Acquaintances in the Underbelly

**Acquaintances in the Underbelly** is the first episode of *Another Bad Side Quest*. The Nameless Protagonists meet in unfamiliar territory and uncover details on creatures that plague The Underbelly.

## Acquaintances in the Underbelly

### **Synopsis**

 **Pre-Show Shenanigans**

* Introductions! The cast & DM introduce themselves giving a brief explanation on who they are in game for those unfamiliar with Dungeons & Dragons
	+ Darrin - Dungeon Master : master of the world and storyteller, he is everyone and everything in Palamoa. He interprets players actions and how what they do effects the world around them.
	+ Haelley - Quincy Desmar, Storm Genasi Fighter : Storm Genasi are a homebrew spin on the traditional Genasi race. A Fighter is someone skilled in battle and can feel rather generic but it is a class all about how you flavor it. Quincy will specifically be a Battle Master giving her special tricks to use in battle.
	+ Jon - Seren, Tortle Twilight Cleric : Tortle are large turtle-like people known for their wisdom. A cleric is a person whose magic is powered by the divine, often a deity they choose to uphold. The Twilight domain is known to be the last line of defense between light and dark, seeking to create sanctuary for people in between.
	+ Mak - Killian Rouge, Half Elf Bard & Sorcerer : A Half Elf is someone who comes from both an elven parent and just about anything else. A Bard is someone whose magic comes from some form of art whether that is art or music or their words. A sorcerer is someone born with innate magic, a power that comes from lineage which in Killian's case means he was born during a storm that gifted him with a boon.
	+ Jessa - Yashani, Half-Orc Monk : A Half-Orc, like a Half-Elf, is someone born from one orcish parent and just about anything else. A monk is someone who dedicates their life to honing a magical energy called Ki. Yashani is specifically a Way of Mercy Monk which grants her special healing and damaging abilities.
	+ Zac - Ol' Tabernacle, Human Warlock : Human is exactly what is says, your standard human in a fantasy realm. A Warlock on the other had is a bit more esoteric. Warlocks are magic users who get their power from a deal, known as a Pact, made with a Patron.
	+ Ian - RX-5284 a.k.a Roderick, Warforged Fighter & Rogue : A Warforged is a mechanical creature that is often a humanoid built for a particular task and in Roderick's case, as a bodyguard. A Fighter much like Quincy but with more attention paid to being a Rogue which is someone who slinks through the shadows and is best known for dubious things.
	+ Jeremy - Alaerith, Sea Elf Sorcerer : Sea Elves are an elvish variety that are particularly adapted to live near and in the sea. A sorcerer, much like Killian, is someone whose magic comes from something innate within them, but Alaerith is different from Killian in that his magic did not come from an event, but his bloodline. Somewhere in Alaerith's family line, he is the descendant of a dragon, or someone in his family made a deal with one to obtain power, or some other way.

### **Part One**

The story began in the depths, underneath *Aj'jigisha*, where two parties found themselves crashing into one another with a group of ghasts at their heels.

On one end stood Killian, Quincy and RX in a open cavern with a gate on one side, and a doorway from which they had previously heard the very concerning sounds of monsters and running footsteps. Killian had cast *Gust of Wind* at the doorway, blasting the door off its hinges, in hopes of slowing down possible enemies.

Down the aforementioned hallway were Yashani, Seren, Alaerith and Tabernacle who were attempting to escape a hoard of ghasts that surprised them further down the tunnels. They fought through the magical wind and ran into the previous trio, but with the ghasts close behind everyone agreed that staying in the cavernous room was a bad idea, so Killian dropped his spell, and the group moved past the gate and into a new hallway. Tabernacle and Seren worked together to cast *Shape Water,* with Tabernacle focusing on freezing the floor to make the terrain difficult for the ghasts, while Seren froze ice over the doorway the ghasts would have to come through before joining as well, to seemingly success. The ghasts piled up against the ice causing it to crack, and the group moved behind the gate, shutting it behind them.

