Pax looks a bit taken aback, "Oh. Oh...you...you want us to help with all those things hunh. Um. Well.  That sounds like quite a lot. I of course will need to confer with my companions."

She looks at her companions...trying to gauge their thoughts about helping the gnomes with there numerous problems. Insight : 13

Insight, huh? Er... the DC is very low, since Pax is hanging out with them all the time and probably knows how they think, and trusts them to be honest about their feelings. So... Pax is confident her companions are telling the truth!

(You shouldn't ever really need to roll Insight on your own party members. It's not like I can tell whether they are lying or not.)

(I was assuming I could use it to read the groups expressions, based on the gnomes requests, to see if they're all like, 'let's do this' or more like 'oh god...i need a rest'....not really to tell if they're being deceptive. But maybe we'll just "talk" about it then.....) 

Pax says, "What do you guys think? Are we feeling up to helping out, or....would we rather just wait a week and hope the other gnomes return in timely fashion..."

Sekkar was pretty much an open book (may be with the blank pages, but still open). "Waiting here without helping is hardly possible - with so many troubles they will find us anyway. The choice is only which one finds us first. Or we can simply leave."

He scratched his neck and decided to explain to the chieftains the problem: "There are drow that follow us everywhere. We do not know how, but they do. We can stay and help, but if we do, you might want to add drow to your list too."

Kaylyn accepted the food and drink offered and gave thanks to the chief and his wife for their hospitality.  As she listened to Rhayna give the story of their adventures so far she is taken back to those first days when they first met and did not know each other well.  Had so much really happened in what seemed such a short period of time?  She reflected on that and how in each turn of events they had somehow aided someone or something and often gained for the effort. 

As Dorbo lays out the list of issues pressing the gnomes she offers him, and Pax as well when she looks about, a warm smile.

"My companion speaks truthfully.  We flee the drow and they hunt us for escaping their prison.  We will gladly aid you in your troubles in exchange for your hospitality.  We need shelter and supplies.  We can trade for goods as well.  We also seek the surface.  We come from the Overworld and wish to return.  Though I have heard many dark and terrible stories of the Underdark as we call it I have also found beauty and peace.  I will not lie that I wish to have the sun shine upon my face again.  But patience is a virtue I have sought and though it is sometimes fleeting I can continue to wait to see the sun again.  We will accept the shelter and safety of city and in exchange seek the safety of your people."

Kaylyn finishes with another warm smile.  She feels relaxed and though weary from their travels is hopeful that they are much closer to their goal than before.  

"They're probably dying or dead so probably better to learn to which and figure out what our options lay sooner rather than later," Kastix whispers, "For the drow following us, if there's any distance, it'll be cover while we wait. If they're here already, they're here already and not sure if they can't just sneak in,"

Pax nods, "Indeed Kastix...indeed."  She looks around, "Well, I think that's settled, we'd be happy to help.  Though...our friend speaks true, we do need supplies and would be willing to trade. This will help us be more successful in aiding you, truth be told." 

Rhayna was so concentrated in telling their story that she forgot all about hunger. Now that she had finished, she felt a little hungry, so she sits down to try the food.

Dorbo don't seem surprised to hear the drow are still hunting them, nor that they are always hot on their heels. The drow will never stop hunting you. It is a severe disgrace for them to have even one slave escape them. They have spies everywhere who can communicate over great distance, and can predict your intended destinations easily enough. It is a miracle they have not caught up to you already.

After the offers to help, Senni smiles and says: If we can speed you on your way sooner, then we will gladly do so. Until then, we thank you for your help. For now, please rest and make yourselves comfortable. Jimjar will show you to our humble guest quarters, and you may roam throughout our pleasant city at your leisure. We have other business to attend, but will speak with you on the morrow regarding the squatters. You may also inquire with Gurnik if you wish further information. Thank you again, and farewell for now.

