Crag Noir (IC)

[MikelaC1]

Natalya is not quite sure whether she sees one of Karindal's eyebrows quirk just a bit when she mentions not allowing a man to ever touch her, or maybe it was just a figment of her imagination. What is not a figment is Karindal's reactions to the rest of her words. Calista would be an excellent choice as a mentor to you, we would have to see what her workload on crafting is like before making that decision. Lolth as the concubine to Nocticula, that is a bit of an amusing notion, it would solve many of our problems, but bringing a goddess to that level might be a stretch. She may not be much of a divinity, but she still does have that spark. But things can change. Keep up the path you are on, and I am sure you will see the results you want.

[Ridai]

It is so hard to think, being so close to Karindal, who feels like an exotic beauty to her. Sure, humans are the most numerous race, but most are nowhere near the grace and beauty of the drow. And she very rarely interacts with surfacers. To see a human woman this beautiful, her presence and voice so bewitching, and being the second-in-command of Nocticula's faithful... thoughts drift constantly, concentration slowly failing. The presence of so many other remarkable women and how Karindal affects the entire room certainly do not help.

"You honor me with your words and your time, Priestess. I look forward to any ceremonies you may wish to conduct here, much like I do to Priestess Kalrissa's. I wish to know more about our surfacedwelling sisters. And should you ever wish to, feel free to call upon Evindress and me." To Natalya's credit, she manages to remain relatively eloquent and pleasing in tone, even adding a bow, before excusing herself. She also sees Calista, and the sight certainly does not help her state any (though the master craftswoman will always spot the longing in Natalya's eyes and body). Before she entirely loses control, she collects Evindress and heads to their room, post-haste.

[MikelaC1]

After a night of passion with Evindress, the two drow wake up the next morning to the sounds of explosions. Rushing to the window, they both see the signs of a noble house battle, with fireballs and lightning bolts going off. Judging by the direction of the noises, its clear that the Kal'Durtha house is under attack, and given the recent history, its pretty obvious that Ral'Turpin is doing it. Moments after they see the attack starting, Evindress gets a look in her eye...I need to go to see Kalrissa, I..or perhaps we, have a rescue mission to deal with, and only seconds to spare

[Ridai]

Seemingly of one mind, Natalya is already dressed, taking her equipment, casting her spells, helping her lover prepare the same as swiftly as possible. "Yes. Let's hurry." She will not let Evindress head into the fray alone. And she, too, wishes the Kal'Durtha daughter to be rescued... and invited into the fold. A gift she received not too long ago. A gift she wishes to share. No further words are exchanged, running to see Kalrissa.

[MikelaC1]

Both drow hustle to see Kalrissa, who was obviously clearly waiting for them. Evindress knows the drill, so the priestess addresses Natalya. She first hands her a small glowing stick. Break this when you are ready to return, it will activate a teleport back to here, so make sure either you or Evindress has her hand. You are going into a battle zone, assume anyone you see is an enemy, both Durtha and Turpin. You arent out to save everyone, only the first sister priestess, anyone else you see, you kill or neutralize. I know this sort of mission doesnt play to your strengths, but Evindress can go loud when she needs to. You've been in the Durtha house before, assume the priestess girl will be in the room where you found the staff.

[Ridai]

Natalya has comments in regards to very much expecting not every situation to suit her, but now is not the time.

"We will bring her back, by any means necessary." If they are to be teleported, she casts see invisibility on herself and invisibility on both Evindress and herself, then says they are ready, holding Evindress' hand. Otherwise, they move out immediately, heading to the Kal'Durtha residence in their catsuits.

[MikelaC1]

Kalrissa looks to assistant who nods, and teleports the pair. They arrive at the back door, servants entrance to the house, the one they first entered by. At the front of the house, the battle is raging, the Turpin forces have breached the defenses and are entering the house, so the two drow realize that they can meet forces of either side once they are in. Fortunately, they know the way to the staff room which the Turpins do not, nor do they even know of its existence. But with Turpins getting in, their time is very limited

[Ridai]

Natalya could go for a silence spell, but no. With all the chaos and noise of the battle, the silence would actually make them more noticable, in addition to preventing Evindress from raining destruction on anyone opposing them. Their best chance by far is to simply run and not stop. They cannot afford to stop moving, even in case of a fight.