Feeling relatively safe behind the gate, in a decently sized and unlit hallway, Tabernacle questioned if Killian, Quincy and RX were responsible for the ghasts, which Quincy & Killian denied before Tabernacle suggested they kept moving. Seren took the moment to get a closer look at the ghasts from behind the gate, and noted a sulphurous residue dusted across them and the ground, similar to the sulphurous tracks they had been tracking. He also assessed the gate's fortitude with the possible thought of stopping the ghasts here, but could tell the gate it would hold at best five minutes. Killian, who also noted the gate was rusted and wouldn't last long, cast *Unseen Servant* and ordered it to hold the gate to hopefully extend that timeframe despite the servant's lack of strength. Seren's continued vicinity to the ghasts put him within range of their noxious smell, which deterred him from further poking, and they all agreed the best move was to put distance between them and the ghasts.

Once the party moved on into the tunnel, they noticed the clanging of the ghasts trying to get through the gate slowed and eventually stopped. Further down the hallway, introductions were made by RX, where Tabernacle called him a butler, and RX corrected him by telling Tabernacle he was made to be a bodyguard. Quincy told them that RX was found in a box by herself and Killian, and was only just recently 'switched on'. Tabernacle explained that he, and the three with him, were looking for a child that they presumed was taken by the ghasts. Killian enquired if there was a reward or if it was more out of the kindness of their hearts. Seren answered the reward was doing the right thing, which Yashani agreed with, to which Tabernacle called it more a moral obligation and Alaerith just shrugged. RX prompted for introductions, to which Yashani and Seren complied and gave their names; meanwhile Quincy took the chance to poke Yashani's bicep, and promptly pretended it didn't happen when Yashani looked down at her oddly. Tabernacle insisted on moving onward, and they agreed to head further down the hall and from the ghasts.

As they continued on, they noticed that the hallway was lit further down by torches, and the previously naturally formed tunnel became etched as if made with purpose. The party heard the sounds of people further ahead, and as they got closer, the hallway turned and opened to an entire town underground with 15 feet high ceilings and maybe 200 feet across that also travelled back further than could be seen. The dwellings were ramshackle and many things were from of odds and ends, but it was a city nonetheless. To the right a large, guarded iron barred gate that led to a staircase, that seems to go up to natural light, and left the impression that the people of this city were not allowed to leave. To the left they heard a crackle as a spark went upward to the ceiling and down again, but no one seemed fazed by it.

Seren tried to talk with a local that walked past, and the party learned they were within *The Underbelly of Aj'jigisha*. This place was a holding for 'undesirables' such as pirates and exiles, and that many people came in through *The Shallows*. The party was also told that there was a simple way out of the Underbelly and up into Aj'jigisha, a military outpost, but that the guards weren't in the know that the people down here would come and go as they pleased. Tabernacle mentioned the goal of finding the child taken as well as the ghast problem. The local mentioned that the Underbelly had been found to have connections to dark places that the people here hadn't quite closed off yet, and that people had been taken nearly everyday for two weeks and the guards didn't seem to care what happens to those in The Underbelly.

RX, believing that evacuating the Underbelly and getting the guards to help was the best approach, started to head in their direction, but was stopped, almost physically by Tabernacle, but more so by Quincy who stepped in his way and said they weren't going to do that just yet. Quincy then asked if there had been organized attempts by the people living here to stop the kidnappings, and Seren followed suit to ask if there were leaders in this place. The local pointed both inquiries to Nomzyo, the Deep King, and Morgan, the quartermaster, pointing out where to find them, but noting that Nomzyo didn't speak to strangers. He also recommended *The Darkstop* where they could find one of the finest ales in *Palamoa* if they were in need of a drink. Before the party headed off on their own, the local, who introduced himself as Paulie when prompted, pointed out the lightning we had seen and warned not to go see Cofin, an insane inventor and seller of his own made magical trinkets.

