Rodolfo steps forward. "Thank you for allowing us into your city. We have been on the road for a very long time and have come across some disturbing things. We had hoped Blingdenstone to be peaceful and prosperous so that we could recuperate and continue our journey. It does not seem to be the case though."

He indicates in the direction of their guarded weapons. "We came across an interesting object, a wand of sorts. It has been beneficial to us, especially against some oozes. But it seems like you may have a much greater need for it than we do. Please accept this as an offer to aid you in your efforts in dealing with whatever it is you are dealing with."

He continues, "All we are looking for is a brief shelter, exchange some news, hopefully restock our supplies and we will be out of your hair in no time. Especially if we know where to go. We offer any and all information and help of any kind you may require or would like us to provide while we are here."

Rodolfo bows deeply and steps back.

Dorbo, the male gnome frowns pensively, but Senni the female answers first, "We thank you, I think.  You'll have to explain how your item will help against the oozes?  Exchange of news, fairly traded, is welcome indeed.  But why are surfacers in the underdark, and where exactly are you trying to go?"

"Trying to help the small ones get to the surface...."

At the mention of the surface, both gnomes's faces darken...

Quote from Winenose >>

He indicates in the direction of their guarded weapons. "We came across an interesting object, a wand of sorts. It has been beneficial to us, especially against some oozes. But it seems like you may have a much greater need for it than we do. Please accept this as an offer to aid you in your efforts in dealing with whatever it is you are dealing with."

Beegred: "Aww jeez no, that wand has saved us so many times. And you are going to give it to them?" When he sees that Rodolfo sincerely wants to help the dirt gnomes, and will not be dissuaded, he adds, "Can we at least get something back? We've had equipment that was damaged by the oozes. Maybe their smiths could do some repair work as part of the trade for that valuable magic wand?" (Beegred indicates his armor, and Skameros' weapons, which all have penalties due to acid damage.)

Quote from Kerrec >>

"But why are surfacers in the underdark, and where exactly are you trying to go?"

"We understand this place is your home, but it is not ours. Each of us were visiting the Underdark, but were attacked at some point by... foul beings... and driven away from familiar paths. That explains the poor shape of our equipment. We were told that Bling-ding-sting was the safest place to exit to the surface, since you have contact with the dwarves in... whatever the name of their surface city. We've helped a few others along the way, but there is only so much that 4 surface dwellers can do in the dark."

Dorbo speaks up before his partner controls the conversation further, "We understand your business in the underdark is your business.  And yes, we know that the underdark is unusually chaotic.  We have an unacceptable number of caravans missing, and are besieged ourselves in our own city.  However, you may have been misled.  Our contact with the dwarves of Gauntlgrym is infrequent and difficult.  Since we set out to reclaim Blingdenstone, we've been on our own..."

Senni senses a pause in the conversation and takes over, "Yes, dark times in the Underdark.  It would be inhospitable of us to send you off, so you may stay in Blingdenstone until you are ready to travel.  We are unfortunately short on weapons or armor.  If you provide materials, our smiths can repair your equipment at a fair rate.  Their time is precious, even more so these days.  If you intend to stay longer, please understand our population is on edge and behaving oddly.  Avoid conflict, please.  And at least try to make yourselves useful enough to not add to our burden."

Rodolfo says, "Thank you. I can certainly explain the wand to anyone with some arcane knowledge. I hope there is someone like that around, I'd love to chat to a fellow magic user."

He steps back and lets Beegred continue the conversation.

Beegred is confused, both by the information given and the better treatment. (He was expecting the worst after the miners, and spending time with a hood over his head.)

"Don't know what you mean by business. Way back when, I only wanted a short visit to find out about some (accursed) stone giants. After surprise attacks, slavers, and beatings, it turned out to be weeks trying to get back to an exit to the surface. The other 3 had their own reasons. We are together for "safety in numbers", and our business right now is finding safety.

