True to its name, most of the Darklake exists in pitch blackness. The only light available is whatever you are able to provide. The Darklake is a giant labyrinth of lakes, waterways, and canals that connect myriad caverns and chambers. Some of these caverns are massive, with immeasurably deep water and vaulted ceilings far outside the range of any light. Others are narrow, with only a few feet of space between the ceiling and the surface of the water. Some are completely submerged, navigable only by those able to breathe underwater.
Fortunately, you have Stool and Hemeth, who know how to navigate to Neverlight Grove and Gracklstugh respectively. While Stool has the innate sense of which direction his village lies, he doesn't know exactly how to navigate any tunnel systems. Hemeth on the other hand, can navigate the cave systems yet doesn't have much familiarity with the Darklake, so his navigational aid will only come of use when you're off the Darklake.
You should have plenty of rations between your individual belongings to make it to Neverlight Grove. You will be depleted of your rations (and meat snacks!) by the time you get there. Water will be an issue, however. Much of the water of the Darklake is unsafe to drink, making it important to seek out springs and other clean sources of water feeding into it. Your NPC's may know how to acquire water down here.
To Elmo: "What the **** makes you think my threats are "idle", little man? I sincerely hope that I've demonstrated my willingness to do what's best for me and mine, and if that means letting or making others die to further my agenda, then so be it. DON'T test me on this point any further! But I accept your apology...in part. I think I am the victim of a gross mischaracterization. The only person I've been outwardly hostile towards was that GOAT BLOWING, DINGLEBERRY BATHING, BLOODY DIEREEAH OF A GOD DAMNED PACIFIST!! Did you ever wonder why I hated the pacifist and not the mushroom? Because the mushroom couldn't do anything to help us while the ***** wouldn't do anything to help us. Bugt at least the mushroom showed a willingness to attempt to learn how to help! I've got it in for people who are too damn weak or too damn stupid to help themselves! Anybody who isn't willing to pitch in and pull their weight can go use a jagged glass vibrator on themselves! The under dark is no place for the weak! Trust me on this cause I've been down here far longer than you have! And you hold it against me cause I was willing to sell some pathetic townsfolk up the river to get what I want? Who the **** says I owe them anything?! If they're too damn stupid to see what I'm up to they deserve what's coming to them! You run around acting like I am evil because I don't want to help people who are not able to help themselves. I never signed on to be a hero! I'm just me! And speaking of who I am, since you ask, I'm not sure I feel like opening up to a god damned racist that sees the way I look and automatically assumes that I am evil incarnate! You and everyone else want to judge me before you know a ******* thing about me, so you'll excuse me if I don't want to lie down on the couch so that you can give me therapy. But I will say this about my past; did your insignificant mind ever stop to wonder where Tieflings come from? Did you ever wonder how it could come to pass that any sane woman would ever open her legs to accept a four pronged, soul sucking, carnivorous daemon phallice? Well no sane woman ever has, and neither did my mother. You'll excuse me if I'm a little angsty." She crosses her arms and turns away in a huff.
Lass, ye is being judged only on your actions. I dont think you hear the ridiculousness of your words. Is it intentional?
Ye dont like to be called prickly, yet you needlessly exude thorns. You dont like to be called evil, yet you are more than willing to commit evil deeds, such as needlessly destroying people who have opened their home to you and provided you with kindness. You dont like to be called foolish, but yet you persist in saying foolish things.
Your first choice was to kill those who had done you kindness. You didnt bother to consider to other options. If you dont like being called evil, then change your bloody ways child.
Child if ye plan on continuing to plot on needlessly killing and genociding on our journey together then please make good one one your idle threats and see how well you survive on your own.
Myself and Grem (despite his silence) wont abide needless killing. It aint that hard a request that we are making. Take an honest look at yourself lass.
Gremryl stops mid-chew, mouth slightly agape at the what Morgana said. He plays back the last few weeks and her bahaviors and he sees her what she is talking about. She’s been nothing but nice to the shroom and her and Grems fought side by side.... huh...
Stool and Hemeth both slink to the farthest part of the boat they can get to away from where the Tiefling and the Halfing are...'discussing' their differences. Stool quivers and Hemeth puts an arm around it for comfort.
He looks at Morgana again and this time in a different light.. he doesn’t see just a tiefling.. he sees a young lass who has been through traumatic experience much like his own...
