“Ront strong, Ront fight!” Ront confidently says as he puffs his chest out.

Prince Derendil draws closer to the group at the sound of his name. “I guess I could fight,” he says oddly proper for a Quaggoth. “I will admit I am still getting used to this ‘figure,’ but the thought of returning to my people and lifting my curse give me hope.”

”If you can get me an axe,” Eldeth says confidently with a wry smile. “Then those Drow don’t stand a chance.”

”Turvy and I may not be big or strong, but we like to think of ourselves as sneaky.” Topsy adds. 

Jimjar who has seemed to be leaving the group, turns around with a smile. “Well I guess that means I’m in too. Got to keep track of my bets with all of you anyway.” 

Buppido gives a chuckle as he darkly says, “Ilvara is just asking for a neck-slitting. I will make sure she gets what she deserves.”

“I am not a fighter,” Shuushar says calmly, “but I will help in any way that I can.”

As everyone chips in, pledging themselves to an escape, small spores begin to surround the group, seeming to originate from Stool. Suddenly, the sound of a young child’s voice enters your head. “With everyone working together, surely we can’t lose,” Stool says happily into everyone’s minds.

Finally, as this this happens. Sarith begins to raise his head, looking at the hope of the group. Slowly, he begins to walk over, and a soft voice begins to fill the air. “Though I may not feel the same way, the hope you all show has inspired me. I have nothing else to live for, except for this young one,” he says with genuine care patting Stool’s head. “Promise me you will reunite him with his family.” 

How will you respond?

(Sorry for the long post, we just had to have a proper Avengers Assemble moment.)

(Also, we will assume most of the group knows their way around Velkynvelve relatively well having done work around the outpost for the past ten day.) 

Thodek stares out the cage for a long moment, "We will certainly need weapons, and I would hope the other items are in the same building. Perhaps some few, capable of stealth, could quickly gather a few things and sneak to recover the other items while the rest of us don weapons and armor and anything else we can carry from the armory, and then head out together once the other group returns. Or at least be able to provide armed support in case they run into trouble. Either way, this is our one chance, and we must take it with both hands."

"Of course. I can not speak for the others, but I give my word to do all that I can to reunite him with his clan. He will need their support." Cailean looks about the gathered folk, the small flicker of hope growing within his chest. "I agree, we must not waste the opportunity before us. This armory would be a good first stop, in case there are guards or other hidden trouble our stealth team might stumble upon."

Looking to Thodek, Syvis begins, "In my study of history and lore, it always seems most expeditious and advantageous when the adventuring parties of legend split to achieve multiple goals concurrently. Granted, they most often meet their fate while achieving their lofty goals, but hey," she cracks a grin and continues, "Procure a blade and a bow for me while I attempt to retrieve your amulet from the private chambers and I'm sure we will all arrive at a favorable outcome."

Glancing to the others, "If we end up going with that plan: Buppido, I like your focus. I think you and the gnomes should come with me to the consort's chambers. Anyone else who thinks they can similarly pass unnoticed, you're welcome to join. Jimjar, 10 gold says at least one of us gets seen," and she winks slyly.

Hearing Sarith speak up suddenly, Syvis' eyes flash and narrow as she distrustfully studies his sudden change of heart.

Insight: 18

Quote from shadow1784 >>

Looking to Thodek, Syvis begins, "In my study of history and lore, it always seems most expeditious and advantageous when the adventuring parties of legend split to achieve multiple goals concurrently. Granted, they most often meet their fate while achieving their lofty goals, but hey," she cracks a grin and continues, "Procure a blade and a bow for me while I attempt to retrieve your amulet from the private chambers and I'm sure we will all arrive at a favorable outcome."

Glancing to the others, "If we end up going with that plan: Buppido, I like your focus. I think you and the gnomes should come with me to the consort's chambers. Anyone else who thinks they can similarly pass unnoticed, you're welcome to join. Jimjar, 10 gold says at least one of gets seen," and she winks slyly.

Hearing Sarith speak up suddenly, Syvis' eyes flash and narrow as she distrustfully studies his sudden change of heart.

Insight: 21

 Thodek shakes his head slightly, "I think you may have misunderstood. I think we should all go to the armory and you can grab weapons quickly and sneak off for the rest, while the rest of us take our time putting on heavier armor and gathering spare weapons and gear."

