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Unuldor paces the halls of Edonil, his time spent mostly between the gate and the only source of cheap alcohol he can find. His blade is repeatedly soaked with the blood of slain patrols, and he stops only long enough to rest and gather his energy before venturing forth to hunt patrols in other tunnels and other caves. Every tunnel he seeks away from Edonil is another chance the enemy will miss the correct tunnels in their searches, he only hopes it buys enough time for those higher than him to enact their plans.

Hearing the bustle out in the main part of the Temple, 'Widow' hurried from her chair to see what had happened. With the line of people being ushered out the door, she flew into a fit of rage. With a flick her whip comes clear of its hook, and she storms through the Temple.

Stand where you are!!!! Where is the riviil guard who clearly lacks wits to see my orders carried out /properly/?? Show yourself fool!!!!

With an impatient tap of her foot, those that were in the process of being led out of the temple....//that would be the npc staff and priestesses housed in the temple, the Temple Spiders, those npc's currently engaged with Widow's project, and the entire contingent of Spider Guard, would be ordered to assemble in the main lobby of the Temple while Widow's orders are spelled out letter by letter this time. She stood there waiting, grumbling to herself, while the guard presented himself.....if he was still about, and had the balls to do so.

Ask a male to do something simple, and this is what I get.

The Spider Guard reports as ordered. The rest had already been ushered outside. The slaves tending the idols had not been for sake of the idols still requiring tending.

The one she had spoken to earlier stepped forward.

"It was I. I followed your command to the letter..."

His excuses began...

She strode up to the guilty guard, and stared him directly in the eye as she growled her retort

It is precisely this level of blind ignorant idiocy that got us into this mess to begin with!!! Brainless, unthinking males do /not/ make suitable Spider Guard.

With that she turned to first other Spider Guard she laid her eyes on, and addressed him by his new rank while pointedly eying the one she was currently scolding...

Captain! See to it that the Temple Spiders are returned to the Temple /immediately/. And do be a good boy and be sure to inform me of anyone else that presumes to think that the Queens Children would /not/ be welcomed here!! Also, those that have been ushered out, that is, the Temple staff, and other yath, I would have them returned as well. I will make this /very/ clear. Once. Pay attention 'Captain'. Those Spider Guard are to remain with the idols within the Temple, and beyond. Those slaves 'tending' to the idols will also remain within the Temple. The Yath that are housed within the Temple will /also/ remain /within/ the Temple. The list I passed around, if you were to take a moment and /think/ about it are those people that are otherwise not officially part of the Temple, with the obvious exception of Ust'Ilharess Nizzre'tyne. Now, I encourage you...for the sake of your very skin, to make sure of your orders before doing something so stupid as to assume that the Spiders within the Temple would be removed to mingle with the general chaos of a war!!

From there, 'Widow' would remain in the main lobby of the Temple, whip in hand, overseeing the activities, ensuring that her orders were acted out, and that no further misunderstandings were allowed the chance to take place.

After the edict issued by Widow, Zrae smirked to herself. Some even might have overheard the typically dispassionate, when not goading the masses, priestess to have laughed to herself. Possibly heartily, or at least with genuine mirth. I told you she murmured to Ada'vrae, the woman who was at her side nearly at all times now. Fire danced in her crimson eyes as she gave the other priestess a smile that bared a sliver of her teeth, a look not many had seen on her face. See how she quails under the strain of having everything slip from her grasp?

With that she turned to the people departing the Temple, most notably the other priestesses though addressing all that was in the vicinity of where the expelled drow have gathered. Do you now see now! Zrae'a'stra'fryn cried out, laughter upon her tongue as she uplifted her arms and spread them. Watch how Widow flails and scrabbles in her mad grasp to retain her power? It sickens me! Like some filthy surfacer!

She let that sink in for a very brief moment before continuing. You hear contempt in my voice, yes! For Widow has no business trying to rule even a fraction of Lolth's power! Who is she is deny worship in the Valsharess' temple? Who is she to expel our sisters from their home? Who is she to allow males free reign to Lolth's holy grounds? burning eyes raked the commoners, Vanguard members, her sister yath, and even the Spider Guards nearby doing the escorting. I have told you before of her ineptitude and so I shall not speak it again, but I have no doubt in my mind that each and every one of you can Widow for what she truly is. She is a coward! It is heresy to do what she has done! What does Widow hide in Lolth's Temple! Does she not forget she can hide nothing from the Valsharess, who sees all?

