The Invasion of Toril

[mucco]

Bleerie replies, still dead serious. "Looking for planars. Well, more of them. We hunt them, and we know they have a base here. In fact, we would like to know everything you can tell us about them - we might just be able to help you out with... disinfestation." She waves at the corpses. "But first, tell us: how many of you are here, still alive? How is life here? We are likely to spend some time in the city."

While talking, Bleerie starts rummaging around the corpses, to look for interesting clues, some writings maybe, and whatnot.

Spoiler

I loot the bodies (TM).

[Allyzedl]

"That is a pretty big claim for such a cute little gnome. My loyalty lies first with my people. However, giving you information on the planars can't really hurt. From what I've seen there are at least a few dozen upper planars that have taken over the city.

A few years after the Second Wave, a lot of the planars moved on and out of Waterdeep as it was no longer worth staying. But a few stayed behind, trying to set up their own kingdom here.

Life here takes some getting used to. My first warning would be to stay off the streets. The merchant district seems to be filled with mostly formian, but be very careful around the old royal district as that is where the majority of the planars reside.

There are a few merchants in the old temple district if you know where to look. The planars let them live and trade because they provide them with valuable gear.

How many of us? People living in Waterdeep, while I don't know exactly of the top of my head I'd say a few hundred. But we all live in the tunnels under the city. Most of the people can't defend themselves from the planars on the surface. So a few of us come to the surface to scavenge for food and supplies. Which is when I ran across you guys."

[Archmage1]

Trust
Considering his response briefly, Gale decided to trust this fellow, if only because he was from Waterdeep, same as her.
"What became of Undermountain? It seems as though that is where you are currently staying."

Spoiler

Continue to concentrate on the detect magic

[Allyzedl]

Bleerie finds a worn doeskin pouch that holds a few unremarkable pebbles and a strip of canvas, folded into a small triangle, that bears a single black sigil on one side.

[Tharione]

Noru remains silent in the darkness, atop his steed, watching the supposed survivor.

Meanwhile the raven continues its flight over the city, surveying.

[Allyzedl]

Bailey asserts, "We sealed off most of the entrances to the Undermountain. So that the planars can't get into it. It has become a bit safer since we now occupy the tunnels. The rest of the entrances are hidden in the city."

[Archmage1]

"So, what happened to all the traps? Most who entered it died rather quickly."

Spoiler

continues concentrating on the detect magic. Also, knowledge planes on the dead ant things(1d20+16)[17]

[Allyzedl]

"I disarmed all of the traps in the area that we currently occupy."

[Allyzedl]

@Gale Knowlege the planes on the formian

Spoiler

These formian are from the shadow plane.

[Archmage1]

"That is quite remarkable. You could have made a fortune doing that before the invasion. At least, until Halaster remembered you. So, what else do you know about these formians?"

so, realizing that they are from the shadow plane, Gale tries to recall what she remembers about the shadow plane, and it's denizens

Spoiler

(1d20+16)[36] Not a critical failure. Should provide contradictory evidence.

[Allyzedl]

"They seem to have some kind of truce with the uppers for now, they don't bother each other. A few months ago they just showed up, and since then have taken other the merchant district. I haven't been able to find their queen to kill her."

@Gale Knowledge Planes on the Shadow Plane

Spoiler

The Plane of Shadow is a dimly lit dimension that is both conterminous to and coexistent with the Material Plane. It overlaps the Material Plane much as the Ethereal Plane does, so a planar traveler can use the Plane of Shadow to cover great distances quickly. The Plane of Shadow is a world of black and white; color itself has been bleached from the environment. It otherwise appears similar to the Material Plane. Despite the lack of light sources, various plants, animals, and humanoids call the Plane of Shadow home. The Plane of Shadow is magically morphic, and parts continually flow onto other planes. As a result, creating a precise map of the plane is next to impossible, despite the presence of landmarks.

As for it's denizens, most creatures from the plane are similar to this one.

[Archmage1]

Huh. If these formians are from the shadow plane, they have not been there in a while. They could be blinded, and it seemed to make a difference, and they were not black and white.

"Do you have any idea where the queen is? Just a general location."

[mucco]

Spoiler

Whoops, thought Gale was done. Bleerie will say the following once Gale has ended her questions, I don't want to disrupt the talk.

