Upgrade your account to a Community Supporter account and remove most of the site ads.

Reply to thread

Message: <blockquote data-quote="the Jester" data-source="post: 1705768" data-attributes="member: 1210">Into the Underdark11 a.m., 5/11/368 O.L.G., the Underdark beneath StrogassOur heroes are tromping through the sunless world known as the Underdark.  Beneath the mountains and hills, thousands of miles of tunnels and caves twist and interconnect, a maze sure to claim the unwary.  The stalactites and stalagmites seem to make out the figurative mouth that will consume them.  Pillars of stone are everywhere.  Weird formations of rock seem to drip down walls and from the ceiling overhead, but when they are touched our heroes find them as hard as any other piece of stone.  Moisture seems to be everywhere; little trickles of water are constantly following the downward path towards some unseen subterranean waterway.  Weird puffballs, toadstools as high as a halfling’s head, luminescent fungus and more strange growths seem to exude from the walls and floor like strange organs.The party has already ascertained that they are not alone down here.  Even without Gelpurt’s warnings, they would have smelled and heard the strange white cave lions.  Their gnomish guide warned them as they entered the fungal area; the strange underworld bugs and beasts have a food chain of their own, and strangers are welcome to enter it- as prey.  Already, the group has fought off one of them, which almost claimed Lita’s riding dog.  If it weren’t for Ethel, it would have.Thelonious and Laodegan walk together and have some good human bonding time.  Thelonious explains how the halflings raised him after his parents were slain by wolves in a harsh winter during his youth.  Laodegan, for his part, lets a few bits of his background show- it seems his father is someone very important on Strogass.They walk and rest, walk and rest, walk and rest for days.  There are many small beetles and other creepy-crawlies, but for quite some time there is no danger.  Then, from a dark crack in the floor, a spider as large as a man, perhaps even larger, springs forth.  It is easily killed by the two humans, who then spend a good hour unsuccessfully trying to pull anything of value from its jagged little chasm.  Thelonious loses the game of scissors-paper-stone, and grudgingly lowers himself into the chasm.  He can make out a few cocooned bodies, but it’s impossible to extract them without either a better climber, better gear, or magic.  Shrugging, they move on through league after league of darkness.8 p.m., 5/13/368 O.L.G.Finally, the sound of the waterway starts to be audible.  Faintly at first, then increasing in intensity, the roaring sound of an Underdark river comes to the ears of our heroes.  It’s another hour or so before they finally reach it, but when they do they are greeted by a startling sight: a small camp of Strogassian soldiers, sporting the flag of Stempa Province.“Well, well,” Laodegan says with satisfaction, but to his chagrin he rapidly discovers that the Governor and his honor guard have proceeded ahead.  The Commander in charge of the camp here, one Porempna by name, offers our heroes room in a tent.  Laodegan and he meet for a few drinks of tiley and some conversation, during which Porempna becomes quite impressed by Laodegan’s manner and bearing.  He seems like an officer- at least.“The Governor is building alliance with a group of Drow, and they aren’t the first ones we’ve talked to,” Porempna tells Laodegan.  “This looks, so far, to be an extremely successful journey.”“Well, hopefully all will continue to go well.  Now then, when will he be back?  I have a very important message for him from my father.”“Ah, as to that, who can say?”  Commander Porempna shrugs.  “The Governor does not report to me.  He will be there for as long as it takes.”“Perhaps you could take us there?”Porempna shakes his head.  “I’m afraid my orders are to remain here and ensure that the waterway remains clear for the return journey.  You could leave the message with me, however, and I’ll happily see to it that it’s delivered.”“I’m afraid my instructions are quite specific.  I am to deliver it to him, personally.  My father would be most displeased if I were to pass the responsibility to another.  But on the other hand,” he leans in close, “he would be most pleased if you were to aid me, and he is definitely not the sort to forget a favor done his son.  He is in a position of... some authority.”Commander Porempna arches an eyebrow.  “Indeed?”“Yes.  He is Imperator Decius.”“Decius!”  Porempna leans back in his folding chair.  “So.  I’ve always wanted to see the south... Well, perhaps I could loan you a few men and a boat...”Laodegan smiles.  Nothing like being the son of the steward of the Imperial City.Next Time: The Outpost of the Drow!</blockquote>

Verification