Svana gives Jezzika an endearing chuckle and responds back to Duke, "I am already way ahead of you, dear." Her hands run themselves down her arms, taking the drows hands in hers to pull her from her seat. "Shall we get you cleaned up then?" The wizard purrs telepathically, already leading Jezzika away from the group.

Jezzika, her heart pounding in her chest, turned back and gave Huey a look, shooting off a few hand signals to him quickly. They told him four things: Stay, behave, privacy, and i'll be back. She let Svana lead the way, it didn't matter where the bath was, Svana could find it. All she knew is that she wanted one, wanted her, and that her universe was about to get really small very soon.

Amara shrugs in answer to Ree'lyn's question. "A fight. Down here in the Underdark, actually. I took a scimitar to the arm, it didn't heal quite right. It happened...oh, centuries ago. Four hundred years or so. I had a very...different view of my life back then."

Like a puppy dog, Huey whimpers but stays in his seat, as directed.  He turns and continues to watch and clap along with the entertainment provided by the rest of his crew of friends.  Periodically, he'll belt out some other memorized ditty, most of which makes no sense (partially because he memorized the lyrics incorrectly, and partly because in his joy, his singing becomes incomprehensible).  In his frivolity, DUKE would notice that approximately 68.4% of what Huey attempts to consume ends up being spilled down his matted hairy chest, but Huey gave no notice, not having a care in the world right now.

Ree'lyn | Drow | Warlock | Level 4 | AC 15 | HP 30/30 | Temporary HP 8/8 | Cantrips Known 3 | Spells Known 5 | Spell Slots 2/2 | Slot Level 2nd | Innate spells 5| Eldritch Invocations 2

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"A scimitar that hindered healing. Now that is one interesting trait." - while talking to Amara, Ree'lyn takes the opportunity to ask his question to Stool, through the telepathic link. - "Stool, what have you learned about fiends that are related to spores? I suppose we can leave Psilofyr out of the list, but if you can tell more about him just in case, it might be helpful. "

Then again just to Amara, making another consideration concerning their main topic. - "This city does not seem to be alarmed by the Demogorgon appearance. They either don't know or don't care. They would have to believe to be well protected against the demon prince for the latter case."

But he thought she was very quiet lately. Of course something was bothering her deeply. - "Is your family on the surface safe? Would they have means to defend themselves or leave if needed?" - he wanted to make sure he was heading to the right direction when asking these questions. - "The daemonfey count with fey'ri and half-fiends among their ranks. Have you heard anything about their activities on the surface?"

Finding a private bath wasn’t a hard task for the noble, using her charm and eloquence (maybe a coin or two) to gather directions to the closest one in the vicinity. When she clicked the door shut behind them, she turned to Jezzika with a sultry smile and half lidded eyes. Not a second later did she close the distance between them in a gentle yet needy kiss as her hands worked on getting the others clothes off.

For an hour or two, the universe did indeed get smaller for the both of them.

Amara shrugs. "The drow are very good with poison," she says with a brief, sad smile. She nibbles her lip. "I would guess they do not know. After all, we did not until we saw the Prince ourselves." She raises an eyebrow at Ree'lyn's question. "I hope they are safe," she says simply. "I haven't seen or spoken to them since the raid. If we fail...there's very little that can save anyone, my family included. Both my wife and daughter know how to defend themselves, but against the creature we saw at the kuo-toa city? They would be little more than fleas on an elephant, minor annoyances easily scratched away and crushed." Her eyes turn a little grim.

Ree'lyn | Drow | Warlock | Level 4 | AC 15 | HP 30/30 | Temporary HP 8/8 | Cantrips Known 3 | Spells Known 5 | Spell Slots 2/2 | Slot Level 2nd | Innate spells 5| Eldritch Invocations 2

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"Unless" - pausing briefly. - "we build the defenses away from here. Out of this plane." - Drinking some more before he gets back to the elf. - "Let's see what we can learn here. Maybe Ronnal would know who to ask the right questions to. A sage, perhaps. Or the patrolling soldiers. The latter would be the easiest for us now, if we can approach them."

"They also might be less open though," Amara points out thoughtfully. "The soldiers here seem...quite suspicious of everyone who isn't a duergar. We'd certainly have to enlist Ronnal's help, regardless of who we asked."

With a firm nod, Enkindle leaves behind the gold piece, gives the others -- distracted with their own affairs -- one last lingering look, and then wordlessly makes for the informants whereabouts. Despite -- or perhaps even because of the warnings about being cautious -- the fire genasi would keep a hand near a weapon at all times, but try to effect a calm veneer. Even as the eventual hustle and bustle of the Darklake district batters at a still tenuous sense of self-control.

Ree'lyn | Drow | Warlock | Level 4 | AC 15 | HP 30/30 | Temporary HP 8/8 | Cantrips Known 3 | Spells Known 5 | Spell Slots 2/2 | Slot Level 2nd | Innate spells 5| Eldritch Invocations 2

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Nodding in agreement, then looking at the bar to order wine to be taken with him, Ree'lyn catches a glimpse of Enkindle. - "After a rest and a bath, we can go for it." 

