"Center is fastest route to Darklake, but is way merchant recommended and where he will send slavers to follow" Galingal says. "Right takes us to Slubludop. But sounds like they have problems. Even Shuushar has said so."
He looks at Sarith.
"What is your estimate on how far to Darklake going down the center route?" Galingal asks. "Is there a community that way where we can get a raft or boat?"
He looks back to Stena.
"If it's a day or two, I think the center as fast as we can and just outrun the slavers. But longer, maybe best to risk Slubludop. Slavers will take day or two down center before realize we didn't go that way."
"If they make a move against us and need to be put down, I think we're outnumbered here. The half elf and the child may be mad, but if it comes down to us against the two elves, we need allies on our side. The quaggoth is likely to go wherever Thom does. I don't trust the derro, they're degenerate dwarven stock even worse than the bloody duergar, the kuo-toa is worthless in a fight, and I am having trouble getting a read on the deep gnome. Can't say I trusted the other two of them either. Shifty folk.. The fire girl's been awful quiet, but been taking care of the mushroom, so probably not all that bad."
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DM:Forged in Chaos, Spiders of the Abyss, The Sundered Way, Champions of the Citadel
"Right to Slubludop? I don't think so... right should go up along the eastern edge of Darklake. Center should be the way to the Slubludop, that'd be the fastest to Darklake, I think left should get there too, but it's a longer path... maybe less traveled?"
((Doh, I didn't write what I meant before! He said don't go right, then suggested going right... Should have been that left and center go to Slub, but merchant recommended going to the right and avoiding Slubludop, which is on the edge of Darklake.))
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DM:Forged in Chaos, Spiders of the Abyss, The Sundered Way, Champions of the Citadel
"Anyone against taking fastest route to Darklake even if it means going through Slubludop?" Galingal asks the others in common and elvish. "If not, the fastest way is also the way the merchant didn't want us to go. I say center."
Galingal waits a moment to see if the others have any suggestions.
If they agree, or don't object, Galingal will nod to Sarith and start down the center route.
She nods at the assessment. "We're out numbered but no one is on the side of the Drow except maybe the grey elf. The quaggoth is with Thom but I doubt the half-elf with attack us if the Drow makes a move, even if the elf moves against us as well. Lia is a gamble, she is too erratic to count on one way or the other. Jimjar has been fine enough and I don't see him backing anything the Drow does. We'd have a chance. With any luck something will just take them on one of their scouting trips and we won't have to deal with it, but she should be ready in case."
"Aye. Makes my skin crawl bedding down with a bloody drow a stone's throw away... but he's been useful so far. Now that we've clothes and weapons and armor, his usefulness might be waning. Maybe best we get a feel for how the others are feeling too. Ah... if... if I don't make it... my shield and hammer are important to my family. Given to me by my Gran, made for her by her Da. If I don't make it out of here, can you see that they get them?"
Lia and Galingal suggest a few spots, Lia picking one for its acoustics rather than its defensive capabilities. You see the glow of a faerzress up ahead, and Galingal spots a reasonably flat area before it. After the other night sleeping in one, you're unsure if the trade offs are worth it. Stena recalls a tunnel you passed only a few minutes back, and after a quick investigation, finds that it ends in a round chamber with no other exits. It's reasonably dry for the Underdark, and there seem to be no hazards. No escape route, but if anything were to come at you while you're resting, there's only one way they can approach.
Stool, once set down, toddles to the middle of the group and activates his spore-link for the evening.
<We should be able to reach Slubludop by the end of the day tomorrow if we push it, early the following day if we take it slower.>, Sarith remarks.
Galingal looks around the chamber that Stena found. He thinks for a moment and then nods.
<Only the one way out,> Galingal starts <but better not to be found in the first place. This looks to be our best option.>
He stretches out the kinks in his shoulders and other joints from the quick pace they've been keeping up and getting used to the boots he acquired today.
