Scouting the Underflow

Archive of the roleplay of Shadow and Kysona scouting out the UnderFlow.

Shadow and Kysona must choose whether to go with **stealth** or **deception**. Stealth implies they are focused on keeping to the shadows and hiding in crowds, etc. Meanwhile deception is more of assuming an identity that makes it seem like you belong.

They must also choose whether they are **perceiving** or **investigating**. Again there's a slight difference: Perception is more about careful observation, like spotting a White Widow gang member or shady deal. Investigation is more about observation-based inferences, like noticing a business that shouldn't be busy right now has a suspicious amount of people coming in & out.

## Shadow Investigates the North Slums

**Laura**: I'll leave the mid slums to Kysona given the signora club is there and his ability to disguise himself may be better there. What is the homeless population like in the north slums? If it’s pretty decent/high Shadow is gonna find some dirt and grease and tear up some old clothes and put it on her and try to blend in with the homeless population (deception) If it’s not that high she’ll still use the grease and try to blend in with the workers/shadows (stealth). Shadow will investigate the area since she has been in the under flow before and would know which businesses usually wouldn’t be busy around that time.

***DM**: As you said, Shadow is scouting out the North Slums. The first thing you notice about the North Slums is the cavern, and therefore the buildings, are much taller than the Mid or South Slums. It seems almost like this cavern used to be an extension of the massive Central Subterranea but was later separated by the Admiralty. The buildings themselves look like they used to be relatively nice (especially compared to the other slums), but have fallen into disrepair. The sector seems to be mostly residential (with small general stores and local bars/eateries) and the nicest of the 3 slums. To your question, when you arrive you find a sizeable homeless population. It's early evening by this point, so most of the homeless are sitting out on the narrow streets asking for coin or food. You notice a particularly large group on the steps of what appears to be a once-nice hotel, called "The Etherium Lights," reminiscent of the hotels in the Capital. Shadow blends in with this group.*

**Laura**: I would probably be near the edge so I can see more.

***DM**: Sure, so you dirty yourself up and blend into the group near the hotel. You get a few sideways glances from the other homeless people there (you see most are human or Tabaxi with some tortle & kenku as well). You can infer many of them know each other, so they know you are new. But your disguise and deception is good enough that they don't comment or address it and instead accept you as a newly down-on-your-luck person.You watch the crowds traveling buy  and listen in on random conversations. You discern most of them are returning from their day shifts across all different industries/corps in the Under Flow. You also realize a lot of these people are slightly higher up in the labor force (i.e. the ones in charge of 3-8 person teams). By no means are they well off, but this is definitely the nicer slum with more of the 'important' workers.You catch parts of conversations about:*

* *Low worker turnout in import processing that's impacting a lot of other teams*
* *Quality Control in export packaging & shipping has been decreased as many of the Corps (Charontis, Savant, etc) push for more rapid processing to fill increased Sirex demand. Some of the workers speculate if this is because of Sigil being pushed out of Sirex.*
* *There was a malfunction in Waste Zone 2 so a lot of waste is being re-routed through Material Refinement Cavern to Waste Zone 1, much to the annoyance of the material refinement teams.*

*From conversations amongst the homeless individuals you learn:*

* *Savant is running opt-in pharmaceutical trials for pay, but most of the homeless persons are advising each other not to risk it. They talk about friends and family that have undergone similar trials to horrible results, even as far as death.*
* *They talk about the worsening air quality in the slums and blame the Admiralty for not maintaining exhaust tunnels from the Chem Vats and Material Refinement Caverns. Shadow, you've noticed this yourself and have developed a scratchy throat and occasionally watery eyes just from your 2 days in the Under Flow so far*

**Laura**: I’m gonna ask these two things to start:

1. What kind of effects are people experiencing? Just how bad are these trials?
2. Ask if they have any ideas on how to survive the worse air quality (like add a slight cough, mention how her throat feels).

Also do I hear any mentions of White Widow or a potions sale/persons sale/anything related to her businesses?