Thus, Natalya takes Evindress by the hand as they have done the first time, and this time without any care for stealth, the invisible drow move into the residence, literally running to the staff room, or at least double moving when more maneuverability is needed. She trusts Evindress to step in with attack magic when it is absolutely necessary, though there is no need to start a fight if they can simply run past while invisible. Perhaps the illusions will hide them all the way, perhaps not. But it will save them at least some time.

[MikelaC1]

The signs of disorganization and chaos are everywhere, the Durtha household had no business playing in the big leagues of drow noble politics, they had gotten there with an item way above their paygrade and now they no longer have it, their forces are overmatched. The Turpins arent that much better than them, but at least they never learned to lean on a crutch and its a mismatch. Natalya and Evindress are able to avoid the first couple of patrols running around like chickens with their heads cut off, but they soon come to a problem that cannot be avoided. A group of 4 drow warriors are guarding a hall, and while they dont see the pair, they are on guard for anything, seeing as the compound is under attack. And spread out as they are in the corridor, theres no way to slip past them without making physical contact.

[Ridai]

(If it is impossible to pass by them without contact, that means they are all at the farthest in adjacent squares, so four consecutive squares)

Natalya stops Evindress' movement. A squeeze of the hand tells the bardic sorceress that they will strike. Without further ado, Natalya draws on her own magic, having a burst of golden, glittering particles explode all over the guards. Drawing on their inherent vulnerability to sudden light, the particles being so close and getting into their eyes might make at least some of them useless for long enough to be dispatched by Evindress, or bypassed.

Spoiler: Actions

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Casting glitterdust on the four guards, as the spell covers a 10ft radius. +1 DC from Cloaked Casting. Will DC 19.
Caster level checks vs SR
(1d20+5)[22] (1d20+5)[25] (1d20+5)[24] (1d20+5)[16]

[MikelaC1]

Following right after Natalya's spell, Evindress fires a scorching ray which takes out two of the drow fighters. Caught flat footed by the attack and still blinded by the glitterdust, Evindress has the initiative in the first round, and fires another scorching ray, a third soldier falls but last one manages to survive the beam (taking some damage but not enough).

Natalya's turn

[Ridai]

Evindress makes beautiful short work of the guards, leaving the last one to be mopped up. In hindsight, Natalya is a bit of a freak, having managed to bend her sorcerous talents towards whatever she wanted, and while she can hardly be called a battlemage, she did develop something specifically to fight drow. Forming an upward claw with her hand, a floating ball of roiling acid forms itself above her fingers, soon after sent towards the remaining guard. Unfortunately, she is so out of combat practice, not having had any sort of violent conflict in months, that the shot still goes wide.

Spoiler: Actions

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Casting lesser orb of acid at the remaining guard. Ranged touch attack, does not allow spell resistance.
(1d20+8)[9] vs touch AC, (2d8)[10] damage

edit: Man, Natalya is really bad at this combat thing.

[MikelaC1]

Evindress finishes off the offending guard with a magic missile.

[Ridai]

No time to dwell on her fumble (though giving a nod to Evindress), and not enough magic to restore their invisibility, so Natalya advances immediately with Evindress to get to their target.

[MikelaC1]

Its only moments more before the pair bursts into the former staff room. There they see a strange tableau. There are two male drow warriors menacing a drow female. Also in the room, about 40 feet away from this confrontation is the drow daughter the two are aiming to rescue. By looking at the two women, its easy to see the family resemblance, so this woman is either the matron mother or a sister.

[Ridai]

Natalya almost absentmindedly flings a globe of acid at one of the men, before suddenly being very close to the daughter, moving with unnatural speed and grace. There is a sense of danger... but at the same time, if this tight catsuit-clad, masked woman wanted her dead, the spell would have been aimed for her.

"Die supporting a house crumbling without its crutch before a pathetic enemy, or come with us if you want to live," While Natalya borrows Evindress' quite appropriate words, adding them to her own, and ending by saying the daughter's name, she delivers them calmly, if swiftly. Speaking the naked truth, no hostility towards the daughter, but there is unmistakable weight to her voice. And a hand offered without any hesitation.

