I'm trying some new techniques and I think this chapter may be a bit information dense as a result... Unless, I'm overthinking it again. Eh, either way, I'll probably figure out how to get the balance between all the elements where I'd like them to be in the next few chapters...

Gentle warmth and sunlight filtered through the kaleidoscopic glass dome, bringing respite from both the city and all that had transpired that morning. Its magic allowed the greenhouse to interact with the weather in the most natural way possible. Halsin's presence had a noticeable effect. Nyx was certain the plants tended to lean toward him as much as he did while inspecting the gardens.

Faint whisperings emanated from the whisperleaf vines when the breeze picked up. It didn't surprise Nyx that Halsin's first inclination was to head for the garden with woodland species, of which its plaque informed her that 'the biome was sourced from plants in Cloakwood'. Containing a mix of both medicinal and poisonous plants. Mandrake leaves jutted out between the spikes of mauve foxglove bells – each capable of being either a poison or a medicine depending on its dose. The clever placement of moonwort next to the glowcap clusters meant that the soft blue glow of the latter would activate the potion-stabilising properties of moonwort regardless of its harvest time.

Halsin straightened and nodded.

Nyx asked, "Pleased?"

He gave a good-hearted chuckle. "For wizards' efforts, yes. And I am, especially to be surrounded by nature. If only for a moment."

Nyx inclined her head; she too had been missing the wide open spaces and its greenery.

His brow furrowed, and he gestured with his head. "Those two have been conspiring amongst themselves since we got here."

Nyx sighed after spotting Gale and Astarion in deep, animated discussion under one of the broad-leafed trees. She said, "We can only hope that it is about the 'repossession' and not about realm domination."

Another chuckle saw Halsin off to explore the rest of the gardens. She also made the most of the opportunity. Away from meddling devils, wizards and vampires.

Drawn out croaking and the buzz of insects greeted Nyx before the faintest odour of rotten eggs. A shimmer of magic encapsulated the area, unlike the other two gardens, and she squinted at the signage.

Chionthar basin biome: Wetland and Marsh dwelling plants. A protective ward keeps the animals (and fragrance) inside. Please inquire with reception for assistance regarding the pick-your-own service.

Flying insects flitted around the motes of lantern bulb lights. Nyx nodded to herself in agreement while reading another plaque. It informed that harvesting the lantern bulbs would snuff their light. Therefore, it was purely ornamental for 'our' purposes. Reedmoss and silt creepers dominated the undergrowth and were culprits for housing bacteria that produced the smell; the same scent indicated that the garden was healthy and functioning as it should. Otherwise, the blackroot would not be thriving in the patch as they were; a versatile ingredient for alchemical potions. Its variegated leaves indicated that it was the non-necromantic variant.

Nyx preferred enjoying the marsh in this way rather than having it on her gear (and in her nose). After an out-of-earshot discussion between one of the staff and Shadowheart, coins jingled into the self-harvesting donation box, and Shadowheart plucked a handful of spiny marshmallows. They were used in healing salves.

Pity they weren't in bloom. The marshes have beauty if you know where to look.

Nyx rounded the marshland and a soft crashing of waves pulled her toward the last garden.

"Calming, isn't it?" Nyx asked Tav and Wyll, who were admiring the magically generated waves. Another thump sent a blanket of water gliding over the biome's shore, disturbing the mist reeds  and letting fog waft through the area.

Tav laughed. "I could stand here and watch all day."

"Hear, hear." Wyll's eyes sparkled. It was good to see him in better spirits.

Tav gave them a toothy grin and addressed Nyx, "Since you're here, we were wondering about that plant over there." She pointed, "The one twinkling in the sunlight."

Feeling appreciated for her herbal knowledge, Nyx was more than willing to share. "Brineblossom; it expels excess salt on its leaves creating the crystal patterns."

Tav asked, "Like snowflakes?"

Nyx scrunched her nose, unable to recall the exact differences between the two. Gale would probably know the specifics, and she replied, "Similar enough"

Shadowheart approached, once again joined by one of the staff, who helped her fish out a kelp culture with a pole hook. Subsequently, the leaves were deposited into Shadowheart's waiting jar. Nyx's eyebrows bobbed. Curious, is she harvesting some as a binding agent or bleaching?