With that the gnome guards approach and usher the group out of the hall. Jimjar leads them excitedly through some more tunnels, saying: Drinks on me, old friends. I bet ten gold we'll set the Foaming Mug on fire tonight with your stories, to be sure. And within a short walk the group enter a larger cavern various stone tables and benches, and the smell of more warm food and drink wafts tantalisingly out the entrance, inviting all to enjoy some well-deserved rest and relaxation...

(Tavern/inn is at area 16. There is the opportunity now for some downtime if anyone was waiting for such. You can stay as long as you like, you can rest, you can explore the city... whatever you want.)

Pax looks to the rest of the group, "Say...have you guys earned any money down here? I'd like to purchase some special inks and such to do some work on my spellbook, but don't seem to have any money.  Did we get some of that treasure from the fountain...or should I consider selling something?"

As Rhayna is enjoying the food provided by their hosts, all of a sudden she slaps the side of her head. She almost knocks her spectacles off, but a small mushroom does get dislodged and falls to the ground. She opens her backpack, and retrieves the pearls that she was going to return them to Jimjar. She presents the object with both of her hands to Senni.

"Hummm... I uhh... I would like to give this to you as a token of our gratitude for your hospitality. Truth be told, with the exception of our brief stay in Neverlight Grove, you have been the most welcoming host have have met in the Underdark. This is a memento from Sloobludop, and it has served me on several occasions when I requested guidance from the Goddess. It has been with me for some time, but Jimjar is actually the rightful owner, for he found it first. He has requested that I give it to you instead. At any rate, I hope that this string of pearls will aid you as it has aided me. Please accept this gift... From us."

"Do you mean literally on fire Jimjar?  I'm not sure I want to take that bet."  She laughs as she joins the others for food and refreshments and a good night of rest.

Kaylyn will spend sometime the next day looking through the shops.  She is seeking studded leather armor and if possible something a bit finer (+1) or with other qualities.  She also has the gold and silver coins and the green-gold bracelets she pulled from the fountain (three green-gold bracelets, and dozens of gold and silver coins.) to trade or sell.

As usual, as she peruses the wares of the merchants, she uses her Detect Magic ability to find items of interest that she would like to take a closer look at.

"How much do you need to do this work Pax?  Perhaps there are scribes here among the gnomes who would have supplies you could use?"   

Pax doesn't seem to engage much with Jimjar....watching the other joke with their betting prone friend...and is quiet as the group moves about.  To Kaylyn, "Uh...quite a bit actually...the supplies will be roughly 350 gold worth....assuming I can find them.  But.....then I'll be able to help some of us fly...and we can send messages to each other over long distances, both of which could be a game changer..."  She grins at her.

Senni reaches out slowly and lifts the string of pearls from Rhayna's hand. Her and Dorbo stare wide-eyed as they inspect the treasure, and there are a number of gasps from the other assembled gnomes. The two confer for a brief moment, look to some of the other gnomes for approval, and then say: This is a noble gift, to be sure. In return for your token of gratitude, we extend our hospitality to you and your companions indefinitely. You all may be considerin' yourselves guests of Bligdenstone as often and for as long as you wish, and as long as you live.

The evening at the cavern-tavern is lively and joyous, and it seems like every gnome in the city wants to pack in to see the newcomers. More than half are still suspicious and scowling, but their curiosity is apparently too strong to keep them away. But most seem to want to hear Rhayna repeat her story, the fame of which has spread rather quickly, and Jimjar can be seen circulating through the crowd collecting on bets, now that his own tall tales have been confirmed as true.

The next day the group awake and are free to roam the city.

(I've made an alternate map with labels instead of numbers. Let me know if you have an area you are interested in.)

Sekkar happens to check the piwafwi cloak during the night's rest and finds that Zeno had a large diamond stashed in one of the folded pockets. He estimates it to be worth probably about five thousand gold pieces, but would need to take it to the gem traders and barter for it's sale. 

The traders' grotto in the north-east corner has a number of merchants in makeshift stalls scattered amid what appears to be a fungal garden, but all the stalks of fungus are actually made of stone, perhaps a result of a miscast spell long ago. The wagons that arrived yesterday remain in the reception hall nearby, but the goods seem to have been unpacked and either distributed throughout the city or stored in warehouse caves underneath the trading area. 

