Deathtrap Dungeon: Meat and Greet (IC)

[Mechanisto]

   Zeshak could barely recognize the dungeon now as he made his way through the cavernous central foyer. His people had spent the last two months refurbishing and repairing this place. They had turned the crumbling walls into clean rooms and corridors... but now, they were furnished. There were wrought iron chandeliers and sconces everywhere, casting a flickering, yellow glow. The main room was filled with fountains, shallow aqueducts, and wall-based waterfalls, with  tapestries and statues placed here and there.
   And, more than that, it was crowded. Creatures of all shapes and size mingled and wandered, with a palpable sense of paranoia and intrigue; they were here for a meet-and-greet, to speak with the dungeon's master and secure a position of power. Of course, there were only so many positions to go around...
   The Dungeon only had one leader at the moment, and it was she that Zeshak sought. He managed to avoid being trampled underfoot, and slipped under one of the huge buffet tables; some were laden with pastries and deserts, whereas others were little more than heaps of animal carcasses that had been seared in one of the nearby bonfires... as rare as it could be, and still be called cooked. His people were handling all the catering... not because Kobolds were good at it (they weren't), but because they were the only ones available to do anything. They had purchased the food, but couldn't hire waiters or attendants. He slipped out from under the tablecloth, darted through a side corridor, and went into a room clearly labeled "staff only." The dungeon's lone administrator stood in the center of the room, frantically sorting papers. She was a Naga; a humanoid reptilian from the waist up, with the tail of a gargantuan serpent from the hips and below.
   Zeshak gasped at the sight of her outfit; she wore a flimsy and revealing series of silken sashes, clasped by an array of golden jewelry. Webs of rings and chains draped across her neck, hanging from a series of piercings.
   "Nadhiya! What are you wearing!?"
   She jumped a bit, as if embarrassed to be seen dressed so. "This is my priestess uniform. My... employer... insisted I attend the event in formal attire. I don't know why a black tie and suit isn't formal... but never-mind that. How many have arrived?"
   "Half of the invitation list is here. Many other guests have shown up as well." He glanced up at her, nervously. "You... not cold, blessed one?"
   She waved at him, annoyed. "Use my name. I'm not here in as a religious authority... just an administrator." He nodded, and scampered back out. She took a breath, and gazed in her full length mirror one last time.
   This is it. Our first impression. Our first encounter with the outside world. Our best opportunity to establish ourselves... may as well get the first major disaster of the day out of the way...
   She blinked, and called for Zyshak. He returned in a moment, peeking through the archway. "Yes Bless... Nadhiya?"
   "I need to speak with the mercenary corps we hired on as event security. Send in their leader."
   He blinked. "There no mercenary. You wanted mercenary? Why we no have mercenary?"
   She bit her bottom lip. "They were supposed to be here two hours ago... very well. Change in plans. Your people will have to handle security. Have two dozen of your men fetch their spears."
   Zeshak's bright green eyes bulged. "Guards? With stone spears? There dragons out there! I saw dragon!" Nadhiya clenched her teeth at him, letting out a sharp, rattling hiss. He scampered off, almost tripping in his haste.
   Her face fell, and her shoulders slumped. First major disaster complete. Onto the next one... whatever that might be. She set out of the room, and entered the crowded foyer; smiling, shaking hands, and bowing as best she could at every turn. They couldn't afford to offend anyone today... no-one important, at any rate.
   She did everything she could not to shiver... her cold-blooded skin was freezing.

   The spacious portal chamber was awash with the lights of glowing gems and magic runes, and constant streams of people came and went. A pair of tiny, Kobold guards stood by the entrance, dressed in rags and leather scraps, and armed with tiny stone-tipped spears. A large banner hung from the wall, with a table covered in neatly tied scrolls, all containing the event regulations in every language imaginable. The rules were simple, and straightforward:

By entering the main foyer, I agree to abide by the following rules for the duration of my stay:

The event must be all inclusive and may not segregate. I will abuse or expel no guest, invited or otherwise, on the basis of their race, religion, criminal record, political affiliation, or their personal relationship with me.
I will engage in no brawling, trickery, or aggressive spell casting whatsoever during the event, for any reason.
I am entitled to self defense, but only if I take my issues up with the local militia before, during, or after.
I will not damage or alter the terrain or architecture of the dungeon, or any of it's subsidiary caves.
I will not harm or antagonize the local militia or dungeon staff.

