Galenus explains his own opinion, but is unable to form sounds, so the entire thing is an exercise in lip reading - which is practically impossible with the beard.
Meanwhile, he still cannot fully communicate by thought-spore, but his emotions on the matter are calm. He is completely unworried about getting into Blingdenstone.
"We will make do, somehow."
The sentient gelatinous cube you encountered in the Oozing Temple slides along happily. Telepathically, it tells you "Blingdenstone? Blingdenstone! That sounds like a nice place to go. I want to be there."
You travel through the Underdark for over two weeks making your way toward the Deep Gnome city and hoping that the massive cavalcade of tracks you leave behind you doesn't lead your Drow pursuers right to you.
Finally, you near the city. Up ahead, you see a small stone door set inside the rock wall of the cavern you are passing through.
"That's the entrance." The deep gnome spy explains. "Time to try to talk our way in?"
Odak is an odd dwarf. It is quite obvious that he is not used to being around so many others. He is quite funny but gets irritated quickly, especially when people talk about their pasts. When agitated, he often secluded himself and can be seen talking to a small rock while trying to keep himself busy with a mundane project.
It took a while but Odak has gotten used to the telepathic speech patterns of those around him. After getting to know Stool and his fellow fungi, Odak seems conflicted. Talking to Zoltan ”Erm so uh. I have a question for ya. Now that we know these hiders. Does it make me a bad fella fer still bein’ hungry fer hiders? They just be so good. An these uns can talk to us.”
Galinndan is always on edge. Sometimes less so than at others with meditation his only real exception. But in waking time, he tries to be constantly ready to face imminent danger.
He does not volunteer much about himself, but is open to questions. Inquisitive dwarves, gnomes or others may come to realise that the intense elf helped defend his forest people from orcs and their drow masters, then went on an one-elf hunting mission to make sure the drow would not raid lightly again.
************
"Jim-Jar, I am in favour of openness and talking this out. But I understand that others here will not be seen as favourably. So I say that we hear our companions out first. Or have them write their words."
Irdril is mostly sullen during the trip the Blingenstone. She seems still highly terrified by what she witnessed and takes some time to recover. By the time you arrive however she seems to have returned to her normal self.
She apologizes to the group for showing cowardice in the face of the demon lord and asks for forgiveness..
'Surely we can convince them to not turn us away.. We have valuable information about the goings on in the Underdark and since they live here surely we can leverage it.."
To the twins..
"I'm sure we can come to amiable agreements with them. Just stick with me.."
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It takes over five days for Kanzen's ability to speak to return. Up until that point, the drow appears somewhat lost in his own thoughts, not the cheerful companion he normally is. He still remains considerate and helpful however, and makes particular effort to make the new travelling companions feel comfortable around a dark elf.
When his voice returns the first words to escape his lips are a prayer to the dark maiden, thanking her for her mercy. If either of the dwarves seem concerned about his praying to a "dark maiden", he will explain promptly that his goddess is Eilistraee, the lady of song, dance, and freedom, not the hateful Lloth that most of his kin worship fearfully. He then sets about convincing them to play dice with him, hopefully for coin.
Kanzen continues on for the remaining travel time in a similarly fey spirit, happy and enthusiastic for games of dice or anything else. There is perhaps a twinkle in his eye that doesn't appear entirely... sane.
As the refugee caravan approaches Blingdenstone, Kanzen's thoughtful demeanour reappears. He approaches Jimjar. "You're good at this kind of thing," he begins hesitantly. "I've heard the deep gnomes aren't fond of my kind. Understandable. I was present as drow patrols would hunt down lone svirfneblin for sport. I wouldn't trust me either. But how will we get them to accept me? They may refuse entry to the entire lot of us if they fear you are all allies of the drow!"
that’s about how I figured that would go. Lol
"However, they may realise that the wood elves and surface dwarves are unlikely allies of Lolth-worshippers. If not, perhaps we can convince them."
Once you are ready, one of you knocks on the small, solid stone gate. It looks like Derendil will barely be able to fit through it. A tiny slot opens about 2.5 ft off the ground and a small pair of eyes look through it at you.
"What do you want?!" the voice demands.
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As the days passed by, Galenus finally got his voice back. A bit later, the hallucinations stopped. After that, he was able to explain what happened to him.
And now that he was back to normal, he was confident they would face no issues at Blingdenstone. Even when the twins seemed worried, he waved away their concerns. They'll let us in. After all, I've been able to get you this far, haven't I?
