Journey in the Dark

Journey in the Dark was the 13th session of Arc 1. The session entails the journey deep into the Underdark, and the liberation of Netheril. The session was held in person, and is the final session of Part I.

## Synopsis

The party regroups in Gauntlgrym to mourn the loss of Vlad Ironcock, before venturing deeper into the Underdark. The party finds themselves in a slim ravine full of toxic gas, and quickly escape into a large cave full of mushrooms, where they are stopped by 3 Duergar demanding payment to pass through. The party brutally slaughter the Duergar and attempt to sleep in the cave, but are unsettled by gigantic moths and spiders crawling across the roof of the cave far above them, and decide to keep going.

The party next finds themselves in a cave full of dark pillars of stone, and discover a cottage that is home to an elderly drow muttering nonsense in a rocking chair, which they discern as Ailynn's mother. After Faerie jokes about putting a beartrap under her feet, the party continue on to a large underground lake with a rickety wooden walkway along the side. While they walk across it, a Kraken attacks them, and they are forced to rush to the exit, trying their best to grab their fallen allies along the way. The party eventually reaches safety.

The party reaches a twisting maze of dark caves, and while they sleep they encounter a lost gnome adventurer. Yak decides to feed him a bizarre potion concoction, and banishes him to the Abyss. The party find themselves trapped on a thin stone bridge, with a Greatwyrm demanding they sing for him. After poor decisions by many party members, Gamling bursts into song, and the party continues onwards.

The party come to a cavern full of ghastly mist and struggle to follow the compass, before they are suddenly attacked by the Beholder looking to finish them off. In the battle, Gamling is slain. The party then reaches the doors of Netheril, and after Stionis sacrifices his pseudodragon to no effect, Fred takes his own life to open the door, and the party enters the Tomb of Cateline. Inside, they face various illusion puzzles, before discovering the enslaved Ms. Tibsy in the final room. They free her, and she opens the door for them, giving them access to the city of Netheril.

In Netheril, the party steals cloaks to disguise themselves as Mind Flayers, sneaking up towards the Elder Brain, though their cover slips upon reaching the brain, and they are attacked by Flayers while the Brain connects to the corpse of the dragon the party freed from Project Ignis, becoming an Elder Brain Dragon. Vicious battle ensues. In the afterlife, Fred speaks to Darmishir, who grants them the ability to resurrect either Vlad, Gamling or Elvish Presley. He chooses Vlad, and the two return to the battle to turn the tides. They defeat the Elder Brain Dragon, and escape into a corridor as Netheril collapses around them. They eventually find the Right Leg of The Material Guardian, before a door to escape opens for them.

Yak finds himself unable to pass through the doorway, and after attempting to help him, Fred leaves him behind. Yak encounters Baphomet, who strikes a deal with him before he falls through the floor into darkness. The rest of the party have visions of either their deities or of important family members, who gift them each with a magical item, before they all awaken half submerged in the deserts outside of Dirt 3 years later.