The Underdark Primeval [IC]

[Isida Kep'Tukari]

*Denasa purses her lips, considering, while Legs crawls atop her head and drums his legs. After a few minutes, Denasa finally nods.*

"Very well then, let's go. Because if we don't I'm going to fall down for a while and I won't be able to get up. Everyone's coming with me, because I'm not going along," she says with conviction, waving the others forward with a royal air. Legs flips over on his back and does his best imitation of a crown.

 

[Ashy]

Rune speaks up as soon as the word 'illithids' is spoken. "Illithids, you say? You know where they are? How many of them are there?"

 

[Keia]

Dargo Golden, Half Deep Dragon Golden Dwarf (Fighter/Ranger)

Dargo grabbed the items out of the hidden space, making no motion to hide his actions. While Denasa talked with the gnome, Dargo gave everything else the once over, then turned to listen to Denasa.

"Very well then, let's go. Because if we don't I'm going to fall down for a while and I won't be able to get up. Everyone's coming with me, because I'm not going along," she says with conviction, waving the others forward with a royal air. Legs flips over on his back and does his best imitation of a crown.

"Sounds safer than here," Dargo responded. "Lead the way and I shall follow . . . until I pass out from exhaustion, that is."

 

[Erekose13]

Morph and Bull follow, hoping that none of the passages are going to be too tight for the large beetle.

 

[silentspace]

"The illithids have come from the Deep Dark, and have eaten many svirfneblin. We believe there are two of them, but they came with many followers, thralls, and servants. Like the drow and the roper you slew. Also the giant beasts of stone, and the strange cloaked humanoids that passed by. Have you seen them?"

Rosvan examines the strange tunnel. "So this is where you came from. They must have built this tunnel. Prince Marulas will want to know what they were tunneling to, but for now let's get you out of here."

Rosvan pulls some scrolls from his satchel "Since we've gone into hiding, these are a necessity". He casts Pass Without Trace on everyone, then guides you deeper into the earth.

The passage narrows at points, but Bull manages to squeeze through the choke points. As you travel, Rosvan tells you about the svirfneblin.

"We were a small trading community until the illithids came. Prince Marulas is an earth wizard, a Deep Diviner. He had a secret spot in the earth, which he calls an Earth Node, a place where Magic is strong. It was his secret refuge. As the illithids were destroying our people, Marulas escaped with those he could."

"Here we are."

Rosvan leads you into a crevasse in the rock, barely big enough for Bull to fit through. Then through a stone Illusory Wall, down a winding tunnel, and finally into a well-lit series of chambers, filled with many deep gnome refugees. In front is a pale, thin gnome in long orange robes with a platinum band on his head.

"Allow me to present Prince Marulas"

 

[deadestdai]

Solli had been struck dumb by the news of yet another Svirneblin community being terrorised by Mind Flayers. It jarred memories of his past out of dark places in his mind and he numbly followed the rest of the group, offering neither conversation, nor greeting when they finally arrived and stood before the Prince.

More of my people, damned to a life of running and wretched fear. Can I stop this madness before they are all but destroyed also?

As the Prince was introduced, Solli's knuckles were making strange cracking sounds as they gripped the stock of his dart thruster tighter and tighter.

 

[Keia]

Dargo Golden, Half Deep Dragon Golden Dwarf (Fighter/Ranger)

Dargo kept to the back, allowing those more diplomatic to deal with the royalty and all. 'All I want is to clear these prisoners and get back to work - somehow that seems harder now more than ever,' Dargo thought.

 

[Ashy]

Rune listens carefully to Rosvan's words, memorizing everything, so that she can use them in the future should she need tactical information against the flayers...

When they are introduced into Prince Marulas, the earth genasi nods, "I am Rune, illithid slayer."

 

[Erekose13]

Morph bows in a manner respectful of the Prince's station, "Greetings I am Pwyoolp Ripplepond, though most call me Morph."

These svirfneblin certainly need our help, mind flayers are a devious and insane enemy. Morph thinks to himself, knowing that he will offer his aid when asked as he had always done in like circumstances.

 

[Isida Kep'Tukari]

*Denasa curties and flutters her wings, while Legs crouches in his best imitation of a bow.*

"I am the sorceress Denasa, and this is my companion Legs," she says politely, trying not to collapse in her weakness.