The Drow Caverns (Plot)

[Castaras]

Far to the west of the town, is a passage into the underdark caverns, where cruel fiends and vicious beasts lurk. These are the caverns of the drow: Winding passages where Deep Trolls, Shangu, and other horrific creatures lurk. Some caverns are lit with the glow worms, others are filled with thin air. Not a place you'd like to stay in for long.

At the entrance to these caves a few dead drow lie, rotting away, a few days old it seems. Foot-prints lead into the caverns, maybe dating from the deaths of the drow, fading into darkness. An extingushed torch lies next to a group of human shaped skeletons.

[Xaspian]

The shadows of a large rock near the entrance flickers, revealing Pelgof and Caleb.

Pelgof draws his crossbow, auto-loaded with a shadow-composed bolt. He looks around.

[Castaras]

Silence all around. Even the birds and animals are silent.

[CLouD2002]

*Caleb unstraps his greatsword and wields it* Strange place

[Xaspian]

So, big guy. Where're we going?

[CLouD2002]

*looks to Palgof* My name is Caleb. I am going in to the cave you can go if you want *starts heading into the cave*

[Xaspian]

Sorry. But I think I'll come along for this one, if you don't mind.

He follows Caleb, watchful.

[Castaras]

It slowly gets darker and darker. Soon, you can't see your hand in front of your face. All is silent, except for the occasional drip of water.

[Xaspian]

((Pelgof has a affinity with shadows, giving him limited sight in them. But we'll need light, anyway.))

Pelgof crushes a crystal taken from one of his pouches, releasing a light spell.

[CLouD2002]

*Shakes his head* We dont need that *Acitvates touchsight. Goes down father into the cave*

[Castaras]

Illuminated, the tunnels seem cold and bare. It seems too quiet. The footsteps twist along the corridors. You reach a small cavern. Five dead troll bodies are scattered round the room.

[Xaspian]

I do. I can't see too well in pitch darkness.

HE investigates the nearest body.

((Simu-pirate'd))

[Castaras]

No blood is on the body, and a lingering taste of magic is just about faded away completely. The body seems to have been dead for a few days.

[Xaspian]

He checks for anything unusual on the other bodies in turn.

[CLouD2002]

*Caleb searches the bodies as well*

[Castaras]

They all seem to have been killed by magic. They all seem to have died around the same time. One has a few copper pieces on it, while another has a small piece of clear quartz.

[Xaspian]

Pelgof takes the copper, and offers the quartz to Caleb.

[CLouD2002]

*shakes his head and pushes it back into Pelgof's hand* We need to find her *He countinues down the cave*

[Xaspian]

He pockets the loot, and follows Caleb.

[Castaras]

As you go deeper down, the tunnels fork more and more.

You finally come upon a large cavern, where patches of fungi grow. A few dead Shangu are by an underground stream. The remains of what looks like a camp lies on the edge of the stream.

[CLouD2002]

*Search the camp*

[Xaspian]

Pelgof briefly examines the camp.

Any idea which way?

((Shangu?))

[Castaras]

The camp seems to have been broken down a few days ago, and the footprints lead deeper into the caverns.

[CLouD2002]

*Caleb follows the footprints and the carnage*

[Xaspian]

Pelgof sighs and follows carefully.

[Castaras]

You carry on furthur down the tunnels. Distant voices can be heard.

Certain they're dead?

They feel like it.

What killed them?

Magic I'd say.

(( Dangit, I'll be back after tea. ))

[Xaspian]

Pelgof hesitates, then tries to get closer, sticking to the shadows. Probably literally.

He extinguished the light.

[CLouD2002]

*Caleb brings up his finger to his mouth....and mouths 'shhh". He then dissappears into the darkness ((hide and move silently)) He tries to get closer to the voices*

((be back in a bit))

[Xaspian]

((Me too))

[Castaras]

The voices get a louder. You think you can see two blind drow.

Who'd have done it you think?

Not really sure, I can't feel any wounds.

Hang on, you sense that?

Something is coming

[CLouD2002]

((Back))

*Caleb waits. He stands still and let the voices come to him*

[Castaras]

It is coming from the tunnel here...

Two I'd say, one large one smaller.

