"I can do that!", Glimmil responds cheerfully.
Poor old soul, he still can't remember someone's name... My Uncle Gizro forgot his own name when he got to that age. I know I've heard him refer to himself as both Dryant and Dyrant today, too.
Nope.
Dyrant will finish with his drawing.
"I think I am done here. Let us return to Ghelve. I shall carry what I can."
Dyrant picks up the cage and the weight of it, plus the other items he has gathered, shows a strain on his movement.
"Let's get back. Everyone ready?"
"Ready when you are!" Glimmil adds cheerfully, leading the way back to Ghelve's shop.
Dyrant cheerfully follows, anxious to get above ground. This has been a strange trip.
I hope getting out is as easy as getting in.
The party returns to the secret door into Ghelve's residence. The door is closed, but not locked. You enter to find Ghelve working on a lock. He seems surprised to see you back so soon (about an hour or two). He has his tools out and appears to be working on a lock. "I'm working on a lock just as you asked. The key will be over here where you can see it from the door." He sees Starbrow in cage. "Oh Starbrow! Are you okay? Did they hurt you? Thank you all. Thank you. Did you find anyone else? Anyone at all?"
Dyrant hands Starbrow, the cage, and the key to Ghelve.
"He has been a delight. We discovered much downstairs, but mostly we learned how unprepared we were. Maybe you can help us."
Dyrant will pull up a stool and, when Ghelve is done with his greetings, would like to ask him some questions.
"We have encountered more of the silver men. What do you know about them? We don't know enough yet. How are they so stealthy?"
"Strangely enough, the prisoner of Starbrow was a chest that could talk! It wanted food and seemed to speak a strange language. What do you think it was? It was very hungry."
"Down below, there are many strange gear doors with strange locks. It seems as if every door is both locked and trapped. Since you are a master locksmith, I was wondering if you could help us be able to bypass the doors. Can you make a key or us? It would be a great help. Here are some drawings and Glim, here, can also add some thoughts."
Dyrant pauses before continuing, letting his words sink in.
"We did find the remains of the old city. It appears that the silver men have dug tunnels around just to avoid opening the doors."
"We must go back down on the morrow to continue our search...we need to rest and plan better. Do you mind if we sleep here tonight? We'd also like to be able to guard the door down...in case there are more visitors."
Dyrant stares off as he waits for Ghelve to respond.
We need to understand the doors better.
Dyrant mentally prepares his next set of questions, depending on the mood and helpfulness of Ghelve.
So many questions, so few answers.
"The talking chest spoke of something called the Malachite Fortress? Do you know it?"
"He also spoke of Hobgoblins and Dark Stalkers. What are they?"
"A dark stalker named Yuathyb?"
"An Underdark slaver named Kazmojen?"
"What is a skulk?"
"What is a dark one?"
"Can you help us appraise and/or sell the following items:"
• Ceramic stage mask portraying the sad visage of an anguished gnome with rabbit ears
• Silver ring shaped like a serpent with tiny azurite gems for eyes
• A silver ewer adorned with dancing dryads and set with moss agates
EDIT:
Know Arcana on Malachite Fortress?
Know Nature on Hobgoblins?
Know Nature on Dark One?
Know Religion on Malachite Fortress?
Know History on Malachite Fortress?
In response to Dyrant:
Ghelve lets Starbrow out and sits down with him on his lap. He pets him as he speaks with you, "I don't know much more about the kidnappers. I'd guess the silver ones are so stealthy because their skin changes color--they just fade into the shadows. They speak in a language I don't know with the tall ones."
After some discussion, you will find that this language appears to be the same one the chest was speaking.
Ghelve will look at your sketches and listen to your description of the locks. He is unable to craft a key from the sketches and steadfastly refuses to enter Jzadirune for fear of the Vanishing. Jzadirune was a small enclave inhabited by gnome spellcasters. The enclave was abandoned 75 years ago after a magical plague called the Vanishing swept through it. The disease caused several of Jzadirune’s residents to slowly fade away into nothingness. Keygan doesn’t know whether the plague still poses a threat, but he's not taking any chances.
