Erik Soong's Call of the Netherdeep

" Noted ", said Randa to Ylis.

" Everyone else in more or less one piece?  Did we win? I'm kinda hazy on what just happened."

"Yeah, I can carry the Taskhand," Sky responds to Nivi as he stows his weapon on his back and hoists the unconscious man easily over his shoulder.  "And I'm with Ylis on avoiding further demonic temples undergoing kooky rituals."

Now that the threat of combat has passed, Sky tries to have more success with a Cure Wounds spell on Frekor: 11 healing.

Quote from TeethAgatha >>

Although exhausted, Morgan is over the moon just to still be alive. He goes around patting everyone on the back, offering breathless congratulations and loudly reminding each of them how amazing they were.

Eventually, he drifts closer to Nivi.
"Hey, Stabbystabby," he says with a tired smile, trying to counter her nickname game. "Hope you’re alright. That whole thing felt… personal."

He glances at her for a moment before looking ahead again.
"Just hoping you’re doing okay."

Nivi smiles faintly, yet responds to the sorcerer in the hat as readily as if he had used her real name, though clearly distracted as she slips up and uses his.

"Personal?  Yeah, could say that.  Never met her til now, but..." she sighs.  "Truth is, Morgan, nothing's been okay for a long time.  Feels like my whole life's been about getting away from my bloody noble and virtuous and holier-than-shyte family.  But I'm thinking, you know?  if they hadn't rubbed off on me, at least a little, then, well... I might have made some bad choices, yeah?  Choices like maybe the ones SHE made..."

Voice trailing away, Nivi turns and faces the wall and undoes the back of her studded leather, just enough to show the Clasp insignia branded starkly on her back, large and prominent.  Exactly the same symbol the party had seen marked on the wall when they first entered the sewers yesterday.

Redoing her leathers and turning to face him once more, she meets Morgan's eyes, then shockingly, hugs him, very quickly.  Nivi has always been quick.

"Appreciate the help back there.  That was solid work.  All of us."

"Yeah, I can carry the Taskhand," Sky responds to Nivi as he stows his weapon on his back and hoists the unconscious man easily over his shoulder.

"Thanks, Sky," Nivi murmurs sincerely, not full of sarcastic quips for once.  "I'll do my best to make it so we don't need your halberd on the way out."

[Ylis] "Maybe we should avoid demon temples in the future."

"Right, uhm, Killer Bunny.  About that..."

Quote from Damian_May >>

[Randa] ... " Everyone else in more or less one piece?  Did we win? I'm kinda hazy on what just happened."

"Still got the Clasp bastards who bailed out of here.  Least one demon got away too, earlier.  And speaking of demon temples, haven't told you about where Aloysia was headed last night, (and with who) like I said I would.  Never felt like the right time.  Not sure you care, but I doubt you'll like it."

"So, Straight Arrow... don't know if we won?  Best I can say is... we didn't lose yet.  So that's something.  Think we all saw who LOST back there."

Nivi turns her gaze back to the dead end where the door once was.  And where Desu had finally Descended to some place not worth thinking about.

Morgan looks a little surprised by the sudden hug, but he returns it with a broad smile.

He grew up in a large, noisy, strange family where hugs and thumps on the head were as common as shouting, arguments, drama, dreams, and hard work. The one thing that was always rare?

Judgment.

Whatever choices Nivi had made in her past, they had led her here. And from here… who knew?

"Aloysia..." he mumbles. "Let me guess… She was headed somewhere that rhymes more with rise than with rest… unlike the kind of rest I'm currently dreaming about." Morgan sighs dramatically. "And a bath. In pretty much any order."

Then, Morgan quietly picks up from the ground the healing potion the Taskhand no longer needs, then resumes the walk in silence, lost in thoughts of past and present… of fate, luck, and the power needed to bend either one.

Quote from TeethAgatha >>

 

"Aloysia..." he mumbles. "Let me guess… She was headed somewhere that rhymes more with rise than with rest… "

Nivi takes a deep breath, returning to her old ways.  "Right.  Knew you'd figure that part out, Pretty Boy.  Feel bad now for not telling you all before.  Bargaining chip to get you down in the sewers with me fighting Clasp and their demon allies.  Only you were coming down here anyway, so..."

