7 Nighthal
The tunnels narrowed, winding their way through the Underdark. The half drow ranger Ithlyn lead the way, knowing the path well. He was the go between contact of the for the promenade, Skullport, and surface. Jinx took up the second position, the dwarf in the middle and Zarae bringing up the rear. They moved in silence, stopping to take a break in a small cavern filled with a fresh pool of clear water, After half an hour, Ithlyn was urging the rag-tag group on before the inhabitants of that cavern returned. Zarae was mentally noting the path they took and committed it to memory, drawing what she remembered during their break.
Several branching tunnels looked like better paths to untrained eyes; and had the ranger not known better, been familiar with the correct path, then those false trails would have led to dead ends, figuratively and literally. They traveled until they couldn't anymore and found a small ledge in a cavern to rest for a few hours in. Zarae took most the watch, not needing to rest as long. A few hours rest, but not fully rested, they continued their way. Another tunnel they passed was primed to collapse. The corridor they traversed suddenly opened into a cavern with a conical roof 50 feet overhead. The air was full of harmless, dimly luminescent spores that formed clouds around gardens of moss and fungi. Planted among the other fungi were four unique purple mushrooms, with special openings in its cap. Stopping the group, Ithlyn signed back that there were shrieker in this cavern. Zyne looked back to Zarae who mouth what was signed. The ranger whispered a spell and waited, hand still raised to keep the group still and quiet. A message returned to his mind letting him know the group could pass without setting off the shriekers. He hurried the three through the cavern, knowing they had 30 seconds before the fungus would be alert again and start screaming, drawing attention and near-by predators.
Continuing on they came to a smaller cavern similar to the guarding mushrooms, only this seamed to be a dead end. No obvious exits were visible. Just the entrance they were standing in. Stalactites dripped with moisture. A sea of mushrooms, some gently phosphorescent, stretched back as far as the eye can see; to the right side was a garden of barrelstalk fungi being attended to by three goblins. these goblins these were surprisingly dressed in well tidied leather jerkins and soft boots. A small dagger rested on each's hip, and the eldest one carrying a curving staff. They froze upon seeing the four entering their domain. Weapons were drawn and readied, but they did not attack; the expected alarm from the mushrooms usually alerted them of dangerous travelers. Only a few had the ability to quiet the shriekers. The elder female goblin stepped forward; staff angled to rush the first in line if they failed to reply correctly and waited for the code to confirm their friendly status. Ithlyn spoke the calming code word in their language, letting them know they meant no harm and was here for the Promenade. The goblin studied the ranger's face a moment, then looked to each of the those following, before she stepped to the side, lowering her staff. The other two goblins likewise resheathed their weapons. The two males shied away from the travelers but understood, allowing them to pass by. The elder female, walked cautiously over to a hidden spot of the wall and clicked a lever. A hidden door opened, and she motioned for them to continue on their ways. Ithlyn thanked the goblins, tossing each a coin for their service and continued to lead the group into a very tight corridor. Zyne struggled with the width of the tunnel, complaining in grumbles about the tight fit. More than once under his breath the dwarf mumbled how much easier the water path would have been. Jinx did not miss his words.
After what seamed like a several days, though time hard to measure in the Underdark, the first cavern of the actual temple complex was before them. The cavern they arrived in contained numerous buildings that were used as living quarters for the faithful. The 50-foot-high cavern was a maze of two to three story stone buildings and narrow "streets". Stone stairs were carved into the southern and eastern walls for access to the upper stories; these buildings were large enough to house four to six families or groups of workers. Numerous temple workers were busy at the far end, clearing away rubble. Many lay worshipers were working the river, hauling in fine-meshed nets filled with white, wriggling blindfish. Others had baskets slung at their hips collecting lizard eggs or ripplebark fungus from the fissures that lined the cavern walls. Most were drow, but there were handful of those who had been rescued from Skullport's slave ships or Undermountain including four surface elves, a dwarf, six humans, and three halflings- many who had turned to the goddess as a result of their rescue or chose to stay and help with the rebuilding of the temple. Two guards greeted the ranger first then each of his companions behind. Ithlyn bid the three farewell and was gone from sight.