The voices get closer.

[Xaspian]

((Me too! Mmm...Tasty food...))

Pelgof halts, and prepares a ball of shadow energy, in case it comes to fighting.

[Castaras]

Who and what are you, creatures?

A sword whispers out of leather.

[CLouD2002]

*Caleb readys a power if they decide to attack*

((What kind of creatures are they i should be able to tell with touchsight on))

[Castaras]

The two blind drow walk forward, weapons drawn.

Creatures, what are you doing in our domain?

[CLouD2002]

*Staying hidden* We have a friend that has come here. We are looking for her. She may be in danger

[Castaras]

The drow walk towards the sound.

You can't hide from our eyes, we see nothing, but hear all.

Why should we spare you? If she is in danger she is worthless.

[Xaspian]

Pelgof projects his voice from the other side of the cavern

We mean no harm. We are seeking a companion.

[Castaras]

One of the drow walks slowly to the sound at the other end of the cavern.

We know you're here...you can't hide...

The drow near Caleb swings its longsword at him.

[Xaspian]

Pelgof releases his shadow-blast at the decoy'd drow, firing his +1 Thundering light crossbow at him at the same time.

[Castaras]

The drow Pelgof hit clutches its side, and walks in the direction of the energy attack.

[CLouD2002]

*Calebs power goes off and he grow two size catiogories. He easly block the blade sent at him* --Detect evil--

[Xaspian]

Pelgof creates heard illusions, indicating his movement of 10 medium sized humanoids drawing weapons, all around the drow.

[Castaras]

Both drow are neutral evil.

Caleb's drow swings again.

The other drow gets utterly confused, and swings at a random one.

[CLouD2002]

Knock them out. They are not going to listen to us. *Caleb returns the swing at the one who swung at him*

[Xaspian]

Pelgof causes the illusuory sounds to move closer to the drow, and a male voice calls out from one of them.

Surrender or die.

[CLouD2002]

*Calls up to Pelgof* Get some light in here so we can see there faces!

[Castaras]

Caleb's drow gets knocked out. The other one sneers and swings the sword at another random illusion.

[Xaspian]

He grabs another crystal, smashing it to illuminate the area.

He fires another blast of shadow at the drow.

[Castaras]

The drow collapses.

They both are male drow, and seem different to other drow in a way you can't quite put your finger on.

[Xaspian]

Pelgof examines the bodies, looking for loot.

[CLouD2002]

*Caleb checks to see if they are dead*

[Castaras]

A passable hand crossbow, and a pretty good +1 longsword, and a few gp are found on the bodies. One drow is dead, the other unconcious.

[Xaspian]

He takes the gold. He drops the longsword into a shadow, sending it to his cabinet.

[Castaras]

The footprints carry on through the caverns, passing by a Purple worm's corpse.

[Xaspian]

Onwards?

Pelgof looks up at Caleb.

[CLouD2002]

We cannot just leave this guy here. He might bring other friends. *Picks him up and binds him. Carries him on his shoulders* Onward

[Xaspian]

Pelgof sighs, and follows.

[Castaras]

You head down the tunnels, passing by dead bodies of drow. They slowly become more recent kills. These seem to have been crushed by some massive weight. You come across a campsite surrounded by around 20 dead drow. The footprints leading from it are joined by a trail of blood.

[CLouD2002]

*Caleb quicken his pace and follwo the trail*

[Xaspian]

Pelgof looks atthe footprints, trying to workoutwhatkindof creature left them.

[Castaras]

They seem to be well made leather shoes. Small feet. Pretty light.

The blood disappears after a while on the trail.

[Xaspian]

He hurries up to keep up with Caleb.

[Castaras]

You come across another camp site without encountering any creatures or bodies. This one seems to have been broken down recently. Caleb, you recognise it from the mirror. Around 5 trails of pale green liquid follow footprints that seem to be running.

[CLouD2002]

Please be well Castaras *starts to run*

[Xaspian]

Pelgof tries to discern what the Liquid is, then tries to catch up.

[Castaras]

Troll blood, but not normal troll blood.

You hear a distant thunder of rocks falling, and monstrous moaning of five creatures.

