Pax flies down from the walkways, and finds the webs crawling with giant spiders, spinning cocoon-like webs around several of the bodies that fell during the battle. She can't make out faces, but she sees one wrapped bundle that looks to be the right size and shape of Buppido the derro, and is in about the right place where he fell.

Stool doesn't know what to do, only that it wants to go home to Neverlight Grove. Rhayna has a very clear knowledge now of Sarith's condition, that he is infected with demon-tainted spores, they are growing in his brain and causing momentary lapses of awareness as well as violent outbursts, and will continue to grow until they erupt. For now it is simply a disease that Rhayna is confident she can cure with some modest magic (lesser restoration will do it).

Vizeran has enough magic to teleport once, but after a rest he can do so three times (using his three highest spell slots). He can teleport infallibly to his tower, and from there can take a day to repair Kaylyn's helm. He says it is a safer place from which to attempt teleporting to Mantol-Derith (a mishap from a closer proximity means the group would only be off by a shorter distance). He also suspects that in this timeline Kleve will be at the tower, and can be used to plane shift the group to the purple worm nursery or any other destination which is difficult to teleport to. He has no suggestions for the other slaves, and doesn't care about them, but suggests that if Kaylyn lets them have her helm then she might be able to acquire its duplicate in Mantol-Derith.

Pax returns from her foray below and lands lightly on the ground.  She joins the conversation as the group discusses their options. She considers the options and then says, "Vizeran, you may not care for these slaves, but...we do. I suggest the following. Vizeran takes me and Rhyana to his tower. Perhaps Kirin as well.  Kaylyn takes the slaves and Sekkar to Mantol-Derith. We'll have a rest at Vizeran's tower. While there, Vizeran can give us some object from the place, maybe a rock from the ground, something that will help us teleport more easily to his place. Or if there is a circle there, I can study it and use the helm to get us back.  Then, Vizeran takes us to Mantol-Derith to meet up with you guys. If we get separated, we'll use Sending spells to try and meet up. We have pretty good mobility.  Then either we stay at Mantol-Derith and Vizeran heads back to his tower to prepare, or we go back to his tower with him. I think attempting to find the other copy of Sekkar's sword is an actual plan of action and could be quite important. finding a copy of Kaylyn helm and having Vizeran repair them both could also be crucial. We've somehow managed to find ourselves with time...and we should use it as wisely as possible....which in this case may mean splitting up briefly. The beholder near hear at the Chasmleap bridge feels like the best target to me, from the beholders we're aware of." 

Sekkar did not understand much of this time jumping thing but Pax's plan did not sound full right to him. "We might have some time, but what about the Underdark? Demon Lords are already half here, soon will pop up like mushrooms everywhere and we still don't have two components. Who knows how long it will take to gather them. Wasting two or three days on top of what we need to hunt... Are you sure? The helmet was given to Kaylyn for the deed that we can not repeat right now, so, that's not the option. And the Dawnbringer... I did not like that sound your two rods made." He turned the sword up asking out loud "What do you think? Want to meet yourself? Do you think it's risky?"

"Given you were here before but not here now, I do not believe there are doubles of us right now for whatever reason," Kirin comments as he tries to make sense of events and inforrmation from them. He may have heard it during their travel= but as the events didn't affects his future, it was in one ear, out the other after abit. 

Rhayna will use one of the beads from the Necklace of Prayer Beads, and cure Sarith. "Here, trust me, you will thank me later Sarith." Then she turns to Stool. "I am really sorry Little One. Once, I did make you a promise to take you home, and I was able to fulfill my oath. However, that was a lifetime ago. Things have changed much." She communicates telepathically with the Myconid. "If you wish, you can follow me, and I will protect you. However, I am not able to promise that I will be able to take you home." The Cleric knells down, and tries to pat the little mushroom if it allows her. "Unfortunately, where we are going, is very far from your home. Then again, it is also very far from here as well. It is up to you."

Pax grins at Sekkar's concern over his sword. "Perhaps your sword is more like a person, and there is no duplicate of it in this place. But....on the off chance it isn't, I think it is worth the risk to try and acquire it. However, given I wasn't with you the first time I'm not in a good place to judge the risk. But that sword is an anathema to most demons. Having two such blades could shift the balance of power. But, more to the point I think, we have been through a lot and we are not well rested. Perhaps before jumping away to any location, we should take time to rest here. Then, if Vizeran can attempt multiple times to teleport us. I agree that going to Mantol-Derith first is the best plan. Vizeran, we can get to your tower easily from there. And, Sekkar, we earned the helm in one way, in the other time, but...knowing it exists and the troubles at Mantol-Derith, I believe we are in a good place to find another way to acquire it. Vizeran could work on repairing one while we use the other to complete our quests." 

