Chapter 2: Into Darkness

Chapter Prologue
Welcome to the Underdark! As you are now on the run, and actively travelling the mass of tunnels, chambers, and features that make up this wondrous place, there are some additional mechanics/rules that will now activate.

Travelling
The Underdark is a dark twisty place. As such, travel is significantly slower than those of you used to overland travel would expect. There are three speeds your party can move at as an adventuring group: Slow, Normal, Fast.

Fast - You move 8 miles per day, but take a -5 penalty to all Perception checks and you cannot forage for sustenance.
Normal - You move 6 miles per day, but suffer no penalties and gain no benefits.
Slow - You move at 4 miles per day, but gain advantage on Survival checks for foraging and Stealth checks.

Marching Order
As the Underdark is full of tunnels and passageways, you will sometimes be in narrow confines where you must move single file, sometimes in standard passages where you can move two abreast, and sometimes in wide open underground caverns where you can move in whatever shifting manner you want.

As such, I ask that you all chatter and come up with two marching orders for me: one single file order, one 2 abreast order.

Lighting
You are underground. Those of you with darkvision can see according to the darkvision description in your race. Typically this is black and white/grey tone only and you can realistically only see something like 60 - 120'. If you have torches or something of that nature, please let me know (so I know for encounter perception and such).

Navigation
Currently, your Navigator is Sarith. Every time you set out from a short or long rest, he will make a Survival check (+5 if moving at a slow pace, -5 if moving at a fast pace). Failed checks will cause you all to wander lost for a few hours until he can recheck. If you would all prefer to nominate a different Navigator, you may. Jimjar, Topsy, Turvy, and Buppido can navigate at a -2 modifier. Sarith can navigate at a 0 modifier. Shuushar can navigate only when you are near to or in the Darklake. All other NPCs navigate at a -10 modifier. I will allow Bildaweer to navigate at a -2 as well (has been in the Underdark, but not nearly with the experience that your drow 'compatriot' has.

Mapping
If you have someone focus only on mapping your progress (they do not make perception checks to notice threats, they don't forage for food, they only focus on documenting your travels) you will end up with a map that will allow you to retrace your steps/navigate an area without needing Survival checks to avoid getting lost.

Foraging
You start off with 4 days of food for everyone. Once that runs out, you will need to forage. If you move at a normal or slow pace, you can forage with a Survival check. Typically this will be against a DC of 15. In some areas (which I'll indicate when you arrive), the DC goes up to 20. Additionally, any magic you may have access to (create food and water, goodberry, etc) can be used to bypass the need to forage for food and water. Additionally, creatures and denizens of the Underdark may have food on them (or may be edible themselves).

Timekeeping
There is no sun, no seasons, no weather, nothing to help you note the time. You can only really judge the time by your rest cycles. However, if you get creative with things, you may be able to come up with a way to tell some semblance of time. :)

Faerzress
Sarith (and the other Underdark people) tell you of a mysterious magical energy called "faerzress" that pervades much of the Underdark. Areas suffused with faerzress can range in size from a few dozen feet across to several miles in diameter and has the following effects for you:
Always dimly lit.
Advantage for all creatures in the area on saving throws against divination spells. If the spell normally doesn't allow a saving throw, the caster must make a Constitution saving throw with a DC of 15 in order to cast the spell. Failing means the spell is wasted.
Teleporting in suffused areas is very difficult. You must make a Constitution saving throw with a DC of 15 in order to succeed. If the check is failed, the creature suffers force damage and the attempt fails. If the check is passed, the spell faces an increased mishap chance.
Spellcasting is a strange thing. Any spell cast must be accompanied by an additional D20 and D100 rolls. On a 1 random number that I will roll each travel day, your 100 roll will be applied to the sorcerer's Wild Magic Surge table.

Nature Checks
For those of you that aren't Underdark races, a Nature check can identify fungi for type and properties. Bildaweer, you will automatically pass this as your race passes this information along.

Pursuit
You are being pursued by the drow from Velkynvelve. Actions you take can increase or decrease your pursuit level (which is a hidden number from you). The higher it is, the more likely the Mistress and minions are to catch you and punish you all. The lower it is, the safer you are from her. I will leave the ways you can decrease your score up to you to discover. Just know that dallying about and extended times fighting creatures will increase your score.

