“You know... now that I have my tools back maybe I create diversions for us.” Gwen picks up a rock “see this? I can make it light up or play a message or even emit odor. Maybe if we come to a fork in the road I can have a light or message play down the path we don’t take.”

”Also I’m really good at helping. I can always lend a hand with my magic.”

Gwen alludes to her ability to cast guidance

Quote from Fabian0 >>

Ronnal, the antisocial, wanted no friends, but got a companion for the jump. 

Athletics 20

Grabbing his amulet first, Ronnal quickly packs his gear up; Know it will take forever to put his chainmail on. Grab his shield and hammer he jumps off following the group. 

"Damn, so much for leaving undetected! Let's movie!"

Ash pants heavily as the group flees from the cave, doing her best to ignore the demons that fly overhead of the group. Once the group exits the cave, they slow temporarily to regroup before pushing forward. In this time, Ash offers a high five to Enkindle. "Great thinking back there. You pretty much lit everything on fire. That on top of the demons... I'm pretty sure that place is a MESS in there." 

Ash then listens to Ree'lyn as he talks, moving closer to the middle of the group, knowing she is more defenseless than the other more armored members as well as having little experience with actual foraging. Basically she is a pretty face who can blast the hell out of attackers if needed. She does chime in after Ree'lyn finishes his shpeel. "I can create a campfire. Better to have something to cook on whether it is something we find or just rations. Speaking of which... How many of those do each of us have? It will be helpful. To know. If we're fine on food for now, we can push forward at a faster pace for a day or two, gain distance. Then forage when we have a lead on them. I have 10 rations myself. Water is another issue. I have a water skin, but that wont last long." 

Ash absentmindedly fluffs her hair a little and then takes to removing any non visible bruise from her body, opting to only fade the black eye a little as she absentmindedly checks into her pouch. Almost instinctively, she grabs her cards, moving to look through them as she walks, checking to make sure she has all of them. 

Step Step Thud looks at Ree’lyn blankly before speaking, “Join you. Weakest in middle. Violence?”

He takes a moment to look around, clutching his recently returned club nervously. The unfamiliar atmosphere unsettles him, but it’s nothing a good whacking can’t solve.

As the group discusses food and pace, he chimes in, “Haste. Go fast. Hide and seek.”

Stealth: 14

Perception: 22

Adrenaline was the one thing keeping Svana’s legs moving along with the promise of freedom. Although the drow would be preoccupied with the chasme demons for now, it didn’t mean they wouldn’t try looking for the escaped prisoners either. The elf slowed down just a bit as she searched though her pack to see what they had taken from her, especially in her components pouch. Of course, the things of value, such as her precious gems, were gone, but more useful things remained.

”When we need to stop and rest, I have a spell that will alert us of any dangers.” She says to no one in particular, naturally falling into the middle of the group order. “And if we can manage to spare ten minutes—not now— I can summon my familiar to aid in our journey forward.” She closes her pouch and gets to flipping through her spell book, glad to see it was mostly left alone. “Although I focus primarily on elemental magic, I do have some other useful spells in here...” And she continues mumbling to herself unless approached. 

The thourghly drenched and wild-eyed Enkindle hardly seems to notice the high five until Ash speaks up, and even then she looks between hand and face, not seeming to understand the gesture. "What are... nevermind... I ain't believe'n that'll be the last of'em. So no point celebrating yet now is there?" She deadpans prior to marching along behind the others, listening intently even if it may not seem like it at first. But of course when people start looking at each other oddly and saying AGAIN, she's left having to look for physical cues half the time to even guess at attentions and keep up.

The whole of it left her visibly steaming... until the last of the water finally evaporated, then it was just her looking mildly annoyed. "Best ya ****'n save that one fer when they start to get close there scrawny. Too soon, 'nd they might just use yer little trick there against us."  She said to Gwen, if her words were truly spoken aloud. Otherwise with sickle and shield in hand, she eventually divides her attention on staying watchful for any danger.

Duke hands a small bag full of dried meats and fruits to Svana. "This unit found this at the armory. This unit does not require sustenance. But you do."

Amara stays near the back of the group. "I also have some rations. I think we should do our best to just not let them get close enough in the first place, hmm?"