<The faster we get to Darklake the better chance we have of truly escaping the drow slavers.> he thinks through the spore network. <I would favour a fast pace again tomorrow.>
He watches Stena and Eldeth as they settle in to the round chamber. They appear to have formed some sort of bond, he thinks to himself, almost fellow soldiers.
<With luck, tonight may be the last time we have to scrounge for food.>
When he gets a chance, Galingal quiets his mind and centers himself as he settles into his meditation.
Perception for night time foraging (w/ Sarith's if he comes): 16
"Once we hit a point we can separate I doubt anyone will opt to stick with the Drow, that is when he will show his true colors."
Stena nods solemnly,
"If something should happen you have my word I will do everything I can to get them back to your family, though better if you do it."
She doesn't ask Eldeth anything on her behalf should she fall.
Stena contributes her support for Galingal's desire to move quickly with,
<Agreed. Best to get there tomorrow.>
She gives Sarith her, by this point, normal suspicious glare before moving it to Buppido. She doesn't bother with the quaggoth, that is probably snuggling with Thom.
Thom grabs the 26 arrows from Lia and fills both of his quivers (almost). "Thank you, Ma'am. This should do us both, yeah? Hopefully this is all we will need to get back up to the sunlight."he kind of looks down at his feet and lets out a sigh and then continues on.
Thom would look at Galingal, Sarith, Stena and whomever else is talking about the directions like he knows what they are all talking about, but really has no clue. His original thought was to go right, and avoid Slubludop and stay on the edge of darklake, although he is confident though in these people who seem to be just as keen on escaping this shathole as he is. Especially if taking the center route is the fastest to Darklake. He doesn't say any of this out loud, though. Especially the shathole part.
Thom, as usual, remains quiet during camp, and seeing the others foraging go well, he will try and get as much rest as he can to prepare for the fast paced travel the next day.
It was fortunate that you recently procured some packs, as Galingal and Sarith find a small cluster of bluecaps, and are able to harvest 11 lbs of spores. They would need to be ground to flour and baked to be more than an emergency ration for anyone but Stool, but he seemed to like the spores just fine, so at least he's set for a while.
On the way back from foraging, the two elves venture up towards the faerzress, and note that unlike the diffuse purple glow they'd mostly noted before, this one has a sickly yellowish cast to it, and the walls of the crystalline cavern seem studded with a chaotic alternation of spherical crystalline growths and divots. As you draw closer, a webbed hand waves at you as a kuo-toa comes trotting forward. For a moment you wonder why Shuushar is out and about on his own, but you quickly realize that this is a different kuo-toa. He's wearing a robe and carrying a metal cane, for one thing, and addresses you in perfect if accented Elvish for another.
"Ah, welcome, welcome! I'd not expected to see other travelers down here! I am Sloopidoop. And who might I have the pleasure of addressing?"
Sarith exchanges a glance with Galingal.
"I'm... Jaezred, and this is Kalannar."
Sarith Deception: 3 Sloopidoop Insight: 5
"Hmmm... yes, nice to meet you. Are you here to explore the faerzress as well? Fascinating, aren't they?"
Lia does the usual rounds around the party as she settles down before resting. She heals and cleans anyone who requires it. She flavours food and drink for people too, as needed.
She spends a short time meditating, and listening to the sounds of the underdark too, before eventually settling down to sleep.
Galingal stops as the Kuo-toa approaches them. As he's about to speak, he is momentarily caught off guard when Sarith provides false names for the both of them.
"Sloopidoop?" Galingal begins in elvish. "Yes, we had come to investigate the faerzress. We encountered some a few days ago and it left quite the mark on us."
He fingers his forehead at the last sentence.
"Are you from Sloobludop? We had been heading in that direction when we found this cavern. Are we nearly there?"
((Nope, sorry Thom would've said that to them if he was awake when they got back or whenever he got up and saw the materials. He's curious about all of the new flora he's seeing down here, takes his mind off being down here in some moments))
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Galingal nods at Stena's observations.
"Center is fastest route to Darklake, but is way merchant recommended and where he will send slavers to follow" Galingal says. "Right takes us to Slubludop. But sounds like they have problems. Even Shuushar has said so."
