# 68. like the football?

## 🌑 DAY 23 **• 📅** MARPENOTH 12

## Back to Blingdenstone

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SIldar, Buppido, Grymus and Tor are sent off to do chores. Will checks in with Jimjar, Topsy, Turvy and Sunny. Stool is distressed and Will manages to calm him down.&#x20;

Topsy and Turvy express a desire to return to their home, the svirnefblin city Blingdenstone. Will promises to help them get back, prompting a full-blown panic attack from Sunny, who begs Will to stop talking about escape plans. She tells Will to please be careful, because she "doesn't want him to die".&#x20;

Touched, Will agrees to be more careful.&#x20;

## The Girls are FIIIIGHTING

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Meanwhile, Nezznar attempts to speak to Sarith to discuss an escape plan, but Sarith is wholly unimpressed and tells him to "go back to playing with your slave". &#x20;

Nezznar insults Sarith for laying around all day. Sarith retorts that he has a headache, and Nezznar LITERALLY GOES "Oh BOO HOO, you have a headache?? I lost four legs!"&#x20;

IM CRYING WHY ARE YOU SO PETTY&#x20;

Sarith staunchly refuses to discuss escape plans, insisting that when the misunderstanding is cleared up, he'll be freed and back in Ilvara's good graces. Nezznar sneers at his naivety and remarks that that would mean Ilvara has to admit she made a mistake--and she would sooner kill Sarith than do that.&#x20;

Sarith changes the subject, calling Nezznar a stain on the drow and wondering what he did to piss off Lolth so much. Nezznar goes on a tirade about how Lolth doesn't care for the males and encourages our suffering--all kinds of juicy blasphemy.

Sarith cuts him off and says that he now understands why Nezznar got dridered--and asks him to shut the fuck up before he dragged "the rest of us" down with him.&#x20;

Furious, Nezznar expresses hope that Sarith is shipped back to Menzoberranzan and sacrificed or tortured. Sarith retorts that "it won't be half as entertaining as what they're going to do to you".

This is the last straw and Nezznar lunges, biting Sarith and almost tearing out his shoulder.

## God FUCKING Dammit Nezz

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Immediately, the drow guards rush in and pull Nezznar off of Sarith. They begin to drag him out of the cell to bring to Ilvara for discipline; and when Nezznar desperately resists, he gets brutally whipped.&#x20;

Soren, unable to watch this and unwilling to let Nezznar get tortured again because he's STUPID and SOFT, stops the drow guards and asks to speak to the Weaponsmaster first about "something important".&#x20;

The drow guards are skeptical, but Soren is insistent and persuasive. Reluctantly, they drop Nezznar and leave to go fetch the Weaponsmaster.&#x20;

Once they've gone, an angry Soren grabs a fistful of Nezznar's hair and yanks Nezznar's head upward, forcing their eyes to meet and chiding Nezznar: "after thirty years, I am still forced to clean up after you". Soren admits that he has nothing to "say to the Weaponsmaster", and that he only did it to stop Nezznar from getting tortured.

Offended by Soren's grabbing of his hair, Nezznar threatens to tell the drow about Will's secret celestial heritage--noting that Will has all but been "digging his own grave" with how he's been defiant towards the drow. Nezznar remarks that if he tells the drow about Will, then he would no longer be the target of their concentrated torture. Smugly, Nezznar also points out that he was the strongest individual in the prison, and that Soren would "need him" to help with the escape.&#x20;

Soren is ABSOLUTELY LIVID that he just risked his life for this ungrateful motherfucker. Gutturally, he informs Nezznar: "I have a demon lord backing me. You think I need the likes of you? I don’t. The difference here is: I want Will with me, while you are getting brought along on a courtesy. So learn to *behave,* because I have been cleaning your messes for twenty years, and I’m getting tired of it."&#x20;

## No Chains

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Nezznar's surprise at this news quickly turns to horror as he demands to know what Soren has done. Soren admits that he has a pact with Graz'zt, the Demon Lord of Pleasure, and that he was going to use Graz'zt's power to get out.

Nezznar is aghast, and tells Soren that he doesn't understand what he's doing. Soren is taken aback, pointing out that Nezznar frequently made use of demons as minions and familiars.&#x20;

Frustrated, Nezz explains that those demons were easy to subdue and chain, while there is no one in the world who could put a chain on Graz'zt. Nezznar promises Soren that the price Soren will have to pay for Graz'zt's help will end up being immense, and cost Soren everyone he cares about.