Halsin rounded the corner and watched the interaction with approval. He remarked, "They are magnificent plants, hanging like suspended forests in the sea. It is a shame they're not displayed in a similar way."

Tav perked up and said, "Oh! You mean like an aquarium?"

Wyll scratched his one horn. "Rumour has it the Harbourlight has one in the restricted section."

Everyone except Halsin nodded, and Tav mused, "Perhaps one day we'll get to experience it too."

The corners of Halsin's eyes crinkled with an endearing smile and he replied, "It would be worth it."

A companionable silence fell. Nyx admired the colours and shapes of the coastal flora. From the sea lavender's deep purple flowers on long stalks to the shrubby, low-growing salt thyme. Both plants can be used as complementary ingredients in cooking and for minor protective wards.

A flutter of wings brought Tara soaring into the dome from above, gathering the stray companions together. They eagerly awaited the news delivered to Tav via missive. She scanned the contents, and her jaw set in determination.

She said in a low voice, "The Underduke has agreed to a meet."

Tara purred loudly in Gale's arms while he stroked her head and feathers. He shared a knowing look with Astarion. "And we have a plan."

Tav arched an eyebrow, but inclined her head. "Let's talk shop on the way."

--- --- ---

Astarion groused, "Of all the places you've dragged me to, this has to be the most foul. And that's saying something given some of the things you've exposed me to."

Gale took an exaggerated breath, "It can be quite invigorating."

Karlach asked somewhere out front, "Really, really?"

Astarion also gave Gale an askance look. "Your cat didn't seem to think so."

"Tressym."

"Ugh." Astarion directed to Tav. "Why have you brought us down here? Surely the Underduke isn't worth getting effluent on my boots."

There was a grin in Tav's voice, "We're here for information that cannot be sourced or bought elsewhere." She paused for a moment to call upon magic lights, prompting some of the rest to do the same. "Besides, this is the 'nicer' part of the sewers, and we'll reach the Undercity soon enough."

To her credit, she brought them into the labyrinthine sewers on the waterworks side. Freshwater coursed in wide channels, and their boots struck echoes along the maintained stone walkways. A swirl of magic indicated that the wards around the channels remained intact.

Small consolation. But it did nothing for the persistent ambient stench that increasingly assaulted his nose. Given he'll get by just fine not breathing, but his hearing was already blotted by the sound of rushing water, he didn't want to negate another sense.

The channel split and veered off into several smaller ones, each with a narrower walkway. Tav led them further down the tunnels without waterways. However, the rush of water did not lessen. Instead, it was dampened by passing through a series of cavern-like workstations interspersed with descending stairs. Tools lay abandoned in the chambers, the old scent from their owners still present.

"They left in a hurry." Tav and Wyll surveyed the rooms at the back, doors ajar.

"Who?" Lae'zel asked, standing near the exit.

"The kobolds." Tav replied over her shoulder in a doorway.

Lae'zel gave them a blank stare, and Wyll elaborated, "They're the sanitisation workers."

"I can smell it from here." Astarion cut in and pointed to the room two doors down. "Blood."

Wyll hurried over and reported, "Discarded medical supplies. Not much blood though. This was no mere worker's strike; they were forced out."

A handful of similar workstations yielded no more information as to what had driven the kobolds out, and the chambers rejoined the waterways. Curvelets spouted brown cascades as their group descended steeper and longer staircases. Astarion wrinkled his nose and snatched his hand away from the slimy railing. Once on the landing, a soft prickle of magic saw Nyx and Gale snap on their masks.

He eyed Gale and drawled, "Didn't you want to take it all in?"

Gale only smirked and adjusted his mask.

And to think I was actually planning a heist with the sewer connoisseur not so long ago.

The rest of their group reached for scarves and other fabric coverings. Astarion relented as well. It was useless trying to make out anything against the pungent rot of mire. He slipped his cowl over his head, pulling it over his mouth and nose, feeling relief at its snugness around his face. The gagging stench muted behind the leather, and then cutoff when his chest stilled.

Lae'zel frowned at the mounts of foam floating down the channel and said, "Baldur's Gate's sewer system could use a few... improvements."