IGNORANCE OF THESE RULES IS NOT AN ACCEPTABLE DEFENSE FOR ANY INFRACTION!
All offending guests will be escorted to the portal chamber and returned to their point of origin.

Guided tours will be held at regular intervals, but guests are free to explore the caves.
There will be feasts held over the next five days, at 9:00 AM and 5:00 PM, with an all day buffet in between.
Feel free to contact Nadhiya, the Dungeon Administrator, for any questions or comments you may have.[/color

[VAE]

*clank clank clank*
A set of  8 armored feet hitting the stone floor is heard through the hallway as a long being vaguely resembling an evil tentacled lobster crawls in through the entrance.
It stops by the banner, and begins to scan it until it reaches the part in languages it can comprehend.
::guulshui... tribechoice?? what is that?:: he thinks. A quick glance at the Common part and a little bit of thought reveals that this was an unfortunate attempt of the translator to explain "political affiliation" to the creatures of the underdark....
He laughs, which resembles methane gas bubbling in a pond.
::this should mean no pesky druid attacking me, at least not as a supposed ally::
Sensing around, he proceeds to the main cave where the naga, similar to the newspaper picture stands.

"Ggleethings ! I am Glup, and i am hegle fo' the place of a dungeon glesidenth", he speaks in a relatively well intelligible common if one ignores the gargling noises, a feat impressive for a creature lacking a mammalian type mouth....
"Do you speak deep? my command of common is  somewhat embarrasing"

[Liatai]

Somewhere within the crowd of creatures near the buffet tables, a blue-feathered gryphon hobbled along on three legs, one of the offered scrolls clipped to her newly-polished messenger's harness, with one clawed forepaw held high clutching a plate. Four-legged gryphons were not so accustomed to using plates for their food; normally, one simply grasped the food in a taloned paw and sheared pieces off of the larger chunk with one's beak. However, living in being society for a time had made it clear that most humanoids did not see this as good table manners, and judging by the fact that they offered utensils, she had assumed that the overseers of the event saw matters the same way. She wasn't about to use the offered knives any time soon, but a fork, spoon, and plate should be an acceptable compromise.

It had been easy going when the plate was relatively empty, but now, weighted down with samples of most of the available meats and several desserts, it was getting harder to hold it steady. When the gryphon's fork dropped onto the dungeon floor with a clatter for the umpteenth time while she was reaching for some type of cookie, she let out an exasperated huff, placing the laden plate on the table and laying the treat delicately on top.

"Excuse me," she grumbled, reaching for the fork... and then pausing. Someone might take her plate while her back was turned. What to do, what to do...

Then, the thought hit her. Of course! Why didn't she think of it sooner?

A few moments and a muttered arcane phrase later,  the gryphon strolled casually on all four legs through the crowd, her cutlery, laden plate, and napkin all floating freely over her shoulders cradled by a cushion of air. Now, to find a place to sit and enjoy her meal, and maybe engage in some idle conversation.

[Mechanisto]

The Naga was easy enough to pick out of the crowd; she was constantly surrounded by people, and was one of the few creatures who was making a concerted effort to be polite and congenial. She turned to face him at the sound of her name, and offered him a smile that actually seemed genuine.

She stroked one of the golden chains draped about her neck, and one of the links shimmered slightly. "Greetings, Glup! And fear not; I've taken special precautions regarding communication." She spoke Deep with a flawless accent, but her voice wasn't synchronized with the movement of her lips.

"The tour will include several of the deeper natural caverns. We have both partially and fully submerged areas to choose from." Several of the Kobolds backed away from the giant armored creature, but the Naga merely rose up on her coils to meet his gaze at eye level. "I'm not sure if your on the invitiational short-list, but you are welcome here nonetheless. Do you... have any particular interests?"

---

There were no shortage of people making idle chatter. Everyone here seemed incredibly powerful and important... but not important enough to risk breaking local etiquette. As a result, a few mortal enemies could be seen exchanging witty but good-natured barbs.

