Kastix puts a hand on him and cast Cure Wounds

Healing: 9

Quote from Paladin54 >>

((So technically he's Restrained so that attack would be at disadvantage, but it s only 1 hp.  Kaylyn can handle it.))

 

(Sorry about that. I spent so long making sure I got the numbers right for a derro's reduced-size unarmed strike that I forgot the disadvantage. Disadvantage roll: 9 so still a hit - he got lucky)

A quick peek inside the satchel, and Kaylyn can see about a dozen coins, two vials of liquid, some crumpled scrolls, a crude book made of some kind of leather and parchment, a copper tube, some small pouches, and a variety of dead spiders and centipedes. Droki is completely intractable now that Kaylyn has taken his bag, and he continues to struggle, spit insults and attempt to fight against her.
Unarmed strike: 12

Sekkar and Zeno make their preparations to return to the site of Droki's capture and continue searching the area. There is little of note in Buppido's cave other than the spiral-shaped assortment of dead bodies. Rhayna's keen powers of observation notice a few coins laying scattered throughout the piles of stinking flesh (if anyone was desperate enough for coin to rummage through the gore), as well as a damp piece of lizard-skin parchment with two words written in shaky Dwarvish.

Sekkar/Zeno: About the mushrooms, although they deteriorate fairly rapidly once picked, they are good for about an hour at least. A small nibble is enough, so there is plenty around to pick and eat as required, or collect more for continual use.

Zeno: I credited the Cure Wounds from Kastix, so if you want you can save the potion for later.

Rhayna picks up the lizard skin parchment and asks if anyone reads Dwarvish.

Sekkar takes one look at the parchment and translates the words: Worship Buppido

Putting her dagger away, Kaylyn again casts Detect Magic to determine which items in the bag were magical.  She then slips the pouch into her pack and steps away from Droki so he can't reach her with anymore head butts.

Joetaro is going to stand between Kaylyn and Droki and put his hand on his sword. "Calm yourself, I don't have to use this if I don't need to." 

Intimidation - 10

Kaylyn can see that the two vials are magic potions of some kind and that the crumpled scroll contains a spell. None of the other items are magic.

Joetaro steps between Droki and Kaylyn, but despite the paladin's threats, the derro continues his epic tantrum. His ranting is becoming almost incomprehensible, but some words can still be made out: More uglies! ... Nasty thieves! ... Give it back! Give it back! He struggles frantically against the bonds and writhes around in an attempt to bite Joetaro on the ankles:

Unarmed strike: 6

Kaylyn smiles at Joetaro.  

"Droki and I are getting on splendidly.   Watch him though,  he is rather upset I took his pouch.  How are things with Buppido?"

With Joetaro here she takes the pouch back out and satisfied the crude book is not magical she carefully opens it up and examines it.

Joetaro looks on with some pity and some amusement as Droki feebly continues to attempt to get his pouch back, writhing on the floor and frothing at the mouth. Kastix returns to the scene as well, contemplating whether Droki deserves any of his attention. Kaylyn flicks through the book, which is not much more than several pages of lizard-skin parchment held together between two leather covers from two different books. The pages are full of mad scribbles and formulas, but Kaylyn has enough knowledge of arcana to see that some of the the crazed writings constitute instructions for casting some kind of spell. Kaylyn also inspects the four small pouches and sees they are tagged with labels in Dwarven. Inside the pouches are what appear to be stone giant toenail clippings and skin flecks. The copper tube holds a scroll which is also written in Dwarven. Although unable to decipher it, Kaylyn notices that it appears to contain a list, with each of the headings identical to the labels on the pouches. 

=========================

Zeno and Sekkar pass by the comical scene, consume the shrinking-mushrooms and pass through the narrow tunnel into the passage beyond, making their way to the site of Droki's capture. Entering this passage, they follow his tracks for several hundred feet until they find themselves in another cavern. The glow of faerzress shifts across this chamber as if pushed by an unseen wind. It flows toward and around a large mesa which stands in the center of the cavern, and continues to spiral upward, although the ceiling of the cavern is too dark and high to see. Murmurs and whispers seem to be coming from atop the mesa. The sides of the mesa are steep but irregular, with sufficient footholds for climbing, but a ramp has also been carved from top to bottom providing an easy way up.

=========================

Rhayna lingers in Buppido's cave with Stool and Sarith, wanting to be satisfied she has missed nothing noteworthy. Suddenly Rhayna gets the myconid-telepathy equivalent of a shout and Stool runs to the eastern passage. With a jolt of concern Rhayna pursues, with Sarith following along. The tunnel opens into a natural cave, wherein Rhayna sees several myconids dancing to a silent tune. Three of them stand five feet tall, while the others are about the size of Stool. One of the small ones stands apart from the rest, its movements not nearly as frantic. Hunched nearby are two quaggoths, but they are docile and covered with mushroom growths and yellow mold. Stool has stopped short of entering the cavern, its initial excitement at finding more of its kind suddenly tempered by apprehension. The message is conveys to Rhayna is "What's wrong with them? Myconids don't dance!" Stool then notices the one standing apart from the others and a new sense of elation fills Rhayna's mind with the words: "Rumpadump! That's my friend Rumpadump!". Meanwhile, Sarith stands beside Rhayna but appears to be in pain, moaning and holding his head in both hands.

When Zeno and Sekkar were passing by the sweet scene of friendly rummaging through Droki's belongings, ranger would stop to see what was found. Dwarven letters was not easy to learn and Sekkar was very proud of his ability, so, any chance of demonstration thereof he used.

