Dividing up the loot and heading back to Barak's underground ring, with your former guide in tow, you find yourself faced with the daunting prospect of navigating the tunnel systems that led you to Ib-Drip's in the first place. Still, with a little luck, you manage it. As you travel, however...

Please, whoever takes point, roll a perception check.

Sereena would be trying to help Tip, but keeping her eyes open as she goes though not leading the group. 

Perception 12 

Anansi fades into the shadows as much as he can as he steps to the front of the group.

Stealth: 16

Perception: 22

A frightened gnome with a single candle scurries by you, eyes bugged wide at the sight of so many fearsome warriors in these tunnels. You swiftly move on to Barak's, who welcome's you with a grin. 

"I see ye were successful at Ib-Drip's. I hope you told 'im who sent you! Anyways, young Redrickson took off a few hours ago - said he had to check on some things. He'll be back early in the morning, don't you worry. Say, is that you Tip? I thought you'd never leave Drip's! To what do I owe the pleasure?"

"Oh, and before I forget" Barak snaps a finger at a waiting attendant. "Gadus, I took the liberty of finding you a few spell scrolls - I checked through a few letters I've had with Drip, and he mentioned that he was all out of that stock. I'll put these on your tab, but you owe me about 300 golds." He gives you a wink. "I'm sure you'll pay me back in no time - I sense that you are a good investment."

He passes two scrolls to Gadus: Magic Circle (3rd level spell) and Acid Arrow (2nd level)

"Thank you, thank you sir, exactly what I was looking for, " Gadus says beaming at the dwarf. Bekate squawks seconding his master's delight.

Turning to his party members Gadus continues, "I'll need a few hours with these, see you back at the rooms?"

“Barak, it is imperative that we speak with any of your powers to be immediately. Long story short, Drip’s place was attacked by drow and he was taken by a drider, I am sure of it. Tip can testify to these things once he has rested I am sure. It was a bit of a shock for us all.  I think, also, on a potentially less urgent note, we found some peculiar things while on a job for Drip. We were clearing some monster for him but in the process we found a hammer that wouldn’t move and this,” and Sereena carefully pulls out and shows Barak the glass. “I would be careful with it my friend, there seem to be faces inside and we think that something is contained inside by enchantments. Now, is there a way to meet with Redrickson or some authorities in these matters with haste?”

To Gadus, Sereena nods and smiles, “Enjoy those and rest.”

(OOC I don’t remember where the rooms are in relation to where Barak is—close by, same building?”)

OOC: Barak owns a pretty large connection of rooms and tunnels around his mech-fighting ring. For the time being, unless it becomes necessary to throw down a map, I will assume that you can navigate freely between the Ring, some private rooms set aside for the party, Barak's office(s) and restaurant stands, and the service tunnels running immediately in and around the ring, though people will probably wonder why you are down there to begin with. 

Barak looks concerned, chewing his beard in frustration. "Hmph. Not the first time I've had a report of such things, but never so far from the battle-lines - that was supposed to be a suburban burrow. Completely safe. I'll see if I can't have a few friends of mine take a look at that lamp. I don't suppose you'd consider leaving it here? Seems like the more it moves about the greater chance of somethin going wrong with the spells. I'll try and send a few runners to examine that hammer, too - might be useful, if we can move the thing. As for Redrickson... well, Mardi's probably your best shot to meet with that clan. Help him, see Redrickson. That would be quickest. As for authorities, I'm not sure how many are left. An ex-employee of mine's second cousin was supposed to be some political figure on the surface. A lower official in the Gnomonclature, I think. I'll look into it, and see what's left of our infrastructure. To be honest, I'm surprised things have held up as well as they have." 

Before sending you off to your rooms to sleep and recover from your wounds and exertions, Barak hands Sereena a flyer. It is written in gnomish, dwarf and common, though it is undersigned by a drow sigil. "Also, found this at the old inn - what's left of it. Seems that there's a great big parade or something - a public forum - to be held on the surface at the gates of the Old Quarter in two day's time, at dusk. Supposedly, a new government is to be inaugurated. A transition away from direct military command towards an occupation government, though we haven't seen much of that here as is. Thought you ought to know - the place is likely to be packed with guards, so I'll be avoiding it. Wouldn't mind some ears there, though, especially if I won't be needing to risk my own people to put them there. I'd pay for your time, of course..."

