Lost Lab of Kwalish

"Don't see why not." Leann says with a shrug. She nods for the others to lead the way in to do the speaking.

Huarache steps forward, leaving Echo in the bushes. "Good [whatever time of day it is], gentlemen!" he says in Dwarvish. "That is some fine work I see there. What is the end product?"

[It's daylight. Omiy would be best at guessing correct time of day, but if she had spent enough time on Toril, she would know the two have similar sol cycles and could convey this to the others.  Anyone would assume it's around midday]

(Assuming Huarache is speaking common)

"Eventually, it's going ro be a Tomb for some big-wig magic type.  That is, if some people would pay attention to their craft and do their jobs properly." The dwarf replies, his voice raising as he casts scorn on the Dwarves sitting on the other side of the camp.

"We've been having some safety incidents lately. But I guess that's what you get when you pay people these wages and fees wm this slop." He lifts a spot. Of unappetizing thin gray mush from his bowl and let's it trickle from the spoon back into the earthenware. 

Looking again to Huarache, he continues,  "You want to know more about this thing, go ask the artificer." He gestures dismissively at one of the openings and returns his attention to his lunch, apparently finished with the conversation.

Edit: he points you at the one with no evident tracks.  You're on the North face of the hill, with that opening being the one farthest West.

I mentioned he was speaking Dwarvish, but he offers to Prestiditigate some flavor into the food before he goes to try and meet the artificer.

Quote from Shonisaurus >>

I mentioned he was speaking Dwarvish, but he offers to Prestiditigate some flavor into the food before he goes to try and meet the artificer.

 Totally missed that. Sorry.  Same response, though.

The dwarf pauses after tasting the food, furrows his brow for a moment, then allows his expressio. To soften slightly as he continues eating.

Peering within the entrance at the end of the road less traveled, you find..

This entrance opens up to a large stone chamber. At the far end, an intense-looking man stands behind a large stone table covered in a dense layer of plans, drawings, and other documents. Tiny wax golems, their heads all lit wicks of flame, flit about the place, keeping the objects under his gaze well illuminated.

The man raises his head and intones: “So, you’ve come to engage in this grand endeavor. Are you miners, sculptors, artists? Or, I suspect, something else entirely?”

[Debating using this picture, but maybe you would guess that the artificer behind the tomb of horror could magic at a skull. That's really not a big spoiler, so here he is, doing that.]

"I saw some interesting construction here, and I was curious what this is going to be."

The artificer looks up from his desk, a bit surprised it would seem.  "Well, aren't you filled with surprises? I'm guessing you're not from around here, are you?  (Omiy can let you know later if it doesn't otherwise come up, Tabaxi are not often found on Oerth [lizard men are] this per DM head-cannon) 

"Well, you have a good eye.  For, even with these humble beginnings, the grandeur of my design is evident to the discerning eye.  You tread now at the entrance to my magnum opus! It is a Tomb built for a powerful mage named Acererak.  A monument to himself that I have agreed to design.  You wouldn't be a tradesmen of any sort, would you?  Skilled hands are too few in these parts, sadly."

[Incidentally, are you traveling with Logan and if so is he just a big old shiny metal skeleton with wings or in some sort of disguise? The guide can use the disguise self spell up to 3 times per day]

"Depends. I am a tinker and a smith by trade, but I dabble in alchemy and carpentry."

OOC: I'm thinking of having Huarache become a man on the inside, so to speak.

"A tinker..." Moghadam thinks aloud, "Can you cut gems?  I have many tradesmen at work on this project, but I recently lost my gemsmith, Seodra.  I believe she was captured by my rival artificer - Thesellar.  He has been trying to steal all of the region's crafters for use in the construction of his Temple venerating the devil, Moloch." He spits the words as his gaze shifts from Huarache to a point far past the tabaxi.  Sharply, he turns to the rest of the group, "I don't suppose you lot would be interested in helping me free Seodra and her apprentices, would you? I can reward you handsomely."

Sam looks at the rest of the group with a worried look on his face 

Bump...

(Ooc; it's a real question.   My NPCs are truly interactive, do whatever you want with them.  I'll just warn you if they pose a potential TPK level threat. But, please, do as you like with NPCs. You won't break the game.)

Sorry, I was rather busy with exams today. "If you give me about an hour, I can teach myself gemcutting."

Quote from Shonisaurus >>

Sorry, I was rather busy with exams today. "If you give me about an hour, I can teach myself gemcutting."

 [Ooc: no worries, just letting people.know that the story will adapt to player choices.]

"I'm sure you'll be a capable gem cutter in time.  Here's the thing.  When Seodra went missing, the gems she was working on disappeared with her.  I put on a facade with all these others, but the truth is Acererak didn't commision me to build this Tomb, he's holding my wife and daughter captive.  If I don't get those gems back and complete this Tomb, they'll be killed.  You aren't from here, this much I can see plainly.  It's clear to me that you can find your way into places you have no business being, and that's just the skill needed for this rescue.  If you still want to work as a gem cutter, so be it - but I need to get those stones back without Acererak finding out - at least not until they are back safely. Otherwise, he's sure to make an example of me for losing them in the first place."

Hint:

5

Leann insight: 13

You're moved by his story of hardship, and serve the dread he feels for his family if the Lich discovers the gems have been lost.  You also believe he is good for the money offered.  This guy must really care about his wife and daughter.

(Ooc: so, you guys doing the thing or or not? You can always say yes and poke around here if you prefer.  Logan can teleport you straight there. It's in his stats, in case you were worried about overland travel)

Insight: 5 

If Omiy gets the same vibe, then Huarache will agree to help.

Omiy finds the whole proposal and its background dubious at best - downright suspect, actually.

Ultimately you guys have to choose: go find the gems and the gemsmith, or don't, and what do you say to Moghadam?  Your result on insight should come your dialogue, but not necessarily your decision.

(Ooc: Sorry, didn't mean to hold up the game with this. Lesson learned)