Pax has a begrudging look on her face, but gives the Derro a nod, "My mother would have preferred a dress and painted nails, but she got me. My turn Derro. Unafraid of a large group, trailing us, and then revealing yourself, only to give us attitude, judge us openly, and assume we don't just chop you into bits. Cocky. Smart. Tattered robes though, you've had some tough times for all your smarts. You've approached us because you need something and you hope we can help.  How am I doing so far?  And if my spell casting is so loud, perhaps you can show me a pointer or two about how to say the requisite arcane words without saying anything at all."

Pax's attempt to duplicate his method of appraisal is rewarded with an amused look from Y and a snicker from Skriss. In a slightly reduced tone the derro replies: Cocky? Maybe. Smart? Definitely. In need of your 'elp? Not even close, luv. We's just keeping an eye on the road and likes to know 'oo is comin' and goin'. You lot are the most interestin' we've 'ad frough in ages. That reminds me. I don't need this any more.

Y clicks his fingers and there is a small pop from somewhere nearby, presumably marking the end of some kind of spell for spying. Apparently confident in his abilities, Y moves on and walks to the next person... 1 Kastix. Giving Kastix the same appraising look, the derro begins: 

Ah, the tiefling. But there's more - a mix of somefink else. Do ya even know ya parents? Furtive, cagey. Abandoned at a young age perhaps, or runnin' from somefink are ya? Maybe both. Hot-'ead too, so probably running and guilty to boot. Just as 'ard on the inside as the out. Gods' blessin's, you've got some miles on your soul, you 'ave. Am I right?

Without waiting for a response, the derro keeps going, walking right past Ylsa and moving next to... 4 Rhayna

Them last two were pretty sharp, but this one 'ere is the cleverest I'll bet, without all the sass. Book-smart mostly. Nuffink goes in that 'ead that don't find a place to stay. But probably wonderin' 'ow all them books can 'elp ya down 'ere. Probably finkin' that you is lucky you is wiv this lot, or this place'd eat ya alive. But that's not true. You is sharp in the mind and in the eye, and knows 'how to keep yourself out of trouble, if you could only tame your curiosity. Hmm.

Then turning again to Skriss (who appears to be casually waiting for Y to have his fun but hasn't taken her eyes off the group) the derro says: I reckon Grazz would like this one. Probably get on like a house on fire with Sloop and Blurg as well.

Skriss merely replies with unmasked impatience: Have you sated your ego yet? If you would kindly proceed to ascertaining their purpose, we can depart.  

Not an item then. That was a relive to learn the tracking spell was not put on something the group needed. While derro entertained his curiosity, Sekkar sized Skriss. "A lone troglodyte and a talking one on that. What clan threw you out alive? Surprised we did not pick up your stench, how did you mask it?" From an obviously equally tribe-less lizardman it was nothing but a practical curiosity. Their guide was silent and Sekkar did not plan to discuss group's movements either, but news and skills are news and skills, he could spend a moment to learn both.

Kaylyn watched quietly as the derro moved through the group and seemed to give a quite accurate summary of each of her companions.  Pensive was back on her shoulders or flying close b, having recalled him shortly after crossing the long bridge and continuing on through the tunnels.  She wasn't sure how Y would judge her, sometimes its hard to know yourself and you need and outside view to truly understand.  She wasn't sure she wanted to know either but didn't think that was much of an option at the moment. 

Rhayna doesn't like the derro Y one bit. As he studies her, she remains silent backing away, and tries to hide behind Pax. Then a word picked her interest. "Graz'zt."

Pax steps between Rhayna and Y as soon as Rhayna appears uncomfortable. Glaring down at the little Derro. 

Skriss doesn't seem offended by Sekkar's brutal frankness. If anything she seems somewhat repulsed by him, or perhaps it is condescension, or just mutual mistrust. At any rate, her reply is simple: Disaffiliated, not thrown out. And masked with magic if you want to know. With that she removes a plain silver ring from her finger for just a moment, but long enough for Sekkar to be suddenly bludgeoned by a horrid odour

(Sekkar: Make a DC 12 CON save or be briefly poisoned)

Despite still being unintimidated by Pax, and even somewhat smug about Rhayna's discomfort, the derro nonetheless seems to relent from pursuing his little ego trip, sparing Kaylyn from his appraisal for the moment at least. Instead he speaks toward the group as a whole, despite addressing his remarks to the troglodyte.

Already done, Skriss my dear. Obviously from their direction of travel they've come from Gracklstugh. Combine that wiv the presence of these two myconids, and they are most likely 'eaded for Neverlight. The sprouts seem willin', so the group's intentions are benevolent. Of course I knew that long before, else I wouldn't have revealed our presence. Ergo, I fink we can all trust each other, no?

Pax snorts. 

Con Save: 20

"No." Sekkar got his answers and now just kept the troglodyte in sight. "We did not get a single reason to trust you and still did not hear what do you want with us."

He coughed, spat and contemplated for a second the idea to call Dawnbringer for aid but ruled it out at the end.

Rhayna shepherd the myconids behind her, away from Y and Skriss. “Stay behind Rhayna Stool and Rump.” Rhayna says telepathically to the little ones.

"Trust isn't something we give freely and we don't expect it. The amount I can give is trust us to fight if you become a problem for us," Kastix states as he keeps his staff between him and the Derro while it remains planted in the ground, "We're not looking to fight but you're already on the wrong foot. So we're going to continue on our way and you do whatever you're doing separately,"

Kaylyn, who had been watching quietly suddenly gave a start and stepped forward, almost involuntarily.   "Grazz did you say?  Do you mean Grazilaxx, the head of The Society of Brilliance?  Would you know an orog named Blurg by any chance?"