After some discussion, the party decided to split up to follow up on different ideas; Tabernacle decided to go to *The Darkstop* where he hoped to find lackeys of Nomzyo and Morgan, while also in search of a good drink, and insisted Killian to go with him, while everyone else decided to go straight for *The Stronghold*, where they hoped to meet Nomzyo. Before heading out, Tabernacle asked Seren to keep an eye on Alaerith, citing strange feelings about the elf as his reasoning for his suspicion. Seren shrugged, confused as to what made Alaerith dangerous, but agreed to the task willing to ease Tabernacle's mind; at the same time while Tabernacle spoke with Seren, Killian snuck away quietly to see Morgan instead, with Tabernacle only aware after he had already vanished.

Tabernacle arrived at *The Darkstop* and and found it to be a 'scummy' tavern once inside, but no one seemed sober enough to care. Tabernacle attempted to gather attention from the patrons, but was shouted at and disregarded by them, and then promptly told off by the barkeep, a skinnier dwarven man, named Remi. Tabernacle asked Remi where he could find an underling of Nomzyo, and Remi replied that half the people in the bar worked for him. With that answer Tabernacle took part in the challenge of their famous drink, the famous *"Black Water"* ale, successfully and gained information, learning of a person that could help him get to Nomzyo. Remi told him that Desrin was a right hand man of Nomzyo, and some of his employees were here in the bar. Tabernacle wagered him a game of Liar's Dice for more information and Remi agreed.

Those headed to see Nomzyo arrived at his location, *The Stronghold*. *The Stronghold* was far different compared to the shambled houses and tents around it, surrounded by an eight foot stone wall that cut it off from the rest of the Underbelly, where a group of a dozen or so individuals lingered. The party was greeted by a black tiefling, that RX interacted with just before Quincy stepped in, introducing herself with a left handed hand shake. The tiefling, who introduced themself as Tage, took her hand and saw the spider tattoo on the back of her hand. Tage inquired if she was here on 'business', to which she agreed to an extent, but promised it was important. The tiefling reluctantly agreed to the request, and addressed another of Nomzyo's other men, an exceptionally large goliath named Kik, telling him to tell 'the boss' someone from something/where unknown as it was unheard by the party. They then watched Kik open a door that would likely be impossible to move for anyone else. The party was instructed to wait there, and Quincy requested that everyone else let her take the lead from there.

While waiting, Seren approached Alaerith, and mentioned that that he never caught his name and introduced himself and Alaerith introduced himself in kind. Quincy slightly confused asked why they didn't know each other's names or how long the foursome had been together, which they replied they had met two - three hours ago. Meanwhile RX questioned a group at the gate about Cofin, to which a goblin in the group replied that he was crazy and made dangerous items. When asked what kind of items, the goblin searched through his bag and pulled one of his inventions obtained from him in the form of a strange ball. Another group member explained the ball could create a puff of smoke, but that RX should see what Kik has. Seren continued his conversation with Alaerith, asking about an altercation with Tabernacle, which included being caught in a net and called 'beastie', to which Alaerith replied in confusion he didn't know what it was about. Seren followed up asking about the markings on Alaerith's face, to which he stated that he had them for as long as he could remember, basically since he was born. Kik returned shortly after that and announced that Nomzyo would see us.

Killian, at the same time, arrived at Morgan's shop and headed inside. The shop was filled with everything you could possibly need to keep a city going - food, gold, weapons, tools, anything. Sitting behind the desk was a light skinned, bald halfling with several tattoos, who identified himself as Morgan. Killian, introduced himself as 'Red', and asked of the issues with the ghasts . Morgan claimed that soon as the ghasts came around that people started going missing, and that a group of eight people from him and Nomzyo's ranks tried to deal with it two days ago, but they hadn't returned and were presumed dead. He also mentioned that getting to and from *The Shallows* had become more difficult and shipments had gone missing. Killian enquired if he was able to get a group together to take care of the issue, with no guarantee of finding those missing, but at least stopping anyone else being taken bit and recovering the missing shipments, what Morgan might give. Morgan replied that he would grant him a pick of something special from his inventory, within *Nomzyo's* *Stronghold*. Killian attempted to bargain for a ship as possible repayment, but Morgan admitted politely that it was a tall order, one he wouldn't be likely able to fill because all of the ships that came through were owned by pirates and not up for sale. He suggested in place that maybe a little something extra would be added to the item given, and would try even if unlikely for the ship, if he was successful. Killian lastly requested for a small package to be sent to *Kra'kash*, containing a dagger and a short message -