NPCs
Right now, the NPCs are just following along like puppies. After the first few days, once you've all settled into a routine, I will likely have you all pick up one or two of the NPCs to use as a minion. Stool will not be one of these as I want to continue playing him ;). That and it means you will all get 2 NPCs as a resource. I'll give you each a very short stat sheet that details critical things for their action. They will act on your turn in any combat situation and you will get to manage the bulk of their actions. I'll still provide their information and such as I have so far. Hopefully this works out (also keeps me from having to make 9 different sets of checks all the dang time).

How we will handle travel
This experience is not one measured in minutes, or even hours. This is an experience of days and months. As such, to avoid the triviality and boredom of role playing "I walk. I walk. I scratch my butt. I walk." we will be using a different more hand-wavy method.

You will be broken up into roles:
Foragers
Scouts
Navigator
Cartographer

I will roll behind the scenes to determine how many days have elapsed (using a d4) since we last dropped into the scene. The assumption is during the days that elapsed, nothing of interest happened, rote wandering. Each day that we play will have a few phases:

Check Phase - Everyone will make their role's daily checks. Once this is done, I will use the information to breathe some life into the other two phases.
Travelling Phase - A chance to RP some stuff. This is when the bulk of your encounters could happen. We'll handle all those as we get up to them. Additionally, this is where the results of your role checks will manifest. This block will play more like we have been so far.
Making Camp - The end of the travelling day. There is a chance an encounter will happen at this stage. Another RP session, again it will play a little more like we have so far.

Any time your elapsed time would have had you reach a location, I'll let you know where you are and we'll play from there. :)

TL;DR;
The Underdark is a scary place. Many new things and a bunch of checks to make to survive this alien place. Let's do it up.---------Edit Log---------
1st Edit - Changed from a nat 1 to a random number that I roll each travel day for the faerzress effect. I like the added randomness. :)

As you all make your way through the twisted tunnel leading out from Velkynvelve, you keep your eyes on the white-haired drow at the head of your pack. He stops on occasion, taking his bearings and feeling various bits of the walls of the tunnel. After what must have been hours of stumbling at a break-neck pace through the Underdark you find yourselves in a large cavern, glowing dimly along the eastern side (where you came into the chamber). There is a large field of fungus and what appears to be glassy black water off on the western side. You cannot see the top of this cavern, it sails off into blackness above you (even those with long range darkvision cannot see the top).

Ahh, open territory. We should cross quickly. Once we are through here, we should be good to start hunting for a place to make camp for the time. I am beyond exhausted, as I'm sure you all are as well. Sarith says, his voice far warmer than it has been to date.

Go ahead and let's do some RPing. Split yourself into your roles and let me know when you're ready to head to making camp. You've been moving at a Fast pace so far, so you've not scrounged any food today and haven't observed much.

Do you all remember the faerzress I spoke to you of? That's a prime example of it. See how it casts an eerie dim glow, but you cannot see a fungus or a mold or a moss or anything other than the glow itself? That is a dead giveaway. Inspect if you must, but remember we are chased still. We have a bit to go until we can camp. No harm in a few minutes exploration, however. Sarith says with a grin both feral and gentle, somehow both at once.

Yes, for every new area you enter, if you want to try eating the food and drinking the water there, you would need to Nature check to identify the food and Survival check to see if it's safe to consume. For you specifically, you don't need to check for the names or the survival check for the normal fungi. If the roll comes up as an exotic, I'll want the checks (and I'll let you know at that point).

So far, we have for teams/roles:
Navigator - Sarith
Scout - Dustin
Cartographer - Shuushar?
Forager - Bildaweer

Ungrouped: Fang, Cemos, Topsy, Turvy, Stool, Jimjar, Eldreth, Buppido, Derendil

You guys may want to consider having an NPC do the cartography part, so you can all be active watchers and gatherers and such. The Cartographer will be hyperfocused on the map and will be late getting into every combat, and so forth (so a protector like you Cemos, you wouldn't likely volunteer for that when there are threats aplenty around you. Pretty easy autopilot for someone like, say, Shuushar that isn't actively going to be fighting things anyway ;).