Hello! I am Galenus, and these are my trusty companions! We are here to deliver some goods from Gracklstugh, as well as speak to a master of trade or master of caravans about some pressing matters at hand. Please open and let us in.
He smiles back, as if to say, "See? I told you this would work."
Kanzen keeps near the back of the group, and in the middle of other beings. While approaching Blingdenstone he's borrowed an old, ragged hooded cloak from someone, and he huddles within it, doing his best to keep his heritage hidden.
Irdril approaches with Galenus..
"In addition we have grave news from other areas of the Underdark. We must speak with you elders so that Blingenstone may be armed should the threat make it's way here!"
The voice coming from the slot doesn't sound too convinced. "Important delivery from Gracklstugh? What are you talking about?"
"The rise of demon lords.", Galinndan says gravely and bluntly.
"The prince of demons amidst the kuo-toa, and the lord of rot amidst the myconids. The Underdark is full of the direst peril, beyond even the norm."
Gah! What are you doing? You're just going to confuse them!
Ahem, Galenus says, drawing attention back to himself. We've got some spell stones. That is the delivery from Gracklstugh, from Master Werz Saltbaron.
We also have some important news about the troubles in the Underdark, but that shall come after our commercial endeavours. First, let us deliver these goods so we can get paid. Paid on Delivery, is what Master Saltbaron said.
Odak watches and listens as the others speak in a language foreign to him. Anyone paying attention to him though will notice him talking to himself though. In dwarven.
”Bah, we gone too deep. You be wantin them hiders too bad. Now we down with the dark ones an’ deep gnomes.“ he pauses and then starts with a hearty laugh as though someone had said something funny. ”Nope, not a word. These folk ‘ll figure it out and get us back upto soon. Till then, we just gotta make erselves useful.”
Of course, those who do not speak dwarven only see a strange dwarf talking to himself.
Kanzen cocks an eyebrow at Odak, watching him talk and laugh to himself. Then he thinks about the insane things he himself has witnessed, and he fights to suppress his own chuckles. I think... yes, I think I'm going a bit mad myself. No need to judge others!
Galinndan has managed to thoroughly confuse whomever is on the other side of the gate into Blingdenstone. "You're important delivery from Gracklstugh is 'the Rise of the Demon Lords'?! Yeah ok buddy... we'll let you in when the Demon Lords get here. We've got enough craziness to deal with in here already."
Jimjar, standing to the side, rolls his eyes at this.
F#!#ing morons, Galenus mutters under his breath.
Now. Listen close. I've got Spell Stones to deliver. If you don't want them, fine. I'll just have to return them. But your trade relationships with Gracklstugh will surely diminish in such a case, as well as your own merchants here getting pissed. And how will your leadership repsond, knowing you withheld an opportunity for economic enhancement?
Of course, you can always deny us getting in, after coming all this way and risking our lives to get here for this trade, surely it won't mean anything bad for you. But before you do, perhaps, just in case, why don't you let this decision fall to someone a little higher up the chain of command?
The voice on the other side of the door considers then says "Ok fine. We'll let you in to talk to the higher-ups. But leave that Drow and that dangerous ooze outside! Deal?"
"They are allies good sir! Neither will harm anyone without provocation.. They will keep to themselves until we leave, I swear it! Please reconsider!"
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The deep gnome eyes looking up through the slot seem to carefully consider Irdril's earnest plea. The deep gnome then firmly states "Ok fine. But you'll answer when one or the other of them causes trouble. Probably lose my job over this... Head to my left down the tunnel and go into the wall when you see two green mushrooms and one blue one."
You head down the tunnel a ways until you see a large flat portion of solid wall with the mushrooms the gnome described on them. They are not particularly striking as you have seen fungi of many different colors in your time here in the Underdark.
Worry not, my fine friend. Nothing bad shall become of the great Blingdenstone!
Galenus heads in confidently.
When they come to the strange wall, he doesn't hesitate to walk right into it. For surely, even a wall will part for the great Galenus.
Once through the gate..
Glab, I have spoken for you to get you in. Please do not attack or otherwise eat anything you are not supposed to while we are here ok? Same goes to you Kanzen! No eating or attacking lol!
She follows to the mushroom wall..
Galinndan keeps quiet as he enters, realising that his approach was less than helpful in the circumstances.
But he does use mindspeech.
"I will echo what Idril has said. If we come under attack, let the rest of us begin to fight first."
