DM Speaks: We start next week with the group on board the Grendel trying to locate the Tempest. Simple goal, so how difficult can it be. The group battled again Duergar Zombies on board. Most important was the discussion with ones on board below. Linli, the gnome Druid and her basalisk companion Bilbsbi were an interesting duo. As she said it is her boat! You have obtained a Basilisk Egg for her! What do you have to add on both of them? Opinions, thoughts - I'd love to hear!

DM Speaks: Understanding how important these individuals are to drow society I felt it was important to look for minis to represent each of your houses. I understand you MAY move away from Menzoberranzan, but maybe not and either way if you do the Matron Mothers may still be involved. It has not been as easy as I thought as I wanted very specific design and details for the mini. For one I did not want it to be in a combat stance. As a Matron Mother I feel she should be in a regal state and not a combat action stance. I continue to look for 4 (at the least) minis of regal matron mother drow/elf status! Have found or bought none yet.

DM Speaks: After some issue with kobolds being their usual sneaky selves using their water tubes attacking unseen you finally reached the Grendol. Next week the group is about to board the ship. You've seen undead duegar meandering about the ship and although you've only seen a few you ponder how many can really be aboard. Of course, the question of whether there is something greater on board is concerning. The group also avoided a scary red snake and saw some gargantuan shadow beneath their boats! Great intimidation was able to dissuade kobolds from attacking as well. Many good things happened tonight. We start next week in a very exciting position - BOARDING THE GRENDAL!

Game Summary #1 (10/17/715) Each of the young Drow Males began their journey with a private audience, summoned by their House’s appointed male representative, speaking on behalf of their Matron Mother. Expectations were laid out with the cold precision of a dagger's edge and each knows failure of this task is not acceptable.  Xar’Zin, Szordin, and Jevan emerged from their meetings with confidence and composure. Only Nin’Tzar was humbled—his pride bruised by a sharp lesson and a taste of nonlethal punishment. The task that they were given was to work together and retrieve a mysterious item. Their destination is a huge body of water known as the Dark Lake.  Once there, they are to find a vessel, believed to be long-abandoned, drifting in the shadows of the cavernous lake. Within the vessel is the item that they seek, a staff known only as The Tempest—its name alone promising danger, power, and prestige.  They are then to return with the staff to the Xarxes Pub. Their reward for this task is their freedom from their Houses. The party met up at the infamous Xarxes Pub in the shadows of Menzoberranzan. Amid the hiss of whispers and clink of goblets, introductions were made and plans set in motion. Escape from the city would not be easy, but Xar’Zin revealed knowledge of two lesser-used tunnels with notably lax patrols. One appeared unguarded. The group seized the opportunity to leave without notice. Though the tunnel seemed deserted, two guards eventually emerged from the gloom. Rather than fight, the group paid their way in coin, slipping past the city’s grasp into the wild dark of the Underdark, while easily avoiding a potential situation. The journey had barely begun when a swarm of glowing insects descended upon them. Quick thinking and even quicker feet allowed the party to evade the worst of it, sustaining little more than scratches, the group pressed on.   After a while, the waves of exhaustion were beginning to mount, and they dared not rest so close to the city in a main corridor used for travel. They pushed deeper, seeking refuge away from prying eyes. Then the group stumbled upon some holes and out came the rats. Not ordinary vermin—these were death-touched scavengers, drawn to the scent of warmth and blood. The ambush was swift. Jevan and Xar’Zin, caught off-guard, fell quickly under the rats’ vicious and surprising assault. Szordin and Nin’Tzar rallied together in the darkness. Through grit and guile, they dispatched the creatures. Breathless, bloodied, but alive, Nin’Tzar called upon his magic, healing their fallen allies, Jevan and Xar’Zin. The Underdark offers no kindness to the unprepared, and a clear lesson was learned Weary and wounded, the party group decided that they would not be able to push on and needed to rest, unfortunately, it would have to be the tunnel they were traveling in, hoping this was a tunnel not frequented.   There, with Szordin keeping watch in the silence of the deep, they took their first uneasy rest as a team—survivors of their first trial, and aware that far worse lies ahead.

DM Speaks: So tonight, we had some excitement in battling lizardfold which were stationed at the edge of the Dark Lake acquiring food for their people. The group eliminated them although they were neutral in alignment. The group also succeeded in killing a couple of large rats, a large centipede and a giant firefly! Great success. In the end the group has seen the Dark Lake and is upon it! Let us see where it leads you in finding the Grendel the old, abandoned ship. Who or what may be aboard? Remember you have been tasked to acquire the Tempest Staff which is said to be aboard this boat. The boat is open ended. There was also a lot of discussion after game on who is looking to leave their house or not. It was certainly not universal, and I find it fascinating to see how this plays out. We will miss John for a couple of weeks sadly, but I know the 3 will pull through. Could a 4th be accepted next week or the weeks after? I HOPE, but MIANNA FISK (the epic NPC) does not like it.