(Was he able to get anything coherent out of it?) 

Ones the new cave was reached, Sekkar squinted and headache-inducing dance of faerzress. "Is it bad for you too?" voice of Dawnbringer could provide a healthy distracktion to magical swirl around. Lizardman looked at the mesa without much enthusiasm - amount of faerzress must be crazy up there! But it looked like they did not have much cohice.  "Up?" Sekkar mostly motioned up with his head rather then asked Zeno out loud, grumbled something inaudible and stepped on the ramp.

"You think this is what is we needed to get?" Kastix questioned as he flicks through the book, "Or should we roast our Derro buddy a bit?" He spares a glare at the tied up Derro.

"Some sort of spell that seems pretty complicated with a number of different components.   Hopefully Sekkar can read it.  Droki has been up to no good dabling in things to big for himself I think."

Pensive, meanwhile, who has been keeping watch in the passage watches as Sekkar and Zeno head towards and then past him.  He begins to follow them.  They both get a sense of curiosity from him as he catches up and flies along with them.

"Doesn't really answer question, Are we done here or need to keep going?" Kastix rephrases. Kastix will try to message the party about coming back. 

Joetaro nods and points to Droki. "I think we're done here. But do we leave him?"

"I'm not sure we fully understand how the Grey Ghosts are effecting the magic, or where the Grey Ghosts are.  We've only intercepted their courier.  I think there is more to this puzzle."

Kaylyn says in response.

"As for him,  I'm unsure.   I'm loathe to leave him, we may need a more permanent solution."

She looks down at him. 

"Were you here to meet with Buppido?"

Rhayna is about to answer Stool’s question, even though she wouldn’t know what to say. She notices that Sarith is not feeling well. She then hears about Stool’s friend. She tries to make a happy face for Stool. “Ohh. Great, go talk with your friend Stool...” She sees the small Miconid go off. She then concentrates on Sarith, and tries to find out what is afflicting the Dark Elf. “What is the matter Sarith?”

(Can Rhayna make a Medicine check on Sarith?)

Looking around before whispering "When the others come back, we should take him out of this area before we put the screw to him if you're planning on that. If needed, i think I can make him invisible as we carry him about the city to the ones who wanted him," 

OOC I have impression someone wants him but can't remember who specifically. I guessing Message is not reach the party?

Quote from Wolfy911 >>

(Can Rhayna make a Medicine check on Sarith?)

 Yes! I'm just writing the next post now, so if you can see this message and get it in I'll include it, otherwise I'll roll for Rhayna.

Rhayna tries to help Sarith, and she checks what ails the Dark Elf. (Medicine: 13)

(UGH!!!)

Kaylyn shows the scroll to Sekkar as he is leaving, and he makes a quick translation the best he can (the writing is pretty messy). The headings (and the matching labels on the pouches) read "Vlifbrog", "Turrhum", "Dorhun" and "Trombos", and are each followed by a description of the stone giant who bears that name. The name of Dorhun is familiar, as is his description. The back of the scroll has a different list. Rather than names of stone giants, this list bears the names of six duergar, and instead of descriptions it includes an outline of their movements and usual locations at various times. The names and descriptions of Ylsa Henstak, Kruthga Coalhewer, and Drakgar Parlynsurk are the easiest to read, but the names of Monmara Thrazgad, Werz Saltbaron, and Hemeth Hammercane have been roughly scribbled over or struck-through as if to delete them from the list.

As Kaylyn throws her question to Droki he momentarily stops thrashing around and glares at her. No answers for ugly thief, he squeaks. Give Droki stuff, Droki tell ugly thief.

Kastix: (OOC) I don't recall anyone asking to apprehend Droki, although I could be wrong (I've been modifying things on the fly). The dragon-priest suggested following Droki to determine the cause of the strange magic causing problems in Gracklstugh. The Stone Guard captain didn't mention Droki as far as I can recall, nor did Ylsa Henstak.
A Message spell would not reach Sekkar/Zeno or Rhayna/Sarith at their current locations.

==========================

Sekkar (and Zeno?) ascend the mesa, hearing the murmurs of the chamber ever more clearly, and start to recognize distinct sounds. By the time they reach the top they can clearly identify the rhythmic clank and roar of Gracklstugh’s forges, the low rumble of Themberchaud’s displeasure, the mad screaming of derro, and even hints and snatches of conversations. The faerzress in this place seems to echo the sounds produced in Gracklstugh above, creating a storm of noise.

Sekkar: Please make a Perception check and also a Wisdom saving throw.
Zeno: If at the top of the mesa with Sekkar, please do the same. Otherwise just make a Perception check.
Kaylyn: Make rolls for Pensive as for Zeno, depending on where Pensive stays/goes.

==========================

Stool trots over to Rumpadump and the two face each other completely motionless. Presumably they are communicating through spores, but they look particularly still compared to the swaying myconids in the group nearby. None of the other myconids have acknowledged the presence of Rhayna, Sarith or Stool.

Rhayna has seen a few drow during her time in the underdark, and Sarith's behaviour has always been relatively eccentric and erratic, but this is something completely different. Sarith is clutching his head in his hands, sometimes hitting himself in the temples with clenched fists. His long straight white hair becomes tangled and messy and he soon drops to his knees as though in pain. He is mumbling words that Rhayna can't understand, except for one small snippett that she is sure sounded like "The Lady calls". Rhayna can only surmise that Sarith has developed a sudden headache, but with no obvious cause. Perhaps some pain relief might help, but there are no obvious wounds to heal or sicknesses to cure.