"Fair enough," Syvis replies as she nods. Addressing the group as a whole again, voice still low and lacking inflection, "Anyone who wishes to have 'magical trinkets,' as our dear captor put it, retrieved, please describe what we should be looking for before this ordeal begins."

"What I'm looking for is a stoppered rum bottle about yah big," Voyage says to Syvis and the twins as she holds her hands apart to indicate a bottle about the size of a hip flask. "It's mostly empty but there is a small amount of bluish-green shimmery liquid at the bottom. I don't know that they would have kept it, but if you see it, grab it. And even better, if you can get that sticky wand that the Drow is so fond of,  I think that can really turn the odds in our favor even greater."

"What they took from me was a sprig of mistletoe. It was simple, but holds sentimental value. If it can not be recovered, another such item from nature could be used in its stead. A sturdy piece of natural wood, as an example. The mistletoe is what I have been using as my focus until it was taken from me, though."

Cailean frowns in thought before addressing Syvis. "I am not unaccustomed to matters of stealth, though most of my experience has been in a much more wooded environment. Nontheless, should you need assistance with the retrieval, I would be willing to lend my aid."

"There is something I would look for if I could, though I'm unsure if it was taken from me or was lost when I was initially captured. A gun. A small gnomish ranged weapon that can propel projectiles forward with fire. Simillar to a blunderbuss or arquebus only much smaller. It is not absolutely critical but I would retrieve it if I could," Nicholas chimes in then adds, "I'm too have some experience remaining undetected, although like Cailean here only in forests and the like. However I have little knowledge of the arcane and may have trouble identifying the right items if there are numerous such trinkets stored."

Thodek sketches in the dirt for a moment, drawing a small hammer, "It would be an amulet, in the shape of a hammer. I could replace it eventually, but it would simplify things and make me much happier to have it back."

Syvis: Sarith seems to speak sincerely. 

(For now feel free to plan as much as you would like, just let me know when everyone is ready to move on to tomorrow)

(I'm happy with plan as is, but if anyone has anything to add or change, we can keep going.)

At some point before the plan is set into motion, Voyage will pull Shushaar aside and to talk to the Kuo-Tua. "Stay close to me, old one -- or at the very least, behind the quaggoth," she looks at the very strange Derendil, still getting used to that formal voice coming from that hulking frame. "Things are going to be chaos and not all of us are likely to get out of here. I aim to be one of them what does.

She'll also approach Jimjar to talk about the twins just before bedding down. "The elf is taking the twins into Shoor's quarters with her to look for our things. I see you watching them quite often. What d'you reckon is going on with them? If you were to put some gold on it, would you bet on trusting them?"

(I'm fine with proceeding to the next day)

Once everyone settles, Cailean attempts to coax his spider friend and quietly talks to it while letting it travel around his arms and shoulders for a little while before settling in to attempt sleep. The next day, when preparing for the day's action, he coaxes the spider to come up onto his shoulder to come with him if it is willing.

(I am also good with moving to the next day, unless someone has something else in mind.)

“I will stay close if that please you young one,” nods the old Kuo-Toa.

”Ah, that’s a hard one,” Jimjar says. “I’ve just got this feeling that they’re ‘different’ y’know. I love a good bet, but at this point I’d wager it’s too early to tell. I can keep an eye on them if you’d like. I’m pretty sneaky myself,” he grins with a wink. 

(FWIW, Syvis was suggesting Jimjar come with her as well but that's up to him. I'm also good with pressing on.)

(I'm ready to move on to tomorrow)

Rian felt a shiver of excitement. Was this really going to happen? He was impressed that the entire cell was united in their singular goal to escape. He hoped he could carry his own weight. 

(Am ready to move on as well )

It feels like an eternity passes in the time you spend waiting for your hour of escape to arrive. Eventually though, the time comes, and during a guard shift, you see Jorlan give an almost imperceptible nod as he disappears into the depths of Velkynvelve.

You can only assume that this must be the sign you were waiting for. There are no guards nearby, and the surrounding area has become oddly quiet; the calm before the storm.

What would you like to do?

Syvis silently walks forward and ever-so-gently pushes the door to the cell a fraction of an inch to test it.