***DM**: For 1, a homeless tabaxi woman named Shell who looks to be 40s and relatively healthy save for her matted fur is happy to talk to you. She explains this a new trial so it's unclear. The trial is for Savant's next release in the "Rose Thorn" line, a series of experimental mental & physical enhancement drugs that give users a brief, extraordinary surge in ability. Past negative effects from pharma trials include everything from tumorous growths to physical or mental diminutions all the way to organ failure and death. The pay is good though, so for those with starving families, it can be alluring.You also learn from Shell about Charontis and Savant. The Charontis Pharmaceutical Company produces medicinal products including most Arasaka health potion exports (probably most of the health potions used by the party so far) as well as Nymerian Plague 'treatments.' Savant meanwhile focuses more on enhancement potions and drugs that are often sold to bardic colleges, well-off individuals, or governments.*

*For 2, Shell explains there are really 2 options*

1. *You work for a Corp and get standard-issue medicines. You can also buy these yourself, but they are exorbitantly expensive (for the avg worker). Higher Corpo employees even get gas masks and filters (you saw some of these one the street).*
2. *You just get used to it. The first couple of weeks are the worse, but after like a month or so your body adapts. Though the Shaucola Department of Epidemiology (part of the Nymeria Academia of Science) warns residents it can increase susceptibility to many diseases.*

*A tortle next to Shell mentions that there's a rumor one of the buildings in the North Slums actually passes through the ceiling to the surface! And that it has a clean-air conservatory. This is highly unusual for the slums...*

*Shell asks how you ended up here? She says she originally thought you lost your job or moved neighborhoods or something, but given you're not used to the air, you must be new. You haven't heard anything about WW directly, and your insight gives you nothing concrete.*

**Laura**: For the why I’m there, I’m gonna tell them that I used to live near the capital, but my husband became abusive and I fled with the little I had. I fled to the underflow in hopes that he wouldn’t find me. I haven’t seen him so I think I am safe, but adjusting to life here has been difficult

***DM**: She nods in understanding and doesn't push further, and instead offers you a folded up blanket to sit/rest on. She also warns you not to be on the street when the SSG (Sasami Security Guild) shows up in a couple hours. She explains they "clear the street" before the night shift leaves for work.*

**Laura**: I’ll stick around for about an hour (ish) more to try to see anything else and then leave. Will slip away, find a secluded alley and remove the disguise as best as possible before returning so nobody can track the homeless cat from the north slums to Anton. If shell is still there I would leave her the blanket and give her my thanks

***DM**: Before you slip away a young human boy shows up. He looks no older than 14 and his clothes are ragged and dirty. He has an Iguana over his shoulder. He begins handing out various food items (that seem scavenged) to the homeless people there and they chat amicably as if they know each other well. You notice a dog following him with a wheel that has replaced one his legs that the boy occasionally gives a bite of food too. He seems about to notice and interact with you, do try and look friendly or try and hide from or scare him off?*

**Laura**: I try to look friendly. I’m gonna insist that he save the food for others and that I had found stuff before siting with this group.

***DM**: He comes up to you and says "Hello mam, always nice to see a new face. My name's Buck". He offers you food again, but when you refuse again he accepts it*

**Laura**: “My name is Dew, it’s wonderful to meet you. You are so sweet to bring this. And your animals are adorable. Do you visit often?”

***DM**: "Ya I do. I have a knack for scavenging so I like to bring stuff" While talking, he fidgets in typical kid fashion, shifting his weight back and forth between his feet and scratching the Iguana (who he introduces as Felix). "Did any of 'em tell you ya need to get off the street soon?" He looks a little concerned at this*

**Laura**: "They did, everyone has been very kind and helpful to me here. I’ll be off soon"

***DM**: "Well..." he looks around like he doesn't know if he's supposed to tell you, but then does anyways, "there is a place a lot of them go to -- it's inside the old hotel. You can wait it out there if ya want! Meet more off the gang, I'm sure they'd be okay with it"*