The Yathrin's teeth were bared now, not fully but just enough in her impassioned contempt. Suddenly an arm lashed out and a finger pointed at the Spider Guards that would be nearby. And you! Mighty warriors of Selvetarm and protectors of Lolth's chosen priestess! What have you done wrong? You followed the commands issued to you even if you thought them to be wrong. And who would not? Who would not wonder why an Ul'ath'tallar would banish the faithful from The Dread Queen's own Temple? It is blasphemy! And yet you followed them anyways, as the Spider Guard should!

Once more she looked over the people before her, her eyes locked with a random few here and there. We will have our worship, my sisters and brothers, oh yes! We will praise and sacrifice to our all-mighty Queen of Spiders where our faith -our faith in Lolth!- is welcome! This is but a step in the path towards our greater destiny, the destiny shown to us by the unfailing Wisdom of the Valsharess! None but the heretical are cast from Lolth's worship!

It seemed then that she was done, satisfied, content to let them soak up what she had lain out for them. Of course, should the Spider Guard seek to force those expelled to return, there would likely be something to say to them...

During the speech of Yathrin Zrae Yath'tallar Nizzre'tyne, the Spider Guard who are still faithful to Lolth for Yath'tallar Nizzre'tyne would command them, Takrin, Oloth'Sutrinos Streeaka'ael would place Yathrin Zrae under arrest and escort her to the Temple cells until the Ul'ath'tallar can tend to her breach of protocol, heretical behavior that has now been witnessed by a lot of citizens, Spider Guard etc.

Then Yath'tallar Nizzre'tyne would have the Spider Guard kneel and explain why they allowed a mere Yathrin to get caught speaking against their Ul'ath'tallar in public for all to see without escorting her into the Temple as they should have been trained to do.

"No."

When she is not tending to the drills and services to the faithful of Selvetarm, Ada'vrae has indeed taken it upon herself to visibly lend her support for Zrae'a'stra'fryn, Queen's Whip of the Vanguard. When the order is given, or enough signs of it are apparent, she interposes herself between Zrae and the Spiderguard, raising a clawed gauntlet in a gesture to halt. For many cycles now, her subdued demeanor masked a seething rage which emerged only during the fierce drills and rare few speeches. It settled now in her countenance as an icy calm - a stance of certainty as she actively opposed Nizzre'tyne's order.

"Soldiers of Edonil, this cycle you have a choice." She began - speaking tersely and firmly. She does not recognise the guards before her precisely - it is all a blur of helms and faces contorted in fear and fury - but it is her hope that at least one of the Spiderguard were among her sessions. Her voice is raised, that it may carry as far through the cavern as is possible, to draw focus upon the confrontation. "You have been told to turn upon the Queen's Whip herself. She who commands the Vanguard, wherein the last strength of our dying city is mustered. She, who with guile and trickery mastered a dragon to bring us to victory. She who has roused the fury of the Selvetargtlin to unleash the full might of the drow against the plague of foes whom march upon us. She, without whom we can expect an ignoble death." She stated, her shield raised in preparation for a sudden assault. Like a coiled spring her body was wound until near breaking point in anticipation of bloodshed. She knew this could well be her last chance to speak, and that her death may follow.

"You have been ordered by the one who works against those who would bring your salvation. The one who had fallen silent when trouble stirred, the one who hid away when the horde began its march. The one who now seeks to separate the faithful from our Queen - true heresy!" The phrase is snarled, as if she strains against the cold mask... but she retains her composure. "Our old leaders have failed us, Soldiers of Edonil. They may have inherited the failures of their predecessors, but that does not excuse the depths they have allowed this city to sink." She spoke clearly and fiercely - perhaps the sheer strength of her conviction, and her services to the people would hold their blind obedience at bay. "By the inscrutable will of the Dread Queen, it seems today you have been granted the power of a choice. You may side with the Title-bearing pretenders who have failed to bring strength to Edonil, who have grown weak and clutch at their vastly shrinking domain, at the cost of drow lives and in defiance of our Queen. Or stand with the Vanguard, that our strength may be joined to rebuke the horde and seek our destiny beyond the water. As drow undivided, we will at last bring the glory that Lolth deserves, and the victory sought by Her champion." With that, the Warpriestess fell silent. If her words could not reach them, it would progress to battle. As a follower of Selvetarm she would not retreat no matter what odds were arrayed against her - her only thought was to protect the Priestess of Lolth. It was very clear that she believed, more than anything, that it was the Vanguard who served Lolth. Her conviction was palpable with every syllable, every breath. A zealot to the very end.

