Sekkar nodded to Rhayna and explained: "We were running away from the draw toward Sloobludop. Turned out it was the bad choice of direction, because we kuo-toa there changed their ways, and now were sacrificing people to the new god. Before they managed to sacrifice us, though, that god - a Demonlord - Demogorgon, as my leaned companion calls it appeared. During the panic we all got scattered and a lot have being killed. Our small group is all who survived. You can tell if we did not see Jimjar's body we can not be sure he is dead, but the onslaught was massive, and we saw enough dead there to believe he did not make it."

"We were running since and know that drow do not count us among dead."

The gnome priest gasps (and probably would have turned pale but for his dark skin) as he hears Sekkar's matter-of-fact explanation of events. So it is true, Gurnik whispers to no-one in particular. A demon lord is loose in the world. How can this be? Then looking up into the faces of the waiting visitors he declares: Our chief would hear of this. I will take you to him.

Just as Gurnik completes his invitation, the second guard appears at the large gate with another gnome, who yells with excitement and runs down the large staircase toward the group. All but Pax have met this gnome before - it is Jimjar! With a laugh he stops and stares at the faces and says: Ha! I told them you'd make it. Bet them twenty gold I did. Ha! Now they'll know I'm not crazy! Well, at least they'll know I was telling the truth. Great to see you again.

Then as he examines the faces a little more he adds with a little more sombre tone: What happened to the others? There were a couple of elvish folk, but I don't recognise this one. And that sour quiet drow, and the little mushroom chap. Where did you all get to after the ... after the kuo-toa village?

The priest holds up one hand to signal Jimjar to pause, and places the other on his shoulder. I see you are acquainted, and this indeed corroborates your story, which I admit I did not believe until now. Let us take them to the Diggermattocks and hear the whole story, shall we?

Jimjar nods in agreement, grins at the group once more and says: I bet five gold you've got some stories yet that they'll have trouble believin'. Good to see you all. And with that the gnomes all usher the group toward the large gates.

Sekkar finally allowed himself a smile showing all of his teeth (well, almost all) "And here I was, declaring you dead - a sign you will have a long life, some would say. Glad to see you. Would be happy to make that mistake again - we believe others dead, as we believed you. Stool was the only one who made it for sure and now is with his tribe. How did you manage to survive the demon?" He followed the guards looking back once to make sure others the group is moving, but the walk did not interrupt the conversation.

At Sekkar's mention of 'the demon' Jimjar giggles - a somewhat unusual and inappropriate response. But he replies in a normal manner, apparently happy to share the tale of his escape from Sloobludop, although he noticeably avoids mentioning the demon. 

When the chaos started we all ran in different directions. Prince Derendil - you remember him? - well, pushed through the crowd he did, knockin' those fish-folk over left and right, so just slipped along in the gap behind I did. Probably wouldn't have got out of the city without him, but get out we did, and travelled north around the lake. Took us some time it did, and lots of sneakin' and hidin', but we finally made it back here.

At Jimja's mention of Derendil, Rhayna forgets all about her whip. "Prince Derendil!! How is he doing? Is he here in the city?" Rhayna goes to her backpack and pulls out a strand of matching pearls. "Here Jimjar, I would like to return something that belongs to you. Thank you for allowing me to use it in the meantime."

Pax seeing the reunion occur, and talk of events before she was with the group, actually relaxes a bit, and smiles. For some reason knowing the group had made such a good friend, and there was some happiness in meeting, made her feel a glimmer of hope.  She walks along at the back of the group, her metal scraping and banging occasionally, but otherwise quietly observing this new place as they're led to the chief. 

Pensive does a couple loops and shares his emotions of happiness with Jimjar and the others at seeing him still alive.  "We feared the worst in the confusion and barely escaped with our own lives.  There are many frightful things occurring within the Underdark."  Kaylyn says with a smile seeing the gnome still alive.  "I am so glad to see that you lived and were able to return home."

"Would not mind to see our elven friend," Sekkar did not glow with happiness but was genuinely pleased to hear Derendil survived as well. "Glad they let him stay here. Does not look they are too happy of the visitors."

As a matter of fact, Derendil isn't here. You're right, they weren't too excited about letting him stay, him lookin' like a great hulking monster and all. But once they heard him speak so proper, and with me to vouch for him, they let him stay a bit. But there be a lot goin' on here and he couldn't rest and kept going on about some black gemstone that he wanted to find, so he left with the last convoy bound for Mantol-Derith, and I think most of the folk here were glad. I miss that big fella, though to be honest I had my doubts about him. I can't doubt his claim about being an elf prince trapped in a quaggoth body by some witch's curse or some such thing, but when we come afoul of some wandering demons in the tunnels, well he tore them apart like they was nothin' but myconid sprouts, if you'll pardon the metaphor, Rhayna.