Wyll chuckled. "The smell getting to you, Lae'zel?"

She shook her head and gestured to the surroundings. "It isn't the smell that bothers me - it's the inefficiency. An entire underground wasted on waste that could simply be teleported to Wildspace."

Eyebrows bobbed. Wyll placed a hand on his chin. "Hm. Once the Absolute's finished, I'll be sure to propose your idea to the Council."

Astarion huffed. "Tsk, tsk. My dear Wyll, why propose we you can order?"

Wyll shook his head. "Not enough conspiring for one day? I'd rather not be a part of it."

"Am I the only one who sees it? Dukedom is within your reach and - oooof!" Karlach's elbow left more than an impression in Astarion's ribs. He shot her a blistering glare, which was mirrored in her manic expression. He vigorously rubbed his side, but before he could protest at being accosted, a warbled shriek cut through the sounds of falling water. It was impossible to determine where or how far the thing was that made it, thus they drew their weapons and stalked into the gloom.

--- --- ---

So much for superior night vision.

Nyx scoffed mentally as a haze collected over the channels and wafted onto the walkways. Her boot slid on the floor again, and she adjusted both her magic and her stance to compensate. She and Astarion were volunteered to scout ahead. Not that it would have mattered who'd inspected out front; the sewers had become more unwelcoming than Nyx liked. Her magic hackles stirred when they reached a junction in the passageway.

...Tav said: left... I wonder how it is that she knows these parts off by heart.

This was not a place she would have pictured Tav visiting recreationally. Another shriek bounded off the walls, seemingly coming from every offshoot passageway. Fortunately, even with his ears covered, Astarion was able to pinpoint the direction of the sound.

He signalled. Left.

Wonderful.

Astarion trotted to the opposite walkway, the channel now between them as they crept forward, keeping each other and the rest of the group in sight.

Her boot skidded, jerking her leg out from underfoot, yet she managed to regain her balance.

"Abyss take it.", she mumbled under her breath. The last thing she needed was to fall flat on her face in sewer muck. And she didn't dare reach out to either the handrails or walls, lest she contract something. Rust and other unidentifiable slick streaked down the walls, over the walkways and into the channels. Nyx suppressed a shudder.

Before they could reach the end of the passage, a chorus rose from the haze. Magic primed, Nyx positioned herself as best she could in the narrow space, widened her stance, and hovered her hands over her knives.

A stream of furry bodies rounded the corner, and Nyx's stomach churned at the memory of the Orthon being eaten alive by rats. Her magic responded and her shield snapped into place; forcing the river of rats to part. They skittered past, squeaking in a high pitch, paying no more attention to her.

Fleeing?

Stealing a glance to the opposite side, she met Astarion's confused gaze. He also stood aside for the rats to pass. A glow out of the corner of her eye drew her attention to the pipes diagonally above him. Two beady eyes, glowing lilac, stared back. She blinked and they were gone. Her brows knitted, wondering whether the dark was playing games with her eyesight.

Splat! A piercing, cutoff-shriek made the rats scatter and some flung themselves into the channel. One of their brethren wriggled fruitlessly, suspended in the air by a long tentacle. The owner of which remained out of sight behind the flanking wall. Nyx did not appreciate the proximity, and she backed away slowly. Painfully so.

The rat disappeared, and crunching emanated from behind the wall. Nyx set her mouth in a line. Two tentacles grasped at the wall, bristles at the ends splaying out against the stone. Another tentacle appeared between them, and three yellow eyes blinked in sequence. A smaller one at the tip and larger ones along the rest of the tentacle. They rotated independently; one peered at Astarion, another at her, and the last found Halsin standing next to Nyx, making her heart lurch. Halsin's magic stirred, and the three eyes locked on him, followed by a gurgling rasp. The tentacles disappeared, and footsteps trudged away.

Nyx was more relieved that she ought to be. "I wasn't keen on a fight here."

"Neither was Bob."

Seriously? She gave him a flat look, and laughter shone in his eyes.

Halsin continued forward with remarkable ease, and said, "Otyughs are apex scavengers, they prefer waste and carrion to flesh."

