"Then it's almost a plan," fully approved Sekkar, "let us talk to our drow friend and see if he can help us leave the cage. Then your Command creates diversion and we all can run. If spiders are waiting - they are always waiting - sleep might help there. And if we are lucky, we can convince our "friend" to move our equipment in some place close so we can grab it!"

"Webs burn so we can get pass the webs with some time but getting safely to the water is my concern," Kastix adds in, "If someone would slow our descend, we can get down faster than trying to climb down,"

Zeno continues, “We won’t make it far without our gear, and it’s more necessary for some of us than others.”  Hearing the plan coming together.  “Simple then.  Convince someone to help us that’s more likely to have us killed, start a revolt among vicious beings, steal our weapons, jump through giant spider webs into a pool and run to safety. I mean you all did crazier things back there in the citadel, but... Hey, what other choice do we have?”

(Just had to post this here so everyone can see the awesome roll...)

Sekkar can tell from his time near the pool and the filth that is being dumped in there that there is some kind of ooze living in the pool.

After his altercation with Jorlan, Kastix observes the drow walking past the cage a little more often than usual, but each time Jorlan turns and glares at Kastix, who can't tell if the drow is simply keeping a closer eye on the prisoners, or has some other purpose for his frequent checks. Sarith tells Zeno that he might as well forget about their gear. Your mundane equipment would be spread through the outpost by now, your weapons stored in the barracks, and your most valuable items probably locked in Ilvara's private chambers, he says. Topsy and Turvy seem to become increasingly agitated, with Turvy muttering more intensely than usual, and Topsy attempting more fervently to reassure him: Soon, Turvy. Just a little bit longer.

After several hours, just as the prisoners are starting to find a spot to sleep, Ilvara arrives accompanied by her cruel lieutenant Shoor, along with two quaggoths. The high priestess has changed out of her armour and now wears a sheer black ceremonial robe that entirely fails to conceal all of her feminine parts. In one hand she brandishes a wicked-looking scourge, the leather whips inlaid with bone, and in the other a short rod with three writhing tentacles protruding from the end. She nods to Shoor who obediently unlocks the cage, and the two quaggoths enter and drag Rhayna to her feet. Without another word Ilvara turns and walks away, leaving the quaggoths to follow gripping Rhayna, and Shoor to come behind after securing the cage.

A picture for atmosphere

Ilvara leads the small group past the waterfall and into the large stalactite that as yet none of the prisoners have entered. The floor of the circular chamber is covered by dark silken mats with a pale web—strand pattern woven through them in silvery thread. In the middle of the chamber, at the center of the web, stands a broad pedestal carved from some kind of wood, on which is perched the most enormous spider Rhayna has ever seen. At first glance Rhayna's heart leaps to her throat, but after a few moments she perceives that the spider is simply a sculpture of exquisite detail.

With her velvet voice Ilvara orders Rhayna to be deposited on the floor beside the pedestal, after which the quaggoths stand by the door. She paces a slow circuit of the room, examining the kneeling cleric, with Shoor looking on in obvious anticipation. Even with her head bowed, Rhayna can hear the swishing of the silky robe and see the writing tentacles and the cruel scourge from the corner of her eyes. Then stopping in front of Rhayna, Ilvara addresses her in Elvish: So, you are a priestess of the Moonmaiden! How fitting that you be chosen to be sacrificed to Our Dark Mother. The death of the orc was a sign that our Queen's favour has waned, but your sacrifice will restore that favour. Then Ilvara bends down, drawing her face level with Rhayna, and revealing what little remained hidden behind the silken robe. But your sacrifice will not be your death alone. I will give my Queen your fear, your pain, your screams for mercy, and when I am satisfied, your death. And I am not easily satisfied, am I Shoor?

<<scene cut for PG rating>>

The remaining prisoners could only watch helpless as Rhayna was marched away, and Stool crouched silently in the corner, unwilling to engage with anyone even to release its helpful spores. It wasn't long until the first screams were heard, the echoes of which on the cavern walls lingered long after the scream itself, sometimes long enough to mingle with the next. The work of the outpost seemed to come to a standstill, with none of the usual movement of the drow, and even the guards in the barracks opposite appearing to focus quietly on their watch rather than engaging in their usual games and banter.