Kaylyn sees three traders of note with items that have a magic aura. The alchemist has a range of unguents and salves, but also several magical potions.

Potion of Healing (x12) 50
Keoghtom's Ointment (x2) 120
Dust of Dryness (2 pellets) 120
Potion of Greater Healing (x3) 150
Potion of Climbing 180
Potion of Gaseous Form 300
Universal Solvent 300
Sovereign Glue 400
Oil of Slipperiness 480
Driftglobe 750
Potion of Clairvoyance 960
Oil of Sharpness 3200

The gemsmiths are busy trading gemstones to a range of sellers, but especially to the spellcasters who seem to have many uses for them. Among their wares are some already-enchanted items.

Bead of Force (x2) 960
Elemental Gem (x4) 960
Ioun Stone: Protection 1200
Ioun Stone: Insight 3000
Ioun Stone: Strength 3000

Another trader has a collection of random trinkets and curiosities from all throughout the Underdark, and even some from the surface, several of which also glow in Kaylyn's spell.

Feather Token (Whip) 250
Heward's Handy Haversack 2000
Eyes of Minute Seeing 2500
Ring of Protection 3500

Those who inquire about weapons and armour are directed to the smithing cavern at the far south of the burrows, where are found a number of weaponsmiths, armoursmiths, and all manner of other metalworkers and leatherworkers, casters and carvers, cutters and blowers, all working industriously. Only a few visible items respond to Kaylyn's magic detection. However, when Kaylyn takes a look at the magic armour she finds it much too small to fit her, having been made to fit a gnome. The tradesman looks her up and down, and then suggests that he may be able to modify the armour to fit for no extra charge, but that it would take a few days to do so.

Crossbow Bolts +2 (x4) 100
Studded Leather +1 750
War Pick +1 1000

The diamond is a legit item from Zeno's inventory, though I don't recall where it was found.

Anyone that would like to represent the group as the salesperson can volunteer to make a Persuasion check. Every point of roll above 10 will apply that much percent extra value to anything sold, but a roll of lower than 10 will likewise reduce the value.

I'll list available items as well as their value to purchase. Only one of each is available until listed otherwise. Any non-magic item from the PHB is available to purchase.

Sekkar never understood the fascination of other people with the rocks, no matter how much they shined. Sure, pebbles could be pretty ... probably. Some would make a good bait for specific fish, but to stare at it with awe? He did not need to understand it, though, to use the said feeling. However, the diamond went straight to Kaylyn: "Here. Zeno did not take it with him. Think he would want us to use the thing for equipment."

The magical items, offered by the traders, were very impressive (Sekkar did learn to respect the offensive magic) but he personally did not need anything of it - would love to, but used to count on what he already had and he had a lot by his judgment.

 Kaylyn accepts the diamond from Sekkar.  "This will certainly help.  I'll see what I can get for it."

She takes the diamond and the green-gold bracelets to the gemsmiths to sell them.

Persuasion 20

((How much in coins did she get out of the fountain?  Or have they been added to my sheet already?))

(No I didn't add the coins, but you can add 112sp and 41gp)

Kaylyn manages to hold the diamond up to the light just right to show off it's facets, plus the stories that have circulated seem to give the treasure of the surfacers more mystique. Kaylyn gets the diamond appraised for 5200gp. The three bracelets are worth 25gp each.

(By my calculations, that's a total of 5327gp to spend. The gnomes aren't necessarily exchanging treasure for gold and gold for items, but you can put together a list of purchases and if it comes under your available funds, then it's a trade.)

Looking over the wares before speaking to the group Kastix says, "In some ways, we've been lucky with items. Among the wares, i would like to put forth the Heward's Handy Haversack, Studded Leather +1 or Ioun Stone: Protection as reliable purchases.  This is merely my observation and I do believe I may be going insane myself. The last leg of this journey has been a blur to me,"

If she can get her 350 gold worth of ink for copying spells, then she's fine and suggests the group get anything that the others might believe could really help them on their way back to the surface.