Into the Depths

Yuriy, Ky’mera, and Novak pick up the bag left by Nerard to find some scrolls, a rope and other supplies. Ky’mera casts and walks down the cliff side while Yuriy and Novak descend cautiously. The group land on a mildly concave landing covered in a thick layer of dust that they later discover is roach dung. Also on the floor of the cave is a statue of a female goblin and the body of a Halfling with little bite marks, some snake and some roach Ky’mera informs the group, all over his body. The small Halfling is clenching a note, which the group takes but cannot read. Within a minute of reaching the floor, Ky’mera and Novak begin to understand the true nature of this cave—it is an earth node… a way to travel the underdark. Ky’mera informs the group that he will be “charged up” in about 8 hours and he can use the power of the node to travel to wherever the tracks of the assassin lead. About an hour into their wait, the smell of feces intensifies and is accompanied by a high-pitched buzzing. Suddenly the room is filled cockroaches of all sizes, pooring out of little caverns surrounding the room. Having removed their escape route, they have no choice but to fight. Yuriy moves next to a tunnel to provide a potential escape route, but he is overcome by the stench as he begins to wretch. Ky’mera casts a flaming sphere to burn his enemies while a swarm engulfs his head. Novak runs to support Yuriy and begins his crushing blows on one roach at a time. Yuriy continues to fire his bow in between gag reflexes. Ky’mera stays in place as he controls his flaming sphere and swings his blade at the swarm about his head. The heroes, although a little tattered, dispatch the siege with little trouble. After some quick healing, Novak and Yuriy decide to explore the home of the malodorous creatures. Yuriy, being smaller than Novak, wriggled quickly for almost a hundred feet before he came to what seems to be a den. “Come on, you big oaf,” Yuriy yells to Novak as Novak’s bulging muscles scrape the walls of the 2-foot diameter cave. Their journey is not for not—they find some gold and a small spider figurine buried within the scat.

The next 6 hours passed uneventful with the adventurers making fun of each other and peaking down the small tunnels. “My battery is just about charged” exclaims Ky’mera. Flexing in the power he is drawing from the earth, Ky’mera begins to cast. Although this casting is different than most—there are no words, no gestures, just simple mental focus. All of a sudden, the dusty floor of feces disappears, the punctured walls surrounding them are gone. The three are standing in a crater within a giant dark cavern dimly lit by a feint green glow.

“Where the hell are we?” asks Yuriy.

“I think you just said it, Yuriy… hell,” says Ky’mera. Despite enjoying the power that just ran through his body, Ky’mera renews his focus on his pursuit—to find his father’s killer. Feeling the change in Ky’mera’s demeanor, Yuriy and Novak ready their weapons and follow Ky’mera up to the crater’s edge.

“Good day, Node Travelers,” a heavily accented common breaks the cold silence. “My name is Bruthwol Coalhauler, a humble merchant, and at your service. What supplies might you need for your travels? I’m sure I have something for you. You be surfacers, correct?”

“Yes we are,” Yuriy replies. “What do you have? Oh yeah, have you seen a woman pass here recently?”

”Good to meet you,” Bruthwol says as he opens his carriage to expose his wares. “I did see a woman leave the node recently… less than a day ago… right before I cleaned up shop last time so maybe 16 hours or so. Can I interest you in a chainmail vest?”

“Which way did she go?” Ky’mera interrupts.

Bruthwol points down the road, “that way, toward Pedestal.”

Yuriy diplomatically takes back control of the conversation, “I don’t think we need any of your wares right now, but perhaps we will patronize later. Is there anything you can tell us of Pedestal?”

“Of course,” replies Bruthwol. “Take this road to the Ocean Bridge—be careful of the kuo-toas jumping out of the water. Enter the city through the south gate and go straight, to the Dripstone Inn. That Inn is the only safe place in all of Pedestal. None of the warring houses will dare shed blood there—Es Sarch makes sure of that. Other than that, watch your back. There are plenty of people there that will take advantage of you, especially being surfacers. And remember, if you need anything, come find me. My name is Bruthwol Coalhauler, and I’m either here or in the merchant’s bazaar.”

The heroes thank Bruthwol for his time and scoot off down toward the ocean bridge. The salty odor of the sea challenges the logic of their senses. How could a salt water sea this large exist in an underground cavern? The thought passes as they notice the blue glow of an island in the middle of the sea. That thought is then distracted by a break in the bridge. The three easily jump over the 4 foot gap, although very wary of creatures jumping out of the watery abyss. Fortunately, there were no surprises… this time.

The heroes continue to another break in the bridge that has the same foreboding as the past one. Ky’mera jumps over with ease, turning around to wait for the others. Yuriy jumps to the middle block as the attack begins. Four Kuo-toas jump from the water to attack the heroes. Yuriy hits one and Novak dispatches another. Then, a fifth member enters the fight. A tentacled fishman appears on the bridge about 50 feet away. He casts on Yuriy, but Yuriy is able to shake it off. Novak dispatches another Kuo-toa, and then another. The fishman casts again while Ky’mera charges him. This time, Yuriy can’t fight it. He succumbs to the will of the fishman. A wall appears between Ky’mera and his comrades. Yuriy arms his bow and shoots at Ky’mera; he misses. Yuriy takes another shot. Surprised, Ky’mera lets out a “uuuggghhh” as blood pours from the arrow in his stomach. Novak tackles Yuriy and the fishman swims away. All seems normal once again. “Let me up you big oaf,” Yuriy says with disdain. Novak rises, but only let the young Yuriy attempt to jump into the sea. Fortunately, Novak and Ky’mera are quick to pin Yuriy once again. Ky’mera’s lion sits on Yuriy and licks his face while Novak ties Yuriy up. Novak straps Yuriy to Ky’mera’s lion and the group continues down the ocean bridge.

