"I would appreciate a talk, as a low level emissary of the druids of course. Perhaps if I am unable to determine what is going on, I could possibly contact a more experienced druid that might. In any case, this has me intrigued!"
And anything that gets me out of this city sounds petty good.
Talindra manages to snatch up the crystal just before Harro does. Dorhun seems fairly engaged in his conversation with Tanic and gives no overt signs that he has noticed what is happening by the body.
"Excellent. We shall arrange a meeting with the Stonespeaker after we have finished mourning. Come to the Cairngorm Cavern in three cycles time.Now if you'll excuse me I have to see about returning my friend's body and belongings to the caverns. Go well and may the Stone look over and protect you." he finishes, moving towards Rihuud's body.
Micar will step aside as the giant moves to his friend's body, giving him plenty of room.
Once the giants are gone, Harro pouts a bit and kicks a rock in Talindra's direction while whispering harshly at her.
"See'ifsa save yourn girlfriend ag'n!"
Vinexa slid from the giant's corpse after he fell and stood there in no small bit of pain. She let the others bicker until she heard Harro mutter as he kicked his rock at Talindra. She spoke up and said, "Jealous you haven't had me Harro? All you had to do was express interest." As Talindra approached her she allowed the drow woman to touch her and gave a rather pleasurable moan at the feeling of her mother's power flowing through the woman to heal her wounds. "She almost makes getting hurt feel really good later doesn't she?" As she calmed Vinexa looked at the crystal curiously.
Talindra took the gem from Talindra's hand and gazed into it with interest before calling upon some small magics to let her study the lines of power to see if it had any magic to it. She knew there was little more that she could do with it beyond that, she never really studied magic much, at least not spellcraft itself anyway. She looked at Talindra and said, "Maybe Micar can figure it out? I don't really study spellcraft."
Harro snorts at the half-demon, and turns away to spit.
"Rath'dr hump'da giant corpse."
If given the crystal the Giant had on him, Micar will examine it carefully.
Tanic eyes the gem appraisingly, very curious about it. He is also unskilled in spellcraft (or appraise for that matter).
After leaving the area with the giant and carefully inspecting the crystal Micar gains some understanding of how the crystal works.
The crystal gives off a strong aura of conjuration and divination magic. It gives a +2 bonus to all knowledge checks, provided it been on your person for 24 hours before the check. It also has ten charges. While holding it you can cast the following spells: Speak with animals (1 charge), Speak with plants (2 Charges), Speak with dead (3 charges), Stone Tell (6 Charges).
When you cast a divination spell the crystal can be used in place of one expensive material component at a cost of one charge per level of the spell.
The crystal regains 1d6+4 expended charges everyday. If the crystal's last charge is expended there is a 1 in 20 chance that it will disappear.
You also detect signs of other powers in the crystal, possibly tied to a particular location or another item but you are unable to tell what they are exactly.
If Micar shares this information you may have heard of something similar.
From the description you recognise the crystal as a Stonespeaker Crystal, created by the stone giant librarians of Gravenhollow, possibly the greatest repository of knowledge in the Underdark. The library is suffused with magic and remarkably difficult to find
As you finish inspected the crystal a robed duergar with a holy symbol of Laduguer approaches and clears his throat.
"Excuse me. I couldn't help but notice your extraordinary show of prowess against that monstrosity back there. Very impressive. In fact, I reckon that the Chief Keeper of the Flame would very much like to meet you and congratulate you himself. You might even be able to help us with a little problem we've been having lately. If you would kindly follow me?"
Harro stares in wonder at the speech of the priest and nods his head idiotically. He then dances a quick jig in a circle and stomps his foot once.
"Absa-frackin-lutely yurn' worship! Laduguer be praise...ed!"
Harro follows the priest eagerly, obviously not caring if anybody else in his group does or not.
"Who? Keeper of a flame? Why us..."
If the others follow so will Tanic. Curiosity killed the Oread. At least its a very likely fate for this one.
Micar will share with the group what he knows of the crystal.
"It's a Stonespeaker Crystal forged by the giant librarians of Gravenhollow. Gravenhollow, though nearly impossible to find on your own, is possibly the greatest repository of knowledge in the Underdark."
"It'sa knowledge stick?"
Harro seems uncertain now of the item's true value.
"Well, that would be useful to me if only that it would allow me to speak to the animals I might summon. But the main thing is, yes, as a knowledge stick. You may ask the very walls what has happened to them or what is near to them. A powerful spell that my superiors have mastered but which I would normally be unable to do."
Micar shrugs, "Maybe if we would have been able to talk to the owner before his corpse was taken away by his friend. Otherwise, the crystal has some tools that could come in handy in the future. Tanic can even get responses from the rocks he talks to . . . and maybe the mushrooms too."
"The Keeper's of the Flame watch over the Wyrmsmith, of course. As for why you, lets just say we have a somewhat delicate situation that could use an outside perspective in resolving. High Keeper Xundorn will surely explain everything when you meet with him. Now if you'll please hurry, the High Keeper doesn't like to be kept waiting." The acolyte explains, seeming to ignore the conversation going on in the background.