You are welcome to have people not in a role as well, just wandering in the pack. In terms of marching order, your Navigator will always be the head of your column (when single) and part of the front rank (when double). Just as a point of reference. :D

Any time you are all in an area glowy like this, when you cast a spell, add a roll for: "Wild Surge 1d20, 1d100"

Nothing happens, save for a mystical hand appears!

Today's Magic Surge Trigger Number is 7

Scouts are not necessarily ranging silently in front. You can easily be part of the scouting group and have it that you are close guard for observation. You guys won't make the Survival/Perception checks at advantage (unless you have something that makes it that way), but you are able to make the check period.

Agreed Dwarf. Let's move on from this place. Another two hours or so through the tunnels, there should be a cavern there that is better suited to an encamped night. Let's move.

As the party all begins to move, Eldreth picks up a frond-frill of a mushroom on the ground and starts covering your tracks as you move out of the cavern through one of the many tunnels off the cavern.

Sarith leads you all on, taking quick turns here and there, switching back on occasion to create an odd path to follow. As you go, you notice glowing fungi, luminescent moss, and more. Mushrooms taller than some of the trees you have seen before on the surface. You passed a variety of weird creatures, some with no eyes, others with gigantic eyes, all manner of crazy things. Finally you find yourselves at the spot he declared improved. It's a cave, very similar to the cell you were all held in less than a day ago. A smaller entrance, and no gate, but still a rough hewn chamber. Making his way in he spots a small crack where you feel a tug of wind.

We can set camp here. If we hang up the suits of leather armor that aren't being used, we can block a fair amount of sound and light. The chimney here will let us have a fire to sleep by. I saw some zurkhwood back out there that I can get quickly so we can burn it. Sarith says calmly, ushering people in.

Cemos easily manages to get the zurhkwood Sarith brings back to light into a crackling fire, warming the small cavern adeptly. Topsy and Turvy took to stripping another set of strings from the 5 foot chunk of silk rope they secreted out with them. Tying the leather armors together and using the iron spikes, they rigged an effective curtain over the door, the light of the fire twinkling against the iron studs.

Dustin, during your watch nothing happens and no sounds invade your leather-sealed space. You tend to the fire adeptly, keeping it crackling at a decent height. Around you, the remainder of your party sleeps, some heavily, others fitfully. No other nightmares seem to grip anyone. Your time passes easily without incident, however, if you'd like to do any RP type activity, feel free to post something.

Cemos, please make a perception check for me as part of your standing guard.

As part of your guard duties, you take the occasional jaunt beyond the curtain to ensure that the tunnels don't have cordons of troops lining up. For several hours you watch, and for several hours you see the same thing: nothingness. Blackness and more blackness. However, as you settle down by the fire and have your reverie, and you swear your oath, you feel a suffusing of magical power swirling around you, filling your spirit with a lightness that you feel could burn evil away directly. As your oath ends, however, you hear a clanking outside the cavern. Then voices, voices speaking common.

Let's go! We can't stop!
Damn it all Georges, I'm telling you we've seen this tunnel before! I remember that bend, and those rocks can't just sit that way!
Would you both just shut up? I'm trying to figure out just where the hell we are. Or would you prefer that you feel the lash again? That's what'll happen if we wander lost.

Peeking under the leather armor you see the light from a single dim lantern moving towards you down the tunnel. The person holding it appears to be human and is wearing tattered rags. You see a glint of metal wrapped around his waist and moving up to his wrists. Behind him slightly, you see two other figures in the same condition. They are about 45 feet from your location right now.

Oh thank the gods! Proper Common! Poor shape is an understatement! I am Francis of the Nightwood. Georges and Everytt are my retainers. the man with the lantern says. Those damn drow. They snatched us months ago. We were in this big city of theirs, ready to be auctioned off. They made a mistake and left a bit of wire near Everytt's reach though. He sprang our cell, let us out. We've been running for at least a few tendays. We're exhausted and hungry, can you spare a bit of food? He continues, frantically.