When Rhayna pulls out the pearls, Jimjar's eyes widen and he gasps: Satin palms of the Deep Brother! I remember! From that closet full of trash in the fish-folk village! He takes the pearls from Rhayna's hand and examines them closely with glimmering eyes. I don't know that I can claim ownership, but if you can bear to part with 'em then I can't deny they'd be allowin' me to pay off all my debts, to be sure. Then he stops suddenly and hands them back saying: No, I tell you what. Instead you should offer them to the chief. That'll go a long way in gainin' his trust, I promise you.

"Let's see the chief then.  I'd like a chance to rest some and clean some of the road off of me.  But let's see the chief first.  Things are happening and I'd like to get an idea of what is happening in this area of the Underdark.  I'm not sure I like how close we are to the drow city though.  Do they come here often?  The drow I mean?"  Kaylyn asks as they make their way to the chief.

The gnome guards lead the group through the large adamantium gates and into a set of tunnels the likes of which the group has never seen. Twisting passages branch this way and that, some riddled with small holes in the walls and ceiling, some studded with long sharpened nails, and some opening into larger spaces with overlooking defensive battlements. Frequently the passages narrow so much that only the gnomes can pass through easily, while the rest of the group have to squeeze. The passages also slope up and down at intervals, presumably to allow them to be flooded or inundated with poisonous fumes. Navigating the maze without the gnomes' help would be challenging enough, but the group realises that the additional defenses make this a most formidable fortification.

While travelling the maze, the guard answers Kaylyn with some history. For centuries our city lay hidden to all, until we elected to come to the aid of the dwarves of Mithril Hall, the dwarven city, at the behest of a friendly drow exile named Drizzt, to help defend them against the armies of Menzoberranzan. With our aid the dwarves prevailed, but sadly we incurred the wrath of the vengeful drow. Once they recovered their strength they sought us out and laid seige to the city, slaying thousands and enslaving most of the others. Recently though, many of the scattered remnants have returned to resettle the abandoned burrows. The drow have not yet attempted to invade again, but we are determined that we will be ready if they do, few though we may be. Though even without the drow we have troubles enough for now.

The maze ends in another set of adamantium-plated gates with overlooking battlements, and at a signal from the captain, the gates slowly open. Another wide, winding tunnel follows, riddled with yet more peep-holes. The walls are also embedded with all manner of gems, each of which (Kaylyn notices) is charged with abjuration magic. The tunnel ends in a third adamantium gate, and again a signal from the captain is observed from behind high flanking alcoves, and the gates slowly open.

As soon as the travellers enter the area beyond they are filled with a sense of comfort and joy. A honeycomb of burrows stretches out from the gate, and although the light is minimal, the walls echo with gnome chatter, soft music and delicious smells. The group weave their way up-and-down and side-to-side through the cosy tunnels, curious eyes peeping from burrow entrances and accompanied by giggles and whispers. As far as the Underdark is concerned, it is the closest thing any have experienced to safety and homely comfort. The escort ends in a well-lit cavern occupied by two dozen or so svirfneblin, some moving briskly with messenger pouches in hand while others huddle around several stone tables covered in maps and other papers, talking in hushed, serious tones. The back of the room is dominated by a dais carved from the rock of the cavern, atop which rest two stone desks facing each other. Two svirfneblin — one male, one female — sit behind the desks, conferring with advisers and each other, and they turn their attention to the group as they enter.

The male gnome stands (although it's hard to tell) and approaches. It is clear from his weathered look that he is more of a worker than an administrator, but the strength of will behind his plain-white eyes is also hard to ignore. Welcome, friends of Jimjar, to Bligdenstone. I am Dorbo Diggermattock, and this is my wife Senni. We are pleased to offer you a brief respite here in our burrows, in exchange for your valued information. Please, be seated and accept some refreshments. The guards move off to stand nearby while Dorbo and Senni crouch down on the ground before the group and signal for all to do likewise. Other gnomes appear with warm and sweet-smelling morsels and goblets of some kind of liquor to offer the group, while Senni speaks: Please tell us your story. How did you come to be imprisoned with Jimjar, and what has befallen you since then?