Phineas reaches in his pouch, pulling out the necklace crafted from the sacred grove. He gives it a quick kiss and pulls it over his head on to his neck before checking the rest of his components. "I'll be able to produce some sustenance once we stop for the night. The berries will be small, but will keep us going when the rations run out," he offers. He adds the gem he found while enslaved among his possessions. Its worth meaningless to him before, but he knows it could be an important barter later when the group will be desperate. The gnome's heart still races as he tries to put the thoughts of his near death out of mind, knowing full well that only the benevolence of the unseen combined with the ingenuity of Enkindle kept him from a dire fate. He owed the Genasi priestess his life, a debt he would not forget. To keep his thoughts from returning to the burning web and the frozen fear of the advancing spiders, Phineas turns his attention into scouting the caves around them. After years exploring abandoned ruins and temples, the gnomish druid felt an odd sense of familiarity with their current situation. Hasty retreats through treacherous tunnels were second nature in his line of duty, after all.

Perception: 5; Stealth: 16

Taking a small break Ronnal will don his chainmail as he speaks to the group.

"We dont have to worry about water, I can create and destroy water. As for food, I can also purify anything yall cook just in case you pick the wrong mushrooms down here."  

Finally placing his amulet over his chainmail which is mindflayer skull. "I am not that stealthy in this armor so I should stay and protect the rear guard."

 "Declaration: The unit called Ilvara and her subordinates are not far behind. Recommendation: This group should travel at an accelerated pace today."

Shaken from her train of thought, Svana looks at the rations in confusion before he spoke to her and explained what he was doing. “Oh, yes! Thank you, Duke.” She takes the rations and puts them in her pack. “I’ll be sharing these among the others then, I don’t want to be perceived as selfish.” She laughs softly, clicking her bag shut. She listens to his suggestion and nods in agreement. “They may be preoccupied for now but the farther we get before the problem is dealt with, the better.”

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

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"To the ones who are going to take their time and knowledge to do some foraging, but are knew here in the Underdark, we usually survive off of rothé, mosses, lichens, fungi, herbs and the like. Because we don't want to come across any danger, be warned that some of the flora is monsterous and even more is dangerous." -  priming for the silent communication provided by the telepathic link, Ree'lyn seized the moment when he knew most or all of the group would be starving and thinking about food. They did seem well prepared for long travels and he actually hoped that would suffice. But knowing that curiosity and lack of knowledge is a deadly combination on what it concerns the place he calls home, the Underdark.

"Let's keep the communication in the telepathic link as much as we can. Allow me giving you a few hints on what you have to look for. A vegetable named Barrelstalk is found only in wet areas of the underdark. The water they collect in their centers is always pure (until they produce spores) and as such they are cultivated by many, many intelligent species. Barrelstalks are used to provide good water for animals more often than people." - while saying that, the Drow picks the silk rope he has on him, preparing a safety mooring to keep Stool tied to his back.

"There is the bulb fruit which grows on a stiff, reedy plant with the fruit either appearing at the top of a single reed (where it won't get very large) or the base of several reeds, in the ground (like any other tuber)."  - he continues after he is done with the rope and Stool - "The fruit is edible to most any animal and has a pungent smell and taste, similar to garlic and onions (the flavor is distinct but related). Bulbfruit plants will grow in any area of sand or other, rootable base--such as guano or offal (if there's not enough "sand" for the fruit to grow as a tuber, it tops the reed, otherwise it becomes a tuber)--with a good supply of moisture. Like many underdark plants, it grows easily in the right condition, and may even spring up as a weed where not wanted. This makes it ideal for many humanoids who lack much in the way of cultivation ability. Since they quickly develop a lot of waste of all sorts simply piling this in one area can create an ideal bulbfruit habitat. Like garlic, bulbfruit has mild disinfectant properties and so is often used in cleaning wounds.

- 'cleaning wounds', he thinks to himself. That may draw their attention to what he has to say -

"As for edible fungi, whether small or gigantic, mushroom, shelf, puffball, or stalk, gray, or white, or black, the various sorts of edible fungi are the true basis of underdark society. Farmers grow them by the lots. Bluecap and ripplebark are common examples." - Ree'lyn almost let himself digressing about cooking ingredients, waiting for a better opportunity to have that attended as a request to the foragers.

He then continues: - "A massive number of fungi of all types live in the Underdark. Most are benign, some are useful, and several are monsterous. The shrieker is utilized by many in farms and mines, as their first lines of defense.- then proceeding to describe the characteristics of this peculiar fungus that shrieks in sight of strangers - watch out for a violet fungi, looking very much like shriekers with arms. They are deadly creatures and infect the living. Ascomids, phycomids, and gas spores are all found in the wilds as well." - Ree'lyn pauses for an instant as if lost in thoughts. - "I crave for cave pigs with moss jam and gourdplant cream..."