One guard, knowing the dwarf sorcerer quite well, "you travel with this foul company," the guard joked, then walked over and gave the dwarf a friendly clap on the back.
"could be worse, stuck with ye on babysitting watch," the sorcerer returned with a laugh. "but 'nuff yaky. We come from Lady 'A'."
"yes Lady Aunrae sent word to be on the lookout and we got Ithlyn's message. Yall are being set up in a room to rest from your travel. Lysanthir will get with yall as soon as he is able."
A whistle brung a halfling female, Jilda, and drow male swordsmith, Jevan, the guard introducing them as their escorts. The halfling and drow male lead the three companions to a one story building. It consisted of four small bedrooms rooms surrounding a central living room. They were welcomed to take a room and encouraged to store their belonging, assured they were safe here and would have no need to be heavily armed. Each bedroom had soft bed with green and blue fabrics, small zurkwood desks and chairs, wardrobes, and foldable walls that hid a tub and toilet.
After everyone had cleaned up and been given a few hours to rest, Jilda and Jevan, assigned to guide the three around the complex, arrived at the building ready to show them around the Promenade. The five headed twords the southern end exit. Rounding the corner there stood a statue of a beautiful elven woman, a representation of Eilistraee, sculpted from a mound of rock. It rose 30 feet above the floor of the cavern at its peak with its head 40 feet from the cavern ceiling and faced east over the Cavern of Song. Near the statue were several silver-striped tabbies curled up. One, a small runt, looked up to the vistors with its large round eyes and yawned. Unable to help herself Jinx picked up the cute critter, cuddling it and giving it a few good scritches and rubs as it nestled in her arms. The guides smiled at the kitten, Jevan reaching down to put the nearest one. Jilda began a speech describing the cavern they stood in. The Cavern of Song served as the open amphitheater. the cavern ceiling rose to 100 feet. the ceiling was covered in a variety of spores and fungi that had intentionally been cultivated to create a soft, slightly luminous covering. A reminder of the night sky speckled with sparkling stars. The visitors were left speechless upon entering the Cavern of Song at its sheer beauty and creation. Jevan smiled watching their amazement.
Zyne was asking about the construction and stonework. The most interesting fact to him was how the sacred cavern was known for a peculiar phenomenon- it never echoed like other rooms. Jilda explained that when the congregation raised its voices in song, a ringing came from the upper walls and ceiling in harmony with the song. The sorcerer speculated the cause might be a unique crystal that reverberates with the pitch of the song. He asked about getting a chance to examine and study it sometime.
Zarae did a quick look around. Seeing Jinx had walked back over to the statue and the guides chatting with Zyne, she stepped towards the center of the Cavern, then suddenly broke into a simple dance to the Lady of Song. New to the faith, she didn't have a lot of experience to look back on in worship with dance, yet her moves were graceful as only an elf could be. Zarae became caught up in dance, she forgot about the other in the cavern. Jevan nudged Jilda as they watched the young drowess. Zyne pretended to be annoyed, but the joy in the girl filled him with gladness. Zarae felt eyes on her becoming self-conscious and she faltered in movement, her obsidian cheeks tinting pink.
Jinx still held the kitten, rubbing her nose into the kitten's fur. When the cat returned to its litter, Jinx was left standing there in deep thought. Many questions filled her mind, some were directed to the gods of her people others to any deities that could hear; questions she hadn't had time to reflect on. Maybe it was being in this sacred place that caused such introspective soul-searching. But now she couldn't stop from asking. Why had her life gone the way it did? Why had they been tricked, kidnapped and held captive for years as somebody's 'pet'. But the question that pained her most, why had her best friend been murdered while she survived; it was her idea they tried to escape, and it was her fault he took a fatal blow that was meant for her. The tabaxi wasn't expecting answers. but as she was about to turn away from the elven statue, her mind and heart heard barely above a soft whisper, 'I guided you to a community of my faithful. You never were and never are alone.' Questioning whether it was an air current or she truly heard a voice, a hand on her shoulder startled her from her thoughts. turning quickly on the male drow, she relaxed her stance and retracted her claes when she saw it was Jevan.
