Shuushar proves to be very useful with his ability to swim in order to be able to carry the unconscious prisoners to shore and help less able swimmers. 

You all find yourselves at ground level in this massive cavern.  The waterfall roars behind you drowning out distant noises.  Tozer, knowing what to look for, continues to see the faint lights to the north, west and south, definitely at ground level.  Everything else is pitch blackness.

The prisoners all look to each other with 'We actually made it this far?  Where do we go now?' expressions.

Beegred: "With my ranger skills, I can help navigate the rocky paths of the Underdark, once we are moving. But I don't know where we going. Do any of you know of landmarks in the Underdark that we should go towards? Or any ways out of this cavern?

"Until we get a lot stronger, I think we should avoid the south, where that drow elevator is. They might already be sending troops down here.

"Once a decision is made, someone who speaks Elvish (or Undercommon) should tell Sarith to use his Dancing Lights so we aren't moving in pitch blackness.

"Oh, and if anyone finds a sprig of mistletoe, please let me have it. It will make all of our lives a lot easier."

"Agreed, Beegred. Let's avoid going south."

Tozer looks over the group, his mind a whirl of activity. What should the marching order be? Who'll carry the wounded? How do I make certain that damned orc doesn't stick a blade in my back?

"As soon as we decide which direction to head, I'll take the first shift of carrying Derendil."

Looking at Xilyrah, Tozer continues, "Seems like he..." (pointing at Sarith) "... should know the lay of the land, and what these lights indicate. Can you ask him?"

As the realization that an escape may actually succeed, Jimjar is the first to speak, "We should head to Blingdenstone.  It is the home of the deep gnomes and I'll wager it would be the best route for the surfacers to take as Blingdenstone has a history with Gauntlgrym, the dwarven city recaptured by the surface dwarves."  Eldeth agrees, stating "Gauntlgrym be doing business with Blingdenstone and be a good way out."  Jimjar finishes, "Topsy and Turvy will surely rejoin us at some point..." Jimjar scans around in the darkness for them, "if we head that way."

Sarith is the first to interject, "The most direct route to Blingdenstone is taking the north passage out of this cavern, and we would have to pass Menzoberranzan first.  That is the home city of the Drow here in the Underdark, " he adds for the surfacers.  "as much as I'd enjoy being able to return home, I can never return."

Buppido steps in, "Gracklstugh!  It is south and away from Menzoberranzan.  The Duergar city of blades will sell equipment to anyone with coin to pay.  They deal with surfacers as well."  Eldeth is the first to reject this option, spitting on the ground disgustingly, "The duergar be as likely to shackle us and take any coin we find as be doing business with us!"

Stool, coming to the understanding that the group is discussing leaving Velkinvelve, whines, "Please take me home to Neverlight Grove.  The Myconid there were wanderers before and the Sovereign will surely know about any routes to the surface.  Neverlight Grove also has an abundance of food and water. And I always know in what direction it is,"  Stool appears to be trying to lean to the West.

Sarith nods, "I would not be welcome with any of the civilized races here in the Underdark, but Neverlight Grove would be my best chance at sanctuary.  Especially if I return Stool here.  That's where I'm going, and I know the ways of the Underdark well."

Shuushar shakes his head, "I must return to Sloobludop.  My people worship mad gods that lead them to madness.  I must return and set them on a more harmonious path.  To the west is the Darklake, and once there I can navigate those waters better than any Duergar.  The Kuo-Toa also deal with the other Underdark cities and will surely have information about where to find a path to the surface."

Sarith shakes his head 'no' at this, "The direct route to Blingdenstone, Gracklstugh, Neverlight Grove and Sloobludop all pass through the Darklake, but unless you can breathe underwater, swimming is an impossibility and there will be no boats just lying about.  Even with boats, if we are assaulted by the creatures of the darklake and fall out of our boats, it will surely mean certain death by drowning.  I am going to Neverlight Grove with Stool."

Valthana voices her decision, "I will accompany Stool to make sure he gets there before finding a way out of this hellhole."

Buppido crosses his arms and shakes his head, "I must return to Gracklstugh.  It is the divine plan laid out for me.  I can guarantee safe passage in Gracklstugh for any that join me."

Jimjar shrugs, "I wager Blingdenstone be the best course of action for the surfacers.  That's where I'm going either directly north or west through the Darklake."

Eldeth nods, "Aye, Blingdenstone.  I be not getting us there, but I be capable of making sure we be not starving on the way for those that be coming."

