By Clanggedin! exclaims Thulgrim, almost dropping his axe as far as his jaw. And I thought them ghouls were ugly! The irascible dwarf readies for another fight, but waits to see how the monster responds to Nemean's greeting... 

The creature's large eye remains locked on the party, but its smaller eyestalks are constantly moving, taking in every corner of the room. The voice burbles inside your minds in response.

"I am me," it answers Finna, then says in response to Nemean, "Hello. What a strange question. How am I what today? I am doing what I have always done."

"And this is ..." Finna made a pause to let creature explain itself. It did not look hostile but remained quite scary looking. And could read thoughts or at least send it's own.

"Protecting. Defending. Ensuring that the mine's operations are not halted by those who would interfere. These are my duties," comes the telepathic response.

Thinking about all the dead dwarves he has seen (and fought), Thulgrim can't help feeling incensed by this friendly 'guardian' of the mine. With a low growl and a tighter grip on his axe he says: 

Protectin', eh? Defendin'? An' 'ow are ya doin' in that duty then? Not been outside this room in a wee while?

"I have defeated seven zombies and three ghouls today. Rest assured that nothing will disturb the mine's operations while I am in your service," the voice answers. The creature's eyestalks do not stop moving, darting between the room's exits and corners.

"And... when was the last time someone did operate the mines?" chimed in Finna. "There was not a single worker anywhere around."

She looked at Thulgrim, "Is this the Forge? It can not be that pitiful brazier, can it? I kind of imagined something big, full of flame."

"Well... so long as you are in our 'service' we would ask that you accompany us as we make our way into the south eastern wing of of the mines. Could be even more ghouls down there, but with your assistance we could certainly get this thing up and running even more quickly! And wouldn't that be nice?"

Nemean's body is tense even as he tries to sound confident and friendly as he speaks, his hair stands on end involuntarily making him look larger. 

Thulgrim too is looking at the brazier with some disappointment. It is far less impressive than the legends tell. He turns to the apparently non-aggressive floating eye-monster and says:

Eh beastie! Does this thing still work?

"Please do not try to mislead me," the telepathic voice seems angrier now, and the eyestalks of the creature begin to glow, each a separate color. "The mine has been operating at peak capacity for hundreds of years. My duty is of defense here, at the Forge of Spells. I cannot accompany you elsewhere."

The creature spins to stare at Thulgrim. "The magic of the brazier will not wane under my watch," it speaks into your minds.

A mindless telepath? That's new. Still, Finna tried again: "No misleading, just asking when did you see a worker here last time?" She waited for an answer (or signs of refusal) and suggested a test: "You can read minds, right? Look, I'll show you our way here - not a single worker, but bones, death, destruction and monsters in every cave. The mine is dead, you can leave your post and check it yourself." (She indeed tried to show the floating Eye everything they have being through here). Persuasion 6

Thulgrim casually waves his greataxe through the flame a few times, doubtful of the monster's claims that the magic is still potent. He then replies verbally to the voice in his head:

Well, the Rockseekers are in charge o' the mine now, and can do their own defendin' from now on, thank ye very much.

"I have many abilities, but not those that you claim," the floating creature answers Finna. "I doubt not that you believe what you speak, but I assure you it is not true. My duty has not waned, and the mine is operating quite efficiently. What you have seen must be unfinished tunnels, of which there are plenty."

The creature's again rests its gaze upon Thulgrim, but this time, its large eye glows a fierce red color to join the array of glowing eyestalks. "I would not lie to me any more if I were you. You are keeping me from my duty. Please move along," its voice resounds telepathically.

The flames inside of the brazier do not seem particularly spectacular, but as Thulgrim passes his axe over them, they lick hungrily at the blade, wrapping around the metal for a brief moment before dissipating once the weapon leaves their reach.

"What does that thing do?" Roland inquires, pointing at the brazier and having noticed the strangeness of the flames.

The conversation was going nowhere, the creature refused to answer the questions, but curiosity made Finna to ask one more question: "How do you measure the mine efficiency?"

Thulgrim has had about enough of this crazed freak, and he steadily raises his voice as he answers: I may be lots o' things, but one thing I aren't an' that's a liar! Now if ye serve th' mine, ye serve me an' me kin, an' we says we don' need ye no more. An' if ye serve 'nother, then ye don' belong 'ere. Either way, yer leavin'...

Intimidation: 11

Thulgrim Deception: 6

Turning to Finna, the creature imparts, "My duty is not to measure efficiency. You may see for yourself if you step outside of the Forge, the bastion of trade that this mine has become under my watch."

Then turning back to Thulgrim, the mental voice growing louder, "You are not one that may terminate my employment, nor will you disrupt the operations of the Forge of Spells under my watch."

Finna sighed and turned to others "This is like talking to a guard dog (believe me, I know how "entertaining" that is) - the creature knows nothing, can not think for itself, only remembers one last command it was given. Dumb as a wood. But the Forge... I am curious too if it is working - it does not look like much." She turned back to the creature: "Was the flame always that small?"

"I am not offended by your needless insults. Were it not for me, this mine may have been lost to the curse of undeath a century ago. This forge has burned with its current intensity for as long as I have been protecting it," the creature mentally replies.

"If this fine Dwarf here is not the one who can termin-ah, that is who can relieve you from your service, that you might uhm... enjoy your well earned retirement, then who is it that would do such a thing? Thulgrim here and the Rockseeker clan are the rightful stewards of this place, are they not? And I am sure they are very grateful for your vigilance here over the years! But really you should take some time off, go see the world beyond the Forge of Spells, you've earned it!" 


Nemean smiles through gritted teeth and does his best to convince the monster of his sincerity. 

Persuasion: 12