Skriss makes a strange but inscrutable grimace when Sekkar mentions being 'fed to an illithid'. She then replies and tries to assure Sekkar that, although their mission is certainly not without peril, they don't expect to be fighting any demon lords in Menzoberranzan, just snooping around looking for information. Her and Y have been there before, more than once, and know a few places to hide. You may find it difficult to believe, but not all the drow think alike. A few are actually opposed to the nefarious and violent tendencies typical to their kin. 

When they mention 3 can cover twice as much ground as 2, Pax scratches her hand and starts doing math on her fingers....before shaking her head and rolling her eyes with a sigh.  When Zeno offers the ring, she slips it on her finger, nodding to Zeno, "Sure thing. I'll keep it for you....until you're back. See you soon." 

Pax shrugs to Skriss's comment, "Sure, I can see that. Humans are generally good but have some criminals amongst them. Drow are generally bad, but have some good folk among them. Makes sense."  She shrugs, her racism making total sense in her head.

Rhayna is getting distracted with the spores hovering around her, then she hears about Zeno and Menzoberranzan. "Ohh, Errr... May The Goddess watch over you Zeno." Her memory goes back to Neverlight Grove and her "wedding". "Hey!!" She swats a cloud of spore that passed in front of her face, then she feels some of the spores crawl across one of her eyeball. "This is getting a little out of hand, I need to control these spores better." She thinks to herself.

With a hasty farewell and another loud pop, Zeno departs with Skriss and Y, leaving the group alone in the dark and down to five members - their fewest in the journey so far. Packing their things they again resume their journey. The rock-fall that originally blocked the way is soon located, and Rhayna again makes use of the dark wand to transform the intervening stone into gray oozes. It takes several charges to clear the rock, but by dispatching one ooze at a time before creating another, the way is soon clear.

Kaylyn easily picks up the trail and resumes her navigating role. The underground river is found, but as it is upstream from the temple of ooze, there is no change to its flow. After hours of travel along the river, the group find the next expected landmark: a long zurkhwood ladder reaching to the ridge at the top of an 80' high cliff. It doesn't look as sturdy as the magnificent rope bridge where the group hid from the gnoll horde, so each member takes turns climbing until all are at the top.

Another day's journey is interrupted when the group pass through an area thick with faerzress. The strange serenity of the glowing patches of shimmering light is soon disturbed by a horrible shrieking, and with little place to hide the group are soon faced with several dozen repulsive, putrid demons, each about four feet tall. They charge the group with wild abandon, but the now-veteran adventurers have battled such dretches before, and dispatch them with little injury.

The next day's journey finds the tunnels intersecting with a more frequently-travelled passage which forms the major route between Gracklstugh and Bligdenstone. Evidence of recent passage is easily found, with many boot-prints, wagon marks, and tracks made by all manner of pack animals, mounts and monstrous guards, including giant spiders, giant lizards, quaggoths, stone giants, and humanoid slaves.

As expected in an area with relatively higher traffic, the next few day's pass without incident, a refreshing change from the obscure and dangerous tunnels of late. Soon the signs of civilisation gradually reveal themselves, with sounds of industry echoing down dark side passages, the distant call of gnomish voices, and the occasional dance of coloured light and furtive shadow. Hearts rise in anticipation of reaching safety and comfort within the bustling metropolis of the quirky svirfneblins of Bligdenstone.

The first encounter with an actual gnome however somewhat fractures this idyllic expectation. A grubby gnome stumbles into view lugging a mining pick and a patched and half-empty sack, and as the party pass and call a greeting it simply sneers and walks on. The reception doesn't improve much after this, with each gnome or group of gnomes glaring suspiciously at the passing group, sometimes slinking out of view, sometimes whispering darkly to each without looking away, and sometimes even making threatening gestures or spitting in the group's direction. The sounds of voices heard earlier are now recognised as harshly barked orders, and the clink of metal on stone is frequently punctuated by the crack of whips.

The frequency of svirfneblin continues to increase until the group pass into a veritable hive of activity: a large cavern with gnomes entering from various side tunnels bringing sacks of stone, and a large central area dominated by other groups of gnomes surrounding piles of stone and engaging in some kind of ritual spellcasting. Gnomes are passing the group in both directions, none of which are friendly, and all of which almost seem to relish the opportunity to roughly jostle each of the tall folk they pass.

Rhayna: This is not exactly what Rhayna was expecting. She hasn't met too many deep gnomes, but the few she met seemed reasonably friendly. In particular she feels bad for those having to work under the lash, and subconsciously her hand goes to the whip at her side... only to find that it isn't there! It must have been one of the gnomes that jostled her in passing!

Pax keeps a chained gloved hand on the pommel of her sword as they move through the tunnels. "This is not what I was expecting. This seems more like a slavers mining operation than a gnome home."  She steps towards the next gnome to pass near them. In undercommon she says, "Hey...you...who's in charge around here, answer quick or you'll be feeling it for days...and point me the way to the vendors..."  she holds up her hand, and the metallic gauntlet dances with blue electricity that sparks and crackles. 

"What do you want to bet, that those gnomes are building an altar to yet another demon?" Quetly hisses Sekkar as they passer the building-site. "Would not expect them to make a pact with such enemy, but there's first time for everything." He just sighed watching Pax towering over small gnome and threatening little fella in his home among thousands of other fellas. "Make friends wherever you go," he nodded, "you sure know how to say "hello"". He stepped from another side of the gnome to distract him (or her? no, female gnomes are supposed to have hair), and trying not to smile too widely (for some reason it often make people nervous) said in more friendly tone: "What she meant, we might have some interesting ... stuff... your traders would love to see". He did not refer to something particular but tried to remember if they had some precious stones - that would be certainly accepted well.

