The flickering flame of the white tallow candle that sat between Coran and Taenya had fallen below half of its original length by the time Haresk Malorn, High Councilor of Mistledale, and his advisor, Nerval Watchwill, high priest of Tyr, where convinced of the truthfulness of their tales. After a half-an-hour of questioning under the influence of the candle of truth, that prevented them from speaking falsely, they had conveyed the events which transpired from the time they met, including their encounter at the Standing Stone with the drow wizard they, and the Riders’ captain Willow, who stood just behind them, also within the influence of the candle’s magic, had brought to Ashabenford as their prisoner. Of course, while forced to be truthful in anything they said, they were not compelled to answer or offer information not inquired about, but even without pressing into personal areas, both men got a clear sense that the trio’s relationship was extremely cordial… something Nerval in particular found unusual for the paladin. “So, if all priestesses of this Eilistraee are required to make a Run, as you call it, every year, why have we never seen any of you before?” the Tyrian priest inquired. He was fascinated by the strange ritual pilgrimage that sent lone drow clerics into a world that would be hostile to them on sight as proof of their faith. “I don’t believe any of my sister priestesses have ventured this far from our temple before, we mostly stay within Harrowdale and the nearby reaches of the Cormanthor,” Taenya replied openly, more than willing to share the Dark Maiden’s message. “But I heard that the Standing Stone was an inspiring sight from a traveler I met while in Velarsburg to trade with the townsfolk and wanted to see it for myself. However, as we are required to go someplace we have never been before on each Run, each year we tend to range further and further afield… It is likely that we will become more frequent visitors to many of the dales.” “I see,” he accepted her explanation as the truth, knowing that she couldn’t be deceitful under the candle’s influence, then asked with a strange mix of curiosity and repulsion; “and you are required to perform this prayer-dance of yours every night under the moonlight… naked!” “It is how we honor Eilistraee for the gifts she gives us, just as you must pray to Tyr to receive the benefits he affords you, but while revealing ourselves beneath the light of the moon… body and soul… is preferred, when we are unable to, whether by circumstances or enforced by others, we can forgo some aspects, even performing the Circle Dance clothed if we must,” she confessed with clear reluctance. “Well, so long as you are discreate in your practices, I see no reason to ‘enforce’ our morality on your rituals,” Haresk interceded, knowing that the Tyrian cleric would debate her theology endlessly if allowed, but there were matters of more importance to discuss while the candle remained in effect. Turning his attentions to the Sun Soul monk he ventured; “You said that you were part of a small group that raided a drow stronghold in the Elven Court recently to rescue a moon elf maid held there, and acquired some intelligence regarding their activities in the process?” “I was,” Coran began. He had wondered when they would get around to more substantial issues. “There seems to be a concept that the drow are a single military force, but nothing could be further from the truth… they are fragmented, feuding factions, as much at war with each other as anyone else. Some of these groups are of significant size, a few thousand even, others number only a few dozen, and since they are predominately male, except for the refugees from Maerimydra many of whom are female who cling to the worship of Lolth, they cannot build a truly sustainable society… or procreate, so if they are to survive they will have to either accept non-drow into their fold or find some way to mend the centuries of hatred between their own genders. In any case, the savagery and relentlessness of their hostility isn’t driven by a desire to conquer as they would have you believe, but a need to survive… they have little understanding of the surface world. So, the only source they have for food, shelter and the necessities of life is to take it from those who have it… which is why they raid farms and small communities so incisively.”