(Lesser Orb of Acid at one of the guys (1d20+8)[19], (2d8)[10] acid damage, no SR)

[MikelaC1]

Evindress unloads an orb of fire at the matron mother, blasting her to ash. The remaining fighter leaps toward the priestess, hoping to at least take her out, and with a lot of hesitation, the priestess takes Natalya's hand, allowing her to teleport the two of them out, Evindress following suit.
The group arrives in Kalrissa's study, whereupon the priestess immediately attempts to summon a flame strike on Natalya, which Kalrissa quickly counterspells. The priestess tenses to cast again, but sees Kalrissa ready to negate it again. She relaxes from casting mode but is still tense and ready to fight.

Who are you?
What have you done to me and my house?
Why have you brought me here?

[Ridai]

Natalya removes her stealth outfit's mask, raising a hand that she means no harm. "Your house lived on borrowed time. The matron mother leaned too heavily on the staff you had, and without it, even a house like the Turpins became too much to handle. Even if you had ascended to vassal status with the staff, the pressure would have only increased, the meaningless war between the houses grinding yours down and stamping it out. Much like what will happen to the Turpins, soon, inevitably. As will happen to the other houses. Nothing is ever built for long, only divided, scattered, destroyed. For the entertainment of an uncaring goddess. Weakening our people, throwing them to the ground, consuming all. As it would have consumed you. We offer a way for you to break out of this cycle. A way to save your life in the process." Natalya speaks calmly, her body outlined in the soft, Evindress by her side.

"We are the women of Nocticula, Queen of the Succubi. We saw you, we recognized you, and we wish to make you an offer we only extend to those we see as worthy. A chance to no longer be at the cruel mercy of an uncaring mother goddess, delighting in nothing more than to see her people at each others' throats, day after day. Who, at a whim, robs you of all you have achieved. One who did not lift a finger to prevent anything that has happened to your house, or you, no matter how much you worshipped her, sacrificed to her, observed her rites and her teachings. We offer you to finally take control of your life. To achieve what your will and your drive and your talents allow you to. To keep what you have achieved and earned. To be free of those who would whip you to go ever higher, never satisfied, holding a knife to the heart ready once you stumble even once. To be free of the paranoia a higher rank and defending it against jealousy and ambition would have brought you anywhere else in Crag Noir. Power, glory, excellence, pleasures... they are yours to choose. A true choice. Perhaps the first of your life. You are free to decline it. We will have you leave, but none of us will harm you. Or you may wish to stay, to be initiated by our Priestess Kalrissa. Evindress and I will answer your questions, if you desire, so you do not have to make your first choice blindly." Her presence is hard to miss. Sure, strong, but at the same time, inviting, her voice unexpectedly soothing. Natalya does not attempt to hypnotize. She will not sully such an important moment with such actions. But she does seek to calm the daughter's nerves, to allow her to consider, unclouded. And see this invitation (in many ways, judging by the smiles of Evindress and Natalya) as genuine, as it is meant to be.

Though to perhaps to add a little something, to show she is speaking from experience, that she once was in the daughter's shoes, and not too long ago, Natalya shows a little flourish. "Allow me to introduce myself. Natalya Kil'Ratha. A pleasure." The scion of a fallen vassal house. Perhaps making the daughter, if she still had doubts about the inevitable failure of her house, reconsider, as even an established house like the Kil'Ratha was wiped away by a swift and brutal attack. If they were... how would the Kal'Durtha have fared? At the same time, Natalya's beauty, elegance, the comfort she displays next to Evindress...

Spoiler: OOC

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Yup, Natalya is playing it mostly safe by staying close to Kalrissa's speech from the start of the game, because, well, it was effective and it covers what needs to be covered. This is her first attempt at bringing someone into the fold, and she lacks Kalrissa's experience. Did put her own spin on it here and there, but the most important thing is to get through to the daughter.