“Morgana, we are in this together. In the few weeks I’ve known you, you have shown to be true and to back us up in a fight. Elmo here is grateful for you having started the escape back at the encampment (Grem kicks Elmo’s shin). We all have stories lass, misery loves company and we all have our share. Know this Morgana, I’ll not leave you behind and neither will Elmo. Stick with us as well is all we ask. “
To Elmo: "Are you a thief or a bard, because you are spinning one hell of a yarn? You call me foolish but you are too damn stupid to recall basic facts accurately! You said that I was trying to destroy that town back there when all I was trying to do was get a boat to get the hell out of dodge. You can't name a single act of mine that put those fish folks at risk. But you want to ***** and moan because I didn't want to help them? They created every part of the situation that put them at risk and now you are mad at me for not doing anything about it?! I'm not obligated to help out anybody! They made their beds and they can damn well sleep in them! You said I tried to kill those that were kind to me? More lies! Name the fish that I tried to harm! Recount the attack I made! All I did was try to get a boat without hurting anyone! Are you telling stories in an attempt to get attention to compensate for your short stature, or something?! Now, I'm telling you this for the last time little fella, make up another lie about me and I'll do you the favor of ending your miserable existence."
Morgana accepts the water skin from Grem: "Thank you for at least attempting to understand, though you never could...I'm just sick of people judging me for the sins of my father. And I've been so damn alone for so damn long that working as a team is going to take some serious getting used to."
As you begin to find reconciliation amongst your individual histories, Hemeth jumps up and says to the group,"Uhhh...guys? We've got company."Hemeth points off the starboard bow and you start to make out a small water vessel not moving. You don't see anything on the boat.
You see nothing on the boat. Even with a great perception check. It appears to be abandoned. Looking closer, you can make out large piles of ore...maybe iron.
I slander nobody. Ye were ready to stroll over and hear an offer from those Deep father bastards (I can cut and past the interaction if you like)! You talked sweet honey to the followers of the Sea Mother, yet ignored their warnings about the deep father, ignored their kindness, which is a rare thing in this harsh shite place, and were willing to make a deal with those deep father shites. A deal that would have certainly ending in the deaths of our hosts.
You didnt bother to hear any other idea, ye simply stormed off into danger to follow ye first treacherous impulse. Putting your party members needlessly in danger I would add.
Had the Sea Mothers warnings not proved true and we found ourselfs attacks, I worry how our night would have ended... probably not worse that what happened anyways.
(elmo tries to calm himself)
I am not arguing that you, or we, didnt owe them our best girl! But we dont have to give them our worse either.
"I'll deal with your latest round of inaccuracies later, little man. I've business to attend to..."
Morganna turns towards the approaching vessel and casts ray of frost at the water around it to try to freeze it in place uhtil we can figure out what we are dealing with.
To Elmo: "What the **** makes you think my threats are "idle", little man? I sincerely hope that I've demonstrated my willingness to do what's best for me and mine, and if that means letting or making others die to further my agenda, then so be it. DON'T test me on this point any further! But I accept your apology...in part. I think I am the victim of a gross mischaracterization. The only person I've been outwardly hostile towards was that GOAT BLOWING, DINGLEBERRY BATHING, BLOODY DIEREEAH OF A GOD DAMNED PACIFIST!! Did you ever wonder why I hated the pacifist and not the mushroom? Because the mushroom couldn't do anything to help us while the ***** wouldn't do anything to help us. Bugt at least the mushroom showed a willingness to attempt to learn how to help! I've got it in for people who are too damn weak or too damn stupid to help themselves! Anybody who isn't willing to pitch in and pull their weight can go use a jagged glass vibrator on themselves! The under dark is no place for the weak! Trust me on this cause I've been down here far longer than you have! And you hold it against me cause I was willing to sell some pathetic townsfolk up the river to get what I want? Who the **** says I owe them anything?! If they're too damn stupid to see what I'm up to they deserve what's coming to them! You run around acting like I am evil because I don't want to help people who are not able to help themselves. I never signed on to be a hero! I'm just me! And speaking of who I am, since you ask, I'm not sure I feel like opening up to a god damned racist that sees the way I look and automatically assumes that I am evil incarnate! You and everyone else want to judge me before you know a ******* thing about me, so you'll excuse me if I don't want to lie down on the couch so that you can give me therapy. But I will say this about my past; did your insignificant mind ever stop to wonder where Tieflings come from? Did you ever wonder how it could come to pass that any sane woman would ever open her legs to accept a four pronged, soul sucking, carnivorous daemon phallice? Well no sane woman ever has, and neither did my mother. You'll excuse me if I'm a little angsty." She crosses her arms and turns away in a huff.
