Link's Out of the Abyss!

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(telepathy) "This is Shade again.  Does anyone know whether one of these Drow carries the key to our chains?  It will be easier to escape if we have our hands free, and I might be able to steal the key if I know which one carries it."

 Derendil did understand (he speaks Elvish), Roth didn’t. You did find another club. Jimjar is able to easily lift the blocks with surprising strength.  *The kuo-toa was Shuushar.* 

Noting that Jimjar seems to be able to lift the stone blocks easily, Shade wonders whether he's uncommonly strong or whether it's some ability of his people.  While he works, he looks around to see whether Topsy struggles with the heavy blocks.

In telepathy, you hear Sarith: “One of the quaggoths should have it.”

Shade nods silently.  He replies telepathically to the whole group: 

(telepathy) "The furry white guards?  Could everyone keep an eye out for which of the quaggoths holds the key to our shackles?  Let me know if you spot it."

Shade is hoping that with the whole group working together, someone will figure out which quaggoth carries the key.  With the entire group of prisoners in one area, he tries to choose stone blocks that take him closer to different quaggoth guards or to take a circuitous route back from setting down a block that lets him get close to different quaggoth guards.

*@LinkArcher - If the others help with figuring out which Quaggoth has the key, would that just be a skill check with Advantage for Shade, a group check, or some sort of skill challenge?  Also, is Topsy able to move the stone blocks easily like Jimjar?*

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(telepathy) "This is Shade again.  Does anyone know whether one of these Drow carries the key to our chains?  It will be easier to escape if we have our hands free, and I might be able to steal the key if I know which one carries it."

 Derendil did understand (he speaks Elvish), Roth didn’t. You did find another club. Jimjar is able to easily lift the blocks with surprising strength.  *The kuo-toa was Shuushar.* 

Noting that Jimjar seems to be able to lift the stone blocks easily, Shade wonders whether he's uncommonly strong or whether it's some ability of his people.  While he works, he looks around to see whether Topsy struggles with the heavy blocks.

In telepathy, you hear Sarith: “One of the quaggoths should have it.”

Shade nods silently.  He replies telepathically to the whole group: 

(telepathy) "The furry white guards?  Could everyone keep an eye out for which of the quaggoths holds the key to our shackles?  Let me know if you spot it."

Shade is hoping that with the whole group working together, someone will figure out which quaggoth carries the key.  With the entire group of prisoners in one area, he tries to choose stone blocks that take him closer to different quaggoth guards or to take a circuitous route back from setting down a block that lets him get close to different quaggoth guards.

---

*@LinkArcher - If the others help with figuring out which Quaggoth has the key, would that just be a skill check with Advantage for Shade, a group check, or some sort of skill challenge?  Also, is Topsy able to move the stone blocks easily like Jimjar?*

 Topsy seems to be doing it a little less easily than Jimjar is. It would be a Perception check with advantage.

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*@LinkArcher - If the others help with figuring out which Quaggoth has the key, would that just be a skill check with Advantage for Shade...?*

 Topsy seems to be doing it a little less easily than Jimjar is. It would be a Perception check with advantage.

Shade - Perception: 24 (in game log, a Natural 20 on the check)

*OOC: Assuming that Shade identifies which Quaggoth has the key...*

Shade sends a telepathic message to let them the main party members know which Quaggoth has the key to their shackles.  He doesn't want to risk one of the other prisoners tipping off their captors, so he only contacts Soren and the members of their original Expedition, if that's possible.  He proposes that he will try to steal the key from the Quaggoth just as they approach their jail cell. 
(telepathy)  "If I can get the key, we can leave our shackles behind when we escape."

Shade asks whether anyone could help distract that Quaggoth so that it's easier to pick its pocket.  Shade assumes that it'll be a little more crowded as they approach the jail cell, and he'll be able to maneuver closer to the one with the key.  Then, someone just needs to pretend to stumble and fall into the Quaggoth or just start screaming and yelling about something.  Anything so that its attention isn't on Shade while he's picking its pocket.

