Nacht hears nothing for several seconds...then a quiet "No".

When Edwin reaches his full height, the orc takes a step back and a look of fear streaks across his face before he recovers it, says Whatever, and grabs his food, sitting where he can keep an eye on Edwin.

Elspeth looks thoughtfully at the mushroom, then slowly nods.

In their heads, Edwin and Karys, along with Dagna, now can hear:

Edwin:

Halfway through his last bite of gruel, Edwin freezes, then looks around warily.  Seeing the one who is apparently speaking into his mind make eye contact, he nods slowly and returns to his food.

Quote from Mattan_Braddus >>

Nacht hears nothing for several seconds...then a quiet "No".

Nacht nods almost imperceptibly, then walks back to its corner, moving close to the bars. 

*Since Nacht's small, could it try to slip through the bars?*

Karys is surprised when she hears the voice in her head. She looks around until her eyes land on the other dwarven woman and the myconid sprout. 

 She glances at Edwin when she thinks this last thought, trying to direct her thoughts to everyone present. 

Dagna nods at the others.

Edwin:

”I have a short section of rope as well,” replies Edwin telepathically, “Let me see about those chains,  Karys.  Maybe we will get lucky a second time if we work together.”

Moving over so Karys’ body is shielded from view from other prisoners not in their little telepathic group, Edwin works with her to find leverage and a likely weak link.

Athletics with help to break the chains:  23

(Drow are used to dealing with small creatures, and have taken steps to prevent small creatures from getting through the bars by weaving them with wire. Only tiny creatures can get in and out.)

Glad to make your acquaintance, everyone...though I do wish it were under better circumstances.

Try as they might, Edwin and Karys can't seem to find the leverage to break her chains. It seems hers are a little more well made than Edwin's. (You may try another check on breaking the chains after a long rest)

It's ok...Dagna and I were just speaking about how it may be for the best to wait for the ride to Menzoberranzan. I think our escape opportunities would be more numerous and easier. She glances around at the other prisoners before looking back down at her bowl. Should we recruit a few more? Not the drow of course, neither do I trust the orc, but the gnomes could help, and possibly the derro. Does anyone speak Elvish? I only know a few words...for some reason that's all the quaggoth will speak. The bug thing...I don't even know if it speaks?

((Can Dagna try an Investigation check to look for a weak point on Karys' chains so they can have advantage on the break check next time?))

(Of course)

Investigation: 19

Dagna leans forward, running a calloused finger over Karys' chains, her touch slow and deliberate. Growing up surrounded by stone and metal gives a dwarf a kind of sense for these things—not quite tremorsense, but something close. After a moment, she taps a point near the shackle hinge, murmuring telepathically,

"Here. When you try again, put the pressure there—it’s where the metal’s weakest."

She leans back, exhaling slowly. "As for the bug, I'm not sure if it's interested in escaping, but it seems to understand Common at least."

Edwin:

Looking to the quaggoth, Edwin says softly, in Elvish, “Greetings, I am Edwin.  May I know your name?”

Nacht makes another frustrated noise and kicks the bars with a reverberating clang. It then jumps back, clutching its leg in pain.

Nacht begins to walk around the cage, scouring it for anything that could be used as a weapon. 

Dagna tries cautiously approaching the derro, addressing them as quietly and non-threateningly as possible in Dwarvish. “You’ve been watching, same as us. I won’t waste words—you want out of this pit as much as we do?”

The hulking quaggoth rises to his feet, taller even than Edwin. It stares down at him, reaching out a paw...

...and replies in Elvish, Well met, friend Edwin. I am Prince Derendil, crown prince of the Elven kingdom of Nelrindenvane.

The derro smiles at Dagna, and replies in Dwarvish. Why of course, I'd be more than happy to be a part of whatever scheme you're cooking up over there. I'm Buppido.

Dagna insight: 5 -.-; History to know about derro: 10

The wizard appears to relax somewhat at the derro's response, moving to lean against the wall next to him. "Dagna," she replies, giving a small nod. "Good to hear, Buppido. How did you end up here? Any particular skills that might be of use?"

Nacht reaches out telepathically to the kuo-tao. "Do you want to get out of here?"

Buppido gives you no reason to think he's not totally on the up and up. You know that derro are possibly distantly related to dwarves, specifically duergar, but their origins are lost in legend. Most regard derro with distrust, thinking them all mad.

Buppido chuckles. Same as you, I 'spect. Got separated from my group, ambushed by these damned drow, and locked up and thrown in here. I'm pretty good in a fight when I'm not ambushed five ta one, believe you me.

The kuo-toa gives no outward sign of being contacted, staying unmoving in his meditative stance. Of course, my friend. No torture is preferable to torture and slavery, but I see no way out without violence. It is what it is...and who knows what this imprisonment might eventually lead toward?

Karys approaches the gnomes. "My name is Karys," she says. "You guys want to get out of here? Do you have any ideas about ways to escape?"