After many long minutes, a new sound slowly starts to intrude on the heavy air - a deep droning noise coming from the north that grows steadily until it drowns out even the sound of Rhayna's screams, and is accompanied by a shrieking that sounds anything but human. Then in an instant the sound intensifies and the prisoners can hear the droning and shrieking enter the cavern from the passage to the north. Drow guards from elsewhere in the outpost gather in the watch tower to observe the action below, and for a brief moment the prisoners detect movement near the roof of the cavern, high enough above the webs and close enough to the phosphorescent fungi on the roof to illuminate their features.

Four hideous creatures, with the look of a stinging insect but each larger than a horse, swoop around the cavern with a deafening drone that causes everyone to reflexively wince or cover their ears. They pursue two other creatures, equally large but resembling skinny black vultures, who shriek in reply. The monsters are clearly in combat with each other, but the drow evidently won't risk their own safety, and the sound of a long horn blast cuts through the droning noise, after which the drow and quaggoths all hurry to take defensive positions. Amongst the chaos, Jorlan can be seen on the landing outside shouting orders to the warriors at the guard post. In a split-second movement, he slides up to the cage door and flicks a small item in through the bars, and then just as quickly is gone. Zeno darts forward to collect the item, which he sees is a pair of lockpicks from his very own set, taken from him days earlier during his capture.

Meanwhile, in the shrine, Rhayna is regaining consciousness yet again after Ilvara's most recent healing spell to revive the bleeding and poisoned cleric. As the sound of the droning increases outside, Ilvara snaps an order to Shoor, who promptly leaves the shrine, and at the sound of the horn blast she barks another command to the quaggoths, ordering them to stand guard over the cleric until she returns. Ilvara then exits the shrine, leaving Rhayna weak and alone with the two quaggoths.

Zeno grabs the small picks and stares dumbfounded. “Huh. Who’d have thought...” Then he snaps out of it and into motion, going to the bars, making sure no one is looking at them, and beginning his work,

Thieve’s Tools: 11

"We are not ready the slightest but chances are chances," quietly  mumbled Sekkar, "Stool, we need your spores now. Let's make a run to the pool. Hope everyone can swim. And remember about ooze - nasty creature, but very slow and does not see well."

(Before Rhayna is taken away.) Rhayna approaches Kaylyn and whispers to her ears. "The little twins seems more agitated of late, I am wondering if there is any connection to the full moon that is approaching..."

 The lock is a simple one, but in the dim light and with the commotion outside and the urgency of escape Zeno's hands shake and he can't quite jag the mechanism. Meanwhile the combat between the flying horrors seem to have spilled into the outpost at the southern end, and at another signal from the horn the drow in the large watch tower opposite all run to the south. A few moments later the two drow from the northern watch tower also run past, with one glancing quickly at the slave cage on the way past, apparently satisfied that the prisoners are secure.

Rhayna can see the quaggoths standing in door - they seem to be both looking at her, but they are also distracted by the commotion outside and keep glancing to the south. She also hears light footsteps, and sees about five or six drow running past the shrine entrance toward the south. Off to Rhayna's right is a hole in the floor with a rope ladder attached. To her left is a pile of cushions and pillows, behind which a creature of some kind is attempting to remain concealed, but Rhayna can detect the slightest shift of shadows and sense the movement.

There now doesn't appear to be a single drow or quaggoth north of the waterfall.

As Rhayana looks at her and gets dragged away Kaylyn mouths You will not be left behind

Later as the north end of the compound empties Kaylyn moves to the edge of the cage and summons her familiar 30 feet outside the cage.  She immediately orders him to fly up and stay hidden in the area above the north end of the waterfall area and send her images of what is happening.

 Kaylyn begins watching everything that Pensive can see.  She will then send him to the northern watch post to look around and see if there are any weapons or gear laying about.