Tozer does his best to sort through all that he has just heard from his fellow escapees, but his natural distrust for non-dwarves becomes his guiding force in this difficult moment of decision. Believing Eldeth, therefore, to be the most trustworthy, he says, "Blingdenstone. That's the way we should go." 

"Wherever we go, everyone keep an eye out for glowing moss on the way," Narstin says.  "If we can find some of that to use as a focus, I can cast Light for any who are unable to see in the dark."

When he finishes talking, he casts Guidance on himself and peers around the cave to see if he can spot any such moss in sight.

Perception: (Guidance: 2)16

The only sources of light that can be seen from the cavern floor are the three light sources that Tozer has pointed out to the North, West and South.

Quote from Jack_Joke >>

Looking at Xilyrah, Tozer continues, "Seems like he..." (pointing at Sarith) "... should know the lay of the land, and what these lights indicate. Can you ask him?"

 Xilyrah nods at the barbarian dwarf in acknowledgment and turns her attention to Sarith. In Undercommon she asks him, "What do you know of these lights to the North, West, and South? You did say you were familiar with this outpost."

Sarith scowls at Xilyrah, prejudices still deeply integrated into his persona.  "The lights have the same tinge as the bioluminescent fungus we use in our lamps.  But they should not be there.  I can't tell you why they are there."

"Bioluminescent Fungus?" Narstin asks.  "Sounds like it might be exactly what I need for my light spell."

"Eldeth, these lights...is one of them on the path to Blingdenstone? If so, then Narstin can find what he needs as we head that direction," comments Tozer. 

Eldeth looks helpless as she answers, "I be not knowing where we are.  I be not navigating until I be recognizing a place."

Tozer listens to Eldeth's response and then turns to Jimjar. "You said you were headed for Blingdenstone...by going either directly north or west through the Darklake, correct? You can lead us north then? And we can avoid this ominous-sounding lake?"

Jimjar grins confidently. "Everything I do always works out for me in the end. Sarith says Blingdenstone is to the north, then I will find it.  I'll make any wager you want to back that up! "

Shuushar speaks up, "I can guide us to Sloobludop by land via the north route. It is a small detour. In Sloobludop I can find you better directions to Blingdenstone or get you some boats to take the direct route. The Duergar navigate the Darklake by boat frequently... It is not as dire as Sarith makes it out to be."

Xilyrah regards the talking fish skeptically and responds, "Easy for you to say, scaly one. You have fins and can breathe underwater. I've had enough contact with water for now. And while I'd prefer to go with the mushroom and the others, I think it will end badly between myself and my drow half-brother. I'll join the quarterlings to Blingdenstone. Let us make haste and get our hands on some glowy fungus so the cleric can cast his spell."

"Blingdenstone by way of doesn't sound like a bad idea for a destination," Narstin says, "But I don't love the thought of having to pass Menzoberranzan to get to it.  And on the other hand, I like the idea of helping get Stool home to Neverlight Grove."  He looks to Sarith and asks in Elvish, "Is there another way to Neverlight Grove without having to cross Darklake, since it seems we likely can't go that route.  At least not directly from here."

Tozer listens to Jimjar's confidence and optimism, albeit a bit skeptically. The barbarian, shaking his head, then narrows his gaze at Xilyrah. "And how could we quarterlings refuse such charming company?"

Sarith answers Narstin, "Yes.  We'll have to pass near Gracklstugh and beyond it to go to Neverlight Grove while circumventing the Darklake."

Xilyrah, not wont to trust anyone's instinct, even a cleric, speaks up. "I seem to recall coming in contact with other derro in my, ahem.....dealings. I'm not so sure about an entire city full of them. And this one over here," she says, narrowing her gaze at Buppido, "Seems way too eager to guarantee us with safe passage. The only guarantee in this life is there are no guarantees."

Insight check: 11

Tozer, growing more uncomfortable and impatient with each passing moment, stares into the darkness above, hoping to see that all is still in Velkynvelve. "I am grateful to have fought alongside all of you, but escaping together doesn't mean we must now travel together. Let each one do what seems right."

The barbarian then lifts Derendil over his shoulder and addresses Eldeth. "Blingdenstone can be reached in such a way that would allow us to pass through Neverlight Grove? Is that right? If so, are you willing to take such a route? It would allow us to see Stool to safety." 

Then, looking at the group as a whole, Tozer says, "Time to move, friends, unless you're ready to accept your fate and learn to obey."

Perception (to determine if all is quiet in Velkynvelve): 13