The cavernous darkness pressed in from all sides, heavy and absolute, pierced only faintly by the dim, ever-present glow of phosphorescent fungi scattered like forgotten stars across ancient stone walls. The soft lapping of water against wood was the only gentle reprieve in this vast subterranean void, as Elora, Maledurk, Thorn, and Tempest stirred from an uneasy rest upon their small craft. Hours of fleeing had finally afforded them a brief respite, anchored in the haunting silence of the vast Darklake. But peace was a fleeting thing, and the memory of their pursuers lingered ominously at the edges of their minds.

Elora’s sharp eyes swept across the cavernous expanse, searching for guidance amidst the oppressive gloom. Her fingers dipped into the waters, tasting brine faintly upon her tongue. Not the pure taste of the open sea, but salty enough to hint at distant connections to the broader Underdark waterways. A clue, perhaps—a small comfort that an exit might yet be found, that daylight and the scent of open air might still be within their grasp.

“We can’t linger,” Thorn murmured decisively, the wizard’s gaze calculating as he scanned the horizon. “Northward. Every second counts if we wish to outdistance those hunting us.”

Agreement rippled quietly among them, punctuated by Maledurk’s affirmative grunt. Tempest, true to her nature, nodded distractedly, her eyes sparkling with chaotic energy as her hands trailed lazily through the cool, dark waters. With swift motions, they grasped their oars and began to row with grim determination, the lake an ebony mirror reflecting shadows deeper than their imaginations dared conjure.

After hours of steady progress, the blackness ahead finally resolved into the vague shape of land. A shoreline emerged, shadowy yet promising, spreading invitingly in both directions. They approached cautiously, eyes narrowed and weapons close at hand. Maledurk’s nostrils flared, seeking scents beyond mere darkness, as Elora drew close, senses attuned to any hint of life—or danger.

The shore rose gently, and upon landing, the adventurers stepped onto uneven ground carpeted in curious fungi. Elora swiftly recognized several varieties, guiding her companions to gather nourishment from the edible growths that promised respite from their gnawing hunger. Maledurk eyed the fungi skeptically but conceded grudgingly as hunger outmatched suspicion.

Beyond their immediate surroundings, no clear path beckoned—only a rising slope hinting at heights unseen. Compelled by the instinctual urge to climb, to perhaps find a better vantage or uncover hidden secrets, they ascended together, each footstep echoing softly in the immense silence. The elevation slowly revealed a cavern ceiling above, oppressive yet somehow comforting in its finite presence, signifying boundaries within a realm otherwise maddeningly infinite.

Their journey upward eventually brought them face-to-face with a series of tunnels, mysterious openings yawning into the hillside like mouths agape with silent secrets. Thorn’s gaze sharpened immediately, calculating the odds of encountering friend or foe within the subterranean darkness. Maledurk, impatient for something tangible, peered eagerly into the gloom, fists clenching with restless energy. But Elora hesitated, thoughtful and wary, her druidic senses whispering caution, mindful of creatures and dangers the Underdark concealed.

Resolving to investigate, Thorn rose into the air, his magic carrying him swiftly as he surveyed the terrain from above. His heart quickened as he observed one tunnel entrance unlike the others—a surface inexplicably smooth and polished, entirely devoid of any animal tracks or signs of traffic. Returning to his companions, he shared his discovery with unease; something about the unnatural perfection sent whispers of alarm through the group.

Still, curiosity is a powerful force, and so they carefully approached the polished passageway. Thorn and Maledurk exchanged wary glances, communicating volumes in silent agreement, before stepping cautiously into the tunnel’s strange, glossy embrace. The cavern walls radiated a dim, bioluminescent glow, slick with moisture—or something more sinister. Maledurk’s hand grazed the wall, coming away damp and tingling, an unsettling sensation pricking his skin.

It was then Elora’s mind flashed to previous encounters—battle-worn memories of acidic oozes lurking silently beneath the earth. Her eyes widened in sudden understanding: the tunnel had not been carved by hands, nor shaped solely by natural erosion. It had been eaten away, smoothed meticulously by the passage of countless gelatinous bodies, each seeping corrosive fluid that had polished stone to a mirror sheen.

With mounting dread, they pressed on, wary and vigilant, until the ground trembled violently beneath their feet. Tempest stumbled, a curse leaving her lips as loose stones fell around them, trapping them momentarily between two cascades of rubble. Panic rose briefly, then receded as a faint, eerie blue-green glow pierced the newly-formed opening in the wall ahead. Thorn eyed the strange illumination suspiciously, lips pressed into a thin line, signaling caution.

Drawn inexorably by mystery and necessity, they squeezed through the narrow opening, emerging into a chamber bathed in an unsettling spectral radiance. The walls themselves glowed faintly, slick and shining, their slickness now ominously explained. Before them stretched a corridor branching to either side—on one side, a chamber promising further exploration, and on the other, a smooth, round opening suggesting intelligent design, though marred by time and unknown corrosive elements.

As they cautiously approached what appeared to be constructed stonework, anticipation and dread churned within Maledurk’s chest. Stepping into the adjoining room, their hearts sank as their gazes fell upon viscous pools of gray ooze, shifting lazily, reflecting dimly in the unnatural illumination. It was a sight both mesmerizing and terrifying, hinting at unseen perils lurking beneath the calm facade.

Their breath quickened. Hands tightened upon weapons instinctively, every nerve tense, every sense heightened. They stood at the brink of yet another mystery, deep in the heart of the Underdark’s unforgiving embrace, knowing danger lay waiting within the undulating pools, yet compelled by necessity and fate to face whatever emerged from the dark.