"Take us to Mantol Derith, Kaylyn. If I remember right, demons will attack that place very soon. And then more drow will come. We rest there and decide where to go next."

Stool still appears nervous of Rhayna, and again shrinks away shyly, but perhaps not as much as before. Rhayna turns to Sarith and channels the magic of the beads, and his eyes suddenly widen. Ah! I remember everything! he gasps. We are all in great danger! The demon Zuggtmoy, she is here! The faerzress is contaminated! The drow is speaking quickly as though in a panic, but he soon calms down and looks at Rhayna with a quizzical expression. You... you have saved me, human. Why? Stool sees Rhayna heal Sarith, and instinctively knowing that the drow's corrupt spores have been eradicated, the little myconid telepathically accepts Rhayna's offer to take it somewhere safer.

Dawnbringer answers Sekkar with reluctance, and with an unmistakable tone of jealousy. What if the other me wanted to stay with you too? What if you liked the new me better? I don't think I could bear the idea of another me being with you, or with anyone else for that matter. But then again, I wouldn't want me to remain in that horrible dark tomb, all alone. Is there any way to find out if I'm there? Can't someone use some kind of magic? Sekkar does note however, that while Vizeran, Kirin and Dawnbringer did make the journey back in time, Zeno, Kastix and Joetaro were not in the slave pen. What could have become of those three?

Kirin sees that the drow priestesses and the most senior warriors are all dead. But he also recalls that priests like Rhayna have the means to communicate with the recently decesased, and he asks her if she is willing, as he evidently has something he wants to inquire of Ilvara...    Rhayna?

Other than the tentacle rod, the other treasures that can be found around the drow outpost are:

Buppido is slain, Ront the orc has climbed down and made his solo escape, and the gnome twins have vanished. Sarith states that he intends to remain at Velkynvelve, and assume command of the outpost. Vizeran is able to transport eight other people, so besides Sekkar, Rhayna, Kaylyn, Kirin and Pax, he can take three more. Rhayna has already indicated that she wants to take Stool, so two spots remain. Who to choose? All are Underdark natives besides Eldeth the dwarf. Shuushar the pacifist kuo-toa seems content no matter what fate befalls him. Jimjar the svirfneblin has already proved himself savvy enough to make his way to Bligdenstone. And Prince Derendil the elf prince/quaggoth is stronger and tougher than most anything down here, and can probably take care of himself.

------------------------------------------------

(One more post each to finalise this location, then back to Mantol-Derith again for the first time for the last time.)

(The idea was to use Kaylyn's helmet to transport everyone (16 altogether). This is why Mantol Derith was chosen - a multiracial city where nothing bad is going to happen for the next couple of weeks at least. As strong and capable as they are, hoards of gnolls and kuo-toa hunting for sacrificial bodies... They would not make it)

"More reasons to get to the city then. Someone there should know the way to track beings and things. If there is "other you" - we will rescue her. Though I do believe you are unique and there is no "copy" of you on any plane or time." After assuring Dawnbringer of her future, Sekkar helped to pack the treasure (taking bolts and poison as the only owner of the hand-crossbow). "Sarith, you might want to reconsider and go with us, the demons are about to attack that place," repeated he to the only drow he actually trusted to a degree. 

Quote from BlueBayou >>

(The idea was to use Kaylyn's helmet to transport everyone (16 altogether). This is why Mantol Derith was chosen - a multiracial city where nothing bad is going to happen for the next couple of weeks at least. As strong and capable as they are, hoards of gnolls and kuo-toa hunting for sacrificial bodies... They would not make it)

I see. Then how about Kaylyn uses the helm to transport the party, and Vizeran can use his spell to transport the slaves. That way if Kaylyn has a mishap, it won't split the party.

"Yes, we are aware of the demonic invasion of the Underdark, and also yes, we are aware that Zuggtmoy is here as well. Where do you think I got these lovely spores around me? As I said, you will thank me later. Sekkar is right, soon this place will be invaded by demons, it is not safe to stay here. Sarith, do you know Menzoberranzan well? We may need to visit your great city, and we could use your help." Rhayna is glad that she received telepathic acceptance from Stool. "Stay close to me little one."