*"Going to be a little while longer. This is for you to protect yourself with. - K"*

Killian also suggested that whoever delivered this should wear a bit of padding, because the recipient was known to be quite aggressive at times, which Morgan accepted and did free of charge in good faith. From there, Killian left Morgan's shop and headed to *The Darkstop*.

### **Break!**

**Announcements**

* Darrin explains announcements will usually go at the start of the show so check that out in the future but character descriptions were happening so we didn't want to take too long to get right in it.
	+ Please check out @laniekun who did the amazing character art! She is on Instagram and Twitter
	+ Don't forget @TheBrassBailey as well, he did the fantastic Palamoa map!
	+ DM screen giveaway! We will be sending the screen to each person and will take turns signing it live to then be sent to tonight's winner!
* Jeremy letting you know that you can find us not only on Twitch, but also on Instagram and Twitter to stay up to date with all the latest information
* Jessa to tell you that even if you can't watch us live, we will be posting VODs of our stream on Youtube
* Jon to announce this March's charity drive which is Mental Health America, a wonderful organization to help identify and diagnose mental health disorders. If ABSQ can get 150 shares on the MHA tweet by the end of the month we will make a donation
* Zac to start off our wonderful sponsors. He is speaking for TableTopWorld which has a wonderful selection of high quality ttrpg mini's for you to use in your games. Use code "AnotherBadSideQuest" at check out for 25% off
* Mak for DungeonKeep, maker of incredible supplies for your game such as spell trackers, spell books, ki point trackers and more! Use code "SIDEQUEST" for 10% off at check out
* Haelley to talk about GMDice, a store full of wonders including dice, miniatures and rpg themed handmade soy candles. Use code "SIDEQUEST" for 10% off your order
* Ian finishing it all up to remind you to tell your friends about the stream! Like and follow and (strangely) obey!

### **Part Two**

Killian soon arrived at *The Darkstop*, and had no trouble finding Tabernacle inside, who was trying to draw the attention of other bar patrons to his dice game with Remi. Immediately Killian caught on and tried to help when Tabernacle's first attempt didn't seem to work, and managed a little better. Killian was pressured into the same drinking challenge, but it was a little too much and rushed outside to puke. Remi likewise failed in his attempt, expelling the drink back in his cup, and named Tabernacle as the winner. Remi called out to Cole, one of the people who Killian caught the attention, a burly human with a heavily scarred face. Though Cole had no interest in speaking with Tabernacle, he managed to convince him into playing a round of Liar's Dice, and afterwards arranged for Remi to go check on Killian outside the bar. After another round of "Black Water" ale, and becoming *Poisoned* from excess of his second drink, Tabernacle won the dice game, and got the man, introduced as Cole, to talk a bit of the Underbelly and Nomzyo.

Tabernacle mentioned the ghast problem, but Cole immediately hushed him up lest he incited panic in the people around them, and explained that not a lot of the people were aware that there was a real problem. Tabernacle explained that he had a group that might be able to help the situation, while mentioning he was looking to "absolve a debt". Tabernacle, a lot less sober at that point, started to ramble a bit, and Cole became annoyed, choosing to lift Tabernacle out of his chair, and pushed him out of *The Darkstop*, saying they were headed to the boss. Meanwhile Killian outside managed to successfully pickpocket Remi, while he was also puking, pocketing 15 gold and *Remi's Set of Keys*, just as Cole pushed Tabernacle out of the bar, and Killian was told to follow them to *The Stronghold*, all while Cole gave the occasional hit to the Tabernacle's face as he drunkenly rambled on.

