Beegred: "Last time we saw this, we tried being nice. It aged Skameros, Rodolfo, and Narstin, and then tried to claw us. I say that we try to find a spot to the side, to let it run past us from a safe distance. If it gets within 10', it is getting a mouthful of magic weapons.

"Or if there is another way back that avoids this thing entirely, I'll go with plan B."

Old Skameros mumbles something about his joints and aches....

Even as you begin to get out of its way, hoping it will pass you by, the ghost also changes direction to intercept you.  All the while, it is waving its hands at unseen creatures and waving them back.  The sound of battle can clearly be heard now, and grows louder the closer the ghost gets.

Rodolfo responds with magic missiles (level2): 8 force damage.

Before the ghost can get near enough to attack, Rodolfo bombards it with a volley of magic missiles.  The ghost immediately screeches in archaic undercommon, "They are coming!  Everyone must hide!".  The silhouette becomes faint and nearly transparent, difficult to see in the darkness, then it flees.

Orubis steps up and holds his box aloft. 

“Find another hole to dwell! I am protected the Mushroom Prince, and the land I tread is his domain!” 

Channel Divinity: turn undead DC 14 Wis save (destroys CR 1/2)

Orubis adds insult to injury to make the ghost flee even faster.

"You all certainly lead interesting lives! Do you often encounter elementals and ghosts? This is so interesting!" Grithik seems nonplussed by the encounters, but rather eager to see more.

Skameros was hiding behind Beegred from the ghost, sees it run off and steps out from behind them, like nothing happened.

Beegred gives Orubis a solid clap on the back. "You showed that thing a thing or two. You ain't afraid of no ghost."

(OOC: I assume the sounds of battle fade when the ghost ran away?)

After chasing away the ghost, your party is free to make your way to the giant metal doors that separate the Rockblight from Inner Blingdenstone.  After making an exaggerated effort to prove you're not ghosts, medusas, elementals or other boogeymen from the Rockblight, the deep gnome guards let you enter, warily eyeing the pieces you carry as if they expect them to jump up and begin attacking.

Settled back in The Foaming Mug, you don't have to wait long before Nomi Pathshutter arrives, obviously excited.  She asks many questions about the encounter, carefully listens to your recounting and then appraises the pieces you brought.  Then she looks at you and offers, "We deep gnomes have not established a currency of coins since the expedition arrived here in Blingdenstone.  I don't have minted coins to offer you, but if gold is what you want, I can provide pure raw gold equivalent to 260 surface gold pieces.  Or, you can pick and choose an equivalent worth of various gems that the Stoneheart Enclave keep to barter with elemental beings, like Xorn for example.  Gems are lighter than gold and trade equally well in other civilizations, including here in Blingdenstone."

Quote from Quasimodal >>

Beegred gives Orubis a solid clap on the back. "You showed that thing a thing or two. You ain't afraid of no ghost."

(OOC: I assume the sounds of battle fade when the ghost ran away?)

 “I’ve driven a few ghosts away in my time. They used to call me: the ghost buster. Of course the. There was all this talk about wanting to be more humane, and trapping them or some crap, but that seems silly.” 
————————

Orubis will take his reward in diamonds

Rodolfo considers what Nomi said.

"Also, we found this," as he pulls out a large yellow diamond. "I'm pretty sure it's magical, but I lack a pearl to make sure. Would you be able to lend me one for about 10 minutes while I sit here and do it?"

Nomi pulls her pearl out of her component bag and hands it to Rodolfo.

When Rodolfo places the yellow diamond on the table, Nomi immediately identifies it, "That's a gnomish spell gem.  A yellow diamond like that will hold an Earth Elemental.  Breaking the gem will release it, and the individual that breaks the gem commands the elemental.  However, I do not know if the diamond would offer any protection for the elemental inside it against Ogremoch's Bane."

(If Rodolfo continues to cast Identify, he will confirm this is an earth elemental gem.)

Rodolfo is very excited about this.

"So would it be better to wait with it once we are further away from it? Or do you expect the Bane to be a global effect? How would I go about breaking it? "

"Anyways, what do you make of these pieces? What are the next steps?" 

Nomi appears embarrassed at not having explained clearly the first time, "No, I mean the diamond would not offer any protection from Ogremoch's Bane.  The elemental encapsulated within it could already be affected.  It would be a gamble to use it."

Then Nomi goes into the specifics of the Enclave's art of creating such gems.  The pertinent information is:

• The diamond is not so fragile that it can be accidentally broken.  It can only be broken with intent.
• To break a diamond and release the elemental, simply will it and concentrate.
• (Breaking a gem effectively casts conjure elemental, except this gem will only conjure an Earth Elemental)

Nomi continues,  "I must return to the Council as they deliberate over the information you and the Goldwhiskers have divulged.  I will take these pieces and study them.  If we are able to rid ourselves of Ogremoch's Bane, our options to deal with the slimes will open up."

"In the meantime, I'm sure Tappy (the bartender) could find some other gnomes that could use your services while the council decides on a course of action, if waiting around is not palatable."

Rodolfo bows, "Thank you Nomi, we will keep you no more."

He looks at the others, "Shall we find Tappy, have some lunch and see what comes next?" (proposing the lunch as a short rest)

Orubis twiddles his thumbs. 

“I don’t feel a particular need to overwork ourselves, but I like to move about more than sit. It’s up to you.”

Beegred: "I've already skipped 3rd breakfast today. I'd become like that ghost if we skipped lunch too. And some of us need time to change the bandages on our wounds."

(OOC: I vote yes for a short rest, to use hit dice.)