Out Of The Abyss (#16 PbP)

(It’s more of an octopus/squid stuffed animal) ;)

”It is intrusive, isn’t it. I’ve never seen it move. I’ll wake up and poof it’s in a different place. If it didnt talk to me, I would be a bit creeped out. Isnt that right, Umbra?” Jezzika teased her toy. “I have never met someone with such red hair in my life.” she said, switching gears, looking at Ash.

Ash looks a little startled by the sudden switch of thought but shrugs and smiles. "Uh... Yeah... Everything down here does seem kinda dull colored. I guess my red hair does kinda stand out doesn't it? Should I get it changed to a darker color?" She almost self consciously fluffs it but a smile remains on her face as she looks back to Jezzika from her octopus stuffed animal.

“I wouldnt. I love the color.”

To her credit, Enkindle held back on sighing the moment Ree'lyn started speaking to her, but the beginning motions were there see. "Drow." She said after nearly half a minute of tense silence, and turning her head just enough to see out the corner of her eyes. Though Enkindle opens her mouth to say something, she hesitates, frowns, and then with a final sigh and unfolds until she sat cross-legged in place.

"What the **** ya honestly want with me? Be straight with me? 'cause this whole try'na be--" She gestures to all of him. "Ain't gonna fly wit' me. Don't think I did'n catch ya bein' cheeky last wit' the whole 'Did you catch that Enkindle?' back at the temple." She said mockingly in his voice before rolling her eyes. "'nd I see ya try'na get cozy wit' those other chuckle****s fer Helm only knows why. Which would be fine... I guess. Given the circumstances, I'd even applaud ya fer stick'n yer neck out so many times... even if it wasn't to protect your own arse." Her eyes narrow. "But I've delt with enough smarmy folks like yerself to know ya either on somethin' bad, or want somethin'. So either out with it, or **** off."

Ree'lyn | Drow | Warlock | Level 2 | AC 15 | HP 14/14 | Temporary HP 8/8 | Cantrips Known 2 | Spells Known 3 | Spell Slots 2/2 | Slot Level 1 | Innate spells 1| Eldritch Invocations 2

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After having his brief exchange with Enkindle, Ree'lyn approaches Step Step Thud with a satisfying look in his face. He saw a reliable partner in the Kenku. One he knew would scout with him, but was predictable enough to behave in specific manners under certain conditions. Whenever the Kenku would make a move to leave him behind, Ree'lyn knew how to use the opportunity to make the humanoid bird work with him instead. He knew what to expect from that one. 

"Here" - Ree'lyn said handing the botlle of wine to the Kenku. - "you can have all what is left. But I want the bottle back. It is not shiny."

Ash nods in thought before smiling. "Well I'm glad you don't hate it at least." She looks away in thought for a moment before back at Jezz. "Not to pry... But have you talked to Umbra about Ophidian? I'm curious to see what kind of connection these two have. Or what connections we have to each other?" She let's out a nervous chuckle before moving to lean back in thought. "Also... I was thinking about what you said last night. I really wouldn't mind introducing you to my 'family'. I'm sure they'd find you just as interesting as I do. And you'd get to explore the surface world. We're always traveling, seeing new and old places alike. I really think you'd enjoy it."

Duke telelpathically confides in Svana after he gives her the dagger back. "Declaration: Last night I conversed with Ree'lyn about his curiosity regarding the members of this group. His response was merely to talk about the untrustworthy nature of gods, demons, and other beings and to promise that I would be free. After a brief period of analysis, I was able to determine that his answer did not yield any additional knowledge and that he remains as enigmatic as he was before my inquisition, if not more. Secondary Declaration: He is quite unlike the rest of you, who are straightforward when approached with an inquisition. Tertiary Declaration: These declarations were given in confidence, I request that you do not share them."

After Ree'lyn walks away, Talike stands up, pauses, and then shrugs her shoulders as if to say "What's the worst that could happen?". She then walks over to Enkindle and sits down by her.

"None of us have been taking this place very well, but you seem more strained than normal. And I know it's not really my place to ask, but is everything ok?"

Childish though it was, Enkindle stuck out her tongue at the retreating drow's backside. Afterwards, she starts to close her eyes and straighten out her back, seeming intent on reentering a state of zen once more.

"Why do I even-..." She mutters tiredly as soon as she so much as felt another presence. Startled by voice, the fire-headed cleric has to brace her hands against the ground to keep from bowling over. "****'n hell." She huffs and halfheartedly glares at Talike while righting herself once more. Her expression only sours as the words sink in, and with a roll of her eyes, she turns to look at the lake. "O' I'm Fan-*******-tastic! I only got told or shown twice in the past tenday its either die or swim. So, I'm having just a time... Nevermind not know'n how to swim." She said, though mumbles the last part.

"I'm completely aware that this cave isn't the best place to be right now, but, believe it or not, you aren't the only one suffering. My whole ******* family got killed a few days ago! I don't even know who did it! But you don't see me moping around like a-." Talike stops and tries to cool herself. "You people... Why did I think this was a good idea?." 

And with that, Talike returns to her original spot on the floor of the cave.

 Svana had been mindlessly weaving her hair when Duke approached her, her eyes staring at nothing in particular. When he spoke, she was knocked back into reality, blinking til she realized what she was doing. She undoes the braid while he speaks, and she takes a moment to reply back to him. "Oh... Yes, no--" She pauses, takes a breath, and starts again. "Thank you for returning the dagger to me, Duke. It was no problem at all." She frowns at its condition, her finger running itself up the blade, but not deep enough for it to draw blood. "I'll have to ask Ronnal later about fixing it, but it's okay, really." She looks up at him and forces a smile. "As for Ree'lyn..." She passes a glance at the drow and sighs. "I won't share the information you've given me, Duke. Thank you for looking out for me."

