Egret will chime in, "I'd be happy to visit any or all of these places, its just a matter of where is the best place, or places, for us to go first," a little embarrassment will creep into his voice as he continues,  "I know nothing about any of these places, are any of them known to be welcoming or hostile towards a motley group like ours?"

"I just want to get back to the surface."  Tempest tells the group.  "I think we need to get somewhere safe sooner, but need to make sure it is somewhere that will lead us back towards our home and not away from them." She shrugs then.  "I have no idea of which is better, so need to leave that up to those who know this world better than I do."

"I know how to reach Gracklstugh from the southern route out of Velkynvelve..." The Derro announces as the group discusses destination options. "I can also find a route to Gracklstugh from the Darklake." He pauses as he lets everyone consider that. "it would be a good idea to go to Gracklstugh to acquire better equipment." he informs the group.

Eldeth shakes her head. The duergar are almost as likely to enslave us as the drow are...almost. And Darklake...I am not as familiar with the underdark as some here, I know, but I am sure at some point we will have to cross it. It is not as simple as a lake...it is a massive underground waterway. Rivers, lakes, and pools. If we can find a boat or a guide, it will take us anywhere we want to go. But traveling over water is just as dangerous as over land down here.

Sarith nods in agreement. The duergar hate us. And I'm not one to throw myself into an enemy city.

Eldeth scowls, not really hiding the fact she's not pleased that the drow agreed with her. On the other hand, we would be safe from pursuit there.

Sarith looks at her and gives a glare of his own. Perhaps making our way to Neverlight would be our best bet. The myconids may be aloof, but they are the most likely to provide sanctuary.

Jimjar cuts in, "Blingdenstone is quite a journey from here, but it has access to the surface. No matter where we go first, we should plan to head there eventually. That's the best bet for any of you surface folk! I'll be headed there at some point for sure." He pauses, then adds, "I've got 20 gold that says if we go to Gracklstugh we'll end up prisoners of the duergar, and I have no desire to be be captured again. I say we go to Blingdenstone or return Stool here to the Neverlight Grove."

Don speaks telepathically only to the party, excluding all of the other prisoners. "My first mate aboard the Iron Vulture was a dwarf. He had spent some time in the underdark himself and told many stories. What he said about the nature of the drow has proven to be true. If is stories hold for the derro and kua-toa, we'll want to stay as far away from their cities as we can as well. But the deep gnomes and myconids are both trustworthy folk, if reclusive. I will follow wherever we chose, together, but I align with the gambler for now and suggest either Neverlight Grove or Blingdenstone. Though I do not know what this Darklake is or who might live there."

Grahh-ack Ront growls in disgust for dwarfs, elfs, and having to count on them. He talks in orc while thinking when that cursed-lucky-for-me traitor-to-enemy get going already? Getting out of here gotta be most of the problem, to the surface the other half. Wherever, just away, and through some o'dem effers.

Gadvelt's frustration is with the squabbling not the people. But the equal disgust Ront has for everything is at least equal. Fine, lets get out and to the "floor" and to one of those, Neverlight probably. to Ront but public If we go through folk, here if you want it, swing this pipe through them. I'm happy to hit stuff with these chains 'till we get whatever stuff back. And that shard of yours Tempest - to Zhor with his long reach probably. Or you two swap (motioning Zhor and Ront) long as us as can fight are armed as much as we can

And on for Don and Manju I was saying you two first across the bridge so us slower folk don't hold you up. Sarith and the Prince maybe as well. Magic folk in the middle and bruisers guard the rear (himself, Ront, Eldeth, Zhor)

Manju - Looking at his bruises "I'm going to need some sleep if we're doing this."

Eldeth says There is some wisdom in that...escaping should be our first priority. It does not matter where we decide to go if we only end up back here. We should rest up until we have our opportunity.

After a couple of hours, a lone figure rounds the guard tower towards your cell. Jorlan yells up at the tower I've got to give the slaves their food, keep an eye out for trouble ya useless louts. The guards snicker, and don't seem to pay any more attention than they have been. Jorlan walks across the bridge, balancing a food tray. He approaches the door and stops, looking around at all of you. But there won't be any trouble, will there. At least, not yet. Shift change is in 4 hours. he says quietly. He unlocks the door, says loudly Stay where ya are until I lock the door back! He opens it up, sets the bowls down on the ground from the tray, then slams the door shut---and walks away, pocketing the key, without even a glance back.

While you're waiting for your chance, Eldeth sits next to Gadvelt. Have you ever been to Gauntlgrym? Should we escape and make it back to the surface, you will all be welcomed there. That is...if you do not have anywhere else you need to go.

Welcomed would be different - not knowing my family I been cut out of dwarf culture - clanless they call me. If they're different than all other dwarfs, yeah maybe. Frankly dorfs ain't been much better than the effin' bliners to me. I like cities, everybody is alone together.

Then we will go to Gauntlgrym. My clan will become your clan.

As everyone discusses potential destinations, Don will quietly go around unlocking shackles.

Gad thinks a bit for the right words, then answers Eldeth You are blessed with honor and kindness, cousin

Before Don gets to him, Gadvelt will take bowls to each prisoner, chains still on (in case the guards look up)

Once the chains are off, he hefts a set or two to see what would make a decent improvised weapon

Once his chains are off, Egret will wrap them around one hand and ready his noose in the other. “I will follow close behind the leaders to heal and support if needed.”

Tempest will give her dagger to someone who can use it.  (I forget who that was currently though... So speak up if you want the dagger...)

Jimjar says, "I bet 10 gold I could use that sharp rock better than anyone here."

Quote from Burl >>

Jimjar says, "I bet 10 gold I could use that sharp rock better than anyone here."

 "Then give it a try."  Tempest says with a nod, giving the rock to him.  "Though i won't take you up on your bet."