He looks at Sarith.
"What is your estimate on how far to Darklake going down the center route?" Galingal asks. "Is there a community that way where we can get a raft or boat?"
He looks back to Stena.
"If it's a day or two, I think the center as fast as we can and just outrun the slavers. But longer, maybe best to risk Slubludop. Slavers will take day or two down center before realize we didn't go that way."
Eldeth responds to Stena,
She grimaces a bit.
"If they make a move against us and need to be put down, I think we're outnumbered here. The half elf and the child may be mad, but if it comes down to us against the two elves, we need allies on our side. The quaggoth is likely to go wherever Thom does. I don't trust the derro, they're degenerate dwarven stock even worse than the bloody duergar, the kuo-toa is worthless in a fight, and I am having trouble getting a read on the deep gnome. Can't say I trusted the other two of them either. Shifty folk.. The fire girl's been awful quiet, but been taking care of the mushroom, so probably not all that bad."
DM: Forged in Chaos, Spiders of the Abyss, The Sundered Way, Champions of the Citadel
Active Characters:
Breldo, Halfling Ranger | Kathryn, Wood Elf Rogue/Ranger | Kroshav, Dragonborn Paladin | T'laren Farsiel, Wood Elf Fighter | Trill, Kenku Bard | Val "Janellae", Mark of Shadow Elf Warlock
"Right to Slubludop? I don't think so... right should go up along the eastern edge of Darklake. Center should be the way to the Slubludop, that'd be the fastest to Darklake, I think left should get there too, but it's a longer path... maybe less traveled?"
((Doh, I didn't write what I meant before! He said don't go right, then suggested going right... Should have been that left and center go to Slub, but merchant recommended going to the right and avoiding Slubludop, which is on the edge of Darklake.))
DM: Forged in Chaos, Spiders of the Abyss, The Sundered Way, Champions of the Citadel
Active Characters:
Breldo, Halfling Ranger | Kathryn, Wood Elf Rogue/Ranger | Kroshav, Dragonborn Paladin | T'laren Farsiel, Wood Elf Fighter | Trill, Kenku Bard | Val "Janellae", Mark of Shadow Elf Warlock
"Anyone against taking fastest route to Darklake even if it means going through Slubludop?" Galingal asks the others in common and elvish. "If not, the fastest way is also the way the merchant didn't want us to go. I say center."
Galingal waits a moment to see if the others have any suggestions.
If they agree, or don't object, Galingal will nod to Sarith and start down the center route.
The majority of the party seems to be in favor of NOT following the merchant's suggested directions, and getting to Darklake quickly.
You resume your fast pace, heading onward through the twisting and turning tunnels.
End Day 6 of Freedom, traveling to Darklake: Miles traveled, ~41
((Perception check to find a place to camp?))
DM: Forged in Chaos, Spiders of the Abyss, The Sundered Way, Champions of the Citadel
Active Characters:
Breldo, Halfling Ranger | Kathryn, Wood Elf Rogue/Ranger | Kroshav, Dragonborn Paladin | T'laren Farsiel, Wood Elf Fighter | Trill, Kenku Bard | Val "Janellae", Mark of Shadow Elf Warlock
Galingal Perception: 10
Lia’s perception check: 7
GILLAIN OF ATHKATLA - Human Paladin - Into the Mists PHILLIP THE GRUNG - Grung Eldritch Knight - Tomb of Annihilation
ROBWIN WINDROBE - High Elf Wizard - Dragon of Icespire Peak EVE DARKSHORE - Tiefling Warlock - Rime of the Frost Maiden
ASH OF THE FIRE - Tabaxi Rogue - Ghosts of Marshswamp LIA STARBORN - Aasimar Bard - Out of the Abyss
To Eldeth,
Stena is happy to take the center path.
Perception: 18
To Stena,
"Aye. Makes my skin crawl bedding down with a bloody drow a stone's throw away... but he's been useful so far. Now that we've clothes and weapons and armor, his usefulness might be waning. Maybe best we get a feel for how the others are feeling too. Ah... if... if I don't make it... my shield and hammer are important to my family. Given to me by my Gran, made for her by her Da. If I don't make it out of here, can you see that they get them?"