She glances at Frekor.  "Last night, Aloysia shook you and me who were both tailing her from the Ready Room, but not Shiv."  She glances at her shoulder as if surprised not to find the soot-grey owl familiar (dead from demon stench some time back), still perched there.

"Sent Shiv to keep following you, Tracker, where you got mixed up with those Clasp thugs on the streets, but I went after the slippery elven b!itch."  There is no irony in Nivi's voice, even though the descriptor could be used to describe herself as well as Aloysia.

"So I watch Aloysia meet up with a half dozen I saw you all with before.  Not you, Sky, but the rest of you, earlier.  Odd crew.  Led by this strange watery genasi lady with orc hair.  Seemed to fancy a drow next to her.  Other four were, uh... some twitchy goblin, this big ogre broad looming all protective, a super serious tiefling, reminded me of my preachy mum, and... oh right, human outlander who looked like he could use a drink."

"Anyway, they meet up and Aloysia starts flapping her gums, waving her skinny arms.  Couldn't get close enough to hear, but genasi-woman looks caught off guard, then interested.  Eager, even.  Like this is some shot she's been waiting for.  She's nodding, Aloysia's nodding, some of the others are nodding.  Lots of nodding.  Twitchy goblin looks nervous, maybe.  Then they all take off together.  Bound for Betrayer's Rise, like you guessed, Pretty Boy."

Nivi snaps her jaws shut, realizing she's talked a while, glancing at her new companions to discern whether they even seem interested in this information.

After Nivi pauses in her recollection, Sky says: "I don't think I've heard you ever speak so much at once."  He chuckles good-naturedly.  "Only: who's Aloysia, again?"

"That is interesting...but we'll deal with it when we get out of this place." Ylis waves her arms at the scummy sewer walls.

"Aloysia is a liar and a cheat. She's trying to get something in the Betrayer's Rise..." Ylis sighs, "Unfortunately it sounds like she recruited some of our friends to help her out. Not their fault though. How could they know what she is."

Quote from AngelesPaladin >>

"Yeah, I can carry the Taskhand," Sky responds to Nivi as he stows his weapon on his back and hoists the unconscious man easily over his shoulder.  "And I'm with Ylis on avoiding further demonic temples undergoing kooky rituals."

Now that the threat of combat has passed, Sky tries to have more success with a Cure Wounds spell on Frekor: 11 healing.

Frekor smiles back at the Goliath. Thanks, for everthing. I promise we'll get to your master's killer sooner than later."

Quote from Tybard>>

Voice trailing away, Nivi turns and faces the wall and undoes the back of her studded leather, just enough to show the Clasp insignia branded starkly on her back, large and prominent.  Exactly the same symbol the party had seen marked on the wall when they first entered the sewers yesterday.

Redoing her leathers and turning to face him once more, she meets Morgan's eyes, then shockingly, hugs him, very quickly.  Nivi has always been quick.

"Appreciate the help back there.  That was solid work.  All of us."

Quote from Tybard >>

 

Quote from Damian_May >>

[Randa] ... " Everyone else in more or less one piece?  Did we win? I'm kinda hazy on what just happened."

"Still got the Clasp bastards who bailed out of here.  Least one demon got away too, earlier.  And speaking of demon temples, haven't told you about where Aloysia was headed last night, (and with who) like I said I would.  Never felt like the right time.  Not sure you care, but I doubt you'll like it."

"So, Straight Arrow... don't know if we won?  Best I can say is... we didn't lose yet.  So that's something.  Think we all saw who LOST back there."

Nivi turns her gaze back to the dead end where the door once was.  And where Desu had finally Descended to some place not worth thinking about.

"I personally say we did, we all made it out alive with Verin safe. But there's still a 'war' to win." added the ranger.

Quote from Tybard >>

Nivi takes a deep breath, returning to her old ways.  "Right.  Knew you'd figure that part out, Pretty Boy.  Feel bad now for not telling you all before.  Bargaining chip to get you down in the sewers with me fighting Clasp and their demon allies.  Only you were coming down here anyway, so..."

She glances at Frekor.  "Last night, Aloysia shook both you and me who were both tailing her from the Ready Room, but not Shiv."  She glances at her shoulder as if surprised not to find the soot-grey owl familiar (dead from demon stench some time back), still perched there.

