The song lets me forget where I am for a moment and return back to happier times, even if only in memories. It's been so long... I've started my adventuring career as an attempt to follow my in my parents' footsteps, and hopefully to find them. Bit of a foolish quest, to think about it... besides our names, I remember little about my family. I don't think I would recognize them even if I've met them, and they definitely wouldn't recognize me... when they left on their adventure, I was just a kid, now I'm... well, better not think about all I am. Tavern wench, perverted slut, a failure both as a leader and as an adventurer, goblin sex toy, drow slave.... I doubt they would be proud of any of that. I hope they would be happy to know I'm still alive, but that's about it. And are they even still alive? And if they are, what were they doing in the years since our separation? Did they have other children... could I have younger siblings I know nothing about? Were they successful and retired to lives of luxury, did they left their adventures behind to settle down, did they end up as failures? The chance I'll find them seem so insignificant right now... all I have left is the song and the keepsake the drow have taken from me.
But the song actually helps me, and it seems it's got a positive effect on Arara as well. Despite the situation being mostly the same, I feel best I've felt since our capture. I even smile as I look at Arara sleeping in my lap, and even though my position is uncomfortable, I keep still not to wake her.
At least until the dinner. After the work the drow has put me through, I am hungry, and more than willing to ignore the disgust at the gruel. I accept the girls' offer and go for my own portion, and keep an eye on the orc, in case he's in a mood to repeat yesterday's stunt. When Jimjar informs me about drow ration policy, I thank him and consider his words. I could wake Arara, but she looks so peaceful right now... the reality wouldn't be so nice. And even if I've dceided to inflict the horrors of local cuisine on her, I'm not sure if she's in a state to go grab her dinner, and then hold it. With how drunk she was, the gruel would likely do her more harm than good. I let her sleep and eat some of my own dinner, keeping the rest for her when she wakes up. We can survive on half ration for a day. It's just as nasty as I remember, and time won't make it any better, but it'll be at least something. I'll leave more water for her, I think she'll appreciate that more.
The meal also reminds me of the failure of my spell from yesterday. There's little evidence of the source of the disruption, but I've got an idea. The prison cave is irregular... perhaps the effect doesn't cover the whole area evenly. If there's some nook I could work magic... it wouldn't change much for me, actually, as drow are still elves and I wouldn't be able put them to sleep, I don't have component... or at least my flute... to channel an illusion through, and my other spells are more-or-less useless in this situation... but it would be something. I could use healing to help Arara, or some magic trick to make the food taste better, like I've tried yesterday. And Arara or Torga could perhaps do more, even without their tools. It's easy to test... just pick a pebble and try a simple spell to change its color in different spots of the cave... even if I'm tired, the magic is easy enough to not exhaust me further, and to retry repeatedly. But I can't do it while the drow are paying attention to us. Perhaps later they'll find more interesting things to do than to watch us sit or lie in here, and I'll get my chance.
Well, it's not like I'm in a hurry.
Spoiler (click to show/hide):
HP: 10/10
Spell slots: 2/level 1
Other resources: Bardic Inspiration, 3/3. Hit die, 1x1d8
Conditions and effects: Restrained (full movement speed)
Achievements: One Time at Bandit Camp
If it takes me two weeks or more to respond to a RP without prior notice, send me a PM. It's more likely I've missed the last post, forgot or got distracted and need a little reminder rather than deciding to drop the game without warning.