As the party approaches the city proper, Kanzen keeps his hood up and his heritage hidden. He does this for two reasons: to avoid causing any distress or alarm to the residents of Blingdenstone; and to avoid bringing any negative attention to the group.
After filtering through the maze, you find the gate the forms one of the last lines of defense of Blingdenstone. Flanking the gate are two stone towers embedded in the cavern walls. Peering through shuttered windows in each tower are four deep gnomes, eight in all. These gnomes operate winches that open and close the gate. As you approach, the gate is opened. On the other side, you find a broad tunnel about 30 ft high. Spell gems shine in its walls 15 ft off the ground and 30 ft apart from each other. At the north end of the tunnel is a smaller door made of stone reinforced with adamantine. Fifteen-foot-high ledges in alcoves flank the door. The ledges are currently unguarded, and the stone door opens easily to reveal the caves of Inner Blingdenstone beyond.
You leave the dark tunnel behind and step into what looks like another world. These aren’t sinister drow caverns or harsh, bare stone, but a subterranean land of warm colors and welcoming smells. The deep gnomes you see going about their business glance up at you with suspicion, but you instinctively understand that you face no threat here. One of the guards escorting you abandons his severe frown to give a deep nod as he prompts you past the inner gate. “Welcome to Blingdenstone, travelers.”
Jimjar stretches as if he hasn't relaxed in a long time and yawns. "All right! This is more like it! Now to get me some real rootwine and find a game of dice." He mentions over his shoulder "You'll probably find Kazook Pickshine Trader's Grotto. It's that way! I'll find you later." He points as he walks off to enjoy his homecoming.
Indeed, We might actually get a decent rest here.. Let’s go find this Kazook..
Galinndan keeps watchful for danger, unable to relax fully.
This is *still* in the Underdark. And the demon lords walk., he mindspeaks to the group.
The guard harumphs. "We have to deal with wererat squatters, insane elementals, ghosts, and a plague of invading oozes. I'd say we're got enough to deal with in here without demon lords getting involved."
You move through the busy and productive tunnels toward the Trader's Grotto. Just as the tunnel you are passing through opens up into the grotto, you hear a bell clanging.
The deep gnomes around you all draw weapons and retreat as you see a guard stumble back, then rise up in the air. A strange shimmer around him reveals the surface of the gelatinous cube that has engulfed him.
Galenus rushes forward, intent on reaching the engulfed gnome. - Galenus reaches into the cube and grabs the gnome, attempting to pull him free.
Irdril blasts the cube that has the gnome..
and then flings a magic stone at it as well..
crit!
Galinndan charges immediately, slashing at the nearest gelatinous cube that isn't friendly.
Kanzen charges forward beside Galinndan, short swords gleaming.
Zoltan doesn't see any particularly helpful looking poles or nets. It seems Galenus has the only workable idea.
Cyrus fires a parting shot at the nearest wounded ooze as he backs away.
Odak fires a bolt that singes one of the oozes while Zoltan strikes it with his axe. Cyrus fires at the closest cube while Kanzen charges forward and attacks the cube holding the deep gnome. Galenus also attacks the nearest cube while Irdril attacks that one with the deep gnome.
The cubes move forward, sliding over the organic prey they would like to digest.
All of the canny adventurers manage to dodge out of the way! But the deep gnome continues to wriggle and struggle, the acid wearing away at him.
Irdril continues to attack the one with the gnome..
She then moves back 15'
Galenus suffers acid burns to his arms for it but manages to get the deep gnome free, who then nods in thanks and takes off to get clear of the cubes.
"LEAVE MY FRIENDS ALONE!" screams your gelatinous cube friend telepathically, as he slides forward and top speed and tries to distract one of the hostile gelatinous cubes.
Spurred on by Glabbaga... Blaggaboo... Glabb's heroic charge, Kanzen roars out to his mistress. "Eilistraee, lend me your moonlight!" he calls, and both his weapons and his eyes glow with the light of a moon that the drow has never seen. He pokes and stabs, eventually finding a good angle to deliver a flurry of blows into one of the gelatinous cubes. Once the attacks are delivered, the glow fades from the blades.
Kanzen misses once then deals a mighty, radiant blow to the cube! But it still maintains a roughly coherent shape.
Cyrus fires his bow at another Cube always keeping a safe distance from the enemy.
Significant damage is dealt to the cubes but none of them have been destroyed. One cube is blocked by Glabaggool and lashes out at him. Another slides hungrily toward Galinndan and Galenus while the third one slides toward Kanzen.
The deft warriors with elf blood roll out of the way of the cubes and spring to their feet, ready to continue fighting. But Galenus can't move quickly enough and is caught by one of the cubes!
Odak has learned from his wanderings in the underdark not to run at the creatures that want to eat you. Instead, he shoots another bolt of green fire at the closest of the cubes as his skin hardens and turns to stone.
Galenus struggles to break free, the acidic digestion of the cube burning into his skin.
Mmmhgsmmntheoouhmmmmm!!!
Galenus breaks out of the cube!
Cyrus continues to plunge arrows into the cubes.
Time to get the heck out of here!
Galenus moves full speed away from the cube, to not get eaten again.
"Run!"
She heals Gale as a bonus action before moving away from the cubes..
Galinndan tears at the cube threatening Galenus.
"FACE ME!", he yells at the faceless thing, himself quite enraged.
The cube blocked and harassed by Glabagool lashes out at Zoltan but doesn't manage to bathe him in acid as the dwarf dodges. The cube that has Galinndan cornered scoops him up to begin digestion (9 acid damage and restrained, str check to escape). The other cube chases Kanzen but the elf keeps dodging while attacking.
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From a safer distance, Galenus quickly prepares another fire bomb and tosses it at the cube who tried to eat him.
Cyrus fires upon the cube currently making a snack of Galinndan.
Galenus' fire and Cyrus' arrow combine to finally tear that cube apart. But the two remaining seem to be very hungry still...
Furious, Galinndan struggles against a viscous fate.