[CLouD2002]

*Caleb mind starts to race* PLEASE! *He picks up his pace*

[Castaras]

You come to a rock fall, with bodies underneath it. The bodies seem to be large rather than medium. You think you can see a fleeing shape behind the rock pile.

[Xaspian]

Pelgof reloads his crossbow on the run, and tries to keep up.

[CLouD2002]

CASTARAS!!! *Yells as he uses his sword and psionic powers to bash through the rock fall*

((basically he can ingore half the objects hardness))

[Castaras]

The shape up ahead seems to have disappeared into the darkness. The rock pile is slowled away.

[Xaspian]

Pelgof tries to pass through the shadows, to the other side of the boulders.

[Castaras]

Pelgof, you get to the otherside pretty quickly.

[CLouD2002]

*Caleb is still hacking away with all his might*

((gtg I might be back later....but i dont know...it is going to be awhile before i return though...take control of my charactor Castaras...thanks!))

[Castaras]

The rubble is finally cleared away enough to get through.

Caleb runs through following the footprints.

(( Ok ))

[Xaspian]

Pelgof checks if he can see, or identify, any of the bodies,

[Castaras]

Deep trolls, very dead. One seems to have a crushed staff with a skull hanging off.

[Xaspian]

He looks closer at the crushed staff with a skull hanging off.

((Or was the staff hanging off the troll? Ah, well.))

[Castaras]

Seems like a crude shaman's symbolic staff. It may have had magical effects, but it is too broken now.

Caleb runs back. Coming?

[Xaspian]

He drops the staff into the shadow cabinet for later examination, and looks up to Caleb.

Sure.

((So are you going to NPC him now? 'cos I don't mindwaiting until ClouD gets back.))

[Castaras]

(( If you don't mind waiting, we'll wait for him ))

[CLouD2002]

((Back sooner than i expected...but ill will be going for the day in about hour and half))

*Caleb picks up his run again to try to catch up to the shadowy figure he saw through the cracks* Keep up ((How is the one drow on my shoulders doing?

[Castaras]

(( Still unconcious ))

You carry on running. You think you see the figure disappear round the corner.

Hello, lunch.

Move, before I kill you.

(( Wait for Pelgof to come back ))

[CLouD2002]

((Does any of the voices sound familar))

[Castaras]

(( The second one sounded like Castaras ))

[Xaspian]

Pelgof catches up, but hides in the shadows, advancing slowly towards the voices.

[CLouD2002]

*Caleb qucikly hurries over to where the voices came*

[Castaras]

You hear an uttered arcane word, then screams of agony.

[CLouD2002]

*Caleb starts to mumble some kind of prayer picking up his pace*

[Xaspian]

Pelgof follows Caleb, spells and crossbow at the ready

[Castaras]

Another arcane word, and you hear slumping and death cries.

Something else is coming...

You reach a large cavern filled with troll bodies.

[CLouD2002]

please please please.... *Caleb scans the area*

[Castaras]

You think you see a flicker in one of the shadows.

Who's there?

[Xaspian]

Pelgof draws the shadow away, attempting to reveal who's there.

Pelgof, and Caleb, of the Mage and Psionics Guild. Show yourself.

[Castaras]

Alot of the trolls have treasure on them you think. One who you suspect was the leader had a long staff which glows.

[CLouD2002]

It is Caleb! If you wish to hurt me i have already taken down one of your minonis...*throws body to the floor* And that was with no effort on my part...come to the light so i may see you

[Castaras]

Castaras walks out of the shadows.

What the hell are you doing here? It's dangerous to those who don't know the way!

[Xaspian]

Pelgof makes a mental note to loot the trolls.

He sees Castaras and sighs.

I can take care of myself.

[CLouD2002]

*Caleb looks like he just ran a 25 mile marathon* Looking for you! *Puffing out the words with a smile* Thanks the gods your are not hurt

[Castaras]

Castaras looks at the two, and sighs.

Why, would I be hurt? And why did you come looking for me?

[CLouD2002]

*wipes sweat from his brow* Because you were in trouble... *Caleb trails off* And you might still be in trouble... *Caleb trails off again. Only to whisper this time* and i dont want to see you hurt

[Xaspian]

Caleb got worried after he couldn't find you. And with Fus' taunting, I offered to bring him to find you. After transporting, I thought I'd stick around for the fun.

