Magdrak chuckles at Greaek's comment.  "Never said we were part of the Cult.  We're some of the mercenaries that they've been hiring up lately.  Kinda confusing, though.  First they hire us, then they send a flamin' elemental after us, then they order us to go get this prisoner.  I can't figure out whether to ask fer hazard pay, run away with my tail between my legs, or try to knock some sense into somebody!  But what's your proposition?  I'd rather live to collect my pay, if it's all the same, and if you can help with that I'd be much obliged."

---

OOC:
01:29, Today: Magdrak rolled 5 using 1d20+1 with rolls of 4.  Dexterity Save.

With crossed arms, Findarion leans against one wall. He eyes Jak from under the hood.

Sighing resignedly, he says. "Speak. We'll consider your words."

After a couple of branching tubes, Morg takes out a piece of chalk, marking their path.

---

15:33, Today: Morg Danforge rolled 8 using 1d20 with rolls of 8.  Arcana check on fiery dwarf creatures.

"My bargain is this," Greaek growls. "If you make it to the cellblock in the Temple, free my fellow Azers. If they are freed, I will not hunt you all down and flay you alive. My kin may even help you escape from the temple alive. In return, I will tell you how to make it past the guards and make your way to the cellblock." He pauses to let the group consider.

---

Asano makes his Dex save.

17:35, Today: Secret Roll: DM, on behalf of Asano Breathkill, rolled 22 using 1d20+2 with rolls of 20.  dex save magmin blast.

Jak had started to open his mouth to answer Greaek when the fiery dwarf had first come down and then said they weren't members of the cult. But Morg had beat him to it and spoke up instead. Jak didn't contradict his friend.

He listened to the offer made. He smirked a little. "Maybe. I have a question first - How are they prisoners an' you're not?"

16:48, Today: Jakrynn Redgate rolled 22 using 1d20+4 with rolls of 18.  Insight.

Greaek snarls. "I am an emissary to the surface, to Elizar Dryflagon the druid, because I can speak Common. My kin cannot. The cult and a flaming efreeti force them to work with filthy salamanders to forge weapons for the cult. They are little more than slaves." Greaek spits on the rocky floor nearby, and the liquid sizzles and disappears on the warm stone. "They deserve better."

---

Morg hasn’t encountered or heard of Azers.
This message was last edited by the GM at 13:41, Wed 01 May 2019.

Magdrak considers for a moment.  "What language do they speak?  Dwarvish?  Will we be able to communicate with them, or will we need to?"

"They speak Ignan," he replies to Magdrak.

"Are you related to the duergar in any way?" Morg asks Greaek.

"No," Greaek says curtly.

"Duergar and slavers deserve to be crushed by my ham..." Morg says, looks at his scabbard, "uh, you dinnae happen to have a maul in exchange for this greatsword?"

"Burn you all," Greaek grunts, exasperated. "Do I look like an armory? Will you agree to free my kin or not?"

"Does anyone speak Primordial or nyaff?" Morg asks the party.

"No. I still think it's a great idea." Findarion replies.

Greaek seemingly takes Findarion's answer for assent. "Good. You'll all still probably die anyway, but maybe what I tell you now will keep you alive long enough." He points a finger. "No mentioning my role in any of this, mind you."


"The way into the Temple from this direction is heavily guarded. If you show the sign of the Eternal Flame," Greaek makes one hand into a fist, his thumb up, and covers it with his other hand, his thumb between the fingers of his other hand, "then you should make it past the guards in the entrance hall. There may be more guards beyond, down the stairs in a columned chamber. You'll need to talk your way in."

"Once you're past the columned chamber, take your first right down a long wide corridor. Then take your first left into the cellblock."

Greaek turns to the wall and runs his hands over the rough surface. After a few seconds of searching, he presses hard on a nondescript rock. A portion of the wall slides away, revealing a small natural chamber beyond. Moisture drips from several stalactites into small pools of greenish liquid. The drops echo quietly off the natural stone walls. Several clusters of dark black mushrooms grow near the pools.

