Dimir's Out of the Abyss

Topsy Dagger Attack: 13 Damage: 5

After the bolt of lightning electrifies everyone, the serpent begins to retreat to safety in order to pick its sounds and nurse a grudge. Aimon's bolt sails through the darkness and strikes it. It rears up in pain, and then Oak's arrow slams into its skull and comes out the other side. Its hiss of pain cuts off suddenly as it splashes back down in the water and begins to sink into the depths of the Darklake.

Shushar offers a prayer and casts Mass Cure Wounds on Jimjar (who is unconscious), Trill, Caelynn, Oak, Eldeth, and Aimon. You all heal for 15. He then casts a level three Cure Wounds on Topsy. She heals for 13. He then begins another prayer giving thanks to his goddess for sparing them and giving them the power to defeat darkness. after ten minutes of this, he casts Prayer of Healing on Trill, Caelynn, Aimon, Oak, Jimjar, and Topsy. They heal for 16.

Jimjar comes to with a gasp. After a few settling breathes, he says, "I hate the Darklake."

 Shushar says after his ritualistic prayer, "Try to get we sleep. We will arrive at Gracklestug tomorrow." With that, he rolls over and falls asleep almost instantly as if nothing happened.

Aimon feels the healing magic soothe the damaged skin along his side and then watches Shushar fall asleep instantly. He looks over at the shrinking ripple where the Bone Naga collapsed beneath the surface, expecting it to rise back up any second. Once convinced it's dead, he picks Lightbringer up and thanks her for her service in defeating that creature.

"Phew," he says as he looks around at everyone. "I'm on board with Jimjar. Once we're out of here, don't count on me coming back for the reunion."

He settles down in the bow of the boat, trying to get comfortable again.

"Everyone okay?" he asks before falling asleep almost as quickly as Shushar did. 

“I’ll stay up and watch for anything else that might try to fry us,” Caelynn offers, settling cross-legged on the side of the boat opposite the pillar. “I’ve gotten more sleep than I need anyways.”

She keeps an eye on the water for any danger or any more fish that approach the boat.

Perception: 14

“Did you see that shot!!”, exclaims Oak, “I could get used to not being exhausted! Haha!... wait, wait, dodge, dodge, BLAM!!... Arrow in the head!!...”.

When he’s come down a bit after the fight, he’ll gather up his axe again and stow all his gear. He’ll say to Caelynn, “Wake me up when your watch is finished m’Lady, and I’ll take over”. He puts a beefy hand on her shoulder briefly, and then settles down to sleep with his head on his pack.

Perception check for his watch (disadvantage due to darkvision = dim light): 9 

Nothing else disturbs the party that night. In the morning, breakfast comprises of leftovers before the party once again moves out. 

While fishing, Topsy manages to pull up a huge octopus larger than Oak, but she cuts the line before it could do any damage.

While rowing, Eldeth says, "The druegar are cruel and callous. They take slaves first and ask questions later." She spits into the water in disgust and then says, " They have some of the strictest laws in the Underdark."

After hours of tense navigation, you glimpse and orange glow in the distance. Soon you hear faint metallic echoes, growing louder as you come closer. Firelight illuminates massive columns with structures built around their bases. The cold air of the Underdark is becoming warmer even at this distance, and you can now see a variety of piers made from zhurkwood, stone, and plain rock getting along the edge of a huge cavern that stretches for nearly a mile.

As the party draws closer, they can see that the eastern docs are the least crowded. Shushar guides them to a natural rock pier on the eastern edge of the cavern. Guards patrol the walkways occasionally. Make a Stealth Check of 14 or higher or an Survival Check of 15 or higher to arrive inconspicuously.

General Features:

Sweltering heat and cloying smoke cleaning to every corner of the dwarven city, spewing from smelters house inside massive stalagmites and stalactites. These protrude from the cavins floor and sealing like the teeth of some great maw.The

Light: The city's glowing forges and smithies operate continuously. Most of the city is dimly lit by a hellish red glow, with patches of darkness here and there.

Noise: The clinging and clacking of hammers and machinery echoes constantly through the city. Perception checks made to listen in the city have disadvantage.

Smoke and Haze: Despite vents dug into the walls and ceiling of the city's great cavern, fumes from smelters and forges linger at ground level.

Oak stares at the settlement in awe, as they slowly pull in towards it, “By the gods!...”, he says under his breath...

As quietly as possible he gathers his things to him, and ties anything down that might jangle or flap about, with some of the leather strappings that crisscross his body.

Stealth check: 18 

Aimon whispers to the others, “Oak is right. We should enter the city on our own terms until we get a better idea of what’s going on. We’re bound to blend in once we’re away from the docks.”

