Cylan in tow, FCG crept back through the sewers toward the crumbling passageway to the Underdark. Stumbling blind, Conan courageously crept forward further into the darkness towards the low growling sounds of their prey. As Conan stepped into the widened part of the passage, a roar erupted from the shadows and a massive troll set upon the unsuspecting warrior. By claw and tooth the beast tore into Conan, wounding the fighter gravely before his friends could join the fray. Endrin illuminated the passage and the others charged into battle. Through the use of strange magics, Cylan aided the party as well, seemingly attacking through a shadowy figment of her self. Endrin crippled the troll with an immense surge of gravity, while Soren channeled the divine might of Bahamut to deliver a righteous blow. Despite the party’s best efforts, the situation was looking dire for Conan as the beast regenerated itself right before his eyes. Sensing his ally’s desperation, Triple J made his move. Through a cacophony of horrifying whispers, the bard sent the monster into utter panic, causing it to flee. FCG seized the opportunity and felled the troll while its back was turned, Conan ultimately decapitating it.
In the calm following the battle, Cylan approached Endrin and complimented the young gnome on his arcane prowess, noting the odd similarity in their respective techniques. As a thank you, the Kryn warrior invited Endrin and his companions to the city of Rosohna, the capital of the Kryn Dynasty, and offered refuge there with her Den should ever they require it. She also presented Triple J with an odd ring, promising that it would aid him when the sun became too much to bare. During this conversation, Conan and Soren noticed that the troll was still attempting to regenerate itself and proceeded to dismember it utterly, finally piercing its wretched heart. Finally feeling safe enough, Endrin headed over to the pit at the far end of the passage for a quick look. In jest, Conan attempted to frighten the gnome as he peered over the edge, but Endrin was too perceptive and too quick for the warrior, deftly stepping out of the way, and Conan ended up tumbling down to the bottom instead. Cylan scoffed before joining Conan at the bottom and proceeding further into the dark, bidding the party farewell. Soren dropped a rope down the pit, and Conan was hoisted back up to safety.
The group steeled themselves and proceeded once more into the dank sewer tunnels with as much discretion as they could muster. In their wanderings they came across a collapsed tunnel and potentially an alternate exit to the sewers. As they neared a crossroads in the architecture, Triple J stopped abruptly and Soren walked right into him, the clang of her armor echoing through the tunnels. The group paused for a moment, and right before they were about to continue on, the sounds of numerous tiny rats began resonating through the walls around them. Within seconds, swarms of rats emerged through the cracks and the party found themselves surrounded. Disgusted but resolute, FCG made quick work of the vermin.
Wary from their recent encounters, the party found the safest spot they could and took a short breather before trudging on. At the crossroads, Triple J inspected the grime and muck on the tunnel floor and determined that they should head west, following the larger footprints assumedly belonging to Mikael the Mincer. They rounded the next corner and came upon another stream of sewage flowing south. Conan, still in the lead, set foot on the narrow bridge to cross. The bridge collapsed from underneath him causing a loud echoing racket and drenching the warrior with filth as he fell into the sewage. With a curse, Conan righted himself and led onward.
Eventually the party found themselves in a large chamber among a few bedrolls, barrels, and other signs of life. Just as they were beginning to investigate, two crossbow bolts flew from the shadows, striking Conan and Soren. Quickly identifying the righteous brand armor worn by their assailants, Triple J threw his hands up and persuaded the two would-be soldiers to cease fire before the situation could worsen. Confused and slightly bashful, the two men introduced themselves as Nak and Dak and said that they were deserters looking to head toward the Menagerie Coast before the conflict between the Empire and the Dynasty intensified. Triple J pointed them toward his favorite cook in Nicodranas and also suggested that it would be easier for the two to travel if they weren’t wearing such obvious armor. Nak agreed and gave his splint armor to the party in exchange for a rat skewer. At the request of Endrin, the deserters also pointed the group in the approximate direction of Mikael and his band.
With dawn drawing ever nearer and precious little time left to spring their ambush, FCG hurried down an adjacent passageway toward the sewer section’s central chamber. What they found upon their arrival was quite odd. Bedrolls, barrels, and even a few chests lay about the room, but the walls and floors were strikingly clean. A narrow walkway spanned the width of the room above, and two more passages lay on either side. The party’s curiosity peaked at the sight of the two chests, they sought to open both and reveal their treasures. Following a few failed attempts at picking the lock of the first, Soren smashed the chest open, sending a small hoard coins flying through the room. Enticed by the reward of the first, Triple J was eager to take a crack at the second chest and headed over to see if it too was locked. During his examination, two eyes popped open from within the wood and the chest sprang open revealing a large toothy maw intent on devouring the pest before it.