Well, my men and I were on our way to Neverwinter. I'm a merchant baron you see. My company specializes in silken fineries. Anyway, we were on our way to Neverwinter and we were crossing an empty field, trying to get our wares to town. I had a perfect client arranged, willing to pay an obscene amount of money for a limited run of a particular blue silk cloth. I was hand delivering it, that's how important she was, you see. Plus, she's a bit of a looker and would make a welcome addition to my household. As I was saying, though, we were travelling and had just made camp. We were all asleep, curled in our tent. Next thing I know, there's a sharp pain in my neck, and as my eyes opened, everything went wavy and then it was black. When I awoke next, the three of us were clamped in these chains, shoved into some giant stone cavern with about 30 other people. A few days later, a cart took us to this massive city of Drow. Several of those we were with were auctioned off as slaves. As they led a group away and locked the gate, it was only 5 of us left in the cell. That's when Everytt noticed the scrap of wire just about out of his reach. Thankfully he scooped it and managed to spring our lock. We made a run for it. Not sure how we all made it out in one piece, but make it we did. Unfortunately, we had no guide here. We've been wandering around and have no idea where we are. We were attempting to make it to Blingdenstone, Georges here claims to know someone there. Can you tell us where we are? He stops, finally, sucking a deep breath.

At that point, Sarith stirs in his sleep, rolling over, exposing his face.

A DROW! HOW DARE YOU TRICK ME! he cries out, as he makes to throw his lantern at the sleeping drow.

Francis looks about the room, his eyes clearing. I will not pretend to understand, but you have dwarves, elves, a half-orc, and others and none are dead. Either he is different or he is sufficiently cowed to be safe. My apologies, it was a shock. He says, spirit calming a bit. I truly apologize. We are thankful for your fire and whatever rations you can spare.

Francis and his men gladly accept the food and water you offer them. They sit down and begin eating the dried fruits and meats with gusto. As the final hour or so of Cemos' watch draws to a close, Francis speaks up again. If you are all travelling the Underdark, with a guide no less, would you object to the three of us joining you? Georges can be quite the scrapper in a fight, especially if you can arm and armor him. He was a soldier, you see. I hired him to try giving me some waking security. He insisted on standing a "first watch" when we were captured, but I overrode him and made him rest. Perhaps I should have listened. Either way, Everytt there I raised up from quite the vagabond life. He was a n'e'r-do-well in our city, conning people out of this and tha. I convinced him to join me and use his shrewd eye to secure the best deals whenever things got interesting. He says around a mouthful of food. Plus, we can help search for food down here. We've managed to identify at least one good fungus down here. It looks like a giant barrel and has tons of water inside if you can tap the wall of it. Barrelstalk, I think we heard one of the people we ran across call it. They were nasty though, so we avoided them.

I will need a few group decisions at this point.
1) Do you take Francis and company on as additional members of your retinue. For flavors sake, they are three humans, no class levels but they do have the noble, criminal, and soldier backgrounds and the skills those convey.
2) What pace are you setting for this upcoming day of travel? Slow, Normal, or Fast?
3) Any change to your role assignments from earlier?

As you all get around the next "morning", Cemos and Georges engage in a conversation.

I was part of an expeditionary army, 'Tiger's Howl', we called ourselves, far to the south of Faerun. We primarily operated in the Calim Desert, hunting for lost treasures. That kind of thing. I spent a good 20 years under that banner. Served with quite a few dwarves too, scrappy fighters the lot of ya. I ended up mustering out as a shield captain, though I didn't want the commission at all. After 15 years or so, they decided I was better suited to leading a contingent. The why did I leave is a pretty normal story, I suppose. Got tired of the constant time on campaign. Had a lass back home. When I got back, we had a few good years. Then the gnolls got her. I was away getting some goods for the house when they showed up. After I buried her, I took my leave and headed north. Met Francis there and decided that being part of summat like that would keep my mind from the pain. he says, reminiscing.

With your conversation concluded, he gladly takes a set of the chain armor, a shield, the other scimitar. Everytt gladly takes a set of studded leather, a short sword, and a hand crossbow with bolts. As you set out at a normal pace today, your scouts take their places at the fore and aft of the group, keeping a lookout for nasty things. Your foragers do their bit, scrounging around for food. Francis, glad to be able to do something, gladly takes action sketching a map. Everytt joins Dustin at the front of the group, eyes peeled.


History wise, you don't know much other than that armies of that nature do exist. Intimidation wise, he his far from swayed. Divine sense wise, you get nothing specific from anyone in your group, save for Buppido. He seems much darker than he gives off visually. Other than that, your senses seem somewhat muddied down here.

