DM Speaks: Tonight, we played out a very lengthy battle against 2 stone giants which were situated on the opposite side of a large underground lake. This battle was long but fun with group members flying across, with some having better skill than others. You also had to get Bilsbi across which Jevon did his best. Ultimately the group was successful in defeating these two stone giant guards of the Abbey. After defeating them, the group identified wide stone stairs leading deeper below. As you contemplated the interest a dark silhouette of two male drow walked stoically up from the stairs and invited the group to accompany them into the Abbey below to meet their leader. Do you accompany these drow, attack them or do something different? Next week shall decide. Remember your goal on this mission is to determine why the slave trade with Menzoberranzan (particularly Jevon's House Faen Tlabbar most notably) has stopped with the Abbey. Why are no more slaves being sent by the Abbey? UPDATE: Also, sorry for my low monotone voice tonight 😉. I was able to pull through mostly with only a couple of coughing breaks.

DM Speaks: WOW, what a surprise as Xar' Zin says he's leaving the group. A much needed and trusted ally has decided he is heading back to Menzoberranzan? Is this worrisome? Why is he heading back? Should he be allowed? Many worries arise from this. The group still needs to head forward to the Abbey of the Reflecting Mind to see why there have no longer been slaves delivered to Menzoberranzan. There has been an understanding and agreement with the Abbey for these ongoing slaves but of late none have come! The group has started their journey to the Abbey but on their way encountered a Green Skinned creature called a Jackal. The group was able to defeat this creature. Afterwards the group needed to defend themselves against a Young Minotaur. He was only medium sized but was still a challenge. We start next week making our way to the Abbey of the Reflecting Mind.

DM Speaks: I've asked this many times and have always used your suggestions. Not all suggestions of course as I usually pull one, see if I can incorporate others into it and work with that. The one thing I have on my mind which was suggested is playing out an old school module. I'm very open and interested in that and it should happen soon if circumstances allow. However, being drow from Menzoberranzan and connected to each individual house I wonder what work you'd find interesting if a house presented it to you (or really demanded it). What type of work or mission if demanded by your house would you say "OK, I like that and can get on board and behind it". Any suggestions or even modules/adventures you'd like. Keep in mind a module/adventure would need to somehow fit in, but I can always make most work some way or another.

DM Speaks: The group has eliminated Inendeeth Shimyra the drow female wanted by Menzoberranzan, Linli and in a way the group! Treasure was acquired and victory celebrated. After your success and expressing your victory you headed to the pub where Jevan was approached by a member of House Faen Tlabbar which is the 13th House. They said they had important business to discuss! This will be played out in more detail next week. Additionally the group were selected to engage in a competition of the best male drow individuals within in the city. Some individuals fared better than others with treasure being acquired. Where is the group being sent to next and what am I missing?

DM Speaks: On February 4, 2026, we shall display our chosen and agreed upon REPTILE LOOKING CREATURE MINI. This is the classification that has been chosen by the majority. Although I didn't vote for this, I like the idea! When thinking about this creature classification there is room to think outside the box. Sure, an alligator or turtle mini can win, but one with a little distinction as to the norm would go much farther. Reptile is the general need but use your imagination on what diverse or monstrous reptiles are available to present.

DM Speaks: Next week you must have an absolute answer to the question of how you are dealing with Inendeeth Shimyra. I guess the answer could be that you're not, but instead of next week let's get an answer on the boards now to help me prep. The group discussed so many ideas but in the end 2 stood out as possibilities. #1) Talk to the leaders of Sshamath and inform them that Inendeeth Shimyra is someone wanted in Menzoberranzan and to avoid a war handing her over would be critical. #2) Play the long game and get work in Sshamath as you attempt to gain allies and acquaintances and ultimately get the opportunity to eliminate her. Of course, you could always just disobey your Matron Mothers and decide not to do the job, however, that sounds to be off the table from group discussions.

DM Speaks: We start next week with the group outside Sshamath about 300 feet from the city after browsing the shops. There were many items of interest in the city, but unfortunately most were out of the groups price range. However, some were not, and purchases were made. The group visited Inendeeth Shimyra's shop and she was not at all friendly. This maybe inspires the groups elimination of her more greatly. The group identified that she does not leave the city. When she takes breaks from her shop, she enters the caves leading into the depths of Sshamath. Not good for the group, however, there is nothing saying the group could not gain entrance. That has yet to be tested. Currently, the group's plan is to lead Inendeeth Shimyra outside by persuasion of some kind. When this is done others will be waiting outside to ambush her. Will this work? We shall see and next week will determine this!

DM Speaks: After going through a major ant swarm the group feels, they are about ready to enter the surface. The last surface arrival ended with disallowance by 2 fierce guards. What will this arrival have in store. The group's goal is to get to Sshamath and eliminate a shop-keep advisory to Menzoberranzan. Let's see how easy this goes! Easy? Difficult? Impossible? We shall see! How invested are each of you in this completion? ALMOST THERE!