Lia and Galingal suggest a few spots, Lia picking one for its acoustics rather than its defensive capabilities. You see the glow of a faerzress up ahead, and Galingal spots a reasonably flat area before it. After the other night sleeping in one, you're unsure if the trade offs are worth it. Stena recalls a tunnel you passed only a few minutes back, and after a quick investigation, finds that it ends in a round chamber with no other exits. It's reasonably dry for the Underdark, and there seem to be no hazards. No escape route, but if anything were to come at you while you're resting, there's only one way they can approach.
Stool, once set down, toddles to the middle of the group and activates his spore-link for the evening.
<We should be able to reach Slubludop by the end of the day tomorrow if we push it, early the following day if we take it slower.>, Sarith remarks.
<Yes, we are close.>, Shuushar confirms.
DM: Forged in Chaos, Spiders of the Abyss, The Sundered Way, Champions of the Citadel
Active Characters:
Breldo, Halfling Ranger | Kathryn, Wood Elf Rogue/Ranger | Kroshav, Dragonborn Paladin | T'laren Farsiel, Wood Elf Fighter | Trill, Kenku Bard | Val "Janellae", Mark of Shadow Elf Warlock
Galingal looks around the chamber that Stena found. He thinks for a moment and then nods.
<Only the one way out,> Galingal starts <but better not to be found in the first place. This looks to be our best option.>
He stretches out the kinks in his shoulders and other joints from the quick pace they've been keeping up and getting used to the boots he acquired today.
<The faster we get to Darklake the better chance we have of truly escaping the drow slavers.> he thinks through the spore network. <I would favour a fast pace again tomorrow.>
He watches Stena and Eldeth as they settle in to the round chamber. They appear to have formed some sort of bond, he thinks to himself, almost fellow soldiers.
<With luck, tonight may be the last time we have to scrounge for food.>
When he gets a chance, Galingal quiets his mind and centers himself as he settles into his meditation.
Perception for night time foraging (w/ Sarith's if he comes): 16
The first half of the camp passes quietly and the pair of elves rouse themselves to go looking for food.
((Foraging is Survival, but you'd have advantage with Sarith's help. Survial: 23 if > 14.))
((You're camped a few minutes away from the faerzress, would your foraging take you in that direction?))
DM: Forged in Chaos, Spiders of the Abyss, The Sundered Way, Champions of the Citadel
Active Characters:
Breldo, Halfling Ranger | Kathryn, Wood Elf Rogue/Ranger | Kroshav, Dragonborn Paladin | T'laren Farsiel, Wood Elf Fighter | Trill, Kenku Bard | Val "Janellae", Mark of Shadow Elf Warlock
(My bad - survival, yes. And yes, they’d take a look in the faerzress area too).
To Eldeth,
"Once we hit a point we can separate I doubt anyone will opt to stick with the Drow, that is when he will show his true colors."
Stena nods solemnly,
"If something should happen you have my word I will do everything I can to get them back to your family, though better if you do it."
She doesn't ask Eldeth anything on her behalf should she fall.
Stena contributes her support for Galingal's desire to move quickly with,
<Agreed. Best to get there tomorrow.>
She gives Sarith her, by this point, normal suspicious glare before moving it to Buppido. She doesn't bother with the quaggoth, that is probably snuggling with Thom.
Thom grabs the 26 arrows from Lia and fills both of his quivers (almost). "Thank you, Ma'am. This should do us both, yeah? Hopefully this is all we will need to get back up to the sunlight." he kind of looks down at his feet and lets out a sigh and then continues on.
Thom would look at Galingal, Sarith, Stena and whomever else is talking about the directions like he knows what they are all talking about, but really has no clue. His original thought was to go right, and avoid Slubludop and stay on the edge of darklake, although he is confident though in these people who seem to be just as keen on escaping this shathole as he is. Especially if taking the center route is the fastest to Darklake. He doesn't say any of this out loud, though. Especially the shathole part.
