Down, down, the Well...
Much had changed since Kuhl had first climbed these same steps in the Yawning Portal. Then he and his companions were newly arrived vagabonds, wearily headed to their rented rooms after a long journey from the High Forest. At that time they mostly identified themselves as fellow escapees from Velkynvelve and the Underdark. Now, just over a month later, they were no longer just visitors to Waterdeep. They owned a piece of valuable real estate together in the North Ward - Trollskull Manor. They lived there as well, essentially putting down roots. So, in many ways, this city had become his home. Perhaps as much as Evereska?
Some part of him rejected the thought.
While he was part human, through his namesake grandfather, most of his heritage was elf. And he'd been raised by an elven aunt, in the greatest elven city in Faerun, served in that city's armed forces, and was a paladin of the Seldarine Sehanine Moonbow. How then could he consider another city, a primarily human city, his home after so short a time? It felt like a betrayal of his upbringing, an upbringing of love and happy memories. But most of all a betrayal of the memory of those fellow members of the Tomb Guard who had lost their lives the fateful night his had been spared.
Unbidden, the familiar nightmare tableau entered his mind's eye - a desert scene, pale moon illuminating the strewn bodies about the landscape of sand and rock, all still as death, all wearing torn, charred, or blood soaked Tomb Guard uniforms.
Had he been spared just to become a tavern owner? To live out comfortable days talking with patrons as he poured them drinks as they unwound from a day's labor?
"Do you begrudge Fargas that life?" Dawnbringer asked in his mind. "He and Surash are the ones who actually run the Trollskull after all."
"Of course not," the half-elf thought back. "But it is different."
"How so?" his sentient sword asked telepathically. "Was he not the sole survivor of the attack of the spiders in the Underdark? Do you think he feels less survivor guilt than you?"
Kuhl really hadn't thought about it.
"The difference," Dawnbringer telepathically answered for him. "Is he's a halfling. A race with an inherently greater understanding of their limitations than humans and elves, who are prone to self-aggrandizement."
The half-elf wanted to protest this characterization, but knew it to be true.
"He feels guilt," His sword continued. "But does not wallow in it. Sometimes fate just is. And all the dwelling in the world, after the fact, will not change it.
"If that is true," the half-elf thought. "And we are so limited and powerless, why all the training? The running? The bladework? The strength building? If not to influence fate in our favor when the time comes?"
"Two different things my bearer," his sword mentally said. "What you were essentially asking yourself was what do I owe my companions for surviving? The motivation of guilt. We train with the intent of self-improvement for its own sake, not from guilt."
"That might be true" Kuhl thought, with a slight smile. "But I can't help but notice all the running and training is aimed at improving one of us more than the other."
"Well," his sentient sword thought back, voice light. "One of us has so much more need for it…"
"There he is, Kuhl."
Sky's voice pulled him out of his mental reverie. They had reached the second floor of the Yawning Portal and there, sitting at a table amongst the empty ones on this level of the taproom, was the scruffy bearded and blond haired Meloon Wardragon. With him were a human and a dwarf the half-elf didn't know.
It surprised him they'd actually found the warrior. Their first stop, after leaving the Tiger's Eye detective agency, had been to the home of Renaer Neverember. The noble had been unavailable, still sleeping most likely, but his old white-haired halfling butler, Madrak Salibuck let them know where Meloon lived. Then suggested that should they not find him there, the Yawning Portal was a place he frequented. A bunch of knocking at the warrior's residence brought no one to the door. So, they had come here.
But it was mid-morning, between meal times, why would he be at the Yawning Portal at this time? Only a few scattered tables had patrons on the main floor and no one was on the second floor but Meloon and his companions.
"They seem far too well armed and armored for a casual sit down among friends," Dawnbringer said in Kuhl's mind.
It was true. The sentient battleaxe, Azuredge, was strapped to the bearded warrior's back - blue dragonhide wrapped shaft with the star sapphire set in the pommel peeking over his right shoulder. He also wore his battered plate. His dwarf companion wore scarred platemail as well while the clean-shaven dark haired human wore studded leathers.
"Meloon," Sky called out, waving as they crossed from the stairs to the group's table.
The warrior looked their way, obviously confused.
"We met at Renaer's party, remember?" the tabaxi said, flashing a sharp toothed smile.
Meloon's brown eyes studied them and his companions stared as well. Renaer's party had not been all that recent, a couple of ten days ago. He might not remember them, Kuhl realized. But few people forgot Sky after meeting her.