Could I know her name now? It is a little awkward to keep refering to her as "daughter"

[MikelaC1]

I need...to talk to someone.....to you she is looking at Kalrissa

You did perfectly. She sees me as a sister priestess, thats what she wants to talk about. I will bring her the rest of the way. But you provided the bridge

[Ridai]

"Of course, dear," Natalya answers with a benevolent smile. And mentally, she responds with Thank you, Priestess, only after the fact noticing that... it happened as easily as talking normally. Outwardly, there is only her perfect composure and grace, but Natalya becomes curious, ending the telepathic bond... and opening it back up on her own, without a spell.

Would you like us to assist, or shall we leave you to it? she asks Kalrissa with the speed of thought. Either way, the thought of giving the appearance as if the coven understands each other without so much as a word or look... it pleases Natalya.

[MikelaC1]

With Silistra having accepted Nocticula, Natalya and Evindress are able to take their leave. Silistra will be spending a few days figuring out her position in the order of Nocticulan clerics (rather high, after all, given the size of the coven) and Natalya would not be involved in that.
A few other things begin to manifest themselves. Since not many of the coven are noble-born, most did not have the "education" that Natalya had, and even some of the nobles lack one thing she has. She finds that many of them cannot speak Abyssal, and when her ability with the language is learned, some come to her to be tutored, if she accepts them, in the language of their goddess.
On another day, Shandis finally shows up in the coven. She accepts a special challenge and is placed in a hastily constructed gladiator ring. She is blind-folded, given only a dagger and put in the ring against 4 strapping drow males, who are all armed with drow type long swords. Natalya knows this to be a form of entertainment execution among noble families, unfortunately someone forgot to inform Shandis of how outmatched she was. The first male takes a dagger to the heart before he even knows what is happening. This gives Shandis the long sword she needs and a second warrior finds out how easily she can find a neck, even blinded. Now a dual wielder, the third male doesnt stand a chance and the last one, the biggest and baddest of the bunch (or at least, so he thought) is given a long and painful lesson in sword play...a pity he will never be able to use the lessons learned as she finishes him off as well.
Finally, the visit of the surface woman of the Nocticulan cult has slightly widened the interest of the women in the arts of summoning. They knew the rudiments before, but demon summoning wasnt a big thing in the group, partially because of lack of power and partially because drow summoning in Crag Noir did not focus on succubi and mariliths (given their partial allegiance (and in the case of succbi, total allegiance) to Nocticula), but Karindal left some texts and instructions and some of the women have taken to studying them.

(Natalya can explore any of these events further, or suggest her own courses)

[Ridai]

While every now and then dedicating most of the day to her lover, finding their seemingly subconscious connection intriguing and worth nurturing, Natalya does like to keep a full schedule (though some items on said schedule naturally involve Evindress). And having achieved an important step in her personal development, it does allow her more time to be spent on the coven, wishing them to grow as she has in this short time.

Spoiler: Teaching Abyssal

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Being approached to teach the Abyssal tongue does not surprise Natalya. Despite being a noblewoman, she remembers Kalrissa being surprised she could speak the language. Thus, her expertise was bound to be in demand, sooner or later. The women coming to her are met by a willing teacher. However, they are all gathered, to have a few words shared with them: "There are a few matters you need to know. While I am able to teach you faster and better than most, learning our Goddess' tongue is a long, intense process. It is a vast, intricate, and powerful language, spoken as much as it is felt. It will defy many rules, even seem nonsensical or self-contradictory. It is this. Yet it also is not. Thus, I will only accept those who truly wish to learn. I will not suffer fools neglecting their studies and experimentation, just as I will not allow my lessons to be disrupted. I will demand excellence from you, so you do not sully our worshipping with ugly squawking. This does not mean I will leave anyone behind simply because they progress a little slower. Where help is needed, I will give it. But only to those who put in the time and the effort to learn and improve. And I will expect you to learn and experiment with each other in your own time as well. Waste my time, and you shall not enjoy yours in the slightest. Work with me, and the journey to achieving our Goddess' tongue will be one of the most satisfying experiences of your lives." It sounds like hyperbole, but Natalya certainly does not look like she is joking, actually having an imposing presence, a taste of the exacting teacher she will be. And when her students-to-be do swear to learn well, fueled by divine inspiration, the smile Natalya gives them makes them collectively weak in the knees. There is a joy in teaching others, after all, especially if they make her proud.