**Laura**: "That sounds like a great idea, thank you!" Shadow heads to the old hotel.

***DM**: Okay so you head inside. Buck leads you with the dog (who he excitedly tells you is named Rex for T-Rex) through the old "Etherium Lights" hotel. About half of it has been converted into shitty quasi-apartments for paying tenants, but the other half is too dilapidated to even charge for, so it has been taken over by squatters. Buck leads you up a flight of stairs (many of which are broken so you sort of have to hop your way up) until you reach a room with a wood board covering it serving as a door. On the door is graffiti that looks roughly like the image below. Buck whispers that the "Lions of the GynoSphinx" run this informal shelter for anyone that needs it.*

*Shadow has heard a bit of this group before. It's a loosely affiliated charity/worker's rights group. Waxes and wanes in size/impact. Usually quite small*

**Laura**: Shadow goes through and asks Buck how long this has been open

***DM**: "Location changes, but this one's been a few months." Inside are a lot of mattresses, a small regular (non Etherium) lamp, and a cooking stove. There are some tabaxi in workers clothes making food for everyone. The room is relatively large (seems like it used to be a hotel conference room) and fits the group of 30ish people snuggly. There's another makeshift door to a room of to the left and you can hear at least two speakers, one clearly frustrated.*

**Laura**: What’s closest to that door on the left?

***DM**: A mattress with a tortle sitting at the end (away from the door) checking their shell for cracks.*

**Laura**: Is there an empty mattress within earshot of the speakers? Or no

***DM**: It's more of a double up situation, so no*

**Laura**: Okay I’m gonna go to the mattress with the tortle and chill there. Gonna try to sit on it quietly to not disturb him & listen in

***DM**: You hear bits and pieces, but the coherent points you pull out are:*

* *Planning a Savant worker walk out from pharma and chem vats caverns*
* *Support from some people up in the Kingdom Alliance.. (unclear who) that make them feel like they have a real shot at lasting change*
* *Worried about retaliation*

**Laura**: Any way I can tell who they are worried about retaliation from?

***DM**: Nope. Just what you're already imagining*

**Laura**: Any other conversations happening in the room?

***DM**: Seems like everyone's just getting ready to sleep at this point. Buck is talking to Felix about when the next time he can get real sunlight is*

**Laura**: Yeah I figured. Did I hear when the walkout is gonna happen or no? I’m gonna ask Buck if he grew up in the underflow, and then wait a couple hours until people seem asleep/sweeps are done and sneak out.

***DM**: Soon is the most you got. Like matter of days. You probably won't be able to get a good night's rest by the time you get back. Unless you sleep in (you'll get back around 2am so 10am). 2 days without a good night's sleep (so over 48 hours without sleep) = 1 level of exhaustion. I'm going to make it a CON save based on the OG rule: Whenever you end a 24-hour period without finishing a good night's rest, you must succeed on a DC 10 Constitution saving throw or suffer one level of exhaustion. It becomes harder to fight off exhaustion if you stay awake for multiple days.*

**Laura**: Fuck. Okay, I'm going to ask Buck

1. Did he grow up in the underflow?
2. Were things always this bad to him?
3. (If the answer to 2 is no, then when did it start getting bad).
4. Who should I stay away from/who is safe to ask for help/go to

Then I'll wait a bit, sneak out, get back, un-disguise before getting back, and next to my bed write a sign saying “do not wake before 10am your cat needs her beauty sleep” and stick it on her mattress (in Anton's place). If the party chooses to wake up shadow early then I’ll make the roll

***DM**: Bucks replies*

1. *Yeah. I have no idea who my parents were, but I have a big family with lots of animals now. gestures around*
2. *Bad? Things aren't bad. We're all here, were together, we have a place and food. Some of the Lion gals want to shake things up, but why risk it?*
3. *Do you think things are bad? I also never got your name?*
4. *Hmm... Stay away from Sasami Security Guild and all the gangs, unless you want to get wrapped into that. Not for me, I wouldn't be able to watch Rex here ruffles his hair*

*He says this is the main Lions of the GynoSphinx hideout he knows of and they're generaly trustworthy if ambitious*

**Laura**: “I’m sorry if I came off as rude! I came from above before here, and I always got taught that things were more hands off here, but in a good way. To hear about things like the sweeps is just shocking to me. But we are all here and alive, and that’s something to me”