"And the rat?"

His silhouette shrugged. "An opportunistic catch."

---

Nyx had seen many a strange creature in her travels, but Bob was probably the strangest. Now sitting inside a blocked outlet, which made the rest of the walkways look sanitary in comparison. His three legs stuffed underneath a bulbous body with lumpy skin. No discernable head, nose or mouth - simply two bristle tentacles that grew from the sides of his back like that of a displacer beast, which Nyx assumed did not project images but were rather for grasping. Finally, the three-eyed-tentacle grew from the middle of his back. With hooded eyes, the tip was comically drooping to the side while Bob happily digested his rat snack. His body was marred by several scars, one of which ran across the entire front end of his 'face'.

More than just a scavenger. A fighter.

Nyx left Bob to brooding in his 'den', and joined the rest of her companions.

The channel had widened significantly into a murky tunnel. Higher up, pipes crisscrossed the ceiling, and in a similar way, grated bridges crisscrossed the channel below. Tav's direction-giving was interrupted by Bob making a disconcerting noise, and he stomped from his den. Rasping angrily, his face split, and indeed a mouth lined with mismatching teeth headed for them.

Gale blurted, "I didn't do anything."

Bob paid them no heed and ambled past as fast as his three-legged gait could carry him, coming to a halt a little ahead of them. He didn't so much bellow his challenge as he gurgled it loudly.

Shadowheart crossed her arms. "What has his tentacles in a twist?"

Halsin provided, "Intruders."

Nyx could make out movement in the murkiness at the far end of the tunnel. Light briefly caught both the telltale rounded bodies and wobbling motion of the attackers. She drew her bow and said, "Oozes, incoming."

They spread out across the walkway and bridges, drawing weapons and taking up positions.

The tunnel lit up when Gale cast rain over the walkways ahead, but the terrain remained as slippery as before. "Ah, well. Worth a try."

Druidic magic swelled next and fine roots burst from the cracks in the stone walls, gliding over the floor. Nyx gave it a test and inclined her head at Halsin before taking position on a small mound and nocked an arrow.

---

Several ochre jellies broke through the haze where ranged weapons and magic replied. The first of their ranks sizzled away; those following flattened themselves against the ground, gliding quickly over the slippery surfaces until Halsin's roots forced them upright. Others disappeared into the cracks in the wall or floor. Some took to the ceiling, gliding upside down, passing any-and-all obstructions with ease.

Bob gurgled, dragged his tentacles through the surrounding muck then charged an ooze dripping from a nearby wall. A bizarre grappling match ensued between tentacles and pseudopods. The air rasped when more otyughs joined the brawl from other areas of the tunnel. Their tentacles too, dripping with sewer muck and they proceeded to beat any jellies in reach until nothing but smears remained, scooping up more muck between assailants. Impressive as it was, Nyx and her companions were far more efficient in fending off the swarm of oozes.

Blazing streaks of orange trailed after Nyx and Astarion's incendiary arrows, whereas Gale and Wyll fired multiple scorching rays in rapid succession. Blasts, gurgles, and squelching echoed down the tunnels. Plumes of smoke permeated the air with the terrible stench of burnt waste. Karlach and Lae'zel's blades flashed, cleaving jellies into multiple smaller ones, which were easily neutralised by Tav, Shadowheart, and Halsin bringing up the rear.

An ooze bore down on Bob from behind, where he was exposed and unprotected against their acid.

"Uro." Nyx planted a flaming arrow deep into the jelly's body where it broiled like a witch's cauldron until it melted the ochre into goo.

A new wave of oozes slid from the haze, but the otyughs proved to be smarter than expected; corralling jellies into pinch points where either one of their own mobs finished them off or forcing them into the gleaming weapons of their unlikely bipedal allies.

After the final ooze was reduced to naught-but-a-puddle, the otyughs threw their tentacles in the air. A very humanoid-like display of cheering rose from the group; tentacles writhing, maws gaping, and throats rasping. Nyx found herself, and several others, grinning at the show. The otyughs dispersed, and Bob turned to face them. His three eyes lit up with magic, and every person with an active tadpole reached for their temples.