"you shouldn't sneak up on people. You know how dangerous that is. What if I had a blade in my hand or even slashed without realizing?"
"come," Jevan bade her, some concern shown in his face, "we continue on our tour."
They passed through the garrison and armory briefly. one corridor sloped down and ended in a magically generated spring that supplied the temple with fresh water; further past the spring was the Sargauth River. A few of the patrol guards nodded to them seeing Jilda and Jevan. Others temple members were at work repairing buildings. One of the repaired buildings was unusually warm, being alit with a forge. Three blacksmiths were at work on the anvils. A third cavern they visited consisted of the priestesses' and acolytes' quarters. Several were about their daily jobs. Others were tending to a large garden in the middle of the caravan; several surface fruits and vegetables were growing and magically sustained. A four-story building carved into the cavern's eastern wall was pointed out as the domicile of the high priestess and her family; its stepped terraces were kept well illuminated by glowing lichens and softly lit glowglobes of green and blue hues. However, the building stood empty, none willing to claim the building for themselves. The leading priestess had actually chosen a small unassuming building for her quarters. A halfling woman with a flour covered apron exited a two-story building. She waved to Jilda and Jevan as she hurried to another building.
"that's our best cook, Maid Lienna. The roast cockatrice in mushroom sauce is her best dish," the halfling female remarked with a chef's kiss to emphasis her point, "but anything you eat of hers is delicious."
"Except her ale. She hasn't learned to keep a good hearty ale about," Zyne interjected, "of course ye need a proper tavern for that," then winked to Jevan.
To the north, was the Hall of Healing. Once former temple of Moander well before the founding of the Promenade was now used as a place to shelter and tend to wounded and rescued by the Dark Ladies, including adventurers lost in the Undermountain. A symbol of Tyr, left from when they cleared out the place eons ago, hung above the stricken. More silver tabbies wandered about the Hall, many comforting the patients. Sparkling veins of silver striped the walls. The lower end of the hall had been altered to function as a bath with the western side occupied by 12 beds along the walls. Four Dark Ladies were tending to three severely wounded adventurers who lay on cots unconscious. The oldest priestess, a drowess of short stature, pearl colored robes, and a severely scarred face, greeted the visitors.
She explained to an unspoken question, "two days ago, the three injured were teleported deep within Undermountain separated from their comrades."
Jevan introduced the older drowess, "this is Lady Nathrae." Then introduced the three visitors.
"get a lot of adventurers?" Jinx asked "I figured yall would be overflowing with people."
"some days we get larger amounts of people. We've only reclaimed the complex recently and so many don't know this place is safe again."
"how long ago was the reclaim?" the rogue asked.
"about two lunar cycles."
"wow," Zyne whistled, "hard to believe it has been so short considering how much has been recovered."
"Trelasarra," then the old drowess leaning closer to whisper, "our informal leader," then returned to a normal voice, "and the original twelve of us has been very busy. We keep getting joined by more followers ready and willing to help."
"Lady?" a novice priest called to Nathrae as the half elf that was being attended to began shaking.
"parden me," the priestess apologized then hurried over.
Jilda motioned for the group to follow to allow the clerics to work.
as they departed the Hall, "what is her story?" Zarae asked motioning to her face to imply the scars of the woman.
Jevan thought about it, then answered, "she tells it better. But she was once an upstart daughter who attempted to remove her matron and failed when her brother betrayed her. she fled for the underdark and was found by one of our priest."
