House Vhaire's Underdark Report

Introduction

This report is to serve as an introduction to various factions and independent Andunori residents who have been deemed likely to pose intermittent or continual threat to the surface realms of Arelith.

Where known, various relationships, affiliations, and faction memberships have been noted, along with tactical assessments.

This report will conclude with a description of recent events shaping the current unstable political landscape of the city.

       Day 25, Month 9 (Eleint), 180 AR
       Antonio Vhaire        

House Zauviir

House Zauviir are considered perhaps the preeminent power in Andunor at present. They follow the typical structure of a drow house, being led predominantly by a noble head.

Faction Leader: Xeliya Zauviir(Bard)

Other members: Narrissorin, Vaecordia (Wizard), Ilzatar, Sabal (Priest of Vhaeraun), Gekido, Caelvir, Drachbhor, Kys.

Misc intelligence: Vaecordia is a confirmed diviner and has been observed adopting a disguise and scrying upon the surface from Dis or her home in the Iron Citadel. She is primarily interested in rooting any surfacer spies from Andunor, and has recently begun recruiting for an organization called the Triune that will perform this function and other intelligence-related matters. She appears to be romantically linked with Sabal.

Xeliya is a singer and has been rumoured to be excellent at disguises, often adopting one of an elf and venturing to Myon to spy on their boards.

Note: It appears that House Zauviir is on a temporary hiatus from Andunor. They still retain properties, but are not frequent in the day-to-day leaving Vaecordia, Sabal, and Gekido often in Andunor without their support.

       Day 25, Month 9 (Eleint), 180 AR
       Antonio Vhaire        

The Erudite Arcanum

The Erudite Arcanum is a somewhat decentralized organization of mages and scholars who are dedicated to the pursuit of magical knowledge and power without any ethical consideration. Their leadership has been involved in the fabric of Andunor for a long enough period of time that they enjoy a healthy measure of respect. This faction is led by the Grandmaster Lorenzo Ortega Marquez. He is the owner of the Boreal Keep and oversees all incoming applicants and interviews, as well as day-to-day affairs.

Other Leadership:  

-"John Salamander," also known by his yuan-ti name "Sshaksah Hss'Tafi" among certain private circles. He is a thoroughly ruthless and emotionless yuan-ti wizard, rumoured to be a noble of an ancient yuan-ti house. He is thought to be incredibly old, possibly ancient, and is known to possess a number of offspring for whom he apparently cares little. Has recently taken a strong interest in Ancient Netheril.

-Francesca Visconti, confirmed vampire, known widely as perhaps the premier spymistress of Andunor. During Salamander's frequent absences, she leverages the wide respect held for her throughout the faction to keep abreast of intelligence matters through Andunor and beyond. She is frequently a consult of other factions, and though she herself does not consider herself a foe of the surface, her prolific use of slavery (see that section below for details) nevertheless renders her a threat worth watching. Francesca is known to take a liking towards certain nobles of the surface and attempt to enthrall them. She is a diviner and spends much of her time scrying from the Iron Citadel or Dis.

She currently has Vittoria Veleno, a skilled thief capable of defeating quarter locks and traps, fully enthralled. Veleno has been observed to boast about a wide network of surface contacts and intelligence even after her exile.

Other known members: Adelyn Bellerose, former Curator of the Cordor Museum, known vampire.

John Rigsby, Zayd Bashir, Vaecordia, Moira Orseeva.

       Day 25, Month 9 (Eleint), 180 AR
       Antonio Vhaire        

The Deep Legion

Leadership of this faction is shared between a "Blood Commander" who determines their day-to-day course and operations, and a "General" whose command supersedes during field missions.

Blood Commander: Badoc, Orc, Blackguard. Known to employ the assistance of a myriad of undead conjurations, as well as a devilish cornugon. Primary interests presently include expansion of the ranks and frequent forays into the Lowerdark to build up supplies to fully outfit his recruits in high-end equipment.