She noticed a large four legged beast walk past, like some kind of rust-colored winged hyena, covered with spikes and barbs... it appeared to have an entire carcass clasped in it's jaws as it walked alongside a young feline woman in a black gown.

As they walked past, the smell of sickly-sweet meat wafted from the creature's mouthful. It almost smelled... equine.

[Liatai]

Mmmmmmm. The gryphon inhaled deeply, causing the plate to spin lazily on its pad of air as her concentration drifted. Horse. She followed the hyena-like creature and its companion with her eyes, then sauntered up to them, maintaining a respectful distance. She was here to make a good first impression, after all.

"Pardon me," she began, looking between the two of them and trying to control the twitching of her tail. "Might I ask where you found that meat? It smells wonderful."

[VAE]

 
"Nice device! I have seen one of them in the 'Thougllist Infoglmathions' at Zinvth!" (again there are words that deep speech is simply not accustomed to handle...)  "Noone makes them my shape though, and when i looked at one, there is absolutely no circuitry inside. Magic-tech is just horrid"
"I appreciate the cavern systems that are partially submerged... i have some... things i need to keep dry"  "I... normally sell  extracted brains to any customer willing . but  i have some books, and i dabble in electronics and metals in general ... that need to be dry, you understand"  
"If anyone needs replacement cogs, or fixing of mechanisms, i can do, provided they are not ... enchanted"
He phases out, remembering his last attempt at magi-tech ending in a small explosion, and creating an amulet that materialised rubber ducks out of nowhere when touched... 340 of them per second.

He notices the gryphon carrying the loaded plate by means of some magic
::Hmpf, magic users... I can beat that, at least i will show them i am worth my calcium. Besides, the food seems nice::
"I will grab some meat, if you mind me" ...
He leaves to the table, passing the gryphon by. "Ggleethingsh" he utters.
He loads a tray with raw flesh of various kinds, about the size of half the gryphon, and then seemingly carries it in air as well. A closer look shows he is concentrated , and even more observant being can notice that he is touching the tray slightly with one tentacle.
He slowly walks back to the naga

[Mechanisto]

Nadhiya seemed to brighten up as Glup explained himself. "Electronics...? Do you think you could help us install a... cellphone network? We have a hardline running through the portal, somehow, but no wireless reception anywhere else. My job would be a lot easier if any of my PDAs actually worked..."

---

The spiky Hyena creature paused, and turned to face her. He wasn't gigantic, but was still larger than her by a good deal. He took the carcass from his mouth, and gave her a toothy grin.

"You want?" His voice was deep and guttural, and his fangs glistened in a ravenous, leering grin. "...trade you for poultry...?"

The woman in the gown immediately smacked his shoulder with the back of her hand, and he let out a tiny yelp. Her voice was stern. "Do you have any idea how much trouble we'll get into for that!?" She turned back to the gryphon, looking apologetic.

"So sorry, miss... he doesn't get out much." She pointed towards the center of the hall. "There's some bonfires further back, being used to roast larger meals. They have uncooked meat too, if you prefer."

They headed away, the woman scolding the larger creature. As they left, the Hyena bumped against an equally large creature; some kind of armored, aquatic creature. The Hyena seemed about to turn and snarl, but seemed to think better of it.

[techmaster-glitch]

