Seldom Spring

"So... do you think if we showed up with like.... a hundred sets of boots... we could live like kings down here?" Anafrey would whisper to Erric with a smile.

Erric grins at Anafrey and whispers back, "And everyone on my dad's side goes barefoot every day of their lives... they would be destitute here!"

(OOC: good reminder about the ring, thank you!)

While listening to the conversation but not understanding any of it, Maldorn takes a look around just in case any of the nearby junk hides something of value.

-> Perception: 18

Waiting on Jambiya to chime in ...

OOC > Sorry!

Jambiya says to a Ebokk in Dwarvish, “Ebokk, can you translate for the others as we go?” Then she turns back to Diinit.

”Lord Diinit,” she begins, “One of my friends wields a cursed item, and we heard a rumor that we might find a cure within these caves. We came across this orc,” she indicates the weirdly passive Thrakk, “Who speaks strangely and acts even more strangely, but is guiding us. The mushroom people let us pass, and we are pleased to find your people peaceful as well. I would be interested in helping you get more... boots? So that you don’t have to suffer without... enough?” She looks around at all the boots. “But our priority is helping our friend. We would accept, or trade for, any help you might be able to give.” And she gives a slight bow again.

Diinit gives Anafrey and Erric a little stink eye as they whisper to each other in Common. And when Maldorn starts peering around at the boots, the derro clears his throat to get the human's attention. Seemingly not put off by the offensive actions by the upworlders, the strangely regal creature looks benevolently upon Jambiya as she speaks. (21) Ebokk translates in Common word-for-word what Jambiya is saying in Dwarvish. When he translate the part about Thrakk, the orc looks at the goblin girl a little reproachfully.

After Jambiya stops talking, Diinit begins humming and making some kind of chucking sound while his eyes roll upward. The other derro follow suit with the noise, dropping their chins to their chests and seeming to vibrate where they stand. After only a few seconds, the odd behavior ends as Diinit lifts and bangs the end of his staff against the stone floor. The whole party resumes their normal posture as if nothing had happened. Diinit says while looking at Jambiya, "Bring me the first boot."

Jambiya is confused because it very much seems he has directed her to do this, but then one of the derros runs to the back of the chamber and then comes forward, an old boot clasped in their hands. They kneel beside Diinit, lifting the boot in a very honorable manner toward the derro leader. He motions to the boot. "This is our most sacred relic. If anything in this cave will save your friend, it is this." He raises a finger and then smiles. "I will strike a bargain with you. Our home has been disturbed by grimlocks. No longer is this place a sanctuary. Even the myconids — normally our allies — attacked us when we tried to drive the grimlocks away." His voice has gotten heavy and agitated, but he pauses to calm himself before continuing. "Face the grimlocks for us. End their trespass, and you may have whatever you want. Bring me seven heads ..." he says ominously, "and I will give you seven treasures."

"Seven heads?" Ebokk repeats, realizing what he just said.

Thrakk looks at Erric, concern in his eyes.

Erric would like to inspire Jambiya and also help her convince the derro that not only do we mean them no harm, we are also capable of helping them in their Great Shoe Quest. He does this through some musical accompaniment and impressive hand gestures, the little goblin girl’s hype man.

I was editing my last post while you posted, Erric, so be sure to go back and read my post to get the whole thing.

Erric would still be her hype man, even through the rest of it! He'll hold off on the inspiration however, for now.

He's a little wary about speaking Common again given the reaction. "Can we talk as a group?" Erric says, once Ebokk translates all of that. Assuming he doesn't get dirty looks for talking, he continues. "Thrakk, it seems these derro are aligned with your goals, to take out the grimlocks, right? Jambiya can they tell us where and who and what the grimlocks are, more than we know already? We also need to know what the treasures are, if it's possible they'll help Anafrey."

Can he see anything notable about the First Boot?

"So in the end they want heads instead of boots... go figure." sighs Maldorn. "Perhaps we should listen to the grimlocks first as well. Maybe they have something pushing them away from their cave corner and into other folks'. There may be a peaceful solution to all of this still."

"One moment, Lord Diinit," the goblin girl says in Dwarvish, turning then to huddle with her companions. "I agree with Maldorn, I want to see if there's a way to resolve this without resorting to... taking heads. I don't know if an old boot is going to help Anafrey, but at least we're not having to fight these guys, right? Should I get as much information as I can, and then we go see the grimlocks?"

“Sounds like a plan,” Maldorn tells Jambiya.

The derro do not appear to be unwilling to allow the party to deliberate in Common.

As for the boot, Erric, it looks old and well used.

Thrakk says, "I'm sure the grimlocks are a threat to these derro. It is not surprising that they want them gone. I'm not sure it's safe for you to engage them physically or verbally," he seems to be saying directly to Erric.

"Not safe? As in, they'll attack us? I think we'd assume they'd attack us at this point. But it's always worth a shot, as we've found here. But unless we think that we can sneak up on them, which I'm guessing not, trying to talk first won't surrender any advantage. I do take your point, Thrakk."

Erric's very fine with Jambiya trying to get more information, and then moving along..

"Listen to the small ones, Thorax. They are wise beyond their age." Maldorn speaks based on experience. 

He is ready to go as soon as Jambiya has gathered information to her liking.

Jambiya nods, turns back to Diinit, and tries to gather more information. "Lord Diinit, we have agreed among ourselves to look into the grimlock matter for you. But we will not promise to fight them, or bring back their... um, heads. We will only fight them if we must, but we *will* get to the bottom of your troubles with them. What can you tell us about where the live, how they travel, how they fight, and what they have done to your people?"

(I mean, if we fight them, they won’t be needing their heads, so you can at least offer that) :)

Diinit begins to get angry, but then thinks better of it, adopting a dubious look in the end. "Foolish upworlder," he says unapologetically. "There is no reasoning with a grimlock. They are as stubborn and ruthless as they are blind. Most are controlled by mind flayers. Do you know what a mind flayer is? They are your worst nightmare come to life, that's what they are. But fine, if you want to go talk to the grimlocks, do so. Just be prepared for your words to be met with death," he says ominously. "The came out of the northeast tunnel into the myconid colony. I imagine that is still where they are."

As Ebokk translates, Maldorn ask him to throw a question back at Diinit: "Care to elaborate on mind flayers?"

"Well I don't know what a mind flayer is.. but it doesn't sound pleasant." Anafrey would replay before tapping her chin. "Although maybe they could flay the flail from my mind.." she would add with a glare towards the weapon on her hip.