The moss covered rocks prove more slippery going down than up and a bit of the waterfall misted lichen gives way under Quins toe. Quin stifles a scream but is unable to hold in the grunt as the wind is knocked from him upon landing. Rising slowly to his feet he shuffles off to follow the others.

(Whoops, misunderstood their location!  Sorry!  Thanks for the correction.)

Gor peeks, trying to get a look at the Gnome that has opened the door.  

"Biezdar, look at her."  He says, gobsmacked.  "They're so damned cute.  They're tiny.  By Lodis I just want to squeeze one.  Oh, wait, how far do you think we could throw one?" 

He ponders for a moment, rubbing shaving stubble on the side of his head.  

"Biezdar..."  He continues, like he's had an epiphany.  "...imagine giving one of them two knives...then throwing them at your foe.  Oah!  They'd never see it coming."  

Biezdar is a little bit surprised by that stream of ideas by Gor. takes a little pause to wrap his head around that idea and imagines that situation, then responds.

"... sure, sure that actually might prove to be a good tactical choice in certain situation Gor, provided of course you have at least one of them at your disposal and that they would have cooperative attitude. Sure i can see that work Gor. Good thinking."

Biezdar comments. Biezdar likes light hearted way of being of Gor and is not going to look for flaws in his ideas.

Gor nods and smiles, excited that Biezdar has agreed with him.  Then he kneels down and peaks into the Gnomes kitchen before offering them a polite wave.  

"I wish I could help but you should speak to Fibblestib or Dabbledob in the workshop, as they know more about what’s going on than any other gnome in the complex. The workshop is on the other side of the bridge, just past the blade room. Quickest way to the bridge is to go south until you reach the room with the ledge. That room connects to the bridge. Feel free to go through the dining room or take the tunnel around it."

Jayson nods to the lady.

”Our sincere thanks, good lady.  We will certainly follow up with one of those gentlemen.  May Tymora bless your day.”

The bard exits the kitchen and says to the others with him, “Okay, fellas.  We cut through the dining room, head south to the ledge room.  That room connects to the bridge.  We cross the bridge and speak to Dabbledob or Fibblestib.  They are the guys who run the workshop and have access to any anti-dragon goodies.”

Jayson heads down the corridor in that direction.

Biezdar is a little surprised that the gnomes did not appear surprised at all. And comments to his team while they head south within the complex.

"Well i was going out of my way to be polite while entering their house, and it seems to me that they do not mind at all. Are gnomes this laid back by nature or is it more the way of living for this group? Maybe it is the shrooms. From what i saw in that kitchen they make a lot of different food from those in here. Gor didn't you eat some of those earlier? How are you feeling?"

"Oah, fine fine."  Gor says, stepping back from the little Gnomeish kitchen.  "Wasn't good, wasn't bad.  Be a good way not to starve to death, maybe?"  

Kosef tries to remember what else he knows about gnomes.

Intelligence check: 16

Jayson replies to Biezdar.

”These gnomes here have a reputation for being mechanically and magically savvy.  That’s why we’re here.  Believe me, I am thrilled she was receptive to polite greetings.  If she’d screamed, we may well have found ourselves confronted by some arcane clockwork super assassin.  And who needs that aggravation, am I right?”

Kosef, you know gnomes are often cheerful. Many gnomes are skilled engineers, alchemists, tinkers, and inventors.

Gor, the smell of the bread cooking smelt a lot tastier than the mushroom you ate. The mushroom is effectively bread flour.

Jayson, you finish your sentence as you turn the corner. In front of you, bolted in the middle of a room is a rotating platform equipped with four heavy crossbows that seem to have been rigged to reload automatically. In a chair, sits a female gnome. As she sees you, she gives a big grin, shouting something out. It doesn't sound fully gnomish, you make out the words "Test subjects"  but the whole sentence seems mostly a mismatch of words that makes no sense. She pulls some levers, the platform starts spinning, and two crossbows fire towards you. A 10 and 15 to hit. The first one slams into the wall near your head, and the second one grazes past your leg for just 1 damage.

Everyone is up!

Jayson grimaces as the bolt scrapes his leg and he dives for cover.

He yells out, “Whoa whoa whoa!!! We just spoke to your friend in the kitchen.  She told us to go south, across the bridge, and talk to Dabbledob or Fibblestib.  Hold your fire, please!  Dabbledob or Fibblestib!!!”

((Via sheet, Persuasion = 10))

Biezdar rushes in. He tries to take the gnome out of that chair if his movement will get him to the machine and if possible drag the gnome away. If it is too far away, he still rushes forward to be in the way of bolts.

Grapple check: (athletics - STR) 12+6=18

Map that I meant to post:

 You can reach the gnome with all your movement. You grapple them, but can't drag them away as they appear very well strapped to the mechanism. The gnome seems a bit deranged up close.

"Gor, before sledging this thing. We need to try to talk to her first. Help Biezdar get her out of the machine and restrain her. We can talk about sledging things after."

I cast Guidance on Gor in the hope he will listen to me and help restrain the gnome.

Quin arrives at the junction of tunnels just as the others walk by. He jumps at the sound of the ballista bolt striking the wall. "What the hell?!"

Jayson looks up at Quin.

”Some crazy gnome is firing a 4-shot auto-reload x-bow at us!  And she seems to enjoy doing it.”

"Isn't there anybody who can tell them to stop?!" Pleads Quin.

Jayson chuckles.

”If Gor can get close enough, I’m sure his Sledger will convince her.”

Gor seems to be enjoying exploring their surroundings and is completely oblivious, at least for a second, to the sound of the crossbow ballista being fired.  Once he realizes what is going on (that is, when Kosef casts Guidance on him...), he looks shocked and runs to help Biezdar.  

"Oh by Lodis!  They're so cute!"  He says, jumping into help Biezdar and looking apprehensive on what to do as he starts helping Biezdar pull the little Gnome out of her crewserved weapon platform.  "Don't hurt her!  I might keep her for a pet!"  

Gor doesn't even draw his maul.  

Yet.