   Amongst the veritable sea of strange and exotic creatures, beasts, monsters, mutants, and everything in between that were milling about, socializing, finding information and food, and other various activities, one stood still. Unlike nearly every other entity in the area, this particular one did not appear to be of flesh and blood, or even still-moving flesh beyond its expiration date, but of various metals and other materials. It had four legs, arranged in a spiderlike or insectoid configuration, with a torso mounted where all the legs met. On torso were four arms. Straight-edged and angular lines of glowing green magic covered most of the body, and three little lights, seeming like some kind of eyes, dotted the front of the torso. However, there was indeed some flesh to this particular creature, but it was all safely concealed inside the exoshell.
  Xephelon did not like crowds, even at the best of times. And the massive crowd here was significantly made up of things that were most definitely not of his world. The small Mythos really had no idea where he was, or where all these creatures had come from... although he vaguely remembered reading a tome about other worlds, once. So, he stood rooted in place, shifting his "gaze" through the magic enchantments indicated by the lights on the torso, until he took stock of the banner with a message repeated in many languages.
  It seemed simple enough...mainly warnings to "keep the peace". Xephelon didn't know whether to be put at ease, or be more cautious. Eventually, the four-legged metal body strode forward, simply wandering among the crowd, no one taking notice of him. As he thought about it...it was indeed almost comforting. It was certainly different. In Furrae, he stuck out almost obscenely with his exoshell, moreso than the majority of even other Mythos types. Here...almost no one so much as glanced at him. Almost. Even with the sheer diversity of thingamajigs that occupied the large hallway, a few eyes (not even always two at a time) turned towards the vaguely insectoid glowing metal quadruped.
  He found his way near the food tables, eventually. He couldn't really tell how appetizing any of it was; his kind of Mythos didn't have a very well-developed sense of taste, and generally ate anything that could be safely metabolized. And even if Xephelon was particularly hungry, the last thing he was going to do was eat--as eating required him to vacate his exoshell. While he wasn't exactly averse to eating with other people around, he would only do so at a distance, where he could safely squirm back into his shell at any time. There was no way he could do that now, in the thick crowd. And as small as he was, he really didn't eat much, anyway.
  Xephelon's thoughts went to why he was here. A small reptilian thing that he had never seen before (and also looked rather frazzled) had personally delivered him an invitation. It addressed him by name, and spoke of the need for one skilled at enchanted objects. Xephelon was rather confused that he out of all his race was chosen (and he certainly hadn't seen any other exoshells), but then again, his kind of Mythos was rather rare...
  However, Xephelon did not try and seek out anyone who looked like they were in a position of authority yet. As it was, he thought it best to simply wait awhile, however long was necessary, for the commotion to die down and other guests to leave...if they all weren't staying here, that is.

[Liatai]

"Quite all right," the gryphon replied with a polite (if somewhat cold) smile, bowing her head. "No offense taken. Thank you."

She began to pad in the direction the woman had indicated, stopping for a moment to observe the lobster-like creature speaking with the naga. The gryphon's eyes narrowed, and her tail lashed once. Perhaps the creature was a Mythos; she had never seen an Insectis so large. Still, it was better to take no chances. She ignored him, continuing toward the bonfires, plate still slowly spinning.

[WhiteFox]

Nathalzar manifested in the portal chamber in a plume of bluish smoke. He snapped his blackened wings out to disperse it, and the giraffe strode onward. Behind him, two hunched figures followed, shrouded in archaic linen robes. One bore scrolls, and the other tomes, grasped in bony fingers. Beneath their dark cowls, all that could be seen in the shadows were the faint glow of eyes. Nathalzar himself wore a black three button blazer, pressed dress slacks, a narrow black tie, and a blood red dress shirt.

He walked in broad strides, his footfalls sounding muffled, hollow hoof beats on the stone floor. He stopped to read the posted rules, as it was important to mind protocol.

"Mind yourselves," he said to his two attendants, gesturing with two fingers. His voice was deep, but a soft rasp echoed with whispers."No biting anyone."

"No fear, Professor. We ate before we left." answered one. "We had Italian. He was... decadent."

As he walked Nathalzar, without pause or hesitation, gracefully plucked a glass of wine from a tray borne by a passing steward. He sipped at it delicately, savoring it. As it slid down his throat, eldritch magics broke down the organic material, and absorbed the decayed remnants into himself.

"Excellent," he said, answering his minion. "Remember: in any first impression to be made, there is only one chance to be had. Do not fail me in this."

"Of course not, Professor."



Nathalzar approached the Naga, whose name he had been given. She was busy speaking with someone, so Nathalzar waited patiently aside, waiting patiently for the chance to approach her. His minions waited patiently aside him. Nathalzar recognized the language, but couldn't name it or speak it. It had no written form that he was aware of, and thus, was of no import to him.

Nathalzars brow creased  as he discretely examined her ornamented piercings. She is a priestess... he thought. His wings ruffled, and he mentally reviewed the edicts that had been posted, and nodded slightly to himself. A minor complication, surely.

Still... her presence was unsettling. He combed a bony hand through the roiling blue vapors that formed his mane, and sipped his wine once more.  He could not afford to loose footing this soon, if he were to negotiate terms of employment...

