🍳72. out of the pan-

session 72 • april 4 2023 • 1,748 words

🌑 DAY 23 • 📅 MARPENOTH 13

Where To?

The group, escaping from Velkynvelve, makes a mad dash through a nearby cavern until Shuushar, who has been carrying Eldeth, begins to slow down. He insists that he can keep going, but is relieved when Soren notes that we need to take a break and regroup to decide where to go.

Soren attempts to try and rouse Eldeth, but is unable to due to the depth of her injuries. Soren begins unlocking everyone's manacles, though he leaves the shackles on the duergar twins and Sarith. The duergar grow increasingly impatient to be freed, and continually hound Soren, who deflects.

Will wonders where they are. Jimjar helpfully offers that he has no clue. Buppido offers to bring us to Gracklestugh, city of the duergar. When asked which direction and how far away, he sticks a finger in the air and determines that we are a month away--Soren brushes it off as the crazed ramblings of a derro.

Shuushar proposes going to Sloopbludop, his kuo-toan village. Soren points out that the kuo-toa are slave-driving, insane, primitive creatures. With everyone's efforts, however, we manage to determine that we're South-East of the Darklake (Menzoberranzan is North of it)--and that Sloopbludop would be the closest semblance of civilization near us right now. Nezznar indicates that although the kuo-toa are un-dependable, getting to civilization is the most important thing right now so that we can acquire resources, casting his vote for Sloopbludop as well.

Jimjar, Topsy and Turvy point out that their home, Blingdenstone, is the best bet for finding non-hostile civilization, but Soren points out that Blingdenstone is not only very far from us, but we would need to pass Menzoberranzan in order to get there.

The duergar agree on going to Gracklestugh, though they detest having to agree with a derro. Myco speaks out to demand that Hugh take them to Neverlight Grove for Zuggtmoy's wedding. Stool, at this point, listening to everyone argue, freaks out and and uses his Rapport Spores feature, wailing that he wants to go home. When asked where his home is, he also says Neverlight Grove.

Ront yells that he wants to go back home to the trees. :(

As the group of prisoners begins to devolve into squabbling, Soren clambers onto a rock and calls for their attention. He delivers the following (dumbass) speech:

My fellow prisoners—or should I say, former prisoners—I commend you all for our valiant escape from that wretched prison. You have shown strength in the face of great adversity, and for that, you all have my respect.

Please allow me a belated introduction. My name is Soren Hallwinter. I know that many among you view me with great suspicion. For that, I cannot blame you. But I ask not for something so valuable as your trust—but rather, just your cooperation, for though we are out of our chains, we are all bound together still by one common goal. Survival.

I know that you are afraid. I know that you are hurting. (points to his slave mark) I have lived decades where you are. I know your pain, your hunger, your desperation. But I also know the strength of unity. I may not be familiar with this segment of the Underdark, but I know its flora and fauna like the back of my hand. I know how to keep us alive.

So: Stay. Hunt and fight by my side. Yield to my instruction. (looks at each of them) And we will see you returned to your blazing forges. To the quiet depths of the Darklake. To the serenity of your grove and the security of your walls. To feel the sun on our skin again.

I am not like our captors. I am not like other drow. I will not demand your servitude and I will not stop anyone brave or crazy enough to go off to face the Underdark on their own. But if you stay, I promise you. I will guide you home.

My god this boy does not stop talking 😩

When this is received well by the rest of the group and they turn their attentions to him, Soren points out that a priority is to find the supply cart that's gone missing, which Sarith and the Velkynvelve drow spoke of.

Watch Your Back

Thurmond Blackheart, one of the duergar twins who has been extremely vocal about "calling out" any inefficient or "soft" behavior, points out that we should not be dragging Sarith around as Sarith was very much aligned with the Velkynvelve drow and has shown his desperation in being accepted by them again.

Sarith does not help his case, and instead sneers at the rest of the prisoners. After Thurmond insults him, Sarith gets up (still chained) and declares that he is returning to Velkynvelve. Will reasons that Ilvara will simply kill him, at which point Sarith unsubtly threatens the party with "perhaps before I die, I can point them in the right direction".

Will physically prevents Sarith from leaving after this, and Sarith begrudgingly agrees to go with the group because "the only alternative is to get dragged by the chain". However, he points out that if the party insists on dragging him along, "you had better watch your back". This sets Thurmond off, who points out that there is no reason not to kill Sarith. Unwilling to kill in cold blood, Will refuses, pointing out that Sarith might be familiar with the area.

Thurmond and Will argue over this, with neither backing down. Soren steps into defend Will, pointing out that killing Sarith would mean that we would have to drag his corpse around, for fear that any lasting evidence of a struggle or body parts would allow the drow to divine information about us.

Thurmond begrudgingly backs down, but not before pointing out that to get rid of the evidence, we can "just get the monster to eat the corpse"--referring to Nezznar. Nezznar is not pleased about this.

Iblith Debts

Sarith, seemingly uncomfortable at the fact that he had been given food by Hugh in Velkynvelve and feeling like he owed an iblith a debt, pulls Hugh aside to let him know that there was a small lake a few hours North of here, where the group might be able to gather some resources.

Hugh questions if Sarith was trying to lead them into a trap. Wryly, Sarith asks why he would point out if it was a trap; Hugh hits him with the "it's because you're a nice person" LMAO

Sarith maintains that now there are no debts owed between the two.

Some Semblance of Control

In the meantime, Soren confronts Nezznar (still calling him master, as per their previous agreement ☹️) and asks that Nezznar return the whip that Soren had given him during the escape. Nezznar is, predictably, is indignant and outraged, refusing.