Getting up, the drow warlock heads to the bar.

Enkindle: Dunglorrin Torune, which translates as Overlake Hold, is a fortress and temple dedicated to Laduguer carved into the heart of a massive stalagmite on the shore of the Darklake. Dunglorrin Torune bristles with forge chimneys from which smoke billows and ledges from which catapults can hurl stones at waterborne invaders. It appears to be a massive government structure. There are guards everywhere, and eye you with great suspicion. You are in front of the entrance, and the guards ask you to state your business.

In darkness under a starlit background, Jezzika and Svana knew each other very well in their room. Clean from the bath and tipsy from losing two drinking matches, Jezzika giggled and wanted this night to last forever under the cover of the magical background. Svana was warm and beautiful, and her touch shot waves of pleasure against the drow's skin - the way Svana's hands moved on Jezzika's body was almost a crime of passion. Umbra was at least decent enough to leave it's herald alone in the silence of her mind so Jezzika could bury and immerse herself in the pleasure of Svana. When her loins no longer ached with release, she wanted nothing more than to keep kissing her, and much like her insatiable knowledge to learn everything about the universe, there was a little piece of heaven in her bed she couldn't get enough of for those hours.

Duke turns to Ree'lyn when he gets to the bar. "Declaration: Amara calls upon the angel Sarastriel for her power and Jezzika receives her power from Umbra. Inquiry: What is the source of your power?"

Ronnal watching everyone relaxe and enjoying themselves centuries drinking with Duke and SST. He watched as Enkindle leaves then Jezzika with Svana. After the fighting with the trolls he has decided to warm up with group. "You know after these past few weeks, I've come to regard you guys as "friends". I know this means a lot to me." 

He lifts his drink "To my friends my we live long and crush many skulls"

Burying her nervousness behind a more soldiery veneer as taught long ago, Enkindle declares in dwarvish a desire to speak with a "Blackskull" in regards to business about great demonic activity that recently occurred across the Darklake. Specifically, to furbish details in regards to the matter, and learn of other similar happening -- be they rumored or otherwise -- throughout the underdark. "'side from that, I ain't got nuthin more fer ya fellows. But tell'em if 'es 'ere that I'm will'n to work out a trade of work for word, if'n 'es interested."

She doesn't try to move her hand too far away from her weapons. Not out of fear, clearly, but because there was clearly no point. Between the amount of guards and the probably underhanded threats they face often, someone who didn't appear on guard was that much more of a threat than some nervous outsider and probably a mercenary judging by her dinged up armor and garb.

Update: We are about half way through the adventure, guys. There are two more zones after Gracklstugh that I'd like to present to you guys before you have a chance to break to the surface and conclude the campaign.

I'll be honest with you all about a few things: One, this adventure had a clear path on where to go, but I have tailored the campaign, like I sometimes do, to "trim the fat" or make it "more pbp appropriate", so some of the less exciting or relevant parts of the campaign have been omitted. Two, I am hoping to finish this before (or around) Avernus comes out because with increased work from my job, my lifestyle, and beginning a new campaign, my time sometimes gets a little choked.

I have really enjoyed the role-playing between everyone and I am honored and privileged to have you all in this group. Everyone has been great and I am thrilled to have met the new people and to add great memories to this hobby with me.

With that, let's continue!

Enkindle: After waiting a long while in reception, you are taken to a dark office and met by an imposing female gray dwarf. She is fully armored and bears an insignia you have not seen on any other duergar. She is flanked by two Stone Guards who remain by the door. "I am Commander Errde Blackskull. I'm a busy lady, what do you want?"

If you ask her about what you wanted to, she states that she has sensed something "off", her people have been acting strangely, and there are rumors of possible "strange cult like activity" deep in Laduguer's Furrow. She tells you that if you're interested in reaching the surface, Ylsa Henstak is a female duergar member of the Merchant Council that hangs out in the Darklake District. She’s a canny caravan master and prides herself on always arriving at her destination ahead of schedule. For the right price, she can take you to Neverlight Grove, and Blingdenstone safely and without incident.

Hopefully.

Quinn,  as hes gatering some of the coin, lets his hand brush against Ashs'

"You cant plan ahead when youre in the moment. Erm... Ash? Can i be honest with you? That day when i tried to save you, in the fungus forrest, you caught me off guard. That kiss was i think the beginning of this. And ive been a bit jelous of Jezzika, stealing your attention. Every night i play, i play for you. YOU are MY inspiration.

He gives her a wink and a smile

Ash studies Quinn for a minute with a slight tilt of her head. She's unsure how to respond at the moment but the blush that is filling her face speaks for her.  She almost sheepishly tries to hide behind her hair a little and bites her bottom lip that forms a slight smile. "Well perhaps my cards were right then huh?"