Illithid Behind the Curtain: Staking my Claim (Patreon)

"Gentlemen. Ladies. Thank you all for coming."

I smiled, leaning back in my seat as Artemis Entreri stood by my side, shades on and quite at ease in the room of what would have certainly been a mass of criminals Toril and most spheres as a whole would happily mass-meteor struck if they knew.

I had designed the room on purpose, based after the throne room of Ankh-Morpork. The throne itself would be raised up on the steps as below, a simple desk and seat denoted where I'd usually work when not greeting folks in my more, diplomatic office above this room.

A round table with an axe embedded deep in the middle would be our main area of meeting, as the various figures who might had been the villains in other stories sat quietly at ease.

Azreal Blackstone, Warlock of the Hexblade, Witch and head of Clan Blackstone. A Reborn, silent and still as the grave as his eyes peered at me with casual interest sat next to Chief Artificer Albert Brightboom, the 'Mad Radiance' whose experiments had seen him exiled from his old home island of Lantan. Unlike his neighbor, Albert seemed quite excited, his bushy mustache all but bouncing like him in his seat as the person next to him scowled, leaning slightly back.

I had been wary initially, bringing the Lightning Horde here. But their military forces and skill had been too good to pass up, the paladin of conquest resting as the transformed blue dragon, Syxorath tapped his clawed, metal gauntlets, his plate armor resembling his true form as the grizzled features of what uncannily reminded me of Big Boss glared out, untrusting but willing to listen.

Next to him, another kind of reborn would be seated. With pale blue skin, white hair and pointed ears, the Yuki-onna sorceress of the Shou Long criminal guild, 'White Pheonix' Misako would also have a seat, her bards and bloodline of spies and entertainers making her perfect for what I had in mind, and I found her incredibly polite as well.

Thane Bardur of the Mountain Grinder clan was likewise in attendance, eyeing Syxorath with intense dislike but holding back in no small effort expanded due to Jarlexle who to the contrary, was the absolute soul and life of the group. With a goblet of wine in his hand, he swirled it with his feet propped up and of all things, a new scroll on his lap as he played some kind of game with sheer, childish delight before Syxorath growled out, peering at me with a single eye that briefly shifted into something more draconic.

"I'm getting impatient. Why have we not yet begun?"

"Because Sir Syxorath, we're waiting on someone." I remarked and on time, the windows flew open, eerie music wailing as in a swirl of leaves appeared a creature. In the form of a Nevermore, but made up of wood and leaf, eyes glowing green as the wooden grimm screeched and slowly reverted, transformed...

Into a tiny goblin, the Archdruid of the Wild Things cackling as she bounced over to her seat, producing the earth to create stairs as she walked up, staff in hand and took her chair. I smiled, staring at the little bundle of chaos as I said casually.

"Archdruid Mim."

"Esme." She said happily, squirming briefly in her chair before fishing a bug from her hair, devouring it to the distaste of some of the members. I smiled and rose from my own seat, clad in my witch garb as I spoke.
"Thank you all for attending. For your own reasons, you answered my call and my message. That there was a new plane, far removed from the problems of our old, where we could have a place of our own. A place where we need not fear dragon hunters in our nests, assassins in our chambers and paladins storming down our walls. A place where we could not be frustrated by those who couldn't see our sacrifices or put those we love in danger. There is profit to be made here, a chance to establish a dynasty to outlast the kingdoms of Toril... But it comes at a cost."

I paused and added, casually. "And that cost, is how we do business. There will be no cult without sanction. There will be no invasions, no conquering of this world through violence for the only winner afterwards is the Grimm. We will NOT repeat the mistakes of the past, and bring yet another, plucky adventuring party to our doorstep, eager to bring in our heads for the price of trinkets and misguided heroism. This is my rule and the only one I will enforce."

There was a pause and then the Yuki-Onna smiled, Misako flapping open a decorative fan as she asked. "And how will you enforce this, Lady Weatherwax?"

I looked at her and then did something I didn't expect to do at all.

I dropped my spell. I loomed, much taller as bones cracked and expanded, my skin splitting open to reveal dark, purple glistening flesh beneath. My lovely features likewise sloughed away, the tentacles of an illithid flicking out, my eyes glowing as I rose to my full height. The reactions of the table was incredibly fascinating to me at that point, watching them and feeling their emotions in turn.

Thane Bardur sprung to his feet, axe in hand. The leader of the Lightning Horde stayed in his seat, but electricity crackled about his person, recognition in his single, working eye. Albert was the most worried, pressing a button on his chest as power armor suddenly formed about him, creating a suit as he held up his gauntlets, power crackling from them as he prepared to fight for his life.

Jarlexle didn't even blink, already suspecting there was something more the day we met and Azreal likewise kept his seat, the Reborn simply staring at me with that intense look in his eyes. Lady Misako giggled behind her fan, flapping it briefly.

"Consider my question withdrawn, Lord C'gorath."

The wild cackle of Archdruid Mim echoed, the little goblin leaping from her seat, rushing across the table and jumping for my arm, scuttling up to hug my head as she nuzzled it.

"Lord C'gorath! Back again! Knew you weren't dead, knew you weren't lost! The wind whispered to me, yes it did, yes it did! Hahahaha!"

"Down, Mim." I echoed in their minds, moving to gently float the goblin back to her seat, looking at the rest as I added. "A new world, a new start for all of us. And to ensure it stays that way, I simply ask for this. It's not too much, now is it?"

"So, what are your orders...." Jarlexle paused, frowning briefly and in response to his confusion I turned back to Esmerelda, smoothed my hair and replaced my hat.

"Esmerelda will do just fine. And I have a lot of plans. So!" I smile, take my seat and look at my council, my shadowy counterpart to the people Ozpin and Salem surrounded themselves with.

"Let's begin with the town infrastructure and subsequent investments in the four kingdoms."