Game: Blades of Git'riban : Primal State

Ar'dru nods along as Du'minh explains his race's conflict with with the Illithid and even nods approvingly at the Chal's words.

"Greetings distant cousin" begins Ar'dru with a formal bow. "You displayed great power in the conflict today and this skill with which you wield it brings honour to your clan. Have you been in this city long?"

Ar'dru nods sadly "Indeed it seems that it is necessary for all to change with the times in order to survive, though we must maintain true to our past otherwise we cease to be anything at all. I notice you do not use steel weapons or armour, why do you not choose a superior material?"

Jhank'kor balances the cup in his hands, careful to allow his diminished muscles to appropriately react to the weight. Sniffing at the contents, the chal raises his glass with a smile and toasts. "To a kindly hostess and her clan." He swills a draught of the alcohol graciously, enjoying the whiplash across his senses. Like the rush of a fireball to the fingertips...

Yet, he, too, is wary of strong drink, placing his glass down soon after his commendation. When she mentions Sight, his eyes envelop in an electric hue, the air compacting with the tension of built static. "Ah, but what an empty husk the corpse--and head--must be, as the beast drank more gith theurgy than it's foul life could stand."

He settles back against the bar, cradling the staff between his hands in idle content. "Nay, I'd put more thought to the charred remains than a godsteel blade's ceremonial decapitation of a corpse..." His eyes rest on the duktha'gith as he intones the last few words.

Stirring the anthill are we, Azure??
Sense Motive: 9
Bluff: 29 (nat 20 yay!)
Listen: 15
Craft(Alchemy): 13 about Scuppernong

Ar'dru toasts the Athasian gith with his scuppernong and observes how they drink it before emulating the way the large warrior does. A wry smile rises on his face at Jhank'kors comment
"Of course you would Chal, every warrior prefers his own weapon." turning to Obsidian Orb "Taking such a creatures head is the duty of all Giths children m'lady and one gains little honor by merely adequately performing ones duty. However I agree with my battle brother, the gentle breeze of your words so far are giving warning to a storm of knowledge."

Sense motive on Obsidian orb to try and figure our what she's up to.

Given the nature of his true role in Git’riban, over the last couple of months Du’minh has grown keen on estimating the flow of information and judging when the tides are going the wrong way. He parts with Obsidian Orb with courtesy, then turns back to his comrades when she is well out of ear range.

“The only thing you’re testing of is my patience, chal. Good to see you having your priorities straight – with a man of your physique attempting to hold his liquor, I am amazed you did not set to swooning her with song as well.”

After the obligatory series of retorts is out of the way, Du’minh checks on his request from the barkeep, impatiently tapping the table with the blunt part of a spike protruding from the plates on his right arm.

OOC:
The bartender didn’t forget his order, did he?

I’d say that the harmonious thing is for dialogue and plot development to flow in parallel, which I think we’ve been doing pretty well.

"Well, we know that you fail in that department, yank. And I will warn you once about such remarks--until you know the darks, you're best shoving that over-sized vegetable smasher down your throat." Having finished his obligatory retort, the chal collects the tentacle satchel and ties it off somewhere within his cloak.

"Besides, what do you know of my priorities? Your petty assumptions reveal much about your ignorance--did they tell you to act dumb in front of mages in hopes they'll not expect you to hit them hard?"

I'll roll the headache, Azure
Bluff: 15

Yes, I truly think bickering will be the ONLY means of communication between our party.

Not one to leave disputes hanging in the air, Du’minh follows up on Jhank’kor’s insults before turning to the warrior that has approached them.

“My vegetable smasher goes well with that scrawny melon you fail to use as a head, chal, and I will happily enlighten you with the experience. The fact that you deserted your allies while the rest of us were slaying ghaiks speaks volumes of your priorities.”

With the grim words exchanged within the group still lingering, Du’minh turns to face Gy-Nath. Growing uneasy with how quickly the group is gaining reputation, the Rish naturally scans him over, but greets him with the respect deserving of a veteran githwarrior.

“You are well informed, fellow warrior, and I would hear you on what you have to say. Would you accompany us to more private locales within the inn?”

Du’minh looks to the others to see if they approve, barring Jhank’kor, in imitation of his earlier act.

Dun, J doesn't need to be tempted into killing characters...

Az, you get the impression that Jhank'kor is somehow badly weakened from some event since you last saw him, though he tries to hide it, and that he's ROYALLY pissed off at being called a coward and a deserter.

D isn't the only gith loyalist in the party.

A deathly stillness falls upon the warlock at the outright accusation of betrayal. "You can call me anything you arrogant-son-of-Zerth, but you will NOT go unchallenged slighting my loyalty!"

The glass used by the Rish-i-Chal shrieks in a burst of harmonics.

Shatter
If it's not in your hand, it breaks.

