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

[Uller]

Upon seeing the Barbarian calm down Ploop looks curiously at Shuushar and Shuushar relates to him Erevan's suggestion to allow the Surana to leave. Ploop smiles at his son (you get the sense he wants to annoy Glugg) and says something. Glugg stutters in protest and Ploop gives him the look only a stern father can give. Then Glugg and one of the monitors (the muscular guys without weapons) step forward.

Shuushar says that Ploop has ordered Glugg to take Surana, Topsy and Turvy's body back to his camp. And he added a warning to Glugg that if they do not make it there safely to not bother coming back. Glugg seems to be truly intimidated by his father.

Ploop then invites those that remain into his tent where you can discuss things in private.

OOC: Surana can decide once she gets to the camp if she'd like to return to the Sea Mother Shrine with Glugg or stay at the camp (or do something else entirely).

Ploop's tent is not much more than a hovel. It is round(ish) and consists of a single room about 25' in diameter. It consists a pile of stinky rags where he sleeps, a small low table where he sits on the floor to eat (covered in old bones...some possibly being humanoid?.. and shells from past meals). Near the bed is a large sack that appears to have contents similar to the pile of offerings at the foot of the statue, but quite a bit lumpier...perhaps containing coins and other things of value.

Ploop is attended by two monitors. He motions for you to sit. He sits near his 'bed' and the monitors stand at the entrance, behind where you are expected to sit.

Through Shuushar: "I am sorry what happened to your gnome. It was not intentional." he pauses and adds "I am glad things did not come to blows. That would have been unfortunate for us both, I think." Looking at Erevan "Once Glugg returns we can proceed. When the ritual starts, one of you will have to kneel before Blopp. Once she begins to concentrate, she will be vulnerable. That will be the time to strike. That person will be held by two of my whips but they will let you go and help you while I call on the Sea Mother to aid us. Who will that be?"

OOC: If you don't propose anything different, he will continue to discuss the plan. I'll make a map so you can see how everything will be arranged.

 

[DMAesh]

Ezraen scrunches up his face in thought, then turns to Erevan, "'Van, you are good with surprise attacks, as well as getting people to let down their guard as well. I do not want to put you in more danger than you have to be in, and you know that I will be at your side as soon as possible. In fact, we all will, because you will have our weapons." A wry smile crosses the paladin's face.

"The other option is that I palm one of the daggers and smite her when it is time. However, I am not as good at deception."

 

[JustinCase]

Erevan nods, a bit absentminded after all that happened.

"Yes. Yes, I suppose that's true. Surprise attacks are my forte, although if things go bad, I'm not much of a fighter up close. Perhaps we can grab her instead of killing her? And I hope to talk Glugg out of the sacrifice business altogether and reconsile her with her father. Although considering his stubborness, I fear that is very unlikely."

 

[DMAesh]

Ezraen looks grim, "If I understand what is going on, we are in the middle of a holy war. There is often no reasoning with zealots."

OOC: Make no mistake, the irony is not lost on me!

 

[SunGold]

OOC: After leaving Topsy in Derendil and Eldeth's care, Surana and Drum will return to Ploop's tent, assuming Glugg actually takes her safely back there.

 

[Uller]

OOC: It will take 15-20 minutes for Glugg and Surana to return. In that time Ez and Erevan can talk to Ploop, ask him questions or propose some different course. If you'd like I can start off with him giving a greater explanation of what has lead up to the conflict.

Glugg and his cohort follow along behind Surana and Topsy. Kuo-toa of various shapes, sizes and hues go about their business. Most start with surprise seeing the human and gnome carrying their burden through the village but then move away when they see the two larger kuo-toa coming behind.

Topsy shows little emotion. Occasionally she looks at the shrouded body of her brother, wipes a tear and continues. "There will be time to cry later." she says mostly to herself.

When you get to the gate the four guards are still there. Two are standing looking outward and two are resting. One of the resting ones notice the group approaching and they stand but offer no challenge. Glugg simply waives them away and they step aside. Getting a better look at them the second time through, Surana notices they all have uniforms and where medallions similar to the group that you first encountered when you arrive (the ones with the barge that spoke of capturing and sacrificing you).

Outside the gate you continue on and within a few minutes you see the camp. No monitors are there. Just a small troop of regular kuo-toa (maybe 8 or 10 of them). Eldeth, Bertram, Sarith and Derendil are sitting on some stones talking and rise when they see you coming, looking concerned (well...everyone but Sarith).

 

[JustinCase]

Hoping Shuushar will translate or tell him if he's crossing a line, Erevan asks Ploop, "What would be the best option to avoid violence while still reconsiling you and your daughter? If, for example, we capture her, what do you suppose would happen?"

 

[Uller]

Ploop smiles. "You surface creatures are curious. Do animals on the surface only eat fungus and lichens and never eachother?"

He thinks for a moment. "Do you have creatures like this?" He points to the thing on the end of his staff. It's an albino crayfish/lobster creature.

"This creature scavenges what it can find. The sick, the weak, the dying. It is an opportunist. It stays in its lair and takes what comes within reach. This is how the Sea Mother instructs her children to live. Those that come within our territory...the lost, the hunted, the dying. We take them, we give up their spirits to the Sea Mother and we consume their meat and use their goods to add to our strength.

"The Deep Father is not like this. He has awakened from his timeless sleep. He is a hunter of the dark and he is rising. Through Blopp he commands his followers to live as he does. To reach out, to seek, to destroy, to kill. By her orders our people are going out from our territory. Raiding our neighbors and attacking them in their homes.

"This is dangerous! Gracklstugh and Menzoberrenzan barely tolerate us. The drow already kill us on sight. We do not make good slaves. We are not valuable sacrifices to their gods. Our only use to them is as scouts and navigators.

"When they get word of raiding parties coming from our little village they will destroy us.

"I seek to protect my daughter but I have many sons and daughters. Most of those you see around you are my children or children's children. Blopp chose this. If we can strike her down and destroy the shrine to the Deep Father then her cult can see that is is not as strong as it thinks it is and then disband. Or that is my hope. Seeing sacrifices meant for the Deep Father rise up against him will help, I think.

If we can subdue her and let her live to see that, then perhaps she can be turned. But I have little hope. There will have to be some death to do to avoid disaster."

 

[DMAesh]

Ezraen listens to the Kuo-toan priest's explanation. He looks to Erevan, "We will take it based on the situation. If we can take her alive, then we will, but if things go sour, we will need to be more concerned with our own safety. As much as I would like to stop Evil in all its forms, my priority is to keep our group alive and get us to the surface."

His look softens a bit, understanding the noble elf's position, "Is that agreeable?"

 

[Uller]

Ploop adds: "Reasoning with her at this point is not going to work. The only other option would be to capture her and remove her from Sloobludop. But she is never alone except for a few minutes in her quarters before a sacrificial ritual. But there are always guards outside the tent so there is no real opportunity."