***DM**: The sweeps are new he says with a frown. They've been tightening things up for months now. Not sure why*

**Laura**: When did they start? Maybe if they’re really know this is just a temporary thing

***DM**: "Few months ago. Most I've heard is it came from the dwarves." He shrugs*

**Laura**: I’ll tell Buck goodnight and thank him again for taking me here

***DM**: He says: "Bye! I hope I see you again Dew :)" He also offers for you to pet Rex or Felix.*

**Laura**: He says: "Bye! I hope I see you again Dew :)" He also offers for you to pet Rex or Felix

## Kysona Investigates the Mid Slums

**Malcolm**: Yeah Kysona will take the mid slums and focus on deception. Thought wise though could I include a persuasion and insight role for his investigation? I think Kysonas method of scouting would be based on perception at first, but then most of the information he gains would be from talking to various people and reading into them. For example trying to breakdown security measures (both official and unofficial in the area especially around the theatre) and probably trying to learn more about the hierarchy for either organization.Also while he's interested in learning about the Signora theatre a bit, also obviously would poke around regarding the counterfeit potion business. Because of his background I think he would have a decent knowledge of fake potions, since that's primarily how he made his living before this. Also logistics wise, but in order to increase the amount of ground he can cover he would probably use Arya and Neira (the summoned Fey spirit) to observe a wider area more efficiently

* Kysona sends Arya to the South Slums since neither Kysona nor Shadow can scout there.
* Kysona would probably be very fluid in his disguises as he moves, changing based on the situation. In general he would try to create the most disarming persona possible, but may occasionally try to create a more authoritative character if the situation calls for it. The idea being though that through a combination of disguise self, accents, and the comprehend language spell he would move himself between personas as he travels around

***DM**: **Kysona is scouting the Mid Slums**. Upon arrival, it is clear that the mid slums have the most activity of all the slums. This is where most of the bars, night clubs, restaurants, drug dens, etc. are located and so no matter the time of day or night the mid slums are popping (not that you can even really tell when it is day or night aside from the worker bells that go off). This cavern, like the South Slums, is relatively short in height, and even then many of the buildings do not reach the rock ceiling, leaving room for 'rooftop' bars and clubs. As you've said, Kysona is switching between disguises as he moves, utilizing 30 deception roll to blend in. It's early evening when you arrive. You mentioned poking around Purrmiscious (the Tabaxi-only nightclub where Signora is going to perform) and searching around for stuff related to the White Widow criminal operations. Condemned Zone F, a large neighborhood whose tunnels are completely shut off by the Admiralty, is also located smack in the middle of these slums. Which do you do first?*

**Malcolm**: First step is summon in Neira in the form of a pixie (aka tricksy fey). I'll have them scout around looking for any potion shops, specifically ones that seem mid range (think nice enough to have a good income, but not so high that there's a lot of oversight of their operations). And while she's doing that I'll start looking around Purr, looking for security measures and a general layout of the space (balconies, private seating areas, etc.)

***DM**: Neira is able to find several over the course of a few hours. Can you roll insight for her? For which one she picks. And then for Purr, are you disguised as a Tabaxi and are you entering? It's an off-night so it's not too crowded and you should be able to get in (if you wait in line a bit).*

**Malcolm**: I'm not too concerned with which one Neira picks, I want tabs on most of them. I think the one I would have her watch is a mid range shop, one which seems nice enough quality to have decent financial backing, but is low enough quality that it could get away with low quality products (her insight is 14)And yeah for Purr I would enter as a slightly overweight Tabaxi named Light Footstep. He's fairly affable and friendly, and makes a lot of jokes at his own expense to try and make others laugh