[VAE]

 

For a while, Glup was occupied picking parts of meat continuously with his tentacles and ingesting them in an almost industrial manner.
He was bumped into by a large hyenoid, which for a split second caused him to lose contact with the tray..  Luckily due to its inertia, he could touch and force it to stability again before it could accelerate much, This time he also applied a stabilising, circumferential set of forces....
"Watsh yough shtepp!" he 'shouted' at the hyena - spoke in a much louder voice but without any intonation that would normally belong there, .

He then noticed the Naga's question.

"cableless signals, that i can manage. Do you have any spare parts? I have some things here" He pointed at the donkey bags around his lower back (although a donkey would have a hard time carrying them) "but i will need some special parts" he thought for a while "The basics are similar to death rays but the signal is much much weaker, yes, that should do it"  Remember, most of his training comes from "Electronics for the mad scientist"
He feels something around::Somehting here feels dead , rotting like an Otyugh:: he thinks, and looks sideways, noticing the apparently healthy giraffe being.
"Be greeted" he unthinkingly addresses it in deep speech, still trying to come through why does it feel like a long rotten corpse. EDIT:point placed

[Mechanisto]

Nadhiya nodded politely as the giant crustacean left to get some food, and turned back to the crowd to find a fresh face to broker with. her eyes scanned the crowd, and she opened her mouth to speak with a dark-robed equine figure; his garments had bright red symbols here and there, and the robe had obviously been tailored to fit over a full suit of silent but rigid armor.

For just a moment the two of them locked eyes and seemed about to engage in conversation... but then Nadhiya seemed to catch sight of someone else, and her attention snapped elsewhere. She gestured to someone, and started moving through the crowd.

The robed figure said and did nothing, perhaps not wanting to press the issue. Had he just been snubbed?  He noticed a pair of female creatures nearby watching him, then speak to each other with what might have been a hushed giggle.

The figure clenched his teeth, as well as his fists, for only a moment.

---

Nadhiya made her way through the crowd a short distance, seeking out the familiar face she'd seen... one of the precious few invited guests she had actually been given a picture of. Sure enough, his silhouette was almost impossible to miss... even in a crowd such as this. She steeled herself, wearing a professional face that was at once both pleasant and impersonal. The dungeon needed power, as soon as possible, and this person obviously possessed it. But she dare not give even the tiniest hint how badly they needed him. That might well be the end of her... and all she'd worked for.

She slithered towards him, rising up on her coils yet again to meet her taller guest at precisely eye level... no higher, no lower. She offered a curtsey that showed off her raiment (and her voluptuous figure) without seeming sanctimonious or arrogant. A carefully cultivated gesture.

"Nathalzar. So good of you to attend." She gestured to the oceanic creature next to her. "I was just speaking with some of the other potential councilors... would you care to join us?"

OOC: Sorry if the pacing here is odd; I edited it to better match danman's post

[VAE]

"'onougled to meets you"
The huge crustacean turned towards the withered giraffe. "Name'sh Glup"
He looks over the giraffe carefully, not having ever seen a necromant, then continues to process the rest of the meat on the tray.

[WhiteFox]

Nathalzar swept his hand out, palm up, and gently took Nadihya's hand in it when she offered hers in return. He swept one foot back, tucked one arm to his chest, and fully extended his wings upward as he made a full court bow that nearly brought him to the floor.

"Nadhiya," he said, rising slightly and ever so gently brushing his lips against the back of her scaled hand. His fully extended arm only just reached his head. "Enchante, toujours..." he added as he rose. He hadn't spilled a drop from the glass perched in his fingertips.

He nodded to the aquatic... creature. "It" was not mer, nor insectis... Curious. Either race would have been enigmatic enough. He nodded to... Glup, making a half bow from the neck. "Likewise." he said in reply to the lobsters greeting.

He turned to face to the naga once more. "I have brought a precis of my employment history should your patron wish to peruse it. I have a complete professional summary available in eight volumes it that prove insufficient." He gestured to the minion carrying books, then to the one bearing scrolls "I also have a list of contacts for previous employment. I can personally arrange contact the deceased ones, if necessary." He sipped at his wine. and glanced over the crowd around him. To do so, he twisted his neck to face behind him, then made a full circle turn to survey the room around him.