The man had managed to belittle Bleerie on his first sentence. Well, she was used to it. "This is all useful information, thank you. Do you think you know a safe place where we could rest and eat, and possibly get to know more of you survivors?"

A plan was starting to form in Bleerie's head, on how to liberate the city.

[Allyzedl]

Bailey points to his left. "That general direction. I don't know much more than that about them."

[Allyzedl]

Leaning over to look at Bleerie, "Well you can stay at my place if you would like. It's not very pretty, but it will keep you safe for the night."

[Archmage1]

"Bleerie, we seem to be in fairly good condition still. Well, except for the elf, anyway. We should take out these formians before resting, or at least, thin their numbers a bit."

[Allyzedl]

Bailey interrupts Gale's conversation, "Actually it is going to get dark soon, I suggest that you take shelter for the night. The formian seem to be more active at night. It would be safer to wait til morning to reduce their numbers, I may even join you for a bit, if I have the time."

[mucco]

"It wouldn't be such a bad idea, as some of my best spells have been expended."

She then turns to the others. "Is anyone badly hurt? Zaavariel, is that it? If you're going to join us in this fighting, I can patch you up as well."

[Tharione]

"My daily resources are hardly expended. Resting now would be an inefficient use of my time, a tax on my reputation, and an affront to my employer."

Noru states this in a calm monotonous manner.

[Archmage1]

"I have minor injuries, but I could fix them if needed. As far as power goes, I could do this all week. Besides, if the formians are more active at night, that means we can take out more of them."

[mucco]

"Right, how you prefer. Just give me a minute, I need to heal the damage the poison did to me. That venom is nasty."

Bleerie starts casting a few spells to eliminate the toxins. Afterwards, she takes a look at the folded canvas she found on the formian.

Spoiler

Casting some Lesser Restorations. I will keep casting until all my damage is gone. Rolls below:
(1d4)[3]
(1d4)[4]
(1d4)[4]
(1d4)[3]

I expended my Resist Energy and Silence slots to cast two times.

[Allyzedl]

Bailey gives the group a choice, "I must soon go back to the tunnels, if you decide to stay and fight more formian you will have to find your own shelter tonight. If you do decide that, I wish you luck."

[mucco]

Bleerie almost jumps at the thought of losing their only contact. "No, no, we will definitely come then Bailey. Listen, guys, there are plenty of battles ahead. There is no reason to rush. As I learned in many years of battle, surprise is the key element in warfare. If we camp outside, the enemy will have the surprise. If we only fight when we are prepared, we will win. Let us rest and plan, trust me."

The gnome pauses briefly, looking at the sunset on the sea. "In the immortal words of my master, <He who strikes first, strikes last.>"

[Tharione]

"It seems to me we have already lost the element of surprise. Every formian in fifty miles is likely aware of what happened here."

he leaves a neatly folded letter on one of the corpses.

[Archmage1]

"So, an interesting question: Does anyone have a means of creating a secure resting place? If someone does, we can probably kill ants, whereas if no-one does, we should probably rest"
Gale says the last words almost grudgingly, hoping that someone would have a means of shelter.

[mucco]

"Exactly. They will be scanning the area thoroughly tonight. If we're out, we're dead."

[Zman]

"I need food and rest, I've not eaten in nigh on a week.".

Zaavariel only brings himself to his feet as they begin to leave. His demeanor is clear that he does not want aid and will turn it down if offers.


"You have my thanks."

[Tharione]

"I disagree that the situation is so black and white. I'm fairly certain that I could survive Formians out here easily. Just as well, heading somewhere else does not guarantee safety, especially if one leaves tracks."

Noru goes about restocking his quiver.

"My only real fear is that the formians' cooperation with the upper planars occupying the city goes so far as informing them about intruders. Planars will have divination magic and teleportation in surplus."

He replaces his bag upon his back.

"Which is why extra dimensional shelter would probably be preferable to a hole in the ground if it is available."

he looks to bailey. "No offense intended."

[Dramiscius]

Indeed, let's join our new found companion and find out more about the survivors. Perhaps they'll have more information on what we seek as well.

[Archmage1]

Well, it seems the general opinion is to rest. How sad.