Mipry grips Flink's hand, trying her best to calm down the agitated gnome, who looks like he is about to hyperventilate again. This is so unlike him, she laments to the group. He is usually quite lethargic. And why should he be scared of Yantha? Perhaps he too is suffering a delusion. But it seems the gargoyle that stole the gem is no longer here.

Pensive makes another reconnaissance flight over the Zhentarim enclave, and again easily spots the gargoyle that he saw previously. It has now flown down from its perch and is pacing back and forth outside the largest of the pavilions in that area, a stark contrast to the normal immobility of its kind. From what Pensive can see, it does not appear to be holding any gem. However, Pensive does get close enough this time to detect voices coming from within the pavilion, but can't quite make out any words or accents.

Pax nods to Zilchyn, "Sounds fine to me." She stares over-long at his scarred face. Then she finally turns her attention to the yelling, and the gnome assistant emerging. 

She stares at him as he manages to speak for far too long without a breath, and starts to wonder if he's going to pass out. When he doesn't, but finally finishes his speech she takes a few moments to process his long string of words. She glances once more at the gargoyles above and looks back at Zilchyn.  "I don't suppose you happen to know where the missing gargoyle went?" 

When Kaylyn mentions the gargoyle near the Zhentarim, she spins on a heel and begins heading that way. "Alright then, off we go. Our entourage is growing with each step."

Pensive, keep an eye, and ear, on what is happening there.  We are coming to you Kaylyn telepathically tells Pensive as she falls into step with Pax.

"Mipry, bring Flink and let's go." Kaylyn calls back to the gnomes

The entourage is growing, as is the number of victims of the elusive gem - Derendil, Krimgol, Yantha, Flink, and now the nameless gargoyle, which the group sets off to find. With Flink and Zilchyn now accompanying, Pax leads the way to the south, skirting around a pond fed by a small waterfall issuing from the ceiling far above. The pavilion isn't hard to spot - made from white fabric it stands out against the relative darkness of the cavern, and reflects the light coming from the magic torches scattered throughout the trading post. Pacing back and forth outside the pavilion is a gargoyle. Its wings are tucked in so tightly as to be barely noticeable, but it is gesticulating wildly with its arms as it mumbles away to itself in what sounds like the Common surface tongue:

...meridian, amphibian, rubidium, cryptosporidium. Oh, hello there. Would you happen to know, what rhymes with obsidian? I'm composing a poem for my true love, and I want to finish it before she returns. So far I've got: Your skin is like onyx / Your eyes are obsidian / My heart moves like tectonics / something something that rhymes with obsidian

The gargoyle looks at each person expectantly...

Well, this is not what she expected, perhaps this gem has done some good, a gargoyle that is now interested in love.  Maybe this one doesn't need to be cured Kaylyn thinks to herself. She then ponders for a moment, "Without you... oblivion?" she offers.

Yes! That's brilliant! the gargoyle screeches, hopping up and down with excitement. Oh, she's going to love it. You must be some kind of bard or something! Oh! Are you here for the secret meeting?

(Awarded inspiration to Kaylyn for that great rhyme)

With all the crazy things happening in the Underdark, this one makes to the top of the Cleric’s list. Rhayna documents the encounter with the gargoyle, and writes down the poem in bold writing.

 "Yes, we are. We are here for the meeting.  Could you show us the way?"  Kaylyn replies with a smile on her face.  "I am happy I could help you out.  Did you by chance deliver a large gem here?"

Pensive return to me please  she calls telepathically to the Pseudodragon who would descend and land on her shoulder.

The gargoyle nods in agreement at showing Kaylyn the way to the meeting, but then responds excitedly to her next question: Yes! Yes! The gem! It was my gift to Kinyel! A token of my devotion to my beloved. This latest outburst however is followed by a frustrated yell from within the pavilion, as a drow-sounding voice speaking Undercommon yells: Quiet out there! And then in a slightly lower voice, adds: Kinyel, can't you do something about that wretched gargoyle? It won't shut up! The gargoyle puts its hand up to its mouth as if in embarrassment, then begins doing its best to whisper to Kaylyn: The meeting is in there, if you want to go in. I cannot, however. I must wait here for the return of my beloved. Oh, when you see here, you'll know. She's so beautiful!