General: Arak, Half-orc

Other members: Utari Ebonclaw (Gnoll, Divine Spellcaster, likely a priest of Yeenoghu), Kys (Half-orc Tiefling), Vahl (Earth Genasi), Michel Deumont (Human, Cormyrean, Priest of Loviatar), Griga (Orog, Priestess of Luthic and Arak's mate), Odrar (Orog), Ahnda (Orog, Griga's Sister), Kraash (Orog, Cavalier), and Mush (Orog, Ahnda's mate).

Misc intelligence: There exists tension between Badoc and Kys, as the former believes that Kys has designs on stealing leadership of the faction. Badoc has been meeting with Utari Ebonclaw privately on this matter, but has not as yet taken action against Kys's intrigues. Meanwhile, the Loviatarran, Deumont, has been observed torturing a captured elf from Guldorand and bleeding them dry with Badoc. Deumont is well-dressed and well-spoken and is believed to occasionally serve as the Legion's surface eyes and ears.

Other affiliates: Dib Magbulyivek and Travalaztuk are a pair of hireling goblins who frequently assist the Deep Legion, but at present are eschewing formal membership in order to remain available for hire with other factions. A half-orc known as Drachbor is another close ally, but will be detailed under independent persons of interest. Travalaztuk is a formidable opponent, employing a vast wealth of scrolls and consumables along with his blades.

       Day 25, Month 9 (Eleint), 180 AR
       Antonio Vhaire        

Clan Shadowclaw

The Shadowclaw clan is a faction that seems to stand apart from much of the rest of Andunori politics, composed entirely of kobolds. It has been noted that they conduct their business almost solely in the draconic tongue, and they are considered perhaps the least violent of Andunori factions, having more of an interest in sailing and industry.

The clan is led by "All-Watcher" Ner'enthis Shadowclaw, Patriarch or House Spear-singer, having stepped into the role after Valks Shadowclaw stepped down. Valks appears to still be consulted on matters of leadership, but the final say rests with Ner'enthis.

Other members: Drik, Gakhis. A kobold by the name of Malx is not a Shadowclaw, but remains affiliated.

Note: The Shadowclaws have professed a wish to see slavery extinguished from Andunor

       Day 25, Month 9 (Eleint), 180 AR
       Antonio Vhaire        

Independent Persons of Interest

This section will detail independent persons of interest; individuals who are not formally tied to any one faction (but often court and partner with those factions), but who are nonetheless deemed potential threats to the surface. It is worthy of note that this list contains both of the individuals that have been noted as 'primary raid instigators'.

Stryder: Drow male. He has a great stake in the slave trade and his depravity seems to compel him to frequently agitate for surface raids. He is to be considered a high-priority target for capture or elimination. He tends to only take female slaves that he believes are beautiful.

Drachbor: Orog Male, a close ally to the Deep Legion, but also of House Zauviir, frequently serving as the link between the two. His depravity and thirst for violence is considered noteworthy even for Andunor, and he is frequently observed attempting to agitate for surface raids. Considered a high-priority target for capture or elimination.

Lavok Uktan: A recently returned Drow Archmage. Formerly of a faction known as the Xun'viir, now of a newly-formed group known as House Uktan, which has not yet been fully mapped by our agents. Lavok's reputation for creative torture and dark magic precedes him, and his return to Andunor was considered noteworthy by many residents. He is believed to be working on a way to harness the disruptive qualities of Faerzress magic. House Uktan was dissolved shortly after the Eladrin incident with Vaecordia. Appears to be a lover of Faeris Orthae and is assisting her in recreating a house known as "Xunviir".

Xune Drak'aa: Drow female, Noble, rumored to be of old Uldos lineage. She is considered an 'up and comer' who has been observed meeting with surface informants in Dis. She is the Matron of House Drak'aa of the Devil's Table, residing in the District Building. Her House consists of Patron Rakarth Drak'aa (Drow Male often seen with a Cornugon or Verdant Prince) and retainers Harkon Irkell (Human male Spellsword), Vieven (Drow male Favoured of Lolth), Druga (Drow female archer), and Sharynda (Drow female Spellsword). It appears Xune is being groomed by Faeris Orthae to be the next leader of the Devil's Table.