"Sent Shiv to keep following you, Tracker, where you got mixed up with those Clasp thugs on the streets, but I went after the slippery elven b!itch."  There is no irony in Nivi's voice, even though the descriptor could be used to describe herself as well as Aloysia.

"So I watch Aloysia meet up with a half dozen I saw you all with before.  Not you, Sky, but the rest of you, earlier.  Odd crew.  Led by this strange watery genasi lady with orc hair.  Seemed to fancy a drow next to her.  Other four were, uh... some twitchy goblin, this big ogre broad looming all protective, a super serious tiefling, reminded me of my preachy mum, and... oh right, human outlander who looked like he could use a drink."

"Anyway, they meet up and Aloysia starts flapping her gums, waving her skinny arms.  Couldn't get close enough to hear, but genasi-woman looks caught off guard, then interested.  Eager, even.  Like this is some shot she's been waiting for.  She's nodding, Aloysia's nodding, some of the others are nodding.  Lots of nodding.  Twitchy goblin looks nervous, maybe.  Then they all take off together.  Bound for Betrayer's Rise, like you guessed, Pretty Boy."

Nivi snaps her jaws shut, realizing she's talked a while, glancing at her new companions to discern whether they even seem interested in this information.

Frekor lowered his gaze at the mention of Shiv, now realizing that they didn't make it.

He then looked at Nivi while she told her information trying his best to remember the faces of the "crew" she mentioned.

"Even if you didn't get the specifics of what they talked about, you gave us enough information to keep moving." said before starting to walk back to the surface, before stoping on Nivi's side.

"Nivi, it's fine that you didn't tell us this earlier, you didn't know us before. But if you stay with us for longer in our journey, you will. And we would be happy to have you with us." said with a genuine smile before tapping her shoulder as a sign of approval. "The same goes to you, Sky. You are also welcome to stay with us for as long as you like." added after turning to face the palading.

Frekor then stretched and sighed as he was tired from all the fighting. "I'm beat. I just want to take Verin where they can take care of him and sleep after that. Anyone else feels the same way?" asked with a small and quick chuckle.

" Shit.....If those kids went with her to there.........", she exchanged a frightened glance with Ylis.

" First thing first, lets make sure those prisoners got out and decide our next move........do we want to check those other doors before we leave?"

The party checks and finds that there's nothing of value in the cells. The party can deduce from various signs about the mural room that it does not require the same blood offering going out as getting in, so the prisoners were able to get through just fine. Tracks outside the hideout in the sewer proper confirm this.

The party walks and talks their way back to the surface without incident. Taskhand Thelyss is immediately taken from you by the guards and they are debriefed on what transpired. Verin does manage to wake as they carefully took them from Sky and validates all you share and the guards informed you of the safe passage of the people you had freed earlier. Cut from the webbing reveals that the magical healing has repaired all the ghoulish torture his body endured, but it wasn’t quite enough to bring him back to full health. His mended flesh still seems fragile and strained; he will need a few days rest among his healers to fully recover from what transpired. He thanks you heartily and promises you whatever help you need in the future.

The party drags themselves to the house that Verin had provided to the party to use while in the city and, depending on how traumatic this fight was and how worried one might be for Ayo and her crew, sleep is either fitful and restless or deep and sound.

The party wakes the next morning, ready to test the limits of their bodies and minds yet again.

DM: Long Rest achieved. What do you do?

Frekor smiles back at the Goliath. Thanks, for everthing. I promise we'll get to your master's killer sooner than later."

Sky shrugs one shoulder and smiles a half-smile at Frekor.  "If The One Who Endures wishes it, then it will be sooner rather than later.  I am not so naïve as to believe that all evildoers receive the justice they so richly deserve.  But ... it would be nice to bring the killer to justice," he adds after a brief pause.

Quote from Wysperra >>

"That is interesting...but we'll deal with it when we get out of this place." Ylis waves her arms at the scummy sewer walls.

"Aloysia is a lair and a cheat. She's trying to get something in the Betrayer's Rise..." Ylis sighs, "Unfortunately it sounds like she recruited some of our friends to help her out. Not their fault though. How could they know what she is."

