The Burrow

**The Burrow** is the fifth episode of *Another Bad Side Quest*. The Nameless Protagonists discover new places in the Underdark and encounter new and strange people.

## The Burrow

### **Synopsis**

**Pre-Show Shenanigans**

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### **Part One**

The long coated figure made their way from the darkness and approached the party, noticing his cracked red skin, the very large pistol he carried and that he walked with a drab limp. As he came closer into view of everyone in the party, they saw the cracks were a part of him. The figure looked at them and asked for an explanation. Seren stepped between the figure and Killian, as he was the most injured, and said they were crossing the bridge when a creature tried to follow, and drastic times called for drastic measures. Seren then asked the figure who they were, and he introduced himself as Bolton. Bolton claimed he ran security in the tunnels for Ob, and asked what was chasing them, as his rounds were usually fine, but today he heard the noise, coming to find them and 'a big 'ol pile of rope'. RX stepped forward and explained they were chased by a howler, and apologized for ruining the bridge. Bolton didn't mind the destruction, and mentioned that not much came over the bridge anymore, and was glad to not deal with a howler.

Bolton then offered to take the party to the end of the tunnel since he was just finishing his rounds. Quincy asked what he did security for. Bolton replied for a tavern, and stated there were a lot things that could do damage to place that weren't maintained or fortified. Bolton also mentioned taking on a group of Kobolds, one which he shot in the head, but didn't seem to stay down. After a good insight check to know Bolton wasn't lying, and conferring with the party as a whole, the group decided following Bolton wasn't a bad option, especially with Killian looking rough, that and with the bridge gone, they didn't have much of an option. Once that was decided, Tabernacle, his seagulls, Quincy and Alaerith looked through the ruins of the rope bridge to find the *Bag of Holding*, which had been dropped in the chaos of the encounter with the howler, but managed to get snagged on the bridge and brought up by one of his seagulls and gave it to Tabernacle.

At the same time, Seren checked on Killian before he cast *Cure Wounds*. Killian didn't say much more then a single thanks, before moving into the tunnel past Bolton, dagger clutched in hand and quickly followed by RX. Bolton called out for them to watch out for 'the stream', which he explained was a underground stream of water that crosses the tunnels, that was very powerful. Bolton stopped, noting that several people couldn't see in the dark, and the fissure like cracks along Bolton's body, as his body and hair glowed making 20 feet of dim light, which helped the party identify him as a Magma Genasi. Asked by Alaerith on length of time to get there, Bolton told the party it would take about half an hour to get to The Burrow, the tavern he works for. When they arrived at the point of the river, where they met with up Killian and RX who waited at the stream, noted that not only was it strong, but also scalding hot. After twenty minutes travel before the party is suddenly the small tunnel opened up into a space a decent 60 feet wide, Bolton made a turn and said this tunnel was recently dug out to increase trade with *Quarry Hold* and *Still Geyser*, which had prior been slowed by purple worm tunnels and made the tavern quite busy.

As they walked, the party did notice other travellers going through the tunnels past them, and Seren asked why there was a ropebridge over the chasm if Bolton says no one comes from that direction anymore. Bolton explained the bridge was put up by the spider witch, who then told everyone not to go near it. When asked, Bolton noted the 'Spider Witch' as Kelaa, acting advisor to the Obsidian King, and noted that she didn't like the lights in the city of *Quarry Hold,* so she stayed around this area. Tabernacle tried to ask about the spider witch if there were more of them, which Bolton replied there were three, but one was dead, the other exiled and now just Kelaa remained. The party turned with the tunnel and saw a large hole, as if cut out from the side of the tunnel, and *The Burrow*, a tavern built within, which looked oddly out of place amongst the dirt, stones and tall glowing mushrooms. Bolton suggested they don't brandish weapons as they entered the decently noisy tavern. Inside the front door was a small room with a puffy armchair, and a tea kettle where Bolton dropped down and directed them through another large wooden door, reminding them not to fight in the tavern. Bolton then pulled down on a rope beside his chair, and the wooden doors opened to a bustling tavern full of all kinds of people.