DM Speaks: The group continues to work their way to the surface to get the City of Sshamath. Once there you are to assassinate one of the female merchants. OK, simple. However, there are so many more questions I have. • Is the group still considering joining Sshamath? • Is the group leaving Menzoberranzan for good? • Is the group returning to Menzoberranzan and their matron Mothers with a JOB WELL DONE? You still have a long way to go but once there you need to make certain you know what you are doing. Let's keep in mind this drow shop-keep is also one Linli wants to eliminate due to their underlying and cheating deals with her. I guess what is most important is what is the group doing if they are able to eliminate this female drow shop-keep? What's next? I in no way are saying this elimination is definite. I'd say it is at best a 50/50 for the group!

DM Speaks: We start next week rolling initiative against 3 skeletons which the group encountered on their leave from Menzoberranzan. The group left the city on orders to travel to the surface city of Sshamath and destroy a drow at the Bazaar. How powerful or dangerous is this drow shall be seen but they can't be a nobody as why is their elimination so important. The group just started their journey to the surface which is expected to be close to two weeks. Once on the surface, for the first time. you must travel to the surface city of Sshamath and eliminate the drow merchant Inendeeth Shimyra! Let us see how this plays out!

Jump and Drop Game This game is similar to Family Feud, but you will only be able to send in 2 answers for each question. Every week I will post a question, and you will send me your best 2 answers. You will gain points for both answers if they are on the board. If not, you gain no points. The winning player is the one with the most points at the end of the game. There are 20 questions, with 4 being questions developed by you (1 from each of you).   The last two questions of the game will have added value. The next to last question will be double point value and the final question will be triple point value. For these questions you only give 1 answer (not 2).  The questions asked will be game related, genre related, rule related, opinion related, my interpretation of you and your character or anything else that could be fun and crazy to ask! Some may be easy while others will not. I must make getting the #1 answer a challenge at times. Maybe not every week, but I will mix up the difficulty.   To summarize, I will post a question on the boards, and you will email me your 2 answers. After receiving the answers (due no later than Friday at midnight – like always), I will post them on the board and reveal the point value for all possible answers. You will gain the points for the 2 answers given if on the board. These points will be cumulative week to week. The winning player is the one with the most points at the end of the game.   There is 1 caveat to the game and that is the Jump and Drop Chip. Each player has 3 Jump and 3 Drop Chips in the game. The Jump Chip allows you to move up one spot on the board from your answer if not the #1 choice and the Drop Chip allows you to move an opposing player down one spot on the board from their answer. This will always gain you more points while your opponent will lose.    You can only use 1 chip per week and if used you must make this point clear in the email sent along with your answer (Friday before midnight). The Chip use must be included when you send in your answer for the week. Below are details of what the Jump and Drop Chips can do:   • Jump Chip Ability (3x): The JUMP ability allows YOU to move up 1 spot on the board from where your LOWER answer of the 2 was. If your LOWER answer was the 3rd best choice and you use this ability you would move that choice up to the 2nd best choice and gain those points instead. The 2nd best choice obviously has more points than the 3rd best so that is why Jumping is a benefit. The JUMP Ability must be sent when you send in your answer before the results are revealed for points. The JUMP ABILITY cannot be used in week #19 and #20.   • Drop Chip Ability (3x): The DROP ability allows you to move 1 player down 1 spot on the board from their highest answer that week.  If they picked the #1 answer and you use this chip you would move them down to the 2nd best choice for points.  They will move lower on the board for that answer and gain less points.  To use the Drop ability, you need to email me what player you are doing this too. You must also email me your decision to Drop an opposing player before the answers are revealed. This should accompany your email with your answer that week. A PLAYER CANNOT DROP MORE THAN 2 SPOTS PER WEEK. If a 3rd drop is requested, it will not occur, and the player will still retain their ability to drop. The first two players that requested the drop will be the ones to use their ability. The DROP ABILITY cannot be used in week #19 and #20. Winner: The winner gets to choose one of the following winning options: • Option1: 1 Ability Point + 11,000 xp's • Option 2: 1 Magic Item relevant to their character with discussion with the DM + 11,000 xp's • Option 3: Negate 1 Critical Hit + 11,000 xp's Others: • 2nd Place: 7,000 xp's (35% Wammi Chance) • 3rd Place: 5;000 xp's (25% Wammi Chance) • 4th Place: 3;000 xp's (15% Wammi Chance) ***THE WAMMI ABILITY: THIS HAPPENS AFTER THE GAME ENDS! What is the Wammi? If you do NOT Win you have a chance (if you roll your required %) to move up 1 spot on the final standings and gain that XP benefit instead of your lower position. If you placed 3rd and make your WAMMI roll you gain the 2nd place xp bonus instead of 3rd. GOING FROM 2nd to 1st does not give you the ability to gain any of the special perks only the xp increase. The WINNER CANNOT BE WAMMI'D, out of their victory.

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.