Beastfolk, Goblins, Gnolls.
When seven figures of varying sizes emerged from the ruins, Tang realized what true racial equality meant—
Whatever their relationships had been on the surface, down here, they shared one common status: [slaves].
He could hardly blame them for overreacting. After all, Tang was still wearing a black face, and underground, black lives truly mattered.
Especially the instant they saw Shalti draw her bow. They dropped to their knees together, frantically knocking their heads against the ground and begging for mercy, as though they would not stop until they had smashed their brains out:
"We weren't trying to escape... it was all him!"
The slaves had inherited their masters' fine traditions too. The Beastfolk at their head was the first to point at one of the Goblins.
"He started it! He threatened us into going with him! I kept telling him not to do this, that we should regard serving the esteemed Elves as a great lifelong undertaking..."
"Would you look at that. Underground, even Goblins can threaten Beastfolk."
Tang Ran did not believe their nonsense, but he had no interest in dealing with slaves who had escaped the Drow. In fact, he was more curious about how they had escaped.
"So which family owns you? Who do you serve? And how did you escape Lightless City?"
The slaves exchanged glances. From what they knew of Drow Elves, whether they told the truth or not, they would end up skinned and tossed into the river to feed the fish. But they did not seem to have a better choice. "Because of the Birthday!"
The Goblin spoke first, instinctively ignoring the first two questions, as though their master could not track them down so long as they never mentioned whom they served.
"The Birthday is approaching. They say