 CHAIN IF ~conditions~
THEN IROS cult_meeting
~(A group of what you assume are cultists stand before you; the symbol of Shar emblazoned across the backs of their robes. One of them, who you assume is the leader, stands slightly apart, and the others look on him almost awedly.)~
=
~Hear me, my people! Heed my words. The time has come to look upon the Envoy of the Lord, the great Master of Shadow... She is the Lord's eyes and ears, and it is through her that society will become what it once was, and great Netheril shall rise again!~
== COMM1 ~Yes! Show us this Envoy, bring back Netheril, its balance and equality for all, so that our families will no longer starve!~
== COMM2 ~(Hushedly) I'm... I'm not so sure, maybe this wasn't a good idea after all-~
== COMM1 ~Quiet!~
== IROS ~My people, the time has come! Bow before mighty Neria, Lord Shadow's Second!~
EXIT

(Neria summoning cutscene)

CHAIN IF ~conditions~
THEN IROS neria_summon
~Oh great Neria, we come before you-~
== NERIA ~Silence, Iros! Speak not unless spoken to! I am Lady Neria, Leader of the Shades, and it is time you learned your station! You do not want to suffer the fate some few of your counterparts have suffered, do you?~
== IROS ~Of course not, Lady Neria.~
== NERIA ~(The Shade's voice takes on a milder, sweeter tone, but her eyes are hard as agates.)~
== NERIA ~Followers of Iros, you gather here hoping for a better life... a better home, a better society. All of these you will have, in time.~
== COMM1 ~And what will it cost us?~
== NERIA ~You will address me as 'My Lady'! I am your superior, and you will be *silent* unless you are directly questioned!~
== NERIA ~Now... where were we?~
== IROS ~You were-~
== NERIA ~Ah yes, now I recall... we were discussing what needs to happen, weren't we, Iros?~
== IROS ~Err, yes, my Lady.~
== NERIA ~To make this dream, a dream of hope and equality a reality, certain things need to happen...~
== NERIA ~(The Shade goes on to describe a ritual, a ritual in which the cultists will become 'bonded' to her. She litters her sentences with words such as 'peace', 'equality' and 'goodness' but the expression on her face says anything but. Finally, she turns to you, a deceptively welcoming smile on her face.)
== NERIA ~Ah, I have heard many things about you, Godspawn... and I know of your intentions here. Iros, how is it that the great <CHARNAME> was among your ranks, as well as... is that Arktohl I see? My old friend... how *nice* of you to join us!~
== ARKTOHL ~Oh, Neria... that you have fallen so far into the Lord's thrall saddens me. Can you not see the folly in this? The stupidity, the utter hopelessness of your task?~
== NERIA ~Quite the contrary, my *love*, can you not see that glorious Netheril could rise again? Ah... but I see it is too late for you.~
== NERIA ~Thank you ever so much for coming here, Arktohl... it saves me the trouble of having to seek you out. Iros, kill them! Do NOT let the escape, or it will be your life that is forfeit!~
== NERIA ~(A strange gleam enters her eyes as she and Iros stare at one another, and the hairs on the back of your neck rise, as though a ghost had just entered the room.)~
== NERIA ~Remember, Iros... unpleasant things happen to those who do not serve!~
EXIT

(Neria leaves, cultists and Iros attack)

CHAIN IF ~conditions~
THEN IROS escape
~D-damn you! You will regret this, Bhaalspawn!~
EXIT

(Iros teleports out)

CHAIN IF ~conditions~
THEN ARKTOHL scroll
~I... I apologise for not telling you earlier, <CHARNAME>...~

++ ~Damn you, Shadovar, you could have got us killed!~ THEN GOTO PC1.1
++ ~What was that about, Arktohl? 'My love'? Were you and this... this 'Neria' involved?~ THEN GOTO PC1.1
++ ~Its alright, Arktohl... we all have our sordid histories, I suppose. Let us get going.~ THEN GOTO PC1.2

IF ~~ THEN BEGIN ARKTOHL PC1.1
SAY ~I... there is nothing to say, <CHARNAME>. We all have our sordid histories... and I apologise for shocking you with mine so suddenly.~

++ ~I do not know if I can trust you, knowing this... how do I know you won't betray me to her?~ THEN GOTO PC1.1.1
++ ~It's alright, Arktohl... I too have a somewhat sordid history. I understand what it is like to have a dark love.~ THEN GOTO PC1.1.2
++ ~(From between clenched teeth) I trust you will tell me of any further... sordid histories, as you put it?~ THEN GOTO PC1.1.1

IF ~~ THEN BEGIN ARKTOHL PC1.2
SAY ~In his haste to escape, it seems, Iros left this scroll... I will take it back to the Inn with me. Come as soon as is possible, we have much to discuss.~ EXIT

IF ~~ THEN BEGIN PC1.1.1
SAY ~There is no way for you to trust me, <CHARNAME>- you will just have to let your feelings guide you. Right now, I and the other good Shadovar know how these people think; we know... have known, them. Look into my eyes and tell me I am lying.~

++ ~I trust you, Arktohl... but please inform me if you have anything that could be helpful next time, alright? Now... what were you going to say?~ THEN GOTO PC1.2
++ ~I don't trust you, but I have no choice in the matter. I will aid you, until I can be sure of your treachery... when I will strike you down. Do not betray me, Arktohl- those who do suffer a fate worse than death.~ THEN GOTO PC1.1.1.1

IF ~~ THEN BEGIN PC1.1.1.1
SAY ~I understand. I swear upon my mother's grave I will not betray you, <CHARNAME>.~ THEN GOTO PC1.2
END