Astarion sneered, "You have got to be joking. It's telepathic? Make it stop, I don't want to talk to it." He waved his hand as though swatting a fly away.

Karlach guffawed and clapped her hands. "Aw, come on. It only wants to be friends."

"Don't be disgusting."

She bounded on her toes, and asked, "Oh, oh. Why Bob, Bob?"

Bob returned the gesture in kind, seemingly both telepathically and through a series of gurgles.

"Shucks, that's rough. I'd be pounding in oozes if they ate my friends." Karlach said deflated.

Gale stroked his beard. "Fascinating, the Kobolds essentially tamed them." He looked around, "Won't be surprised if otyugh husbandry was the main means of upkeep down here. If one was to feed them waste for Sewer Keep instead; would the magical bacteria be harmful or helpful? Perhaps with a few tweaks to their physiology; they could even become symbiotic? Hmmm." Gale was too engrossed in his magical theorising to notice Tav's arched eyebrow.

The rest of them eyed Halsin dubiously while he tended to Bob's wounds. At least he did so from afar. Fortunately, Bob's acid burns were minor - thanks to the, erm - sewer lotion?

While healing the creature with an outstretched hand, Halsin said, "The oozes disrupted the balance the Kobolds cultivated."

Nyx nodded. "And drove them out. Also explains why the rats were fleeing. Did the Vanthampurs keep the oozes in check before?"

Shrugs all round.

Probably, not. Then what had caused the oozes to multiply in such great numbers that they started to swarm?

Tav put in, "I'm sure the Kobolds will return once we've settled everything above."

"Fuck yes, and I've taken out the trash by throwing Gortash from High Hall's top floor." Karlach ground her fist into her palm and pointed at Bob, "Then I'm feeding that fucker to you. Have the Kobolds marinade him down here for a month - Whaddaya say?"

Bob responded, and the others chuckled as well; even Astarion's mouth quirked.

Nyx leaned over and asked Halsin to loop her in.

"'Eat trash Gortash. Stay friends.'"

Those inclined wished Bob good luck, who promptly returned to his den, and their group continued through another series of tunnels.

Nyx came to appreciate Bob's violent response to the oozes. It was as though someone had drawn a line between the otyugh territory and that of the encroaching oozes, since a dead zone stretched for several sections of sewer. Nevermind not finding a single living thing... Everything had been stripped from the tunnels except the sewage water. In these parts an even thicker layer of slick covered the walkways, created by the swarms of oozes. Fortunately, the jellies were more of a nuisance than anything else, and the bare sewers soon gave way to muddy, sunken patches of pavement and long corridors. The odd pipe would spring up from the ground or grow out of a wall, but these became less of a feature. Their group came upon the first lit torch since entering the waterworks system, and Tav announced them to be in the Undercity proper.

--- --- ---

'"If it’s not on the map, it’s not safe. If it's not part of the plan, get out."'

A chill ran through Tav, making her skin prickle with goosebumps. What she would have given to save those maps she had gathered. Painstakingly stitched together over years of gathering scraps, only to be run-out like the Kobold in her last assignment from Counsellor Florrick. And yet, she remembers every inch of this route as though she had walked it yesterday; though more youthful in years and with map in hand - ready to press for real change in the Gate.

"One pays taxes; one pays in blood."

"That's depressing." Nyx's reply brought her back to the sound of her companion's footsteps. Tav didn't realise she had said the last line out loud. Nyx searched her face, and asked with concern lining her brow. "Are you anticipating we will? Or is this someone in particular?"

Tav gave her a lopsided smile. "Neither. Not if I can help it." She gestured to the arched corridor around them and recited, unfurling one hand at a time, "The Gate has two cities. One pays taxes; one pays in blood."

"Ah." Comprehension eased away concern, and Nyx patted her knives. "Still, anticipating trouble is a good instinct." Nyx scanned the shadows between the broken columns and heaps of rubble. "And so is your memory."

A subtle invitation. Tav grinned despite the butterflies in her stomach. "I've been here more than a handful of times, and studied the smuggling routes even closer." The rest of the group was uncharacteristically quiet.

Shadowheart had drifted closer and asked, "Are you going to make us pry?"