The approach to Pedestal provides the reason for its name. The walled city yields to a giant column arising from its center. It is shaped as though a giant stalactite from the ceiling meets a giant stalagmite from the city floor. They come together in the middle to form a column, or a pedestal, as the city is called. The heroes approach the South gate as directed by Bruthwol. “Let me go already,” Yuriy cries.

“Are you sure you’re okay, this time?” Ky’mera asks.

“Yes, now just untie me,” Yuriy replies. Novak and Ky’mera acquiesce and Yuriy begins running toward the sea. Once again, Yuriy is tackled by his partners and tied up. They then turn their attention to the South gate to be greeted by a Kuo-toa speaking broken common.

“Wut you wan?” the Kuo-toa says as his whole body bops up and down in a nervous fashion. Before the heroes reply, they are under attack. Two Kuo-toas pop up from behind the rubble to throw javelins. Two others join their comrade on the front line to contend with the mighty half-orc. The battle is over as fast as it started with Novak standing over multiple dead bodies as one Kuo-toa escaped with his life by running away.

The heroes search the area, but don’t find much. “Let me out so I can find some stuff. You guys suck at finding secret doors and searching stuff and this is my thing. Let me go, let me go, let me go,” complains Yuriy. Knowing this is probably another trick, Ky’mera and Novak decline as they make way to the Dripstone Inn.

The city has the neverending pale lighting of dusk. A dim green glow exudes the darkness as the heroes walk the street. The city is a warzone after a nuclear blast. Most buildings appear empty, and the buildings that appear occupied are not inviting with spying eyes peering through broken windows. A half broker street sign hangs in front of the heroes where they see light emanating from the Inn in front of them. The Dripstone Inn would be an undesirable location in any normal city, but in this Underdark, it is a welcomed reprieve. The heroes enter the main door to see a motley bunch of customers and workers. Duergar, Drow, Derro, grimlocks, Kuo-toas and wererats are all staring at the heroes. The barkeep is an obvious undead with polished bones exposed from his clothing. The servers roam the room, never speaking, with their skeletons exposed from beneath their clothing. A cloaked figure sits across from the entrance. He wears a robe with eyes painted over its entirety. No face can be seen, but this creature lives. The heroes move to a table and order some beers. An expectant server waits for the order completion and says nothing. He, or it, walks away to return with drinks a few minutes later. The ambience is unfriendly at best. The heroes can feel everyone looking at them. Finally, they get up to go talk to the barkeep and ask for Es Sarch. The barkeep points the cloaked figure sitting in a throne. The heroes approach…

“Welcome to my establishment. I am Es Sarch. I deal in information. Perhaps we can make an exchange.” Es Sarch sits patiently as the heroes view his gaunt and pointy hands.

“We are looking for a woman named Fhadeela,” Ky’mera inquires. “Do you know where we can find her? And what can you tell us of this place we are in?”

“Fhadeela… I don’t know her whereabouts, presently. I can find her. As for this place… you are in Pedestal, a most unsafe place indeed. Much of this city is torn by the warring houses: Inheritors, Assassin’s Guild, and House Dusklorn. They all rose in the struggle for power after the Plagueburst decimated the entire city. You are in the only safe place within this city. So, you want to find Fhadeela? Perhaps we can work out an arrangement. I will identify where Fhadeela is and you run a couple of errands for me. Does this interest you?”

“What do you need done?” replies Ky’mera.

“First, I would like some mushrooms from the Isle of Rikaryon. You can get a boat from the dock. Bring me at least 10 mushrooms; they are black with red spots. Pick them carefully. I need the whole mushroom. You can find them at the Island’s center. Also, I find it only fair to warn you that the blue mist surrounding the island is poisonous. People from this region die. Surfacers are fine, but you may get a little choked up. But don’t spend too much time on the island. The second task is a little more involved. I need you to assassinate someone—the Dusklorn Matron. She is an evil witch who tortures hapless victims of this fallen city. Will you do these things for me?” Ky’mera nods his head in acknowledgement. Es Sarch slides a rolled paper from the sleeve of his robe and hands it to Ky’mera. They never touch each other, nor is Ky’mera ever able to see Es Sarch’s face. The three leave the Inn to head to Rikaryon.

Ky’mera decides to transform into a bird and fly over to the island. He lands in the clearing to pick mushrooms and is unexpectedly attacked. Ky’mera retreats.

Ky’mera flies back over the wall to reunite with Novak and Yuriy. The two were huddled in an alley near the west wall. Ky’mera transforms back into a Halfling, and Novak and Yuriy are immediately suspicious as to the success of the mission. Ky’mera’s eye is swollen shut with the mother of all bruises consuming the entire left side of his face. “I fink I’m gonna needf yur helpf,” Ky’mera says through swollen lips. The three return to the Dripstone Inn for a nightcap to recuperate and make a plan of attack…

Gentlemen, read it carefully. There may be some hints in there. I’ll see you Tuesday night at 7pm.