Ranot Part 1

Edit: Changed demon's name once I got permission to use what I wanted to origanally

Ranot, the elven planeshifter, was talking to yet another lich. He didn't particularly enjoy speaking with the undead; especially those who went out for their way to become such. Most of these creatures were rotting horrible abominations who hand never heard of a gentle repose spell.

This specific undead hostess was grinning maniacally as she was questioned on the nature of the recent changes to the negative energy plane and their cause. Though in her defense Ranot was ultimately unsure if the skull had the ability to look any other way. Most of Elayne's raven black hair had fallen out centuries ago along with her skin flaking off. Some though this lich was combing through her sparse hair as if it was as full as it had ever been.

She finally spoke, looking up from four books Ranot had placed in front of her. The voice was sweet, even seductive if it hadn't been accompanied by the skull and the clicking of the dry teeth snapping together every word or so. “Darling, these tomes you have presented to me are absolutely worthless.” To punctuate this statement, her bony hand, bedecked in rings and bracelets, swiped the books violently off the table. Ranot cast a quickened mage hand to keep them from falling to the floor and possibly shattering the tome made of fragile fairieglass.

“If you want my help you will give me more than just a few useless books, most of which I already have in my extensive collection.”

The elf knew this was a lie. He knew this because of the four rare tomes he offered, two were unique spell books belonging to ancient wizards of note from far away planes. The other two, while not entirely unique incredibly hard for even him, a planeshifter with more experience under his belt than his relatively young four hundred years would otherwise indicate, to find. The books were not the issue here, it was what Ranot was asking for.

“Great and mighty Elayne,” the elf punctuated this honorary with a bow allowing the cowl of his cloak to cover his face with a magical darkness that his cursed red eyes shined through. “You know more than you are telling me don't you? Greystalk has promised you something great indeed or has done something to cause you incredible fear.”

Elayne flinched back at this, it was difficult for the even the powerful wizard to gauge her emotions as her face was nothing but a magically animated skull with some dried and dead musculature hanging off it, but he thought he had struck a cord.

“Powerful lich lady, Greystalk is trying to take the negative energy plane for himself. He is trying to set himself up there as a god among the undead of all planes. If he succeeds he will have the power to, with but a thought, destroy you or worse enslave you. I ask for but some knowledge so that I may oppose him. I will use my power so that even if I fail to stop him, you will not be known as an informant. Elayne, please, help me help you.”

Ranot used his mage hand spell to lift the books up to the rotting lady's table again. “You know the worth of these collections my lady, you know the power contained within that I am offering you for but some simple information, and you know the power Greystalk will have if I do not stop him.”

Elayne carefully gathered the once spurned payment carefully to her. The exposed bones of her fingers clacking on the wooden desk in front of her. She let out a sigh, which Ranot felt was rather dramatic being that this creature didn't need to breath much less sigh, exasperatedly or no.

“I will tell you what I can you horrible elf. Please sit.” Her bony arm and bejeweled skeletal fingers gestured at a chair in a corner which slid across the lavishly carpeted floor coming to a stop in front of her desk. Ranot pushed back his cowl, revealing his pale face, pointed ears, and copper hair. His eyes, glowing red orbs didn't change. He sat and prepared to listen to the decomposing lady lich, the self crowned queen of Krelania, describe her encounter with Greystalk. There was fear in her voice as she spoke of the god-slaying demon Greystalk and his destructive visit to her kingdom.