Ayla keeps quiet and alert as they walk
Valia adds an addendum to Ardash's statement. "We have perhaps been foolish to follow the trail of common thieves in our exploration."
The skulk sniffs, and says peace then. There have been four groups that passed our dwellings. Only one returned, then came back and reentered the steel wall. It has not returned. Another group attacked us and we destroyed them. Maybe your "Khonnir" was in one of them.
She sits on a stool near her hut. But now to business. I will offer you free passage through our tunnels, and give a reward of some strange things we have found, if you head north from here and drive out or destroy a nest of gremlins. I could also answer questions on what I know about the groups and the steel wall. What do you say
She waits for your reply
The group that came through and entered the steel wall twice certainly sounds like the one that would include Khonnir Bane. Anody nods thoughtfully.
"Information about the groups would help in figuring things out."
We know Khonnir most likely had the skill and knowledge to get past that strange wall and he did make this trip twice so I think it's safe to say that he is on the other side and has not come back yet for whatever reason Anody muses But yes, anything you could tell us about the groups, the wall, and the gremlins would be useful to us. Allying with you would be of mutual benefit and free passage through your area is most generous.
"Re...entered the metal wall!? Yes, that must be where Khonnir would be! If this cooperation can get us closer to his rescue -- through the wall -- I am for it, though...I...admit I know nothing of Gremlins?" Criek adds hesitantly, looking to his companions.
…at last…maybe some answers…
Whilst the Professor and Criek discuss with ‘Sef’, Sharae tries to see into the darkness of the caves…looking and listening for ‘Sef’s brethren…
…only two of them…but more huts than that…
Ardash has no qualms with doing whatever the creatures require in order to move further into the underground complex.
"Yes, we must penetrate the wall of metal. We will do as you request."
Valia tries to determine what to make of these darkness-lurker's intentions.
Basic information on gremlins that is commonly known is that they are malicious and mischievous fey, with a perchant to nasty, often lethal practical jokes. Also they are a nuisance in torch, but no one has ever found their lair. Perhaps a mystery solved. There is a 10gp bounty on gremlins in the town above (bodies required to claim), and several alchemists would be interested in their blood for potions.
Knowledge nature for info on gremlins
"P-please," Criek stutters at Sef, "whatever you can tell us about the gremlins? Their numbers, their abilities, or the layout of their 'nest'? I know them only by rumors around town -- if we are to ally with you in their removal, would that you could prepare us with any knowledge you have?"
They may not be the most capable, but we have need of even the most incompetent local guides, as we are outlanders ourselves. Perhaps with a few tokens, these garden-less savages might be brought to heel as appropriate shock-troops.
...
In a very matter-of-fact tone, Valia asserts, "We will of course insist on keeping their corpses, in accordance with our bright-worlder traditions. I should also like a moment of your time to render a proper portrait of your community."
The skulk looks at chriek and says The gremlins are hard to pin down as to numbers. I think their main nest is in the darklands somewhere, and they may go to the surface as well. The nest here is like a way station, I suppose. As many as ten, as few as four at any one time. But they are cowardly creatures. Killing a few of them, and wreaking their nest will make them stay away for a while. Oh, they can disappear and reappear at will it seems. Not stealth or invisibility, but like transport, leaving one place and going to another
The Skulk looks startled at Valia's request. It is obviously something she had never expected. A what? Why? What purpose would it serve
She seems flustered by the request.
Gremlins are nasty business. Rarely anything constructive from them. If you could show us the way to this way station I think we should be off.
"*sigh* I-I suppose it was too much to hope that you'd say, 'two, and one is blind and deaf', wasn't it? But I suppose it is what we must face? And I will agree with Anody -- let us get this chore over with for our...friend...Sef?"
After all, the only thing that sounds less appealing than facing these gremlins is having to fight our way through *both* them and Lady Sef's people...
Valia nods along in agreement, then replies to the skulk. "It would be a gift to your community, of course. Unfortunately it will have to wait for business."
Sharae knew enough about gremlins and the inherent trickery of the fey to recognise that dealing with the problem would be not only a service to Sef but also to Torch... It is for that reason that she falls in with the group once Sef has directed them as to where the Gremlins are holed up.
"Eyes open, ears alert..and be very, very careful...this is the fey that we are dealing with... Many times I have encountered their handiwork in the River Kingdoms... It was never pretty... And it was often lethal"
Sef, the skulk, visibly focuses herself, though she looks at Valia strangely.
ahem, yes. Their lair is to the northeast and north. Good fortune. at which point she fades away into hiding. It is rather spooky to watch.
Actions please and party order.
Well I suppose we should get on with it. Same marching order as before?
”Valia, Ardash? Maybe you should take the lead…keep an eye out. Ayla, if you come from the rear, then that’ll keep Criek and the Professor safe from any sneak attacks”
Sharae, falls in with the rest of the group and, watching and listening, searches for Gremlins.
Feeling a bit invigorated by the prospect of gaining some ally's Anody keeps a sharp eye out as they head north.
As they file out, Valia waits by the entrance to the next area for Ardash to take the lead.
"Yes, they are fey. Prone to tricks and deception. Vulnerable to cold iron. Let us move on. I will lead."
Ardash will follow with Val, and take the lead when he indicates.
Criek follows on Sharae's heels, somewhat disconcerted by Sef's vanishing act.
Ayla, please make a perception roll, DC 15. If you make it, please read the spoiler below
Ardash! Trip line right in front of you. Please stop! Anody calls out.
"Looks like we have something nearby, and a foot tall."
Valia slides out of the way so that one of the experts can get up and take a close look.
"I'm guess It knows me and is surprised I'm down here.
And I'm also guessing it's a gremlin."
A gremlin already?
Anody turns and peers in the direction Ayla is pointing. .
Never seen one of those things before... Anody mutters to himself and decides to speak to it.
Hello there, Do you live in this place? We're visiting from above!
…a trap!!! Thank the Stars that Ardash didn’t trip it… If it is the fey that we face, who knows what it could have done to him…
Allowing herself a wry smile as Anody launches into diplomacy with something of inscrutable motivations and endless wickedness, she pulls the Starknife from her belt and looks around for threats…
Heeding Anody's warning, Ardash freezes in place, although when Ayla points out the small creature in the distance, Ardash doesn't hesitate to put a bead on it.
"I may be able to disable the trap, given time. Knowing their general size and their affinity for traps, I can only assume that the creature before us is a gremlin."
The creature snarls something as the arrow whistles past.
And then promptly vanishes.
Anyone care to make a bet on where it went? Valia peers over Ardash's shoulder.
To alert its whole nest I'm sure. Anody mutters. Let's search this place. Disable the trap and then move forward
"Given the trap, we should expect more of them."
”May the stars guide your hands”, Sharae touches Ardash gently on the shoulder before he attempts to disarm the trap.
…and may Desna smile upon us all…
Apologies. I am having work issues (university can be a harsh mistress near hand in, but ill be back on track on Saturday, Australian time. Sorry again for the delay
"Given the trap, we should expect more of them."
"But what if we encounter less of them instead?"
"Even in town Gremlins are a problem at times, and when they you spot one trap, there are about 1 to 8 more in waiting."
Around the party rises a sound of scampering, high pitched giggling and whispering. The movement seems on a northward arc.
Perception and initiative rolls please.