Ash laughs in amusement. "Hey. At the time.... You asked." She offers a slight playful wink to Talike before smiling. "But thanks for saving my skin. It is well appreciated."

Amara watches Ree'lyn walk off with a frown before she unfolds the map and examines locations. "Very well then, drow of mystery," she mutters. "If you want to dance, I've played the avoiding questions game for centuries."

After days of doubting, the new day finds a renewed Phineas, feeling at last the bonds of his connection to Silvanus growing stronger. As the group debates paths to take, Phineas is intrigued by both, wanting to experience more of the Underdark and peel back it’s secrets as he seeks what he came for. 

Quote from Fabian0 >>

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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The drow smiles at the elf woman, and sits in front of her - :"It might be time for us to decide whether or not we want to have some kind of contact with natives and which form of contact that would be. Shuushar's suggestion to visit Sloobludop does not bode me well. In general, kuo-toa are not like him. Not when within their city. He may be leading us to a trap. He got nothing to loose and his people might want to see us dead for some form of sacrifice to their deities."

A brief pause and the drow kept a locked stare of his reddish lilac eyes to the elf's eyes - "Mantol-Derith is a large city, heavily guarded and protected by strong magic. Merchants travel there often. Of course it is for Underdark dwellers, so mainly drow, illithid, svirfneblin, and duergar are found there. You see, there is a chance to find a caravan going to the surface or even to find my contacts and take us closer to Ched Nasad. That is definitely my favorite option."

Pointing to another direction, Ree'lyn directs Amara's look as he speaks - "Gracklstugh is a huge cavern city and subterranean port. You might know it lies far beneath the Evermoors. I am sure you are familiar with that region on the surface. Problem is, it is mainly home to duergar, including some derro. I don't think we want to meet them. The duergar of Gracklstugh patroll the Darklake."

Another pause and a brief gesture to indicate emphasis -  "It would take us two days to transverse the Darklake from Mantol-Derith to Gracklstugh by boat. That is just a glimpse of how large is this lake. So, for how long would we want to go around?" 

"I wonder if we could go to Blingdenstone, the Svirfneblin city. I might have problems there. Or I might run into one of my contacts." - upon saying that the drow smiles, waiting to see if he pointed out well enough how bad most of these options were.

Over hearing the conversation "We shouldn't have to much of a trouble I might know of someone who can help but, there's still the chance that you might get killed. Set us up w ith a boat maybe..."

Chandra: Sniff sniff sniff look look look food? No. Go Right. Yes. Sniff sniffity sniff. What's this? CHEESE!!!!!! No. Not cheese. Look. Curious. Looking sniffing looking curious Rock walls. Holes. Holes. Holes. Many holes in walls. sniff sniff ew. Oil. Oil. Lots. Dislike. round cave. Dead end. Sniff sniff sniff sniff oil. oil. oil. wet. wet. Look. Cave wall wall wall. End. Return! Too far. sniff sniff sniff sniff. Return. Return. Return. Return.

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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Approaching Shuushar, Ree'lyn makes sure the communitarian channel is in use, because he has never learned the language of the Kuo-Toa, neither he wants this conversation to be a private one. The more the people knew about what the humanoid fish has to say, the better.

"Shuushar. Here you are." - Ree'lyn could be anywhere far from the humanoid fish with bulbous eyes and jagged teeth mouth, but he chose to do this face to face. - "Amara and I were talking about our options here. I was under the initial impression Mantol-Derith or Blingdenstone, as far as they are, might be our best option because there is a lot of commerce going on in there. We might find caravans to the surface for those willing to get back there. But it will be too long to get there and Ilvara and her lackeys may still be after us." - the drow pauses as he considers his next words with care. - "We do not want to go to Gracklstugh. That place would not be good to most of us. Can you provide protection in your city, by some authority, and help us lose Ilvara and the Velkynvelve drow and have us replenishing our rations?"

"While there are no guarantees, I can certainly try." Shuushar admits. "Peace is always the answer, and peace be with you."

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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"So, may your efforts bring good result. We will need it. " - the drow answers to the kuo-toa and turns around to leave, with a polite nod.

Quote from Fabian0 >>

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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"I understand you completely." - Ree'lyn replies with a smile. "If it is that special, we should make sure no one not worthy should ever lay eyes on it. Protect it as you may. Thank you for your time and company." - turning around with a nod, Ree'lyn goes away leaving the elf woman with her own thoughts. At some point, he finds Gwendolyn and his eyes immediately shine as if he has just remembered something. - "Gwendolyn! Nice to see that you may have some time to spare now. I have been waiting for an opportunity to talk to you."

