#it was a perfect setup tysm! 🖤

[korcariiwitch]

Velwyn's posture shifted to a position of authority, feeling the gazes of her companions at the back of her skull. It felt easy, natural and eerily familiar in a way she couldn’t precisely place. After all, they had trusted her thus far, followed through with nearly ever plan she proposed - she had no intention of faltering now they were in the dirlagraun's den.

With all the assurance of a predator approaching cornered prey, Velwyn looked down at one of the goblin guards disdainfully. She was certain her and companions must've been quite the sight, matted blood sticking to their hair and clothes and the gleam of something all too sinister flashed upon her features as the creature sputtered pathetically upon noticing their group.

"We- we weren't expecting more of your kind here, ma'am."

"My kind? Certainly you know better than to address your superiors with nothing less than their due deference." Velwyn chastised, her gaze sharpened as she glanced down to the floor expectantly.

Immediately the goblin contorted its body into a bow, a dagger clattering from its grasp in its urgency. "I am sorry your drow-li-ness, I didn't mean no disrespect. Our leader Minthara did not tell us to expect more of ya."

Velwyn chuckled, idly examining her blood soaked nails as if terribly bored with the whole ordeal. "Of course not, why would they? That's not for fodder to know."

"Now you're going tell me where I can find your leader so that I may be able to speak to someone who is worthy of my time." The drow commanded, side-eyeing the other goblins who seemed too frozen in fear to assist their fellow guard.

"Out in the back, ma'am, past the priestess and the torture rack."

"Very well. Perhaps I'll consider putting in a good word for you."

She wouldn't. But it was amusing to pretend so as the goblin's face seemed to light up at her mock praise, throwing its body to the ground once more in a gesture of thanks.

Contented with the information they received for now, Velwyn nodded back towards the group to get ready to move before venturing further into the temple.

The entrance to the Selunite temple, shrouded in an eerie glow, beckoned them forward. As Tae stepped inside, the air itself seemed to hold its breath, awaiting the chaos that lay ahead. Goblin chatter echoed through the cavernous halls, creating a dissonant symphony that grated on their senses. The flickering candlelight barely revealed the remnants of once-beautiful murals, now marred by crude drawings and the crude laughter of goblin invaders.

The intermingling aromas intensified as they ventured deeper, a cocktail of dampness, rust, and the unmistakable stench of goblin occupation. Tae's nose wrinkled in distaste.

"Do not let us stay any longer than needed." The wizard said before he could comment on it, and it elicited a giggle from the Drow.

"Everything to save a Druid who experiments on infected corpses." His glance went over to Lae'Zel. "Still, the druid is the most trustworthy of options."

This place was as good as any other, and it seemed the group agreed to it as all came to a halt, looking at Velwyn. He surely did not envy her position.