 

"Ohhhhh!" Sky slaps his forehead.  "NOW I remember -- this is that woman that Prolix didn't like.  The one who wants to steal the box he was interested in? I'm not sure how much he can be trusted, but he seemed to mostly be telling us the truth: if that's so, then it seems she is not a nice person trying to do good in the world.  I certainly hope she's not ALSO trying to rearrange parts of the city into some kind of depraved cult center like Desu was doing -- but just in case Aloysia IS trying something similar, yes we'd better stop her." 

"The same goes to you, Sky. You are also welcome to stay with us for as long as you like," Frekor added after turning to face the paladin.

Sky nods twice.  "I'll travel with you for the time being, if that's all right with all of you."  He gets quieter, obviously having an introspective moment.  

"Father Fon would have been very happy with what you all did, putting a stop to Desu, rescuing the Taskhand.  He'd certainly have seen it as a danger worthy of facing.  I'm sure he would not have minded the hunt for his killer being put on hold for dealing with matters such as Aloysia and the cultists in the sewers.  Besides ... I've seen some of what besieges this town.  The fact that the people here are still able to fight, keeping dark forces at bay, while still maintaining values like self-sacrifice, and decency, and compassion towards one another?  It makes me want to help the people here."  He pauses again.  "I could do more here than I would ever be able to do back home."

During her watch Ylis spends time in a corner scribbling with pen and ink and medallion. When she is done she gives Randa a recharged Medal of the Horizonback. Before bedding down she conjures a set of bananas (10) in case somebody gets hungry during their watch. Then she yawns and takes a much needed rest.

She sleeps the sleep of exhausted children and puppies, turning occasionally with drool dripping down her face. Justice causes her no stress and worries are for tomorrow.

After Nivi pauses in her recollection, Sky says: "I don't think I've heard you ever speak so much at once."  He chuckles good-naturedly.

Nivi grin is lopsided, and she briefly imitates a stern elven noblewoman  "Two ears, one mouth.  To be used in proportion, Niva'ele.  Or some shyte like that my lady mother would say.  Funny how my stupid bard of a sister never stopped talking and never got told the same thing."

[Frekor] "Nivi, it's fine that you didn't tell us this earlier, you didn't know us before. But if you stay with us for longer in our journey, you will. And we would be happy to have you with us." said with a genuine smile before tapping her shoulder as a sign of approval.

"Been a while since I had a good crew to run with, Tracker.  I won't say no."

Sky shrugs one shoulder and smiles a half-smile at Frekor.  "If The One Who Endures wishes it, then it will be sooner rather than later.  I am not so naïve as to believe that all evildoers receive the justice they so richly deserve.  But ... it would be nice to bring the killer to justice," he adds after a brief pause.

...

"Father Fon..."

Nivi cocks an ear, listening to Frekor and Sky and trying to put things together about this murder they are speaking of.  (Passive Insight:  19).

"Not my place, Sky, but for what it's worth... that thug Frekor was chasing last night who shanked your guy, Father Fon?  Shiv saw him earlier, yeah?  He was Clasp.  Like those bastards we fought down there.  Normally, no reason to take out a priest, even for a killer like him.  Think it was wrong place, wrong time.  Maybe Father Fon was right by the secret sewer entrance the thug fled down?  Can't leave a witness alive who's seen the hidden door."

She sighs.  "Doesn't make it any better, I know.  Worse, maybe.  Either way, I'll help you catch him."

DM:  The party drags themselves to the house that Verin had provided to the party to use while in the city and, depending on how traumatic this fight was and how worried one might be for Ayo and her crew, sleep is either fitful and restless or deep and sound.

Nivi hesitates, on the verge of brusquely taking her leave and instinctively heading back to the flophouse on the other side of town where she'd been holed up.  If and when the party welcome her into the house as if she belongs there, she hesitantly enters.  After a few stretches and desultory attempts to clean the filth off her weapons, armor and hair, she nestles herself into a corner, still seated, entering her four hours of Elven Trance.

Upon arising, with at least the non-elves still presumably asleep, Nivi moves to begin her ritual to resummon Shiv (Find Familiar) before realizing that she lacks both the material components and the gold with which to buy them (10gp worth of incense).  Health potion black market's not too lucrative when you let it slide and spend all your time chasing demons in the sewers, and the same Clasp bastards who kicked you out, she thinks ruefully.

Sighing, Nivi closes her eyes and sits back down to wait, trying to meditate as her brother would after battle.  Desu's final scream still echoing in her ears.