The loud rumbling and violent shaking awake Zarna.
As her senses attune to wakefulness, the ground suddenly drops and she finds herself hurtling down along with her home, the awful scrape of stone and against stone shrieking through her ears.

As soon as she gets her bearings, she sees that she is in some kind of underground grotto. Her eyes swiftly adjust to the near absolute darkness. It seems the structure of her home has remained moderately intact, the whole thing sliding down through an earthquake-spawned chasm that then closed overhead. It was some miracle that she'd not been crushed between the walls of earth.

Her belongings are strewn about the place but don't seem to have been ruined, and Rue is none the worse for wear either. All in all, the place is cozy as ever, if deep underground now.

On a first glance, the remnants of her front door open out into another small chamber, with several pools of water fed from dripping cracks and filled with a variety of fluorescent mushrooms, so as. On the far side of this chamber is another opening, leading to yet another part of this subterranean world.


Now the question is... what will she do now that she has been drawn into such an alien environment?

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I am hunger. I am thirst. Where I bite, I hold until I die, and even in death they must cut out my mouthful from my victim's body and bury it with me.
I can fast a hundred years and not starve. I can lie a hundred nights on the ice and not freeze. I can drink a river of blood and not burst. Show me your enemies.

When her eyes adjust to the new setting a relization dawns on just where she is Zarna's first move is to her weapon. Only when the familiar heft of the staff returns to her hand does she begin to relax. Cautiously she collects her belongings packing them neatly into a bag of holding and slinging on one shoulder her ears pricked for any sign of danger or of Rue. (aka a spot check rolled d10 with a +4 for a total of 10) She worries he might have been injured in the collapse but reminds herself Rue is more than large enough to take care of himself.

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There doesn't seem to be anything else around, aside from the odd little cave centipede.
The glowing mushrooms give off a faintly blue light, and Zarna recognizes them from lesson from her mother as a common, edible (if a bit bland) type, so at least she'll have food down here.

The exit leads to a short passage into a much bigger cavern. The stone here juts out at odd angles, and there are chasms leading both up and downward. Some larger fungi grow here, though many have been torn away from the walls and floor. Whatever that earthquake was, it had obviously caused a lot of damage in these caves as well.

Though precarious, it should be possible to descend by leaping down on the ridges easily enough.

_________________

| +

I am hunger. I am thirst. Where I bite, I hold until I die, and even in death they must cut out my mouthful from my victim's body and bury it with me.
I can fast a hundred years and not starve. I can lie a hundred nights on the ice and not freeze. I can drink a river of blood and not burst. Show me your enemies.

Confirming no danger is near by Zaran risks calling out to Rue. She can wait here for a few moments not eager to explore the underdark unprepared. She gathers a small bag's worth of mushrooms slicing them into bite sized strips to eat on the trail. She checks the water for the presence of heavy metals or other contaminants before filling her water skin looking up and listening for the sound of Rue's paws on the stone.

(Survival check, 10+2=12)
(Listen Check, 6+4=10)

The Underdark fables of childhood are coming back to her along with the vivid understanding that many of them were true. She feels naked and exposed without her companion a comforting shadow at her back. She decides if he doesn't arrive to assume he remained surface side and take any trails heading up. Who knows what kind of damage that earthquake might had on her grove.
---
A cold nose nudges up under her arm and Zarna hooks it affectionately around the big wolf's sleek black neck like a hug. "Stay close." She whispers rising to her feet. "It looks like we have to go through to get out Rue. Keep your ears sharp" Zarna motions for him to follow and together they begin a slow descent leaping from ridge to ridge (Jump 2+4=6)

(I will try to do all rolls as skill+roll=total)

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It's a tiring trek downwards, but not too difficult.
The rocky ledges descend down past several jutting crystal spires, glowing and throbbing with strange energy, covered in lichen and fungus that quivers with the pulsations.

The ledges lead to one side of the pit, and on the far side, several creatures looking like headless spiders with a single, large glowing eye across their back blink at the travelers in between skittering around on the wall.

Eventually, the wall descends into a vast chamber. It's mostly featureless, aside from the odd cluster of similar crystals, many of which are submerged in pools of clear water, and the occasional patch of subterranean flora. The roof of this chamber appears to be teeming with the eye-spider things, judging by the glow and faint movement.