Needs:
Foragers: Make 2 survival checks
Scouts: Make 2 perception checks

Hilarious!!!

As your party continues following Sarith's adept instructions, your foragers are somewhat successful. Your scouts keep a solid eye and perceive no immediate threats as you follow winding tunnels, at times as narrow as Prince Derendil is wide. You pass mushrooms that spontaneously combust into towering torches as well as more of the towering zurkhwoods, stretching over 40 feet tall in some areas. In yet other small caverns, there are vents giving off noxious smelling gases that seem to do nothing else. Everywhere, the pervasive faerzress glows and throbs in the dark. As you walk, there is very little conversation. Eldreth continues her actions to disguise your path, taking herself off foraging duties.

Before too long, you see several members of your group yawning heavily. You find yourselves at this moment in a massive cave, one of those without a ceiling in sight. There are several stands of zurkhwoods to the west, four paths branching off the north side of the space. To the south, there are three paths, one of which you've just come out of. It cuts through a meadow of ankle-high mushrooms. To the east is, what appears to be, a shallow pool of water.

We should make camp soon, I leave it to you to decide where. Anywhere is as safe as anywhere else. Sarith says evenly.

Foraging players, please make 2 rolls of 1d6+WIS. The first is the pounds of food you recovered, the second the gallons of water. Also, each of you roll me a d100 please.

Rolls

Mystery

Through the actions of your foraging, you manage to get around enough food and water to support your entire contingent for the day. You don't manage to get any extra, but neither do you have to use more of your rations.

Dustin, in all of their foraged material, you manage to find about 75% of the herbs and plants you need for your spell.

how many more times do you think we will have to make camp before we reach our destination? cemos says to the dark elf.

To reach Sloobludop, the nearest settlement with access to the Darklake, it's at least another six days of travel at a normal pace. Four days if we move quickly. We've made good progress, to be sure. But Ilvara can't be too far behind us yet. Resting won't harm us, Priestesses are not ones for hard searches. However, resting over long in any one place could let their forward scouts catch up to us. Sarith says thoughtfully as his eyes search the air in front of him, doing the quick math to figure their distance.

The torchstalks? Sure, you could certainly use them. They can be a bit unpredictable, however. They've been known to explode from time to time when people attempt to light them. He says with a chuckle. If you are intending on fishing, I take it we are to set a camp here?

Magic Surge Number: 18

Any spells cast should have a d20 and a d100 roll accompanying them. On a roll of 18, you get a special effect!

Bildaweer, you recognize the mushroom that Dustin is describing. Scattered around the zurkhwoods, you do spy some torchstalks that aren't yet burning. If you'd like to pick them, roll a 1d6 for each one you want to pick, up to the 17 that are present.

Dustin sits down at the edge of the water and looks over at Stool, who has decided to stay with his friend. Dustin casts his mage hand and a floating hand appears above the water. At his command, it plunges into the pool, sending ripples of water across the surface.

Let's see....how about a survival check and a dex check? Survival to identify the when to move it, dex to see how your movement goes. Also, roll your surge a number of times (like 8d20) for how many minutes you want to fish. You can attempt to do the survival and dex check twice per minute.

You manage to pull up 4 fish, weighing a total of 9 pounds over the course of your 8 minute span. Once dressed, you'll end up with about 6 pounds of food from it.

Additionally, you managed to fish up a brass bowl.

You find some zurkhwood slivers that seem like they would function nicely as skewers. You set up a few of them and begin roasting the fish. Shuushar looks on with a look of incredulity, slight horror, and strange interest.

Your night passes without incident. Each of you rotate through your watch shifts with ease. The only thing striking is the silence. Aside from your compatriots, there is no sound in this chamber.

As you get up for the morning, you begin to make your preparations for setting out. One small problem from your normal days: Sarith is ill. Something he ate or something with the way he slept. He is no longer in a decent position to effectively navigate. Someone else needs to take the lead for the day (though they can make their check at advantage, as Sarith will still give them some assistance).

Foragers, make your 2 survival checks and a single d100 check. Scouts, 2 perception. Additionally, I assume you all travel at a normal pace and in your same order. If you want to change that, please let me know.