When the robot departs, she looks at the dagger again, her lips thinning back to a frown. She flips the blade in her hands, her finger running over her brothers name that had been engraved in the blade itself in elvish, ruined by acid.

Step Step Thud tilts his head as he takes the bottle, “Thanks. Not shiny.”

Once he has his hands on it, he’ll give it a sniff and attempt to evaluate its quality. 

I’m an alcoholic: 21

(Darn)

Shrugging, he unscrews the lid of the jar of Glabbagool and pours half of the wine inside before downing the rest, letting out a satisfied aaaahhh once he finishes.

"Of course I don't hate it." Jezzika snorted, the notion silly. "It's different. All of my people have white hair. But, sure. I can talk to Umbra about Ophidian, if you'd like. I can't promise you anything, as Umbra's usually cryptic and vague, but sure. I will ask." she paused for a moment while Ash made her an offer. "Yes, that sounds lovely. I have only seen the surface world through magic. I think I would enjoy that very much."

THE COSMOS HAS MUCH MORE TO OFFER.

Umbra, stop staring at people when they sleep, that's creepy. Come on.

ALWAYS KNOW YOUR FRIENDS AND YOUR ENEMIES. I AM PROTECTING YOU.

I appreciate that, but these people are not my enemy.

DO NOT BE NAIVE. YOU DO NOT KNOW THAT FOR SURE.

No, I guess I don't. It's a hunch. It's a gut feeling.

NONSENSE.

Maybe to you. Tell me. Who is Ophidian?

IF YOU ARE REFERRING TO THE PATRON OF THE RED ONE, IT IS A FORCE OF NATURE AS OLD AS THIS UNIVERSE.

I see. Do you know it personally?

ALL THINGS THAT CREATE A SHADOW IN THE LIGHT OF THE STARS I AM AWARE OF.

Ash shrugs and smiles. 'White is a cool color too you know. It's quite hard to get that naturally on the surface. And thank you for the help Jezz. I appreciate your help figuring out all this... As complicated as it may be." Ash glances around the group, noting the few conversations in thought. "So Jezz... Tell me something about yourself... Anything you like to do in your free time other than look at the galaxy of course." 

Jezzika pondered that question for a moment. Maybe a little TOO long for in recent times, that's really all she would do. Train, study, and plot how to run away to learn the secrets of the universe. "My house, Vandree, are weapon manufacturers in Menzoberranzan. For generations we would forge superior blades for whomever wanted to buy them. Naturally, this led me to learn martial training which interrupted my intellectual studies, but I did appreciate learning how to fight, how to eat well, and how to exercise and take care of the body. It taught me confidence, and courage, and willpower. As I started to explore the little tidbits of knowledge and power Umbra gave me, I frightened a lot of people with the things I could do, and I was the subject of much ridicule, curiosity, and teasing. From an early age, I knew I did not fit in with my family's plan, or Lolth's. Was that because Umbra took me under it's wing and changed me? Or perhaps I had these interests all along and Umbra nurtured them?" She paused for a moment, thinking. "Oh, and I can dance! Too bad there is no music."

Ash almost laughs and smiles at Jezz. "Dancing? Well perhaps there will be music where we are going. But there's only one way to find out. Perhaps we should all go to bed for the night?" There's a pause before Ash moves to get comfortable in her bed roll before smiling at Jezz. "Night Jezz. We have a long day ahead of us tomorrow."

DAY SEVEN
ENCOUNTER: 10, 8
PURSUIT LEVEL: TWO

Shuushar could barely contain his excitement as Shoobludop was way off in the distance. And that was saying a lot for someone who was so calmly spiritual. 

We walked along the lake expecting something random to happen encounter wise, but again, we were left alone as we approached the koa-toa village. Sloobludop was on the eastern edge of the Darklake. From a distance, it looked like a massive tangle of reeds stretching up into the darkness, lit by glowing spots of phosphorescence. Upon closer approach, a series of rickety towers could be seen, lashed together by rope and plank bridges set in haphazard patterns. Even above ground, Shuushar explained, the kuo-toa build in line with their three-dimensional aquatic sensibilities, constructing their “great city” as if it were underwater.

As we approached the village, we saw figures emerge from the lake to our left. Up ahead as well. We looked behind us, and we were surrounded. Many of them, about 40 koa-toa. Rapidly encircling us and poking their sharp spears into us, they looked crazed, and violent. It was clear they were about to attack us. After a moment of digesting what was happening, we had a chance to do something.

"Long day ahead of us, indeed." Jezzika looked at Ash, concerned.

Duke looks at Shuushar. "Declaration: You said that you would provide assistance in obtaining safe passage through your city. Secondary Declaration: We need you to do that now."

Ash frowns and looks around them. "Uuuuuh... This seems... problematic... Shuushar? Could you... Do something about this?" Ash steps a little closer to Jezz, prepared to strike at any of the Kuo-Toa if they move to attack the group.

"How very odd of my people." Shuushar ponders. "Why are they acting so hostile? I will attempt to calm them down."

Shuushar approaches a group of koa-toa and begins to communicate with them. After about a minute or two of what appears to be a tense situation, Shuushar turns around and says. "If we surrender peacefully, they will not kill us here where we stand. We are their prisoners, now. Please put on the bindings and do not make a fuss." He nods and smiles, as if he had accomplished a great deed.