The walls apart from this craggy one Zarna and Rue are currently climbing down have a whorling sort of pattern of ramps leading up to tunnel entrances. The single dominating feature of the cavern is a black, glossy structure jutting out from the floor and wall. It's tough to make details without closer inspection, but the structure does appear to have entrances and may be a foothold of civilization.

_________________

| +

I am hunger. I am thirst. Where I bite, I hold until I die, and even in death they must cut out my mouthful from my victim's body and bury it with me.
I can fast a hundred years and not starve. I can lie a hundred nights on the ice and not freeze. I can drink a river of blood and not burst. Show me your enemies.

Shivering at the weird arachnids Zarna leads Rue over to one of the strange crystal formations which are of more interest at the moment then the spire. Anything pulsing like that was probably intensely magical and might be something she could take back to the surface to help with her land. That or it could be dangerous, in the underdark it was usually hard to tell. That was what her mother would say.
(attempting an appraise check 14+5=19)

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Her druidic training lets her recognize the presence of natural ambient magic concentrated in the crystals. She recalls the Underdark has a strong background of magical radiation that pervades its environment, providing a source of power and nourishment for plant life in lieu of the sun's light... among other, more unpredictable effects.

Establishing any further information on the crystals would require a more technical examination of their properties, though it's very likely they are simply "glowy" and appear much more impressive than they actually are.

_________________

| +

I am hunger. I am thirst. Where I bite, I hold until I die, and even in death they must cut out my mouthful from my victim's body and bury it with me.
I can fast a hundred years and not starve. I can lie a hundred nights on the ice and not freeze. I can drink a river of blood and not burst. Show me your enemies.

Zarna decides to harvest a small amount of the glowing stones from father back in the cave. It would be a great help to starting an indoor garden for the winter months. When she is finished Zarna then turns her attention to the large building her curiosity satisfied she moves closer looking for either a door or attendant who could speak with her. Rue keeps close his heavy bulk pressed against her leg and Zarna rests a hand on his sleek black fur while they walk soothing his nervousness.

_________________

She finds a handful of the rock small enough to pick up. They don't pulse quite as strongly as the ones rooted to the ground, but they do give off a steady glow and are quite warm to the touch.

There are several door outlines along the surface of the structure. Two are large enough for a couple ogres or riders on horseback to fit through. Next to them is a more human sized entrance, though still tall and broad. Painted next to it are the luminescent words "Blackstone Trading Post" in Undercommon.

It opens into a large foyer. The room is dark, only a bit of light showing from a booth in the corner, and it's boxed shape makes it much more dreary than the dynamic caverns outside. There are several other doors dotting around the room. In the booth, there is seated a kobold with green skin, busily tearing through paperwork.

A snort alerts her to a stocky lizardman to her left, behind the open door. There are two other such guards posted in the room, though none of them pay her much heed as she isn't really posing a threat at the moment.

The kobold's eyes flick up to see the newcomers, but then quickly return to its work.

_________________

| +

I am hunger. I am thirst. Where I bite, I hold until I die, and even in death they must cut out my mouthful from my victim's body and bury it with me.
I can fast a hundred years and not starve. I can lie a hundred nights on the ice and not freeze. I can drink a river of blood and not burst. Show me your enemies.

Zarna strides forward doing her best to appear friendly as she approaches the kobold who clearly appears to be in charge. "Excuse me, but I appear to have lost my way. Could you direct me to the nearest surface bound road?" Rue sensing his master's attemps to appear harmless does the same. Looking over the table at the kobold he wags his plume like tail gently back and forth and keeps his mouth closed to hide his strong teeth.

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The kobold clerk eyes Zarna narrowly.

"Surface bound?" he asks. "That's... gonna be quite a trek. At least if you're intending to go on one of the maintained trade routes... I suppose there's a shorter way if you go poking around the caves, but some of the tunnels have shifted recently and no one's revised the maps yet."

He gets a bit more suspicious. "Where are you from anyway?"

_________________

| +

I am hunger. I am thirst. Where I bite, I hold until I die, and even in death they must cut out my mouthful from my victim's body and bury it with me.
I can fast a hundred years and not starve. I can lie a hundred nights on the ice and not freeze. I can drink a river of blood and not burst. Show me your enemies.

