyne ordered Streeaka’ael to open it. After several hard strikes upon the door it was evident that a key was needed.

Krrja stepped up and began to pick the lock. The room now silent Nizzre’tyne could hear the muffled chant of a female voice and smiled. They had arrived in time to interrupt.

Once through the door they saw the Priestess of Ghaunadaur in the middle of her casting. Krrja was quick, his spell was off and she was held for inspection. As Nizzre’tyne inspected the priestess she was delighted to find that this one would make a lovely gift. “Bind her and be ready. They may decide to come to her aid. Krrja ready a portal.”

Krrja brought out his portal wand and furrowing his brow gave a shake. “We may need to walk…”

As the sound of a gathering group echoed throughout the chamber, for it would seem that the longer they waited, the more rebels arrived, Nizzre’tyne, Streeaka’ael and Krrja readied themselves for battle.

Streeaka’ael was through the door first and as the loud clang of battle commenced the door swung shut and locked again causing Krrja to call up his best concentration in order to open it again. Finally through they waded through the desperate rebels until they were outside. This time, the portal wand was working so into Edonil they appeared along with several pets and the Priestess of Ghaundaur gift. Who was coming out of the haze set upon her. She found herself well tied and being carried by Streeaka’ael.

Krrja noticing her wakefulness smiled. “We are having a celebration in your honor Priestess.”

She sneered looking over Streeaka’aels shoulder at Krrja, “Shut your mouth, blasphemer!”

Streeaka’ael paused. “I do not wish to hear her whine until she is properly presented to the Velsharess.”

Krrja took a bandage and a large ruby and tied it so she could’t talk or scream.

“Do not lose your voice just yet priestess. You will need it.” Nizzre’tyne told her in a pleasant tone.

Krrja finidhed up. “There, is that not better?”

The priestess struggled, tossing her full weight to one side and the other trying unsuccessfully to escape from Streeaka’ael's grasp. “Mmmm... phmmm.... mmmmm.....”

“Xas, see….better.” Krrja said and the priestess stared daggers at him. Krrja chuckled. “You would wound with a glare?” And then he feigned an injured heart.

“I believe I have her contained for the moment. I can proceed at your leisure malla Illaress.” Streeaka’ael announced.

At the Temple were Ul’ath’tallar Velthura and Oloth’Draada Elk’dorl whom joined the procession into the alter room of the most Glorious Dread Valsharess.

While Nizzre’tyne prepared herself, Streeaka’ael placed the priestess upon the alter and narrowly managed to avoid getting kicked in the head by the priestess. He grinned and whispered, “You will be a fine gift for the Dread Queen.” Then he bound her to the alter as he had done for Nizzre’tyne so many times before making sure the gift was unable to break free. Bowing deeply, he backed up and knelt down next to Elk’dorl.

Ul’ath’tallar Velthura stood regally to one side watching the proceedings carefully and smirking at the curses coming from the terrified priestess upon the alter.

Nizzre’tyne held her ornate, spider shaped sacrificial dagger in her small, delicate hand and stood at the head of the priestess who struggled against her bonds and began. “Dark Mother of all Drow, Ruler and Queen of the Demon Web Pits! I bring you a gift!”

The sacrifice was going as planned, for Nizzre’tyne had taken time to practice before hand. Her words must be pleasing, her actions providing the most pleasure to her Queen. Special touches are included so that the Dread Valsharess would know, would feel Nizzre’tynes devotion. For if she pleased the Queen, Nizzre’tyne would be rewarded with power.

Then suddenly, as Nizzre’tyne held the dagger up above the priestess a darkness fell over the alter. There was a primal scream but Nizzre’tyne had already started to speak and so her voice carried out, “Accept this sacrifice and from it may I rise stronger and more suited to carry forth Your Will!”

As the surreal darkness lifted, the priestess' body had vanished being replaced by several spiders. Nizzre’tyne was leaning over the alter now frozen in mid-motion her crimson gaze starting at the spiders. “Lolth tlu Malla!” was all she called out as she dropped to her knees before the alter. The Ul’ath’tallars voice was heard right after. “Lolth tlu Malla.”

//Special thanks to our “Gift” played by Ainjyll (DM), Streeaka’ael, Krrja, Velthura and Elk’dorl for making this drow RP so fabulous!

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Ari'aerath Dlues'athsha ~ Silver Singer with the Bow of the Sun
Clarette Feohn ~ Magic is Art.
Victoria Marrs ~ "I have an herb for that."