DAY 6 - UMBRAGE HILLS

 Travelling South the next morning Thomas gives the healing potions to Elandra.

They reach the outskirts of Gnomengarde by mid-afternoon. (15)

Gnomengarde

You follow a stream uphill to the base of the mountain, where waterfall erosion has carved out a natural concavity. The roaring waterfall creates a cloud of mist as it plunges into a shallow pool of water, within which rise two small islands covered with two-foot-tall red, green, and purple mushrooms. Several cave openings overlook the pool from rocky ledges twenty to thirty feet above. The mountain blocks any sunlight from reaching this place.

 "Magic feels strange here."

 "So how are we going to convince them to give up their magical items?"

 "We will ask nicely."

 "Hello anyone there?"

Elandra calls up to the nearest cave entrance. 

 Grumbling under his breath Feldoran scrambles up to the cave then waves the others to follow.

DEX 22

He gets to the top easily and throws down a rope to assist the party.

Gnome Domiciles

The floor of this cave is strewn with the remnants of old campfires. Four side caves serve as sleeping areas, with five small wooden cots crammed into each one. Eight rock gnomes sleep soundly here with two gnomes in each side cave.

 "Should we wake them?" Toot whispers.

 "No I think not. Let's move on and find some that are awake."

The party follow the passage out of the sleeping chamber and soon find themselves climbing steps up and around to the right. Eventually their climb ends and the passage opens up into a new chamber.

Inventors’ Workshop

The party hear voices ahead. They are arguing over something. The words straight jacket and sanity ray can be picked out amongst the babble and the party get the idea that the two owners of the voices are discussing how to cure some sort of madness.

Thomas calls out as they enter the room;

 "Hello? Hello we are visitors here can you help us?"

The voices stop and then low whispers can be heard. With a sigh Thomas enters his hands raised in a sign of peace.

  The party follow and find themselves standing in a cluttered workshop.

Two gnomes stand there one male and one female. They are surrounded by half complete inventions and look surprised to see the party, though not unduly concerned. 

 "We are sorry to disturb you."

Thomas waits for the others to enter the room before continuing. "We are here at the request of Sildar Lord of Phandalin to ask for aid."

 The gnomes exchange a look and then look back to Thomas.

"That's all well and good, but what were you doing in the sleeping chambers?" asks the female.

 "We came in that way."

 "Did you not think to use the front entrance?" asks the male gnome.

 Anders laughs.

"Honestly it did not cross out minds to cross the river. It looked... wet."

 The gnomes shake their heads.

"Well I suppose they have no gnomes amongst them Dabbledob." says the male with a resigned smile.

"So the utter lack of common sense can be excused Fibblestib?" the female replies.

"Exactly." Fibblestib folds his arms and turns back to the party, "So what kind of aid does the Lord of Phandalin require?"

 "It concerns the white dragon."

Elandra steps forward, "We seek to end it's reign of terror and need magical assistance to help us."

 The gnomes whisper between themselves.

"We have heard of the dragon yes... seen it even." says Fibblestib.

"And we can provide magical assisstance." Dabbledob confirms.

"But right now, it is out of the question." Fibblestib shakes his head.

"Entirely." agrees Dabbledob 

 "But why?"

Simon chirps angrily from her shoulder as if to press the point.