Additionally, everyone please make a Wisdom saving throw.

RE: Navigation
For those of you PCs that are NOT Bildaweer, you would also navigate at a -10 modifier because the Underdark is a completely foreign and hostile land.

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DM Notes

Bildaweer sets you out on your path for the day, leading you through the twisted tunnels and caverns. Sarith does his best to provide you with some additional input, but on the whole, you make decent progress. That is, you were making decent progress until you reached the tunnel.

We will pause here until Cemos/BFM makes his WIS check. In the meantime, I will need your exact marching order for this next bit. Here's my current thought, confirm if it makes sense or if you would prefer something else. The tunnel you are in is 10 feet across, so it's a 2 abreast area:
Front
Bildaweer - Sarith
Dustin - Everytt
Francis - Derendil
Georges - Jimjar
Topsy - Turvy
Eldreth - Buppido
Stool - Shuushar
Fang - Cemos



Finally, Dexterity Saves from everyone!

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DM Notes

You had been walking most of the day, foragers successfully gathering up food and herbs, when you found the tunnel. Sarith indicated it was the most direct route, and Bildaweer took him at his word. The entire thing, like much of your path today, glowed with the essence of Faerzress. As you walked down the seemingly endless shaft, nearly two hours into the tunnel, two abreast you all notice some peculiar things. There were faint vibrations throughout the tunnel, shaking loose little bits of rock here and there. Loathe to turn back toward the looming threat of Ilvara and her hunters, the group presses on.

This next bit will be interesting, timing wise. It will encompass ~10 minutes, total. As such, we're going to use some modified combat rules to avoid this taking for freaking ever to accomplish. Some of the effects call for things to happen every round. We're going to change that to an every minute trigger for this little bit. As each "round" is longer than normal, at each minute, you'll each be given the chance to take 2 turns worth of actions. Once everyone posts their actions for a given minute, I'll summarize and describe the next minute of activity. There may be some minutes where you are unable to act, I will let you know in the minute description who can take an action at that time.

MINUTE 1
Suddenly, Francis stops dead in his tracks and begins to scream uncontrollably, NO! NO!!!! NOT THE BARRELS! BAT HOUSE AND COBBLES! BLUE LIZARD LIGHTNING SEAS! EAGLES FLY WHERE MAN DOTH DEIGN TO WALK! He sits on the ground and begins bobbing back and forth. As he does so, Derendil turns to his side and swings at the screaming man, a growl caught in his throat. Two massive clawed hands rend at the merchant's chest, slicing through what rags he wore. Great weals of blood stain his shirt as the screaming continues. The party stops in their tracks, heads turning, eyes going wide at the sudden violence and interruption. In stunned confusion, the other members of your retinue do nothing but stare. However, you are all seasoned adventurers. You know the truth of combat and the rapidness of response. You do not stand meekly by, you take action.
Can Act (Post 2 rounds worth of actions, please): Bildaweer, Cemos, Fang, Dustin

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DM Notes

Checks for poison....

I'll probably hit it my next turn.
Also did the prince save from my duel?

damn so I can try to dodge it?

so did my compelled duel work? I mean I think everyone is about to go night night anywayso but I am curious.

Leaping into action, our heroes move. Georges hears Cemos' call and shifts himself just enough to let the dwarf through. Cemos issues his edict to the Quaggoth. Derendil looks at him and laughs. Dwarven friend! I will not fight you sir, for this man, he is my sworn enemy! Fang's thornwhip slashes out, missing the rampaging fellow. Though as it snaps itself, it hides the twang of Dustin's crossbow. The crossbow's bolt sails, burying itself firmly in the Quaggoth's shoulder. As the poison from the barb leeches into his system his eyes slide out of focus and he falls to the ground in a clump. Just as he falls to the ground, Blildaweer speaks his incantations and Stool and Sarith collapse, asleep heavily on the ground.
Assuming Dustin doesn't shoot a second bolt, Fang doesn't sling another whip, Cemos doesn't swing his hammer and Bildaweer doesn't cast his second Sleep. As the minute ends and the Quaggoth is slumped to the ground.