"The tabaxi and the half-elf," the warrior finally said. "You are the ones who rescued Lord Neverember from the warehouse and then the other from the sewers."
His behavior was odd when compared to the night of the party. Then he had been open and friendly, quick to laugh. Now he was cold and reserved. But there had also been a lot of alcohol flowing at the event, which might explain the difference in demeanor. It was also peculiar how he used the title and last name of one of his closest friends. At the party, he had simply called him Renaer. And why did he refer to Floon as simply 'the other'?
"I'm Kuhl," the half-elf said by way of introduction, looking at the other two at the table. "This is Sky."
"Red Sky in the Morning," the tabaxi corrected. "And his family name is Nightstar. Not that anyone knows what that is."
"Hadyn Duskshadow," the dark haired man said.
"Cobble Bladehammer," said the dwarf.
Both gave a smile with their names, but it was more a pulling of the lips than anything genuinely friendly.
"Fellow members of Force Grey," Meloon said. "My… friends."
He had hesitated slightly at the last part, as if trying to find the right word.
"Now unlike Nightstar," Sky said. "Those names actually make sense. I mean dusk and shadow naturally go together and something that is both a blade and hammer, so useful."
"Actually I would think one would want to either cut or hammer something," Dawnbringer observed in Kuhl's mind. "Rarely both at the same time."
"May we sit down?" the tabaxi asked. "We're looking for someone missing and think she might be in Undermountain."
She waved a hand towards the railed circular balcony that looked down to the Well at the center of the lower floor.
"And since you've been there…many times," she said, leadingly.
"Undermountain?" Meloon asked, brow wrinkling in thought. "You want to talk about Undermountain?"
"Does she want to talk about Undermountain?" Dawnbringer asked. "It's almost as if he doesn't remember she unleashed her curiosity about that very subject on him at the party? You basically had to rescue him by dragging her away."
That is what had happened. But perhaps Meloon's memory of the evening was fogged by alcohol. Then again, the half-elf did not recall the bearded warrior drinking all that much that night.
Sky took his question as an invitation and pulled back a chair. The scrape of its legs against the wood floor sounded loud among all the empty tables. Kuhl sat as well with an apologetic shrug.
"I want to talk about a missing genasi," the tabaxi said. "Who might be in Undermountain. Probably is in Undermountain. You know what, let me start at the beginning."
She launched in a rapid telling of their morning - the meeting with the brothers, learning about their missing sister, and the reasons Vincent Trench had given as to why she likely was in Undermountain.
So-have-you-seen-anyone-like-this-down-there?" she finished breathlessly, sliding the drawing she'd sketched for the brothers across the table.
Meloon, Hadyn, and Cobble all leaned in to study the picture, then looked at each other.
"They recognize her!" Dawnbringer said in Kuhl's mind.
The half-elf agreed and he was sure Sky thought so as well, because she went perfectly still, except for her tail, which bumped Kuhl's shoulder as it lashed back and forth. The bearded warrior took breath to speak.
"So, this is the group?" Another voice asked. "Two of you look underdressed. Wizards?"
A brown haired, hazel eyed young woman had approached unnoticed during their conversation. She wore supple leather armor, masterful in its crafting, and a rapier and dagger at her waist.
"I feel you and Sky are distinctly under armed and armored among this group," Dawnbringer observed.
"How can I be under armed with you strapped to my belt?" Kuhl questioned.
"True," his sentient sword thought back.
"Lady Rosznar," Meloon said. "These two are not part of the group."
He paused and gave Kuhl and Sky a contemplative gaze.
"Yet."
The half-elf frowned at that one word even while noticing his tabaxi friend sitting up straighter next to him.
"Sit, Lady Rosznar," the bearded warrior said, motioning. "Allow me to tell them what I told you about the Wyllowwood and we will see."
"I hired you to find and retrieve my brother, Wardragon," the woman said. "Not to talk about him with every friend you happen to run into at a tavern."
The use of a title, her erect posture, and her tone made it clear she was a noble, despite being dressed in leathers.
"His story is safe with them," Meloon said. "These two are part of the group who saved Lord Neverember. They could be useful."
"Lord Neverember?" the noble looked at them with more respect. "I am sure Renaer appreciates your discretion in that matter. House Rosznar expects the same."
She joined them at the table.
"Look at how her attitude changed with the mention of a name with a noble title and wealth," Dawnbringer said in Kuhl's mind. "If you gained those things it would help with your scioning problem."
"I don't have a scioning problem," he thought back.