The very first lesson is an important one. Giving them their first taste of what Abyssal is. Vast in its capabilities and chaotic evil through and through, it can be intimidating. It also covers much more than Lolth's backstabbing viciousness, or Nocticula's bewitching seduction. Her students experience an overview. They are told the raw words first, then she actually intones them as they should be, often adding a telepathic, layered component to it, to achieve the full effect. The women go through fear, anger, hate, despair, envy, maniacal joy, until finally, the mentally and emotionally exhausted women arrive at the part Nocticula and her angels excel at, sinking into the softest cloud, just letting all that pains and worries them go, just so eager to listen to Natalya, to hear more of that wonderful voice speaking their Goddess' tongue. All from simply how Abyssal sounds.

As the women recover, feeling tired and drained, Natalya is there with them, and more importantly, there for them. A first full exposure can be daunting, it can scare many away. But it gives them something important: perspective. And a taste of what they can achieve. Natalya will guide them, navigate them through the perils, care for them. As long as they are as dedicated to her, and to learning the language. She teaches them their first word, the word that will be the touchstone for learning. "Temptation", the Nocticulan variant. Natalya has them repeat it many times, correcting even the tiniest mistakes, burning it into their minds, making not just speak it, but feel it, embody it. And once they do, they will begin to understand the chaotic, living nature of Abyssal. Feel the first step closer to the Goddess. Natalya is looking forward to the months, if not years to come, first teaching her students, then honing their mastery together. And they will soon wish Natalya taught them everything they ever learned in their lives.

Spoiler: Shandis

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While Natalya has no particular love for bloodshed, she is very much able to appreciate art as well as mastery. Shandis exhibits both in spades, deeply impressing Natalya. She has heard much, and saw her first glimpse when she left the residence with Evindress. But this confirms it. However, what pleases her the most is that she truly came to the coven. There is a knock on the door of the chamber where Shandis rests after the spectacle, a voluptuous woman carrying herself like a noble, and a woman who looks like she was born to be a dancer, moving like quicksilver, entering the room. The legendary warrior saw both of them when she arrived and in the audience, something about them seeming familiar.

"It is good to finally meet you under better circumstances than replacing summoning scrolls, Shandis." And thus, she learns what the women beneath the disguises, Natalya and Evindress, as they said their names were, truly look like, looking very comfortable with each other. Perhaps the sight of trust and affection between two drow is uncommon to her. "Thank you for coming. We have been hoping you would take the risk. And thank you for the marvelous display just now. I doubt it winded you much, however, if you would like a bit of welcoming hospitality and relaxation, that can certainly be arranged. When was the last time you simply got to enjoy without a worry on your mind, I wonder? It is your choice, and your choice alone." She could not force Shandis to do anything, but Natalya wishes to emphasize. Things work differently in the coven. Faith sisters, united. No veiled threats, no sinister hidden intentions. "Though, I do have to ask: how did you enjoy meeting Nocticula's angels? And would you like to elaborate on what transpired?"

Spoiler: Summoning

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This one has her curiosity. Natalya has been kept from summoning, and she sadly lacks the talent to cast such spells herself. But ever since she has been on the mission to replace the summoning scrolls (and, in a way, since meeting Karindal, whose beauty and presence still haunts her), the Kil'Ratha daughter has been curious. There are things one can only truly learn or understand directly. And she wishes to meet Nocticula's angels. Both those winged, and those of a more serpentine persuasion.

Thus, she approaches the group studying Karindal's notes. "Would you like assistance in your studies? My magic is not suited for the summoning itself, though I would wager my spell knowledge, aptitude for rituals, and my Abyssal will prove useful."

Beyond those activities, she also gathers the courage to request a short meeting with Calista through the proper channels, when the craftwoman's time and interest allow. Should Natalya be granted such an audience, after steadying herself, feeling her heart beat faster, she decides to rip the proverbial band-aid right off. "Calista, I wish to learn from you. Your talent for hypnosis, for seduction, for everything Nocticulan, I feel myself drawn to you, and if I could learn from only one woman, I would want it to be you. I know this, I can feel this, like a kinship I know with none other. You are essential to us, and I know you are terribly busy, but if your time and interest allow, it would be an honor beyond words for me." Ultimately, more than she originally intended was said, in a way she would talk to few. Evindress knows her softer, more vulnerable sides she rarely shows, doing much to act as an inspiration to others, or perhaps a constant to depend upon. But in front of Calista, the words just flow, no mask is worn. She just can't, having wished to meet her again ever since their first meeting.