"Don't leave us in suspense, darling. Haven't you been holding out on us long enough? Go on, it's due time for you to come clean about your past."

Tav replied coyly, "And ruin the surprise?"

Shadowheart rolled her eyes. "It's hardly a surprise anymore, all that's left are the details. Unless you want us to pry?"

The butterflies morphed into frogs and hopped around Tav's belly. She had left that life behind her and would have preferred to leave it there. But the demand for blood is even higher than before, and I will not see the people of Baldur's Gate pay for it. Yet the tides needed turning, and praying to Tymora alone would not deliver it. "Counsellor Florrick needed a liaison between the two cities. We hoped for no more blood debts."

Shadowheart scoffed and snapped her fingers. "Damn. There goes my bet on double agent."

"Party pooper. I really liked the idea of super spy."

Nyx snorted and glanced over her shoulder. "I think everyone had a rather more, colourful expectation."

"Disappointing to say the least." Astarion said from behind. "I was sure of counterintelligence."

Laughter rose from Tav, and she said in earnest. "The muses have blessed me with the most wonderful of inspiration. Thank you. My fingers are itching to craft a fanciful tale about my imaginary adventures as a spy."

This prompted even more flights of fancy as Wyll proclaimed Tav the information broken for the Knight's of the Shield, Gale supplementing it with magical trade negotiator, and Lae'zel masterfully ended it with her being an inter-realm diplomat.

Halsin admitted he hadn't thought of Tav's 'official' role beyond that of helping Counsellor Florrick.

Tav glanced at Nyx. "And you?"

Mischief played behind her eyes. "I think your role was a lot more practical and upfront. And not that far removed from what you've been doing all this time. It's your nature."

Tav pressed her lips together. Trust Nyx to piece it together more carefully. Tav winked in return.

Halsin's voice boomed his affirmation, "'No more blood payments': an admirable goal. And I would like to help in whatever capacity I can with that."

Tav's heart soared at the sounds of agreement from the others, regardless of whether some were tinged with their usual note of reluctance.

---

Tav was careful not to engage in the rest's joking and jesting, lest she breathe fire. Her stomach burned. The frogs have turned to dragons; brooding and restless. Their party continued navigating the empty corridors and abandoned chambers, contents picked clean centuries ago. A rat scurried out of view when they drew closer, and blissfully there were no other 'vermin' in sight. Either The Guild's reputation or blades kept the place clear of more troublesome ones. The Guild's smuggling tunnels were their lifeblood, and many have lost their lives threatening them - including a disastrous attempt by Counsellor Florrick after sealing the routes off to choke The Guild out. Force did not work; the blood debts and payments increased tenfold, and eventually Tav was recruited to help with a diplomatic approach instead. Her heart sank at the memories. Now, the payments only changed hands.

A whiff of fish made her straighten and set her shoulders back. We are close. The Chionthar had flooded areas closer to The Guild, and the scent put the wind back in her sails.

It may not have been the largest door that Tav had faced, but its narrow, tall structure was equally intimidating. The rest of her companions had gone quiet again, and Tav hesitated at the threshold. As with Vlaakith and Ketheric. Far more dangerous and imposing foe, and it wasn't as though she'd never set foot past this door before. She forced a few deep breaths to steel herself; it did nothing for the shaking of her hand, but the rhythmic knock echoed through the Undercity. The silence stretched until the third latch well above her head slid open. She took a step back, but the watching figure beyond was indiscernible in the dark.

A voice said, "Shank me sideways!... Weren't you dead?" The guard's voice was a familiar one, rendered gruffer with surprise.

Some love for the plants in this one. A lot of environments in this chapter... I wanted to do something different for the Undercity instead of generic sewers/dungeons feel.

Gale did remark in my playthrough that the scent of the sewers were invigorating, but I had a difficult time finding it in saves/online. I remember being like Karlach when he said that: Really, really?

Here is me messing around in Inkarnate and Canva, plus Bob...

You can find the pics of Yuuri's Inn here and here.

If the below images get stretched on WA, I'd recommend (on desktop) right-click open in new tab or (on mobile) hold down on the image and open in new tab. It should render properly then.


And finally Mr Bob. Forgotten Realms Wiki: Otyugh