Insight: 6

"Can you tell us anything else about this Themberchaud? Like, what would he do with the egg?" Valrish asks, mostly interested in the safety of the egg.

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"Can you tell us anything else about this Themberchaud? Like, what would he do with the egg?" Valrish asks, mostly interested in the safety of the egg.

Errde carefully looks at Valish, and examines the egg as well. "Themberchaud is fickle, caring mostly for himself. I'm not sure what he'd do with it... If I were you and I was trying to get rid of the egg, and as you have done me a favor, I would suggest taking it to Gartokkar Xundorn, the leader of the Keepers of Flame. The dragon would tell you the keepers are his minions, but Gartokkar is more in control of Themberchaud than most realize. Whatever you do, I would suggest keeping the egg safe, and hidden, as much as it is possible. There are spies everywhere in this city." 

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Quote from ManolitoPiesdeplata >>

"Whatever you do, I would suggest keeping the egg safe, and hidden, as much as it is possible. There are spies everywhere in this city." 

 Grimnir kept his silence until now, looking at the expression of the Captain and his guards, finally speaks up.

"Well, we have been displaying it quite obviously until now, there is no doubt that words are in the city that we have a red dragon eggs now. I am pretty sure we will be contacted soon by either the dragon minion or this Xundron.
"About the prisoners, I must say that Droki has been cooperative in the arrest of Narrak. I promised him that I would tell you that. Now with all the proof, I am sure you can bring some order in the city. By the way, you might want to keep an eye on the market. I remember seeing one or two merchant behaving very strangely, the madness might have spread there. But with the obelisk gone, I hope the madness will disappear.

"We will go see the Stonespeaker and maybe leave the city tomorrow. It was a pleasure to work with you, Captain. I hope we will meet again."

Grimnir started to turn around, then stop and comes back to the captain.
"Something else Captain, before arriving here some evildoers drows mercenaries were looking for us. We will probably be heading to Neverlight Grove or Blingdenstone now. I was thinking, would you be kind to make sure that everybody knows we left the opposite way? That would be helping us a lot."
"Probably as much as we help this city" added Grimnir with a smile.

Errde nods in agreement. “We will do our best to deceive any drow who come through. We don’t see many of them in Gracklstugh, so we should notice if any come poking around. We’ll take your information on droki under advisement. Now, one last thIng. I will give each of you a different token that will allow you passage South of the furrow without an escort. That should make it easy to see the stonespeaker, and the keepers of flame should you choose. You will still be under watch of course, but at a distance. I believe our business here is concluded. Good luck. You’ll need it.”

You take your leave of the stone guard captain with heavier coin purses and some new information, and hopefully an ally should you need one, though you're not sure how reliable she is. You head back into the bazaar and use your new found wealth to purchase some much needed supplies and equipment. Oorr in particular is able to commission a chain shirt barding for Zippy, giving the steeder some extra protection from the elements (and potentially an arachnophobic gnome).

After finishing your shopping, you head South to the gate, showing your badges so the stone guard will let you through to the Stone Giant temple where you met the stonespeaker before. Just as they are opening the gate, Eldeth runs up to you, out of breath and panting. "There ye are! I been lookin' all over for ye," she takes a moment to control her breathing. "It's Stool, and Sarith... they're gone! The barkeep said he saw them leave together while we were away, and Sarith had a mighty wild look in his eyes. Rumpadump says it sounds like Sarith might be under the same influence that his myconid friends in the caverns were under. A strange fungus he calls it. Jimjar is questioning anyone near the tavern to see if they know where they went, but Rumpadump says it's likely they went to the Neverlight Grove. Oh, I do hope that wee sprout is okay. When I find Sarith I'm going to..." at which point Eldeth makes a grunting noise and wrings her hands together. 

"For all my feathers... We must finish our business in the city quickly, then we must go after them."

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"For all my feathers... We must finish our business in the city quickly, then we must go after them."

 Eldeth nods at Oorr, a glisten in her eyes. "Aye, I'll go back and help the others prepare. We might do well to rest before we take off, but we'll be ready as soon as you finish your business. I don't suppose the giants, or even the Deepking himself could offer some aid? I'll leave you to it." Eldeth gives a small before turning and running back toward the tavern. 