[MikelaC1]

(Some quick answers first)

Spoiler: Abyssal

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When Natalya sets up her first class, she has 15 applicants. After seeing what she will demand from them and just how daunting the learning will be, she is left with 8. Which is a pretty good size to work with. The 8 she has are determined to learn and make better students.

Spoiler: Shandis

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Evindress is no stranger to battle, but what Shandis does goes so far beyond that. terrifying in its beauty and destructiveness. Halfway through the display, she cannot take anymore and slips out a side door, and Natalya ends up going alone to meet the swordswoman. In answer to her question, Shandis tells her that the scrolls have not quite been gotten to, but they will be the next ones used.

Spoiler: Summoning

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The women thank Natalya for the offer of help, but they are having too much trouble trying to make heads or tails of the instructions left to them, and they just dont think that Natalya, whose magic does not run in summoning lines, will be able to help them, at least not now.

[Ridai]

Natalya appreciates the honesty of those who decide not to become her students, and she tells them as much, and that they will get to learn in time, and more to their liking. Natalya's style of teaching of this language is not for the faint of heart, born out of her own experience of not getting to take things slow, needing to perform in the hostile noble environment. Her remaining students will become the means to spread the Abyssal tongue among the rest of the coven, each teaching the way they feel is right, taught to the best of Natalya's ability. The Kil'Ratha daughter my be a demanding teacher, but the desire to learn by those who left is noted, and they are members of the coven. And she appreciates all women of the coven, since the day she joined them.

To the summoning research team, Natalya gives an understanding smile. They are in the process of doing good work for the coven and their goddess. "I understand. Would you still allow me to make an attempt at deciphering some of the instructions, while you continue your work? Should it lead to nothing, I will leave you in peace, of course, unless you have need of me in the future." She does note just how much the gears are turning in their heads, heads that are running hot. "And should you need someone to help you relax, clear your head, I would be happy to aid my hardworking sisters." And it doesn't sound like the standard Nocticulan offer. She speaks like an expert on this particular matter.

[MikelaC1]

The women make copies of some of the "first step" scrolls and give them to Natalya to study and see what she makes of them.
After about a week, Natalya hears from Calista, that she has an afternoon free and would be willing to meet with her at that time.

[Ridai]

Natalya feels more than a little joy at getting to meet Calista again, awaiting the moment and heading there exactly at the appointed time.

Before that, however, she thanks the summoners, promising to return should she gain any insights, and leaves them in peace from then on (though, true to her word, she is available to them should they find themselves in need of a break). Actual demon summoning is no small feat, and the notes were penned by a most powerful and skilled woman, thus Natalya does not expect any guaranteed findings. However, while her sorcerous powers are still far, far too weak for even a lesser planar binding (and entirely unsuited for a planar ally), this is an interesting piece of arcane script, not to mention aligned with the worship of her Goddess and the summoning of Her angels. There is much to learn from this.

Spoiler: OOC

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This feels like a prime job for Spellcraft. Not expecting any wonders out of this, as this is clearly way, way above her level, but it feels like something Natalya would study both to improve her proficiency with magic, and out of her own interests. And if she is lucky, she might actually make a breakthrough or learn how to help conduct summoning rituals. Out of curiosity, she also tries to add a read magic spell while she studies the text. It is not a conventional spell scroll or scribed spell, but who knows. It might help, it might do nothing.

Spellcraft (1d20+14)[28]

edit: That's... actually a surprisingly decent result.

[MikelaC1]

While the idea of summoning, let alone controlling a demon is still way beyond her level, Natalya does put a few pieces together, like a puzzle, of what she has been given. By her understanding, it looks like what she has put together will guide the spell, at least in its initial stages, towards demons allied to a specific demon lord, although the "fine tuning" down to a Nocticulan ally is not quite there, with what she has. Nevertheless, she takes her findings to the summoning sisters, who thank her for putting that part together, which also gives them insight into some of the latter stages they were having issues with.