"Lolth tlu Malla." She hissed - her voice did not carry this time, but it was a whisper quite audible to those nearby.

And in her own mind, she privately beseeched the patron whom granted her power. Selvetarm grant me victory, this cycle...

Meanwhile at the Main Gate,

The War Sage enters the Edonil cavern from beyond, dragging the remains of an orc carcass behind him. He stops with the carcass, clearly breaking a sweat like it was hard work for such a mage-like body, just behind the main gate and wipes his brow.

"Citizens, meet your enemy. They're not far off now which means we're nearly out of time.

I'd be heading to those barges now if I were you. When the blades are drawn, there may not be a seat left."

Yath'tallar Nizzre'tyne holds up a hand to hault the males with her as Ada'vrae steps up. As Yath'taller Nizzre'tyne listens to Ada'vrae a cool smile slowly lifts the corners of her mouth. Before Ada'vrae even finishes Yath'taller Nizzre'tyne is laughing merrily. Her eyes sparkle with mirth, her white teeth shine in the low light and she continues to laugh a moment or two after Ada'vrae is done.

"Oh my, so you fall less than gracefully in to the web." her laugh contained yet her mirth still evident in her tone. "Your stance is noted. Your loyalties are noted. As is the truth that the Yathrin has such a...mighty one to stand up for her." Nizzre'tynes metal tipped finger name taps lightly on her raised shield. "It is understandable that yourself and the Yathrin do not understand things that only a Yath'tallar would. Such is not your fault." She gives a pitting look that in a flash is replaced with a pleasant smile.

She waves a hand casually at the Spider Guard. "These are Spider Guard, Ada'vrae. They are not just mere guards. They are blessed by Selvetarm and Lolth." She leans in just a bit. "To refer to them as 'guards' exposes your lack of knowledge regarding Temple matters. Your mistress should have taught you better."

Then she turns to the Spider Guard. "All of you will return to your duties, you... " she points to one of them. "Go and see if you can be of use to the Ul'ath'tallar. Time for preparations is coming to an end."

Without another look at Ada'vrae or Zrae, Yath'tallar Nizzre'tyne guides Takrin and Oloth'Surtinos Streeaka'ale into the Temple.

The Spider Guard do as ordered. The Yath begrudgingly return to their posts with an air of smugness in their gate back to the temple and bring with them the spider they had taken. Their smugness falls by the wayside when they overhear the interchange outside the Temple and they hang their heads. The Drow of Edonil are restless, pondering what on Toril is going on.

This cycle has seen an interesting event take place. Nizzre'tyne, matron of House My'afin, was cut down in the main cavern as she attempted to escape Edonil with the idol of Lolth. Spider Guards attest to the screams of torture that echoed within the walls of the temple. Part of the tortured is rumored to have been overseen by Mal'arra. The Spider Guard also claim the shrill scream that heralded the end of the once mighty matron.

The previous cycle was a colourful one for the streets of Edonil. In an attempt to discover just what is occuring behind the now respected Myafin wall, the efforts of both the War Sage and Zah'har D'Vilrath were thwarted by the sheer resilience of the venerable stone and the wards that vehemently guard it.

The War Sage was comically quoted saying "It was made in Edonil. Who'd have thought?" by witnesses as he left the scene riddled with disappointment.

And coming up next on the Edonil Rumours, we attempt to solve the age old problem of what came first: The Spider... or the egg?

The house up the cliff from Iniquity was the object of more then the usual comings and goings the evening before as Ust'Ilharess Tagnik'zur d'Vilrath met with the War Sage and a number of her Que'llar members, the meeting lasted for some hours, with most departing as they had come, including the War Sage.

Early in the next cycle saw something quite unusual from the young Ilharess in public, she walked unhelmed through the streets, only escorted by Vilrath's Ilharn, Zah'har, Vilrath's Head of Security, Kha'less, and a young ambitious Sargtlin, Unuldor. As she moved through the streets any she encountered, she deliberately stopped to speak with, asking their concerns and worries of the coming days. Making notes of those that worried of other family members making the barges, others she listened to on other matters, with Zah'har making copious notes. Any citizen in the streets that morning, or the following mornings as she continued to do this day after day, was allowed to approach her and speak their concerns and have their fears put at ease as best she could.

"Did the Matron Council know about the War Sage?"
While not admitting anything, Ust'Ilharess Tagnik'zur's response is reserved to this question, "It was only to be expected that L'Valsharess would send us one to help. That the one that came is a deep dragon is a testament to her power and favor."