Unable to recall any drow cities Zarna decides to err on the side of caution by answering truthfully. "I'm from the surface. An earthquake resulted in my unexpected arrival in the Underdark." She replies considering the virtue in hiring a guide or simply purchasing a map. Either way she would be stuck putting herself in the Kolbold's hands. Not the most pleasant idea in the world maybe she could simply get escort to the nearest Drow city and move from there. Though it had been a long time since her mother's tales and longer still since she spoke to anyone from the Underdark. From what her mother said it was best to avoid meeting up with Matron Baen'Val if she could. But for all Zarna knew the house had a changed and might offer her assistance...or a knife in the back with lolth's name carved into it.

For the first time Zarna cursed her pale skin. If she could at least pass for drow this might be so much easier. Regardless she didn't trust how curious this man was it made her ears itch. Her mother's voice chided her for beginning so honestly and Zarna reminds herself that she is no longer at home and the underdark is different from anything she knows.
"Actually come to think of it I may visit some relatives while I'm here. Why don't you provide me an escort to the nearest city of my people." Declares Zarna throwing as much drow into the accent as was possible while still speaking undercommon. It wouldn't be the first time her heritage got her out of a tough spot. The loggers from last year likely still suffered nightmares. She would have to hope it would work this time as well.

_________________

The kobold scratches a claw along his jaw.
"Ah. You fell down in the quake. How unfortunate." He grabs a baton and points it at a cavern map to his side. "I guess you'll want to go to the drow stronghold to find your... relatives. Well, that's Shalehallow. If you care to wait around a bit, you can tag a long with a caravan that will be leaving in awhile. Until then the tavern is that way." He points to one of the other doorways. "And the market is that way."

It's possible Zarna can pass herself off as a leucistic drow, which while rare, do exist.
It's unlikely she could truly lie about not having come from the surface, though, as long as she has a wolf by her side.
These days a lot more drow are living on the surface, though, and the tensions have eased somewhat between them and their usual enemies, ever since most of the noble houses have become increasingly weakened and old traditions have started to slip.

_________________

| +

I am hunger. I am thirst. Where I bite, I hold until I die, and even in death they must cut out my mouthful from my victim's body and bury it with me.
I can fast a hundred years and not starve. I can lie a hundred nights on the ice and not freeze. I can drink a river of blood and not burst. Show me your enemies.

Zarna nods eyes scanning over the map. "Thank you. I'll catch on with the caravan to Shalehallow, if you would be so kind at to direct one them to find me in the market?" She slips a gold coin onto the desk with a smile and a nod to the door. "I'll negotiate a price with who ever they send." She adds ruffling Rue's mane of black hair affectionately. The wolf looks up at her with equal affection his playful pup routine slipping into his more serious self. Muscles no longer slack his tail falls loosely no longer waving like a flag though his ears stay pricked.

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"They won't charge you to follow them around. You just better be sure you don't let them leave before you. It's a dwarf trading group, and pretty surly even by their standards. I'm sure you'll find one or two of them already up there. The rest are probably off drinking.
The kobold slides the coin around on the desk and pops it into his hand. "I'm sure I can let them know and facilitate you joining up. Let them know Taeri Fastclaws said you were okay."

***

The market is pretty confusing place. There are maps engraved on the walls showing the different rooms -- some are big chambers with many booths set up, and there are several hallways branching out that lead to permanently established shops at the trading post. Creatures of all sorts are bustling around, haggling with each other over armaments, clothing, food, spices, and other supplies, the noise is almost overwhelming. The vast majority appear to be reptilian creatures like kobolds, lizardmen, or troglodytes. A good chunk are also goblins and orcs, though a few more exotic creatures are visible. A spider-like creature selling fine silks, a tall man with an enormous, gaudy hat and stonelike skin perusing weapons and jewelry, there even seems to be a lone drow wizard peddling scrolls and other magical knick-knacks. One of the established shops off the bazaar appears to be a high class brewery and potions joint, manned by a tall mushroom with long arms and beady eyes -- a myconid, Zarna recalls -- and two dwarves are currently bickering with it.

Zarna finds herself being jostled quite a few by passers by, though they seem to be giving decent birth to her partner. Obviously they don't want to start any trouble when there's coin to make.

_________________

| +

I am hunger. I am thirst. Where I bite, I hold until I die, and even in death they must cut out my mouthful from my victim's body and bury it with me.
I can fast a hundred years and not starve. I can lie a hundred nights on the ice and not freeze. I can drink a river of blood and not burst. Show me your enemies.