"You are welcome to stay here. I'm afraid I only have the one small bed though."
Ghelve only possesses the common knowledge of the Malachite Fortress: A stronghold built by dwarves and gnomes to guard against incursions from the Underdark. Zenith Splintershield led an army of dwarves into the Underdark a decade ago and has not been seen since. He left behind a meager number of defenders who have not been heard from in over a year.
"Hobgoblins, dark stalkers, skulks, dark ones? I'm afraid I can't help you there. I've lived my life in the city and haven't encountered anything stranger than a half-orc before these things came up from Jzadirune. I have not heard of Yuathyb or Kazmojen."
Ghelve examines the items you have. "These are some interesting items, but I'm afraid my talents are more about keeping things like this safe rather than buying or selling them. They might be worth something, but not to me."
Appraise
Your knowledge checks reveal nothing new .
"You are welcome to stay here. I'm afraid I only have the one small bed though."
"That is perfectly acceptable for our needs. Atol and Dryant can sleep on the floor, as their faith favors forsaking easy comforts. I will be visiting my domicile, which leaves just Finneas and Glimmil. Since the bed is gnome size, it remains to Finneas to decide if he will sleep here or elsewhere. You may sleep on my sofa if you are short of coin."
Regarding the collected loot, Silfr says "Atol, since Dryant's faculties are occupied with cartography, would you kindly organize the items claimed from the silversheen men into categories? To specify, one group we shall keep for our use and the other to sell and fund our continuing expeditionary costs. Such quarter-mastery should be common amongst clerics of Cuthbert, I hope."
"Tomorrow perhaps Glimmil or Finneas can help me carry the later grouping for sale at Tygot's, as it should consist primarily of the three old things, that is the mask, the ring and the ewar. I am sure I can negotiate a fair return."
Since it is about 7 at night, once the conversation wraps up Silfr will stop by the Coy Nixie for a good meal before returning home. He will write down the events of the day and previous night, then rest early.
Arising early in the morning, Silfr breakfast at home, then drop by Maavu Imports to see if they have a book on the Malachite Fortress in their bookshop. .
After he plans on returning to Ghelve's to meet back up with Glimmil and the others, and go with at least Glimmil to sell the old things found, if this was agreeable. Silfr will suggest a stop at Skie's Treasury, to question the gnomish owner about her adventures in the catacombs under the city. Perhaps they are the same ones which this group has found. Glimmil's presence may assist in this discussion.
Finally he plans on stocking up on a few supplies before returning to Ghelves.
"I agree with your plans. I will stay here the night, in this room and rest. I have enough traveling supplies to make a comfortable bed near the door, and will keep watch for any more dark stalkers."
"Now I will be fully healed and ready for tonight."
All knowledge in my profile is essentially common knowledge for locals or DC 10 for travelers. Players can browse it. I've edited out things as necessary.
Atol uses another Channel Energy to heal any who may still be with a lingering wound or two.
"Is everyone fully healed now? If not, I still have some healing left. Silfr, I'm happy to take up the Quarter Master duties, but someone else should really handle the bartering at the shops - that is not my strength and I fear I would cost us overmuch if left to myself. I am certainly willing to try though if that is the feeling of the group."
"At first glance I think the things worth saving are:
• 3 sunrods
• 2 flasks of oil
• 2 tindertwigs
• 1 thunderstone
• key ring with three keys
Everything else should be sold and used to buy other needed gear. I fear however that I cannot carry this gear without becoming a burden to the group. In time perhaps magics can help me, but for now..."
Maybe pushups will help.
"Oh, and I'm most agreeable to sleeping on the floor. I do it frequently at the church, especially if I work late."
My! The humans seem so much more reinvigorated now we are out of the Jzadirune. Maybe this "Vanishing" slowly saps their will to continue adventuring?
Glimmil parks himself in Ghelve's shop during most of the discussion, contentedly practicing on the demonstration locks.
Somewhere through the discussion, he chimes in.
"Good master Ghelve, would you happen to have a better version of these?" Glimmil gestures to the lock picks he has spread out next to his collection of spoons and other assorted items. "I could use one of these but just a little smaller and sharper. Oh! And this curvy thing, but curvier..." The gnome continues on describing tools he is looking for.