"Gas spores in particular are used to defend entrances people don't use and don't need for emergency escapes (and possibly can't defend in any other way). They explode, you see?"
"We got funguswood, so items normally requiring wood, such as staves, poles, crossbows, bows, arrows, bolts, darts, lances, spears, and so on can be built or repaired if you need it." - looking around to make sure anyone really is listening, he knew he could not blame himself in case they didn't care for the information and things got complicated.
"Oh did I mention gourdplant? We definitely want them. This plant grows some hard skinned fruits. Different shapes and sizes but resemblance a gourd or, as they get larger, a watermelon or pumpkin." - looking around to make sure he could see the bow wielders - "Their large almond-shaped seeds can be converted easily into excellent arrow heads if kept near enough to a fire to dry them out without actually cooking them."
"The fruit's flesh is not particularly nutritious or tasty to humanoids but the seeds bake well if first soaked in water for at least 5 days to remove the mild toxins they contain (eating raw or improperly prepared seeds leads to vomiting, diarrhea, and gastro-intestinal cramping for some days. The afflicted cannot perform any strenuous activity, such as marching." - on that last note, he hopes they understand the place they are at now may be more dangerous than Velkynvelve; where they were actually somewhat safe. He would never say that to them, though.

"If we find the younger fruits we cat make excellent dippers, rattles, and bottles while larger fruits can be used as larger bowls and baskets."

His mind too occupied by the orientations to be given and the scouting task, made him put aside the gruesome sight of the demons, and he is glad no one saw he grimacing at that. 'Away from them. Away.'

During the entire Ree’lyn lecture, Huey could think of nothing else but food.  Visibly salivating down his face, the hunger pangs became almost unbearable when he finally realized he was wearing his backpack. Doffing it and swinging it around front, he began to scrounge around inside it, picking through random items he’s managed to collect (strange items, like various rocks, crumpled up pieces of useless parchment, and even a broken flute), he finally pulls out a wrapped bundle of hardtack. Greedily pulling out a piece, he quickly stuffs the remaining bundle back deep into his pack, and proceeds to munch away at the ration whilst quietly marching fast paced with the team. 

Amara eyes Ree'lyn before answering through the link. "I'm aware of most of what you just said through my studying of the Underdark and drow, but...thank you for endeavoring to make sure we all know what we're looking for, dear. Right now I would suggest we hold off on foraging and subsist on rations and Phineas's berries for today so that we can focus on getting away from Velkynvelve and any pursuit. That way we can also keep from running the risk of anyone eating the wrong thing right now, when any slowing of pace means we run the risk of being caught. I think we should keep one of the more alert people at the back at all times, focused on watching and listening for pursuit. If we end up needing to forage, we can take it in turns throughout the day of walking."

Internal Recording: Flesh-based humanoids tend to thank each other for services rendered. These humanoids perceive this unit to be one of them, despite this units lack of flesh and original purpose. Borrowing from their lexicon and mannerisms will assist in interacting with them. 

"You're welcome, Amara." 

DAY ONE
PACE: FAST
ENCOUNTERS: 18, 2, 1
PURSUIT LEVEL: THREE

"Everyone. There is something up ahead.." Jezzika said through the link. She looked at Huey, and put her finger to her lips. "Quiet." she said, looking at him, so he was more or less sure it was here talking. She then made a movement with her finger, pointing to the ground next to him, and he slowly lumbered to her side. "Ready." she said, and pointed to her eyes, telling him to take no action and watch for her next command.

Suddenly, what appeared to be a giant land octopus slithered into view from hiding on the the cavern ceiling. It dropped down and rapidly approached, hungry for it's next meal. "Rocktopus!" she shot a glance toward Huey. "Attack!"

Those that wish to participate in combat, roll for initiative.

Rocktopus: 17
Jezzika: 18

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

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"Better safe than sorry." - still making use of the telepathic link, the Drow hoped he could train the others' habit into doing the same. " We would not be in a good situation if Huey ate something that causes diarrhea, right?" - considering the elf woman for a moment, he asks - " How have you come to learn about the Underdark flora, Amara?" - as he awaits for an answer he sprints ahead with Step Step Thud, for another round of scouting.

Duke: 18 

Amara smiles faintly at Ree'lyn's question. "Preparation, dear. Know your enemy, after all, especially when you plan to enter their territory." She narrows her eyes as the rocktopus makes its presence known, her pupils glowing a faint gold abruptly. "If you want more details, ask me after we finish with this thing."

Amara Initiative: 17