Gnome's OOTA Story Thread [CLOSED]

Meanwhile the noble drow is waiting for the snoring duergar to wake up.

Khessa informs her friends of what Dawn has been able to discover: "The deranged looking deep gnome is looking for aberrations. Beholders, to be precise, it seems. He is convinced there is one here somewhere. Between us, I fear that a Demon Lord has either deceived him, or taken him under his control".

"Traydark... you're usually quite convincing" the blonde arcane warrior turns to the noble drow. "Would you like to perhaps try to get this unfortunate deep gnome to explain to you better what advantage he should get from finding beholders and how did he get this strange belief that there is one nearby? Perhaps from this poor guy's answers we will be able to understand the scheme of whoever deceived him".

Traydark:

Lulu's ears droop down nearly to her spaulders as they finish their search. To Katryl, she says distantly, "Ye asked what I was thinking, Brightfury." She runs her hand gently over the face of a deep gnome, closing their eyes, then turns to face the fire genasi with a sad smile tinged with guilt. "I was thinking they needed help." Help that came too late. 

When with the manic gnome, the cleric's expression remains stoic as she checks him for any injuries and listens to Khessa's explanation. Seeing no sign of head wounds or concussion responsible for such delusions, she triages the situation and decides there are more pressing matters to attend to. 

"Mr. Peebles, I wish ye luck with yer search," the cleric says, then begins to jog towards the sound of the booms. Over her shoulder she calls back to Traydark and Khessa who wait with the gnome and unrestrained duergar, "There are more duergar we can get answers from. But I'll no' wait for them to kill more before we do."


((Lulu will hurry towards the svirfneblin building, casting See Invisibility on the way, now knowing the duergar's unique ability (and will use Harness Divine Power to get back the 2nd level spell slot expended). She approaches with (and urges if joined by anyone else) caution to see how many duergar are there and how well the building seems to be withstanding their siege before making any further moves.))

Katryl follows after Lunaria, nodding at her explanation of why she went back. Clearly if the gnomes running away needed help, then the rest besieged by duergar trying to break into their building needed even more help. She does heed the Firbolg's advice to approach cautiously. 

 Horkas still worried about the welfare of his fellow gnome cousins, comes along with Lulu and Katryl to see if he can help in any way.

Khessa is quite aware that the Svirfneblin seem in trouble... but she does not think that simply getting in the way of the Duergar's faction will stop the violence - she is afraid that the violence will simply engulf the party as well. To stop the fight, it seems important to discover the reason why it started. 

"Listen," the blonde arcane warrior tells Peebles "we will help you find what you are looking for - and you better accept our help, for without it you almost got killed. Next time, chance are good that there will be no 'almost'. But you must first help us stop the fight. Why did it start? What did you? Tell, me, quickly, so we can try to make things right and find your so longed for beholder".

Peebles cackles and continues to babble on about finding the aberration, and that he has no idea why the fighting started. He was in the marketplace lurking and hoping to get more information about the possible beholder.

As he babbles the two duergar that were chasing the gnomes shrink back to their regular size and begin to rouse from their magical slumber, looking around a bit confused.

At the same time, as Lulu and others head toward the svirfniblen camp there is a mighty crash as the duergar force their way into the cube shaped building, weapons drawn and no mercy being shown. Immediately more sounds of battle come from the deep gnome's building as Lulu and the others can see now it wasn't just four duergar waiting to go in, but eight more (12 total), now visible as they rush into the compound.

"And yet," Khessa looks at Peebles critically "you were saying that this beholder is 'not with the gnomes and duergar' - so you must have gone 'exploring' the Duergar area, right? Otherwise how would you know that isn't there? And in their area... you didn't steal anything, I hope?"

In the meantime, given that the sleeping Duergar have also woken up and that, at least these two, no longer seem prey to an uncontrollable homicidal frenzy, the blonde arcane warrior tries to ask them for clarification on what happened too: "I'm glad you woke up , guys. You realize, right, that you were committing a massacre? And that compromising the peace of Mantol-Derith in this way will not benefit anyone? Good thing you stopped... Would you please tell us why this fight break out? What's the point in Svirfneblin genocide? It would be better to prevent the city from collapsing into total chaos and being torn to pieces, you know..."

The duergar spit on the ground at Khessa. "You stay out of this! If they had just given us what was ours to begin with none of this would have happened." He looks off toward the building being invaded. "Looks like we're going to get what we wanted soon anyway. We tried asking for the gem back but she refused. She is still refusing last I heard, but someone has it and we will get it back. Krimgol and Ghuldur have operated fairly for years, they don't deserve this."