[Castaras]

Castaras smiles crookedly.

Well you two might as well come along. The goings going to get tougher though.

She begins searching one of the troll bodies.

[CLouD2002]

*Looks to see if Castaras is hurt anywhere.*

[Xaspian]

Pelgof gets to work, systematically looting all objects of value or magical power from the trolls.

[Castaras]

She seems to have a bandaged wound on her right arm, and looks a little tired, but other than that is fine.

All in all Pelgof you get around 500gp, a few nice +1 great axes, and a rather nice-looking magical staff.

[Xaspian]

Dropping the axes into the ever-handy shadow cabinet, he attempts to appraise the magical enchantments imbued in the staff

[CLouD2002]

*Caleb tries to reach out and touch her on her wounded arm...divine magic coming from his hand*

[Castaras]

It seems to be a Chill staff (http://www.dandwiki.com/wiki/Chill_Staff_%28DnD_Equipment%29)

Castaras looks at Caleb.

It doesn't hurt. It was merely a scratch. I'll live.

[Xaspian]

He stores the staff in the cabinet, and stands up.

Where next?

[Castaras]

Castaras points down a different tunnel.

Not that much furthur...although I am uncertain whether the person I'm searching for will accept you...

[Xaspian]

Accept us? Why not?

[Castaras]

She doesn't like those who are not drow. No, I'll rephrase that, she is very suspicous of non-drow.

Castaras stand up from the troll's body, and begins to walk down the tunnel.

[Xaspian]

I can disguise myself, if that would work. I'm not Head of Illusions for nothing.

[Castaras]

If you could disguise both you and Caleb, then yes, it would work.

[Xaspian]

It might take a while to prepare the spell for Caleb. And his size might be an issue. But I'll see what I can do.

[Castaras]

We should get some rest.

(( Because I've got to go soon ))

(( And I'm gone. See you tomorrow ))

[Xaspian]

Very well.

Pelgof sets up a basic camp, and begins the rituals to disguise himself and Caleb.

((See you tomorrow. Good day...))

[CLouD2002]

((See ya tomorrow...i got to go too))

*Caleb shakes his head* I will decline the disguise. It is against my nature to trick people. You can assure your friend Castaras i am trustworthy

((night all))

[Crystall_Myr]

A woman in golden armor wanders into the cave. She looks around, realizes that she can't see, and pulls out her sword.

"Illumi"

Light streaks from the pronged blade, and fills the entrance room with a intense glare. Crystal looks around the cavern, curious.

[Castaras]

Castaras opens her eyes, and glances round at the other two. She smiles slightly, and begins to find some fungi for breakfast.

She searches round the cavern for water, and begins preparing some food, to be cooked later. She then opens her spellbook, and guards the camp in case of attack. She seems to be a little worried, and begins to write in her journal of the events that have passed.

[Xaspian]

Pelgof wakes up, and goes over to Castaras.

Who is it that we are going to see?

[Castaras]

Castaras looks up.

A friend. She's one of the Dark Fey. An old druidess.

She gives Pelgof a bowlful of crushed fungi.

[Xaspian]

Would you tell me if I asked why?

[Castaras]

Maybe.

She carries on writing.

[Xaspian]

Alright then. Why are we going to see this friend?

[Castaras]

Information.

Castaras closes her book, and sends it away.

[Xaspian]

He sighs.

I guess that's as good an answer as I'm going to get.

He takes the bowl, and carefully tastes it.

[Castaras]

It tastes disgusting, but fills you up.

Castaras grimaces and eats hers.

[Xaspian]

Pelgof slowly eats the rest. He begins pacing up and down, waiting until Caleb wakes up.

[Castaras]

All is silent, except for the trickle of water nearby.

Castaras gets up and picks some more fungi.

She returns and puts it all in another bowl, and leaves it next to sleeping Caleb. She watches him for a few minutes, before blinking and turning back to her watch.

Castaras stares down one of the tunnels, thinking.

[Xaspian]

Which way will we go down, next?