Harro follows the priest around like an excited puppy, and is even more deferential than the average Duergar, prostrating himself face down any time a priest even speaks directly at Harro.
Tanic is tempted to tease Harro for all his bowing and scraping, but figures that would be a dangerous thing to do. The Duergar is not acting rational.
The priest leads you across the city and over a narrow bridge across a deep rift that divides the city in two. Eventually you reach the south eastern corner of the city and a large and unusually ornate building, guarded by duergar in heavy stone plate with a flame emblem on their chest.
The Keepers of the Flame are a sect of Laduguan clerics who tend to the needs of the Wyrmsmith and consequently enjoy a great deal of influence over Gracklstugh. The current Wyrmsmith is Themberchaud, an adult red dragon who keeps the city's smelters and forges ablaze, receiving treasure, free meals, and constant pampering in return.
The Wyrmsmith is periodically slain and replaced with a new red hatchling before they get too big and difficult to control and start to take an active interest in the affairs of Graklstugh. It is somewhat surprising therefore that Themberchaud has not yet been replaced.
Inside the entrance hall of the building an old duegar in red robes and the symbol of Laduguer around his neck, and accompanied by numerous other robed duergar, is waiting to greet the party.
"Greetings. I am Gartokkar Xundorn, High Keeper of the Flame, and you must be...
A younger acolyte rushes up to Gartokkar and interrupts him with a series of frantic whispers. A wave of momentary displeasure passes over Gartokkar's face before he continues.
"I'm dreadfully sorry for that interruption but it seems that somehow Themberchaud has learned that he has visitors and has decided that he wishes to meet with you. If you would therefore kindly follow me."
The High Keeper leads you deeper into the complex, to a slightly raised platform overlooking a large and shadowy chamber, dominated by a large pile of coins and gemstones. The ground begins to tremble slightly and a thunderous voice echoes against every wall.
"Gartokkar" the voice calls as a reptilian behemoth comes into view, its scales the colour of lava, its bright yellow eyes glowing in the shadows of the cave before coming into the light. "You didn't say I was having drow for dinner today. And they've brought desert as well! " he rumbles as he gestures with a claw at Glabbagool.
The dragon chuckles at his own wit. His massive body gives the distinct impression that he is overweight, indicating eating habits that don't bode well.
"Foreigners," the duergar priest says with great reverence, "Meet the Father of Flame, the Everburning, and the Foundry's Heart - Themberchaud the Wyrmsmith of Gracklstugh!
"You missed out 'The Tremendous and Incomparable'" the dragon pouts. "Besides, I want to speak to my guests alone. Begone."
The High Keeper and his entourage protest but withdraw with much bowing when Thermberchaud roars.
The dragon settles down atop the pile of coins in a very self satisfied manner and casts a beady eye over the remaining group of people. "So, it's not very often that I get such interesting looking guests, especially not all to myself. I want to hear all about your stories."
Tanic can hardly wait. As soon as Talindra is finished he will launch into a description of this caves and the delights of mushrooms and toads, with a liberal sprinkling of poor me stories of his capture.
Harro leans on his axe, standing confused as the priests retreat...not having learned anything about dragons in his upbringing other than they are annoyances to kill...or fight in the training pits.
Stories? The dragon is insane. That's all it is...wow that's a LOT of treasure!
Immediately Harro hides his hand with his favorite magic ring on it behind himself, fearing the dragon's greed will turn on him if he sees it!
At the sight of the dragon, Micar fades to the back of the group as Talindra and Tanic entertain the creature.
As they walked Vinexa realized just what they were being escorted to. She thought about saying something but decided that it was best not too. If they were being taken to what she thought they were it was best not to anger it. She decided that it was best to keep her knowledge to herself as she wanted to see their expressions when they realized who they were seeing. She did decide to be prepared though and thought through what she knew of such beasts.
When they were brought before the High Keeper of the Flame Vinexa realized that maybe keeping quiet and coming here wasn't a wise idea. She actually bristled when he spoke of eating drow for dinner and Glabagool for desert. She stepped forward in a huff and said, "The green drow and the gelatinous cube are mine, you can't have them." She gestured at the two she mentioned, "Of course I can't stop you from doing so but I would take it as a favor if you left them alone." She gave the great dragon a smile as she continued, "As for my story I would of course be delighted to tell it to you. I don't know that you would enjoy it much as it largely involves using my body to pleasure others and myself until the drow clan I lived with turned on me and sold me into a slave camp." She gave him her brightest smile as she said, "My name is Vinexa, and if you desire to f$*$ a half succubus I am here for your pleasure great one."
Turning at the half-demons words, Harro turns a little green himself. He then spins and runs for a mop bucket in the corner and upchucks his last 5 beers and all of his last meal.
What's up with Harro? I don't think I've seen him sickened by anything. Was it being reminded about being a slave?
