More of the holes in Duke's body close as Amara works her magic. There's still a few dents on the Warforged, but he assures her that those can be fixed during his nightly recharging. "Declaration: I am grateful for your continued care."
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Xenophon: Topaz Dragonborn Fighter (ixi's Dragon of Icespire Peak)
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
After offering heals, Phineas moves over to the troll bodies, inspecting them. “What exactly is it you’re wanting to harvest from these foul things, Ree?”
Survival: 20
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Corrin Kettlewhistle: Halfling Life Cleric (Curse of Strahd) Kip Dalton: Human Lore Bard (Waterdeep Dragon Heist) Debauchery Dalliance: Half-Drow Oath of Conquest Paladin (White Plume Mountain)
"Thank you, Amara." - Ree'lyn offers a warm smile to the elf as he sees bruises and cuts returning to the healthy dark skinned self. - " We must speak about our routes during this camp break."
Leaving the elf, Ree'lyn glances over to the other battered elf in the party. Svana is right there. Ree'lyn gets closer while glancing around to make sure there will be no interruptions.
" Well done, princess. It is different sparring with servants from doing it with the beasts in the wilderness." - sitting in front of Svana, he makes a subtle gesture making the sweat and dried blood and dirt to be cleaned away from the elf's body and face.
" We need to make money, Phineas." - the Drow justifies his request for the gnome's help. If we can sell these as ingredients for magic to a merchant, we will have enough for one night or two in a city. "Or maybe our own spells when we learn new ones."
“Hah,” She gives Ree’lyn a weak laugh, mimicking his gesture and cleans him off as well. “It is different, I’m just glad my parents taught me these spells for these types of cases.” She felt drained, and as opposed to her usual way of sitting up straight and proper, she was slouched. “Glad I had that spell going on or else that could have gone a lot worse for us.” Her eyes gaze over the group, looking to see how most of everyone was holding up, then they settle on Jezzika and Huey.
To the female drow, she gives an apologetic look. “You’re feeling fine, I hope?” To Huey, “You came back at the best time, dear.”
Aeydof the Dragons || Wood Elf / Way of the Ascendant Dragon Monk Demetrios Zalaoras || Protector Aasimar / Paladin of Torm Hawke || Kalashtar / Circle of the Moon Druid Morticia || Half-Aasimar Rogue Yvan || Goliath / Path of the Wild Soul Barbarian | Paladin of Helm /ᐠ。ꞈ。ᐟ\
After hours of healing and tense navigation, you glimpse an orange glow in the distance. Soon you hear faint metallic echoes, growing louder as you come closer. Firelight illuminates massive columns with structures built around their bases. The cold air of the Underdark is becoming warmer even at this distance, and you can now see a variety of piers made from zurkhwood, stone, and plain rock jutting out along the edge of a huge cavern.
ENTERING GRACKLSTUGH
You arrive through the gates of Gracklstugh, under very watchful eyes, in the northern part of the city which is called the Darklake District.
(The cavern housing of Gracklstugh is split in two by a rift called Laduguer’s Furrow, after the duergar patron god. The north half comprises Northfurrow District, where common workers and the clans devoted to minor crafts make their home, and Darklake District, open to foreigners and where the city’s merchants engage in trade with visitors. CURRENTLY, YOU ARE NOT ALLOWED TO ENTER THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT PAST THE RIFT.)
THE DARKLAKE DISTRICT
A wave of heat slams against you as an acrid smog rises to choke the air out of your lungs. The Darklake District spreads out beyond a jumble of buildings and streets, reflecting the lights of countless fires burning across the city within hollowed-out columns and stalagmites. Though the streets are crowded, you move easily within the surging throng of buyers, merchants, and slaves. You aren’t the only outsiders here, as you spy drow, svirfneblin, derro, orcs, and other races in the crowds. The shouting of people blends with the sound of distant hammering to create a constant, distracting din.
PLACES OF INTEREST
The Blade Bazaar - This marketplace in the Darklake District is named after the most abundant goods the duergar offer, but the shops here sell almost everything available in the city, along with stalls set up by visiting merchants. The din of people arguing, mostly in Dwarvish, nearly drowns out the hammering coming from the city’s forges. You can unload some of the items you might have collected since escaping, which isn't much. Nonmagical weapons, armor, and shields can be purchased in the Blade Bazaar.