Elmo looks at Grem as if to get him to speak up
Gremryl stops mid-chew, mouth slightly agape at the what Morgana said. He plays back the last few weeks and her bahaviors and he sees her what she is talking about. She’s been nothing but nice to the shroom and her and Grems fought side by side.... huh...
He looks at Morgana again and this time in a different light.. he doesn’t see just a tiefling.. he sees a young lass who has been through traumatic experience much like his own...
“Morgana, we are in this together. In the few weeks I’ve known you, you have shown to be true and to back us up in a fight. Elmo here is grateful for you having started the escape back at the encampment (Grem kicks Elmo’s shin). We all have stories lass, misery loves company and we all have our share. Know this Morgana, I’ll not leave you behind and neither will Elmo. Stick with us as well is all we ask. “
he offers her his water skin....
To Elmo: "Are you a thief or a bard, because you are spinning one hell of a yarn? You call me foolish but you are too damn stupid to recall basic facts accurately! You said that I was trying to destroy that town back there when all I was trying to do was get a boat to get the hell out of dodge. You can't name a single act of mine that put those fish folks at risk. But you want to ***** and moan because I didn't want to help them? They created every part of the situation that put them at risk and now you are mad at me for not doing anything about it?! I'm not obligated to help out anybody! They made their beds and they can damn well sleep in them! You said I tried to kill those that were kind to me? More lies! Name the fish that I tried to harm! Recount the attack I made! All I did was try to get a boat without hurting anyone! Are you telling stories in an attempt to get attention to compensate for your short stature, or something?! Now, I'm telling you this for the last time little fella, make up another lie about me and I'll do you the favor of ending your miserable existence."
Morgana accepts the water skin from Grem: "Thank you for at least attempting to understand, though you never could...I'm just sick of people judging me for the sins of my father. And I've been so damn alone for so damn long that working as a team is going to take some serious getting used to."
As you begin to find reconciliation amongst your individual histories, Hemeth jumps up and says to the group, "Uhhh...guys? We've got company." Hemeth points off the starboard bow and you start to make out a small water vessel not moving. You don't see anything on the boat.
"what! where!" Gremryl sees where he's pointing...
rolling a perception check to see if these keen dwarven eyes can see who or what is on the boat
21
You see nothing on the boat. Even with a great perception check. It appears to be abandoned. Looking closer, you can make out large piles of ore...maybe iron.
i say that to everyone else...
I slander nobody. Ye were ready to stroll over and hear an offer from those Deep father bastards (I can cut and past the interaction if you like)! You talked sweet honey to the followers of the Sea Mother, yet ignored their warnings about the deep father, ignored their kindness, which is a rare thing in this harsh shite place, and were willing to make a deal with those deep father shites. A deal that would have certainly ending in the deaths of our hosts.
You didnt bother to hear any other idea, ye simply stormed off into danger to follow ye first treacherous impulse. Putting your party members needlessly in danger I would add.
Had the Sea Mothers warnings not proved true and we found ourselfs attacks, I worry how our night would have ended... probably not worse that what happened anyways.
(elmo tries to calm himself)
I am not arguing that you, or we, didnt owe them our best girl! But we dont have to give them our worse either.
As Elmo talks, Gremryl points at the boat coming towards them...
"Aye lass, I don't be thinking we should be letting that boat near us.. mayhap you can fly on over and check it out?" he says to morgana..
"Elmo, keep that crossbow handy my friend..."
"I'll deal with your latest round of inaccuracies later, little man. I've business to attend to..."
Morganna turns towards the approaching vessel and casts ray of frost at the water around it to try to freeze it in place uhtil we can figure out what we are dealing with.
Elmo gets low and stealths. He reaides his cross bow and makes a perception check
Stealth: 26
Percetion: 16
elmo, staying low, tries to stealth again (after an apropraite amount of time) 19