Zeno knows well how much dwarves love treasure, and it seems their dark cousins are even more so. The duergar gaze hungrily at the headdress, passing it around and discussing its features and value. They consider Zeno's request on behalf of his master, and then make Jimjar an offer (apparently addressing slaves directly is beneath them), which he finds they then stick to most firmly.

In exchange for the headdress, they offer: 2 longswords, the leather armour, 2 backpacks, 1 healing kit, 1 coil of rope, 1 hooded lantern, and 12 days worth of rations.

Zeno speaks excellent Undercommon! For your good Persuasion roll I gave you a 10% increase in the value of the treasure, and a 10% discount on the cost of goods. Based on PHB prices, right now it's about even, but let me know if you want more or less of anything.

(Awesome! Only thing I had hoped for more was a couple waterskins, but I’m good with whatever now.)

Zeno gathers up the items into bundles, splitting them between him and Kaylyn, and makes as if to leave when their “master” is ready.

Kaylyn bows when Jimjar motions to the equipment to be carried and quickly gathers whatever Zeno doesn't and then stands quietly with her head down behind Jimjar.

"Good haul, any directions?" Kastix asks when the group comes back while keeping an eye to where the deep dwarves left. 

(OK, will make it 11 days of rations and 3 waterskins. That's really only 1 day of rations for each of the 11 in the party, but since you can usually forage enough to survive, then the rations can just be for emergencies such as if you have to travel too fast to forage)

The duergar make their trades, but still look suspiciously at Jimjar and his 'slaves'. They also provide the requested directions to the Darklake, but then offer a warning (or is it a taunt?):

Lakua zeharkatu nahi baduzu gida bat beharko duzu. Nanoek eta arrain gizonek bakarrik ezagutzen dituzte igarobideak. Eta oraintxe bertan arrain gizonak ohi baino zoroago daude.

... and with that they walk off, laughing.

Zeno raises an eyebrow at the last, but continues walking.  When the dwarves have gone out of sight, he leads the others in doubling back to where they left the group.

"It's not an armory, but it's what they had. This should help us get as far as...Slublop...whatever, the Darklake." He glances back at the way the dark dwarves left, then at their kuo-toa companion. "They also said something about the fish people behaving oddly...crazier than usual."

"Everyone's crazy down here I think but it's a port we can get out bearings at least," Kastix replies as he makes mental list of the items but not taking any. 

"It will be enough," Joetaro says before closing his eyes and praying to Selune for guidance.

"Good blade," Sekkar made several strikes imitating fight, "good balance. Well played." He attached the new sheath and added his short sword to the pile - he preferred to keep shield. "Shuushar, what can be wrong with your people?"

Shuushar says he has been away from his people for some time, and doesn't know to what the duergar could be referring. But he admits that even many of the races of the Underdark find the ways of the kuo-toa relatively alien and incomprehensible.

As the duergar head off in another direction, the ragtag group continue their journey aided by the new directions. Although apparently the most direct route to Darklake, it also features the most cramped tunnels so far, with Derendil having the most difficulty squeezing through tight spaces, as well as those with shields. Joetaro suffers the most from the sense of claustrophobia, perhaps due to the encounter the day before with the rocktopus, and has a minor panic attack, clutching at his neck and saying "get it off me" repeatedly until a quick prayer from Rhayna calms him back down.

After hours of travel through the cramped tunnels, those in the lead stop as they hear singing ahead, and within moments a figure appears in the tunnel ahead. It has the large stature, blue-green skin and tusks of an orc, but wears a fine yellow robe over studded leather armour, and carries a staff as well as having a battleaxe slung at its side. The singing stops short as it sees those in the lead of the group, but then it raises a hand in a salute and says in Common: Greetings, travellers. Blurg at your service.

 "Greetings to you too," with even and confident voice answered Sekkar - any sign of weakness could end your life in those tunnels. Demonstrative aggression too, though. He was not sure about giving away his name, but the creature did not look like drow servant sent to hunt the group. "Sekkar at yours," finally answered he.

Well met, Sekkar, although our timing could have been better. I fear in these tight passages we cannot easily pass. Since there are more of you than of I ... then peering over Sekkar's shoulder Blurg can see most of the others in the party, and adds ... and such an intriguing assortment at that, it would be my pleasure to backtrack a ways until a better opportunity presents. And perhaps fortune would favour me with some enlightening conversation as compensation for the slight inconvenience. And with that he bows and turns to walk back the other way, saying: Forgive my forwardness, but might I enquire on your reasons for traveling here?

Blurg's scholarly speech pattern was a touch too elaborated for Sekkar to keep up with, but Rhayna asked the right questions already and he waited for answers carefully observing the creature.

Blurg has the swagger of a seasoned fighter, but speaks with the erudition and eloquence of a scholar, an impression enhanced by the scroll case now visible hanging from his belt.

True, it can be rather dangerous, though if I may say, what conflicts I cannot avoid through diplomacy I seem to manage through more primitive means ... and he pats his axe. Plus, I usually don't travel alone, I just find myself presently separated from my companions due to unfortunate circumstances. We like to call ourselves the Society of Brilliance - a touch overdone I confess, but I can only say I didn't invent the epithet. We do what we can to make life a little better here in the Underworld. I suppose you might call us all scholars of sorts, although my interests lay chiefly in the art of cartography. I myself am a surfacer by birth, and the Underdark presents a range of very complex map-related challenges that suit me quite well.

And what of yourself, Cleric of Selune? If the surface you seek, then I take it you venture not in the dark places of the world to seek enlightenment?

"If you're a map maker, do you happen to know how to get to the surface?" Kastix question as he eyes the newcomer. 

Joetaro is curious about the Society of Brilliance. He continues to watch the orc.

“Or at least maybe a map of this place.” Zeno keeps one eye on the orc, and one on their surroundings, worried that they could be walking into an ambush.

Perception: 5

Blurg nods politely to Kastix's question and says:
Alas, I originally entered the Underdark far from this place. I am certain that paths to the surface exist in this region, but I confess I have made no attempt to chart them, as my current duties are centered on the Underdark itself. The duergar sometimes trade with the surfacers, although they are a suspicious lot and may be reluctant to divulge their secrets. The city of Gracklstugh lies to the south-west if you wish to try there. The svirfneblin also trade with the surface, and although they can be rather taciturn, they are more likely to share such knowledge, no doubt for a price. Their city, Bligdenstone, is to the north-west. Travel to those cities is quickest and safest on the Darklake, but I have made no attempt to map those labyrinthine waterways, and you would require a navigator. Otherwise you must take the long way around the Lake. I have mapped the land passages to both, and it would be my pleasure to share such with you.

Then, replying to Rhayna, Blurg says:
As for your fungal friend, the only colony of any consequence of which I know is the one at the Neverlight Grove. It lies several days travel beyond the west shore of the Lake. If I may be so bold, may I examine your journal?

As the talkative orc (orog actually, as Blurg points out) walks and talks with the group, Zeno notices several clefts and grottos that would serve as potential ambush points, but he detects no such danger. He also notices that Blurg has had several opportunities to allow the group to pass and resume his own journey, but has not done so. Perhaps he simply enjoys the company and the conversation. As he flicks through Rhayna's journal he comments: Fascinating! Your conclusions on these draconic carvings are most insightful. I should very much like to introduce you to Grazilaxx, the head of our Society.