Thema: "A simple escort," she said ...

[Zanan]

Kylara waits only as long as it takes Tarinyon to get the derro skeletons into place before getting the group on the road again. Tavia takes up point again, moving quickly through the tunnels which lead southwards from the bridge. It does not take long before the sound of the water is being swallowed up by the silence of the Underdark. Occassionally, Tavia stops and searches the walls for some information not immediately visible to the others. Speaking a few command words, Tavia makes some runes appear on the surface of the stone, which vanish again after a few minutes. The scout walks on for a few dozen steps, then points to the wall and then steps right through it. Once you pass the surface, you note that the illusion covers a small crack in the wall, a crack that leaves just about as much space for a drow to pass through. The tunnel leads steeply upwards and you arrive at a dead end some 300 feet from the illusion. Over your heads, another crack splits the ceiling, wide enough for all of you. Tavia signals towards Kylara that this would be a good idea for a short rest, as the climb will be quite strenuous.

[Korach]

For the time being, Xyranma is nowhere to be seen nor heard. No chain, no spider statue, no cloud of dust, nothing.

[Phaerven]

Zhadristan will use the rest to prepare spells for the coming day.

[Romaal]

As Tarinyon has finished his orders, he awaits for travelling forth.

[Sheiriya]

On the way Sheiriya slides the ring from her finger, becoming visible to darkvision again and stuffs the veil into one of the pockets of her belt again.

[Zanan]

During the rest, Xune and Tavia stay close together, communicating via signs while Xune paints another tattoo on her comrade. Nothing happens and only a slight breeze coming down from the shaft stirs the dust on the ground.
Kylara and Khalas also talk in sign before the latter starts memorizing spells from a small book.

The climb up that shaft is a strenuous one for those not using magic, but as there are many cracks and small stalagmites on the surface of the cliff, you make good progress. On a small ledge, Tavia calls for a hold and waits till everyone has made their way up. Then, her lean form disappears again, this time she takes one of her slim silk ropes and hands the lower end to Xune. After a good few moments, a small tug on the rope indicates that she has reached the top and Xune utilizes the rope to climb up this sheer vertical and smooth part of the shaft.l

[Sheiriya]

Sheiriya makes herself comfortable near Zhadristan for the rest. She has no problem with taking one turn of keeping watch if asked.

The way up the shaft, she just levitates, which is something she prefers to exhausting climbing.

[Fabius Maximus]

Farviaan looks up, squinting to see something up ahead. Seeing nothing where he can teleport to, he shrugs and takes up climbing without any complaint.

[Szordrin]

Szordrin activates his ring and begins to climb.

[Zanan]

With Tavia's rope the climb is less difficult for those actually performing it. Once all have made it up the shaft, they notice a number of strange cone-like skeleton things clinging to the ceiling of the tunnel you are about to enter. Tavia signals: "Try not to touch these. Its some sort of burial ground for piercers and as no-one comes up here bar those who know, they serve as a good indicator of any intruders."
The scout ducks low and makes her way past the skeletons, who clatter softly in the air. About 100 paces down that tunnel the scout stops and whispers a few words. Once more, a few runes appear on the wall to her left hand side. Tavia walks a further 20 paces along the way, then steps right through the wall on her right hand side, vanishing from view.
Those following her end up in a short tunnel that opens up into a domed room of about 30 feet in diameter. Those close enough hear Tavia whisper some words in drow again, which cause the floor to ripple and show off a smooth and circular platform. As soon as everyone is in the room, Tavia points to the centre of the circle: "Just go there and wait on the other side. Make sure that you are not surprise, even though I doubt that anyone will try to waylay us."

[Szordrin]

After finishing his climb, Szordrin makes his way through the tunnel serving as a piercer grave and moves past Tavia to the center circle, doing his best to keep to the shadows and move in complete silence.

[Sheiriya]

Sheiriya ducks below the skeletons and follows Tavia into the room. Before she moves to the platform she slips a ring on her finger which prevents her from being seen by darkvision and readies her crossbow. That done, she steps into circle.

[Phaerven]

"We have just been waylaid..", Zhadristan mutters and enters the circle with his weapon drawn.

[Zanan]

One by one you step onto the circle and as soon as you set your feet next to one another in the middle, magic takes hold of the characters and yanks them away from this place.

You reappear in another cavern, illuminated by half a dozen darkfire torches. The walls are lined with drow runes, a script that seems quite old. Most of it are praises and prayers to the Dark Mother. A couple of large black widow spiders cling to the ceiling, their eight eyes fixing you up until they see Kylara appear. Three arched tunnels lead off into equally lit chambers and you might be surprised to hear singing. Not drow, but common. A female voice echoes through the rooms, apparently coming from the room Tavia points at.

...-men it is my duty,
to inform you of one beauty,
though I'd ask of you a favour,
not to seek her for a while.

Once everyone is here, Tavia signals that you have reached your destination. Kylara nods and takes up point position and strides towards the sound.

For I own she is a creature,
of character and feature,
no words could paint the picture
of the Queen of all Suzail.

[Sheiriya]

Unless told otherwise Sheiriya walks towards the singing, too. She stays a few meters behind Kylara.