The bartender immediately noticed the group and called them over to sit at the bar. The bartender looked to be humanoid and was almost entirely wrapped in black silk bandages, under a nicely tailored suit. On hearing Tabernacle asking who wanted drinks, the bartender generously offered the first round on him. RX and Tabernacle approached the bar first, RX asking if the man was injured. The bartender replied the bandages were more a personal choice, and while mentioning he was in an accident and a fire, rolled back some bandages around his hand to reveal shrivelled and burned skin. Tabernacle commiserated by unwrapping bandages around his own forearm, and showed rope marks and shredded skin that had long since healed. Alaerith tried to subtly hide his right arm under his cloak, and Seren pat his right shoulder, caused Alaerith to put distance between him and Seren. The bartender announced that nobody bothered around here, and asked what everyone wanted to drink before introducing himself as Ob, owner of the tavern.

Quincy asked for anything he thought she would like, and decided something clean for her as he quickly made a drink for her. Ob shook Tabernacle's offered hand, and when asked for something he would like, noted that Tabernacle seemed 'waterlogged' before going under the counter, and pulled out a small keg, saying he got it in *Vayilcor* 80 years ago. Reminding him it was on the house, Tabernacle remarked that maybe *The Underdark* wasn't so bad, but Yashani was quick to assure him that for her it is. Ob reassured her that the people there were free and didn't have to worry about a lot of things like the Aj'Naga, and that's why Ob was here. Alaerith asked for something more unique to the Underdark, and Ob brought out four mixed drinks, his own special drink, which Alaerith and Quincy each took one, while Tabernacle took the last two and convinced Yashani to partake as well. Seren tried to take a walk around the tavern and look around, but found it difficult with the number of people inside, plus his size, but he over heard conversation about mining and trade between *Quarry Hold* and *Still Geyser*. RX approached Ob, and Ob noted that he had seen any of his kind for a while. RX asked if he had any machine oil, and Ob called for Bolton to come inside and look for some in the shed.

Quincy asked Ob about Tabernacle's drink being from *Vayilcor*, admitting she has been a few times, but hadn't seen much of it, and then asked RX if he remembered it. RX admitted he was not familiar with *Vayilcor*, to which Ob replied "they usually know where they come from". RX asked if Quincy or Ob had any other information, but Quincy admitted she has only been to the shore. Ob on the other hand said it had been a century since he last went, but did remember seeing prototypes of RX's design, not as smooth or sharp as him though. Ob told RX if he wanted to know more of his existence, he should go to the *Clockwork Castle*. At this point, Quincy broke from the group at the bar, and went to find Killian who remained by the front door, leaning against a wall with his arms crossed, and asks if he was alright. He admitted he didn't know how long he could adventure for, and that his earlier brush with death had got to him. Killian pondered what would happen if he died without Samara knowing what happened, but Quincy cut him off to assure him he wasn't going to die.

Killian excused himself from Quincy, dropped his coat off at the entrance and exited the tavern. As he stepped outside he brushed a hand through his hair and cast *Disguise Self* to appear as a drow, and head in the direction Bolton pointed to find Kelaa. Meanwhile Bolton returned from the shed just after Killian left, walking into the bar with a jug of machine oil that he handed to RX. RX drank some before offering the jug to Tabernacle who agreed and took a sip, which surprised RX, but left him pleased. RX then decided it was too difficult to take in information in such a loud area and stepped outside as well.

Killian travelled back through the tunnels in disguise and attempted to figure out where Kelaa lives. With a keen eye he managed to see a crack in the tunnel wall, wide enough for a single person to walk through and lined faintly in the same webbing as Aarcanii's home. Killian then injured himself and faked a limp, as he pressed into the crack in the wall, carefully disguising his weapons with *Disguise Self* as well as he went. The further in he got, the more dense the webbing became until all around him was webs as light started to appear. Killian then steps into a cavern, greeted by a voice that asked what he was doing. Killian pretends to be someone injured crossing the chasm, and a woman, that looks a lot like Aarcanii revealed herself, although her spider abdomen was larger and there were no humanoid legs. Killian asked for help and the woman cast *Cure Wounds* on him. Killian thanked her and asked for her name, which she replied back was Kelaa. Killian asked if he could possibly stay the night, and Kelaa hesitated, but eventually told him no. Killian then pretended to stumble a bit, and managed to swipe something round and metal from within her bag. Killian quickly apologized and left Kelaa's home, released his *Disguise Self* and along the way back, inspected what he took, and found it to be a tube, with scroll written in Undercommon.