[Ridai]

Having proven herself despite her current lack of summoning magic and her still low raw power, Natalya says "I am glad to have been of service. Would you like me to extend this service?" She may not be the kind to drive the main research, but she would like to think she can nonetheless assist. This form of summoning is of great interest to her, as is her desire to see her sisters succeed.


Later, she also finds her lover. Her mysterious aptitude for any magical item continues to intrigue her. "Love, how much have you experimented with your talent? And how much would you like me help you with that?" She smiles, so difficult to deny, though deep down, Evindress knows her lover will not force her decision one way or another.

[MikelaC1]

The rest of the day is spent with Calista, showing her technique and style. For the most part, Calista remains quiet and watchful, she does make a few suggestions, but Natalya is surprised that she does not, like all of her trainers before this, tear everything down and rebuild the whole system. The small changes she does make seem to make perfect sense to her and she feels like she advanced more in this one day than she did in her whole life to now.
(+1 to hypnosis skill)
When she eventually finds Evindress, the talk of her power with unknown items surprises the other drow. Ive always wondered about it, and how I could advance it, but I really dont have an idea of how. Not too many items come my way, and most people have already taken actions to figure things out on their own.

[Ridai]

Natalya is immensely grateful for Calista's teaching, especially for how she opens up new insights to her with so little. Natalya feels she herself still has a long way to go until she can even think of being such a great teacher, though she feels validated insofar that she is planning on letting her eight students flourish in time (though for Abyssal, she still has to instill the basis for such growth in her students, as this is wholy new territory for them). A rigid approach would only hinder their development, especially with a chaotic tongue as their Goddess'. In her own training, Natalya experiments with her body language, how she modulates her voice, volume, speech patterns, occasionally asking Calista for her impressions as a recipient of her attempts. Overall, Natalya has a voracious mind, absorbing tons and tons of input, evaluating, adjusting, exploring. And the resulting process of self-development is a clear source of joy for her.


The mystery of Evindress' talent is most intriguing indeed. It would be a shame to leave it unexplored. "Practicising by activating scrolls and wands would be costly indeed, but I have a feeling this will not be necessary. I am sure our dear quartermaster would allow us to take a look at the coven's inventory, as long as we do not remove or discharge anything. I have one or two other ideas as well, but before we get to the doing, let us go over what we already know. From what you told me, you appear to have no difficulty activating scrolls beyond your level of magic proficiency, you have a high degree of practical intelligence and skill when it comes to making use of an arsenal of scrolls under pressure, and appear to be able to quickly decipher even advanced arcane scripture. Does that sound correct to you, my dear? No need to be shy." A chance for Evindress to peacock a little in front of her lover may be in order.

"Tell me, as far as you remember, how long do you need to decipher a scroll or learn how to make use of an item? Have you ever failed to decipher or activate a scroll? Even if you activate a scroll flawlessly, if the spell is beyond your normal means, there is usually an additional chance of failure, rising as the gap between the user's magical ability and the power of the spell grows, however I have watched you destroy the Kal'Durtha matron with a powerful lightning spell, and you have told me you saved members of the coven with a maximized fireball scroll you acquired during a mission. All without mishaps. A small sample size, admittedly, but I am curious if those successes were not simple luck." Evindress is given time to answer each question before going to the next. A thought crosses Natalya's mind, the noblewoman briefly putting a finger on her lips in thought. "You never handled the staff we stole from the Kal'Durtha residence. I want you to think back to it. Though you are not a priestess of Lolth, do you think you know how it would have functioned?"

Spoiler: OOC

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I am thinking of having Evindress try to decipher high-level scrolls, or activate items (without limited charges) meant for, say, a cleric/priestess (perhaps even a high level one, maybe requiring having the turn undead ability to function) or people of different alignments and such, to test how easily she might be able to emulate features.

Another thought is to see if Evindress might have the ability to not just flawlessly use items that should be beyond her means, but perhaps even makes them more powerful.

But generally, I am still in the process of trying to figure out what exactly Evindress' talent is, so this is mostly brainstorming.