Chapter 4: Journey through the Underdark

Traveling the Underdark was like entering a new realm; Gone were the familiarities associated with the Labryinth as never-before seen creatures replaced arcane directions, undiscovered foto-lichens instead of sustainable resources, and neutral-friendly monsters interacting with curiousity rather than malice.

Without pausing to explain certain Underdark phenomena, flora, or fauna, Vadriar pressed on only mentioning to "keep quiet" and "pay attention". Traveling for hours in relative silence, surrounded by the black void of the Underdark, the group reaches an open hallway filled with giant statues of long forgotten beasts and demi-gods. Taking their first break, Vadriar informs the group that they will soon enter a cavern of unimaginable size and must cross a small bridge, roughly three miles in length, to pass to the other side.

Dimming a trail of everburning torches, Vadriar begins the trek across the bridge, warning the party to be extra quiet and not to emit any light sources. Halfway through, Vadriar abruptly stops as a large, floating head, wreathed in eye-stalks, blocks the way. Attempting to appease the Beholder, Dag asks the mighty and powerful Abberant what it is doing on the bridge. The beholder introduces itself as Lamentations, a powerful and demanding being seeking the lost relic of Ithiqua. Producing the item for the Beholder causes a spark of excitement, lighting up the cave momentarily with its many eyebeams. Just as soon as Lamentations asks for the relic, an elder primordial beast of the rock rises from the infinite depths of the chasm to swallow the Beholder whole.

Stunned and in awe of the 1 mile long rock leviathan, the party stands still on the bridge as it braces for impact from the gale force winds produced by the beasts wings. Vadriar and Van Gibson are sent flying off the bridge while Unsung, Dag, and Leudo are slammed into the rock bridge. Thohand withstands the full power of the wind and asks for divine assistance from the Raven Queen to save the now unconscious guide while Van Gibson manages to catch himself on the edge of the bridge before falling completely into the void. Sensing the beast may make a turnaround inside the chasm, the team runs the rest of the way across the bridge, carrying their unconscious guide to safety.