That was something. Sekkar could not decide if an improvement to the talkative "elven" version of Derendil (certainly better than the one an hour ago) or the change was for the worse, but it was something. "Good. You are a good fighter yourself. Would you come with me if I can set you free?" He was trying to speak slow and the most simple words.

Pax relishes the rest of her sandwich, and then gulps down the orange juice, swishing it around her mouth like some sort of mouth wash. She then stands and picks up her gauntlets and helm, tucking the helm under and arm and holding both gauntlets in one hand. She grabs a full bunch of grapes, quickly raising them to her mouth to bite one off. Then she nods to Ghazrim while chewing on a grape, "Very well, we'll see you after we all have a chance to rest and we can meet your scholar and then plan our return to the surface. Come on Rhayna, let the scholar have his rest, we'll talk to him ...'tomorrow' ... 'morning'...."

She marches out of the tent and looks around for Sekkar...then starts walking towards the Duergar compound knowing they have a gnome to free still. 

Derendil looks rather blankly at Sekkar, his tiny brain taking its time to process the lizardman's suggestion, before responding: Come with Sek-kar? Be slave? Fight for Sek-kar?

"No slave, free to go. Back to your tribe, if you wish. Or stay and hunt with me." Sekkar briefly thought, that just four years ago, before he was forced to learn to cooperate with other species, he would explain things better and faster. But the very next thought was that at that time he would simply kill Derendil (or being killed by him) on spot. "Free," repeated he the main part.  

Kaylyn sat and continued to sip her wine and eat the food provided by Ghazrim. As she did so her mind seemed to clear and she began to think through some things.

"Ghazrim, before you leave, one more question if you don't mind?  Have you heard of a place called Gravenhollow? It is heavy on my mind what you have said about the surface. As I said, I know in my heart I would be back in the underdark to help aid in this whole demon issue. I fear perhaps I won't leave. Others we have travelled with mentioned this place and that it may hold information that may aid us in this issue. Perhaps you know of it?"

Derendil's mind-cogs continue to turn slowly as he stands there hunched over in chains, but again understanding dawns and he relaxes visibly as he replies: Free. No slave. Hunt with Sek-kar. Hunt elves. Hunt dwarves. Eat meat. Free. By this time Ghuldur has emerged from the separate room with Krimgol, Yantha and Mipry. Krimgol walks over to Sekkar and speaks in Dwarvish (having heard the lizardman use their native tongue): You want my slave, sir? You can 'ave 'im. Least I can do as thanks. Krimgol still acts a little subservient, even though the effect of the demon lord that caused the delusion of him being an outcast has purportedly passes. But he nods to the guards and they unshackle Derendil, who immediately stands erect, reaching up to his full height of over seven feet, and stretches his long gangly arms outward (causing the dwarves to back off a few steps and reach for their axes, although Sekkar doesn't budge at all). With a much clearer and more determined voice he again says: Free! No slave. Hunt with Sek-kar.

After the completion of any further conversation, Sekkar, Derendil, Mipry and Yantha depart the duergar compound just as Pax arrives to check on them...

After Kaylyn asks Ghazrim about Gravenhollow, Rhayna takes the Stonespeaker Crystal from her haversack. "Perhaps we should show this to Yantha. We could also ask if the scholar would like to join us, if we are going to Gravenhollow."

"Yes, I recall now Pax telling us of a conversation she had with Mipry that Yantha may know the way.  We will need to see the gnomes again, which is where I was going to suggest we head to.  I just was hoping Ghazrim knew something as well.  I fear I may not be headed to the surface after all if we have a location to investigate the matter further.  Ghazrim's words on what is happening on the surface tell me that heading there would just delay the investigation, especially since they are aware and have sent this scholar to investigate.  They have no need to be warned. I have been so focused on getting to the surface I have lost sight of the bigger problem and I know in my heart we must look into it further."

Kaylyn looks to Kastix,

"My friend, will you join us or is your heart still set on reaching the surface?  I know what your answer will be but I still ask out of respect and friendship. I trust that Ghazrim will see you safely to the surface but we must stay and investigate further.  With word the surface world is in danger from what is happening in the underdark I must try and help stop it."

((Did Ghazrim know anything about Gravenhollow?))

It was not often that Sekkar had to look up to meet someone's eyes but in this case, it was a good feeling. He looked down, at apologetic Krimgol (now, that's more like it!) and thought for a second what would Rakus say here... "Thank you, Krimgol. This is the right thing to do." He thought what else should be said (Eonis would surely add a speech that would make duergar feel proud of himself, but Sekkar was not a bard in the slightest), and just nodded.

On the way out of the compound, he explained to Derendil the rules of his new pack in pleasantly simpler words. "Hunt smart. Wait for the signal. I point the prey. Some elves are not food". The test of the new concepts was waiting right outside the door. Sekkar stopped at a small distance from the party and pointed at them to Derendil "Friends. Not food. Need protection." Then looked at the group "Derendil comes with us."  He paused and watched for everyone's reaction before saying anything else.