[Castaras]

She points to the left tunnel.

That one. The middle one leads directly to the drow city of Y'drilla's Grace, the right one to a community of aboleths.

[Xaspian]

Pelgof stays awake, glaring into the darkness.

[Saurous]

A faint jibbering noise fills the makeshift camp. A faint glow enters, and then the shape of a mouth appears. It speaks quietly, but can still easily be heard.

Herdeshka- Finally. Finally this damned spell works...

[Xaspian]

Pelgof looks, slightly surprised, at the mouth.

Hello?

[Crystall_Myr]

Crystal looks around again, then looks at the tunnel in front of her, then wanders out of the cave completely at random.

[Saurous]

The mouth shifts around some, as if it were looking around. It moves a bit, coming closer to Pelgof, the only person online that is nearby. The mouth begins speaking again.

What's up.

The voice is strikingly familiar. If you haven't figured it out by now, you need to check the colors of the voice.

[Xaspian]

Not much. Big guy over there... He gestures at Caleb ...got worried about Castaras. He was kicking up a fuss, so I helped him to get here. Now we're going to meet some friend of hers.
He yawns.
Much happening back at the guild?

[Saurous]

No.

The mouth changes shape a little, changing into an image of Saurous' head.

Nothing much has happened here, and we haven't had an explosion in...

Saurous looks down, as if he was looking at a watch.

10 minutes...and where does this watch keep coming from?

[Xaspian]

Well, the loot's alright here. Food's awful though. Did you call for any reason in particular?

[Saurous]

Not really. Boredom mostly, and a need to figure out what's going on in Castaras's plot.

A smacking sound comes from the image, and Saurous's head bobs forward, as if someone hit him in the back of the head. The head then turns around.

Will you stop following me?

[Xaspian]

Some hermit druidess, apparently. Do you know much about the 'Dark Fey'?

[Saurous]

The 'Dark Fey'? Hmm...well 'Fey' is the name of a group of creatures. They are usually humanoid and faerie-like. I do not know much more than that. Hold on.

The image disapears for a moment, leaving behind a glowing, black spot. A few minutes later, the image returns. The head is pointing downward.

...it says here that the Fey have a connection to nature usually, and include the Dryads, Satyrs, Grigs, Pixies, and such creatures. It does not mention the 'Dark Fey' however.

[Xaspian]

I'd best be careful, in any case. Apparently she doesn't trust non-drow.

[Saurous]

Does it seem like your little caravan will need assistance? I can get a group of mages over there in a few hours.

[CLouD2002]

((Sorry guys i got all 4 wisdom teeth pulled today so i have been out most of the day. I will be back tomorrow though))


*Caleb stirs in his sleep and mutters* Shelbie...

[Xaspian]

Caleb and I had no problem so far. And I assume that the piles of corpses we found and looted on our down here were Castaras' work. I expect we should be fine.

He pauses.

Castaras wanted to come alone. I think she's prefer it if the size of the group was kept small.

[Saurous]

((....Ow...))

The head nods.

Alright. You know where to find us if you need us for some reason. Do me a favor, don't need us.

He pauses.

Um, was that Caleb that I just heard?

[CLouD2002]

*Caleb moans a bit more*

[Xaspian]

I think so. I didn't notice, because he posted at the same ti-- Ow!

The fourth wall lurks behind him.

How did you get here so fast? Ah, never mind.

He turns back to Saurous' head.

Just muttering in his sleep, I think.

[Saurous]

Okay then. I need to be leaving now. Good day.

Saurous disapears.

((G'night))

[Xaspian]

Pelgof sits back down, and waits for the tedium to set in.

(('night.)

[Castaras]

Castaras looks over at the sleepers, and gets up and walks to the right tunnel entrance. She stares into it.

I'll deal with you later...

She then shoots a bolt of energy at a drow scout, who collapses dead. She picks up the body and carries it over to the other drow, who seems to have died. She searches them.

What are Pol'Tah doing this far up?

She takes a seat and slowly nods off to sleep, after casting protections on the camp.

A shadow flickers nearby, and watches the sleepers, before disappearing down the middle tunnel.

[Xaspian]

Pelgof wakes up, and reinforces the protections, hoping that they can continue soon.

