Merle
*Esme is silent, listening to Maya's pride and ambition. Should this strange scroll fall into her hands? The witch doesn't know. What she should question is if whether or not she should play a part in whether or not Maya gets it. It is situations like this that cause a great inner conflict within her. This is no coincidence, Esme was sent here for a reason. The fates are watching her and she knows not if she is to act against or with the woman in front of her. But her death should be something, perhaps it is destined... Or perhaps, like before, she is meant to prevent it. Tests to check the durability of this woman's ambition... Or a cold and swift reality check to the grave.*

"Your death was not clear. I doubt it was suicide and I doubt even greater it was betrayal. You have Gwylyss who seems quite loyal to you and as Baedaeth, I am not exactly inclined to work against you... I would have done so already."

*And thus begins the lie. Esme is being careful not to think too much about the deep gnome that had passed her and Almonde. This woman his adept in magic and while Esme believes her willpower to be quite great. She can never be too safe in regards to her own thoughts being read, let alone stolen. That amulet is helping in its own twisted way as she cannot keep her eyes off of it. Of course it is from one of Ludwigs descendants... That voice, Esme would not doubt it to belong to Ludwig himself.*

"Do not be an instrument to anothers ascension." *Esme blurts out without second thought, her voice low as she has a growing distrust for the trinket in front of her.*
"Nonetheless... Is there anything else you need? We should be getting ready to embark as soon as we can."
Calvin
*The once proud woman who could kill someone with a gaze, suddenly felt more vulnerable. Upon hearing that her death was unclear, that either suicide or betrayal was involved. Maya shook her head, as her confidence grew back. Her eyes in deep thought as the red amulet began to move on it own without the drow noticing at first, it inched closer to the witch.*

```"A threat that I will savor. But if it's either suicide or betrayal then I can face it without fear. I don't intend to be an instrument to anyone, I will claw my way to the top. But, yes. Let's embark now, Gwylyss should be finished arming my undead.*```

*The drow stood up as she'd take the witch's words as a subtle threat, that she could have pressed her fangs on the neck of the drow but chose not to. Maya turned heel to take inventory of her magic spell scrolls, her hands motioned to pick up the amulet. Yet, the amulet would drag itself toward Esme. As a force pulled it towards the woman, it fell upon her lap as it spoke more clearly. First it was the voice of a elderly man, then a sweet woman and finally a child.*

```"Can't you feel his warmth? We are all his children now. Come Sister."```

*The voices were not spoken but rang inside of the witch's head, that familiar warmth boiling within her blood once more. The red amulet placed a strong feeling of relaxation and bliss for a moment, as it placed the witch in a trace for a brief moment. Before the noble drow grabbed the amulet from her lap and held it with a firm grasp, looking down with a smile. A chuckle escaped her lips.*

```"Hahaha, it seems to take a special liking to you. It did the same to me when I first set my eyes on it. But, enough of this. Prepare yourself. We've have nothing more to discuss."```

*Maya said with a firm tone as she'd pocket the amulet back into her cloak. The drow said nothing more, simply preparing her equipment for the journey ahead. Outside, the sounds of metal against metal could be heard.*
Merle
*Esme has very little to say to Maya as she comes to a stand. If she truly believes herself unstoppable then so be it. It's not her place to say otherwise and with Drow pride often comes the power to back it up. Not that Esme is afraid but necromancy is riddled everywhere. Its stench coats all and she cannot help but question if the scent has long rubbed off on her. The smell around her is unrecognizable and as disgruntled as she is about it. Esme will keep quiet in regarding the matter.*

*But her issues will not end at the scent of undead. For the moment she takes her eyes off of it, the amulet forces itself upon her lap. Her instinct is to pull her hands away as to avoid direct skin to skin contact. With a grimace, she is quick to reach into her bag to pull out her pair of leather gloves. Normally they are used to pick various herbs and fungi. But in this case, the relic is not to be touched. Even if it doesn't matter, it at least provides Esme some comfort to not be directly touching it. It's not hers, she doesn't want it and most importantly, the feeling it gives her makes her antsy.*

"Yes as most things do..." *She growls underneath her breath as she holds the item in between her gloved fingers, catching up with Maya to give it back.*
"It is best you do not leave it behind." 

*She refuses to hold onto it and she pretends as though she did not hear what it had said to her. The first step of possession is being curious enough to descipher demonic messages. As she steps out, Esme takes a deep breath and her gaze drops as she hopes Maya will take it from her. However, between the sight of Almonde and her little fan, the mushroom spider. Esme promptly smiles, even surprised that the little critter grew the nerve to come back. She gives it a curtsy and even hums a quick little tune for it before winking over at Almonde.*
Esther
*As the demonic lures and whispers were wisely ignored, one could could only wonder how many people fell into curiosity. Maya promptly took back the amulet with her bare hand, keeping it and turning her attention on their journey. The witch had failed to mention where it was, so the drow simply assumed Esme knew which direction to do like a compass of sorts.*

```"Grand advice, Baedaeth."```

*As Esme would exit herself from the tent, Almonde was gentky approaching a large mushroom rhinestones, it seemed that the little critter brought a friend. As a quick hum was heard, the little spider quickly turned its attention to Esme. It began to gently tap the dirt with a certain rhythm, its many legs against the hard ground. Listening with sharp ears, it almost mimicked Esme's muse from last night.*

```"Hey Esme, you seem happy. I would take that things went well? Look how big and gentle this fella is, oh there's also another one by your tent there!"```

*Almonde said as the mushroom rhinoceros sniffed and huffed at her hand, the large beast seemed calm and curious. The beast stood nearly 6 feet tall, with the mushrooms on its back reaching greater heights. It's eye sight was poor, but Almonde's soft spoken words calmed it down. Gwylyss was on the other side of the camp, as he began to arm the undead. Providing a crossbow to a pair of skeletons while debating if the ghouls could wear leather armor.*

```"I wonder what these critters eat, mushrooms? Haha but that's hardly important. Gwylyss said we'd best prepare ourselves for a journey so I packed my bag. I would do the same with yours but I didn't get permission heh. That and I was worried that I'd find a myself turned into a cow for touching the wrong potion haha."```

*Almonde seemed rather in a good mood, the creatures of the underdark were oddly refreshing for her soul. Especially after having being surrounded by undead. The rhinoceros appeared to be part mushroom, bark and beast. Peacefully fused into one.*

*The brown mushroom critter began to crawl its way towards a higher rock surface, yet kept its black eyes on the witch. The party was lucky to be faced with the friendlier wildlife.*