 “Oh yes. Hello. I was just um well doing some work. I think I’m actually on the verge of a breakthrough!”

"I might be able to if you stayed out of the city. As a nobleman of Gracklstugh Perhaps i could return home and get some aid from my family. Thought my younger sister and brother aren't particularly fond of me. Now that im a war priest of Deep Duerra they might they might see me as a threat."

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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For the first time ever engaging in a conversation with the human. Her gadgets and trinkets apparently disproportional in size and strange shapes seemed just too much of a burden in the drow's mind, until she had mentioned researches. "I understand artificers study magic and mechanics to create things like our automaton companion over there." - pointing to DUKE. - "Do you have any kind of research involving the particular magic energy found here in the Underdark? Faerzress, that is"

Ash quietly begins bouncing on her heals again, lost in thought as the others talk around her. 

What are you waiting for Mortal. You look childish.

Ash's body tenses as she almost abruptly stops bouncing on her heals. She then looks around to the others, unsure of who to ask about what she needs answered. 

This would be easier if you just told me what I wanted to know.

Gwen responds in undercommon, “Well I don’t know too much about it. Actually, that’s what got me caught down here in the first place. I first was studying the language and then the culture and then just when I was starting to learn about it I got captured. All I know is that it’s powerful magic and shouldn’t and maybe can’t be messed with.”

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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With a grin, Ree'lyn nods to the woman. Too many questions about her creations and how she manipulates arcane energies. But he shall choose. One each time. "Good to know you are interested in it. It might be useful to know how to channel it and use it in specific manners. Sometimes influencing nature here and there. " - the drow considers how meaningful the possibility of doing great things with her knowledge actually does move her. Sometimes that was the kind of input inventors needed. "I know how to find some places with strong emanation of Faerzress" - making sure this conversation is just between them, Ree'lyn opts for not using the telepathic channel this time.

As Reelyn speaks Gwen’s head is down tinkering with her waterskin she takes a moment after Reelyn finishes and sighs with joy. “I did it.” Her waterskin starts to glow faintly she looks back up at Reelyn. 

In common, “Have you ever heard of an alchemy jug? I just made one out of this waterskin. You see I’m interested in all things. Knowledge, magic, power, nature. It’s all so fascinating.”

In undercommon, “Yes I’m very interested. Do you think there is a way to bottle its essence to study? I would love for you to take me there”

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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"Faerzress is a drow word. Probably because my people have long worked on exploiting it. It is known to affect divination, conjuration and teleportation magic in some ways like wild magic does." - Ree'lyn explains as he himself get absorbed by the idea of exploring the possibilities of such power. - "Imagine what you could create with it. There is something called node magic, which taps the natural pools and streams of power." - then, as a casual observation that has just come to his mind, the drow adds. - "Many plants and fungi that are found underground found ways to live on a diet of faerzress."

“Sounds truly amazing. But for this type of magic while excited must be respected. Magic is wonderful and useful. But it can be unstable and unpredictable. You must understand it completely before you wield it. You or I are not there but if we study it, respect it, allow it to unveil itself to us in due time. We could potential wield it to do great things... if we are hasty it could be disastrous. 

Impatiently pacing, Huey is bored.  He's also rather confused why all his travel companions keep walking around, standing and staring at each other for a few moments, then walking away.  Maybe they're playing some sort of silence game that he just doesn't understand?  Who cares.  He's a big boy now, with no time for childish games.

Slumping down on a wide, flat topped rock near the lake shore, he pulls out a whetstone and starts to sharpen his large axe blade.  All the while, you can hear him mumbling and laughing to himself, as if he's having the most fascinating conversation the world has ever heard...with himself.

When Svana stops looking through Chandra's eyes and returns her consciousness to her body, Duke waits a moment for the elf to regain her footing before departing and walking to Amara. It sees her using the map, catching how one of her arms seems to be doing all the work while the other more or less hangs limp. "Observation: One of your arms is damaged. Secondary Observation: You possess healing magic. Inquisition: Is there a reason you have not attempted to repair your arm?"

Step Step Thud hops over to Gwendolyn, overhearing her conversation with Ree'lyn. He peers over her shoulder at the waterskin, speaking in her voice, "Alchemy jug? Beer!" and reaching for it.