The Darklake Docks - These busy docks are used primarily by flat-bottomed rafts made of zurkhwood and lacquered puffball floats. Some of these ramshackle barges come with oars or paddle wheels. The rafts look ungainly, but each can carry tons of trade goods.
The Shattered Spine - A broken stalagmite juts out from the Darklake about forty feet from the shore, forming the foundation of a tavern built with fungi stalks in a manner similar to a log cabin. A bridge woven of rothé wool allows patrons to cross the water to visit.
The Ghohlbrorn’s Lair - The inn is built inside a small cavern complex beneath the Blade Bazaar at the northern end of the Darklake District. Its halls are cold and damp. A central chamber serves as a dining room, branching out into different small, twisting halls along which the rooms are excavated. It’s dark, cramped, and uncomfortable, but safe and defensible.
WARNING
The duergar are VERY DISTRUSTFUL of non-duergar. It is as if they are looking for any excuse to apprehend non-duergar, and the city is literally swarming with guards. Tread carefully.
Jezzika smiled at Svana, happy to be able to gaze upon her once more. The drow winced a little at the damage that was still unhealed, but she should be ok. "Yes."she said, "I've been beaten up before. I'm glad we won this time, and i'm glad you're ok. I have the feeling Umbra is not done showing me what it wants to show me, and i'm hoping once we arrive in Gracklstugh we can find a place to relax and talk."
She pats Huey on the shoulder. "Perfect timing as always. Good boy."
Jezzika took a moment to relax against the cavern wall, gathering her senses again. Then, she would stand up and help where needed.
When the team arrives at Gracklstugh, Duke sticks around with Svana and some of the other people who seem like they know what they're doing in a city. He also sheathes his great-axe, so that he doesn't look hostile. He speaks telepathically to those around him.
"Declaration: They do not trust us, but they are not attempting to enslave us on sight. They are slightly friendlier than the other inhabitants of the Underdark that we have come across."
Duke sends a telepathic message to Gwendolyn. "Declaration: My vocal projector is incapable of producing the tones and inflections that humanoids are capable of making when they are attempting to convey emotion. Could you produce a new one for me when you have the time?"
Duke points Talike towards the Blade Bazaar and sends her a telepathic message. "Declaration: The people of Gracklslugh are not trusting of outsiders. I recommend to refrain from making potentially offensive statements towards them."
And then he sends a message to Jezzika. "Inquiry: Are the locals of this area hostile towards the drow of Velkynvelve?"
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Xenophon: Topaz Dragonborn Fighter (ixi's Dragon of Icespire Peak)
"Do all of you remember the rocktopus guts, the troll blood and other stuffs we collected along the way?" - Ree'lyn finally asks in a soft almost whispering voice, not really expecting an answer. - "We can sell them here, but only if we have a duergar representative to be the face of the group." - glancing at Ronnal, Ree'lyn arches an eyebrow. - "We might need Quinn's and Gwendolyn's talents, though to make our charming duergar be even more appealing. After we get some money we may head to the tavern."
Then, making sure everyone else is around to listen. - "We might have to either be always with Ronnal or not leave his sight wherever we go. Except maybe Jezzika and I. If Ronnal enters a shop, the others waiting would need someone to be the speaker for them in case the guards show up."
When they near Gracklestugh, Deya climbs into Amara's bag, pulling her head in so that she's more or less hidden, and takes a nap. Amara doesn't relax within Gracklestugh. "We shouldn't go alone anywhere, dear," she tells Talike. "I'll accompany you, unless you'd like someone else to."
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Instinctively, Phineas falls in with the others, trying to get lost a bit among the bigger, more intimidating members of his group. His eyes, though, dart about, looking for any items, people or places of interest. Concern keeps him hidden among his allies, but his curiosity is fighting hard against that survival instinct. "I wonder what treasures could be found in a place like this," he mutters quietly.
I spy with my little gnome eye:18
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Corrin Kettlewhistle: Halfling Life Cleric (Curse of Strahd) Kip Dalton: Human Lore Bard (Waterdeep Dragon Heist) Debauchery Dalliance: Half-Drow Oath of Conquest Paladin (White Plume Mountain)
“As long as we cause no trouble, we shouldn’t draw attention to the Duergar. This place will allow us to relax and get a few nights rest and allow us to, perhaps, find information on how to proceed to Neverlight Grove.”
Duke flips a coin at whoever needs one and heads over to the tavern. Once there, he messages Huey.
"Inquiry: How did you come to meet Jezzika? Have you always been her protector? Secondary Inquiry: And how did you come to the Underdark? We have not encountered many of your kind down here."