"What is My'afin's standing?"
Her tone carefully neutral, "Disgraced as they hide behind their wall. They took the prestige of Ust'Que'llar and would not face its responsibilities. Do not trouble yourselves about them any further."

"What are the Matron's Council's thoughts?"
"Take what gifts l'Valsharess has given us, use them well, and for the survival of our people. Let those of us that would see you survive know your concerns. None are too small in these dark hours."

"High praise to the Ul'ath'tallar for having swayed such a beast to work Lolth's will!"
She scoffs on hearing these, "Yes, the Ul'ath'tallar that is so reclusive she knows not what troubles you, what is causing fear in your hearts other than Lolth herself, what is causing you to be divided on the eve of a battle for survival. A battle in which we must stand together, united or face destruction... nor has she helped plan for your survival beyond the battle. -She- did not sway the Deep dragon, he came to us, a gift from Lolth to help us see to our mutual survival."

After the fourth cycle of this, she changed the time of day to mid-cycle, yet she continued to spend a few hours in Edonil's streets, listening to any and all that wished to speak with her as she moved through the streets hoping to unite the populace again. They were not trained as she was to put aside their fears, nor even trained like the members of her house, these were simple merchants and commoners, they can't be expected to act like the Nobles in a time of crisis, it was not indulging their weakness to do this, it was trying to save as much of their people as she could, there was more to being a ruling house than just the luxury of rank, there was responsibility to the people as well.

Alakaton d'My'afin can be briefly seen examining the outside of the wall to House My'afin, running a gloved hand over the stone. After assuring that it is still intact, the Arcanist draws out a wand and flicks it to the ground, entering the portal swiftly.

Unuldor walks the streets beside his illharess, guarding her while also allowing others to approach. His eyes seem to ever be watchful above and beyond those immediately before him, as if searching for other threats, studying the distance. A watchful eye may see his gaze is aflame with certainty, and that his gloved hand is never far from his morningstar.

One priestess in particular would take note of the actions of Ilharess d'Vilrath. The lack of her own helm, as shy typically never wore it around the city, would likely show that she bore a little smile of approval. After all, it seemed as though the Ilharess and Yathrin both had the same thoughts; there was little other reason for Zrae'a'stra'fryn to have been spending so much time with the common folk at the barges listening to what they said to one another as well as to her. It might strike some that she was seeming to be far more approachable that some others of high ranking, perfectly comfortable in assuaging fears and conflicts of faith; though the latter was carefully probed and tested and she spoke with the utter certainty of faith to those that worried.

The Queen's Whip, despite the outwardly typically menacing appearance given by a fully armored priestess with both whip and blade at her sides, seemed well apt in using her words and charisma to the advantage of stemming the flow of distrust and dissent one might find in the common folk these days. Though ever watchful for more alarming signs in the population, Zrae seemed to take a keen interest on the hearts and minds of those that she had helped to lead.

She came through the front gates in the middle of soft purple glow. The glow was not as bright as the surface nor as bright as yellow light but to those who'd spent their lives in the underdark it may have been bright enough that one would have to squint. She paused there shown clearly for those not having to squint. She was definitely drow. One could tell by the generous amount of perfect ebony thigh showing above soft rothe leather high heeled boots. Her boots were fuchsia, bright fuchsia. As a matter of fact most of her outfit, a silk blouse, ascot and a teeny-tiny skirt were the same bright fuchsia. Only her coat was understated in a dark lavender as was the hood that covered her head. A mages staff rested gently on her shoulder. It was made of dark wood. The top was a dizzying display of tiny blinking lights amidst a swirling white misty orb.

She shifted from one hip to the other and remained posed there for a long moment. Then spoke softly to a large black hound who at her words went over and closed the gate behind them.

Her tour of the main cavern was taken at a slow pace. She went right and when she came to the blocked off entrance she stopped. She placed a single finger on a stone brick and sighed. Then she continued her tour in a circular pattern. When she came upon the portal crystal she stopped again and put the location upon her portal rod. She entered none of the buildings. And at some point ended up at the entrance that was not blocked and went through.

Again, she went right and had a look at every nook and cranny. She didn't pause to attempt to speak with anyone. She did pause for just a few seconds looking down at the barges. And when she completed her circle of the cavern she simply ported away.

Today in the City of Webs...

A parading of sorts was conducted for the populace in the Temple's vicinity this cycle. Two of the Cities risen leaders, the First Matron Tagnik'zur Vilrath and the War Mistress Ada'vrae undertook a march from the front gate towards the Barges. Both were armed to the teeth, adorned in their highly decorated (and practically vicious) armour with helms locked in place and blades drawn in their hands.