MINUTE 2
Francis continues his howling, BEES DANCE AND CHICKENS TALK WHEN THE ROOSTER FLIES THE RAINBOW! SUNSHINE AND MILKTOAST MAKE POOR LIGHTNING PARTNERS DANCING! Even as he is yelling, Georges begins much the same, STARRY NIGHTS AND RAINBOW RIDES! THE WALLS CRAWL WITH THE BLOOD OF THE ENEMIES OF HOUSE WILLOWWORT! BEWARE THE GIANT BUGS!. Dustin, having seen the Quaggoth fall and hearing the wrenching words of his newest compatriots lets the tip of his crossbows fall and begins to sob, uncontrollably.

Cemos starts to scream slightly.

Can Act: Bildaweer, Fang. Cemos, you can take actions, but they are at a disadvantage (roll twice, use the lower). I used the hook of you starting to scream as you are afflicted with the same issue as Francis and Georges. Dustin, you are Incapacitated. You can move, but cannot take any actions or reactions.

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DM Notes

Current Map Layout (Purple was the sleep effect, gray squares are unconscious from the spell. Derendil is down from the poison. Each square is 5' of space.

Yes you can see Francis.

Dustin sinks to his rear, sobbing uncontrollably as he takes the blame for something and at the apparent (to him) death of Stool (who is actually only asleep). Fang is running away from the group at top speed as Cemos begins screaming about peppermints and caterpillars. Bildaweer fires off a trio of force darts that slam into Francis' still screaming form, but still the man doesn't cease.

MINUTE 3
He begins anew, CANDY STICKS AND SCHOOLBOY TRICKS COME BACK WITH MY SLOTH YOU CLOTH EATING MOTH! DO NOT ASK FOR WHOM THE BELCH TOLLS FOR IT TOLLS FOR ME OR THEE OR THE WITCHES THREE!!! Joined in his manic chorus by Georges who now fights through the crowd and runs down the tunnel twenty feet while calling out WHIPPORWILL COME BACK THE RAINBOW NEVER TASTED SO LIKE ALE AND MY LASS NEVER SHOWED SO MUCH ASSSSS HER DONKEY DID WE'LL LIVE ON THE STARS AND DANCE ON THE OCEANS! As he screams, Shuushar stands, still as a statue, staring dead ahead doing nothing to move, no blinking, no speaking, just staring. Topsy and Turvy both sprint through the group after Georges, disappearing into the dark. Eldreth, finally with her wits abouts her tries to figure out which way to go, where to help. As you look around, you notice Buppido has disappeared from the group, vanishing. Everytt moves to Francis, trying to shake him out of his psychosis. Derendil lets out a mighty snore.

Can ActBildaweer. Dustin, your sobbing continues, same rules as before. Cemos, your situation continues. Fang, your actions are restricted as per your note.

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DM Notes

Potential DM Hand Wavy Fast Forwardy Action
Fang, I'm going to throw 12 d10s and summarize the remaining minutes of action. We're at the point that it would be many back and forth repeats. So hereeeeee we go!

Over the next 6 minutes, the hallucinations continue for Georges and Cemos. Francis was knocked totally unconscious by Bildaweer's magic missile to the face. Eldreth falls down, stunned. Those of you not in the throes of sobbing fits or hallucinations can see Fang in the distance, running back and forth, swinging his scimitar at small creatures that flit around him. On occasion, when there are no creatures near to him, he charges back at the group with murderous intent in his eyes. He's in the middle of returning to your group with this same look when suddenly his eyes change and he appears to be himself again.

As he gets close to the group, the rumblings you felt earlier upon entering the tunnel seem to intensify. Rocks begin to fall from the ceiling as a massive cave in occurs! You all dodge and leap around, trying to avoid the massive rocks.

Cemos and Fang, you each take 8 damage from the falling rocks (From the DEX saves you all made earlier). Eldreth, Sarith, Derendil, and Francis all take damage as well. While Stool is unconscious, Eldreth fell on top of him in her stupor, shielding him from the falling hazard.

As you all pick yourselves up from your avoidance or your abuse from the falling rocks, you notice that the tunnel is now completely caved in on both sides around you. Where there used to be a solid wall, there is now a very narrow crack (maybe 2.5 or 3 feet wide, at best) on the western wall. Cool air blows out from the crack. Anyone peering through the crack can see a dark space beyond, lit only by the glow from the hallway. You can see a chamber about 10'x15' beyond.

