Xilyrah whispers to Stool, "Little one, are you able to do that thing where we can all hear each other in our heads? It might come in handy."

Everyone huddles near Stool, who is happy to oblige.  You all get a face full of white fluffy spores.  The first telepathic thing you hear is Stool asking, "Are we there yet?"

"Not yet but soon," responds Tozer telepathically. The barbarian then makes certain his silent hand motions were understood. "Sounds of footsteps ahead. I'll investigate. Who's with me?"

Beegred will join Tozer. Hopefully, Beegred stops meeting beings who can sense through his Darkvision-invisibility ability. (If needed, Stealth: 20)

Tozer stealth roll? Or just walking up? 

With the halfling at his side, Tozer moves forward as cautiously as possible, shield in one hand and javelin in the other. (Stealth: 8)

(If Beegred is stealthy/invisible and Tozer is not, then Beegred will be the hidden backup if Tozer's open negotiations go sour.)

Tozer approaches the corner and unintentionally scrapes the wall with his maul...

Perception check: 12

As Tozer peeks his head around the corner, he sees 1 non-drow elf looking back at him, startled.

Cursing at himself inwardly for being so clumsy, Tozer opts to engage the elf in conversation. "Greetings, elf. I mean no harm I heard footsteps in this area and wanted to see what might be moving about." 

Tozer attempts to speak loudly enough to ensure the rest of his party hears what he is saying. 

The elf, that is holding cupped hands against the wall, trying to collect a pathetic dribble of water, looks surprised, "You.. you speak common?  Down here?"

Xilyrah hears Tozer speak the word 'elf' and judging by his lack of alarm, she assumes it is non-drow. Coming around the corner her assumption is confirmed. Speaking in Elvish she says, "I am Xilyrah Graymoore, daughter of Marenus Graymoore. What is an elf doing here? Alone, in the Underdark???"

"I am a fugitive from Gracklstugh."  At these words, you realize he has a collar around his neck, and broken manacles around his wrists.

"What's your name?" "Where are you from?" How did you come to be in Gracklstugh? "How did you escape?"

Xilyrah is slow to trust anyone, even an elf who by all appearances is telling the truth. She studies the elf's face for any sign of deception.

Insight: 15 (oh good grief)

The elf replies in broken Elvish, "My duergar masters named me 'Burfeth'.  I was too little to remember my time before Gracklstugh.  My masters were attacked.  They were screaming 'demons' as they fought.  I ran.  No one has come to find me since then."

Xilyrah continues with her questions, "Demons??? Did you see who or what was attacking your masters? How long ago was this? Have you come across anyone else since you've escaped?"

(Ahem. Is the above conversation between the elf and Xilyrah in Elvish?)

The elf replies, still in elvish, "I only saw something towering, big and wet looking like it was flayed.  The ribcage was exposed and a master was in it, but not swallowed.  More like a prison.  Only masters fed me once per sleep.  I'm so exhausted, hungry and thirsty.  It is long past time to eat.  Are you going to be my new masters?"

During her interaction with the elf, Xilyrah has been translating telepathically. Upon communicating the elf's final words to the others, she also expresses her unwillingness to take on another companion, especially one that would seem to be more of a burden than a help.

Beegred is unwilling to just abandon this poor sap, but admits that having a group of Drow actively seeking the party might be putting the sap in more danger.

Would the group be okay with handing him a waterorb? That would give him a day's water and food. Maybe he could be pointed in the direction of the nearest settlement that would take in this slave. And the information about demons needs to spread.

"What is it with this place? Demons and, now, more slaves," comments Tozer aloud.

The dwarf looks at the pitiful Burfeth and shakes his head. "This fellow is doomed."

Then, telepathically, Tozer confesses to the group that he's willing to bring Burfeth along. "Make no wisecracks about a dwarf havin' a soft spot for an elf. I see this as nothing more than an opportunity to fight against the goings-on of this filthy place. You have my vote; I'll abide by whatever the group decides."