Over the next several hours, Inglorion is interviewed by six different men. Two are openly hostile; one, disarmingly genial. The remaining three are neutral or non-committal. They all inquire into his weapons training and combat experience. One questions him extensively about his language studies, though he doesn’t speak Drow, Romany or French, and can’t give […]
Inglorion is reading yet another intelligence report that Ajax has brought from the Underdark. The news isn’t bad, precisely, but it’s ambiguous. He’s straining to understand its significance. It doesn’t help that there’s a migraine shimmering at the edges of his vision. He’s nauseated, too, and knows that he should try to eat something. He […]
The next morning Valentine wakes up feeling stale and weighed down, though he doesn’t remember why. He spends the morning reading correspondence from his estate agent and lawyers, and consulting with Ajax about household matters. Valentine is forcibly reminded of his sorrow when he meets Inglorion in the atrium, where they’ve marked out a boxing ring. […]
Soundtrack and Video: Skinny Puppy, “Spasmolytic,” 1980s concert footage The Drow line up. Tisiphone gives them their shots, and instructs them to pair up with the prisoners. Within minutes, a weird energy spreads among the soldiers. They’re twitching, their nostrils are flaring, their sweat smells sharp and pungent. One woman clenches and unclenches her fists, while […]
Soundtrack: Download, “Separate” Inglorion is standing in the anteroom just outside the throne room. Cabinet officials linger here and there, chatting in twos and threes, because the poor acoustics allow them to speak in relative privacy. Clytemnestra is trying to guide Philomela out of the throne room, past members of the Xyrec delegation, who are […]
Life in the Underdark as Marquis Theates sounds exotic, but at times it resembles the life of a mid-level manager in corporate America, seen through infrared vision. Over the next few days, Inglorion attends a lot of meetings and briefings, and holds some. He writes and reads reports, resumes his usual alliances and vendettas. All […]
Though the throne room is grand — high-ceilinged and ornate — it gives a curious sense of intimacy. A whisper in any corner can be heard throughout with uncanny clarity. Inglorion walks down the aisle, between the rows of empty stone benches. As usual, Philomela sits on a low stone dais. Before her, there is […]
Inglorion returns to the inn, and makes final preparations to leave for the Underdark. He left Amakir abruptly, so it’s necessary to send instructions to his housekeeper to close the house and place herself and the other servants on leave. He also writes the following note: Dear Artemisia, The business that called me away from […]
When Inglorion wakes the following morning, it’s already hot and muggy. He cleans up as well as he can, but the washbasin and pitcher are unequal to weeks of accumulated dirt from playing cowboys and Indians in the North Mountains. By alternating charm with pathos, he persuades a parlor maid to send up a hip […]
Musical Score: Adam Ant, Shake Your Hips The last episode of Man Raised by Spiders, the coming-of-age story of Valentine Shelawn. In late November, gray elves hold a 10-day festival for Corellon Larithian. Every spare corner — porches, street corners, bow windows, even vacant lots — becomes an impromptu shrine ablaze with votives, heaped with […]