       Day 25, Month 9 (Eleint), 180 AR
       Antonio Vhaire        

The Slave Trade

The Slave Trade is not an actual faction, but it has been deemed useful to present here a list of the chief movers and shakers of the Slave Trade as a whole, as these are some of the most likely to be causing trouble on the surface.

House Reyer: A mixed-race faction  heavily connected to the trade. Leadership is Lyann Reyer, human female who seeks in particular to build a large collection of beautiful female slaves, whom she basks in the attention of. Irae Reyer is Lyann's drow wife, and they employ a retainer known as Luci Slyhand, who is noted for possessing the ability to bypass even the most secure quarter locks. It has been observed that this faction is often privy to intelligence from the surface that could only be coming from an infiltrator, but this traitorous informant is yet to be identified. Other members include Hadmar Reyer, prominent drow member of the Erudite Arcanum, and the half-orc Rugdug.

Stryder is known to be a particularly avid collector of slaves, for whom his primary interest seems to be indulging in sadism. He is noted to take particular pleasure in exercising his power over them. He will only take female slaves that he believes are beautiful.

Drachbor is likewise the owner of several slaves, but seems to employ his with a more practical eye, utilizing them as servants and otherwise ignoring them.

Francesca Visconti utilizes a wide array of slaves and thralls. She has been noted as at least appearing to treat them well, pretending to view them more as squires at her service, all while using her vampiric charms to sap their free will. Her slaves are put to the tasks of expanding and organizing her collections of tomes and artifacts, and gathering rumors for her.

Griga is the owner of many slaves and can be seen speaking to the new slave arrivals to Andunor almost as soon as they settle in. She works her slaves to the bone and puts on a mask of kindness in front of others.

       Day 25, Month 9 (Eleint), 180 AR
       Antonio Vhaire        

Sencliff Pirates in Andunor

We have compiled a list of Sencliff Pirates who have been observed doing frequent business in Andunor.

Jonathan Rigsby is a known pirate who has been observed expressing sympathies for the Sharran faith within Andunor. He was the husband of Holly Holtz, a known infernalist. He is now married to the Greyport District Leader Lilith Vensurai.

Gristle Glittertush is a gnome pirate (Note: Not Svirfneblin, surface gnome) who has been observed venturing to Andunor often to recruit for his crew.

"Aya" is a female singer who captains the Raiding Rapscallions out of Sencliff. She is often seen standing within Andunor's Hub and sailing with the Dreadnought.

Tad Chadlet is a svirfneblin who often visits Andunor due to his heritage. He seems unwelcome by most and was recently the target of a continued assault by Vaecordia and Sabal Zauviir.

       Day 25, Month 9 (Eleint), 180 AR
       Antonio Vhaire        

The Triumvirate

The Triumvirate is the governing body of Andunor, comprised of each district leader and their district nobles. The Devil's Table is led by Faeris Orthae, a priestess of Lolth who has recently earned the ire of many of the other drow in the city due to events that will be described at the end of this report. It is rumored she will be stepping down in favor of her protege, Xune Drak'aa.

The Sharps District is led by Badoc, leader of the Deep Legion.

The Greyport District was under Khorin Cinderstone but was recently replaced by Lilith Vensurai, wife of John Rigsby and associate of Vittoria Veleno, having recently joined Veleno in hosting an illegal art auction in Dis. Notable, Vensurai seems to want to avoid being drawn into the rest of Andunor's political squabbles, and has been described as only taking the governess title 'for the prestige'.

The goal of the Triumvirate is to keen the districts informed and working together. They seem to meet semi-regularly to discuss issues within the city at the temple in the Devil's Table.

       Day 25, Month 9 (Eleint), 180 AR
       Antonio Vhaire        

Recent Events

This report contains a summary of recent events that House Vhaire has had a hand in regarding Andunori politics, and will be useful for understanding the current political landscape of the city.

