Interhoff shares with you the gossip he knows. The Cult of the Worm's newfound influence partly stems from a powerful hryngar visitor who helped execute the recent theft. However, that hryngar tried to usurp the cult, upsetting the long-standing cult leaders. Opposing factions clashed for control, eventually chasing out the hryngar.
The redcap departs, and you return to the Court of Ether proper. It isn't long after this than a sprite emissarry flitters up to you. The sprite conveys that Queen Frilogarma knows of your search for the Cult of the Worm. You are cordially invited to the palace if you wish the queen's wisdom and favor!
"Oh, should we go? I've never been in a palace before," Brijetta whispers.
"Wait, doesn't the queen hate the cult?" Gig questions. "Maybe seeing her isn't a great idea."
"Oh! You should wear The Dress, Brij. I... might just go as a slurk or something. Easier."
"Oh, I left it safe back home. Oh no! Should we go back and get it?"
She lets someone else answer Gig's question, though she hopes the queen wouldn't think they're trying to join the Cult. Would she?
"I suppose the queen will send someone to fetch us if we don't cooperate, and we don't exactly look like cave worm cultists," Gig admits. "We should go see her. If we survive, it will make an excellent story!"
Queen Frilogarma resides in a palace built around and through the central stalactite of the city. From there, it serves as a useful landmark and reminder to all of their sovereign’s authority. A pair of redcap guards escorts you into the palace, muttering cheerfully that they hope you somehow offend the queen and die horribly for everyone’s amusement.
The throne room’s ceiling sparkles with incandescent stars crisscrossed by scintillating auroras, resembling an arctic night’s sky. Redcap guards snap to attention, gripping polearms with restrained malice. Courtiers ranging from sprites and gremlins to centaurs and elementals converse along either side of the hall, with countless sprites clambering and flitting among the columns. An eerily beautiful nymph sits confidently on the throne. Her skin almost blends into the stone, yet her eyes glow with fierce intensity. She beckons to approach. “Welcome to my Ethereal Court, strangers. I am Frilogarma, Queen of the Endless Gulf. Approach and speak.”
Gig bows deeply to the nymph, trying to avoid making direct contact with her mysterious and beautiful gaze.
"Thank you for welcoming us, your majesty. We are travelers from Highhelm, far above. We are on a peaceful mission of discovery and exploration," he states, in his best impression of a dutiful courier.
"Indeed? And what is it that you wish to discover?" the queen inquires, arching a delicate eyebrow.
"We are looking for details about the history of our great king, Taargick," Gig explains. "It is rumored that there are signs of his passage, and certain related relics in the Darklands from our people's long ago Quest for Sky."
Brijetta does her best not to fidget, fearing she will in fact somehow offend the queen and die horribly for everyone’s amusement. "If only we could talk somewhere more privately..."
"No way! What if she's even more queeny in private!"