Date of Game Donation - 4/30/25 DM Speaks: Thank you for contributing your $20 to the game on 4/30/25. It is appreciated and is great to know I have your support when needed. Thank you all and understand ALL goes to the game and its needs.

DM Speaks: The group started their journey through the Underdark to recover the staff called the Tempest in the Dark Lake. During your journey you encountered flittering lights and had a difficult battle with Death Touch Rats which were able to take down a couple of members of this make-shift drow group. Ultimately all survived but for the first time being outside the walls of Menzoberanzan you feel concerned for your safety on a different level. Not, for other drow or houses but for the Underdark itself! The mixed group of drow house members move on to the Dark Lake to recover the Tempest Staff.

The Next Mini Challenge is: ANY UNDERDARK RACE MINI This can be any race of the Uunderdark, male or female. IT CANNOT BE A CREATURE OR MONSTER! It must be a race from the Underdark. A race is typically any intelligent, semi-human, organized creature. It does not have to be your core "four" races although it can. I'd be happy to give more detail but as an example an Umber Hulk is NOT an acceptable "creature" as it does not have a society or organization. I don't want to give acceptable answers as that may lead you, but if you are considering a mini and are unsure feel free to ask. So, the next mini challenge is: ANY UNDERDARK RACE MINI - August 1, 2025

Simply Post Character Name: Character Class: Your House and their Rank:

DM Speaks: After about 3 hours of character and game preparation we were ready to go, and it started with a blast. First, it is great how each of you grabbed hold of your PC and are so ready for them to adventure. I'm excited. The game started/ended with the group being forced into service by each of their houses to recover an item called the Tempest. This magical staff has its name etched onto its shaft and is aboard an abandoned sea vessel in the Dark Lake. The group must travel there, recover the item and then return it to the Xarxes Pub in Menzoberranzan. A member of each of your houses will be there to take it. Curiosity does arise as to why each of your houses are working together and simply not sending members of their own house to accomplish this goal. However, as low-level drow you ask no questions and move forward. How the group plays this out is unknown and I am excited to how you do as there are MANY different options on your part.

This is all I'll share for now to "wet your whistle"! If you ARE part of a House: Your Matron Mother orders you to take on a cooperative mission with other houses and their members.  Although strange, and unordinary you don’t ask questions and agree.  If you ARE NOT part of a House: Eight "drow watchers" pull you into a secluded area as you wander the outskirts of Menzoberranzan and say, "you've been selected to do some work for the houses. Failure to agree will result in your immediate death". You know you have no choice and agree.

DM Speaks: It was great we could get together for the Zoom call tonight. Here's where we begin next week: IMPORTANT BULLET POINTS • You are all drow. • You have no connection to each other up until the start of the campaign. • You are all from the City of Menzoberranzan. • None of you are or were slaves. • You are to tell no one (drow or otherwise) of what you're doing other than the ones you travel with. • CAMPAIGN START BULLET POINTS • Each of you have been called to "duty" due to some area of expertise you possess. • Your area of expertise is determined to be an asset for the success of the mission. • You are being given the opportunity of "departure" from your house or connection to the City if you succeed in the endeavor. • The reason you were chosen is your unknown, unimportant and inexperienced drow status. • Failure to succeed or any furtive plans of not completing it will result in death. No connection to your house should be offered if captured. MISSION • You are being sent to the Dark Lake which is one of the largest subterranean lakes in the Underdark to locate a staff called Tempest.

DM Speaks: Post what you're coming in as so we can see. Give details. • RACE • CLASS • GENDER • SKILL SPECIFICITY • FEAT SPECIFITY • ANTHING ELSE SPECIAL • WHO YOU ARE • CONNECTION TO OTHER MEMBERS (how and why are you with them - I can help but check details posted)

DM Speaks: With a sad heart I must announce that all members of the Sea Dogs have died. I'm going to speak openly here so take no offense or anger against me. It was a completely one-sided battle. Desicus easily eliminated the group with not more than a brush of damage to his hide. He was still fully healthy with all defenses up. His beloved Beluri was completely uninjured with all her powers ready to be unleashed. The two were more powerful than you anticipated, and the Sea Dogs were not prepared for their assault. They were aware you'd come back and were prepared. Their simple levitation magic caused issue but more importantly Desicus's massive spell assault is what did you in. He proved his supreme ability and the talk of Beluri being the true power was easily dismissed after his demonstration. Desicus destroyed you and proved you should have never come back to challenge him. You came with everything and everyone you knew calling back Taladel and Viceak and now all are dead. Desicus and Beluri sit down, relax and have a drink of blood or taste of flesh from each of your bodies. • To their delight Quavol's flesh has a wonderful but salty taste. They enjoy eating him. • Tasting Ollie they throw it to the rats disgusted by its worthless taste of piss and salt! • Sadly, the thighs of Sindrax's are quite tuff having no fat and all muscle. Not enjoyable, • Next, they take a bite of Viceak, but spit it out quickly stating dwarf meat has no taste. • Picking up the corpse of Kylor they bite into his cheek tasting his sourness and spitting it out. • Looking at Taladel, they spit on his body and then delight on pissing on it. No eating, just disgrace. Finishing their humanoid pallet Desicus and Beluri say: "THE SEA DOGS HAVE BEEN BEATEN, EMBARRASSED AND NOW CONSUMED. HOW MUCH MORE CAN THEY BE DISGRACED!" THE END

