The red-haired halfling is wearing breastplate that is heavily patched and cobbled together out of more than one suit of armor. Short bow on the back. A very fancy short sword that has a scuffed and muddied scabbard to make it look worse.

"Bee-gred." (Then mumbles to himself, but still audible: "No "Big Red" joke cracking.")

Skameros tries to stand up quickly, bangs his knees against the table, jostling drinks etc, then when he does stand up bangs his head on the low ceiling and then just sits back down on the floor dejectedly.

"Skameros..." and he kind of waves at Grithik 

Possible one of the larger things you've encountered, Skameros is a 7 foot 4 inch, 350 pound mass of flesh covered in black fur.  He is a bugbear with striking yellow eyes and a large greataxe leaning again the wall next to him.

Rodolfo says, "And that's Narstin. He got the sense knocked out of him this morning and then some. So did I in fact, but I didn't have a lot to begin with. But he's been quiet ever since."

He continues towards Grithik, "It's been rough going for us so far - none of the places are too friendly these days. It's actually very nice to meet someone like yourself and we'd love for you to join us. Right, guys?"

Beegred to Grithnik: "Is there more room in your bag? We have the severed medusa's head taken care of, but we might need more storage depending on what the smurfblin here want us to do." (Picks up a sack, mended by Rodolfo, but clearly battered and discolored by blood.) "This was brand new a few hours ago."

"Very nice to meet you all." Grithik smiles widely, as he turns to Beegred, "To be honest, I have a little spare room, but its nothing special. Just a convenience for carrying my things."

After making your acquaintances, eating and drinking, Narstin retires to his room, nursing his mouth.  Eventually everyone else does so as well.

After sleeping soundly, Tappy bangs on each of your doors, speaking loudly to be heard through the door, "Senni Diggermattok, Sark Axebarrel and Father Gurnik have all been waiting for you to get about your day.  Best not to keep them waiting any longer!"

When you get your things together and gather, Sark and Father Gurnik are visibly anticipating news as they defer to Senni.  As you settle in to eat, she inquires, "Sark here is surprised you even returned from the Rockblight.  I am glad you survived, I don't need the death of adventurers out and about on Svirfneblin business on my conscious too.  I have a couple boons to ask, but first I think we should all listen to what you have learnt while in the Rockblight?"

Rodolfo says, "Believe me, I am glad as well that we survived!"

He looks at the others and starts, "Where to begin.. it's been a wild two days. Fill in anything I forget to mention, friends. We encountered a weird ghost to start with, but it fled. We looked around some more and found a cavern with crystal formations. It's upstairs from Galeb Dhur. A gnome is petrified there - we couldn't help him in any way. What we did achieve though was this - " and he indicates for Skameros to empty the bag.

"So the medusa is no longer a problem."

He takes a glance at Grithik to see how he reacts to the gruesome sight of a medusa head.

"That was a full success, but the rest is somewhat weirder. There is some kind of a wind or something going on there - like a thinning between planes or something. And it has a weird effect on the place. For example next to the cave the medusa occupied is a room full of drow. We killed half a dozen of them while the other two dozen or so were still as statues, but then the next half dozen came to life and attacked us. They don't seem to leave the cave though."

He checks if the others are able to follow the story. "Right and finally the Galeb Dhur - Beegred here placed the thingie in it and three elementals came alive. We managed to defeat all three and while two of those made it back to the menhir then the third one just broke apart and did not reform. I have no idea what that means, if anything at all."

"And now we are here."

Skameros tosses a handful of pebbles on to the table 

"Gailub dur" and shrugs apologetically and goes back to eating.

When Rodolfo finishes reciting the events, Senni, Sark and Father Gurnik all stumble over each other with questions...

"So there was a medusa, and you actually fought it?" - Sark

"Is the menhir damaged?  Is it safe? Are the remaining galeb duhr under siege?" - Father Gurnik

"Blingdenstone has plenty of ghosts.  Some are benign and harmless.  The violent ones we have to deal with." - Senni

"That medusa head looks drow'ish. Did you say there are more drow in the Rockblight!? - Senni

"There's a thinning of the planes, and dust?" - Father Gurnik

"You saw a petrified gnome too?  That's what our scouts saw, why we were worried about a Medusa.  Not one of ours, must have been there for an age.  It is said Basilisk bile can be made into a concoction to cure petrification.  Would one of you know the recipe?" - Sark

Rodolfo quietly bends his fingers into his palm to count the number of questions.

"Right. We fought the medusa, yes. It's dead now. Turns out putting a bag over someone's head is a really good idea."

"The menhir is fine I believe.. I mean it was there before and it's still there. Seemed OK to me when we left."

"What was the third one.. ah, the drow. Yeah, but they seem ... petrified. As in not actively roaming around. Which is the weird part - there is a swirling dust type thing there that doesn't really cause wind, but ... is there. Very weird. We didn't notice any directly harmful effect on us though."

He thinks for a bit trying to recall the last question. "Ah, yes, a recipe with basilisk bile?" (would Rodolfo have aaaany idea what that would be?)

Grithik listens with interest to the tales being told by the group, positively giddy with excitement. As Skameros empties the medusa head on the table, his eyes go wide with a combination of surprise and grim interest.