Back at *The Burrow*, while the rest of the party drank and socialized, Seren pulled Ob aside and thanked him for his generosity before asking if Ob has ever seen another tortle in *The Underdark* before. Ob said he saw one, possibly female, in *Quarry Hold* when he first came to *The Underdark* about 80 years ago, and they were mossy like Seren. Ob also explained to Seren that knowledge was everything to him. Seren attempted to bribe him, but Ob pushed the gold away and reiterates he liked having information and asked what was his interest in the tortle. Seren replied that the tortle in question that he was looking for was his sister and that they had been separated over a hundred human years ago. Ob seemed to accept this, and told Seren if he ever made it to *Quarry Hold* to find the *Hall of Emeralds*, it's where a lot of information is kept on the comings and going of the area.

Killian soon arrived outside *The Burrow*, cast *Message* and telepathically asked Tabernacle to come outside. RX spotted both Killian's arrival and Tabernacle's leaving the Burrow and joined the two of them. Killian asked Tabernacle for his help understanding the scroll he stole from Kelaa, telling them it was from one of Samara's friends, and also asked RX if he could memorize it as well. Though Tabernacle seemed to believe the lie, RX managed to see through it, but didn't say anything. Tabernacle told Killian that he could help, but would need a quiet place, and some time and suggested getting a room. The trio headed inside and were spotted by Seren, who pointed out their arrival to the rest of the party still drinking.

Tabernacle requested rooms from Ob, and the tavern owner replied the back building was full, but he had four rooms here in the tavern, two on one side and two on the other. When asked for pay, Ob refused payment for the rooms, saying he liked to make friends and quickly pointed the ladies down one hall and the fellas down the other. Down the girls' hallway was a large iron door at the end with no handle, while down the boys' hall were two very nice looking doors, that Tabernacle discovered were locked before Seren easily opens one of the less fancy looking doors, followed by Alaerith. Killian and RX reluctantly followed Tabernacle into other open room where Killian continued to lie about where he got the parchment scroll. On hearing the Samara's name mentioned twice, Tabernacle enquired as to who she was, and RX revealed it was his wife. Tabernacle started to ritually cast *Comprehend Languages*, found it was a spell scroll to cast *Darkness* and told Killian as much.

Tabernacle then admitted to the two of them that he has been having trouble sleeping, that people from his past were showing up in his visions and dreams, especially hearing a scratching and whimpering sound in the dark. He then pulled out a fishing lure that appears to have a dog tag attached to it that reads *Hobble*. Tabernacles told them of his dog when he was a boy, then had their pups, and several generations worth of pups after that. He went on to say they were as much part of his crew as any man, and believed the dog was calling out to him. Killian tried to appear as though he followed, but it is clear he was just humouring Tabernacle. Tabernacle admitted he was hoping to get some help from Killian, since magic was new to him and Killian agreed to do what he could. With this agreement, Tabernacle started directing Killian in helping him set up a different ritual, which to his surprise Killian showed a fast, almost practised skill for. They chatted as they continued this with, Tabernacle noting and asking about Killian's former demeanour, but Killian reassured him he was ok. Tabernacle also admitted knowing what it was like to have someone waiting for you and being homesick, but said it was a regret long in the past, and to not let it be like that, which Killian reassured would never be.

At the same time, Seren, Alaerith and RX heard a loud booming sound nearby before the loud cry as someone yelled out

"*RAID!!!!*"

### **Break!**

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* winner of the dice giveaway is amarasun! Congrats!

### **Part Two**

The party heard from both sides of the tavern the shouted warning of "RAID!!", before they also heard the smashing of windows and the sounds of Draconic being spoken which Alaerith, RX and Tabernacle, still under the effects of *Comprehend Languages,* understood to mean

*"Where is he? There he is. You shot the boss!",*

and also heard the voice of Bolton reply "Oh shit".

