Seeing he has an audience in Nuria, Breldo warms to the task.

"As an archer yourself, I've no need to tell you that a dry string is a happy string! Can't always ensure the conditions though, so it's not so simple as to just keep it under cover, or we'd be forever looking for roofs to stand under when we need to take a shot! Proper waxing can help keep moisture at bay, though it's easy to overdo, not looking for buildup, just a thin layer to keep things protected, and supple. Good to lay down some wax on the board too, helps keep the bolt and string moving right along once its loosed. Speaking of, making sure the body of the crossbow is free of nicks or splinters, good to check that regular, and have a sharp blade to scrape it smooth if need be. Saw a fellow once whose string caught on a split, must have been rubbing a while, but the string snapped, one of the arms wrenched off and he was left with an awkward club to face down a charging owlbear. Always think of Limping Jimmy when I tend by crossbow. That wasn't his name until after, of course, when the owlbear took three toes off his left foot before we put it down."

With no further information forthcoming about Comedy, Asimi finds herself with no more questions for the elf. Nor does she seem to be particularly concerned with its final words one way or another. Looking towards Sylvera, she points a finger back towards the direction of the basement, "Shall I go check the condition downstairs?"

Rick pours.

Sylvera looks a little defeated for a moment, but quickly regains her usual demeanor. So... there is hope on this path, it just won't be an easy solution. 

 She looks to Asimi, "Very well. I would advise not going alone though." She turns to Breldo, "Why don't you put that crossbow to further use? Accompany Asimi to the basement." She eyes Nuria, recognizing that she seems uncomfortable. "You go too." It seems like the girl is most comfortable with Breldo, and Sylvera has a feeling that they likely won't find anymore surprises in the basement. But still, if they do they are better off in numbers. 

Then she turns back to the elf, realizing that Rick is already back and pouring goo on him. Hopefully this works...

(Sorry for the slight delay, fell ill )

Rick, distressed, and not getting clear instructions from language he does not understand, runs away to go get "good" goo, missing the translation session Khond performs. As he gets down the stairs of the basement again, there is a... Tense atmosphere. The furnace-like thing still stands at the end of the hallway, a slight droning noise coming from the open hatch.

...Which doesn't stop him from scooping some up that is right there at the base, of course, as he quickly returns.

Others try to cope against the madness that has come, a bit hard to deny now, each in their own ways. Only Sylvera spending a moment to promise showing the "elf" the sky, who gives a light nod to that. Rick returns a few moments later with some of the goo before the high elf can even really order someone else to go down and investigate closer, the tabaxi has started pouring. Presumably, over his hands, rather than just over the top of his head or something. Nothing seems to happen for a moment, though after a few moments it seems as if the petrification is reversing. Slowly, and not completely, but somewhat at the very least.

She looks to the others, "He wishes to see the sky. May as well give him his dying wish."

Even though the goo only provides a temporary solution, it at least gives her some hope that some sort of cure can be devised... and perhaps a delay is all she needs for now. She'll have to see about harvesting more of that... Ley? While she is here. Might as well take all of it that she can and hope that it can at least encourage her family to continue providing her funding.  

Rick says,

"Rick thinks something is up with the box the Mouth Monster came out of, Rick thinks the vibe is not good from it."

He looks for compliments on so quickly getting the goo.

"Rick was fast, Rick got the best goo. Almost no sticks or rocks it it. Rick sees there is some oil, but Rick knows that just makes it better."

He'll tag along as they go outside.

The elf seems to be somewhat healed at the goop, though perhaps not as much as one would have hoped judging by Sylvera's dejected-sounding statement in Elvish. Of course Rick still gets to claim some of that fame, even while "Olokas" offers a mild shrug.

 There is a slight frown on the elf's face as they head outside however, though it quickly clears up.

"Understood," Asimi nods to Sylvera before looking over to Nuria and Breldo, "Mind yourselves down there, it probably looks worse than before," Her mind thought back to the explosion behind them while the group was running, fully expecting the halls to be even more covered in goo than before.

Turning to leave, regardless of it those two listen to Sylvera and follow her, Asimi heads for the basement. Operating off of the "bad vibes" Rick mentioned about the furnace she will head for it first to investigate whatever is happening with it now.

(anyone following Asimi?) 

Khond follows the elf for now.  

Breldo wraps up his lecture, checks his gear over and follows.

Nuria continues to half listen to Breldo, partly rethink how she maintains her shortbow (Though she does the best she can with what she has), and partly tries to reel back her racing thoughts. Sylvera's cold voice cuts through Breldo's calming ramble, snapping the girl out of her daze. That elf is a noble, so it's best to do as she's told. She's just glad that Breldo will be going as well. She nods swiftly and scurries after Breldo and Asimi.

She stays on high alert.

Perception: 6

Oren will stay up where he is.  "Yell loud if you need help down there."

Asimi and some others head downstairs to check if anything else may be afoot. On first glance, everything downstairs seems to have gone calm, beside the occasional mechanical "beep" that comes from the furnace-like construct, and... Indeed, a certain sense of unease that feels hard to place. Some of the goop that was originally here is gone, though the main hallway leading in is still mostly covered. The only thing that looks out of place right now is just the open hatch, but of course they can't currently peek the corners.

A few others remain up in the dining hall, while yet others join the "elf" outside, Khond asking a question.

 If she has until night time to ask her questions, she's going to use all the time she has. If there is even the slightest chance that some small remark from this 'elf' could be of use, she has to make use of the resources she has available. 

Breldo is alert for the strange new elf they met in this place leading them into a trap. He doesn't get that vibe from her, but his crossbow is ready for any dangers, be they chittering goo monsters or not.

Asimi opts to ignore the furnace for now, determining that the group had already messed with the thing enough already. And, it seemed, that it had stabilized into... Whatever condition it was in at the moment. Instead her intent was to focus on the rooms and hallways none of them properly had the time to scout out.

"Careful, that elf said there may be more of those creatures down here," She informed the other two.

Slowly and meticulously she would approach each unknown with her halberd held before her, pausing at the entryways and corners with the intent to sweep for any more enemies first rather than spot any objects of interest.

Perception: 5

(Sylvera, given how I believe we established she came from the capital/Ghurna, you could roll me a fitting knowledge check with advantage to see what Sylvera may (not) know.)

The "elf" seems to pause for a moment at Sylvera's question, before responding.

(Depending on how things go, I think it's certainly safe to say that you could get him to try and detail as many locations as possible, or similar. )

---

Downstairs, the group slowly continues, Asimi taking the lead, cautious for any threat. Though maybe a bit too anxious to do so effectively. Still, even she would note that when coming to the crossing, where the hallway splits left and right, that... There had always been spider webs, of course. Place as dilapitated as it was, plenty of bugs have made this cellar their home.

However, she does believe she would have recalled an enormous spider web that covers the entire hallway to her right, which is now there.

Oren remains in the dining hall, not entirely liking that people went in two directions.  He paces back and forth....to the door to the outside, to see that those outside are fine, then quickly moves towards the downward stairs the others took, looking downwards.  He sighs.  And waits until he hears something that indicates he is needed somewhere.