Why is your character operating in a place that he doesn't have the right equipment to do his job?
I get that a GM isn't going to just drop in a quick fix to the PC's problem. But in equal meta-gamey measure, expecting a PC to go adventuring in the UnderDark when they haven't the gear or interest is equally sloppy.
the PC has identified an operational deficiency in their UnderDark expedition. Only a fool fails to take action to correct that.
So unless there's a pressing need to keep going, the PC (and the party) needs to backtrack and re-tool before entering again. that means going on quests on the surface to find/buy/steal the gear they need.
I get that a GM isn't going to just drop in a quick fix to the PC's problem. But in equal meta-gamey measure, expecting a PC to go adventuring in the UnderDark when they haven't the gear or interest is equally sloppy.
the PC has identified an operational deficiency in their UnderDark expedition. Only a fool fails to take action to correct that.
So unless there's a pressing need to keep going, the PC (and the party) needs to backtrack and re-tool before entering again. that means going on quests on the surface to find/buy/steal the gear they need.