In the barracks area, the forty or so drow going on the expedition are mingling and talking. Fifteen riding lizards with saddles are also crowded into the area.
Zedar T'sarran speaks out loud, "Before we get to the surface, we have to pass through the Dodrien crypts. For those of you who have not been this way before, I will remind you that the Dodrien crypts are full of traps and undead to keep superstitious humans away. All of the monsters in the crypts have been trained to leave drow alone.
"Once we are at entrance to the crypts, we will split into two groups. The Hunters will head for Dagger Falls. The rest of you will stay at the entrance to collect any slaves or defend the entrance if necessary.
"The hunters will maintain silence once we are on the surface, using hand signals to communicate. The purpose of this hunt is to spread terror amongst the surface dwellers.
"Leonon and Kiernan will persuade as many of the humans as possible that tonight is an excellent time to visit the Dodrien crypts. So the slaves might just walk up to the crypts if Kiernan and Leonon are successful in their persuasion where they will be sorted out by those who remain at the entrance to the crypts.
"Torellan has mentioned that he plans to capture Randal Morn, the ruler of Dagger Falls.
"I myself intend to visit the Church of Tyr. The rest of you may feel free to accompany myself, Torellan, Leonon and Kiernan, or strike out on your own."
Riding on lizards or levitating, the drow leave the Barracks level and ascend to the entrance to Szith Morcane. They then ascend through another chute to the Dodrien Crypts.
The crypts are so cold that the drow begin to shivver and can see their own breath.
As the drow pass through the crypts, a group of surface dweller skeletons threaten them, but Velasta holds out the mummified hand she wears around her neck, and the skeleton guards return to their posts.
A ten foot tall stalagmite with one eye and a great gaping maw lined with crystalline teeth wishes Zedar good hunting and asks Zedar to bring it back a meal.
A marble statue of a gaunt, alien-looking creature with bulbous eyes, an insect's mandibles, and an elongated oval head radiates malice as the drow pass it by.
The drow pass by several doors that are covered with magical symbols.
Finally, the drow arrive at a pair of large stone doors set into the hillside. The doors are unadorned except for a pair of stone handles that are joined together by a length of chain and a good quality padlock.
Zedar removes a key to unlock the chain and speaks, "Be ready for anything.
The chain is removed and the great stone doors open.
With a howl, the wind enters the Dodrien crypts. White Crystals fall upon the party. In fact, the surface world (or all of it you can see from the entrance) is white, covered in white crystals.