THE KING OF THE GNOMES
As the companions recovered, Pez was aware that more of his powers were returning. Most importantly, his ability to heal wounds, not only his own, but others as well, was strengthening. He quietly made his way around to his friends, laying his hands upon them as he went.
In due course, they were prepared to set forth once again, and so made the return descent to Jzadirune. They retraced their steps through several passageways and tunnels, exploring areas now open to them thru virtue of the key they had taken from the stalker. However, most of these rooms were vacant and had seen long years of disuse. Dust and cobwebs covered the sparse furnishings present, but the former purposes of these chambers could still be guessed at…barracks, guest rooms, nurseries, kitchens, and workrooms. Despite the neglect, the ubiquitous and devious traps the gnomes had left behind were still in perfect working order.
At one point as they tramped down another in an endless series of corridors, Pez and Tilly were taken by surprise as the floor suddenly dropped from beneath their feet. Tilly managed a mid-air somersault, and grabbed the lip of the gaping pit that now filled ten feet of the hallway. Pez was not so fortunate. He fell headlong into the hole, landing with a thud after a twenty-foot fall, and narrowly avoiding being impaled on several rusty iron spikes there. The pierced remains of a skulk nearby showed that not all who passed this way had been as lucky.
Pez assessed his injuries, and found them to be minor. Spreading his feathery wings, he leaped upwards and flew back to the top of the shaft. “Watch that first step,” he said dryly as he then shuttled his partners across the gap.
The opposite side of the pit appeared to be a dead-end, but as Salazar examined the blank wall there, he found that his hand passed straight thru. Another illusion; the gnomes seemed quite fond of such tricks, but they became tedious after awhile.
Sal alerted the others to the trick, and then stepped thru the false barrier. The large, empty area beyond bore an interesting piece of artwork. Carved into the far wall in softly glowing lines, was a large map showing various interconnected rooms and corridors.
Sal stepped forward and peered closely at it. Suddenly, his face brightened, and then fell just as quickly, “It’s a map of this whole complex…of Jzadirune, but it’s not complete. It doesn’t show any of the secret corridors and doors we’ve found, nor does it show the tunnels of the skulks and creepers, obviously. Not only that, but if this scale is correct, then this place is huge! We’ve not even explored half of it yet! The entrance to the Malachite Fortress could literally be anywhere! It’ll be like looking for a needle in a haystack.”
“Well, then we’d best not waste any more time,” Pez said flatly, “Perhaps the good dwarf here could at least tell us if we are descending at all.”
“I’m a priest, not a compass,” Rusty growled, “but I’ll be sure and tell ye if I’m headin down a flight o’stairs.”
They began following the hallways generally northward, towards a part of the complex they had not yet traveled to. In this way they came upon a grand hall. Marble staircases split the room into three levels: a rubble-strewn foyer to the east, a square marble landing, and an upper hall supported by two pillars sculpted to resemble petrified trees. Between the pillars rested a graven throne. An elderly gnome wearing a silver crown was slumped in the throne, his soft snores echoing throughout the room. The wall behind the throne was carved with frescoes depicting a complex array of gears. On the wall fronting the landing, a cherubic gnomish face was carved in bas-relief.
Pez was skeptical. They had found too many such areas already, which were not as they appeared. He took flight across the chamber, and landed directly in front of the throne and the sleeping gnome king. Despite his disbelief, the warrior thought that he should at least attempt courtesy, lest this actually be a true vision. He bowed low before the throne, and spoke, “Good king, we are humble servants of Tyr, the Even-handed, and we respectfully request an audience with your august personage.”
Moments passed, and the slumbering figure did not stir. Pez sighed, and reached out a hand to try and rouse the sleeper. Just as he expected, his hand passed straight thru the gnome. He turned to notify his troupe, when he noticed Sal climbing the staircase to the landing.
As Salazar reached the landing, the carved relief seemed to suddenly come to life. Its eyes fluttered open, and its large mouth began to speak, “If you wish an audience with the king, place your finest coin in my mouth.”
Sal hesitated for a moment, looking behind him for guidance from his friends. Tilly just shrugged, “Couldn’t hurt.”
Sal reached into his coin purse and withdrew one of his precious platinum pieces. Kissing it once for luck, he tossed it into the mouth of the carving, where it promptly vanished. The rogue waited a few moments, and when nothing more seemed forthcoming, he continued up the stairs to stand before the throne beside Pez. “I have paid my tribute,” he said, “and now I request my audience.” Again, silence.
“Maybe it’s a trick,” Tilly said brightly from down below. “Maybe by saying your most ‘precious’ coin, they really mean your least.” With that, the halfling bounded up the stairs and stood before the sculpture, where the same demand was repeated. Tilly quickly took a copper mark from his pocket, made a wish, and threw into the open mouth.
“Miser!” the face shouted, “What a paltry tribute! I curse you with clumsiness!”
Instantly, Tilly felt weak, drained. He took a step backwards and promptly tripped over his own feet, landing hard on his backside, and then rolling completely down the staircase, head over heels.
“I told him not to touch anything,” Pez chuckled.
“Ok, enough is enough,” Sal huffed, and proceeded to climb all over the throne, searching every nook and cranny for a hidden lever or recess. His search was rewarded when he stumbled across a small niche in one of the throne’s armrests. Prying it open, he found a bed of gold coins…along with one platinum piece and one copper…
The group sure plays a lot more carefully when they don't have access to 9th level spells...
