At the mention of Ogrémoch, Oorr begins to be all itchy. His feathers become crispy and messy.

"Brox, I greet you as well. You must come with us. As far as I understand, a great evil is down those tunnels. We must end it."

Brox looks closely at Oorr. It is harder to understand what he is saying... Lip reading is one thing, but trying to figure out what a bird man is saying is something else. But she understands the general meaning of his greeting. 

"Welcome, fellow hunters of evil. I have been led here to the underdark by Silvanus himself to fight whatever is causing these upsets. I believe it is not random that we meet here. Let us fight together and rekindle the light in these dark tunnels and restore hope and joy for their inhabitants!"

Brox stands tall, overlooking the gnomes around her by two heads, absentmindedly striking the haft of her maul, the weapon of her god. Her unusually dark skin hides the marks of previous fighting. It is obvious that she is trained in combat, her body, though strong and solid, moving in a catlike manner. She doesn't speak loudly, but with an assertive voice. Only sometimes an odd pronunciation creeps in her carefully crafted sentences. 

Religion: 21

 "Hum, yes Sylvanus, I remember. For a non-dwarf, he is still a good deity. Looking for balance and protection of the Nature if I recall, I guess we'll get along well, my connection with the Nature has gotten stronger lately."
As a demonstration, Grimnir releases some spores from his hands that emit a faint light.

"Anyway, we will be happy to assist you in your divine quest Brox. Right guys ?"... 
"Gurnik, any idea on where exactly should we head to and what do we expect ?"

Oorr checks that his crossbow is still reliable and his magical dagger is on his side.

"I am ready! Zippy, help me guide to the Rockblight."

Gurnik seems pleased, and then hands a red gem to Brox. "Excellent, as I was saying before you all arrived, I am the head priest of Calladuran Smoothhands, and there is an ancient temple of Calladuran in the Rockblight called Steadfast Stone. Takes this ruby spell gem, and place it in the Steadfast Stone's menhir. It will begin to cast a hallow which will purify the temple, but beware. Ogremach's Bane will send its minions to attack you. You must defend the stone, until the area is cleansed. If you do this, you will surely receive the blessing of Smoothhands, and our people would be so grateful."


Gurnik will give you directions to the Rockblight (Areas 17 - 22) and the Steadfast Stone (Area 22). He recommends entering from the Staging Area (Area 10) which is where you encountered the gnomes mentioning the Medusa. That should lead to some abandoned residences in Area 17, where you can begin your search. You may also try to enter in from other areas of the town, but he is not familiar with those passageways, so you would have to scout them out yourself. (Keep in mind, though the gnomes are happy to give you directions and point out landmarks, no one has handed you an actual map,so you are not aware of any areas you have not been told about. The map I provided is an OOC reference, not something your characters have access to.)

Grimnir adds:
"I do remember the doors that were guarded,  where the gnomes were talking about the medusa. I can probably find the way back. After that we will have to navigate ourself." 

Brox smiles at Grimnirs spores shining a small light. "You are a light bringer then, too? Good."

Then she takes the gem and places it securely under her splint armour. "It is an honour to serve you, Gurnik. We will return successfully. But I am not sure I understood correctly. Who are the 'smoothhands'?"

Quote from Tiomila >>

Brox smiles at Grimnirs spores shining a small light. "You are a light bringer then, too? Good."

Then she takes the gem and places it securely under her splint armour. "It is an honour to serve you, Gurnik. We will return successfully. But I am not sure I understood correctly. Who are the 'smoothhands'?"

Calladuran Smoothhands is the deity of the Svirfneblin! And it is his service I have devoted my life to. I am hopeful that when you cleanse his temple in the Rockblight, you, and all of the deep gnomes, will be blessed, and perhaps we can rid ourselves of Ogremach's bane once and for all. 