***DM**: Okay so first for Purr, you follow the Vulture's directions to where the club should be. From the outside, you think you’re in the wrong spot. All that's the there is an alley with a disgusting looking dumpster that reeks. You give it a few minutes, using your deception 30 roll to blend into the crowds nearby. Until finally, with your perception 27 roll, you spot a group of Tabaxi that look like they're ready to party turn the corner. You watch as they seem to phase through the dumpster, leaving nothing but their paw prints on the filthy street. Insight 24, it's clearly an illusory entrance. You march through it despite the stench of the chem-soaked dumpster burning tears into your eyes. But you press on and pass through the illusion, and the stench and dumpster disappear. You see before you an elegant, posh nightclub waiting area, but as you step forward you walk smack into a barrier, shimmering and nearly invisible (you can make an arcana check). A gruff, tabaxi voice beyond the veil asks you to pony up your coin and submit to a pat-down.*

*Neira is able to find several mid-tier potion shops. With an insight of 14, she doesn't put together much on her own, but she notes them and can report them back to you if you want to poke around each one (there's 4 that fit your description, so would take a few hours to hit each one).*

**Malcolm**: Cool. So knowing his disguise won't hold up to physical inspection, Kysona makes a show of pulling out two coins. He passes over the first, and while doing so is going to attempt to move his mage hand through the barrier (to test what it prevents). Then if it doesn't pass through he'll attempt to subtly cast a minor illusion on the other side to see if it blocks magic completely. He'll then step through, and begin attempting to speak to them in Sylvan, knowing they won't understand. If the tabaxi spoke in a specific tabaxi language, he'll use this time to cast tongues (he can understand sentences with comprehend languages but can't speak them without this spell.) He'll then apologize, saying hes visiting from far south Nymeria. He then reachesup and makes a show of pulling off his ring, and as he does so he changes his disguise self to change his disguise to that of a more rural tabaxi (essentially what the tabaxi from the jungle looks like) but with a massive scar across his face . He explains that he bought the charm so that he could hide his battle wounds but it doesn't perfectly match his figure.

If the guard seems to not believe him, or seems hesitant, he'll lean on his staff and cast command, saying "trust me, I'm working on a better solution"(with trust being the word of command). Also point on this, but if the barrier removes his disguise he'll know immediately (since he's also casting levitate which would fall as well) and turn and run (teleporting as soon as he's outside)

## Kysona talks to Eli the fey

**Malcolm**: Specifically on that note, Kysona kind of wants to discuss the terms of their arrangement. He knows enough about Fey by now to know that they make deals, and that he shouldn't agree to anything for free. If he's going to be partnered with Eli he wants to know what he can get out of it (specifically of interest to me right now is access to the spell Conjure woodland beings, but obviously anything you come up with as DM)

***DM**: You'll have to pull out the amulet from Eli (PC) to talk with him and he appears in front of you as a faerie kind of creature, but only you can see him. He is excited to talk with you and reiterates how badly he wants to go to Bombyx Mori. He explains he is a faerie of the faerie dragon "god" Nathair Sgiathach. He's not sure how he ended up in this world as it is very unfamiliar to him. He thinks Bombyx Mori is his best bet to get back to Nathair. So getting there is what he wants most. He asks if you are willing to take him there?*

**Malcolm**: I would tell him that's all well and good, and I'm always happy to try and aid a fellow follower of the Fey, but that I may need a little more than that to go on. Bombyx Mori is a far journey away, and my obligations extend only as far as the will of my patron, who I am relatively certain is not a dragon.

However I'm a genuine soul, and I do wish to aid him in his journey. Perhaps there is some way that he or his patron could help make this worthwhile for me? I know he helped out Ellie, and while I don't seek his patrons power, there are other things worth having.

***DM**: Hmm... he ponders this, scratching his chin and hovering in the air. He asks what: "What do you even know about your patron? And what in the name of Nathair is that glass mirror?"*

**Malcolm**: My patron is a Fey witch from the forests of Bombyx Mori. Her exact nature and goals are unfamiliar to me, but I have pledged myself to her for as long as she maintains my service. This glass mirror is her most recent gesture to me, and one which I am still attempting to decipher, but it was delivered to me in response to asking for clarification of my role with her. It's my interpretation that the gesture is meant to show that her business is her own, and I will become aware of it if and when the time comes. The name I have heard associated with her is Baba Yaga