Our involvement in Andunor began when the vampire Francesca Visconti, who had been a noblewoman of our home country of Sembia, became aware of our House's titleholder- Lady Ellisaria Vhaire. Visconti seemed to see something of herself in Ellisaria, and became obsessed with her. House Vhaire began to receive harassments and spies, and constant scrying attempts, with the aim of persuading our lady to accept an invitation to come below and become Visconti's thrall.

After a period of prolonged harassment, it became clear that the vampire's attention would not be dissuaded by being ignored alone, and so Lord Fenrik Vhaire and myself, Lord Antonio Vhaire, sought and acquired writs to work as intelligence operatives for the Kingdom of Cordor, and began to build networks below for the dual purposes of destroying the vampire's power, and advancing Cordorian interests.

Lord Fenrik managed to chance upon an Orog shaman of the Deep Legion, by the name of Griga. Griga was a priestess of Luthic, the orcish goddess of homesteading. Lord Fenrik managed to convince Griga that he was a brother in her faith, showing her a tribal tattoo of a bear print that he possessed from his Illuskan days, which resembled Luthic's holy sigil. The orog believed that he was a sign sent from her goddess for a new future for the Deep Legion, "an orog in man's flesh", and pledged her fealty to him as an agent in Andunor.

My own efforts met with mixed results. A Vhaire retainer guided me through Andunor for the purpose of attuning to the leyline within the slave pits so that I could begin to scope out the city for potential eyes and ears. Instead, we almost immediately stumbled upon the three Arbiters and members of the Triune- Sabal, Vaecordia, and Kalanerin. Tasked with hunting surface spies, they immediately made and surrounded us, with the intent to have me collared or ransomed. Fortunately, I had been carrying a wealth of exotic liquors on my person, and managed to persuade them that I was a very stupid would-be merchant, and they elected to turn me loose.

This bore unexpected fruit, as Vaecordia assessed me as 'dim' enough that she soon after began inviting me to meet her in Dis, hoping to lure me into giving her information about Fenrik and Cordor as a whole in return for a vague promise to arrange my ability to traverse and sell in Andunor freely.

From Griga, we learned that Vaecordia was a controversial figure in the city. Courting Sabal Zauviir while also a member of the Erudite Arcanum, she represented a potential alliance between two of the city's more powerful factions; but her work as an arbiter had left her hated by many, including Francesca Visconti.

Vaecordia became the focus of our efforts at destabilization. Through Griga, we spread rumors that she was meeting with a human and had confessed to deviant religious practices (Griga had informed us that Faeris Orthae, the Governess, was a religious zealot), as well as sharing Andunori secrets. This worked spectacularly- and Vaecordia was promptly executed by the Triumvirate, who then disbanded the Arbiters and the Triune out suspicion of their loyalties.

Vaecordia returned to life by means of a prepared Stasis Clone, and went to her mentor in the Erudite Arcanum, John Salamander, for assistance. Salamander utilized a ritual to examine Vaecordia's mind and declare her innocent of both the treason and the heresy, but Vaecordia's enemies- including Visconti- did not accept this, and challenged the results. Meanwhile, her being cleared by Salamander caused the Vhaeraunite drow of House Zauviir to become enraged with the Governess, as they came to interpret that her Lolthite zeal had caused her to murder a fellow Vhaeraunite intentionally.

Visconti's challenge caused the Arcanum to briefly split, during which Salamander revealed information that Visconti had also committed treason against Andunor in a seperate case. He attacked her and prevailed, and enslaved her to himself with ritual magic.

Meanwhile, Griga's role as a Vhaire spy became known, and precipitated conflict between all three factions and the Deep Legion.

As it stands now:

-The Zauviir are at odds with Faeris and the new Xun'viir, who will likely retain control of the Devil's Table

-The Xun'viir are at odds with the Arcanum

-The Arcanum is at odds with itself

-The Deep Legion is mistrusted by everyone

-The Arbiters/Triune remain disbanded

Skirmishes have been reported, and the general atmosphere reported within the city is of 'the city eating itself', in the words of its inhabitants.

       Day 25, Month 9 (Eleint), 180 AR
       Antonio Vhaire