29 - The Underdark Pt. 2 - The Red Temple

When last we left our heroes...
You all defeated the swarms of enemies that poured out of the dragon's mouth. A mysterious boat has beached itself on the sandy bottom of the shallow water. Seemingly clear of any immediate danger, the creatures of the island scattered after an almost inaudible rumble following the short battle.
It is here we resume... and I turn the day over to you. What would you like to do?
Session Plot Points

• There are two ways to resolve the issue of being stuck in the Underdark
• - The party must traverse the island and discover the matching obelisk deep inside the dragon
• - The party must discover the city of Ched Nasad, which will have a teleportation method of getting the party back to a locality of choice.
• There is another boat out at sea, unbeknownst to the party, who have been watching the battle(s) unfold through telescopes
• - The captain of the ship is Captain Bobbles (small, wirey, goblin male pirate)
• - The captain has a powerful mage by his side

The Boat

• The boat is ablaze about 100 feet off the shore of the island. The boat will soon burn itself out and sink silently into the shallow water.
Loot: (Currently residing in Ailonora's Bag of Holding)

1. A crew manifest, listing Captain James Refaire, 57 years old, First Mate Henry Francois, 41 years old, Chief Engineer Timmothy Smalls, 48 years old, Mate Theresa Masgon, 26 years old, Mate Jon Dufraine, 34 years old, Engineer Cameron Hall, 23 years old
2. A passenger manifest, listing Chief Scientist Dr. Mary Watters, 58 years old, Scientist Dr. Michelle Black, 46 years old, Cartographer Ms. Andrea Kalinova, 34 years old, Cartographer's Mate Mr. Grigory Stapanov, 32 years old
3. Papers bearing the mark of a seal (Explorer's Guild Branch of Ched Nasad) with a charter outlining the mission of the (now-missing) crew to map the Black Sea (Underdark) and if possible, to discover the source of the recent, strange phenomena surrounding Skull Island. A 20+ Investigation will identify some indented markings on the charter that resemble a map, though not many features will be legible.
4. One of the papers will have a preservation spell cast upon it to protect it as long as it is not disturbed. On the paper will be a hastily written note (in Elvish) that reads, "Ship grounded. Crew searched small island. Not returned. Food gone. Must get back to Ched Nasad (Drow city, 2-day sail from Skull Island). Dr. Black"
5. Diagrams detailing ethereal lanterns which claim that the lanterns provide 60 feet of dim light while seemingly not attracting the ghosts, ghouls, and wraiths "like normal torchlight does". Searching the cargo hold will reveal one such lantern that, if unmended (Arcana 20+ or the Mending Spell), will only provide 30 feet of dim ethereal light. A container of "fuel" for the lantern will be co-located that can be identified to provide 6 "charges"; each "charge" will fuel the lantern for approximately one hour.
6. Two Ethereum scroll cases. Investigating the scroll cases will reveal that markings in Elvish identify the scrolls as "Water Breathing" and "Elemental Resistance", while unopened, the scrolls inside are nearly impervious to "regular" damage. Once opened, there is a chance that the scrolls will become damaged if wet, exposed to fire, or are otherwise "endangered". Each of the scrolls will affect up to 4 willing creatures.
7. Tales of a terrible sea creature called "Ra'an" that patrols the inky-black waters of the Underdark. The tales will also recount how the exploration boat was attacked as it approached Skull Island. The crew was wary of approaching the island, but the explorers wanted to get better readings on the strange and analogous arcane properties on and near the island.

Skull Island

• Partially explored, the island was revealed to be in the shape of a giant dragon (the skeleton is partially buried and overgrown)
• The mouth of the dragon appears to move, ever so slightly and rhythmically (breath walking into the mouth of the skull incurs a 1d10 cold damage occasionally as the ancient, giant, bone dragon sleeps.
• When first approached, one hoard of skeletons attacked the party as the teeth of the skull fell out and skeleton warriors hoarded the party. Two bone-dragon wyrmlings also took flight to attack the party.
• The bone warriors 
• The island is essentially the body of a giant, ancient bone dragon. At the center of the dragon's body (underground), is an obelisk, similar to the one on the beaches of Sabratha. The obelisk is both a power source for and a focus of a devout band of acolytes to Hadar. At the command of the wizard acolyte is a Nightstalker, the Deathlock/Skull Lord and his pack of Hellhounds, and hoards of wraiths, ghouls, and skeletons. The wizard will be found to be in the middle of sacrificing souls transported to the Underdark to feed to Hadar, whom the wizard seeks to return from Far Realm. If interrupted, the wizard can and will throw "zombified", innocent victims to attack the party.