"Mixed crowd," He said, and sipped his wine again. "Shall we?"

Cleared Nadihya's offer of the hand with Mechanisto.

[Mechanisto]

She accepted the entire grand gesture graciously. "Indeed. But there will be no need to consult my employer. he has given me full authorization to form the local creature committee as I deem fit. As such, I shall be performing all interviews personally."

"There will be tours of the lower caverns, of course... but also of the more refurbished facilities. You may see the archival hall at your leisure."

[Drayco84]

Zyrais carefully walked into the crowded room, mindful of his wings and tail. He wore his silver long coat open, exposing his silver, silk vest with matching, slightly dusty pants, (It had been a long walk...) and fingerless gauntlets. His swords were sheathed and hanging from his belt, ready to be used at a moment's notice. He took special note of the rather large banner posted in many different languages and got close enough to easily read it, making comments to himself.

"No abuse for those with criminal records? I might appreciate that more if mine weren't expunged." He stated. "No trickery? Awwww... Well, since allies hate being lied to, and allies are much better than enemies, I guess I shall abide... No offensive magic, either? What if adventurers suddenly storm in here? Annoying pests... Ruined the last three formal dinners I hosted... Don't annoy the Local militia... Fair enough, and I better find out who that is... Although most of those 'or's really should be 'nor'... Eh, I can abide by most of these, at least for now, anyway..." He sighed, then used some strips of leather built into the belt to secure the weapons, making it impossible to withdraw them without a conscious effort. He had lost too many messengers due to his temper during the early years of his career to not have them...

Closing his eyes, he took in the aura of the various creatures milling about. This is how he uses Blindsense. I've updated the charsheet and also removed the tail-blade. Sorry for any inconvenience/misunderstandings.See OOC for more details. He detected one wrapped in a 'shell' of magical artifacts, and all were skillfully made, too. The other two were drawing closer, one was a powerful wizard of some kind, while the other was a priestess. He opened his eyes and watched the large, muscled, undead giraffe make a grand gesture of greeting to the naga, and a much less pronounced one to the lobster. Thus, he concluded that the provactively clad, naga priestess must be the one in charge. He mentally noted that priestess-wear looked rather similar to female slave-garb, except made of much finer materials.

Clearing his head of raunchy thoughts, he started heading for the group, noticed the cheesecake on the table, and immediately took a piece already on a saucer. He took a bite and almost winced because it tasted like kobolds had made it. Even though they had tried their best, they should've avoided adding mushrooms... However, they were known for excellent mushroom soup...

Recovering from the derailment of his train of thought, he headed towards the naga, giraffe, and the bizzare, lobster-like creature also beside them. Was it possible? Nah, it couldn't be a Deep-speaker... Perhaps it was a good thing, too. He could fake broken deep well enough, but most of what he could recall were some rather offensive 'Yo mamma' jokes... And he couldn't risk angering a potential ally or worse yet, making yet another enemy... He moved close enough to be within speaking range, leaving wing room between him and the undead giraffe, but well within the naga's sight, then stood and waited patiently for his turn for her attention.

EDIT: Corrected grammar, plugged a couple of minor plot holes. Sorry.

[WhiteFox]

"Very well, then." He waved dismissively to the lackeys. "Return those to my sanctum." He gestured to the banquet. "Are those mushroom pasties?"

"Master, shall you be requiring any other service from us afterwards?"

Nathalzar sipped his wine. "I suppose... On your way."

The two bowed, and scurried out of the hall. Nathalzar fell in along side Nadihya, content to follow her lead through the crowd.

"We can't be the only esteemed company attending the soiree, can we?" He said, casually lifting his glass to the naga and lobster in turn, glanced about.

[Drayco84]

"You will need to define 'esteemed', sir wizard." Zyrais pointed out to the ex-giraffe, overhearing his comment and shadowing the naga priestess. "I'm not usually looked upon in any kind of positive light."

EDIT: Verb change. It's 3am for me, okay? My brain only thinks it's awake.

[WhiteFox]

The giraffe regarded the newcomers silvery garments, then the armored lobster, and finally the bejeweled Naga. "I am starting to feel underdressed," he said finally, smiling slightly and fussing with his tie.