Soren insists, growing more and more exasperated--even though Nezznar points out the logical fact that if they are attacked, it would be much more prudent for the whip to be in the hands of someone who knows how to use it. Eventually, Soren threatens to call the party over to enforce his command, which cows Nezznar, though the drider is furious and still refuses.

Will hears this and comes over, holding out his hand and asking that Nezznar give him the whip. Nezznar considers the demand from Will absurd, noting that if he was going to give the whip to anyone, it would not be Will.

As Soren presses harder, Nezznar's tone turns pleading, and he claims that he "cannot give up" the whip. Soren begins to wonder if the whip is cursed, as he knows vaguely that cursed items become indisposable to the wielder. Nezznar sneers at the idea of Soren lecturing him on magical items, and insists that it is not magical.

Eventually, Will points out that this is the last semblance of control that Nezznar has in his miserable life, and that that was probably why Nezznar was so adamant about keeping it. Nezznar is visibly furious, but remains quiet.

This, however, calms Soren down--as Soren realizes that he is demanding the whip largely because it felt good to him to strip Nezznar's last semblance of control from him, which disturbs himself. Soren tells Nezznar that he can keep the whip, on one condition: that Nezznar teach him magic--"no more enchantments and illusions. I want to learn destruction."

Nezznar begrudgingly agrees: "doubtful that you have the capacity to learn, but if by chance you do, I am the best person here to teach you." Soren warns Nezznar that if he uses the whip on any of the group, he would forcefully take it from him.

Like a Drow

Before Soren leaves, Nezznar points out the foolishness of dragging such a large group through the Underdark, pointing out that the only good use for them is as fodder or bait for the predators of the Underdark.

Soren pauses for a long time before noting that "it's easier to use people when they think you're their friend", implicitly admitting that he would not be above using them as fodder to save his and the party's lives.

Nezznar, slowly realizing how manipulative Soren really is--and that Soren may well have slowly manipulated him during their time in Menzoberranzan by feigning loyalty and submission--bitterly notes that "yes, people are easier to use when you're on their good side".

Soren notices the anger in Nezznar's voice and wonders why that is, since Nezznar has always called Soren "too soft to be drow". Nezznar sneers that Soren has shown him exactly how much of a drow he is. Hurt over Soren's betrayal and the idea that he might have never meant anything to Soren beyond a cruel master despite his eventual leniency and "kindness", Nezznar reminds Soren that the drow can never trust each other.

Soren misunderstands (insight 6 dumbass) and thinks that Nezznar is warning him about Sarith LMFAO. Soren points out that he would kill Sarith if he could, but that that would lower morale of the group and devastate the surfacers. When Nezznar protests, Soren points out that "hope is all we have now". Nezznar bitterly claims that there is no such thing in the Underdark.

Next Steps

Hugh gets on his little rock to announce to the group that he knows of a lake where there is food up North. The group immediately questions how he obtained this information, which Hugh refuses to divulge--leading everyone to question the validity of it.

Hugh deflects, stating “to just trust him”, and begins to ask Sarith questions about the geographical features of the area, tipping the group off that Sarith might have told Hugh about the "lake". The group devolves into an argument about whether Sarith can be trusted. Sarith, eventually having his pride insulted by their doubting his competence, reveals that he was a cartographer of his squad and used to make maps for the drow.

The group takes note of this--still wary about trusting Sarith, but noting that having a cartographer might be extremely useful to the group. Eventually decide to go to the small lake (N) instead of the Darklake (NW) because Soren doesn't think they can risk an 8-day journey to the Darklake without food.

Demon-Fucking Mushroom Suckers

Will, having had a chance to rest, heads over to Eldeth, who is still unconscious from the whipping she received at the hands of the Velkynvelve guards. He heals her back to consciousness and--with the help of Shuushar--explains the recent events to her, starting with the escape.

Eldeth, understandably, loses her mind at the fact that they escaped, and then loses her mind even more when she learns that Nezznar and Soren "didled a demon and killed Tor" in order to help them escape. She is outraged at the two of them, calling them murderers.

The party tries to defend Soren, but Eldeth continually insults him; questioning the morality of the situation and making points that even Sildar is unable to refute. Thurmond, surprisingly defends Soren and Nezznar because "the ends justify the means".

Eldeth tussles with Thurmond verbally, and it looks like they are about to start fighting. Hugh steps in and unsubtly threatens to knock the both of them out if they don't stop, which puts a stop to the argument--Eldeth seems taken aback at the threat of violence from Hugh, who has otherwise been friendly towards her.

As they walk, Soren asks Will if he would like him to clean up his hair--as having been cut by the drow guards, it was ragged and messy--not a quality cut in the slightest. Will gratefully agrees and suggets doing it once they reach the lake and set up camp for the night.

APPARENTLY NEZZNAR HEARS THIS AND SULKS :C Nezznar, hearing this, fiddles with his own ragged haircut self-consciously.

The Smol Lake!

Eventually, we come across a small subterranean lake that appears to be what Sarith was talking about. Everyone is on guard for signs of an ambush or traps; Soren even forces Sarith to walk ahead of the group, but to their surprise, it would seem that Sarith did not (yet) have any ill intent in bringing them here.

Sarith is very smug about his navigational skills.

After settling down for a moment, Soren rallies the group to cut down a zurkhwood mushroom, successfully obtaining some zurkhwood (fungal wood) to make spears with. He teaches the group how to fish (albeit they are quite inexperienced and bad at it), and everyone except Nezznar, Eldeth and Sarith join in to help Soren fish.

Ront and the duergar twins are keeping the fish for themselves >:(

Soren tries to lighten the mood by competing with Will in fishing; Will wins! We obtain 28 fish over the course of a few hours before setting up a campfire to begin cooking our first meal out of prison!

Things are looking good! I'm sure nothing bad will ever happen again to this lovely little group :)