He decided against pointing out that in Evermeet and Evereska, Nightstar was recognized as a noble house.
"Yes you do," his sword mentally said.
"The four of you are going down the Well to rescue her brother!" Sky said with a snapping of her fingers. "I should have figured it out sooner! That is why you all have your armor on and have weapons. Also why you are so different, Meloon, no offense but you were much more fun at the party. Can we come?"
"Sky," Kuhl growled. "We had a deal."
The tabaxi responded with a dismissive wave and didn't even wait to be invited to join the presumed descent down the Well.
"Let's see, we'll need to go back to the Trollskull and get our armor," she said, planning. "Kuhl has Dawnbringer, but I'll need my crossbow and my Bag of Holding. Oh, and we have two friends. An aasimar and a drow who can cast spells. Very useful. They were looking at a tower for the Open Lord, but they are probably back by now, noses stuck in books. They will be so happy to learn that we'll be having adventures instead of just reading about them."
"No," Lady Rosznar said, shaking her head. "You told me you had found my brother Wardragon, but said you needed my help freeing him from that archdruid witch."
"Wyllow," the dwarf said, supplying the name.
The noble gave him a look that indicated she didn't care what the druid's name was. Cobble did not seem affected, his expression flat.
"I am not sitting around waiting for these two to run around getting ready," Rosznar said. "Let's go."
"Permit me but a moment, Lady," Meloon said. "I promise if they don't want to leave with us now, we'll go on without them."
He focused on Kuhl and Sky.
"What do you know of the Wyllowwood?" he asked.
"Oh, you told me about this," the tabaxi said. "There are stories that say an elven archdruid lives in a giant cavern that the Mad Mage made into a forest for her. Even the ceiling looks like the sky and it feels like the sunlight is real. Which it must kind of be, because plants grow."
"I told you there were stories of the place?" Meloon asked.
"You said you've never been that deep," Sky said.
"Well," the bearded warrior said. "I can now say those stories are true. Lady Rosznar hired us to find her brother and we found her among the companions of the archdruid Wyllow."
Beside him, both the dwarf and the dark haired human nodded.
"The years in Undermountain, centuries actually, have snapped Wyllow's sanity," Meloon continued. "She acts as if her magicked cavern is the feywild and she the Summer Queen. Adventures who take her fancy are given roles in her court under a powerful enchantment. Like the feywild, eat or drink what she offers at your peril."
"Her brother is the FeyKnight of Summer," Cobble, the dwarf, said. "I tried to break the enchantment, but her magic is too strong. With the coin you advanced me, Lady Rosznar, I have purchased scrolls that should do it."
"But your brother would have no reason to trust us," the dark haired man said. "Which is why we requested you come with us.
"You were right to do so," the noble said, with a sigh. "My idiot brother would probably fall right back under her spell. How did you describe her? Bright emerald eyes with butterflies nestling in her dark hair?"
Again all three, Meloon, Haydn, and Cobble nodded. The archdruid might be beautiful, but these three looked unaffected, their expressions remaining impassive rather than wistfully remembering. Knowing she was as crazed as the Mad Mage probably had something to do with that.
"Now, this is where this genasi you are looking for comes in," the bearded warrior said, tapping the drawing still on the table. "She is also a member of the Wyllow's imagined fey court. She is the FeyKnight of Summer."
"Wait," Lady Rosznar said, holding up a hand. "I thought you said my brother held that title."
"He does," Meloon said. "And this is just guess work, but it is our opinion that she will not tolerate two members of her court bearing the same title. She will dispose of one. Soon."
"What in the Nine Hells!" the noble woman exclaimed, throwing up her hands. "You did not think to tell me this yesterday?"
"We needed to get the scrolls prepared," the dwarf said. "So we could not have left any earlier and we did not want to worry you."
"We're leaving," Rosznar said. "Right now."
She followed action with words by standing.
"Guess work based on what?" Kuhl asked, keeping his seat.
The bearded human, the dark-haired man, and the dwarf all focused on him.
"What?" Meloon asked.
"You said your opinion that she will not tolerate two members of her court bearing the same title is guess work," the half-elf said. "Based on what?"
"They say Wyllow fell in love with one of the Mad Mage's apprentices and that is why she came to Undermountain," the bearded warrior said. "Eventually, she tired of being underground and wanted to return to the surface. She quarreled with her husband and killed him in a spell duel. Later, she had a wizardess friend named Crissann. She was so fond of her she named her pet, a displacer beast, after her. When we inquired about the name she said she and Crissann were very close, but the quarreled and she killed her in a spell duel. Are you seeing the pattern?"