Pax stops and puts a hand to her temple. Wait...now she needs to count Gargoyles among creatures who...can love? Today has been a weird day....adding to a strange week and a stranger month. Negotiating with Red Dragons, talking to slimes, befriending dark gnomes. it's basically been a parade of all the evil most despicable creatures from her childhood, all the monsters of her dreams....and having them chatting to her like a magical horse or something from a story book, each with their own personality and feelings and.... 

When the gargoyle mentions the meeting and that they can enter, Pax steps forward quickly, eager to end her own internal monologue. She pushes open the tent flap and steps forward a determined look on her face under her steel helm. 

"Interesting!" You could tell Sekkar was genuinely surprised and curious by the suddenly revealed fun fact about the nature of one of the Underworld inhabitants. "Here I though they have rock for the brain. Who knew they can loose it too". He was watching the pacing and mumbling gargoyle but caught up the main detail. "Sounds like that "beloved" is Zhent. Hilarious." He listened the cry from inside. "And that zhent did not answered the question. Gone too?" He stepped inside after Pax first trying to locate another mad someone.

Pax and Sekkar boldly lead the way into the white pavilion. The interior is spacious and softly lit with small magical floating globes. The central space is dominated with an eight-foot-long table covered with food and wine, the likes of which the party have not seen in the Underdark: roasted pheasant, spiced potatoes, bunches of purple grapes, cheese wheels, crusty loaves of bread, and wines with labels from places throughout Faerun. However, the food is untouched by the four figures who occupy the space on the far side of the table - four female drow! One is unarmed and clothed in a dark robe with silver embroidery in a spider-web pattern, while the other three are garbed in black studded armor fashioned from some kind of leather, and armed with shortswords and crossbows. Two carry shields.

All four drow look up abruptly as Pax and Sekkar enter, but only the robed one speaks, and with a commanding tone in Undercommon: Why have we been made to wait so long? And where is Ghazrim? Fetch him at once! ... Wait! (and at this her gaze lingers on the lizardman) You are not of the Zhentarim... Who are you? The three warriors sense the change in their leader's tone and warily reach for their crossbows, as the speaker eyes the two curiously.

"Even funnier - she is a drow! I wish I could to see their kids," mumbled Sekkar quietly but added louder a few words for the ladies too. "We are thief hunters. Followed the gargoyle that have stolen a gem from a gnome. The monster claimed it gave it to one named Kinyel. Know someone by this name?" His smile was toothier than ever.

Pax steps forward, ignoring the woman's questions, "Kinyel I presume? My name is Pax, an overworlder. I am here seeking a gem that houses a demon. It corrupts everyone it touches. You were gifted this gem by the gargoyle that paces just outside." She glances meaningfully at the other three drow, "If your mistress is behaving erratically, it is the cause of this gem, and you'd do her a service by assisting us." 

(oops, crosspost with sekkar, but...I believe it still works.)

(I'm conscious of not excluding others from the narrative just because they aren't online and available to post while I am. I'll post enough to respond to current actions, but hold off if they progress too far, to allow everyone to stay involved.)

Pax and Sekkar: Please each make an Insight check.

Others: You have the advantage now of knowing that there are four drow inside the pavilion, and can decide whether to enter or remain outside. Either way, please let me know what you do in your chosen location.

Sekkar Insight: 7

(Can I roll for Dawnbringer too? :) She is usually more perceptive. 8 Not this time, though.)

Pax insight: 13  (eeeesh.)

The three armed drow continue to stand silently, well-trained and subservient but also with the potential to be quick and deadly. The robed drow looks piercingly at Pax, with a quick intelligence behind the eyes but with inscrutable thoughts, before answering: And what if I do have this gem? Are you here to trade for it?

Sekkar:

Kaylyn certainly follows behind Sekkar and Pax as they enter through the door.  She is not terribly surprised to see the drow, they are clearly present here in the trading post.  However she furrows her brows as they speak in Undercommon and she cannot understand them.

"This would certainly be better if we all spoke common so we can understand each other?" she says in common.

Kastix cast Guidance on himself before looking for good hidng spot out the place, waiting for shouting or order to kill.