Elora inhaled slowly, feeling nature’s fierce spirit within her chest, guiding her courage. Thorn’s calm demeanor hardened into steely resolve, his mind rapidly calculating strategies and contingencies. Tempest felt her own chaotic energies surge, both comforting and dangerously unpredictable, while Maledurk grinned fiercely, muscles coiled like a beast sensing imminent combat.

Together, bound by trust forged through countless trials, they braced themselves and stepped boldly into the unknown darkness, hearts ablaze with determination, prepared to confront whatever fate awaited them in the silent, shadowed halls of the world beneath.

Session Notes

  • Party’s Recent State and Spell Slot Discussion

    • At the start of the session, the group briefly references that they have gained new spells and regained spell slots after a rest.
    • They confirm that they completed a long rest on the boat and that the party’s spell slots are fully restored.

  • Recap of Escape from Velkynvelve

    • The party recalls they had escaped from Velkynvelve by descending a cliff. Elora at one point had been an owl, but she is now back in her normal form due to the duration of Wild Shape expiring.
    • The group fled into a series of twisting caverns, noticing that they were being followed. Eventually, they boarded a magical foldable boat, traveled across a large underground lake, and dropped anchor to rest for the “night.”

  • Discovery About the Lake Water

    • The following “morning,” Elora takes a taste of the lake water. She finds it somewhat briny but not as salty as ocean water.
    • The party speculates whether they may be near an ocean or whether it is just a large underground body of water (the Dark Lake), but they do not reach a firm conclusion.

  • Traveling by Boat Across the Underground Lake

    • With no real wind in the Underdark, they row for a couple of hours.
    • During this travel, they do not see or hear pursuers from Velkynvelve and appear to have avoided anyone tracking them.

  • Arrival at a Shoreline

    • The group reaches what looks like a shoreline or possibly a peninsula. The land slopes upward, and there’s no sheer rock wall immediately at the water’s edge.
    • Unsure if it is an island or a peninsula, the party decides to land to explore. They observe various rocky outcroppings and pillars in the lake, but choose to investigate this particular shore.

  • Gathering Food and Observing Local Fauna

    • Upon disembarking, Elora notices various fungi that she recognizes as edible. The party gathers mushrooms for food.
    • They see small lizards and insects but no larger wildlife. There are no obvious signs of civilization such as footprints, trails, or structures.

  • Heading Inland and Encountering Multiple Tunnels

    • The land slopes upward as they travel inland for about half an hour.
    • Eventually, the group sees a cavern wall with multiple natural-looking tunnel openings.
      • One tunnel is quite large (approximately 15 feet across), with old humanoid tracks that appear to be long unused.
      • Two “medium” tunnels (about five feet across) show smaller animal tracks—though one of these tunnels is notably smooth with no animal footprints at all, likely indicating some unique condition.
      • One small tunnel (about three to four feet tall) has evidence of frequent small animal use.

  • Recalling Undercommon Knowledge

    • The party briefly recalls that the Underdark can be extremely large and that the Dark Lake is vast but not the entirety of the Underdark.
    • They remember the possibility of encountering places like Gracklstugh (a duergar city) or Menzoberranzan (a drow city), though both are typically unfriendly. They do not see any immediate sign of these cities.

  • Decision to Explore a Tunnel Down the Hill

    • Instead of entering the larger or smoother tunnels up on the plateau, they decide to return down the slope to a tunnel they saw earlier on the hillside.
    • They note they are still trying to find a path out of the Underdark or a route leading to friendlier territory.

  • Venturing into the Hillside Tunnel

    • Elora, Maledurk, Thorn, and Tempest (with the Dungeon Master narrating) proceed inside.
    • The tunnel, around eight to ten feet wide and tall, winds and bends. They walk for about ten minutes, single file, unsure where it leads.

  • Footsteps Behind Them

    • Maledurk and Elora initially go on ahead. They hear rushing footsteps behind them.
    • Preparing for a potential encounter, they hide around a bend but discover it is only Thorn and Tempest catching up.

  • Sudden Tremor and Tunnel Collapse

    • Shortly after reuniting, the ground shakes with a small earthquake.
    • Rocks collapse in the tunnel behind them, partially sealing off the way they came.
    • The collapse also opens a new crack in the tunnel wall just a few feet away. Through this new gap, they see a faint blue-green glow.

  • Discovery of a Glowing Chamber

    • The party squeezes through the newly opened gap.
    • They find themselves in a large chamber whose walls emit a dim, bluish-green glow. The walls appear wet or slick, but on closer inspection, it is not simply water.
    • The surface of the rock is extremely smooth, almost as if eroded.

  • Suspicions of Oozes and Acidic Erosion

    • Recalling past encounters with oozes, the party realizes that acidic creatures could have slowly smoothed these walls over time.
    • Pools of thick gray liquid sit in one corner of the chamber. These pools appear viscous and reminiscent of the oozes the group has faced before.

  • Possible Hallway or Passage Forward

    • On the far side of the chamber, the rock continues into what looks like a corridor. Initially it seemed constructed, but upon closer look, the walls and floor are also smoothly eroded.
    • The group notes that this corridor might lead deeper into whatever underground system the oozes inhabit.

  • Session End

    • The session concludes at the discovery of the slick, glowing chamber and the pools of gray ooze-like liquid.
    • The party stands poised to explore further, uncertain about the dangers ahead.