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Message: <blockquote data-quote="the Jester" data-source="post: 1706805" data-attributes="member: 1210">Governor Bastor7 a.m., 5/14/368 O.L.G., the Stempan camp in the UnderdarkLaodegan arrogantly claims four soldiers from Porempna’s force and then gathers the party up.  They proceed to a series of small boats and thence down the dark river that flows through the caves.  Along either side and above them are strange and colorful mineral deposits, weird formations of stone that look like dripping wax, and occasional growths of weird fungus and mold.The flow of the water is languid; the soldiers pole along, helping avoid obstacles and keeping the small boats moving.  Laodegan has chosen one named Feldikerar as his project and is trying to instill leadership in him, with mixed success.  Hours pass; the group eats as they move.  They see no end to the snaking waterway, which seems to gradually drop only a few score of feet as the time passes by.  Finally the light of the lanterns on the boats resolves something ahead- a few rocky isles, with just enough room for the group to lie out and rest.  The eternal darkness all around them makes our heroes wary, but their journey has made them weary, so rest they do, setting a watch.  1 a.m., 5/15/368 O.L.G., a small isle in the Underdark  Suddenly Thelonious and Laodegan snap awake.  They can hear cries and shouts-To their feet, weapons out, whirl and look: a giant crab has crawled out of the water and is snapping its great claws at Feldikerar!  He’s already taken a wound to the shoulder, which is bleeding profusely, but he’s standing his ground.  “Good show, Feldikerar!” cries Laodegan heartily, stomping forward with his blade.  Arrows whiz past him and pierce the creature in several places as Thelonious employs his bow to good effect.  The creature turns towards them and scuttles back a pace as Laodegan’s sword crashes into its shell ineffectually.  Cursing, he parries its counterattacks, then lays into it again as Feldikerar jabs at it with his spear.That’s more like it!Another arrow shoots the crab in the eye even as Laodegan hews into its claw, dealing it a good amount of damage.  Crab juice sprays all over as it starts to scuttle away, but it can’t escape now.  Both Feldikerar and Laodegan land another blow, and the thing stops moving.“Looks like we’ve got dinner for the next couple days,” Laodegan says cheerfully.6 p.m., 5/15/368 O.L.G., along a waterway in the UnderdarkFinally, after another day’s travel, the group reaches their destination, where they see a strange, huge purple jellyfish that rises into a gargantuan cavern.  A large island in the center contains a gothic-looking tower.  A small military force is camped on the edge of the island; the Stempan flag flies there.“Finally!” declares Laodegan.They reach the island and disembark, the soldiers meeting the challenge issued by the guards on the bank.  They all recognize one another, of course, and it’s obvious that they’re glad to see each other.  The party is escorted to the legate in charge of the camp, a man named Nauthrix.  He sports an oiled black goatee and has a noticeable scar across the side of his face; clearly, he’s a veteran.When Laodegan asks to speak to the governor, Nauthrix tells him, “Governor Bastor is in the middle of delicate negotiations with the Drow.  I’m afraid he’s not available at the moment.”“When will he be available?” Laodegan seethes.Nauthrix shrugs eloquently.“We’ll wait,” Laodegan snaps.3 p.m., 5/18/368 O.L.G., the isle of Halli Cialu, the UnderdarkFinally, after three days, the summons comes.  Laodegan is escorted to a large tent in which he finds Governor Bastor, as well as a number of his advisors and officers- including several Drow.  Their meeting is vague and full of innuendo, leaving Laodegan feeling uncertain how that all went when all is said and done.  Laodegan delivers his scroll to Bastor- he’s not certain exactly what the message is, but he has a pretty good idea it involves testing Bastor’s loyalty- and watches intently as the man reads it, then burns it.“I will prepare a response for your father,” Bastor says, “but I need some time to compose it.  And I wouldn’t want it slowed by your journeys.  You may move on and continue your work; I suspect you have more of these to deliver, yes?”Laodegan confirms this, and the governor graciously gives a small boat to him.  He gets the distinct impression the governor wants to be rid of him; but maybe it’s just the fact that he’s traveling with halflings.11 a.m., 5/23/368 O.L.G., a river in the UnderdarkAt last, after days of river travel, the party sees light ahead.  Its cold and damp, and they are overjoyed as they at last near the exit and sunlight.  When they emerge, they don’t even care that they’re in the Buzzing Fens.The Buzzing Fens are a low-lying area nestled between the Western Precipice and the Stern Mountains.  A lot of water drains into the area, including, apparently, at least one Underdark river.  Reeds and other swamp plants are everywhere, and mangroves, cypress and willows dot the landscape.  Moss and slime covers everything, and the air buzzes with insects.  The air smells of swamp gas.The boat is useless now; the vegetation is too thick.  But our heroes can see hills in the distance- and, according to Sandy, the Asylum of Advanced Mental Treatment lies in the hills just to the east of the Buzzing Fens.The exhausted group-they’ve been sleeping in a small boat for days- starts slogging through the fens.Next Time: Although you don’t usually get the explicit explanation for what’s up with the pcs who weren’t present for a session, you will next time, cuz it matters later!  Our heroes head to the Asylum!</blockquote>

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