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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Richards" data-source="post: 8235228" data-attributes="member: 508"><We're almost there,> the phasm mentioned telepathically to the two gnomes riding upon its back.  <I'm going to need to shift back to a more presentable form before we enter the city.>Federico wasted no time in dismounting from the riding lizard's back; while he was glad not to have been devoured by the roper, it was weird enough to have it transform into a svirfneblin and have a discussion about their recent adventures and the surface world as a whole, and stranger still to have it then turn into a giant lizard (of the type favored by drow, as the fighter understood it) that could talk to them directly into their minds.  Still, if this weird shapeshifter could get them back home Federico was all for it; he just wished they'd get on with it already.  The silly thing was as chatty as his cousin!Javorik passed down Litttle Biggie to Federico before climbing down off the lizard's back himself; rather than keep his bag of holding over his shoulder like before, he'd held it on his lap, with Shandrilla still fast asleep and the upper edge of the bag pulled up to her armpits as if she were tucked into bed.  The girl hadn't awakened at all during the trip and Javorik had been careful not to wake her in her present condition, although he was sorely tempted to do so before they entered the deep gnome city where they'd hopefully find their way home.  It was a shame she'd miss out on the opportunity to meet the “snirf goblins,” as she had erroneously called them in the past, herself.  Federico passed the bag of holding back over to Javorik once he'd dismounted; he knew his cousin was very protective of the silly human girl and was taking it as his own personal responsibility to see she remained safe.The phasm altered its form and resumed the outer appearance of Pothelwick Glintpebble.  “Let's go!” he said with a smile on his face, leading the rest of the way to the gates of the svirfneblin city.  The approaching light from Javorik's everburning torch gave the deep gnomes plenty of notice of their approaching visitors, but once the guards recognized the familiar face of Pothelwick they relaxed and let them enter.Pothelwick led them straight to a svirfneblin shop where the wizards among them made their various  purchases.  After introducing Javorik and Federico to the deep gnome wizard running the shop and explaining their needs, the shopkeeper passed over a scroll.  Javorik took it up and cast a read magic spell, examining the unfamiliar arcane writings on the parchment.  It was written in a different manner than the one he had brought with him from the surface (and which had been subsequently ruined by the dunking it took in the subterranean river), but he was sure he'd be able to cast it without any problems.“How much is it?” Javorik asked, well aware he didn't have any money on him at the moment.  The wizard gave him a figure in pieces of gold.  The illusionist frowned, digging into the pockets of his robe, briefly considering the “Barlenni diamond” gambit, where he'd cast an illusion on a rock or lump of coal and pass it off as a valuable gemstone...but ultimately decided against it.  These svirfnebli weren't trying to dupe him like the surface potion vendor had; they were actively trying to help him get back home.“...Are you up for some barter?” he asked, his hand straying to his belt.</blockquote>

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