Coldly, Soren points out that "if that's the case, then you'll be safe".&#x20;

## A Warning

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At this point, the Weaponsmaster (grumpy from having been interrupted from whatever he was doing) arrives. As promised, Soren departs to go and speak to him.&#x20;

Nervously, Soren spins a lie:

> Believe me, nothing pleases me more than seeing that monster get what it deserves.&#x20;
>
> But it is my duty as your loyal slave to report that I fear torturing the drider anymore will cause more dissent than there is. There are whispers among the prisoners, that if the drider is receiving such gruesome tortures, then they are all also at risk of suffering Mistress Ilvara’s wrath—and that therefore there is no point in behaving.&#x20;
>
> And though I know that you'll be easily able to quash any sort of silly uprising the slaves can muster, I thought to spare you the inconvenience.&#x20;

(Essentially, warning the WM that if he punishes the slaves too hard, they are at higher risk of rebelling and rioting).&#x20;

Soren rolls high on persuasion THANK FUCK. The Weaponsmaster silently acknowledges the logic in Soren's claims, but still gruffly tells Soren that if he wakes him up one more time, he would "nail Soren to the wall". WM sends Soren back to the cell and tells the guards to leave Nezznar alone.&#x20;

Having been terrified, Soren shakily stumbles back to his corner but does not make it to his bed before collapsing in relief and adrenaline.&#x20;

Nezznar, seemingly recognizing the significance of what Soren had done for him, helps Soren back into his little pile of hay omg ;-;&#x20;

## Disagreements

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Soren warns Nezznar that he would not be able to save him in the future again. Nezznar promises to try and control his temper, but also asks that Soren speak to Will so that Will stops angering the drow guards.&#x20;

Soren, remembering his and Will's fight from last session, expresses unwillingness to talk to Will right now. When Nezznar presses for reasons, Soren says that he and "the surfacers fundementally disagree on many things". Nezznar remarks that they "care too much about too many things", and Soren agrees.&#x20;

Nezznar also asks if Soren had won Eldeth over yet. Tiredly, Soren expresses doubt that Eldeth will ever stop hating the Underdark creatures, and says that "if she causes trouble along the road, you can correct her". Sternly, Nezznar corrects him: "anyone who causes trouble will die".&#x20;

Soren asks if Nezznar will enforce that. Nezznar says yes, and asks if Soren will stop him. After a pause, Soren says that a certain amount of discipline will be needed for the group to stay alive--implying that he would not be against Nezznar intimidating or punishing the prisoners if they impede the escape.&#x20;

In the meantime, Hugh tells Eldeth about his goat farm :pleading\_face:

## KICK the MUSHROOM like the FOOTBALL

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The next chore group: Jimjar, Stool, Hugh, Will and Sarith, are taken to the floor under Ilvara's room and told to clean--it's an office with a bed, presumably Shoor's room.&#x20;

The party once again sees a lot of their items scattered around the room, and makes a note of that. Hugh asks Stool to use his spores to connect "their brains"; Stool utilizes his rapport spores to establish a telepathic connection with Hugh.

Hugh introduces Myco to Stool; Myco is thoroughly unimpressed and attempts to test Stool on their Zuggtmoy knowledge; Stool fails miserably. Myco insults Stool, but acknowledges that Stool is just a sprout and is therefore ignorant.&#x20;

Stool is very distressed about this "pop quiz" and panics. Hugh attempts to do Stool's chores for him, but is caught by Weaponsmaster Cliff. Despite Hugh's best efforts in trying to protect Stool, Cliff steps on Stool :(

In MAXIMUM STRESS, Stool releases a cloud of spores that blinds the group of drow guards watching the prisoners. While the drow guards and Cliff struggle to regain their eyesight, we steal several items, including a letter knife, Will's focus, and some cheese.&#x20;

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Hugh manages to obtain the party's Immovable Rod but can find nowhere to hide it. He calls [on the favor that Jimjar owes him](https://edelwysse.gitbook.io/lights-in-the-dark/storyline/the-darkest-hour/64.-the-slave-olympics#group-2-water)--asking that Jimjar hold onto the rod for him and give it back to him in the cell.&#x20;

Jimjar realizes that if he has essentially been framed; if he is caught holding the rod when the drow regain their eyesight, he would be punished for stealing--he gives Hugh a seemingly disappointed look... and then UNHINGES his jaw and shoves the whole rod into his throat while the party watches in horror.&#x20;

Jimjar seems fine after this LMAO,,, and the party continues to rifle through stuff to steal. Sarith manages to find a report of his apparent "murder" of his friend; key witnesses include Balok, Guldor and Kalannar, whom he assumes to be the people who framed him.&#x20;

Eventually, the drow recover and begin to kick Stool around like a football as punishment. THE POOR CHILD JUST SCREAMS THE ENTIRE TIME, before the drow are satisfied and send the prisoners back to the cell.&#x20;

## Big Brudder

Buppido seems to also be connected to Stool's telepathy, and Hugh engages in mind-to-mind conversation with him. Stool reports to Buppido that he got kicked around like a ball and "exploded a bit", which greatly worries Buppido until Hugh explains.&#x20;

Stool proudly announces that "big brudder helped me", implying he sees Hugh as a brother now <3&#x20;