Zarna decides to give the kobold time to strike the deal with her soon to be traveling companions and take advantage of the chance to explore her first underdark market. Closing her eyes to center a bit and adjust to the noise and bustle she places a hand on Rue drawing a little calm from him. No one was going to be stupid enough to pick the pocket of a woman with a dire wolf at her heels. She takes a longs slow breath in through her nose savoring the scents of spice and silk and steel. Somethings at least did not change she thinks with a smirk.

Opening her amber eyes and having caught sight of the silk merchant she decides to investigate his wares. If she was going to pass herself off as a full blood drow she was going to need to look the part. Her simple clothes with their green and brown shades wouldn't do, they made her origin far to obvious. She thinks back recalling how her mother described the dusky purples and vibrant gem like shades that females of high standing wore back then. Likely as not she would be able to choose from the wares presented or if the merchant seemed honest she could request a recommendation on the styles of Shalehollow before departing. From there she could browse the jewelry counter, who knew when she might come this way again and have the chance to see what kinds of enchantments people of the underdark used on their trinkets. It didn't hurt that the man browsing there looked interesting either. He reminded her of something she'd read in a book of stories a long time ago and she couldn't resist striking up a convesation.

Eyeing the argument at the potion shop Zarna decided to give it a fairly wide berth. If she happened to pass close enough she could always attempt to over hear what was being said. After all Taeri had said her caravan were dwarves. It wouldn't do to have one of them beat to a pulp. They might decide not to go and then where would she be?

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The silk merchant is a man sized, misshapen green and beige spider, with a particularly swollen lump at the back of its head. It is covered in bristly hair, especially concentrated around its mouth, which gives it the appearance of an unkempt beard. Two wiry arms protrude from beneath its mandibles, and they are busy patching up discount garments, sorting wares, and handling money. The creature appears quite affluent, wearing finely crafted crystal goggles and decorating it's body with a variety of jewelry. It nods in acknowledgement of Zarna as she passes, but at the moment is finalizing a transaction with some goblins.

Most of the jewelry here seems to be of a mundane nature, though some of the specialty shops surrounding the market might carry such wares.

Zarna gets to examine the tall man a bit more closely. He's handsome in a way, more by masculine human standards than by androgynous elven beauty, his physique making him appear like an expertly sculpted statue. In particular his flowing vest and robe bare his considerably muscled arms, each as broad as Zarna's torso. His clothes look like opaque water flowing around his body, and his rests are bound by two thick golden bracers. Over a dozen amulets hang about his neck, and his vest and poofy hat are adorned with numerous badges and broaches.

He has solid red eyes, like rubies, and a long, curly black beard shimmering like obsidian.

Contrasted to the fancy appearance of the rest of him, his hands appear more like rougher stone, and his fingers end in long unpolished iron nails.




[ooc: 's up to which one you want to talk to first]

_________________

| +

I am hunger. I am thirst. Where I bite, I hold until I die, and even in death they must cut out my mouthful from my victim's body and bury it with me.
I can fast a hundred years and not starve. I can lie a hundred nights on the ice and not freeze. I can drink a river of blood and not burst. Show me your enemies.

Zarna moves up to the silk counter taking her time to examine the wares while the spider finishes with his current customers. She is greatful for the time to examine them with out his eight eyes observing her in the way truly attentive merchants always did. She glances back in the direction of the man. It would be odd for her to simply walk up to him and wasn't something she might ordinarily do but something in the back of her mind nagged at the edge of her better judgement. This was likely the safest place to indulge curiosity she decides, in the interest of self control to do her silk shopping and if the man is still there when she is finished to attempt a conversation.

If not then the opertunity will have passed for a reason.

_________________

Most of what is on display seems to be be cut either for the short, wiry builds of goblins and kobolds, or the bulky musculature of orcs and lizardmen. Though there is a wide variety of silk scarves on display.

The merchant finishes with his customers, and quickly turns his attentions to Zarna.
"Well, hello, my dear," he says. "You'll excuse me, I hadn't been expecting much in the way of elven customers here. Let me unpack a few things for you to take a look at."

He reaches back into his stock and pulls out a variety of garments.
"What might I interest you in? Something comfortable, somthing casual, something formal, something functional? I have a black and silver ceremonial dress that is just to die for. Everything you see here is produced and woven by me." He wriggles his fingers.

_________________

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I am hunger. I am thirst. Where I bite, I hold until I die, and even in death they must cut out my mouthful from my victim's body and bury it with me.
I can fast a hundred years and not starve. I can lie a hundred nights on the ice and not freeze. I can drink a river of blood and not burst. Show me your enemies.