His face turned cool."However, I must correct you in that I am not a wizard, or sorcerer, nor any other sort of generalist hedgemage footling about with cantrips." He  swirled his glass, and his expression lightened again. "My discipline is that of a necromancer. If the label disagrees with you, I have others: I am a Professor, a Doctor, and a Master twice over. Most dear to me, of all things I am called, is Nathalzar, which is my name. Consider it at your disposal, whatever title you wish to precede it with." He made another half bow.

"As I have been forthright with my names and vocation, would you grant us yours in return?"

[VAE]

Due to his eloquence, and more importantly fast pace, most of what the necromant said escaped him somewhat, in fact he was not at first sure whether he was Nathazar or Tojours, although he looked nothing like an enchanter.
Then a new creature, looking somewhat like a lizardman with wings approached them and started talking.

Glup finishes eating, and deposits the floating tray gently on one of the tables, then turns to the newcomer.

"Noth looked in poshithive lighth?  I know well - all theshe dgluidsh foam in mouth shouthing abouth abeglathionsh... at leasht they agle eashy pgley  Name'sh Glup, by the way"

The second part of the giraffe's speech was clearer, and slower. Glup turned to him
"Sho you agle shomething like an alhoon? I heagld shtoriesh about thoshe back at the illithid colony"

[techmaster-glitch]

   Xephelon eventually moved away from the tables, as he found that being between many of the other creatures and food when he wasn't getting any himself to not be such a good idea. He moved slowly through the crowd, watching and observing everything else that went about their business.
   However, at one point, he noticed a particular creature shuffle around nearby...one kind that he recongized; a Gryphon of Furrae. He hadn't seen many, but there was no doubting the coloration and shape of the body. He didn't approach the Gryphon, but he was curious enough (for the moment) to move in its general direction, just enough to keep it in sight with everything else he watched.

[Drayco84]

Zyrais looks at the lobster-like creature, somewhat surprised, and then holds his face with his right hand.
"Nice job, self... Ignore a potential political leader..." Recovering quickly, he does his best to speak in slower, more understandable common. "I'm going to cast an Understand Languages spell on you, Glup. It will only last for about an hour, but you will have an easier time understanding Common. Your speech will still be the same, though." Slowly and cautiously, Zyrais cast the spell on the lobster-like creature, trying not to make any sudden or hostile gestures, not only for his/her/its benefit, but to make sure the others around didn't think he was trying to vaporize it. This isn't so much for your char's benefit as mine, because I don't want to flounder about with broken Deep and/or repeat everything twice. Plus, I wanna see how long you can keep up that accent.
"There... And my apologies for the incorrect assumption, Professor Nathalzar." Zyrais replied, turning so he could face all three at the same time. "But yes, the titles of 'wizard', 'sorcerer', and now even 'necromancer' are starting to be flung around as if they were mere job titles for would-be adventurers."
"As for your first question, I am officially called Zyrais, the Angelic Bastard, seen here on my non-expunged court records." He stated, holding out copies. "Normally, I just go by Zyrais. I specialize in surveilence-based 'services', with skills stemming from years of 'misuse' as you can see. And since there's no point in hiding it, I'm an angel, despite my draconic appearance." He explained, then waited and watched for everyone's reactions. This wouldn't be the first dine-and-dash as a result of dropping the "A"-bomb...

EDIT: Added last line. Someday, I will put everything in one post... Someday...
EDIT 2: I may need to turn off smilies...

[Liatai]

As for the gryphon, she had found a place near the chamber wall to sit, observing the crowd while happily tearing at a haunch of horse meat. It was perfect; almost rare, just seared enough to keep the juices in. While she would have enjoyed it even if it hadn't been cooked, it was better if it wasn't raw. She didn't want to have to clean her harness again if it got bloody. It had taken long enough to polish the messenger's badge on the buckle and clean the leather the first time.

Having exposed the tibia on one side, she grasped it in her beak and twisted her head sharply, pulling the haunch in the other direction with her paw. The bone snapped with a loud crack, exposing the marrow. Gleefully, she stuck the broken end in her mouth, only then noticing the strange metal thing walking toward her. How odd; was it some kind of machine? A golem, perhaps? Either way, it piqued her curiosity.

