Journal of Rollo Lavius 2

Entry #371 - Into the Underdark

(G371 29/09/2018 via Roll20 - AP, JF(GM)) WA46

DAY 404 (12th Tarsakh)(April) cont...

Fenrir was somewhat nonplussed by the demand to try and find a date at such short notice. He thought about finding some random woman in an expensive inn but Random pointed out that while rich ladies may go to such places the best kind never left their homes without an escort and would rarely go to such places in the evening or talk to strange men.

'Well what then?' said Fenrir angrily. 'I can see you have an idea of who, why don't you just tell me?'

Random liked to watch Fenrir think these things through himself though, something that infuriated Fenrir. Eventually Random said, 'I can think of four options off the top of my head...'

'Oh, I suppose there is Gelly.'

'That's the right idea, but aim higher.'

Fenrir clicked his fingers, 'Lavinia! She's a lady, and she's in that ship over there!'

'I was going to say Wayney or Sylvia, but yes, borrowing another man's wife is even better!'

He went over to visit his friends on the boat and asked Lavinia to be his date.

She was flustered, but agreed. They then went over to Westgate by boat - along with me of course! I'd heard the stories from Corum and I was somewhat apprehensive about leaving him alone with my misses.

We went to Fenrir's house and spent the night. It was very late by the time we went to bed as we had a lot of catching up to do.

It's funny, dear reader, that although I have chronicled a great deal of the adventures of this conflicted fellow I had never spent much time with him, our paths always crossing like ships in the night.

I think that my opinion of him is much the same as my brothers - unpredictable but powerful, usually on the side of good - except when he isn't. His only true constants are avarice and lechery, although there is generosity and kindness in him somewhere. He has the blood of hundreds on his hands, but he hides it well.

DAY 405 (13th Tarsakh)(April)

Fenrir went to work, while me and my wife found her a gown for the ball tonight.

Apparently another fellow turned up to join the watch today. A young nobleman who had invested in a magic carpet and wanted to join up. Fenrir had his doubts about him, but took him on anyway. His name was Surkan.

I spent the evening playing cards with Gelly and drinking the most expensive booze in Fenrir's cellar that I could find. When he and my wife returned they told me how their evening went.

Lady Gwendeth Thalavar was in her seventies, but still had a flamboyant reputation. She still threw balls, dances and games nights.

Fenrir turned on the charm and learned she had been a lady of influence in the city for no less than 55 years. She, gave the impression at least, of knowing everyone and knowing everyone's secrets.

Fenrir also met her son, a man called Derrion Thalavar, who was in his forties, but still lived like a much younger man. He had a reputation as a gambler, a whoremonger and a drinker. He had his own private club somewhere in the city and he extended and invite to Fenrir who he was sure would 'fit right in.'

Finally he met Tellaura Thalavar, Gwendeth's daughter, who was a scholar and very intelligent. She marked Fenrir's card straight away but none the less extended an invitation to her book club.

Fenrir also worked the room and danced with Lavinia. It was a civilised affair though and wound down around two in the morning.

DAY 406 (14th Tarsakh)(April)

Fenrir went to work today. His squad was:

Relleme, Nors, Marrock, Oloe, and now Surkan

Trepplemar had a mission for him. To follow the troglodytes trail to their city and find out everything that he could. He asked for some funds and was given 2000 gold.

He then went to Gondeth's Magery and purchased some items he thought would come in handy - a want of cure light wounds, a ring of Comprehend Languages and a pair of Boots of Survival.

In the evening he sparred with his guards, hoping to shed a few pounds.

Myself and Lavinia went to bed early.

DAY 407 (15th Tarsakh)(April)

Today the Day Air Watch was; Fen, Relleme, Nors, Marrock, Oloe and Surkan

They saw someone riding a giant owl. Fenrir initially thought it was me, but on closer inspection it was a dwarf on the owl. He was too fast for them to catch though.

In the evening three cards arrived for Fenrir, from Lady Gwendeth Thalavar, her son and her daughter.

He decided to do the sensible thing and go to the old ladies gaming night.

On his return he reported that it was pretty dull as they had just gambled for coppers. They all drank sweet sherry and smelled of lavender, but he hoped he had began the process of gaining influence.

There had been a few other young ones, but they had all been equally bored and there for the same reason as Fenrir.

DAY 408 (16th Tarsakh)(April)

Today Fenrir was ordered to begin his mission to find the city of the Troglodytes. He decided to take Veddic and me, Rollo.

Lavinia would have come, but Fenrir decided it was best that she didn't and besides, Random wanted to send her to Cormyr on a mission of her own.

Serten, the young druid of the city watch, led us to where the entrance to the Underdark was. It was forty miles south of the city, in the coastal mountains, but since we were all flying it only took about ten hours.

Nobody lived up there, it was too wild and full of monsters. The fissure in the rock face looked new, no more than five years old and there were clear signs of troglodyte tracks coming out of it.

We camped there that night, resolving to venture inside the next morning.

DAY 409 (17th Tarsakh)(April)

Serten stayed at the entrance, he had no desire to visit the Underdark and although I couldn't blame him, I myself could not wait!

I had heard all Fenrir's stories about Pedestal and his adventures down there and I had already purchased new notebooks, pens and sample jars especially for this expedition. It couldn't be any more dangerous than the Plane of Shadows surely? And I'd survived that.

Anyway, here is the start of my 'Underdark Adventure':

Today I estimate we have come three miles down. We are now at the interface between the 'Upperdark' and the 'Middledark' although in truth all we have seen is endless caves and fissures. There have been many turnings, but the trail of the troglodyte army has been easy to follow. I estimated 5,000 of them passed this way.

Around lunchtime we entered a large cavern of giant mushrooms. Snails the size of cats grazed on other smaller fungus.

We noticed a troglodyte savage up on a high ledge and Fenrir went up to talk to him. He bribed the creature with gold to tell us what he knew about the city and the sacred beasts.

Here is what was learned:

- The city is called 'The Pool of Organs' or just 'Pool'

- It is home to six tribes of troglodytes.

- There are seven 'quarters' one for each tribe and one known as the

'Foreign Quarter' where non-troglodyte people are allowed. This doesn't mean that you might not get eaten though.

- The troglodytes of Pool kill any other non-Pudlian troglodytes on sight.

- They worshiped the god Laogzed.

- He knew nothing about the sacred beasts, only that they were in a cavern called the 'Mouth of Doom' and that the Pool troglodytes guarded it jealously

With this new information, we continued on our way, following the trail.