*OOC: @Mister_Whisker - Would this be an important enough check for Mirelle to offer Shade Bardic Inspiration?  I don't think that anyone in the party has Guidance.*  

*Well rolled! You can tell that it’s one of the ones that you saw outside your cell earlier. You may want to mark him, though.*

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*You may want to mark him, though.*

*Mark him?  Do you mean just to do something so that we can tell him apart from the others when it's time to steal the key?*

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*You may want to mark him, though.*

*Mark him?  Do you mean just to do something so that we can tell him apart from the others when it's time to steal the key?*

 *Yes.*

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*Well rolled! You can tell that it’s one of the ones that you saw outside your cell earlier. You may want to mark him, though.*

*OOC: Ah, OK.  I didn't realize that they were so identical-looking.  Could Shade just try stealing the key from the Quaggoth's now instead of waiting for later?  Unless I misunderstood something, it doesn't sound like they ever take us out of our shackles until we die, so they probably won't notice the missing key as long as Shade isn't caught stealing it.*

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*Well rolled! You can tell that it’s one of the ones that you saw outside your cell earlier. You may want to mark him, though.*

*OOC: Ah, OK.  I didn't realize that they were so identical-looking.  Could Shade just try stealing the key from the Quaggoth's now instead of waiting for later?  Unless I misunderstood something, it doesn't sound like they ever take us out of our shackles until we die, so they probably won't notice the missing key as long as Shade isn't caught stealing it.*

 *Sure! Make a sleight of hand check, I’ll roll contested perception. These guys don’t have that good of perception anyways.*

*OOC: Sure.  I was just waiting to confirm that someone would help create a distraction and, hopefully, for Mirelle to grant Shade Bardic Inspiration as I mentioned in post #188.  I actually already rolled (in the game log) to see whether we could just move things along, but the roll was mediocre.  I thought that I should wait for @MIster_Whisker to confirm whether Shade has a Bardic Inspiration die to spend here before I post, and we resolve this attempt.*

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*OOC: Sure.  I was just waiting to confirm that someone would help create a distraction and, hopefully, for Mirelle to grant Shade Bardic Inspiration as I mentioned in post #188.  I actually already rolled (in the game log) to see whether we could just move things along, but the roll was mediocre.  I thought that I should wait for @MIster_Whisker to confirm whether Shade has a Bardic Inspiration die to spend here before I post, and we resolve this attempt.*

 *Got it! Whisker said they were away yesterday until today.*

Soren finds a short hank of silken ribbon to add to his collection of miscellaneous tools.  He hopes that it may come in handy.  

Regardless, he gets Shade's message.  

-= A distraction.  Well, I believe I can do something when you're ready. =-

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 *Sure! Make a sleight of hand check, I’ll roll contested perception. These guys don’t have that good of perception anyways.*

*OOC: @LinkArcher - It's a rolled check or just a contest vs. its Passive Perception score?  Since I'm not sure how long you want to wait for @Mister_Whisker, I'll go ahead and post Shade's rolls here so that you can move things forward once you have what you need from the others.  I'll leave it to @JFCapps to say exactly how Soren distracts the Quaggoth.  I'm using the rolls that I already made in the game log. Just hoping that the Quaggoth isn't very observant since all of Shade's rolls were below average here 🤞*

Shade positions himself near the Quaggoth with the key and waits for Soren's distraction.  Then he approaches the Quaggoth from behind or from the side and tries to slip the key from its pouch.  Shade tries to be a little bit sneaky here.  For example, if Soren pretends to fall or have a "fit" near the Quaggoth, Shade would "accidentally" bump into the Quaggoth on his way to "assist" Soren.  If he gets the key, he'll "palm" it in one of his big paws until he can hide it better.

Shade - Sleight of Hand

• 12 (without Bardic Inspiration, rolled with Advantage from Soren's help)
• 14 (with a 1d6 Bardic Inspiration roll of +2)

Nyskira sends a telepathic message to everyone: Shortly after we return today the cell door will be left unlocked, that is when we are planning to escape. The first thing we need to do is find our spell books, thieves' tools, weapons, and some food and water. We need to act quickly, move silently, and hopefully put as much distance between us as we can before the drow mount a pursuit. Be ready!

Finn understands the plan and he too wish to get his spellbook back. So, for now, he bides his time.