Finally coming back home the heat is a welcoming embrace. "It's been so long.... still the same as I left." Telling the group "Jezzika is right, they look for any excuse to beat you and take you as a slave. Just keep your heads down."
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Felix Windfall (Human-V Lv.7 Rogue) killed in ToA,Vallan Houndstrider (Halfling Ghostwise Lv.1 Fighter) in DiA
"Easier said than done, Mr. Ronnal." Enkindle says absently while passively looking around. "Might wanna invest in some disguises too. Least fer some of us. Less odd word gets 'round, 'nd some duergar or drow gets it in their skull to cause trouble." She comments on, and then looks to the others. "Anyhow. Whoevers planning to do the talking, mind see'n what'cha get fer these? Use the coin howevers best fer folk?"Enkindle bundles the spare mace from her backpack and offers it to the others. The gem she just casually pulls out from her bra after some finagling with her armor.
Seeing Duke, Huey, and Ronnal at least having taken their leave, Enkindle furrows her brows over it, but says nothing.
Huey ambles up behind Jezzika and gives her a great big bear hug, and flashed a toothy grin. "Mama! Huey back!"
Last to know and first to be blamed...
As a free action, can I regret my life choices?
More of the holes in Duke's body close as Amara works her magic. There's still a few dents on the Warforged, but he assures her that those can be fixed during his nightly recharging. "Declaration: I am grateful for your continued care."
Xenophon: Topaz Dragonborn Fighter (ixi's Dragon of Icespire Peak)
More
After offering heals, Phineas moves over to the troll bodies, inspecting them. “What exactly is it you’re wanting to harvest from these foul things, Ree?”
Survival: 20
Corrin Kettlewhistle: Halfling Life Cleric (Curse of Strahd)
Kip Dalton: Human Lore Bard (Waterdeep Dragon Heist)
Debauchery Dalliance: Half-Drow Oath of Conquest Paladin (White Plume Mountain)
Ree'lyn | Drow | Warlock | Level 3 | AC 15 | HP 22/22 | Temporary HP 8/8 | Cantrips Known 2 | Spells Known 4 | Spell Slots 2/2 | Slot Level 2nd | Innate spells 2| Eldritch Invocations 2
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
"Thank you, Amara." - Ree'lyn offers a warm smile to the elf as he sees bruises and cuts returning to the healthy dark skinned self. - " We must speak about our routes during this camp break."
Leaving the elf, Ree'lyn glances over to the other battered elf in the party. Svana is right there. Ree'lyn gets closer while glancing around to make sure there will be no interruptions.
" Well done, princess. It is different sparring with servants from doing it with the beasts in the wilderness." - sitting in front of Svana, he makes a subtle gesture making the sweat and dried blood and dirt to be cleaned away from the elf's body and face.
Ree'lyn | Drow | Warlock | Level 3 | AC 15 | HP 22/22 | Temporary HP 8/8 | Cantrips Known 2 | Spells Known 4 | Spell Slots 2/2 | Slot Level 2nd | Innate spells 2| Eldritch Invocations 2
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
" We need to make money, Phineas." - the Drow justifies his request for the gnome's help. If we can sell these as ingredients for magic to a merchant, we will have enough for one night or two in a city. "Or maybe our own spells when we learn new ones."
“Hah,” She gives Ree’lyn a weak laugh, mimicking his gesture and cleans him off as well. “It is different, I’m just glad my parents taught me these spells for these types of cases.” She felt drained, and as opposed to her usual way of sitting up straight and proper, she was slouched. “Glad I had that spell going on or else that could have gone a lot worse for us.” Her eyes gaze over the group, looking to see how most of everyone was holding up, then they settle on Jezzika and Huey.
To the female drow, she gives an apologetic look. “You’re feeling fine, I hope?” To Huey, “You came back at the best time, dear.”
Aeyd of the Dragons || Wood Elf / Way of the Ascendant Dragon Monk
Demetrios Zalaoras || Protector Aasimar / Paladin of Torm
Hawke || Kalashtar / Circle of the Moon Druid
Morticia || Half-Aasimar Rogue
Yvan || Goliath / Path of the Wild Soul Barbarian | Paladin of Helm
/ᐠ。ꞈ。ᐟ\
CHAPTER FOUR - GRACKLSTUGH
THE APPROACH
After hours of healing and tense navigation, you glimpse an orange glow in the distance. Soon you hear faint metallic echoes, growing louder as you come closer. Firelight illuminates massive columns with structures built around their bases. The cold air of the Underdark is becoming warmer even at this distance, and you can now see a variety of piers made from zurkhwood, stone, and plain rock jutting out along the edge of a huge cavern.