Although Traydark has been standing quite ready to speak to the two duergar as soon as they wake up while the others have been taking care of other things, the cabbage farmer somehow still beats him to it.

Khessa realizes that Traydark seems to want to say something to the Duergar... so she takes a step back and gives him a chance to take over the conversation.

In the meantime, very suspicious, the blonde arcane warrior takes the opportunity to whisper to Peebles: "Do you know anything about this gem that the Duergar are looking for? You don't have it, by any chance? It could be useful for finding the beholder you're looking for..."

"I think everyone but possibly the Svirfneblin that stole your gem wants to keep the profitable trade flowing in Mantol-Derith." The noble drow says calmly once the human has stepped back again. "The Drow and the Zhentarim certainly wants that. Let us get you the gem back for you and there will be no need for more unnecessary blood to be spilt and damages needed to be payed. Just explain who took the gem and we will see to it that this is resolved as quickly as possible so that you can get on with your business."

Persuasion: 20

(Would Traydark know who Krimgol and Ghuldur are?)

(Ghuldur is the duergar's chief negotiator who sells armor, arrowheads, locks, mining and smithing equipment, and smoked Darklake fish. He's friends with Krimgol, a gray dwarf known for selling frothy Darklake Stout)

As Traydark questions the duergar, the deep gnomes nearby get enraged back, "What! Don't listen to them! They kidnapped our Yantha! You give her back!" An argument then explodes between the two parties once more. You can gather that it seems Yantha was accused of taking a rare gem from Krimgol so Ghuldur sent invisible duergar to get it back. The gnomes refused so they took Yantha for questioning. The gnomes have been trying to mount a rescue for her in an escalating fashion and the duergar have responded in kind, leading to the massacre that is now taking place.

Quote from Painted_Beyond >>

Khessa realizes that Traydark seems to want to say something to the Duergar... so she takes a step back and gives him a chance to take over the conversation.

In the meantime, very suspicious, the blonde arcane warrior takes the opportunity to whisper to Peebles: "Do you know anything about this gem that the Duergar are looking for? You don't have it, by any chance? It could be useful for finding the beholder who you're looking for..."

 Peebles has no idea and seeing everyone else getting distracted begins to make his way away from everyone and toward one of the city exits.

The noble drow motions for the human to secure the leaving svirfneblin before returning his attention to the squabbling lesser races. "So where is this Yantha now?" He says demandingly, looking between the duergar and the svirfneblin. "You better try to solve this peacefully now or the other factions will be much displeased, not to mention your own loss of trade."

Intimidate to make them calm down again: 11

Khessa prevents Peebles from getting away... with force, if necessary - but her first try is with gentile manners, stopping him by simply placing a hand on his shoulder: "Wait, my friend. We told we'll help you finding your beholder and we mean it. But we might need you too to sort things out... It is better if you still stick with us, it will not take long".

As the squad of duergar charge into the building, Lulu surges forward a step before freezing in place. "We're outnumbered," she says, obvious as it is. "Could try to talk them down--lie, bargain--anything to stay their hands for now." The cleric sheathes her sword and looks to her companions. "I will no' ask ye to risk yer lives with me, but neither can I stand by and watch as others' are taken." Her focus is wrenched back to the building at sounds of pain, ears pressing back against her head.

Meanwhile, if possible, Khessa has Dawn telepathically say in the minds of the Duergar that Traydark is speaking to (also including Traydark in the telepathic message - so that he knows what Dawn is trying to do): "You better listen to the wise words of the drow, rather than to impulsive and fruitless anger. More eyes than you can see are watching you".

[[ OOC: Hoping that the message delivered by a voice from a source the Duergar can't see gives Advantage to Traydark's Intimidation ]]

Another intimidation roll in case Dawn provides help action: 13

Katryl hears Lulu's remarks but stays at her side. "It's a noble sentiment Lunaria. I will stay with you, even if I'm not likely to be of much help.  Well, unless it's to try to extract ourselves from a predicament." Looking towards the duergar who are now charging inside the building, she calls out. "Hey! You need to listen to us! Stop this!" (She is speaking Common; Persuasion?: 12)

Horkas sees the destruction and is a bit worried for his fellow gnomes. "Not gonna just leave you here to fend for yourself Lulu. But don't think it best to lead the way here." He keeps back behind the two ladies a bit, just in case any duergar might be swayed by his presence with the other two.