Session 01
General Summary
Following their triumph in the Londinium tournament, Nex Pervenio took a well earned break for
a few days. But all the while, their minds were on the imminent journey into the Underdark. So
they ensured all their equipment was in good working order and procured extra weapons and
supplies.
On 9th March they were called to a meeting with Sister Valerius. Also present were Joseph
Bugman and Riya, a slave who worked in the infirmary. Sister Valerius explained that Nex
Pervenio should head to Maelbrathyr to seek out Lareth�s base. There they should gather
information on the cult of Elemental Evil and disrupt any cult activities. Bugman and Riya will be
accompanying them, Bugman to act as a guide and Riya to seek out a cyclops to trade some
alchemical reagents. Their cover story would be meeting with slave traders, same as the
Scorpions.
Amazingly, the tunnels seemed to be getting larger as they travelled deeper, some being 50 feet in
diameter which Bugman referred to as �highway tunnels�. There were many smaller side
passages and various junctions with more highway tunnels. Some time on March 26th, the
torchlight began picking out detritus all over the tunnel floor. Closer examination suggested it was
some kind of plant material, which Mika clarified as being pieces of fungus, though on a gigantic
scale. It was infused with a horrific stench which was identified as troglodytes.
And so it was that on 10th March, the gladiators headed out of Londinium on the road to
Hommlet. Things were more peaceful than last time they made this journey. Bugman
recommended they enjoy the sun, wind, rain and the smell of the countryside as they would soon
miss all of that. He did mention some gigantic Underdark caverns have their own weather
systems! As they travelled, Bugman recanted tales of the Underdark and passed on as many useful
tips and information as he could provide.
Hommlet was reached on 16th March and the comforts of the Inn of the Welcome Wench were
enjoyed. Soon all would have to acclimatise to more austere fare. The next day was spent heading
into the Tuscany Hills, where a few dwarven mining settlements could be found.
Finally on 23rd March it was time to delve underground. The entrance to the Underdark was
distinctly underwhelming � a simple cave that an animal might call home, with no indication of
just what alien vistas it would lead to. Bugman explained the hills were honeycombed with similar
caves, many of which joined up deeper down.
The first couple of days underground passed peacefully in tunnels which could still be considered
like mines or caves rather than the real Underdark. Bugman continued his education, pointing out
terrain features, flora and fauna and sources of water. One novel discovery was glowstone, a
natural rock formation which emitted a soft light, illuminating the nearby vicinity, which came as
a relief from the already relentless darkness all around.
On 25th March, the dangers of the Underdark were finally realised. Bugman warned that a large
cavern ahead was a big crossroads where many tunnels met, lit in places by glowstone and
featuring many stalagmites and rock pillars. He said it was a notorious troublespot for ambushes, a
fact borne out by the numerous humanoid skeletons and remains � all common surface creatures
such as humans, gnolls, orcs and goblins. Clearly they were properly into the Underdark now.
It was also the location of some alien ruins in the form of floor carvings and collapsed slabs of
wall friezes. These were made of a bizarre substance which seemed glassy yet unreflective and
somehow drank in the light. Intricate inscriptions cover it with unearthly geometrical
arrangements and inconceivable patterns. On closer inspection, some of the carvings depicted
humanoid figures. The figures were identified as mind flayers, a hideous ancient race. Nowadays
they lurk very deep in the Underdark, though their empire used to extend much further. Mika
excitedly recognised some mind flayers tending a very rare plant known as brain moss, perhaps
the Archdruid would be interested to learn of this?
While their comrades inspected the mind flayer ruins, Dash and Shinobi scouted further into the
crossroads area. They soon discovered they were not alone as some shaggy beast-like humanoids
charged out of the darkness. These were quaggoths, feral hunters which worship primal spirits.
They surrounded Shinobi and beat him to a pulp. Shinobi and Dash dropped smoke bombs and
retreated. Like a well oiled machine, Nex Pervenio sprang into action and Valun soon had Shinobi
fighting fit. One of the quaggoths was some kind of shaman and was inspiring the others to acts of
frenzied brutality. Mika and Dash pelted the area with vines and sand clouds to hinder their foes,
Meanwhile the others pounded damage into the leader and finally he dropped. At this, the vigour
went out of his followers who�d been hoping for an easy fight and they took flight.
Nex Pervenio wisely decided it was better to lick their wounds and conserve their resources than
try to chase the escaping quaggoths. As they sat and got their breath back, they noticed something
very odd happening. Blood from the fallen quaggoths seemed to be pooling and coalescing into
something horrific � a blood ooze! Suddenly they were fighting for their lives.
The ooze smashed Shinobi then grabbed Valun and Riya. Valun suffered grievous wounds and
then the ooze dragged him inside itself and made him its puppet, though luckily he swiftly came to
his senses. Meanwhile the rest of the group were suffering mightily � just standing near the ooze
caused horrible caustic wounds which also seemed to empower the ooze, and anyone near the
ooze when it was hit got showered in poisonous bile. The group spread out and attempted to keep
their distance, though the ooze flowed around with surprising speed. One by one the gladiators fell
victim to its merciless attacks until only Dash remained standing. With a final flurry of arrows he
finished it off then ran to aid his comrades, some of whom had dragged themselves back
conscious by sheer willpower alone.
With nowhere to find respite until they could reach Forgehome, still a few days hence, Nex
Pervenio would have to watch their step as they continued into the Underdark.
Report Date
11 Apr 2024
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