Sitting down one by one, trays of standard Duergar morning fare are brought in. It’s a good time to be a friend of the Holderhek’s, you all think quietly to yourselves. Wrexim enters the room shortly after everyone begins to eat.
Wrexim - “Master Hemeth, best of the morning to you. Where is Lord Holderhek this day?”
Hemeth - “Politics beckon him elsewhere. Please, sit. Tell us what you’ve learned of the Gray Ghosts.”
Wrexim - “Ah, but it is not just the Gray Ghosts that we need concern ourselves with. Nay, there are more powerful forces at work beneath the surface of our mighty city. The Gray Ghosts have become mere pawns in a larger story. We’ve assumed that they might be lesser players to a larger game. Droki has indirectly confirmed such.” He pauses to sample a few dried meats and succulent fruits. “Our little courier has seen things and while he may not be privy to grander schemes than his own personal desires, it was easy enough to piece together the puzzle. The Gray Ghosts have stolen something of incredible value. This object threatens the balance of Gracklstugh and yet it is of purely mundane kind. The item was stolen from the Keepers of the Flame and was hidden somewhere in the tunnels beneath the city. The same tunnels our adventurers here captured Droki in.”
Hemeth’s face shows a thinking Duergar, wise and calculated beyond his years...of which you guess could be a couple hundred already.
Hemeth - “What if this object, whatever it is, does not find itself returned to the Keepers of the Flame then?”He asks. Wrexim - “Impossible to guess. It would seem that the goal was to destabilize our current balance of power.” He replies and continues eating. Hemeth - “Most curious. And concerning. And what of the Demon Lords? What manner of trickery are they scheming against our great city?”He asks.
Wrexim - "Our sources indicate they seek only power, as do all demons, I dare say. If they truly have our Deepking by his Duergar-man-bits, then we may have already lost to the demonic corruption. Evacuation may be the only refuge." he says rather somberly yet matter-of-factly.
Rowland glances around to judge his comrades reaction, "It seems finding this stolen item would help our cause... Is there any other aid you could offer us in this task master Hemeth?"
Hemeth - "I could go down there and fetch it myself if you'd prefer, Mr. Black?" He laughs boisterously. "Have you not recovered enough of your strength yet? Please, make yourself comfortable and rest as long as you like. Be mindful of the three days time that Captain Blackskull afforded you. It'd be best if your business was finished by then, eh?" he replies.
Looking around the room, taking in the opulent feast Hemeth enjoys on a daily basis and taking in the grandeur of his manse, "No, no master Hemeth that will not be necessary. It's just that some of the gear we currently rely on has proven less than optimal against some of the foes we've faced and, " now Rowland will look to Wrexim, "it sounds as if we'll be sorely tested in the coming days and if aid is available, surely this is a worthy cause."
"Hemeth I have a question for you good sir. Do you think the Keepers of the flame are working with the gray ghost? They made no mention of this stolen item or what it was when they sent us to deal with the gray ghosts.”
Hemeth to Rowland - "Well then..perhaps you might be a little more specific in your request for aid. What is it you need, Mr. Black?"he asks more directly.
Hemeth to Leon - "Hmm.." stroking his very well groomed beard. "No." He says firmly. "They've been at odds for as long as I can remember. It's not likely they've decided to join forces. Their philosophies are too separate I think." he replies after giving careful consideration to the question.
"Ye mentioned it be something mundane and powerful all.tje while master wrexim? Mayhap ye can be a bit more specific? If not then it seems clear we must head back into the blasted tunnels, find this object, deal with some ghosts, smite a demon lord... while also dealing with some foul creature that be stealing lil ones..then come back and have my Son rid ye king of his demonic influence? That sound about the size of the anvil eh?"
To Wrexim: "Can you be more specific regarding this object that was stolen? What is it exactly? What does it look like? What are its properties? Why is it important to the keepers? Did Droki have a more specific location for it? After working with the ghosts, does Droki have any further info on them? Numbers? Proclivities? Plans after obtaining the artifact? Defenses?
To Hemeth: "Thanks for the help so far bro. In terms of help I could use for the future, I was wondering if your renowned blacksmiths could help me tinker with these here gauntlets (indicates the ones he is wearing). They are wonderful and all, but could we weld some brass to the knuckles? Maybe some metal studs or spikes? Is there a royal weaponsmith of some kind I could consult?"
“Hemeth one more question. Themberchaud doesn’t trust the keepers of the flame. He wants us to report to him directly with any information. With this information Wrex has giving us it obvious they are plotting against him is some way. Why would one plot against a dragon that seems to help the city and keep the forges alive? What would they gain from betraying him?”
Hemeth takes a long look at Gremryl. Stands up from his chair, grabs his mug and snaps his fingers in the air while making his way around the table to where the Dwarf Paladin sits. An attending refills both cups with careful measure and generosity. Raising his mug to Gremryl and looking him dead in the eyes, he grins and says,
Hemeth - "Paladin of Moradin, Gremryl Stonebreaker of Citadel Adbar, for smashing straight to the anvil as they say, and laying clean the paths in front of you to take, I shall accompany you into the tunnels, or to the Deepking's council meeting." He says. And some of you sense that his offer comes with it a longing to be in the field again.
Wrexim looks at Rowland, then at Mikey...looks back at Rowland and then back to Hemeth and says,
DC 18 PERCEPTION ROLL REQUIRED TO OPEN THE SPOILER BOX
Advantage to Gremryl on this roll because Hemeth is at this point standing next to Gremryl.
Wrexim - "Are there any besides the Dwarf and the Human that speak an actual purpose, sir?"he whispers to Hemeth.