No shopping. It'll be close to 8pm and shops are closed.
Not exactly satisfied with the knowledge given (though, no doubt it was the best the gnome could do), Dyrant will discuss tonight's plans.
"It is late yet we still have much preparation to do before we go back down. I know that it is important to guard this entry tonight and mayhaps all of us should share in that endeavor. On the morning, we can split up to accomplish our selling and our buying."
"Shall we take watches? 9-12, 12-3, 3-6? I assume most of us won't be abed before 9."
Dyrant begins to look for a quiet place to study and read while he awaits his turn to either guard or to fall asleep.
"Master Ghelve, do you mind if I peruse your library? I quite like to read and haven't have a good book in a while. Is there anything you would suggest?"
"I will take the first watch."
It has been a long two days. I can't believe we just finished the Gate and already I've been to a lost gnome city and almost died.
Having heard from everyone, the night passes uneventfully--at least at Ghelve's.
@Glimmil. Ghelve will scrape together the equivalent of a masterwork tools set for you.
@Dyrant. Ghelve is happy to let you look at any book you desire. There are older books on locksmithing and newer basic books about magic and familiars such as "Finding Your Spark: Are you a sorcerer?" "Did I just make that move or is this place haunted?" "Rats: Familiars or family dinner?"
In the morning, it sounds as if there is some shopping and info gathering to be done. Shops will be open by 8 am. Silfir stops by Maavu Imports and browses for a book on the Malachite Fortress, but is unable to find anything. The books tend to be either highly practical regarding farming and mining techniques or targeted at the wealthy--poetry and fiction. Maavu himself is unavailable.
From there, it sounds as if the party is meeting at Ghelve's before some members will go to Skie's Treasury. I'll start the scene there with whoever would like to join in.
On a side note: I'm not going to bother tracking or asking for an accounting of living expenses such as meals that are less than a gold piece. I'll only care if you are spending money on such things in order to affect diplomacy, etc, or decide to start living the rich life.
"Ghelve, do you have that lock completed and ready for this door? I will head into town with Silfr to carry our supplies unless I am needed here to guard the door."
HP = 10
AC = 13
Weapon Equipped = None
Oracle Spells Left (CL 1, +4 melee touch, +0 ranged touch):
1 (4) Divine Favor, Shield of Faith, Cure Light Wounds
Status Effects = None
"A book on sorcerers?! That sounds lovely!" Dyrant will eagerly accept the recommendation and read the book before he falls asleep.
* * *
During his watch, Dyrant will re-scribe his scroll of Comp Languages.
On the morning, Dyrant will break out his prayer book and his prayer box and spend an hour quietly communing with his Angel.
* * *
With his morning prayers done, Dyrant will return to the Slippery Eel for morning stew, savoring every bite.
Glimmil thanks Ghelve for assembling the tools, blissfully ignorant of any discussion of price. The small gnome excuses himself and rushes home to the Cobwaddles to hopefully make supper, or at least enjoy some of his gnomish mom's cooking.
Before departing, he'll raid his parent's pantry for stale bread to bring back to the others, or to potentially feed the talking chests.
While on the watch, Glimmil, ever restless browses through Ghelve's books. Not normally patient enough to read anything, he'll look for books with pictures, or books about locks, or ideally books with pictures of locks.
With his morning prayers done, Dyrant will return to the Slippery Eel for morning stew, savoring every bite.
Aroon welcomes back Dyrant with arms stretched wide, "Good to see you, sir. I did not expect to see you back so soon. I thought you and your friends were going to go exploring. I hope nothing has happened to change your plans." He will bring you a bowl of the morning stew special. Today's stew appears to be an improvement over yesterday's--the lumps appear to contain some actual meat and not just grizzle.
"Exploring? I thought we were looking for lost children. We had a few leads, nothing more."
Dyrant digs into the stew, enjoying the meat but yet missing the grizzle.
"Have you heard anything?"
After morning prayer Atol will munch on some of the stale bread Glimmil brought.