Let's have an Intimidation check from Pax and a Persuasion check from Sekkar. These gnomes look pretty abused already, so the DC is 10 for both.

A brief examination of the work happening at the center of the cavern shows that they aren't building any kind of structure. Anyone with a proficiency in Arcana can also make a check to determine the nature of the spellcasting activities.

At the mention of the gnomes building an altar, Rhayna takes a quick glance to try to identify its nature. (Arcana: 13)

Then her hand subconsciously goes for her whip is she doesn't find it where it is supposed to be. She tries to recall all the gnomes that may have jostled her, and scans the area to see if she can find any of them. (Perception: 20)

Arcana: 25

Kastix's eyes are bouncing around the area before focusing on the spellcasting as his paranoia zoomed on the possible danger. 

Intimidation : 24

There's a certain look in Pax's eye that says "i've been down in these caves long enough to start murdering people, so...best just do as I ask or you'll end up making me break some vows and putting you in the dirt..." 

Arcana : 17. Pax glances absently down towards the cavern.

Either the thief is very stealthy or long gone, and Rhayna can see no sign of her whip.

Rhayna and Pax suspect that some kind of summoning is taking place at the cavern center, and a tingle goes up their spines as they contemplate the possibilities. Kastix however recognises more details and realises the gnomes are specifically summoning earth elementals.

The hapless gnome that has become the target of Pax's frustration (and several others nearby too) cowers back at the threat, and points to a mage at the center of the group of summoning circles. No vendors here. Speak to Nomi. She be in charge.

Pax's anger evaporates and she smiles at the gnome, giving him a firm tingling slap on the shoulder, "See, that was easy. Thanks, have a nice day."  She turns to her friends, "Well, shall we?"  She motions down to the summoning and the mage.

Kaylyn watches with half a smirk on her face as she watches Pax and her intel gathering.  She's just glad they are free of of the passages and hopefully found some relative safety.  Though the presence of the construction and the spell casting leaves her concerned.  She looks to see what they are up to with the magic

Arcana 18

"I'm not sure this is going to bode well for us.  Any way we can skip getting involved and just find a guide to reach the surface?" She says this with a sigh and seems resigned that they will get caught up in another adventure.

"So they're calling in Earth Elementals. So even the walls are not safe," Kastix whispers to the party, "Best not to upset the locals unless you want to be swarm by the earth. Lets be quick about getting out of here. I doubt fire is much of a problem for them,"

"Would not it be wonderful?" Sekkar was not known for his sarcastic remarks but came very close to that with this one - by now "not getting involved" did not seem to work for the group and he did not see any reason for their luck to change in this place. He moved to the summoning circle suspecting the worse.

The group start to pick their way toward the center of the cavern. As they progress, one of the larger piles of stone at the center of a summoning circle starts to quiver and glow. After a moment the rocks start to move across each other, articulating into limbs and a torso and a head, until a ten-foot-tall earth elemental stands in the circle's center. Several mages guide and direct it from the place of ritual, and workers immediately start piling more stone in the vacated spot. Further across the cavern another circle forms another elemental, this one smaller than the last - little more than a boulder with arms and legs, and that too moves away. Amidst these large groups of summoners, smaller groups can be seen fashioning small stones and gems into magic items.

The group move cautiously toward the mage that was pointed out by the gnome bullied by Pax. Although not directly involved in casting spells, she seems to be instructing those who are. She looks at the approaching group with narrowed eyes as several other spellcasters look on warily. It is clear she doesn't harbor the overt hostility seen among the workers, but merely shows the guarded and suspicious attitude the group have come to expect from sverfneblin. With a somewhat shrill voice she calls out in Undercommon: Overworlders! What do you want with us?

Pax stops, somewhat at attention, her default response to authority, and looks to the group, looking for her squad leader to take point.  Then she sighs a bit insider her helmet. Removing the helm from her head, her tangled red hair tumbles down her back. She speaks in well pronounced undercommon,  "Ma'am. We don't want any trouble. We were told your people were a harbor from evil in this part of the underdark. We are looking for rest, perhaps to trade for some supplies, and to seek a guide who may escort us back to the surface. We have goods, magic, precious materials, and information to trade for what we seek."  She gives a little nod...almost to herself for doing such a good job being political and correct. She looks back at the group seeking approving looks.

Sekkar patted her back "See, you can do it - polite introduction, relevant personal information, manageable expectations - all go long way in the tunnels." He also nodded to the "ma'am" and tried to smile without showing his teeth.

Kaylyn gives Pax a reassuring nod and smile in approval when Pax looks back at the party.

The young gnome nods back encouragingly in acknowledgement of Pax's request, and the attitude softens a little.

Evil? Always plenty of evil in these parts, to be sure, but more than ever lately. Ye be about a half-mile from the gates of Bligdenstone. If ye be lucky they be tradin' with ye at the gates. As for shelter and a guide, well ye be not likely to find it here. More than their fair share of troubles have the svirfneblin, now as well as in the past, and we be not riskin' any more than necessary.

Looking at the weary souls facing her, a moment of pity seems to cross her countenance. Noting the weapons and armor being carried, she sighs and adds, pointing down a nearby tunnel: That way and ye'll be findin' the Pickshine mines. Tell Dasco Pickshine that Nomi Pathshutter sent ye, and he'll be grateful for the armed escort to the gates. That be all the help I can offer ye.

And with that Nomi turns to resume her supervision of the spellcasters.

(Feel free to ask more questions though)