Syvis nods curtly to Nicholas and turns to Blurg. "Welcome. I am Syvis. My companions and I have, indeed, encountered this faerzess and know some small bit if it's negative capability. We have also seen this demonic incursion fairly recently. We'd be happy to point you in that direction if it would help. But I am not familiar with the Society of Brilliance. Where is your organization based? What is their purpose? And, more importantly, where are your colleagues?"

Thodek listens intently, hoping this stranger has answers for their recent experiences.

Blurg scoffs again, obviously flustered at his own forgetfulness. “Ah yes, that too. The Society of um Brilliance... we are a small collection of scholars traveling through the um Underdark, hoping to learn more about the area. The rest of my colleagues are um making their own way through the um Underdark, and occasionally we will reconvene to share information. At this time we are a um small group— we have no true base of operations, but are um... doing our best to recruit other members.” Blurg seems to get lost a bit in the rambling, but after realizing what he is doing, looks sheepishly to the group. “I am sorry, I um ramble some times. Tell me, what kind of um demonic incursions have you encountered. It could help the society greatly.”

Thodek looks down, "We saw Demogorgon manifest on this plane, near the town of Sloobludop, and wreak havok there."

With all the rambling, forgetfulness, and stammering, Syvis take a long moment to consider if Blurg is being truthful or just being careful not to reveal too much since finding himself in a potentially dangerous situation.

Insight: 24

Syvis: Analyzing Blurg, it does seems as though the large orc is somewhat nervous. He is of course in a foreign area with foreign people, but his words still hold truth. What he is telling you is at least truthful in his eyes. 

At Thodek blatantly explaining the appearance of the Demogorgon, Blurg gasps. “Really? How interesting... do you know what may have um caused this?”

Nicholas would then speak up, "Look sorry to be rude here. But we just came into contact with a hag. Are we just going to allow him to remain here on this boat without first making sure he or whatever this Society of Brilliance is, is safe?"

Thodek hesitates, and then casts detect magic, action rather than ritual, and examines their surprise visitor.

Thodek: Examining Blurg for any sign of a magical aura, the only thing that catches your eye is a small silver ring gilded in gold, with a ruby in the center. It gives off a strong aura of conjugation magic.

Looking to the group, Syvis says sternly, "Unless our guest gives us reason to doubt his sincerity or honesty, he will be kept alive and safe. I am not of a mind to begin throwing people overboard without cause just as we did not want to abandon the hag had she been truthful (and before she attacked us, of course). In the meantime, I'm certain there is much we can learn from each other."

Turning back back to Blurg, "We have no idea what prompted Demogorgon's rise but it would seem that a kuo-toa cult at Sloopbludop had taken to worshipping it as a god of the Darklake, not fully realizing its nature. We managed to escape during an assault on the town in which their leader was killed. We don't know if there's anything left."

She considers what she's learned so far and pivots, asking, "How prevalent is the faerzess in the Underdark? Can you share what knowledge you have with us? We barely managed to survive our first encounter with the mist and, while I would much rather avoid it altogether, I would like to be prepared for when we inevitably encounter it again."

Thodek shakes his head, "Near as I can tell, he is what he says he is. Actually, do you know a quick way up to the surface as well? We'd planned to drop off a few of our number first, but then we wanted to head up and warn the surfacers, though you could help us with that as well, I suppose."

“Ah um, faerzess, of course. Right. We um believe faerzess to be small— or furthermore even large patches of volatile magical energy. My colleagues have found areas of faerzess ranging to even miles long, or others even just a couple feet.” Seeing the party’s relative acceptance of his presence, Blurg seems to calm down a bit. Speaking about his findings also seems to calm him. 

”Based on my um teleportation malfunction, faerzess seems to disrupt magic. Something about these magical areas can cause spells to um malfunction or even fail.” Blurg continues. “Organisms that step foot in these areas, from our um studies, often seem to experience short bouts of madness. Almost as if the magic invades their brain.” He gulps. “Um, when and where did you come across a  faerzess patch? How large was it? Did you encounter anyone else? What happened? Any information would be helpful, as I’m afraid I haven’t discovered much more than that.” Blurg says hastily.

”Ah, as for surface routes. I must admit, most of my life has been spent in the um Underdark. I have heard of multiple routes to the um surface, but not explored any. Perhaps, um, you could look for a guide of some sort. I’m sure any large settlement would have one.” He then stops to think. “Where are you all um, headed anyway?”

"Your assessment aligns with our own observations, although we had not experienced issues with magic due to our limited interactions with it and the physical nature of the tactics we adopted to escape. It would be difficult to specify exactly where we were when we came across it as we were following the lead of a member of our group who is no longer with us. Suffice it to say that it was within the caverns somewhere between Velkynvelve and Sloopbludop. The mist that we encountered was not very large, from what you say...possibly 30 or 40 feet across." (I'm guessing...?) "There was no one there beyond our group but it affected the minds of several of us in strange ways. Madness manifested as anything from fear and rage to sleep and paralysis. But we made it out and are wiser for it."

Syvis looks to each of her companions in turn and says, "We travel first to Neverlight Grove to return Stool, here, to his people and then on to Blingdenstone for the twins. Those are our primary goals. After that point, most plan to continue to the surface but some remain conflicted. Sehanine willing, they'll have made up their minds by that point."

A thought occurs to her and she asks, "Will you accompany us to Neverlight Grove or will you attempt to return to your colleagues? Seeing that you teleported here, I assume that you have some level of magical proficiency, and knowing of your studies of the Underdark, we would be appreciative of your assistance in our journey."

“I uh, suppose I could travel for um a short time. I can only teleport once a day, so until then I would need a place of rest. Would... you... um allow me to stay at least until then? I do however need to return and meet with my colleagues. I am already late as is and don’t need to um worry them.” Blurg mumbles. 

“Perhaps um, afterwards however, I can be of assistance. Neverlight Grove is I believe a long travel. Though I have um not been there myself, maybe I can help to speed things up in a sense.”

Thodek gestures to an open spot on the boat, "Take a seat, we can use all the help we can get."

Still abit wary about Blurg, Nicholas nevertheless makes space for the newcomer.

“Oh, um perfect! Thank you very much. As I’m sure you um know the Underdark can be quite dangerous. Even for one like me.” Blurg says merrily as he takes his seat on the boat.

Blurg then looks around at the group. “Interesting... you are an um interesting group. What is your story?” He asks.

Syvis meets his gaze with large, unblinking eyes. "Each of us were abducted under differing circumstances. We were captives of the drow. Now we seek to return everyone to their individual homes safely. You already know some of the details beyond that: we unwittingly learned of the dangers of the faerzess, were present for what we assume was the destruction of Sloopbludop by Demogorgon, and more recently survived an encounter with a hag."

Cocking her head slightly, Syvis asks, "In what way might your assistance speed up our long and arduous journey? Are you able to teleport us to Neverlight Grove?"

Nicholas would frown at speak up at Syvis suggestion, "Are you sure we want him to do that if he could? I mean, look at what happened the last time he teleported."

“Ah, um well I hypothesize the reason for that malfunction was the faerzess. It seems as though the magic in these areas is somewhat unstable and can cause spells that are cast to um change or even fail. With the nature of the teleport spell, there is of course a possibility of failure, but teleporting to somewhere you are um familiar with significantly lowers that chance. As I said earlier, I have not been to Neverlight Grove. It would be... um... risky to attempt a teleportation there unless I had significant description of the area. I could teleport you safely however to an area I myself and familiar with and that is um closer to the grove.”