"wait," Zarae interrupted. "Eilistraee allows males to become full fledged clerics?"
"yes actually," Jevan answered with a small amount of pride. "But there are cloisters of priestess who tend to still hold to the old drowic ways and tend to not allow the males in positions of leadership or even apart of the clergy. But these are fewer every solar cycle."
Zarae was surprised as she didn't remember there any males in positions of leadership in the rebel house. Most the males she remembered held the traditional roles of Arcane and warriors. That could be due to being an undercover house in the city she reasoned.
Leaving the Hall of Healing they entered a small cavern that was the destination of the temple's portals, including a one-way portal connecting to the sixth level of the Undermountain and a room with a well that served as the moonspring portal. The group circled around and returned to the storehouses, armories, and guards' barracks with living quarters on the upper levels. The guides finished the general tour and was planning to lead everyone to the make-shift tavern when a male drow walked over to the group. Seeing the females, he did a deep bow, taking Zarae's hand to attempt to kiss it. The young drowess wasn't prepared, jerking her hand away as a reaction.
"whoa whoa," the males hands up apologizing for the actions. "I meant no harm m'lady. Couldn't help but come see our newest visitors. Such lovely ladies grace me with their presence," another deep bow preparing to introduce himself,
Jevan interrupting, "G'eldfryn. Really? Now?" knowing the male was already flirting with the drowess.
G'eldfryn was not an ugly male, but neither was he overtly handsome. His white hair was cropped short on one side with the other side covering half his face. He wore a loose vest that served as a tank top that showed much of his upper toned physique.
The older brother of Jevan paid no mind, "ignore my older brother. He is lacking in class. You my lovely lady must be famished. Needing a glass of wine or tray of chocolate?" wiggling his brows.
Jinx was holding in a snicker as she picked up on Zarae's confusion and discomfort. The drowess oblivious to the flirting, dismissed the offer, acting like nothing was happening. To G'eldfryn, this declining was the nicest he received in a while and took it as having a chance with the young rogue. Among the members of the temple, the flirty male was extended an amused tolerance twords his antics. No matter how many times he got shot down, he still considered himself a "ladies' man".
"Excuse my younger brother. Despite his formidable intellect and extensive reading, he usually fails to recognize that he had the romantic subtlety of a sledgehammer," leaning over to Zyne.
"I thought him funny epically failing," Zyne chimed in as he pulled the tavern door open, "just as funny as poor Z lack of social clue."
The companions sat around a short table of comfortable couches. A decanter of elven wine and glasses had been set on it with a bowl of surface fruit: oranges and grapes. They had an hour or so before the evening events would start. A gathering would be held in the Cavern of Song: the Grand Chorus, one of the greatest rituals of worship before the last meal of the day cycle. Jilda and Jevan left them to return to their own business before supper. The three decided to pull out the papers and maps they received to study and formulate some potential plans. It was agreed upon they needed to consider recruiting another person or two to help in their mission. It was hoped that the Promenade could get them as close as possible to eastern Calisham. But the fear was that there would still be a bit of overland travel. And with this being Zarae's first time in the Light Above, they have to consider traveling in the dark hours until she got accustomed to the Light.
The time passed quickly and soon they heard the call to join in the Cavern of Song. Zyne chose to stay and rest while Jinx and Zarae joined the rest of the people. They arrived a little late, as the high priestess finished the collective song of prayer with everyone dispersing into small informal groups to eat.
G'eldfryn spotted Zarae and Jinx and was the first to invite them to join him for supper. Jinx was quick to say yes, before Zarae could speak, then gave the drowess a wink as she pulled her into the building following after G'eldfryn. Jevan was surprised to see the two girls but welcomed them into the dwelling. A bottom floor apartment, the wooden door opened into a rather large home, four others already sitting on rugs around a six inch tall table.
