"Garmen Ulreth's place is the best to cash in the Silverdisks, so we might want to visit it, but he has a certain reputation and probably thinks we can do something for him, or wants us in his debt somehow."
"Nyyyehhhhh!" the Cobbler whines, "But he's giving us free gambling money! Let's go use it up!"
"It is illogical to trust such an organic. He will most certainly try to betray us or use us for his own personal agenda. We need to be very cautious."
"Of course he will! That doesn't mean we shouldn't spend his money."
"He may use that as an excuse for us to be in his debt though."
"I think we could use the service of someone capable of cashing in the silverdisks we found. Perhaps acquire some cold iron weapons and a couple scrolls or potions?"
I also wish to do some shopping (purchase a whip and a healer's kit).
The Cobbler picks up a cold iron dagger along the way.
Leaving the Foundry, the party heads across the village to Silverdisk Hall. Entering, it doesn't take long before the party is approached by a man with a full beard, sparkling eyes, and an air of self-importance. "Ah, greetings! I am Garmen Ulreth! I am so glad you accepted my invitation." Motioning to a passing servant, he says. "Can we get you a drink?" Patting each of you on the back, he says. "If you'll pardon me, I have some urgent business to attend to. Please, enjoy yourselves and good luck!"
Looking around, you see many playing at Twentybones and Roulette, as well as card games.
Counting up the items found on their recent expedition, Richard is surprised by the small fortune. "Even split equally by four, this is more wealth then I have seen in one place before." He murmurs to the others, not wanting to advertise it in a place like the Silverdisk. "Should we wait to hear what Garmen has to say before cashing in?"
"Affirmative."
Maruf blows all 100 gp worth of his vouchers playing twentybones!
"I ain't too fond of this place; know more than a few custamers who have had to pawn their things to pay off debts to places like this. But the money would come in handy for more 'venturing supplies. Let's cash out before we meet up with the boss 'gain."
Kharax reluctantly tries for the Roulette wheel, deciding to play 100 1gp bets on lucky number 8.
Alpha will spend his at twentybones.
Maruf spends his voucher on twenty bones.
Dumping his cup of one hundred dice, the cobbler manages to win ten gold pieces.
Kharax decides to play the odds and spends some time at the roulette wheel, fixated on the number eight.
Kharax has a modicum of luck and wins handily eight different times!
"Heh, shouldn't let this go to my head.", the half-orc pleased with his results.
Alpha decides to try his hand at twentybones. Rolling his dice, he does a little worse than Maruf, only winning four gold pieces.
"Stupid game!" the tiefling says, nearly flipping the table as he takes his small winnings and walks away to wait for the rest of his companions. "SNORT! Let's get back to the caves, we've got real work to do."
warhammer, and a filter mask.
Despite Alpha's logical conclusion, Richard feels differently about the situation.
No one gives away gold. Especially not in Torch.
Leaving the Silverdisk Hall as the others gamble, he visits the General Store to purchase a couple flasks of alchemist fire, a handful of cold iron crossbow bolts, and a cold iron sickle. He stops briefly at the Guildhouse, ogles the mithril chain shirt there, then heads to the Temple, hoping they have a few potions or scrolls of healing.
Once his shopping is done, he returns to the Tavern, ready for another expedition.
While the others gamble, Richard makes a few purchases and heads to the temple. Joram informs Richard that he will be able to recast the water breathing the following day, but informs him that, as far as he knows, there are no healing potions or scrolls in town. "If you give me a couple hours, I could scribe a scroll with a single casting, otherwise, if you could wait until tomorrow, I could scribe one with five castings of the spell."
Kharax looks for the others after making his winnings, hoping to put the funds to good use. "Hey guys, know where Richard is?"
Since it seems the expedition needs to wait a day for Joram to cast water breathing again, Richard agrees to pay for the scroll with 5 spells. He will then seek out his companions, making his way first to Khonnir's Tavern, then back to the Silverdisk Hall if they are not back yet.
Resting for a night in the Foundry, the next morning your arise to meet with Joram, purchasing the scroll fora small donation of 125 gp and having the water breathing spell cast upon you.
Slogging through the acrid water, you return to the caves. The northern metal doors in the gremlin caves look impossible to enter, but the southern one in the skulk area has an open hatch that leads into a small circular tunnel big enough to crawl through.
Alpha will lead the way in.
Richard stays close to Alpha, keeping an eye out for trouble ahead.
"This place is very... strange. Let's take it slow this time."
Looking back to Kharax and the Cobbler, he says, "Tight quarters here. Give us a little space before following. Maybe ten feet so we can withdraw if needed."
Kharax nods at Richard's suggestion, readying his newly brandished whip.
Climbing through the hole, you exit into a narrow, dark chamber. The walls, floor and ceiling of this slightly curved hallway are made of smooth dark gray metal. Panels of lighter material run along the ceiling eight feet above. To the north and south the tunnel is blocked by walls of metal junk and rubble, while open doorways yawn to the east and west.
The door to the east appears to open.
Alpha will go through the open door.
Richard follows, crossbow at the ready .
Moving through the eastern door, you see another chamber similar to the last one, though this one contains a automaton very similar to the one that attacked Val. It is motionless, a tiny red light rhythmically flashing.
"It could malfunction at any minute, SNORT!, just like the other one! We should destroy it before it has the chance to attack us!"
"I dunno, may be useful to take a look at it first to figger something out 'bout it." He ponders this for a few seconds. "With some cover, of course."
"Get going then!" Maruf huffs. "But if you're not done with it in five minutes I'm sticking a bomb up its ass and we're moving on!"
"Why hasn't it attacked?" Richard asks, mostly to himself. "Let me test it."
Stowing his crossbow and readying his rapier, Richard steps forward into the hallway, getting ready to defend himself.
Kharax moves into the room and begins to examine the robot. It stands unmoving, the light continuing to flash.
Kharax waits for Richard to examine the robot, happily opening it up to see what is salvageable (if not the whole thing).
Richard moves past the robot with no reaction, but...when he begins searching the area, the creature animates, moving toward Richard!