Link's Out of the Abyss!

*OOC: @LinkArcher - Sorry, but I'm not clear about what's going on.  Is the party still at the work site, and you're waiting for one of us to post or reply to something before you move on to the next scene?  Or are you saying that we're already back in our pen and locked up?*

Quote from Ben_Evolent >>

*OOC: @LinkArcher - Sorry, but I'm not clear about what's going on.  Is the party still at the work site, and you're waiting for one of us to post or reply to something before you move on to the next scene?  Or are you saying that we're already back in our pen and locked up?*

 *You guys are still at the work site. Have you finished with the blocks?*

Quote from LinkArcher >>

 *You guys are still at the work site. Have you finished with the blocks?*

Quote from Ben_Evolent >>

*OOC: @LinkArcher - OK.  Do we need to do anything to complete this work task?  Or that happens automatically after some period of time, and we can just use this time to role-play some interaction with our Drow captors or to use Stool's telepathic bond to plan our upcoming escape?*

*OOC: As far as I could tell, that just happened automatically.  We were all working at the task until it was done, finding some additional items at the work site.  While working, we were also chatting telepathically, Nyskira sent off his familiar, and Shade stole the key to our shackles.  AFAICT, there's nothing that anyone else wanted to do here.  As Nyskira suggested, we're waiting until we get back to the pen and Jorlan unlocks the gate to make an escape attempt.*

Quote from Ben_Evolent >>

Quote from LinkArcher >>

 *You guys are still at the work site. Have you finished with the blocks?*

Quote from Ben_Evolent >>

*OOC: @LinkArcher - OK.  Do we need to do anything to complete this work task?  Or that happens automatically after some period of time, and we can just use this time to role-play some interaction with our Drow captors or to use Stool's telepathic bond to plan our upcoming escape?*

*OOC: As far as I could tell, that just happened automatically.  We were all working at the task until it was done, finding some additional items at the work site while we worked.  While working, we were also chatting telepathically, Nyskira sent off his familiar, and Shade stole the key to our shackles.  AFAICT, there's nothing that anyone else wanted to do here.  As Nyskira suggested, we're waiting until we get back to the pen and Jorlan unlocks the gate to make an escape attempt.*

 

 *Ok, great.*
As everyone finishes moving the blocks, Jorlan gathers everyone up and shepherds you with the help of the quaggoths back to the cell. He doesn’t fully close the door, instead resting it on the latch.

*OOC: Thanks!  That's clear.  The party may want to take a beat here to plan a bit more before we act. 

@LinkArcher - I don't know where on that map the tunnel to the work site would be.  From the map, it looks like the only routes from our pen (SP) are to head north to a dead end (the room with ⭐) or to cross the walkway and go through a room in that easternmost stalactite.  If we've been going through that easternmost stalactite, what have we seen there?  Is it just an empty room?  Was there anyone / anything there?

Also, did Nyskira's familiar find Ilvara's quarters?  Or do you need @Brian_Avery to indicate where on the map he sends the familiar first?*

Quote from Brian_Avery >>

And finally, using his own special telepathy with his familiar he will instruct it to seek out Ilvara's quarters and try to determine just where our equipment is located.

Quote from Ben_Evolent >>

*OOC: Thanks!  That's clear.  The party may want to take a beat here to plan a bit more before we act. 

@LinkArcher - I don't know where on that map the tunnel to the work site would be.  From the map, it looks like the only routes from our pen (SP) are to head north to a dead end (the room with ⭐) or to cross the walkway and go through a room in that easternmost stalactite.  If we've been going through that easternmost stalactite, what have we seen there?  Is it just an empty room?  Was there anyone / anything there?

Also, did Nyskira's familiar find Ilvara's quarters?  Or do you need @Brian_Avery to indicate where on the map he sends the familiar first?*

Quote from Brian_Avery >>

And finally, using his own special telepathy with his familiar he will instruct it to seek out Ilvara's quarters and try to determine just where our equipment is located.