ENTERING GRACKLSTUGH
You arrive through the gates of Gracklstugh, under very watchful eyes, in the northern part of the city which is called the Darklake District.
(The cavern housing of Gracklstugh is split in two by a rift called Laduguer’s Furrow, after the duergar patron god. The north half comprises Northfurrow District, where common workers and the clans devoted to minor crafts make their home, and Darklake District, open to foreigners and where the city’s merchants engage in trade with visitors. CURRENTLY, YOU ARE NOT ALLOWED TO ENTER THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT PAST THE RIFT.)
THE DARKLAKE DISTRICT
A wave of heat slams against you as an acrid smog rises to choke the air out of your lungs. The Darklake District spreads out beyond a jumble of buildings and streets, reflecting the lights of countless fires burning across the city within hollowed-out columns and stalagmites. Though the streets are crowded, you move easily within the surging throng of buyers, merchants, and slaves. You aren’t the only outsiders here, as you spy drow, svirfneblin, derro, orcs, and other races in the crowds. The shouting of people blends with the sound of distant hammering to create a constant, distracting din.
PLACES OF INTEREST
The Blade Bazaar - This marketplace in the Darklake District is named after the most abundant goods the duergar offer, but the shops here sell almost everything available in the city, along with stalls set up by visiting merchants. The din of people arguing, mostly in Dwarvish, nearly drowns out the hammering coming from the city’s forges. You can unload some of the items you might have collected since escaping, which isn't much. Nonmagical weapons, armor, and shields can be purchased in the Blade Bazaar.
The Darklake Docks - These busy docks are used primarily by flat-bottomed rafts made of zurkhwood and lacquered puffball floats. Some of these ramshackle barges come with oars or paddle wheels. The rafts look ungainly, but each can carry tons of trade goods.
The Shattered Spine - A broken stalagmite juts out from the Darklake about forty feet from the shore, forming the foundation of a tavern built with fungi stalks in a manner similar to a log cabin. A bridge woven of rothé wool allows patrons to cross the water to visit.
The Ghohlbrorn’s Lair - The inn is built inside a small cavern complex beneath the Blade Bazaar at the northern end of the Darklake District. Its halls are cold and damp. A central chamber serves as a dining room, branching out into different small, twisting halls along which the rooms are excavated. It’s dark, cramped, and uncomfortable, but safe and defensible.
WARNING
The duergar are VERY DISTRUSTFUL of non-duergar. It is as if they are looking for any excuse to apprehend non-duergar, and the city is literally swarming with guards. Tread carefully.
Jezzika smiled at Svana, happy to be able to gaze upon her once more. The drow winced a little at the damage that was still unhealed, but she should be ok. "Yes." she said, "I've been beaten up before. I'm glad we won this time, and i'm glad you're ok. I have the feeling Umbra is not done showing me what it wants to show me, and i'm hoping once we arrive in Gracklstugh we can find a place to relax and talk."
She pats Huey on the shoulder. "Perfect timing as always. Good boy."
Jezzika took a moment to relax against the cavern wall, gathering her senses again. Then, she would stand up and help where needed.
When the team arrives at Gracklstugh, Duke sticks around with Svana and some of the other people who seem like they know what they're doing in a city. He also sheathes his great-axe, so that he doesn't look hostile. He speaks telepathically to those around him.
"Declaration: They do not trust us, but they are not attempting to enslave us on sight. They are slightly friendlier than the other inhabitants of the Underdark that we have come across."
Duke sends a telepathic message to Gwendolyn. "Declaration: My vocal projector is incapable of producing the tones and inflections that humanoids are capable of making when they are attempting to convey emotion. Could you produce a new one for me when you have the time?"
Xenophon: Topaz Dragonborn Fighter (ixi's Dragon of Icespire Peak)
More
Talike tries to fan the smog out of her face, and after about two minutes of waving and coughing, she gives up.
"Egh. It's disgusting in here... Would any of you Underdark people know where a market might be?"
Duke points Talike towards the Blade Bazaar and sends her a telepathic message. "Declaration: The people of Gracklslugh are not trusting of outsiders. I recommend to refrain from making potentially offensive statements towards them."
