"We're in a bad spot for sure," Kastix states before leaving and asking for a drink if there's a bar before coming with only his own drink, "I would say we may want to see what this Gartokkar wants. If we're lucky, two birds one stone since there can't be too many threads going on without interconnecting somewhere. If anything, we can lie to each group saying we're doing what each wants while doing something else,"

"Yet, neither can protect us from slavers. We probably had to go after those assassins - they knew how to deal with a threat". Sekkar did not like situation one bit. "Are we going to the guards now?" That was actually amusing enough to get some pleasure out of the situation - not the "talking to guard" part but appearing as himself and looking at the reaction.

(OCC: Are we back at the inn now?)

”If we have the opportunity. I would like to go to this Cairngorm Cavern, and pay the giants a visit.” She tries to eat something for now.

(Does myconids eat? :-)

 (Might be mistaken here, but guards are expecting us within 2 hours, no? We might as well be on the way to them.)

(I thought we were still at the docks. We are to follow Captain Blackskull right? I think.)

"Slavers have go through official channels to try to take us. IF we're working for the official, I doubt they'll approve the request," Kastix explains, "We have need to at guard house in two hours. That guy with golden pins want us to track a Derro. Maybe we can ask about him while there," Kastix downs the rest of his drink to calm his nerves.

(I think we’re back at the inn. The Captain told Rhayna we didn’t have to go to the Hold to meet her. She just shared the info there...investigate the derro and potential corruption in the Stone Guards.)

(Ah, true, no need to go anywhere, guess we are in the Inn indeed)

(If we are back at the inn, what time is it?)

(I'm afraid so)

Let's say you are back at the inn, and that it is about midday. Blackskull is no longer requiring you to attend Overlake Hold, and gave Rhayna the details of the task she wants of you. Currently your 'threads' include:

- Zeno asked by Ylsa Henstak to look into the 'Gray Ghosts' thieves' guild, which seems to include derro and outcast duergar
- Keepers of the Flame know strange things are happening and suspect the 'Gray Ghosts' to be involved, that the derro Droki is one of their number, and that you should search in the West Cleft (which is where the main derro hovel is)
- Lord Themberchaud suspects something afoot and wants the players to report anything to him before reporting to Gartokkar
- Captain Blackskull is interested in any evidence of corruption within the Stone Guard, which she can't effectively investigate herself
- Rhayna saw a strange derro lurking in the market, but you've been unable to trace his movements from there
- A murder was witnessed on the docks, committed by two duergar with glowing blades

Joetaro waits for Rhayna to finish. "Do you think any of these leads are connected in some way?"

"I think they are all connected in some way here, but we don't know enough about this place to understand what is going on. We are still waiting for Hemeth to return.   I am afraid that if we fled from the drow hunting us we would become lost in the tunnels. We need a guide and right now Hemeth is all we have.  Perhaps we need to ask around to understand the government here and the role of Themberchaud."

If a server comes by the table Kaylyn will take the opportunity to ask her about Themberchaud and his role in the city.

"We have seen the dragon, Themberchaud, and have watched him breathe fire into certain buildings.  What else does he do, does he rule or is he worshipped?  How long has he been here?"  She will offer a gold coin in exchange for the information if the server is hesitant to answer.  She will also be sure that she subtlety maneuvers her body and the pin so the server can see the pin so the server knows that she is not some random stranger asking questions.  "We wish to understand the workings of the city so we do not offend or misstep." 

"Kaylyn is right. Everything seems to be connected in some form." Rhayna replies to Joetaro as she is reviewing her Journal of their journey in the Underdark so far. "However, I have a feeling that it is not just here, but more widespread in the Underdark. To which extend, I do not know." Rhayna tries not to dwell on the image of Demogorgon rising from the lake back in Sloobludop.

"So, my friends how should we proceed?" Says Rhayna as she closes her Journal and stores it in her backpack. "Given the opportunity, I would like to visit the giants in this Cairngorm Cavern."

“Alright, well why don’t we start there and see if we find any evidence we can use.  Then we can head into the West Cleft. I don’t think we can wait for Hemeth...he said he could be gone for a tenday.”

Joetaro nods. "That sounds like a good idea. Perhaps evidence first."

Grongardt the innkeeper isn't really serving or waiting tables, but he comes by now and then to glare at the patrons and ensure they are behaving themselves, ready to call the Stone Guard at the slightest trouble. However, Kaylyn's tactful question and flash of the pin seems enough to soften his attitude from granite to merely sandstone, and he replies in Undercommon:

Themberchaud? Rule? By Laduguer, no! The Deepking rules here and no other. Horgar Steelshadow the Fifth, may he reign until the stones crumble to dust! The stone giants, the derro - all have sworn fealty to him, even Lord Themberchaud, who serves the King by ensuring the forges burn hot and bright, as have his ancestors before him as far back as memory can tell.

Kastix certainly knows enough about dragons to know how unheard-of it is for a full-grown red dragon to serve anybody - and a whole dynasty of red dragons?!

"And the Keepers of the Flame,  what is there role in the city then?  Do they serve Themberchaud?  The king must be very strong to have a red dragon serve him."

Kaylyn continues.  

Grongardt was about to walk away, but the extra gold coin from Kaylyn made him drop his snarling look for a few moments more...

Ah, the Keepers! Mighty powerful they are. They all have mind powers, they do. Any young ones in the city that show the same gift get inducted as acolytes. They serve the king and help keep the clan lords in line, as well as taking care of Themberchaud and his needs.

"The only thing I know of that has mind powers is illithids," said Sekkar with the most grim expression, when Grongardt left. "Never fought a devil, would not say a thing about them, but if illithids are here - it is worse than all dragons combined. What do you say we simply left this place? On our own?"