Those within *The Stronghold* were led inside where they found equipment, armor, weapons, rations. They passed a library and heard the clanking of metal work somewhere else in the area. Kik and Tage lead them into a sitting room of sorts, with a large fireplace and a desk, where behind the desk they saw an older, grey skinned gnome dressed in nice brigadier's coat, Nomzyo. Quincy once again introduced herself in full "Quincy Desmar of *The Misty Moon*", once again with her left hand, which Nomzyo took and inspected, and noted her last name 'Desmar'. He brought up Kylan, that he hadn't seen him in a while and immediately asked why she was there. Quincy vouched for the others, also alluding to the possibility of finding an "obnoxious old man" and "a dapper and roguish looking man" as well who were part of the group, and that they were all rather new to each other, but wanted to help with the ghast problem if possible.

Nomzyo explained his belief that the ghasts came from ruins beyond the collapsed tunnels where the Underbelly connects to *The Shallows*, because those tunnels used to lead to *The Underdark*, but no longer did. He also mentioned that he was unsure why the people had gone missing, and likewise how he and Morgan had sent men who had not returned back and were presumed dead. He continued to say that normally there were only a few ghasts that roamed the ruins from time to time, but you could practically smell the hoard of them from their current numbers. Just then, the sound of drunken singing was heard as Cole brought Tabernacle and Killian into the room. Tabernacle tried to make a show of himself, and Nomzyo ordered Cole to shut him up, to which Cole took the opportunity to knock Tabernacle out cold. RX tried poking Tabernacle to wake him, only to be shaken awake by Cole under Nomzyo's order. After telling Tabernacle that his continued speaking out of turn would lead to the same action, the conversation continued, without issue.

Nomzyo mentioned that though it might be hard, if they solved the issue everyone of them, including him, would be indebted to them. Quincy asked if there was anything Nomzyo could give to help on their quest, and received a large satchel with a face on it*.* Nomyzo claimed that you could put a lot of things in there, and that if they found enough people, that they could fit in there, though he was unsure how. While this happened, Seren asked if Nomzyo didn't have any magic users who could use divination to find the missing people, but was rebutted with the reminder, that most magic was outlawed in the Skorian Empire, and anyone who practiced magic openly was taken by the Aj'Naga Holy Enclave. Nomzyo then mentioned Cofin could be an option, but like the others warned that the man was crazy, and not one you often seek out, but still gave the party a card with his seal, a cave and a crown, in hopes that might get them something from the insane inventor. Nomzyo also insisted we shouldn't use anything Cofin said "he just made" and use only his regular items, and immediately pointed to Kik, mentioning that he used one of Cofin's inventions and insisted the goliath to demonstrate. Kik proceeded to put on a glove, and punched through a nearby wall, before he offered the item out for someone to try, which RX eagerly accepted. When instructed by Nomzyo to hit something, Tabernacle made the offer to be the target, and RX briefly considered it, right before Seren cast *Sleep* on him and knocked him out. RX instead, proceeded to punch the door to the sitting room, twice, to great effect, causing it to collapse, but also found that the recoil of the empowered attacks caused damage to himself.

While this was happening, Killian stepped beside Nomzyo and inquired about Morgan, as to whether or not Morgan was allowed to go around offering special items from Nomzyo's Stronghold. Nomzyo did respond they are his essentially, but also told him to not go poking where he shouldn't. Seren healed a still sleeping Tabernacle, while Nomzyo spoke with Quincy once more, and mentioned that he can talk to Morgan to get word around so that if anything came through the Underbelly for Kylan, Morgan could get a message to him, although Nomzyo wasn't sure where Quincy might be when that happened. Seren inquired who Kylan was, but Quincy simply said he was someone important, and Killian stepped in to suggest they should to leave private matters be, just as Nomzyo announces he needed to speak to Quincy privately.