Pax walks up to Mipry, Yantha, Derendil and Sekkar. Her gauntlets are held in one hand, her helm tucked under her arm.  Despite the shadow swirling about her, there's a strange glow to her face as if she looks.....happy?  She glances at the Quaggoth for an extra moment, then down to Mipry and Yantha, "I am glad the Duergar have released you. And Derendil, wonderful."   She looks to Sekkar and the large creature, "Is he.....you know...back to normal?" 

After receiving her response she glances at Sekkar wearing a new belt, nods with a smile, "Nice belt."  She strokes her chin but who can say why.

Then she says to Yantha, "Lets get you back to your compound. Also...I believe we have some questions for you, especially about a place called Gravenhollow." 

Kastix, Rhayna, and Kaylyn arrive a moment later....with Kaylyn directing her question to Kastix. Pax looks to Kastix and adds, "I have a feeling you're determined to reach the surface.  But...this could be a good thing. Honestly, we know the surface is aware of a problem down here, but they don't know the cause. But we know a LOT about it, and the cause. They must get this information. You have to deliver it to people who can do something about this. I was going to insist on us returning to make sure we bring the fullsome amount of information back...and I would not trust it to the Zhentarim to deliver. But...if you are going back, I trust you.  Perhaps Rhayna can provide a full writeup for you to take to the surface.  Then I can check with you magically each day until we know you've delivered it.  Then we don't have to delay, and lose what i'm sure is valuable time countering these demon's moves down here.  Or...the moves of whomever is responsible for summoning them all."

kastix let out a bark of a  laugh, "We're this close to getting out the Underdark and you want to go back with just yourselves with his scholar guy, be my gues. I'll pass on your will and testament I guess for keeping my ass from being a dead one,"

Pax presses on, "But...you'll deliver the information for us?  You swear?"

"I'm alive so I guess I should say owe this favor at the least," Kastix states with a shrug. 

Pax nods, satisfied, "Thank you Kastix. It is important. We appreciate it." 

Rhayna hears Pax asking for a written information of their adventures. She opens her rucksack, and takes out a small tome of “only” a couple hundred of pages. She hands it to Kastix. “Here. This is, of course, just a brief summary, kind you, of the major events that we experienced. If you would like to wait another day or two, I can do a full transcript of everything that we experienced.”

Ghazrim shakes his head at Kaylyn's mention of Gravenhollow. Never heard of it. A library, you say? Sounds interesting. Perhaps they would like to do a trade in books and manuscripts. There's always a market for new material on the surface. Those wizard types are insatiable, and they pay good coin. Then to Rhayna he adds: On the subject of markets... If I can help your tiefling friend here spread the word, well, that works for me too. All this demon drama though, it's bad for business. Reduces consumer confidence. I can send missives to Silverymoon and Mithril Hall, and perhaps also...

Ghazrim breaks off as a new figure enters the pavilion. Ah! says Ghazrim, the sleeping beauty has awoken! This is the professor I was referring to. I'm sure he'd be a willing ear for your tales.

(I'll just pause here to allow Kirin to make his entrance, then continue with responding to the other activity going on. Shodai, please describe this new figure...)

Covering his mouth to cover his yawn, a rather lean elven man walks towards the group, using a staff almost like a walking stick. He's dressed in common clothes that won't be amiss in a city but stand out a bit in this more armor wearing crowd. His green  eyes behind a pair of spectacles surveys the group as he approaches. 

He swiftly steps up to face to face the party, grabbing the hand of first individual and shaking it before moving down, grabbing and shaking their hands as he speaks, "Hello I am Kirin Orisis. I'm so glad to meet you all. It's my understanding you're venturing into the Underdark right? I would be so thankful If I can come along. I have my theories about the current affairs of the Underdark. I need to see more of it to find evidence to prove my theory correct. I should be shaking your hands right? That's the proper conduct for first meeting right? If it's a concerned, I am very capable wielder of arcane powers. I can even make it spin right around you while hurting foes with ease," It's very spoke in very fast tone as is his shaking of hands, "So when we do depart? Soon? now? Hello Ghazrim. How's your day so far?"

(Has Rhayna heard of Kirin Orisis? History: 13 if necessary)

Pax offers her hand for him to shake, somewhat taken aback by the verve with which he shakes.  "Yes....well met."  

She glances him up and down as he passes by.  "Tell us Kirin, what is this theory of yours, and how did you come up with it?" 

Quote from Wolfy911 >>

(Has Rhayna heard of Kirin Orisis? History: 21 if necessary)

 I'll let Shodai_Kishi answer that, depending on how famous he decides Kirin is.