Rhayna retrieves the Stonespeaker Crystal from rucksack, then she turns to Kirin. "The crystal can aid us in speaking with the dead. We have five questions."

(Can Rhayna cast Raise Dead on Ilvara??)

"If someone could disguise themselves as a drow, maybe one of the drow she liked to ask her questions. Question about if she knew where a beholder resides in the Underdark. Maybe if she has more hidden treasures to assist us. Anything else you can think of," Kirin suggests before starting to shove or pull the corpses out away, proably throwing them off the edge. 

When the time comes to teleport to Mantol-Derith Kaylyn gathers the party into a circle and concentrating on the helmet she casts Teleport

12

Pax has no interest in questioning the dead priestess and stays out of the conversation. She does take one of the Potion of healings and puts it into her belt pouch where it's easily accessible.  She otherwise helps gather the treasure up and puts it into a bag.  Suddenly with an excess of wands, she doesn't take the vicious blob one.  She instead spends 10 minutes casting identify on the strange wand that appeared at her feet during the chaos with the Maze Engine. 

All that sorted, she agrees to the logistics of heading to Mantol-Derith, with Vizeran taking all the slaves and Kaylyn taking the party.  When Rhanya mentions Menzoberranzan, and Sarith, Pax clues in. She adds,  "Zilchyn K’leptin will no longer know us. He will little desire to help us there. Yes. Sarith, we will need a guide. If you are willing, you may be able to help save the underdark from the demonic invasion. Great thinking Rhayna."

With that done, she waits for the conversation with the undead priestess to conclude so that they can teleport to the trading city. 

At Kirin's request, Rhayna holds the Stone Giant's Crystal, and chant the incantation to cast Speak with Dead on the deceased Ilvara. "She is all yours gentlemen." We should depart after you guys are done.

Rhayna channels the power of the Gravenhollow crystal. The corpse of Ilvara the drow priestess of Lolth shudders once. The dead eyes snap open but stare lifelessly at the ceiling. 

Questions?

Presuming Sekkar has made use of "disguise self", he is prompted to ask the following questions: 

Where can be found the weakest beholder you know of? 

Where would you go to find a purple worm? 

Is there any hidden treasure in this outpost? 

(then a couple more questions Kirin wants to put forward?)

Has word of the emergence of demons have coming from anywhere?

How do travel the Underdark without getting lost again? (This is just me thinking of random questions)

(Sekkar did and now stands near the body and repeats questions)

Hearing what the group intend to do, Vizeran offers the ranger some suggestions on appearance to help him look like a high-ranking member of House Mizzrym. Sekkar surrounds himself with shadows, and his silhouette begins to morph and change. When the shadows clear, a slightly shorter effeminate male drow in fine robes stands in his place. Vizeran casts his own version of the spell, appearing like a young drow mage, who he explains is the Archmage Gromph Baenre. Sekkar approaches Ilvara and asks the first question, but there is no response. Vizeran and Kirin both attempt to ask a question, and again no answer is given, even though the corpse seems to register their presence.

Rhayna deduces that the spell probably only allows the caster to ask the questions, but is uncertain whether Ilvara will respond to a cleric of the hated Moonmaiden. So with Kirin and Kaylyn propping the corpse up, and with Vizeran and Sekkar flanking and Sarith standing behind, Rhayna faces Ilvara. Again the dead eyes scan over each face. Whether the ruse fools the priestess, or whether she simply doesn't recognise the faces, Ilvara answers each question, the dead voice sounding deeper than in life, with a distinct gurgle...

Where can be found the weakest beholder you know of?
The maimed servant in Mantol-Derith

Where would you go to find a purple worm?
The Wormwrithings

Is there any hidden treasure in this outpost?
Under Lolth's shrine

Has word of the emergence of demons have coming from anywhere?
I was told that Demogorgon sacked Menzoberranzen.

How do travel the Underdark without getting lost again?
Ask a drow!

This last is said with a sneer, after which the eyes promptly close and the spell ends. A quick inspection shows that the shrine can be pushed aside to reveal a small compartment underneath, inside which is a small silver reliquary surrounded with heavy bands of some kind of black material that serve to keep the box shut, but have no obvious mechanism for opening them.