"Because we have no where else to go.  All the other cities we've visited have fallen.  We had hoped that this place might be the exception."  Pausing for a moment she added, "Just how bad is the ooze problem, perhaps we can help in exchange for staying here for a bit?"  Though she probably should've conferred with the others before offering all of their help, it seemed like the only choice they had at the moment.  That or go back to wandering the Underdark again...

He sighs.

"It's . . .bad.  And gettin' worse.  An' there are strange things happening, strange sounds and noises out in the tunnels.  Something bad is brewing, and it's coming soon."

Miles:

“Senni, Dorbo, are you willing to fight for your homes?  We tried to help the others, but when the odds grew steep they chose to leave, and there were too many demons for our small group.  We will help as best we can, especially if you will show us hospitality, but so far the demons and their minions have been too many for us to defeat alone,” offers Miles.

Dorbo growls faintly.

"If ye be trying to call us cowards, halfling, take your help elsewhere.  We stay."

Miles:

”Good.  You are prepared to stay and defend your home, as I hoped,” replies Miles, adding, “I meant no offense, but I had to know if you would stay and fight.”.  

Turning to the others in his group, he says, “We might have a real chance this time.  Let’s get started.”

"We're not trying to cause any trouble, just somewhere safe."  Vera replied placatingly to Dorbo.  "But my friend is right, the sooner we figure out what you're dealing with in your city the better.  Can you lead us to where oozes are and tell us how many have been seen so far?"  

Jhazaal shivers a bit, not certain he is hearing his companions correctly. he was all ready to head back out into the underdark and seek out the next, likely safer, place. He knows he cannot do so on his own though, so prepares to follow the others as they check out this goo issue.

Dorbo nods.

"Aye, I can lead you to the oozes.  But ye might be better off helpin' indirectly, there's been rumors of some monster or spell summoning them in the northwestern part of Bligdenstone.  I can have someone lead ye there if yer willing."

"Jhazaal like new idea." Jhazaal nods his agreement with this new plan eagerly. "No fight oozes, fight thing summoning oozes." He feels a lot better about anything that keeps him from having to go near the oozes.

Miles:

”I agree.  Let us address the root of the problem.  Lead on,” says Miles.

"We'll do what we can.  But if another Greater Demon is the root of the problem, there won't be much we can do to help..." she replied before taking a deep breath and saying, "Lead the way."  

Dorbo gestures to a lightly armored svirfneblin next to him, and he quickly scampers to lead the party on its way.  You pass through a winding warren of caverns and tunnels in various states of repair, finally arriving at what appears to be some sort of market square.  It looks like there was once fungi littering this cavern, but it seems to have been turned to stone.

As you walk further into the cavern, the deep gnomes around you all draw weapons and retreat as you see a guard stumble back, then rise up in the air. A strange shimmer around him reveals the surface of the gelatinous cube that has engulfed him.  There's a great clamor of shouting, and the cube begins to slide towards you . . .

(Initiative time)

Miles:

Initiative:  15

Reacting quickly, Miles readies his serving platter in defense, then rushes forward to try and rescue the deep gnome guard from the strange ooze.

(Intended action; will do a detailed turn on his initiative)

Vera Initiative: 27 (Nat 20)

(As a note, I will be using the character sheet to roll from here on out.  All of my rolls can be seen in the game log on the campaign page)  

Initiative: 17

Wendigo blinks a few times, staring at the floating gnome and backing up slightly. But then he sees its flesh begin to dissolve, and the shimmer of the transparent ooze, and his grip on his weapons tightens.

(We'll just wait for Jhazaal and Knox, I know DD said he was going to be a bit spotty over the weekend and Paradox was dealing with health issues.)

Jhazaal initiative: 14

Knox initiative: 10

Cube initiative: 8

Everyone is up, the cubes are about 30 feet away and one is currently devouring a gnome.

Jhazaal calls on the Bear spirit, using his Spirit Totem.

Everyone recieves 9 temp HP.

He then moves and uses his thorn whip on one of the cubes...
To hit: 12 Damage: 6
He does not try to pull it towards him.