And then he sends a message to Jezzika. "Inquiry: Are the locals of this area hostile towards the drow of Velkynvelve?"
Xenophon: Topaz Dragonborn Fighter (ixi's Dragon of Icespire Peak)
More
Talike swats at her head before realizing that she's hearing a telepathic message.
"Oh, right. Thanks."
Ree'lyn | Drow | Warlock | Level 3 | AC 15 | HP 22/22 | Temporary HP 8/8 | Cantrips Known 2 | Spells Known 4 | Spell Slots 2/2 | Slot Level 2nd | Innate spells 2| Eldritch Invocations 2
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
"Do all of you remember the rocktopus guts, the troll blood and other stuffs we collected along the way?" - Ree'lyn finally asks in a soft almost whispering voice, not really expecting an answer. - "We can sell them here, but only if we have a duergar representative to be the face of the group." - glancing at Ronnal, Ree'lyn arches an eyebrow. - "We might need Quinn's and Gwendolyn's talents, though to make our charming duergar be even more appealing. After we get some money we may head to the tavern."
Then, making sure everyone else is around to listen. - "We might have to either be always with Ronnal or not leave his sight wherever we go. Except maybe Jezzika and I. If Ronnal enters a shop, the others waiting would need someone to be the speaker for them in case the guards show up."
When they near Gracklestugh, Deya climbs into Amara's bag, pulling her head in so that she's more or less hidden, and takes a nap. Amara doesn't relax within Gracklestugh. "We shouldn't go alone anywhere, dear," she tells Talike. "I'll accompany you, unless you'd like someone else to."
Stella Diamant, Human Rogue 17 (Swashbuckler), The Exploits of Misfit Company
Kat, Medtech, Cyberpunk: Red
Shi, Changeling Bard 4 (College of Spirits), Tyrant's Grasp
Dani, Human Artificer 9 (Armorer), Skulls and Starships
DM, Project Point (Teams Scimitar and Longsword)
Everything Else!
Instinctively, Phineas falls in with the others, trying to get lost a bit among the bigger, more intimidating members of his group. His eyes, though, dart about, looking for any items, people or places of interest. Concern keeps him hidden among his allies, but his curiosity is fighting hard against that survival instinct. "I wonder what treasures could be found in a place like this," he mutters quietly.
I spy with my little gnome eye: 18
Corrin Kettlewhistle: Halfling Life Cleric (Curse of Strahd)
Kip Dalton: Human Lore Bard (Waterdeep Dragon Heist)
Debauchery Dalliance: Half-Drow Oath of Conquest Paladin (White Plume Mountain)
“As long as we cause no trouble, we shouldn’t draw attention to the Duergar. This place will allow us to relax and get a few nights rest and allow us to, perhaps, find information on how to proceed to Neverlight Grove.”
Huey pantomimes eating food (by shoving his hand in his mouth and patting his empty stomach with his other hand). "Huey hungry after long nap!"
Last to know and first to be blamed...
As a free action, can I regret my life choices?
Duke flips a coin at whoever needs one and heads over to the tavern. Once there, he messages Huey.
"Inquiry: How did you come to meet Jezzika? Have you always been her protector? Secondary Inquiry: And how did you come to the Underdark? We have not encountered many of your kind down here."
Xenophon: Topaz Dragonborn Fighter (ixi's Dragon of Icespire Peak)
More
Finally coming back home the heat is a welcoming embrace. "It's been so long.... still the same as I left." Telling the group "Jezzika is right, they look for any excuse to beat you and take you as a slave. Just keep your heads down."
Felix Windfall(Human-V Lv.7 Rogue) killed in ToA, Vallan Houndstrider (Halfling Ghostwise Lv.1 Fighter) in DiA"Easier said than done, Mr. Ronnal." Enkindle says absently while passively looking around. "Might wanna invest in some disguises too. Least fer some of us. Less odd word gets 'round, 'nd some duergar or drow gets it in their skull to cause trouble." She comments on, and then looks to the others. "Anyhow. Whoevers planning to do the talking, mind see'n what'cha get fer these? Use the coin howevers best fer folk?" Enkindle bundles the spare mace from her backpack and offers it to the others. The gem she just casually pulls out from her bra after some finagling with her armor.
Seeing Duke, Huey, and Ronnal at least having taken their leave, Enkindle furrows her brows over it, but says nothing.
(Gem is worth 10gp normally.)
When you realize you're doing too much: Signature.