[Castaras]

Castaras opens her eyes, and prepares her spells for the coming day.

[Xaspian]

Pelgof checks what's happened to the drow we captured earlier.

[Castaras]

Dead from blood loss. There's another dead drow beside him now, recently dead by magic.

[Xaspian]

Pelgof loots the bodies.

[Castaras]

Some interesting magical armour, and around 20gp.

[Xaspian]

He pockets the money, and attempt to identify the armour

[Castaras]

It seems to be something along the lines of +1 studded leather, but it doesn't seem right...

[Xaspian]

Pelgof takes the armour over to Castaras, horribly mistyping her name first time.

Can you tell what enchantments are on this armour? I can feel it there, but not specifically.

[Castaras]

Castaras looks up. She searches the armour with her magic.

Looks like armour made by the Pol'Tah. I've not had many dealings with them, so I can't say exactly.

She then turns back to her spellbook while her player goes and has lunch.

[Xaspian]

Hmm. Perhaps I could attempt to discern more once we're back at the guild.
And he throws it into the nearest shadow.

Pelgof gets a book from somewhere, and starts reading it.

((I'll be away for a while, too.))

[Castaras]

(( Ok ))

Castaras finishes her spell preparation, and begins to write in her journal.

[Xaspian]

Pelgof turns a few pages.

[Castaras]

Castaras finishes writing and closes her journal. She slowly nods off again, falling asleep.

(( Be back in about 2 hours ))

[CLouD2002]

*Caleb stirs in his sleep a bit and then opens his eyes. He sits up and looks around*

[Xaspian]

Good sleep? You were muttering about something.

[CLouD2002]

*Caleb sighs* I dont remember my dreams

[Xaspian]

All I could make out was the name 'Shelbie'. Does that mean anything to you?

[CLouD2002]

*A look of pain and sadness washes over Caleb. He nods his head but looks away*

[Xaspian]

Pelgof walks over.

Someone you lost?

[CLouD2002]

*Nods again...stifling a cry...he then whispers* I counldnt protect her..... *Caleb trails off*

[Xaspian]

Pelgof walks round, and sits down facing Caleb.

Don't blame yourself. I'm sure it wasn't your fault.

[CLouD2002]

*Caleb seems to be lost in though now*

[Castaras]

Castaras blinks and looks up. She picks up a bowl of fungi and hands it over to Caleb.

Eat. You'll need it.

[Xaspian]

Hey, it's not like your murdered you master, mentor and friend, or anything like that.

He stays silent for a moment, then stand up.

So, are we gonna get going soon?

[Castaras]

Castaras smiles slightly.

If you're both ready, since you want to come.

[Xaspian]

((Ah... But he's gone again. In that case, I'm going to get some food. Back in 30-50 minutes))

[CLouD2002]

((Sorry dozed off....damn pain meds.....))

*Caleb eats some and smiles a thank you at Castaras* I am ready *Caleb stands up*

[Castaras]

(( Don't worry ))

She stands up and breaks up camp, using her magic to remove all signs of them being there.

[CLouD2002]

*Caleb picks up his gear*

[Castaras]

Castaras finishes destroying all evidence of the camp, and begins filling up waterskins.

[CLouD2002]

*Caleb helps Castaras fill up the skins*

[Castaras]

Castaras looks up into space.

It feels odd to be back here with friends...

(( I hope you two don't mind if I press the fast-forward button on this plot ))

[Xaspian]

Pelgof wakes up, having had some food.

Alright, I'm ready.

[Castaras]

Castaras picks up her backpack.

Then we should move on.

[Xaspian]

Indeed.

((10!))

[Castaras]

(( Don't worry, I'll detail the loot we get :smalltongue: ))

Castaras leads you through darkened tunnels, past trickling underground streams, monsters fair and foul, loot that was free to be picked (Adding up to a few bone clubs, a strange piece of bone plate, and around 100pp in gems and coppers), and stranger things besides. After a while you come to a rock surface. Castaras pulls back the foliage to reveal a cavern lit by small globes of light. The whole cavern seems to be covered with speckles of tiny fungal growth, casting a soft cosy green glow. A trickle can be heard from an underground spring, near the entrance to this cavern. Behind a small entrance hidden in the wall of the cavern, covered in pale blue moss, a soft glow can be seen, flickering like a fire. A low murmuring can be heard, a quiet drow song. It is in complete contrast to the rest of the caves you've been through; quiet, calm, and in a strange way beautiful.