Hugh attempts to explain his brain-eating demon to Buppido, who is mildly alarmed. Stool expresses that he wants to go home :( Hugh promises to take him home.&#x20;

Stool says "I lof you" to Hugh ; ;&#x20;

Shuushar tries to talk to Will, but gives up upon seeing Will's unwillingness.&#x20;

Hugh tells Jimjar to keep the rod, thoroughly confusing Jimjar. Eventually, Jimjar puts it up for wager again lol, betting Hugh that he won't  be able to make it through the next 24 hours without using a contraction. Hugh wagers a "random fun item" that he'll find or steal, which excites Jimjar.&#x20;

## Counting Rocks

The last choregroup (Soren, Nezznar, Sunny, Thurmond, Eldeth, Topsy and Turvy) are brought to the drow lounge and instructed to count a TEDIOUSLY huge pile of rocks then report the number to Cliff.&#x20;

Soren, recognizing that this is a futile chore meant to punish the slaves(much like Nezznar used to force him to do), sardonically wonders to Nezznar how many times Cliff is going to make them recount the rocks. Resignedly, Nezznar bets 3 times, while Soren bets 4.&#x20;

Topsy and Turvy are awful at counting, and Sunny doesn't know how to at all. Eventually, Soren checks in with her--Sunny panics about this. Soren guides her to make piles of five rocks instead, and helps her tally them in the end.&#x20;

Eventually, the group comes up with a number they're confident in (like 5,000 something?) Thurmond reports the number to Cliff, and is told that it is wrong--Thurmond is whipped for this.&#x20;

The group re-counts the rocks, but this time Thurmond refuses to report the number because it got him whipped last time. No one wants to be the one to do this, and everyone just sits around in silence, desperate to avoid punishment. At Soren's hesitant suggestion, Nezznar orders Sunny to do it--she does it, and gets whipped for her troubles.

## Don't Look Down

Eventually, Cliff gets bored of watching us count rocks and sends us back to our cell. Noticing that Cliff's eyes were still irritated from his little run-in with Stool earlier, Soren suggests an herb that can ease his pain, noting that he had some in his bag (which the drow took). Cliff is midly impressed and appreciative, and runs off quickly with the other drow guards to go and seek out this medicine.&#x20;

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Taking advantage of this lull in security, Soren pulls Sunny aside to seemingly check in on her. He steels himself to do Graz'zt's bidding. As they cross the bridge back to the cell--overlooking the giant spiders--Soren gently instructs her to look down at the water below the webs, and tells her to, on the count of three, "go and fetch a rock for me from the river, okay?".&#x20;

Sunny realizes that Soren is ordering her death, and begins to cry. Horrified at what he was doing, Soren loses his nerve takes Sunny's hand and drags her back from the edge, telling her to disregard everything he'd said and guides her back to the cell.&#x20;

## A Cycle of Kindness

As Soren enters the cell, he is visibly agitated--aghast and devastated at what he had come close to doing to Sunny. He bumps into a guard as he walks, and refuses to apologize.&#x20;

The guard grows angrier and angrier as Soren stays silent, eventually telling Soren that he was going to suffer in Menzoberranzan under a new master.&#x20;

In his first show of defiance since entering the prison, Soren snidely retorts, "not if Mistress Ilvara keeps me", and gloats that with Ilvara's favor, he would outrank any of the drow guards here.&#x20;

Infuriated, the guard reminds Soren that Nadhiir had the same chance and squandered it. Soren snaps that he would "not make the same stupid mistakes as his brother".&#x20;

This back and forth continues, with Soren being uncharacteristically insubordinate and straight up insolent--to the point of daring the guard to do something about it. The drow guard, absolutely seething, enters the cell and threatens to kill Soren. Soren does not back down.&#x20;

Will and Sildar try to make eye contact with Soren, silently pleading with him to back down; Soren does not.&#x20;

To EVERYONE'S SURPRISE, Nezznar steps in and intervenes. He grabs Soren's head and forces it down into a bow, and he also bows towards the guard alongside Soren. HOLY SHIT??? Casting aside his pride, Nezznar sincerely apologizes on Soren's behalf, saying that Soren had lost his fucking mind for a moment, and that Soren was only lashing out  because Soren was "so jealous" of the guard.&#x20;

Jolted back into rationality by Nezznar's actions, Soren eloquently apologizes to the guard, agreeing with Nezznar.&#x20;

Both Soren and Nezznar are whipped as punishment.&#x20;

After being whipped, Nezznar forcibly drags Soren back to their corner and angry demands to know what had gotten into Soren--pointing out that JUST THIS MORNING, Soren had chided Nezznar for acting out in a similar manner and almost getting killed.&#x20;

Numbly, Soren just thanks Nezznar for saving his life. Nezznar exasperatedly tells him that "now we're even".&#x20;

\---

(THIS SESSION REALLY JUST CAME FULL CIRCLE HUH,,, I LOVE IT SO MUCH LMAO ; ; THANK U NEZZY)
