Victorious advance

[Anastasia]

Unfortunately, neither is terribly communicative. They walk down in silence to the desecrated basement and deeper in, leaving Marie behind.

[Ebiris]

Marie strains her incorporeal ears nonetheless from where she is!

[Anastasia]

That's an obvious call for a Perception check, yes.

[Ebiris]

[16:50] <@Ebiris> roll 1d20+73
[16:50] <Penuche> Ebiris invokes Penuche's magic: < 81 > [d20=8]

[Anastasia]

The voices are faraway, but with your ears it's not too hard to hear.

"It's been prepared, Lord Dragodan," The elf says, "Soon."

[Ebiris]

Marie prays to Alicia to let her know she's located Dragodan, and things are put in motion elsewhere.

Keep listening for now, but I want him captured. Exercise your best judgement, Marie.

With the word from on high given, Marie keeps on eavesdropping!

[Anastasia]

"Then continue," Dragodan says shortly, "Before the Crimson Guard or those that control them interfere again."

"I have seen no sign of them here," The elf replies, "Surely-"

"Then you haven't looked hard enough," Dragodan cuts him off, "The enemy is contemptible, disgusting and foolhardy, but they are not weak nor are they incompetent."

[Ebiris]

Two out of five? That's a pretty harsh appraisal! She didn't recognise any of the conspirators earlier from the Crimson Guard expedition in the desert but she's sure there are others so the human could be a member she supposes.

[Anastasia]

"But Alici-"

"Do not say that name." Dragodan cuts in shortly. "Nor the other's."

"Those two are gone from the guard. The Prophet watches the Well of Souls and not us." The elf continues, voice more timid, gentler. "Are those that remain that dangerous, shadow?"

"Yes." A simple confirmation, "You would be nothing but a fly for Eudard to swat or Abagail to enchant, or for Oberuth to slaughter."

[Ebiris]

That's some proper respect at least.

It's a shame Whimsical Sweets aren't on this case actually. Marie always got a kick out of hearing about Sharrans thwarted by a group with that name.

[Anastasia]

"...It is distasteful," the elf finally says, "That heathens like that are so strong."

"We will crush them, but they will spitefully deny you glory, honor and your rest as long as they can." Dragodan goes on, "Like Alestrel, they want you to hurt longer, to suffer more."

The elf is silent at that, not a sound from him.

"They will hurt you, make you suffer. The outlets you found - they'll take away Maline, tear all this down, tear apart the dungeons. All those outlets will be gone if they get their way." Dragodan says, "Will you fail Shar like that?"

"Never," The elf's voice is quick, fervent. "I will never fail her!"

"Then you'll go far yet," Dragodan says, and after a few moments, "There is news of other enemies. The Lady of Loss believes agents tied to the Aurora may take action against Sharrans. Duke Moore of Celestia and Tryll of Aurora in particular, aided by various officers of the Aurora."

[Ebiris]

Interesting to name drop those two in particular. Sounds like Shar might be onto the whole Io conspiracy.

Marie is also fully on board with taking away the outlets of sadistic creeps who maintain dungeons in their houses!

[Anastasia]

"I understand, shadow," Is the answer from the elf.

"Many seek to hurt you before the end," Dragodan says, "But only Shar will save you. Never forget that."

There's no conversation after that, only silence.

[Ebiris]

Unless she hears anyone saying the words to a teleport or shadow walk spell, Marie is content to wait until they return.

[Anastasia]

After about 20 minutes, the elf returns, going up without slowing down. No sign of Dragodan with him.