D&D 5E [IC] Uller's Out of the Abyss

[SunGold]

As Drum's vision fills her head, Surana's burning need for revenge instantly begins to subside. The world seems to slide into focus around her again as she looks away from Ezraen to the gnome. In her rage she had almost forgotten Topsy lived at all...just as much as she'd forgotten her promise to Drum.

With one last hateful look at Ploop, she lets go. "It's over," she says, slapping Ezraen's hand away in disgust. She strides quickly to Topsy, picking her up gently, but obviously in a hurry. "If you want a fight, attack me, and you'll get it."

She walks toward their camp without waiting for a response.

 

[DMAesh]

Ezraen watches her go. He looks to Erevan, Orsik, and Shuushar in turn before speaking, "Go with her. Keep them safe. I will stay and hold to our bargain. If my life buys you all safe passage, the sacrifice..." A grimace crosses the half-drow's face as if saying the word is physically distasteful, "... will be worth it."

Looking back in Surana's direction he whispers to his god, Watch over her...

 

[Uller]

Orsik says "I'm not leaving as long as any of us remain. I saw what happened. I don't think Ploop sacrificed the gnome. I believe what Ezraen says he heard and I'll stand by him. If we don't see this through, Turvy died for nothin'. I don't like it but everyone should stay because we need everyone to live!" clearly indicating Surana.

Topsy says to Surana "Where are we going? Turvy said goodbye to me. He said I had to go back home and he couldn't come but he'd be all right. Where is he?"

Ploop says something to Shuushar and he relates it "I cannot allow you to leave. Blopp's people will take you and they will sacrifice you and the gnome. She will grow in power." Shuushar adds (seemingly on his own) "If the deal is not kept then Ploop will sacrifice all of you to his own god rather than see you sacrificed to his rival."

OOC: Edit: [MENTION=6776182]JustinCase[/MENTION] Since you haven't really gotten to speak directly to Ploop yet this would probably be a good place to use that persuasion check. Maybe convince Ploop to let Surana go while the rest of you see thru the deal and/or offer an alternative course of action. For convenience, I'm going to rule that if Drum leaves you'll be able to continue to communicate for a time without him. The spores remain in you and functioning. But you are unsure how long.

 

[SunGold]

Surana stops once the corpse is out of eyesight, but doesn't turn back yet. Through Drum, she speaks silently to her companions still left at the altar. I will return once Topsy is safely at our camp. I will not let her remain at the altar where her brother died. As for Blopp...no one's taking me alive. Not right now. So he need not worry about sacrifices.

"I'm taking you back to the safety of our friends," she says quietly in response to the gnome. "I'm sorry, Topsy, but your brother did not make it through the ritual." She looks the gnome in the eyes, finding it harder than anything else she's faced in the Underdark."I'm so, so sorry."

OOC: Did I underestimate the difficulty of getting back to camp? My interpretation was that the village was a smallish dump, and our camp right outside it. I thought the village would be pretty empty right now, with most hiding indoors or scattered, given that there was a lycanthrope on the loose in the middle of town moments ago. If there's a high chance of being attacked or captured, ignore this pos and I'll go back, because Surana wouldn't risk that happening to Topsy.

 

[Uller]

You are about 200 feet or so from the gate. The gate is guarded by 4 muscular looking kuo-toa with pincer staves. They only let you through the gate originally with Ploop commanding them to step aside but that was reluctantly so it is not unreasonable to assume they are really under Blopp's command or at best neutral. Ploop's camp (where Derendil, Eldeth, Sarith and Betram are) is another 500' or so beyond the gate. There were "regular folk" type kuo-toa wandering about the village going about their business and occasionally you'd see some of the larger stronger ones. They had varied reactions to Ploop. Some definitely appeared hostile. They will still be there. How they would react to you just wandering around is anyone's guess.

So it is not unreasonable to think that there would be a pretty good chance of running into trouble on your way out and Ploop (through Shuushar) seems to be indicating it would be unlikely you could move about the village freely. This doesn't seem like a bluff but maybe an insight check would be helpful.

I don't think it would be unreasonable to convince Ploop you are no longer of use to him or might even endanger his plan. With his leave, you would have a more reasonable chance of leaving. He could provide you an escort even. But like I said, it would require some convincing.

Orsik seems steadfast in that he will stay with Ezraen. He seems to be thinking along the lines of what Shuushar said. If the deal doesn't go through, there is nothing stopping Ploop from sacrificing all of you. At the same time, it is fair to say that Surana might think that even if the deal does go through there is nothing stopping him. So there is that...

 

[DMAesh]

Ezraen nods in thanks to Orsik, then removes his cloak, wrapping Turvy's body like a shroud.

 

[JustinCase]

Erevan watches Surana leave with the gnome and sighs. This diplomacy is harder than his father makes it look! He must've underestimated his charm on the kuo toa. They're fish people, after all.

The now humble elf tries a different tactic. "Shuushar, do you think it wise to tell Ploop that despite the ritual going wrong, we are going to see this through, but without Topsy? If he would send an escort after Surana, making sure she reaches the camp safely and that she returns here?"

OOC: Seems like the best plan, befitting the characters and the odds of survival. And I'd like to use that persuasion roll, if that's okay with you guys.

 

[Uller]

Shuushar answers "If you can convince him it's in his interest to let her go I can ask him."

OOC: If Surana still wishes to leave (the camp is further than SunGold realized) Shuushar can ask for Surana to take the gnome (and Drum) to safety.

 

[Uller]

Upon seeing all of this Glugg steps over to his father and says something rather impassioned. Shuushar tells you he is saying Ploop should just send you all away. You are all obviously nothing but trouble. Ploop dismisses Glugg. You can't be sure but you think Glugg's body language indicates frustration.

 

[SunGold]

OOC: Whew, gettin' messy. Surana did mention that she'll come back (which I don't think anyone told Ploop?). She's already calmed down enough to know she won't want you all to die. But her first priority is still getting Topsy back to our friends, away from the corpse, the altar, and the next fight. How hard can it be to convince someone that letting the angry barbarian take a walk and calm down is in their best interest? So yeah, I guess if Erevan can use that persuasion roll to get her an escort, she'll leave. Still won't just waltz out the front door if that's the only option.