If in your hand, make a will save vs DC 16 for the cup (as per object uses possessor's will save) to keep it from shattering

concentrate: 26
Intimidate: 30

Letting the censure wash over his mangled pride, the chal grips his staff tightly with his gloved hands, hastily following the servant girl with hardly contained ire and frustration.

Ar'dru strides over to the balcony and stares out over the Heart of the void and waits for Gy-Nath to speak first.

Jhank'kor absorbs the rebuke quietly though he reiterates cryptically, "Indeed, no more..."

He listens attentively to the message and asks, "Who struck against the Ulitharid? A bolt emanated from this point before I pursued.

And what became of this 'zerai?"

Jhank'kor tries to conceal his disgust at the reference of a human "ally". "Another one! How many truces must I bear?!..."

"So the mission failed...ghaik are not so foolish to leave empty handed--and a few dead gith doesn't make due for two dead Ulitharid in their warped skulls..."

Bluff: 23

He doesn't have a prosthetic arm does he, Azure?

Jhank'kor, his anger somewhat stymied (only to simmer again at the action), mere nods as he moves to let Gy'Nath pass first. "Understood."

Bluff: 15 keepin his cool

Jhank'kor reclines in his chair, right hand thumbing the pommel of his tentacle staff. He waits to ensure the psychic warrior is finished before replying, "If anything, we should strike soon...purge this hold of their presence and we can hinder their movement around the planes. Since we killed two, one remains. Get to it, and we find--and kill--the House as it stands.

"And I might know the road to the front door."

The chal's eyes burn with steady flames. Gazing around the group, he locks his gaze with Gy'Nath. "Whatever is said, I do know of a ghaik portal chamber. If they scoff, I will desire your help at the least.."

Du’minh listens attentively to Gy-Nath’s words, relieved to have found an honourable ally with the wisdom and insight to peel away the deceptions of the Great Enemy. K’dar’s revelations earlier this day have made the Rish troubled at how short in supply reliable githwarriors are, though the many pieces he supplied to the puzzle have helped the greater picture to fall into place.

The lost warrior of fortress Nor’mujin takes active participation in the information exchange, though he keeps his true role confidential as always.

Coming to a turning point, Du’minh takes a leap of faith to part with some of the critical intelligence he has been bestowed with. The Rish-i-Chal hopes to more fully win the trust of those assembled, or in the case of his most recent rival… a subtle hint of reconciliation.

“I think I can shed some light on the ghaiks’ motives, or at least present a plausible theory. I ask you all to treat this information sensitively, as it has been bought for in githblood.”

“My sources tell me that the ghaiks had an informer, the identity of which belongs to someone you have all heard about. He knew the time of the attack, indeed, he knows far too much than he should regarding illithid operations, and he is a man known to turn stag to a degree that would rival a yugoloth. I am, of course, speaking of Grazz the Accursed.”

“Consider this: Say Grazz has a history of dealing with the ghaiks and draws on a vast spy network. Knowledge is felled and the flayers go to him to track down the assassin. He might have unsurpassed intelligence within Git’riban, and if anyone knows how to deal with assassins, it is Grazz. The Accursed gives them what they want, no doubt making amazing profit in the deal. However, why not serve to rid himself of more foes in one swoop? He could have had his spies track down Zur Khaan and signal the ghaiks when they were in a far more isolated locale, but by giving the ghaiks time and place in the Heart of githyanki community in Sigil where our most powerful presence can be found, ghaik and githyanki casualties should skyrocket in the battle. Githzerai interests are served, Grazz fattens his coinpurse, and many of those that would do him harm on multiple sides are likely to perish in the onslaught.”

“I am sure much of this speculation is off, but regardless, there is no doubt the Thrice-Accursed has heavy involvement, and my superior have tasked me with tracking him down. Some of his records may list Illithid safehouses, portals keys to gain entry, names on their spies, and more. With these prospects in mind, I am suggesting this as a next course of action for our band.”

Jhank'kor nods in agreement. "My hunts through those tunnels speak the truth of that..."

The chal smiles wryly at Gy'Nath's assessment of the Ulitharid's compounds, though his eyes flame with an unsettling hatred that hints toward obsession. "Do you know the tunnels near the ghaik's house?...sometimes house calls must come from the ground up."

"As to Grazz..." His face contorts with thorough disgust. "...to praise him, you may as well praise a ghaik for efficiently sucking a skull dry. He barters more of our kin off for their...consumption...than one ulitharid's death merits. Free blood poured through treachery deserves greater compensation." He glares around the room to access the party's reaction to such pointed words.

Sense Motive: 24 (nat 20)

The chal's face crinkles in a wry smile. "I do not think he'll hand you his list of contacts and say, 'hearty hunting'...

The smirk becomes more sinister as he flicks his gaze to Vivec. "But even the dead can remember old friends. Right, Vivec?"

Trias, I hope Vivec has a good bluff mod for the sense motive above or it might get tense really quick

After looking to Vivec for a moment, the warlock turns to the pacing warrior. "These are means to pry information from the dead...it just takes time and patience--something not many have in these riotous days."