Kuhl did.
"Can't go far in her wood without stumbling on another grave," Haydn said. "Some marked, some not marked."
"She really is crazy then," Dawnbringer said in his mind.
"We are going down the Well to rescue Lady Rosznar's brother.," Meloon said. "We are leaving now. You have to decide if you are coming with us to rescue this genasi, or not?"
"I don't have any armor," the half-elf said. "Or my shield. Or any supplies. And Sky doesn't have her crossbow or armor either."
The bearded warrior pulled a folded piece of dark cloth from a pocket and laid it out on the table next to Sky's drawing of Sophiya. It formed a perfectly round black circle.
"This is a portable hole," Meloon said. "I always carry spare equipment. No shield, but leather armor for me in case I ran into a rust monster. It would probably fit you. I did not know if Lady Rosznar's equipment would be adequate, but it appears well made and practical. So, now I don't need the leathers I brought for her. The tabaxi could probably fit in that well enough, and I have a crossbow she can use."
"We can't just disappear down the Well without telling anyone where we are going," Kuhl said, shaking his head.
"According to Wardragon," the noble said. "He found a magic portal on the second level that will take us right into the Wyllowood and back out. He thinks we'll be back the same day."
The bearded warrior nodded.
"We go down," he said. "Take the portal to her wood, play nice with her until we see a chance, then use the dispel scrolls to take the two targets and run for the portal back out. The stories say she can't leave her level."
"You say she has an entire court she has enchanted," the half-elf said. "Why would we save just two? Why not all of them?"
The bearded warrior, the dark haired human, and the dwarf all shared a look and shook their heads.
"You want to fight an archdruid in her forest?" Meloon asked. "When she can summon walking trees, creatures, her displacer beast, a green dragon, not to mention the rest of the court of adventurers who will still be under her sway? No, that is certain death."
Kuhl sighed. It did not feel right, but it made sense.
"Think of it as a scouting mission," Rosznar said. "Learn what you can and maybe you can think of a way to save the others."
The half-elf noted that she said you rather than we. Once her brother was saved, her part in this venture was clearly done.
"Come on, Kuhl," Sky said. "We have a chance to save our client's sister just like that."
She snapped her fingers.
"Think of how impressive that will be," she said. "And I've never known you, paladin of Sehanine Moonbow, to leave a damsel in distress."
"She is awfully good at manipulating you," Dawnbringer said in the half-elf's mind. "You know that?"
She was. And that was a problem.
"Fine," he said, throwing up his hands. In surrender.
Doubt gnawed at him even as he donned the armor Meloon gave him and followed them down to the hoist that would lower them down the Well. Lady Rosznar paid the barkeep, Durnan, in gold and they loaded up.
"Aw," Sky said, tail lashing. "There is no one to sing for us as we are lowered. I really wanted the full experience."
It being mid-morning and between meal times, the patrons even on the main level of the tap room were few. They did not sing, as Kuhl recalled seeing happen when other adventuring parties were lowered when the Portal was crowded.
The barmaid, Bonnie, Surash's lady friend, came out of the kitchen tying on her apron, presumably to start her shift. She looked up curiously at those on the hoist just before the group was lost to sight. Her eyes widened in surprise when she saw Kuhl and Sky. Strangely, it seemed her eyes went from surprise to panic as her gaze drifted to the bearded warrior, the dark haired man, and the dwarf. But he lost sight of her before he could tell if that was all his imagination. The half-elf comforted himself knowing she would at least tell those at the Trollskull where they were.
"Aleina and Jhelnae are going to kill the two of you," Dawnbringer observed.
The barmaid must have sprinted to the rim of the Well, because her voice yelled down.
"Kuhl and Sky," she said. "Be very careful! You two watch each other's backs. You two watch each other's backs.
As darkness enveloped them, the half-elf reflected that it had been an odd thing to say and emphasize. There were more than just the two of them, after all, there were six.
Okay, sorry, this is rough. I have a bunch of real work, but once I get to a certain point, my mind will not abandon it until I complete it and post it.
Some of you might be worried, "Are we now going through a huge adventure in Undermountain?"
Not to worry. We are still in Dragonheist and I am using Undermountain as a way to complete faction quests/events in Dragonheist. But it is always hard to try and avoid the, "They went to the Blackstaff and she asked them to investigate X." So I'm always trying to think of ways that they are maneuver them into the quests 'organically'. Probably don't succeed, but I'm giving it the old 'college try'. :)