Chapter 6: Mantol-Derith

I walk towards Melpomene and look at the amulet. "What is it?"

Hunter picks up the large loaf of bread and conducts her own evaluation. Finally, she looks at the beholder and asks, "What happens now?" She waves the loaf at the bodies of the drow to give context to her question, which isn't intended to take over the group's discussion of gemstones, gargoyles, and amulets.

Melpomene shows the amulet to Xeliss, "Ghazrim's amulet. It has a divination magic cast upon it."

Hunter nods to Savy, sparing another glance at the beholder to memorize its details. She turns away and walks back to the others, slipping the fork and loaf of bread into her robes, and looks to see what has developed in terms of the gemstone and drow.

I stare into the amulet and attempt to determine what type of divination magic it contains, and whether it is dangerous.

"I feel we need to clarify some things about the gem. Could you bring the prisoners?" Meriele asks both Mai'ngor and Xeliss.

Mai'ngor nods and brings the drow prisoner.

Hunter asks, "Why? It's obvious that's the gem that the duergar wants returned. How it came to be in her possession is something Krimgol can determine on his own time.

"Mai'ngor implied it himself when he wondered why we were going out of our way to pursue this gem. I thought that resolving this would make it easier to find Ghazrim and get out of here, but obviously my intuition failed and it's turned into a complete waste of time. And now the one man who could give us direction is dead."

"I believe this is the right choice. I do not lead here, and if there is a disagreement, I will not contest." She explains, "But if it makes no difference, I believe we might glean something that could be of use by keeping them alive for a bit longer."

"Fine, ask your questions," says Hunter. She returns to the table and picks up a goblet, giving its contents a sniff to determine what sort of beverage is within.

Hunter takes a sip, cradling the goblet in her hand as she watches the interrogation from close by.

"I only meant that we should bring them to our destination, to get to the bottom of this with all participants present."

"There is a dark evil here. It festers while we embroil ourselves with these factions and their petty squabbles." Mai'ngor growls.

"Then let's get moving," says Hunter. She turns to Savy and says, "We'll be back for that map." Rejoining the others and prodding them towards the duergar compound, Hunter takes another sip from the goblet still in her hand.