 

 *You all went through the stalactite. It was a guard post I believe. Nyskira, your familiar sees Ilvara going down a stalactite into her quarters. The door closes behind her, but you can catch a glimpse of what looks like a spell book?*

Quote from LinkArcher >> 

*You all went through the stalactite. It was a guard post I believe.

*OOC: @LinkArcher - Hm.  How many guards did we see there?  Was it just one big, open room?  Or were there multiple rooms or floors to the guard post in that stalctite.*

Shade looks out from the (unlocked) gate toward the guard stalactite.  Other than the door in the stalctite, are there any windows or arrow slits facing our direction?  That is, is that guard post focused on watching outward, into the chasm?  Or can Shade see guards stationed at the guard post who keep constant watch on our pen?

Once he has taken in whatever he can see of the guard post stalactite from our pen, Shade turns to the others, waiting to see who will lead them in the escape.  While he waits, he tries to use the stolen key to unlock his own shackles.  If that works, he takes the shackles off and takes a moment to stretch his powerful arms overhead and all the way out to his sides, loosening up his shoulders. The chains limited his range of motion!  He scratches his neck where the collar had flattened his fur with a satisfied purr in this throat and says, "It feels good to be able to move freely again."  

Once his own chains are off, Shade will hurry to unlock  Mirelle's shackles next.  Then he focuses on freeing up the other members of their Expedition (Nyskira and Finn) and the ones who he deems would be the best fighters if the guards discover them before they're even ready to start the escape: Soren, Derendil, Roth, and Sarith.  Finally, if we haven't been discovered yet, Shade unshackles the others.  He does that while the "leader" starts explaining the plan.

Quote from LinkArcher >> 

Nyskira, your familiar sees Ilvara going down a stalactite into her quarters. The door closes behind her, but you can catch a glimpse of what looks like a spell book?*

*OOC: @LinkArcher - Which stalactite was that on the map?*

Quote from Ben_Evolent >>

Quote from LinkArcher >> 

*You all went through the stalactite. It was a guard post I believe.

*OOC: @LinkArcher - Hm.  How many guards did we see there?  Was it just one big, open room?  Or were there multiple rooms or floors to the guard post in that stalctite.*

Shade looks out from the (unlocked) gate toward the guard stalactite.  Other than the door in the stalctite, are there any windows or arrow slits facing our direction?  That is, is that guard post focused on watching outward, into the chasm?  Or can Shade see guards stationed at the guard post who keep constant watch on our pen?

Once he has taken in whatever he can see of the guard post stalactite from our pen, Shade turns to the others, waiting to see who will lead them in the escape.  While he waits, he tries to use the stolen key to unlock his own shackles.  If that works, he takes the shackles off and takes a moment to stretch his powerful arms overhead and all the way out to his sides, loosening up his shoulders. The chains limited his range of motion!  He scratches his neck where the collar had flattened his fur with a satisfied purr in this throat and says, "It feels good to be able to move freely again."  

Once his own chains are off, Shade will hurry to unlock  Mirelle's shackles next.  Then he focuses on freeing up the other members of their Expedition (Nyskira and Finn) and the ones who he deems would be the best fighters if the guards discover them before they're even ready to start the escape: Soren, Derendil, Roth, and Sarith.  Finally, if we haven't been discovered yet, Shade unshackles the others.  He does that while the "leader" starts explaining the plan.

Quote from LinkArcher >> 

Nyskira, your familiar sees Ilvara going down a stalactite into her quarters. The door closes behind her, but you can catch a glimpse of what looks like a spell book?*

*OOC: @LinkArcher - Which stalactite was that on the map?*

 *It was the one just past the slave pen on the left. No windows are facing the pen.*
Shuushar chimes in telepathically, “I can help lead us.” Eldeth adds, “I’ve worked as a guide before.”