"Thanks for the breakfast Glimmil! You all go shopping and gather what we need. I'll stay here and guard the door until your return."
Atol carefully eyes the door to the basement and picks the best spot in the room to keep a good eye on it and the door into the room so he's not surprised through his own foolishness.
"Exploring? I thought we were looking for lost children. We had a few leads, nothing more."
"Have you heard anything?"
"I can assure you I haven't. As I told you yesterday, stick to the caves and ruins for your adventuring. We maintain a strict 'live and let live' policy here at the Slippery Eel. No questions asked and none answered. Let the city guards deal with the missing children."
"I'll not go astray of the policy. I'm just here to eat."
Dyrant likes the stew. What of it?
Silfr will roll in looking refreshed in the morning, his old bones showing some bounce.
I miss this active life! Too much time behind desks and at chalkboards these days.
"Finneas, lets take these old things over to Tygot's Old Things. Glimmil, you are welcome to join us. I will be stopping by Skie's Treasury to speak with the former gnomish adventurer for which the store is named, who is known to have explored under the city."
Looking around, he notices that Dryant is not present. The brigand is gone but the "loot", as they say, remains. Perhaps on his return he will not be as sour and grumpy as before, and will be able to contribute to our venture beyond alleged map markings.
Crunching happily on his mother's gnomish bread, with a full mouth Glimmil agrees to accompany Silfr, "yrmph, Glmph wllgo wthh."
Crumbs spill into the guide to lock-picking in front of Glim, sliding directly into the sharp crease where the binding is - the book will likely never properly close again.
Skie! I definitely want to go meet an adventurer!
Finneas scoops up the items Silfr directs him to, his tree trunk arms easily hold the weapons and masks, their finery smudged by the rivulets of sweat running down him.
"I love this city, but the jungle heat is fierce today. I hope the rains come soon."
Dyrant returns to Ghelves to find the group leaving.
"Ah good, you're all here, let's get to selling and researching."
Atol guards the door at Ghelve's while the other four go shopping. Since Skie's is closer, I'll assume you stop there first. Skie's Treasury is a modest building crafted from blocks of volcanic stone. The facade of the building bears dozens, if not hundreds, of symbols and sigils that have been carved into the face of the stone with chisels. One door and a pair of tiny windows face the road and overlook the lake below. Above the door, a sign proclaims the establishment to be Skie's Treasury, but more impressive are the numerous items of treasure--rings, coins, wands, necklaces, rods, potions, scrolls, and more--that seem to slowly orbit the sign and shine with soft golden light. Every now and then, two of the itmes bump against each other, ringing softly like a wind chime.
Perception
Dyrant
Finneas
Glimmil
Silfir
Most of the runes are in gnome and Glimmil notices one of the runes reads, "The Last Laugh."
Glimmil looks up at the sign in wonderment, grinning like a child about to enter a candy store.
"Huh, the Last Laugh." Glimmil remarks, eyes narrowed as he reads the runes aloud. "Maybe Skie likes comedy and jokes.. perhaps if I tell a good one we'll get a good deal?"
Glimmil liked comedy and jokes. What gnome didn't? Perhaps the one about the chicken and the sausage...
"What, GarlGladGnome? Did you have a thought about the Last Laugh, the thugs who stole the children?"
Dyrant is busy trying to tied the pieces together in mind and any thought, any new piece of information, is a welcome addition.
"No, no, I don't think there's any good jokes that involve men kidnapping children."
Dyrant has a strange sense of humor, but maybe that makes sense since he's so old and tired? His Saint and Angel do seem very... rough-cut.
Glimmil removed his hat and scratched his head, wondering why the others were all looking at him so.
Dyrant looks at the little man with discomprehension. Dyrant resists the urge to facepalm, but speaks slowly as this might be important.
"Why. Did. You. Mention. The. Last. Laugh?"
"Huh, the Last Laugh." Glimmil remarks, eyes narrowed as he reads the runes aloud. "Maybe Skie likes comedy and jokes.. perhaps if I tell a good one we'll get a good deal?"
Seeing glimmil translate the ruins, Silfr quietly informs him of their meaning.