And they were not alone on their march.

Their coming was heralded by the familiar titanic roar as the young Deep Dragon followed in their footsteps, moving on all four limbs with a sly, serpentine grace to his movements. The War Sage was resplendent in all his majesty like he was cleaned up for the occasion as he matched the pace of the Matron and War Mistress before him, ever five or six paces to their rear. His claws dug into the compressed Earth as he pushed himself along and his tail whipped side by side behind him unrestricted. No chains were visible upon the War Sage's form: a sign of unity in purpose... or to the more realistic of the populace, a sign of mutual desire for survival.

The small parade stopped upon the shores of the Temple's foundations, overlooking the docked barges and it was there that the War Sage again raised his head high and roared towards the cavern's dark ceiling. Having announced the coming of his two Superiors, he then laid down upon his stomach, watching with interest as his superiors did the rest.

If the populace was to approach him, which he would allow, he would offer no opposition unless they touched him: Except for Inquisitive Drow children if any were brave enough, who would be shown some leniency when it came to "touching the scary Dragon." But, when his superiors moved the War Sage moved with them, ever five paces to their rear until the parading was complete.

//serbiris and dragonrider will chip in their toon's perspectives and speeches when they can.

She stopped in front of the barges, War Mistress Ada'vrae on her left, the dragon between them and behind them. She stood silent and motionless as the roars echoed from the cavern's walls, as the last echos faded, she drove the tip of the wicked, cruel looking longsword she was seldom without into the packed earth before her, reaching up she removed her helm, still in silence. She looked from those on the barges to those waiting to board. Quietly she spoke, no ringing tones of a practiced speech, just quiet confidence and determination.

For too long have the Noble houses neglected you, used you, no more, no more. You are not the only ones fighting for your survival, we fight with you, alongside you... and we fend off those that would follow you to your safe haven. Its alright to be afraid, but we can not let that fear rip us apart, we must stick together for our survival...

She motions to Solaviir...

... even with unusual allies, and unlikely ones. You will have what is familiar to you to help guide you, but each and every one of you must find the strength in yourselves to master this fear.... we are Ilythiiri, the strongest of the strong in the Underdark, we did not get that way by letting our fear overcome us.

She pulls her sword from the ground, holding it up in both hands for all to see...

Tsoss d'l'Orbb Valsharess....

The blade is pointed towards Solaviir in a nonthreatening manner, more for emphasis....

Belbol d'l'Orbb Valsharess... She has given us the tools for our survival, so conquer your fears, for you are not alone ...

Lolth tlu Malla!!

Sheathing the blade, she falls silent again.

The caverns of Edonil echo with the steady beats of approaching drums. The wall of the My'afin cavern simply serving to lessen the sound within that cavern in particular.

They beat loudly. For the first time, one of the scouting groups fails to return in full. Only one male returns. He has been heavily beaten, bloody, maimed, and missing his left ear. He manages to only whimper as he collapses before the gate of the city. Those guarding the gate hurry him to the temple, needing to work their way through the main camp.

Due to this rumor spreads quickly and the people gather eagerly outside the door of the temple, and on the shores of the Black Waterway, waiting to hear from the Ul'ath'tallar and the remaining Matrons.

With the commotion outside her temple doors, Widow, accompanied by a Spider Guard, looks in on it. On seeing the injured scout, she orders three of the temple Yath to set up in front of the temple to see to the injured Runners that make it back. Beyond that, Widow and those that make their residence in the Temple resume the last of their preparations to board the barges with the others.

It's time. 'Widow' started issuing the order for everyone that was to board Spider Bearer, to do so. She led the procession herself, moving directly to the barge and immediately to the spot on the barge that would house the idol of Lolth for the trip. Another few sharp commands for three strong men were issued and the bag containing the idol was laid down.
This is to be put in place first thing, do not delay. I will return to fetch the last of my own belongings from the Temple.. A moment later, 'Widow' is seen entering the temple, closing the door behind her.

Shortly after the horde conquered the main cavern of the settlement they were joined by undead as two black robed females began to animate the fallen. As the wards over the settlement began to fail, they pushed their way into the temple cavern with another armored female. Taking advantage of an incursion by the hostile forces, they made their way to the temple steps.

As the demons drew closer to the temple plateau one of the females took her warhammer to the chains holding the temple door closed. Just as the chain broke and fell away, she was cut down from behind by a drow male.

As the residents made their final escape, the black robed corpse was dragged onto the barges.

[IC] The City of Webs

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