Here's a map. The group is currently at area 14

Rhayna could not resist when Dorbo asks the group to tell their story, and she takes out her Journal. "Well, I will try to summarize our story as best as I can." Says the cleric as she flips to the beginning of her "vacation". She starts with the group meeting at Oarkhurst, then going through the Sunless Citadel. That part she will try to keep it brief. Then she start the story proper in Velkynvelve, making sure to mention the "Faceless Lord" while they were escaping. The group next make their way to Sloobludop, and that is where they met Demogorgon in flesh. The group next go to Gracklstugh, and she makes sure to mention the summoning of the two headed monsters, and also the fact that there is a red dragon on the loose there. Next they make their way to Neverlight Grove, and she meets "The Lady". She pauses for a moment going through that particular episode in her head again. She shakes those thoughts off, and she finishes with the group's travels to Blingdenstone. She purposely does not mention Glabbagool. "I hope that I covered everything. So yes, there are a couple of demon lords running around in the Underdark. Only the Goddess knows if there are more that we were fortunate that we did not meet."

When before the obvious chief and his wife, Pax bends the knee, bowing her head.  She nods and smiles, "Thank you for the kind reception, and safety from Underdark's dangers."  Though she clearly has reservations about what type of food they are bringing, she will sample it...but eventually begins shoveling it into her mouth assuming it tastes at all neutral or even good. She listens to Rhayna's story with interest, especially about the groups time before they met her. She's never actually talked to them about it. It seems like they'd been through quite a lot. 

Pax furrows her brow when Rhayna forgets to mention the slime things...but...then again, it's been a long story, and....every detail isn't that important.  Besides, she wasn't sure herself what all that was about.  She waits quietly, sipping on the strange drinks, wondering how the chief and chieftess?...will respond.  

Sekkar was not picky about food - it had to be digestible and preferably chewable, that's all he was asking for - but he enjoyed the amount of it here. During the long summary of their (and previous) journey he thought about one thing - how that tremendously patient chieftain would take the news, that the group practically have the drow on its heels and the "second invasion" is a matter of days now, and whether or not to point out that the only solution is to find how the drow track the group and kill every single one sent after them.

"The underdark is becoming the Abyss and I doubt anyone sane in the Underdark wishes for that. I doubt the powerful armies above would like it either if someone with first hand experience like us could make our way there," Kastix states as he eats grab some food for himself.

Pax raises an eyebrow to Kastix's words, then turns to the Chief, "Yes...I concur. Should we make it back to the surface, I'm sure the surface dwellers would assist in this situation. Having powerful demons using the underdark as their home is not ok. But....we need help getting to the surface...a guide perhaps." 

She points at Kastix, and in his mind he hears Pax say,  "You're a genius!"

Pax has eaten some unspeakable things in her time hidden in the Whorlstone Caves, so anything cooked is like a delicacy. The contents of the food offerings is difficult to identify, but they have been prepared and flavoured so expertly that she could be eating otyugh flesh and wouldn't know it.

The chief and chieftess listen attentively and with obvious wonder at Rhayna's detailed account. A short silence follows as they consider the implications, before Kastix and Pax reinforce the comments with their observations and suggestions. The two gnomes then turn aside and speak to each other in hushed Gnomish, before turning back to the group.

We had heard from Jimjar about the appearance of... (there is a pause, and an apparent reluctance to say the next word out loud, but Dorbo finally continues) ... Demogorgon ... (and once again Jimjar sitting nearby giggles inappropriately, to which several other gnomes scowl or shake their heads in distaste? pity?) ... at Sloobludop, and thought it was one of his fantastic tales. Now you have corroborated his account, and given a first-hand account of the presence of at least one more demon lord. This is a danger to our city far greater than that of the drow. If you believe you can draw on the aid of the armies of the Overworld ... then we should take you to Mantol-Derith. It is not far from here, is close to the Overworld, and is a meeting place of many races and groups.

Unfortunately we cannot travel to Mantol-Derith at this time. We have recently sent a convoy, along with as many of our warriors as we could spare to escort. What with the difficulties we are currently experiencing here at Bligdenstone, to send any more would leave us at great risk. I invite you to remain here until our convoy returns in a tenday, and then accompany our next consignment to Mantol-Derith. That is unless... and I hesitate to say... unless we can prevail upon you to assist with a small problem...?

Pax speaks up, “We are at your service, of course.”  She bows her head as she says it. 

Chief Dorbo sighs heavily and says: Our troubles be many at present. A malevolent influence in the southern burrows be driving many of our elementals insane, requiring them to be replaced on a much more regular basis. We be also sufferin' regular incursions of oozes, are plagued by several ghosts, and a large group of wererats be squattin' in the northern burrows; hence why I cannot be sparin' any more of my kin as guides. If these problems could be neutralised, that would greatly reduce the pressure on our small forces. But all are potentially dangerous, hence why I would not be expectin' you to risk your safety on our account, you bein' our guests and all.