"Let's go to the Giants...Come on, Zippy don't show off because of the new armour..."

"I agree, let's finish our business quickly and move."
Grimnir then gives 20gp to Eldeth. "Here Eldeth, could you pay the Inn and get us enough rations for the roads. With those, we won't have to forage and will be able to move at full speed"

You begin to move a little more quickly now as you head for Cairngorm Cavern where the stone giants reside. You are ushered inside without a wait, and meet with Dorhun. "You have returned! I have grand news. The second head of Rihuud has vanished, and the stonespeaker believes he will make a full recovery. I'm not sure what you did, but I am certain it was you who found the source of the curse. Stonespeaker Hgraam will want to see you." Dorhun leaves and returns a moment later with the Stonespeaker.

In his low rocky voice, the stonespeaker says, "Well done, I see you have brought statues. No doubt these were the conduits being used to attack my people. Tell me, who was responsible for this devilry?"

"Mad derro, demon worshippers. They were performing a ritual to make giants mad and grow a second head. We stopped them."

Grimnir adds: " We found a few scrolls and books if you want to have a look at them. I think Belwar has them in his bag"

"You have done a great service for the stone giants, my friends. We cannot adequately pay you for your help, but take this as a token of our gratitude." A stone giant woman approaches and unwraps a cloth which holds a large sparkling green emerald. She offers it to Grimnir. The Stonespeaker continues, "The stone giants hold much sway in Gracklstugh, though it is obvious these are strange times. Never the less, we will vouch for you in any dealing you have here. I see the stone guard has already granted you access to the city, but should you desire it, we can arrange an audience with the Deepking himself. He should know of the deeds you have done."

"We are honoured, wise Hgraam. Before we take our leave, possibly to the Deepking himself, would you mind share with us your thoughts about the Keepers of the Flame and the red dragon Themberchaud?"

"Indeed, we noticed you have another treasure with you. That has the look of a dragon egg to me." Hgraam looks over the egg, places his hands on it, and runs them along the sides. "Interesting, the creature inside is alive. I can feel its movements through the shell. It will hatch soon I think. You would best be careful." He returns to a large stone stool and takes a seat. "You know of Themberchaud? I can tell you this is not his egg. He is lazy, and relies on the people of Gracklstugh to supply his needs in return for keeping the forges lit. He has no mate, and cannot produce eggs himself. But who it does belong to, I cannot say. You found it nearby, so someone is missing it. They are probably looking for you as we speak. If it is the Keepers of the Flame, that could spell trouble. Gartokkar is wary of Themberchaud, and it maybe they are trying to replace him. I know that the dragon has been more petulant of late, and it is the Keepers job to keep the dragon satisfied, lest he turn on the city."

Grimnir stays quiet, listening to the wise giant. 
Meanwhile, he received the emerald, bows and look deep in the sparkling gem.

OOC: any particular effect with the gem of is it "just" a gem ? Sound like a big (expensive) one !!! 

"Thank you, wise Hgraam. We will do our best about the egg. Farewell."

The giants thank you again for your help, and the Stonespeaker lets you know that he will send word to the Deepking so that you will not be hindered should you seek an audience with him.  He then provides directions to the Keepers lair, and provides a large blanket for you to cover the egg as you travel with it.

You travel East across the city to Themberchaud's cavern, and a complex nearby, where the Keepers of the Flame reside and watch over the dragon. As you approach, several duergar in red robes that sparkle with images of fire rush out to you, and begin ushering into a nearby building. Some of them grumble and mutter, and you hear one of them whisper, "Quickly, bring it in here. Do not delay!"

You are whisked into a large hall, where several other keepers in robes converse and read large tomes on desks. At the front of the large room is a Duergar wearing black robes that also have licks of flame shining on them. He brings down the hood, and you see an aging duergar with whitened hair and firey red eyes. He mutters in low, but audible tones, "Aye, welcome, though I don't know whether to call ye friends or fools! Waltzing into the city with a dragon egg! Ha! It's a mercy the old boy didnae see it, as he's taking one of this daily naps.  And another that you brought it to us without us having to hunt you down. Who do I have to thank for bringing my egg back to me?"

"You have to thank all of us, as all of us rescued this egg from demon-worshippers. I am Oorr of the Star Mounts, may I have your name?"