Skriss watches with smug amusement at Sekkar's reaction to her stench. The look on the troglodyte's face as the various responses come in is mixed, with a blend of mutual mistrust but also disappointment. The derro simply watches each speaker, evidently collecting more mental data on each person as they reveal more about themselves.

But Kaylyn's words have an effect on Y similar to being thumped with a club. His jaw drops and he stares at Kaylyn with his solid white eyes. Skriss snorts a laugh and mocks Y, saying: They bested you there, O Master of Secrets. Then before the derro has time to recover his composure, Skriss says to Kaylyn: Indeed these are they to whom he refers. I assume that you have become acquainted with one or both of our esteemed colleagues? And you know of our interest in investigating this apparent demonic incursion?

The sulky derro meanwhile starts muttering something that sounds like: Shoulda just read their minds from the start.

"Yes!"  Kaylyn said excitedly.  "We met Blurg before we arrived in Gracklstugh.  He was very helpful and gave us excellent directions.  He spoke of Grazilaxx to us.  Would you know the way to the surface then?  I suppose not.  Blurg said your order wasn't too interested in such things.  But perhaps you could give us directions to Neverlight Grove and Bligdenstone?  I'm sure our fine guide will get us there.  But I'd not take the chance that somehow we get separated and be lost then."  Kaylyn decides on the spot that she will trust these two, no matter the concerns of the rest of the party. "We are looking for a way to the surface as we are trapped down here and trying to escape.  Our previous drow captors hunt us and we stumble into trouble everywhere we go.  Awful things are happening down here.  Some sort of evil corruption, beyond what us surface dwellers would think of the Underdark, is taking root and growing.  Demons rise and we just wish to escape the trouble, to get back to the surface.  Please help us if you can."

Skriss offers a small bow and replies: If a friend of Blurg you are, then it is our pleasure to assist you. I do not blame you for your desire for escape. More noble still to remain and attempt to solve the predicament, but this is not your domain, so I understand. And the drow can be most persistent when slighted.

Then with a sigh, the erudite troglodyte continues: If Blurg could proffer no avenue to the surface, then I know not who could. Neither of us have ever beheld the overworld. If escape is your intent, then Bligdenstone is your best alternative. The gnomes travel frequently to the surface. Neverlight is advisable if you wish for sanctuary and respite. It is a most tranquil place.

With a somewhat mollified attitude, Y interjects: As for directions to either, we can do better. I know both places well and can teleport you there. And by 'you' I mean 'us', but you'll forgive Skriss and me if we don't stick around. Important business to do.

Pax becomes thoughtful as the conversation evolves, and distrust wars with something else on her face as she listens to the exchange.  Finally she seems to decide something. She speaks haltingly at first, but then confidence grows as she continues speaking, "I am not sure....how the world works sometimes.  But....I am not one to walk away from a growing evil...simply because it's not growing in my own back yard. No, if there are demons growing here, it will eventually become a problem for the surface.  And it could be a big problem if this evil takes root.  It seems to me...I am here now...and the evil has yet to take full root."  She glances around at the rest of the party, then back to the other two, "I can't speak for the rest of the people here, but I would be interested in staying....and ensuring this demonic threat does not take root...before heading back home to surface."

She shrugs apologetically to the group, "I know this feels like a full turn from what I wanted. I was blindly wanting to just go run home. But...words said here have reminded me of my oaths to my order and myself. And I am no longer sure I can simply turn away from this threat."

Y looks askew at Pax and says: Not just a survivalist then? Maybe I misjudged ya. But a wise elf once said: 'Let him not vow to walk in the dark, who has not seen the nightfall'. We aren't too sure what the problem is yet, and it may be darker than any of us yet know. Then addressing the group he adds: Have ya seen many demons yet? What kind?

As if Pax needed an encouragement! Sekkar's narrowed his eyes at the over-chatty abnormalities of the Underdark and suggested a compromise: "Then why don't we use the kind offer and teleport to Neverlight? Get those mushrooms to their home" (a nod to Rhaina) "and enjoy some tranquility to clear our heads?" Sekkar personally did not trust tranquil places, but some "calming emotions time" could be useful right now.

"Ah, and the demons were of two head gigantic horny kind".

Rhayna is mortified that she did not think of Blurg earlier. She remembers how impressed was the erudite orog with her entries regarding the draconic carvings from the Sunless Citadel.

Shyly she approaches Skriss. "My apologies for not noticing it earlier." Rhayna says to the female troglodyte. "You actually remind me of Master Blurg. My name is Rhayna Nursk, follower of the Moonmaiden. The last time we met, he said that he was alone and separated due "unfortunate circumstances". He accompanied us in our travels for a short period of time, then after we fought a demon creature, he said that he must look into it, and he vanished. I hope he was able to contact your order."

"My little friends here would like to go home, to go to the Neverlight Grove. It would be much appreciated if you can take us there." After a moment. "Also, by the way, you may want to avoid going to Gracklstugh. At the very least for the near future. The Red Dragon has been released from his shackles..."

Pax watches the exchanges, "Getting the mushroom creatures home seems like an excellent first step."  She taps her chin, "Say folks, if we were going to follow up on this demon business...what leads do we have left that don't involve Gracklstugh?  Any?"  She glances to Y, "How about you?  Any leads?"