Underdark to Temel - Eleasis 30th

Kill one, keep the other alive for questioning. Let's go!

The group moves into action and gets into position. The two drow sit facing each other at a long table. You give a nod to Hasimir and motion to the one with his back towards you.

The drow with his back to you barks something out in drow, but Hasimir doesn’t flinch. The drow facing you looks up from his book half heartedly and his eyes flare with surprise. Hasimir dives into action, running his blade through the back of the first drow.

The rest of you immediately swarm the second drow, highlighted by Kregnok’s daring dive over the table to tackle unsuspecting guard.

“Get him on his feet!” shouts Senesus.

Moments later, the bruised and battered drow is back in his chair, weapons removed. His arms tied behind him. The dwarf gives him one last strike across the jaw to let him know who is in charge now.

“Who do you think you are?” asks the drow.

*puts his armor back on... looks at everyone with slight smirk of pure satisfaction, resumes looking smug...*

The Lords of Rockhammer Hold, ye daft drow, now tell us what we want to know and we won't throw you into the sunlight...

A Lord Wil sighting!!! Wahoo!

The drow spits out a mouthful of blood, "Rockhammer? Never heard of it. You fools are way out of your element in the Underdark. I won't tell you anything. You are dead already, as soon as Niadrem finds out you attacked this outpost, you will beg for mercy and find none."

Utilizing Merthuvial-

"Drow, know that there is nothing that your master can do to make me fear. I know of the blackness of your twisted dark elf souls. But have you any idea of the encroaching and seemingly intelligent orcs, perhaps you have heard of Thar-grimrule?"

The drow’s eyes light up for a split second when he hears the name Thar Grim-Rule, but he quickly looks away, “Never heard of him.”

Round One Detect Thoughts – you sense the presence of his thoughts

" I am sure you haven't. I mean what benefit would the drow have from perhaps, empowering the orcs to take over a human city? Your master surely could not be that clever."

“Watch you tongue human,” spits the drow, “you will see soon enough my master’s plan.”

Round Two Detect Thoughts – you sense his intelligence to be 12. You start picking up surface thoughts next round.

"There is always a snarling lap dog with these fiends. They harm the innocent and call themselves great, perhaps time will tell whether you master, who ever he or she is, has a plan that will overthrow the surface dwellers."

The drow stares at you for a long time, and with a low, grumbling voice says "In time" before looking away again.

Round Three Detect Thoughts: - Who are these humans? Could they work for Thar? His influence is said to be great. Niadirem should be warned if possible that protectors of Thar from the surface are here in the Underdark, working to undermine his plans."

"We seek entrance into the town that Thar and his cronies captured, do you know of such an entrance?"

"No."

Round Four Detect Thoughts: Yes, but Niadrem returned to Szith for the runestone. Why would these humans not just enter Temel from the surface? Strange.

" We have all we need to know," Umberto clocks the drow with the hilt of his sword, trying knock him out. He then reveals his readings to the group. "We should hasten to Temel, unless you others disagree or have other input?"

As you discuss whas to do the handful of fey-ri remaining in the outpost slowing poke their heads in. With a dogged tired look on their faces, they look upon their former captors, "Is it over? Is it really over?"

One of them collapses to the ground running his hands through his hair, trying to make sence of his world. Another begins to cry, "Thank you, thank you, thank you. You've saved our lives from those horrible creatures. WE have but one possesion left, the village runestone. We hid it from the drow when they captured us. It is yours."

"What is this runestone? For what do we use it?"

"The Fey'ri we rescued from the giant cockroaches mentioned a runestone in this village that would allow us to bypass the blue barrier in the tunnel that led to Temel."

Senesus smiles and pats you on the back, "Worry not, my friend, that seemed like a long time ago."

Oh yes, I think I remember that...

Now, I have a concern about these Fey'ri... I certainly don't think they'll have a great fate here, for I'm sure the Drow would return in greater numbers. Perhaps we should offer to escort them to a safe place where they may leave these caverns.

Looking at Senesus grinning and shrugging his shoulders. "Agreed dwarf, where can we take you my friends, is there a safe place we can escort you?"

The Fey'ri look at each for a moment, "The surface. We will never be safe here in the Underdark."

(DM Note: A good solution as the exit to the surface is just about 50 feet from where the blue barrier is that leads to Temel.)

Anything else before we head out?

Umberto looks to Althalus and Hasimir, and then knowing to the passed out drow. Giving the, "snuff the lights out, and see if they have any good stuff on them look." Then we will go.

"I call first dibs."

Let's head out!

You quickly gather up all the remaining fey’ri and head for the surface, hours later when you reach your destination you see the dusk colored skies. Two of the fey’ri set the body of Rajik down (the fey’ri who was to be killed by Niadirem’s men but you rescued), “thank you for all your help, I’m sorry we cannot repay you.” You bid them best wishes as they exits the caverns.

Taking a deep breath you head back to the intersection and the magical blue wall. You hold the runestone out towards the wall and you can see flickers of light between the two. The closer the runestone gets to the wall, the dimmer it appears. Once they touch, the barrier disappears allowing you all to pass. As you continue on the passage the blue barrier reappears since the runestone is in your pocket. The passage ends in a door.

You open it to reveal a large circular cavern, in the far back corner is a ladder leading to a trapdoor in the ceiling, and presumably the village of Temel. In the center of the room are a dozen drow, huddled around a table. Behind them is the baphitaur from earlier. As they notice your presence they back away from the table revealing their leader at the head of the table. Niadirem, who offers a wicked smile.

“Ah, adventurers, I see,” says Niadirem as he paces around the table, “Here to plunder Zeth’Gor? Perhaps, you seek to reclaim the village of Temel?” You can see what looks like a map of Temel on the table.

Niadirem comes to stand between you and the table, “Perhaps we can work together?”

"Hmmmm, why would you want to work with us? What is in it for you?" Scanning the room for other drow...

Niadirem smiles, “Oh maybe the dozens of orcs and the four hill giants up there,” he says as he points to the ceiling, “but perhaps it is our help that you need. Tell me of your intentions.”