DM Speaks: We are finally at the end of our Desicus and Beluri situation with the Sea Dogs amassing an army to defeat him. Cowards! One side will win, and one will lose. I'm pretty confident on the outcome so start rolling up new characters. It was a modest start to the battle with many protections on the hallway and door. The group was able to dismiss most which was great. There is another door opposite the Desicus area. Is that to be ignored? Maybe, but are they and will they aid Desicus in the final, battle. Surprises await and it would be greatly helpful if Viceak was with the group in this final encounter with the great Demon Lord Desicus and his beloved Beluri! PETE, what a delight to have you at the game tonight! Thanks for joining us! Always missed and welcome!

DM Speaks: After more exploration of Dwakkah the group has decided to head back to the Abyss and challenge Desicus and Beluri! WOW! Completely unexpected, but I'm certainly looking forward to it as I'm so excited for this epic battle. It is so cool that Taladel has rejoined the group for this mission and now Mike will be playing 2 PC's! Awesome, unexpected and one of a kind! Curious to see how it plays out! In the end I feel this will be either a TPK or Desicus and Buluri will die. I do NOT think this will be a battle where either side flees! This will be for "all the marbles" and as DM I am excited for it to happen! Let's get it on and see if the Sea Dogs continue or their end is by the upcoming Demon Lord Desicus!

DM Speaks: What a game, what a game. Always fun. The group once again battled a number of Xulgath successfully and in reality, quite easily. The group is tuff. Additionally, through more exploration you came across a Planar Angel named Whoolishee. He was kind and helped bring many members within the group to the ways of good. The group also found an intelligent long sword named "Mercy" who spoke in a deep voice claiming it can be any weapon the wielder desires. The name sounds like one of good but who knows as we end the game with the group speaking with this intelligent weapon. Quavol has also done very well with building alliances in the deep sea of Dwakkah. He has always wanted this environment and has gotten it for quite some time doing a great job with his sea folk so far! Nice job! We start next week in ROOM #30.

DM Speaks: After more exploration and encounters we start next week at an area called "The Deva". Deva means a famous female opera singer, a god of divinity, one of order, or an evil spirit of a self-important person. Hmmmm? I'd guess most important is how the Sea Dogs feel Ollie is fitting in? Is he one to continue? Captain Bluebeard "signed" him up, but does that mean the group cannot bring to the captain's attention one that is not worthy? Hmmm? I have surprises and many things ahead! Just waiting for the right time as in Dwakkah you are somewhat protected from these. That in NO WAY means I want you to leave this area as I love the exploration, but there is much awaiting when you leave. I want all Dwakkah to be explored as I feel it is great fun and has great mystery and battle. Hope you are having fun in Dwakkah as I believe you are getting close to its end with exploration. Closer, not done!

DM Speaks: The ship we have is FANTASTIC! Serves absolutely every need and purpose for a seafaring voyage and battle. I brought up getting another for sea battles and also for the 2nd vessel that you now have. I already reached out to Pete and asked if his son could put the boat together and he said he'd love to do it. However, I don't know where Sean found this so I will wait for him to post a link so we can get an idea of its cost. I figure I'll paint this one up a slightly different color to differentiate it from the Wicked Wench. Thoughts?

DM Speaks: We start next week in Dwakkah ready to investigate the Kingdom Castle. A good number of Sea Elves were seen perched on top of the largest building in this area looking to protect it and disallow entry. Rumor has it that the Kingdom Castle held the race leaders of all within Dwakkah and currently they are all transformed into undead. A sea elf, a sahuaghin, a kuo toa, a merfolk, etc. All rulers of their race! Is this true? That is yet to be determined. The group was successful in completing their search in a number of areas with our beloved Blue Face! Ollie traveled with the group into the Deacon Oceans and was quite overwhelmed by its wonders and depth! He was very excited to take on this new chapter in his life adventuring with the Sea Dogs under Captain Bluebeard and Queenie Red. He was excited to prove himself to both as well as the group! The group battled 2 awesome looking Water Elementals along with many Ardent Zungar. How did that end! 😯