With the gem in hand, and your supplies gathered from the market earlier, you set out to the Staging Area (Area 10) to enter the Rockblight. The gnome guards there seem to have been expecting you, having received advanced word from the Diggermattocks that you had agreed to assist the town. They show you the way into the Rockblight behind several reinforced stone walls and barriers. Before the guards leave you, they warn you that it is very dark in the Rockblight as there is no natural or magical source of light. And to beware of the Medusa's gaze, lest you be turned to stone. 

(You are entering from the West, going from Area 10 into Area 17, around where the 'Ro' in Rockblight is on the map)

Every step echoes against walls beyond your circle of light. The air is cold and damp, and you can hear a waterfall somewhere in the blackness, along with faint echoes of battle.

 

The area itself (if you have a light source) appears to be a residential area, not unlike what you saw in the main part of Blingdenstone, but this place is lifeless, cold, and it looks like many of the places were ravaged and destroyed long ago. There appears to be a rugged cramped tunnel to your left, and the sound of the waterfall ahead of you, to the East.

 

Oorr will scout ahead in the tunnel with Zippy.

Perception 16

« Let’s try not to make too much noise and let's follow Zippy.
Brox, I haven’t asked you: are you a mighty fighter or did your God grant you any powers? »

Brox follows a little behind Oorr, who seems to be the natural scout of the group. She does not seem to react to Grimnir's attempt at conversation, who is walking slightly behind her. 

Not sure why Brox is not answering,  Grimnir hastes his pace and pokes the huge Half-Orc shoulder. " I'm sorry if that question was too personal. I'll refrain from from asking more question"

Brox makes a sudden evasive movement when touched by Grimnir. She looks down to him. "Oh, I am sorry, I didn't realise that you asked a question. Please let me explain. In a battle it might be useful for all of you to know my shortcoming." Brox turns around and addresses the group. She points to her ears. "You see, I am deaf since I was 14 years of age, when Silvanus sent me a vision. He answered my prayers and saved my parents, but also took away from me my hearing. I have become a determined fighter nevertheless and I am more than able to make up for my deficiency. But when we talk, I have to lip-read. So I have to see your face to have a conversation. Also,..." Brox sighs, "...if you would be so kind as to shake me awake if we're ever attacked at a campsite, I'd be much obliged."

She turns back to Grimnir: "What was your question?"

Grimnir smiles... " Nevermind, you answered it. You are a mighty fighter. I am keen to see you in action !"
With a big slap on Brox back and making sure she can read his lips, he adds, : "Let's go... we can continue our conversation later with a good ale when we'll be back at the Inn"

Brox doesn't even seem to feel Grimnir's slap. "Yes, lets continue. My god has given me some of his divine power. I can use it to make an attack hit harder, or to heal someone. I have truely been blessed!"

Quote from filcat >>

Oorr will scout ahead in the tunnel with Zippy.

Perception 16

 Oorr, you head further into the chamber towards the sound of the waterfall. At the east end you find it, pouring down from an upper cavern into a large pool. The waterfall is flanked by a staircase cut into the stone on either side. Before you can see further to where the staircases lead, the air in front of you shimmers slightly, and then the ghost of a deep gnome appears! It's wail fills the cavern, overpowering the sound of the water fall.

(OOG I need everyone to make a DC 13 WIS Saving throw, or be feared, then tell me how you react to the ghost. No initiative, anyone can act.)

Oorr WIS save 15

Zippy WIS save 16

Oorr doesn't take any harmful action. He stays there arms crossed on his chest saying:"I greet you, spirit of Blindgenstone."

Following Brox, Grimnir is surprised by this ghost.

WIS save: 19

Seeing Oorr trying to dialogue, Grimnir stands his ground and do not move, yet. Getting ready to fight.
He will scan the area for any other signs of danger: Perception: 10

[OOC: Brox has 'Aura of Protection' - anyone friendly, who is within 10ft of me, can add +3 to any saving throw!]

Brox WIS save 19

Brox looks around the cave, her divine energy canvassing the area, almost feeling for other creatures that may be hiding near the waterfall.

[OOC: Devine Sense: Until the end of your next turn, you can sense anything affected by the hallow spell or know the location of any celestial, fiend, undead within 60 ft. that is not behind total cover.]