"We don't always get to pick the moments to act but I believe this is a time we must act. Calm down and focus. Unshackle me when you're free," Kastix whispers while gesturing hit manacles to Zeno. 

(Has Kaxtix determines if it's just within the slave pen he can't cast?)

From its position by the waterfall, and through the narrow gap between the stalactites and the wall, Pensive can see a skirmish in the small open flat area in front of the lift, between four or five flying demons and twenty ground-based combatants. The ground fighters are drow crossbowmen or swordsmen, quaggoths, and two drow spellcasters. Several prone bodies of quaggoths and drow can be seen. Two quaggoths are also nearby, not participating in the battle but standing just inside a tower entrance. Flying up the northern watch tower (#13), Pensive can see it is abandoned, and only a water barrel and several mundane items are present (two cups and a set of dice). The quaggoth den is also empty (#12), as is the central watch tower (#10).

(@Shodai_Kishi: Yes, outside the slave pen spells work normally)

Rhayna looks to her left side at the pile of cushions and pillows. She tries to determine what is that creature that she sensed movement and how far it is from her. (Perception: 11)

(OCC: Rhayna could cast Calm Emotions on the two quaggoths by the door when she hears/sees that her companions are close.)

Kaylyn passes all of this information to the others.

"There is nothing of value in either guard barracks that can be seen.  But we have to get Rhayana.  I will not leave her behind.  Get these manacles off of us and let's get out of here while this opportunity exists."

Quote from Paladin54 >>

Kaylyn passes all of this information to the others.

Sorry, perhaps I didn't make that very clear. I only commented briefly on the central tower and quaggoth pen, as they weren't specifically mentioned, and I presumed Pensive was just flying past. Only the lower level of the central guard tower was visible to Pensive.

Quote from Wolfy911 >>

Rhayna looks to her left side at the pile of cushions and pillows. She tries to determine what is that creature that she sensed movement and how far it is from her. (Perception: 7)

Rhayna can't tell what kind of creature it is, lurking there in the back of a room with a spider-web floor and a giant spider statue dedicated to the Spider Goddess. She can only tell that there is movement of some kind of creature.

Now that Pensive has had opportunity to do some quick checks she directs him to go back to the north guard tower and the quaggoth pen and check closer.  She orders him to flee immediately if she encounters anyone. From there he is to go back to the central tower and explore further given the same instruction to flee if confronted or seen by any enemies.  She is also ready to dismiss him if needed. 

@Paladin54: Definitely nothing of interest in the quaggoth pen, and only the things mentioned in the north tower. The bottom level of the central tower is familiar already, as Kaylyn has passed through here several times before. It is a little better-appointed than the north tower - they have a table and chairs, another small side-table, and some webbing made of spider silk for hanging weapons and equipment, which is currently empty as the drow seem to have taken their gear to the fight. There is also a rope ladder going up to another level, which Kaylyn hasn't seen. Pensive ventures a look, flying up the ladder-hole, and sees a small armoury containing a range of weapons, armour, shields and equipment.

Rhayna is a little terrified that she cannot tell what is luring in the back of the room, but she figures that if it hasn’t attacked her, she should be safe for now. She slowly raises herself from the floor, crosses her legs, and sits in a meditative position next to the hole with the rope ladder. Slowly, so it won’t alarm the quaggoths, she scans the shrine room for any signs that the party’s equipment might stored here. (Perception: 12) She then slowly looks down the hole to investigate the room below. (Perception: 26)

@Wolfy911: There doesn't appear to be any equipment of any kind in the shrine room itself. From what Rhayna can see down the hole it appears to be a bedchamber, with copious curtains and drapes made of black mesh. The corner of a low platform covered with cushions and pillows can be seen, and at its foot are two heavy black chests.

Passing the new information on Kaylyn speaks.

"We stop at the center barracks and grab equipment.  From there we free Rhayana and make our escape.  Where are we on freeing ourselves from the manacles and getting the door open? "