Underworld Quest
Images are sometimes not shown due to bandwidth/network limitations. Refreshing the page usually helps.
You are currently reading a thread in /qst/ - Quests
You are currently reading a thread in /qst/ - Quests
The heavy doors open raucously with the sound of metal grinding against metal. This close to the magma generator the air hits your face like a hot brick, all molten mica and schist.
You jump off like a lightning strike and hold yourself against the railing of the platform. You have one hand desperately grasping your mouth shut, trying to hold your breakfast down. You hate lifts.
“Careful out there, miss. These caverns aren’t as safe as they used to be.” The operator seems unconcerned by your nausea. He must have seen it a hundred times, the old sod.
“Oh, and remember to stick to your left. The roads down the shellian plains were closed so you have to go through the plateau.”
That’s news, but he sounds honest enough. Still, you have little to fear from a cripple.
>Get going. You have hours of hiking ahead of you.
>Ask about the trade routes to the south. Why are they closed?
>Tip the old servant. He has it rough, what with the melding and all.
>He has been terribly rude, considering you are trueborn and noble. Leave immediately.
>Other?
>>356356
>Get going. You have hours of hiking ahead of you.
You go down the stairs to the gate and find it open and unguarded, unsurprisingly. All the stops have been devoid of any movement and you rode that lift by yourself almost the whole way.
What happened to your family’s estate that it has become so desolate? After you received message of your mother’s death you came running, dropping all your studies in the process, but to find this place like this is painful. Maybe they are in mourning? Your mother was respected and well liked by everyone, it isn’t uncommon for her servants and family to mourn deeply shortly after her passing.
As you step outside through the archway bridges that connect the passway you grow more worried. You don’t see any sign that anyone has ever come down this lift for a really long time now. Perhaps the operator mentioned that at some point, but you were too lost in thought to pay attention.
Only when you step outside the complex that you finally catch a glance at one of your mother’s people.
A servant, probably a quartermaster. He wears those drabs the common folk do and wields a simple low quality weapon. He didn’t notice you arrive as he’s in the motions of inspecting some barrels.
>Call his attention and wave him over.
>Imperiously demand the man give you his undivided attention.
>Just walk past him and get going. You don’t know him and don’t care to.
>Sneak up on him. You always had a predatory streak.
>Other?
>>356420
>Call his attention and wave him over.
You whistle loud enough for the quartermaster to notice you and wave. You also put a sign for him to leg it fast.
He doesn't look very happy about it but he jogs all the way over. "What's it you want, miss?"
"What do you do down here? I haven't seen another servant all the way to the Schola. What has happened to Drea'Roth?"
He clears his throat and point to the crates behind him. "I'm just a quarter, miss. Got some shipment yesterday that I have to send to the keep. Trade might be trickling in, but it is very slow. I ain't complaining, have no help left. Many have left and no one is stopping them. Not much glory in an empty throne, you know."
You glare at him until the man begins to feel uncomfortable. They left your house untended? That's a whole lot of disrespect for the dead.
After a bit of squirming he changes the subject. "What is it you are for, miss? Peddling? Sight-seeing? Traveling?"
>It's none of his business. Get going. Useless scumborn.
>You are Drea'Roth. He is speaking to the new landlady and he better remember that.
>Ask him where are they leaving for. There is nothing here but Sheol down south.
>What do you mean they are leaving? Where are the House Guard? Where are the patrols?
>Other
>>356471
>>What do you mean they are leaving? Where are the House Guard? Where are the patrols?
"What you mean they left?" That came out way harsher than you intended for. You sign your apology to him. "And what about the Guard, what of the patrols?"
"Miss." There is a grieving in his voice, a sadness. "There is no one else. Soon after the sovereign died we were raided by every single scum in the underworld. Reavers, slavers and savages took their choice of pickings. We lost our settlements slowly but surely. All that is left now is Keep Rath and it is in ruins. There are no guards, no patrols. It's anyone's call now, if they stay or abandon ship."
That is a lot to take in.
>Wait, why are you here still? Why do you ferry goods for a ghost castle?
>How could this have happened all so quickly? You received the letter not too long ago!
>Well, all that stops now. The last living daughter is back. Spread the word.
>That's all. Leave him to his pointless chores.
>>356536
>>How could this have happened all so quickly? You received the letter not too long ago!
>Wait, why are you here still? Why do you ferry goods for a ghost castle?
>>356536
>That's all. Leave him to his pointless chores.
>>356536
>How could this have happened all so quickly? You received the letter not too long ago!