Hemeth coughs awkwardly to stifle an inappropriate laugh at the obviously sincere question posed by Wrexim. Hemeth wonders if anybody heard what he said.
Hemeth - "This designs...maybe you should show these to Ylsa. They're of the, well, uniquely magical oddities that turn up in the world from time to time. She's well connected in that, you see." he replies. "And as for the object, Wrexim would say more if he knew it."
Hemeth - "That, Leon, is because he grows restless. Not many Humans know this, because your life span is short, because Dragons are rather rare in the world, and very regrettably because we don't have Humans running around the city without shackles of slavery on." He sighs with a heavy heart at the unjustness of the world. "Themberchaud, the great Wyrmsmith is but a maturing adult Dragon... Already many times stronger than one who encounters a dragon for the first time could ever think...he is but a child in terms of the full strength he would have one day commanded!" He says with emphasis and in good storytelling fashion. "It has long been a secret that before growing to be uncontrollable, each Wyrmsmith is killed, and replaced with a hatchling. That hatchling continues on the work of keeping the forges lit. And in return, the city provides contributions to the dragon's hoard. Now...the dragon doesn't know that this treasure was once his predecessors...and it will never, truly be his." He pauses.
Hemeth - "If the cycle were to be interrupted..." he looks upwards as if reading the answers in the ceiling. "If it were to be broken! Hah!" Hemeth grins widely. "The Gray Ghosts have stolen Themberchaud's heir and plan to see him grow powerful enough to rid himself of his secret enslavement!"
Rowland takes a large swig of ale, clearly not used to engaging in such lengthy conversation and feeling a little uneasy, "Gear master Hemeth, my father told stories of magic armor and weapons found in the underdark. That is what I'd request of you if it's within your power. If you'll be joining us, all the more reason to equip your fellow adventurers with the finest your city has to offer? We'll need to watch each other's backsides as they say."
Leon follows Hemeth while focusing on the gems
Sitting down one by one, trays of standard Duergar morning fare are brought in. It’s a good time to be a friend of the Holderhek’s, you all think quietly to yourselves. Wrexim enters the room shortly after everyone begins to eat.
Hemeth’s face shows a thinking Duergar, wise and calculated beyond his years...of which you guess could be a couple hundred already.
Hemeth strokes his beard in contemplation...
Hemeth continues to stroke...
Rowland glances around to judge his comrades reaction, "It seems finding this stolen item would help our cause... Is there any other aid you could offer us in this task master Hemeth?"
Looking around the room, taking in the opulent feast Hemeth enjoys on a daily basis and taking in the grandeur of his manse, "No, no master Hemeth that will not be necessary. It's just that some of the gear we currently rely on has proven less than optimal against some of the foes we've faced and, " now Rowland will look to Wrexim, "it sounds as if we'll be sorely tested in the coming days and if aid is available, surely this is a worthy cause."
"Hemeth I have a question for you good sir. Do you think the Keepers of the flame are working with the gray ghost? They made no mention of this stolen item or what it was when they sent us to deal with the gray ghosts.”
Gremryl is munching on breakfast viddles..
"Ye mentioned it be something mundane and powerful all.tje while master wrexim? Mayhap ye can be a bit more specific? If not then it seems clear we must head back into the blasted tunnels, find this object, deal with some ghosts, smite a demon lord... while also dealing with some foul creature that be stealing lil ones..then come back and have my Son rid ye king of his demonic influence? That sound about the size of the anvil eh?"
To Wrexim: "Can you be more specific regarding this object that was stolen? What is it exactly? What does it look like? What are its properties? Why is it important to the keepers? Did Droki have a more specific location for it? After working with the ghosts, does Droki have any further info on them? Numbers? Proclivities? Plans after obtaining the artifact? Defenses?
To Hemeth: "Thanks for the help so far bro. In terms of help I could use for the future, I was wondering if your renowned blacksmiths could help me tinker with these here gauntlets (indicates the ones he is wearing). They are wonderful and all, but could we weld some brass to the knuckles? Maybe some metal studs or spikes? Is there a royal weaponsmith of some kind I could consult?"
“Hemeth one more question. Themberchaud doesn’t trust the keepers of the flame. He wants us to report to him directly with any information. With this information Wrex has giving us it obvious they are plotting against him is some way. Why would one plot against a dragon that seems to help the city and keep the forges alive? What would they gain from betraying him?”
Hemeth takes a long look at Gremryl. Stands up from his chair, grabs his mug and snaps his fingers in the air while making his way around the table to where the Dwarf Paladin sits. An attending refills both cups with careful measure and generosity. Raising his mug to Gremryl and looking him dead in the eyes, he grins and says,
Wrexim looks at Rowland, then at Mikey...looks back at Rowland and then back to Hemeth and says,
DC 18 PERCEPTION ROLL REQUIRED TO OPEN THE SPOILER BOX
Advantage to Gremryl on this roll because Hemeth is at this point standing next to Gremryl.
Hemeth coughs awkwardly to stifle an inappropriate laugh at the obviously sincere question posed by Wrexim. Hemeth wonders if anybody heard what he said.
Hemeth looks at the gauntlets more closely.
Rowland takes a large swig of ale, clearly not used to engaging in such lengthy conversation and feeling a little uneasy, "Gear master Hemeth, my father told stories of magic armor and weapons found in the underdark. That is what I'd request of you if it's within your power. If you'll be joining us, all the more reason to equip your fellow adventurers with the finest your city has to offer? We'll need to watch each other's backsides as they say."
Perception check 21