Session 43-A: The Ties That Bind

## Key Plot Developments

As the troglodyte prison guards abandon their posts to enter the main cave of their den, they leave behind pits of prisoners. These prisoners--a multi-racial combination of drow and surface dwarves--are on the brink of death. As they're rescued, they describe how the troglodytes are choosing one of them to eat every day.

After the prisoners are rescued and released from their chains, Tremble scouts ahead, trying to avoid the main trogdolyte room. He's attacked by a group of ropers, stalagmite-looking monstrosities who reach out with tentacles. Tremble doesn't have time to warn the group, who is also ambushed by the beasts.

Tremble is nearly eaten by the creatures, but Trix is able to heal him before it's too late. When Trix invokes his most powerful healing magic, he hears Garl Glittergold's voice encouraging him. The group works together to kill and subdue the ropers, but are badly wounded. They worry about the troglodytes discovering them.

Finn tries to move the civilians through the hidden passages as expediently as possible. The group sneaks out and looks backwards into the main area. The cave's stream is running red with the blood of the slain troglodytes. One faction seems to have won and are beginning to devour the others. The group rushes away before they're discovered.

Once they're far enough away from the troglodyte den, the liberated drow explain how they became prisoners. They're from House Milan. Tremble asks them about House K'Gaust; the group responds jeeringly, since K'Gaust is known for cavorting with types of non-drow and treating them like equals. Tremble is upset by their insults.

The surface dwarves--Dauthorn Brintmantle, Traldak Xornbane, Zulia Stonewhisper, and Hargritt Hammerhome--were sent by King Bruenor on an expedition to discover more information about the demonic incursion. They got lost; as they walked through tunnels, they felt like the space around them was warping. They fear the chaos of the demon lords has been changing the physical landscape of the Underdark.

Before the dwarves lost their way, however, they found the purple worm nest. They give the group directions. Tremble writes a letter of introduction to the drow to return to House K'Gaust; they heal the drow and give them provisions to make the return journey safely. The group, including the dwarves, proceeds.

Soon, Finn hears a frightening voice warn him from continuing. Bogtooth sees the source of the voice: a young drow female. Trix offers her food. She accepts, assuming the group were slaves sent to rescue her. She introduces herself: her name is Hanne Hallen.

Hanne was supposed to track down purple worms, but lost her way. She's easily persuadable and immediately convinced that the group is trustworthy. They decide to rest.

As the group rests, they're greeted by a disembodied whisper from Sarith. They become aware of the fungi around them. He, they discern, is the Lady of Rot's best man. As the cancerous growths spread, his power grows. At some point, he'll have to be stopped.

## New NPCs

1. The drow of House Milan
2. The surface dwarves (Dauthorn Brintmantle, Traldak Xornbane, Zulia Stonewhisper, and Hargritt Hammerhome)
3. Hanne Hallen

## Memorable Quotes

* **Trix:** You keep helping these guys out. You're faster than us, so we'll go ahead, and we'll see you soon!
* **Finn:** Okay! I'll catch up.
* **Trix:** You're so cool!
* **Finn:** Just doing my job.

**Garl Glittergold's voice:** All that glitters...

* **Drow of House Milan:** Hello, strange, small, young, green creatures.
* **Bogtooth:** We're goblins.
* **Drow of House Milan:** You've been sent by House Milan to rescue use.
* **Tremble:** No. We're nice. And we're your equals. If it wasn't for us, you'd be dead in a smelly pit. Why don't you be more open minded or something?
* **Drow of House Milan:** ...yes. Now we see things...your way.

**Dwarves:** So...are you gonna kill any of these drow?

* **Trix:** Will you take a note from us to House K'Gaust?
* **Drow of House Milan:** Okay. What's the note?
* **Trix:** We haven't written it yet.
* **Drow of House Milan:** You want us to WAIT?
* **Bogtooth**: It'll take, like, a minute!
* **Drow of House Milan:** Ugh! Why?
* **Bogtooth:** You want us to put you back in the pit?
* **Drow of House Milan:** NO!

**Tremble's letter:** Dear Mrs. K'Gaust and Mr. K'Gaust and Wilenet: hello! It is Tremble! How are you? We are well. We found the rest of my family and we helped out lots and lots of people since we last met! But we still haven’t been able to get to Menzoberranzan. We felt really awful about having to leave so soon. I was especially sorry about having to leave without saying goodbye to Wilenet. But we should be coming very soon! We have been trying to get there but lots of scary things have been happening. But as more scary things happen, the things we think are scary become less scary! Eventually, nothing will be scary at all! Hopefully, when we come, we can introduce you to the rest of our family. We miss you all very much. Hope to see you all very, very soon! \*XOXO--that’s what Pix signs her letters with!--Tremble!

* **Dwarves:** We got lost. We'd go down one cave, and look back...and it looked like the cave had changed. It was like a labyrinth.
* **Trix:** Oh! You were probably in the labyrinth.

**Voice (Hanne):** Turn back, or suffer a death so horrible you cannot imagine. You have been warned!

* **Voice (Hanne):** I will destroy you with my powerful magic!
* **Trix:** How about if we give you some food?
* **Hanne:** Omgthankyousomuchiwashalfstarvedivebeenaloneforsolong. Foodwouldbesonicethankyou!

**Voice (Hanne):** Listen, I’m HARD to convince. Alright, I’ll come!

* **Hanne:** So ethnic! This is so good! Is this dwarf?
* **Trix:** You think we EAT DWARF?

**Sarith:** In sickness and in health...

* **Hanne:** Oh, a goblin custom! Allow me. WEEOOO! WEEOO! WEEOO!
* **Tremble:** So this is what soft oppression feels like.

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