Francis lies on the ground, chest heaving with blood seeping out. You feel he may well be dying. Sarith is shaking himself awake, the damage from the rocks disturbed his magically induced slumber. Stool is still asleep. Derendil is lethargically awakening, also awoken from his poisonous slumber by the damage of the rocks.

Your party now consists of: The 4 of you, Sarith, Eldreth, Jimjar, Shuushar, Derendil, Stool, Francis, Georges, Everytt.

During the events in the tunnel 3 of your companions (Topsy, Turvy, and Buppido) ran so far down the tunnels or otherwise disappeared that they are no longer with you since the cave in.

At this point, and moving forward, I'd like each of you to "take over" two of the NPCs each. Mainly for making checks and taking actions. In terms of information, I'll continue to play that portion. I'll continue to play Stool as needed, though for the most part he's just kind of hanging out of the way. Here are the pairings I'd like to propose:

Dustin - Everytt and Sarith
Fang - Derendil and Jimjar
Cemos - Georges and Eldreth
Bildaweer - Shuushar and Francis

If that works for you guys, awesome. Feel free to trade it around. Their stat blocks are as follows:

Quote:

Everytt
Str 9 (-1) | Dex 15 (+2) | Con 13 (+1) | Int 14 (+2) | Wis 11 (0) | Cha 16 (+3)
HP 27 / AC 14 / Shortsword - 1d20+4 | 1d6 + 3, Hand Crossbow - 1d20+4 | 1d4+2
Can make 2 attacks per turn.
Skills: Deception +5, Persuasion +5

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Sarith
Str 15 (+2) | Dex 14 (+2) | Con 14 (+2) | Int 10 (+0) | Wis 13 (+1) | Cha 9 (-1)
HP 5/13 / 16 AC / Shortsword - 1d20+4 | 1d6+2
Skills: Perception +3 Athletics +4 Intimidation +1

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Derendil
Str 17 (+3) | Dex 12 (1) | Con 16 (+3) | Int 6 (-1) | Wis 12 (+1) | Cha 7 (-2)
HP 16/45 / AC 13 / Claw - 1d20+5 | 1d6+3
Can make 2 attacks per turn
Skills: Athletics + 5

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Jimjar
Str 13 (+1) | Dex 15 (+2) | Con 15 (+2) | Int 14 (+2) | Wis 8 (-1) | Cha 10 (+0)
HP 16 / AC 14 / Shortsword - 1d20+4 | 1d6+2
Skills: Acrobatics +4 Athletics +3

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Georges
Str 16 (+3) | Dex 13 (+1) | Con 15 (+2) | Int 11 (+0) | Wis 14 (+2) | Cha 9 (-1)
HP 26 / AC 14 / Scimitar - 1d20+5 | 1d6 + 3
Can make 2 attacks per turn.
Skills: Athletics +5, Intimidation +1

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Eldreth
Str 14 (+2) | Dex 15 (+2) | Con 16 (+3) | Int 10 (+0) | Wis 13 (+1) | Cha 8 (-1)
HP 8/16 / AC 17 / Warhammer - 1d20+4 | 1d8+2 or 1d10+2
Skills: Survival +3, Perception +3

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Francis
Str 11 (0) | Dex 9 (-1) | Con 13 (+1) | Int 14 (+2) | Wis 16 (+3) | Cha 15 (+2)
HP 0/38 / AC 9
Skills: Insight +5, Persuasion +4, Investigation +4, History +4

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Shuushar
Str 13 (+1) | Dex 10 (0) | Con 14 (+2) | Int 8 (-1) | Wis 15 (+2) | Cha 12 (+1)
HP 16 / AC 10

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DM Notes

Absolutely.

Francis is up to 6 HP. Cemos spreads his healing across the NPCs, getting everyone a small boost.

Fang, for your three casts, please roll 3d20s and 2d100s for Surge magic. Bilda, I meant to have you roll during the tunnel activities, but forgot. If you'd like to do that now, you may.

You do not see the telltale glow of Faerzress in through the crack.

Roll what?

Rolling hit dice for Francis

Dustin, as you explore the open room, this is what you see (you enter from the space at the bottom of the image).

Are you in the hallway still or did you move in the room where Dustin is?