As he thinks his messages across, the elf keeps a wary eye out for trouble.
You pass right through the illusory wall and find yourselves looking at a broad stair with steps too small for your feet. Clearly, they are made for gnomes. Next to the steps lies a ramp with a stone sled at the bottom attached to a heavy chain that leads to the top of the ramp and stair. There at the top you see a slight slope leading to a large gate made of mithral and steel plated with adamantine. Eight deep gnome guards look out from windows behind the bate, eyeing you with interest. The gate opens and one steps out holding some sort of glowing gem. The gnome seems to scan you with the gem. He eyes Kanzen "So he's not gonna cause trouble? We don't like most Drow here in Blingdenstone... And we're not so sure about visitors friendly with the Drow..." He also eyes Glabbagool but doesn't have a comment for him.
"Kanzen is his name and he has been redeemed by the goddess Eilistraee. He is an enemy of his kind and an ally to us. I have survived many battles against the drow with him standing in front of me. Again, he will not cause any trouble, nor will anyone in our group. We wish to deliver the spell gems and look to procure a trip to the surface if possible."
Kanzen nods thankfully to Irdril with a smile, then bows his head in deference to the gnome with the gem. "I know my kind have been enemies to the gnomes of Blingdenstone for centuries, but I am one of the few who has turned their back on the demon-goddess Lloth and her evil ways. I hope I can prove to you that I am different from most other drow." He then shuts his mouth and waits, intending to follow along with his companions as meekly and unaggressively as he can.
Odak is impressed with the illusory wall as he passes through. He stoops for a moment to touch the colored mushrooms that indicates the edge of the illusion. Wondering to himself if the were real “hiders” or not.
Odak hears the mental instructions being addressed to Glab and Kanzen. Looking to the ooze and then to dark elf, and then back to the ooze. Odak has at least met the drow companion and has formed a fair opinion, but the ooze. Well, Odak is just as flummoxed as the deep gnome before us about Glabbagool.
The guard raises an eyebrow. "Fought the Drow, have you? Got a bit of a score with them?" The heavy metal and adamantine gate is opened for you to pass through. Ahead of you, you see a twisting and turning path that runs between 10-foot-high walls studded with nails.
I wouldn't worry about the Drow. They're the least of your problem right guy now.
Galenus moves forward.
Galinndan keeps pace with Kanzen and Glabbagool, his words already given.
The guards point you through the maze. "You'll be alright. Just walk on through. It's designed to slow down visitors in case they're unwelcome. As for a route to the surface, that's not something we deep gnomes just give out. Now what's this you say about spell gems? We certainly do not have any official orders for spell gems from Gracklstugh. I'd like to hear more about this."
Through the telepathic link, Jimjar provides a comment "Ah... perhaps it is not such an official deal as we supposed..."
Turvy provides a comment of his own "Yeah the deep gnomes aren't always comfortable making friends. A route to the surface is also a route for horrible, creeping things to crawl down from the surface. But if you show them you're trustworthy and helpful... they might show you the route."
Well, I do have to say, Mr. Saltbaron never did give us a name to meet here. And the lads down in Gracklstugh were getting a bit strange. Perhaps he never had a deal. Galenus says, as he walks through the ridiculous entrance into Blingdenstone.
Ok well it seems we have spell gems for sale then.. Or for perhaps trade.. Tell me good sir, have yall any craziness lately? Not sure if u’ve heard but there are a few demon lords running amok in the Underdark..
You begin heading into the maze with the walls studded with nails at their top. It winds around up and down and a well-defended walkway runs overhead, from which gnomes could pour oil and projectiles while staying under cover. Thankfully, you have been granted admission and wind your way through the maze without being assaulted. It narrows at certain places, only small creatures fitting through easily. Its a tough squeeze for the rest of you but thankfully Glabbagool compresses easily.
Kazook Pickshine, I believe., Galinndan thinks at the group.
Is Galenus playing ignorance? Hmmm.
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Concerned for Zoltan, Odak helps his fellow dwarf through the tight area. It’s actually quite the opposite though when Odak reaches the city proper.
As the gnomish city comes into view, Odak visibly becomes uncomfortable and tries to withdraw. With some help and encouragement, Odak can move forward but he seems to be having some sort of claustrophobic reaction to the city.
No.. wait. Kazook! It was with someone by the name Kazook Pickshine! We're here to see one Mr. Pickshine.