(( Pause, and wait for Caleb ))

[Xaspian]

Pelgof loots all he can, and follows Castaras. He attempts to take a sample of the glowing fungus, and the blue moss.

[Castaras]

Seems like normal fungi and normal moss that has been exposed to too much divine magic.

[Xaspian]

He takes some anyway.

Are we nearly there?

[Castaras]

Castaras smiles slightly.

Yes.

[Xaspian]

Pelgof follows her, or something similar.

Then realises that he's waiting for Caleb, and stops.

[CLouD2002]

*Caleb is following silently...thinking*

[Castaras]

Castaras walks quietly to the hidden entrance, and knocks.

[CLouD2002]

*Caleb not paying attention runs into the wall* Owch!

[Castaras]

The entrance opens, and a dark face peers out.

Castaras? Who are those people with you?

Friends.

Well get in quickly, before they discover you.

Who?

Just get all three of you in here, now.

The face disappears. Castaras looks over to Caleb and Pelgof, and signals for them both to follow her. She notices Caleb bump into a wall and waits.

[Xaspian]

Pelgof follows inside quickly.

[CLouD2002]

*Caleb rubs his head and walks in swiftly* Sorry *He whispers*

[Castaras]

The new drow leads you into her home, consisting of a single room. She carefully kneels on the floor and pours out some strange purple liquid for the three travellers and for herself. She then turns to Castaras.

Why did you bring surface dwellers through these lands? They may bring our secrets back up, to the elves. Do you know what folly you have done for bringing these people here?

[CLouD2002]

*Caleb bows very lowly* You have my word as a palidan that we will not bring any secrets up from this place. I have come here to protect Castaras as I had promised to keep her safe until the threat that hunts her is disposed of

[Xaspian]

Pelgof stays quiet.

[Castaras]

The drow goes pale, if a drow could.

A Paladin?!

Please, Feli, they won't do anything.

Hmph. I thought you would have better taste in guards. Now, why have you intruded on me? And why should I let you stay here alive?

I need your help.

What sort of help?

Help from the past.

[CLouD2002]

*Caleb stays bowed* I am come here to protect Castaras. I worry about her... *Caleb trails off* I will not do anything to harm her or her friends

[Xaspian]

Pelgof dips a finger in the liquid, listening to the conversation.

[Castaras]

Feli sees Pelgof and chuckles coldly.

Nothing in that drink will harm you. I never serve poisons when an old...friend comes calling.

She glares at Caleb, before turning back to Castaras.

Finally started to regret that deal with Lolth?

Castaras jumps slightly.

Hah! I told you so. You would regret having her power course through you. But would you listen? No.

[CLouD2002]

*Caleb feeling that he is still not being trusted starts to lay down all his weapons* I will make sure no harm comes to you or Castaras. I swear this. I don't care about the decisions people made in the past. The past is past and should be told whenever someone is ready to tell.

[Castaras]

Feli laughs at Caleb, a slight crazed look in her eyes.

Oh, I won't ever be able to trust anyone. Don't worry your little head about why I distrust people. Keep your little protection goodies to yourself, I'm not worth it.

[Xaspian]

Pelgof looks up at Feli, and licks his finger.

[Castaras]

It tastes odd, but much better than the fungi.

About the help?

What do you need?

Don't take that tone with me, Feli. I need the information about the final battle of Eli naToth.

(( And I gotta go. Sorry. Bye. ))

[CLouD2002]

*Caleb take the purple liquid and drinks it without any hesitation* But i will trust you

[Xaspian]

((Nooo... Cliffhangers....))

Pelgof listens, intrigued, and sips some of the liquid.

[Castaras]

(( Sorry about that :smalltongue: ))

Feli gets up and walks to a shelf. She pulls down a book and gives it to Castaras.

This should give you the information you need. Keep it.

She looks over to Caleb, smiling wryly.