Seren woke Tabernacle up and ushered him out, with Yashani following soon after, as Nomzyo offered the barracks for their rest tonight. Killian stayed back a bit and cast *Unseen Servant,* which Quincy noticed and voiced her distain on, to which Killian replied he still didn't know her that well, as he headed outside and lingered outside Nomzyo's office. Alaerith stayed behind quickly to ask Nomzyo if kidnapping and holding people was usual behaviour of ghasts, or if something triggered a change in them, to which Nomzyo told him no, but did say that two weeks ago something happened in the fortress, and then the ghasts showed up, specifically organized, which they normally weren't. As Alaerith turned to leave and thanked Nomzyo for his information, he noticed RX lingered and tried to guide him out, to which RX agreed and proceeded to hand the glove back to Kik. RX quickly asked Quincy if she would be alright, and left the room when she reassured him.

Once they were presumably alone, Nomzyo told her he needed her to do something for "The Web". He handed her a letter and explained that it needed to go to Flamecannon in *Krapjess* at the *Drunken Lantern*. The letter needed to get there soon, or there would be turmoil in *Zhai*, also noting that the Pirate Kings weren't happy at the moment. Quincy asked if she could ask of the letter's contents. Nomzyo mentioned how she knew of how Drygong had been missing, but there was reason to believe they knew where he was, to Quincy's surprise. Nomzyo continued saying how he had been missing for six years with no one hearing from him or of him, and then he popped back, calling it suspicious and if true, they wanted it dealt with, and for him brought back to *Zhai* and suffer for what he did. Quincy agreed and Nomzyo thanked her before reminding her his services and "The Web" were open to her if needed, and parted ways heading to a different doorway that appeared to go away as he went through it. Quincy tucked the letter into her inner coat before leaving, and on the way was stopped by Killian, and while she warned him to be careful where he pried, Killian stating about honour among thieves, liars and cheats, informed her that he knew his way around *Zhai* as well, before both headed to the barracks.

In the barracks the rest of the party sat around, with some enjoying ale from a keg in the room before turning in for the night. Killian chose to stand away from the group and watched, while Quincy took to the keg and was greeted by Tabernacle. Tabernacle gave a formal introduction and handshake that Quincy met, right handed this time, and Tabernacle yanked down his sleeve to show off some of his tattoos, in particular five swallows, that represented he had sailed 5,000 nautical miles. When asked if she had any sparrows of her own, Quincy instead pointed to two thin lines that wrap around her wrist.

At this time, RX slipped away from the group, and on the hunt for information investigated *The Stronghold*, eventually passing the library they had seen upon entry. Among the many books there he found within, there were two that caught his attention, both in two different languages he couldn't understand, and decided to take them, citing the lack of any information saying he shouldn't take anything as excuse enough. The rest of the party sat around and conversed a while, with Quincy and Tabernacle asking odd questions of Yashani in regards to her Half-Orc nature, and the mask she wore. Yashani soon asked the group around her how likely it was that the people who were taken were still alive and Tabernacle admitted the chances were slim. Seren also mentioned that the ghasts were likely being controlled by someone more powerful.

Killian admonished the group for promising the return of Nomzyo's men still alive, which would give them a time restraint and less time to research the threat. Quincy clarified that they had promised their return, not that they would be still alive when returned. Tabernacle questioned Killian and Quincy's motives, and also gave a quick glare in Alaerith's direction, but also made it clear they needed a plan, which Seren agreed with before asking the party if they believed they were capable of doing this. Quincy replied, that despite Tabernacle's harsh opinion of them, she would at least try to help the people of the *Underbelly*. Killian replied that he had a package to be delivered, and had to take care of the ghasts to make it so, and would be accompanying Quincy. Yashani mentioned having some skills, and her ability to give aid to those who might be alive still. When Alaerith is questioned for his answer, he replied of his fears and his doubts that if others who were more skilled and prepared had already failed, what made them so sure they could do this. With Quincy responding nothing but spite, Killian reassuring they were all with him and needed all they help they could get and more reasoning from the others, Alaerith pulled out some small trinkets from his pocket; a small cheap looking piece of jewellery, and a hairbrush recognizable to Yashani, Seren and Tabernacle, and begrudgingly agreed to join as well.

At that point, realizing that RX had not given his response, they all took notice that RX was not with them.

1. ↑ *Bag of Holding*