(The plate of snacks she had struggled to carry before lay nearly forgotten on the floor near her left foreleg.)

[VAE]

"Thanksh"
Glup responded, surprised as everyone's speech suddenly became a lot clearer.
"sho, an angel? i neve' shaw yougl  kind aglound ! Although i shaw plenthy of demonsh in Zinvth,  shome looked glathe' like you, ekshepth not 'aving fluffy wingsh *glurp* *gargle*"
He notices something resembling a crustacean from behind, and a somewhat attractive one.
He tinkers with his goggles to focus, and then notices several facts  which severely diminish its attractivity but raise interest
1. it has not enough feet
2. it has no pincers or tentacles
3. It is electromechanical!
He turns towards it ,and replies
"Nise woglk whoevegl you agl!"

[WhiteFox]

Nathalzar's brow perked at Zyaris'... breed, but the lapse was a momentary one. "Curiously appropriate, I suppose... Quetzalcoatl was a deity of the dawn, after all, and an angel is nothing if not luminous." He sipped his wine. "The Feathered Serpent was also a patron of knowledge, so I suppose it's likewise your business to know everything that's going on."

Yep... Nathal' is pretty wordy, aint he?

[techmaster-glitch]

   As Xephelon continued watching the proceedings while keeping the Gryphon in sight, it seemed that the Gryphon had taken notice of him, too. Before he could do anything, he heard a voice right behind him (though similar enchantments as the visual ones). He turned his exoshell around, and was greeted by the gaze of a very large crustacean-type creature, sharing a few basic structural similarities with his own exoshell. However, this creature had five legs as opposed to an even number, bizzarely enough, two very large pincers, and a mouth with many small tentacles. It look for all Furrae like some cross between an Insectis and a Mer, maybe with a few Mythos-quirks thrown in.
   While it was readily apparent the thing had indeed addressed Xephelon, it took him a moment to actually decipher and process what had been said, as it initally sounded like a foreign language. When Xephelon realized what the thing had said, he responded with "Nice work on...what?" There was a pause, then the arms on the body gestured to itself. "My exoshell? Oh, my race is gifted with the ability to create things like this naturally, but thank you anyway, fellow Creature. My name is Xephelon by the way, if you would like to know." The voice that emitted from the exosheel was just slightly buzzy or droning, as if the voice was processed or manufactured.

[VAE]

"Kshephelon? A shtglange name, but eashie' to pglonouncse than mosht around *gargle*"
"Is the thing made pglopegly or with enchantementsh?  Cosh fo' a pglopegl ekshoshell it is kind of shmall - thegle wash a way of building one in one of the booksh i 'ead at the Zinvth libglagly" he appears a bit put out "Bu' thats kind of thing ish beyond my abilithy so fa' "

[Drayco84]

"Quetzalcoatl... That is a name I have not heard in some time..." Zyrais began, his eyes focused on nothing in particular. "While I am impressed at your knowledge of ancient legends, those legends most likely sprang from a group of beings that it lorded over in ancient times. They called it a deity because none of them could stand against it and expect to live. As for what it was, nobody really knows. Some say angel, others say dragon, while I suspect it was a mix of both races..."
"But, now is neither the time nor the place to wax philosophical." He asked, focusing on the Death Knight again. "You wish to tend to the archives and the library, correct? No doubt I will be around eventually to not only install my 'scrying eyes', but also for some kind of indicator once I have a prototype that can be mass-produced. Well, assuming that I get the job, anyway, Professor Nathalzar."

[WhiteFox]

"Hm." Nathalzar said, and sipped his wine.

He turned to Nadihya. "I will require a measure of privacy for certain aspects of my work." He said. "Will this be a problem?"

[Liatai]

Now that she was closer and could hear the chitinous creature talking, the gryphon's concerns began to ebb a little. Insectis didn't speak like that. From what she had heard, they had a harsh, keening sort of language, not this wet-sounding, mush-mouthed sort of one. Insectis didn't have tentacles, either. Or maybe some did. She wasn't sure. Nibbling idly on the bone, she leaned a little closer, curious, but not wanting to interrupt the conversation when she had a mouthful.