A paladin that trusts one of the Dark Fey? Now thats a new thing.

She finishes her drink and pours some more out for those who want it.

[Xaspian]

Pelgof accepts a top-up of his drink.

If he's in a position to do so, he tries to see the title of the book.

[Castaras]

(( Can your character read drow? ))

[Xaspian]

((hmm... probably not. But quite a lote of other elven (and other) languages and dialects, so he might be able to work something out? If not, he can still try to remember the words, and look it up later.))

[Castaras]

You recognise a few words.

" ??? ??? Betrayal - ??? and Beyond "

[Xaspian]

Pelgof sips a bit more of the liquid.

[CLouD2002]

*Caleb smiles at Feli* Anyone that is a friend of Castaras i would trust *blushes a little*

[Castaras]

Feli smirks at Caleb, before turning to Castaras.

Now that you have what you want, can you please leave? They have been seen round here.

Castaras turns to Caleb and Pelgof.

You two ready to leave?

[Xaspian]

Pelgof nods.

[CLouD2002]

*Caleb nods* If that is all Castaras needs then yes

[Castaras]

Castaras gets up, and gathers her stuff.

Castaras, don't teleport back. They've put the nets up.

I thought they might.

She hands a pouch of gems to Feli, and then heads out of the home.

[Xaspian]

Pelgof follows her.

Nets? What did she mean?

[Castaras]

A spell formed by the talons of the Dark Mother. Means they know when anyone within the range teleports, and can alter destinations.

[CLouD2002]

*Caleb waves a kind goodbye to Feli* Let us be off then?

[Castaras]

Feli watches the three leave, smirking. She weighs the pouch and ponders, closing her door and switching off the lights in her home.

Yes. We should get going quickly.

Castaras begins to lead Pelgof and Caleb up the tunnels.

[CLouD2002]

*Caleb activates his touchsight and let Castaras lead the way*

[Xaspian]

Pelgof follows watchfully.

[Castaras]

All is silent as Castaras leads you through the caverns. You come to the entrance to the cavern where you rested before, and Castaras stops you. She motions to be quiet as voices come from the caverns.

You certain the mistress wanted us to capture them alive?

Yes. She wants the girl alive. The other two can die.

[Xaspian]

Pelgof silently prepares his crossbow, and charges a shadow-blast.

[CLouD2002]

*Caleb readies his sword at the sound of the voices. He searches for them through his touchsight*

[Castaras]

Just over 30 drow, about 10 of which look like spellcasters, the rest look like fighters of various kinds. Castaras looks at Caleb.

How many?

[CLouD2002]

*Caleb shakes his head* About 30

[Xaspian]

I could try to make a distraction.

[CLouD2002]

Or i could....Castaras needs to get out. Once she is out i need you to transport her

[Castaras]

More than I thought...

She turns to Caleb.

I'm not getting out unless you two are out. Pelgof, if you can do a distraction do so.

Castaras begins preparing her magic.

The mistress says to hurry up. She says they're near by.

Well then why don't you send a group of fighters to find them?

The girl's a mage.

So? Do it!

[Xaspian]

Hang on

Pelgof attempts to blend the three of them into the wall using illusions and shadows.

Wait until they're past us...

[CLouD2002]

*Caleb turns two size catigories larger but is still able to hide in the shadows. He grips he sword and manifests a few more powers*

[Castaras]

Castaras slowly fades into the shadows, as a group of drow come walking round, watchful.

They ain't here.

They must be furthur down. Move on!

The drow move on down the way the trio came.

[Xaspian]

Pelgof waits until they're out of sight before releasing the illusion.

[CLouD2002]

((How many are in this group))

*Caleb grips the hilt of his sword and manifest more powers ((He is using his autohypnosis to make the powers unnoticable))*

[Castaras]

(( About a dozen, including 1 mage. ))

Castaras blinks, and peers into the cavern, watching the others in there.

We wait in silence until they return.

The drow in the cavern go silent.

[Xaspian]

Pelgof creates a small piece of card to communicate silence. Writing appears on it.


I won't be able to hide us from all of them. But I might be able to create some decoys. Nod twice if you agree.

[Castaras]

Castaras nods twice.