"Materials for armor and weapons, huh? Just one of the things we don't have. Since we lack the materials, how much would "unfair" rates be to repair the acid damage?

"How would we make ourselves useful? You said that Bling-den-stone" (careful to say the name right) "needs to be reclaimed? We have some fighting skills that might come in handy, if we can get resupplied and get a way safely to the surface... As long as you aren't expecting too much. We are not heroes from the sagas, after all."

Senni places her hand on her stomach and says, "This conversation needs to take time, but we are famished.  Let us end our workday and we shall meet up at the only place that is adequate for surfacers such as yourselves to rest.  We will meet up at The Foaming Mug for a meal and a 'fair trade' of news and information.  Your weapons will remain near you, including your gift... until you can explain how to use it.  I advise someone keeps an eye on them lest sticky fingers make off with some of them."

Your party is once again escorted, this time to The Foaming Mug (area 16 on the map).  The Foaming Mug was built as an inn to house foreign guests visiting Blingdenstone. While its supply of surface foods and beverages is meager, the rooms are sized for Medium guests, with comfortable beds and two separate hot springs used for bathing and relaxation. There are no other guests currently, so party members who stay here have the inn to themselves. Many svirfneblin frequent the inn’s taproom after work, keeping the place lively. The tavern serves Darklake Stout, an ale that the svirfneblin purchase from duergar traders.

Tappy Foamstrap, a bored deep gnome, runs the inn. The characters’ arrival is the most exciting thing that has happened in months, so she peppers them with questions about their lives and adventures, pushing free drinks and food on them.

Skameros grabs two 🍺 a plate of food,  and goes to soak in the hot springs. 

Tappy Foamstrap is exuberant and due to the hour, her Inn is empty of other patrons.  Therefore you get her undivided attention, and she plasters you all with questions...

... when I lived in Gauntlgrym, I went on an excursion to the surface, to a town called Silverymoon.  Are you from near there?

... how did you three surfacers end up with a Bugbear pet?  Is he... ugh... tame?

... what brought you to the underdark?  Did you find what you were looking for?

... have you been to other places in the underdark?

... by the looks of your armor, seems you ran into some oozes.  Are they everywhere in the underdark.  You think that is why our caravans go missing?

... etc...

Rodolfo doesn't say much, but when the topic of the bugbear comes up he winks at said bugbear and casts Spider Climb on him.

"You know what? He can walk on walls, he's very useful! Go show them, trust me!"

Quote from Kerrec >>

Tappy Foamstrap is exuberant and due to the hour, her Inn is empty of other patrons.  Therefore you get her undivided attention, and she plasters you all with questions...

... when I lived in Gauntlgrym, I went on an excursion to the surface, to a town called Silverymoon.  Are you from near there?

... how did you three surfacers end up with a Bugbear pet?  Is he... ugh... tame?

... what brought you to the underdark?  Did you find what you were looking for?

... have you been to other places in the underdark?

... by the looks of your armor, seems you ran into some oozes.  Are they everywhere in the underdark.  You think that is why our caravans go missing?

... etc...

Beegred will answer a few of Tappy's questions. Only small bits here and there, but hopefully enough to make her feel like she is getting interesting info.

• - "Skameros is not a pet, but a valiant warrior. Many a good fight would have turned out badly if he wasn't on our side." (He will leave out splitting the black puddings. Also trying to butter up the bugbear, because Beegred has seen what Skameros can do when he is displeased.)
• - "I was looking for tactics to take down a bunch of murderous Stone Giants. I've learned a bit about them in the Underdark, but getting lost and wandering in the dark is not helping."
• - "Yeah, more oozes than we expected, but also plenty of the regular threats in the Underdark, like big spiders and gricks. Also seems like bandits and Drow are taking advantage of the situation."

Beegred will ask two questions of his own:

• "This is our first time in your city. Can you tell us what has been going on? We heard there are some troubles "reclaiming" the city. That sounds so dangerous! You must be very brave to keep running your inn here."
• "You noticed our equipment being damaged. Can you recommend a smith to do repairs, and do you know how much it will cost? We understand that since we don't have the metal materials, the fee will be more."