Taking the flyer and reads it. Looking back to Barak, “I do not know about who else will attend. But I will go.  I have a few ideas, but if you know of some places for ears to hear but not be seen I would take the advice.” Favoring her wounds, Sereena then steps to leave.

“I think I too will take my leave. Barak I look forward to seeing you in the morning to discuss more. Here, be careful with this and take care of Tip,” and Sereena hands over the glass. She turns to go to the rooms.

Information about what iss going on above ground will be usssssssseful. I will help, I have a knack for being places i am not supposed to be. Do you have access to a disguise kit I could use? Altering my appearance to look more..... drowish would probably be a good idea

"Oh, hum. Yes, I think we could make that happen. Tell you what - I'll have my man go get Stelm for you. Stelm's a good chap - sort of a local representative of one of the local thieves guilds. He can answer a few more of your questions - maybe get you some of those supplies." He gives you a wink. "Might cost you, though. Such things have only gone up in demand since the drow invaded."

Not too expensive I hope. I don’t currently have a lot of coin left 

Barak shrugs. "Come to think of it, not sure what's going to come of coinage these days. Just had a meeting last night with a few other local businessman about the state of the economy. You realize that external trade with the other kingdoms has all but ceased? Pretty soon, folks aren't going to have the time to spend money on leisure activities - they'll be scrounging for food as prices inflate. Still, I don't think you'll have much problem finding coin, what with your skills and your growing reputation."

OOC: chime in on the OOC chat when you guys are ready to proceed after your well earned long rest!

Before bed, Sereena would have a small meal and beer brought to her room. While eating she would draft a small letter to make an attempt to send an update back to the temple and inquire about her peers that were to meet her here. Then after a bath she would rest in prayer to Ilmater before falling asleep.

Heh suppose you’re right. Ok let me know if your contacts are able to arrange it. I’ll see you in the morning. 

Morning comes, or it's closest approximation in the underground rooms that you have found yourselves in. As you dig in to a simple but wholesome complimentary breakfast provided by Barak's staff, you are interrupted by a rather impatient Mardi, who fidgets constantly as you finish the meal.

As the last dishes are cleared away, and you settle in over a few cups of tea, Mardi spreads a map on a low table and brings a lantern close. He points to a hard to read cluster of notes and splattered ink. 

"Here." he says, "This is where they are keeping my cousin and fellow pilot, Erred. He got picked up last week, and we only just got word of where he's being held. This is the old Bulbo Inn, which has since been turned into and partially displaced by one of the Drow strongholds. They've been using some of the rooms as cells, apparently. We're not sure which room he is being held in, but we know he is in there, since he snuck us out a message. We can approach it from a few different alleyways, but it's likely that most will be patrolled regularly, and to be sure, making a ruckus will only draw more drow onto the scene."

He points at another squiggle on the map. "This is a bolt-hole entrance to Barak's ring, a few miles from here and about a quarter of a mile form Bulbo's. It's the closest we can be sure of getting without being seen. So, we go in, grab Erred, and bolt back here. Barak says to try not to let the drow into the tunnels." Mardi grins. "Questions?"

I take it you’re coming with us Mardi? I wouldn’t want to spring the wrong person from this impromptu prison. We have a rough idea of the number of guards on patrol at any time?

Sereena leans into the conversation, “Do we have those spy devices from the shop? I think they may be helpful in this venture. And is this building a single story? I think that extra arm device may also come in ‘handy’ in busting him out—perhaps from outside? Can you provide a simple layout of the building, inside or out?” 

"So a makeshift prison?" Gadus asks while sipping on his coffee (or whatever Dwarven equivalent). "How many Drow total at the building? How many patrols? Or is that up to us to find out?"

Bekate hops around the tabletop eating whatever crumbs he can find.

"Hard to say - they've got one of them risen fortresses about 500 paces to the north, so I'd guess anywhere from 2 - 6 patrols, depending on the time. Maybe more if they're riled, maybe less if they've got other things to do.

Bulbo's is a two story affair, though the south Wing has got a third story attic crawlspace. 

 Again, hard to call out specific numbers. On the lower end, perhaps 20 or so, with some groups out on patrols. Otherwise... well, could by up to 50. I'd say that your discretion is going to be quite necessary."

He grins as Bekate scavenges, breaking off a crust of bread and offering it to the bird.