"Rest here. You look like you've been pulled through a bonfire by your toes, then left out in the sun all day. Maybe a night's rest will improve your capabilities." He looks skeptical. "Have some mushrooms too. They have healing properties."
This message was last edited by the GM at 14:31, Fri 03 May 2019.

Magdrak nods at Greaek.  "We'll do what we can.  Appreciate the help with the not dying and all."  He then turns to Morg and continues.  "Nah, I just speak Dwarvish.  No fancy languages here.  But I agree that we should take a rest.  At least, I know I can use one.  Not sure about the rest of you."

Jak had looked over at Morg curiously as the questions started. Then he bit his lip and finally had to cover his mouth so his smirk wouldn't be visible. Morg sure had a way with words and non-dwarves!

He nodded in agreement of taking the 'job'. He intently watched, and then tried to replicate, the hand movements for the 'hand sign' to make sure he had it down. "Past columned chamber, first right, first left. Got it." He nodded to Magdrak. "Make no guarantees, but we'll try."

He was a bit wary, but the fiery dwarf was right - they needed to rest! So rest he would.

Morg looks at the sliding wall, a way to get out again, and the cave itself as he enters.

"I'll take the 2nd watch." he says, "and Magdrag and I should probably try these black mushrooms before the delicate folk do."

---

If things look safe, Morg will eat some black mushrooms to try to figure out if it's healing or poisonous.

08:55, Today: Morg Danforge rolled 7 using 1d20+4 with rolls of 3.  Stonecunning check regarding origin of stonework of sliding wall.
08:55, Today: Morg Danforge rolled 17 using 1d20 with rolls of 17.  Investigate opening sliding wall from inside small cave.
08:56, Today: Morg Danforge rolled 17 using 1d20+3 with rolls of 14.  Perception check for dangers in small cave.

Morg finds the mushrooms taste rather bland, but have a pleasing texture that reminds him of fine meats.
This message was last edited by the GM at 15:38, Sat 04 May 2019.

"These mushrooms don't seem to be poison, so the unpleasant fire dwarf was probably telling the truth when he said they have healing properties." Morg says, holding out some for the others.

Magdrak grabs a couple of mushrooms and pops one into his mouth.  "Tasty.  I'll take first watch, if there's no objections."  He leaves his armor on for guard duty, but prepares his bedding for an eventual rest.  He puts a few extra mushrooms into a pouch for later.

OOC:  Magdrak will remove his armor for sleeping.

Wiglaf takes a handful of mushrooms and devours them, dropping a few stems on the floor of the cave, then finds a corner of the cave away from the others to bed down for the night.

Greaek grunts as he sees the group making camp. "The Temple is just back to the natural tunnel, turn left and straight on until you hit it. Can't miss it." He pulls the natural rock door to, leaving just a crack. "Remember, don't mention me if you get caught. But you'll most likely just be killed outright. You're all in over your heads." He pulls the door the rest of the way closed.

---

Anything else you all would like to do before a long rest? Anyone else may of course have mushrooms.

Jak gave Greaek a mock salute once his back was turned. He gave a shrug to himself and his allies. He smirked as he looked them over. "Hell, what does HE know? Pssh!" He waved a dismissive hand. "We've been in over our heads for like a MONTH now!"

He grinned widely and then yawned. "ugh. Wake me for last watch." He laid out his bedroll and crashed out.

"A month? Seems like quite the adventure you had..." Findarion remarks with an exhausted sigh.

"It was risky, trusting Graek. But, he seems to genuinely wish for his people's freedom. I don't think we need to fear betrayal, but let's stay on guard. I'll take the second watch."

The slow drip, drip from the stalactites is the only sound during the night.

---

If there's nothing else you all want to do for Day 8, I'll close out this thread and post a Day 9. The Long Rest passes uneventfully =)
This message was last edited by the GM at 19:58, Sat 11 May 2019.