Unless the hot springs are also in the same room as everyone else - Skameros isn't there - he's soaking is big furry ass in one of the hot springs.

Quote from Quasimodal >>

Beegred will ask two questions of his own:

• "This is our first time in your city. Can you tell us what has been going on? We heard there are some troubles "reclaiming" the city. That sounds so dangerous! You must be very brave to keep running your inn here."
• "You noticed our equipment being damaged. Can you recommend a smith to do repairs, and do you know how much it will cost? We understand that since we don't have the metal materials, the fee will be more."

"Well, there are plenty of dangers.  We expected to have to vacate squatting creatures, but we got more than we bargained for.  The ghosts of our ancestors seem to be insane, not being able to tell the difference between old foes and their own kind.  There's a whole colony of wererats living in the northern part of our city.  The east is unexplored because our earth elementals go berserk and turn on us if we bring them in that direction.  And of course, oozes get into the city somehow, scream 'flesh for the faceless god' and attack on sight, as they make their way to the north east.  Shouldn't need to tell you, oozes in general aren't intelligent and shouldn't be able to speak at all!

The constant battles with oozes has depleted our own weapons and armor.  Our rag-tag militia look like they are wearing tatters.  Our smiths can't keep up with the demand.  I'm afraid getting your own things repaired will be difficult, especially with the rumors coming from what happened in the Whiteshell Mine.  There will be no ore to spare.  Maybe if you sacrifice some of your gear, you can fix the rest.  That's what we've been doing."

A messenger arrives and hands a missive to Tappy.  She reads it quickly and whistles.  Dorbo and Senni are coming to eat dinner with your party tonight.  I'd best get busy and prepare something fitting.

As time goes on, the Inn begins to fill with patrons.  Tappy seems stretched preparing a meal and serving the patrons.  The deep gnomes gather in groups, eye your group warily, then drink and gossip in Gnomish.  

Rodolfo is keeping his ears open to pick up whatever he can from the gossip in Gnomish.

The gnomes seem to be keeping a loose watch on the members of your party, and clam up when one of you come within earshot.  But Rodolfo does manage to hear one group speak of Myconids.  Seems word is a caravan returning from Whiteshell Mines ran into a group of dancing Myconids, who communicated via rapport spores about a 'wedding celebration', which the group finds strange, since Myconids don't have weddings.

Rodolfo sits himself down in a corner and places three items on the table.  With a pearl in one hand, and the other hand on placed on each object, he identifies them:

1. +1 dagger (with a spider motif, but not of drow origin)
2. Greater Potion of Healing
3. Oil of slipperiness

Beegred gestures to Tappy to lean closer, so he can ask (privately) if she can provide coins for a gem stone. When she agrees, Beegred will walk with her behind the counter of the taproom.

The rest of the party can't see exactly what the halfling is doing, but you can tell that Beegred is reaching inside his trousers. He pulls something out to show Tappy. She nods a bit, and says, "Not very big, considering what you said it was worth." But she agrees to hand over gold coins (and/or silver coins) for change.

(Beegred hands her a 100 GP gem. The party splits 64 GP. The remaining 36 GP go to Tappy, for the transaction fee, upgrade in food for their meals, treatments at the hot springs, and to buy the first round of drinks for everyone in the inn each evening until the funds run out.)

Tappy refuses to accept any coin for food or lodging, enforcing her price is news, not coin.   Also, you are getting the best food she has on offer already.  However, knowing the general attitude towards your party, she shouts from behind the bar in gnomish, "Drinks on our guests, they've paid enough for you all to get shit faced until I run out!"

The patrons cheer briefly until social customs dictate they have to make eye contact and give thanks, then they quiet down.  Yet they still line up for their free drinks.  As the day progresses, many of the gnomes get into their cups.  Their gossiping gets louder and louder, although a bit slurred.