Session 18-A: Home to Hearth

Key Plot Developments
Misu, Beze, Trix, Shuushar, and Lemon continue towards Forgehome on their way to Gracklstugh. Trix takes some time to fish with Shuushar and reminisces about his comparatively idyllic life in the Sunless Citadel. Misu entertains Lemon by feeding him almonds, which Lemon finds tasty. Lemon takes a shine to Misu and asks to be called Almon-Glyn-Lemon-Glyn-Bogtooth. Shuushar is unconvinced of Misu's intentions, but understands her beneficial qualities as a powerful adventurer in the unforgiving Underdark and appreciates her caution.

Turning a corner, the party finds themselves on the approach to Forgehome. Nearly a dozen dark dwarves, wearing makeshift armor and wielding mining equipment as weapons, stand ready. Seeing them approach, two dwarves begin pushing shut a large stone valve, blocking off access to the city. Misu negotiates with the guards, mentioning their mayor (Gloris Leadshaper) by name. She's granted an audience.

Forgehome is a massive city of miners, existing as a focal point and safe haven where a variety of mining expeditions can disembark from, and return to.

All entrances to Forgehome are well defended and easily sealed behind huge stone valves—this makes Forgehome valuable as one of the few places in the Underdark for safe rest and shelter.

Forgehome’s population is made up almost entirely of dwarves who are incredibly skeptical of outsiders—only adventuring parties on official business may enter.

Gloris speaks with Misu. Misu seeks supplies and a letter of introduction to Gracksltugh. Gloris is skeptical. She exclaims that her settlement hasn't had much contact with the Deepking recently, since they've been dealing with their own problems. She relays this information:


 * Rumors persisted of an untapped vein of mithral ore a four day's journey away. A small expedition party was sent to simply scout the area, confirm the presence of mithral, then return so that a larger mining company could be formed.
 * After two tendays had passed, a second search party was sent to see what happened to the scouts. The second party also didn’t return.

Trix is uninterested in this diversion, since he wants to reunite with his family as soon as possible. He reaches out to whatever divine power grants him spells, and discerns that the disappearance is related to "roots." He guesses that it might have something to do with the Gulthias Tree, an undead plant that led to the tragedy at the Sunless Citadel. Still, he thinks, he'll return to it later.

Misu blurts out information about Odarin, the duergar proprietor of the Long Salt Tavern. Trix mentions Zeks and Edsel, the two duergar in Anna's grove. Gloris confirms her intention to recapture and bring to justice any deserters of the crown. Trix is fine with Anna's grove being attacked, but is scared for Odarin; he sends Odarin telepathic messages as a warning.

Misu still wants a letter of introduction, so Trix speaks with the mayor's advisor (Thron Flintheart). Thron's sister was on the initial mining crew. Trix connects with the advisor over their separated family. They receive a letter of introduction to Gracksltugh, and are told that all proud followers of the Deepking will accept them into the city. Otherwise, they run the risk of being exiled or enslaved.

Since they won't help with this problem, the mayor will not let them spend the night. Trix sends a message to Tremble and learns that Tremble is heading off to Blingdenstone, the gnomish city on the far side of the upper Underdark.

As the group continues towards Gracklstugh, the area grows unbearably hot. Smoke clouds billow around them. Shuushar and Lemon are in an excruciating amount of pain and distress (Misu calls the condition Gracklung). Misu makes masks for the party and routinely hits Lemon with the "freezies" (ice-based cantrips). They trudge ahead, avoiding what looks like a Vrock (a vulture demon) in the sky. Misu uses Rope Trick to buy them time and realizes that Lemon can be placed in her Bag of Holding without him getting hurt. Lemon is put in the bag.

Finally, they reach Gracklstugh's gates.

New NPCs

 * 1) Gloris Leadshaper, Forgehome's mayor
 * 2) Thron Flintheart, Mayor Leadshaper's advisor