G'eldfryn was quick to speak, introducing the others with their official titles, "Ardent Maid Vicolene," a younger female drow, "Reverent Beryn," half moon elf/ half drow male warrior, "Moon singer Yvonnel and our mother," an elderly drow woman, "and family friend Malagica," a very handsome half sun elf male bard who looked more elven than his human side.
As Malagica was mentioned, Jevan under his breath whispered where Jinx could hear, "my brother's competition."
"…and yall know my stuffy and jealous brother."
"HA!" came from Jevan, who only shook his head and motioned for the ladies to join on a rug.
"my son," Yvonnel spoke to stop the playful bickering, "suggested Maid Lienna's best dish. So let us enjoy roasted cockatrice in mushroom sauce."
Everyone sat and enjoyed a delicious meal, chatting about many things. Zarae was bombarding everyone with numerous questions about the surface world and listening intently as she took notes. Even as a drowling, she had been interested in exploring the world beyond her cavern city. It was only a few tendays ago she finally left Lith My'Athar's Eilistraeen compound to travel to Skullport. Using the city's known trading partnership to stow away on a ship and arrive. The half elf did most the speaking about the surface, Beryn adding his own stories and experiences being half drow among the surfacers. He had to be thankful he was fully elven, even if half was drow. The warrior talked about how his mother, an Eilistraeen drow had come to love a wood elf from the High Forest. He was here in the Promenade to help with the rebuilding.
Vicolene, born and raised on the surface, shared the sad truth of a dark elves' experiences on the surface. While overall life had gotten easier for drow to live in the Land of Lights, as in it wasn't kill on sight or hunt down and slaughter, there were still a lot of prejudice and fear of the dark elves. She had been able to walk unhooded in the City of Splenders. Many surface folks, even their surface cousins, were still refusing to believe the Dark Maiden's existence. Yvonnel gladly shared the great news of the recent shrine built in North Ward of Waterdeep after Eilistraee made an appearance outside the city walls. With help from allies, followers of the Dark Dancer were able to plant a small grove of trees within an roofless abandoned building.
The day's cycle was drawing to an end and everyone in the temple complex was preparing for the evensong. Jinx and Zarae returned to the guest house, each to their own quarters. the dwarf was snoring loudly even with his door closed. It wasn't long before the Promenade was filled with the eerily beautiful echoes of half a dozen solos at once, drifting down the passages. Open curtains on a few homes showed several engaged with song and dance around a candle. Others found solitary locations on roofs, inside tunnels, or alcoves in the caverns to let out all the emotions, experiences, and reflections of the day so their goddess could listen to them. When every candle was extinguished, the cavern fell into its normal silence, majority of the inhabitants lain down to rest for the cycle.
The three companions awoke to the new cycle, prepping their gear for travel while the rest of the temple, excluding the guards on patrol, were informally gathered in groups for meals, bathing, and general community.
Lysanthir arrived at the guest house just as they were exiting to meet up with him. The Moonspring portal was ready. The companions having agreed that meeting Aunrae's friend in Calisham would be a good start, Lysanthir led the three twords the portal cavern. The room was perfectly spherical smooth stone, with center was holding a natural spring well. The stone that encircled the water was crafted of polished alabaster, its yellow-orange stone the color of a harvest moon. An inscription ran around the rim, carved in ancient Elvish characters. The air smelled of a sweet floral incense. As they stepped inside the cavern room, there was a tall drow woman dressed in simple tunic and breeches who looked like she could have been a sister to Aunrae. Giving a knowing smile, she didn't answer the forthcoming question. Rather, Danifae changed the topic, warning the group that the elven woman they were heading to see was eccentric, morally ambiguous, and self-serving, but she was a powerful spellcaster, whose help will come at a small cost, likely a favor. It was known the woman had means and abilities to get answers that seamed impossible. Aunrae had worked with Lyra searching for an artifact that was in the ancient elven kingdom of Imberlur.