Stealth: 13 

Stealth: 22

Trill ritual casts Comprehend Languages as the city comes into view.

"I have a feeling we'll stand out based on height alone," Caelynn comments with a chuckle. "Trill might be short enough. I'm pushing it. But the two of you..." She looks up at Aimon, who is close to a foot taller than her, then to Oak, who towers over them all. "Maybe we should avoid populated areas, at least until we know what we're doing."

Stealth: 27

Topsy stealth: 21

Jimjar stealth: 8

As everyone climbs off the boat, Shushar says, "I hope you succeed in your endeavors. May the Goddess smile upon you." With a wave, he begins paddling away out onto the Darklake in a different direction than you arrived.

A patrol of druegar notice your arrival, but do nothing. They give you a curious look under their helms. (I'll try to find some pictures.)

You make your way into the Darklake District. On the map, it is the area closest to the Darklake. Walls divide from the rest of the city. The Darklake District Gives an illusion of openness. The streets are relatively wide to allow for merchant carts and wagons to pass, and the buildings aren't as crowded around stalagmites as in the southern districts. Openness doesn't mean welcoming, however. The druegar who ply there trades here are weary of the all the foreigners confined by law to this part of city.

A wave of heat slams against you as an acrid smog rises to choke the air out of your lungs. The Darklake spreads out beyond a jumble of buildings and streets, reflecting the lights of countless fires burning across the city within hollowed-out columns and stalagmites. Though the streets are crowded, you move easily within the surging throng of buyers, merchants, and slaves. You are the only outsiders here, as you spy drow, svirfneblin, derro, orcs, and other races in the crowds. The shouting of people blends with the sound of distant hammering to create a constant, distracting din. Patrols of druegar walk the street to keep the peace.

Oak relaxes a little, on first impressions of the place. He can sense that he needs to keep his wits about him, and that it’s a dangerous place, but also that there seems to be some sense of order to it...

His snort seems to have gone along with the exhaustion, but he makes a low, appraising, growling hum... and looks around over everyone’s heads around at what’s near by ((are there obvious vendors or market stalls? or anywhere smelling like food? Or selling weapons?)). “hHhhhmmmmmm-m-m......, this place looks reasonably civilised!”, he growls to the party. “Maybe we can find some supplies, or proper food....”. 

Aimon watches any drow he spots carefully.

"I'm guessing our hosts back in Velkynvelve have better things to do than look for us," Aimon says to Trill and Caelynn. "But we should keep an eye out for anyone that seems to really take an interest in us."

He doesn't admit that he's also watching the drow carefully in case he recognizes one in particular; one with a golden broach.

"Find a tavern and see if we can get a lead on Trill's crew? At least get out of this smoke for a bit. How on earth do they live like this?"

Then he realizes they're not on earth but under it and maybe that's explanation enough.

There are a few vendors in the area you are in, but you can hear the sounds of an actual market. 

Eldeth says while looking uneasily at the druergar patrolling around, "We should invest in a mask of some kind to filter out the smoke. People get sick from it."

Looking around, you can see that many of the people around you are wearing masks of some kind.

Aimon nods.

"Might help us blend in more too," he says. "Let's head to the market then."

He starts off towards the sounds of the market.

Trill nods, head constantly swiveling around to look for familiar faces.

(I wanted to ask Shushar about directions to the Neverlight Grove aaaah! I guess it's too late now though...)

"That would be good," Caelynn agrees. The smog is near-suffocating, and she pulls the collar of her shirt over her mouth, hoping it will help a bit until they can get masks. As they walk, she keeps an eye out for anyone paying them particular attention or anyone she recognizes from while they were imprisoned.

Perception: 14

Yes, Oak will head with everyone to the market. He will also be on the lookout for anywhere that looks like it might sell weapons and shields. 

You make your way through the bustling crowds of Gracklestugh. Weaving through the streets and following the sounds of commerce, you find yourself in the central market of Gracklestugh entitled the Blade Bazaar. Here, you hear curses, happy exclamations, arguments over prices, and the sound of hammers clanging in the distance. The Bazaar has a low fence ringing the market. Beyond the stone fence, you can see many people milling between stalls advertising almost anything imaginable. Exotic foods, pets, gems, armor, slaves, and anything you can think of can be bought here. The only issues are navigating the maze-like market and how willing you are to spend your coin. Standing at a gate to the market are two druegar guards. You see a drow try to enter, and the guards stop him to ask a few questions. One of them holds out her hand and beckons for something. The drow adamantly shakes his head. The other guard angrily says something before spinning the drow around. Before the drow can react, the guard plants his armored foot on his behind and kicks him way. The drow stumbles away from the market rubbing his bottom. He stalks away, humiliated by his treatment. The guards says something to each other and give deep chuckles.