Seren ran out of his room, found kobolds in the hallway of their rooms and the main room, activated a charge from his *Spider Druid's Gemstone* to give advantage on his next spell, but failed in his cast of *Guiding Bolt* on one of them. Killian exited his room, slashed one of the kobolds with his scimitar, while also activating his *Defensive Flourish* for extra damage and to bump up his defence, then stabbed with his dagger ending the kobold. A strange kobold in tattered robes (Junk Shaman), and wielding a pipe-like staff with fire coming from it, approached Bolton, caused bits of metal to cover it as it cast *Junk Armor,* and then cast *Flame Jet* on Bolton, which Bolton seemed to be resistant to. Yashani popped out of her room, moved up to the nearest kobold in their hallway, missed with her quarterstaff, but hit them with an unarmed strike.

Tabernacle's cast of *Find Familiar* that he was trying to do seems to fail as the sound of a dog's barking that appeared became distorted, and *Find Familiar* turned into a cast of *Flock of Familiars* as three seagulls appear in the ritual circle, but decided to use the seagulls to help the rest of the party as distractions and finished by moving to the hallway near Killian. At the same time the dead kobold blew up and hit Tabernacle with it's skull. From one of the other rooms, a Chieftain looking kobold emerged into one of the rooms. From the same room, a human sized kobold (Swolbold) entered the tavern and punched Bolton. Bolton then rushed across the tavern to the girl's hallway, as the Junk Shaman, kobold and Swolbold used their reactions to attack with only the Swolbold succeeding, turned around, pulled out two pistols, one that glowed red and the other blue, and used a grit point to activate his *Trick Shot :* *Piercing Shot* to pepper the first kobold with fire and ice, and pierced their way into the Swolbold.

RX left the room, headed to one of the kobolds in the main room and slashed them, learning the new word 'bastard' from it in the process, and used his psionic power to activate his *Psionic Strike,* which RX seemed to not fully understand, but still brought an end to the kobold. One of the kobolds near to RX slashed them with it's shortsword. Quincy left her room, killed the damaged kobold in front of Yashani with her pistol, continued to the hallway bumping into Bolton, then activated her *Battle Maneuver :* *Quick Toss* to throw her dagger at another kobold next to Bolton. Alaerith left the room, asked Seren what the situation was, and readied himself next to the others in the fella's hallway. The kobold near Bolton headed to Quincy, as Bolton used his reaction but missed hitting it with his pistols, and slashed her. One of the other kobolds moved to RX, and slashed him. The fallen kobold in front of Yashani exploded hitting her with a piece of it's arm.

Seren used his last two charges of his *Spider Druid's Gemstone* to give disadvantage to the Junk Shaman and Swolbold*,* and cast *Bane* on the two of them and a nearby kobold. Killian rushed from the hallway and cast *Dissonant Whispers* on Swolbold, which simultaneously activated his *Tempestuous Magic* to move closer to the Junk Shaman. The Junk Shaman cast *Flame Jet* at Killian, but missed him. Yashani moved down the hallway, finished off the kobold in front of Quincy with her quarterstaff, then entered the tavern and hit Swolbold with an unarmed strike. Tabernacle continued to direct his seagulls to help the party, then cast *Eldritch Blast* at Swolbold using his rifle.

Outside of most everyone's line of sight, the Kobold Chieftain activated it's *Inspiring Presence* to bolster his allies, then hit Yashani with a shot from his short bow. Swolbold reeling from the damage before, missed his attack against Yashani. Bolton rushed down the girls' hallway past Quincy, lending her his two magic pistols, *Panic & Punish*, magic pistols that can fire both pistols once as an action and once more as a bonus action while not requiring ammunition nor have the chance of misfiring. RX, having been a bit cornered by two kobolds, slashed one of them while he activated his *Psionic Power* on it again, then activated his *Second Wind* to heal up a bit. The other kobold near RX missed it's attack on him. Quincy happily accepted *Panic & Punish,* rushed out into the fray and fired upon Swolbold, then fired against the kobold in front of RX ending them, laughing maniacally all the while.