Thom, as usual, remains quiet during camp, and seeing the others foraging go well, he will try and get as much rest as he can to prepare for the fast paced travel the next day.
It was fortunate that you recently procured some packs, as Galingal and Sarith find a small cluster of bluecaps, and are able to harvest 11 lbs of spores. They would need to be ground to flour and baked to be more than an emergency ration for anyone but Stool, but he seemed to like the spores just fine, so at least he's set for a while.
On the way back from foraging, the two elves venture up towards the faerzress, and note that unlike the diffuse purple glow they'd mostly noted before, this one has a sickly yellowish cast to it, and the walls of the crystalline cavern seem studded with a chaotic alternation of spherical crystalline growths and divots. As you draw closer, a webbed hand waves at you as a kuo-toa comes trotting forward. For a moment you wonder why Shuushar is out and about on his own, but you quickly realize that this is a different kuo-toa. He's wearing a robe and carrying a metal cane, for one thing, and addresses you in perfect if accented Elvish for another.
"Ah, welcome, welcome! I'd not expected to see other travelers down here! I am Sloopidoop. And who might I have the pleasure of addressing?"
Sarith exchanges a glance with Galingal.
"I'm... Jaezred, and this is Kalannar."
Sarith Deception: 3
Sloopidoop Insight: 5
"Hmmm... yes, nice to meet you. Are you here to explore the faerzress as well? Fascinating, aren't they?"
DM: Forged in Chaos, Spiders of the Abyss, The Sundered Way, Champions of the Citadel
Active Characters:
Breldo, Halfling Ranger | Kathryn, Wood Elf Rogue/Ranger | Kroshav, Dragonborn Paladin | T'laren Farsiel, Wood Elf Fighter | Trill, Kenku Bard | Val "Janellae", Mark of Shadow Elf Warlock
Lia does the usual rounds around the party as she settles down before resting. She heals and cleans anyone who requires it. She flavours food and drink for people too, as needed.
She spends a short time meditating, and listening to the sounds of the underdark too, before eventually settling down to sleep.
GILLAIN OF ATHKATLA - Human Paladin - Into the Mists PHILLIP THE GRUNG - Grung Eldritch Knight - Tomb of Annihilation
ROBWIN WINDROBE - High Elf Wizard - Dragon of Icespire Peak EVE DARKSHORE - Tiefling Warlock - Rime of the Frost Maiden
ASH OF THE FIRE - Tabaxi Rogue - Ghosts of Marshswamp LIA STARBORN - Aasimar Bard - Out of the Abyss
Galingal stops as the Kuo-toa approaches them. As he's about to speak, he is momentarily caught off guard when Sarith provides false names for the both of them.
"Sloopidoop?" Galingal begins in elvish. "Yes, we had come to investigate the faerzress. We encountered some a few days ago and it left quite the mark on us."
He fingers his forehead at the last sentence.
"Are you from Sloobludop? We had been heading in that direction when we found this cavern. Are we nearly there?"
"Bluecaps, is it?" Thom says curiously as Galingal and Sarith successfully gather the spores that he's never seen before.
Thom remains quiet as he listens on to the Kuo-toa speak with Sarith and Galingal and the attempted false names.
smart, yeah he thinks to himself.
(Just curious as to how much Thom knows about Kuo-toa. INT Nature 4)
((Thom would be forgoing his long rest to go foraging with the elves?))
DM: Forged in Chaos, Spiders of the Abyss, The Sundered Way, Champions of the Citadel
Active Characters:
Breldo, Halfling Ranger | Kathryn, Wood Elf Rogue/Ranger | Kroshav, Dragonborn Paladin | T'laren Farsiel, Wood Elf Fighter | Trill, Kenku Bard | Val "Janellae", Mark of Shadow Elf Warlock
((Nope, sorry Thom would've said that to them if he was awake when they got back or whenever he got up and saw the materials. He's curious about all of the new flora he's seeing down here, takes his mind off being down here in some moments))