Sark looks at the Medusa's head, face going pale, "I promised you a diamond if you killed it.  I never though you would do something foolish like fight a Medusa.  I... I suppose a family heirloom is a fair trade for ridding Blingdenstone of a Medusa...?"

Father Gurnik responds, "I.. well.  A dust cloud, a thinning of the planes.  This dust cloud doesn't do anything, besides being there?  So it doesn't pose a danger to anyone or the menhir and its guardians?  I suppose we can study it when we have time... whenever that will be."

Senni seems to have put two and two together, "Ahh, that explains why sometimes we are attacked by animated petrified drow.  The Medusa petrified the conquering drow and they must be littering the unsecured portions of Blingdenstone.  But how are they coming back to such a semblance of life?  I've never heard of petrified creatures being anything more than rigid... umm... statues. " 

Rodolfo says, "It's possible to change stone into wood or bronze for example, it's not too difficult in learned hands. Animating something or turning or returning stone back to flesh I don't have experience with though."

He thinks for a moment and says, "But your earth elementals - they are made of stone as well and move around and act. How does that work? Could it be a similar effect is taking place naturally in Rockblight on a larger scale?"

Father Gurnik shrugs, "Perhaps you should speak with Nomi Pathshutter.  She will have the most knowledge about summoning earth elementals.  I will return to the Speaking Stones and commune to see if a conduit with Callarduran Smoothhands has been established with the awakening of his menhir.  Please stop by in a few hours to discuss what you have accomplished."

Nomi nods gravely, then gets your attention before continuing, "I came to see you all today without my husband Dorbo because we do not see eye to eye regarding the wererat clan that occupies the northern portion of Blingdenstone.  These wererats, when not transformed, are Svirfneblin.  We do not know where they originate from, but I can say they were here in Blingdenstone before we arrived to recolonize.  My gut tells me we there is a connection between our peoples.  Not to mention the fact that warring with them has swollen their ranks with our own people.  Dorbo considers them lost, but I do not.

I would ask a boon of you, as you have the unique position of being neutral in this situation.  Would it be possible for you to enter the northern part of Blingdenstone into the wererat territories and establish peaceful contact with them?  I want their side of the story.  Where they come from?  What their goals are with regards to our expedition?  Can there be peace between us?"

She then motions to Narstin and asks to speak with him in private.  The two walk across the room to have a discussion.

Rodolfo says, "Oh.. really?"

He turns to Grithik, "Would that be something you would like to helm?"

Grithik has been listening intently, but trying doing his best to stay out of the way. As Rodolfo asks him about leading the group's interaction with the wererats in Blingdenstone a wave of surprise moves across his face. He takes a moment to gather himself before answering.

"Hmm... I have no particular knowledge of this group, having only recently arrived in the city. Though I do suppose that a svirfneblin who has no particular allegiance to either group may serve as a good envoy. I'm more that willing to provide whatever help I can."

"Wererats make good stew...." Skameros says matter-of-factly 

Nomi returns from speaking with Narstin and overhears Grithik, "Yes well, joining these adventurers may help in your goal of reaching the surface world, but the Svirfneblin and this clan of wererats have already clashed.  I think convincing these wererats you are not a member of this expedition to recolonize Blingdenstone will be a hurdle that may sabotage these efforts.  At the very least, you're going to have some convincing to do before establishing any kind of rapport with them."

Narstin looks pensive, then he scans the room carefully examining each occupant.  He walks up to Rodolfo, Skameros, Beegred, and Grithik,  puts a hand on each of your shoulders as he casts a spell.  The spell has no effect on Beegred or Rodolfo, but Skameros & Grithik feel a pressure fall away.  Narstin finishes by casting the same spell on himself.  He turns to Nomi and says, "I believe you are correct.  These two..." pointing to Skameros and Grithik, "... were being influenced by something and Lesser Restoration pushed it out.  I believe I am spent for this day, but I can aid you in the days to come."

Narstin turns to all of you and says, "I have always been drawn to help those in need.  When we escaped Velkinvelve, I did my best to keep everyone alive, although I failed many times.  There is something wrong with the Underdark these days, and it is affecting everyone, the Gnomes of Blingdenstone included.  Until the source of this 'Outer Blingdenstone' sickness is found and stopped, I think it would be better for everyone to remain here in whatever relative safety Blingdenstone can offer.  If you do choose to go on and find the surface, keep in mind I will not go any further.  Choosing between getting my teeth knocked out day in and day out, or staying here where I can be of service every day, I think the needs of an entire population of gnomes will put my faith to better use."

Rodolfo sighs yet another time.

"Understood, Narstin. We will hopefully be able to let you know if and when we continue upwards. Thank you for everything."

He turns to Nomi, "What you say makes sense - it might be better if the peace talks come from someone not affiliated with either side."

Rodolfo pats Skameros on the knee, "You're up big guy. We will have your back, but you need to do the talking there. Just don't mention eating them.. yet."

Skameros pauses with a mouthful of food as Narstin touches him and smiles at his friend.

"Thrmk youf" he mumbles.

Then upon hearing his proclamation, Skameros nods solemnly  "Skameros understand, but will miss Narstan"