"Glimmil, the Last Laugh is the name of a gang connected with the kidnappings. It should be no surprise that Skie's history in catacombs and tunnels links her with this conspiracy. However let us first attempt to gather information before making accusations. We should proceed as before, asking about the tunnels and traps of Jzadirune. The subject of the Last Laugh can be at the conversation's end."
"Oh!" Glimmil finally remarks, as if he were told the punchline of a joke after spending several moments trying to figure it out for himself.
The Last Laugh is an outstanding name for a band of her... err, a gang. We should think of something equally suitable for our merry band!
"I never thought a gnome could be evil...?" he mutters quietly, following Silfr and the others inside.
I will have to concentrate on Skie to make sure she is not a do-badder. That would be most depressing.
Dyrant's eyes bulge at Silfr's suggestion.
"I agree with caution, but we have every right to believe that if Skie is working with or knows about the Last Laugh, then he is one of the people we don't want to let know that we have found a way down, much less that we are exploring the place. In fact, I would almost prefer that we sell our goods someplace else lest he recognize the weapons and goods as what they are."
Dyrant ponders a moment.
"I think Silfr and Glim should enter and politely and discretely scope out his goods and see if anything resembles what we have to sell or if there are any other indications of the gnome city. Unless he brings up the doors first, I'd not mention them."
Glimmil has a thought.
"Oh, I can go in alone if you like and ask about Jzadirune as if I've never been there before."
He nods to himself, as if his self-agreement will be contagious.
"Plus I have a way... of knowing if someone's a do-badder. I could tell you if Skie was bad after only a few moments."
"Now hold on. Perhaps it's the heat or my lack of satay, but if Glimmil found this mark on the front of the store, what do the rest of the marks mean?"
Strange gnomes of all types. If Skie sells magical items then no doubt she acts as a fence. After all, I have an armful of looted rapiers here.
"Good idea. Charge, brave gnome, charge."
This won't end well.
"Now hold on. Perhaps it's the heat or my lack of satay, but if Glimmil found this mark on the front of the store, what do the rest of the marks mean?"
Glimmil reads off some more of the runes, "The Greenswords" "The Unhumans" "The Singers of Ehlonna" "Varmint Patrol" "Piddlespot Peddlers" "The Endgamers."
"Oh, I can go in alone if you like and ask about Jzadirune as if I've never been there before."
[/b]
"We should try this approach."
Silfr will look for someplace comfortable to wait outside, where moments can seem like hours.
"Hmm..those could all be the names of adventuring companies or mercenaries."
Know History
I hope I remember something from my gossips and readings. THINK!
"See," Glimmil points to the names.
"We'll need a good name too. You guys should think one up while I'm inside playing detective!"
With general consensus met, Glimmil enters Skie's shop.
"Hmm..those could all be the names of adventuring companies or mercenaries."
Dyrant recalls that they are the names of adventuring companies or mercenaries, but can't recall any of their exploits aside from The Endgamers. They had a glorious career before their leader, Monsieur Montoya, convinced the entire party to buy matching red and white boots of flying with flames embroidered on the side. He then led the charge into the lair of the Elizalich to the cry of "Fireball Formation!"
"Ah. Those are the names of adventuring companies...so this Skie deals in those who have failed in the Underdark or like. Now, did he help those groups succeed or fail? I guess we await our brave gnome to find out."
Dyrant sits and cogitates on the matter.
I wonder if Atol is alright.
Glimmil enters Skie's Treasury to find a collection of items as impressive as the ones that circled the sign, even if they don't float about. There are tall cases of potions, meticulously arranged and labeled. There are weapon racks with daggers, rapiers, longswords, axes, maces, and other sharp and blunt instruments of destruction. Smaller glass cases hold thunderstones, tinder twigs, sunrods, and other similar items. There is a counter with a black obsidian top and behind it a smiling gnome with two braids, a blue stone tiara, and a smile that surely melts Glimmil's heart. Behind her are jewel encrusted weapons, longswords that glow faintly, and shimmering mitheral chain shirts. "Good morrow brave adventurer! I'm Skie. How might I help you this fine morning?"