>Wait, why are you here still? Why do you ferry goods for a ghost castle?
>>356585
Writing
You have to actively hold yourself from biting your tongue. Never before have you experienced this much ire. Still, you keep your calm facade. "When was all this? I just received the letter summoning me back. I knew mother had fallen ill, but her death was so sudden and for all-"
He abruptly interrupts you, eyes bulging. "Young mistress?" He walks forward and grabs you by the arms. "Why are you here? The keep never sent a letter- Oh no." He releases you and begin frantically looking around for something you can't see.
"What is wrong?" You are getting nervous that he isn't saying anything.
"You are under great peril, mistress. Please, come with me, there is no time. They could be here any minute now!" He starts jogging back to his crates but turns to rush you with his hands.
>Demand he explains what is going on.
>Go with the quarterer, but talk to him in sign language.
>Indulge him, but be on the weary. Ready your weapon and spells in case you need them.
>This man has gone insane. There is no one else here! Leave him be, get out of here.
>Other.
>>356633
>>Indulge him, but be on the weary. Ready your weapon and spells in case you need them.
>>356633
>Indulge him, but be on the weary. Ready your weapon and spells in case you need them.
You decide to take the man on face value, but better to be on the side of precaution. You unbutton the holster with your scepter and follow him from a distance.
The Schola teaches basically anything a young citizen might have need or desire to study, including self defense. You were properly trained in the Iwatoc martial arts and can break a skull with your scepter just as easily as with your hands. You also learned a couple of spells to complement your fighting style, and a handful of others for safety and leisure.
As you walk you ready their incantations in your mind and flex your memory. What spells did you learn and have prepared?
[Choose two. These are very similar to their D&D counterpart, but way stronger and more versatile]
>Magic Missiles
>Shield Arm
>Expeditious Movement
>Mage Armor
>Mage Weapon
>Hypnotic Pattern
As you near the barrels and crates you notice many of them are full with supplies that would have spoiled if left tucked for any longer. One of the crates however is empty as he takes the lid off and motions for you to get in. Seeing the distrust written in your face he begins to hurry you in sign language, saying there is very little time.
>What, is he a slaver? You aren't getting inside that crate!
>Get into the crate. He has been nothing but helpful so far.
>Get in but don't close the crate, hold it open so you can spy what he does. Be ready to burst out if needed.
>A crate!? That is it, you are out of here. The indignity!
>Other
>>356770
Never played D&D
>Shield Arm
>Mage Weapon
>What, is he a slaver? You aren't getting inside that crate!
"What?" You burst out loud, indignant. "Do you think me mentally impaired? I will not get inside a crate." His gestures become more nervous and hurried until he gives up the discretion.
"Mistress, please, you don't understand. You have to get inside now." As he is about to reach out for you he stops dead. His eyes are bugged out and his mouth hangs open. His face became terribly pale at the sight of something behind you. You turn to see what.
"You heard the lady, friend. She doesn't want to go with you."
You hear his voice before you see his face, but when you do he smiles amicably. He wears no armor but has a gait that betrays his lethality with the piercing blade he wields. You don't recognize its design, but you don't give it much attention. What really catch your eyes are the two bodyguards flanking him. Gnolls. Brutish monsters that survived the end of the world and moved underground, now they are largely considered a light nuisance to the higher elven society. They are both wearing tattered armor and wielding low-quality weapons. They grin and yip excitedly with hungry eyes laid on you and the lift worker.
You quickly draw your scepter. "Whoa, careful there miss. You don't want to get hurt or hurt a brother now, do you?"
You squint. This is bad. Drow can't attack drow, but there are no laws against gnolls. Not that that man looks particularly law-abiding. What should you do?
>Fight! Prepare to cast your shield spell and lunge against the gnoll to right, putting the other one on your shield side.
>Flight! Run out of here, fast. Gnolls are surprisingly speedy on plains but in these cramped quarters drow are much more agile.
>Diplomacy. Raise your arm and ask for parole. He is drow, you are drow, talk it out.
>Order the servant to guard your retreat! He is still your house's subject.
>Order the servant to fight with you! For Drea'Roth!
>Other?
>>356897
>>Fight! Prepare to cast your shield spell and lunge against the gnoll to right, putting the other one on your shield side.
>Order the servant to fight with you! For Drea'Roth!
>>356897
This looks fun:
>Fight! Prepare to cast your shield spell and lunge against the gnoll to right, putting the other one on your shield side.
>Order the servant to fight with you! For Drea'Roth!