Red dragons have a fiery breath weapon and are immune to fire. They also have a number of magical abilities, including the ability to manipulate fire as per the spell pyrotechnics. The dragon you see before you, despite his corpulence, still appears very young, either a juvenile or a young adult. You also recall that *most* younger dragons are only really interested in mating with other dragons, not acquiring their well known variety of taste until much later in life, when they gain the ability to change shape.
"Very good" the dragon rumbles. "You are indeed most amusing. Far better at telling stories than my so-called keepers. They hardly tell me anything. In fact I suspect that the Keepers are keeping something from me."
Again the dragon laughs at his own pun.
"Anyway, I've thought of a better use for you lot than eating. Old Gartokkar seemed to be interested in you, do what he says but report to me before you report to Gartokkar. I want to know what is happening in my city. I want to know what they are keeping from me!
Thermberchaud's mood seems to switch in an instant as he roars and shoots a gout of flame at the ceiling, in anger at the supposed secrets he knows that he does not know.
This is what living in a city does to you. Drives you quite nuts. Who CARES if these keepers keep secrets? Still... Best to keep the beast happy. I'm not ready to find out what it would feel like if that breath were aimed at me.
"What do we tell the keepers when they ask what you talked to us about? Say that you were bored and wanted to hear stories? Would they believe that? I guess it is what you said to them at first."
Vinexa was amused at the beasts attitude, he didn't bat an eye at what she said and it seemed that he had no interest in actually harming them. In fact his proposed offer sounded quite...intriguing. "So you want us to spy on them for you, how long do you want us to do this and what will you give us for our services?" She smiled up at him, "Other than not eating us of course."
Micar chuckles nervously as the dragon dramatically spews fire at the ceiling.
Working for a dragon. Nothing can go wrong here. But at least we're still alive.
After puking his guts out at the mention of the woman coupling with the Dragon...Harro feels a little dizzy and wasted.
He will stumble out of the dragon's presence, leaning on his axe, as soon as he can. The stony-skinned young dwarf appears very shaken as he leaves.
The dragon seems mildly affronted by the idea of actually paying somebody for their services and slightly confused by all the questions.
"I'm not asking you to spy on them, just tell me what they want from you and find out what they are keeping from me. As for reward, what could be a greater reward than the honour of serving Themberchaud the Magnificent? That's what Ol' Gartokkar says anyway. Hey, now that's an idea, if you find out his secrets for me, you can all have his job. If you want anything more physical however, speak to Gartokkar, he sorts all that sort of thing out for me. Now if there are no further questions I'm bored of you now. I think I'm going to count my hoard again"
Themberchaud puffs a ring of smoke at the platform the group is on and slightly turns away from them, a clear sign that the audience is over.
Shortly after you leave the chamber, High Keeper Gartokkar reappears at the end of the hallway.
"I trust you managed to sufficiently entertain His Mightiness?" the old duergar remarks dryly. "Now perhaps if you follow me to my study we can get down to business without any further interruptions."
As usual, Tanic follows with a grin on his face and a jaunty stride.
"Though he is a GREAT listener. I rarely meet anyone that is willing to take the time to listen. Though, come to think of it, he was a bit abrupt in his dismissal."
"A pity he wasn't in the story telling mood. I'll bet he has some doozies. Say, has he ever eaten any of you?"
"Serving the Father of Flame is a great honour." Gartokkar replies to Talindra, "And like all great honours, it naturally requires a great deal of work. As for common sense, His Mightiness is a very uncommon individual, is it entirely unsurprising that he be utterly lacking in common sense? That's what people like me are for.
Entering the study, which is considerable more somberly decorated than the rest of the complex you have seen so far, Gartokkar continues, smiling ever so slightly at Tanic's question,
"Now, now, we wouldn't be doing a very good job if we allowed ourselves to get eaten willy-nilly now would we? Themberchaud likes to threaten and bluster but that is as far as it ever goes. I severely doubt that he would ever actually eat anybody actually, he is very particular in his tastes after all"
Gartokkar takes a seat at his desk and shuffles some papers around before casting a warding spell to protect against eavesdroppers.
"Now that we are safe from being overheard we can speak more freely. Two months ago a very valuable item was stolen from us by Derro thieves, members of the Grey Ghosts who are active underneath the city. At the same time a wave of madness started to affect the city, as I'm sure you'll have noticed. I suspect the Derro are behind this as well, although I lack the proof to convince the Deepking to take the action he should. We've been trying to track down the Grey Ghosts for years, and have redoubled our efforts since the incident but our agents are too visible in the Derro quarter. That's where you come in. You should be able to avoid raising suspicion and track down the Grey Ghosts without tipping them off. You will of course be richly rewarded for your help."
Spitting in the corner, Harro nods easily.
"Derro? Crazy mutant-lovin' monsters is what they is! I'll cut some down for you...just keep me away from that dragon! That thing's nutz'er than a gnomish cog-golem!"