Lysanthir began the spell, the words more like a song, when a beam of soft white moonlight shone upon the water; its calm waters started to ripple. Danifae waved the companions into the water. Jinx realizing what she was being asked to do, began to backpedal as she panicked.
Zyne behind her realizing what was happening, "oh no kitty. We all're gettin' wet."
Zarae also catching on to what was happening, stood infront of Jinx, ebony hands on furry arms to calm the tabaxi's fear. Then all three of them were falling into the water.
The black furred wolf sat in the canoe with a ragged looking male deep gnome, he too bearing a slave collar like the canine with him. He looked into the intelligent gold eyes of the wolf with sorrow and wordless apology as he patted her head. There was no choice here, forced into working for Brom. He was sent as the part of an escaped slave, the hope to get them into the temple. Brom learned quickly from enemies of the Eilistraeen's that the Dark Dancers have a weak spot for the enslaved. Willing to accept people in, even at great risk, or so it was believed. Either way, Brom was assured he would get the location of three. If by chance he didn't, he'd at least get a set of eyes inside and such information would be worth much to many of Skullport's organizations.
They were spotted on the river well before the boat landing, three guards alert to danger.
With ragged breath and weak attempt at clawing the collar, "escaped with my companion. We…" as the gnome was about to explain, an electric jolt overtook him and sent him into convulsions. one of the temple guards hurried over, pulling the canoe fully to shore. The other two kept alert for any possible traps. Taken to shore, the gnome could barely breath, could not stand nor walk. The wolf on all fours, jumped out of the canoe and paced, concerned for the gnome despite her mission. As the male guard picked up the gnome his slave collar was blatantly obvious. A blindfold was wrapped over the gnomes eyes and a cleric called forth to take the gnome to the Hall of Healing.
"easy there," a guard cautiously walking up to the wolf, a rope in one hand, the hand up to show they were no threat. "we will get you and your friend help. We just got to be careful here for your and everyone's sake," in a soothing calm voice. The wolf cocked her head as if studying the guard then laid down. the rope was tied to the wolf's collar and gently guided to follow after the cleric. Inside the Hall of Healing, the gnome was placed on a cot while the wolf was led into the room; she stopped at the svirfneblin's cot and rested her head next to her friend's. The two novice clerics begin casting healing spells over the deep gnome. The spells worked their magic and the gnome was breathing normally again. Nathrae came over to study the collar, feeling for the locking mechanism as she whispered the words of a spell to determine what she was working with.
She knelt down to one knee, at the wolf's level, one hand resting on her furry head, "we are going to care of him."
When the wolf realized what they were about to do, she whined and barked, tried to block the clerics from working. Nathrae was holding back the increasingly difficult wolf assuming the canine believed they were hurting the gnome.
"shhhh shhh," Nathrae attempted to calm the uncooperative wolf.
One of the clerics worked the mechanism, removing the geas-inspelled collar. the gnome suddenly convulsed a final time then expired. The cleric looked to Nathrae holding back the furred beast with a look of confusion. Nathrae understood what happened, but not why her spell did not catch the geas. Many removals of slave collars kill the person; it helped to 'protect' the property from rebelling or freeing themselves. However it was unexpected that the body would then vanish from by a contingency spell. Usually, slave masters cared so little for their property to expend such a powerful spell on them.
The wolf whined, honestly not surprised by the svirfneblin's death and disappearance. But she was helpless, unable to confess the truth; had she the chance she would spill everything and take her punishment. Even thinking about it sent magical jolts of pain through her. She was trapped, resigned to obeying her master's will and carry out the mission. The threat to her clan kept her obeying rather than dying to free herself. Images of her family slaughtered at the snap of a finger, wiped out by a single word.
Nathrae looked at the wolf with compassion and unhooked the leash still tied to her collar. She whistled for the canine to follow. Obediently the wolf padded down the tunnel after the priestess led into the inner part of the Promenade. Just as she was supposed to be.