Alaerith spent a little time in the hallway, attempting to detach one of Tabernacle's seagulls from his leg before stepping out in the hallway, and cast *Fire Bolt* against Swolbold, then stepped back in the hallway for cover. Seren cast *Shillelagh* and smacked the Junk Shaman with his empowered staff, and then cast *Spiritual Weapon,* which appeared as a glowing spectral tree with roots that lash out at those Seren wants it to attack, and struck the Junk Shaman again. Killian rushes to the room with the Kobold Chieftain, slashing it with his scimitar, which pushed the chieftain further back into the room, which prompted the Chieftain to use it's reaction to activate it's Spring Shield that instantly hit Killian, then moved up to them and hit them with his dagger. In the main tavern area, the Junk Shaman cast *Flame Jet* against Seren. Yashani continued her assault on Swolbold, missing with her quarterstaff, but hitting with her unarmed strike.

Tabernacle used one of his seagulls to goad the Swolbold into unsuccessfully attacking it, and darted to the room with Killian and the Kobold Chieftain, as one kobold and Junk Shaman used their reactions to attack and missed him, then activated his *Form of Dread* which altered Tabernacle as he and his seagulls started to take on an undead visage and using his seagull, cast *Inflict Wounds* on the Chieftain in an attempt to frighten them, but unfortunately was immune to being frightened. The Kobold Chieftain moved up to Tabernacle, as Killian uses his reaction to hit it on the way, and struck him twice, missing with one attack, and attempted to poison him, but failed. Swolbold in his still dazed state missed trying to hit Yashani. Bolton returned from where he had run down the girls' hallway previously, wielding a huge rifle bigger then Tabernacle's, warned everyone to shut their ears, then dropped down to his belly at the end of the hallway, burned two grit points to activate his *Trick Shot :* *Deadeye Shot* and *Piercing Shot*, and fired causing a loud CRACK! to sound out as a black beam came from the hallway, which burned through Swolbold and turned it to black dust, and drained the Junk Shaman's armor, then activated his *Action Surge*, using another grit point to activate his *Trick Shot :* *Deadeye Shot*, and blasted the Junk Shaman leaving it as black dust alongside Swolbold.

RX standing before the remaining regular kobold, grappled it and recommended it to not struggle, then activated his *Action Surge* and punched it, only for the Kobold to call RX 'fucker', adding a new word to his vocabulary. The restrained kobold tried and failed to break from RX's grapple. Quincy moved to take a shot against the grappled kobold, but on RX's request to not kill that one, instead moved where Killian and Tabernacle were facing the Kobold Chieftain and shot it with *Panic & Punish,* missing the first shot, but hitting with the second. Alaerith re-emerged from the hallway, only to see that nearly all the kobolds were gone, approached RX to cast *Shocking Grasp* on the restrained kobold, but on RX's advise against it, moved nearer to the others. Seren moved to the Kobold Chieftain, cast *Blindness* on it, then lashed out with the roots of *Spiritual Weapon* against it. Killian moved to the Kobold Chieftain and slashed it with his scimitar and dagger. Yashani entered the room and missed the stumbling Kobold Chieftain with her quarterstaff, then activated her *Flurry of Blows* and struck it's chest with two unarmed strikes, bringing an end to it.

With the Kobold Chieftain dead, Killian, Quincy, Seren, Yashani and RX paid a little more attention to Tabernacle's strange form. Noting RX holding the relatively unharmed kobold, Tabernacle left the sitting area and headed to him, which simultaneously allowed Alaerith, who was outside of the room, to see his form, who then screamed and fainted on the spot. RX advised against harming it as the kobold may have information, but Tabernacle punched it to use his *Form of Dread* ability to make it frightened of him, then dropped his form. In response to the punch, the kobold exploded in RX's arms. At the same time Tabernacle collapsed on the ground, and started to heave up salt water, which turned to blood, before he passed out on the ground as well.

1. ↑ Hear Zac's description of Tabernacle's Form of Dread HERE